Chapter Text
As the first cold light of dawn hit the sleeping blonde she awoke with a smile, it was Christmas Day. For the first time in her life she felt a childhood excitement about the festivities and traditions. Christmas had always been a lonely time, reminding her how she had no family and no friends. She’d celebrated Christmas before with the Charmings’ and that had been nice, but somehow this year was different. In part, because her and her parents were much closer, because she knew this year wouldn’t carry with it its usual awkwardness and guilt between them, of years lost and memories missed.
She finally felt at home in the small town of Storybrooke, Maine, it was her home, and she couldn’t imagine a life anywhere else. She loved to wake up to the bell of the clock tower, to see Doctor Hopper and Pongo on her drive into work. She loved to pop into the diner for her cinnamon hot chocolate, to chat with Granny and Leroy. Sometimes she was reminded of who these people were in their past lives, she’d smile to herself as she remembered their Disney adaptations.
Spending Christmas with her parents, Regina and their son was pure perfection for so many reasons. As friends, as two women who had vowed to put their son first, to spend Christmas as a crazy family was a huge leap forward on previous years. But as lovers, Emma couldn’t help but read more.
Turning her head her smile only grew as her eyes came to rest on the sleeping brunette lying next to her. In her dream like state Regina was so peaceful, so content, but Emma knew only too well this was not always the case.
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The darkness shrouded the room, it was late, well past midnight and the night was so still and silent, too silent, until a whimper broke through the darkness. As nightmares mounted Regina's dreams she tossed and turned in tortured agony.
Opening her eyes Emma frowned as she heard and saw Regina's fearful state. Gently she pulled her close, softly stroking her hair as she whispered quietly. “Hush, its just a dream.” She said as Regina's dark eyes flickered open. She could see the pain and the fear clearly on her face, and it broke her heart. “It’s just a dream.” She repeated.
Swallowing hard Regina realised what was happening, immediately seizing up to protect herself. She tried to pull herself free from Emma's grasp, but her grip was too strong as she held her close, keeping her safe. Eventually she stopped fighting, instead accepting the silent offer of help and support.
The sat in silence for a long while, like that, Emma holding her as she stroked her hair. With her head against the blonde’s chest she could hear the steady sound of her heartbeat, a surprisingly comforting sensation.
“I’m living in a hell of regret and remorse.” She finally whispered. “I can never truly atone for the atrocities I’ve committed. I have ruined and ended countless lives; I have destroyed the happiness of so many… How can I now, after all that expect or hope for a happiness of my own?” Her voice was hushed and sad as she absentmindedly caressed her fingers over the back of Emma's hand.
“I think the fact it bothers you this much, that you regret your actions, deeply…” She sighed softly before pressing a kiss to the top of Regina's head. “I think it is your duty to find happiness, for those who can no longer find it.”
Tilting her head Regina looked up into the green eyes she sought out so often, but this time there was no flirtatious sparkle, or danger, there was no challenge or humor there was just sincerity. Tears pricked at her own eyes as she swallowed hard, hearing the words that were said.
“I think happiness is up to you now.”
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Smiling wickedly, Emma shuffled down under the covers, between the legs of her sleeping lover. Brushing her fingers against Regina’s black satin nightdress she moved it to rest against her toned abdomen. Dipping her head forwards Emma gave a slow lick against her folds, teasing her tongue inside to taste her. Sliding two fingers inside Regina's hot core she slowly began to work back and forth as her tongue teased against the brunette’s swollen clit. Fingers knotted into her hair under the covers as hips bucked against her mouth.
“Faster.” Came Regina's husky response, her voice laced in lust and sleep.
Emma was only too happy to oblige, thrusting faster and harder. Curling her digits she caressed against Regina's G-Spot as she sucked at her clit, tipping her over the edge. She would have heard the moans of delight, had Regina's legs not clamped shut around her ears, her thighs holding her close as she came hard over Emma's fingers.
As she drifted back to Earth Regina let out a small laugh, it was definitely a pleasant way to be awoken on Christmas morning. As Emma moved back up the bed to lie in her arms, she pulled her into a deep kiss “Good morning, happy Christmas.”
“You liked your first Christmas present?”
“I loved it.” She smiled, before kissing the blonde again, this time with more passion. “Your turn.” She purred.
Emma let out a moan of desire as Regina began to kiss down her collarbone. Suddenly the sound of excited feet thundering down the landing was heard. Pulling back Regina lied back against her pillow just in time as Henry flew through the door and into her bedroom.
“IT’S CHRISTMAS!!!” He exclaimed excitedly as he jumped onto the bed, landing first on Regina, then on Emma before settling between the two of them.
“Ouch kid! Have you already been eating the Christmas pud? You don’t half weigh a lot.” She teased, earning her an elbow in the side.
“You’re the one who kept poking the dessert last night.” He said smugly.
“Lies!” She said in mock horror as Regina raised her brow disapprovingly.
As realisation finally dawned on him he looked from one mother two the other in confusion. “Why are you both in mom’s bed?” He asked.
“Emma came in, so we’d both be here to wish you a happy Christmas.” Regina explained, it wasn’t exactly a lie; she knew how much Emma was looking forward to Christmas with their son.
“So come on kid, let’s see if Santa left you any presents in your stocking last night.” Emma shot the brunette a smile as she hopped out of bed. “And maybe we could make your mom breakfast in bed.”
“No thank you Emma!” She said holding her hands up. “I still haven’t recovered from the last time you tried to cook for us.” Emma had decided to make popcorn for a movie night with her, Regina and Henry, several bottles of air freshener, potions, spells and a month later, she was sure she could still sometimes smell the burnt kernels. “I’ll make breakfast if you organise the presents.”
“I’m old enough to know Santa doesn’t really exist.” Henry said, he wasn’t a child anymore, and he didn’t need his parents to pretend anymore for him.
“Henry Mills, I am surprised at you!” Regina said as she wrapped her robe around herself. “After all you know about my land, and all the others, that you could dismiss the possibility that Saint Nicolas is real!?”
Emma nodded, standing next to Regina with her arms crossed. “He’s real all right, now get down stairs and see if he paid you a visit.” She couldn’t wait to start their Christmas celebrations, to open the presents and eat and drink, but she also couldn’t wait to have some alone time with Regina, to finish what they started.
Grabbing Emma's hand in one, and Regina's in the other he pulled them both to the door. “Let’s go together.”
Emma guessed their alone time would have to wait till later.
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The sound of the doorbell ringing chimed throughout the house, it was midmorning and the three of them were up and dressed. Regina was in the kitchen beginning on dinner, whilst Henry and Emma tried to assemble one of the presents ‘Santa’ had brought him. As the doorbell rang for a second time Regina sighed, placing the spoon down, clearly no one else was going to get the door. Smoothing down her apron nervously she made her way to the front door, pulling it open she smiled politely as she greeted Mary Margaret and David. Taking their coats, she led them into the front room to Emma and Henry who were delighted to see them.
Taking a step back Regina crept upstairs under the pretence of hanging the coats up in the spare room. She needed just a moment. She wasn’t sure when it had happened, but downstairs was her family.
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Regina could feel Emma's eyes burning against her skin; the feeling between them was electric. She wanted more than anything to drag the blonde to her bedroom and fuck her until she screamed, not caring if the Charmings heard them, but she couldn’t, she knew she couldn’t, could she? With Emma's eyes on her the feeling wasn’t leaving anytime soon.
Henry had just opened a new handheld games console and desperately wanted to put some batteries in to start playing, the only problem was they needed a tiny screwdriver to open the battery pack. “I think I have one upstairs, Emma, come help me look.” Regina said, shooting the blonde a look of urgency.
Nodding enthusiastically, Emma jumped to her feet, practically running up the stairs. As soon as she stepped into the master bedroom Regina was upon her, pushing her hard against the wall as she kissed her hungrily, her hands roaming, pushing the skirt of her dress up as she tore her panties down. With her teeth grazing as the side of her neck and at her earlobe, her hot breath caressing against her skin. “I want you.” She growled.
Emma gasped as she let her head fall back against the wall, her skin was on fire, and she needed Regina to put it out. She hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Regina, even whilst she was sat talking to her parents.
“I’m going to fuck you so hard.”
“Regina! Emma! David found one in his truck.” Mary Margaret’s voice called up the stairs, interrupting them.
Growling impatiently Regina rested her head on Emma's shoulder, unwilling to pull herself away, at least not yet.
“Regina?!” Mary Margaret repeated as she took the first and second stair.
“Fuck, we’ve got to go back down.” Emma sighed, knowing her mother too well.
“Fine.” Bending down she picked up Emma's damp panties, which she had tossed to the floor. “But I’m pocketing these for the day. You’re my slut, and I don’t want you wearing panties.” With that she turned on her heel and left an even more sexually frustrated Emma behind.
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An hour later Regina was growing impatient, she needed to have Emma and the Charmings seemed to be doing everything possible to keep them from being alone together. They were now even struggling to find moments to kiss, as someone was always hovering nearby threatening to catch them.
“Oh no!” Regina exclaimed. She was in the kitchen, having just basted the turkey, Mary Margaret was stood stirring vegetables which Regina had assured her didn’t need any attention and Emma was sat on the counter watching the two brunettes with amusement.
“What?” Mary Margaret asked worriedly, she wanted this Christmas to run smoothly, that meant no mishaps of any kind.
“Cranberry sauce, I didn’t buy cranberry sauce.” She lied.
“What?” Mary Margaret repeated with a gasp. “We have to have cranberry sauce.”
“I’ll have to go out and get some, are you okay to supervise the cooking?” She asked. She assumed Snow would be delighted at being trusted to run the kitchen, and she was right as she enthusiastically promised that everything would be perfect under her care.
Emma quickly cottoned on to Regina's plan, she knew for a fact that she had cranberry sauce in her cupboard; she had found it whilst snooping. “Regina you’ve had wine, you can’t drive, I’ll go and get the cranberry sauce, you stay here.”
“And end up with some budget range sauce or a jar of jam, I don’t think so. You can drive, but I’m coming with you.”
Wrapping their coats tight around themselves Regina whispered. “Well done, I was trying to think of a reason why we both needed to fetch sauce.”
“Where are we going?”
“My office, we should be able to get away with being gone for a full half an hour before they grow suspicious.” Opening the front door, Regina stepped out onto the porch just as Mary Margaret came running down the hallway, jar in hand.
“I found some cranberry, you don’t have to go out after all.” She said so pleased with herself.
Shooting a fake smile Regina took the jar from her. “Well look at that, it must have slipped my mind.”
“I’ve saved you a trip.”
“Indeed you have.”
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With the dinner things cleared away Regina returned to the living room, standing in the doorway she rested against the frame, a smile on her lips as tears pricked at her eyes. David was trying to dad-dance with Emma whilst Henry and Mary Margaret played with one of his new toys. She stood in silence and watched the four happy faces, listening to the chorus of laughter. She wasn’t quiet sure when it had happened, but this was her family.
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“Thank you so much for having us.” David said honestly. “We had a wonderful time.”
“Thank you for coming, yeah, it was a great day.” Regina smiled warmly as they said goodbye to their guests.
“We’ll have to do something for New Year.” Mary Margaret said happily.
“I’d like that.” Once again her answer was genuine, she really would like to bring the New Year in with the Charmings, if anyone had told her that thirty years ago, she’d have laughed in their face, and then turned them into a snail. Closing the door behind them she turned back to Emma with a smile. “I suppose we should get him to bed.” She said gesturing to the sleeping boy on the sofa.
“I got it.” Scooping up their not-so-little son into her arms she began to carry him upstairs as Regina followed. Tucking him in they sat on either side of his bed, both placing a kiss on his forehead. “Sweet dreams Henry.”
Back downstairs Regina placed the last of the washing in the dishwasher before turning back to the blonde. “So, now maybe I can give you your Christmas Present.” She smirked as she took the blonde’s hand, leading her down to the basement. With candlelight filling the room she closed the gap between them, running her thumb over Emma's cheek as she stared into her eyes a soft smile playing on her lips. “Merry Christmas Emma.” She said before kissing her softly, just as the clock in her hallway chimed midnight. “Are you ready for your Boxing Day present?”