Prompt: Both are teachers, however, Person A is a new teacher and the new heartthrob of both other teachers and students. Their rooms are right across the hall, but they get off on the wrong foot and don't like each other at first. But they develop feelings and eventually start dating in secret. However, when Person B gets hit on, Person A gets jealous and it ends up with a cute make up kiss!

It was no secret around Storybrooke Academy that Regina Mills and Robin Locksley barely tolerated each other. Their feud had begun before they even knew they were coworkers when it was said he wasn't watching where he was going, spilling his coffee all over her dress. School legend said that she had torn into him but he had bit back, making for a very heated scene in Granny's diner. It only ended when she had to go home and change, arriving at the first faculty meeting late and without coffee. It was then she learned he was replacing old Mrs. Hubbard, who decided to give up the cold Maine winters and move down to Florida with her yappy dog. Which meant that he was teaching fifth grade—the same as Regina.

The two continued to clash as their teaching styles conflicted. He was too free-wheeling and loose for her ("Children need boundaries!") and she was too uptight and by-the-book for him ("Children need space to find out who they are!"). She hated how he would sit on the desk ("What kind of example are you setting for the children?") and he would blast her for being too formal ("You need to connect with them."). He was too friendly with the students ("You're the adult!") while she was too distant ("You don't have to scare them. At least be approachable."). The list went on and on, kept by Emma Swan and Killian Jones, who both taught eighth grade at the Academy.

(They were also running a pool for faculty and staff to place bets on how long it would take before Robin Locksley and Regina Mills were tearing each other's clothes off and having hot, passionate hate sex).

Robin became one of the most popular teachers at the Academy, much to Regina's annoyance. Their fellow teachers loved him, thinking him charming and talented. ("He's just new. Wait until that wears off. Then you'll see the truth.") And the parents thought he was the best thing to happen to their children. ("It's the accent. Makes them think he's more intelligent and cultured than he is.") Robin's students adored him, crowding around him whenever they could and vying for his attention. ("He's far too friendly with them. They need boundaries.")

The worst part though was that her son, Henry, absolutely adored the man. Henry was in fifth grade this year and to avoid claims of favoritism, was assigned to Robin Locksley's class. After the first day, Henry came bounding into her classroom with nothing but praise for him. It hadn't stopped and by the end of September, Regina was even sicker of Robin's name.

She always wanted Henry to have a father figure since his own was taken before he was out of diapers. Regina and Daniel had been young parents but they had been navigating the world together. It wasn't fair that the drunk driver had walked away from the accident but Daniel hadn't. Not when she and Henry needed him.

As Henry grew up, she knew there was a void in his life that no one outside of Daniel could completely fill. But there had to be one man who could at least partially fill it. She had had a few boyfriends after Daniel but only Graham had come close to being worthy enough to being a part of Henry's life. But he thought she was too controlling and she wanted more of a commitment, so that flamed out after a few years. While there was Henry's third grade teacher, David Nolan, and the school counselor, Archie Hopper, she still worried he lacked a true father figure.

Now he seemed to have found one and it was Robin Locksley of all people. Someone up there was laughing at her.

And it was most likely her own late mother.

Every day, Regina was subjected to another reason why Mr. Locksley was the best. It ranged from his accent ("He's like a professor from Hogwarts!") to his lessons ("He's going to let us build our own volcanoes for science. How cool is that?") to his other skills ("Mr. Locksley is a champion archer. Do you think he would teach me?"). Regina had to just sit there, smiling as her blood continued to boil.

September turned into October and she continued to be annoyed by Robin Locksley's very presence in her life. Everyone else on staff tried to get her to give him a chance. "So he has a different teaching style than you," Mary Margaret, the kindergarten teacher, said. "There is no one way to teach."

"But there is a wrong way," Regina replied.

"And you think Robin's methods are wrong?"

Regina shrugged. "We'll see in a few weeks when Henry's first report card comes."

Mary Margaret sighed, looking over at where Robin sat with Emma and Killian. "You two are more alike than you realize," she told Regina.

"I doubt it," Regina muttered, ending that conversation. "Now can we talk about more pleasant things or are you going to keep crawling up his ass?"

Mary Margaret sighed and changed the subject.

Halloween was a weekday and so the school administration allowed the students to wear costumes to school (provided they were appropriate, the middle and high schoolers were told). The teachers were allowed to dress up in some ways as well, though they still had to look professional. Henry convinced his mother to go as a queen. "All you have to do is wear a nice dress and a crown," he said.

"I guess I can do that," she said with a smile. Henry cheered as best he could while holding still so she could draw a lightning bolt to complete his Harry Potter costume.

When they got to school, Henry was overjoyed to see that Mr. Locksley had dressed up as Dumbledore. "This is cool!" he exclaimed.

"Great minds think alike." Mr. Locksley high-fived him. He then gave Regina a polite smile and a bow. "Your Majesty."

She rolled her eyes. "You look ridiculous."

"I'm impressed you deigned to join in this common frivolity," he muttered when Henry was out of earshot.

"I can have fun. Reasonable fun." She glared at him, stepping away. "Excuse me, Mr. Locksley."

She heard him mutter as she walked away, but she ignored him. Let him be a child. No wonder his students got along so well with him.

That afternoon, Regina went to retrieve Henry so he could go trick-or-treating. He was getting older and she knew the year he would consider himself too old to go door to door was fast approaching. She wanted to cherish these moments for as long as they would have them.

Henry was waiting in the classroom the aftercare program met in, talking with his friends Ava, Nicholas and Paige. There was also a younger boy with them, who had raven curls and deep brown eyes. He was dressed in a green outfit and carried a bow, which was held in his clasped hands. "Please can I go trick or treating with you?" he pleaded with the older kids.

"Come on, guys, Roland's cool," Henry told his friends.

Ava frowned. "He's five. He's only going to slow us down. And doesn't he have friends his own age to hang out with?"

"He's shy and hasn't made many yet." Henry looked down at the boy and then back up at Ava. "Besides, I'm his friend."

Pride filled Regina and she was once again assured that she was raising a gentleman. She stepped forward, revealing herself to the children. "Besides, Ava, as fifth graders, you're now the big kids. You have to set a good example for the younger students. Wouldn't this be a good way to do that?"

The others looked down and muttered that it was. Roland bounced up and down, realizing he was going trick or treating with the big kids. She smiled at him, crouching down to look him in the eyes. "We just need to get permission from your parents. Are they here yet?"

"My papa is right there." Roland pointed past her and she turned, her heart stopping as Robin Locksley approached their group.

He smiled at Roland. "You ready to go trick-or-treating?"

"Henry and his friends said I can go with them. You just have to tell Henry's mama it's okay." Roland bounced up and down.

Robin laid a hand on Regina's arm. "This is Ms. Mills, she's a teacher here like me. You remember what I said about being respectful to the other teachers, right?"

"Yes, Papa." Roland looked up at her. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Mills."

She held out her hand, letting him shake it. "It's nice to meet you, Roland. So, are you coming trick or treating with us?"

He looked up at his father, who nodded. Roland cheered, taking Henry's hand. "When do we leave?"

"Just let me clock out and I'll be right back," Regina said. She then looked at Robin. "Do you need to clock out, Mr. Locksley?"

Robin nodded, following her to the office. As they punched their time cards, she asked in a low voice: "Do you need to let your wife know?"

"I'm a widower," he replied. "It's just me and Roland."

She swallowed, recalling Mary Margaret's words: You two are more alike than you realize. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. We're getting on with our lives. That's why I brought Roland here, for a fresh start. Storybrooke Academy had excellent reviews and it seemed more peaceful here than the big city."

Regina floundered, unsure what to say next as her world shifted. So she smiled. "We should head back. Our boys aren't going to be so patient for much longer."

He nodded, walking back with her. They ushered the children out and Regina led them to a street she knew was both safe and a candy goldmine. As the small group went from door to door, she and Robin stood in awkward silence.

As they rounded the next corner, he broke it first. "Henry has a different last name than you."

"It's his father's name. I kept my maiden name when we married."

"Will I get a chance to meet Mr. Colter then? Maybe at parent-teacher conferences in a few weeks?"

Regina bit her lip before replying: "I'm a widow."

"Oh." He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "Shit, I'm sorry if I'm bringing up any pain. I would definitely know."

She shook her head. "Daniel's been gone for several years now. It's only a dull ache when I talk about him."

"So it gets easier?"

"I wouldn't say easier or better. I guess…I guess you just learn to live with it," she replied.

He nodded as Roland ran up to him. "Look at all the candy I got!" he said, proudly.

"That is a lot," Robin agreed. "Is your bag getting heavy?"

"I can fix that." Regina pulled out a plastic bag and had Roland dump his candy into it. She handed it to Robin for safekeeping as Henry ran up to her to dump out his bag as well.

They continued to go around the neighborhood until it grew dark. Robin was still learning his way around town and Regina was happy to show him some important spots. It was a safe, neutral conversation and one she needed as her head was spinning from the revelation about Robin Locksley. She had made snap judgments about him, never bothering to get to know the real him. Never thinking that maybe he was hiding the same pain she felt behind his happy-go-lucky manner.

As the streetlamps began to flicker on, Robin called Roland over. "It's getting late. We need to be heading home."

"Can't I stay out a little while longer? Please?" Roland looked up at his father with pleading eyes.

Robin held firm, shaking his head. "You need a bath and to go to bed. It's still a school night. So thank Ms. Mills and say goodnight to everyone."

"Thank you, Ms. Mills," Roland chirped. He then turned to the group of fifth graders. "And thanks for letting me trick or treat with you. I had lots of fun!"

Henry smiled at him. "You're welcome, Roland. We had fun trick or treating with you."

As Robin and Roland walked off, Regina wrapped her arms around her son. "I'm so very proud of you, Henry."

"Thanks, Mom," he said.

Ava approached them. "Can we now go a few more blocks now we don't have that little kid tailing us?"

"I'm afraid not," Regina replied. "Mr. Locksley was right. It is getting late and it is a school night. Time for everyone to go home."

"Roland Locksley's in your kindergarten class, isn't he?" Regina confronted Mary Margaret the day after Halloween.

The petite woman nodded. "He's a sweet kid."

"He is," Regina agreed. "But why be all cryptic and not just come out to tell me that Robin was a single parent to a son?"

"Because would you have really believed me? Or would you have thought I was just trying to make you feel a connection to Robin to get the hostilities to cease?"

Regina frowned. "I don't think so. I wouldn't expect you to use my past against me in such a way."

"Oh," Mary Margaret replied.

"But," Regina continued, "I guess it was better I discovered it on my own. Actually saw him as a dad."

After that, there was a noticeable thaw between Regina and Robin. No one else on the Storybrooke Academy staff would call them friends, but they started to classify their relationship as civil. Robin started to sit at Regina's table, allowing Emma and Killian to return as well. He and Regina kept conversations to their sons, who were getting closer.

Before they knew it, parent-teacher conferences were upon them. Regina stopped Robin at the coffee machine a few days before. "I always get a babysitter for Henry for the conferences because that would be a long time to keep him in school. Would you like to send Roland with Henry? Ashley won't mind," Regina said.

Robin sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't even think of that. Thank you, Regina. I'm sure Roland would love to spend the afternoon with Henry."

The boy was ecstatic, hugging his father quickly before taking Henry's hand to go home with Ashley. Roland rattled off all the things he wanted to do with the older boy as their parents watched them leave.

Once they were gone, Robin turned to Regina. "I'm going to go see Mary Margaret for my parent-teacher conference. When I get back, do you want to have ours about Henry?"

"That would be great. Thank you," Regina replied, heading back toward her classroom.

Not much later, Robin knocked on her door. "I'm all done if you want to come over."

She followed him to his classroom, all decorated in bright colors and various projects the kids had done so far that school year. One of Henry's was right by the door, his diorama of a scene from Harry Potter (Harry facing the Basilisk) that he had made with Regina's help.

Robin motioned to the chair he had set up in front of his desk and she took it. He passed her Henry's report card. "I'll give you a minute to look it over. But it's very good. Henry's a smart kid."

"Yes, he is. I'm proud of him." She pulled out his report card from the envelope and swept it. Robin was right, it was very good. A line of A's met her gaze until she got to one line. Her eyes widened. "He got a B plus in math?"

He nodded. "He does struggle with math but we're working on it. B plus is still a good grade."

"It's his best grade in math since the first grade," Regina said, meeting Robin's eyes. "Thank you."

"Well, the credit is Henry's. He's been working really hard."

Regina smiled. "I know. But he always works really hard and I work with him. Yet you had to do something to get him to achieve something higher than a C plus."

"Well, then, thank you." Robin paused before continuing: "Henry can grasp the concepts well enough. He just needs a little more time practicing their application. I think if I work with him afterschool, he'll be able to get an A on the next report card. And since he's already here, no one will know he's getting tutoring."

She nodded, fighting back her tears. "That would be great. Thank you so much."

"Well, I have some more suggestions. Henry is reading at an eighth grade level and I think the books we're reading are too easy for him. So I'd like to create a separate reading list for him, with the principal's approval. Belle can help me put it together and you can have final say."

Regina blinked few times. "I…I think I owe you an apology."

His brow furrowed. "I don't understand."

"I didn't think you would be a good teacher," she admitted. "But I was clearly wrong. You're one of the good ones."

Robin smiled. "So are you. I've heard some of the older students talking and they said they wouldn't be in advanced classes if it weren't for you."

Heat flooded Regina's cheeks, though she wasn't sure why hearing such praise embarrassed her. She tucked her hair behind her ear. "So, when would you like to start working with Henry?"

"I just need to get the principal's approval for his new reading list, but I can start on the math tomorrow." Robin stood, holding out his hand. "Thank you for coming in, Ms. Mills."

"Thank you for all the work you're doing, Mr. Locksley." Regina shook his hand, playing along with him.

She headed back to her classroom, pausing at the door. Looking back, she took a deep breath. "Henry and I don't really have much by way of family, so we have other faculty with nowhere else to go over for Thanksgiving. I don't know what your plans are, but you and Roland are more than welcome to join us."

Robin smiled. "Thank you, Regina. We look forward to celebrating with you."

On Thanksgiving morning, Henry was too excited to sit still enough to help her with dinner. "Mr. Locksley is really coming over? This is going to be awesome," he said, washing potatoes at the sink.

Or at least that's what he was supposed to be doing. Regina smiled. "I don't know how awesome it'll be without potatoes though."

"Sorry, Mom. But Mr. Locksley is coming here. To my house."

"So are Mr. Nolan, Ms. Blanchard, Mr. Jones and Ms. Swan."

"Yeah, but they always come," Henry said in a matter-of-fact tone. "Mr. Locksley's never been here before. Do you think I can call him by his first name while he's here like I do the others?"

Regina shrugged. "You'll have to ask him. And respect what he says."

"Of course, mom," Henry sighed. He turned back to his potatoes, focused now on his task.

Mary Margaret and David were the first ones to show. Henry greeted them warmly, viewing the married teachers like an aunt and uncle as they had been in his life the longest. David gave the boy a playful punch. "You ready for the big game today?" he asked.

"Yeah," Henry replied, though half-heartedly.

David tilted his head. "Is something wrong?"

"You're not Mr. Locksley," Regina explained, wrapping her arm around her son's shoulders. "He's Henry's new hero."

"He's the entire school's hero," David replied with a sigh. "I'm yesterday's news."

Henry perked up. "You're still cool, Uncle David. It's just…Mr. Locksley is just…"

Mary Margaret held up a hand. "I'd stop there, Henry, before you dig yourself a hole you can't get out of again."

Taking her advice, Henry lowered his head. David clapped his shoulder, giving him a smile. "Don't worry. I think Mr. Locksley is cool too."

Regina laughed as she took the dish Mary Margaret had brought. The younger teacher followed her into the kitchen still. "So Henry is still fascinated by Robin, huh?"

"Yeah, but I can understand why. Robin is really a mentor to him." Regina finished placing the dish in the fridge and straightened up, frowning when she saw the smile on Mary Margaret's face. "What?"

"Someone's had a change of heart. Funny what happens when you get to know someone."

Regina gave her a look. "You know, I can still disinvite you from dinner. David can stay though."

"You wouldn't do that. You need me as a buffer between you and Emma when you two inevitably start to get on each other's nerves."

There was truth to Mary Margaret's words. Emma was a good friend and Regina would do anything for the blonde (and vice versa) but they could easily annoy each other. Mary Margaret insisted it was because they were more alike than they wanted to admit and sometimes, Regina felt that maybe she was right.

She sighed. "Fine, you can stay. Consider yourself lucky."

The doorbell echoed through the house and she heard Henry race toward the door. She found him peeking through the front window and knew from his smile who was on the other side. "It's Mr. Locksley and Roland!"

"Well, then, you can open the door," Regina said. She only let him open the door for people they knew and Henry loved to be able to do so.

He beamed as he let the Locksleys into the house. Roland threw his arms around the older boy's waist. "Hi, Henry! I get to spend all day with you!"

"I know, Roland," Henry replied. "What do you want to do first?"

"Roland, I think you should thank Ms. Mills first," Robin suggested.

The boy approached her, smiling as bright as Henry, and held up a turkey made from wood and construction paper. She recognized it as there was another one made by Henry tucked away in her attic. But she smiled at Roland's as if it was the first time she had ever seen the project. "Did you make this?"

"Yes, I did. It's supposed to be the centerpiece for our table. Can we use it here?" he asked.

Regina smiled. "Of course we can. Thank you."

"Thank you for inviting Papa and me," Roland replied. He then gave her a quick hug before returning back to Henry.

With the children running off to another part of the house, Regina took their coats and hung them up. Robin followed her. "Is there anything I can do? I'm afraid I'm not much of a cook so I picked up some dessert."

"Thank you." Regina took the bag he was carrying. "I'll go put these in the kitchen. You can go join the others in the living room."

Robin though remained on her heels, though. "Are you sure you don't need any help? I really wouldn't want you to do everything."

"Most of the food is cooking already. And we have a few hours before we have to set the table. So go and enjoy yourself. I'll be there in a few minutes," she said.

He looked unsure but nodded. "Alright. But if you need anything…"

"I'll call," she replied, giving him a gentle push.

Once Robin left, Regina leaned against the counter and took a deep breath. She missed the days when she and Robin only sniped at each other. That was familiar territory Regina could navigate with easy sass. But him being so considerate threw her off. She didn't know how to respond nor did she know how it made her feel.

She pushed that aside, deciding to deal with another day. For now, she would go out into the living room and play the perfect hostess.

Emma and Killian came late, trying to pretend that the dish they brought took longer than they thought. But Emma hadn't done a very good job of covering up the purple mark on her neck, so they were busted pretty quickly.

They were saved from merciless teasing by Roland, who had never met the teachers before and was fascinated by them. He dragged them off to play a game, leaving Henry free to spend more time with his idol, Robin, who was dragged off to the bookcase Regina had surrendered to her son recently.

Robin looked over Henry's growing collection of books…and comics. "You certainly have a lot," he said.

Henry nodded. "They're my thing with Mom. We read them together."

"Your mother reads comic books?" Incredulity laced his words.

She crossed her arms. "What's so bad about comic books?"

"Nothing," he said. "I thought you would've considered yourself too highbrow for them."

This was the familiar territory. She relaxed a bit. "Well, you clearly have a poor opinion of comic books then."

"Care to change my mind then?" he challenged.

"Gladly," she replied.

They settled on the couch, arguing about comic books as David and Henry settled in for the football game. Mary Margaret frowned, looking around. "I guess I'll go play with Roland and them," she announced.

No one responded.

Regina's world kept spinning throughout the rest of the evening. She had had an intellectual conversation with Robin about comic books of all things and it had somehow morphed into a debate over the purpose of ghosts in Shakespeare's plays. Mary Margaret had to pull her away in order to finish preparing dinner or else she would've spent the rest of the night on the couch with Robin.

Emma was in the kitchen, getting a beer. She smiled as Regina walked in. "So, Regina, what's going on with you and Mr. Locksley?"

"Careful, Emma," Mary Margaret cautioned. "She might throw you out."

"I'd like to see her try," Emma scoffed. She then turned to Regina. "Well?"

Regina sighed. "I don't know. Everything feels topsy turvy."

"Sounds like love," Mary Margaret said.

"You I can throw out," Regina replied, pointing at her. "Very easily in fact."

Mary Margaret rolled her eyes. "You keep threatening that but you never actually follow through. Admit it, you like me."

"I tolerate you." She handed Mary Margaret some plates. "Go make yourself useful and start setting the table."

Mary Margaret rolled her eyes but headed toward the dining room as Robin entered. He leaned against the fridge, arms crossed. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Kiss Regina senseless," Emma replied, taking another sip of beer.

Regina took the bottle from her and handed her the silverware. "You can make yourself useful as well."

Emma rolled her eyes but left the room, leaving Regina and Robin alone. He smiled. "So, aside from kissing you, what can I do?"

"I'm sorry about Emma."

He chuckled. "I've spent enough time with her and Killian to understand her sense of humor, Regina. Don't worry."

"Thanks," she said. "Now, how are you at carving a turkey? David is okay and Killian…well, we all agreed it was best to keep him from the big knife at all costs."

"I think I can understand why. Marian used to say my carving skills were passable, so I guess I can give it a try."

Regina handed him the knife and pointed him toward the turkey. "Good luck, Locksley."

Robin proved to be more adept at carving the turkey then either David or Killian. He placed the slices of meat on the platter, carrying it out as Mary Margaret herded everyone to the table. They all took their places, Henry positioning himself between his mother and his teacher. Roland sat on the other side of Robin and beamed when he saw his turkey in the middle of the table. He pointed to it. "Look, Ms. Blanchard, just like you said!"

"Yes, indeed, Roland." Mary Margaret had on what Regina called her teacher's voice. "It's the perfect decoration for our table."

Roland bounced in his seat as Emma served him some meat. Dishes were passed between everyone and Regina leaned back, proud of herself. This was her little dysfunctional family. And the Locksleys were worming their way into it.

Temperatures plunged as December began but people didn't mind as Storybrooke's Christmas traditions started up again. Regina and Henry took Robin and Roland to the annual tree lighting. They stood close together and it didn't escape her notice that they could pass as a real family. After the tree was lit, Henry and Roland scrambled to sit on Santa's lap and get their wishes in as early as possible. Robin and Regina stood off to the side, sipping spiced cider as they held cups of hot chocolate for their boys.

"So, any plans for the holidays?" Robin asked.

She shrugged. "Pretty much the same as Thanksgiving. Everyone comes over for Christmas Eve and then Henry and I spend Christmas by ourselves. You?"

"Roland and I are going to fly out the day after school ends to go visit my parents in England," he said. "We'll come back right before the New Year."

"Sounds nice." Regina took a sip of her spiced cider, trying to swallow down her disappointment as well. She realized part of her had expected to celebrate Christmas with Robin and Roland. The other part of her wondered what that meant.

"But we can work out a time to do a gift exchange," Robin said. "Roland would be upset if we didn't celebrate with you."

Regina smiled. "I believe Henry would feel the same. How about next weekend since you'll be gone right before Christmas?"

"Sounds perfect," he agreed, distracted as the boys ran back to them. He swung Roland onto his hip. "Did you tell Santa everything you want for Christmas?"

Roland nodded, glancing at Henry who winked. It didn't escape Regina's notice but she figured the boys could keep their secret for now. What could they have gotten up to anyway?

She handed her son his hot chocolate. "Why don't we go get you boys some cookies to go with those drinks?"

The boys cheered as she and Robin guided them toward the nearby bakery to continue their Christmas fun.

Henry was bouncing off the wall before Robin and Roland showed up for Christmas. He had made sure every ornament looked perfect on the tree and all the decorations were in place. "Do you think it's Christmassy enough?" he asked her.

"I think it's fine," Regina said. "And I think Roland will be too focused on the presents to care if Frosty is leaning slightly to the left."

"He is?" Henry turned to the snowman, frowning as he studied the decoration.

Regina sighed, gently turning her son back to her. "You sound like an adult. You're a ten years old boy, Henry. No need to worry about the decorations. Robin and Roland like us for us."

"You think so?"

She nodded, smiling. "Robin means a lot to you, doesn't he?"

"He does. You're great, Mom, but I really miss having a dad," Henry admitted.

"I know, baby." She held him close. "It's why I've always been so glad you're close to David."

"David's great and so is Dr. Hopper. But Robin's different. He's always taken the time to get to know me and I feel like he really listens, not just pretends to like some adults do. I feel like he could be a real dad."

"He is a real dad," Regina replied before she could stop himself. "And maybe that's why he's such a natural with you."

"Roland told me he likes being with you. I think he misses his mom less when you're around," Henry said.

Regina smiled, the sentiment warming her heart. "Well, I like having him around. He reminds me of you when you were his age."

Smiling, Henry tilted his head. "Do you like Robin?"

"Yes, I do. I know I didn't at first, but I was wrong. I judged him and didn't give my choice to get to know him," she said. "That was wrong of me."

Rolling his eyes, Henry said: "I wasn't asking for a lesson, Mom."

"Oh? Then why were you asking?" Regina's tone warned her son he was skating on thin ice.

He rolled back his attitude. "I was wondering…if you and Robin were considering dating."

"I…I…" Regina was at a loss for words. She generally kept Henry separate from her love life, not wanting to introduce him to a boyfriend unless it was serious. So she wasn't used to talking to her son about this sort of thing.

She cleared her throat and tried again. "We haven't talked about anything besides friendship. I don't think he wants more, Henry. It hasn't been long since he lost his wife. So you don't have to worry about me dating your teacher."

"But I want you to," Henry blurted out. "I like Robin and I think he'd be good for you."

Her son was full of surprises today. "You do?"

"Yes. You smile more when you're around him. And he has this smile that reminds me of David and Mary Margaret when he looks at you."

"He does?" Regina didn't know why that made her feel so happy. Or rather, she did…she just didn't know if she wanted to admit to herself yet.

Henry rolled his eyes. "Come on, Mom. Don't be so obtuse."

"What did you call me?"

"Obtuse. It means…"

"I know what it means." Regina crossed her arms. "Do you think that's wise to say to your mother? So close to Christmas?"

Henry's mouth snapped shut and he seemed to reconsider his line of thought. Regina relaxed…until he opened his mouth again. "If Robin asked you on a date, would you say yes?"

"Yes, I would," she admitted, deciding honesty was the best policy. When she saw Henry's eyes light up and the gears working behind them, she frowned. "But don't go pressuring him into something. If he's going to ask, he'll ask when he's ready. Got it?"

"Yes, ma'am," Henry mumbled, sounding dejected.

The doorbell rang and Regina smiled. "That's most likely them. Why don't you go get it?"

Henry perked up and he raced for the door. Regina picked up the plate of cookies she had prepared, bringing them out to the living room. She heard Henry greet Robin and Roland, offering to take their coats. It put a smile on her own face.

"Regina!" Roland threw his arms around her, hugging her tightly. "Merry Christmas!"

She laughed, hugging him back. "Merry Christmas to you, Roland."

"Can we open presents first? I really want you to see what I got you! I made it all by myself…well, Papa helped a little, but it was mostly me." He was bouncing at this point.

"If no one else has any objections to opening presents first…" She looked up, eyes meeting Henry's. He nodded, excited, as Robin wrapped his arms around the boy. Regina glanced back down at Roland. "We can open presents first."

Roland cheered and raced toward his father. "Where are the presents, Papa? I want to give Regina hers."

"What do you say, Roland?" Robin prompted.

The boy sighed. "Please?"

Smiling, Robin handed his son the bag Regina guessed was filled with presents. "Here you go. Make sure to hand them out carefully."

"Yes, Papa." Roland opened the bag and started sorting through them.

Henry darted past her. "I'll get our presents to them, Mom."

"Well, since the children have everything under control, shall we have a seat, milady?" Robin bowed, arm extended toward her couch.

She smiled, taking a seat next to him. He rested his arm along the back, his hand brushing against her neck. "Thank you for letting him open the presents. He's been excited all day."

"Well, I am curious as to what he got me," she replied, smiling as Roland approached her with a lumpy present. "Is this for me?"

Roland nodded, beaming. "I wrapped it myself as well."

"He did," Robin confirmed. "Even used his safety scissors so he didn't need my help at all."

The thought touched Regina and she cupped the boy's cheek. "You're the sweetest," she told him.

He bounced as she undid the mess of tape holding it together then ripped away some of the paper until she found her gift—a picture frame that was painted white. Names were written on each side—"Papa" in green, "Roland" in blue, "Henry" in red, and "Regina" in purple. Inside was a picture of the four of them from the tree lighting, smiling at the camera as the tree lights twinkled behind them.

"This is great," she said, pulling Roland in for a hug. "And I know just where to put it."

She stood, taking his hand, and walked over the end table already overflowing with pictures. Moving aside one of her and Henry from their summer vacation as well as Henry's school picture, she set the frame right in the middle. "There we go."

Roland wrapped his arm around her leg as he took in his gift's new home. "Perfect," he said. "Now we're a family."

Her heart skipped a beat at his statement and warmth spread throughout her. She ran a hand through his curls. "Why don't you go open your presents?"

"Yeah, I have one for you," Henry said, holding out a box to Roland. The boy cheered as he took it, sitting next to Henry to open it.

Regina grabbed a present and returned to the couch, holding it out to Robin. "This is for you from me. Merry Christmas."

He didn't take it, though, instead watching her with a strange expression in his eyes. "You didn't have to do that. You can move the picture frame when we leave. I don't think he'll notice."

"Do I seem like the person who would do that?" she asked, frowning. "The picture frame is staying."

Robin smiled, taking her hand. "Thank you, Regina. It means a lot to him. Especially with Marian gone…"

"Is this your first Christmas without her?"

He shook his head. "Second."

"It's still hard," she said, squeezing his hand. "This will be my eighth Christmas without Daniel and there's still a part of me that hurts over that fact."

"But it hurts less every year?"

She nodded. "And you have Roland. Henry got me through those first few Christmases."

They looked at where their children were playing with their gifts—identical lightsabers. Robin chuckled. "It seems we had to the same idea."

"Great minds," she replied before handing him his present again. "Now will you open this?"

Robin nodded, ripping off the paper to reveal the book inside. His smile grew as he looked up. "Our Gods Wear Spandex?"

"It's a book about comics, superheroes and a new mythology," she explained. "I thought you would appreciate it."

He laughed. "I think I will. At least I'll have something to read on the plane going to England.

"Now, it's your turn." He pulled out a small square box from his bag and handed it to her. "Happy Christmas, Regina."

She tore open the paper to find a blue box underneath. It sent her heart racing and she struggled to keep her breathing under control. This was not what she thought it was—he no doubt earned the same she did and it would not be enough to buy anything from Tiffany's in only a few months of employment. Lifting the lid, she found an engraved crystal disc inside.

A teacher takes a HAND, opens a MIND, and touches a HEART.

"Robin," she said, softly. "It's beautiful."

"Thank you. I know it's a bit cliché to give a teacher something about teaching…trust me, I know…but I saw this and well…I thought it would look lovely on your desk."

She leaned over and kissed his cheek. "It will. Thank you so much."

"Mom, can Roland and me go play in my room?" Henry asked.

Regina sighed, resisting the urge to correct his grammar. "Yes, you may. Dinner will be ready in an hour."

They raced from the room, lightsabers in hand, as Regina put her present down. "I should go check on dinner, actually."

"Do you need any help?" Robin stood, setting his book aside.

She shrugged. "I guess you could help set the table."

He followed her into the kitchen and she motioned to where the dishes were kept. Robin made no move to grab them though, staring at her. She frowned. "Is something wrong?"

"Just that I hope that I'm not reading this wrong," he replied.

Before she could question what he meant, his lips were on hers. Her eyes remained open but his were screwed shut as he poured more fire into the kiss than she had experienced in any kiss she had gotten since Daniel's death.

As her eyes fluttered closed and she was about to return the kiss, he pulled away. He blinked a few times, panic filling his blue eyes. "Regina, I'm sorry if I misinterpreted…"

Oh, hell no. He was not going to think he had to apologize for that. She fisted his sweater and pulled him closer, crashing her lips against hers. Regina poured the same amount of fire and passion and want into it as Robin had his, trying to show him that his feelings were returned.

They parted, breathing heavily. Robin kept his eyes closed a bit longer and she kept a firm hold on his sweater. "Wow," he breathed.

"I know," she replied. "You're a really good kisser."

He grinned. "I was going to say the same about you."

"Now what?" she asked, leaning closer to him.

"A date? After New Year's, once I'm back from England and everything's calmed down from the holiday?"

She nodded. "That sounds lovely."

"Then we'll have dinner together soon," he said, kissing her again.

A/N: So this prompt got split into two parts by me. Sorry, Taylor Anne, that this is about four months AFTER you left the prompt. But I hope you enjoy it! (Well the first part). I hope to have the second part up really soon!

-Mac