Chapter 1: The Night Before Christmas


"Is Neal gone," Henry asked when Emma walked into his room.

Henry was at his desk reading one of his Hulk comic books.

"Yeah kid he is but he'll be here tomorrow."

Henry's eyes gleamed.

"Ruby and Granny went home too."

Henry nodded.

"You ready for bed because I was thinking we could hold off on that for a second."

"How come?"

Emma smiled, "Did you forget, don't want to miss the most important part of the night: setting up cookies for Santa."

Henry smiled and stood up from his desk. "Oh yeah," he replied.

The two of them walked downstairs.


Snow and David were sitting on the couch in the living room, Snow cuddled into David's chest.

Snow gave Emma a confused look. "Henry, what are you still doing up?"

"I forgot something," he said making his way to the kitchen.

Emma went over to her parents and took a seat on the arm of the empty love seat. "We forgot to put cookies out for Santa," she said to them.

"Oh that's right," Snow said smiling at Henry.

Henry smiled down at his assortment on the small glass plate: he had chosen several shaped ones ranging from a candy cane, a Santa hat, present box, and a Christmas tree.

"Hey mom," said Henry, "Can we leave out hot cocoa instead?"

"Um sure," Emma replied. "Any particular reason?"

Henry shrugged. "Milk just seems too boring by itself."

Snow and David couldn't help but laugh at Henry's reason.

Emma smiled and then decided to go help Henry boil the milk on the stove. That was the easy task for her. She let Henry do the rest by stirring in the chocolate powder and adding the whipped cream and cinnamon.

"All set," Emma asked.

"Yeah."

Henry went to put the cookies and mug on the end table next to the Christmas tree.

"Looks perfect," Snow said.

Henry smiled at his grandparents feeling a little proud of himself. It was just cookies and cocoa but still. It wasn't every year one could have fun this way.

Emma placed her hands over her son's shoulders.

"Okay kid," said Emma. "Let's get you tucked in."

"Okay," he replied. "Night grams, night gramps."

"Night kid."

"Night Henry," they replied simultaneously.


Emma made sure that Henry's covers were tucked in nice and secure.

"You good?"

"Good."

Emma automatically reached for Henry's 'Once Upon a Time' that was placed on his shelf.

"Not that one," said Henry reaching under his pillow. He pulled out the book "The Night Before Christmas."

Emma smiled. "Wow, I haven't read this in years. It was one of my favorites as a kid."

"Really?"

"I didn't have a traditional up bringing especially around the holidays but somehow this story always seemed to make me feel better."

Henry smiled at his mom. He knew she had a rough life but a lot of times it was easy to forget just how rough it was when all he saw was a strong and determined woman despite her own fears sometimes.

Emma smiled back at Henry and gently tapped his legs as she smiled and opened the book and began reading:

T'was the night before Christmas when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

in hopes that Saint Nicolas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds

while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads...

Emma finished up the rest of the story and then closed the book. "Okay get some sleep," she said placing the book on top of his other one.

She then reached down and lightly kissed his forehead.

"I love you Henry."

"I love you too mom."

Emma turned off Henry's lamp and made her way to the door.

"Hey mom."

"Yeah Henry."

"Neal's coming right?"

Emma smiled. It was the second time tonight that he had asked about Neal. "I promise," she replied. "Now go to sleep."

Henry smiled one last time before closing his eyes.

Emma shook her head and smiled as she made her way back downstairs.