A/N: This chapter contains new content that was not featured when I submitted this for the Outlaw Queen Advent Calendar. The same is true for the next chapter, which will feature smut! Unless you're reading this on . You'll have to go to AO3 or Wattpad for the smut. Sorry. –Mac

Chapter 10: Christmas Eve

Regina leaned back in the passenger seat of Robin's car as he came to a stop at a red light. They were on their way to the local food pantry to drop off the presents being donated by Fantastical Finds and stay to help sort them. She knew her employees often went to help but she had always been too caught up in her own family celebrations to help. This year, though, she had a new appreciation for her employees and all the good work they did. It was only appropriate she went to help as well, she vowed.

She had the support of her family, though they had stayed home to prepare for Christmas. Part of her suspected that they wanted to give her some time with Robin without them, though she had brought Henry with her. Her parents had taught her and Zelena the importance of helping those less fortunate than them and she wanted to do the same with him. After they all had wrapped the gifts for the people at the pantry, she had asked him to come and she was proud that he happily agreed. Roland and Margot had wanted to come too but everyone agreed they were still too little. They were praised for the help they had already provided and her father then lured them away with promises of cookies and cocoa.

"What are you thinking about?" Robin asked, moving again as the light turned green. He glanced at her before focusing on the road, smiling.

"The sugar high we're no doubt missing," she replied. "Hopefully Roland and Margot will have burned it off before we get back."

He chuckled. "I'm sure they will. I just hope they don't end up napping and throwing off their sleep schedule. We'll never get them down and then Santa will never come."

"I'm sure we can get them to bed if we tell them that," Henry said from the backseat. "We all want our presents."

She smiled, nodding. "Of course you do."

"I don't blame Henry. He's no doubt been a good boy all year and should be rewarded for it," Robin said, grinning at the boy using the rearview mirror.

Henry beamed. "Yeah, Mom."

Regina held up her hands. "I didn't say he wasn't a good boy. He's been a very good boy. I'm very proud of him."

"Thanks, Mom," he said. "I'm proud of you for all the hard work you've done this year."

Her cheeks heated up at his words. While they hadn't told Roland the truth about how Robin had been helping her, she had talked to Henry about it as she knew he would hear the gossip around town. She had acknowledged that what she had done was wrong and that lying was never okay. He got the lesson but still hugged her, saying he knew she was just doing everything she could to make sure they could keep the company going. And he was glad that it had brought Robin and Roland into their lives, especially since they made her so happy. She had nearly cried at his words.

Robin turned into a parking lot and easily found a space. He put the car in park and smiled at his two passengers. "We're here. You ready to help make Christmas merry and bright for others?"

"Yeah!" Henry cheered, unbuckling himself. Regina chuckled as she nodded, unbuckling herself as well.

They got out of the car. As Robin opened the trunk, he told her: "You head inside with Henry. I'll handle these."

"We can help you," she said. Henry stepped up beside her and held out his arms. Regina did the same. "You don't have to do this alone."

He smiled, nodding. "Okay. Just don't take more than you can handle. Either of you. We don't want to spend Christmas in pain."

"Don't worry," she replied, letting Henry go first to get his load of presents.

Robin placed several presents in his arms before nodding to her. "Your turn."

"Go ahead," she said, holding out her arms. He gave her several presents to carry before taking the rest.

He closed the trunk before smiling at them. "Let's head inside, you two."

They headed toward the building and someone opened the door for them so they could enter. Regina thanked him and walked into the lobby, waiting for further guidance. "Where do you want these?" she asked.

"You can bring them this way, Regina," Tink said, waving at her from a nearby room. "We're storing the presents in here."

"I didn't know you came to this," Regina told her, surprised to see her assistant there. She and Tink had a good relationship but clearly there were still things to learn about the younger woman.

Tink nodded. "I started doing it in high school and never stopped. Even when I was in college, I would make sure to do it when I came back to celebrate with my family."

"That's great," Regina replied. "I think I'm going to start doing this more myself."

"I see Robin's been a good influence on you." Tink winked at her.

Regina smiled, looking over at Robin as he handed the presents he held to one of the other volunteers. "Yeah, I guess he has been."

"Anyway, you can put those here," Tink said, motioning to one of the tables set up.

Her arms starting to hurt, Regina felt relieved to put the presents down. She made sure they were still neatly piled up, not wanting to make a mess. "There we go."

"Where should I put mine?" Henry asked, still holding his presents.

Regina rushed to relieve him of them. "I'll take them. I'm sure Tink knows the perfect spot for them."

"I do," Tink replied. "You can put them right next to yours."

Laughing, Regina did just that. She made sure Henry's pile of presents were straight as well. Regina then wrapped her arm around her son, kissing the top of his head. "We've now made sure that many people will have a Merry Christmas."

"Good," he said, leaning against her. "Everyone deserves a happy Christmas."

"Yes, they do." Robin joined them, wrapping his arm around both of them. He gave Regina's arm a squeeze as Henry got caught in the middle, laughing.

Tink chuckled before waving to Robin. "Nice to see you again."

"You too, Tink," he replied, waving back. "Merry Christmas."

She motioned to a backroom. "We have cookies and hot chocolate back there. Do you three want some?"

"Yes!" Henry exclaimed, pulling away from Robin and Regina. He bounced up and down. "Those sound amazing."

"Lead the way, Tink," Robin said, motioning to her with his arm.

She laughed, walking toward the backroom. Henry kept pace with her while Robin and Regina followed at a slower pace. She reached out and took his hand, lacing her fingers with his. They walked like that into the room, where many of her employees were either busy decorating or busy eating.

Tink brought Henry to the table with the desserts on it and Regina watched as he grabbed a plate. "Not too many, Henry," she warned. "We're going to have a big dinner tonight."

He paused, glancing over his shoulder at her. Sighing, he said: "Fine."

Robin chuckled, now wrapping his arm around her waist as he pulled her closer. "Do you want some cookies and hot chocolate?"

"Yes," she replied, looking up at him. "But the same warning applies to us too. We are going to have a big dinner tonight."

"I'll keep that in mind," he replied, grinning at her.

"Wait, wait, wait," a gruff voice said, interrupting them. Regina pulled away from Robin, turning to see Leroy approaching her. He looked between them. "I thought this was just some fake thing you did to try to buy Blanchard Electronics?"

She pressed her lips together, knowing that her employees had to have gossiped about it but still annoyed about it. Part of her wanted to tell him to mind his business but she decided against it. It was Christmas after all.

"We actually hit it off," she said. "And now we're dating for real."

Leroy narrowed his eyes as Astrid, their receptionist, approached them. She rested her hand on his arm, smiling at him. "I think it's really great. We all deserve love."

"Yeah," Leroy replied, softening under the gaze of her brown eyes. Regina had heard that Astrid was dating someone in the company but she had never pictured it would be her gruff Property Manager. She guessed opposites really did attract.

He then scowled, approaching Robin. "Look here. If you break her heart or hurt her in anyway, you'll have to answer to us."

Leroy motioned to all the employees in the room. They all nodded as Regina looked at them, which touched her. She didn't realize how loyal and protective her employees were to her. It made her even happier she was able to make the deal with Blanchard Electronics so she didn't have to lose any of them.

"I will keep that in mind," Robin said.

"Come on," Astrid told Leroy, tugging on his hand. "We need your help with the tree."

As they walked away, Regina turned back to Robin to see he was fighting his smile. Curious, she asked: "What is it?"

"I was just thinking about what could happen if we ever break up. Everyone here at Fantastic Finds will come after me while everyone at Lionheart Foods would come after you. Storybrooke would be torn apart by its own Civil War over us."

She rolled her eyes. "That's a bit dramatic, don't you think?"

"Perhaps," he replied. "But I think we should be careful. We wouldn't want to destroy Storybrooke, would we?"

Regina chuckled, shaking her head. "No, I suppose not. Good thing I have no plans to break this off with you."

"Indeed. And you'll be happy to know I have the same plans." He kissed her forehead before taking her arm. "Come on. Those cookies have been calling my name since we walked into the room."

She laughed, letting him lead her to the table. Henry pointed to the chocolate chip cookies. "Those are really soft and gooey. I highly recommend them."

"Then we should have some," Robin said, placing one cookie on a different plate. He looked at Henry. "What else do you recommend?"

Regina slid her hand from his arm. "I'll leave you two to build our plates and I'll go get us some hot chocolate."

She walked over to where a dispenser was set up, warmth spreading through her. Once again, she thanked whoever was up there for sending Robin her way. Her life was so much better with him in it and she hoped he never left again.

Regina hadn't been kidding when she said they would be having a big Christmas Eve dinner. It was so big, they had to have it in two parts. The first was mostly finger foods and salads that Cora served before they went to Christmas Eve service at the local church while the second part would be served once they got back. Cora had been secretive about what foods were waiting for them when they got back and it was all Robin could think about as he sat next to Regina in her family's usual pew at the church, Roland curled up against his side. He was certain of one thing—he was probably not going to fit back into this suit for a long time.

And he was going to try to beat Henry Sr. to the last of the empanadas.

The service ended with some carols as candles were passed out. Roland wanted to hold one but Robin still felt nervous to give him one. Instead, he let his son stand on the kneeler and help him hold his as they joined in singing some beloved Christmas hymns. Someone dimmed the church's lights, making the candles look brighter as their glow was reflected in the darkened windows. It felt perfectly festive.

Once the last hymn had been sung, the lights were brought back up as everyone blew out their candles. Robin helped Roland back into his coat, hat and gloves before putting on his own. Holding his son's hand, they followed everyone else out of the church and into the parking lot. People stopped to greet Regina's family to wish them all a Merry Christmas. He stood off to the side with Roland, waiting patiently for them to leave.

"Robin! I'm so glad to see you here," Mr. Smith said, approaching with a young man Robin assumed was the grandson he always insisted would help him with the groceries once he got home. "I wanted to say it's a crime and sin that you were fired from Lionheart Foods."

"Thank you. You're not the only one who thinks so," Robin replied, recalling the binder of complaints Richard Lionheart had shown him. He smiled as he added: "But you'll be happy to know that I've been hired back and I'll be one of the new managers."

Mr. Smith threw his hands up in the air. "It's about time! Congratulations, lad. I'll spread the good news. Merry Christmas, Robin. And to your boy."

"Merry Christmas, Mr. Smith," Robin replied, nodding to the man's grandson. The grandson helped Mr. Smith to his car and Robin turned his attention to Regina.

She smiled, taking his hand. "Looks like you might be your customers' best present."

He laughed, shaking his head. "That might be going too far. But I'm glad I can tell them I'm coming back to work."

"So it is true?" another customer asked, coming up to him. She smiled widely. "And were you really promoted?"

"It's all true," he replied as more people crowded around them. Regina motioned to his car and he unlocked it as he accepted everyone's congratulations, trusting her to get Roland settled in his car seat.

Once he thanked the last person, he made a quick getaway to his car and climbed into the front seat. He let out a soft groan as he leaned back against the seat. "I'm glad everyone likes me but I hope I'm never mobbed like that again," he said.

"Don't worry," Regina told him and he opened an eye to see her smiling face. "I'm pretty sure most of Storybrooke just talked to you, so I think the worst is over."

"I hope so." He took a deep breath and started up the car. Glancing behind him, he smiled at Henry and Roland in the backseat. "You ready to head out?"

They nodded and Roland grinned. "I can't wait for the rest of the food."

Robin chuckled. "I know there's an empanada calling my name."

"Good luck," Henry said. "Grandpa always gets to the empanadas first."

"There were two when we left the house," Robin pointed out, pulling out of the parking lot.

Regina chuckled. "That doesn't matter. Daddy loves his empanadas."

He hummed. "We'll see."

"Okay," she replied, sharing a knowing look with Henry. Robin decided not to give it much thought.

He turned onto Mifflin Street, which was home to the Mills' compound—the only word to describe it because it was a compound. Henry and Cora's mansion sat in the middle of the block, flanked by the large houses owned by Regina and Zelena. They were all within feet of each other and had no fences to separate their backyards. Robin could only imagine the kind of parties they threw back there in the summer.

At Regina's direction, he parked in her driveway. They weren't going to stay at her house though—everyone was sleeping at Cora and Henry's place, including him and Roland. He had hoped they could spend the night at Regina's for more privacy but he understood it was tradition in her family to wake up and open presents together. Since it was tradition and he was honored just to be invited to join in, he wasn't going to make any waves.

For now, he was determined to get to one of the remaining empanadas.

They got inside and he didn't even take off his coat before he headed for the table. Henry Sr. sat there, eating an empanada. There was still one remaining on the plate and Robin grabbed it, letting out a triumphant: "Yes!"

Henry Sr. chuckled. "I'm guessing you were dreaming about that empanada during the service?"

"Only during the sermon," Robin said, trying to pretend he had paid attention to some of the service.

"Same here." Henry Sr. raised his half-eaten empanada in salute and Robin did the same with his whole one before taking a bite, impressed it was still warm despite the fact they had been gone for almost two hours.

Regina entered the room, smiling when she saw him eating his empanada. "I see you got to it in time."

He nodded, leaning down so she could kiss his cheek. She then rubbed his back. "When you're done, you should probably take off your coat."

"We're letting you stay," Henry Sr. teased him.

Robin chuckled, enjoying how he was being treated like one of the family. As he swallowed another bite of empanada, he said: "I will. Once I'm done with this empanada. I'm not letting it out of my sight."

"Smart move," Regina replied, kissing his cheek. "I'm going to go see if Mother needs any help."

"Where are the kids?" Henry Sr. asked. It was the question Robin would've asked if his mouth wasn't full of beef and spices.

"They're watching a movie in the living room," she replied. "Zelena is getting them all set up, including with a nice big blanket."

Henry Sr. nodded. "Sounds good. I might head in there myself."

Regina chuckled. "You just want to avoid helping Mother serve dinner."

"Never," he replied, trying his best to look offended. "I just want to spend some time with my grandchildren."

"And Roland," she added.

He frowned. "What makes you think he wasn't included?"

Warmth spread through Robin's chest and he was pretty sure it wasn't the food. Due to his tense relationship with his parents and Marian's father having died before they met, Roland never had a grandfather. The fact Henry Sr. already accepted Roland as a grandchild touched him and he was glad his son could finally experience having a grandfather.

"Thank you," he said after finishing up his empanada.

Henry Sr. stood, winking at him. "No need to thank me. You and Roland are pretty much family now. God help your souls."

Regina rolled her eyes. "Daddy," she chided.

"It's okay," Robin told her, kissing her cheek. "I'm going to go take off my coat and I'll be right back."

"Just come into the kitchen. Mother is going to need all the help she can get," she replied, heading toward the kitchen.

Robin chuckled as he finally took off his coat—he was starting to get a bit warm. As he headed for the foyer, he paused. Regina had taken his coat and gotten it for him earlier so he didn't know where the family kept their coats. For all he knew, a house this fine had its own coatroom. Maybe even an attendant as well.

"You look lost," Cora said, coming down the stairs. She had changed out of the black and red dress she wore to church and back into the red cashmere sweater and black slacks she had been wearing earlier. Her brown hair was still pinned up in a bun but it looked more casual than not due to her outfit.

He grew sheepish. "I realized I don't know where to put my coat."

She smiled, walking past him. "Follow me. I'll show you where the closet is."

"Closet, right," he replied, following her. A closet seemed ordinary enough. And he didn't have to tip a closet.

Cora stopped by the front door, reaching for a tiny knob he now noticed in the wall next to the door. She pulled it, opening the closet where everyone's coats, hats and scarves were stored. He also saw boots and shoes stored along the bottom as well.

"You can put your own shoes in there if you want," Cora told him as she pulled out a hangar. "Or you can keep them in your room. It's your call."

"Thank you," he said, handing her his coat.

She nodded, placing it on the hangar and then hanging it up. "I'm glad I caught you. I wanted to talk to you."

Robin tensed up a bit, his stomach twisting in knots. Cora had been warm and welcoming to him and Roland the past couple days but he still couldn't shake off how aloof she had been during the whole fake engagement. While the rest of the family seemed to like him, he didn't know where Cora stood. He knew he probably wasn't the ideal man she envisioned for her daughter—the newly appointed manager at the local grocery store who was a widower with a young son and a rap sheet.

Oh, yes, he was quite the catch.

"I know Henry talked to you last week," she said, keeping her voice low. "I know he told you about Daniel."

"Yes, he did," Robin confirmed.

She nodded. "And Edgar told me about your wife. I'm so sorry for your loss."

"Thank you," he replied, wondering where she was going with this.

"And I feel better knowing she has someone who understands the loss she's experienced," Cora continued. "I've watched Regina rebuild her life but she always had these walls around her heart when it came to romantic love. Watching her with you over the past few weeks has given me hope that she's finally tearing them down to let you in."

He smiled, touched by her words. "I hope so. Because I know I'm opening my heart to let her in. Her and Henry."

She nodded. "You do have a good rapport with my grandson."

"He's a great kid," Robin replied. "I'm really glad I'm getting to know him. And I'm really glad Regina's taken to Roland."

"Roland is a good kid too. You should be very proud," she told him.

He smiled. "I am."

She took a deep breath. "I know I wasn't very welcoming to you earlier."

"Makes sense," he replied. "I was just some bloke your daughter was paying to play her fiancé."

"True. But now you're my daughter's boyfriend. And I want you to know that I'm very happy for the both of you," she said.

Her words touched him, spreading warmth inside his chest. "Thank you."

She nodded before stepping closer. "But if you break her heart, you'll wish you were never born. Understand?"

"Absolutely," he replied, recalling Leroy's threat from earlier. Regina certainly was loved.

"Good." Cora stepped away. "Now, I should head to the kitchen before both Henrys start poking around for the cookies and bring Roland and Margot down with them."

Robin chuckled, following her. "I'll give you a hand."

She paused, glancing over her shoulder to smile at him. "Oh, I think you're going to fit into this family just fine."

As they continued to the kitchen, Robin knew he was smiling ridiculously wide. He had always wanted a big family and it seemed that he was finally going to get it, all thanks to saying yes to Regina Mills' crazy proposal.

Christmas truly was a magical time of the year.

"And I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night."

Regina leaned against Robin as her father finished his annual reading of "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Margot sat on Henry Sr.'s lap, her hair braided in two plaits that were tied off with red ribbons that matched her Christmas nightgown. Cora had let Roland climb onto her lap and he was starting to nod off, just like Margot.

"With that, it's time for bed or else Santa won't come," Zelena declared, standing along with Chad. He took Margot from her grandfather's lap and held her.

Robin stood as well, taking his son from Cora. "Thank you for letting him sit on your lap," he said.

"Any time," she replied, smiling. "He was a very good story companion."

"Thank you," Roland replied, waving at her. "Good night, Grandma Cora and Grandpa Henry."

Regina choked up at his names for her parents. She loved how welcoming her parents were to Roland and Robin, making them feel like part of the family already. Despite how new their relationship was, it all felt right.

Composing herself, she tapped her son's shoulder. "You too, Henry. It's past everyone's bedtime."

"Okay, Mom," he said, standing from his spot on the floor in front of the couch. He kissed his grandparents' cheeks. "Goodnight."

Everyone wished each other a good night before they headed upstairs. Robin paused outside Regina's bedroom, smiling as he shifted Roland in his arms. "Good night, you two. We'll see you in the morning for presents," he said.

"Good night, Robin, Roland," Henry replied, doing his best to give the man a hug before rubbing Roland's back.

She rubbed Henry's back as she gently pushed him toward the bathroom. "Go brush your teeth. I'll meet you in your room."

Once her son was in the bathroom, she turned back to Robin and leaned closer as she rested her hand on his arm. "I'm glad you and Roland were able to join us tonight."

"Me too," he replied. He glanced down at his half-asleep son. "So, when does Santa come?"

"Once all the children go to bed," she told him, trusting he would get her meaning. He nodded before kissing her.

As he headed down the hall to Roland's room, Regina went to Henry's. He left the bathroom and climbed into the bed he slept in whenever they spent the night at her parents'. She tucked him in, kissing his forehead. "Sweet dreams, my little prince," she said.

"Good night, Mom," he replied, rolling over to get more comfortable.

She slipped out of his room before heading into her room. After retrieving Santa's present for Henry, she debated waiting for Robin and risking being caught or trust him to know to head downstairs. Regina decided to trust him, hurrying downstairs before any child could accidentally see her with the present.

Chad greeted her when she entered, placing Margot's present under the tree. "Is Robin coming?"

"Right here," he replied to her relief. He walked in with Roland's present. "Didn't want to miss the fun."

He and Regina added their presents under the tree before all three turned to the plate of cookies sitting on a table by it. A small glass of milk was placed next to it along with a note that read: "For Santa."

"So, which one of us wants to eat and drink those?" Robin asked.

Chad picked up the plate. "Why don't we all split the cookies? And I can down the milk if you want."

"Sounds fair," Robin replied, picking up one of the cookies. Chad grabbed another and Regina reached for hers. They quickly ate them before her brother-in-law drank the milk.

He set the glass down next to the crumb-filled plate before straightening up. "Well, I'm off to bed. Have a good night, you two. See in the morning."

"Good night," she replied. "Try to keep Margot from waking us up at the crack of dawn again, please?"

"No promises," he shouted back at her.

She chuckled before turning to Robin, biting her lip as she realized they were alone. "Hey."

"Hey," he replied, wrapping his arms around her. "Are you having a good Christmas so far?"

"Yes, I am," she told him, leaning into his embrace. "Have I told you how much I love having you and Roland here?"

He hummed, kissing her forehead. "We love being here. My son is over the moon to have grandparents."

"My parents have pretty much adopted him. No one can resist him. I think it's the dimples."

Robin smiled, revealing his own dimples. "I've been told they are pretty irresistible."

"Yeah," she said, kissing his. She then pulled back, reluctant to leave him but knowing she had to. "We should probably go to bed. Margot wakes up very early on Christmas and won't let anyone rest as long as there are presents to open."

He nodded. "Roland's not much better. So I shall leave you with a goodnight kiss."

Cupping her cheek, he leaned down and kissed her. She returned it eagerly, her hands closing on his shirt as she tried to pull him closer. Every kiss still felt like the first, making her stomach do flips and stars appear before her eyes.

Sooner than she wanted, he broke the kiss. He kissed her cheek as he whispered: "And remind you that I'm just down the hall. In case, you know, you want to celebrate Christmas early."

Her heart sped up and she glanced up at him. Robin grinned at her, winking before heading out of the living room. She stood there, wondering if he had really meant what she thought he meant or if it was just playful flirting he didn't expect her to follow through on.

Regina composed herself and turned off the lights, heading upstairs as a battle raged on inside her—to sneak down to Robin's room or not. She changed into her pajamas and brushed her teeth, trying to convince herself that the best thing for both of them was to climb into bed and get plenty of sleep before morning. Yet when she stared at her bed, she knew she wasn't ready for it yet. She flipped off the lights and then snuck down the hall to where she knew Robin's room was.