"Leo!" Snow cries out, tears in her eyes, though she makes no move to grab him and shake him silly despite her hands twitching with the temptation. "Where have you been?"

"You are so grounded," David rasps, the anger in his tone outweighed only by the sheer worry and relief of seeing his son home safe and sound. Leo winces, shooting Emma a quick 'See? Knew he'd say that' look before smiling shyly and rubbing at the back of his neck.

"Sorry I left without a word-"

"You didn't even leave us a note!" Snow shouts, hands gesticulating wildly. "Where did you-"

It's only then, after shouting at their son in concern, they they finally see Emma standing awkwardly to one side, her hands shoved in her pockets and her green eyes wide.

"Leo?" Snow whispers, as if asking for an explanation, even though there's a recognition in her eyes that is undeniable. David, too, stares at Emma now, his blue eyes wet and his lips parted. They would recognize their long-lost daughter no matter her age; that Emma has her father's blonde hair and her mother's eyes and chin only helps to solidify their suspicions.

Snow White is older than Emma remembers; not quite Regina's age as she'd still been frozen in time for an extra decade, but certainly matured and with one or two gray hairs invading her head of ebony. She's grown out her previous boycut and her dark hair now falls softly to her shoulders, naturally wavy in a way reminiscent of her Enchanted Forest days. David, too, looks older, but no different than his image from the storybook - short cropped blond hair, boyish blue eyes, a sturdy build and a soft smile that could thaw even the coldest of hearts.

Feeling suddenly shy under their wide-eyed stares, Emma quirks a smile and says, "Hi."

"Emma," Snow breathes out, and it's like finding a missing puzzle piece that you didn't even know was missing until someone slotted it into place for you. Snow's arms encircle her and David's arms encircle them both, and despite living a life full of love and acceptance from a huge family, there's something about this embrace that feels good and right.

Emma doesn't even realize she's crying until her birthparents pull back and their gentle fingertips brush away the dampness from her cheeks. Snow's hands cup her face and those big green eyes, a mirror image of her own, are swimming with tears.

"You found us," her birthmother whispers, and then Snow presses a kiss to her forehead and Emma marvels at how wonderful it feels. It isn't better or worse than her mother's kisses, just different. Full of motherly love. She spent all that time since her last trip to Storybrooke thinking that she didn't need her birthparents, didn't care, but with the way they look at her now, she wonders how she could have ever rejected them like that.

"Actually, Leo found me," Emma admits with a wet chuckle, swiping away the tears on her face. "He was very brave. Stupid, but brave."

She shoots him a fond look and he grins, bumping his shoulder against hers. The sight of both her children so familiar with each other brings about another wave of tears in Snow, while David just stands there with the biggest smile on his face, blue eyes twinkling.

"How did you do it?" David asks his son, knowing full well that his sword had gone missing when Leo ran off with the truck. "Did you… did you kill-"

"What? No!" Leo looks appalled by the suggestion. "No, Dad. No one died."

"Then where is she?" Snow asks, and the tears have subsided, making way for the hard gaze and fierce desire to protect her children no matter what age. Emma holds up her hands in a placating gesture and tilts her head towards the open doorway.

"Why don't we sit down? We have a lot to talk about."

"Oh! Of course. Would you like some tea? Coffee? Cocoa?"

The distraction has Snow flitting around the apartment in a flurry of activity while David herds Emma and Leo towards the living room. They drop down onto the well worn couch, where Snow returns with a tray full of hot cocoas sprinkled with cinnamon.

"Cinnamon?" Emma notes, cradling the mug in her hands. Leo hums as he takes a sip.

"Mom always makes cocoa with cinnamon, it's like a family thing."

"My mom makes it with cinnamon too," Emma says softly, which has Snow and David going still, their wide eyes on her. Before they can let loose their questions and concerns, Emma holds up a hand and continues. "Look, before you say anything… I know your history. I've read the storybook. I'm not saying what happened was okay - what she did, it was wrong and it was a terrible mistake... but Regina raised me for my entire life. I grew up happy and healthy, surrounded by a big family that loves me. Whatever happened in the past, she's different now. She's my Mom, and she loves me."

For a moment she thinks her speech might have been a cure-all, but then Snow's smile grows sad and she looks at her with sympathy. "Oh, Emma. I know it's hard to believe anything bad about the woman who raised you, but-"

"No. Don't." Emma sets down her mug and pins her birthmother with an unwielding look. "She's changed. She's not the Evil Queen you remember. We live on a farm with my Grams and Gramps. She spent every day of the last twenty four years working with horses and helping tend the land. On Saturdays, she drives into town with my aunt Lauren to go shopping, and sometimes she meets up with my aunt Charlotte and Pam for lunch at their favourite cafe. On Sundays, Danny makes her breakfast in bed, and they spend the entire day sitting in the gazebo reading a book or watching a movie in the den. Before I left for school in the city, we'd go riding in the trails every Tuesday. On Thursdays, Danny would teach me to how to jump hurdles while she baked in the kitchen and watched us from the windows."

Emma pauses to breathe, taking in the shocked expressions on Snow and David's faces with a sense of relief.

"She's not the woman you remember anymore. The True Love's Kiss that returned your memories all those years ago? That was real. Whatever else you may think of her, I still love her, and she's loved me my entire life. That's the one thing that will never change. So…"

Emma smiles a lopsided smile, averting her eyes and fiddling absently with her mug on the coffee table. "I do want to get to know you two, and no matter what happens, I promise to be a part of Leo's life, but you need to accept that I've already got my own life. I've… I've already got a mother. And a father. An entire family and a home."

They are quiet for a while, sitting in silence as they absorb all that's been said. If all else fails, Emma thinks Regina would be proud of her speech, at least. She'd been mulling it over in her head during most of the trip here.

Eventually, David rubs at the back of his neck and asks, "You have a father, too?"

"Yeah," Emma replies, and her smile warms at the thought of Danny. "His name is Daniel. His family owns the farm we live on. He married my mom almost a decade ago and they run the stables together."

Snow and David exchange an odd look of disbelief, silent questions passing between their gazes before Snow says, hesitantly, "But Daniel is dead."

"Oh." Emma blinks. She remembers this story. Her mother had told her on the night before her wedding to Danny, about the stableboy she'd fallen in love with once upon a time. That the ring she always wore around her neck had belonged to Daniel Colter. They had both agreed that their Danny must have been one and the same; it seemed fate that the stableboy and the fallen Queen would get a second chance. "Daniel - Danny - we think he's a reincarnation. Mom says he looks the same, too."

"So she found him again." Snow laughs softly, a sad and mildly bitter laugh. To think that everything that happened - the hatred, the attempted murder, the curse - it was all caused by Daniel's death, and somehow, Regina still reunited with his reincarnation after all that she'd done. "She casted that curse out of vengeance over Daniel's death, and she still finds him again. I guess some people do get to have their cake and eat it too."

"You did play a part in his death," Emma reminds her with a frown, holding up a hand again when Snow opens her mouth to defend herself. "But that's in the past, and I'm not here to point fingers. Look, I don't care about any of your histories with each other. My mom has let go of the past as well. All I'm asking is that you two are also willing to look past that and accept our current situations - if only for mine and Leo's sake."

"Easy for her to say, she got Daniel back. Your father and I lost the last twenty four years of your life!" The tears are back, and Emma feels her heart twinge at the look of hurt in Snow and David's eyes. It's heartening to know that they wanted to raise her, even if she wouldn't change her life with Regina for anything.

"I know," Emma whispers. "I'm sorry. But what's done is done. I just… all I'm asking is that you try to accept that she's my family now. I want to be able to visit, and have you guys visit me, without worrying about you trying to hurt her in any way. Please."

"But-" Snow begins, but this time it's Leo who interrupts her.

"She's right, Mom. Regina's not the Evil Queen anymore. I know it's hard to believe, but I saw it with my own eyes. If you don't trust them, then trust me." He shrugs and smiles sadly when his parents stare at him in shock for defending the Queen. "Emma's fine. She's safe and happy and loved there."

The struggle is clearly visible in both their expressions, though more so in Snow's than in David's. David has this odd look of resignation, as if he's expected this in a way and knows that there is no alternative. After a moment, he catches Emma's eye and smiles softly with the slightest inclination of his head, and Emma feels a warmth spread through her chest at the love and acceptance in his gaze. For her, he would try.

"She gave you a good life?" Snow asks eventually, when everyone is waiting with bated breath on her reaction. Her voice wavers and her eyes are wet, but it is clear that Emma's response will be what sways her decision.

"Yeah." Emma thinks of her mother, of warm days riding the trails, of snuggling together in the window seat with a good book, of hot cocoas and loud, rambunctious dinners with the Swan family, of quiet evenings squashed between Regina and Danny on the couch, watching a horror movie she'd insisted on and hiding her face against Danny's shoulder as her mother stroked her back. Her smile lights up her entire face. "She gave me a great life."

Snow nods, just once, before succumbing to her tears and being swept up into David's comforting arms. Emma hates to have made her cry, but this is the way life has turned out, and they'll all have to learn to accept it one way or another.

Leo shifts uncomfortably next to her and she settles a reassuring hand on his shoulder, meeting his gaze in a look of camaraderie. There is no avoiding the drama and tension of their respective parents, but at least they'll get through it together.

Emma's phone buzzes in her pocket and she quickly checks the text from her mother, tapping back a response that she's fine before looking up at Snow and David again. Snow's cries have quieted and she wipes at her tired eyes, shoulders slumped with defeat.

"My mom… She and Danny are waiting in the car outside. I was going to ride back to Boston with them after dropping off Leo and the truck, but…" She trails off, uncertain. David looks uncomfortable and Snow looks like she just might vomit, but instead she sits up, straightens her shoulders, and says,

"Well, there's no way I'd let you leave so soon after we're finally back together, so… I suppose we should invite them up." The words seem to force themselves out of Snow's mouth and she looks like she regrets it immediately, but Emma releases a breath she didn't know she's been holding and simply nods, standing.

"There's one more thing…" She exchanges a look with Leo - who just shrugs and reclines back into the couch - before looking to her birthparents again. "Danny doesn't know about our history - not the Enchanted Forest, not your real identities, nothing. We're just Emma and Regina Swan-Mills from Boston. I know it's a lot to ask, but if you could keep that side of our lives a secret…"

'We can do that," Snow agrees quietly, David nodding along. "I suppose you can introduce me by my curse name, Mary-Margaret. And David. White."

"Thank you." Emma gives them a genuine smile that has Snow smiling tentatively back, then she heads out to retrieve her parents, promising to be right back. Leo stays behind to talk quietly with his own parents as Emma takes the stairs two at a time and hurries out to the sidewalk.

Regina is out of the car in seconds.

"Are you alright?" she asks, immediately looking Emma over for injuries.

"I already texted you that I was fine, Mom." Emma dodges the prodding fingers with a chuckle as Danny steps out of the car, holding onto Charming's sword and looking perplexed.

"Regina, they're her birthparents, why would they hurt her?" He puts a comforting arm around Regina's waist and the brunette wilts in place, looking as if all she wants to do is grab her husband and daughter and flee the town as fast as possible. Emma just takes the sword back from Danny with a quick smile, intent on returning it to its proper owner.

"You don't know them, Daniel-"

"Mom," Emma interrupts, clearing her throat with a quirk of her eyebrow. "He's right. They only want what's best for me. Leo and I had a talk with them, and they'd like for you to come up and join us."

Regina pales, dark eyes wide. After a moment, Emma makes a motion at Danny and he nods with understanding, wandering a short distance away down the sidewalk to give them a moment.

"They won't hurt you, Mom. I promise." Emma finds her mother's hands and gives them a warm squeeze within her own, feeling them tremble with dread. For all that she had kept her calm today, Regina looks ready to run now, unwilling to face Snow White after so many years.

"I took you from them, Emma. They lost twenty four years with their daughter because of me."

"Yeah, we talked about that too." Emma sighs, rubbing soothing circles across the back of Regina's hands. "It's probably going to be awkward and weird, but they promised not to hurt you and to try to accept us as we are now. Can you do the same? Try to get along, for me?"

Their eyes meet and Regina hesitates, swallowing down the lump in her throat.

"For you, sweetheart."

"Thank you." Emma hugs her mother, squeezing her tightly for a moment before letting go and waving Danny over. The trio head up towards the Charmings' apartment and Emma lets them in this time, stepping inside first just on the off chance that she's been deceived. To her relief, Snow and David simply stand awkwardly in the living room, Leo just in front of them. Much like his sister, it seems he's taken it upon himself to play human buffer, and for that Emma gives him a thankful smile.

"Mom, Danny, this is Mary Margaret and David White. Mary Margaret, David, these are my parents, Regina and Daniel Swan-Mills."

Both sets of parents exchange the most awkward of nods and strained smiles. David and Daniel are at least less tense than their fairer counterparts.

"So this is what uncomfortable family gatherings feel like," Leo mutters under his breath. Emma jabs him in the side with her elbow.

"It's… nice… to meet you both," Snow manages, deftly avoiding direct eye contact with Regina and instead staring at Danny, stunned by his perfect likeness to the original Daniel. Danny, to his credit, is sizing up Emma's birthparents in a protective way, just as David does the same to Emma's adoptive parents.

"You too, Sn… Mary Margaret." Finding her voice once more as Emma's hand sneaks into hers, Regina straightens up and lifts her chin, looking Snow directly in the eyes, not with maliciousness or hatred, but with simple honesty. Snow stares back, stunned, because this isn't the Regina she remembers. This Regina is softer, gentler, her dark hair interspersed with gray falling loose around her shoulders, and her stance easy and relaxed in charcoal slacks and a satin button-up. This Regina is both like the young one who saved her from a horse, and an older, wiser one she's never met before. "I know our circumstances aren't what you wanted them to be, but I am thankful nonetheless for having the chance to raise Emma. She's… she's been my everything."

Snow sucks in a wavering breath and simply nods, unable to speak for fear that she might start crying. David, on the other hand, actually leaves Snow's side to step up to Regina, towering over her by inches, his expression stern. Daniel doesn't move, but his chest expands and he stands ready on Regina's other side.

"You loved her?" the prince asks, "Gave her the best life you could?"

Holding her own, Regina nods. "I love her. She's my daughter, and I gave her everything I could."

With that, David's eyes soften ever so slightly. He nods his head and holds out his hand, though his voice is still rough with emotion. "Then… it's good to meet you… Regina. And thank you. For giving her a good life, despite how everything began."

Regina grips his hand and feels the pressure of his calloused fingers, holding her to a promise to continue taking care of Emma. David releases her and does the same with Daniel, though there is considerably more ease when he shakes the other man's hand, recognizing him for the gentle hearted stableboy that he is.

"I don't know exactly how all this came about," Danny offers after a moment, gesturing at everyone, "but I feel lucky to be a part of Emma's life, and if she wants to reconnect with you all, then you're as good as family to me."

There's a look of guilt on Snow's face now, guilt that hits her hard because this man is the one who once died because she couldn't keep a secret, the one whose death triggered decades of anger and hatred and pain. She's never taken full responsibility for it before, never truly understood that she'd played a vital part of what happened, but now that he's standing here, oblivious and smiling warmly in her direction, she can't keep pretending that it was entirely Regina's fault.

"May I speak to you for a moment, Mary Margaret?" Regina says, and it takes everyone by surprise because only minutes ago, Regina was the one who looked like she wanted to be anywhere but here. Snow just nods wordlessly and the two mothers move away from the group, finding some privacy to speak in the far hallway while remaining in eyesight of the others.

"You found him again," Snow says of her own volition, voice choked with a million emotions. Regina glances over, gaze softening at the sight of Danny doing what he does best: making friends and charming people. Ironically, he's charming Prince Charming, if the thawing smile on David's face is any indication.

"I wouldn't exactly use your sappy phrase for it," Regina mutters, managing to reclaim some of her old sass now that her heart is beating a calm rhythm once more, "but yes, it seems I have been given a second chance with my Daniel."

"I'm sorry," Snow blurts out. "I've never taken responsibility for it before, and it doesn't excuse everything that you've done to us, but I am sorry for causing his death. I never meant to hurt you."

"I'm aware, dear." Regina feels her lip curling instinctively but forces it away, pinching her lips between her teeth instead. "I've had a lot of time to reflect on our pasts, and if anyone is to blame for what happened between us, it's my own mother and Rumplestiltskin."

"They really did a number on us, didn't they?" Snow laughs a little bitterly, a sentiment that the brunette echoes.

"Be that as it may, I owe you more apologies than I could ever give. I know it's worth nothing to you, but I am sorry. What I did was... so wrong. Emma is… she's the best thing in my life. Raising her was a gift, a gift that I stole from you."

Snow nods absently, watching Emma talk with Leo, the siblings achingly similar in facial features and expressions, right down to the way they both stand with their hips cocked and their arms crossed, dimples showing on only one of their cheeks as they smile in that lopsided way.

"I don't know if I can ever forgive you for taking her from me," she admits softly, resentment and exhaustion all mixed together in her tone. Regina watches their children interact and just tips her head in acknowledgement. She hadn't been expecting forgiveness; knew it was too much to ask for. At this point, with Emma and Leo's wellbeings in mind, all she wants is peace.

"I understand. I don't deserve your forgiveness, but all I want is to make Emma happy, and if that means we have to be at least civil with each other, I'll do it."

Snow glances back at her, green eyes tired, not quite accepting but no longer full of a desire for vengeance, either. "For Emma, then?"

"For Emma," Regina agrees.


"Oh, uh, David? Here." Emma hands over the sheathed sword to its rightful owner, feeling awkward standing there holding a weapon. David hesitates, taking in the sight of his daughter holding his sword and feeling a rush of pride within his chest. She may never wield it, will probably never need it in this world, but the image is a gift to him regardless. He'd dreamed of raising a little warrior princess back when they were still in the Enchanted Forest. This is the closest he'll ever get to seeing it, he supposes.

"Thank you," he murmurs, accepting the weapon and feeling its familiar weight in his hands once more. He can see Leo shuffling anxiously out of the corner of his eye and he glances over at his son with a smile. "You're grounded for stealing this and my truck, by the way."

"Yup, you already said that," Leo sighs, ducking his head.

"Aw, go easy on the kid," Emma chuckles. "He did find me all the way in Boston, after all. Must've got his bravery from you."

David shakes his head at Leo a little but he's not mad, not really. In fact, he looks like he might cry when Emma continues,

"Got my bravery from you too, I bet."

"Yeah?" He chuckles, swiping at his eyes.

"Yup. I read about you in my storybook. My birth-dad is kind of a badass, huh?"

David lets loose a laugh, affection in his watery gaze as Emma leans in and offers him a one-armed hug.

"Did you really throw a sword like a spear at my Mom during your wedding?" she asks in a whisper when Danny is distracted talking to Leo. David blushes.

"It seemed like a good idea at the time."


When Snow and Regina rejoin the others, David and Daniel have become fast friends, if the shepherd's offer to show the stableboy around Storybrooke's stables is any indication. Leo has the biggest grin on his face and Emma looks rather pleased that her father figure and her biological father are getting along swimmingly.

"Mom," she says when Regina sidles up next to her, and no one says anything when Snow's head turns at the title and her gaze skitters away with pain and embarrassment when it's not her who's being addressed. "Everything okay?"

"Everything's fine." Regina squeezes her daughter's forearm reassuringly, unable to help but feel a little relieved when she is still - and forever will be - Emma's 'Mom.' Surprisingly, losing Emma to her biological parents had not been a fear that plagued her during this trip, a fact for which she's grateful. They've come a long way and she takes comfort in the knowledge that hers and Emma's relationship will always be there and full of love. "I was… I was thinking, perhaps, that you might like to stay for a few days and catch up with Leo." And your birth parents, she says without words, just a little too proud still to say it aloud but not too proud to subtly offer it.

"Really?" Emma and Snow both say at the same time, brows lifting. Snow is taken the most by surprise at Regina's attempts to make amends, even if it's mainly for Emma's sake.

"It is your birthday weekend, after all. I imagine they would like to celebrate with you as well." Regina clears her throat, tugging on her shirt to straighten it unnecessarily. "I can explain to the others when Danny and I get back."

"Um, yeah, that'd be nice." Emma smiles shyly at her birth parents, receiving hesitant yet hopeful smiles in return. She looks forward to the prospect too, but she has always been a "momma's girl" and her brows crinkle together when she sees Regina gathering her coat and purse, as if ready to leave Emma alone with her other family.

"Perhaps…" Snow blushes, clearing her throat when everyone's attention shifts to her. "Perhaps your… your parents would like to stay as well, Emma, if even just for the weekend. We all have a lot to learn about each other, after all."

The offer is hard for her to give, but she has resigned herself to the fact that this is how it's going to be. Regina and Daniel are Emma's family, and she is willing to do everything necessary to make sure Emma stays in their life from now on, even if she must learn to tolerate the woman who took Emma from her those many years ago.

"Is that wise?" Regina asks, not out of snark but because she knows that most of Storybrooke's population will likely come after her with pitchforks if they knew she was in town. Danny is as clueless as ever as to what they allude to, but looks to Snow and David for their response nonetheless.

"You're family, you're always welcome here," David says, indirectly offering their home as a safe hiding place.

"Besides, Granny's has amazing takeout," Snow adds, because they're not quite at the point where either side can offer to cook for the other (and the Charmings will likely never feel comfortable eating anything Regina provides, regardless.)

"If that's what you want," Regina directs at Emma, Danny nodding his agreement. The blonde beams, half in delight and half in disbelief because this was certainly not what she'd expected would happen when they first agreed to come back to the cursed town.

"That'd be great."

"They can have my bedroom," Leo immediately offers, gesturing at Regina and Danny. "We can camp out in the living room, right, Emma?"

The blonde snorts with laughter. "Damn, kid, I'm too old for pillow forts. I get the couch, right?"

"Fine," Leo agrees with a huff and a roll of his eyes, though he's glowing with delight at getting a living room slumber party with the big sister he never grew up with, and Emma just bumps her shoulder against his with a shared smile.

"Well, if that's settled, I think I'll put on some tea." Snow flits over to the kitchen and prepares drinks for everyone - eager for a short respite so that she might calm the emotions roiling in her belly - while the others settle down, David and Leo on one couch, Regina and Daniel on the other, and Emma on the floor leaning against her mother's legs. She gets the feeling that conversation for the rest of this weekend is going to be interesting at the least - seeing as they'll be getting to know each other as their curse identities or Boston identities for Danny's sake - but these are baby steps in the grand scheme of things, and Emma wouldn't have it any other way.

"So, you turned twenty four yesterday," David says, his expression soft as he regards Emma. "What did you do for your birthday?"

"Where do I even start?" Emma laughs, thinking back to the chaos of people back at home. She wants to invite her birth parents to her next big family gathering, to introduce them to her life and family back at the farm, but remembers that they're trapped in Storybrooke until the curse is truly broken and sobers at the thought.

Regina, ever in tune with her daughter, pipes up. "I think you should do something here for your birthday next time, darling. Perhaps they would like to make the trip out to Boston a few years from now, when they no longer have 'obligations' to the town?"

Snow glances over from the kitchen at the obvious allusion and Regina just nods curtly at her before averting her gaze.

"That- that would be lovely," the younger brunette says. "We'd love to visit you and meet the rest of your family someday, Emma."

"You're all welcome at the Swan Ranch anytime," says Danny agreeably, a fact that has Leo beaming, excited at the prospect of hanging out with Emma's cousins again. Emma just looks around at her family, awkwardness and weariness and bad histories and all, and thinks that this just might be the start of something pretty good.

"Party in Boston after my twenty eighth birthday?" she says with a grin full of promise.

The End


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