Author's Note: Wanted to make this quick Christmas fluff because this is what Christmas is all about. Won't make much sense, but at least I hope it's fun and interesting enough for you to want to read and comment. Thank you for your continuous love and support.

Waking up from a wonderful sleep, it doesn't take long for Emma Swan to realize that today is December 23. Not only does that mean that it's only two more days until Christmas, but it also means that it is 2 more days until she meets Santa Claus. Yes, Emma Swan was not embarrassed about admitting that she wanted to meet him. And, since all the other fairytale characters have been real, why the hell shouldn't Santa be real as well.

"Shit I'm late." Emma says to herself while putting one of her skinny jeans on, usual tank-top and always faithful red jacket. "I'm going to Regina's!" she screams so that Snow and David can hear her.

"Make sure to invite Regina for dinner tomorrow!" Snow reminds her.

"Yes mom." she promises. "But don't feel bad if she says no. You know Regina and that she usually doesn't like things with a lot of people."

"Christmas Eve dinner will not have a lot of people."

"Snow, you almost invited the whole town! I think Whale was the only one not invited."

"That was all Charming!" she hears Snow scream and then giggle because of something she honestly didn't want to find out.

"Later!" she says one more time before leaving the apartment.

A Christmas Compromise: Getting a new apartment, Emma promises herself before getting on her Bug and driving away.

Yes, Emma was not that excited about the dinner part. It didn't have to do with the food, but mostly with the fact that while Snow was dreaming of a table full of people she loved, the reality was that there was still some lingering tension between some of Snow's likely guests.

Although Regina had successfully redeemed herself and earned the forgiveness of the royal family, there were still some people around Storybrooke that were not so willing to forgive. In fact, sometimes even Emma could see the looks and hear some whisper while she and Regina did some shopping and drank some coffee. Because that was another development that had begun once they returned from Neverland: Their blossoming friendship, one that began in order to make Henry feel less tense around them and that with the passing of months became something they truly enjoyed. Now it wasn't strange for her to be a guest at the Mills' house for dinner or for Regina to arrive to the Sheriff station with some coffee and donuts.

In fact, that was why she was now standing outside Regina's house. They had both agreed to wrap up Henry's presents together so that way they would know exactly what he was getting and so that they would not give him the same things.

"Emma." Regina tells her while opening the door and giving her a soft smile. "You're almost on time."

"You know me Regina, always kinda late, always kinda sorry." Emma gives her a happy smile. "Now, is that cocoa I smell?"

"Yes it is." the brunette moves away from the door and offers her to come in. "Did you bring your presents?"

"Yes I did." she points at a shopping bag with some toys and books. "The kid ain't around?"

"He asked to go to Hansel's house to spend the day with his friends. Something about Operation Find Santa."

"Sounds like fun." Emma smirks. "More fun than wrapping presents."

"Well dear, it's either that or helping the nuns with their Christmas Caroling."

"God no. Nothing against them, but do they realize that they can't sing?"

"They're fairies, which means they believe they're good at everything." Regina smirks.

"I mean, did you even have Christmas at the Enchanted Forest?"

"No Miss Swan." the older woman chuckles while wrapping some of Henry's gifts. "People in the Enchanted Forest were more worried about ogres than reindeers landing on their roofs."

"But you know all of these things about it!" Emma says and turns on her phone so they can listen to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. "What did you do for Christmas then?"

"Nothing." Regina shrugs. "It wasn't a part of our traditions. We gave presents to each other when people got engaged or for a birthday."

"That was it?" the blonde asks disappointed. "Must have sucked to live there."

"Well, you don't see many people wanting to return there." the older woman smirks. "Unless that time when your father was pretending to be Gulliver on a crusade to the Enchanted Forest."

"Yeah, I think he learned his lesson after that whole fiasco with the beans." Emma says while chuckling. "But if you people didn't have Christmas, how do you all know about it?"

"That was the Curse." the witch explains to her amusedly. "It gave everyone the necessary knowledge to survive in this world."

"Then why is Snow making such a fuss about it being their first time celebrating Christmas?"

Which was true. Snow had been so excited about Christmas that she had started to celebrate since November 15. The apartment had been somehow transformed to a Christmas version of It's a Small World which had prevented Emma from sleeping for two days.

"Because she thinks it is. In fact, they all believe they're celebrating Christmas for the first time."

"Let me guess, the Curse." Emma looks knowingly at her.

"Well, with Henry I had to celebrate the holidays! And somehow the Curse adapted itself to my needs and the people surrounding us celebrated Christmas as well. They just don't remember doing it."

"Now that's truly evil." the blonde jokes and the older woman laughs loudly. "Making everyone forget about the Most Wonderful Time of the Year."

"I see what you did there." Regina smirks at her. "And you're such a child."

"I love Christmas." Emma confesses to her. "It was the only time during my childhood that I felt happy. I mean, orphanages usually sucked. But during Christmas they tried their best to make the day be a good one. They gave us gifts, we ate nice food and afterwards we sat in front of the TV and watched It's a Wonderful Life."

"Emma..." the brunette whispers sadly.

"Not your fault Regina." she reminds her. "At least not entirely."

"If you say so." Regina whispers.

"Besides, now you can make it up to me."

"Really?" the witch asks amusedly. "And how would I do that?"

"Well, you can come to Snow's dinner party."

"No." Regina says simply while going to the kitchen.

"You owe me!" Emma tells her cheekily while following the brunette.

"Anything but that." the witch gives her a mug full of cocoa with cinnamon on top.

"Good try." Emma drinks the cocoa and closes her eyes in pure bliss. "But just cocoa won't make it up to me."

"No Miss Swan, I refuse to go to your parents' apartment to sit in a circle and sing Deck the Halls."

"That won't happen." Emma says unsure.

"Would you be willing to bet on that?"

Ok, she wouldn't because she knows Snow is capable of organizing such a thing.

"Oh come on Regina..." Emma uses her pouty face. "Henry and I will be there."

"You'll be here as well." she reminds her. "Having a normal dinner and presents exchange night."

"It would mean a lot to me if you came." the blonde tells her honestly. "I know you're scared of what people think of you."

This makes Regina stare at Emma.

"Ok, a little scared." the younger woman corrects herself. "But this could be the opportunity to show everyone that you've changed. To let them see what Henry, my parents and I already see."

"Do I really have to go?" Regina murmurs defeatedly and Emma does a mental fist bump.

"I would like you to come. Besides, you'll probably be the only sane person at that dinner."

"You're not doing your best at convincing me to come."

"You already said you would." Emma smiles at her. "Can't take it back."

"I hope I don't regret this." the brunette whispers.

"It can't be that bad." the blonde says calmly.

If only she knew...