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

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.]

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Robin had understood why they hadn't spoke too much that day. In truth, it was nice to spot her talking with guests and genuinely seeming as though she was enjoying herself. With all the work she had done, she deserved this.

Still, it did not mean he was glad to occupy some bit of her attention when he was allowed it.

"For you? I can spare even longer, if you wish," he teased, smiling. "Shall we find someplace quieter?"

"Yes, and maybe you can help me pry my feet out of these shoes." She'd been wearing heels since the first guest arrived, had only sat for as long as it took to eat, and once the shoes were off they wouldn't go on again.

Taking his hand, she led him to her bedroom. "Could I manage to get a kiss from you too?" Regina requested as she sat on the edge of the bed with a heavy, relieved sigh.

Robin snorted in quiet amusement as she led him away to a far more quiet location. Considering how long he knew she'd been up and about, he couldn't imagine how much her feet likely hurt. The effort had paid off, however, and Robin was glad.

He was glad to fill her request as well, smiling, as he leaned in to kiss her. It was brief - they still had company, after all - but he may have lingered a bit longer than he ought to. They hadn't had much time together alone that day, for obvious reasons.

"Your hard work has paid off, m'lady," he said after he pulled away and sat beside her, clearly proud of the achievement for her. "This has been a wonderful event. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves."

Kicking off her shoes, she flopped back, reaching for his hand as she closed her eyes. "I didn't want this to feel like one of the banquets from the castle. I wanted it to be about everyone, and the food and drinks. This is what I've wanted," Regina admitted, opening her eyes again to meet his.

"Before you, I didn't think it was possible. To have this, to have...family. I've always had Henry, but I've never had this."

He bit back a smile as he laced his fingers between hers when she took his hand. After lifting her hand to kiss the back of it, he gazed down at her, tilting his head to the side.

"You give yourself too little credit," he reminded gently. He knew he had helped, but the effort had all been hers. He was proud of her. "This party would not be what it is without your efforts to make people feel welcome. I am glad I was able to help, though."

And to see her so happy.

"That's why I have you. To remind me," she replied with a little smile that was lazy and tired, and she pulled him down so that her lips pressed to his. Regina was happier, happier than she knew how to express, and so she just kissed him before humming against his lips.

"We're supposed to reflect on this day on what we're the most thankful for. I'm thankful for Henry. And I've never stopped being thankful for you. For seeing something in me no one else had in so long and bringing it back to life. I know my heart is strong, but that doesn't mean anyone's ever cared for it before. That's you."

Robin never had a problem being that for her. That she seemed to readily accept that now made him smile against her lips as he let her pull him down. When he broke away, he remained laying beside her, head propped up by his hand so he could look at her as she spoke.

"I'm thankful for you, too," he said, keeping her gaze as he did. "I did not imagine having any of this ever again, and yet here we are."

A second chance, as he'd said what felt like so long ago now. He would be endlessly grateful for that.

Her smile was bright and happy despite how tired she was, and she pressed her forehead to his, closing her eyes. "Neither did I. But here we are." Her fingers moved across the tattoo idly, the mark that meant she was meant for him. Often at night when she figured he was asleep she traced he lines of it, marveling that something like this was for her.

"Maybe another kiss before I have to get up and go talk to people again," she murmured softly. This was more than she'd done in a long, long time, and even then it hadn't been overly cordial when she had. And she was happy and warm with it all, but she was also fading and needed a little boost.

The laugh he exhaled was a sort of low, rumbly one. It was a request he gladly gave in to, shifting until he was positioned in a way he could kiss her deeply, his hand lifting to cup her cheek as he did. Perhaps it was improper with so many people not far from where they were, but he didn't quite let it stop him as much as it had been before. When he pulled away, the small grin on his face was a bit playful.

"Was that acceptable?" he asked, lifting his eyebrow.

At his question she laughed, letting her forehead bump against his lightly before sitting up. "Very much so. And exactly what I needed." She kissed his grin chastely before bending over to slip her heels back on then stood and reached for his hand.

"When everyone is gone and the kitchen is clean, I'm looking forward to bed and not moving again until morning," Regina admitted. She was ready to curl up with him now, truth be told, but she couldn't with a living room full of people.

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

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