A/N: Thank you guys so much for your continued support for this story. I've enjoyed your reviews, and your comments will be addressed in future chapters. I'm planning to finish this story before the end of the year, so I hope you continue to read.
Mulan made her way through the main street of Storybrooke. It had been only three weeks since she and Aurora had found themselves in this strange town with Emma and Snow White after their battle with Cora and Hook. She was just starting to find her way around the town. Her days usually involved working with Emma at the Sheriff's station, visiting Aurora and Belle at the library, having dinner at Granny's, and spending the evening in her room at Granny's Bed and Breakfast, though Aurora often came over from her room to talk.
After everything that had happened in the forest, Mulan was happy that she had Aurora here with her. She had gained a newfound respect for her on their adventure, and now she felt something more for the princess. She started to notice how beautiful she was, especially when she smiled, how adorable her laugh was, and how happy it made her feel to see her happy. She recently began feeling an overwhelming feeling to kiss her, but she remembered that Aurora loved Phillip in a way that she could never love her.
She reached the door of the library and put a smile on her face despite her sadness. She opened the door and found Belle sitting at the front desk, reading a red book. She looked up at the sound of the door and grinned when she saw Mulan standing there. She got up and pulled her friend into a hug.
"Hello, Mulan." Mulan nodded at her and then looked around the library for Aurora, but didn't see her.
"Is Aurora here?" Belle shook her head.
"You just missed her. I sent her on some errands," she gestured at the empty table to the side of the desk, "We can catch up until she gets back." Mulan sat in one of the chairs while Belle sat in the other. With all of the craziness of the Christmas season, they hadn't gotten a chance to talk recently. Belle broke the silence.
"So, how are things at the Sheriff's station?"
"They're good. Not very eventful, other than we found some strange wooden man in the woods earlier today. Emma seemed to know who he was though, we took him to the hospital and then I left to come here. How are things at the library?"
"Rather quiet today. Nobody really comes to read on Christmas. We didn't get anyone but Ruby…and you of course. The usual visitors," Belle leaned back in her chair, "I've been reading all about this Christmas holiday. There are some very interesting traditions, but Ruby says that every family has their own traditions. Of course, I'm sure Christmas at the diner is going to be great, don't you think? To spend it with friends and loved ones." She saw Mulan stiffen at the mention of loved ones. She looked at her curiously, a look of realization dawned on her. "Have you told her how you feel?"
Mulan looked down, tracing a pattern on the table. "I can't," she mumbled, "She loves Phillip." Belle contemplated this.
"I've seen the way her face lights up when you come and visit her. It's kind of how Ruby looks at me."
Mulan looked up at her. "You really think so?" She didn't want to get her hopes up too high.
Belle smiled at her. "I do. You should tell her how you feel at the party tonight."
"I'll think about it." At that moment, Aurora reentered the library, clutching a bag. She looked over and saw Belle and Mulan talking. As Belle had predicted, her face lit up at the sight of Mulan. She ran over and threw her arms around her. Mulan cautiously returned the hug. The three of them sat at the table and discussed their plans for the holiday. Belle looked between Mulan and Aurora, a plan forming in her mind.
Emma walked up to Regina's door. Her experience with August today had stressed her out and she was looking forward to spending some time with Henry at the diner before going back to her mother's party. She knocked quietly, yet firmly on the door and waited for it to open. The door swung open to reveal Henry, who grinned at the sight of his mother. Regina came up behind him and smiled politely at Emma.
"Good afternoon Miss Swan. I trust that the situation was taken care of without incident?"
Emma nodded. "Yes, it was. Thanks for picking up Henry," she looked down at Henry, "Ready to go, kid?" Henry ran to grab his backpack. Emma returned to Regina.
"I hope you have a Merry Christmas Regina. Sorry about my mom. I can bring him over tomorrow afternoon so that you can spend some time with him." Regina nodded.
"I would like that. Merry Christmas to you too." Henry reappeared and she kissed him goodbye, winking at Henry. Henry winked back at her and waved goodbye to his mother. He left with Emma and they made their way to the diner.
Dr. Victor Whale made his way to the docks. The effects of the vodka hadn't done anything to numb his pain. He stood at the edge of the docks, ready to jump into the water below.
"What do you think you're doing?" Leroy was watching him, a bottle of eggnog in his hands. Victor turned around, glaring at the dwarf.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" Leroy made his way over to where Victor was standing. He grabbed Victor to prevent him from jumping. Victor struggled out of his grip, but his efforts were futile. For a dwarf, he was surprisingly strong. When Victor had stopped struggling, Leroy let go and sat at the edge of the dock and gestured for Victor to do the same.
"I know the holidays suck, but it doesn't mean you have to kill yourself." Leroy smiled at him. When Victor didn't answer, he nudged him. "What's bugging you, rough day at the hospital?"
Victor chuckled; he wished his problems were that simple. "No, it's just…" he paused to figure out how to phrase it, "I just need to forget, and it's not like anyone would miss me anyway."
Leroy frowned at him, "I would miss you. Don't you have any family here? Or a," he put his fingers into air quotes, "True love?"
Victor looked even more depressed at that. "No," he tried to change the subject, "What about you? Shouldn't you be at Snow White's party?"
Leroy shuddered thinking about Snow's earlier request; "Things are kind of crazy over there."
"I bet." They sat in silence for a while. Leroy passed Victor some of his eggnog. He reluctantly took it.
"At least you have people who love you. Why are you out here by yourself? I thought Christmas was supposed to be spent with loved ones or something?" Leroy looked at him. He wanted to spend Christmas with Astrid, but he didn't know whether she would want to see him. Still, the doctor was right, Christmas was about being with loved ones.
Leroy stood up. "You're right. There's somewhere I need to be," he helped Victor up, "I'm going to take you to the hospital, make you get there okay. Just promise that you won't try to kill yourself. I'll check on you later. Okay?"
Victor nodded. He liked Leroy's company, but he didn't want to get in his way. "Alright. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas," Leroy started to lead Victor back to the hospital.
The diner was relatively packed, the citizens of Storybrooke looking to get their last meal at the diner in before it closed for Christmas tomorrow. Emma and Henry found their way to one of the empty booths and slid in. Ruby came over, grinning down at the two of them.
"Let me guess, hot chocolate with cinnamon for each of you."
"Yes please," Henry sat up straighter in his seat. Ruby walked to the kitchen to place their order, wishing that she could stay and talk to Emma and forget about the others in the diner.
Henry turned to Emma. "Do you think Mary Margaret and David are going to have good food at the party?"
Emma chuckled. "Knowing Mary Margaret's extreme attention to detail with the entire party, they probably will." She let out an exasperated huff at what her mother would make her do in preparation for tonight when they got back to their house. Ruby brought over their hot chocolates, and Emma took a sip, enjoying the delicious flavors of the chocolate, whipped cream, and cinnamon.
Henry took a big gulp of his hot chocolate, then replied, "If you get too stressed you can come over with me to Regina's. We're going to watch Christmas movies."
Emma put down her hot chocolate. "What are you talking about?"
"Regina asked me to sneak out after the party so that we could spend Christmas morning together. You could join us. It would be a lot of fun." Emma narrowed her eyes, she would be happy to let Henry spend the morning at Regina's, but she didn't like how she was making plans with Henry behind her back.
Henry looked curiously at Emma. "Are you okay?" Emma took a sip of her hot chocolate and smiled at her son.
"I'm great," she replied. She continued talking to Henry, deciding to simply discuss her plans with Regina later.