Chapter Twelve: Holidays

Regina Mills prided herself on her eye for fashion. In this life it came from her tailored suits and mayoral outfits, and perhaps in another life it had been something much more regal. That was why after the Scarecrow incident when he was three that Michael called his attempt at sewing, Regina had taken charge of all Halloween costumes from there on out. She knew plenty of people around town with the talent to put things together, and this year Henry was sporting what was by far the best costume of any kid she saw passing by. Then again they did wear the same costumes every year, so she couldn't exactly fault them for lack of originality.

Holidays had not been part of the curse's design- every day was to be the same she quickly realized. But there were some things she could bend to her will as Mayor, and seeing Henry so excited every year for the scattering of days on the calendar was enough for her to put her powers into action. All is had taken was some extreme wishful thinking on her part to alter a few details for a day, though most stuck to their usual routine. The boy quite frankly had her wrapped around his finger. But, wasn't it odd that he somehow knew about these days in the first place? But as soon as that thought entered her mind a tingle went through her and her worries washed away. Everything was fine and exactly as should be. She was worrying unnecessarily.

Henry gripped her hand a little tighter as they crossed the street bringing her mind back to the present. He was dressed this year as a frog prince- a blue suit with a plush frog hat she had stitched herself. The boy seemed to be especially drawn to the idea of fairy-tales- almost as if some part of him was drawn to the life he knew before the curse. She wondered who he had been- this young boy next to her. Had he known and feared the Evil Queen as so many had? Had they ever crossed paths and she just couldn't recall- his face blending in with the endless peasants she had loomed over? Had she been responsible for causing him pain- perhaps she had executed his mom as she had so many men and woman?

She tried to remind herself that it didn't matter now. He would never remember any of those feelings. They were replaced instead with the ones she continued to build with him. Here she was a completely different person who had the ability and chance to provide others with happiness. She could rest easy with the fact that she had won and nothing threatened that. The first few years had been rough, but now she reveled in it more than ever. Henry was without a doubt the greatest part of this new life- the only thing that came close to filling the hole in her heart the curse had left. She loved all the days she was able to spend time with him and being the closest thing to a mother he had ever known.

A few times her thoughts would drift to the boy she had given up long ago, but it was never for very long. She just got the feeling that things worked out the way they were meant to. She had Henry without the threat of Emma Swan ever dropping by to spoil it all. A boy who loved and adored her rather than running scared. She was in some ways part of a small family unit that all took care of one another- something she hadn't felt in the longest time. It was something that she would protect at any cost. This naturally extended to John and Michael Darling as the two men who had let her into their lives, but Henry was the center of it for sure.

They started for a house when Henry tugged in the other direction. She looked down to see he was staring at the group of kids collecting candy at the door, frightened. "Henry, what's wrong?"

"I just don't want to go to that house. Let's just go to the next one, please." Normally that would have worked. Regina would fold whenever he was very polite with her and unfortunately he had learned that. But not this time. She surveyed the three kids- larger with round noses- with her coldest expression. The three little pigs she recalled.

She knelt next to Henry, sure to not have her suit touch the pavement. "Henry, you don't want to go to the house because of those children over there, right?" He shook his head, but she saw right through him. "Have these kids been cruel to you at school?" He opened his mouth, but she cut in. "And know that if you lie we will go back home right now without collecting anymore candy."

He looked ready to cry, and she instantly regretted the words. But they managed to get him to speak up. "They make fun of my glasses," he said so low she almost thought he didn't say it at all. "And the fact that I like fairy-tales. They-they say I'm just a baby."

Oh, if I only she had her magic at this moment. Would she make them suffer. But things were to be handled differently in this world, especially with her reputation as mayor on display. She noted the kids rush to their parents on the sidewalk before them- one of them being a werewolf stuck parenting the very creatures he had once tried to eat. She had to love her sense of irony at times when it came to crafting these scenarios. Regina rose to her full height and straightened her suit, striding over to them with her most intimidating smile. Henry tried to hold her back, but it was no use.

"Good evening, Madam Mayor," the werewolf father greeted warmly, only to have his smile drop at the expression she wore. "Is-is there something we can do for you?" One of the boys let out a noise of annoyance at another over a piece of candy, but their mother quickly quieted them- slightly white at the sight of her.

"Yes, actually," she smiled, in her element. "This is Henry Darling, a boy whom I baby-sit quite frequently. He had informed me that your sons have been making fun of him at school for not only the glasses he wears but the fact that he likes to read." Both parents glanced at the boys, who now were looking just as scared.

"Are you sure about that? I mean our boys…"

She stared the mother down, making her trail off mid-sentence. "I'm sure I don't need to tell you that here in Storybrooke we are attempting to raise good and moral children who respect one another. I thought it would have been a given with the environment I work so hard to provide as mayor of this town." She made sure they heard the unspoken threat in that statement.

The desired effect was achieved. "Of course, ma'am. We didn't know- John and Michael never-"

"I never told them," Henry spoke up suddenly, much more confident. "I thought it would make Dad upset since he wears glasses just like these. And Michael read me the stories. He likes them too." Regina noticed he no longer looked scared of the three kids, and quickly realized it was because of her presence. He knew she was here for him and was defending him. She was making him feel safe enough to confront his fear. She would be lying if she didn't say her heart swelled when she put it together and saw the determined boy clutching her hand. He was now trying to aid her in his own way as well, being brave too.

The parents looked even more ashamed. "Boys, apologize," their father demanded in a way that seemed to show a tinge of who he once was.

"But-"the first spoke up. Their father glared at them, dark glint in his eye. All three looked down. "We're sorry, Henry. We didn't mean it."

"Yeah. We're sorry," the other two followed suit. Henry nodded, accepting like the gentleman Regina knew he was.

"It won't happen again," the mother assured the mayor.

"I don't imagine so, or we will be having a much different conversation… perhaps involving your house and Mr. Gold." The two parents went from relieved to now full-on terrified faster than she could blink. They now knew that had indeed been a threat earlier. She merely smiled at them. "I suggest you take your boys home immediately so they can… reflect on their actions." They nodded and quickly hurried off, hushing their kids from the complaints of missing out on more candy. She just stared after them before looking down.

Henry for some reason looked upset again, pulling his hand away from hers and the warmth suddenly leaving her. "You didn't have to scare them like that," he told her. "That was mean." And for some reason, despite having heard that statement so many times in so many ways, the words really cut through her. She didn't want Henry of all people to look at her with disappointment and that small level of fear below the surface. "Now you're being a bully, and Dad says that's not right either."

Regina nodded, instantly agreeing. "You're right, Henry. I'm sorry you had to see that. I will make sure I apologize to them next time I see them, okay?" He nodded, satisfied. "Let's go get some more candy and show off that costume." She extended her hand, hoping he would take it again. Hoping he wouldn't give up on her as a lost cause.

He nodded before placing his hand back in hers. The two of them started up to the house. "And you do realize you can tell your dad and uncle about anything in school, right? They want you safe and happy, even if what the bully says is something that could hurt their feelings too." Henry took this in before immediately being distracted by the glittering wrappers. She knew she would have to bring this up to John when he picked his son up tonight. Maybe they could get through to him.

Still, Henry was no longer looking at her in fear. That was good. And now he understood even better that she would do anything to protect him. Regina loved Henry more than anything and she would make sure that he remained in her life. Because with him… with him there was a chance she could do good and be better than she had in a very long time- since Daniel even. And part of her really wanted that in this new life as well in addition to finally winning.

"Next year I think I want to be a knight."

"I think we can make that work."

XXX

Michael couldn't help but feel his heart sink when they reached a particular story in the book just a few weeks later. It managed to drop even further once all the details had played out and the face of a man completely mad stared at from the pages. He had never read that one before- skimming it multiple times before now fully reading it to Henry. This small story of a father had always been missed by the both of them. John had dismissed it quite easily, but it had been eating at Michael for the past few days. So today he had switched shifts without his brother knowing and made his way on foot up to a mansion on the outskirts of town.

The doorbell wasn't greeted very warmly, the sole resident throwing the door open violently. "I'm doing what you want, okay?! I haven't left this house in-"The expression became confusion when he saw Michael, adjusting the scarf over the scar on his neck so it was no longer even slightly visible. "I can't say I was expecting you." Jefferson admitted.

Michael had not seen the man since that day on the street when Henry was a baby, ad he knew John hadn't since that encounter at the town line. The two had openly avoided the man, fearing him even for the cruelty he had possessed when it came to their son. But now looking at him as a parent now himself, Michael recognized that cruelty was merely a father's desperation. This man was willing to do everything for his daughter and was the only chance they had at talking with someone who actually knew what was going on.

"Henry has a book of fairy-tales," he began. Jefferson just arched an eyebrow. "It's the stories of everyone here, actually. And… we got to yours."

The guilt was instant. "So you know… you know what I did to her," he said with a punch to the frame of the door. "I abandoned her, my daughter, for a chance at wealth. Well… now I have it!" he shouted into the empty mansion. Michael took a step back, slightly frightened by his intensity. "She saw to that! I have everything I wanted back then, but now I have to watch my daughter be happy with another family! And I can't go up to her and ruin that! Ruin the life she now believes is hers! I just have to live with it! Thank you, your majesty! "

Michael should have turned and run. It would have been warranted, as the man began to throw things across the large foyer and shatter them. But he thought of what it would be like with Henry and instead placed a hand on his shoulder. Jefferson was still, unsure at what was going on. "I'm sorry. I really am, truly."

And this somehow managed to calm him, shoulders dropping sadly. "Did… did this book say what happened to her after I left?"

"No. It didn't," Michael admitted. "Grace is Paige, right?" Jefferson did nothing, but Michael knew he was right. "Listen, John and I still hate you for what you did with Henry and the town line. But on some level as parents we understand. And quite frankly you're the only one around here who knows the truth about the curse and us."

"It wasn't easy," Jefferson admitted. "Whatever you have going for you… it is strong. But I just stared at you every day through my telescope and willed myself to keep it together- to remember that he was growing. My mind is so fractured these days with two realities running around that eventually I think I was able to make it work. Not that I could do anything about it. You know Regina wants me here pretty much for forever. And I have to listen… for her. For even the chance to be with my daughter again."

"Pixie dust," Michael admitted, deciding to be completely honest. "It's pixie dust."

Jefferson smirked. "Neverland. Of course. Boy, that's some dangerous territory. I never went there myself, personally. I avoided it at all costs." And with that the conversation seemed to just open up. They both felt it- there was nothing one could say that the other wouldn't believe.

He gestured and Michael followed him inside to one of the many living rooms, and the two just preceded to talk- a conversation without any hidden details or double meanings. Jefferson told of what he knew of the curse, which was even less as he had no clue of the Snow White aspect, but was detailed in his experiences with Regina when they were younger. Michael in turn spoke of Neverland and the time he and his brother spent there. He did leave one thing out- he failed to tell the Mad Hatter that they had adopted Henry on the sole order of Peter Pan and that at the age of ten he was to be turned over to him. Instead he made it seem as if they had fled Peter Pan with the boy- never confirming or denying the fact. Something told me the devoted dad might not be so hospitable if he learned the true aim of their time in Storybrooke.

"So, it's been twenty-four years of just me- the last six of them I haven't even talked to a single person," Jefferson admitted as he finished the tea he had hastily prepared. "It doesn't help all the issues upstairs."

Michael rose with a polite smile, placing his finished cup back in the saucer. "I should be heading back. John honestly doesn't know I'm here." Jefferson nodded, but he could see the sadness and loneliness in his eyes. "I'll have to bring him by here soon. He doesn't talk about it a lot- the whole being held captive thing. Maybe talking to someone like you could do him some good."

He made it to the door before Jefferson's voice stopped him. "I am sorry… for what I did to Henry." Michael turned to see the man pulling at his scarf. "I wasn't thinking about him and I should have been. So I'm sorry and I hope one day you can forgive me."

Michael didn't answer for a moment, but turned back once he'd opened the door. "We'll keep an eye out for Grace, okay?" And with that he left.

John wasn't happy naturally. He was furious and if Henry hadn't been in the house the conversation would have been a lot louder. But Michael managed to be very convincing as he was in the moments that mattered.

"I'm not saying we bring Henry by or visit every day. I'm just saying this man is the only one who has a shred of knowledge as to this curse and happens to be a parent without his child. You can see that every day it is killing him that he can't be with her like he should. Could you even imagine-"

"Don't," John warned, knowing exactly where this was going.

"Could you imagine knowing Henry was your son, but you can't tell him because he's happy with a family he thinks is his? It would be like if his birth mother came in and just swept him away without ever knowing you." He could see John understood the pain all too well. It hurt him to even consider, and that was only because he now considered himself a parent. "He needs friends before he loses what little humanity he had left. It would be a shame for him to be too far gone when the curse is broken."

It was the only positive aftermath to the curse the two had imagined so far. Their only thoughts had been on Peter Pan coming and sweeping Henry away from them- something they felt they would not be able to bear. And though neither said it, both were starting to question if they would be able to give him up at all. They couldn't imagine giving up on their sister after all this time, but Henry had healed and brought a sense of purpose to the brothers they didn't want to lose. They had plenty of practice picturing life without Wendy. Life without Henry was getting to be too difficult to imagine.

This was especially notable during Thanksgiving dinner where Michael prepared his usual spectacular feast and the three spent the days simply enjoying each other's company. Henry had to compose a list of things he was thankful for in school and read them aloud- saving his parents for the last slot that Mary Margaret called the most important. The three Lost Boys had become a family in every sense of the word, and both brothers questioned if they would openly fight Pan to keep it. They had finally found something they feared more than the boy who had made them suffer for two hundred years in the jungle- so John was definitely starting to look at Jefferson's actions at the town line in a whole new light.

So after Henry was in bed he drove out to the mansion and dropped a bag of leftovers into the arms of the Mad Hatter. "Happy Thanksgiving," he told him before heading back home again.

Soon Jefferson was entertaining the two at least once a week, though they were always cautious that the Mayor never noticed. They also never brought Henry, still not fully convinced as the Mad Hatter would occasionally fly into fits of rage that he would be instantly apologetic over. But at the very least the two had made a true friend who kept a good eye on the town from his telescope- one they didn't need to hide with.

They apparently mentioned him enough around the house that Henry took to calling him Uncle Jefferson- in some ways adding one more to their family in spirit at least.

XXX

Christmas was always the opposite of the intimate fair the Darling's would have for Thanksgiving. And it had all started with how popular Michael's ham was. Everyone at the diner adored it- only popping up during the holiday season- and would become despondent upon its last day on the menu. Michael had joked to Leroy that if he wanted more the man would have to come for Christmas dinner. Sure enough, he brought the rest of the Seven Dwarves with him too.

From there the event had swelled to where practically the entire mainstay of the town was fir under the Darling roof to partake in the merriment. People brought food- as it soon became too hard for Michael to cook it all- and gifts- this year John had to buy the biggest tree he could just to fit all of them. Henry and Alice would simply run around the house with the other kids, making sure to say hello to everyone he passed and recognized. It was so big even Regina would come by to visit, always admiring Henry's artwork on the fridge and how they managed to keep everything so clean.

The year Henry was six was no exception. Michael had been cooking up a storm for the past few days while John decorated the house and made sure everything was spotless. For some reason, the two didn't mind playing host or having anyone over to their house as they had once been so paranoid about. They had grown to trust the people who came in the most private spaces they owned, and both of them recognized what an achievement it was. They even had to send out an RSVP this year just to have a rough estimate of how many to expect and how many hams to prepare. Yes, it took more than one these days.

Everyone would start off mingling and talking around the bottom floor of the house, making sure to stop in to visit Michael in the kitchen and John in the foyer. They would place gifts under the tree and merely converse sometimes with people they hadn't seen in a year. Henry did his best to entertain all the kids and keep them away from the tree at all costs.

As dinnertime would near everyone would help in setting up a long chain of tables, some brought by others, in the foyer since this year they had admitted to outgrowing the dining room. There was no official seating arrangement, but everyone seemed to know where to gravitate. John would sit at one end and his brother the other while Henry entertained and led a children's table off to the side. Everything would be placed and everyone would be seated as both rose on either end.

"Thank you so much for coming," John began, glass in the air. "Thank you to Leroy for starting all this. And thank you to my brother for preparing his usual banquet." Everyone applauded happily at this while Leroy just stared the spot he had selected of directly in front of one of the hams. "It has been a great year with all of you and we can think of no way better to thank you for your friendship and support than by making this the best Darling Christmas yet as for one night you are all members of our family at this table." Michael nodded in agreement and Mary Margaret quietly sniffled while Regina looked down. "Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas!" everyone toasted, voices echoing. And then everyone would eat their fill and stuff themselves to the point they felt like they'd never eat again. But they'd have to forget that because dessert would come out with a dish from practically every family. And then everyone would move into the living room for presents, John and Michael handing them all out and always surprised at how many had their names on it.

"I remembered you saying you needed one," Marco told Michael as he admired a handmade rack for all his pans.

"Yes. Thank you so much."

Henry always brought in the most, being very gracious and patient as he helped the younger kids with theirs. This year the big think was comic books, and the brother had been told by Mr. Clark that he had sold out in the rush to get some for the kid. Alice even received enough bones to last the rest of the year and was already getting started in a far corner.

"Paige," John said as he handed the girl a weirdly wrapped box. "This is from a friend," he told the girl- making sure to note her ecstatic expression at a stuffed rabbit to tell Jefferson later. Their friend couldn't attend with being trapped in his house, but they would be sure to visit him tomorrow so he didn't get too lonely.

Once everyone had opened their gifts, they would watch as the last two were handed out- Henry to his parents and the brothers to their son. This year it was handprints in hardened clay that he had painted for them and a huge book that he could barely pick up of old stories from Gold's shop for him. The three would tackle each other in hugs- laughing as everyone would aww and clap in approval.

From there, people would stay and mingle before leaving at their own pace- though they never felt pressured or rushed. Some would go run out in the snow while other would drink hot chocolate in front of the fireplace. But soon it would be just the three of them and Alice in the house again and they headed up to John's room- saving cleaning for tomorrow.

The three would fall on top of the bed and be out nearly instantly, not wanting to be apart. But this night as Henry was curled up against him, John was having trouble falling asleep.

"I think we should stay," he whispered to Michael, who was half asleep. "When we get Wendy back, I think we should stay here. She'll love it- everyone. It'll be different with all of them remembering, but this is where we belong. This is our home."

Michael of course agreed, but he hesitated. "Will they still want us around… when they realize what we lost to get Wendy back?"

"I'd like to think they'd understand and still be our friends." He pulled Henry a little closer. "Besides, nothing's set in stone." That was the first clue either had verbally gave to backing out of the deal, but John changed tracks before Michael could pursue it. "Any ideas for next year?"

"I was thinking a town-wide Secret Santa. We go around with a huge bowl of names."

"We'll see," John smirked, both of them drifting off pretty quickly after that.

Sure enough, the next year they did.

XXX

"I'm in love with Bonnie," Henry stated matter-of-factly at the dinner table the night before Valentine's Day, causing John to nearly choke on his drink. "She's my true love even."

Michael recovered faster and took this one. "Henry, I think six is a little young to find your true love. Even Snow White-"

"Trust me, Uncle Michael; I know she's the one. So I need to make her the best Valentine there ever was. What should I say to her?"

They had nothing. Neither had ever even entertained the concept of a relationship before- both of their lives being train wrecks and in servitude to Peter Pan himself. They hadn't even really talked to an interested member of the opposite sex before, outside of John shooting down Ruby every time he entered the diner. That didn't count though. They had also never quite pictured having to deal with this aspect of having a son in ten years, but alas they were in the moment now. "Just treat her like any other girl," John tried. "Be your usual self and… tell her how you feel?"

Henry had nodded and spent the rest of the night making the perfect card- getting glitter all over his room in the process. "What're we going to do?" John asked, mind clearly panicking.

Michael laughed. "John, it's no big deal. It's a crush and he'll get over it. We're not going to have to have the talk with our six year old."

"Don't even." John took a deep breath. "She'd better not break his heart. I can maybe handle talking to a girl with zero experience, but I have no clue on the broken heart front. I've honestly never felt more useless in his life than right now."

"Have you ever considered it?" John raised an eyebrow. "The dating thing. Finding somebody and having something normal for once."

"I'm inclined to wait until they remember who they really are. That could get awkward otherwise. I might end up marrying Cruella De Ville."

Michael was clearly trying to be serious and getting upset at how his brother was deflecting. "No, really? Do you see yourself getting married and having kids? We're still pretty young- mostly by Pan's design." It was true that Pan had kept them around twenty-two/twenty-five and that hold seemed to still exist in some capacity. They didn't look six years older since adopting Henry, though they felt it.

"I suppose so. If it was the right girl. It seems weird to think about when our son is practically seven years old."

"Nothing about this situation isn't weird," Michael shot back. "Bonnie will be too young for him in two years' time, despite them being the same age now." They both thought on that for a moment. "I want to get married on day," Michael admitted. "I just don't want you to think I'm aband-"

"Never," John promised him. "I think we'll have earned the right to our own lives. It'll be weird with Wendy around, and if we still have to raise Henry we'll have to stay in the same house somehow. We can't pull part his family." And there was the second mention, but again both never really tackled it head-on as Henry came down to show them his card.

The next day was a disaster. Apparently Bonnie had liked the card from Jack more and sat by him at lunch rather than Henry. He had cried for hours when he got home, and the two got a crash course in managing heartbreak. It consisted of a lot of hugging, reassuring, and ice cream for dinner. He had even apologized for spending so much time on her Valentine that he hadn't made theirs good enough.

"Henry, we love ours!" Michael had told him. "They're both even on the fridge." This year was of a knight version of Henry saving John from a dragon and Michael from an ogre. His drawing was just getting better and better.

And though the two weren't perfect, they did the best they could. And that seemed to be enough. It did take around a week for him to become his old self again in every respect, deciding to be a big man and remain friends with Bonnie- who was none the wiser to his personal turmoil. And the brothers hoped that their theoretical dating experiences sometime in the future would end up better- making mental notes on how Henry handled it to pay forward.

Still, it was only a few more weeks after his recovery when Henry made another declaration at the table. "I love Paige now," he had told his parents with a wide smile.

"Oh, Jefferson will love that," Michael had said under his breath.

John gave a fake laugh. "I need a drink."

"Do you have any better advice this time?" their son inquired. The both just were honest and shook their heads this time.

XXX

As Michael and John Darling walked along the beach that July with Henry, who was now seven, their attention was on the fireworks certainly. Before coming to town they had never partaken in the Fourth of July, being very British in that respect still, and something about the site of lights in the sky managed to turn them into smiling boys if only for a short time.

Most years Henry was right beside them, giggling and staring in awe. It was the first year he was deemed too big to be on Michael's shoulders and he was actually handling it very well. But as he held his parents' hands his eyes began to wander about the beach. He took in all the residents around him, looking at them in a way he hadn't before. It was as if he was trying desperately to put together the pieces to a large puzzle. His eyes fell on Mary Margaret by herself and he suddenly frowned, becoming sad for her. He looked at the friends he had passed in school and how they looked the same and never followed him to his new classes. He took a good look at the town with new eyes, and seemed to have reached a conclusion by the time the fireworks ended.

"Is everything alright?" John asked as they walked back to the car. "You seemed really quiet."

"I'm fine," he had insisted. "I just hope Alice isn't too scared with all the noise."

"We'll be by her side in just a few minutes," Michael promised as they climbed in.

Henry ran up to his room as soon as they got back and pulled the fairy-tale book from under his pillow. He had been secretly reading ahead at night, too impatient to wait. He flipped to a page with Snow White and tapped it triumphant. "I knew it!" he exclaimed.

The next morning he came down to breakfast with the book in hand. "Dad… Uncle Michael, I have something really crazy to tell you." He set the book down and climbed on the stool, both watching him curiously. "But I think this town may be cursed."

A glass shattered as they both froze, Michael in the middle of pouring a glass of milk for his son. Their eyes went wide, and Henry instantly misconstrued it. "Hear me out!"

They looked at each other, knowing this was the moment. This was the biggest moment- the one they had talked about so much was finally here. It was time to come clean. So they both gave their son all their attention. "Of course. Tell us what you think and then we'll tell you what we know."

It was time.