Agree with that completely. I got an interesting vibe from Neal in this episode. I can’t quantify it, but it was almost like he already had a plan. Might take him a bit, but he was going to see them again. He didn’t even doubt it. Or Emma. (I’d expect nothing less; Neal’s nothing if not resourceful. How many worlds did he adapt to living in? Can’t have been easy, ever.) And oddly, I think it applies to his father too. For some bizarre reason, I think he might have an inkling that what happened to Rumple isn’t what it appears. And he’s going to find him, too.
Okay time for some crack theories. Going of of what was said here that maybe Neal has a plan. Now this way left field and may not be possible but what if during that time between Regina telling them that they’d all go back to FTL and seeing Emma and Henry off at the border, Neal ran into Regina’s office and got a piece of the magic bean plant to plant them again in FTL? I don’t know how he knows it was there (in Regina’s office) or if it is still viable but just what if?
"We were happy."
"Because... it was born out of true love."