A/N : After several months of hiatus, this story is finally back! Sorry for the long wait. But with the many prompts I've received for the OQPromptParty, you'll have a strong dose of your favorite teenagers this month ;-) Those prompts will be posted in the OQPromptWeek section of my fics, because some of them are parts of chapters that will be told later in the story, so I can't post them here otherwise the story won't make any sense.

I have to thank Milly and Lisa for their help regarding this chapter's subjects.

One more information before letting you read. After the last day's events on twitter, I have decided that I will no longer take part in any OQPromptParty. I will do this one, out of respect for the people who sent me prompts, but I can't stand all the meanness and drama I see on a daily basis in the fandom. This also comes in a context where my thesis is finally going to take a huge part of my time. So I'll keep posting my fics, and you can prompt me with your ideas whenever you want. I'll do my best to answer them even if the next months are going to be busy ones on a personal level. But I won't participate to organized projects from this account. This is my choice, and I hope you'll respect it.


"College seems so far away," Zelena sighs.

"For us, it's only a few months," John replies. "It's not that far. Trust me, time flies by faster than you think."

"Where did you apply?" Regina questions curiously. Her eyes shine with interest, Robin notices, especially since the focus of the conversation has shifted to Tuck's –Tucker's nickname - and John's future, as the wait for acceptance letters becomes unbearable.

"Well..." He looks down, embarrassed. "Of course, M.I.T. though my expectations are low, but since that I want to be an engineer, I had to try." He explains quickly, twisting his fingers. "Berkeley. Georgia Tech. The University of Minnesota. Michigan too. Apparently, they have a good aeronautical program, I think I'd like that. And if none of them accepts me, then... I'll work at my dad's shop."

Robin frowns. "Why are you being so pessimistic?"

Zelena rolls her eyes and smirks, faking annoyance. "Because my brother has always been a good student, but since he's never been the best, he's talked himself into believing he's going to fail. Even though his SAT results were excellent."

"How much did you score?"

"1390," the boy mutters.

Robin's eyes widen. "And you're worried? I'd be happy just with getting that score in the first place!"

Regina nudges his shoulder playfully. "I'm not making you work that hard to watch you fail your SATs. Mrs. Dragondale said you're on the right path, I have every intention to prove her right."

Robin chuckles. Her endless faith in him is heartwarming. Slightly annoying when she forces him to study when he'd much rather play video games instead, but he understands why Regina is so invested. And, if he remembers correctly, he was the one asking for help when they first met.

But this conversation isn't about him, and John seems nervous enough, so he focuses back on his friend when he explains the reason for his anxiety.

"Anyway, even with a 3.98 GPA, my SAT score isn't good enough to assure my getting into any of those schools."

"I'm sure you'll hear from them soon enough," Zelena assures, squeezing his shoulder. "I have faith in you. I know it's gonna be good news."

"When are our SATs by the way?" Alan questions, drawing everyone's attention.

"In a month, I think," Robin replies, frowning as he tries to remember. The date is written somewhere in his calendar, but he mostly relies on Regina to remember these things.

And indeed, it takes her under two seconds to give them the exact date.

"April, 14th.". She turns to Robin. "Which reminds me, I have a whole studying schedule planned out for the upcoming weekends."

Alan counteracts immediately, smirking at Regina who laughs shyly. "Why am I not surprised by the fact that she knows the exact date?"

"Because unlike you," Tuck intervenes, "Regina actually cares about going to college."

"I'm gonna go to a music school after graduation. Why would I care about those results?"

Zelena shakes her head, mutters, "I'm out of this conversation."

"Because I have every intention to see my little brother do something better with his life than playing guitar on the streets."

"The music industry is one of the biggest industries out there!"

"But it's not the easiest to make good money and support your family."

"Sure!" Alan's tone has switched from amused to annoyed, borderline accusing on his next sentence. "Because as a soldier, you'll definitely be home every night to tuck in your children! At least I won't be off killing people."

"Protecting them!"

"That's your vision of a soldier, I have a different one."

Robin and Regina glance at each other, perplexed, watching their friends in silence. This is the first time the two brothers react this way in front of them. Robin is surprised by Tuck's harsh reaction. The older boy has never raised his voice before, but now he's almost yelling at his brother in the middle of the schoolyard.

Regina leans towards Zelena, whispers loudly enough so only she and Robin are able to hear her. "What's happening here?"

"Usual issue in their family. Tuck won't accept Alan's love for the arts, he thinks it's a waste of his time and abilities, and Alan is against violence and guns, so he doesn't understand why his brother wants to enroll. Every time the subject is brought up, it ends up in a fight. Typical of them."

"We've learned that it's better to stay out of it," John adds.

Robin warily looks at the siblings, who are still arguing. "How do we stop them?"

"We don't. They'll stop by themselves, after a while, or by the time the bell rings. Believe me, it's not worth it."

The argument ends before they have to go back to class, leaving a heavy atmosphere between the brothers, and discomfort among their friends. But Zelena and John must have gone through this a lot, because they manage to find a new subject almost immediately, a cheerful one that breaks the weird moment effectively.

Robin is grateful for his new friends, for the fact that they realized no one had given him or Regina a chance. Luckily, they'd found an honest group , who isn't playing them, but rather really appreciate them. Zelena has claimed more than once that having another girl in the group is a true blessing, seeking Regina's presence regularly, talking with her privately in more than one occasion. And the guys are a bunch of merry boys, always making them laugh. Alan always finds a reason to sing, John always has a joke on his tongue, and Tuck, although the calmest, isn't necessarily the most serious of them all.

Their group has accepted him and Regina immediately, and acts as if they've always been friends. They never bring the raw subject of Regina's past to the foreground. In class, they sometimes switch partners, Regina going with Zelena and him with Alan. It's not often, Robin has to admit that he has difficulties being away from Regina, especially since they still haven't revealed their relationship to anyone at school. If their friends have figured it out, which Robin suspects, they haven't made any comments about it, something he appreciates greatly.

So really, things are good. Life is good.

Although, he would really love to be able to escape this next meeting...

"Regina, Robin, it's really nice to finally meet you."

They both politely shake the woman's hand, but neither of them are very comfortable, and it must show, because Daniel feels the need to explain.

"I started working with Ms. Ozburn right after I came back. I've tried, as much as humanly possible, to keep you out of this, but there's something we really need to discuss. All of us, together." He looks around at everyone sitting at the table, Robin, Regina, Edith and Tom along with their lawyer and the social worker. "Mrs. Tink has something to add as well regarding what we're going to discuss, so that's why I asked her to be here for this meeting."

The social worker greets them with a smile and a wave of her hand. She comes here regularly, to check on Regina, and the conditions she's living in, considering the complicated situation and the fact that she currently has no legal guardian. She's never voiced any concerns until now, has always had good remarks, and seemed pleased with what she saw.

Robin doesn't know the other woman though. He glances at her, her blond hair held into a perfect bun, her grey tailored skirt, shining makeup, plastered but nonetheless seemingly soft smile. Daniel warned them that he had hired a lawyer, that he was taking care of everything, and that they needn't worry.

Glinda Ozburn is one of the best lawyers in town from what Robin's heard, and she immediately agreed to take Regina's case, to defend the girl and send all of those who abused her behind bars for the rest of their lives. But the reason for her presence here, today, is still unknown to him, and Robin has a feeling he won't exactly like what's coming.

"So far, we have a solid case," she begins. "Testimonies against Mr. and Mrs. Gold are piling up, more than we could hope for. It looks like your bravery has inspired many people, Regina."

It's meant to be a compliment, but Robin sees his friend squirm in her seat, uncomfortable. She reaches out for his hand under the table, squeezes it tightly, and he returns the gesture.

"The unexpected return of Eva Blanchard also gives us more credibility. But, if we want to show the court that everything has been handled for Regina to be safe and properly taken care of, there is one fundamental element we're missing."

"What about the fact that I'm not being forced to have sex with perverts regularly? That I'm not being starved, or beaten every other day?" Regina snaps, leaning back in her seat and glaring at the lawyer. "I'm happy here, I am loved. I feel loved. Isn't that proof enough? What more do they need?"

Robin's head snaps to the side to look at Regina, even though she spoke quietly, the firmness in her tone revealed her state of mind to everyone. She's back to her defensive self, the one they face every time her past is brought up. Her brow is furrowed, her eyes have turned dark. She's holding back her real feelings, tries to put the mask back on, but she doesn't seem to fully succeed this time. Robin's grip on her hand tightens, but if she returns his touch, he feels her hand tremble, and he knows exactly what it means.

"Regina," Daniel says softly, reaching for her other hand. "No one is questioning your life here. Mrs. Tink's reports prove that Edith and Tom treat you like a daughter, that they give you the love and care you deserve, something that I have also confirmed. The problem isn't here."

"Then where is it?" Tom asks, giving Regina some time to calm down.

"The only thing bothering us in this current situation is something that I already shared with you," Mrs. Tink intervenes. "Regina has no legal guardian. Yes, she lives with you, and you provide with everything necessary to fulfill her needs. But considering Regina's mother lost her rights, according to U.S. law, Daniel should be appointed her guardian."

"Except he doesn't live with her, so that solution doesn't work either," the lawyer resumes. "Mr. Colter shared with us Regina's preference to stay and live here. Being a part of her life now and witnessing her well-being on a daily basis, he'd like to keep things that way. But, as Regina's lawyer, I can only recommend that for our case to be stronger, he needs to become her primary caretaker. Something he has refused to agree to without speaking with you all first."

"Don't get me wrong," Daniel steps in. "I have no intention of removing Regina from your home. She's the happiest I've seen her in a very long time, and it's all thanks to you. The last thing I want to do is take her away from you. Like I told you not too long ago, I also enjoy spending time here, and I think we have all found a balance that works for us. So, when Ms. Ozburn first brought this problem to me, I couldn't come up with an answer to give her. Of course, I want our case to be as solid as possible, however I refuse to break what we all have built. I don't want to force Regina away from the people she loves, nor disrupt her routine again, and that means I refuse to rip her off of such a wonderful environment. I could never do that."

"Don't worry, Daniel," Edith speaks kindly. Robin knows his mother's never liked confrontations, she's usually the one who appeases tensions and anxious situations. "I understand how conflicted you are, and I'm glad that you decided to come here to discuss this directly with us."

"What are our options then?" Tom questions, crossing his fingers on the table.

"I'm afraid there aren't many," Mrs. Tink admits with a shrug. "I warned you from the beginning that this situation couldn't last forever and that, legally speaking, some decisions would have to be made someday. Today is that day."

Regina draws everyone's attention when she speaks again, staring down at the table, frowning, focused, trying to understand.

"So, you're saying that in order to prove that I am properly being taken care of, I have to choose between the people I love most? Between the last blood-relative I have left, and the people who took me in when I had nowhere and no one to go to? Am I the only one who finds this completely stupid?" She asks while looking up. Her tone is harsh, provocative, something Robin rarely hears from her.

No one answers what clearly was a rhetorical question, and she's so upset that neither of them is bold enough to push her limits further.

Robin is silent too, hesitantly looking at Regina, not knowing what to do to help. He's rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand continuously, but she's not reacting to his touch anymore. He can't even begin to imagine what's going through her mind right now, the ultimatum she's facing. Truth be told, he reads a similar dilemma in Daniel's eyes. Robin has always seen him appearing strong and brave, standing up for Regina and comforting her. This time though, Daniel seems to be heartbroken, and lost as to what to do. Watching him and Regina in such state, Robin can see the resemblance, the family's similarity in their features, in the way they try to hold back their inner feelings.

Both are failing. It doesn't take a smart brain to understand how devastated they both are right now.

"I understand that it's a difficult choice to make-"

Regina cuts the lawyer sharply. "Oh no, you don't understand anything! It's an impossible choice! I can't decide between staying here or going to live with Daniel. I have nothing else left but them, and you want to force me to choose between the people I love most."

Edith gets up to join the girl, and crouches next to her, calling her name softly so Regina faces her. She cups the girl's cheeks tenderly, dropping a kiss to her forehead, wiping away the tears that Regina can't hold anymore. And Robin is so grateful for his mother, for her infinite love and care, for the affection she shows towards Regina. In moments like this, he understands how lucky he is, to have been granted with such an incredible mother. A loving one, who knows exactly what a child in pain needs.

"Darling, no one will force you to do anything you don't want to, alright?"

"But I have to," Regina argues between tears. "I know what it is I should do, but I don't want to leave you."

Edith brings her to her chest, cradles her head and brushes her hair softly. "You won't leave us, darling. We are a family now, nothing will break that."

She shushes the girl's cries, and Robin can see in his mother's eyes that she's holding back her own tears, that she's trying to be strong, even though Daniel and himself, are on the verge of tears too. His father isn't, but watching him more carefully, he doesn't seem peaceful. Robin's father is a man of few words, but if you know him, you know his eyes are the reflection of his thoughts. And what Robin reads in them right now, as Tom stares down at the table with a frown, is the perplexity of someone trying to come up with an alternative, that would solve their current problem.

And indeed...

"I might have a solution," Tom declares, looking up and disrupting the silence. Everyone's attention is on him then. Regina wipes her cheeks with the back of her hand, stares at him, hope filling her eyes. "What if Daniel comes live with us?"

"What?!" Daniel exclaims, confused.

Tom continues, ignoring his question. "This way, they would both be under the same roof, automatically enabling him to become her legal guardian. And there's no forcing Regina to make a choice she doesn't want to make. What do you think? Could this work?"

Five pair of eyes turn towards the attorney and the social worker, who exchange a glance.

Ms. Ozburn tilts her head to the side, stoic as ever. She hasn't smiled once during the meeting, sporting a perfect poker face all throughout, impossible to read, so Robin can't even pretend to guess what her answer will be.

"Well, I have to admit that is a very uncommon situation, but nothing about this case is common." She nods firmly. "If Mr. Colter accepts these terms, I can work with that solution, it's a satisfying compromise."

Regina instantly turns towards Daniel, her face brimming with hope. "So? What do you say?

Daniel appears to be in shock as he still hasn't reacted. He seems lost, at a loss for words, struggling to speak, his gaze erratic and wandering among the crowd.

For a moment, Robin is afraid that he'll say no. It doesn't take much to understand that such an answer would destroy Regina's hopes and dreams. It would be the ultimate rejection, one that she might not come back from.

However, Daniel loves Regina to the moon and back, and is more than ready to sacrifice everything for her. So when he finally looks up at his cousin, it's with a broad smile and shining blue eyes filled with unshed tears of relief.

"Of course, princess! I hadn't even fathom this as a possibility. I have to admit I'm a bit surprised, but..." And with a smile plastered on his face and relief filling his voice, he asks "When can I move in?"

Regina pulls back from Edith's arms and jumps into Daniel's, hugging him close, laughing happily, swallowing down the sobs she had been fighting so hard.

Robin watches the scene unfold in silence, what a second ago was a tension filled room has now done a full 180. Regina and Daniel are thanking his parents a thousand times over, happiness radiating from his family. And he is happy too. He trulyis.

But in amidst the outburst of cheers, he notices a glance shared between the attorney and the social worker. He's learned to recognize such looks, knows they usually come with bad news. So he waits, because his gut screams at him that a bomb is about to be dropped on them.

"There's just one more thing I need to tell you."

There it is...

The room falls silent immediately.

"Although Cora has lost her rights to her daughter, she still has the right to contest the decision as to whom her daughter's custody goes to."

"So what you're saying is that my mother can essentially refuse to let Daniel be my guardian?"

"I'm saying that she can put a veto of some sort."

Daniel speaks firmly, his head straight. "What would we do then?"

The attorney looks him right in the eyes, determined, and Robin finally catches a glimpse of why Daniel chose her. She will fight through hell to win this trial if that's what it takes. "Then, we'll find a way to make her change her mind."

And Regina replies with a renewed strength. "If that were to happen, you let me deal with it."


Title of the next chapter : Her family

Any review?