Shining and fading memories
A guest asked for a oneshot of Charming taking the boys out so Emma can ask Snow's advice on how to hate what someone has done to you whilst remembering loving them as a child (Emma with Ingrid and Snow with Regina).
Charming didn't know Emma had asked him to take the boys out for the day early that morning. All he knew was it was something important she obviously had to talk to her mother about. He didn't probe into the matter, he knew Emma would tell him in her own time…or Snow would subtly let him know anyway. He asked Henry at breakfast if he would like to accompany him and baby Neal to the park for some guy time, and that he'd even bring the wooden swords. Henry responded enthusiastically. He both loved helping look after Neal and learning to swordfight. Snow was slightly confused, this was the first time she'd heard about this. She could also see Emma looked uncomfortable about something. What was going on?
Emma and Snow waved the boys off before Snow turned to her daughter.
"Ok, spill. What's going on?" She demanded. Emma shifted from foot to foot, slightly uncomfortably. She hated emotional stuff. She knew she had to do it today after asking her dad to take the boys out for some space.
"I wanted to talk to you about Ingrid." Emma said quietly. "It's just…you had a similar experience with Regina, so I thought you might be able to give me some advice." Snow felt touched. Her daughter was coming to her for advice. Snow took Emma's hand and led her over to the couch where they both sat down. Snow turned right round so Emma knew she had her full attention.
"Explain a little more to me." Snow asked. "What do you mean a similar experience?"
"Well, you loved Regina as a child, like I did Ingrid. Then obviously all the crap happened and I can't imagine your relationship with her can ever be the same after that. It just annoys me that it taints all the good times. Ingrid was one of the very few good homes I had as a kid. I just want to be able to look back on those memories and smile, even if I don't like what happened recently. How can I do that?" Snow gently reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair back behind her daughter's ear.
"There is really only one thing, honey. Time." Snow answered simply. "In time the memories of what happened with Ingrid in Storybrooke will fade. But your memories of her in your childhood will shine brightly. We like to remember the good over the bad. I wish I could speed things up for you, but I can't. Just be patient. There will come a day when something will happen that reminds of you of a moment in your childhood with Ingrid and you will smile again, I promise." Emma still looked uncertain.
"You promise?" She confirmed. Snow nodded, taking Emma's face in her hands and gently pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"I do sweetie. Come on, I'll make us some cocoa." Snow said, getting up. Emma smiled, having a little more faith than she did before. She would get there.