@Josephine wrote:
I think the reason he wanted the baby was because he knew she’d never fulfill her deal. I think he was crafty enough to know Charming would imprison him. He needed the name of their baby and knew they’d come to him in the cell. He knew Regina was enacting the curse so he played the Charmings for the name of their baby and Regina for wealth and comfort in their new home. I don’t think he ever really wanted the baby, but wasn’t above taking it if she did give in to the deal.
Great theory!
I think the man also just knows the value of a good baby… As creepy as that sounds… many people want babies (including their birth mother wanting them back desperately after they’ve promised them to him), so I think he knows that once he is promised a baby, it is a great bargaining chip…
Who knows what he got paid for securing Charming’s brother (not sure if they answered this or not, I didn’t notice)… or for securing Henry for Regina (but let’s face it, he “owns” Storybrooke, so perhaps that is what he got)…
So I don’t know for sure that it is a fascination for babies… but for their value because they are so precious.