Chapter 18

Regina was asleep when tender strokes woke her up.

She blinked her eyes opened and smiled when she met two blue eyes tenderly laid on her.

"Did you sleep well, lovely?" he asked with this accented voice she loved so much and she smiled.

"Like a baby. You?"

"This was the best ... sleep I've had in a very long time." he kissed her shoulder and she chuckled, snuggled deeper into his side and closed her eyes.

"Robin?"

"Hm..."

"Is it real?" she asked and felt another kiss on her shoulder.

And then nothing.

Nothing but cold.

"Robin?" she asked but nothing.

She opened the eyes and got up suddenly, the sheet around her.

Robin was nowhere to be seen.

"Robin?" she called again and tried to get up but she couldn't.

Why couldn't she?

Where was Robin?

Why was it so cold?

And-

"ROBIN!" she screamed, waking up.

Regina got up, breathless and sweaty looking around and still searching for Robin before she realized she had been dreaming and Robin wasn't there to begin with.

She tried to get her heartbeat back to normal but it was no use.

Regina looked at her alarm...

1:35

Worth a shot.

RM - I'm sorry to bother you, but I can't sleep.

She was stupid.

He was surely sleeping-

Bip.

RL - What's going on, lovely?

Regina swore tears pricked at the back of her eyes.

And she was still shaken by the coldness and loneliness of her dream...

RM- I've had a horrible nightmare.

RL- Oh Regina... It's alright, you're fine now. I promise.

She hugged herself but couldn't get any warmer.

She felt so alone.

She missed him so much.

RM- I would want you to be here with me and hold me in your arms until I fall asleep.

And blame the lack of sleep for it, blame the adrenaline in her blood.

But she couldn't stay silent anymore.

RM-I miss you, Robin.

RM-So much.

RM-I need you here with me.

His answer took longer to arrive.

Much longer.

Much, much longer.

RL-I wish I could be there, too.

RL-More than you know.

RL-But I can't.

RL-Not now, at least.

She closed her eyes and let her tears fall.

She knew all that.

Knew he would answer that.

But somehow it still broke her heart.

It just felt like they were still so far to find each other again...

And then her phone beeped again.

RL-Don't get me wrong, Regina. I miss you more than words can say. You actually have no idea of how much I miss you every second of every hour of every day.

Her heart warmed at that.

RL-But I can't.

RL-I need more time.

Regina closed her eyes and tears escaped it.

She knew it.

But hearing it?

It was the worst thing ever.


Robin couldn't sleep, now.

His talk with Regina had shaken him more than he was willing to admit.

He loved her.

And he missed her.

And he wished more than anything to be able to be there for her and hold her in his arms.

But...

He couldn't be with her right now.

He needed more time.

He didn't want to mess this up again.

(He couldn't lose her again.)

But as of right now, he couldn't sleep.

So he sighed and got up to prepare himself some tea.

Once that done, he walked back to the room and took a deep breath before taking his bag and picking something from it...

A wedding ring.

The wedding ring he had gotten Regina.

She had given it back to him through Emma that day he left for England and for some reason he had not been able to throw it away.

Robin sighed again and buried his face in his hand.

This was so complicated.

And not for the first time, he wondered if he had taken the right decision coming back...

Was love enough?


A few weeks later...

Robin had moved in his new flat and he was talking to Regina non stop and everyday.

They were seeing each other at least twice a week and he was learning to trust her again.

Actually,

Robin was losing all of his control around her.

And that was starting to be a problem if the night before was of any indication...

They had spent another amazing night together and now, with the light buzz of alcohol Robin felt like everything was more.

Regina was more.

She was even more beautiful ( if possible)

She smelt even better ( if possible)

She was even more attractive ( if possible)

She was even more funny ( if possible)

She was even more sexy ( if possible)

She was even more smart ( if possible)

And he was terribly more attracted to her ( if possible)

And he terribly wanted to kiss her ( more than usual, if possible)

"Robin?" she breathed and he jumped, turned around and God,

Was it allowed to be so cute and sexy at the same time?

"Yeah?" he breathed because he had trouble fighting the urge to raise his hand and bury it in the softness of her hair.

God, he was drunk.

And apparently he couldn't get drunk around her without losing all of his brain.

"You seem distracted." she said, frowning slightly and she walked to him, soften his jacket and her hands on his chest sent shivers inside of him.

He raised his own hand and laid it on hers.

Their eyes locked right away.

It felt electric.

(God, he loved her.)

"You look so beautiful..." someone murmured.

(He did.)

She blushed and smiled a bit, biting her bottom lip.

He wanted to do that, too.

His eyes got lost on her lips and when he looked up, she looked as incapacitated by him being so close as he was by her.

Great.

"Robin..." she murmured and drawn to her like a moth, he leant in...

He just wanted to kiss her.

Just one kiss...

Her eyes got lost on his lips and really, he was only inches away when a car drove by, honking loudly and he jumped, their bubble broken as he blinked a couple times and she looked around, seemingly lost.

"I.." he cleared his throat, his voice hoarse. "We should go."

She blinked too and then looked at him and he saw she was disapointed.

And he was, too.

But now that the moment was gone, he felt like he was back in reality.

And now was not the time.

So he gave her a small smile of apology and she smiled back.

Robin was still lost in thoughts when something caught his attention.

More like someone.

In the appartment in front of his was a teenager groaning and trying to open the door, then swearing and trying again.

She even kicked it at some point and that prompted him to walk closer.

"Are you alright?" he asked and she turned around.

She couldn't be more than 15, and looked terribly annoyed.

"Do I look alright?" she asked, and then. "I forgot my keys." she groaned again. "And my mom won't answer her bloody phone." she tried one more time and left a message, "Hi mom,it's me! How come you're mad at me when I don't have my phone but you never seem to have yours when I need you!"

Robin chuckled and the teenager glared at him.

"It's not funny. I'm cold and tired and my mom is a teacher so she won't be home for another two to three hours." and then she added, "I don't know what to do. I don't know where to go."

And she seemed so defeated...

Much too young to be left alone out in the open.

If Robin had a daughter one day, he would want someone to take care of her if ever she needed it.

So...

He considered his options.

"Your father?"

A veil of sadness fall on the girl.

"Dead befor I was born."

"I am sorry."

She shrugged.

"You couldn't know."

Robin nodded and then took his decision,

"Look, I'm not working until late tonight, if you want to you can come inside to wait for your mom?"

The teenager eyed him suspiciously.

"I don't know you and I don't have a habit to walk in stranger's house."

Robin smiled and took something from his pocket.

"My name is Robin Locksley and I'm actually a cop, here." he handed her his police card and she took it, looked at it a few seconds and then took a deep breath, looking one last time at her door.

"Fine." she gave him his police card back, "My name is Margot."

He walked to his door and opened it, showing her to come in which she did, still hesitant.

"I'm warning you, my mom taught me how to defend myself and I won't be afraid to use it. Even against a detective."

Robin chuckled again, following her.

"Your mom is a wise woman." he said and she smiled proudly for a second. "But don't worry you won't need it." he closed the door and took his coat off. She took hers off and only then did he notice she was shivering. How long had she been outside in this winter cold? "Would you want a hot chocolate?"

She frowned and walked in the apartment.

"I'm not eight." but then she added, "Do you happen to have marshamllows?"

Robin chuckled.

"I thought you weren't eight?"

"I'm not. But I'm very cold and I'm bored so I want to hear about your life detective Robin, I will need hot chocolate to focus."

He smiled.

"Just Robin is fine, you know."

"But detective Robin is funnier." she smiled, raising an eyebrow.

He rolled his eyes and went to the kitchen.

"As you wish."


Two hours later and Robin is amazed by how well they were getting along.

It felt like they had known each other, somehow.

And Margot seemed like an amazing kid, every parent would be grateful to have her.

He had talked to her about Regina (without details, this wasn't a child place) and she had talked a lot about her crush, Alice who was her classmate.

It felt like she needed to talk to someone about this, and Robin had been happy to give her advice.

"You know, you should get back with her." she said and he looked at her.

"Do you think so?"

She nodded with vigor, seeming to think about something.

"For the same reasons you told me to talk to Alice about what I really feel for her. Love is too important to miss out."

He smiled.

"Love is important, no matter the person we fall in love with. It's the purest feeling of all. Cherish it."

She smiled.

"Thank you for the pep talk by the way. I really needed it."

"Anytime."

Then she seemed to think, studying her cup.

"What is it?" he asked and she took a deep breath.

"Do you really mean it?"

"Mean what?"

"That I can come to you at anytime?"

He smiled and tilted his head,

"Well, I'd love to think that we're friend now, aren't we?"

She beamed and he smiled at how young she looked.

Teenagers were just child still, people tended to forget about that.

"We are." she said, nodding happily. "So I can?"

"Anytime, I mean it."

She beamed again.

And then someone knocked at the door and he got up.

"Oh, I think this is your mother."

"Already?" frowned Margot and he laughed.

"Don't worry, you can come back anytime you want."

She pouted and he laughed again before walking to the door and then...

Then he froze.

"Zelena?" he asked and her eyes widened.

"Wait. You're Regina's Robin?"

A silence.

And then it was awkward.

Margot got up and walked to them,

"You two know each other?"

Robin nodded, still surprised.

"I'm working with his girlfriend." said Zelena and Margot's eyes widened.

"You're working with Regina?"

"What?" asked Zelena, "How do you know her?"

"Long story." said the teenager, waving impatiently. Then she turned to Robin and hugged him briefly, "Thanks Robin for not letting me die of cold and boredom. It was really nice. You make very good hot chocolate, your kids will be lucky."

He smiled and hugged back,

"Thank you for the great conversation."

She smiled again, took her mother's keys and walked in their apartment.

Leaving Zelena and Robin alone.

"Look..." he said but she cut him.

"No. Me first." she took a deep breath. "I know it's long overdue but I wanted to apologize for the Christmas party. I had a lot of drinks and I went over the line."

He smiled.

"Don't worry, it's forgotten."

Then Zelena studied him,

"Thank you for what you did for Margot."

"My pleasure, she's an amazing kid."

Zelena smiled proudly.

"That she is." and then... "She usually is not that friendly, I'm surprised to see how she has taken into you in a matter of hours."

He shrugged,

"I'm used to kids, grew up with a lot of cousins. And I mean it, she's an amazing kid. "

She smiled and then gestured to her door,

"I should go. Thank you again."

"No problem."

Robin closed his door and couldn't help the low chuckle.

That was an unexpected day.


Regina is at home watching a movie when her phone rang.

Robin.

Her heart sped up because she could finally see things moving forward and with their almost kiss the night before...

"Hi, you." she smiled taking the call and his low chuckle was everything to her.

"Hi, lovely. I'm calling you before going to work, I take my service at 10pm. How was your day?"

She smiled, loving the idea that he called before going to work.

Loving that she was still a priority to him.

"Fine." she said, laying back on her couch. "Actually, nothing happened. Your day?"

He chuckled.

"Quite eventful, actually."

And now, that had her sitting back.

"How so?"

And she couldn't help being anxious.

And then...

Then she froze.

"I met my little neighbour today, she is a teenager named Margot and was locked out of her apartment so I offered to let her come in to wait for her mother. She did and we had an amazing time, she is very funny and smart. Then her mother comes to pick her up and you won't believe it... It's Zelena!" he laughed but she couldn't find it in her to laugh with him. Zelena was his neighbour and not only that, but he seemed fond of the girl and she knew Robin oved children and what if it brought him closer to Zelena?

"How was she?" she asked, clearing her throat.

"Who? Margot?"

"No, Zelena."

God, she couldn't breath.

"Not what I pictured." he admitted and her voice dropped. "But I talked to her for like ten seconds, I spent three hours with her daughter."

"Three hours?"

"Yep."

"And will you see the both of them again?"

"I don't know, actually. I told Margot I was there if she needed advice, she has no father so..."

Regina hated what she was feeling.

She hated it.

It was jealousy.

Plain and simple.

"You've just met the girl. You can't picture yourself as her father." she said more coldly than she meant to.

A silence.

"I never said that, Regina." he said softly and she cursed herself. "I just said we had a great time, she's a bright kid and if I can help her somehow. You know that's what I do."

"Do you want to help Zelena as well?"

God, someone to shut her up, please.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Regina..."

"I have to go. And you have to, it's almost 10."

He sighed deeply and she closed her eyes.

"This is not what it is and you know it. I have no interest in Zelena."

Another silence.

And then..

"I know." she admitted but didn't feel better.

No interest for now.

But if they bonded over her daughter...

"Are you alright? I don't want to close this call with you upset."

"I'm fine."

"Regina..."

"Really, I'm fine. Be safe tonight."

He sighed again.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow?"

"Of course."

And then she ended the call before he could add something.


Robin was well aware that telling Regina about Zelena and the fact that she lived right in front of his place with a daughter he had taken a liking into had upset Regina.

But he couldn't lie to her.

If he wanted to save their relationship ( and God if he did), he couldn't lie to her.

Not now.

Not ever again.

And they both had known trust would be the biggest issue in their reconstruction.

If he had to trust her blindly in everyhting she did...

So did she.


On the next day, Regina couldn't help herself.

She had to talk to Zelena.

So she walked to her and sat facing her, under the curious stare of the redhead.

"Are you alright? You seem tense?"

And since their talk about lost love and teenage daughters, they were cordial to each other.

So she went for it.

"What are your intentions towards Robin?"

Zelena's eyes widened,

And then she laughed.

"Regina, I understand your concern. But I thought you had gotten it... I don't ever want to fall in love again. Ever. I've got my daughter and my one true love is dead. That's all for me."

Regina blushed, feeling ashamed.

"I'm sorry. This was misplaced."

Zelena sighed deeply and then studied her.

"I'm not interested in your Robin one bit, but Margot spent the night talking about Robin and the amazing afternoon they had and how maybe it felt that way to have kind of a father." Their eyes locked, "And I won't lie to you, my daughter has no paternal figure in her life so if she wants it to be Robin and if he agrees with that... I won't stop it. I hope you won't, either. Margot is a child and she deserves to be happy. She's been through so much, I've never seen her like an adult so much so fast. Maybe they were meant to meet and maybe they were meant to be something to each other. I won't stop it. My daughter deserves a good paternal figure and I do think your Robin is a right choice."

And then she smiled, got up and left, leaving Regina to process it all.


After work, Regina drove to the police station and waved at Emma,

"He's in the chef's office but should be here in a minute."

"Thanks."

And as of cue, Robin got out and his eyes widened in pleasure, seeing her.

"Regina!" he walked to her and kissed her cheek tenderly. "What a lovely surprise!" She smiled and he took her hand, bringing her to a more private place. "What brings you here?"

"I just missed you." she shrugged and he smiled again, took a step closer and put a strand of hair behind her ear.

"You know a day when I don't see you is a lost day." he murmured and God, she wanted to kiss him.

"Me too..."

They walked closer to each other, once again like magnets but Robin shook his head and kissed her brow tenderly.

"Not here, my love. Not like that."

She sighed and couldn't help but feel disappointed.

He saw it and cupped her chin, making their eyes lock.

"You know I want to kiss you. So badly." he admitted. "But I want to make things right."

"Robin..." and blame all the emotions she had felt since knowing he was neighbor with Zelena, blame the little sleep she had and the nightmares of him forming a beautiful family with Zelena and her daughter, but she added. "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"I'm starting to wonder if we really want the same thing out of this."

He paled and let his hand down before taking a step back.

"What do you mean?" he asked, tense suddenly.

"I'm just wondering if you want to get back together as much as I do."

Robin let out a deep breath and cupped her cheeks.

"Don't do that to me, Regina." he breathed and she frowned at the wetness in his eyes. "I thought for a second you didn't want to give us a chance anymore."

Her eyes widened.

"What?! Never!"

He nodded but still felt so tense and she leant into his hand, before laying a small kiss there.

"Never." she said again,

He studied her and then swallowed,

"If you... If you ever feel this way. I would understand, you know. Just tell me."

"No!" she said again, eyes wide and she took another step to him. "Robin, I want to be with you so very much. I'm actually more afraid that's not what you want."

His eyes widened.

And then he just seemed sad.

"I want to be with you more than anything."

She sighed.

"Yet you won't even kiss me."

"It's complicated, Regina."

"I know."

"We know it would be."

"I know." she said again.

"I've only been back for two months... Can't it be enough for now that I want to get back what we had?"

She looked down and then voiced her fears.

"I'm so afraid you will get tired of me if we wait too long."

And then in one second she was in his arms and he was holding her so close to him her heart felt complete.

"I could never get tired of you, my love." he murmured against her ear and shivered danced in all of her body. "Never, do you hear me?"

She snuggled closer to him and nodded, kissing his neck.

"Okay." she breathed and he kissed her hair, holding her close.

"Just give me some more time, Regina. I'm almost there. But I need some more time. Please."

She nuzzled his skin and tried to hide the fear she had he would fall in love with someone else.

What if time was not on her side?

She needed a plan.