Complicated
Sorceress of Stories asked for a oneshot of Emma being adopted by Regina instead of Henry and then dealing with her real parents when the curse breaks.
Guest: I'm not honestly sure I could without breaking down.
Guest: All chapters must have interaction between at least 2 members of the Charming family.
Regina couldn't believe it. Her daughter was that Emma. It was a common name in both realms, so she had no reason to suspect that the baby she had adopted upon arriving in this realm was the daughter of her enemies…the baby she had planned to kill. Yet here she was, ten years later, her curse shattered by the little girl she'd tucked into bed at night for the last decade.
Emma stood, torn, with Charming's arms wrapped protectively around her shoulders. She was staring at Regina, not knowing how to feel. She had been trying to break this curse for months now, when she worked out her adoptive mom was actually the Evil Queen who had tried to murder her and her parents, she knew there was no going back. When she realised Regina was jealous of Emma's growing relationship with her fourth grade teacher (and biological mother) and tried to poison her, Emma knew she had to take the turnover instead. Luckily, a true love's kiss from Snow White herself brought Emma back, and broke the curse at the same time.
"You're not taking her from us again." Charming growled. Snow stood by his side, agreeing. Emma wasn't going anywhere with her.
"Is that so?" Regina said darkly. "Emma is my daughter. I raised her. You two were content to stick her in some magical wardrobe…"
"We all know why we had to make that choice." Snow snapped. "Emma included." Emma looked at Regina with sad eyes.
"You would have killed me." Emma said quietly. Regina looked down at her, heartbroken. "Before you adopted me. You would have had me killed."
"Emma…you know I love you…"
"So that's a yes." Emma turned into Charming's side, trying not to cry. "I don't want to see you. I'm going home with Mary Margaret and David." Regina couldn't help but feel stabbed.
"Emma. I'm sorry you're hurt but I'm your legal guardian. Not them. You're coming home this instant." Snow stood in front of her husband and daughter. She wasn't losing Emma again.
"Wanna bet." Snow snarled. Just then, Blue and Whale came into the little room.
"I suggest you leave, Your Majesty." Blue said coldly. "You're far outnumbered." Regina looked pleadingly at Emma, but the little girl refused to return her gaze. Defeated, Regina ran from the room. Snow and Charming looked at each other, smiling. She had found them. Charming pulled Emma into him, kissing the top of her golden head.
"You found us." He said emotionally. Emma didn't respond, just allowed herself to finally relax. She had done it. She had broken the curse. Snow bent down so she and Emma were eye level.
"We know this is bound to be very confusing for you." She said sympathetically. "Emma, we truly hope one day Reg…your mom," Snow couldn't help but wince at that "will change and you can be with her again. But you're our top priority, and we will keep you safe no matter what. Right now, being with her isn't safe. Do you understand?" Emma nodded.
"You can call her Regina. It's ok." Emma said quietly, sensing Snow's discomfort. Snow nodded, taking hold of Emma's hands.
"We know we haven't been the parents you deserved. We just hope you understand why we did what we did." Snow asked her. Emma nodded again.
"I know you were giving me my best chance. It's ok. I understand." She said quietly. This was all a little much for one day. Charming squeezed Emma's shoulder.
"Let's get you home. If you've got any questions, it's a lot quieter there." Charming told her. He kept his arm around her shoulders as they began to walk towards the apartment loft. Who knew who'd be lurking around any given corner? All Snow and Charming really knew was they had a chance now. A chance to be the family they should have been ten years ago.
