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]

Regina's smile is tired but very pleased to see her friend. "I'm glad you came. I was hoping you would." She admired Yuuko for many reasons, her fashion among them as she took in the kimono.

"You look amazing, by the way. Can I get you anything?"

[hitsuzensei]

"Would it be remiss of me to ask for a glass of wine?" Yuuko asks, tilting her head as she observes Regina's smile, which has the look of slight exhaustion, but of a satisfied sort. Yuuko knows that managing to gather such a large group of people and serve them a beautiful meal without many hitches isn't an easy task.

"You look like you'll be sleeping well tonight. Has the night lived up to your hopes?"

[gloriouscurse]

It isn't a bother at all and Regina heads to the kitchen. "White or red?" she asks over her shoulder, then smiles again, warmth bubbling in her chest again.

"And yes, it has. My son is here, Robin is here. Family and everyone else I care about." Which includes present company. "I've never had something like this before and it's new. Different and slightly overwhelming. But better than any other type of large celebration I've ever been to."

She was including the ones in Storybrooke where dwarves still pulled knives at the very sight of her.

[hitsuzensei]

"Red carries a certain type of tone and class that I would like to maintain while in your home," Yuuko says, returning the smile. Deeper colors seem to suit Regina best. Colors like hunter green and burgundy, colors that have seen brighter days and are more muted as a result of experience. Aged well, like the very wine that Regina pours.

"Experiencing and celebrating a new dynamic is always overwhelming at first, I think. But not necessarily in a bad way. It encourages a type of awe, doesn't it? As you let the full weight of the occasion truly sink in."

[gloriouscurse]

Regina hadn't allowed herself to drink much today, but now with Yuuko she decided to indulge and poured two glasses, handing one to her.

"When I was younger I loathed things like this. I was dressed up and my husband kept me by his side for show until he was done making sure everyone knew he had a young, beautiful wife. And then, when I was older and had Henry, everything I did was just to see him so excited. But now this is...bigger than I ever thought it could be."

[hitsuzensei]

"Not the type of husband you were hoping for, I imagine," Yuuko murmured softly. There were some people who took pride or comfort in being presented as a visual asset, who liked being a point of pride in that manner, but Regina had never struck Yuuko as being that type of person.

Not that Yuuko would have judged, even if Regina were.

"I can't say that I've ever been part of a familial celebration quite this large, either. I was not very close to my parents, and never married or had biological children of my own. Never had any siblings, either. Most of my holidays were spent visiting a few close friends, perhaps speaking with some of the spirits. This is new, and an experience I do cherish," she said, raising her glass and gently clinking it against Regina's own.