Chapter Twenty-Nine

Henry walks with his Mom down the familiar streets of Storybrooke, towards Granny's diner.

He could tell that she was nervous – with the way she hasn't stopped rubbing her hands together since she transported them from their apartment in New York back to their Storybrooke home.

"You're sure no one knows I'm here?" Regina asked Henry, for the hundredth time.

He let out a breath. "Yes, I'm sure. I texted Emma that you decided to drop me off yourself so she doesn't have to take time from planning my party – and that you left because you had plans."

Regina nods her head, and took another deep breath.

The former Queen stopped in her tracks once they reached the diner. Henry looked at her as he began to stroll down the walkway, but Regina was frozen on the sidewalk.

"Mom!"

Regina looked quickly at Henry, biting her lip. "You go ahead, Henry," she said. "I don't want to ruin the surprise that's awaiting you when you open the door – I'm sure they're going to jump up and cheer for you!"

Henry gave her a look, "That doesn't matter to me, Mom." Then taking her hand, "Come on!"

Regina stopped again just before she had to step up on the short stairwell leading up to the establishment's door. "I really need a minute, Henry."

Henry gave her a sad look.

Regina squeezed his hand before letting it go, "I promise, I'll be right in after you."

A beat passed, then Henry finally nodded and made his way to opening the door. Regina quickly moved to the side of the diner – smiling to herself as she heard the cheers once Henry got inside.

Regina took three deep breaths and moved herself to stand squarely just outside of the diner door. Never in a million years did she think she would find herself in this situation again.

"I can do this," she said to herself – the same words she once uttered.

"Maybe my mistake was leaving you alone before you went in last time," Tinkerbell stated from behind Regina, coming down the walkway of Granny's diner with a big smile on her face.

Regina turned, "Tinkerbell!"

"Hello, Regina," the green fairy greeted. "I hope you know, I'm not leaving this spot until I see you inside that place this time."

Regina laughed. "I can tell," she said. "I just need another minute."

"Are you still afraid?"

Regina met Tinkerbell's eyes. "No," she said, smiling. "I'm ready for my happy ending now."

Tinkerbell practically floated with happiness, "Then go get him!"

Regina took the two steps up to the diner door and opened it – hearing the familiar chime.

The whole diner went quiet as they saw her – but Regina saw none of that. Her gaze was focused on the familiar figure sitting at the end of bar, his arm with the lion tattoo up in a mid-toast; just like last time.

Robin heard the door open, and saw Hook's gaze wander to the sight behind him. The former thief's heart was beating wildly in his chest, but he couldn't make himself turn around. He heard familiar footsteps approaching and he swallowed a lump that had formed in his throat – besides that, he was oblivious to anything else around him.

And then he felt it, a hand (her touch) on his shoulder – finally he's turning in his seat, coming face-to-face with Regina; a tear escaping at the sight of her before him, a shy smile grazing her lips.

Regina didn't know how she managed to walk all the way to him and her heart skipped a beat when he finally turned to face her. They looked at each other intently, until she finally found her voice again.

"Hi," Regina said.

Robin let out a small laugh, grabbing her hand from his shoulder and holding it in his own, "Hello."

A pregnant pause ensued – the two in their own little world.

"Oh, kiss her already, mate!" Hook finally exclaimed, breaking the two of them out of their bubble – and Regina almost glares at him but finds her smile permanently glued to her face.

And before she could even have another thought, she was almost tackled down by a bouncing form of a young boy. "GINA!" Roland exclaimed, hugging her legs.

Then the whole diner was buzzing again, as Robin grabbed Roland and brought him to his lap. The boy eagerly grabbed Regina's face in his tiny little hands and gave her a wet kiss. And then Henry was also there, hugging his Mom from the side – beaming at Roland.

The little boy looked at Henry, and the two high-fived as Roland said, "It worked Henry! 'Operation Brothers' worked."

Robin and Regina looked at the two; surprise and bewilderment etched on their faces at what Roland just called the mission.

"What?" Regina said, her eyes questioning Henry.

Henry remained quiet, as Roland leapt to answer the question – garnering the attention of the whole diner: "Well, I missed you a lot and I missed Henry a lot whenever he wasn't here. Plus Papa really missed you – really missed you! But he said he made you a promise that he wouldn't come find you; and you never break a promise when you love someone. So, I decided I would find you; but I already knew where you were – so I was confused."

The boy took a deep breath, and continued, "But then Henry and I founded your story in Henry's magic book. And Henry told me he had a plan and if I wanted to be part of the mission. Since I'm a brave big boy now, I said yes!" Roland gave Henry a look, "But Henry wanted to name it something different – it wasn't a good name."

"'Operation Outlaw Queen' was so a good name," Henry countered. "You just wanted to name it differently."

"My name idea made more sense!" Roland said, giving Henry a stern look.

Henry laughed. "Fine," he finally said, tickling Roland a little bit; before continuing with: "Then we came up with a name with agreed on."

"Yes," Roland began again, smiling. "The name makes sense because now my Papa is Henry's Papa, too and Gina is now my Mom. And I have two mommies, just like Henry!" He held up the two fingers. "And Henry is now my big brother and I'm his little brother!"

Roland finished off his story by grabbing both Robin and Regina by their chins – the two looking at each other, speechless.

And then Snow lets out a joyous laugh from behind, and grabbed Regina by the shoulder, "Welcome home…(and half-jokingly) Mom!"

Robin snapped out of his reverie at that point, too – and laughed along; as Regina shook her head in amusement.

The former thief then took a deep breath and squeezed Regina's hand, bringing her attention back on him.

Roland saw what was about to happen and held out his arms so that Henry could bring him down from his Papa's lap, then the two boys turned away – this was a part of their mission they didn't want to see.

Regina smiled as Robin pulled her closer and nothing could describe what they felt when their lips touched. The kiss was wonderful, perfect and magical – as Regina wrapped her arms around his neck and his hold on her hips tightened.

The two only broke apart when they heard a gleeful yelp from behind them: Tinkerbell. The fairy's wings were fluttering on her back, her feet a few inches from the ground. "I'm just so happy," she exclaimed. "I've waited for this forever!"

:::::

The party continued as planned after the whole display – there were welcomes all around but then eventually everyone went back to eating and drinking.

Regina found herself ending up in a booth beside Robin, and across from Charming and Snow.

Snow was just beaming at Regina, which she found just a little bit uncomfortable but she was sure her own smile was still plastered on her face. Robin's arm was around her shoulders, holding her close while her hand was resting on his thigh under the table.

"So, what do you think of the title Vice-Mayor, Regina?" Charming asked.

"Oh, let's not talk about work now," Snow said. "Let's talk about brunch tomorrow – at our place, then maybe we could all go down to the beach. Have the kids play around!"

Regina and Robin looked at each other, amused. Regina finally turned to Snow, "That sounds like fun." Then looking at David, "I think another election is entirely appropriate now that I'm back."

And Robin laughed at the look on Charming's face. Shaking his head slightly, he looked at Regina – she never ceases to amaze him.

Emma and Hook then approach their table. Emma turned to the newly reunited couple and said, "You know we don't mind watching Roland for tonight." Then looking over to where the two boys were huddled together, "I don't think those two will want to be parted, anyway."

Robin then took hold of Regina's hand, which had been on his leg, and held it above the table. "Actually," he said, looking at Emma, "I was hoping you'd allow Henry to spend the night with us." Then turning to Regina, "I think your first night home should be spent with all three of your most favourite men, don't you?"

Regina looked at him, grinning. "Three?" Regina said innocently, "I only seem to recall two."

He was about to lean in for a kiss – just to remind her of who the third favourite man of her life is – when Hook cleared his throat.

Robin let out a huff as the pirate said, "You can take the boy, then. If you so wish." Then putting his arms around Emma, "Works out for us." Then he yelped as Charming gave him a swift kick to the shin under the table.

:::::

Regina struggled to open her eyes, squinting at the sliver of sun hitting her face. How was it morning already? It literally felt like her head just hit the pillow a couple of minutes ago.

The party had ended just before midnight. Everyone made their way home after congratulating Henry and welcoming Regina again. Pretty soon though, the four of them – Robin, Regina, Henry, and Roland – were the only ones left standing outside the diner.

Finally, Roland broke the silence and said, "Are we sleeping in the big house tonight…"— then Regina watched as he looked to Henry, who nodded his head, "…Mommy?"

Regina met Robin's eyes; he smiled at her as he pulled her towards him and placed a kiss to her temple. Regina tried not let the tears fall from her eyes and hoisted the little boy up to her hips, "Is that where you want to sleep?"

Roland nodded his head eagerly, and Regina said, "Then let's go home!"

And so the four of them walked, taking their time. Robin held Regina's hands the whole way, the two of them staying back as their two boys ran on ahead. Once they finally got home, it was already quite late, so Regina had insisted that they had all better get ready for bed – after all, they had a full schedule tomorrow.

Ensuring the boys were all cleaned up first, Regina was the last to have her turn. And so, she exited her bathroom to find her bed was already occupied by both Roland and Henry.

She listened as Roland asked Henry a question, "So, it doesn't mean he's going to pop, right?"

"No," Henry shook his head, "It's just another way of saying Papa – its more slang."

Roland scrunched his face, "What's slang?"

Henry let out a breath. "Don't worry about it. You can call Mom, Mommy and I'll call Robin, Pops. Agree?"

The little boy considered it, then finally nodded his head. And the two boys beamed at each other.

Regina, herself, couldn't stop the smile forming on her face – especially as she spied Henry's sleeping bag on the floor. Then as her eyes moved to the door, she saw that Robin was standing there, the goofy smile on his face proof he just heard the whole conversation, too.

"Come on, come on!" Roland finally said, beckoning for his parents to get into the bed. "It's story time!"

Regina approached the bed; getting into the left side, just as Robin lifted the covers and settled himself to Roland's right side. Henry was at the foot of the bed, holding a book that Regina assumed they would be reading tonight.

Halfway through Henry's reading, Roland was already fast asleep. Henry got up from his spot slowly – kissing his Mom goodnight and wishing Robin a good night, as well – before finally unrolling his sleeping bag and settling in for the night.

Robin and Regina laid facing one another – and that's how they both remember falling asleep; looking into each other's eyes with their hands joined where they held onto Roland.

But, now Regina felt squished. She forced one eye to open and almost laughed out loud at the sight she saw. She was indeed being squished.

Over the course of the night, it seemed Henry had abandoned his sleeping bag and was now slumped on the bed – his teenage form curled comfortably beside Regina. She then turns her head, and came face-to-face with Robin, their foreheads almost touching at their closeness. It seems the heavy weight she felt on top of her was Roland, somehow he is now lying across – with his head on her stomach and his feet on Robin's.

Regina couldn't remember when she'd felt happier. Suddenly, she hears a soft groan from Robin and turned to face him again. She watches as his eyes begin to blink open, the sleepiness slowly slipping away as he focused on her face.

"Good morning," he mouthed to her.

And Regina grinned, as she bit her lower lip. Closing the very small gap between them, she captured his lips for a kiss. Robin pulled apart when he felt tears the tears roll down her face.

His eyes looked at her with concern until he saw she was beaming with so much joy. He touched his forehead to hers and whispered, "I love you."

She met his gaze, "I love you, too."