Sick day with dad

007 asked for a oneshot of Charming washing Emma's hair after she pukes from food poisoning due to bad calamari (squid for those of you like me who have to Google that) on a date with Killian. He brushes her hair and puts it in an intricate braid and then she lays her head in his lap. Snow comes home from school and is impressed, and inquires where he learned to do the braid. He tells her that he learned by watching her do it for Emma, but Snow never knew he had been paying attention.

"Stupid calamari." Emma groaned as a fresh wave of sickness came over her. Charming didn't get to Emma in time and the vomit went all over her hair. Emma groaned as it began to stick to her pyjama top. Charming knew she didn't have the energy to take a shower by herself, he was going to have to help.

"Ok, here's the plan." He said, as he helped Emma to her feet. "I'm going to help you up to your room and then go get a bath ready for you. While I'm getting the bath ready you change into your swimsuit and I'll help you wash the puke out of your hair. We both know you're too out of it right now to do it alone."

"Alright." Emma said, knowing there was no other option, she hated the puke being matted into her hair, it was disgusting. Charming simply picked Emma up and began to carry her up the stairs. Emma tried to pull away.

"Wait, I'm getting puke all over your shirt." She warned him.

"Don't worry about that, it'll wash out. I've had enough experience of your brother's to not care." He told her. He deposited Emma on her bed and got her swimming costume out of the drawer and handed it to her.

"Your bath will be ready in about ten minutes. I'll be back then but if you need me just shout, ok?" Emma nodded, focusing on the energy it would take to wriggle into the swimsuit.

Charming drew the bath as quickly as he could before coming back in to find Emma waiting for him.

"Thanks for doing this." She mumbled, clearly embarrassed. Charming smiled at her as he picked her back up.

"Any time. It's my job." He reminded her as he carried her through and lowered her into the bath.

Charming took his time gently washing Emma's hair so that it was vomit free again. One he was done he helped Emma back out of the tub and back to her room. He left her to dry herself off and change into the fresh pair of pyjamas he'd got ready for her while he got the hairdryer from his and Snow's room.

"I'll stop it getting in your way again." He told her. He had the perfect hairstyle in mind. Sure, it was maybe a little elaborate for a sick day hairstyle, but she looked so beautiful with it. He knew what he was doing, he'd seen Snow give Emma the same hairstyle for the Ball they'd held a couple of months ago. He'd watched very carefully, itching for a chance to give Emma the same hairstyle. It was two French pleats that combined in the middle going down into a fishtail braid. Or so google had told Charming. He gently brushed out her hair, making sure there were no tangles. He chuckled at the small smile on Emma's face. She did seem to like her hair being played with. He then began to entwine the strands of hair together, which was not easy by the end, as Emma was swaying sideways from tiredness. One he was done he moved Emma back against the pillow so she could lie down. "You need to sleep." He told her. Emma nodded, by surprised her dad by swivelling round and laying her head in his lap.

"Don't leave." She said weakly. She felt better when he was with her. Charming's heart melted. He knew Emma was a fully grown adult, but right here, right now, he was reminded why Emma would always be his baby.

"I won't." He promised her, moving the quilt so that it covered Emma. With the promise of her dad staying, it didn't take long for Emma to fall asleep. Charming was quite content, rubbing soothing circles on her back long after she'd drifted off. Emma needed him, so he had no reason to leave.

When Snow arrived home with Neal after picking him up from nursery, she was bewildered by the silence in the house- and the lack of presence downstairs. She got Neal settled in his playpen and came upstairs, worried something had gone wrong and Emma had been taken to hospital. So she was relieved to find both her husband and daughter in Emma's room. Her heart warmed at the sight. Emma seeking comfort from her dad, and Charming watching over their baby girl.

"She alright?" Snow asked quietly from the door. Charming looked up, having been lost in his own little world and not heard her come in. He smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, she hasn't been sick since she fell asleep which is a good sign." He told her. Snow came over and placed her hand on Emma's cheek, glad her temperature had come down. It was then that she noticed the hair.

"Did you do this?" She asked.

"Yeah, I watched you when you did it for the Ball. Ever since then I've wanted a chance to do it myself. She looks beautiful with it like that, even when she's sick."

"Well we do make beautiful babies." Snow commented. "I'm glad you were here today to watch over her." She added, kissing his cheek.

"Anything for my girl." Charming said, stroking a finger down Emma's cheek. He would always be here when she needed him.