Prompt No.62 OQ at Roland or Henry's wedding

Regina's a sobbing mess. Uncontrollable, inconsolable. Robin has tried, he really has tried to keep her tears at bay, but it's the morning of their youngest son's wedding, which means that no matter how hard he tries, there is nothing to make Regina feel better about her baby boy getting married.

She has been pretty good at keeping herself together up until this point. When Roland and Ella first announced their engagement, Regina was elated, would tell anyone who would listen. However, as the day grew closer Robin watched as that excitement slowly transformed into apprehension, which soon developed into fear as they were all seated for the practice dinner, and now? Distress. Now she can hardly pull a fresh tissue from the box quick enough before another tear is rolling down her cheek.

"But he's our baby, Robin," she would sob, followed by the question, "But how did he grow up so fast?" Or add, with a shake of her head, "I just can't believe the day is finally here."

Robin understands. He too can't believe Roland is old enough to be getting married and will soon be having kids of his own. Roland is Robin's baby too and it seems as if he's blinked and the boy has gone from running around playing bows and arrows to moving out and going to college. And now he's about to marry the love of his life. Yet, as much as Robin yearns for just a few more years with his little boy again, he is absolutely euphoric that Roland has met someone who can love him in a way that Regina and himself could never fulfil.

Robin knows Regina feels like this too, but the floodgates have opened and now she's finally allowed herself to open up about how she feels, she simply cannot stop. She's not ready to say goodbye. Not yet.

But it's 10am and they have to be at the venue in an hour. Regina is still in bed, silk robe wrapped around her naked frame as she hugs a pillow to her stomach and looks out of the hotel window intently. She looks so frail, so small as her silent sobs continue to jerk her body up and down.

Robin frowns as he approaches her, gently taking a seat beside her. "Come on, my love. We can't be late," Robin reasons, his voice a soothing balm over her aching heart as he hands her another tissue.

"I know," Regina sniffs, her voice so tiny Robin nearly misses it. She grabs the offered tissue and blows her nose hard before sitting up straighter. "Do I look like I have been crying?" she asks, eyes wet, cheeks puffy and nose red.

Robin grimaces. "It's nothing a bit of cold water can't soothe," he consoles, taking her hand in both of his and squeezing. "Let's just take this step by step, shall we? Let us first focus on getting you dressed. Just getting dressed, nothing more. Okay?"

Regina nods again, sighing as she seems to gather herself and climb from the bed, walking towards where her dress is hanging up. "Am I overreacting?" she whispers when her back is to him and she sheds her robe elegantly from her body.

Robin stands to come up behind her and rub his hands over her shoulders and down her arms. "No," he says, punctuating it with a kiss to the nape of her neck. He knows she needs to hear it and it's all he needs to say. He means it, too.

Robin can feel the tension ease from Regina's shoulders as he lets her go to walk to the mirror and thread the length of his bow tie underneath the collar of his shirt. When he's done he turns to see Regina waiting for him, a small smile on her lips as she asks, "Can you zip me up?"

They are ready in the next half an hour, Regina barely looks like she's shed a tear once she has finished with her make up routine and put her hair into an elegant up-do. She's wearing a stunning olive-green dress that comes to just above her knee. It's a different colour to what she is used to wearing, but the colour matches Robin's tie, and it brings out the olive tones of her caramel eyes.

They arrive at a small car park 20 minutes before the ceremony begins. Robin can tell Regina's confidence has slipped since they left their hotel room, but he holds onto her hand tightly as he guides her along the path into the forest until they reach the small clearing where the ceremony is to be held. A handful of guests are already seated.

"Where's Roland?" Regina whispers as she scans the familiar faces yet is unable to locate the one in particular she is looking for.

Robin shrugs. "He will be here somewhere," he reassures before adding, "Go take a seat, I'll look for him."

Regina nods, holding her head up high as she goes to take a seat at the front of the aisle.

Robin doesn't have to wander far before he finds his son, sitting on a log… having a smoke. As soon as the boy sees his father he immediately stubs out the cigarette and stands up straight, brushing himself off. "Dad! There you are!" he exclaims, a guilty look on his face as he glances down at the cigarette butt and then back at his father.

Robin lifts a single brow as he comes to stand before his son before leaning down to grab the offending butt and inspecting it. "I didn't know you smoked," he says, eyes flicking from his hand to his son. He's amused, but he won't let his son know this, not without a little fun.

Roland slumps in his suit making it look about three sizes too big for him. "I don't," he whines, and it reminds Robin of the little boy who still wanted to play hide and seek with him in the back garden. The thought plucks at Robin's heartstrings as he drops the butt back to the ground.

"Just using it as a hand warmer then, eh?" he presses.

"No," Roland replies, dropping his gaze, "Please don't tell mum. She will never let me hear the end of it. It's just… I feel so nervous."

Robin frowns, moving closer so that he can wrap his arm around his son's shoulders. "I know, my boy. This will be our little secret."

"Thanks, Dad."

"Besides, I see how happy you and Ella make each other. You have nothing to be nervous about. You've got a bright future ahead of you. Both of you," Robin reassures as they begin to walk back towards the clearing.

Roland nods, glancing over at his father. "I just hope I can make Ella as happy as you make Regina."

And this is all Robin has ever wanted; to set a good example for his son, and show him how to love by bringing him up surrounded by it. Hearing these words come from his son's lips are all the reassurance he needs to know that Regina and himself have been great parents to their son. And now it's time to let him go.

Robin smiles. "I know you will."

The two of them arrive back to where the guests are waiting, and when Regina spots them she is instantly on her feet, heading towards them. She takes her boy's face in her hands as soon as she reaches them.

"Oh look at you," she gushes, tears beginning to form in her eyes again, but this time she doesn't let them fall. "You look so handsome." And if she can smell the smoke on her son's clothing, she doesn't let anything on.

Roland smirks kindly, putting his hands over his mothers before slowly removing them from his face. "Thanks mum, you and dad scrub up well too," he teases, slapping his dad gently on his shoulder before giving it a squeeze.

"How are you feeling?" Regina whispers, bringing Roland's attention back to her.

Roland grins, shrugging his shoulders. "Nervous, excited, happy…" he lists before shaking his head. "How are you?"

"About the same," Regina replies with a slight shrug of one shoulder as she feels Robin's hand come to rest at the small of her back as he stands beside her.

"We're both very excited for you, my boy," he adds.

"Have you got the rings?" Regina asks.

"Yes." Roland nods.

"And your vows?"

"Yes, mum."

"What about-"

"Mum," Roland cuts in with a chuckle, "I am ready," he reassures, before leaning down (when did he grow so tall?) to kiss her on the cheek. "I've got this. Why don't you and dad go and take your seats? Ella should be arriving soon."

With some reluctance, Regina agrees and the two of them take their seats next to Snow and David, who have just arrived. The four of them engage in some small talk before the string quartette at the end of the aisle starts playing and all chatter subsides.

It's time.

Regina breathes in and out slowly as Robin's fingers slip between her own to rest on her knee. He squeezes her hand softly as they both turn to watch Roland's bride, all in white, slowly walk down the aisle.

Their little boy is getting married.