Chapter 1
Regina looked down happily at her beautiful daughter as she placed her in the stroller preparing for their family picnic in the park.
"Robin, did you prepare the diaper bag?" Regina said happily, retaining her smile from the beauty of her daughter.
"Yes, everything is packed and ready to go, my love." Robin says as he walks up and kisses his wife on the cheek. Bending down to catch a glance at his beautiful daughter, Robin is all smiles as he says "and how is my lovely baby girl doing today?" Turning to Regina he continues, "Looking as gorgeous and lovely as her perfect mother." Robin reaches out to Regina and brings her in close for a loving kiss.
They are interrupted with the sound of Henry and Roland coming down the stairs. "Mommy, I want to push my baby sister to the park!" Roland insisted as he approached Riley. "Hi sissy! We're going to the park today!" Roland says to his baby sister with joy.
"Not so fast there my boy." Robin chuckles as he stops Roland who is starting to push his baby sister out the door. "We still need to get the food and you need to help your brother gather the picnic supplies."
"Ok daddy. But don't leave without me! Come on Henry. We have to get the stuff for our picnic!" Roland reaches for Henry's hand as he leads him to the kitchen to gather the supplies Regina had prepared the night before. "Hang on little buddy." Henry says as he calms down his excited little brother. "I still have to pack my stuff. How about you help me, then we will get the things for the picnic?"
"Okay, Henry! I'll help you." Roland gladly obliges.
It had been 3 years since Marian's death and 2 years since Robin finally mustered up the courage to profess his love to his one and only. During the last months of life, Marian suffered from a frozen heart that could not be thawed. Not even by her supposed true love and husband, Robin Hood could save her. Even Regina's powers were no match for Marian's untimely death. Robin knew what he had to do. He had to let go. Regina had felt bad for him and became his support system for Robin and Roland. Realizing how loving and caring Regina could be, the spark they once had reignited but this time with more passion, love, and resilience.
Packing Riley's things into her diaper bag, Robin glances over every so often as Regina packs the stroller and lovingly talking to their little girl. With a smile on his face he remembers the time he professed his love to his one and only. As he continues packing, he is remembering the day he professed his love and a smile makes its way across his face and he silently chuckles to himself as he remembers that day.
It was the day when Regina was continuing Operation Mongoose to find the writer of the book. It wasn't until Robin paid a visit to Regina who was sitting in her vault looking at the book and finally professed his love and confessed his emotions to his soon to be wife. On that same day, Robin realized that Regina was his true soul mate and remembered the time when they had their night in front of the fire place. He remembered the words Regina told him about The Man with the Lion Tattoo. How she was too scared to approach him. How she wondered what it would have been like to just walk through that door and introduce herself. Robin saw the vulnerability in Regina, the agony and defeat of trying to pursue her happiness. If Robin could help mend the tear in Regina's heart, he was determined to win her over by lending his heart out to her.
As Robin approaches the vault, he sees Regina glancing at the book in the stunning red dress he loved her in. He slowly walks up to her when Regina realizes that he walks in.
"Why am I getting the sense of Déjà vu?" Regina says with mild annoyance.
Walking closer to her Robin begins to profess his emotions.
"Regina, I want to talk. I must be honest with you, when Marian came back, I was relieved. But deep down inside my heart, I was devastated. I knew I had to remain a loyal and faithful man to draw the image of a true man for my son." Robin said hesitantly yet relieved to be finally spilling out what has been eating him up inside. "I did love Marian. But when I was with you, I felt complete. I felt whole. I felt actual love that I apparently did not have with Marian. I did not know what I was missing, until I allowed you into my life and opened up my heart to your vulnerability."
"Regina, I have lived by a code my entire life. Steal from the rich and give to the poor. Be truthful, righteous, and good. I've tried to live by that code every day of my life." Robin says with genuine passion.
Regina with a look of confusion on her face says, "Then why are you here?"
Running up to Regina, with passion and love in his voice, Robin replies, "Because today is not one of those days!"
Regina is taken aback when Robin grabs her face and places a passionate and loving kiss on her lips. He picks her up and they continue their passionate kiss for several minutes.
After their passionate kiss, Regina, catching her breath, looks on lovingly at Robin with tears in her eyes.
Cupping her hands on Robin's face she spills out her emotions to Robin.
"Robin! I must admit, I admired your loyalty to your wife. Which is why it made it that much more difficult to let you go. This is why I isolated myself from you for so long after Marian's passing." Regina holds back her tears as she continues to explain.
"The day Marian came back, it was a pain that was worse than losing my Daniel. It was more agony to endure and I just did not know if I could ever find happiness again." Robin answers to Regina's expressions with compassion and sympathy as he looks lovingly into her eyes as Regina professes her love to the Man with the Lion Tattoo.
"Robin, I see you, think about you, and my heart slowly starts to mend the tear and hurt that has plagued me since the day my Daniel died. He will always be my first love, but Robin, you will always be my TRUE love! I just never thought I would have this! You are the light that shines on the darkness of my heart, you are the rhythm my heart beats to every time I see you. As of this night, I know you rescued me from my dark thoughts. You have saved my heart from being permanently broken. Robin, I love you!"
Robin sees the compassion and sincerity in Regina's eyes. He becomes captivated by her beauty and her eyes capture the hope and love that Robin had locked up deep down in his heart. Robin, again, leans in to kiss Regina with genuine passion and love that could be felt with their hearts. After a moment, Robin slowly moves away from Regina, kneels down as he reaches in his pocket. Pulling out a small box, he slowly opens it, looks up at Regina and asks, "Regina Mills, will you marry me?"
Regina's eyes widen and glisten with excitement and with a smile and chuckle she gladly says, "Yes! Yes, Robin! I will!"
"Roland, Henry! Are you ready? We are about ready to head out." Regina walks in the kitchen as she sees Roland and Henry gather the picnic supplies.
"Yes momma." Roland says. Roland had gotten used to Regina shortly after Marian's passing. Even though Regina kept her distance after Marian's death, she offered her support for Robin and Roland. Now that Roland was without a mother, Roland had found comfort in Regina and took a liking to her love and compassion. He also became real close with Henry which made the transition easier for Roland. The day Robin proposed to Regina, Robin explained to Roland that Regina was going to be his new mommy. Roland was still too little to understand his mother's death and only understood that he would not see her again. With Regina now in the picture, he saw a mother in Regina and made room in his little heart to love and accept her for who she was. His new momma.
"We're ready mom. Just have to get my bag," said Henry.
"Ok dear, hurry up. Your sister is starting to get fussy," Regina replies.
Heading out the door, the happy family starts walking out towards the park down the block. Robin and Regina start pushing their baby girl down the sidewalk and start talking about plans for their daughters first birthday.
"Riley's birthday is 2 months away! I cannot believe our baby girl is already going be one!" Regina excitedly says to Robin. "After all, she is a princess, so we need to make a celebration for her." Regina tells Robin. Robin is full of smiles and replies, "I couldn't agree more with you, my love. Our little princess deserves the best and I'll see to it that she has the best birthday celebration!"
"And how may I ask are you going to do that?" Regina replies with a curious smile.
"I got my ways. After all, I did help plan our wedding after a certain "mayor" tried to go all "evil queen" on the entire town." Robin winks and smiles as Regina let out a small snicker in response to Robin.
"You're not going to let that go are you, dear?" Regina replies in a loving sarcastic way. "I will admit," Regina reaches for Robin's hand, "you did quite a nice job and I have the glorious memories to prove it." Regina lays her head on Robin's shoulder as he continues to hold her hand while they are walking down the sidewalk. While Henry and Roland are pushing Riley, the loving couple looks on and admires the children as they realize their whole purpose of their lives walks right in front of them. Regina's eyes start to water as she slowly wipes away a happy tear.
"What's the matter darling?" Robin asks concerned.
"Nothing, it's just I'm so happy. My life is whole now and I have you to thank for it."
Robin stops and turns towards Regina and he embraces her face with his manly hands and places a gentle loving kiss on her soft supple lips. "And that, milady, is a thank you from me for giving me life and providing me with a family I thought I would never have."
The wedding was 3 weeks away and Regina was feeling the stress. She had scolded, ridiculed, and belittled every living thing the Earth called home and everyone was on edge although they understood.
"I called you 2 months in advance and you're telling me you somehow overbooked your caterers?" Regina says in a rising tone. She rages on expressing her frustration to the person on the other end of the phone line. "I told you, if you are not able to make this possible, I'll kick you out of my city and re-cast the curse on your sorry ass! You better figure out how to fix this or I'll fillet more than just the fish you serve!" Regina scolded as she yelled into the phone before slamming down on the receiver. Robin walks into the living room overhearing the conversation.
"Something wrong, love?" Robin asked hesitantly.
"A bunch of idiots in this damn town that's what's wrong!" Regina said with obvious frustration. "Tell me, how someone overbooks a caterer when they know damn well it's their job to keep track of all their clients and dates!" Seeing the fuming rage on Regina's face, Robin leans in close and lovingly calms her with his gentle touch and places a kiss on her lips. "Now my love, you have got to remain calm. I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding. I'll stop by the caterers today and straighten everything out."
Just as Robin comforts Regina, Regina's cell phone begins to ring. Answering it in a calmer tone, she gives a courteous "Hello" and then the expression on her face goes back to anger and frustration.
"What the hell do you mean when you say there is a delay in my dress, my bridesmaids were the ones who placed the order with you and you confirmed that it would be ready in time! My wedding is in 3 weeks and your telling me this just now!?" Robin tries to calm Regina. Changing her tone, she realizes that Robin is concerned for her and calmly answers through gritted teeth. "Fine. You have 2 days to fix this or I'll do my own alterations on your ass!" Regina hangs up the phone and looks at Robin with tears of anger in her eyes. Robin approaches closer to Regina and embraces her. "My love, don't worry. I'll handle it. I'll have Snow check on your dress and make sure everything is ready to go. You just relax, continue your mayor duties, without kicking anyone out, and everything will be ok. I promise." Robin's confidence infuses into Regina's soul as she starts to relax. Reassuring Regina, Robin continues, "My love, just knowing I'm going to spend the rest of my life with you is all that matters to me. I know how important this wedding is to you and I vow to make you happy." After a passionate reassuring kiss, Robin walks out the door and heads out to do some damage control.
Regina decides to take a small nap before having to pick up Henry and Roland from school. While lying in bed, Regina happened to glance up and see the picture of Robin embracing her. It was the moment during the Wicked Witch fiasco. The intimate moment that happened just outside Neal's apartment. She was wearing the classic red dress that Robin loved her in. It was in that very moment, Regina knew Robin was her soul mate.
Smiling and running her thumb across Robin's picture, she silently said to herself, "how did I manage to find the perfect man." She puts the picture back on the night stand while still glancing at it until she unknowingly drifts off to sleep.