Emma's Choice

Four

•Emma's POV•

After my date with Hook, I didn't really know what to do. I knew we were friends and the date was a one-time thing, but...I couldn't help feeling like I should at least call him. Something to let him know I'd had a nice time on our date.

I didn't have much time to think about it because, on Saturday, Neal was coming over to hang out with Henry. I was probably more nervous than he and Henry were.

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•Neal's POV•

At exactly 9:00 Saturday morning, I knocked on the door of Emma Swan's apartment. It'd been a long time since I'd done that. The last time I'd visited her house had been when we lived in NYC. Back when we were young and in love.

Now I didn't know what to think.

There was a lot on my mind these days. Henry - I wanted to get to know him and show him that I wasn't the type of father who would just leave him, like my dad had done.

Speaking of, my dad lived here. His name was Mr. Gold in this world, and he owned a pawn shop. We'd kind of made up on the island of Neverland, but I still held a grudge against him for leaving me as a child.

And then there was Emma. Before being stuck on that island, I hadn't seen her in at least eleven years. She was different than the Emma I used to know. Stronger, but also broken. It was obvious she'd been through a lot in the past decade. I felt bad for breaking up with her all those years ago, and leaving her to take care of the child. But there was nothing I could do about it now.

Except maybe get to know my son. If he would just give me a chance, I could be the father he'd always wanted.

My thoughts were interrupted when Emma opened the door.

"Hi," I said.

"Hey, Neal, come on in," she replied.

I followed her inside and she poured me a glass of ice water.

"Henry!" Emma called. "Neal's here!"

The young boy came running into the living room with a smile on his face. "Neal!" He gave me a hug, and I hugged him back. His enthusiasm surprised me. I didn't think he would be this excited to see me.

"What's up, buddy?" I replied.

"Nothing much. Can we go somewhere?"

"Sure, if that's okay with your mom." I looked up at Emma expectantly.

She paused, then sighed. "Uh, yeah, that's fine. Have fun, you two." She ruffled the boy's hair and kissed his forehead.

"Ready to go?" I asked.

"Yup!" said Henry.

That afternoon, we walked the streets of Storybrooke, and Henry showed me all his favorite places. I learned so much about him, and I really liked him. I hoped Emma would keep letting me see him.