A/N: Here's chapter 2! Many of you were asking for insight into Robin's feelings for Regina and I think this chapter will give you that!

-Mac

Chapter 2: The Birthday Party

Regina was the best mother Robin could've ever asked for his daughter. He didn't want to sound dismissive of Zelena as he had no doubt she had loved Margot but Robin never got to see her with the baby. But he did get to see Regina with her and he knew that Margot was in good hands with his best friend as her mother.

He smiled, watching as Margot clutched onto Regina's hands as she took shaky steps across their backyard. Margot beamed, so proud and happy at her new skill. Soon she would be able to walk without assistance but for now, Robin and Regina cherished being able to hold her little hands as she got used to walking.

They were celebrating Margot's first birthday that day and she was all dressed up for the occasion. Regina had gone out and found the cutest outfit possible, in Robin's opinion. Margot wore a pink dress with a white sweater embroidered with pink flowers. She wore white socks and pink shoes while a pink headband decorated with silk roses held her blonde curls back. It matched the spring theme of the party perfectly.

For her part, Regina was wearing a pink wrap dress with white flowers on it. She wore white flowers tucked in her bun and the necklace Robin had given her for Christmas hung around her neck, hovering over Margot's head. Instead of her usual heels, Regina had chosen to wear flats so she could keep up with their daughter.

She looked stunning in every way, just like she always did.

As if sensing he was watching, Regina looked up and her eyes met his. She smiled and his heart skipped a beat while his stomach did a flip. He had always known that she was beautiful – he wasn't blind after all – but in the past few months, her beauty had started to take his breath away. It almost felt like love – but Robin had his doubts. Was it really love or was it just the situation they found themselves in?

That was the question Robin found himself wrestling with more and more. He and Regina had a great friendship that was built on trust and respect which had allowed them to slip into the role of parents together. Robin didn't want to do anything that could destroy that, including possibly confessing feelings that were not as real as he thought. If they tried to change the nature of their relationship based on feelings he had misread, it would just be a house of cards that would crumble down. And then there would be three lives irreversibly changed – his, hers and Margot's.

He would not do anything that could ultimately harm his little girl.

But then there was that little voice inside him that warned that his feelings were real and he could be missing out on the greatest love he would ever experience. Well, second greatest after the love he felt for Margot. The voice told him not to let fear hold him back and to take a leap of faith with Regina. After all, people who saw them with Margot already thought they were a couple – why not make it official?

And so the war inside his heart raged on even as he stood surrounded by friends there to celebrate his darling daughter's first birthday.

"Here's Daddy!" Regina said, now standing in front of Robin with Margot. He leaned down and picked a giggling Margot up, kissing her cheek.

Robin rested Margot on his hip before turning to Regina. "Have I told you that you look beautiful today?"

"Yes," she replied, rolling her eyes. "I can't believe I agreed to wear pink."

He chuckled. "I can't believe you chose pink as the party's theme color, honestly. I would've thought you'd go for blue or something like that."

"I considered it," she said. "Mary Margaret overruled me."

"Of course," he replied, not fooled in the slightest. He knew Regina wouldn't be so easily overruled by their friend, especially for a party she was planning. So part of her wanted the theme to be pink and it clashed with the part of her that despised the color.

It was very interesting to witness.

"Well, it's a lovely party," he told her. "You and Mary Margaret did wonders with the backyard."

She beamed, looking around the tables they had set up and covered with pink tablecloths. White chairs circled the tables and pink and white balloon centerpieces sat in the middle. One long table was set up in the back of the yard and held all the food so people could serve themselves buffet-style. Their guests stood around the yard though Robin noticed a few people already eyeing the food.

"So, do you think it's time to start the party?" he asked her. When she nodded, they moved to a spot where they could be seen by all and called for everyone's attention.

Once they had quiet, Robin smiled and addressed their guests. "On behalf of Margot, Regina and I want to thank you all for coming to celebrate her first birthday. It's certainly been quite the year and we've all been so grateful for your help in adjusting to becoming parents very unexpectedly."

"This really is as much a party for you as it is a party for her," Regina continued. "So we hope you all have a great time and enjoy yourselves."

"Without further ado, please help yourself to the food in the back and we'll have cake a little bit later," Robin finished. Everyone clapped before they started to move toward the buffet table.

He turned to Regina. "Do you want to get food first? I'll watch Margot."

She shook her head. "I was going to go get her meal and give her lunch first. Then I was going to eat. So if you want to go…"

"No, I can stay here with Margot," he said. "We should probably go get food last anyway. It wouldn't be a good look if the hosts are shoving people out of the way to get food, right?"

She laughed, a lovely sound he loved to hear. "No, it wouldn't look good. Though I can't imagine you pushing anyone out of the way. You are a perfect gentleman, Robin Locksley."

"You flatter me, Regina Mills," he replied. He rubbed Margot's back. "So let's get her fed and then we can worry about ourselves."

"Agreed. I'll be right back," she said, giving his arm a squeeze. She walked away, heading back into the house.

Robin kissed Margot's forehead. "Come on, sweetheart. Let's get you in your highchair and ready for lunch."

He walked over to their table of honor and placed her into the highchair. Robin retrieved her bib from the diaper bag Regina had placed by her chair and he snapped it behind her neck. "There we go. All ready for lunch!"

She let out a peal of laughter, babbling as she banged on the tray. It was only a matter of time before she started to say words and he couldn't wait to hear what her first word was. Regina was certain it was going to be "Dada" since they used "Daddy" all the time around her. But he believed it was going to be "Mama" as he always called Regina "Mommy" when it was just him and Margot. He knew that Regina didn't want to replace Zelena but she was the only mother that his daughter was going to remember. Robin regretted not calling her "Mommy" right away and using "Aunt Regina" instead but he was trying to fix it. His hope was that once Margot called her "Mama" or "Mommy," then she would realize it was okay to use that name.

"Well, you certainly look handsome," Mary Margaret said, approaching him. "You are very fetching in pink."

He grinned, smoothing down the pale pink button-down shirt he wore along with a pink tie and a gray suit. "Thank you. Regina picked it out for me."

"She certainly has exquisite taste," she replied. "And I'm very impressed that she even picked pink. She certainly wouldn't wear it for anyone."

"It shows how much she loves Margot," Robin said fondly, smiling as he looked down at his little girl. She was fascinated by her bib and was busy studying it with all the intensity of a toddler learning the world around her.

Mary Margaret hummed. "True. But I don't think she did it just for Margot."

That surprised him and he looked up, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Do you think that if I had a daughter and asked everyone to wear pink Regina would do it?" she asked.

"For you?" Robin wanted to say yes but he then hesitated, really considering the question. He then sighed. "She would probably get some pink brooch or something and claim the technicality."

Mary Margaret nodded. "Exactly."

"But it still doesn't mean that she's not doing it for Margot," he pointed out. "There's a difference between a family friend and your own daughter."

"True," she agreed. "But I still think it says a lot about how she feels about you."

Robin raised an eyebrow, looking over his friend. A friend who had not been subtle about her hopes over the years that he and Regina would become a couple, insisting they were perfect for each other. "I think you're reading too much into it and seeing what you want to see."

She hummed. "Maybe. Or maybe you're ignoring what everyone else already sees."

"Or maybe I have a better understanding of our situation than everyone else," he counterargued, feeling as if he was trying to answer some riddle.

"It's possible," she agreed, aggravating him more. "Or maybe you're too close to see the truth."

He wanted to scream but kept his voice neutral as he asked: "And what is the truth?"

"That you two share a connection that makes your relationship deeper and more special than any other relationship you two have with other people," she said. "And that both you and Regina deserve to be happy and to have love in your life. I think you two could give that to each other. You both just have to stop being so afraid."

Robin considered her statements as Regina returned with Margot's lunch. She stopped, looking between the two. "What are you two talking about?"

"How good Robin looks in pink," Mary Margaret said without missing a beat. "Don't you agree?"

"He does pull it off remarkably well," Regina agreed and he felt his cheeks heat up at her compliment.

Mary Margaret nodded. "I'll leave you two to feed your daughter and will talk with you later."

She gave Robin a pointed look before walking away from them. He sighed as Regina frowned. "What was that look about?"

"Mary Margaret being Mary Margaret," he replied, hoping that would be enough to satisfy her.

It seemed to and Regina just nodded. She placed the plate of food down in front of Margot and handed her a tiny fork. "Here you go, sweetheart. Enjoy," she said.

"Looks like most of the guests have gotten food," Robin said, looking over the tables as well as the line at the buffet. "Do you want me to get you some food?"

Regina sat down to help Margot eat and nodded. She told him that he knew what she liked and he agreed. As he walked away, Mary Margaret's voice echoed around his head as he knew Regina wouldn't trust just anyone to make a plate of food for her.

But that still didn't mean anything beyond the fact that you two are very good friends. Nothing more. Don't let Mary Margaret put silly thoughts into your head, a voice that sounded like Regina's told him as he compiled plates for both of them.

They ate together before taking Margot from her highchair. She soon started to get passed around their friends as everyone wanted a chance to hold the birthday girl. Margot basked in the attention while Robin and Regina got a chance to set up for the cake. Belle, Tink and Mary Margaret helped as well and soon they were ready for Margot's big moment.

Robin took his daughter from his best friend John and brought her over to the cake. "Okay, sweetheart, it's time for everyone to sing to you," he told her.

"Please don't sing off-key on purpose," Regina told the group as they gathered around. She then shot a look at one particular person. "Will."

Will held up his hands as he tried to play innocent but everyone chuckled, knowing his penchant for singing off-key at birthdays to tease the guest of honor. He then lowered his hands and promised to be good. David counted everyone in and they all started to sing "Happy Birthday" to Margot, who clapped along with them.

"Okay, princess, time to blow out the candle," Robin told Margot when the song was over. "Mommy and I will help."

He only realized the "M" name had slipped when Regina tensed up beside him. But she then relaxed, shooting him a look as she agreed that she would help. They leaned closer to the cake, telling Margot that she needed to blow. Robin showed her what to do and the little girl copied him. On Regina's count, all three blew and the candle went out as everyone applauded.

Regina then picked up the knife and cut a small slice, placing it on a plate. She handed it to Robin. "Birthday girl gets the first slice. Good luck to your suit," she said.

"You're the one who is going to have to take it to the dry cleaners," he retorted, taking the plate. He then glanced down at the cake. "Save me a slice, please?"

"Of course," she replied, trying to wink at him. He grinned before heading back to Margot's highchair. Robin placed her in it and then let her demolish her cake, watching as she consumed the sugary treat with gusto.

She definitely loved cake.

"Well, I'm absolutely going to have to wash that dress," Regina said, handing Robin a plate with a slice of cake on it. She sat down next to him with her own.

He nodded. "Though a lot of that cake has made it into her mouth. She was not going to let it go to waste. I shudder what happens when we introduce her to chocolate cake."

"It's going to be even messier," she said, using her fork to cut off a piece of her cake. She took a bite and hummed. "Granny certainly outdid herself with this cake."

Relieved that she didn't seem to want to talk about the "Mommy" incident, Robin took a bite of his cake as well. The sweet vanilla flavors melted in his mouth and he moaned. "Yes, she did."

Margot let out a little laugh as she banged the tray. Robin chuckled before saying: "I think that's unanimous."

"Yes, it is," Regina agreed, leaning forward to wipe Margot's face. "Though this is her first cake. Of course it's the best she's ever had."

He nodded. "Wait until she has your red velvet cake. She's going to love it."

"Is that a hint you want me to make one?" she asked him, eyeing him with a smile.

"It was just an observation," he said, meaning it. But he also wasn't going to pass up an opportunity to get a slice of her red velvet cake, so he added: "But I'm not going to complain if you do."

She chuckled, rolling her eyes as she reached out and tickled Margot's stomach. "Daddy's being silly again."

"Neither of you would want me to be any other way," he replied, playing along with her.

Regina paused before smiling softly, shaking her head. "No, we wouldn't."

He grinned, finishing his cake as his heart skipped a beat. The way she smiled at him and the fondness in her voice made his stomach do flips. Robin knew he was a goner and he would likely never find anyone who made him feel the way Regina did. If they just stayed friends until the day he died, he would die a happy man. All he wanted was her in his life and he would accept whatever role she chose to play.

Even if it meant pining for her for the rest of his life.

It was better than nothing.

Robin locked the backdoor after throwing out the garbage. He rubbed the back of his neck before heading into the living room, finding Regina on the couch. "Margot asleep?"

"Yes," she replied, curling her feet under her. "She was nodding off during her bath. It seemed the party tired her out, even given the sugar she consumed."

He nodded, sitting down next to her. "I feel like I can sleep for the next month after today."

She sighed. "Same. We put in a lot of work. But it was worth it. We gave Margot a wonderful party."

"Yes, we did," he agreed, smiling. He reached out and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. "Thank you, Regina. I appreciate everything you do for our daughter."

A pensive look crossed Regina's eyes and she said: "You called me Mommy today."

"Yes," he said, realizing the time had come to talk about it. "I did."

"Why?" she asked.

He reached over and took her hand, curling his fingers around hers. "Because you are her mother, just like I told you at Christmas."

"I know," she replied, "but to actually call me Mommy…"

She paused, as if considering her next words. Finally, she asked: "What about Zelena?"

He sighed, moving closer to her. "Zelena will always be her mother. And I know we will do our best to help her know the woman who gave birth to her but she's not here. You are. You will do everything a mother would do for her so you deserve to be addressed as who you really are – Margot's mommy."

"But what if…" she trailed off, tears filling her eyes.

"What if what?" he asked, wondering what had made her so upset.

She took a deep breath before shaking her head. "What if Margot is upset when she's older and feels like I tried to erase her mother?"

"Well, hopefully we do everything in our power to make sure she doesn't feel that way," he assured her. "But if she does, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Honestly, I feel like we're probably going to end up in Dr. Hopper's office at some point, no matter what."

"That's pretty pessimistic," she told him, frowning.

He frowned as well, shaking his head. "I don't mean that we're going to need it because everything gone wrong. I think Margot is going to have questions and feelings about her mother and we're going to need some help with them."

"Oh," she said, breathing out. "Sorry. I still have some warped perceptions of therapy thanks to my mother."

"I know," he replied, knowing her mother had been a manipulative woman who had done her best to keep her daughter under her thumb. Keeping Regina out of therapy let her do that for longer than she probably would've had Regina been able to talk with someone who could give her the tools to break free from her mother's control sooner.

She leaned closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Are you sure you want me to be Margot's mother? I didn't have the greatest role model growing up."

"No, you didn't," he replied. "But I am sure. You learned how not to be a mother from yours and have not repeated any of her mistakes. You're amazing."

"Thank you," she said softly.

He kissed the top of her head. "So, are you okay with me calling you 'Mommy' around Margot?"

"Yes," she said, chuckling. "And I think it will feel good to finally call myself that around her as well."

"Then we are agreed," he said, relieved. They sat there in a comfortable silence and he let his eyes close, hoping to enjoy being with her for a few more minutes before they went to bed.

When he next opened them, he could tell it was darker than it had been. He blinked a few times before the clock came into focus and revealed it was after two in the morning. Robin realized he had fallen asleep on the couch and when he looked down at his shoulder, he found Regina asleep there as well.

The party really took a lot out of them.

He considered their options. Did he wake her and help her to bed? Or did he just carry her to bed? Robin debated those two but realized he didn't even have the energy to head up to his bedroom, even after a few hours of sleep. All he wanted to do was curl up on the couch and sleep some more. The baby monitor was with them so if Margot needed them, they would hear her.

Reaching behind him, he found the blanket they started to keep on the couch. He eased Regina down until she was lying on the couch. After turning off the lamp and plunging the living room into darkness, he laid down next to her and covered them with the blanket. She cuddled against him, wrapping her arm around him and pressing her body against his. Regina let out a soft sigh before settling down, never once waking up. Wrapping his arm around her, he pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "Sweet dreams, sweetheart," he whispered.

Closing his eyes again, Robin let sleep pull him back under its spell. He would relish these moments of sleeping with Regina in his arms and pretend that for this night, they were a couple who fell asleep together all the time.

If only.