Oh how I've missed this.
You could cut the tension around the campfire with a knife. Snow's head was still reeling from David's revelation. He was to be trapped on Neverland forever? How could he not have told her something so important?! She didn't know how she felt about that. Anger, hurt, dread. Right now, anger was definitely winning. She couldn't dwell on it right now though. Her eyes were drawn across to the other side of their camp.
The rest of their group were scattered around. Neal was drawing out some kind of strategy plans in the ground with a stick. Meanwhile, Hook was awkwardly trying not to look in his direction, but failing miserably. No, Snow's eyes fell past both of them. Through the smoke, in the middle of the flickering shadows of the fire, Snow could just about make out Emma. Yes, there she was, her daughter, trying as hard as she could to look busy sharpening a wooden spear. Snow could see her efforts were fruitless, and was prepared to bet Emma already knew that, but she just wanted to look like she was concentrating so nobody would disturb her. Snow's heart ached for her. She knew how badly her secret must have affected Emma at Echo Cave. If she could have, Snow would have taken that secret to her grave. She had been caught between a rock and a hard place. For if she hadn't let her secret out, they would never have been able to rescue Neal and, therefore, never be able tor rescue her grandson. Something Emma would never forgive her for. Even so, Snow knew how things must have sounded to Emma. A little shakily, Snow rose to her feet and made her way over to where Emma sat, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Hey." Snow said quietly, trying to make her voice sound as normal as possible.
"Hi." Emma responded curtly, not taking her eyes off of the wooden spear.
"Can I sit down?" Snow asked, gesturing to the smooth rock beside where Emma sat. Emma shrugged, trying to act like she couldn't care less. Inside though, she was screaming. She wanted to yell at Snow to go away, to never so much as look at her again. She couldn't though, not without admitting she was actually growing to like having a proper family. So she would have to suck this up.
Gingerly, Snow sat down. Emma tried to ignore her, even though it felt like her intense gaze was burning through her head.
"Emma, what I said at Echo Cave…I need you to know that it's not like that-"
"Don't lie." Emma cut her off coldly. "If your secret wasn't the truth, the bridge wouldn't have been built. You meant exactly what you said. You don't want me." Snow couldn't help the sharp intake of breath. That was precisely what she was afraid of Emma thinking.
"That's not true." Snow defended herself. "What I said was that I never wanted this situation. Emma, I can't deny that it hurts that I never got to be your mother as you grew up. All while I was pregnant with you, I had so many dreams about what were going to do together. About this amazing little person that I got to call my child. I can't deny that it hurts we never got to have any of it. That doesn't mean that I don't want you though." Emma scoffed, striking her wooden spear particularly hard with the stone. So hard, in fact, there was a slight spark.
"Once we've saved the kid," Emma began "and we're safely back in Storybrooke, we can leave, you know. Henry and I, we can go anywhere. I'm sure Neal wouldn't mind us heading back to New York with him. We can start our lives again. It's not like it's new to me, anyway. Not being wanted." Emma couldn't help her voice breaking towards the end. Although she could pretend all she wanted that this didn't hurt, it was killing her on the inside. Here she was, so close to having everything she ever wanted, and it turns out, she wasn't what they wanted at all. Emma quickly got up from where she sat on the damp grass and went to go and get some space, but Snow quickly caught hold of her wrist with a gentle but firm grip. She knew if she let Emma go now they would never properly finish this conversation, and there was still too much that had to be said. Emma tried to pull herself free, but Snow's hold was strong. Even still, she refused to face her. She would not let her see the pain on her face, the tears threatening to spill over her eyes.
"Emma Swan, I will always want you." Snow stated. "Your father and I have been fighting tooth and nail to keep this family together ever since the curse broke. Do you think we would bother to do any of this if we didn't want you in our lives?" Snow asked her, hoping to get Emma to see her side. Emma just shrugged.
"Could just be saving face." Emma spat bitterly. "The high and mighty Snow White and Prince Charming. You could hardly be seen to abandon your oh-so-powerful Saviour daughter now could you? Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore. Let me take the problem out of your hands. Henry and I will pack up and leave and you can forget we ever existed. Go on to have your perfect little family…." By this point, Snow could feel Emma shaking. She wanted nothing more than to hold her, but knew that might push Emma over the edge.
"At the end of the day, you're a grown woman, Emma." Snow said softly. "Neither your father or I can stop you making any decisions you feel are best for you or Henry. Just know though, that if you leave, it will break my heart." Snow told her honestly. "Emma, you're my daughter. Sure, this might not be what I had wanted, but it's what we have. There's nothing I wouldn't give to make sure you never leave my life again." Emma could feel the sincerity behind Snow's words.
"So if you got to choose," Emma asked her. "Hypothetically, go back and raise me, or go on to have a brand new baby, what would you choose?" Emma asked her. Of course, this was a choice Emma would never make, it would mean losing her son, but she had to know what Snow's answer would be. Fortunately, Snow didn't even have to think about this one.
"Emma, I'd choose you every time." She answered her. Emma gave a small nod. Again, she could feel the honesty behind the words. Even still, this was all a lot to take in.
"I need some air." She told her, slipping free of her grip at last. "I'll not be long." With that, Emma slipped off towards the river to clear her head. Snow watched her go sadly. She wished nothing more than all of this was some kind of deluded nightmare. Unfortunately though, it was all too real. Charming was stuck on this island. Emma was all grown up. Henry was out there alone somewhere. When would their family ever get the happy ending they were due?