"Well, kid, you ready to head back?" Emma watched as Henry drained the last of his hot chocolate in one big gulp. They had spent most of the afternoon Christmas shopping, Emma had agreed to take him in order to help him pick out gifts for his mother and grandparents. And Neal. Emma still wasn't completely comfortable with Neal back in the picture given their history. She knew Regina was also far from thrilled about the whole thing.
Speaking of Regina, ever since they'd rescued Henry from Neverland, Emma had felt much more at ease around Henry's other mother. They had finally reached something of a compromise. Emma would by no means call it a friendship but there was definitely something different about their relationship. Emma actually found herself enjoying the brunette's company lately, not that she would ever admit to it.
Plus it didn't hurt that the woman was drop dead gorgeous. And seeing the former Evil Queen's vulnerable side throughout their trip to Neverland had touched something in Emma and had made the usually up-tight woman seem gentler and even more beautiful than usual. Which was saying something.
"Okay," Henry said, sounding disappointed as he began gathering his jacket.
Emma frowned, "Aren't you excited to decorate with your mom?" She handed him his hat and slipped on her own jacket. She glared for a moment down at the monkey hat that lay on the seat beside her, almost considering leaving it behind and just telling Henry she'd forgotten it but the memory of how excited he'd been about it flashed through her mind and she grabbed the offending monstrosity and shoved it on her head. He'd gotten such a kick out of it when she'd jokingly tried it on that she had to get it. Now though, it was a little embarassing walking around wearing what resembled a sock monkey on her head.
He looked at her sadly, "'She'll probably just magic in all the decorations. She always just ordered the tree and then hired people to decorate before she had her magic back. It's not like we'll actually have to do anything."
"Why don't you just ask her to go pick one out with you?" Emma asked as they made their way to her bug.
"My mom? Cutting down a Christmas tree?" Henry asked skeptically, raising his eyebrows at Emma.
Emma smiled sheepishly, "Yeah, I can't imagine that either," she agreed. "We'll if it's okay with her, how about I take you to pick one out?" she offered. "I've never done the whole Christmas thing either so it'll be something new for both of us."
"Would you?!" Henry's face lit up.
"Sure, kid. We'll ask her when we get there. Maybe she'll even come along," she added.
Henry raised a skeptical eyebrow at her in a very Regina-like way and Emma shrugged, "You never know," she turned the key in the ignition and classic Christmas tunes filled the car. "And you definitely get that face from your other mother, by the way," she added, pulling carefully out of her parking spot. "It's a little creepy actually..."
They drove the short distance to the Mills house, both singing loudly along to the Christmas songs on the radio.
********
Emma was unsurprised to find Regina waiting for them. She usually was, almost as if she was daring Emma to be just one minute late. The brunette woman swung the door open as they approached and smiled widely at Henry, giving Emma a quick once over, her eyes lingering just a moment on Emma's head. Emma could feel the unspoken barb of judgement emanating from the other woman and again wished she had a slightly less dorky hat, and then she wondered why she even cared what the other woman thought of her. But she did care, and a part of her knew why, even if the rest of her would go to the ends of the earth to deny it.
Regina placed an arm protectively around Henry's shoulders as he and Emma stood before her on the front porch. She smiled at Emma briefly. "Thank you, Emma," she had already returned her gaze to Henry. The words came out a little tense and Emma knew that although she was trying her hardest, the words still did not come easy.
"My pleasure," Emma said genuinely.
"Mom, can I go with Emma to pick out a Christmas tree!" Henry couldn't wait any longer, his excitement palpable.
Regina looked at him as if not quite sure what he was asking.
Emma stepped in hurriedly, "Henry said he would like to go cut one down this year. I told him I would take him if it's alright with you," she felt a little uncomfortable. "We wanted to see if you would come too, actually." She had worked so hard to gain Regina's trust and was always so scared of doing something to lose even just a little of it. She knew Regina didn't trust easily, and she didn't want Regina to think she was trying to take Henry away from her. And she definitely didn't want to nose her way in where it wasn't wanted. But this was something that Henry was really looking forward to and she secretly hoped that Regina would come along.
Regina looked at Emma for a moment, as if trying to read her intentions, then glanced back down at Henry. She smiled, even if a little stiffly, and said. "That's a great idea. I'll get my coat," she turned and disappeared back into the house.
Emma and Henry looked at each other in shock. Emma couldn't believe she had agreed to it - and so readily. When she returned, bundled in a black wool jacket with matching black mittens and black earmuffs that somehow looked completely gorgeous on her - again Emma really wished she had worn a different hat - it had begun to snow.
"Do you know where you're going?" Regina asked as they headed toward Emma's bug. Regina's well-known disgust for the car was evident in her expression. "And do we have to drive in that death trap."
"Well I wasn't sure you'd want a tree scratching up the top of your car," Emma said defensively. "Plus, it's perfectly safe. And to answer your other question, yes I do. Mary Margaret and David got a tree the other day from little farm not far from here."
Regina seemed to accept her answers and they all squeezed into the car, Henry in the back and Regina took the passenger seat. When Emma turned the car on the radio station was still playing the Christmas lineup from earlier and Emma and Henry sang along once again. Regina watched them, and something tugged in her heart at their goofiness. A small smile twitched on her lips as Emma hit a particularly off-key note. Emma glanced over at her, and Regina looked away and quickly tried to erase the smile from her face. Emma grinned.