I will look after you
Lacorra asked for a oneshot of Emma fighting a bug and being stressed about work and just having a general meltdown. What she really needs is her mother but she doesn't know it at first or how to voice it.
Her head was pounding. Her stomach was churning and she was sure she was going to throw up at some point. This was not Emma Swan's day. Of course it was on the day she felt like death warmed up that it turned out files had gone missing, very important files. Her dad had to go out and chase up people who might be involved in them going missing whilst Emma dealt with the people complaining at the station about it. Then to top it all off, her car decided it wasn't going to work halfway home and she'd left her phone at home. So she was walking the rest of the way in the pouring rain.
"Perfect." Emma grumbled. She didn't even have a jacket. "This is going to make me feel so much better." Emma slammed the car door (regretting it instantly as it made it feel like someone was playing drums inside her head) and started marching home.
By the time she got there Emma was drenched and felt like she could boil an egg on her skin she was that warm. She fumbled around her pocket and pulled her keys out, unlocking the door and going in. "Home." She called out, wincing at the loudness of her own voice.
"There you are!" Her mom called from the kitchen, and even then it was uncomfortably loud for Emma. "Your father called and said he'd be late, but I didn't hear anything from you so I assumed…oh my Emma did you fall in the ocean?" Snow asked, coming out into the hall and seeing her daughter.
"My car broke down halfway home and I left my phone here." Emma answered briskly. "I'm not in the mood for jokes." She added.
"Alright, Emma are you ok?" Snow asked, concerned. Emma looked like she was going to pass out.
"Fine." Emma snapped back. Snow was taken aback. Emma hadn't been this closed off for a while.
"If you're sure. But I think you should go to bed and have an early night." Snow suggested.
"I'm fine." Emma snapped again. "I'm going for a shower." Emma then started to storm up the stairs. She didn't need Snow to look after her, she could look after herself…couldn't she? Emma shook her head trying to rid herself of the stupid emotional guff. She'd managed for thirty years to take care of herself when she was sick, she could keep on going.
By the time Emma finished her shower Emma wasn't so sure of herself anymore. If she was honest with herself, all she wanted was a hug from her mom. But she couldn't ask for that. She was a grown woman for crying out loud, she shouldn't need a hug from her mom to make her feel better! No, paracetamol would do the trick. Emma got out of the shower and got changed into a baggy t-shirt and some sweatpants. She still felt like she might throw up. Feeling a little dizzy, Emma slowly made her way downstairs and into the kitchen, pulling the little box of pills out of the cupboard and taking two with a big gulp of water. She closed her eyes and sighed. Hopefully that would start working soon. Emma was unaware that Snow had seen her going into the kitchen as she put Neal down for a nap and followed behind her. She knew Emma wasn't feeling well, but also knew Emma wasn't going to talk to her without a little more prompting. Emma needed her help, and Snow would make sure she got it.
"So I was thinking of starting dinner now." Snow said from the doorway. Emma winced again at the noise. "Mac and cheese sound good?" The idea of any food near her made Emma feel nauseated.
"I'm not so hungry." She told her mom, fighting not to throw up.
"Aww, you sure? Mac and cheese is your favourite! I'll make it just the way you like it. Lots and lots of cheddar oozing all over the pasta…" Nope, too much. There was no time for Emma to make it to the toilet. She turned around and began to vomit into the sink. Snow was over in an instant, holding her hair back with one hand and rubbing circles on her back with the other. "That's it. Just let it all out now." She said gently. She got Emma a wet bit of kitchen paper when she was finished to wipe her mouth. "I knew you were sick." Snow said, giving Emma a pointed look. Emma looked down, now feeling bad about saying nothing.
"I didn't want to add to your stress. You're already taking care of Neal without adding me into the mix." Emma admitted. "Besides, I didn't really know what to say. I'm an adult. I shouldn't want a hug to make me feel better. But I…I…"
"You do?" Snow tried to help her. Emma nodded, bursting into tears. Snow wrapped her arms around her daughter. "Emma, next time you're sick tell me straight away. I was worried you were going to collapse!" Snow momentarily let go of her daughter to guide her over to the couch and help her lie down. "I'll be right back." Snow promised her. "I'm going to get you some more water, a blanket and a sick bucket…I think I'll start with the sick bucket." Emma managed a weak smile at her mother's joke.
"Still, I'm sorry. You shouldn't have to be running around looking after me. I'm-"
"You're my daughter. That's what you are." Snow finished the sentence for her. Snow gently stroked Emma's cheek. "Emma, from the second I knew I was having you, I knew I'd always put your needs first. I knew putting you through that wardrobe didn't seem like it, but if I didn't Regina would have killed you. Just because you're an adult now doesn't mean I've suddenly decided my needs come before yours. When you are sick and you need me I will look after you, got it?"
"Got it." Emma murmured sleepily.
"That's my girl. I'll be back in a minute, ok? But even then if you need me just call and I'll come running."
"Ok…I love you mom." Emma told her. Snow swore her heart started doing the cha cha in her chest. How long she'd waited for those words. She did her best to keep the happy tears at bay but couldn't help her eyes shining with them.
"And I love you, sweetheart." Snow told her, getting up to get everything Emma needed. Emma settled down on the couch, already feeling a little better.