The dinner was a roaring success, and it didn't even taste too horrible. At least for cleaning up the mess, Henry allowed his mother to use magic. It did come in quite handy at times after all.
And so it wasn't long until what felt like the entire town was spread out across the mayor's mansion, drinking punch and eggnog, laughing, chatting away and sharing their memories from the various curses they all had had to endure in the past.
Regina was sitting by the fireplace together with the other women, while Killian was in an armchair across the room all by himself feeling – once again – somewhat our of place here. Thankfully, Henry came over to join him, they were old buddies after all. They clinked their beer bottles for a friendly ‚Cheers', and as Henry was taking a sip, he looked around the room trying to figure out what his friend had been so hypnotized by.
He nodded with a sigh as soon as he saw. „Mom looks amazing today, doesn't she?"
„Aye, that she does. She always does. I have to admit, this Mayor Regina look is quite something else, but it didn't take me long to get on board with it at all. For that, her dresses are both too short and too tight."
Henry grinned. „Definitely not something Roni would ever have worn."
„Most definitely not... Can you imagine our last Thanksgiving ended with me handcuffing your mother to the bedpost?"
He had to cough as he almost choked on his beer and cleared his throat. „Well, I don't know too much about my mom's love life – and thank God! – nor about her preferences in the bedroom. But if I'd have to take a guess, I'd say whoever tries to handcuff my mother to anything would very quickly get a fireball in the face."
Killian pointed at him, nodding, indicating his agreement. „Which is exactly why I think I'd rather not continue this neat tradition tonight... alas."
„But seriously though", Henry continued, „What IS going on between the two of you? And if it's really nothing like my mother is telling me, then... why not?"
„Well, mate, I don't know what to tell you. The couple we used to be is gone. The two who had feelings for each other, Roni and Rogers. But us... Regina and Killian... we're just friends. Just like we had been before Hyperion Heights and all that, in the other realm."
„But see, that's the thing, I think you DO still have feelings for each other. Even now. I see it in the way my mom looks at you, how she talks about you, and just now in the way you look at her."
„That may be, but still... it's because... because I really do miss her. A lot."
He looked over to Regina again, she was laughing at something Alice had said, pushing a strand of dark hair behind her ear.
„You mean Roni?", asked Henry.
„Aye", he swallowed to calm his aching heart, „And I'd wager she misses Rogers too. But she's not her, and I'm not him, and that's not ever going to change."
„But it is! It's still her! Yes, she might be dressed differently, she might have different memories now, but... she's still the same woman. Roni is in there somewhere. Maybe, if you care enough to look for her, you can find her? And along the way, you might discover what's to love about Regina too. I know she's extremely good at hiding it, protecting it even, but... there's so much love in her heart with no one to give it to. She deserves to be happy, and not just all by herself, but with someone. After Robin... after everything."
„I don't disagree with you, mate, she's an amazing woman, your mother. I just... I just don't think I'm the lad she's looking for."
Over by the fireplace, Snow turned to Regina with a smile. „Your Killian looks really cute today, doesn't he?"
She sighed, she had a feeling she already knew where this was going. Again. „He's not ‚my' Killian. And... sure. Regardless of his looks though, he was a huge help to me today. We did all of this together, I couldn't have done it without him. I was really grateful for him today."
„See, that's more like it! At least you're not telling me he smells like ocean or fish or something."
„Are you comparing him to Robin Hood?", she asked with a frown.
„No, of course not, it's just... we're all waiting for the two of you to get together, to finally realize that you have feelings for each other, that you belong together."
„Yes, I'm noticing that! Apparently, our relationship is all the entire town cares about lately. Well, I'm sorry to disappoint. Killian and I don't belong together. Robin and I did, and he's gone."
Zelena rolled her eyes. „That was forever ago, sis."
„So I'm not allowed to mourn him anymore? Glad to see you got over the father of your child so quickly... Also, everybody seems to forget, I lost another boyfriend just recently, though I know none of you cared for him much."
„You mean Facilier?", asked Tiana.
„Yes, indeed. Now, I know he was just a villain to all of you, but, we do have history, and we cared about each other. And now he's gone, just like Daniel, just like Robin... and just like Rogers, for that matter, so no, I'm in no mood for another man in my life right now. So you all need to direct your attention somewhere else, please, get on with your lives and leave me alone."
„It's okay, grandma."
Lucy, carrying a large mug of hot cocoa with whipped cream and – of course – cinnamon sprinkled on top, knelt down on the floor next to her, looking up to her with her ever optimistic smile that she no doubt got from her father.
„You will be together. You love him, and he loves you. But you're right, there's no rush."
Regina was slightly taken aback by the sincerity in her little granddaughter's voice. Not just optimistic, but wise beyond her years. Just like Henry.
„Well, would you listen to that... if you say so, sweetheart." She gave her a warm smile and stroked her soft dark hair.
Eventually, it was time for everybody to head home. Regina and Killian saw off their guests as the house became emptier and emptier and quieter and quieter, one cheerful voice after the other disappearing through her front yard and into the night.
Emma hugged her friend goodbye, and even the two Killians had a cordial smile and handshake left for one another.
Henry and his family were the last ones to head out. He pulled his mother into a tight embrace. „Thank you so much, mom! It was such a great evening, and it was delicious."
„You're welcome, Henry! I enjoyed it too. Thanks for somewhat forcing me to do this, and thank you all so much for coming! It's great to be back home."
„Grandma?", Lucy smiled up to her with glowing eyes, pointing upwards, „You remember last year? It's the mistletoe again."
She looked up, just to confirm what her granddaughter had just stated.
„How do you always make those appear out of thin air?", she sighed, „Do you have any magical powers you may want to tell us about?"
The girl chuckled and shook her head. „You know what to do."
Killian, standing right next to Regina, just like last year, blushed a little and scratched his neck with the tip of his hook. „I... I don't think... I'm not sure that's such a good idea, love."
„Oh, come on, pleeeeease!", the little girl begged, „It's tradition! Please, grandma... for me?"
Regina scoffed. „You cute little devil know all too well how to get your way with me, huh?", then she turned to Killian, „Alright then, we might as well get it over with. You ready... mate?"
„I, uhm...", he stammered, all of a sudden his heart was racing in his chest. Was this really happening? Was he ready? Of course he was! He took a glance at her lips, saw the scar that he had kissed so many times. Oh... how he was yearning to kiss her again!
She looked him in the eyes, her own treacherous heart beating suspiciously fast, and placed her hands on his chest as she was leaning towards him. She closed her eyes when she felt his hand on her cheek and his other arm around her waist, pulling her closer.
And then there were his lips. The very moment they touched hers, she felt her knees getting weaker, and as if he had known, he tightened his grip around her to hold and support her. It was gentle, soft and almost shy at first, but along with their memories returned the passion to their kiss. Eventually, she could taste the tip of his tongue on hers, and she wrapped her arms around his neck while letting out a sigh, losing herself in the depth of their kiss. He tasted like home. Right now, in his arms, she felt home. And she did not want to let go.
Henry, Ella and Lucy stood waiting for them to finish for a while, until they finally surrendered and decided to give them some privacy. He put a finger to his lips, and the family quietly slid out the door, grinning triumphantly.
When the couple inside finally broke apart, both of them looked confused. What the hell had just happened here? She looked for answers in his eyes, but turned away when she found none, blushing, ordering her hair and gingerly running her finger around her lips to catch any lipstick that might have gone astray during their little make out session just now. It was then that she noticed that they were alone.
„Henry? Lucy?", she looked up and down the hallway, but there was no one.
„I believe they left."
„I can see that... How long have we...? Anyway...", she cleared her throat and tried to return to her senses, though she felt that she'd still have quite some way to go, „It was a long and exhausting day, if you don't mind... I'll go to bed. Good night, Captain!"
She gave him a final pat on the chest and started heading towards the stairs, her legs still shaking dangerously, but she tried her best not to show him, holding on to the handrail as if her life depended on it.