Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was Christmas Time, a wonderful time of the year, for Emma Swan it was going to be the first
Christmas as a widow. Neal was a firefighter, he was on call for the night, he had gotten a call regarding
a big house fire. Neal went down to help his co-workers, when he kissed his wife on the forehead as she
slept, whispering I love you as he disappeared into the night. Emma last memory was them three having
a movie night, laughing and joking, eating popcorn.

Happy.

Emma was in the loft grabbing the boxes of decorations, Henry told her to wait until he got back from
his girlfriend’s house so they could do it together, like they used to as a family. Their street always
participated in a competition of the Best Decorated House for Christmas, her mother and father had
already put theirs up, and Emma being as stubborn as she is, she couldn’t wait to put theirs up, they had
to win this year.

Emma Swan needed some good news in her life.

Grabbing the ladders after placing the garden decorations out which consisted of a light up Santa and
his sleigh pulled by his reindeers, a few snowmen scattered on the opposite side, lights wrapping around
the porch beams, her door looking like a present, she moved the ladders to the side of the house so she
could put the lights up higher onto the roof.

Emma Swan could do anything her husband could.
If she wanted to put up the lights, she will put up the lights no problem.

As she hooked the last light onto the fixture, she moved her right foot to take a step back, not realizing
how close to the edge she was. Slipping off the second storey and into a bush, she groaned as the twigs
scratched at her skin, this was least of her worries when she realized she couldn’t feel her right leg.
Her head pounding, she felt like she was going to throw up, as she tried to move it was as if her whole
body was paralyzed. The pain in her head took over her body and caused her to black out, not before
seeing a dalmatian hovering over her head.

After a few hours, she woke up in a white room wearing a hospital gown with her parents sat beside
her.

“Mhmm… What… Happened?” Emma croaked out as her eyes adjusted to the lights of the room.

Her mother, Mary, jumped up to stroke her daughters face with a worried look upon her features.

“Oh sweetheart, you fell off your roof whilst decorating. Why didn’t you just wait for your father to
come help you with the lights? You could have killed yourself, you’re lucky there was a very helpful
woman walking her dog nearby!”

Mary stroked Emma’s hair, looking down at the cast on her leg as well
as the scratches that was up and down her arms. Mary hated that her daughter was so stubborn to be
determined to be independent, always wanted to prove her strength, she wasn’t a prissy little princess
who needed a knight to save her at every problem.

Emma looked around the room confused, last she remembered she was free falling off the roof, she was
a pathetic widow who couldn’t do anything without her husband. Neal was gone, and it was like life was
telling her she was going to need to be a damsel in distress all the time.

“I fell. I just wanted to prove I could do the same things Neal could, that I could live with the fact he’s
gone, but I can’t even put up some stupid lights or decorations without life laughing at me for being
such a failure. I’m pathetic”

Her father, David, stood at the other side of the bed with a soft smile. Pressing a kiss to his daughter’s
crown. “You my sweet girl, are not pathetic. I am proud of you for wanting to show the world you’re
strong, but it’s not wrong for asking for help sometimes. The woman who helped you is still here, she
wanted to stay until you woke up. Would you like for me to let her in?”

Emma nodded. She needed to thank the woman, she probably would have been stuck in the bush until
her parents or Henry found her then it may have been worse. David opened the door and a woman
walked in, her warm brown eyes locking with Emma’s sea green ones.

“Emma, this is Regina. She was
walking her dog when she saw you slip, and wandered over to see if you were okay. She noticed you in
the bush, called 911. Once you were in hospital she refused to leave until we were called, then she
stayed until we arrived explaining the situation, then she decided to stay until you woke up. Regina, this
is my clumsy princess, Emma. Your other saviour wasn’t allowed in the hospital so he had to wait back
home for Regina to tell him the news that you’re okay”

You know in those cheesy movies that when the characters lock eyes, everything around them stops as
if the world only has two of them in it.

Yeah. That happened to Regina and Emma.

Emma hated the fact she was hooked up to a heart machine right about now, because the damn thing
went off as it something went wrong. Mary was shouting out the door for a nurse as Regina stood at the
end of the bed with a smirk, knowing full well it was because of her. A nurse ran in and sorted out the
machine, giggling as it slowly went down and Emma had a red face from blushing of being caught out
having her heart race at seeing the other woman.

Her Saviour.

“Oh, it was more Pongo that had saved you. I saw you fall, but didn’t know where you landed. Your
decorations looked amazing, since losing my wife I gave up on decorating because that was her thing to
do” Regina smiled.

“Oh, well. Thank you so much, I’m sorry about your wife, has it been long?” Emma smiled sadly at the
woman stood at the end of the bed.

Regina began to giggle slightly. “I just realized I may have sounded like she died, didn’t I? My apologies,
Daniella ran off with her horse-riding instructor four and half years ago. I do love Christmas, but I aren’t
good at decorating, no one helpful around the house”

Emma’s doctor had come in to tell her that she would be staying in hospital for at least a week, just to
let some of the cuts from the bush heal properly, her parents vowed to visit with Henry in the morning
and left with a kiss to her forehead and a goodbye to Regina.

Regina smiled, she felt like she was
overstaying her welcome by watching Emma slowly try to get comfy in bed with her leg being in a cast it
was proving hard.

“I guess I better go, I feel like a spare part in here. I’m glad you’re okay, maybe try to be less of a klutz
next time before you end up killing yourself like an idiot” Regina smiled, then watched as Emma’s face
fell slightly at the comment.

Emma knew she didn’t mean it like that, but it didn’t mean it hurt any less,
she was the stupid pathetic little princess after all. Her insecurities were slowly creeping back in, Regina
realized she has somehow upset the poor woman. “Emma, I apologise if I have said something
offensive”

“No, no… I just got into my head that I’m a pathetic widow who can’t even decorate without attempting
to kill myself by falling off my roof. I just wanted to prove I am strong; I don’t need anyone to take care
of me” Emma smiled sadly. “I want to be my own knight in shining armour, I don’t want to be that
damsel who needed Neal to dote on me every minute he was home. Sorry you didn’t need my sob story,
thank you again for calling the ambulance and as soon as I’m out of here I will get Pongo the biggest
bone as a thank you”

Regina moved to give the blonde a hug.

“You are strong. I left my contact details on the table over there, if you need anything or any company, I
will be here in a flash”

Regina smiled as she walked out of the room, leaving Emma to herself in the plain
white room, listening to her own thoughts.

Chapter Text

A week had passed, Emma was being discharged, her mother had come to help her get ready when
Regina knocked on the door. Emma had been in contact with the other woman since the day of the
accident, she loved how easily she could talk to Regina about things, how easily she could talk about
Neal without someone giving her sympathy back.

“Hey you! I told you to meet us at the house, you didn’t need to come down here” Emma smiled, she
secretly loved that Regina came to visit her as she was leaving.

“I know, I know…. I guess I just wanted to see you out, so let’s get you home Miss Swan” Regina gave her
winning smile,

Emma felt a little weak in the knees. Emma wouldn’t admit this out loud until she knew
for real it was a definite crush, but when Regina visited her every day with little treats or just to keep her
company, that smile always got her.

The two women grabbed Emma’s belongings before the blonde walked out with her crutches. Emma
couldn’t wait to get home, her own bed, her own comforts. Regina helped her into the back of Mary’s
car before running to her own to follow the women back to Emma’s house. The journey leading towards
a very decorated house, definitely not the one Emma did. “Uhm, Mom? This isn’t how I decorated the
house… Wait have you and dad been decorating the house?” Emma watched as her mother smirk
before pulling up outside the house, rather than waiting for someone to come and open the door she
stumbled out with her crutches.

Regina pulled up behind Mary’s car, panicking as she saw Emma stumble out of the car in excitement.

David and Henry moved forward to stand beside the gleaming woman, she looked like a child who just
met Santa for the first time. A childlike smile upon her face as she saw the new additions to her garden
as well as her brightly coloured house.

“So, kiddo, do you like it? Regina gave us some of the decorations hiding in her loft that she didn’t mind
us borrowing. The committee comes round tomorrow to judge on who’s the neighbourhood’s favourite,
you got a lot of votes so far princess” David smiled, pressing a kiss to his daughter’s head.

Emma was
smiling over at the now shy Regina; the brunette was looking down at her feet.

“I love it, thank you so much guys. How about we get inside and have some food? I am absolutely
starved, I’m craving a grilled cheese” Emma smiled as she made her way up the path, not realising her
parent’s had shared a look. Regina noticed this, she waited until Henry skipped up to his mother as
Emma looked like she was going to struggle with the steps.

“Hey, is there something wrong? You guys
looked as if Emma has come alive again”

Mary shared a sad smile, taking Regina’s hands in hers and squeezed them.

“You don’t realise how important Christmas means to Emma, ever since she was born, I have made sure
we have the brightest house, brightest and colourful tree, I have always made sure to start traditions
early with her so that whenever she had a family, she’d take them with her and make sure her family
carry them on. When she met Neal, they had been together for three months before Christmas and
when he joined us, he loved how we did Christmas as a family as he came from divorced parents so he
never had this. Neal pulled David aside and told him that Emma would always have this tradition no
matter what, if they married and had kids it would continue even if they split like his parents did. He
even put in his vows that he would always make sure their Christmas would be the brightest as their
love for one another. When he died, I think she panicked that this Christmas, being the first he wouldn’t
be here for since getting together, she didn’t need to show it but I knew deep down how much it would
mean to her to try her best to keep up with the tradition. You don’t realise since her falling, you finding
her, it was like Neal was sending someone to help her keep the tradition alive. He sent you; I just know
in my heart it was fate”

Regina was stunned, she had no idea what to say. Emma had spoken about Neal, about his job, how
they met, his reaction when she told him about her being pregnant with Henry, also how he died.

Turning back to the house to see Emma in the doorway with her crutches, maybe it was fate that didn’t
want her alone and sulky over a failed marriage this Christmas.

Regina was determined to ensure this
woman would be happy, no matter what.

The next night, the committee was wandering around the houses, judging the decorated houses. Henry
and Emma were in the kitchen cooking dinner when there was a knock on the door, Emma moved
slowly as she hopped with the crutches to open the door, revealing no one there but stuck on the ribbon
which made it look as if it was wrapped up, was a 1st place rosette.

Emma’s house had won.

Even though the other years, they were only doing it as a tradition to keep alive. To keep her happy.
Neal loved doing it for fun, it wasn’t a competition to him, sure it was nice to get compliments, but the
first year without him which she was absolutely dreading.

They had won.

Emma called Henry to the door, showing him the 1st place pinned to the ribbon. Henry could see the
tears well up in his mothers’ eyes, he could see how happy it made her knowing Christmas would be a
happy time even though his father wasn’t around, maybe this Regina could be a good help towards his
mothers’ happiness.

“Ma, we did it! I bet dad is up there dancing around the place, he secretly wanted
to win each year but he settled for your smile when he had finished and the reward of cookies. Last
year, he told me that even if the house doesn’t win the neighbourhoods competition, I don’t mind as
I’ve already won with your mom lighting up my world whenever I do something that makes her happy”

Henry smiled as his mother cuddled him close, Emma realised at 16 years old, Henry was so wise and
mature for his age. He was beginning to look like Neal rather than the chubby little baby they made,
watching him grow into a beautiful young man, how strong he was after his father passing away.

“Yeah, I guess he will. I just hope your grandma doesn’t mind they didn’t win for the first time in 23
years” Emma laughed.

Chapter Text

It was a few days before Christmas, Emma was walking with a boot rather than her crutches, she was
wandering around town picking gifts when she spotted Regina in one of the gift shops looking into the
cabinet which held jewellery, Emma slid into the shop without the brunette noticing.

Once she couldn’t
spot Regina in the store, she walked over to the counter and asked the woman stood behind it what the
brunette was looking at. The assistant pulled out a small purple Swarovski necklace on a silver chain. “I’ll
buy it, if she comes back asking for it don’t tell her I bought it. Just say one of your colleagues sold it to
someone else”

Purchasing the necklace, getting it gift wrapped, knowing how much Regina would love it.
She invited Regina over on Christmas Eve, cooking dinner and making sure everything was perfect.

Emma was going to give the necklace to her tonight, after confessing having feelings for the woman.

After coming to terms that she isn’t replacing Neal, Neal would always be her first love and he would
want her to move on, be happy.

Emma Swan was going to tell Regina Mills out.

There was a knock on the door, Emma hobbled over, checking herself in the mirror in the hallway before
opening the door to Regina standing on the doorstep. Regina was wearing a red coat, fur around the
collar, black gloves adorning her hands, as she stood aside to let the woman in with a smile.

Regina
shrugged off her coat, revealing a black off the shoulder dress with a slit on the thigh matching with her
black heels. “I bought you a gift, if that’s okay?”

Emma nodded.

“Go on through to the dining room. I will grab the rest of the food and join you, is there anything you’d
like to drink? I have mulled wine, white wine, whiskey, apple cider” Emma smiled as Regina made her
way through the house. “I will take some mulled wine; I haven’t had that in a while”

Regina walked beside Emma as they walked towards the dining room. Emma wandered into the kitchen, grabbing the
teapot holding the mulled wine, and into the next room where Regina was sat waiting.

“Here we are,
shall we tuck in? I made chicken casserole, vegetables, mash potatoes and stuffing if that’s okay? I
mean, I could make you something else if you don’t like it, I don’t mind”

“Emma, it is perfect. I promise, why are you so nervous? I haven’t seen you like this in the last month I
have known you” Regina smirked.

“I just wanted things to be perfect, I have enjoyed your company over the last couple of weeks. This is
just to say thank you for being so amazing” Emma blushed, handing over the gift before
Regina tucked
into her meal.
Spotting the gift wrap, Regina beamed knowing it was from the little gift shop in town.
Taking the present from Emma, unwrapping it then opening the box seeing the purple heart necklace
she always looked it when visiting the store.

“Oh… Emma… How did you know? I always looked at this, even Daniella didn’t get the hint. I never buy
myself jewellery as I see it as romantic when your partner buys you it. I feel like getting yourself
jewellery doesn't give off the same sentiment, does that sound selfish?” Regina looked into Emma’s eyes, not
seeing sadness but seeing hope.

“Not at all, I believe that’s a good way of sealing the romance in a relationship. Regina Mills, I would like
to take you on a date… If that’s okay?” Emma blushed, looking away so she didn’t show Regina how red
her face was.

Regina stood from her seat, taking Emma’s face with both of her hands and pressing a soft kiss to
Emma’s lips.

Feeling Emma kiss back, she moved to sit on the blonde’s lap without breaking their kiss,
Emma wrapped her arms around Regina to secure her place. Emma pulled away slightly, smiling
dreamily as if she had just been given True Loves Kiss. “I guess that’s a yes to a date?”

Regina giggled and pressed another soft kiss to Emma’s lips.

“Emma Swan, I am going to class this as our first. I will be taking you out for our second, and I don’t want
to hear no complaints, okay? And I’d love for you to join me for New Years Eve, we could have our
second date then? I will cook for us, and dress casual I want you to be comfy” Regina smiled as Emma
gave her a loving smile.

Regina understood when Henry told her the story about his dad falling for
Emma’s smile, which was ironic because Emma always went weak in the knees at Regina’s.

“Regina… Will you stay tonight? I mean, I know Henry will be here in about an hour so I won’t be lonely
but I’d love for you to join us on Christmas, that’s if you don’t have any family visiting” Emma blushed
again.

Regina nodded, knowing full well she had nothing to wear to bed, nothing to wear tomorrow other than
the clothes she had on, but Emma’s blush and cute smile was enough to convince her to stay forever.

“No family to visit or have visit. I’m all yours, I will have to go get Pongo though, and some clothes if
that’s alright?”

The couple moved to begin to tuck into their food before Regina left to grab her things and her dog.

Regina smiled as she led Pongo up the brightly light path, his curiosity peaking at every new thing when
they walked past an ornament.

Emma opened up the door, smiling as her guests made their way towards her, her heart never felt so full when she saw Regina look up from her curious pup to herself.

“Welcome back, I got some chicken for Pongo if that’s okay?”
Regina nodded, letting the dog run inside before she paused to kiss Emma.

“It’s perfect. Merry Christmas Emma, thank you for falling for me”

“Yeah, it hurt, but it was worth it to see your beautiful face come into my life. My saviour”

The two women walked back inside; their hands curled around one another as Emma slowly shut the
door. Christmas won’t be bad after all, Emma thought in her mind, she knew Neal would keep his
promise to ensure her Christmas would always be the brightest, regardless if he was here or not.

“Merry Christmas, my angel” Emma said in her mind. Looking towards the woman who stole her heart. Fate has a weird way of doing things.

"Want a hot chocolate? We could have cream, maybe a candy cane too" Emma asked.

"Only if I can have a bit of cinnamon in it too, I love the taste" Regina squeezed the hand holding hers, looking into Emma's eyes she saw absolute love swimming around.

"I love cinnamon in hot chocolate too, Neal found it weird and said I'd never find a person who liked it just like me. Not even my parents or Henry"

"Well. Its a good thing I'm here then, I don't mind being your cinnamon hot chocolate buddy. Merry Christmas Eve Emma, thank you for being you, I am sure Neal is looking down proud of how strong you've been since he passed, and I am proud for how strong you've been the whole recovery from your fall"

They moved into the kitchen to make their drinks, stealing little kisses wherever they could, sipping their drinks and getting whipped cream over their noses. Both warm with love and giggles, maybe decorating for Christmas may become their favourite thing to do, just as long as no one falls off a roof.

Because that hurts.