Christmas Morning at the Mills
"Moms, moms wake up!" Henry yelled, banging on the bedroom door as it was closed. It had never been closed on Christmas morning before, not even the year before when Emma had lived in town. Now however…
"Moooms!" he called again, banging harder.
"Your son is calling," said Regina with a groan, pulling a pillow over her head. She wanted to sleep in. After all there was a reason as to why the door was closed, the couple had endured in some late night activities the night before and had not been done until around 4AM.
"He's yours before sunrise," Emma spoke back, rolling of Regina so she could get up. The brunette groaned as she reached for a robe and pulled it on, before tiredly opening the door. She looked at her son, standing there in blue pajamas with purple squared pattern, an exact replica of what she herself was wearing. His eyes were shining with eagerness as they always did every Christmas morning, one of the many things she loved about him. She gave him a raised brow saying, "How may we help you?"
"It's Christmas and you promised to make hot chocolate and waffles with cream and strawberry jam," he said, looking at her. Their Christmas ritual Emma had soon learned.
"Alright, give me a moment to freshen up and I will be right down," she said, and smiled at him.
"No more sleeping," the eleven year old said, looking at his mother. Her eyes seemed tired still, and her hair was a mess, still she didn't seem bothered by being woken this early.
"I won't, I promise," she said, ruffling through his hair, before he ran downstairs, most likely to feel every present underneath the tree. Regina grumbled as she walked into her bathroom, splashing some cold water in her face and combed her hair. A quick appliance of her makeup after brushing her teeth was also in order. She smiled pleased before she made her way downstairs, finding Henry as suspected by the tree. She smiled at him, when she saw his disappointed eyes looking at the pile of present, saying, "I'm not getting a dog or a horse am I?"
"Henry, I told you before, I don't think it is a good idea, when you are ready you will," she said.
"Not fair I've been helping out in the stables a lot of the past months and I am a skilled rider, and you know it!" he argued.
"Maybe for your birthday okay," she said, sighing, walking towards the kitchen. He was on her tail, not leaving the matter be saying, "My birthday is not until May, and had it been to gramps I would have had a horse already."
"Well you are not living with your grandfather full time now is you. You are our son and if we say you are not ready for a horse…" she sighed saying, "How about if you get the main responsibility of Thunder in the mean time?"
"No, I want my own horse, this Christmas sucks," he said, running up the stairs, as she yelled after him, "Henry, get back here!"
"Arguing this early, promising," he heard her mother's voice behind her. Regina almost dropped the bowl with the batter as she said, "You seriously got to stop showing up like that. You scared the crap out of me."
"I'm sorry dear, but Red really needed to use the bathroom," said Cora, Red holding onto her to move as she did nodded, and hurried up the stairs.
"And you don't have a bathroom because…." Said Regina, pulling out a waffle iron from one of her closets.
"Toilet is clogged due to never mind that, we are in line to get it fixed first day after Christmas," said Cora with a groan.
"I never even figured you able to live without one," said Regina with a slight laugh, pouring some of the batter in the iron before closing one.
"You would be amazed by what I could do if I had to," the elderly lady said as she stole one of the hearts from Regina's newly made waffle. Regina gave her a stop it look, which Cora ignored going for the fridge. She rumored around finding some orange juice and poured herself a glass, as Red came back in saying, "Make one for me?"
"Sure," said Cora, filling another glass, and pouring orange juice in it before handing it over to her fiancée which took it. Red took a sip before saying, "Heavenly, although not as heavenly as you."
A smile graced over Regina's red lips seeing her mother blush by this comment. She found it cute; even though the age gap made her feel their relationship a bit crept out. She gave the younger woman a frown when she snapped some waffles from the counter and started to eat.
"Anybody home?" she heard Neal yell from the hallway and called back, "In here."
He soon came into the kitchen saying, "Merry Christmas everyone, Henry and Emma is not up yet?"
"Henry is upset because there isn't a dog or a horse under the tree," said Regina with a sigh, saying, "Can anyone continue on the waffle making, I really do need to use the bathroom again."
"I got it," said Red and stepped in, so the other brunette could hurry up the stairs. As soon as she had flushed Emma came in saying, "Merry Christmas, my Queen."
"And to you, Princess," said Regina, falling into a loving embrace. Emma held her as close as she could, carefully stroking her lower back, asking, "Did I hear Neal downstairs?"
"That you did, he, mother and Red are in the kitchen making waffles and talking," said Regina and smiled.
"I got a text from mom, she Granny and dad should be here soon as well. So why is Henry upset?" she asked as she had heard his door slam shut a bit earlier.
"Because there is no dog or horse under the tree," the brunette answered her head hiding in Emma's neck. The blonde didn't reply this this, just pushed some of her dark strands away and kissed her neck. In a soft voice she asked, "How are you feeling, I didn't wear you out last night did I?"
"No, I really needed it, I mean to feel desired when I feel like a fat cow most of the time," Regina whispered.
"I don't see you that way, to me you are now and will always be the most beautiful woman that ever walked the earth," said Emma in a soft tone, kissing the top of her head.
"Oh stop it you are making me blush," said Regina, she didn't mind it at all though.
Emma was about to add something to that, when she heard a sound downstairs and said, "What is that?"
"Sounds like salsa music," said Regina confused.
"What the hell is going on down there," said Emma, breaking free from the embrace, to walk towards the door. Regina grabbed her hand as the two ladies made their way down the stairs, only to find Cora and Red dancing to and old CD in the living room. Neal had taken over waffle duty and Rumpelstiltskin, Belle and Granny that by now had arrived was watching the dancing ladies. Emma leaned her head against Regina's shoulder, hugging her from behind, her hands resting on her growing belly. She didn't ask for the reason to the two woman dancing, truth to be told there was none other than that Red wanted to dance with her woman. Belle turned to her man and whispered, "Brings back memories?"
"Yes, it does, but those days are gone, now I am more than content with you," said he and gave her a peck on the cheek. Making her blush. Granny smiled at them all, when they heard Charming's voice from the hallway saying, "Ho, ho, ho, merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, dad," Emma called back, going over to hug her parents. Regina and the others did the same. He then looked at Regina saying, "How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay," she said and smiled at him.
"Waffles?" Snow asked, sensing the smell, coming from the kitchen.
"Yes a Christmas tradition in this house," she nodded, before calling up the stairs, "Henry, get down here, breakfast and presents!"
As they walked towards the living room, they could hear him slumping down the stairs, making Regina turn to Emma and say, "I can see you are having a bad influence on him."
"Leave the kid alone, it is Christmas," she said, giving her a peck on the cheek, before walking into the kitchen to help Neal serve the food. Once they were all sitting around here and there in her living room, all with waffles and hot chocolate or coffee, Regina looked over at Snow, saying, "Why don't you go and find the first present that needs to open."
"Sure," she said, and walked over to the tree, and picked up a soft one, it was for Henry, a new sweater. He would of course say thank you even if he wasn't too thrilled. Then there would be some books and a new necklace for Belle, clothes for Snow and Charming, a new jacket, a homemade quilt, and a framed picture of Cora and Red for Granny. Red had used the past months on the quilt, and all though it could have been much better, the old lady just the same. Next up was a heavy packet from Regina to Emma. She looked at her love saying, "What on earth did you get me?"
"Open it and you will see," said Regina teasingly.
The blonde of course did in a hast only to find new sword, embedded with three ruby hearts on each side. Emma felt it in her hand, figuring it was perfect and said, "Thank you, I love it."
"You are more than welcome," said Regina, giving her a soft kiss.
"So who is next?" said Cora, looking at the still massive collection of presents.
"I have one," said Regina, reaching over at the table next to her, before going over to David James and Snow with an envelope. She smiled saying, "It is from Cora, Rumpelstiltskin and Belle, some from Red and Henry, but mostly from Emma and I."
"You all chipped in on something," said Snow surprised.
"It was easiest that way, and we figured you would need it," said Regina, the others just nodded.
Snow looked at her husband; he seemed as surprised and confused that she did. They looked at the rest that was smiling at them. One thing was that this mixed group of people was united as one messed up family and that they were getting along. They argued less than they used to and all was getting was seeming so intoned, old battle axes was being left behind and fences were being made. David James nodded for his wife to open the envelope and she slowly did, pulling out the papers inside, before she gasped and said, "They bought us a house, you bought us a house!"
"Not only did we buy it, dear, we fixed it up on the inside and outside, furnished it, and personalized it," said Cora, and smiled at her.
"What does it look like?" said her husband and Snow handed him a paper, as she asked, "But why?"
"Because you have lived in that small apartment for too long, and even if you two have the money, we have more and better taste in decorating. That and we wanted to give you something you could use for a long time. I know it is not a castle, but…" Regina explained.
"One of the rooms, we made it so it looks like being inside your old castle, we even added a nursery like the one mom used to have," said Henry excitedly.
"We have Gepetto make a new bed for you, with the family insignia, and there will also be fruit trees in the garden with apples and pears, they are growing fast with magical help," said Red.
"And of course we have provided plenty of bookshelves with enough books for a lifetime," said Belle.
"Not to mention a room with weapons for different uses and there are family photos, I even added one of your mother and father, a painting that is," said Regina.
"I filled up your cabinets with all you should need and I painted quotes on the walls in some of the rooms, and also I made sure you had a better wardrobe," said Emma proudly.
"In fact it is all ready for you to move in," said Rumpelstiltskin.
"Oh my God," Snow couldn't find her words, but the tears streaming down her cheek were of joy. She had never before been so happy and there would be hugs and thank you's for everyone around.
"Me next, I have one for you," said Red to Cora, handing her a little bag.
"Lingerie?" Cora said with a frown. Regina made a face of disgust of an image she got in her head by that comment. Surly they two could give each other that in private. At least she would do that with Emma later. Cora opened the little paper bag and looked inside, before it dropped to the floor with a mellow thump, and a squeal escaped her lips as she looked at Red with wide eyes.
"Mother, what is going on?" Asked Regina worried.
"You okay granny C?" asked Henry.
"What was in the bag," Snow wanted to know.
"Does it mean…are you saying that…" Cora's voice was shivering, as she looked at her wife to be, ignoring the rest.
Red nodded, making Cora hug her tight, kissing her, whispering, "Thank you, thank you, thank you."
"Would everyone please tell us what is going on?" Granny asked rather confused, looking at the two women. Everyone else was looking equally confused. Henry on the other hand went for the paper bag looking inside. A baby body, a rattle and a bear with a pink bow. He smiled at them, before turning to his parents saying, "They are going to have a magical baby as well."
"Are you serious?" said Emma shocked, she looked over at Regina, her jaw had dropped, her eyes widened and for a change she had lost the will to speak from the news. Charming was frowning, a soft smile spreading over Snow's lips, same with Belle, Granny shook her head and Neal was frowning. Rumple simply looked at his old lover and asked, "Is this true?"
"It is and we are," Red confirmed, getting another kiss from her woman. And then there was a huge round of congratulations and hugs all around. Regina was to be the last one doing this and she simply said, "I am really happy for you mother."
"You will always be the one I love the most," Cora whispered, hugging her tight, after all Regina was her first born and that made her very special.
"I know, enough of this sappiness, does anyone else have a present to hand out," said Regina to change the subject, more than anything else. Or perhaps it was for her to not let the tears of happiness she felt welling up inside her start to fall.
"I do, I got something cool for you and Emma," said Henry, really proudly. Snow and Charming knowing just what smiled warmly at their grandson.
"Okay, let's have it," said Emma, going over to let her hand slip around Regina's waist as she was standing next to Cora and Red. Henry nodded excitedly. He handed over and envelope similar to the ones Regina had given the Charming's. His mothers exchanged looks before Emma said, "Henry, I do seriously hope you didn't buy us another house, because we are perfectly happy here."
"Not to mention if you did I would wonder how you could afford it," Regina added. Emma nodded as he impatiently said, "Just open it."
She nodded it, and dragged out some papers and gasped as Cora had moments before. This she had not thought her son would do in a million years. She browsed through the papers, letting Emma see, before the blonde asked, saying, "Kid, how the heck did you come up with this."
"Evil queen, red apples, New York is the big apple it made more sense sending you there. And as mom has always been stuck here I figured it was about time you took her somewhere nice, and you're kind of slow, so I figured I would help," said Henry, wondering if he was in a lot of trouble for it.
"Well at least you cannot argue with reasoning," said Rumple with a shrug.
"Did you help him out with this?" Regina looked over at Charming and Snow.
"We did let him borrow our computer only," said Snow honestly.
"You don't like it?" Henry's voice sounded insecure now. He just wanted to give them something nice after all.
"Regina, would you stop giving your boy a hard time, and say thank you," she heard Cora say.
"We do, we love it, right," Said Emma, looking at her wife-to-be.
"Oh yes, I think this was the most wonderful gift you could have given us, thank you Henry," said Regina and hugged her son tight. Emma did the same of course, before Regina added, "You are not staying home alone, just so you know."
"Of course not, I planned so that I will stay with him Thursday to Saturday, then granny C will get me Saturday morning and then Sunday I planned to stay with grandma and grandpa," he said, the adults nodded to confirm.
"You're just amazing, you know that kid," said Emma and hugged him again. Regina gave him a dignified nod, something to tell him he had done real good. He beamed at his mothers saying, "You are more than welcome."
"I have…I mean we have something for you," said Cora, looking at Rumple, she walked over and handed him a fairly long present. He carefully removed the paper and found a box; opening it he saw a new walking stick. Taking a closer look he saw that it was made from the trees that used to go near his house in Fairytale land. The handle was designed to look like a wolf's head, going over in a book and with hearts around, it was made in pure gold. He looked at her speechless, and Belle said, "That is amazing, how did you manage to have it done?"
"A little help from Geppetto and magic, it just wasn't right he didn't have one," said Cora, and smiled at him.
"Thank you…thank you," he in the end managed to get out.
"You are more than welcome," she turned and made a present appear in her and threw it over at Neal. He captured it and said, "You really didn't have to get me anything."
"Oh I do know, but we are family now," she said with a shrug.
"Be polite, my boy," said Rumpelstiltskin, smiling at him. Neal nodded and opened it, finding a very old book inside it. His lip shivered as he said, "How…how did you get this?"
"Let us just say I have my ways," she said and smiled at him.
"What is it, dad?" asked Henry, looking at his father's eyes as his hand stroked over the book.
"It is one of the first books father read to me when I was a child," he said, smiling at Rumple.
"Wait the wood for this stick and the book it was all in Fairytale land when the curse was cast, it should all have been destroyed," said Rumple, looking at her with wondering eyes.
"Most was, but I went back after the curse lifted, I figured when we met I could return your belongings," said Cora with a heavy sigh.
"I'll be damned, Cora the ice witch, the queen of hearts, the one cutting out her own went back to retrieve what was ours to give back. So you cared about another human being after all," Neal spoke.
"Don't flatter yourself," Cora said in a cold tone, before her attention got turned fully to Red, holding her lovingly for a second, before they continued on opening presents. Once they were done and everyone seemed satisfied, Henry was going through his presents; he didn't seem all excited though. There was clothes, some new movies, cartoons, books, all the things he liked to play with. His mothers of course noticed and Regina called him over saying, "Are you not happy with your gifts, Henry?"
"I am…I am," he said, trying to face a smile, seeing Cora in the corner of his eye trying on an outdoors jacket she had gotten from Rumple and Belle. It wasn't very ladylike still it suited her.
"You are usually more excited than this," said Regina in a soft and motherly tone.
"I just…" he looked down.
"Really wanted a horse or a dog," Emma finished.
"Yeah, you know I would take care of it," he said, still looking down.
"We know," said Regina, Emma gave her a half smile and nodded.
"Then I don't understand," he said, looking at his mothers.
"I'm sorry Henry, but a horse is too big to get under the tree, and it would crap all over my living room," said Regina with a half-smile.
"Your horse is at the stables, mom, Belle and da…Rumple has bought you a saddle, and a blanket. David and Snow has gotten you bridles and another saddle so you can exchange and Red and Granny has gotten you riding boots and an outfit you can wear, it is up in your room," said Regina.
"Do you want to see your horse?" Emma asked, smiling.
"Yes please," he said and looked at her with shining eyes. Emma took out her cell and showed him a picture of a young stallion. He was brown all over except a white star on his forehead. Henry looked at them saying, "He is really mine."
"He sure is," said Regina and smiled at him.
"This is the best Christmas ever, thanks guys, I'm going to call him Maximus," he said excited, making Regina shake her head.
"But you got to keep in mind this gift comes with conditions," said Regina in a serious tone.
"I'll do anything," he said. He for sure would if he could keep his horse.
"You have to do your chores, your homework, and no dropping of your grades or you will be riding less on that horse," said Regina in a serious tone, Emma nodded to confirm.
"I promise I will do it all, oh thank you, thank you, thank you," he said, hugging them both.
Rumple was looking at his grandson, oh so happy, he really was something he figured. Then his eyes went to his old flame, she seemed happy as well. He sighed heavily, before he walked over to her saying, "I have something for you, but I should give it to you in private."
"Of course," she said, getting a wondering look from Red, but the old lady gave her a we will be fine look. Then she lead him upstairs to one of the guest rooms, before she said, "You have my attention."
"This may hurt, but I need you to know the truth," he said. He took her hands in his own, holding on tight then leaned in to kiss her, hard, not intending to let her go until he was done, he made treads of magic look them together, transferring his memory to her. Cora closed her eyes allowing her to go back in time to when they first met, seeing how he hurt her and he swore she would never get away with it. She would bear a child and that would be his no matter the cause, he would make sure of that. She would never put her heart back in or love her either. He would make sure to whisper in her ear when she slept whenever she had doubt and considered to put her heart back. In the end she would forget and became heartless, cruel and powerful. She would hurt her young one, taking away her love, full of hate because in her mind, she fat back remembered she had to make that sacrifice herself. She would not let her daughter fail her. And so he showed her how he had taken her under his wings and taught her as his own, using Regina against her as payback for breaking his heart. Him whispering he would never let Regina go until she was dead. The price she would have to pay for his broken heart. The images changed to much later on as he had made his own trap losing his son, he would grow to feel stronger for Regina, he even loved her, he thought he was going insane seeing Cora in her, regretting his actions, wanted to make it up, making sure she without knowing had someone on her side. Cora coming back, how he wished they could be, knowing they couldn't. And then at last the future holding Red and Cora with a baby.
As they broke free, Cora panted heavily, looking at him, knowing she should have been angry about it. Then again in her heart she might already have known all along. She hugged him tight whispering, "I'm sorry, I should have gone with you and she is yours in every sense of the word."
"I won't harm you again, dearie, or your family," he said.
"Maybe you and Belle could have a child as well?" she suggested, slowly walking towards the door.
"If she wishes one I would approve, even though I feel too old to raise one," he admitted.
"You are not, I'll soon be doing it and I'm sure it will go fine," she said confident as they got out of the room, and started to make their way down the stairs.
"Why aren't you confident?" he said, giving her a warm smile.
"Did you ever know me to be otherwise?" she said, giving him one back.
He shook his head, making his way to the living room, hearing Neal say, "There you are, I was starting to wonder if you got it on for old time's sake."
"Hardly," said Cora, rolling her dark eyes, before going back to hug her love whispering, "I will tell you about it later."
The younger woman nodded, she knew it was not in her place to ask anything of her love. She would as she so fine put it tell her later. On another couch Regina found it appropriate to make out just a little with Emma. The blonde backed away blushing, whispering, "We have to continue later."
"Tonight I am afraid as we need to take Henry to the stable for the horse, and then we are having dinner at your parents," Regina answered.
Emma groaned, but Regina simply whispered, "I can assure you it will be worth the wait."
Looking over at the people in her living room it occurred to her that she didn't mind having any of them there at all, by now they were working as a family. A bit dysfunctional at times, still she loved them all in a variety of ways. She knew she wouldn't change it or how she felt about them. Emma got up to duel with her new sword against her father that gotten a new one from Snow. Regina shook her head, mouthing something about now sword fights in the house, that a vase later was broken due to it, she didn't care much about. After all what did a stupid vase mean when it came to your loved ones having fun, besides she was the one that had given Emma her sword. She had not expected for her not to use it.
Thank you for reading, I would love to hear your thoughts :o)