Chapter 12
"Looking good guys!" Robin said as he walked with Riley in hand, into Granny's Diner to see the whole crew adding the finishing touches for Riley's big day.
"Hey Robin!" Snow says with a smile. "Hi Riley! Come here my birthday girl!" Snow said as she takes Riley from Robin.
"Here's the rest of the supplies you needed Snow. Henry and I have been running around town getting the last of the supplies. Do you need us to get anything else?" Robin said as he sets the bags on the diner bar.
"I think this is pretty much it!" Snow says scanning the bags over as she bounces a happy Riley in her arms.
"Where's Roland and Regina?" Snow asked.
"I left them back at the house to get ready. As a matter of fact, I need to head back there in the next couple of minutes to get Riley back to get her ready." Robin said as he started to unload the bags.
"There she is! My little Goddaughter!" Tinker Bell rushes over to take Riley from Snow to give her a loving embracing hug and kiss with Emma following behind.
"Hey Robin! Hey Henry!" Emma says as she goes towards her son to give him a hug and a kiss, before taking Riley from Tinker Bell to give her own hugs and kisses. "We were actually on our way to your house Robin to pick up the birthday girl." Emma said with a smile. "If you want we can take her back and get her ready!" Emma concludes.
"That will work! I'll call Regina and tell her that you are on your way." Robin said.
After minutes of finishing up their assigned duties Snow had them do, Emma, Tinker Bell and Riley head out to get her ready. "We will be back in an hour." Emma said to Robin as she held baby Riley in her arms.
Back at home, Regina was adding the last minute touches to her make up when Roland walks in and gives her a hug and a kiss.
"You look so pretty, momma." Roland says as he looks up at Regina.
Regina smiles and lets out a chuckle as she bends down to pick up Roland.
"Thank you love! Now we have to get you ready so we can go to your sister's party!" Regina says as she places a kiss on Roland's dimply cheek.
"Ok momma." Roland says as he wraps his arms around Regina's neck in a loving embrace.
As Regina heads to Roland and Henry's room, the doorbell rings. "Let's go get the door." Regina said as she put Roland down. Roland dashes down the stairs with Regina following close behind. Regina and Roland both answer the door as Emma and Tinker Bell who is holding Riley.
"Hi Emma!" Roland said as he gave a tight hug to Emma's leg before moving to Tinker Bell.
"Hiya Kid!" Emma said brushing her hand across Roland's hair
"Hi Tinker Bell!"
"Hey Roland!" Tinker Bell said with a smile.
"Hey!" Regina says. "Robin said that you would stop by."
"Robin and Henry came by the diner just as we were leaving so we just brought her by to get her ready!" Emma said as Regina welcomed them in.
"Oh ok!" Regina said. I have her dress set out. I bathed her this morning." Regina said as she led the ladies into Riley's room.
"Let me know if you need anything. I'll go get Roland ready." Regina said as she started to walk out.
As Regina was finishing dressing Roland her phone began to ring. It was Robin. He needed her to come to the diner to get some last minute details finalized.
"Okay, I'll be there in about 10 minutes. Okay. I love you." Regina said as she hung up the phone. "Come on Roland. Let's go help daddy with Riley's party!" Regina said as she picked up Roland and headed to Riley's room.
Emma was changing Riley's diaper as Regina walked in. "Robin just called and they are needing me to finalize some things. Is it okay if I leave you and Tinker Bell to continue dressing Riley?" Regina said with an apologetic look on her face.
"Of course! We got everything handled. We will take her to the party once we're done." Emma said as she picked up Riley to hand her to Tinker Bell.
"Thanks girls. Oh before I forget." Regina walks over to Riley's dresser and pulls out a small jewelry box and hands it to Tinker Bell.
"Here. It's the necklace you and Will gave her the day she came home from the hospital. I want her to wear it." Regina says with a smile and a wink.
With a look of honor on her face, Tinker Bell gives a Regina a genuine smile before saying "Thanks Regina."
"See you girls at the party! Thanks again." Regina says appreciatively after giving final hugs and kisses to her daughter. "Come on Roland! Let's go to Riley's party." She says to Roland as she picks him up and heads out.
"But what about sissy? Is she coming with us?" Roland said curiously.
"Aunt Emma and Aunt Tinker Bell will take her over and meet us over there later!" Regina said reassuringly after placing a kiss on his cheek.
"Okay momma." Roland said with a smile.
Emma and Tinker Bell begin to dress baby Riley.
"It's so good that you and Regina have mended your differences, Emma. I can tell she really does care about you." Tinker Bell said as she laid out Riley's dress as Emma redid Riley's hair.
"I'm glad we did. Regina is a good person and she deserves all this happiness. She's proven to me that she has always been capable of love. Just look at Henry. He's grown to be such a gentleman and to be honest Tink, I don't think I could have done a good of a job as Regina did. She has that natural motherly touch that I don't think I have, I don't think I'm a good enough mother as Regina is." Emma said with a little sadness in her voice as she finished up Riley's hair.
"Emma, you're a great mom. I'm sure Henry loves you just as much as he loves Regina. Henry sees you and his face just glows. He's lucky to have two mothers that love him so much. He's a lucky kid." Tinker Bell says handing the tiara to Emma.
"Thanks Tinker Bell." Emma says as she turns to Tinker Bell with a smile.
Emma takes the tiara and places gently on Riley's head and pins it down. Backing away to admire the little princess, Emma and Tinker Bell are full of "awes" and smiles as they continue to admire little Riley who begins to smile.
"Let's put her dress on!" Tinker Bell said with excitement. Emma turns towards Riley's closet where Regina had it ready to go. Emma takes it out of the protective clothing bag and walks over to Riley.
As Emma places the dress on Riley, Tinker Bell searches for little Riley's arms and pulls them through the sleeves. Emma zips her up before putting on her satin shoes graced with small sparkles along the front.
"She's so beautiful!" Tinker Bell said with joy. "Wow! She looks just like Regina! I never noticed how much she resembles her so well!"
"She's gorgeous!" Emma said with a wide smile on her face. "I think she looks a little more like Robin, but I can see Regina in there too. She has Robin's blue eyes for sure! And Regina's hair!" Emma said as she fixes small strands of her hair and tucks them behind her little ears.
Baby Riley is fully dressed in her bright white dress with ruffles running down. The diamonds along her torso illuminated in the light with each move that Riley made. As her head moved about, the tiara mimicked the sparkles on the dress and her satin shoes added the finishing touch.
"Don't forget her necklace Tinker Bell," Emma reminded her.
"Oh yes." Tinker Bell pulled the necklace out of the box and gently placed it around Riley's neck.
"There." Tinker Bell said as she placed a loving kiss on Riley's forehead.
"I can't wait for Robin and Regina to see her!" Emma said. Looking at her watch Emma notices that the party will start in 45 minutes .
"Looks like we finished in time! Come on Riley! Let's go to your party!" Emma said as she picked Riley up and placed a kiss on her cheek.
"I'll get her things." Tinker Bell said.
"Alright. Let's go!" Emma said as Tinker Bell and Riley head out to Granny's to celebrate the little princess' day.
Granny's diner was getting filled with family and friends and love for the little princess on her day.
"Where is Emma and Tinker Bell?" Regina asked Snow with concern. "I tried calling both of them but they didn't answer their phones."
"They should be here any minute Regina, why don't you keep yourself busy by arranging the cake table? Ingrid is on her way with the cake." Snow said to a pacing Regina.
"Okay Snow." Regina said letting out a nervous breath.
Within 5 minutes, the diner door opens with Ingrid walking in with a cake fit for a princess.
"Where should I put the cake?" Ingrid said with excitement.
Robin and Regina were in awe as Ingrid placed the 3 tiered pink and white cake. The bottom layer was covered in a light pink fondant that had an intricate and detailed laced design. The middle tier also had light pink fondant that was covered in edible glitter that glistened like snow that had a ribbon with the words "Happy 1st Birthday Riley" written across the ribbon and the top tier was in the shape of an elegant pillow that held a realistic looking tiara.
"Wow! This cake is beautiful!" Regina said as she began to study it.
"Emma really does know how to pick them!" Robin said with a smile.
"Thank you so much Ingrid!" Regina said in appreciation.
"Hope we're not too late!" Anna said as she and Elsa walk in.
"Wow. You guys sure do go all out for your parties! It looks so royal in here!" Anna said as she scanned the diner. "Let me get some pictures!" Anna said with excitement as she started pulling out her camera.
"Where is the little princess?" Elsa asked looking around.
"Emma and Tinker Bell were getting her ready. Hopefully they will be here soon!" Regina says looking at her watch with a look of disapproval on her face.
Anna stands in front of the cake table that has been immaculately decorated with white satin table cloths with pink satin bows along the edges of the cake table. Pink confetti has been sprinkled about the entire table. Cookies in the shape of a princess crown with "Riley" written across have been gracefully placed along-side the cake. A fruit bowl in the shape of a princess crown holds some fresh color fruit that is nestled next to the cookies. Pink and white balloon bouquets stand alongside a custom made banner that hangs behind the table and reads "Happy Birthday Riley" written in pink glitter with a crown design. Anna continues to work her magic when Tinker Bell walks through the door and announces,
"We're here! And here is the birthday girl!" Tinker Bell turns towards Emma who is carrying a happy and cheerful Riley as the entire diner is captivated by the beauty the little princess emits.
Robin and Regina's face is one of pure joy and happiness as they gaze adoringly at their beautiful little girl. Regina walks up to Emma with tears as she takes her little girl and continues to admire her little princess before expressing her gratitude towards Emma and Tinker Bell. "She looks so beautiful!" Regina says with a wide smile on her face as she walks over to Robin who also tears up as he sees his little girl all dressed up. For the next several minutes the party guests express their love to Robin, Regina and Riley before Anna and Elsa direct them in front of the table for pictures.
"Henry, Roland, stand next to your mom and dad so I can take a family picture!" Anna said with joy.
The family was all smiles as they posed for pictures with family and friends for several minutes when Snow directs everyone back to their seats so that baby Riley can begin to open her gifts while the food begins to be served.
Robin and Regina, who is holding baby Riley, moves to the center of the diner where Snow prepares the proud parents to help Riley open her gifts. As gift after gift is passed, the little princess is all smiles as she plays with the mounds of tissue paper that have developed. Anna sees an opportunity to take more pictures as the guests look on with smiles on their faces.
Minutes later, Snow, Emma, Belle, and Tinker Bell roll out the cake in front of the diner as they light the candle. Regina picks up her daughter as she, Robin, Henry, and Roland make their way in front of the cake where the whole diner begins to sing happy birthday.
At the end of the song, Regina holding baby Riley bends over and together they blow out the candle as baby Riley reaches for her cake and grabs a hold of a piece before smearing it on her face. The diner breaks out in laughter as Robin prepares to cut the cake when Snow jumps in and helps out.
"Mom, can Roland and I take Riley to the table to feed her cake?" Henry said.
"Sure! Let me cut her a piece so that you and Roland can feed her." Regina said handing over baby Riley to Henry.
All smiles as baby Riley licks off her little hands full of her cake, Henry and Roland move to their table where Snow, Belle, Tinker Bell, and Emma begin to help serve the cake.
Robin and Regina step back and allow their guests to help themselves to the treats.
"I told you everything would work out in the end, my love! Look how happy our little princess is!" Robin said as he brings Regina close to him and embraces her in a strong loving hold.
"Thank you, Robin for making this possible. You don't know how much this has meant to me. I love you so much!" Regina says hugging him tighter.
"Anything for you my love and our family! I'll always be here for you and our children, forever and always." Robin says as he lovingly caresses his wife's face while looking deeply into her eyes.
Regina returns the gesture with her own passionate kiss before looking lovingly in his and tells him,
"Forever and Always!"
THE END