Regina takes a breath as she knocks on the apartment door across the hall from hers, an apartment door belonging to Robin Locksley.

He opens the door and his blue eyes smile at her, and for a split second, she feels a warm fluttering in her chest. "I… think you have something that belongs to me," she says.

A smile twists onto Robin's lips and he nods, stepping aside to let her into the apartment. "I may," he says. "Does it have brown hair, stand about four feet tall and talk like he's sixty-four years old?"

She chuckles softly and nods. "That sounds like the something."

"He's just watching the parade," Robin says as he leads her into the living room. "Turns out, my apartment has a perfect view of the parade route."

Regina grins as she spots Henry, sitting on his knees in Robin's bay window and craning his neck to get a better glimpse of a gigantic red Clifford the Dog balloon as it slowly floats past the window. Roland, Robin's dark Maine Coon cat with its bright yellow eyes, sits in Henry's lap, purring as Henry absently stokes his fur.

"So, what do you think?" Regina asks, smiling as Henry turns to face her. "How'd I do this year?"

She laughs a little as Henry looks back to the parade. "There's more people this year," he says in a serious tone. "And I liked the Neverland float. It's much better than the one they used last year."

Robin chuckles as Regina sits down beside her son, and from the corner of her eye she can see him grinning at them. "Just wait," she says in a loud whisper as she leans in a little, "until you see the new Santa. If I didn't know better, I'd say he was the real thing."

"Maybe that's because he is," Robin suggests, earning a giggle from Henry and an eye roll from Regina. "What?" He asks, looking between them. "I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility. If he looks like the real deal and acts like the real deal, maybe that's because he is the real deal."

Regina gives him a warning look and Henry's smile fades away. "You don't have to pretend," Henry tells him. "I know."

"You know?"

"Robin…"

"I know that Santa Claus isn't real."

"Says who?"

Regina shifts uncomfortably as she watches Henry's eyes fall down to Roland, who nuzzles against his hand expectantly. "Me," she says quietly, taking a short breath. "Okay, Henry. I think it's time to go. You can watch the rest of the parade on TV. We've got to finish up the pies for tonight's dinner."

"But I want to see the new Santa…"

Her lips part and she's ready to reiterate that it's time to go, but Robin's voice cuts in. "I'll help with the pies and whatever other dinner preparations are left," he tells her in a soft voice. "Come on, Regina," he says as his smile returns. "Let the boy see this fantastic Santa you bragged about." His smile brightens when a grin pulls onto Henry's lips. "And once he's seen Santa, he'll come home."

She hesitates for a moment as Henry looks up at her with eager eyes, and then she sighs. "Okay, but as soon as you see Santa, I want you to come home, alright?"" Henry nods and she grabs his chin, grinning as she kisses his forehead. "We don't want to impose."

"Neither of you could ever impose."

She takes another breath as she stands up, smiling warmly as she glances back at Henry and then turns her attention to Robin. "Well, can I at least repay you by inviting you to dinner?" She asks, watching as Robin's grin brightens. "It's the least I can do to repay you for your generosity, and it only seems fair that if you're going to help prepare the meal, you also get to eat the meal."

"Filling pie crust is hardly generous," Robin tells her. "But I gladly accept."

"Can Roland come too?" Henry asks with wide eyes as he looks between them and strokes Roland's fur. "Please?"

"He'll be there with bells on," Robin assures him. "Quite literally."

Henry giggles as he flicks the little bell on Roland's collar, and Regina exhales her breath as she leads Robin toward her apartment to finish the preparations for Thanksgiving dinner.

The morning after Thanksgiving, Regina goes into the department store well before the sun comes up in preparation for the busiest shopping day of the year—and Robin spends the morning convincing Henry to leave Roland for a couple of hours and brave the crazy crowds to visit Santa.

"I'm not sure why we're doing this," Henry says looking up at Robin as they wait in the line. "It seems kind of pointless."

"Humor me."

Henry sighs as he leans out the line, looking at the excited faces of the other children waiting to meet Santa. For a moment, he lets his eyes linger on man dresses as Santa Claus, sitting in the center of a Winter Wonderland display on a red velvety throne. "Time is valuable, though," Henry says, looking back up at Robin. "And this seems like a waste of time."

Robin's eyes narrow as he looks down at Henry. "Just for the sake of argument," he begins, "Let's say there is a Santa Claus, and let's say you don't believe in him…"

"Because he's not real…"

"Just say that he is," Robin says with a sigh. "Are you really willing to risk not getting anything for Christmas?"

Henry's brow creases as he looks from Robin to the Santa Claus and then back. "I didn't believe in him last year and I still got everything I asked my mom for."

"Right…"

"Why would that be any different this year?"

Robin shakes his head, chuckling softly. "You really are your mother's son, you know that."

"Thank you," Henry says, as a satisfied smile stretches across his lips as they step forward in the line.

A few minutes later, Henry is climbing up onto Santa's lap and a smile pulls across Robin's face. Henry introduces himself using his full name of 'Henry Daniel Mills' and extends his hand for a shake, earning a hearty chuckle and a firm handshake from Santa.

"I remember you, Henry," Santa says as a smile pulls onto his lips.

"But that's impossible. We've never met before." Henry says as he shrugs his shoulders. "Maybe you're confusing me with someone else. You have seen a lot of people today."

"No, no. Not today," the Santa replies. "Yesterday, at the parade…" Henry's brow furrows. "You were watching from an upstairs window. That's why I remember you."

Robin watches as Henry's eyes widen. "That's… incredible," Henry tells him. "You must have very good vision."

At that, the Santa Claus laughs. "It's not what it used to be, but… given my age, I'd say it's pretty good." Henry just giggles in reply. "So, tell me, Henry. What would you like me to bring you for Christmas?"

"Nothing, thank you," Henry says in an even voice. "My mom buys my presents." Then, Henry takes a breath. "You know my mom, actually. She works here. She's the Director of Special Events, so she's the person who hired you for the parade."

"Ahhh," the Santa says, offering Henry a little smile. "Your mother is a very nice lady."

"I have to admit," Henry begins, tentatively reaching out and touching his fingers to one of the gold buttons on red velvet coat the man wears. "You're a very good Santa. Usually the store's Santa's beard is too loose or they smell kind of funny. But your beard is stuck on real tight and you smell like peppermint."

"Well, that's because I am the real Santa Claus," he replies as Henry's smile begins to fade. "You don't believe me? Just ask your daddy. He'll tell you."

"I can't do that," Henry says. "I don't know where my dad is."

"Oh, but he's right over…" The Santa motions to where Robin stands, but Henry shakes his head.

"No, that's our friend, Mr. Locksley," Henry explains, looking up at him and trying to keep his voice even as Robin's stomach sinks. "I don't have a dad anymore."

"Ahhh…"

"It's just me and my mom," Henry says, taking a deep breath in an effort to maintain composure. "But she does a really good job on her own, and I know that she's going to get me whatever I ask for for Christmas… well… as long as it's not something too stupid or dangerous or…" Henry's voice trails off and Robin turns to see Regina standing at the edge of the platform at the front of the line. "Hi, Mom…"

Regina's jaw is tight and she takes a few long strides to where Henry sits on Santa's lap. "Time's up, Henry," she says in a soft voice as she reaches for his hand. "We've taken up enough of this nice man's time, and there's a very long line of customers waiting to see him."

"It was lovely meeting you, Henry," Santa says as Henry takes Regina's hand, leading him away from the Santa Claus.

Robin follows, quickly stopping where the Santa Claus sits and shaking his head as he smile. "I'm sorry," he says. "They're… non-believers."

"There's always a few," the Santa replies, offering Robin a wink as he jogs to meet up with Regina and Henry.

When he reaches them, Regina's eyes narrow in his direction and she stoops down in front of Henry, rubbing his arms as a smile pulls onto her lips. "Since you're here," she begins in a soft voice that doesn't at all match her demeanor. "Why don't you head over to the toy department and pick out something you want for Christmas, and maybe write down a couple of other things you think you'd like." Henry grins and nods as she stands up, and then she turns her attention to Robin. "And while he's doing that, would you mind stepping into my office?"

Henry giggles and Robin nods. "I feel like I've just been sent to the principal's office," he tells Henry, earning another giggle before Henry turns in one direction and he follows Regina in another.

"What on earth possessed you to take him to see Santa?" She asks, as soon as the door closes. For a moment, he hesitates, not really knowing how to explain, and as the seconds pass, the crease in her brow deepens and she grows increasingly impatient. "Really, tell me. What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking that it's Christmas," Robin says. "Kids love seeing Santa at Christmas."

"But Henry doesn't believe in Santa," she says, sighing as she shakes her head. "And then you bring him here and he sees hundreds of gullible children, excitedly waiting to see an actor—a very good actor—playing Santa Claus. He sees all of those children buying into a happy myth and…" She shrugs her shoulders. "Who does he believe then? The myth or the mom?"

"I'm sorry," Robin says. "I didn't think of it that way."

"I know you didn't mean anything by it, but…" Regina shakes her head as she leans against the edge of her desk. "It's important to me that he grows up understanding the value of the truth, and I don't want to let him believe something that's only going to disappoint him later on in life."

"I understand," Robin says with a gentle grin. "And I am sorry."

"It's… fine. Just… in the future, ask me before you do something like this, okay?"

"Absolutely."

"Thank you," she says, offering him a lopsided grin. "And thank you for entertaining him today."

"It's no problem. I love spending time with him." Robin pauses and takes a few short steps toward her. "I love spending time with both of you."

"Robin…"

"How about after you get off work, you two come over," he suggests as his grin brightens. "We can string popcorn and listen to Christmas carols and then, while Henry's distracted playing with Roland and some garland, maybe we could test out some mistletoe."

"I… don't think that's such a good idea."

"I do."

"I know you do," she says as she bites down on her bottom lip. "You've made it very clear how you feel."

"Clarity is good."

She laughs and nods. "Yeah. It is." And then, she takes a breath. "Can I… ask for a rain check?"

"Always."

"Mom?"

Regina looks up to see Henry hovering at the end of the hall. She glances at her watch and then back at him, her brow furrowing as she holds out her hand to him. "Hey, what are you doing out of bed?"

"I couldn't sleep."

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah," he says, nodding as he sits down beside her. "I've just got a lot on my mind."

"Oh?"

He hesitates for a second, then takes a breath and turns his eyes up to meet hers. "I've been thinking a lot about Christmas."

"It is coming up pretty quickly. Three weeks sounds like a long time, but it'll be here before we know it."

"Mom, why don't I believe in Santa Claus?" Henry asks, fidgeting with his hands as he looks up at her with wide and wondering eyes. "All my friends at school believe in him."

"I know," she says slowly. "But you know the truth."

"But why?"

Closing her book, she sets it down on the end table at her side, and turns so that she's facing Henry. "Because I felt that it was important for you to know the truth, and that truth is one of the most important things in the world. It's important to know the truth, and acknowledge the truth, even when it makes you uncomfortable; and it's important to always be truthful with others and especially with yourself." She smiles a little. "Because… believing in things that aren't true, things that aren't real, will only make you unhappy," she says, leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. "And, more than anything, I want you to be happy, Henry."

"Did you believe in Santa Claus when you were my age?"

"I did."

"Did it make you unhappy?"

"Not at first," Regina admits, shaking her head a little. "But then, when I found out all of things I thought were true weren't… I… was disappointed, and yes, that made unhappy."

"But what if he is real," Henry says slowly. "What if we're wrong about this?"

"We're not wrong, Henry."

"But… the Santa at the store remembered me from the window. He saw me during the parade."

"That… doesn't mean anything," Regina says. "Haven't you ever been walking, and looked up and noticed someone looking out their window? It's… a coincidence." For a moment, Henry hesitates. Regina watches as his bottom lip catches between his teeth, and he chews at it almost nervously. "Why else do you think he's actually Santa?"

"Well," Henry begins. "When you and Robin were talking in your office that day, I… kind of was watching him. I was watching and listening, and he knows a lot about toys."

"That doesn't mean…"

"And this little girl came to see him, and she was deaf, and he spoke to her in sign language."

Regina's eyes narrow a bit. "It's not uncommon to know sign language."

"But he looks like every picture of Santa Claus I've ever seen."

"I know," Regina says. "That's kind of why I hired him." Henry's eyes fall to his lap and he sighs—and Regina feels her chest tighten. Sliding over, she stretches her arm around Henry's shoulders and pulls him close, cuddling him to her. She presses a kiss to his hair and closes her eyes, breathing him in. "You want to believe in him, don't you?"

"Maybe," Henry murmurs. "Just… for a little while."

"You know, it doesn't work that way. You can't just decide to believe in something."

"But maybe you can't just decide not to believe in something."

"That's fair," she murmurs, as she presses another kiss to his head. "You know what? I have an idea." Henry looks up at her, his eyes wide and attentive and a smile pulls onto her lips. "You should think of something you want for Christmas, something that you'd never ask me for, and when you figure out what you want to ask for, I'll take you to go see Santa and you can ask for it." Regina's smile pulls tighter as Henry nods in consideration. "And if you wake up on Christmas morning, and you don't have that thing you asked for, you'll know."

"And if I do have it, I'll know."

"Exactly."

"That's awfully clever," Henry says as a grin pulls onto his lips. "I'm going to do that."

"Good," she replies in a soft voice. "Now, can you go back to bed?"

Henry nods, pulling himself up onto his knees to kiss her cheek. "Yeah."

"Good boy…"

"Good night, Mom," he says, as he gets off the couch and pads back to his bedroom. "I love you."

"And I love you," Regina murmurs with a soft sigh as she watches him go.

Regina fumbles with her keys as she shifts her shopping bags in her hands and hits the up arrow on the elevator—and just as he finger presses to the button, she hears Robin's voice calling her name and quick steps behind her.

"Let me help you," he insists as they both step into the elevator and he takes one of the bags from her, then selects their floor. "How are you today?"

"Overwhelmed," she says with a little laugh. "I'm running late, and so dinner is going to be late and there's a hungry six year old waiting for me upstairs." Robin nods as he peers down into the bag he's holding. "You're having a Captain America action figure for dinner?"

Regina rolls her eyes. "No. I made a few other stops… that's why I'm late." She bristles a bit, but a smile pulls onto her lips. "I promised Henry we'd make pizza for dinner tonight."

"Ahh…"

"Well, if you need help with anything, let me know," Robin tells her as a smile pulls on his lips. "You know, I'm always here, if you need me."

She nods—and she does know. "Actually," she begins in a tentative voice, "I was kind of wondering if… maybe… you'd like to join us tonight."

"For dinner?"

She nods, "And a little tree decorating and… maybe a movie." Regina's cheeks flush, betraying her attempt to remain indifferent. "I was sort of hoping that I could cash in that rain check."

"Of course," Robin says as a bright smile tugs onto his lips. "It'll just take a few minutes for me to grab that mistletoe."

"Could you bring Roland, too?" She asks as the doors open and Robin takes a step forward. "Henry loves him."

"Of course," he says again, smiling gently as her a fluttering rises in her chest. "Give me ten minutes." He laughs a little. "I'm an easy sell, but prying Roland away from his favorite spot in the window may prove to be a challenge."

Regina nods as she takes the shopping bag from him, watching him disappear into his apartment—and again, she feels that soft fluttering her chest as her grin deepens. Reaching for her key, she turns it in the lock, letting herself in and smiling instantly as she spots Henry at the kitchen table. There's a roll of Christmas paper beside him and a roll of tape, and he's chewing at his lip as he folds the paper around a little box.

"Hey you…"

"Hi, Mom," he says, not looking up from his project.

"Robin's coming over for dinner," she says as she sets the bags on the counter. "Is that okay with you?"

"Yeah! Is he bringing…"

"Roland?" Regina laughs. "Yes. He is."

"Good," Henry says decidedly. "Then I am going to finish this up in my room. I got Roland a box for Christmas."

"That was kind of you."

"Yeah," he says as a small grin pulls onto his lips. "I found it in my closet and figured since I wasn't using it, he could."

"Oh…" she chuckles softly, watching as Henry collects his things and she unloads the groceries—and no sooner than the bag is empty, there's a soft knock at the door. A smile tugs onto her lips as she smoothes her skirt and opens the door. "Hi," she says as she steps aside to let Robin and Roland in. "Henry's in his room," she says to the cat. "But you can't go in just yet." Roland's yellow eyes turn up to look at her and she reaches out, stoking two fingers over the space between his ears. "He'll be out soon and then you two can play."

Robin laughs as he lets Roland leap from his arms and then, he holds up the piece of mistletoe and leans in for a kiss. Regina smiles as she leans up onto her toes and kisses him softly—and then, she pushes him back and swats the back of her hand over his chest.

"What? You said to bring it," he laughs.

"For later," she says as she turns back toward the kitchen, chuckling softly as Roland paws and Henry's bedroom door. "Right now, we have pizza to make."

Robin follows her and together, they start dinner. Robin opens up the pre-made crusts and spreads on the sauce, while Regina slices the pepperonis and vegetables. His eyebrow arches when she opens a bottle of wine, liberally pouring two glasses and every now and then, she catches his gaze—smiling at the way he's smiling at her.

Henry and Roland play in the living room, and Roland bats at low-hanging ornaments on the tree, earning laughs from Henry, as Robin and Regina continue to prepare dinner. When the pizzas are in the oven, they make a salad, chatting about their day and upcoming plans for the holiday. Robin cuts the sausage and the mozzarella as she cuts the lettuce and tomatoes, and she sucks in a deep breath as she asks if he has plans for Christmas dinner.

"Is that an invitation?" He asks, looking up at her with sparkling blue eyes that once more, cause that familiar fluttering in her chest.

"It is, if you want it to be."

"I'd love it to be."

"Then, it is," she tells him as she drops a handful of salami into the salad. "Dinner will be a six."

"I'll be here."

A smile tugs up at the corner of her mouth as she turns and bends to check the pizzas—and when she glances into the living room, she can see Henry watching them with a curious grin.

The three of them eat dinner together, and when it's done and cleaned up, Henry puts in a How the Grinch Stole Christmas and changes into a pair of pajamas as she drags out a box of old ornaments. She can't help but smile as Robin lifts Henry on to his shoulders so that he can reach higher spots on the tree; and by the time the credits of the movie roll, Henry's asleep on the carpet. He's lying on his stomach and Roland is curled up in a ball on his back. Robin laughs as he scoops up the cat and Regina stoops to pick up Henry. She can feel his eyes as she carries Henry into his bedroom and tucks him into bed—and as soon as she bends to kiss his forehead, Roland leaps into the bed and nuzzles against him. Regina laughs and turns to see Robin hovering the door way and a smile tugs onto her lips. Pulling Henry's door shut, she reaches for Robin's hand, tugging him into the living room.

"Still have that mistletoe?"

"Of course…" He tells her as she pulls him down onto the couch beside her. "I'm glad you invited me over tonight."

"I am, too."

"I like the direction this is headed in…" Regina takes a breath and nods as her stomach flops and she reaches for the mistletoe, a convenient distraction from the direction their conversation. A smile pulls onto Robin's lips as she holds the mistletoe up between them, and a moment later, his lips find their way to hers. The kiss is soft and sweet and unexpecting, and she sighs as his lips drag over her jaw, settling in the spot just below her earlobe. "I love you," he murmurs breathlessly.

And then her entire body tenses and before she can even fully process his words, she's pushing him back. "What?"

Robin blinks a couple of times and she watches as he swallows hard, trying to understand what's change. "I… love you."

"No," she says as she gets up from the couch. "You don't. You can't."

"Regina…"

"You barely know me."

"That's not true," he says, slowly rising to his feet. "I've spent the last few years getting to know you and falling in love with you."

"Don't say that…"

"I know you're careful…"

"I don't want a relationship." Robin sighs as his head falls back, and her heart races as her stomach churns. "If I've given you any reason to think otherwise, I'm sorry."

"Regina…"

"This was a mistake."

"No…"

"It was," she says as she turns away from him. "You should go." She can feel his eyes on her and she can feel warm tears brimming in her eyes. "I'll… return your cat when he…"

"He can stay with Henry for the night," Robin murmurs quietly. "Thank you for dinner," he says as he leaves—and as soon as the door closes behind him, she crumbles.

Henry holds her hand as they stand in the long line to see Santa. Regina watches as he fidgets nervously—and she wants desperately to ask him what he's planning to ask Santa for because more than anything, she doesn't want him to be disappointed on Christmas morning.

"You're sure about this?" She asks. "You know, you can just ask me for…"

" know," Henry tells her with a nod. "But… I don't think you'd get me this."

"Try me."

"Mom," he says, shooting her a warning glance. "We talked about this. We have a deal."

"I know, I know," she murmurs. "I just… want you to have a happy Christmas."

"I know you do," he tells her as a smile pulls onto his lips and he cranes his neck for a look at Santa. "And I think I'm going to." Her brow furrows and she sighs as Henry looks back at her. "We're almost there."

"We are," she says with a nod, suddenly feeling nervous.

The line moves quickly, and she watches as a teenager dressed as an elf takes Henry by the hand. She can't help the grin that forms on her lips as another elf directs her over to the side—and she frowns at the realization that she's just out of earshot.

"Well, hello again," the Santa says as Henry's placed on his lap. "I didn't expect to see you again, Henry."

"You remembered my name!"

"Of course," Santa says. "I remember the names of all the children on the Nice List." He shakes his head and offers a little chuckle. "And the ones on the Naughty List, but sometimes I wish I could forget about that."

Henry laughs, and then his expression turns serious. "My mom and I had a long talk," Henry begins. "And she said that I should ask you for something that I know she'd never get me, or something I could never ask her for. Then, if I get it, I'll know you're real…"

"And if you don't, you'll believe that I'm not."

"Exactly," Henry tells him with an nod as he reaches into his coat pocket. "And I know what I want now."

"Do you?" Henry nods as pulls an envelope from his pocket. Glancing up, he sees Regina's brow crease as he hands it to Santa. Henry fidgets nervously as Santa's gloved fingers slip beneath the seal and his eyes widen as he pulls out a catalogue picture. "What's this?"

"It's what I want for Christmas," Henry whispers. "It's all I ever want."

"Oh, well… Henry…"

"I know," Henry nods. "It's not very likely."

"You want a family for Christmas," Santa says in a low voice. "But… but these things, they take time."

"I know," Henry says with a nod. "But I figure if one man can make it all across the world and can stop at every single house to deliver presents to every single kid who believes in him, then… he can get someone a house, a little sister and a dad." Henry sighs as a tight and sad smile form over his lips. "And if he can't, then he's exactly what my mom says—a very nice old man who plays Santa at the department store."

"Henry…"

"I know, it's a big order."

"A very big one," Santa agrees as he folds the picture back up. "Can I… keep this? For reference, you know?"

"Of course," Henry tells him with a nod. "If you lose it, it's page ninety-six in the catalogue."

"Good to know," Santa says with a little laugh as he tucks the picture into his coat. "Henry, you've given me quite the challenge this season."

"My mom says something similar to that all that all that time," Henry tells him, giggling a little. "Usually when she's trying not to get mad at me for spilling something on the carpet or… breaking a lamp or… destroying something."

"Merry Christmas, Henry," Santa as an elf reaches for his hand.

"Merry Christmas," he replies, as he takes a deep breath and takes the elf's hand—all the while thinking how unlikely it is that he'll get his Christmas wish and reminding himself not to get his hopes up.

Robin sighs as he sits down on the bench after yet another failed attempt to catch a cab. The snow starts to pick up and he realizes on the day before Christmas Eve, he might as well start walking. His head falls back and his eyes close and he's only vaguely aware that someone's sit down beside him—and he finds himself wishing that it were Regina. Since that night in her apartment, they haven't spoken. She returned Roland at some point before the sun had risen, using her extra key to do so, and by the time he'd woken up, she'd already gone to work. In the days after that, he hadn't once run into her in the hall or in the elevator, and he suspects she's now taking the stairs as a way to avoid him.

"Hello there," a voice booms beside him—and when his eyes flutter open, the department store Santa Claus is sitting beside him. "You're the man who brought Henry—Regina Mills' boy—to see me a few weeks ago…" His voice lingers on the last syllable for a moment, then there's a flicker of recognition in the old man's eyes. "Robin, the friend."

"Yes," Robin nods. "The friend."

"You… don't seem happy about that."

"Well," Robin sighs as he shakes his head. "Regina and I have never put a label on what we are… or were."

"Were?"

He nods. "I told her that I love her."

"Ahh…"

"She… wasn't so happy to hear that."

"She doesn't love you?"

Robin shrugs, "I honestly have no idea." He takes a deep breath and slowly exhales it as he looks out at the busy street. "I thought I knew, but I was wrong."

"Perhaps, but perhaps not," the old man murmurs. "Ms. Mills is a very private person…"

"She is," Robin nods. "I've known her for five years and… everything I know about her, I've pieced together from a hundred little conversations. She had Henry when she was in graduate school, and his father was never really interested in being a part of his life. After he left, Regina put up these walls and… she won't lower them for anyone." He shakes his head as he looks back at the older man. "She moved in across the hall when Henry was a toddler. I was new to the building and so was she and…" He laughs softly at the memory. "I had a fuzzy kitten that her son liked to play with… and…I fell for them both almost immediately."

"But she didn't fall for you?"

"I… don't know. Sometimes I think she did, and then other times… I don't know what to think. Maybe it'd be easier to… just cut my losses and move on."

"And what about the boy?"

"Henry?" Robin asks as smile pulls onto his lips. "I love that kid like he's my own son… and… that makes the ups and downs with Regina all the harder." He shakes his head. "I really thought we were getting somewhere this time around."

"You want to build a life with her."

"I do," Robin nods—and then he chuckles softly. "And I don't know why I'm telling you all of this."

The old man smiles as a cab pull up to the curb. "Well, at least now I know what you want for Christmas."

Robin's eyes narrow and he nods. "A family for Christmas? That seems like quiet a tall order."

"Well, it wouldn't be the first tall order I've gotten today," he says with a hearty laugh as his eyes sparkle. "And one wish you made today was granted—there's your cab."

Robin nods and laughs, and as he rises from the bench, he extends his hand. "Thank you for lending an ear—and, Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas indeed," the older man says, as he grasps Robin's hand. "You've helped me out more than I can even say." Robin's brow creases as the man gets to his feet and begins his way down the snowy side walk, humming what sounds like a Christmas carol has he goes.

And then, when Robin looks back to the cab, Regina is standing in front of the doors of the department store. He blinks as he looks between her and the cab—and a soft smile pulls onto his lips. "Would you mind sharing?"

"Of course not," she says, grinning as he opens the door for her. "It's really starting to snow. I wouldn't dream of making you walk in this weather," she tells him as she slides into the cab. Robin slides in beside her and she gives the drive the address their building—and then, she takes a breath as the cab pulls away from the curb. "Besides, it'll give me a chance to apologize for the other night."

"There's no need."

"I was…"

"Scared?"

"Yes," she admits with a little nod.

"Well," he murmurs as a small smile tugs onto his lips. "No permanent damage done." He grins as he looks over at her. "I just need a little time to… lick my wounds."

"Of course," she murmurs as she looks back out the opposite window and watches the city fly by.

Henry sighs as he sits down in front of the tree, crossing his legs beneath himself as he looks up at the sparkling lights and shimmering ornaments. Beneath the tree are a pile of brightly colored packages, and he scans them—there are boxes from his mom and from his grandparents, and he can almost tell what's in each of them. As usual, there are just as many gifts as there were items on his Christmas list.

"Hey you," Regina murmurs as she stoops down beside him and holds out a mug of hot chocolate. "What are you doing?"

"Just looking at the presents."

"Ah," she nods. "I take it something's missing?"

Henry shrugs as takes the mug. "The thing I asked Santa for wouldn't exactly fit underneath the tree."

"No?"

"No," he says with a sigh as he looks back at her. "Mom, did you and Robin get into a fight?"

"What?"

"He hasn't been over in… almost a week." Henry looks down at the hot chocolate and plucks a half-melted marshmallow from it. "That's not like him."

"Well… he's been… busy."

Henry blinks up at her skeptically. "Is that why he's home every night?"

"Oh…"

"I notice these things," Henry tells her before taking a long sip of his hot chocolate. "Are you going to tell me?"

"There's nothing to tell," she murmurs as she looks at the tree, fully aware of the terrible liar she is and that her son can likely see right through her. "It's just… a busy time of year for a lot of people."

"I have a present for him."

"You do?"

Henry nods, "And one for Roland."

"Oh, right… the box."

"I thought I'd give them their presents on Christmas Day when Robin came over for dinner, but… he's not going to be coming over for dinner, is he?"

"I… don't know," she murmurs honestly as she looks back at him. "We haven't talked about it." Henry sighs and nods—and she knows he's inferred that it's unlikely Robin will be attending dinner despite the earlier extended invitation, and she feels a pang of guilt as she acknowledges that she won't be asking again because she doesn't want to hear his answer. "Regardless of whether or not we have company," she says, "We'll have a nice dinner."

"We always do," Henry agrees with a nod as he takes another long sip of the hot chocolate. "And just for the sake of argument," he says as he hands the mug back to her. "I am going to go to bed."

"Oh? It's only ten thirty," she murmurs with a grin. "I was hoping we could cuddle up and watch a movie."

"Not tonight," he tells her with a regretful grin as he shrugs his shoulder. "It's Christmas Eve, so like I said, for the sake of argument, I think I should go to bed now."

"Okay," she murmurs, again feeling a little pang of guilt as he leans in and kisses her cheek. "Good night, mom."

"Good night, Henry."

"Oh!" He says suddenly, turning back just before turning down the hallway toward his room. "I got the mail today. Grandpa and Gram sent you a card. It's thick. There's probably a gift card in

"Oh, okay," Regina murmurs, glancing toward the stack of mail on the coffee table. "Thanks."

"I love you."

"I love you, too, Henry," she says as he disappears down the hall, and as his bedroom door closes, she gets up to check the mail.

Sifting through Christmas cards and last-minute holiday ads, she flips through it all—and then finally, the last envelope falls from the stack. She blinks down at it, slowly picking it up. Her first name is written across the front in a gold marker, and the word 'urgent' is written beneath it. There's no address or postage, and when she opens it, there's a single piece of paper—Regina, meet me at St. Patrick's just after the midnight mass. It's important. Please come—Robin. She blinks a couple of times and reads the note again and again; and then, she gets up and walks across the hall. She holds her breath as she knocks on Robin's door and when he doesn't answer, she sighs and returns to her apartment—and as she closes the door behind her, she feels a soft fluttering in her chest and her smile warms.

An hour and a half later, she's dressed and hailing a cab—and when the cab pulls up at the church, bells are ringing and dozens of people are walking down the front steps. They're smiling and a few of them waves as she walks against the current of the crowd, and when she steps into the church, her breath catches in her chest. Candles light the room, giving it a soft and almost romantic glow, and deep red poinsettias line the aisles. She takes a few steps in, craning her neck from one side to the other in search of Robin—and when she's finally alone in the church, she lets out a disappointed little sigh. Reaching into her pocket, she pulls out his note, making sure she's at the right church and at the right time, and looking down at her watch, she sighs again.

"You must be Regina," the priest says as he steps out from the vestibule to the left. "Are you ready?"

"For what?" She asks, taking a few steps toward him as the wedding march begins to play. She blinks as she steps up to the altar. "I'm sorry, I don't… know what's going on here. Is someone getting married?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

"No," she says sincerely—and before she can say any more, the church doors open and Robin steps inside. A small smile draws onto her lips as he brushes snow off of his coat, and when he looks up, his eyes immediately fall to her. She watches as his eyebrows arch as he walks toward her, and the closer he comes, the easier it is to see that he's just as confused as she is. "Hi," she murmurs as she looks between him and the priest.

"Is… someone getting married?"

"That's what I wanted to know," she answers. "But I don't…"

"Yes," the priest cuts in. "Are you ready?"

"I'm sorry?" Robin asks. "I just got here. Can someone please catch me up?"

"You… didn't do this?" She asks, again looking between Robin and the priest.

"No…"

"You're sure."

"Yes." He nods. "But if you're asking me... does this mean… you didn't do this either?"

She shakes her head. "You sent me a note."

"You sent me a note," he counters.

"No…"

"Yes…"

"Robin…"

"Why would I make something like this up?"

The priest chuckles softly, shaking his head as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a red velvet ring box, slowly opening it and holding it out between them—and a soft gasp escapes her lips as she looks at a ring she's looked at and dreamed about a thousand times at the department store.

"Oh my god," Robin murmurs. "Where did that… come from? I left it in my…"

"You bought that?" Regina cuts it as her eyes widen. "You… brought an engagement ring."

Robin offers her a sheepish grin. "Just… in case…"

"In case?"

He nods. "I know we haven't talked about it, but… I thought if we continued in the direction I thought we were going in… that maybe one day…"

"You thought about marrying me?" He nods—and before he can reply a smile stretches onto her lips "Okay."

"Okay?"

"I mean, if you still want…"

"Regina, are you asking me to marry you?"

She shrugs her shoulders as a little smile creeps onto her lips. "I mean… we're here and… there's a ring and…"

"Yes," he says immediately.

"Yes?"

"Yes," he nods—and then they both laugh out as they turn to the priest, who only smiles before pulling out a little book to begin the ceremony.

Regina smiles as her head turns on her pillow and Robin's hand slides against her stomach. "Merry Christmas," she murmurs as her eyes flutter open. The room is warm with sunlight, just beyond the window snowflakes are fluttering down and beside her, Robin's blue eyes are shining.

"Merry Christmas," he murmurs back, leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to her lips. "Do you think Henry will be surprised?"

"That you and I got married last night?" She asks, laughing a little as she pulls herself up. "I think stunned is a more accurate description."

"But… a good stunned?"

"A wonderful stunned," she says as she leans in for another kiss. He laughs a little as Roland meows at the bedroom door and his claws scratch at wood as he tries to break in. "Let's go wake him up."

Robin nods as they get out of bed, pulling on pajamas and robes, and as Regina opens the door, he scoops up Roland and a smile twists onto his lips. "I have an idea…"

Regina follows him to the other end of the hall and opens Henry's bedroom door, dropping Roland down and watching as he prances over to the bed. Robin's arm slides around Regina's shoulder as Roland hops up onto the bed, walking over Henry and nuzzling his cheek, until the little boy starts to stir.

Henry's eyes flutter open and a smile pulls onto his lips as he sits up to pet Roland, and slowly, his brow creases as he looks up—and then, his eyes grow wide.

"Merry Christmas, Henry," Regina says as a smile stretches over her lips as he looks from her to Robin and the back again. "Before you go and see what's underneath the tree… I… have something to tell you."

"Oh my gosh," Henry murmurs as he scoops up Roland and gets out of bed, his eyes widening as he see the ring on his mother's finger. "No way."

Regina looks up at Robin and then takes a step toward Henry. "Last night, Robin and I…"

"Got married?" Henry asks, again looking between them as his hands begin to tremble. "Really?"

"Really," Regina nods as Robin steps into the room. "I know I should have at least talked you about it before…"

"I can't believe it," Henry says as throws himself into Regina's arms. "I can't believe it!"

"Well, believe it, kiddo," Robin says as Roland meows loudly between them. "Now, come on, let's go and see what you got for Christmas."

Robin and Regina both laugh as Henry nods, running out of his room as Roland chases behind him. Regina can't help but smile brightly as Robin's fingers fold around hers, and he gives her hand a little tug as they go to join Henry and Roland in the living room. Henry tears into his presents, every now and then looking back at Robin and Regina and smiling in disbelief—and when the phone rings, Henry's breath catches.

Regina gets up to answer it and Robin slides down onto the floor with Henry, and hands him one of the presents that he got him and added to the pile the night before. "How about this one?"

"Okay," Henry says, grinning as he takes the gift—and in the background, they can hear Regina, protesting something. Robin shrugs as Henry looks to him and, then as Regina concedes agreeing to do whatever at one o'clock and then, when she rejoins then, she's a little flustered. "Who was that?" Henry asks with wide eyes as a tentative grin pulls onto his lips.

"My boss," she sighs. "He… wants to do next year's catalogue shoot today."

"We're going to the catalogue house?" Henry asks, his voice piquing with excitement.

"Yes," Regina nods. "Apparently, someone told him that I got married last night… and they thought as a wedding gift, we could have family pictures taken…"

"And those pictures would be used in next year's catalogue?"

"Exactly."

Robin laughs a little. "Well, I suppose a gift is… a gift."

"That's not why we're going," Henry says, shaking his head as his smile brightens.

"Henry, it is…"

"It's not!" He says, rising to his feet. "I asked Santa Claus for that house!"

"Henry…"

"I did!" He tells them with a vigorous nod. "You told me to ask Santa for something I'd never ask you for and…"

"And you asked for that house?"

He nods, "Well… that and a couple of other things."

"Like what?" Robin asks, his brow furrowing as he looks between them, suddenly remembering the conversation he had with the department store Santa on the bench. "What else did you ask Santa for?"

"A dad."

"Oh, Henry," Regina murmurs.

"I asked, and he got one for me," Henry tells her.

"That's… not…" Regina's voice trails off as she looks to Robin, who only shrugs. "Henry, that's not why Robin and I got married yesterday."

"Isn't it?" Robin asks as a smile pulls onto his lips. "It's as good of a reason as any other. It's not like it was planned."

"Not you, too," she sighs as she sinks down beside him, smiling as his arm folds around her waist. "Regardless, we don't have to leave for a couple of hours and you," she says, reaching out and squeezing Henry's hand, "have a ton of gifts to open… real gifts." Henry grins and nods, but his smile deepens as he tears the paper off of Robin's gift.

An hour later, they're all sitting in a cab on their way to the catalogue house. Henry sits on Robin's lap, watching as they leave New York city behind and Roland is curled up in a ball on Regina's lap—something that made the cab driver incredibly nervous—and Roland's carrier sits between them. Finally, they pull up the long driveway to the house and Henry perches at the window. "I hate to break it to you, Mom," Henry says as the cab comes to a stop. "You were wrong about this one."

"We are here for pictures, Henry."

"Are we?" He asks as he nods to the house. "Then where is the camera crew?"

Regina blinks and as Robin bends to look out the window. "And… our name is on the mailbox."

"What?" She asks, as Robin reaches for Roland and tucks him into his carrier. "What's going on?"

"The house is ours," Henry says simply. "I asked Santa for the house and he got it for us."

"Henry that's…" her voice trails off as Robin shrugs as the three of them get out of the cab—and as soon as they do, the door opens and Regina's boss steps out onto the front porch. "Where is everyone?"

A grin pulls onto the man's lips. "I… got a phone call from our Santa last night," he begins in a uncertain voice. "He said that you and you new husband were looking for a house and…" He shrugs. "You've said a thousand times how much you love this one." He pauses. "When did you get married?"

"Last night," Robin tells him as Regina's eyes widen.

"But… I… can't afford this house," she says, shaking her head. "This house is…"

"You got a bonus, Regina," he says with a little laugh. "We all did—and we owe it all to you, after you hired that sensational Santa Claus."

"But…"

"The bonus is more than enough for a hefty down payment…"

"I… don't believe this."

"Believe it," Henry says with a giggle. "Roland and I are going to pick out a room and do some exploring." Robin laughs as Henry takes the carrier from him, stepping past them all and entering the house.

"I… don't know what to say," she murmurs, looking back at Robin as she takes the key. "Except for… thank you and… Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," he says. "Now, I have to be getting back—the grandchildren will be arriving soon."

"Of course," Regina murmurs in a hushed whisper as she looks back to Robin, who only smiles at her. "This… can't be possible."

"I… think it is," he says, leaning in and pressing a quick kiss to her lips. "Now, let's go check it out." She nods as they step inside the house, and a smile pulls onto her lips as she watches Henry pull Roland from his carrier. He scoops up the cat as his fingers touch the wood banister and a smile stretches across his lips. "Did you pick a room yet?" Robin asks.

"Not yet," Henry tells him. "I just… I have one question."

"Shoot."

"Well, I… I asked Santa for three things." Henry looks between them. "He got me two of them, so… he'll get the third thing, right?" He pauses as he chews at his lip. "I mean, it'll take awhile, but… he'll get it for me, right?"

Robin laughs a little as his hand slides around Regina's waist, and he glances over at her as she stares out into the open space of the living room with wide with disbelief. "Henry, if you asked Santa for something," he says, "I think it's safe to say that it's already on its way."

"Good," Henry says as a smile pulls back onto his lips and starts up the stairs. "I really hope so."

"This is unbelievable," Regina murmurs under her breath as she turns to Robin and grins. "This… is just incredible."

"It is," Robin agrees, laughing softly at her amazement.

"I… don't remember the last time I felt… this… this…"

"Happy?"

"Yeah," she murmurs as she starts to lean in—and then, she stops. "Henry?"

"Yes?"

"What else did you ask Santa Claus for?"

Henry giggles a bit as he looks between them. "A baby sister," he says as he skips the rest of the way up the stairs—and both Robin and Regina's eyes grow wide. Slowly they both look down between them and then back up to each other as their smiles return, this time a little bit brighter, and they lean for another kiss.