***Very short chapter update. Enjoy!***

Chapter 7

Day 185

David pushed the stroller in to Granny's. Emma was finally getting over her croup and David was getting to know his daughter. He couldn't help but notice Emma wasn't too fond of her 'mother' and neither was August. But he'd only been home for four days.

Emma however grew instantly attached to her Daddy. She always smiled looking up at him and was happier at home with him there. She was crying less often, but would still cry for her real mother.

David walked up to the counter and sat on a stool and picked up Emma.

"Hi there, what can I get for you today?" Granny looked over the top brim of her glasses at David and Emma.

"I'll just have a coffee please." He pulled out Emma's bottle and started feeding her. Her blue eyes sparkled looking up at her Daddy.

Granny poured him a coffee and handed it to him. "So you're married to the mayor, huh?"

"Yeah… I guess so." He poured milk and sugar into his coffee. He wasn't too pleased with his apparent choice of women.

"Well. You both have beautiful children, that's one thing." She smiled down at Emma grasping her bottle.

He smiled widely. "Isn't she perfect? The weird thing was I didn't think I belonged in this family until I held Emma. I was about to walk off with someone else." He should his head. "But I couldn't leave Emma. Things make more sense now because of Emma."

The bell on the door rang and a man walked up to the counter. "Cup of tea please."

Granny nodded and went to prepare his tea.

The man looked over at David then down at Emma. "Nice looking kid."

"Thank you." David beamed, he was so proud. "This is Emma."

The man's mouth dropped and he stared at them for a moment. "Emma…"

"Yes."

Granny handed him his tea. He took a sip. "Ah this is hot. Enough to make one mad." He poured some milk into his paper cup. "Well I should be going." He looked down at the baby. "Goodbye, Emma." He left the diner.

David drank his coffee smiling down at Emma. Mr. Gold walked in and ordered a drink, then smirked at the saviour. "Why hello, Emma. Great things in store for you." He winked.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh she just has a big future ahead of her, deary." He took his coffee and left the diner.

Sheriff Graham passed Gold on the way in. "Good day, Gold." He nodded then walked up to the counter.

"Another day another dollar." Granny handed him his usual, coffee and a donut. "Thanks Granny, you're the best." He nodded at David and Emma then left.

David raised his brow at the sheriff. The other night was awkward between him and Regina. Like there was something between them.

The door rang again this time Mary Margaret walked in. Her eyes filled with tears when she saw them.

"Hot chocolate with cinnamon?" Granny knew her favourite.

"Ah… yes please." She walked up to the counter and looked down at Emma. "How is she?"

"She's doing great."

Mary Margaret nodded. "Is Ms. Mills still… against me seeing her?"

He nodded. "I'm afraid she is."

She shook her head. "I don't understand this. I have been there for Emma since day one."

He started raising his hand to touch her cheek. "Mary Marg-"

"Don't! Just don't!" She pushed his hand away. "I don't care what anyone says. Emma and I need each other. And I am going to find a way for us to be together." She looked down at Emma then stormed out of the diner.

David sighed. What was it about that school teacher? She was so beautiful. It was like he knew her. He trusted her. But Regina must be right, because of his connection to Emma. He bent over and kissed Emma's forehead. She responded by cooing. "Hey Granny?"

"Yes?"

"Would you mind watching Emma for a moment? I just need to use the restroom."

She nodded. "Yeah of course."

"Thank you." He smiled down at Emma. "Daddy will be right back." He headed to the washroom.

"You have one really nice Daddy don't you Emma?"

The phone rang. She answered "Granny's Diner, Granny speaking. I'm sorry… okay we didn't make your coffee right… yes… okay… well come in and we'll make your coffee right… "

David returned from the bathroom.

Granny hung up the phone. "Honestly some people… it's just coffee and we're only human. People need to grow-"

"Where's Emma?"

Both Emma and the stroller were gone.

"I… I just turned by back for a moment." She started looking around the room.

David looked under tables but she was nowhere in sight. "Call the police!"

Granny nodded and started dialing.

"Who would take Emma?"

***Uh oh cliff hanger... who do you think took Emma?***