When one is gone

One of my own. Just an idea I couldn't get out of my head.

Snow had one arm wrapped snuggly around her eleven year old daughter as she slept as soundly as possible given the circumstances. Snow never slept while Charming was away, not properly. She did her best to be positive to Emma, but in reality she was just as frightened of the unknown. It was currently Charming's turn to deal with the conflict at hand. Ever since Emma's birth they had agreed that only one of them would ever be away from her at a time, just in case the worst should happen. Whenever one parent was away, Emma was incredibly clingy to the remaining parent. She would refuse to leave their side, clearly terrified herself. As she was getting older, she would make more excuses for being in bed with them the night's one parent was away. She would suggest activities to do together on their bed before she went off to her own, but they always ended with Emma saying she might as well just spend the night there. Not that Snow and Charming minded, they liked to keep an eye on her when the other was away.

Snow looked up when she heard the door click open. She gasped when she saw Charming step through the door.

"Charming!" She whispered, very aware of Emma still sleeping. She carefully took her arm out from under Emma and bolted over to Charming, practically pinning him to the door as she kissed him passionately. Charming chuckled against her lips, pulling her closer.

"Oh is that the kind of welcome I'm getting?" He growled. Snow sighed, desperately wishing she did have her husband all to herself.

"Not with present company." She reminded him. Charming looked over to the bed, of course Emma was there. Charming smiled, his little angel.

"Should I wake her up?" He asked. Snow nodded. Otherwise he was sleeping in her room tonight. If he woke her up she may very well get some alone time with him tonight. Charming carefully tiptoed over to his side of the bed where Emma was clutching tightly at his pillow. He gently shook her shoulder.

"Emma." He said gently as she stirred. "Emma honey." Emma jolted, peeking her eyes open. Was she dreaming? As her vision cleared from sleep she knew she wasn't dreaming.

"Dad!" She screamed, launching herself into his arms. Charming laughed as he stumbled back with her. Like mother like daughter.

"I'm happy to see you too baby. You been a good girl?" Suddenly, Emma burst into tears against her father's shoulder. "Hey there, no tears. I'm home now." He said soothingly. He sat down with Emma on his lap, rubbing soothing circles on her back.

"But what if you hadn't?" She sobbed. "What if something bad had happened? I hate it when either of you are away! I don't want you to go again!" She wailed. Snow and Charming shared a look. They hated the impact these wars and battles had on Emma.

"Honey, we don't leaving either." Charming told her, holding her close. "But I have to. I have to so that one day when you become queen you don't have to. I'm doing this to protect you."

"But I don't like it when you're gone. I get scared." Emma sniffed.

"I know you do honey, but you don't need to be scared. I will always come back for you and your mom. How could I leave my girls? Nobody's going to stop me coming home to you. I promise. Have I ever broken a promise to you?" Emma shook her head against her dad's tunic. "See? You're alright now."

"Can I still stay here for tonight?" Emma whimpered. Charming looked up at his wife and smiled. A smile that said I guess our reunion will have to wait. One he had been looking forward to quite as much as Snow. But neither of them could deny Emma some extra comfort tonight. Not when she needed it so greatly.

"Of course baby." Charming said. Emma then crawled off his lap and into the middle of the bed. Her parents then got settled either side of her, before Emma curled up with her head resting on her dad's chest and her mom running her fingers softly through her hair. They were both here now. She was finally at ease.