Merry Christmas and Happy holidays to you all! Hope you all have a safe and happy holiday this year. I know for me, Christmas eve (which is today as I type this) looks so different this year, not seeing my mom's family like we usually do. But Christmas day looks the same. But, that's 2020, right?
So this one-shot is AU Emma was raised by her parents, she raised Henry with Neal. In this Neal has sadly passed away, their first Christmas without him.
I do not own OUAT or it's characters, just my imagination.
Chapter 216: Missing you at Christmas
It was late Christmas eve night, and snow was falling outside, adding to the snow already on the ground. Emma stands by the big window, looking out to the land behind the house, watching the snow. Her parents invited her and Henry to stay with them in the cabin home they owned on the outskirts of the town they lived. Where they went to get away on weekends. Getting away for the holidays especially. She, Neal and Henry would often take the hour drive Christmas morning to meet them there, but this year, they were staying tonight too.
Emma sighs, as she pulls the blanket around her a bit tighter, a small draft chilling her as she watched the snow fall. Neal loved the snow, the one thing he loved more than Christmas, was a white Christmas.
"It's like dad sent it, huh?" Henry says, as he walks into the room, the only light around was coming from outside.
Emma jumps a bit in her skin, turning around, putting a hand over her heart "You scared me kid" she chuckles, as her son came closer, turning back to the window again "and… yeah, it is. Almost like, I'm here guys."
Henry nods, stepping closer, with a small smile "I miss him…" he says simply.
"Ohhh, I know kid…" Emma says, giving him a sad smile, wrapping a arm around him "I do too… but he'd want us to still enjoy Christmas. Right?"
Henry puts a arm around her back "Yeah, he would. But it doesn't seem right though."
"I know, I feel the same way" Emma says, kissing his temple "But we can't let him not being here stop us from living either" she says, although she had been doing that exact thing lately, and she knew it.
Henry bites his lip, looking at her but nods. At 14, there was things he knew not to say, and calling her out was one. "Okay, so, we still enjoy Christmas tomorrow, no matter what. For dad?"
Emma nods "You got it kid" she says, leaning her forehead to his "I love you Henry."
"I love you too mom" Henry chuckles with a small blush.
Emma moves her head away, kissing his forehead "Now, get to sleep… you know grandma and grandpa will have us up early."
Henry smiles with a nod "They probably will, yeah" he says, moving away from her now "Night mom… and merry Christmas" he adds, since it was now after midnight.
"Goodnight kid" Emma smiles with a small nod "merry Christmas" she tells him. She then stands there, watching him jog up the stairs. She gives one last sigh, before looking out the window "Merry Christmas Neal… I miss you; I miss you so much" she says tears filling her eyes, just then, a shooting start is seen above the trees slightly in the distance, making Emma choke on a small sob "Show off" she chuckles, shaking her head. Finally feeling at peace, she shuts the blinds of the window, and heads to bed, she needed that star, more then she knew. A reminder from her late husband, it was all going to be okay.
I know, a bit sad, but I hope you enjoy it all. For the couple of people who sent requests, I will get to them, I promise. I seriously do! Again, Happy holiday's everyone hope you are all staying safe while celebrating. Until next time…
