The strangest of dreams

Franciny asked for a oneshot of the curse never happening, but Snow has a nightmare about having to put Emma through the wardrobe. She wakes up and has to go through and check on her baby girl. Sorry about the extra-long wait, this one seemed to go missing!

"You have to take her. Take the baby to the wardrobe."

"Are you out of your mind?!"

"No. It's the only way you have to take her to the wardrobe…"

"No no no no no you don't know what you're saying-"

"No I do. We have to believe that she'll come back for us! We have to give her her best chance…goodbye Emma." A kiss. That's all I could give her now. She would have to leave, and I would not see her until she was fully grown. If I ever saw her again. I savoured the small moment, knowing it would be all I would ever get. Reluctantly, I hand her over to Charming. We share a passionate kiss. We both know he may be killed getting our daughter to safety. It may be the last time I see either my husband or daughter- but it's our only shot. He pulls away, knowing time is off the essence. I look at Emma's tiny face one last time, my thumb gently brushing her soft cheek as he walks away. He grabs his sword and pauses one last time at the door to look at me. I can hear Emma begin to cry. It grows louder as her father slips away with her. The sound pierces right through my heart. My baby is crying, and I cannot comfort her. There is nothing I can do now. Nothing but weep for my loss…

I wake up gasping, drenched in my own sweat. It was all a dream, a horrible dream. Regina was gone, she had not cast some evil curse. Had not torn her family apart. Snow looked beside her and saw Charming sound asleep. Emma. Her precious baby girl was right next door where she belonged…wasn't she? She had to be sure. Snow slipped out of bed and quickly walked next door. Despite knowing it was all a dream, her heart only stopped pounding when she saw her newly turned one year old daughter happily in her crib. Emma was awake too. Sitting up. She turned when she heard someone come in and babbled happily when she saw her mama, raising her arms to be picked up. Snow smiled, relieved.

"Well hey there cutie." Snow cooed, coming over and picking up her baby. Snow carried her over to the rocking chair, sitting down with Emma nestled against her. "Mama had an awful dream." Snow whispered, stroking Emma's cheek. "One where the nasty lady done something very bad. And it meant you had to leave mama and daddy when you were only just out of mommy's tummy. But it's alright, she can't hurt you. She's gone. Mommy had to come through and check her baby girl was alright. And here you were already awake. Did you know mommy needed you, huh? Like mommy does when you start crying? Well aren't you just the cleverest little girl. I don't want you worrying. Mommy won't let anyone hurt you-"

"And daddy won't let anyone hurt either of you." Snow looked up to see her husband standing at the doorway. Emma smiled happily when she saw her daddy.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" Snow asked, as Charming came over and scooped Emma up, cuddling her close.

"Don't be sorry. Did you have that nightmare again?" Snow nodded. Charming shifted Emma so she was in one arm and touched his wife's cheek. "Snow, she can't hurt you, or Emma, ever again. She's gone."

"I know that." Snow sighed. I'm trying to stop letting her get to me…I really am." Charming understood. Despite seeing Regina die Snow couldn't shake the feeling that she wasn't really dead and was still coming to destroy their happy ending- their daughter.

"I know, my dear, I know. For tonight, why don't we take bundle here through with us for the night seeing as she's awake anyway? Will that help you do you think?" Snow smiled, getting up and putting an arm around Charming's waist, kissing both Charming and Emma's cheeks. "I think that's a brilliant idea."

Snow slept peacefully the rest of the night with her arms snuggly around her baby girl and her husband's arms wrapped snuggly around her. Her family was safe, as it always would be.