Warning: This chapter contains one mild curse word.
Mary and Henry stood at the kitchen counter the next morning, talking animatedly, both so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't notice when Emma entered the room, trying to rub the last bit of sleep out of her eyes. Emma cleared her throat to get their attention, and they both turned to face her, wearing matching grins.
"Good morning, Emma," Mary said cheerfully, "Henry here has a proposition for us."
"My friend, Tommy, went to the pond yesterday, and he said it was perfect for skating," Henry explained, gesturing to a pair of ice skates that Emma hadn't noticed sitting by the door, "I was hoping the three of us could go today!"
"Henry's already persuaded me," Mary laughed, "Although I really didn't take much convincing. I've always loved skating; I just haven't had a chance to go yet this year. What do you think, Emma?"
"I think you two should go have fun." Noting the look of disappointment forming on their faces, she quickly added, "It's just…I've never actually been skating, so I don't really know how."
"I'll teach you," Mary offered, "I even have an old pair of skates that should fit you." Emma was torn – on the one hand, she hated to miss spending time with Henry, but on the other, she really had no desire to make a fool of herself on the ice, which she was certain would happen.
"Pleeeease, Emma?" Henry begged, "Consider it an early Christmas present for me!"
"Oh, me too," Mary chimed in. "I know you were looking for something to get me." She bent down to place her head next to Henry's and they both stared up at her with a puppy-dog expression on their faces.
Emma threw up her hands in defeat; how was she supposed to say no to that? "Fine."
"Yes!" Henry yelled, pumping his fist in the air.
"Well, in that case Henry, I think now would be the perfect time to give you an early Christmas present of my own," Mary said, crossing to the tree and returning with one of the gifts addressed to the boy. He eagerly ripped away the paper, letting the pieces fall to the floor, and grinned as he held up a small disposable camera.
"Thanks, Miss Blanchard! This will be perfect for today!"
Emma smiled to herself. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen someone use a disposable camera instead of a digital one, but somehow it just felt right that Storybrooke was still a little behind the times. She went upstairs to change clothes, and returned to find Henry impatiently pacing the floor, and Mary holding up the pair of extra skates, as promised.
When they arrived at the pond, they piled out of Mary's car and sat down to lace up their skates. Henry and Mary quickly completed the task, having had years of practice, but Emma, whose fingers were numb with cold, found the task slow and arduous.
Henry spotted a group of his classmates, and with a quick wave to his mother, skated over to join them, hoping to put his new camera to use.
Mary stepped gracefully onto the ice and skated in a small, smooth ring, circling back around to wait on her roommate. She stifled as giggle as Emma scooted toward the edge of the pond, eyeing the ice warily, and timidly stepped out onto the frozen surface, moving like a young deer struggling to take its first steps. Slowly, so as not to accidentally startle the woman, Mary skated over and placed a steadying hand on the blonde's arm. Emma stiffened automatically in response to the unexpected contact, causing Mary to drop her hand back down to her side. Both women stared at one another awkwardly for a moment, before Mary eventually turned and began to skate away, gesturing for her friend to do the same. Emma tried to follow, but within seconds she found herself crashing down to the ice, her full weight landing on her arm as she tried to catch herself.
"Damn!" Emma yelled, wincing at the pain in her elbow.
"Emma," Mary chided, frowning, "there are children around." She skated back to the scowling woman and held out a hand.
Emma considered ignoring Mary's outstretched hand – she was embarrassed by her fall and hated to appear weak – but she was worried she would be unable to get up without assistance, so she grudgingly allowed the older woman to pull her gently to her feet. Mary hovered near her, as if checking for injury, until an annoyed Emma announced that she was fine.
They resumed their trip around the pond, but, almost immediately, Emma once again lost her center of gravity and found her arms flailing. Just as she'd resigned herself to another bruised elbow, she felt Mary's surprisingly strong grip on her arms, propelling her forward and up, thus allowing her to steady herself. This time, Mary released her only momentarily, before gently looping her arm through Emma's. She knew the blonde was uncomfortable with physical contact, but she was also concerned for her safety, and hoped the arrangement would prevent future accidents. To her surprise and delight, Emma did not pull away, and instead flashed Mary a hesitant, but grateful smile.
Slowly, but surely, the women circled the pond – Emma in awkward, halting spurts, and Mary with graceful, patient strides. Each time Emma felt herself beginning to lose her balance, she would tighten her grip on Mary's arm, allowing the older woman to steady her. Finally, she began to get the hang of things – not enough to let go of Mary, but enough that she could begin to enjoy the experience without the constant fear of falling on her face.
The pair had been skating in amicable silence for most of the morning, so Mary jumped slightly when Emma suddenly spoke.
"Hey, Mare? I just wanted to say, um, thanks."
"Don't mention it; learning to skate can be difficult, so I'm happy to lend a hand – or in this case, an arm," the brunette joked.
"Well, I'm grateful for that too, I guess, but I meant thanks for doing all this. I know I haven't exactly been enthusiastic, but I appreciate you doing your best to get me into the Christmas spirit."
Mary opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off by Henry skating to a stop just in front of them.
"Say cheese!" he yelled, pointing his new camera in their direction. Both women smiled, their arms still linked, and Mary leaned her head in so that it was mere inches from Emma's own.
The bright flash of the camera was like a light bulb turning on in Emma's mind. Suddenly, she knew exactly what to get Mary for Christmas.
In the interest of full disclosure, I'm from Texas. I've never set foot on an ice rink and I don't know the first thing about ice skating, so forgive me if this is not an accurate depiction of someone's first attempt. The next chapter will most likely be the last. Thanks to all who have reviewed so far!