Need a hand?

A guest asked for a oneshot of Emma having an experience with her parents that seems essential to childhood that she missed out on.

Emma just about choked on her glass of wine as she laughed. She had missed this. It had been so long since she'd had a proper girls' night out. Just between various villains, curses and what not (as well as everyone's hectic schedules) there just hadn't been a chance for a catch up. Now here Emma was, finally getting a few drinks with a couple of her friends in Storybrooke. Not Red and Ashley. As much as Emma loved them, they were more her mother's friends than hers. It was a bit awkward at times. They both saw Emma more like a niece than a friend and it was hard for any of them to properly let loose. No, it was just Emma, Merida and Mulan, both of whom had decided to stick around in Storybrooke.

"I telt you that Scottish whisky was better than the shite you drink here." Merida said, her voice only slurring ever so slightly. Mulan too was only on the verge of drunk. Emma had dealt with a very stressful workload that week, and was pretty hammered by the end of the night. Although she had enjoyed Merida's selection of very strong drinks, it was time for her to call it a night.

Merida and Mulan saw that Emma got back to her parents farm ok, it was closer than Emma's own home and Storybrooke was yet to gain a taxi company. It was also safe to say none of them were anywhere near sober enough to be the designated driver. They said their goodbyes and then Emma stumbled up to the door, fumbling with her keys. To her surprise, the door suddenly unlocked and opened.

"Cool, magic door." She slurred. "Didn't know I could do that…"

"It was me, you silly thing." Snow said, amused. Emma looked up.

"Mom?" She asked. "What are you doing awake? Neal will be up early in the morning."

"When you said you'd crash here overnight since it was closer, I wanted to make sure you got in ok. It's all peace in the valley just now, but there's always the chance of villains or curses here. Come in, your bed's already for you upstairs." Snow said warmly. Emma smiled. She should have known her mom would wake up for her. But her smile faded as she approached the bottom of the stairs. They suddenly felt a lot more like the assent to Everest than the stairs up to her room. The floor beneath her felt quite wobbly. This wasn't going to be easy. She went to reach the first step, but her foot plummeted to the ground beneath her. Damn, she wasn't as close as she thought. She grabbed hold of the banister to keep herself upright.

"Em, you ok?" Snow asked, coming over and placing a hand on Emma's back. Emma nodded, concentrating on making her way up the stairs.

"Look like you were right, Snow." Came a voice from behind. "She's gonna need a hand." Emma sighed. She should have known her dad would have stayed up too.

"I'm fine." She protested, even though she was sure if she brought one leg up in order to walk up the stairs she would topple over.

"Yep, sure you are." Came her dad's disbelieving voice. Before Emma could say anything else, he was over at her, picking her up. Emma yelped a little in surprise. Snow walked ahead of them so she could get Emma's bed ready. Emma's world was now spinning. She gave in, and rested her head against her dad's shoulder. She supposed this was ok, just this once.

Charming carefully carried Emma through to her bedroom in their home. By the time he got her there, Snow had already pulled back the duvet. Charming gently got Emma onto the bed. Snow whisked her shoes off and covered her with the duvet.

"Sleep well." Snow whispered before each parent kissed her forehead. They then quietly tiptoed out the room, leaving Emma pretty stunned. That was the first time in her memory that someone had ever put her to bed.