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Disclaimer: Unfortunately I do not own Once Upon A Time or it's amazing characters.

Chapter One What Is Right and Wrong

Storybrooke

Regina sat in her office looking out the window where she had a clear view of the clock tower. 'What do you say, a marriage when the clock strikes twelve?' Daniel teased with shimmering eyes and a sideways grin. Regina chuckled as she nuzzled closer into his embrace, 'Don't be ridiculous Daniel, we wouldn't get married by the clock tower… that is if we were to get married.' Daniel's smile grew wider, he looked into Regina's eyes and whispered, "I don't know my Queen, perhaps one day we shall get married. Of course both of us need to get out of high school first. For now let us walk around the town and gaze upon the stars.'

His voice rang in her ears making her heart ache with the loss. Nearly three months had gone by since his death and she knew the road to recovery was a long one, but she didn't want to wait so long. For the past few weeks she had seeked help from Dr. Hopper, the town's therapist and he was quite reliable. She moved from her spot by the window and began to pace around the open space wondering what today's meeting would lead to. It was hard for her to open up to people, but it had been so easy for her to open up with Daniel. But he was gone and she knew he would never come back. That was all Regina knew, she feared that was all she would ever know.

A knock awoke her from her thoughts of Daniel to bring her attention to her cracked office door where Dr. Hopper stood patiently.

"Yes come in Dr. Hopper," Regina said calmly despite her anxious mood.

The man was in his mid-thirties to forties with light red hair and small glasses. "Good afternoon Ms Mills," he greeted with a soft smile as he entered her office, "Shall we get started our talk last week or would you-"

"I have a problem Hopper and I don't know how to fix it," Regina interrupted her voice mixed between desperate and pleading as she avoided his gaze.

Dr. Hopper nodded in understanding, he lead Regina to the couch in front of her fireplace.

"It's not easy when you lose someone you love," Hopper began, his voice filled with sincerity, "Regina it's only been three months since his passing. It's normal to still feel the longing and the grief."

Regina felt far more than long and grief, all she felt was pain yet she was still numb. "All I feel is pain, it's like a piece of my heart is gone," Regina explained biting back the tears.

Dr Hopper nodded again, "Yes, it can feel as though you have a hole in your heart. If you want to fix this- and I know you do- tell me a time when you didn't feel that hole, without Daniel."

Regina thought for a moment, trying to remember anytime where she hadn't felt the loss of Daniel. A memory of the one time she could think of when she hadn't thought of Daniel since his passing crossed her mind.

Her expression softened when she looked into the therapist eyes and whispered, "When I was with Mary Margaret's baby, Emma. She had come to me in a panic since David had to be taken to the hospital and Liam wasn't able to watch her kid. I told her to go to her husband while I watched her daughter for the next few hours. In that time span… I don't know it was…. nice, really nice actually."

Dr. Hopper smiled, in awe he said, "A child, that can bring much meaning. Perhaps you could adopt one."

Regina had never really paid much attention to children, she and Daniel had only ever talked about having kids once and even though the idea of having her own interested her, she didn't think it would happen. Especially now that Daniel was gone the idea of having her own seemed impossible and not something she felt the need to pursue. And children didn't seem to like her, which wasn't entirely true since little Emma seemed to like her, not to mention a few other children Daniel had known, for example a little boy named August liked her.

Regina released a sigh, turning away from Hopper she breathed, "Do you think I should? I mean I have no experience with children and it was a one time thing with Emma. I don't think I would be ready to be a mother, I don't think I could be one for that matter."

Dr. Hopper wasn't convinced by Regina's argument, he shook his head, "I don't believe that Regina, you seem to be very capable of the task. A child would be good for you in my opinion. They make the world seem like a much brighter place and I know this would have a positive effect on you."

Regina nodded thoughtfully, perhaps a child was what she needed. It would be a change to have someone in her house and be able to share what she had to offer.

"Okay. I'll see what I can do," Reguna agreed facing the therapist, "I'll call the agency tonight."

The meeting continued on the familiar talks, Dr Hopper went over what he had talked with her about last week and what they should discuss next week. Even though Regina was originally hesitant about going to therapy, she was glad she did. Dr Hopper left her office and she watched him go, his words echoing in her mind, they make the world seem like a much brighter place and I know this would have a positive effect on you. His words reminded her of what Daniel had thought about children, it was clear Hopper had a soft spot for kids and Daniel seemed to be no different. Especially with his joining of the big brother's and big sister's program and his volunteer hours for tutoring and reading to kids.

Kids are like fireflies, he told her absently, They are those little lights that fly around the dark world making it a slightly brighter place. Regina decided she would call an agency, she contacted an adoption agency and was put on the waiting list for five to six months. Even though Regina did not want to wait that long she decided not to push, instead she thought the next few months would help her get over her loss for Daniel and in the mean time she could learn what it meant to be a mother.

*Two Weeks Later, Boston, Massachusetts*

Robin leans over his kitchen sink sickly, his stomach twists and his heart pounds rapidly in his chest. Ever since Marian died he has been nothing, but hollow and lost in the world. The only thing keeping him attached to reality was Roland, his son now three months old. Robin switches the faucet on, he cupped his hands together, watching hazily as the water filled his hand. He brought his hands to his face letting the cool water wash away the problems of the day and of the past few months. Specifically the past month had been the harshest of them all.

A fire had taken away his home or most of it, not to mention it nearly took his son's life. He had gone to work late leaving Roland with a baby sitter, a fire was started when the a wire in the wall shorted out. As soon as Robin got the call he came rushing home to find out his son was still inside and the fire fighters were trying to find a way in. However Robin didn't need to find a way in, he forced his way past the fire fighters and into the burning building. He followed the sound of his son's cries and brought him out of the fire receiving a few burns, but none as bad as the one on Roland's left arm. It was a rough diagonal line on his forearm, over the month it had healed tremendously, but it would forever leave a scar.

Without a home, Robin turned to an old friend and was staying with him for the time being. And to make matters worse Robin had lost his job a week ago, leaving him with limited amount of money and no way to care for his son. He knew a choice had to be made, a choice he so desperately already knew the answer to. There was no way he could provide for his son and he needed to do what was best for him.

"Robin," said a young man, his brown eyes pleading, "Ya don't have ta do this. I don't mind the lad and you bein' here, neither does Ana."

Robin smiled softly towards the younger man in gratitude. He faced the young man slowly, "I thank you for that Will, but I have to do what is best for my son... even if its not with me," Robin replied grimly.

He knew Will and his fiancé didn't mind him and Roland staying there, but Robin knew he had to give Roland his best shot at life. Even though it killed him to think about leaving Roland behind, he had to do it.

"Did you find anyone," Robin choked, he pulled out a clean rag and wiped his face awaiting Will's response.

A short time after the fire, Robin knew he was close to losing everything he had and signed his son up for adoption. The paper work was almost complete, but Robin was waiting until he could find the best fit for his son.

Will sighed, "I did, a real nice woman, Regina Mills, more than capable for providin' care for Roland. She's been put on the adoption list for at least five months, which gives you time to change ya mind."

Robin shook his head, of course Will would pull a stunt like this. Will had been doing background test on the people who were lining up to adopt a baby boy. However it was Will's job to determine the ones who seemed best to take care of Roland, not to mention the ones who had enough money to do so.

"You can't change my mind Will," Robin replied through gritted teeth, "there's nothing I can do for him."

Will shook his head, "Robin in five months you could have all the money in the world or have a steady job and a home. But you know what you won't have, your son if you give him away."

Robin wanted to keep his son, he wanted nothing more than to keep him, but he needed to do what was best for Roland and right now it wasn't with him.

"I can't take that chance Will, I need to do what's best for him. Marian would have wanted that," Robin replied trying to keep his voice even.

Will sighed refusing to give up, "Roland needs his father, he needs you Robin."

"No he needs someone who can care for him," Robin said sharply, taking a breath he sighed, "What did you find about this woman?"

Will knew there was no point in trying to convince Robin otherwise. Instead he told Robin what he wanted to know, he went into the story of Regina Mills, a young woman who recently lost her fiancé and is the new mayor of a small town called Storybrooke. Robin listened intently and knew this woman would be the one to take care of his son.

"Move her up Will, have Ana do her thing and move her up," Robin told Will trying to keep his voice stern and strong and keep it from trembling, "Roland goes to Regina and that's that."

Will knew he was running out of opportunities to change Robin's mind, he had to think fast.

"Robin," Will started, his voice full of concern, "Don't do this now, ya can't-"

"No I'll tell you what I can't do, I can't let my son be succumbed to a bad life when I know there's a way for him to live better. I'm done talking about this Will, have Ana move her up and Roland leaves within the week," Robin replied, his voice hard and cold as he fought the tears that threatened to fall down his cheeks.

He loved his son, more than anything else in the world and the thought of leaving him behind broke his heart, but he felt trapped. He had no money left, no car, no job or any way to get back on his feet. Keeping Roland made him feel selfish, he wanted his son to have the best life possible and that couldn't happen if he was barely making ends meat, not even that much.

Without another word he walked out of the kitchen and into his room down the hall to the left. Inside was an average sized bed with a crib on the right where his son slept peacefully. Robin's heart clenched as he looked over the crib, he watched his son's eyelids flutter allowing a tear to fall down his cheek. Quickly he moved to his night table, pulled out a pen and paper and scribbled a note down. Once he finished, he pulled out another sheet of paper and addressed it to Roland explaining to him what he was doing and why he was doing it. He folded the letters separately and put them each in their own envelope signing one to Roland and the other to, Regina.

Although he did not know her, he knew after hearing her background she would take care of Roland. Robin placed the two letters on his night table, he turned away from them and walked across the empty space over to his son who slept peacefully. Robin bent down and kissed his son's forehead gently as a tears slipped down his cheek.

"I love you Roland, one day I hope you can forgive me and I hope you have a happy life," Robin whispered into his son's ear keeping his tone incredibly low and soft careful not to wake him.