I had planned to post this yesterday during Christmas, but the site was down most of the day! But, here it is now and I hope you enjoy!

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning came far too early for Emma and Killian. It had already been close to eleven when they finally were able to settle down Nolan and Liam for bed and then it took another hour getting the presents from their secret hiding spot and putting them under the tree.

Once they were done, they both decided to enjoy an indulgent glass of wine for a job well done, so they snuggled up on the couch by the fire, admiring the Christmas tree as snow began to fall outside. It was close to two when they finally made it to bed, both only having the energy to give the other a soft, lingering kiss before they drifted off to sleep in each others arms.

At the sound of their bedroom door slowly creaking open, Killian let out a soft groan of protest while Emma agreed by lifting the covers over both of them. "Don't move," she whispered. "Maybe they'll go away."

"I think they're still asleep, Nolan," Liam said as he looked down at his little sister.

"But its Christmas morning!" she exclaimed in a whisper.

Nolan was at that age now where Christmas was the best thing in the entire universe. She had just turned five this year and so she now understood more about Christmas, Santa Clause and presents.

Not that he wasn't just as excited, being twelve years old didn't change his love for Christmas. Sure, he could have slept a little longer, but when Nolan snuck up in his bed a few moments ago, giggling and nudging him awake…he just couldn't turn her away.

Liam picked up his sister and made her laugh as he lifted her up on the bed. "Merry Christmas!" she exclaimed as she jumped on top of her daddy.

Killian grunted from under the covers. "Go away little elf."

"It's time to wake up! It's time to wake up!" she announced as she tried to pull the covers off and just laughed when he tugged it back up.

"Might as well get up," Liam said as he walked over to his mom's side of the bed and pulled at the covers. "She won't take no for an answer."

Emma let out a sigh of defeat as she emerged her head from the covers. "You two are nuts…it's barely light outside."

"But it's Christmas, Mommy!" Nolan said as she got off of Killian's back to launch herself at her mom. "We need to go see if Santa came!"

Emma held her close and kissed her temple. "I don't know…do you think he came?"

"Of course…I was a good girl this year…so was Liam."

"I don't know, you're being awfully naughty right now, my little elf," Killian said from under the covers as he lifted his hand out and tickled her, before grabbing her and pulling her to his side.

Emma scooted over and patted the spot next to her for Liam to join them so all four of them were snuggled together under the covers. Seconds later, Sophie jumped up to join the family, wagging her tail with excitement as she attacked everyone with slobbery kisses.

"Can we go downstairs now?" Nolan asked.

"Not quite yet…your mom and I have to go downstairs first and make sure santa came."

Emma ran a hand over Liam's hair. "Why don't you take Nolan to the top of the stairs and wait there…no peaking through the banisters."

"Can't make any promises, mom…it's a tradition. C'mon, Nolan…let's go get ready on the stairs."

She got up from under the covers and ran over to Liam who caught her with a laugh before carrying her out of the room. Killian smiled over at his wife and then leaned over to give her a quick kiss. "Merry Christmas, love."

"Merry Christmas," she said as she lovingly touched the side of her face. "I'll go down and start the coffee…why don't you go down the backstairs and check on Nolan's gift from Santa."

"I hope he wasn't too scared all by himself," Killian said as he grabbed his Jets hoodie and threw it over his shirt.

"I'm sure he did fine," Emma assured him as she slipped on her red fuzzy slippers.

Killian snuck down the back of the stairs and then just to the left was the utility room where he found Nolan's present still curled up sound asleep. He squatted by the cardboard box and gently rubbed his thumb over the tiny black, furry head.

The kitten made a pathetic little meow as he lifted his head and Killian smiled as he scooped him up in his hand. "Hey there, little guy." He straightened to his feet as he lifted the kitten to his eye level. "Are you going to make my little girl happy?"

The black and white kitten responded by yawning as he stretched his little paws out and then rested them comfortably against the curve of his hook. "C'mon then," he said as he tucked the kitten against his shoulder smiling as he began to purr as he buried his nuzzle his nose against Killian's neck.

He took him to the den and over to the wicker basket with a big red bow on the handle that was perched on coffee table. He settled the kitten in basket, pulling the red blanket almost all the way over him. He gave his little head a few more strokes with his thumb and the kitten began to purr as he drifted back off to sleep.

Emma came into the den with his cup of coffee. "How's the little guy?" she whispered as she peered into the basket. "Already fast asleep I see."

"He can enjoy it while it lasts." He then frowned over at the drum set they got for Liam. "We're going to regret giving this to him...I just know it."

"Probably…but it's what he loves right now."

"Mommy! Daddy! Come on!"

They shared a smile before heading out of the den to the front entrance and looked up to see their anxious children sitting on the stairs.

"Did Santa come?" Nolan asked as she jumped up and down while holding onto Bear. She has yet to grow out of loving Bear.

"He sure did, munchkin," Killian said with a smile. "I see he left you something on the coffee table."

She giggled as she clapped her hands in delight. "And Liam? Did Santa leave something for him?"

"Sure did," Emma said giving a wink to Liam. "I don't have to tell you where it is…you'll know."

He grinned. "Got it."

This past year, Liam had asked his parents the big question. "Is Santa real?"

Both Emma and Killian knew it was coming…he was getting to that age where they saw certain signs or heard rumors of his existence. It was Emma who answered and Killian thought she couldn't have handled it more perfectly.

"You know, I guess we can't be, too, sure can we, kiddo? But the way I see it…you're blessed to know that this world isn't the only world. You know there is an Enchanted Forest, a Neverland and even an Oz. Your father is Captain Hook…your grandparents are Snow White and Prince Charming…you're loved by Tinkerbell and Ariel. So…if there's a Santa…I wouldn't be too surprised, would you?"

Liam didn't say anything; he simply smiled as he walked over to hug his mother and then hugged his dad. Emma got teary eyed after he left and Killian had to console her for a moment.

"He's growing up too fast," she sobbed quietly in his chest.

"Aye…but he is growing up to be a good lad…and that's what's important. You're a hell of a mother, Swan."

"Okay, okay, can we go now?" Liam asked, shaking her out of her memory.

It made her smile. He might be too old to believe in Santa, but he still had the love and excitement for Christmas just as he always had. "Almost…let me take a few pictures first."

Liam grabbed Nolan so that she stood a few steps below him while he sat behind her, perching his chin on top of her head while they both smiled for the camera.

"Okay, okay…I got it…you can go now."

Killian and Emma both quickly stood back and watched the chaos unfold. There were whoops and cheers from Liam as soon as he saw the drum set…he did a couple of jumps and dance moves before heading straight for it.

Killian tried not to wince when he first started to bang on them with the drumsticks.

Emma made sure her camera was on Nolan when she ran over to the basket. The small gasp of wonder she let out when she saw the little kitten was priceless and both Emma and Killian shared a smile.

"A kitten! Santa got me a kitten!"

"Cool!" Liam left his drum set to check it out. "He's cute, Nolan."

"Mommy! Daddy! Look!" She held up the ball of fur proudly. "I got a kitten!"

"So I see." Killian knelt down in front of her as he gave the kitten a little scratch. "Santa must think you're old enough to take care of one…so you have to make sure you do…they need lots of love and attention."

"I will," she promised as she rubbed her cheek against the kitten's fur. "I love him."

"What are you going to name him?" Emma asked as she stood by Liam and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Boo!" she exclaimed.

That certainly didn't surprise either Emma or Killian since Monsters Inc. was currently her favorite movie. "That's a great name, munchkin," Killian said as he gave her a quick kiss on the temple.

"How do you like your drums, kiddo?" Emma asked Liam.

"I love it! Santa did good!"

"There will be some rules that come with Santa's gift, Liam," Killian warned him as he lifted Nolan and the kitten on the couch. "Fair warning."

"Okay…can I play on it now, though?"

"Sure…and when you want you guys can go through your stockings. I'll get breakfast going and after we eat we'll go through the presents."

"Need a hand, love?"

She gave him a look...all these years he still thought it was funny. "No." She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss. "Just keep the kids occupied."

As she left the kitchen, the drums started to bang and bop to a beat that wasn't quite in rhythm, but he'd learn…eventually. The dog was barking, followed by Nolan's, "Sophie, no! Daddy! Sophie is going to eat, Boo!"

"No she won't…I bet they'll become good friends."

Emma smiled as she took out the eggs and bacon as she enjoyed the loving…and rather loud…sounds of her family.

XXX

A few hours later, the den was nice and quiet with the aftermath of Christmas morning scattered all over the den. Bright colored paper, ribbons and boxes were everywhere, the dog currently passed out on her back, legs in the air by the fire.

Liam was upstairs putting his drum set together in his room, while Nolan was fast asleep in the loveseat with Boo sound asleep in her arms. Emma and Killian were curled together on the couch, enjoying the silence, as they both were still not quite ready to clean up.

"Sometimes I wish magic didn't come with a price, so you can use yours and all this would be cleaned up with a snap of your fingers."

"That would be nice, but I'm no Mary Poppins, babe."

"Who? Never mind…I don't care…I'm do bloody tired to care."

She chuckled softly as she tilted her head on his shoulder while she fiddled with the charms of the gold necklace he gave her. A hook and a swan. It was absolutely perfect.

"Are you excited about your gift?" she asked him as she hooked an arm around his waist.

He immediately placed his hand over her wrist. "A trip to the Bahamas…it definitely should be an adventure."

"You're nervous about the plane ride."

"A bit…I couldn't avoid it forever…but spending a week with you to my myself will be worth it."

"My parents are going to take care of the kids…I've already talked about it with them."

"The kids will hardly miss us…they love staying over there."

"Very true." She sighed as she closed her eyes. "I really need to get up off this couch and start picking up. Henry will be over later."

"I'm sure he won't mind the mess…what time do we have to be at your parents tonight?"

"Seven," she managed to say while yawning.

"Is the whole brood coming?"

"You bet."

"Good." He rested his cheek against her hair and closed his eyes as he began to drift.

Not two seconds later, the sound of drums and symbols echoed from upstairs, causing Killian to let out a groan. "And so it begins."

Emma just chuckled as she snuggled closer. "Merry Christmas, babe."

He let out a sigh, laughing as he tilted her chin up with his hook and gave her a sweet, lingering, kiss. "Merry Christmas, love.