I'll Be Home for Christmas
A/N: At last we come to the end of this little tale. It has been such a pleasure to write this fluffiness over the holiday season and I hope you have enjoyed reading. Thank you so much for all your kind reads/reviews/favorites/follows! I never anticipated how addictive they would become. Thank you to my phenomenal beta-reader lupwned for her valuable input. Please read and review if you enjoy it!
Regina had not felt so flustered since arriving in this sleepy little town. Her kitchen was a mess, she herself was covered in flour, and the tea she was drinking did little to prevent the hot swooping panic in her stomach that told her this was a terrible idea. She had very little experience with happy family time and was terrified that she would somehow ruin this for Emma and Henry. Deciding that if tea could not soothe her nerves, perhaps it was time to switch to the hard stuff, she left the kitchen to fill a crystal glass from the decanter in her study.
As the first sip trickled down her throat and spread its fiery warmth, there came a frantic knocking on the door. She glanced at the clock atop the mantel and frowned when she realized it was still several hours before her guests were meant to arrive. She crossed to the front door, pulling off her apron hastily as she approached. She opened the door to find Emma outside holding an enormous bag of presents with a contagious smile.
"Afternoon, Madame Mayor."
"Good afternoon, Sheriff. I wasn't expecting anyone until later."
"Yeah, well, I figured maybe I could help get things ready and Henry was dying to show you his presents."
Regina realized abruptly that Henry was struggling to remove a duffle bag as well as a large shopping bag full of toys from Emma's bug. She hurried forward to take the duffle from him and he used his free arm to hug her around the waist, "Merry Christmas, Mom!"
Regina swallowed thickly as she said "Merry Christmas, Sweetheart. Let me help you."
They carried the bags inside the house. Henry deposited the bag of toys inside the door before reaching for the duffle and running it upstairs to his room.
Emma had returned to the foyer after placing the gifts in the study and she shrugged at Regina's confused expression. "Henry wanted to be home for Christmas. You don't mind if he stays here tonight?"
"Of course not, Henry is always welcome."
Emma stepped closer, putting one hand on the small of Regina's back and pulling her closer. "I thought maybe as a Christmas present to my parents we could give them the apartment to themselves for the night. That is, if you don't mind if I stay here, too."
She finished in a whisper before leaning in and kissing the brunette, who sighed. "I'd like that. Did you bring an overnight bag, too?"
Emma nodded "It's in the bug, although I warn you," her voice dropped to a husky murmur "I usually sleep in the nude." She dropped her head to plant a kiss behind Regina's ear.
Regina allowed her eyes to flutter closed and moaned deep in her throat before she heard footsteps coming back toward the stairs and reluctantly pulled away.
"I should really check on dinner" she said, clearing her throat. She realized looking at Emma that they were both now covered in flour and hastily brushed off her jacket as Henry ran down the stairs.
"Mom! Guess what?! Grandma and Grandpa got me a scooter! And a bow and arrow! And Grandma says she's going to teach me how to use it! And…"
"Kid" said Emma laughing at his excitement "Why don't we go put our presents under the tree and let your mom check on dinner. I'm sure she'll love to hear the full account." She took him gently by the shoulder and led him into the study where they began to pile gifts beneath the already packed tree, Henry exclaiming about how many of the tags read "To Henry".
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With Emma's help the kitchen was cleaned and the food prepared in short order. Henry filled the time with a seemingly endless stream of enthusiastic description of his gifts, the movies they'd watched, and the sword-fighting lessons he was taking from his grandfather.
Regina's excitement for having him home began to falter as she realized how little he'd missed her. She hid the falling expression by turning to check the turkey in the oven. Emma was able to pick up on her facial expression, and she offered her support by squeezing her elbow and giving her a soft smile.
Henry noticed and stopped talking for a moment, realizing with the perception of a much older person that something was amiss between his mothers.
"Mom? Are you ok?"
Regina wiped away a tear from her cheek hastily and turned with her best mayoral smile saying "Of course, sweetheart. I'm just happy that we're able to be together for the holiday."
"Me too" He frowned as he spoke with childlike earnestness "It didn't really feel like Christmas without being here. I didn't get to have cinnamon toast like we always do and I didn't get to use my Santa mug for my hot chocolate."
Her heart leapt at his words; she had missed their Christmas morning traditions as well. "Well, we won't be having dinner for a few hours. How would you like a piece of toast and some hot chocolate now?"
He beamed at her "Really? Can I even have my Santa mug?"
She chuckled as she pulled it out of its place of honor at the top of the cupboard. "As if you could use any other" she said with a genuine smile.
Emma cleared her throat to remind them of her presence "Um…I don't suppose there's enough for two?" Regina smiled at her and nodded.
"Oh Emma! Just wait until you try this! The sisters make the best cinnamon bread in the world, and then my mom makes hot chocolate, it's the best!"
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The three of them enjoyed a Christmas afternoon snack of cinnamon toast and cocoa as Henry brought out all his new toys to show Regina. Rather than feeling jealous, Regina recognized this as Henry and Emma's way of including her. She felt warmed that he wanted to share his gifts with her even if she could not be with him as he opened them.
When Henry had demonstrated how cool all of his new toys were, Emma surprised Regina again by saying "Why don't you go put your things in your room, Henry. And put them away properly please."
As he scampered up the stairs, Regina turned to her "Won't he just need to pack them back up later when he goes home?"
"He is home."
Regina was silent as she examined Emma's face. "But, what about…"
Emma sighed and looked away a moment before gazing back into Regina's eyes, her own turned a deep emerald by emotion. "Look, I spent a lot of my childhood being moved around. I would never want that for Henry. He is at home here. This is where he has grown up and it has been a safe and stable home. It's not fair to him for the issues among the adults to interfere with his stability."
Regina knew that beyond being a sign of Emma's trust of her and forgiveness of her transgressions, this was a reflection of her fierce protectiveness of Henry's purity of heart. Emma did not want Henry to be forced into adulthood prematurely as she was. It caused her heart to ache to think of Emma being so alone as a child, and she felt fortunate that despite this she had become such a generous and loving adult.
Regina had to swallow past a lump in her throat before she said "Thank you."
"You don't have to thank me. It's what's best for our son. But it is not without conditions."
Regina's heart skipped a beat at hearing Emma say "our" son, but she felt a creeping dread at the thought of conditions. Was her time with Henry to be supervised?
"Conditions?"
"Yes, I want to be able to spend time with him."
"Well, of course, dear…"
"And I want my parents to have time with him as well."
Regina's face became more strained at this. Despite the time that had passed and her efforts to act hospitably toward her former stepdaughter, it still rankled that she was unable to have a happy ending that in some way did not involve Snow.
"Regina, I know the stuff that's between you in the past is difficult to set aside, for both of you. But Henry is lucky enough to have many people who love him and want to be involved in his life. That is something that I think both of us would have envied at his age, and I cannot think that we should deny him that."
Even more than the appeal to the lonely girl she had been, it was the plural pronouns that soothed Regina and pushed her to nod her agreement.
Emma grinned at her acquiescence and adopted a more mischievous grin before she turned Regina's face toward her with a finger to her chin.
"Besides, with the help of free baby-sitters, we'll have the opportunity to have some time alone" she waggled her eyebrows and smirked.
Regina shook her head but leaned in anyway, catching Emma's lips in a quick kiss.
"I'd better check the turkey and go get changed. Our guests should be here anytime now. If they come while I'm upstairs, would you please hang their coats and offer them a drink?"
"Your wish is my command, your majesty" Emma said as they both rose.
Regina spanked her playfully before grinning and heading into the kitchen.
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At six sharp the doorbell rang and Henry raced to open the door.
"Hi Grandma, Hi Gramps!"
"Hello Henry. You look handsome in your new sweater."
Henry beamed as he swept his arm to welcome them inside. Emma smiled warmly and asked to take their coats. Snow could not quite get past the strangeness of Emma hanging their coats in the mayor's closet, clearly very much at home. She forced a smile as she looked around the foyer.
Charming, sensing that this was a moment for Emma and his wife to spend in private, gave his daughter a quick hug before saying brightly "Henry, why don't you show me where I can put these presents?"
Left alone in the foyer, the two women descended into uncomfortable silence before snow said "Something smells delicious."
"Yeah. Regina really went all out; she's been working all day."
"It really was very nice for her to invite us."
"Um…would you like something to drink? There's wine or apple cider."
"Wine would be great."
Emma led her mother into the kitchen, feeling all the more awkward. She knew that Snow was upset that Henry and she were spending the night, but she felt unapologetic about it, so she didn't feel that there was any point to discussing it. Instead, she kept busy by pouring two glasses of chardonnay, cringing as she felt the dry liquor slide down her throat. She preferred sweeter wine, but under the circumstances, was happy for anything that might alleviate the tension.
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As Regina made her way down the stairs, she realized from the laughter coming from the study that Henry and Charming were enjoying their time together, but she did not hear Emma or Snow's voices. Wondering at this but deciding she really needed to check on dinner anyway she proceeded to the kitchen. She found mother and daughter giggling with an empty bottle of wine in front of them and another half already gone from a second bottle.
"My my, we seem to have caught the Christmas spirit."
Emma blushed as she realized abruptly just how intoxicated she was as she attempted to straighten up and lost her footing. "My mom was just telling me about the time that Leroy mistook the manger outside the convent for a restroom in front of the sisters and the children they were caroling with." She finished on another giggle.
"Ah yes, the drunken escapades of that dwarf are some of the more family-friendly Christmas tales from our beloved town" a sardonic smile twisted Regina's lips.
Finally paying attention enough to notice Regina's outfit Emma gapes at her appropriate but definitely sexy emerald green dress. Her eyes skim down the mayor's shapely legs before Regina pushes her chin up to close her mouth and murmurs "Eyes up dear, we have company" with a knowing smirk.
Snow pours herself another glass of wine, watching the exchange uncomfortably before interjecting "Your decorations are beautiful, Regina. And dinner smells fantastic. It was so kind of you invite us. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"No, thank you dear. I think we should be just about ready. If you'd like to gather the gentlemen from the living room, you can go ahead and be seated in the dining room."
Snow left to collect her husband and grandson. Emma let out a low whistle before saying "Wow, you look truly spectacular. Do I get to unwrap my present later?" She pulled Regina closer by her hips and kissed her neck.
"We'll have to see. Santa only comes for very good girls, after all. Now why don't you help me to carry the food into the dining room? Judging by Henry and your appetites, our guests will require feeding very soon."
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Despite earlier anxieties, dinner went surprisingly well. Regina had made abundant food and the whole party enjoyed filling their plates with seconds before declaring themselves stuffed. Henry kept the conversation lively asking for stories of adventures in Fairytale Land, which Snow and Charming were willing to provide.
At the start of the meal, Regina had remained mostly quiet, unsure how to participate in the excited chatter. She felt bolstered when Emma grasped her knee beneath the table and gave a reassuring squeeze. She interjected a story of her own from when she had been young and encountered a fairy while riding her horse. Even Snow had never heard the story and with all of them eagerly listening, Regina felt warmth spread through her like a tonic, bringing her out of herself and into the party.
After dinner, Snow and Charming insisted on helping to clean up and among the four adults, the food was put away and the dishes in the dishwasher in a short time. Henry was bouncing up and down with excitement that they had reached the gift-giving portion of the evening. He grabbed his mothers by the hand and dragged them both into the study, pushing them toward the sofa and situating himself on the floor at their feet. Snow and Charming sat together on the settee and Henry jumped back up to begin distributing gifts in piles before every person, his own being the largest.
As the adults opened their much smaller piles, they proudly displayed the tie and sweater Emma bought her parents, the hat and gloves Snow had knitted for Emma, and the gleaming sword Charming presented his daughter. Snow and Charming had brought Regina beautiful throw for her sitting room sofa and a very pretty scarf.
Out of anxiety over what might be contained in the packages, Snow and Charming left Regina's gifts for last. With a fleeting glance at one another Snow nodded to Charming to indicate that he should go ahead and open his. As Charming opened the long flat box, he expected to find inside another tie. He was delighted to discover instead gift cards to Storybrooke Adventure Park, which offered batting cages, laser tag, paint ball, mini golf, and arcade.
"I know that Snow had the opportunity to spend time with Emma when they returned to our land. I thought perhaps it was time for some father-daughter bonding." Regina looked vaguely uncomfortable, but gave a tentative smile as she spoke.
"I…don't know what to say. Thank you. How about it Emma? Willing to take on your old man?"
Emma's eyes were prickling as she looked at Regina and then her father saying quickly, "Absolutely, if you're ready to get your butt kicked. While you've been playing with puppies or whatever, I've been fighting ogres and zombies."
They all laughed at this and Snow felt her confidence boosted enough to open her own small package. As she lifted the lid and looked inside she gasped and raised her hand to her heart.
"But…this was left behind. How did you…"
"There were a few things I brought with me. I'm not sure why I held onto that in particular. Memories of a simpler time, I suppose." Regina's words were dismissive, but she worried her hands together in her lap.
Snow pulled out a beautiful antique-looking music box that had a painting of Snow White's childhood home across its porcelain top. She lifted the lid and they all listened silently to the enchanting melody that began. Snow's eyes filled with tears that she was unable to keep in check.
"It's beautiful, Mom, but why do I sense there's more to this story?"
Wiping her eyes and smiling, Snow explained "Regina gave this to me when I was a little girl. She knew that I was afraid to go to sleep in the dark and she said that the song would keep away bad spirits. It's one of the things I treasured most in my childhood."
Emma looked at Regina in awe. Regina for her part had now flushed bright red and was looking anywhere but at the three of them. She had wanted to communicate that she was trying to make amends, but she felt embarrassed at this open display of emotions.
Luckily, the mood was lifted as Henry, continuing to dig through his own pile of gifts exclaimed "The Avengers?! Awesome! Thanks Emma!"
With a tearful chuckle, Snow reached out and touched Regina's hand, waiting until she looked her in the face to say "Thank you, Regina."
Regina merely nodded in response before Emma thrust a small box toward her with a sheepish expression saying "Merry Christmas. I'm um…really new to this, so I hope you'll like it."
Regina smiled broadly at her and pulled back the wrapping paper to reveal a small jewelry box. She opened it to find a beautiful silver charm bracelet. As she looked at it more closely she saw that the charms represented a horse, an apple, baby shoes, a tree, a gavel, a crown, a heart, and a swan. She was silent for several moments, examining each charm with care.
Emma began to squirm anxiously, "I know it's not as fancy as the jewelry you usually wear and I know it's maybe sorta…" she stammered stupidly, blushing bright red and feeling her heart sink "But I thought that you could maybe build on it or…"
She stopped talking as Regina abruptly pulled her in and kissed her. While the kiss was chaste enough to be appropriate in front of Emma's parents and Henry, it communicated the deeper meaning behind it. Henry was oblivious, buried in his own presents, but Charming cleared his throat and Snow became teary-eyed again, remembering the same look on Regina's face when she was just a girl.
"I love it. Thank you." She tried to communicate with her eyes how sincerely she meant it.
Emma's heart beat faster from the kiss and she felt warm relief soak through her at the idea that she had gotten it right after all. She grinned madly when Regina held out her wrist asking her to clasp the bracelet for her. Fingers fumbling, she managed to attach it before they exchanged another broad smile.
Regina handed Emma her gift, which was considerably larger. Emma felt gleeful about opening it as she finally felt herself infected by the Christmas cheer. She tore at the paper with gusto and found herself holding a large leather-bound scrapbook. Her jaw dropped as she opened the page and found it filled with pictures of Henry from the time he had arrived in Storybrooke until the present. Among the pictures were assorted other items like a copy of his hand and foot prints he had made Regina for Mother's Day when he was three and in pre-school, his hospital bracelet from when he had fallen out of a tree when he was six and broken his leg, and a picture he had drawn when Emma had come to town of her wearing armor and carrying a sword. Everything from Henry's childhood that she had missed was represented in this book, but Emma saw little of it, her eyes too blurred by tears.
"When did you…how did you…I can't believe you did this for me."
"Before I had Henry, I was truly alone. He became the center of my whole world. I've kept everything he's ever made for me. I realized that I wouldn't have any of those things if you hadn't shared him with me. I thought it was time that I shared him with you."
Now even Charming was surreptitiously swiping at his cheeks as Snow openly wept and Emma merely stared at Regina with her eyes swimming. She pulled her in and rested her head against Regina's shoulder as she closed her eyes tight. She had no idea how to express emotions like the ones she was experiencing.
"Thank you" she whispered, knowing it wasn't nearly enough. She determined at that moment to return the care and trust that had been extended to her toward the fascinating and infinitely deep woman in her arms.
Pulling back but refusing to give up contact with Regina, Emma scooted closer and twined their fingers together as she pulled her feet up underneath her.
Henry had made short work of his pile, scattering wrapping paper around him and covering his sweater the bows he removed. The adults in the room looked on with great affection as he played Vanna White, displaying his comic books, video games, and a number of toys. As he opened his final gift he frowned, looking confused. It was a large, leather-bound book, much like his beloved Once Upon a Time, but its pages were blank. He looked up confused.
"Is this like a secret message or something? Does it have to be revealed by magic?"
"No Henry," Regina replied with a soft smile, "It just seemed to me that your previous book deserved a sequel. This time you can write down the stories and tell how they really end."
Henry's face changed from confusion to joy as he realized that sometimes the "Happily Ever After" fails to complete the story, and this was his chance to change that. As he looked around at his mothers curled up together on the couch and at his grandparents, rubbing noses together on the settee, he decided that Happily Ever After couldn't nearly cover how things turned out sometimes.