It was Christmas time again, and as usually, Emma Swan was struggling.

Last year, money had been tight. You didn't earn much as a waitress, but Emma had still managed to afford a christmas tree, a ham from a box and a gift for her son. It had been a humble Christmas, but it had been a good one.

This year, however, there would be no Christmas. Because Emma Swan had been fired. Something had happened at work. Something she hadn't been responsible for. But she had been fired anyway. Mr. Jeeter, the elderly man who ran the restaurant and whom she usually got along with just fine, had been so cruel to her. It hadn't mattered that Emma had tried to tell him that it hadn't been her fault. Her job was gone. And so was her good relationship with her former boss. He had always been so kind to her. Almost like a grandfather. He had mentioned many times that she would be taking over the restaurant after him. But now there would be none of that.

There wouldn't be a Christmas tree either. Or presents. Not even a ham from a box. Christmas was cancelled. Emma had nowhere to go. No one to turn to. Her parents had passed away when she was just a baby. It was just her and Henry against the world. Usually, they managed. Henry could chase away even the saddest of mood with his good mood, but this year, Emma had seen how the light had left her seven year old son's eyes when she told him that they didn't have money to celebrate Christmas properly this year. He had put on a brave face, though. Had nodded and gone: "next year, mommy." And Emma had smiled and said: "yeah. Next year, kid." And then she had hated herself. She had felt guilty even though what happened at work wasn't her fault. And she had made a decision. To make it a good day even though there would be no Christmas tree or presents. It was still Christmas and she had to make it festive somehow. No matter what. Otherwise Christmas would be ruined for her son forever. This memory would stay with him for the rest of his life. The Christmas that never was. Emma wouldn't have that. Her son should not continue the pattern. Christmas at the orphanage hadn't been much to cheer for. Emma had always wished for a proper Christmas when she was a little girl, but so far she had not gotten one. And now there wouldn't even be a tree.

Still, she was determined to do SOMETHING. Anything. Was there any possibility that Henry had some old toy laying around somewhere? One that he had forgotten about? Could she wrap it for him and give it to him tomorrow morning and hope that he didn't recognize it?

No, it was too stupid. Henry was a smart boy. A very smart boy. He would recognize the toy immediately. There was no joy in wrapping one of his old toys. And besides, he so wished for a train set this year. A train set and a teddy bear. Humble gifts, really. But still nothing Emma could afford. Not this year.

Emma sighed. What on earth was she supposed to do? It felt like she had gone over every single option, and she still was coming up empty. Somehow, she had to accept that she couldn't give her son a gift tomorrow morning. And it was absolutely breaking her heart.

The walls shook and one of the picture frames rattled. Another train passed. Emma gnashed her teeth. She hated this place. Hated, hated, hated. Hated that the walls shook every damn time a train passed. Hated that she more than five times had been awakened in the dead of night by some drunken idiot mistaking her street door for the bathroom. And most of all, she hated that she couldn't afford to move them away from this ghastly place.

"Mommy, we're watching the movie!" Henry said sternly.

"Yes, of course. Sorry, kid. I got distracted there. But I'm here now," she hastily promised and turned her attention back to the television. Henry had been put in charge of picking a movie tonight. A Christmas movie, of course. He had chosen Muppet's Christmas Carol. Very predictably. He loved that movie. And Emma didn't mind it either. It had some very catchy tunes and all that.

"That's our Christmas this year!" Henry suddenly piped up as he pointed to the scary Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come.

Emma's heart sank. "Henry…"

"Is okay, mommy," he said and flashed her a smile with missing front teeth. "Next year Christmas will be like The Ghost Of Christmas Present!"

Emma's heart only sank further at that. In seven year old Henry's mind, this Christmas was grey and rainy like the ghost of Christmas future. Not bright and glittery like the ghost of Christmas present. And it broke her heart. "I'm sorry, kiddo," she said softly as she ruffled his hair.

"Is okay, mommy. Is not your fault."

Emma kissed the top of his head. He was right. It wasn't her fault. But it still didn't make it okay. Not even in the slightest. She deeply regretted that this was how Christmas was looking this year. No tree. No presents. No nothing. At least it was snowing outside. They could make a snowman tomorrow. Drink hot cocoa. And maybe even buy a pizza. Henry loved pizza. It wasn't the same as ham or even turkey, but still, it was better than nothing.

She desperately clung to that as she and Henry watched Michael Caine tried to bargain his way out his impending death. Henry was sitting quietly next to her. His eyes were wide and excited. But for how long? Tomorrow morning, the magic of the Christmas movie would wear off, and Emma feared that her son would wake up and be heartbroken because there was no Christmas.

As Michael Caine sang his way through the finale, Emma closed her eyes and wished for a miracle. Henry elbowed her in the ribs and ordered her to 'not fall asleep, mommy!'

Emma opened her eyes again. And as she did so, she was sure that she heard the faint sound of bells….

Later, after Henry had been tucked in and kissed goodnight, Emma frantically searched the apartment from top to bottom to find something, ANYTHING that could put a smile on her son's face tomorrow morning. A small trinket. Just a little thing. She searched everywhere. In every nook and cranny. But she found nothing. She turned her purse upside down. There was nothing. Not even a chocolate bar. She officially had absolutely nothing to give her son tomorrow morning.

Emma sat down on her ass on the kitchen floor. Utterly defeated. Utterly upset. She felt hot tears drip onto her cheeks. She didn't wipe them away. Instead she shielded her face in her hands. Tried to think lovely thoughts, but there weren't any. She couldn't think of a single good thing. There was nothing to soften the devastating blow. Emma slowly lifted her head and looked in the corner where the Christmas tree normally stood. She had always made a point of decorating the tree. Two years ago, their tree had been absolutely stunning. But of course, it hadn't just been her ornaments alone. Ruby had brought her own ornaments and they had decorated the tree together. She, Ruby and Henry. It had been such a good evening.

But that was all in the past now. She and Ruby weren't together anymore. They'd been in a good place. Emma had actually thought that they had been heading towards moving in together and possibly getting married. But suddenly, Ruby had announced that she wanted to 'move on'. Which apparently meant packing up and disappearing to Florida. Emma had been confused and heartbroken. Until she had stalked her ex-girlfriends Facebook and discovered that Ruby hadn't just felt like leaving. She had gone to Florida to be with someone. Some woman with dark hair. Vanessa something. Emma couldn't be sure, but she had a hideous feeling that Ruby and Vanessa had known each other for a while. Deep in her heart, she knew that Ruby had cheated on her with this Vanessa woman.

Emma stretched her neck. There it was. The sound of bells. What was that? Was she perhaps going crazy and hearing things that wasn't real? Maybe it was the stress. Typically, stress gave her a headache, but maybe it also provided her with hallucinations this year. Emma hoped that she wasn't getting sick. That would be just about the most horrible thing that could happen on an already terrible night.

After a while, Emma stood from the kitchen floor and went to bed. What else could she do?...

"Mommy!"

Emma groaned something inaudible and rolled onto her other side.

"Mommy!"

"Hmmph," she rasped and didn't open her eyes.

"Mommy, wake up!"

Oh god, this was a bad dream. She had JUST gone to bed for… Pete's sake. It wasn't time to get up yet. It couldn't be. Emma refused to believe it.

"Mommy! MOMMY! Come on, hurry!"

Henry's voice was coated with excitement, and Emma finally started to come around. Why did her son sound excited? He already knew that there would be no real Christmas tomorrow (today?) he knew that it would be a pajamas-pizza-Christmas-movie-day instead of a traditional Christmas with presents and a Christmas tree. So why did he sound excited? Oh god. Had he forgotten? Would she have to break his heart all over again in a moment?"

"MomMY! Come ON!" Henry insisted. Now he was pulling the duvet off of her.

Emma didn't scold him for it. She couldn't do that when she had to break his heart in a moment. "What is it, Henry?" she asked instead. Her voice sounded very sleepy.

"There's a train!" Henry nearly shouted.

"A train?" Emma echoed dumbly and finally opened her eyes. She glanced at the clock radio. "Henry, sweetie. It's two AM. There are no trains that late. You know that."

"But there IS, mommy! There's a train outside!"

Emma gnashed her teeth. "It's something you've dreamed, kid. Back to sleep. Come on. You can sleep in my bed tonight." She moved slightly and patted the empty space on the mattress.

But Henry had other plans. "I don't wanna sleep!" he half-shouted. "I want you to come and SEE! Come on, hurry!" he grabbed her hand and began yanking at her.

"Henry!" Emma protested. "It's the middle of the night and there are no trains, okay? Go back to bed!"

"No! Come on! You have to see the train, mommy! Please!"

Ah, shit. She wasn't gonna win this one, was she? She knew her son. Knew her stubborn he was. He wouldn't be satisfied until she had seen the supposed 'train'. "Alright, alright," she yawned as she sat up in bed. "Fine. Let's go and see the train. Hand me the bathrobe."

Henry whooped as he threw her blue velvet bathrobe at her. Emma didn't scold him. She just put on the robe and stood from the bed. She was so tired the room spun slightly. Still, she took her son's hand and let him half-yank her down the hallway. Emma mentally prepared herself to tell her son that it had been a dream.

But Emma had another thing coming. As soon as her son had pushed her in front of the kitchen window, she saw it. The train. Bright red and cloaking the station in steam.

"What the…"

"See? I TOLD you!" Henry said triumphantly. "There IS a train!"

There was indeed a train. That much couldn't be denied. But how and why? What was going ON? This was not one of the usual trains. It was an old fashioned steam train. Emma pinched herself. Was she dreaming? Were they BOTH dreaming? Was she and her son literally having the same dream? Was that sort of thing even possible?

"You're not pinching me!" Henry warned as she looked at him. "I'm awake, mommy! And so are you! And there's a train."

"There's a train," Emma agreed with her smart boy.

Henry giggled and before Emma could stop him, he had dashed out of the door.

"Henry, wait!" Emma protested, immediately chasing after him. For god's sake, he couldn't go outside in the snow in only his pajamas, bathrobe and slippers. He would catch his death out there!

But upon coming outside, Emma quickly forgot all about scolding her son or lecturing him about putting on the correct clothes when going outside. The only thing she could concentrate on, was the enormous red train parked in front of their basement apartment. She had never seen anything quite like it. Not even in the movies.

"Wooooow!" Henry exclaimed.

"Wow," Emma agreed with her son and took his hand. She felt like somewhat of a fool as she just stood and stared at the train, but she could do little else. The sound of bells filled her ears. The same bells she could have sworn she heard earlier.

Suddenly, one of the doors in the train was suddenly flung open. Emma once again questioned whether she was dreaming when she saw a woman climb down the little ladder. The steam parted and gave Emma clear view of the woman. She was wearing a red velvet dress so long it dragged behind her. Her long curly dark hair had been gathered in a low ponytail with a big red bow in the same shade as her dress.

"Christmas!" Henry said spontaneously.

The woman looked around in the station. Then she spotted Henry and Emma. Elegantly, she picked up her skirt and trudged through the snow.

Emma could smell both pine and cinnamon as the woman came over to them.

She looked at them. Frowned slightly. Then she smiled. "Emma and Henry Swan?"

"Yes!" Henry chirped before Emma could get the chance to say anything. "I'm Henry and this is my mom, Emma!"

"Very good," the woman smiled again. "And who of you heard the bells?"

"The bells?" Henry echoed. Now he was the one who was frowning.

"That would be me," Emma said quickly and for some reason felt a bit silly.

The woman tilted her head. "An adult? How very unusual. Oh well, I suppose there's a first time for everything as they say. Hop aboard, you two."

"Hop aboard?" Emma echoed and raised an eyebrow.

"Where are we going?" Henry cried excitedly.

The woman smiled conspiratorially at him. "Christmas," she said simply.

"Christmas?" Emma was skeptic.

"CHRISTMAS!" Henry shouted. He was definitely NOT skeptic. His eyes were full of hope and wonder as he looked at Emma. "Can we go mom? Please? Please, please, please?"

She should say no. She should say that this was ridiculous. And then she should insist that they went back to bed. But she didn't. For some reason, she nodded and said: "okay" when she should have said no.

"Excellent," the woman smiled. "Come along then. We don't have all night."

Feeling quite beside herself, Emma dumbly followed her overexcited son as he without no further ado skipped up the little steps and inside the train.

And what a train it was. Emma had never seen anything like it before. So beautifully decorated it was with tinsel. There was a fireplace carved out in stone and the flames were flickering merrily with a cozy, crackling sound that made Emma feel nostalgic after something she had never quite experienced before. The seats were of red velvet and a thick, golden carpet covered the floor. Emma's bare feet sank well into it as she walked.

Henry cried out and Emma understood why. There, at the end of the train cabin was the biggest, most lavish Christmas tree she had ever seen. The greenest of green. Every ornament exquisite and so very far from the more modern ornaments Emma owned. Kept in red and golden. And there at the top, a beautiful, shining Christmas star. The tree was glittering. Red. Golden. Green. It was stunning. And what's more, there was presents under it. Many presents.

But there was only her and Henry here. And the mysterious woman in the red dress, of course. Emma found that odd. This train was decked out for a big Christmas party, and yet it was just the three of them in here.

But before she could get a chance to speak up and make herself heard over Henry's excited exclamation, the mysterious woman handed out two cups of something.

"There we are," she said softly. "One cup of hot cocoa with whipped cream and cinnamon for the little gentleman. And one with whipped cream and marshmallows for his mother. I took the liberty of adding a candy cane. Gives it some kick. Drink before it gets cold."

Henry had no qualms with receiving and drinking a beverage offered from a stranger, but Emma had questions. Of course. "Who are you?" she asked and tried to sound assertive and brusque. Tried to tell herself that she was not interested in drinking the cocoa a stranger had offered her. But it smelled very, VERY good. That couldn't be denied.

The woman in the red velvet dress shrugged and smiled. "Who do you want me to be?"

"Regina!" Henry piped up. He had whipped cream on his chin. "That's a pretty name, and you're a pretty lady!"

"'Regina?'" the woman echoed, tilting her head again. "That's a new one. I haven't been called that before. But I suppose it can work. Yes. I'll be Regina for tonight."

"For tonight?" Emma lifted an eyebrow. "Who ARE you?"

"I'm just…." The woman shrugged and smiled. "The lady in the train. Can't that be enough?"

"Mom, you have to taste the cocoa!" Henry exclaimed. "It's so good!"

"Yes, drink your cocoa, Emma," 'Regina' said. "Enjoy this moment without asking so many questions. I know you are capable of doing that. After all, you heard the bells."

"Why is that relevant?" Emma wanted to know as she (not very reluctantly) sipped her cocoa.

"It's relevant because you have hold on to what most adults loose over time. Hope. Come now, let's sit down and enjoy our cocoa, shall we?"

Henry was very much on board with that. He and the woman in the velvet dress sat down on the floor by the Christmas tree, but Emma was still full of questions. Especially because 'Regina' was now holding her own cup of cocoa. Which seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. She couldn't have gone off to fetch it. She had been with them the whole time. Coming to think of it…. She couldn't have fetched the cups of cocoa for Emma and Henry either.

What on earth was going on? Emma was beginning to wonder whether this was a joke. Or if she perhaps had landed herself in a Hallmark movie or something like that. But she wasn't that fond of Hallmark movies to be honest. And decking out a train like this was a pretty elaborate prank to pull. Emma sipped her cocoa. With those two options eliminated, and sure that she wasn't asleep, there was only one option left. Somehow, this had to be real. The Christmas train… The woman… This INSANELY delicious hot cocoa with marshmallows and a hint of candy cane flavor. Absolutely perfect.

"Why did you come here tonight, miss Regina?" Henry asked. There were traces of whipped cream on his chin. Emma felt tempted to reach out and wipe it away. But if she did so, Henry would probably get mad because she treated him like a baby.

"Well," Regina elegantly folded her hands around the cup of cocoa. "I heard that your mom wished she could give you a proper Christmas." Her dark eyes rested on Emma now. "I also know that it isn't her fault that things are like this."

"That's right," Henry nodded. "Mom's old boss is an idiot!"

"Henry Swan," Emma chided and flushed. He had clearly heard her speak to August on the phone. Damnit.

But 'Regina' merely laughed. "Some people are this way. Unfortunately. But I have a feeling that your mother's luck is about to change very soon. Yes. Very soon indeed."

Emma obviously wanted to know more about that, but again, Henry beat her to it and asked a question before she could. "Why is there no one else here? Why's the train empty?"

That was actually a good question. Emma wanted an answer to that too.

"The train only appears to those who really needs it," Regina said softly. "Your mother wished for a better Christmas for the two of you. And the bells answered her calling."

"Who are you?" Emma asked again.

Regina merely smiled at her. "Perhaps you'll figure it out. Or perhaps you won't. And perhaps I'll tell you before you leave. If you're lucky."

"You're a fairy godmother!" Henry giggled.

Regina smiled at him. "Not quite, young master Swan."

"Well, you are more than 'the lady in the train'," Emma muttered into her cup. "That's for sure."

Regina didn't answer that. She just lifted her cup in salutation and took a sip. "Mmmm. This is quite good if I do say so myself. It's the first time I try it with cinnamon."

Henry of course picked up on that and he shot the woman a curious gaze. "Do there come other people and drink cocoa here?"

"Cocoa… Coffee.. Mulled wine." she glanced at Emma. "That was an option too. But I had a feeling you preferred cocoa."

"That's true," Emma mumbled. "I do."

"Good." She turned to Henry again. "To answer your question, master Swan. Yes, there have been other people here."

"What kind of people?"

"All kinds. Families. Singles. Those who are alone. Those who cannot be with their loved ones for various reasons."

"And they just… hear the bells?" Emma asked dumbly. "Like I did?"

"Indeed," Regina confirmed with a little smile. "They wish and the bells answers."

"But what if those wishing doesn't live anywhere near a train station?" Emma questioned. "What happens then?"

Regina's smile turned a bit more mysterious at that. "You might have noticed that this isn't a completely normal train, Emma Swan. If there isn't a station nearby, it isn't a problem. Now…" she stood from the thick golden carpet and clapped her hands together. "Would you like another cup of cocoa, master Swan?"

"Uhm.. no thanks, miss Regina," Henry said and wiped his mouth with his bathrobe sleeve. "But thank you. It was really nice." His little face fell a bit. "Is it over now? Are we supposed to leave?"

Regina smiled fondly at him and reached out and ruffled his hair. "Not quite, master Swan. Not quite. There is still a bit more left." She turned around and crouched down in front of the Christmas tree. Rummaged around for a moment in silence until going "Ah yes, here it is."

"What?" Emma asked.

She soon got an answer to that. Her eyes widened as Regina turned back around with an enormous, wrapped present in her hands. "For master Henry Swan," she announced as she carefully sat the present down in his lap.

Henry's eyes widened. "For ME?"

"What?" Emma squeaked. "But-"

Regina shrugged. "It says so on the card. Best not to interfere with that, Emma Swan."

Emma kept her mouth shut as Henry eagerly tore off the wrapping paper. The next second, her son exclaimed loudly, and his eyes were a bit misty. "Mom, look! LOOK!"

Emma looked at the large box Henry so gently was running his hands over. It was a train set. And not just a trainset, but THE trainset. The one he had talked about since summer. The one she had so wished to gift him on Christmas Day. She had cried over that train set when she got fired. Because it was expensive. And there was no way she would have been able to afford it. Henry had tried being brave, but Emma had seen how his lower lip had trembled as he assured that it was alright.

The only thing Emma had wanted, was to give her son that train set. The opportunity had been taken from her. And now he had gotten it anyway. Because someone else had given it to him. Someone who….

Emma looked at Regina. "This is too much," she murmured, voice barely audible over Henry's squeals of delight. "I can't accept this."

Regina laughed at her. Actually laughed. Her laughter was not unlike the bells Emma had heard earlier. "Do you say this every Christmas?" she asked softly. "Is this how you react every time you or your son receive a gift from someone?"

"No, of course not. But you're a… A stranger," Emma pointed out. "We don't know each other. So it's weird that you give my son-"

"I am not a stranger," Regina interrupted. "Not really. You just haven't met me like this. Which is a shame. I wish we could have met each other sooner, but alas; this is the first time you've really requested my presence."

"Who are you?" Emma asked again.

Regina smiled and brushed a stray curl behind her ear. Looked at Henry. "Your son knows who I am. Thanks to you." On that cryptic note, she stood and walked over to the Christmas tree again. Rummaged again for a moment before turning around with yet another beautifully wrapped present. She handed it to Henry with a smile and a: "One more for master Swan."

"What?" Emma squeaked. "But-"

It was a lost cause. Henry squealed in delight as he unwrapped the present. The next second, he hugged a big teddy bear to his chest. His voice shook as he said: "look, mom! I've got a teddy bear! And it's EXACTLY the one I wanted!"

"I… Yeah," Emma said lamely. "It is. Wow. That is really…. Wow." She was stunned. How was this even possible?

"And last but certainly not least…" this time, Regina did not stand up. She simply closed her eyes for a moment and Emma's mouth fell open when Regina the next second was handing a very beautiful leatherbound book and pencil to Henry. "Here you go, Master Swan," she chuckled. "For all your stories. I've heard that you love to write."

At that, Henry stood and walked over to her. Gave her a big bear hug. One of those that normally only was reserved for Emma. "Thank you, miss Regina! Thank you so much! This is the best Christmas EVER!"

"How do you know that he loves to write?" Emma asked quietly and shook her head.

Regina did not answer that. She merely smiled at Henry and pointed to one of the velvet train chairs and tables behind them. "There's another cup of cocoa on the table there. And some cookies too."

With all his presents balanced in his arms, Henry trudged over there, and it didn't take long before Emma heard him exclaim: "mom! There ARE cookies! And cocoa!"

"That's awesome, kid!" Emma called back before turning her attention to Regina who once again had sat down on the thick carpet. Her long black ponytail was falling over one shoulder and her dark eyes gleamed in the soft light.

"And what do you want for Christmas, Emma Swan?" she asked.

"Nothing," Emma said immediately. "My only wish for Christmas was to give Henry a proper Christmas. And he has gotten that now. I don't know how any of this can be real, but…" her voice broke. "Thank you. Thank you so much. I don't know how to return the favor-"

"None of that. That's not what I'm about," Regina gently dismissed. "It's a gift. You wish came true. That's how this works."

"What's the catch?" Emma rasped and wiped her cheeks. She couldn't help but cry. For weeks, she had feared this day, but thanks to the mysterious woman and this glorious train, Christmas had been saved, and she would forever be grateful for that.

"There's no catch, Emma Swan. Although…"

Emma raised an eyebrow. "Although what?" there always was some kind of catch.

"Never stop wishing," Regina smiled. "Never stop believing in the impossible."

Emma's eyes widened a little. "Right. Okay. Sure. Gotcha. I can do that."

"Yes, you can," Regina chuckled. "I am absolutely sure that you can."

"You seem to be sure of a lot of things," Emma commented.

Regina laughed at that. Glanced at the cup nestled between Emma's hands. "Oh, dear. That's empty. We can't have that."

"It's alright. We should be-"

"Careful. It's hot."

"Emma looked down to her surprise, she saw that the cup in her hands had been refilled with cocoa and whipped cream and marshmallows.

"Drink up," Regina chuckled and brushed her ponytail back over her shoulder.

And so Emma did. She didn't even question it when a plate full of delicious chocolate chip cookies appeared in front of her. Just said: "thank you. For making our Christmas so wonderful."

"If only you would tell me what you want for Christmas," Regina said and pursed her lips.

"I told you. I don't want anything," Emma said firmly. "Seeing Henry this happy is more than enough for me."

"You are a very good person, Emma Swan."

"I don't know about that…"

"But I do."

And for whatever reason, that was enough for Emma right now. That a single person thought that she was good enough.

"Henry, my dear," Regina called. "Have you finished your cookies?"

"Yes, miss Regina!"

"Then come here, dear," Regina said and extended a hand out towards him.

Henry immediately came rushing over to her. This time he didn't bring his new presents. He smiled as he took her hand.

"I've heard that you and your mom normally sing Christmas carols together," Regina said. "Isn't that right?"

"Yeah," Henry confirmed. "But I don't think we were going to sing any this year, though. We were both a little sad."

"Henry," Emma said softly.

Regina ignored that. "And how about now, Henry? Do you still feel sad?"

"No," Henry's face lit up in a smile. "I feel happy!"

"That's good. I am happy to hear that. Should we sing some Christmas carols together then? The three of us?"

"Yes, yes, yes! Right, mom?"

"Right," Emma said automatically. She couldn't exactly say no, could she?"

"What is your favorite Christmas carol, Henry?"

Henry answered by starting to sing 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas'. After a look from him, Emma started to sing along too. Henry's gaze was fixated on the Christmas tree, but Emma couldn't stop looking at Regina. It was impossible to not notice how she seemed to become more… radiant when she sang. When THEY sang. Her eyes sparkled and she was almost… shining.

Something warm and pleasant spread in Emma's chest. At last she felt the Christmas spirit. The worries disappeared as she saw her son stand there and sing. Seeing him hold Regina's hand felt so oddly normal despite her being a complete stranger.

Emma knew that Regina claimed something else, but that couldn't be right. They hadn't met each other before. Emma would remember that. She knew she would.

"What shall we sing next?" Regina asked once they were done with 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas'.

Henry asked that by starting on 'O Come All Ye Faithful', and it didn't take long before Regina joined in. She had a very nice voice. Her song sounded like bells too. She was the one to nudge Emma this time, and Emma could do nothing else except singing along. And watch as Regina began to shine again. It could be a trick of light, but Emma had a feeling that it wasn't. So many impossible things had already happened, so why shouldn't this be real too?

She couldn't stop looking at Regina as they sang. She had never felt so grateful as she did right now. And she had no idea how to show her gratitude. 'Thank you' was too poor a word…

It was nearly dawn when Regina clapped her hands and announced: "my dears, it is time to leave, I'm afraid."

"Oh, can't we stay?" Henry piped up. "Just a little longer? Please?"

"I'm afraid not, Master Swan," Regina said gently. "But I have really enjoyed your company tonight."

Henry's bottom lip trembled. "Are we ever gonna see you again?"

"Of course you will," Regina assured and gave him a hug. "I know you will. Come. I'll walk you out."

Emma and Henry followed her through the train and as Regina opened the door and Henry jumped out on the snow covered platform, something occurred to Emma. She hadn't heard train engines during the time they had been there.

"We haven't moved at all, have we?" she asked.

"No," Regina replied. "Sometimes you don't have to travel to find Christmas."

"Thank you for all the presents, miss Regina!" Henry said before Emma could answer.

"Don't thank me, Master Swan. Thank your mother. She was the one who heard the bells. If she hadn't heard them, I wouldn't have come here."

"Thank you," Emma whispered. "I don't know how or why this can be possible, but I do know that I am grateful and…" before she knew what she was doing, she leaned in and pressed her lips to Regina's in a quick kiss. She tasted of cinnamon and candy cane and smelled of pines and gingerbread. The kiss was as warm as a burning fireplace and as delightfully chilling as fresh snow. And at the same time, it made her feel all fuzzy and warm inside.

"Eww!" Henry immediately squeakily protested. "Mooo-ooom! Jeez!"

Emma was horrified. Where did that even come from?!

But Regina didn't appear horrified at all. "Oh," she said and smiled. Her eyes sparkled. "That was an interesting way of showing gratitude, Emma Swan. But I don't mind it at all. It was nice. In fact it really perked my Christmas spirit."

"Right," Emma said lamely. "I'm happy to hear it." She hastily stalked out on the platform and put a hand on her son's shoulder. She couldn't take his hand because he was carrying all his presents. "Thank you for… everything."

"You are welcome, Emma Swan," Regina said softly. "I am happy I could make the night special. Now off you pop, the both of you. I have a feeling that there might be something nice waiting for you inside…"

"More surprises?" Henry's eyes sparkled as he with some trouble tucked at Emma's sleeve. "Mom, come on!"

"Hang on, kid," Emma protested. "We have to say goodbye to-"

But when she turned around, Regina and the train was gone. Like neither she nor the train had ever been there. But Emma was sure that she could hear the faint sound of bells in the distance.

She didn't get the chance to wonder about it. Henry tugged at her sleeve again, and Emma had no choice but to follow him.

"You kissed her," Henry giggled.

"I sure did," Emma acknowledged. "Oops."

Henry shrugged. "I don't think she minded."

"No. I guess she didn't. I wonder who she was, though…"

"You don't know that?" Henry stared at her. Then he started laughing.

"No?" Emma said, surprised and slightly offended at his cheek. "How could I possibly know?"

"Mom, sometimes you are SO stupid!" Henry laughed.

"Oh, really?" Emma snarked. "Who is she then?"

But Henry had already skipped ahead of her and was by the door. He opened it and disappeared inside. It didn't even take a minute before Emma heard him shout: "MOM! Come look!"

"What?" Emma asked. "What is it?"

"Come and see!" he yelled, causing Emma to run through the snow as fast as her legs could carry her. What more could there possibly be?

She found out upon coming inside. Her mouth fell open as she stared. There in the corner stood a lavish Christmas tree. Vastly decorated with red and golden ornaments. And it wasn't just the Christmas tree. The entire living room had been beautifully decorated. It looked like a Christmas wonderland.

"Oh wow," she squeaked. "Looks like someone is really determined that we should celebrate Christmas, huh, kid?"

"Not somebody. Regina," Henry corrected. "Can I have some milk, mom?"

"Yeah, sure. Go grab it," Emma said distractedly as she looked at the beautiful Christmas tree. She had never seen such a stunning tree. And she was starting to feel stupid asking herself how and why all the time. It was starting to dawn on her that there was no a logic explanation for any of this. Part of her still wondered whether she and Henry would wake up tomorrow morning and not be able to remember any of this. Maybe it really was just a dream. A very weird dream. And a very wonderful one too.

"MOM! Come look! Hurry!"

Emma flinched at her son's loud voice. "Now what?" had the milk carton exploded or what?

"Just come on!"

She of course had no choice but to head into the kitchen where she found her son standing in front of the open fridge and grinning. Emma was just about to lecture her son about not to leave the fridge wide open, but she quickly forgot all about scolding when she saw what was inside the fridge. A giant turkey. Not a ham from a box. Not the sad pizza they had planned on eating tomorrow. But a turkey. A real turkey.

"Oh my god," Emma whispered and cupped a hand over her mouth.

"Christmas food," Henry said happily. "Mom, it'll be Christmas anyway!"

"Y-yeah," Emma murmured and blinked rapidly. "Sure looks like it, kid."

Henry laughed and gave her a hug. Emma hugged him back and kissed the top of his head. Once he let go of her, she reached within the pocket of her dressing gown where she was sure there was a tissue.

There wasn't any tissue, though. Instead Emma found something else. A scrap of paper that had been folded around something. She first unfolded the scrap of paper and was surprised to discover that it was a note. Curiously, she read it:

'Dear Emma Swan,

Everyone wishes for something for Christmas. Even the most selfless of mothers. I have a feeling that your luck is about to change very soon. Go and start that restaurant. Find that apartment with lake view.

I wish you and your son the happiest of Christmases, and I have a feeling that we will see each other next year. Just make a wish and listen for the bells. Christmas will find you.

Best Wishes,

Regina.'

Emma turned her attention to what the paper had been folded around. She started laughing and crying at the same time when she found out what it was. A lottery ticket.

"Mom? What is it?"

"It's something good, kid," Emma sniffled. "Something very, very good." She looked at the lottery ticket in her hand. She too had a feeling that her luck was about to change.

"From Regina? She gave you a present?"

"She sure did." Emma stuffed the note and lottery ticket back inside the pocket of her dressing gown. "And I think it's a present that will change our lives, kid."

"This is the best Christmas EVER!" Henry exclaimed, eyes shining as he looked at his gifts.

"It is," Emma agreed and nodded thoughtfully. "But I still don't understand it, though."

"Understand what?" Henry asked, now busy with his brand-new train set.

"Everything," Emma half-laughed. "The train… Regina… Where it all came from. Who she was."

"Mom," Henry groaned. "Have you not figured out yet? Seriously, how can you be so stupid?!"

"Heyyyy," Emma scolded. "Behave you little rascal. Find a different language."

"Fine. Sorry. But I don't understand why you haven't figured it out yet!"

"Okay. Smartass." Emma scoffed. "Since you clearly have all the answers, tell me then. Who was she?"

"Christmas!"

Emma blinked. Not exactly what she had expected. "Christmas?" she echoed and lifted an eyebrow.

"Yes! Christmas! She was Christmas! Don't you understand?!"

"Christmas? But I- Henry," Emma smiled at her imaginative little boy. "Kid, Christmas isn't a person. It's a day we celebrate. Or a feeling. Or…"

"Why not?" Henry interrupted and put his hands on his hips. "Why isn't Christmas a person?"

"Well, because… That's just not how things are," Emma said slightly befuddled. "Christmas isn't a person, Henry. There's Santa Clause, but that's different and-"

"Who decides that?" Henry interrupted again. "Who decides that Christmas isn't a person?"

"Uhh…." Emma rubbed the back of her neck. What was she even supposed to tell him?

"Why shouldn't she be Christmas?" Henry asked and shrugged. "She was wearing Christmas clothes. And she smelled of Christmas. AND she knew all about me. She knew what I wanted for Christmas. And how I liked my cocoa. She could do magic. She has made all of this for us!" he gestured towards the Christmas tree in the living room. "And the turkey! AND she glowed when we sang Christmas carols…"

"You saw that too?" it bursted out of Emma.

"Of course I did," Henry shrugged. "I'm smart. And you can say what you want, but she WAS Christmas. I'm sure of it." He giggled again. "And you kissed her!"

Emma said nothing. She still had no explanation for that. Except for the rush of gratitude and the overwhelming sensation of… Christmas spirit.

She looked at her son as he fawned over his presents one more time. Could he really be right? Had they really met Christmas tonight?

And as she considered it, she could have sworn that she heard the faint tingle of bells somewhere in the distance.

"Did you hear that?" Henry asked and grinned.

"Yes," Emma admitted. "I did." She smiled too. Now convinced that her son was right. That they had indeed met Christmas tonight. In human form.

And she was also convinced that she would listen closely after the sound of bells next year. She wouldn't wanna miss out on an opportunity to meet Regina and tell her that she knew who and what she was.

Emma took the note out of her dressing gown pocket and read it again. Smiled as she focused on three words in particular. Christmas will find you.

Indeed it would. Yes. She would see Regina again next year. All she had to do was make a wish. And listen after the sound of bells….

The End.