Regina smiled as she brought the last box down from the attic. Decorating the tree was her favorite part of the holiday season, and now she finally had someone to share it with.

Henry wasn't really a fan of decorating; he just enjoyed sitting around and watching it happen. But Emma, Ava, and even Lola were more than happy to help.

Emma and Ava both hadn't experienced very many Christmases where presents or decorating were involved, so they were both more than happy to be a part of everything. Lola just wanted to help because it looked cool and Ava was doing it.

Emma had already set up the tree itself while Regina had been getting boxes from the attic. Regina opened the first box, and began to hand lights to her wife. They had agreed that they would do the harder decorations, leaving the ornaments to their daughters.

Once all the lights were on the tree, the ornaments began to be placed. They were white and gold, which matched the living room perfectly. Emma wasn't really surprised, it was Regina after all. Everything had to match.

Ava did most of the decorating with the ornaments, mainly because Lola was too little to reach the middle and the top. Plus, she knew how organized that Regina liked things.

When everything was done, they all gathered in front of the tree. Henry walked in and turned the light off, letting the tree be the light of the room.

"It's beautiful," Ava whispered in awe. Everyone agreed, even Lola. Since she was too little to talk, she just giggled and clapped her hands.

Once everyone had finished enjoying the tree, Emma and Regina put everyone to bed. Regina had her usual story with Lola, and then walked downstairs. Unknown to Emma, there was one box of ornaments left.

Regina walked into the living room, stopping in the door frame. Emma was sitting on the couch, looking at the tree. She was completely lost in thought, most likely about her memories of Christmas.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Regina asked.

Emma jumped and looked at the door, smiling when she saw it was Regina. "Just thinking about how different things are."

"How so?" Regina asked, coming to sit next to her.

"I never had anything like this," Emma said. "Sure, there was a present from my social worker, and sometimes my foster parents. And there was always a tree. But there was never the element of family that I have now. And I love this element."

Regina smiled. "Well then you're going to love the surprise that I have for you."

"What surprise?" Emma asked.

Regina got up and walked over to her desk, pulling out a little box. "There's one more box of ornaments that we haven't put up yet. I don't think we'll put them up so Ava and Lola don't feel left out, but I thought that you would want to see them."

"What are they?" Emma asked.

Regina gave the box to her before sitting down again. Emma looked at Regina skeptically before opening the box. It took her a couple seconds to recognize what was in there, but when she did, her heart leaped.

"Henry made these?" Emma asked.

Regina smiled and nodded. "I had him make one every year."

Emma smiled before continuing to go through the box. "Wait a minute. Is this you guys?" She pulled out a square ornament that had a picture of Regina holding a baby. The baby was fast asleep, but Regina's smile as she looked at him could have lit up a room.

"That was his very first Christmas," Regina said. "He was 4 months old."

"He's adorable," Emma said. "And so little. I can't believe he was ever this little."

"And I can't believe how big he's gotten," Regina said. "I took a picture with him every year and put it on an ornament until he was about 7."

"Why'd you stop?" Emma asked.

Regina shrugged. "He wasn't interested in doing it anymore. I didn't want to make him."

"We should do it," Emma said. "Us as a family. It could be a good addition to the very organized tree."

Regina laughed. "I like my organized tree, thank you very much."

"I like it too," Emma said, leaning over to kiss her. "But I also love our family. And I want to start a new tradition with them. Even if it's something as simple as on ornament on the tree."

Regina smiled. "Okay. Let's put our family on the tree."