Storybrooke - Present Day
His eyes slowly opened to the gleaming of sunlight through the trees and the sounds of birds chirping. The fresh morning air was damp and cool. As the blurriness of his vision subsided, he took in it in, smelling the sweetness of the pine trees. He took another breath, stretching what muscles he could but remaining cautious of the woman still sleeping on his shoulder.
One arm was wrapped around her while the other hand gently reached towards her face. In sleep, this woman seemed to be the most beautiful thing he had seen in his life. How could someone of such radiant beauty be anything close to evil? He wondered to himself, his hand hesitating to caress her cheek.
From what he had known of her, which was very little, Regina was of a very kind and gentle nature. She was filled with nothing but love. There was no hatred, no rage, not even a glimpse of anger in the woman. He had a hard time believing that this woman now sleeping in his arms could have ever been the same infamous Evil Queen whom the kingdoms feared.
Robin's hand hovered over her cheek, dying to brush back the few strands of hair in her face and longing to feel the softness of her skin. However, he pulled it away, trying to wane from his temptations. He couldn't allow himself to go against her wishes. She had clearly declined his affections that earlier night, and, though he didn't want to believe it, she was right. Her life was filled with complications due to the lost years; she had a husband or a lover out there, the father of her child. Robin, though he knew he was falling for her, had to remain an honorable man; he needed to honor her request and honor the dignity of whoever this other man was. Placing his hand on his lap, Robin then vowed to himself that he would only do what he set out to do: protect Regina until they returned their memories and nothing more.
He closed his eyes and leaned his head back against a tree, thinking of how he could possibly push aside his feelings for this woman. Taking another deep breath, he suddenly felt movement upon his shoulder. He glanced down and noticed her stirring, slowly waking from her slumbers. A set of beautiful brown eyes fluttered open and instantly starred up at him serenely. Regina met him with a gentle smile.
"Good morning," Robin greeted the tired woman.
"Morning," she replied softly, her voice soft and slightly hoarse.
"Anymore nightmares?" he asked. With a shake of the head and soft hum, her grin grew wider. "Good," he replied, thankful that her night terrors and her worries had subsided at least for the moment.
They continued to stare into each other's eyes, Regina not moving from her comfortable position on his shoulder and Robin not speaking another word. However, this only made it harder for him to do what he had vowed only moments before. As his eyes panned her body, he instantly stopped at her large stomach and remembered it. Regardless of what was happening, it was not fair to that child nor was it fair to Regina and her unknown lover.
Robin glanced back into the brunette's dark eyes. He spoke, trying to cover up his disappointment, "I suggest we get you back home."
0-0-0
The Enchanted Forest - One Year and Three Months Earlier
She had been the last to walk out of the palace throne room. Finally, things were set in place for Zelena's capture and, for once, things were looking up. Regina felt lively and more than confident that this plan of hers was going to be a success.
Shutting the doors behind her with a cheerful grin, Regina then began to walk down the palace halls, the sound echoing with every click of her heels on the hard floors. Turning a corner, she suddenly felt someone grab her hand and pull her behind a hidden pillar, soliciting a somewhat loud yelp from the Queen. She felt two strong arms wrap around her waist and hold her firmly.
Finally staring into his deep blue eyes and that wicked smirk, Regina slapped the man's chest. "Don't scare me like that," she demanded. However the Queen's voice simply faded into a soft hum as the man before her instantly pressed his lips against hers. Her lips stretched into a little grin and her hand slid onto his cheek, the fact that he scared her no longer an issue.
Feeling a warm sigh hit his skin, Robin chuckled softly, eliciting a strange stare from Regina. Her hand moved to his chest as he spoke, "If didn't know any better, I'd say Snow's comment about your being smitten was rather accurate."
Regina raised her brow and commented, "Pretty sure my comeback was rather accurate too." She laughed softly, leaning into his chest and capturing his sweet lips once again.
Leaning in even closer, Regina could feel a pulsating against her hand. She stopped kissing Robin and glanced down, her fingers curling over his chest. "What is it?" Robin asked her with some concern.
"I can feel your heart," she replied softly while glancing back up into his eyes.
Taking her hand in his and then kissing it lovingly, he said, "And soon enough I shall feel yours." He noticed the expression of worry upon her face. "Regina, I made you a promise and I am not a man who goes back on his promises. I will get your heart back, so long as you trust me."
Regina shook her head and answered him honestly, "I trust you more than anyone else."
"Then have faith," he whispered. "And, for now, we shall use my heart for the both of us." Placing both hands to her cheeks, he gazed into her dark eyes, and smiled. "I love you, Regina."
For a short moment, Regina couldn't breathe. She placed one hand over his and squeezed it tightly in response to those four final words he spoke. Though her heart was not in her chest, she could feel that, wherever it was, it was beating rapidly and strongly. He loved her; he said it. Finally letting out that held in breath, she asked, "Do you mean that?"
Smiling softly, Robin replied with a gentle kiss to her lips. "I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it."
Regina's expression suddenly grew so soft and so loving as she leaned in once more and began to kiss him passionately. Her arms wrapped around his neck and his around her slim waist. He picked her up off the ground and carried her to his bedchambers, their lips never parting for even a second.
0-0-0
Storybrooke - Present Day
As David came down the stairs, sword in hand, he and Mary Margaret heard a knocking at the door. For a short moment, the couple feared who it may be. However, if it were a threatening person, they would have most likely kicked down the door in an instant.
Remaining slightly cautious, David went over, unlocked it and turned the knob. When he opened it to reveal Regina and Robin standing there, Mary Margaret was the first to let out a grateful sigh. She quickly walked over to the pregnant woman and wrapped her arms around her.
"We were so worried something had happened to you," she said.
Regina stood there, unsure of how to react to the awkward embrace. She turned her head and noticed Robin standing beside her, laughing quietly to himself. Regina gave him a look as if begging him to make Mary Margaret stop; however, he just continued to laugh with a cocky smirk on his lips.
Clearing her throat, Regina tried to discreetly push Mary Margaret away without seeming rude. Once the other woman let go, she finally felt that she could breathe. She sighed and tried to explain, but only a few stuttering words came out of her mouth. She was still a bit taken back by the hug. She looked to Robin once more for help and the man began to explain.
"Regina had herself a bit of fright last night due to a dream. She didn't wish to wake you, so she went out for some air and didn't count on feeling ill. I luckily found her and took her to my camp for the rest of the evening."
Mary Margaret smiled and looked towards Regina. "We're just glad that you're okay."
"Thank you," Regina managed to spit out after being unable to speak for that short while.
Placing a hand to her shoulder, Mary Margaret grinned again. It was still strange for Regina, this relationship with Mary Margaret after all of those years. The kindness, the generosity and the trust between them felt awkward. She supposed it would just take some time to get used to.
Mary Margaret had always been a very kind and caring soul. Regina remembered how much that used to aggravate her. She couldn't understand how one person could be so bubbly and sweet, have no faults and be blindly loved by the world. Thinking about it, she probably envied the woman more than she despised her. It was ironic how all of those years she hated this woman, and now this woman was becoming her closest and most trusted… friend. Mary Margaret was a friend; she was someone whom Regina confided in, talked to, even asked for advice once in a while. It may have been strange, she thought, but it also felt comforting.
"We actually need to get going soon," Mary Margaret announced, making Regina's thoughts fade away. Regina gave the woman a curious look as if to ask why and she responded, "Belle called earlier this morning. She thinks she may have found what can stop Zelena for good. We're getting ready to head over to the library."
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The Enchanted Forest - One Year and Three Months Earlier
She lay there, wrapped in his strong arms, her fingers tracing circles upon his bare-naked chest. While his right hand rested comfortably on his stomach, she slid hers down slowly, weaving her fingers between his. There, in plain sight, was the inked lion tattoo signifying their prophesized love. She stared at it for a short while, remembering those few earlier months when she had first seen it on Robin's wrist. She had kissed him only hours before, the feelings for him boiling up inside of her long before even knowing that he was her destined soulmate.
She remembered running from him yet again, just as she had from the tavern. However, this time had been different. She never told him; she didn't dare, feeling this was a secret meant to be kept only to herself. She knew that she had developed feelings for this thief even before seeing the tattoo. The kiss proved that well. But at the sight of the man's wrist, she grew fearful. Perhaps, she had wondered, those feelings she developed were not real; perhaps she was only being controlled by what fate desired and not by her true feelings. She didn't want this love to be fake or even forced because of something as simple as an inked tattoo. So she ran yet again until she finally figured out what this really was between them.
Now staring at it once more while lying twisted in his bed sheets, she smiled. She brought his hand to her lips and kissed it softly before caressing her delicate fingers over the dark ink. Though the tattoo was a sign of their destined love, it did not control their fate. She finally knew that. Nothing about that prophecy controlled her; it simply gave her the choice to find her own. She knew now that only she and Robin could choose their destiny whether it was together or apart. Regina chose to love him; she chose her own fate.
Placing another kiss into the palm of his hand, Regina let out a soft hum. As his hand reached up and brushed against her cheek, she proceeded to caress his feet underneath the sheets with her own. Regina tilted her head up, still resting it comfortably on his shoulder, and smiled. She stretched towards him and planted a gentle kiss on his lips.
Sighing affectionately as they parted, she said in a deep voice, "I love you."
"And I love you," Robin replied instantly, his hand still lingering along her jawline.
She let a soft chuckle escape her mouth and she too reached up and caressed his cheek. She stared into his lovely eyes and simply knew that this was what true love was meant to feel like. The adoration, the caring, the trust and the love; it was all there between them.
Suddenly, falling lost in his eyes, Regina blurted out, "Marry me."
"What?" Robin asked as the woman rolled on top of him, straddling her legs over his waist and placing both of her hands on his shoulders.
"Marry me," she repeated with a smile and another sweet peck to the lips, "after all of this is said and done and Zelena is finished. I know that I love you and I don't want to wait until it's too late and we are facing yet another monster or villain who wishes to destroy us. I want us to be happy," she said, weaving her fingers through his hair and caressing the back of his neck and shoulders.
"I thought we were already happy," Robin replied with a smirk.
Regina laughed, "Then I wish for us to be even happier," leaning forward for another kiss. "So what do you say?"
Letting out a deep chuckle, Robin stared up at the beautiful queen's dark eyes and commented, "Rather spritely for a woman without her heart."
As he leaned forward to try to capture her lips again, Regina placed a hand to his mouth and replied, "That's not an answer."
Robin grinned. Rolling them both over and changing their position so that he was above her, he let out a sigh. Brushing the hair from her face and allowing his fingers to slowly make their way down her jaw and her neck, he whispered, "Yes," before taking her lips against his in a passionate, loving embrace.
0-0-0
Storybrooke - Present Day
The Charmings, Regina and Robin arrived at the Storybrooke library around noontime. Staring around at the shelves and the books as they entered, Regina felt somewhat nervous. She wasn't sure why, but she was apprehensive of whatever Belle had discovered. Would Zelena's defeat come at a great cost? Would it only cause everyone more anguish and pain? Something about it didn't feel right to Regina. But she supposed she'd have to stick it out, regardless of the doubts she held, until she knew what this solution actually was.
Emma had arrived prior to all of them and was waiting with Belle in a small room located at the back of the library. Once they all filed in, curious as to what the woman had found out, David asked, "Belle, you said you found something that could stop Zelena?"
"Yes," she nodded, a look of complete seriousness painted upon her face. "Ever since we discovered who was behind all of this, I started doing some research on this infamous Wicked Witch. I believe I came upon something that can defeat Zelena permanently."
Regina shook her head, growing impatient. She looked to Belle and asked, "Well, what is it?"
Belle returned the look to Regina. She sighed, "Your baby."
Next chapter, we shall dig a little deeper into how Regina's (and Robin's) baby fits into all of this.
As for the flashback, there will be more revealed to what happened and how Regina saw the tattoo in a future chapter. Maybe she'll even see it in Storybrooke. Who knows? The possibilities are endless.
As always, please review and let me know what you thought of the chapter or the story overall. Thank you for reading!