WHO:Emma Swan & Anna of Arendelle WHEN: (way backdated) Xmas time WHERE: Toy Store WHAT: Random Christmas shopping WARNINGS: Nada STATUS: Complete
The snow in Orange County didn’t really bother Emma that much anymore. It was normal really. They had weird winters, it was festive, made it feel all the more like Christmas, so she didn’t think it was too big a deal, so long as there weren’t any blizzards -she’d been in Chicago one year for Christmas and that was one hell of a winter.
She made a point of bundling Niko up, taking him out to see the snow and all the lights that were cropping up, letting it little chubby cheeks get rosy before slipping into a shop to look around and heading out again. Henry loved Christmas, Emma had no doubt that Niko would too.
Anna didn’t really like the cold weather. After her Dreams, who could blame her? But she was well prepared to deal with it, after the last few years of snow in strange times and places. She had a thick sweater, a snow jacket, snow pants over her jeans, and was feeling quite warm, actually.
Especially when she went into a shop. She’d seen toys in the window, and thought that maybe she could find something perfect for Wash in here. Anna was at a loss as to what to get for her new boyfriend. She saw a woman with a baby and made a funny face to try and get the child to giggle.
Settled nicely on Emma’s hip while she looked around at some of the younger baby toys, looking for something for Amelia and Meara, Niko’s little feet kicked while he watched the redhaired lady making faces, his little lighting up at the new attention. Emma was figuring out if Amelia or Meara were old enough for the squishy rattle thing she was looking at when Niko made the wild giggle he usually did when he was amused.
“Hey, munchkin, what’s up with you?” Emma gave Niko a little jiggle before noticing where her son’s attention was. “Oh, are you charming some lady there? Just like your daddy, aren’t you.”
Anna was definitely caught. She blushed a bit, turning her eyes from the baby to the mother. “Sorry, I just couldn’t help myself.” She’d never really considered herself the maternal type, but maybe that was something to consider in her future. Far, far future. After college and career and whatever else. Anna hadn’t really thought much about it in her past, considering how sickly she’d always been as a child. But now that she had a clean bill of health?
“What’s his name?” She asked, motioning to the baby with a smile.
“It’s fine, don’t worry.” Emma knew that some people just couldn’t help it when they saw babies. “Niko, his name is Nikolas, but Niko for short. And he loves saying hi to people, so really, it’s okay.” Niko was still cramming one of his little fists into his face, gurgling around it while he did so and watching Anna.
“And he’s a charmer,” just like his daddy, “so that usually draws in the ladies, doesn’t it little guy?”
Some people were really into babies. Anna hadn’t spent much time with them in her life, considering she’d been so sheltered. She didn’t really know a lot of people who had them now, either. So when she saw them she was both fascinated and a little confused. She didn’t really get the appeal, yet she felt it. Strange. It was probably just part of human nature somehow.
“He really is!” Anna beamed at the lady and her baby. “Niko. Gosh, it’s nice to meet you, Niko! And that’s an excellent name. Yes it is.” She grinned, leaning down a little to look at the baby on his eye level. “You are a handsome boy. I’m sure you’re gonna be a real ladykiller.”
Niko was grinning, his little legs kicking around and his chubby fists reaching for Anna. He was a very friendly baby, and an active one, and Emma just had to laugh as she juggled his weight a little on her hip. “He really will be, he’s doing pretty good already.”
They didn’t really get to go anywhere that Niko wasn’t making faces at people, or smiling for ladies, or reaching for every dog he saw. They’re little one was nosy like that. “I’m Emma, by the way, hi.”
“He’s already stolen my heart.” Anna said, reaching a hand forward so the baby could wrap his chubby hand around her fingers. “I’m Anna! It’s so nice to meet you, Emma,” she added, giving the mom a smile. “Makes me wish I’d done more babysitting as a teenager. But I didn’t really have the chance.”
“Babysitting is probably the best way to get your fill of cute babies, right?” Not that Emma had done much, even less so after everything. And when she’d given up Henry she found it exceptionally difficult to be around any kids. “I wasn’t much into babies when I was younger,” too many memories, too many what ifs, “But I guess it’s never too late to change.”
And her little munchkin was probably proof of that, since she went from not really being able to connect with kids at all to doting constantly on her two boys.
“I suppose it’s a great way to have an introduction to babies without having to do all the hard work.” Anna said, kind of teasing. But after it came out of her mouth, she realized it probably sounded strange. “I mean, not that babysitting isn’t hard work. It’s a big responsibility. But it’s not like, up all night and loads of laundry and poopy diapers. Well, maybe poopy diapers.” She scrunched her nose up. “That doesn’t sound like a fun part of being a mom.”
Emma wouldn’t call it fun, but it was part of it, and she coped. At least now they did. Before at least, when Niko was still tiny and it was interesting the mess he could make. “It’s okay, I know what you mean. Babysitting can be the fun parts, without too much of the messy parts.” And Emma was oh so thankful for all the people who would help look after her boys.
Of course, it was also when Niko reminded her that it’d been awhile since she’d paid proper attention to her son’s less savory needs. “Speaking of, we’ve been out for a while, so I should probably see about getting this stuff and getting him home.” Before the screaming took hold. That was never fun.
“Oh, right! Enjoy your Christmas!” Anna said, giving Emma and Nico a bright smile. “And a happy new year!” She added, then gave a little wave. Christmastime was the absolute best, and Anna was bright as a Christmas tree. She had quite a bit more shopping to do.