The Christmas Cottage 2: A Magical Christmas

MackenzieW

A/N: Here's a sequel to my Advent story last year – The Christmas Cottage. I hope to have the rest up before the end of the year (all seven days of them) so we'll see how it goes!

I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend and that you get everything you wanted and then some.

-Mac

Part I: The Proposal

Christmas music played through the conference room as their small staff enjoyed a buffet set up on the tables pushed against the walls. They milled about the room, chatting happily as they celebrated the holiday season together. Some wore silly sweaters while others had chosen to don silly hats to enhance the festive mood that filled the space. Happiness swelled inside Regina as she sipped at her eggnog, pleased that the party was going so well.

"Hey," Robin said, coming to stand next to her. "Do you want to make our speech now? It's getting late and everyone will want to head home soon."

She glanced at the windows and was surprised to see how dark it had gotten. With the first day of winter so close, she knew it didn't mean it was late but it was almost time to get home. Regina was looking forward to getting home to the cozy cottage she and Robin shared, changing into comfortable clothes and curling next to the fire with him.

"That sounds like a good idea," she said, lowering the music as Robin called for everyone's attention.

As their staff quieted down and turned to face them, Robin wrapped his arm around Regina and held her close. "On behalf of Regina and myself, we want to thank you for all the hard work you've done. We know it's not easy getting a new foundation off the ground and that we wouldn't be as far as we are without all of you. So thank you."

They all applauded, cheering Robin and Regina. When they quieted again, Regina continued. "We know that this is the last day we all will be together until after the New Year as most of you are taking some much deserved time off to enjoy the holidays with your families and friends. So we want to wish you a happy holidays and a happy New Year. Rest up, celebrate with your loved ones and we'll all be ready to hit the ground running in January."

"But before you do that, a toast to all of you and all the good work we've done and all the good work we will do," Robin said, raising his cup.

Regina raised hers as well. "And may you all have a joyful holiday season and a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year."

"Cheers," he finished. Everyone echoed it and they all tapped cups before finishing their drinks.

They all cleaned up together and soon the office closed for the weekend. Robin and Regina climbed into his car, waiting for it to warm up as she continued to buzz from the party. "That went well," she said.

"It did," he agreed. "I'm glad they all had fun. They deserved it."

"We would not be where we are with them," she replied, nodding.

As heat filled the car, Robin pulled out of their spot and turned onto the road to head home. She leaned back, smiling. "I can't believe we actually pulled it off. That we went from talking about it in Granny's kitchen to actually having our own foundation within a year."

"It's mostly because of you," he said. "You took the ball and ran with it. We wouldn't be where we are without your hard work and dedication."

"Don't sell yourself short. You've been a great leader. Everyone's rallied around you," she told him. Robin had managed to gain the respect of the community in a short amount of time and worked hard to build relationships with the agencies they would need to partner with the most. He had a natural charm and charisma that drew people in and the passion he held for their work kept them close.

He reached out and took her hand. "We're a great team."

She nodded, giving his hand a squeeze. "We are."

Robin pulled his hand back as he turned onto their street. Several houses lined both sides of the street, all of them decorated for Christmas. The street was lit up in multicolored lights and drivers were greeted by a myriad of holiday figures from Frosty the Snowman to Santa Claus himself. It bolstered Regina's spirit and she smiled as she admired each display yet again.

"We're home," he announced, pulling into their driveway. Regina's spirits soared even more and she smiled at the house they had called theirs for almost a year.

After years of not being able to decorate in New York, she had gone all out in decorating their house this year. She and Robin hung up many strands of lights along the porch as well in the windows and around the evergreen trees on their property. They also put out different lawn decorations, mostly reindeer, while Robin had managed to get a light-up Santa's sleigh on their roof. Illuminated candy canes lined their front walk, completing the Christmas look outside.

"Admiring our handiwork yet again?" Robin asked teasingly as he turned off the car.

She nodded, unbuckling herself. "I just love it. It's so good to see it, especially after what I used to let pass as decorating for Christmas back in New York."

He reached over and cupped her cheek. "I told you - don't live with your regrets. You're taking the time to enjoy life now so do that."

"Right," she said, leaning over the center console to give him a quick kiss. "Let's head inside."

They climbed out of the car and entered their house through the side door located in the kitchen. Regina flipped on the lights before crossing to the foyer, setting her bag down and taking off her coat. She shivered from the chill in the air and looked at Robin. "Can you check the thermostat?"

"Looking now but we are home earlier than usual," he reminded her. "I don't think it's set to turn on just yet."

"Can you override it?" she asked, rubbing her arms.

He nodded, pressing some buttons before closing the lid. "It should kick on in a few minutes. And I'll light a fire too."

"Sounds good," she said, kissing his cheek as she walked past him. "I'm heading up to change."

"I'll be right behind you," he replied, taking off his own coat.

Regina changed into an oversized sweater and comfy pants, washing the makeup off her face as Robin also dressed in comfortable clothes. They soon lay on the couch, the fire crackling in their fireplace while they wrapped themselves up in a blanket. Mugs of hot chocolate sat on their coffee table and Robin put on a Christmas movie for them to watch.

She curled around him, resting her head on his chest. Next to the TV was their Christmas tree and it also was a step up from the one she had shared with Daniel. Robin and Regina had gone to the tree farm at the start of December and picked out their first tree together. Once they had gotten it home, they decorated it with items they had purchased the day before as well as family ornaments recovered from Leo's attic and Granny's attic. It was the tree she had always wanted and now could finally have.

"Are you watching the movie or the tree?" Robin asked her, combing his fingers through her hair.

"Both," she replied. "You?"

He kissed her forehead. "I'm mostly watching you. You have this small but beautiful smile every time you look at the tree."

"I'm just so glad to have it," she said. "It's my first real Christmas tree in a long time."

"Mine too," he replied. She glanced up at him and he shrugged. "Kinda hard to fit a full-length Christmas tree in a tent. We often had to make do with whatever we could get. One year, we placed a bow on a rock and called it a tree."

She frowned, picturing it in her mind. "That sounds a bit sad."

He shrugged. "We made the most of it and had a happy Christmas. I guess it's all how you look at it and how you approach it. I mean, if we had to have a small tree this year, would you have been disappointed?"

"Probably not," she admitted. "Just as long as we were truly celebrating and not just momentarily slowing down long enough to exchange presents like Daniel and I did."

"Christmas is definitely a state of mind," he replied, smiling before hugging her closer to him.

She cuddled against him. "Yes, it is. And I'm glad I found it again."

"Me too," he replied, resting his cheek against her hair. They laid there, wrapped around each other as they continued to watch Christmas movies.

Regina couldn't think of a better way to spend a Friday night.

Music played and Regina danced around her kitchen as she prepared the small Christmas Eve dinner she had planned for herself and Robin. They were going to spend Christmas up at Granny's with their families but she wanted to have something just between her and Robin, hoping to make it a tradition. He was on board with it as well and even suggested that they open their presents to each other that night. She, though, still wanted to exchange presents with him on Christmas morning and had negotiated down to one present each. Robin had agreed to that.

She opened the oven and basted the small chicken she had roasting. As she closed the door again, the music changed to a slow ballad and a strong arm wrapped around her waist. When she straightened up, she stood chest-to-chest with a smiling Robin. He took her hand in his and started to slowly twirl her around the kitchen in time to the song.

"You're such a dork," she teased him, leaning closer to him.

"I know," he replied, grinning. "You love it."

She grinned. "I do."

"So, is there anything I can do to help you?" he asked, swaying her gently now.

"I think I have everything covered," she replied. "The chicken and potatoes are in the oven and I just have to sauté the vegetables soon. I guess you can set the table if you want."

He nodded. "I can absolutely do that."

She kissed his cheek. "Thank you."

They parted and she moved back toward the stove. As she approached it, her phone started to buzz. She glanced at the screen and smiled. "It's Kathryn!" she announced, picking it up.

"Tell her I say hi," Robin said, opening the cabinet to start taking out some dishes to set the table.

"Hi, Kathryn," she replied. "And that's from me and Robin."

Her friend chuckled. "Tell Robin I said hi back and Merry Christmas. And speaking of Christmas, this is the first one we've spent apart since college!"

"I know," Regina said, missing her friend but still glad she was not back in New York City. However, she could honestly say she missed one other thing. "I do miss not being at your annual party. The food was always amazing."

"I'm guessing there's no way for you to leave Maine and be here in time, right?" Kathryn asked.

Regina resisted the urge to shake her head, reminding herself her friend wouldn't be able to see her. "Afraid not. But you and Frederick are coming up here in a few months. We can have a very late Christmas."

"That is true," Kathryn replied. "And I guess tonight would be awkward."

"Why?" Regina asked, confused.

Her friend paused before saying: "Daniel is coming. And he's bringing his new girlfriend."

"So is the Belfry project done?" Regina asked, not particularly interested in her former fiancé's new relationship. She was glad he had moved on, just like she had, and hoped he was happy.

"Not quite," Kathryn replied. "I think he's in town for some meetings and then will head back West. I honestly think he's going to stay out there for good when the project is done."

That did surprise Regina. "He always talked about wanting to stay in New York."

"I know," her friend said. "But I guess with the new girlfriend being from there, he's grown fond of the area."

"Well, I'm happy for him," Regina replied, meaning every word.

Kathryn didn't respond right away before letting out a soft loft. "You're probably the person I know who can say that without malice toward their ex."

Regina shrugged even though Kathryn couldn't see her. "I guess because I already found my happiness. There was no bitterness on my part. Daniel, though…"

She trailed off, knowing that her former fiancé hadn't taken the breakup well. And she understood his anger since she had technically blindsided him. Everything had seemed fine between them until she returned to Storybrooke and had realized how much of a facade her happiness truly was. Daniel, though, hadn't yet reached the same point and so it seemed like she had just decided to walk away after reconnecting with her childhood sweetheart. He felt betrayed and had avoided her when she returned to New York following Mary Margaret and David's wedding to wrap up her life there.

Upon her return after the New Year, she had worried that she had also lost her college friends. After all, it had always been her and Daniel and Kathryn and Frederick. It felt like she had betrayed them as well and that was how Frederick took it - though it ultimately proved to be more him standing in solidarity with Daniel rather than feeling genuinely betrayed. Kathryn, though, had surprised Regina by confessing that she had figured the breakup was a long time when they still hadn't set a wedding date. She also had realized that the Regina she knew in college was gone and that she wasn't as happy as she had thought. But Kathryn said she could see the old spark in Regina's eyes and that was all that mattered to her.

It had been a relief to know she still had Kathryn's friendship. Kathryn and Frederick had visited her a few times in Storybrooke and had started to form a friendship with Robin, though Frederick still held back out of respect to Daniel. That was what Kathryn had told her and Regina had no reason not to believe her as it made the most sense.

"I think this might be him coming around to realizing you were right," Kathryn said. "That you two just were no longer right for each other and that your happiness lay in different places and with different people."

"True," she replied, smiling as Robin moved around the table. "And I hope he's found his."

"Well, I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas and hope you have an amazing holiday," Kathryn said. "I miss you and can't wait to see you again."

Regina pressed her hand to her chest. "Merry Christmas to you and Frederick. I miss you and I am looking forward to your trip to Storybrooke."

They ended the call and Regina set her phone down. Robin approached the counter, leaning against it as he stood next to her. "Everything okay?" he asked.

"Yeah. I just miss her sometimes, you know?" She leaned her head on his shoulder.

He wrapped his arm around her. "I know. But you'll see her soon."

She nodded. "That's true."

"So I take it you were talking about Daniel?" he asked, trying to sound nonchalant but failing.

"For a bit," she replied. "He's back in New York and has a new girlfriend he's bringing to Kathryn's annual party."

Robin bit his lip before asking: "How do you feel about that?"

"I'm happy that he's moving on and hoping he's found happiness." She reached out and pressed her hand against his cheek, smiling lovingly at him. "Just like I found mine."

He smiled, kissing the underside of her wrist before moving away. "Do you want some wine with dinner?"

"Don't change the subject," she replied, giving him a knowing look. "You know I have no doubts about my decision and that I am happy with you, right?"

"I do," he assured her, taking her hand. "While I'm still working through some of my lingering insecurities, this was not one of them. I was honestly just checking to see how you felt about Daniel moving on. I know you're with me and you're happy and you love me but it can still hurt to hear about an ex moving on."

While she believed that he was concerned about her feelings, she still felt there was more going on. "You looked pretty green when asking about him," she told him.

He sighed. "I thought maybe she was trying to set you two up again. I know Kathryn has been nothing but kind to me but I can't just help but feel…"

"That she would prefer it if the old gang was back together?" Regina supplied. He nodded and she rubbed his arm. "I think Frederick wants that but not Kathryn. And she's not going to let her husband sway her."

"Good to know," he said. "And I know you don't want that either. I just don't want to come between you and your friends."

She took his hand again. "If any of my friends make me choose between them or you, then they aren't really my friends and you'll win every time. You're my best friend."

"And you're mine," he replied, pulling her into his arms and kissing her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and they stood there, just exchanging soft kisses until the timer dinged.

Dinner was ready.

"I'll get the chicken, you get the wine?" she asked, pulling away from Robin. He nodded and they separated to complete their tasks.

Their meal was soon set on the table and they took their seats. Robin picked up his glass and held it out. "Cheers to the chef."

"Thank you," she said, clinking her glass against his. "Merry Christmas, Robin."

"Merry Christmas, Regina," he replied, sipping his wine as she did the same. They then dug into their dinner, eating and making small talk as the night grew darker outside their windows.

Robin stoked the fire before returning the grate and joining Regina on the couch. She handed him a glass of spiced apple cider and snuggled against him as It's a Wonderful Life ended on the TV. It was the perfect cap to their Christmas Eve.

Well, almost .

"So do you want to open presents now?" Robin asked, gently running his fingers up and down her arm.

She nodded. "That sounds good."

He kissed her forehead. "Then I'll get your present."

"Let me get yours as well," she said, reluctantly standing from the couch and moving toward the tree. Behind her, he did the same.

Regina knelt down in front of the tree, searching for the gift she wanted to give Robin that night. She found it and pulled it out, placing it on her lap until he had retrieved her gift. He hid it behind his back, grinning at her. "Ready?" he asked.

"Yes," she said, holding out her present. "Go ahead."

He took her present with one hand while revealing his present in the other. It was a tiny square box and her heart sped up as she took it, wondering if it could be what she thought it might be. They had discussed marriage, confident in their relationship and dedicated to each other. All she wanted now was to be Mrs. Robin Locksley and she knew he wanted to call himself her husband sooner rather than later.

It also made sense that he would pick Christmas to propose. He had first entered her life around Christmas when they were children and she had always called him her best Christmas gift ever. They had shared their first kiss when he was eleven and she was ten as they had gotten caught under the mistletoe by Mary Margaret, who wouldn't let them move until they did so. And of course, they had gotten back together on Christmas. Everything seemed to revolve around Christmas for them so it would make sense that he would propose now, by their Christmas tree.

"Oh, Regina, I love it," Robin said, drawing her attention back to him. Discarded wrapping paper sat on the floor by his legs and he smiled at the present she had lovingly put together for him. It was a photo collage of them throughout the years - from the time they were children to pictures of them throughout the last year. She had spent many hours picking out the right photographs and laying them out just right.

Joy spread through her and she forgot about the tiny box in her hand as she focused her attention on him. "You do? I'm so glad."

"It's been ages since I've seen some of these pictures," he said, his fingers grazing over the glass of the frame. "Where did you find them?"

"I had some, Granny had some and Mary Margaret either had the rest or knew where they were at your uncle's house," she explained.

His eyes grew watery. "I haven't seen some of these in years. It's like finding a favorite toy or an old sweatshirt you used to wear all the time."

She nodded, understanding what he was saying. "It had been a long time since I saw some of them too, especially the ones from when we were children. Eva took a lot."

"My aunt loved her camera," he replied with a fond chuckle. "She was always taking pictures of Mary Margaret and me. We once went on strike and pretended to be celebrities avoiding the paparazzi."

"I can see you both doing that," Regina said.

He nodded before setting the frame aside and tapping her hand. "Your turn. Open your present."

She bit her lip, unwrapping the small box. Her heart sped up again as she found a small black velvet box underneath it. Regina glanced up at Robin, who just kept smiling at her but didn't seem to be moving to his knee or ready to ask her something. She opened the lid and revealed what was inside.

A pair of ruby heart earrings.

"They're beautiful," she said, both disappointed yet relieved that it wasn't a ring. She looked up at Robin and gave him a soft smile. "I love them."

"I know we said no expensive gifts but I saw these in the store and knew they belonged with you," he replied. "I thought you might want to wear them for Christmas."

She nodded, leaning over to give him a quick kiss. "I do. Thank you."

He tilted his head, frowning. "Is something wrong?"

"No," she rushed to assure him. "It's just….never mind."

Regina felt foolish telling him that she had been expecting an engagement ring. Nor did she want to put that pressure on him. She wanted him to propose when he was ready and not feel obligated to do so.

He reached out and gently brushed her cheek. "You can tell me anything, darling. No judgment."

"I know," she assured him. "My mind just thought it would be something else. But no need to worry. I love the earrings."

"Alright," he said softly. She could tell by the look in his eyes that she hadn't convinced him but that he was pulling back since she was not interested in talking about it.

Maybe once the holidays ended, she would broach the subject again.

"Why don't we finish up the hot chocolate and then go have a nice long bath?" she suggested.

"Okay," he said, rubbing her arm. "That sounds like a great way to end the night."

She gave him a smile she knew was overly bright before returning to the couch. He joined her a few moments later and held her close as they finished their hot chocolate in the glow of their Christmas tree.

There was no rush to get engaged, she reminded herself. It would happen when it happened. After all, if anyone knew the importance of timing, it was them.

Regina was able to put her hopes of a proposal aside for Christmas. It helped that none of the gifts Robin gave her that morning even looked like jewelry, so she didn't get her hopes raised just to have them dashed. And when they got to Granny's, she knew that he wouldn't do a public proposal like that - even amongst their family. He would never put her under that type of pressure, no matter how assured he was that she would say yes.

Which she would.

Their Christmas was a relaxing holiday as they celebrated both the holiday and the Nolans' first wedding anniversary. Granny pulled out the top tier of their cake and handed them forks. "Enjoy," she told them.

"Is that safe to eat?" Robin asked, looking at it warily.

"They are about to find out," Ruby joked, sipping at her spiked eggnog. She smirked as she watched Mary Margaret and David.

Granny frowned as she sat down again. "I followed all the instructions to preserve that cake for them. It should be fine."

Everyone watched as the couple took forkfuls of cake. They interlocked arms before eating the cake, chewing cautiously. As they swallowed, Ruby asked: "Well?"

"It just tastes cold," Mary Margaret replied.

David nodded. "Like when you bite the part of the ice that doesn't have flavoring."

"That sounds disappointing," Ruby said. "I was hoping it tasted like something disgusting."

"Thanks, Rubes," he replied, rolling his eyes.

Regina frowned. "Maybe if you heat it up more?"

"I'm afraid of melting the icing," Granny replied. "And it could make the cake inedible too."

"Sounds like the cake is already inedible," Robin said, sipping at his whiskey.

David shrugged. "It just has no taste. It's still easy to chew."

"You don't have to force yourselves to eat it," Regina told them. "It's not like you're going to have bad luck if you throw it out or something."

Robin nodded. "It's not a widespread tradition or anything like that. Not at least from what I've found."

"Researching wedding traditions, Robin?" Ruby asked, glancing at Regina. "Whatever for?"

Trying to stay calm and keep her face neutral, Regina waited for his answer. Robin tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. "I was engaged before, remember?"

Ruby looked sheepish and Regina swallowed her disappointment. Of course he had already started to research things about the wedding he had planned to have with Marian. Any knowledge of weddings was just leftover from that and not indicative that he would soon be planning one with her, even if they had talked about it.

But clearly, she needed to talk to him about a timeline.

After the New Year.

David and Mary Margaret managed to finish their cake. Granny took away the plate and used forks as he groaned. "Thankfully, I'll never have to eat year old cake again."

"You didn't have to eat it now," Robin replied. "No one was making you."

"It doesn't matter now. It's over and done with. Now, it's time for our annual Christmas toast," Granny said, handing out champagne. Mary Margaret refused a flute and Regina's suspicions were raised as she realized her friend had not had a drop to drink that wasn't non-alcoholic. But since David was drinking, it could be that they had agreed that Mary Margaret would be the designated driver.

Yet still, a niggling voice in the back of her mind told Regina there was more to it than that.

Granny raised her champagne glass. "This time of the year is about pausing to reflect on what is important to us. And to me, that is family. I feel so blessed to celebrate with all of you, whether we are blood family or not. After all, the family you make can be stronger than the family you are born into it. I am also doubly blessed that two family members have come home to stay."

She motioned to Robin and Regina, who took each other's hand. Granny nodded before continuing: "So, I want to say how much I love all of you and that I am so grateful to call you family. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas," everyone chorused, clinking glasses together before taking a sip of their drinks.

Mary Margaret set her glass down before taking David's hand. "We have an announcement to make."

Regina's excitement built but she tried to keep her expression neutral as everyone gave Mary Margaret and David their full attention. David nodded at her and she took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant," she announced.

"Oh my god!" Ruby squealed as Regina let out a cry of joy. The two cousins rushed forward and hugged their friend. Regina had no doubt that Ruby felt just as happy as she did, knowing that Mary Margaret was going to make a great mother. She and David deserved all the happiness that they were getting.

"Congratulations," Regina told Mary Margaret, hugging her tightly. "I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you, Regina," she replied, sounding close to tears. "And I am so happy you'll be around for the pregnancy."

Regina chuckled. "Me too. I call dibs on throwing you a baby shower."

"I was hoping you would!" Mary Margaret pulled back, taking Regina's hands in her own and giving them a squeeze. "It's just like I always imagined."

Robin approached, hugging his cousin. "Congratulations, MM. This is the best news ever."

"Does your father know?" Regina asked. Leopold Blanchard had gotten the flu a few days prior and so was absent from their holiday celebration. Mary Margaret had been checking with him throughout the afternoon and evening, just to be on the safe side.

Mary Margaret nodded. "We told him this morning when we opened presents together. He had enough energy to do that before climbing back into bed to rest."

"But it did put some color back into his cheeks," David said. "He's really excited."

"Oh, I'm sure he is," Granny replied. "He's going to spoil that child of yours."

Regina gave her grandaunt a look. "So are you."

"Absolutely," she said. "Now, I have some fresh cake. How about we break it out and celebrate this good news?"

"I think I'll pass but the rest of you can enjoy," David said, patting his stomach as he made a face.

They all chuckled before moving back to their seats while Ruby followed her grandmother to see if there was anything she could help with. As Robin pulled out Regina's chair for her, she smiled at him. Now she was glad he hadn't proposed for Christmas after all - she would've hated to overshadow Mary Margaret and David's news. She and Robin would have their moment in good time.

For now, everyone could focus on the new baby and as she dug into the cake Granny made, Regina felt at peace again.

"Alright, Storybrooke, are we ready to ring in the New Year?" the DJ asked, lowering the music. Everyone in the ballroom cheered, noting how close to midnight it was.

Robin grabbed two champagne flutes from a passing server and handed one to Regina. "Here you go," he said.

"Thank you," she replied. "I am a bit sad to see this year end."

"You are?" he asked.

She nodded, wrapping her arm around him and smiling up at him. "It's been a very chaotic year but it's been the best one I've had in a long time."

He hugged her, kissing her forehead. "It has been a great year but I think the next one is going to be even better."

"Is that so?" she asked, wondering what he had planned.

Robin bit his lip before taking her hand. "Come with me," he said, starting to walk through the crowd with her.

She followed him, surprised when he took her into the side room where they had confessed their feelings for each other at Mary Margaret and David's wedding. "Why did you bring me here?" she asked.

"Because this room holds a great deal of significance for us," he said, guiding her to the window that overlooked the Christmas Cottage. "Last year, in this room, you decided to stop aiming for goalposts that kept moving and I decided to stop running. We decided to fight for us."

Regina's heart sped up and her stomach did flips as she saw him reach into one of his pockets. She pressed her hand to her midsection, her eyes returning to his. They held so much love yet she saw some nervousness in there.

If he was about to ask her what she thought he was, didn't need to be so nervous.

"You're right - this has been the best year I've had in a long time," he continued. "We've had our ups and downs but we've faced them together. I know I can get through anything as long as I get the honor of falling asleep and waking up with you in my arms. We're stronger together and we have cemented our partnership. Now, I want to make it official."

Robin lowered himself down onto one knee as he pulled a black box from his pocket. He opened it, revealing a beautiful princess cut diamond flanked by rubies on a platinum band. "Regina Mills, will you marry me?" he asked.

"Yes," she said, tears filling her eyes and spilling down her cheeks. She smiled like a fool and didn't care. "Yes, yes, yes!"

He laughed, sliding the ring onto her finger as cheering erupted from the other room. "It's the New Year," he said.

"Then I think you better kiss me," she told him.

Robin stood but before he was completely straightened up, she reached out and pulled him in for the kiss. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her as they kissed to seal their engagement and start the New Year.

They broke the kiss and looked out the window, spotting fireworks in the distance. She rested against him, her eyes once again drawn to the Christmas Cottage. "I guess next Christmas will be spent there," she said.

"I guess so," he replied, kissing the top of her head. "If you want to be married that soon."

"If you're okay with it, I'd rather ring in next year as Mrs. Robin Locksley," she told him, certain of that.

He smiled. "Then we'll do just that."

Robin picked up the flutes of champagne they set aside and handed one to her. He held out his flute. "To a new year and a new adventure."

"To us," she said, clinking her glass against his.

He grinned. "To us."

They both drank the champagne before setting the glasses aside again. Robin held out his hand. "May I have this dance?"

"You may," she said, taking his hand as Auld Lang Syne drifted from the ballroom. He pulled her close and they swayed in time to the music.

Resting her head against Robin's chest, Regina closed her eyes. By this time next year, she would be Mrs. Robin Locksley and would officially get to spend the rest of her life with her best friend and soulmate.

She couldn't wait.