Free cookie- part 2
connorperry42 asked for a oneshot of a sequel to Ch1352 "Free cookie" where Emma paying other bills and her parents catching her. They come up with a way for her to understand she really doesn't have to.
After the shopping purse fiasco, Snow and Charming began to think about their finances more carefully. Sure, there was a definite dip in their income compared to living as royals in the Enchanted Forest. Plus added expenditures like electricity and running water. However, with their salaries combined they were certainly comfortable. Now though, they were beginning to think they might be a little too comfortable. Together, they went through their bills and realised that they were right. They were ending up with roughly an extra two hundred dollars every month. They now knew for a fact Emma wasn't putting money in the shopping purse, but they hadn't made her promise not to contribute to other bills. They decided it was best to confront her together. Having used those extra finance skills they'd gained to help. One Saturday afternoon, they handed Emma several pieces of paper.
"What's this?" Emma asked, glancing at it. Her brow furrowed. "That sure is a lot of numbers."
"Exactly. That, Emma, is a very rough estimation of at least eighteen years worth of bills. Even taking into account things like inflation." Charming explained. Emma was confused. Why had they given her eighteen years of bills? She'd only lived with them for five!
"We also used the top toys around the times of Christmas each year and around your birthday for those eighteen years to give an idea of presents. Of course we can't account for little things, but this should give the idea." Snow added. Emma was still confused. Charming smiled.
"All money we should have spent on you." He explained. "All money we didn't because of the curse. You don't owe us anything, sweetheart. We owe you." Emma sometimes struggled to understand acts of kindness for nothing in return. It just hadn't been a concept she was familiar with growing up. Snow and Charming knew this. They figured she would understand, well, figures better. They truly wished Emma would have just accepted living with them for free without needing a reason, but she wasn't there yet. Hopefully, this would be an acceptable middle ground.
