Part 5 in the 12 Days of Shipmas Collection

Note: This is the fifth day of a series of minifics written for the prompt challenge on Tumblr. Each one is set in a different verse, established or unestablished. For RH verse, this is also part (sort of) of a prompt wanting more of Emma and Graham's vacation. :)

5: "I thought we weren't doing gifts"

Graham hesitated in the doorway, his eyes light as he surveyed the cabin. "And here I thought we weren't doing gifts."

Emma grinned, grabbing both hands to tug him inside. She spun to face the small little room, hands squeezing his slightly in excitement. It was quaint in a way she hadn't expected. Candles littered the floor, leading inward. There was a big window over the bed, the warm sun spilling over the plaid colored sheets. A few red maples and yellowing aspens were shrouding their view from the other cabins scattered around, insulating them. Though it was only the beginning of December, a Christmas tree was tucked into the corner and the wood beams were decorated in lights.

She plucked the gift she'd sent ahead from underneath the braches. "Well, you are twenty-nine now. Or twenty nine and thirty years?" she teased.

He rolled his eyes playfully and wrapped an arm around her waist. "Assuming I was actually twenty-eight back then, it's plus twenty-nine at most. And that's also counting the time I wasn't actually alive, so really twenty-eight at most," he said.

She shivered at the reminder but shook it off. There was no place to linger in the feelings of fear with his eyes so light. "So what you're saying is that we should be celebrating your fifty-sixth birthday, old man?" she asked. The package fit between them, stomach to stomach, keeping them from getting too close until he bent to rest his forehead on hers.

"You are taking far too much pleasure in this," he murmured against her lips.

She smiled into the kiss and rolled her forehead against his. "Maybe. It's just one of those off things that feels weird to think about. Especially since you're technically younger in this timeline."

He hummed. "True," he conceded, and kissed her gently. "Birthdays were never something I really thought about before. It's strange to have something to commemorate the day," he said, jostling the gift.

"If I get a party, you at least get one single gift," she said.

He raised the present and shook it next to his ear. "Should I guess?"

"Just open it," she demanded and hopped onto the foot of the bed to watch. "I got Henry's input before we left."

He pulled the bow and raised a brow to her. "I will commend you for your speed. Did you wake the poor kid to get his opinion?" he asked.

She grinned. They had only left that morning, and she'd left the package at the front desk when they'd checked in at the lodge. They'd spent the morning at the diner to wait on her jumper, turned him in with local police a little after noon. Now, they could just relax and enjoy each other. Celebrate that he was alive and aging normally, with her.

She had had to be sneaky before they'd left Manhattan. She dropped by the 24 hour pharmacy and the little antique store before dawn to get what she needed. And, yes, had to wake a sleepy Henry at Emilia's with pictures and have him help choose which worked best.

He sat next to her and tore open the colorful wrapping paper she had wrapped hastily. She kneeled on the bed next to him, trying not to get antsy as he carefully peeled back the layers.

He paused when it was opened, cradling the frame in his hands but saying nothing. She scanned it as if to verify that it was still the same photo, the three of them piled together on their bed, messy hair and in pajamas, grinning widely for Andie's camera.

"I could change the photo, if you want. But me and the kid thought that one was the best," she said.

He released a shaky breath and turned to her. His eyes were shimmering, steely blue and stunning in the afternoon light. He tucked his head into her neck, then pulled her into his lap. "I love it," he said into her skin.

Relief filled her and she grabbed the back of his shirt in hand to anchor herself. "I'm glad," she murmured. She ran her hand through his hair, the short strands just beginning to curve at the ends. "You're the first person I've ever really gotten a gift for. At least, for real, besides the kid."

She could feel his smile before he kissed the juncture of her neck and shoulder. "You're the first person to ever get me a gift for real," he said, then trailed his lips down to her chest.

"It's really okay?" she asked as he plucked open the buttons of her shirt.

He hummed into her skin. "It's perfect," he said, then looked up with a wicked grin. "Let me show you just how much I like it."

He leaned back and she toppled over him, grinning as her hair curtained their faces. "We have the whole weekend for that," she reminded, and peered up to glance out the wide window. "And we have lots to explore out there."

He nudged her face back to him, his smile bright and beautiful. "We have lots to explore in here, too," he teased. He cocked his head to the side, pupils dilating. "But maybe I can show you a bit out there, too."

The implication was clear and very much had been her plan for the weekend. She leaned up and looked around. "We have hiking boots and a blanket," she said then grinned down at him. "What do you think we can do with those things?"

He raised a brow. "It's December."

She shrugged. "It's warm."

He chuckled and rolled her over, settling on top and sinking into her. She sighed pleasantly until he rolled off, moving off the bed. "You've convinced me. Let's go exploring."

She glowered playfully and buttoned back her shirt. "Fine. I guess it was my idea."

He grinned and put on his other shoes. After a while, he paused and grabbed the picture frame from the box. He propped it up, angling it toward where he would be sleeping. His thumb crossed over the edge of the silver and he smiled softly. He looked up. "It's a perfect gift, you know," he said.

She paused in tying her shoe and looked up. "I'm glad you think so."

He looked it over one more time and then grabbed her hand. "You made me your family. I can't think of anything better," he clarified.

She pressed her lips together and laced their fingers. "Graham …," she hesitated, swallowing back the overwhelmed feeling of love and anxiety that swelled. She tugged him close. "It's our family. Wouldn't be the same without you."

"Our family," he repeated softly, and his lashes brushed his cheeks as he smiled. "Time for an again?"

She pressed her lips to his firmly and smiled against them. "I love you."

He brushed back her hair and stood, reaching out a hand. "I love you."

She took it and bounced on her toes, feeling light and happy. "Let's go exploring."