Chapter Text
David didn’t understand the point of Christmas this year.
Christmas was a time for family. And a significant portion of his family couldn’t be with them this year.
Emma had been the one to bring his and Snow’s family Christmas dreams back down to earth, since Killian and Henry didn’t remember them.
That didn’t stop Snow from decorating the loft. A lot.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
“David, can you get that, please?” Snow was trying to hang garland on the wall, balancing on the teeny tiny step ladder, her overly large belly threatening to tip her over.
David pulled himself out of his cup of eggnog, and answered the door.
To find Emma, trying to balance three neatly wrapped boxes under one arm while keeping a firm grip on the stroller that held the (adorably) bundled up twins. Both had captain hook plushies gripped firmly in their little hands—Harry was chewing on his. “Hi dad.”
She gave him an awkward, painfully unsure smile.
“Emma!” David pulled the door open wider and moved out of the way, so she could push the stroller in. “It’s good to see you. And the twins, of course.”
“I can't stay for more than an hour but I figured you'd like the surprise anyway.” She told him apologetically, wincing as the stroller got caught on the rug.
David closed the door behind her. “Of course!” He turned to the living room. “Snow! Grandbabies!”
There was a dull thud, like something had been put down in a hurry, and Snow came waddling out, as fast as she could. “Emma! It’s nice to see you.”
“I came to give you your gifts.” Emma gestured to the boxes under her arm.
“You got gifts for us?” Snow asked as David quickly gestured to take the boxes out from Emma’s arms.
She gladly handed them over, petting Wilby as he came bolting over. “Don't worry, buddy, I got you something too.”
Wilby panted excitedly, wagging his tail. Happy to see her.
Which happened just around the time Harry noticed Snow and positively lit up. Reaching for her, the captain hook doll still in his mouth.
“Baby!” Snow bent down as far as she could, unbuckling and scooping Harry out of the stroller. “Did you miss Grandma, baby? You look so cute all bundled up like that, yes you do.”
Harry was wearing a red beanie that looked very familiar to that of Smee’s along with jeans, boots, and a crocodile jacket. Immediately he was smiling at Snow and trying to touch her face, his fallen doll momentarily forgotten.
Emma snorted. “If I didn't know better, I'd say he likes you more than he likes me.”
“At least he likes you.” David placed the gifts under the tree, a tiny bit salty. Neither of the twins had been taken with him as much as Snow.
“Don't be jealous. Harry does like you. You'd know if he didn't.” Emma assured with an eye roll. “He'd have bitten you or cried his eyes out when you picked him up if he didn't like you.”
David was not comforted by this. “Harry doesn’t even have any teeth.”
“And that didn't stop him from biting Walsh the one time the bastard managed to get close enough to him.”
Harry giggled, as if understanding the conversation.
David’s eyes narrowed. “Boy am I glad that son of a bitch is dead.”
“David, language!” Snow scolded. “There are young ears here.”
“You really outdid yourself with the decorations, mom.” Emma commented, eyes wandering around the apartment.
The apartment looked like Santa’s workshop exploded inside of it.
“Speaking of, why don’t we all sit down.” David looked directly at Snow. “Especially those of us who are pregnant and have been on their feet all day.”
“David, you’re pregnant? Why didn’t you tell me?” Snow deadpanned.
“That actually sounds like a good idea. My feet are killing me.” Emma groaned.
David suddenly realized that, with how old the twins were, Emma was just as pregnant as his wife a little over two months ago. “And you, young lady, you were just pregnant. Sit down!” He pulled out two seats at the table.
Emma rolled her eyes but didn't argue.
“So…the Captain Hook plushies, eh?” Snow sipped her hot chocolate with a smirk.
Emma blushed. “They kept fighting over the one I had so I just bought another one and let them both have one.”
Harry babbled and Hope glared, as if daring them to try and take her doll from her.
“ Please tell me those were Hoo–I mean, Killian’s idea.” David asked, grinning.
“Killian won me the original doll because he knew I liked the movie and that Captain Hook was my favorite as a little girl. I used to have one just like that as a child, actually.” Emma said fondly. “He is going to hate those dolls when he gets his memories back.”
Snow snorted. “I don't think he's going to be able to get those dolls away from them.”
“Oh definitely not.” Emma took a sip of her own hot chocolate, letting out a sigh as the warmth from it spread through her. “I'm almost convinced Hope would find a way to murder anyone who took that doll from her.”
David snorted. “Like granddaughter like grandmother.”
“I was never that bad!”
Harry *tried* to glare at David, hugging Snow. But it looked far more cute than it did intimidating. “Bah!”
“See? Harry agrees with me.” Snow kissed his cheek.
Emma snorted. “Aren't you a little gentlemen?”
“So. Who wants to open their gift first?”
“I’ll go first.” Snow said, getting comfortable on the couch.
Emma handed her the biggest box—which had the blue snowflake wrapping paper and a pretty white sparkly bow.
Wilby watched curiously as he nawed on his own Christmas present—a snowman chew toy.
Snow carefully untied the bow, and with painstaking precision, began to unwrap the present.
“It’s not a race, Snow.” David grumbled.
“This is nice paper! We can reuse it. Save a tree, David.” Snow grumped right back.
Inside the box was a big red book with a Swan on it titled ‘The Swan Family’.
Snow gasped, taking it out of the box. “Is this what I think it is?” She began to thumb through the pages.
Emma nodded, picking at her jeans. “It's a scrapbook.”
David also leaned in to see as he and Snow saw the last year of their daughter’s life in picture form. “It’s beautiful, Emma.” Snow gently caressed a picture of Emma’s smiling face.
“I picked the pictures out I thought you'd like. There's some of me as a child, some of the fake ones I had of Henry when he was little, and some of the rest of the family. I think my wedding picture is on the second page.”
Snow immediately flipped there. “Oh, Emma. You look so happy.”
Emma was wearing a simple white dress (one that was clearly not a wedding dress) with a flower crown and was laughing near a hot dog cart. Killian was beside in her in a navy blue suit with pants that didn't quite match the jacket, also laughing as he ruffled an annoyed Henry's hair. Henry was wearing a school uniform and holding Rummy’s leash, yanking him away from the cart.
Liam was nowhere to be seen so he must have been the one taking a photo.
So it wasn’t the fairytale family wedding that Snow had wanted for her daughter. Actually seeing the picture herself made Snow realize that as long as Emma was happy, she was happy.
Emma smiled. “I figured you'd like that one. I found out I was pregnant not long before that picture.”
Snow leaned over best she could, and hugged her daughter. “Thank you, Emma.”
Emma said nothing, just enjoying the hug for a moment. “Do you want to open the baby’s present or should we let dad have his turn first?”
David waved them on. “Let the baby have his first.”
Emma handed Snow the red present with baby grinches on it.
“...yeah, maybe killing a tree or two isn’t that bad.” She grimaced at the baby green monstrosities on the wrapping paper before tearing into it.
She found a baby mobile with sheep, blue birds, swords, and arrows that was clearly homemade as well as a couple of onesies. One had a swan on it, another said ‘world’s youngest uncle’, the third said ‘my big sister is cool’, the fourth said ‘don’t mess with me or I'll tell my mommy’, and another said ‘Go away pirate’.
David laughed out loud at that.
“Emma, it’s beautiful.” Snow crooned. “Did you make this?”
Emma ducked her head, nodding. “Killian and Henry helped.”
“Thank you, Emma. Your little brother is gonna be the most spoiled baby in the world.”
“Well, maybe the third most spoiled baby.” David remarked, grabbing two bagged presents under the tree and handing them to Emma. “The twins may have him beat.”
“What—you guys didn't have to.” Emma uncharacteristically stammered, eyes blown wide in surprise.
Harry buried his face in Snow’s side shyly, eyes fixated on the gifts and Hope clapped.
“It’s nothing much. Definitely not as great as that mobile.” David smiled softly. “But of course we had to get something for our grandbabies. Henry, too.”
“Still I—” Emma shook her head, stopping whatever she was planning to stay and smiled. “Thank you.”
She put Henry's gift to the side so he could open it later and opened Hope’s first to find a white swan plushie, with black bead eyes and shimmery yellow feet and beak.
Snow shrugged, a little sheepish. “It’s a little on the nose, but I saw it and thought of her.”
Hope made ‘gimme’ hands the moment she saw it and Emma was happy to oblige.
David smiled at his granddaughter. “Aw. She seems to like it.”
“She likes swans.”
Emma opened Harry's gift and found a stuffed parrot that the boy cowered away from.
Snow sighed at this. “I can’t win, can I?”
Emma laughed—handing the stuffed animal over to Snow. “Don't worry mom, he'll like it once he sees it's not dangerous.”
Harry peered at it, face still buried in Snow's arm.
Snow made the stuffie do a little dance, and heighted the pitch of her voice. “Hallo, Harry! I’m Mr. Parrot! You don’t need to be afraid of me!”
Harry looked at Snow, then at the toy in her hand. Hesitantly reaching out to it.
Snow gently let Harry take the toy. “See? Grandma’s gift is not scary.”
Harry babbled at her, gripping the toy tightly.
“There you go.” Snow beamed. “Now that you and your sister have your gifts, I think it’s Mama’s turn, now.”
David obliged, and handed Emma a flat wrapped package.
Emma opened it to find a Lou Reed CD, causing her to look at her parents in surprise. “How did you know I liked Lou Reed?”
“I, uh, heard it playing in your and Killian’s apartment when I found you.” David scratched the back of his neck.
Emma winced. “Oh…. Sorry again for kicking you in the groin.”
Snow hooted. “That’s my girl!”
David pouted.
The snow outside was falling fast and Killian couldn't help but watch fascinated as it did, head resting against the window in his and Emma's room at Granny's.
Emma came up behind him, resting her chin on his shoulder. “Anything interesting out there?”
Killian hummed. “No, but the snow is pretty. How long have you been back? I didn't hear you and the twins return.”
“Literally just now. I haven’t even taken my shoes off yet.”
The raven haired man turned around the best he could and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Did you have fun at your friend's?”
“I did. They got Henry and the twins Christmas presents.”
His lips quirked up into a smile at that, eyes darting over to where the twins were still strapped into their stroller. “So, Hope threw something or Harry got startled as usual?”
“Harry was scared of his present at first, but I think we managed to go the whole time without Hope throwing anything. A new record.”
“That's good. Should we tell Henry he can open his presents now or keep him and Liam waiting a little longer?”
“Eh, let the kids open them up. They’ve waited long enough.” She smirked slightly.
Killian snorted.
Hope and Harry had been changed into captain hook jammies by the time Emma got back from fetching Henry and Liam.
“Well, don’t you two look adorable.” Emma was trying not to laugh too hard, knowing how funny this would be once Killian got his memories back.
Hope scrunched up her nose and Harry gave her a wide toothless smile.
“Aren't they? I think they like the jammies their uncle Liam got them.”
Emma turned to Liam, trying not to lose it. “Ha. Good choice, Uncle Liam.”
LJ grinned and shrugged. “Figured the twins would like ‘em. What else is there to say?”
“Can we open presents now? You've been gone forever.” Henry cut in, fidgeting impatiently before adding “Please.”
“Yeesh, kid. Ever heard that patience is a virtue?” She ruffled his hair. “Go pick out a present then.”
Henry didn't need to be told twice, quickly grabbing a badly wrapped box before handing it to her. “Here.”
“You’re letting me go first? I’m honored.” She said it jokingly, but she actually was kind of surprised Henry didn’t dive headfirst into his own pile of gifts.
The twelve year old squirmed, barely hiding his excitement. “Open it!”
She pulled the wrapping paper appart, opening the box to find… a stuffed Dalmatian dog that was almost identical to the one she won when she was sixteen the last time she had hope for being adopted and a copy of ‘Need for Speed 3’. Which had been her favorite game as a kid.
There was a Leia keychain too.
“Henry…” Oh no, she was getting emotional. “These are all such thoughtful gifts.”
“Killian helped me find them and I made the Leia keychain myself.” Henry said proudly. “Do you like them?”
“I love them. Thanks, kid.” She leaned over and hugged her oldest tightly.
“Merry Christmas mom.”
Henry got a couple of video games from Emma, a set of new comic books from Killian, and art supplies from Liam.
Henry got Killian a painting of a ship that looked like the one in the bottle on the mantle that he found in the pawnshop when Christmas shopping. For Liam, he'd gotten him a book on water related cryptids, and for Rummy, he'd gotten him some dog treats and a chew toy: He'd gotten the twins matching onesies that said 'Buy one, get one Free'.
Liam had gotten Emma a decoration for her car to dangle over her car mirror: It consisted of a swan, a hook. a submarine, a dog that looked like Rummy, a book, and a pair of pacifiers. He'd gotten Rummy a bone, the twins a pair of ship themed baby walker, and Killian a typewriter.
In turn, Emma had gifted Liam a miniature submarine (that was submerged in turquoise water) in a bottle.
Killian’s gift, given to the blonde in private, through Emma for a loop.
It was Henry's book.
The one Henry hadn't had since they left for New York.
“Fairytales?” She hoped the recognition wasn’t obvious on her face.
“I found the book in a Pawnshop and thought it was something that you and Henry could enjoy together. You told me you liked fairytales when you were younger, before you lost hope in them.” Killian gave her a bashful smile, running a hand through his hair. “I thought it'd help you find love for them again.”
She took the book gingerly, almost expecting a burst of magic. Nothing happened though. It was just a book. “I…thank you, Killian. I love it.” A thought made her freeze. “Have you, um…looked at any of the pages?”
Snow and David’s resemblances were uncanny.
There were entire chapters dedicated to him as Captain Hook, guyliner and all.
Killian shook his head. “I flipped through it but I didn't really look at any of the pictures for long—I was more interested in how it was written.”
“Oh?” Emma sat up straighter. Was he remembering anything?
“Aye, you know different variations of characters are interesting. I think there was something about Captain Hook in there but I didn't get far into reading it.”
She blanched. “Well, when Henry and I read it, I’ll let you know how it goes.”
Killian gave her a worried look. “If you don't like it, luv, I can find you a different gift. You can tell me, I won't be offended.”
“No! No, I love it. I really do.” Emma was quick to assure.
“Are you sure? I would hate to have gotten you a gift you didn't like after you got me such a thoughtful gift.”
Emma had given Killian the military insignia and satchel that David had found in Neverland, not sure Killian would even remember it. But he did. He remembered that it had belonged to his older brother and was in complete and utter awe when he realized what it was. Killian had loved his gift more than Liam, Henry, Rummy, Emma, and the twins all combined had loved theirs.
She kissed him on the cheek, face twitching at his scruff. “I love it. Promise.”
Killian, now sure that she was being truthful, smiled at her softly. “Merry Christmas, luv.”
“Merry Christmas, Killian.”
The rest of the night was filled with Christmas music, holiday themed movies and cartoon specials, laughter, and Granny's by the fire.
And snuggling.
Lots and lots of snuggling.
And as Emma climbed into the bed, the witch was the last thing on her mind.