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

[ghost_holder]

"Thanks for taking me," Aggie says, looking for a empty spot on the buffet line to put down the bowl and peel off the foil covering it. She'd been delighted by the invitation but had been determined not to go until she knew Barbara wouldn't be alone on the holiday.

"Do yo know anyone here?"

[exitthewallflower]

"Hey, Henry's your friend, right. Not a problem." And I should know his family, at least a little. And keep my eye on the fact that they're just friends and way too young for anything else, right?

"I'll know everyone by the end of the night, so don't worry about me."

[ghost_holder]

"Okay," Aggie says, though she lingers for a second to point out the people she knows. "That's Henry and Regina and...that's Emma over there. They're his moms but they're not married," Aggie colors at the cheeks a little. "I asked that once."

[exitthewallflower]

"I won't make that mistake then. Why don't you go see Henry since he's the one who invited you. You don't need to stay glued to me all night." As much as I might want her to. I'm not the most outgoing person when I'm in crowds of people I don't know, but I can fake it 'til I make it, right?

"But before you disappear on me, is there anyone else I need to know about?"

[ghost_holder]

"Uh..." Aggie scans around the room. "I think that guy there is Emma's dad. And then that girl there is named Coraline, I met her at Henry's birthday..." She searches around a second more. "There's people I recognize by face, but I don't know them by name."

[exitthewallflower]

I have to blink a few times because I'm pretty sure the guy Aggie just pointed to can't be Emma's dad. I mean, not unless he's REMARKABLY well-preserved. But then I have to remind myself that I've certainly seen stranger in Darrow. I guess I'll just have to go with it. The other names and faces are committed to memory, whether I want them to be or not, and I nod. "Coraline, Emma's dad - slash - Henry's grandfather. Henry's moms, I think I got it."

[ghost_holder]

Aggie notices how Barbara glances between David and Emma and she shrugs. "From what I can tell, the family tree is...complicated."

[exitthewallflower]

"Most families are in some ways." Mine has a sociopath in it. I'd almost rather have Dad be my age. Actually, I probably shouldn't say that, around here that might just happen.

"I won't say anything to embarrass you, I promise." I give her a little hug. I'm not that kind of parent. Heh, I just called myself a parent. Oh, man.

[ghost_holder]

"I know you won't," Aggie says, returning the hug and resting her chin on Barbara's shoulder--it's a lot less difficult than it used to be now that she's been growing. "You're too cool."

[exitthewallflower]

God, she's getting tall. I mean, I'm not short, but when I think about how small she was when I first arrived? Yeah, that conversation about boys and things is going to have to happen sooner rather than later. But I'm going to try not to think about that tonight.

"Okay, enough bonding, go find your friend and hang out, I'll find some other not un-cool parental type to hang out with."

[ghost_holder]

"Yeah, yeah, I'm going," Aggie promises. She gives Barbara one last squeeze and then withdraws to say hello to her friends.