Notes: Alright so this is going to be a little quarantine OS, so be warned that it will have a little bit of Covid19 drama at the beginning. I will try not to dwell too much on it, but I think it's necessary to set the chapter. Anyway, this will have a lot of Regina being Regina so bear with her; I also cut it in two because I planned too much for it and it was getting too long. Thanks for reading and for those who talked me into writing this, enjoy!

THE PROPOSAL

She didn't want to be mad, she really didn't. But the reality of everything was that she has never been good at channeling her emotions and this… thing that was happening, this huge Covid19 thing, was tickling her in all the wrong places and as it was to be expected, she was not dealing with it so well.

She was worried, frustrated and anxious as hell and well, all those bottled up emotions created a time bomb that exploded as soon as Robin told her the news… that they would quarantine at Granny's.

What could she say? The different feelings she has been harboring over the past few weeks simply bundled up and created something entirely different, and they unfortunately manifested in such a way that at the end, all she felt was anger… annoyance, if you will.

Looking back at it, the brunette guessed she started to really feel a mix of those emotions' way before that moment. Probably, when Robin got stuck in Milan during a business trip and wasn't able to come back home.

It was then that helplessness rolled into disbelief, disbelief evolved into a low simmering terror brewing in the pit of her stomach and then a sense of devastation took over.

Sure, Robin assured her time and time again that he was fine and safe and that he would get back to her as soon as he could, but it took him two weeks in mandatory quarantine and a couple of negative tests before he was able to make it back.

Between one thing and the other, that made it exactly nineteen days of pure hell where all she did besides taking care of the kids was freak out with thoughts of Robin never coming back.

Yes, it felt a little bit over the top even for her own melodramatic ways; but all the reports started to point out how this virus wasn't just a flu that targeted certain areas of the population as they were first made to believe; no… it was worse and it attacked everyone.

Once that new information registered in her brain, Regina got obsessed with reading all of what she could about the novel virus. It came to a point where she barely slept, her nights haunted with thoughts of her husband getting sick and dying alone.

It didn't happen, thankfully, as he got cleared out; but the scars of so much worrying were still there.

She realized that later on, that such dark thoughts dug so deep within her than even when he finally walked through the door of their home, they still lurked somewhere in the back of her head.

That was the reason why she has been so edgy when he came back. She was mentally exhausted and emotionally drained and her being like that contributed to why she didn't take the news so well.

It bugged her, because after three weeks of not seeing each other face to face, after such a slow agony from her part, he didn't even let her fully enjoy having him back before he was telling her to pack.

He had it all planned out, without even warning her beforehand. He just came, kissed her and the kids and then he was talking about how he even made some purchases to be delivered straight to Granny's… oh, because by the way, it wasn't in the big house they were going to stay in, nooo, as that would have been too easy, it was in the woods.

In the freaking woods. Robin, her, two toddlers and the dog…

"No." She has said firmly and she meant it.

There was no good reason for them to abandon a perfectly good house of three bedrooms, a huge functioning kitchen and two bathrooms to go wandering in the woods like a bunch of savages.

London was good, the house was stocked up and they had two of the most important things that the woods at Granny's lacked, plumbing and electricity.

If he wanted to go camping, he could go and put up a tent by the pool and sleep a few nights there with Max, outdoors.

She would even bring him food if he wanted, so wasn't that wonderful?

According to Robin, no, it wasn't. He went on and on about how Milan has been crazy, he lectured her about all the people who were unknowingly infected and spreading the dangerous disease around and with her asthma, that was a risk he was not willing to take.

That's when her anger started simmering, because for Heaven's sake! Her asthma was something that hadn't given her problems in long years, so no, that was not a valid reason. They were not going and that was final…

Crossing her arms petulantly to her chest, Regina quirked her lips and rolled her eyes, the memory of that argument invading her mind once again.

She just couldn't believe him, how he stubbornly refused to hear all her reasons to stay, and what was worse, how he wrecked what would have been a perfect reunion between them.

To that moment, a day after, it still riled her up because it was supposed to be a nice quiet night for them, their first after such a long time and… ugh, he ruined it.

She even cooked a nice dinner for the occasion, meaning to spoil the hell out of him; she also got them a bottle of the best wine she could have delivered and prepared things to give him a nice massage to make him finally relax.

There were even candles, a bit of music to set the mood and all that shit, because she has meant to have one night to remember.

All that was ruined though, and as it happened, the only thing that was touched that night was the food. It was wrong from her part and she knew it, but she ended up in such a sour mood that she went to bed right after the kids while Robin started to load everything he wanted to take into his truck.

"Where do you think we should put these cushions? I was thinking a good distance from the lake but not too far either."

"Here, daddy here!" Roland yelled excitedly as he jumped up and down, his arms flying up in the air and his hair going everywhere.

He was a bit over enthusiastic that day and that apparently made Rylee, their one-and-a-half-year-old daughter giggle in mimicked excitement.

Now yes, in any other occasion, Regina would have smiled at her babies being so happy, but in that moment, all she felt like doing was narrowing her eyes as she eyed the little traitors one by one, first the one jumping nonstop and then the little blonde girl being all chirpy in her father's arms.

She couldn't believe them either, all those months that she carried them around inside her body, hours of painful delivery, countless of fevers soothed and boo-boos kissed and all for what? For them to pick daddy when she needed allies the most?

Un-fucking-believable.

Unable to help it, Regina rolled her eyes at that thought. They didn't even notice though, partly because the designer's sunglasses hiding her eyes and partly because they were all focused on Roland being silly.

"Here? Don't you think that's a little too close to the door?" Robin asked with one of those dimple smile that at the moment she found so annoying; but even though he was asking their boy, his eyes moved up to look at her.

Blinking a couple of times, she kept her face as neutral as she could, acting as if she didn't even hear him.

"I like em here." Roland insisted. He was still jumping, apparently trying to smooth a wild patch of grass that refused to stay down by stomping on it.

"And what does mommy think?"

Oh so he was asking for her opinion now? Hell no, too late.

"You can put them wherever you want to put them." It wasn't like she cared, as she was in a one-woman sit-down strike.

Licking his lips in that way that meant he was trying not to answer back, Robin watched her for a few seconds, his eyes burning her skin as if his stare was a physical thing.

She didn't give him one inch tough, returning the eye-lock with the same intensity because no, she couldn't exactly tell him where he could put the stupid cushions with the kids being there…

"Down daddy."

Rylee's high-pitched demand took them both out of their trance; first Robin, who kissed the top of the little girl who definitely had his coloring, but all of her mother's personality and then Regina, who watched as her husband put the toddler down.

Once on the ground, she went to join Roland, the two little Locksleys giggling as they tried to maintain their balance.

"Are you going to have that face all day long?"

Try the whole quarantine, Regina wanted to say, but instead she shrugged. "It's the one I was born with, can't change it just because you don't like it."

Robin sighed, clearly annoyed, which was a rare thing on him as his patience was usually infinite. But Regina was glad, as she wanted him to feel the same way she was feeling.

"Alright just straight tell me what's bothering you so much so we can cut with the passive-aggressive darts you have been throwing at me nonstop."

Scoffing because how could he not know what was bothering her, Regina did a double take. They have been together for over three years now and he didn't know why she was so moody?

For some reason, that made her feel a bit more annoyed.

"You mean like you want to know why I'm not happy about you dragging us all into this God forsaking woods in the middle of a worldwide disaster, without even counting with my say on the whole matter?"

"We talked about why we should come here-"

He started to say, but cutting him off before he could finish, Regina clenched her jaw and walked a bit closer so the kids won't listen.

"No, you talked about it. And all you expected me to do was to blindly follow you into this camp trip from hell."

Chuckling in a way that was more like him in his easy-going nature, the blue-eyed man threw his hands up in the air. "Come on Regina, look around you and tell me this is a camp trip from hell. And don't talk just sour grapes, as I know you can be more objective than that."

Regina looked around and yes, maybe what he arranged to be put up was a little better than what he has done all the previous times he has made her go there; but she still hated it.

She was a city oriented person, and even though he upgraded the tent and gotten themselves one of those shipping containers type of thing that looked nice and airy, fit a mattress, two small cribs and still had room for storage and sitting, it was still in the middle of nowhere.

Yes, he had it painted, put up nice curtains, a vase with fresh flowers and overall had it nicely set up, so if that counted for something, she would give it to him.

But looking beyond the aesthetics, there was no bathroom but a wretched outhouse privy and to bathe, she would have to be out in the open and use a weird looking thing Robin apparently made Little John install as a shower.

How could she take care of two small kids in those conditions? Like… where the hell would she cook?

There was nothing set outside but a few cushions thrown together randomly over a huge blanket, so there was not even a proper place to eat their meals and what was worse, there wasn't a good Wi-Fi connection there.

"Look." He said, grabbing her hand and making her walk closer to the container. Once there, he stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist while he made her look in through the huge glass panel that served as a wall to where their bedding was set up.

"Just imagine waking up to this amazing view we have here. The sun coming out and shining on the lake, birds are singing, kids are sleeping and your husband is kissing his way down here."

As if to demonstrate, he pressed a finger to her lips and then dragged it down her chin, lower to her collarbone and then right between her breast and to her stomach.

He stopped there, looking back to make sure Roland and Rylee were not looking, and when he knew they weren't, he slid his hand right between her legs, letting his fingers curve over her crotch.

"Wouldn't that be nice, to have me making you feel all kinds of good?" He asked, his mouth pressing to her pulse point to kiss her there.

Feeling his fingers teasingly brush over her, Regina bit hard into the inside of her cheek. It has been too long since Robin touched her like that so even though the contact was over the fabric of her pants, her body reacted immediately.

A heat took over her as that sweet liquid sensation he never failed to provoke settled where he was touching.

Still, she wasn't going to yield so easily.

"You could've made me feel all kinds of good back home. In our bed, in a real house with a functioning toilet."

Taking his hand away from between her legs, Robin sighed, placing it instead over the curve of her waist.

"Come on, babe, it's not that bad. I know you hate camping so I tried to make it all better for you. Little John was at it for quite a few days you know, and those little things up there I just installed are solar panels so we can have electricity. It won't be much but enough for a few essentials. You can charge your iPad and I can set up the projector and watch some movies out here. The kids would love it."

At the mention of the two little ones, Regina looked at them. They already gave up on jumping and were now playing over the huge blanket, Roland lying down and laughing out loud as Rylee would take one of the cushions to put it over him and lay down as well.

"How long do you really expect us to stay here? Because it sounds like you planned it all for more than a weekend."

"Well… a couple of weeks… maybe more if things don't get better."

Regina snorted bitterly. A couple of weeks was way too long, so in the best-case scenario, she was still going to end up losing her mind.

"And you expect me do just… I don't know? Go all medieval and cook over rocks and wash clothes by the lake? What about stuff for the kids? There isnt even a fridge to keep their juice and snacks nice."

"Of course there is." Walking into the container, Robin made it to what she first believed to be a small cabinet, but when he opened it, a small fridge was revealed.

It was even filled, which provoked a very cheeky smile to grace his face. It annoyed her.

"The solar panels will keep this one running so yeah, one of your worries taken down; there's also a grill outside and some electric appliances somewhere around so the cooking is settled, and so is the washing clothes thing. I mean, I told you I wanted us to stay away from Granny to keep her from being exposed, but I can go to the big house's basement once a week and use the laundry, at least as long as I disinfect everything once I'm done. Same with provisions, I have a few things stored there in case we run out of them here."

Narrowing her eyes, Regina saw how it all was. The little asshole had it all set up, meaning that this wasn't a thing he decided out of the blue.

No, while she was going out of her mind with him gone and the virus creating havoc left and right, her dear husband has been planning this whole thing out. He even got himself busy buying shipping containers, throw blankets and little fridges online without even letting her now.

For some reason, that rubbed her wrong in all kinds of way… not that he set it all up, because she was sure she would have ended up humoring him, as always, if he came clean with her, but because he did it all behind her back.

"So, isn't all of this perfect?" He asked, opening another cabinet, this one showing a few bottles of wine and other favorites of hers.

"Perfect?" She scoffed, her eyes rolling. Yes, it was a hell of an improvement from last time they spend a weekend in a tent and Rylee crawling all over the place, but she would rather be home. "You talk like you put together the Buckingham Palace here, Robin, but it isn't. It's a damn shipping container in the middle of camp nowhere."

And there, that did it. The way his features dropped made her immediately regret her words. It also made her rotten mood melt and turn into guilt so she almost said it, her usual 'sorry, I'm an asshole' line.

But she didn't, and instead she just stared at the way he lifted a hand to let it run over his jaw.

"I know it isn't the Buckingham Palace and maybe it isn't enough to your standards, but if it serves to keep you and the kids safe then it will have to do."

"We could have been safe-"

"And if I have to spend the next few weeks watching you roll your eyes all the way to the back of your head then so be it Regina, I'll bear it, because at least I get to keep seeing your face without a bloody ventilator on it."

With that said, Robin walked pass her and headed towards the kids, asking who wanted to go collect some wood for the fire.

As was to be expected, both toddlers offered in excitement, yelling their me, me, me even if they didn't know what they were getting themselves into.

Hell, even Max who has been happily chewing on one if his toys started getting all interested, wriggling his tail and heading towards the commotion.

Robin took them all, not even looking back at her, but the visible way in which he was clenching his jaw letting her now how pissed off he was.

"Well shit." Regina mumbled under her breath, asking the same question she has asked herself over and over again through the years.

Why did she have to be like that?

And really, she knew Robin was doing all of what he was doing to keep them safe and yes, it was obvious he has gone out of his way to appeal to all her quirks. From how he packed all they could ever need to some other things just to keep her content.

The wine, for example, but she has also spied a few of the books she always kept leaving for later laying among his stuff, a few movies and even her favorite body lotion.

So yes, quarantine in the woods wasn't exactly a thing she wanted to do or where she wanted to be, but it could be a hell of a lot worse and yes, as cheesy as it was, at least they were together.

But still, even if she knew all of that, she went ahead and made him feel like shit. She, Regina Mills, the same woman who three days ago was scared out of her mind because she thought she may never see her husband again, made him now walk out on her all upset because she was an asshole…

Blowing out a breath forcefully through her mouth, the brown-eyed woman slapped a hand to her forehead, her eyes closing as her memories went back to that devastating look he sent her way.

It has been a mixture of him not believing what she said and then accepting it and being hurt…

"Okay, it's not that bad." She said out loud because let's face it, Robin has put up with way worse than what she just threw at him and he always forgave her.

He was that good, he was in that level of understanding so if anything, that only made her feel worse.

But not wanting to dwell in her more than common regrets, Regina decided that the first step to take, was try and let go of the chip on her shoulder.

That should be the easy part, as she really didn't want to be mad and let alone with Robin, so the next step to take was this, she needed to start looking at things through the positive aspects of them.

Right in that moment, the brightest point in all that mess was that they were all healthy and together.

Sure, it wasn't ideal to bathe the kids in a damn bucket like he suggested when she mentioned she couldn't get them all cleaned up in a rustic-improvised shower, but it was what it was.

So, decided on changing her attitude, Regina started to fix the cushions Robin apparently brought over the internet and arranged them over the blanket. Putting them in such a way that the four of them could sit and relax.

They could watch a movie too, maybe… or if Robin felt like it, he could even take his guitar out and play something for them.

It was as she mused about that, that she heard someone approach.

"So it is true, the prodigal son returned and with all his entourage behind. The question is, here would he be?"

Lifting her chin to take a look at the newcomer, Regina's lips automatically curved, her distaste after seeing her obvious.

"Ugh, it's you. What do you want?" She asked, her mood slowly starting to sour again.

Arching an eyebrow but making sure to keep her eyes on Regina, Marian smirked.

"With you? Nothing, I was looking for that… so called husband of yours."

"Aren't you always…" Regina hissed because really, even though years have passed since she married Robin, this one was always lurking in the shadows, ready to strike.

It was pathetic, especially since her husband even went as far as blocking her, not only from his phone, but also on his social media.

It has been a nasty affair she watched from the sidelines, a triumphant smile on her face as Robin complained about the woman's nerve.

And really, when she was pregnant with Roland, Marian threw herself head first after Robin, straight up telling him that she would gladly receive him in her bed if he ever felt the need to be with a woman worth of him.

Robin has been furious, and even though he didn't tell Marian that he would never touch her again even if it was with a ten inch pole as Regina would have liked, he did end up cutting her completely off.

"Where is he? I need to talk to him."

Clicking her tongue, Regina shook her head. "I don't think he wants to talk to you."

As if she didn't ever hear her, Marian smiled maliciously. "I see you lost the baby weight; I mean finally. It must have been hard with you know, you being pregnant all the time. How many you have already, three?"

Not sure if she should laugh or actually get mad at the woman's lousy attempts to insult her, Regina bit on her lips, her nose scrunching as he eyed Marian down.

"Four, trying for a fifth now. It's crazy, but that… how was it that you called him? Oh yeah, that so called husband of mine can't seem to keep his hands away. You wouldn't know how that is, but apparently there is something about having a woman that can both satisfy him and give him kids that are actually his that he just loves."

Snarling her lips, Marian's face contorted in obvious anger. "Really? For someone who can't keep away, he is very absent. Couldn't wait to escape seems more accurate."

Not knowing why she kept engaging, Regina smiled a fake smile. "Hardly, but if that thought makes you feel better at night when you entertain all those absurd fantasies of him in your mind then go ahead. Now, if you don't mind, we are trying to keep this social distancing thing rolling and you are spreading all your germs in my family's area. So…"

"I am very healthy."

Feeling a bit vicious, Regina fired back. "I wouldn't be so sure about that; you look quite rabid."

"That's funny, I wonder if Robin would think the same. I mean, he may want me to pass something to him, after all we swapped many a thing… in these same woods, Robin and I."

Marian seemed proud when she said that but no, Regina was not going to fall into her trap. That's why she instead scoffed.

"You know what? I get it, my husband is amazing in all he does and he does look ridiculously good so yeah, it's understandable that you are still hung up about how he dumped you. But darling, it has been years, so get over it. If you could see how pathetic you sound coming here trying to make me believe you have a chance with him, you would die from embarrassment. Where's your self-esteem, for Christ's sake?"

Standing a little straight, Marian flipped at her hair. "Don't be delusional, I didn't come make you believe anything. I came to talk to him because I think it's a very irresponsible thing from his part to come by and settle here, probably bringing the virus along. I came to tell him, that you all need to pack."

Ha, as if she didn't want that herself; but she'll be damned if she ever sided with that woman.

"Us, leave? Why? The one trespassing here is you. This is private property so if you don't want us to pass anything to you, you better walk the same way you came in."

"That's a very selfish thing to say. I don't know why, but it doesn't surprise me."

"Selfish in what sense? We are here, in our property minding our own business. We are having no contact with anyone, so the one who is being selfish is you. You have a son, so if us coming here and bringing the virus really worries you, you wouldn't even be here trying to sleaze in just to get near Robin. You, are putting your own kid in possible danger for your own selfish reason so come on, let's drop the act."

"Don't bring my son into this." She hissed, her hands clenching into fits.

"Just get out of here Marian; Robin doesn't want to see you. That's why he blocked you, so get that in that sick mind of yours."

Taking in a deep breath, the other woman eyed Regina down. "I can see right through you, and some day he will too."

"He does, he sees through me like nobody else. Always had." And unbelievable enough, he was still there… "Anything else? I want to start disinfecting this."

Lifting one of her hands to point to the spot Marian was standing, Regina twisted her lips.

Apparently defeated, Marian just swirled around on her heels and started walking away, her face a mask of pure anger.

It made Regina smirk, her eyes glued to the way the woman disappeared into the distance.

Once she was gone, the brunette felt reinvigorated so putting her time to good use, she started to prepare a light meal, thinking that as soon as Robin came back, she was going to apologize.

He deserved it, for being the best man she could ever dream of. Her life partner, her best friend, her support, her King…

At least that was what she believed she would be doing; but as soon as she saw him coming back, all she could do was gasp in horror, her eyes sending accusatory darts his way.

"Mommy!" Roland yelped, running wildly towards her. "We were Peppa Pig."

Before he could get anymore near, Robin quickened his steps and grabbed him, swirling him up in the air and making him giggle.

"Papa." The boy squealed, obviously delighted.

Regina watched in even more horror, as Robin did that with only one hand while the other one was holding what appeared to be Rylee.

"What the hell happened?"

Sucking the inside of his cheek into his mouth, Robin shrugged, his posture telling him the walk did nothing to appease his anger.

"Nothing, did something happen? He asked both kids.

"Muddy puddle!" Rylee butted in, yelling at the top of her lungs and then giggling.

For some reason, Robin laughed at that, while all Regina could do was stare at what became of her babies. They were covered head to toe in mud, it was even into their hairs, their faces… and God, their clothes!

"What do you mean nothing happened? They are all…"

"Relax, I'll get them cleaned up." He said dryly before she could even finish. "Come on my princess and prince of mud, you too Max."

Barking, the dog followed, and just like that, Regina was left standing on her own, her mouth slightly parted and her chest wanting to explode in a million accusations.

What could she say? It was barely day one and Robin already allowed the kids go wild in the mud, in the mud!

Thinking of how it was going to take ages to get them completely clean and how the clothes were a step away from being thrown in trash, Regina scratched hard down her neck, her manicured fingers probably leaving marks on her skin.

"No… I'm not going to go off on him." But really, he knew how anal she was when it came to keeping her children tidy, so he just had to know she was riled up.

Still, she was not going to go off on him.

Swallowing on dry, Regina closed her eyes and counted for ten seconds, trying to calm herself down. When she was done, she proceeded to prepare it all for their supper.

By the time they arrived, all of them surprisingly spotless, she bit hard down her tongue and let it go.

What was a little mud, right?

Unfortunately, Robin was the one who apparently didn't want to let go, because yes, he ate, yes he sat down and even entertained the kids while she went and used the wretched shower herself, but he barely spoke a word to her.

Not even when dusk started to settle in and she announced she was going to put the kids to bed.

"Do you want to watch that movie you mentioned? They are out." She said, a very subtle attempt of making peace.

"No, I'll go and get that wood. I couldn't with the kids earlier on." He answered back, getting up to his feet.

"Now? It's dark." Frowning, she secured a sleeping Rylee on her arms.

Robin didn't reply, he just grabbed for a flashlight that apparently came out of his pocket and turned it on, showing her how it illuminated the way into the woods.

That was all he did, so when he actually started to walk away, she acted on impulse.

"Robin…"

He looked back, halting for a second. It was the moment she needed to just say it, an I'm sorry that should put them at ease. But the words got stuck in the back of her throat before she could even say them.

"Yes?" He arched an eyebrow, impatient, still a hell of a lot annoyed so she did the only thing she thought could work; she rose on her toes and kissed him.

Just a peck though, one he definitely did not reciprocate.

"Be careful out there."

Humming, he sent her a quick glance and left.

Feeling a deep ache settle in her chest because Robin never got so angry that he wouldn't even kiss her back, Regina put the kids one by one on their cribs.

She did that quickly, laying on her own mattress as she thought about how she screwed up…

It was like that, with that old fear that one day Robin would leave her after realizing how messed up she was settling into her psyche, that she even dreamed about it, of Robin leaving and taking the kids with him.

That was why she woke up startled, her hands blindly reaching for Robin's side of the bed to find it empty.

"Robin?"

Feeling a bit confused, it took Regina a while to remember where she was, but as soon as it hit her, she immediately got to her feet.

Roland and Rylee where sleeping, apparently undisturbed, but there was no trace of her husband.

Holding her breath and quickly walking out of the container, Regina thought of all the possible scenarios of why he wasn't there.

She imagined him hurt in the woods, or who knew… too sick to make it back. There was even an image of Marian getting to him and trying to kidnap him or something.

All that disappeared though, replaced by a huge wave of relief wash over her because Robin was out there, resting on the cushions and apparently dozing off.

Bringing a hand to her chest, Regina closed her eyes, blowing out a breath that she hoped would make her heartbeat ease a bit.

It did, so once she was better, she walked to him. "Robin, hey…"

Running a hand through his hair, Regina smiled when he started to open his eyes.

"You fell asleep outside, come to bed."

Blinking his eyes back shut, Robin cleared his throat. "You go ahead, I'll be there in a second."

For almost a whole minute she just watched him, her eyes taking all she could of him. But then, she got up and went to bed.

She waited there, waited and waited but that night, Robin never came in… making her wonder if maybe taking him for granted, was the biggest mistake she committed as of late…