Author's note: Hey readers. So a quick note about this new story. While this is an Anonymous AU, I want to reassure you, it does not change the Anon verse. It's merely a "What if..." story. If you're like me, I've always wondered what would have happened to Robin and Regina if Robin had made a move when they met in the elevator all those years before when Regina was pregnant with Olivia. The idea has never let me, and so, as I start to plot out the final installment of Anon, I thought, why not write it? I love and adore these two characters, and what's more, I love my little Olivia. Creating a verse, even just this little glimpse of what could have been, where Olivia had her daddy from the start just gave me so many feels I cannot even tell you. And as soon as I started writing it, I knew I had to share it with you even though I am so nervous about this. I truly hope you love it as much as I do.

So, if you have not read Anonymous, don't worry, it's not really necessary. However, it would be helpful to understand some of the little things.

With that lovelies, enjoy!

Chapter One

"I recognized you instantly. All of our lives flashed through my mind in a split second. I felt a pull so strongly towards you that I almost couldn't stop it." ~ J. Sterling

"My love, you've got to breathe," he told her during one of the most intense contractions she'd experienced thus far.

"I am breathing!" A deep groan spilled from Regina's lips, and her head fell back against the pillow. "I can't do this anymore."

"You can, Regina." His voice was soft but confident. "She's almost here."

His brow fell against hers right before his lips captured her own. She kissed him back as she reached up. Her hands grabbed fist fulls of his white tee shirt and pulled him impossibly closer. She didn't know how she got so lucky. For the thousandth time, she thanked God… no, fate… for bringing them together.

Another contraction ripped through her middle, and she tore her lips away from his. "Oh God…"

Her eyes closed, and she could hear her doctor, Kathryn, telling her it was time. She felt Robin's hands helping her sit up. She was tired and exhausted, and she couldn't imagine doing this on her own. To think she almost had.

Almost.

They'd been together since the day they met in the elevator.

She had been charmed by him. He was sweet and funny and the only thing that had pulled her from her incredibly bad mood. It was hot, the city was crowded with tourists, and to top it off, she was six-month's pregnant.

When they parted in the lobby, and she whispered, "good luck" she thought that would be the last she saw of him.

Oh, how mistaken she had been.

#

Regina let out a sigh. She made it through her photoshoot more quickly than she thought, so she began packing up her things while Sidney finished up his interview. However, she hadn't been quick enough, the new journalist wrapped up his work and followed her out. His steps echoed down the hall from behind her, setting her teeth on edge at how close he was. She didn't know why Mal hired him in the first place.

He was awkward and his obsession with her was starting to bug her. She was six months pregnant, and he wasn't taking the hint that while she may have been single, she had no desire for a relationship, least of all with him.

Walking out into the lobby, she could feel the heat from his body and his voice over her shoulder when he asked, "So Regina, do you have plans for this weekend?"

She let out a sigh. Every time they worked together he did this, asked what her plans for the weekend were or what she was doing for dinner. "Your little one needs to eat," he would remind her in a voice that made a chill run down her spine.

"Actually, I'm going to see my parents this weekend," she replied. It wasn't a lie. She had planned on going to see her parents and tell them about her, well, about her situation. Six months pregnant and she still had yet to tell them she was having their grandchild.

"Oh, that's too bad, I was hoping I could take you to dinner. Somewhere nice."

Rounding the corner, she made her way over to one of the couches and dropped her camera bag and purse onto it. Placing her hand on the small of her back, she closed her eyes as a sharp pain lanced through her middle.

"Regina, are you all right?"

"I think I need to sit down…" She felt his hand on her elbow, and though she knew he was only trying to help her, she snapped, "Please don't touch me."

Sidney took a step back from her as she took a seat, sinking into the softness of the couch. Closing her eyes once again, Regina let out a breath between her lips and ran a hand over her stomach. "Calm down, baby girl."

"Hey there, love, what's wrong?"

She opened her eyes at the sound of his soft, accented voice. Sure enough, it was the man from the elevator. The one with the dimples for days and eyes that made her belly flutter. "It's you."

He smiled softly, though his eyes still held concern for her. "It's me."

Her head fell back, and she let out a soft hum as another pain gripped her. "I thought you were in an interview?"

"I just got finished up."

"Excuse me but do you two know each other?" Sidney asked, his tone full of annoyance.

Regina looked up at him, her lips falling into a scowl, about to tell him to mind his own damn business, when the man from the elevator beat her to it.

"We do, in fact, and I thank you for your concern, but she's well taken care of."

Sidney studied them both. Regina couldn't believe he had done that. She didn't need his help telling Sidney where to stuff it, but maybe he had done her a favor after all. Sidney straightened to full height and raised his chin. "I'm sorry, Regina. I won't bother you again. Good day to you both."

She watched as he walked away from them.

There was a snort from in front of her. "Wanker."

She narrowed her eyes, then let out a breath between her lips. "I didn't ask for your help."

"Yes, well, I suppose I could have left you to him and his awkward advances. Doesn't he know better than to hit on a married woman?"

Another pain, made her hiss, and she clenched her teeth before she ground out, "I'm not married."

His hand fell on top of hers than rested on her belly. She should have probably shrugged it off her, but she found it comforting.

"Perhaps we should get you to the hospital? Do you think you can walk, or should I call for an ambulance?"

Regina shook her head. She was not going to the hospital by ambulance. "I can walk."

She let him help her to her feet, his warm hands held hers, and she took a deep breath. She could feel his thumbs rub over the side of her hands. He stood there patiently, waiting for her, and for a moment, she let herself draw some comfort from his touch. She felt her baby kick, and she pleaded with her to wait. She needed to wait three more months, and then she could come and Regina would cuddle and hold her close.

Three more months.

Opening her eyes, she looked into his crystal blue and nodded. "I'm ready."

His hands pulsed in hers once before letting go. "These are yours?"

Blinking, she turned to see what he meant, and she nodded, about to pick them up when he reached around her and took them for her.

"That's all right, love, I've got them."

She was too worried and too concerned to be stubborn. If he wanted to carry her purse, so be it. They made their way to the elevator, and she ignored the stares and looks of concern from passersby. With her hand resting protectively on her stomach, she breathed and fought back tears from filling her eyes.

His hand rested on the small of her back, and she let herself lean back into it. "How did it go?"

"Hmm?"

"I need you to distract me, or I'm going to start crying. Your interview, how did it go?"

His hand made soothing circles on her back. "Oh, all right…" he trailed off and let out a breath before he added, "it went well. I got the job."

The doors to the elevator opened, and they waited for it to empty before stepping on. "Congratulations."

"Thank you." He pressed the button for the ground floor and stepped back beside her.

Regina let out a groan and closed her eyes. The pain moved to her low back and sides. She didn't care he was in there with her or that he was a perfect stranger, she let him hold her up as she gripped her stomach and in a broken sob whispered, "It's too early for this. She's not supposed to be here until September."

"What can I do for you?"

"Tell me your name."

A light laugh left him. "Robin. Robin Locksley."

Her head rose, and she looked up into his eyes. Despite his laugh, she could see in his eyes she wasn't the only one worried. "Don't leave me."

His face grew serious as his arm wrapped around her, holding her to his side. "I won't."

True to his word, he hadn't left her side. He held her hand in the cab ride to the hospital and walked her inside and up three floors to her doctor's office. It was only when she was called back to see Kathryn, that they reluctantly parted. He smiled and wished her good luck while leaning in to press a kiss to her cheek.

His lips were warm on her skin, and they made her eyes close. She expected him to leave after that, but when he pulled away, he surprised her by telling her he would wait to make sure she was okay.

"You don't have to."

"I know. I want to."

Kathryn did a full work up on her and the baby. The pains she was having were slowly starting to ease.

"How much water have you had to drink?"

Her head rose from where she was lying on the examining table, and she winced. "I had some this morning."

"And what did you have to eat today?"

She had to think back. How terrible was that? Closing her eyes, she dropped her head back down. "I had an egg and some toast for breakfast."

"Is that all?"

She nodded. "Yes. I had a photoshoot this afternoon, and I meant to eat lunch after but this happened."

Her doctor let out a sigh. "Do I need to remind you how hot it is out there and how you should be staying hydrated?"

A tear fell from the corner of her eye, and she sniffed. "No."

Kathryn came to stand by her and placed her hand on her shoulder. "No need for tears. You're fine, the baby is fine. You're just a little dehydrated, and the pain you're experiencing is normal."

"It didn't feel normal," she grumbled.

Kathryn laughed. "It hurts like hell, I agree. It's called round ligament pain. Your ligaments on either side of your pelvis grow and stretch with your uterus and can sometimes cause spasms. It's common mostly in the second trimester, so hopefully it won't stick around much longer."

"That's all?"

"That's all." Kathryn helped her sit up. "You said you've been more active than normal with your new job, so at night I want you to relax as much as you can. A warm bath or even a gentle massage will help. I still want you to take it easy for the rest of the day, and if you don't have to go out tomorrow, it wouldn't hurt to stay inside and get some extra rest."

Regina let out a sigh while caressing her hands over her bump. Tears welled up in her eyes. Her baby was fine. She was going to be okay.

Kathryn pat her knee. "Just three more months to go, Momma."

Regina let out a chuckle and wiped away the wetness from her face. "That's what I've been telling her."

"She'll listen as long as you take care of yourself."

"I know, I will."

Kathryn helped her from the table, and Regina got dressed, wondering if Robin would still be out there.

Ten minutes later, she walked back out into the waiting room to find him still there, reading Parenting magazine.

She walked over to him while doing a very good job keeping her face from breaking out into a smile at the sight of a man in a suit reading about pregnancy. "Find anything interesting in there?"

His eyes rose to meet hers. "I have. How to potty train your tot in a week, six pregnancy mood boosters, and that there are an obscene amount of pregnancy pillows out there that are entirely overpriced." He tossed the magazine on the table and rose to his feet. Shoving his hands in his slacks, he took a few steps towards her. "How is everything?"

"We're both fine." She smiled. "It was something called round ligament pain..." she trailed off, and she wondered why she felt the need to share that with him. He was incredibly sweet, and sure he had helped her, but he was still a stranger to her. "It's apparently harmless… we're fine."

Robin nodded. "Happy to hear it."

He gave her another one of those smiles. He was handsome, she'd give him that.

"You really didn't have to stay…I'm sorry for asking you not to leave me that was…" She could feel heat rise in her cheeks, "silly of me."

He shook his head "Please don't apologize. I'm glad I could be there for you, if not but to chase away that friend of yours."

She couldn't help it, she laughed. "I suppose I should thank you for that as well. Sidney's harmless, just a work colleague who," she let out a heavy sigh, "just can't seem to take no for an answer."

"So you're on your own?" he asked. Regina tilted her head to the side and pursed her lips. Was he really coming on to her? He blinked and shook his head at her reaction and said, "I only wondered because…"

"Because I'm pregnant?"

He chuckled as he ran his hand through his hair, disheveling it a bit more than it already was. Okay, so he was damn handsome. There, she thought. Now that she admitted it to herself, maybe her hormones could calm the hell down.

"I guess I can't imagine you being single if you weren't pregnant… and the fact that you are makes it even more unbelievable."

"Well you can believe it. There's no husband, boyfriend, or father..." His eyes widened, and she rolled her eyes and amended, "There's a father, but he's not in the picture. It's a long story."

His lips pulled up, and he held out his hand. "Well then, allow me to make sure you get home safely."

Her chest warmed at his kindness, but it really wasn't necessary. "Robin…"

"Regina," he echoed.

She tried not to smile, but he was making it so damn difficult. Bastard. "I don't even know you."

"Ah, true, well, let's see…" He shifted on his feet and bit his lip. "You already know my name and where I work. I am twenty-five-years-old, I'm from England, my parents are Jack and Eleanor Locksley, and I have one younger sister, Nimue. I live in a terribly small apartment in Brooklyn that I share with my best mate, Killian. I love Italian food, the Beatles, any and all jazz, and I'm a Pisces."

She found her smile and crossed her arms over her chest. She thought of fettuccine alfredo and her mouth watered. "Italian food, huh?"

He hummed. "Are you hungry?"

God, was she ever. "Starving actually."

"How about dinner on the way home as well?"

She blinked at him. How had she gone from thanking him to him asking her out? She couldn't do this. She was having a baby. A baby. Nowhere in her plans did a boyfriend fit into her life. She was doing this on her own because she never wanted to go through the heartbreak she had with Daniel.

Robin was sweet and - God help her - sexy and probably as wonderful as he seemed, but this was such a bad time for her. She couldn't do this. They couldn't do this.

She was just about to open her mouth and tell him as much when he turned away from her.

"Oh, I forgot, I got these for you." When he turned back around, he held out a bottle of Vitaminwater and a granola bar. "I went for a Coke, and well, you were in there a while so I thought you might like something as well."

Her walls and reasonings came crashing at her feet. She supposed there wasn't a reason they couldn't go to dinner.

Regina let her shoulders relax, and she took her camera bag and held it out to him. "Dinner sounds good, and thank you." He gave her a crooked smile, and as he gave her the water, he offered to carry her camera for her. As they left the room, she held up a finger and added. "But this isn't a date."

His top teeth sunk into his bottom lip. "Of course not."

#

Her scream ripped through the room, filling his chest with a heavy weight he hadn't been able to shake since that morning when she looked up at him. Her eyes were wide with fear, and a small puddle sat on the floor at her feet.

She still had two more weeks to go.

Regina fell back against the bed. Her brow slick with sweat, and her chest rising and falling with each heavy breath. "No more. This is it. I hope you didn't have your heart set on that big family because I'm not doing this again."

He chuckled and leaned toward her. His lips fell on her forehead, kissing it before pulling away to look into her beautiful eyes. With his hand resting on her head, his thumb brushed back the small hairs away from her face. "At least one more, my love. I need at least one chance to knock you up good and proper."

Her laugh came out in a huff, but it was short lived as another pain had her face twisting into a grimace. He took her hand and helped her up.

"How much longer is this?"

Kathryn shook her head. "Not too much longer now. She's coming."

"You said that an hour ago!" she called out, right before she bared down and pushed with all her might. Her hand tightening around Robin's so tightly he thought he would lose feeling in it.

Once her contraction ended, he eased her down against the bed. "Love, do you remember our first date?"

She gave him a look like she thought he was crazy for bringing this up now, but she answered anyways. "Of course I do, we went to mmm…" she paused and closed her eyes, her brow furrowing as another contraction started. Helping her up, she all but cried out, "You took me to dinner the day we met…"

He smiled. "You said that wasn't a date."

"It was a date!"

#

He wasn't sure what he had been thinking, but as he shook the hand of his new boss and thanked him for his time, he saw her there, coming down the hall with this look on her face. Something had annoyed her, and then that something was all too painfully obvious when she rolled her eyes as the man behind her spoke.

Robin grinned. She was a firecracker, that one. However, his smile was short lived when her eyes closed, and he watched her come to a halt, her hand clutching her stomach.

He knew then, something was wrong.

She snapped at the man with her, and his feet carried him to her, his heartbeat picking up a notch. He didn't think about the fact that he could have been her husband or boyfriend. He walked straight over to her and kneeled down, ignoring the scathing look from the man beside him.

Her wet eyes were what had done it. They were bright and filled with fear for her child.

"It's you."

The way she said it, like she was grateful it was him, even though they were complete strangers, filled him with assurance. "It's me."

Her eyes pressed shut tightly, and he watched her hands run over her small belly. He could hear her hum softly. He was no expert on pregnancy, but by the size of her, he was sure this sort of thing shouldn't be happening yet.

The next three hours were possibly the longest hours of his life. Between the ride to the hospital and pacing the waiting room of the maternity center, he thought for sure he'd go mad from worry.

He closed his eyes, and he could still see her as they got into the elevator. "Don't leave me," she'd said to him.

He wanted to reply, "Never," because he couldn't imagine anyone leaving her, not only in that instant but ever.

It wasn't until and hour and a half into his wait when a nurse came out from around the reception area carrying a cup of water and a magazine that he was able to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Boy, you're making me dizzy. Take these and have a seat. If it was anything serious, you'd have heard something by now."

Thanking the assistant, he decided to take her advice. He had a seat and spent the next hour reading. He learned some useful parenting tips and how to organize and child's room, but he mostly learned about pregnancy, more than he ever wanted to know.

Engrossed in an article about Staying Lovers While Raising Kids, he heard her voice before he saw her. He could feel the heat rising in his neck. Her lips were pulled up, looking at him like she found his choice in reading material completely adorable or sad for a grown man. He hoped for the latter.

Honestly, he wasn't sure what possessed him to ask her to dinner, but the way she said Italian as her hand came up to rest on her stomach was the deciding factor.

Taking a cab from the hospital, he took her to one of his favorite restaurants in the West Village. It was a small laid-back restaurant, where the food was amazing and reasonably priced, and she could relax and eat as much as she wanted. He may not have much money as a man fresh out of graduate school with a year-long unpaid internship, but what he had left of his savings would keep him living modestly for a while until he began his new job.

They picked a table just inside by the window. She ordered water and he a Coke. She knew what she wanted, and he'd been there enough to know without a menu what he'd like. The waitress brought over their drinks and some breadsticks and told them she'd return soon.

He took a sip of his Coke, his mouth feeling suddenly dry. "How are you feeling?"

She took a breath, and her hand fell over her stomach caressing it a moment before saying, "Good. I'm tired, but I'm always tired these days."

"I can imagine you would be."

She may have gotten a clean bill of health, but he was still very mindful of her. For six months pregnant, she was very small. At least, to him. Not that he'd been around many pregnant women before. There was his Aunt Peggy, but she had already been enormous so it had been hard to tell.

With only three more months to go, he expected there to be much more baby than there was.

"What?"

Shit.

He looked up. "Hm?"

"I thought I lost you for a minute there."

"Sorry, I was just thinking."

"About?" She took a bite of a breadstick.

Robin felt heat rise up his neck. He should tell her he'd been thinking of the weather or his new job, something other than the fact that he'd been ogling her, but for some reason he felt like she wouldn't mind his honesty, and he said, "I was just thinking you don't look like you're as far along as you are."

Her head tilted to the side, and her eyes narrowed slightly as she chewed. "Have you been around many pregnant women?"

He winched through a laugh. "Not really."

Her shoulders lifted and fell. "According to my doctor, I'm right on track."

His eyes fell to her small belly once again. "You mentioned she in the elevator."

A smile pulled her beautiful lips up. "It's a girl."

He grinned, happy for her. "Congratulations."

"Thank you." A small silence fell between them while they took sips of their drinks and a few bites of bread. "So you haven't been around many pregnant women tells me you don't have children. Is there a girlfriend?"

He raised a brow. Wasn't a date, huh? Shaking his head, he leaned against the table and folded his arms in front of him. "No, no girlfriend. I haven't had much time to date. I've been away on an internship, and well, there wasn't much time for that."

She hummed and picked off pieces of her bread, occasionally popping a piece in her mouth. He could not get enough of watching her.

"So can I ask you a few questions?"

"I suppose that's fair," she replied before taking another bite of bread.

"You're also single, and yet you wear a ring. Is that to keep the tossers like your coworker away?"

Her face fell which made him instantly regret his teasing tone.

"I lost my fiancé a year and a half ago."

"Christ, Regina, love, I'm sorry." He reached out across the table to where one of her hands rested by her glass of water. "That was insensitive of me to ask."

"No," she said and shook her head. "You didn't know. What's funny is you may be right. I don't know why I still wear it."

He traced his thumb over the band on her finger. "You wear it because it reminds you of someone you loved and always will. You'll know when it's time."

Her hand turned under his and closed around it. Her skin was soft and warm, and his eyes rose to meet hers. She smiled softly at him before pulling her hand away. The loss of contact was keenly felt in his chest, and the intensity of it surprised him.

There came a clearing of someone's throat close by, and Robin sat back, startled by the presence of their waitress holding their meals. Where the bloody hell had she come from?

"One fettuccine alfredo and one pasta primavera." She sat their plates down and looked at them expectantly. "Can I get you anything else?"

Robin shook his head, but then saw Regina's empty glass of water. "Ah, one more water, and you might just bring a pitcher for us. She needs to stay hydrated."

Robin watched Regina smile despite the fact that her eyes rolled up to the ceiling.

"Absolutely," came the waitress's cheerful reply before adding, "You guys must be excited. When are you due?"

Robin bit his cheek to hide his grin. Regina caught his eyes, she was biting her lip to hold back her own smile, sharing the same amused look. "September."

"Aw, that's awesome. Well, congrats you guys. You two look like you'd have beautiful babies. I'll be right back with the water."

They were both silent a moment. He wasn't sure why, but he didn't mind the waitress's assumption, nor the thought of such a thing. In fact, he agreed with her.

He couldn't stop the light laugh that left him.

"What?" Her eyes were watching him as she pushed her pasta around in the bowl.

"Nothing, I just agree with her. Our child would be beautiful." He winked at her.

She laughed. "Shut up and eat. You already got me to go with you to dinner."

He took his drink from the table with a warm feeling settling in his chest. "So it is a date then?"

#

They stayed at the restaurant a while after their meal. They talked easily, each telling one another about their time in college and what they planned on doing now that they each had found jobs.

He found it fascinating how she started her own freelance business that kept her rent paid and allowed her the freedom to work occasionally at her new position at the magazine. He told her about his internship in Italy, and how after work he had to get a job at a local bar just to scrape by.

They talked about where they grew up and their families, and although she was vague on her relationship with her parents, he got the distinct impression she was much closer to her father than she was to her mother.

The sun had gone down, and he ordered them some dessert, because why not? Her eyes lit up as the waitress sat the tiramisu in front of her. He took a few bites but watching her enjoy it was far more rewarding. She smiled after every bite, and every so often she would make these soft little moans that made him laugh.

"Stop laughing at me, I can't help it," she said, tossing her napkin at him playfully.

The cloth hit him in the chest, which only made him chuckle harder. "I know, I'm sorry. I've just never seen someone enjoy a dessert so much."

Her head shook, and she brought up the spoon licking the back of it. He nearly groaned.

"I don't know what it is, but since I got pregnant all I want is sweets."

He folded his arms on the table in front of him. "Your daughter knows what's good it seems."

She made a hum of disapproval. "I know, but I really try not to give in as much as possible. I'll never get back in shape if I let her have her way."

"I know this is coming from a man you only just met, but I can't see you ever being anything but beautiful, no matter your weight."

Her head tilted and her lips twitched up. "Do you have a thing for pregnant women? Is this some kind of fetish?"

He sat back. "No, not at all. I mean, you are beautiful, stunning really, I just, I dunno, I assumed you were taken and now that I know you're not… oh bollocks, I'm sorry. I'm cocking this all up, aren't I?"

A laugh spilled from her lips undoing some of the knots in his stomach. "No, you're not. I'm only wondering why you would be interested. Yes, I may be single, but I'm also going to have a baby soon… someone else's baby, and that doesn't seem to bother you."

His eyes fell to her belly, and he swallowed a lump that formed in his throat. "You're right, it doesn't bother me. Perhaps it should, but… it doesn't."

She seemed satisfied with his answer and dug back into her dessert. "Stunning, huh?"

He smiled. "Very."

They took a cab to SoHo a little while later that dropped them both in front of her apartment. He had planned on meeting Killian for drinks that night, so he would just catch the train.

He planned to leave her at the door to her apartment building, but when he noticed the elevator was out of order - and would be for the next several days - he walked her up to her apartment door. She insisted she'd be fine, but it was a weak protest as they fell back into their conversation.

"So you have a roommate?"

"Yes and no. Emma, she's going through a rough time with her husband right now… Every now and then I'll come home and she and Henry are here, but then she'll be back with him a few weeks later."

"It makes me feel sorry for her son," he remarked.

"Luckily, he's young enough he doesn't understand what's going on and they are good parents, don't get me wrong. They don't argue in front of him, and they do make sure to put his needs above their own. They love one another but aren't good for one another, if that makes sense?"

"It makes perfect sense. Sometimes things don't work out no matter how much you want them to."

They reached her floor, and he continued to follow her down the hall until she stopped in front of C23.

"This is me."

He nodded and took a breath, ignoring the feeling of disappointment as their night came to an end. Was there a way to tell her he wanted to see her again that didn't sound completely mad? She made a good point at dinner. She was pregnant, and he couldn't imagine her wanting anything to do with someone with such an upcoming responsibility. Still, there was that small hope that if anything, they could be friends.

"All right then, I suppose this is good night."

She chuckled and placed a hand on his chest. "Thank you, Robin, not just for dinner but for today."

"Like I said, I was happy to be of assistance."

The air around them seemed to fill, and his mind screamed at him to ask her for her number, but before he could, she leaned toward him and placed a soft kiss to his cheek.

"Good night, Robin."

The air in his lungs seemed to stall as he replied, "Good night, Regina."

She turned away, unlocked her door, and he gave one last look at her before turning to leave. He only got three steps away when he stopped and turned back.

"Regina."

Just as she was about to close her door, she paused. "Yes?"

"Do you like cheesecake?"

Her lips pulled up into beautiful smile. "Cheesecake?"

He closed the distance between them stopping just at her door. "I know this place in Brooklyn. A small bakery that has the best cheesecake I've ever had. I was hoping I could take you there, maybe?"

She maneuvered to lean against her door frame. "When?"

He smiled. He had her. While he wanted to say tomorrow, he said, "Friday?"

She hummed. "I have a birthday party in the park I have to shoot that afternoon, but I'm free after three."

"Why don't I pick you up at four?" After he said the words, he wondered if that would be enough time for her to make her way home. "Will that give you enough time?"

Regina's eyes held his. "It should, but why don't we say four-thirty. I'll probably want to change and shower. It's supposed to be hot, and I'm already not looking forward to it."

He shook his head while laughing, remembering how uncomfortable she looked earlier that day. "Keep some water with you and wear something light."

She made a face somewhere between touched that he would care and exasperated she needed to be reminded of something so obvious. "I know."

This time, he leaned forward, and he was the one to place a kiss to her cheek. "Until Friday, then. Make sure you get some rest, too."

"I will," she told him with a small smile.

He chuckled as she closed her door. As he left, he walked back down the stairs with the same spring in his step he had earlier in the day after he was offered his new job.

For him, Friday couldn't come soon enough.