I had a lot of trouble writing this chapter and I feel like it shows. However after writing like three other versions I settled on this one because it was the closest to what I had originally wanted.

Regardless, I hope you all enjoy this and I promise that the next chapter will be better.

"Regina, darling!" a rather sultry voice called from behind her. Regina quickly turned in her seat and smiled fondly at her oldest friend. Mallory Cormier has known Regina since they were both just two rather misunderstood girls with an obsession with everything Shakespeare.

Regina can still remember how her friend's face was wide and long filled with unsightly acne. Her hair a train wreck of blond bushy curls that made her look far too slim in her acid washed overalls. When they both had been gangly teens who couldn't even imagine being somewhat attractive and now look at them.

Mallory has filled out expertly. She had always been rather tall but now she nearly towered over Regina who stood quickly to hug her dearest friend. Her figure has filled out, her hair was worn in a tight bun that allowed her shinning blue eyes to really pop. All in all she looked amazing. And happy.

"So how are things with you?" Regina asked once they had finally sat down at her reserved table.

Mallory offered her friend a coy smile as she settled into her seat and began leafing through her menu.

"I have some news, actually," she offered as she avoided making eye contact with Regina. Regina lifted a brow and regarded her friend coolly. Mallory's idea of news was… different. Her friend was the type that usually went through major life moments alone and then came six or seven months later to tell her about it. It was the one thing she couldn't stand about the woman.

"The cancer hasn't come back has it?" Regina asked, worried, her hand reaching across the table to firmly grab that of her friend's. Mallory looked up then and shook her head with a smile.

"Nothing bad. I promise," she said clearly before looking back down at her menu. Regina rolled her eyes but nodded nonetheless.

"Well?"

"I'm thinking about getting the ceviche. What about you, darling?" Mallory asked, effectively deflecting Regina's question.

"Ceviche, really? Mal, if you don't tell me this news right now I'm going to shake you," Regina threatened. Mallory looked up finally and smiled widely before lifting her left hand to show off her newly adorned ring finger.

"Okay, fine. I'm getting married," she gushed. Regina gasped, her hand flying to cover her beating heart, as stray happy tears sprang to her eyes.

"I can't… are you… what? When did this happen? I just talking to you last weekend!" Regina hissed once her shock had worn off.

"I've been seeing someone for a while, actually. I didn't want to say anything because I wasn't sure how serious things were but now I am officially an engaged woman," Mallory said with a slightly dreamy smile. Regina took her friend's hand again and gave in an extra right squeeze.

"I'm so happy for you," she sighed sincerely. It was odd, hearing such news from her friend, especially with how her own life had been going recently. She wanted to be the one sharing news like this, one day. Not like before, when she'd gotten married and become a widow all in the same day.

"Thank you, really. I was worried about telling you because I know how things have been with Henry these past few years. I…," Mallory trailed off. They both knew what she meant. They'd been friends a long time and knew just how 'down in the dumps' Regina could get when triggered.

"Ah, no, I understand. I've been better recently," Regina said with a slight nod of her head and then it was her turn to be the one avoiding her friend's gaze.

"Well, no matter. Tell what's been going on with you? You look different today," Mallory commented idly. Regina blushed and coughed before shrugging. Her thoughts had automatically went back her rather fun filled night.

"Henry wants to move to New York with Emma," Regina blurted.

"Really, are you opposed? It could be good for him," Mallory stated, her eyes watching very closely for a reaction from her friend. In no time she was rewarded with the sight of Regina's shoulders and jaw tensing before going lax again with what seemed to be exhaustion.

"I know, I know. I'm just scared. I don't want to lose him," Regina admitted.

"I think the best thing for you to do is talk to Henry and if you can't do that then talk to Emma. She's a sensible woman and she respects you. As much as you may not like it, Henry has two parents now. Two parents who need to work better together to ensure their son's happiness. I'm sure she'll be willing to work something out with you," Mallory adviced. Regina thought it over and sucked her teeth. It made sense. Emma was a lot of things but she wasn't cruel. She'd understand Regina's feelings better than anyone and maybe they could work together in creating a working plan for how to share Henry.

"Now, enough about that. I love my g-dson, I do, however I wasn't asking after him. I was asking after you. How was your weekend?"

She wakes with a start, hungry. She shifts so that she is facing him in his ever expansive bed. He has one arm thrown around her waist and the other is spread across his face as if trying to deflect the lazy rays of sunlight filtering in through the bare window panes.

She wants to touch him all over. Trail her lips against ever bit of bare skin. Longs to feel him stretching her oh so deliciously.

Instead she keeps her hands to herself and opts to just watch him sleep. She always tells her girls that there is no sex without consent and she knows that sleeping individuals cannot give consent. She has self-control. She can wait.

So, while he snores ever so lightly, she thinks over what her day will be like.

She has a meeting with two of her big sponsors that isn't until the afternoon. Mary Margaret opens the office on Mondays so she doesn't have to worry about that either. And, of course, Henry is spending his day with a visiting Emma so all in all she has nothing to do.

Maybe she'd go for a walk and call her father and check up on him and her mother. She's avoided calling Cora for the past few years, at all costs, and her boredom won't change that but that doesn't stop her from worrying about her mother's wellbeing. But if she called her father would undoubtedly mention her step-sister and she didn't want that. She had never liked Zelena and the feeling was surely mutual. She hated hearing about what 'dear Leenie' was up to.

So no, it seemed calling her father just wasn't in the cards.

Maybe she'd pay her friend Mallory a visit. It had been a while since they'd last seen one another. It would be nice seeing her. Yeah that was a good plan. And perhaps Malory could offer her some advice about her situation with Henry. Yes, she would leave and call her as soon as possible.

Just as she made to get up she felt his arm pull her closer to his hard chest. He was so warm and his taunt muscles felt wonderful against her soft skin.

"Trying to escape, milady?" Robin slurred voice thick with the last dredges of sleep.

"Do… well… yes. I-I was going to call a friend," she responded with a slight blush.

"Don't leave now, you feel so plush," he grumbled as he pulled her even closer to him until she was nearly on top of him.

Plush? Had she put on weight since last night?

"I need to get home so that I can get ready for my lunch date," she murmured as she tried to extract herself from his grip. Robin rolled over and sat up at that, a frown tugging on his plump lips.

"Lunch date?" Regina nodded dumbly for a minute before realizing exactly what he was asking. He thought she was going to jump from sleeping with him to going to entertain another man. She smiled at this. Did that mean he liked her?

"Oh yes, with my friend Mallory. I haven't seen her in a while," she clarified. He nodded and then smiled wide once again before pressing a kiss on her temple.

"How about I take you for a quick breakfast? I thought maybe… never mind it was a silly idea," he muttered under his breath. Regina raises a brow at this, he hardly seems like the type of man who shies away saying what's on his mind.

"Thought what, Robin?"

"You mentioned that you didn't have to be into work until the evening today. I had hoped to take you out. In hindsight it was a silly thought. You're probably a busy woman," Robin murmured with a wince, as if physically repulsed by his own words. Before Regina could even work up a response they were accosted by the sound of the front door slamming shut and the sound of very small feet running in their direction.

His bedroom door flew open after a moment and revealed one of the most precious faces Regina had ever seen. The boy was small with cherubic features. Tiny feet connected to short legs that lead to a skinny little torso from which two flailing arms sprouted and then up to a face she could only compare to that of angels. His deep dimples stood out in his smiling face with bright brown eyes and curls to match.

"Papa!" he screamed before slipping out of his shoes and throwing himself onto Robin who expertly caught the excited four year old. Regina pulled up the cover and held it tightly to her body as another figure appeared in the doorway.

"Robin, sorry but there isn't any food in my… oh, you have company," the large man in the doorway said before turning and walking in the direction of the living room, obviously trying to give the three a bit of privacy. In that moment Roland turned his sights on her and offered her an endearing grin.

"Who're you?" the boy asked innocently. Regina coughed and looked over to Robin for help. He grimaced before turning his son around in his arms to look at him.

"She's my friend, Regina. We were had a sleepover yesterday. Like you and Little John," Robin said quickly. Roland nodded his head and turned back to look at Regina. He wiggled his way out of his father's arms and moved closer to Regina.

"Are you going to sleep over again tonight, 'Gina?" Roland asked with a smile. Regina smiled back and shook her head before pinching his cheek good-naturedly.

"I'm afraid not. I have to go to work and then I'll be spending time with my own son," Regina explained softly. Roland's eyes lit up at this.

"Oh, how old is he? What's his name? Can I play with him?" Roland asked, standing to jump on the bed. Robin sent him a quick glare which got him to sit down just as quickly as he'd stood.

"Well he's thirteen, his name is Henry, and I'm sure he'd love to play with you but he's been very busy lately so I'm not sure when he'll have time to," Regina explained.

Roland pouted at this and nodded his head solemnly. Regina bit her lip to keep from smiling, he reminded her of Henry when he was little and hadn't gotten his way.

"Maybe instead we could go and get ice cream sometime? Just me, you, and your papa?" Regina offered before even realizing what she had even said. Roland nodded enthusiastically at this and hopped off the bed.

"I'm going to tell Uncle John!" he cried in glee before rushing from the room. Robin stood then and moved quickly to push the door closed. They both stared at each other for a long moment before moving to pull of their respective clothes. Regina was the first to speak.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that to Roland. It was presumptuous of me," she said quickly as she slipped her shoes on.

"Regina, I… I hope you aren't taking it back now. I know two very excited Locksley men who would love to get ice cream with you," he said with a soft smile. Regina looked up and blushed under his intense gaze.

"Well, I may have met someone," she said after a moment of silence.

Yeah so the next chapter will probably be out next week at about roughly the same time and day as this one.