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

[storybrooke_savior]

Since his friends had cleared out, Emma felt it was safe to wrap her arm around Henry and rest her cheek against the top of his head. He hadn't really said anything yet, but she knew he was rapidly reaching that stage where Obvious Displays of Affection from parental figures was Embarrassing, and she was trying to be respectful of that.

"It was," she agreed with a contented sigh. "I especially liked the turkey. How was that, by the way, turkey hunting with Robin Hood?"

[wanttobeahero]

His mom just got it - well, both of them were pretty good about it, but sometimes he worried Regina would slip up in front of his friends occasionally and plant a kiss on his cheek - and he was grateful. With just their family left, really, Henry had no reservations about settling in closer, getting comfortable and stretching out a little.

"It was so awesome," he smiled, tilting his head up slightly to smile at her. "Robin's a really great teacher. He never misses a shot, I hope I'm that good someday."

[storybrooke_savior]

Emma made a mental note for potential Christmas gifts, setting Henry up with his own bow and arrow, and some tutelage from Robin. She worried a little about her son potentially owning so many weapons, but at least archery was a common enough hobby. Swordplay, outside of fencing, not quite so much.

"Well, practice makes perfect, and all those other lame parentisms," she teased, turning her head to smile down at him--and quietly assess him at the same time. "How we doing, kid?" she asked gently. "We've had a lot thrown at us these past couple of weeks."

[wanttobeahero]

Henry, of course, was thinking about everyone else, with Christmas coming up. He had a lot of money saved up, which was good since he had a lot of people to buy for, too. He wanted to get something really special for his mom, he just hadn't figured out what that was yet. At least he had time.

"It's okay," Henry smiled softly up at her. "Pretty good, actually. I was kind of upset at first because...I know we can't stay here forever, and when we leave, I won't have my dad again. But...I know I want to just enjoy it while I can, and at least I'll remember this when we go home." He didn't know about that yet, that he actually wouldn't remember any of this.

He hoped his mom was okay, though. Especially knowing that there was...sort of a thing with her and Hook now. He didn't need details, only needed to know she was good. "Are you good?"