Emma eyes darted nervously around the table, still not really believing she was actually there and not in her bed dreaming.
The dining room table in her and Mary Margaret's loft was currently packed to the extent, a separate and smaller square one even positioned at the end of it. And why, would one ask, was a table that once dined only one, then two, and finally four was currently be occupied by nine? There was only one simple answer to that; Henry.
The one boy who was the only connection between the nine differing people was the reason they were swallowing down any past resentments and conflicts and actually attempting to have what they called a family dinner. Family being the keyword.
It had all been innocent at first. Henry had been rescued from the darkness of Neverland and the clutches of Pan and they had all managed to make it safely home on the back of Pan's shadow. The welcome party waiting on the docks had been grand, the happiness overflowing, and not one unhappy face in sight. It was then things began to slowly but surely go downhill.
The awkward moment of whom Henry was to go home with arose, the boy guiltily looking between his two mothers with no clue on what to do. To make things worse Neal had then wandered over, putting Henry in an even more uncomfortable position.
It was then Snow swooped in, more than happy to save the day. "Why doesn't Henry go home with Regina tonight and then bring him to our place tomorrow where she can join us all for dinner?"
Everyone's eyes seemed to widen at that suggestion.
"Oh, well, if that's okay with you Henry…?" Regina looked hesitantly down at her son.
The wide grin on the boy's face was all the answer she needed. "It sounds great!" But just as everyone thought the conversation was over Henry then tugged insistently at Emma's hand. "Dad can come too right? For dinner I mean?"
Emma's eyes darted nervously over to Neal who was trying not to look so hopeful. He was failing miserably. Things had been weird enough between them once he had found out about her and Hook, she wasn't sure if this dinner would help or hurt. But, considering Neal didn't look particularly opposed to the suggestion, she gave a tight smile and nodded her head. "Of course he can. If he even wants to that is…?"
"Sure buddy I'll be there." Neal promised, ruffling Henry's hair.
"Great! You could bring Grandpa too!"
Oh great. Regina tried to hide her groan while Snow tried to mask the panic on her face at now having to host more than expected. Charming, now fully part of the conversation, sighed in exasperation.
"Oh, well if that's okay?" Neal asked Snow.
"Y-Yes of course. The more the merrier!" Snow assured, even though she looked more than hesitant. Still, the smile on her face looked genuine enough. "And bring Belle of course too. Couldn't have a big family dinner without her."
When the docks had finally begun to clear out, everyone leaving with still smiling faces, Emma tried not to be too sad as she watched Henry leave with Regina. She was his mother too, she had to remind herself, and at least she had her parents to go home with tonight. Had Henry gone with them that would have left Regina all alone.
"So love, am I invited to this little swarray tomorrow as well?"
The fact that he even had to ask earned him a smack in the back of the head.
So here they all were, trying their best to make it through the night without any "mishaps". Considering the truce they had set up in Neverland one would have thought a simple dinner would be more then easy.
"Emma, could you please pass the biscuits?" Belle asked politely, breaking her from her thoughts.
Emma forced herself back the present and fulfilled the request with what she hoped looked like a genuine smile.
"So it feels to good be back home, doesn't it?" Snow began casually, the silence finally too much to withstand anymore. "I've never been so happy to see a bathroom in my life."
"Tell me about it, I've taken four showers so far." Henry chuckled.
"What's this shower you speak of lad?" Hook inquired as he sipped at his glass of wine. While he rather much preferred him rum both Snow and Emma had shot him down but once their backs had turned Charming had promised to let him in on his secret stash after dinner. "I've never heard the term before."
"Really?" Henry asked incredulously. "It's like bath just more, um, modern I guess? The water falls on top of you from a pipe, kinda like rain."
"Rain? Who would want to bathe in rain?"
Neal and Rumple both shared a snicker which Belle silently scolded them for.
"It's better than that," Emma cut in helpfully. "It's focused and has pressure. And you can change the temperature which what makes it so great."
"Hot rain then?" Hook said unsurely, apparently still not grasping the idea properly.
Emma waved her hand. "I'll just show you tomorrow."
Hook leaned in close to her ear, subtle enough that he didn't look odd but close enough that Emma involuntarily shivered when his breath fanned across her skin. "Offering to bathe with me darling? I like the sound of that."
Unfortunate for him, he hadn't whispered good enough and Charming was seated at his opposite side. The Prince paled slightly at the comment before he elbowed the pirate right in the ribs. "Sorry about that mate," He growled through clenched teeth. "And I'll show you how to work it tomorrow. I think it'd be a little more…appropriate."
Despite the physical offense, Hook shot him a saucy smirk and wink. "Always knew you fancied me mate."
"Ahem" Snow sent the two men looks. "Can we focus on the dinner please?"
"And what a lovely dinner it is m'lday," Hook charmed easily. He seemed to have a natural knack for it. "I especially enjoy the way you've roasted the poultry."
"Chicken cutlets are my favorite." Henry piped up before shoving a large piece in his mouth.
"Me too buddy!" Neal grinned. "I'll make it for you sometime. Snow, you make it pretty good, but I think I could give you a run for your money."
Regina raised an eyebrow. "Really? Challenging Snow White at cooking?"
"Yea, don't think you're going to win that one." Charming chuckled.
"You should try her cookies." Henry grinned. "They're absolutely the best."
"I would love the recipe." Belle inquired. "I don't really seem to have a knack cookies. Cakes I'm fine at but cookies, it just isn't pretty."
Rumple lovingly squeezed his love's hand. "I think your cookies are fine dear."
She laughed at the comment. "Rumple, no need to lie to make me feel better."
"So glad to be a part of all this…love." Regina commented dryly. But when Henry playfully nudged her shoulder she softened and placed a gentle kiss on his head.
So, maybe dinner wasn't so bad. The awkwardness at the beginning had apparently been the worse part or maybe just the fear that this would all just go south. Yea, that had definitely been the worse part. But as Emma watched all the decently pleasant faces around her and how happy Henry was, she couldn't really remember why she had been so afraid to begin with. And when Hook's hand snuck under the table to entwine with her own, the idea of future family dinner with more permanent future family members seemed more than a great idea.
Author's Note: Before you get the pitch forks and torches out, I know it's been ages and that for a last chapter this is incredibly short. I am truly sorry! But I think the story has run it's course and my heart really isn't in it anymore. But thank you so much to everyone who supported and loved it, all the way to the last word, it really means a lot and had made this a blast to write. To anyone who is interested, I do have more Once Upon stories, just check my homepage. Again, thanks for the views and hope you enjoyed it!