Charming tensed, breathing roughly through his nose as he watched his daughter and Hook through the window of Granny's diner. Everyone had learned who the mysterious women from the past was, what her survival now meant and his heart ached from the untimely reveal. Emma wasn't at fault, she'd been trying to do the right thing but he also felt a pang of regret for Regina. Despite everything, she was working hard for redemption and he had no idea where this setback was going to lead her.

"David..."

Gentle fingers brushed against his arm and he relaxed slightly at the comforting touch, until he noticed the absence of their son in his wife's arms. "Where's Neal, he's-"

"With Henry." She alleviated his concern, shifting her gaze to the booth behind them where their grandson sat cradling Prince Neal. Red was there too, making sure the baby was supported properly and Mary-Margaret smiled at the perfect picture of her family.

Charming sighed, wishing he could enjoy the moment but unease settled in his stomach as he glanced back to the window. He should be out there comforting his daughter not Hook. To think the man had just been starting to grow on him. Now all he could see was the untrustworthy pirate, the one who had less than honourable intentions and he sucked in a sharp breath as the man placed a hand over Emma's shoulder. After a moment he removed his jacket and Charming stiffened. Classic move, surely Emma would see right through-

"Damn-it." He mumbled under his breath as he watched her accept the Captains offer before turning around. He should put a stop to it now before it got out of control but he had no idea how to go about it. Firstly it wasn't his place to dictate who she could spend time with and secondly he wasn't really the controlling type. He would just have to settle for waiting it out, hoping Emma would eventually come to her senses. "What's she doing with him?"

Mary-Margaret sensed it was a rhetorical question but that didn't stop her from answering. "Isn't it obvious?" She disliked the man, possibly more than her husband. The amount of times he had put her family in danger was beyond forgiveable but this was important to Emma. If she could find it in her heart to move forward with Regina then deep down she knew she owed Hook the same courtesy. "We don't have to like it..."

"But we have to live with it-" he finished, tensing and digging his fingers into the ridge above his elbow as Hook stepped closer to Emma.

"He has gone a long way to prove himself." She admitted as she watched the scene unfolding. No matter what their personal feelings were on the situation it was clear that Hook did genuinely care about their daughter. She'd nearly choked on her hot cocoa when Emma had let slip about him trading the Jolly Rodger to save them all. At first she hadn't believed it but when Emma had finally convinced her it was true, she'd let go of some of her animosity towards him.

"You know he gave up his ship to bring her back from New York." She brought it up lightly, wondering if the information would make a difference. She'd seen her husband be protective countless of time before but he was always willing to listen to reason. This time he was acting differently and it took her a moment before she started to understand. This was fatherly love, instinct that came with being a parent and it presented a whole new set of rules and challenges. "I know you're worried but we need to trust her."

His only response was a gruff shrug as he watched Emma turn from Hooks grasp. Finally, a sensible move. He wanted her to get away, wanted her to come inside where he could keep an eye on her and when she thrust the jacket back in Hooks face, he felt a small wave of relief. Mary-Margaret curled into his side and he gazed down watching her reaction closely. Out of everyone he thought she'd be the last person to approve of the Captain making a play for their daughter but she seemed almost content watching them and something pulled tightly in his stomach. "You know something don't you?"

"Of course not..." she silenced him, shifting her head to betray the hint of a smile. Emma had admitted they'd shared another kiss and when the shock had worn off Mary-Margaret had finally started to see the truth unravelling in front of her. Her daughter was happy and really that was all that mattered. "Watch them, try and forget about everything he's done and just look."

Confused, Charming followed the instruction. His daughter looked angry as hell until something Hook said made her expression change to one of shock. He couldn't hear what they were saying but he didn't need to. The way her eyes soften as the pirate took a step closer, the way her cheeks flushed with colour... he knew exactly what that meant.

"And you're ok with this? With him?" He turned to Mary-Margaret, no longer wanting to see what was happening outside. He'd already seen far more than he wanted to and with no way to stop it, he figured it was better if he distanced himself from the scene.

"I never said I was ok with it-" she admitted softly, tugging him away from the window, "but she's happy. After everything she's been through doesn't she deserve that?"

"Maybe you're right." He toyed with the idea as he slung his arm over her shoulder. He wanted to believe that everything would work out for the best but doubt niggled at him. Was he being far too overprotective? Probably. Did the admittance make a difference... not in the slightest. "I'm going to remind you of this when Neal brings home his first potential suitor."

"Well it's a good thing that won't be for a long, long time." She smiled as they moved back towards the booth with their son but before they got in hearing distance of Henry she stopped them. "David, what about Regina?" She'd wanted to go after her, console the women who had become something more than an enemy but common sense had prevailed. She knew better than to face the former queen whilst she was angry, she just didn't know what to do next.

"Let's leave it for tonight. Tomorrow when she's had a chance to calm down we'll talk to her." He hoped it would be that simple and didn't voice the doubts still nagging him. Maybe a night away from trouble was exactly what they all needed. A chance to hit the reset button and start again, moving forward in the right direction.

One night without any worries, could it really be possible?