Faking it

AmyRose asked for a oneshot of…a read and see story.

Angela, Cassandra and SwanQueen135: I think that kind of thing has already been covered.

Leda: I've done a few movie nights already.

Snow began to grow suspicious after day four. She was sure that there was a lot more noise coming from Emma's room until she opened the door. Then suddenly, silence, and Emma was lying looking like she was at death's door still. Her temperature was normal again. Her skin looked fine. She wasn't vomiting, but still, Emma claimed she felt miserable. Snow was certain there was some foul play. So she waited outside Emma's room after bringing her up some water. Yes, she was definitely watching TV.

"A-ha!" Snow called as she burst into the bedroom. Emma jumped five feet in the air. She looked at her mom, horror struck. She was caught. Snow fixed Emma with a stern glare, her hands on her hips.

"Emma Swan, what is this all about?!" Snow asked her. "I have been running myself ragged looking after you and you've been faking it! How could you be so selfish?

"I'm sorry." Emma said sheepishly. "I was sick at first. I got better a couple of days ago." Emma finally admitted. Snow couldn't believe this.

"Why would you lie to me, Emma?" Snow asked her. "You know how worried I've been about you!" Emma looked down, ashamed with herself.

"I've never had anyone look after me when I was sick before." She said quietly. "No matter how bad it got. Anywhere between colds and that time I was in Birmingham, Alabama and broke my leg. I was dropped off at the hospital and forgotten about. I was so used to taking care of myself when I was sick that at first, your pestering annoyed me. It took me a day to realise it was actually kinda nice. So yeah, maybe I've been milking it for a few days, but I would have stopped soon. I just wanted to savour it while it lasted." Snow's frown softened as she came and perched herself on the other side of Emma's bed.

"You know that you don't have to be sick for me to take care of you." She said gently. "I make sure you eat enough. I buy in food I knew you really like. I've always got your back when we're facing any villains. You don't need to be sick for me to look after you, Emma. And you don't need to be worried it's a onetime thing. Trust me. The novelty of finally getting to look after my sick daughter wore off after just a few hours." Snow teased her, gently tapping her nose. "I did it anyway because I love you, and I want to make sure you're well, as I will every time you're sick. Pretending to be ill isn't the right way to get my attention." Emma looked away, nodding.

"I know." She muttered quietly. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright." Snow said gently, reaching over and kissing the side of Emma's head. "But since you're miraculously all better, you can out of bed now and come help me catch up on the housework." Snow told her. Emma didn't even put up a fuss. She knew it was the right thing to do, although it hadn't been something she'd missed when she was 'sick'.