A/N-Thanks for the reviews, messages and follows, favorites. They all mean so much to me, and to clear things up, Jefferson is NOT the father as he didn't sleep with Regina. Robin is the father of her baby. I hope to be able to update again Saturday, I know this has been filled with angst, and there is still more to come.
"You knew damned well what I had planned," Regina said.
"I know you wanted to push him away, and I was stupid enough to agree to go along with it. But to bring your child into this," Jefferson said.
"I had no idea I was going to get pregnant," Regina said.
"Do you know how many I have heard say that?" Jefferson asked.
"Shut up Jefferson!" Regina said. "I thought after he saw us, he would be angry enough with me to end things once and for all."
"Well, if the man will still fight for you, after seeing you under another man, having another man between your thighs-" Jefferson was saying.
"Which you still had your pants on, and I was in my pajama bottoms, and that is the only way I would ever let you between my thighs," Regina said.
" Well if you ever gave it the chance, because once you go Mad, you never-look, I agreed to help you. But I didn't agreed to pretend to be the baby's father, and while we are on that, how am I the father?" Jefferson asked.
"How else do you think? Whale," Regina said.
"You got Whale to go along with this, he always has felt guilty for what happened with Daniel," Jefferson said. "He switched the DNA results to make your child mine instead of Robin's." When Regina wouldn't look at him, he had his answer.
"Look, everything is going like it should. And in no time, things will blow over," Regina said.
"Are you serious? Has your pregnancy hormones fried your brain? That man in there is not about to give up, he's probably already planning his next move right now," Jefferson said. "Plus I don't like the idea of keeping his child from him, I'm speaking from personal experience." Jefferson reminded Regina of the time he was kept from his daughter Grace.
"I've already apologized for that," Regina said.
"How long are you planning on continuing this farce?" Jefferson asked.
"Just a little longer, then it will be over. Robin will move on and I'll have my child to raise, plus my happiness when our plan comes through," Regina said.
"Regina, you can't be serious about going through with that. It's too dangerous," Jefferson said.
"I have to see this through," Regina said.
"I'm going to try my best to talk you out of it, but if you think Robin's just going to go run into the forest and give up, you're crazy," Jefferson said. "I need a drink." He said as he walked away, leaving her in the hallway.
The door opened to Whale's office and out walked Whale. "Thank you." Regina said.
"Don't thank me, I feel sick with what I did to him," Whale said. "I think you owe it to him, to at least talk to him, but that's just my opinion."
"I didn't ask for you opinion," Regina said, already feeling guilty enough.
"Regina, I am sorry for lying to you back then about Daniel, and about using his body to bring my brother back, but you are hurting that man in there," Whale said. "Talk to him, try to ease his pain."
Inside the office, Robin sat there, looking down at the floor, but not seeing it. Instead his thoughts were on that baby, that baby that should have been his. He just knew that child had been conceived on their log, he almost could see it in her eyes as she came upon him as he released himself inside of her. Tears came to his eyes as he thought of everything that he had lost in those test results. He lost the emotions that would have filled his heart as he thought of the miracle that, that baby would have been to him and Regina. He lost the pleasure of being able to be the only father to her child. He lost the moments of Regina carrying his child for months, of being there as she gave birth to their child. Of seeing the joy on Roland's face as he told him he was going to be a big brother to that baby. He wiped the tears from his eyes as he swore those moments would still happen, he would be the father to that child, would care for it and love it with his whole being.
He turned as he heard the door open behind him, he saw Regina standing there looking at him. His heart ached as he looked at her, how could she be pregnant? She looked so small and delicate, but she wasn't very far along. He couldn't help the thought of how her body would change as the baby continued to grow, of seeing her grow bigger with another man's child. Robin had to cool his thoughts, because he was going to fight with everything he had in him to win her back and be that child's father, damn DNA.
Regina had quickly rehearsed what she was going to say to Robin before coming in, but now upon seeing the look on his face, the words disappeared. He looked so devastated, so lost, so hurt. Could she do this? How? And like Jefferson asked, for how long?
"Regina, regardless on what the results are, I'm happy that your baby is okay," Robin said as he stood up and walked to stand in front of her.
"Thank you," Regina finally was able to get out. "Robin, I want you to know that I know this wasn't the news you wanted to hear, and I'm sorry for that."
"You got the news you wanted, I'm not the father, but I will never stop giving up on us," Robin said.
"You have to, Jefferson and I will decide on what course we take with this child, you need to concentrate on Roland and your men and start rebuilding your life again," Regina said.
"How can I? When you're not in it? My future seems very empty now without you, our boys and this baby you're carrying," Robin said as he placed a hand on her stomach, he was a little surprised that she didn't move away from his light touch.
"Robin," Regina said softly. "You have to try to rebuild your life, if only for Roland's sake."
"That is one of the things I have always loved about you, Regina," Robin said as he caressed her stomach lightly. "You have always treated Roland so well, and know this, I will do the same for this baby. Just give me a chance to prove myself to you again, and I swear I will never let you down again."
Regina hesitated, Robin could see it on her face and in her eyes. "Robin, I can't take that chance, it's not just me anymore. I have this child to take care of and put first."
"You think I would hurt this child? Regina, I swear to you be it a son or daughter I would always consider it mine," Robin swore to her. "I will love it as much as I love Roland."
Regina sighed as she thought of how right he was. She didn't doubt how good of a father he was, she had seen it so many times, how much he loved Roland. But she couldn't risk her heart again with him.
"Regina, know this, the only things I will ever love more than you, are our children, all three of them," Robin said as Regina felt that feeling of being safe, of being calm. It was her child again, making her feel these things? Could it know that it's father was touching it basically right now? What else could it be?
"I have to be fair to Jefferson, it's his child as well," Regina said as she moved to remove his hand from her, but instead he just captured it and held it between his hands on her stomach.
"I know that it might be his, but from the second I found out about this child, I have loved it," Robin said as Regina looked up into his eyes. His eyes were full of love for her, for the baby.
"I know you wished it was yours-" Regina was saying.
"I won't lie and say that I don't, but I just want you and the baby healthy. I just want to be in your life and your baby's, I want to be there when it comes into this world and hear it's first cry," Robin said as he rubbed her stomach more.
Oh god, she couldn't do this to him. How could she do this to him, rob him of precious time, of moments he could never get back? But inside of her head she could hear a voice telling her how Robin had moved on, had told another woman how he loved her, that weeks before would have meant so much to her, now they were just hollow words. How could she believe him when he told her that he loved her? Loved the baby? What about those words he had told 'Marian', he had told her that he wanted to be with her.
But then there was this also calming presence, reminding her of how she knew that Robin loved her. And wanted a future with her, how he wanted to help raise this baby with her, even when he thought that another man had fathered it. She could see it in his eyes, and she heard it in his words, but could she put her trust in him again? Could she give into her feelings for him again, knowing he alone had the power to crush her heart, literally? Loving him before, she had given him the power to destroy her.
"Regina, would you come by the camp later, for dinner? I know a certain little boy who would love to see you and spend time with you," Robin said. It was low to use Roland, but right now he could see the uncertainly in her eyes. Since it appears that he himself was no longer a weakness of hers, he used the one thing he knew she could never say no to, Roland.
"You always know what to say don't you?" Regina asked.
"Is that a yes?" Robin asked.
"Are you sure you feel up to it, with everything that has just happened?" Regina asked.
"I won't lie, and say that I'm disappointed that I'm not the father of your child, but I do plan on being in your life and your child's life, if you will let me," Robin said. "And any time I can spend with you is always a plus."
Inside Regina was a war raging on, one part wanting to spend time with him as well, while the other wanting to get as far from him as possible. She looked into his eyes, and she could see the hope there. How could she refuse Roland?
"On one condition," Regina said lightly.
"Name it," Robin said with a smile on his face, the first in quite some time today.
"Instead of the camp site, why don't you and Roland come to my house? Say around six?" Regina asked.
"We'll be there," Robin said. "Thank you, Regina. I can't tell you what this means to me."
"Well just don't get to thinking that we're together, your son shouldn't have to suffer for your bad decisions," Regina said and instantly regretted her words from the look in Robin's eyes.
"I understand," Robin said.
"I need to go," Regina said as she walked passed him and headed home. All the way there, the guilt tugged at her. She was going to keep this child from him, from it's father. Once she was alone tonight, she would have to think this whole situation out more. Especially now.
Robin made his way back to the campsite, his emotions all over the place and so raw. He now knew what Regina must have gone through when he had chosen Marian over her all those weeks ago. It hurt, truly hurt to the core. He made a vow to himself never to hurt her again. This dinner was a starting point for them, he knew it was big in her part to invite him. He couldn't wait to tell Roland their dinner plans.
Regina walked into her house and started preparing dinner tonight. Henry had called her as soon as she started cooking, telling her he was going out with his Grandparents tonight and that he would be by tomorrow.
"Something smells delicious," Jefferson said as he walked into her kitchen.
"Hey, how did you get in?" Regina asked.
"Now is that any way to speak to the father of your child?" Jefferson asked.
"What the hell do you want Jefferson?" Regina asked.
"To the point, I like it. So I take it you're having company tonight?" Jefferson asked as he walked around the kitchen, looking at the food being prepared.
"If I am, it doesn't concern you," Regina said.
"So I take it, its the archer coming by," Jefferson said.
"Is there a point to all this?" Regina asked.
"I told you he wasn't going to give up, he has too much riding on it," Jefferson said as he looked down from her face to her stomach. "So how is he holding up?"
Regina shifted her eyes from Jefferson, looking at the stove where the noodles were cooking.
"He's devastated, isn't he?" Jefferson asked. "You're not going to be able to keep this from him, he's going to figure it out. And besides that, I see the way you look at him, you're ready to pounce on him like you did before."
"Not if you'll keep your mouth shut, and besides once the plan is finished I won't have to worry about falling for him again," Regina said.
"Regina it is too dangerous, you have to give up a part of your heart to finish the spell," Jefferson reminded her.
"Just a small part, and then I'll have my happiness that was taken from me," Regina said.
"And what about your baby? What if something goes wrong because of this spell? Then what?" Jefferson asked.
"Nothing will go wrong, I'm going to cast a spell to protect it when everything starts so that its protected." Regina said.
"Regina-" Jefferson said.
"Enough! My mind is made up, I'm doing this with or without your help," Regina said.
"I'll help you, if only to make sure nothing happens to you," Jefferson said as he then left her house. An hour later her doorbell sounded and she made her way to the front door. She opened it and was not surprised to see those Hood men standing there.
"Regina!" Roland said as he put his arms out for Regina to take him, but Robin held his boy back from doing so.
"Not right now, Roland. We have to be extra careful with Regina," Robin said as he put his boy down on the ground.
"Because she's going to have a baby," Roland said.
"Yes, so we have to be careful for now," Robin said.
"How long till the baby gets here?" Roland asked as Robin didn't have an answer and looked at Regina.
"It's going to be several months before it's ready," Regina answered.
"Can I play with it when it arrives?" Roland asked.
"Once it's big enough you sure can, Roland," Regina answered as they made their way inside of the house and to the dining room. Regina had made lasagna with some vegetables.
"It smells so good Regina," Roland said as Robin fixed his son's plate for him.
"Thank you, I hope you like it," Regina said.
"If it's from you, I know we both will," Robin said as he looked at Regina, there was such warmth in his eyes it made her stomach flutter.
They enjoyed their dinner together, Roland being the entertainer and speaking about his adventures in the forest, playing with the merry men and learning about a bow and arrow from his father.
"Here, let me," Robin said as he saw Regina getting up to clear the table once they were done eating. She smiled as she took Roland's hand and together they made their way to her living room and sat on the couch.
"I like your castle here, Regina," Roland said.
"Thank you, sweetheart," Regina said.
"Can I come back soon?" Roland asked, his angelic little face always would cause her to smile down at him.
"You can come here, anytime you wish you," Regina said as Roland smiled and carefully hugged her neck.
"Thank you, Regina. I love you," Roland said as Regina smiled and rubbed his back as she hugged him back.
"I love you too, my little knight," Regina said.
Robin stood in the doorway to the dining room, watching the beautiful scene in front of him. His little boy, in the arms of the love of his life. He envied his son, being able to hug Regina and have her tell him that she loved him. Robin would give anything to be able to hear her say those words to him.
"Papa, can we go get ice cream with Regina?" Roland asked as he saw his father standing there. He had no idea that his question would cause both adults anguish as they both remembered taking Roland for ice cream once before, the night the nightmare began.
"Roland, how about another time?" Robin asked as he saw the flash of pain go across Regina's face.
"Please," Roland said with his dimples showing. "Don't the baby like ice cream, Regina?"
"Oh, Roland," Regina said as watched him put a hand to her stomach.
"Hi baby, I'm Roland. I can't wait to play with you and have ice cream together," Roland said.
It was tough to tell which adult was more touched by Roland's actions and words. For Regina, it was a painful reminder of the secret she was keeping from Robin and from Roland. The baby was Robin's child and Roland's half sibling. Neither would ever know the truth about the baby if Regina kept this up. And for Robin, he had raised Roland to be a thoughtful little boy and he never ceased to be amazed by Roland's actions. He wished with all his heart that Regina's baby was his, and therefore would be Roland's little brother or little sister. But alas it wasn't, he just hoped that Regina would one day let him be a part of her life and her child's.
"I tell you what, Roland, how about we go for ice cream tomorrow after lunch?" Regina asked. "I would tonight, but I have a few things I need to take care of."
"Yay!" Roland said. Robin looked at Regina as she leaned back further into the couch, she was tired, he could tell.
"Hey little man, how about we go and let Regina get some rest for tonight?" Robin said.
"Okay, thank you for the good food Regina," Roland said as he hugged Regina once more before making his way to the front door with his father. Roland went into her front yard as Robin said goodbye to Regina.
"Thank you again, Regina. Having us here for dinner and to spend time with you, means so much to both of us," Robin said as he smiled at her beautiful face.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it, it was the least I could do," Regina said as Robin took her hand in his and placed it on his chest. His eyes were full of emotions, love, warmth, caring.
"You have my heart, I know you don't want it right now and I understand why. But know that it's yours," He then took her hand and brought it to his lips and bestowed a simple, but thoughtful kiss on her knuckles.
"Good night, milady," Robin said as he then turned and walked out into the yard to collect Roland and they made their way back to the camp.
Regina closed the door and leaned back against it, another few seconds and she would have been in his arms, she knows. As it was she had to get in touch with Jefferson tomorrow, and get the last ingredient for her plan. It was now or never, if she didn't hurry up, she was going to take Robin back, she just knew it.
She started to walk to her kitchen to grab a glass of water when she heard.
"You're lying about his baby too?" Tink asked as she stood there with her arms crossed, looking quite pissed off.
"Great, the moth returns," Regina said as she wished she could have a drink right now, she just knew that after this conversation she was going to need it.
A/N-As far as Regina's plan, well that will be revealed if not the next chapter then the one right after, I think.