Hey guys! Sorry this took so long... I was finally able to dedicate a small amount of time finishing this chapter for you. I sincerelly hope you like it.

Regina and Robin had just kissed the children goodnight when they head to their room for the night. The moon was high in the sky and the lovers had yet to fall asleep. Regina was laying down in the middle of the bed, her head resting in a pile of pillows and Robin on top of her, his head on her shoulder, his arms around her and his legs entwined with hers. The soft spring night's breeze was coming through the windows making the curtains sway softly. They had been married for a few weeks now, they had grown accustomed with each other's habits, created a schedule and routine. Everything ran smoothly like a well-oiled machine. The boys were now more disciplined with mum Regina around. They had less freedom to run wild around the farm like Enrico and Robin allowed them to. It's not that they would often misbehave without her around. She just ran a tight ship in every aspect of her life. Robin's little boy had taken to her quite easily and had called her mother before they even were married. The first time it had happened, it left a sense of acceptance and acknowledgement in the air. The little boy was too young to remember Marian. Regina was not going to replace her, Robin knew that, but she was a bloody good equivalent. Roland respected her and was often the one to remind Henry that there were certain rules he was not allowed to disregard. Bath time before supper was not opened for discussion. The Queen's kingdom was certainly not a democracy. Order above all. To Roland, removing his elbows from the table and wiping his mouth before taking a sip from his glass was now normal. Robin would laugh at the sight of his boy trying to imitate his wife in almost everything she did. He was now picking up some her mannerisms. Regina was now teaching him some numbers and letters. The child would sit on her lap at the kitchen table with a few crayons and paper sheets and try to draw them under the watchful eye of his stepmother.

Enrico would come often to visit and have lunch with them. Sometimes he would stay for tea and help in the garden. Regina could tell, something was going on with the old man. She noticed a certain limp about him, a tiredness that hadn't been there before she came to Italy.

"What are you thinking of?" her husband asked.

"Roland… And my father, I'm worried about him."

"You know, we could just stay here. Take care of him."

"We both know that won't be possible. This…situation was supposed to be only temporary, Robin. I can't leave everything behind and expect everything will manage itself."

"Can't you just manage from a distance? Send your orders though letters or telegram?"

"It's putting us at risk. My father inviting that man to our wedding to take pictures was already a strain, a slip."

"To be fair, he made us look rather dashing. My wife more than me, of course", he smiled, observing the photograph framed and sting on their night table. They chuckled and kissed, his fingers running through her hair.

"I don't want to leave him here alone."

"We won't, he'll come with us."

"But we can't just simply rip him from where he has spent his whole life. This farm -"

"It will be his decision. We can only ask if he would like to come with us. If he doesn't, we can always come back for a vacation, once a year, bring him all his grandchildren to spoil rotten with sweets and toys."

"I suppose Henry and Roland would like that."

"They can't exactly run wild with animals on their arms back at home. And we are not exactly the neglectful kind. Henry will be back to school, and we'll have to think of enrolling Roland as well…"

"True, it's going to be hard for them to come back to our normal."

"It will be hard for us too. No more afternoons in the sun, no more peace and quiet, no more late mornings in bed –"

"Now hold on a minute! Not the late mornings too…"

"Robin, everything will be different. Settling down, decide how to accommodate Roland and you at the house, getting back to work.

"I'm guessing you'll be busier as ever…"

"That's where I wanted to get to."

"Why so serious, milady?"

"I've been thinking hard and long about his; I think I want to step out of the family business."

"Are you serious?"

Robin was in shock. He knew his wife was a driven, ambitious woman who had worked very hard to build an Empire and now she was willing to let it slip through her fingers?

"Yes, it makes sense."

"Sense?"

"We have to get used to this new reality, the boys and me. I'm a mother to two children right now. I feel that they will need me. Besides Henry is growing up too fast, I can barely keep up and Roland needs closer guidance and lots of attention, it's a crucial time for him. We took a step together and we got married; when and if we consider expanding our family, I feel that I'd like to be there every step of the way. And I can't do that if I also dedicate myself to my clan and my business – "

"And who will replace you?"

"I know I'm not being very coherent, I was against the idea before, but I would like you to replace me."

"Regina Locksley, the countryside air has given you some farfetched ideas. Me, leading your clan?"

"I know… But Robin, I need you to think about it. Who presented me with actual results when none of my best and most loyal soldiers could? And how else would I keep a foot on the family business in case I'm needed? Just temporarily – "

"Darling, I don't mean to refuse you, but don't you think I'm a little too green for that?"

"I'll step down, I won't vanish into thin air! I'll become your consiglieri and guide you in the best of my ability."

"But, what about Jefferson?"

"He'll still be the family lawyer. He won't be out of a job because of you or me. He'll have plenty to do. I hope… Maybe with your insight we'll be able to recover our rightful place in the city. And you told me you had a few ideas. You said you wanted to put your Robin Hood syndrome to good use. I'm giving you the opportunity to do just that if that's what you want, Robin. I'm handing you the power I gathered all these years into your more than capable hands. I find that power in the right hands can work miracles. I believe in you, thief. I believe that you can lead the family towards something good. Just don't forget what really matters – "

"A man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man", he quoted her. "I know"

She smiled.

"You don't have to give me your answer right now; just think about it. For now, we should sleep. We have an early morning tomorrow. My father is going to the village and asked me to collect the eggs and feed the chickens; and you sir, have a date with a herd of sheep"

"Looking forward to it."

Their simple lives went on: the children continued to grow and learn, guided by their parents, the farm thrived.

Enrico's health deteriorated. Anything he did, tired him to the point of exhaustion. Regina was growing impatient seeing him so feeble without knowing the reason. They called the doctor to have him examined. The later prescribed some medicine and much rest. He was getting old; his heart was not as strong as it used to be.

The Locksley family took over the work on the farm, both adults as well as the children. The old man would now spend his days among the orange and lemon trees, sitting on a chair, reading the paper or observing his family among animals and crops. In the afternoons, his daughter would keep him company while mending her boys' clothes or reading a book. Sometimes they would just watch Robin playing with the boys while holding hands. Roland would get tired and would sit on her lap telling her all about what he had learnt that day. They would sometimes nap together in the sun. They were getting closer by the day and the though of it amazed and pleased Robin to no end.

August came, the sunflowers they had planted in the garden were in full bloom. Robin's birthday was there, Regina put together a delicious cake with the help of the children. She also cooked her famously scrumptious lasagna. The small family was delighted, and Robin basked in the fuzzy warm feeling of having them all close to him in that special day. They all went to the beach that afternoon. The sun was still warm and the salty waves crashing down were the perfect scenery for the end of the day.

Enrico sat on a towel laid for him, Regina was right next to him, eyes closed and tranquil pleasure and face towards the sun, relishing in its warmth. The boys came to ask her to come and swim with them. She acquiesced leaving her father to watch and laugh as all splashed each other playfully. The sun was already setting when they headed home. A simple dinner of bread, cheese and cold meats was eaten outside among fireflies in happy banter. After that, Regina helped her father getting settled and take his meds. All wished him goodnight and left for their own home.

Next morning, a postman came down the hill to deliver a telegram. It was from Jefferson. Regina was needed. Fiona was getting comfortable and too greedy. She had to be dealt by someone of her own caliber. It was over. Regina and Robin would have to say goodbye to their blissful life.

Regina went to the village that same day to send her answer. She asked Jefferson to stall her as much as he could. She needed to prepare her return.

A phone line was installed on the farm. She even hired someone to take care of her father and, calling a few favors from some people she had in her pocket, there were a few additional people to work on the farm. Her father would have simply to give his orders and all he would say would be done. The people protecting her came in September to escort her and her family safely to the port for her depart back to the United States.

It was hard for the old man who had grown accustomed to have his family close. He knew when they first came to Italy that their time together would be short but still it was painful, and it felt cruel to part. Regina promised, between tears and smiles, that they would be back next summer and that she would write and send pictures of the boys as often as she could. The children said goodbye in the same wet tone as their mother. Both would miss Grandpa Enrico terribly.

They said goodbye to the home they build, left clothes and toys closed, furniture covered in hopes that, one day, they would be able to return to their Heaven.

They arrived about a week after Regina had received the telegram. And yes, everything was different.

John, who seemed a little thinner and stronger, came to escort them back to the house and fill them in with the details of what had happened in their absence. He warmly welcomed Robin and Roland back and quickly made his way into Henry's heart too.

"It's good to see you, Ms Mills" John declared, his hand caressing his boss' shoulder.

"Thank you, John. We'll talk back at the house. I rather you gather everyone at the house we can talk to everyone at the same time, there are a few important things to discuss before you brief me about what's going on"

"Sure thing, Ms Mills."

"And John?"

"Yes, ma'am?"

"It's Mrs Locksley now."

So, how did I do? Please, review! If you're new, welcome aboard!