Coming Home For Christmas
A/N: This is for my OQ Secret Santa over at Tumblr, spiral-nebula. I hope you enjoy this prologue! I will be updating this story throughout the holiday season! Enjoy!
PROLOGUE
December 16, 2015; 5:56 PM – Boston, Massachusetts
Dr. Regina Mills sighed, straightening her glasses before heading to the receptionist area to drop off the countless of patient files she'd gone through that day. To say she was exhausted would've been the understatement of the century.
With it being the last day that the 'Eye Clinic' would be open before the holiday season began, they (or rather, she) had seen a surplus of clients make last-minute appointments and drop-ins. It would seem everybody wanted perfect vision before opening presents on Christmas morning.
Never mind the fact that her boss (and owner of the clinic), Dr. Albert Spencer, had all but left her in charge of his practice – leaving early for the holidays to start his honeymoon with his new young wife.
"That was quite busy day, wasn't it, Sidney?" she sighed, dropping the records onto the receptionist's desk with an audible thwack.
The young man who worked there, Sidney Glassman, glanced at her and did not make eye contact. Regina always figured that he had a wee bit of a crush on her, the way he would stutter and stare at the ground whenever she was around. She found it simply adorable, but would not entertain that idea – least he ages about ten years in a moment's notice.
"Y…you're…not…not quite done yet, Dr. Mills," Sidney finally stated, smiling shyly at Regina.
Regina arched an eyebrow. "I thought Mr. Jensen was my last appointment for the day," she stated. She huffed, rubbing her temples before finally relenting. She sighs, reaching out a hand and saying, "Well, where's the file?"
"He…he does…doesn't have one," Sidney replies sheepishly.
Regina gives a low growl, already knowing who had bullied his way to the observation rooms and probably scared Sidney half to death. No wonder the boy was extra fidgety.
Gathering up her wits, she smiled kindly at the young receptionist. "It's not your fault, Sidney," she said calmly. "Now why don't you fix up our files for today quickly, and then you're free to go. Have a wonderful Christmas!"
"Tha…thank you, Dr. Mills," Sidney stammered out, gathering the files in his hands and giving Regina a shy smile.
"Thanks for all your help. And don't you worry, I'll lock up," Regina added, before heading back towards the observation rooms.
"Wa…wait, Dr. Mills," she heard Sidney call out.
Regina turns to see the boy had walked towards her, a gift occupying his outstretched hand. She takes the gift with a kind smile on her face, "Thank you so much, Sidney." Then, patting the boy (awkwardly) on the shoulder, she continues: "Have a great holiday, alright? And see you in the New Year!"
"You…you, too, Dr. Mills," he replied in earnest.
"Now you run along and I'll deal with this…this patient," Regina says, continuing on her path to the end of the hallway, where their observation rooms were situated.
As she opened the door she was greeted immediately by the sight of her best friend sitting comfortably on the designated patient chair. He turns away quickly from fiddling with the equipment as he hears her at the door.
"Dr. Mills!" he bellows enthusiastically.
She sighs, closing the door and replying, "Dr. Locksley, to what do I owe this…pleasure?"
He shrugs, standing from his position to approach her. "I think you know why I'm here," he whispers as he gets closer, smiling sweetly at her.
"No," she countered immediately, "I'm really tired. And I'd rather not do this – and by this, I mean your begging and pleading – again. For the hundredth time, might I add! But I take this time to spell it out for you: N-O! No! Never going to happen."
"Don't you know never to say never? I think you just jinxed yourself." She rolls her eyes. "Come on, at least hear me out, Mills!"
"I've already heard everything," she replied easily, pulling up the doctor's chair to take a seat. "I don't know what else you want me say."
"At least give me a reason," he said.
"I've given you a hundred and one reasons!"
He narrowed his eyes, "Fine, just the top three then. Humour me, Mills!"
Regina sighs, gesturing for him to take a seat back on the patient's chair. Once he was seated, she pulls him close so that their knees were touching – and looks him straight in the eye. "Number three," she begins, "I don't like the cold. And you practically live in the North Pole. I want to get away from snow and bitter winds. Number two, I already have plans for the holidays. Tink asked me to come home with her to sunny Florida. You can see how this agrees with my number three reasoning. And reason number one, I deeply – very deeply – dislike deceit and make-believe with my holiday eggnog." She takes his hands in hers, "And so, for the last time, Dr. Locksley, I will not be your pretend girlfriend this holiday season."
He pouts at her, his big blue eyes adding to that 'puppy dog effect' perfectly – but she would not be swayed.
"Come on, Mills! You've lived in Boston for the last eight years and you're moving to New York in the coming year. Therefore, there is no way you hate the cold," he argued back. "Number two, Tink's sisters would hardly care if you came or not – heck, they'd hardly care if Tink came or not! And number three, I promise you want have to kiss me and…and we'll have separate rooms."
Regina opened her mouth to speak but he quickly cut her off, "Oh! And seeing as you are moving to New York and I'm leaving for Detroit, while Tink heads off to San Francisco or whatnot…this will be the last holiday the three of us would or could be together. Like, really together. The terrific trio!"
"Okay, no one calls us that, by the way," Regina replies. "And you will not guilt your way through this one. We will see each other plenty despite living in opposite sides of the country, I just know it! Or…we'll definitely make an effort. Because unlike your proposal, our friendship is real."
"And as my friend, you should grant me this favour," he mumbles incoherently.
"What was that?"
Her best friend sighs, rubbing his hands together as he proposes his last ditch effort, "Alright…how about Tink and yourself just accompany me home for the holidays. No strings attached – literally – and you come home with me for support."
"You're seeing your –as you've described them countless of times— lovely family for Christmas," Regina argues, "not being fed to the wolves. You don't need 'support'."
"Damn you for remembering everything I've ever said," he comments through clenched teeth. "But actually," he quips, "I think most – if not all – of the general public would agree that those two things are synonymous."
Regina sighs, moving to bring their chairs side by side now. She rests her head on his shoulder; softly whispering, "Look…best friend talk, okay? I think this is something you need to do on your own. Just…just for life purposes."
He sighs, "The love of my life is marrying my cousin, Regina." He swallows the lump that has formed in his throat, draping an arm across Regina's shoulders, "And they're both going to be there – all lovey-dovey, I just know it."
"That may be true – or probably will be true. But you going there and flaunting a fake relationship is not going to help the matter, I can guarantee that. You have nothing to be ashamed of, in showing up single! You're a great guy, a great vet…and the best best friend this girl can ever ask for!"
"So, you're saying I need to be a big boy and just deal…(deep breath) deal with this?"
She nods, raising her head to give him a peck on the cheek, "Exactly."
He closes his eyes briefly and sighs, whispering: "I love you, Mills."
She smiles, suppressing a groan at his cheesiness, but replies nonetheless, "Love you more, Locksley."
Then she stands, dragging him with her, "Come on, Tink is probably waiting for us at the restaurant – siting there all alone – working on her third glass of wine! And I still need to lock up the clinic!"
"It's Tink, Regina," he comments, "she's probably less waiting for us and already wining and dining with one of the cute waiters."
"That does seem a more likely scenario," she agrees, laughing as she shoos him out of the room and back out into the main waiting area.
December 18, 2015; 4:54 AM – Boston, Massachusetts
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"I'm coming, I'm coming," Regina growled, pulling her bathrobe tightly around her pajama-clad figure before dashing towards whoever was banging at her door at this ungodly hour.
"Oh my goodness, Regina!" Tink bellowed, as Regina pulled open the door. The petite blonde woman walked hurriedly into the apartment, inviting herself in without so much as a say-so.
Regina stood at the door, mockingly saying, "Oh, Dr. Katrina Bell, how nice of you to drop by at this hour. Please, come into my home and take a seat!"
"Quit that, Regina," Tink quickly said, and motioned towards the window, "and look outside!"
"Look outside?" Regina questioned. Then she sighs, moving towards her bedroom. "Wait. Let me get my glasses."
"You won't need it, trust me," Tink laments, eyes wild and hands on her hips.
Regina takes that moment to really look at her friend and now takes note of Tink's overly winter attire – complete with a light dusting of snow, which was currently melting and droplets were falling on her carpet.
With a 'hmmmph', she cautiously peels back the curtains as she hears the television flicker on in the background. The sight that meets her eyes was white! And endless sea of white!
It would seem that a blizzard has happened overnight would be an understatement, as she takes in the very hefty blanket of snow on the ground. Oh…and it was still snowing, of course!
"What happened?" she practically cried out.
"Winter happened," Tink replied coldly. "And now, because of Mother Nature, we're stuck here."
"Stuck? Here? What?"
"The airports are closed! They cancelled all the flights coming to and going from Boston a little over an hour ago."
Regina looked skeptical until she focused on the newscaster on her television, currently relaying exactly what Tink had just said. "But. But. But, the airports will re-open, right?" she stammered out loud. "I mean it is the holidays, everyone is trying to get in or out of here!"
"But who knows when that will be," Tink replied.
"What are you saying?"
"They haven't closed the roads yet, actually, they've been plowing and cleaning even through the storm," Tink said.
She stares at her friend quizzically. "You want to drive to Florida?" Regina asked, skeptical.
Suddenly, three consecutive honks sounded loudly from outside; and Regina immediately grew suspicious as the sound brings Tink into action – the blonde (not at all looking surprised) and looking at Regina expectantly, a suspicious smile on her face.
"You haven't packed for Florida, have you?" the blonde asked slowly.
Regina closed her eyes momentarily, shaking her head quickly before looking at her friend – trying to decipher exactly what was going on. "Wait…is that car for us?" she asked, moving towards the window to take a peek, "Did you find someone to drive all the way down to Florida?"
"Not exactly Florida," Tink replied sheepishly. "Thinking a little more northern…"
"No…no. No! Tink! Please tell me you did not!" Regina practically screams as she sees her best friend's familiar four-wheel drive parked outside.
"I had to," Tink said, "It was our only option." The blonde gives her a hopeful smile, and adds, "Come on, a Locksley Christmas extravaganza doesn't sound half bad!"
December 18, 2015; 7:58 AM – Somewhere in New Hampshire, en route to Storybrooke, Maine
"I cannot believe this is happening," Regina muttered under her breath for the thousandth time that morning.
"What was that, darling?" her best friend asked from the driver's seat.
"Darling?" Regina replied with an arched eyebrow, her voice venomous.
"Yup, you heard right, buttercup. That was part of the deal!"
Regina turned her head so quickly, she was surprised she didn't get whip lash. She glares a Tink who was sitting (or lounging) in the backseat, "Katrina, would you care to explain?"
"Ooh, full name alert!"
"Hush you," Regina quickly snaps, smacking their driver in the thigh.
"Ow…don't injure the driver. Trying to concentrate here, Mills!"
"Then do me a favour and just drive. Mouth shut." She turns back towards Tink, "Go ahead, explain it to me, Blondie."
Tink sighed, giving her a sheepish smile, answering slowly, "He said we could go with him if you pretend to be his girlfriend for the duration of the trip."
"A fact you neglected to mention as you two all but whisked me away frantically to Storybook, Maine at five o'clock in the morning!" Regina cried out.
"It's Storybrooke."
"I thought I told you: mouth shut." She huffs, arms crossed at her chest, as she blurts out: "You know what! I don't care! I don't want to be a part of this." Exasperated, she turns to her best friend: "And whatever to your whole, we can just come down there with you for support, idea? Remember that one?"
He looks at her, eyebrows wiggling – tight-lipped.
"Speak, Locksley – or so help me!"
"You said mouth shut, Mills! I'm just doing the obedient boyfriend bit and following along," he quips. "And to answer your question: that was when my request was one sided and I had no leverage. Now, you need something from me and I need something from you." Smirking at her, he adds, "After all, Christmas is all about the spirit of giving."
"I'll give you something," Regina replied, "A fist to the mouth, I'll give you!"
"Woah! Dial down the hostility, Mills!"
She turns to him, "I thought we talked about this!"
"Things have changed," he replied, "Now, it's either your my loving, sweet, and caring girlfriend for the next two weeks or I will gladly drop you both off at the nearest bus stop and you can return home to blizzard-bonanza!"
"Hey," Tink cried out from the back, "Why are we a package deal? I want to go to Storybrooke!"
Regina snapped her fingers, "And there's your answer, Locksley! Tink wants to go and since this was her idea, she can be your pretend girlfriend!"
"But I have a boyfriend," Tink counters.
"Since when?" Regina questioned, again turning abruptly to face the blonde. "And who?"
"About two weeks, and his name is Killian," she states. "Killian Jones."
Regina frowns, her brain processing the information. Then suddenly – Eureka!—she finally connects it. She fights the look of disgust that creeps up on her face as she voices out: "Do you mean the goth guy who works at the Tuck Shop shaped like a pirate ship?"
"It's his shop," Tink says, defensive. "And I will say this, he is the sweetest guy you will ever meet."
"And where is he this holiday season?"
"Actually, he was going to be visiting his brother in Portland," the blonde replies, "but it would seem the eldest Jones is not going to be docking this holiday season."
"So…we'll be picking up Mr. Jones along the way," her best friend jibes from the driver's seat. "As Ma always said, the more the merrier.
Regina takes a deep breath, coming to a decision, she states, "Fine, let's go get Mr. Jones."
"Yes!" Tink cheered.
Regina takes a moment to glare at her before adding, "Then you can drop the three of us to the nearest bus stop, Locksley!"
"No," Tink whined. "I don't want to be stuck in Boston. Remember last year? All the snow! No! Plus, we'd end up eating Chinese for Christmas. And I want a home-cooked meal!"
"I will make you a home-cooked meal," Regina replied easily. "With turkey and stuffing…and my apple pie!"
"Good luck getting out to go to the stores for any supplies. Meanwhile, when I spoke to my Ma this morning, she said Storybrooke has a fine layer of snow on the ground, just the right amount for a perfect white Christmas!"
"Oh, shut it, Locksley!" Regina said, her arms crossed as she pondered the situation further. She could see Tink's pouting face from the side-view mirror and she truly didn't want to disappoint any of her friends.
She supposed pretending wouldn't be that bad – they were best friends, after all. They were used to being around one another at all hours of the day and they hadn't killed each other in the eight years since they've met. There was just a bad feeling in her stomach that this would all blow up in their faces and just…she has this sickly feeling something awful was going to result from this. Ugh, when did she become such a Negative Nelly? Live a little, Regina!
Taking a deep breath, she declares icily: "Fine then, onwards to Storybrooke, darling." She hears Tink squeal happily in the back seat, as she turns towards her best friend, "But if you think I'm getting you a Christmas present this year or the next consecutive years, Locksley…"
"No presents ever – you're about to fill you quota, darling!"
"Keep your eyes on the road."
December 18, 2015; 3:40 PM – Storybrooke, Maine
"We're here! We're here," Tink cries out – rousing Regina from her slumber, just in time for her to spy the 'WELCOME TO STORYBROOKE' sign on the side of the road.
She blinks away the bleariness of her eyes and focuses. The road itself was quite picturesque actually, dotted by beautiful evergreen trees on either side. Snow was falling softly outside, large snowflakes landing on the windshield every second or so. So far, so good.
"I need to use the washroom," Tink voices suddenly.
"But you went at the gas station half an hour ago, love," an unfamiliar male's voice comes out from the back seat, causing Regina to turn quickly – her eyes meeting the sight of the 'goth pirate' sitting beside Tink.
"Hello, love," Killian drawls, smiling at Regina.
"Hi," she replies quickly, turning back to her seat before whispering to her best friend, "How long was I asleep?"
"For about seven hours," he replies, eyes not leaving the road. "I guess being angry really exhausts you. Can you imagine if you'd been evil? You'd just be asleep all the time…you'd never get anything done."
"What?" she hissed at him.
"I've been driving for the last seven hours, Regina," he snaps back. "And all I've had for company was the road and those two! Put yourself in my shoes. Let me have my musings."
She rolls her eyes and comments out loud, "We stopped for gas half an hour ago?" Regina questioned. "Did you all go and leave me asleep in the car?"
"Don't worry! We locked the doors," Tink replied.
"I hate you all," Regina said flatly.
"I still need to pee," Tink repeated.
"Alright, we'll stop by the diner in town. Granny there serves the best hot chocolate you'll ever have. And I think, it'd do us all some good to have a taste of that. Especially you, Mills!
"Oh, how kind of you," Regina replies curtly.
"How far is your house from the town?" Tink asked, as Regina spies the large evergreen trees making way for small buildings. "I mean to say," Tink continues, "how big is Storybrooke?"
"Not that big, but the house will be about a fifteen minute drive from town. It's off road, into the forest type. You'll see."
A few moments later, he stops the car – almost unceremoniously – and announces: "We're here!"
The four of them exit the vehicle as Regina takes in the surroundings, stretching her very cramped legs in the process.
The town consisted of a dozen or so buildings. She noticed a library under a clock tower – no doubt the Storybrookes's tallest structure – a pawnshop, an ice cream parlour, a gas station and car repair shop, and a few others. Everything a little town like this needed, she assumed.
She finally faced the establishment in front of her: 'GRANNY'S DINNER'. It looked quaint, just how she'd imagined a small town diner would look. And with all her musings, she's completely missed that her friends had already entered, leaving her alone on the sidewalk. She walked hurriedly in, pushing open the door and hearing a bell sound at her entrance.
Not seeing any of the three, she smiled politely at the other two patrons of the diner and made her way to the counter. A young woman, dressed entirely in red (and a lot more provocatively than Regina would have anticipated), greeted her, "Hello there! I'm Ruby! You must be part of Locksley's group…he ordered all of you a hot chocolate. Anything else I can get you?"
Regina paused, "Uhm…no. That sounds fine. But could you point me towards the bathroom?"
"Through that hallway and turn right," she replied curtly. "Your drink will be waiting when you come back."
"Thanks," Regina said, quickly making her way to follow Ruby's directions. But no more than two steps later, she was assaulted by the wild swinging of the kitchen door – almost slamming right into her had she not had the quick instinct to hold up both her hands.
"Oh," the man behind the door stammered, as soon as he felt the resistance. He steps out from behind the door, and continues "My apologies. I didn't know you were there."
Regina would've glared at the stranger if her focus were not on her quickly reddening palms. But she does say, "I think the whole point of the glass window on the door is so you can see if anyone is passing by before you open it so callously." Her hands were beginning to sting now, how strong was this guy? She continues, muttering, "And why does the door swing out?"
"You're right," the stranger said, "that was incredibly careless of me. And quite a travesty of architecture. I was in a hurry and didn't think anyone was there. Again, my apologies. What can I do to help? I'm really sorry."
"You said that already," Regina mumbled, rubbing her palms – which are now definitely red – finally looking up and seeing who exactly almost killed her with a door. What a way to go, she mused.
She paused, taking in the stranger in front of her: the man whose focus was now on her reddening palms. Still, she sees him: light brown hair with dark gold specks, stubble on his cheek, muscular build…oh my. And why does he seem so familiar?
"Please," he said, taking her hands carefully in his (oh, how soft) – before she could protest, "I can accompany you to the hospital get your hands looked at. Or perhaps, some ice will help with the swelling."
He looks up now, too, reaching into his jacket pocket but ended up stumbling unsuccessfully as their eyes finally meet. Blue eyes lock on brown, and they just stare at one another. Now, where does she know him from?
"I…ah…I," the stranger stammers out, "I can bring you to the hospital."
"You said that already," she repeated, still very much aware of their connected hands.
"I did," he agrees, staring at her.
A beat. And Regina finally clears her throat, pulling her hands away from the stranger's touch, and gives him a tight-lipped smile.
He also seems to come to his senses, and says, "The hospital! Let's go. Don't worry. I know the doctor and he's quite great."
He squeezes past her to take the lead out of the diner, beckoning for her to follow.
"Have we…have we met before?" Regina stutters before she could stop herself, her mind unwilling drop the subject of this stranger's familiarity.
He turns back around, his blue eyes shining, a soft smile on his face. Of course he has dimples!
And then it clicked!
She continues staring at him as he answers her, still with that smile, "I doubt I'd ever forget meeting you."
"Robin!"
Regina watches as the stranger looks up to meet the sudden cry; and she nods to herself, his identity now crystal clear.
She shakes her head, mentally kicking herself for not allowing it to click sooner.
He was Daniel's older brother, of course.
A/N: I imagined Storybrooke to be right around where Winterville, Maine is located - just to add to the holiday illusion. Thanks for reading! Hope your excited for the continuation of the story!