On a knife's edge
A guest asked for a oneshot of Snow being more badly injured by Lily in dragon form and Emma's magic can't heal her completely. She is admitted to hospital unconscious. Emma thinks her mom might die before she has a chance to mend their relationship. Snow recovers and Emma never leaves her side.
Emma arrived just as Snow was being loaded into the ambulance.
"Mom!" She yelled, what had happened to her? She ran up to the stretcher to find her unconscious. "What happened? Why isn't she conscious?"
"Lily, she knocked her out in dragon form." Charming explained. "Emma, her head's badly injured." Charming told her, hoping to prepare her for the worst.
"Just wait a second." Emma told the paramedics, her hands already glowing. She placed it over her mother's head and waited. The graze on the outside faded, but she still didn't wake up.
"Emma," Charming said, taking her hand away. "Stop. Your magic can't help the damage that's been done on the inside. And even then she hit her head against that rock incredibly hard sweetheart…"
"No!" Emma wailed, beginning to cry. "No, mom can't die! I didn't- didn't have the chance to tell her!" She sobbed.
"Tell her what Emma?" Charming asked her.
"That- that I was wrong to give you both the cold shoulder. That I love you and forgive you both. What if she dies thinking I hated her?" Charming couldn't stand the broken look on her face. He pulled Emma into his arms as the paramedics loaded Snow into the ambulance.
"Emma neither of us could ever think you hated us. We understood why you were angry. Honey, I can't promise that your mom won't die even though I wish I could, but I can promise that she won't go down without a fight, especially if we're there to remind her who she's fighting for. Go with her in the ambulance. I'll take your bug and grab Neal and meet you there. It's going to be alright Emma." Emma nodded shakily, heading into the ambulance and sitting down beside her mom, taking her limp hand.
"Please hold on mom." Emma begged. "I can't lose you."
It was an incredibly slow recovery. Whale had warned them it would be. The bang to the head had really done a number on Snow, and she remained in her coma. But she was rarely alone for even a minute. Emma and Charming made sure if they both had to be gone someone else was with her, speaking to her. But it was good fortune that allowed both Charming and Emma to be in the room when Snow finally did wake up.
"Mom?" Emma asked, not believing her eyes, but the small smile she got in return confirmed it- her mom was awake. "Mom!" Both Charming and Emma rushed to either side of the bed. "I'm so glad you're awake. I was so worried I would never get to tell you…" Emma's voice began to waver as she thought of what might have been. "Mom, this needs to stop…"
"Emma." Snow croaked, voice dry from being unused in so long. Her memories were hazy, but she knew what Emma was talking about. How could she forget her daughter practically disowning her? But she wouldn't change it, she would always protect her children. "I won't ever stop trying to protect you, no matter what you do or say…"
"That's not what I meant." Emma gently interrupted her. "I mean I need to stop punishing you for it. You are…you're my mama. And I love you, and I forgive you." Emma told her. Snow wished she could wrap Emma into her arms and never let go, but she just didn't have the strength. Instead she raised her hand to cup Emma's cheek, and Emma covered it with her hand. She had been so stupid blocking them out. All she had done was make herself miserable. But now she had a chance to make things right, a chance to have the parents she had always wished for.