Dreaming Out Loud

The Reckoning

Chapter 91: The Reckoning

Emma looked at herself in the mirror with a lot of uncertainty. Despite being born a Princess, she had never worn a full scale ball gown before. She knew that if she had been raised by her parents that she would have worn her first at a very young age and become acclimated to such, because that was the norm in their homeland, especially being the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming.

Had there been no curse, her mother would have been Queen and her father King Consort. And she would have been a Princess. All that was gone now, but on this night, the three of them were getting a piece of that life that was stolen from them back. She glanced at her mother, who she could see in the mirror behind her. Snow was already tearing up, as Emma turned to her.

"You look so beautiful," Snow said, as she sniffed. Emma had chosen a dress in her signature color, fiery red, and Snow had put her hair up in a beautifully intricate french twist.

"Thanks Mom," she said shyly, as she looked back at herself.

"You do too, Mom. Dad's gonna faint," she replied. Snow had chosen her signature color and her gown was a creamy white with a shimmering gold overlay, lace, and embroidery. The sleeves were off the shoulder, complete with a sweetheart neckline.

"Wow..." David uttered, as he and Henry came into the room. He stared at his wife and daughter in awe, as he went to Emma first and gently hugged her, cupping her head.

"Emma...this is everything I've always wanted for you," he confessed. She smiled.

"I know..." she said, as she then picked up her copy of the sonogram photo they had just given her.

"And this is everything I want for you and Mom," she assured. He smiled and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Emma turned and took both of their hands on hers.

"We may not have been able to be together all the time, but I remember being raised by you in the dreamscape," she said tearfully.

"And that's why I can say that this baby is the luckiest little person in all the realms, just like I am, to have parents like you," she added. That did and they were both teary, as they hugged their daughter between them. Snow laughed and wiped her tears.

"I'm going to ruin my makeup," she mentioned, but David was already looking at her like she was by far the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. This wasn't really new, for she was used to him looking at her this way, but damn if she would ever tire of it or the way he made her feel.

"You are so beautiful..." he uttered. From anyone else, such a simple, yet often cliched statement might sound just that; cliched or insincere. But not when he said it. He took her hands in his own and kissed her tenderly. As he pulled back, it was her turn to do some admiring. He had chosen a deep crimson tunic, trimmed and embroidered with gold threads and accents, with black leather pants and boots.

"You're looking very handsome yourself, my love," she purred, as they kissed again.

"Guys...I love you, but seriously the making out in front of me is not cool," Emma complained. Their lips parted, as they grinned at each other and Persephone walked in.

"Oh...Snow," she uttered, as she approached, wearing a shimmering lavender gown with a straight neckline and very thin straps, complete with elegant jewelry.

"You look beautiful, Mom," Snow complimented.

"So do you and Emma," she replied, as she presented two silver barrettes in which she had put real snow drops on.

"May I?" she asked her granddaughter. Emma shrugged and allowed Persephone to clip them on either side of her head. Then she presented a flower crown made of snowdrops and approached her daughter. Snow smiled and allowed her to place it upon her head.