Meeting the Parents
Regina was usually a morning person. Even on the days when she didn't have to be at work, she tended to rise no later than nine. She would make herself breakfast and then decide what she was going to do with her day—even if she decided just wanted to lounge about in her pajamas.
This morning, though, she found it difficult to wake up before nine. She knew why at least, having gone to bed late after being at a wedding. It had been a fun—if emotional—night. And she didn't even know the bride!
Robin popped into her mind, dancing around in his tuxedo and spinning her around the floor. It was his smile that got her to finally push back to the blankets and get out of bed. He was picking her up at nine and she wasn't going to be late. She doubted his father liked to be kept waiting.
She frowned as she shrugged on a sweater to go over the sundress she chose to wear. Her interactions with George Locksley had been brief but already left a bad taste in her mouth. It hadn't helped that he spent most of the time berating his son for ending his relationship with Marian, last night's bride. And though Susan Locksley, Robin's mother, seemed nicer than her husband, Regina felt that she believed Robin's happiness lay only with Marian. Susan couldn't stop talking about the woman's merits and how she and Robin had been so perfect for each other. Breakfast, no doubt, was just going to be more of the same from both.
On the ride down to her lobby, Regina decided to be more of an optimist—just like Mary Margaret was always telling her to be. After all, George had specifically told Robin to bring her. Maybe they wanted to get to know her. Maybe she could convince them she was just as right for Robin as they believed Marian had been.
She opened the door to her building as Robin's forest green SUV pulled up to the curb. Regina opened the passenger side, hopping in. "Good morning," she said.
Regina turned her head to be greeted with a long kiss. She leaned into it, letting out a soft moan. When they broke, she licked her lips. "Well, that's a great way to start the morning."
"And I brought coffee." He held up a cup with her name on it. "I think I remembered how you like it. Skim milk with one sugar?"
She nodded taking a sip before looking at his. "Is there so much sugar in that it would make my teeth stand on edge?"
"I like sweet things." He winked at her before putting the car into drive. As he pulled away from the curb, Regina felt her cheeks heat up.
"No one's ever called me sweet. Would you really use that word to describe me?" she asked him.
"Well, it probably wouldn't be the first one."
"Then what would be?"
"Bold…Maybe audacious. No, wait." He glanced at her, smiling. "Stunning."
Her cheeks grew hotter. "You're just trying to flatter me."
"Maybe," he agreed. "You could be the serial killer, for all I know."
"Nope, pretty sure that's you."
He laughed before growing serious. "But I mean every word. You are all of those and more."
She was certain her face was on fire by now. "You are certainly smooth, Robin Locksley."
"You make it easy, Regina Mills." He chuckled. "But really, do you have any questions before we get there?"
"I don't know. Is there anything I should know?"
He frowned. "I don't know. I think you're prepared—my dad's a hard ass and Mum thinks the world revolves around Marian. Both think I'm certifiable for letting her go."
"Did you tell them your reasons?"
"Not in as great detail as I told you," he admitted, grimacing. "I guess I was still trying to protect her image in their eyes. It would've broken Mum's heart to know Marian didn't want to be a mother."
Regina nodded, looking back out the window. "Is there anything you think you should know? That your parents might ask?"
"You think they might quiz us about each other?" He paused before shrugging. "I don't think so. They know we've only just started dating so they may not expect you to know too much. So if Mum starts getting longwinded about our family tree, just give me a kick under the table and I'll get her to change the subject."
"I'll keep that in mind," Regina said. "And I hope they don't expect us to know everything about each other already. I'd rather learn more about you as we go on."
He smiled. "Me too. Though I will admit I did a Google search on you after you left my apartment."
"Really? What did you learn?"
"That you aren't a serial killer," he said. "Or if you are, you haven't been caught yet."
"The search I ran on you revealed the same," she shot back before smiling. "It also revealed that you have an MBA and built your own tree care business from the ground up. Why trees?"
He shrugged. "I always loved them growing up. Mum had a hard time getting me out of the woods at dinner time. They always say to do something you love, right?"
"True."
"So you love advertising?"
She nodded. "Yes. I was always more entertained by commercials than actual TV shows. It wounds me to know people now fast forward through them."
"Well, I promise you I won't now."
"Good. Anyway, I know I'm good at it. Even if it sometimes doesn't seem like it with Gold breathing down my neck and Zelena actively rooting for me to fail."
"You are good at it. I love those Gepetto Toys commercials. And so do others if they gave you a Clio for them."
Regina smiled. "You really did your research."
"Of course," he said. "But tell me something Google can't."
She hummed, glancing out the window as they passed the sign welcoming them to one of Avalon's suburbs. "I want to live here, in Storybrooke. While the city is great and all, I want to have a house with a yard. And this seems to be the quiet little town with a great school system to do so."
"So you want the white picket fence, two point five kids and a dog?"
"Well, I'd prefer a cat but…yes, I do." She gave him a glance. "And I get the feeling you do as well."
"That feeling would be right."
She nodded before growing serious. "But I never thought I'd have those. Not after…well…you know."
"Yes, of course." He glanced at her at the red light. "So you've already researched the school district?"
"I…Well, yes. Silly, right?"
"Absolutely not. You were meant to be a mother, Regina. And it will happen."
She felt her face grow hot again and she stared at her lap. "Your turn," she said, voice hitching. "Tell me something Google can't."
He was silent for a bit and she saw him toy with his lower lip. "Okay, I got one. I play the guitar."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I learned when I came over here," he explained. "I followed Marian when she came to the states for med school. But I didn't know what I was going to do. So I had a lot of free time on my hands before I decided to pursue my MBA."
"So you took guitar lessons?"
Robin shook his head. "I taught myself."
"You what?" She poked him. "Are you even human?"
"I assure you I'm very human." He put the car in park before sliding a hand to cup the back of her neck. Pulling her closer, he captured her lips in a sweet kiss she returned willingly.
Their kiss turned more passionate with each passing second, deepening as Robin's tongue made a cursory sweep of her mouth. She returned it as she tried to get closer, despite the arm rest in between their seats. It dug into her stomach but she didn't move back. Not with the sensations Robin was bringing out with just a kiss. She wanted to hold onto them—the way her heart beat faster and the way her stomach filled with butterflies.
He pulled his lips away though he kept his forehead pressed against hers. "See? Human."
"Please. I just kissed a god."
"You are going to do wonders for my ego, Regina Mills," he said, smiling.
She jumped as someone tapped her window. Turning around, she found George Locksley frowning down at her. Sighing, she turned to Robin. "I guess we need to get out now."
"I'm afraid so." Robin had hardened a bit and sorrow coursed through her that his parents did that to him.
They climbed out of the car, Regina finding herself in front of George and Susan. He glared at her while she looked over Regina's outfit. Susan frowned, shaking her head and Regina felt like she had failed some big test.
Robin took her hand. "Good morning, Dad. Mum."
"It'd be a better morning if you were on time and didn't keep us waiting to make out like a teenager," George shot back.
She tightened her grip on Robin's hand as he muttered apologies. They followed his parents into the restaurant and she tugged, holding him back for a moment. "If you want, I can send Mary Margaret a text and she can call us in a few minutes, saying there is an emergency that requires us to go back to Avalon immediately."
He kissed her forehead. "Thank you, but I think it's just best if I suffer through this. You can go, though."
"No. I'm not leaving you alone." Determination filled her brown eyes as they joined his parents at their table.
By the time their meals arrived, Regina thought her face was going to crack from the insincere smile plastered on her face. Susan and George had gone through the litany of Marian's perfections the night before but clearly they felt the need to repeat them. Regina guessed it was to tell her she was trying to step into shoes they clearly didn't feel she could fill.
"Marian is one of the best heart surgeons in the country," Susan said, digging into her eggs. "What do you do, Regina?"
"I work at an ad agency, Gold and Associates, creating campaigns both on a national and local scale," she said. "Like Gepetto's Toys. They're a long time client of mine."
Robin squeezed her hand. "Regina's won an award for her campaigns."
"How do they pick the winner? Determine who was able to squeeze the most money out of the hardworking public?" George asked.
She shrunk back as Robin frowned. "The award was for creativity and innovation, Dad," he said. "It means a lot."
George didn't reply, still glaring at Regina. "How much do you make?"
"Dad!" Robin pushed his chair back. "If you're just going to interrogate Regina, we're going to leave. She doesn't deserve this."
She tugged on his hand. "Robin, it's okay."
"No, it's not."
"So she makes more than you, does she?" George shook his head. "Or have you gone under already?"
"George," Susan sighed.
"The business is doing well," Robin said, a hardness in his voice Regina hadn't heard before. "So don't think you're going to spend the next half hour trying to convince me to go work for Uncle Philip."
"It's a good job, Robin. With more security than owning your own business," Susan said. "And since it's your uncle's business and you have your degree, he can set you up in a very cushy job."
Robin frowned. "You ever talk about this with Uncle Philip?"
"You want us to?" George asked.
"No. And he wouldn't give me a job. Unlike you two, he supports me."
Susan frowned. "We just worry about you, Robin."
"This seems a bit more than worrying, Mum."
Regina glanced around for the waitress. "Maybe we should get the check?"
"When the going gets tough, you get going, Regina?" George glared at her. "Marian would've stuck around."
"Then Marian was either unable to recognize a toxic environment or when Robin was uncomfortable." She glared at his parents. "Fortunately, I am not Marian and can do so."
They paid the bill in silence and Regina nearly dragged Robin out of the restaurant. As they got to his car, he pushed her up against his car and kissed her until she forgot even her own name.
He pulled away, leaving her panting as she clutched onto his shirt. "What was that for?" she asked, voice hoarse.
"Being supportive. My dad was right. She didn't always take their side, but she wouldn't defend me even if she didn't agree with them."
"Didn't want to create more conflict?"
"That was always my guess." He pulled away, sighing. "I owe you for this. Name your price and I'll pay it."
She smiled. "There's a bakery not far from here that makes pastries that can chase bad days away almost as good as mac and cheese."
"You jest." Robin opened the door. "Show me."
Regina guided him through town until they came to a small bakery nestled away from the road, surrounded by a zen garden with a few chairs outside of it. They held hands as they walked up the cobblestone path to the door, smells of cinnamon, vanilla and fresh bread surrounding them. "The Muffin Man?" Robin asked.
"Yes, but he makes a lot more than muffins." She leaned closer. "His gingerbread cookies are to die for at Christmas."
He smiled as he opened the door. "Well, if he's as good as you say, I guess I know where we're coming for Christmas."
They walked hand in hand down the quiet street, sharing a strawberry strudel. "Okay, we may have to go back and get a box of these. I think I need to have one every day for the foreseeable future," Robin said.
She laughed. "Everything in moderation, remember."
"I don't think that's possible with these." He took another bite before offering her a piece. "So how did you find this place?"
"You're going to think I'm a stalker."
"You think I'm a serial killer."
"Fair enough," she replied with a laugh. "Okay, follow me."
She led him up a nearby street, a residential block lined with quaint houses and manicured lawns. Regina walked halfway down the block before stopping, pointing to a white and blue house across the street. "See that? It's a half Cape, one and a half stories, and my dream house."
Robin smiled. "It's a beautiful house."
"I like to walk by and imagine that it's mine," she admitted.
"Well, I don't think you're a stalker but the owners might," Robin said, wrapping his arm around her.
She shrugged. "The neighbors are probably watching me, wondering why that crazy brunette is back."
"Don't worry. I'll bail you out of jail."
"Thanks," she said, rolling her eyes.
"So, have you ever attempted to buy the house?"
She shook her head. "It's never been on the market since I discovered it. And I'm not going to try to throw a sweet old couple out of their house for my own selfish wants."
"Well, keep dreaming. I have a feeling you'll live there someday." He kissed her cheek. "Now, let's go back for more strudel. Please?"
Regina hopped around her office, pulling on her heels before trying to get her good pearl earrings in. Mary Margaret watched from the doorway, arms crossed. "They're your parents. You have no reason to be concerned."
"How many of my last serious boyfriends has my mother actually approved of?" When Mary Margaret didn't respond, Regina nodded. "Right. None."
"I'm sure Robin will be different."
"I hope so." Regina softened as she admitted: "I really like Robin."
Mary Margaret smiled. "It sounds like you love him."
"I don't know about that. It seems too early to call what I feel love," Regina said.
"Well, I'm sure you'll figure it out." She glanced over her shoulder. "And here he is now. Hello, Robin."
Regina's heart sped up as she heard Robin's hearty laugh. "Mary Margaret, I presume?" he asked.
"Guilty as charged," her assistant quipped. "It's nice to meet you at last."
"Same. I hope you have a good night."
"You too." Mary Margaret stuck her head in. "It'll be fine, Regina. Just have hope."
"Ahh, the Hope Commission. I was wondering when it would show up." But Regina smiled at her, nodding. "Say hi to David for me."
Mary Margaret nodded before slipping out as Robin stepped in. He looked around her office, impressed. "I wish I had this much room in my office," he said.
"You could if you tossed some of those papers."
"They're important."
"It's called a filing cabinet." She tapped on the metal one in her office. "You should invest in one."
Robin laughed. "Probably."
She logged out of her computer and grabbed a sweater. Looping her arm through his, Regina smiled at him. "You ready?"
"Not yet." He pulled her close, kissing her. When they broke apart, he nodded. "Now I'm ready."
"Great. My car is in the garage here. We can take the elevator to it."
They got into the elevator and Robin leaned against the railing, looking her over. "You appear tense, love. Is something wrong?"
"Just nervous."
"It's just dinner."
"With my parents," she said, looking at him. "Why are you so calm?"
He thought for a moment before shrugging. "From what you've told me about them, they sound a lot better than my parents. And you actually get on with yours."
"Yes, I do. It's just…" Regina's comment was interrupted as they arrived at the garage. She led Robin to her little black convertible, motioning for him to get into the passenger seat.
Once they were on the road, he turned back to her. "You didn't finish what you were saying in the elevator. What's so concerning about dinner with your parents?"
"It's my mom. I told you about her, right?"
"She's a respected psychologist, yes."
"Well, expect an interrogation. She always does that to my boyfriends. Actually scared one off once."
"I doubt that."
"No, he honestly told me the reason he was breaking up with me was that my mother was too scary and he didn't even want to entertain a future where she was his mother-in-law."
Robin raised an eyebrow. "I highly doubt she's that bad."
"My mother is an ambitious woman. And I mean that as a compliment. When she went to college, most women there were going for the MRS degree. She earned a doctorate."
"Impressive."
Regina nodded. "And she still found time to meet my father, date him and then marry him. Then she put everything on hold to raise me."
"I'm sure she wanted to do that."
"Of course she did," Regina said. "Dad had been raised by nannies and didn't want that for his children. Neither did Mother."
"That sounds sweet."
"It was and I know I was lucky…It's just that Mother and I often clashed. Dad said we were too similar and I only realized a few years ago he was right."
"I would call you ambitious as well."
She smiled. "Thank you. But I guess what I'm really driving at is that Mother wants what's best for me and sometimes goes to extremes to get it."
"What type of extremes are we talking about?"
"It's hard to narrow down." Regina parked the car. "But you'll find out soon. We're here."
Robin unbuckled himself before taking her hand. "I'm sure it's going to go well. Okay?"
She nodded, kissing his cheek. "I am so glad you came into my life. You've made me slightly less nervous."
"Anything to help." He smiled, dimples growing deeper. She bit back a groan as she climbed out of her car.
Henry and Cora Mills stood as the maître d' showed Robin and Regina to their table. Both smiled fondly at their daughter, hugging and kissing her. Henry then turned to Robin, holding out his hand. "And this must be the new beau."
"Robin Locksley," he replied, shaking her father's hand. "Nice to meet you, sir."
"Please, call me Henry." He turned to his wife. "And this is…"
"Dr. Mills will do for now," Cora interrupted, shaking Robin's hand. Regina recognized her mother's polite yet cold smile. She tried to wordlessly get her mother to back off but Cora pointedly ignored her only child.
The meal progressed with her parents' conversation with Robin being a polite interrogation. Both her parents never strayed into anything mean or embarrassing, but they did a thorough job of vetting her new boyfriend. Regina took gulp of her wine with each probing question Cora asked of Robin, her nerves on edge.
Robin, though, took it all in stride. He answered their questions as honestly as he could and she learned he was also good at the polite deflection when one of her mother's questions got too personal. Cora, unlike his parents, would reel herself back and stick to topics he already proved willing to discuss.
She watched him as well, Regina knew, as they ordered their meal. Cora wasn't trying to decipher some insight into his psyche over whether or not he chose the chicken or the fish. Rather, she was testing to see how controlling Robin was. One of Cora's pet peeves (and Regina's too) were men who insisted on ordering for their dates. The last boyfriend who tried that had been thoroughly undressed by her mother before Regina could kick him to the curb.
Regina didn't have that worry with Robin. While he would make suggestions, he had so far always left her final decision up to her. This night was no different, though this time he asked her for suggestions as she had been to the restaurant before. "Well, I'm partial to the crab but I know you're not fond of it," she replied.
"It's not that I don't like crab," Robin said. "I just can't eat it."
"Wait. You're allergic? Why didn't you specify that?" Regina frowned.
He shrugged. "You never made me crab."
"But I could've made shellfish and never known."
"I'm sorry." He kissed her cheek. "Thank you for worrying. But now you know my only allergy."
Henry cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "I hear the veal here is very good," he suggested.
"I'll keep that in mind," Robin said before noticing Regina's grimace. "You don't care for it? Or are you allergic?"
"No, I have no food allergies."
"And now that's out of the way." Robin smiled, closing his menu. "And I think I will go for the veal."
Regina glanced at her mother, trying to read her. But once again, Cora Mills proved to have an excellent poker face and betrayed nothing of what she thought about Robin as they ordered. She did feel Cora's gaze on them as Regina ordered a grilled chicken Caesar salad. When Robin didn't comment on her choice, the gaze fell away.
As they ate their meal, Robin told her parent about his upbringing in England. Her mother seemed to drop the bad cop routine and actually smiled a few times at him. Regina took it as a tentative good sign.
She started to relax until their dishes were cleared away. When her mother leaned back, Regina tensed up again and waited for whatever it was Cora was about to spring on Robin.
"So, Robin," Cora began, setting down her wine glass. The hairs on Regina's neck stood on end when her mother finished: "What are your opinions on children?"
"Children? I love them," he replied.
"And do you want children one day?" Cora's eyes flickered over Regina before returning to Robin.
It didn't escape Robin's notice, she realized when he took her hand. "I do. Regina and I have already talked about that."
Cora's eyes widened a bit. "You have? And you're okay with it?"
"Yes." He turned, meeting her eyes as he smiled at her. "There are other ways to become parents."
Regina took his hand and squeezed it. He had told her that a few times and each time, it still thrilled her that she had found someone who didn't see her infertility as a dead end on the path to parenthood.
"Well, I am going to run to the ladies' room before dessert. Regina, would you care to join me?" Cora asked.
Knowing it wasn't a request, Regina excused herself as well and followed her mother to the bathroom. Cora made a show of fixing her makeup but Regina just waited.
"So you and Robin already talked about your condition," Cora said, fixing her lipstick.
"Yes, it came up and we discussed it," Regina replied. "He's been really sweet about it."
"So he really doesn't care you can't give him a child?"
Regina shook her head. "He wants to be a father and doesn't care how that happens."
"Have you two had sex yet?"
"Mother!" Regina's eyes widened in horror.
Cora gave her a look. "We're the only ones in here, dear. And I'm your mother. You can tell me."
"Fine," Regina replied, face growing hot. "We haven't slept together yet. Because Robin doesn't just want that from me."
"I know."
Regina's mouth fell open and she had to catch herself before her mother reminded her about manners. "You do?"
Cora smiled, turning to face her daughter. "Yes, I do. I think you've finally found yourself a keeper, Regina. He's polite, caring, hardworking, and respectful. And he the way he looks at you…Well, it reminds me of the look your father gives me. I always hoped you'd find a man who would look at you like that."
"So you approve?" Regina asked, smiling.
"Yes, I do." Cora hugged her daughter. "Now, let's go have dessert. I daresay your father has already applied his own tests to Robin since we've been gone."
"Robin's a Knights' fan, I know that. He's passed," Regina said.
Cora laughed and the two returned to their table. Robin and Henry were smiling and engaged in an animated discussion as the two took their seats. "Sports?" Cora asked her husband, eyebrow raised.
Henry shook his head. "Well, it started out as sports. I asked Robin if he wanted to be a footballer growing up and he told me he wanted to be an astronaut."
"An astronaut?" Regina turned to her boyfriend, smiling. "Really?"
Robin grew sheepish as he rubbed his neck. "Yeah, I thought they were really cool. But it was too much science for me."
"Regina wanted to be a cowgirl," Cora replied.
"Mother!"
Robin laughed though. "I think that's adorable. And I think I know what we should go as for Halloween this year."
"You do? Care to tell me?"
"Not yet," he replied, eyes dancing with laughter. "You'll find out soon."
Once dessert was finished and they had a brief argument over the bill, which Henry won, they prepared to part ways. Cora hugged her daughter. "You and Robin have to come out soon to the house. We let far too long go between seeing you."
"I'll find a Saturday we're free and we'll come out," Regina said. "Promise."
Cora nodded before moving on to Robin. He held out his hand. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Mills."
"Please, call me Cora," she said, smiling. "I hope we see more of you in the future."
Regina wrapped her arm around Robin's waist and he placed his arm around her shoulders as Cora and Henry got in their car. With one last wave, the couple drove off as their daughter watched.
"So…did I pass?" Robin asked Regina.
"With flying colors." She laughed before giving him a kiss. "Congratulations."
She held out her keys. "Since you only drank water and I had a couple glasses of wine to calm my nerves."
"You trust me with it?"
"Yes, I do." She dropped the keys into his palm. "Just remember that with great power comes great responsibility."
He raised an eyebrow. "I wouldn't have pegged you as a Spiderman fan."
"I wouldn't have pegged you as an astronaut wannabe," she retorted. "But I can't wait to learn more about you."
"The same for you…Miss Cowgirl." He laughed as they climbed into the car.
She leaned back in her seat as Robin headed back toward the city, feeling freer than she had felt driving away from it. Things were definitely on the right track.
A/N: So, this was born out of the fact that usually I see Robin's parents accepting Regina right away while Cora usually rejects Robin. I thought I'd do a reversal, where Robin has the jerk parents and Regina had the nice ones. And I'm going to warn you, George and Susan aren't going to get much better.
As for Robin wanting to be an astronaut…I found an old behind-the-scenes special about Grange Hill, which features a young Sean Maguire. At the end, they essentially asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up and he said an astronaut. Thankfully he changed his mind, but it gave me an idea. And yes, you will be seeing Robin's and Regina's Halloween costumes.
I've also decided that it'll be easier if I only update this once a month. Give me time to work on the one-shots and post them. Hope you don't mind!
Thanks!
-Mac
