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“Mom. Come on hurry!” Henry grabbed hold of her hand and pulled her eagerly through the crowd. “We’re gonna miss it.” he complained as he dodged past an older woman, forcing Regina to knock into her, not having Henry’s quick dodging reflexes.
“Henry!” Regina scolded and stopped her son. “I’m sorry, my son is in a rush and has completely forgotten his manners.” she raised an eyebrow at Henry and gestured to the lady they had bumped into. Luckily the lady just shook her head with a smile and let out a little chuckle.
“No worries at all sweetheart. Merry Christmas.” the woman said as she reached out and patted Henry on the head before disappearing into the crowd. Henry grinned at his mother and tugged on her hand again. Regina sighed as once again she was pulled through the crowd.
“This is a good spot, right?” Henry asked his mother as her son stopped at the rope line to watch the parade that would be coming past at any moment. Wrapping her arm around his shoulder Regina smiled down at her son and nodded. She was so thankful that her son still got this excited about Christmas, with him turning 10 a few months ago she was worried that her little boy would stop believing in Santa and honestly, she was not at all emotionally ready for that. But she had nothing to worry about Henry was the truest believer, she never should have doubted that, his imagination was remarkable sometimes.
In a few minutes they were watching the parade, swaying side to side together and singing to all of the cheesy song that blasted from the floats passing them. Marvelling at the lights and costumes that the dancers wore. Regina’s heart filled with so much love as she watched her son’s eye’s get wider and wider as he could see Santa’s sleigh coming up next. She laughed at the vigorous wave that Henry gave to Santa when he made eye contact with the young boy, she really thought his arm was going to come off.
“Mom, Santa looked at me and waved back. Did you see!” Henry shouted gleefully.
“Yes, I saw.” she replied cupping his cheek and kissing his head. Her son was just perfect. After Santa’s float disappeared around the corner Henry turned to her and grinned.
“Can I have some cotton candy?” He asked.
“Hmmm. I don’t know Henry.” Hiding her grin as he pouted slightly. “That depends on one thing.” Henry frowned up at her in confusion. “Can you beat me at Whack-a-Mole?” his eyes glinted mischievously.
“Race ya there.” he yelled and took off running toward the carnival games she laughed and ran after him. As she reached the machines her light hearted mood was damped as she saw her son standing next to a crying little girl. She must have been about six and tears streamed down her face as she sobbed. Maternal instinct kicked in and she ran the rest of the way to Henry. Gently moving him aside to get to the little girl.
“Hi there, Sweetie. Why are you crying? Where’s your mommy?” she desperately wanted to cradle this little thing in her arms but she didn’t want to spook her. Regina looked around quickly to try and see if she could see anyone that was missing a child. No one.
“I.... I’m lost!” The little girl cried out.
“Okay Sweetie. My name is Regina and this is Henry. We are going to help you, ok?”
“I’m... H... Hope.” she stammered out over sobs. “I want... my Mommy.” Hope leant forward and lent against Regina.
“I know you do. We’ll find her Hope I promise.” Regina rubbed her back gently. She saw a security guard walking not far away. “Hope I need you to stay here with Henry while I go speak to that man, he ca-”
“No! Don’t leave. I'm scared.” Hope screamed in protest as she wrapped her arm tightly around Regina’s neck.
“Oh Honey. Shhh. It’s okay.” Picking her up in her arms Regina made sure Henry was with her. And she walked over to the security man.
“Hope!” screamed a voice in the distance. Hope’s head whipped up from Regina’s shoulder. “Hope where are you?” the voice yelled again, sounding closer and more hysterical.
“Mom, there.” Henry pointed to a blonde woman in the crowd who had her back to them.
“Mommy!” Hope cried out. Regina walked swiftly through the crowd to toward the woman.
“Are you sure that’s her Hope.” Knowing that she must sound ridiculous as this woman was clearly in distress looking for her daughter called Hope and here was a blonde child crying. But you could never be too careful when it came to children right?
“Yes.” Hope nodded and smiled for the first time. Wriggling to get out of her arms. Regina set her down gently and watched as Hope ran into her mother’s arms. “Mommy!”
“Hope!” the woman wrapped her up in the biggest hug. “Oh, baby I was so scared. I thought I lost you.” she cried through a smile as she wiped away Hope’s tears. “It’s okay. I’ve got you now.” gripping even tighter, if that was possible. Regina sighed with relief, she could not even imagine what it must have been like to lose a child, even just for a second. She reached out for Henry but he was already wrapping his arms around her waist, giving her a hug.
“Thank you so much.” Hope’s mother said. I’m Emma. I can never pay you back for finding her.”
Regina smiled softly. “It’s alright I’m just glad we were there to make sure she got back to you safely. I’m Regina and this is Henry my son.” she sent hope a smile which got wide when the little ine smiled back at her.
“How about I treat you guys to some hot cocoa?” Emma said pointing to the stand that was just next to them, Henry looked up at her and she nodded.
“That sounds lovely thank you.”
Little did the women know that would be the day that they would both complete their families by joining into a family of four and then five when they welcomed their youngest child. A little boy called Luca. And every year they would return to the carnival and share a hot cocoa as a family just like they did on the first night they met.