Blue Eyed Bandit
By LockedSoulsAM
A/n: I'm back and finishing up the last few chapters of BEB for you all.
Chapter 28
"Addison, do you think Santa is coming to our house?" Emma whispered to her sister. After crawling into bed with her in the middle of the night, neither girl was able to fall asleep. They'd been sent to bed hours ago; the excitement of tomorrow hadn't worn off yet as Emma wondered what gifts they would be getting. Tonight had been the most fun she had in a while. Decorating the tree and getting their own special ornaments. The way they'd been taken in by this family was heartwarming.
Per tradition, they celebrated the holiday together with popcorn, Regina's apple turnovers, and god-awful Christmas sweaters. Emma had eaten more than she could handle and fell asleep in Regina's lap before their Christmas movie was over. She enjoyed spending time with people that cared for her so dearly.
"I don't know." Addison sighed. Since she's known Emma they've had this conversation every year. Emma had been three years old when she learned about Santa. Addison having informed her what the big hype of the holiday was about. She was also the same age when she was disappointed by not receiving gifts like the other kids in the homes. Sure, clothes were nice, but a three-year-old wanted toys. The next year she received Mr. Waffle and held onto him ever since.
Each Christmas after had gotten progressively worse for them. Their foster father hated Christmas and would not allow his family to celebrate it. Emma never lost hope. She was always excited when coming home from preschool to tell Addison about the new Christmas movie they'd watched. From Charlie Brown to Snow Pups. She loved every minute of it.
Emma learned to keep her excitement between them but couldn't help until she came to live with the Mills. She was finally allowed to be a child and happy. She got to write a letter to Santa and leave him cookies by the tree. Regina promised her that Santa would be coming but Emma was skeptical. This was her favorite holiday and she didn't want to be disappointed.
"Just go to sleep and we will find out when we wake up," Addison assured her. There was no guessing but deep down she knew this home was different. She didn't know how much longer she would have here, but she did know that she enjoyed being here. She hadn't felt like she belonged in a very long time. In her thirteen years, she had been through a lot. There were good homes, there were bad homes and then the ones in between. The Mills' were different. She was able to see what a great home could be like and she didn't want to lose it. She knew how things went. For once though this Christmas would be different.
"I think they're going to love everything." Regina put the last present under the tree. After checking to make sure the children were finally asleep the parents got set on wrapping presents. John ate the Christmas cookies and milk that was left out for Santa. Neither woman having the stomach to eat sprinkled sugar cookies so late. As they wrapped presents in Regina's office they talked about any and everything. How much Emma had progressed, the twins schooling and adjusting to Storybrooke, even Addison.
John and Zelena were very adamant about adopting Addison. She fit perfectly in with their boys. She was so trusting of them. Addison was wise beyond her years and they could tell already that it would be a huge adjustment for her. They were both more than willing to make things work.
John picked up random pieces of paper as Zelena and Regina set about cleaning up. Tomorrow would prove to be even more chaotic as they finally realized how many presents were lined under the tree. Regina hadn't gone overboard but she wanted to spoil the girls as best she could. Yes, money wasn't a problem for her, but it didn't mean she would break the bank for Christmas.
"We better get some sleep before the munchkins wake up." Zelena groaned. She stood with a big stretch and scanned her eyes across the living room. The decorations were bright and big, donning every inch of the room. Just how they liked it this time of year.
Regina agreed as she tiredly followed them up to the second floor. If she knew Emma the girl would be knocking at her door as early as she could. She couldn't wait to see her little face light at what she received. Having watched the boys open their presents for the past few years had always given her hope that she would have her own family someday. Now she did.
She changed quickly and slipped under the covers. A fleeting thought crossed her mind. It had been on her mind a few times. Victoria, her younger sister. She hadn't tried to reach out to the girl and as far as Regina knew neither had she. Regina wondered if she was having a good holiday. If Cora was treating her with love. It still hurt to think about, but her curiosity was getting the best of her. She tossed and turned thinking of her sister. They'd never met but Regina wanted to know her. There was someone out there who shared the same DNA.
With a final huff, she reached across her nightstand to unplug her phone from its charger. She was met with the brightness of her wallpaper. It was a picture of Emma and Ingrid that she'd snapped on one of the days they'd hung out at the Ice Cream Shop. Swiping left and entering her password, she quickly opened the Facebook app. She rarely if ever used the social media site. Being a politician, she had both a private and personal account. Using her personal account, Regina scrolled through her feed. She contemplated looking for Victoria's profile but didn't even have a last name for her. She checked a few notifications and went to her messages. There was a new message feature which read requests.
She had a few from people she didn't know. One caught her attention. Victoria Gold. Tapping against the screen, the message was dated back four months ago. Just a little while before Cora had come to town. She read the message with baited breath.
Regina,
I don't know where to start or how to approach you. My mom, Cora Mills, is your mother too. I guess that makes us sisters. She told me about you a short while ago and I've been searching ever since. I know this may seem shocking and you may not want any contact with either of us. I owe it to myself to try. Mom doesn't talk about where she's from so it was hard to find you. I'd like to get to know you if that would be okay. No pressure."
Regina read the message over and over until her eyes crossed. She didn't know what to do about this. She was the adult in this situation. Clearly, Cora couldn't handle that title. She clicked on Victoria's profile and gasped. Tears sprung to her eyes as she found herself looking back at her. Victoria had many of her features which she assumed they inherited from Cora. Chocolate brown eyes that were just as expressive as her own. Regina wanted to do more looking but decided against it. Without a second thought, she sent a friend request and closed the app. There were enough surprises for one night, she hadn't expected to find a message from her sister.
She was going to sleep on this idea and figure something out later. For now, she had Christmas to think about. There was no doubt she would be waking up earlier than she wanted to. She fell asleep quickly and peacefully.
"It's Christmas," Emma whispered into Regina's ear. She didn't remember falling asleep, but it had been some of the best sleep she'd ever had. "Mommy, it's Christmas." Emma nudged her in the usual fashion that told Regina she was becoming impatient.
Regina pretended to be asleep just a little bit longer. Maybe if she ignored Emma she would go back to her own room to play. After a long sigh from said daughter, Regina peeked her eyes open. "Christmas?"
"Yep, come on Momma, we have to go see the presents." Emma pulled her arm. "You have to come see."
"I guess I do, don't I?" Regina lifted. There was no sense in making them wait any longer. Besides, she was also excited to see Emma's reaction. Emma cheered with a fist pump and ran from the room. Regina grabbed her robe, wrapping it around herself in her haste to try and keep up with Emma. She met Addison in the hallway with wild eyes and even wilder hair.
"She has more energy than all of us combined." Addison pouted. She didn't flinch when Regina wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She had become much more comfortable with human contact.
"It's the beauty of being six years old." Regina laughed. Once they reached the living room the boys were already waiting with Zelena and John.
"Look who finally decided to join us." Zelena passed her a cup of coffee knowing her cousin would need it. Regina plopped down onto the opposite couch.
"Yeah, we've been waiting all day." Alexis exaggerated.
"Santa really came," Emma exclaimed. She looked back to Addison. Addison nodding to her that she was right.
"You know you have presents down there too," John said. Addison glanced to him and to the pile of presents that were off to one side.
"Really?" Addison was skeptical. She understood that she wasn't a part of the Mills family. She wouldn't have been angry If she didn't get anything. Regina was letting her stay here and that was more than enough for her.
"Here's for you." Rory read the tag on one of the presents. The wrapping paper had pink candy canes all over it. Addison took it and held it in her hands. She didn't want to seem too excited.
Meanwhile, Emma was ripping the paper off her first present.
"Oh look!" She cried. "It's slime!" She giggled with joy as she inspected the box. Slime was a new thing for every kid to have. Regina wondered If she would regret buying that later when she found slime in the carpet.
Addison tore open her box and couldn't keep the grin off her face. It was a Fujifilm polaroid camera.
"We saw you eyeing it when we went to the mall." Zelena smiled.
"Thank you." Addison inspected the camera. She hadn't noticed that anyone was watching her when she looked. This was incredible."
"Momma, this is so cool." Emma showed her the box full of nail polish. She was so happy as they continued to open gifts. With John recording, they managed to find their own presents and open them all. She'd received so many presents this year she didn't know what to do with herself.
The adults exchanged gifts and present to each other. Regina and Zelena always bought charms for their matching Pandora bracelets every year. It was their thing for the past two years. Regina was more than thankful for their relationship.
As they opened their final presents, Emma stood up and left the room. "Wait, Momma, I have one more present just for you."
Emma grabbed the box she'd been hiding since going to the mall with Mal and Lily. She ran back downstairs only holding onto the rail when Regina warned her.
"I made it just for you." Emma bounced excitedly. As Regina opened the box she could only guess what it was. Tears sprung to her eyes as she read the box. Child's first handprint. She remembered where this came from now. She'd bought Emma this clay for art. Now there were two moldings encased in glass. One of her own hand and one of Emma's. "See our hands are the same. That means we are family."
Emma's logic was the cutest. Addison helped Emma with this present after hearing how much it meant to Emma. As Regina looked over the present again she was overcome with emotion. She didn't know what she had done to deserve so much love, but she would always cherish it.
"Do you like it?"
"I love it, Emma." Regina pulled Emma into her arms and kissed the top of her head. She was raising a thoughtful young woman. "Now how about we go make breakfast?"
Presents were played with all morning as breakfast was served. They enjoyed each other's company for the rest of their Christmas. It was everything Emma had dreamed of and more.
They didn't know that their biggest gift would be coming very soon.
A/n: I'm trying to get my writing groove I decided to break this chapter and the next chapter into two. It's going to be pretty long.
LSAM
