The first guests to arrive were the dwarves, dressed in a variety of attire, from the very festive Happy decked in red and green to Grumpy, who was wearing his usual attire. When Snow teased him about it, he merely replied, "What? I washed it," as if that was all that should be required. More guests quickly followed, including Red and her grandmother, Red without her iconic cape, as Wolf's Time had just finished the previous night. Her eyes still sparkled with post-transformation excitement, as they always did now that she had mastered her identity and gained her freedom, making her look even more splendid in her gold-trimmed dark green gown. Close friends, like their dear friend and first wedding officiate Lancelot, continued to arrive over the next 30 minutes, all greeting their new leaders with warmth and affection.

When the last guest had arrived, Snow and Charming led their guests into the dining room, where a sumptuous feast awaited. The staff had outdone themselves, and the sideboard was loaded with delicious-looking dishes from around the kingdom. Charming and Snow seated themselves at opposite ends of the table. After their guests had all taken their places, Charming stood and raised his goblet. "Before we begin, I would like to say a few words. On behalf of my wife and myself, we would like to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Without all of your dedication and support over these past few months, we would not be sitting down to enjoy this amazing meal. As you all know, there were many obstacles to taking back the kingdom, obstacles that we faced and overcame together. You all made tremendous sacrifices with courage and an indomitable spirit, and the faith and trust you had and continue to have in us is overwhelming and inspiring. Snow and I cannot even begin to repay the enormous debt we owe you, but we intend to try, by leading this kingdom with fairness and compassion in a manner deserving of your faith and trust, fulfilling not only your expectations, but your hopes and dreams. This kingdom and the people in it hold a special place in our hearts, which is why Snow and I were and will continue to be dedicated to protecting and serving this land and all its inhabitants.

"When Snow and I were just beginning our campaign and our lives together, I once told her that we would take back the kingdom, and we would do it as a family. Well, at the time, I had no idea just how fortunate we were to have such a large family. All of you gathered here today are very dear members of what has become a wonderful family. Since Christmas is a time to spend with the people you love, we can think of no greater group of people to spend tonight with than all of you. So without further ado, merry Christmas, and bon appétit!"

Everyone around the table raised their glasses and clinked them against their neighbors, with big smiles and cheerful "merry Christmases", as the staff began bringing over plates full of food and serving the guests. Snow raised her goblet and lightly tapped it against those of her neighbors. Lancelot, on her left, gave her a slightly quizzical look as their glasses touched, but Snow was distracted by a question from Prince Thomas on her right and wasn't able to question his expression. She was worried he might be onto her secret, since she had instructed the staff to secretly fill her goblet with water instead of wine tonight. It was a solid metallic cup, so she didn't know how Lancelot would have seen its contents, but she couldn't think of another explanation for his look. Snow wanted to be inconspicuous tonight, so she could tell Charming herself, in private, in her own way, rather than having her secret accidentally discovered and shared due to her beverage choice. Luckily, it was Lancelot, a man Snow knew she could trust to keep a secret. After all, he was the only person other than herself that knew the child she carried would be a girl, and she knew he would never share that knowledge with anyone.

At the other end of the table, Charming laughed at something Grumpy said, and Snow's heart did a little flip in her chest. She loved seeing Charming so carefree and happy, so uninhibited and unburdened. Moments like this one had been few and far between until a few months ago, so Snow never took them for granted. If there was a curse coming, Snow hoped she could store these mental memories of this happy time, these little snapshots of joy and love, and call on them to give her strength to get through whatever lay ahead. Regina may be powerful, but true love conquered all, and Snow hoped that it could pull them through this curse as it had all their other obstacles in the past.

But there she went, thinking of the curse again. Her face must have reflected her heavy thoughts, for Lancelot gave her a gentle nudge from the left. "Everything okay?" he asked quietly.

"Yes, of course. Lost in thought for a moment, that's all," she said with a smile.

Lancelot looked at her for a moment as if deciding whether to press it, then nodded. "Happens to the best of us," he replied with one of his unexpectedly sweet smiles, so at odds with his fearsome reputation.

A staff member approached with a tray of food, interrupting any further conversation on the topic. As the staff member served them large helpings of meats and vegetables, Snow looked down the table at her husband again. This time, he caught her eye and smiled, then raised his glass to her. She smiled back and raised hers in reply. Then, in a moment reminiscent of their first wedding ceremony, they both took a sip from their goblets while maintaining eye contact with one another, before returning to their attention to their nearby companions.

As anticipated, the meal was delicious, with every dish prepared perfectly. The staff had really outdone themselves, and she and Charming would really have to insist that they take more time off than just Christmas day tomorrow. A bigger Christmas bonus might not be unreasonable either. She would have to talk to Charming about it, but if anything, he was more generous than she, so she didn't anticipate there being any problem.

Since everyone was quite full, they lingered at the table talking after their meal, to give themselves time to digest before the dancing. After a short while, Charming excused himself from conversation with his dinner companions and walked to the other end of the table, where his wife sat. He extended his hand to her, and she stood and placed her fingers in his. The two walked into the adjoining ballroom, which twinkled and glowed with the lights of candles glistening off the decorations, just as Snow had imagined it would. As they entered the room, the musicians quickly struck up a melody. Charming and Snow moved to the center of the floor and faced one another. With his free hand on the small of her back and her fingers resting on his shoulder, Charming led Snow around the floor in a smooth and graceful waltz. Though their guests began filtering into the room, they never broke eye contact. Other couples began joining them on the floor as the band moved seamlessly from one song to the next.

After the third song in a row, Snow smiled at Charming. "I think it would be polite if we danced with a few of our guests," she suggested.

"I suppose it would," he replied, reluctantly stepping away from her. Lifting their joined hands to his lips, he pressed a gentle kiss against the back of her hand. "Until later, my darling," he said, before giving her a wink and heading across the floor toward Granny.

Snow smiled to herself as Charming coaxed the older woman onto the floor with him. He really was quite the charmer.

"May I have this dance?" said a voice from behind her.

Snow turned and stepped into Lancelot's arms. "Of course you may," she said.

They moved around the floor silently for a few steps, before Lancelot said, "You and your husband seem very happy together."

Snow looked over at her husband, cheerfully chatting away with a grinning Granny while he whisked her around the floor. "We are indeed. Thanks in large part to you," she added.

Lancelot shook his head. "I did nothing," he replied. "What you two have is true love, and whether I had been involved in your life or not, you would both be just as blissfully happy as you are right now."

"That's not true," she said. "Without you, our dreams of having a child would be completely destroyed. Now, thanks to you…" she began, then abruptly halted before blurting out her secret.

Lancelot gave her a knowing grin. "He doesn't know yet, does he?"

"Know what?" Snow asked innocently.

Lancelot lowered his voice. "That you're pregnant," he replied.

"Shh," she whispered, letting him lead her off the dance floor to a more private area. When they were safely tucked behind a column, out of sight and hopefully out of earshot of any other guest, Snow continued. "No, he doesn't know yet. I plan on telling him tonight."

"That will be a nice Christmas present," Lancelot responded with a wide smile. "You and your husband are going to be wonderful parents. Your little girl is very lucky."

"You're pregnant with a daughter?" Red said excitedly, ducking her head around the column.

"Shhhhh," Snow hissed, pulling Red behind the column with them. "What are you doing over here? I thought we were alone."

Red shrugged. "I saw you and Lancelot duck behind here, and I was curious, so I came to eavesdrop." Then her face lit up again. "You're pregnant?!" she whispered excitedly, her eyes gleaming.

"Yes," Snow answered. "But Charming doesn't know yet, and I don't want him to find out this way, so you have to be quiet!" she whispered urgently.

"I will, I will," Red replied. "But this is so exciting! You're going to have a little girl!" she said, slightly bouncing up and down.

Snow wanted to repeat her warning to stay quiet, but she was too excited. A beam broke out on her face. "I know. I'm going to have a daughter!" she said, her face glowing.

Red let out a quiet squeal, and the two women hugged each other tightly. Red excitedly began peppering Snow with questions. "How far along are you? How long have you known? When are you going to tell Charming?"

Lancelot cleared his throat quietly. "Sorry to interrupt, but if we stay hiding back here much longer, we're going to attract more curious onlookers. We should probably rejoin the rest of the party."

Snow nodded and gave Lancelot a smile of gratitude. She knew she could trust him to keep her secret. Giving a final look of warning to Red, Snow explained, "I don't plan on telling Charming that we're having a girl. I want it to be a surprise until the baby's born."

"Understood. My lips are sealed," Red said, mimicking a locking motion with her hands by her lips. Then she smiled and gave Snow another quick hug. "Congratulations again!" she whispered in her ear. "You're going to be a fantastic mother."

With a quick sniff and a dab at the tears in her eyes, Snow gave her two dear friends a tender smile and stepped out from behind the pillar to rejoin the party.