An easy mistake
A guest asked for a oneshot of Emma accidentally doing something that ends up injuring Neal. Her parents come in just as it happens and misjudge the situation. They overreact and blame Emma when she tries to defend herself. Hurt, she storms off. They don't follow after her. Later, they discover it was a genuine accident. Only then do they go looking for her.
Emma didn't even know Neal had toddled into the room. She wasn't aware that he could. She'd made sure that the baby gate was fastened properly. But as she turned around with her coffee in her hands, she found herself tripping over a little human. Neal thudded to the tiled floor, hitting the side of his head off the ground. He screamed out in agony. Emma's whole body turned to ice. She scooped Neal up and began to check him over. He didn't appear to be bleeding. She didn't know what had happened. She was sure she had checked the gate was closed properly. But before Emma had the chance to investigate, the front door was being opened. Emma tried to shush Neal, but he was still screaming. Just over his loud wails, she heard one of her parents say something about hearing a sore cry. Next thing Emma knew, they came into the room.
"Emma, what happened?" Snow asked, taking the screaming Neal from her. "Why's Neal screaming? Why's his head so red?"
"I didn't know he was in here." Emma said. "I had just made myself some coffee. I turned around and knocked him over." Emma explained.
"Emma, Neal shouldn't have been in here unless he was in his highchair. You know he's not steady enough on his feet for the hard floor." Charming told her off, surprised at her carelessness.
"I do know that. That's why I made sure he would be safe in the living room for a moment. If you'd just let me explain…"
"Emma, with all due respect, clearly you didn't." Snow cut her off. "Otherwise this wouldn't have happened." Emma felt hurt. They weren't even going to give her a chance to explain?
"Fine." Emma snapped. She stormed out. Snow and Charming didn't follow her. She clearly needed time to cool off and assess the situation. Meanwhile, they got Neal calmed down and settled in the living room with some of his toys. Charming went to go through and grab some kitchen roll to wipe up a spillage. He made sure to close the kitchen gate behind him. But then, Neal looked intently at the gate. The switch flicked back over and the gate swung back open. Snow and Charming started at it, astounded. Then, a wave of guilt crashed over them. Emma. She had closed the gate behind her.
"We need to find her." Snow said, quickly picking Neal up and setting him on her hip. Charming wholeheartedly agreed. Together, they left the loft apartment.
They must have called Emma's phone twenty times easily. She didn't pick up once. They were beginning to get worried when they spotted a familiar red leather jacket making its way down Main Street. Charming quickly pulled up.
"Emma, wait!" Charming called out. Emma kept walking.
"I have nothing to say to either of you." Emma spat. "You made yourselves pretty clear."
"We know what happened now." Charming told her. "Neal, it's his magic. He did it again after you left. Emma, we're so sorry we didn't give you a chance to explain." Charming said sincerely. Emma shrugged, but didn't turn round. "Do you think we can go home and talk this out properly?" Emma shook her head.
"I'm not ready to come home." Emma told them. "I've already booked a room at Granny's for the night." Emma told them.
"Ok." Snow said, trying to sound calm. "Just…keep in touch. Let us know when you're ready." Emma nodded, continuing to walk away. Snow turned to Charming. What had they done?
