Abandonment issues

Crosseyed-Cupcake asked for a oneshot of Emma reading a book that seems to be taking up a lot of her attention, but every time one of her family members walks into the room or asks about it she hides it and dodges the questions. Snow finds Emma asleep with the book on her chest and sees the title: "Black Swan: The Twelve lessons of Abandonment Recovery". Snow confronts her the next morning when they're alone and Emma tells her she's been trying to let her parents in but it's been hard and she thought the book might help.

"Whatcha reading there?" Snow asked, coming into the room and finding Emma enthralled in a book.

"Nothing." Emma said quickly before snapping the book shut and hiding it under a cushion. Snow didn't take it any further, wanting to respect Emma's privacy, but it seemed to be a problem all members of the household were having with Emma. Charming mentioned to Snow the next day that Emma had abruptly hid the book when he'd walked in, then changed the subject when he tried to ask her about it. Both Snow and Charming overheard Emma and Henry arguing over her refusing to show him too. Both were very curious, and slightly concerned, about the contents of the book she was reading. What could it possibly be?

The question was answered one night about a week later. Snow had gone upstairs to say goodnight to Emma. When she peeked her head round the door she found Emma asleep on top of the covers with her bedside lamp still on. When Snow went in to turn the lamp off and try and gently get Emma under the covers she found the mysterious book perched on top of Emma's chest. The title made Snow's heart sink: "Black Swan: The Twelve lessons of Abandonment Recovery".

"My poor baby girl." Snow murmured quietly, stroking Emma's forehead. "You are safe here, I promise." Snow gently kissed Emma's forehead and turned off the lamp, leaving her undisturbed so she didn't feel uncomfortable about her book being discovered the next morning. Although Snow fully intended to speak with her about it the next day.

When she went downstairs, Snow explained the situation to Charming. She asked him to take the boys out the next morning so she and Emma could chat, feeling that Emma would be more comfortable in a one on one situation. Charming agreed with Snow, and promised to take the boys to the park the next day. Snow settled herself into a restless sleep, Emma was bound to get defensive and Snow didn't want to upset her daughter, especially now she knew she was so vulnerable.

But the next day Charming kept his promise and took the boys out, leaving Snow and Emma alone in the house together. Snow felt nervous, but knew she had to approach the subject.

"You fell asleep while reading last night." Snow said gently. "I came in to say goodnight and saw you with the lamp still on, on top of the covers and with your book on your chest."

"Oh." Emma said, not being that bothered by it.

"I saw your book Emma." Snow told her. "I know what it is." Emma tensed up, feeling panicky. "I wasn't being nosey, I was just going to pull the covers over you." Snow added quickly. "Because I care about you Emma, because I didn't want you getting cold at night." Snow had said that as well as a subtle way of telling Emma nobody was going to abandon her here.

"I know, thanks." Emma said quietly, she wasn't mad at her mom for seeing the book. She was going to have to let them see it eventually anyway. "I've been trying to let you and dad in, you know." Emma added. "It's just so hard. What with the way I grew up trusting people never worked out well for me." Snow couldn't take it anymore. She moved across and sat on the arm of the armchair Emma was on and pulled her into her arms.

"Emma, you're doing a fantastic job." Snow assured her. "We understand you might have trust issues. We understand that you have your walls. We don't expect you to totally let us in right now. We appreciate all the steps you're making, and we know that it's not easy for you. Just take things at your pace, ok?" Emma nodded, and feeling trusting slowly leaned over and rested her head against her mom's chest. Her heart pounded in her chest, worried Snow would push her away. But of course Snow didn't. Snow wrapped her arms as tenderly around Emma as she would Neal. Snow's heart soared, she knew this was a big deal for Emma, seeking comfort. And Snow would not let her down- her daughter would not be abandoned again.