Okay, so it has been like a year since I've posted anything on here, but I was forced to write this one. I am glad I was because I am actually quite pleased with it. I would like to thank Kayla for coming up with the idea of this story and for making me write it, and also for being my beta. Without further ado, please enjoy.
Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me except the detailed ideas of this story.
Song- Gavin Degraw, "You Know Where I'm At"
Homemade waffles filled the room with a delicious scent; eggs were frying and bacon was sizzling with the occasional pop of grease. She didn't normally make something so bad for one's arteries, but this was her weekend with Henry and he would be up any moment. She couldn't help the shiver up her spine as she thought about how she almost left her heart in the middle of the Enchanted Forest. She would have been cursed back to Storybrooke with no heart. She wouldn't be able to love her son as she truly did. Trampling footsteps on the stairs suddenly interrupted her thoughts. Turning around, Regina took in the appearance of her son's wild mess of hair, eyes wide, grinning from ear to ear; Henry looked like a complete lunatic.
"Good morning, Sweetheart. Did you sleep well?" She asked.
"Morning, Mom, yes," he was quick to respond. "Are you making waffles," he paused to sniff the air, "and bacon and eggs?"
Regina laughed, "Well it is your favorite." Henry's smile got even larger if that was possible. "Why don't you make us some milk and I'll bring the food to the table?" He went to the cabinet without hesitation to get two glasses down. It was then that she realized how much he'd grown within the past year. He couldn't even reach the second shelf without grabbing a stool before, now he could reach the third with ease.
Sitting down with the food, Regina smiled at Henry. "So, tell me about your week. Did you do anything exciting? I heard you went to the stables with David." He proceeded to tell her about his horse and how well he's been progressing at swordplay with his grandfather. "And then Robin took me into the forest and taught me how to use a bow. We're keeping it as a secret from Grandma, though." Regina's eyebrows rose a bit at Robin's name. She found it was easy to hide the true reason for the surprise on her face. "And why ever would you hide it from Snow?" He put his fork down and leaned back, placing his hands behind his head with a smug look. "So I can challenge her. While she thinks I've never used a bow, I will succeed at defeating and shock the pants off of her." She set her fork down and crossed her arms as she leaned back in her chair. "What makes you so sure you can defeat one of the best archers from the Enchanted Forest?" Even though she and Snow got along now, it was apparently still strange to hear a compliment coming from her mouth about her, if Henry's face holds any truth. "Just stating a fact, Dear. She is one of the best." She added. His smugness found it's way back to his face. "Because, Mom, I have awesome archer methods." She stood up to bring their empty dishes to the sink, "Ah, and what, pray tell, are these 'awesome archer methods'?"
He followed her back into the kitchen. "If you want to find out, go ask Robin to teach you." The last dish slipped from her hand and shattered across the floor. Henry had been trying to get her and Robin together for weeks, but she kept avoiding it. She couldn't let him in. She'd closed herself off for far too long, she wouldn't know where to start. How could someone accept the things she's done in her life? She was a murderer. She cursed an entire population to forget who they were. She split a mother from her husband and child. Why would he let her be a mother to his own? She cleared her throat. "Honey, can you bring me the broom, please?"
He disappeared and returned a moment later. "Mom, I know you have feelings for him." She just grabbed the broom from him and started sweeping up the glass shards. "I know you're scared, but I think he likes you too. He talks about you all the time." At that, her head shot up. "What do you mean he talks about me?" He gave her a knowing smile, "He always asks me if I've seen you and how you're doing and stuff like that. Yesterday, he asked me if you were going to the ball. You are going right?" She shook her head, "Oh, no. I haven't even a dress. You are more than welcome to go with the Un-Charmings if you so please." He frowned, "Mom, Robin's going to be there and when I told him you were going he looked happy." Henry was trying so hard this time. He really wanted her to be happy and she just cannot see how that is possible. "There is no way he likes me, Henry. I'm The Evil Queen. No one wants to be with her." She whispered the last part as she went back to sweeping.
Henry was standing in front of her in a blink of an eye. He grabbed the broom from her and brought his free hand to her shoulder. "Look at me, Mom." She turned her head his direction, obviously trying to swallow back the tears that were forming. "I've told you this before and I will tell you again. You are not a villain. You have changed so much from that woman you used to know. You love and protect me and you deserve all the happiness your heart desires. You are my mom and I love you. He pulled her into a tight embrace. After processing what he just told her, she raised her arms around him and returned his hug. "I love you so much, Sweetheart." She pulled back and looked into his confident eyes. "When did you mature into a young man who gives life advice, huh?" He just laughed and asked her, "So does this mean you're gonna go to the ball now?"
She chuckled, "Yeah... I guess it does."
"Papa, Papa, Papa!" Roland came running around the corner and slammed into Robin's leg, squeezing tightly. "Roland, my boy, what is it?" His son looked up with tears in his eyes, "I had a scary dream that y-you died and I was all alone and my stuffed monkey came back to real life and took me away and Gina couldn't save me 'cause she turned into a monkey and-" Robin could hardly understand him through all his tears and because of how fast he was speaking. He pried him off his leg and into his arms. "Whoa, slow down, Roland. No one is going to die and no one is going to take you. Your monkey cannot come back to life, okay? Regina made sure of that, remember?" Roland hesitantly nodded his head. "You and I both know that Regina is far too strong a person to let some crazy monkey turn her into one, right?" At this, Roland giggled and his sobs became sniffles.
"Now, shall we share a glass of milk and read a story to get you back to sleep?" He set him back on the ground and got out a glass and the carton of milk. They made their way back to Roland's room. "Daddy, can I sleep with you tonight?" Robin smiled, "Sure, lad. What story would you like to hear tonight?" Roland jumped on his father's king sized bed. "Can you make one up, Papa?" Robin groaned. He hated when his son would request he be creative. However, there was just no way to say no to that pleading face. "Alright, get comfortable." He settled in scooting up close to Robin. "Once upon a time, there was a beautiful queen who was misunderstood…"
Half way through the story, Roland was out like a light. Robin, on the other hand, couldn't seem to fall asleep. Every time he closed his eyes he would see her- see her smile, hear her laugh, see her tears as she would cry for Henry in what she thought was private back in the Enchanted Forest.
He had gone off to bathe in the stream when he heard quiet, muffled sobbing. He peeked around a large tree and saw her there, in the distance by the water. She was clutching her chest as if she were in physical pain. He quietly eased his way over to her and gently rested a hand on her back, making her jump. She had a fireball held in her hand at the ready until she saw who it was. "Please, leave me. I'm a mess and I am in no mood for banter." She seemed so desperate, so alone. It was heartbreaking to see her so broken. "Your Majesty, I cannot do that. Please let me help you." Regina looked in his eyes. She couldn't take it anymore. She needed to talk to someone about him. She hated the thought of even bringing it up to Snow.
"I can't live without him. I cannot live everyday not knowing how he's doing, knowing that he has absolutely no memory of me. Is he making friends? Is he doing well in his education? My heart feels as if it is being ripped apart every time I see you with your son. My heart is weak. Forgive me, but I have this ridiculous amount of jealousy of you. Roland is so beautiful inside and out. He reminds me so much of Henry at his age. I honestly don't know how much longer I can live with my heart beating inside of me." She pressed her hands to her chest."I have nothing left."
She sounded so defeated. "Regina, you have more than you know." She looked at him skeptically. "You do! You have Snow. I know it has been a long journey to get to where you are with her, but you have her and she is a wonderful friend to have. You have Roland. He adores you. He has ever since you saved him from that damned flying monkey. You know, when we were alone, he told me that you were 'the most prettiest princess' he'd ever seen. I know it's hard to see him, but it can also give you strength. I know no one will ever replace Henry, but allow room for others who want to be had by you. Finally, you have me. I will always be here for you as your friend. I shall never forsake you, Regina. This," he placed his hand above hers on her chest, "is strength. Please, just open it up to new possibilities. Do not give up." She released another sob as he pulled her into his chest.
Ever since that day, well, during the months that he had his memories, he thought about that moment he had with the queen. He couldn't help but to have these immeasurable feelings for her. He intended on doing something about it tomorrow at the ball. Henry told him that she would be there and he is counting on that. He cannot wait any longer and she seemed to be avoiding him ever since they regained their memories.
Robin woke up to Roland lying on top of him with his elbows in his chest, with his face just inches from his own. "May I help you, dear sir?" Roland giggled and jumped into a sitting position on his papa's stomach. "Today is the day, Papa! Today is the ball!" Robin sat up, promptly rolling his son off of himself. "That it is, lad. That it is." He seemed to be in thought for a moment before turning to the clock beside his bed. "Oh no! I overslept! Come on, my boy. Go start your water running. I will meet you in there." Roland rushed out of the room and headed for the bathroom. As soon as Robin heard the water running, he began to pace the floor. Mumbling as he paced, "What will I say? What if she rejects me? 'Hello, Regina, fancy meeting you here.' No, that won't do."
Roland was staring at his father as if he had grown two heads. "Papa? Who are you talking to?" Robin jumped into action. "No one. Come on, let's get you bathed and ready so we can work on me. I need to look my best." After placing his boy in a tiny suit and combing his unruly hair, Robin dragged Roland in to his own bedroom and told him to help him decide which suit looked best on him. He only owned two suits, but they were very nice. He first put on the dark blue suit that made his eyes pop. "Well, Roland? How about this one? Do I look dashing?" Roland walked around his father a few times and then his brow line crinkled. "It looks really big. I can only see your fingers." The only other suit was a gray that was on the lighter side of the color with a shine to it. He put it on and did a walk around himself and looked expectantly at Roland. "Ooh, Papa! You look so dashing!" Robin smiled, "I do, do I? Good. I need to look brilliant." Roland looked confused. "Why do you got to look so good today, Papa?"
He patted his son on the head, "Because, like you said, today is the day."
The ball was being held at Town Hall by the Charmings in celebration of the defeat of the Wicked Witch of the West. Henry had asked Emma if it would be okay for him to escort Regina to the ball. Emma of course, like everyone else in town, knows of the more than friendly attraction between the outlaw and the queen, even if they don't admit it to themselves. Ergo, Emma practically shoved the kid out the door to go to his other mother's house.
The band was playing a soft tune that she had never heard of, but then again, her parents insisted on there being a mix of Enchanted Forest music and Storybrooke music. She could only assume it was an Enchanted Forest song, however it was quite beautiful. "Hello, Love. May I say that you look lovely in that dress?" Emma turned around to face the man who had wrapped his arms around her waist. "Hello, Killian. Yes, you may. You look incredibly good in that suit." Hook had finally given in to this world's wardrobe after months of her begging him to at least try on a t-shirt. He leaned over and kissed her gently as he moved his hand down over her backside. A clearing of the throat interrupted them before anything got out of hand. Or rather, before Emma got into Hook's. "As much as I approve of this relationship," she said calmly, "could you kindly keep your hand off of my daughter's ass while in my presence?" Emma laughed at her mother's tone of voice mixed with the rare word choice.
"Oh, please. I can't keep you and David off of each other when in my presence. How many times must I walk in on the two of you before you learn to lock the door?" She picked on her mother. Snow's face turned red with embarrassment. "Point taken. Though, it seems that you would learn to knock before coming in by now." They all laughed until Snow stopped and was staring wide eyed over her daughter's shoulder. "What are you loo-" Killian and Emma turned around at the same time to see Regina, hair in a magnificent updo, wearing a beautiful dark blue gown that hugged her figure and barely graced the floor. Her arm was linked with Henry's. "Wow. I haven't seen her dressed like that since the Enchanted Forest. I miss her dresses. OUCH!" Killian got a jab to the ribs from Emma. "What? She's beautiful, but I find that you are ten times that in my eyes." Emma rolled her eyes. "Nice save." Snow said sarcastically as she pushed through them to greet her step-mother.
"Snow." Regina smiled at the sight of her friend. 'Friend,' still such an odd word to use when associating with Snow, but she liked the thought of it. "You look so beautiful, Regina." She turned to her grandson, "Henry, you look so handsome, just like your grandfather." Henry told his grandmother that she looked nice and kissed his mother and grandmother each on the cheek before walking off to find Grace. "You look gorgeous, Snow. It doesn't even look like you were pregnant four months ago. How is Anagail doing, by the way?" Snow smiled at Regina, "She is wonderful. She's a perfect angel. She looks just like David, it's scary. Granny offered to watch her tonight for us."
Regina was so nervous that she only heard half of what the princess said. "That's wonderful, dear. If you'll excuse me, I think I'll go get a drink. Would you like one?" Snow laughed at her step-mother's obliviousness. "I'm breast feeding, remember?" Regina started nervously laughing, "Of course. How could I forget?" Snow then became worried by the look on Regina's face. "Hey, are you okay? You seem distracted." She grabbed her hand, "And your palms are sweating. Your palms never sweat. Are you nervous about something?" Snow then followed Regina's line of sight and realization hit her. "Oh. You know, he is incredibly fond of you." Regina's head snapped back to Snow. "What? Who is?"
Snow just smiled and pulled Regina over to the makeshift bar and ordered an Apple Cider for her friend. "You have nothing to worry about. I know it's going to be hard opening up to someone again, but you both have this incorrigible tension when you are in the same room. You need to address it." Regina took a long drink of the cider and started to ask Snow how to when she noticed Robin walking her way. Her eyes went as wide as saucers, "Snow, he's coming! What do I do? I have never been this-" Regina promptly stopped talking as soon as she felt a soft hand on her shoulder. She closed her eyes briefly and turned around to greet none other than Robin.
"Regina, you look positively divine, as always." Regina felt as if the oxygen was being sucked out of her body when she heard his voice and saw his snug fitting gray suit up close. "Thank you. You look riveting in that color gray." In that color gray? Really Regina?! Get it together! You are a queen! "Why, thank you, milady." A slow song started playing that she recognized as a song from this world. "May I have this dance, Your Majesty?" Regina discreetly wiped her sweaty palms on the napkin that came with her drink and took his outstretched hand. "I'd be honored." As the words started to flow, they seemed to hit home for Regina.
Oh, it's better up ahead.
The worst is over now.
Remember what I said,
'To live, you don't have to look back,
but if you ever do, you know where I'm at.'
She figured Robin must have been listening to the words as he pulled her closer to his body at the end of the chorus. She remembered that night at the stream when he told her what she had to live for. She buried her face in his neck as a lone tear fell. As soon as Robin heard a barely audible sniffle, he pulled back a bit. "What is it, Regina? Are you alright?" He asked, concerned. "I'm fine. I was just remembering everything you told me that night at the stream. Robin, you will never know how grateful I am for you that night. You saved me from myself." He placed a hand on her cheek and stopped the motion of their bodies. He looked into her eyes, searching for something, anything to tell him not to do what he was about to do. He found nothing but longing.
He leaned in slowly, waiting as he got an inch from her lips, needing her to go that inch and meet him. She soon found herself closing the gap between them, getting lost in the most exhilarating kiss she had ever partook in. The song was coming to a close and they pulled back, resting their foreheads against one another and slightly out of breath. Regina slowly opened her eyes and noticed in her peripherals that they were the only two on the dance floor. She looked to her left and saw Henry standing next to Grace and Roland, all three with their jaws touching the floor. Henry shook his head, as if trying to get that image out, and then smirked and mouthed the words, 'told ya so' to his mother. She lightly chuckled and Robin looked to where she was gazing. Henry was holding out his palm down low as Roland slapped it hard and yelled, "YES!"
The stares didn't seem to stop so Regina turned back to Robin, "Hold on tight." All of the sudden, they were engulfed in a cloud of purple smoke. When it cleared, they were standing on the edge of the docks. "I thought we could use some privacy. I'm sorry I used magic, I know you aren't a fan, but I didn't want anyone to follow us." Robin laughed, "I don't mind, I'm glad you did. We have much to talk about, but for now, lets skip the talking, okay?" Regina couldn't have felt happier in that moment as he leaned in to recapture her bottom lip between his. She felt, rather than heard, a low groan come out of her as he continued his path down her neck to behind her ear.
"Yes, talking later is just fine, Dear."
So... Did you like it?