A/N: This is it, the last chapter! I hope you like the ending. Thank you for your attention :)

Chapter 4

Days had passed since Regina and Robin spent a cosy night together. They had woken up – much to their dismay, but Regina had work to do –, and showered together. Robin had massaged the shampoo into her hair gently while Regina had washed his body with his pine-scented soap. They had come out of the shower, Regina now smelling of him – not that she had been complaining, far from it. They had eaten breakfast together and Robin had led her to the door, waving her off with a lingering kiss.

But now they haven't seen each other for several days and it was killing them. With New Year's Eve coming up, Regina hoped that Robin would invite her to spend it with him, but he hadn't even attempted to ask her out. She put her thoughts aside and tried to focus on the sketches for her new project.

Robin on the other hand was almost constantly thinking about New Year's Eve. He was going to have Roland that night, but he felt bad for not having asked Regina to celebrate together. I can't invite her and then, when she comes, say: SURPRISE! I have a son. Didn't expect that, did you? He decided he would not invite Regina and just hope that she wouldn't bring it up herself. Tomorrow was the 31st, he couldn't tell her now, just to get it over with, so he would wait until after New Year's. What a terrible idea…

"Don't you think it's weird he hasn't asked me?"

Snow shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know, you have been together for, what, a week? Five days? Maybe he isn't as serious about this as you are."

"No, that's not it, I know it. We've already established that we're in a relationship now," Regina said while rolling some dough around the seasoned minced meat. She was helping Mary Margaret to make some snacks for tonight: Snow's parents were coming over to ring in the new year together. They had insisted for Regina to join them, but she had politely declined.

"Maybe he hasn't asked you because he's expecting you to just come tonight?"

Regina frowned and thought about it. That could be true…

"You know what? I'm just going to go to his apartment tonight. What could go wrong?"

At noon, Robin jumped into his car, ready for the three-hour drive to Roland. He hasn't seen him since Thanksgiving, which was more than a month ago. Roland lived with his ex-wife Marian and her new husband, Roger. Roger was an electrical engineer, which was "much better than you'll ever be". He had been mad for a long time after she left him for mister big shot, but he was over it now, most definitely with Regina in his life. But he didn't see Roland as much as he'd like. Marian didn't like giving up any time with him, and she felt like Robin wouldn't have enough time for Roland anyway, "with his gigs lasting until the middle of the night and the numerous women probably residing in his bed". She had no idea what life was really like. One gig a week, maybe two if he was lucky. (He should really find a job as a chef somewhere, he needs to earn some real money.) And about the women residing in his bed? Just the one.

When he arrived, Roland was sitting in front of the living room window, anxiously waiting for his papa to arrive. Robin walked up to the front door, but before he could ring the bell, Roland had opened the door and jumped into his arms.

"Papa! I missed you!" he said while nuzzling his nose into Robin's neck. "I missed you too, Roland." He hugged him tightly.

"Roland, I have a present for you. Santa also brought me something to give to you." He handed him the sloppily wrapped gift, but Roland was excited nevertheless. "You can rip it, if you want." Robin said with an encouraging smile.

"Oh, papa, I love it! Thank you, Santa!" he said to the sky. It was a Disney jigsaw puzzle of Robin Hood, Roland's favourite movie – for obvious reasons.

"That's nice of you." He heard a dry familiar voice coming from above them. He got out of his crouching position, "Marian. Merry Christmas."

"You too. Come in for a second, I'll get his stuff."

Roland showed him the presents he got from Santa: some drone, a new bike, lots of video games… He didn't need all of those things, he probably didn't even like the drone or the video games. Roland was an outdoorsy child: he loved building forts and playing hide-and-seek in the woods. He was going to spend all of his time riding that bike, Robin was sure of it. He spends all of his time with her, and she doesn't even know what he likes.

While Marian was descending the stairs with Roland's bag, she called for him to come up to say goodbye to Roger.

"So, Robin, how are you? Have you found a real job yet?"

He rolled his eyes, "Marian, please, that's not your concern. Not anymore."

"But whose is it then? You don't care about that, you're just living off your trust fund. You know that doesn't last!" He did know. He knew he had to find a real job, but in that moment, he was just too stubborn to admit it.

"I'll be okay," he mumbled.

"Robin, you don't have anybody to take care of you."

"As a matter of fact, I do."

Her eyes widened, "Oh really? Has one of your girls decided to stay?"

"Marian, you don't know anything about my life. Why do you even think there are various women occupying my bed? Because I'm in a band? No! Her name is Regina and she's an architect."

Her features softened, "Oh wow, where did you find her?"

"That doesn't matter. I'm very happy with her," he said while smiling to himself.

"I hope she can get you back on your feet. Is Roland going to meet her tonight then?"

He got pale and stammered, "Well… I, uh, haven't told her about him yet."

"What?! Robin, that's not the way it works. You have a child, that's one of the first things you tell a potential new love interest."

Roland came running down the stairs, "I'm ready, papa!"

Robin took his bag from Marian. She leaned into him, "Tell her, Robin. You can't screw this up."

I know.

She put on the new dress she bought a few weeks ago: a tight black top with a wide silver skirt. It's not what she would usually wear, but she loved it, and she hoped Robin would too. But what she hoped for even more, was for him to be happy she showed up at his place unexpectedly. She slid her heels on, put her coat on and grabbed her purse, and made her way to Robin's apartment.

When she arrived, someone just exited through the front door and she slipped inside: this would be an even bigger surprise. She smiled to herself, though cautiously, still hoping she wouldn't be intruding. She was standing in front of his door now. I can still get back and get comfy in my couch… No, she was doing this.

Knock knock knock

The door opened, but she didn't see anyone.

"Hello!" she heard a young boy's voice say.

She looked down and saw a little brown-haired curly head, with dimples. I would recognise those dimples anywhere.

"Hi there, who are you then?"

"I'm Roland and I'm this many," he said excitedly while holding up four fingers.

"Hey Roland, my name is Regina. Do you live here?"

"No, I live with my momma, but I'm here for tonight, because the new year is coming."

"Roland, what are you doing? Don't open the door withou–", Robin stopped talking when he spotted Regina standing outside.

"Re- Regina, what are you doing here?" he stammered.

She blushed a little, obviously ashamed, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have shown up here unexpectedly," she said, while hurrying towards the elevator. She felt a strong hand grab her wrist. "Don't leave, please. Come in. You're here now anyway."

She turned around and entered his apartment, curious brown eyes staring at her.

"Roland, this is Regina," he said, seated on the couch next to his son, and across from Regina. He continued, "Regina is my girlfriend."

"Are you going to get married?" he asked innocently.

Regina gasped, "No honey, we're not. Not yet, at least." She looked at Robin, who was smiling at her.

"Roland, why don't you go play with your teddy bear for a minute? I need to talk to Regina."

"Okay," and he went running to the tree.

Robin moved to the other couch and sat next to Regina. "So, you have a son you failed to tell me about? Is he that unimportant to you?"

He spoke immediately, "Of course not! I was just quite frightened that I would scare you off by telling you about him, but well, that was insanely stupid of me. But then we got more serious, and I hadn't found a good moment to tell you. I'm so sorry, my love, I should have told you much sooner."

She took his hands in hers, "It really was stupid of you to wait this long, and it was quite a shock to find out about him like this."

"I understand if you–"

"No, Robin, stop it. I don't mind him, on the contrary, I love it." Robin looked up and smiled while he brought his head closer to hers, claiming her lips in a searing kiss.

He broke the kiss several moments later, "Oh, milady, I'm so happy you're fine with this."

She shook her head, "It's great, it really is, I love it that you have a son, I… Because…"

He angled his head, "Because what?"

It was almost a whisper, "Because I can't have children."

He enveloped her in a tight hug and she buried her head in the crook of his neck.

"You know, if and when the time comes, there are plenty of other ways to get children. Blood doesn't make you a parent, being a parent does; it doesn't matter in what way you become one."

She smiled through her tears, "You really don't mind dating a barren woman?"

He cupped her cheek, stroking her tears away, "Don't say that. My love, I don't mind one bit. You are amazing and unique and beautiful the way you are. You are everything I will ever need. Besides Roland of course." They both chuckled. "Of course."

The three of them spent a very entertaining night together, eating mini pizzas and pigs in a blanket, and playing charades – Robin was extremely bad at it, even little Roland did better. Roland had insisted on watching the ball drop on TV, but had already fallen asleep on the couch half an hour ago. There was still one minute to go, and Robin and Regina were sitting next to each other, enwrapped in each other. Regina got out of his embrace and looked at him, "I think it's going to be a good year."

He smiled at her lovingly, "I think so too."

"Should we wake him?" she asked while looking at Roland.

"No, he'll just groan a bit and fall back to sleep."

Ten, nine, eight…

"Oh, the countdown is starting," Regina said.

Seven, six, five…

"Do you really like that?" he questioned.

Four, three, two…

"Not one bit," she said, jumping into his arms again, pressing her mouth to his.

One.

"Happy New Year, milady," he mumbled against her eager mouth.

"Happy New Year. Now shut up and kiss me."

THE END

A/N: Please review! Though I can't read them for now (some mistake on the website unfortunately). You can also send me a PM! Much love