Not worthy

Marina Ka-Fai asked for a oneshot of Emma reacting badly whilst pregnant with her second child. She breaks down to one of her parents. She's scared because of how things went with Henry. She's scared about how Henry will handle it all. Above all, how can she handle holding her second born in her arms when she never held Henry?

Guest: I'm really glad you like the stories :). I've actually already written Emma becoming a werewolf a couple of times ^^.

There was a buzz in the air. The Charming family would soon be growing by one, tiny, new member. Emma was pregnant, and in just a short couple of months she would have her baby. Snow and Charming were particularly excited. This was their chance to be proper grandparents from the start. Henry was of course over the moon to be becoming a big brother. Killian was delighted that he was going to be a father. He'd been slowly building the nursery since Emma had told him they were expecting. The only person who didn't seem so thrilled, was Emma. Snow had noticed that her daughter didn't seem her usual self. During the baby shower, she actually thought Emma was going to burst into tears, but not the happy kind. So when the guests stopped fussing over Emma and instead started asking Killian questions about the decoration of the nursery, Snow took the opportunity to have a quiet word in Charming's ear before whisking their daughter into the staffroom at Granny's.

"What's up mom?" Emma asked, trying to keep up a happy demeanour. Her parents had organised this party for her, it would be selfish to spoil it by crying. Snow gave Emma a smiled and reached across, taking her hand.

"Emma, I know you better than that. I know there's something upsetting you. What's wrong?" Emma looked away, not wanting to break down.

"Oh nothing." Emma lied. "It's just hormones. I'll be fine in a little bit…"

"Emma." Snow pressed. "What's really bothering you?" Emma sighed. It was sometimes scary how either of her parents could see right through her like an x-ray.

"I'm scared." Emma admitted quietly. Snow waited patiently. They were finally getting somewhere. "I've done all this before…it didn't exactly work out then, did it?" Snow stroked her thumb across the back of Emma's hand. She knew it was painful for her to talk about Henry's birth. "It's not just me, it's Henry as well. I know he's excited now, but what about after the baby's here? What if it hits him then that I'm doing everything for this child that I never did for him? I couldn't stand it if he resented either of us." Emma said sadly, rubbing her swollen belly. She looked up at her mom, her eyes shining with tears. "How am I meant to hold this baby in my arms when I gave their big brother away? I don't deserve a second chance."

"Oh Emma." Snow said, pulling her daughter into a tight hug. She started stoking through her daughter's hair. "Of course you deserve a second chance at being a mom. These worries, they're only natural, but I promise you, it won't turn out nearly as bad as it is in your head."

"How do you know that?" Emma asked, wiping tears from her eyes. Snow smiled, pulling Emma's head up so they were making eye contact.

"Well it didn't with you and Neal, did it?" Emma fell silent. "Your father and I had the exact same worries you're having right now. We didn't think we were worthy either, but you get over it. You realise that you did the best you could for your firstborn, to give them the best chance at life. You're not cheating them by adding to their family. You know that, after the new baby is born, you'll still be there for them too. Yes, it's hard sometimes. When I hear Neal laugh. When he cuddles up to me. I wonder what it would have been like if we could have done that too." Snow closed her eyes for a moment. She wouldn't let either of her children see her in pain. She cupped Emma's cheek. "It's hard, but you've never felt unloved by us because of Neal, have you?" Emma shook her head. "No. Henry will not feel unloved because of this new baby. He knows you did what was right for him at the time. You need to stop blaming yourself for something you couldn't help." Snow leaned forward and kissed Emma's forehead. "Everything's going to be ok, Emma. I promise." Emma smiled for the first time in days, something Snow was delighted to see.

"Thanks mom." She said sincerely.

"Any time, sweetie." Snow told her, getting up before helping Emma back up. "Now, this party's still in full swing. Do you want to go home?" Emma thought for a moment. Then, she shook her head.

"I'm ok." She told her mom, Snow smiled, walking back out, arm in arm with Emma to the party.