The fifth Christmas

When Henry Mills walked into the post office the following year, he found Regina behind the counter yet again. She looked as happy as always to see him. Smiling at him, she said, "You seem to get taller for each time I see you, you will soon be taller than me."

"Yeah I suppose," he said with a deep sigh.

"Is anything wrong?" Regina wondered, as he did look more troubled than usual.

"Yeah, mom and I was supposed to go for the first vacay in years, saved up and everything. Then the stupid washing machine broke and flooded everything, it cost tons to fix. So no vacation," he shrugged.

"I am sorry to hear that Henry, maybe your grandparents can help," she tried.

"Mom is too proud to ask. I hoping maybe Santa can help, or something. We really need a Christmas miracle. Just sucks because she worked so hard and everything to manage to afford this and then…!" clear frustration in his young voice.

"I am sure Santa will help in any way he can. He has done so before, right?" she winked at him.

"Yes, I suppose. Will you make sure my letter?" he looked at her with pleading eyes now.

"I will," she said with a serious nod. She felt really bad about this. She watched as he nodded and headed out of there. In her silent mind, she wondered why the owner of the apartment unit hadn't called her about this if the damages were big. It probably seemed worse for a young mind than they actually were. Still, she made a mental not to read the letter as soon as her shift was done.

A tired Regina opened the letter late the same night, and read:

Dear Santa.

I know this wish is perhaps too big for you to grant, still, I am going to ask. I totally get if you can't do it.

You see my mom and I was going to Disney land on Christmas eve and spend time there to after New Years'. We were looking forward to it as it is the first real vacation we have had in years. We saved up and everything…

Then the washing machine broke and we had to use our money on repairs and everything, so not we can't go. I was hoping maybe you could help out so we could go after all.

Sincerely

Henry.

Regina sighed, knowing she would have to pull some serious strings for what she had in mind. Still, she would not give up before this was fixed, because they deserved it, she knew. She made a silent promise to take them there herself in the future, but this year it seemed everything got busier than usual on her end. Slowly she picked up the phone and made the first call she needed to make this happen.

"Emma, there is a delivery for you here," her boss said about four days before Christmas eve. She looked up from her desk seeing a man standing there with a telegram. She signed for it and read it with wide eyes, letting the paper fall to the floor. No, this couldn't be real, it just couldn't.

"Are you alright?" Ruby required, seeing her friend's face turn white.

"The note, tell me I am dreaming?" Emma wondered, nodded towards her. The brunette got up from her desk and picked it up. She quickly read through it, frowning. It seemed legit enough. There it was in black and white, Emma and Henry were to leave for Disney world the next day, all details worked out, everything was paid for, and whatever they needed from the fridge in the hotel room would be covered by whoever paid for all of this. Tickets would be mailed to Emma from the airline, same the hotel info and whatever else she might need for them to have a great vacation. It was signed for by Santa.

"Wow, you lucky bastard, you need to tell me where I can find this, Santa. I could use a vacation as well," said Ruby with a soft laughter.

"Miss Lucas, please get your mind out of the gutter," she heard a stern tone behind her and stood up straight. She turned to look at the police commissioner, wondering how the woman could sneak up on people so quietly. Specially in those killer heels she usually wore. Today they seemed to be light blue, matching the shirt she had underneath her black suit, in addition to a sky-blue tie with snowflakes on. A bit more festive than the ties she usually wore, then again it was close to Christmas.

"Yes, Ma'am," he said, looking down in the ground. Why did this woman always make her feel so inferior? Even if she was the top dog, she was still just a woman.

"Now, Emma, I am here to pick you up so you can go home and pack," Elsa said in a calm tone, getting a nod from Emma's boss.

"I guess saying now, would be disobeying an officer of higher rank," Emma shrugged and went to find her things. She didn't really need a ride home, but she knew better than to argue with the head of the police in the state. She made a I-will- call-you-later sign to Ruby walking out.

The brunette groaned, "Why am I never that lucky. Maybe I should start to write Santa too…"

"Or maybe you should actually work or save or find someone that will take you," her colleague, Tom, teased her. She shook her head and tossed a paper ball, hitting him in the head, before sitting down to go over a case file.

Regina was in Emma's apartment getting a review of the damages and what needed to be done to fix it. The tiles in the bathroom and the dishwasher would have to be changed for sure. She wondered if that was something she could do herself when she heard Mallory's voice say, "Don't even think about it, have pros do it, they are faster."

"I do suppose you are right," she resigned with a frown and made the call.

"So this is the place you are paying for, cozy," Mallory noted with a smile looking around.

"One of the many places, yes. I probably wouldn't have those rock posters on the wall if I lived here, though," she said with a frown. On one of the walls in the living room, there was three massive posters. One of the band Kiss, another of Kiss, and one of Freddie Mercury. She shook her head seeing a couple of movie posters in the common areas as well.

She would never say her taste was bad; from what she could see they listened to similar music and saw the same movies, but she would never have posters like that hanging around. Calling a plumber and a contractor she walked around, seeing pictures of Henry, Emma and their friends. How could he be so damn cute? She hadn't seen any last she was there, making Christmas dinner years prior and could see from how Henry had changed over the years

"No, I need it done before the end of the year. No, I don't care. Yes, I can pay whatever the cost, just get it done!" she said with a sigh. Why did people have to argue about not working during the holidays, she shook her head. Her eyes got glued to a drawing on the fridge, Henry between Emma and a brunette. She tilted her eyes feeling her heart sink. She had found another woman, hadn't she?

But if that was so, why hadn't that person gone with them? Maybe they had broken up and that picture was old. And if they were together, what did that matter? After all they were not an item of any kind. What did she expect the blonde to do, sit around and wait for her?

Finally, she managed to get someone to do the job and agreed to meet them the next day. She looked the apartment over one last time as she locked up the place. She wondered what it would be like to live here, with them. She shook it off, only to follow Mallory to their usual spot for a drink and something to eat.

Regina startled when the doorbell rang that morning - or was it morning? She wasn't sure as the curtains was pulled closed. She groaned, feeling her head hammer as it rang again?

"I am coming, I am coming," her voice was hoarse and worn.

What day was it? Her head pounding alongside with her body trying to remember the night before. It was a party and she had been drinking, trying to drown her sorrows. How stupid could she get? She was an adult, for crying out loud. To act like this - she shook her head as she dragged herself to the door.

She looked to see her mother, that eyed her up and down with dismay. Suddenly she felt like a teenager again. She let her inside and her mother wrinkled her nose by the ripe smell walking pass her. She pulled the curtains once inside the living room, revealing empty bottles, half full glasses, filled ashtrays, and some bowls with snacks here and there. What was left that was.

"You haven't picked up in the past four days, it is easy to see why," her mother commented as she started to clean the mess.

"Leave it please, I will do it…later," Regina said with a groan. Why couldn't she just leave it be?

"Please, let me," she said. Her tone not up for discussion as she cleared away bottles, glasses, and whatever else she could find quite effectively. Once she was done with that she cleaned up the glasses that didn't go in the dishwasher and took out the trash before making and omelet with spinach and bacon. She brought it out to Regina that was still on the couch slightly out of it.

"Eat, it is not up for debate," she said, placing it in front of her along with a couple of tea.

Regina was about to object, but knowing better she did not. Instead, she finished the omelet and the cup of tea presented before her. She watched as her mother opened the windows to air out and beath rugs and pillows before sitting down. She looked over at her little girl that looked so very forlorn, much like she had done the first time she had a broken heart. Back then she was fifteen years old, now she was in the beginning of her forties.

"Regina, I want you to listen to me for a change. Your father and I have talked about this, the woman, this Emma. Clearly, even if you realize it or not you want a relationship with her and that is fine. Neither of us mind that, but we mind the way you are doing it. Helping her and her son out is admirable, but we both know you are emotionally attached. We all saw how you reacted to their gifts last Christmas and a small bird whispered in my ear you sent them to Disney world this year. Why on earth you didn't go with her is beyond my, but this needs to end. Mostly because of your own sanity. Your New Year's party lasted for three days, for heaven's sake, and your current state…Please tell her how you feel, you might never know she feel the same. Or leave them be, you don't enough for them, Regina, more than enough," Cora finished in a very serious tone.

"Alright, I will. Just let me think about it alright, but I promise I will," she said in a serious tone.

"Good. Will you please get some rest," said Cora, giving her a gentle hug. She felt how her daughter clung to her and she let her, for some time. Once she let her go, she saw tears in her dark eyes and she pressed a kiss to her cheek. With that, she left as sudden as she had come.

Regina slowly got up and went to close the windows and doors before going to bed. She fell asleep holding on to the stuffed horse Emma had given her the year before, the most precious thing she ever owned.

Emma Swan was nervous when she stood in front of the toy store that day. It was a cold day in the beginning of January. It was snowing, but as she looked into the window of the crowded store, she felt warmth spreading inside her. Because the owners of this store had changed her life in so many ways. The year before they had sent ponies and a baseball shirt her way, and this year yearly passes to the local stadium so she and Henry could see every game they saw fit. She had also gotten a couple more horses, a book, and Henry some video games.

Still, the gift they had gotten from Santa was the most spectacular of them all. She and Henry had had the most amazing vacation in their life and she was sure Regina was to thank for it. So she made sure to buy a couple of things for her, which she would give to her or whoever worked to give her. She would never get how selfless Regina was, not only had she covered their trip, but she had fixed the washing machine and the floor while they were away.

Emma had thought a lot about her while they had been away, but not knowing how to reach her, she couldn't call or email her. She had a feeling that it would probably not have been a good idea, after all, the woman had said nothing about loving her or wanting to date her. Then again her actions spoke louder than words ever could. And Emma would be stupid if she didn't admit feeling something for the other woman.

She had dreamed of kissing her more than once over the past couple of years, but she knew better than to force something. She realized while they were away she needed Regina to come to her, not the other way around. It was on her premises and Emma was fine with that. She could wait forever if that was what it took for Regina to realize her emotions and ask her out on a date or something similar.

Slowly she opened the door, going inside to this magical world of toys. She looked around and found Regina's father saying, "Excuse me, Mister Mills. Do you have a second?"

"Yes, of course. What can I do for you, Emma?" he wondered, looking at her.

"I have been out of town on vacation and I got something for Regina, will you make sure she gets it, please?" she wondered, holding up a plastic bag.

"Yes, of course. I can call her down here so you can give it yourself, she is in the office?" he tried.

"No, let it be a surprise. I don't want to spook her, but I got a feeling she will need this, that is all," she said and winked at him.

"I see, well thank you," he said and smiled at her, taking the bag.

"You are welcome. Well, have a good day," she said and headed back out as fast as she came with a pounding heart. A smile on red lips as she vanished down the street, vanishing in the sea of people.

Henry walked upstairs to the offices of the building, knocking on Regina's door before entering. She looked up from her papers, smiling at him.

"What can I do for you, Daddy?" she wondered, looking at her with curious eyes.

"Nothing, I am just the messenger. Emma came by with this bag for you, I was told to deliver before she left. She said you might need the content, whatever it is," he said, placing the bag on her desk.

She frowned as carefully took out four wrapped presents and an envelope. She opened it to find a card with a picture of Mickey, Goody, and Donald on the front. She opened it to find a picture of Henry with Mickey and Minnie Emma with Donald and Jack Skellington. She put them aside and read what the card said:

Dear Regina or is that Santa?

I got a feeling you are our Santa and it is you that have helped us the later years. Thank you for the apartment and everything else, we really appreciate it more than you will ever know. I wish you were on this trip, so putting with some pictures to show you what you missed out on. Next time you must come with us. I am sure you would have so much fun.

I am putting with some gifts that I hope you will like, it not much, but it made me think of you. I need you to know that I would be interested in being with you than more than a friend. If that is something you want, please let me know. I would be willing to wait for you. I think you would a good addition to the family whenever you feel you are up for it.

I hope you had a good Christmas and that this year will be a good one.

You know where to find me, us.

Emma.

Tears in her eyes as she opened the gifts, only to find a stuffed Pegasus, a shirt with the Disney villains, and a matching ugly Christmas sweater and a Shirt with Scrooge saying Bah humbug, that was way too big. Probably meant as a sleeping shirt. Her eyes filled with tears as she realized the blonde wanted her as much as she longed for the blonde. She wanted Regina to be a part of their little family. Her heart melted by this and she knew she would wear these clothes even if it wasn't really her style.

"I love you, Emma," she whispered, startled by the words leaving her lips. She knew it for sure though, that she did. It was no point in denying it anymore. A smile on her lips, and happy tears in her eyes as she continued with the paper work. She knew admitting it to herself was one thing, but telling the blonde was quite another.

Thank you so much for reading this chapter, I would love to hear your thoughts :o)