Run children run

smird85 asked for a oneshot set in the future where Emma has more kids. She and Snow argue over Snow being a helicopter parent and Emma jokingly says she was glad she was brought up to be more independent and Snow takes it the wrong way.

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"Neal, Neal stop running!" Snow yelled over from the bench. Emma started chuckling from where she sat beside her. Snow turned and glared at her. "What exactly is so funny?" She asked her eldest.

"You're being a bit precious with them, aren't you?" Emma teased. "Kids run."

"Yes, and then they fall and hurt themselves." Snow pointed out.

"Exactly, and that's how they learn that if they're not careful they get hurt. So next time they're careful. Everyone has to experience pain at some point, it's a learning curve. Look at Eira and Dewey, they're going like crazy. The playground's made of soft rubber stuff, not concrete. If they fall they'll be fine-"

"Eira, Dewey!" Snow yelled over. "Stop running!"

"Hey!" Emma piped up. "I am perfectly capable of parenting my own children."

"I'm sorry I don't want my children or grandchildren getting hurt." Snow said, slightly huffily.

"Mom, I already said they'll all be fine. You can't wrap Neal and Rosie up in cotton wool. And you certainly wrap my kids up in cotton wool, understood? I parent my way-"

"So then it's only fair I parent mine." Snow countered. Emma let out a puff of air, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms.

"Just as well I was raised with a bit more independence." As soon as the words left Emma's mouth she regretted them. She saw the look of hurt on her mom's face. "Mom, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that…"

"You're glad you weren't raised by your father and me?" Snow asked, her voice breaking slightly. Emma tried to reach out and take her mom's hand, but Snow moved her hand out of the way.

"Mom please don't be like that. I was just annoyed. Of course I'm not glad I was raised in the system. Do you think anyone who was raised like that is? I just meant you should give the kids a bit more breathing space. Let them be free, you know? I know you and dad are both scared because of what happened with me. But that's not going to happen again."

We would have been just as precious with you, you know." Snow told her. "It has nothing to do with the curse. It's to do with you three being the most precious things in your father and I's lives." Emma raised an eyebrow.

"Are you saying because I don't wrap my kids in cotton wool I don't think they're precious?"

"No Emma of course not. Anyone can tell just by the way you look at those three that you think more than the world of them. We're just different types of parents. And if you decide to go in there and start running around I'll tell you off too. You might be an adult but you're still one of my kids." Snow said, gently bumping her shoulder against Emma's. Emma gave a small smile.

"I promise nothing-"

"MOM! Dewey hit me!" Emma sighed, getting up.

"I'm coming Eira!" Emma turned back to her mother. "Never a dull moment ay?" Snow chuckled, nodding.

"With our family genes? Not a chance. Go on referee, you're needed." Snow watched her eldest walk away and then turned her attention back to the younger two. She saw Rosie start to run around, chasing a bird. She opened her mouth to tell her off, but shut it again. A little running around crazy would be good for her.