If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share. [Thanksgiving Day in the City]

[gloriouscurse]

Never had Regina had an abundance to be thankful for. Henry, of course, she was glad every day for him. Under the curse they'd had this holiday together, though it had always been just them, and after it broke the holidays had fallen to the wayside as event after event happened in Storybrooke. Then there was the year spent back in the forest, and though everyone knew what it was, there hadn't been much to celebrate. Or if anyone had, Regina certainly hadn't taken part in the festivities. She'd had nothing but newfound vengeance. In her life before, there was no such thing as 'Thanksgiving' and the last large meal she'd had, the last grand gathering, had been the king's birthday and she couldn't have cared less if she tried.

This year is different. This year there's family and friends of the family and things to celebrate. There's Henry getting to have a holiday with all three of his parents, there's Robin and Roland and a happiness that has managed to settle into Regina's belly and slowly allow her to relax. She hasn't had a terrible dream in weeks, and maybe she's started to let herself believe that this could be how her life is. She finds herself wanting it, the warmth Cora's home never allowed for, the laughter she's denied herself, and so she works hard at it, cooking and baking. Henry's with her in the kitchen in the morning after spending the day before hunting wild turkey with Robin. There are appetizers out by eleven: parmesan and cream cheese pumpkin puffs, deviled eggs and veggies with homemade dip. The wine and drinks are flowing by noon, and at three, dinner is served with traditional fare: turkey and stuffing, mashed and sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, real cranberry sauce and everything in between. She'd urged her guests to bring food they enjoyed too. Dessert is during mid-cleanup and includes Henry's no-bake pumpkin pie, an apple pie, pecan, and sweet potato.

The dull chatter in the room, the occasional laughter and the noise of whatever people watched on television during Thanksgiving all lended itself to make her step back and watch for a moment, eyes suspiciously damp. She's truly thankful, because she never thought she'd have this.

[ooc: Treat as gathering! Lots of mingling and tagging one another.]

Comments

[gloriouscurse]

"What?" The wine glass is out of his hand in less than three seconds, and she takes a sip. When she realizes it's cider, she narrows his eyes at him, letting out a huff of a laugh and giving the glass back.

"You must think you're hilarious. You almost got grounded until the new year."

[wanttobeahero]

"Come on, it was just a little joke," he smirks, and he's close to sticking out his tongue, but holds back. "Plus, if I was gonna drink wine, I wouldn't do it in front of you."

That should comfort her a little.

[gloriouscurse]

Regina shot him a look. "Thank you for that." She put her arm around his shoulder for a moment though.

"Are you having a good time?" This was their first big gathering of people this way, and she wondered if he was enjoying it as much as she hoped.

[wanttobeahero]

"Yeah, I'm glad we're all here. And it was fun hunting with Robin. See? Nothing bad happened."

He knows she was worried about that, but it was just fun, nothing to worry about at all. "I definitely wanna do that again."

[gloriouscurse]

"Robin said you were pretty good, so maybe. We don't have to hunt a lot here, but I'm sure he can keep teaching you things," she allowed. She'd been nervous at first but now whatever fears she'd had, had faded.

"Now it's not too early to ask: What do you want for Christmas?" She could start now, wanted to spoil him a little because she hadn't been able to last year at all.

[wanttobeahero]

"Well...we could shoot targets, maybe." In lieu of hunting. He just likes spending time with Robin, it's nice.

"Maybe a car?" He deadpans again, evidently thinking he's hilarious tonight. But then he sobers quickly, and tries to think. "I don't know. Maybe more art supplies? And my own camera?"

[gloriouscurse]

"Please put the car conversation on hold until fifteen, at least." She really can't think about that, about her son behind the wheel of a car - legally - because it means having to accept that one day he'll leave again. Which she's fine with, she wants him to succeed, to have his own life and family. She just can't believe it's happening so fast.

"You really like drawing, don't you?" Regina realizes. Art and photography, and he was so full of imagination, she know she shouldn't be surprised at all. "I'll see what I can do." A camera, maybe. She works in an industry right now that makes it easy to ask advice on what to get, so it's perfect.