Walking into the Locksley's house felt like stepping into the past.

It was a weird sensation and she wasn't sure if she knew how to explain it, but Regina could swear that as soon as the heel of her boot touched the wooden floor of the living room, she was hit by a wave of memories so strong she even froze.

It was like she was seventeen all over again. Not only because the house looked and smelled the same, but also because she felt the same sense of warmth and love that used to overwhelm her in her youth.

Yeah, maybe she was letting herself be dragged by nostalgia, but it was just that back to the days when she was dating Robin, this house was a safe haven for her. It was where she felt home, where she had been safe and secure, where she once thought she could have her happily ever after and yeah, it may be that all that was years ago, but apparently, there were residues of those long gone days still lingering in her.

True, it was a silly thing to be hit with those feelings now and she knew it, because a lot of time had passed since she considered this the place she wanted to be the most. But the feeling was there, and as much as she tried to ignore them, this sense of being where she belonged was already bubbling inside her stomach.

She couldn't let that take over though, because sure, even though her relationship with the whole Locksley clan had improved after their big fallout, nothing was ever the same. She no longer considered Amelia the mother she always wanted, Robin was not that boy she loved so much she couldn't even contain her feelings for him, and this house was no longer her salvation.

She was an intruder now, she shouldn't fool herself into thinking otherwise. So yeah, when this thought settled in, she couldn't help but to feel guilty about walking in unannounced.

Now, it wasn't like she planned to do it, or that she felt entitled to walk in just because Robin told her it was okay for her to come and join them, but it was just that when she arrived and knocked, there had been no answer. She could hear people though, laughing and talking so loud their voices echoed all over.

She had tried a few more times, her knocks growing stronger, but there had been zero response.

That's when she figured they must be in the backyard and too far to hear her calling in. That was after all, where the Locksleys liked to do things: outdoors.

So ignoring the voice in her head that was telling her to just turn around and leave, Regina did what she would have done nine years ago: she opened the door and walked in. And God… she hadn't been ready to be hit with so many feels...

"Holy shit!

Listening to the unmistakable voice of Ruby yelling, Regina startled in surprise. It was a rookie mistake, but she had been standing still in front of the door and too lost in memory to take a look around, so she had totally missed the younger woman being there.

Not like she was the only one caught off guard, because judging by the way Robin's sister dropped the wooden spoon she had been holding, she was pretty much astounded to see her there.

"Am I drunk-imagining this or is Regina fucking Mills in my house? Holy fuck," the blue-eyed blurted out, slapping a hand to her forehead in a way Regina had seen Roland do many times.

He probably got it from her. After all, since Amelina and Michael went on their annual trip to England, Ruby had been the one picking Roland at school. That meant that they had been spending a lot of time together and well, she was apparently rubbing on the boy.

It was to be expected, her son liked to edge a little bit into the dramatic side of things, and there was no one more over the top when it came to this than Ruby Locksley.

It was in a way funny, because maybe Roland didn't physically look like the paternal side of his family (Except from those dimples he got from his father), but he sure as hell got all their mannerism and little habits.

Acknowledging this made her smile, so puffing out a breath, she just shook her head, watching as Ruby kicked the spoon away and started to walk towards her, a huge grin on her face and a full mischief in her eyes.

"I brought dessert."

Ignoring her words, Ruby laughed, throwing one of her arms around Regina's neck and bringing her into one of her too effusive hugs. "What the fuck are you doing here? I mean… don't get me wrong because I'm not complaining or anything, but I literally thought hell would freeze over before I got to see you back here."

Returning the hug as best as she could with only one hand available, Regina snorted. Yes, Ruby was a hundred percent right to be so surprised, because even though this was one of the places Roland would go to after school, she had never stepped foot back inside…

Not since the night when Roland had been barely a few weeks old and the Locksleys welcomed them into what was supposed to be her new home. She had been there for only three days before she had to return to her mother, and from then on, everything went straight to hell.

But that was all in the past and she didn't want to dwell in those bitter memories, so taking in a deep breath, she focused on what was going on now.

"I was told I could drop in for a while. Roland was a bit upset so you know-"

"Oh shit, does Robin know you're here?" Gasping, Ruby interrupted her before pulling away from the hug. She was beaming. "Of course he doesn't so come on, let me be the one showing you around. I want to see that dufus' face when he sees you here and looking so damn good."

With that said, Ruby grabbed from her hands the dessert Regina spent part of her day preparing and put it over the counter. Then she dragged her along, guiding her through the sliding door that led towards the backyard. Because just as she predicted, that was where everyone seemed to be.

It took her only a few seconds to see it all at once: Mulan blowing bubbles to Roland's amusement, Little John eating chips by a long table that had been set with all kinds of food, and Robin sitting on a beach chair, a beer in his hand as he laughed at something Mulan was saying.

There was no Marian, which was a good thing, but more than anything, she thought she fell a little in love with what she was seeing just because it was too familiar. What could she say? If stepping into that house hit her right in the feels, she didn't know how to describe the sensation that invaded her upon that first glance to the backyard.

There was the same deck, the lights hanging from the trees, the swings Michael made for a very young Ruby but that Robin and herself used for their little get-togethers in that house, and yeah, the same warm feeling.

It all looked magical, and it shook her…

"Hey, guys look who I just found!" Ruby announced, lifting her hand in the air in a very exaggerated manner.

"Mommy!"

Obviously, the first one to react was Roland, and he did it by running to her. He almost knocked her over when he got to her, but used to his not so gentle displays, Regina managed to regain her footing.

"You are here!"

Pressing a hand to her son's head, Regina smiled, her eyes focused on his small frame glued to her midsection. It was safe that way, because even from afar, she could feel the intensity of Robin's gaze on her and she wasn't sure if she was ready to face him yet.

"Holy shit," Mulan laughed, making Regina chuckle, as that was the same reaction the woman's girlfriend had upon seeing her.

It was in a way funny, but they were all just genuinely shocked that she showed up.

That was why she needed to say something and not just stand there.

"Hi, Mulan. Robin," she nodded his way, not quite looking at him. But then she lifted her chin and set her gaze on the other man. "Hello John."

"Now way." After her greeting, Little John just stood there, mouth agape and his eyes wide and wild.

But then as if breaking out of his trance, he strode straight towards her. When he was close enough, he crushed her in a big, tight embrace that almost left her without air. He did it with Roland right between them, and the kid's complaints were what made him pull apart.

"Is this real? You don't look real!"

Biting down a grin, Regina scrunched her nose. "Yeah, last time I checked I was quite real."

Throwing an arm over her shoulder, John scoffed, turning around so that he could look at Robin. Once he was facing his longtime friend, he pointed a finger at Regina. "Did you know about this?"

Gathering the will to look at her ex, Regina caught him staring, his eyes sparkling while a soft smile played on his lips. "Actually, no. I mean, we did talk about it, but I didn't think she was going to show up."

Narrowing her eyes, Regina did a double take, as she wasn't sure how to take that. Was he trying to say that he threw an empty invitation just to be polite, as he didn't think she was really going to show up?

As if reading her mind, or maybe her facial expression betrayed her, Robin flashed his infamous dimple smile her way. "Lucky for us, she did."

"Damn right she did, but now you're all making her just stand here, so come on and let her move!" Mulan snickered, and in the same way she had been dragged to the patio, she was taken to a nearby chair.

She ended up sitting right in front of Robin, and feeling very self conscious about the way he was still looking at her...

"Do you want s'mores? Uncle John said we could eat all of them!" Roland asked, distracting her for a few seconds while basically shoving a piece of marshmallow in her face.

"No, it's okay, you eat that." she replied, chuckling softly when Roland indulged and ate it in one bite. He was gone after that, his excitement about having her there dwindling down so that he could keep playing with Mulan and her bubbles.

"Mum is going to lose her mind when I tell her that you came by. Let me take a picture!" Ruby said, giving Regina no other choice but to smile as the photo was being snapped.

She just had to, because knowing her like she did, she was sure that the picture was going to end up all over Ruby's social media.

"Do you want something to drink?"

At the sound of Robin's voice, so smooth and alluring, Regina looked at the man, finding him too close. Like yeah, there was still space between them, but she was sure that if she extended her arm and so did he, they were going to end up touching.

Not like she was going to try, so pushing that thought out of her mind she shrugged. "Sure, what do you guys have?"

"The question should be what don't we have? Little John and Ruby went way over the top with this and got a little bit of everything. Beer, whiskey, wine, a little bit of Grey Goose. You name it and we probably have it."

"Hey, it's the first Thanksgiving I spend without my mum, I couldn't do this sober."

At his sister's words, Robin laughed out loud, for the first time since Regina got there, looking at someone other than her. "Oh come on, that's not the tune you were singing a while ago. Like correct me if I'm wrong, John, but did she or did she not say she was going to spend the best holidays ever since mum and dad were not going to be here judging what we ate or drank?"

"She did! I heard her!" Roland yelled, giggling when his aunt gasped in shock at his betrayal.

"For the record: I was bluffing. I miss mum's special sauce. You know, the one she did for the turkey. I forgot to buy one at the market. She wouldn't have forgotten, like ever!"

"We don't have turkey, babe." Mulan added, winking when Roland started to giggle again.

"That's because I forgot the sauce! Then I made this… I don't know, chicken breast? and guess what, they need some sauce too. They are dry as hell, Robin!"

"Maybe you shouldn't have cooked while drunk."

"Ah, didn't you miss this?" LIttle John asked. He just sat by her side, elbowing her arm to pick her attention.

Regina looked at him, her frown talking volumes of her thoughts. "Those two arguing? No… not really."

Oh, but maybe she did. They never argued per se, but their banter could last hours if someone let them and yeah, sometimes it was funny. She was an only child, so she had always been fascinated by the relationship between Robin and his sister.

Hell, she had been fascinated with Robin's relationship with everybody. He got along with his parents, with his Grandma, he had friends who were by him through thick and thin, and yeah, the way he interacted with Roland had always been a source of wonder for her.

He was just such an easy going guy, always has been and even to that day, she wasn't sure how they ended up falling so hard for each other when they were complete opposites.

But they did, and thank God Roland picked after him when it came to his social skills.

"Well I missed it, all of this. This is the way it should have always been."

Regina knew for a fact that John wasn't talking about Robin and his sister. No, he was referring to her being there and well, that was a touchy subject she didn't want to delve into. That was why clapping her hands to her knees, she set her eyes on Ruby. "I'll tell you what, I'm going to see what I can do for those chicken breasts of yours, okay?"

"Really? Oh my God you're a saint. Come on."

Getting to her feet, Regina followed Ruby into the kitchen. Once there she took the liberty of doing a quick search all around to see what she could find. The choice was easy, there was half and half on the fridge, butter, cream cheese and parmesan cheese, and that was all she needed to begin with.

When she gathered all the ingredients, she turned on the stove and asked Ruby for a saucepan.

"I'm really glad that you came here tonight," Ruby said, passing her the saucier. "I mean, Roland was all upset about leaving you alone."

Pouting and taking a look through the sliding glass, Regina saw Roland playing with Little John outside. He was laughing, the big guy lifting him up over his shoulders and just parading him around.

"He doesn't look too upset to me."

"He was, that little guy is such a worrier. We're just good at keeping his mind busy.

Mixing the ingredients while making sure to stir around, Regina sighed." I know. Sometimes he acts as if he was my dad. But he loves being here so I was just not going to let him ruin his time with you just because he thinks I need him with me 24/7."

Arching an eyebrow, Ruby leaned over the counter, her eyes intently set on Regina. "But you still came."

Regina was not sure where the sudden interest came from, but she humored Ruby for a little while. After all, being in the kitchen beat the hell out of being out there with Robin.

She watched through the sliding door that he picked up his guitar, and she definitely didn't want to sit out there and listen to him play. Hell no… she had spent many nights like these listening to him strum those chords for her and she didn't want to dip her toe in those waters.

"I was actually not going to do it, but Robin thought it was a good idea if I came by even if it was for a little while so I thought why not? It's Thanksgiving after all."

"Yeah… that brother of mine sure thought that," Ruby laughed. "I mean, I don't doubt he wanted to make Roland feel more at ease, but come on, let's not pretend he didn't do it just so you would come. Like… he's so in love with you it's not even funny."

And there it was, Regina thought. Just what she needed, but apparently, Ruby and Little John decided to pick that day to throw those little but very off putting comments.

"You know, I was just like eleven when you guys were together, and I lived in my own little world, but I do remember how good you two were for each other. He had it really bad when all that shit hit the fan…"

"We all had a really bad time when that happened, Ruby." Regina pointed out, her face becoming too serious as she remembered all of what she lost.

Robin had been her support, her best friend, the love of her life, so it wasn't like she had the best time when their parents intervened and made it impossible for them to keep their relationship going.

"I don't doubt it, really. But you were the one who left. And don't get me wrong because this is not sour grapes or me trying to put the blame on you. Everyone knows you were just another victim in this situation, but Robin? He was crushed, especially because you took Roland with you and wouldn't let him see him."

Turning the stove off and putting the sauce away, Regina swallowed on dry. "I really don't want to talk about that, so if that's how it's going to be just tell me so I can go."

"No! No… okay, I'm fucking drunk so I don't think I'm making myself very clear. What I meant to say with all that crap is that my idiot of a brother is still in love with you. He won't even admit it to himself, but it's obvious that his heart has always been with you. Don't you think it's time that you two try things out again? I mean… I like to think I have a third eye when it comes to this shit, and I bet my right arm that you feel something for him too."

Biting the inside of her cheek, Regina scoffed, ready to deny such a wrong assumption. But was it really wrong?

Looking once again at Robin, she saw him there, smiling at their son, probably singing something for him and it hit her. She did have feelings for him. She wasn't sure if it was the kind of love that once had consumed every cell of her, but there was something there, scratching the surface.

Not like that matter. She made peace with the idea that she was never going to go back with Robin, and that had to stay like that. They had a very turbulent history where they both ended up very hurt, and sometimes when that happened, the best thing to do was walk away and keep going.

Yes, there was some sort of consolation in the fact that he was always going to be in her life, as Roland's father. But there couldn't be more to that. Besides, there was still Marian...

"Your brother has a girlfriend,"

"Had. He finally kicked that witch to the curb, and trust me, it was about damn time. Not even my mum liked her, and Amelia Locksley likes everyone. Well, maybe not your mother but you get what I'm trying to say, don't you?"

Groaning because no, she didn't want to get it, Regina washed her hands and got ready to go walk back to the patio. "The only thing I get here, is that you are drunk talking. Anyway, your sauce is ready."

"I'm not that far gone yet, you know, so I know what I'm saying, I'm just having a hard time translating what's on my mind and making it come through my mouth."

Humming, Regina bit her lips. She didn't say anything though, and just limited herself to walk back out. She didn't take the chair she vacated a while ago, and decided to go straight towards the swings.

She watched from there, at Roland being all over the place, Robin teaching him some tunes, and Little John drinking himself into oblivion. She also watched as Ruby walked out, sitting over Mulan and talking with her in hushed voices.

Regina ate while sitting there, first with her son making her company and then alone… thinking about so many things her head even started to ache. At least that was until Robin made it towards her, handing her a beer before sitting on the swing next to her.

"I just remembered that I owed you a drink."

Taking the cold bottle, Regina nooded, her eyes lifting up so that she could meet his, blue orbs on brown like in the old times. "Thank you."

"I hope beer is okay. If not I can get you something else, maybe wine?"

Despite herself, Regina smiled, taking a sip of the drink. She didn't know why she was thinking about this, but this marked the first time they shared a drink together.

They had a son, a history that stretched over ten years, and this was the first time they sat together to share a beer. "This is okay."

"Alright then," he replied, taking a sip as well. He did it without taking his eyes from her, and once again Regina felt a little self conscious about this way he had of looking at her now.

"I'm really glad you decided to come," he said after a few seconds. "It will definitely make Roland sleep better tonight."

Looking at her son, Regina rolled her eyes. "I don't know about that, he has been munching on those marshmallows since I got here, so I don't think he'll do much sleeping tonight. He'll talk your ear off and make you all dizzy before he crashes, you'll see."

Laughing that rich raspy laugh of his, Robin looked at Roland too. "I know. Do you want to take him with you tonight? I can compromise one night just to be spared of that."

"No way. He's all yours." Regina chuckled, sending a sideway glance his way. He was still looking at Roland, so she indulged a little in staring.

He looked good. He had changed into a black sweater and dark jeans, but he was still wearing the same sneakers he had that morning. The whole thing put together complimented him mighty fine, and that was making her have thoughts...

Thoughts about what Ruby said, about the things they had gone through, and about that day she made the mistake of falling into Cora's lies and she left Robin, this house, and the promise of a better life.

Because yes, even though she didn't like to think about it, she would have lived a much better life there, with the boy she loved and his family.

Unfortunately, their story went in the wrong direction. Now they were there: two strangers that used to love each other so, so much.

It was actually sad, and in the wave of nostalgia that was washing over her, she wondered why it had to be that way. Sure, maybe they were too far gone to go back together, but that didn't mean they couldn't at least be friends.

He was her best friend before they started dating, so why couldn't at least claim that aspect of their past back?

They had a lifetime bond in Roland, and that was such a long time to be at odds.

With that in mind, she decided to go for something that wouldn't have crossed her mind to do before…

"So what happened with Marian?"

Turning his face back to hers, Robin arched an eyebrow. He seemed a bit surprised, but after studying her face a little, he shrugged.. "Um… well, it was just not working. You know how it is."

Narrowing her eyes, Regina twisted her lips. Robin was taking a sip of his beer, his own eyes set in hers. "Was it an amicable split? I bet it wasn't, she looks too petty for that. God, I hope you don't get back with her, I didn't like pretending to like her."

And there, after years of hiding her disdain for the woman, she let it out. Her moment was short lived though, because as soon as she blurted her thoughts out, Robin choked.

For a wild second, she was sure he was going to spit his beer, he even leaned forward, pressing a hand to his mouth trying to hold it. At the end he didn't, but he ended up coughing, probably caught off guard with her line of thinking. "You were trying to pretend you like her? How? The only thing you didn't do was come straight and say it."

Well… maybe he had a point.

"I said I was trying. I never claimed I did a good job out of it."

Finishing his beer, Robin scoffed. "Why are we discussing this?"

Not feeling like putting up a front, Regina just looked at him. "I'm trying to be friendly and make conversation."

Her answer made Robin smile, his eyes sparkling so bright she felt hypnotized. "We're doing that now, being friendly?"

Watching the way he swung towards her, Regina bit the inside of her tongue. The movement made his knee bump against hers, and the contact made her shiver.

Thankfully, she was able to cover her reaction by swinging herself forward. "I don't know, is that something you want?"

"Oh, that's a very hard and complex question to answer, Regina."

Feeling herself flush with the way he said her name in that alluring accent of his, Regina licked her lips. "Why?"

His eyes never left her, and in that moment, the whole world ceased to exist. There was only him…

"Because I want a lot of things."

Trying to cover the small gasp that came out of her as an amused chuckle, Regina frowned. He was still swinging sideways, getting nearer and nearer to her.

The whole thing made her wonder, and instead of keeping it in, she decided to put her thoughts out there. "Are you flirting with me, Robin Locksley?"

Her ex and father of her son smirked, the tip of his corner tipping up. "Just if it's working."

Caught a little off guard because this was something she didn't expect, Regina laughed a bit nervously, looking around to see if they were having this moment to themselves or if they had any witnesses.

She didn't get to do the exercise, because just as her gaze was passing through the others, she saw her. It was Marian, and she was opening the sliding door of the kitchen so that she could step outside.

Following her gaze and probably picking on the way her face fell a little, Robin turned in the direction she had been looking. It was too late, because by the time he was standing up from the swings, Marian was barely a few steps away from them.

"So this is why you broke up with me, because you wanted to go back to this… slut."

"Hey," Regina began to say indignantly, watching as Robin grabbed Marian by the arm and tried to take her away.

Not like the other woman was having any of that, as it seemed like she was glued to the spot where she was standing, her eyes ablaze as she looked at Robin.

"Don't make a scene here, not in front of Roland." Robin hissed through clenched teeth, prompting Regina to search for her son.

She spotted him by the kitchen door, being led away by Little John and Mulan. Regina was thankful for that, because she didn't think Marian's stay there was going to be a short one.

"Seriously Marian, you need to go," Ruby said, crossing her arms to her chest.

Meanwhile, Regina remained seated on the swings, not exactly sure about what to do. Part of her wanted to stand up and smack the woman for calling her a slut, but then there was this other part that was telling her to shut her damn mouth and keep still.

"I can't believe you did this to me, and with her of all people!" Marian spat, wiping her eyes. "And you! You really went out of your damn way to steal him away, didn't you?"

Not one to keep quiet, despite her best effort, Regina scoffed, her chin lifting up defiantly. "I haven't stolen anyone, so don't blame me if you couldn't-"

Before she could finish that thought, Marian launched herself forward and grabbed her hair, pulling hard at it.

If it wasn't because she was quick enough to stand up and push the woman back, Regina would have fallen face first over the grass.

"Okay that's enough," Robin said, his voice thundering through the night. He said that while grabbing the woman harder, trying to make her move.

"Don't touch me!" Marian yelled when Regina took a step towards her, her intentions unclear in her mind.

She was seeing red, and the only thing she knew was that this was a very bad thing. She had never been good at controlling her impulses, and right in that moment what she wanted was to drag the little bitch through the dirt. But then Marian said something that made Regina freeze on her tracks… and from then on, everything changed…

"I'm pregnant. You can't touch me because I'm pregnant. And you can't take him away from me because I'm going to have his baby."

"What?" Robin gasped, his surprise at Marian's words evident on his face. He was shell shocked, and to be honest, so was she.

"You can't leave me now, Robin. You can't."

Clenching her jaw hard, Regina's heart broke a little. Why? She didn't know, the only thing she was aware of at the moment was that she needed to get out of there. She shouldn't have come… no, the same way she shouldn't harbor any kind of relationship with Robin that wasn't that of co-parenting.

"Get out of here, you are not pregnant! And even if you were, I don't want you in my house." Ruby said, but her voice didn't sound as sure as she wanted to make it sound.

Taking a step back because this was definitely not her place to be, Regina swirled around and started to walk away. She was by the kitchen when she heard Robin call for her.

"Regina, wait… just wait."

Over his voice, she could hear Marian arguing with Ruby, and if she wasn't sure before, then this whole thing cleared her mind.

She did turn, but only to make it clear about where she stood.

"I gotta go… just tell Roland I love him and that I'll see him on Sunday, okay?"

With that said, she turned back around and without another look at the past, she walked out of that house, and hopefully, out of Robin's life...

TBC