Hello, lovelies!
I would apologize for the long silence between chapters but, you guys know how this works. I'm a real person with a real life, currently working two VERY demanding jobs while trying to balance having some semblance of a personal life. Writing is hard, especially when you don't get to do it as often as you'd like. Ideas can get stale the longer you put them off and, I'm terrible at brainstorming. There's so much I'd like to explore with the Missing Year and there's even more I'd like to do with Season 7, because despite my initial issues with a LOT of things, there were enjoyable storylines that I'd love to incorporate into this story because they just fit to me and, I don't wanna do the typical OQ Missing Year fic. I wanna explore more things, create my own little world and characters and ideas. I get how Eddie and Adam felt when they wrote the actual Missing Year in canon. There's so much you wanna cover but, in order to keep viewers, or in my case readers, interested, you gotta leave a LOT of stuff on the cutting room floor. This means for MWTLT, there are a LOT of things you guys won't see, namely what happens with Neal in Camelot, as well as some stuff with Zelena. It doesn't mean that it won't be explained or mentioned in later chapters or the sequel (I've got a surprise for you guys concerning that at the end of the chapter). It just means that currently, Neal is still in Camelot searching for a way to free Merlin. He does but, it may not be revealed exactly how he does it. Anywho, let's dive into the next chapter, shall we? Oooh, also at the end of the chapter, I'm going to give you guys a sneak peek at the sequel. It's a working title but I'm thinking of calling it 'Circle of Life', like the Lion King but with a twist that incorporates some stuff from Season 7. This note got entirely too long, here's the next chapter.
I hope you guys enjoy!
Xx
Camelot:
There was no way this was happening; Neal had tried everything he knew how he's exhausted all avenues of magic trying to free Merlin. It's frustrating, absolutely frustrating; he wants to get home, but he knows that if he can't free Merlin, he'll probably never see Emma and Henry again. He's snuck out to the courtyard every night for the last month but still, nothing happens. On this particular night, however, he can't take it and lets loose his frustrations.
"This is bullshit! I've been here, standing at this stupid tree every night for the past month, waiting for a sign and still, nothing happens," Neal stared angrily at the tree; his hands shook with anger.
"The tree isn't the answer, but it is very important to you finding your way back home, getting back to Emma and Henry and saving your family," Neal stood completely still when he heard the voice from behind him.
"It's alright Neal, I won't hurt you," Slowly, Neal turned around.
"The name's Merlin," the man standing in front of him gave him a lopsided smile.
Things just got interesting.
oOoOo
She's frowning and that for Robin Locksley is never a good sign. She's been standing in the mirror for the past half hour staring at herself, turning this way and that. The one thing that hasn't changed is that scowl.
She's starting to show, correction, she's past starting to show. There's a full-on baby bump.
"Regina, you're pregnant; it's normal for you to-"
"I can't use my magic anymore," Even her voice sounds like a frown.
"Beg pardon?" Regina sighs heavily before finally turning to face him.
"I said, my magic, I can't use it anymore to hide her," This time it's Robin's turn to frown.
"You've been hiding her for-"
"She doesn't like it she…every time I use my magic to cloak my stomach, she reverses it," Robin can't help but chuckle; apparently, their daughter wasn't a fan of being hidden.
"Well, maybe we should-"
"No, Robin! We can't tell people! Rumple said-"
"I know what he said, but if she's not being cooperative, what other options do we have? Regina, it's been months; no one's seen or heard from Zelena," Robin places his arms on her shoulders, gives them a gentle rub.
"I know that Robin but still, someone in this castle got close enough to help her escape,"
"And we know who that was; it was Drizella's mother, Lady Tremaine," Regina scoffed, pulling from his embrace.
"Who insists that this is all just a plot from Drizella in order to get revenge on her," Robin shook his head as he stood there, watching his wife pace.
"You've spent time with Drizella, what do you think?" Regina finally stopped pacing and turned to face Robin.
"Something's off about her, but I can't figure out what," Robin moved across the room toward his wife. He stilled her movements by placing his hands on her swollen belly.
"How far along are you now?"
"Almost seven months," Regina muttered.
"Hm. That means our little girl we be here soon," Robin's hands gently rubbed along her stomach, though his smile turned into a grin when he felt a little foot kick at his hand.
"She's feisty this one, much like her mother," He leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her lips, causing Regina to shake her head.
"How the hell are you so calm?" She sighed.
"One of us has to remain calm; that and, I've a feeling in my gut that no matter what happens, we'll all be okay,"
"Not all of us; he's been gone over a year, Robin. I haven't seen my son, haven't held him in almost two years," Robin pulls her a bit tighter; he knows this pain, has lived it with her since their return to The Enchanted Forest.
"I know love, which is why we've been working on a plan to get back there; so that you and Snow and David can be reunited with your children,"
"Yes, plans that don't seem to work or require too much magic or a price no one is willing to pay,"
"There is one way…" He knows she doesn't like talking about it but, it's the only option they keep coming back to.
"Absolutely not!" He sees the fire in her eyes when he mentions reversing the curse that sent them back here.
"Regina-"
"That curse cost me dearly the first time Robin! Do you really think I'm willing to cast it again now that there are people I…no. I miss Henry, I miss Henry with every fiber of my being, but I can't cast that curse, and there's no one powerful enough to cast it, at least, no one who'd be willing to crush the heart of the thing they love most," He hates talking about it, but he thinks it could work. And surely, something could be done to alter that curse so that no one loses their life. Unfortunately, Belle has been looking for an alternative to casting The Dark Curse without such a steep price but sadly, she's come up empty-handed.
"Regina-"
"End of discussion Robin; let's talk about something else, like how the hell I'm gonna keep this bump hidden," Robin shakes his head as he allows Regina to return back into his embrace.
"You're determined to be stubborn, aren't you little lady?" Robin's hands are back on her stomach, causing Regina to smile.
"I'm starting to think the magic makes her uncomfortable. I can't feel it, but maybe she can?"
"Hm. Perhaps we should have a chat with Rumplestiltskin and Maleficent about this,"
"Mal is hibernating," Regina says with an eye roll.
"Hibernating?"
"It's a dragon thing; certain times of the year she goes to her castle, shifts into Dragon form and sleeps…don't ask," Robin chuckles.
"Sounds nice,"
"I wish I could hibernate for the next two-and-a-half months,"
"Pregnancy getting to you, your majesty?"
"Nobody told me how damn uncomfortable this would be. Those Evil Queen dresses aren't as appealing as they used to be. All I want right now is to be curled up in a pair of leggings…God, I miss Storybrooke," Robin's arms move to her waist, giving her a little squeeze. He nuzzles his face into the crook of her neck, their eyes staring back at one another in the mirror.
"We'll get back there soon enough, just you, me, our boys, and this little one," Regina chuckles, tosses her head back and laughs lightly.
"I'm never gonna get used to this,"
"What?"
"Being married, having three kids,"
"But you're happy, right?" There's a slight pause.
"I am, but I won't be truly happy until Henry's with us again…I can't wait to see him with the baby,"
"Neither can I; I saw how he was with Roland, I'm more than certain this little one is going to have two fierce protectors in her big brothers,"
"Do you think we did the right thing by telling him?" They'd only recently told Roland about the baby, swearing him to secrecy, well, as much secrecy as a five-year-old can manage.
"Regina, he loves you and is, and I quote 'absolutely excited to be a big brother'," Regina chuckles; she closes her eyes and sighs heavily.
"I know he loves me but…this is a lot. For most of his life, it's just been you and him and the Merry Men. Now he's got this whole other family, a stepmom-"
"You're his mother Regina, we've been over this," Regina sighs and rolls her eyes.
"I don't want him to forget his mother Robin,"
"He won't, but a boy needs a mum, and he saw how incredible you were with Henry…he already thinks of you as his mother," Regina turns to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"He does, is just too shy to vocalize it is all," Tears well up in Regina's eyes.
"He says I'm his mother?" Robin leans forward, bussing a quick kiss to her lips.
"He does,"
"God I love that child, he's managed to be unphased by the entire thing,"
"Children are resilient, as I expect our girl to be," Regina smiles and shakes her head.
"I love you," It takes Robin by surprise; she doesn't say it often, and not in the open. Regina notices the shift in demeanor.
"Robin?" She looks at him questioningly.
"Nothing; it's the first time you've said it aloud, aside from when we're making love," Regina grins, kissing him softly.
"I know; Robin, I never want you to doubt how much I love you, or Roland or this baby. I don't say it because I don't want to put any of you at risk," Robin frowns.
"Put us at risk?"
"Love is weakness, loving me is weakness," Regina says with a sigh as she casts her eyes downward.
"Nonsense; Regina, look at me. Loving you is perhaps the greatest thing I could've ever chosen to do and you? You choosing to love again after all the pain you've been through, that milady is the bravest thing I've ever seen,"
oOoOo
Zelena has been living in exile for the last seven months. Ever since she escaped her execution with the help of Lady Tremaine she's been searching for a way to destroy Regina. Neal has yet to return from Camelot, which has led her to believe that he's dead. There's no way she sent him on that trip months ago and he hasn't returned, or at least sent word that he's alive. Perhaps Arthur had gotten to him…
She sighed heavily when she heard the light tapping coming from the window. Ever so often she would receive messages, presumably from someone in Regina's castle. She never knew who sent them, but sporadically, a black raven would appear at the window seal, a piece of parchment paper in its beak with a message written invisible ink that gave her information about Regina.
Carefully, she opened the window, allowing the little bird inside.
"Alright you, out with it," Zelena held out a hand for the bird to place the note into her hand.
With a wave of her hand, the words appeared,
The time is slowly approaching for the child to arrive; Regina is unable to cloak her in magic.
The heroes are discussing ways to get back to the other world
You must find Excalibur at once.
Zelena shook her head in annoyance; Neal had been gone for nearly a year with no word on his search for the sword.
"Well, it looks like if you need something done, you have to do it yourself," Zelena said with a sigh as she prepared for a trip to Camelot.
Chapter 38 to follow…
And now, as promised, a sneak peek at the Sequel to Man With the Lion Tattoo where we get to see Robin and Regina's teenage daughter Arden!
The air feels wonderful as it hits her face. Her heart is pumping fast and free with each leap and jump she takes. Her hair is coming out of the messy bun it had been tied into this morning, a few loose tendrils falling into her face, the hassles of wearing a helmet. This is where she's most happy, frolicking through the meadows on her favorite horse, Magenta. Magenta is a large chocolate brown mare her parents brought her when she was seven. Magenta is her most trusted companion, much like her mother was with her horse Rocinante when she was a girl.
Being out in the fresh air gives Arden a chance to clear her head, a way to decompress if you will. School was a pain in the ass this year; she just wants a few seconds to unwind, to let her mind go blank and just be free. Plus, she doesn't have to think about the weird way Nia suggested that she liked Jo. That was just plain weird, besides; she's got a crush on Ryan Nottingham. She grins when she thinks back to their conversation earlier in the hall.
The horse comes to a slow trot, pulling Arden out of her thoughts. Magenta is beyond tired the way her body moves throughout the meadow as they head back towards the stables. When she pulls off her helmet she can see her father beaming at her with pride. Her mother is there also, but she's off to the side on the phone, most likely a business call. She's been doing that lately, on the phone with…whoever she's been talking to for the past few months. Her mother is a woman in high demand; you would be too if you were an Evil Queen (correction, former Evil Queen) who was responsible for all the magic in all the realms, on top of being the mayor of an ever-growing town while trying to raising a family.
"Hey, how'd I do?" Arden carefully climbs off her horse, giving the mare an affectionate pat on the nose. She takes a moment to shake loose her bun before tying back into a perfect knot on top of her head.
"You were wonderful my darling," Her father Robin is still beaming with pride as he plants a kiss on her cheek.
"Thank you, daddy, I really needed that," Arden takes a deep breath, closing her eyes and allowing herself to breathe in the fresh air.
"I know you did; with school ending and all. Bet you were excited to get here," Arden smiles back.
"You know I was! I can't believe school's out for summer,"
"Neither can I; with school being over that means your birthday's fast approaching,"
"I'm so excited! I'm gonna be 16 soon, going to the Eleventh Grade…" She lets the sentence linger.
"Straight A's on your report card I presume?" Robin chuckles.
"That is, if Geometry didn't kick my butt; it was a doozy this year," Arden says as Robin gives her a look.
"Too much time on your cell phone keeping you from doing your best?"
"No daddy; I'm sure I did fine," Arden laughs.
"Mm. I'm sure you did too, but school can be rather stressful. Not to mention things have been rather tense around the house with your mother yeah?" Robin reaches forward to tuck away stray a piece of hair behind her ear.
"Yeah; she's been in a pretty crabby mood…I don't blame Rowan for sneaking off to Roland's every chance she gets," Robin chuckles, she's got a point.
"I think she's been trying to help Alex with the wedding," Arden rolls her eyes.
"Don't do that, Alex is nice,"
"I'm not saying she isn't nice, I'm just-,"
"Worried that you'll no longer be his favorite girl anymore?"
Roland proposed to Alexandra a few months ago and everyone has been over the moon. Her mother Cinderella (or Ashley as she's called in this world) and Snow have had more of a hand in the planning than Regina for obvious reasons. Arden, however, has been pretty ambivalent about the entire thing. Robin suspects it's because she's worried about her place in Roland's life; the two have been almost inseparable since she could walk, thick as thieves those two.
"Nah, I was never number one, that was always mom," Arden says with a shrug.
"And with him marrying Alex, that'll knock you to what, number three? That is, if he and Alex don't have children of their own, then you'll be number four, possibly number five…" Robin's grinning now.
"Daddy!"
"I'm only teasing love,"
"I know, I know…" Arden says with a roll of her eyes
"Are you sure? Because I happen to know how much Roland loves you," Robin smiles softly at his daughter as she smiles back at him. He figured she needed that bit of reassurance.
"Yes, I'm sure. So, has mom told you what's been going on with her lately? With all the secret meetings and phone calls she's been having over the last few months?" Robin shakes his head; he knows she's trying to change the subject and goes along with it.
"You know your mother; when it comes to the affairs of Storybrooke…"
"I leave work at work; no need to bring that messiness into my home life," Arden repeats the mantra with ease; her mother's been saying it for as long as she can remember.
"You know her so well; you even sound like her," Robin chuckles; he likes the idea of leaving work at work, but finds it to be annoying at times that Regina doesn't always stick to her rule. She's been tight-lipped about whatever is going on with the secret phone calls and meetings with Rumplestiltskin and Mal. He's been meaning to ask her but, he knows that she'll tell him when she's ready. Just as they're about to further discuss what the queen's been up to, she makes her way over to them.
"Now what are the odds that you'd come over just as we were talking about you?" Robin leans in to give his wife a kiss.
"Talking about me eh? Nothing but good things I presume?" Regina gives him a grin, leans in and kisses him once more.
"Only good things of course,"
"Hi," Robin and Regina stand there smiling at one another like two idiots in love.
"Hello love; didn't see you come in,"
"Magic usually doesn't make a sound," Regina shrugs.
"It doesn't, but I can normally sense your presence, the power of soulmates and all,"
"Ew, you guys are disgusting," Arden mutters; Regina shakes her head.
"I didn't know being happy and in love was considered disgusting, did you, Regina?" Robin raises an eyebrow in teasing.
"I had no idea saying hello to my husband could be considered disgusting,"
"Okay, so it's not disgusting; I just find it quite ironic that mom complains when Snow and Charming do it,"
"That's because Snow and Charming are attention seekers; they think the whole world deserves to see their love. Your father and I only share our moments when it's just us," Regina reaches out to hold Robin's hand.
"You guys are weird," Arden shakes her head but proceeds to greet her mother with a hug.
"Hello to you too; by the way, I saw your jumps out there, impressive." Her mother leans forward to give her a kiss on the cheek. Arden and her sister have always understood from a young age that their mother was a woman in high demand, being the Queen and all. However, Regina Mills has always made sure that her children and husband know they're a top priority in her life.
"I didn't think you'd be here; long day at the office?"
"Like you wouldn't believe," Regina lets out a long sigh.
"I saw you when I was coming over the hill. How'd you know where to find me anyways?
"You're predictable," Regina teases; Arden rolls her eyes.
"I am not!"
"You kinda are; that and, Rowan texted me and told me I'd find you here. Y'know, after I finished my schoolwork and any other lessons my mother had planned I'd run off to the stables when I was your age,"
"What can I say? Like mother like daughter I guess," Arden shrugs, causing Regina to chuckle lightly.
"Arden and I were just talking about school ending and the upcoming royal wedding," Regina groans and rolls her eyes; Robin knows just how to annoy her about the wedding.
"Ugh. Can we please not call it a royal wedding? In fact, can we not mention the fact that both of my boys have life-changing events coming up in the next few months?"
"Still not ready to let go eh, your majesty?" Regina gives Robin's hand a squeeze.
"They'll always be my babies,"
"Hey, you've still got me and Rowan if that's any consolation," Arden says hopefully as Regina reaches out to cup her cheek.
"It is, but try not to grow up so fast, will you? I'm already dreading your birthday,"
"Mom, it's just a birthday,"
"It's not just any birthday; it's your sweet sixteen,"
"I'm still curious as to why they call it a 'Sweet Sixteen'," Robin muses.
"I've lived in this world a long time and I still don't have a clue," Regina says as her phone rings; this time, she sends the call to voicemail. She doesn't miss the look Robin and Arden give her so she explains,
"Work call, it can wait, especially when I'm with two of my favorite people," Regina grins, though Arden is curious and asks,
"Who was it?" Regina sighs heavily, tucking her hair behind her ear.
"Why don't we talk about that when we get home?" Arden nods her head before heading towards the stables to grab her bag and her bottle of water before following her parents out to the parking lot.
oOo
The Locksley home is exquisite, taking up an entire corner lot at the end of Mifflin Street. Her mother makes sure that their home is well kept, putting insane rules in place, like placing your shoes in the mudroom after coming inside. Arden has always loved her home, found it to be a safe place, a place of comfort. She loves the regalness of it; totally fitting for a queen to raise her family.
Arden got Nia to drop her off at the stables; she'd texted her father to let him know to pick her up. When they leave, she decides to ride back with her mother, who insists on discussing her birthday.
"Are you sure you don't want anything spectacular?" They've just pulled into the garage when she asks the question.
"No mom," Arden rolls her eyes.
"Arden it's your birthday,"
"I really don't wanna do a big birthday bash; I just want something small and intimate,"
"Alright, if you're sure…"
"I am," With that, they get out of the car and head inside through the mudroom.
When she gets inside, Regina shakes her head; Robin's trying, once again, to sneak into the house with his shoes on.
"Robin, shoes off; you know the rules." Robin shakes his head at his wife, toeing out of his shoes and placing them in a cubby in the mudroom.
"I still don't see what the bloody big deal is about wearing shoes in the house. You wear them, the girls wear them," He mutters.
"Your dirty work boots aren't allowed anywhere near my hardwood floors or my White carpet," With that, Regina walks into the kitchen.
"Don't worry, I'm not allowed to wear my boots from the stables inside either. Maybe it's because she got tired of Henry and Roland tracking mud into the house all of the time." Arden pulls her hair out of its ponytail, giving it a shake. She carefully deposits her riding boots into the cubby sanctioned as hers since she was eight.
"At least someone knows how to follow the rules!" Regina calls out; Robin ignores her and rolls his eyes, begrudgingly toeing out of his boots.
"You really were fantastic out there; you're a natural at it, just like your mother," Robin tells his daughter.
Arden blushes; it's kind of a big deal for her when she gets compared to her mother. Those are a pretty big pair of stilettos to try and live up to.
"Everyone says I'm just like her; but sometimes, I just wanna be my own person. It's like… I'm either a mini Regina or…you know, the purveyor of Gray magic," Her magical abilities are something she doesn't like talking about much.
"I know, but you are your mother's daughter and that includes your magical abilities." Arden sighs, leaning into her father's embrace as he gently sways them back and forth.
"Sometimes, I wish Rowan were the oldest and I was just a plain old true love kid like Shane." Robin runs his hands through Arden's hair; he understands how she feels. Being the daughter of a queen and one of the strongest practitioners of magic can be quite stressful, especially for a girl her age.
"I know darling, but that's why you should talk to your mother and I about these things. If you don't talk to us, there's always Emma; she understands what it's like to have such power far better than any of us." Arden nods. She likes Emma and she does understand; she is the savior after all.
"I know daddy," Arden sighs against her father's chest.
"The most important thing to remember is that you're not alone in any of this; your mother and I will always be here for you Arden. We love you," This is why she loves her father, he's a gentle soul and has this way of making life seem so simple when it feels like it's chaotic.
"Thanks, daddy, I can always count on you to make me feel better." Arden murmurs into his shirt; she inhales his scent and finds comfort in that familiar smell of forest.
"Anytime love, that's what daddies are for,"
"Hey, everything okay in here?" Her mother has poked her head into the mudroom; she looks so much smaller when she's not wearing her heels.
"Everything's fine; just having a daddy-daughter moment is all." Regina leans against the doorframe and smiles at the two of them. The love she feels for these two is unexplainable, it hits her in the chest out of nowhere.
"You really were fantastic today honey; I know you feel like I haven't been paying you any attention because I've been so busy lately and I'm sorry about that," Regina says, moving across the room to gently stroke her daughter's cheek; Arden will be 16 soon but to Regina she'll always be that tiny little girl ripped out of her arms just before the curse.
"Exactly what have you been up to? You've been spending more time at the office and on the phone with Rumple and having secret meetings with Aunt Mal. Mom, what's going on?" Regina sighs, her girls definitely inherited Robin's inability to sense her moods.
"Well, I was going to wait until your sister got home but, I guess I might as well tell you all now. Rumple, Mal and I have been working on opening up a school…a magic school." Regina says as Arden and Robin look at her curiously.
"A magic school?" Robin tilts his head to the side, studying his wife.
"Yes; Rumple thinks it would be a great way to introduce the kids to magic. It would be really helpful if they were taught in a safe, controlled environment," Regina says diplomatically.
"But is he the right person to be building a magic school? I mean, he is the Dark One after all." Arden says flippantly, though she quickly retracts the statement once she sees the look on her mother's face.
"Oh, Mom, I didn't mean-" Regina holds up a hand to silence her.
"It's fine; I understand the distrust towards Rumple. I was The Evil Queen for many years; to some people I still am. The point is, Rumple thinks it's time your generation learned about magic. Your father and I won't live forever honey," Arden swallows the lump in her throat at the thought of her parents not being around for the rest of her life. It's not something you tend to think about often when you live in a town full of fairy tale characters.
"Is that a wise thing to do? Especially with the town having so many nonmagical folk?" Robin asks, and it's an honest question. For the most part, Storybrooke's extended residents are kept out of the magical loop, though there are a few who know to an extent that magic exists.
"That's the thing; we're not sure if the school should be open to nonmagical people or not,"
"What happens when the school is opened?" Arden asks.
"Well, children born to royalty or have special kinds of magic would definitely be required to attend." Arden's eyes widen in shock at the news.
"But, mom! That means I would have to go!"
"I know, but so would Shane and Jo and your sister,"
"Mom, that's so not the point!"
"Honey we've talked about this; it's time you started learning magic,"
"But, mmmooom! I like it when you teach me! I don't wanna go to a school to learn about magic!" Of course, she sounds like a petulant child but, her magical abilities have always been a sore spot.
"And I like teaching you, but sweetheart there's only so much out there that I can teach you. It'd be good for you," Regina says softly.
"But, mom! I barely hang around the other royals anyway! I'm just so…different," Arden says with a sigh.
"You're not different," Regina argues.
"Yes, I am! My mother is the Evil Queen and she's in charge of all of the magic in all of the realms! Not to mention you're also the mayor of Storybrooke. My dad is Robin Hood and he's the fire chief, plus I'm this…prophesized purveyor of Gray magic! That doesn't exactly scream normal mom," Arden says with a sigh.
"There's nothing wrong with being special darling; besides…your mother has a point. You are getting older and one day, you're going to be in charge of keeping a lot of people safe. We'd like very much for you to know what you're doing and how to control your powers when that day comes," Robin tells her.
"But, daddy! I don't wanna be a princess, or the mayor's daughter, or the most powerful practitioner of magic! I just wanna be 15 and go to high school and learn to drive and have a boyfriend and-"
"Everything else you can do, but no boyfriends until you're 40 and I'm dead," Regina can't help but chuckle at how protective Robin is of their girls.
"Come on dad! Henry and Roland both had girlfriends when they were 15!" Arden argues.
"She's got a point, Robin," Regina says with a shrug.
"Yes, but still, they weren't the ones who could end up pregnant, and that's the last thing I want for my girls, for either of them!" Robin argues.
"Dad, all of the girls my age have boyfriends and none of them have gotten pregnant! Even girls younger than me have boyfriends! You're being unreasonable!" Arden argues, folding her arms across her chest.
"Alright, let's put this discussion on the backburner, shall we? Today's been a great day so far and I'd like to end it on a high note. So, if you two don't mind, I could really use some assistance in the kitchen…I'm making lasagna and apple pie," Regina says, really hoping her bribe of lasagna and apple pie helps.
"Fine; I'll start peeling the apples," Arden says with an eye roll before stalking out of the mudroom, leaving Robin and Regina alone.
oOo
"You really have to stop doing that Robin," Regina says softly as he gawks at her.
"I have to stop?! Regina, she's my daughter and as her father, it's my duty to protect her!" Robin shouts.
"Robin, she's 15 and as a girl who was once 15, you being the overbearing father isn't really helping. If you don't back off from this she's going to start keeping things from us and when the time comes I want her to feel comfortable enough to talk to us and tell us what's going on in her life. Don't you want that too?" Regina says, moving towards him and wrapping her arms around his neck.
"You're not playing fair," Robin mumbles.
"Yes, I am. You know, I find you incredibly sexy when you're in your protective daddy mode." Regina mutters, pressing kisses along his neck.
"Do you?" Robin chuckles, letting his hands travel down her waist to cup her ass, an all too familiar glint in his eyes.
"Robin, we can't do this here, our daughter-" Regina giggles as Robin presses several kisses to her lips, cheeks, and neck.
"Is all the way in the kitchen peeling apples and if she's not distracted on her cell phone," Robin says, turning them so that Regina is pressed against the door of the linen closet. Regina uses her magic to close the door and to cast a light soundproofing spell around the room.
"God I love that you have magic…those soundproofing spells really come in handy in times like these,"
"You are so bad Robin Locksley," Regina grins, pulling her husband in for a kiss.
"Mm. Well, it was you who started it, your majesty. You know I've a soft spot for you complimenting me on my skills as a father," Robin's hands have carefully slipped underneath the White blouse Regina is wearing, cupping her breasts through her bra just so.
"Mm. How long do you think we have before she notices what we're doing?" Regina asks, unzipping his pants and reaching into his boxers.
"I'd say 15, 20 minutes tops," Robin murmurs against her neck.
"Well then thief, I suggest we use that time wisely." With that, Robin is hiking her skirt up her thighs as her legs immediately wrap around his waist.
"As you wish milady,"