CHRISTMAS PAST
Town Hall was alive with festive cheer as the annual Christmas Party went on. Everyone was feeling the Christmas Spirit deep in their hearts. Everyone, that is, except one Emma Swan. Emma just sat in the corner, arms crossed in front of her chest and knee bouncing. Her stomach was churning and she felt like she would need to run out of there at any minute. She was always kind of awkward at parties, but it was the upcoming event that made Emma feel the most nervous. A few weeks earlier, Mary Margaret came to her to pick a name from a bowl for the Secret Santa. It was just her luck when she pulled out the slip of paper and saw the name REGINA MILLS printed on it.
From what Emma knew of Regina, it was that her tastes were expensive. One object from Regina's house was worth more than Emma's bug. Those weeks, Emma stopped going to Granny's for lunch, unless someone else paid. She mainly mooched off of her parents until she could afford what it was she wanted to give Regina. But since she spent all her money on the gift, she had no money left for wrapping paper, so the box was wrapped in newspaper. It was the crappiest-looking present in the pile under the tree. Emma knew there was only one way this night will end: with Regina yelling at her. The second Mary Margaret announced it was time to open the presents, Emma booked it.
Regina raised an eyebrow at Emma's hasty departure. It was obvious which gift was from Miss Swan and Regina felt sorry for the poor fool who it was for. Being at the top of the pile, Mary Margaret picked it up first and read the name.
"This one's for... Regina!" Regina rolled her eyes. Of course the ugliest one was for her. And knowing Emma, it was probably some kind of greasy food, or something of that nature. Regina spared herself any more embarrassment and snatched the gift, then retreated towards the back of the room. She neatly unwrapped the paper and folded it so it could be easily cleaned up and opened the box. She gasped when she saw what was inside. A dozen red roses. An envelope laid on top, which Regina opened. There was a leter and a fancy-looking card. The letter read:
Dear Regina,
You have no idea how hard it is for me to tell you this, even if I'm only writing it. But I have to get this off my chest. I'm in love with you. I've been in love with you for a long time. I love the way your eyes soften when you smile, and I love the way they light up and your beautiful lips quirk up into a smirk when you challenge me. I love how great of a mother you are to Henry. I love how you were willing to give up your vendetta against Snow and allow us all to become one big family for Henry. I know how loving you can be and I've longed for even a fraction of that love to be directed towards me. It's okay if you don't feel the same. You can burn this letter, pretend you never read it. I'll let go eventually. But if there's even a sliver of a chance you feel the same way, would you go out with me? There's a card inside for a New Year's Eve dinner at this fancy restaurant in Boston. I was hoping we could have a romantic dinner and watch the ball drop. If not, I can give you the other invitation so you can go with whoever you'd prefer. Just don't throw it away. I literally spent all my money on it.
Please don't fireball me for this,
Your no-so-secret-anymore admirer,
Emma Swan
Regina sat there in shock. Emma was in love with her? She had to admit, she was somewhat attracted to Emma, but she didn't think Emma was into women. She had to find Emma.
Emma hadn't gotten far before her nervousness exploded into a full-blown anxiety attack. She hid in an alley and tried to control her breathing. Her eyes screwed shut, trying to keep the tears from falling, but it was all for naught. Regina was probably reading the letter right now, rolling her eyes and ripping it up. Any minute now, she'd march up to her and yell at her for being stupid and creepy. The thought shot a stabbing pain in her chest, thus releasing the waterworks.
Why would Regina ever agree to go out with her? She was dirty, poor, unsophisticated Emma Swan. She was everything Regina Mills looked down upon. She was never good enough. Not for any of her foster parents, not for Neal, and most certainly not for Regina. Emma was so lost in her self-depreciating thoughts, that she didn't notice the clicking sound of Regina's heels as she got closer.
"Emma?" Emma tensed up and furiously wiped away her tears. Great. Now Regina was going to think she was a crybaby, too. Regina crouched beside Emma. "What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry." Emma choked out.
"Sorry? For what?" Regina put a soothing hand on Emma's back and rubbed in circles as Emma tried to breathe. "Relax." Regina instructed. "Breathe in... hold... now breathe out." Regina helped Emma get her breathing back to normal. With a wave of her hand, they were in Emma's bedroom. Emma was in pajamas and Regina laid her down on the bed. Emma, curled up in bed and facing away from Regina, continued to breathe with Regina's instruction, while Regina combed her fingers through Emma's hair. The combination of Regina's fingers in her hair and her soothing voice helped Emma relax, but Regina's answer was still eating away at her.
"Emma," Regina started. Here it comes. "What brought this on? What were you sorry for? Was it the letter?" Emma nodded.
"Why? Do you not truly feel that way?" Regina asked. Emma turned to look at her with wide, sad eyes.
"I do, it's just... I feel like I'm not good enough for you."
"Not good enough? While my mother may have agreed with you, I'll have you know, you are more than good enough." Regina assured her.
"No, I'm not. You deserve so much more than I can give you." Emma sniffled. "You deserve-"
"What?" Regina interrupted. "A king? A castle? Money? I had all that, dear, and let me tell you, those were the worst years of my life. I think I'd much prefer the company of a certain blonde sheriff, whom I may just have a fondness for." Regina said with a smile.
"Really?" Emma asked, hope filling her eyes.
"Yes. You defended me even when I tried to hurt you. You believed in me when no one else did. You gave me my son. So, yes, I would love to go on a date with you." Regina gave Emma a sweet smile and Emma grinned. She went forward and wrapped Regina in a hug. Regina squeezed back, showing Emma she was there for her.
It was late, and when Emma's phone rang, Regina picked it up. She explained to Mary Margaret that Emma hadn't been feeling well, and no, please enjoy the party. She would take care of Emma and make sure she is feeling better by morning. She hung up the phone and snuggled against Emma on the bed. When Henry, Snow, and David returned from the party later in the night, they found Emma and Regina wrapped around each other, fast asleep on Emma's bed. It was a bit surprising, but Emma's mother covered them up with the quilt and left them alone.
In the morning, Emma woke before anyone else, seeing as she was the first to fall asleep. She opened her eyes to Regina sleeping peacefully, her arm around Emma's waist. The usually so put-together Mayor of Storybrooke looked absolutely gorgeous when she slept. She looked peaceful and serene, and there was not a hint of the usual stress she exuded during the day.
Emma smiled. This was perfect. She wanted this. She wanted nothing more than to wake up next to Regina every morning. Regina must have felt Emma's eyes watching her because her eyes fluttered open. She wiped the sleep from them and looked at Emma.
"Good morning." She smiled.
"Morning." Emma smiled back. "I want this to happen more. I want to wake up next to you, and make breakfast together, and have family holidays."
"Slow down for a second, dear. We have yet to have our first date." Regina laughed.
"I know, but I've never wanted something like that more than I do right now." Emma confessed.
"As do I, but I would like to take this relationship one step at a time." Regina said.
"Relationship?" Emma asked with a smile.
"You asked me on a date. Does that not signal the start of a relationship?" Regina asked.
"Yeah." Emma snuggled closer to Regina.
"We should get up soon. Any moment, Henry will wake up and-" Right on cue, Henry bounded up the stairs and launched himself onto Emma's bed, wedging himself between Emma and Regina.
"Moms! It's Christmas! C'mon, get up!" he shouted before running back down the stairs. "And I want Christmas Breakfast!"
Emma and Regina realized Henry didn't question them snuggling together. They both gave the other a confused look, then decided it was a good thing he approved of any relationship they had. Emma was also thankful she was dating Regina because she found out what Christmas Breakfast was. There were biscuits with butter and honey and three kinds of jam, gingerbread pancakes with real maple syrup, bacon, sausages, corned beef hash, and eggs. Emma tried everything, and by the time Henry was begging to open his presents, Emma was absolutely stuffed. Regina sat on the couch with Emma as she watched Henry opening his presents.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. I got you as my Secret Santa and you left before I could give you your present." Regina pulled a present out from beside the tree and handed it to Emma. Her food baby forgotten, Emma ripped open the gift and pulled out a high-quality leather jacket. Emma gasped.
"I figured, if you insist on wearing those leather jackets, at least wear something that doesn't look like it's made of cheap plastic." Emma's eyes watered.
"Thank you, Regina." She said. Emma hugged Regina and Regina gave her a kiss to the temple.
They opened the rest of their presents as a family, and Emma felt that her future was finally looking good.
