It's the Merry Men who appear at her door first, led by the despondent and sullen Little John who looks at her sadly and politely stands on the stoop. Perhaps it is because he has actually witnessed her change or in fact been rescued by her heroic efforts but he sends her a watery smile, not the wide one he had thrown her way a day ago after Robin had cut her palm, a sign that she belonged to his band. The closest thing to a family she has ever known.
"We're still your family, Regina," he states and the men nod solemnly beside him. She nods, quick bobs of her head because they are not giving her charity they are confirming that she has made the right choice, that she has not thrown away all her effort, and even if her heart cannot have what it desires most not everything has been lost. John inclines his head, "may we?"
She steps aside. Him and another, Arthur she believes, graciously enter. "Don't bother with the shoes," she says as they bend down. "Let us settle everything without dragging this out." They follow her into the living room, it still has the wine and the glasses and remnants of happier times, and they all collectively sigh. Arthur and John sagging inwards into the couch, Regina choosing a decorative, uncomfortable high-backed chair in the corner.
"All we ask is you give him time," begins John. "It is too much. Marian she needs him."
"I understand that, I appreciate that, but I hope you understand that I must decline. I…" she stutters, "I am happy for him and Roland but it's his choice and if my life moves on without him it's mine."
Little John nods slowly hands pressing into his thighs as he stands, "we will always be your allies Regina." He holds out a hand and she shakes it because this is better then all the apologies she has received from the Charmings and everyone else. Perhaps even Robin if she had stayed in the diner to measure his reaction. They do not judge her for she has shown their leader kindness and acceptance even in the face of her own unhappiness.
The pirate comes next, wretch that he is, he invites himself in silently, sits in her kitchen, drinks from his flask and offers her the bottle. "Liquid courage."
"For whom exactly?"
He shrugs and takes another swing. "Sorry."
"It must have been destiny," sighs Regina and she feels better saying the words because to know it was her destiny to never be loved makes it so much easier to accept, "I was never meant to be happy."
"Neither was I, love." He runs his ringed fingers over his lips in a shadow of remembrance. "Perhaps it will all work out."
"Perhaps you've been reading too many fairytales."
"I've lived it."
"And are a hero for it. Escapades now written," she interrupts, "yet I still remain the villain. My story, the same. It is better this way," she decides crossing her arms protectively across her chest. "It never would have worked."
"You might have killed the lass."
"You knocked her unconscious and brought her to a different timeline."
"Yes, well as a hero I say we did the right thing, as a friend I'll walk beside you to the bitter end of this mess. Rum, love?" He offers the flask again a smirk of satisfaction on his face when she drinks it and wonders how her relationship with everyone had become so complicated.
The next to come are the most surprisingly, as the happy couple the imp and the maid stand at her door. "If you're here to rub salt in my wounds over some petty little imprisonment I'd rather you leave now."
"Dearie I'm a changed man."
"And I'm a fairy godmother." She responds flatly granting them entry.
"In a way, you did reunite us," comments Belle fiddling happily with the ring on her finger, "many times."
"Please. Spare me."
"So you fell in love with an archer, admirable."
"You fell in love with a maid." The two great magic wielders share a look, it sparks between them.
"It will all end well," says Rumple wisely. Regina snorts.
"Is this your foresight talking or a fortune cookie?"
Belle smiles widely. "Perhaps I should make dinner. Meat pie, wine?" There's a pause and again a look is shared. Regina shrugs.
"Perhaps you should."
It's only been two days. It still aches, it all still aches, but she's run out of groceries and it has been long enough. There is an arrow stuck in her door and for a man who claims he never misses, missed opportunities appear to follow him around and he also appears to have lost his most valuable item if Roland sitting on her stoop is any indication.
"Gina!" He smiles.
"Roland," she says sitting beside him, "what are you doing?"
"You live here." He gestures at the great white house.
"I do." He scrunches up his face as if confused before letting out a deep sigh.
"Papa told me to stay with Little John while he discusses things with…mommy but John is so boring. I want to stay with you." Regina can only imagine what the Merry Men are going through searching for the boy and it eases her pain somewhat to know that soon this will all end, a decision will be made, and she'll be set free from this space of awkward indecision she resides in.
"The arrow," she asks picking up the child and placing him on her hip.
"Papa wrote you a letter, Little John told him not to, he did it anyway," whispers Roland hands curling around her neck and sharing the words as if they were a secret. She squeezes her eyes closed already walking towards the diner where she knows Little John is staying. "It's a long letter." He continues conspiratorially.
Regina closes her eyes tight. A decision must have been made then. Closure at last perhaps but she'll read it later safe in her house after she picks up some Californian wine and some ice cream and makes peace with just another unfulfilled chapter in her life.
She bumps into Little John halfway to Granny's and his look of relief is great. "You terrible terror you have nearly given me a heart attack." Roland giggles at the huffing, bulky man.
"I found Regina."
"Aye lad you did." John looks apologetic and Regina is just tired. "Thank you. For finding him."
"He found me," she clarifies smiling slightly. "Reminded me I probably need to go outside in the sunshine."
"It will take time," says John hoisting the boy over a shoulder Roland lets out a peel of laughter.
"I understand the outlaw," she can call him Robin no longer, "has written me a letter."
The man before her looks heavenwards, "Gods above will he never listen always trying to set everything right and out of order all at once."
"Pardon?"
"Just when you read it do not judge him harshly, I think there is much in it that is just him trying to figure out his own feelings."
"He pinned it to my door."
"Would you believe he was aiming for your open bedroom window?" The laugh companionably and Regina thinks perhaps it is good that she has affected as good a man as Robin so much so that his aim is faulty. Still evil after all.
"I see why Zelena kept you as a flying monkey."
John visibly shivers and Roland quakes upon his shoulder. "Do not talk of that time."
"How about I buy you two banana pancakes at Granny's?"
"Now you are just being cruel." She's on the mend and perhaps her destiny was never Robin, or at least at this moment he not hers, but for once she is not alone and perhaps that is the greatest love of all. Because she may mourn alone but now there are many who support her.