Summary: Henry surprises his mother with a visit home for the holidays with his girlfriend in tow. But he comes home to the house not decorated, a suitcase by the door, and a man he's never seen act familiar with his home and family.
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We’re getting home so we can celebrate
We may be rushing but we can hardly wait now
For we need a little Christmas, right this very minute
Jacinda reached over and turned down the radio, “Henry, are you sure your mom is going to be okay with this?”
“Oh absolutely! Cin you need to know one thing about my mom she’s predictable.” Henry glanced at his girlfriend, seeing one eyebrow lifted and her lips quirked to the side, looking back at the road he continued, “Look I know exactly what she is doing right now. She’s in our house, everything decorated, tree in the corner. She’s sitting on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, in front of the fire, cup of hot chocolate with cinnamon in her hands. Just a bit sad thinking she will spend the holidays alone. Trust me she will be thrilled.”
“Mhmm,” Jacinda hummed, still unsure this surprise is going to go as Henry said.
They continued to drive down the road as snow flurries began to fall on the scenery. It wasn’t long before they passed an intricately carved sign reading ‘Welcome to Storybrooke.’ And not long after that they pulled up to a blue Victorian style house starting to be covered in a layer of snow.
Jacinda paused before getting out of the car looking over at her boyfriend who seemed busy scanning the house. “What?”
“She didn’t decorate the outside like we usually do.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing. Come on.” Henry got out of the car racing up the steps, Jacinda following cautiously behind him.
Henry knocked on the door and within minutes it flew open. He was welcomed with the sight of his mother. Her eyes went wide and her jaw dropped. It took her a moment of her opening and closing her mouth, blinking rapidly, before she was able to muster up words.
A forced chuckle escaped her lips as a smile crept to her face. She moved aside to allow him in and enveloped him in a hug. Jacinda didn’t miss when the smile dropped for a moment over Henry’s shoulder.
“Henry… what are you doing here?” She asked, pulling out of the hug.
Emma gave him a light tap on his arm causing him to laugh, “Of course you can. But I thought you were staying at school for the break?”
Henry shrugged, “We wanted to surprise you.”
It was in that moment she realized there was someone else with her son. “Jacinda?”
Emma came forward, taking the girls hand, “It’s so good to finally meet you in person.”
“So? Do you like your surprise?” Henry asked, wanting a little bit to prove his girlfriend wrong.
“Yes! I always love seeing you,” she shifted slightly, “It’s just that…”
Henry took a look around and saw his childhood home was bare completely unlike the Christmases he knew growing up. “Mom, where is everything? Where’s the tree? The lights? The garland?”
“Well-” Before she was able to answer everyone’s attention was drawn to the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs. A man with grey in his bread and hair came bounding down the stairs.
“Who was at the door-” the man looked up before finishing his sentence, “oh hello.”
“Hi,” Henry greeted, then turned to his mother, “Mom, who’s that?”
The gentleman spoke up again, “Ah you must be Henry,” he continued down the stairs approaching the small group with his hand out stretched, “a pleasure.”
Henry cautiously took his hand, “Yeah. I’m sorry, who are you?”
“My apologies. Killian Jones, at your service. I’m-“
Everyone turned at Emma’s loud interruption.
She let out a nervous laugh, “Kid you know how much I love the beach. When I found out you weren’t coming home I decided to treat myself and take a trip down the coast and have a sandy Christmas instead of being cooped up here. You know. All by myself.” Her eyes nervously shifted between her son and the man next to her, “I didn’t want the house to sit so Mr Jones was going to stay here.”
Henry and Jacinda looked back at the man who’s smile now seemed tighter, “Aye. I usually live on my boat. Figured I could get my land legs back this season and have a nice quiet Christmas.”
“I’m sorry if we have ruined both of your plans,” Jacinda spoke up, eyeing her boyfriend, “we should’ve called.”
“It’s quite alright, lass.”
Henry spoke up again, “I’m sorry Mr Jones. Will it take you long to gather your things? I’m sure my mom would be willing to give you a refund.”
Killian reached up and scratched behind his ear, “Unfortunately I can’t leave. My boat is in storage and with the storm coming in it doesn’t seem safe to be on it now. And with it being a week from Christmas I doubt any inns will be available.”
“I’m sure we can figure something out later. Henry, why don’t you go get your guy's luggage and take it up to your room.”
“Let me help you, lad,” Killian offered.
As Henry turned exited back out the door he missed the silent exchange Mr Jones had with his mother. But Jacinda didn’t.
When they were gone Emma turned to Jacinda and smiled, “I guess we have some decorating to do. Mind helping me bring some up from the basement?”