Title: Easy Love

Rated: T

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

A/N: Another fic because I find it useless having all these finished chapters in my laptop with no one to read them. Hope you guys enjoy it. Un-betaed. Kind of like a college AU with a twist? Enjoy! As for IHTBH and PBP, an update will be posted within the next few days! But do enjoy this other fic! Think of it as my summer project, a bit different than what I usually write, but hope you guys like it!

Nobody told her how difficult this would all be.

Sure, she had an idea as soon as those two line appeared on that fateful white stick; but nothing quite like this.

She's exhausted, beyond so. Her eyes feel droopy, heavy, the warm dryness around them signaling her lack of sleep last night. But there are more important things than sleep right now. So she drinks from that refilled cup of coffee, not caring that it's nearly ten pm. Her headache grows by the minute as she reads and re-reads the same paragraph over and over again, the words not yet registering in her head. Frustrated, Regina puffs out a breath and closes her eyes, tears gathering painfully in her eyes as she swallows back the sobs.

No one told her how difficult this would all be.

But of course, as soon as relatives and friends found out they had been quick to judge. There hadn't been comforting words —she didn't expect them anyway, but there had been countless of barbs.

You've thrown your life away! And for what? Three seconds of pleasure?

A child is a big responsibility which I believe you're not yet caught up for.

You had a life ahead of you, now this child will only hold you back!

No one congratulated her, no, instead they criticized every decision she made, including when she decided to keep her baby. She had gone to Daniel (her on and off boyfriend and father of the baby she carried) immediately after finding out, and Daniel, with his indifference face, had told her he didn't want anything to do with her or the kid, that he wasn't prepared to be a dad.

Neither was she

Then he disappeared, left her alone, scared, pregnant and utterly heart broken at the young age of nineteen.

Regina spent her first three months depressed, living under the same roof as her mother, who, after finding out about her pregnancy, didn't direct a word at her, refused to acknowledge her presence, refused to acknowledge the fact that she was going to be a grandmother.

But her father? That had been another story. Everyday he focused on nursing her mental and emotional health, making her eat the most healthiest food and even, to some extent, allowing her to indulge in the weirdest cravings. Through every sonogram, every appointment, Henry had been there; excited, always happy, never disappointed by his daughter. And all the while he went through extreme measures to find Daniel, contacting people, here and there, his family members, anyone and everyone that could give him a clue as to where Daniel was.

And he did.

He found Daniel.

Turns out soon after finding about Regina's pregnancy, Daniel had moved to New Mexico, deciding to spend the small amount of money he had on living the life he always dreamed off, sampling every woman and drug he could get his hands on. That had been a wake up call for Regina, deciding to focus instead on building a better future for her baby, focusing on her and her health and the fact that she would become a mother just by the age of twenty. So without a second glance, she put Daniel to the back of her head and focused on that tiny human being inside of her that gave her the impulse and the strength to fight for a better life.

There bad been moments, scarce, where she doubted her ability to do this, to give her baby the things it deserved, the love, family, attention it deserved. But her sister had been there for her, telling her she'd had the same doubts when she had her little girl Grace. Of course the circumstances had been different, Zelena wasn't a single mother, battling inner demons and outside ones while being pregnant, but somehow, Zelena managed to get through to her, Regina ultimately deciding against putting up her baby boy for adoption.

And then baby Henry had been born.

And everything changed.

Even her mother, who during her pregnancy couldn't even dare look at her daughter's swollen belly, changed; a full blown mega-watt smile appearing on her face as soon as Henry Mills Jr. had been born and was gingerly placed upon her arms.

No words from Daniel were heard, just a letter and some legal papers leaving her with the sole custody of their son. And for Regina Mills, that was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because at least her son will never get to see the train wreck that his father is. A curse because it made this all real for her.

She was a single mother at twenty.

Her parents had promised to help her as much as they could with everything. And they did, they do. Thanks to them Regina's now finishing her third year of studying political sciences. When Henry had turned five months, her parents had made her a deal, an opportunity of sorts that she could take if she wanted to. They offered to keep paying her full tuition (like they had been before she became pregnant), always convinced that their bright little girl Regina should still have a chance at professional growth amidst what many people still call a "mistake" but who Cora and Henry can't help but feel is a blessing to their family. So they did the offer, and Regina agreed wholeheartedly, knowing that while Henry came into her life a bit sooner than expected, she couldn't give up her own professional goals knowing that those same goals will set an example for Henry, and at the same time, those same goals will open up many opportunities for him, for them. So when Henry turned 6 months, she went back to college, and got a job at a local diner. And when she turned twenty one and Henry was just shy of turning one, she moved out to a rented apartment close to her workplace and university, knowing wholeheartedly that they couldn't rely on her parent's economical support forever.

So Regina Mills studies, works, and is raising a child on her own at the young age of twenty-two.

Her Little Prince, her two and a half year old Henry.

Yet, nobody told her how difficult it would all be.

Regina doesn't regret it, will never bring herself to, but there are nights, like tonight, that have her wishing she would've waited a little longer. She'd spent the day before at the pediatrician, Little Henry having been throwing up all morning, a fever very noticeable on those pink chubby cheeks. She'd cried along with him, always heartbreaking to see her baby boy in such a state. But he'd gotten better quickly, and they'd gotten home late in the afternoon, an energetic boy at her side. But the stress had been too much, the fact that she also had to hand in an essay first thing in the morning didn't help. So, after getting two hours of sleep, convincing herself it'd recharge her (it didn't), Regina woke up at two am to begin her essay.

But now it's almost ten pm and she's so so so exhausted; but she has a test tomorrow morning, and she really can't go to sleep.

Miss Lucas, her boss, had known about it, and she forced her out of the cash register, pushing her into the farthest booth from the entrance to her little diner, and dropped the book on top of the table.

"I've got the rest of the costumers and Ruby has Henry. You need to study, girl."

Granny Lucas had said in her gruff voice, before she'd brought over a cup of coffee and a coffee jug filled to the top with the dark liquid. Without giving Regina another word, the older woman had turned and went to the kitchens.

Regina's grateful for Granny, who adores Henry with her whole life, who gives her pieces of advice that turn out to be really helpful for her. So, not wanting to further enrage the older woman she considers family, she did what Granny Lucas told her, she forced herself into studying instead of refilling cups of coffee around the diner.

But now it's late, she's tired, her shift hasn't ended yet and she can't read anymore, not when she can see from the corner of her eye a movement, a soft call, soft whines, so with a small sigh, Regina closes her book. She turns to her left, insides warming up —just like they always do when she sees him, no matter how tired or stressed she is— at the sight of her two and a half year old, drinking some milk from his Cars sippy cup as Ruby sways him gently.

He won't fall asleep just yet, Regina knows this for Henry falls asleep to the soft sounds of her lullabies, and the thought is enough to relax her. She sees Ruby now, and the girl looks absolutely exhausted, so Regina stands from her place on that booth and goes to her.

"I've got him," she mutters, Ruby giving her an I'm sorry look as Henry goes willingly to her. Regina shakes her head at Ruby, smiles as Henry wraps his little legs around her middle and presses his face tightly against her neck. She drops a kiss to his hairline, immediately feeling energized by the soft scent coming from his hair, and directs her gaze at Ruby again. "Thank you for watching him tonight."

Ruby offers her a big smile, playfully pinching Henry's cheek and offering Regina a small smile before she leaves.

"Are you sleepy?" Regina mutters low to her baby boy, and Henry shakes his head, giving her a big grin.

And that's enough to melt her problems away, melt her stress, tiredness, sleepiness away. She kisses his chubby cheek several times, recharging with the giggles that leave his lips and Regina smiles brightly at him, before turning back to her booth and sitting down.

The dinner is near-empty, only three regulars eating their Thursday night burger, so she focuses once again on the book at hand while she bounces Henry on her leg, trying to lull him to sleep even though she's not able to sing to him right now.

But Henry's restless, and grumpy, and he definitely has the temper of his mother. So instead of cuddling closer to her, he groans.

"I want Nemo!" Henry says, lips turning into a pout as he looks up from her lap.

"Honey, Nemo is at home right now, but as soon as we get home you can cuddle with him"

Henry shakes his head, and crosses his arms in front of his chest and this is the last thing Regina needs right now. She can handle her son in her arms while studying, she can handle him playing in the background as she does her chores, she can handle many things, she is a mom after all; but she's been stressed, tired, grumpy all day and has absolutely no humor to deal with one of his tantrums. So she raises her eyebrow and gives him that look she knows will get him to stop. But Henry's as exhausted as she is, and instead of quietening down, hiccups begin to move past his lips. Regina begins bouncing him again, trying to get this fussy and incredible stubborn two year old to go to sleep or to calm down so she can at least get another ten minutes of studying.

But all it does is piss him off. Who can blame him though? He's spent all day away from his beloved pet, with her parents during the day and here with Ruby all late afternoon and night. And the realization is enough to make tears gather in her eyes because it's not fair, it's not fair he gets to live his young years being passed from hands to hands as his mother tries to get them afloat.

"May I?"

A voice mutters from her left and she turns to it, immediately composing herself as she bounces Henry a little bit more and tries to hide the tears that are fast approaching. She turns to the voice and meets the eye of a young man, a blue tone she sees come to Granny's three times a week. The man is pointing to the booth in front of her, and she nods, for some reason. Regina doesn't take kind to strangers, never had and never will, but this man doesn't qualify as one. Sure, she only knows his name due to one lesson they take together and she only sees him (and occasionally laughs at his humorous tone while ordering) on those nights he visits Granny's.

But other than that, she knows nothing about this Robin.

And yet, the kind way with which he sees her son makes her relax, makes her trust him... and God knows how difficult trusting comes to her.

"I noticed you were having a little bit of trouble with this boy here," he mutters, his kind eyes moving from her to Henry, who watches him with interest, fat tears still falling from his eyes but at least the wails have stopped.

Regina doesn't speak, instead focuses on the way he amusedly acknowledges her son, trying very hard to stop him from crying. But then the atmosphere changes. Robin does a silly face with his eyes and mouth that has Henry giggling and letting out an amusedly Do it again! and he does so, Henry's giggles growing in volume and pitch.

"Thank you," she mutters after a second, swallowing hard the lump on her throat, grateful that this stranger in front of her, her classmate and costumer saved her from never ending wails and migraine.

"Anytime," he nods, attention now switching from Henry to Regina. "Regina, right?" He asks with that accent ever present, a small smile on his face.

"Yes, Robin," she smiles, not full because she's tired, but still she smiles at him.

"Henry!" The little boy lets out excitedly from her lap, both of them breaking their gaze to look down amusedly at the small cute kid on her lap.

"Oh yes right, how could I've forgotten? This is Henry, my son," she mutters amidst her amusement, expecting the man in front of her to look at her differently like many people have done, but instead he turns to Henry, an excited smile on his face as he offers him his hand, to which Henry simply high fives.

"Nice to meet you, Henry!" Robin lets out excitedly, a bright smile on his face.

And for Henry, that's everything. He gets down from her lap and goes to the other side of the booth to talk with his 'new friend' and Regina rolls her eyes, because even though this child is hers, his father always had that extremely social/friendly side to him, which Henry has clearly inherited. And Robin? Robin animatedly talks with her son, both of them going from topic to topic as she turns towards the kitchens, silently asking Granny Lucas with her eyes to keep an eye on them —she's very malicious about people, especially when her kid's around, but who can blame her?

So while Henry and Robin talk about almost everything —it's cute and relaxing to listen to him animatedly mess up words but continue trying, gasping for breath halfway through, and Robin keeping up— and knowing Granny Lucas has an eye on them, Regina lowers her gaze to her books.

But after twenty minutes, when the sound of giggles turn into slight snores, Regina looks up, amused at Henry's chubby face pressed against Robin's left arm, spit coming out of his mouth and landing directly on his skin.

Embarrassedly, Regina mutters an I'm sorry, as she reaches for a napkin to try to get the spit off his arm.

"No, it's okay. I have three nieces and a nephew all under the age of seven. Trust me, I'm used to it," He shrugs with a smile, gaze turning once again to Henry at his side. "He's quite the bright kid."

"Quite?" Regina raises an eyebrow in challenge, and Robin looks at her with an you know what I mean face before bursting to a laugh. Regina chuckles, for some reason nerves beginning to settle at the easiness that comes between them; even though she's officially known him for twenty-two minutes, but has seen him and talked with him for more than six months. But looking at him now, at the way his gaze watch over her toddler's chubby cheeks and tousled hair, Regina realizes that he's quite the specimen. But she can't afford those thoughts any longer, not when he's looking at her now curiously, a questioning look on his face. Deciding to ignore that pull in her stomach with the way his dimples adorn his handsome face, Regina clears her throat and continues. "His first word was arroz, which is Spanish for rice, which is a word my Puerto Rican father uses on every sentence."

They both chuckle at that, lowly, afraid to wake Henry up and Robin tenses the moment a huffed breath falls from Henry's lips, the little boy beginning to frown in his sleep. Regina turns to stand, to reach for her baby boy, but Robin's quicker. He reaches down, cradles Henry's head in his hands as he ushers him gently to lay back against the soft cushion of the booth, Henry immediately turning to his side into a fetal position.

"That's incredible," Regina mutters, amazement written all over her face at the scene in front of her, allowing herself a moment to watch the care with which Robin treats her child.

"What?" Robin asks as he straightens up.

She shakes her head, that headache now almost completely gone before smiling softly. "He doesn't fall asleep unless I sing to him."

Something close to pride appears on Robin's eyes before he shakes his head and arches an eyebrow. "Well, what can I say, I have the magic touch. Plus, I knew you needed help as soon as I saw that book. There's only one faculty member in the entire campus who uses it. Mr. Gold is not the kindest of professors, and to see you struggling with your kid while trying to read that, I just, I knew I had to act."

"Thank you," she whispers honestly, swallowing down the lump on her throat at both the stress she feels right that moment, and the honesty and genuine care that comes from this man in front of her. "I take it you've taken classes with Mr. Gold?" Regina asks after a second, biting her lip.

Robin merely chuckles, a small thing from deep in his belly that has Regina chuckling along with him, that warmth bursting and spreading from her belly to all over her body. "Regina, we're in the same lecture," Robin lets out, shaking his head at the amusement those words cause him.

Her mouth turns into a silent 'o' and she blushes, completely embarrassed at herself before she shakes her head. "I'm so sorry, I knew we had a lecture together but I forgot which one."

Robin chuckles and shakes his head, truly enjoying the company, the snore coming from his left and that embarrassed chuckle coming from her. "It's okay," he mutters, eyes meeting hers as he shakes his head. "So, did you manage to study even a little bit?"

And the stress returns to Regina again, her gaze shifting to Henry quickly at a small sigh he let out before turning back to Robin. "To be honest, I feel like I'll die tomorrow."

"You're not the only one. At least you've studied something!" Robin shrugs, immediately laughs at the way the evident shock on her face.

Regina near gasps, eyes growing as big as saucers. "Oh my God, Robin, what the hell are you doing here, you have to go!"

And he chuckles in response, shrugging again as he says, "I still have about ten hours to learn everything if I don't fall asleep, so."

"You're crazy."

"Maybe," he mutters with a grin, to which Regina simply responds with a roll of her eyes and a small smile.

And when Robin leaves the diner with her after her shift ends, Granny Lucas giving them both an order of grilled cheese for their night of cramming, they part ways with the promise of seeing each other again tomorrow after their test.

When Regina gets to her apartment at eleven thirty pm that night, Henry sound asleep in her arms, she puts him gently to bed, tucks him in —tight around the legs but soft around the arms- and she just stares at him. Her beautiful son, so friendly, so kind, her beautiful baby boy who deserves the world. She leans down, hand on his cheek as she drops a kiss on his forehead. Henry's Beagle Nemo jumps into his Cars themed bed and settles across Henry's legs. With another kiss to his forehead, and a caress to the top of Nemo's head, Regina mutters an I love you and a Goodnight before she turns off his bedside lamp, turns on his nightlight and leaves the door ajar.

Even though she's tired, achingly so, Regina takes a shower and heads to the dinning table, knowing full well she needs to review her notes and that damn book for the rest of her night if she wants to get at least a C tomorrow.

So with that thought in mind, Regina opens her book and takes out her notes, but not before imagining those blue eyes looking over her son's sleeping form in a caring matter.

Thanks for reading! There's, obviously, more to come! Please let me know what you think.