Taking a chance

Small season 4 spoilers in this chapter! parapentistria4ever asked for a oneshot of Snow helping Emma get ready for her date night with Hook and remembering that she never got to help her get ready for her first ball. I apologise for the lack of detail in this chapter. I'm not a girly girl at all so I don't know enough about makeup or hair to write convincingly about it lol.

David and Snow could hear little crashes and bangs followed by grumbles and groans from Emma's room.

"What is going on up there?" David asked, looking up towards her room, confused.

"She'll be getting ready for her date with Hook. You men have no idea how stressful it is." Snow told him. She carefully put Neal into David's arms.

"I'll go up and see if she wants a hand." Snow told him. She made her way up the stairs and knocked on Emma's door before peaking her head through.

"You ok in here?" She asked gently.

"I'd forgotten how stressful this was." Emma grumbled. "Trying to make yourself presentable for dates is almost not worth it sometimes. He'd better damn well appreciate this…" Snow smiled coming into the room.

"First off, Emma Swan, you are more than simply presentable. You are beautiful. And Hook will not merely appreciate this, he's going to be gobsmacked. Now, relax and let me take care of this." Snow told Emma, taking her makeup bag and brush from her. Snow got up and turned Emma to face the mirror again. She started to brush through her hair gently. A small pang of pain hit her chest. How many times should she have brushed through Emma's beautiful blonde curls? She shoved it to the side, not wanting Emma to see her upset. Having had long curls herself up until the curse hit, Snow knew a few nice things she could do. She took a little strand from the front and started to French pleat it.

"There," Snow said, when she was done with Emma's hair. "That alright?" Emma looked at herself with awe in the mirror.

"How did you do this? It's so beautiful." Emma said, frightened to touch her hair in case she messed it up. Snow chuckled softly.

"No honey, you're beautiful. I just know a thing or two about dealing with long curls. You get the curls from me." She turned Emma around and picked up the makeup back. She gave a sad smile.

"I definitely didn't think I'd need this the first time I helped you get dressed for something formal."

"Huh?" Emma asked, confused.

"The makeup." Snow explained. "Had things worked out the way they were meant to it should have been frilly pink dresses and ribbons way before eye shadow and lipstick." Snow explained. Emma pulled a face.

"Frilly? Pink? Ribbons?" Snow chuckled.

"Straighten your face so I don't smudge this." Snow told her. "Yes, all of those things." Snow continued when Emma had done as she was told. "And lots of them… I truly am sorry it never got to happen like that, Emma. I never wanted you to grow up alone. I wanted to raise you like the princess that you are." Emma gave Snow a watery smile back.

"I know you did, I don't blame you anymore." Snow reached up and wiped a tear from the corner of Emma's eye.

"Hey, no tears. I'm not sure that this is waterproof." Emma gave an awkward laugh in return. "Well, anyway, that's you done honey."

"Thanks mom. You really helped the stress, and I love my hair."

"Any time honey." Snow told her, getting up to walk with her downstairs. When they got there, David was standing in the hall with Neal.

"Look Neal, there she is! Doesn't your big sister look beautiful?" Emma blushed slightly.

"Uh thanks dad…" I'd best be off, Killian will be waiting. Thanks again mom." Snow smiled at her.

"Any time honey, have fun."

"And what time will you be back?" David asked, his paternal instinct kicking in. Emma looked slightly awkward standing at the front door. Snow understood, Emma wasn't sure if she was coming back at all tonight.

"We won't wait up." Snow assured her. David's eyes widened.

"Wait, hold on a minute-"

"Bye Emma!" Snow said, making a shooing motion, telling Emma to go while she had the chance. Emma smiled gratefully and quickly made her exit. David gave Snow a huffy look. Snow just playfully rolled her eyes.

"You'll be alright." She told him. "As will she." David made a disgruntled noise.

"Come on Neal." He said, carrying him back into the living room. "Lets go look up swords and guns on Amazon." Snow smiled. He could get a nerf gun for Christmas.