#wwts

"Happy Father's Day!" shouted Roland, a wide grin on his face as he rushed into his parents' bedroom.

"Happy Father's Day!" said Henry, his voice much quieter but still no less enthusiastic than his stepbrother's, as he trailed behind him holding a breakfast tray.

Sitting up, Robin grinned as Roland hopped on the bed, still in his pajamas, to give him a smacking kiss on his cheek. "I love you!"

"I love you, too," said Robin, kissing his forehead.

"Happy Father's Day, Robin," said Henry, passing him the breakfast tray. There was still a bit of apprehension in his eyes as he gave his new stepfather a quick hug. It was his first Father's Day spent with a father figure of any kind. He'd approached Robin a week ago, unsure of how he'd want to spend the day or what he'd want as a gift. Even after their talk, he still seemed a little nervous and so was Robin, frankly. He wanted to make sure that Henry felt just as included in this day as Roland.

The two boys climbed into bed with their parents, Henry inserting himself in between Robin and Regina while Robin curled into his father's side. "We made you breakfast!"

"I can see that," laughed Robin, eyeing his breakfast tray. As expected there was toast, same as every year, but decidedly less burnt than he was used to. He supposed he could chalk that up to Henry's influence, as well as the half cup of orange juice and sliced strawberries.

"I squeezed the orange juice myself," said Henry. He grimaced. "It didn't make as much juice as I thought."

"It's perfect," replied Robin, with a smile. "Thank you."

Henry only offered a relieved smile in response, leaning back into the headboard. "So what do we now?"

"Cartoons in bed!" answered Roland. "We always watch Finding Nemo."

Robin nodded, thinking of the Disney movie with the frantic clownfish searching for his lost son. It used to be just a silly kids movie to him, but after Marian died he found he could relate to Marlin's journey. The loss of his wife and his need to keep his young son safe. He empathized more than he expected. It became his tradition to watch it with Roland on Father's Day. A small reminder not to hold on too tight, even in the moments that scared him.

"I set it up for you last night," said Regina, passing Robin the remote. "You three can enjoy the movie while I head downstairs."

The three of them groaned in displeasure as Regina stepped out of bed and pulled on her silk robe.

"No Mommy, you have to stay for the movie!" pleaded Roland.

"I would love to, sweetheart," Regina replied, playfully tapping his cheek. "But I'm pretty sure there's a big mess waiting for me downstairs, am I right?"

She eyed her son and Henry ducked his head, avoiding his mother's gaze and confirming her suspicions. Regina only chuckled good-naturedly before pressing a kiss to her husband's cheek. "It's fine. Spend some alone time with our sons. I'll be back in a minute."

Blowing them all a quick kiss, she headed toward the door as Robin clicked play on Finding Nemo, sighing comfortably as the title screen shimmered on the tv screen.

Once Regina slipped from the room, he gently tapped Henry on the shoulder. "Hey… did you pick up a card? For this afternoon?"

Henry nodded, pressing his lips together but keeping his eyes trained on the television to avoid showing how uneasy he felt. "Mom helped me pick one out a few days ago so…" He paused, growing thoughtful. "I'm not sure I wrote enough."

"It's not about length," Robin gently reminded him. "It's about what you want to say. That's all that matters."

Henry mumbled a soft okay before reaching for a strawberry and settling deeper into the bedspread. Robin affectionately ran his hand over his head, turning his attention back to the chaos. Roland giggled, wrapped in his father's arm, as Nemo hopped on Marlin's back excited for his first day of school.

Barely half an hour into their first Father's Day as a family and Robin could already tell it was the best one yet. And he knew it was only gonna get better.

XXXXXX

While the morning was spent in leisure, watching Finding Nemo and eating breakfast in bed, things grew more hectic once the movie ended.

They'd enjoyed themselves a little too much and wound up behind schedule for their court appointment. As they drove to the courthouse, Regina sat in the back seat attempting to help Roland and Henry with their ties so they wouldn't be late. As they waited in the hall, Robin couldn't resist loosening the tie on his own neck while they waited for the judge to address their case.

He'd spent a fair amount of time both in courtrooms and in suits, he'd never been fond of either. Still, all he could feel was excitement as he waited outside of the judge's chambers. This day had been a long time coming.

Shortly after arriving they were greeted by Archie as he rushed down the hall to meet them, briefcase in hand.

"Hi!" he said, a little out of breath as he met them with a wide smile, walking into Regina's arms for a hug.

She grinned at him. "I'm so glad you're here," she said, actually glowing with excitement. "I can't thank you enough for helping with this."

He waved her off, sending Robin a nod. "No, you two more than deserve it. I was happy to help." He looked around, curious. "Am I the only one here yet? The rest of your guests should hurry, judge'll be ready any minute now."

Robin shook his head. "Nobody else is coming," he said, wrapping his arm around Regina's waist. "We decided this was a moment just for us."

"We'll have a party later," said Regina, nodding in agreement. "But right now it should only be the four of us, or six." She softly chuckled, running her hand over her stomach.

Archie nodded his head, appreciatively. Shortly after they were approached by a court aide and led into the the judge's chambers, Robin holding tightly onto Roland's hand as they walked through the doors. Their judge was an older black woman with a streak of grey in her hair, named Eudora Johnson. She brightly smiled at them, still in her judge's robe as she sat behind her desk.

"Hello!" Her voice was tender and warm as she waved them into her chambers. "I heard someone was looking to be adopted today."

"Yes," said Regina, her voice shaky with excitement. The grin on her face was wide as she rested her hands on Henry's shoulders.

The decision to adopt each other's children had been an easy one, made in the whispers of early morning only a few hours after they'd been married. They'd made a vow to each other, it was only natural they should do the same with their boys.

Eudora flipped their file, adjusting her glasses. "Okay, so as I understand it, you" - she gestured toward Robin - "Robin Locksely would like to adopt your wife's son, Henry Mills, age 11. And you" - she gestured toward Regina - "Regina Mills would like to adopt your husband's son, Roland Locksely, age 7."

They both nodded their heads, murmuring affirmatively at her assessment. Robin's heart pounded in his chest as he watched her look over their files, praying nothing would suddenly be amiss for either of them.

Judge Johnson, nodded her head. "Well everything your attorney has given me looks good. So… why don't we start with mom first?"

Glancing toward Robin, Regina's eyes shined with joy and nervousness before she reached for Roland's hand approaching the judge's desk with him, her hot pink dress matching perfectly with Roland's hot pink tie. Together they faced the judge and she offered them a nice, warm smile.

"Hi there, sweetheart," she addressed Roland. "Do you understand what's happening here today?"

Roland's curls bounced atop his head as he nodded vigorously. "You're making it so Regina is my mom like she's Henry's mom."

The judge nodded. "That's right. Is that what you want?"

"Yes." Roland squeezed Regina's hand, looking up at her. "I've always wanted her to be my mom, that's why I gave her the bracelet."

Robin could see tears well up in his wife's eyes as she looked down at his - no, their son and remembered the day when he had "proposed" to her with a silver bracelet, that was still on her wrist at this very moment.

"Good." Eudora smiled at him, before turning her attention to Regina. "And you, Mrs. Mills… is it your intention to provide Roland with an attentive, loving home so long as he remains under your care, regardless of your husband's presence?"

"Yes." Regina's answer was immediate and her voice thick with emotion as she nodded. "I want to be Roland's mother."

"That's all I need to hear," said Eudora, recognizing Regina's sincerity. "Okay. Raise your right hand for me."

Regina raised her hand, letting out an eager breath as Roland held onto her side.

"Do you affirm that the testimony you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?"

"I do."

"Do you wish to adopt this child as your legally adopted son?"

"I do, yes."

"And under what name shall this child be known?"

"Roland Tucker Locksely-Mills."

"An excellent name," complimented Judge Johnson. "One I have the absolute pleasure of signing into law."

A small breathless laugh falls from Regina's lips as she watches the judge sign the adoption papers. Robin beamed at her as she picked up Roland for a hug. From the day his son was born, he'd watched Regina shower him with love and affection. She'd always made it more than clear that a piece of her heart belonged to him. Having it on paper was one of the best gifts he could ever receive.

The judge peered around her shoulder toward Robin and Henry. "Ready for round two?"

"Absolutely," he said, looking down at Henry.

Henry looked up at him, his mother's smile mirrored on his face. As they stepped up to the judge's desk, Robin thought back to that day so many years ago when they'd first met, when he'd walked out into his living room and saw a baby sprawled out on his living room floor. If you'd told him then that one day that baby would be his son, he wouldn't have believed you, not for one second. But he thanked God everyday that he got the chance to see that baby boy grow up, to watch him turn into the amazing young man who stood by his side now and wanted to join his family.

The judge leaned forward and rested her elbows against her desk. "Henry, you're a little bit older than your brother, so I assume you understand what's taking place today."

Henry nodded. "I'm being adopted by Robin."

"That's right," said Judge Johnson. "And is being adopted what you want? For Robin to be your father?"

Robin's heart skipped a beat in his chest. They'd spoken to Henry about the adoption numerous times, always checking to make sure that he was comfortable and on board. He'd always said that it was what he wanted but there was a small part of Robin that feared he might change his mind on that. Luckily, that part of him had nothing to fear.

Henry looked at the judge. "I've always wanted Robin to be my dad."

A lump appeared in Robin's throat out of nowhere and he supportively squeezed Henry's shoulder. He couldn't imagine be happier than he was in this moment.

"Well I am so happy I could help with that," replied Judge Johnson. She turned her attention to Robin. "So Mr. Locksely… is it your intention to provide Henry with an attentive, loving home so long as he remains under your care, regardless of your wife's presence?

Robin nodded. "For the rest of my life, yes."

Judge Johnson nodded, supportively. "Alright… do me a favor and raise your right hand."

Robin happily did as told.

Bright smile on her face she asked. "Do you affirm that the testimony you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?"

"I do."

"Do you wish to adopt this child as your legally adopted son?"

"Yes, I do."

"And under what name shall this child be known?"

"Henry Daniel Locksely-Mills."

"Wonderful," said the judge, before bringing her pen to sign the adoption papers. "And you are officially father and son."

A grin split across Robin's face as Henry wrapped his arms around him - his son finally. A hand rested on his shoulder and he found Regina by his side, pressing a kiss to his cheek as a tear ran down her own despite the happy laughter coming from her.

The judge warmly looked on as they embraced each other. "Regina and Robin… I have spent the last fifteen years behind this desk, doing my best to ensure that children end up exactly where they belong. And I can honestly say I have never been more confident about a decision I've made here as I am about this one. The four of you have seen each other through good times and bad, loss and gains. I can't imagine a group of people more suited to be a family and now in the eyes of the law you are. I am pleased to declare you the Locksely-Mills."

Holding their boys close, they thanked her profusely. As they stood for photos and let Roland bang the judge's gavel, Robin felt as though his heart could burst with joy. He couldn't imagine a better Father's Day gift than knowing that they were a family in every way.

XXXXXX

They walked out of the courthouse hand in hand and headed straight over to the Drunken Monk, where they were greeted by all their friends in a haze of congratulations. Together they ate celebratory cheeseburgers and blew out the candles on a sheet cake with their new family name frosted on top.

Locksely-Mills.

Unfortunately the celebration didn't last long. Only two hours into their party Robin tapped Regina on the shoulder. "Hey… if you don't mind catching a ride back with Emma, I think Henry and I are gonna take our trip now."

"Oh." She sighed. "Are you sure you want to do this today? It could wait until tomorrow. I'm sure he wouldn't mind."

Robin shook his head. "No, it should be today. It's Father's Day."

Regina nodded her head in acceptance, a flash of sorrow going across her eyes. "I understand. Hurry back, okay."

"We'll be back before bedtime, I promise." Robin gave her a quick kiss before heading back to the table to collect Henry and head for the car.

As they headed down the highway together, Henry remained silent going over the words he'd written down in his Father's Day card. They'd made the plan for the trip a few days ago. Robin suggested it when Henry asked him what they should do for Father's Day. He still felt a little anxious about the whole thing but deep in his heart he knew it was the right thing for them.

As they pulled up to the cemetery, he noticed that Henry looked nervous as he unclicked his seatbelt.

"Are you alright?"

Henry nodded. "I just feel… weird." He shrugged. "I mean I never got to know him and now I have you."

"You do have me," Robin solemnly replied. "And you always will. But you also have Daniel too and that's important, even if he's no longer here."

He leaned across the seat and reminded him. "You know as well as I do that the bond between a father and a son goes much deeper than blood… but it goes a lot deeper than death as well. Your father doesn't stop being your father just because he died." He affectionately ran his hand over Henry's head. "And the people we love have a way of staying with us after they're gone, especially if we keep doing small things to honor them."

"Like a Father's Day card?"

Robin nodded. "Like a Father's Day card."

Henry looked out on the cemetery thoughtfully and Robin patted his shoulder. "You ready?"

Humming affirmatively, Henry nodded before stepping out of the car. Together they found Daniel's grave right where Regina said it would be. Robin sighed, taking in his headstone. Though Regina had taken Henry here a while ago, it was Robin's first time visiting. Looking at the dates chiseled in the marble he was struck by just how young Daniel had died. He'd thought that Marian had been taken too soon and she had but at least she'd had the chance to hold Roland in her arms. Daniel hadn't been as lucky. He'd never gotten the chance to see the amazing boy he helped create, hadn't even gotten the chance to know of his existence. It was a travesty.

Wiping a bit of dirt off the top of the headstone, Henry reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small Batman action figure. He placed it at the base of the headstone in the grass.

"Uncle Will said that Batman was his favorite," he explained. "They made new figures this year. I thought he might like one."

"That's sweet," said Robin, smiling down at the little action figure. It stood in the grass, back against the marble as if it was the guardian of the grave. "And the card?"

Henry nodded, reaching for the Father's Day card he'd brought along. Robin had suggested that he bring one and write a letter to Daniel about anything that he liked. He used to do the same thing to his father when he'd first died. It'd helped more than he understood at the time.

"What'd you write about?" he asked.

"A lot of stuff," mumbled Henry, setting the card down next to the action figure. "I wrote about Mom and school." He paused, shrugging. "I wrote about you, too."

"Me?"

"Mm-hmm." Henry nodded. "I told him that you were cool, and that I loved you. And I'm sad that he's not here... but I'm glad that you are."

Henry's voice had gone wobbly as he looked down on the grave, clearly conflicted about all that he was feeling. Robin supportively squeezed his shoulder. "That sounds very sweet and very honest." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his own card, one of gratitude. "I wrote something a little similar."

It didn't feel right coming to visit Daniel's grave empty-handed. So he'd picked up a gratitude card the night before. He thought it would've been hard writing to Regina's deceased fiance but the words came easier than he expected.

"I wrote about you," he said, leaving his card beside Henry's. "I wrote about how amazing you are, how you're the greatest big brother Roland could've asked for and how I can't wait for you to meet the twins. I thanked him for leaving behind something so incredible for me to have in my life. And how much I wish he could've seen what you've become."

It was strange to feel so indebted to someone he'd never met but he couldn't help it. Without Daniel there would be no Henry. That made him one of the most important people to walk this Earth in Robin's eyes. Getting the chance to step into role he'd never gotten to fill was the luckiest thing that ever happened to him.

He wrapped his arms around his son. "I'm so glad I have you in my life Henry."

"I know," said Henry, hugging him. "And I'm glad we came here for Father's Day."

Robin smiled. "Me too."

And so a tradition was started. Every year on Father's Day the two of them would make the pilgrimage to Daniel's grave to leave their cards. Sometimes they'd bring Regina and Roland, not always but sometimes. And even when Henry left to start his life elsewhere Robin would still make the journey to deliver the cards himself.

“Hey!”

The sharp sound of Mulan’s voice pulls her back to Earth. She looks up to see her staring from across the table, her brown eyes curious and unwavering.

“Are you alright?” she asked. “Feels like you haven’t heard a word I’ve said.”

Regina quickly tries to recover by offering her a tight, close-lipped smiled. “I’m fine,” she said, slipping her phone back into her pocket.

“You don’t look fine,” Muland pressed, narrowing her eyes. “You look a little flushed actually.”

“Oh,” Regina softly breathed, bringing a hand up to her face. She must’ve gone pale with shock.

Mulan continued to stare at her from across the table, tilting her head. Regina tried to ignore her and reached for her glass of wine. As soon as her hand touched the glass she remembered that drinking probably wasn’t the best choice at the moment.

“Shit,” she cursed under her breath as she pulled back her hand.

“Okay, seriously, what is going on with you?” asked Mulan.

“Nothing… or something. I’m not sure,” Regina vaguely replied, shaking her head. Mulan continued to stare her down and she reluctantly sighed. “It’s just… when Tink asked for a tampon I realized I haven’t used one for a while now. I haven’t needed to.”

“Oh… oh!” Mulan’s eyes went wide when she realized what Regina meant. She straightened up in her chair, lips parted with surprise. Pausing she tried to figure out how to respond. She settled on another question.

“Well, how long has it been?”

“Six weeks,” Regina answered, without hesitation.

Mulan blinked and nodded her head. “Okay, that’s a while. You can’t write that off.”

Regina let out a sharp breath and let her forehead fall against her palm. “Oh my god,” she hissed, shaking her head. “I don’t understand how this happened. I’ve been taking the pill.”

Mulan shook her head. “It’s not one hundred percent effective.”

Regina softly groaned as she leaned back in her seat. How could this happen? How could she be one of the few women to fall in the ten percent mentioned on the warning label?

At that moment, Tink returned from the bathroom, all smiles, and dropped back into her seat. She threw a quick thanks in Regina’s direction before looking between their faces and asking, “So what did I miss?”

Regina’s eyes flickered in her direction but she chose not to respond to her oblivious friend.

“It’s only been a week,” she reasoned, shaking her head in Mulan’s direction. “I might not be.”

Tink tilted her head, confused. “Might not be what?” she asked. “What’s going on?”

“Have you ever been this late before?” questioned Mulan, ignoring Tink’s increasingly desperate confusion.

Only once, Regina thought to herself. And his name is Henry.

She shook her head. “No. Never more than a day or two.”

Mulan let out a slow breath and drummed her fingers against the table. She averted her gaze and went silent like she always did when she was coming up with a plan. Ten long seconds passed before she firmly nodded her head and stood from the table.

“Alright, come on,” she ordered, digging her wallet out of her jeans.

Regina and Tink looked up at her, bewildered, as she threw a few dollar bills on the table.

“Let’s go,” she drawled, commandingly, gesturing at them both when she saw they were still sitting. “Now.”

“But we’re not finished yet,” mumbled Tink, still confused, even as she stood from her chair. “What’s happening? Where are we going?”

Mulan leaned in to whisper to her, “We’re going to the nearest drugstore to find out if Regina’s pregnant or not.”

XXXXXXXXXX

They didn’t have to travel far but it didn’t stop Regina from trying to get out of it the whole way there. She could give it a few more days, wait for her period to turn up. Still Mulan refused to let her back out.

“There are certain questions in life that demand immediate answers,” she’d said. “’Am I pregnant?’ is one of them.”

A bell rang over their heads as they passed through the door of the nearest chain drugstore and made a beeline for the family planning section. The entire time Regina felt like her heart was going to jump out of her chest and onto the floor.

They all stopped when they reached the pregnancy tests. There were so many brands and types it gave them all pause.

“Fuck, there’s a lot,” Mulan observed, under her breath. She turned to Regina. “Which one do you want to use?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know,” she mumbled, shaking her head.

She’d never actually taken a pregnancy test before. It’d been too dangerous when she’d been pregnant with Henry. Her mother had been watching her like a hawk and she hadn’t wanted to risk her finding it somehow. Instead she’d just realized it over time, only getting absolute confirmation when she’d entered her second trimester and was finally able to go to the doctor.

Her eyes ran over the shelves of pregnancy tests, all the brands and types. Digital and two lines. Midstreams and cups. First Response. E.P.T. Clearblue. How the hell was she supposed to pick?

Tink grabbed a Clearblue test off the shelf and handed it to her.

“Take this one. It’s the best,” she said, confidently.

Regina tilted her head at Tink, skeptical, until the blonde rolled her eyes.

“C’mon, I have four sisters-in-law and nine nieces and nephews. This is not my first rodeo,” she reminded her. “Trust me. They all swear by this brand.”

Regina took a deep breath and nodded her head. “Okay.”

XXXXXX

After checking out with a slightly judgmental cashier, they returned to the street with the pregnancy test and a liter of water in hand. Mulan started heading back to the Drunken Monk when Regina stopped her in her tracks.

“No no no no!” she stammered. “I can’t take it there. There are too many prying eyes.”

Robin was a good friend to nearly all his employees at the Drunken Monk. They all knew who she was and if any of them caught her with a pregnancy test, they’d be sure to let it slip to him. She couldn’t have that. Not yet.

Mulan groaned. “Well then where do you want to do it? Do you want to drive to your house?”

“No, it’s too far,” she said. Her heart was still pounding, and she felt herself growing more and more urgent. She had to take this test and she had to take it now.

“Well, then where do you want to go?” asked Mulan, her tone growing more than a little impatient.

Tink stood on the street corner, looked all around and then pointed at a shop a little ways down the street. “Hey look, there’s a Greek restaurant over there! I bet they have bathroom.”

Regina looked where Tink was pointing and twisted her lips in displeasure. The place looked old and unlikely to be clean. But still, beggars can’t be choosers.

“Fine,” she said, twisting the cap off her water. “Let’s go to the greek restaurant.”

XXXXXXX

The restaurant turned out to be cleaner than she expected. It was an old place like she thought, open nearly thirty years if you believed the sign above the door. The brown tiles clacked under her heels as they walked up to the counter.

The smell of lamb hit her nose, causing her stomach to turn. Just another sign that she definitely needed to take this test.

An old man with bushy black eyebrows and a stained apron greeted them at the register. “Hello,” he said, with a thick greek accent.

“Hi,” said Mulan. “Can our friend use your bathroom? It’s kind of an emergency.”

She gestured toward Regina, who was still chugging water like her life depended on it.

The old man immediately shook his head. “No, no. Bathroom is for customers only.”

Mulan glared at him. “Are you kidding me? It’s an emergency.”

Tink leaned forward past Mulan’s shoulder. “Actually, I’ll take a gyro wrap with onions and extra sauce on it.”

Mulan turned to her and shook her head. “Really? You’re gonna order a whole gyro just to use the bathroom?”

“Well it’s not like I got to finish lunch. I’m hungry,” Tink replied, nonplussed.

Regina swallowed another gulp of water. “Can I please just have the bathroom key? I actually really need it now.”

The old man passed her a key attached to a wooden spoon. “Bathroom’s down the hall,” he directed, pointing across the restaurant. She muttered a quick thanks before heading down the hallway, her heart thumping with every step she took.

She reached the bathroom in seconds, her gut still twisting as she turned the lock. She went inside and shut the door behind her, falling against it as she let out a heaving breath. Her chest felt tight and she rubbed her hand against her sternum, trying to relieve some of her anxiety.

It’s alright, she silently told herself. Everything’s going to be okay.

She repeated those words over and over in her head, hoping they’d calm her down. As she did she looked around the bathroom. It was small with island blue walls and a bowl of potpourri stationed on the sink counter. Her gaze fell to the mirror above the faucet and she locked eyes with her own reflection.  

She’d never seen herself look so nervous.

Swallowing hard, she tore her gaze away from the mirror and down to the box in her hands. Looking over the instructions, she nodded her head to herself trying to feign confidence.

Seems simple enough, she thought.

She sat down on the toilet, awkwardly placing the stick between her legs as she finally emptied her bladder. Once she was finished she set the test on the counter and set a timer on her phone. And so started the longest three minutes of her life.

She slowly paced back and forth in the room, sending anxious glances towards the test as if it was a bomb that could go off at any moment. In a way, it was. Oh god, another baby? It could change her entire life and in ways that she wasn’t completely sure she was ready for. She loved Henry but raising him had been such a struggle, especially in the early days. Henry. What would he even think of this? He’d been an only child for his entire life. The closest thing he’d had to a sibling was Roland. Oh god, how were they going to explain this Roland. He’s just a little kid, he couldn’t possibly understand what it all means. What the hell are she and Robin supposed to say to him?

Oh.

Robin.

His face flashes through her mind and she leans against the wall. What would he say about all this? If she was pregnant, how would he feel? Angry, upset, excited? They hadn’t talked about having children. They were nowhere near ready to have that sort of conversation. They’d just barely gotten over everything that happened with her mother. Things were finally in a good place again. She didn’t want to risk that.

She ran her fingers through her hair and took a deep breath. How did this even happen? She was on the pill and she took it every day. Didn’t she? She racked her brain trying to think of a moment when she might’ve missed one.

She slapped her palm against her thigh, shaking her head. “Son of a bitch,” she cursed under her breath.

The flu.

Weeks ago she’d had the flu. She’d been practically comatose, confined to bed, her brain had been absolute mush. Three days and she hadn’t taken the pill once. She’d been too busy shoving other medications down her throat. At least Robin had taken care of her… which was exactly how she’d landed in this situation.

She took another deep breath, filling her lungs as much as she could before exhaling.

What the hell was she going to do?

Her phone alarm went off and her heart rang in her ears. She stared at the test sitting on the kitchen sink, her throat tightening with every passing second. Swallowing hard she stepped over to the sink.

It could be negative, she thought to herself. It could be negative and this whole day could turn into a funny story.

Her heart pounded as she took the test in her hands, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It could be negative.

Slowly opening her eyes, she looked down at the test and felt her knees go weak.

PREGNANT

There it was, clear in bold, digital letters. She was pregnant.

“Oh my god,” she breathed. Her hands rushed out to grip the counter as she started to sway. A sudden rush of nausea fell over her and she bowed her head into the sink and threw up what little lunch she’d had, letting the pregnancy test fall out of her hand to clatter on the floor.

Finally her stomach stopped twisting and she lifted her head from the sink. Wiping off her mouth with a paper towel, she slumped against the wall breathless. A trembling hand went to rest on her stomach.

She couldn’t believe it. She was having another baby.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

After taking another moment to recover - and rinse out the sink - she finally left the bathroom. She dropped the key off at the counter and joined Tink and Mulan at a table where they waited for her with matching expectant looks on their faces.

“Well?” asked Mulan. “What’d it say?”

“It was positive,” Regina softly answered, nodding her head. “I’m pregnant.”

Concern in her eyes, Tink tried to keep a smile off her face. “How are you feeling?”

“Shocked,” Regina honestly replied, her voice breaking a little. She shook her head. “I didn’t plan for this… at all.”

“We know,” said Mulan, “but that doesn’t mean that it’s bad, right?”

She looked over to Tink for support and she immediately jumped in. “Right,” she agreed, nodding her head. She reached out to rub Regina’s shoulder. “You might not have planned this but it’s a baby. You’ll still love it, just like you loved Henry.”

Regina shook her head. “I do love Henry but when I was pregnant with him… it was… it was just so damn hard,” she shakily admitted.

Memories of her first pregnancy flashed through her mind. How alone she’d felt being cooped up in her family’s house. How heavy everything had seemed back then. Not to mention everything that happened after he was born. It’d been a nightmare. One that she’d thankfully escaped.

“Thing are different now,” Mulan firmly reminded her. “You are not some 22-year-old girl who’s backed into a corner by her mother. You’re a grown woman now. With a home and a business and so many other good things that you can offer this kid. This incredibly lucky baby that’s going to have you as a mother.”

“And you’re not alone this time,” said Tink, grabbing her hand. “You have us. You can’t possibly think we’d let you go through this by yourself.”

“I know,” said Regina, cracking a small smile. “I know I have more than I did then but still… I just don’t feel ready.”

“It’s been less than ten minutes, try giving it another hour,” quipped Mulan with a smirk.

When Regina only rolled her eyes, she sighed resignedly. “Well do you want it?”

Regina’s eyes whipped over to her. “What?”

“The baby. Do you want it?” Mulan repeated forcefully.

“Of course I want it!” Regina replied without thinking. As soon the words hit her ears she pauses, surprised at the certainty behind them. “I mean… yes.”

And for the first time since the thought of being pregnant even entered her mind, she stopped thinking of the situation and started thinking of the baby. Her baby. What would they look like. How they would sound. She wondered if they would have her eyes or Robin’s. If they would be a boy or a girl. She thought of things and felt a spark of love ignite in her heart. The same spark of ferocious love she’d felt when she’d realized she was pregnant with Henry. Unplanned or not, this was her baby. And no matter the circumstances she wanted to have it.

She brought her hand down to rest on her stomach and nodded her head. “Yes, I want this baby.”

A smile appeared on Mulan’s face. “Good,” she said. “Then focus on that, on the baby and how it makes you feel. You can figure out everything else later.”

“Yeah,” agreed Tink. “Just take a moment and let it sink in.” Her green eyes sparkled as a grin lit up her face. “I mean, Regina… you’re having another baby!”

A tear fell down Regina’s cheek as she finally let a smile take over her lips. “Yeah, yeah I am.”

Yes, she was having another baby… and now she had to figure out a way to tell their father.

XXXXXXXX

She called in to work on her way home. Her mind was so muddled with baby thoughts there was no way she’d be able to get through the rest of the day.

She’d left her friends with strict instructions not to say a word to Robin until after she’d had the chance to talk to him. God, she had no idea how to even start that conversation. Her first hour at home had been spent staring at the screen of her cellphone, debating whether or not to call or text him. She hadn’t been able to decide so she gave up. Instead, she chose to curl up on her couch with a throw blanket and an album of Henry’s baby pictures.

Flipping through them she marveled at how tiny he used to be, how easily he could settle in her arms back then. So much had changed since then. His head went past her hip now and she doubted she could even pick him up for very long, not that he’d ever let her try. Still, he’d been a beautiful baby. She’d never forget that.

The album was full of pictures of his first few months. Moments when he’d first smiled, first waved, even one of the two them in the hospital after his birth. Joyous occasions. Still Regina looked at them with a twinge of sadness in her heart. No matter what page she flipped she could always be sure that the pictures would only feature the two of them, with maybe the occasional appearance of her father. During his early days, it’d always been her and Henry.  No friends… or father.

It still broke her heart to know that Henry would never know Daniel like she had. That they’d never share a picture or a memory.

Again her hand settled on her middle. She thought of how different things would be for the baby she was carrying now. They’d have a father. One who would love and cherish them for the rest of his days. If only she could manage to tell him of their existence.

She looked up when she heard the doorbell and the turning of the lock in her front door. “Regina?”

Her heart pounds at the sound of his voice. “Robin?”

He rounds the corner of her living room, still dressed in his Drunken Monk t-shirt, looking relieved when he finds her sitting on the couch. She stares up at him, dumbfounded, as he approaches. “What are you doing here?”

“David said you guys left lunch in a hurry and when I called the studio to see what happened they’d said you called in,” he explained. “I was worried. I wanted to check on you.”

He leaned down to give her a forehead kiss and she felt her cheeks grow hot. “Oh.”

Robin looked down at her, concerned. “Are you feeling alright?”

She hesitates, unsure of what to say. Finally she nodded her head. “I’m alright, I’m just...feeling a little under the weather,” she vaguely responded.

“Is there anything I can get you?” he asked.

She shakes her head. “No I’m fine… just… can you just sit with me for a little while?”

“Of course,” he said, settling down next to her. His eyes land on the photo album in her lap. “Taking a stroll down memory lane?”

She chuckles, nervously, and nods her head. “Yeah, it’d just been a while. Thought I’d jog my memory.”

She passes it over to him and he smiles down at the pictures of her and baby Henry. “My god,” he breathed. “I still can’t believe that either of them used to be this small.”

“Or that they’ve gotten so big,” she softly replied.

Robin nodded his head in agreement as he flips to another page. “I haven’t looked at Roland’s baby pictures in ages. It gives me panic attacks seeing how much he’s grown.”

Regina watched him look over the pictures with thoughts of the baby in the back of her mind.

Just do it now, she silently ordered herself. Do it before you can back out.

She reached out to lay her hand on his wrist. “Robin… we need to talk.”

Nervousness flashed over his blue eyes as he looked up at her, put on guard by the solemnity in her tone. “Okay,” he mumbled, setting aside the photo album. “What about?”

She anxiously pressed her lips together as he stared at her expectantly. There were millions of words in the world and somehow not one of them seemed worthy enough to start this conversation. Again she’s reminded that she’d never had to this Daniel. She has no idea how to proceed.

“Regina?” he gently prods.

She lets out a soft breath. Here we go.

“Robin...I…”

She trails off letting the words get stuck in the back of her throat.

For God’s sake, just spit it out!

“Robin, I’m pregnant.”

The words rush from her mouth like a freight train. They fall from her lips and immediately fill the room with their weight. Yet somehow,  even with the almost superhuman force she’d pushed them out with, it still takes ten seconds for them to actually reach him.

He silently stared at her and she watched as the realization of what she’d just said play out on his face. HIs eyes widen in surprise,  his jaw drops and the whole time his eyes never left hers.

He finally manages to speak. “What?”

“I’m pregnant,” she shakily repeats. Swallowing hard she starts to explain, “I took a test today and it was positive. I’m pregnant.”

She waited for him to say something, anything but he didn’t. It seemed as though he left her, retreating into his own mind to have what looks like a very intense conversation with himself.

Unable to stand the silence, she continued to talk. “Look I know that it’s fast, and that we haven’t even talked about kids or anything like th-”

“I want to marry you.”

It’s her turned to be stunned now. His words come so quickly, stopping her own in their tracks, that she can’t even be sure that he’s actually said them. But she sees the conviction in his eyes and feels it in his touch when he takes her hands in his own.

“I mean it,” he said. “Marry me.”

Again her words are stuck in her throat and her heart pounds in her chest. She stares at him, wide-eyed and completely thrown off. God, she loves him. She loves him so much… but this isn’t the way she wants him.

Her eyes drop down to their hands as she shakes her head. “Robin I- we can’t,” she softly stammers.

“Why not?” he asks. “Really why not? I love you.”

“I love you too,” she says, gently squeezing his hands. “I really love you but we can’t. Not like this.”

“Not like, what?”

“Robin,” she says, softly shaking her head at him. “I don’t want you to propose to me just because I’m pregnant.”

“That’s not what I’m doing,” he promises.

“Yes, you are,” she argues. “You know there’s no way you’d be asking me to marry you right now if you hadn’t just found out that I’m pregnant.”

Robin sets his jaw as he stares into her brown eyes. “Is that really what you believe?” he asks, in a low voice.

Slowly she nodded her head. “Yes, it is.”

Pressing his lips together, he pulls his hand from hers and reaches down into his pocket. Regina’s eyes widen when she sees him pull out a small, red velvet ring box. He opens it revealing the diamond engagement ring inside.

He stays silent for a moment, taking in her reaction,before asking, “What do you believe now?”

Regina’s hand flies to her mouth at the sight of it. She looks up at him, tears forming in her eyes,  completely stunned. “Robin…”

He smiles at her, his own eyes growing a little watery. “I’ve had this on me for a couple of days now. The boys helped me pick it out. They’re really hoping you like it.”

She nods her head, a smile growing on her face at the thought of their sons helping him pick it out for her. “It’s beautiful,” she manages to say.

Her throat has gone tight,she can barely hold back the tears in her eyes at she looks down at it. It really is a beautiful ring. It’s a halo diamond ring with a criss-cross band. Simply gorgeous.

“I was gonna wait,” he said. “Plan something more romantic, or elaborate. But if I wait any longer now, you’ll always be wondering if I asked because of you or because of the baby and I don’t want you to wonder about that.”

A tear streamed down her cheek and she hastily wiped it away as she listened to him speak.

“Regina, I’m asking you to marry me because I love you. I love you so much, every piece of you. Your past, your flaws…. your son, especially. I love both so much and after everything that we’ve been through I don’t want to risk living a life without either one of you in it ever again. So will you, Regina Mills, marry me?”

“Yes,” she says, fervently nodding her head. “Yes, I will marry you.”

A wide grin breaks out on his face before he leans in to capture her lips in a kiss. She passionately kisses him back, her heart overflowing with joy.

“No,” she chuckles, shaking her head. Pausing for a moment, she adds, “I’m too busy admiring the tulip.”

Her eyes are still trained on the flower, adoring the way the sunlight flows through its petals almost making them seem translucent. The colors dance in the light and it’s almost as memorizing as the feeling of his hands against her skin. Almost.

Now that she’s awake he’s started to gently stroke the skin between her waist and hip. His touch is light and tantalizing. She feels her heartbeat pick up with every motion he makes.

“Still feels like I could’ve got you something better,” he softly mumbles into her ear.

Immediately she shakes her head. “No, I love it. It’s beautiful.”

“Not half as beautiful as the woman I gave it to,” he retorts.

She nearly rolls her eyes, fully prepared to scoff at him but whatever protest she planned dies in her throat when she feels his lips behind her ear. His fingers move to trace lazy circles on her stomach and his teeth begin to nip at her earlobe. Her thoughts become muddled then. She gently digs her fingertips into his forearm wordlessly encouraging him.

It’s not long before his hand slides from her stomach to her hip, firmly pressing down, pulling her onto her back. She allows this, turns until she’s on her back looking into those sky blue eyes. Talk about mesmerizing.

He pauses for a moment, lets his thumb run across her cheek as he gazes down at her. “Good morning,” he whispers.

“Good morning,” she softly repeats back, still hypnotized by the touch of his hands and the color of his eyes.

He kisses her, softly, slowly at first, letting his hand continue to roam her body as he holds himself up on his elbow beside her. With his fingers he draws a map up from her hip, past her navel past the valley of her breasts, his lips never leaving hers as he does so. She moans into their kiss, feeling the spark work its way through her body once more.

Good morning, indeed.

They hadn’t gotten to do this the night before. In the kitchen their pleasure had been like a storm, all lightning and thunder, starting suddenly and ending just the same. This time is different. Her desire isn’t coming in overwhelming flash. It’s building slowly and steadily inside of her, like the tension in a rubber band that’s slowly being pulling pulled apart.

She doesn’t know how long they stay in bed together. All she knows is that it’s heaven. Having his lips on hers, having his hands run over her body. It is bliss.

Their kisses grow more fervent and she feels that need growing inside her when… her alarm goes off.

Beep-beep! Beep-beep! Beep-beep!

Reluctantly pulling her lips from his she lets out guttural groan of annoyance. Robin chuckles beside her as she blindly reaches behind her for the nightstand where she was so sure she’d left her phone the night before. She finally turns from him when her search comes up empty. Letting out another annoyed moan she sits up in bed, scanning the room for her phone which is still relentlessly beeping for her attention. She sees last night’s dress still laying on the floor with Robin’s pants not far away. Sighing in disappointment she shakes her head. Of course, with all of last night’s activities she’d probably left her phone in her purse in the living room. Which meant…

“I have to get out of bed,” she mumbled, with a twinge of irritation.

Robin’s arm immediately tightens around her waist. “No, you don’t.”

“I do,” she replies, a small chuckle rising out of her at Robin’s reaction. Removing herself from his arms she smiles back at him deviously. “But I will be back shortly.”

She reluctantly pulls back the blankets and step out of bed, strutting out to the living room while Robin watches, clearly enjoying the view. Her purse is on the couch right where she dropped it, her cellphone still bleating inside. She taps her screen to look at the alert and her heart sinks.

PARK WITH HENRY AT 10 AM

Damn it, she’d forgotten about that. She’d promised Snow and Emma that she’d meet them at the park to pick up Henry. She checks the time. 9 AM.

“Shit,” she curses under her breath.

A pair of hands are on her waist and a kiss is pressed to the back of her head before she hears Robin’s voice in her ear. “Please tell me that is an Amber Alert and nothing more.”

Seems as though he’s gotten impatient in her absence. He stands behind her, still in nothing but his underwear, pressing his chest against her back. She hums in disappointment as she drops another kiss to her cheek. Turning in his arms she shakes her head. “It is not.”

He grumbles and lets out a sigh. “Henry?”

“I have to get him in an hour,” she replies, running her hands up his arms.

He playfully tilts his head at her. “Are you kicking me out?”

“Trying to,” she says, stepping closer to him. “It’s not going very well.”

She tilts her head up and captures his lips in another kiss. His hands run up from her waist to just below her bra. Again, she feels a spark run from her head to her toes but he pulls back from her, pressing his forehead against hers.

“You have to pick up your son,” he softly reminds her. She lets out reluctant groan when he adds, “And I also have to pick up mine.”

He gives her forehead a light kiss and takes a deep breath. “So why don’t we take it slow and start with some clothes.”

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Robin loves undressing a woman as much as the next man but he has to admit there is something he finds extremely seductive in watching one get ready. Especially if that woman is Regina Mills.

He sat on the bed buttoning up his shirt – which he’d received from the kitchen floor – and watched as she stood in front of the mirror putting herself together. She’d taken a quick shower while he’d made coffee and gathered his clothes. She’d gotten dressed in the closet had emerged wearing a black pencil skirt and purple blouse. Robin studied her movements as she put on her makeup and earrings, brushed her hair into place. To him every gesture she made was a sensual one and he couldn’t look away. He ran his eyes over her body, remembering what it felt like to hold her in his arms. The softness of her skin, the silkiness of her hair, the taste of her lips. Positively mesmerizing.

“You know you’re never going to finish buttoning that shirt if you keep staring at me.” Through the mirror she sends a cheeky grin his way.

Robin smirks at her. “Perhaps if you weren’t so distracting I’d be dressed by now.”

“I could close the door if that’s what you prefer,” she playfully warns.

“If you do I’ll never forgive you.” he replies, with a smile.

She rolls her eyes at him but he can tell she’s pleased.

Somehow they both manage to get dressed and minutes later he’s standing on her doorstep.

“Well, thank you for a marvelous evening,” he says, stepping closer to her.

“And thank you for a marvelous morning,” she says, arching an eyebrow at him. Her hands are on his arms again, lightly gripping those glorious biceps as his hands naturally fall to her waist. They exchange another kiss. This one soft and gentle, neither one of them wanting to tempt their desires at the moment.

Still leaving his fingers intertwined with hers Robin starts to head to his car. “I’ll be calling you,” he promises.

“You better,” she says, a blush rising in her cheeks. “Because after last night… we are not done.”

“Oh… I know,” he smoothly replies.  

A small giggle comes from her as he finally slips his fingers from hers. Watching him as he climbs into his Jeep, she lets out a slow breath. He waves to her as he drives away and she returns the favor, staying on the porch until she sees his car disappear down the road. He’s gone but his presence still lingers, warming her from the inside out, leaving her floating on air. Their date is officially over but she knows what she said is true.

They are not done. Not in the slightest.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Not long after Robin drives off, Regina follows suit. She hops into her car and heads to the park where she knows Henry will be waiting. It’s a short drive there, no more than 15 minutes with traffic. The park is already crowded by the time she arrives, filled with parents and children trying to make the most of their dwindling weekend.  

It’s a nice day out. Sunny and warm with a subtle breeze. It’s bright, just like her mood. Dozens of kids are running around the playground but she spots Henry within seconds. His bright right red Flash t-shirt catches her eye as he wriggles about on the monkey bars. She waves to him but he hardly takes notice, far too busy with the task of keeping his feet off the ground.

Across the playground she sees Emma and Snow watching him as they chat on a nearby bench. She heads over, all smiles, and joins them.

“Good morning,” she happily greets.

Snow replies with a soft hi while Emma lets out a suspicious, slow-drawling hello combined with a knowing grin. Not a greeting that instills confidence but Regina chooses to ignore her, instead nodding her head in Henry’s direction. “How was he?”

“Perfect, as always,” Snow promises. “We had a justice league marathon and make your own tacos night. He was out by nine.”

“Perfect,” Regina sighs, a little relieved. “Thanks again for watching him. It was a big help.”

“No problem,” says Snow, nodding her head before eagerly leaning forward. Her eyes were sparkling with curiosity as she asked, “So… how was the date?”

“The date was… amazing,” she answers with a small laugh. “It was better than I could’ve imagined.”

Emma smirked at her. “Oh I bet it was.”

Regina turned to her, eyes narrowed in suspicion. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing,” replied Emma, shrugging her shoulders. “Just that I brought you this.”

She pulls a small paper bag from her purse and hands it to Regina. Still suspicious, Regina looks inside and immediately scoffs in response.

“A donut?”

Emma nods her head affirmatively. A single, chocolate cruller sat inside the bag. Regina’s favorite.

“I saved that for you from breakfast this morning,” Emma explained.  “I woke up early, went to Eller’s and planned to bring it to you this morning so we could talk without Henry around. But you know what I saw when I got to your house?”

Regina felt her cheeks growing red. Oh god.

“Robin’s car still in your driveway,” Emma smugly finished.

Snow’s eyes went wide, flickering between Emma and Regina’s faces. “What? He stayed over? Really?”

“Mmm-hmm,” Emma hummed, still grinning in Regina’s direction. Regina sternly shook her head.

Oh you are so lucky there are children close by, she thought. Her mood darkened at Emma’s brazen assumption and attitude.

“Well, what happened?” questioned Snow, her voice growing urgent. “I mean did you… did you guys…?”

She trails off, not quite sure how to say what she’s asking.

“No,” Regina answers, shaking her head. “We didn’t.”

Emma’s face falls, shocked. “You didn’t?”

Regina glared at her. “No Emma, we didn’t. Things didn’t exactly get that far.”

“Oh.”

An awkward pause fell over the three of them and they averted each other’s gaze. Snow was the first to recover.

“Well, if he stayed over then things must’ve at least been good, right? Tell us how it went, all the details. What did he wear?”

A smile immediately returned to Regina’s face. “He wore a navy blue suit… and he looked amazing in it.”

With her mood back in order, she relayed to them all the details of the night before. His suit. The tulip. Leaving the awful restaurant. Her flip-flops, their first dance. She relived every moment, feeling herself grow giddy as she did so. Her two friends listened, giving her all their attention only interrupting every once in a while to ask a question or two.

“It was a really good night,” she finished. “Honestly I never knew that he could be so… charming.”

Out of everything that’d happened during their date Robin’s flirtatious demeanor was what stood out the most - well that and the way his hands had felt on her skin. In all the years knowing him, and all the months loving him, he’d never made her feel so beautiful and desirable. It was new coming from him but certainly not unwanted. It was the more she’d been looking for.

“So how was the kiss,” asked Snow, her voice going dreamy. “Was it good?”

“Better than good,” Regina replied, a little bashfulness to her tone. “It was great. It…it felt like the kiss I’d waited my entire life for.”

A blush rose in her cheeks at her sudden outburst of corniness but a smile remained planted on her face. She’d meant what she said. That kiss, their first… it was magic. She couldn’t describe it any other way.

“That so sweet,” Snow softly drawled. “I’m happy for you.”

“Yeah,” Emma agreed. “But what happened?”

Regina stared at her, confused. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, you went out with him and you said had a great time,” Emma elaborated. “Such a good time that you even brought him home. What kept you from… going all the way with him?”

She rolled her eyes at her own use of such an outdated term but stood by her question.

“Well it was only the first date,” replied Snow reasonably. “Even if she let him stay over, she didn’t have to sleep with him if she didn’t want to.”

“Oh I wanted,” drawled Regina.

Both of their heads swiveled toward her.

“You did?” The question comes in unison from the both of them. Emma face has turned smug again while Snow just looks bewildered.

“Yes… I did.” Regina reluctantly nods her head, still not believing that she’s actually having this conversation with them while her son swings from the monkey bars no more than 50 feet away. “Look I invited him in, things got a little… intense. We wanted to go further but…”

“But what?” asked Emma.

Regina sighs, shaking her head. “But we weren’t properly prepared for the occasion.”

Emma’s eyes go wide. “Are you kidding me? He didn’t have anything?”

“No.”

“And you didn’t-”

“Believe me Emma, I’m just as frustrated about it as you are!” Regina sharply cut her off.

“Okay,” said Emma, raising her hands in a mock surrender. “No need to get snippy.” She pauses for a moment before adding, “But for the record, I think it was smart that you stopped. It was a good choice.”

“It was a hard choice,” mumbled Regina. One she honestly wasn’t sure she’d repeat if given the chance. Things had been so good. They had been so close. She should’ve been more prepared.

“See this is why you should never depend on a man to bring the condoms,” Emma said. “You should always stock up on your own.”

“I know,” sighed Regina. “I wasn’t thinking ahead like I used to. It’s just been so long.”

Emma sighed, nodding her head understandingly. “I get it. But hey, look on the bright side. You still had an amazing night together… even if he didn’t get the chance to clear out your cobwebs.”

She snickered at her wording while Snow just rolled her eyes. Regina glared at her from the other side of the bench. “Thank you for that colorful euphemism,” she deadpanned.

Emma only giggled in response while Snow remained uncharacteristically silent.

“Mom!” Henry ran up a few moments later, his face still flushed from exercise. Regina hugs him and presses a kiss to his cheek.  

“Hello sweetheart! Did you have a good time with Emma and Snow last night?”

He nods his head. “Yep! We watched justice league and I had three tacos!”

Regina laughs. “That sounds very cool but are you ready to go home now?”

“I guess,” Henry replies, shrugging his shoulder.

Regina tilts her head at him sympathetically. She supposed there would never be a time when going home with mom was seen as more fun than a night with his two aunts.

“Hey Henry, why don’t you take a few more minutes on the playground while I help your mom get your bag out of the car?” suggested Snow.

She was barely able to finish her sentence before Henry ran off causing the three of them to chuckle in response.

After making sure Emma would keep an eye on him Regina followed Snow to where’d they’d parked her the car. It was a long ways away near the edge of the parking lot. Snow seemed a bit nervous at the beginning of their walk, fidgeting more than usual and suspiciously quiet but she eventually spoke up.

“So do you think you’re gonna tell Henry about you and Robin soon?” she asked.

“I really don’t know,” Regina answered honestly. Truth be told she was a little nervous about that conversation. She knew Henry loved Robin and would probably be thrilled that they were dating but she didn’t want to change things for him. He really looked up to Robin, he’d been the only male role model he had for years. Sparking a shift in their dynamic felt risky.

“If I do it won’t be anytime soon,” she responded. “I want more of a chance to see where this goes on its own. Without the pressure of the kids, you know?”

“Got it,” said Snow, nodding her head. She paused for a moment, nervously biting her lip before continuing. “And what about sleeping with Robin? Are you gonna do that soon?”

“God I hope so,” she replies without thinking.  

In flash the memories of last night come back to her. The feeling of his hands on her body and his tongue in her mouth. How badly she’d needed him. She wanted to feel that way again. She wanted him to make her feel that way again. As soon as possible.

Snow folded her arms across her chest in contemplation. “But how can you know that you want to? I mean it’s only been the first date.”

Regina chuckled in response. “That may be true but I think the near decade of friendship that proceeded it gives me a bit of leeway in that area.”

Coming from anyone else the question might’ve been seen as judgy or shame-inducing. However, when Regina heard it from Snow she didn’t hear judgment. Only a simple, if a bit manic, curiosity.

One that apparently didn’t let up.

“But what if you do sleep with him and then you regret it? What then?”

Her voice sounded almost desperate as she voiced her concern. Regina turned to face her and saw Snow staring back at her as if her answer would carry all the weight in the world.

She raised an eyebrow in her direction. “Now why do I get the feeling that we’re no longer talking about me?”

A blush rose in Snow’s cheeks and she immediately averted her gaze growing silent again. Rather than deter her, the younger woman’s reaction only spurred Regina on. She gently nudged Snow’s shoulder.

“We’ve been talking about me so much lately I’ve hardly had the chance to check on your love life,” she commented. “So… is there a new guy in your life?”

Snow fought a smile and shyly shook her head, as if debating whether she should answer at all. In the end the smile won out as she answered, “Well... I wouldn’t exactly call him new. We’ve kinda been seeing each other for a while now.”

“Define a while,” Regina ordered, an intrigued smile appearing on her face.

“About three, four months,” Snow replied. She paused for a moment. “You might know him, actually. David is his name.”

“David?” Regina mumbled to herself. She silently went over the name three times before it led to a spark of recognition. “Wait David as in the Drunken Monk’s new bartender David?”

Snow nodded her head.

“How do you even know him?” questioned Regina, clearly surprised. She barely knew David herself. Robin had hired a while after she’d gone to New York. All she knew was that he was young, in school and easy on the eyes. Well, if you’re into that whole Prince Charming look. Still she found it unlikely that Snow knew him. Their only connection was the Drunken Monk and that was flimsy at best. As far as she knew Snow had only been there three times max, all times with her.

“Well remember that one time you wanted to meet with me to discuss stuff for Volante and you suggested meeting at the Drunken Monk?”

Regina thought back a few weeks and shrugged. “A little, I guess?”

“Well, I got there a little earlier than expected and I’d been having a bad day,” she mumbled. “He had called me that morning.”

“Oh,” breathed Regina. She knew exactly who he was. Leopold. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Snow shook her head. “He’s not worth bringing up.” She paused and sighed before continuing. “Anyway, I must’ve looked miserable because David noticed. He made me a strawberry milkshake on the house. Called it the happiest drink in the world. And… we talked and flirted a little. His shift was over before you got there though so he didn’t stick around for long. Didn’t expect to see him again until I ran into him at the farmer’s market near my house. And we talked again… for a really long time and things just went from there.”

As she listened to Snow speak Regina remembered that day at the Drunken Monk. She remembered the milkshake and how she hadn’t noticed anything off about Snow at all. For a moment, she felt like a really bad friend. Even with all the drama in her life, she should be taking a little more time to check in on everyone else, especially Snow.

“So you started dating,” she said. “And I’m assuming he’s good to you?”

She added a stern look to her question, sending the not so subtle message that he better be.

Snow rolled her eyes. “Yes he is good to me,” she promised. Her voice grew soft as she continued to speak. “He’s really sweet and funny. He listens to me and… I guess, he kind of looks at me in a way that no one ever has before.”

“And in what way is that?”

Snow sighed. “The way that makes me feel like I’m more than just a former screw up.”

She rushes the words out, shrugging her shoulders and averting her gaze as she does but Regina still hears them. They break her heart.

“You are more than that Snow,” she says, sincerely. “Really, you are.”

Snow nods her head. “I know. It’s just easy to forget sometimes.”

They reached the car but instead getting Henry’s things Snow leaned against the bumper and let out a breath as Regina stood beside her. They were a silent for a moment, as if taking a breath from the conversation. It’s been years since Snow had gone through her dark period of liquor and medication but it still managed to make things heavy whenever it was brought up.

Regina cleared her throat before speaking again. “So have you and David had sex?”

“No,” said Snow, shaking her head. “I haven’t had sex with David ... I haven’t had sex with anyone.”

She can tell it’s already hard for Snow to admit that fact but Regina still can’t help the shock that flashes across her face. She’s so taken aback that she can barely get a sentence out.

“Oh! So you… you’ve never…”

“No I’ve never had sex!” Snow snaps, frustrated with her reaction. “I know. I’m almost 22. It’s ridiculous.”

“No it isn’t!” Regina immediately refutes her claim but Snow just scoffs.

“It’s not!” Regina insists. She takes a breath. “It’s surprising, I’ll admit that but it’s not ridiculous. I promise you 22 is not that long.”

It was certainly unexpected though. Muddling through her shock Regina realized that Snow had never talked about dating much. Just a cute guy here or there but nothing long term. She’d only been fourteen when they’d first met and only nineteen when she saw her again in New York. It never occurred to her that Snow had kept her virginity for all that time. She certainly hadn’t at her age.

Snow crosses her arms, still embarrassed. “It’s not like I planned it. I didn’t take a virginity pledge or something stupid like that… it’s just never happened for me.”

“Okay,” drawled Regina, taking a seat next to her bumper. As if on a dime their conversation had turned into a minefield for her. Any wrong move might lead to an explosion. It was best to tread carefully.

“So do you want it to happen with David?” she asks, unsure what answer she’d like to hear. Snow was of course a grown woman capable of making her own decisions on the matter but… she used to braid the girl’s hair for God’s sake! It was still a little unsettling to hear her talk about sex.

“Maybe,” Snow answers. “There are times where I feel like I’m not ready and times where I feel like… I could be?”

She sounds so unsure of herself and Regina feels for her but she has to be blunt.

“Are those times when you’re in bed with him?” she questions, studying Snow’s face.

The minute her cheeks turn beet red Regina knows she has her answer.

“Occasionally,” Snow mumbles.

Regina chuckles and nods her head understandingly. “I see.” She pauses. “What about when you’re not in bed with him?”

Snow shrugs her shoulders. “I’m not sure.”

“Then you shouldn’t have sex with him,” Regina firmly replied.

Snow rolled her eyes. “Is this the part where you tell me I should wait until I’m in love?”

“No,” said Regina, shaking her head. “This is the part where I tell you being sure is the most important thing. And not just for the first time, but for every time.”

She pauses, unsure of how to continue. Snow offers no reply. She just sits on the bumper anxiously twiddling her thumbs.  

“Have you talked about it with Emma?” she asks.

Snow shakes her head. “Not really. I would but… well you know how Emma feels about relationships.”

Regina nodded her head understandingly. Emma had always been very vocal about her avoidance of romantic entanglements. When it came to things like sex she was a pragmatist. She got what she needed and expected very little in return. Long-term attachments weren’t her deal.

“She’d probably just tell me to get it over with,” mumbled Snow.

“You don’t know that,” argued Regina, shaking her head. “Emma cares too much about you to take this so lightly.”

Snow sighs. “Maybe I should though. I am 22, practically an old maid in virgin years and David’s nice and he cares about me. Maybe I should just take the plunge.”

Regina rolled her eyes. “Snow, if you really felt that way you would’ve done it with him by now. There’s no shame in waiting until you’re sure.”

“But what if I’m never sure?” argued Snow. “What if I’m 35 years old still weighing my options, waiting around for some fairytale moment to tell me when it’s right?”

“Then so be it,” Regina firmly declared. “Look… sex can be a big deal. There are a lot of factors that you have to think about before you do it but honestly it all boils down one thing. Certainty. You have to be certain that you’re ok with what’s happening. Physically and emotionally. Not having that certainty… that’s what leads to regrets.”

Snow stared her down, still unconvinced. “And is that what you had your first time? Absolute certainty?”

“Yes,” Regina gently replies.

Snow continues to stare at her, her eyes now silently pleading. “Regina…”

She shakes her head already knowing what she’s going to ask. “No Snow. Please don’t make me do this with you,” she begged. “This conversation is already so awkward.”

“I know,” said Snow, “ but I really think I need something to help put this in perspective for me. Please Regina.”

Regina scrunched her eyes closed and softly groaned in displeasure. After a moment she let out resigned sigh and shook her head.

“Fine, I will tell you the story of my first time,” she said. “But to be clear I am only going to tell it to you once. You will tell no one else and as soon as I drive out of this parking lot you are going to forget the whole thing. Understood?”

“Understood,” Snow softly agreed. She paused. “So… what was it like?”

Regina sucks in a breath, still reluctant to share this story. “It was… awkward, a little, but it was still a good experience for me.”

She pauses before continuing. “It happened with my first boyfriend when I was 16. His name was Stephen.”

Stephen Bullock. Just remembering the name brings a nostalgic smile to her face and images of green eyes and thick, brunette hair to her mind. He’d been her first boyfriend, and a good one at that.

“He was always very sweet to me. Gave me gifts, was always supportive of my studies. Perfect gentleman,” she described.

Boring as hell though, she silently added. Though she remembers Stephen being an excellent boyfriend she can’t exactly recall a memory where he’d excited her. In fact, he’d been rather textbook.

“It was the winter break and we were on a class trip to Aspen. His parents actually had a place close to the resort so one day we ditched our counselor to go there and… it just happened.”

“Just like that?” Snow softly asked.

“Well I’d been thinking about it for awhile at the time, especially after the one year mark,” Regina explained. “And we talked and he promised we could wait until I said I was comfortable but there was no grand ceremony about it. No big date or plan made. When the moment came it was a spontaneous decision.”

She can’t remember much about the experience. She couldn’t tell you the exact time or the color of the bed sheets, or even exactly what she’d been wearing. All she remembers is how she’d felt. Nervous but ready. And happy and comfortable.

“Did you love him?” Snow asked.

Regina hesitated before answering. “I… wanted to,” she honestly replied. “I loved how he treated me. I loved having him by my side. But I don’t think I loved him, not really. At least not in the way I loved Daniel or Robin.”

Even as a teenager she’d known that she and Stephen were not some great love story. They were compatible. They got along well, had similar interest and goals, ran in the same circles. But they were never in love. They were in like. And back then that’d been enough for her.

Snow scrunched her eyebrows in confusion. “But if you didn’t love him does that mean you regret not waiting?”

“Not a bit,” Regina firmly declared. “At that point in my life I wasn’t really looking for love. It wasn’t exactly encouraged around the house.”

Since practically middle school Cora had drilled it into her head that love was a distraction, a weakness at worst and a weapon at best. She’d believed her about it all through high school.

“My mother never made sex out to be some great expression of love so I didn’t think of that way,” she continued. “When the time came it was more about deciding that I was ready to explore that side of myself and see what it meant for me. And with Stephen… I suppose at some point I decided that if it was going to do it with anyone it was going to be with him. No one else. I might not have been in love but I was certain and still am.”

There were many things Regina regretted in her life. How she lost her virginity was not even close to being on the list. Her experience had been eye-opening and fun, if awkward at times, and she still looked back on it fondly.

Snow remained silent after she finished her story, quietly taking it in.

“So…” ventured Regina. “Did my history provide you with any clarity?”

Snow let out a soft laugh before rolling her eyes and shaking her head. “Honestly, I think it just left me with more questions.”

Regina sighed. “Like what?”

“Like maybe I should stop putting so much importance on the moment,” she said. “If it’s not about love like you said, but just being with someone you’re comfortable with, then what am I waiting for?”

Regina held up a hand to stop her. “No, you can’t think like that. It wasn’t about love for me. You are not me Snow and I am not you. The choices we make concerning sex do not have to be the same. Or even similar. All that matters is that you feel certain in your decision and can own your choice. Do you understand?”

“I guess,” Snow said, shrugging her shoulders.

“Okay,” said Regina, nodding her head. “Now I have a question for you.” She paused, turning to look Snow in the eyes. “Do you want to be in love before you have sex? Is that what you feel like you need?”

Snow bit her lip, silently thinking over the question before nodding her head. “Yeah, I think it is.”

“Okay,” said Regina. “Then own that choice. Talk to David and let him know your boundaries and expectations. If he doesn’t respect them then I promise you can do better.”

Snow chuckled, nodding her head. She felt better, certainly more secure than she had before their talk.

“Can I ask you one last question?”

Regina rolled her eyes. “What?”

“Is it different when you’re in love with someone?”  

Regina pauses before she nods her head. “Yes it is very different.”

There was no other answer she could possibly give. Now matter how sure she felt of her first time with Stephen she knew that it couldn’t compare to her first time with Daniel. Before him sex had been a purely physical act, a way to relieve stress or pass time. Daniel had been the first man she met who used sex as a way to show love. It’d changed things for her. Him and Leopold.

Going from such an intimate physical relationship with Daniel to being forced to play fiance for Leopold - being forced to smile as the man she despised groped and kissed her in public - had made her reconsider things. Suddenly, the emotional side of sex grew more important to her than the physical. And of course there’d been nights where she grew lonely and thought of heading out to a bar and going home with the first decent man she met but she couldn’t do that anymore. After she’d escaped him with Henry, before she even realized it, she made a choice. The next man who touched her would love her first.

And while that decision had made for some very long years, she had Robin now. A good man, a sexy man who she loved and who loved her. There was light at the end of the tunnel and she was ready to walk straight into it.

------------------------------------

The morning had run much slower for Robin than it had for Regina. He’d had the time to stop by the store, head home and clean himself up before going to pick up Roland. The entire time he’d been thinking of his date, the night before and the morning that came after. It’d been a long time since he’d experienced anything so blissful. He’d gone years without anything close to the physical intimacy he’d just shared with Regina. And the thought of it left him feeling more pent up than ever before.

Ever since he’d left her house he’d been kicking himself over the whole condom debacle. He’d passed so many drugstores on his way to pick her up that night why didn’t he stop into just one! Maybe if he had he wouldn’t have needed to spend an extra fifteen minutes in the shower that morning.

It was close to 11:30 by the time he pulled into the marina parking lot. Glancing at the clock he realized he was late to pick up Roland. Still he doubted that Hook minded. He’d always been happy to look after Roland in the past and Roland was always pleased to play pirate when he spent nights on the Jolly Roger.

Walking down the docks he heard Roland’s voice before he saw him.

“Ahoy Daddy!”

Robin chuckled before responding, “Ahoy Roland!”

He spotted his son, standing near the railing of the Jolly Roger, still strapped into a life jacket, staring down the docks through an old-fashioned spyglass. Roland enthusiastically waves as his father approaches the boat. Robin climbs aboard and is immediately greeted by one of his running jump hugs.

“Hey, no running!” Hook goodnaturedly ordered from his spot near the railing. “Strong boy like you, you’ll rock the whole boat.”

Roland only grinned as his father picked him up.

“How was your evening aboard the Jolly Roger?” Robin asked Roland.

“Fun!” Roland happily declared. “Uncle Hook took me sailing and taught me how to make knots!”

He pointed to a pile of shoddily tied ropes he’d left on the deck of the boat. Decent but clearly needing improvement.

“He was a perfect first mate,” Hook added, sending Roland a wink. “He’ll make a fine captain one day.”

“Oh I’m sure,” Robin replied, proudly smiling at his son. “Well I’m glad you had your fun but are you ready to spend the day with Daddy?”

“Yes!” Roland eagerly replied.

Robin happily laughed along with him. He lived for Sundays with Roland. It was the one day of the week that he reserved for just the two of them. No work, no daycare. Just him and his son.

“What shall we do today?” he asked.

“I wanna go to the beach!” Roland immediately answered. “I wanna pick up shells for show and tell!”

“Sounds like a plan,” Robin agreed, nodding his head.  

“I’ll come along as well,” chimed in Hook. When Robin sent him a curious look he added, “I’ve been on the boat nearly 24 hours. Don’t want to get sea legs.”

His excuse was flimsy at best and Robin instantly knew why he’d made it. He was certain Hook only wanted to come along to grill him about his date the night before. A conversation he was not looking forward to.

It was a nice day out and the seagulls cawed as the three of them made their way down the beach. A few minutes later when they were walking along the shore his suspicions were proved correct. Roland had run ahead of them tossing shells into a small bucket that Hook had given him before they left. Robin carefully watched him as he dug through the sand, getting his feet wet whenever the low tide came in. Watching his son, Robin wondered what his reaction would be when he told him that he was dating. And if the fact that he was dating Regina would have an effect on that reaction.

However, it wasn’t long before his earlier suspicions were confirmed.

“So how did things go with Regina?” Hook asked.

“They went very well,” Robin replied. “Better than expected.”

“Good,” said Hook, a genuinely pleased grin appearing on his face. “I take it she liked the restaurant.”

“Oh no, she absolutely hated it,” said Robin, smugly shaking his head.

He couldn’t help but gloat as he told Hook just how much Regina had hated the restaurant he’d chosen. He happily recounted how uncomfortable they’d felt there and took pleasure in Hook’s reaction when he told him about their hasty escape.

“Are you kidding me?” he cried. Groaning, he shook his head. “Esme’s gonna give me hell for this. She had to suck up to her creepy boss for that table.”

“I’m sorry,” said Robin, not feeling sorry at all. “But it didn’t take us long to realize that the place wasn’t for us.”

“Fine,” mumbled Hook, still miffed that his recommendation had fallen flat. “But what about the rest of the evening? You must’ve righted the ship somehow.”

“We turned things casual,” said Robin shrugging his shoulders. “We went for a walk, went to food truck and danced a little. It was good.”

Better than good, he thought. Though he said their night had been casual it had felt like anything but that. Even looking back on it the night still carried the distinct feeling of an important beginning. The start of something new, something that could make him truly happy again.

“And did you make up for dinner with an unexpected breakfast?” asked Hook, lecherously wiggling his eyebrows.

Robin shook his head, a little embarrassed. “I spent the night,” he admitted, “but nothing happened. I just slept next to her.”

“Why?” interrogated Hook, confused. “Was she not feeling up to it?”

“We were feeling up to it,” Robin reluctantly corrected. “I just wasn’t properly prepared so we let it pass.”

“Not properly prepared?” Hook pace slowed as his eyes widened in surprise. “Are you telling me you went on a date without so much as one damn condom on you?!”

“Will you keep your damn voice down!” growled Robin, his eyes flickering over to Roland, who, gratefully, still remained blissfully unaware of their conversation. “This is not exactly a conversation I want my son to hear!”

“Maybe he should,” Hook joked. “Maybe then he’ll know to be more prepared, unlike you.”

Robin glared at him. “Nice.”

“Look mate you know I’m only having a laugh but did you really have nothing on you at all?”

Again Robin shrugs his shoulders. “It was only the first date. I didn’t think that I would need it.”

“It’s always better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it,” Hook reminded him. “For christ’s sake Robin, it’s sex 101. Basic stuff!”

“I know!” snapped Robin, growing more irritated at Hook’s lecture. “But I haven’t done this in years and even then it wasn’t like I had a lot of practice with it!”

Hook rolled his eyes. “Are you telling me that you never prepped for spontaneous sex with Marian?”

Robin groaned as he resisted the urge to punch Hook directly in his chest. He tried to remind himself that despite his blunt delivery Hook’s line of questioning did come from a place of concern and friendship.

He shook his head before answering, “Not really. Birth control and spontaneity weren’t really issues for us.”

Between their carefully coordinated sneaking around in the early days of their relationship and the fertility issues in the later ones, lack of contraception had rarely been a concern during his time with Marian.  

“Alright,” Hook conceded, nodding his head. “But what about before Marian? With other girls?”

“What other girls?”

Robin’s reply was immediate, he provided it without thought. He was only reminded of the weight of his reveal when he saw the shock written over Hook’s face.

“Wait? Do you mean…”

Robin cut him off with a roll of his eyes. “I met her when I was sixteen Hook. What did you expect?”

He’d never felt ashamed of the fact that Marian was the only woman he’d ever been with. It was something that he’d fretted over or tried to hide. It was just a fact. The only bad thing about it was the annoying reactions he’d get in response to it.

Still gaping at him Hook replied, “I don’t know. I guess after thinking about it I’m not surprised but really? Only Marian?”

“Yes,” said Robin, nodding his head. “Only Marian.”

Hook shrugged his shoulders, contemplatively. “Well, that’s admirable, I suppose.”

Robin scoffed. “What, no jokes?”

“Now what type of man would I be if I mocked a unicorn such as yourself,” he replied, with a smirk.

Robin laughed. “Jackass.”

Hook chuckled as the walked along. “So,” he sighed, “You nervous about getting back in the saddle?”

Robin thought back to the moment in Regina’s kitchen. How easy it’d been. How little qualms he’d held. It really had been like riding a bicycle. No thinking, all instinct.

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s been long enough and I’m not just talking about… the saddle.”

“What else is there?” questioned Hook.

“I mean a relationship,” he clarified. “Last night made me realize that I miss… having someone. I miss being a relationship.” He paused. “I’m not like you Hook. I don’t like dating around. It’s not what I do.”

During his engagement with Marian Robin had wondered if he’d grow to resent the fact that he’d never gotten the chance to “sow his wild oats” so to speak. He’d talked with Tuck about it extensively before they’d gotten married and the old man had nearly laughed in his face. He’d reminded Robin that of all the traits he carried loyalty was the strongest. He valued honesty and commitment in all his relationships, platonic and romantic. For a man like him, hopping from bed to bed simply wouldn’t be in his nature.

“Classic serial monogamist,” said Hook, shaking his head. “Well, I can’t say I don’t blame you. People do tend to stick with what they know.”

Robin scoffed but disagreed no further. He couldn’t deny that Hook had a point. He’d found Marian at such a young age that being in a relationship was all he’d ever known. In the years since her death he’d yearned for the return of that security. Of being with someone, knowing that you know them so completely and knowing that they know you in return. He’s missed that familiarity.

“You’re a one-woman man Robin,” said Hook, with a smirk. “I wouldn’t expect any less of you.”

He gave Robin a sincere look of approval before moving on. “So is Regina willing to be that woman for you? I expect you talked about it last night given that you couldn’t do much of anything else.”

Again Robin’s mind flashed back to the night before. The taste of her lips, the softness of her skin, having her pressed against that kitchen counter.

“It didn’t really come up,” he answered.

“Well, I advise you to have the discussion,” replied Hook. He sent Robin a knowing look. “And I advise you to do it before you get in bed with her. Because in my experience putting it off leads to hurt feelings… and slapped faces.”

“It’s only been one date Hook,” Robin reminded him. “A bit early for the commitment speech, don’t you think?”

“Normally yes,” agreed Hook, shrugging his shoulders. “But your situation with Regina is unique. There’s history between the two of you. It changes expectations.”

True, Robin silently admitted. If it had been anyone else he certainly wouldn’t have been thinking of so hard about their future together. Not after one date. And Hook was right, he already shared a lot of his life with Regina. A past, friends, even their children to some extent. With all that at stake it couldn’t hurt to talk about where they stood and where they were headed.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

It was night by the time Robin reached out to Regina. The day was over, Henry was tucked into bed and so was she. Dressed in her silk pajamas, she sat up against her headboard swiping at the screen of her ipad as she read through another applicant’s resume for the store. The grand opening was nearly here she’d need to make a choice soon.

Her phone buzzed against her nightstand and a smile appears on her face when she sees a text from Robin.

Know I promised to call. Hope texting is okay.

Her smile widens as she sets aside her ipad, fully prepared to focus on their conversation.

Texting is fine. How was your Sunday?  

She knows that he always reserves Sundays for Roland and isn’t surprised by his response.

Wonderful as always. There’s a short pause before he adds another message. He’s climbed into bed with me for the night. Didn’t have the heart to turn him away.

No wonder he’s texting, she thinks to herself. A short chuckle escapes at her. She can see him now, in bed with his phone in hand and Roland sleeping by his side. For a brief moment she wishes she was there to see it in person.

What parent would? she sends back.

True, he replies. What are you up to?

Just sitting in bed, she texts back.

Within seconds he sends back, you mean sitting in bed while doing work ;).

Even though she knows he can’t see her, she can’t help but roll her eyes and shake her head. Robin had picked up on her workaholic tendencies during their short time as housemates. He’d walked in on her buried in paperwork more than a few times.

Sometimes I despise you for knowing me so well, she replies. Not wanting to sound harsh she adds a playful emoji to lighten the mood.

He sends back an emoji of his own before saying, work is what mondays are for. you should head to sleep.

She glances at the clock. It’s close to 10 now and she does have to wake up early to get Henry ready for school.

I will she texts back, but not because you told me to.

As if you would ever do what I say, Robin immediately replies with a winking emoji. She smiles. Her thumbs hover above the keypad as she thinks of what to say next. Before she can talk herself out of it she fires off another text.

Bed feels kind of lonely without you in it.

Her cheeks go red at her own boldness. It takes him a while to respond and she fears she’s gone too far but his response comes.

I know what you mean. Last night was the best sleep I’ve had in years.

Relief washes over her at his understanding. After the night they’d spent together getting into bed alone had felt lonely. His presence had helped lull her to sleep and she’d grown spoiled by the experience.

Plans for tomorrow?, he asks.

Heading to the studio to get some work done, she says. That’s what mondays are for right?

Touché, he replies. Alright I’ll let you go. Goodnight Regina.

Goodnight Robin, she replies.

As soon as the text is sent she leans back against her headboard and lets out a satisfied sigh. How is that a few words from this man can make her feel so good?

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Monday morning was not as easygoing as Sunday had been. From the moment she’d woken up Regina felt as though she hadn’t had a single moment to catch her breath. Henry had chosen to have one of his difficult mornings that day, not having gotten a single thing ready for school the night before. And of course as soon as he’d sat down to breakfast he’d remembered that he was supposed to bring something to school for the class potluck, an event Regina hadn’t heard a whisper of until that very moment. Of course rather than let him show up empty-handed she’d sped to the grocery store to pick up a small box of chocolate cookies for him share with the class. A choice that of course, due to traffic, made him ten minutes late to school. After signing him in late she’d headed to the studio for work arriving with just barely enough time to prep for her first interview of the day. The rest of her morning would be spent questioning no less than 10 people to find someone worthy of the receptionist position at the studio. Only three of which would seem even minimally qualified for what she had in mind. It’s after noon when she finally sees the last girl out and she breathes a sigh of relief after she does.

Once the studio is empty she returns to her office and takes a moment to sink onto the chaise next to her desk and bask in the silence. In a few days the studio will be filled with designers, receptionists and, hopefully, clients. The thought of it excites her but she will miss having the place all to herself. Right now, besides the furniture, the only things filling this peaceful space are her hopes and dreams. She wonders if her reality will ever be able to live up them.

Luckily she has until the end of the week to make a decision about the receptionist position so she chooses not to think about it now. Instead she reaches over to her desk and picks up a sketch pad and pencil. It’s been awhile since she’s designed anything good. Her brain has been so muddled by her worries over meeting Daniel’s family and her feelings for Robin. But now that both of those issues are somewhat resolved she hopes that her creativity will spike again.

Her pencil touches the paper and she starts to sketch. Slowly her earlier optimism wanes. Sketch after sketch ends up crumpled and discarded on the floor around her chaise. It’s as if she can see things so clearly at the beginning but loses her way as she goes on. In the end she can’t even figure out how she started or where she intended to go. Still she doesn’t stop. She draws dress after dress, determined to continue until she comes up with something of value. Hours pass as she sits on her chaise, throw blanket over her bare feet, sketching ideas she can never seem to finish, only taking short breaks to respond the intermittent texts Robin sends her way.

They’ve been coming all day, acting as the only the bright spot in this tornado of day. One to say good morning, another to tell her good luck and more. It warms her heart every time she hears her phone chime.

A knock on the door pulls her eyes away from her sketchpad. Confused, she glances at the clock on her desk. It’s after two. Far too late for any stray interviews and she was sure she hadn’t ordered anything new for the studio in days. Rising from her chaise she slips on her shoes to see who it is. Her lips pull into a smile when she sees Robin through the studio’s glass doors.

Unlocking the door she lets him in and he greets her with a kiss on the cheek. He looks good. Back to his casual wear he’s dressed in a pair of old jeans and a plain army green t-shirt. A far cry from Saturday night’s suit and tie.

“Well, isn’t this a pleasant surprise,” she says, beaming up at him. “What are you doing here?”

He holds up a plain paper bag. “I just wanted to drop by and bring you some lunch.”

At the sight of it a pang goes through her stomach. She takes it from him with a suspicious look in her eye. “Now how did you know that I didn’t eat lunch?”

Robin shrugs his shoulders. “You started sending me one word texts. A clear sign you’ve developed tunnel vision.”

He smirks in her direction and she rolls her eyes at him. Damn, this man for knowing her so well. She looks inside the bag and grins when she finds a cup of Albondigas soup from the deli around the corner of the Drunken Monk. Her favorite lunch when she’d been working there.

“Will be joining me as I eat?” she asks.

“If you’d like,” Robin replies. “I know you’re working…”

“I could do with a break,” she says, tilting her head toward her office. “Come on in.”

Robin smiled. He’d been hoping she’d say that. It’d be a lie to say that he hadn’t had some ulterior motives when he’d brought her lunch. After his talk with Hook on the beach, he’d been looking for an opportunity to get her alone and talk about his hopes for their future together. Maybe set some things in stone.

As he followed her into the office he remembered the day when they’d painted it. Her dancing, their laughter, the paint on both their faces. That was the day he’d realized he’d loved her. It’d only been a few weeks ago but still it felt so much further away. So much had changed since then, with them and the studio itself. It’d been bare bones the day they’d painted it together but it was completely done now. All the furniture had arrived, there were paintings and pictures on the walls. Almost immediately he spied one of him and Roland on her desk along with one of Henry. Regina’s office was warm and inviting.  He liked it.

As Regina settled back onto her chaise with her soup Robin noticed all the crumpled papers littered across her floor. “What happened here?”

Regina rolled her eyes, frustrated. “Just designs that didn’t work out.”

He picks one up off the floor and uncrumples it in his hand. It’s supposed to be a dress but it doesn’t look as though it’s finished. He holds it up to her. “Not what you had in mind?”

“I couldn’t even tell you,” she says, shaking her head. “It seems I’ve lost my creative clarity. I haven’t come up with a good idea in weeks.”

Her eyes fall to her soup, despondent, as she admits this. Robin notices and sighs as he takes a seat on the floor next to her chaise.

“Well, that’s unsurprising given everything’s that’s been on your mind these past few weeks,” he says, looking up at her. “Perhaps you should pull back a little. Give your mind a little space to breathe.”

Regina smirks, shaking her head at him. “Robin you know that’s not in my nature.”

“I am aware, yes,” he chuckles, nodding his head. “But it couldn’t hurt to try. Just relax.”

She sighs, letting her head fall back against the headrest. “I’ve tried but the grand opening is in less than 14 days. Every time I sit down I feel like there’s something else I should be doing.”

“Well, you’re sitting down now,” Robin points out with a smile. “Just take a break. Enjoy your soup.”

“Fine,” she mumbles, popping the lid off her lunch. “But only for a minute.”

She starts eating her soup and Robin decides to save his intentions talk for another day. He can tell she needs to relax and a talk about commitment is sure to derail that. Instead, he sits next to the chaise as she eats, looking over the designs she’d dropped to the floor. One by one he uncrumples them, looking them over with curious eyes. She’s determined them failures but to his eyes they’re amazing. Some of them are unfinished and uncolored but he can see a piece of her in every one. Some of which pass from one design to the next. As he flips through them he can sense a trend forming, one that he can’t completely see but does notice.

He lays them out on the floor, tossing behind his shoulder, “Which of these did you draw first?”

“Hmm?” Regina finally notices that he’s been pulling her dead designs from their graveyard. “What are you doing?”

“Just looking them over,” he answers, shrugging his shoulders. “They’re beautiful.”

“They’re worthless,” she sullenly retorts. “None of them are what they’re supposed to be.”

“And what is that?” asked Robin.

She hesitates before shaking her head. “I still have no idea.”

“Then why don’t you stop trying to see what they should be and start looking at what they are,” he suggests. “Come down here with me.”

She narrows her eyes at him and he repeats his direction. “I’m serious, come down here.”

She rolls her eyes but acquiesces, feeling like a child as she sets aside her soup and joins him on the carpet. He hands her the stack of designs. “Try sorting them out,” he says. “From first to last.”

“Why?” she groans, taking them from him.

“Because you called them failures,” he replied. “And in every failure there’s a tiny bit of success. You just have to look for it.”

She scoffs at him. “Where did you hear that? A fortune cookie?”

“A very inspirational poster at Target,” he replied, not missing a beat. “Now sort.”

He stares her down as if challenging her to refuse until finally she rolls her eyes and starts flipping through the designs. As she looks them over she realizes that not all of them are as awful as she’d earlier asserted. Some of them are salvageable, even a little good. Halfway through she paused.

“Huh,” she breathed, staring at the design. It was a simple floor-length ball gown, strapless with a sweetheart neckline. It wasn’t even close to done.

“What’s that?” asked Robin scooting closer to her, looking at the design over her shoulder.

“Just a dress,” she mumbled, still staring down at it. “It’s not finished.”

Robin looked it over with a tilted head. There was nothing wrong with it to his eyes. It looked pretty if a bit plain. Certainly not a failure.

“Why’d you throw it out?” he asked.

“I guess… I didn’t want to see it through,” Regina softly admitted. She dropped the papers into her lap and took a deep breath. Her back went stiff and her eyes turned contemplative as she started to stare into space.

“Regina?”

“What if I can’t do this?” she whispered.

Surprised flickered over his face at her question. “What?”

She turns to look at him, a twinge of fear in her eyes. “What if I can’t do this?” she repeats. “I’ve put so much into creating this place. What if I fail?”

“You won’t,” Robin asserted, shocked that she could even think such a thing.

Regina shook her head. “You don’t know that.”

“I do actually,” said Robin, nodding his head. His arm wraps around her shoulder pulling her closer. “Regina you forget that I’ve been here since the start of this. I’ve watched every move you’ve made since you’ve moved back to town. You’ve done everything right. You’ve thought everything through, you’ve made smart choices. You’re not going to fail.”

There’s sincerity in his words. She hears it, feels it. Running a hand through her hair, she lets out a slow deep breath. “I think I’m just feeling a little overwhelmed now that things are getting so close.” She pauses. “I’ve never been in charge like this before. I’ve never been a boss before.”

“Doesn’t mean you won’t be good at it,” Robin points out. “This might be your first time with a title but it’s not the first time you’ve taken charge of something that needed direction. You did it with bar after Marian, you taught me how to live my life again, and Snow and Emma. You might not realize it Regina but you’re a born leader.”

She scoffs at him but a smile tugs on her lips. “You’re the only one who sees me that way.”

Robin shakes his head as he looks into her eyes. “No, I’m really not,” he promises.

He reaches out to guide a strand of hair behind her ear, letting his finger fall from her ear to caress her jawline, feeling himself getting lost in those brown eyes again.

“You’re incredible and everyone knows it,” he whispers.

She’s gone breathless. Listening to his soft words, feeling his hand against her cheek, looking into his blue eyes. He’s hypnotized her. Her eyes drop to his lips and she lean forward to kiss him, an action he eagerly accepts. She can feel his hand cradle the side of her face, the tips of his fingers reaching back into her hair as his lips move against hers.

It’s just as good as she remembers. The taste of his of his lips, the smell of his cologne and his scruff against her face. Same as the night in her kitchen she can’t get enough. Before she even realizes it she’s pulling up her skirt to straddle him, forcing his back against the chaise as she slips her tongue into his mouth.

Robin offers up no resistance. He’d come here to talk but her touch has rendered him mute at the moment. His hands run down her side, past her waist, caressing their way to the thighs she’s planted on either side of him. He feels her through the fabric and it’s not enough. He wants his hands on her skin.

She pulls her mouth away from his. “Robin, do you have-”

“One in my pocket and a box in the car,” he says cutting her off. After what happened on their date, never again would he be caught unprepared.

A flash of relief goes across Regina’s face. “Oh thank god,” she breathes. Her lips return to his, a little more urgent than before. Her hands drift down his chest until she reaches the hem of his shirt and starts to lift it up. Within seconds it’s over his head and on the floor leaving his glorious chest open to view. Like the night before she recognizes that Robin is in good shape. She can’t help running her hands over his toned chest and abs as she continues to moan into his mouth.

She’s not the only one yearning for a little skin. A sharp breath escapes her when she feels Robin’s hands pushing up the fabric of her skirt to feel more of her bare thighs. She mentally thanks herself for choosing not to wear one of her more structured pencil skirts that day. Robin’s hands move up her sides until he can wrap his arms around her waist pulling her closer, eliciting another breathy moan from her.

He tilts her back and she realizes that he’s laying her on the floor. She lets him. She wants to feel the weight of him above her as his body presses into hers. Soon her back is against the floor and her thighs against his waist as he hovers above her. His lips leave hers then, starting a journey down her body. Heat pools between her thighs as he kisses his way down her neck, his hands reaching for the buttons on her white blouse. He’s taking his time, going button by button and it’s driving her insane. She reaches to do a few on her own but he immediately pulls her hands back.

She finds herself staring into those blue eyes as he shakes his head. “I’ve waited so long for this,” he huskily reminds her. “Don’t you dare rush me.”

At that moment she loses all ability to form words. The most she can manage is a small nod and a soft ok.

He presses another kiss to her lips before continuing his task. Unlike the night before he wants to take his time. Wants to familiarize himself with every inch of her skin like he’s dreamed of so many nights before. He finishes with her buttons and finally allows her to slip out of her blouse. She’s wearing a lacy maroon bra and he lets his eyes roam over her hungrily before returning his lips to her skin. He kisses his way down her neck, leaving tiny love bites as he travels down to the valley of her breasts. Her chest is rising and falling with every heaving breath that she takes, spurring him on. He takes one in his hand, tugging down on the cup of her bra until her nipple is freed and he can take it into his mouth, causing another sharp moan to fall from her lips.

Regina’s heart pounds harder with every move he makes. She runs her fingers through his hair as he pays tribute to her chest. It’s almost too much, yet still not enough. She wants more of him. Her hips shift as she grinds against him trying to relieve just a tiny part of the ache building inside of her. Robin’s hand rises up her thigh past her skirt - which is still on for reasons she can’t even comprehend - to press down on her hip. She lets out an impatient groan. It’s like he’s trying to drive her insane. Maybe he is.

He moves on from her breast, leaving open-mouthed kisses on his way down her stomach. He stops when he reaches the top of her skirt which is still, inexplicably, on. Her looks up at her, a hungry lust in his eyes.

“I want to taste you,” he whispers, and Regina’s heart skips a beat.

She fervently nods her head. “Do it. Please,” she begs.

Robin sits up to tug on her skirt until it slips off her legs. Once it’s gone he takes a moment to run his eyes over her nearly naked body. She looks so fucking amazing. Her lips are swollen from their kisses, her chest still heaving from her deep breaths. He could’ve spent hours taking in every detail of how she looked in this moment. But he didn’t have time for that.

Instead he chose to explore. Returning his lips to her navel he kissed his way to her hip bone, making his down to her right thigh, feeling her tremble in anticipation as he does so until his head is between her legs. He can hear her breathing heavily above as he slips her panties to the side and allows his breath to fall against her. Regina sharply moans when she finally feel his tongue against her, a soft oh my god falling from her lips to his ears. His hands run along the inside of her thighs as his tongue explores the place where she needs him most. She gasps as he licks from top to bottom, a cry flying from her throat when he swipes against her clit. Every sound she makes only spurs him on, fueling his need to find more ways to make her cry out in pleasure.

Moan after moan falls from her lips as he drives her into a frenzy. Her mind goes blank as the tension between her thighs grows tighter and tighter. Her fevered breaths filling the room as he licks and sucks at her clit giving her no rest from the pressure building inside of her. It grows and grows until her back arches and her palm slaps against the carpet as she cries out his name. Still he doesn’t let up and she’s consumed by the white-hot pleasure that takes over her body. She comes hard and quick around his tongue, seeing stars as he finishes her off.

Slowly she returns to earth, her skin still hot and sweaty and her heart still drumming as Robin kisses his way up her body. A satisfied smile creeps onto her face when she finds herself staring up at him once again as he settles next to her.  

“Good?” he asks.

“Very,” she breathes.

She sees a flicker of relief pass over his eyes and she’s reminded of how long it’s been for both of them in this area. She finds herself impressed at the realization that this is Robin nearly five years out of practice. Dragging her fingers along his jawline, she pulls his face down to hers for a kiss, moaning in pleasure when she tastes herself on his lips.

A whirring sound comes from above them and a draft of cold air flows through the room. The air conditioner must’ve turned on. It sends a chill over them both.

Robin whispers against her lips, “Blanket?”

She nods. “Should be on the chaise.”

He presses another quick kiss to her lips before pulling away to grab the throw blanket from where she’d left it on the chaise. As they cuddle underneath it Regina feels her heart rate grow steady. Her head is against his chest and she can hear his own heart beating in time with hers as he lazily traces a line down her spine. She sighs contentedly with a smile on her face.

“Well… it appears you’ve gotten me to relax.”

A chuckle erupts from his throat and he drops a kiss to her forehead. “Believe me, I am happy I could help.”

His laughter subsides and he wraps his arm around her middle pulling her closer. She’s warm against his skin and soft to the touch. He can still taste her on his tongue and it keeps his heart racing.

Pulling back, he looks down at her. God she’s gorgeous. Her skin still glowing and her lips plump. She stares up at him with her chocolate eyes a smile still on her face. A smile he’d do anything to keep there.

“What are you thinking about?” she softly asks.

“Just you,” he answers with a shrug. He pauses and nervously licks his lips. “Listen, I know that it’s only been two days, or one date but I want you to know that when it comes to us… I’m all in.”

It was the best thing he could’ve said at that moment. His words fall straight to her heart, warming her from the inside out. Her smile widens as she reaches up to stroke jawline.

“I know,” she replies.

A happy, relieved breath escapes him as he smiles down at her. And for a brief second she thought he might say I love you. But he doesn’t. He doesn’t need to. Instead he kisses her. And in that kiss she feels everything he wants to say but doesn’t. All his love passes from his lips to hers and in that moment nothing else matters.

Not work, not the future. Just them. The two of them in this room is all that exists to her.

She moans against his mouth as their kisses go from languid and loving to fervent and urgent. They lay on their side as he pulls her closer and she hooks her leg around his waist so she can feel him hard against her crotch. His hand travels from the crook of her knee, up her thigh and past her waist leaving goosebumps as it goes, all the while his lips never leave hers. Reaching up he unsnaps her bra, freeing her breasts before moving his hand to her backside, gripping her amazing ass.

They are chest to chest, skin to skin and she can’t get enough of him. She drags her hand down from his shoulder to his chest and torso, letting her nails lightly scrape his skin as she pulls them toward the waistband of his jeans, their denim fabric and her silk panties being the only things separating the two of  them.

She swiftly removes his belt and undoes the zipper, slipping her hand into his jeans to feel him against her palm. He hisses at her touch, muttering a sharp Christ, when she takes him in her hand.

“These need to come off,” she mumbles against his lips. Nodding his head, he reluctantly pulls from her to rid himself of both his pants and underwear. She watches him as he strips, taking advantage of the moment to slip off her own panties. He returns to her, condom in hand, immediately taking her lips between his again.

She pulls him on top of her wanting to feel the weight of his naked body against hers, her legs instinctively pull apart as he settles on top of her. His hand reaches between them, slipping his finger between her folds, cursing when he feels how wet and hot she is. Her breath catches in her throat at his touch. God she needs him.

His presses his forehead against her, their breath mixing in the air between and her fingertips dip into his shoulder with anticipation. Every inch of her is tingling in desperation. She wants him inside of her.

“Robin… please,” she moans and that’s all the encouragement he needs.

He presses a heated kiss against her lips and sheaths himself into the condom. She can feel him, running the head of his dick against her, teasing her entrance until she’s practically trembling with desire. Just when she’s about to demand that he fuck her, he pushes inside her causing a gasp to come from her throat.

It takes every ounce of his willpower to pause after the tip, giving her a chance to get used to him. Hot and slick, even through the condom she feel feels so damn good around him.

Panting with need, Regina runs her hand down his back pressing him closer, wanting, needing more of him. Robin slips his tongue inside her mouth, pushing forward to drive himself deeper inside her. She moans into his mouth, as her inner walls stretch welcoming him inside. God, he feels good.

Another sharp gasp falls from her lips when he’s finally seats himself inside her to the hilt. Her thighs tighten around his waist. He feels so good inside her she never wants him to leave. Robin’s hands drift down to her hips, gripping them tight as he starts to rock against her.

Every knock of his hips against hers elicits a moan from her. He gives her steady, deep strokes, taking pleasure in the sounds each one brings from her lips. Regina wraps her legs around his waist switching up the angle so he hit just the right spot inside of her. The heavy sound of their breaths fills the room as the heat grows between their bodies. It’s not long before the Regina feels that familiar pressure rise up in body, filling her from head to toe as they move against one another. The pitch of her moans grow higher and higher as the tension stretches and stretches until finally it snaps, sending wave after wave of pleasure over her. She holds onto him as she comes, the pulsing of her climax triggering his own.

Stars return to her eyes as she clenches around him, panting as the pressure inside her finally bursts. She grits her teeth as she gasps his name, hearing him groan hers in return.

They’re left panting for air as the pleasure finally recedes, their hearts still pounding in sync. Robin presses a deep kiss to her lips before finally allowing himself to slide from inside her, rolling onto his back beside her, they both took a minute to catch their breath and come down from their high.

“Wow,” breathed Regina. It’d been so long, she’d nearly forgotten how good sex can be.

Robin nods in agreement. “Yeah…”

She rolls over onto her side, staring at him as he catches his breath. His chest his still heaving and face is still flushed. “So…,” she ventures. “Was this what you had planned when you brought over the soup?”

A small bark of laughter comes from him as he shakes his head. “Not in my wildest dreams.”

She chuckles along with him at the absurdity of their situation. She’d never had this in mind while decorating her office but should it happen again she certainly wouldn’t be upset.

Sliding closer to him she rests her head on his chest again, listening to the steady beat of his heart as he presses a kiss to her hair. She thinks to herself for a moment, remembering everything that has lead to this moment.

“Robin?”

“Hmm?”

She leans up on her elbow so she can look him in the eye. “About what you said earlier, about being all in with us… well, I am too. 100 hundred percent.”

Perhaps it’s a little too early and maybe their moving too fast but she wants him to know it. She wants this, she wants them. She never thought she’d have anything like it again and if he’s in then so is she. 100 hundred percent.

A smile tugs on Robin’s lips as he reaches over to rest his hand on her cheek. “I love you.”