All actions have concequences
Just one of my own. I've been watching a lot of old EastEnders clips recently because I'm sad and have nae life and it's struck me just how many can be related to Once; and specifically the Charming family. I've actually written a few of these oneshots based around EE clips before (and if any other EE fans want to know which, just lemme know), but since I'm low on requests, you might see a few more of these haha. I've changed things a little to be that Emma knew she was pregnant before going into prison and was raised by Snow, who got through the wardrobe with her.
I will remind people that we didn't know the full story with Bae at this point before anyone reads.
Also, speaking of reminders, PLEASE remember chapter name AND number when asking for any sequel request.
Emma felt like she was a million miles away. In the distance, she could still hear the police sirens whirling around. She knew she didn't have long. This was the end of the line. Her blurry eyes drifted towards her stomach. She knew a small budge would appear there soon. Oh, what ha she done? She'd messed up her child's life before it had even began. She'd been duped. How could she have been so stupid? She thought Neal loved her. Thought this whole watch business was just a wrong turn in his life. She thought they could have had something together. Started a family, been happy…well, none of that was going to happen now. Neal was far away, probably across the border already. It was Emma who had been caught red-handed. She knew she only had a matter of minutes before the police caught up with her at her mom's house and took her in.
With trembling fingers, Emma pulled out her keys and unlocked the door. She sniffed, trying to think straight. She had a very limited window to make sure her mom knew everything.
"Mom?" Emma called out, her voice cracking. "Mom, where are you?"
"I'm in here." Snow called from the living room. She frowned. Emma didn't sound right. Was something wrong? She suspected there was maybe trouble in paradise with this new boyfriend of hers. Snow was yet to meet him. Although she supposed she would have to soon, what with the baby and all. Snow wasn't sure how she felt about that yet. Emma was only seventeen, but it was done now, there was no point in getting angry over it. Emma came into the room, eyes red and filled with tears. She was shaking all over. It was clear immediately to Snow that this was more than a lover's tiff. Emma was petrified. Snow quickly got up off the couch.
"Emma?" She asked. "Emma, what's wrong? Has something happened?" Emma could hardly answer. She gave a brief nod.
"Mom…I've done something stupid." She croaked. Snow took Emma's hands in hers.
"What have you done, sweetheart?" She asked her gently. Emma was barely holding it together, but her mom had to know everything before the police arrived.
"Neal…he did a bad thing. He stole some watches. I was trying to help him out. Move them from the locker he'd stashed them in so we could have a nest egg for the baby…he bailed on me, mom. He's probably already out of the country. The police were there and caught me with the watches. They'll be at the house in a few minutes. They're onto me. They'll take me to prison." Emma couldn't hold back any longer, she burst into terrified tears. Snow felt like she'd just bashed into a brick wall. What? She tried to take all the information Emma had just given her in, but it was almost too much.
As hard as it was, Emma pulled herself back together. There was still more to discuss, and the sirens were getting louder.
"Listen," Emma said, her voice broken and her eyes wild. "Mom, I need you to help me here. I know I don't deserve it after the way I've treated you this last year, but I'm in real trouble and I need your help." Emma begged. Snow nodded. Of course she would help her. All the fights, the harsh words, they'd shared over the last year went straight out the window. Emma was her daughter and she was in trouble. Of course Snow was going to help her. Emma took her hands out her mother's and placed them on her stomach. "The baby." Emma whispered. "Mom, I'm probably still going to be in prison when they're born. I can't stand the idea of them going into the system, or even being adopted, I just can't. Please mom, I know it's a lot to ask. You've already raised your kid. But please, will you look after my baby until I can?" Emma pleaded with her. Snow could hear the sirens coming too, but she was more in denial than Emma was. She wasn't prepared to accept that her daughter was going away. Snow wouldn't lose her. She had promised Charming she would protect her. Snow took Emma's face in her hands, holding her tightly, never wanting to let go. The sirens had gone off now. That could only mean one thing: they were very close.
"And you're my baby." Snow said, becoming emotional. She pressed a firm kiss to Emma's cheek. Just then, there was a knock at the door. Emma swallowed, her heart hammering in her chest, but she knew she had to do this.
"That will be them." Emma said, still fighting to stay strong. That was the way she had been raised. Snow nodded, still not giving up.
"Ok." She said, formulating a plan. "Ok, you run upstairs and quickly pack a bag with essentials. I'll distract them down here. Then…"
"Mom, stop." Emma said. She wasn't running away. Then she would be condemned forever to a life on the run, as would her child. "The sooner I hand myself in, the sooner this will all end." She said. Snow couldn't help but cry. She felt responsible. She was Emma's mother. She should have known this boy was bad news and protected her. Now, because she hadn't, Emma was going to prison.
Emma's hands were still shaking as she opened the front door. Sure enough, outside were two police officers.
"Emma Swan?" One asked. Emma nodded. "We got a call about some stolen watches. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?" He asked. Emma swallowed. Time to be brave.
"Listen, I know how this is all going to know. We both do. Can you…can you just give me a minute to say goodbye to my mom? I'm her only family, and I know I'm not going to be able to have some time alone with her for a while after today." Emma asked. The police pressed his lips tightly together before turning his head and nodding briskly.
"One minute." He told her firmly.
"Thank you." Emma responded gratefully before shutting the door. She turned around to see that her mother was right behind her, shaking her head. Her own eyes as teary as Emma's. Emma pulled her mom in for as tight a hug as she could without breaking down.
"I'll see you soon." Emma whispered. "I love you so much."
"I love you." Snow croaked back, wanting to cling onto Emma and not let her go. But Emma slipped loose of her mother's hold and turned with one last brave smile for her mother to face the music. Snow could then only watch helplessly at her little girl was placed in handcuffs and taken away in the back of a police car. Once Emma was out of sight, Snow broke down on her own doorstep. She didn't care who might be watching. All she cared about at that moment was Emma.
