I am sorry about the time it took to get the next chapter up and thank you to those who kicked my butt in getting me to write it. This chapter hasn't got much story time in it as the others, and focuses more on Emma and her family in this world. Hopefully you will think it is okay anyway.
Your reviews and follows are always great and I appreciate them so much, I can't thank you all enough. I will certainly not leave the next part so long.
Snow was slightly concerned about how quite her daughter had been since picking her up from school. She knew something was obviously bothering Emma, who was not as chatty as she normally was.
Even after Snow had asked her several times what the matter was, Emma stayed closed mouthed. The only reply that was being received was "nothing" or "I'm fine."
When Charming walked through the door a little later than usual, he found his wife sitting at the kitchen table alone.
"Hey Snow, Kids in bed?" He asked waking her up from the other world she seemed to be in.
"What?! Oh yes sorry, they are in bed. Though I am sure that Leo will be up soon wanting another bottle."
The look of worry seemed to stay on Snow's face, "Okay, out with it." Early on in their relationship, after everything they had been through, they made a point of being honest with each other. If one of them had a problem they would talk it out, no matter what it was.
"It's Emma, something is bothering her and she won't say what. I am her mother, I am the one who is meant to comfort her but how can I do that if I don't know what the problem is." Snow wasn't sure what hurt more, the fact that her daughter was upset or the fact that Emma didn't feel okay to talk to her about.
"I am sure that if Emma has a serious problem she will talk to us eventually. Maybe she wants to try a deal with it on her own. You know how independent she can be." Charming didn't like to hear that something was bothering Emma, but he didn't want Snow to worry about it so much.
"Maybe your right." Snow tried with all her might to believe the words that came out of her mouth.
"How about we both drop Emma off at school tomorrow, see if she was say anything in the car." It would also be nice to actually see the children. This is the 3rd time this week that he got home after they had been in bed; he was glad that it was nearly the weekend.
"Sure, as long as you are able to with work and everything."
"Getting in late one day will be fine." Charming assured her.
Mornings were always hectic in the Nolan household, trying to get both the kids ready whilst trying to sort themselves out had become quite the art form. Finally after a lost shoe, missing wallet and a dirty diaper to delay them, all four of the Nolan's were sitting quite comfortable in the car.
David had to agree with his wife, Emma was not herself. After several attempts of trying to make conversation he decided to give up. Which left them in a quite atmosphere, only broken every now and again by Leo's gurgling, at least one of his child was happy.
As David and Snow were watching their daughter from afar playing with her friends, when Emma's teacher approached them.
"Mr & Mrs Nolan, I am glad that you are both here. Would it be okay if we could have a quick word?" Miss Clarke, tried to be as calm as possible she did not want the parents to start worrying as to why they were being called in.
"Um sure, is everything okay?" Snow asked as they walked to the small class room where Emma spent her days. Even though her mind was going into overdrive, she couldn't help at how funny David looked trying to fit into one of the very small child size chair, with a baby Leo attached in a sling.
"Yes, it's nothing to worry about really. I just wanted to talk to you about an assignment that I set the children the other day. I have yet to have Emma's, and when I asked her as to why. Her answer was because she forgot. It's just so unlike her, I was wondering if everything was okay." Miss Clarke hated this part of the job, especially when it was involving a child like Emma Nolan.
It was Charming who spoke first "What was the assignment?"
"I asked the children to put together a family tree." The teacher explained.
It was a like a light bulb went off in Snow's head, it all made sense now. She looked over at Charming, who with one quick nod of his head told her he understood too.
"Look Miss Clarke, we are sorry that Emma didn't complete the assignment. But we think we know why. Would you be able to give her an extension until Monday and we will try to get this sorted out over the weekend." Snow felt bad, this may have been her and Charming's fault. Emma had never asked about her extended family, it was bound to come up at one point.
"Yes of course. Emma is a good kid, I don't want to her to get in trouble." The teacher was relieved that the parents seemed to take it so well. She couldn't put her finger on it but something was very different about the two adults sitting in front of her.
It was later that evening, once dinner was out of the way and little Leo was in the land of nod. That Emma and her parents sat at the kitchen table.
Snow had no idea how to start, looking over at Charming hoping he would take the lead on this one. How could they explain to Emma as to why she had no family apart from those living under their current roof.
Thankfully her pleading look at her husband worked "So Emma, we had a little chat with your teacher today. She told us about the family tree assignment."
David waited whilst Emma nodded her head before continuing. "Why didn't you talk to use about it?"
"I didn't want to upset you." Emma said so quietly, that if her parents weren't listening so intently they may have missed it.
It hurt Snow to hear the sorrow in the little voice "Emma you wouldn't have upset us, you know you can talk to us about anything. Of course you are going to wonder where you came from, but you have to understand that it's a little complicated. But we promise you, one day you will know the full story. We will try to explain as much as we can to you for now though."
"How about for tonight we leave this, I am sure your Mom will be able to make us those very yummy hot chocolates and then you missy can get ready for bed." Charming knew that he and Snow needed to talk about how they were going to handle this.
"Daddy, can you and Mommy tell me one of your special stories. You haven't told one in aggggeeess." Emma pleaded.
"I am sure that if you are quick to get ready for bed, we will be able to do that." Charming could rarely deny anything from Emma.
Emma jumped off the table running out of the room, where she was sure that she was going to break her recorded of the bed time routine.
Whilst Snow was getting everything ready for her hot chocolate Charming was deep in thought. They may not be able to tell Emma about her real grandparents, but they could certainly tell her about Snow White and Prince Charming's family.
With all the talk of family in the air Snow was reminded that she still hadn't told Charming everything about the day his mother died. She decided that as soon as Emma was asleep, tonight would be a good time.
With the small family, minus one, tucked up into Emma's bed with their hot beverages. They started their stories.
They spent a long time each talking about Snow Whites and David's childhood, each involving their parents. They tried to leave out the bad parts, but it was difficult as Emma was an inquisitive child, there were bound to be some questions.
"Is it true Mommy that it was the Evil Queen who hurt Snow White's Daddy?" Was one of the most awkward questions, Emma being too young to understand the full weight of the question.
Snow's eyes filled with tear, she could never and would never forgive Regina for that. Even this curse couldn't beat it.
Charming stepped in and answer the question as best as he could. "The Evil Queen was a bad person, who hurt a lot of people but Snow White and Prince Charming, as well as all their friends will eventually win over her. Because you have to know something very important, good always wins. You have to promise to remember that."
Emma didn't quite get the seriousness of her father's voice, but knew he was talking about something important. "I promise Daddy."
Snow cleared her throat "Did you know that Snow White and the Prince had a baby?"
Emma who was shocked by this piece of information, shook her head. Where did her parents get these stories from?
"Well they did, a little girl, and this little girl had the best people in her family. It was a special family because it was the people that wanted to be there for her. Her Aunty Red for a start, she would have been so cool. The kind of Aunt, who would help you get in to mischief." Snow smiled, because even though Red never had a chance to be that cool Aunt, she could completely imagine at how she would have been.
"And Gods forbid if anyone hurt the little Princess" David added "not only would they have the Prince to deal with, but also seven very protective Uncles. No one messes with someone the Dwarfs care about, TRUST me on that one. Getting pass those seven, was harder than getting past the bridge trolls."
Emma was starting to laugh, this Princess sounds as if she is very lucky. Maybe she could pretend that these people were her family too. Thought she wasn't sure what Miss Clarke would think if she put Little Red Riding hood and the seven Dwarfs down on her family tree. Maybe she could give them different names, like codes.
"Though I do think it's time that this little Princess gets some sleep." Snow interjected, she still had to have her talk with Charming.
"Awww Mommy, do I have to?" Emma tried to give the puppy dog eyes to her parents.
"Come on your Mom's right, plus if I remember correctly you have a family tree to complete tomorrow." As much as David would love to spend the rest of the night talking to Emma about "their family", he knew they would have a very grumpy little girl on their hands tomorrow if she didn't sleep.
Once they shut off the lights and said their goodnights to Emma, Snow and Charming made their way to the bedroom. It has seemed a very long day, one that Charming would be happy to see the back of but as soon as Snow said the words "Charming we need to talk about something." He knew the day was far from over.