Happy Holidays, gvspurlock! (2/2)

[ouatmod]

Chapter 2

Solstice eve arrived without Emma being driven completely nuts by Mary Margaret's party planning, She even took over most of the last minute cleaning so her mother could concentrate on prepping the food.

She did have to step in while Mary Margaret was briefing the fairy who was going to preside over the ceremony. “No, Henry isn't going to take part in the vows. And neither am I.”

The fairy looked concerned. “The boy is past the age when he should be learning how to conduct himself before the gods, Miss Swan. And you should have chosen a patron or two long since.”

“Yeah, well, we're still on the fence about that.”

“Without the patronage of the gods you cannot expect to rule.” The fairy told her.

“And there is one of the best arguments I've heard for not messing around with these gods.” Emma came back with.

“That is your choice of course, but would you sacrifice your son's birth right?” The fairy clearly thought she was making a winning point.

“Kid is Regina's son and Rumpelstiltskin's grandson. You seriously think if he wants power your gods are going to have anything to say about it?”

The look on the fairy's face made even having to mend fences with Mary Margaret afterward worth it.

By mid afternoon the party was in full swing. Apparently the lead up to the pledging ceremony consisted of consuming large quantiles of fruit tarts and, for the adults, mead. Emma politely carried around a mug of the mead which she was managing to avoid actually drinking from.

Neal was one of the last to arrive. He showed up with a case of imported beer. Which he presented to David as a hosting gift. Emma came up to them as he was telling David, “Believe me if you've never tried British beer you're in for a treat. This stuff is actually better than the stuff they brewed in the old world.”

“Well, thanks.” David seemed surprised by the offering. “I'll put some out. Oh, here's Emma.”

“D'aamn, girl, you clean up good!” Neal surveyed her with approval.

“Back 'atcha, Cassidy.” Emma took stock of the well cut three piece suit the man was wearing.

“Mine's just fine feathers. You're really rockin' that dress.”

“Nearly as pretty as her Mom.” David agreed, giving Emma a one arm hug. “Grab yourself some tarts. It'll be awhile before the solstice fire gets lit.”

The pointedness with which David left them alone was a little annoying, but Emma had actually wanted to talk with Neal so she really could not complain. “Thanks for the briefing on the whole 'pledging to the gods' thing. If I hadn't known the background I'd of gone along with it for Mary Margaret's sake and that fairy would have me and Henry tied to a dozen gods tonight.”

“Mary Margaret's okay with you not?” Neal asked with concern.

“We worked out a compromise. Henry and I are going to stand with her while she makes the pledge and lights the Solstice fire. To her it's as much about family as the gods, so that makes her happy and the fairy, with very ill grace, sort of accepted our just watching as a compromise. She muttered something about doing better come summer.” Emma added. “Which she's going to be disappointed about. I mentioned to Regina how you wanted Henry to wait to decide about the gods and the woman went into a thirty minute rant about how no son of her's was going to give up his autonomy to a bunch of posers.

“You might have mentioned the having to obey their every whim part,” Emma gave him a glare.

“That's what 'fealty' means.” Neal told her. “And I was trying to be non-judgmental about it. It's Snow and David's belief system after all.

”Besides I'm not positive you do give up free will when you swear to the gods.” He added. “I think that may just be an excuse lot of people use not to own up to their own mistakes.”

“Be that as it may, Henry's not taking any of that on while he's a kid.” Emma said with certainty.

“Fine by me. Where is the kid?”

“He's showing off his loot to Happy. Head back to his room, he's dying to show you as well.”

As assistant hostess, Emma did not get much chance to talk to Neal again. Although she did catch a conversation between him and Archie. They were discussing investments and Neal was giving Archie some really good advice.

At sundown the fire got lit, and buffet blessed. With everybody helping themselves to dinner, Mary Margaret and Emma had a few moments to themselves to relax and grab cocoa in the kitchen.

“I don't really like mead either. But it's traditional to serve it.” Mary Margaret confessed.

“Neal brought some high end beer. You should try it.” Emma suggested.

“That was nice of him. Particularly since he'd already sent me that lovely poinsettia.”

“I think it's in lieu of giving you and David Solstice gifts.” Emma explained.

“Still it was very thoughtful.” Clearly debating whether to continue Snow took a sip. Finally she came out with. “I've never seen his resemblance to Gold before. But dressed so formally and talking about money with Archie, well, there's rather a lot of his father in him, isn't there? It's a little... disconcerting.”

“Yeah.” Emma agreed. “Even before I knew Gold was his Dad, I saw it. It was really 'disconcerting' to be around Gold and wonder why he reminded me of a guy I'd thought I put behind me years ago.

“And I see it in Henry.” Emma shook her head. “He inherited more than his Dad's eyes and smile. I'm afraid we can't blame all of the kid's sneakiness on Regina.”

“Oh, no, Emma. Henry is a sweet boy.” Snow looked shocked and then embarrassed. “That is not that Neal's not... uhm, that is he seems like a very nice person despite... and even Rumpelstiltskin has done good things, especially for us, he's just...”

As her mother trailed off, Emma told her. “Hey, I'm not gonna worry about it. The Gold men are smart, survivors and protective of their kin. If Henry gets all that I can live with him having a manipulative streak a mile wide.”

“I'm sure we can teach him to use his powers for good.” Snow suggested encouragingly.

Of course the subject of their conversation appeared about then. Clutching yet another tart. “What powers?” He asked.

“Your strategic and planning skills, kid. How many of those have you had?” Emma pointed at the tart.

“Three and two halves.” Henry told her promptly. “I split two with Grandpa. That way we got to try all the types. The berry is the best. And I already use my planning powers for good. Didn't I set up everything to break the curse?”

Things were finally winding down by the time Emma got a shot at the buffet. Taking her plate she wandered over to where Neal was standing surveying the other guests. “Not eating?”

Neal looked a little sheepish. “Apparently childhood training runs deeper than I thought. I had some of the tarts with Henry, but after the fairy sanctified the buffet to the gods, I figured I'd give it a pass. Words like that can be binding. There's just enough magic in Storybrooke that I'm not about to risk committing myself to serve something for the sake of a sandwich.”

Looking down at her own plate, Emma carefully set it aside. “Beer's okay?” She gestured at his bottle.

“Yeah. The only magic this beer has is the buzz if you drink too much of it. I picked it up in Portland.” He passed it to her.

“What were you doing in Portland?”

“Meeting with a headhunter.” Neal told her. “The employment kind. Not the kind with spears.”

“I really hate what it says about Storybrooke that you had to specify that.” Emma frowned. “Are you thinking of moving to Portland?”

“May have to.” He leaned back against the wall. “Job openings in Storybrooke are pretty much non-existent. I've got some money put by, but it won't last forever. And I'm not going to move back in with Papa. Aside from how awkward it would be with him and Belle still in the honeymoon stage, I'm a grown man. I've been taking care of myself for a long time. Besides I need to help you support Henry. I'm hoping I can find something where I can telecommute at least part-time. Then I could keep a place here in Storybrooke. It wouldn't be great, but at least I'd be able to see Henry regularly.”

“Henry and I are doing fine, Neal.” Emma countered,

“You are.” He agreed. “But a man takes care of his family. If Snow and David decide to have another kid, you're going to want a place of your own. I want to help with that. And while we both know that the town's landlord would happily provide you with the nicest rental in town...”

“Even if it meant kicking the current tenant out in a blizzard.” Emma interrupted.

“Exactly.” Neal grinned. “I'm pretty sure you don't want to take handouts from Papa either.”

“No. I hesitate to think what sort of favor he's hit me up for.” Emma returned the grin. “Although the last one didn't turn out too bad.”

“The last time was great!” Henry appeared next to them causing both of his parents to start in surprise. His plate consisted of fried chicken, roast beef, a couple of shrimp and more tarts. “Not only did we find Dad, but we had road trip to Boston, toured Manhattan and then got to sail home.

“Although less poison would have been better.” He added before munching on a shrimp.

“Geez, kid, give us a warning.” Neal told him. “And maybe you should have a vegetable or two before you tackle more pastries.”

“Can't. Not if you want me to avoid any offering to the gods.” Henry smirked. “According to Mary Margaret all of the salads and prepared foods are dedicated to specific gods. But the meat only gets the blanket blessing from the fairy, so as long as you aren't already pledged to any of the gods it's okay, cause it's for all the gods. Which could include like Jehovah or Allah or even the one.”

Neal frowned. “Uhn, okay. I didn't think of that. But it does technically work.”

“Out thought by an eleven year old.” Emma picked her plate back up and took the ham out of her sandwich. “Do I need to wipe off the mustard?”

“Nope. Mustard came out of a jar, so it only got the general blessing too.” Henry licked his fingers. “I'm all set for tomorrow. I memorized the candle lighting thing. Don't tell Grandma and Grandpa Charming, cause their stories about the gods are kind of fun, but the Logos is more interesting. It gives you stuff to figure out.”

“Be sure to tell your grandfather that.” Neal told him. “It's probably the best gift he could get.”

“I will, but I picked out stuff for both him and Belle.” Henry told him. “So we're good.”

Brunch at Gold's was far more relaxed than the Solstice party. She and Henry picked up Neal and drove over to Gold's late in the morning. Belle met them at the door. “You're right on time. I've just finished the pancakes.” And ushered them into the large kitchen dining area.

Where Gold had a fire blazing. “Ah, Bae, would you like to light the first candle?”

“Actually Henry's going to do it.” Neal passed the taper his father had handed him to his son.

With Gold and Neal looking on, Henry carefully lit the taper from the fire and carried over to the already set table where he lit a little lantern in the middle of the table. “This light both dispels the darkness of ignorance and give us a means to better conduct our search for knowledge.” He recited. “May I make full use of it's brilliance.”

“Oh, well done, Henry.” Gold exclaimed proudly.

“Kid learned it all by himself.” Neal bragged. “All I did was give him the book.”

Henry told Gold. “I got most of the way through the primer. It was really interesting. Lots of little puzzles to figure out.”

“If you liked those we'll have to find you more to work through.” Gold told him.

“That'd be great!” Henry clearly did not miss the delight his comment gave both his father and grandfather. Looking very pleased with himself he turned to Emma, “Here, Mom, let me show you how to do it.”

“You're joining us, Ms Swan?” Gold looked even more pleased.

“When in Rome,” Emma shrugged. “And I can always used more smarts.”

Belle did not light a candle. Merely standing by and smiling as the others did. When they were done she asked Emma to help her bring in the food.

Which turned out to be a way to voice a concern out of the men's hearing. “I hope you're not letting Rumpel unduly influence you as far as following the Logos. If you have doubts you need only tell him. He's very open minded about conflicting philosophies and won't try to force the issue. Our first Solstice together when I was just his maid he let me hold an entire solstice ceremony without even mentioning he wasn't a believer.”

“Neal is the one pushing this.” Emma told her. “And I've got no problem with him teaching Henry about his heritage as long as the kid is interested. Me, I don't much care as long as they don't start telling me how to think.”

“I understand your sentiments completely.” Belle's mouth quirked up. “Being the Dark One's maid was worth it to get out from under everyone telling me how to think.”

Breakfast proved a rather peculiar mix of dishes.

“Pottage!” Neal crowed over a thick lentil and vegetable soup. “Henry, you have to try this. It was one of my favorites when I was a kid. Nobody makes it as good as Papa.”

Henry frowned as he tasted it. “Is that licorice?”

“Anise.” Gold told him. “Among other things.”

It tasted vaguely like some Indian dishes to Emma. Not bad, but not what she expected for brunch.

The smoked salmon and cream cheese had a berry sauce to go with it, but at least fit more with what she was used to. Although she got passed a plate of thin pancakes to put it on instead of a bagel.

Taking one of the pancakes, Emma asked, “Burrito, taco or just roll it?”

“Totally up to you.” Neal informed her. “In our village, we folded it sort of like a samosa. I have no idea why.”

Gold, who was showing Henry a rather elaborate folding technique, explained. “Back before the war made travel too difficult, we would have regional gatherings at solstice. In theory it was to share books and such, but it was mostly an excuse to socialize. And each village would make up their own version of these for the meal. The folding method identified where it was from.

“And gave the women a chance to show off their cooking skills.” Gold finished off the one he was making Henry by swirling the berry sauce over it in a fancy pattern. “Rather a lot of courting got started at those gatherings.”

“Is that how you met Dad's Mom?” Henry asked.

“Er, after a fashion.” Gold looked ill at ease. “She wasn't a follower of the Logos, but we met when I was traveling to a gathering.”

The corner of Neal's mouth quirked up. “Tell the kid the whole story, Papa. Better he hears it from us than from the gossips like I did. You met at the posting road tavern. Where she 'worked'.”

“She just served drinks, Bae. She didn't...” Glancing down at his grandson, Gold took a moment to work out his phrasing. “She didn't work 'upstairs' regardless of what the gossip may have been.

“I rather suspect,” Now the corner of Gold's mouth quirked up, “That she took up with me in large part to avoid having to take a job upstairs. Even a journeyman spinner was a better bet than that.”

“I just adore the idea of party where you exchange books.” Belle, in a fairly obvious attempt at a subject change, put in. “It's a pity more of the writings of our world didn't make it across. Although there's a huge body of philosophical writing in this world. I would think some of that might be compatible with following the Logos.”

“Actually there are some Sufi writers that are so close I rather wondered if there had been some exchange between our world and this one back in the 15th century.” Gold seemed gratefully for the change in topic. “Have you read any Ibn Arabi, Bae? He's a bit hard to find in English, I'm afraid.”

“Never run across him.” Neal told his father. “But I did go through a whole beat thing for awhile. As you can tell from the name I chose.”

Belle jumped in with a comment about Allen Ginsberg and the conversation went over Emma's head for awhile, until Neal took pity on her and got them onto the topic of movies.

Henry was able to join in that one. Gold seemed to enjoy his review of Frozen and was tickled to death when Henry remembered at that point to tell him about figuring out what he could eat from the the buffet.

“Although the fairy kinda freaked a little when I told her about it.” He finished up with.

“Oh, I'll wager she did.” Gold laughed. “I'm sorry I missed that interplay.”

“So next time come. Snow wanted to invite you guys. She just didn't want to offend.” Emma informed them.

Gold looked across at Belle, who sighed. “You should have gone. To have been with your family.”

“Solstice is your holiday, my dear. Not mine. I would not have left you alone.” Gold told her.

“Well, I left you to go to midnight service with Papa.” Belle rejoined. “And you would have been home by the time that service was over to dry my tears anyway.”

Turning to Emma she said, “Thank Snow for the thought. But my father is very conservative when it comes to the gods. The only thing he'd regard as worse than being with the Dark One would be the heresy of partaking in the sort of celebration Snow held last night. In his view that would truly damn me and I would still like to try and reconcile with him.

“Not that I'm getting very far if last night was anything to judge by.” Her lower lip trembled.

Gold started to rise. As he did, Neal reached out and took Belle's hand . “Hey, none of that. It's the holidays. Jolliness is required. And don't give up on your father. If Papa and I can start mending fences nothing is impossible.”

That got a smile out of Belle. Squeezing Neal's hand she told him. “You are every bit as sweet as your father describes you.”

Emma leaned toward Gold and hissed just loud enough for him to hear. “You are not going to beat up Moe French again.”

“Am I not?”

“No.” Emma met his glare. “For one thing it would just make Belle more unhappy. For another I've gotten this far into the holidays with only one domestic and I'd really like to keep it that way. Consider it part of my Christmas gift.”

“Oh, very well.” Gold sat back in his chair. “But that doesn't mean I'm not raising the interest rate on his loan by three points come January.”

“Feel free.” Emma sat back as well.

“Was the domestic dispute the Sprats? Again?” Gold asked.

“Yeah.” Emma rolled her eyes. “As much as they fight why don't they just split up?”

“Oh they do,” Gold waved his hand. “Every January. I've prepared divorce paperwork for Mrs Sprat twenty-nine times.”

“Is the thirtieth time a freebie?” Emma asked.

“Gods, no.” Gold looked shocked at the idea. “Although perhaps I should give her a loyal customer gift of a session with Dr. Hopper.”

“Might do more good.”

Neal had continued his conversation with Belle as Emma restrained Gold. “Papa has serious bias issues when it comes to the people he loves. I was never anywhere near as smart or as good natured as he thought I was.

“It scares me a little sometimes to realize just how alike he and I are in temperament.” He leavened his comment with a smile.

Belle leaned over and in a sotto whisper told him. “Since I find Rumpel's temperament quite enchanting I suspect I shall soon be equally biased.”

“You have strange taste.” Neal shook his head.

“So, I've been told.”

“Can we open presents now?” Henry was cleaning the last of the berry sauce off his plate.

“Rumpel and I exchanged gifts last night,” Belle told them. “We didn't think you'd mind.”

“Probably better that way,” Neal muttered just loud enough for Emma to hear. “I suspect that Papa's 'clothing' gift to her wouldn't meet PG standards.”

Henry, ever curious, asked, “What did you get?”

Blushing deeply, Belle informed him. “He gave me a Kindle. I got him some books on antiquities.”

“Based on that blush, I'd say the rest of the presents were in the NC-17 range.” Emma muttered back to Neal.

“Yeah.” Neal agreed. “Not that I'm suggesting anything happen between us, but do you find it weird that our parents are getting more than we are?”

“Oh, yeah.” Emma nodded. “At least you're not living with yours. I've walked in on them twice. With Henry along both times.”

By now Belle had distributed the packages and Henry was opening the one from Gold and Belle. “Socks,” he announced with only a hint of disappointment.

“Thanks, Grandpa and Belle.” He added politely. “I can use them.”

“Look underneath.” Gold prompted.

Picking up the colorful striped socks, Henry's eyes went wide. “A tablet! And it's already set up! Thank you, Grandpa! You too, Belle. This is great!”

“You're most welcome, Henry.” Gold smiled at him.

“Papa, are we going to have to have a talk about not spoiling the kid?” Neal asked.

“He needs it for school.” Gold told his son. “I loaded it with three e-book readers and Belle added a number of books.”

“Treasure Island that we're reading for English is on here.” Henry piped up. “And an Encyclopedia.”

“Nice try both of you, but I recognize the World of Warcraft icon.” Neal put in. “Let me guess, you set up an account for yourself to play with him?”

“Strategic training could also be useful.” Gold countered silkily. “Especially if he spends any time in old world. It takes more than a good sword arm to survive there.”

“And knowing what Angry Birds is will help him deal with this one.” Emma grinned. “Give up, Neal. You're out maneuvered.”

“Fine. Fine.” Neal threw up his hands. “But I want you two questing with me not against me.”

“Sure thing, Dad.” Henry told him. “You shouldn't slow us down too much.”

“Ouch.” Neal put a hand to his chest. “Open mine now.”

“More socks.” Henry announced. Then frowning he held up a small card. “And a fishing license?”

“I figured it would make for some nice father and son time.” Neal told him. “Papa taught me when I was younger than you are. Some times we would camp out and make a little holiday of it.”

“Your father is one of the best fishermen around.” Gold put in. “He once caught a sturgeon that weighed more than he did. We smoked the fish and ate off it most of the winter.”

Henry was becoming interested. “I don't have a fishing pole.”

“It's just possible Santa might remedy that.” Neal smiled.

Henry frowned. “There isn't really a Santa Claus. Is there?”

“Everybody is Santa Claus...” Emma started. Then looking at Gold asked. “There isn't is there?”

“No. He's based on a religious figure in this world. There's no equivalent in our world.” Gold assured her.

“Glad to hear it. Cause I'd have a bone to pick with him if there was.”

Emma got a very nice pair of leather gloves and a subscription to National Sheriff's Magazine from Gold. Belle gave her a couple of audio books. “For when you're paroling.”

Neal gave her a heavy pullover and tickets to a Celtic's game. “Three tickets?” She questioned him.

“Figured you would want to take the kid.” He gave her his puppy-dog look. “Your choice what you do with the third.”

With Henry giving her a not bad imitation of the puppy-dog look, Emma laughed and gave in. “Fine we'll make it a family outing. You, me and Henry.”

That pleased everyone at the table. Emma had to wonder if Gold and Mary Margaret had started dowry negotiations yet. There were way too many people interested in the state of her love life.

Belle expressed delight at the half dozen books in a mystery series Henry had picked out for her.

“They're set in the Scottish Highlands,” he explained. “Since that's where Grandpa's cursed memories were from, I though you'd like them.”

“I'm sure I shall. And thank you for the tea, Emma. It smells heavenly.”

“Also from Scotland.” Emma told her. “Henry, picked that out, too.”

When Gold discovered the bottle cushioned by socks in her and Henry's gift to him, he asked. “Did you choose the wine as well, boy? Quite good taste if you did.”

“Kinda. I looked at the reviews on line.” Henry told him. “Mom thought you would like this one.”

“I'm sure I shall. Thank you both.”

Before even finishing unwrapping his small box from Gold, Neal said, “Thanks, Papa. I could use some new socks.”

Then he raised an eyebrow at the other contents of the box. “And a thumb-drive?”

But the box yielded a folded piece of paper as well, which caused both eyebrows to go up. “The study guide for the Maine Securities License Examination with the exam fee prepaid?”

“You mentioned that was what you were doing in New York.” Gold sounded a bit tentative. “I thought if you wanted to stay here it would increase your options to have the license for this state as well.”

Clearing his throat he added. “The broker I use has a branch office in Ellsworth. When I mentioned to him you might be looking for a position he suggested you call him.”

“Before or after you told him you'd be moving your account to where I got a job?” Neal sighed. Then looked at the thumb-drive. “Thank you. Papa. This will make it a whole lot easier to find a job.”

“Not to mention Ellsworth is a long but doable commute.” Emma pointed out. “It'd beat the heck out of trying to work in Portland and get back here every week. Especially in the winter.”

“You're not going to leave Storybrooke are you? We just got to know you.” Henry asked.

Looking from his son to his father to Emma, Neal allowed, “Maybe I won't have to, if I can find a job close enough to commute.”

“I think there is a part-time opening at the stable. I bet Grandpa David would be happy to recommend you,” Henry told him seriously.

Neal laughed. “I'll look into that if all else fails. But I'm hoping to find something where the manure I'd be shoveling was a little more metaphoric.”

Gold smiled to find socks that matched Henry's in his gift from Neal. Then his look turned to shock when he discovered an identical small card. “I... don't understand.”

“Father, son and grandson time.” Neal smiled sheepishly. “Some of my best memories come from those fishing trips. I thought... maybe we can recapture some of that.”

“I...” Gold was blinking back tears. “I would like that very much, son.”

“Cool.” Henry pronounced. “When are we going? I'm off school all this week.”

“If you think you can handle the cold, Grumpy's willing to take us out on his boat.” Neal told him. “And he only doubled the price when he learned you were coming, Papa. Do I want to know what you did to tick him off?”

As Gold embarked on the story of the nuns' rent and the candle sales. Emma sat back and sipped the tea Belle had brewed to go with the odd looking steamed pudding that was apparently dessert. The last couple of days had been by turns hectic, occasionally annoying and sometimes out and out weird, but as she glanced at Henry's smile and listened to Neal and Belle gently teasing Gold as he told his story, it occurred to her that if this was what family was all about, she might just be able to get used to it.