David knew that "Snow White" was his grandson's favorite story, and it made perfect sense. It was the one about his grandmother and his grandfather and his mother—and him, by extension. He'd seen the little boy reading it countless times, devouring it like it was something to eat. That's why he was thankful that Henry never asked him to read it. He couldn't even bear to turn to the pages that contained it.

This night, he made sure to do an especially good job with the voices—mimicking Geppetto and Jiminy Cricket and even the Blue Fairy until his grandson shrieked with laughter. He then took the opportunity to attack—tickling the little boy and playfully wrestling with him until their collective laughter threatened to wake up everyone in the building.

He had learned that this was the best way to expend Henry's energy and get him ready for sleep, and as he finished the story, he could feel that the child was beginning to get drowsy. After saying "The End" in his usual dramatic way, he finished the night the way he always did.

"Henry," he said, "I love you." And he hugged his grandson as tightly as he could. It was simple, but it always worked.

David didn't stay up long. He checked the lock on the door and placed his sword by his bed, then waited a few minutes and checked on Henry to make sure he was asleep. This night, he was, and he looked totally peaceful as he breathed in and out with rhythmic precision.

David wished he could sleep as well as Henry. When he went to bed, thoughts of his wife invariably filled his mind, and he no longer fought them. He missed her so much he didn't know how his heart could keep from breaking in half. He was afraid, too. He knew Regina's power and her insatiable desire to possess the child sleeping in the next room. He would protect his grandson, but he had no grandfather to protect him. Still, there was something comforting about being trusted. The people in town looked to him as their leader, but Henry was the only one who looked at him with that special mixture of love and absolute trust in his eyes. It was a look that made David feel like Prince Charming, the man who really could fix everything.