A/N:This is set somewhere in season 6, but without Split Queen or Hook. Regina decides not to go through with removing the Evil Queen. For Reasons. And, uh, Hook leaves town. Also, because, Reasons. (All these reasons may or may not be detailed in the next chapters)
Some of these gifts will be more loosely interpreting the song lyrics than others. Hopefully, it all manages to stay in character and within the realm of possibility (for a magical town full of fairytale characters, that is).
Also, posting early, because I won't manage a post a day for sure, but I hope to have the final chapter on Christmas day. :)
It is strange, having a baby in the house again. But not unwelcome.
Zelena reminds her so much of herself, unsure and fearful but so fiercely determined and eyes soft with love whenever she looks down at her little girl.
Robin is gone, but Robyn lives on.
It's not a fair trade, not at all. But Regina has learned to take what she can get and accept what she can not. She gets a sister, as well as a niece, and that's more family than she ever thought she could have.
Still, family or not, that certainly doesn't stop them from driving each other up the wall sometimes (a lot of the times). Then again, if her interactions with Henry's other mother, and his grandparents (which is a different kind of issue), are any indication, this is just what family is like. Maybe it's not quite healthy, but what does she, or Zelena, for that matter, know about that? What's important is that they're trying.
Considering neither of them have tried to seriously maim or kill each other in the time they've been living together, well, Regina is counting that as a roaring success. Coming from once being bitter enemies, perhaps it really is one.
In any case, most of the credit belongs to Robyn, who they both dote endlessly over. Neither of them want to fight too much in her presence, not when the sensitive girl already cries at the drop of a hat. If there's one thing Regina hasn't missed about having a baby in the house again, it's that.
The baby is restless, prone to crying, and neither of the sisters are getting much sleep. Regina has more luck calming Robyn down, typically, which always makes Zelena bristle and all the more determined to do it herself, despite all of her reassurance that it is only experience and the memory of Henry that allows her to do so. The boy in question, whenever he stays over, tends to disappear during these moments (and those including diaper changing), an ability that he's learned from the years with his "Uncle" Neal.
In any case, today is a rare moment of peace from the little cherub. Robyn seems to be all smiles of late, and Henry likes to say that it's Christmas spirit that makes it so, with the kind of easy earnestness that makes him seem younger than he is. His mother is a little more skeptical, the boy is the Truest Believer for a reason. Whatever the reason for it, the adult residents of the mansion are quite grateful. Henry starts showing up more too, though that could easily be the Christmas cookies Regina tends to bake around this season.
Case in point, Regina is currently in the kitchen, pulling out the latest batch of little gingerbread men when she hears her sister shout for her (like a caveman, honestly, where did everyone's manners go?)
"Oh, dear sweet sister of mine!" Zelena's call cames from near the front door, and Regina rolls her eyes, determined not to heed it, when the voice adds, with a teasing lilt. "It's for you!"
What now? She wonders exasperatedly. Considering the tone of her sister's voice, it's probably not anything too serious. But seeing how much the ex-villain still likes to enjoy the misery of the so-called heroes, and how much amusement she gets out of a little chaos and destruction, Regina is just a little worried. So, she quickly places the still piping hot pan on the counter, before hurrying to the door. With this town, you never knew what it could be.
But when she arrives, there is only Emma, standing at the door, with an expression somewhere between sheepish and hopeful. It's not an expression she would have if anyone were in danger, so there's that at least.
On the other hand, she has no idea what is going on now, especially as her gaze dips lower, and she sees what the blonde is holding in her hands.
What.
"...Is that a toy robin?" The former Evil Queen can only blink confusedly, quite unsure what manner of insanity has managed to befall the Saviour this time. There's no shimmer or hum of magic, but she hasn't ruled out a spell yet. That, at least, would make sense.
Emma nods, adding, "In a plastic potted tree, yes." Then, she holds the thing up a little higher to show it off, as though Regina did not have eyes that could see it for herself-As though this was all a perfectly natural thing to do, and there was nothing odd about this at all.
Beside her, Zelena snickers, not holding back at all, it seems. Regina cuts a glare at her sister, but it only makes her laugh harder. Gritting her teeth, she says she says pointedly, "I will handle this now, dear sister." She doesn't quite shove the other woman back into the house, but it's a near thing.
Zelena goes back inside as directed, but she can still hear the laughter. This makes her frown harder, but she decides to deal with the redhead later. For now, she turns her attention back to Emma.
Who seems to be waiting for her to say something. Of course.
Regina sighs. "Is this supposed to be some strange apology over what happened with… Robin?"
It's been a few months since her soulmate's unfortunate end (and she still tries not to think too much about it, because of the tangle of feelings she gets). They've talked a few times, mostly about Henry or work, but their interactions had been stiff and stilted. Regina wasn't angry at Emma, exactly, didn't blame her, not really. But, well, it was hard not to feel a little bitter over it all. Emma being Emma, she'd tried repeatedly to apologize and get closer, but Regina had quite firmly told her that there was nothing to forgive, nothing to apologize for. All she had wanted and needed was some time and space. Just a little surprisingly, Emma had obeyed. This was the first time since then that the blonde had approached her without some pretense or veneer of business.
Emma looked even more sheepish at her question. Tilting her head in vague agreement and apology, she explained, "Kind of? It's not so much an apology as… something to cheer you up." At Regina's raised brow, she quickly adds, "Because, it's Christmas, and everyone likes gifts, right?"
Regina looks down at the thing in Emma's hands. It's rather adorable, she supposes, as ridiculous bird-themed objects go. The little tree is decorated for Christmas with miniature tinsel and little apples (Regina is just a little touched despite herself), topped off with the tiny robin in place of a star. "So, this is for me?"
At this, Emma nods more enthusiastically, "Yep! The first of twelve."
"Twelve?" Regina is just a little alarmed.
The sheriff only grins. "For the twelve days of Christmas-you know, like the song!"
Having raised a boy through a decade of Christmases, Regina is familiar, and she looks down at the gift with new eyes. "So, this is the partridge in a pear tree, then?"
"But with a twist! I figured a robin would be better-not because of Robin!" Emma rushes to add, worried about reopening wounds, and quickly corrects, "But because of, well, Robyn. Uh, with a 'y'. The little baby one."
Regina shakes her head. She supposed her niece will probably appreciate it, though she's too young to go near it without careful supervision, thanks to the small parts. Her lips start to quirk a little as she concludes, "And apples instead of pears."
The other woman gives a small, slightly embarrassed shrug. "Felt appropriate."
"Okay, dear." Regina says, and holds her hands out to take the gift. "Thank you. I… appreciate it, I suppose."
The gift is handed to her with gusto, and the woman's smile is almost blinding. "Just wait for the next ones!"
Though it's not intended as such she's sure, it sounds just a little ominous to her ears.
Emma leaves soon after that, and Regina goes back inside with arms full of plastic tree and bird. Her sister is in the hall, holding Robyn in her arms and smirking at her. No doubt she'd eavesdropped on the entire conversation. The brunette wonders why she even bothered.
"Twelve gifts, really? I have to say, I'm a little jealous of you." The tease makes her roll her eyes, but the word choice just shows how far they've come. It wasn't so long ago that Zelena would have meant the sentiment sincerely, would've hated Regina for getting something she didn't have.
Regina gives her a look. "Don't even start."
Then, because she's not annoyed with one person in this house, she bends down and coos over little Robyn, who is immediately taken with the gift in her hands. Emma is right, it seems.
"Maybe I should just give all the gifts to you, baby bird." She says, bopping the girl lightly on the nose and making her laugh.
"And you say I spoil her." Zelena comments.
Regina shakes her head, and the two of them retreat back to the living room, where she places the gift on top of the mantle. For a moment, she stares at it and thinks of Emma Swan, of the ridiculous woman she has grown to call a friend (family). But then her kitchen timer dings, and she remembers that she still has cookies to bake.