A/N: This story is going to be told through flashbacks and present day as well. All flashbacks will be italicized and most likely in every other chapter. So, just a heads up for you all.
Special thanks to two of the most amazing and saint worthy people I know, lala-kate and miscreantrose. You two are the best, and i love you guys. Thank you both...for everything.
He was going to mess up. His nerves were worse than when he had first asked her out two years ago. This had to be perfect, nothing less would do. He can feel his heart begin to race as he hears a key enter the lock. This was it; he was finally going to ask Marian to be his wife. He can't breathe. Maybe it wasn't too late to just pass the evening off as a romantic dinner. No, he wants this; believes she does as well. After all, they were in love with each other, she would say yes. He hopes.
"Robin?" her voice calls from the hall.
Stay calm, he tells himself, act as if everything is normal. "In here."
"Something smells wonder-" her mouth falls open at the candles and flowers on the table. "What's all this? What did you do?"
He grins at her reaction, he had hoped for that effect. "Dinner. I just thought something different would be nice. Besides can't a man do something romantic just because he wants to?"
"You're right. I'm sorry. It looks lovely, thank you." He breathes a sigh of relief as her lips brush his cheek.
"Come on; let's eat before it gets cold."
Their dinner passes as it usually does, with them speaking about their day. His suggestion of them having wine and dessert in the living-room seems to shock her, he goads her by asking where her sense of adventure is.
"I love you, you know." He whispers later as they sit curled up on the floor.
She allows her head to rest back against his shoulder "I know. I love you, too."
"Marian?" he asks gently.
Her head is now tucked against his neck, "hmmm?"
"I need to ask you something." His fingers are clasping the small box hidden behind him.
"Go ahead."
His words are muffled as he places his lips against her hair, "Will you marry me?" He places the open ring box on her knee.
As she remains silent he begins to worry, "Marian?"
"I heard you." Still she doesn't answer.
"So, will you?" He can feel his heart begin to beat rapidly.
Her fingers lace with his. "I have one question."
"Yes?"
She squeezes his hand. "Are you sure about this? About me?" The fingers of her other hand gently trace the pattern of the ring.
"I've never been more certain of anything in my life."
"Yes."
He laughs in disbelief, "Yes?"
She turns in his arms and finally allows him to place the ring on her finger, "Yes, Robin Locksley. I will marry you."
Why had she let Mary Margaret talk her in to this? A blind date of all things, a date that was almost fifteen minutes late no less. She groans at the ridiculousness of it all. A sympathetic glance from the waiter only fuels her irritation.
"Regina?"
The nervous looking man standing before her must be Daniel. Based on appearance, Mary Margaret had at least done decent in one area of this date fiasco. She nods in response to his question.
"You must Daniel."
"Yes. I'm sorry about being late. Traffic and finding parking was a nightmare." His smile is timid as he offers the apology.
"Bad traffic in Maine? I'm not sure I believe that." She flicks a brow daring him to tell her otherwise.
"Even normally dull places can liven up when some fool wants to drive in the wrong lane and wreck." His eyes flash in challenge, "Now, do you believe that?"
"I hope you know I was only teasing."
"Could have fooled me, you sounded serious. Then again, Mary Margaret and David did say you were different."
David? She thinks silently. Dear lord if David has spoken to him this date is doomed before it begins. "Oh really, what else did they say? I'm curious."
Her aggravation only makes him smile. "Only good things, I swear."
"Hmmm somehow I think you are only swearing that you all were up to no good."
"Harry Potter quotes? I was beginning to think I was the only one who used those anymore."
"Hardly. All good witches know their Harry Potter." Her voice is filled with laughter.
His eyes widen in mock astonishment, "A witch, now that is a surprise."
"Then again, if you are to speak to David, he will try to convince you I am a dementor."
He really should hold back his reply, but something in him wants to ruffle her feathers and catch her off guard. "Ah, but aren't dementors famous for their kiss? Somehow, I would imagine yours are more enjoyable than theirs."
A blush tinges her cheeks, and he bites back his smile. For the first time she cannot think of a response, "Maybe we should order," she finally suggests.
The rest of their meal is filled with tales from one another's childhood and college days. She learns that he was originally born in London, and was awarded a full scholarship to veterinary school. She finds it funny that he is the youngest of four children and that his older sisters enjoyed using him as their personal Barbie doll when he was younger. She tells him that her mother passed away giving birth to her, but that her father was wonderful at being both parents. He seems shocked that she chose to major in economics and political science, but then he isn't surprised when she says she enjoys a challenge, and that one day she aspires to be within the political mudslinging.
He decides to be bold as they walk back to her car and ask for a second date, her smile and soft answer of yes has him breathing a sigh of relief. They exchange numbers, and he promises to call the next day so that they can plan.
As she watches him walk away, she remembers what he said at dinner about the car accident and the traffic. "Daniel," she calls, "Drive safe."
He nods in response, and all she can think of is tomorrow.
She had waited a week, a week of looking at a scrap of paper, writing and deleting texts, almost calls and chickening out. Daniel had always said she was a risk taker, and that he loved when she took on a challenge. She could do this, she thought. For once, finally she felt like maybe taking a risk for the first time in three years.
Gripping the paper with his number in one hand and her phone in the other, she called Robin.
A/N: your thoughts?