Snow has never celebrated her birthday since her mother's death and so Charming comes up with a solution. Set in Storybrooke. Chapter 1 - Snow & Charming, M rated. Chapter 2 - Charming family, K rated.

Charming had found his wife's night gown and ensured she was decent before venturing upstairs to see Neal. Emma would be going down to prepare for her surprise morning with Snow and he didn't think she would appreciate seeing her mother indecent in bed again. It happened too often.

He was about to enter his son's bedroom when Emma appeared.
"Morning Dad" she greeted him, unusually bright for a morning "how did it go?"

He grinned. Telling Snow about the new celebration had gone very well but he spared Emma too many details. "She loved the idea. She always has wanted to celebrate on her real birthday but she loved her mother very dearly."

Emma grimaced. She would never meet her grandmother but she couldn't even bare to imagine losing her own mother like that.

"Does she know about our plans for the day?"
Charming shook his head. "Nope, I've left that up to you"

-

When Emma came downstairs she found her mother at the kitchen island making pancakes.

She looked up and smiled brightly. "Good morning Emma".
Returning the smile, Emma walked over to sit at the island opposite Snow. "Happy half birthday mom".

"I should have known you'd be in on this too" Snow replied but her smile was even wider now.

"I haven't got you a present yet so we're going out for the morning and I'll buy you whatever you fancy" she told her mother. She would have enough surprises today without this trip being one of them.

"How could I refuse that offer?" she accepted, taking a bite of her breakfast.

"Mommy!" came a little cry followed by a pattering of tiny feet. When had her little brother got so big?

"Good morning Neal" Snow smiled scooping up her little prince into a hug. He laughed as she kissed all over his face and finally his nose. "How many dragons did you slay in dream land?".

He seemed to consider for a few moments. "Ten!" he came to a decision.

"What a big brave boy! I hope you won't forget me when you're a famous knight" Snow humoured her son.

Emma couldn't help but feel a little jealous. She loved her brother so much and would do anything for him but she would never have the memories he will with their parents.

"You'll have to stay with Daddy and Henry this morning, I'm going shopping with Emma" Snow told her son, bringing her from her thoughts.

"If Henry ever gets up that is" David added with a wink.

"Teenagers" Emma laughed "enjoy Neal whilst he still knows that Saturday mornings exist".

-

Snow had a blissful morning with her daughter. They had run into Red, Ella and even the dwarfs who had all wished her a happy half birthday. How did they all know about it?

"Dinner at Granny's?" Emma asked after checking her cellphone.

"Good idea" Snow smiled back "If there's somewhere you have to be though, I don't-"

"No! I was just checking the time. I will drag you into that diner if I have to" Emma interrupted.

What was going on today?

"I really appreciate the gift Emma but just having you with me is enough. You are an amazing woman and I am so proud to call you my daughter". Snow suddenly admitted over a slice of famous lasagna.

Emma gulped. Displays of affection weren't usually her thing but she made an acceptation for her mom, especially on her half birthday.
"There is no one I would rather call mom. I love you" Emma hesitantly returned the confession.

Snow's eyes welled up and she took her daughter's hands in her own. The actions meant more than many words could.

-

They had finished their meals and Emma had checked her phone again before ushering Snow back to the loft.
Emma was so alike her father, making it easy for Snow to read she was hiding something but deciding to keep it a surprise, she followed obediently.

Once they arrived at the loft, Snow could hear soft voices coming from the door. Emma entered first, making a show of 'accidentally' kicking it before entering. Suddenly all noise ceased and they entered a now dark apartment.

"Surprise!"

Jumping backwards with delight and shock, Snow beamed.

Behind her, Emma breathed out. She'd had a brilliant morning with her mother and not given anything away. She couldn't help but grin as wide as Snow at the thought of making her mom so happy.

Everyone who meant something to Snow had showed up. She was a very caring person and their apartment was cramped to say the least. People from Regina to Archie were sat grinning at her or stood applauding. It seemed the whole town wanted to show their love for their Queen come Mayor.

Red was the first to come running up to greet her best friend.

"Happy half birthday Snow!" she exclaimed for the second time that day as she wrapped her in a tight hug.

"Thank you Red" she grinned into her friends long curls.

"I gave up a run in the woods for this party so things better get wild"

"With Granny, Grumpy and Geppetto here? Defiantly" Snow teased her friend back.

After a giant group hug from her seven surrogate big brothers, lots of kisses from Neal and a loving talk with Granny, Snow finally got a moment with Charming.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the back of her neck softly. She instantly melted into her Charming. She then turned in his arms and he leant down to kiss her lips this time.

"Thank you" she murmured with her forehead softly against his.

Blue eyes met green ones and no more words were needed. He understood everything those two words held. Charming couldn't help but feel proud, Snow could finally have the day she deserved each year and he had made it all happen.

"I will wipe that smug look off your face later Charming" she teased him.

"I'll look forward to it birthday girl".