A difficult anniversary

Apapapapa asked for a oneshot of Emma giving Snow a hug and not letting go. Snow doesn't know why. It transpires that it's the one year anniversary of Emma going back in time and seeing her dying.

Rocky: Sorry, the problem with most alternate chapters is they're too similar to the original. Is there something else I can write for you?

To Snow, that day was just like any other day. Neal's first birthday had been a week ago, but there were no other exciting or otherwise noteworthy events in the near future. That wasn't the same for everyone in the Charming family.

Emma had spent the previous night tossing and turning in her bed, because for her, the next day's date would forever be burned into her brain. It was a day she would never forget, and not for a good reason. That's why, when she finally got out of bed the next morning, with bleary and bloodshot eyes, Emma grabbed her car keys and headed straight for her parents' home. She knew they'd be up. Lie-ins weren't really a thing with a one year old. She made her way speedily over there and went straight into the house. She heard her mom talking to her dad in the kitchen, so she went straight through.

Snow and Charming were startled by the sound of footsteps. Years of defending themselves and those they love against villains made them both a little edgy at times. When they saw Emma in the doorway, they partially relaxed. However, it was clear their daughter was in some distress.

"Emma, what's wrong?" Charming asked her. Emma gave no verbal response. Instead, she walked right up to her mom and wrapped her arms around her. Emma had to be able to touch her. Had to know that she was breathing. Had to be able to smell her familiar scent. This sudden hug (that didn't appear to be ending) didn't do much to ease either Snow or Charming's worries. Snow placed two gentle arms around Emma.

"I'm here." Snow promised her. "Whatever's the matter, we can sort it." Emma shook her head against her mom's shoulder.

"It was Neal's naming ceremony a year ago today." Emma croaked, hoping that would be enough of a clue for them. For a minute or so, Snow and Charming were confused. What was wrong with Neal's naming ceremony? It was Charming who first managed to connect the dots.

"That's the day you went through Zelena's portal." Charming pointed out. Snow felt Emma stiffen in her arms. She looked at Charming for a further explanation. "When she went back in time." Charming said quietly. "She saw…she saw things go down between you and the Evil Queen." Charming said as subtly as possible so as to not upset Emma any further. Now Snow understood. It had been exactly a year since Emma thought she had seen her mother die right in front of her. Snow and Charming both knew the pain of seeing your mother die. Snow leaned down and rested her head against Emma's shoulder.

"I'm still kicking." Snow promised her. "That won't change any time soon. You take all the time you need." Emma wasn't showing any times of letting go any time soon. Charming came and rubbed soothing circles on Emma's back. They would just take things slowly today, whatever Emma needed.