"Daniel," she whispered, how was this possible? How was he here? He was dead! She had seen him die in front of her eyes, twice! "You're not real," she shook her head, swiping at the tears that rolled down her cheeks, "you can't be here! You're dead!"
"No, no I'm not, I'm here."
She shook her head violently, "this can't be happening," her breaths quickened as she placed her hands on her abdomen, closing her eyes she began to hyperventilate.
"Regina," he reached out and touched her, "I'm here, see I'm real."
"You can't be!" She cried. She had killed so many people, done so many evil things and all of it was to avenge his death, he couldn't be alive, everything she had done would have no justification, not that it really did anyway, but this made it so much worse.
"Your mother, she placed me under a sleeping curse, before using some transformation spell on someone to make them look like me and controlling them."
"No," she grasped the bar to stable herself as she worked on controlling her breathing.
"Gina?" She looked up and saw Robin hurrying towards her.
Robin knew she wanted to go alone, but he remembered something else he wanted, so thought he might as well go along. When he reached the door and saw his wife, she was drip white, as though she'd seen a ghost. There were tears rolling down her face and worry immediately took over him. "Regina, are you okay?" He asked bypassing the man standing in front of her and placing his hands over hers on her stomach, searching her eyes for any indication as to what was wrong with her. "Gina?!"
She snapped out of her trance and grasped Robin's hands, oh god, Robin, her husband Robin, the man she loved with her whole soul and here he was stood next to her first love. She glanced from one to the other and shook her head, "no."
"Regina," both men stated at the same time; Robin turned to look at the man behind him and frowned, "what's going on? Why were you touching my wife?"
"Wife?" Daniel asked, looking at Regina so hard she thought he was going to burn a hole right through her. She had to turn away, still holding onto Robin's hand. "Regina?"
She closed her eyes and shook her head, "I can't do this."
"Do what? Gina?" Robin was confused, he didn't know what was going on, or who this man was, but it seemed as though they knew each other, however that was possible, if they did, he felt as though he deserved to know how
"Regina, you're married?"
She nodded, "I can't talk to you now, I need some time," she sighed.
"Won't you…"
"No Daniel, I said I can't do this now!" She dropped Robin's hand and ran out the door.
Robin furrowed his eyebrows as he watched her leave, he should follow her, but he wanted to quiz this man first, wanted to know why he had gotten her so upset. "What the hell did you just do?"
Daniel laughed humourlessly and shook his head, "do you even know who I am?"
"No I don't, so I'm expecting that you're going to tell me." Robin narrowed his eyes at the man, why was he playing games and not just telling him outright?
"I'm Regina's first love."
Robin's mouth dropped open and his eyes went wide, Daniel! That's the Daniel Regina was referring to, this was crazy, she had told him that he was dead, she had said that it was his death which caused her to become the Evil Queen. "Oh my god."
"And you are?"
"Robin, Hood."
"I see," Daniel nodded.
As much as he would like to stay here and ask Daniel questions, such as, how the hell was he alive? He knew he needed to go and make sure that Regina was alright. Then the reality of the situation hit him, Regina had done everything in her power to avenge this man, tried everything she could to bring him back to her, she had risked so much for him; what if she still loved him? What if she decided she wanted to be with him? Robin wouldn't be able to cope if she left him, but now he knew exactly how she must have felt the year before when they had thought Marian was alive again, how she must have felt when he, being a stupid fool, had insisted that he must follow his dumb code and stay with Marian.
"I'm sure she'll want to talk to you later," Robin stated looking to the bar and noticing that Regina had left her drinks there.
"My rooms 183."
"Okay," he nodded in response, "I'm going to go and check on her." Robin sighed, not even bidding the other man goodbye before picking up the drinks and hurrying out, back towards their room. When he reached it, he came across Regina sat on the step outside their apartments, "hi."
She looked up and cast him a look of despair, "I forgot the room key."
"Come on, let's go in," he unlocked the door and they both walked inside. Regina sat down and placed her head in her hands, "wanna talk about it?"
"What? Talk about the fact that my first true love is back alive, or wasn't even dead to begin with, whatever?"
"Does this change this what we have?" Robin asked, feeling extremely worried.
"Are you serious?" She spat, narrowing her eyes at him, "what you think just because my first love is back from the dead, I am going to up and leave you? That's not how it works Robin, not when you love someone, but I'd forgotten that you think it does." She was angry that he would even contemplate that she would leave him, after everything they had been through together, everything they had shared with one another.
"Regina, I'm sorry," he shook his head, "I didn't mean…"
"Robin I need some space."
"What are you talking about?"
"Robin!" She glared at him, the look of compassion mixed with confusion in his eyes did little to change her mind, she was too annoyed at him, it was probably her hormones that were making her worse.
"Babe, don't push me away."
She took a shuddery breath and one of her hands came up to cover her mouth, she darted into the bathroom, dropping to the floor and emptying the contents of her stomach into the toilet bowl. She felt Robin come behind her, scooping her hair from her face and rubbing her back gently. She sat back and leant into him, allowing the tears to flow down her cheeks, "Robin," she cried.
"It's okay," he kissed her temple, dropping her hair and pulling her into his arms.
She shook her head, "I killed so many people, did so many terrible things and he was alive the whole time!" She shook, her body wracked with sobs, "what does that make me?!"
"Oh Regina," he held her tightly, "you didn't know."
"I know I didn't, but I didn't feel that he was alive either, shouldn't you feel that, if you're truly in love with someone? I'm sure I'd know, if you…" she sniffled.
"You saw it Regina, what were you supposed to think?"
"I wasted my whole life Robin."
He wiped away the tears from her face and moved her hair behind her ear, "you're making up for it now; hey look at me." She turned to look at him and he placed his hands either side of her face, "you are a hero now Regina, you have a whole town of people that believe in you and I am at the top of that list."
The look of sadness on her face suddenly turned to one of anger as her eyes turned fiery and her mouth tightened, "you are right, this, this was my mother's doing, she made me this way, she took everything from me, she had so many chances to reunited Daniel and I after Leopold had died, once I was already Queen; she didn't, she let me fall deeper and deeper into evil, she just allowed it to happen!"
Robin took a deep breath, Regina was totally right about that, but he needed to make her forget about vengeance, "maybe, but Regina, that was then, I thought we were putting the past behind us."
"That's pretty hard to do when it keeps coming back and biting me in the arse isn't it."
"I suppose," he sighed, another tactic was needed. "Okay," he placed his hands on her stomach and rubbed it lightly, "but, the future is much brighter, we have this little life that we created together, that our love created, we have our sons, our friends, family and we have each other."
"Yes," she cried, the anger leaving somewhat as she cast him a watery smile.
"And this stress, you getting upset about all of this, isn't good for the baby."
Her eyes went wide and she looked down at her bump, he was right, stress like this wasn't good for her baby, the baby she would do anything to protect, she had put her baby in danger by getting so worked up and new tears washed her cheeks, "oh god."
"Regina," darn, that wasn't the chosen result, he hadn't wanted to make her sad, he had just wanted to make her think about their future together and now he could see the worry and guilt written on her face, she had gone through so many emotions in the last hour it was ridiculous. "It's okay, she'll be fine." He kissed her cheek, before bringing her hand to his lips. "I think you need to get some rest."
She nodded, "I think I do, maybe we should call the boys, see how they're getting along."
Robin smiled at her, "that sounds like a very good idea," he helped her up off the ground.
"I just want to brush my teeth first," she stated, grabbing the toothpaste, she needed to get the taste of sick out of her mouth, she hoped that it was just the stress that had caused it, she didn't really fancy the idea of more morning sickness. Finding out that your first love is still alive though was bound to have caused her to react in some way.
She looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes were red and puffy, her cheeks tear stained, she had to do something to change that before talking to her sons, they couldn't see her in that way, it would only work to worry them. Quickly she washed her face before applying something to dull down the redness and leaving the bathroom; she knew she didn't look as happy as she should do, she was on her honeymoon, but she couldn't help feeling this way and knowing that Daniel was still alive.
Robin was laid on bed, setting up the laptop so they could use skype, she slipped up next to him and looked at him intently. He turned and tilted his head, "you okay?"
"No," she laughed, "but, I know I need to forget about the past, like you said."
"Good idea," he smiled, moving in and kissing her lips, not noticing that his hand had slipped and clicked on the call button.
"Well, you two look happy," Emma's voice sounded from the laptop. Robin and Regina broke apart and turned to look at the screen, "having a good trip?"
"Urm, yeah, it's been, interesting," Robin chuckled.
"That's one word for it," Regina shook her head.
"Ooh, why do I feel like the two of you are hiding gossip from me?"
"We'll tell you when we get home," Regina stated, finding Robin's hand, "speaking of home, how is everything, how are my boys?"
"Everything's fine and the boys are great, Roland is really missing you guys, he doesn't like to be without you, does he?"
"No, he doesn't, is he there?" Regina asked, "I'd like to talk to him, and Henry."
"Yeah sure, I'll go get them," she left the screen and they heard her call for the boys.
"Mommy and daddy!" A little voice yelled, followed by hurried footsteps. Then their son appeared and he grinned at them, "I miss you!"
"We miss you too baby, so much." Regina gushed, she had, she had missed the loving hugs the little boy would come and give her as soon as he woke up, either she'd have to wake him, or he would come running to her, either way it was something she missed. She's missed seeing his dimpled smile and his loving nature, she had just missed everything. "Are you having a good time with Emma?"
"Yeah! But she doesn't do the voices like you do," he protested, referring to when she read to him before bed.
"Oh dear, how about I tell her to do them better," Regina quipped.
"Yes! Are you having a good honeymoom?"
She chuckled and nodded, "yes we are thank you for asking," it was amazing how much a young child could cheer her up, how speaking to her little boy could make her feel so much better. "Silly daddy got stung by a jellyfish."
Roland's eyes went wide, "what's a jellyfish?"
"It's a creature in the sea lad," Killian quipped, coming into the living room and flopping down on the sofa, closely followed by Emma. "Nasty buggers."'
Then Henry wandered into frame too and sat beside Roland, "mom, Robin."
She smiled at him and had to bite the inside of her cheek to stop herself from crying, she didn't know what Henry would say when she told him about Daniel, it would be interesting to see what everyone said. Quite frankly she thought her reaction was shocking, she should have been more happy, ecstatic even, but she wasn't, she was immediately hit by the guilt from everything she had done. She hoped that Daniel didn't find out about everything, he probably wouldn't understand, not like Robin did, nobody understood her like Robin did.
"Hi," Robin greeted.
"What did I hear about a jellyfish sting?" Henry chuckled.
"Yeah, it got me."
"Did mom have to wee..."
"Henry," she shook her head, "you know that's a myth."
"She wouldn't," Robin taunted, nudging her lightly.
"That's because I read up that it didn't help," she rolled her eyes.
"So what else have you two love birds been up to?" Killian asked, raising his eyes bows at them.
"No, we are not talking about that," she scoffed, holding a finger up to silence him; she never thought in a million years that she would miss her banter with Killian, but she found she missed that too now.
"It was a genuine question," he shrugged, "I didn't mean anything by it, I just wanted to know what you have been doing?"
"Something happened, but they won't tell," Emma protested.
"Ooh, we can try to guess," Henry stated enthusiastically.
"You won't ever guess it."
"Can I try?" Roland giggled.
"Go on then."
"Did the baby kick?!"
Regina shook her head, "no sweetie, the baby hasn't kicked yet."
"Oh good, I don't want to miss it!"
She smiled at him and looked towards Robin, they knew Roland was going to be an amazing big brother to their baby.
"Was it anything to do with the baby?" Roland questioned.
"No," Robin took Regina's hand, "you are never going to guess, but we'll tell you when we get home."
"Okay."
"Supper's ready in two minutes," Emma sighed, "so sorry but we're going to have to cut this conversation short."
"That's fine," Regina looked at her too boys, "well we'll speak to you soon and we both love you so much."
"We love you too." Henry replied.
"I love you!" Roland shouted jumping up, moving closer to Emma's laptop and kissing the camera, something that Regina found completely adorable. She cast him a watery smile and then that was it, the tears were flowing, flooding her cheeks. "Mommy?" Roland looked at her through wide eyes, "why are you crying?"
"I just miss you a lot baby that's all, I can't wait until I can hug you and give you kisses."
He smiled at her, "don't be sad mommy, you'll see me soon!" He beamed.
"Yes, I will," she nodded, wiping her eyes.
"How many days?" He asked.
"Five more days."
"See, that's soon," Roland smiled, "and daddy can make you feel happy, until you're back home with us."
"Yes, I hope I can Roland." Robin placed his arm around his wife.
"Bye bye," their son waved.
"Goodbye sweetheart." Regina sniffed, "bye Henry."
"Talk to you later mom, enjoy what time you have left of your holiday."
"We'll try,"
"Good."
"Bye," Robin leant in at the same time as Henry and they both clicked the disconnect button. He turned to look at Regina, "so, how are we feeling now?"
"A little better, but now I'm missing the boys."
"Do you want anything?" He asked, hugging her, he was briefly aware that it was lunchtime and they hadn't had anything to eat.
She thought about it for a little while and then decided, "I would kill for one of those burgers you had the other night, extra cheese, ooh and chocolate cake!"
"Not together right?"
"No, that would be gross." She wrinkled her nose up at him, before hopping off the bed and over to the wardrobe where she took out a red summer dress. She pulled it over her head and the fabric rested adorably on her bump, showing it off, "where did I put my sunglasses?" She asked, placing her large hat on her head and slipping into her gladiator sandals.
He looked at her in confusion, "wait, you want to go out?"
"We can't hide away in here for the rest of our honeymoon, can we?"
"No," he shook his head, "I suppose we can't," he found her sunglasses on the bedside table and handed them to her.
"Why thank you," she smiled, "I don't want to think about it, can we just forget it happened and enjoy our time together?"
"What about him?"
"I can't help feeling this way, he'll find a way to forgive me. Now can we forget? Please?"
Robin didn't know if they would be able to, he certainly wouldn't be able to forget that her first love was back from the dead and he knew that Regina was literally doing everything she could to avoid the situation, maybe it was because she didn't want to break down again. "We can try."
She nodded and pulled him up off the bed, "shove some clothes on would you, your chest is distracting me," she bit her bottom lip, running her hands across his muscled torso.
"Well, I apologise your majesty, let me just find my shirt," he pulled her into his arms, "but first," he brushed his lips over hers, "I want to kiss you."
"Well then, I suppose you must." She grinned, her arms coming around him as his lips sought out hers and she surrendered to him completely, allowing him to control the kiss. He deepened it, rolling his tongue over hers; her hands slid up his back, before reaching her shoulders, allowing her to pull him tightly against her. When neither could kiss any longer they pulled back and rested their foreheads together, "I love you," she whispered as he stroked her cheek gently.
"I love you too."
Although for the meantime they were choosing to ignore the fact that Daniel was alive, at some point they were going to have to face it, at some point they were going to have to come to terms with it and when they finally did, who were they to know what kind of problems it would cause?
Thank you guys for persuading me to continue, I thought you had all stopped liking this story and that was what was putting me off writing more. Anyway, if you could leave me just a couple of words, it would make my day. xxx Much love; enjoy your weekend! xxx
