Author's Note: Hey, all! As Denver nears it's end, I just wanted to tell you all I love and appreciate all the follows, faves, and reviews you have all left. I'm so glad I could share this little story with you and am so happy you've loved it as much as I do. I feel I should warn your feels that there are only two more chapters left, as much as I would love to write it forever, I hope these last chapters makes a fitting ending for you all and you aren't too disappointed. Don't worry, too much though. I have a sequel brewing in the back of my mind. ;)
Chapter Thirteen
He had just finished showering when he heard a thunk and then a string of curses being strung together in an impressively creative way. Wrapping a towel around his hips, he opened the bathroom door that connected to his room and smiled at the image before him.
His girlfriend was standing over a box on it's side next to a pile of clothes and books sprawled across the floor, looking down at them like she'd rather be doing anything in the world than picking them up. "Problems, darling?"
She looked up, glaring at him. He tried, but failed, to suppress his smirk, knowing there would be a little over five more months of hormones to look forward to.
"I hate unpacking," she muttered.
He chuckled. It was early, Roland was still asleep, and he was just getting ready for work. He made coffee, but she refused it, even though her doctor told her she didn't have to completely cut out the caffeine right away, which also didn't improve her mood.
He frowned watching her as she sat down on the floor. "Are you sure you want to be doing this right now? I can help you when I get home tonight."
"No, I want to get these few boxes done. Besides, I have a feeling I'm not going to feel well for a while yet, and I can't lay in bed all day."
That may be but Roland would be awake soon, and he would no doubt keep her busy most of the day. Not that he would be difficult, but he would keep her on her feet. "Do you want me to maybe call Anna?"
Her head tilted, and her shoulders dropped along with lips that pulled into a soft pout. "I love that you want to help, but we'll be fine. Go to work and stop worrying."
Taking a deep breath, he nodded. Walking over to her, he kneeled down and kissed her sweetly before rising to his feet. Just as he began to walk away he felt a tug on the towel and then reached down, catching the front of it before it fell to the floor completely.
He turned to see Regina biting her lip and grinning up at him. She was trouble and without a doubt the most beautiful, pregnant minx in the world. "Oi, you. You'll pay for that later."
"You could drop the towel and make me pay for it now…" Her eyebrows lifted and dropped suggestively. "Or just let me look forward to my punishment later?"
Laughing, he took the towel and tossed it at her giving her his own cheeky smirk before making his way back to the bathroom.
#
"Mummy, fishy?"
Her eyes opened from where she'd been laying on the couch next to Roland. She had a headache, and it helped to keep her eyes closed from the light, but it didn't take her eyes long to adjust to the big, orange Goldfish snack stuck in her face.
She smiled at Roland and shook her head. "No, thank you, sweetheart."
He studied her a moment like he thought she might reconsider but then in the next second, popped it into his own mouth before going back to watching Paw Patrol.
It was just after eleven, and she yawned widely. Robin had been at work since seven. John was meeting him up on the mountain today to survey some sites that had burned the summer before so they could analyze the regrowth and the habitats of the animals affected.
She smiled again thinking about how he went on and on that morning about what all that entailed and how excited he was to start analyzing all the data they would collect from it. He really was a science nerd and she loved seeing that side of him. Here especially when he was home and in his element. His love for his job only reinforced her decision to keep them in Denver.
Her phone rang, causing her eyes to snap back open again. Digging into the pocket of her hoodie, she squinted down, not recognizing the number but knowing the Denver area code. "Hello?"
A soft, polite voice replied, "Regina Mills?"
Regina blinked away her tiredness and sat up. "This is she."
"Hi, this is Jasmine from Denver Ballet. How are you?"
Regina took a breath. This was it. "I'm doing well, thank you."
"Good to hear." There was a pause in the woman's voice, and Regina took the opportunity to rise from the couch. She couldn't sit still right now if she tried. "Well Regina, I'm just going to jump right to the reason for my call. We all spoke, and we would be delighted if you would join us here at the ballet."
Her stomach flipped, not because she didn't expect to get it because she did, but because she knew this was the part where she needed to be honest with them and possibly have them reconsider their offer. "That's really great," she murmured.
Jasmine laughed as though she found Regina's lack of enthusiasm charming. "Isn't it though?"
"It is," she agreed and took a seat next to Roland. He looked up at her, and she smiled while running a hand through his curls. She was going to have to talk to Robin into getting him a trim to keep his hair from falling in his eyes. "Jasmine, while I'm beyond thrilled about getting the job, I have to be honest with you... I just found out I'm ten weeks pregnant."
"Oh, congratulations!" Regina's brow furrowed. Her happy response was not what she had been expecting. "Aren't you just thrilled?" Jasmine asked.
Regina let out a light laugh. "I am, but I just wanted to let you know in case you wanted to reconsider."
Jasmine laughed in return. "As much as I appreciate that, Regina, if we were to reconsider you because of pregnancy, that would be very illegal on our part. No, please, I know I worked through my pregnancy, as did many others. I know I can speak for the others when I say we would still very much like for you to come join us."
A real, genuine smiled pulled her lips up. "Then I would be happy to accept."
"Brilliant!" Jasmine exclaimed. "I know you said you wanted to start in two weeks is that still alright? Do you need more time?"
She thought over that. They would be going back to Boston this weekend. Robin and Neal would be driving back, which would only take two days, and then that would give her a little over a week to get settled… "No, that will still be fine. I'll be moved and things will be as close to normal life by then."
"That's great to hear. I'll send you an email the closer we get, but I want to thank you and congratulations again. We are happy to have you."
Regina let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Thank you."
Hanging up, she looked down at Roland who was still watching her with his wide curious eyes. She clapped her hands and said, "Mommy's got a job, yay!"
Giggling, Roland joined in the fun and began clapping along with her. He may not have understood the impact this job offer had given her, but the weight that lifted from her was palpable. She felt lighter than she had in days.
#
The day up around Black Mountain was blue skies as far as he could see. He found himself smiling more often than not lately for no reason at all. Not exactly no reason, but for many. His son, Regina, and their two children on the way. Life had changed so abruptly for him over these last few months in the most incredibly amazing way he never knew possible.
He honestly couldn't be happier if he tried.
"Here, let me do that." John huffed, sneaking beside Robin and the truck to take the pack of equipment from the seat. "Knowing you you'll wind up with a broken ankle or something."
Robin frowned at his friend until it struck him that he wouldn't have to be the one to haul the heavy bag up the small hill. "Hilarious, but if you insist."
Taking the small camera from the cab of his truck, Robin shut the door and followed after John.
"When are you guys leaving?" John asked with a glance over his shoulder.
"Friday night." Robin replied. "We need to have Regina out by Sunday."
"I thought Regina and Roland were staying?"
He nodded. "They were, but something's come up and she wants to speak to her parents and say goodbye."
John stopped walking and waited for him to catch up. "What's come up?"
He bit back a smile. He and Regina talked about whether or not they would wait to tell everyone but decided since their check up went so well and she wanted to tell her parents before she left Boston, there really wasn't much point in keeping it from their friends. "We just found out Regina's pregnant."
"No shit?" John let out a bark of a laugh. "Would ya look at us… having babies."
"Babies being the key word," Robin replied with a small chuckle himself.
John's head tilted and his brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Robin pursed his lips together a moment before saying, "We're having twins."
John blinked at him a moment and then it was as if Robin saw the idea click in his mind, before he said, "A toddler and twins? Good luck, my friend."
Amused, Robin shook his head and started back up the path. "Thanks."
"Is Regina happy?" John asked, following behind him.
"She's ecstatic. We both are," Robin called over his shoulder.
"You realize once you tell Mac, she's gonna be on your ass even more to marry Regina."
Robin chuckled. He did know that. "She won't have to worry, I have that all planned out."
They came to a stop at the top of the hill and looked out over the area of burnt tree stumps and remnants of charred landscape.
John dropped the pack next to him. "Yeah?"
Robin's lips pulled up. He'd had a plan brewing in him for a while now, he was just waiting for the right time. "I do."
#
Roland fell asleep a little after two, and Regina settled in the living room with a cup of tea and one of Robin's books. His shelves were filled with mostly fantasy and nonfiction, but there were also a few mysteries and the box set of Harry Potter, which he claimed was for Roland when he got older but when she pointed out how well loved the edges and spines looked, he admitted his love for them.
"They're bloody brilliant and I'm not ashamed to admit it," he had told her with an adorable set jaw.
She had walked straight up to him and kissed him after that because what woman wouldn't after their boyfriend declared their love for all things in the wizarding world?
Tucking her legs underneath her, she sipped her cup of ginger vanilla tea and was about to open her book when the doorbell rang. Frowning, her gaze shifted over to Roland who, thankfully, hadn't woken from the sound.
Setting her cup aside, she got to her feet, quickly making her way from the living room and down the hall to the door. Pulling it open, she smiled at the woman standing there.
"Hello."
The woman gave her a slow once over making Regina feel very on display before she asked, "Are you Regina?"
"I am." Regina's head tilted to the side as she studied the woman. She couldn't ever recall meeting her before, but there was something about the other woman's eyes that made her think she had seen her somewhere before. "Who…"
"I'm Marian."
Oh. Now she knew where she knew those eyes. She looked into them every time she gazed at the beautiful little boy who was soon to become her son. Suddenly another thought struck her and she replied, "I'm sorry, I thought we were meeting tomorrow?"
"We are, but I'd prefer to talk to you without an audience." Marian crossed her arms and straightened her spine. "I called Robin, he said he was on his way."
Regina now fully understood Robin's frustration when it came to his ex-wife's behavior. She had a lot of gall showing up out of the blue like this. But whatever. If she wanted to meet her, then fine. Truthfully, she'd rather it just be the two of them anyway. "All right, come in."
Regina stepped aside, holding the door open and gesturing for Marian to go in before her. When she shut the door, she smiled and headed into the kitchen so their talking wouldn't wake Roland. Just as she was about to have a seat at the table, her phone rang. Pulling it from her pocket, she saw that it was Robin and excused herself.
Taking her phone into the hall, she answered, "Hey."
Robin's voice sounded just as she imagined it would - tired and frustrated. "Babe, I'm sorry, Marian just called and has decided she's dropping by today."
"I know," Regina mumbled for only him to hear. "She's here."
"What the…" Robin groaned. "I just spoke to her five minutes ago."
Regina let out a soft sigh. She didn't need him to worry or stress that she was here alone with his ex. "Well she must have been close because she's here. It's not a big deal though. Roland's asleep and I'm fine. She wanted to meet me, and she's gonna meet me."
She said the last part with a bit of toughness in her voice for his benefit and was rewarded with a chuckle. "Have I told you how much I love you?"
She hummed then replied softly, "Not in the last few hours."
"Well, I'm saying it again. I love you. While I'm sure you have everything in hand, I'm still coming home."
"Okay, I'll see you soon."
Hanging up with Robin, she put her phone back in her pocket and made her way into the kitchen. She thought vaguely about changing from the shorts and hoodie she was wearing, but she thought, screw it. This was her home. She was tired and currently growing two humans inside of her. If Marian took offense at her messy ponytail and bare feet, that was her problem.
When Regina stepped back into the kitchen, Marian wasted no time, and from her spot where she was standing by the counter asked, "Where's my son?"
Regina's eyebrows rose. "He's taking a nap."
"Oh." Marian's shoulders dropped.
Regina hated to wake him, but she also hated the idea of Marian not being able to tell her son goodbye or see him before she disappeared out of his life. "Do you want me to go wake him?"
"No, don't." Marian shook her head. Her gaze fell to the floor as she added, "It's better this way anyway."
"I can understand why you would think so, but one day you might regret not saying goodbye to him." Regina said, taking a seat at the table.
Marian pushed herself away from the counter and made her way over to the table where she took a seat across from her. "I said goodbye to my son a long time ago. There's no point in doing it again." Regina considered the woman opposite her. She didn't believe for one moment Marian was as aloof about her son as she claimed to be, but there was a look in her eyes, a determination she could see that kept her from arguing the contrary. Marian sighed. "Look, I know you think I'm a terrible person for this, but I'm not the person he needs… the person he deserves." Her voice quieted as she admitted, "Not all of us want to be mothers, you know?"
"I don't agree with what you're doing, and I think that you will one day regret the decision you're making, but I respect it." Marian looked up at her. Taking a deep breath, Regina explained, "While you may not see it, letting us proceed with this adoption and agreeing to it, you're putting your son's needs ahead of your own and that's what being a good mother is."
One of Marian's shoulders lifted and fell. "Yeah, well, maybe…" she trailed off and shifted her gaze down to her own hands a moment before saying, "You'll look out for him?"
Her heart clenched in her chest as she replied, "Like he was my own."
Marian nodded once, then got to her feet. "I really just came here to get a feel for you, see who you were... I think I have a pretty good idea. Tell Robin I'll be there tomorrow to sign the papers."
Regina stood. "He's on his way, did you want to tell him yourself?"
"Not really. I think he'd rather hear it from you anyway." Marian's eye flicked to the living room, settling on her sleeping son a moment before she swallowed and said, "Take care of them."
"I will," Regina murmured and watched Marian walk from the room and out the door.
#
His brow furrowed when he pulled into his driveway a half an hour later. He expected to see Marian's car parked out front but the blue BMW was gone. He wondered if Carl had dropped her off but dismissed the thought as quickly as it came. She disliked the idea of being stuck anywhere.
Stepping in his front door, the house was quiet. He made his way down the hall and around the corner, glancing into the living room where he found Regina on the couch reading a book while Roland slept close by.
Keeping his voice low, he asked, "Where is she?"
Regina closed the book and got to her feet. "She came and then she left."
Robin let out a soft snort and rolled his eyes to the ceiling. "Sounds about right. What did she have to say?"
She came to a stop in front of him and his hands settled on her hips. "She recognizes Roland deserves better and she's agreed to meet tomorrow to sign the papers. I really believe she'll regret walking completely out of his life one day, but for now she's pretty convinced she isn't what he needs."
"At the moment, I can't help but agree with her." Robin stated, then explained, "Not that I don't think that she couldn't be, but until she works out whatever it is she's got going on with herself, I'd rather she leave Roland out of it."
Regina looked thoughtful a moment, then said, "She reminds me a lot of my own mother. She had Zelena and realized being a mother wasn't what she wanted at the time. Then a few years later she met my father, and a year later I was born. Through all this I've come to realize the reason why she was so hard on me wasn't because she loved me any less but because she was trying to make up for letting Zelena go. I think she felt guilty, and I never really understood that. It doesn't excuse her behavior but it explains it."
"It could. It could also be the reason why she doesn't want you to leave now? Perhaps she wishes to make up for the way she treated you?"
"I suppose, but she's going to have to make up for lost time from a distance."
That was another thing he was wanting to bring up to her. After they found out about the babies, he wondered if she would want to be closer to her family. Not that he loved the idea of being close to her ex, but if they moved, perhaps out towards her parents, they could reduce the risk of bumping into him anyway.
His hand encircled her waist, and he pulled her against him. "Darling, I know we've discussed where we'll settle but now with the babies, I'm wondering if you might want to be closer to your family?"
She looked amused by his question and raised a challenging brow. "And what about yours?"
Robin shrugged. "They haven't moved yet. Nothing is set in stone."
Her hands rose and settled on his chest. "While I love you for offering to put this all on the table again, this is where I want us to be…" her voice trailed off and her top teeth sunk into her bottom lip before she added, "and I got the job so..."
His eyes widened. "You go it?"
"I did."
Hugging her, he lifted her off her feet and into his arms, being ever aware of her stomach, before placing her back on her feet. "I knew it." He took her face gently between his hands and brought his lips down to capture hers in a lingering kiss. "I'm proud of you."
She laughed and shook her head. "I didn't really do anything…"
He smiled and began to drop kisses on her brow, her cheeks, and then the tip of her nose, all while saying, "Do I really need to expound on all your desirable traits because I can in case you need a refresher."
Her eyes closed when he kissed her, and she sighed softly against his lips before saying, "Maybe a few, but those you'll need to leave for when we're alone."
#
The next couple days went by quickly for Robin. The papers were signed the next morning in his lawyers office and within ten minutes they were back on their way home, incredibly happy and looking forward to the call from his attorney in the next few months that would tell them when the adoption was finalized.
Even though Regina was still tired, her nausea had begun to lesson. By Friday she was able to keep down a muffin and a hot chocolate he bought for her at the airport while they waited for their flight. He had never seen someone more happy to have something so simple.
Saturday everyone rose early. Ursula and Lance joined the packing party. Well mostly Lance. Ursula spent most of the morning in bed with Regina and Roland after they had told their friends about the babies. Her friend insisted on hearing about everything that happened then drug her into the bedroom.
Robin hadn't minded a bit. He had been hoping she'd take a break after going non stop all morning and knew she wanted some time with her friend before she flew back to Denver on Sunday.
He and the guys completed the living room and kitchen quickly enough, leaving the couch there until the next morning for Neal to sleep on that night. When the closets and bathroom were all done, he interrupted the female bonding time to start on Regina's room, which he came in to find mostly packed.
Neal, who walked in after him, took one look at a box full of shoes and said, "Whoa, and I thought Emma had a lot of shoes."
Regina looked over at him from where she was sitting cross legged on her bed with Roland in her lap and said, "She's got nothing on me."
"That's painfully obvious." Neal retorted, noticing the two other boxes also full of shoes beside it. "I'm going to have to apologize to her for giving her such shit over the years."
"Well they only make so many different colors of Converse shoes," Regina replied, making Robin press his lips together to keep from chuckling at their banter.
Neal barked a laugh. "Converse and combat boots. That's my girl."
"I miss Emma," Ursula began from beside Regina. "I'm gonna have to come out there soon once you have those babies so we can have a girls night."
"You can come out before then," Regina told her.
Ursula pursed her lips. "True, but ladies night isn't the same without drunk Regina."
Robin chuckled but it was short lived when Lance walked in the room. "Uh, Regina someone's here to see you."
Robin met her gaze before he sat down the box he just grabbed. They'd all been in and out of the apartment so much taking boxes to the truck, it could very well be anyone, and he wanted to make certain it wasn't someone in particular before she went out there. "I'll go."
He jogged out into the living room, but as soon as he saw the person standing there, his footsteps slowed. "Zelena, hello."
She lifted her chin. "I came to see my sister."
He gave her a small smile and gestured to the back. She's in her room. When she started back that way, he turned and made his way back as well. "Hey babe, you have a guest."
Regina looked up, and she blinked at Zelena behind him a moment before saying, "Hey."
Robin looked over at Neal and then over at Lance. "You fellas want to take a break?"
"Beer thirty?" Neal asked.
Robin smirked. "Indeed."
#
She heard Ursula sigh from beside her and then she held out her hands and asked Roland, "Hey baby, do you want to come with Aunt Ursula and go get some cookies?"
Roland regarded her friend only a second before he stood and walked over to her.
Regina smiled. "Thank you."
"No worries, girl. I've been wanting to hold this little one since we got here." Getting to her feet, she smiled at Zelena and then closed Regina's door as they left.
Zelena looked around before her gaze fell back on hers. "Packing it all up. Not wasting any time are you?"
"Well I do start my new job in a couple weeks," Regina replied, then took a breath through her nose. She took in her sister's baby bump and smiled. "You look really nice."
"This old thing…" Zelena began but then realizing what Regina meant let her sentence trail off. With a deep sigh, she began, "Look mate, I'm not going to say I'm sorry. What I did was shit and yeah, a bit bitchy, but it was the only thing I could think of to stop you from all this. Since then, I've been thinking a lot and while I don't agree, I've decided to be happy for you."
Well that was something. Regina's lips pulled up. "Oh?"
"I'd rather have you here," Zelena confessed before sitting down on the bed. Her hand rubbed over her stomach and looking down at it almost wistfully added, "so this little one could have her auntie Regina close, but I mean whatever. We'll just have to visit."
Zelena looked up, and Regina was surprised to find her eyes were shining with unfallen tears. It wasn't an apology, but it was her way of apologizing.
"You could always move to Denver with me," Regina suggested only because she knew her sister would never leave Boston.
Zelena's face contorted in disgust. "And live in six feet of snow for half the year? Thanks, but no thanks."
Regina laughed. "Most of that snow is in the mountains."
Zelena laid back against the bed. "Whatever, mate. It's still too bloody cold for this girl."
Regina rolled her eyes but reached out and rubbed her hand over her sister's belly. "So, catch me up on all I've missed."
Zelena closed her eyes and groaned. "That may take all night."
Regina shrugged. "I'll send Robin out for food."
#
Sunday afternoon she dressed in her most comfortable pair of stretchy slacks and a sleeveless blouse with an empire waist. It wasn't that she was showing exactly, but her mother always had a trained, critical eye where her and Zelena's weight was concerned and she didn't want to take the risk of her noticing before Regina had a chance to tell her.
She held Robin's free hand that wasn't holding Roland as they made their way up the stairs and to the door.
His hand gave hers a reassuring squeeze right before the door to her childhood home opened.
Her father's bright smiling face beamed at her. "Regina, pumpkin. How are you my darling?"
"I'm good, daddy." She stepped into his arms and hugged him tight before pulling back.
"Robin," Henry smiled and held out his hand. "How are you, son?"
He and Regina shared a smile. "Very well, sir."
Following her father inside, Regina looked all around. Her mother usually followed her father to greet guests, but she was nowhere to be found. "Where's mother?"
"She's upstairs, fighting one of her headaches," her father told her.
Regina's eyes looked over to the stairs. If her mother was having another one of her migraines, she hated to disturb her. "Maybe I should wait to speak with her?"
"Nonsense, she's been expecting you." Her father gave her a soft push towards the stairs then turned to Robin. "Robin, do you like gardens?"
"I do."
"Why don't you come with me. I'd like to show you this wonderful orchid…"
Her father's voice drowned away as he led Robin and Roland away from her and out toward the back of the house. She watched them go with a soft smile. Her heart filled with joy knowing how much her father loved Robin and Roland already, and it made her look forward to telling him about the twins they were expecting.
Slipping upstairs, she knocked softly on her mother's bedroom door before opening it up a crack. "Mother?"
Her mother answered with a tired, "Come in, Regina."
"Daddy said you weren't feeling well…" She kept her voice low and soft, having experienced a migraine herself she knew how painful talking could be. "I'm sorry."
"I'm not, but I wouldn't miss saying goodbye."
Regina made her way over to the bed. Her eyes burned at her mother's statement, but she swallowed and held back her tears. "I'll be back to visit, and you and daddy can come to Denver."
"We will, I'm sure," Cora replied sitting up.
Her mother's eyes held dark circles underneath them, but she held her gaze as though she felt fine as ever.
Regina sat down on the side of her mother's bed and took her hand. "I'll be back for our brunches as often as I can."
"Regina, dear, you don't have to say that to make me feel better."
"I'm saying it more to make myself feel better and because I want you to be a part of not only Roland's life but also your other grandchildren as well."
"You still plan on trying despite your past issues."
Pursing her lips, she explained, "It turns out my past issues weren't really issues. Daniel and I were incompatible and that was the reason I had my miscarriages." Regina smiled thoughtfully. "Robin and I don't have that problem."
Her mother's head tilted a bit. "Oh?"
"I'm pregnant."
Cora's eyes softened and Regina watched as her lips tugged up though she was trying hard to fight it. With a half hearted huff, she mused, "First Zelena and now you?" There was a pause, and when Regina thought she was going to start lecturing her on her behaviour, she simply said, "Is Robin planning on making an honest woman of you?"
She smiled. "He is, but we're waiting until things settle down for us."
"That's a relief." Her mother held her gaze. "Make sure you inform me of the date so your father and I can start making arrangements."
"I don't need a big wedding," Regina started.
"You will have a decent wedding as long as I have anything to say about it," Cora told her.
Not wanting to start an argument while she wasn't feeling well, Regina conceded for now. "Don't be so hard on Zelena after I leave. She loves you and just wants you to be proud of her."
"Then she should stop making foolish mistakes."
Regina let out an audible sigh before giving her mother a look of disapproval. "I think we've all made our own share of mistakes…"
Cora blinked at her for a long moment. "Meaning?"
"We should all stop punishing one another for the mistakes we've made in our past. Zelena has forgiven you, you need to forgive yourself."
She watched as tears gathered in her mother's eyes before she sniffed and turned her head to blink them away. "And you?"
Regina's hand gripped her mother's tight. "I've forgiven you, too."
#
Walking back down the path from the gardens, Robin kept a close eye on his son as he ran around the yard. The small pup of Regina's parents chased after him, barking and jumping in the air after him. His son was certainly having the time of his life, but Robin was an anxious mess.
His stomach twisted at the thought of what he was about to do and with precious time running out, he stopped on the spot and took a deep breath. "Mr. Mills, I was wondering if I could ask you something."
"Only if you call me Henry," Regina's father smiled.
Robin chuckled. "Of course, Henry." Taking a deep breath, he said, "I appreciate how understanding and how supportive you and your wife have been to Regina in her decision to move to Denver. I know it must be hard on the both of you, but I want you to know that I love her with all my heart, and that I will take great care of her."
"You know, Regina has told me a lot about you and having gotten to know you, even the little that it's been, I believe that you do, and that you will."
"I'm happy to hear you say that. It gives me the confidence I need to ask you…. Henry, I was hoping I might have your permission to ask your daughter to marry me?"
Henry regarded him a long moment before his face broke into a grin. Slapping him on the back he replied, "I could think of no one else I'd have her marry than you."
Robin grinned back and shook his hand. "Thank you, Henry."
His soon-to-be father-in-law shook his head. "Perhaps I spoke too soon. Call me, dad."