My take on what could happen in the premiere. This a slightly rambling, unbeta'd Charming/Snow oneshot. Contains *Heavy spoilers* for the season finale.

Title: When the dust settles
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: Charming/Snow

The magic swarm cloud had engulfed Storybrooke and disappeared. Everyone still standing gathered at Granny's. Charming clutched his wife's hand not letting Snow out of his sight. The man formerly known as David Nolan looked around at the familiar faces in the small diner. Everyone looked like the walking wounded. Shock and anger mirrored on each person.
They'd not only had their memories taken but their lives stolen.

The curse was broken; the memories returned.
However they were still stuck in a world not their own.
More than anything Charming wanted to take his family home.
To reclaim his home.

Now though the Prince couldn't take his eyes off of Emma. The Sheriff sat holding Henry in one of the booths. Henry still looked pale and from what Snow had told him it was a miracle they still had the boy with them.
His grandson.
Charming shook his head at the thought. He didn't feel old enough to be a grandfather; yet he was.
So many things out of place.
So many things that should've been but are not and never will be.

The Prince had always thought he'd have the chance to watch Emma grow up.
To rock her to sleep at night.
To watch Snow sing her a lullaby.
Teach Emma to ride a horse.

Watching Emma with Henry now it filled Charming with love and pride.
No matter what he wasn't going to let the Queen or whatever evil came next keep his family apart.
They'd lost too much.

Snow gently touched his left hand gaining Charming's attention. "You okay?"

The Prince nodded as he kissed her lightly. "Yeah, just thinking about our family."

Snow's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she followed his gaze. "Yeah, so was I. We didn't have a choice. There wasn't any other way...with the curse...we had to protect her."

"I know."Charming acknowledged quietly. "I'd do it again to keep her safe. Now we have to do whatever we can to protect her and Henry."

"We will."Snow promised. "The curse is defeated...anything else we can handle as long as we're together."

Snow settled into Charming's arms and the Prince's gaze flickered back to Emma and Henry. He listened to the battle plans and knew that once the dust settled he'd begin to make things up to Emma.
Together they'd build new memories.

end