I don't own these characters; Disney/ABC does. Well, actually, I own quite a few of these characters. Nathan, Odette, and quite a few of the kids are mine.
A/N: there's some bullying here and large amounts of passive-aggressiveness. In case you need warnings for those.
2: Teaspoon
Regina had begun her monthly tea parties after Odette started pre-school and none of the children wanted to play with her. They had already seen this behavior when they took Odette to the park, but they thought children would eventually warm up to Odette when they got to know her and saw her every day. They were wrong. It broke her and Emma's hearts to watch their baby sit alone for everything.
Now, all of the children were especially, extra nice to Odette, wanting to be invited to her exclusive event, mostly because there were always expensive snacks and goody bags. Not like birthday party goody bags, nothing as plebeian as that. Regina wanted these children to feel like they had come from the Oscars with their goody bags, which was not hard with children. Snow likened them more to royal tea parties in the Old World, which was what Regina wanted.
Beyond children, their parents were eager to get invited to the parties as well. This was what Regina wanted also. She wanted everyone who treated Odette as "the other" to see what her family was like, to experience her life, and then to leave understanding Odette was the good one out of them and they would never have the wonderful life she had. Was it vindictive? Perhaps. Did Regina care? No.
Emma always laughed over the whole thing, believing only Regina could make an exclusive event for four-year-olds. Regina needed to do something for their little princess. And Odette loved a good tea party. How Odette loved both a tea party and learning to box from Emma was beyond Regina, but it was nice Odette enjoyed things with both of her mothers.
Regina knew it was not the children of the town who decided to treat Odette differently. Well, not completely the children. The people of Storybrooke had decided Odette was an oddity, her deafness a mark on her. The mark of Cain. Well, to hell with that. Regina refused, knowing all too well what it was like to have society reject her. Society would not reject Odette. If anything, eventually, Odette would reject them… without the insanity or grumpiness her mothers rejected society with.
"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" Odette marched into the kitchen, signing as she spoke, which she tended to do when she opened a conversation. She learned to sign before she could really talk, but the more she talked, the less she signed. Regina believed it was because outside of the house, no one really signed with her.
Odette was dressed for her party, wearing a tailor made suit. Odette was her perfect little princess, who liked to dress like her mothers, two very imperfect royals. Right now, though, she was dressed like a mini-mayor, which was fine for some occasions, but not usually a tea party.
Regina smiled. "Oh, sweetheart, where's your dress? Suits are for when we go to work." She also signed as she spoke, just wanting to encourage Odette. Occasionally, Regina took Odette to the office with her and they dressed similar, if not the same on those days. This also happened if she went to work with Emma. Odette wanted identical outfits to her mothers and who was Regina to argue? So, right now, she had on a black, pinstripe suit with a matching vest and with a white shirt. The last time Odette wore it, they had on the same thing and Regina was at work. Odette liked to think she was at work, too, and sometimes she earned her snacks.
Now, Odette's hands moved, but not to sign, just to emphasis her excitement. "Mama said my suit is best! And I like it, too. Remember, this is the suit when I won that argument at Town Hall last month." She held her head up high and tugged on her sharp lapels.
Regina could not help smiling even more. Odette was not wrong in believing she had won an argument at Town Hall. There was opposition to raising funding for helping people with disabilities in town. There were people who did not think there was so many people with disabilities that they needed more funding. Odette, not truly understanding what was happening, but very aware of the words "disabled" and "handicap," worked her way out of her seat by Emma and climbed up onto a table. She hollered the word "help" with a stump of her foot and gave enough people pause that the opposition disappeared. They understood. It was not that there were not so many people in the town with disabilities, but they did not see them. With Odette standing on a table, screaming, they were very visible now.
"But, that's your suit for Town Hall meetings. This isn't a meeting. This is a social event. We've discussed the differences," Regina said.
"But, suits can be for social events! Just like jeans can be for meetings!" Odette was already bouncing with energy and shouting at full volume. She was loud thanks to the hearing issues, but more so whenever she was excited about something.
Regina held up a finger. "Do not believe your mama when she says jeans are for meetings. I promise you it is always a bad move and she's been thoroughly scolded before we leave and when we get home every time she does that."
Odette giggled, putting her hand on her mouth. "I know, but Mama's right about suits. You wear suits to social things sometimes."
There were some occasions where she would wear a suit. "Those are official social outings. We'll talk about the differences. If you want to wear your suit, you can, but we'll have to talk about social-social events and normal social events."
Odette nodded. "Are we going to watch Mary Poppins today?"
"That's what you want, right? Mama should be fixing it up right now." Regina let Odette pick the activities for her tea parties. They tended to go over well and Regina did not even have to use magic to make them happen. Well, unless money and sometimes intimidation counted as magic. But, if her princess wanted a pony ride, then damn it, there would be pony rides.
"And my favorite cake, right?"
Regina smiled. "Always, princess."
"And hot chocolate for after tea?"
"I know how you throw a tea party, Odette. Everything is set up just as you like it."
Odette grinned and hugged Regina around the leg. "Thank you, Mommy! I love you!"
"I love you, too." Regina rubbed her daughter's back. She loved all of her children and their family with every fiber of her being. How had she gotten so lucky? It was something to contemplate later. For now, she had to make sure the tea party was perfect.
The monthly tea parties were always mini-formal events for children and Regina could not help thinking it was cute. Nathan wandered down in his suit, similar to Odette's, but in dark blue instead of black, just as Regina finished setting up the snack table. There were little finger sandwiches, cakes, pie slices, muffins, decorated fruit snacks that looked like insects, a platter of cookies, fruit cups in crystal bowls, and tiny goblets of yogurt and pudding with cream. The tea was set up on a different circular table with a place setting for everyone.
"Can I have some yogurt now?" Nathan was already reaching as he asked the question. He was a big fan of yogurt of all flavors.
"Not until the guests arrive. You know better than that," Regina replied, her tone gentle, wanting to remind him rather than reprimand him. He knew the responsibilities of a host. She gave him a once over, pleased Emma had actually put his tie on him. She was tired of having that argument. Suits needed ties.
He frowned and folded his arms across his chest, ruffling his suit jacket a bit. "But, Ming always eats them all."
Regina leaned down and fixed his jacket for lack of a better thing to do. His hair was as wild as always, as that was how Emma liked it. She left it like that since Emma had been the one to prepare him. "Because you're always focused on more cake and tea when things get started. You know Ming loves the yogurt cups."
As if knowing they were talking about her, three year old Ming popped up with trails of pink fabric from her traditional robes. Her clothing was handmade from description by Mulan and the closet thing she could find on the internet. Regina introduced Mulan to the places she had her clothes made and treated Mulan to several outfits in the style of her Old World homeland after Mulan saved Emma from the Headless Horseman a couple of years ago. Emma had put more work into learning how to use a sword after that.
Ming's mothers and brother were right behind her. Roland was dressed in a blue suit with a bow tie. Marian had a thing for bow ties. Marian and Mulan had on casual clothing. The parents tended to find ways to entertain themselves while Regina put on the tea party. Sometimes, they left and enjoyed an afternoon to themselves, which Regina did not mind. She understood that, catching alone time with her spouse whenever she had a chance.
Odette took charge of Ming, holding her hand almost the second she was through the door. Odette liked to look out for Ming for the simple fact that she was older and bigger. The children had come to the understanding older and bigger meant protecting those younger and smaller. Ming was happy to have Odette by her side, mostly because Odette shared everything with Ming.
Right after, David and Snow popped up with Neal, who was in a tan suit he pulled off well with surprising regal bearing. The Charmings had a little girl, Eva, as well. She was barely two, but dressed up just like everyone else. Her long, blond hair was outshined by her yellow gown. Emma knew she had grown as a person when Eva's birth did not bother her and she had been so proud to tell Regina that. Or, maybe it was just she had her own children and family to worry about.
Aladdin and Jasmine showed up with their daughter, Azhara. She was Odette's age and in the same pre-school. Like both of her parents, the heart of a hero and warrior beat in her chest as she got in trouble quite often for shoving people who made fun of Odette. Dressed in brilliant teal robes, it was hard to tell she was a tomboy through and through, just like her mother. They left Azhara in Regina's capable hands and practically ran out of the door. Emma saw this from her spot in the living room and laughed.
"I feel like Az has pretty much ensured she's going to be an only child," Emma said.
Regina glared at Emma, but did not say anything as Azhara did not get it. Jasmine liked to describe her daughter as "a desert wind." It was a polite way of saying she was unpredictable and never stopped moving. Regina did not mind, as Azhara and Odette loved each other like sisters and championed for each other whenever they needed to. Odette squealed the second she saw Azhara and Ming rushed in for a hug. Eva tried to be part of the little group, but they towered over the little two-year-old and sort of overlooked her for a moment. Once they noticed her, she was let in as well.
Then, Ashley and Sean arrived with their two, dressed to the nines in formal attire, and Odette's little crew was complete. Tiffany, the couple's second daughter, was a few months older than Odette, but Odette really took to Alexandra, the eldest.
"Oh, you're wearing the cool suit from when you told the town off and was a hero," Alexandra said with a grin as she stood before Odette.
Odette blushed a little. "I dunno about hero." She looked away.
"You were a hero," Alexandra said with a firm nod. Odette giggled and Alexandra took her hand, leading her into the party room. Odette's face was completely red and she gazed at Alexandra with stars in her eyes.
I wonder what's going on here. Regina glanced over at Emma, who shrugged as if she knew what Regina was thinking. She shook it off, not having time for this. The one school guest Odette had invited, Bryon Ursa, arrived with his parents. Regina thought this boy and his parents had nerve treating her child as an outcast when his mother, a princess, had once been rejected by her own fairy godmother and turned into a bear by an imp. But, she would show them a good time, let them glimpse her world and what her family had, and the Swan-Mills would never speak of them again while she knew they would talk of this experience for months to come. So, Regina began with the party.
-8-8-8-8-
"I swear, only Regina could make a freaking tea party an exclusive event that all the toddlers want to go to but only a few are invited," Emma said from her spot in the living room with the other parents. She was not surprised by the viciousness behind it, though. Only Regina would think to invite Odette's enemies into their home, treat them like royalty, and then make sure they never experienced it again.
"It's sweet. I love that it allows all of our children to bond and become friends," Snow said.
Ashley nodded. "Agreed."
"I'm glad our son was invited," the mother of the "honored guest" said.
Emma had no idea what her name was or who she was, but she made sure the woman and her husband had their best seats. She served them Regina's ridiculously expensive wine while the rest of them were drinking beers, cider, or iced tea, even though there was cheese to pair with the wine. The cheese was also ridiculous and expensive and apparently, nobles from the Old World went crazy for it. Emma was not sure why, as she was not into cheese like that. There was also weird bread for them, which was also a delicacy from the Enchanted Forest. Emma thought it tasted like dried wood, but apparently showed how well off she and Regina were and their guests would not be able to get the bread anywhere else in the world.
There were also leftover goodies that did not make it to the party, so Emma insisted they have some cake and slices of pie. It would melt in their mouths, delight their taste buds, and they would never know the taste again. David also ate cake by the handful. He was not very fond of the delicacy bread either. The guests had a couple of slices of bread before the conversation really kicked off.
"Yes, we tell him all the time to make sure he's nice to little Odette. Just because she's deaf doesn't mean she's different," the father said.
Emma was not surprised the man would lie right to her face like that. She and Regina always grilled Odette about the one outsider she wanted to invite to the party. Why was this person coming? Odette tended to invite people not because they were mean to her, but because she hoped it would get them to be nicer to her. This little boy was invited because she wanted to play blocks with him one day because he was "so good at building," her exact words. His response when she explained that she wanted to build with him was "girls can't build stuff, especially dumb girls who can't even hear if something's gonna fall on their heads," among other very nasty, mean-spirited comments. And, yeah, Emma might give these people some champagne with gold in it before they left, and remember it as the taste of her enemies' tears, because Odette's enemies were hers, too.
"We've been thinking about getting him into sign language," the mother said.
Emma nodded. "It's hard to find around here. We all go to a center outside of town." She also knew the mother was lying as Odette and Azhara often reported Bryon, as well as other children, made fun of Odette whenever she used sign language, despite the fact that some of them used it without even knowing.
"I'm surprised that Salaam child can go anywhere. Do you know how often Bryon has come in talking about how she pushed him and the teacher didn't do anything?" the father groused.
Emma fought down the urge to roll her eyes. Azhara pushed little Bryon often because he was reckless with his mouth when it came to Odette and for whatever reason Regina did not want to teach Odette to punch people in the face over words. Now, Azhara had yet to punch a person for Odette, but she sure did push with the best of them.
The mother sniffed. "I'm not surprised by her violence, though."
Well, that was a loaded comment. It could be a reference to her father's poor background, as Emma learned nobles and royals seemed to think being poor was genetic, as were any bad behaviors associated with being poor. It could be a reference to her being a foreigner as far as Enchanted Forest nobility was concerned. Or they could have adapted to good, old fashion American prejudice and that could have been a crack on Azhara's color or religion.
"It's funny. We never have that problem with her when she comes to visit with Tiffany," Sean said.
"Remember when she was trying to show Tiffany the proper way a princess should stand?" Ashley smiled. Everyone laughed, as they were all familiar with the story. Azhara, the wild child among their kids, was also the one with the best posture and etiquette. Emma considered taking lessons from her.
"Better still, remember when she had to show all the girls how to walk in a dress?" Snow said.
"The only one with more material on was Ming and Ming was also the only one who didn't fall on her face!" David laughed.
"I have taught Ming well," Mulan said, holding her chin up high.
"You don't even own a dress anymore," Emma pointed out. Mulan had gone full-on tomboy with her. Ruby had taken to referring to them as "dy-cons" for the town, which Emma did not think was true, but she could not dispute it considering their chosen wardrobes. But, then again, it might be that she and Mulan had not used any occasions to wear dresses. They might have to take their wives on good dates soon.
The guests were lost in the conversation for the most part, but Emma made sure they always had enough drinks and food. They drank the pricey wine like it was water, so Emma had to assume they were impressed by it and consumed almost all of the bread and cheese. They also had three pieces of cake before anyone else finished their first, not counting David. Emma would have to bring out coffee soon or the parents would be too drunk to leave. The stories were meant to show how close their families were, how close their kids were, and how amazing life was. It worked, as their guests hung on their every word, as was usually the case.
It was all well and good until they all heard Nathan make an announcement. "I know how babies are made!"
All eyes went to Emma, like they knew this was her fault. Emma winced. She was not sure what to do about it. Instead of jumping up, she took a calm breath.
"It's all right. He's just going to tell them about an egg and a spoon," Emma said.
David arched an eyebrow. "An egg and a spoon?"
Emma nodded. "We had a little crisis where Nathan asked about having a father, so I had to explain how a baby is made, but those people aren't necessary the baby's parents."
Marian's mouth fell open and she leaned over, touching Emma's arm. "Oh, my god, Emma, are you all right?"
Emma waved the question off. "Yeah, I'm fine. It all made sense to him. So, if he's telling it anything like I told it to him, he's telling everyone that an egg and a spoon make a baby. But, the people who take care of the baby are the baby's parents." She did not see how that could cause any problems.
Their guests eyed her, but the father dared to speak. "You lied to your child?"
Emma scoffed. "I didn't lie. I told the truth in the way he could understand without me having to give a PowerPoint presentation. That's his mom's area of expertise. I never lie to my children. We have what we call 'real talk' and I make sure they leave understanding any subject as best a five or a four year old can."
"With sock puppets," Mulan added with a chuckle.
"They're hand puppets. Okay, no, one set actually are sock puppets. Don't knock my effective way of parenting, Hua." Emma playfully shook her fist.
"It is scary in its effectiveness." Ashley nodded. "Those kids talk to you and Regina about everything."
"Alex has asked me on several occasions why we don't have 'real talks.' Did you have to name the thing, too?" Sean rolled his eyes.
Snow jumped in, her face scrunched up, causing a little wrinkle on her brow. "Why an egg and a spoon?"
"Well, my kids do well with visuals and I figured it'll help them better understand sex ed when they're older, too, since it's close to the biological truth. Anyway, it worked for him. It made him feel better and it wasn't a lie," Emma replied, giving the guests a little glare. While she wished they were not having this discussion in mixed company, none of this was a secret. Besides, she knew most parents would have freaked out needing to have that conversation with their small child. Emma was proud of herself for holding it together for her son.
"So, you told him Robin was, what, a spoon?" David asked.
"Not exactly. I told him Robin provided the spoon that made him. He took it as Robin being 'his spoon' and Regina was 'his egg.' So, he probably telling the other kids that." Emma hoped that soothed the parents, even though she now knew there was another conversation soon coming. Odette would want to know who her egg and spoon were. Emma was not sure how that would go.
"This doesn't sound easy to explain," Sean said.
Emma shook her head. "Well, I explained it better to him with props and sit down time and everything. Just rest assured he's not telling them about the birds and the bees."
"This sounds like it makes as much sense as that," David replied.
"Why didn't you tell him about the stork? That's what I told Neal," Snow said.
"Of course you did." Emma refused to tell an outright lie to her children. She had been lied to all throughout her childhood and then there was Henry's stance on lies. So, she and Regina did their best to be honest with the kids while keeping things on their level.
"I also told Bryon the story of the stork," the mother said, maybe to feel included. Emma checked her cup. When this was all said and done, she would have to go to the next phase of "the best day of your life."
Mulan leaned forward from the couch. "The stork?"
"The stork delivers babies," Snow replied.
Mulan's eyes went wide. "You tell your child such nonsense? Why would a bird deliver a baby?"
"It's not as crazy as it sounds. It happened every now and then in the Enchanted Forest," Marian replied.
"But, this is not the Enchanted Forest," Mulan said.
Emma waved the whole matter off. "It doesn't matter. You guys should just be prepared to hear about eggs and spoons. That might actually connect to your stork story."
Regina stepped into the living room with an amused sparkle in her eyes. "Odette is currently asking for an egg, so she can make a baby with her teaspoon. Alex wondered if the type of spoon matters, which led Roland to thinking a wooden spoon would probably make a much bigger baby than a teaspoon. And Neal suggested they could make a giant baby if they used a ladle. None of them are losing their minds about this concept, so you can all breathe easy." They could hear the children still spitballing. Did a ladle count as a spoon? What if it was a dessertspoon, how small would the baby be? What about a grapefruit spoon?
"They've taken this in a direction I never considered," Emma said.
"The stork doesn't seem so bad now, does it?" Snow had the nerve to look smug.
Nathan charged out. "Mama, we need your help. There are a lot of different spoons and eggs! How do you know which one makes a baby?"
Emma rubbed her eyes with her thumb and forefinger as she tried to think of a way out of this. "It's a special spoon and egg, Duck. If any spoon and egg made a baby, we'd have way too many babies. Your mom would make a baby every time she had to make an omelet."
Nathan put his hand to chin and nodded. "That's true. Okay." And with that, he was gone, probably to spread the news.
"This will be a fun talk when we get home," Marian said, shaking her head.
Emma's shoulders sagged. "I'm sorry. I was just trying to soothe Nathan. I didn't mean to make trouble for any of you."
Mulan waved it off. "It was bound to happen. Children are curious and there will be babies around them. They are going to ask. I am actually glad you have offered them a safe space to be curious and given us all something to work, even if it is an egg and a spoon." The other parents murmured and nodded.
Emma smiled. "Thanks."
The clamor about the eggs and the spoons died down as Regina returned to the tea party to start the movie for the children. Emma went about her adult responsibilities, moving onto serving Regina's gourmet coffee to their guests. They were paired with homemade donuts, but nothing the kind Emma wanted to eat. They were from the Enchanted Forest and had a strange taste to them as far as Emma was concerned, but everyone else from the Old World loved them, including Mulan, even though she was from a different country.
Emma did not get these things at all, but her parents did as did other nobles from the Enchanted Forest. There was also some weird spread they put on hard bread to have with more wine or even paired with the coffee. Sometimes, they put it on the cakes and the donuts, as well. It was just another thing Emma did not get, but again, nobles from the Enchanted Forest thought it was the best thing ever. While dining on those things, everyone made sure to discuss activities and places they planned to go with the children. Bryon was not invited, but his parents sat on the edge of their chairs, waiting for an invitation.
Emma knew she was being petty, but she liked seeing the disappointment in the guests' eyes as they realized no invites were forthcoming. She could not believe they honestly thought anyone in this family would invite them anyway. Not after the things Bryon said about Odette, some things he had to hear from them. How many four year olds used the word "deaf" when making fun of a girl who could hardly hear the verbal taunts? Whatever Odette did not hear, though, Azhara heard and reported back to Emma whenever she got a chance.
-8-8-8-8-
Regina did not do much during tea parties anymore. Odette had learned how to host from watching her. Alex was also a good hostess and Nathan had no problem with doing his part as well. So, Regina stood back and watched. She did not even step in when something happened as the children had learned to govern themselves, along with whatever outsider had joined them.
Bryon stared into his decorated porcelain cup. "Tea is for girls."
"Why would you say that? I love tea," Neal replied. He was a very big tea drinker. In fact, he liked sitting with Regina and drinking tea with her. He had favorite flavors and liked learning different ways to prepare tea.
"I like iced tea. It's good," Azhara said.
They had iced tea, sweet tea, and warm tea to choose from. Odette like to serve hot chocolate after the formal teas. They all had their own snacks as well. Ming was on her fourth yogurt goblet. Nathan was on his second piece of cake.
"And Mary Poppins is for girls, too," Bryon said with a frown at the large television on the wall playing one of the children's favorite movies.
Nathan shrugged. "I like it."
Odette beamed. "I had Mommy put it on for you." She signed the statement as well.
"Why do you always do that with your hands? It's stupid," Bryon said. Regina flinched, but did not move.
"You're stupid," Azhara replied, glaring at the little boy.
"It's sign language. It's to help people understand if they can't hear. How is that stupid?" Alex inquired with a tilt of her head.
"Only broken people can't hear," Bryon said.
"Odette's not broken," Ming chimed in.
Nathan put his chin in the air. "Odette's a perfect princess." She smiled at her brother and he grinned back. "Mommy said so and I think she's right."
"Lots of people can't hear and sometimes you go some place that's loud and you can't hear. Sign language helps. Unless it's dark. It's hard seeing signs in the dark, but always good to see if you can't hear," Neal said.
"Ma-Mulan said sometimes when the situation is dangerous and you can't make a noise that sign language is best to talk to your friends to make things not dangerous anymore," Roland said. "Even my dad sometimes uses it when he hunts with his friends in the woods. They catch deer and stuff. You can't make noise when you hunt because you scare the animals, but you wanna be able to talk to your friends in case they know where an animal is."
"It's also good when we have sleepovers and we're supposed to be asleep," Tiffany said with a laugh.
Bryon seemed defeated for the moment and turned his attention back to his tea. Odette picked up the teapot with sweet tea. She smiled at him.
"Maybe you'd like this tea. It's different, but good," Odette said, as if he had not just tried to tear down everything she loved here.
It hurt to watch these things for Regina, knowing what kids would say to Odette. She could tell they did not completely fathom they were being mean, as they said them in front of her. But, it also made her heart swell to see all of Odette's friends come to her defense. They never hesitated.
"Have you had a fruit cup? They're my favorite." Roland eased a fruit cup in front of Bryon. "We only have them at Odette's tea party. She always makes sure Regina makes them because I like them best."
"And go-gurt!" Ming grinned. She could not say "yogurt," but she sure could eat it by the gallon. She liked to share it with Eva, so they could both get it everywhere. Eva somehow had it in her hair at the moment.
"My favorite are the sandwiches. I like that they're tiny," Alex said, holding up one of the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Azhara laughed. "Me, too. They're like doll sandwiches, but really good." They both wasted no time eating their finger sandwiches.
The kids sort of killed Bryon with kindness, which was their way, even Azhara. When she was with the group, she felt secure enough that she would just be nice until a person learned why Odette would always be loved, regardless of how the outside world treated her. So, whenever Bryon complained about something, they just jumped in to try to make his life easier.
"We should move onto the hot chocolate now," Alex suggested just as Regina turned off the pot in the corner containing her special ingredient.
Odette glanced at her mother, checking on the chocolate, and then nodded in agreement. "Yes, it's time."
"You have to try it with cinnamon," Neal said to Bryon. "Me, my sister, Henry, and Nathan like it that way."
"Cinnamon is the best," Nathan said.
"Marshmallows are the best," Roland replied.
"Yup!" Ming agreed.
Bryon did not see what the big deal was, but Regina knew the moment they had him. When he saw her hot chocolate was made with actual chocolate. He had a cup and his eyes lit up like he touched heaven. Good for him. It would never happen again. He drank two more cups, one with cinnamon and whipped cream, which was also homemade. The other with marshmallows, whipped cream, and chocolate sprinkles.
After a few hours, the tea party was over. Bryon left first with a goody bag full of gourmet candy, a handheld video game with no games (his parents would need to buy those), fancy sunglasses, a robot t-rex that made loud noises, a lego roller coaster set, a remote control Bentley of all things with a working horn, and a noise-making nerf blaster. Emma could already hear the noises in the house. It could not happen to a better set of parents as far as she was concerned.
Bryon and his parents tried very hard to make future plans with them as Emma and Regina ushered them out of the door. Bryon tried to leave with a cup of hot chocolate, but Regina plucked the mug from his grip. He glared at her at first and then looked like he might burst into tears.
"I wasn't finished," Bryon said.
"Yes, I understand, but the party is over and the chocolate was part of the party. It isn't going anywhere, nor is my porcelain cup," Regina replied.
"Perhaps I could get the bread recipe," Mrs. Ursa requested.
"I don't give out my recipes beyond my family," Regina replied. It was the truth. Everything that she served today, she had shared with the people she considered family.
Mrs. Ursa looked affronted by her answer. Regina did not care. All three of their guests wanted food to go and tried to make it happen, but that was not part of the deal. Regina wanted them to understand, they only got what they got through the Swan-Mills family's grace. Regina's family did not owe these people anything, even their table scraps. But, she hoped they remembered for a long time they had begged for scraps and had been denied. They had been denied by people they had the nerve to look down on for no good reason.
Once the guests were gone, they let the children play for a little longer, but when Aladdin and Jasmine returned, that was taken as a sign for everyone to leave. None of the other children left with noisy toys or things, only promises of play dates later on in the week. It was more than enough for them.
"Our children have a good group of friends," Regina said as she set about cleaning up from the tea party.
"Even if Roland likes to start trouble," Emma replied, looking in on Regina's movements.
"But, he does have Nathan's back, so I suppose he's worth the trouble." Regina turned and smiled at her wife. "Now, you need to go tend to the children before Nathan figures out how to rip that suit."
"He doesn't always rip his suit right after things if I don't get him out of it."
Regina scoffed. "Oh, really? I'm almost certain the only person who rips clothing faster is you." She realized what she said a moment too late.
Emma grinned. "Is that an invite?"
"Go tend to the children." Regina pointed out of the room. Emma winked, but vanished. Regina sighed, looking at the remains of the tea party. A smile settled on her face. She hoped this tradition lived on for years. It was soothing to know her children had their own group and it gave her strength. She never had this sort of support and love as a child, so it was beyond special to see her children with it, even if they had some outside obstacles to deal with. Still, she loved to see them with their friends.
-8-8-8-8-
Next time: the end.