Chapter 10: A Brief Stumble

Regina looked up as Ruby entered the room, smiling. "I think I've found some great ideas for your vacation with Sophie this summer. Or should I be planning for four?"

"Just two," Regina confirmed. "Robin only just walked back into my life. I don't think we're ready for a vacation together just yet."

"If you say so," Ruby replied, placing some pamphlets down on Regina's desk. She placed her hands behind her back. "Anything else?"

Picking up the pamphlets, Regina shook her head. "Thank you for doing this, Ruby. I'll let you know which one Sophie and I pick."

Ruby nodded before leaving Regina alone. Sighing, the mayor leaned back in her chair as she went through the pamphlets to find the perfect vacation for her and her little girl this year.

She glanced over at the pictures on her desk, showing Sophie growing up over the years. But the biggest picture now was the one from the Summer Festival Ball. It was one Ruby had taken, sometime after Regina and Robin kissed. The two of them had their arms wrapped around each other as well as Sophie, who stood in front of them. All three beamed at the camera.

Regina reached over and picked it up, running her fingers over Robin's smiling face. Even though it had only been a few weeks since he had walked back into her life, she almost felt like he hadn't left. They just clicked once again and he had integrated himself into Sophie's life well. She had obviously done the same with Roland since the little boy was already attached to her. They were a family but she had to admit she wasn't ready to vacation like one, but only because she wanted one more trip that was just her and her little girl before they did become a family of four for good.

Her phone buzzed and she set the picture down, picking it up. "Ruby? Is something wrong?"

"There's a Keith Nott for you," her assistant said.

Regina sat up straighter, already going on guard. "Tell him we have no business and he can kindly leave."

"Will do," Ruby replied before hanging up the phone. Regina, though, didn't relax and decided to wait five minutes. She would then call her assistant back to make sure Keith left.

She didn't have to wait five minutes. Her door flew open only two minutes later and Keith strode in, a scowling Ruby on his heels. "You can't just barge into the mayor's office!" she exclaimed.

"Ruby, call security please," Regina said, keeping her eyes on Keith's. "Also call Sheriff Swan and Deputy Nolan. Just in case."

Ruby nodded, her heels clicking on the marble floor of the mayor's office as she hurried back to her desk. She kept the door open, no doubt ready to step in if Regina needed help.

"Keith, what are you doing here?" Regina asked. "What is so important that you had to break down my door to see me?"

"Locksley," he said and she rolled her eyes. He scowled as he continued: "You're really making that mistake again?"

She sat down, crossing her arms. "Robin has never been a mistake and it's none of your business. I turned you down."

"Yes, you did. And look where that got you. You're a single mother." The way he spat out that last sentence made her blood boil.

Regina leaned forward, glancing at the picture. "My life is not yours to judge. I don't appreciate you coming in here and doing that. What goes on between me and Robin is our business, not yours. And our daughter sure as hell isn't your business either."

"Ahh, there's the fire I remember from when we were younger," Keith said, smiling. "A pity you wasted it on Locksley."

"Keep telling yourself that. But I have no doubt Robin is a lot better than you in bed," she said, smiling right back at him. Two could definitely play this game.

His ears turned red and his eyes narrowed. "What is it about him? Why are you still crazy for him so many years later?"

"Why do you care so many years later?" she countered. "I thought I made it quite clear back then that my life is my own. I do not have to justify myself to you."

"I always considered you the one that got away, Regina," he replied, shaking his head as he smiled sadly.

She wanted to slap him. Maybe then it would knock some sense into him. "To be the one that got away implies you ever had a chance with me. You didn't."

He scowled again. "Because of Locksley. He swooped in and charmed you with that British accent of his."

"Robin has nothing to do with this and you know it," Regina replied. "So please leave before I have security drag you out."

Sighing, Keith stood. "I guess I should leave. No doubt you'll tell Robin about this visit and he'll make good on his threat."

That confused Regina and she frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, Locksley and I had an encounter the other day in the grocery store. He warned me to stay away from him and his own. Seems he considers you his own." Keith gave her a cold smile before sauntering past the just arrived security.

As the guards hurried after him, Ruby entered the office again. She approached Regina's desk, concerned. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," Regina said, though her thoughts were miles away. Keith's last words haunted her. Had Robin really acted so possessive of her despite knowing that she hated such behavior? He hadn't back when they were first together and she couldn't imagine him changing that much. So why would Keith say that?

"Regina!" Ruby's voice was sharp and Regina almost jumped at it. She looked up at her assistant, who was even more concerned. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Taking a deep breath, Regina nodded. "Yes, I'm sure. Thank you, Ruby."

Her assistant nodded. "I'll just go back to my desk. Call me if you need anything, okay?"

"I will," Regina promised. She gave Ruby a smile and then returned to her work, doing her best to put Keith and his words out of her mind.

Robin pulled up to Town Hall, a bouquet of yellow roses in his front seat. Will had agreed to watch both Roland and Sophie, allowing him to come surprise Regina with flowers and an invitation to dinner. He stepped out of his car, a slight bounce in his step as he entered the building.

Security stopped him, checking him out. He was compliant, not minding the procedures needed to keep everyone safe. Especially when the guard waving the wand over him explained why there was such extra precaution. "We had an incident earlier. Madame Mayor needed someone escorted out of the building."

"The mayor?" Robin frowned, lowering his arms as worry spread through him as thought of someone terrorizing Regina. "Is she alright?"

The guard nodded. "Yeah. Mr. Nott left willingly and didn't seem to hurt her in anyway."

"Mr. Nott?" The ball of dread grew in his stomach. Keith wouldn't have been so stupid, would he?

Passing security's scrutiny, Robin hurried up to the mayor's office. He spotted her young assistant, Ruby, packing up for the day. "How is she?" he called out.

Ruby sighed. "She says she's fine but she seems shaken by something. Maybe you can get more out of her."

"I'll do my best," Robin vowed, clutching the roses tighter. "Have a good night, Ruby."

"You too. Make sure Regina does as well." She winked at him before walking past him, heading out for the evening.

Robin opened the door leading into Regina's office. He saw her at her desk, white curtain billowing in the evening breeze behind her as she finished up the last of her paperwork for the day. Robin stood there, admiring how beautiful she was in the sun's dying glow and how it gave her a halo.

"Are you just going to stand there staring or are you going to come give me a kiss hello?" She capped her pen and looked up, giving him an adorable, nose-scrunching smile.

He chuckled, crossing the room in a few long strides. She stood, coming around the desk to meet him and he pulled her closed, kissing her. "Hello, beautiful."

"Hello," she replied, smiling though it didn't reach her eyes. He grew confused as she looked down at his other hand. "Are those for me?"

"Yes." He handed her the yellow roses, still studying her. What the hell had Keith Nott done?

She tilted her head and frowned. "They told you about Keith."

He nodded. "Care to tell me what happened?"

"He paid me a little visit," she said. "Seems he might have lingering feelings for me."

"Even after I warned him," Robin replied, shaking his head.

That appeared to be the wrong thing to say. Regina's body went rigid and there was a fire in her eyes when she spun to face him. "And what was that warning about?"

He frowned, stepping back. "Just that he should think twice before messing with you."

"Because I'm yours?" she asked, crossing her arms as she glared at him.

"What?" He grew confused, shaking his head. "Not at all. I told him that between you, Emma and Mal, I was pretty certain no one would ever find the body. He'd be barmy to cross you. Clearly, he underestimates what a force you really are."

Her eyes remained narrowed as she looked him over, stepping closer. "So you didn't tell him to stay away from you and your own?"

"I did," he replied, "but I was clear that I meant the children, not you. I don't want him around Sophie and Roland and I will do whatever it takes to keep them safe."

Robin held her gaze. He wasn't going to back down from his belief about his children and who he wanted around them. Several long seconds stretched between them before Regina nodded. "Agreed."

He let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding before frowning again. "Did you really think I would act all possessive of you and act like you were some damsel in distress, even knowing how much you hate that?"

Regina's shoulders sagged and guilt filled her eyes. "I didn't want to. But Keith…I don't know. He had me doubting you. I'm sorry."

"I forgive you," he said, rubbing her arms. "We're still getting to know each other again."

She sighed. "I should've trusted you and not let Keith get to me, though."

He pulled her close. "Let's forget about Keith. I've pressed Will into babysitting our children and plan to take you for a nice dinner. How does that sound?"

"It sounds nice," she said, though her voice lacked any real conviction.

Robin stepped away, looking her in the eyes. Or tried to, as she kept avoiding his. "Regina? What's wrong?"

She sighed. "I shouldn't have let Keith do that. What does that say about me? About us?"

"Regina…" he started before stopping. He held out his hand. "Come on. Why don't we go to your house? I'll cook us dinner and we can talk. How does that sound?"

"That sounds okay," she said, taking his hand. "I think talking will be good."

Regina changed from one of her suits when she got home. She heard Robin rattling around her kitchen as she pulled on a pair of jeans and a nice red silk top, touching up her makeup. Even if it was at a date in her house, it was still a date and she wanted to look nice for it.

She also wanted the confidence her reddest lipstick gave her. Keith had shaken her and she was upset that she had let him. That she hadn't trusted Robin, that she hadn't just dismissed his words for what they ended up being—nothing but a ploy to drive a wedge between her and Robin.

"Regina? Are you okay?" Robin called up from downstairs.

She sighed, stepping out of her room. "Yes. I'm on my way down."

He stood at the foot of her stairs, frowning. "You're still thinking about Keith, aren't you?"

"Is it obvious?" she asked, coming down the stairs. "I hate that he's done this to me. I hate him."

"Forget him," Robin insisted. "The more time you waste thinking of him gives him a victory over us. Let's not let him have it."

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. Her frustration grew as she tried to figure out how to best explain it to him. "I know, I know. But he had me doubting you. I shouldn't be doing that."

"Why?" Robin asked and she thought he had lost his mind.

Regina pulled back, frowning. "Because I love you. Because you love me. People who love each other shouldn't doubt each other."

He sighed this time, shaking his head. "That's a bit over simplistic, yeah? Besides, why wouldn't you doubt me? We only just walked back into each other's lives."

"But you've proven that you hadn't changed so much that you would then treat me like a possession when you never have before," she replied, voicing what truly frustrated her. That she would think the worse of him so easily shook her to her core.

"Come on," he said, tugging her hand toward her kitchen table. He pulled out a chair and urged her down. "Do you want some tea?"

She glanced up at him, chuckling. "Do you know how British that question is?"

He shrugged. "I am still British, Regina. And there is still great comfort in a good cuppa."

"Well, I guess it couldn't hurt," she said, leaning back. She watched him as he put over her teapot and pulled out two mugs.

As he waited for the water to boil, he turned to face her again. "Do you think we should go to couples' therapy?"

That surprised her and she was glad she wasn't drinking the tea yet. She was sure she would've choked. "What?"

"I know it's early, but you're right. We do have issues we need to work through," he said, sitting next to her. He took her hand. "I'm willing to do that. I'm committed to this relationship, Regina. I love you and don't want to lose you again."

She melted looking into his gaze, knowing he meant every word. And she knew she felt the same way. Giving his hand a squeeze, she nodded. "Maybe couples' counseling will help. We can talk to Dr. Hopper about some sessions."

"He's a marriage counselor?" Robin asked, raising an eyebrow.

"He does everything," she replied, shrugging. "Small town."

Robin chuckled, kissing her hand. "Okay. Now, the kettle is about to whistle. I'll go get the mugs."

She grinned as she turned back to the stove, turning off the burner the kettle was on and removing it. Robin stood beside her, pulling two mugs from the cabinet over the stove. "There are teabags in the one next to it," she told him.

"I got them," he said, pulling down the box. He studied it with a frown. "We need to get you some proper tea, sweetheart."

"Are you really insulting my tea choices?" she asked, turning to face him with the kettle. She raised her eyebrow.

He shook his head. "Not at all. I'm just saying I would like to expand your tastes when it comes to tea."

"Well, we can discuss that in therapy," she sassed him, pouring the hot water into the two mugs.

Robin laughed, kissing her cheek. She relaxed, feeling much better than she had when they got home. It made her believe they could truly make it.

Sophie hopped out of her Uncle Will's car and rushed up the stairs as he got Roland out of his booster seat. After spotting both her parents' cars in the driveway, she first knocked. When no one answered, she reached into her bag and pulled out her key to the house, opening the door. "Mom? Daddy?" she called out. "You two here?"

Receiving no response, she checked the kitchen. It was empty and she frowned, deciding to check the living room next. She peered cautiously around the couch, remembering the time she caught her parents making out there and not wanting a repeat of that.

Instead, she found them asleep on the couch. Her father was flat on his back while her mother was curled against him, pressed between his side and the back of the couch. She rested her head on his chest while he had an arm wrapped around her. Two empty mugs sat on the coffee table.

"Papa and Ms. Regina are napping," Roland said, holding Will's hand. "What now?"

"Should we wake them?" Sophie asked.

Will shook his head. "Not yet. They deserve to get some rest. I was going to order us something anyway, so we'll just order for them as well and wake them when it comes."

He led Roland out of the living room but Sophie lingered behind for a few more moments. She watched her parents sleep, imprinting the cozy scene on her memory. Each new experience with her parents together was thrilling and she wanted to remember them all, hoarding them like a treasure.

"Sophie?" Will called. "Are you coming?"

She skipped out of the room, smiling as she recalled how her mother burrowed deeper between the couch and Robin. Entering the kitchen, she stopped in front of Will. "Yes, Uncle Will?"

He smiled at her, holding some papers in his hand. "Your brother and I need some help choosing a place to order from. We figured we could use your expertise."

"Okay," she said, sitting down. "Though Mom and I don't order out much. She prefers to cook for us."

Will chuckled. "That sounds like Regina to me. She often insisted on making dinners for us back at the beach."

"Cool. Will you tell me more about that summer, Uncle Will?" Sophie asked, eager to know all she could about her parents when they were younger.

"I would love to," he said before pushing the menus closer to her. "Once you help us pick a place to order from."

She laughed, looking them over. Biting her lip, she tapped on the Dragon's Fortune menu. "It's been a while since we've had Chinese. This place makes the best eggrolls."

Will grinned, picking up the menu. "Then we're going to call the Dragon's Fortune. Um, do you know your mother's usual order?"

The smell of lo mein woke Robin. His stomach growled and hunger pangs hit him as he roused, noting the fading light in Regina's living room. She slept on, though, curled against his chest and he was loathed to move, afraid he might wake her up.

Yet his stomach growled again and he almost groaned from the pangs. Robin knew he needed to eat and prayed Regina would understand as he slid out from under her. He pulled down a blanket covering the back of the couch and placed it over her, almost tucking her in like she was Sophie or Roland. Robin kissed her forehead and she slept on.

He followed the smell of the food into the kitchen, smiling when he saw Will sitting between Sophie and Roland. Roland was eagerly eating beef lo mein while Sophie worked on sesame seed chicken. Will bit into an eggroll and Robin watched his friend's eyes go wide as he chewed. Once he swallowed, he turned to Sophie. "You were right. These are the best eggrolls."

"Mom and I know are egg rolls," she bragged, taking one for herself. She then spotted Robin and her eyes lit up. "Daddy!"

It was a beautiful sound and Robin's heart skipped a beat as he approached his daughter. He dropped a kiss into her hair. "Hello, sweetheart. Enjoying your dinner?"

She nodded and Roland bounced up and down in his chair. "We got you beef lo mein too, Papa!"

"Looks delicious," he said, eyeing the meal as his stomach rumbled. "Let me grab a plate and I'll be right there."

"What about Ms. Regina?" Roland asked, glancing around the corner as if expecting to find her waiting in the hallway.

Robin smiled, ruffling his curls. "She's still sleeping. She'll eat when she wakes up, even if we have to reheat everything. Okay?"

"Okay," Roland said, sounding disappointed. He looked forlorn into his meal and Robin sighed, knowing his son wanted to spend more time with Regina.

Crouching down, Robin gently turned Roland's head so his son faced him. He smiled at him. "Don't worry. You'll get to spend plenty time with her once she wakes up."

"You promise?" Roland asked.

Sophie nodded. "I'm sure Mom will want to spend lots of time with us when she wakes up."

"But what if she doesn't wake up until the morning?" Roland asked, almost in a whine. He also pouted, crossing his arms as he dropped his chin to his chest.

Robin recognized the signs of a tantrum and was about to take his son out of the room when Regina's voice drifted into the kitchen. "Is that a frown I see? What's with the sad face, Roland?"

"Ms. Regina!" He jumped up and practically pushed Robin out of the way as he hurried over to hug Regina. She held him close and he closed his eyes, smiling brightly in her arms.

"I see dinner has been taken care of," she said, giving Robin a pointed look. He held up his hands before pointing to Will.

Will held up his hands. "Hey, I said I would give your children dinner. There were no conditions regarding that. Besides, I went to your favorite place, Regina. We got eggrolls."

She seemed to perk up and Robin thought the way her eyes lit up was adorable. Biting her lip, Regina said: "Well, if you got eggrolls…"

"From Dragon's Fortune," Sophie piped up, smiling. "You know, your favorite?"

"Okay, okay. I'm sold. Let me go get a plate." Regina then kissed their daughter's head. "Save some of those chicken pieces for me, please."

Sophie nodded as Robin stood up as well. He wandered over to the cabinet, gently bumping Regina's hip with his. "Care to get me a plate as well?" he asked.

"I don't share well," she warned him and he laughed softly. "So no eggrolls for you. Or sesame seed chicken."

"Don't worry. I'm planning on splitting the beef lo mein with my son, though I daresay you'll have to sit with him," he whispered to her.

She handed him a plate and smiled at Roland. "I don't mind that. Besides, I'm sure Sophie would rather you sat next to her."

He glanced back at their daughter, who was laughing at something Will had said. It warmed his heart and he smiled happily at her. "I'd love to sit next to her. At least she'll know I won't steal her food."

"I'm not stealing her food. I asked. You wouldn't want to steal her food. If you think I'm bad, she's ten times worse," Regina warned, heading back to the table.

Robin paused before chuckling, joining the rest of their family at the table. He took some food from Roland's plate before sitting next to Sophie. "Don't worry. Your food is safe," he told her.

"Good," she said, smiling sweetly. "Then so is your hand."

He blinked a few times, hearing her mother in those words. Beside him, Regina tried to bite back her laughter but was doing a horrible job at it. Robin just turned to his own meal, a little scared of his daughter.

Roland leaned closer to Regina, staring up at her with pure adoration. "Can we have a movie night after dinner?"

"Roland…" Robin warned, not wanting his son to get used to just inviting himself to stay over Regina's house. They were going to have to have a talk when they got home, he vowed. Roland was going to have to wait for Regina to invite them to stay.

Leaning down, Regina cupped his cheek and smiled at Roland. "I think a movie night sounds absolutely wonderful."

"Are you going to stay, Uncle Will?" Sophie asked, looking at the other man with wide eyes.

He shook his head. "Sorry, kid, but I have plans with someone else tonight."

"With Ms. Belle?" she asked sweetly.

Will nearly choked on his food and took a long chug of water. His voice sounded strained when he asked: "Why do you think that?"

"Please, Uncle Will," she said, giving him a sarcastic look. "I know you two are dating. We've seen you together in town. Holding hands, goo-goo eyes, silly smiles, the whole nine yards."

"We haven't been making goo-goo eyes and smiling is not a crime. Friends can hold hands. Don't you and Henry hold hands sometimes?" he asked, eyes not meeting Sophie's.

"We're ten," she deadpanned. Robin had to hide his snort into the rice container at how much she sounded like her mother again.

Will glared at him and then motioned to Sophie, as if he wanted Robin to get Sophie off his back. Instead, Robin leaned back with a smug smile. "So, Will, are you and Ms. Belle dating? Inquiring minds want to know."

"There are days I hate you, you know that?" Will said through gritted teeth.

Roland's head popped up and he frowned. "Hate is a bad word, Uncle Will."

The whole situation amused Robin to no end, enjoying watching his best friend squirm under the scrutiny of both his children. Unable to hide his laughter anymore, Robin gave in and let out a rather loud guffaw. Will continued to glare at him and he held up his hands. "Roland is right, Uncle Will."

"Regina," Will pleaded, looking at her with wide brown eyes. "Can you help me? Please?"

She shook her head, brown eyes sparkling with mirth. "I'm afraid not. Hate is a bad word and inquiring minds do want to know. What exactly is your relationship with our town's librarian?"

"We're trying to figure that out," he finally replied, appearing to give up. "And we would like some peace to do that. Please."

Robin felt bad as he heard the desperation in his friend's voice. He had had a front row to Will's love life for years and had seen his heart broken far too many times. They had both thought the last one was going to last but Will had gotten thrown for a loop, taking himself out of the dating pool for some time while his heart healed. If he was ready to stick his foot back in, the last thing he needed was teasing—even friendly teasing from people who loved him.

"Okay, okay," he said softly. "We'll back off. We just want you to be happy. Right, guys?"

He looked at each member of his family, who nodded in turn. Regina smiled and reached out, taking Will's hand. "Belle's a great woman, Will, and I wish you both the best."

"Thanks, Regina," he replied, squeezing her hand. "Once again, I'm really glad you've come back into my life. I missed you."

Robin leaned back in his chair, taking in the scene before him. He wished they had had this for years now, that Regina and Sophie had been in his and Will's life for the past decade like they should've been. Yet he reminded himself that there was no point in wishing. All he could do was cherish these moments now and create new memories for them to share.

"I swear I don't put my kid up to asking you to stay in order to sleep with you almost every night," Robin called out from the bedroom.

Regina chuckled as she spat out toothpaste into her sink. She rinsed off her toothbrush before rinsing out her mouth, using some mouthwash before patting her face dry. Turning off the light, she stepped into her bedroom to find Robin sitting up in bed with the sheets covering his legs. It was a good sight, she had to admit.

"I know," she assured him, climbing into bed next to him. "Besides, I like having you and Roland here. So does Sophie."

He smiled, leaning closer to her. "I love being around you and Sophie. Everything is just so much better when we're all together."

She kissed him before sliding down under her covers. He followed suit, wrapping his arms around her. "And I must admit, I do love falling asleep with you. And waking up with you."

"Me too," she said, heart beating fast. There seemed to be one particular way this conversation was going and she wondered if she was ready for it.

Robin sighed, nuzzling her hair as he gave her neck a kiss. "Can you turn off the lamp, lovely? My arms are full."

"Okay," she said, reaching out to turn off the light as her heart began to slow. Once the room was plunged into darkness, she settled into his arms with her back pressed to his front. "Good night, Robin."

"Good night, Regina. Sleep tight." He let out a loud yawn before she felt him settle down again.

Robin's breathing evened out a few minutes later but Regina's mind was spinning. She did love being in his arms again and perhaps it was just the rush of new(ish) love, but she felt she slept better with him beside her. Regina also enjoyed spending her days and nights with him and Roland. Together with Sophie, they were a family and the house felt fuller than ever.

However, a thought niggled at her now. She knew Robin was looking at a more permanent residence in Storybrooke and she was wondering if he and Roland should just move in with her. They were trying to take it slow but her heart told her that it was going to happen eventually. Why have him waste money on renting a house he was going to spend maybe 50 percent of his time in, if that?

She rolled over, lying on her side to study Robin. He looked peaceful as he slept, his lips curved into a tiny smile. She watched as his chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, pressing her hand to it to feel his heart beat under her palm. It felt so good to be so close to him again.

Were they ready to move in together? Or would it be too soon? Would it doom them to take that step before they were ready? Could she chance losing him again?

Her mind returned to their fight earlier and she rested the urge to sigh. Perhaps that was proof it was too soon for them to move in together, not if they were talking couples' counseling. Of course, it wasn't because they were broken. They were mature enough to acknowledge they needed help to make sure they succeeded as a couple. No doubt one part of that was not to rush things, like moving in together too soon.

Yet she really liked having him here…

"What's wrong, lovely?" he asked, voice already thick from sleep. "I can feel you staring."

"Nothing. Just thinking," she said.

He hummed, rubbing her back. "About what?"

"Just how good this feels." She tucked her head under his chin, sighing as she rested her head against his chest. This time, she could listen to his heartbeat rather than just feel it.

His warmth wrapped around her as he began to card his fingers through her hair. Robin kissed her forehead. "This does feel good. Remember the first time we fell asleep together? After that movie marathon in my apartment?"

She chuckled as her fingers closed around his t-shirt, much like she had done that night all those years ago. "Of course I remember. How can I forget? You tried to get me to see the appeal of Monty Python."

"Let me guess. You still don't get it."

"Nope," she said laughingly. "The only thing I really remember from the movies is when we found that kid that looked like you."

He chuckled. "That was quite bizarre, wasn't it? I even asked my parents once if I might've had a cousin that was in the movie but they didn't think so."

She hummed, closing her eyes as she breathed in his familiar pine scent. It soothed her and brought her back to that night on his lumpy couch, a blanket his gran had knitted covering them since Will always had the AC on the full blast at all hours of the day. His heartbeat had filled her ear like it did now, lulling her to sleep. When she had next awoken, it was well after midnight and Robin insisted that even though she lived downstairs, it was too late for her to go home. Not that it took much on his part to get her to agree to borrow an oversized shirt from him and spend the rest of the night curled up with him in his bed.

It had been one of the most restful nights of her life.

Robin rubbed her back as he kissed her forehead. "I did ruin things in the morning though. My culinary skills were definitely nothing to brag about back then."

"No, they weren't," she agreed, remembering the smoke-filled kitchen and the charred remains of what was supposed to be an omelet. They had ended up going to eat at the nearby diner instead.

"I've gotten better," he continued.

She nodded, whispering: "I will deny it if you say it to anyone else, but you make pancakes better than I do."

"Truly a compliment." He nuzzled her hair. "Don't worry, lovely, your secret is safe with me."

"I trust you," she whispered, feeling his breathing start to even out. He was nodding off and soon would be asleep. She prayed he had heard her.

As she laid in his arms, she wondered if her idea of Robin and Roland moving in with her and Sophie was an overreaction to her earlier overreaction. Was it her guilt for not trusting in Robin, in almost believing Keith, that made her want to rush things to prove something to herself?

Robin shifted in his sleep, rolling onto his back. Missing his warmth, she adjusted herself until she was pressed against his body again. She pillowed her head on his chest and sighed, resting her hand over his heart. Everything seemed far too confusing right now, she thought. She shouldn't make such a drastic decision just yet. Instead, she would wait and discuss it with Robin after a few therapy sessions.

It seemed like a rational decision and allowed her mind to quiet down. She focused on the sound of Robin's heart and the steady rhythm of his breathing, allowing it to pull her down into dreamland with him.

A/N: Keith is always causing trouble for our couple, isn't he? At least Robin and Regina easily straightened that out and have decided to really commit to making their relationship work. Because Keith isn't going to be their only test. But that's for another chapter.

Thanks to everyone who supported OQ Prompt Party. We definitely showed our poor fandom is not dead. You all rock!

-Mac