Emma in the middle- part 8
LyssLovesSnowing33 asked for a oneshot of an 8th instalment carrying on from Ch2524 "Emma in the middle- part 7" where She knows they didn't do it on purpose and they don't have to keep trying to make it up to her. They already have a billion times over with how much they care. Include Mamasnow of Emma seeking physical comfort from her mother.
Two years had passed since Emma had drunkenly admitted that she felt like the black sheep of the family. Those two years hadn't been easy for anyone. There was a lot of things that had to change. Emma had to stop hiding her feelings until they exploded. Snow and Charming had to make sure they were treating all three of their children fairly. Marali and Neal had to make sure they were sharing their time with Emma. Mostly, it was all going pretty well. Or at least Emma thought it was. Until she walked past her father's office one evening and heard her parents talking.
"It doesn't matter how long ago it was, I still feel dreadful." She heard her father sigh. "We only found out about that crossbow tournament because she couldn't keep the pain in any longer. How many other important events do you think we missed, Snow?"
"Don't you think I know that, Charming?" Snow sighed. "I feel the same way. I'm not saying it being years ago takes that away, I'm saying we need to try and move on. We might never forgive ourselves, but Emma seems to have forgiven us. All we can do is make things right now." Emma felt dreadful. Where they still dwelling on everything? It had been so long ago to her. She didn't even realise her parents still felt bad about it. Emma wasn't going to stand for it. She would sort things out between them. It was just going to take a little planning…
A couple of weeks later, Snow and Charming were told there was an urgent meeting they had to attend to. Neither remembered a meeting being scheduled, but when down to the meeting room anyway. There, they found Emma sitting on the meeting table.
"Emma?" Charming asked. "What's going on?"
"Nothing much." She said, swinging herself off of the table. "We're going out."
"We are?" Snow asked, surprised. Emma nodded.
"Yup." She told them. Amused, they followed after her. Emma lead them down to the stables. She quickly got herself saddled up and trotted away.
"Keep up!" She told them. Snow and Charming hurried to get their own horses ready and follow after Emma. What was that girl up to?
Emma's parents soon knew where they were going. It wasn't the meadow, as they had originally expected. It was the hilltop. It was a much smaller location looking out over a nearby village. It was Emma's favourite spot. She felt much more at peace there. They had learned that at some point last year. The three got off their horse. Emma took out a picnic blanket from her bag, setting it on the grass for the three to sit down. Emma sat in between her parents.
"I overheard you a while back. I know you still feel guilty about everything that went on." Emma said outright. Snow and Charming didn't know what to say. It was true. They did still feel guilty. Emma sighed, She took a hand from each parent. "Mom, dad, you have more than made it up to me. It's so clear to see how much you care about me. You don't need to try so hard. It's not like you ever deliberately left me overshadowed. I'm not now, anyway. So it's fine. Please, just let us all move on?" Emma pleaded with them. Charming sighed, kissing her forehead.
"Sweetheart, we can try, but I think your mother and I will always at least feel a little bad about how you spent your childhood. We should have recognised how you were feeling sooner. But we will try and move on." Charming promised her. Snow moved some hair out of Emma's face.
"Whatever you want." Snow promised her. "Whatever you need, baby. It's yours." Emma smiled. She had truly made progress with both of her parents, but more physical displays of affections were still tricky. It just wasn't something Emma was fully used to. But she was working on that. So, slowly, Emma leaned back against her mom, looking up at the clouds. Snow's heart leapt. She wrapped her arms loosely around Emma, leaning back and watching them herself. Charming moved over and lay down beside two of his girls. He and Snow shared a smile. They knew this wasn't easy for Emma. Snow proudly held her youngest daughter close to her as they all watched the clouds float merrily by. Yes, they would all remember this day for a long time to come.
