Merry Christmas SwanQueen fandom! This one doesn't include their children, it takes place during Emma and Regina's first Christmas together in this verse.

It had been two months since Emma's team had taken on a case in a little town of Storybrooke, Maine. Two months since she had met the mayor said town, Regina Mills. The case itself had taken over a month to tackle and after, the agent had taken some leave to spend more time with the woman she had found herself falling for. But as the year was drawing to a close, she knew that she would have to be returning to her job …

Unless she just didn't.

The FBI life had been exciting, more than she had ever imagined. Yes, it was often sad and made her even more aware of the creeps that there were in the world. But there was travel and she felt like she was really making a difference. She missed her parents, though she just visited them when she could. She never had a reason to really want to leave. Until she met that raven-haired beauty.

The sheriff of the station was retiring. He was looking for a replacement and his deputy, Graham, just wasn't ready for that type of responsibility yet. Emma wanted it and had interviewed for it, without her girlfriend's knowledge. She had a Christmas surprise in store.

"When are you going to tell her?" Mary Margaret asked. When Emma first arrived, she and the team had started staying at the little bed and breakfast over the diner. Once the mission was over, the nice school teacher whom the blonde had befriended offered to let her stay indefinitely with her husband. She said there was no sense in her spending the money. The couple was so nice, they refused her paying rent. Emma had never met someone so kind, but accepted the generosity. It meant she could spend more time with Regina.

"Christmas Day. I won't be starting the job until after the New Year."

Mary Margaret beamed. "It's just so romantic. You're moving here…for her."

"I…I love her."

Yes, Emma Swan was in love. She had never said those words about anyone before. She wasn't a nun, she had dated. But never before had she truly been in love. Her brain hadn't allowed her to. But now it was like her heart had beaten the other organ up with a bat and shouted "Shut up! Don't screw this up!"

"When does she think you're going back?" David asked.

"After the New Year. Little does she know I have a loft and everything planned out."

"You know you could just keep staying with us."

Emma gave them a kind smile. "I appreciate how great you two have been, but it's time I got my own place." She knew they were trying for a baby and they'd need that spare room for a nursery.

"At least promise you'll spend Christmas Eve with us," Mary Margaret pleaded.

"Of course! Regina's coming too."

Meanwhile, the mayor sat in her office, her mind not on the paperwork before her, but instead on the pretty blonde she had met. Emma Swan had been the person she had allowed herself to love after losing Daniel. There was just something about the spitfire of a FBI agent. She was a match for Regina, something she hadn't expected. The past two months had been amazing. Dinners, dancing, Emma had even accompanied her to some of the stuffy government events she was forced to attend. She did it with no protest and managed to make Regina laugh the whole time.

And she was leaving. She had to return to D.C, she had a job. They had said they'd do the whole long distance thing, but she knew it wasn't meant to be. They'd be broken up within months. And she'd go back to her life, filled only with paperwork, meetings and running a small town. As sad as it made her, she knew it was for the best. Regina had been raised here. Emma had grown up in Boston, a big town. She was meant for big things, she was born to be a free butterfly out in the world.

Her assistant's voice came over the intercom. "Madam Mayor, your father is calling on line one."

Regina wiped the few tears that had dared to stray from her eyes. "Thank you, Sidney." She picked up her phone, doing her best to keep her voice clear. "Hi Daddy."

"Regina." His voice filled her ears like warm water. "How are you, sweetheart?"

"Just fine, how are you feeling? How is your new nurse? Is she giving you your medications…"

"I'm doing just fine, Blue is handling me better than ever," Henry replied, chuckling. His daughter always worried too much in his mind. Regina thought he didn't worry enough. They were all each other had after her mother and he divorced when she was a teenager. Henry had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few months prior. He wouldn't live past the spring, they both knew this, not that they talked about it much. But he wasn't about to spend his final months in the hospital or even in his daughter's care, so Regina got him the best nurse to care from him at home. He had yet to get very ill, he could still get up and walk around, though it was best for him to get as much rest as possible. "You're not working too hard, are you?"

"Someone has to run the town, Daddy," she reminded him with a small smile.

"You should have fun, you're still quite young. You're still seeing that Emma, yes?"

"Yes."

"And she's coming over with you on Christmas?"

"Yes, she's very excited to finally meet you."

Regina was apprehensive to let the two meet. She knew their relationship was much like her father's life expectancy, was short. But she had never been able to deny her father anything, she wasn't going to start now. He loved seeing her happy and she would grant him that. She hadn't shared that Emma was leaving soon or her fears about their relationship. With him, she could pretend.

"And I her. It is so good to see my little girl happy."

"I am happy Daddy." It took all she had not to break down in tears.

"Are you okay? Your voice sounds off"

"I'm fine, I just have a bit of a cold. In fact, I was just going to go send Sidney out for tea. Can I call you back later?"

"Of course, my sweet girl, I love you."

"I love you too, Daddy."

She hung up the phone and pressed the intercom again.

"Sidney?"

"Yes, Madam Mayor?"

"Hold my calls for the next 45 minutes. No exceptions."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Thank you."

And with that, Regina Mills allowed herself to cry. About her father, about Emma, about anything else that she wanted. When she was done, she got up and went into her bathroom, cleaning up her face and fixing her makeup. By the time she emerged, it was as if it never happened. She was the mayor. A mayor of a small town no less, but she demanded respect and no one would give it if they knew she was breaking down mid-day. As far as anyone knew, Regina Mills did not cry.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Emma asked Regina as they walked up Mary Margaret and David's walkway on Christmas Eve. The two were attending their annual party, where a gag gift exchange always took place. Their respective gag gifts were in their hands.

"Yes, just glad I convinced everyone to have the Christmas gala early this year."

"I know this isn't really your scene…"

"But it's yours and we only have so long together."

The clipped voice her girlfriend had, added to Emma's guilt. Regina had been acting off for weeks and she knew why. She was trying to make the impending separation easier. A part of her just wanted to tell her what was going on, but she didn't want to ruin the surprise.

Once inside, Mary Margaret handed them each a glass of spiked egg nog and lead them into the living room. A few people saw the mayor and tensed up a tad. She had worried it would be awkward for her to be there, so she did her best to blend in. Though the pantsuit among the silly holiday sweaters wasn't helping much.

David could tell she was a bit out of her element and decided to help out. "Regina, you seem more like a wine girl, am I right?"

A little shocked to be called by her first name instead of Mayor Mills or Madam Mayor, she smiled. "Um, yes."

"Red or white?"

"Red, please."

Emma walked back over and handed her a plate. "Got all your favorites for you."

"Thank you," she responded, quietly.

The party was different than any one that Regina had ever been to. Even in college, she had been more of the drink with a few friends in a quiet bar type. Everyone here seemed so happy and loud. It was sort of hard not to join in on the fun. And the glasses of wine David kept pouring, made it a little easier. She was still trying to tame herself. She was the mayor after all. But she noticed the town's favorite pediatrician, Victor Whale was there too, on his forth beer. No one seemed to mind, but then again, no one at the party had children.

Soon came the part of the gag gift exchange. Mary Margaret had everyone draw numbers and the game began, with Emma going first. She received a bag labeled "Reindeer Poop", it was really chocolates. She laughed, holding them close. A few people went in turn, receiving things like funny sweaters and poop emoji pillows. Regina had the option of stealing from someone else or opening a new gift, she decided to take a chance and open one wrapped in Hanukah paper. The contents inside made everyone stop laughing, so all that could be heard was the sounds of the Henry Connick Jr. CD that Mary Margaret had put on.

A box of condoms.

All eyes were on Regina. Would the mayor flip out and demand they all be arrested on the spot? Would she flee the room? Burst into flames? Even Emma seemed a tad apprehensive. Regina stared at the box, then looked up at everyone around them. Soon, a laugh escaped her lips. A really loud, but genuine laugh. Soon, everyone was laughing with her. She picked up her wine, taking a sip.

"Well, I can easily say that someone else is welcome to take these. Not exactly something Emma and I can use."

Emma turned bright red, slugging her shoulder. "Regina!"

"We're all adults Miss Swan," she reprimanded her. "No need to be a prude."

That just got everyone laughing louder. When it was Whale's turn, he stole them, causing his wife Ruby to roll her eyes.

"You ain't that lucky," she teased.

Regina then used it as an excuse to steal the candles Mary Margaret had unwrapped. The school teacher pouted, but unwrapped another gift. Emma put an arm around her girlfriend, kissing her cheek.

"Having fun?" She whispered into her ear.

"I am," Regina muttered back. It had been the best Christmas Eve she had had in quite some time.

Emma was spending the night at Regina's to make going to Henry's the next morning a little easier. She didn't join her girlfriend in bed though right away. Instead, she went into the bathroom, changing into something. It was a little corny, but she had seen it in the store and couldn't resist.

"Emma, it is very late and I'm starting to get a wine hangover, can you just come out?" Regina called.

"One sec!"

Regina's eye roll was much regretted when Emma emerged from the bathroom wearing a red teddy and Santa hat.

"I didn't think you were that type," Regina said with a smirk.

"I'll be cheesy but only for you." She strutted forward. "The real question is, Regina…" She straddled her, wiggling her eyebrows. "Have you been naughty or nice?"

"Shouldn't I be the one sitting on your lap?"

"You're ruining the moment."

Regina laughed. "Alright then…Santa…I've been very, very nice."

"Well, I have quite the present for you, Miss Mills. Only the best for such a hardworking mayor like yourself." She kissed her neck and Regina let out a small moan.

"What if I said I was naughty?"

"I have ways of dealing with naughty girls too…"

The next morning, the two women opened up the stockings they had stuffed for one another. They had agreed not to do anything too big, just little presents they knew they'd enjoy. Under the tree were a few presents as well. For Emma, Regina had gotten her a new leather jacket, as her old one was getting worse for wear and a case of her favorite beer. For Regina, Emma had gotten her a brief case and a bottle of her favorite wine, apparently the two knew each other all too well.

"I have one last present," Emma told her.

Regina's eyebrows knitted in frustration. "But we agreed…"

"It's not really something you can unwrap. Just wait here." She got up and went out to her bug, ignoring the freezing cold air. She returned a minute later with a manila envelope, handing it over to Regina. The mayor opened it, pulling out her contract with the sheriff station. Regina's eyes widened and she looked up at Emma.

"Is this…"

"I'm taking over for Sherriff Little."

"But your job…"

"I resigned. I'm going to stay in Storybrooke."

Tears clouded Regina's eyes. "You're staying in Storybrooke."

Emma smiled. "I want to stay…and be with the woman I love."

And with that, outside her parents and one very good friend, Emma Swan became the rare person to see Regina Mills cry. "I love you too." She pulled her close, kissing her passionately. Emma smiled in the kiss, deepening it. The raven-haired woman pulled off after a minute. "But wait…is this really what you want?"

"I've never wanted anything more. I'm even going to lease the loft by the diner."

"Have you signed a lease?"

"Not yet…"

"Well don't…move in here."

Emma raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

"This house is so big…so lonely…maybe we could make it a home."

The sheriff smiled. "I'd love that. Merry Christmas, Regina."

"Merry Christmas."

Hours later and the two were walking into Henry's home. Miss Blue had the day off to spend with her family, which had worried Regina, but he seemed to be doing just fine.

"Daddy," Regina said, ignoring the small smirk that went across Emma's lips. She hadn't taken her girlfriend to be the type to call her father "Daddy". "This is Emma. Emma, this is my father, Henry Mills."

"It is very nice to meet you, Mr. Mills," Emma said.

"Please, call me Henry. And it is so very nice to meet you," Henry told her, beaming. "My Regina has spoken so much about you. I haven't ever seen her so happy."

Blush tinted Regina's cheeks as Emma smiled. "Well, I don't think I've ever been as happy as I have with your daughter."

"She tells me you work for the FBI."

"I did. But now, I will be the town's sheriff."

"So, you're staying in Storybrooke! Excellent!" Henry clapped his hands together and then linked his arm with Emma. "Come, I want to hear all the details."

Regina smiled as she watched her two favorite people walk off towards the kitchen. A very merry Christmas after all.

As always prompts are accepted, in the comments or message me on here or my Tumblr: swanfirecaptainswanfeels.