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Snow laughed as well at his observation.  "Well, technically we should be somewhere in our fifties," she teased.  She imagined they would have had additional children had the curse never struck.  She briefly pondered what it would have been like to raise Emma in the Enchanted Forest where she would claim her birthright compared to meeting her at twenty-eight in Storybrooke.  She was simply grateful to know her daughter.

She squeezed his hands before bringing hers back to the handle of the stroller.  Her gaze fell on a tea set.  She observed it for a few moments, wondering if Belle and Gold had anything like it.

Snow couldn't recall the last time she'd taken a walk alone.  She inhaled deeply the scent of the forest, a smile forming on her lips.  She was forever grateful that she'd found David as well as Emma in this world, yet part of her missed the simplicity of living in the forest as a bandit.  She had no responsibilities then, no townsfolk looking to her every time the lights in their homes flickered.  Yet despite her love for the woods she wouldn't go back to the life on the run that she once had.  She loved her family far too much.

Yet even she needed some time alone on occasion. She'd left Neal with David after feeding him to ensure that he would be content for a few hours without her.  A quick walk in the woods was just what she needed to feel refreshed. 

Snow blushed slightly under Regina's praise.  She supposed she looked well in her ivory dress though not nearly as lovely as her step-mother.  "Thank you," she said, remembering her courtesies.  Her mother had instilled manners in her befitting a princess.   She briefly wondered if she was to have any siblings in the best future.  She would very much like to have a younger brother or sister.  Sometimes it was lonely being the only child in the family.  She wished to ask Regina about the possibility but was unsure if it was appropriate.  


"Are you nervous?" Snow asked, imagining she would be if she was to be married.  "I am a little," she admitted. She'd be walking ahead of her step-mother before the nobles of the kingdom.  It was a little nerve wracking. 

Snow sighed, looking over the assortment of trees.  "Emma does have a point about the sap. I do not want to be scrubbing sap off the floors.  And what if Neal gets into it?  It'll be an utter mess."  She worried her lower lip between her teeth as she pushed the stroller forward.  "But too small of a tree would look rather out of place in the loft, no?"  She supposed there must be some trees of mid height somewhere in the lot.  

She was glad that Emma had agreed to such an outing. She was her daughter and she wished to include her in the family festivities.  Henry, too, would be included that season.  Snow supposed they would just have to share him with Regina.  And what of Gold and Belle?  She imagined Henry would want to see his other grandparents as well.  She wondered if she could talk Regina into providing her home for Christmas, provided Snow helped her prepare dinner.  Regina's dining room would be able to handle all of them.

Snow paused beside a rose bush, her fingertips drifting over the velvet soft petals.  Her mother had taken particular pleasure in ensuring that the royal gardens were adequately stocked and kept healthy. She looked up from the array of flowers at his explanation.  "What?" she questioned, brow furrowing.  For a moment she though he was perhaps making fun of her by inventing a tale.  Yet he seemed genuine.  Everything that she heard of James seemed to be absent in this young man.

"If what you say is true....."  She shook her head, trying to comprehend the switch.  "You're not James, then?" she asked, not wanting him to tease her.  "You aren't mocking me?"  She would be horrified with herself if she allowed him to play her as such.  She frowned softly.

Snow's facade faltered slightly at his comment about her royal status.  Wasn't he used to it, being a prince himself?  She'd taken her status for granted somewhat, being so used to it.  "I suppose it is," she answered slowly, watching him speculatively.  She wondered where he was going with such an observance.  Or, she thought darkly, he was going to brag about their status compared to others in the land.  Her mother had taught her long ago that all should be treated equal and she would not stand for him bringing down others in her presence.  

Snow set down her wine glass as he asked if they could go elsewhere.  She cast a quick look over at her father who was in discussion with King George, Regina trying her best to hide a scowl beside him.  She briefly nodded at James' question, her eyes meeting his.  She blinked once or twice, startled by how clear his eyes were.  It was a nice quality, if she had to admit it.  

"We can walk through the gardens," she suggested, nodding toward the open veranda door.  

Snow frowned slightly at his slip in explanation though he covered himself well.  She took a goblet of wine from a tray of a waiting servant, giving the liveried young man a smile in thanks.  She'd taken her mother's last lesson to heart; no matter what one's status is in life all should be treated with love and respect.  She took a sip from the red wine, the liquid causing a bit of a burning feeling in her chest.  

"Thank you," she responded to his compliment.  She supposed he was evaluating it, seeing as it would be his one day as well as hers.  She wondered if he would insist on changing anything.  She would not abide any alterations to the Summer Palace.  She had far too much good memories of her mother and father together there to think of changing a single thing.  

"I'm glad to hear that," she said, her tone polite. She certainly could care less that his journey hadn't been too tiring though she knew she must appear at least that the thought interested her.  Courtly manners were a bore at times.