Chapter Text
She was supposed to be happy. Snow White had her kingdom back, she'd married the man she loved (who loved her back just as much), she was expecting her first child.
She was just starting to show and, instead of being complimented on her motherly glow as she'd dreamed of, she was constantly asked what was wrong. Because Snow White was often frowning and letting out deep sighs that didn't sound like contentment.
She was happy. She also dreaded the impending threat that was Regina. Those were two feelings hard to reconcile within her.
"Please, tell me you have good news." Snow nearly begged when the Blue Fairy neared her window.
"The wardrobe will be ready on time." Blue assured her.
There was a slight pause.
"But it's really just for one." Snow swallowed.
Blue nodded, "I'm truly sorry, Snow White. Is there anything I can do to make this easier?"
"Find a way to send David through."
"You know the chances are very slim." Blue didn't want to give false hope.
Snow nodded with a sigh.
"What worries you?"
"Regina can't hurt me in this realm. She'll be able to hurt my child and me on the next." Snow started "I'll be a single mother for twenty eight years. I can do it, I just wish I didn't have to." she caressed her belly for a moment and looked back up at the fairy "After that, David and I will be back together."
"True love does conquer all."
"I'll be fifty. I'll have lived a whole life without him."
"He'll love you still."
"Oh, I know. David won't be worried about white hairs or some wrinkles."
"What is the matter, then?" Blue asked.
"Life is so short. And I don't even get to spend it on my terms." Snow blinked quickly in an attempt to prevent tears from falling "All because of one secret I couldn't keep."
"You were a child."
"It doesn't matter to her, now does it?" Snow smiled sadly.
"Regina may try to take away your happy ending, but I promise you: she will not succeed." Blue stated "Good always wins, true love is unstoppable. I will find a way to help you."
Snow's smile didn't quite reach her eyes, but she nodded nonetheless. She'd defeated Regina once. She'd do it again with her daughter.
Of all physical hardships Snow White had endured, nothing compared to labor. It'd been nearly a full day of waves of pain crashing through her. She couldn't talk or walk through contractions, the curse was coming and this was just the worst timing in the world.
"You can't go." David supported her when a new wave of pain had her crouching.
"I have to." Snow insisted, pushing herself back up.
"You can barely walk."
"I'll drag myself, I don't care." she continued to move forward "I'm not leaving my daughter." Snow supported one hand on the walls, another over David's shoulders.
"I'm not sure there's much you can do now." David warned as he helped her along.
"I will make it to that wardrobe, I will keep Emma safe and we will find you." Snow's tone left no room for arguing.
David nodded once, "Yes, your majesty." he smirked. If anyone could do it, it was Snow White.
It wasn't that long of a walk, but it felt like it'd taken forever. Snow was panting, hurting and her head was spinning from everything.
David helped her into the wardrobe.
"I love you." she told him before he closed the door "I will find you."
"I know." David nodded quickly "I love you."
It was the hardest thing he'd done in his whole life. Close that door knowing it'd send his wife and daughter away. A daughter he would never get a chance to meet until she was a grown woman. He'd miss out on so much.
Regina might not be able to physically hurt them. But she broke his heart with such efficacy David wondered how it was still beating.
Snow White found herself on the side of what looked a lot like a road. Except the ground felt different from the one back home. It wasn't dirt (though it was quite dirty), it was something else.
She was alone. In her nightgown. In labor. In the middle of God knows where (and looked like nowhere). This was such a nightmare.
Snow held on to a fence on the side of the road as another contraction hit her. She could feel the pressure on her pelvis; her water had broken hours ago. It wouldn't be much longer until she delivered her child.
Blinding lights hit her eyes and Snow tried her best to shield her face from it.
"Miss?" a man stepped out of the vehicle "Are you alright?"
Another contraction was his answer.
"You need a hospital." he assessed the situation quickly "Come on." he extended a hand.
"Thank you." she took his hand.
"The hospital is close. We'll be there in no time." he helped her into his vehicle. Snow noticed it was nothing like she'd seen before. It seemed to move on its own. The seats were more comfortable than those of her carriage.
By the time they got to the hospital, Emma was crowning. They rushed her to the delivery room. Snow felt like it had taken forever and happened in a blur at the same time.
After cutting the cord, they handed her the baby, "It's a girl!" said the doctor.
"Hi, Emma." Snow took her daughter in her arms, her vision blurred by tears "You're okay. Mommy's here with you, you're okay."