*** What is going on here? Twins everywhere and now Christmas in July say whaaat? haha. I realized it worked out RumpBelle's twins would be born in Dec so I couldn't help but celebrate Christmas! So two chapters of Christmas then I'm pretty sure I'm going to SORAS everyone. I know this isn't a soap opera but i think the term Soap opera rapid aging syndrome would still apply lol. I've been lazy and haven't been editing after the past idk how many chapters :S so anyway enjoy! And Merry Christmas :D ***

Chapter 25

Neal snuggled Pooh close in the carriage ride back home. He was anxious to get back to their old home. He was getting used to the farm, but he missed his old room, the servants, his horse Maximus, and the atmosphere. There was so much room to run around and play. He missed the sercret passageway, and he missed his old clothes. Yes he was excited to get back to their castle.

Emma rested her head on her Daddy's shoulder and smiled at her new Grandpa who was sitting across from them. She had mixed feelings about going home. She missed her canopy bed, and the people but she was growing to love the farm. They were always a close knit family but she was enjoying the small little house because it was just their family under one roof, with the exception of Mary Poppins who stayed with them for a bit she enjoyed the house to themselves. But in the end it didn't matter because wherever they lived she was with her family.

Snow had mixed feelings about going back to her childhood home. That's where all her memories were, good and bad. It was where she grew up. Where her mother Eva gave her the tiara, and where she learned to ride a horse and shoot archery. Where Emma and Neal took their first steps and spoke their first words. But it was also where her parents died. But it didn't matter, as long as she was with her family.

David rested his head on Emma's and looked out the window at the snow. The lovely white snow, always reminded him of his beautiful wife. He looked across at Snow and smiled. His beautiful queen. It really didn't matter to him where they lived but he knew this was who Snow was. A queen, a leader, a mother. This was her kingdom and he would do anything to help her protect the kingdom and most of all their family.

Boaz looked down at his grandson who was holding onto his stuffed bear. He had fallen in love with his grandchildren and adored his daughter in law. But most of all he was just so blessed to be reunited with his son. He felt like he didn't deserve them after walking out to get James back and it didn't even work. He missed out on half of David's childhood in the process. He smiled at his son. So grown up now. He was handsome, smart, courageous, a wonderful father and leader. He couldn't be more proud of his son.

Neal leaned against Snow and whined. ''Will Santa Claus be confused because we keep moving? Will he find us?''

Snow smiled ''Of course he'll find us.''

''Yeah don't worry Neal. He has special radar.'' Emma winked at her brother.

The carriage pulled up to the castle and they all got out.

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''Hi Pirre! Hi Chrissy!'' Bae looked down at his sisters lying in their cradles. ''Guess what? Santa is coming tonight!''

Belle smiled and leaned into Rumpel on the couch. ''Yes he is.''

''Oh! Emma invited all of us to the castle for Christmas dinner tomorrow. Her parents said it was okay. Can we go? Please, can we go?''

They laughed at his anticipation to spend time with Emma. ''Yes of course, I wanted to speak to her parents anyway.''

''Hear that Pirre and Chrissy? I'm going to make your first Christmas the best ever!''

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Regina knocked the already opened door. ''How is everything going?''

Tarzan and Pocahontas were getting settled in their new room. ''It's so big.'' Tarzan commented.

Regina rubbed his arm. ''It's okay, you'll get used to it.''

Mowgli came running in. ''Father it's so big here!''

''Do you like it?''

He nodded. ''Yeah a lot better than the tree.''

''I'm glad.''

''Can I go play with Roland?''

He smiled. ''Sure buddy.''

Mowgi smiled big and ran out to the halls to find Roland.

Regina smiled. ''They sure have a lot of fun together.''

''Yep, they sure do.''

''I actually wanted to ask you and Pocahontas. Robin and I wanted to go away on our honeymoon next week. Could you watch Roland for us?''

''Yes of course.''

''We'd be happy to.'' Pocahontas smiled. ''We love little Roland.''

''Thank you. He loves you guys too.''

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''MY ROOM!'' Charming, Snow, Emma, and Boaz walked up to their wing of the castle. Neal ran the staircases and darted into his room and jumped on his bed. He jumped up and down with Pooh. ''We're home Pooh bear!''

''Yes. Nothing beats being at home.'' Pooh spoke in his solemn little voice and couldn't jump as high as Neal. In fact after jumping a few times he gave up and sat there then looked towards the hallway. ''Do you uh... suppose there's any honey in the kitchen?''

Neal giggled and stopped jumping and sat in front of him. ''You silly old bear.''

He looked out to the hallway and saw Roland and Mowgli run by, they turned around and looked in Neal's room.

''Hi.''

''Hi.'' Roland and Mowgli said in unison.

He smiled when he realized he had two new people to play with anytime he wanted. ''Wanna go build a snowman?''

Their faces lit up and nodded. ''Yeah!''

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Emma laid her baby blanket on her canopy bed and smiled.

''Hey there, princess. Feel good to be back in your old room.'' Snow came in and sat on her bed.

''Yeah it does actually. At first I was unsure.''

''Oh yeah, you liked the farm?''

She nodded. ''Yeah it was nice. But at least we brought the sheep with us.''

''Yes your father and grandfather want to continue herding sheep.''

Boaz knocked on the door. ''Hey Emma. Neal and the other boys went outside to build snowmen. I thought maybe we could join them.

Emma's face lit up and she looked to her mother. ''Can I?''

''Yes of course.''

Emma put on her coat, hat, scarf and mittens and she and Boaz joined the boys outside. Boaz built the biggest snowman, Emma and Neal built a medium sized one, and Roland and Mowgli built a small one.

Roland and Mowgli tugged on Emma's coat. She turned around and looked down at them. ''What's up?''

''Emma, Emma. Look at our snowman.''

Emma chuckled and behind their little snowman and moved its arms and made a funny voice ''My name's Olaf and I like warm hugs.''

The two boys giggled and hugged Olaf.

Neal threw a snowball at Boaz and laughed. Boaz turned around and gave Neal a pretend evil eye. He bent down and rolled a snow ball and stood up about to throw it at Neal but then three more snowballs hit from behind. He could hear nothing but giggles from Emma, Roland and Mowgli who threw them. He laughed then threw a snowball at Emma. The four children ganged up on Boaz and chased him around throwing snowballs at him.

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Belle laid Pirita down beside Christine and smiled at them. She sang to them. ''Lullaby and goodnight, go to sleep little babies...'' She missed the tip of her finger and placed her finger on each of their heads. ''Goodnight sweethearts.''

She went out to the hallway and saw Rumpel and Bae outside Bae's room. ''I don't wanna go to bed Papa. They're babies, my bedtime should be later than their's.''

''But Bae they don't usually stay up this late, and it's passed your bedtime.''

''Besides...'' Belle joined in. ''Santa Claus won't come if you're awake.

He rolled his eyes. ''Oh come on, I'm not a baby. I know he's not real.''

Rumpel looked at him confused. ''You live in a world of magic and fairytales. You've seen fairies, witches, dragons but you don't believe in Santa Claus?''

''It's just kind of silly. A fat guy giving gifts to every kid in all the worlds in one night? We don't even know how many worlds there are out there.''

''Well you're not ruining it for your sisters when they're older. Now I'm ordering you, go to bed Bae!''

Bae's face filled with hurt. He turned away from his father and went to his room.

''Rumpel... I've never seen you yell at him before.''

''I know...but... my boy is growing up. He's not a little boy anymore.'' His eyes filled with tears and Belle hugged him.

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''Goodnight Emma.'' Snow turned Emma's light out.

''Goodnight, Mom. Goodnight, Dad.''

''Goodnight.'' Charming smiled at his daughter.

They went to the room next door to say goodnight to Neal.

''Can I stay up so I can meet Santa?''

They smiled. ''No buddy. He'll only come if you're asleep.''

He sighed. ''Okay.''

''Goodnight Neal.''

''Goodnight.''

Everyone at the royal household was fast asleep by midnight. And like Christmas tradition not a creature was stirring not even a mouse; the stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; the children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads...

A bright light beamed in through all the windows and there a loud sound of horn coming from outside which didn't seem to wake any of the adults, only the children. Neal jumped out of bed and stared out his window. Unsure he grabbed his blue housecoat and ran next door to Emma's room. She was doing the same thing, staring outside her window.

''What is that, Emma?''

''I don't know. Let's go ask Mom and Dad.'' Emma put on her purple housecoat and they went to the master bedroom and peaked inside, but their parents were fast asleep. ''How did they not hear that?''

Neal shrugged.

''Let's go check it out.''

''Okay, let's take the secret passageway it'll be faster.''

They followed the noise and bright light outside and looked around. A man's voice was shouting loudly. ''ALL ABOARD!'' He was holding up a lantern and he was standing outside of a train. ''ALL ABOARD!''

Emma and Neal walked through the snow to get a closer look at the man.

''Well... are ya coming?'' He asked them.

''Where?'' Emma asked uncertain.

''WHY TO THE NORTH POLE OF COURSE!'' The conductor shouted. ''THIS IS THE POLAR EXPRESS!''

''The north pole?'' Their faces lit up and they looked at each other then back to the conductor.

''Of course! So are ya coming?''

They looked at each other and backed up a bit. ''We're not supposed to go anywhere with strangers.''

''I work for SANTA CLAUS. And SANTA CLAUS is not a stranger to anyone! Except for unbelievers.''

Emma shook her head and held Neal's hand backed up two steps.

He shook his head at them. ''Suit yourselves.'' He started to climb back on.

''NO WAIT!'' Neal let go of Emma's hand and jumped up beside the conductor.

''Neal, what are you doing?''

''I want to meet Santa.''

''You're not going by yourself.''

He smiled. ''Then come with me.''

''Ugh...'' She groaned. ''You better know what you're getting us into.

''Tickets please.''

''Tickets?'' Emma looked confused.

''Yes, check your pockets.''

Emma reached in her housecoat pocket and sure enough pulled out a shiny gold ticket and Neal did the same. The conductor took them and punched some holes into them and formed a letter on each. They looked them over. Neal's had a 'C' on it and Emma's had an 'L'.

''Well alright, find your seats.'' They walked in and saw Bae sitting in a seat.

''Emma!'' He smiled. ''Neal!''

''Hi Bae.''

''Come sit with me.''

They joined him at his booth and sat across from him at the table. ''So what is-'' Emma looked outside and noticed Roland and Mowgli standing outside the train but the train was starting. ''Oh no! They want on the train!''

''We have to stop the train!'' Neal who had the aisle seat saw an emergency stop lever near the ceiling. He ran to the last booth and climbed up on the seat. ''I can't reach it!''

Bae jumped out of his seat and climbed up beside Neal and pulled the lever causing the train to come to a sudden and loud stop. All the kids jolted.

The conductor came charging back not happy. ''Now who pulled that?'' He pulled out a pocket watch and looked at it. ''We have a schedule to keep!''

''But they want to come on the train.'' Bae pointed at Roland and Mowgli outside of the train.

''Oooh. Well why didn't you say so!'' The conductor went out to see them and punched holes in their tickets and they climbed on board. When they spotted Bae, Emma and Neal they came over to them.

''Hey there.'' Emma smiled.

Roland got distracted when he saw a familiar face at the next table and he went over to her. ''Boo!''

She smiled. '' Hi Roland! We're gonna meet Santa!''

''Wanna come sit with me and friends and my nephew?''

''Sure!'' She came and joined them. Mowgli sat with Emma and Neal, and Roland and Boo sat with Bae.

''This is Boo, she's my friend.''

''Hi Boo.'' Emma smiled. ''How do you guys know each other?''

''Well... We met at Monsters, Incubated.''

Bae laughed. ''You mean Monsters, Incorporated? I've been there.''

''What's that?'' Emma and Neal asked in unison.

''When I was living with the Darlings there was a monster inside their closet, it always disappeared when we tried to show their parents. So we thought we'd investigate one day and we followed it inside the closet. These monsters have made it a business. Our screams give them power.''

''That's kinda dumb.''

''REFRESHMENTS ANYONE?'' The conductor along with some other men came out carrying hot chocolates for everyone. He got to their table and set hot chocolates in front of them.

''Excuse me!'' Neal put his hand up. ''Can I get some cinnamon?''

''Oh me too please!''

A moment later they came back with cinnamon for Emma and Neal.

After what seemed like a few hours, but it wasn't even a minute because time stands still at midnight on Christmas eve, the Polar Express finally arrived at the North Pole.

''Okay now, everyone grab a traveling buddy.''

Roland and Boo were buddies, Mowgli and Neal buddies which left Emma and Bae as buddies. All the kids got off the train but Bae didn't budge. Emma was about to climb off but went over to him. ''What's wrong?''

He shrugged.

''Don't you want to meet Santa?''

''I'm not so sure he's real.''

''Why do you say that?''

''Well if he's real why didn't he ever come to Neverland? All the lost boys could have used some Christmas cheer.''

''Maybe Pan wouldn't allow it. He has Neverland under his feet. Maybe Santa isn't allowed in Neverland.''

''I never thought of it that way.''

''I bet he'd like to see you.''

''I'm kinda curious myself.''

''Come on Bae, lets catch up to the others.''

He nodded and followed Emma.

The conductor led all the children to where the huge crowd was gathered around. There elves singing Christmas songs, and Santa's sleigh and reindeer were all on display. The reindeer were dancing causing the bells on the sleigh to make a pretty noise.

''That sound is so pretty Bae.''

''What sound? I don't hear anything!''

''The bells.''

Then the crowd started clapping and cheering like wild.

''There he is!'' Roland cried out.

''It's Santa!'' Mowgli cheered.

''I don't see anything.'' Bae sighed. ''I don't see him!''

A bell fell off the sleigh and rolled in front of Emma. She picked it up and shook it then looked at Bae. ''You don't hear it?''

''No. Santa must not be real.''

''But Bae, just because you don't see something doesn't mean it isn't real.'' She handed him the bell. ''Listen.''

He took the bell and shook it close to his ear and finally he heard it. He looked up and finally saw Santa Claus standing by his sleigh. '' I see him! I see him!''

''Now...'' Santa spoke. ''To choose the child to receive the first gift of Christmas.'' He looked out at the children and pointed at Boo and smiled. ''Come on up Mary. But I know you prefer to be called Boo.''

Her mouth dropped but went up to his on his lap. ''Merry Christmas, Boo. What would you like for Christmas this year?''

She thought about it for a moment then decided. ''For my mommy, daddy and Milo to stop fighting and be happy.''

''When they see your face tomorrow morning... Christmas morning... they are going to work something out so they will get along.''

She smiled. ''Thank you Santa.''

They all boarded the Polar Express and headed back home. Emma and Neal checked in on their parents who were still sound asleep. They decided they didn't want to go back to their rooms. Emma climbed in beside Snow and Neal climbed in beside Charming.

Snow smiled when her eyes opened a little and held Emma close.

''It'll be Christmas soon, Mom.''

''Yes it will be.'' She kissed the top of Emma's head.