We made it through the summer :) can't wait to watch the new season. I just hope there is a little more DaddyCharming time.
Emma was feeling tired and sore, it had been a few hours of intense tutoring from Charming on how to ride. She had been surprised that it was that difficult. Anyone she had ever seen on a horse, and admittedly she hadn't seen many, but they had always made it look so easy - but she was so very wrong.
Charming couldn't help but hold back a smirk as Emma threw him another dirty look at a his instructions. He could see she was tired, and with the sun setting around them, it was time to call it for a day.
Now this suggestion had been met with much joy from his daughter, but he couldn't help but feel a little despondent that the day was over. He wondered if it would go back to how it was before they had spent this time together, was today a one off? Just for father's day. Charming hoped not.
They walked to the car in silence, both without realizing that they were thinking similar thoughts. What happens now?
Charming switched the stereo on in the car just to have some noise. After a little while what he notice was that Emma was quiet for a whole different reason.
Her head resting on the window beside her, eyes closed. Charming couldn't help but think at how peaceful she was. Even with her eyes closed her face seemed more open, than when she was awake and when she was concentrating on keeping her walls in place, constantly. Another thought hit him at how similar she looked like Snow.
There would be moments that Charming would look at Emma, like now, and it would hit him - she was actually their daughter. Its not like he would ever forget or not feel it. More like he couldn't believe that this brave, beautiful and not forgetting stubborn woman, was the same woman, as the tiny baby he placed in the wardrobe nearly 29 years ago.
Today had been amazing, but watching her and knowing how much they had missed, it had hurt. The things done today, should have been a part of their daily life.
He didn't want to dwell on it too much, he loved spending time with her and he was going to be happy, even though they had missed out on all these years together. They were together now, with the added gift of Henry.
The journey home had been short, before he knew it Charming was pulling up outside the apartment they all shared. Moving round to Emma's side, gently opening they door so she didn't fall out Charming tried to wake her up.
"Hey Emma? We are back, time to wake up now."
The only response Emma could manage was a very weak groan. She didn't want to move, horse riding had completely wiped her out. There wasn't a muscle in her body that didn't hurt. She didn't even fill this bad after fighting a dragon.
Charming chuckled "Emma if you don't wake up I will have to carry you inside." He thought this would move her, thinking that would be the last thing she wanted.
Unfortunately for Emma it sounded wonderful. It meant she didn't have to walk anywhere. "I can always stay in the car." She mumbled not wanting to give away the fact that she would love for him to just pick her up. She wanted her bed, and if it meant that he father had to carry her, well she could live with that.
"Emma you can't stay here, Snow would kill me with my own sword.' He could see the completely worn out look on her face. The thought it him suddenly, "Ems, do you want me to take you inside?"
Emma opened her eyes for the first time the during the conversation. Blue eyes met green eyes and that was all the encouragement that Charming needed. "Come on then Princess." He wrapped one arm round her back and the other under the knees. Emma being completely content, laid her head on his shoulders.
"Don't call me that." Though the words lacked conviction. The inner little girl, who she had kept buried for so long, couldn't help but like the fact her father had a nickname for her. She refused to admit it was more than a cute nickname - there was no way she was going down that route.
Charming managed with easy to carry her to the front door. Not quiet ready to put her down yet, he did wondered how he was going to get the door open. The thought was put to rest when the door swung open to with a very worried looking Snow behind it.
"What happened to her? Is she okay? I told you horse riding was a bad idea" already fussing Emma in Charming's arms looking for a non existent injury.
"Snow she is fine, apart being very tired." Charming found it amazing that even after all this time her mothering instincts were so strong, he almost was envious. His parental instincts were getting better the more time he spent with Emma, but as soon as Snow became herself, she automatically became a mother again. "I am going to put her on our bed." He said softly to Snow, who nodded, moving out of Charmings's way towards their room, pulling the covers back.
Emma was placed softly on the bed by her father, whilst Snow worked on removing her boots and coat. It was when she looked up seeing her husband staring at the deep in slumber Emma. Walking up to him, she picked up his hand soothingly stroking it. "Its okay you know."
Charming looked down at Snow, his eyes filled slightly with tears. "This should have not been the first time we put her to bed."
"I know." Snow knew full well how he was feeling.
"I keep promising that I will be grateful that we are here together now. But I can't help."
Couldn't finish his sentence, waving his other arm towards Emma.
"It's okay to feel this way Charming, it would wrong if you didn't. But she is here now, she is still out baby girl. How ever old she gets." Snow looked back at Emma smiling fondly. She couldn't imagine life without Emma in their lives. Not again.
Charming pulled away from Snow, who was slightly confused, until she noticed what Charming was about to do. Letting him have his final moment of the day with their daughter, she took a step back.
Charming in the meantime made his way closer to the bed, bending down slightly. Moving ever so slowly nearer and nearer to the sleeping woman. Terrified that she would wake up and he would miss his chance.
His lips finally met her forehead, closing his eyes committing this moment to memory. Not knowing if Emma would ever allow him to be this close again.
He pulled him self back a little to take another look at her peaceful features as he moved a piece of her hair off her face "Sleep well my Princess." He whispered ever so softly. Even Snow struggled to hear it. He checked one last time that the covers were around her, before going back to join Snow, who was discreetly wiping her own tears from her eyes.