First, thank you for the reviews! It's so good to hear your lovely feedback and your suggestions! I will definitely keep those in mind so stay tuned. Also, I wanted to clear up something in the last chapter: Regina is most definitely good with children, but she's not as outgoing about it as someone like Mary Margaret is. She's not a 'heart on her sleeve' type of person and she tends to put up an emotionally distant front until she's close to people, and then she's as warm as can be. The part in the last chapter was simply portraying her own insecurities about how to be with Neal because she doesn't know what's going on between her and David. She knows she'll feel the maternal tug like she did with Roland, but she doesn't want David to feel like she's disrespecting his wife's memory or trying to replace her. Regina also sells herself short a lot because of her past and is hesitant to show her softer side, so the paragraph about her not considering herself a kid person is simply her own internal struggle with the situation at hand. Hope that helps you see where I'm coming from! (:
"Your sister is grumpy," David grinned, holding Neal up and talking to him animatedly for Emma to hear, giving her a glance as they sat in Regina's den. He'd hesitated when Emma had told him they were going to Regina's for dinner again, not knowing how they'd act around each other given the night before. He ultimately gave in, Emma not letting up and wanting to see Regina anyways. Luckily the two of them had managed acting natural so far, only giving each other knowing grins when she answered the front door earlier. Man, had she looked good.
Upon arriving, Henry had pulled them into the den, rattling off about a new comic book themed game he'd gotten for his console and demanding that they try it. Regina had returned to the kitchen to continue dinner, only coming into the den when she brought them both out a beer. He'd grinned that she'd remembered his and Emma's aversion to her wine and that she'd shopped accordingly for tonight. She liked to please the people around her, whether she'd admit it or not.
"You would be too if you were me," Emma huffed in response to his teasing, her expression softening when she looked at Neal crawling around in her father's lap.
"Hook do something?" David asked with a frown, helping his son slide down his legs in a mission to explore his new surroundings.
"No, you'd love that wouldn't you?" Emma rolled her eyes before glancing to make sure Henry wasn't near after he'd went to the dining room to finish his homework before dinner, "It's Regina."
"What are you two quarreling over now?" David laughed, watching Neal pull himself up to stand at the coffee table, his chubby cheeks breaking into a wide grin when he slapped the top of the table in accomplishment.
Emma couldn't help but smile at her brother before leaning back in the couch with a sigh, "She promised me she and Robin were over, that she wouldn't let him lead her on. But I found out she slept with him again last night," She frowned, glancing up quickly when David choked on the sip of beer he'd just taken. "Damn, you okay?"
"Fine," He coughed a little, trying to act natural as he looked at her, "Are you sure? She seemed over him the last time I uh…talked to her."
"No, she all but admitted to it. So, I'm going to keep an eye on her, make sure Henry and I keep her busy so she doesn't end up just as sad as she was a couple months ago," Emma thought back wide-eyed, "My liver can't keep up with her when she's heartbroken." She shook her head exasperatedly, both of them losing track of the crawling Neal in the midst of their conversation.
"Well, hello there," Regina smiled, looking down when she heard little hands smacking against her kitchen floor as the boy crawled towards her. She chuckled a little when he plopped down on his bottom where she was standing at the stove before grabbing at the heel of her shoe in fascination.
"What's wrong, are your daddy and sister busy being big kids?" She smiled, assuming they'd been distracted with Henry's game as she shook her head. Neal smiled up at her when she talked, his few baby teeth shining adorably. He then got onto all fours again and started pulling himself up to stand against her leg, chubby hand reaching for the edge of her dress. Her heart melted at the sight, and she found she couldn't resist reaching down and scooping him up, "I bet you're tired of daddy anyways, hmm?" She talked to him playfully as he watched her with big eyes that tugged on her emotions.
"Are you hungry, sweetheart?" She grinned when he reached for her necklace to play with it, "Let's get you a snack," She nodded, knowing he was at the age where he could have more solid foods. Shifting him onto her hip, she carried him over to the fruit bowl, laughing when his eyes lit up as she opened a banana and grabbed a butter knife with her free hand to cut it into smaller slices. "How's that?" She smirked, holding a piece up to his mouth making her chuckle when he opened it wide to take a bite. It had been so long since Henry was that age, she forgot how fun it was.
"There's the escape artist," David smiled, making his presence known after watching them from the archway into the kitchen. He saw Regina startle, looking up at him quickly like he'd caught her doing something illegal. "Sorry, Emma and I were talking and he disappeared on us," David laughed, coming over to the counter where they were.
"It's fine, he's no trouble," She smiled unsurely, giving Neal another piece of banana, "I think he was just a little hungry." Regina's stomach tensed at the troubled look on David's face as he watched the both of them. She knew it, she'd overstepped.
"Regina-" He frowned a little, pressing a hand on the counter as he averted his gaze. Oh god, here it was. The part where he'd tell her that they had only hooked up and he preferred if she'd keep her distance with his son. Her stomach coiled in panic, forcing herself to focus on giving Neal another bite of fruit.
"Emma said you were with Robin last night," He finally blurted out, looking up at her with a skeptical expression. Dear god, is this what this was about? Emma ranted to him about it, too? "Now, I know you two have history and it isn't easy letting it go. I won't be upset if something happened. You came over to my place late and…and you seemed, you know," He shifted uncomfortably, lying through his teeth when he said it wouldn't bother him, "I'd uh…just rather know now if you're still involved with him…if last night with me was just you trying to rebound…" He ran a nervous hand over the back of his neck.
"You idiot!" She hissed through her teeth, her eyes flashing red for a moment causing his own to widen. "You think I'd come to your house and hop into bed with you if there was anything still between Robin and me? What kind of woman do you take me for?" She spoke in a low heated tone as not to alert anyone else in the house or upset Neal, who was obliviously chewing on his bite of banana.
One look at her expression and David knew how stupid had been, "I didn't mean it like that, Regina. I was trying to be understanding and give you a chance to tell me. I knew I didn't have a right to be upset since we…well…you know we only...well, it's not like we're married!" He whispered exasperatedly, running a hand over his hair as everything he seemed to say irritated the red faced brunette even more.
"Nothing happened between Robin and I, you babbling moron! I let Emma think that so I wouldn't have to tell her who really gave me this!" She snapped, pulling her hair away from her neck to let him see his faint, makeup covered handiwork, "But since you think I'm the type that will hop from one bed to another, consider last night the last time I grace yours!"
"Regina," His tone was more pleading now. He hadn't meant to offend her, his insecurities over her feelings for Robin had gotten in the way of his better judgement. The night before had been so amazing that he'd convinced himself it didn't mean anything to Regina just to save himself from disappointment. "Emma said you admitted to it and I got carried away. I was expecting the worst."
"You think?" She glared at him before turning back to the stove. He could tell she was livid, with good reason, but she didn't put Neal down or hand him over. Not all hope was lost...maybe he could smooth this over after dinner?
"Hey, is it ready?" Emma asked as she and Henry came into the kitchen, oblivious to the conversation that had just happened. David let out a breath, looking over at his daughter and grandson a little caught off guard before trying to give a casual shrug.
"Yes," Regina managed an even tone, glancing at Neal on her hip with a smile as she turned the stove off, "Just time to put it on the table. Hm, Neal?" She didn't give a damn if David wanted her around his son or not after what he'd just said.
"Here, I'll take him off your hands," Emma nodded, frowning at the way David was staring at Regina, "What's up? You two arguing over that damn construction permit for the dwarves again?" She raised an eyebrow as Henry gave her a wide-eyed look from setting the table, both of them knowing how the Queen and Charming went neck to neck over it at the last town hall meeting.
"Yes," Regina smiled fakely in relief that she had an excuse to vent, handing Neal over before starting to take her apron off, "Your father seems to think I'm the type of Mayor who will just give out construction permits to any dwarf in Storybrooke," She gritted, throwing him a dirty glance to emphasize the meaning behind her words that only they understood.
David groaned a little, rolling his eyes as he pressed both hands against the counter island in frustration, "I was just telling you that budgets are hard and I understood if maybe you'd given out a couple of permits without thinking it through. I was trying to be nice," He reiterated, throwing his hands in the air at the way she refused to see his point. Stubborn woman.
"Table's ready," Henry piped in, trying to diffuse the situation as Emma glanced at him in appreciation, taking a seat beside him at the table with Neal in her lap.
"It smells delicious, Regina," Emma added before the ex-rivals could throw any more barbs across the kitchen at each other.
"Thank you, Swan," Regina said without looking at her, narrowing her eyes at David instead before picking up the dish of lasagna to take it to the table, "You know, next week you should invite Killian," She gave a pleasant smile to Emma as she set the dish in the middle of the table, hearing David scoff as he made his way over to take the seat beside her. David wasn't the pirate's biggest fan, which is exactly why she'd suggested it.
Emma frowned, glancing between David and Regina refusing to acknowledge one another, "Since when do you willingly invite Killian anywhere?" She chuckled, turning her attention back to the Mayor who was scooping out servings of her dish.
"It hardly seems right to leave him out," Regina forced the words out when she handed Emma her plate, shrugging. She couldn't care less if she saw the dirty pirate, but if he made Emma happy and irritated David, she'd put seafood on the menu and reserve a special seat for him.
"Right," Emma raised an eyebrow as she took a bite, shaking her head in confusion but deciding to let it go when Henry began chatting about school to the three of them. At least the lasagna was good.
"Hey Mom, you care if I go to Mom's tonight? I'm introducing Hook to Disney movies," Henry grinned mischievously as Emma shrugged on her jacket. The rest of the dinner had gone rather smoothly, much to everyone's surprise. Neal had fallen asleep in the middle, his head falling over on Emma's arm as she held him. Henry had suggested that they put him down for a nap in the guest room where the makeshift nursery had been for Madeline and Regina agreed. After showing David where it was and returning to the dining room, Henry had kept them on topics that the four of them could talk about without arguing. Regina learned more about comic books than she ever thought possible.
"Sure, you know you can stay at whichever house you please Henry," Regina smiled, gathering the empty plates from the table.
"Thanks mom, love you," He smiled, coming over to kiss her on the cheek before turning to Emma, "Come on, I can't wait to see the look on his face at Peter Pan," Henry nudged his biological mother who hesitated, turning to Regina and David cleaning up.
"Go on, I'll get the dishes," David nodded in reassurance, "See you two tomorrow," He smiled and watched them make their way out the front door, plotting the jokes they were going to crack at Killian's expense later.
He turned around, seeing Regina with her back to him at the sink, running water over the dishes she'd just placed in it. She was avoiding him even though she'd calmed considerably, prompting him to make his way across the kitchen. He hesitated for a moment, wondering if she'd get mad at him for touching her before he decided to chance it.
"I'm sorry," David said quietly, stepping up behind her and running his hands up the outside of her upper arms, "I didn't mean to offend you or insinuate that you'd done anything. I guess I've just been worried that I'm getting ahead of myself here and that it was just sex for you last night, that I was a rebound after Robin…That you'll go back to him," He let out a breath, biting his lip when she turned between him and the cabinet to face him.
He braced himself for her to be angry again, but her face was softer when she looked at him, "I thought when you came in earlier that I had overstepped with Neal." He definitely hadn't been expecting her to say that.
"How were you overstepping?" He shook his head once, looking down at her with a small frown playing at his lips, "Why would you think that?"
"For the same reason you had insecurities over Robin," She admitted, turning her gaze away from him at the vulnerability bubbling in her, "I thought maybe you'd only slept with me last night because you're lonely and missing your wife. And I didn't want you to think that I expected anything from you if that was the case."
"So you thought you should stay away from my son?" He raised an eyebrow, trying to understand as his hands found her waist.
"I didn't want you to think that I was reading too much into what we did, or that I was trying to take Snow's place," She glanced up at him and his chest constricted at the sadness in her big brown eyes, now glossed over with emotion. "I know how it looks, I tried to destroy Snow's life for years out of revenge and jealousy and now she's gone and I'm," She motioned between them unsurely, "I just didn't want to be disrespectful to her memory or what you've lost, especially after everything I've done."
David watched her intently as she spoke, hearing her unusual openness making her voice waver. He didn't even know where to begin telling her how wrong she was as he took a deep breath in preparation, "Regina, what happened between us last night wasn't just sex for me. Yes, Snow was my wife and I thought we'd be together until the end," He shook his head before looking down into her eyes, pulling her closer as he wrapped his arms around her waist, "But things happened, things that you have to stop blaming yourself for," He added with a firm sincerity before continuing, "And I didn't know if I'd ever be ready to move on. I hadn't expected to want to ever want to, but...you understood my loss and what I was going through like no one else...and you let me see a glimpse of who you really are, deep down. It may not be the perfect time or situation, but it made me want to see where this could go. Because I saw you, Regina. Not the feared Evil Queen that you use to shield yourself from hurt, not the guarded Mayor who puts up a tough front to avoid loss. I saw you, and I can't walk away from that."
He looked down at her sincerely, watching her process his words and swallow the lump in her throat before she could reply. "You need to know, I ended it with Robin for good before I came to your place last night. I heard him say what I'd been waiting for, what I thought I needed to heal, but realized I'd already heard it. From Henry and Emma and you," She gave him a watery smile, "You helped me see my worth…and even though I had trouble believing it at first, you proved it. With helping me redeem myself in the past few years, with protecting me in Oz, and kissing me like...like I'd forgotten a kiss should be. It made me want to see where this could lead, too. I didn't come to your place last night just to rebound or have sex, I came for you…though, the orgasms were a bonus," She added devilishly through teary eyes to deflect the touching sentiment. He grinned in response to her humor, knowing it was just a defense mechanism when she was feeling vulnerable. If it helped her feel more comfortable with sharing her feelings, he didn't mind at all.
"So we're gonna give this thing a real go?" He asked, his voice low and warm, giving her butterflies.
"Are you up for it, Charming?" She quipped, pressing herself against his front as she tilted her head back to look up at him, resting her chin on his chest with a playful grin.
"Oh, I'm more than up for it," He smirked, scooping her up from the floor suddenly and laughing at her surprised yelp, "This family just keeps getting weirder and weirder, doesn't it?" He remarked, making her giggle as she wrapped her legs around his waist.
"Speaking of which, let's not tell anyone just yet. Hm?" She ran her hands into his hair, scratching her nails over his scalp gently, "Just until we get a feel for things. Let's not start World War 3 until we're sure it'll work."
"Sounds reasonable," He smiled back at her at the way she was worrying her lip, seeing the wheels turning and knowing she was already creating scenarios of what could go wrong, "Regina?"
"Hm?" She released her bottom lip from her teeth when she realized he'd caught her, giving him a sheepish smile.
"Quit overthinking," He grinned, running his hands over her butt while feeling her dress ride up her thighs as he carried her up the steps.
She smirked back at him, relaxing into his easy confidence with a sigh. He turned down the hall, navigating towards her bedroom with ease as she toyed with his hair, leaning down to brush her lips over his, "Better keep me occupied then, hm Charming?"