Robin finds a solution to solve Regina's sadness, making them both the happiest they've ever been.
Day 2: Stuck in the Missing Year - Finding Home
"Henry!" Regina shouts, panting as she sits up in bed, sweat gathering on her hairline as she grips her chest, feeling her erratic heartbeat under her palm.
"Hey," Robin mumbles, turning over in his sleep. He sits up, placing a comforting hand on Regina's back. "It was just another dream, love."
Sighing, Regina leans over, placing a kiss to Robin's cheek and apologizing. He tells her there's nothing to be sorry for as he rubs his hand along her forearm. "We'll find a way back to him soon, I promise."
She fights to urge to roll her eyes, knows he's just trying to comfort her, to make her feel better. She has to accept it though, this new reality. They've been back in the Enchanted Forest for a year now, and no one has yet to find an answer of how to get them all home. Snow and Charming have moved on as best as possible, beaming with pride as Snow's rounded belly grows each day. Belle and Neal have learned to live without Rumple, moving back into her castle and going about their daily lives. It seems everyone has accepted this, accepted living here forever. But not her. Regina refuses to accept that she will be separated from her little prince for the rest of her life.
She's with Robin now, and has Roland to keep her company, but it's not the same. They've been dating for the past eight months, her finally caving in to the undeniable attraction that they both instantly felt the moment he rescued her from a flying monkey, though no one knew about them until recently. It was nice having a little secret, something they could keep to themselves. That was all shot to hell, however, when Snow caught them kissing in the shadows of a corridor before a council meeting. It's nice, having someone, despite how much she misses her son. That void will always be there, she knows, but Robin has helped her see that she can't let life pass her by while she searches for a way back to Storybrooke; she still has to live.
"You keep saying that," she reminds him, snuggling back into the warm covers of her bed. He lays his arm across her stomach, moving closer to press a kiss to her forehead.
"We will, Regina," he vows, "Just have faith."
He's always so optimistic, Robin, so much so that she's surprised she can feel the things she does for him. Though she supposes that's why they work; if she was with someone just as cynical as she, they'd never get anything done. He's good for her, and she loves him for it.
Regina loves him, and he loves her. She truly thought she'd never have that again, but she does and it's wonderful. She know she wouldn't have survived the last year without him.
Closing her eyes, she nods her head, not wanting to get into another debate about having hope. She tilts her head up, pursing her lips, knowing he's still watching her. She hears him sigh, though she can also hear the smile that accompanies it as he leans in, placing his lips gently upon hers. She parts her lips, moving to close them around his as she kisses him goodnight for the second time that evening.
{******************}
The next morning, she has to squint as the sunlight streams through the thick curtains. Winter is starting to fall upon them here in the forest, still warm in the afternoon sun but a breeze in the mornings makes seeking warmth within their attire necessary, so she pulls on a heavy cloak that sits by her bed as she walks toward the balcony.
"Good morning," she says, walking up behind Robin and wrapping her arms around his waist. He smiles, turning his head to the side to place a kiss to her temple. "Ready for breakfast?"
"Mmm," he hums, turning in her arms. "Let's go."
Once dressed for the day, they make their way down to the dining hall hand in hand, Robin greeting his men they pass in the hallways.
"Gina!" she hears squealed from across the room, smiling as Roland comes into view. The little boy runs up to her, his brown cloak flapping behind him as his hair flops about his head. Regina bends down, stretching out her arms for her dimpled face munchkin to run into.
"Good morning, Roland," she says happily, standing with him in her arms as she presses a kiss to his cheek. "Did you have fun last night with Uncle John?"
Roland bounces in her arms, looking between her and Robin as he explains, in much detail, how he'd had a great time camping with Little John, looking at the stars and roasting their dinner over a campfire like how they use to. Granted, this campout was different, seeing as Regina didn't want him too far from her or Robin. He's been having nightmares of her green skinned sister for months now, so Regina had set up tents for Roland, John and Alan in the garden closest to her apple tree. The little boy tells them how he had fun, how it was just like sleeping in the forest, and they both smile, glad that her favorite five year old was able to be entertained all night. It gave her and Robin a chance to be alone for a full night, something they haven't had recently, and she makes a mental note to thank John for it later somehow, probably with food.
Robin excuses himself, pressing a kiss to Roland's head and ruffling his hair as his son giggles. Regina walks over to the buffet table, setting Roland down. He's still attached to her leg, though, holding onto her long, navy cloak as she fixes their plates. Roland points out the food he wants, and Regina picks up a few pieces of each item, filling his plate with far more food than he'll be able to fit in his little belly. But, she supposes, she can pick off his plate when she finishes the little bit she's placed on hers.
They make their way to the head table, a place originally intended for The Queen, Snow and Prince David, but as she's grown closer to Robin, the more open she's made the table. Now, Robin and Roland are allowed to sit amongst the royal family as well. They've become her family over the past few months, so it just made sense.
"Morning, Snow!" Roland greets happily, wiggling into his seat next to the princess. Regina sets his plate in front of him, running a hand through his hair as she makes eye contact with Snow, giving her a small smile and a nod as her greeting.
Her stepdaughter returns the gesture, focusing back on Roland and asking about his camping last night. The boy perks up, going on and on animatedly about all the things they did - like making shadow animals with the flames of the fire, and roasting marshmallows that Regina had conjured up for them to enjoy. Snow and David smile, chatting with the boy for a while before Regina reminds him to, "Eat your food, sweetheart. I don't want you to be hungry later."
"Okay, Gina," he says, nodding and turning his little body so his legs dangle beneath the table. He jabs his fork into the pancake (a delicacy no one who'd returned from Storybrooke was ready to give up, so Regina had had to conjure up the ingredients for Granny to make endless supplies of pancakes each morning).
"Where's Robin?" David asks, popping a piece of fruit into his mouth.
Furrowing her eyebrows, she looks around, uncertain of where he could be. He'd excused himself earlier, she figured just to go greet more of his men, but he's yet to return. Shrugging, she notices John is not in the dining hall either, most likely still trying to take down the tents from last night and she assumes Robin is out there helping him. "He must be helping John."
With that, Roland sits up straighter, talking around a mouthful of fluffy pancake to let them know of the ghost stories Little John had told them last night. She makes a mental note to remind John of how young Roland is and how he doesn't need to hear such things, especially with his dreams of Zelena lately. He seems fine though, rather seems to have enjoyed the stories, so she'll let it slide for now.
"Well," she says, taking a deep breath as she swallows the last of her croissant. "I have some work to do." Kissing Roland on the top of his head, she looks to Snow, confirming that she's still available to watch him until Granny is done with the morning crowd. Snow nods, smiling at her and reassuring her that we've got him.
Making her way from the dining hall, Regina sneaks into her hidden library. It's quiet in here, no one knows of this place except Snow and Robin, and they're both otherwise occupied. Sighing, she walks around, trailing her hand along the plush couch that sits in front of the fireplace. She conjures a flame in her hand, tossing it onto the wood in the hearth. Heat instantly fills the room, ghosting over her chilled skin.
Closing her eyes, she breathes in deeply. This room use to be a place of solace for her when she couldn't escape from Leopold out to the stables. She'd come here and hide, reading until dinner time, until she was expected to make an appearance. Opening her eyes again, she makes her way over the rounded mirror. It's surrounded by silver, though not as twisted as the mirror in her vault back home. She runs her finger along the intricate detail around the glass before pressing her hand onto the smooth, glass surface. Regina whispers her son's name, closing her eyes briefly to bring a mental image of her son to the forefront of her mind. The glass beneath her hand shakes, waving under her palm like water. She smiles upon hearing his sweet laughter, opening her eyes to see the image of her son on a playground. He's safe, she knows this, knows Emma would never let anything happen to their son, but being able to see him, though he can't see nor remember her, brings a sense of peace to her soul.
God, she misses him. Will always miss him. A year is too long, too torturous for a mother to be separated from her child. She's been with Henry since he was just a few weeks old, always there to soothe every nightmare, change every diaper, kiss every scrape to his injured knees, so not being with him for this long feels like it's slowly crushing her soul.
She's so thankful she found Robin and Roland, falling in love with both of them. She knows they can never replace Henry in her heart, and Robin knows that too, claims he wouldn't want to, but it's helped her to grieve the loss of her son. She's not certain she'd be alive today if it weren't for Robin's love and comforting words throughout the last few months.
"Mom!" Henry giggles, hopping off the swing and running toward his mother.
"Hey, kid," Emma greets, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "Ready to go home?"
Henry nods, his brown hair falling into his eyes. He really needs a haircut, Regina thinks with a pang. Her little boy, not so little anymore, runs over to a group of kids, all wearing the same uniform he is, and waves goodbye, promising to see them all tomorrow at school.
The children all wave back, saying goodbye and smiling at her son. She's so glad he has friends. He makes his way back over to the blonde, looping his arm with hers as they make their way down the street. Before the mirror fades away, she can faintly hear Henry say, "Can we go get ice cream?" She smiles sadly, hoping that he, indeed, got his sugary treat. He deserves it, and so much more.
Wiping a tear from under her eye, she shakes her head. The mirror is back to normal now, reflecting her sad image back to her. She stands there, staring at the woman in front of her. A woman who has lost a part of her soul, but one that is learning to move on, to live life as best as she can.
"Hey," she hears, looking past her reflected shoulder. She smiles, tilting her head as Robin walks into view. He wraps his arms around her waist, staring at her through the mirror as his chin rests on her shoulder.
"Hey, yourself," she says, smiling a watery smile at their reflection. She takes his forearm, turning it over to caress his lion tattoo - the tattoo that haunted her for so many years, knowing that she ran from true happiness. She has it now though, with him and Roland, and she can do nothing but smile at how fate has played out for her.
Turning in his arms, she wraps hers around his neck, leaning in and laying her head on his chest, listening to his heart beat. The room is quiet, the only sounds to be heard are their breathing.
"How's Henry?"
Smiling, she picks her head up, slanting it backward enough to be able to look into his blue eyes. God she loves his eyes. Robin has seen Henry before; she finally showed him the mirror a few months ago when he'd snuck into her hidden oasis like the thief that he is. "He's good," she tells him joylessly, "wonderful, actually."
"That's good," Robin tries encouragingly, shrugging his shoulder and tilting his head down sympathetically. "You want him to be happy."
Nodding, she agrees, saying it's just hard to see him so happy without her. Despite how she feels though, he's right. She is so glad that Henry is happy and seems to really love living in New York. Knows that if he had his memories, he'd want to be back home in his plaid covered bed while she reads him stories at night, but for now, for this reality, it's good enough. He's happy, content, and that's all she can ask for.
Leaning up, Regina places a kiss to his lips. Parting her mouth, she peeks her tongue out, asking silently for his to open. He does, and she deepens the kiss, drawing a moan from the back of both of their throats. They stay there for a few more minutes, mouths meeting and hands roaming as they enjoy a quiet moment to just be alone together.
Pulling back, Robin smiles down at her. "I love you."
Regina smiles brightly at his words, never tiring of hearing them. "I love you, too," she promises, raising up a bit in her heeled shoes to press a gentle peck to his lips.
Stepping back, Robin takes her hand, tugging softly to have her follow him, saying Roland has been asking for her since breakfast. She hadn't realized how long she'd been in her library, perusing the books that still reside on the shelves before checking in on Henry.
With the flick of her wrist, the flames in the fireplace die out and she makes her exit, giggling along with Robin as he jokes that people are going to think they snuck away to be alone together all morning. Wouldn't be the first time, anyway.
{******************}
That night, once Roland has been fed and put to bed, Robin takes her hand, telling her he has a surprise.
"A surprise? Robin," she giggles, wondering what it could be. They'd enjoyed a nice, quiet dinner just her, Robin and Roland up in her bedchambers, and it'd been lovely. Sometimes it's nice to get away and just be the three of them without everyone looking to observe the Evil Queen with her new family.
He chuckles, pulling on her hand and leading them toward her courtyard. It sits just below her bedchambers' balcony so she can always have the perfect view of her beloved apple tree. Granted, her balcony is a few floors above it, but it's nice to be able to look down and see a part of her past. She loves that tree. It always reminds her of how she used to be, how she's learning to be again.
Robin takes her over to the stone bench that goes around the circumference of the tree, having her sit in a certain spot. She giggles at his antics, narrowing her eyes playfully and asking what he's up to. "You'll see. Now," he huffs, "close your eyes."
Rolling her brown orbs, she dutifully closes them as she hears Robin's footsteps walking away from her. She hears him come back soon after, scrunching her eyebrows in confusion.
"Okay," Robin whispers, "you can open them."
Shaking her head and chuckling at him, she opens her eyes slowly, peering around. Nothing seems out of the ordinary, save for the dessert Robin had brought out with them. It was a cake Granny had prepared for dinner tonight, and he'd swiped them a piece to take with them out to the apple tree. As she eyes the cake, she hears Robin clear his throat.
Turning a half turn in the other direction, Regina sees Robin on one knee, ring outstretched in his hand. Tears spring to her eyes and her right hand flies to her mouth, covering the huge smile that still peeks out beneath her fingers. "Robin…"
"Regina," he says seriously. "A year ago when I met you, I never thought my life would turn out the way it has. You are stubborn," she chuckles airily, wetly, "strong willed, an amazing mother," a tear slips from her eye, "brave, smart, loving, stunning in every way… I could go on forever." Robin smiles, taking her left hand in his and placing a kiss to her knuckle. "David tells me this is how it's done in your other land, the man down on one knee."
She lets out a breathy laugh, combing her fingers through her high, side ponytail then running her hand down the long, velvet sleeve of her navy dress. She cups his cheek, tilting her head and gazing into his eyes. "No matter how it's done, I want you to know that I love you. Regina, you are my future."
He inches closer, still on his knee, saying, "You're my soulmate, the one I know I was born to gaze upon each morning, and the one I'm meant to kiss goodnight each evening. Pixie dust led you to me one time, and though you were too scared to go in, we've found our way back to one another. That says more to me than anything. The dust may have led us to one another, but it was still our choice. And Regina, I choose you."
Regina smiles brightly as another tear slips free, not believing that this is happening. "Oh, Robin," she breathes, running her hand down his cheek to rest at the base of his neck. "I love you so much."
"And I, you, darling," he promises, turning her hand he still holds over and placing a warm kiss to her palm. "Regina, will you marry me?" Robin hoists the ring up a touch higher, making sure she can see it clearly. Not that she cares, he could give her a piece of hay to tie around her finger, and she'd still say yes. As long as she gets to spend the rest of her life with this man, she doesn't care what jewelry signifies their commitment.
"Yes," she vows, shaking her head as more tears pool in her eyes. She notes his eyes are misty as well, reaching up to wipe beneath his watery eyes. "Yes, I will marry you, Robin."
He slips the ring on her finger. It's simple, but stunning - a gold band with a single diamond resting in the middle with tiny ruby stones flanking its sides. It looks familiar, she thinks, turning her questioning gaze to him. He smiles sheepishly, telling her he thought he'd borrow one from a long forgotten jewelry box of hers since he couldn't go out into town a month ago when he knew he was going to propose. Snow had helped him pick it out, informing him that this was the ring Regina's father had given to her on her eighteenth birthday, her first as queen. Tears slip free as she looks back down at the ring, remembering that her father had gifted this particular ring to her, saying the dark red stones were to represent the deepest parts of her heart, where she kept those that she loved closest to her. But as fate would have it, Leopold had stashed the ring away, giving her a much larger, gaudy piece to wear, insisting she keep it on her hand at all times. She'd never gotten to wear her father's ring, and part of her is glad in this moment. Now it holds so much more meaning, now she can wear it without having a tainted memory of her husband to weigh it down.
Robin reaches up, swiping away her tear, asking if it's okay, saying he'll be glad to find her another ring if she wants. "No," she shakes her head vehemently. "This one is perfect. Thank you, Robin."
She smiles at him, asking if Roland knows. Robin chuckles, saying Roland is the one who helped he and Snow find the ring. He's apparently been bouncing off the walls all day, knowing his papa was going to ask his Gina to marry him tonight. "I'm surprised he hasn't snuck out and found his way out here yet," Robin laughs.
The thought of Roland's excitement sends a bout of guilt to her core, however, thinking of Henry and how she's moving on with her life. He doesn't remember her, she knows. She's just another villain in a made up fairy tale in his mind, but he'll always mean the world to her. Is she betraying Henry's memory by moving on with Robin and Roland? Will Roland replace him in her heart? No, she thinks, shaking her head. No one could ever replace Henry in her heart. Fear grips at her as she wonders, hopes, that she'll have enough room in her heart for Roland, too. She doesn't want him to feel second best for the rest of his life. It's never been like that before, she's easily let Roland past the walls she has firmly in place. Roland and Robin both. They're the only ones who saw past the Evil persona, the only ones to truly know her, and it's why she's found it so easy to love them both.
"I can hear your thoughts from here," Robin interrupts with a smirk, clasping both of her hands in his. "Henry is still a part of your life, my love. I just ask that me and Roland continue to be apart of it, too."
Tears trickle down her cheeks, never wanting Robin to feel like he wasn't welcome in her life, in her heart. "Robin," she whispers around the lump in her throat, removing one hand from his to push her ponytail behind her shoulder. She stares deeply into his eyes, vowing, "You and Roland are more than welcome in my heart. You've taught me that I can still grieve, still miss my son, but that my life doesn't have to stop." He wipes a tear off his cheek before cupping hers to graze his thumb along her jaw. She closes her eyes at the contact, happy she gets to feel his touch for the rest of her life. "You've shown me what love is, shown me that just because I don't have Henry, doesn't mean I can't have happiness. You've given me more than I ever thought possible."
"I love you, Regina," he declares, moving from the ground to sit beside her on the stone bench. She turns her body, facing him and vowing her love to him. "I have one more surprise for you," he smiles.
"Another surprise?" she asks incredulously, scrunching her nose as she grins in his direction. "You've already given me so much."
He takes a deep breath, signaling to her the severity of what he's about to say. She turns more, facing him as directly as possible from where they sit knee to knee on the bench. Robin takes her hand in his, caressing his thumb over the ring now residing permanently on her left hand. She smiles down at their intertwined hands, roaming her eyes back up to his.
"Belle and I have been sneaking away, working the past few weeks," he says, "trying to find a solution to our problem."
That explains where he's been going lately, just like this morning. Stunned, she asks, "A-a way home?"
Robin nods, saying now that they've defeated Zelena, he and Belle were able to look more closely at the items the bookworm had brought back from Rumple's castle. Belle had slowly been bringing items back from his castle, saying there might be something in there to help but she needed more than just Neal's help in examining the objects.
One item Belle had returned with was a long, black, wooden wand with a silver swirl surrounding the end of it. One book in Rumple's possessions explained that this wand belonged to the Black Fairy, the most powerful fairy to ever exist. Although her wand could be used for great darkness, if held by a purveyor of light magic, then it could be used for good.
Regina smiles, knowing that she holds such light power. They'd discovered it a few weeks ago, in a battle against her sister. Zelena had her trapped in a magical chokehold, sucking the life from her with every attempt to breathe. Once she knew Robin and Roland were safely behind the barrier she'd created with everyone else, Regina released a gust of white magic from the palm of both her hands, vanquishing Zelena in an instant, surprising herself and everyone else around. She had light magic, the purest magic of all, and she couldn't help but think Robin's pure love was to thank for bringing it out in her.
"If the wand is yielded by light magic," Robin explains, giving their still joined hands a light squeeze while his other hand finds purchase on her knee, "then it can perform any spell, no matter how big or farfetched."
Regina nods, saying she's heard of this elusive wand, the wand people have been in search of for centuries. She should've known Rumple was holding on to it in that castle of magical wonders. "We can go home," she breathes, shaking her head in disbelief, thoughts of seeing Henry again bringing tears to her eyes once more.
"We can go home," Robin agrees, nodding and smiling. His eyes glaze over with tears of his own as he looks at her, saying, "We can get Henry and finally all be together."
Leaning in, she kisses Robin deeply, covering his mouth fully. She tilts her head from one side to the other, pouring all her thanks into this kiss. She can finally see her little prince, can finally hold him in her arms and tell him how much she loves him again. There's the issue of his and Emma's memories being erased, but if she can get back to Storybrooke, back to her vault, she knows she can create a memory potion for them. All the details aren't worked out, but this is the best solution they've found, the only one they've found. She can get her son back once and for all.
"And we can be a family," she vows as she pulls back, smiling into her mouth. Regina sits back, taking in a deep breath and biting her bottom lip. "Just like we were always meant to be."