Demons 25

Epilouge

It's been a few weeks since she found her way back home. And it hasn't come without a few bumps and bruises but finally everything seems to be settling down. Roland has given in and has started Kindergarten, the surprising fight was more Robin letting his son out of his sight for more than a few hours. It's sweet. And she loves him just that much more for it. Henry has also given in on leaving Regina more often, though he comes home to her every night save for the weekends when he is with Emma. It's all just becoming normal and she is beyond grateful for it.

She's returned to her mayoral position, and helped Robin find a job in the forestry department for him and a few of the Merry Men. It hasn't come without a few strange stares and hushed whispers as she passes by townspeople that witnessed the return of the Evil Queen. But even they have quieted down.

The conversation with Snow was probably the worst. Regina's guilt ate away at her for how they had interacted, what with death threats, heart stealing, and a poorly timed gun shot. She's been forgiven though, and even apologized to which was rather unexpected. They are moving on, as a family.

Zelena returned to the jail cell in the hospital, under constant supervision between Regina and Rumple. And there is still the small bump that is Zelena's rather large growing baby bump that is still a hard curve in their road. She can still see it in Robin's expression after every appointment, the sadness, remorse and regret that lingers within blue eyes. She doesn't need to hear him say he is sorry anymore, he honestly has nothing to be sorry for. She loves him and that is that.

It's a promise between them that no matter what, they will take it on together. They have even started creating the nursery in the mansion, all pale purple pillows and dark green soft blankets adorning a white crib. It's perfect for a little forest princess. And Regina has in all honesty gotten more excited than terrified about having a daughter to care for. It's going to be new and more than likely hard at times, but she feels ready.

Fortunately Cora made good on her word on calling in Zeus to halt Hades' return to storybrooke. So they are safe, there isn't some lingering doom coming to claim either of them. For once she is grateful for her mother, and wishes she could have had the opportunity to thank her. Maybe someday.

She crawls into bed beside a wonderfully shirtless Robin, who immediately welcomes her into his arms with a dimpled smile. He has a few extra grey hairs around his temple and mixed into the burnt blonde stubble on his jaw. They are growing older together. There is a future for them.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course my love."

She sits up slightly, leaning against his chest, drumming her fingers above the steady beating of his heart as she tries to figure out exactly how to word the question that has been plaguing her for quite some time.

"I can see the wheels in your head turning. What troubles you?"

She smiles, reveling in the fact that he is her safety net.

"Do you remember when we were having that picnic in my office after you returned my heart?"

He nods, brushes back a fallen lock of hair behind her ear.

"You had said that you would have walked through hell and back to save Marian." She chews her lower lip, hoping that she isn't treading into sensitive territory. "But when you realized she was never coming back, that you couldn't get her back, you had to let her go."

Her heart pounds in her chest as he frowns confused at her, tumbles and jumps when his fingers lace over her own above his heart.

"Why didn't you let me go?"

Robin stills, exhales a heavy breath and drops his gaze from hers, it has her recoiling slightly, hoping she hasn't just ruined their night by bringing up painful memories for him. But she does want to know why he came for her. Risked everything, his own life just to try and save her. His fingers find her chin, tilting it up till he can find her eyes again, and he smiles, "I would walk through a thousand hells to bring you back."

"But why?"

He chuckles at her confusion. "Because my love, there is no world I'd want to live in without you beside me."

"You could have died though."

"You're right, but and I will admit that I didn't have much of a plan in getting you out of the Underworld, the thought that if I did die, well at least we would be together in the afterlife."

Her heart thunders, and she wonders if he can hear it. His lips brush her own, pressing gently once, twice and then a third till she smiles that hidden smile he craves to see.

"I am with you Regina, Always."

The End.