A/N- Here is Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! Big reveal next chapter and a turning point for Regina and Emma come New Years Eve in 4 chapters or so. Still tons of little Emma after that, no worries. :-) Also, one reader asked for Emma on a sugar high and one for a fish advocate moment - Here you go!

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Previously...

"Please don't... I know we screwed up. I'm a screw up, it's my stupid sh—stuff… but we really didn't mean to not listen or to yell at you."

"Do not refer to yourself as stupid or a screw up. Last warning." The Queen pulled back to lock eyes with the blonde. "As for the rest, I'd say the scare you had at the pond and the timeout for your tone are sufficient consequences. I think you both learned a lesson about the importance of listening at present, yes?"

"Yes… we're sorry." Emma relaxed and closed her eyes, leaning forward into the Queen, grateful she was understood. More tears soaked the silk beneath her face. Despite the troubles of the day that got her in this very spot, at the moment there was nowhere else she'd rather be.

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Emma twirled in her blue velvet dress as Henry held her hand overhead.

"Did you and Paige get Mom's present wrapped?"

"Mmhhmm. I like the red paper. I even made a card while she was in the shower." Little Emma slowed her twirling, becoming dizzy.

"You look like a p—"

"Don't say princess!" Emma giggled and pulled away from him to flex her non-existent muscles. "I'm like Wonder Woman!"

Henry smirked. "I was going to say a pretty picture." He caught her and tickled the little blonde's ribs.

Emma squealed and squirmed away.

"Speaking of pictures." Regina breezed into the living room wearing a form fitting red long sleeved dress and matching heels with her arm around Paige who was similarly decked out in a backless green one. "We need a family one before we head out for the evening."

Paige pointed to the living room. "I set up the tripod near the tree. Set the timer Henry?"

Henry blinked picking up his jaw from the floor at the number his wife was sporting and went to turn on the camera.

"I told you he would love it." The Queen's eyes sparkled as she turned to a spinning Emma and caught the child mid-twirl. "Time for pictures baby."

Little Emma shyly posed in front of the adults for a picture. After the flash she jumped in front of them with her arms open. "Wait! We gots to do it like this!" She pushed the women how she wanted them as Henry reset the timer, and finally went to stand between Regina and Henry. "Hold hands and say grilled cheese!"

"Grilled cheese!" They all sang in harmony and laughed after the fact.

Emma was bundled into an extra oversized coat of Paige's and they all made their way to the Honda and out into the cold night. The girl insisted they sing along to the Christmas music station, her own little voice out of key, but she didn't care. She was having the time of her life. When she had woken up from falling asleep on the Queen earlier she vowed not to let any dark thoughts invade the rest of the day, it was Christmas Eve and she was determined to enjoy it.

After tipping the valet, insisting since she knew Henry was paying for dinner Regina led Emma behind the married couple and into Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse. They were seated at round table near the window and Emma's eyes grew large at the fancy white napkins folded up like bird wings and more silverware than she knew what to do with in her place setting. Henry ordered a bottle of red wine for the table and looked to brown eyes for what to get Emma.

"What would you like, sweet one?"

Emma, who by now was used to Regina ordering for her, didn't know what to say. "Ummmm…" She stalled as all eyes landed on her. Flustered she blurted. "Johnny Walker on the rocks."

The waiter started to scribble automatically, and then jerked his head up, bobbing between the adults and the now pink cheeked child.

The Queen recovered smoothly for all of them. "She will have a Shirley Temple, mostly soda water and light on the grenadine."

Henry tried not to laugh as he began to go over the specials with Paige.

Regina took a napkin to her lap and helped Emma do the same. "A scotch, Emma… Really?"

"He caught me off guard. Sorry…but not sorry." She giggled as her nose was gently tapped. Her keeper helped read the menu and Emma finally ended up telling the Queen to order for her, knowing it would be something she would like in the end. Part of her was beginning to enjoy not having to make any decisions. There was a unique freedom in having the mundane parts of life taken care of for her.

"What are you having Regina?" Paige folded her menu and smiled across the table.

"I am thinking of trying the grilled Haddock."

"What's Ha-dook" Emma wrinkled her nose at the word.

"Haddock is a white fish, much like cod. You have had it before at Granny's... Don't give me that face; you liked it just fine smothered in tartar sauce."

"But, that was B.J." Little Emma tried to lose the sour look.

"What do you mean?" Regina took a sip of her wine.

"Before Jasper. Fish are people, too." It was said in such a serious tone that everyone froze.

Henry covered his mouth with a napkin, afraid he'd spit his wine across the table as his mother nearly did. Paige didn't fare much better, suddenly interested in the menu again.

"Looks like I am having the beet salad instead." The Queen said crispy and closed the menu, turning amused eyes on Emma. "If it matters that much to you, we don't have to have fish again, alright?"

Emma grinned, please with having advocated for her pet and sucked down her Shirley Temple as the adults placed their orders. It was way sweeter than she expected and her eyes popped with glee. The waiter must have missed the Queen's direction on the grenadine. The sugar hit her system like a drug after a nearly a month of a strictly regulated diet. She'd been given very moderate amounts of sweets and even the cinnamon cookies that Regina made had only a fourth of the sugar of regular cookies.

As Emma bounced in the seat after ten minutes filled with adult conversation, brown eyes studied the fidgeting child then the nearly empty drink. On impulse Regina took a small sip of the Shirley Temple and shuddered as the syrup coated her tongue.

"I want another one please?" Little eyes asked.

Regina raised a brow and shook her head. "You may have milk or water."

"Bubble water?" Still bouncing as she was given a nod of approval. She'd tried Regina's preferred drink at Granny's once and liked how it tickled her nose.

The waiter dropped appetizers at the table and the request for a plain soda water was made along with a comment about the messed drink order.

Emma chatted a million miles a minute about anything and everything for the next half hour as appetizers were eaten. A small crostini with Brie was placed on her plate and she nibbled between jumping topics. Henry and Paige were amused to say the least.

"Regina, was Henry ever that animated?" Paige covered her mouth with her hand as Emma's fingers began to dance on the table appearing to have a dance off between her two hands.

"I made the mistake once of allowing him a soda at this age. I'd never had one myself and I didn't realize the effect they could have." She smiled in amusement at the memory of her young son. "He ended up running circles around me the rest of the day. I'd never been so exhausted in my life. Then he crashed and that wasn't much fun for either of us." She eyed Emma who was oblivious to the conversation as plates were cleared away and their entrees arrived.

The rest of the meal was pleasant and Emma all, but vibrated with energy. They lingered leisurely after the meal finishing wine and the child slowed down her chatter, yawning even.

"Is it time for dessert yet?" Hopeful to a fault Emma tried to get a treat.

"You've had enough sugar my dear, but if we leave soon there is just enough time for a special movie before bed." She reached a hand out to fluff curls and loved how Emma leaned into the affection like a puppy who liked to be scratched.

Emma was fully amendable to that idea. Once the bill was paid they were quickly on route. As they were walking through the door of the apartment the girl's energy returned.

Somehow with a lot of patient coaxing, Regina managed to wrestle Emma into the bathroom for a quick wash up and into green PJs before they all settled on the couch to watch the vintage black and white version of A Miracle on 34th Street. Big Emma insisted on popcorn and a full on popcorn fight ensued through the opening credits that had all of them in stitches. They paused the film and made a game of cleaning up, a race to get little hands to help.

As the sugar finally left the child's body Emma curled up between Regina and Henry, head on the Queen's lap and feet on the young man's. For the first time in her life, this one or the other, she felt a sense of wholeness wash through she didn't know existed. Warm and content, sleepy eyes closed and Emma's ears caught Fred Gailey's line.

"Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to."

She had never been a believer in faith and her common sense had only gotten her so far, but more and more she was finding faith in Regina, and more surprisingly in herself. Feeling her keeper's fingers run through her hair massaging the scalp, sent tingles through the little body. She fought slumber right up until the end and dropped like a rock.

Regina easily carried the little swan to bed and without waking the child she tucked Emma in with a kiss good night.

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Like the previous morning, the little in Emma awoke before her keeper Christmas morning. The girl squirmed out from under the covers and sat up on top of the comforter. She watched the deep breathing next to her and leaned over, putting her nose to nose with the Queen.

"Wake up… wake up…." Emma whispered.

Brown eyes fluttered open and startled for a moment. She returned the smile greeting her and rubbed noses with the giggling child. "Merry Christmas dear heart."

Almost shyly Emma wiggled down, resting her head against Regina. Warm arms encircled her and they lay together for a few minutes before Emma's excitement took over.

"Do you think Santa came?" A little whisper opened the silence.

Regina pretended to think. "We should go investigate. Do you think you can help me?" Eager eyes met hers and she laughed, rich and deep. "Scoot. Let me up."

Emma scampered off the bed and bounced by the door as she waited for Regina to run fingers through her hair and tie on a robe. Her hand was taken and together they walked out into the living room where Henry and Paige waited.

"Woah! He did! He did come for me!" Emma ran to the tree and all but threw herself into a pile of presents. The shiny paper, bows, and many boxes called to everything little inside her, begging to be unwrapped.

The adults exchanged good mornings and Regina took a few pictures of Emma shifting through the presents, before calling the child to the breakfast bar where a buffet style meal was laid out.

Emma reluctantly pulled away from the gifts, but perked up when she saw the Queen scooping berries, eggs, and bacon onto a plate, knowing it was for her. As she tucked into her meal, big eyes took in the people around her; they were all in their PJs, hair tussled, warmth in their eyes and with the easy conversation filled with pockets of laughter, she felt at peace.

The reality of the moment struck to the core. This has been what she had asked a fat stranger in a Santa suit for a week ago at the light festival. But before so too, many years ago in another life dreamed by a broken little girl who had given up hope at finding a family and love.

Emma didn't realize the conversation had stopped, that she had tears running down her face into her breakfast or the hand that now held her own.

"Emma?"

The woman child turned towards that question. "I…" she trailed off, swallowing the need in her words as Regina answered by lifting her up and excusing them to the bedroom.

Tears slowed as they settled on the bed. Regina plucked a tissue from the nightstand and wiped at the child's eyes. "What is the matter?"

Emma shook her head, pulling her face away. "It's not what's wrong, Gina. It's what's right."

Brown eyes narrowed in confusion. "I'm not sure what you mean."

Taking a breath to calm down, Emma leaned back into her keeper. "You know… What I told the guy at the light festival who played Santa."

"I don't know what you told him. I couldn't hear from where I was when you were on Santa's lap." Regina was puzzled at where this was going, only knowing that Emma was seemingly upset at the breakfast bar and was trying to process it.

Emma's internal lie detector was quiet, and she puzzled over the reality of her wish, a real wish unknown by the Queen, and something she'd really wanted and somehow managed not to screw up. She felt her chin lifted.

"What did you tell him?"

"What I really wanted for Christmas."

Regina respected the vague answer, only seeking confirmation to one thing. "Did you get what you wanted?"

Emma closed her eyes recalling her exact phrase. 'I want a Christmas like you read about in a book or see on TV. With the tree, presents, traditions, and... a family who loves me.'

Another wall crumbled. "I think so, but I'm scared of what it means."

"Sometimes that happens with things we want." The Queen smoothed tangled curls. "Especially when we don't want to admit it may be what our heart may truly need."

Green eyes pondered over those words of wisdom and shifted back to a more open expression. "I wanna open presents now please?"

Regina had hoped big Emma would stick around a bit longer to process, but accepted the shift that took over her charge. "Let's finish breakfast first sweet one."

They headed back into the kitchen and quickly finished their meal. Henry broke up the silence by asking Emma about Jasper's latest adventures and was told about the fish field trip to the kitchen and how Regina saved his life.

"You are quite the hero Mom." Henry chuckled, missing the depth of his words on brown eyes.

"Yes, well… I think it is time for presents."

"Finally!" Emma dropped her fork with a clang and ran to the tree.

Henry smirked. "Was I always that excited?"

"You were." Regina smiled over the rim of her mug at the memory. "You'd practically trample me to death while jumping on my bed to wake me up on Christmas morning, usually at the crack of dawn. At least this one waited until a decent hour." She nodded her head at the bouncing child.

"I'mm wwaaaaiittiinngg!" Emma tapped her foot when she had all eyes, hands on her hips, brows raised in perfect imitation of Regina.

Henry and Paige both snorted.

"I do not look like that." Regina feigned offense.

"Yeah, you do Mom." Henry grinned, left his stool and scooped up Emma, spinning her around in his arms.

"You get your presents last." The queen teased and joined them in the living room while Paige handed everyone a gift.

Wrapping paper and bows flew as Emma tore into her loot with abandon. She opened the biggest box first and stuttered over the item from the couple.

"F-for me?"

"All for you Ems." Paige and Henry chimed together.

Little hands brushed over the box image of the red and yellow two wheeler bike. She had never had a bike of her own before.

"And this to go with it." Regina handed Emma another wrapped box, satisfied she had made the correct choice upon seeing the girl's delighted face.

"Sweet!" Emma hugged Regina and the smiling couple. "A bike and a Wonder Woman helmet! Thank you!" Returning eyes to the brunette. "You'll teach me how?"

"Of course. I taught Henry to ride in a single weekend. I bet you will be a fast learner too."

More presents followed, smaller useful items like socks, PJs, some books and a few DVDs. Emma also got the latest video game system and a few age appropriate games to go with it. Another prize had her face lit up; a full blown artist kit, complete with paints, brushes, markers, charcoal pencils and paper.

She was also delighted at the couple's awed expression when they opened the pictures of their guests. Both were framed in dark, simple woods with ivory matting; a cute one of Emma sitting with the ocean back drop and the other of them both on the chaise. Henry immediately went to place both on the side table where they could be seen every day.

The last item from the Queen was her favorite and came in a small simple white box. Big Emma recognized the quality and expense of the item in her hand. It was an adjustable charm bracelet with a tiny silver swan, a fish, and a V-bug, each with a diamond chip that caught the light. Her fingers rubbed the tiny swan and a moment of intense déjà vu crossed her mind. She could have sworn she'd seen that charm before… Shaking that feeling away, Emma's eyes misted and she held out her wrist.

Regina fastened the bracelet on the tightest ring, adoring how it looked on the little wrist. It was a gift that Emma could grow into and add to through the years in this life or their other one. She was startled as skinny arms nearly choked her in a bear hug.

"Thank you. I love it." Big Emma squeezed and pulled back suddenly remembering. "I have something for you too." She wiggled under the tree for her own hidden surprise. Little hands placed a red wrapped box with a black ribbon in her Keeper's lap.

Regina was taken aback, not expecting such a gesture. She bit her lip and gently untied the binding silk. A heat filled her eyes and chest at the drawn heart on the outside of folded slip of paper. She took her time unfolding and reading the slanted and misspelled print:

'too gina

frum emma

(doth of me)'

Two stick figures were drawn underneath holding hands. It was a simple and perfectly Emma thing to do. Her eyes then found the necklace tucked into a cotton bed. Three small vertical stones winked at her from a delicate gold chain; their birthstones of amethyst, peridot, and white opal. A deep purple at the pinnacle, with green in the middle, both resting on Emma's milky rainbow for October.

"Do you like it?" Emma squeaked. She had chosen this gift with the utmost care, drawing the idea from their conversation about the lock box code being their days of birth and Regina telling her they were a family.

Wet brown eyes found green.

"Beyond words Emma. Thank you." She pulled the little swan in for a hug and a kiss, mouthing the last two words again over the child's shoulder to Henry and Paige.

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A/N – Next Time - Emma learns one way to break the spell, but she doesn't like it ( and it is far from breaking yet) and Regina's other price for the spell is revealed in a flashback... It's a biggie folks.