Title: 12 Days of Christmas - Day 4
Author: Shatterpath
Feedback address: shatterpath@shatterstorm.net
Date in Calendar: 23 December 2013
Fandom: Once Upon a Time
Pairing: Emma and Regina, eventually.
Rating: soft PG. Barely!
Date Written: December 2013
Word Count: still a work in progress!
Summary: (sing it with me now) For the Twelve Days of Christmas, my OUaT author gave to me...
Warnings: nope
Website: ShatterStorm Productions – Doggie Duo
Link to: http://bdkk.shatterstorm.net/
Archive: ShatterStorm Productions & AO3 only…all others ask for permission & we'll see…
Feedback: Constructive criticism is always welcome.
Advertisement: Part of the FSAC:DW13

Disclaimer: "Once Upon a Time," the characters, and situations depicted are the property of Adam Horowitz, Edward Kitsis, Kitsis/Horowitz, and ABC Studios. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes. Previously unrecognized characters and places, and this story, are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. This site is in no way affiliated with "Once Upon a Time," ABC, or any representatives of the actors.

Author's Notes: I enjoyed the challenge of using the famous Christmas song for this! It took some finagling to get the verse titles right-- not to mention come up with an fic idea for a few of them-- but I enjoyed myself writing this. It was written just before the half-season finale, so keep that in mind. Much of my story will contradict the final ep.

Beta: ariestess

4 Howling Wolves

"Emma!"

Delighted, Henry pounced on her, enjoying the powerful hug. Regina refrained from flinching at his side, but it took some effort. The awkwardness had taken them back to the early days, though the vitriol was missing, for neither woman enjoyed being vulnerable.

"Look up."

Obligingly, Emma did as Henry asked, amused and exasperated by the sprig of greenery and white berries tied tightly with red ribbon hanging above the front door. With a sigh, she leaned over to give the giggling boy a wet, sloppy kiss next to his nose, enjoying the sweet interaction. Then, to increase his merriment, and hopefully break down some of the barriers built up between herself and the once-enemy that she had been so close to calling friend, Emma twisted to lean in towards Regina.

Of course, that was the exact moment the smaller woman turned to focus in on what was happening beside her. For a startled moment, Emma's lips pressed to the shallow groove made by nose, cheekbone and upper lip, just brushing the distinctive scar there. Neither jerked away, conscious of Henry, anyone else who was audience and that they really did want to reconnect.

"Mistletoe," Emma explained quietly as she straightened up, watching Regina's dark gaze flicker upward and a faint smile drift over the beautiful face.

"Mistletoe."

The strange, sweet interaction stayed with them even as they were dragged into the festivities, Emma immediately commandeered by a very hyper Ruby. Henry stuck close to his dark mother, as he had ever since Neverland and both Mills were delighted by frothy mugs of hot chocolate from a smiling Granny. "Merry almost Christmas."

Things had changed so much and this first Christmas any of them had really spent together was a giddy affair. It made Henry appreciate all the more the years he'd had with Regina and how much she had changed, moving away from the horrors of her past and becoming the sort of person both could be proud of.

Emma enjoyed Ruby's company and listening to both she and Snow speak of meeting other werewolves all of those years ago, but she really wanted to be with her new family and the odd, powerful bonds she felt there.