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[unfairest_ofthemall]

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[onebadapple]

[She pushed back some of Apple's hair from her face and smiled.]

True love can happen over time, love at first sight and true love are not always the same, mind you, but it's not something that can be forced or faked, and it certainly can't be stopped. True love can break any curse, Apple, even my stepmother's.

That doesn't mean you can't love Daring, if that's what you want, but you're both hurting yourselves trying to pretend that it's destiny making you be true loves.

It's alright if Daring didn't awaken you with true love's kiss, if your heart, not some plan about destiny, is why you want to marry him. [She knew something would get through to Apple, and thankfully it was true love.]

But if your heart doesn't love him like that now, Apple, marrying him now to love him later is the cruelest thing you can do to yourselves.

It's time to really think about what your heart says, not what destiny tells you.

[unfairest_ofthemall]

...

[Her hands clutch her dress, and her eyes close. But it doesn't stop what she'd been trying to hold back since day one. Snow White doesn't cry. Snow White doesn't let anything get to her. She doesn't make a fuss. She doesn't inconvenience people. She's perfect, and perfect girls don't cry.

Then it must mean Apple isn't perfect, because for all of her fighting, the tears come down her cheeks, hot and heavy, her body shaking hard.]

I'm so scared... I'm so scared, mom!

[onebadapple]

[Snow White doesn't cry because Snow White had no one to soothe her when she did. Snow White didn't make a fuss, because fusses did not get the castle clean and the chore list done, an incomplete chore list meant she didn't get to eat. Snow White couldn't inconvenience people because they pretended she didn't exist.

Snow White was not perfect.

She was unable to allow people to help her because for many years, so many didn't. She was always surprised when people never put a price tag to their own acts of kindness because while hers were free, people always came with a cost if they were kind at all. She didn't know how to even ask for help. She trusted animals more than she trusted people.

So no. She was not perfect.

Even now, she was at a real loss on how to be a mother and could only think of what she'd LIKE a mother to be.

But she did know one thing.

Apple White would not be forced to push down everything, to not cry, to always smile with her, because she had every intention of being there for Apple.

She moved quickly and gathered Apple up into her arms, hugging her tight and rubbing her back. Letting her cry, letting her shake, just holding her. She couldn't tell Apple it would be alright, because she didn't understand this whole "destiny" thing that Apple was so sure of. But, she did know she would speak with that headmaster if he ever showed up here.]

I know, I know... and you have every right to be scared when it's your very life and the life of everyone you love that you fear for.

[She pressed kisses to Apple's brow and cheeks.]

My poor Apple, you've been carrying this inside of you for who knows how long.

[unfairest_ofthemall]

[With that physical comfort, Apple sobs into her mother's chest, shaking and and trying to stop but she can't. It's more than just the news she learned from Daring, it's everything she'd been holding back since she nearly drowned. So... this may go on for a while. She clings to Snow's dress, unable to get any words out, though she tries between gasping breaths.]

Augh... Ugh.... Mmm...

[onebadapple]

I've got you, and I'm not letting go.

[She rocks her back and forth, never once telling Apple that it would be alright, never once telling her to shush.]

[unfairest_ofthemall]

[After what feels like ever after, Apple finally calms down enough to get down to sniffles, and finds herself able to use words again.]

I'm... suh-suh-sorry, I didn't mean to...

[onebadapple]

There is nothing to apologize for. [She smiled, pulling one of the napkins from the tray and offering it to Apple.]

And it sounds like you needed it more than you know.

[unfairest_ofthemall]

[She sniffles again, taking the napkin and lightly dabbing her face.]

... I don't feel happy, but... I think I do feel a little better.

[onebadapple]

Well, that's alright. Even if you didn't feel any better, that's alright too. Because I will be here for you no matter how you feel, good or bad.

[unfairest_ofthemall]

... I love you mom. I really do. Please... please don't ever go thinking I don't. You are a good mother.

[onebadapple]

I love you too.

I don't think you know just how truly and honestly happy I am to have family here, to have you be my family. [She held Apple's cheek and then pressed a kiss to her brow.]

And I'm glad to hear that you think I'm a good mother, because I'll be honest, I worry quite a bit that I'm doing something wrong and sometimes I'm just trying to think about what I would have wanted my mother to say and go by that.

But knowing I'm a good mother, that's the most important thing I've ever heard, and all I've wanted to hear.

[unfairest_ofthemall]

[Apple leans on her, sighing.]

You don't need to know what your mom did... That never mattered to me. I just want you to be proud of me... I love you, I really do.

[onebadapple]

How could I not be proud of you? [She smiled.] Simply because we don't always see eye-to-eye on matters doesn't mean I'm not proud of you, Apple. You're hardworking, honest, dedicated, kind, eager to help, always trying your very best, and incredibly smart.

I will always be proud of you, even if I may not always agree with you, I will always love you.

[unfairest_ofthemall]

[A small hint of a smile amidst all the tears.]

Mom... thank you. And... don't forget... those are all qualities you have too. And you didn't even have a great role model to look up to, you became that way all on your own. And you'll always be that way.

[onebadapple]

You're quite welcome, Apple.

And, it was easy to forget, growing up when you have only yourself to remind you, though my bucket prince always offered his silent support. [She offered honestly, since she wanted Apple to see that she wasn't perfect and she had her own insecurities too.]

And Apple, if you ever decide that you rather be something else, I will try my very best to support you.

[unfairest_ofthemall]

[... Bucket... what? Nope, nope, let's not ask questions, let's just enjoy the moment.]

... I promise from now on, I'll try to be more honest with you.

[onebadapple]

[She pressed another kiss to Apple's brow.]

I really do appreciate that you'll try. And I'll try to understand better for you as well. Now then, I didn't bake an apple pie for nothing.

[unfairest_ofthemall]

[A tired, happy smile.]

Let me at it. After everything that's happened, I think I could eat it in one bite.