A Year In Review

This next chapter is in October. I'm Canadian, so I was debating putting Thanksgiving into the October chapters, but decided to switch it to November so I have more material for the November chapters. Flashbacks are italicized.

The crisp October air blew through the streets of Storybrooke, and the residents had decided to celebrate Halloween this year, mostly because of Emma's enthusiasm for the holiday. The blonde had gathered a town meeting to tell people about the event, and everyone agreed that this would be a fun thing to do. Halloween was approaching in two weeks and there was a lot of work to be done. Decorations needed to be made and hung up, candy needed to be bought, and both the children and their parents were going crazy trying to think of costumes. Some people still had questions to about the holiday, which Emma was more than happy to explain. She thought back to last week at the meeting when Archie Hopper had asked what was the point of scaring people:

"I just don't understand Emma, why is there a holiday just for scaring people," asked the man. Others hummed in agreement around him.

"Its not just about scaring. It started out as a celebration for the end of harvest season. People thought that on this day spirits also could come back from the dead, and that they sometimes damaged crops. So people dressed up as these spirits and went door to door collecting food to offer up to the spirits, and I guess it just evolved from there. Its more just a holiday for the kids now though" explained Emma.

"And such an immature person like yourself should fit right in" drawled the mayor as she walked into the hall. More then a dozen heads swivelled around to look at the woman who had walked into the middle of the room.

'Regina! What are you doing here?" said a shocked Emma.

"I am the mayor of this town, and as such I know about everything that goes on around the town. For some reason though this little gathering wasn't brought to my attention. Would you care to explain why Miss Swan?" asked the brunette as she gave a signature eyebrow raise at the blonde.

"I was going to tell you Madam Mayor, but I figured you wouldn't be interested in helping out, plus this is just a preliminary meeting," explained the blonde.

"Will this event need to be funded by the town?"

"It will, but that's what I was going to talk to you about later. Its not much, we just need decorations, candy refreshments and a place to hold the event.

"And what if I say no" challenged the brunette. The residents of Storybrooke looked back and forth between the two women as they stood in the middle of the hall and argued.

"If you said no, Henry would be disappointed," said Emma as she locked eyes with the older woman.

"Don't you dare use the Henry card on me" snapped Regina.

'Its true though he would" said Emma as she shrugged. "Come on Regina, the town needs something to boost their spirits"

"Can they not wait until Christmas?" Emma gave a strange look at that remark before replying; "This would be a great opportunity for everyone to get together, have fun, and its great for the children to play and hang out with each other."

"Very well, I will give you the funding for the event. As for refreshments I can consult with Mrs. Lucas. If you need a venue you may use the town hall. Let it be clear than other than helping out financially and supervising, I will not be participating in these childish activities." The mayor gave a glare at the residents before waving her arms and disappearing in a cloud of purple smoke. The residents turned back to face Emma as they worked on the details for the event.

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Emma had kept up with weekly magic lessons from Regina every Friday. She had learned basic object transportation and didn't hesitate to show everyone her skills when she got the chance. The following Friday after the meeting the blonde knocked on the door to the mayoral mansion. The brunette opened the door and gave Emma a puzzled look.
"Where's my son Miss Swan?"

"He's staying at his friend Joshua's house. Joshua's mom will drop him off at 5:30. I was going to call you when I met him at school but your house isn't far away so I figured I would tell you in person, I hope that's okay" explained Emma.

"Yes, thank you, now stop babbling and do come in," said Regina as the blonde walked in and she shut the door behind her. Regina turned to walk to the study and stopped and turned back around when she found the blonde still standing in the front entrance with a determined squint on her face. Regina leaned against the doorframe of the front entrance with her arms crossed.

"And what exactly are you trying to accomplish Miss Swan?"

"I'm trying to get my boots off."

"I knew you were an idiot, but I thought you were an idiot who was able to do simple, menial, task."

Emma rolled her eyes and looked up at the woman. "I'm trying to take them off with magic." She focused again and suddenly her boots appeared besides Regina's in the closet.

"It must take you an awfully long time to get dressed in the morning Miss Swan."

"Oh shush, I'm just practicing like you asked me too "replied Emma.

Regina turned to walk away and the blonde hurried after her.

"What are we doing today Madam Mayor"

"We are going to work on using magic as defense. It does come in handy if you don't have weapons available, which has happened in most of the situations I've been in."

"Wait, you've used weapons before? I thought you were all dainty and you wouldn't want to use weapons since you're a Queen and all that" said Emma as she looked at the brunette with wide eyes.

"Just because I was a Queen Miss Swan, does not mean that in the past I didn't like to get my hands dirty. I'm quite adept at using them actually" said Regina as she gave a smirk at the blonde. "Anyhow, magic is much easier and has less physical strain than using weapons. It can also be used from a distance. Regina waved her hand and a vase appeared at the other end of a room.

"Am I supposed to hit that?" asked the blonde

'Preferably, yes. Try not to break anything else Miss Swan."

The blonde closed her eyes and held her palm out in front of her.

"Magic runs on emotion, so think about what emotion you feel when you break it" said Regina. The blonde opened her eyes and an almost unnoticeable small ball of white light appeared in her hand. She groaned in frustration.

"Try again Emma, you almost had it" said the brunette as she clasped her hand around Emma's. "Now think about the emotion, you want to break the vase so think about the pieces shattering from the force of your magic."

Emma closed her eyes and when she opened them the second time, a glowing ball of white light appeared in her palm.

"I did it! " said Emma as she smiled at the brunette.

"Yes, but now you need to focus it at the vase. Throw your hand out but keep your eyes on the vase the whole time.

Emma stared at the vase while she pulled back her hand. She threw the ball of magic and a second later it hit the vase and the vase shattered on the ground.

"Good, I think we should just leave it there for today" said Regina as she noticed the blonde was pressing her fingers against her hand. "Magic isn't physically straining but it can be very emotionally straining especially when you're starting out.

"Thanks for being patient with me Regina, most people aren't." said Emma.

The brunette just nodded and motioned for the blonde to follow her in the kitchen.

"Would you like a glass of water?"

"Yes, thanks," said the blonde as she sat down at the table. Regina filled a glass with water and brought it to the table as she sat down with Emma.

"How are the Halloween preparations coming along?"

"Good, the nuns are making candy, Granny is baking food, and the dwarves are hanging up decorations. Henry still is trying to figure out his costume. "

"What has he thought of so far?"

"I think a wizard, a superhero, or a cowboy," said Emma.

"Do you have a costume yet Miss Swan?" asked Regina

"Yep, I'm gonna be a knight, y'know being the Saviour and all."

"How charming." said Regina in her snarky tone.

Emma rolled her eyes.

"You should dress up Madam Mayor"

"I don't believe in such frivolous activities Miss Swan."

"But it's a lot of fun, plus you would look cute as a pink princess or something"

Regina arched an eyebrow at the blonde.

"Why do you enjoy this holiday for children so much Miss Swan?"

"I guess because it was one holiday that I always got to participate in as a kid. When I dressed up I wasn't a foster kid, I was just another kid having fun with all the other regular children. "said Emma with a shrug. "Plus free candy is always a great thing"

Regina's expression turned unreadable before replying "If rotting your teeth every year is your idea of fun go right ahead. " Suddenly the two women heard the door open, and Henry walked in.

"Hi Mom, Hi Emma" yelled Henry from the foyer. A few minutes later he walked in the kitchen.

"How was Joshua's?" asked Emma

"Good, we played soccer outside for a bit and then read some comics" said Henry as he grabbed himself something to drink and sat down with them.

"Its quite cold out for playing soccer Henry" said Regina as she gave a concerned look at her son.

"I'm fine Mom, I wore my jacket"

"Good. How was school?"

"Okay, I had a math test but otherwise it wasn't too bad. We mostly just talked about Halloween." said Henry.

"I'm sure you did fine kid. Have you decided your costume yet?" asked Emma.

"Yeah, I think I'm going to be a superhero"

"Which one?"

"Probably Spiderman"

"Good pick, he's my favourite too" said Emma.

"Mom?" asked Henry.

"Yes, Henry?" replied Regina.

"I was wondering if you could help me make my costume,"

"Of course Henry, we could do that on Sunday if you would like" said Regina as she smiled at her son.

"Great thanks!" said Henry as he grinned back at her.

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2 weeks passed and finally Halloween afternoon rolled around. The people of Storybrooke were busy getting last minute details together and Regina was helping Henry bake cookies for him to take to the party that night.

"Are you excited Henry?" asked Regina.

"Yeah I am! It's going to be so much fun. Are you sure you don't want to come Mom?"

"Its not really something I think I would enjoy."

"How would you know if you haven't celebrated it before?

"I don't even have a costume"

"You could dress up as a horse rider, I know how much you love horses."

Regina sighed. "I'll come for a little while Henry"

'Thanks Mom!" said Henry as he hugged the brunette.

"Miss Swan is coming at 6, correct?"

"Yep, do you want to come trick-or-treating too?

"I think that's my limit on Halloween festivities" said Regina with a laugh.

Emma came by at 6 to pick Henry up, and the pair went door to door around Storybrooke collecting treats. After they had filled a pillowcase and one pumpkin bucket, they went over to the Halloween celebration at Town Hall.

"Wow Emma! This looks so cool," said Henry as they walked through fake cobwebs hanging from the entrance. Inside, there were jack-o-lanterns, skeletons, refreshments and all of Storybrooke was dressed as one character or another. The pair walked over to David and Mary Margaret who were dressed as Princess Leia and Han Solo.

"Emma! Henry! Your costumes look wonderful," said Mary Margaret.

"Thanks! My mom helped make mine," said Henry

"You look great Henry." said David.

"You guys couldn't have though of more creative costumes?" said Emma.

"Your father introduced me to the series, and I fell in love. They are so heroic," said Mary Margaret.

"Emma can I go see Joshua? He's just over there," asked Henry

"Yeah, just come back in a few minutes, because your mom is coming soon."

"Alright bye" said Henry as he ran over to see his friend.

"Regina is coming?" asked Mary Margaret "I though she didn't believe in celebrating the holiday."

"Henry convinced her to. She should be here any second, I told her to come at 7:15." said Emma as she checked her watch.

'Do you know what she is dressing up as?" asked David.

"No clue, my guess is she's gonna be a Queen."

"I already am a Queen, I didn't need to dress up as one" said Regina as Emma and the Charming's turned around. They looked shocked to see Regina with longer hair pulled into a braid, her makeup softened, and wearing fitted tan leather pants, knee high riding boots, and a sea-green riding coat.

"Expecting the Evil Queen?"

"Yeah, kinda" said Emma as she stared at the brunette "You look great."

"I agree with Emma Regina, you do look wonderful" said Mary Margaret as she also stared at the woman and felt herself transported back into time.

"I'm quite aware how I look Snow" said Regina, although it was less clipped than it would have usually been.

"Hi Mom! Your costume is great!" said Henry as he walked over.

"Thank you Henry"

"Not as great as mine though, right?" said Emma with a grin.

"It's a tie" replied Henry

"Good answer" said David with a laugh.

"It is a nice costume Miss Swan." said Regina as she looked a the blonde who had her hair braided similar to Regina's and a shining silver pleated skirt with a matching top and boots. "You look less grungy than usual"

"Thank you Regina, glad you like it" said Emma with a smirk of her own.

"Can we got get some snacks and punch" asked Henry.

"Sure" said the blonde. "Want to come along Regina?" asked Emma.

Yes, I guess I will" said the brunette as she wrapped her arm around her son and the trio walked to go get refreshments.

"Its good that they are becoming friends" said David as he watched them leave.

"I don't know if I would say friends yet, but they do have some sort of a connection" said Mary Margaret.