She's coming home
Inlovewiththecharmings asked for a oneshot of David going to the Wish Realm to save Emma instead of Regina. She sees a young version of her dad and has a hard time understanding what's happening. He's touched to see her be all princess like.
David almost couldn't believe his eyes. He wouldn't have if he didn't already know a genie's wish never falters. That was his Emma, and she was humming while picking flowers. He just stared at her, flabbergasted. He smiled warmly, she looked like a proper princess. Like how she was meant to be the whole time.
This Emma just seemed so…innocent. So carefree and filled with love. The real Emma was world weary and found trusting difficult from the lack of love she'd received as a child. This showed Charming how things could have been for his daughter had she been given the life she was born to have. It was both beautiful and heart wrenching.
David was so caught up in watching Emma, that he didn't notice when she spotted him. Her humming came to an abrupt stop as she smiled at her father.
"Daddy." She greeted him warmly. David was startled. He didn't really know what to say. Emma came closer, and seemed to spot the difference in her father's appearance. "Daddy, why do you suddenly look so young?" She questioned him. David's mouth felt dry. How was he meant to handle this? Emma seemed so happy here. How was he meant to rip her away from this dream?
"Emma, sweetheart." He said softly. It was so much easier to be fatherly towards his daughter when she was like this. Bringing back the real Emma was going to be hard for David as well. He placed his hands on Emma's shoulders. "I need you to wake up now. All of this," David gestured around them "is a dream. You didn't really grow up here. You were meant to, but the Evil Queen's curse was cast and you had to become the Saviour. Your real life is in Storybrooke. I need you to come home with me. I can't lose my daughter to a dream world." David pleaded with her. Emma's face suddenly turned sour. She turned her face away from him.
"I don't know why you're saying this, daddy." She almost growled. "The Evil Queen was defeated before she could cast her wicked spell. I grew up in the palace with you and mommy. This is the only life I have ever known." She insisted. Something about her anger made David sure she remembered who she really was. She wouldn't fight it so hard if she truly thought this was reality. No, Emma was beginning to wake up. David knew it was painful for her, but he would not lose her.
"Emma, I know you wanted this to be your life, your mom and I did too, but it wasn't meant to be."
"Why?" Emma said so quietly that David almost missed it. He breathed a sigh of relief. At least she was awake. He pulled Emma into a firm hug, cradling the back of her head as he always did.
"I don't know, baby." He said soothingly. "But it's time for us to go to our real home now." He told her, pulling out of the hug and taking her hand. He was taking his girl home.
