Emma placed another ornament on the tree. She smiled thoughtfully at how festive it was starting to look.
There was a time when the Holidays had only been another reminder that she was alone. No friends. No family. No one to buy presents for, or get presents from, to place under a tree.
The ghosts of Christmas past would haunt her with memories that would have her clutching her pillow and crying, believing that she was doomed to be alone for the rest of her life. Forever unwanted and unloved.
So much had changed since those days when she was a lost lonely little girl, aching for a family.
The light sound of laughter pulled her from her thoughts, and reminded her that she was far from alone now.
While Emma had been distracted, thinking about the past, her daughter and husband, who were supposed to be helping with decorating the tree, had decided instead to decorate each other.
Each was covered in tinsel. And the silver garlands that were to be wrapped around the tree, were wrapped around their necks like boas.
"Daddy did it." Hope was quick to say at the pointed look from her mother.
"I beg your pardon." Killian gasped in mock outrage.
Hope's squeals and giggles filled the room as Killian gave chase, then got louder when he quickly caught her, picked her up and blew a raspberry into her belly.
Emma rolled her eyes, but couldn't suppress her grin. She never could have imagined when she was feeling lost and alone that one day she would be married to a three hundred year old former pirate and have a beautiful daughter with him. And that the maturity level of her husband and daughter would be about equal.
Still held in her father's arms, Hope exclaimed "We should put tinsel on mommy! So she can be sparkly for Christmas!"
"That's a brilliant idea, my little love." Killian agreed fully with his daughter, setting the girl down. The two quickly gathered up a handful of the silver strands, and advanced toward Emma, who was trying to back away without tripping over boxes of decoration.
The tree was left forgotten as the trio chased each other around their home.
Emma and Killian both knew that if she really wanted to get away, all she would have had to do was use her magic. But this was another wonderful moment Emma had never dreamed that she would get to have. Another happy memory to replace a sad one. And the best part was that it included her true love and their daughter.
Before long, strands of the silver ribbon were scattered all over the house. There was no doubt in Emma's mind that she would be finding the shiny things in random corners until next Christmas.
But she knew she wouldn't mind. They would simply serve as a reminder of all of the wonderful moments she got to have, with her very large and unique family. The Holidays were never going to be lonely again. And under the tree, there were always lots of presents; for and from all of those that she loved and knew loved her.