Once Upon A Time

Pinky Promise

Emma couldn't wipe the smile from her face as she walked through the streets with her family and friends. They were just blocks from Granny's when Snow leaned towards Emma and said, "I am in dire need of a hot shower."

Emma nodded vigorously in agreement.

Snow untangled her arm from her husband's and took Emma's hand while saying, "we'll meet you at the diner. We need to freshen up."

"All new skin is what we need," Emma murmured.

Snow grinned. "Come on. We'll catch up with everyone."

As Snow pulled them away, Emma looked to Henry and said, "stay with David!"

Through a smile Henry agreed while watching them go.

Taking a shortcut, Snow led them through the alley while squeezing her daughter's hand. Emma smiled in response.

"It's such a relief to be back."

"I know you're, uh, superwoman back there, but things were getting-"

"Horrible?"

Emma nodded.

They walked along in silence for a minute before Snow said, "you had me terrified."

"What?"

"With Cora, when you pushed me away from her…"

"I was trying to protect you."

Snow stopped and stepped in front of Emma. She looked her square in the eye and said, "I don't care the situation. I don't care the danger I may be in. I don't care how much power you have. You will never do that again. You will never put yourself in harms way to protect me."

"But-"

"No. Emma, I am your mother. You are my daughter. That means that I protect you. Always. No matter the circumstance… I won't lose you again. I refuse to let that happen…next time someone tries to steal my heart, you run, you get help. Don't be the hero… if you didn't do what you did, if you didn't have that power, then your heart would be in her hands right now. You'd be gone. She could easily kill you… promise me that you will never do something like that again," Snow finished firmly.

Emma held out her pinky. Snow's brows knit in confusion.

"Henry, he makes me pinky promise a lot… I figure, let it be a family thing."

Snow smiled while hooking her finger around Emma's.

"This doesn't apply where Henry's concerned," Emma said softly.

Snow nodded in agreement. "He's your son. You'll do anything for him. So you can understand how that's my mentality when it comes to you."

"I get it. No more jumping in front of evil queens to save you."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome," Emma said through a grin.

They continued on their way. They were not a block from the apartment when Snow stopped.

"Something wrong?"

"While we're making pinky promises, there's something else."

Emma shuffled her stance uncomfortably, but nodded for Snow to continue.

"I'd like to think we know each other fairly well… but that's to an extent. You know Mary Margaret, the single schoolteacher who's made her fair share of mistakes. But you don't know Snow White who has a wonderful husband and a beautiful daughter she lost for 28 years… more importantly, I want to get to know you... I know you didn't want to, but Emma, I'd really like to talk about us… 28 years went by. I know you were a bail bonds person. I know you have a son you adore and love more than anything. I know you were in the foster system. I know you are smart and courageous and intelligent and well, stubborn." Emma smiled a bit. "But I should know more. I want to know more. I want to know everything…. I should have been there. You were right. The price your father and I paid… we lost you and no matter what, we can't get that time back… I'm asking that, please, you try and let me in."

Emma nodded in agreement. "That's fair. Let's try."

"Let's try," Snow said through a smile while holding her pinky in the air.

"Oh, right," Emma realized.

Snow's smile widened as they sealed the deal.

THE END

Hope you enjoyed! P.S, 'Road To Happiness' will return with new chapters this weekend!