Who is the priority?
A guest asked for a oneshot of there being a complication during Snow's pregnancy and Charming having to decide between the doctors prioritising the baby or Snow. Trigger warning for traumatic birth.
It was never supposed to be like this. Even with Emma's birth, it hadn't been like this. It was after Emma and Neal's births things had gone horribly wrong. This time, it was smack bang during the birth.
"Wh-what's happening?" Charming stammered, his mouth going dry as he watched a swarm of people in scrubs surround his wife mid-birth. One minute everything had been fine. The next, Snow had began convulsing and all manner of alarms had started going off. The head midwife approached Charming.
"It seems your wife was suffering from preeclampsia." She explained. She looked back at Snow. "I don't mean to alarm you, Your Highness, but it is my job to be honest with you. Births like this are not always straight forward. You are Snow White's next of kin. I'm afraid this decision falls to you."
"What decision?" Charming demanded, although deep within his heart, he knew what he was about to be asked.
"If it comes down to it, and I sincerely hope it doesn't, but if it does, we need to know who you want us to prioritise: your wife, or the baby?" She asked. Charming shook his head slightly. Who was anybody supposed to make that decision? The love of his life, or their third child? Add into that the complication of them sharing a heart. If Snow died, then so would he. Leaving Emma, Neal and the new baby without either parent. Charming felt like the world was going on in slow motion around him. He knew he had to make this decision quickly. The team didn't have time for him to think about such a vital decision. He thought about what Snow would say if it was her. What she would want him to do. Despite how much it pained him, he knew what decision he had to make. The tears stung his eyes.
"If it comes to it- save the baby. It's what Snow would want." Charming croaked. The midwife nodded, reaching out and squeezing his shoulder.
"We will do our best to save them both." She promised him. Charming was frozen to the spot, looking past her to Snow.
"I'm afraid I need you to wait outside now." The midwife said. "I'll come to you if there's any news." Charming nodded, how could he tell her that he would be the first to know if something happened to his beloved Snow? He stumbled numbly out into the corridor, dumbfounded.
"Dad?" Came a voice from the waiting area. Charming looked up. Emma was still there, three year old Neal attached to her hip. "Dad, what's wrong?"
"Sit down." Charming croaked, coming over. Emma was now very worried. She sat down. Charming came and sat beside her. He took Emma's hand. He used his free hand to ruffle Neal's hair. He smiled down at his son, trying to be brave for him.
"Mommy's quite poorly." He explained as best he could. "So is the new baby. The doctors are working really hard to bring the baby out. But…but…it's not easy." He explained, fighting not to cry. Charming looked up at Emma. She understood. She also understood that her parents shared a heart. She squeezed her dad's hand, sharing the panic with him.
It was a long night for the family. Neal slept against his sister, blissfully unaware of the terror the rest of his family were facing. Charming wanted nothing more than to be with his wife, and their baby, but he simply wasn't allowed.
About five in the morning, the midwife came looking for the family.
"Your Highness?" She asked. Charming got up straight away. Of course, he knew instantly that Snow was at least alive.
"How are they both?" He asked, terrified. Emma was right behind him, Neal still sleeping in her arms. The midwife smiled.
"I think they're both going to pull through." She told him. Charming cried out in relief, kissing Emma and Neal on the forehead. "Neither are out of the woods just yet, but it's a good sign." She assured him. "You two will have to wait here, but I'll take you through to see your wife, and meet your daughter."
"We have another girl?" Charming asked, perking up. He grinned. "We have another girl!" He followed the midwife through to where Snow lay on the bed. The baby wasn't with her, she was in her own high dependency room. Charming smiled weakly up at him.
"A girl." She said weakly. "Another beautiful girl." Charming leaned down and gently kissed her forehead.
"I'm just glad you're both alright. I couldn't stand the thought I might lose either of you." He said quietly. For that small moment, Charming just enjoyed being with his wife. Something that, briefly, he had worried he would never get to do again.
