Henry made sure the guest rooms were ready. Evie did some cleaning and rearranging as needed as Regina had some music playing while doing her part in the kitchen. Henry made sure the rooms were neat and ready for use. Luckily he had even found out his crib for Baby Leo to use.
"Thank you both so much," Regina smiled proudly at Evie and Henry. "You two are wonderful."
"Hey, Mom, it's because of you." Evie smiled back and reassured her mother.
"Everything is set up for Christmas Eve and the others coming over." Henry grinned.
"There's a strange feeling inside..." Regina admitted as she put her hand around her chest area.
"Is Mom's heart about to grow three sizes?" Evie asked Henry in astonishment.
"No, but I think it's filling more with happiness." Henry whispered back with a smile.
"You're both very funny," Regina smirked at them. "Well, I like this feeling honestly."
"I do too, Mom, I want us to always have times like this." Evie beamed hopefully.
Henry smiled warmly to that. "Yeah, I hope we get more times like this too." he agreed.
"That would be nice, but we'll just see," Regina said before she heard beeping from the kitchen. "There's the oven, excuse me a moment." she then told her two children.
"Sure, Mom." Evie nodded.
"Okay, Mom." Henry agreed.
Regina smiled at them and soon went to the kitchen to finish her task in there as the Charming family would be visiting very soon.
"I hope Ms. Lotus and the others are having a Merry Christmas too." Evie said softly about the ones who stayed with Ms. Lotus such as Jay, Carlos, Carla, Gil, and Enid.
"I'm sure they will be." Henry assured her.
"I hope they like the gifts I got for them at least..." Evie said softly. "You know, Henry, I see friendship as a very important thing in anyone's life out in the world because, who'll be right there by you when you need it most when things are tough? I mean, I'm sure Dee Dee will always be there for you and you'll be there for her."
Henry nodded to that. "I'm sure they'll like them." he assured.
"You really ARE the best little brother I could ever ask for." Evie told Henry warmly and sincerely.
Henry gave Evie a hug. Evie hugged him back and gently stroked his back, enjoying their tender little moment. Regina poked out a little and gave a small, emotional smile, then headed back into the kitchen before they would see her. Henry smiled as he gave his big sister a gentle squeeze of a hug.
"Mm-mm!" Evie beamed as she squeezed him a bit back in the hug. "The best little brother ever~" she whispered sweetly.
Henry gave a small smile. "You're the best big sister a boy could ask for." he murmured back.
"Don't ever go away from me again." Evie said with a firm pout, though not angry of course.
"I'll try not to." Henry assured.
Evie gave him another hug and gently stroked his hair with a small smile. Henry smiled back. Regina then came out of the kitchen, drying her hands.
"You could've magicked up a feast." Evie pointed out to her mother.
"Oh, but where would the fun in that be?" Regina smirked.
"Besides, Mom's cooking is awesome." Henry agreed.
"I just wanted to make it easier for you, Mom." Evie admitted bashfully.
"You're so sweet, Evie," Regina said softly and nodded. "I think YOU are more likely to be fairest in the land than I'll ever be."
Henry gave a small smile to that. "Plus we did the rest of the tidying to make it easier on Mom." he reminded his sister.
"Yes, we did," Evie nodded. "We did an excellent job."
"You definitely did." Regina agreed.
Henry smiled a bit.
"Any cookies before dinner?" Regina offered.
"Ooh, we shouldn't, but... Maybe just one?" Evie wondered bashfully.
"One won't hurt." Henry assured, as a growing boy though his hunger wouldn't be affected by one cookie.
Regina beamed and nodded as she let them help themselves.
"Aw, what a lovely angel~" Evie smiled as she decided to pick that one off the tray.
"That tree has my name on it~" Henry chuckled as he picked one of the tree ones.
"I made them very special," Regina chuckled and nodded. "I just hope the others appreciate them."
Henry took a bite and then hummed. "They will, Mom." he assured.
Regina beamed warmly at that. "Okay, they should be here any minute now." she then said.
Evie nodded and then put on some Christmas music ambience to fit the mood and lift everyone's spirits.
The Charming family were on their way over to the Mills' house for what they agreed to do for Christmas this year.
Emma decided to be sisterly with Leo and tell him all about Christmas even though he was a baby and probably couldn't understand a thing she was saying and they soon came to a stoplight and she glanced out the window a moment. "...Neal?" she then murmured, seeing the man in town as he was with Goldie and Koda right now on their way to see Belle, Ben, and Gabrielle.
Mary Margaret smiled warmly as she heard Emma talking to Leo. She then blinked as she glanced back at her daughter and son, due to hearing her daughter stop and murmur something. She then followed her gaze a moment.
"Oh, it's Neal," David remarked. "...You okay, Emma?" he then asked out of concern.
"Yeah, it's just... I can't believe he's really here after we thought we lost him..." Emma admitted as she seemed to hide herself from being potentially by Neal or Goldie.
"Well, at least they look happy together." Mary Margaret said softly, sympathetic to her daughter but pleased for Neal too.
"Yes, they do," Emma nodded. "I hope they have a good one."
David looked soft, though Emma didn't seem to want to get up and get out of the car right away, so he kept them inside and then drove down the road once the light turned green again. Mary Margaret reached back and soothingly patted her daughter's knee.
Emma looked over and gave a small smile. "Thanks, Mom." she then said softly.
Mary Margaret gave her a soothing smile. Emma smiled back, though she sighed a little bit at seeing Neal, but tried not to let it get to her as they continued their way to the Mills mansion while everyone else celebrated the holiday in their own way today.
"It'll be okay," Mary Margaret assured Emma. "And if it wasn't for the fact he and Regina would snip at and argue with each other, I'm sure Killian would be joining us." she then soothed reminding her daughter she had someone too.
"Hopefully he and Harry can have their own happy holiday." Emma nodded.
"Ah, Merry Kissmas, Carla... I did not see you there..." Harry grinned as he was posing in the mirror and brought out his father's hook on his hand and had mistletoe dangling from it and was practicing wooing and impressing the girl with some mistletoe. "Ah, Carla, what a pleasant surprise, let me help you have a Merry KISSmas~"
"HARRY LIAM JONES, WHERE IS MY HOOK?!" Killian shouted suddenly, making the pirate teen very nervous.
Mary Margaret smiled to that. Emma smiled back a bit. David then began to pull up as they were there now. Mary Margaret unbuckled herself and got ready to let her daughter out of the back and also unhook her baby. Baby Leo looked up and beamed at Mary Margaret while Emma and David would manage on their own. Henry ate the cookie in a couple more bites and then went to get the door. Evie gave a small smile at that. Mary Margaret smiled to her son and lifted him out, holding him in her arms. David walked ahead of the others and decided to knock on the door.
"This is gonna be a lot of fun for you, buddy." Emma promised Baby Leo.
Henry came and opened the door. "Grandpa." he greeted warmly.
"Hey there, Henry!" David smiled warmly. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas," Henry smiled back. "Please come in, shoes off in the hall." he chuckled as he stepped aside.
David nodded as he came inside through the door and began to remove his shoes as told.
"Hey, kid, what's up?" Emma greeted and smiled at Henry on the way inside as Baby Leo looked all around, amazed at the decorations at the Mills' mansion.
"Hey Ma, Merry Christmas." Henry greeted her with a warm smile and gave her a hug, careful not to squish his baby Uncle.
"Merry Christmas." Emma smiled, hugging him back as David came further inside.
"Come on in!" Evie beamed as she met David at the end of the hallway. "You're just in time to get settled and eat."
Henry smiled then let her go. "I'll hold Uncle Leo while you take your shoes off." he said, as he let her in.
Mary Margaret was patiently, waiting for her turn.
"Sure thing, be careful, kid." Emma nodded and reminded him.
Evie looked very soft and emotional at the sight of Baby Leo.
"Man, it smells great in here, doesn't it?" David asked Mary Margaret.
"Merry Christmas, Grandma, and I will, Ma." Henry assured as he hugged Mary Margaret quickly before carefully taking his uncle in his arms from his mother.
"Merry Christmas, Henry," Mary Margaret chuckled to Henry, gave him a squeeze in return before taking off her shoes and joining her husband. "It does~" she agreed.
Emma smiled softly and looked around. "Merry Christmas, Evie." she then said.
"Merry Christmas, Emma." Evie said with a small nod.
"Merry Christmas, one and all!" Regina announced as she came into the room, dressed in a stunning and sexy red dress that matched the apples in her tree and she appeared to even have a Santa hat on for affect.
Henry smiled and then glanced over he then turned around so Leo couldn't see.
"O-Oh, Regina, you look lovely," Mary Margaret said at first, as the woman wasn't a bad looker at all. "But that dress is a little bit... Short and skin showing for around young ones?" She said, her tone light, trying not to upset Regina as she didn't intend to do that.
"...Miss December, is that you?" Emma murmured.
"Oh, I guess this is for someone else," Regina said as she looked down. "Excuse me a moment while I get changed and wash the egg off my face."
"Sorry about that, guys." Evie told the others with a nervous smile while David was just wide-eyed and even blushing a little.
Mary Margaret noticed her husband's look and, though she knew he wouldn't stray, nudged him in the side.
"Erm, sorry," David said and smiled sheepishly. "You know YOU are my true love."
Henry coughed a little but not in an illness way, he was trying to hide his embarrassment though not in a bad way he just wasn't expecting his mom to be wearing that kind of outfit.
"Bless you, Henry," Evie said to the cough. "Would you and anyone else, like literally anyone in the room, right now this very second like a drink?" she then offered in a very clumsy way.
"Ah, yes, let's get comfortable and familiar until Regina comes back." Emma added.
"Let's go set up in the living room ready for after dinner?" Henry suggested.
"That sounds like a good idea," Evie nodded before giggling and tickling Baby Leo. "Are you gonna help?"
Baby Leo giggled in response and smiled warmly at Evie as she was very sweet and friendly to anyone who earned it. Regina soon came back down, still wearing the hat but had a more tasteful and cordial dress on than she had on before. Henry let Evie take Leo.
"Just not around any hot drinks." Mary Margaret advised Evie. She then smiled at Regina as that looked better.
Evie carefully held onto Leo and smiled at him. "Hey there, little..." she then said, though paused, unsure what to call him and soon made herself overthink it a bit too much. "...Snow White is my step-sister... Prince Charming is my step-brother-in-law... Henry is little brother and-"
"Evie, calm down, you can call him nephew as that is the largest link he has to you." Henry soothed his sister.
"Hello there, little nephew." Evie then finally said once she was able to calm her mind down.
"Nice save, kid." Emma whispered to Henry.
Henry smiled to Emma.
"Is this better?" Regina asked Mary Margaret, sounding deadpan all of a sudden.
"Yes, you look lovely now too, just more suitable for little eyes~" Mary Margaret assured warmly.
"Thank you..." Regina said with a nod before she gave a sincere smile. "And thank you for coming."
"Sure! Anything for family." David nodded.
"Thank you for agreeing to a joint family Christmas." Mary Margaret smiled warmly.
"Yes, it seemed like a wonderful idea," Regina smiled back before she looked down a little. "I was just hoping to share the tradition with another someone too."
"So, who's thirsty?" Evie asked as she held onto Baby Leo.
"Me." Emma said with a small chuckle.
"I am." Henry nodded.
"Could I have a juice please?" Mary Margaret requested. She then gave Regina a soft look and came over to her and squeezed her arm softly.
"Apple or peach?" Evie asked Mary Margaret.
"Peach please." Mary Margaret replied.
Evie nodded as she went to get everyone some drinks.
"Do you need any help, Regina?" Emma offered.
"That's okay, we can handle most of everything," Regina reassured. "All you should have to do is sit back, relax, and make yourselves at home."
"Well, these decorations at least get me in the spirit of a holiday I feel like was gone too long in our world." David remarked as he looked all over the red and green everywhere in the mansion as well as homemade decorations.
Mary Margaret gave a smile.
Henry popped his head into the kitchen a moment. "I'll help everyone get settled then I'll come help you carry the drinks." he told his sister.
"Thanks, Henry, that sounds great." Evie nodded as she went into the kitchen a moment.
David soon sat down on a chair by the fireplace.
"Make yourselves at home." Regina advised the Charming family.
"Thank you, Regina." Mary Margaret smiled.
"Of course." Regina smiled back.
Henry then came to help get the Charmings/Swan side of his family settled in.
"I really love these decorations." David said as he looked around. "You must've used a spellbook or something."
Mary Margaret smiled warmly then went into the living room
"No, we just all pitched in." Henry told David.
Emma came along as well, smiling warmly.
"Well, it's nicely done." David smiled proudly.
"Thank you so much for this," Regina said to their visitors. "I feel like this is just what we all need to get back on our feet after our last adventure together."
"I do too, and maybe it'll be the start of a new tradition?" Mary Margaret smiled and then offered as a suggestion.
"Well, I suppose we could do that if we can still do Christmas again after this year." Regina replied thoughtfully.
"I'm sure North could have that happen," David suggested. "He seems to be on good terms with us after what happened with Anna, Elsa, and Elwin at least, even if it probably killed... Ingrid." he then added since that was what he was meant to believe after the events of Anna and Elsa being in Storybrooke.
"And Christmas is supposed to happen every year anyway." Henry pointed out though softening a bit as he knew Emma was a bit more involved around the Ingrid thing since they knew each other while Emma was younger.
"Yeah, that's true," Emma agreed. "It was amazing over there, but I kinda like it better here because... Family is over here."
"And we're glad you're here too." David nodded as he gently squeezed her hand.
Henry nodded with a smile.
"This shall forever be my favorite Christmas ever." Emma announced.
"That's quite a relief to know and hear." Evie commented as she brought in a glass of juice for Mary Margaret.
"Thank you, Evie." Mary Margaret smiled. She gave Emma an even warmer smile.
"You're welcome," Evie smiled back. "Food will be sorted out very soon, we just hope you're hungry."
"Yeah, not sure how much I can hold on for." Emma nodded.
"Don't worry, it won't be long now." Regina reassured them as she checked the time.
Mary Margaret smiled. She then took a sip of juice before holding her arms out to accept her baby back.
"I think someone missed you a little." Evie told Mary Margaret gently as she nuzzled her cheek against Baby Leo's who smiled brightly at her before looking back at his mommy.
"Thank you for holding him a little." Mary Margaret smiled warmly to Evie, accepting her son back.
"Thank you for letting me," Evie smiled back. "It felt very nice."
Baby Leo smiled warmly at Evie before looking back at his mommy softly.
"Of course, and if you want to earn a little money maybe you could babysit him for us, if we have to leave him home?" Mary Margaret suggested.
"Oh, I thought Granny or Goldie were babysitting for you guys?" Evie replied.
"Evie, it's free money, go for it." Emma whispered playfully.
"Well, we do call Granny or Goldie when we can, but you don't have to do it if you don't want to." David reassured the bluenette girl.
"We do, but they aren't always available as you aren't always either," Mary Margaret told her. "But this way you get a little extra cash," she told her. "But yes, you don't have to agree." she nodded.
"Well, I think I would love to actually," Evie smiled. "I'm not sure if I'm fully a baby person, but I'm sure that I was pretty good with Henry back in the day."
"From what I remember, even during the curse, you were a wonderful sister to Henry." Mary Margaret assured.
"Oh, well, thank you," Evie beamed warmly. "Then I would be glad to look after young Prince Leo for you both."
"Prince Leo might be pushing it, but thanks, Evie." David chuckled and added.
Mary Margaret smiled warmly.
"All right, everyone, dinner is served." Regina soon told everyone.
"Ah, great!" Emma said, relieved. "We're starving, we haven't eaten since Granny's."
Mary Margaret smiled to that.
Henry led the procession and decided to pull out the chairs for Emma, Evie, and Regina to be nice. Regina led everyone into the dining room and soon pointed out everything to eat aside her roast turkey that looked absolutely scrumptious. "Thank you, hon." she told Henry warmly.
"Thanks, kid." Emma added.
"Ah, yes, thank you, Henry," Evie smiled. "You just might be one of the next princes of Storybrooke yet."
Henry gave a small but pleased smile. Regina smiled at everyone and began to roast the turkey as everyone took their seats together. Evie helped bring out drinks since her hands were empty right now. Mary Margaret gave a small smile as she put Leo down in the baby seat they had brought from the car so they could eat in peace, especially since Leo was too young for a high chair or even sitting on Mary Margaret's lap as they ate. Henry helped out too. Evie looked soft as she helped with what she could.
"I just hope everyone's okay with this dinner." Regina said.
"It's more than okay, Regina, really." Emma reassured her.
"It looks lovely and I know it will taste it too." Mary Margaret smiled.
Regina gave a small smile back.
Soon, everyone had their own plate of food, something to drink, and somewhere to sit as they began to have a special Mills/Charming family Christmas dinner together.
"This is the most beautiful snowfall I've seen since..." David remarked as he glanced out the window before looking at his wife. "Well, since I saved YOU, my dear."
Mary Margaret blushed softly a bit to that. "You were partly reason I fell~" she told him, but was meaning both the playfully figurative and the literal ways.
"Well, it had to be done, but we're okay now~" David reassured her with a chuckle.
Mary Margaret smiled warmly to that. David smiled back and soon got ready to dine for everyone.
"It's so nice to have family together for dinner." Regina remarked.
Henry had a small smirk as that reminded him of a film.
"Yes, this is our best get together yet." Evie agreed.
Mary Margaret took a bite of the food. "Delicious~" she beamed to Regina.
Everyone else began to dine in as well as they could. Unknown to them though, North was watching this from the window as it gently snowed outside in Storybrooke and he felt very happy to see that and began to drop off very special gifts for everyone in town, but the descendants would receive very special gifts of their own too very soon. Henry smiled happily, glad he had suggested the idea.
"Should we do a quick prayer?" Regina wondered.
"Who do we pray to, Mother Goose?" Emma asked playfully until she decided not to laugh. "...okay, you know what? If I say that, you'll just say Mother Goose was like your Mother Theresa or something."
"I hear she has a grown daughter named Plumette." David smirked playfully.
"We can say it in the spirit of the holiday." Henry said.
"Well, all right, I guess we'll pray to Mother Goose." Emma said.
"Very well then..." Regina nodded. "Perhaps I should lead us."
Henry smiled to that.
"It is your house." Mary Margaret agreed.
Regina nodded and soon had everyone join hands in prayer.
"All right, it's Christmas..." Evie nodded and took hands with everyone else so that they could do a quick prayer.
Henry smiled and also did the same, closing his eyes. Mary Margaret smiled and closed her eyes too.
Regina smiled at that and soon did a prayer for everyone at the table, thanking them for their company and for this day being possible. "In your name we all pray, Amen." she then finished.
"Amen." Everyone else responded and opened their eyes so that they could eat up.
"Ahm!" Baby Leo babbled out.
Henry chuckled to that. Mary Margaret chuckled too, amused by her son's babble trying to copy the word. Regina smiled tenderly at that and soon, everyone began to dine into their dinner. Henry happily ate his dinner, as it was delicious. Evie beamed, enjoying her dinner the most. Regina smiled, enjoying this family feel, though she sighed softly since Robin Hood was gone and she had a very hard time recovering from it. Mary Margaret looked softly to Regina. Regina looked back over and tried to maintain a strong smile while within company. Mary Margaret gave a soothing smile.
Regina smiled back a little. "I'm fine, don't worry about me, I have them." she then whispered and reassured her as she looked over at Henry and Evie softly.
"Yes, and you have us too." Mary Margaret assured.
"Yes... I suppose I do..." Regina admitted quietly.
Mary Margaret smiled softly to that. Regina smiled back a bit as they enjoyed their festivities all together. North soon worked his magic and began to sneak gifts all throughout Storybrooke.
Even young Dee Dee was shown to be sitting by the chimney, hugging her knees as she was hoping to see "Santa Claus up close".
"Come on, Diamond, it's time for our family dinner." Leroy told the pigtailed girl, going to pull her away.
"The stories do say Santa won't come to awake children, or at the very least when children are staring for his arrival," Nova said.
"Aww..." Dee Dee pouted and soon went to the dining room with them along with the other dwarves, and of course, Doug and Ebony.
"Come on, let's eat up." Leroy chuckled as he helped her out a little as they left the living room.
Nova smiled as she finished laying down one of the serving plates.
"Thanks for coming, you guys," Leroy said to his fellow dwarves. "Dee Dee and Nova appreciate it."
Dopey smiled silently with a nod as he agreed while looking eager to have some sugarplums right away, smirking at Dee Dee playfully.
"No, Uncle Dopey! Those are for dessert!" Dee Dee giggled.
"Desserrrrt after dinner~" Ebony told Dopey with a slight purr to her Rs in dessert.
Dopey blushed and then nodded and nuzzled her to say "You're right, my dear".
"This has been the best Christmas ever~" Dee Dee told everyone as she felt blessed to be a part of this.
Nova smiled warmly to Dee Dee. Ebony gave a sweet smile to her husband.
"Can I say something at least?" Dee Dee wondered.
Dopey smiled back and took her hand gently as Ebony purred and squeezed his hand softly. Dopey smiled fondly and leaned his face against hers to nuzzle with her.
"What would you like to say?" Nova smiled.
"I wanna thank everyone for coming!" Dee Dee beamed. "This is the best Christmas in Storybrooke ever!"
Nova smiled sweetly and pressed a kiss to her daughter's cheek.
Ebony nuzzled him back. "It is~" she agreed warmly.
Dee Dee beamed.
"I, uh, thank you so much for coming, guys." Leroy said to his brothers.
"We know, Grumpy, we're family!" Happy pointed out.
"Thank you for inviting us, Uncle Leroy." Doug told the older guy.
"Certainly!" Leroy nodded. "In fact, it was Dee Dee's idea."
"I just thought it would make sense for the seven dwarves to be together for the holiday," Dee Dee nodded and added. "You too, Dougie~"
Nova smiled.
"Thank you for inviting me and my kitten too~" Ebony smiled to Dee Dee warmly.
"Well, we are family." Doug smiled a bit.
"Thank you for coming!" Dee Dee beamed. "I'm glad you're all here."
The other dwarves clamored and agreed in their own way.
"I'm glad to be here too." A tiny voice said, making everyone look around until Bashful blushed and waved, basically saying that he was the one to say it.
"Next to Dopey, Bashful don't really say much." Leroy commented to Nova, amazed.
Nova smiled softly to that. "Christmas spirit?" she whispered warmly.
"Maybe?" Leroy shrugged. "Stranger things have happened."
"Like Uncle Dopey falling in love with a cat girl?" Dee Dee remarked. "What's up with that anyway?"
Dopey blushed a little as Dee Dee said that rather bluntly as she was a bit childlike at her age and mostly being naive and innocent in most situations.
"Dee Dee, sweetheart, that's not really polite to ask." Nova told her.
Ebony looked at Dee Dee to that. "Love isn't strange." she said to the first bit.
"Oh, sorry~" Dee Dee said sheepishly.
"They'll tell you another time, Diamond, but love is just love," Leroy reassured her. "Even if it means breaking some rules." he then whispered since he and Nova were told not to be together even though they stayed together right now to raise Dee Dee and didn't listen to The Blue Fairy/Mother Superior about it for once.
Nova nodded to that with a smile.
"Merry Christmas, everyone." Leroy said as he lifted up his glass as they had their own family holiday.
North was making his rounds around Storybrooke, delivering special gifts to them this year, though he felt surprised at the names a on a list he had. "Man, this little town is a lot bigger than it looks! Maybe I should've taken up Trixie's offer in asking that skeleton guy from The Halloween Realm for assistance." he then commented.
"Merry Christmas~" came the reply.
Leroy smiled at that and everyone took a sip of their own drink.
North soon sat on a bench just as another young couple waltzed by.
"It sure is nice to witness a moment like this, Elizabeth." The man said kindly to the woman with him, smiling bright and having a spring in his step.
"Yes it is, Fred my darling." Elizabeth agreed softly with a smile.
North looked over at them and chuckled. "Well, I'll be..." he then said.
"We've always had Christmas cheer and our new home has finally provided it for us." Fred beamed.
"Yes, it's been even better since Uncle Scrooge gave his blessing for us to marry~" Elizabeth nodded with a soft smile.
"I'm just glad that Clara understood and even found her own happy ending at least." Fred replied.
"Merry Christmas, folks." North told them.
"Oh, thank you!" Fred beamed. "Merry Christmas to you too-" he then added until he looked and did a double take. "Elizabeth, it's Father Christmas!" he then said in astonishment.
Elizabeth blinked in surprise but then smiled. "Merry Christmas, sir." she told the older gentleman warmly.
"Yes, yes! Merry Christmas to you indeed!" Fred gushed. "This is such an honor!"
"Whoa, I've never had fans like you before, usually that's for the children." North chuckled, amused by their excitement.
"Well, sir, Christmas is a special time for us, and getting to meet you; the Guardian of Christmas, it's such an honor." Elizabeth smiled.
"Well, I'm honored to meet you as well," North nodded. "Let's see... Fred and Elizabeth Marley?" he then asked them.
"Yes," Fred nodded as he tipped his hat in greeting. "Nephew and only living relative of Mr. Ebeneezer Scrooge and my darling Elizabeth Marley, daughter of Jacob and niece of Robert."
Elizabeth nodded to that and bobbed a quick curtsey, not totally forgetting her Victorian manners.
"Would you folks like to help an old man out?" North asked. "I didn't realize giving Christmas to Storybrooke would be such a big job and I thought I'd save the others some trouble, especially Jack Frost."
"Well, I suppose we could help spread Christmas cheer," Fred replied. "Would you be okay with that, Elizabeth?" he then asked his beloved.
"Spreading the Christmas cheer sounds wonderful~" Elizabeth nodded.
"Well, thank you," North nodded in return. "I thought I could count on you two out of anyone else in this town. Have you always been here?" he then wondered.
"Oh, we've been around, but... It's not like home around here a whole lot," Fred admitted with a small shrug. "Uncle Scrooge isn't here, our friends aren't here, most of the time this town is under attack by a supernatural force and it's up to teenagers to solve the problem somehow."
"Them or Emma Swan and her family." Elizabeth nodded.
"Well, I suppose that makes sense," North admitted with a nod. "Tell you what, you guys help me more around here for the holiday and I'll see what I can do to make it up to you?" he then offered.
"Oh, we couldn't impose like that." Fred said bashfully.
"We'd be happy to help you, simply because it's Christmas not because of any potential gain," Elizabeth said to that. "Right, my darling?" she asked Fred, knowing he would feel the same but it was always nice to have him confirm her words.
"Of course!" Fred replied. "We don't need a reward in return, the good deed is good enough!"
"Well, all right, knock yourselves out," North shrugged and decided to take a break. "Just make sure no one sees you~"
Elizabeth smiled and nodded. "We won't be." she assured.
"Well, thank you for your help," North smiled back. "This is very important for the next generation of Storybrooke."
"And I guess in a way, we are that too." Fred remarked to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth smiled to that and nodded. North soon handed them a couple of lists and his magical bag filled with plenty of presents for everyone in Storybrooke.
Fred accepted them and was about to go on his way with Elizabeth. "Let's see, how shall we travel through town, my dear?" he then wondered.
"Maybe since it's Christmas I should use my powers?" Elizabeth offered with a small smile.
"Oh, I think that would help us nicely," Fred nodded before facing North. "She has special powers, you see."
"Doesn't everyone in this town?" North joked.
"Mine were given to me by one of the spirits under your purview." Elizabeth gave a soft smile. She then offered her hand to her husband.
"Well said then, my true love~" Fred nodded and then took his wife's hand tenderly. "Let's go spread Christmas cheer to Storybrooke."
Elizabeth smiled sweetly. She then floated up and flew with Fred to deliver all the rest of the presents to help North. Luckily only North would see them currently. North watched them and soon did what he could to take a quick rest due to Storybrooke being bigger than he imagined and didn't even ask for his elves to come and decided to let them take time off until next year and this would be another place on their global epedition.
"Whoooo!" Fred cheered and laughed as he loved how this felt as they helped out North in his time of need as Elizabeth giggled.
After dinner at the Mills' mansion, everyone relaxed in the living room with a movie. There was a lot of laughter heard as Elizabeth and Fred soared throughout the town.
"My word! That child is home alone!" Fred gasped as he peeked into one of the windows.
Elizabeth looked to see who he was on about. Fred gestured for her to come to his side and pointed the movie out to her. Mary Margaret was putting Leo down for a nap. There appeared to be a child that was, indeed, home alone and was determined to keep a couple of burglars away since it was the holiday season.
"Kevin McCallister is definitely Henry from the 90s." Evie remarked.
"Yeah, remind us never to mess with him in that case or hog all the cheese pizza." David chuckled.
Elizabeth hummed thoughtfully.
"I don't think I'd be quite as ruthless but I would defend my home." Henry chuckled.
"You would have a very smart way to do it," Evie reassured him with a nod. "Even if I got kidnapped by Harry and Marv."
"How sweet~" Regina smiled at that warmly.
Henry nodded to that. Evie smiled warmly and put her arm around her little brother before they both looked at the screen and laughed as Harry and Marv tried to run after Kevin only to step on and fell right on the floor after tripping on tiny racecars. Henry leaned into her hug, resting his head against her shoulder in a brotherly way. Evie smiled warmly at that as they continued to watch the movie with their extended family that year. Mary Margaret returned to the others, having thought Leo was settled in after having settled him down for a nap.
"How could anyone leave a child home alone?" Fred frowned at Elizabeth as he took that a bit too seriously. "Even for entertainment that they all seem to be laughing at."
"I don't know, but I'm sure they wouldn't have done it on purpose." Elizabeth soothed him.
"Hmm..." Fred paused before he shook his head. "Right, focus on the task at hand. Dammit, Fred Scrooge, you're becoming naive and innocent again!" he then pouted, trying to look firm and serious.
"I love you, Fred Scrooge... All of you~" Elizabeth smiled tenderly. She then brought him inside to drop off the presents without being seen.
Fred blinked and blushed. "I love you too, my darling Elizabeth Marley, you're a TRUE Christmas Angel~" he then reassured her and came along with her.
Baby Leo laid down in his crib and peeked over a little while everyone else was in the living room watching the movie after dinner. Elizabeth blushed but smiled sweetly. Leo giggled and cooed at them, trying to reach out a bit.
"Baby Leo..." Fred read one name out loud and smiled. "Aww, they have a little one~"
Elizabeth looked over at him too and smiled. Leo held onto his bars and cooed in wonder over the two. Fred smiled fondly at that and decided to put the gift close to the crib before he blinked and saw that he and Leo were looking into each other's eyes.
Elizabeth smiled softly. "Young children can see the unexpected," she said softly. She then sweetly and carefully laid Leo comfy and retucked him in. "Sleep, little one~" she crooned.
Leo smiled back before he yawned a little and began to drift off to sleep.
"Ah, the restful slumber of the innocence..." Fred sighed warmly and looked all around before he and Elizabeth would leave here and go to other places that would need gifts.
Elizabeth beamed and then went along with her beloved, so they could help North deliver the presents. Fred smiled at her and they soon continued along all throughout Storybrooke while North would take a bit of a break, enjoying the sights and sounds of the town.
"Leo, okay?" David asked her gently.
"Yes, he's having his nap." Mary Margaret smiled.
"Oh, good..." David nodded.
Mary Margaret sat beside him and tucked herself into his side. David smiled warmly as he allowed that. Regina glanced over at them, but said nothing as she just decided to keep her mind on the movie right now.
"We did it, Jadis..." North whispered to himself. "Now if only there was a way to save Mickey."
A/N: Thank you for joining me and this series in a little Christmas adventure before we get into this story arc which will bring back Mal along with Uma and of course their mother's and Carlos' mother as well, but there's one extra Queen of Darkness that no one has expected. Can you figure out who that might be? Stay tuned and find out more, until next time *mysterious whooshing noises and wiggling fingers*