Payback for her baby

A guest asked for a oneshot of Maleficent kidnapping Emma at birth. I know I've said I won't do any more of the Charming kids being raised by anyone other than their parents, but this sparked an idea in me that allowed it to work ;)

Guest who asked for Snow convincing Emma to publish her memoirs from foster care: how would that work with the whole fairytale element?

Guest who said they've been waiting for another guest's request about Snow struggling to breastfeed a newborn Emma: when they ask for it without demanding it from me, then they'll get their request.

Snow felt herself coming too. The dull glow of light in the room told her that it was still the early hours of the morning. Something was wrong. She could feel it. She turned to her side where Emma's cot was and peaked through the bars to glance at her gorgeous baby girl…but she wasn't there. Snow shot up in the bed and what she saw made her heart stop. Maleficent was standing by the window, rocking Emma in her arms.

"Charming wake up!" Snow yelled, shaking her husband.

"Oh he won't wake dear, not until the sun has risen fully. By then it will be too late. By then you will have to tell him how your daughter has been adopted by her new mommy.

"No!" Snow cried, leaping out of the bed and moving towards Maleficent. But Maleficent responded by curling Emma closer to her chest with one hand and extending the other one out.

"Stay back, I'm warning you." She said coolly. Snow stood very still, terrified. Emma began to whimper in Maleficent's arms.

"Please." Snow begged. "She needs me." Snow held her arms out slowly. "Give her back to me."

"No, she needs her mommy, that's me." Maleficent responded. She tenderly placed a kiss at the top of Emma's head that sent chills straight to Snow's very soul. "You both took my child, and I do not intend to be a childless mother. Your Emma will do perfectly."

"You are not her mother, I am!" Snow cried desperately. "What we did to your child was wrong, we understand that, but it was honestly an accident. Don't punish her for that, punish us."

"Oh, but I am punishing you and not her. Emma will live a life filled with more love than she could ever imagine. You will both forever live in the guilty knowledge that you caused this. You will feel the hole right through you that I have had since you took my child. Say goodbye, Snow. This will be the last time you see her…

"No!"

Snow shot up in the bed covered in a sheet of sweat. It was just a dream. Just a horrible, horrible dream. But even so, Snow had to be certain and check. First she glanced beside her to see her husband sleeping peacefully. As she got up and crossed the room she checked the crib to make sure her sleeping infant son was safe and secure also. As happy as she was that both her boys were safe and sound, they were not who she had to check on tonight. There had been many nights where her nightmares had centred around one of them, but not tonight. Tonight Snow quietly climbed the stairs and slipped into Emma's room. Her heart relaxed some when she saw Emma's sleeping form on her bed. But given how shaky she was after the nightmare, Snow wasn't content at just seeing Emma's sleeping form. She had to touch her, know she wasn't an illusion. Snow silently moved over and sat at the edge of the bed. She reached out and brushed her fingertips against Emma's forehead, relieved at them making contact. In the little amount of light in the room, Snow saw Emma frown at the contact.

"Shh, don't wake up." Snow said gently, stroking Emma's cheek. "Mom just had a bad dream and had to know you were ok. I'll go back down to my bed now. Sleep well, precious girl." Snow carefully pressed a small kiss to Emma's temple before creeping back out. Yes, Emma may no longer be a newborn, but that didn't mean Maleficent couldn't take her, and there was no way Snow would let that happen.