Day Twenty Five
Christmas

Regina woke up when she head a hissed curse word not far from her ear. She felt the weight of Emma Swan on top of her on the sofa, and both of them were covered with a blanket from the spare linen closet. She knew for certain that hadn't been there the night before and figured it was from Henry, the owner of the voice. "Language, Henry," Regina reminded him.

"Yikes," the boy said, startled. "Sorry mom." Henry was sitting on the floor, leaning against the sofa as he played one of his video games. Regina didn't know how long the boy had been there, but looking at the boss battle he was working on, as well as how warm she was under the blanket, she guessed it was some while. A moment with only the sounds of the video game put way down low and the slight ticking of the buttons on his controllers, and then Henry said, "Good morning, by the way." He didn't look up from his game.

"Merry Christmas, Henry." Regina replied with a small smile. Emma stirred above Regina. The mayor absently put her had through almost unruly blonde hair, and shushed the other woman when it looked like she was about to scramble off of her. "It's okay," she assured her, and Emma slowed in her movements, even as she continued to sit up.

"What time is it?" Emma asked.

"Time to open presents," Henry cut in, pausing his game, and finally turning to look at the two of them with a smile. "I've been waiting for hours for you two to wake up."

"Why didn't you just wake us up?" Emma asked.

"You looked like you needed the sleep, and you both looked like it was the best sleep you had in a long time. I didn't wanna ruin that," Henry said with a shrug.

"That was thoughtful. Well, pass us our stockings to see what Santa brought us," Emma said. She sat up a little bit more, and Regina placed her feet on Emma's lap.

Henry did as he was told, and then sat back down on the floor where he had been the previous three or so hours. Regina saw the added items and looked to Emma. She squeezed the blonde's thigh under the blanket in thanks when Henry opened up a gift certificate to the toy store on Main street, which caused the cutest happy dance. Emma put on the socks Regina had gotten her, which were thick and decorated with swords on them. The blonde joked that she may find them disappearing a time or two thanks to her father. She was also given another zip up jacket with wool inside, and Emma almost wanted to go outside just for a reason to wear it.

Later on, Emma got her wish as the trio walked to the Charmings' home after a hearty breakfast. At first, Emma had her hands deep in her pockets, smiling widely at how soft they were as well. "Honestly, it is only a jacket," Regina said playfully, as she watched Henry walk up Blue's door and knock. When the boy's friend opened the door, he was splattered with snow and then Henry ran off back to the two women. Blue yelled his vow of revenge after him, and Henry let out a loud laugh.

Emma looked back to Regina to answer her. "A good jacket can get you through anything. Her eyes went a little wide as she discovered yet another pocket. A moment later, just as the three of them made it to the outer property of the Charmings', Regina felt a splatter of snow against the back of her neck, which caused her to pause in her step. "Sorry, but Henry reminded me that I had promised to get you back for a few days ago."

"Indeed you did. We are now even, now come over here and take my hand."

"Yes ma'am," Emma said, but she was cautious when she stepped closer to the other woman, unsure if she was going to get it now. She gave Regina a quick kiss to smooth things over a little more, and then grabbed the mayor's hand.

"You know the drill, follow my lead," she said. Emma nodded, and Regina put her palm up into the air as they had in Neverland, and the sheriff copied the motion, and a a small purple mist seemed to seep out of the both of them and into the sky. A moment later, the clouds gathered, and it began to snow, a large clump falling directly on Emma.

"DAMN IT! I can't believe-" Emma started, attempting to yank her hand away from Regina's, but the brunette wasn't having it. Henry was cackling in front of them when he realized what his mother had done. Regina pulled Emma into her, and helped get the majority of the snow out of her hair and off of her shoulders before she kissed the other woman.

"Now we're even dear."

"Not even close-" Emma was cut off by another kiss, this one a little deeper.

"Now we're even," Regina said again.

"Yeah okay," Emma said, her voice lower in almost a pout. Regina grinned, and dragged Emma a few steps, before faltering a little when the door opened before them.

"Come inside!" Snow greeted them. She was wearing an ugly Christmas sweater, and once they all got inside, they saw that David had one on as well. Red and Granny were there as well, and they all hugged in greeting. Eggnog was passed around, gifts were exchanged, carols were sung and food was consumed. That night, as Emma thought about the day, she turned her head to look at Regina. "This has been the best Christmas," Emma told her, burrowing further into the blankets and closer to the other woman. "Is it too soon to tell you that I love you?" she asked a moment later.

"If you can't say it at Christmas, when can you say it?" Regina asked in return.

"Valentine's Day," Emma replied.

Regina sighed almost in frustration. "Idiot Charming Number Three, I love you too."

"Merry Christmas, Regina," Emma said softly with a small smirk forming.

"Merry Christmas to you too, dear." The new couple shared a sweet kiss before going to sleep.