AN- Thanks for all the lovely reviews, follows and favorites! The reviews really help inspire. So here's another chapter, there may be an error or two I have the worst time proof reading my own stuff. :-/ ENJOY

The late night TV illuminated the dark living room. The volume so low it couldn't be herd. He herd the creaking floor board behind him and smiled without turning around. "You went to bed early because you were tired, now you're up?"

"I had a bad dream" She sounded small as she approached the couch. Heck she was small.

David cleared his throat "It's chilly down here" He held out the blanket he had over himself fully expecting her to retort with some sarcastic comment and then tell him she was fine. However he was surprised when climbed up onto the couch next to him taking part of the blanket he was offering.

Once they were tucked in her moved his hand and ran it over her forehead "You okay Kiddo?"

Emma nodded as she stared at the TV "Yeah, I am fine."

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked as she shook her head "What are you watching? Why aren't you in bed? Where's Snow?"

"I couldn't sleep either" He said placing the remote into her hands

"I'll be watching whatever you do" He smiled moving more unruly hair away from her face. Seems like she was in the need of her mother's help combing out the rats nest her restless sleep had made of it. "And your mother is asleep she went to bed right after you and Henry did. She was exhausted."

"That's my fault" Emma mumbled "She hasn't gotten a good night sleep since this all happened. Then today.."

"Em, it's not your fault." He shook his head "Sweetheart, trust me. Not your fault. She does that. She goes days without a good night sleep then crashes and is fine for days.

Emma shrugged as she began to flip through the channels "Why couldn't you sleep?"

"I guess I was thinking" He admitted

"About?"

"You" He said honestly causing Emma to blush "What? Why?" She demanded turning slightly to look at him.

"About how blessed I am" He smiled "Because my Emma is this amazing woman. She's everything and more." He smiled "You had life throw things at you since you were born. Things that were painful and cruel and still despite all that you grew up into this amazing woman, friend, mother and daughter. You are just amazing to me."

She rolled her eyes "Yeah, but now I am toddler size"

"Still an amazing woman on the inside' He assured her.

"I haven't been that amazing lately to Snow." She mumbled. "Then I had this dream where.. Cora came and she… Killed her" She swallowed hard and I was standing by her grave side and…" Emma sighed "I was angry, more angry at her."

David raised his eyebrow "More?"

Emma looked at her lap "I've been angry at her since the curse broke."

"At Snow?" David asked "What about at me? Have you been angry with me?"

Emma shook her head "No, maybe a tiny bit, but nothing like I have felt with her."

"You're angry at her still?"

Emma nodded as her eyes filled with tears "And I shouldn't be, because being so is like the pot calling the kettle black."

David wiped away a tear that was falling from her cheek. "Can you tell me why?" He asked already knowing what she was going to say, but knowing she just needed to say it.

"Because she gave me away" Emma let out a whimper.

"I put you through the wardrobe" David reminded her.

"But it was her idea" a sob escaped Emma's body "She was mom, my mommy. She was supposed to be the one that taught me what unconditional love was. She was supposed to always be there. Teach me about things. About being a girl. I needed my mom."

David knew Emma had needed him too, he knew that it hurt her not having him protect her. However he understood that mom's filled a different void in a heart.

She wiped away a tear "And being little, and having her do things for me like have the fore thought to blow dry my hair and then brush it. Helping with baths, holding me even when I am fighting her. It just makes me so angry that I missed out on all of it! That should have been my life Dad" She said getting up onto her knees before throwing her arm around his neck taking them both by surprise as she sobbed into his shoulder."

He wrapped her up tightly in a hug and rocked her side to side as she sobbed holding onto him. "My life should have been with my mom and you" She whispered "You guys are the best parents in the world and yes you're mine but it's like a teaser"

"I know Emma" He whispered "I know."

"I shouldn't be mad" She sniffled as her tears began to slow "Because I did the exact same thing to Henry."

"Yes, I guess you did' He agreed "But the difference with Henry is, he got a mom who loved him, and you got to be a part of his life at a young age. And Emma you did for him what we did for you. You gave him your best chance."

"Do you think he's as mad at me as I've been at my mom?"

David shook his head "Emma, he's been mad I am sure. Confused too I am sure. He's also seen how loved he is, but Regina and by you. I think he gets it." He then took a deep breath "But sweetheart maybe that's a conversation you should have with him. Let him voice his feelings. Let him say things even if they hurt. Then maybe you'll see where his heart is."

Emma pulled away and rubbed her red eyes as she nodded "Yeah, maybe…"

"Emma, you should also have this discussion with your mom"

"I don't want to" She whispered

"I think it would be good for both of you."

"Are you mad?" Emma asked changing the conversation a little

"Why would I be mad?"

"That I am not angry with you?" She asked "Or not as angry" She chewed her lip "Because I missed you too" Said softly "There was a lot of times growing up I just wanted my dad. It was just different with my mom. But. I don't…" She began stumble "I am not saying, I love Snow more than you. It's just."

"Emma" He cut off her rambling "I get it, it's just different."

She smiled as she let go and slid down so she was tucked in next to him. He wrapped her arm around her giving her the comfort she was seeking.

She was quiet for a few minutes before she spoke. "Growing up, I know I would have been a daddy's girl. I would have driven my mom crazy and scared her to death." She said peaking a glance up at Charming "You and I would have had such great adventures."

He nodded "We would have, there is so much I wanted to teach you."

"Using your sword to slay a dragon" Emma smiled "Was seriously the coolest thing I've ever done, and something that connected me so deeply to you."

"I am proud of you" He smiled "More proud then you'll ever know kiddo."

"You can still teach me things" She said after a few minutes "I still have a lot to learn."

David looked down at the blonde beside him. "Such as?"

"I need to know how to use a sword properly. I need to know how to ride horses properly. I need to know how to be a leader like you."

"Emma, you are leader all on your own."

She sighed "But you do it with so much more compassion"

"You're a strong leader Emma swan, trust me on this one. However with the other things. You've got it."

"And I need you to teach me one other thing" She said with a grin.

"What's that?" David asked raising his eyebrow

"How to steal some cookie's mom's hidden away."

David looked surprised for a moment before he nodded and quickly scrambled off the couch pulling Emma with him. "Okay" He whispered "First thing you should know, is that your mom can be a light sleeper. So we have to tip toe to the kitchen."

"Got it" Emma nodded seriously as the pair of them tip toed into the kitchen. Once in the kitchen Charming moved over to the fridge and lifted Emma "Do you see them?"

Emma nodded excitedly seeing them in a basket on top of the fridge "Got them" She whispered as David pulled her back down and then set her on the counter.

She opened the bag and took out a cookie and handed it to him before taking out a cookie for herself.

"Cheers" She whispered tapping her cookie to his getting a big grin from him.

"What do you two think you're doing?" Snow said coming out of the bedroom placing her hand on her hip.

"Uh" David smiled "Chatting?"

"Right" Emma nodded "Chatting, what he said."

"With cookies that I put up?" She asked fighting the urge to yawn as she came all the way into the kitchen standing in front of Emma narrowing her eyes.

"Well, um"

She bent down and snatched a bite of her daughter's cookie in her hands causing Emma to gasp then to giggle. "Hey that's mine"

Snow winked and grabbed a cookie from the bag "I can't believe I am missing all the fun" She smiled

"See, I told you light sleeper your mother" He nodded as Snow lifted Emma from the counter and set her on the floor. "I am awake now, looks like the two of you are both wide awake as well. Movie night?"

Emma nodded as she rushed to the couch claiming her spot.

"Everything okay?" Snow whispered to David as she placed her hand on his chest.

He nodded "It is now" He assured her. "She had some bad dreams and is processing some thoughts, but she's going to be okay."

Snow smiled "Good"

"Sit by me" Emma patted the spot next to her as Snow and David approached.

Snow took a seat next to her daughter and covered them up with a blanket while David grabbed another blanket and moved to the other side of Snow.

Snow leaned into him then pulled Emma close to her. "Can I brush out your hair while we watch the movie?"

Emma nodded as she leaned forward and pulled her brush off the coffee table and handed it to Snow while David pulled up Netflix so they could find a movie. "I like it when people play with my hair" She very quietly. "It always calms me down, or makes me sleepy"

Snow smiled and tucked that piece of information away in the back of her mind.

David selected a movie and got hit playing while Snow worked on brushing out the tangles from Emma's hair bringing it to its natural soft look. Once her hair was brushed Snow leaned further into David and then just absentmindedly ran her fingers gently through Emma's soft curls. It didn't take long before Emma had her head laying on Snow's lap and was sleeping soundly

"She's right" Snow whispered to David "Having someone play with her hair relaxes her."

David smiled down at her "And it's it now four in the morning"

"Mmm" She nodded "You should go get some sleep honey. You have to work tomorrow."

David shook his head "I'll be fine for one day, there is no where I'd rather be right at this moment. I am holding the love of my life in my arms" He said kissing her temple while the love of our lives sleeps on your lap. "This is my happily ever after moment."