Disclaimer: Nope – still not mine.
"Someone has a special glow about her this morning," Ruby greeted the Jones family when they arrived for breakfast.
"I could say the same for you, Red," Emma accepted her usual cup of coffee, "How are the wedding plans coming?"
"Victor and I agreed we wanted to keep it simple," Ruby explained, "It's going to be a no frills service at City Hall in the auditorium, and then a simple reception with good food and lots of laughs."
"We can do better than that," Mary Margaret joined the girl talk when she arrived with her husband and son both who quickly joined the Joneses at their regular table.
"Mom, let them plan the wedding they want," Emma spoke up before Ruby could. "A royal affair worked for you, but it doesn't work for everyone."
"I just meant we could at least throw in some Christmas decorations into the festivities," Mary Margaret replied.
"That's not such a bad idea," Emma replied, "Throw in some holiday cheer."
"So long as it's kept simple," Ruby replied, "We agreed we wanted to find a new place, so we're saving for that rather than having a big, elaborate wedding. I was pricing wedding dressed and almost lost my mind…those things are expensive."
"Buy what you like, cost be damned," Emma advised her, "It's your wedding."
"You're one to talk, Emma," Ruby snorted, "How much did yours cost?"
"I liked my dress. It fit the ceremony we had aboard Killian's ship. If I found a dress I liked better, I would have spent whatever it cost," Emma replied.
"I'll take the advice under consideration," Ruby replied, "Don't think you've completely sidetracked the conversation. You came in positively glowing, Sheriff. Did someone do some howling with her husband last night?"
"Really not breakfast conversation, Red," Emma motioned towards the table full of family only steps away.
"Really? This is me you're talking to," Ruby eyed her, "I've already sniffed out one charming on the way. I think we're well on the way to another."
"What!" Mary Margaret gasped.
"Do you really think you can keep a secret like that from me?" Ruby chuckled at her longtime friend.
"How long have you known?" Mary Margaret glanced around in hopes no one was eavesdropping on their conversation.
"About as long as you've been pregnant," Ruby smirked, "You weren't fooling anyone with your designated driver routine on girls' night…Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."
"Darn you and your super wolf abilities," Mary Margaret muttered.
"So," Ruby turned her attentions to Emma, "Is there another Jones in the works?"
Emma glanced towards her family to make sure their attentions were diverted before answering, "I think so." She felt her cheeks flush as she spoke. "We've been trying for a few weeks, and I'm late."
"How late?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Late enough I've noticed," Emma replied, "I haven't taken any tests. I'm just starting to get those feelings I remember getting with Henry and Fallon and what I would have gotten with Bradyn if the snow witch hadn't stolen my memories…Honestly I don't want to know just yet. I want to enjoy the holidays."
"And the howling fun," Ruby eyes glimmered with amusement.
"On that note," Emma snatched up her cup of coffee and made her way to the table where the family was making plans for their trip to the tree farm at the outskirts of town. David and Killian were discussing the merits of the different types of trees. Brennan looked completely lost.
"She's pregnant, isn't she," Mary Margaret glanced towards Ruby.
"Too soon for even me to tell," Ruby snickered, "If I had to bet on it, I'd say yes."
"Are you okay with having two pregnant bridesmaids?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Absolutely," Ruby nodded, "I'm so happy for the both of you. You make adorable children."
"Yes, we do," Mary Margaret glanced towards the table and the children all around it and gave a proud smile.
"Drinking tea these days?" Ruby inquired and handed her a cup of warm water with a tea bag.
"You've known me for far too long," Mary Margaret snickered and then joined her family.
"Grammy, will you help me make my list for Santa?" Fallon climbed into her grandmother's lap.
"Sure, I will," Mary Margaret flipped over her placemat and grabbed a crayon, "What do you want to start with?"
Fallon gave an exaggerated pause, tapping at her lip with her finger to give thought to what she would ask Santa for. The adults at the table had a good chuckle in response.
"Such the little show stopper," Emma nipped at Fallon's cheek.
Fallon giggled and then began rattling off items she intended to ask Santa for. It was all Mary Margaret could do to keep up.
"Oh, goodness," Emma watched her daughter's list grow and grow.
"She doesn't need all of it," David reminded his own daughter.
"I want so much to give her good Christmas memories," Emma replied, "After all we've been through this year…"
"You'll give her good memories just by celebrating together as a family," David replied, "Years from now, she won't remember what was under the tree, but she will remember the people she celebrated with."
"You're right," Emma nodded.
Killian leaned in and kissed her temple, "We'll make this a wonderful Christmas for us all."
Emma felt the happy tears welling in her eyes. She was so happy with her life.
The bell to the diner door rang and in walked Regina and Roland.
"Hey, Mom," Henry went to greet her. "I didn't know you were having breakfast here this morning."
"Spur of the moment decision," Regina smiled, "Roland was hungry. We promised to bring breakfast to Robin at the station."
"Sounded like he had a quiet night when I checked on him this morning," Emma approached with Fallon nipping at her heels.
"He told me so as well," Regina nodded and then looked to Fallon with a gentle smile on her face, "Hello, Fallon."
"Hi, Mayor Mills," Fallon flashed her usual smile and waved.
"You can call me Regina," the mayor reminded her.
"Oh yeah, I forgot," Fallon smiled. "Mama, can we get our tree yet?"
"Your tree?" Regina prompted her.
"Our Christmas tree," Emma amended, "We're taking the family to that tree farm a few miles outside of town after breakfast."
"You can come too," Fallon offered.
"That's very sweet of you, Fallon, but Roland, Robin and I already have our tree picked out," Regina smiled at the little girl.
"Okay," Fallon shrugged and returned to the table to finish her breakfast at her father's urging. She pulled Henry and Roland with her.
"She reminds me so much of Henry at that age," Regina watched the little girl, "He was quite precocious himself."
"Yes, I remember," Emma laughed, "Him showing up at my door in Boston was a big tip off…Do you and Robin talk about adding to your family?"
"It's complicated," Regina admitted, "There are a lot of factors to consider."
"Any kid would be lucky to have you as a mother," Emma smiled.
"Thank you for saying that."
"We'd better get going," Emma noticed the family was finishing up.
"Have fun," Regina went to join Roland.
Killian trudged through the snow at the tree farm with Fallon high atop his shoulders, pointing in various directions she wanted her father to go. Henry was carrying Bradyn, and Emma and Brennan were bringing up the rear while she explained everything he was seeing. In her hand was the saw they would eventually use to cut down their tree. Every so often the family would pause to admire a tree.
"Aw, how about this one, Love?" Killian shook the tree a bit to shake out the lingering snow.
"It's beautiful," Emma admired the tree from all angles, "Is it too tall for our space?"
"Can you see over the top, Little Love?" Killian twisted his head slightly to glance up at his daughter.
"Yep," Fallon bobbed her head.
"Then we have plenty of room," Killian replied.
"Start cutting then," Emma handed Killian the saw and then pulled Fallon from her father's shoulders. The little girl began playing hide and seek with her brothers while Killian got to work.
"Brennan, how about you come with me," Emma suggested, "We'll get a sled we can pull the tree on."
"Aye," Brennan followed Emma just as Killian got on his hands and knees and began cutting.
Emma couldn't help taking a moment to admire the view of his posterior. Her daughter laughing as she ran around the farm shook Emma out of her momentary trance.
"Fallon, you're not supposed to run when you're found," Henry called out to her, "It's your turn to seek."
Emma laughed. Fallon was good at being the hider, not so much when it came to being a seeker. Fortunately Henry was patient and willing to teach her.
"Is this an important holiday to your people?" Brennan asked Emma.
"Oh yes," Emma nodded, "It's the best time of the year for little kids, especially those with a healthy imagination."
"Like little Fallon," Brennan smirked.
"Most definitely," Emma agreed, "She certainly takes it to an extreme level."
"Who is the Santa chap she was writing a letter to this morning?" Brennan asked.
"Right, no Santas in Avalon," Emma sighed, "He's a mythical figure who brings presents on Christmas Day to all the good girls and boys across the world. It's a customary thing for all little girls and boys who believe in him to write him letters. They usually start with proclaiming what a good girl or boy they were throughout the year, and then they list all the toys they'd like him to leave under their trees. There will be a ton of movies on throughout the month which will answer most of your questions, but that's the general gist of the season."
"I see," Brennan nodded.
"Fallon doesn't know he's mythical, and likely won't for several more years. We'd like to keep it that way," Emma stated.
"Children need good things to believe in," Brennan replied, "We had our own mythical figures in Avalon, perhaps none so…generous as your Santa. It's been many years since we celebrated the season for which they originated."
"Was it due to your queen's influence?" Emma asked.
"Aye," Brennan nodded, "I didn't agree with the match when it was first proposed, but King Daniel was smitten from the moment they met. If only I'd realized why he was smitten."
"You can't beat yourself up," Emma replied, "There was no way for you to know."
"Doesn't make the situation any less tolerable," Brennan frowned.
It was then that Emma noticed the dark circles under his eyes. "Are you sleeping alright?"
He shook his head slightly.
"I promise we are working on a resolution," Emma wrapped an arm around his shoulders, "You heard my ex, Neal, has volunteered to go to Avalon with the potion to save the kingdom. There are a few particulars to work out, but he should be leaving soon."
"I hope it works," Brennan soaked in her comfort for a moment.
"It will," Emma gave him a reassuring smile, "Do you know the silversmith he worked with or his daughter?"
"Cilla," Brennan stated.
"You know her?" Emma asked.
"Everyone knows of her," Brennan replied, "She took over her father's shop after he passed. It was a bit of a scandal because she's a single woman running a shop in a typically male dominated profession."
"It's never easy being the first," Emma replied.
"She's quite skilled," Brennan replied, "She forged my sword. It is the strongest blade I've ever held."
Emma smirked in reply. She always enjoyed hearing about a woman thriving in a male dominated role. She too had felt the pressure of stepping into a man's shoes as sheriff when many thought a woman was incapable. She thought she might like this Cilla if she ever had a chance to meet her.
Emma and Brennan returned with the sled just as Killian finished cutting the tree.
"Perfect timing," Killian lifted the tree onto the sled. Emma did her best to hide how much his show of strength turned her on, but one look into her eyes told Killian exactly where her thoughts were taking her. He gave her a slight wag of his brow.
"I'll round up the kids," Emma turned abruptly so Killian wouldn't see the pink tinge to her cheeks which had nothing to do with the chill in the air.
"Fallon darted past not moments ago. They cannot be far," Killian replied.
"Can you get the tree loaded into the back of Dad's truck without too much trouble?" Emma asked.
"Aye," Killian nodded. He and Brennan took turns pulling the sled back to the truck. Killian stopped to pay the proprietor for the tree while Brennan pulled the sled the final few steps. Just as the tree was loaded into the back of the truck, Emma came with the children. Fallon was proclaiming victory for the game they'd been playing despite Henry's attempts to explain the rules.
"Everyone buckle up," Emma instructed the children while buckling Bradyn into the car seat. The little boy wiggled and giggled and generally made the process as difficult as possible. With the process finally accomplished, she climbed into the driver's seat and revved the engine to life. "I really need to get my vehicle replaced soon."
"I'm ready for the adventure when you are," Killian wagged a brow at her.
"After Christmas," Emma replied.
"Mama, Christmas music," Fallon requested from her booster seat.
Emma reached out and turned on the radio, fiddling with the stations until she found one to play Christmas music. She then threw the vehicle into gear and directed the vehicle back to the cottage. Fallon's off key singing carried them all the way home.
"Why couldn't you inherit your papa's singing voice?" Emma lowered her daughter to the ground after they arrived home. Fallon giggled and darted into the house.
Killian lifted the tree from the bed of the truck.
"Brennan, will you take Bradyn inside?" Emma lifted her son from the car seat, "I'm going to help Killian get the tree in the stand to bring inside."
Brennan didn't understand anything Emma said after asking to take Bradyn, but he took his grandson all the same.
"We'll be inside in a bit," Emma stated, "Henry, will you get the tree decorations out of storage?"
Henry nodded and followed Fallon into the house.
With everyone safely inside, Killian set the tree against the truck and pounced on Emma. Emma didn't protest getting backed against the cold steel, his lips warm against hers.
"Quite a show of strength you've displayed today," Emma ran her fingers through his hair. "Your time aboard the Jolly Roger has been spent well."
Killian only chuckled and dove in for another kiss.
A clearing of a throat interrupted them.
"Mind if I borrow my truck?" David tapped at the cab of his vehicle.
Emma felt an immediate blush creep to her cheeks at being caught making out with her husband by her father as she wiped at her lips with the back of her glove.
"Bad form, Mate," Killian chuckled and manhandled the tree away from the truck.
"How was tree shopping?" David inquired.
"Found the best in the lot," Killian motioned towards the tree in his hands, "You'll have to settle for having the second best tree in Storybrooke."
"I'd best pick up your mother and brother," David chuckled, "I'll have the truck back in a bit."
"Take your time," Emma finally recovered her wits.
David looked towards the pair with an amused chuckle and then climbed into the cab of his vehicle.
"I'll get the tree stand," Emma cleared her throat after her father backed the truck out of their driveway.
Killian caught her hand after propping up the tree against the cottage. He quickly pulled her into his embrace for a second time to pick up where they'd left off after being so rudely interrupted.
Emma hummed in content, her arms wrapping tight around his neck.
"I love kissing you," Emma mumbled against his lips, "You're always so warm."
"Lucky for me," he chuckled, "It was my heat which drew you to me in the first place."
"I'm sure your charms would have eventually worn me down," she responded as they continued to peck away.
They were interrupted a second time by a snowball hitting Killian square in the back. They turned abruptly to see Henry and Fallon both with snowballs in hand, laughing at being able to sneak up on their parents.
Emma and Killian both snatched up handfuls of snow and launched them towards their children, forcing the pair back into the house.
Taking the hint, Emma finally retrieved the tree stand and helped Killian get the tree setup and into the house.
Fallon took great joy in showing her grandfather how to decorate the tree while Emma pulled out Henry's camera to capture the moment.
Upon completing their task, Emma whipped up a big batch of hot cocoa and popcorn for the entire family. They took their mugs and bowls of popcorn into the living room, so they could curling up and watch whatever holiday movie they could find on the television.
Their happy holiday evening was interrupted by a knock on the door.
Killian went to answer it. "Baelfire."
"Sorry to stop by so late," Neal rocked on his heals, "I was hoping to speak with Henry. Is he here?"
Henry untangled himself from his sleeping sister's limbs and went to the doors.
Emma handed Bradyn to Brennan and went to the door as well. She was pretty sure she knew what Neal came to talk to Henry about, and she was sure her son would need her support.
"Hey, Henry," Neal smiled and glanced around the cottage looking for a way to start the conversation, "Looks like you guys decorated today. It looks good."
"Thanks," Henry replied.
"I need to talk to you about something," Neal began, "I need to leave town for awhile."
"What?" Henry gasped. "Why?"
"It's a bit complicated, but Avalon is in trouble. I've been there before, so I know my way around," Neal replied, "Because of Wendy, I'm immune to a siren's song."
"You've been to Avalon," Henry repeated, "When?"
"A long time ago…before your mom and I got together," Neal admitted, "I had friends there, people I want to help."
"Why do you have to go now?" Henry asked.
"I know the timing sucks, with the holidays coming…" Neal began.
"You're still healing," Henry added, "We were finally talking."
"I'm trying to do the right thing, Henry," Neal replied, "I need for you to see me as a father you can be proud of."
"You already are," Henry hugged him. "Can you at least stay until Christmas?"
"I wish I could," Neal frowned, "The siren who has taken over Avalon has had far too long to influence the kingdom. I need to get there as soon as possible."
"Have you worked out how you're getting there?" Emma chimed in.
"Anton," Neal replied, "I got him to give me another of his beans."
"What did he ask for this time?" Emma smiled.
"That is between me and Anton," Neal replied.
"Has Regina given you the potion to neutralize the siren?" Emma asked.
"She gave me the potion without the fruit," Neal held out the vial, "I'm to get the fruit when I get there and add it."
"How are you going to do that?" Emma asked, "Touching it may or may not kill you."
"I'm hoping an old friend will help me," Neal glanced away.
"Brennan, tell Neal what you told me about Cilla," Emma motioned Brennan over.
"You know Cilla?" Neal looked to Brennan.
"Aye," Brennan came to the front door. Killian took Bradyn from him and stepped back. He didn't need to be a participant in this conversation.
"Cilla took over her father's shop when he passed away," Brennan replied, "She's become quite a silversmith."
"Do you think she'll be willing help me?" Neal asked.
"She might," Brennan nodded, "Assuming she's not under the siren's spell. She's never married, so she might not be immune."
"She never married," Neal repeated.
Brennan shook his head.
"Wow," Neal breathed out.
"Wait here," Henry abruptly darted into his room and emerged a moment later with a mirror in his hands, "Take this…so we can communicate while you're in Avalon. My mom has the other mirror. I'll get the it from her, so you can check in while your gone."
"Thank you, Henry," Neal accepted the mirror and slipped it into his pocket.
"When are you leaving?" Emma asked.
"First thing in the morning," Neal replied, "Just waiting for the bean to work it's magic."
"Mom, do you think I could see him off tomorrow?" Henry asked Emma.
"I don't see why not," Emma ruffled his hair, "It's a teacher work day, so you won't miss anything there. What time are you leaving, Neal?"
"Early," Neal stated, "Around eight."
"Not so early in Fallon's world," Emma replied, "I'll make sure to bring him over."
"Thanks," Neal nodded, "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Yes, you will," Emma nodded.
"Good night," Neal acknowledged everyone before leaving.
"You okay, Kid?" Emma wrapped an arm around Henry's shoulders.
"Yeah," Henry nodded.
"He's trying to do good," Emma tried to explain Neal's need to leave Storybrooke.
"I know, and I'm proud of him," Henry replied.
"But," Emma prompted him.
"I just wish he didn't have to leave just yet," Henry frowned.
"He's not leaving permanently," Emma reminded him, "With the time difference, it will hardly seem like he's gone at all."
"I hope so," Henry nodded, "I'm heading to bed. Good night."
"Night," Emma kissed his cheek.
"Poor lad," Killian frowned after Henry closed his bedroom door.
"He just got his father back, and he's already leaving," Emma sighed and took Bradyn from him, "I'm going to put him down. Join you upstairs in a bit?"
"Aye," Killian pecked at her lips lightly.
Emma disappeared into Bradyn's bedroom while Killian and Brennan cleaned up the dishes from the evening.
"What did you think of your first Christmas film?" Killian took the dishes from his father one at a time to load the dishwasher.
"It's quite entertaining," Brennan glanced towards his sleeping granddaughter, curled up on the sofa while another holiday movie played on. "Fallon called one of her snowmen, Frosty. Is that a coincidence?"
"Probably not," Killian chuckled, "She likes to think her snowmen will come to life like the one in the movie…they won't, by the way, unless Fallon can figure out a magical way to do it."
"I figured as much," Brennan laughed, "You say your daughter is magical, yet I haven't seen much in the way of proof."
"Fallon is still at the early phase of learning. Emma doesn't want her using her magic until she is fully capable of understanding the consequences. We likely wouldn't have known she even had magic had the Snow Queen not forced it out of her last year."
"Snow Queen?" Brennan raised a curious brow.
"Another evil person who found her way to Storybrooke. Another evil I had previous encounters with. It seems no matter how good my intentions are these days, my past seems to find a way to encroach," Killian frowned.
"I would very much like to hear of your adventures," Brennan replied, "The good parts."
Killian gave the request a bit of thought before launching into one of his more thrilling tales. Brennan soaked up the story like a sponge. Killian had purposely picked one which included his brother. It was before his brother had received his own ship. They'd been assigned to the same vessel for the first time after Killian had graduated from the Naval Academy. By the end of the story, Brennan was howling with laughter, so much so that Emma came down the stairs to warn them against making so much noise and waking the children.
"My apologies, Love," Killian gave her his more charming smile when she wrapped an arm around his waist.
"Must have been quite a story," Emma looked between the pair to see their eyes both glimmering with amusement.
"Aye," Killian nodded, "I was telling Papa a tale of me and Liam's first voyage after I graduated from the Naval Academy."
"Is this the story about the seamstress chasing Liam out of her establishment with a broom?" Emma asked. He'd told her the story not long after she'd requested he open up about his brother.
"Aye, that would be the one," Killian confirmed, "Served him right for trying to sneak in through the window to visit her daughter."
"Still doesn't fit the image you've painted of him being a by the book sailor," Emma replied.
"He was by the book aboard a vessel, but at port he could mix it up with the best of them," Killian replied, "He got into his fair share of scrapes before he was named the captain of the Jewel of the Realm. Every good sailor has similar stories."
"And did you climb into the window of any seamstresses' shops to visit their daughters?" Emma asked.
"I'm not one to kiss and tell," he gave her a leering gaze.
"You're exactly the one to kiss and tell," Emma snorted, "Brennan, when I first met Killian, there wasn't a sexual innuendo he could resist. He was cocky and arrogant, but underneath it all, I could tell we were cut from the same cloth."
"Love at first sight," Brennan proclaimed.
"Hardly," Emma laughed out, "Tied him to a tree because I knew he was telling me a lie."
"She almost fed me to an ogre," Killian smiled.
"And then a giant," Emma added.
"Yet I still couldn't stay away," Killian pecked at her lips.
"You were relentless, and I was a sucker for the blue eyes."
"Sounds like quite the adventurous courtship you two had," Brennan noted.
"Most definitely," Emma nodded. "I'm off to bed. How about you put the princess to bed and then join me, Sailor?"
"I'd better," Killian noted the time, "Mornings start early thanks to my little navigator."
"I'll take care of little Fallon," Brennan offered.
"Are you sure?" Killian hesitated.
Brennan nodded in agreement and went to the sofa to pick up his granddaughter. She was out like a light and didn't even flinch.
"Good night, Brennan," Emma took her husband's hand and pulled him on the stairs to the bedroom. Killian barely had the time to wish his father a good night.
TBC…