Special delivery
A guest asked for a oneshot of Emma expecting a little girl. She goes for a walk in the forest with her mom and goes into labour. Everything progresses quickly and Snow ends up delivering her granddaughter at the base of a tree stump.
"Are you sure you feel ok? Are you still sure this is what you want?" Snow asked. Emma nodded in determination.
"Positive. If Eira's got me craving jam sandwiches then we're damn well doing it right and going for a picnic by the lake." Emma answered. Snow nodded, keeping an eye on Emma. She had tried to persuade her daughter than in her condition it was maybe a better idea to have a picnic in the garden, but Emma was determined. She hated being so pregnant and everyone trying to do everything for her. That was one advantage when she was pregnant with Henry- nobody cared enough to want to do anything for her. She loved her parents and her son and Killian, but they were suffocating her. Even little Neal was trying. This walk through the forest was Emma's way of showing them that she was perfectly capable of doing things by herself…even her mother insisted on coming too. Emma already knew she was having a girl. She and Killian had picked out the name Eira not long after they found out. "Please mom, let me take one of the bags, or the folding chair…"
"Absolutely not." Snow said sternly. "We'll be there in a few minutes anyway. Unless you want to stop and rest?"
"No." Emma sighed. She would not give in. But the decision was taking her hand. Snow was midway through telling Emma about all the foods she'd packed when she heard Emma gasp. She whipped her head around and saw Emma's trousers were soaking. Her waters had broke. She placed a hand on her belly and looked up at her mom, petrified. Snow took out her phone to call an ambulance. It would be twenty minutes for Snow to get back out of the forest walking alone. It would take even longer with Emma and Snow didn't think she could move right now. But she was not leaving her alone. She frowned.
"Battery's dead." She explained. "I must not have put the plug in properly. Give me yours and I'll call with that." Emma's eyes widened in horror.
"I saw you putting yours in your pocket…I left mine at home." They were stuck.
"Well then." Snow said, rolling up her sleeves and opening one of the bags. She pulled out a blanket and placed it at the base of a tree. "Trousers and pants off Emma. Looks like I'm delivering this baby."
"What?" Emma shrieked. "Mom you can't be serious! Go and get help!"
"Emma, we have no idea how quickly this labour will go. I am not leaving you here in the middle of the forest alone where anything could happen to you or Eira. I know the situation isn't ideal but everything's going to be ok."
"Going to be ok?! I'm in the middle of a forest! Nothing is sterile, there's no equipment, there's not even any pain killers!" Emma panicked. Snow cupped her face.
"I gave birth to you without any of those things. Ok, admittedly I was in my bed but unfortunately you don't have that luxury. You do have some wonderful picnic blankets and pillows that I'm sure will be just fine. Now come on, trousers and pants. You can't give birth like that." Knowing there was no other option, Emma reluctantly stripped off and lowered herself onto the blanket. Snow smiled as she got some cushions and placed them behind Emma's head and back. She then got another blanket and covered Emma without so she wasn't so exposed. "My grandbaby's on her way!"
Half an hour in and Emma was glad she hadn't sent her mom away. If she had Emma would be alone just now, and she couldn't bear the thought of being alone in this agony. Snow gently stroked Emma's knee.
"It's alright." She said, trying hard to make her voice heard over Emma's screams. "You're doing so well Em. I'm so proud of you."
"I'm scared!" Emma admitted. "What if something happens to her? It'll be all my fault for making you go on this stupid walk!" Emma said, beginning to cry.
"Emma, nothing is going to happen to either of you- I won't let it. Just focus on your breathing, honey. Keep thinking about how amazing it is going to be to finally be able to hold your little girl in your arms." Even through her agony, Emma didn't miss the pang of pain in her mom's voice. That was all she and Charming got to do- hold her one time. She would be raising Eira. A thought that terrified Emma. She'd never done it before. She'd given Henry up.
"What if I can't do this?" Emma snivelled. "What do I know about taking care of a baby? I don't want to fail her…"
"Hey." Snow said, taking Emma's hand. "I felt the exact same way when Neal was born. I had to put you through the wardrobe to keep you safe- but that will never stop your father and I feeling like we failed you. So when Neal was coming I was terrified, what did I know about being a mother to a child? But we both got through it and so will you and Killian. And you won't be alone. Your father and I will help whenever you need us, alright." Emma clenched her teeth as another contraction hit her.
"Ok." Snow said. "I think we're ready. Time to push honey. Don't worry, I'm right here."
The cries of a new born filled the forest as Eira made her way into the world. Fortunately, Snow had brought some scissors for opening things she'd brought for the picnic so was able to cut the cord. She felt so honoured. She'd been the first person to handle her granddaughter as she took her and wrapped Eira in her cardigan. She was the one to cut the cord. Emma now sat cradling her little girl, tears in her eyes. Snow came over and kissed Emma's head.
"I am so proud of you." She whispered into Emma's hair. She surveyed their surroundings again. She was aware how vulnerable a position Emma was in just now. She didn't want to leave her alone, but knew that she had to in order to get help. They still had enemies in town, and if one of them got to Emma and Eira Snow would never forgive herself- but she had to try. "I need to go and call an ambulance, as well as your father and Killian. Stay here, do not move. If someone approaches you scream and I'll come running back."
"Mom…" Emma said warily. She didn't want her mom to leave. Snow kissed Emma's cheek and Eira's head.
"You'll be ok. I'll be right back, alright?" Emma nodded nervously, clutching Eira tightly. Snow sprinted off towards the town, a grin on her face. She was a grandma again.