Hi everyone! In this chapter, A LOT goes down, just a fair warning :) I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during these crazy times! Hopefully this story makes you smile through all the tragedy the world is going through.
This is a very long chapter, and there are some unexpected events that happen... I don't usually write things quite so heavy and dark, so to speak, but nothing is very graphic at all, I promise :) this will fit into the storyline down the road.
WARNING: mentions of past child abuse
I hope you all have a great day!
Chapter 8
"What do you mean you haven't told her yet?" Helen gasped, and Regina hid behind the kitchen door, waiting for Robin's next words.
"Look, I only told you this so you wouldn't bring it up… I haven't even told Will, yet, Mom. I'm not ready to talk about it."
Regina furrowed her eyebrows as she put her ear to the door, trying to hear Robin and Helen's conversation better. It was six in the morning, and as soon as Robin crawled out of bed, she lost his warm contact, and she decided to follow him down the stairs.
They were set to leave that morning, their luggage and bags all packed and lined up by the door. Regina had yawned as she was about to open the kitchen door, but she heard two quiet voices in a serious matter, and she knew she shouldn't enter.
Apparently, there was something Robin wasn't telling her about the past.
"She's going to find out eventually, Robin. It's better if she hears it from you rather than, oh, I don't know, your father," Helen bit back, and she heard Robin shuffle his feet as he moved across the hardwood floors.
"It will change everything, Mom. She'll look at me differently… Look, I can't stay here much longer. This town, this house, it's reminding me of everything that happened, and I can't relive every moment… I love you, you know that, but I can't stay here with Dad acting the way he is, taking his anger for me out on Regina. I promised myself I would never come back here, and the only reason I broke that promise is because of you… I'm sorry, Mom, but we're leaving today, and I don't know if we're ever coming back."
Regina's jaw dropped as she covered her mouth, wondering what the hell he was keeping from her if it was that serious.
"I understand, Robbie, I really do… I'm just, I'm going to miss you so much," Helen cried, and she listened as Robin took his mother in his arms.
"There's going to be a wedding later on, of course? And I'll be invited?" Helen practically begged, and Robin smiled as he kissed his mother's cheek.
"Of course you'll be invited," Robin smiled, and Regina's heartbroke as she heard what sounded an awful lot like a goodbye.
"And grandbabies? You'll call with good news one day?" Regina heard Robin's sweet chuckle, and his quiet yes, I promise.
Regina propped herself off the door, shaking her head as she made her way back to Robin's room, hurrying to pull the sheets back on her body, and not even a minute later, Robin crept back inside the room, shutting the door so quiet a mouse couldn't have heard it.
Robin climbed back into bed, wrapping his arms around her tightly, pressing a loving kiss to her shoulder.
"I won't be like him… I swear," Robin whispered, remembering their no promises policy, resting his head where his kiss landed, and Regina breathed slowly like she would in her sleep, and squeezed his arms.
Robin fell back to sleep, but Regina didn't.
…..
Regina didn't understand why Robin would hide anything from her. She kept racking her brain, trying to think of clues as to what he's keeping in the dark, but, damn, he's good. He hasn't slipped up in the three years she's known him, and he wouldn't any time soon.
Regina stood at the bottom of the stairs, talking to Paige, dressed in her white sweater and leggings, smiling through the conversation she had no idea was about. Damn Robin for always being on her mind.
She gave the strawberry blonde a hug as everyone said their goodbyes by the front door, and looked over to see Robin shaking his father's hand.
Regina went to Helen next, and the brunette realized how tired the woman actually looked.
"Goodbye, Dear. You keep an eye on my son for me. You never know what kind of trouble he could get himself into… and make sure to call," Helen smiled, and Regina grinned as she nodded her head, embracing her future mother-in-law.
Regina stepped out of the hug, now standing in front of Robert. He looked from Robin to her as Robin went to his mother.
"I have a feeling you're in this for the long haul, and even if I don't like it, I need you to make sure my son is okay. You might not realize it now, but I am not the villain in all of this…" Robert expressed emotionlessly, and Regina nodded her head, ready to start getting her bags, when Robert took a deep breath.
"And, you know, Helen really wants grandkids… So, I guess what I'm saying is it would be nice if you didn't run off… send a Christmas card every year, and maybe a letter..." Robert grumped when he was finished, and Regina sighed.
"I still don't like you," Robert finalized the conversation, and Regina bit the inside of her cheek.
"Well, it's a good thing I've got the rest of my life to change your mind," Regina answered, and Robert was taken aback when she shrugged her shoulders, a disappointed glance is her eyes.
Regina turned when she felt Robin's hand on the small of her back, and she looked up into his dreamy smile.
"You ready, Love?"
Regina smiled in response, and the two grabbed their bags, making their way out to the rental car. Once they finished packing up the small vehicle, Regina and Robin found their seats. With one last wave goodbye from each, Regina watched through the rearview mirror as Robin's family and childhood home slowly disappeared.
…..
"I cannot tell you how good it feels to be back," Robin breathed out when Regina and Robin's feet hit the ground of the airport. Regina smiled as she laced her fingers through his, both of them taking their time, loading up their belongings into the taxi they had arranged.
"You look a lot less tense," Regina observed, and Robin smiled as he rolled his shoulders, already feeling the tension slip away. Regina watched him carefully, seeing how he looked a decade younger now that he wasn't in London, and it made her that much more curious as to what he was hiding from her.
Regina and Robin piled into the taxi, both of them relaxing as the traffic of the loud, obnoxious city soothed them, the easiness of rural London having done wonders on them.
Regina eyed Robin out of the corner of her eye and saw how his leg stopped shaking and his hands stopped fidgeting. She frowned.
As they made their way to their apartment, both carrying all their bags in one trip, they threw all their luggage onto a pile by the coat hanger and collapsed on the couch, completely drained after the hectic days they just had.
"I feel like I could sleep forever," Robin yawned as he buried his face into the crook of her neck, and Regina pulled him closer to her, finding their comfy position, running her fingers through his hair as she found a blanket and covered them up.
"Let's see how long forever really lasts," Regina smiled, and if she only knew it wouldn't even last that long.
…..
It's been a week since Regina and Robin got back from London, and Regina was almost sure that Robin knew she knew something was up. She kept hinting that she was there, that she would listen to anything he wanted to tell her, but he always smiled and kissed her forehead, telling her to stop worrying.
Regina sat on the couch with a mug of hot chocolate in her hands, her legs wrapped in a warm blanket as she patiently waited for her boyfriend to come home. It was snowing, one of the first snowfalls of the year, and Regina checked her watch, knowing Robin should be next to her by now.
Not even a second later, the door opened and in came Robin, shivering as he unzipped his jacket, hanging it on the coat rack, and discarded his shoes. He cracked his neck and let out a low sigh, walking into the living room to see Regina there, waiting for him.
"Hey," Robin smiled, and Regina smiled back, opening the blanket up to him. Robin eagerly accepted the invitation, and Regina laughed vibrantly as Robin jumped on the couch, curling up at her side like an animal.
"It's too damn cold outside," Robin pouted like a child, and Regina chuckled as she ran her fingers through his hair, hugging his cold face to her chest.
"I know, I was planning on you warming me up tonight, not the other way around," Regina smirked, and Robin rolled his eyes with a grin.
"Gold kept me after to go over some shit he wants done tomorrow. I'm not thinking about that right now. Right now, I'm laying down with you, and we are relaxing," Robin declared, and Regina smiled as she sighed. That sounded perfect.
Well, it would, if her mind wasn't spinning a mile a minute.
"Robin?" Regina asked, and he looked up to her, his questioning eyes making her wonder if she should push this any further.
But she was Regina Mills. She wasn't exactly known for playing safe.
"I want to know about your family," Regina nodded her head, and Robin smiled as he brushed hair out of her eyes, rubbing his thumb along her jawline.
"I thought last week was more than enough of the Locksleys for a lifetime," Robin laughed, but Regina didn't. The serious look in her chocolate brown eyes caused Robin to stop and take in her stance.
Shit. He should've known he couldn't keep anything from her.
"Regina," Robin breathed, almost pleading for her not to start, but it was too late. Regina already sat up on the couch, taking Robin with her, and he frowned.
"You said you left England because you needed a change of scenery. And I believed it, up until now. There's a reason why you don't go back there anymore. There's a reason why when you're there, you're not the same person. Something happened, and I want to know. We're serious about starting a life together, Robin, and in order for us to get to where we want to go, there can't be any secrets between us," Regina expressed as she ran her hands up and down his arms. Robin remained silent, only staring up at her with sad eyes.
"This isn't a secret, Regina. It's a part of my life I try every day to forget about. You should understand that," Robin sighed, and Regina grabbed his hand, running circles across his palm.
"I do, Robin, I really do… But I want to go through it with you, together… Look, you're right, I don't know what happened, and if you don't want to tell me why you left the way you did, why your mother held onto you like it would be the last time she'd see her son, then don't tell me. But this won't go away. This isn't going away, Robin," Regina whispered, and for a long while, both stayed quiet, waiting for the other to say something, anything.
Regina's eyes grew wide when Robin stood from the couch, thinking he was going to walk away, but he slid his white t-shirt over his head, letting it ball up by the floor. Robin sat back down, and Regina furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.
Robin grabbed Regina's hand and rested it on top of a scar by his chest, lying around his heart. Regina still didn't understand what he was trying to accomplish. Then, Robin took Regina's other hand and placed it on top of another scar by his ribs, and he flinched the tiniest bit when her fingers touched the old wound.
"I, I don't understand. These are the scars you got from the car crash when you were a kid," Regina looked into Robin's eyes to search for anything resembling words, but he remained still, letting her hands find comfort on his body.
Robin brought the hand Regina had by his heart to his lower abdomen, and she frowned when her hand found its place on more old bruised flesh.
"There was no car crash, Regina," Robin whispered between them. Regina's eyes were glued to his, but she couldn't comprehend what he was trying to say.
"What?" Regina managed to croak, and in the dim light, she could see tears shining in Robin's eyes.
"There was never a car crash…" Robin whispered again, a single tear falling down his face. Regina's mouth dropped as her eyes grew in terror, shaking her head, tears starting to form in her eyes now.
"No," Regina shook her head, her bottom lip quivering, tears shining in her eyes. Robin exhaled slowly and bit his lip, wiping the tears that had fallen over her eyes.
"No," Regina repeated again, more firmly this time, and Robin frowned as he cupped her face in his hands, not strong enough to see her free-flowing tears.
"It was a long time ago," Robin breathed out, and Regina let out a quiet sob as she closed her mouth, shaking her head, not ready to believe the reality of the situation.
"Oh god," Regina cried, trying to stay strong. It was the least she could do for him, but when she closed her eyes, she imagined Robin as a little kid, going through what her mind could only paint as the realist picture.
"I… I thought it was normal. I thought it was something grandfathers did. That's how they showed they cared," Robin admitted slowly, and Regina squeezed her eyes shut, begging herself not to cry out.
"At first, it was barely anything. A blow to the gut, maybe the face, if he were in the mood. But as I grew older, the regular slap in the face turned into a sprained ankle, or bruised ribs, and eventually, a broken collar bone," Robin gritted out, and Regina held onto him tightly, holding him by his arms, continuing to shake her head in disbelief.
"Ryan went to some private school for the gifted, but me… I wasn't good enough. I was a disgrace to the Locksley name… but Ryan was safe. And I wouldn't have it any other way, because if he were there, it would've been him… Once I got a little older, around eight years old, my grandfather started looking for a bigger prize… Paige."
Regina's eyes widened as she shook her head, and Robin held her close.
"He never got to touch her, Regina. I wouldn't let him. So I told my parents, and days later, he was taken away and I never saw him again…" Robin explained, trying to comfort Regina in her time of crisis, but the tears kept rolling as she buried her head into the crook of Robin's neck.
"I'm so sorry, Robin. I am so sorry. If, if I knew-"
"But you didn't," Robin smiled sadly as he rubbed his hands up and down her back, "because I didn't want you to be like this… do you want me to go on, or do you need some time?"
Regina laughed humorlessly as she furrowed her eyebrows, shaking her head at him.
"Don't worry about me right now, Robin. Do you need time? Are you okay?" Regina asked, putting her hands on him wherever she could, just to remind herself that he was there. Robin pressed a soft kiss to Regina's lips and nodded his head steadily.
"As I went on and became a teenager, I learned that what I went through isn't normal… it was child abuse, that's what it was. And ever since that day, I promised myself I would get out of that environment as fast as my bloody ass could. I begged Paige to come with me, but she was still little, and she didn't understand. She was a newly turned teenager and wanted to stay with her friends and everyone she'd grown up with…"
"Ryan and I had a big fight the night I left. He still blames himself to this day about what happened, and I've tried so damn hard, but I just can't change his mind. He wanted me to stay because there was no more threat, claiming he would always be there to protect me from anything, but he didn't go through it. He didn't listen to our grandfather belittle me, or live through every bruise and sprain and fracture and break. Once something like that happens to you, you need to leave, and never look back."
"My dad was pissed at me because all our lives we planned on taking over the family business together. But I refused, not wanting to be a part of anything my grandfather once was. He tried to understand, and he tried so hard to help, but at the end of the day, it's just another betrayal to him… the only person who supported me in leaving was my mother."
"She told me to run as far away as I could. She told me to go to a big city, where I could lose myself in all kinds of distractions, and she told me to never come back… She made me promise I wouldn't let my past get in the way of my future, and it took years, but after about five, I got out of the support group, and I recovered 100%... Regina, love, please, say something."
Regina stared out in front of her, not speaking, not moving, but watching as every event Robin had described played in her head, the voices and images so clear, as if it weren't her imagination at all.
"You don't recover from something like that," Regina whispered, finding Robin's eyes again.
"You don't just go on living life, Robin. You were hurt in the most cruel way possible… how, how are you even the man you are today?" Regina asked, amazement finding their home in her eyes. Robin smiled gratefully as he held her hands in his, never letting go.
"It happened a long time ago, Regina. There are some things I will never forget, but there's already plenty you've helped me put in the farthest place of my mind… I have trust issues, and I am very insecure. You know that. And those two things will live with me until I die."
"Why do you think I always compare myself to other guys, or why I constantly worried I wasn't enough for you in the beginning? It's because of what I've been through… but you, sitting here right now, listening to me, loving me, you make it not as bad anymore. Because I found the love of my life, and I will never treat you, or anyone, the way my grandfather treated me," Regina's eyes shined with tears as she brought Robin in for another hug.
"It's okay, Love, I'm alright. This doesn't change anything between us," Robin whispered into her hair, and Regina nodded her head, simmering away in Robin's arms, holding onto him like he would leave if she didn't.
….
"You're looking at me again," Robin sighed as he put down the box of cereal he was holding, and Regina looked down, ashamed. They had slept on the couch overnight, and she swore to him she wouldn't act differently around him now that she knew.
But it wasn't that easy.
"This is exactly why I didn't tell you," Robin shook his head, laughing darkly to himself. Regina frowned and got up from her seat, walking to him. She wrapped her arms around his middle from behind and laid a loving kiss to his back.
"I'm sorry," Regina whispered, and Robin gripped the edge of the countertop, his fingers turning white from the intense pressure.
"Stop saying you're sorry! That's all I've heard you say since last night!" Robin exploded, turning around in her arms, and her eyes widened from his outburst. Regina shut her mouth and took a step back, and Robin cursed himself when he saw a sliver of fear cloud her.
Robin took a deep breath and closed his eyes, looking back up at her with an apologetic glance.
She should never be afraid of him.
"Wait, I should be the one apologizing," Robin sighed, opening his arms out to her. Regina was careful for a moment before she accepted his invitation, and she closed her eyes when he rocked them back and forth soothingly.
"I've never told anyone this before. I don't know how to act or what to say," Robin whispered, and Regina exhaled through her nose easily.
"Imagine if I had just told you what you told me… You would want to hunt that person down, and you would beat him to death, we both know that… that's how I feel, and I get the sadness and despair to join the ride… and you wouldn't be able to look at me the same just hours after you learned what happened," Regina sighed, crossing her arms against her chest into Robin.
"I know, you're right… but this is something that's been happening my whole life. It took my family years to stop staring at me with pity and guilt, and the whole rest of my hometown… after a while, you get used to it, and when someone brings it up, you just laugh because the stares are your new normal… but if you start staring at me like that, I just, I can't do it. You're the only person in my life who's ever really been my person, and if you can't even look at me anymore, it's all going to fall apart," Robin expressed his fears and troubles, and Regina stood still in his arms.
"I'm not just going to pretend you didn't tell me, Robin. I love you so much, and knowing you went through that? I want to hold on to you and never let go. It would be cruel of me to say I'm hurting as much as you did, but I'm still in pain. You are my soulmate, and I wish I could make all the bad things disappear so you never get hurt again," Regina stated, and Robin smiled tiredly.
"The pain made me stronger, Love… I know it's something that absolutely no one should ever go through, but if it had to happen to someone, I'm glad it was me. And I will make sure our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren never have to worry about that… I know it changes things, because it does, but I don't want this to change us. I'm still the same Robin you know and love. Except now, you know something you didn't before," Robin explained gently, but Regina didn't make any suggestion as to moving out of his arms.
"It's going to take some time, Robin. I can't just forgive and forget overnight," Regina bit her lip, and Robin kissed her forehead.
"Take all the time you need, Love…"
Robin sighed as he put his hands on her shoulders, standing her up straight.
"I'm going to call out of work today. Now, I don't know about you, but I'd be very much happier if my beautiful girlfriend were here to spend the hours with me," Robin smiled sweetly, and Regina tried to smile back.
"Just an us day?"
"Just an us day."
Regina nodded her head as she went back into Robin's arms, and he held her, closing his eyes as a weight seemed to be lifted off his shoulders.
…
It was Saturday, and Regina sighed as she dug her head deeper into Robin, the sheets tangled up between them. The morning sun decided to stay away, so, hell, if the sun didn't have to get up, then they shouldn't have to either.
Regina groaned as she remembered they were supposed to be looking at houses this afternoon up in Storybrooke, but after the rough couple of days they just had, she had no idea if they were still doing that.
"What's wrong?" Robin asked groggily, half-asleep, and Regina shook her head, determined to stay in bed with him.
"Nothing," Regina sighed against him, begging him to stay in bed with her, but it was as if a light bulb had gone off for him. Robin sat up in bed and Regina groaned as he left her without his warmth.
"Shit, we're supposed to be out of here by now," Robin cursed as he got out of bed, throwing his side of the covers onto Regina, and she rolled her eyes as she watched him throw on a random pair of jeans.
"Robin, come on. We don't have to go. I'm sure if we talk to the lady she'll understand-"
"My grandfather hit me when I was a kid, Regina. It's not like I'm afraid of drywall and unfinished basements," Robin smirked, and his comment sent Regina sitting up in bed with a horrified look on her face.
"Too soon for jokes?" Robin winced, and Regina sighed as she crawled on the bed to him, taking his hand.
"This may have happened a long time ago for you, but I just learned about it… are you sure after opening up about it you're okay to just, I don't know, go on with life?" Regina asked, and Robin smiled as he pressed a kiss to her messy hair.
"I am. Plus, we need to get out of this apartment. I'm pretty sure I've memorized all the scratches on the hardwood," Robin teased, and Regina relaxed with a grin.
"Okay… But if you want to turn around at any time," Regina sighed, and Robin rolled his eyes with a smile as he kissed her lips, brushing the hair out of her face.
"Let's go find our home."
…..
"It's perfect," Regina smiled, and Robin grinned as he wrapped his arm around her middle. They were standing in the middle of an upstairs bedroom, and Regina couldn't help but imagine her and Robin raising their little girl in that very room.
They had gone to see two houses prior, and even though they were nice, they weren't what Robin and Regina were looking for. The first house had all the bedrooms and baths and even a sparkling kitchen Regina had always wanted, but there was no yard. The second had the big yard, but it didn't have enough bedrooms or enough space in general.
But this one, the one they stood in, it was perfect.
It had three bedrooms, two baths, a beautiful kitchen, and an even more stunning view. The yard was huge, which was already a seller for Robin, and when Regina saw the stone fireplace, she knew this was it. It was their home.
"We can put the crib over in the corner, and the changing table over there. Oh, and we'll have a bin for all her toys right here," Regina walked around the bedroom, pointing to different sections of the carpet, and Robin couldn't keep the smile off his face.
"And the rocking chair right here," Robin pointed to where he was standing, and Regina let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, her eyes shining brightly as she and Robin shared a knowing smile.
"Robin, this house is everything we've ever wanted… I think we should make an offer," Regina nodded her head firmly, and Robin went to her, wrapping his arms around her middle, already knowing the house was meant for them.
"Then let's go make an offer," Robin's eyebrows raised excitedly, and Regina chuckled happily as she pecked his lips, wrapping her arms around his neck.
They had found their dream home.
Robin and Regina made their way downstairs to where Granny was sitting in the living room, and she popped to her feet when she saw the couple walk towards her.
"So?" Granny asked, clapping her hands together, and Robin and Regina didn't even have to say a word. Their smiles said everything.
"Oh, I am so glad you two love it!" Granny exclaimed, and Robin squeezed Regina's hand down by their sides. Granny couldn't tamp down her happiness even if she tried, and even though the sun was beginning to set in the dark of winter, the house had never been more bright.
"We would like to make an offer," Robin grinned, and Granny gasped delightedly, putting a hand over her heart.
"Of course, of course… However, I must inform you that there are other personas interested in this house. But I will do everything in my power to make sure you two get it," Granny smiled as she went to grab her things, and Regina looked to Robin worriedly once she was gone.
"People already put offers out, Robin. We don't have a lot of extra money we can throw out there… what if we don't get this?" Regina frowned, but Robin's hand went to her cheek, rubbing her jawline gently.
"Don't worry about that, Love. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Robin nodded his head, and Regina sighed doubtfully. Robin took her hands in his, looking her deeply in the eyes.
"I won't let us lose this house. This is where we are going to raise our children, and this is where we will grow old together… We're gonna be okay," Robin whispered to her, and Regina tried on a small smile, but it never reached her eyes.
"Okay," Regina whispered back, and Robin wrapped his arms around her, rubbing soothing circles across her back.
….
December rolled around quickly, and as the first week creeped by slowly, Regina and Robin waited for news on the house. Regina grew more and more nervous each day, knowing in the back of her head that they might not get the house. But she needed to keep her head up.
Which is why she and Robin and Robin turned in their written requests for job transfers.
Regina, Robin, and Mal were in the blonde's office working on a new project when Gold walked through the door, holding two papers in his hand.
"What the hell is this?" Gold asked as he walked towards Robin and Regina, throwing their papers down on Mal's desk. Robin only smirked as he looked up to Gold.
"I think you know exactly what it is," Robin raised his eyebrows, and Regina bit her lip to hide her smile. Mal just chuckled to herself, leaning back in her chair to enjoy the show.
"Alright, look, I know we haven't always gotten along, but this is absolutely absurd," Gold laughed humorlessly, shaking his head, pointing his hand at the papers on the desk. Regina sighed as she looked up to Gold.
"Please, don't flatter yourself. We're moving, Gold, it has nothing to do with you. We were never going to stay in the city forever," Regina shrugged her shoulders, and Gold took a deep breath, trying to keep his cool.
"Are you even acknowledging the fact that you're transferring to a whole new ball park? We are at the main location of this business, and the office building in Portland is absolutely nowhere near as nice, or efficient, as here. You can't just walk away from this."
"It's not like we're quitting. Plus, we have those conferences every three months. We'll probably see each other there, and it'll feel like we never left," Robin reasoned, but Gold stood there stubbornly, in too much shock to admit his best people were leaving him.
"This has to be breaking some contract," Gold ran his hand through her hair, and Regina rolled her eyes as she stood from her seat, crossing her arms, looking him dead in the eyes.
"Face it, Gold, you just don't want to lose us. We're the best of the best, and if anyone else were handing in their transfer request, you wouldn't be acting like this," Regina shrugged her shoulders, and Gold glared at her.
"I don't need to tell you that you are the best, you guys already know that. And I have no doubt you'll thrive in Portland, but… it's the end of an era. You can't just leave," Gold sighed, and Regina furrowed her eyebrows, finally seeing that Gold was actually going to miss them.
Damn, she thought she would've never seen the day.
"Even though we don't get along very often, you're a great boss, Gold. No one's going to teach us the things you have here… and definitely no one will screw us over as many times as you have," Regina smirked, and Gold smiled sadly.
"Should I know about any other major absences in the future?" Gold asked with a pointed look to Mal, and the blonde laughed.
"Me and Will are staying here, Gold, you can relax. I don't belong in a small town… but they do," Mal smiled lovingly at her best friends, and Gold turned back to Regina and Robin.
"I will always be your boss, no matter what, got it?" Gold nodded his head firmly, and both Robin and Regina smiled friendly grins.
"Got it," Robin spoke for the two of them, and Gold seemed satisfied. He grabbed the papers off the desk and began to make his way out of Mal's office, but he stopped by the door.
"I know you two will be okay… but if anything doesn't work out, job related… If they don't think you're a good fit, or they fire you because I taught you to believe in yourself even when your superiors don't, don't even feel the need to ask. As soon as you walk through those doors, you get your offices back, and you will rule the school… You will always have jobs here," Gold explained, almost as a last goodbye, and he exited the room before anyone could reply to his statement.
Robin and Regina's eyebrows were raised in surprise, but Mal just shook her head with a sad smile.
"You're gonna make me get coffee with that redhead from accounting when you leave," Mal sighed, and Regina smiled.
"It's like you said, you belong in the city… but we don't."
Regina grabbed Robin's hand and smiled, and Robin kissed the top of her head, lacing his fingers into hers. Mal rolled her eyes in feign disgust.
If you asked her, her best friend was ditching her for some guy, even if he was perfect.
But really, she was happy Regina and Robin were finally settling down.
It was about damn time.
…
Olivia had never been to the city.
It was two weeks before Christmas, and all she wanted to do was see the Big Apple. After all, that was where her favorite Aunt and Uncle lived…
Regina and Robin groaned as they made it up the three flights of stairs to their apartment with gifts bundled in their arms. They were tired, and standing in line for a total of nine hours was not how they wanted to spend their Friday, but nonetheless, there they were, fumbling for the keys in front of their door.
Robin and Regina entered the apartment hurriedly, dumping all the gifts on the kitchen table. Regina kicked the door shut with her foot, and she let out a long breath as she braced herself against the kitchen counter, finding her way out of the entrance.
"Never again," Regina shook her head, and Robin laughed, out of breath.
"Of course the elevator decides to stop working the one day we need it," Robin mused, and Regina cracked a tired smile.
The brunette craned her neck to look at the time, and her eyes widened when she saw how late it was.
"Let's just leave everything here, crash, and we can clean up in the morning," Regina formed the plan in her head as she shrugged off her coats and threw her boots by the door. Robin followed her actions and nodded his head in agreement.
"That sounds perfect."
Robin walked into the living room to turn off the lamp on one of the end tables, and he yawned as he stepped down the tiny step into the homey space.
"Hi Wobin!" Olivia exclaimed as she sat on the chair, and Robin smiled as he kept moving, determined on turning off the light before his body gave up on him.
"Hi, Liv," Robin smiled sweetly, and just before his fingers hit the switch, he froze, turning back to the five-year-old with his mouth hanging open.
"Oh my god, Olivia! What are you doing here?" Robin asked, but the little girl didn't answer his questions. She only jumped in his arms and wrapped her tiny hands around him tight, digging her face into his chest.
Regina came out of the kitchen to see what was all the noise, and she looked terrified to see her beautiful niece in Robin's arms.
"Oh. My. God. Olivia, Sweetheart, please tell me you didn't run away," Regina heart sank to the pit of her stomach as she rushed over to where she and Robin were. Regina's heart started beating a mile a minute, and both adults got the shit scared out of them when another voice came from the hallway by the bedrooms.
"She didn't. I brought her here," Zelena sighed, looking absolutely terrible with dark circles under her eyes, cradling Sophia in her arms.
Regina stood in the middle of her living room, not believing anything that was happening. She rubbed her eyes and shook her head, putting her hand on Robin's shoulder.
"We have been shopping since noon. It's past midnight. We're just exhausted… they're not really here," Regina nodded her head, trying to convince herself and Robin that they were imagining, but it didn't work when they heard Olivia's tired giggle.
"You're silly, Aunt Regina," Olivia closed her eyes as she rested against Robin's chest, and Robin looked to Regina as if the sky had just fallen and robots were taking over the earth.
"What is going on here?" Regina asked, confusing lacing her voice, and Zelena's eyes begged her not to say anything more.
"We're just visiting, isn't that right Sophia? Yes it is…" Zelena cooed to her baby daughter, and Regina pinched her arm to make sure this was really all happening. She looked to her hands and cursed when she saw them.
"Come on, Liv, you and Soph can sleep in the guest bedroom tonight, how does that sound?" Robin asked as he rose with Olivia in his arms, already passed out. Robin walked over to Zelena and offered to take Sophia as well, and when Zelena started crying as she gave her daughter to him, that's when Robin and Regina knew something was seriously wrong.
Regina went over to Zelena and walked them to the couch, letting Robin put down the kids in the other room.
As soon as the kids were out of sight, Zelena completely broke down into Regina. The brunette held her sister as the redhead cried and cried, running her hands through her hair.
"Zelena," Regina tried, but Zelena's cries only grew more violent as her body began shaking. The sight of her older sister crying made Regina herself want to cry, but if she didn't get any answers soon, there was going to be one hell of a phone call made to the police.
"Zelena, you're scaring me… did something happen? Is it Mom or Dad?" Regina asked as she grabbed Zelena's shoulders firmly. Zelena's bottom lip trembled as she tried to catch her breath, trying to form any words at all.
"Chad," was all she muttered, and Regina turned pale.
"What about Chad, Zelena? Is he okay?" Regina interrogated, and Zelena looked Regina dead in the eyes for a brief moment. After moments of silence, Zelena wiped at her eyes and nose, unable to stop her body from shaking.
"It's over," Zelena whispered, and she cried into Regina's arms, the brunette in so much shock that she forgot what the feeling of being tired felt like.
….
Robin handed Zelena a hot cup of tea in front of the fireplace. She was wrapped in a blanket on the couch, her hair thrown up in a messy ponytail, her eyes puffy and red from crying so much.
Zelena took the mug, ashamed, knowing she should have never come. Regina sat beside her sister, holding her hand since they got to the couch. Robin sat across from the sisters in the chair where Olivia was earlier.
"I'm sorry… I, I didn't know where else to go," Zelena whispered softly, and Regina squeezed her sister's hand supportively, making her look into her eyes.
"Never apologize for this, Z. This is your safeplace, you're welcome here at any time," Regina ran her free hand up and down Zelena's arm, but it didn't make her feel any better. All she felt was numb.
Cold.
"I couldn't tell Mom and Dad, and, and the kids think we're here because Santa asked us to help you bake cookies," Zelena blew her nose into a tissue, and it joined the millions of others collecting in the trash.
"Hey, it's okay… it's okay," Regina breathed out, but Zelena couldn't hear anything other than the sound of her broken heart. Regina rested her head against Zelena's shoulder, hugging her arm.
"We're getting divorced," Zelena cried, mascara running down her cheeks, "and it's all my fault."
"Of course it's not, Zelena… what happened?" Regina asked carefully, and Zelena stared out in front of her into the fireplace, reliving it all over again as the pictures in her head played out the same events.
"He came home from work, dropped his keys on the table, and he handed me divorce papers… he said, he said that he still loves me, and he always will, and it's why he had to do it… because I don't love him anymore, and he can't see me unhappy any longer…" Zelena shivered as she pulled the blanket closer to her.
"Did you tell him you still love him? Maybe if you have a conversation, that could fix everything," Regina continued holding Zelena's hand, waiting for her to say something, but she remained silent.
"Zelena," Regina breathed out sadly, and the sound of her little sister's voice made her break down into tears all over again.
"But I don't… I fell out of love with him, Regina."
Regina's eyes widened and so did Robin's. Regina stole a quick, horrified glance to Robin, who shared the same look in his tired eyes.
"We've been together since high school, Regina. Freshman year… there used to be so much excitement and adventure. And then one day, it started slipping away...and I let it," Zelena's lips trembled as she shivered again, the cold not the cause of her tremors. Regina frowned as her lips parted slowly, still in shock about all that had happened that night.
"We fought all the time, and I had to force myself to act like we were okay in front of everyone… god, I am such a horrible person," Zelena sobbed as she put her head in her hands, not wanting Regina or Robin to see her like this. Robin got up and sat on Zelena's other side, lending a friendly hand on her shoulder.
"You are not a horrible person, Zelena. You are human. Sometimes people fall out of love, that's no one's fault… you tried, and that's all anyone could ask you to do," Robin comforted, and Zelena shook her head as she let herself lean on Robin, feeling so grateful he was there, yet so ashamed he had to see her like this.
"We went to marriage counseling, we took nights for ourselves to talk about things, and we even tried going on a damn marriage retreat… but when I look in Chad's eyes, they don't make me smile anymore… I love him, I always will. He's been a part of my life since I was fifteen… but I am not in love with him anymore, and it kills me," Zelena cried as the tears stung her cheeks, and Robin brushed random strands out of her hair, giving her tissues.
"Oh god, what have I done? Why couldn't I just keep my mouth shut and power through this? Olivia and Sophia deserve a family, not whatever this is," Zelena's breath started to become irregular, and Regina hugged her tighter, not knowing anything else she could do.
"Trust me, Zelena, this will be better for them. It's better if two parents who are having problems split, especially for the kids. You don't want Olivia and Sophia to grow up having to watch the struggles. It will be hard for everyone at first, but Zelena, take it from my experience, the girls will thank you later on for leaving a loveless relationship."
Regina looked up into Robin's eyes, wishing things had been different in his childhood, but he only looked back with a small smile. He nodded his head as if to tell her it's okay, and Regina nodded her head in the slightest manner as they both returned back to Zelena.
"I don't know what to do," Zelena whispered, sitting back up straight, letting her head fall. Regina put her head on Zelena's shoulder and smiled when she felt Zelena's breathing go back to normal slowly.
"You can stay here for as long as you need," Regina said, and Zelena closed her eyes.
"You don't understand how much this means to me… but we're going back to Storybrooke tomorrow. I just, I couldn't stay there tonight. It's all too much, and if Mom and Dad found out," Zelena gasped as she realized her parents would find out eventually, "oh god, Mom and Dad."
"Hey, it's okay, deep breaths… we'll deal with this together, okay?" Regina nodded her head firmly, and Zelena broke as she wrapped her arms around her little sister.
"Okay," Zelena breathed, nodding her head too.
"Come on, you need some sleep," Regina exclaimed as she helped Zelena off the couch.
"Where are we going?" Zelena asked, and Robin smiled.
"I'll take the couch tonight, you go get some rest," Robin explained, and Zelena's face fell immediately, running her fingers through her hair.
"I'm disrupting you guys so much, I'm so sorry," Zelena apologized, but Robin shook his head, having none of it.
"Zelena, stop. You are family, and whether you like it or not, we take care of each other… You and Regina take the bedroom, I'll be fine out here," Robin insisted, and Zelena smiled thankfully, not believing Robin was real.
"I'll be back," Regina mouthed to Robin as she walked Zelena into their bedroom, getting her broken heart into bed. Once Regina heard Zelena's quiet, low breaths, the brunette made her way out back to the living room where Robin had already set up camp.
"Thank you," Regina whispered as she wrapped her arms around Robin from behind, and he smiled as he leaned back into her.
"Of course, Love… go make sure she's okay. If you need anything, I'll be right here," Robin smiled, and Regina pecked his lips, giving him one last hug before disentangling herself from his body.
"I love you," Regina sighed adoringly, and Robin grinned as he turned towards her on the couch.
"I love you too."
….
"I want an American Girl doll! And Sophia wants one, too," Olivia smiled as she sat on top of the kitchen counter. Robin grinned as he flipped the pancakes in the pan, turning to her.
"Does she now?"
"Mhm," Olivia nodded her head, "that way we can play together."
"Sophia isn't even two years old yet. Can she talk?" Robin laughed, and Olivia giggled as she shrugged her shoulders.
"What else do you want for Christmas?" Robin asked, and Olivia didn't even have to think about it. She sat up straight and swung her legs around excitedly.
"I want a kitchen!" Olivia exclaimed, and Robin turned around with raised eyebrows, smirking at the five-year-old.
"Aren't you a little too young for that just yet?" Robin teased as he began tickling Olivia, and she laughed as she shook her head, putting her tiny hands on his broad shoulders.
"Not a real one, silly," Olivia giggled, "it's as tall as me, and… the food isn't real," Olivia whispered in Robin's ear, as if it was top secret, and Robin nodded his head, taking their secret very seriously.
"The clock on the top has a smiley face on it, too," Olivia's eyes shined, and Robin chuckled, kissing her cheek before heading back to the pancakes.
"Wobin?" Olivia asked, and Robin looked back over his shoulder to her.
"When are you coming home?" the five-year-old asked in a shy manner. She had thought about it the whole time they'd been there. Robin smiled as he put a stack of pancakes on two plates.
"Have you lost your marbles? We're coming home for Christmas, Sweetheart," Robin grinned as he set the two plates down on the kitchen table. He went back to the counter to grab Olivia, and she enjoyed the free ride in his arms to her seat.
"I mean… umm… when are you moving out of this place?" Olivia asked, and Robin pushed in her chair as she began pouring syrup all over her breakfast. Robin stopped for a moment, wanting to tell her that it wouldn't be much longer, but he knew how much Regina wanted it to be a surprise.
"You don't like it here?" Robin asked as he ruffled her hair, and she rolled her eyes (something she learned from her Aunt Regina).
"Do you?" Olivia asked back, and Robin was taken back by her bold response. Robin scoffed, and Olivia giggled as she shoved a fork-full of pancakes into her mouth. She wiped her mouth on the sleeve of her pajamas, and Robin watched adoringly.
"Aunt Regina and I will be home soon," Robin nodded his head, taking his own seat, and Olivia gasped, stopping every movement.
"Really?!"
"Really."
"You promise?" Olivia begged, clasping her hands together in front of her. Robin couldn't stop smiling as he watched his niece get so excited.
"I promise," Robin took a sip of his milk, but when he looked back up to a staring mess of red-head pigtails, he furrowed his eyebrows.
"You pinky promise?" Olivia held out her hand across the table, sticking out her pinky finger, and Robin leaned across the table, locking his pinky finger with hers. Olivia couldn't keep the smile off her face as her face brightened to a whole new level.
"I pinky promise," Robin breathed out, and Olivia grinned as she used her thumb to wipe away his milk-stache.
The both of them laughed as they went back to their breakfast, enjoying the beautiful sunrise.
….
Regina clenched her eyes closed as she felt the sunlight creep against her skin, sighing into her pillow. She rolled over on her side, expecting to see Robin next to her like every other morning, but all the events from the night before came crashing down on her as she saw Zelena on her other side.
The redhead was staring at the ceiling with no emotion at all, and Regina frowned slightly.
"Hey," Regina sighed, propping her head up with her arm on the bed. Zelena didn't move, but she responded, knowing her sister wouldn't stop pestering her until she made a sound.
"Hey."
Zelena looked deep in thought as she watched the ceiling fan spin around and around. Regina let her sister have her peace and quiet before the long, noisy day would begin, and the brunette was caught off guard when Zelena started talking.
"He woke up at six in the morning so they could watch the sunrise together," Zelena exhaled slowly, no life in her voice. Regina furrowed her eyebrows as she questioned her sister.
"What?"
"Robin," Zelena answered, taking a deep breath, "he woke up at the crack of dawn with my daughter so they could have some time together… I just don't understand," Zelena shook her head, a smile cracking on her face humorlessly.
"What do you mean?" Regina questioned, not sure where the conversation was leading to. Zelena laughed, in her own little world, watching the fan spin in circles.
"You gave it up… and somehow, you got it back… Robin left, and then he came back, and you two make the whole love thing look easy…" Zelena sighed, draping an arm across her forehead.
Regina stayed quiet, knowing Zelena needed to let out all of her thoughts. Especially at a time like this.
"I gave my relationship up, and it didn't come back," Zelena shrugged her shoulders, and it pained Regina to see her falling apart at the seams.
"I shouldn't be surprised. You were always the lucky one… you were always the person who got everything she wanted," Zelena laughed, and Regina felt the need to hide her face in her pillow.
"Zelena,"
"Do you remember the look in Robin's eyes, when you told him you were through? And the look in his eyes when you told him you loved him and to come back where he belonged? It must have felt like the world started spinning again," Zelena explained, and finally, she looked over to Regina with a jealous look reflecting in her eyes.
"I saw the look in Chad's eyes when he handed me the divorce papers, Regina… my world will never spin again."
Zelena turned her head back towards the ceiling, returning her attention to the fan. Regina sat in silence, not knowing what to say, or if she should say anything at all.
The two sisters layed in bed, quiet, the walls the only talk in the room.
….
Zelena had stayed in the bedroom all day long, not having any motivation to get out of bed. She would let herself feel the pity of her crumbling marriage for one day only, and then she would put on the mask she'd been wearing for months.
Regina and Robin took the girls out for the day, exploring the big city, and it was safe to say it was one of the best days all four had ever had. Even baby Sophia never cried once, a joyful smile brightening up the room.
After coming home exhausted, Robin and Regina put Olivia and Sophia to bed. No bedtime stories needed, Regina then dropped off some food on their nightstand for Zelena, but the redhead remained still in the bed, unmoving.
Regina closed the door quietly and made her way back out to the living room, where Robin had just gotten off the phone. She walked up to him with hopeful eyes, as she did every time the phone rang.
"Well?" Regina asked, an optimistic smile painted across her lips. Robin put his phone in his pocket and looked into her eyes gently.
"It was Granny," Robin nodded his head, and Regina's heart started racing. She took a deep breath and tucked random strands of hair back behind her ear, waiting for the news.
Regina looked into Robin's crystal blue eyes to find some sort of warning, and when they didn't sparkle, when they didn't say we'll need to pick out a color for the kitchen, her heart dropped.
"She said we should start considering our other options… I'm so sorry, Regina," Robin frowned, looking as brokenhearted as she was on the inside. Regina bit her lip to stop the rush of emotions she was feeling, and even when the pain was worse than anything, she felt tears beginning to form in her eyes.
Robin's demeanor deflated when he saw the tears starting to fall down Regina's face and he wrapped his arms around her, encasing her in the safety of him.
Regina dug her head into his shoulder, letting the tears fall freely.
Their dream home was gone.
There would be no family nights in front of the fireplace, or parties hosted in the living room, or a crib in the upstairs nursery.
They lost their home.
"It's okay, Love, everything is going to be okay," Robin whispered to her, and it killed her to hear the tears in Robin's voice as well. Regina held onto Robin tightly as her world crashed around her, one bad thing following another.
Regina shook her head against Robin's shoulder, not believing their dreams had just been crushed.
Apparently, Zelena was wrong.
She didn't get everything she wanted.
