Storybrooke Hospital
"I'll see who's available. Please wait here!" barked the ever-stern Nurse Ratched to the two women in the reception area. Ruby & Dorothy both flinched at the harsh tone of the former asylum nurse. They'd popped in Killian's sperm sample the day before, and were hoping to be met by Victor Whale, rather than the hospital ice maiden. However, Ruby's anxiety eased when she heard the rich baritone voice of another as he came out to greet them.
"Miss Lucas, Miss Gale? Nice to see you again! Bridget, I'm available to see them on Victor's behalf! Could you kindly show the ladies into my office please? I'll be with you in a moment…" With that, Merlin moved across to the desk to collect some patient notes.
"Certainly, Professor! Ladies, this way please? Would you like some tea?" Dorothy noticed the instant change in Ratched at the presence of the man, clearly in awe of him. They had never seen her smile even once before, and seeing it now was a bit alarming. Ruby winked at her fiancée as they were led into Victor's consultation room. After a minute, Merlin joined in.
"Ok, sorry about that. Hope we didn't keep you waiting? I didn't realise Victor had such a busy case load! He needs more help here. The poor man's been rushed off his feet."
"Is he okay?" asked Ruby. "He's usually here on a Wednesday. I often have a quick lunch with him."
"He's fine. Just busy working in the new Sherwood clinic for a month. Then he's going to New York to retrain in his first love. Neurology."
Ruby couldn't hide her disappointment. 'Victor's leaving? What, for good?"
Merlin gave her a sympathetic smile. "I don't think so. I'm sure he'll be back. Victor's been acting as an all-round practitioner here, often running this place single-handed. He's been denied many of the new tools and skills of the modern world. So, I'm going to help him get up to speed, introduce him to some key specialists, that sort of thing."
"Carrie's going to be really upset," added Dorothy. She was also going to miss their friend.
"She already knows," he said, "Miss Locksley is going to go with him to New York, to look for temporary accommodation. I've a good feeling about those two." The women looked glum. Another friend moving on. "Anyway, you two. Let's not be too sad. I know they'll both be back in due course. Onto other news. I'm told you left the donor sperm in the container here yesterday. I'm told the first batch has been prepared, so shall we get started?
Dorothy exchanges a guilty look with Ruby. "What, already?"
"Well, no time like the present! I checked your charts from your samples and your last visit and you should both be ovulating around now. Though I can't remember which one of you was going to get pregnant. Either way, it'll only take a few minutes to do this."
"Um…fine. Although before we start, we do have a question." Merlin smiled, nodding for her to continue. Dorothy gulped, gripping Ruby's hand, as she struggled to hide her embarrassment.
"Ladies, I sensing hesitation here? I'm a doctor. I need you to be open with me, if you want me to help. There's no need to feel embarrassed."
"Well…what if one of us…both of us…were kind of, already inseminated? How long before we found out if one of us took it and successfully fell pregnant? What kind of gap would there need to be, if we weren't, before we tried again with the samples?" Ruby kept looking down, feeling she was wasting the Sorcerer's time.
Merlin looked at them, quizzically. "'Already inseminated?' Ruby, you didn't try to inject some of the sperm yourselves using some sort of syringe, did you? I can tell you, that way isn't always very reliable."
"No! We wouldn't try to do anything like that. Only with you people helping us. Experts. Or the…" her cheeks blushed deep red as her eyes connected with his, seeing him connect the dots.
"Or the natural way? Intercourse? Is that what you're trying to say, Ruby?" He gave her an odd look, not judgmental just curious. Dorothy's short nod confirmed his thoughts. "So are you saying that one of you had sexual intercourse with a man, without a condom?"
Ruby's eyes confirmed everything. It was Dorothy's turn to blush.
"Well, it's not what I was expecting, but there's no need to feel embarrassed. You're not the first and you certainly won't be the last to jump the gun before starting treatment. Ladies, I'm not here to judge you, just to help you. As I mentioned on Sunday, the potential donor needs to have some form of magical ability if there's to be any chance of success. So, I have to ask, was Captain Jones involved?"
"Um…yeah." Dorothy confirmed in a whisper, still feeling guilty. "Does that change anything?"
"Not really. Probably best to see if you miss your period in a couple of weeks. If so, we'll get a urine sample to check, followed by bloods. If no change, I recommend we start with the insemination in about a month or so. You never know, you may get lucky and fall pregnant first time around! Which one of you had intercourse?"
The two women looked at each other, bashfully, playful smirks showing on the pair of them. It was also picked up by Merlin, who gave a surprised grin back.
"Both of you? Well, well. That may double the chance of success, so I'll keep my fingers crossed for you both! However, for the moment I'm just going to prescribe you some multivitamins and a few things to help in the meantime. I'll see you both back here in a few weeks?"
"Thanks Professor. I do have another thing to ask," said Dorothy, relieved the embarrassment was over. "We'd like to invite you to our wedding on the Jolly Roger on Friday morning. Short notice, I know, but I hope you'll come? Anna and Rosie are going to be there..."
"Oh dear," said Merlin with a deep chuckle. "If my daughters are going, I'd best attend, just to keep them in line and stop them tripling your drinks bill! Thank you, I would love to come to your wedding! The Jolly Roger you say? So Killian provided the rings and the venue?"
"He's also performing the ceremony! Seems fitting somehow. Killian's the one who gave me the nudge I needed to ask her to marry me, after all!" said Ruby, latching onto Dorothy's arm.
Tuesday Afternoon – Mifflin Street
As Regina let herself in through the front door, having collected the children from school, Honour and Roland charged around her towards the stairs, stopping briefly to kick off shoes and coats. "Hang them up, Roland!" she yelled to the ten-year-old's back. "I don't want to see a pile on the floor again!" She ignored the exaggerated moans of the boy, as he turned back to retrieve the discarded coat and hang it up. "Don't forget you're helping me cook tonight, young man! Emma's going out and you said you wanted spaghetti Bolognese? So, if you don't help, you don't eat!" It was an idle threat. Roland loved cooking.
Two minutes later, she walked up the stairs, entering her bedroom to find wardrobe doors open and most of the floor and bed draped with clothes. Emma's clothes to be precise. Before she could complain about the mess, she heard a loud groan. "AArrggghhh - too bloody tight! They fit three months ago; I can't have put on that much?" wailed Emma, as Regina stepped into the bathroom to see her wife lying on the floor, red faced and straining as she tried to pull on her usual skinny jeans.
"Emma! What the hell are you doing?"
"What does it look like? I'm trying to put something on to go out for the evening with your…boyfriend. And nothing fits! I'm running nearly every day, and down to three bear claws a week now, so I shouldn't have put any weight on! My ass is the size of a barge these days!"
"Emma, I can assure you your ass is perfectly lovely. I should know! However, 'lovely' is not the word I would use to describe the state of our bedroom right now! What's wrong?"
"What's wrong is that I can't find anything to wear! Nothing looks right, and I just…I don't know…"
"You're acting like a child," she scolded. "And you're looking in wardrobes owned by two women of fairly similar size. There's bound to be something here…" Regina looked at everything that had been flung on the floors. "If I didn't know better I would have said you were definitely Roland's mother! It can't be that hard. Where's Robin taking you anyway?"
"He texted. Something about a French place called 'Lowberge cash' something or other. Merlin mentioned it. It's some fancy restaurant about an hour from here…"
"You're going to 'L'Auberge Cachée'? The Hidden Inn? Emma, that's a five-star Michelin restaurant! I want to go there! It's only been open a year or so." Regina remembered recently reading about it, and had intended taking Emma there for an anniversary. "I'm jealous - the food's supposed to be wonderful! Very creative." Then she looked at the clothes scattered across the floor. Mostly jeans, pants and tops. "You can't possibly go somewhere like that in jeans! You need to dress up!"
"Gina, you know I don't do swanky! I'm a burger and fries girl. I'm not sure it's a good idea, after all. Perhaps I should just tell him I can't make it."
"Don't you dare! Despite your best efforts, you're still a princess - and food obsessed, so you'll love it! So, no buts, madam - I'll help find you something and we'll damn well fix your hair and make-up while we're at it!"
Emma looked curiously at her wife. "Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why go to all the trouble? It's only Robin. And…hey, what's wrong with my hair?"
"It looks greasy. Needs a wash. And you go to the trouble, because he's going to the trouble to take you somewhere very special. He's trying to get to know you, and you should damn well try to get to know him too!"
"I think I got to know him fairly well Saturday night, don't you think?" she smirked, "Anyway, what's going on? It feels like you're trying to turn this into some sort of…date?"
Regina sighed, loudly, sitting on the bed beside her wife. "Emma, we've talked about this. Robin's their father. And you accepted he's going to be part of their…our, lives now. After what you said about him, I kind of…want you and him to become…friends."
"Only friends? Gina, he's my wife's soulmate and he's taking me out to a posh restaurant. That sounds suspiciously…romantic. You don't think he has ideas of something with me too, do you? You don't think he's looked at Philip and thought about something like that for himself? A few more threesome evenings? It's every guy's dream, after all…"
"Please don't talk about him like that, Emma. He's honourable and you know it! He would never treat you, or any woman, like that. Just because you've had bad experiences in the past…"
"True. But I guess you wouldn't mind another little romp with me and Wonder Boy?" she teased, trying to get a rise out of her.
"I will admit to enjoying Saturday night - till somebody put her foot in it, that is…" she glared at the blonde. "And I know you enjoyed it too!"
"Hmm. I don't deny it, but do you really think it's a good idea setting me up with him? I am a married woman after all…"
"I'm doing no such thing. He asked you out, and I'm encouraging it."
"What if he wants a good night kiss? Are you okay with that, too?"
Regina's eyebrow arched at the question, and she considered it. "Yes. If both my true loves were to become closer…I would be ok with that!"
Emma couldn't believe her ears. "So you're giving me permission to make out with Robin Hood?"
"Actually, I am. I trust you and I trust him."
"Interesting! Okay, so what do you suggest I wear then? Clearly, according to you my clothes aren't nearly good enough for him!"
Regina ignored the sarcasm. "Something of mine. The purple cocktail dress would work - with your hair down."
"You wore that at the Spring Ball! You looked drop-dead gorgeous. Most of the guys couldn't take their eyes off you. Nor could Mal or Ruby. I think Dorothy was a bit pissed off at her for staring! Bit sheer and shows a lot of boob and leg though, don't you think?"
"No, I do not! It shows sufficient décolletage to be interesting but not provocative. It will fit perfectly for where you're going. Now, you'll need matching strapless bra and pants. I think I have them. Now let's tidy up this mess and get you in the bath…"
"Hmm, I like the sound of that. You gonna join me?"
"I'd love a hot bath right now; however, it's early, and we have two very wide-awake children in the house!"
"Spoilsport! Nothing a locked door and a silencing spell can't fix."
Regina groaned, remembering what Henry said earlier. "Yes, about that. Our son heard us again last night. And I gather we woke Honour!"
"That's impossible! I threw that spell - twice. I'm sure I did!" Emma cringed. "Fuck, that's so embarrassing. There's no way he should have heard us!"
"I know. I was there, remember? I don't know what's happened, but I guess we'd better keep the noise down in future." She looked at her wife, resigned.
Though Emma had a sly grin. "Perhaps I should get your boyfriend to step up his babysitting responsibilities, now he's back and in his little kingdom? They can all spend the night with him in the forest, and we stay here! Then you can scream all you want!"
Earlier the same day – aboard The Jolly Roger
Aboard the former pirate ship as it lay moored in the harbour, Captain Killian Jones was going through the arrangements for Friday's wedding with Ruby and Dorothy. Tinker Bell and Rosie Sage stood to one side, offering suggestions.
"So, ladies. After you've made your vows to one another, you'll exchange the rings, I'll declare you duly married, or wife and wife or some such. You'll kiss your bride, and you'll go into the Captain's Quarters for the cricket, who'll sort out the legals, registering the marriage, that sort of thing. All understood?"
"Aye, aye Cap'n!" said Dorothy, with the worst pirate accent imaginable, making the others groan and Killian raise an eyebrow, making her feel a little guilty. "Sorry. Not my best impression!"
That made him smirk. "Forgiven. Now then, where are you having the banquet?"
Before the imminent newlyweds could respond, Rosie spoke up. "You need to sort this place out! It's looking at bit…ship-py!"
"A bit 'Ship-py'! Is that even a word, love? It's a ship! A beautiful brigantine. My beautiful brigantine to be precise. What were you expecting?" he scoffed light heartedly.
"You know what I mean! It's a beautiful ship, but it still needs some sort of extra decoration for this wedding! Some bunting, lights and stuff! Some pizzazz! It's their special day, Killian," said Merlin's daughter, looking at the two women. "We need to brighten it up!"
Jones looked up and down the vessel, his pride and joy. She has a point, he thought. "OK, young lady. What do you suggest?"
"Well, I've never actually decorated a ship before, but how about something like this?" With that, the young brunette waved her hands. As the mist cleared, the rigging, ropes and edges of the sails became festooned with multi-coloured flags. White lilies draped across the floor and multi coloured flowers decked the sides.
"Oh, wow! That's so clever, I love it! Did your dad teach you that, Rosie?" gasped Ruby, looking at the sudden massive floral display.
"Well, kind of. Mum was always the one for the style stuff." She said, a tinge of sorrow in her voice. "Dad was more into the big performance."
Tinker Bell picked up on the change, moving across to place an arm on the young woman's shoulder. "I'm sorry. When did she pass over?"
"Three years ago; car accident. Knocked everyone for six, especially Anna. Even dad took it pretty bad, and he's gone through this countless times before."
Ruby said nothing, silently stepping in front of her and wrapping her arms around her in a hug. Dorothy stepped to their left side, wrapping arms around them, resting a head against Rosie's shoulder. Even Tink joined in from the other side, the three women now surrounding her in a comforting embrace. "Rosie, we know. Ruby and I both lost our parents; but the pain does lessen even if it never goes completely. But you have friends here! Don't be afraid to use us. Rubes is a particularly good shoulder to cry on. So's Killian, actually!" said Dorothy, looking up at the former pirate.
"Aye, love. Most of us have experienced pain of loss. Death's a part of life! You've already made friends here. I'm here too, or at least I will be till Saturday."
She looked up at the man she'd spent all night with, her eyes reddening. "Actually Killian, I've been meaning to ask you something. Take me with you? Please? I'm in no rush to get back home…"
Killian was more than surprised. The last twenty-four hours with this astonishing, beautiful, energetic young woman had been wonderful and he was secretly hoping for more time with her. "You know I'm going to be away for at least a year? Possibly longer? This is all a bit sudden. I'd love to have you on board, but you need to talk this through with your father? And your sister. Think it through and if you still want to join us," he said, glancing at the green fairy, "then you'll be most welcome." With that, he stepped away to walk down the steps to his quarters, leaving the four women still huddled.
"Rosie," said the fairy, lowering her voice. "I'm sailing with Killian too, but it's a long time to be away from your family. Are you sure it's a good idea?"
"Tink - you're going too! Why?" interrupted Dorothy.
"Well, apart from my friends here, there isn't really any reason for me to stay. Kill's going to be meeting Ariel and Eric in Atlantica after Neverland. Then he's going on to Arendelle. I've really missed Anna and Elsa, so it seems the right time to go. Besides, I can keep him company. I've been worried about him since he came back and found out about Emma and Regina. He hides it well, but he's hurting..."
Rosie gave a little chuckle. "Yeah, right!" making Tink frown. "Something you want to say?"
"Well…erm…begging your pardon and all that. I may not have known him as long as all of you, but he's definitely more over Emma than you might think." Tink never spotted the smirk from the others, as they nodded in agreement; but she definitely picked up on the blush on Rosie's cheeks.
"Oh. Oh! Rosie, are you and Killian…together?" It wasn't the first time she'd seen someone smitten.
"Not 's just…well, early days yet. We're both getting over someone but…who knows?"
She smiled back at Merlin's daughter. "Well if you do decide to come, it'll be nice having another woman along. I was beginning to think I'd be a bit outnumbered!"
As the two discussed the voyage ahead, Ruby looked with concern at Dorothy, who seemed to be thinking the same thing. If Rosie and Killian were starting a relationship, should they be continuing their IVF with his sperm sample? Would he expect them not to go ahead?
Knowing Robin would be collecting Emma at seven, Regina finished cooking the children's supper a little early, so she could change out of her jeans and T shirt and into something more suitable before he arrived. He wasn't actually taking her out this evening but, what the hell! Stepping into their bedroom, she heard Emma in the adjoining bathroom. Trying the handle, which was locked, she called out. "Em! You okay in there?"
"Yup. Just finishing off - perfection takes time these days!" That earned a snigger from the brunette, who was just about to change out of her jeans and top when she heard the door knocker. "Dammit, he's early!" So instead, she zipped herself back up and stepped back out and down the stairs.
She opened the front door. "You should know better, arriving before a lady's fully prepared…" she stopped, as instead of seeing her familiar outlaw, she was instead confronted by a tall brunette teenager.
Hi Mrs. Swan-Mills. How are you?" blurted Violet, as heavy footsteps were heard thumping down the stairs behind her. Henry suddenly appeared behind his mother, gently grasping her shoulders from behind, embracing her while gently but forcefully moving her to one side to get to his girlfriend.
"Hi, Vi!" he said, wrapping an arm around the girl's side and placing a just-about chaste kiss on her lips.
Regina smiled at her, welcoming the increasingly elegant young woman into her house, whilst feeling a little saddened. She liked Violet, but hated how Henry was no longer reliant on his mothers. He was a young man now, no longer a boy; taller and broader than either of them, and growing more self-assured by the day. He had his grandfather David's natural charm, and like Charming, effortlessly flirted with the opposite sex without even being aware of doing it.
"Come up, I'm nearly ready." He said, taking Violet by the hand and leading her in.
Nearly ready? Henry, you're going out? I thought you were staying for dinner? We've hardly seen anything of you!" The words left her mouth before she could stop them. She knew it sounded pathetic and needy, but she had so missed him, even before his recent falling out with Emma.
"Mum, Vi and I are just heading into Sherwood for a few hours. There's a party going on for Grace's 21st birthday at the Locksley. I won't need dinner…"
"But…you're still coming home tonight, right?"
"Well…I was planning on staying over at Violet's tonight. Sir Morgan doesn't mind…"
Regina sighed. She got on well with Sir Morgan, one of King Arthur's former knights, and knew he was a good man. A little formal, but he liked Henry, and approved of Violet's choice in boyfriend. Both parents realized that Violet and Henry were probably sleeping together, but pretended their ignorance and trusted their children were careful and sensible. Sir Morgan had grown to trust Regina, but was still reticent when it came to Emma. The mere fact that, whilst cursed as the Dark One, Emma had once removed his daughter's heart from her body to coerce Henry to tears had not been forgotten by the knight. Forgiven, after Emma's apology. But not forgotten. "Violet," she smiled at her half-heartedly, "You know, you're always welcome to stay with us!"
Violet blushed, knowing this was an awkward subject, but still not feeling altogether confident around Henry's blonde mother. "Thank you, Mrs. Swan-Mills. Perhaps another time?"
"Please call me Regina? It's been five years and we're almost family."
"Okay, thank you Regina…I appreciate it!"
Before she could reply, a larger figure appeared behind the girl. "Hope I'm not interrupting?"
"Hi Robin!" said Henry.
"Lord Locksley!" said Violet. Regina couldn't help but notice the gentle blush on the young woman's face as she addressed him. "Thanks for yesterday! The paddock's wonderful. Dad's over the moon!"
"You're more than welcome, Violet. And it's just 'Robin' to you. None of that 'Lord' nonsense!"
"Paddock?"
"Robin and the men levelled part of Sherwood to build some new stables, foaling barns and a riding area. You can fit about fifty horses in there now! Dad's thrilled as he doesn't need to traipse around several places for Thunderbolt!" Violet trilled.
"I'm glad he likes it. Now if we can just persuade David Nolan and a certain rather brilliant horsewoman I know to give lessons, we can create a half-decent riding school!" he said, winking at Regina.
"Me?" she mused, "and what makes you think I have either the time, or the inclination to teach? Have you even spoken to Charming about this?"
"First, I know you're a lady of leisure at the moment. Possibly bored and needing a little change? You used to love nothing more than riding your stallion through the forest. You've probably forgotten more about everything equestrian than most people around here will ever know, and once again, you love it! Certainly beats all that boring local politics too!"
She laughed at the last bit. "You know me too well! Let me think about it? May I remind you that I am hardly a 'lady of leisure', seeing as I have to take care of two of your children! Much as I love them…"
Henry and Violet watched the conversation from the stairs, seeing how easily his brunette mother softened in front of Robin and how their eyes never left each other, flirting openly, as though the last five years never happened. Looking at them, Henry had no doubt his mother still had strong feelings for the man who died to save her. However, his thoughts were interrupted by the figure of his blonde mother walking down the stairs.
"Violet? Hen? Whatcha up to? Going out?" said the Saviour, as she brushed past them.
"Wow, you look great Emma!" said Violet, stunned to see her in such a sexy dress. The former sheriff always had a great figure, but rarely wore anything that truly showed it off, leaving that to her wife. However, this time, Emma sported a purple silk off the shoulder knee length cocktail dress which showed her long athletic legs to perfection and just the right amount of cleavage to be tantalizing but not indiscrete. Her long blonde hair, usually bunched or in a ponytail, cascaded over her shoulders.
Robin brought his eyes up to her as she descended the staircase. "Oh my! Emma, you are a vision! Simply stunning," he said, careful to look her in the eyes and not allow his own to roam her body. His eyes then moved across to Regina's, seeing her equally impressed by the result. "My girl scrubs up well, don't you think?"
"To perfection, Gina. Emma, I've never seen you look so beautiful! Oh! I nearly forgot - a little something for each of you…" he said, producing two single long-stemmed roses, one pale yellow and one lavender but both perfect in their detail. He gave the yellow rose to Emma and the lavender rose to Regina, who smiled up at him, knowing their meaning. Emma looked across at her wife, realizing that as the colours were unusual. They must signify something?
"Emma, the yellow rose symbolizes unconscious beauty, friendship and the promise of a new beginning…"
"Nice. And the lavender one?"
"Love at first sight," breathed Robin, scanning the two ladies as they stood together. He silently chuckled to himself. Regina, normally immaculately attired, now felt self-conscious next to her stunning spouse.
"What? Something wrong with what I'm wearing? I look badly dressed next to Emma?"
"Gina, you wouldn't know how to be badly dressed if you tried! You're always turned out immaculately. I chuckled because, looking at the pair of you together, both intelligent, powerful and yes, stunningly beautiful women; I just noticed how the two of you have grown in to one other. You're even wearing each other's clothes, and you still look lovely!"
Emma looked over her wife's outfit and saw it was true. She was wearing her own jeans and a white sweater. Apart from the Timberland boots, as Emma's feet were a bit bigger. Regina smiled back at her, leaning in to Robin to whisper, just within earshot of all three, "She's wearing my purple panties, too!" which earned a light tap and denial from Emma, whose cheeks flushed, but not as much as Robin's. "Hey, don't go telling him that!"
Quickly trying to change the subject, Emma studied him. "You're looking pretty dapper there yourself, Mr. Outlaw!" And she meant it. He looked extremely handsome in a well fitted, possible bespoke, single-breasted dark charcoal grey suit with what looked like a black silk roll neck underneath, showing off his broad chest. His hair also seemed to be clipped and his beard trimmed. "Hmm, doesn't he just!" Regina agreed, with a slightly lustful gaze. He looks even better underneath it! She thought, glancing to see Emma had caught the look in her eye.
Henry, seemingly invisible to the trio as they talked, picked up on what was odd about this. "Hey, ma! YOU'RE going out with Robin tonight? Not mum?"
Emma's breath hitched, realizing how it must have looked to her son. "Well, yeah. We just kinda…"
"I need to talk to Emma about a number of things regarding Roland and Honour, Henry!" Robin interrupted, sparing her blushes. "Your other mother didn't want to come out with us this time, so she's staying here…" At least it was believable?
"Well, with ma dressed like that, it must be somewhere special!" said Henry, who by now had noticed the odd-coloured roses both his mothers held. Seeing their awkward looks, he decided to leave it at that. "Well, have a nice time. Oh, and Robin? Nice suit! Sharp!"
"Thanks Henry. You have a nice evening too. Emma, are you ready to go?"
"Ready as I'll ever be. I go get my car keys."
"No need. We have a car and chauffeur outside."
"What?" Emma's eyes widened. "A chauffeur? We're heading over the town line! Who have you got too…" Until now she hadn't thought about this bit. What if they were seen? Her and Robin on a…date? What if word got back to her parents? Tongues wag in Storybrooke and before she knew it, everybody would want to know why she and Robin were dressed up and going over the town line. Without Regina! "Robin, I don't know…"
The archer had guessed her concerns. He'd closed off his mind-reading, but could tell where she was going with this. "Emma, don't worry. I have an impeccable, discrete man who will take us over the town line and bring us back later, allowing us to have a few drinks and relax. He has magic too, so he'll be fine."
"He? Magic? Well I'm sure you wouldn't ask Gold! That leaves Jeff, or Merlin?"
"None of those, I'm afraid!" he almost giggled. "It's someone I trust completely!"
"Not Killian? Please Robin, not him! I couldn't possibly-"
"Then who else has magic here?" Regina was equally curious.
"Well come see…" he waved behind him, gesturing them to join him, walking towards the back of a large grey-black limousine. As they walked closer, a tallish man in a peaked cap and grey uniform stepped out, walking towards the back door and opening it in readiness for Emma to join them. "Your car, madame!" said a Robin Hood-looking figure; an exact replica of the man now walking beside her!
"Hmm. Been practicing that 'cloning' magic, I see?" grinned Regina.
"Something like that! It's a bit tricky, but I've been assured by Merlin that if I have too much alcohol tonight, it won't affect him!" to which his chauffeur doppelganger replied. "Absolutely not! I would never drink and drive!"
Regina stepped closer to Chauffeur Robin. "I like the peaked cap! Very military!" To which the man replied with a wink "And I come, with or without, madame!" Earning a guffaw from the brunette.
"Robin, your 'chauffeur' is flirting with my wife - rein him in!" Emma yelled, albeit with a grin.
"Bad chauffeur! Naughty, bad doppelganger! Don't flirt with the customers! Know your place!" Proper Robin said to the doppelganger, trying hard to stifle his laugh.
"Oo arrr! Zorry, young zur!" Chauffeur Robin replied, feigning humility, with a weird British accent and a doff of his cap. "Oi know moi place, zur! Jus' don't go beatin' me again zur!" To which all three laughed out loud.
"Perhaps you should just leave your…chauffeur…with me while you go off? I'll take good care of him…" Regina offered, a sly look in her eye.
"Absolutely no chance!" insisted Emma, "We're definitely drinking. We need that ride home!"
"Very well. Have a wonderful time, both of you. Emma..." she placed a soft kiss on her wife's lips. "…you behave yourself! And Robin?" she turned to her former true love, placing a slightly more chaste kiss on his cheek, "please take good care of my girl?"
"Emma's more than capable of taking care of herself, Gina. Perhaps she can take care of me? But I'll still protect her with my life if need be…"
"Don't say things like that! Brings back too many bad memories."
She stepped back, as the pair climbed into the limousine, unaware they were being closely watched from an upstairs window.
"How come Robin's taking Emma out to dinner, to a restaurant outside town, without Regina? I heard what he said, but your mum loves dressing up!"
"I know. I don't believe it, either."
"That dress she's wearing is so sexy - and the shoes! She looked wonderful, almost like she was on a date!"
Henry was thinking the same thing. But if it was some sort of date, why was his other mother smiling and flirting with Robin when they left?