Happy thanksgiving to my fellow American readers, hope you have a great day filled with food and family and friends.

I do not own OUAT or its characters just my imagination.

Chapter 7: To first thanksgivings

Thanksgiving was one of the many holidays that Emma disliked. Mainly because it was one of the days of the year that reminded her she didn't have a family. Most of the homes didn't make a big deal; it never felt like it should, what they showed on the TV or in movies. When she was old enough to work, she would pick up the shift at whatever job she had, wanting to avoid it the day where ever she was at, at the time.

But this year is going to be different, for both her and Henry. It was going to be the first real thanksgiving for them both. For Henry it was not only his first with Regina, but with her too. And hers with Henry, she never imagined having thanksgiving dinner with him.

She just finished the 4 hour drive from Boston, a light snow was falling today, it wasn't the actual first snowfall but the first to stick. Traffic wasn't as bad as she thought it would be, considering it was the holiday, and many people are supposed to be on the road going to and from. Emma pushes the seat forward for the rolls and pie from the backseat; that's what is was put in charge of, closes the door and heads to the front door. Emma was about to knock when they door flies open.

"Emma, happy thanksgiving" Henry says flying out the door.

Emma laughs "Yeah kiddo" she says as Henry wraps his arms around her waist.

"Henry, sweetheart, at least let Emma in" Regina says as she walks to the door with a laugh. "Hey Emma" she says grabbing the pie from her.

"Hi Regina, happy thanksgiving" Emma says then giving Henry a quick hug back and kisses his head. And the three walk back into the house "Thank you for inviting me" she says with a smile.

"I don't think Henry would accept you not coming" Regina says putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Well Emma is kinda part of the family too…" Henry says proving his point.

"I guess she is" Regina adds with a smile.

Emma smiles as she hands Henry the rolls as she takes off her coat and boots "Well still… thank you."

"Oh, Emma… I wanted to show you something" Henry says, then runs up to his room.

Both woman laugh "He's been waiting all morning for you to get here."

"I was hoping to drive up last night… but with the snow, I figured better wait till the morning" Emma says following Regina into the kitchen. "Is there anything I can help with?"

"Would you mind mashing the potatoes when they are ready?" Regina asks.

Emma shrugs "I guess I can do that… glad we get real potatoes. One home I stayed at insisted on boxed… so gross."

"I agree completely… one year when I was a kid, we were away for the holiday. And we ate at the hotel… and that's what they served… nothing like the real thing."

"Glad to know my kid ended up someone who understands" Emma says with a smile.

"Here it is" Henry says running back into the kitchen.

Emma is handed what she can only assume is a school assignment and she reads.

What I'm thankful for by: Henry Mills.

What I'm thankful for is typical, but it's the first time I've had it so its special. I'm thankful for having a home and a family. Before this year I've always been in foster or group homes, and thanksgiving wasn't made to be special. Last year wasn't to bad, the family was nice, but I didn't feel like I belonged.

This year though, I do belong and it's awesome. I know have a HOME, a place where I feel safe and love to be. I know there is food in the fridge, and a warm bed for me to sleep in. A room that is just mine, filled with more stuff then I need.

The best thing is, the thing I'm most thankful for, is both my mom's. That right moms, my birth mom Emma and my adoptive mom Regina. I went from having no mom to having two, and they are both awesome. Regina adopted me almost eight months ago, and I finally felt loved. Mom knew I wanted to know my birth mom, so she went and found her. And know she is a part of my life, she lives in Boston. So I don't get to see her all the time, but we talk every day. I'm so happy to have both my moms, they love me and I love them. They both make sure I'm happy and safe, and their friends which makes it even better.

So that's what I'm thankful for, its not big or fancy but it's mine.

Emma looks up at Henry with teary eyes "Aww kid" she says taking him in for a hug "I'm thankful for you too."

Henry hugs her tightly back "Both of you cried reading it."

"Cause it was really nice sweetheart" Regina says getting the potatoes ready to mash.

Emma rubs Henry's back then steps away "Here let me… I said I would" Emma says wiping away the tears; she takes the masher from Regina. "You could of giving me a heads up" Emma whispered to Regina.

"Sorry… I didn't want to ruin it. I know it made me proud… I thought you deserved that too" Regina says.

Emma works to mash the potatoes as Regina gets out the turkey and starts carving the small bird. Once done Regina pulls out the green beans and Henry empty's the bag of rolls into a bowl. Then they move to the dining room to eat.

After they take their first helpings Regina says "I would like to say something…" once she gets their attention. "I guess this is a special thanksgiving for all three of us. I to have spent the last couple thanksgivings alone, since my father passed. But now… I have a amazing son, and a great new friend as well."

Emma smiles "I couldn't agree more… to first thanksgivings" Emma says raising her glass.

"To first thanksgivings" both Regina and Henry say together with a laugh at the cute moment.

After dinner was cleaned up and put away, they had apple pie for desert, none of them being big fans of pumpkin pie. Then they all settled in front of the TV for a movie, but first they settle on the Charlie brown thanksgiving. Once that was over they let Henry choose a movie, he choose The Grinch stole Christmas. Much to Regina's dislike, she wasn't a Jim Carrey fan, but she knew Henry really liked the movie. Once the movie ends, Henry is fast asleep using Regina's shoulder as a pillow, his legs draped over Emma's legs.

"He's out like a light" Emma says in a whisper.

Regina nods "I hate that I will have to wake him up to get him to bed" Regina says back.

"I can carry him up" Emma says as she slowing and carefully gets from under Henry's legs.

"You sure?" Regina asks.

"Yeah" Emma starts lifting Henry, who thankfully changed into pajamas before the movie "I got him." Henry buries his face into her neck as they go to his room. Regina moves to fix his bed, Emma move to the side of his bed "Night kid, love you" Emma whispers hoping not to wake him.

Henry shifts a little "Love you to… mom" Henry mumbles.

Emma looks over at Regina she didn't seem to hear Henry, but Emma smiled. She lays him down, and then covers him up, kissing his forehead before moving to let Regina get her turn.

Regina kisses his cheek "Night my little prince." Once satisfied, they head downstairs.

Emma goes into the kitchen with Regina to help with any other cleaning up "Thanks again for including me Regina."

"It's no problem; I think we all seemed to enjoy it."

"Definitely my best thanksgiving" Emma says.

Regina smiles "It's getting late… please tell me you weren't planning on driving back to Boston tonight?" Regina says in a mother type tone.

Emma chuckles "No… I was going to stay at Granny's. I was going to head out early."

"You know you can stay in the guest room" Regina points out.

"That's nice of you… but I can't impose… not after you already hosted me to that great meal" Emma says.

"Emma, I insist. This way you get a good night sleep. Check in on Henry before you leave…" Regina points out.

Emma sighs, she was right "Fine…" she says with a laugh "but I insist the next time you guys visit or I come… I do something for you… buy lunch or something."

Regina chuckles "Deal Emma" she says with a smile.

Emma sleeps in the guest room. She had set her alarm for 6. She gets up and slips into some sweats and a sweatshirt to drive in. Emma makes sure she has everything, and heads out of the room after somewhat making the bed look acceptable. She sets her bag down on the floor outside Henry's door and slips in quietly. She moves to the side of the bed with a smile at how sweet Henry looked clutching the bear she got him all those years ago, that was now his again. Emma moves some hair off his forehead before giving him a kiss, and she puts the little note telling him she had a great time and will see him soon by his small lamp. "Love you bud" Emma says rubbing his hand with her thumb a moment, then she walks out of the room. Emma makes her way to the bug, after making sure the front door was still locked. Emma looks up at the window she knows is Henry's room, and smiles, she had no idea if Henry even realizes he called her mom, but it sent warm feelings all over her body. Between that and spending the day with him yesterday, she knew this was the start of thanksgivings no longer sucking.

Thoughts?