Not the right lifestyle

A guest asked for a oneshot of Emma being born before Snowing defeated George and the EQ. As such, they have to raise her under peasant conditions. It depresses Snow until Charming points out how happy their toddler is, even without a princess lifestyle.

Snow sat frowning by the fire as she watched Emma interacting with Grumpy. He became such a softie for the tot. Most people did. She was her father's daughter, alright. Such a little charmer. She should have a whole kingdom to wrap around her little finger, not just a handful of friends. She should have a bed that she slept in every night in the same room, in the same palace. Not an army cot in a tent that moved places every few days. Snow couldn't help but feel she was failing as a mother. Her little girl deserved better.

Charming saw Snow and how tormented she looked. He came and sat by her on the log near the campfire.

"Something's troubling you." He said knowingly. "What's wrong, Snow?" Snow knew there was no point in lying to her Charming. He would see right through in lies she tried to spin to hide her true feelings.

"Emma." Snow began. "She should have more than this. But because I couldn't keep my mouth shut, here we are. Moving around every few days. Packing up the few possessions she can call her own and moving on. Eating whatever we can hunt down ourselves, giving her half our share when food is scarce in the winter just to keep her from hunger. She deserves better than that, Charming. She's a princess without a castle, and it's all my fault that our little girl is growing up under constant threat in the middle of a war."

"Hey," Charming said gently. He took Snow's chin between his finger and thumb and gently turned it so she was facing him. "We're still battling George as well. The fact Emma's growing up under these conditions isn't either of our faults, it's theirs. But either way, it doesn't matter. Look at her." Snow's eyes once again found Emma. She was giggling as Grumpy made funny faces to entertain her. "Does she look unhappy to you?" Snow didn't answer. Charming took her silence as a no. "Exactly. The fact is, Snow, Emma had never known a life outside this. She's never been in a palace. Never dressed in a ball gown or tried on umpteen tiaras. This is Emma's life, and she likes it. She's an adventurous spirit, just like her mother." Charming gently pressed his lips against hers. "One day, Emma will be able to return to our home with us. Until then, we accept that she is at least happy. Don't feel bad Snow, Emma doesn't." Snow smiled, pressing her lips slightly more firmly against his.

"What would I do without you?" She sighed. Charming laughed. He didn't know what he would do without her, either.