A few days later, Regina was in front of her bathroom's mirror doing her hair and make up. She took her favorite red lipstick and she wore it on her lips. She could leave out any detail but not that one, especially on the occasion of an important meeting.

"Mum" A surprised Henry exclaimed seeing her mother so focused on her make up.

"Darling, what are you doing just standing there?" she asked without taking her eyes off the mirror.

"What are you doing all dressed up? Did someone ask you out?"

"Henry what are you talking about? It's just a simple meeting with a colleague"

"Sure…what about the black tight dress you're wearing?"

"You should know I love dressing like this every time I go out..."

"Mum..." Henry insisted. He knew when his mother was lying and this was definitely one of those times…"Come on, what's his name? if you're going to take a coffee with a colleague you can tell me, there's nothing wrong with that. Or is there something else I should know?"

"Henry please, stop that…am I getting it from you too?". She already had to deal with Mary Margareth's endless messages and questions, she couldn't stand her own son giving her the third degree too.

"Don't worry mum, I was just joking! It's just..i'm happy when you do something for you, you deserve all the happiness in this world.."

Regina stopped doing her make up and she looked straight in her son's eyes. She approached him and she left a kiss on his forehead.

"Thank you darling.."

"…you know well I'm not the only one who'd love you to get your happiness.

Without even thinking, Regina looked at the frame that every night before falling asleep, she used to stare and caress. Even if she was in the bathroom, she still could see the huge dresser and the photo on it. A sense of sadness but also strength hit her.

"Yeah..O know that.." She tried to say with watery eyes. "…But it's really a simple meeting with a colleague Henry, nothing more."

"Ok ok, I believe you, I'm not going to insist. Keep on doing what you were doing, now I need to study".

"That's my smart boy" she said touching his nose tip with hers as she used to do when he was little. A few moments later, someone pushed the intercom button. Since Regina was still picking up some of her things, Henry answered.

"Henry who is it?" asked Regina.

"Ehm…it's your lover!" he replied amused.

"My what? Are you kidding me?"

"This time it's not my fault..he told me that, and he also said that if you don't hurry up, the coffees will redouble!"

Regina's face was like an open book. You could tell what she was thinking just by looking at her.
Please tell me he didn't do that.

"What? Oh my god…he's crazy. Henry do you understand why this thing between me and him is never going to happen? Anyway, if you need something, call me. I'll come back as soon as possible."

She said goodbye and changing her facial expression, she reached the man who was impatiently waiting for her. She found him leaning against his car wearing a pair of black jeans, a white shirt, sunglasses and a leather jacket on his shoulder that he was holding with his hand.
Wow, I have to admit the old dear doctor is really handsome.

Despite his physical aspect, she was still angry at him so she walked faster and she reached him.

"You, how can you be so stupid?"

"Oh, good afternoon milady!" he said looking at her and acting casual.

"Please, stop giving me those kind of nicknames, we're not teenagers at their first crush. What were you thinking when you spoke to my son?"

"Did I say something wrong? Isn't this the truth? Am I not your lover?" Robin asked shrugging. "I didn't say we're together"

"Sure we're not, we'll never be together. Right now we're just going out for a coffee. Nothing more" While she was talking, she couldn't help notice how Robin was looking at her.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing..i just…aren't you too sexy for just a coffee?" he answered imitating her tone. At first Regina looked at herself a little embarrassed but then she realized what Robin really meant. "Are you done? Can we get in your car and go?"

"I love when you're embarassed…Anyway, as you wish milady! Let's go!" He walked her to the car, opened the car door and he helped her sit down as a true gentleman would do. As soon as Robin got in too, she noticed a rose in front of her. A red rose.

"What's this?" Regina asked surprised by his gesture.

"Where I come from people call it 'rose'"

"Oh really? I can't believe it! I thought you brought me the coffee here!"

"You know, sometimes I think you don't know the word "irony"..!" Robin exclaimed confused.

"And I think you don't really know a woman" She looked straight in his eyes and she smiled. "…I just didn't expect you could be so sweet. You surprised me Locksley!"

…twice apparently.

Hearing her words, Robin smiled back and while he drove, Regina couldn't stop looking and smelling the rose. It was beautiful. She still didn't realized what was happening. She was slowly changing her mind about that man who was sitting at her side. Maybe behind that self-confident doctor, there was really someone sweeter. This was the right time to know him better.

Minutes went by and they arrived to destination. Robin parked his car and then walked with Regina at his side till they reached Starbucks.

"What about a caramel macchiato?" Robin asked

"Sure, why not?.. I'd say a chocolate muffin too!" Regina answered.

"Really? I didn't know you could be so gourd of sweets, Mills!"

"There are a lot of things about me you don't know…You could be surprised. Food is one of the greatest pleasures in life, I can't say no to it.."

"See? This is something I think we'll always agree on..." he blinked at her and together, they entered the bar.

They ordered, paid and they sat at one of the tables near the window. Robin couldn't take his eyes off Regina. Even when she ate, she was the most beautiful human being he had ever seen. He loved those almond brown eyes, and those beautiful red lips he couldn't wait to kiss and that dress. Thanks to her tight black dress, he could study her body and her curves. His attraction for her kept growing stronger and stronger and this is why he wanted to know more about her and wanted Regina to know him better as well. What he wanted to find out the most was the reason why behind her eyes, there was such a deep sadness. There was one thing he was sure about. Her sadness was linked to that neckless she never took off..

"What? Aren't you drinking? Are you too excited to be here with me?" She said stopping his thoughts.

"I'd say I'm blinded by your beauty"

"I can't believe it…who knows how many woman you conquered with that attitude of yours.."

"You're free to believe me or not but in my life there's been only woman who really meant something to me. I'm a serious man!"

"And let me guess...It's over now. What happened? Did you make her go crazy?" she tried guessing without thinking too much.

"…Probably she was so tired of me that at the first opportunity she betrayed me…and she left me and my son alone…"

"Oh sorry, I didn't know that…I mean, I couldn't imagine…"

Shit!

"Don't worry, It's in the past. It's been three years since it happened and now my little man and I are a great team!" The moment Robin named his son, a smile appeared on his face.

"You have a son too? How old is he?" Regina asked curious.

"His name is Roland and he's five. He's at the nursery school but he's very smart…he thinks I'm his superhero since I save lives...or anyway, this is what he says." Talking about his son made him emotional and Regina noticed it.

"What a cutie! You should take a look at yourself while you talk about your son…your eyes are shining! I think seeing a man who gets emotional is one of the greatest things ever..."

He's such a tender heart.

"He's the reason why I survived during that hellish time…believe me, after Marian's betrayal, my ex-wife, I thought I couldn't make it but he gave me such a great strength. I saw him smiling and I thought 'how can I be so sick and hurt when there's someone near me that makes me feel alive?' Some years later I got his custody and sometimes she visits him. I know she's my son's mother but I don't want to hear about her anymore. I've got him and it's the biggest present life has ever given to me."

Regina listened carefully and she couldn't believe how many things they had in common. More that she imagined.

"I'm sorry for what happened with your wife…I can imagine how important Roland has been to you…"

"Really?"

"More than you can imagine"

There was a moment of silence and Robin immediately noticed Regina's face changing. The mysterious sadness came back, he wanted to know more but he was also scared of her reaction. He didn't want to be intrusive so he waited for her to do the first step.

"…do you remember when you asked me about Henry's father?" Regina asked. She couldn't believe what she was doing but she felt like she had to.

"Do you mean some days ago when we were in the elevator? Yes I remember..."

"Years ago, he ran away too…and he left Henry and me alone..." she answered slowly.

"Oh I'm sorry…I really am. May I know the reason?" asked Robin carefully, he knew the woman was trying to open up and he didn't want to bother her.

"It's..complicated" Regina breathed. "…it felt like we couldn't be "us" anymore. A wall between us was created and there was just no way to break it...Maybe it was too big for us to exceed.." She explained and her breath became heavier and heavier. Robin realized there was something more but he didn't ask, he enjoyed how she started to trust him. He didn't want to ruin that beautiful afternoon they were having together.

"Ok, stop with the past now and let's enjoy the present!" Robin finally said placing his hand on Regina's. He looked for her eyes and he found them. There were some unshed tears but despite that, she smiled.

Maybe I was wrong. I was so wrong about him. He's sensible and sweet and, I feel like I could get lost in those deep blue eyes.

"Do you know what Mills? I think that even with white hair you'd be totally stunning, I'm being honest..." as soon as he spoke, she panicked and she started to touch each lock of hair, ruining the hairstyle she spent the whole morning to create. She noticed Robin started laughing so she realized it was all a joke.

"What are you…you're a bastard! You're a real bastard!" she yelled "you're going to regret this…trust me!"

"Oh c'mon, I just wanted to see you a little messy…you're beautiful, even when you freak out.." No matter how many times he tried, he couldn't stop laughing and start acting serious. Regina was still angry but deep down, this situation made her laugh too. Since the day Daniel left, no one managed to make her angry and amused at the same time.

You got me, well and good Robin Locksley. You're an excellent provocateur. Or better, an adorable provocateur.

Two days passed since that particular afternoon. Who could have ever said that? Regina thought she couldn't stand that man and the idea of going out with him made her shiver, but now she had changed her mind and she had started to see him as a friend. Something had changed within her.
She was in the hospital, walking in the Pediatric Oncology ward and visiting all her little patients. Grace was the last one and when she reached her room, she saw the little girl was playing with a plush. Regina looked at her from the huge window, she looked so peaceful and normal but inside her, she was fighting the biggest battle of her life.

"How's the sweetest girl in the whole hospital?" asked Regina entering.

"Regina! You're here!" said Grace smiling at her.

"So, we're playing with plushes, aren't we?"

"Yes, they're so beautiful and soft. Do you wanna play with me?

"Darling I'd love to but today I've a lot of work to do. I don't want someone to get angry with us..."

"Are you talking about the hospital's chief?"

"Exactly my dear. Lately he's keeping an eye on me and I don't want him to get angrier. He could do anything"

"Uff, I just wanted to spend some time with you, what's wrong with that? We play a little and then you're free to work, please Regina!"

Grace saddened and Regina felt something inside her crushing. She had a lot of work to do, Gold gave her another of those terrible days and she never found some time to rest a little bit. Her moments with Grace were the calmest but also the most painful. Every time that little girl asked her something, Regina always tried to please her, she felt it from the bottom of her heart. Playing with her was something special, they didn't do it often but when they got the chance to share some moments together, it was really magical.

"You know Grace…I don't care if he comes and he yells at us, we will face him!"

"Yay, so please, stay with me!" Grace smiled and she hugged Regina tight in her little arms. Spending time with her favorite doctor, was the biggest joy in such a sad place.

"I'm going to stay just for twenty minutes ok? Then I'll have to get back to work..."

"Ok Regina!"

They spent those twenty minutes playing together, the bond they shared was a strong and real one. The little girl was really something special for Regina and seeing her so happy was the greatest thing she could ever ask for.

"Hey little one, time's up. It's late and I have to work so….let's get you to bed!"

"Okay, but first I need to use the bathroom!" said Grace. She stood up, she tried to reach the bathroom but something happened and this made Regina freak out. A strong sense of dizziness hit Grace and she fell on the ground

"OH MY GOD GRACE!" she screamed running towards her. She kneeled near her and she heard Grace's heartbeat. It was ok, strong and clear. Regina didn't want to admit it but the truth was about to come out. Grace's brain cancer wasn't healing, on the contrary it was getting worse and there was no way to stop it.

"Grace please, don't do this to me, Grace please wake up!" said Regina trying to reanimate her but there was no sign of recovery.

"Grace you can't die!" she cried hugging her to her chest.

At that time, Robin was walking in the ward with the aim of visiting his collegue and new "friend" but what he saw from the room's windows, he was sure he wouldn't have forgotten it easily.

"Regina what's happening?" he said rushing towards Regina.

"Robin please help me! Help me save her, she can't die, she can't leave us…I can't leave her!" Regina answered almost screaming and trying to reanimate the little girl again.

"What's the problem here?" he asked so that he could understand better. He held Grace in his arms and he placed her back on her bed.

"Brain cancer, third stage. She received chemotherapy several times, it seemed she was getting better but…she wanted to go to the bathroom but the moment she stood up she fainted. Her vitals are stable..Robin please we need to do something, I can't lose her".

"We will do everything we can to help her, trust me! A young life like Grace's can't end like that…now relax Regina, panicking won't help you. She's strong, she'll recover, believe me!"

Regina continued to caress Grace's hair while she still was senseless. She looked so calm it felt like she was sleeping. Robin was right, they would have found a solution and they would have gone all the way to make that little angel smile and play again with the other children. She had to win that battle.

Opinions?

Just a friendly advice for the next chapter...prepare some tissues.