Thanks everyone for your great reviews! I have been really busy, so the story had to be put on hold for a couple of days. I really wanted to have a chapter between Robin and Henry. I feel like Henry would not just let Robin get off easy for hurting his mom. So I think a chapter between the two of them would be nice.
Robin quietly closed the door to Regina's hospital room. She was finally able to rest. Her room was constantly full of someone or another hugging her, and wishing her happiness. Henry had been the first to come in after the ultrasound. His tears of joy and happiness and Regina's recovery mirrored Robin's. Henry had left reluctantly after being shooed out by Emma. But not before giving Robin a look of anger and hurt. Robin had to admit it took him by surprise. But he knew that Henry was probably being protective of his mother and was still angry at him for the hurt he caused Regina.
Robin and Regina talked soon after, and Regina told him of Henry's protectiveness since they had been apart. Regina pleaded with Robin to talk to Henry, she feared that if not, then Henry would never trust Robin again. So after kissing her sleeping face, Robin quietly set out to find Henry. He didn't know what he was going to say. He had never dealt with a young man before. His only experience with fatherhood was of his 4 year old. He would just need to be truthful and honest and hope that Henry would see how much he loved his mother.
"Robin, I was just coming to see you." Emma stopped Robin in the hall pulling him from his thoughts.
"Oh, hi Emma. What can I do for you?"
"I know this is a hard time, and it has been stressful. But I wanted to update you on Marian. Is that okay?" Emma asked hesitantly, not knowing if Robin wanted to hear about her. Truthfully Robin had given no thought to Marian at all. He really didn't want to talk about her. But since he was her only family really. He should get an update. He nodded softly.
"I wanted you to know that she is still in Jail. She has been asking for you. But I told her she was not getting any visitors. Unless you want to see her. From here, in this realm she would stand trial for attempted murder. Now I have never really dealt with this sort of thing here. I know things are different in the Enchanted forest. So David and I have decided to play it by ear. And figure out what to do when everything settles down. Does this sound okay to you?"
Robin didn't care at the moment what happened to Marian, he was still too hurt and angry for what she did. Being confined was the best thing for everyone at the moment. "Yes, sounds fine. She just needs to be locked away right now, that is what is best." Emma nodded.
"How is Regina doing?"
"She is asleep finally. But seems to be doing okay. Dr. Whale took her former heart from the room and I think he was going to give it to Rumplestiltskin to get rid of. I am just glad that we love each other so much, that it could save her life." Emma put a hand on his should to give him a comfort squeeze.
"We all are." Emma turned to head back down the hall.
"Emma, do you know where Henry might be? I need to talk to him, see if I can mend what has happened between us." Emma nodded and smiled softly.
"I think that is a good idea. He is visiting his father I think. He does that a lot lately."
Robin nodded and left immediately. As he made his way there, he tried to figure out words to say before he got there. But too soon he arrived, and found no words had come. Henry was sitting by his father's grave and brushing dirt of his headstone. His heart went out to Henry. He had lost a lot. And he had almost lost his mother too.
"Henry?" Robin asked softly, not wanting to startled the boy. Henry quickly looked towards him then looked back at the grave.
"What do you want?" He asked pointedly. His tone not surprising Robin.
"I would like to talk to you. If that is okay."
Henry stood to walk away from Robin. "Well, I don't want to talk to you."
"Henry please. I know you are angry. I have wanted to talk to you for a while now. But things were complicated. Your mother asked especially that we talk. Please, at least for her." Robin knew it was a low blow to use Regina like that, but he needed to get the boy to stay.
Henry stopped and sighed before sitting on a large fallen tree. Robin realized that it would be best if he started. "Henry, I am sorry for what has happened. I know you blame me for everything that has happened. And you know what? You should. It is my fault." Robin stood a couple of feet from him and Henry glanced up before looking down again.
"I know that I hurt your mother, I never wanted to hurt her. I love your mother very much."
"Yeah, I know, you were able to split your heart to save her. I know. True Love." Robin nodded and Henry looked up at him. "But it doesn't make it okay that you hurt her."
"No it doesn't your right. But I want you to know that I think you are a very brave and courageous young man." Henry looked at him with bright eyes.
"You do?"
"Oh yes, you protected your mother with everything in you. You kept her going and alive when she felt really down. You have been very brave."
Henry nodded and smiled softly. "I tried so hard to be brave for her. I needed to make up for my past and let her know that I love her so much."
"What do you mean making up for your past?" Robin sat down next to Henry on the fallen tree.
"I caused her so much pain in the past. I ran away from her the first chance I got, I went and found Emma. I was convinced that she didn't love me. When I found out I was adopted, I thought that it meant she couldn't love me. So I went to find my birth mom, hoping that Emma would love me." Henry's voice got more and more raised and emotional as he went on. "I didn't realize that by constantly running to Emma, that I was hurting her so much. She loved me so much and I never saw it. I said awful things about her. Calling her the Evil Queen, and other names." Henry cried softly. Robin reached out and put his hand on the boys back for comfort.
"Henry, even though all those things happened. Your mother always knew that you loved her. She told me so her self. But what is in the past should stay in the past. What has happened recently is a great example. I realized quickly that even though Marian was back, I didn't love her the way I use to. I had loved her long ago, mourned and moved on. I was in love with your mother. But because of my honor, I felt I was obligated to stay with Marian since she was suddenly not dead. I ached for your mother every day. I killed me being away from her. Please know that."
Henry looked at Robin carefully and nodded. "I know. I guess I just felt like since there has never been a man in my mom's life, I needed to step up to be a man. I know my mom loves you. I know how much she has wanted to be loved like that. I remember when I was young, there is a holiday here that is called Father's Day, a day that fathers' are celebrated. I remember being upset when the other kids at school got to make things for their dads and I didn't. I asked my mom that night why I didn't have a dad and if she could get me one. She was so sad that night. She tried to explain that she loved me enough to be both parents." Henry wiped away tears that were falling down his face.
"What my mom doesn't know is, that night I heard noises coming from her room. And when I peaked in she was crying. I think she realized that night too, how much she wanted that perfect family picture too." Robin's heart went out to this little family. He knew Regina and Henry had suffered. Now more than ever, he felt the fierce determination to make sure that they were given it. "And now, when I finally got a father, he was taken away from me. And when I didn't even remember him. I never got to say goodbye!" Henry sobbed as Robin wrapped his arms around the young boy. Bringing his head to his chest as any father would.
"Henry, I didn't know Bealfire very long. But when I did know him, he only talked of you. And how much he loved you, how he fought to find you. He loved you so much, and I know that he knew you loved him. A parent can feel their child's love, even when they are far away." Henry pulled back and wiped his eyes. He took a shuddering sigh and glanced up at Robin. He looked very much like a young boy in that moment, then the 13 year old he was.
"Henry, I want you to know that even with me being with your mother. I would never try and replace your father. But if you let me, I would like to be your friend." Robin felt his heart burst at love for this boy. He had only known him a short time, but he felt a father's love for him that Regina felt towards Roland. Roland had grown without a mother, Henry had never had a father.
"Robin, do you think that you could ever love me?"
"Oh Henry, I do love you."
"Like a son?" Henry's eyes were so wide and full of longing and hope, that Robin hugged him instantly and tightly.
"Yes, I can and already do love you like a son." Henry grabbed onto Robin tightly and held on for dear life. There are times when a child needs the strong arms of a parent, that sometimes only a father can give. And right then, that is what they were. A father and his son.
