Baby pictures

Aurora asked for a oneshot of Neal asking Emma why there are no baby pictures of her around the house. She lies and says it's because their parents didn't want any of hers up in order to not have to explain to him about the foster system. Later Neal asks their mom why she didn't want Emma's baby pictures, so she explains to him about the curse. She then confronts Emma about it who shrugs it off but Snow insists on an answer.

"That will always be my favourite picture of you, little bro." Emma said, chuckling, as she caught sight of the picture attached to the fridge of Neal sitting inside the kitchen cupboard with chocolate all over him. "You were just so adorable."

"How can you pick one? There are lots!" The three year old said, spinning around. Emma laughed and picked him up.

"True, but I really like that one." Neal suddenly looked like he was thinking hard.

"How come there's no Emma pictures?" He asked her.

"Sure there are. Look, here's one." Emma said, picking up the picture of her and her mom at the party after they returned home from the Enchanted Forest. Neal shook his head and pushed the picture away.

"No, I mean baby ones." He clarified. Emma hid a grimace from him. Now that Neal was getting older he was beginning to notice differences between their family and others: mainly the age gap between him and Emma. Emma wasn't keen to explain everything to him. She didn't want him thinking badly of their parents or worrying he'd be taken away as well.

"Well the thing is buddy, mom and dad just didn't want any of me up."

"Oh." Neal said. He didn't totally understand why. "Can I go play with my cars now?" He asked. Emma nodded and set him down, letting him toddle off.

Later that day, Neal was helping his mommy clean up after dinner."

"Mommy, how come you and daddy don't want any of Emma's baby pictures up?" He asked her.

"What?" Snow asked, taken aback. "Who told you that?"

"She did." He answered. "Why are there no pictures of baby Emma but lots of me?" Snow had been wondering when this topic of conversation would come up. They had never really discussed Emma's childhood, there had been no need. But now that Neal was asking questions it was only fair to give him honest answers. Henry's book was upstairs. Snow thought it was story time for Neal…

The story seemed to do the trick, and by the time Neal went to bed he had a better understand of why there were no baby pictures of Emma hanging round the house. Now it was time to speak to her. Snow found her daughter playing one of Henry's handheld games consoles in the front room.

"We don't want your baby pictures?" Snow asked, heartbroken. "Emma, do you have any idea what your father and I would do to get hold of something so precious? Why would you tell Neal something like that?" Snow asked, hurt. Emma shrugged, not giving her mom eye contact.

"Didn't want him thinking he'd get taken away is all. I thought the truth might confuse him."

"Well I've just read him the story from Henry's book and he seemed to accept it pretty well." Snow retorted. "There's more to this. Why didn't you tell Neal the truth?"

"Because the truth sucks, ok? It's easier thinking that you don't want any than remembering that you wanted me. I can understand not being wanted, that's how it was throughout my whole childhood. I don't understand being wanted, alright?" Snow's heart broke for her. Were they not passed all this? She moved over and cupped Emma's face in her hands.

"I know it can't be easy seeing your father and I raise Neal. I know sometimes thoughts must run through your head that make it tricky. I know it can't be easy coming to terms with the childhood that could have been for you, your father and I find that hard to accept too, but trust us Emma; you are very wanted." Snow could see that Emma needed some space. She gently kissed her forehead and left her to her thoughts.

The next morning, when Snow and Charming woke up, there was a small photo left at the foot of their bed. Their hearts soared, they would recognise that tiny baby, their tiny baby. Emma.