Since it was the first real snowfall in Storybrooke's history and everyone was given a special letter from North and the other Guardians of Childhood/Council of Legendary Figures to thank them for helping reunite Queen Elsa of Arendelle with Jack Frost as well as them attending the wedding between Princess Anna and Kristoff which was giving them a few days to a couple of weeks to celebrate a real Christmas as a civilization. The Charmings were on their way to Granny's Diner to share some hot cocoa over there as well as possibly some lunch after having a special breakfast together. Many of the kids of Storybrooke were outside and playing, whether making snowmen, throwing snowballs at each other, or just embracing the idea of a Snow Day which meant that they didn't have to come into school today.
Mary Margaret was pushing the stroller along, smiling a little as she watched the children playing. "This is different, but it's so nice to see the children playing in a proper snow." she told her husband warmly.
"And it looks like you get to have a day off too." David smiled back at her on the way.
A lot of the kids were laughing and playing, enjoying their Snow Day as many children should.
"If the school isn't open, it does appear that way." Mary Margaret smiled.
"Well, we could use a little special family time especially with the adventures we've been having." David remarked.
Mary Margaret smiled to that. "That does sound like a very nice plan," she said to that. "Maybe we'll get to have a family Christmas~" she then beamed.
"A Family Christmas sounds really special." David agreed.
"Now that sounds like a great idea." Emma nodded as she opened the door for them.
Mary Margaret nodded and smiled. David let Mary Margaret go in first, then came in after her along with Emma as they came into the diner. Granny was selling a lot of hot cocoa to commemorate the special wintery day they were blessed with today. Mary Margaret carefully moved the stroller inside. She then led them to their usual spot in the diner. Baby Leo looked all around and cooed with wide wonder. Mary Margaret smiled to her son and took him out of the stroller to hold him a little while. Leo cooed and smiled back up at her.
"Afternoon and Happy Snow Day." Granny greeted them as they came there.
"Good afternoon, Granny." Mary Margaret smiled.
"Table?" Granny asked for them.
"Yeah, and a booster seat for Leo." David nodded.
"Coming right up!" Kiara said as she overheard that and went to get that, wearing a new hoodie with her uniform.
Mary Margaret smiled. She then looked at her son. "Maybe Emma would like to sit next to her brother, should we ask her?" She crooned and asked.
Leo cooed and babbled an answer as Kiara brought them to a table and set up the booster seat.
"Anything to drink?" Granny asked. "We're having a special on hot cocoa today."
"That sounds lovely." David accepted that offer.
"Hot Cocoa sounds wonderful." Mary Margaret nodded.
"Of course." Granny nodded. "Hot cocoa all around and I know how you all like it."
"Thanks, Granny." David said as he helped set Leo in his seat after Kiara put the seat up for him.
"We also have this new chocolate peppermint flavor to try out." Kiara offered to the family.
"Chocolate peppermint, huh?" Emma remarked. "Sounds like when I'd go to the movies during the holidays and they offered that for their popcorn. It was actually pretty good."
"I think I'll stick to my usual with cinnamon, please." Mary Margaret chuckled.
"Sounds good, I'll do the same." David replied.
"I'll try that chocolate peppermint thing." Emma said.
Baby Leo seemed to coo and drawl out a response of his own.
"Erm, are babies allowed to have hot cocoa?" Kiara wondered.
"A warm milk with just a small spoon of cocoa powder will be fine." Mary Margaret said to that, as a little bit wouldn't hurt him.
"Oh, okay." Kiara nodded as she went to get that.
Granny handed them some menus and then went to go and get their hot cocoa. Mary Margaret handed one to Emma and then looked through.
"Thanks, Mom." Emma said, accepting it as David took his.
Baby Leo cooed and bit down on the bottle right away as Kiara handed it to him with what Mary Margaret asked for.
"I guess someone's hungrier than a lion." Kiara chuckled.
Mary Margaret smiled warmly to that. "No problem," she assured. She then chuckled softly at Leo. "He loves hot cocoa too~" she smiled.
"Do we know what we wanna eat?" Kiara asked them.
"I think I'll just have a grilled cheese." Emma replied.
"That sounds good, me too." David agreed.
"I'll have one too, but with soup and a side salad too." Mary Margaret chuckled. She was planning on giving Leo a spoon or two of soup, just so he could try a little.
"Tomato soup since it's grilled cheese?" Kiara asked Mary Margaret on that.
"Yes, please." Mary Margaret nodded.
"Certainly," Kiara nodded as she went away a moment, taking everyone's orders before jotting them down and then went to the kitchen. "Be back very soon."
"Thanks, Kiara." Emma said to the helpful young waitress.
"Thank you." Mary Margaret added.
Kiara smiled at them.
"So how has it not properly snowed here in a long time, Mom?" Evie asked Regina as they sat at their own table with Henry.
"I'm not sure, my dear, I don't remember that being part of the deal with The Dark Curse." Regina admitted and explained.
"It kinda reminds me of the Christmases I had in New York." Henry said as he glanced out of the window.
"Those sound so magical, Henry." Evie smiled.
"You have Christmas memories," Regina realized, though seemed a little discouraged since she couldn't really give him that. "...How nice for you, Henry."
Henry seemed to realize how his mom felt and looked at her. "We had nice ones too, Mom," he assured. "But this is the first one where we've actually got snowfall here." he told her.
"Yes, of course." Regina agreed softly.
Henry smiled softly to Regina. "We're together again this year." he reminded too.
"Yes, all of us, as we should be," Regina smiled as she wrapped her arms around both Evie and Henry. "I wonder what we could do to celebrate?"
"How about we just bake cookies, watch movies, and chill out?" Evie replied. "I mean, that's what I think Christmas means."
"Those are parts, but I was hoping that maybe we could invite the others too?" Henry agreed with Evie and then requested.
Evie nodded and smiled hopefully.
"A family Christmas, you mean?" Regina guessed.
Henry nodded. "With both sides of our family." he agreed.
"Well, all right, I think we can manage," Regina nodded. "I'm just concerned about shopping in this small town with how crazcy Christmas shopping is for anyone."
"Yeah, especially at the This Little Piggly Wiggly." Evie agreed with her mother.
"Well, if we do it within the next couple of days it should be fine," Henry smiled. "Or we could order online." he added, if it was an option in town.
"...Can we order online, Mom?" Evie asked. "Is that possible?"
"I'll check when we come home." Regina replied as a compromise for her children.
Henry nodded and then grinned a bit to that.
"You both don't have to get me anything fancy though." Regina reassured them.
"You just wait and see what's under the tree for you, Mom." Evie smirked playfully.
Henry nodded. "You'll get what you get, Mom." he said playfully.
"Ooh, so it's gonna be like that?" Regina smirked. "The same to you."
"That's her way of saying that she's getting you socks." Evie teased Henry a little.
"Well, socks are better than nothing at least." Henry chuckled.
"Yeah, your feet will be warm this month." Evie smirked.
"I'll see what I can do about socks in that case for your birthday too." Regina added.
"Agh!" Henry playfully, though quietly, exclaimed to that.
Evie and Regina both chuckled warmly at that.
Henry glanced over and noticed that Emma and the others were mostly settled in and then looked to Regina. "Can I ask if they want to come over to spend Christmas now?" he asked, so only his mom and sister would hear.
Regina looked over to see who he saw, then nodded. "I see nothing wrong with that." she then smiled.
"Yeah, they're family too." Evie agreed.
"Alright, I'll wait until Kiara takes their order then I'll go over and invite them," Henry smiled. "Are we inviting them to sleepover Christmas Eve?" he then asked, to make sure.
"Would you like that?" Regina asked Henry.
"It would be nice; it could be a start of a new tradition." Henry admitted with a smile.
"Well, I doubt they have plans, but you can go ahead and ask them." Regina smiled back.
"Alright, thank you~" Henry smiled to his mom, he then kept an eye on the others, waiting for Kiara to finish taking their orders first.
Regina smiled back and sipped her drink while Evie looked all around in wide wonder of Christmas in Storybrooke. Henry then stood up and started to make his way over to the other side of his family, so he could talk to them.
"Oh, guys, look," David suddenly said. "We have a visitor."
"Hello, Henry," Mary Margaret greeted her grandson.
"Hey Grandma, Grandpa, Ma," Henry greeted first. "Hey Leo," he then also greeted his baby Uncle.
Leo cooed and babbled in response.
"I think he's happy to see his nephew." David chuckled to Henry a bit.
"Hey kiddo, what's up?" Emma added. "Good to see ya."
Henry grinned to that and gently reached out to smooth his baby Uncle's hair. "It's good to see you too," he agreed. "And well, Mom, Evie and I were discussing Christmas and we thought that maybe you guys could join us for Christmas... staying over Christmas Eve too." he told them.
Leo giggled and beamed a bit.
"Staying over on Christmas Eve?" David asked.
"...I guess that makes sense since no one really works on Christmas." Emma commented.
Henry smiled. "Yeah, and we thought it'd be nice to have a family Christmas," he added. "Kind of like we had in New York, only with you guys staying over at Mom's with us." he added to Emma.
"That's a good point, we never really had much of a family Christmas back then." Emma agreed about what Henry said about New York.
"And Regina is alright with this?" Mary Margaret asked, just trying to make sure before she would agree or not.
"I'm sure she is if Henry was able to come over and ask and I guess Evie's okay with it too." David said to Mary Margaret.
"Yeah, they're both okay with it," Henry agreed. "So... would you like to do it?" he asked.
"Well if they're both okay with it, and there's room, I think that would be really nice." Mary Margaret smiled.
"As long as they're okay with it." David added.
"I guess they are since they're family too, though I don't think I'm gonna call Evie 'Aunt Evie'." Emma smirked.
Henry smiled and then chuckled to what Emma said. "They are, that's why I came over now to ask... I just have to let them know you agreed and we can discuss it more." he told them.
"All right, Henry, let Regina and Evie know we'd be delighted to come." David told his grandson warmly.
"Alright, awesome," Henry nodded and grinned. "I'll go back now and tell them, and let you get back to your lunch." he then beamed.
"All right, Henry, we'll see ya." David nodded.
"Erm, Merry Christmas, Henry." Emma added to be polite.
"Bah~" Baby Leo seemed to add to his nephew.
"I'll see you all soon." Henry said and smiled to Emma, not saying it back yet because he could greet her with that when she woke up and came downstairs on Christmas morning.
Emma smiled back and nodded as she looked back at her parents and brother.
Evie was soon writing down some names in her notebook along with possible presents to share with them.
Regina looked curious about that before she saw Henry coming back. "They said yes?" she then asked him.
"Yeah, they even said they can stay Christmas Eve," Henry nodded. "All we need to do now is discuss the particulars." he said.
"Well, that sounds wonderful then," Regina smiled. "A real family Christmas in Storybrooke."
"I just hope we have enough time to shop for gifts." Evie commented.
"We should do," Henry nodded. "I mean if it was only a couple of days away it wouldn't be too good but wouldn't be impossible." he said and assured.
"I really wanna give Ben something special too," Evie said softly. "He's my best friend, I've known him forever and he's been through a lot lately."
Henry nodded then looked thoughtful. "Maybe we could arrange a holiday party a bit, like pizza and soda for us 'kids' and the adults can have, I dunno, pizza and wine or something?" He suggested. "Something to let Ben and everyone relax and have a good time together." he mused.
"Soda, wine, and cider." Regina smirked and winked at Henry.
"That all sounds great," Evie nodded. "Yes, Ben really needs to relax, he already had enough trouble when he lost Mal and then all of this with his parents and even his brother..." she then added with a bit of sigh. "I wish I were like Jane being a fairy, she at least has a training wand to make everything all better with three little words her mother used to tell Cinderella."
"Yeah, can't forget cider." Henry chuckled.
"Yes, cider is very important for a party, especially when I make it." Regina nodded.
Evie gave a small smile at both her little brother and mother while checking her list of friends and potential present ideas to get them, though mostly had question marks around Ben with a question mark beside a tiny sketch of pizza she added.
Henry nodded. "We have to get some sugarplums too." he then said to them as a thought hit him.
"Sugarplums?" Evie smirked. "That sounds familiar to me."
"You're thinking about someone else too right now, aren't you?" Regina added.
Henry stamped down a blush. "I just thought it'd be nice." he said, though they were right.
"Mm-hmm~" Regina smirked and nodded.
"Well, I am familiar with the idea of sugarplums dancing in your head, so that should work out just fine." Evie reassured Henry.
Henry gave a small smile to that.
Kiara soon came back with lunch for the Charming family with help from another waitress. Mary Margaret smiled as the food arrived.
"Thank you so much." David said as he helped spread the food out.
"Ah, yeah, Granny's grilled cheese, it is a Christmas miracle." Emma giggled.
Mary Margaret chuckled. "Thank you." she also told Kiara and the other waitress.
"By the way, nice hood," Emma remarked. "It goes with that necklace nicely."
"Ah, thanks, Granny made me my very own riding hood so I could really see Ruby like my sister," Kiara smiled. "Also, the necklace appears to be a family item."
"It really suits you." Mary Margaret smiled.
"Aww, thanks~" Kiara beamed.
"It definitely is." Regina agreed with Henry.
Mary Margaret smiled warmly.
Kiara smiled at them. "Enjoy your lunch." she then said kindly.
"Thanks again." Emma replied.
"Yes, Kiara, thank you." David added.
"We shall." Mary Margaret assured.
Kiara smiled as she left them to it and soon the Charming family tucked into their lunch. Mary Margaret ate her grilled cheese, though did give Leo a couple of small spoonfuls of the soup. Leo cooed and giggled, enjoying that very much fortunately.
"I see he likes soup." Emma smiled fondly at her literal baby brother.
Mary Margaret smiled to that. "If you'd like to dip your grilled cheese in too you may." she smiled to Emma.
"Thanks." Emma smiled back.
"Don't mind if we do." David said playfully, about to do that with his own food, but was making a joke.
"The children only, David." Mary Margaret mock scolded her husband, with a chuckle though.
"Oh, okay then." David replied as he complied.
"Dad..." Emma sighed and shook her head, though was a bit amused.
Mary Margaret chuckled then and shook her head fondly. She dipped a bit of her own grilled cheese in the soup so David could have a bite.
"Really? You mean it? Thanks!" David beamed and then took a bite out of her sandwich and beamed while Emma rolled her eyes playfully.
Mary Margaret chuckled to that.
"Too much?" David asked.
"Yeah, trying way too hard to be a fun dad," Emma smirked. "I'm sure if I had a sister that she might agree."
Mary Margaret then continued to eat her own food, looking thoughtful as she thought of having Emma a bit earlier and a sister for her pretty much straight after.
"I just know this will be the best Christmas of our lives." Emma said to her family.
"If it isn't the only Christmas of our lives," David remarked mysteriously. "We've faced a Wraith, that demon boy in Neverland, forgetting about everything when The Wicked Witch hit, then we had to deal with The Snow Queen, what could be next for us?"
"Krampus." Kiara joked as she walked by, collecting dishes from another table.
"Oh, don't joke about him." Mary Margaret said to that.
Kiara then stepped away bashfully suddenly.
"Let's just hope a Happy Holiday, Dad." Emma suggested.
"Right, Emma." David agreed.
"I'm sure we will." Mary Margaret then said with a smile.
Emma smiled back at that while sipping some hot cocoa. Mary Margaret sipped her own hot cocoa too.
"This is nice." David said softly.
"Definitely." Emma agreed, enjoying her grilled cheese very much.
"I think it is as well," Mary Margaret nodded. "Maybe we could do this regularly." she said.
"Unless The Grinch comes for the holidays." Kiara murmured to herself.
"Kiara, please stop that." David sighed at her.
"Come on, if Krampus is real, then The Grinch can't be real, right?" Kiara defended.
"Other worlds are real, Kiara, we've never met the Grinch, but I'm sure I've heard Whoville mentioned." Mary Margaret said.
"Hmm..." Kiara hummed as she wandered into the kitchen.
Mary Margaret smiled to that. "I know we stay together at home, but yeah going out for lunch is good~" she smiled.
"Going out to eat is just so much more fun." Emma remarked.
"Even though it costs more." David added.
Mary Margaret chuckled warmly to that.
Evie beamed, eating some dessert from her, Regina, and Henry's meal out together which was a blueberry muffin since she loved that a lot. Henry ate a chocolate donut, that had bits of peppermint on since it was a new thing to try.
"How's your donut, Henry?" Regina asked nicely as she had a small piece of dark chocolate cake.
"It's different but a nice change of taste, a little." Henry chuckled.
"You can never go wrong with a blueberry muffin though~" Evie advised Henry.
Regina chuckled at both of them warmly.
"Chocolate is the way to go." Henry said with a playful smirk.
"It definitely is." Regina agreed with Henry.
"Meh." Eve shrugged playfully and smirked at them.
Henry chuckled.
"Your list done, Evie?" Regina asked.
"Yeah, I think so, but some people I'm gonna really have to think about," Evie explained. "I think this is everyone I need though, I'm gonna even get Chad something, I just hope the Christmas holiday season can make him not be a humbug to everyone else."
"You could get him a selfie stick?" Henry suggested.
Evie chuckled. "Okay, yeah, that'll work." she then said.
"You kids and your selfies," Regina sighed and shook her head. "Whatever happened to posing for hours and hours for someone to paint a portrait of you, especially for a wedding?"
"Portraits are nice, but photos are quicker and you can copy them better." Henry told her.
"Especially when you wanna share with friends." Evie added.
"Spoilsports." Regina teased.
Henry playfully smirked.
"I just hope there's enough time to shop." Evie said as she looked over her list.
"You should, you could even maybe buy a few things after we leave here." Henry assured and then suggested.
Evie nodded as that sounded good. "Mom, could I borrow some extra money?" she then asked sheepishly.
"Well... Sure, it's for a good cause." Regina nodded. "Henry, would you like to shop with her?" she then added as a suggestion.
"If you don't mind, Mom." Henry said with a small smile.
"Well, all right, I'll give you some money too, but spend it wisely." Regina nodded and added.
"I'll make sure he does, Mom." Evie replied.
"I will, Mom." Henry assured.
"Such good children I have raised." Regina smiled warmly at them.
Henry smiled back, glad his mom was happier. Evie soon finished her muffin and wiped her mouth and hands clean, offering Regina another napkin, seeing her mother was done with her own dessert before they would leave. Henry finished the last of his donut and licked his fingers clean before he used a napkin after that.
"All right, time to do something fun." Evie said.
"I think I want to go to Grandpa-I mean Grandma's shop for one thing." Henry said.
"That's a good start." Regina nodded.
"Hmm... Wonder if I should do the same for my shopping list?" Evie wondered.
"Well, just don't get Ben's present from there." Henry chuckled.
"Definitely not." Evie smirked and nodded.
"Okay, happy shopping, kids," Regina smiled. "Don't be too long."
"We won't, Mom, see you later." Henry said. He then gave Regina a hug before he and Evie would leave.
Evie hugged Regina as well. "Have a good afternoon, Mom." she then said.
"Thank you both~" Regina smiled warmly at both of her children.
"See you later, Mom." Henry smiled back. He then left with Evie.
Evie waved at their mother on the way out as Regina waved back at them. "All right, you wanna go to the pawnshop first then?" she then asked to check.
"If you don't mind." Henry told the girl raised as his sister.
"Well, fine by me," Evie smiled. "I'll walk with you."
Henry smiled and then walked along with Evie contently. Evie smiled back and walked along with him as everyone else was getting in the Christmas spirit all through the town.
"Would you maybe want to build a snowman later?" Henry offered to Evie, since this would be the first time she could.
"You wanna build a snowman?" Evie smiled. "Sure Henry, I think that would be very nice for us."
Henry smiled back to his sister. "Great." he assured.
"Should we name him Olaf?" Evie smirked playfully.
"Would he like warm hugs?" Henry retorted, just as playful.
"Maybe, we won't know until after we make him." Evie giggled.
Henry chuckled to that and grinned.
Evie giggled warmly and soon looked over. "Oh, Happy Holidays, Dee Dee." she then greeted someone who was about to walk by them with her own family.
"Hi, guys!" Dee Dee beamed as she seemed to be the happiest about the Christmas season than anyone else.
Leroy merely nodded his head in greeting at the two.
"Hi, Dee Dee. Hey, Mr. Leroy," Henry greeted, his tone slightly brighter when talking to Dee Dee, though more polite to Leroy as the man had taken Dee Dee in as his own.
"Happy Holidays!" Dee Dee beamed.
"Yeah, Happy Holidays." Leroy added politely.
"Same to you," Evie replied. "It's a good chance for all of us."
"Uh, we're going to build a snowman later... Could Dee Dee join us?" Henry asked, thinking getting Leroy's permission first would make it easier for Dee Dee if she wanted to join in.
"Ooh, a snowman?" Dee Dee asked, entranced.
"Well, I suppose that would be all right," Leroy nodded. "I have to go to the hardware store anyway to pick up a few things."
"Then we'll take her off your hands~" Evie smirked playfully.
"We'll make sure she's okay." Henry assured Leroy, smiling to Dee Dee.
"Well, okay, can you stay out of trouble, Diamond?" Leroy then asked Dee Dee.
"You know you can count on me," Dee Dee nodded. "I've known Evie and Henry forever."
"We all really have." Evie admitted and agreed.
Henry nodded to that.
"Well, I gotta run along, that store won't stay open very long today." Leroy then said.
"Yeah, let's do the same," Evie agreed. "See you soon, Dee Dee."
"See you guys soon too." Dee Dee nodded.
"See you soon," Henry smiled and waved. "Bye, Mr. Leroy." he then said to the older male.
"Bye then." Leroy nodded as he went to take Dee Dee away with him.
Dee Dee skipped a bit along next to them.
"Still the dancing queen I see." Evie observed with how Dee Dee was still rather bubbly and innocent from the moment they first met the young dancer.
"Yeah, and I think I know the perfect gift for her." Henry said quietly with a shy smile to that.
"Well, that's great," Evie smiled as they continued to head to the pawnshop together. "Let's hope you can find it easily, unless you would need some help?"
"I'd need to ask Grandma Belle, but I'm sure she'll know where it is," Henry said to that with a smile. "But I can still help you find a gift if you tell me who for." he added.
"Thanks, Henry," Evie smiled back. "I wonder who?"
"I don't know, it depends on how you feel." Henry smiled.
"Yeah, I guess I'll see when we get in there." Evie said before looking both ways to cross the street to get to the pawnshop.
Henry did the same before they would cross over to the pawnshop. Evie smiled warmly as they went over there, being careful of stray snow before going inside.
Ben was in there and was sweeping the floor while Gabrielle was sorting out some things on some shelves.
Henry made sure to knock any excess snow off outside before he stepped inside. "Hey Ben, Hey Gabrielle." he greeted.
"Hi Henry, Hi Evie." Gabrielle greeted them with a soft smile as she greeted the two, giving a wave as she paused in her shelving.
"Hm?" Ben blinked and looked over before smiling. "Oh! Hey, guys."
"Hey guys, Happy Holidays." Evie greeted since it wasn't exactly Christmas yet, but everyone was in the spirit at the moment.
"Happy Holidays." Gabrielle smiled in reply.
"What can we do for you guys?" Ben asked.
"Just some light shopping, though this is mostly for Henry." Evie explained.
"Yeah, I'm looking for a gift for Dee Dee." Henry said.
"Oh, okay," Ben smiled and nodded. "So maybe a bracelet or a necklace?"
"I was thinking a pair of red Ballet slippers, with something to make them not wear out... Maybe grow with her," Henry said to that. "Not the cursed pair that would make her dance." he then added.
"Ah, yes, my dad told me about that other red pair, apparently he used to know that girl," Ben nodded and soon went to take a look around. "I think I saw some shoes in the back, though probably not silver slippers that The Wicked Witch would want hopefully, thank goodness she's out of the way, am I right?" he then added, attempting to make a joke.
Henry gave a small chuckle.
Ben looked over the shoes that they had before he brought out a certain pair of red ballet slippers. "Ah, here we are." he then said.
"They won't make her dance forever, right?" Henry checked, before he would accept them to look over.
"No, they won't," Ben chuckled and reassured him. "I don't really know the story behind these, but these aren't THOSE Red Shoes."
"Oh, good." Henry said to that. He then accepted the shoes to look them over.
"Careful though, they're a little delicate," Ben advised. "They should do just nicely for Dee Dee though."
"I will," Henry assured. He then smiled. "Do you have something that will make sure they won't wear out at all?" he asked.
"I believe my dad mentioned something like that..." Ben replied thoughtfully before seeing a vial that came with the shoes in the little box and then brought it out. "This should do the trick." he then offered.
"Great," Henry smiled. "How much?" he asked then.
Ben gave him the price which was luckily a very reasonable price.
Henry smiled to that. "I'll take them." he said to that.
"They're yours and make sure this is kept in a safe spot." Ben nodded and added with emphasis about the potion's vial that will help give the shoes a longer lasting life for Dee Dee as a young dancer.
Henry nodded. "I'll make sure it's in the box with the shoes, and I'll put a note to let her know what the potion does." he nodded.
"Excellent idea, Henry," Ben agreed as he went to get a box for Henry. "Do you want it gift wrapped?" he then offered.
"If I can get a pen and paper to put the note in first, yes please." Henry agreed.
Ben smiled as he went behind the counter, getting out a box for Henry as well as some wrapping paper, a ribbon, and some pen and paper, giving those last two items to Henry while he would wrap up the gift for the younger boy. Henry quickly but neatly wrote the note, telling Dee Dee that the included potion could be poured on the shoes and that would make them never wear out, and also assured her they weren't the cursed ones. Ben smiled as he watched Henry do that while wrapping up the gift with as much ease and grace as he could like his own father would. Henry slipped the note in before it was completely wrapped up, smiling as Dee Dee would know what she needed to know.
"Happy Holidays." Ben said as he gave Henry the gift back once he was done.
"Happy Holidays to you as well." Henry told Ben with a smile.
Ben smiled back with a nod.
Evie then took a look at other little items to see if anything would stand out, especially to give one of her friends.
"Is there anything in particular you're looking for?" Gabrielle asked.
"Oh, I'm not sure," Evie replied. "Just browsing honestly."
"Well, if you have anyone specific in mind then I can point you in the direction of some things." Gabrielle told her with a warm smile.
"Hmm..." Evie paused in thought as she brought out her notebook, then glanced over to her little brother. "...Maybe I should get something for Mom and/or Henry while I'm here." she then mused since Henry was out of sight at the moment.
"Well... I'm not sure for Henry right this moment, since he might see it," Gabrielle said at first. "But I think we might have something for your mom," she told her. "It just depends on if you want something with magic or something 'normal'." she added, saying normal as in something that didn't have magic.
"Something normal, I think we could use a little break from magical artifacts for a while." Evie requested gently.
"Alright," Gabrielle smiled. She then came over to Evie and guided her over to show her what she thought Regina would like. "There's two items for you to pick from." she said. She then pulled out a ruby and gold necklace, where the ruby was shaped like a heart but when the light hit the ruby the shine looked like a star seeming to show light within the heart. The second item was a snow globe that had three figures hugging in the middle, one obviously a mother and then two smaller figures that represented children.
Evie followed Gabrielle, looking among the other items there before looking at the two items in question. "Oh, these both look very nice." she then said at first before she would pick out her decision to give to Regina for the holiday.
"Something to show the light within a heart, or something to show the love between mother and children." Gabrielle smiled.
"I think I like this one best." Evie said as she picked out the snowglobe since she knew it would mean a lot to her mother to keep them as a family as the three of them... Even if it meant sacrificing Robin Hood while his sister was still in town.
"Yes, I think Ms. Mills would adore that," Gabrielle smiled. "Maybe you could point the necklace out to Henry?" she then whispered and chuckled.
"Hmm... Maybe..." Evie nodded as she accepted the snowglobe. "How much do you guys want for this?" she then asked as she carefully held onto it.
"Because it's for a special gift... I think $15." Gabrielle told her.
"Ooh, good deal~" Evie nodded as she set the snowglobe down a moment along with her notebook to take out her wallet and rifle through her money before giving Gabrielle then needed amount.
Gabrielle accepted the money and made a note for a receipt for her. "Excuse me a moment while I get its box." she then said and headed to get the said box it could be stored in when not displayed.
"Thank you, Gabrielle," Evie smiled. "Mom's going to love this."
"You're welcome and I'm glad~" Gabrielle assured and beamed.
Evie smiled back tenderly before she crossed her mother's name off of her shopping list.
Gabrielle came back with the box and a gift bag to put it in. "I'm throwing these in for free~" she assured as she placed the globe in the box and then the box into the gift bag.
"Ooh, lucky me~" Evie giggled in response.
Gabrielle beamed to that with a soft giggle. "Labels not included however." she giggled.
"Aw, why not?" Evie playfully complained.
"Because we have none in stock." Gabrielle replied with a chuckle.
"Ahh," Evie replied and giggled a bit. "Thank you so much though."
Gabrielle smiled and handed her the gift bag and the receipt. "Hope you have a happy holiday." she smiled.
"Thanks, Gabrielle, I hope you guys do too." Evie replied, accepting the bag and receipt with a warm smile back.
Gabrielle nodded with a smile. Evie smiled back before she decided to go and check on Henry.
"I should probably get something for my moms too..." Henry then mused, as he couldn't buy Evie's yet while she was around as he wanted it to be a surprise.
"That sounds nice," Ben replied. "You know what they both like?" he then added.
"Well, you know Mom likes the fancier stuff but still heartfelt," Henry mused. "And Emma likes more simple stuff," He also mused. "Maybe a necklace each for them both?" he suggested.
Ben nodded as he began to take a look among the jewelry that his father had.
Henry watched Ben and then glanced over to Evie. "Hey, Evie." he greeted his sister again.
"Hey Henry," Evie smiled. "Are you done or are you doing more shopping?" she then asked.
"I'm thinking of getting Mom and Emma a necklace each." Henry said.
"Oh, nice," Evie nodded and smiled. "I think Ben has an idea too." she then added.
Henry glanced over and nodded. "Looks like it." he said.
Gabrielle was about to put the necklace back when she got a small feeling and then subtly brought it over to Ben. Ben then closed up the cash register and looked around until he saw Gabrielle approaching.
"I think this might be useful." Gabrielle told Ben quietly as she showed him the necklace and glanced to Henry.
Ben glanced over and then nodded. "That's very sweet." he then approved.
Gabrielle smiled to that. She then gave him the necklace box so he could show Henry.
"How about this for Aunt Regina, Henry?" Ben asked as he showed off the necklace.
Evie smiled softly at that.
Henry looked at the necklace a moment. He had Ben shift it a little so he could look at the shine and then smiled. "I think she'd love it... do you think so, Evie?" he said and asked his sister's opinion.
"Oh, how stunning," Evie said as she took a look. "I think that Mom will adore this present the most."
"Yeah, it suits her and I know." Ben nodded since he grew up knowing Regina as a person over the years.
Henry smiled to that. "I think I'll get it then, how much?" he asked.
"This little number costs a mean $20," Ben explained. "It's a bit pricy, but of course, I hope not too much for you guys."
"We might not get 50 bucks as an allowance all the time, but we'll manage, Benny Boo." Evie smirked at her childhood best friend.
"It's fine, Mom's worth it." Henry nodded to that.
"Moms are always worth it, aren't they?" Ben agreed and nodded.
"Yes, they mean to world to us like we mean the world to them." Evie replied.
"Yeah." Henry agreed to that.
Gabrielle gave a soft smile to that.
"Thank you guys so much for your help," Evie beamed. "I think you helped make this Christmas feel even more enchanted and special."
"An enchanted Christmas," Ben remarked with a nod. "I guess you could call it that for us."
Henry nodded.
Gabrielle gave a small shiver. "Let's hope there's no evil or falling pipe organs." she murmured.
"She knows about that?" Evie asked Ben.
"I despised pipe organ lessons..." Ben murmured in a rare emotion of disdain. "...though she might mean something else." he then added.
Gabrielle gave a tiny smile.
"Any plans for today, guys?" Ben wondered.
"Just a little special get together with family." Evie replied.
"Well, we're going to build a snowman later." Henry said.
"Ooh, that sounds nice," Ben smiled. "Is his name gonna be Frosty?"
"Maybe, we're still thinking about it." Evie chuckled.
Henry chuckled to that as well.
"Well, stay warm, guys," Ben advised. "I'm sure it'll get a lot colder after dark."
"No kidding," Evie agreed. "Our falls were always pretty frigid compared to most other parts of the world."
"Luckily we have plenty of warm clothes to dress up in when it gets too cold." Henry said.
"Well, have a good time, guys," Ben smiled. "We gotta do a bit of work before we'll be done for the day. Mom insisted on the rise of Christmas shopping."
"Yeah, I guess that makes sense," Evie nodded. "Maybe Mr. Marco/Geppetto will have some toys to share with the younger kids."
"I'm sure he would," Henry mused. "At least to those who need them." he smiled.
"Enjoy the rest of your day." Ben told them.
"We will, Ben, try not to work too hard." Evie replied.
"You try to as well." Henry nodded.
"See you later." Gabrielle smiled softly.
"Later." Evie nodded and waved at them as she went to go out the door with Henry.
"Later, guys." Ben smiled.
Henry waved and left with Evie.
"I just love seeing all of us together in harmony like this," Evie sighed. "I wish Storybrooke was always like this, especially with the annoying problems that come with going to school."
Dee Dee appeared to be sitting on a bench across from the shop, waiting for Evie and Henry since Leroy had some other things to do and the siblings told her they would all build a snowman together afterward.
"Well, at least we get times off while we help." Henry pointed out to his sister. He then noticed Dee Dee and gave a wave to her.
Dee Dee looked over and waved as well, going right over to them.
"Yeah, that's good," Evie had to agree. "I just hope people like Audrey and Chad don't act like a bunch of humbugs."
"Well, if they do, then Santa won't get them too good gifts." Henry said, after thinking on it a moment. As being a humbug wasn't good but it wasn't worthy of coal.
"Hey guys, ready to make a snowman?" Dee Dee asked eagerly.
"You got it, kiddo." Evie smiled.
"Yeah." Henry agreed with a smile.
"Where would be a good place to go for that though?" Evie wondered.
"Maybe the playground?" Dee Dee offered.
"Nah, we can do it in our garden," Henry pointed out. "No one would steal even snow from out of there so there'll be plenty to use." he explained his reasoning.
"Ah, yes, the garden," Evie nodded. "That's okay with you, right Dee Dee?"
"Sure it is!" Dee Dee replied. "I mean, as long as Mayor Mills is fine with me there too."
"Mom will be fine with it." Henry assured Dee Dee with a smile.
"Let's go then." Dee Dee said.
Eve smiled as she followed Henry and Dee Dee back home. Henry nodded and walked home with them both, falling into step next to Dee Dee.
"It feels like I'm right in the story I come from." Dee Dee remarked about the winter wonderland around them.
"Right... The Nutcracker Prince." Evie memorized and nodded.
Henry nodded to that. "Well that story is usually known as being more to set with Christmas in this world." he smiled.
"Of course it is~" Dee Dee nodded. "Are you guys going to put your stuff inside before we do the snowman?" she then asked them.
"Yeah, I was thinking we should." Henry nodded to that.
"Okay, makes sense." Dee Dee replied.
"Thnaks for understanding." Evie smiled warmly.
Henry smiled, feeling rather content right now. Evie then opened the door for her and Henry while Dee Dee looked at the snow.
"Ooh, that's a bit cold," Dee Dee shivered. "The Land of Sweets' snow was never that cold."
"Thanks Evie," Henry said about her opening the door. He then looked at Dee Dee. "Snow is this cold." he told her. He then looked to see if she had on properly warm clothes.
"Not in the Land of Sweets." Dee Dee remarked.
"Well, I guess that winter is different than this one," Evie suggested as they came inside. "We won't be long." she then added.
"Do you have gloves?" Henry asked Dee Dee.
"Ah, yes, I do, I should wear them now since we'll be playing in the snow." Dee Dee nodded before she put her hands in her pockets to take out her pair of winter gloves for whenever she would need them since winter can be unpredictable sometimes.
"Alright, and yeah, they'll be needed for building the snowman." Henry smiled. He then excused himself a moment to put the presents upstairs until they would be placed under the tree when it would be set up.
Dee Dee nodded as she slid on her gloves. Evie then put on her good winter boots after putting on a bit of a heavier, but not too heavy coat since they would be outside for a while. Henry had already dressed for the cold but decided to grab an extra scarf incase Dee Dee needed it.
"I'm dressing for winter and not for fashion right now." Evie remarked to Henry innocently.
Henry looked to his sister confused but nodded. "Warm clothes aplenty." he chuckled.
"Well, sometimes the fashionista in me breaks out, though I can't change as fast as Amalie." Evie remarked.
Henry chuckled to that. "Well, you're always on the cutting edge of fashion, Evie." he assured his sister.
"Yes, I'm hoping to do something with it, especially with making gowns and suits for my friends for special occasions." Evie nodded and then added, sounding rather proud of herself.
"I think you'd be great at that Evie... maybe you could study it in college and such after high school?" Henry grinned and then suggested.
"Yeah, I think I can manage that," Evie smiled. "Of course, I'll get my special helper Doug with me if he wants, he's so good with fashion."
Henry gave a knowing grin to that.
"What?" Evie giggled and asked, noticing his grin.
"Are you sure he's just a helper?" Henry asked playfully teasing.
"Well, of course he is!" Evie insisted before looking sheepish. "...Henry, what're you thinking?" she then wondered.
"I just think you guys seem to mesh well together." Henry smiled a bit.
"Even if I'm the daughter of The Evil Queen and he's the son of a dwarf and... cat lady person..." Evie replied. "...I'd love to know more about her story..." she then added with a small smirk.
Henry gave a small chuckle to that. "Come on, let's get back outside so we can make a snowman with Dee Dee," he suggested.
"All right, let's go." Evie replied and smiled as she headed for the door first and opened it for both of them.