(Thank you to Bekki for beta reading this,and all who read, review, follow, fave this story.)
On their way back, Regina fell asleep. Robin was content to watch her, she had been through enough, too much, mostly because of him. He had treated her horribly in their past, their present not too much better. But he would try his best to make up for his past mistakes. He wanted to be a better man for her, for their son. While she slept, he caught up with his calls, working solidly for the next hour. A few problems had arisen that he was going to have to attend to in London, he realized as he finally finished. He had not been out of the office for so long in years, and before that he had not been concentrating but wondering about Regina.
He wasn't going to waste any more time trying to talk with Regina. Tomorrow he was going to tell Roland he was his father. The young girl had morphed into an even sexier, sophisticated but stubborn woman. He would wait. She would come around to him, hopefully. He was not a conceited man, but endowed with brains, and wealth, especially wealth.
Finally, they arrived at the house to a very thrilled Roland.
"Mommy!" Roland yelled as she got out of the car.
She went to her knees and caught his small frame as his arms went around her neck, "Oh my sweet boy," she cried out. Thankful that she was able to hug her son again.
"I missed you, Momma," Roland said.
Regina let a few tears leave her eyes as she said, "I missed you, my little knight."
"You brought her back like you said you would," Roland said over her shoulder to Robin. Regina stood and held Roland in her arms as she turned to face Robin.
"I keep my promises, my boy," Robin said as his eyes locked with Regina's.
"Why don't we let your mother rest? She's had a very long day," Robin said.
"I'm fine, really," Regina said.
"You need some food and rest," Robin said.
"I can help make dinner," Roland offered.
"Well, I can't argue with that," Regina said as she turned and walked into the house, Robin following. Once inside Robin insisted she take a hot bath and relax while Roland and him fixed her something to eat. She had to admit the bath did help, and after it she went downstairs to find some soup and sandwiches along with some fruit for them.
They spent their first dinner together, Robin listening to Roland talk about how he liked John, his Uncle John, as Roland was calling him. Robin listened to his son, but kept his eyes on Regina often. He could tell she was exhausted and needed a long night sleep. He got out of his chair and went to Regina, and promptly picked her up in his arms.
"Come on sleepy head," Robin said.
"Robin! Put me down," Regina protested.
"You're carrying my Mommy, like she carries me at times," Roland said as he followed them upstairs.
"I bet she doesn't weigh too much more than you do, my boy," Robin said as he carried her up to her room, and placed her gently on the bed. "Please, get some sleep."
As she opened her eyes to start to speak, he put a finger on her lips, "Please. I would like for us to have a talk tomorrow, but for now you do need some more rest."
"But, Roland needs his bath still," Regina said.
"I'll do it," Robin said as Regina raised an eyebrow at him.
"What? How hard can it be to give a bath to a five year old?" Robin asked.
Regina could only stifle a laugh, smirking just a little. If only she wasn't so tired...
Robin turned to see that Roland was standing at the doorway, and leaned closer to her ear to whisper, "Please, for our son, rest."
Regina knew she couldn't fight her being so tired, her emotions completely drained. Tomorrow, they could talk about what they were going to do. She nodded her head, but looked over his shoulder at Roland, "A kiss, for sleep?"
Roland walked over to his mother's side, and with the help of Robin picking him up, kissed her on the side of her cheek, "Good Night, Mama."
"Good sleep, my little knight," Regina said.
"Robin?" Roland said as he helped him back to his feet. "Will you carry me to my bed too?"
"I will, after your bath," Robin said as he looked down as his son's hand came up, wanting him to hold it as they headed to the bathroom.
Half an hour later, Robin had changed his mind on how much trouble it was to give a bath to a little boy, not only was the bathroom a complete disaster, with water all over the floor. Robin himself was completely drenched.
"I'm sorry about the bath, Mama says it's like being on a fisherman's boat in a hurricane giving me a bath," Roland said as Robin finished drying him off and putting him in his pajamas, which had little bows and arrows on them.
"That's alright, we all make our own messes," Robin said, "as long as try to correct them, that it what defines us."
Roland nodded his little head up and down, as he helped Robin clean up the bathroom. When they were done, Robin picked him up in his arms, carrying him on the side of his hip as he took him to his own bed. He placed him gently down on the bed, much like he had his mother.
"Will you be here in the morning, Robin?" Roland asked.
"I promise you, I will be here when you wake up from your dreams," Robin promised his son as he leaned in and kissed his son's little forehead.
"Good night, Robin," Roland said as he closed his eyes.
"Good night, sweet boy," Robin said as he moved from the bed, and turned on a little night lamp that had chasing bows going around the room.
Robin walked to the doorway, and turned to look at his sleeping son. Thankful to have his mother and their little son safe and sound, and both under the same roof.
Robin went to the kitchen and cleaned it up, before pouring himself a drink and walking out onto the deck of the house. He saw John standing there, watching over the property along with some of Robin's other men.
"How are they?" John asked.
"Both are sound asleep, Regina is beyond exhausted," Robin said.
"And the little hobbit?" John asked.
"Completely fascinated with his new Uncle John," Robin said.
"Does he know you're his father yet?" John asked.
"No, but I want to tell him tomorrow," Robin said.
"How will she react to that?" John asked.
Robin smiled as he thought of how Regina might react, "Probably not well. But it needs to happen, he needs to know I'm his father. He needs to know me."
Regina woke up and groaned for a moment, not sure where she was. She forced her eyes open and realized she was in that home that Robin had brought her to. The memories of yesterday surfaced and she groaned again.
She sat up in the bed and glanced at the clock on the wall. Nine in the morning. It couldn't be...Roland was always up at the crack of dawn. Her first thought was that he might be ill. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she was about to stand up when Roland burst in.
"Mama! You're up! Robin said I had to let you sleep, but you have been asleep for ages. We went for a walk after breakfast," Roland informed her.
"You should have woken me up. You know you must not go anywhere without telling me," She was terrified at the thought Robin had taken Roland. He could have driven Roland off to heaven knew where, her worst nightmare.
"Robin said it was fine, because you were tired an needed rest."
Regina looked down at her son and saw the worried look in his eyes. She forced a smile. "Yes, it was okay, but don't do it again without telling me, hmm?" Planting a kiss on his brow, she straightened her shoulders, silently cursing Robin.
Only to find Robin was now standing at the foot of her bed.
"Good morning, Regina. I hope you slept well?" he asked in a deep husky tone, his blue eyes roaming over her with blatant masculine appreciation.
She swallowed hard and felt her breasts tighten beneath her sleep shirt. He looked so gorgeously male, wearing jeans and a blue sweater, and suddenly she was terribly conscious of the shortness of the sleep shirt on her.
"Yes," she muttered, pink cheeked with embarrassment and unable to look him in the eye. She tried to straighten the shirt, but only succeeded in revealing her hardened nipples to Robin's appreciative eyes.
"Mum, Mum, you will never guess!"
She was glad to turn her attention to Roland, "Guess what?" she asked.
"Robin told me at breakfast I have a daddy and he knows where he is."
Her body's reaction to having Robin in the room faded insignificant at his statement.
For a second Regina closed her eyes, her cheeks draining to a deathly shade of pale, and she wished the ground would open and swallow her up, or preferable Robin Locksley. She had known some day she would have to explain to Roland more fully about his father, her aunt had warned her often enough, but not like this, being forced into it. She opened her eyes to find Roland staring at her, positively buzzing with excitement. Slowly tilting back her head, she stared up at Robin.
"It came up in conversation, Regina, and I would not lie to the boy. But I did say we had to ask your permission first."
She met his not so innocent gaze, her dark eyes sparking with anger, "Big of you. Now, would you mind leaving while I dress?"
"But I want to know where my daddy is now."
Roland was adamant, and though it wasn't the way that she would have chosen to tell him, there was no way she was going to let Robin do it for her. Pride and anger stiffened her spine, and lifting Roland onto her lap, she stroked a few wayward curls from his brow.
"You know I said you didn't have a father because we had parted long before you were born? Well, Robin knows where you father is because, he is your father, Roland, and he found us."
Roland's mouth opened in a gasp, and he looked up at Robin, "Are you really my daddy?"
"Yes, Roland. Your mum and I lost touch, and I had no idea you existed until recently, when we met again and to my joy I discovered you were my son. I promise we will never loose each other again."
"Can I call you Daddy?" Roland asked tentatively, and Regina's heart ached for him and for herself.
"Yes, certainly, Roland. There is nothing I would like better in the world than to have you call me Daddy," Robin replied and when Roland put his arms up to Robin, he was more than happy to pick his son up for a hug.
Regina showered and dressed while Roland went with Robin for a swim in the pool in the backyard. She had only agreed to it after Robin had said they would walk down to the leisure center and with a sardonic look had left her the keys to his car. He knew she did not trust him yet with their son.
Pouring herself a drink, alone with her thoughts, Regina found her mind in turmoil. She feared for the future, Robin could give Roland anything money could buy, the lofty lifestyle of the fabulously wealthy, and all she had to give her son was a working mother and lots of love. The odds seemed to be stacked against her. She could not help but wonder if Roland would ever look at their small home the same way again, now that he was being exposed to the more exotic people and places his father knew.
The day went on with them sharing lunch and Roland asking Robin all sort of questions, he had the innocence of youth that accepted the man as his father, showing an ease and enthusiasm that made Regina feel guilty for keeping them apart for years and shamefully jealous. Roland was her son, and it was hard to accept she was no longer going to be the center of his universe but would have to share that position with Robin.
Robin had enthralled Roland with his talk of family and he was equally fascinated with Roland. The rest of the day was spent with the new acquainted father and son, talking about everything. Roland found out his father knew how to use a bow and arrow quite well. Robin promised that when Roland was older he would get him a bow and arrow set, after looking at Regina, he added, "If your mother approves."
Great, Regina thought, make her the bad guy. The evening started to roll in and after she gave him a bath he was fast asleep in his bed.
"He looks angelic when he is asleep, like a little cherub," Robin murmured.
"Yes."
Watching him staring down at Roland, seeing the gentle expression on his handsome face, softened Regina's heart. But it had hurt when Roland, his eyes gleaming with happiness, had kissed Robin and said, "Good night, Daddy."
"But he can be a devil sometimes, like his father," she responded bitterly and turning, she left the room, and went down the stairs.
She needed some coffee, and walked into the kitchen. She didn't know the creature she was turning into, because of Robin. Jealous of seeing her son kiss him and call him Daddy.
"Can I have a cup as well?" Robin's accent cut into her thoughts.
Regina didn't say anything, just poured him a cup and handed it to him. Their fingers brushed and she felt the electricity between them. He was standing much too close, watching her, and it had a disastrous effect on her nerves.
"Steady, Regina," he took one sip and smiled, a breathtaking grin that deepened the laughter lines around his sparkling blue eyes. "A very successful day, don't spoil it by covering me in hot coffee," he joked, and motioned for them to go and sit in the living room.
"We have a lot to talk about," Robin said as they both sat on the couch, inches apart but what felt like miles.
Successful for him, not for her. She wanted to ignore him and his talk, Robin was much too dangerous to her life, and to her emotional wellbeing, but she didn't really have a choice.
"So discuss, but make it fast. It has been a long day," she said, "and I'm tired."
"I know you are, you still look it," Robin said as he stretched out a hand and flipped the end of a long hair over her shoulder, brushing her neck as he did so.
The touch of his hand had made the hair on the back of her neck prickle and her body tingle, a state she had been in pretty much all since Robin's return. "Excuse me for not reaching your high standard of elegant designer clad painted ladies, but then I never aspired to."
Damn it all to hell! Robin's mouth tightened. A tender gesture and a concerned comment on his part and she was bristling with outrage again. "I don't care what you wear, in fact naked works for me. In two days I have to be back in London, we'll be leaving in the morning."
Regina rose to her feet. She had listened in mounting resentment to his plan, and now she was furious at the stuck up arrogant devil trying to tell her what to do.
"No." She gave him a filthy look. "I am not going with you, neither is Roland, until I decide the time is right. You have got your way so fast. Roland knows you are his father, and you will have to be content with that. Now, if you are done, I'm going to bed," Regina said as she stood up.
Robin quickly went to his feet. "We have much to discuss still."
For a few seconds Regina stared at Robin. She had vowed never to let him hurt her again, and the simmering anger and resentment she had felt for years erupted. This was her life and she didn't have to justify her actions to any man, certainly not to Robin Locksley, the egotistical male chauvinist before her.
She titled back her head, her dark eyes blazing, "You wrecked my life and I will not allow you to do the same again."
"I messed up in the past, but I am trying to learn from them and never repeat them," Robin said. "Give me a second chance, Regina. Please."
"Roland is my priority," Regina said.
"Mine as well, as are you," Robin said as he moved his body closer to her, lowering his head close to hers.
"It wasn't when you wanted me to abort him when he was still in my womb!" Regina fired at him.
"You can fling out that old accusation of me not wanting a child, Regina," he murmured against her ear, lightly biting on the small lobe, and he heard the audible intake of her breath as he added, "And of wanting you to have a termination. You can keep telling yourself you still believe such a crazy idea but the only person you are fooling is you."
Regina's will snapped and before she knew it, she slapped him across the face.
"Please don't do that again," Robin said.
"Or what? You'll hit me back?" Regina said, already knowing he would never do such.
"Of course I wouldn't hit you," Robin said. "What type of man do you take me for?"
"A smug bastard!" Regina said as she raised her hand to slap him again, but he stopped her by grabbing her wrist.
"Let go of me!" Regina yelled, trying to pull free from him.
"Stop hitting me, and calm down," Robin said.
"Don't tell me what to do!" Regina said.
"Then act like someone who can have a discussion without hitting someone," Robin said as she stopped struggling. Robin let go of her, only to have her try to slap him again.
"You like it the hard way, fine, I'll give it to you the hard way," Robin said as he sat down on the couch, pulling her down across his upper thighs as she struggled to get off his lap.
"You let go of me, Robin Locksley!" Regina yelled as she tried and tried to get away.
"You're acting like a child," Robin said as he raised his hand up and spanked her.
"You spanked me!" Regina cried out, it didn't hurt, just slightly sting.
"Children get spanked at times," Robin said as he spanked her again, then a third. As his hand was about to descend one last time, they heard a voice say.
"Daddy, why are you spanking Mama?" Roland's sleepy face was standing only a few feet from them.