Hey I bring you Christmas time a little early. I have been listening to Christmas songs to try and get a Christmas vibe to write this chapter and the next one so hopefully it has worked. I hope you enjoy excitable three year old Regina :-)
It was the 20th of December and the annual Christmas party was being held at Grannies that night. practically everyone in town would be there like every year. Emma had spent the best part of an hour telling Henry to get ready but every time she peaked into his bedroom he was sat on the floor crouched over something. Emma walked over to Henry's bedroom for what felt like the hundredth time that night and leaned on the door frame looking in and seeing Henry in the same position he had been about ten minutes ago.
Emma sighed and walked into the room, running her hands through her blonde curls. "Henry what are you doing? We really need to get going. We are going to be late for the Christmas Party." Emma said as she walked over to Henry and sat down on his bed in front of him. She frowned as she saw various pictures strewn across the floor, some glue as well as glitter, pens and other decorations and three large books on the floor. "Henry what are you doing?" Emma asked.
Henry never looking up from what he was doing answered with. "I am making three photo albums."
"Why?" Emma asked.
Henry stopped what he was doing and looked up at his mother. "I am making a photo album each for Grandpa, Grandma and Mom. I have been takings lots of pictures since mom turned into a toddler and I thought it might be nice to create a photo album of the six months mom is going to be a toddler. I thought with this Grandpa, Grandma and mom could always remember the time they got together." Henry explained before going back to sticking a picture into one of the books.
Emma smiled at what Henry had told her. It never ceased to amaze her how caring and kind he was. "I think that's a great idea kid." Emma then shuffled off of the bed and sat down beside Henry. She glanced over the three books and smiled at the pictures of a toddler Regina dressed in a pink fairy costume, wand in hand, tiara on her head and grinning up at the camera. "Although you do realise your mom will probably kill you for some of the pictures."
Henry laughed a little. "Yea I'm counting on it but it will be worth it." Henry shrugged.
"So when are you going to give them these photo albums?" Emma asked.
"I was thinking the day after moms birthday. When she is a grown up again. I don't think toddler Regina would be that impressed but I know my mom would." Henry said.
Emma smiled and she ruffled Henry's hair. "Sounds like a plan kid but do you think you can stop for now so that we can go to the Christmas party? If you take your camera I bet you will get some cracking pictures there." Emma said standing up and brushing her hands over her black skinny jeans. She had decided on a simple outfit of black skinny jeans, red sparkling top and black heels that weren't overly high so she wouldn't be killing her feet.
"Yea sure." Henry shrugged and stood up from the floor. "I can finish this later."
"Regina Mills will you get back here!" Cora called as she ran after a very excited three year old Regina. She had been chasing Regina around the house for about an hour now. Regina may be small but she was fast and knew how to dodge her mother.
"You gotta catch me mommy." Regina giggled as she dodged past her mother and ran across the hallway, her socks sliding on the hardwood floor.
"Regina this is not a game. You need to go and get ready for the party.." Cora said making her way over to Regina slowly hoping it would cause Regina to just stand still. "If you don't do as mommy says then Santa is not going to be happy Regina…"
Regina gasped and looked at her mother. "But I want a horsey." Regina said.
"Well you better start doing as I say because if you don't Santa is not going to get Regina a horse." Cora said shrugging her shoulders. "Now are we going to go get ready for the party?" Cora asked holding out her hand. She had been putting off pulling out the Santa card but she had had enough of chasing Regina around the house.
"Yes mommy we go get ready." Regina said quickly diving over to Cora and grabbing her hand. Cora smirked and guided Regina upstairs and into her bedroom. It was only Regina who needed to get ready. Cora had gotten herself ready earlier having a feeling the very excitable Regina would take a while to get ready. Cora have chosen a dark blue dress that went to just below her knees with thin straps and had a sparkle to it. With the black patent heels she had found she thought she looked perfect. Her makeup done and her hair down with a slight wave to it she was happy.
"Now Regina did you decide what party dress you want to wear?" Cora asked as they walked over to Regina's walk in wardrobe.
"Yea mommy." Regina said walking over to her dresses. "My sparkly dress mommy." Regina said jumping up and down and pointing to the dress she wanted. Cora reached over and pulled out the dress Regina was talking about. The dress was very sparkly in deed with gold sequins covering it. with the layered skirt and a blue satin bow around the middle it was Regina's favourite dress and she had gone on about it for weeks when she heard about the Christmas party. Cora didn't really know why she had asked Regina what she was going to wear.
"Okay then Regina let's get you changed." Cora said kneeling down and placing the dress on the floor. She helped Regina get out of her leggings and top and then picked up the dress and pulled it on Regina. Cora buttons up the back and smiled as Regina twirled round.
"I'm like a fairy mommy." Regina said happily as she continued to twirl round in her sparkling dress.
"Yes well…I would say princess dear. Fairies aren't as good as princesses." Cora said."Right shoes Regina…"
"My gold sparkly ones." Regina said running over to her shoes and pulling out the gold sparkling pumps with a bow at the front and running back over to Cora. She sat down in front of her mother and handed her the shoes. Cora placed on a pair of white socks with a frill around the top and then helped Regina slip on the shoes. She gently pulled Regina up and looked at her.
"You look beautiful sweetheart." Cora smiled. "Now your hair Regina." Cora said standing up and taking Regina's hand guiding her out of the wardrobe. They walked over to Regina's bed, Cora grabbing the hair brush and some hair ties before sitting down on Regina's bed. Cora was just about to pull Regina onto her lap before Regina ran over to her small dressing table. "Regina what are you doing?"
"I want this in my hair." Regina said running back over to Cora and holding up the blue ribbon that matched he blue satin bow around the middle of Regina's dress.
"Alright." Cora said pulling Regina up onto her lap. Cora brushed through Regina's hair and then took a small about of it and tied it up so Regina's hair was half up and half down. She then took the ribbon from Regina and tied it around the hair tie and smiled as she brushed her fingers through the rest of Regina's soft brown hair with the gentle curl at the end. "Perfect my darling."
Regina shuffled off of Cora's lap and turned round to look at her mother. "We go now?" Regina asked.
"Yes. Let's get your coat on and then we can go." Cora said pushing herself up from Regina's bed. They walked down stairs and over to the coat stand. Cora got Regina's white coat with fur round the collar. She helped Regina put it on and then grabbed her black trench coat and put it on. Finally they were leaving for the party.
As they left the house Cora held out her hand for Regina to take and Regina skipped along beside Cora as they walked the short distance towards Grannies'. "Mommy is Santa really gonna be at party?" Regina asked.
Cora nodded her head. "Yes he will be sweetheart. Are you going to speak to him and tell him what you want?"
Regina frowned. "He got my letter right?" She asked and Cora smiled.
"Yes he got your letter but it might be good to speak to him and remind him of your letter." Cora said.
Regina nodded her head. "Yes I remind him mommy. Santa not forget I want horsey." Regina said firmly and Cora had to try not laugh.
"I'm sure he won't my darling." Cora replied.
They soon got to Grannies and as soon as they entered Regina ran over to Rumple. "Daddy!" Regina squealed excitedly and jumped into Rumples open arms.
"Hello my little princess." Rumple said hugging Regina tightly and kissing her cheek. He then placed her down and helped her take her coat off and placed it down beside his and Belle's. "Hello Cora." Rumple said with a slight nod as Cora approached.
"Hello…" Cora replied with a smile.
"Look Miss Belle. I all sparkly." Regina said twirling her dress making it sparkle more as the light hit it.
"Wow Regina! That is a lovely dress." Belle said as she crouched down to Regina's height.
"Mommy say I like a princess." Regina grinned.
"You are very much like a princess." Belle agreed.
"Daddy, Santa gonna be here." Regina said turning her attention back on her father. "I gonna remind Santa to get me horsey for Christmas. Just in case he not member my letter."
Rumple bit his lip trying hard not to laugh. "I am sure he won't forget Regina."
"No I remind him so he won't." Regina said determinedly.
"Yes but we need to remember and be polite don't we Regina?" Cora said and Regina in a small age rolled her eyes a little.
"Yea mommy I know." Regina said with all the sass in the world making the adults really want to laugh. "Oh Henry!" Regina said brightly as she saw Henry, Emma and Neal walk into the diner. "Hi Henry! Hi Emma." Regina said waving her hand as she stopped in front of them. "Hi big bro!" She said to Neal and held her fist up. Neal had recently taught her to call him big bro and also how to fist bump much to Cora and Rumples annoyance as Regina had spent a whole week fist bumping them constantly.
Neal gently bumped his fist against Regina's and grinned at her. "Hey little sis. Look at you all sparkly."
"I sparkly like princess. Mommy said so." Regina said proudly.
"You certainly are. Look you are beating Emma on sparkly. Emma only wore a sparkly top." Neal said rolling his eyes for effect making Regina giggle.
"Silly Emma." She giggled.
"Hey I couldn't out-do the princess could I?" Emma said shrugging her shoulders.
"Henry guess what Santa coming!" Regina said excitedly.
"No way!" Henry said acting excited for Regina. He already knew the truth about Santa and that the Santa coming here was none other than Belle's father Moe French with padding round his tummy and kitted out in a Santa costume and fake beard.
Regina nodded her head happily. "Yes he coming here to see us before Christmas eve!"
The party was in full swing, the grownups talking and drinking, the children running around and laughing, playing games and keeping themselves amused. the sound of jingle bells surrounded them and Ruby in an overly excited voice announced to them that Santa had arrived. Regina jumped up and down beside Cora clapping her hands gleefully as they watched the door waiting for Santa to appear.
The door swung open and in stepped the jolly old man (well Moe French dressed up very nicely) and he walked over to the chair that Granny had put out for him. "Form an orderly line if you want to speak to Santa." Granny said firmly and soon the children all piled over to line up and speak to Santa.
Cora crouched down to Regina. "You going to go over and speak to Santa sweetheart?"
"You come to." Regina said shyly.
"Why don't you come with me Regina?" Henry asked holding out his hand
Regina shook her head. "No want mommy…" Regina said and then glanced round to see Rumple. "And daddy."
Cora looked up at Rumple and he nodded his head telling her they should go. So they walked over to the line, Regina holding onto their hands. The line was quick to go down and when it was Regina's turn she hid behind Cora's leg and gripped on tight. "Regina aren't you going to go talk to Santa?" Cora asked looking down at her daughter.
"He look scary." Regina whispered glancing at the man in the chair. She had been excited about meeting Santa but as soon as she saw him she wasn't so sure if she wanted to. He may seem like a jolly man but what if he wasn't..
Rumple crouched down. "Regina Santa isn't scary. He is a nice man. I thought you were going to remind him about your horse?"
"You come too." Regina said looking at both her parents and they both sighed knowing Regina would go nowhere without them.
"Alright Regina we will come too." Rumple said so they walked over to Santa, Regina still hiding behind Cora's leg.
"Well hello there…" 'Santa' said happily. "Now you…must be Regina…" He said.
Regina gasped and looked up at the man, peering round her mother's leg a little more. "How you know my name?" Regina asked.
"I know everyone's names Regina." 'Santa' said.
Regina walked out from Cora's leg a little. "You get my letter?" Regina asked as she stepped towards 'Santa' a little more.
"I did Regina. I am sure I read something about a horse…" 'Santa' said.
Regina gasped and nodded her head stepping closer to Santa. "You did get my letter. I tell mommy you get it. And you member my horsey." Regina said happily becoming more comfortable around the man.
"Yes I remember. So have you been a good girl this year Regina?" 'Santa' asked.
"Yea I been good. Right mommy, daddy?"Regina said peering round at Cora and Rumple.
"Yes you have been darling." Cora smiled.
"Hey why don't we get a photo Regina?" Henry said as he went over with his camera.
"Okay." Regina smiled and held her arms up to 'Santa'. He loved Regina up and rested her on his lap.
"Grandpa, Grandma why don't you get in the picture." Henry said smiling at them. They both nodded and stood at either side. "Say cheese." Henry said as he lifted the camera up. They all smiled and Henry snapped the first Christmas family picture his grandparents and mother would have.