The incessant banging on the door is what wakes him up. It's loud enough to reach the far end of the apartment where his room is.

He gets out of bed, determined to give whoever insists on bothering him at five am in the morning a good beating.

Knock! Knock!

"Bloody, hell, I'm coming, I'm coming!"

When he opens the door he's met with a searing pain on his cheek followed by the scolding of a blonde pregnant woman.

"What the fuck is your problem, Robin!"

As pregnant as she is, she can still push him off pretty roughly and she does. She's scolding him, cursing at him all the while she shoves him farther and farther into his apartment.

He raises his hands, in attempts to move away from Emma's blows, "Woah, what the hell! Shit, Emma!"

"Don't 'shit, Emma' me you idiot!"

"Lass, alright, I think that's enough." Killian attempts to calm her.

But, it's to no avail as she turns to him with teeth clenched and a bitter voice, "And you!" she points to her husband, "Don't think you got off that easy for opening your damn mouth."

"I didn't tell him anything! Cross my heart, love," he defends, but still to no avail.

"Emma, what the bloody hell is going on?" Robin asks.

"What's going on is that my best friend told me about the stunt you pulled a few days ago!"

Shit.

"Emma, listen"

"No, you listen!" She was bright red and it was clear that her pregnancy hormones were helping her anger get riled up even more, "You broke that girl's heart three years ago. You don't understand what it took to get her out of the bed let alone the house back then. She was at the lowest point in her life, she was depressed, heartbroken! She was betrayed by the one person she thought would never, ever, do her wrong."

"Look-."

"You better fucking shut up, Robin Locksley, because I'm not finished." She warned with fisted hands.

Robin looked over to Killian who stood behind her, shaking his head giving him a look to just listen to the girl and shut it.

Robin ran his hand through his bed hair as Emma continued speaking, "Whether or not you know what happened that night in New York is beside the point. The girl asked you to marry her! Do you understand the guts it took her to do that because you wouldn't budge? Then, when she asks you, what do you do? You turn her down, and accuse her of cheating on you with Daniel."

"I apologized to her for that, and she apologized too for what she said to me that night."

"Yes, you two did. That still doesn't change the fact that you hurt her, you rejected her then went to sleep with your ex-wife!"

He begins to open his mouth again to defend himself but she halts him with a single finger in front of him, "I know. You don't know what happened. That doesn't matter because the damage was made. The betrayal you made her feel, the loss of trust she had in you in addition to how that night at Granny's ended up made her re-think everything. She doesn't trust you, Robin. You broke her heart in more ways than one. Not just by sleeping with Marian, by rejecting her the way you did and not believing enough in her loyalty to you."

His arms were crossed as he realized what Emma said. He'd never seen it that way, but it was true, Regina had lost all trust in Robin. He didn't have any way to respond to that so he remained silent for a moment.

Emma's out of breath pregnant self, plopped herself on the couch in the living room. Killian moved to sit next to her as he soothed over her aching back and calmed her, her eyes remained glued to Robin's silent form.

Robin sat across from both his friends, slouched over with his elbows resting on his thighs and he fiddles aimlessly with his fingers.

"Is she okay? When she left… I tried calling her but- I've sodded it all, haven't I?"

"She's fine. She's stronger than you think. It just took her all by surprise and it was too much for her to deal with emotionally all at once," Emma replied, "If you want to get her back you ask for help, because it's obvious that you are out of practice in the wooing department."

"I don't know what happened, I heard at Granny's that Graham left to Europe for a family emergency… next thing I know I'm in her office trying to win her back and," He groans in anger at himself. All he wanted was to get her back and he hurt her even more… confused her even more.

"You still love her, don't you?" Emma asked. It wasn't a question, more of a statement she knew the answer for but wanted to hear him answer it.

He remained silent, looking down to the hardwood floor. He nodded slowly as he confessed, "I was going to ask her to marry me."

"What?!" Emma and Killian blurted in unison.

"Don't tell me you asked her to marry you in her office, she didn't tell me that but, shit…"

"No, not recently, when I was in New York. All I remember before I blacked out was thinking that I needed to get back to Regina. That I had been stupid to hold off my future with the woman I love for someone like Marian or people like my parents for that matter. I was going to ask her to marry me. I was going to grovel and get her back and ask her to marry me."

"Why the hell did you never tell her that!? My god, you men are idiots," Emma scolded him from her seat. As if on cue, both babies gave her a small kicked that had her wincing and soothing over her belly. As if both unborn children telling her to calm down or better yet, scold their Uncle Robin even more for being an idiot.

"She could have tried to make things work if she knew that, mate," Killian chimed in.

"I… I don't know. I thought it was pointless after everything. I betrayed her and after what happened… I didn't think that it would make a difference."

"It would have made all the fucking difference! If Regina had any notion, any hint at all that you wanted to marry her, I believe she would have taken you back. She would have tried to make it work." Emma replied.

"She's with Graham now… I tried to get her to go to dinner with me to talk. She kept saying no to me and I kept pressing and then I don't know what happened, something clicked in me and I just got desperate. I kissed her… fucking hell, I bloody miss her."

"You were being an idiot, that's for sure," Emma begins, "I know Regina, you have to ease her into it. Have her realize without realizing… if that makes sense."

"So, you'll help me? Get her back?"

"You want to marry her, don't you? Emma asks as Robin nods quickly, "If you didn't want to, I wouldn't even bat an eye at your request because after everything that she's gone through. If you were just trying to get her back to not even marry her—"

"I want to marry her, gods, that's all I want." He mumbles desperately.

"Good," Emma begins, "Now, first things, first. You let her come to you, not the other way around, got that?"

.*.

She was happy Robin had not come by to insist on dinner with her. After the way he'd confronted her, it left her with a gnawing feeling in her gut.

She was glad that she had the kids this week; she had five days to not have a single reason to see Robin and she would make sure to be fully composed for the next time she saw him.

She'd gone to the office and worked on the prints she'd taken for her past trip. She talked to Graham on the phone during the afternoon.

His grandmother had been extremely ill, and the family was aware that he would pass away in the coming months; she had passed the night before in her sleep. Funeral preparations were being made and

"Take all the time you need Graham," Regina told him, "I'll be waiting for you back home."

"Thank you, babe. How are things going over there? Any news? How are the kids?"

News? Well, that was the understatement of the year. Confessions and confrontations with Robin more like it.

"Everything is fine over here. The kids are fine too. Roland has discovered the world of comic books thanks to Henry and he's insisting that I buy him the entire Thor series."

"I'm surprised he got into it so late."

"Yeah, well, Robin's been teaching him to play the guitar, so that's kept him pretty occupied."

Graham had no response for Regina's mention of Robin, he quickly changed the subject to a different matter. One that was the purpose of his phone call.

"Regina, I was wondering… they're anticipating the service and burial to be this Sunday. I just was wondering; would you fly here? For the funeral. I know it's a lot to ask with the kids, but, I could really use your support. I miss you and it's been difficult doing this alone."

"Oh, Graham, of course I'll go. I didn't offer because I thought you wanted space. I'll talk to Robin and see what can be arranged. "

"Thank you, Regina, really. It means the world to me."

"What are fiancées for?" she replies.

"After this is over, we'll start planning our wedding. Promise." He told her.

"No rush, whenever you're ready." she said.

They said they're goodbyes and Regina promised him, she'd talk to Robin as soon as possible to figure out the child arrangement.

Once she hung up, her conversation with Graham stayed in her head. Once they came back, she'd start planning her wedding. They had to set a date, talk about the florist, the guest list, the cake, her wedding dress. She knew she was supposed to be thrilled, excited, of course a bit overwhelmed but happy all the same. So why was it feeling so daunting?

.*.

"Roland! Willow! Dinner's ready!"

It was dinner time in the Regina's home, and that meant everyone sitting around the table together. Family meals were her favorite part of the day. Especially when two little tikes accompanied her.

She'd called Robin's office first thing after hanging up with Graham; his secretary had let her know he was in a business meeting that would last most of the day and she recommended that she reach him through his cell. Regina tried to minimize the amount if direct contact she had with Robin. She always called his office and left messages with his secretary or e-mailed him when she had questions or updates on the kids.

Anything that she could do to avoid have direct communication with him, she did. If it wasn't an emergency, which it rarely was, she'd simply wait until he called her. She never called first. She was great at avoiding him, she knew how to communicate with him, without actually communicating with him. Texts were the back up. She had already sent him two telling him that she needed to talk to him and he had not replied to any.

She was surprised since he usually was quick to respond to any and all times she contacted him.

As she was tossing the last bit of salad, she heard Willow and Roland's conversation from the nearing hall.

"No, Rolie, Hulk is the best; he's super strong like Daddy." Willow argued.

"Thor has a hammer Willow; he can destroy anything in his way. And, he's got thunder!"

"But he's an alien, Hulk is a monster he's stronger."

Regina snickered, hearing the very intense conversation her children were having.

"He's not an alien Willow, he's a god."

"But he's from outer space, those are aliens."

"He's from Asgard, not space."

"But in the movies they travel in space, like the Guardians of the Galaxy."

"That's different; he's in the realm of the Nine Worlds. It's somewhere else."

Willow tilted her head looking to a slightly aggravated Roland, "I think you need to talk to Henry, Rolie, maybe you're not reading the comics right." She told him innocently.

"Alright you two," Regina said, "How about a break from comics? It's time for dinner."

Willow cheered, "What are we having mommy?"

"Chicken fajitas and apple pie for dessert, how does that sound?"

"Yes! I love your cooking, mommy, it's the best in the whole world," Willow yelped happily.

"Roland, sweetie, can you help me with the plates? Willow, grab the salad bowl, babe," Regina instructed and in a quick second her kids came trotting to help her set the table.

They sat together as Regina served them their portions and Roland quickly began chomping on his food like a hungry little cub. Willow looked at Roland and grimaced clearly grossed at Roland's eating habits.

Regina watched the exchanged and chuckled softly, "So, how was your math test today Roland?"

As he gulped a bite, he said, "I think I did good mom, it was kind of hard on two problems, but I remembered what you told me to do with the multiples of nine and I think I got them right."

"That's really good, Roland. I'm sure you got a good score."

"Pop said if I get an A he'll take me to the roller rink!"

"That sounds like a lot of fun, sweetie."

"Yeah, he said when were at his house next he would take us!"

"I've never been roller-skating, have I mama?" Willow asked.

"No, you haven't babe. But you can learn with daddy."

She nodded affirmatively and took a bite of a strip of chicken, "Can Jack come too mommy, and Lucy and Wendy?"

Regina's brows furrowed her at daughter's question, "Well, you'll have to ask daddy, sweetie, but who's Jack?"

"It's her boooooyfriend," Roland teases.

"No, he's not!" Willow barks back.

"Woah, okay, hold on, who is Jack?" Regina asks.

"He's my recess buddy," Willow responds matter of fact, "Not my boyfriend," she adds giving Roland a well earned glare.

"And what does a recess buddy do?" Regina asks attempting to hold back a knowing smile.

"Well, we were supposed to choose partners to keep each other safe during recess. Ms. Blanchard told us to pick someone we wanted to be our buddy for the year. We would stick together in case one of us got hurt or needed help we help each other. Jack asked me to be his buddy and I said yes."

"And why does Roland think he's your boyfriend?"

"He gives her flowers mom, just like Pop would give you," Roland says waving his hands, frustrated with his sister's denial, "That means he's her boyfriend."

"No, he's not! I'm never having a boyfriend! He's my friend, only."

"Okay, calm down, Willow," She turns to looking to Roland with a firm voice, "your sister says he's not her boyfriend, okay?"

He simply shrugs his shoulders and goes back to scarfing on the rest of his plate.

As her kids quickly gobbled up their food, she cuts the apple pie. As she serves her kids slices of the apple pie, Roland asks Regina, "Hey, mom, Pop told us that we were going to stay with Belle last week because you two had to talk, but we never did."

She tenses up a bit, remembering that day and why her kids did not end up staying with Belle. She had ignored every text and call from Robin, it was clear he had gotten the point because he did not show up at her door that night.

"Yeah, I remember." Regina tells him.

"Are you guys going to talk this week?"

She gulped down hurriedly her first bite of apple pie and replied, "No, why do you ask?"

She was uneasy of where this conversation would be going. She had successfully avoided having discussions about her relationships with Robin to her kids. To them, mom and dad got along, and they got along well. That was it, nothing more. They weren't best friends or were in love. Just the kid's parents, nothing more.

"I like Belle's house. She has a huge library maybe she has Thor comics that I can borrow."

"Well, I can ask her tomorrow if she does and we can make time to go, how's that?"

"Cool!" Roland replied happily.

"What were you and Papa going to talk about, mommy?" Willow asked a few moments later.

"Um… just adult stuff." She attempted to reply absentmindedly but inside she was full of nerves. Why was she getting like this? It was just her kids, not a grand jury where she was on trial.

"Were you guys going to talk about your wedding together?" Willow asks, and Regina just about spits her glass of wine from her mouth.

"They're not getting married Willow," Roland scolds, "They don't love each other, they are separated."

Brows furrowed, she quickly takes a sip of her wine. She clears her throat and ask her daughter, "Why… why do you ask if we're getting married, sweetie?"

"'Cause of the shiny ring on your bag." She replies and Regina goes cold. Eyes widened and she realizes then, yep, she's on trial and her kids are the jury.

She wasn't ready to tell them. She wanted it to be the right time and she did not feel like it was the time now. Her kids were the most important people in her life, more than herself, her work and anyone else. When she told them, she had to be sure – of everything.

So, she did something she hated to do. She lied to them.

"Oh, that," she starts casually, "I'm just holding it for a friend so it won't get lost."

Roland looks at her, his gazed slightly confused but more so curious, "What friend?"

"One that you don't know."

"But we know all your friends," Willow chimes in and Regina just about wants to run out of the room. Her kids are, in fact, destined to be private investigators.

"Not this one." She smiles and turns to take another bite of apple pie. A second or so later she notices neither asking further questions and she hopes to dear god that it will be the end of it.

She takes a deep breath, and notices Roland chewing as he looks at her with a growing curious face. She knows her son like the back of her hand and he doesn't seem all that convinced with her response. She hopes that's enough for them but, Roland's next questions clearly shows it's not.

"Are you and Graham going to get married one day?"

"Um, I don't know. Maybe." She replies now tossing bits of her pie crust from side to side on the plate.

"Mama, if you're going to get married, it should be with someone who makes you feel like a queen and thinks you're beautiful and loves you a lot." Willow tells her mother with the most loveable smile.

"Oh, yeah?"

She nods intensely, "That's what Papa told me."

"Well your Papa is right." She agrees. For a slight second a flash of memories go through her mind; she remembers those time – the times that Robin indeed had made her feel like a queen. In those moment she had believed, really saw them married. Her heart sags, knowing that was a long time ago, where she was stupid and full of hope for something with him. Who knew he never wanted to be with her in that way, she thought.

Roland looks at Regina with a smirk, "Papa says he thinks Mom is beautiful, doesn't she Willow?"

"Yup! And he says I'm the Princess and you're the queen, mama. And Roland is a knight!"

"All he needs it to love mom a lot and they can get married, don't they, Willow?" he smirks at his mother as Willow nods.

And Roland's comments has Regina, once again, wanting to cut dinner more than short and find Robin and grab him by the neck for telling her kids all those sweet things about her.

Regina raises an eyebrow, smiles as she meets Roland's cunning smirk, "Is that so?"

"Yup," Roland responds and continues eating his apple pie.

.*.

It was nearing nine in the evening, both kids has taken their baths, dressed in their pajamas and laid to rest. She read Willow the next chapter of her current favorite book, A Wrinkle in Time and Roland just had to finish the rest of his last Thor comic.

Once both were very well into their second dream, she went down to the kitchen and finished cleaning up dinner.

She was cleaning of the kitchen island when her phone chimed letting her know she'd received a text. It was a text from Robin, hours after she had tried to contact him.

RL: Hey, Regina. Sorry, was signing a contract. Took longer than expected. What's up?

She quickly replied, as she made her way upstairs to get ready for bed.

RM: It's okay. I need to speak to you about something regarding the kids.

RL: Want to call instead? Just getting to the house.

She steps into the bathroom, getting ready for a shower as she replies one last text.

RM: Give me a about 30min. I'll call you.

She sets the phone down, and steps into the shower. She doesn't understand why she's nervous, anxious actually, it's just Robin. Oh, right, that's why – it's Robin.

Once she stepped out of the shower she took her time, combing her hair, applying lotion over her body, and putting on her silk pajama shorts and tank. Knowing full well, she was dragging the time along, hoping that Robin would have fallen asleep by the time she finished.

She questions herself, why had she not just told him that she would speak to him later? Perhaps tomorrow or the next day or just go to his office. Not at night, not while she'll be in bed, and especially not while she has his rough masculine voice right on her ear.

When she climbed into bed, she saw the response from her pervious text to him, letting him know that she'd call him. He'd simply replied:

RL: I'll be waiting.

So, she called him and it rang only twice, until she heard his voice at the other end.

"Hi," he replies simply.

"Hi." She also, replies simply.

It's the first time they've spoken since the incident in her office. And it's tense.

"You um, wanted to talk about the kids?" he spoke after a silence.

"Yes, well, Graham's grandmother passed away…"

"Oh, that's horrible, I'm sorry." He says in between her sentence.

"…yeah, well, Graham wants me to go for the wake and the burial and… I can't exactly take the kids. So, I was just wondering if—."

"Oh, yeah, I'll take them, don't worry. What… what, um, days are you going?"

"I'm taking the red-eye tomorrow. I can drop them off at your place after dinner, so they'll just be ready for bed."

"You know that's not how it works with our kids," he says, with a small snigger. Because, it's never worked that way. Whether it's Robin or Regina, their kids demand they go with their parents to the airport. Not mattering what time of day it is, their kids always want to drop their parents off and there's no other way.

His soft snigger is was softens the tension, it eases them both and in turn, Regina snigger as well.

"Yeah, that's true…. I just wanted to avoid the hassle for you, since its late notice."

"It's no hassle at all, I love my kids, I don't mind. And it's an emergency, so, we'll have to manage is all." She nods, and a small smile tries to appear on her lips, because that's who Robin is. He's flexible, he's accommodating and so helpful to anyone and everyone. It was a trait she'd always admired about him, a true serviceman.

"I can get off work tomorrow, pick up the kids and give them an early dinner while you get everything settled and packed. We can go by and pick you up once you're ready and drive you to the airport."

She wants to say no. She wants to say she'll take the kids and meet him at the airport, because she doesn't want to ride in a car with him. Wants to avoid the proximity of him and the domestically they might have in the car ride. It's too alike to their family outings they used to have. Too alike to all the times Regina would have to go on work trips and Robin would take the kids to bid her goodbye. But she knows it's a logical plan, one that will save her a lot of time and reduce possible stress, so, she obliges.

"That's fine. We can do that. Thank you." She tells him.

"Tomorrow then."

"Tomorrow."

And there's a silence once again, one where they know their arrangements have been made and they need to cut the conversation but, his next sentence gives her a pit in her stomach, and a gnawing of nerves and anxiety that she has been dreading would come.

"I want to apologize for what happened last week, Regina. In your office. I was out of line. I'm sorry for that."

Yep, he really went there.

"It's forgotten." She lies; because, it's not forgotten. It's been in her head all week. It's been tormenting her, the closeness of him, his touch, his damn speech he gave her about not being able to be without her. It all just kills her inside. But she just wants to move on, act like it never happened and get on with things. So, she lies, does her best and she's glad that he's not looking at her now, because the way her cheeks tinted, and the thick glaze on her eyes he'd now in an instant that it was not forgotten.

She hopes that's enough for him, but his next words have the knot in her gut tightening and her hands clam so quickly she thinks the phone will slip of her hands.

"That's the thing, I don't think it is. Not by me at least. I'll be honest, it's all I've been thinking about. What you told me. I can't stop thinking about that."

"It was in the moment, Robin. I was not all there as you recall."

"You were running high on emotions because I barged in on you demanding dinner together. But, I think what you said, it wasn't in the moment."

"It was."

"Fine. I won't argue with you. Just know that I think differently."

She scoffs amusingly, "As always."

She can hear his soft chuckle through the line and she hates how it eases her nerves, "I only ever played devil's advocate because I loved riling you up," he tells her and she smiles, because he would. She remembers him, just for the heck of it, going against her or having a contradictory opinion. Once she'd start raising her voice and that vein on her forehead would make an appearance, he'd start chuckling and kissing her senseless.

"You loved getting me upset." She remarks and she hears his soft laughter once more. She settled more comfortably into the bed, covers herself with the blanket and lays sideways, phone moving to her other ear and she looks at the empty side in her bed – where he used to sleep.

He's chuckling and without thinking tells her, "You just looked really sexy angry."

And there's a slight silence, where she doesn't respond and it appears he realizes what he's done because he quickly apologizes. A whisper of an apology, coming from his rough voice.

She doesn't reply, she considers what he says, what he's told her in this phone call and how she's felt. It's the most at ease she's felt all week and she wants to keep feeling that way. She's torn, split between just hanging up and being angry or the tempting want – desire – to just have a light, flirty conversation with him.

So, decides, with her heart because her head is telling her it's a bad idea, she should hate him, should scold him for crossing that line but she decides against follows her head and follows that damn weak heart of hers.

She knows he's going to apologizes and she speaks before he can get a word in and blurts out the first thing she can think of, "You liked rough sex too, so, I'm not surprised."

And it appears now he's taken aback because there's no quick response. Clearly he's processing her response and trying to interpret the fact that she's not flirting back, in a sense, and mentioning their relationship. Things, memories of their relationship that you wouldn't really speak with an ex unless…

"I wasn't the only one that liked it… intense." He says after and she sniggers at his counter. He is enjoying this. And of course, they move into another silence, screening the mood, trying to find something else to say – to continue to conversation.

"So, I hear you're giving Willow the marriage talk already." Regina tells him.

"So you found out about the Jack fellow, huh?"

"You knew? For how long?"

"Not much, one morning that I dropped her off, he greeted her with a bundle of daisies in hand."

"She's going to be a heartbreaker," she says and Robin merely hums in reply.

"Just like her mother," he says after and she doesn't say anything.

She chooses to ignore that comment, not really know what to reply and not wanting to delve much into hat topic.

"They're growing up so fast," Robin says to her.

"Yeah, can you believe Roland is eight? Eight years, Robin." She tells him and he hums at her words, because they both realize how long, how much, it's all been.

"I'm surprised he doesn't have girl chasing after him."

"Probably does, we just don't know it."

He chuckles and their conversation continue. Talking about their kids, and moving on to their jobs. They catch up on what feels like years of things they've missed out of one another. They laugh cautiously, not really showing how giddiness they feel at the moment to share this long-lost intimacy. They're wide awake, not realizing it's nearing the dawn and she's laughing, whole heartedly laughing like she hasn't in years.

"I'm serious," she says as she tells him the most recent trip she's had with the most difficult client in her recent trip as Robin laughed on the phone, "The guys mother had serious attachment issues. She was after him constantly. I promise you, in about ninety-five percent of the pictures I took of the groom, she's in them! I had to pry her off when I was trying to take ones of just the bride and groom."

"God, that must have been embarrassing for him," Robin says.

"He was beet red!" she chuckles, "God, I swear, if I'm like that with Roland or Willow, you have to promise to kick me out of their weddings."

"Well, I think they'll be kicking me out too, love." He tells her as they both then begin to chuckle.

"Oh, my… I didn't realize what time it was. It's almost five am." Regina says as she looks to the clock on her night stand.

"Oh, right, sorry about that." Robin replies.

"It's fine, my fault too. Just… lost track of time I guess."

He hums at her response, "Yeah, well, guess we should try to get some rest. You've got a flight and I've got a pair of little devils coming over later."

He can hear her whispered giggle as clear as day and it brings a smile to his face, "I'll see you later today then."

"Goodnight, Robin" she says softly, and it gives him shivers up his spine to hear his name spill so softly from her lips.

"I… I loved talking to you… I've, um… I've missed it." He utters hesitantly and there's no word from her. He checks to see if the call was cut but the line is still there and it's clear she either does not want to respond or is a loss for words.

He decides to give her an out. They've had a good time, and they've taken a step to a better relationship. But he won't let her feel pressured or uncomfortable, so he decides to give her an out.

"Tell the kids I love them. See you later today."

"I… I will. Good night."

"Goodnight."

.*.

"I can't believe she stayed up that long talking to you, mate," Killian says.

Robin had been beyond excited after the progress he had made with Regina that he'd called Killian the minute he'd hung up with Regina, left him a voicemail and a text informing him that he had to go to lunch with him.

"I'm bloody tired, I could sleep on the damn sidewalk, but the lack of sleep is worth it," Robin tells him.

"So, you heard what Emma said, you let her come to you. Make yourself available, you can't force her. It has to be her choice."

Robin nods, taking a good swig of his drink.

"She's going to go to Europe to meet Graham, and they'll probably come back together."

"Ay, Emma's working on that. You heard her, she can see Regina's hesitance to marry him. She hasn't even told the kids yet and it's been a good few weeks. The girl doesn't wear the ring – ever." Killian says.

"Well, I've got to go get the kids from school," Robin says, "Thanks for the chat mate."

"Oi, you invited, you pay for it!"

"Tell Granny to put it on my tab!"

As Granny approaches with a glaring look to Killian, he chuckles nervously, "He's got a tab, right Gran?"

.*.

As he approaches the gates of the school, he sees Willows dark hair flowing as she jumps along with her friends.

"Hey, Pop!" Roland yells out as he walks out of the main doors.

He meets Roland with a tight hug, he hears the yelping of his little girl, who clearly has not spotted her father.

"Papa! Papa!" She yells out and without letting go of Roland, Robin scoops Willow up and gives them both a quick twirl as they giggle holding tighter to his shoulders.

"Papa, did Mama tell you she's going to Europe?"

"Yes, she did, my darling. We're dropping her off at the airport, your mum told you, yeah?" Willow nods vigorously, "You're staying with me until your Mum comes back."

"Is Mama going to be with Graham because of his grandma going with the angels?" Willow ask innocently.

"Yes, love, he's very sad right now and your mum's going to help him out."

"Mama's the bestest at making you feel better, isn't she Papa?"

"She is, my darling." Robin says giving his daughter's chin a soft tug.

"Pop, mom's not staying over there, right?" Roland asks with a concerned expression.

"She's coming back, son. She's just staying for a few days." Robin assures. Roland had always been the hesitant of the two when Regina would go out of town. Robin always had an inkling that it was because of the separation Regina and Robin had. He was at the age where he questioned a lot of things when they got separated. After they talked to Roland, when Regina or Robin would go out of town, he'd throw tantrums and be in a foul mood until they returned. It was addressed with his therapist Archie and had slowly gone away as Roland got used to the new routine. Robin and Regina felt there was still remnants of that anxiety Roland had, but Archie assured them that it was perfectly normal and would go away in time as Roland grew up.

He saw the hesitance in Roland's nod but made sure to go on as normal, giving Roland the space, he needed to understand and process the situation.

"Now, who's hungry? I've got some pasta waiting to be made at my place." Robin asks as both kids nod excitedly.

The car ride was short, quite short in fact that before they turned the first street, Roland asked his father, "Pop, can… can we eat with Mom?"

"Your mom's packing now son, we can take her a bit to maybe it while she waits for her flight. How about that?"

Roland shakes his head, his brows furrow, "No, I… I want to be with my mom."

"Roland, we can't—"

"No! I want mom!"

"Rollie, we can give Mama food—"

"No! I want mom now!" Roland screams and as Robin can see from the rearview mirror his eyes are glazed and his expression in a state of stress.

"Alright, alright, I'll text your mum and we can head over there. Try to relax, Roland, alright? We'll go see her."

As he cleans away his shed tears, he nods slowly, and Robin makes a quick U-turn heading towards Regina's house.

.*.

It's quick. The minute he parks the car, Roland removes himself out of the car without any aid and runs over to ring the doorbell of the house.

"Papa, why is Rollie so sad? Mama's coming back, right?"

"She is, my darling, he just doesn't want her to go. That's all."

As they approach the entrance, they see a distraught Roland frantically ringing the doorbell.

"Son, your mums on her way."

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" they hear Regina's voice form the inside.

The moment the door creaks open, Roland shoves himself inside, crashing onto Regina's torso and whimpering as he pleads her to not leave.

"What's going on?" Regina asks wide eyed to Robin as she wraps Roland in her arms.

"Roland wanted to eat with you before you left for your trip." Robin replied wincing at her.

She looked down to Roland, who's shaking whimpers tugged at her torso, "Roland, baby, what's going on?"

"Don't go, mama, p-please." He whimpers against her arms.

"Come inside, baby," she tells Roland and she keeps her hold tight on him as they walk into the living room with Robin right behind them carrying Willow.

"Can you get him some water?" Regina asks him. He nods and makes his way into the kitchen.

It had been almost a year since the last time Robin has stepped into the house. The last was for Willow's birthday. Regina and he had bought it with five rooms, wanting to have more kids to fill the house. That was three years ago, now the house was only on her name and he didn't live it in. It felt still like his home, everything seemed he same in it, but it also felt like an entirely new place. A strange place, not his.

He'd filled a glass with water quickly, keeping hold of Willow under his arms and made his way out to the living room. As he stepped inside, he heard the whimpers of Roland and the hush sweet voice of Regina soothing her son. The sight warmed him, seeing his son's mother tending to his son's distress in the most loving manner. She had him cradled in his arms, he sat on her lap, his head resting snuggly on her chest as she cleared any tears that fell.

Willow wriggled out of her father's hold and trotted over to her mother and brother, she stood in front of the both of the, she tilted her head slightly looking over Roland's sad form.

"It's okay, Rolie, Mama's coming back. Promise," she assures as she rubs his shoulder,

Regina smiles at her daughters soothing gesture as she says, "Come, here baby girl. Hike up," as Regina scoots over to the center of the couch, Willow climbs up to Regina's side and snuggles to her chest as well.

As Roland's now calmed form lays still sat holding onto his sister's little hand, Regina looks up to Robin, standing behind the, observing the three.

"Well come on, Papa," Regina says with a small smile, "Come join the snuggle party."

Without any hesitation, he sets the cup of water on the center table and moved to sit next to Roland. He cuddled closer, placing his arm on the top of the couch, just passing Regina's head.

He softly ruffled Roland's hair and gave him a kiss on his head, he turned to look at Regina who had been watching the exchange with a warm smile on her face.

She had that expression, it was the same one she had of happiness all those years ago. He wanted that expression to remain for as long as possible, forever if possible. They stayed in the same position for a few more minutes, taking in the silence and calm of the place as Roland returned back to his center.

Regina's head lulled, clearly tired from the night before. Willow had already nodded off and so had Roland, the last was Regina who was still fighting the sleep. After a bit of push back, sleep won out and Regina had dozed off it seemed, and her head fell straight back on the couch.

Robin scanned her over, this woman he loved, gods, did he love her. She held on, even in her sleep, tightly to both her children who slept away peacefully in her arms.

She's so strong, he thought, as a mother, a woman, an individual.

He softly ran his fingers through her black stresses, careful to not wake her. He stroked her cheek softly, feeling the touch of her soft skin. She leaned into his touch slightly and hummed calmly.

"I'm going to marry you, one day," Robin whispered, "I promise you that."

He intended to keep that promise. He'd do whatever he needed to do to make that happen. For now, though, he'd make his little family dinner, take Regina to the airport and hope, with everything, that she returned alone. Because he was going to take the chance to get her back and run with it.

/

Here is chapter 3! Let me know what you think?

What do you think is going to happen with Regina and Graham?

Will Robin be able to get his chance?

Stay tuned!