Our First Christmas Together

"Okay, so I made a special trip to Storybrooke just to get these. You're going to flip," Regina said, carrying in a plate of gingerbread cookies into her living room.

Robin looked up from where she had him untangling her Christmas lights and his face lit up. "The Muffin Man?"

"The Muffin Man," she confirmed, putting the plate down. She watched as he grabbed a cookie and took a bite. His eyes fluttered closed and he let out a soft groan. Giddy, Regina prodded: "Well?"

"Their bakers are magic. That's the only explanation why they can keep making baked goods that taste like heaven." Robin took another cookie off the plate.

She chuckled before pressing play on her DVD player. "Nothing starts off the holiday season quite like Love Actually. Don't you agree?"

"I've never seen it," he replied, putting aside the now untangled Christmas lights. He turned back to grab another strand when he caught sight of Regina's face, which she knew was a mixture of shock and horror. Robin frowned. "What's wrong?"

"You've never seen Love Actually?"

"No."

"But you're British!"

"So? I was already living here in the States when it came out."

"But you love romantic comedies. This is sentimental, sappy and pure romance. Everything that screams you."

He chuckled, pulling her close. "I'll take that as a compliment, lovely."

"It is," she replied. "Because this is arguably one of the best Christmas movies of all time."

Regina pulled him onto the couch. "Okay, I'm going to make us hot chocolate, load up on the gingerbread cookies and then you're going to watch this movie properly. Got it?"

"Yes, ma'am," he sassed her, pulling out the blanket she kept by her couch for cold nights. Once she had everything she deemed necessary for a Christmas movie night, he wrapped them in it and held her as the movie started.

As the credits rolled at the end, Robin's lips found her neck and began sucking. Her hand snaked up to entangle itself in his hair as she let out a moan. "I take it you liked it?"

"Oh yes," he replied. "It was right up my alley."

He eased her down until she was lying on her back and he could hover over her. "Watching all those love stories reminded me of how much I love you."

She smiled, toying with the hem of his shirt. "Oh? And how much is that?"

"So much," he leaned down, kissing her neck again, "I think I'd explode from it."

Regina gasped as he found her pressure point, fisting his shirt as he began to suck in earnest. She slipped her other hand underneath, running it over his toned chest until she got to one of his nipples. One little tweak has him grinding against her, letting her feel how hard he was already for her.

"Do you want to explode in here or in my bedroom?" she asked, voice low and husky.

He pulled away, standing up. Before she could protest the loss of his heat against her body, Robin scooped her into his arms. She adjusted herself, wrapping her legs around him as she kissed him hard on the mouth.

Regina loved the fact that he could navigate through her apartment without breaking their kisses, that he knew it almost as well as he knew his own. She was almost as knowledgeable about the space he shared with John, able to creep around in the dark on nights when she crashed at his place.

He laid her down on the bed, pulling off his shirt with one quick motion. It got tossed into the corner of the room, her own shirt soon joining it. Robin made quick work of her bra, taking one breast in his mouth as he began to massage the other. She began to buck against him, rubbing against his leg to create the right friction. Her already wet panties were pushed aside, allowing the seam to rub against her clit in just the right way.

Robin kissed down her body, dipping his tongue into her navel for a moment, before coming to the waistband of her jeans. He popped open the button and pulled down the zipper, causing her to let out a sound of disappointment as the material no longer brushed her clit. As he pulled her jeans down, she slid her finger between her soaked folds and picked up the slack.

"So beautiful," he said, kneeling between her legs. He ran his palms against her legs as he watched her pleasure herself. "I can't believe you're mine."

"Feeling's mutual." She leaned up, wrapping a hand behind his neck. He leaned closer to her lips but she applied a gentle pressure, guiding him further down. Robin chuckled as he gave her clit a slow lick. Once. Twice. She moaned. "Oh, god."

As he started to suck at her clit, she flopped back down on the bed. She closed her eyes, feeling the familiar pleasure building inside her. Electricity coursed through her veins and as stars exploded behind her eyes, she cried out his name.

They laid entwined in bed, Robin peppering her forehead with soft kisses. She had her eyes closed as her fingers stroked his beard. "What was your favorite story? In the movie?"

"Well, I have to say I did identify with the man who left Britain and found incredible sex in America."

She pinched his side and he squirmed away from her. "I'm serious," she said.

"Sorry, love." He pulled her close again, kissing her forehead. "Jamie and Aurelia's, hands down. Yours?"

"While I love the scene where Mark professes his undying love to Juliet, I must admit I'm actually partial to John and Judy's."

He scrunched his brows as he asked. "Wait, were they the ones filming the porno?"

"They were the stand ins, yeah."

"Why?" He didn't sound judgmental but rather curious.

She smiled, curling against his side. "Because they got to really know each other. Because they were able to open up to each other and tell the other everything. No judgments, just acceptance. I feel that way with you."

"The same." He kissed her, stroking her hair. "And it feels weird that I like the story that could be the complete opposite. John and Judy feel in love because they communicated, Jamie and Aurelia fell in love despite not being able to communicate."

Regina nodded. "But they fell in love with each other's quirks and nonverbal personalities. Like how I love the fact you have a kit just to carve jack o'lanterns. Or how your eyes light up when you get really excited about something and how you bite your lower lip when you're really, really happy."

"I love how you get absorbed in a crossword puzzle, your tongue sticking out as you concentrate. And I love that really good cookies can make you giddy. I also love the fact that once we get out of this bed, you're going to pick up all our clothes and put them away."

She groaned. "I don't love the thought of getting out of this bed."

"And why would we do that?" But his stomach growled loudly and he grinned sheepishly.

She laughed. "That's a pretty good reason. Come on, I'll make us some mac and cheese."

"Then we can come back to bed?" Robin wiggled his eyebrows.

Regina rolled her eyes. "You're incorrigible, Robin Locksley."

"Can you blame me? Look at my bedmate." He kissed her hand.

"Keep talking and you won't even get the mac and cheese because then I really will have not motivation to leave this bed."

"I still fail to see a downside." Yet another growl came from his stomach and he grimaced. "Except that seems to disagree."

She climbed out of bed, retrieving the jersey from her drawer. Regina pulled it on and found her slippers. As she picked up their clothes, she asked: "You coming or staying?"

"Can you hand me my jeans?" He held out his hand, taking the article of clothing Regina handed him. "I'll be right out, lovely."

"Don't take too long." She shoved the clothes into a drawer, winking at him before heading out to her kitchen to start their favorite meal.

Though they had planned to go back to bed after dinner, Robin instead returned to her living room and finished untangling her lights. He picked a strand up. "Shall we hang these in the window."

"Absolutely not," she replied, frowning. "Those are tree lights."

"There's a difference?"

"Yes, there's a difference." Regina pulled out a few other strands. "These are smaller and fit the windows better."

He nodded, putting the strand he held down. "I see that now. I also see you have only multicolored lights."

"Yes. Is that a problem?"

"No, of course not. It's just…I don't know, John and I thought you'd be a white lights kind of person."

She frowned. "That's not very festive now, is it?"

"No, it's not," he agreed. "Now, is there a particular strand you prefer in your bedroom?"

"Now you're just sassing me." She snapped the dish towel at him.

Robin dodged it, laughing. "Can you blame me? You look so cute when you're annoyed."

"You're lucky you're just cute in general." She gave him a little shove. "Go, put the lights up in my room. I'll pull some more decorations out."

He left the room and she darted to her front closet, pulling out the red bag she had hidden in there right before he had gotten to her apartment. She carried it back over as she positioned herself by the couch, waiting for him to return.

When Robin emerged from her bedroom, she held out the bag to him. "I got this for you."

"A present? Are we doing the twelve days of Christmas? Because I have to say it might be a bit difficult to find a partridge in a pear tree."

"You are really on point with your sass today. Someone ate his Wheaties." Without waiting for his comeback, she shook the bag. "Do you want the present or not?"

Robin grabbed the bag and bit his lower lip, pulling out the festive tissue paper until he got to the present inside. He pulled out a red velvet stocking with a fluffy white top. Embroidered there in gold lettering was "Robin."

"It's for us to hang here and then to bring to my parents' house," she explained. "I wanted you to have your own stocking."

"Regina, this is…" He paused and she thought he was choked up. Robin leaned over, kissing her instead.

She smiled into the kiss, pulling him down onto the couch with her. He shifted so she wasn't bearing most of his weight. They cuddled together as Regina wrapped around him. "I wanted you to feel part of the family. Because you are," she said.

"Family," he whispered, a distant look in his eyes.

Regina held her breath, wondering if she went too far. She knew Robin was "The One," the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. But they hadn't discussed marriage beyond comments about their dream weddings at Marian's wedding months ago. She didn't know if he felt the same, if he was ready to consider it. Had she moved too fast?

He smiled, kissing her forehead. "We're a family," he agreed.

Tears pricked her eyes as her heart sped up. "You and me?"

"Together," he confirmed. "I love you so much, Regina."

"I love you too." She wiped her tears as she rested her ear over his heart. He was thinking of a future with her. Perhaps she was "The One" for him as well.

Robin nuzzled her. "Are we putting up the decorations? Or would you rather we stay here and cuddle? Because I'm all for cuddling."

"You know what? Cuddling sounds perfect." Regina closed her eyes as he shifted them into a more comfortable position on the couch. "We can always decorate in the morning."

Gold always held the company holiday party on the second Thursday of December. He felt it was early enough that people wouldn't have already started taking off to celebrate the holidays with family but not too early that it wouldn't feel festive. The party was held in the office building, in a hall on the third floor. Food was catered by a top rated restaurant and there was always music.

Regina changed from her pantsuit into her red dress in her office. She smoothed down the pencil skirt and toyed with her neckline, wondering if maybe she was showing too much cleavage for a work affair. But the halter style top showed off Robin's necklace the best, so she decided to throw caution to the wind.

Laughter floated through the door and she smiled. Robin and David had arrived, she figured, and were waiting to escort her and Mary Margaret to the party. Excited, Regina grabbed a sweater and her clutch before hurrying to join the others outside.

Robin's laughter died in his throat and his eyes widened when he saw her. She saw him visibly swallow as he strode toward her. "That dress should be illegal," he whispered.

"Glad you liked it," she replied, kissing him.

David wrapped his arm around Mary Margaret's waist. "Shall we go downstairs? Get this party started?"

Robin pulled away, taking Regina's hand. "So I'm going to know most of the people down there, right?"

"For the most part," Mary Margaret said. "We invited a lot of them to our Halloween party."

"And you'll finally get to meet Zelena. Enjoy that pleasure," David said, sarcasm dripping from the last word.

Robin raised an eyebrow. "Is she really that bad?"

The others didn't respond and he took a deep breath. "Well, I hope I get it over with early on. Let's go."

Gold greeted them as they stepped off the elevator. He smiled at Robin. "Is this the boyfriend, Regina?"

"Robin Locksley." He held out his hand to Gold. "I'm pleased to meet you after hearing Regina talk about you."

"And I'm pleased to see you were smart enough to hold onto her," Gold replied.

Robin rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, though I needed to have some sense smacked into me."

"Well, if you ever need it again, I'll be happy to administer it." Gold tapped his cane against the floor. He then turned to Regina. "Looking as lovely as ever."

They exchanged air kisses and she gave him a knowing look. "What are you trying to butter me up for?"

"You know me too well," he sighed. "I'll tell you another day. For now, enjoy the party. You and Mary Margaret deserve it."

Gold turned to Sidney as he stepped off the elevator, leaving the quartet free to head into the party. Robin and David escorted them inside, where August greeted them first. "Hey, we've set up at a table far from the speakers so we can have a somewhat successful conversation. Follow me."

"Well, where are the drinks? I'll go get them some," Robin offered.

Regina kissed his cheek. "You're great. It's an open bar, so just follow the line and you'll find the booze."

He gave her a baffled look but walked away. Regina strolled over to the table her coworkers had claimed for their own and took a seat next to Mary Margaret. The others greeted her before returning to their conversations.

Someone plopped down in the chair she was saving for Robin and she turned to tell them that. Her smile faltered when she saw Zelena. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" she asked.

"I saw you were here alone and decided to come keep you company." Zelena gave her a fake smile. "How are you?"

Regina put on a fake smile as well. "I'm fine. And I'm not alone, so I need you get out of that seat before my date comes back."

"Date? You want me to believe you have a date? You don't have to impress me," Zelena said.

She wanted so much to smack the smug grin off her coworker's face but resisted. Especially as Robin approached the table, balancing several drinks in his hands. "You know, love, I'm a bit concerned about your coworkers. I think you're all alcoholics."

Zelena turned around and Regina could see her eyes widen when she saw Robin. "Are you Regina's date?" she asked.

"I am," Robin confirmed. "Is that my seat?"

Regina nodded. "Zelena was just leaving. Weren't you?"

"Ahh, Zelena. Nice to meet you. I'm Robin. I'd shake your hand but well…" He moved the glasses in his hands.

"Robin? Really?" Zelena smiled, standing to circle him. "Well, aren't you a fine specimen?"

"I'm Regina's boyfriend, not a piece of meat at market," he replied, getting testy.

She held up her hands. "I'm just admiring. Don't worry, I won't touch the goods. You're not my type."

"Well, thank the Lord for small blessings."

Zelena frowned and backed away. "Well, I'll go back to my table. Nice to see you took Regina back, Robin, after your little spat."

His eyes narrowed. "That was none of your business."

"Well, then, don't conduct an argument in our place of business," Zelena shot back. She stalked away as Robin set down the drinks.

He sighed. "So, that was Zelena?"

"Yeah," Regina replied. "What do you think?"

"She was…uh…well…If I never have to see her again, I'll be happy with that."

Regina laughed, leaning against him as he sat down. "I love you."

Everyone picked up their drinks and August held his up high. "I'd like to make a toast to another great year. Let's hope next year is as good as this one."

"Here, here!" They clinked their glasses together and took sips. Robin wrapped an arm around Regina, pulling her close to whisper: "I don't know. Next year has to top meeting you."

She smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. "Hmm, but I'm sure you're going to make next year so much better for me."

"What are you two whispering about over there?" August asked, smiling at them.

Robin smiled back at him. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

The music started up and Regina almost winced to hear it was Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas is You," the most overplayed Christmas song each year. But Robin stood, tugging on her hand. "Come on. Let's dance."

"Dance? To this? Don't you think it's a little cliché?" But Regina followed him out to the dancefloor anyway.

"Love, you know I love everything cliché. Especially when it comes to romance." He pulled her close and began leading her around the floor, keeping in time with the music.

Regina laughed as he spun her out and spun her back toward him. She leaned against him as he began singing along to Mariah Carey. "All I want for Christmas is you," he crooned.

"Well, then, I guess I should return all those presents I got for you."

He paused before singing: "All I want for Christmas is you…and all those presents you got me."

She laughed again as he spun her out one last time. When she spun back in, he pulled her close for a kiss as the song ended. "I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too."

"I think I'm going to be sick," Zelena's voice interrupted them. They turned to find the redhead walking past them, a glass of wine in her hand. "How can two people be so saccharine?"

Robin tilted his head. "Are you the office Scrooge?"

Zelena walked away in a huff as Regina buried her head in Robin's shoulder to hide her laughter. "You're coming to every office party from now on."

"Gladly," Robin said, wrapping his arm around her as the music slowed down. He began swaying her, humming along to the music.

A familiar petite blonde woman walked up to them, smiling. "Well, if it isn't my favorite lovebirds. I'm really glad to see you two are still together."

"Tink?" Regina asked, surprised to find Marian's wedding photographer at her office party. "Are you here taking pictures?"

David and Mary Margaret joined them on the dancefloor, she smiling at Regina. "I passed the business card Tink sent with your picture onto Gold's assistant as a suggestion. Looks like they took it."

"So, can I get a picture?" Tink held up her camera. The two couples posed individually for her before taking a group shot. She smiled. "You four are great. Well, I'll let you get back to your dancing. Just remember, I'll be around with my camera."

They chuckled before resuming their slow dance, Mary Margaret and David nearby. Regina closed her eyes and leaned her head against Robin's shoulder. He rested his cheek against her hair and pressed their hands over his heart. It beat in time with the music it seemed as the continued to dance on. She wanted to stay in his embrace forever.

He lifted his head and nuzzled her hair. "I am never letting you go again," he whispered.

She smiled as her heart sped up. He was thinking about forever as well, she realized. Forever with her. It was everything she wanted for Christmas.

The following week, Regina left work early with instructions to Mary Margaret to do the same. "Go, have a nice night out with David," she told her assistant.

"Thank you," Mary Margaret replied. "Have fun at the Sherwood Christmas party."

Regina smiled. "Judging from what I know about Robin's coworkers, I'm sure I will."

She returned to her apartment and changed into the long-sleeved green dress she had bought for the party. Pinning her dark hair into a bun, she grabbed her black clutch and slipped on her nice heeled boots before heading to pick up her car from the garage. Robin was taking his employees out to a restaurant near their office, which was located just outside Avalon. It wasn't too far of a drive but everyone knew it was easier to drive up and down rather than east and west like she was going to have to do.

After almost forty minutes of stop and go traffic, Regina pulled into the lot for the restaurant. Robin greeted her as she entered and ushered her to the party room. "I can't wait for you to meet everyone," he said.

"All your Merry Men?" She loved the fact his employees called themselves that, given how many other Robin Hood references existed in his life. "I can't wait."

His coworkers greeted her warmly and Will took her coat from her as he kissed her cheek. "Always a pleasure, Regina," he said.

"Careful, Scarlet," Robin warned him playfully.

Will held up his hand. "Oh, come off it, mate. I know she's crazy for only you."

Once she took Robin's hand again, she found herself staring at a wall of men—all of vary ages and different races. They looked her up and down before rushing her. She was separated from Robin and they talked over each other, each jockeying to get close to her. Regina tried to keep up with their conversations but her mind began to spin. She craned her neck, trying to find Robin so he could rescue her.

"Will you give the poor thing room to breathe!" a female Scottish voice called out. "For Christ's sake, STEP BACK."

The men did as the voice ordered, revealing a young woman with wild red curls. She smiled at Regina and held out her hand. "Name's Merida. Sorry about them. I swear they have better manners than that."

"Nice to meet you," Regina said, shaking Merida's hand. "And I'm sure they're all lovely people. Just one on one and not in a large group crowding around me."

Merida chuckled. "That they are. They just get excited sometimes."

"Yes. And your boss was no help." Regina gave her boyfriend a glare as he approached her.

Robin handed her a glass of wine as he gave her sheepish smile. "Sorry. I may be the boss, but they don't really listen to me."

"We don't," Merida confirmed. "He's just too nice."

She went off to take her seat at the table as Robin took Regina's hand. "Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone one at a time."

Just as she thought, his coworkers were more manageable individually. She spent a few minutes in conversation with each one, getting to know the people Robin spent most of his time with. By the time they took their seats for dinner, Regina knew that even if his employees didn't listen to Robin, they certainly respected him.

Robin stood, raising his glass. "Here we are at the end of another good year. And I know I have all of you to thank for it. You are the best employees anyone could ask for and what's more, you're my second family. So, here's a toast. For the year that was, for the year that will be, and that come this time next year, we all will still be together. Cheers!"

"Cheers!" they echoed, clinking their glassed together. Robin sat down again and laced his fingers with Regina's as their entrees were served. She was pulled into tales about Robin's childhood with Will while he chuckled beside her.

When they were done with their dinner, Regina excused herself to go to the ladies' room. On the way back, she was met by Tuck, one of Robin's older employees. He smiled at her. "Regina, can I have a word?"

"Of course." She followed him to a private corner. "Is something wrong?"

Tuck shook his head. "I've known Robin a long time now. Was one of his first employees. I've come to love the lad like a son."

"Is this where you ask me my intentions with Robin?"

Chuckling, Tuck shook his head. "I could but I wanted to thank you instead."

"Thank me? What for?"

"I met Robin while he was still dating Marian and I saw the toll it took on him. While he knew he did the right thing, it still hurt him a lot to end things with Marian."

Regina nodded. "Of course. They were together for a long time."

"He wasn't himself for a long time," Tuck said. "But slowly, the Robin I knew when I first met him came back. And then one day, he was happier than I had ever seen him and going on about this beautiful and vivacious woman he had met the night before."

"You are talking about me, right?"

Tuck laughed. "Yes, unless there was another Regina he met six months ago."

"There better not be," she teased.

"Oh, I can see why Robin loves you. And I can see that you love him. Thank you for that. He's so much happier now and I know you're a big part of that."

Regina smiled, blushing a bit. "He deserves all the happiness in the world."

"That he does," Tuck agreed. He patted her hand. "Come. I think I've held you up long enough."

She didn't move though. Instead, she squeezed his hand. "Thank you, for telling me that. It makes me feel better knowing you all accept me because I want to share every part of Robin's life as much as I want him to share every part of mine."

Tuck's smile softened and he didn't say anything. He just led her back to Robin. "This one's a keeper, boss," he said.

"I know," Robin replied softly, smiling at her.

One of his employees, Alan, tapped his spoon against his glass. "Alright, everyone. We've eaten and digested some. You know what that means—time for karaoke!"

Everyone groaned but Alan didn't seem to mind. He set up the machine, turning on a microphone and holding it out to Robin. "Will you start us off, Fearless Leader?"

"It is tradition," he sighed, standing. "Shall I do the usual? Or should I try something new?"

"Why mess with perfection?" Tuck asked, chuckling. "It is the most wonderful time of the year."

Robin nodded as the words to "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" appeared on the screen. Not that he needed it as he knew the words well enough, she realized. He walked around the room, singing to his employees as if he was some sort of lounge singer. They laughed and clapped, cheering him when he finished. He held up the mic. "Who's next?"

Merida dragged the only other female Merry Man, Mulan, up to the mic to sing "Christmas Wrapping" with her. Tuck sang of his wish for a "White Christmas" while Alan wanted it to be "Christmas Every Day." Will gave into Robin's and Regina's needling, singing "Jingle Bell Rock." He then challenged the love birds to a duet, "Baby, It's Cold Outside." They accepted it and when they finished the song with a kiss, the others cheered.

Soon, though, their time at the restaurant came to an end. Robin led his employees in off-key renditions of "The 12 Days of Christmas" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" before giving them one more Christmas gift: "You all have tomorrow off! Enjoy your weekend and I'll see you all on Monday."

Each one thanked him as they left the restaurant, heading home to their own families. It left only Will and Regina behind as Robin settled up with management. He returned to the two with a smile. "Well, I think that was a resounding success."

"It certainly was, mate," Will agreed. "I should've come to work for you years ago."

"Yes, you should've," Robin replied. He helped Regina up, holding her close. "And what did you think?"

"I think I'm looking forward to coming back next year." She smiled at him before kissing his cheek.

Robin's smile grew wider. "I can't wait to bring you back next year."

"Oh god, you two are getting mushy." Will stood up, sighing. "I'll leave you two to gush and head home. Good night."

Once he left, Robin helped Regina into her coat. "Shall we head back to my place?" he asked. "Curl up on the couch for a good holiday movie?"

"Sounds perfect, she said, taking his hand. "Let's go."

Regina always hosted a party on Christmas Eve. It gave her friends a chance to get together and exchange presents before they were off to their own Christmas celebrations. A few were no longer able to come due to their own holiday traditions but most still managed to make it. It was one of her favorite nights of the year.

And this year, she had Robin. He had come over the afternoon before and helped her clean her apartment before spending the night. It was a good thing most of the work had been done because both found it difficult to get out of bed that morning.

Now, though, the hors d'oeuvres were set out on her kitchen table and there was both eggnog and coquito waiting for people to drink. Robin set up her laptop to play Christmas music and found a station airing the Yule log. She watched him from the kitchen with a smile, leaning against the doorway.

Robin had worn a black sweater with white reindeer embroidered on it over a white button down shirt. His black jeans completed the look, though he wore no shoes. He glanced up at her and smiled. "See anything interesting?"

"You. You look like you stepped right out of a catalogue."

"And you look like you stepped off the pages of a magazine," he replied, walking toward her. "You wore this sinful red dress again on purpose, didn't you?"

She shrugged, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Look up, darling."

"What?" Robin glanced up and he smiled. "Oh, well, would you look at that?"

That was the sprig of mistletoe she knew he had snuck over her kitchen doorway. He leaned in and kissed her, sucking on her lower lip until she gave his tongue entrance. Christmas Eve was definitely shaping up to be a very good night.

Soon the apartment was filled with their friends. Food was passed around and drinks poured from both bowls. Robin had found Christmas crackers at a store around the corner from her and had bought them, excited to share something from home with his American friends. Little pops echoed over the Christmas music as everyone gamely donned their paper crowns at Robin's insistence.

Regina straightened her yellow crown as she poured a fresh batch of coquito into the punch bowl. Arms wrapped around her from behind. "You look like a queen," he whispered.

"I feel like a fool," she replied. "But I don't care. We're all having way too much fun."

"Good." He kissed her cheek before returning to their guests as David read the bad joke that had been tucked into his cracker.

Regina took the empty container into the kitchen, aware that Mary Margaret followed her. "So, I'd tease you about getting a ring from Robin but I know you aren't one to rush into things," her assistant said.

"You do know me," Regina replied, turning to face her. "But if Robin were to drop to one knee tomorrow and ask me to marry him, I'd say yes in a heartbeat."

Mary Margaret's green eyes widened in surprised. "You would? You're that certain?"

"I am." Warmth spread through Regina as she thought about forever with Robin.

"Do you think he will propose?"

"Tomorrow? No," Regina said. "We haven't really talked about and after what he went through with Marian…I'm happy to wait until he's ready."

Mary Margaret nodded. "Well, I guess it's all good. I'm going to need a break from my wedding before we go anywhere near yours."

Regina laughed, linking her arm with Mary Margaret's. "Tell me how it goes. Do you need me to do anything as a bridesmaid?"

"Everything would be nice, but right now, no," Mary Margaret replied as they rejoined the rest of the party.

Once Regina chased her cousin out her apartment ("We'll see each other tomorrow and Granny will kill you if you're not home on Christmas morning!"), she and Robin collapsed on the couch. "At least she helped clean," she said, munching on some gingerbread cookies from the Muffin Man.

He chuckled before pulling out a little bag. "Since it's already Christmas, I think you can open a present."

"I can wait until morning. I have other plans for right now." She kissed the underside of his chin.

"It won't take you long and I really want you to open it now." He gave her his puppy dog eyes. "Please?"

"Then I should get one for you to open," Regina said, starting to stand. "It's only fair."

Robin gently pushed her down. "It's okay. Please, just open this one."

Intrigued, she pushed aside the paper until her fingers closed around some string. Giving it a tug, she pulled out a gold picture ornament. Inside was a photo of her and Robin from the office party, his arm around her and her cheek pressed to his as they smiled for the camera. A message was written in elegant cursive using silver paint: "Our First Christmas Together."

"Oh, Robin," she said softly.

"I asked Tink to rush it," he explained. "You gave me a stocking to join yours and now I'm giving you our first ornament. Hopefully there will be many more."

She kissed him before tugging him toward the tree. He held her as she found the perfect spot for their ornament, hanging it on the artificial bough. Leaning against him, she tapped his arm. "Come to bed. You might still get a gift to unwrap."

He trotted behind her, excited to get to the bedroom…until Regina headed for the bathroom. Robin frowned. "Wait, don't I get to peel you out of that dress?"

"You've already taken this dress off me. I have something else for tonight." She paused at the door, giving him a coy smile before heading inside.

She pulled out the unmarked black box she had hid in her hamper and opened it up. The salesgirl at the boutique had helped her pick the outfit out, promising it would knock Robin senseless. "The only way this is going to stay on you for more than five minutes when he sees you is if he's too stunned to think," she had said. "Which is a good possibility."

Regina undressed before sliding on the red lacy panties. Next came the matching bustier lined with white fur. She completed the look with a red garter and checked her hair before reapplying her lipstick. With one more deep breath, she opened the bathroom door and stepped back into the bedroom.

Robin laid on her bed wearing nothing but two Santa hats—one on his head and a smaller one on his cock. His smoldering look gave way to awe as he took her in. "You look amazing. It would be a shame to unwrap this present."

"The gift inside is worth it," she replied, sashaying closer.

He visibly swallowed, Adam's apple bobbing. "Oh, it definitely is."

She stood at the foot of the bed, forcing him to scoot closer until he was sitting in front of her. His blue eyes were darkening with want as she leaned in to kiss him. Inches from his lips and with his eyes now closed, she pulled away and began to kneel. His eyes popped open as he watched her remove the Santa hat from his cock. Tossing it aside with one hand, she wrapped the fingers of her other around him and began pumping.

"Regina," he moaned.

"That's just the start." She released him and slid her red lips over his cock, taking him in inch by inch.

As she found the rhythm she knew he liked, he moaned again. It dampened her panties as he breathed out: "Oh, Mrs. Claus…"

She teased his tip with her tongue, making his breath hitch. A few more bobs and a couple more swirls soon had him hard and ready. Regina released him before kissing her way up his torso.

"Tell me, Santa. Have I been naughty?" She straddled him, hands on his shoulders. "Or nice?"

"Naughty," he groaned. "Definitely naughty."

Regina smiled. "And what do naughty girls get?"

"This." He flipped them easily, landing her on her back with her legs opened wide for him. Robin pulled down her soaked panties and tossed them over the side of her bed. His thumb pressed against her clit and he smirked when her hips bucked.

She grabbed the pillow behind her as he rubbed her. "Am I wet enough for you?"

"Oh yes, but you still need to be punished for being naughty." He kissed her as his free hand undid her bustier, freeing one breast. Lowering his lips from hers to her nipple, his tongue teased it as his fingers slipped inside her.

Regina gasped at the assault on her senses. Pleasure began to burn like a flame waiting to burst into a forest fire inside her. One hand gripped her pillow tighter as the other wound themselves through his silky strands, his Santa hat gone.

She began to buck her hips in sync with his fingers. He moved from one breast to the other, the bustier falling off her body. Taking her other nipple between his teeth, he teased that one until it too was a pert bud and she was babbling his name.

Robin kissed the valley between her breasts, resting his head there for a moment. She was so close to being consumed by the fire he had ignited inside her. "Robin, please…I…"

"I know." He kissed her again, removing his fingers. "Let me get a condom."

She stopped him though. "I'm clean, Robin. And there's no chance of me getting pregnant."

"Are you sure?" His eyes were filled with concern and it tugged at something low in her core.

"I trust you," she whispered.

Robin kissed her, slow and sensual as he positioned himself at her entrance. "I love you."

He entered her and picked up where his fingers had left off, fanning the fire burning through her. She tugged at his hair as her other hand ran down his back, no doubt leaving scratch marks. But he didn't hiss in pain, instead groaning as they both neared their peaks.

"Robin!" she yelled as the fire consumed her completely. Her blood pounded in her ears, drowning out his own cry as he emptied into her.

They collapsed together and Robin held her close before pulling his forgotten Santa hat from underneath them. He tossed it aside as he kissed her forehead. "That was amazing."

"You're amazing." She curled up against him, breathing him in. Sweat, sex and pine mixed together. "Merry Christmas, Robin."

He hummed, already caught in the world between sleep and waking. She floated there as well as her body calmed down from her orgasm.

In a few hours they would wake and hop in the shower before Robin would get on Skype with his grandparents, Regina by his side. She would then make them breakfast before they exchanged presents with each other. After a proper bath, they would dress and he'd wear the new sweater she bought him while she wore the earrings he gave her. They would pack up Robin's SUV with the presents for her parents' house and drive out to Lake Nostros.

They'd spend Christmas with her family and he'd meet her Uncle Xavier and Aunt Gabriella as well as her cousins Tia and Simone, who were able to make it for the festivities. Granny would spend the evening convinced she had to fatten Regina and Robin up while Ruby continued to tease them.

After goodnight hugs and kisses to her parents, they would climb back into his car and she'd fall asleep on the drive back to her apartment. He'd wake her up and take her up to her apartment, settling them on the couch with the last of the Christmas movies on TV as she fell back asleep on his chest.

Merry Christmas, indeed.

A/N: Merry Christmas, everyone! (If you don't celebrate…Happy Happy!) Sorry this is so late but I did not like the beginning. So instead of editing and posting, I was rewriting.

I got a few requests for both jealous Regina and jealous Robin, so you'll see both next month. Which means a rare treat in this story—parts told from Robin's POV. I hope you'll enjoy the look into his mind.

Thank you for making 2015 a great year for me writing wise. Your support for this story has been amazing and I cherish all of you for it.

I wish you all a Happy New Year. See you in 2016!

-Mac