I think Neal really does understand these parts of her, and her hesitation and need for assurance. Hook’s parting words were about how he would think about her every day, echoing how Neal thought of her with regret when separated, but this time Neal is not regretful but hopeful. He knew he would see Emma and Henry again. Emma needed to hear that.
It’s like that confession a few pages back, everyone was making it out that they’d never see Emma or Henry again, except Neal. He had hope and belief. Which was the entire theme of the episode.
When magic comes in, these painful things are going to happen, and Neal crossed worlds to be with Emma. I have no idea why he is not the one to go find her in NY but the writers better have a GOOD explanation why. He jumped on a shadow, at the slight risk to a small child (and I feel any danger from Shadow-gate is now sort of too remote since the shadow is dead). He was DESPERATE to see them, and I cannot imagine, even with the sadness that maybe Emma does not want him as a romantic partner that he would not still feel intensely motivated to see his son. That makes zero sense for his character.
we have those 312 set pics where Charming looks to be holding Nealfire back. As if Neal is trying to go with Hook or trying to rush to meet Hook on his horse. I think there is going to be a non-ship non-TL reason for why it’s Hook alone