As they stood in the bright, warm kitchen, Henry smiled wide and locked his hopeful gaze onto his mother's worried one. "Please, Mom, can I go? I promise to be careful and to listen to everything Robin says." Regina sucked in a breath, glancing from Henry to Robin, and nearly rolled her eyes at their matching hopeful expressions.
"Come on, Regina, I promise no harm will come to the boy." Robin placed a hand on Henry's shoulder looking at him before returning his gaze to Regina. She groaned trying not to fall victim to their gorgeous, sweet smiles. They knew her weaknesses, more than likely knew they'd get their way, but it didn't mean she had to make it easy for them.
"I don't know. Those are mighty big promises and I don't know if I can risk you getting hurt, Henry. As for you," She turned her stare to Robin, smirking at his faltering smile. "I still remember our lessons. Not to mention you like shooting arrows too close to people's heads." Robin bit his lip, fighting back his laughter, and this time, Regina couldn't hold back her eye roll.
Henry scoffed, looking between the adults. "Wait, you've had archery lessons? Then why can't I?" He paused for a moment as a thought popped into his head, and as a protest formed on his mother's lips, he voiced it. "I'm getting older, Mom. I need to learn some way to protect myself and if I don't take lessons from Robin, I can always ask Grandma." He smirked and Robin had to turn around to hide his laughter when a glare formed on Regina's features. Henry had played his cards right, and Robin had to give him credit. The kid was smart, and knew his mother well. "It's up to you, Mom." Henry shrugged his shoulders, keeping his face neutral as he watched his mother.
Regina ran her tongue along her teeth. How dare Henry use that card?! She sighed, loosening her arms from around her chest. He must have truly wanted to learn from Robin if he'd brought up his grandmother. Henry smiled, noticing the way his mother bit her bottom lip. It was a sure sign that she was caving, and it was only a matter of time before he got what he wanted. "Well," Regina started; catching Henry's expectant smile and Robin's eager eyes. Had this even been a fight? They knew her too well, and had probably pretended to struggle this whole time. She sighed, realizing too late that she never had a say. "I guess it would be a good way for you two to bond."
Henry cheered before wrapping her into a tight hug. "Thanks, Mom. I love you." She smiled, resting her cheek against his head, and squeezed him a little tighter. She pulled him to arms' length, placing a hand under his chin to be sure he was fully focusing on her.
"You better be careful." He nodded his head, and she smirked at the hidden eye roll. She knew him as well as he knew her, and she glared playfully at him, receiving a slight chuckle. "Now," She patted his shoulder, gently nudging him toward the doorway. "Go put on more clothes. It's cold outside and I won't have you getting sick." Henry nodded his head, turning an excited smile toward Robin as he wished him good luck as it was now his turn for a lecture. Regina scoffed, tapping Henry's arm with the back of her hand as he darted out of the kitchen.
Robin laughed, moving closer to Regina and wrapping his arms around her waist. She raised an eye brow, keeping her arms folded against her chest. "So, what are my rules, Milady?" He held his smile, using his thumbs to rub small circles on her lower back. Regina relaxed, studying him for a moment.
"Do not teach him like you taught me. I nearly shot you in the head." Robin chuckled at the tension furrowing her brow and the memory flashing in his mind. "I still have nightmares about it," She mumbled, turning his chuckle into quiet laughter before he apologized.
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, staring into her eyes. "You're not the only one who can dodge an arrow, Regina, and not to mention, I only did it to irritate you. Seeing you so worked up was the highlight of my days during our year in the Enchanted Forest." He paused, smirking when she rolled her eyes, and tightened his grip when she tried pushing away from him. "I like to think you enjoyed the distraction from your sister, and that by challenging you, I saved you." She pursed her lips, raising one eyebrow.
"It's true. I kept you on your toes. You didn't have time to hate yourself over losing Henry." She sighed, and he pulled her closer to him. "But that is an argument for another day. Today, we are discussing my archery lessons with Henry." Regina glared at him, but it quickly fell away as he flashed his dimples.
She frowned faintly, closing her eyes and letting out a deep, slow breath. "Just keep him safe and try not to teach him how to shoot arrows past my head. At least not right away." Robin chuckled, placing a gentle kiss on her temple as she rested her forehead on his chest. "He's growing up, Robin, and I missed so much." He rubbed her back, resting his chin on her head and wrapping his arms tighter around her.
Letting a moment pass, he hid his smile in her hair before responding. "Those damn children. Don't they know growing up is horrible! How dare they put us through such trials?!" Regina chuckled, shaking her head and pulling back to look at him. He shrugged his shoulders, lifting one hand to cup her cheek. "He has to grow up, Regina, but I can make this lesson as technical as possible. That way he won't grow up too quickly." Her smile widened, and he soaked it in, allowing it to warm his soul and quicken his heartbeat.
"You would do that for me?" He laughed, nodding his head before letting his fingers run through her hair.
"I'd do anything for you, Regina, even if it means disappointing archery lessons for Henry." She tilted her head, glaring at him. That was a low blow. He shrugged his shoulders, a playful expression across his features. "We made a deal before approaching you. I am a man of honor." She rolled her eyes, but she couldn't fight the grin forming on her lips. "It will be fine, Regina, and no harm will come to him. I do cherish my life."
"Good because as much as I love you, I won't hesitate in killing you if something happens to my son." She sent him another glare, but it faltered as a small body ran into the room, calling out for his father.
"Papa!" Roland jumped into Robin's arms, breathing in as he caught his breath. "Can I go with you and Henry?" He widened his eyes, poking out his bottom lip. Regina covered her smile with her hand, turning around to hide it from the pouting boy. Robin sighed, his mouth flinching into a frown.
"Not this time, my boy. Henry wants to spend time with me by himself." Roland frowned, starting to protest when Robin interrupted him. "And what about Regina? If we all go then she will be home all by herself!" Regina turned back around, catching Roland's glance in her direction. She smiled reassuringly at Robin even though his attention was solely on his son.
"That wouldn't be fair to her, would it?" Roland reluctantly shook his head, his shoulders dropping as he realized he wasn't getting to go. "How about this? Since I and Henry will be gone, we won't be able to protect her." He leaned closer to Roland, lowering his voice. "Do you think you could do it for us?" Roland perked up, smiling and nodding his head.
"Like in the castle!" He squealed, bouncing in Robin's arms, and his father nodded his head, glancing at Regina before shushing him. "What is it, Papa?" He asked, whispering as he caught onto the mischief in Robin's behavior.
"We mustn't let her know. It's our little secret. Mine, Henry's, and now yours." Roland gasped, covering his mouth with both hands before risking a glance at Regina. She looked between him and his father, feigned curiosity radiating off her features, and when Roland looked away and leaned closer to Robin, she bit her lips to keep her chuckle from escaping her. Robin winked at her, whispering into Roland's ear before setting him back on his feet.
Roland took a deep breath before moving to Regina, who lowered to his eye level as he stopped in front of her. "Regina, can I spend time with you like Henry is with Papa?" She furrowed her brow, running her fingers through his curly bangs.
"You don't want to go with Henry and your papa anymore?" Shaking his head and looking directly into her eyes, he sighed as he grabbed her hand, stopping her from ruffling his hair.
"No, I want to be with you. Just you and me. We can play tag! You can't play tag when people are learning arrows." He answered seriously, shaking his head slightly to add emphasis. Regina responded with a quiet 'oh' as he continued. "So, can I stay with you?" Impatience coated his voice and she could see Robin smiling from behind him. Regina thought for a moment, placing a finger to her chin.
"Hmm," She scrunched her mouth to the side and slowly lifted her eyes to his. "I think that would be a wonderful idea! You know I love playing tag." Roland smiled, bursting into giggles as she tickled his sides. "Is it okay with your papa?" Roland nodded his head, not bothering to check with Robin, and she smirked at him before playing with his hair again. "All right then. You better get your jacket and shoes on so we can play." Regina waited until Roland had happily run from the room before turning her attention to Robin. He helped her to her feet, biting his bottom lip as she raised an eyebrow.
"I need protecting, huh?" Robin's lips pressed together, forcing away his grin, as he nodded his head.
"Always, but luckily, you are quite capable of handling yourself. I don't have to worry as much." She smirked at him, shaking her head. "Besides, you and Roland could use some bonding time as well." A smile spread across her lips as she thought of his son. "He missed you."
Regina looked down for a moment, the smile slipping from her lips. "I missed him, too. I actually could not eat ice cream." With his gentle chuckle, she looked back to him with a soft smile, cupping his cheek as she stepped into his embrace. "I'm glad you're back." Regina ran her thumb along his cheek, taking the moment to memorize him, but Robin didn't allow her long before he pulled her closer, pressing his lips against hers.
As he pulled back, she whispered an "I love you," against his lips, and he smiled at her before kissing her again. She wouldn't say it any louder, fearing that her wishes, her dreams, would come crashing down at her feet once again, but he refused to believe that she hadn't earned, didn't deserve, this happiness. He knew her fears, and she knew his optimism. Now, it seemed, it was only a matter of seeing which would win and who would be right. "I love you so much," She whispered again, and he released a tiny grin, resting his forehead against hers.
Matching her quiet tone, he approached her fears. "I'm not going anywhere, Regina." She breathed in sharply, closing her eyes and stepping impossibly closer to him, and he lowered his hands, holding her against him. They stood still, breathing in the other, rubbing noses, and sharing barely there kisses.
"I've loved you," Robin began, opening his eyes to stare at her. "Even when you were threatening my life with fireballs and choke holds," Regina smirked, biting her bottom lip to hold back her chuckle. "When you didn't feel strong enough to defeat your sister," Her smirk fell and she lifted her head to press her lips against his. Robin breathed in and tightened his grip as he continued, fighting past the tears building in his eyes. "And when I never thought I'd see you again." Regina pulled back, her eyes locking with his, and she lifted a hand to caress away his sorrow.
He smiled appreciatively at her, turning his head to kiss her palm, and he smirked when she giggled from the tickle of his stubble. He raised one of his hands, covering hers as he held her gaze once more. "You are my heart and soul, and I'll be damned if something or someone can keep me from being with you. If they think the Charmings are stubborn, well," He trailed off, laughter in his trademark smirk, and Regina couldn't help the full smile tugging at her lips. "I choose you. I love you." Robin moved his hand from hers, trailing it through her hair before pulling her mouth to his and tenderly kissing her. "Don't be afraid, Milady," He whispered only for her to hear, caressing her cheek and memorizing the happiness upon her features. "You're not alone anymore and you never will be again."
Tears slipped from her eyes, and he quietly wiped them away until she leaned in and captured his lips in a heated kiss. They lost themselves in the moment, both forgetting the eager boys awaiting their attention, and as seconds turned into minutes and hands began to wander, neither one noticed the two sudden pairs of eyes standing in the doorway.
Roland gagged, covering his eyes with his hands, and Henry chuckled as his mother nearly climbed the counter backward with her startled jump out of Robin's arms. "We can't leave you two alone at all, can we?" He smirked at his mother, laughing softly at her increasing blush and down turned eyes.
Roland moved to her side, tossing his father a snarled lip at his actions. "Gross, Papa. Girls have cooties!" He shook his head, stopping in front of Regina and raising his little hand for her to take. "Can we play tag now, Regina?" She smiled at him, nodding her head before taking his hand and walking toward the kitchen doorway.
"Wait, what are cooties?" Robin glanced between Regina and Henry, furrowing his brow. Regina bit her bottom lip, shrugging her shoulders as Henry chuckled softly. Roland faced his father again, letting out a long, frustrated breath.
"They are germs that only girls have, and if you kiss them then you'll get sick! Girls don't get sick cause they were born with cooties." Robin raised his eyebrows, nodding his head and releasing a serious noise of surprise. He looked to Regina then his son.
"So, I have cooties now?" Roland shrugged his shoulders, swinging his and Regina's joined hands before looking up at her.
He studied her as she smiled down at him. "Do you have cooties, Regina?" She thought for a moment, furrowing her brow and placing a finger to her chin, humming before shaking her head. "How? You're a girl." She lowered to his level, straightening his jacket and tugging him closer to her.
Regina rested her forehead against his, pursing her lips in hopes of fighting off her smile, and answered him. "Because I'm a mom, and I lost all my cooties so I would be able to kiss my boys." With that, she pulled him to her, planting several kisses over his face and eliciting screams of delight from him. Henry shook his head as he watched her, having known her answer as she'd done the same to him when he was younger.
Robin's worried voice gathered their attention as he stared at them with furrowed brows. "Does this mean I won't get sick?" Regina shrugged her shoulders, turning her eyes back to Roland for the answer. He breathed out quickly, walking to his father's side, and Robin picked him up without pause.
Roland glanced at Regina then Henry before smiling wide at Robin. "You're lucky, Papa. Regina doesn't have her cooties anymore, but you need to be careful. Don't kiss any other girls. They might have cooties." Robin smirked, keeping his eyes off of Regina, but he could tell by Henry's stifled laugh she had agreed with Roland in some form.
Regina moved to Robin's side, glaring playfully at him. "He better not kiss anyone but me." Roland nodded his head, trying his best, from his father's hold, to mimic her glare and hands on hip posture. Robin raised his free hand in self-defense, biting his bottom lip as he shook his head.
"Good. Now, come here." With a playful glance toward Roland, she leaned forward, capturing Robin's lips in a quick kiss. Roland gagged again, begging for Henry to save him as their parents laughed, but before the other boy could take a step forward, Regina was pulling him into her arms. "I believe we have a play date, right, Roland?" He nodded his head as his attention shot back to going outside for a game of tag.
Robin released a half-smile, moving to Henry's side and patting his shoulder to gain his attention. "And we have practice to get to. Are you ready?" Henry nodded his head, shoving his phone into his pocket after sending his latest photos to his grandmother. Each time he sent her a picture of his mother's joy she gave him a quarter and told him to always have hope as happiness was sure to follow. He smiled at his mother, watching as she spun around the kitchen with Roland tightly in her grip before setting him down only to be tugged clumsily out of the room.
"We should go while she's distracted unless you want another speech and more rules." Robin nodded his head in agreement, and quickly, they both left the house, placing soft kisses to Regina's forehead as Roland tried to assist her into her jacket, and tossed their goodbyes over their shoulders before letting the front door slam shut behind them.