I was blown away by the response the last chapter received and I want to thank everyone who took the time to read, review, follow and favourite because it's so nice to know that you all still like the story! I hope I can still keep it interesting for you! :)

Alas, I don't own OUAT.

The bright light of the morning seeped through the blinds and illuminated the room. Snow didn't want to move just yet; the cocoon of her covers too warm and too perfect to break. She extended an arm over to the other side of the bed to find it empty and in confusion, she managed to haul herself out of the stronghold and arch her back upright to scan her bedroom for her missing husband. She had endured too many nights of not sleeping next to him to miss out on them now.

"David?" she called. No answer.

Groaning and mumbling to herself, the brunette grudgingly threw off her blankets and stepped out of the bed, fixing her top as it exposed the side of her hip to the cold. As she passed by the mirror next to her locker, she paused to examine her frame and what she saw didn't sit well with her. Her raven hair had decided to sprout up in inexplicable areas, her eyes were bloodshot and dreary like she hadn't rested them all her life, and her skin was paler than…well, snow. Hoping to somehow revitalise her appearance, she smacked her cheeks lightly and pulled them back and forth.

"What on earth are you doing?" Snow hadn't heard the whoosh of the curtain drawing back nor the entrance of her daughter. From the reflection in the mirror, the blonde looked much better than yesterday, and much to Snow's delight, the colour had returned to her cheeks giving her a healthier complexion. Needless to say her daughter looked better than she did.

"Oh, I…I was just, you know, trying to wake myself up."

Emma slinked under the drape and further into the room to stand beside the woman. "Haven't you had enough of mirrors?" she asked incredulously.

Snow straightened, realising she was inches from the glass. "Yeah," she affirmed starkly, "I am." Grabbing a loose blanket near to her, Snow flung the fabric over the mirror and twirled so as to have her back to it. "No more mirrors," she said, her voice barely audible.

"Good," Emma nodded with a warm smile. "Nice hair, by the way," she added, trying to hold back a snigger.

The woman narrowed her stare. "Shut up," she said with such seriousness that Emma could no longer contain the laughter that threatened to spill out of her, but to her pleasant surprise it didn't take long for the brunette to join in. It was so nice to share such a light, happy moment with her daughter considering that the majority of time they had spent together mainly consisted of trying to save each other's lives and making it back home so they could start anew. Now, things were starting to look brighter for the future. "How are you feeling?" Snow contributed softly after the giggles had died down, pressing down the stray tufts of hair in self-consciousness.

The blonde crossed her arms and offered an unassuming shrug. "I'm getting there. I actually slept last night - which is pretty miraculous, and my heart's, well, it's still there so I guess that's a good sign." She unconsciously moved a free hand to her heart as if protecting it.

Snow could tell Emma was still wary of her heart and the pain that she had been experiencing and in all honesty, Snow didn't know anything about the after effects of a heart being ripped out – or not being ripped out as the case may be and felt completely helpless in the situation. She didn't know what to do to make everything better, to make everything okay. And that hurt. Not being able to help her child was more excruciating than she ever thought it would be. All she could do was repeat reassurances and hope and pray that Emma believed them and that they would prove true.

Utilising her motherly instinct, Snow closed the gap between them and lightly placed her hand over that of her daughter's. "Of course it is; you are going to be fine. Trust me, I know these things."

"Yeah? How do you know?"

The brunette's eyes widened whimsically. "Because you, Emma Swan, don't let anything stop you from living your life the way you want to. You're a fighter, and you're stubborn, and you know how to take care of yourself. You're going to be back to yourself in no time."

You know how to take care of yourself. She gazed into her daughter's eyes and felt that pang of hurt and sorrow that accompanied the realisation that Emma did not need her the way other daughters needed their mothers. She hated that feeling but she understood that having her daughter now was unbelievably better than never having her at all, and she was going to make the most out of it for the rest of her life. She removed her hand and took a step back, not wanting to invade too much of Emma's personal space; she was aware that a step too far could lead to a full lockdown.

"Where's David and Henry?" she inquired curiously, knitting her eyebrows together and remembering why she was out of the warm safety of her bed.

Emma laughed once, relaxing her pose and plopping down onto the corner of the bed. "Henry woke me to inform me that he and David were going to get a Christmas tree for the apartment. Apparently the fake one you have isn't going to make the cut this year."

"There's nothing wrong with my little tree!" Snow retorted. She had that artificial tree for…as long as she could remember – twenty-eight years, she assumed – and it had been a perfectly fine addition to her home during the holiday season…whenever that came around. With the curse and frozen time, pinpointing out times of the year was a difficult task. Snow couldn't even remember a Christmas in Storybrooke without it being a little hazy, a little jaded. Fabricated memories, no doubt.

"Woah, easy there. Don't shoot the messenger!" Emma defended, raising her hands in the air as a joke. "Besides, I think the kid wants to assume his role as a man of the house. I guess fetching a Christmas tree falls neatly into that category."

"Not to mention the fact that those two are pretty much inseparable now so whatever David does, Henry's not too far behind. It's really sweet, actually. I suppose when you look at it in a weird, twisted way, our going away has done some kind of good; particularly when it comes to the men in our family."

"And the women, too," Emma added without a beat. All too quickly did she realise what she had let slip out. "Well, you know, we worked well together as a team," she rationalized whilst toying with the end of her white tank top.

The fact that Emma's justification had nothing to do with their obvious strengthening bond rocked Snow more than she thought, but instead of letting it be and settle in the air, she felt the need to say what was on her mind. Just for once. "And we got to spend some quality time together – albeit a stressful time but I think – no, I know – that we've gotten closer. That we've started to become a family. So maybe when we look back on our time there we can remember that all of the bad experiences led to a place where we could finally mark the beginning of the life we've always wanted." She could have added more and turn the moment into something much more heartfelt but she didn't want to take it there. Now wasn't the time. "So how about some breakfast? I can whip you up something if you like?" she offered, changing the subject.

"No, no, I'm good."

"You're going to pass up on my speciality? Really?" she questioned dramatically. Snow knew exactly how to tempt the blonde.

"You mean chunky chocolate nut flapjacks? With extra…?" Emma's striking eyes glistened as she pounced up from the bed.

"Chocolate? The very ones."

"Now that you mention it, I am a bit peckish."

"I was hoping you'd say that," Snow said, a loving beam breaking out on her face. "Come on."

She didn't have to tell Emma twice.

"Woah, easy there, Henry! I need you to be my eyes so you gotta stop running ahead of me!" David panted as he struggled with the six-foot-tall Christmas tree the boy insisted on buying for their quaint home. David was strong but it was the first time he ever had to lug something of this size up some flights of stairs and the exertion was taking its toll. He was lucky he was able to climb the stairs with the evergreen blocking his view.

"Sorry," Henry excitedly replied. "I just can't wait to see their faces when they see the tree we picked."

At that David had to chuckle. Ever since Snow and Emma had returned, Henry had been trying to prove himself as a 'Charming'…if that was even a thing. Apparently being a 'Charming' consisted of taking charge of all of the household duties and of course, looking after the Charming women. It brought a smile to the man's face whenever he thought of how close he and Henry had become through an extremely difficult time and he was thankful every day for the chance to get to know his grandson. Plus, it was always nice to have another man around the house.

Though he couldn't say he was too thrilled with the latest decoration to the apartment as the muscles in his arms burned like they were on the verge of exploding. His face red, he moved his head to the left to get a clear view of the kid. "Okay, buddy, can you open the door for me please?" He hoped he didn't look as strained as his voice sounded.

"You got it, Gramps."

Happy with his duty, Henry put the key in the lock and turned the doorknob, opening the door. "Mom! Snow! We're back!" His exuberance was infectious and David found himself pounding his feet onto the steps faster to make it to the top of the flight. With a last ditch attempt at focusing all of his energy, he spurt through the open door, losing his balance at the last hurdle and falling flat onto the hardwood floor bringing down the tree with him with an almighty thud.

The few seconds that followed his little accident were silent as if everyone was collecting their breath. It was Emma who broke the curse – as usual. "Are you okay?" she asked, whilst chuckling lowly, as David had remained glued to the floor, showered in pine needles.

"Never better," he groaned and within no time, his ever faithful wife was by his side helping him back onto his feet. Her touch was soft and gentle; familiar. The slightest of touches from her electrified his veins – she had always had that effect on him, and he knew everything about Snow, inside and out. He didn't even have to look at her face to know that inside she was giggling like a young schoolgirl and there was no way he was going to give his daughter or grandson the satisfaction of seeing him embarrassed at his little mishap. So, he threw back his shoulders, brushed off the loose needles off his clothes and straightened his face. "It was heavy," he simply stated, keeping his back turned to them as he wrapped his arms underneath the tree and readied himself for the weight he was about to haul upwards.

"No, wait, let us help you," Emma proposed, immediately at the top of it, her hands searching for the best place to lift from.

"I appreciate the offer, Emma, but I have it; it's okay."

"No, I'm going to help." She was persistent.

David sighed. "Emma, please…"

"We'll all help," Snow interjected chirpily as if she was dying in anticipation for something the whole family could do together. All David aimed to do was bring the Christmas tree home for his family and he couldn't even manage that. Not so much Prince Charming in this world was he? "Won't we?"

"Yeah, definitely!" Henry exclaimed buoyantly, practically jumping at the chance to assert his status as a man.

There was no point in arguing or defending his stance; David was fully aware that he'd be fighting a losing battle. "Okay," he relented, "Henry you go join your mom at the top and Snow, honey, you take the right-hand side."

The four of them manned their positions and on the count of three raised the shrub off the floor into a somewhat stable upright station. David took a step backward to examine their work. Enclosing his mouth between his pointer finger and thumb, he cocked his head to the right and then to the left, his eyes squinted in deep concentration.

"Well…?" Emma asked when he hadn't spoken after a few moments. "Are we going to move it into the corner or not?"

"Why would you want to put such a beautiful tree in a dark corner where its potential will be hidden?"

"Potential? It's a tree!" The blonde cried incredulously. "We can't just leave it in the middle of the room!"

David smirked at his daughter's resolve, a part of him enjoying the fact that she was getting riled up so easily. She was so much like her mother – and him, too, he noted with a gleam in his eye. "Why not?"

"Because…well, because…" Ah, so sometimes Emma could be rendered speechless. Good to know. The Prince exchanged a wry glance with his wife who was clearly finding this little discussion rather amusing. Hair off her face, hands on hips, a mischievous grin creeping to the surface. It was official; Snow White was the most alluring person he had ever laid eyes on. And she was his. Forever. "Because it's not normal; people don't leave a six-foot tall bush standing in the centre of their home. It's just in the way and…distracting."

The tone of Emma's voice reminded David of how a teenager would talk or complain about whatever embarrassing thing their parents had decided to do that particular day and he couldn't help but be happy that he could experience a moment like that despite his daughter being older than a teen. "Emma, take a look around you. What part of this family looks normal to you?" he laughed. "We're the same age; our grandson is ten years old. We're not a normal family and we never will be. And I for one love that we're different." He moved over and tenderly laid his hands on the woman's shoulders. "I don't want to be like everyone else. Why would anybody want to be like anybody else? That's just boring."

Emma seemed to ponder his little speech quietly before raising her eyebrow. "All that because the tree is heavy and you didn't want to move it, huh?"

Stubborn and perceptive – a deadly combination. "I guess you caught me. But I did mean what I said."

"I like it there," Henry chimed with his usual sunny disposition.

"Me, too," Snow agreed, circling the boy with her arms.

"Then its settled; three against one. The tree stays put." David crossed his arms in victory.

"Whatever," Emma said trying to sound bothered but failing enormously. She seemed quite content with the decision.

"Now," David clapped and rubbed his hands together, "time to start decorating."

The room filled with melodic sounds of the classic Christmas songs and carols Emma had known her whole life as they all gathered around the festive addition to their home. Box after box of decorations were hung on the branches – some flung on in the hope that they would hold – and lights were being untangled and then thrown around the tree in some kind of strange pattern. Emma didn't do stuff like this; stuff like this irritated her to the point where she couldn't stand the thought of it. She hadn't decorated a Christmas tree since she was about eight-years-old and she lived with a really nice foster family for about two years. They loved the holiday season and were exceedingly jolly at that time of year. There was eggnog, Christmas cookies and cupcakes, a fire lighting and some favourite movie on in the background. It was exactly what Emma imagined a perfect Christmas looked like and though that time was her favourite time of the year, she always felt like something was missing. Like she was an intruder in a personal time for the family – she didn't feel like a part of that family. It was thoughts like that that ruined her love of the season and so, when she got older, she didn't feel the need to participate in any of the celebratory rituals. She didn't see the point; it was for families and she didn't have one.

Until now.

Now, she couldn't wipe the smile off her face as Henry skipped around the place, ecstatic to be doing absolutely anything. The smile on his face was enough to keep hers plastered in place. Mary Margaret and David looked so at ease with one another, like they had never been separated in the first place as they iced the cake they made together. Yes it was all very commercial and the usual eye-roll from Emma was appropriate but she realised she didn't care. This felt right.

"Okay I think I've finally finished the lights," Emma alerted her parents who were eating more icing than using it. She studied her job and made a few more adjustments by the time Mary Margaret had drawn near to her. Putting lights on the tree was a whole new world to Emma and she was pretty sure she'd made an absolute mess of them. Not to mention that the task itself was highlighting how tired she was. Was she ever going to feel awake again?

"Right, are we all ready?" David asked, his hand hovering over the light switch. Each one of them nodded, with Henry's being the most excited. "Here we go."

It was amazing how uplifting a few lights lobbed around a tree could make someone. There was just something so magical about that moment when they turn on and create this glowing hue around the room. It almost makes everything feel safe; like no matter what darkness threatens, the lights will protect, guard. It was just so comforting.

Emma swallowed, getting emotional. She felt Mary Margaret take her hand and intertwine their fingers. She must have felt it, too. They were home.

"Wow, it's beautiful," the blonde remarked.

"Good job, Mom," Henry smiled. She reached over and slinked her arm around his far shoulder and pulled him to her side.

"Thanks, kid."

Okay so I wanted this chapter to be a little more fluffy and a little more thoughtful so I hope you guys liked that! Don't worry, there will be some form of plot forming from the start of the next chapter but I don't think I'm going to abandon the fluff anytime soon; but I can't promise that there won't be angst…because I just love writing angst! Haha anywho I really do hope you all liked it and please, please review and let me know what you thought :)