A little replacement
A guest asked for a oneshot of Emma hearing that her parents are having a baby girl and is worried she will be replaced. Snowing notice that Emma is avoiding them and spending a lot more time with Red and try to comfort Emma.
"Charming," Snow asked one evening "is it just me or is Emma…"
"Avoiding us?" Charming finished the sentence for her. Snow nodded grimly, so she wasn't imagining things. Ever since they'd announced they were having a girl Emma seemed to be taking every opportunity to avoid their company. She was spending a lot of time at Granny's with Red. The parents couldn't deny it stung that their daughter was choosing to dodge them, but they also understood. Any big siblings had anxiety of being replaced, especially if the younger sibling was the same gender. But enough was enough. They had tried the gentle approach and assuring Emma subtly that no matter how many daughters they had they would love her just the same, but it wasn't working. They would have to do what Emma hated- a feelings talk. The next day the pair managed to corner her at the station.
"Oh guys, sorry, I was just heading off to go to the movies with Henry. I promised to take him to see the new Spiderman film…"
"You did, but not until tomorrow." Charming pointed out. Emma fell silent, dammit! "Nice try Em, but we need to talk." Emma groaned and dropped her face to her hands. She had been trying so hard to avoid this. "We know you're avoiding us Emma. And we know you're worried that your little sister will replace you." Charming stated. Emma stayed silent, she couldn't deny that was true. Charming and Snow each took one of Emma's hands.
"Emma, you know that will never happen. We love you and Neal equally and that won't change when your sister is born. We will make more room in our hearts for her, not use up the room you and Neal have." Snow told her. "We know this is hard for you- believe it or not it's hard for us too. We still feel the pain of missing your childhood as well. We might get those moments with Neal and your sister- but that will just remind us of what we missed with you." Emma looked up at her parents, and could see the pain in their faces. She knew then that they weren't trying to replace her, that would be impossible for them. She squeezed each of their hands.
"I suppose a little sister could be fun." Emma said casually. Snow and Charming beamed up at her, so proud she was trying to accept this. When the baby was born they knew both Emma and Neal would need extra support to adjust, and the parents would work twice as hard to make sure all three of their children got the love, support and affection they needed.