What might have been
samjaymcnulty asked for a oneshot of an adult Emma being given a glimpse of what her childhood would have been like with Snow and Charming.
It was part of what they used to darken my heart after I became the Dark One. As I was pulled through the portal to my holding cell I caught glimpse of it- like Alice as she fell down to Wonderland. I saw my mother, rocking with me gently in a rocking chair in the centre of what should have been my nursery. I saw my father, with my tiny infant self sleeping soundly on his chest as he rubbed soft circles on my back. I saw them both having friendly horse races, me switching between both parents' horses and feeling like she was flying. I saw them read to me at night, or stitch together their own stories made from their adventures before I had been born. I saw fusses being made over me during the many Balls I would have had in my life. Wearing adorable matching dresses with my mother, dancing merrily on my father's toes. This was the life I should have had- this was the life that had been robbed from me by destiny's cruelty. It wasn't fair- none of this was fair. Why should I suffer? Well no more. No longer would I put myself out to protect others. From now on- I looked out for number one- and destroyed anyone who tried to stand in my way.