CHRISTMAS DINNER AT LAST. Warning: this chapter might just give you a Captain Cobra feels overload ;) xx

7:45pm - Christmas Eve

Mary Margaret was washing the dishes while Regina dried them with a kitchen cloth and Emma put them back into the cabinets. Killian was by the living room window with David, who showed him the telescope his wife got him for Christmas with all the excitement of a 4-year old.

Henry was not watching a Home Alone marathon that was on tv, conspicuously texting Grace and wishing her a Happy Christmas instead. He wondered when he'd get the courage to ask her out - he'd been developing a crush on her for quite some time, but he still felt too nervous to tell her how he felt since they were really good friends and he was afraid that could change.

"You know, you should just go for it and tell her, lad." Henry startled and turned to see Killian sitting down beside him on the carpet.

"What- What are you talking about?" He said with a nervous laugh.

"Oh come on lad, I'm perceptive enough to know you've been having a crush on Jefferson's daughter for a while now."

"How do you know? Did you tell my mum?" Henry's eyes widened.

"You were exchanging messages all day with her during the one time you didn't go to school. That and the fact that you blushed when I mentioned Grace's name were what gave you away.

Henry's eyebrows furrowed in embarrassment and, there it was, that adorable crimson stated to spread through his cheeks and the boy resembled his mother more he knew it himself.

"And don't worry. I haven't told her, and I will do no such thing. I figured you'd prefer to tell her yourself when you feel ready to."

"Thanks, Killian." Henry let out the breath he'd been holding back. He had no idea what to expect from Emma's reaction, but he knew once she found out she'd tell Regina, and he was deadly scared of what her overprotective wrath would look like. The shock on her face when he mocked her saying he was dressed up to get married was enough to warn him of what could come when he actually started dating. "But, I don't think I'm going to tell her. Grace, I mean."

Killian tilted his head to the side and read Henry's features, recognising in the boy the same insecurity that used to get the better of him in his younger years until Liam would come and tell him to just give it a try, say the words, and let his dashing looks do the rest of the job for him.

"And why is that?"

"She doesn't like me. She's one of my closest friends but if she liked me more than just as a friend, she would have told me by now. I just need to forget it." Henry told him, bringing his knees up to his chest and resting his chin on them.

"Have you stopped to consider that perhaps she's just as afraid of telling you as you are of telling her?" Henry looked at him in silence, thinking about that possibility for the first time. "Haven't you liked her for a long time and never said a word about it? She might be just the same, lad."

"Do you really think she might like me back?" He looked at Killian with wide, expecting eyes.

"I don't think a young lass would be wasting her day off school talking to a boy she didn't like a lot." He told him with a wink.

"Thanks, Killian!" Henry nearly shouted, throwing his arms around the pirate almost making both of them fall back on the carpet.

"Anytime, lad." Killian replied with his eyes squeezed shut, embracing him tight, trying his best not to get emotional over a simple conversation with the boy he'd come to adore almost as much as his mother, and failing miserably at that.

Killian opened his eyes to find Emma staring at him and Henry with a rush of emotions flashing behind her eyes as she stood with her arm outstretched towards the cabinet and a plate in her hand, her movement stopped midway when she found her two boys bonding beautifully in front of her eyes.

(She decided having her family celebrating together was the best Christmas present she'd ever gotten.)

"And then you say you two don't make eyes at each other all the time." Regina blurted huffing out a laugh.

Emma snapped out of her musings and turned around blushing. Regina had, surprisingly, a friendly smile on her face, and she lightly tapped Emma on the shoulder before handing her another plate and looking away as she spoke. "It's alright, I'm done being bitter with everyone around me. Besides, it's Christmas Eve, and if you're lucky enough to have your Captain heart-eyes beside you, then you should enjoy it."

Emma looked at her with a tight smile, and it was her turn to put a hand on the other woman's shoulder.

"Hey, I meant what I said to you when Henry showed us the secret library in that mansion. Operation Mongoose is on, and I'm in. We all are. We are getting your happy ending Regina. You're as much of a part of this family as anyone else in this room, and if there's one thing my parents taught me, it's that you never give up on family."

Regina nodded, a hint of emotion threatening to take the shape of a tear in her eyes. "Thank you."

David seemed to have suddenly lost interest in his telescope as he quickly crossed the living room in a few strides and made his way to the kitchen, ready to ask the ladies the real question everyone was wondering.

"So, is it time for dessert yet?"

I kept imagining what sort of dessert they would have for Christmas dinner, and the thing that jumped to my mind was some sort of chocolate pudding. I really cannot explain why, but I just have a feeling David is the chocolate-y type.

Also who would have made it? Snow? Regina? Snow and Emma together? Just Emma?

How do you guys imagine the Charmings's Christmas would have been?

On the next and final chapter: Emma gives Killian his Christmas present, and I can guarantee you it's something HUGE! Any ideas?