Music, laughter, and the aroma of potato latkes and sweets filled the farmhouse's kitchen. Children played games or danced to the music. The Menorah's candles flickered in the large window facing the street. It was a typical scene of Hanukkah serenity and joy.
For Mary-Margaret Nolan, though, it was a neon sign that reminded her that, despite how much she loved the children currently in her home, none of them were hers. Despite how much she loved the holidays – both Hanukkah and Christmas once she'd married David – it was difficult knowing she and David would never have a child to share this special time with.
"Mary…"
Mary-Margaret jolted out of her thoughts, meeting the worried eyes of her former stepmother.
"Oh – Regina. Is everything okay? Did you want some more tea?" she asked, placing a smile on her face to ease the other woman's worries.
"I'm perfectly fine. It's you I'm worried about. You have that faraway look in your eyes again," Regina replied. "This happens every year, Mary-Margaret. If hosting Hanukkah is too hard for you – "
She shook her head firmly. "What? Too hard for me? I'm fine, Regina. Really."
"Mary-Margaret, I can see you aren't. If there is someone besides your husband that you can't hide things from, it's me."
Mary-Margaret hated that Regina was right, but she shook her head again. "I know, Regina. You already know that I'm not okay. I'm sure you can figure out what the issue was."
"Which is why I'm saying if you don't feel comfortable hosting – "
"Hosting the holidays is all I have left that makes me feel connected to my mother," Mary-Margaret whispered, her eyes trained on the menorah that flickered brightly in the window. "Even if it hurts to not be able to celebrate them with a child of my own. My mother would want me to continue this tradition, and I will."
Regina let out a sigh. "Okay, fine. But you know if it gets to be too much for you that Ruth or I would be more than happy to help."
"I know Regina. I appreciate it," she replied with another small smile.
Mary-Margaret's eyes wandered over the room again, watching as Henry and Roland moved on to a board game. Little Margot was sitting on David's lap, while Emily, Mei, Alice and Lily listening as he told a story about something or other while Robin, Killian, Ruby, Mulan and Mal watched with amused smiles on their faces. She could tell Regina didn't want to drop the conversation, but it was for everyone's benefit that they did.
"At least the kids are having a good time."
"They always have a good time here," Regina said.
Mary-Margaret's lips quirked into a more genuine smile as she looked at Regina again. "Well, I'm glad I can make the season festive for them. I was so worried about the sharing Christmas and Hanukkah thing but… I can see it's all working so well."
"You always did know how to throw a party, Mary-Margaret. From what I've heard from others, you got that from your mother. I know she'd be proud of you."
Mary-Margaret nodded a little. "I hope so. Hanukkah was so important for her to share with people. I'm glad you were willing to celebrate with me when I was still a little girl, Regina."
Regina let out a breath, glancing over at the kids, all now engaged in the dreidel. "Despite the circumstances of how your father and I got married, you were a child. You still needed to have a happy holiday. Even if I never could get a hang of making sufganiyot."
She took a sip of her tea, before snorting in amusement at the memories of the sufganiyot disasters of her youth. Exploding in the fryer, or the filling somehow squirting halfway across the room, and powdered sugar making it look like it had snowed inside the house. "Yeah, well… that's why I started asking you to make the soup instead," she finally countered.
Regina smirked as well. "I'm very grateful for that."
David wandered up at that moment, leaning to press a kiss to Mary-Margaret's head as Regina made her way over to speak with Ruth. "I think this was another successful Hanukkah," he said. "Not too worn out from the week, are you?"
She shook her head. "No, of course I'm not. I'm used to how busy Hanukkah is. Although it seems to grow louder with each child that comes into our lives, doesn't it?" she teased lightly.
"Mom says that's part of the charm of the holidays…" he said wistfully, and Mary-Margaret could tell he was thinking of the same thing she'd been.
"I know," she whispered just as the doorbell rang. Wilby, ever the loyal dog, was at the door in seconds barking at the visitor.
"Wilby, settle down…" Mary-Margaret said, carefully sidestepping the dog so she could see who was outside, and her heart stopped when she saw their attorney standing on the other side.
Swallowing thickly, she pulled the door open.
"Aiden? What are you doing here? Is everything okay with Belle?" she asked as her brow furrowed in concern.
The noise in the room died down, the radio the only sound.
"Belle is just fine. The baby is restless, but she's fine. I hate to interrupt your holiday, Mr. and Mrs. Nolan, but I'm here on business," Gold said, looking from Mary-Margaret to David. "Would you mind if we spoke out here?"
Mary-Margaret shook her head, stepping out into the frigid night air with David at her side.
"What's going on, Aiden?" David asked with a frown.
Aiden took a deep breath. "Thomas informed me that he has been contacted about a child that is looking for a home. I know you wanted a baby… but this girl is ten years old. I caution you, she does have a bit of a record in terms of the amount of homes she's been in and her temper is not known to be the best but – "
"We'll take her in," Mary-Margaret and David said instantly.
Aiden's lips quirked into a small smile as he reached into the bag on his shoulder and pulling out the small folder he had. "I figured you would say that. This is the information I have on her. Thomas, of course, will send you more in the morning. The girl's name is Emma."
"Emma…" Mary-Margaret whispered, looking down at the file and attached photograph. "Oh, David look at her. She's beautiful."
David smiled at the photo, before looking over at Aiden. "And… this won't backfire on us again? We won't get a call tomorrow that says the system changed their minds about us?"
Aiden shook his head. "Truth be told… the reason Emma has been in so many foster homes is because they return her to the system, not the system taking her away."
Mary-Margaret felt her heart break as she looked at the photo. "Why would people do that?"
Aiden's gaze turned sad, and he shrugged in barely disguised disgust. "Working with people like you and David and knowing how long you two have waited for this… I wish I could understand people like that. But I know you two. I know this is where Emma is going to stay."
Mary-Margaret blushed a little. "Thank you, Aiden. You have no idea how much this means to us."
"Of course. I'll talk to you both in the morning and we'll get everything taken care of. Happy Hanukkah , Mary-Margaret," Aiden said, nodding once to the couple before turning and going back to his car.
Instantly, David spun her around, pressing his lips against hers. "I – I don't believe it."
She was shaking when he put her down. "We're going to have a child… a child! A little girl of our own… David, this is a miracle."
David nodded in agreement, hugging her again. "Come on. We have to go inside and tell everyone."
Mary-Margaret nodded in response, pressing her lips against his cheek with a small smile before taking his hand, gripping the folder tight. "Of course."
David opened the door again, and they were greeted with Regina and Ruth in the entryway, identical looks on their faces.
"Well?" Ruth asked. "What's her name?"
Mary-Margaret wasn't at all surprised that someone in the house had been watching what they were doing on the porch, and smiled, opening the folder and pulling out the photo so their family and friends could see.
"Emma," Mary-Margaret said proudly. "Our daughter's name is Emma."