A/N: I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!


"What the hell am I doing?" Emma asked herself aloud once she pulled her shiny new rental SUV onto the Interstate. She had decided to go big because of the weather and because of her rustiness at driving in winter conditions. She did not entirely trust herself not to get stuck in a snow drift. There was also the question of other drivers skidding into her, and she would rather be in a vehicle that offered a little more protection than the beloved VW beetle she had waiting for her back in California.

"Am I crazy? Is this a crazy thing to do?" Emma asked as she drove. "Well, it's certainly crazy to talk to yourself in an otherwise empty car while stalking a stranger state to state."

Now that Emma was executing her last-minute plan she was starting to grow nervous. What if Regina completely freaked when she learned that Emma had ditched her parents at Christmas of all times, had creepily found where Regina lived and then drove four hours in a snow storm to find her.

Maybe I should turn around. Emma thought. She had only just left the airport and it was still possible to go the other direction and road trip it for a day or two up to Charleston. Or a third option was to return the car, check into her free room at the Hilton and try to drown out all thoughts of Regina with cheesy Christmas movies that had predictable endings.

"Or not." She muttered to herself as she thought about every Hallmark movie she had ever seen.

In these films, the work-obsessed scrooge always fell in love with the small-town-perfect-human who showed the scrooge the true meaning of Christmas, and how small towns provide life at its finest. Or something along those lines. Did this mean that Emma was the scrooge in this scenario?

"Well you have skipped Christmas at home for like five years in a row now..." Emma reminded herself under her breath. Regina's not a scrooge. She's the small-town-perfect-human who absolutely loves Christmas.

If this were a Hallmark movie, Emma would see how picture-perfect and welcoming everything and everyone was in Storybrooke. She would end up moving to the little town and live happily ever after. But this was not a movie, and the 'happy ending' Emma was heading for most likely looked like a restraining order and a bruised heart.

Emma breathed a heavy sigh as she thought of two more people who could get hurt in this mess. She decided to give them a call in order to explain the situation, and maybe also to receive a good lecture on common sense from her mother.


It was about fifteen minutes later and Emma was at a rest stop. She had decided that with the current road conditions, it wouldn't be a good idea to make a phone call while on the Interstate. With how heavily the snow was falling she needed her entire focus to remain solely on driving.

Emma was parked but had remained in her car with the engine shut off. She was holding her phone up to her ear and was listening to the line ringing. Emma was ashamed to admit that a part of her hoped no one would pick up.

"Hello?"

She wasn't surprised at how comforting the sound of her father's voice was after the day she had been having.

"Hey Dad, it's me."

"Emma? Is everything okay? We received your message about the plane. Were you able to get put onto another flight?"

"No... There aren't really any flights going out today. I've been put on the waiting list but they told me I likely won't be getting a seat until tomorrow. I'm sorry Dad."

"Don't be. This isn't your fault. There are still four days until Christmas, you'll be here long before then. Just check into a hotel so you're by the airport and take it easy for tonight. I'll be less worried knowing you'll be safe for the night. I wouldn't risk flying on a day like this."

"Is it bad up there too?" Emma ignored the comment about the hotel with a twinge of guilt.

"Well it's definitely going to be a white Christmas, but I wouldn't worry, it'll clear up enough in time and we'll see you soon."

"Yeah," Emma smiled at his optimism. She did still wish she could have seen her parents that day. "Do you think I could talk to Mom?"

"Of course, I'll go get her. She'll be so relieved to hear your voice."

"Thanks Dad. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too Emma."

Emma held her breath as she waited for her mother. She still had absolutely no idea what she was going to say.

"Emma?" Her mother's voice sounded a minute later.

"Hey," Emma trailed out the word a little.

"Hi sweetie, how are you? I'm sorry about your flight."

"I'm okay... I think, if anything, I was more annoyed after what happened back in L.A this morning."

"Wait, but it was your L.A. flight that got cancelled wasn't it? Or are you not in California anymore?"

Emma breathed a small, regretful sigh. She had forgotten to tell them about her new flights. Daughter of the year.

"Well... long story short, I'm in Boston. I'll tell you the whole thing when I see you, but right now it looks like I'm stuck in Massachusetts for the night. "

"Oh, Boston? At least that's a little closer than California. As long as your safe that's all that matters. Are you staying at one of the hotels at the airport for the night?"

Emma held her breath for a beat. "Actually Mom, there is something I need to tell you."

"Of course honey, anything." Her mother said, although Emma could detect a hint of worry.

"So... I kind of met someone on the plane, and I really like them."

"Uh-huh..." Her mother's voice rose expectantly. Emma could practically hear the excited smile on her face.

"And well... I'm kind of..." Emma cleared her throat. Yep, definitely crazy. "I'm kind of on my way to visit her right now."

"Does she live in Massachusetts?" Her mother asked, hopeful that Emma might finally be dating someone.

"A small town in Maine, actually."

There was a brief pause and Emma was sure the gears were turning in her mother's head.

"Emma, please don't tell me that you are driving all the way from Boston to Maine in a blizzard?!"

"That's... exactly what I'm doing." Emma said apologetically as she brushed a hand through her hair.

"But Emma there's so much ice! And when the wind picks up it's going to be almost impossible to see through all the snow!"

"Well I mean, Regina's doing it so it must be possible right?"

"Regina is the woman you met on the plane? Does she know you're coming? For all you know she could have pulled off and checked into a hotel for the night."

"She doesn't know I'm coming, no." Emma winced a little, waiting for the tornado that was her mother's fretting.

"You have to tell her! I'm sure she will agree with me that it's too dangerous."

"I can't exactly call her. I don't have her number." Emma admitted a little sheepishly.

"Emma this is really poor planning."

"I thought it would be nice to surprise her." Emma tried to defend herself.

"But... you only just met her today?" Her mother sounded confused now.

"Yeah?" Emma winced a little more.

"Emma!" Her mother scolded.

"You think I'm crazy don't you? I wouldn't blame you." Emma practically mumbled. She could hear her mother breathe a soft sigh before hurriedly relaying the situation to Emma's father.

"No Emma," the sigh was evident in her mother's voice. "I don't think you're crazy. You must really like this Regina to risk your life for a visit."

"Is it crazy to follow her home though? What if she thinks I'm stalking her or something?"

"Did she seem to like you too?"

"She bought me coffee... she hugged me... she told me I was very attractive? She brushed her hands through my hair... She's so beautiful, and nice, and classy – you would love her. She has this perfect brown hair and the most amazing dark brown eyes I've ever seen..." Emma suddenly stopped herself, feeling her face grow warm as she realized she had moved beyond the question she had been asked.

"The most amazing eyes hmm?" Her mother asked with a hint of teasing. "Emma, I'm really happy for you, but please, please be careful on the roads."

"Wait," Emma said in surprise. "You're not mad that I left the airport?"

"Of course not, Regina could be the one for you. And even though the thought of your driving in that weather scares me, I know you are responsible. You'll stop at a hotel if it gets to be too much?"

"Yeah, I promise I will. But... what if I don't make it back in time for Christmas?"

"Emma there are still several days left, there is time to make it back for Christmas Day... Or who knows, maybe you'll be spending it with Regina instead?" Her mother actually sounded a little hopeful. All she had ever wanted was for Emma to find her soul mate.

"Mom, I just met her" Emma almost rolled her eyes, but then she could feel a small smile tugging at her lips. "Do you really think this could be a good idea?" Emma asked a little more quietly.

"Emma I think this is the sweetest thing I've ever heard. You could be on the road to true love."

"The snowy, icy, skiddy road..." Emma grumbled as she looked up at ever-snowing sky.

"You'll be fine Emma. Just take your time and stop for breaks as often as you need to. Are you going to get back on the road now?"

"I guess so." Emma replied, feeling a little more confident after her mother's encouragement.

"Then I'll wish you a safe trip. And Emma, good luck."

"Thanks Mom. I love you."

"I love you too honey. I'll give your best to your father for you."

"Thanks." Emma replied before hanging up the phone. For a few seconds she just sat back into her chair and pondered over her upcoming reunion with Regina and Henry. She hoped her mother was right.

Finally gathering the courage to get back on the highway, she started the car and pulled out of the parking lot, her journey felt revitalized again.


A/N: Thank you for reading! Please leave a review, take care xx