A/N : Since most of you chose an update for this fic instead of Chase on twitter, here I am! I hope you'll enjoy this long chapter. It's the penultimate chapter before the end of... the second part, and not the story! Because yes, there is a third part planned! A short one, but you can imagine that I cannot settle everything in two chapters. Thank you for still being with me after so long!


Present

"As promised, we made the trip to Snow White's castle, where we found a cheerful crowd praising her. And given this newfound acclamation, Ruth and Johanna made sure she didn't fall back into her old habits, assuring she would present herself like the princess, and soon-to-be Queen she was, while also trying not to act snobbish or superior in any way.

Only three counselors of Leopold had survived over the initial ten, but they were eager to swear allegiance to her, to give her their endless and loyal support, and to guide her during the first steps of her reign and for as long as humanly possible. Of course, the coronation couldn't happen right away, more important things needed to be dealt with, but Snow took things in hand with the wise advice of the three men, as well as Ruth's and Johanna's.

One of the first things that was decided was to set up a trial for King Georges. His allegiance and alliance with Cora were proof enough that he couldn't be trusted, and that he was a threat not only to Snow's reign, but to the people he martyred. Measures needed to be taken so no King after him would ever act the same. After a long debate with rulers from neighbor kingdoms who were more than inclined to stand with us, we received the military help we needed to arrest him without giving him the opportunity to fight back. Most people asked for his head, and after everything he had done, the judge's decision was an easy one. King Georges was sentenced to death, and was to be executed on the same day. His death brought relief and calmness among the people, the families he had harassed for years finally feeling free from his constant tyranny.

And after him, came all those who had stood for my mother. Some faced the same fate as the King, some were exiled, others imprisoned for a few years or a lifetime. Among them, two people Robin and I were more than eager to see condemned. Except, things didn't really go as planned. And I have to admit that it was all my fault."


Four months earlier

Seven days after the end of the war

"How do you defend your crimes against the Queen, the Kingdom and the people?"

Regina leans against Robin, links their fingers, feels the way he protectively scoots closer and grips her hand.

It's not so much that she doesn't want to be here, she wants to see them pay. But being in their presence makes her feel uncomfortable, uneasiness plagues her. However, she has to be strong.

For Henry.

For her child who will never be, because two people were too resentful and hateful to foresee the consequences of their actions. Even if, truth be told, no one could have imagined what Cora would have done to her and her family. But Marian had already shown her lack of remorse towards Robin and Regina's child.

"We only executed the King and Queen's orders." The man, formerly known as the Sheriff of Nottingham, answers.

Whispers of protest rise among the crowd, but the man presiding the trial is quick to temper them.

"The rightful Queen is standing right here," he reminds, waving his hand towards Snow White, sitting a bit further to his right. "The woman you bowed down to repeatedly over the last months, regardless of the lives she took, the crimes she committed, was a tyrant and a murderer. She took the power by force, by killing the King, using her magic and fear to rule and spread death and misery. She was an impostor. So I repeat my question. How do you defend your crimes against the crown?"

Marian glances at her husband, her face blank, holding back her real feelings, her obvious need to remove her chains and use her bare hands to choke the life out of the judge, and probably everyone who's staring at them.

"We don't," she says. For a second, there is a murmur of relief washing over the crowd. For a second only. "Because we never committed any crimes."

Regina's breath hitches, her eyes close slowly, head shaking slightly. Robin's hand grips hers harder for a second, before he releases the pressure, though he keeps their fingers linked.

Another hand covers her shoulder, but Regina doesn't need to look to know that it's Ruth, silently trying to be comforting, supportive. She feels the presence of Tuck behind her, of Little John's gaze next to the man of faith. She takes from her friends all the soothing she can, and tries to share it with Robin. He might be silent and still by her side, but she knows he is just as affected by this as she is. Henry was his child too. He once had feelings for Marian. And the former Sheriff of Nottingham has caused more suffering to families Robin knew over the kingdom than any of them could tell.

"Are you saying that you don't regret anything that you did, or the fact that you stood by their side all this time?"

The woman speaks again in the same cold voice. "That's exactly what I'm saying."

Some people among the public shake their heads, sighing.

But a voice, stronger than the others, covers the crowd's whispers.

"Even when the Evil Queen and King Georges had your father murdered?"

There's a deep, strong silence then, an embarrassing truth hanging upon them. Everyone turns towards the person who spoke, the one who got up and is now glaring at the couple.

Granny.

The woman is standing still and firm, features hardened in anger, her demeanor accusative.

"How could you stand up to them after the way they treated him?"

It's only then, for a brief moment, so short Regina almost misses it, that she thinks she recognizes pain in the young woman's eyes. Distress.

However, the voice in which she speaks doesn't let any of her real feelings out.

"Because he betrayed us." Silence answers her, so Marian continues, "He was my father, and I loved him, but he betrayed me. He took her side," she says, pointing in Regina's direction, everyone's eyes following and looking at the couple sitting next to each other, their jaws clenched with resentment. "I tried to defend him, to make him change his mind so the Queen and King would spare his life. But he chose her over his own daughter. He chose the whore who ruined my life, over me." Straightening up, tilting her chin up, she declares, with so much honesty that Regina feels shivers running down her spine. "The punishment for treason, is death. So he only got what he deserved."

When she finishes, there is a slight, almost imperceptible murmur running among those who witnessed the scene.

"And so will you."

The judge has spoken in a sturdy voice, waving his hand towards the stakes to his right. "You have expressed no remorse about your misdeeds. You are responsible for the death of dozens, probably hundreds of people. You have come against the Queen and Kingdom. As you just said it yourself, the sentence for treason, is immediate death." Looking up at the guards standing right next to the couple, "Guards! Bring the prisoners to the stakes."

It's not the first execution since the trials begun, but it's the first time Regina doesn't feel at peace. She glances down to Marian's swollen abdomen, then back up to her face, hatred staring straight back at her. Looking to the side to the former sheriff, William de Wendenal, she doesn't see the same amount of anger. He is full of pride, of resentment, the list of his crimes written in the way he stares at the crowd, but there's something different. Not regret. Or maybe a little. She can't really be certain.

"William and Marian de Wendenal, this is your opportunity to meet your end with a clear conscience. Do you have any last words?"

Much to Regina surprise, he doesn't speak. But Marian does.

"Yes. Yes, I do."

Regina frowns, meets Robin's equal expression, leans against him but lends an attentive ear to listen to the woman's words.

"I know I'm being judged for my choices, choices that have caused pain, misery, where I've…" She looks over at Robin and Regina, "even indirectly, brought death. When I look back at everything I've done, I want you all to understand how I feel. And that is… regret." Regina leans forward, confused for a moment, feeling Robin tense next to her, but she focuses on Marian's, her words, what she's declaring.

"Regret," the woman continues, oblivious of Regina's confusion, " that I was not able to cause more pain. Inflict more misery. And bring about more death."

Regina looks down, sighs. Robin's fingers are almost crushing her hand, his face is torn with anger and hate, so she gazes up, her free hand covering his arm in support, but Marian's next words and the harsh tone she speaks with draw her attention.

"And above all else, with every ounce of my being, I regret that I was not able to destroy Regina Mills and Robin Hood."

Her gaze is fixed upon the couple, her face twisted with disgust, looking at them like one would look at an abomination, spitting the last sentence, vomiting her loathing in the middle of the castle's court.

"Arrows!"

Snow White rises, and where the princess had been silent and shy until now, she commands the archers with the stance and confidence of a Queen.

Eight men get in position, readying their arrows, waiting for her signal. A scarf is winded around their eyes, forbidding the prisoners from seeing their execution.

Robin's grip tightens over Regina's hand. His jaw is so clenched that she can see the strain of the muscles of his neck, the blue of his eyes turning darker.

He is waiting for this moment to finally happen.

He is waiting for Marian to die.

"Take your aim."

And Regina cannot take any more of it.

"Fire."

"Stop!"

The arrows fly straight ahead towards their targets, and are stopped, an inch away from them, by Tinkerbell's intervention, her magic keeping them hanging in the air, before letting them drop to the floor when the fairy turns to look at the standing brunette, waiting, questioning.

"Regina?" Robin questions, voice thick with frustration and incomprehension, disappointment too.

She looks him right in the eyes. "This is not the way."

"Regina!" He calls again when she begins to leave, eyes following as she crosses the yard before entering the castle, but his feet stay rooted to the floor. When she has disappeared, he meets the princess' confused eyes.

However, the young woman orders, not letting her feelings show. "Bring them back to their cell."

The moment the scarf is removed from their eyes, Marian and William seem confused, lost as to what happened. But it doesn't take long for the pregnant woman to smirk in victory, almost laughing when she walks past Robin.

But he couldn't care less.

He caught up to his wife just a couple of minutes after, and now watches her hoist Connor to her hip when he runs towards her. She wraps her free arm around Matthew's shoulders, hugging him to her.

"Regina, I thought we all agreed on what had to be done." He argues the second he's by her side. "Instead, you showed mercy? To Marian and the sheriff? They don't deserve it. Especially Marian! You heard her. She's completely unrepentant."

"I know!" She cuts him, pressing a kiss to Connor's hair before putting him down, moving away from Matthew.

Zelena eyes them curiously. She's been helping the other women take care of the children during the trials; since, given her past, she didn't feel comfortable attending arraignments against those who supported her mother. When Snow White, David, Ruth, Tinkerbell, Granny and the Merry Men, who did attend, enter the room, she startles, but decides that it isn't her place to step in, and joins the kids instead.

"But she's pregnant, Robin." Regina points when she faces him. "She's pregnant, and if we kill her, we kill her child too. And her husband… He… When I looked at him, I didn't see the same hate in his eyes."

"He tried to kill us all for years," Little John says.

"I remember! I was there, I also almost died because of him!" She reminds. "And maybe I'm wrong and he hasn't changed. But their child…"

"… is innocent," Ruth understands, ducking her head when Regina's reaction becomes clear in her mind.

"Exactly!" The young woman agrees. "It is innocent!" She turns towards Robin. "Just like Henry was." She calms her tone, walks closer, takes his hands. "Our baby. If Marian and William had shown mercy, we would have our baby with us, today."

"So you want to let them live?" He questions in a voice that is more affirmative than questioning, although slightly disagreeing.

"I don't want to be responsible for a child's death, nor for making it an orphan. You and I both know how that feels," she glances over at Matthew a bit further, kept busy by Zelena so he won't hear the conversation, "and I can't wish that upon anyone."

"What do you want to do then?" Snow White questions. "Keep them imprisoned?"

"And let them raise a child behind bars?" Granny asks. "That doesn't sound like you either, Regina."

The brunette shakes her head. "I think I have an idea that could work." She turns towards Robin. "I hope that you'll agree to it."


Present

After their trial, we had to take care of another problem. When we went to arrest Georges, we discovered something. Something that changed things in our favor. His son, James, was David's long lost twin, Ruth's other son. The two were perfect copies, though really different as the other boy had been raised by a man who taught him cruelty.

His reaction when faced with his brother and mother for the first time was a hard one. He completely rejected them. Probably too stunned by the revelation, he must have struggled accepting the truth. Ruth was completely devastated. She finally found her lost child, and he didn't want anything to do with her.

Luckily, no one knew about this, so we changed the story to our advantage. While the truth was that both Ruth and Georges had accepted a deal with The Dark One, one side giving away one of her sons because she wasn't able to provide for them both, and the other asking for one because he and his wife were unable to conceive an heir, we declared that James and David were Georges' biological children, and that he abandoned one of them in order not to have a problem to choose which one to put on the throne. That way, everyone thought that David had royal blood, and that made him an ideal candidate to take Georges' place.

Since he was one of Snow'sclosest friends and constant support, the people accepted him to climb to the throne in place of his brother, who escaped from his cell and ran away one night. He didn't go far," Regina reveals sadly, looking down.

"We never planned to hurt him, but he, unfortunately, didn't make it. We found his body not far from the castle. Apparently, he fell from his horse while riding at fast speed, and didn't survive the fall. Out of respect for Ruth, who had just lost a son she never had the chance to know, we buried him in the crypt underneath the castle. He might have been a stranger to her, and cruel to those who met him, but he was still her son."

Regina sighs, tugs her cloak around her shoulders more closely.

"But David too had a hard time accepting this newfound truth. The numerous trials made us put the situation aside, but he resented his mother for keeping this from him, and for being able to give up one of her children so easily.

For days, Ruth tried to give him an explanation, saying that seeing her two sons droop because she didn't have the money to take care of them, was pure torture. That being separated from one, but knowing he was safe and taken care of –at least that's what she hoped- instead of burying him before his first birthday, seemed to be the only solution back then. However, David had none of it, pushed her away for days. Snow tried to be there for him as a friend, but she was incredibly busy catching up on her new duties as a ruler.

At some point, after Marian's trial, she asked Robin and I to step in. She said that he wasn't listening to her, that he was berating himself over the situation, that maybe he needed more of an adult intervention to help him see things from another perspective. David was a good kid, but this whole story was unfair to both him and Ruth, and if we wanted our plan to put him at the head of a kingdom to work, he needed to accept this new reality. "


Four months earlier

Three days later

"David?"

Robin knocks on the door again, calls the boy's name once more, glancing at his wife with concern when no answer comes.

"David," Regina calls, "it's us. We only want to talk, and despite how betrayed and angry you feel right now I'm sure you need it. So please, open the door... you know we'll go in anyway."

Robin arches an eyebrow at her boldness, and she just shrugs, then smiles in victory when they hear the footsteps of the sixteen year-old coming their way.

The door cracks open just slightly enough to make them understand that they can come in, but by the time they do, the boy is already sitting on his bed, head resting against the headboard, looking straight ahead of him.

"Hey," Regina says softly, sitting on one edge, Robin taking place on the other side.

She covers his hand with hers, tries to get him to look at her, but he stubbornly keeps staring at the wall.

"David, you need to forgive your mother," Robin starts. "It can't go on like this. It's been over a week."

"She lied to me."

"She protected you."

"By selling my brother?"

Robin sighs. "It's more complicated than that."

"It's not complicated. She had two children. She exchanged one for a farm. End of story."

"That's not how it happened." Robin reasons.

"Really?" David challenges, finally looking at him. "How do you know? Were you there? Did you see exactly what happened?"

"No, but-"

"Then you know nothing." The boy states, crossing his arms over his chest and staring at the wall again.

"Neither do you, David." Regina points. "You were but a baby back then, you have no memory of that day."

"That doesn't change anything."

"Doesn't it?" She questions. "David, the life you had with your mother, you would've never lived it if she had kept you both."

"Because you think that was living?" He snaps. "You saw what our life was made of when you met us. You know I lost my father when I was a kid. If it wasn't for you two taking care of us, that life you're talking about would've been nothing but a struggle for survival."

"Now you're just being unfair!" Regina says with more strength in her voice. "You can't blame your mother for your father's death, nor for your social status."

"She said my father regretted the decision. I'm sure he started drinking because of that."

"We've already talked about this. No one forced your father to drink. Your mother never put the bottle in his hand. He was weak. Unlike you! Your mother fought for you, David. Your father never did."

"But she asked for a farm to provide for our needs, and she couldn't even make that work!"

"And you say this because you know a lot of farmers who don't struggle every month?"

David rolls his eyes, and it's too much for Regina. Robin's frown gives away his surprise at the boy's unusual reaction, but she doesn't give him time to react.

She turns David towards her by pushing at his shoulder, forcing him to meet her exasperated gaze.

"You don't roll your eyes at me! I may be your friend, David, but I won't allow you to be disrespectful towards me. This childish behavior you're showing right now is really disappointing. I thought you were better than that. I know your mother hurt you, and you have every right to feel betrayed, but this has to stop! She loves you, David. She loves you with everything she has. She's a good mother," she arches an eyebrow, "trust me on that! So yes, she made a mistake, maybe she made the wrong choice, or maybe it's thanks to that choice that you are still alive and healthy today. But you need to suck it up and grow up! I know it's a lot to take in, but we are counting on you. Snow White needs you too, and right now she's worried sick about you. You are going to become a prince, David, and a King sooner than you think. You will have a kingdom to rule, and the two of you will support each other. After everything that's happened, I thought you were more mature than this. Please, prove me right! Show me that you are becoming the good and fair man I always knew you'd be."

There's silence then, a heavy one, both adults waiting for the child to make the decision, giving him time to process Regina's firm speech, to calm down, to come back to his senses.

"I'm sorry."

Regina cups his chin, brings his forehead to her lips, pressing a kiss there. "That's okay. I know you didn't mean it."

Robin rubs his back, suggests calmly. "There's someone else you should go apologize to." David nods, begins to get up from the bed, catches himself, gives Regina a hug, surprising her, but she returns it immediately. He pulls back and looks hesitantly at Robin, but the man is quick to wrap an arm around his shoulders, murmurs in his ear. "Go. Be a good man, David. Make us proud."


Present

"And he did." Regina continues. "He apologized to his mother, and let go of his resentment. From that moment on, things instantly improved at the castle, and we were able to go back to organizing everything. With Snow White back at the head of her kingdom, and David strangely sitting on Georges' throne, we had won on both grounds. The next thing we needed to do, was celebrate..."


Two weeks later

"Robin, we need to get ready!" Regina argues, chuckling as he pulls her back to bed once more, his arm wrapped around her waist, holding her to him tightly, lips finding her neck.

"One more time," he mutters against her skin, his hands adjusting her body until she's underneath him, stuck, pinning her wrists on each side of her head as he traces a lazy path of open-mouthed kisses along her chest.

"But we're already..." She licks her lips to fight the dryness of her mouth, her breath short as he takes one of her nipples between his teeth. "Late," she moans, bites her lower lip and presses her chest up against her husband's face. "God, Robin..."

She hears him chuckle, his shaft pressing between her thighs, already fully erected despite the countless times they've made love during the afternoon.

"I don't think they'll notice." Robin manages to say between two suctions, rubbing himself against her warmth.

"Wouldn't bet on that..." Regina sighs, letting her head fall to the side contently, giving up trying to resist him.

Robin suddenly pulls back from her breasts, startling her as he looks down at her. "Stop thinking," he urges, releasing her wrists, one hand cupping her neck as he brings her mouth to his, the other sliding down her waist, in a direction Regina is already aware of.

Ever since she told him about their growing child, after clear disappointment of not having been told as soon as she knew had passed, Robin's been over the moon. Whenever they are next to each other, one of his hands always finds its way to her stomach, which had suddenly began to grow soon after she told him.

xxx

Three weeks earlier

"Yes, Robin. We're having a baby."

His reaction is immediate.

Robin lifts Regina from the ground, pressing her against his chest, his lips claiming hers the moment he puts her down. His hands are on each side of her face, hers are circling his wrists, answering his kiss, melting in his embrace.

When he pulls back, his face is radiant, beaming with pure happiness.

"When did you find out?"

Regina's face falls a little, and she winces, admits sheepishly in front of his confused gaze.

"Two months ago."

Robin's brow shoots up, and he steps back.

"Two months?" He asks, not angry but disappointed.

"Yeah," Regina moves towards him, captures his hands in hers, explains softly, acknowledging his hurt feelings, how betrayed he must feel. "I should have told you sooner, but…" she sighs, stares down, then up, speaks resolutely, because this is the truth and her choice, and if she has to face her husband's disappointment or thunder, she will. "I didn't want to worry you more than you already were."

"Worry me? Regina, knowing that you were pregnant would have brought me more satisfaction and joy than anything else. This is an amazing news. How could you hide it from me?"

"Because I didn't know if I was going to survive, or escape this war unharmed, and you losing me is one thing, but losing another child…"

Robin's eyes light up in understanding, the realization that his wife didn't mean to keep him at bay, but just wanted to protect him, slowly making its way in his mind.

"You wanted to spare me?"

The young woman shrugs slightly, nods, speaks softly.

"Yes. It wasn't the best way, but I did. I love you, Robin. I hate to see you hurting. And I know I'm hurting you right now and I'm so sorry, but when I found out about this baby, I just… I got scared. I thought that keeping it to myself was the best solution for everyone. That way it would stay a secret from my mother too, and consequently she couldn't hurt this child." Robin lifts a hand to her face, and Regina leans into his palm. "I'm sorry, Robin. I'm sorry I kept this from you. I understand that you're in pain, and it's my fault, so if there's anything I can do to make you feel better, I'll…"

She's cut off by lips closing over hers, Robin's fingers sliding over her skin to cup her neck and bring her closer, tenderly kissing her.

"Can you assure me that this baby is safe and healthy?" He murmurs between them, his forehead stuck to hers.

"It is." She assures. "Tuck examines me regularly, and he assured me the baby wasn't affected by-"

"Tuck knew?"

Regina winces. Damn it! She's just making this worse, isn't she?

But she can't lie to Robin. Not anymore.

"He did."

"You told him but not your own husband?" Robin asks, flabbergasted.

"No! No, Robin, that's not it! I didn't tell him. He figured it out. When we came back from the confrontation with my mother, after the farm was attacked and you almost died, he examined me, and I didn't pay attention but he must have seen something, a sign, that told him I was pregnant. I made him swear not to tell you, so please don't be mad at him! He was only being a friend trying to protect me and our child."

Robin moves away, wipes his face with his hand, thoughtful. Regina lets him, figures he needs a moment to digest the news. When he turns to face her a few seconds later, she can see he's still processing everything he just learned.

"So… It was only to protect me? Nothing else?"

"Yes! Robin, I could never hide this from you purposely, not without a good reason. I would've told you immediately if I had been sure our child was safe. You have no idea how much torture it was to know about it but not be able to tell you. I wish I could've shared this with you from the beginning, I swear. I'm sorry, honey. I never meant to cause you so much pain."

He nods, silent, as if slowly accepting her answer.

"Alright."

Regina frowns. "Alright?"

Robin nods again, turns to her, resolutely staring at her. "Alright. I can deal with this. We're having a baby, we're free from your mother, and we're about to settle things out with Georges. I don't want to think of anything from the past. I want to focus on us." He glances down to her abdomen. "I want to focus on our family."

Regina attempts a small smile, a shy one. "So… does that mean you're going to forgive me?"

Meeting her eyes, Robin smiles back. "I already have. You're the last person I want to hold a grudge against. You're my wife, the mother of my children. I love you too much to resent you for trying to do what you thought was best for me and our child. Plus, I can't even imagine how you felt, carrying all this fear of having our baby injured, and at the same time being unable to share your burden with someone."

He brings a hand to her face, brushes her cheek, pushing a strand of hair away, then cupping her jaw, thumb rubbing her skin softly.

"It's okay, Robin. I'm okay. Now, you know. Our child is safe, and so are we. That's all that matters."

Robin presses a kiss to her lips, then kneels down in front of her, hands hovering above her stomach. Tears are gathering in his eyes when he finally presses his palms flat against it.

"Hey, you. I'm your daddy. We haven't had the chance to talk yet, but I want you to know that I love you very, very much. I'm so impatient to meet you, my sweet baby. I promise you, from now on, I will talk to you every single day. I will make sure that you always know how much your mommy and I care about you. I love you, baby. From the bottom of my heart."

xxx

Regina smiles when she thinks of how invested Robin is in her pregnancy, how amazed he is by the way her body is changing. The curve is still small, she knows she isn't really far along after all, but it's starting to become noticeable for those who pay attention, or for her very, very thrilled husband, who can't wait for an occasion to press a kiss there and talk to their unborn baby. Also, now that life is giving them a break, he seems to have become unable to hold himself back, as if he's catching up on those busy months when making love had become a luxury.

And honestly, Regina is not complaining in the slightest.

Except when there's a ball being thrown in the castle to finally celebrate the victory and the end of the trials, and remember all the victims of the Evil Queen's madness.

But the moment Robin enters her, the moment this feeling of love spreads through her entire body, Regina forgets about the party, about the finished war, about the victory and the dead. She gives herself to her husband with everything she has, doesn't hold back one single moan or cry, until they come again for the umpteenth time that day, relaxing into bed with a sated moan.

They're still trying to slow down their breaths when a knock is heard, making them jump, eyes snapping open.

"Regina? Robin?"

Regina sits up at Ruth's voice, covering herself with the sheet. "Yes?"

"Are you ready? The party is going to start soon, everyone is waiting for you," the woman says from the other side of the door.

Regina turns back to Robin, arching an eyebrow and smirking, answering Ruth. "We'll be down in a minute!"

She gets up from the bed, still looking at Robin when she tells him playfully, "no one will notice, huh?"

He shrugs, gives her a guilty smile. "They must be dying to see the most beautiful woman in the whole kingdom in flesh and blood. There's no other reason while they would be so eager to see us."

Regina chuckles, grabbing a pillow from the couch where her dress for the evening is, and throwing it at his head. "Stop flirting and get ready!"

xxx

Alan guides her outside, holding her hand gently, letting her take place on the balcony, facing the dark night ahead of them, thousands of stars filling the sky.

"The night is beautiful," Zelena sighs contently.

"Indeed it is. Not as beautiful as you are, though," he adds, blushing.

Zelena gives him a shy smile. "You really are a flirt, aren't you?"

"Only to the right lady."

"I'm not a lady," she says softly, looking down.

"You are to me."

Zelena gives Alan a curious look, tilts her head to the side. "Why are you doing this?" She questions so low he barely hears her. "I saw the way girls were looking at you inside that room. They have beautiful outfits and great education, probably a good family too. You could have anyone you want. Why me?"

Alan sighs, rests his elbows on the balcony, looking away from a second.

"Do you know I almost got married once?"

Zelena's mouth opens in surprise, but she shakes her head silently.

"I was young. It was just before I met Robin and Little John. My family wasn't noble, but we had some money, my father was the best trader in town. There was this girl, Ellen. She was the wealthiest woman my age in town, truly beautiful, with delicate manners, finest clothes. I was head over heels in love with her. One day, I met her, for real, and she took a liking in me. We started to spend time together, and I was wooing her properly. Everything was perfect, and she assured me that she shared my feelings. So I proposed to her." Alan pauses, looks down. "She accepted. But as we were planning the wedding, this man came into town. He was a bit older, charming, and mostly, he was a royal. From which family, I don't remember. But the moment his eyes fell over my Ellen, I knew it was over. Ignoring her engagement to me, he offered her a life made of gold and castles, a princess' life, and without even a regard for myself, she suddenly changed her mind, decided that she loved him and wanted to be with him. She broke our engagement, and married him a week after. I attended the wedding, from afar at least, she didn't want me to embarrass her by making a scene, so I wasn't allowed to officially assist. It's then that I decided to leave. I felt humiliated, and heartbroken. I truly was in love with her, while she had been playing me the whole time."

"That's awful," Zelena breathes.

"You see, Zelena, these girls inside, they don't want me for who I am. They like the image of one of the fighters, one of a war hero wearing fine clothing and in the next Queen's good graces. But the minute they see the place I live in, the second a prince bows down to their feet promising them the world, I will cease to exist to them. Whatever could happen between us would only be an illusion." He takes Zelena's hand, lifts it to his lips and presses a kiss to its back. "But with you, I know what I feel is true. You may not be a princess, but to my eyes you are the most beautiful woman in the room. You make me laugh, my heart beats faster every time I'm close to you. I enjoy every second you allow me to spend with you, Zelena. And I do hope, with all my heart, that you feel the same way about me." He smirks then, adding on a playful tone. "Especially since we live in the same place and it will be really hard to avoid each other if you don't, given what I just confessed."

Zelena bursts out laughing, and Alan joins her, her fingers closing around his, until she looks up at him, her laugh subsiding, eyes locking.

"I do," she whispers, then clears her throat. "I do feel the same way about you."

And then, without giving it a second thought, she leans forward, and presses her lips to his.

xxx

"They're cute, aren't they?"

Regina looks up from the game she's playing at with Connor and Matthew to meet Ruth's eyes, the woman nodding towards the dance floor. Following her gaze, Regina sees Snow and David, awkwardly holding each other as the young man focuses on the steps he just learned recently.

"Indeed. Despite her initial fears of leaving the camp and coming back here, Snow is thrilled to be back to her princess life. David seems to adjust pretty well too. They are playing their roles perfectly."

Ruth sighs. "They have so many responsibilities now, both of them. And they're still so young."

"I know," Regina agrees. "But they're handling it well, I'm proud to see them acting as adults when it comes to the Kingdoms' matter. Of course, they're lost sometimes, but they have great counselors and advisors, people we can trust. I'm sure they'll do great."

"The fact that we agreed to keep them together and move from one castle to the other every month makes things easier. I don't know how we would've managed if they were separated and I had to split my time between them."

"Knowing that David is not a threat for Snow White is what helps people accept him as their leader. Having the two growing up together actually reinforces their authority and unites the two kingdoms."

"That's true. And they've grown really close. They're used to being together all the time now."

"Mom?"

Regina looks down at Matthew, smiling softly. "Yes, sweetheart?"

"Can I go dance with Connor?"

Meeting the toddler's blue begging eyes and Matthew's shining dark ones, Regina has to hold back a laugh. These two can make quite a team, the way they naturally accepted each other's place in her life so easily amazes her. "Of course!" She weaves a hand in Matthew's hair, presses a kiss on top of Connor's head. "Be careful with him, Matthew! He's still little," she reminds him.

"Okay."

"I'm a big boy!" Connor argues, but the older child is already tugging at his hand and dragging him towards the dancers.

"Those two are really something," Ruth chuckles next to her.

"Oh yes! It's nice that they get along so well."

"They're acting like brothers. Matthew loves Connor, playing big brother suits him."

"And he's very excited about having a sibling in a few months!" Someone exclaims, making the women jump and turn around to face Robin, standing behind them with a wide smile, his hand immediately reaching for Regina's neck and stroking slightly.

"Where have you been all this time?" His wife questions, leaning into his touch.

"I spent some time with Little John. He wasn't feeling well, and needed to get some air."

"Is he gonna be alright? Should I go see him?" Regina asks, turning to face Robin fully, her voice strained with concern.

Little John was happy for his friends when Regina announced her pregnancy, but there was a slight trace of pain in his eyes, perfectly logical after what - who - he lost. They talked to him, Robin and Regina, and the man assured them he was fine, that he truly was glad and they deserved this baby, but the couple knew better. Their friend still struggles with the lost of his wife, and with the fact that the end of the war didn't bring him the peace he was expecting.

Coming to the castle where his wife had been tortured and murdered didn't help. Especially when they found him knelt down in the cell where Amelia was held captive crying everything he had in him - he asked Zelena to show him which one it was, and she did, but had the good sense to warn his friends immediately after. That day, Regina, Robin, Alan and Tuck didn't leave his side. They brought him back to his bedroom, asked Ruth to look after Connor, sat on the bed around the man, Regina holding him tightly. They waited until the sobs subsided, gave him some time to recover, and then they started talking. They brought back memories of their young years together, their training, how they met. They remembered funny stories, and anecdotes, and pretty much as they did for Regina on the first anniversary of Daniel's death, they kept going, until a smile broke through his tears, then a chuckle, and a laugh, followed.

But anyway, since that moment, they are very careful with him, one of them always checks on him.

And that includes tonight.

"He's fine. Tuck is with him. They're catching up before he has to leave."

"He's going back to the monastery?" Ruth asks sadly. "So soon?"

"Yes," Regina shrugs. "He needs to complete his training, and as much as we want to have him with us, we understand. He wanted to stay around for my pregnancy, but he can't wait that long. This one still has a while to spend in here before it's time." she says with a beaming smile, her palms falling flat above her stomach, rubbing in circles. The curve is small, but noticeable, showing even under her dress.

"How is our growing thief doing tonight, by the way?" Robin asks, bending over her shoulder, one of his hands finding its way along her waist to join hers on her front.

"It was missing its daddy," Regina answers playfully, nuzzling Robin's cheek, pressing a kiss there.

"It told you that, huh?"

Nodding eagerly before locking her lips with her husband's, Regina laughs into the kiss, warmth spreading through her, heart fluttering and overflowing with love, until a hand lands on her arm, squeezing slightly.

"Regina?"

The young woman pulls back from Robin to look questioningly at Ruth, who simply glances at her hands, and Regina understands.

There's a slight light surrounding them, and she closes her palms immediately, breathing slowly to focus, centering herself.

In the month following the revelation of her growing magic, she tried to get it under control. At first, she was reluctant to use it again, despite the mix of grief, relief and happiness that kept triggering it. She knew magic wasn't something people were comfortable with, and scaring them was the last thing she wanted to do. But as something you have freed once has a clear tendency to find its way out again, the struggle to keep it locked inside became more difficult every day, to the point where Robin and her friends urged her to accept it. They knew her, trusted her, they were certain she would never hurt them. So, with Zelena's help, and sometimes Tinkerbell's, she began to learn how to control it, how to use her powers for daily tasks that would normally require more strength than she possessed. The two sisters helped the Merry Men rebuilt the traps around the camp in no time, they casted a protection spell around its limits just in case someone would try to get through while some of them were accompanying Snow White on her journey back home.

But in times like this, when happiness is boiling within her, when she loses control, it comes back. It's never much, and never hurts -this magic is made out of love after all, but no one knows about it beside her family and friends, and Regina wants to keep things that way.

"Sorry," she apologizes, opening and closing her fists several times to get rid of the tingling sensation. "I forgot."

"You were too focused on something else," Ruth muses with a knowing smirk. "It's really nice to see you both so happy again. I wish your father could see you right now, darling. You're glowing."

Regina blushes, her smile fading a little, but not disappearing.

"I like to think he can see me from wherever he is."

"I'm sure he is, Regina." Robin assures gently, before adding with a much firmer tone. "And he wouldn't want us to dwell on his death!" He pulls at his wife's hand, forcing her to get up. "Come on! I haven't had the chance to dance with my beautiful wife tonight."

Regina laughs carelessly, gives an apologetic look to Ruth, before following Robin, her free hand landing on his shoulder as his fingers slide to her waist.

"We danced for the first five songs!" She argues.

Robin pecks her lips quickly. "That happened way too long ago. I need to remedy it right away!"

During their time there, they cross path with Matthew and Connor, who have been joined by Ruby. They share a dance with them three, until Regina spots Little John coming back with Tuck. She urges a tired Connor to go to him, watches the two disappear behind the main doors, knows she will only see them in the morning. Zelena arrives to ask Matthew for a dance, earning an eager nod from the boy. The redhead winks at Regina, leads her nephew away as Alan lifts Ruby up in the air.

It doesn't take long for the married couple to bump into David and Snow White, and the two men exchange their partners, Robin moving with the princess while David scrunches his nose in concentration as his tired mind begins to mix up the steps, making Regina almost stumble more than once, but she's quick to react each time, always ends up laughing.

"I'm sorry," he apologizes. "I danced this so many times tonight I should know the steps perfectly by now."

She brings a hand to his cheek, strokes kindly. Seeing him so tired and lost makes her want to hold him tight. This is so much to adjust to, and he doesn't even realize how much of a great job he's doing.

"That's fine, David. It's late, and your life has changed drastically over the last weeks. That's a lot to take in for a young man, you're allowed to make mistakes."

But the ball is almost over, the guests exhausted, and soon it's time for goodnights, warm hugs and kisses on the cheek.

Robin has to carry a sound asleep Matthew to the double chamber they share with him, and lies him down on the bed. With Regina's help, they remove his clothes to change him, and tuck him in, before closing the door, changing their own outfits, and crawling into bed themselves.

xxx

Five days later

She hugs the man fiercely, holding him tightly, clutching to his neck when he attempts to pull back. She hears him chuckle, his hand weaving into her hair, pressing at the back of her skull, his lips dropping a kiss to her temple.

"It's only for a few months," Tuck reminds her, making Regina sigh, before she relents and finally releases him.

"I know. But it was so good to have you back. I'm going to miss you so much."

"I will miss you too. I want you to take a good care of yourself," he gives a pointed look downward to her slightly swollen abdomen, "and of that little guy here. I can't wait to come back and see you hold your child in your arms."

Regina's eyes fill up with tears, tears that she doesn't let fall.

"So am I," she whispers, a smile piercing at the prospect of holding her baby.

She takes a step back, lets her friends and her husband say goodbye to Tuck, watching them with tenderness. She snuggles in Robin's arms when he stops next to her, and her smile widens as she sees Snow White and David making their way towards Tuck, the princess' demeanor less strict than it used to be, but the enjoyment of having her life back at the castle evident anyway. As for David, he's trying to hold himself straight, and he slouches a bit, but in these clean and royal clothing, despite how strange it is to see him dressed as such, even after weeks spent here, Regina thinks that he already has the look and attitude to become a fine and just King.

The two bow reverently in front of her friend, and Regina rolls her eyes, looks up at Robin's amused gaze at the worldliness. But Snow takes Tuck's hand firmly in hers, and promises him that he and his brothers will always find support in her, that they can come to her if they ever need anything. After promising the same thing, David steps back, and Tuck climbs on his horse, waving goodbye to his friends one last time.

xxx

A week later

"I don't want you to leave," Snow White pleads, looking up at Regina, her arms still winded around her waist.

The woman brushes the princess' hair away from her face, looks softly at her.

"I know. But I have to go back to my home, and you have a kingdom to rule. The next months are going to be difficult, you and David have so much to do, so many things to learn. Focus on this, Snow, and the three months to your coronation will pass in no time."

"It's still hard to believe," Snow admits, finally releasing her.

"What is?"

"The fact that I'm going to be Queen," the girl says with amazement. "I always knew the day was bound to come, but I didn't think it would be so soon."

Regina rests her hands on the princess' shoulders, smiles reassuringly. "You're going to be an amazing Queen, Snow. And I will be here for your coronation. There's no way I can miss such an important event in your life."

Snow White's shyness and doubts turn into a wide smile, her face lighting up at Regina's words.

"I will practice my archery while waiting for you. Next time you see me shoot an arrow, I will hit the center of the target."

Regina chuckles, brushing the girl's cheek. "I'm sure you will, Snow."

The young woman turns to the side, to Johanna, whose hand she takes and squeezes warmly, and then to Ruth and David. They stay silent, no word is voiced, but the hug they share is worth a thousand speeches. Regina pulls back, one hand tucked in Ruth's, the other stroking David's neck.

"You take care of yourself, alright?" she requests, almost in a pleading.

"We will," Ruth assures. "We're going to make sure these two become the fairest and most respected rulers the Enchanted Forest has ever known."

Nodding, Regina looks at David. "Don't forget where you come from, David.". Turning to Snow just next to them, she adds. "And remember what you learned outside this castle, Snow." She looks at the boy again, finishing. "It will remind you what you can, and cannot do as rulers. I count on you."

"I promise, Regina," David answers, Snow White echoing his words.

"Good."

"Gina!"

The high-pitched voice resonates in the garden, drawing a happy chuckle from everyone, breaking the moment effectively. Regina turns to see Connor running towards her, Little John looking at her sheepishly. She scoops the boy in her arms, laughs softly, can't help it but to press a kiss to his cheek.

"What is it, sweetheart?"

"Daddy say I can go with you on the horse."

"To be fair, I told him he could check that with you!" His father counteracts from his spot a little further, his voice tainted with amusement.

The Please, Gina! Connor lets out has her melting completely, and she kisses his brow, pulls back to look at him lovingly.

"Well then, how can I refuse something when it's asked so nicely?"

She looks over at Snow, David and Ruth one last time, adjusting Connor on her hip. "I'll see you in three months."

While she settles Connor on Rocinante's back, she notices Ruby and Granny bidding their goodbyes too. The little girl has created a real bond with the princess, and even from afar she can see how sad they are at parting ways. But they don't belong in a palace, and Granny wants to raise Ruby away from all the wealth and manners a castle can hold (she thankfully didn't say that in front of the princess, but Regina can only agree with her choice).

Knowing that the old woman lost her home, Ruth kindly offered her to take over the farm. On their way here weeks ago, they went there, and the place was still holding. Of course, after the soldiers' passage and months of not being taken care of, there was no animal left and some damage was done, but Snow gave Granny enough money to buy whatever she deemed was necessary to rebuilt, and the Merry Men offered their help for the hard work.

From her spot on Rocinante behind Connor, Regina meets Robin's gaze, looks at Matthew proudly sitting in front of him on his steed. She nods at her husband, and he gives the signal.

Waving a last goodbye to the castle's new inhabitants, they begin their journey back home.


Present

"Our life changed," Regina admits "With David and Snow at the head of the kingdoms, stealing wasn't an option anymore, and we knew that with time and changes the villagers would go back to a better life, one that might not need us as thieves anymore. Of course, castes would never disappear, but we knew the new rulers would make sure that the people were safe. And for that, Snow's and David's advisers offered us, The Merry Men, to take position as the new force. We could become sort of law enforcers, and we would actually get paid to maintain order. We were surprised by the offer, there was a certain irony to the fact that the most famous thieves were being proclaimed sheriffs, but they argued that we had won people's trust, and that this job was somehow close from what we did over the last year, in the way that we were protecting the villagers. Obviously, we weren't numerous enough, and since we refused to leave the camp, our perimeter was restricted to what was now David's land, but we did agree to train a new generation of sheriffs. Among the villagers who came to live at the camp with us, some were interested in the offer, and we began training them for that purpose. For our sake, we kept the camp's location a secret, so a second base of training was built on Snow's land, and the unmarried Merry Men went there, time for them to maintain order and teach everything that was necessary to their new students.

Life was good again. We just had one more thing to take care of."


Six days later

Scarfs are removed from their faces. Marian and William de Wendenal open their eyes and look around curiously, clearly confused when they recognize the Fitzwalter's home.

"What is this? Are you releasing us?"

The question is spoken with perplexity, the former sheriff furrowing his brow, trying to understand. However, the way Marian stares at Regina, fixed upon her swollen abdomen, which she must have never seen before, and realizing that she is with child too, makes Robin bring an instinctive hand in front of his wife. Not that he is impressed, but the other woman is unpredictable, and he prefers to be ready if she makes a foolish attempt at hurting them.

"Not exactly."

"Why are we here then? Why are we back to our domain since you won? What are you going to do to us?"

Robin chuckles bitterly. "It's not what I could do that you should be afraid of. You two made a lot of enemies over the last years, people know the part you played in starting the war, and believe it or not, but I only transferred you here today and not sooner to make sure you didn't escape, and to protect you."

"Protect us?" Marian bites. "You must be joking! Are you sure you didn't knock your head too hard on a rock?"

She spat harshly, her voice hateful, but neither Regina nor Robin are surprised. It's not different than the way she spoke to them during their trial.

"I can assure you that I am perfectly fine, but thank you for your concern," Robin replies seriously, although he's clearly mocking her.

He plays a role, one that allows him to keep some distance, not to jump at their throats and strangle the couple. He supports his wife in her decision to spare their lives, but that doesn't mean he's not struggling with the need to see them hung to a tree.

"You see, Marian, if I follow the law, that I am now paid to apply," he glances at her husband, who's standing straight by his wife's side. "I should have you both killed immediately. Something that should have had happened weeks ago. However," He furrows his brow, lifts a finger, then wraps an arm around Regina's shoulders, "my dear wife here, saw that you were pregnant. And you see, she's not like you. She won't take your baby away from you, nor will she kill an innocent unborn child. So, I had to compromise, because believe me, nothing would please me more than being rid of you two for good. Here's what we're going to do."

He takes a deep breath, announces on a solemn voice. "You will both be restrained to this house, until you, Marian, give birth to your child. During that time, you won't be allowed to set one foot outside, and you can trust me," he smirks. "I will have so many guards here that if you ever try, they will be aware of it, and they will follow strict orders to shoot an arrow at one of your feet. Painful, right?" He ducks his head to the side in what is obviously a provocative posture. "I advise you not to make any stupid and vain attempts at escaping or playing me, especially in your condition, because you will for sure lose."

"And when the baby is born?" The other man asks, defiant.

"Ah! Yes. The baby. Well, you can't really expect us to release you, can you?"

"So you will kill us then?" Marian bites.

"Not at all! On the contrary. You will be led to the far edge of the Enchanted Forest, where all the traitors who weren't executed were sent. You will enter a place from which you will never return…" Robin pauses, and then adds, "for your sake."

Glancing at the woman's large belly –she definitely isn't far from her due date, but pregnancy clearly hasn't appeased her bitterness, Robin takes a step back, grabbing Regina's hand and feeling her close her fingers over his.

"Food and water will be delivered daily, but do not expect a luxurious life. You will have what we deem is necessary, and nothing more." He nods to someone to the side, and a couple of men carrying heavy weapons step in front of the newly declared prisoners. "Meet two of your new jailers. Your penitence has begun. The moment we close this door, it will be sealed from the outside, as every other one giving access to the inside. Be sure that we also found all the secrets doors, so don't waste time trying to use them. Enjoy your time alone. There's plenty to come."

And as the door closes over the two figures, Regina and Robin never look away.


Any review?