A/N: Apologies for the wait on this update. Work has been a stressful disaster, that I literally have kept myself awake with the distraction and wonderful hobby of writing this next chapter for you all. Tomorrow, I will update the next, most expected chapter of all. I hope you all enjoy how I changed this chapter up a little bit, compared to how the movie portrays it. Happy reading, and a Happy Thursday to all! :) I await your reviews.
"If MedTech drops any lower than…" Her finger punches numbers into a calculator. "Forty-three." Her eyes land on the entire meeting room. "We're in trouble with the stock valuations. So, for God sake- please- watch what you say to your institutional customers. We still have almost a full day of trading before zero hour, and I don't want any trouble."
She looks down at one employee that doesn't seem to be there. Instead he was far too busy glancing down at a picture he carried inside his wallet of his kids.
Regina let out a quiet sigh as she stood closer to the man. "Am I boring you, Victor?" She asked, seeing the man's head whip up.
"Oh…" Victor, who always came to the office looking like an absolute mess chuckled nervously. His hands quickly put away the picture back into his wallet. "No. I'm sorry, Regina. It's just that I promised my kids I'd be there for them on Christmas Eve."
"Oh, is that today?" Regina's brow lifted as her voice was filled with humor, which everyone laughed along to.
Victor chuckled, feeling a little intimidated.
"Do you think I enjoy being here on Christmas Eve, Victor?" She asks him.
"Well…" Yes. "Maybe." He nods, hearing polite laughter echo within the four walls of the boardroom, along with Regina's.
"Okay," Regina grins as she begins to pace around the room. "Okay, maybe I do have a touch of tunnel vision this season. But, in two days we are going to announce one of the largest mergers in the U.S. Corporate History." Her body leans against the table. "When a deal like this falls into our laps we jump right on it. We ride it out until it is set. We do not ask it for a vacation." Her eyes glare directly at Victor before she stands and paces again. "December twenty-six. There will be so much money floating around here, you'll think it's Christmas every day. December twenty-six, if any of you want to celebrate that day, you all have my blessing."
"You're right, Regina- I'm sorry." Victor stammered nervously.
"No, Victor." Regina's eyes fell on the man again. "I don't want you to be sorry. I want you to be excited. I want my gift to you to be the first gift you open this year. Do you know why?" She hears him stammer through his words once again, and she smirks. "Because my gift comes with ten zeros."
Victor chuckles, hearing everyone laugh along. "You're right," he nods. "You're absolutely right. I'm there."
"Good man," she pats him on the shoulder. "Now, everyone turn to page twelve in your prospectus, please."
Another successful board meeting. Once they were all done and racing out of the door, Victor was the first one to race out the door, placing on his large trench coat in a hurry. While Regina came walking out of the double doors, calmly reading over her own report.
"Eight-thirty, Regina. I have some last minute shopping to do." Kathryn freely said, while keeping up with the brunette's pace.
"You, too?" Her brow raised. "This Holiday's about giving, Kathryn. And I'm giving everything I have to this deal. So, in a way I'm more Christmas Eve to everybody."
"You're my role model, Regina." Kathryn smiled proudly. She admired Regina, even if she didn't have a life outside of work.
"Thank you, Kathryn." Regina grinned, entering her office and taking a seat behind her desk.
"Hey, uh…" Kathryn stood beside her. "About this gal of yours," she sees a brow raise from the brunette. "I know you're not at all interested in calling her back, but just in case it does peak your interest. Her secretary said you could reach her around nine."
The brunette sighed, leaning back against her chair in exhaustion. "Kathryn, this happened a long, long time ago. She probably just wants to reconnect because of Christmas Eve, maybe she's lonely and wonders about the one that got away kind-of-thing."
"Eight thirty-five on Christmas Eve, and Regina Mills is still at her office." Gold smiled proudly as he entered her office. "Now, there's a Hallmark moment for you."
"Robert, I don't see you rushing home to trim your tree." Regina grins, motioning to her mini bar, which Robert helped himself to a drink.
"Ah, well, that's because I'm a heartless bastard, who only cares about money." He joked. Caring about money was one thing, but he had two greatest loves in his life besides his wealth.
"God love you for that." She smiled.
Robert helped himself to a seat before the brunette's desk. "I received a call from Victoria Belfrey. She sounds nervous." He grins.
"That'll happen when you're about to spend $130 billion on some aspirin." She chuckles.
"Someone has to nurse her through this." Gold said.
"And you want me to handle this?" It was more of a statement than a question. A statement that was answered with a knowing grin. She sighs, "Where is she?"
"Aspen."
"Kathryn, cancel all my plans for tomorrow." She looks over her shoulder at the blonde. "Call my sister and tell her I won't be able to make it tomorrow."
Kathryn frowns. Regina was a great boss, and she truly admired her dedication to her career, but to blow off your only family for Christmas to work was too much.
"I knew I could count on you, Regina." Gold grinned as he held up his glass before taking a sip.
"Robert, let me ask you a question," her brow creases with curiosity. "An old girlfriend calls you up on Christmas Eve… What do you do?" Simply curiosity.
"Are you suddenly having trouble getting dates?" Robert chuckled.
"Yeah," Regina grinned, following the man's humor.
"Leave it in the past." Gold said plainly.
"Really?" Regina's brow raised.
He nods. "That's my best advice. Old flames are like old tax returns. Put 'em in the filing cabinet for three years and then you cut 'em loose."
Regina looks up at Kathryn, giving her an I told you so look, which to that the blonde can't help but roll her eyes and walk away.
"I'll leave from my office tomorrow in the afternoon. Please, call the group and schedule an emergency strategy session for noon." She tells Kathryn.
"That'll be a nice little holiday treat." The blonde replies with a sarcastic smile before walking out of the office.
After hours, Regina found herself alone in her office. Her finger pressed on the power button of her computer screen before she rose up from her chair and stood near her window. Her eyes took in the sight of the city, the traffic building up, the size of ants. The light snow that began to fall, along with the illuminating buildings as far as the eye could see. It was a beautiful and peaceful night.
Emma's laugh was the richest sound Regina's ears always loved hearing, at any given hour of any given day. The way she would light up at this time of the year, when the snow would stick to the ground, along with the city lights illuminating around her, it gave her that special glow that Regina couldn't help but fall more in love with.
It was date night, and Emma had chosen for them to take a walk down her favorite street. Regina couldn't help her fingers from sliding right in between Emma's as they walked.
"So, my parents want you to spend Christmas with us," she informed Regina with a beaming smile. "He insists."
Regina chuckles, feeling Emma's arm link within her own as they walk. "Well, how could I refuse? Besides, it'll be good for them to get used to me sticking around."
"Oh, yeah?" Emma's brow lifts, a playful smirk stretching across her lips. "And, why would that be? Are you planning on sticking around?"
"Oh, yeah. You see, I have a list."
"A list?" Another brow lifts.
Regina nods, humming in confirmation. "We finish school, we'll get an apartment together, live with one another for…" Her eyes squint in a playful thought that makes Emma smile. "I don't know- a good year or two."
"Uh-huh," Emma chuckles. She loved this game, the way Regina would map out their future. It was like she could always see something Emma couldn't.
"And then…" Regina spun Emma around in a playful manner, their walk coming to a halt as her brown eyes found those two emerald orbs she loved so much.
"And then, what?" The blonde asked, her cheeks hurting so much from her smile.
"And then, maybe we could get married." Regina's voice was so soft, Emma couldn't question the seriousness of her words. "What do you think?"
Emma was speechless, but somehow managed to get a few words out past her lips. "Regina…" She chuckled. "And what happens if you get chosen by a big shot company? And we drift apart and you'll get tired of waiting."
Regina grinned. "Not gonna happen." She assured her.
"Really?"
"Really. Besides, you could very well be flown to Europe as well. Your art is something out of this world."
"Oh, that's never going to happen," Emma shakes her head. "I love New York too much." Her arms wrap around the brunette's form while her lips meet Regina's in a quick but gentle kiss. "It's where we met, and where I want to live with you forever and ever, and hopefully… Someday… Marry you. Have kids, maybe."
"Kids?" Regina smirked out a chuckle. "That depends, how many?" She asks upon seeing the blonde nod in confirmation.
Emma squints her eyes in thought. "Two."
"Two?" Her brows hit her hairline.
Emma chuckles, nodding. "A boy and a girl."
Regina smiled, shaking her head. Whatever their life brought for them, it sounded perfect.
"Deal," she said before locking lips with Emma's again in a more passionate kiss.
Regina snapped out of herself out of her thoughts that had crept into her mind, removing herself from her window, gathering her trench coat and briefcase before walking out of her office. Once the elevator doors parted with that familiar ding, Regina was greeted by James, the night security guard.
"Ms. Mills," he placed his magazine down, standing to his feet behind his desk. "Why didn't you call from your office, ma'am? I could have had your car brought around."
"It's quite alright. The night looks nice tonight, I actually think I'll walk." She smiles.
"Are you sure, ma'am?"
She looks just outside the double glass doors, seeing the gentle snow fall to the ground. "Yeah." She replies.
"I'll have your car sent home for you." He smiles.
"That'll be fine, James. Have a good night." She waves, exiting the building but still manages to hear James wishing her a good night.
Her walk was peaceful. Her coat was covered in gentle snowflakes that reminded her a lot of her walks with Emma. Regina glanced up at the snow, feeling it tickle her face on the way down. She could feel it becoming a little thicker.
Suddenly her eyes looked just across the street, seeing a corner grocery store that Emma loved visiting. She never understood why. Nor did she understand why in that moment she decided to go inside, hearing the bell above the door make that familiar ring.
"Good evening," a girl behind the counter smiled right at Regina, looking at her from behind her magazine.
"Good evening." Regina nodded. The store smelled the same, it looked the same. Nothing, except the girl behind the counter changed. "Do you have any eggnog?" She asked her.
"All the way in the back, in the freezer, five bucks." She pointed, chewing through her gum.
"Thank you." Regina gave the girl another smile before making her way to the back of the store. And that's where she saw it. The familiar box, of the same eggnog Emma used to love buying. Her hand hesitated at first, but eventually pulled open the door and reached for the carton, placing it on top of the counter as she walked back.
"That'll be all for tonight, hun?" The girl asks, placing her magazine down to type in the price in the cash register. Her eyes looked over Regina's expensive attire. "What's a nice girl like you doing in this part of town?"
"I work nearby." Said Regina.
"You must make a nice living with clothes like that." The girl comments, reaching for the eggnog carton and studying it.
"I do okay, yeah." Is all Regina can answer. She studies her as she examines the carton.
"Boyfriend?"
"Excuse me?" Her brow furrows.
"No…" The clerk's eyes squint. "Definitely a girlfriend. Am I right? I have a sense about these things." She grins, placing the carton down on the counter. "Sorry. Most of my customers who come in late at night around this time of year are buying eggnog for their boyfriend's or girlfriend's. Or husbands and wives." She chuckles.
Regina tosses a five dollar bill on the counter, not amused at all at the source of conversation. "Thanks." She reaches for the carton and begins heading out of the door.
"What's the hurry, Regina?" She leans against the counter, elbows prepped up, seeing the brunette stop mid parted door and look back over her shoulder at her.
"Do I know you?" Her brow creases a little further. "How'd you know my name?"
The girl shrugged, "I'm a really good guesser."
"Right," the brunette murmured. "I think I'll continue on my walk now."
"Hey, that's a great idea! I'll join you." The clerk smiles, quickly gathering her coat and scarf and hurrying out the door with the brunette, leaving the store unattended.
"I'd rather be alone, thank you." Regina is in awe of all that was happening. "Aren't you supposed to lock up first?"
"It'll be fine," she brushes it off, walking alongside a surprised Regina. "Besides, that isn't really my job. I was just doing a friend a favor." Without a warning, she reaches for the carton of eggnog from Regina's hand, opens it up and helps herself to a drink.
"And, what is it that you do, exactly?" Regina asks, not really sure why. She should be running in the other direction right now.
The girl takes another drink before providing Regina with an answer. "You can think of me as a… Fairy godmother, of sorts. Call me Tink."
This makes the brunette laugh a little.
"Go ahead, laugh. Everybody does. Although," she chuckles. "I have to hand it to you, you're the first person to not take off running in the other direction."
"Right now, I'm seriously considering that to be my only option."
"And I would understand that, but I promise, all I want is to help you." She takes another drink.
"Help me?" Regina's brow raises. "With what, exactly?"
"Whatever you need help with." Tink shrugs.
"Okay… Why don't you come with me and I'll take you to a shelter somewhere," she hears a chuckle from Tink. "There has to be somewhere we can get you some help."
"Wait a minute. You are trying to save me?" Tink laughs this time with a shake of her head.
"We all need something."
Tink loved that answer. "Yeah? What do you need, Regina?"
"Me?" She sees a nod from Tink. "I got everything I need." She smiles proudly.
"Really?" Her brows shoot up. "Wow. It must be really great being you."
Was this a form of robbery? Was that what this was?
"Look, if this is about money, I ask you- don't do anything you'll regret." Regina couldn't hide the worry in her expression. She was a little startled after hearing another laugh escape Tink.
"Regret?" She laughs again, shaking her head. "You're not one to be talking about regrets, Regina. Or what could have been."
Regina blinks, feeling more and more confused. "What on earth are you talking about? What could have been?"
"Emma. Remember her?" She could see the normal reaction she would see in everyone's eyes. "I know you've been thinking about her-"
"How could you-?"
"I told you. I'm a good guesser." She smiles, handing back the eggnog carton, which Regina numbly takes. "I'm going to really enjoy this. You just remember that when you wake up tomorrow… You brought this on yourself."
Regina blinked again, seeing Tink walk away without another word. "Hold on. Brought what on myself? Who the hell are you, and how do you know about Emma?" She walked a few quick paces to try and catch up to Tink, not gaining any of her attention. "Hey! I'm talking to you!"
The moment ending in a scoff, Regina decides to brush off the weird moment, tossing the opened carton of eggnog into a nearby trash can before continuing her walk home.
Once arriving in the safety of her home, and removing herself from all of her clothes and into a pair of silk pajamas, she made her way into her bedroom, pulling back her bed sheets before climbing into the comfort of her bed. 'You brought this on yourself.' She scoffed at the crazy woman's words, shaking her head and closing her eyes to try and block it out. Sleep. That's all she needed. A good night's sleep and come tomorrow, she will be on a flight to Aspen.