Rosie's big night
A guest asked for a oneshot of Rosie going on her first date. Charming, Neal and Emma are being overprotective and Snow is helping her get ready.
Charming paced up and down the length of the hallway anxiously. Neal sat on the bottom step with his arms folded across his face gloomily. They could only rely on Emma now, they'd been banished downstairs.
"That's it, you too, out! Join your father and your brother downstairs." They heard Snow shout. The next thing they saw was Rosie's bedroom door opening and Emma being unceremoniously shooed out.
"What?" Emma protested. "I was only trying to give her some good advice!"
"Emma teaching your sister the best way to knee a boy in his gonads as you so politely put it is not good advice for her first date. Now scoot!" Grumbling all the way, Emma made her way down the stairs.
"Nice try kiddo." Charming said to her.
"I thought it was good advice." Emma complained. "I certainly needed it when I was her age…" Emma stopped herself when she remembered who she was talking to. Charming raised an eyebrow at her.
"Get a piece of paper and start writing down names." He said.
"What?" Emma asked, shocked. "Dad, it was thirty years ago! They all have their own kids by now…"
"I didn't ask how long ago it was, I said names. Go." Neal was sniggering on the bottom step. Emma shot him a dangerous look.
"I can still teach Rachel the best way to knee you in the gonads. You may have been dating for eight months but don't think I won't." Neal shut up as Emma stomped off to find a bit of paper and make up some fake names.
Meanwhile upstairs, Snow was putting the finishing touches to Rosie's hair.
"There." She said proudly, when the final pin was in place. She looked at her daughter's reflection lovingly. "You look absolutely gorgeous baby." Rosie's cheeks went pink at the praise.
"Thanks…I'm still nervous though. What if he decides he doesn't like me? What if I spill food all over myself!?" Snow bit her lip to stop herself from laughing.
"Honey, you'll be fine. He'd be nuts to decide he doesn't like you."
"What if dad scares him off?" Rosie mumbled.
"I'll have him on his best behaviour, but I'm afraid that's just the way he is honey, ask your sister. He's protective of his girls." Rosie rolled her eyes.
"Come on. You're ready. I'll drive you, don't worry. Your father, brother and sister are banned from the car." Rosie smiled gratefully, getting up and grabbing her bag. Snow couldn't believe this was her little girl. She looked so grown up. Her black curls pinned up so elegantly, just a little makeup. So gorgeous. Snow walked out ahead of her to see Neal still sitting glumly on the stairs and Charming and Emma bickering over a bit of paper. She coughed to let them know Rosie was coming. All their heads snapped up at once. Similar smiles gracing all their faces.
"Rosie…you look absolutely beautiful." Charming said, voice filled with awe. Rosie smiled, embarrassed.
"Thanks dad." She mumbled, walking down the stairs.
"I'll drive you." Charming and Emma called at once.
"No, I've got this." Snow told them, grabbing her car keys. They tried to put up a fuss, but Snow raised a hand, silencing them.
"Come on Rosie." She said, ushering her out before the other three could shout out more pieces of advice. Rosie didn't know it, but her mother was just as nervous as she was. She knew this was a big night for her daughter. And much like the others, if anything upset Rosie, Snow would be "kneeing some gonads".