Hook spent the first part of his day like most weekdays, working with the dwarves in the mines. The Wicked Witch's curse had seemingly left them all stranded in the land without magic, but before the Dark One had pulled that green skinned demon into a portal with him, he had told Emma to "use the pixie dust". So he, David, and the dwarves were on mine duty for the duration, hoping that they would be able to dig deep enough to open a vein in the rock that would reveal the ingredients for a new way home. Sometimes it felt like they were digging their way back to the Enchanted forest.
"I can't believe you didn't tell Hook about Valentine's Day!" Leroy grumbled at his Prince, disgusted. He walked away shaking his head.
"For the last time, Grumpy, I said I was sorry...really, I'm sorry Jones! I just forget sometimes that you weren't cursed here with us, you know, before..."
"It's alright mate, I will figure something out." He said thoughtfully as he rested his axe against a support beam and leaned his bare shoulders into the cool, damp rock wall to ease the ache of his exertions.
"Well, don't do anything cheesy, and Emma won't want a fuss...you remember how she was at Christmas, going on about how it's all marketing and commercialization. That didn't stop Snow from decorating Emma's desk with about a million red and pink glitter hearts at 5am, which my darling daughter will probably make me clean up! Just do something classy, like a candlelit dinner or something...wait, you guys have Henry for the weekend don't you? That would be kind of a crowded table...we could take him tonight if you want?" He said with little enthusiasm, as he remembered that Snow might not appreciate a change in their own plans to do some "resting".
"Thanks but no, he's been at Regina's for days now because of the spike in crime this week...Emma said it's the winter doldrums, makes people a little restless. Besides, you and Snow deserve a quiet, romantic night together...when that baby comes you won't remember what quiet is!" He said, trying to hide his wistful tone behind a smile.
David did not miss the sliver of longing laced in Hook's voice. He hesitated, wanting to help his friend, but not wanting to overstep as Emma's father. True love or not, the princess and the pirate had technically only been together for a few months and Emma was still skittish at times.
"You could always do that thing that you have been thinking about doing..." he said quietly, the Prince winning out over his Storybrooke side.
"Not the right time...I don't want her to think that I am doing, that, out of some sort of obligation to the holiday...and if she hates this day as much as she seems to..."
"Yeah, I see your point...sorry, I didn't mean to push...I just want her to be happy."
"As do I, but that means going at her pace...and I can wait, as long as it takes..."