Ok so this idea came to me just the other day when I was lifeguarding and writing my other ONCE story. So naturally I decided to roll with it considering with Christmas around the corner (three days away), I should put out some much needed holiday laughs, cheers, feels, and all out family ridiculousness.

Just a bit of background: This may be slightly OC in some cases (but all in good fun nothing too outrageous…), this is after the Underworld adventure, Henry and Violet are dating, this is the first time he is introducing her (formally) to the family, and because it is around (again three days: has everyone been good? wink-wink) Christmastime that is where this story takes place. So here we go. Be ready to laugh, cry (with laughter or otherwise), and allow this story to bring the warmth of the holidays to everyone and everything.

A Storybrooke Christmas

"No. No way, not happening. I changed my mind, I am so not doing this." Emma said as she leaned forward to get up and start pacing in the sitting room of Regina's house.

Robin, Killian, and Regina looked at her in confusion and surprise as she suddenly stood up from the couch. Henry had just called saying that he and Violet were on their way. He had wanted to introduce her to Regina and Emma at the same time (which by default meant including Robin and Killian) as his girlfriend to them first before the rest of the family, "Emma come on. It will be ok." Robin said first, "Henry said she had taken the explanation well and really is looking forward to meeting you."

"Uhm…you did not hold the girl's heart in the palm of your hand and order her to break your son's heart." Emma stated rather harshly due to the nerves, "I do not care what Henry says. How can I sit here and look her in the eye and pretend that the scenario I just mentioned not happen?"

"Easy love, by just doing and not thinking about it." Killian said as he got up and stopped her pacing by placing hand and hook on her shoulders, "It will be ok. Just breathe and relax."

"Easy for you to say." Emma responded pulling herself free, "All you did was try and release the former Dark Ones from the Underworld."

"Oh is that all?" Killian asked sarcastically throwing hook and hand up in the air, "I thought I also crushed Merlin's heart, and tried to send your family to the Underworld too?"

"Killian." Robin hissed out.

Emma glared daggers at him, "You ever ripped a child's heart out? Or intentionally planned on breaking a loved one's heart?"

Regina groaned having heard enough, so she got up and placed a hand on Killian's shoulder before he had a chance to respond, "Emma seriously if Henry said she was ok, then she is ok. If she was not comfortable meeting you…" Emma looked away from her, but Regina forcibly turned her around so Emma was looking at her again, "the real you, she would have said no." Seeing that Emma was not pacified with this Regina smirked, causing Emma's pensive face to twist to confusion, "If she had said no, then Henry would have tossed her on her butt faster than I could form a fireball."

Emma shook her head and turned away. While she knew what Regina said was true, it did not help the fact that she would have been the cause of Henry's disappointment in love again, "I am sorry. I can't do this, I need to leave. Tell Henry I wasn't feeling well and that I will see him tomorrow."

"Swan wait! We are supposed to meet up with everyone at the diner for the Christmas…what did we call it?" Killian asked turning to Robin.

"I believe Henry called it a shin-dig." Robin said following Regina and Killian out into the foyer as Emma was throwing her red leather jacket on along with her black leather gloves.

"Yes he did," Regina said confirming Robin's confusion. They had taken Roland and the baby earlier to Snow and David's and then they would meet up with everyone at the diner for a Christmas party. Once again it was Henry's idea considering he felt that everyone could use the time to relax and have fun after everything that happened over the previous couple of months, "A fun way to end such a crummy year and get ready to ring in the new one!" He had mentioned with a smile that no one could say no too…not that anyone ever said no to some type of party or another.

Turning back to Emma just as she was opening the door into the night, Regina grabbed her arm, "No! You are not-!"

"Shit!" Emma suddenly said as she looks down the brightly lit sidewalk. They all poke their heads out to see Henry laughing with a beautiful brown haired girl latched to his arm walking towards the house. Henry looks away from her and sees the door open to his house, he gives a small wave and nudges the girl, which they assumed was Violet, and she too looks up and waves. Emma's flight mode kicking in full throttle, she pulls away from the door and goes back inside and heads to the kitchen, "I am leaving out the back."

"Emma!" Killian yells trying to go after her. Regina catches his arm and pulls him back, "Hey!"

"No you two stay and stall. I will take care of this." She says and goes after Emma.

Before Robin and Killian can discuss what Regina meant by 'stalling', they hear the door open once more and see Henry with Violet entering, "Hey guys! Meet Violet." He says motioning to the girl.

"Hello." She says shyly.

"Hi." They say.

There is an awkward silence for a moment as if waiting for someone to do something, "So this is Killian Jones, my mom's boyfriend." Henry says biting the bullet nervously as his eyes dart around the room trying to see where his mothers are at, "He also goes by Captain Hook."

Killian shakes himself and gently grabs her hand and kisses the top of it, "A pleasure my lady. Although I go by Killian these days."

"The pleasure is mine. Your name is or was famous in Camelot." Violet says as she tries to hide her blush. Killian smiled widely at her. While yes he was 'retired' now, it was still kind of nice hearing how wide his reputation was.

"This is Robin Hood, my other mom's boyfriend." Henry said becoming much calmer, although he was still wondering where is mothers were.

Robin also took her hand and bowed as he kissed the top of it, "Honor to meet you fair maiden."

"The honor is mine. Your name had also reached our kingdom." Violet said giving a small curtsy.

There was another round of silence as Henry briefly leaves Violet's side to look into the sitting room and then to look in the kitchen. He also went to the stairs to hear any voices, but he did not hear anything, "Uhm…where are my mothers?" He asks looking at Robin and Killian.

"Uhm…they had to step out for a minute lad." Killian said somewhat nervously.

"Yes…there was a small issue that came up that required their attention. They will be back shortly though. So…" Robin supplied also uncomfortable as he looked at the former pirate.

"Let's go have a seat and wait." Killian said motioning to the sitting area. Shrugging, the four of them went to the seating area and began talking.

In the meantime outside in the back while all this was going down, Regina had frozen Emma's feet to the ground, refusing to let the blonde leave, "Never thought I would be able to do this." Regina said slightly amused.

"Let me go!" Emma yelled trying to activate her magic, but unfortunately it was not working at the moment.

"Try as you might, but seeing after the last few times an enemy has used magic on my property I cast a spell to prevent anyone but me to use magic. Think of it as a security system of sorts." Regina explained seeing Emma struggling.

Emma growled and gave her friend the darkest of glares, "In this moment, right here and right now, I hate you so much."

"Yea…see this face?" Regina pointed at herself, "Does it look like I care?"

Emma remained silent.

"Yea I thought so. Look I am just trying to prevent you from doing something completely stupid." Regina stated, arms crossed, "Our son has brought with him a girl that he cares deeply for. A girl he cares so much about, that he wants us," she motions between them, "to approve of…together. Now, he hasn't really asked much of us other than to get along; so the least we could do is meet this girl and give our approval. Understand?"

Emma snorted, "Hasn't asked for much? He asked me to believe in a curse that trapped fairy tale characters to this world. A world where I grew up knowing that fairy tale characters are just that-tales! Not real!"

"Ok I will give you that." Regina stated as she unfroze Emma's feet seeing that she was not going to run and at least be willing to talk to her, "But still, Emma can't you see that this is important to him?"

Emma groaned and ran a hand through her hair in frustration, but not at Regina, just at herself, "I do see that this is important. God I wish I was able to do this type of thing with my parents growing up," Regina internally flinched at this, "but out of everything that you have done; have you ever ripped a kid's heart out?"

Regina sighed and rubbed her hands together, both out of nerves and do to the cold temperature, "No I cannot say that I have."

"I mean how can I possibly sit there and look at her, with both her and myself knowing what I did? I used her to break Henry's heart; like I know everyone forgave me, and she could have forgiven me, but I just can't look at her." Emma said brokenly not liking that she was this vulnerable in the first place.

Regina was silent for a moment and looked at the blonde. She did not know when it happened, or how it happened (well scratch that, she knew the how-Henry), but Emma was her friend…probably best friend, and she did not like the way Emma was beating herself up like this. Especially when it has been weeks since the banishment of the darkness from both her and Killian, and saving Killian from the Underworld, "Look I may not have ripped a child's heart out, but I did do a lot of terrible things, some of those things to children I will admit. So I do know what you are going through. However like I said in this case, Henry wants us to meet her, so you need to…" Regina paused, does she go nice or blunt? Looking at Emma's still defeated and tortured gaze, she decided on blunt and tough love, "Ms. Swan!"

Emma jumped out of her emotional self-loathing and looked at Regina's angry expression. An expression that hasn't been fully directed at her (even when she was known as the Dark Swan) for a long time. As if this expression triggered a reaction she put on an aura of defiance that she had used multiple times, "Madam Mayor?"

Regina internally smirked recognizing the tone…just like old times, she thought, "You will get your ass back in there and meet this girl or so help me-"

"You'll what?"

"I will make your life a living hell." Not that will do much since they were literally in hell for a couple of weeks.

Emma crossed her arms, "Because that worked out so well for you the first time you tried right?"

Regina snorted as she pointed to her apple tree, "Look at you so smug. For the most part, yes, yes it did." Then she remembered the very first time, "Until you chopped down my apple tree."

"Chopped down…" Emma thought and looked at the tree in question, "Oh please what am I? George Washington? Which by the way that story is a hyperbole."

This through Regina for a moment as she looked at Emma in questioning, "Wait what?"

"You placed yourself in a democratic office and you do not even know how this country got its democratic policy?" Emma thought for a moment, "Wait never mind, you cursed yourself in that position for twenty-eight years and never gave the people their right to vote. Not until we had that election for sheriff at least."

"I am waiting for an explanation here…" Seeing Emma's now questioning gaze, Regina said, "I am serious…I want one. To the George Washington thing…"

"The story goes that this country's first president, George Washing cut down a cherry tree when he was a kid. When his parents found out, he told them the truth saying that he could never tell a lie. This event never happened and is a made up story to tell kids about the wrongness of lying." Emma said quickly.

"Sounds like Jiminy is out of the job a bit huh?" Regina said smirking.

"He is probably still needed." Emma said smirking back, thinking about how much better she would have been if she had the cricket growing up, "Now anyway I did not chop down your apple tree, I took a chainsaw to one of your branches…which seems to be growing back nicely." Emma stated going back over to it to take a look.

Regina shook her head and before she could say anything, the back door opened, "There you guys are!" They turned to see Henry running over to them. Seeing their expressions he looked between them a bit worried, "What happened?"

Emma and Regina shared a look, "Uhm…nothing. I just uhm…" Emma tried to explain, seeing Henry looking at her with even more concern.

"Emma needed some advice on your Christmas gift." Regina said looking at Emma, knowing that if Emma told him how she was really feeling, Henry would feel guilty.

"But you did your shopping a week after we got back." Henry said slowly looking at them in suspicion.

"I did, but we were sitting and talking and I just remembered, so I needed Regina's input so that we did not get you the same thing. You know great minds and all that stuff…" Emma said quickly.

"Well come on then." Henry said taking their hands and pulling them inside. However he made a mental note to get the real answer later.

Robin and Killian were in mid-conversation with Violet when they suddenly stood up, seeing their girlfriends being pulled in by Henry, "I found them!" He exclaimed as he let go of their hands and went over to Violet as Robin and Killian went by their respective partners.

"Are you ok love?" Killian asked in her ear as he pulled her close.

Emma was in the process of taking her gloves off and nodded slightly, but it was enough that he saw it. Henry looked at her quickly as if sensing that Emma was not quite ready, so he turned Violet to Regina first, "Violet this is my adoptive mother, Regina."

Regina nodded and held her hand out to her. Violet instantly took it, "It is nice to meet you. Henry has told us a lot about you." She said pleasantly giving the girl a warm smile.

"The pleasure is mine your majesty." Violet responded in kind, also remembering to curtsey to royalty, "He has mentioned a lot about you as well."

Regina looked over at Henry and he winked, which she returned in kind, "I do hope the boys here made you comfortable, while we were out."

"Oh yes it has been lovely. Your home is beautiful as well." Violet said smiling brightly.

"Thank you." Regina said instantly liking the girl in front of her.

Henry then motioned to Emma, "This is my biological mother, Emma Swan."

Emma swallowed and looked at the girl nervously, "Hey." Emma said her throat dry as she nervously held her hand out.

Violet sensed that the blonde was nervous, and if she was honest, so was she. Once the curse broke, she had her memories returned, one of them of course being what had occurred in the stable with the woman before her. She confronted Henry right away after she had her he had gotten back from the Underworld. He had explained everything that happened, keeping nothing back. He had told her that he understood if she had wanted nothing to do with him, which she immediately told him that was not the case. She even said that she forgave his mother for what happened (which she was completely honest), but still it was not every day that you see your own heart outside of your chest in the palm of someone's hand, "Hello. It is nice to formally meet you." She said easily, sensing that the blonde was still hesitant.

Henry held his breath still as his mother and girlfriend shook hands. He briefly saw the glances that the other three adults shared with each other and instantly knew what his mothers were doing outside…and why they were out there to begin with…considering that he now realized that Emma was dressed to leave while Regina was not even in a coat. His attention was drawn back to Violet and Emma when they broke their handshake, "Excuse me, I need some water. Anyone want anything?" Emma asked quickly, but left not waiting for a response.

Leaving them standing there, Henry and Killian made a move to go after her when Regina sighed in defeat as Robin held her close, "Wait." Violet said hesitantly latching onto Henry and pulling him back.

Killian stopped too as Henry looked at her and started speaking, "I am sorry, I didn't-"

"It's ok. Uhm, would you mind if I tried to talk to her? Alone?" Violet asked softly, not knowing if she was overstepping any boundaries.

Henry stepped away and looked at her even closer, as did the adults. Killian and Robin shrugged, and Regina was wearing an expression of 'go for it', "Uhm sure, you can try." Henry said slowly seeing that he was not really getting any real input, "But my mom can get really defensive when cornered." As he thought about his words, he said, "Maybe I should go instead."

"No, I think this is something that we need to talk about…the elephant in the room thing." Violet said.

"I told her what you told me." Henry said earnestly as Violet looked at him with a small understanding like smile, "I thought she understood."

"We all did lass." Killian said solemnly as her focus turned to him.

"She really is not a bad person." Robin added feeling like he had to defend his girlfriend's best friend, "The darkness-"

"Makes you do things that you would not normally do." Violet said finishing for him, "I know I understand. I would not be here otherwise. I want a clean slate as much as she does." Henry smiled as she said that, he wanted that too.

Regina nodded, "I said that too." She pointed to the kitchen, "We will be right here. We still have time before we meet the others at the diner. Good luck."

Violet looked at Henry, and he gave her a hug, "Thank you." He whispered to her as the adults went back to the sitting room.

"For what?" She asked pulling away and looking at him, "I didn't do anything yet."

"For trying." Henry said slowly, "For being willing to forgive."

"Henry I like you, very much; and I want this to work. I understand how important your family is to you." Violet answered slowly making sure he understood even though she explained this to him when he was telling her what happened and why it happened.

He nodded and pointed the way to the kitchen. Giving him a small smile and nod, she went to the kitchen as he went to the family room, "I am so stupid." She heard Emma mutter as she watched the woman take another gulp of water.

"I beg your pardon," she watched as Emma jumped a bit and swiftly turned to look at her, "but you are not stupid." Violet said softly as to not scare the blonde off.

Emma placed a hand over her heart to try and stop it from racing. Looking at Violet again she sighs, "Well that's one way to get someone's attention. Just sneak up on them." Her defense mechanism kicking in as she took a seat on one of the stools.

"I am sorry Ms. Swan, I didn't-" Violet started to apologize.

"Please do not call me that." Emma said holding her hand up to stop the apology from spilling out of the girl's mouth. However Emma winced as she looked at the hand as if it offended her somehow and clenched it into a fist, before bring it down and hid it underneath the table. She did however and wave Violet over to take a seat, since the girl clearly was not going to leave her be.

Violet nodded and then started to once again apologize, "I am sorry, I did not mean to offend-"

"It's not you. It's me, the title and last name usage thing makes me feel old when it is said by a kid." Emma explained nervously, however the girl smiled and Emma felt a bit more relaxed, "Regina used to call me that a lot out of…her up bringing I guess or something. I do not know, but call me anything but that."

Violet thought for a moment and said, "Ok how about Princess Emma?" Emma was taking another gulp of water just as Violet suggested that. Suddenly Emma found herself gagging and choking on the liquid and pounding her chest, "I am sorry, are you ok?" Violet asked nervously now. Would she ever stop offending her…Henry called her girlfriend so he would be…boyfriend. Yes that is how he explained it, boyfriend's biological mother?

"Yea. Fine." Emma coughed again as she cleared her airway, "But no. Not that either."

"Henry said though that you are technically a princess. I was taught to use formalities with royalty and the like."

"I am going to have to have a talk with him about mentioning that." Emma muttered, but Violet heard it. Emma looked back at the girl and berated herself for making her distressed, "Well that maybe true, but did he also tell you I did not really grow up as one? That I am still…learning all this stuff?"

Violet nodded, "Yes he did, I also do know about it seeing as the Dark Curse was pretty famous in our kingdom. I do not think there was a realm that did not hear of its power."

Damn, Emma thought, things are pretty well related in the different realms, "Well then just call me Emma."

"May I call you Ms. Emma?" Violet asked.

"I suppose so. Henry's other friends do, Roland even calls me Auntie Emma on occasions; as does Alexandra." Emma shrugs. Seeing the girl's curious look, she continues, "His school friends which I am sure you have met or he talked about, Roland is Robin's son, and Alexandra is Ella and Thomas's daughter, my parents' friends."

Violet nodded, "Ok Ms. Emma."

They sat in silence for a few minutes and when the silence became too much they both blurted out, "I am sorry!" Silence again, "Wait what?" One more time, "Why are you sorry?"

Shaking themselves Emma speaks first before Violet can, "I am sorry I took your heart and made you break Henry's. I was desperate and I didn't-"

Violet swallows and gently places a hand on Emma's, which had returned from its hiding spot under the table, the other still holding the glass. Emma stops and looks at her in the eye, "Its ok. Henry told me everything. How you became the Dark One, and why you needed his heart broken."

"He should not have made excuses for me." Emma said bitterly as she looked away, "Nor should you forgive me."

"But I do." Violet said as Emma looked at her, "Look me in the eyes and tell me I am lying."

Emma did and saw nothing but truth, "Let me guess. He told you my super power huh?"

"Yes. He talks very highly of you." Violet stated with a small smile, "He told me of you history, how he found you, and all the adventures that has happened because of you. You make him happy, and to make someone that happy cannot be bad or evil."

"How old are you?" Emma asked in disbelief swiftly avoiding the praise that was given to her.

"Thirteen."

"Seriously? You really do not seem thirteen."

"My mother died when I was seven, it was just father and I; so I had to grow up fairly quickly to help out when he was gone." She explained. Emma nodded in understanding. When she was in the system, she too had to grow up quickly in order to survive. Seeing that the blonde woman in front of her was fairly calm, Violet re-held out her hand, "So may we please start over?"

Emma looked at her hand and sensing no ill-will and genuine truth, she sighed and said, "Ok." Shaking hands once more, Emma said, "I am Henry's other mother, Emma Swan."

"My name is Violet, it is a pleasure to meet you…Ms. Emma." Violet responded smiling.

Henry came into the kitchen with the other adults trailing behind him. When he caught sight of his mother and girlfriend laughing, his heart swelled with joy, perhaps this will be a good night after all, "Hey," he said grabbing their attention, "we are going to be late."

"Oh well I guess we better go." Emma said rinsing her glass out and retrieving her gloves from her pockets as she went over to Killian. Then looking back at Violet she smirked and asked, "So has he told you what this latest 'operation' is called?"

"Operation?"

"Oh yea he names his missions."

"Really now? What is this called?"

This had all the adults smiling as Henry's face turned red, as he helped Violet put her coat on, "Mom…" he groaned.

"Operation Tinsel." Emma said as she caught Regina's amused expression.

Violet smiled as she looked at Henry's red face, "I think it is perfect."

He groaned as he led them out the door, "Come on. Let's go."

"Glad you are feeling better love." Killian said as followed after them, leaving Regina and Robin to close the door.

Emma nodded and latched on to his arm, "It's getting better, although I will feel much better with egg nog."

"With what?" Killian asked confused.

Emma mentally sighed as she remembered this will be his first Christmas, "It is the most delicious drink ever."

"Oh please." Regina's voice came to them as Emma turned to see her and Robin behind them, "Nothing can top my apple cider."

"Really? Is that a challenge?" Emma asked feeling completive now, "I will have you know I make a kick ass egg nog."

"I am sorry what?" Robin asked as well, feeling just as confused as Killian.

"You cannot even cook!" Regina yelled.

"Excuse me, but I so did not let Henry or I starve in New York!"

"You would have had I not provided you with the memories on how to work an oven and microwave!"

"Oh god." Henry grumbled as they walked to Granny's. So much for a good night…

"What is it?" Violet asked looking back to see the perplexed pirate and thief, along with the squabbling women, "I thought they were friends."

"They are, it's just that they can get a bit completive at times." He explained as they continued to bicker, "Have they scared you off yet?"

"No not at all." She responded, "So far your family seems interesting."

"Really? The cornucopia of chaos really hasn't phased you?" He asked stopping across the street as Emma and Regina continued their argument into the diner followed by a bewildered Killian and Robin.

"If this cornucopia of chaos made you into the wonderful person you are, then I am ok with it." She said smiling at him.

Henry was thankful for the minimum lighting as he blushed. Coughing he motioned to the diner, "So ready to meet the others that contribute to the cornucopia?" Violet nodded retaking his arm as they walked across the street and into the diner.