A picnic lunch
Laureen asked for a oneshot of The Charmings going on a picnic with Snow and Emma travelling on one horse and Charming and Neal on the other.
Guest who asked for Emma telling her parents she's pregnant, check out "My baby's baby" parts 1 and 2 :)
Neal had been badgering away about going on a family picnic to the little meadow in Storybrooke for nearly a month now. The four year old was determined to have a bit of the Enchanted Forest lifestyle by getting the horses and trotting down to the meadow to have lunch together. One of his main stipulations being that Emma came too. He made sure to give her his extra big puppy dog eyes- knowing his big sister couldn't resist them for very long. Emma was the last to cave (Snow and Charming caving at just about the same time). Henry was in a bit of a "I'm too cool to do things with my family" stage so was a lot more reluctant and didn't give into Neal. So on a weekend when Henry was with Regina anyway, the family headed off to the stables, picnic basket at the ready.
"I wanna go on Rufus!" Neal squealed excitedly. Rufus was Charming's horse, the tallest and strongest of the lot.
"If that's what you want then buddy." Charming said, ruffling his son's hair as he got out Rufus' saddle. Snow turned and smiled at her daughter. Emma hadn't yet mastered riding a horse by herself. She was too busy with sheriff work to have enough time to learn.
"That means you're with me then. That ok?" Snow asked. Emma shrugged.
"I guess." Truth be told she felt a bit awkward having to ride on a horse with her mother, but it wasn't like she had much choice.
"Good. Do you want to go in front or behind?" Snow asked.
"Behind. Like a motorbike." Emma answered. In front would just feel far too childish. Snow nodded, getting her horse- Misty- set up for the journey. Charming's horse may be the strongest, but Misty was by far the fastest. Something Emma was slightly wary of as she got up onto the horse behind her mother.
"Ready to go?" Charming asked, Neal sitting in front of him. The little boy clapped in delight whilst Snow and Emma nodded, picnic basket attached to Rufus' saddle. "Good, no time like the present then!"
"Emma, you'll need to hold on. If Misty gets a fright and goes onto her hind legs or we hit a bump you could fall off." Snow reminded her.
"Oh yeah, right." Emma mumbled slightly awkwardly as she wrapped her arms around her mother's middle. When Snow was sure Emma was safe, she set Misty off at a steady pace. She knew Emma was still anxious around horses.
"It won't be long until you're riding around by yourself." Snow said brightly.
"I'm not so sure." Emma mumbled back, clinging possibly more tightly than necessary to her mom. Snow dropped the subjects of horses to try and ease Emma's mind and instead discussed work at the station.
After about a thirty minute ride through the quiet streets of town the family reached the meadow and had settled for their picnic. When they were done eating Snow and Charming watched happily as Emma entertained her little brother by chasing him all around the meadow pretending to be an ogre.
"This is nice." Snow sighed, leaning back against her husband.
"Isn't it?" Charming agreed, pulling Snow closer. Together they watched their children interact. "He'll sleep when it comes to bedtime." Charming chuckled.
"Oh I don't think he'll be the only one." Snow said with a little grin. She noticed that Emma was starting to lag behind her brother- whose energy never seemed to fade. "Do you think we should give her a hand for the last ten minutes before we head?"
"I think that sounds like a wonderful idea." Charming said, getting up before helping Snow. They caught up with their children and Snow picked her son up onto her back.
"Quick little man! Mommy will save you from the ogre!" Snow yelled, speeding off with Neal giggling away on her back.
"Funny. I remember ogres being taller." Charming said, coming over to Emma.
"Well I can't help my height." Emma joked. Charming turned his back to Emma.
"You deserve a turn too. Hop on kiddo." Charming said. Emma was hesitant. "Think of it as a well-earned rest for tiring out your brother for us this afternoon."
"Well, if you say so." Emma said, clambering on to her dad's back and allowing him to speed off with her.
"MUHAHAHAHA! The ogre's coming for ya!" Charming bellowed after his wife and son. Snow turned and her heart nearly melted at the sight. She knew she would treasure this day in her heart forever.
Half an hour later and the family was on their way home.
"Snow." Charming whispered over to his wife. She looked over and smiled. Neal was drooping against Rufus' back, out for the count. Now that she thought about it, Emma hadn't spoken for a while. In fact, she felt quite heavy against Snow… Charming's smile said it all. Emma had fallen asleep against her back. "She can just stay with us tonight. I'll carry her up to the spare room." Charming said. Snow nodded in agreement. They would enjoy this moment with both their children. Almost like a completely normal family.