Firsts
SaraLovesCastle asked for a oneshot of Emma breaking the curse as a preteen. Snowing are upset about missing all her firsts so Emma signs up for her school talent show and surprises them by singing "Because you loved me" by Celine Dion. This gives them a first- her first time singing in public.
Emma paced nervously backstage. She could hear the buzz of the crowd that were sitting in front of the curtain.
"And you're sure they're sitting out there?" Emma asked her aunt Red. Red nodded and squeezed Emma's hand.
"Positive. I wrote a fake letter from the school inviting them in their royal capacity." Red said grinning. Emma had overheard her parents mournfully discussing missing everything with her. They hated that they missed all her firsts and were worried that Emma felt bitter towards them over the whole thing. Emma decided to sign up for her school talent show to do two things: give them a first and show them that she loved them.
"You're up next, pup." Red told her, giving her a quick hug. "Break a leg, you'll be fabulous. I'll make sure to record their faces." Red said, pointing at the video camcorder in her hand. Emma nodded, trying to control her nerves. She made her way to the side of the stage.
"Up next we have Emma Swan giving her rendition of Celine Dion's Because you loved me." The head teacher announced. Emma walked out, shaking, onto the stage. She spotted her parents in the front row and gave them a small smile. They looked totally gobsmacked. Emma nodded at the pianist to begin the music. As soon as the music began to play Emma just forgot about the crowd and focused on what she was singing.
"For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful baby
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through through it all…"
After Emma hit the final note the crowd roared with applause and everyone rose to their feet. Emma let out a huge sigh of relief. She just caught a glimpse of her parents as she was ushered off of the stage by the head teacher. They looked over the moon.
As soon as Charming and Snow saw Emma after the show they practically knocked her to the floor in a massive group hug.
"Why didn't you tell us you were entering?!" Snow asked.
"Why didn't you tell us you could sing?!" Charming added. Their daughter sounded like an angel. Emma just shrugged.
"I wanted it to be a surprise for you both. I wanted you to see the first time I sung in public." Snow and Charming understood the subtle message. She must have overheard them. Snow smiled and took Emma's head in her hands, kissing her forehead.
"Well it was beautiful, sweetheart. We're so proud of you."
"Indeed we are." Charming agreed, kissing her cheek. Snow looked over at her husband and neither had to say a word to express how amazingly proud of their daughter they were. Or how happy they were to be around for this first.