Okay, so I've been wanting to do a Christmas EC fic for a looooong time now, and I kept trying to start it, but everything kept getting in the way, and I haven't had much time for writing...at all. But here it is, here it is, here it is, and I'm dancing around the room because I love Christmas, and I love EC, and I love writing, and - for me - doing this story is akin to taking a vacation! AAAAHHH! Reviews would mean the world to me. :)

Holiday Spirit

Chapter 1

Regina felt herself waking from a deep sleep, realizing slowly the reason for her waking; something had bounced on the bed and she could feel weight shifting even as she lay still. She opened her eyes slowly, everything a bit of a blur in the bright room. As her vision finally cleared, she had to blink a few times in her confusion, trying to process what she was seeing.

There was a toddler on her bed. A girl of two or three was in the center of the bed, sitting up on her knees, grinning at her around a pacifier. She had a halo of sleep-mussed light brown curls and her smile sparkled in her brown eyes as she bounced happily in her purple footy pajamas.

Fighting to find an explanation for what was going on, Regina could only stare back, so when the girl's attention moved off her and to her side, she followed the gaze.

Thoughts of how this young girl had ended up in her room disappeared as she laid eyes on the other side of the bed – or, more properly, the person currently occupying it.

David Nolan was stretching, eyes closed and mouth wide open in a deep yawn.

"What the hell are you doing in my bed?!"

David jumped at the sudden loud, but familiar voice and shot to his feet, stumbling as his foot caught in the sheet. He managed to catch his balance, but his head was still spinning. "Regina?"

"Mom?" A girl's voice called from the hall. The door that had been left ajar was pushed open the rest of the way and a girl of about six walked in. "Ellie!" she scolded in her young voice as she caught sight of the girl on the bed. "I told you not to wake mommy and daddy yet! Where's Oliver?"

The toddler – Ellie – had a small look of guilt, but then she grinned and pointed straight down.

There was a giggle and a small head appeared from under the bed, big eyes looking up at David. A boy, the same age as Ellie, crawled out from his hiding spot and pushed himself carefully to his feet, still giggling as he poked his head around the end of the bed to peek at the girl in the doorway.

She huffed an irritated breath, but despite it, there was an obvious tug to the corners of her mouth as she fought a smile.

Regina couldn't stop staring. The girl looked so much like she had as a child – dark hair, dark eyes, olive complexion. It was like looking into a mirror that showed the past. She stood at the entrance to the room, her hair braided carefully down her back, only a few strands out of place after a night against a pillow. She wore a pretty little red and green plaid nightgown with gold trim – obviously Christmas themed – and had a light brown teddy bear tucked carefully under one arm. She let her smile show as she caught Regina watching her and walked over.

"Sorry, mommy. I know you wanted to sleep in." She scrunched her face up in confusion as she looked more closely at her. "You look funny. Are you okay?"

Regina managed a small nod – she wasn't sure what else to do. "I'm fine," she choked out.

"Now that you're up, you and daddy can come see the tree! Henry helped us decorate it last night."

David caught Regina's eye as she looked over at him. The anger that had set in her expression earlier was gone, now replaced with bewilderment, panic, and what he imagined was fear. Though he probably didn't look much different, he realized. The confusion was churning inside him to the point where he was feeling ill.

"Why don't you wake up Henry?" he asked, finally finding his voice. "Give us a minute."

"Okay!" she said brightly, oblivious to the fact that both of her parents still looked deeply troubled. "Come on guys."

Ellie slid over the side of the bed slowly until her feet touched the ground and put her hand in her older sister's outstretched one. Once Oliver had grasped the other, the trio left the room with only a cute wave from Ellie and a quick, "Bring Benji, too!" from the older girl.

When the door shut behind them, the room was engulfed in silence. Neither adult moved or spoke for several seconds. They didn't even look at one another. Regina remained sitting up in bed, watching the door, and David was frozen in his place next to the bed.

Regina looked up when she heard him inhale sharply and she couldn't help but lean back slightly when his intense, angry gaze met hers.

"Regina…What the hell did you do?"