Swan-Mills Holidays

by gay.panic97

Okay, so this began as a simple, Halloween-themed oneshot written for a prompt, but it has since grown into more. Some Swan-Mills family holidays filled with fluff and crack. Enjoy!

2. Thanksgiving

A/N: So, I had some requests after the Halloween story to continue on with the rest of the holidays, which I've decided I will do. This is a direct continuation from the Halloween story wherein Emma and Regina have been dating since then. Since the previous story came after Halloween, I wanted to make sure and get this one in before Thanksgiving. So, here you are: SQ Thanksgiving as I imagine it.

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Regina stood outside the door of the Charming loft, gripping the covered plate in her hand. At her side, Henry held another dish as he waited for his mother to make a move. Any move, really. He'd have liked for her to blink-it would've reassured him that she was alright. As it were, though, she stood stalk-still in the hall, staring at the metal of the front door. He couldn't even be sure she was breathing.

"Mom?" Henry said softly, looking up at her. No answer. "Mom?" Nothing. "Mom!"

Regina jumped and turned her head down towards him. "Henry. Why on earth are you shouting at me?"

He rolled his eyes at her. "Because it's the only way to get your attention." He furrowed his brow at her in concern. "Are you okay?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because you've been acting weird all day long. Actually, all week long. Ever since Emma invited you here for Thanksgiving. Y'know, if you didn't want to come, you could've just said so. I would've had separate Thanksgivings with them and you if it's going to be that big an issue."

"No, it's not that," she shook her head quickly. "It has nothing to do with me not wanting to have Thanksgiving here." Well, maybe it did a little. "It's just that... Henry, you know how fragile things are. Things are still so fresh and new with me and Emma. It wasn't that long ago your grandparents were calling for my head on a platter along with the rest of town."

"Yeah, but we're all over that now," he shrugged at her as if it were nothing at all. "I mean, yeah, they still harbor some hard feelings, but it'll be fine. Emma protected you before, and she'll protect you now."

Regina smiled fondly. "Yes, she did, didn't she? Hopefully, tonight she'll have no cause to protect me, though. I promised both you and Emma that I'll be on my best behavior tonight, and I don't intend to break that promise. So, shall we?"

Henry nodded with a smile. "Yeah. I'm starved."

Regina went to knock on the door, but Henry moved in front of her and pushed it open without a second thought. She almost reprimanded him for it, but she supposed he'd been there enough that it was second nature for him just to enter on his own. The Charmings were his grandparents after all. So, sucking in a deep breath, Regina stepped inside the loft apartment.

The first thing she registered was the decorations. Her nose wrinkled slightly at all the turkey-and-pilgrim-themed decor. It seemed Snow had even exchanged her normal pillows and blankets on the living room furniture for autumn-themed replacements. A bit much, if you asked Regina.

"Hey, Gran and Gramps!" Henry exclaimed as he bounded forward with a mile-wide grin. Regina looked over to see David setting the table and Snow perusing about in the kitchen, checking her food in the oven.

"Hey there, Prince Henry," David smiled, pulling a mock bow for the boy. The two had grown especially close through their sword-fighting lessons and camping trips, which Regina was surprised to find she didn't mind very much. Perhaps she didn't think very much of the Shepherd, but he was good with Henry, and her son simply adored him. And it was nice to see Henry with a positive male role model. So, she really couldn't complain very much over it.

"Henry." Snow smiled when he ran into her arms. "So good to see you." Her dark green eyes fell on Regina, and that warmth and joy flickered to something hard and cold. Before, Regina might have fought back against that. She might've spat out something acerbic and cutting. There was a time when she would've set fire to the little nuisance for looking at her that way. Given the current circumstances, though, that wasn't the wisest course of action. There was a lot to consider and much more to lose now than ever. Henry. Emma. No, as much as it killed her, she had to pander to the spoiled brat. "Regina. Good of you to make it."

"Yes, well, Henry wanted it," Regina cleared her throat.

"And Emma, too," he grinned back at her.

She smiled. "Yes, and Emma, too." A glance back at Snow's twisted expressions, somewhere between disgust and fury, made her smile fall. "I, um, I brought the dishes Emma asked me to. Turkey and a pie."

"Not apple, I hope." Snow glowered at her.

Regina swallowed bile. "No. Cherry, actually. Emma said you were rather fond of that flavor."

Snow's brow furrowed. "Well... yes, I am. You can, um, set them on the table if you like."

"Of course." Regina moved to the table and set out her dishes carefully.

"Where is Emma?" Henry asked the question that was burning in his mother's mind.

"She'll be here soon," David replied. "She had to answer a call quickly. Apparently, the dwarves all decided to have Thanksgiving together. It only took a few beers before someone was getting hit with a baseball bat." He chuckled. "She's probably had fun with that situation. I told her I'd handle it, but she went on her rant about how she's the Sheriff, and it's her job to restore and maintain order in this town."

Snow smiled. "For all those lectures she gives, you'd think she'd grown up in the castle after all." Her eyes cut over to Regina, and her lips pulled downward. "But, of course, she didn't."

Oh, this was going to be a wonderful night.

They all heard the stomping of boots on the stairs outside before the door was kicked open exhaustively. Storming inside, Emma paced her way into the living room, phone to her ear. Her long hair fell down her back in waves as bright as sunshine, and she wore a maroon sweater with her signature tight jeans and boots. Around her shoulders was a leather jacket, although this one wasn't her red one. Thank God, Regina thought. That ratty thing was ready for retirement, though Emma wouldn't face it. No, this jacket was a different one. A new one. The black leather fit her well, much more fashionable than her others. Regina smiled. Emma had bought a new jacket. A black one. After Regina had told her only a week prior that she would look good in it. She'd listened to her. She'd cared enough to take her advice on it.

Well, that was something she hadn't expected when she made the suggestion.

"Look, is anyone hurt?" Emma barked into her phone in annoyance, not yet turning around to see the other occupants of the loft. "Is anyone in any kind of immediate or future jeopardy? Okay. No, no buts, Mrs. Higgins. I don't want to hear anymore. I don't care if your children are tearing your house apart-they are your children. You deal with it. Understood? Oh, yes, I'm sure I do sound like a dictator. Oh, wonderful. That's a wonderful thing to call someone on Thanksgiving. Yes, ma'am. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to enjoy the holiday with my family, alright? Yes, you, too. Bye." Ending the call, Emma threw her phone exasperatedly onto the sofa and groaned as she pushed her hair back out of her face. "Jesus fu-"

"Emma!" Snow interrupted immediately, and the blonde spun on her heel, eyes wide and cheeks pink at being caught. That blush only deepened when she saw Henry and Regina there as well.

"Oh, hey guys," she said, stuffing her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. A nervous tick that Regina had noticed over the past month or so. "What's up? Happy Thanksgiving."

"Happy Thanksgiving, Emma!" Henry launched himself at her, and she grinned widely as she scooped him up in her arms, lifting him totally off the ground in a hug.

"Hey, kid," she greeted him, pushing his hair back from his eyes. "Glad you and your mom could make it." Looking up from him, she smiled and winked at Regina, who walked slowly towards them. "Just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without the two of you." Standing up straight, she noticed how hesitant Regina was to come closer to her. Cutting her eyes over at her parents, she leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on her girlfriend's lips.

"Happy Thanksgiving," she murmured against full, red lips.

Regina smiled at her. "Happy Thanksgiving, dear."

Emma placed another kiss to her cheek and brushed her lips against her ear. "My parents haven't been too awful, have they? I tried to hurry and get here before you arrived so you wouldn't have to face them alone."

Smiling, Regina intertwined their hands together, cherishing every touch. "Everything's fine. I just hate that you had to tend to work today."

Emma shrugged. "Nothing big. Just had to break up some drunk dwarves and remind Mrs. Higgins that I have a family I'd like to be with just as everyone else does. I mean, I get it: she's got, like, five-hundred kids, and she doesn't know how to handle them. You'd think she'd be a little more grateful, though, that she doesn't live in a freaking shoe anymore." Then, Emma paused and looked over Regina as a smile quirked her lips. "Wow. I'm stupid."

"Why's that, dear?"

Emma narrowed her eyes at her to let her know that she noticed the brunette didn't disagree with her statement before continuing forward with a lopsided grin. "Because I'm standing here griping about an old lady in a shoe when I should be telling you how stunning you look right now." She took in the curves encased in the tight, dark purple dress before losing her breath at those deep brown eyes again. "You're gorgeous."

"Thank you, darling," Regina smiled at her. "You look rather delicious yourself." Emma's cool green eyes lit at the chosen adjective. Delicious? Maybe she could steal away to the Mills residence later that night and make the woman explain why exactly she used that very specific word. "I am especially fond of this." Her fingers glided over the soft sleeve of Emma's jacket. "Very nice."

The blonde offered a toothy grin. "Yeah, I know. After we had that discussion about how much you adore black leather, well, let's say I was inspired."

Regina hummed as her index finger drew circles over the sleeve again. "Well, here's hoping I can inspire you more often."

Emma laughed. "Come on, Regina. Let's get real." She threw her a cheeky wink. "You inspire me all the time."

Before Regina could clear out the affection clogging her throat to reply, the two were reminded that they weren't alone as they usually were when they saw each other. In fact, it dawned on them both then that since they'd decided to endeavor on this relationship together a month ago on Halloween, they hadn't been on a single public date yet. Strange, but it made sense to them. After all, they shared a son. Having dinner together with Henry at Regina's house was as good an excuse as any to spend time together-and if Emma just so happened to stay the night, well, that was all the better. In a town that expected Emma to be a faultless hero and Regina to be a hardhearted villain, it was easier to stay in their little bubble with Henry where there was only laughter and love and kisses and hugs. No expectations. No judgement. Just their family. Exactly what both women had spent the better part of their lives longing for.

"Emma." Snow cleared her throat, and Emma peered over Regina's shoulder at her mother. "Did you get the wine for me like I asked?"

"Sure did." Emma retrieved the paper bag she had discarded on the coffee table upon entering the apartment. "Let's see, we've got Pink Moscato for Mom. Chianti for Regina. Sparkling grape juice for Henry." She pulled each bottle out and placed them on the kitchen island before reaching the bottom. "And, for me and Dad, some lovely Guinness Draught." She lifted the two six-packs up.

David swallowed his daughter in a hug and planted a kiss on her forehead. "You really are the Savior."

"Damn straight-now get off of me." She shoved him away, chuckling as he took one of the six-packs and embraced it instead. "Weirdo."

"How did you know my favorite wine?" Regina questioned as she and Emma uncorked the bottles and filled everyone's glasses. "I never told you."

"Hey, I pay attention to things," the blonde shrugged. "I noticed you always drank it when I came over for dinner and archived the information for later use."

Regina smirked. "Since when are you so attentive about anything?"

"I know I'm pretty oblivious about most things, but there are certain things I like to be perceptive about."

"What things would that be?"

There was a sparkle in green eyes that made Regina's light, playful smirk falter. "The important ones." Leaning forward, Emma pressed a kiss to her cheek before handing Regina her glass. Then, she grabbed the other two glasses and handed Snow hers and Henry his.

"Mom?" Henry called from the dining table. "Aren't you coming?"

Regina blinked out of her daze and walked towards them. "Of course, dear."

At Snow's request, Emma sat beside her father and across from Henry, who Regina sat beside. Snow took the head of the table, between Emma and Henry. Regina noted with a sour look that she hoped she managed to conceal from the others that she and Emma had been placed as far apart as possible. Meddling Snow White trying to keep her away from the things that make her happy yet again. Despite the overbearing desire to lash out at the pixie-haired woman and hold tighter than ever to the people she cared for in the room, Regina swallowed her contempt and busied herself with her wine. This was Emma's mother, after all, and she did appear to be somewhat attached to her. So, Regina would manage.

When she caught a grin and wink shot her way from Emma, Regina smiled to herself. At least Snow's painfully obvious plan to distance the two didn't appear to be working on Emma.

"I was thinking we could go around the table and say what we're thankful for this year," Snow announced as she settled down. Of course you do. Regina struggled not to vocalize the annoyed thought and settled instead for an eye roll. "Considering this is our first Thanksgiving together."

"I think that sounds great, honey," David nodded. For a Shepherd, he certainly allowed his wife to herd him around like blind, dumb livestock. Regina's lip quirked upward at another thought that would've been nice to say aloud under different circumstances.

"Good, well, I'll start us off then." Snow smiled widely at three individuals at the table while totally ignoring the fourth. "I am so thankful for my family this year. My now complete family with my True Love, our beautiful daughter, and our wonderful grandson. This year, I've got more to be thankful for than ever before."

"Well said, sweetie," David nodded. "I'm also thankful for my family being reunited. I'm thankful for the beer Emma so graciously brought along." She grinned at him. While Snow and Regina both preferred fancy wines, Emma and David enjoyed a tall glass of stout. Or hard liquor, but that could've proven problematic with Henry there. "I'm grateful for mine and my family's health. Oh, and indoor plumbing. This world may not be home, but it does have its advantages." He nodded to Regina. "I suppose I've got you to thank for that."

Regina's mouth fell open in surprise, as did Snow's-though there was a considerable amount of anger in those dark green eyes. "Oh. Well, you're... um, you're welcome then."

"Did you just thank her for cursing us?" Snow demanded. "That is outrageous, David! She's the enemy!"

"Hey, take it easy there, warlord," Emma said. "How about you try and remember that today is Thanksgiving, alright?" There was something else in her eyes as well. Something she didn't voice. A threat.

Snow exhaled through her nose and settled back down in her chair. "Yes, of course. It's Thanksgiving." Then, she turned to the best tension-diffuser in the room. "Henry, how about you go next?"

"Sure," the boy nodded emphatically. "Well, I guess, this year I'm really thankful for the curse to be broken finally. I'm thankful for my new friends at school. And my new grandparents." He grinned widely. "And for my two moms who finally figured out that they like each other."

"What?" Regina asked, looking at him wide-eyed. "Henry, what do you mean finally?"

"Yeah, what's that about, kid?" Emma said as well, brow furrowed.

He laughed. "Come on, guys. I saw this coming a mile away. I mean, Emma was super obvious about it. Every time she got around Mom, she started stuttering, and she'd get all red in the face." As if on cue, Emma's cheeks turned a shade of crimson, and she sunk a bit in her chair. "Mom was a little harder to tell, but I figured it out every time she got all mad at Emma and told her off. Nobody ever got Mom that worked up before. I knew exactly what was going on. It was just torture waiting for you two to catch on."

"Well, you could've let me in on it before," Emma muttered. "Maybe then it wouldn't have taken so long." Regina snorted. "What? What are you laughing about over there?"

Regina gave her an amused look. "You honestly think you ever would've made the first move? No, dear. Even if Henry had told you, it still would've been up to me to act on it."

Emma's jaw dropped indignantly. "What? No way! If I'd known, I totally would've asked you out!"

"No, you wouldn't have. If it hadn't been for me, we still wouldn't be dating."

"Hey, that's not fair!"

Henry laughed as his mothers argued. These were the types of fights between them that he enjoyed. They weren't like the ones they'd had before. The ones where they had looked at each other like they wanted to turn the other to stone. The ones where they would almost, and one time did indeed come to blows. The fights they always had since becoming so close were much lighter. They were playful, and even when they were more serious, there was always compassion behind their words for each other. Care. Henry could think of another word for it, but he didn't want even to think it. He knew neither of his moms were ready for that one, and he didn't want to jinx it so soon. He just hoped it didn't take them another lifetime to figure this part out.

"Alright, fine," Emma sighed. "You're right. I probably wouldn't have had the nerve to ask you out even if Henry had told me what he noticed between us. Whatever. But you've got to admit that the reason I wouldn't have had the nerve is because you were super mean to me in order to hide how into me you were."

"I have to admit no such thing. I was 'super mean' to you because you mutilated my favorite apple tree."

"Yep. I bet you enjoyed watching that, too, didn't you? Me with the chainsaw going at your tree. I was wearing a tank top that day, wasn't I?" She grinned devilishly when Regina swallowed at the memory that, admittedly, she had enjoyed immensely under her rage. "Yeah, arms all exposed. Wind blowing my hair. Sweaty. Muscles flexing." She laughed at the glazed look that filled brown eyes. "Oh, yeah. You had to hide how much you liked me under veiled insults and attempted poisonings. Like a kindergartner pulling his crush's hair on the playground."

"Miss Swan," Regina huffed as she blushed, and Emma smiled again.

"Hey, don't be embarrassed. I think it's cute."

"Can we get back to the point of the evening?" Snow's voice came out higher than usual and strained. Her face was contorted into a plastic smile to cover up her discomfort at the very domestic moment of affection between the two. There was a crazed look in her eyes as she begged for relief. Emma raised her eyebrows as she took a drink of her beer, sharing an exasperated look with Regina who had to drop her chin to hide a grin. "Emma, honey, how about you go next?"

"Huh?" the blonde sputtered over her drink and sat up straighter. "Oh, my turn now, huh? Well, okay. You guys know I don't really do the sappy stuff, but I'll give it a shot. Yeah, so I guess this year I'm thankful for... a lot of things, actually." She pondered a moment before grinning at Henry. "I guess I'm most thankful for a ten-year-old twerp showing up on my doorstep in Boston to tell me he's my kid, and I've got to come back to some tiny town to break a curse." Henry stuck his tongue out at her at the "twerp" part, but he was still smiling. "Which, by the way, you ever do something like that again, and you'll have to deal with the combined wrath of two mothers. But I am pretty happy you were brave and smart enough to pull that off, because without that I wouldn't be where I am now. I wouldn't have all these amazing new experiences in life. Without you, Henry, I'd still be in alone in some apartment, maybe that one in Boston or maybe another one somewhere else, buying myself a sad cupcake and wishing myself another crummy birthday because no one else was around to do so. You changed everything for me. You brought me here against my will, and you convinced my unbelieving ass to open my eyes up to what was right in front of me the whole time. Because of you, I've got what I spent a very long time hoping for. A family. I've got parents. A son." Her eyes skimmed over to Regina, and she smiled at her. "And a girlfriend-the amazing woman who raised her son, our son to be the fantastic young man he is today. People I care for more than I can ever really express. So, I'm thankful for each and every one of you here at this table, and I'm thankful knowing that this family, unlike the others that breezed in and out of my life, won't abandon me. Because I won't let you. You're stuck with me now, got it?"

"We would never abandon you, sweetie," Snow said, blinking back tears and placing a hand on Emma's. "We love you."

David had a much more difficult time keeping his emotions in. He wound up letting out a loud sob and throwing his arms around his daughter.

"We love you so much, Emma!" he wept.

Emma scrunched her nose while the others all laughed. "Hey, Dad, come on. Jesus, man. Get a hold of yourself already. You're a grown man-this is just sad. See, this is exactly why I don't do sappy stuff."

"It's just so beautiful." David wiped at his eyes while Emma glared at him. "Sorry. Sorry. I'm good now." He punched his daughter's arm playfully. "Hey, cut me some slack. I was in a coma for twenty-eight years. I'm allowed to be a little emotional every now and again."

"Yeah, well, save it for your wife," Emma grumbled back. "Why don't you go find her like you always do and leave the sane people to dinner?"

"Does that mean we're ready to eat?" Henry piped in, eyeing the turkey like a hungry wolf.

"Almost, kid," Emma smiled before turning her gaze to the brunette beside him. "Regina, it's your turn."

"What?" Regina said. "My turn?"

"Yep," the blonde nodded adamantly. "If me and Henry have to do it, so do you."

Regina swallowed, circling a finger thoughtfully around the lip of her wine glass and staring at the tablecloth for a moment. There were so many things she could say. So many things she had to be thankful for. How could she possibly mention them all without going into a two-hour speech? Raising her head, she smiled softly. "I suppose what I'm most thankful for this year are second chances." And that really did seem to encompass it all. All the happiness she experienced this year, happiness that she had never dreamed of having before, stemmed from a second chance given to her. A second chance with Henry. A second chance with Emma. Hell, even a second chance with the town, though they weren't nearly as receptive of her as her girlfriend and son. But, of course, those people didn't matter to her. Not really. All she needed was Emma and Henry. She knew that, and she was beyond grateful to whatever force was guiding her life for bringing her to this point of bliss.

Emma beamed at her. "I think we're all very grateful for those. Now, we did the thing, and it's over. Let's eat!"

Regina made the turkey, and it was phenomenal according to everyone, including a begrudging Snow White. However, Snow did claim a small victory with the cranberry sauce, which Emma raved about for a good ten minutes. Regina tried not to let the smug look on her former enemy's face and how those forest green eyes flitted over to her with a smirk annoy her too very much. Brat.

"Okay, I think I'm going to die now." Emma slumped against her chair after cleaning off her fourth plate of the night. Her hands rested on her stomach, slightly bloated from the intense amount of eating she'd just done, and her finger drummed over the taut skin. "I'm miserable, but, God, I'm happy. That was delicious."

"Yeah," Henry sighed as he mimicked her pose, and Regina couldn't stop a smile at the two.

"Football time," David announced and was up from the table in a matter of seconds to turn the TV on.

"Let me clear the table," Snow said as she stood.

"I'll help you in a second, Mom," Emma groaned. "Just as soon as I regain the ability to move my extremities."

"Don't trouble yourself, dear," Regina smiled and stood to collect the plates along with Snow. "Just try not to pop a button for now."

"Hey, no fair," Emma threw back at her. "It's Thanksgiving. I'm allowed to gorge myself today, and you can't fat-shame me for it. Anyway, I wore my eating pants just for this occasion. So, I'm not popping any buttons."

"Me, too," Henry grinned lazily and pulled at the elastic waistband of his khakis. "I made Mom buy these because I knew she'd make me dress up, but they're stretchy, too."

Emma tapped her nose. "Bingo, kid. I've imparted you with so much wisdom already. It's crazy."

"You two hush and go watch football with Charming," Snow ordered. The two women moved into the kitchen to put the dishes in the sink and dishwasher while Emma and Henry continued to lean back at the table, eyes half-closed as they hummed contentedly.

In the kitchen, all that could be heard was the clatter of dishware mixed with the faint sounds of the football game on the TV. Snow and Regina worked in close quarters but managed not to make any sort of contact, physical or eye. There was a clear tension between them that neither was sure how to break.

"The turkey was very good," Snow finally said, startling the brunette beside her. Regina glanced over to see Snow scrubbing quite intently at a plate that appeared mostly clean. "I, uh, I'm glad you made it. I always manage to dry it out somehow."

"Thank you," Regina said after an uncertain pause. "Your mashed potatoes were good." A little bland, but she decided now was not the time for unprompted cooking advice. "And, though I don't eat it, Emma certainly seemed to enjoy that cranberry sauce."

Snow smiled gently at the mention of her daughter. "She enjoyed everything."

Regina laughed. "Yes, you're right about that."

There was another moment of silence, though it wasn't necessarily uncomfortable. Emma and Henry were always a good middle ground for the two, as their care for them seemed to be the only thing they had in common.

"Tonight was nice, wasn't it?" Snow finally said.

"Yes, it was."

"You think Emma really liked it?"

"Of course. She was practically moaning over all that food."

"Yes, but do you think she liked Thanksgiving with all of us?"

Regina furrowed her brow at the worried expression on Snow's face. "Yes, I do. Why do you ask?"

"Nothing."

"Snow, I can tell something's bothering you."

The dark-haired schoolteacher sighed, dropping her sponge in the sink and wiping her hands nervously on the towel over her shoulder. "It's just that I wanted this to be special. It's our first Thanksgiving as a family. Mine and David's first with our child. Her first with her parents. I wanted it to be a good one. I'm sure she's had plenty of not-so-good ones in the past. I guess... I just wanted to make up for some of that."

"I highly doubt one evening would make up for that," Regina sighed, "but I think you're going about it the right way." She tapped her finger on the counter a bit uncomfortably. "It's clear that she loves you and David very much. That's become more than apparent to me in the time she and I have spent growing closer. And you're both very good with her. Accepting. Understanding. Compassionate. You're patient, which is vital with her. She's been hurt a lot in her life, particularly by potential parents who turned her away. If there's one thing I've learned about Emma, it's that a relationship, whether it be friendship or otherwise, cannot be forced with her. She gets scared easily-it's a defense mechanism from her childhood, I think. Attachment has always ended in pain for her before." She smiled despite the sadness tightening her chest. "But your relationship with her seems to be progressing quite well, and that's something to appreciate."

"It is," Snow nodded before pursing her lips. "As does yours with her."

Regina wrung her hands, hating that she was nervous around this twit. "Yes, well, things are going rather well between us."

Snow looked her over a moment while Regina kept her attention trained stubbornly on the tile floor. "Do you really care about her, Regina?"

Brown eyes flickered up, and they were slightly offended at the question. "Yes. Of course, I do."

"You're not just using her to get to Henry?"

Regina's lip curled. "No. I would never deceive her or him that way. This... relationship between Emma and myself is real, Snow. I know it must come as a shock. It certainly did to me when I first realized how I felt about her. You have every right to be suspicious of me and to hate me, Snow. My track record with you and your family isn't exactly the best. But I hope you can come to find that my feelings for Emma are genuine, and my intentions with her are pure." God, she couldn't believe she was explaining to Snow her intentions with her daughter. What was this? 1955?

Snow stared at her a long moment, arms crossed, before she nodded. "You're right. I am suspicious of you. But Emma trusts you, and I trust her. And you do seem like you care about her. You smile more than ever before around her, and you get this look in your eyes when she's near that I know can't be faked. Just promise me something, Regina. I know there are things that you can't always control, but promise me that you won't ever intentionally hurt her. Because, though I can't understand it, she seems to be pretty head over heels for you. And if you were to break her heart, I don't know how she'd recover."

Regina's mouth fell open in awe. "You think she's... You think she feels that way about me?"

Snow smirked. "Wow. Henry was right. You two really are blind, aren't you?" Her expression darkened again. "Promise me, Regina."

"I promise, Snow. I would never, ever intentionally do anything to hurt Emma. Believe me, please."

"I do," Snow nodded. "For some reason, I believe you." They both jumped at the sound of David shouting at the TV in frustration. "I'd better go tend to that before he throws a shoe and breaks the flat screen." As she passed by, she stopped and placed a hand on Regina's shoulder, squeezing briefly. "I'm glad you came tonight, Regina."

Not waiting for a response from the shocked brunette, Snow exited the kitchen to calm an irate David down, and Regina was left gaping at the spot where she'd just stood, eyes wide and jaw hanging open.

"You're going to catch flies like that," Emma mused as she moved in behind Regina and slipped her arms around her waist. Her chin came to rest on her shoulder while Regina laid her hands over hers. "What's up?"

"Y-Your mother," Regina stammered.

Emma frowned. "Uh-oh. What'd she say? Do I need to go let her have it? Damn it, I told her not to do this. I thought it was going really nice earlier."

"Emma." Regina turned in her arms to face the blonde, her arms draping around her neck. "It wasn't anything bad. I... I think she just gave our relationship her blessing."

Emma raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Well, that's good. No more tip-toeing around her and Dad anymore. What a relief. It's been a pain not being able to kiss you like I want around them."

"Oh?" Regina said, arching an eyebrow. "And how is that?"

"Like this." Leaning forward with a smile, Emma kissed Regina slowly and passionately. Her tongue brushed against Regina's bottom lip, and when the brunette grinned, Emma nipped playfully at her lips.

"Hmm, it will be nice to be able to do that anywhere we like, regardless of company." She tucked a stray strand of Emma's wild curls behind her ear carefully. "Will you be spending the night at home with me tonight?"

Emma smiled. At home. That just sounded so right. "I thought about it. Would you want me?"

As an answer, Regina kissed her again, just as deeply as before. When she pulled back, she chuckled at Emma's flushed expression. "What do you think, dear?"

"Uh-huh, yep. So, I'm staying at yours tonight then." Regina laughed at Emma's dazed expression.

They stayed for the game as Emma and David finished their beers and argued over whether the Giants or Patriots would win. While she'd spent a lot of time in Boston, Emma had always been an avid fan of the Giants from her time spent in New York during the curse. David, however, was a dedicated New England man, praising the likes of Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski.

When the game ended, Emma took an extra five minutes to gloat at her father over New York's victory before scooping a sleeping Henry up in her arms.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow," she said softly as her parents kissed Henry's cheeks, and he let out a murmur of goodbyes to them. "Happy Thanksgiving."

"Happy Thanksgiving, sweetie." Snow hugged her as well as she could with Henry in her arms. "We love you."

"Love you guys, too," Emma said before giving her father a one-armed hug. "Better luck next time there, Dad."

He kissed her forehead before swatting the back of her head affectionately. "Shut up and get out of here, Emma." She stuck her tongue out at him. "Take care of her, Regina."

And there was a whole lot more to those words than was said. When Regina looked back at him, she saw that it wasn't just a casual goodbye. It was a request.

She cleared her throat and smiled. "I will. Goodnight, and happy Thanksgiving."

"Happy Thanksgiving."

When they got back to the Mills household, Emma carried the still-slumbering Henry inside and up the stairs to his room where she carefully laid him out in his bed. She even managed to stifle her swears when she stepped barefoot on a discarded Lego.

After he was tucked in, Regina and Emma moved back downstairs to the study and poured themselves out a couple glasses of cider.

"Well, I'd say Thanksgiving with my parents was a success," the blonde sighed as she and Regina settled on the love seat together. She kissed her girlfriend's cheek. "Thank you again for agreeing to come. It wouldn't have been complete without you."

"I'm glad I did," Regina confessed. "I think your parents are actually starting to warm up to me. And while I personally couldn't care less what they think of me, you do seem pretty fond of them. So, I suppose it is for the best of our relationship that I win them over.'

Emma grinned. "Well, I knew you would. I mean, once someone gets to know you, it's impossible for them not to like you." She paused, her fingers dragging up and down Regina's forearm absently. "I'm really happy they approve. I mean, I know I try and play it off, but it does mean a lot to me to finally have my parents in my life. And it would be really hard to keep up my relationship with them if they didn't like my girlfriend." Regina chewed on her lower lip. What Emma wasn't saying was that if Snow and David hadn't come to like her, Emma would've broken up with her. She knew that. She understood it. After all, why on earth would Emma ever pick her over- "And it would've sucked to have to tell my parents to fuck off after just getting them back."

Regina's jaw dropped, and she looked up at Emma in shock. "You would've chosen me over your parents?"

The blonde shrugged. "Well, yeah. I mean, I love them both, but you and Henry are my family. This right here-this is where I'm happiest. Where I feel like I belong." Her cheeks reddened. "Regina, I know we haven't really discussed it thoroughly, and this whole thing has been a little bit of a whirlwind, but I hope you know that I'm all in with us. A hundred percent. This isn't just a fling for me."

Regina smiled warmly. "Me either."

"Good." Emma kissed her again. "Glad we're on the same page, then." She glanced up at the clock on the wall, and her eyes brightened. "Hey, check it out. It's midnight. You know what that means?"

Regina furrowed her brow. "It's no longer Thanksgiving."

"That's right. As of right now, it is Thanksgiving twenty-third. The day after Thanksgiving. Do you know what that means, Madame Mayor?" As Regina shook her head, Emma whipped out her phone, tapped away on the screen for a few seconds, careful to keep it out of Regina's field of sight, before flashing a big grin at her. "It means it's time to get in the Christmas spirit." With a tap on the phone screen, Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas" began to play, and Emma, with an open-mouthed grin and eyes lit up more than an actual Christmas tree, bobbed her head back and forth to the song. Regina had to laugh, throwing her head back and laughing so hard she actually snorted.

"Oh my God," she sighed as she wiped at the corners of her eyes. "You're an idiot, Emma. A really adorable idiot. And turn that off-Christmas is still a month and two days away."

"Close enough, woman!" Jumping up, Emma pulled Regina up as well as she pocketed the phone. "You want to know how I'd really like to officially enter the Christmas season?"

There was a scratchiness to her voice and a glaze over eyes that made Regina smile and arch her brow. "I think I could guess."

"I made a purchase, y'know." Emma bit her bottom lip and waggled her eyebrows dramatically. "Elf suit. With very little suit to it, if you know what I mean." Regina's lips curled upward even more as her hands rested on Emma's hips. "And, y'know, it may include mistletoe."

Moving in, Regina kissed her neck. "Hmm. Oh yeah?"

"Yep. Where should I hang it?" Emma held an arm over her head. "Right here maybe?" Her arm moved over her breasts. "Oh, no. Maybe here?" And then she dropped her hand to her navel right over her waistline with a devilish smirk. "Or maybe here? Maybe that would be better suited for where you want to put those lips of yours?"

Regina's eyes widened and slid back up to Emma, whose entire chest reddened at the hungry look in them. "Oh, you are a tease, aren't you, Miss Swan?"

Emma laughed. "Maybe. But I always follow through."

Regina, her arms still locked around Emma's waist, jerked her closer to her, her hips already grinding against the blonde's, and let out an almost feral growl, "Bedroom. Now. I'll pick up down here. You find that elf suit."

"Ma'am, yes ma'am." Emma pulled a goofy salute before pecking Regina's lips once more and fumbling her way upstairs to Regina's bedroom.

Chuckling to herself, Regina carried their empty glass tumblers to the sink and rinsed them out before cutting off the lights downstairs. It took every ounce of restraint in her not to race up the stairs as Emma had done, but she took them slowly and silently. Her bedroom door was closed, and she could hear Emma's whispered curses as she got dressed-or, Regina hoped, undressed-and knocked into every piece of furniture in the room. Smiling to herself, the brunette leaned against the door for a moment and hugged her own waist.

This was it. This was her happy ending. She knew it. She could feel it. This was where she was meant to be. In this home with Henry and Emma, her True Loves. As always, this epiphany was accompanied by a strong sense of anxiety. The fear of another loss. But then Emma's words, so often whispered softly to her in her most insecure moments, echoed back through her mind. Stop worrying. We aren't going anywhere. We won't leave you, Regina. Ever. If I ever don't come home to you or return your calls, you have the right to assume that I've been kidnapped, because all I want to do all day every day is see you. Be with you. Talk to you. You're a pretty big distraction at work. Every single day, I'm an excited, nervous wreck until I finally get to see you. You don't have to be afraid anymore, Regina. Never again. No one is going to take me or Henry from you. Not my parents. Not the town. Not your mother. No one. I won't let them.

A warmth erupted in her chest, and she smiled wider. It was the first time in her life someone had pledged themselves to her. The first time someone had been so unashamedly open with her. Not even Daniel had bared himself in such a way to her. Who would've ever thought? Emma, the Savior of town, had taken out her own heart and placed it in the Evil Queen's hands. She trusted her that much. Emma-the former orphan with more trust and abandonment issues than she could count-trusted her. And Regina would do everything in her power to ensure that she never broke that trust. It was far too valuable.

"Regina, you out there?" Emma hissed through the door.

"Yes, dear."

"Well, could you come in? These straps are weird, and I may or may not have origami-ed myself."

Chuckling, Regina stood up straight and turned the doorknob. Yes, this was exactly where she belonged.