Regina looks at the two dresses hanging in the wardrobe.
She makes the last second decision to wear the dress her and her mother picked out on their recent shopping trip.
The dress she picked out to propose in.
To be honest, she still doesn't know when or how she will propose. She has a strong feeling it will be today though. After the party last night, Regina is fairly certain that Emma will accept her ring. Once the mess with Gaston ended, Emma had barely left her side for the rest of the night. They didn't get to chat much because they were required to mingle with other guests, but Emma toted her around and introduced her to everyone she spoke to.
She felt like she was being shown off. And it was actually a nice feeling.
"Merry Christmas!" Neal yells as she walks into the dinning room for breakfast. He is in his father's arms (still just small enough to still be carried) but practically hops out of them so that he can come and hug her.
Her heart swells.
"Merry Christmas Neal."
Snow and Emma walk into the room arm in arm then.
Snow hugs her as well in welcome and Emma smiles widely at her.
It's perhaps the happiest she's seen the princess. They don't hug though as they share their greetings. It feels like a line they haven't crossed yet. She's can't figure out why, it just is. Maybe because a hug between them would never be a casual thing. It would be a intimate gesture.
They soon all sit down at the table to eat the magnificent spread laid out for them. Emma practically squeals when she sees the pastries she likes on a sliver platter. They are sitting next to each other again and Regina watches as she lights up adorably.
Emma takes two pastries and puts one on Regina's plate. Then she proceeds to load up both their plates with food.
Regina had already taken the food she wanted.
"What are you doing?" She asks looking at her growing plate.
"Making sure you're eating. You barely ate anything last night."
It's true. Unfortunately after the incident with Gaston, she wasn't feeling up to eating and didn't return to the tables with food.
"Now, I have you watching what I eat?" It comes out a little harsher than she means it to, but it's a sore topic with her.
Emma looks at her concerned. "You don't have to eat anything you don't want to. I just want make sure you feel comfortable enough to eat around us."
Regina-overcome with emotion- leans over and kisses her cheek quickly before trying to casually cut into her eggs.
She can feel her cheeks heat up in embarrassment of her actions in front of Emma's family but hopes that no one was paying attention.
When she finally is brave enough to peak up, she sees that the only one who is looking at them is the King, and he seems to be holding back laughter.
She doesn't look up again for some time; until Snow draws her into a conversation about she normally spends Christmas.
"We don't have set traditions really. Except to drink eggnog. Some years it's only my parents and I. Other years, my cousins throw a ball that we'll attend. It depends. I believe my parents were invited away this year."
"Well we have some pretty set traditions ourselves." Snow warns. "We have a big family breakfast. Then we invite everyone who lives and works at the castle to come to the grand hall and listen to music and open gifts with us and their families. Then we take a break. Charming like to nap (she refers to her husband) before we have supper."
"Sounds lovely."
"Speaking of presents" Emma interrupts. " may Regina and I be excused so that I can show her what her's is before everyone gathers?"
Snow smiles knowingly. "Of course. See you both soon."
Emma ushers Regina out the room and down the hallway.
"Where are we going?" Regina asks once she sees the coridor where the sleeping chambers lie.
Are we going to her room?
...I've never seen her room.
"Outside. But I'm assuming you'll want to get a coat." She says with a nod to the window.
Regina can see that the glass has frosted over from the cold.
"Okay." Regina says and stops at her door.
"I'll be back in a few minutes." Emma says and leaves her to go to her own chamber further down the hall.
Regina makes quick work of gathering her overcoat and leather gloves. While debating whether to wait in the hallway or not, her gaze land on the wooden dresser tucked in the corner.
Should I?
Just in case, right?
She's closing the dresser drawer again by the time she hears a knock signaling that Emma is ready.
The temperature feels warmer outside than she expected. Less bitter than it was while she was traveling.
Though still a little colder than she is use to at her manor.
They walk in the direction of the gardens but end up walking almost all the way around them instead of through.
Regina supposes most plants would be dead at this time anyway.
Finally, Emma takes her hand and pulls her into a section on the edge of the main flower beds. Facing the sprawling fields.
Emma then lets go of her hand and stops in front of what looks to be a baby tree. It almost looks as though it's a branch stuck into the ground.
"This is it."
"What is it? Regina asks gently.
"It's an apple tree." Emma explains. "You said that apple blossoms were you're favorite flower and I know you like to eat the fruit too so I thought you might like your own tree."
"When did you plant this?"
"Right after I got your letter telling me your favorite flower. I got the idea in my head right away and started talking to the gardeners about it. I was able to plant it just in time before the ground froze."
Regina stares at the twig in amazement.
But her lack of response seems to make Emma nervous so she keeps talking.
"I believe it produces Honeycrisp apples. Or it will eventually. I couldn't tell the difference between apples anyway but these ones have white flowers. If you want another kind of tree though we could talk to them about it. The gardener said it's better if you have a few different species anyway so they can cross-pollinate. It's actually one of the reasons I picked this location. It has enough space behind it that you could have your own little orchard if you wanted to. Not to say you have to do all the work for it if you don't want to. I did end up learning a lot about the trees though so I could help you if you wanted."
Regina is stunned. She can feel herself tearing up but can't stop it.
God this is embarrassing.
She's so sweet and I'm a mess!
"Oh no. What's wrong? It's just a tree, you never have to look at it again if you don't want to, honest." Emma frets.
"Shush." Regina calms with a smile. She wipes some of the tears away. "I love it. Thank you! I've never felt so...welcomed."
She leads Emma to a stone bench close by and takes a deep breath.
"Truthfully...it makes me feel like you want me around for a long time. As if growing an orchard together is some unintentional metaphor for raising a family. I'm just overwhelmed because I didn't realize until this moment exactly how much I want that with you. This whole thing...the Matchmaker...meeting you...it's turned out better than I could have hoped for. And I know it's made the whole relationship feel a little rushed, but I'm sure, so in a way I'm glad I feel pressured to do this." She takes the rig box out of her coat pocket with the hand that is not holding Emma's. "I don't know if I'd find the courage to otherwise."
She see's more than hears Emma's sharp intake of breath. She honestly can't hear much over the sound of her own blood rushing and her heartbeat. She does unconsciously register that Emma is squeezing her hand.
"Please marry me, Emma?"
Emma smiles and bites her bottom lip. She nods her heads many times in agreement. As if she doesn't trust herself to speak in the moment.
Regina suddenly feels so light she thinks she could float away like a balloon.
Emma surges forward and kisses her again. It's no less chaste than the last one (always mindful of other who may be watching) but it's enough to tether Regina's balloon feeling.
When they part Regina feels something wet on her cheek. And it's definitely not a tear this time.
"Did you plan this or something?" Emma jokes while looking up to the sky.
"It's snowing!" Regina says excitedly. It's her first real experience with the substance.
The brunette almost stands up in wonder but Emma's hand stops her.
She looks at the other girl questioningly.
Emma points to the jewelry box still in Regina's hand.
"Oh!" Regina laughs. She's too elated to be embarrassed.
She carefully take the ring out and slides it on Emma's finger.
Perfect fit.
"I don't know if I trust myself with something this nice." Emma jokes while looking down at the newly adorned finger.
"I'll be there to make sure you don't loose it."
"That's what I'm counting on."