I do not own Once Upon a Time.
This is an early Christmas gift. Just an idea I had in my mind and it sounded adorable.
The title is inspired by "Bed-knobs and Broomsticks".
"Are you serious? How can you not believe in him?" Amelia Cassidy followed Henry Mills into Granny's diner one snowy afternoon.
"Santa is just a story for kids to behave. It's all about the toys." Henry was saying.
"But you're the Truest Believer. Look at… your entire family. If True Love's kiss and fairy tales are true, how can Santa Clause not be?"
"He's not real, it's all commercial."
Amelia had to tilt her head up to look at her step son. He was growing up too fast and she didn't like it. And neither did Regina or Emma. She sighed. "Fine, just keep your thoughts to yourself. You have a lot of little siblings who still believe in Christmas magic. You are coming for gingerbread houses later, right?"
"Sure."
"See you later." Amelia kissed his cheek and left the diner.
Four hours and six gingerbread houses later found Henry and Neal cleaning up. Amelia had taken Sophia, Derek and Wendy upstairs for baths and stories.
"I think you guys ate more candy than actually wound up on the houses." Neal commented.
"What?" Henry asked with a green gumdrop in his mouth.
Neal chuckled then started the conversation that Amelia had asked him to have with Henry. "So what's this talk about not believing in Santa anymore?"
"Really Dad? I'm in my twenties. Santa is for children. I mean, you don't still believe in Santa, do you?"
Neal leaned back in his chair. "You know the North Pole is real. And it's magical. Not Enchanted Forest magic, completely different magic. Pure and happy magic. There are elves who live and work there, they only care about making toys for children because there is nothing more special than the happiness of a child.
The stables are huge because the reindeer are larger than life. They each have their own personality but work like a dream one night a year. There's a constant blanket of crisp snow on the ground and the sky has the soft twinkling lights of the Northern lights. Mrs. Clause is the perfect mother, looking out for all the elves and the reindeer. She makes the most amazing cookies in the world.
The entire place smells like mint and hot chocolate. There are huge trees that are constantly decorated. It's always Christmas there. And the man in charge is a giant child himself. He understands children like no one else. There is only one Santa Clause."
"But I have never seen that. How can I believe something I can't see?" Henry asked.
"You believe in love?"
"Yeah." All of his parents and grandparents were proof of that.
"Well you can't actually see love; you see the effects of it. And you see the effects of Santa and the Christmas spirit. Peace, love, good will towards all, time with family and friends, people who mean the world to you."
"But why do those feelings only really come out at Christmas time?"
"People are always rushing and consumed in their own affairs. But winter makes people slow down and appreciate everything. The moments, the smiles, the hugs, the laughter."
Henry looked at his father for a long moment. "I think you convinced me."
"I love you, buddy." Neal hugged his son.
Henry wasn't embarrassed, no one was going to see them. "Love you too, Dad." He pulled back. "I had better get going and write my letter to Santa." He headed to the door and saw Amelia standing there. "Night Mom." He gave her a quick hug before leaving the house.
Amelia entered the kitchen and sat on the counter, looking down at Neal. Her eyes were grateful. "Thank you. That was an amazing story."
Neal looked up at her, his eyes were twinkling. "Who said it was a story?"
What? Has Neal been to another realms besides Neverland?
I love Neal/Henry moments.
Reviews?