Rob's body jerked above her, and she knew she'd managed to shock him. It wasn't how she'd planned, but the mood was right. He lifted his head to look into her eyes and she saw the wariness. "Did you say, twins?" His hands had unconsciously tightened around her waist. His voice was thread and uneven.

Nodding, Regina pressed a hand to his chest and felt his heart beating widely. "Yea, the doctor said that I have more hormones in my system than usual. It's why I've been so sick and why I've been feeling dizzy. He did an ultrasound. There were two heartbeats."

"Doesn't that mean yours and the baby's?" He frowned.

She laughed. "Two in the womb, Robin. I heard them and it was like nothing I've ever heard." His face was so focused and so serious, she wanted to smile. "Did I shock you?"

For a moment, her own heart pounded when she saw him look scared. Genuinely scared. Then a slow grin spread across his face and he shook his head. "Regina, you kill me. Are you shitting me? Is this some kind of joke to get me?"

"It's not a joke," she whispered. "There's a wrapped picture of the ultrasound on my bed," she said. "I was going to give it to you after we got back."

He used his arms to get up without crushing her and ran his hands through his hair in a jerky gesture. His face paled a little. "Twins don't run in my family that I know of." His voice was still too uneven. His breath too unsteady.

"My great-great-grandmother was a twin," she said absently. She remembered seeing pictures of her family in her father's den. Never having met them, she could only go by the stories she was told. Sitting up, she touched his shoulder. "I know, it's a bit scary."

"Yea, you can say that again." She frowned when she saw how spooked he was. It had been a shock to her when the doctor had announced it as if she'd already known. Then, she'd nearly passed out and he'd had to backtrack and gently tell her what to expect.

When the silence between them had become strained and tense, she sat up and put her shoes back on. "What are you doing?" Rob's eyes followed her as she walked into the kitchen to get a glass of water.

"I'm thirsty," she said with a small voice. When she stood with her back to him and drank, she took a deep breath. Maybe she should've waited to tell him. He wasn't taking it very well, she mused. When her insecurities almost got the best of her, she felt him behind her. His hand rested on her waist and the other reached up and brushed her hair away from her neck. His lips gently pressed at the base and her body relaxed instantly.

Closing her eyes, she waited for him to say something. Only, he didn't. He simply turned her around and looked down at her face. A small smile played on his lips and his eyes dreamily stared into hers. Feeling shaken, she was surprised when his hands gently cradled her face in his big hands.

His thumbs, rough from his work, stroked over her skin. Then, he lowered his head until his lips softly pressed against hers. It was tender and slow; her arms came around his torso to hold on. When he lifted his head, he grinned. "You never fail to surprise me," he said softly.

"I think I was more surprised than you were." She swallowed. "Roland was a handful by himself, I'm not sure how it's gonna be with two of them," she said honestly terrified.

His arms came around her and hugged her to him. "When you had Roland, you were on your own. This time you have me, my parents, and Maggie and David." He paused. "Three babies," he shook his head in awe. "I think I'm a little shocked still."

Resting her head against his chest, she mumbled, "I'm scared."

His arms tightened slightly to soothe. "I'm right there with you, darlin'." Then he erupted in laughter. Confused, she lifted her head. "I'm glad you didn't hand me that picture and watch me fumble."

Her lips curved until she was grinning with him. "It's still on the bed," she reminded him. "Rob?" Her voice suddenly serious caught his attention.

"Yea?" He looked into her eyes and she felt like she was his whole world at that moment. His lips curved and his nose brushed hers.

Taking a deep breath and gaining all the courage she could muster, she said, "I'd love it if you moved into the house with us."

He smiled. "I wasn't gonna give you a choice." He kissed her. "This cabin is too lonely without you in it." He glanced around. "And it's too quiet without Roland rambling on around me."

Regina laughed. "He does talk too much."

"No," he shook his head. "He talks just the right amount He's smart and funny and I can't imagine my days without hearing his voice." He tugged her hair playfully. "Or seeing you wake up in the morning all fresh and gorgeous."

Blushing, she turned her head, but his hand caught her chin and brought her back to face him. "I like seeing you first thing in the morning," he said softly. "When your eyes are all groggy and not yet focused." He grinned. "It's the same look you get right before you come." His voice turned gruff.

She slapped his chest, "Robin."

His chest shook with his chuckle, "What? Embarrassed?"

"No," she said not telling the absolute truth. Her cheeks were flaming, and he just kept grinning.

His hands caressed her back and moved down to her hips, moved slowly over her ass, and tucked her against him. Her breath caught when she felt him hard and in the right spot. Her eyes closed and she tilted her head back as a wave of arousal overtook her. "Mmm," he mumbled as his lips nibbled along her jaw.

Her hold tightened around him as he took hold of the back of her thighs and hoisted her up. She gasped as he took slow measured steps toward the bedroom. "Roland is waiting for us," she protested.

When he laid her on the bed and climbed on top of her, he said, "He's probably still playing with those nerf guns." She opened her mouth to protest but it caught in her throat when his mouth latched onto her neck where her pulse beat wildly.

Her body responded immediately and strongly to his soft caresses and deliciously hot mouth moving over her. Sex had always been a punishment, a job, a time for her to escape. With Rob, it was an exploration, a revelation, and a time for discovery.

He never failed to make her heart pound, her mind to muddle, and her body to sing. His touch was confident but gentle. His mouth was hot and seeking. When he lifted his head and took her mouth, she opened for him. Opened her body, her mind, and her heart to what he offered.

She yielded as she never had. Gave more when he offered and took more when he didn't. The heat of his body surrounded her like the love she felt surrounded her heart. He was being slow and thorough. When he undressed her, it wasn't hurried as it had been.

The zipper slid down her hip with exquisite slowness and his fingers brushed her skin so softly, she barely felt them. His kisses were soft and tender. He was so tender it brought tears to her eyes. When she was naked, she barely recalled his clothes being removed.

He kissed her deeply and shifted their bodies to cover them knowing the room was cold. The heat of the fire in the living room didn't reach where they lay. The softness of the blankets added more sensations to her skin. Then his mouth was at her ear whispering, "I love you, darlin'."

Her hands were full of the skin at his back feeling the warmth. The heat of him. "I love you, too," she breathed.

He made a humming sound in the back of his throat as he slowly slipping inside of her. Then, she felt nothing but delicious slowness as they rocked and held each other. They didn't hurry to release or try and make the other crazy.

It was soft and sweet and for the first time, Regina let the emotions swarming inside of her sweep in. As tears feel down her cheeks, Robin kissed them away. He held her and whispered lovingly in her ear. Endearments, promises, and love. She felt so consumed by this moment that her climax surprised her when it wasn't a shock wave but more of a subtle high.

Instead of the exhilarating feeling it normally brought her, it was a swell of pleasure so bright it overtook her. She sighed heavily as he continued his slow assault. He didn't break rhythm even when she clenched around him and saw the pleasure spark into his eyes.

He brought her to him and took her mouth so deeply as his hips rolled so slowly. It was drugging and overwhelming, she nearly burst into tears. Her body was hot and tingly and used. Robin showed no signs of speeding up or changing his movements.

"Oh, god," she felt her body tightening again and couldn't stop herself from allowing it to overtake her. Her body began to burn hot as the wave rolled in and swept her away. Still, he didn't stop or take the release she knew he must be begging to meet.

"Again," he said softly. His hands moved down to her hips and helped her roll with him when she was too exhausted to keep up. "Come on, darlin'." His hips rolled just a little faster and the burn slid into her veins. Weak and sated, she let the last wave roll through her as her whole body tightened.

Just then, she felt his body tighten and finally give in to the pleasure wrecking his body. He grunted endearments in her ear she couldn't understand but her pleasure was still raking her body, she was too distracted to hear or care what came out of his mouth.

When his body slumped down next to her and brought her into his warm welcoming arms, she sunk and closed her eyes. His lips touched her hair, her temple, her nose, and rested on her lips. They lay in silence for a bit until she said, "If we didn't have those puppies in the kitchen at home, it would be so easy to fall asleep right here."

He hummed. "I'd rather sleep in our bed with you wrapped around me." To prove it, he shifted and took her into his arms. Foreheads pressed together, he said, "Let's go get Roland and go home." She smiled at the word 'home.' "I'll pack a bag and we can wake up tomorrow just like this." His leg slid between hers suggestively.

"I don't know how I feel about being this naked with Roland in the next room. You never know when he might open the door." She snuggled under his chin and pressed her lips to his neck.

"That's what locks are for," he said breathily. Her lips continued to taste, and he took her shoulders and pulled her away from him. "If you keep doing that, we'll never leave this bed." He kissed the tip of her nose and sat up. He looked unsure for a moment. "Are you okay if I stay tonight? I'm not pushing you?"

The fact that he looked worried and that he asked warmed her heart. He was taking her needs seriously and it touched her deeply. Sitting up, she touched his heart and leaned in for a kiss. His eyes searched hers. "You're not pushing me. I want you to stay." She wrapped her arms around him, and he held her close. "I want you."

He buried his face at the curve of her shoulder and inhaled deeply. "If I do anything to push or take away your independence, you have to promise to tell me. No hesitating and sparing my feelings." He lifted his head to meet her eyes. "Okay?"

"I promise." He kissed her one last time before they got up and dressed. The collected Roland said their goodbye's, and drove carefully through the snow to the house she would call theirs. Robin held her hand the entire way and Roland fell asleep in the back cab.

When they pulled up in front of the house, Rob squeezed her hand. "What?"

"There's something on the door," he said. "Wait here." She watched him get out and pull a large white folder from in between the screen. He looked down at it form the lights still eliminating from the truck that he hadn't turned off yet. Walking to her door, he opened it. "It's for you."

Frowning, she noted there was no return address. "Let's take it inside." Ron unlocked the door and she set to turn on lights. Rob carried Roland up the stairs and put him in bed. When he came back down, she was sitting on the couch with the envelope in her lap.

He set the fire and sat beside her. "Open it."

As she did, a single piece of paper was inside. She began to read, and tears gathered in her eyes.

My dearest Regina,

I write this letter knowing that my time is limited on this earth. I know that with each passing day, the sickness takes me away. It takes my mind and my memories. But I wanted to keep the memories of us intact. You were such a bright child so full of life and determination. I know that your life will be grand and the child you carry will fill that life and make it full. I've instructed your mother to give you this letter when you've opened your heart to the man you belong with. I know you are young, my sweet girl. Life is never easy, and the heart breaks and it bends. But don't forget that it also heals. I hope you open your heart to the man that you've always kept deep inside. I suspect that boy will always keep you in his. I hope he shows you that you are more than you could ever see for yourself. Your mother damaged that piece of you that is bright and open. Her words made you doubt, and it made you close the best thing about you. Your big heart. Keep it open and know that mine was full of you. Only you. I'll miss you, my sweet daughter. I hope to see you again in another life. Until then, fill your heart with all that is good. Fill it with love and surround yourself with people who will take care of it.

All my love,

Your father.

Tears fell down Regina's face and her heart filled with so much love it burst open. Rob held her tightly as he took the letter and read her father's words. She sobbed softly into his chest. Her father had been gone for years, but the pain of his loss was still so close to the surface.

It was there when something reminded her of him. When it reminded her that he wasn't around and that he wouldn't be there to see Roland. Another rush of sadness hit her when she thought of the babies she carried now. How he wouldn't be there to see them grow.

When Rob put the letter on the table, he gathered her up into his arms and held on tightly. He held on to her and she felt he was the only thing keeping her together. "Your father sounded like a great man."

"He was," she sobbed.

"Regina, you had the best years with him, and I know he'd be proud of you. Proud of the woman you are and the life that you'll lead."

A sense of doubt pierced through her. "He would be ashamed of what I let happen to me. He would be shamed," she cried.

Rob took her arms strongly in his and lifted her to meet his eyes. "Don't you say that." His voice was stern, and it snapped her into attention. "Don't you ever say that." He shook her slightly. "Your father would be proud of you no matter what. What happened to you is the past. It wasn't your choice."

"Yes, it was," she argued with a wobbly voice.

"Regina," he said looking like he was trying to control himself. "What I'm about to say is what I've been holding back. I'm not doing it anymore." She waited for him to say what it was he was going to say. Her heart pounded and her mind filled with worry.

"You didn't do anything wrong. Jaden O'Malley raped you." It came out so roughly, she felt the emotion in the way he held her. The way his eyes turned dangerously violent. "He raped you and the men he brought into his home raped you. It wasn't your choice."

She couldn't speak. Didn't dare.

"Those men got what they deserved, and I'll be damned if you let them win. You are strong and I know that deep down you know I'm right. It wasn't your fault; you didn't ask for it. You survived it and you did it while raising our son. While working a job that was demanding and took all your time. You survived it with grace and with dignity."

His breathing slowed and his tight grip loosened. "You are not the woman you think you are. Your father is right about that. You're strong and resilient and I love you. I will do whatever I can for you to feel how worthy you truly are. Do you hear me?"

She nodded. He reached up and wiped her tears. "Let me in," he demanded. "Let me carry some of the burden and let me help you. Because until you truly let go and give me some of it, it'll be hanging over us like a cloud. I don't want the storm to sweep us away."

"I don't either," she said shakily.

"We'll talk. I'll listen and you'll let me in all the way. In here," he covered her heart with his hand. "I just want this," he said. "I want to occupy that heart your father said was open. Open it for me and I'll give you the world. I'll give you whatever it is you desire. I want to give you everything."

Tears slid down her cheeks. "I just want you," she whispered.

"You have me. All of me," and he kissed her long and deep and possessive. When he released her, he picked her up and carried her upstairs to their bedroom. Thiers, she mused. He undressed her, helped her into her nightgown, and slid into bed with her.

He held her and when she was close to slipping into sleep, she heard him say, "Merry Christmas, Regina. I love you." Her lips curved into a smile as sleep dragged her under and her heart opened a little more.