Welcome to "Thanks, Mom". A series of one-shots to serve as a countdown to Mother's Day. I may continue this series beyond that, we'll see how inspiration strikes. Today features Mary Margaret and Emma. Enjoy!

Emma Jones slipped into bed beside her husband. It was the eve of her birthday, and she was looking forward to it. That would change though when she was forty. She knew she would wake up to bacon and Killian's signature French toast. They would take the day off from work and go sailing, and in the evening they'd have a party at Granny's. That last part was supposed to be a surprise, but that cat had been let out of the bag last week. Even then, Emma wasn't shocked, every celebration was held at Granny's, and of course they were planning something for her birthday.

It sounded like a great day, and yet, Emma found herself dreading it. Again, she wasn't turning forty. There was no villain or curse to deal with. She would be surrounded by her family and countless other people, so she wouldn't be spending it alone. So why was she feeling this way? Maybe it was the last reason. She certainly didn't want to spend the day alone, but she didn't want to be the center of attention at a party with half the town either. Could she convince Killian to have them end up "stranded" on the Jolly Roger until the day after her birthday?

A party at Granny's was for things like the end of a curse, a villain being defeated, or a pseudo royal ceremony for her brother. Her brother Neal was a prince, but she was no princess. Her birthday was a reminder that she was sent through the wardrobe. She knew the truth now, and she had worked though it with her parents. She no longer felt abandoned by them, and she wasn't bitter about things. She understood her parents missed out on a lot, but she didn't want a big event to celebrate the day they were separated, a separation that lasted for twenty-eight years. She wished for something small, to celebrate being with her family by simply being with her family, not half the population of Storybrooke.

"You have a big day tomorrow, Swan. What's keeping you from getting proper rest?" Killian asked her quietly.

"And why are you still awake?" She threw the question right back at him to avoid answering.

"I asked you first, love."

Did he really use that on her? She wondered to herself.

"I guess I'm just too excited to sleep. I can't stop thinking about it." She shrugged as if everything was fine.

"If that were true, I'd say you're as bad as Henry at Christmas. If, however, is the keyword there." He replied and sat up, propped on his elbow. "What's going on, Emma?"

"Nothing, I'm just not a big party person."

"What makes you think there's going to be a big party?" He asked with seemingly innocent curiosity.

"Okay, first of all, you don't have to play dumb; I already know that a party has been planned. Second, I know that my parents are the ones organizing it, and by my parents I mean mostly Mom. I don't have anything against a party at Granny's, but I don't want it to be the event of the year or equivalent to a grand ball." She told him and let it all out.

"Don't worry yourself over it, love." He assured her and lay back down, wrapping his arms around her. "It won't be as bad as you think. Give your parents a little credit. If it does end up being too much though, just say the word, and I'll sneak us away. But I really don't think that will be necessary."

"Are you in on the party planning?" She asked and couldn't completely cover her accusing tone.

"Not on the planning, goodness no, but I am aware of certain things. It's my responsibility to make sure you arrive on time, according to your mother's dress code for the evening, and to bring the…"

"Dress code?" She sat up and yelled.

"Why is there a dress code to go to the diner?" Emma asked again the next day through the bathroom door.

They had gotten back from the Jolly Roger about an hour ago. It had been a wonderful day, and Emma had forgotten about her worries. She had the best French toast for breakfast with Henry and Killian. They both sang to her as she blew out the candle that was placed in the middle of the stack. She opened her presents from them, a scarf and beanie set from her son, and a heated steering wheel cover from her husband. Then Henry went off to school, and she and Killian made their way to the docks.

But now it was time to get ready for the not-so-secret-surprise-party, and Emma's unease was back. She had gone in the bathroom to fix her hair; the wind out on the water had done a number on it, while Killian as getting dressed in the bedroom. Part of her wanted to stay in the bathroom forever, but she couldn't hurt her parents like that. And when Captain Hook was on a mission, he saw it through, so no way would he let her stay inside all night.

"Perhaps dress code isn't the best way to put it. But there is a theme planned, and you'll stick out if you don't go along with it. You have said repeatedly that you don't want to be the center of attention. Besides, it would be fun to play along with the theme." He replied, loud enough to be heard from the bedroom.

"What theme?" She questioned him, still not coming out.

"It's nothing to be afraid of, Swan. Come and see for yourself."

Figuring it was now or never, Emma opened the door and stepped into the bedroom. She came to a stop though when she saw Killian. She was expecting a tuxedo, his pirate garb, or something else from the Enchanted Forest. But the man in front of her was dressed in jeans, a blue plaid shirt, his usual black vest, a bolo tie, and black cowboy boots.

"Is the theme to impersonate somebody and you chose David?" She question as she came closer to inspect his outfit. She really had no idea what to think of this.

"Not likely." Killian shook his head and scoffed. "You're over thinking this, Swan. The theme is to dress in a simple country style."

"Okayyyyy." She drew out the word as she glanced at him in suspicion.

That sounded too good to be true. She thought to herself.

Nevertheless she went to her closet and picked out a cream colored lace top and a tan skirt that was just above the knee. She paired them with brown leggings and boots. She was not going to be part of that couple that showed up in matching outfits.

"You look stunning as always." Her husband complimented her and offered her his arm. "Shall we?"

"Lead the way, Smallville."

"Hey, you're supposed to turn the other way for Granny's." Emma pointed out when Killian turned the opposite direction at the intersection. He had learned to drive a few months after their wedding when things were finally calm enough for him to have lessons.

"I know where I'm going, Swan. This is the correct way."

"So, we're not going to Granny's? Or are you taking me on some detour to throw me off?" She questioned as she tried to come up with possible scenarios.

"Or, you could be patient and see where we end up." He gave her a third option, and then he turned on the radio, thus ending the conversation.

Rather than ask more questions, Emma looked outside to observe things. They were headed away from Granny's and out of town, but they weren't going towards the woods or the town line. Killian made another turn and suddenly they were on a road that she knew well. This was the way to her parents' farm. Sure enough a few minutes later they were pulling up to the farmhouse.

A path of mason jar lights lined the way from the driveway to the barn. Emma could already hear the music coming from inside. As they got closer she could see the banner across the doorway that read "Happy Birthday, Emma". When they entered the barn, Emma expected to hear shouts of "Surprise" or "Happy birthday" from a huge crowd, but instead she was greeted by waves from her parents and Henry.

"Happy birthday, Sweetie!" Her dad came over and gave her a big hug.

"Happy birthday, Emma, you look lovely." Her mom joined them.

"Thanks, Dad, Thanks, Mom, you guys look great too."

Sure enough, her parents matched. David was wearing jeans, a red and black checkered shirt, and her mom wore a dress with the same colors and pattern. She glanced over and saw Regina, Henry, and Neal at a picnic table. Henry was wearing a plaid shirt with suspender, and even Regina looked the part in a denim dress. She couldn't see what her brother was wearing from here, but she was sure that Squirt was dressed in the cutest little country boy outfit.

"So, are we early? Is this it?" She asked, still unsure if this was really happening.

"Yes, we told Killian to bring you early so we could celebrate as just us for a bit." Her mom replied and led them over to the picnic table to join Regina and Henry.

They exchanged more greetings and made some small talk. Then her dad was sent to get some presents. Emma felt like a little kid at a real birthday party as everyone watched her open a few presents from her parents and one from Regina. This was exactly what she wanted. It was simple, but she had her family. She wasn't alone, and that meant everything.

After the gifts other people started to arrive. Zelena came with little Robin, followed by Ashley, Sean, and Alexandra. Violet and her dad came, Marco and August, Archie and Pongo, and Granny herself came and she brought the cake. Emma said hello, but it wasn't overwhelming since people arrived in small increments and the barn was more open than the dining room of the diner.

Soon everyone was out on the makeshift dancefloor in the barn. Emma tried to refuse at first, but Killian was too stubborn to quit and eventually got her out there. They did a slow dance, and then Emma got to show him some classics like the Macarena and the Cha Cha Slide. It was a fun evening with a small group of people, good food, and a pleasant-homey atmosphere. It wasn't a big event, in fact it wasn't that much different than a normal day, but it was still special.

Emma was sharing a dance with Henry now, and as the song ended she saw her mom over by the food table. Emma decided she needed a few words with her.

"Tonight has been great, Mom." She started off. "I appreciate everything you and Dad did for this party."

"You thought you were going to have a big party that was worthy of a royal ball, didn't you?" Her mom asked a question she already knew the answer too. She said it in that same knowing voice that Emma often used with Henry, she forgot it also worked the other way.

"That's exactly what I thought." Emma admitted, although now she felt a little ashamed for being so stubborn and automatically thinking the wrong thing. Killian was right last night.

"Well, it was my original plan." Mary Margaret admitted as well. "But everything is at Granny's. Having it here is something new, and different, plus Granny gets to relax more and enjoy things here."

Emma knew those were legitimate reasons, but none of those were the real reason. She could tell by the way her mom rattled them off. She had a suspicion though that Killian was more involved than she, or anyone else, let on. Part of her wanted to get her mom to admit that someone else had advised her towards this route. But she didn't want to spoil the moment or the wonderful night. So, she decided to let things go.

"Sometimes new things are better than the original or traditional way. You struck gold or something with the idea to throw a party in the barn. It was exactly what I didn't even know I wanted." She told her honestly.

"Well, you are royalty, but you're also the daughter of a farmer and former bandit. I don't mind which part you're more comfortable with, as long as you're happy and you can enjoy yourself. I may get carried away with plans, but those two things are all that matter."

"You can definitely count this party a success." She replied. If her mom had to plan parties, then Emma definitely preferred this kind. As her mom pointed out, she was still connected to a part of her parents' lives in the Enchanted Forest this way, just in a different way. "Thanks, Mom."

They shared a hug, and the last of the unsettled thoughts about the party faded away. Maybe she wasn't into the royal things like her mom was, maybe she did take after her dad more, but her mom was still her mom. At the end of the day, Emma was thankful for that, party planning and all.

The End

Thank you for reading this first story! I hope it came across okay. Emma (and I) have nothing against Granny's, or Snow, but Emma had to be a little unhappy in order to have a happy ending. Let me know your thoughts, and feel free to give story suggestions for future ideas.

Next time on "Thanks, Mom": Our mom will be Emma Jones. Hope is a moody teenager, and she's having a bad day.