Night Out

A guest asked for a one-shot where Snow goes out for a girls night with her friends and when she comes home Emma has a fever. She feels guilty and Charming makes her feel better about leaving the kids to have some fun with her friends.

Snow had barely been out of the house since she had Neal three months ago, and Charming knew his wife needed some time with her friends. David tried for weeks to get Snow to make plans, but she always had a reason she couldn't go. She worried about Neal getting sick or not wanting to drink from his bottle. She convinced herself that as soon as she left, something bad would happen. She came up with just about every excuse not to go. David finally took matters into his own hands and set up the night out for her himself. He called Red and Ella and arranged for them to pick Snow up at their house and take her out for the evening. Charming had to do a lot of persuading, but he was finally able to talk Snow into going out for a few hours. Charming stood on the porch with Emma, and they waved goodbye as the car pulled away.

The evening was going smoothly. Emma and Neal ate their dinners without a fuss. Bath time was easy, and Neal went right to sleep after a few minutes rocking in the chair. Now, David and Emma were snuggled up on the couch watching a movie. David was just about to text Snow, letting her know everything was fine, when Emma quickly sat up and looked up at him. Her eyes were wide with panic.

Emma covered her mouth. "Daddy…"

David knew what that look meant. He picked her up from the couch and rushed to the bathroom. They made it just in time.

Once Emma was finished, David carried her upstairs. He took her temperature and after some convincing, was able to get some medicine in her. Knowing Snow liked Emma to be with them when she was sick, David brought Emma into their room. He went across the hall and retrieved Emma's blanket from her room. He brought it back and made sure she was comfortable in their bed. He placed a cool cloth on Emma's head and held her close until she fell asleep.

After awhile, he heard the front door open and went downstairs to greet his wife.

"David, how are they?" Snow quickly kicked off her shoes and hung up her jacket. "Did Neal eat okay for you? Did he go to sleep easily? I know sometimes he fights it. What about Emma? Did she eat her dinner? She didn't eat much at lunch and…"

"Snow," David put his hands on her shoulders. "Relax. Neal ate his whole bottle and went right to sleep. He's still sleeping and is just fine. And Emma…well, she's okay, but…"

"What's wrong with her?" Snow pushed past David and rushed up the stairs. She went straight to her and Charming's bedroom, knowing that's where Emma would be. She walked into the bedroom to find Emma sound asleep. Snow could see the red on Emma's flushed cheeks. She reached out her hand and could feel how warm she was.

David came up behind his wife and wrapped his arms around her. "Snow, she'll be fine. She got sick about an hour ago. I gave her some medicine for her fever and she's sleeping it off now."

Snow shook her head. "David, I shouldn't have left." She turned to face her husband. "Emma needed me and I…"

"Snow, don't do this. You needed a night out and there's nothing wrong with that. I'm not going to let you beat yourself up about this."

"But…"

David sighed. He did not want her feeling guilty. "Would you have done anything differently if you were here?"

Snow thought about his question. She would have brought Emma to their bed, given her medicine, and placed a cool cloth on her head. All of which Charming did. "No, you did everything I would have."

"And now you're home. I got her through the first part and you're here for her now. And we both know you're the one she's going to want when she's awake."

Snow nodded her head. She leaned into her husband and wrapped her arms around him. He always knew what to say to make her feel better.

"Did you girls have fun tonight?"

Snow looked up at him and smiled. "We did. I'm glad you convinced me to go."

David gave Snow a kiss. "Good. Now, how about we go lay in bed with our little princess and you can tell me all about your night?" David couldn't wait to hear about Snow's night out with the girls.