Emma in the middle- part 5

neongenesisevang asked for a oneshot of a 5th instalment continuing from Ch2428 "Emma in the middle- part 4" where Emma's parents and siblings apologise for their behaviour and favouritism. Combining Sofi's request for the same thing where Emma talks to her parents about how she feels now compared to how she felt then.

Snow and Charming truly had been trying to make amends with Emma. They had been trying to show her with their actions that they were regretful and wanted to treat her the same as her brother and sister. But, although actions are more powerful than words, sometimes the words are important too. So Snow and Charming arranged a family meeting with their children to address the elephant in the room properly, and apologise again. Emma knew this was bound to be about her, so had been reluctant to come when called, but she didn't really have much of a choice.

"I think it's rather obvious why we've arranged to meet with you all today." Charming began. He looked directly at his youngest daughter. "Emma, I'd like to hope you've noticed the effort your mother and I have put into fixing our relationship with you, but it shouldn't have had to have been fixed in the first place. What we're really trying to say Emma is…we're sorry it ever got this far." Charming said. Emma nodded, shifting about on her feet.

"For the record, Neal and I are sorry as well." Marali said. Snow and Charming looked at her, puzzled. What did they have to be sorry for?

"Yes, when we were little, maybe mom and dad had more say in the time we each got, but as we got older…Marali and I were just as aware of the difference as you. We were selfish. We should have said something, and we are truly, deeply, sorry, Emma." Neal told his older sister. Again, Emma nodded. She had never heard that from her siblings before.

"Things were hard for years." Emma admitted. "Watching Marali and Neal get more time than me. I just learned to accept it in the end, and we all know how that ended." Emma took a deep breath. "That's just as much my fault. I should have spoke up sooner. I wish I had, seeing how much better things are now. Yeah, I think we all know it's not perfect, but I do notice the difference, and I really do appreciate it."

"You have nothing to appreciate." Snow said, coming forward and wrapping her arms around Emma. Something that might have been awkward for the pair just a few months prior. "We're family, Emma. We are your parents. We adore spending time with you, all of you. Time is precious, and maybe we lost sight of that for a while. We're glad you reminded us too." Emma nodded into her mother's shoulder. Charming came and joined the hug. Marali and Neal just let their parents have this moment with their sister. Things were definitely on the mend.