Apologies for the delay in updates, got tied up with other things but I haven't forgotten this one. Here's the next chapter in this story! Hope you all enjoy it! Please review.

Chapter 2

Regina and Henry had soon settled into their new pad. It took some time to get used to the new routine for the little one but he soon got the hang of it. It helped that Lily came over nearly every day to play with him; some familiarity helped.

Robin had been spending a lot more nights over at Regina's than they had originally planned to. She liked having him there; if they were moving too fast, she didn't seem to care. No, Regina was going to live in the present and not worry about anything she couldn't control. The re-trial still loomed her in subconscious but Neal had been doing what he said he would and was keeping her posted on the progress. Until she had something she needed to do, she was going to continue to live her life as usual.

It was a warm Saturday morning, Regina had called up Mal earlier to see if Lily wanted to go to the beach. They had all made their way out towards Santa Monica to spend the day by the ocean. After arriving, they found a spot to set up their towels and chairs and let the kids play in the sand close enough for the adults to keep an eye but still relax in the sun.

Regina sat down on one of the towels lifting her cover-up over her head to reveal the red bikini she had worn - the same bikini that Robin had first seen her in. She pulled out her sunblock and called out to Henry to come over before going to play.

"Just one more minute," she told the squirming toddler as she finished covering his skin in sunblock to avoid a sunburn. "Lil, you're next." She added patting the towel next to her, after seeing Jeff motion something to her. The little girl went over to her aunt without complaint and sat down.

Jeff smirked when Regina had picked up on his cue and quickly made his move. He lifted Mal over his shoulder and ran towards the water as she shrieked and tried to kick herself loose. She didn't get so lucky and the next thing she knew she was soaked and pissed. If looks could kill, Jeff wouldn't have been so lucky that day.

Regina laughed watching them as she rubbed sunscreen onto Lily. "Your mommy looks mad."

"Uh huh," Lily agreed giggling. "I want to go in the water, Auntie Gina."

"You do?" Lily nodded in agreement, Regina turned towards Henry, "What about you, little man? Want to go in the water first?"

Henry nodded, "Ocean."

"That's right, that is the ocean." She smiled and capped the sunscreen. "Alright, all done." She got up with the kids as the other two made their way back over. "They want to go in the water."

"Might as well let Mal take them, she's already wet," Jeff said biting his lip to keep the smirk off.

Mal smacked him in the arm, "Sleep with one eye open tonight," she narrowed her eyes at him. "I'll take them." She added holding her hands out for the kids.

"You sure?" Regina asked, watching Mal nod. "Alright," she sat back down on the towel and leaned back.

Jeff sat down next to her watching his girlfriend walk the children towards the water's edge. She had luckily taken off her cover up before being plunged into the water and was currently in a deep purple bikini, her hair already starting to curl from the salt in the water.

"You're lucky she loves you or she would have killed you already for that," Regina commented glancing towards him.

"Why do you think I waited so long to do that?"

Regina laughed, flipping onto her stomach. "She's still going to make you pay for that."

"She wouldn't be the woman I loved if she didn't," Jeff retorted. "What's your schedule like next week?"

Regina shrugged a little, "Why?"

Jeff glanced back towards Mal to make sure she was out of earshot, "Ring shopping."

Regina's eyes lit up, "You're going to propose?!"

"Not yet, I just want to start looking. It's got to be perfect. She deserves the world."

"I know she does," Regina agreed. "Give me a day that works best and the time and I'll see if I can schedule my lunch around that time."

"Tuesday? 11:00 or so, will that work?"

"Absolutely!" Regina shrieked, "Do you know how you're going to ask her?"

"I'm working on it."

Regina reached over and squeezed Jeff's hand, "Thanks for making her so happy."

Jeff smiled back, "Where's your lover boy?" He asked trying to change the topic.

Regina rolled her eyes, "He's coming in a bit."

"Is that why you're wearing this little outfit?"

Regina raised a brow, "This is a bikini; we're at a beach."

"Uh huh, a sexy bikini."

"And what's it to you?" she challenged.

"Just curious," he replied, she gave him a look not buying it. "You two are moving pretty fast, just want to make sure you don't get hurt. Because if you're hurt, she's," he motioned to Mal, "going to be pissed and will want to kill him and then I'll have to deal with my girlfriend in jail."

"That's a loaded way of saying you care about me," she teased him.

Jeff rolled his eyes, "Shut up. Of course I care, you're like my little sister."

"Awww," Regina's eyes twinkled with amusement as she continued to tease him. "I'm going to tell Mal what a big softie you are."

Jeff groaned getting up, "Forget I asked," he mumbled and walked off towards the water.

Regina laughed and laid her head back down to soak in the sun while she had some time to herself. She wasn't alone for long though, she felt someone slap her ass before sitting down on the towel.

"Is this why you invited me along? So I could watch your kid while you sunbathed." Mal asked.

Regina sat up glaring at her friend, "Yes." She turned to look over at the kids, "You should really put on sunscreen, dear, you're starting to get pink."

"So I am," Mal mumbled reaching for the lotion. "What were you and Jeff talking about?"

"Hmm?"

"Don't play coy."

"Why not? It's fun." She teased.

Mal narrowed her eyes, "Tell me."

"He was concerned that I'm moving too fast with Robin. It's sweet really, that he cares."

"Ah," Mal replied. "Where is lover boy?"

"Should be getting here soon."

"Heard anything more from Neal?" Digging into her purse and pulling out the stash of M&Ms she carried.

Regina reached over to pull some out, "Some, not a whole lot. He's keeping me posted, but keeps saying don't worry."

"You shouldn't worry. His firm is good. They did this once before they can do it again."

"I'm trying not to." Regina replied looking out towards the water.

Mal wrapped an arm around her friend, "I know it's easier said than done, but that bastard isn't getting out anytime soon." Regina leaned her head on Mal's shoulder, "Now, give me the dirty details about Robin. He's spending a lot of nights at your place."

Regina laughed and laid back down on the towel. "You're insane."

"Come on, give me something. I know you've always been crazy, but you were celibate for three years, how are you not sore from all the sex?"

"Oh god," Regina covered her face, "I wasn't celibate…"

"Masturbation does not count."

"I certainly walked in at the wrong moment," they heard a English accent from behind them. Regina turned and her face lit up at the sight of Robin in his swim trunks and shirt swung over his shoulder.

"Hey," she said, jumping up to give him a kiss. "You came at the perfect time. Save me from her."

Mal rolled her eyes, "I'm going for a swim. But I'm not done with you." She looked pointedly at Regina before running off towards the water.

Regina laughed, turning back to Robin and wrapping her arms around him. "You made it."

"I wouldn't miss it," he smiled down at her, "I like this bikini." He winked at her before leading her back to the towels.

"I know you do," she laid down next to him curling up against him as the sun beamed down on them.

He ran his fingers down her back, "Any chance you can get away this weekend?" he asked her.

She leaned up on her arm to look at him, "What's this weekend?"

"Thought maybe you'd like to go away with me for a little weekend getaway. You and Henry, of course."

"Where to?"

"The mountains maybe?"

"I'd love to." She smiled leaning down and kissing him slowly. She had moved closer so she was half on top of him and straddling one of his legs when the kids had run back towards the towels.

"No kissy, mommy!" Henry squealed as he came over to his mother.

"Icky!" Lily bellowed, following him.

Regina sat up looking at them amused, "Lily honey, trust me your mother is ten times as icky."

"Har har," Mal replied dryly sitting down. "Peanut, you want a sandwich?" she said starting to dig out the sandwiches she packed and giving them to each of the kids.

"I can feed them if you wanted to get some alone time," Regina offered, leaning back against Robin.

"Nah, I'm good. Besides…" Mal started winking at Jeff, "You're too dry."

"I'm too…" she started, letting out a squeal when she felt herself being lifted into the air. Apparently Robin and Jeff had somehow communicated that they were going to take her and dump her in the ocean. Mal's idea, of course, payback for earlier and Regina wasn't having much luck breaking free. The next thing she knew she was drenched.

There was fire in her eyes as she made a beeline to her friend, determined to get back at her. It was interrupted when she nearly collided with another woman who was running backwards trying to catch a frisbee.

"Oh my god," Regina gasped reaching out to keep the younger woman with a pixie cut from falling. "You should really watch where you're going."

"I'm sorry…" she replied flustered, "The frisbee was a little too far." she added looking up at Regina. "OH.. it's you."

"I.." Regina looked confused as Jeff and Robin caught up with her, "Do we know each other?"

Mary Margaret shook her head slightly, "Not exactly, I came to one of your signings. For your book."

"Oh okay, sorry, there were a lot of people at those."

"It's okay. I'm sorry."

"Just watch where you're going next time," Regina replied still a bit confused.

Mary Margaret bit her lip, "I will, and I'm sorry about the re-trial, you shouldn't have to go through all that." She quickly added before running off.

"The re-trial…" Regina repeated, "Wait, how do you know about that?!" She yelled out but it was too late, she had ran off.

"What was all that about?" Robin asked wrapping an arm around her.

"I have no idea." Regina replied still watching the path that the other woman had taken.

Jeff furrowed his brow, "Is it common news? The re-trial?"

Regina shook her head, "I don't know. Must be I guess, how else would she have known?"

The three of them walked back over to the towel for the rest of their beach day. None the wiser as to who Mary Margaret really was. She had gone back over to her boyfriend, David, and sat down. She wanted her father out but she'd seen the pain in the woman's eyes who was the reason for him being in jail. She wanted to believe that her father was innocent, but she wasn't so sure now. All she did know, though, was that Regina Mills would know soon enough who she really was.