Emma peered out of the window in front of her. The snow flakes fell from the sky in large clumps and painted the back yard a soft white that glowed in the dim light that escaped the windows of the mansion. They were assured a white Christmas this year. She turned her focus back to her task. Her fingers disappeared into the warm, soapy water as she retrieved another dish.

Emma's thoughts began to wonder as she continued to wash away the remains of the dinner she had just finished with her son and his other mother. No, not just her son's other mother. Not anymore. Regina had become much more to her in these past few years. They had worked their way through enemies, tentative allies, back to enemies again, co-parents to Henry, and finally they had become genuine friends. And now Emma found herself wanting so much more. If only she could pluck up the courage to tell the woman that she had feelings for her. That would truly take a Christmas miracle.

She scoffed at herself. Christmas had always been a tough time for her. As a child she believed in Santa long past the age when the other children had stopped. She didn't know why. The holiday was always hit or miss for her. Even though there were more years than not that found her left with no gift, in her heart of hearts she just couldn't let go of her belief in Saint Nick. It wasn't logical at that time, but knowing the things she does now about fairy tale characters she felt that he could really be a possibility.

"Penny for your thoughts, dear?" Emma jumped as a voice intruded in her walk down memory lane. She glanced over her shoulder at the brunette and sent her a small smile which Regina returned with one of her own.

Regina studied the woman as she returned to washing the dishes. Even though their beginning was rocky they were on solid ground now. Something Regina wouldn't trade for the world. Sometimes she even allowed herself to hope there could be something more than friendship between them. Sometimes. Like after a few glasses of her highest proof cider.

"If the vacant stare wasn't enough, the fact that there use to be a pattern on my china gives away that something is bothering you." A soft laugh reached Emma's ears as she glanced down at the solid white plate in her hand. It took her mind a minute to realize that the dinnerware had always been white.

"Haha, Gina." She smirked to herself as she transferred the plate to the drying rack beside her.

"Talk to me, Emma." Regina said as she leaned on the counter next to Emma and waited for the woman to make the next move.

"It's silly." Emma's cheeks were already turning pink. Regina thought pink was a very fetching color on the sheriff.

"Try me." Emma took a deep breath.

"Is Santa Claus real?" Emma had turned away at this point to retrieve a dish towel, but Regina could tell by the rigid set of the woman's shoulders and the seriousness of her tone, this topic meant a great deal to Emma.

"I really don't know. Why do you ask?" She watched as Emma's face fell a bit. At that moment she wished she could have told her that she was 100% sure that he existed.

"It's nothing. I just thought that since fairy tale characters were real, maybe he was too." She shrugged and turned to place the stack of dishes in the cupboard where they belonged. She let a self depreciating laugh escape. "See, I told you it was silly."

Some of Emma's super power must have rubbed off on Regina over the years because it pinged loudly in her head at the blonde's statement. It wasn't nothing. She placed her hand on the woman's forearm. Emma's gaze locked with the brunette's.

"I can see why you would ask that. You're standing in the former Evil Queen's kitchen, Snow White and Prince Charming are your parents. It's not that far fetched to wonder about other legendary figures. So, no, dear, I don't think it's silly at all." She smiled softly at Emma and was pleased to get a small smile in return. "Now finish up, Miss Swan, our son is waiting." She patted the woman's arm.

Determined to make this Christmas special for Emma she left the kitchen to plan for her own personal mission. Operation: Santa Claus.