A/N: Hey everyone! I hope you are doing well. It's been years since I've updated this but recently someone left a comment on it and it got me thinking about the story again! I hope even after all this time you still like this. Please let me know what you think! Happy holidays xx

~ Chapter 11 ~

Emma found a small parking lot behind some of the shops on Storybrooke's Main Street. She turned off the engine of her rental car and sat silently for a few moments, wondering for the millionth time that day if she was completely crazy.

Of course you are. You're absolutely batshit.

Emma thought to herself.

Taking a deep breath, she managed to find just enough courage to get out of the SUV. She could hear Christmas music coming from one end of Main Street and could hear the sound of many chattering voices coming from just around the corner. She left the parking lot and passed a bar called The Rabbit Hole as she stepped onto Main Street. She looked up and down the road that was busy with people, trying to decide on where begin next on her quest to find Regina and Henry.

Across the street in front of her, on either side of an intersection, was a public library and an auto shop called the Marine Garage. She spotted a diner a few doors down from the Garage and thought that might be a good place to start.

Granny's Diner was an adorable establishment both inside and out. It was packed with customers and everyone seemed so cheerful, likely because of the Christmas festivities outside, Emma thought. As she stepped into the warm diner she brushed off some of the snow from her red wool coat. She looked around and took in the ambiance. There were small Christmas trees set up on the long bar counter of the diner and throughout the restaurant. There were garlands and Christmas lights and wreaths on the walls. Everything was so tastefully decorated, and whatever the restaurant was serving smelled amazing.

"Hi! Welcome to Granny's Diner," a voice said from beside her. She looked up to see a woman standing beside her. The waitress looked to be in her twenties and she had long raven hair, painted red nails and was holding a thermal carafe. "My name's Ruby, unfortunately we don't have any tables available at the moment but I can offer you a seat at the counter. Or I can get you something to go if you were planning on checking out the festivities outside?"

"Uhh…" Emma said, looking around, rubbing her hands over her arms against the cold. She had only been outside for a few minutes but she was already freezing. "Actually the counter sounds great. It'll be nice to warm up for a minute. I didn't exactly dress for the weather." She grinned, gesturing towards her outfit of ankle boots, jeans and a peacoat.

"Great!" Ruby smiled, "follow me."

Emma felt her smile grow as she followed Ruby.

"You're new here," Ruby observed in a friendly tone. "Are you visiting someone for the holidays?"

"Ummm," Emma said, not knowing how to reply. "Yeah I think so. Or I mean, I hope to…"

At Ruby's curious look Emma added. "The people I'm visiting aren't really expecting me."

"Oh." Ruby responded with an understanding nod. "Well I'm sure it will come as a nice surprise!"

Emma smiled. "Hopefully."

"What's your name?"

"Emma."

"It's nice to meet you Emma!" Ruby indicated the only empty seat at the counter. "Here you are. Can I get you anything to drink right away or would you like a minute to get settled?"

Emma pointed to the carafe in Ruby's hand. "Is that coffee?"

Ruby shook her head. "Hot chocolate. On the house all day."

"Seriously? Even better." Emma responded in surprise.

"Coming right up." Ruby walked around behind the counter and retrieved a clean mug. She placed the mug in front of Emma and filled it up. "Would you like whipped cream?"

"Absolutely." Emma watched as Ruby skillfully added a spiral of whipped cream to the drink, making it look more like a cupcake.

"Would you like a dash of cinnamon?" Ruby asked.

"Yes please!"

Once Ruby was finished fixing the drink, Emma pulled it closer towards her.

Wow this is great. She thought to herself.

"Enjoy!" Ruby said before leaving to check on her other customers. Once she had checked on everyone, she came back and leaned her elbows forward onto the counter in front of Emma.

"So… Emma. Who is it you've come to visit here in town?" Ruby asked in a curious but friendly sort of way.

"Oh… umm." Emma started, "Regina? And Henry."

"Wait really?" Ruby's eyebrows rose as her face lit up in surprise.

"Umm, yeah?" Emma shifted in her seat. "Is that good or bad?"

"It's great it's just, I didn't realize Regina had any friends outside of town."

"Well I'm not really a friend, I'm more of an acquaintance I guess?"

"And you came to visit her for Christmas? That's so nice. When did you two meet?"

"We actually only met today, at the airport in California." Emma said, cringing a little as she waited for the reaction.

"Wait what?!" Ruby's jaw dropped and one of her hands fell flat onto the counter. Emma could tell this woman enjoyed gossip.

"Yeah. I didn't know how to contact her but I wanted to see her again. Sorry, I probably sound crazy don't I?"

"No, not crazy just… maybe… it sounds like you might have a bit of a crush?" Ruby sounded almost hopeful.

"Uhh…" Emma didn't know what to say. She was floored that Ruby didn't even seem phased by the fact that Emma had stalked Regina and Henry all the way back here.

"You do! Don't you?"

Emma winced. She glanced around at the other diner guests to see if anyone was listening but everyone seemed preoccupied in their own conversations. "What would you say if I said that I do?"

"I would say this is amazing news! Regina has been needing someone in her life."

Emma didn't know what to say to that, but Ruby saved her from having to come up with a response.

"I know where she is right now if you want me to tell you?" Ruby asked, her brows wiggling playfully.

Emma meandered slowly through the crowds of cheerful people. She smiled as she saw people chatting and laughing together. She could hear people singing along to the Christmas music that was coming from down the street. As she made her way towards it, she realized that what she had previously thought was a park was actually the front lawn of of a historic cannery. It was here that people were gathered around the Christmas tree. There were tables set up for decorating ornaments, and Emma was surprised to see that a lot of people were actually doing it despite the cold weather. She warmed her own hands by rubbing them together. Her thin gloves were not doing much to protect her from the chill in the air.

Emma made it to the edge of the lawn and looked around, searching the crowd for two familiar faces. Finally, she heard musical laughter coming from near the tree and she looked over to see Regina and Henry. She had never known what it felt like to have you heart flip-flop before, but she felt it now as her face broke out into an adoring smile. Henry was standing a little in front of Regina and they were both facing the tree. It looked like Henry had just hung an ornament on the tree, and when he stepped back, Regina wrapped her arms around him from behind and they both admired the ornament.

Now that Emma had finally laid eyes on the mother and son again, she began to feel even more nervous.

What am I doing?!

Emma screamed to herself.

It's not too late to turn back! Just go to Charleston and have a great Christmas. Regina will never have to know about my creepy stalkerishness.

But then Emma remembered that Ruby already knew she had been here. What if she told Regina?

Emma took a deep breath.

Be cool. Be normal. You can do this.

Emma's gaze went from Regina to Henry, and she felt herself freeze in panic when she realized Henry was staring at her.

Oh my god. Ohmygodohmygod.

"Mom." She saw Henry say.

"Mom," Henry repeated, turning to look up at Regina.

"Mhmm?" Regina asked softly, smiling warmly down at him. She frowned a little when she saw the look on his face. "Henry what is it?"

"Mom I think Emma is here. Emma from the plane."

"What?! Where?" Regina quickly stood up straight. She released Henry from the hug but kept one arm around his shoulders as her eyes scanned the crowd.

Regina felt breathless as her eyes locked with those blue eyes she had been thinking about all day.

Emma didn't walk any closer, but raised a hand in greeting, smiling in sheepish embarrassment.

"Come on Henry," Regina whispered, putting slight pressure on his back to guide him to walk with her.

"Emma?" Regina practically whispered in surprise as they approached the blonde. "What are you– what are you doing here?"

"Heyyyyy," Emma responded, forcing a smile and still feeling weird.

"I thought you had to go to Charleston to see your parents?" Regina asked. She was stunned but she didn't seem mad. "What happened? How did you end up here?"

"Did you come here for Storybrooke's Christmas events?!" Henry asked in excitement.

"Well…" Emma began, deciding to answer Regina's question first. "Yeah, I was supposed to go to South Carolina. And… this might sound crazy, I mean, I'm sure you think I'm crazy, but… I just… kinda wanted to see you again?" Emma's voice raised as if it were a question. She shrugged apologetically. "I honestly don't know what I was thinking, barging in on you like this. You probably think I am some crazy psycho stalker killer or something but really I just… I like you. And I wanted to see you again." Emma's face was beet red. She had started rambling and couldn't stop. She was mortified at the words that were coming out of her mouth but she couldn't turn it off. Regina was just listening to her with raised eyebrows. Her expression didn't give away how she was feeling. "You can tell me to go if you want." Emma continued. "I wouldn't blame you. I mean, we don't really know each other and it's probably super creepy of me to just show up like this. I don't know what I was thinking. I'm really sorry to have bothered you. I'll umm, I'll go. Yeah. That's probably best." Emma was looking at her feet as she pointed a thumb over her shoulder in the general direction of her car. She took a step back but hesitated when she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Emma wait." Regina's voice said. "No one's asking you to leave."

Emma raised her eyes to meet Regina's and she saw the sympathetic amusement in the brunette's expression.

"Really?" Emma asked hopefully.

Regina nodded, before her eyes lit up and she started laughing, looking down towards Henry. "A crazy psycho stalker killer?" Regina repeated.

Emma laughed too, but hers was more a laugh of relief. She shrugged, nodding.

"Did you really drive all the way out here in a snow storm just to see me again?" Regina asked curiously.

Emma nodded, rubbing the back of her neck. "Yep. And now I feel kind of ridiculous."

Regina waved a hand in forgiveness "Don't. I actually think it was quite valiant of you."

"Valiant? Really?" Emma asked, standing up a little straighter. No one had ever called her that before.

Regina smiled, shaking her head in amusement at the look on Emma's face. "You really are adorable, do you know that?" She stepped forward and initiated a hug with the blonde, holding her close and rubbing her back affectionately. "It's so nice to see you again Emma. I really do mean that."

Emma felt her heart soar as she hugged Regina back, loving the way the brunette felt in her arms. She closed her eyes, it had only been an afternoon but it felt like it had been a lifetime since she had seen the other woman.

"Emma it's so awesome you came to visit!" Henry exclaimed as the two women broke away from the embrace. "Mom was talking about you like the whole way home from the airport!"

Emma's eyes lit up as she looked to Regina for confirmation. "For real?"

Regina half rolled her eyes. "Not the whole drive." She responded defensively, folding her arms. "But yes, I suppose your name did come up once or twice." Her cheeks were blushing now too.

Henry waved his hands to get Emma's attention back. "Don't listen to her. She talked about wanting to see you again for four hours!"

"Henry," Regina firmly nudged his shoulder with her arm.

"Okay, let's leave your mom alone." Emma grinned. She couldn't contain the glee she felt at knowing that Regina had been thinking about her too.

"So, how did you find us?" Regina asked curiously.

"Well, I remembered Henry said you guys lived in a small town called Storybrooke, and I figured hey, how many people could live there? If I get there maybe I'll just see them somewhere."

"And so you did." Regina responded with a twinkle in her eye.

"Yeah… but I also had some help."

"Oh really? From whom?"

"A girl named Ruby who works at the diner back there."

"Ruby," Regina smiled, nodding. "Do your parents know you've made a detour?"

"They do." Emma responded. "My mom actually encouraged me to come."

"Oh really? Why?" Regina asked with interest.

Shit. Emma thought. She didn't want to tell Regina that it was because her mom wanted her to find her soulmate. Even though she and Regina liked each other she didn't want to freak the other woman out. After all, Emma and her mom were both just being hopeful.

"Oh, just because I was telling her about all the cool things Storybrooke does for Christmas. It seemed like the perfect place to visit this time of year."

Regina's eyes narrowed and she had a curious smile on her face. Emma knew the brunette didn't believe her.

Regina suddenly frowned in concern when she noticed how badly Emma was shivering. "Goodness Emma, I can hear your teeth chattering. Are these the warmest clothes you brought with you?"

"Yeah…" Emma said. "I was packed for California, and after that I was supposed to be going home. I was only supposed to be on the plane or inside an airport. I had no idea my trip would take a turn like this."

"Would you like to come back to the house with us? I can lend you some boots and a coat. I think you're about my size."

"Oh no you don't have to do that, I'll be fine." Emma waved her off.

"Emma. You won't be fine, trust me. You need some warmer clothes otherwise you'll catch your death."

Emma looked down at her outfit that was starting to really get soaked from the falling snow. "You sure you don't mind?"

"Not at all. Come on." Regina said softly, tilting her head in indication for Emma to follow her.

"Wait we're coming back after right?" Henry asked as he ran a little to walk in front of them. "We haven't done everything yet!"

"Yes sweetheart of course we'll come back. But it wouldn't be very fun if our guest got sick on her first visit to Storybrooke now would it?"

"No fun at all." Emma agreed.

Regina led them off of Main Street onto a quieter side street so they wouldn't have to constantly dodge other townspeople.

"Do you live close?" Emma asked, looking around at all the cute, well decorated houses that they were passing. She wondered which one would be Regina's.

"Yes, it's not far. What do you think of the town so far?"

"Honestly I think I kind of love it. Its so charming and festive and everyone here just seems so content. It doesn't feel like a real place."

Regina smiled. "Well, welcome to Storybrooke Emma. I really do hope you'll enjoy your time here."

A/N: Thank you so much for reading, I know its been years but I hope you liked the update! Please leave a review if you can!