Another day, another chapter. Hope you guys are still enjoying this one! :) Thanks again to my lovely beta, and to all of you who continue to read, review and favorite!

Holiday Spirit

Chapter 16

David found himself literally twiddling his thumbs as he sat in the chair across the bed from Regina. It had become an awkward silence soon after they'd settled down. He'd kissed Isabella's forehead gently, running a hand over her head, careful not to wake her. Her hair was still back in a braid like it was every night, but instead of the Christmas pajamas he was now so familiar with, she was in a hospital gown. The sight of her sleeping so peacefully calmed him slightly, but that hospital gown reminded him how easily something could have happened.

"I'm coming home," he said suddenly, watching Isabella's chest rise and fall softly with her breaths.

"Home?"

When David finally managed to lift his gaze, he found Regina looking at him with an indecipherable expression on her face. "To the house. With our children," he clarified. He chuckled and shook his head. "I can't believe that I'd ever come to calling a house with you home, but that's what it's become over this last week." He saw her expression falter a bit, and this time, he wanted to take that doubt and hurt away. "I didn't mean it like that," he told her. "I mean I did, but," he faltered. Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair, studying the floor before meeting her eyes again. "I'm really bad at this, I'm sorry. What I mean is that you're different. From who you were before, yes, but mostly from who I expected you to be. With our kids..." God how odd was that to say?"With our kids, you're a mother, and you're a great one." Her eyes widened, and he felt his heart pick up speed at the nerves of telling her all of this, but he'd started and he may as well keep going. "You're so wonderful with them, and I don't know how you've done all of this. I'm so sorry I haven't been better. For you or for them. This has all been so strange, and I guess I was trying to hold onto the only things I found familiar, and this..." he gestured at the hospital room around them. "This has made me realize how unfair that was to all of you, and how damaging it was. I want to be better for them, and I want to help you out. I hope that you'll let me."

Regina opened her mouth, but she couldn't find the words to say, she was so taken aback. For once, when faced with David, she was speechless.

"I know I've been awful to you," David told her. "I said horrible things, I didn't acknowledge you were going through the same things as I was, and I abandoned you. I'd understand if you didn't want me around more than I already am, but I'm asking you for the chance to make it up to you and the kids."

Still floundering for words, Regina eventually cleared her throat and managed to speak. "I think it wouldn't be fair for the children if I said no. Isabella especially. She needs you. And I... I wouldn't mind the help," she finished quietly. Sitting up straighter, she narrowed her eyes a bit at him. "What will Snow White say to you living with the Evil Queen?"

"Mary Margaret will have to understand," David said bluntly. Realizing how awful it sounded to speak of his wife that way, he felt the need to explain. "Henry's right. We haven't been the same since we came back from Neverland. Snow stopped trusting me, and this situation hasn't helped the problem any. Nights with her haven't been easy. I spend my days at the house, and she spends time with the man from out of town. I don't know if things between us will ever go back to the way they were before." He paused, staring intensely at a spot on the wall over Regina's shoulder, losing himself in his thoughts. "We're both different people now." He swallowed and then realized whom he'd just told all of this to. His eyes snapped to hers and there was a sudden edge of fear; fear that Regina would judge him and store that information away to use against them at some point later down the line.

Taking him completely by surprise, she softened. "People change. I admit I never expected it from the two of you, but it happens. I'm sure that you'll be able to work it out one way or another. If you've proven one thing over the years, it's that you're disgustingly resilient."

He smiled and she bit back one of her own.

"I suppose that's true. Had to be with you for an enemy. I must say I'm not unhappy about having you on our side now. It makes it a little easier to sleep at night."

She let out a small laugh. "I wouldn't call us friends, but I'll admit the... tolerance... has been nice."

His smile saddened just a bit, but he nodded. "Maybe eventually we'll be able to call each other friends."

Their eyes met again and she studied him carefully. "Perhaps."

They fell into another silence, this one much more comfortable than the first. They both watched their sleeping daughter and after several minutes, David spoke again.

"She looks just like you." The statement held a bit of wonder; it was so odd to see such a young and innocent version of Regina. It made him want to know more about the woman herself. How had she been as a child? Had she ever been that carefree and happy?

Regina nodded, a sparkle of amazement glinting in her eyes as she looked back at Isabella. "I can't believe she's mine when I look at her, but there's no question. I can feel it - the connection you have with your children - and she looks exactly as I did at her age. I just wish I knew about her. I feel guilty when they call me mommy and I don't remember them. Carrying them, giving birth to them, their first steps, first words. And I want to remember all of it. I've never..." she shook her head, her eyes welling slightly as she fought against the urge to cry. "I didn't think I could ever have this," she said instead of what she'd wanted to say. She was already showing more vulnerability than she wanted.

Sensing how uncomfortable Regina had become, David didn't push her on the subject – as much as he wanted to know more. He found himself thinking that he honestly didn't know anyone who could make a better mother. Instead of telling her, he sighed as he closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair.

"I want you to be there."

He opened his eyes again to see Regina looking unsure and watched her with a bit of confusion.

"Home, I mean," she clarified. "I didn't give you the most solid answer, but yes. They need it, I need it. And maybe working together is what that woman was talking about. If we put our difficulties behind us, we'd have a better chance of ending this magic."

He nodded, and though it went unsaid, they both understood that they didn't want it as badly as they had before.

"Goodnight, Regina," he said softly.

"Goodnight."