Chapter 15:

Thanks to everyone who was kind enough to leave a review. This is the final chapter so I hope you all enjoy. ... Disclaimer... I don't them!

Emma closed her bedroom door as quietly shut as she could and with her boots in one hand she started to creep down the hallway towards Daniel's room. As she passed her parents room she held her breath and strained her ears for any movement, it was two hours before dawn so she was certain they wouldn't be awake.

Coming up to Daniel's room she did a quick check around her to see if there were any guards around. Pushing Daniel's door slowly open just enough she slipped into the room and let out her breath closing the door behind her.

There was enough moonlight left that it very dimly lit up the room just enough for Emma to make out the furniture in the room. She softly called Daniel's name as she walked over to where he was sleeping and just as she was about to touch his shoulder he woke up, jumping up at the shock of seeing Emma by his bed.

"What the heck are you trying to do. Give me a heart attack?" Daniel said trying to get his eyes to adjust to the lighting and focus on Emma.

"Sush would you or you'll wake them up." Emma quickly snapped at him in a whisper. "Come on get up."

Daniel gave her his best glare when she pulled his blankets off the bed leaving him no choice but to get up. "Where are we going?" He noticed she was wearing her riding pants and an old long sleeved shirt with her boots in hand which all ment one thing. Trouble. "Wait what time is it?"

"It's about two hours before sunrise and we are going riding so it should be enough time to get the horses and tack up before the suns up."

"You mean before your parents get up and before we get caught heading out to the forest." Daniel cut in laughing at her plan. For the past three weeks that Daniel had been staying at the castle Emma had continuously been pushing the boundaries of her parents rules and both of them were finding trouble whenever they could. Snow and Charming had only told them off a few times when they were caught in the act, most of the time the two made sure they weren't caught.

This time it was Emma who glared. "Just come on, get up and get dressed. Don't you want to go out in the forest?"

He smiled. "Okay I'm up."

Daniel grabbed a shirt and pair of pants and went into his wash room to change. Snow had made sure he had a whole range of clothes a day after he arrived at the castle but Daniel had only ever worn a few pairs, mostly all riding clothes.

While Emma waited for Daniel she went over to a big trunk that sat by the window in his room and opened it to pull out her bow and quiver and one that Daniel had gotten. They were kept there along with a few pocket knives and trinkets that the two had picked up as treasures from their time out in the forest. They weren't kept there so Snow and Charming wouldn't find them, Snow knew they had the bows but it was just because they kept their treasures in there so why wouldn't they keep their favorite bows in the trunk as well.

Daniel came out of his wash room and grabbed his boots that laid by his bed, keeping them in his hand like Emma so it was easier for them to sneak passed the guards and out to the stables.

"Here." Emma handed Daniel his bow and quiver to throw over his back. "You ready to go?"

Daniel nodded and they both headed out the door listening for the footsteps of guards. They had snuck out twice before at around the same time in the morning so they know where most of the guards were patrolling and every time they snuck down to get food late at night made it now easier for them to notice when someone was coming their way.

…...…

Emma and Daniel had tacked their horses up and managed to get passed the guards at the front gate just as the sun had started to rise up over the tops of the mountains. As soon as they hit the forest the two took off at full speed, racing each other all the while laughing and calling out to one another. The sun was warm but there was a cool breeze that hung in the air and the dirt was damp from the cold night before.

They didn't have to ride for long before they arrived at their destination, it was an old lake that was mostly dried up and the only way across was to hop to each rock or walk in ankle deep thick mud. They had found it yesterday but had to be home before they had a chance to attempt to cross it.

Daniel tied the horses up under a tree and Emma clipped her bow to her saddle, they would only put them off balance when jumping to each rock. They walked to the first rocks careful not to slip or step in the mud.

"Careful Emma." Daniel warned as he followed just behind her. He could tell she was getting excited about getting to the other side and was moving faster than before. "We wouldn't want you to slip."

Emma was halfway across and she turned to give him a smile but she wasn't paying attention on her next step and when she stepped on a small rock it moved from under her and threw her balance off. Quickly she tried to go back a step but it only made it worst and Emma slipped off the rock and landed on her knees in the mud.

Daniel let out a loud roar of laughter and Emma just took in her once tan coloured pants, that were now covered in thick black mud.

"What did I just say. Be careful. I can't believe you slipped, you should see the look on your face." Daniel continued to laugh.

Emma could feel the mud that had seeped into her boots and knowing now how much mud she was covered in gave her an idea. Daniel was still holding his stomach laughing while she grabbed a fist full of mud and before Daniel saw what she was doing she threw it in his direction. As soon as the mud splatted across his shirt Daniel stopped his fit.

"That's not fair, I wasn't ready," Daniel jumped off his rock and ducked behind another before Emma had the chance to throw another fist full.

"Hey get back here and fight like a man." Emma yelled back taunting him.

It wasn't long before the two ended up in a huge mud throwing war, they would duck behind the rocks and sneak up to each other. In the end Emma got behind Daniel and pushed him over which only earned her a hand full of mud on the head.

"Okay I give up you win." Emma announced as he threatened her with another fist full.

"Yes!" Daniel bellowed jumping up and down causing more mud to get everywhere.

They continued to laugh and push each other as they walked back to their horses through the rest of the mud.

"We are never going to be able to get this all off before we get back plus if someone sees us their going to tell mom." Emma points out.

"Oh well. At least it was worth the fun and it still makes for a great memory."

Every inch of them was covered in mud, from their once white shirts to Emma's blond hair now brown and covered in tangles of dried mud. They decided it was best to head home and put off shooting their bows either later or another day.

…...…

Charming lent over his sleeping wife and pressed his lips to the side of her temple making her stir and let out a soft groan.

"Good morning." She moaned not opening her eyes.

"Good morning beautiful." Charming placed another kiss, this time to her lips. "I brought you a cup of hot coco."

Snow opened her eyes. "What time is it?"

"Just after sunrise."

"And you couldn't let me sleep in little bit longer?" Snow asked trying to sound grumpy.

Charming places the warm cup of coco in her hands to take. "

"Is Emma and Daniel awake?" Charming eyes drifted from hers to out the window. "What? What is it?"

He tries hard to hide the smile of how the kids had crept out. "They were both gone before I got up."

"Again!" It was not the first time Snow and Charming had woken up to find Emma and Daniel's bed empty. At first it had scared Snow half to death but by the time the two of them had come home just before breakfast, they both tried to sneak back into their room without anyone knowing. Snow and Charming watched them and the look on the kids faces at how happy their adventure had made them was enough for Snow to let it go. Charming had also reassured Snow that the two of them together was safe and they were old enough to have their own adventures. "What time did they leave?"

"I'm not sure but their horses are missing so they probably only went for a ride." Charming studied Snows face, he knew she wasn't happy when they went off alone but like him she also knew they couldn't stop them. "Do you want me to go find them?"

Snow let out a soft sigh. "No I know they wouldn't go too far and it would only end up with Emma getting into making more trouble if we dragged her back here." Now that Emma had a partner in crime around the castle she was finding new ways to mess around. "Have you heard word on Regina yet?"

"I sent out a group of men out to find word on her and they ended up running into two of her soilders. The men say that Regina has disregarded all of her men and vanished, one of them heard a rumour she had left the realm."

Snow couldn't believe what she was hearing. "She's gone?" It was too good to be true. "She's finished trying to get revenge on me?"

"That's what they are telling me." He smiled also relieved at the news.

"Do you believe them?"

"I believe that's what they know. Something happened to Regina when she had Daniel and for what ever reason, she stopped. I am going to send out a few more men to go out and confirm the story, hopefully speak with a few more of her men but for now I do really believe we are safe from Regina." Snow jumped out of bed and threw her arms around her husbands neck and gave him a passionate kiss which he returned. "Not that I'm complaining love but what was that for?" He asked noticing the sudden light and fire in her eyes.

"Because I love you so very much." She pecked his lips again. "And because now our daughter is free to live a safer life."

"You don't think she'll need me to fight her battles for her anymore or need to rescue her?" Charming looked hurt and sad by this realization.

"She'll still need you for a long while yet." Snow answered laughing before picking out something to wear and going over behind to the screen in the corner of the room. "Charming." She called from behind it. "I think it's time to talk to Daniel."

"Are you sure today? Maybe think it through for a bit longer and maybe tomorrow."

"Charming!" Snow scolded then came out from behind the screen fully dressed for the day. "I thought we went over everything and you wanted the same thing." She said a little disappointed.

Charming was standing by the large window in their room. "Snow I am more than on board with you with this and nothing would ever make me happier but I just thought after you saw them that you might have a moment of second guess."

Snow was confused with what her husband was saying until she realized he hadn't taken his eyes of what ever he was watching outside the window and he was wearing that goofy grin he wore when he was up to something. "What are you talking about?" She asked still confused but he just nodded his head out the window so she walked over to him. Snow gazed over the spot where Charming was and that's when she finally saw it. Two small figures were walking their horses towards the front gates of the castle wall, not a spot on them wasn't covered in dark brown mud. She could hear Charming chuckling beside her and she let out an exhausted breath. "I still love them both." She stated, though it sounded more like she was reminding herself.

"Even the trouble they get themselves into?" He asked still smiling.

Snow turned and strode over to the bedroom door then turned to see if he was following her. "Even the trouble." She confirmed and Charming laughed following her out.

...…

"What happened!" Snow called as she met Emma and Daniel out the front of the stables.

Emma shuddered as she jumped off her horse and tied her to a post. Bustard. "Daniel started it." She called pointing her finger in his direction next to her.

"I did not! You were the one that threw the first handful of mud." He was quick to point back at the blond.

"Well you thought it was funny when I slipped."

"You came up with the idea to go there."

"Your older, you shouldn't have encouraged me."

"Kids!" Snow said in a voice that demanded their attention. Both of them stopped arguing and looked to Snow who was standing with her hands on her hips and Charming who stood just behind watching the scene with a smirk. "Go put the horses away and then go around the side and wash off by one of the water troffs. I'll go get some towels and bring them out for you." Snow finished and walked off back inside.

Emma and Daniel flashed each other a smile then silently turned to put the horses away. Charming followed them into the stable and helped pull off their saddles. "So." He said looking at both of them curiously. "Who won?"

"I did." They both said at the exact same time then gave each other a glare. Charming could swear that most of the time they would be caught just glaring at each other but he knew it was just because Emma was so stuborn and Daniel liked to push her buttons. It was entertaining to watch them as they bickered a lot and made jokes on each other but the minute one has a crazy plan, they always had one anothers backs instantly.

Charming laughed as he continued to follow them around the side of the stable to the water. As Emma and Daniel washed themselves down, with Charming throwing the occasional bucket of water over them, Snow returned with fresh towels.

Emma was still trying to wash mud out of her hair when Snow went to hand her a towel. "Don't worry about it sweetie, you'll just have to have a bath tonight and wash it out then." Emma let out a huff and gave up, taking the towel from her mother and started drying herself. "Okay how about you two run up and get changed then we can all get something to eat."

"Yum sounds good, I'm starving." Emma commented and her and Daniel started to gather their bows and towels and head inside.

"Wait Daniel do you have a moment I want to talk to you about something?" Snow quickly stopped the boy.

Both Daniel and Emma froze for a second before looking back at Snow. Charming was also standing by Snow waiting around. "Sure." Daniel said keeping his sudden shock undetected but Emma was a little more obvious with her shock and Daniel watched her eyes quickly flick between the three of them. Emma's gaze stopped and meet Daniel's for a second longer and he knew she didn't know what was going on.

"Good luck." Emma mumbled only loud enough for Daniel to hear before she continued to walk, leaving the three alone.

Daniel stood infront of Snow and Charming. "Daniel we want you to stay." Snow said in a rush. She was never one to be able to hold back what she wanted to say. Charming always has to remind her not to push put sometimes she can't help herself.

Daniel was stunned. He was not expecting that.

Charming watched the boy go pale so he jumped in. "The forest in no place for boy especially alone. We wouldn't feel right to let you just walk out of here so Snow and I have been talking for a while and it would really mean a lot to us if you stayed here."

"What do you mean?" Daniel asked still confused with what they were saying.

"Daniel." Snow placed one of her hands on his shoulder and gave it a hopeful squeeze. "We want you to stay living here and be part of our family."

"I-" Daniel stuttered trying to find his voice.

"We don't want to push you into anything you don't want. Or anything your not ready for." Charming noted. "But we really love having you around and we can figure everything out on the way but we really hope that you stay with us."

"How though?" Daniel couldn't believe he was being offered a home. It's not real, it's too good to be true. "I mean your royalty, won't everyone question why your taking in some kid of the street?"

"If I want to make you apart of my family no one is going to tell me who I can or can't have in it. No on but me decides who my family is." Snow said in a mother bear kind of tone that slightly scared Daniel.

"Okay." Daniel whispered trying hold back the threatening tears.

"Okay?" Charming questioned with excitement and joy in his voice that he can't hide.

"Yer okay." Daniel said again almost choking on his voice.

Before he even registered it Snow threw her arms around Daniel and hugged him tightly. Daniel couldn't help the stray tears that escaped. Finally he had a place he could call home and even more he had people who wanted him to stay. He had never been so grateful now than to the two people infront of him. They had just given him something he could never remember having. Everything was so surreal.

"Welcome to the family then. And we can figure everything else out later okay." Snow reminded him while still hugging him tightly.

"Thank you." Daniel said pulling back from Snow's embrace and trying to compose his emotions quickly. Then he looked to Charming. "Really, thank you." He repeated.

"Well it's about time I had another guy around. These two girls gang-up way too much." Charming smiled. "Now why don't you get out of those wet clothes and then we can all go and eat."

"Okay." Daniel smiled before running off to go get dressed.

…...…...

Emma opened Daniel's bedroom door to find him laying across his bed throwing a ball up in the air and catching it so she walked over and jumped on the bed next to him making him miss his catch. Emma smiled and laid down next to him.

"So looks like your sticking around."

Daniel smiled. "Yer. Did you know they were going to ask me."

"No I had no idea." Emma sounded disappointed, Daniel just thought probably because she didn't know and she always knows what going on.

"Are you okay with that?" He asked suddenly realizing he might be over stepping.

"Are you kidding?" Emma scoffed. "Now I don't have to lock you up or figure out how to keep you here. Now that's my parents job." She laughed. "I need someone to annoy and someone to sneak out with."

"Oh great so you only want me here so you can blame me every time one of your plans go wrong."

"Hey, you get me into as much trouble as I get you into." They both laughed at their bickering and how they do set each other up for blame when getting in trouble. It has now become a mission to them to place blame on the other before getting their punishment. "I am glade your staying Daniel."

"Thanks. Oh that reminds me." Daniel jumped off the bed and ran over to his desk pulling open a draw then taking something out and hiding it in his palm before going back over to Emma. "I forgot to give this back to you." Emma sat up on the bed and Daniel held his hand out. Dangling from his hand was Emma's necklace with the swan pendent of it. "I told you I would give it back to you."

Emma took the necklace from his hand and ran her finger over the silver swan. "Daniel I had no idea you kept it all this time. Thank you." Emma placed the necklace back around her neck where it belonged and jumped up off the bed and ran over and grabbed her bow. "Want to go see if mom or dad will let us out after this morning?" She grinned.

Daniel laughed. "Oh, we could go fishing." He said a bit more excited.

"Great idea, and if we get dad on board then mom won't be able to say no." With that the two picked up some arrows and headed out the room in a rush of excitement to search for Charming.

Since a few months ago, a lot has changed but it's a good change. One of the things that hadn't changed was the love and sacrifice each family member would go to for an other because some times, some things just never change.

Hey guys thanks so much for reading. I have decided to end it there, I'm sad to finish this story up but I have started to think of a sequel. If yous want me to continue with a sequel then please let me know, i'm only here to write for yous and hearing that you want more or what you want to read next will be the end decider if I post it sooner or later.

A huge thank you to everyone who took the time throughout this story to review, it really helped me (good and bad comments). Also thank you to everyone who favourited or followed and also to everyone who decided to just read this.

You guys are truly the best an I love you for all your continued support.
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