post ep tag for Lady of the Lake...slightly AU since I think Henry and James had soda at Granny's in that episode :)
Title: Penance
author: Cindy Ryan
spoilers: all
category: post ep
The man known both as David Nolan and Prince Charming tried to smile as he watched his grandson inhale a chocolate shake. James shook his head as they sat outside Granny's on that sunny afternoon. The two wooden swords rested on the curb next to Henry.
Grandson. The term was still foreign to Charming though he was getting used to it. He loved Henry more each day. It wasn't Henry's fault that he was a poignant reminder of everything Regina had stolen from James and Snow. Fresh anger rose up and James fought to control it. Killing Regina wouldn't change anything. It wouldn't give he and his wife the chance to raise their daughter. The chance for James to teach Emma to fight with swords or ride a horse. It wouldn't give James back all the nights Emma went without a bedtime story.
Henry smiled and motioned to the elder Charming's untouched strawberry shake. James nodded and took a long sip. On impulse Charming blew air into the straw causing bubbles. As Henry's laughter surrounded him it made James miss Snow and Emma even more. It was another cruel twist of fate to lose both just as they were reunited as a family. Another thing Regina would answer for. For Henry's sake it would be poetic justice for the Queen and not the other kind she deserved. It would be irony on so many levels if Regina was the one that saved the Charming family.
A comforting hand on James's right shoulder caused him to look up. Red flashed him a supportive smile and sat down next to Henry on the curb. The youth picked up one of the swords and enthusiastically began telling of what he had learned in sword fighting 101. Over Henry's head James exchanged a sad look with Red. She knew better than anyone what he and Snow had endured. James was trying very hard not to be bitter about the lost years. However days like today when Snow and Emma should be watching the sword training made letting go difficult.
Perhaps this was his penance. Charming had made a lot of mistakes he wasn't proud of. He thought he'd begun to make up for those through his marriage to Snow. Plus fighting Regina and the other evil in his kingdom James thought had counted for something. If fate had decided that he and Snow hadn't paid their dues yet they would deal with the consequences. James wasn't going to let Emma or Henry suffer for it. They deserved to have a family
No matter how long it took Charming wouldn't stop looking for the women he loved. He would find them. James owed it to his grandson. He'd missed out on the opportunity to be a father to Emma. He could make it up to her by being the best grandfather he could be to Henry.
end