Prompt: Soldier Au: Regina's and Mulan's lunch meeting (because we need more Mulan!)

Regina opened the door of Aesop's Tables and stepped inside. It was a relatively new place and she hadn't had a chance to scope it out yet. Mal had promised her that it was a great place for lunch and that her friend had excellent taste.

"And if you want to enjoy one of their signature cocktails or artisanal beers, you have my permission to go home early," Mal had added before Regina left.

She now seriously considered that offer.

"Can I help you?" the hostess asked, smiling brightly.

"I'm meeting someone," Regina replied. "I don't know if she's arrived - Mulan Fa?"

The hostess nodded, stepping away from the podium. "I just sat her. Follow me please."

Regina followed her into the main dining area. At one table by a window, she spotted Mulan already seated. She waved to her friend, who smiled as she waved back.

"Your waiter will be with you shortly," the hostess said as Regina unbuttoned her coat.

As the hostess walked away, Regina placed the coat on the back of her chair before sitting down. "It's good to see you again," she told Mulan.

"You too," she replied. "Thanks for having lunch with me."

Regina smiled, opening up the menu. "I was eager to catch up, learn more about your life since the army and about Li."

Mulan chuckled. "Only if you tell me more about your life with Robin."

"Deal," Regina replied easily. "I love talking about him and our children."

"Fair enough," Mulan said, sipping her beer. "I guess we can take turns?"

Regina nodded. "We can take turns."

"I can't see you doing that," Regina told Mulan, sipping her own beer. Mal was right about them being some of the best in the city. "I mean, I've seen you jump out of planes and rush into burning buildings and jump on grenades, but to go spelunking around an active underwater volcano? Really? There are so many red flags in that statement alone."

Mulan chuckled, shrugging. "I know. But Li convinced me it would be fun. And she was right."

"The things we do for love," Regina mused.

"Here, here," Mulan replied, clinking her glass against Regina's. She took a sip before asking: "What's the craziest thing you've done for Robin?"

"Kid number three," Regina said jokingly.

Mulan chuckled. "Okay, that's funny."

Regina shrugged. "I have my moments. But I really love all my children. And honestly, all three were probably more me than him anyway."

"I can imagine," her friend replied. "I remember how much you loved children. You were always playing with the kids in the villages we were stationed near."

She smiled sadly, wondering if those children ever got to be adults and have children of their own. "Yes, I did."

"And now you have your own," Mulan said. "Three beautiful children who make your eyes light up in a way only Robin did before. That's how I knew he was a keeper. Your eyes never lit up like that when you spoke about any of your past boyfriends."

Regina felt her cheeks burn. "I have certainly been lucky."

"And so has Robin. Did you give him my message?" Mulan asked her.

"I did," she confirmed. "And he told me the story. Did he really give a drunken speech about how much he loves me?"

Mulan nodded. "And then some, though my memory has always been admittedly blurry. We drank a lot that night."

"Considering how drunk Robin was when he got home, I believe it," Regina replied.

"Yeah, that was our fault. We kept buying him drinks to celebrate your upcoming engagement," Mulan admitted.

She raised an eyebrow. "You all did that?"

Mulan nodded. "We liked Robin. Well, we still like him. We had seen all the losers you had dated before and were so glad you finally found someone worthy of you. It's hard to be a military spouse and we all knew that."

"It is," Regina agreed. "Is that why you ended up with another member of the military?"

"Probably," Mulan said. "Li and I just clicked and I think the military had a lot to do with that."

"I'm glad you found someone you can be happy with," Regina told her. "I'm glad you found your Robin."

Mulan smiled. "Me too."

"You and Li should come over for lunch or dinner one day," Regina continued. "I'm sure the kids will love you."

"Li loves kids. I'm sure she'll be in seventh heaven," Mulan said.

Regina grinned. "Sounds great. I'll call you in a couple days to set it up."

"Perfect," Mulan replied. She checked her watch. "I don't have to hurry back. Do you want to order dessert and chat some more?"

"Sounds good to me. Why don't you tell me more about your company?" Regina suggested, taking another sip of her beer. It was clear she was not heading back to the office today.

Thanks goodness Mal was already on board because she wanted to keep enjoying the time with her old friend.