Outlaw Queen: Forgetting Our Ending

CHRISTMAS!!!-13

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Christmas in Storybrooke had always been extravagant, as it was in the enchanted forest.  Preparations always begun early, this year was no exception.
Emma and Regina had already worked out a plan a few years ago; morning with Regina, nighttime with Emma. Roland, after much begging, managed to convince his father of spending the evening with his all time favourite babysitters. The Merry Men. Of course Robin grudgingly accepted, giving Will and Little John a list of rules and times for everything.
It was now the 20th of December. Everything was almost complete. Decorations were up around town, almost all the lights were up but not on. Presents were bought and trees had been put up. But it's no fun just being told this, is it? You want to live it, right? Exactly what I thought! So here it goes, the tale of Christmas in Storybrooke 2015...

"It's not straight! We went through this problem last year, Leroy! Straight as an-"
"Arrow?" Robin interrupted her rampage as she sighed.
"Exactly! Straight as a fricking arrow!"
"Regina, darling?"
"What!"
"Calm down." He hugged her as she huffed, giving into the security of his arms.
"Alright! You're right I should! But listen I need do this myself, so if you don't mind. Just go carry on with what you were doing." She kissed his cheek as he laughed walking away.
"Hey! Madam Mayor! Any better?" He shouted from the ladder.
"Perfect! See that wasn't so hard." She nodded toward the six other men down the bottom ready to put the tree in place. She was surprised the dwarfs weren't helping Leroy, but assumed they were helping somewhere. More for her own personal ease if nothing else.
"Hey Regina?"
"Snow? What's wrong now?"
"Blue wants to know if they should continue with their candles and decorations?"
"Yes of course. Just the usual." She nodded as Snow ran off.
"Hey Mom!"
"Not now Henry, I love you sweetie but I'm really busy."
"Okay mom, I'll go find Robin." He walked away from the chaos to find his step-father-like-figure to try and help out the best he could. His mother always got far too stressed out this time of year, always taking on the weight of the world so everything would be perfect. Every year he told her to calm down but she never listened. Also every year on Christmas Day she would sneak out extra early to go to the cemetery, she thought he didn't know but he always did. She would cast a spell on the house so no one could get in, only out, so he was safe, but he always felt sad because she never invited him. Once he followed her and she went to Daniels memorial. He had to stay back as he couldn't be caught but he knew she'd been crying. Whilst there he also saw Emma, at Neals grave. Once she'd left he decided to go over too. It's the one thing that always bothered him, has he made his father proud? Emma always tells him he has, but he's never 100% about it. The worst part is he'd never know, and he didn't want to tell anyone he felt this way as he looked like a little boy if he did. He seemed to feel like this was his own miniature torture. One he couldn't escape.
"Robin!"
"Hello Henry, you alright?"
"Yea, came to see if you needed any help?" Robin had been helping the rest of the dwarfs put the lights up around town.
"Let me guess your mothers working herself too hard still?"
"Like every year!" He shrugged as he began passing the lights to Robin from the massive cardboard box.
"This box is like a Mary Poppins box!" Henry chuckled as Robin turned to him.
"Who?" He asked bewildered by whom the boy was referring too.
"Never mind."
Emma walked past the large Christmas tree in front of the town hall with a smile on her face. She'd just been chatting with Ruby in the diner for a bit and already felt extremely Christmassy. She'd managed to purchase most presents early so she got all the good stuff. She'd even bought a little gift for Roland. Not that she felt obligated to, it's just he'd gotten so close to Henry recently.
"Emma? Want to help out?" She turned to her mother who was walking with a large box of candles in her arms.
"Sorry, can't. I'll maybe be round later though." She smiled as her mother nodded and walked towards the church.
"Hey kiddo!" She shouted from across the street as she saw Henry putting lights up.
"Hey Mom!"
"Love! Love! Where were you this morning?" Killian ran to catch up with his blonde beauty.
"I left early, sorry." She'd been really distracted lately, and Hook could tell. She wasn't in for dinners and left before breakfast. He even tried bringing her lunch now and again but she'd always either eaten or was out.
"Alright, listen I promised to help Robin and the Lad earlier so I have to run. I'll see you tonight?" He raised his eyebrow as she nodded absently.
"Yea, see you later." He kissed her cheek before running back.
"What the hell do you call that?" She turned at Reginas voice.
"What?"
"You barely even looked at him."
"I thought you were taking care of the decorations?" She quickly changed the subject.
"I was, your father convinced me to take a break, said he'd look after it for a bit."
"And you trust him?"
"I'm going back in a couple of minutes."
"Why don't you just magic the decorations up?"
"It's not the same, I like things to be this way. Stop changing the subject!"
"Look I'm just busy right now. I gotta go pick some stuff up, see you later." She walked off round the corner leaving Regina alone.
"Think that's been five minutes." She smiled to herself as she turned back to kick David out the way of her decorating job.
"Yea eh I think that's good."
"That is horrendous!"  She watched as they were looking for the large Christmas baubles. He'd pulled out a silver and brown bauble, from what felt like a million years ago.
"I just thought it was something different!" David tried to debate with her.
"This is different." She smirked as his jaw dropped as she disintegrated the bauble into a cloud of purple dust.
"Seriously?"
"What?" She smirked and went forward to find Leroy talking to Nova.
"Nova! Leroy! Why aren't you off helping! Go flirt on your own time! Breaks over!"
"See you later?"
All he could do was nod back, her voice seemed like a lullaby to him.
"See ya." He waved to her as she walked into the town hall to help with the candles.
"Belle! I'm back!" The shop door bell rang out as he stepped into his shop. His jaw dropped as he saw what was welcoming him. She was on top of a ladder hanging baubles to a glowing green Christmas tree. The baubles of course we're all gold, the tinsel was red and the lights glowed a bright white.
"Hey Rumple. I decided to start putting up the tree and got a bit carried away. I find it funny how you only have gold baubles." She chuckled stretching over to the far side of the tree.
"Please be careful, dear. I don't want you falling over, especially this close to Christmas." He placed the groceries down to the side watching her intently.
"I'll be fine, pass me that one please." She pointed to the box on the floor.
He walked over to underneath where she was standing and passed up a gold bauble. As she leaned over to the far side of the tree the ladder began to rock and before she knew it she had began to fall. As she fell through the air, expecting a harsh landing, she was surprised when she felt herself fall into Rumples arms.
"Now this definitely reminds me of something." He looked down at her with a grin as she chuckled.
"Indeed it does." He rested her feet down lightly as he pulled the ladder back up.
"I told you to be careful, but of course you didn't listen."
"Well that's because I was!" She said back as he held the ladder up.
"Well come on then, dear."
"What?" He nodded towards the ladder as he gripped the edges with both hands.
"I know how much you love decorating and you're not quite finished yet. But I'm not leaving you to do it on your own, so you can fall and injure yourself." She glided passed him slightly and stepped a step or two up the ladder, so she could look him in the eye.
"Thank you." She kissed him softly before turning and continuing upwards.
••••••
It was nearing closer to Christmas now and Storybrooke was looking splendid. The tree was up along with the lights, and tonight was the annual Christmas market. Regina had always given a short but sweet speech about the town at this gathering. So here she was getting ready with Robin. Henry had left earlier, saying he was meeting friends and Roland was already there with The Merry Men. This meant it was just the two of them.
Buckling his belt he stepped back into their bedroom to see Regina sliding her earnings on. She was wearing a wrap around red dress with matching red earrings and lipstick. Her shoes were silver and she had a white blazer to top of the look. He'd never seen her so glamorous and sparkly before and couldn't help but look at her with utter awe.
"Liking what you see dear?" She raised her brow at his open jaw.
"Like it? Oh no, I hate it. So much so I think you may have to take it off again." He wrapped his arms around her waist as he kissed her neck.
"Ha! Nice try but I'm afraid I'd like to get there a half hour earlier so we can browse for a bit. Which means we're already late." She spun around and kissed him then wiping away the red marking left on his lips.
"Noooooo. I don't want to go!" He whined, as she chuckled at his childish behaviour.
"You're acting like a ten year old Henry would." She walked passed him leaving him to follow.
"Did that help him get what he wanted?"
"No, generally I would give him in trouble for that." She grabbed her purse and put her keys and phone in it.
"Well, maybe it's best if I stop that then, huh?"
"Maybe." She smiled sarcastically as they shut the front door.
"Or, maybe you could ground me and you'd have to stay to watch over me?" He pushed her back against the door leaving barely any room between their lips.
"You think?" She raised her brow as her breathing increased slightly.
"Maybe not then." He turned away and walked down the path.
"You're cruel!" She shouted to him as he reached the gate.
"Well, my Queen, you're far worse to me than I to you!" He turned out of sight as she followed on.
"I suppose, but don't think this shall help you for later."
"Why, what are we doing later?" He took her hand in his, instantly sending warmth throughout her body.
"Guess you'll never know." They continued walking down the frosty streets, smiling as the sound of children's laughter filled the air.
••••••
"And that is why the town of Storybrooke has always been a safety place for me, despite recent events. I know some of you will always view me as the evil queen, or the awful mayor, but I'm here telling you-no-asking you, to view me in the light I am now. The kindness that I wish to show, as I try my best to make it up to you all for the horrendous acts I committed all that time ago. So here today I am welcoming a good friend of mines to turn on the Christmas lights. Queen Elsa of Arendalle!" Regina stepped to the side of the podium as the blonde stepped in. Within seconds she reached for the large leaver to turn on the lights. Regina then signalled for the crowd to start their countdown.
"3...2...1..."
Everything went silent as the town sprang to life. The lights that lined the streets sparkling. Shop windows glowing with fun. Regina turned to the crowd searching for Henry's face, she saw how it had lit up, much like the lights, as he looked to the massive Christmas tree that now was glowing in front of him. Her face quickly hardened as she saw his arm wrapped around the mad hatters daughter. Her eyes flicked to Emma, who gave her a look. She then looked around as Elsa touched her shoulder.
"He's growing up. The one thing I've learned to do in this lifetime, is to let it go." She shrugged slightly and walked off again. Disappearing into a cloud of snow.
"Ugh." She sighed in frustration as she walked off the podium.
"Lovely speech." Robin clasped her hand in his as she sighed.
"Thank you."
"Everything alright?"
"Henry's here, with a girl."
"I'm afraid you're going to have to get used to that. Maybe you should just try to le-"
"Don't!" She snapped at him as a smile crept onto his face.
"I don't know what I've done now but i just want to say you're cute when you're frustrated." He kissed her temple and felt her relax slightly.
"Let's just say I have had enough advice for the day."
"Well I know what I can do. Buy you food. Come on, my love, lets go look at the rest of the stalls."
••••••
Christmas Eve soon arrived. Everything had been going great, Christmas gifts were completely wrapped and hidden away so nosy children couldn't find them. Emma finally convinced Killian to get at least some Christmas gifts for people, but he refused to go carolling with her.
It was almost five and Regina, Robin, Henry and Roland were heading over to the Charmings place for Christmas Eve dinner.
"Regina! Hey come in!" David opened the door as she held out a bottle of wine.
"Hey Roland! How are you?" David went to high five the seven year old, which the little boy gladly did back.
"SANTAS COMING TONIGHT!" He jumped up and down excitedly and David grinned watching the boy run past them.
"Robin, good to see you." David hugged the man in front of him as Regina glided by.
"Hey Emma." Regina smiled at the blonde.
"Hey, we still on for tonight?" She spoke quietly.
"Yep! Eight o'clock." She handed the blonde the bottle of wine, in return she passed her a glass of wine.
"Cheers." Their glasses clinked and the dinner party was soon in full swing.
••••••
"I don't think I can eat another bite." Ruby sighed leaning back in her chair.
"Me neither." Dopey agreed.
"I can!" Roland piped up from beside his father, making the room chuckle.
"Now, now my boy. I think you've eaten quite enough." Roland smiled cheekily beside his father, making his father chuckle along with the rest of the room.
"Oh gosh! Look at the time!" Regina exclaimed as the clock was almost at 7:55.
"It's not even eight yet, mom?"
"Emma!" Emma's head snapped up, away from her conversation with Archie and Killian.
"Oh god! Yeah of course! Uh guys meet me and Regina by the clock tower in five minutes okay?" The two woman grabbed their coats and fled the party, leaving everyone bewildered.
"Betcha they're hooking up." Ruby spoke to Leroy a little too loudly, making her receive some looks.
"Sorry." She shrugged, her face turning crimson. The alcohol she'd consumed obviously taking its toll.
Once everyone had their coats, hats, gloves and scarfs on they all headed for the clock tower. Seeing the two woman in a deep conversation.
"Guys! What're we doing here?" Belle called over to the blonde and brunette.
"You'll see." Regina smirked to her and Rumple as she looked to Emma.
"3" Emma spoke first.
"2" Regina spoke as they both nodded together before both speaking the final number in unison.
"1" suddenly rays of light shot out from their palms. White and Purple mixed together. Their faces strained as they used all the power they had to do it, but finally everything went silent as clouds formed above. As the deep clouds gathered Henry felt a small drop of cold on his cheek. Looking upwards he saw the most beautiful sight. Snow began to gracefully fall towards the residents of the small town.
"Merry Christmas, Miss Swan." Regina turned to her with a bright smile on her face.
"Merry Christmas, Mayor Mills." They chuckled at each other before giving a warm hug.
That evening, once both children were fast asleep Regina walked towards the kitchen, fairly tired. She reached to the top of the glass cupboard, she stopped once she heard Robin calling for her.
"Regina? Could you come here please?"
Closing the cupboard she walked through to the living room to find him standing in the centre of the room.
"What's wrong?" She smiled as he held his hand out for her to take.
"Nothing. You look beautiful." He looked her up and down as she stood before him in her lilac silk and lace nightgown.
"Why thank you, but why'd you call me through here then?" He pulled out a small black remote from his pocket.
"For this." He pressed a button as music began to play. At first she was confused, until she heard the softness of the piano notes playing. She could feel herself almost melting into him as they swayed from side to side. His hand on the small of her back, the other clasped out in the air with hers.
"Darling don't be afraid I will love you, for a thousand years." His voice was so quiet it was almost like a hum in her ear. So before he could carry on she spoke up.
"I'll love you for a thousand more." They continued to sway to the music as time ran on. Each singing to the other random little lines. Each hopelessly falling in love with each other even more.
••••••
Christmas morning arrived soon enough. Everyone, from the evening before, slightly rough. Smiles of joy, as each child got a toy. And laughter and cheer, as adults enjoyed a cool beer. Family together for one final time, before they remembered all wasn't fine. Fights and brawls still happened and all. Good news is, Killian and Emma finally got a place of their own, to help them get away from the bustle of the busy square zone. Henry and Grace messaged throughout the day, until Regina threatened to take his cellphone away. But like said before, all wasn't swell. As there was still confused feelings that seemed to dwell. But that's a story for later on, as it seems we are nearing the Boxing Day dawn. This is just to say, that this is how they spent their Day. And the tale of Storybrooke 2015, is one of the best there's ever been. So, for now, all the residents are tucked up tight, it's time for me, the author, to say goodnight.

Merry Christmas guys! Hope you enjoyed this EXTRA long chapter (3279 words to be exact!) and please comment and vote (each comment is like a mini gift 😉)
See you next time!
UPDATED:20•12•15