Chapter 12: Merry Christmas

"IT'S CHRISTMAS!" Margot's excited shout echoed throughout the Mills' household, waking everyone up. Regina rolled over and opened her eyes, reaching for her glasses so she could read her clock. Seven o'clock. Last year, Margot woke them all up at six. At least they got an extra hour of sleep this time.

Sighing, she pushed her blankets back and sat up. Once Margot was up, there was no stopping her from charging at the presents. It was just best to head down there and let the gift exchange start. There was usually time for a nap between lunch and dinner.

Regina put on her slippers and decided to keep the glasses on rather than fight with her contact lens. She left her bedroom to find Henry stumbling from his, still rubbing sleep from his eyes. He looked up at her blearily. "We need to get Margot to sleep until nine on Christmas."

"You weren't much better at her age," she told him, smiling fondly.

"Yeah, but you were able to convince me to climb into bed with you until it was a more reasonable time," he pointed out.

She pulled him in for a hug. "I loved those Christmas mornings."

"I did too," he said, voice muffled as he buried his face against her shoulder.

"Regina! Henry! It's Christmas!" Roland raced down the hall, dragging his father behind him. Both were dressed in identical green flannel pajamas and Robin's blond hair looked as messy as Roland's dark curls.

Henry stepped away and she was able to catch Roland for another hug. "Merry Christmas, Roland," she said.

"Merry Christmas, Robin," Henry said, hugging the man. Robin dropped a kiss to his head as he returned the sentiment.

"Do you think Santa came?" Roland asked, looking at them excitedly.

Henry took his hand, guiding him toward the stairs. "Let's go find out together."

As they headed downstairs, Robin pulled Regina closer. He grinned at her. "Merry Christmas, sweetheart."

"Merry Christmas to you too," she replied, kissing him. She could spend the entire morning just doing that—presents be damned.

"Robin, Regina, are you coming?" Daddy called up the stairs.

There went those plans. She sighed as she broke the kiss, patting Robin's chest. "We should head downstairs."

He nodded, taking her hand as they went downstairs. Daddy greeted them at the bottom. "Did you sleep well, Robin?"

"I had the best…sleep I've had in a long time," Robin said, giving Regina a look as he grinned. She felt her cheeks heat as she recalled sneaking into his room after everyone went to bed and then sneaking back out a few hours later after they had their own Merry Little Christmas.

If Daddy understood what they were talking about, he didn't say anything. He just smiled and nodded. "Glad to hear it. Now, we should head inside. I doubt Chad can hold Margot back much longer."

They laughed and followed him into the living room, where Margot was straining against her father's hold as she tried to reach the nearest present. Henry and Roland sat by the tree, patiently waiting to open their gifts, while the adults filled in the couches in the room. Daddy sat down next to Mother on the couch, leaving the loveseat for Robin and Regina. They sat next to each other, lacing their fingers together.

"Okay, Chad, let her at it," Daddy said, waving his hand.

"Just remember, Margot, only the presents with your name on it," Zelena warned her daughter.

Chad let her go and she dove at the presents. She picked one up and held it out to Roland. "Santa left this one for you."

"Thank you," he said, taking the present. He waited until Henry and Margot got their presents from Santa so they could open them at the same time.

Roland's eyes widened as he pulled out a toy bow and arrow set. He held it up to show his father. "Look, Papa, just like yours!"

"I see, my boy," he said, smiling. "We can start practicing together."

"Cool." Roland then turned to Henry. "What did you get?"

"Harry Potter's wand," Henry said, awestruck as he lifted the wand from the box. Roland admired it as well as they wondered if it had magic in it.

Margot lifted her new doll out of the wrapping paper, letting out a squeal. "I love it! Santa is the best."

"Keep looking," Daddy said. "There are lots more presents for everyone."

Soon, the floor was covered with scraps of wrapping paper and piles of presents. Regina was certain she had an entire new wardrobe from all the gifts she had gotten. And for last minute additions, Robin and Roland had gotten a good amount of presents from her family. She was impressed by how quickly they managed to pull that off. Robin had gotten most of them gift cards but to each of their favorite places, so she was impressed he had learned that much about them already.

Roland opened up her present last, gasping when he saw the stuffed monkey she had gotten him. He hugged it, naming it Mr. Bananas. "I can't believe I have my own monkey," he said.

"I'm glad you like it, sweetheart," she told him.

He climbed onto the loveseat with Mr. Bananas, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "I love it."

They cuddled on the loveseat together as Henry opened his present from Robin. He stared at it in shock before lifting it out of the wrapping paper. "It's a camping kit. This is so cool!"

"I figured it would help for your scouting trip," Robin said. "And if you still want me to take you, I would love to."

Henry nodded, hugging the kit to his chest. "Thank you so much."

Regina leaned forward. "Henry, can you hand me the present next to you? It's mine to Robin."

"Here you go," her son said, handing her the flat rectangular package.

She gave it to Robin with a smile. "Merry Christmas."

He opened it to reveal a beautiful black frame with four spots for pictures, all of which were filled. Robin looked up at her, smiling. "Are these our pictures from the holiday party?"

"They are," she said. "Belle was able to make a copy and make them bigger for me. I was hoping it would be perfect for your new office."

"It definitely is," he said, leaning forward to give her a kiss. He then looked at Roland. "Why don't you get my present for Regina?"

Roland nodded, grinning widely as he scrambled off the loveseat. He retrieved a small box and handed it to his father. "Here you go!"

"Merry Christmas, Regina," Robin said, handing the box to her.

Her heart beat wildly as she unwrapped the box to reveal a black jewelry box. It was too big to be a ring box—though she doubted even Robin would propose after only one real date. They definitely needed to get to know each other better before even talking about marriage. She opened it and gasped when she saw the beautiful silver Christmas tree hanging from a silver chain, which was threaded through a diamond star.

"I saw it in the shop and knew it was perfect for you," Robin told her, taking the box from her so he could take the necklace out. "Our story started at Christmas and this will be a reminder of that.

Tears pricked her eyes as she turned, brushing her hair aside so he could clasp the necklace around her neck. It rested against her red pajama top, looking like it belonged there. She turned around, pressing her hand to his cheek. "It's perfect. I love it."

He kissed her again before she cuddled against his side. Everyone smiled at them and Daddy stood up. "I'm going to make my famous French toast. Who wants some?"

Almost everyone's hand went up, including Roland's—though Regina figured that was just because he was eager to try any type of food rather than because he knew how good her father's French toast really was. Robin also raised his hand, though not as high as the others. "I'll give it a try."

"You're going to love it," Regina assured him. "Daddy makes the best French toast."

"While he does that, why don't we clean up the living room?" Mother suggested, organizing the children to pick up all the discarded wrapping paper. Roland and Margot did so happily while Henry followed behind, looking less than pleased to be doing chores on Christmas morning.

Chad moved from the floor to sit with his wife, holding Zelena close. Regina smiled as she rubbed Robin's knee, glad to have him in her life. She wasn't sure exactly what the future was going to hold but she felt confident that he would be by her side next Christmas.

Maybe by then, they'll be engaged for real.

After all, anything could happen at Christmas.

A/N: Thank you to everyone for reading this story, either here or on the Outlaw Queen Advent site. I'm glad you all enjoyed it!

I also want to thank everyone who participated in Advent again this year and to thank the hardworking team who puts it all together every year. Together, we all keep this fandom alive!

Also, I will accept prompts in this verse and hope to write a sequel for it. So stay tuned for that.

-Mac