"Oh, very mature, Miss Swan!" Regina snapped when she opened up her present from Emma.
"What is it?" Mary-Margaret asked, and took a closer look. Her eyes widened when she saw her Disney counterpart on the blanket. The Disney princess was flocking in a meadow with her Prince Charming with bluebirds and the seven dwarves in the background. "Emma!"
Her daughter was giggling in the corner with Henry and Killian. Elsa was gracefully trying to stifle her laughter with her hands.
Regina stalked over to the tree, and picked up a present. She flung it at Emma roughly. "I hope you enjoy."
Emma warily took the gift. She was afraid to open it. She carefully, slowly undid the wrapping paper, like she was disabling a bomb. Regina had given her a pink pillow shaped like a crown. It had the word 'princess' bedazzled across it. She smiled falsely at her son's other mother. "I love it, Regina, thank you."
"Princess Emma," Elsa cooed. "Cute."
Emma gently bumped Elsa with her shoulder. "It's just Emma."
"And I'm just Elsa," she replied, with a smirk.
Emma rolled her eyes, and passed a gift over to Killian. "Here. From me."
He easily ripped the paper off with his hook. Inside was a small flask, already filled with his drink of choice. "Ah, you know me so well, Emma."
"I had it engraved, look." Emma pointed to the flask.
"'Captain Killian Jones'," he read. "Thanks, Emma."
He went to give her a kiss, but she stealthily moved at the last second so all he got was her cheek. He pulled back with a slightly sour look.
"Now, Elsa's turn." Emma produced a small box, and handed it to her friend. "Merry Christmas, Els."
"Merry Christmas, Emma. I hope it's nicer than Henry's gift." Elsa motioned to the book beside her entitled 'Winter for Dummies'. He joked, saying she could use it to give them a nicer Winter with more snow next year. She smiled at his words, elated that he wanted her there next year.
She carefully opened the small box. She let out a small gasp. "Oh Emma, it's beautiful!" Elsa removed a small metal bracelet that had engraved snowflakes. She flipped the bracelet over, where there was a series of numbers on the back, too big to be accidental. "What does this mean?"
"It's the longitude and latitude of Storeybrooke. It basically tells you the where in the world we are." Emma took the bracelet from her, and clasped it around Elsa's small wrist. "Now if you come back, you won't get lost. You'll be able to find me."
"I will always find you," Elsa whispered. Emma felt shivers as her friend unknowingly repeated her parent's famous saying. She wrapped Elsa in a hug.
"Thank you, Em," Elsa said.
"You're welcome." I love you.
The members of the family took turns opening up the rest of the presents. Emma felt anxious as the minutes ticked by, and Elsa still hadn't produced a gift for her. She knew she was hard to buy for. That was apparent by the stack of presents beside her.
Henry had given her a coffee mug with a heart on it. Her parents had given her a movie she already owned. Killian made her a seashell necklace. She accidentally forgot to give him money to get presents for everybody. Oops.
Henry jumped on her to give her a hug, after he opened her gift. "Thanks Mom! I can't wait to beat you!" He stared at the video game in his lap, already antsy to go play.
Emma watched as her mom opened her gift from her dad. She started sobbing when she opened up her new locket. Inside was a picture of Emma, Neal, and Henry.
Emma couldn't help but feel a little gooey as he clasped the necklace at the nape of her neck. Sometimes, the love of her parents was super embarrassing, but others it was incredibly sweet. Today was the latter.
Even Regina and Robin looked more endearing than annoying today. It seemed they had conveniently forgotten Marian, who still lay frozen in the mayor's office. She had given him a cellphone, and he had given her a necklace with a big hunk of ruby that settled perfectly in the hollow of her throat. Emma raised her eyebrow at the jewel. Where in the world did Robin get the money for that?
Roland had finally finished unwrapping his last present. He had quite the stack of new toys beside him. Obviously, he was going to be very spoiled by Regina.
"We have one last one, right Elsa?" Henry asked the Ice Queen.
She smiled eagerly at Emma's son, and held out a hand. A small, black box magically appeared in the palm of her hand. She passed it to Emma, who widened her eyes in surprise.
"Don't open it yet," Elsa instructed.
"You're not proposing to my girl, are you, Elsa?" Killian joked, but there was a thin edge of unease in his voice.
Elsa flipped her braid over her shoulder, with an annoyed look. It mirrored the one that crossed Emma's face. "Of course not, Killian. Henry, if you could get the lights for me, please."
Henry ran over to the light switch, and sent the room into total darkness
Emma was starting to get nervous. Elsa's voice came from the dark, sounding closer than it did before. "You can open it now, Emma."
Emma took a deep breath, and flipped open the lid of the box. Instantly, a strong ray of light burst from inside to shine on the ceiling. Everyone in the room gasped in unison.
Colors danced on the ceiling. There were pinks, yellows, and greens. They twinkled and flashed and waved. Small pinpricks of white light sparkled on the edges.
Elsa had given Emma the northern lights in a starry sky.
"Elsa…" Emma breathed, never tearing her eyes away from the light above. "I don't even know what to say."
"The northern lights are pretty common in Arendelle," the queen explained. "But these are special lights. This is the exact sky that I had on the night of my coronation. When I finally accepted who I was. It was one of the best nights of my life, and I wanted to show it to you."
Emma felt the prickle of tears on the back of her eyes. "It's beautiful."
A soft hand clasped hers. "You always have a home in Arendelle. With me."
Emma gently placed the box down, and felt for Elsa in the dark. She brought her close, kissing her cheek. "Thank you, Elsa. I love it." And you.
Whenever Emma loved someone, she always seemed to be the last to know. She hated to admit she loved someone, even to herself. But loving Elsa was easy. It was like breathing. It was automatic, but almost unnoticeable. Elsa was the oxygen in her lungs. She needed her.
"I love you, Emma," Elsa whispered in her ear.
Emma closed her eyes tight, letting out a few tears. She whispered back, almost silently, but enough so only Elsa could hear her.
"I love you, Elsa."
AN: One more day left! Thanks for reading!
