Secrets with children
FanOfMost asked for a oneshot of Emma and Neal working with some of Snow's pupils on something for teacher appreciation day, but Neal's only little so let's slip.
Emma was keeping a very close eye on her little brother whenever she could. Five-year-olds were not known for their secret keeping abilities. She wasn't sure about including him in this at all, at first, but she knew it would be unfair to exclude him and he would probably get quite upset. Only by dinner time did Emma begin to relax. Neal had known about the plan for Snow's class to present her with their gifts for Teacher Appreciation Day with Emma, Charming, Henry and Neal all present. They had even got her a special medal made. Maybe Neal didn't understand that it was an important event, so didn't feel the need to tell their mom. Emma finally felt her shoulders relaxing.
"I'll clear the plates." Emma said after dinner. She took everyone's plate and began to carry it through to the kitchen to wash them.
"Thanks sweetie. Once we've let that settle I've got some nice things for dessert." Snow said.
"Oh, is it the cake Emma made?" Neal piped up. Emma froze on the spot. Charming's eyes widened.
"Cake Emma made?" Snow asked. "When did Emma make a cake."
"She didn't!" Emma said, quickly dumping the plates and coming back to sit beside Neal. "He's getting confused…"
"No I'm not Emma, I helped make it!" Neal piped up. "It's for mommy's students to give to her to say thank you for being a good teacher!" Emma ran her hand down her face. Charming didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. Snow just smiled. She knew first-hand how hard it could be keeping secrets with small children involved.
"I could pretend I heard nothing?" She offered.
"Please." Emma and Charming said together. Neal just beamed up at his mother. Was he getting cake or not?
