Emma's childhood

A guest asked for a oneshot of Snowing using Rumple to go into the past and see Emma's childhood.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Rumple said, sounding uncertain. "It will probably be quite painful."

"We're sure." Charming said, squeezing Snow's hand. They'd called in one of the many favours Rumple owed them for ruining Emma's childhood. He was going to allow them to see her childhood. They'd be like ghosts in the room- nobody able to see or hear them. Rumple nodded.

"Very well then. Take a seat." Both Snow and Charming took their seats while Rumple explained everything to them. They'd be able to see the biggest moment from each year up to eighteen. The next thing they each knew was Rumple blowing a powder into their faces and they blacked out. When their eyes opened they were in a room with a couple sitting facing a man sitting behind a desk. All three looked cheerful.

"Well congratulations, Mr and Mrs Swan. Emma is now your daughter." A man came into the room carrying a baby- Emma.

"No." Snow said, wanting to run over and snatch the baby, their baby. Charming clutched her tightly.

"I know." He said, tears building up in both their eyes. This was the beginning of a long and painful childhood for their daughter. The only small blessing being that her first three years were happy.

Snow and Charming saw Emma's first and second year before the pain of seeing her taken back into the system at three because the bastards that took their daughter and promised her a loving home decided she wasn't good enough now they were having a biological child. None of the things Snow and Charming saw from then on were any easier to swallow. Abusive Foster parents, alone at school performances, no presents at Christmas or her birthday. With each one they saw their baby girl become more and more withdrawn. Emma knew they were doing this- they had asked for her permission. She told them to do what they wanted, if they wanted to break their own hearts it was their choice. As soon as they got home Snow and Charming would be wrapping her in a hug and would never want to let her go.

Then, the most painful memories of Emma's childhood at seventeen and eighteen- Neal stitching her up and then giving birth to Henry. Emma had assumed that when Neal stitched her up he was already in Canada, but he wasn't. He had stayed behind- hiding behind some boxes to watch.

"I'm so sorry." Neal whispered from his hiding place, eyes filled with tears. Despite knowing the whole story now, and even seeing how torn up he was over this Charming still wanted to punch Neal at this moment. His daughter was heartbroken- and nobody broke his baby's heart. It only got worse at Henry's birth. Charming wasn't able to look as Emma's face contorted in agony. Snow perched herself on the side of the bed. Her hand floated right through Emma's, but she still pretended she was holding it.

"You're doing so well." Snow praised her, voice filled with emotion. If their hearts were still together up till that point they shattered when Emma gave Henry away.

"I don't know how to be a mother." They heard her whimper. Snow felt like someone had stabbed her in the chest. That was her fault. She should have shown Emma how to be a mom by loving her more than anything else in the world. Then Snow and Charming's vision went black again before they found themselves back in Rumple's shop. Neither said anything to Rumple- they had to find Emma. They both just got up and ran and kept running until they got home.

Emma heard the door opening and then slamming shut. She sighed, her parents were probably going to want to talk.

"We need to stay quiet, I've just put Neal down." She whispered, in a hope to put them off. But the look on their faces told Emma they didn't want to talk. Next thing Emma knew her parents were wrapping her in a secure hug that said everything. Never again.