Notes: I know the beginning of this feels like a set-back but it's not, it's just Regina being Regina. Thanks for the reviews and enjoy!
THE PROPOSAL
"Regina, when I said we were going to travel light and comfortable, I meant it."
Blinking the soft chocolate warm of her eyes rapidly as her chin tilted up so that she could send a quizzical look in Robin's direction, Regina hummed in surprise.
It was as if she didn't understand the words that just came out of his mouth because really, she was dressed comfortable and she packed as lightly as she could.
She had just that one suitcase… well and a somehow huge handbag with her toilerettes, but under her standards that was traveling ridiculously light.
As for her clothes? She couldn't see how there was nothing wrong with them. He said comfortable and that's what she went for, choosing from her closet a cute spaghetti strap blouse that adjusted to her figure perfectly without being too tight and linen pants…
Comfortable and perhaps a bit simple, but chic.
"Well," She began to say while taking a look at the suitcase she just rolled into her living room. "This is me being light and comfortable."
Now, her reply came off as a little bit dry and she knew it, but because she wanted to match the annoyed glance he had set on her and most definitely, the insolent tone he used to talk to her, she did that on purpose.
She didn't know what was with him that day and why he was so jumpy, but she'll be damned if she was going to let him treat her as if she was a thorn at his side.
Yes, she got it… she probably was a pain, especially with how she has been acting as of late, but even though he didn't have to be so touchy about it. As a rule she liked being the bitchy one and if she had to fight for her spot then she sure as hell was going to do it.
Not even once did it cross her mind to think that maybe Robin was doing the same with her, reflecting his behavior into her own rotten mood because that was not the kind of person that he was.
Of what she has observed so far, she could say that he was definitely more level headed than what she has ever been and she didn't think he would sink to her level of pettiness.
Oh but if he would be the type of person that went with the eye for an eye kind of thinking, she could understand why he was acting as if her mere presence annoyed him, because maybe she has been acting extremely difficult to deal with for the past week.
What could she say? It was a mechanism of defense. During their time in their supposedly honeymoon she has showed herself vulnerable to him in ways that still confused her so she began building up her walls again.
She drew an imaginary line between them and prohibited herself to ever cross it again. No more chit chatting or making pretty eyes at each other and definitely no alcohol. Their relationship had to be strictly professional and that was it.
She decided that as soon as she woke up the morning after their encounter with Leroy, when she opened her eyes only to realize she was snuggled up against him, head on his chest, leg hooked over his and his own arm circling her.
It has been mortifying to say the least so no, there had to be boundaries and she set them.
So yes, she has been cutting, more demanding when it came to work and more secluded when they were home.
They only acted the couple when in public and since the week has been super intense between closing the Milan deal, working on it, getting the papers for her citizenship ready and also Robin moving into her house, acting up has been practically unnecessary.
She has been able to evade Mary Margaret too, using what happened with Leroy as an excuse to claim she was upset with the girl and as always, her stepdaughter has showed herself baffled but she granted her time alone which helped Regina buy more time.
So in a way everything has been good, well at least until that moment when they had to go to Robin's family outside of London and once again tip toe into the unknown.
"First of all that suitcase looks like it weights a good twenty kilos and second, how's that comfortable? You're wearing bloody heels."
"They are booties, and just so you know, they are comfortable." Her tone was mark by irritation as he eyed him down, starting by the plain t-shirt he was wearing, going down to his faded jeans and ending with the most obnoxious sneakers her eyes had ever seen. "But if what you wanted was for me to look like a peasant to match your look then you should have given me the specifics."
Taking in a deep breath and letting it blow forcefully through his mouth, Robin ran a hand along the stubble on his jaw. "We are going to the woods; Regina… to the woods, it's not a fancy hotel in Capri or Rome so there's no need to go looking so high maintenance."
"So-" She began to say in a snort, because if he though she was looking high maintenance then he clearly was spending too much time among insipid women who clearly had no sense of what it meant to carry an appearance. "You really like expected me to be wearing… I don't know, rags?"
"You know what?" He breathed out, pursing his lips as he grabbed for his duffle bag. "Never mind. It's too damn early to be bickering so let's go."
With that said, the man turned around and without even offering help with her own things, he walked out the door.
Rolling her eyes, she grabbed the handle of her suitcase and after setting up the alarm system, she walked out as well.
For the next three hours they drove, going out of the city and heading north. Needless to say the ride was mostly made in awkward silence and the usual snarky comment now and then, but when they were almost there Regina cleared her throat and shifting on her seat she decided to talk like the civilized people they were supposed to be.
"Anything I should know before we get there?"
"Like what?" He asked curtly.
Groaning softly, Regina closed her eyes. She didn't like it when he was in a mood and he apparently woke up in one. "I don't know, Robin, like anything a wife should know about her husband's family?"
Taking his eyes off the road for a second so that he could look at her, Robin sighed.
"It's not my family per se. I mean it's not like we are blood related. She's just the woman I grew up with. It's a… let's say a home for children with no other family members."
"Like an orphanage? In the woods…" She asked almost tentatively, noticing how his fingers were tapping impatiently against the steering wheel.
"More or less, yeah."
Nodding, the raven haired twisted her lips. What he just said was something she hadn't known; yes she remembered him saying something about growing up in a house with other kids but the truth was that she didn't give it too much though.
Now that she came to really think about it, the truth was that she didn't know much about him. No more than their daily interactions at the office would allow anyway and that was basically nothing.
It was all work for them and the only revealing conversation about either one of their lives has come from her… when she was drunk and he pulled it out of her. But when it came to him, he really didn't say much.
"And this woman's name is…"
"Just Granny."
For more than a few seconds, Robin said nothing more and Regina was sure the conversation was going to end there; but then he kept on.
"We've been calling her like that since forever, even when she very well could have been our mother. She's older now so it fits better."
"Does she still has kids over?"
"Just a little more than a handful, nothing like before. I think it's harder to keep things as they were for her nowadays so I try to come and help with a few things every now and then. A few of us do… for this visit Little John and I will be around putting together some bunk beds and other stuff."
"Little John." Regina whispered out loud just because the name sounded like some mafia member.
"We both grew up there, I mean Little Jon and me."
"Okay." She said simply, even when she was itching to ask how he ended up in there. She also wanted to know why he was in such a mood.
Was it because she tagged along?
She wouldn't be so sure about that, first because it has been him the one who suggested her to go and second, because he has been annoyed at her many a time before and in none of those occasions has he acted like he was acting.
It just felt odd, but at least he got to tell her a few essentials about what she could expect at the house.
Turning her face towards the window and thinking there was nothing to do about his mood, she decided to leave him alone.
When they arrived, it was still a little shy of noon but she was starving. She would have asked Robin to stop along the way to eat something but it wasn't like the road was full of options, because as Robin warned her, they were in the woods… like real woods.
There were cabins scattered, yes, she was sure she spotted something that looked like a cafeteria/bar/store but that was it, nothing that closely resembled a civilized world.
"This is it." He said while pulling over.
Regina climbed out of the car and after closing the door, she took a look at the outsides of the house. Well, more than a house it looked like a manor taken out of a postcard in the early twenties.
It was impressive, because even though they were in the woods, the structure rose in the middle of it all, majestically contrasting with the rest of the panorama.
"Robin!"
Jumping a little when a shriek took her out of her trance, Regina saw a little boy that couldn't be more than six appear from out of nowhere and run towards them. He didn't stop until Robin grabbed him in the middle of his run and lifted him up in the air.
"Hey there, champ."
Clinging to Robin's neck before pulling away, the boy began to speak to fast that Regina had a hard time keeping up with what was being said.
It made Robin laugh and Regina was relieved that at least he didn't carry on with the mood. "Slow down and say all that again."
"Is it true that you got us new beds? Little John told me so!"
"Peter, what did I say about yelling around the house?"
Moving her eyes to a new figure, Regina watched as an older woman came out the door. She looked like she meant business, with her hands set on her hips and her face set into a scowl.
"But I'm not in the house." The boy complained.
"But you are around it, aren't you?"
Giggling instead of looking upset, the boy jumped out of Robin's arms an ran into the house.
The woman scoffed, but when the kid went past her she ruffled his hair. "No running either. And you," She said looking at Robin, "Come here."
"Granny." Walking to her as she instructed, Robin hugged her. He even lifted her up until the woman began to complain.
Regina just watched the exchange, feeling out of place and chewing on the inside of her cheek compulsively.
"Now where are your manners? Aren't you going to introduce me to the young lady over there?"
As if he suddenly remembered her presence, Robin clicked his tongue and turning to Regina he extended an arm to her. She assumed it was for her to take so she did, forcing a smile on her lips as she felt Robin's hands engulf hers.
"Of course, so… this is Regina… my wife. And um, Regina, this is Granny."
Feeling the discomfort in his voice as he introduced her as his wife, Regina's smiled got a tad wider. "Nice to meet you."
"Well my, my, you didn't mention she was so pretty." The older woman shook firmly Regina's free hand, but then moving her face to Robin she lowered her voice a little, almost as if she didn't want her to listen. "Looks a bit high maintenance though. You told her you were just going to bring her here, right?"
Clenching her jaw and biting her tongue not to reply sarcastically to that, Regina felt how Robin gave her hand a little squeeze, a silent way of telling her 'I told you so.'
"Actually I did, but she is as stubborn as she is pretty. Right, babe?" He asked, fixing his eyes on her as his lips curved in a smug smile.
Scrunching her nose, Regina let out a small laugh, obviously fake and squeezed his hand as tight as she could. "He's so funny, I love that about him."
"And you're so sweet." He said back, mimicking the way she scrunched her nose and leaning a bit more into her. "I just love that about you."
Narrowing her eyes but keeping the smile on her face, she wondered if they were fooling anyone with their little act. It felt so badly acted that she was sure Granny was going to catch them in their farce.
"Alright I get it, you're happy and in love. But you also look like you could use a meal. Come on, I'll fix you both something to eat."
Inside the house, things looked even more impressive to Regina and not necessarily because it's luxury because there was none. But there was certain charm to everything around that simply felt warm and cozy.
She has lived in places bigger and way more elegant, but they lacked the je ne sais quoi she was finding there.
"Now I have to say this, I'm not exactly thrilled with you marrying without even letting me know you were seeing someone so I'm going to let you explain that one to me right here, right now."
Busying herself by taking a bite of her food, Regina felt somehow happy that she didn't exactly get along with her parents. She barely ever spoke to them, but that was good because having to explain how she married her assistance could turn out to be uncomfortable.
"Well… it was something quite unexpected even for us as well." He started to say as his eyes tried to reach for hers. She ignored him, because Granny was his problem, not hers. "You know what, I'm going to let Regina tell the story because she so loves to tell it."
Almost chocking, the brown eyed woman swallowed hard on the food. He just caught her by surprise so widening her eyes a little she stared at him. He ignored her, so having no choice she cleared her throat.
"Well… there's not really much of an interesting story here. I guess we just fell in love… you know, we spend so much time around each other that in a way it was inevitable… And Robin is quite a charmer."
"Ugh, he is. This one could get out of any trouble just by smiling." Granny said, apparently very interested in her made up story.
It motivated Regina to keep going so after taking a sip of water, she leaned into the older woman and kept on.
"We didn't give into the feeling right away because we work together and I didn't want to complicate it. But he's…" She paused, looking at him to get a glimpse at his amused expression. "He's just lovely. He proposed in Italy and we just went for it. That's it, that was basically it. We eloped."
"That's the beauty of love, it will get to you no matter how much you try to run from it. When I met my late husband, I was in a dance. I wasn't supposed to be there but that's part of it, it was destiny. It took me just one song, one dance to know I was going to marry him."
"Can't Take My Eyes Off You. Robin told me that story." Seeing how the woman's eyes lit up if not her face, Regina decided to go ahead. Now she wasn't usually the kind who thrived in making others feel good, but in that moment she felt like playing nice and she what could happen. "It was the first song we danced after getting married."
And that apparently did the trick to get the woman happy, at least Regina believed so, judging by the way she looked at Robin and smiled brightly. He winked at her before sending a quick glance his wife's way.
"I raised this one right for sure. He always stood from the others for being the kindest…. Also the loudest but that's how it is with these stinky boys. I'm glad he found someone to make him happy, not like with Marian, that conniving little-"
"Granny." Robin interrupted her in a warning as his expression turned a little somber.
"What? You know that's the truth nobody wants to say. But I'm old and I can say what comes into my mind. I don't like Marian, I never did and I can't wait to see her face when she finds out you are here happily married, she's going to eat her heart out."
"Okay! So… are you done?" He asked rapidly taking Regina's plate and taking it away. He did it before she could even finish so she ended up with a fork in her hand and a mouthful of food preventing her from telling him she wasn't done.
Taking notice, Granny groaned.
"Where are your manners? Robin, you are going to make me look bad in front of Regina here. She'll think I raised you in a barn."
"No, it's okay, she doesn't eat that much anyway and it's getting late so we have to settle before we begin working on the beds. Is Little John here?"
"She still looks hungry to me."
Granny said just as Robin threw the rest of her food into the trash. The woman apparently didn't like it that and it showed in her face. "Robin Locksley, come and say you're sorry."
"What?" He scoffed as Regina took the moment to drink all her water. It was the best way she found to keep herself busy during the exchange.
"You heard me so don't play dumb."
"You think I'm still ten?"
"You think I can't still whoop your arse? Come and apologize."
"I wasn't finished," Regina decided to intervene just because Robin's face was worth a million dollars. It was amusing to say the least and she could already say she liked this woman.
"I know dear, that's why he'll apologize."
Taking in a deep breath and walking to her, Robin rolled his eyes.
Regina turned fully towards him just so that she could look at him in the eye as he was being scolded.
"I'm sorry. For taking your food when you were not finished. It was inconsiderate of me."
Biting down a grin, she wrinkled her nose. "I forgive you. But don't you do it again."
"Good, now you can kiss her and all will be alright. If there's something I learnt is that in marriage, everything has to be resolved with a kiss."
The grin she has been trying to bite down died on her lips and her eyes got a bit wider.
"We'll kiss tons once we get settled." Robin said, straightening his pose.
"I'm sure you will, but the argument needs closure now."
Blinking slowly and snorting her discomfort away, Regina ventured to speak. "Oh we were not arguing."
"You know why my marriage lasted so much? Because from the very beginning we started with the kissing rule. It never fails."
"You're making this awkward Granny."
"Kissing your wife is awkward? Then how is it when you're trying to make babies?"
"Oh my God." Groaning out loud, Robin slapped his face, letting his hand drag to his jaw.
"Just kiss her."
Scratching down along her neck, Regina saw Robin hesitate. She tried to warn him not to do it with her eyes, but before she could even do such a thing he leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
It was something quick and extremely chaste and she was okay with it. She even smiled to let Granny know it was okay.
"There, are you happy?"
"That's not a real kiss."
He scoffed, but then he got closer to her and with his eyes set on hers he whispered. "She's not going to let it go."
Knowing that he was right, the brunette breathed in. "It's okay," She said and just like that, he closed the distance between them and lightly nudged at her lips with his.
With her eyes closed, Regina let him linger, allowing herself to get familiar with the feeling.
His mouth was soft and warm against hers, that was how he felt, and when he parted his lips into the kiss she did the same, their breaths mingling together as the inside of his bottom lip brushed against hers.
It didn't get further than that, because as if remembering herself, Regina broke apart.
"See, I gather you feel better now."
Clearing his throat, Robin took a step back. "I'm going to get the things from the car."
Still seating, Regina watched him go and as she stared after him, a strange feeling that things were about to turn complicated started to eat at her entrails…
TBC
