Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! I hope you're all having a fabulous time :) A guest asked for Emma having Christmas with her parents as a child so here it is, your lovely feely Christmas chapter :)

Emma woke up with a massive grin on her face. It was Christmas. She leaped out of bed and sprinted down the castle corridor towards her parents' room. There were normally guards and other servants busying about the corridors, but Snow and Charming had given them the day off. They wanted everyone to enjoy the day with their families, and they wanted to enjoy a quiet day with Emma.

The three year old burst through the door and pounced onto her parents bed.

"Wake up!" She yelled. "It's Christmas!" Snow and Charming had woken as soon as they heard the door slamming open against the wall. Charming reached over and pulled Emma over onto his lap to which Emma squealed in delight. He blew raspberries on her tummy, which made her giggle.

"Merry Christmas baby." He greeted her. He got up, Emma on his hip. "Shall we go see what Santa's brought you, huh?" Emma nodded.

"Emma on good list?" She asked nervously. Snow got up from bed herself and came over, kissing Emma's cheek.

"Of course Emma's on the good list. Emma's the best behaved little girl there is. Come on, we'll go see what Santa's brought and all your other presents." Snow said, taking Charming's free hand. She ran her other hand over her swollen belly. Next year Santa would be dropping presents off at the palace for two children. They went down to the grand hall, where the largest Christmas tree Charming and Snow could fit inside was centred in the middle of the room. They'd spent their time last night after Emma went to bed placing all her presents underneath. Emma gasped, her eyes going wide at the large pile. She wriggled in her dad's arms until he put her down and she ran to the pile, just staring.

"Are these all for me?" She asked. Snow and Charming came over and sat beside her. They had exchanged presents at midnight to allow the present opening to be all about Emma.

"All for you baby." Snow confirmed, stroking her cheek. "Go on then, get opening!"

Emma was fairly sure this was the best day of her life. She had the whole castle to herself (well, and her parents) and all her new toys. She ran through the castle with her new bow and arrow and sword playing hide and seek with her dad. She'd sat in her rocking chair reading one of her new stories with her mom. The family then had the most glorious Christmas dinner together, where many laughs were had. Just as they were finishing, Charming pointed out the window.

"Look," he said, smiling "it's snowing. Shall we go out and build a snowman?" Emma whooped excitedly. Snow giggled.

"It would appear your daughter thinks we should, come on angel. Mama will help you get ready."

By the time the family was ready a thick blanket of snow had already coated the ground. Emma was so excited, she rarely saw snow. Her parents helped her build the most amazing snowman, complete with carrot nose, three buttons, a red and white striped scarf and a perfect black top hat. After that, a snowball fight ensued. Snow had started after Charming made too many jokes about it "you-ing" for her liking. She hid behind Jack (the Snowman) with Emma and together they pelted Charming with as many snowballs as possible. By the time the fight was finished, Snow could see Emma was beginning to droop.

"Come on." Charming said, picking her up. "A warm bath and then bedtime for the little princess." Emma nodded into his shoulder, allowing him to carry her upstairs and didn't put up a fuss as he and Snow gave her a bath and changed her into a beautiful new nightdress from her seven uncles. Charming carried her to bed as Snow got the covers ready and tucked her in. They each kissed her cheek softly.

"Did you have a good Christmas baby?" Snow asked. Emma nodded sleepily. "Good. Night angel. Sleep well." Charming and Snow crept out of the room, as Emma slowly drifted off to sleep, happy thoughts of Santa, toys and snow in her head. She already couldn't wait till next Christmas.

Merry Christmas Oncers!