There were many things about the curse Regina had no control over—like holidays.
When her assistant Goldie first mentioned Miner's Day the first summer after casting the curse, Regina had been confused. Thankfully, the curse had created excellent records, so she had been able to catch up easily. She then learned that the curse had not just created its own holiday but allowed ones from the Land Without Magic to creep into Storybrooke as well, starting with New Year's. They then came in succession: Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Memorial Day, Halloween and the like. Regina wasn't fond of them as they brought a little happiness to the people she wanted to keep miserable, like Snow.
(Not to mention the destruction wrought on St. Patrick's Day and Halloween. The people of Storybrooke were destructive drunks).
Then came Christmas.
And Regina fell in love.
Everything about Christmas should've made her hate the holiday. It was about family, friends, love and hope-all things that were short in supply in her life. Anyone who knew her would've expected her to want to hide under the covers until the New Year.
Regina was certainly ready to grouse her way through the holiday season herself. She had barely tolerated Halloween and all the noise as children went trick or treating around the neighborhood. She had even considered a ban on all witch outfits and decorations. And she had planned to ignore Thanksgiving while gritting her teeth through Christmas. She was determined to follow that course of action until she turned on her radio one day for a little music while she worked. Christmas music was playing and Regina found herself bopping along to the beat of the first song. By the tenth, she was humming along and an hour later, she was smitten.
After work, she discovered there were Christmas movies. She settled herself on the couch with a glass of wine in her hand and watched them until she fell asleep. Regina did that several nights in a row. Between the movies and songs, she was infected with the holiday spirit.
For almost two months, Regina believed she could have everything the songs and music promised. She could have a family, she could have friends, and she could have hope. And she did her best to spread Christmas cheer throughout the town, perhaps in an attempt to make amends for her past sins and fill the hole in her heart created when she casted the curse.
Even though she crashed from the high once January came around and she realized nothing about her life changed, she still found herself growing excited when Halloween ended and the weather grew cold again. She was addicted to Christmas.
When Henry came into her life, her love for Christmas went into overdrive. She danced around her kitchen with him to Christmas songs and sang him the softer ones when he was fussy at night. Instead of wine, she now watched movies with a mug of hot chocolate. They baked cookies together and built gingerbread houses (even if those reminded her of a certain blind witch). Henry and she would then eat them as they decorated the Christmas tree, handmade ornaments joining her polished baubles year after year. And they would hang stockings before heading to bed. He would dream of the large pile of presents that would greet him in the morning while she moved them from the attic to under the tree.
Bobby Locke and his son Roland then completed her growing family and she realized she finally had the promise of Christmas-family, friends, love and hope.
It was perfect.
"Regina? Darling, are you up here?" Robin climbed the stairs to the second floor of Regina's spacious mansion, clutching a mug of coffee. It was the one she had gotten him to use whenever he and Roland spent the night, green with a white arrow going across it. Usually after putting the boys on the bus, they would cuddle on the couch as they finished their coffees before heading to work. However this morning, she had disappeared and he was concerned.
He hit the landing and found Regina in a closet, boxes around her feet. Robin frowned. "Regina, what are you doing?"
"I'm putting away the Halloween decorations," she said, "and pulling out the Christmas ones."
"It's November first."
She gave him a look that clearly said So what? and he sighed. "At least come downstairs and have breakfast, love. You'll work better with a full stomach."
"I guess I could eat something," she said, somewhat absentmindedly. Robin loved these moments, when he could see her without any walls up and free to relax. It was a privilege he cherished even before his memories came back and he realized just how special they truly were.
He held out his hand. "Come on. I'll cook for you."
"You spoil me," she replied, taking his hand as she gave him a cheeky grin. "I love it."
Robin chuckled as he led her back downstairs and into the kitchen. He pulled out one of the chairs at her table for her, bowing slightly. "Milady."
"Thank you," she said, grinning at him. "What did I do to deserve such treatment?"
"Be my amazing girlfriend." He gave her a quick kiss before heading over to the stove.
As he made her his famous eggs Benedict, he snuck glances at her over his shoulder. She sat at the table reading the morning newspaper now, her own mug of coffee by her side. Once upon a time, she had been the great and powerful Evil Queen, whose name had struck fear into the hearts of many and whose black guards had keep him running around the forest with his men. And now she was sitting at a table in fuzzy purple slippers, black hair mussed from sleeping and toying her bottom lip as she tried to figure out one of the clues in the crossword puzzle.
He was utterly in love with her. And he couldn't imagine his life without her or Henry.
"Here you go," he said, plating the eggs and placing them in front of her. "Would you like a refill on your coffee?"
She shook her head. "I'm still good. Thank you."
"Okay," he replied, carrying over his own plate. He sat across from her and watched her as she ate.
Regina frowned at him. "You're staring. What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Robin replied. "I'm just always fascinated by you, you know?"
"Sentimental sap." She rolled her eyes but smiled softly at him, no bite in her words at all.
He chuckled. "So are you really going to decorate right after breakfast?"
"Well, I'm going to start," she replied. "Decorating is a big undertaking around here."
"I remember." And he certainly recalled the year before, when he and Roland had spent two days helping Regina and Henry hang decorations. He hadn't minded as it meant more time with the woman he was falling more and more in love with and the boy he was coming to regard as his other son. He didn't think he would mind this year, either.
She nodded. "So are you going to help or not?"
"Of course," he said. "Even though I think you could wait a few days...or weeks."
"Where's your Christmas spirit?" Her eyes sparkled with mirth as she teased him.
Two could play at that game. "It's not due until after Thanksgiving," he deadpanned.
"Ebenezer Scrooge," she teased, gathering up their empty plates. "Next you'll be saying 'Bah humbug' all the time."
"I think you've overloaded so much on the Christmas spirit, even the ghosts would tell you to lay off a bit," Robin shot back, smiling over the rim of his coffee mug.
Regina hummed, coming over to him. She ran her fingers through his hair, leaning down to kiss him. "You're lucky I love you, you know?"
"I do," he replied, stealing another kiss. "But I was thinking...do we have to start decorating right now? Can't we wait until the boys get home? We'll have four extra hands."
She narrowed her eyes but nodded. "You make a good point. So we won't decorate until then. But I took the day off. What am I going to do now?"
"I can think of something." He stood, wrapping his arms around her waist. Robin gave her a quick kiss before grinning at her. "What do you say?"
"I like the way you're thinking." She kissed him again before lacing her fingers with his. With a gentle tug, she pulled him upstairs and back to her bedroom for what promised to be a very busy morning.
After a morning of pure bliss, Regina and Bobby showered together before she went to pick the boys up from school. A sea of children poured out of the building, all bundled up in coats, hats and scarves. Henry and Roland bounded out of the schoolyard with their classmates, both wrapping their arms around her waist. "Hi!" they chorused.
"Hey there," she replied, grinning. "Are you ready to decorate the house?"
Henry groaned while Roland frowned. "It's early, Regina. Halloween was yesterday."
"Don't you remember last year, Ro? She always decorates now," Henry replied. "We don't even put up a turkey for Thanksgiving."
Regina rolled her eyes. "Come on. We'll put on Christmas music and decorate. I have your father untangling lights at home."
It didn't escape her that she was thinking of Bobby more and more as Henry's father as much as Roland's. She wondered if he felt the same way about her being a mother to Roland.
"Can we have cookies too?" Roland asked, eyes wide.
She was weak against them and nodded. "Of course. We can stop at the bakery and pick some up."
"Can't we make them?" he pleaded.
"I'm afraid not," she said. "We can do that over the weekend. How does that sound?"
Roland sighed. "Okay. But yours are so much better."
She laughed, hugging him. "Thank you. And we'll enjoy them soon enough, okay?"
"Okay," he said, taking her hand.
Regina took Henry's hand. "Now let's go before your father decides to put all the decorations away in an attempt to discourage me."
The boys chuckled as they walked toward the bakery, both swinging her arms as they went. She saw Graham lurking about, glaring at them and she glared right back at him. After his fight with Bobby almost a year ago, not even a couple days in jail had cooled him down. It had only made him avoid open confrontation, usually just muttering things under his breath whenever she or Bobby were near. She always shut him down while Bobby just kept being polite to him.
"Kill him with kindness, love," he had told her before kissing her.
It had been one of the first times that she realized that while she was making it clear to Graham that she would not tolerate his hostility toward her growing family, she had had no desire to hurt or kill him. The Evil Queen was starting to become something of the past and she was truly moving on. It was liberating.
"Mom! Mom, we're at the bakery!" Henry said, tugging hard on her hand.
She snapped out of her reverie and saw that he was right. Cheeks growing pink, she gave the boys a sheepish smile. "Oops. Thank you."
"Are you okay?" Roland asked as she pulled the door open.
"I'm fine, sweetheart. Just lost in my thoughts," she replied as the smell of butter, cream and sugar assaulted her senses. She took a deep whiff and her stomach rumbled, making the boys laugh.
She chuckled again. "We're going to have to be careful in here. Don't want to overdo it. So how about we all pick one item?"
They agreed before pressing their little faces against the displays. Regina stood behind them, also looking over the offerings. Everything looked absolutely delicious and she didn't know how she would pick just one.
"I want a gingerbread man, please," Roland said, pointing to a big cookie decorated with icing and gumdrop buttons.
Henry pointed to a large M&M cookie. "Can I have that one, please?"
"Okay. So one gingerbread man, one M&M cookie...I think I'll have that marble cookie," she said, pointing to the black and white cookie nearby. "What should we get Bobby?"
"That one." Roland pointed at some peppermint topped chocolate mint cookies. "Papa loves those."
Regina chuckled. "Then we'll take a few of those for him."
"Why does Papa get more?" Roland asked, pouting.
"Because our cookies are bigger. It's only fair," she replied. "Don't you think?"
He thought about it and nodded. "I guess so."
The woman behind the counter chuckled as she rang up their order. "You certainly have a beautiful family, Madam Mayor."
"Thank you," Regina replied, pulling her boys closer to her as she smiled.
"Only one is hers. The other is her boytoy's brat," Graham said from behind her.
She clenched her jaw as she held the two tighter. "Ignore him. We are a family. He's just jealous."
The woman handed her the box. "Enjoy the cookies."
"Thank you," Regina said again, taking the box. She then leaned down. "I want you two to hang onto me as tightly as possible, okay?"
Henry and Roland nodded, clinging to her as she walked past Graham. She glared at him, as if challenging him to try anything. While she didn't know who she would make sheriff in the event she had to strip him of his badge, it was a move she would gladly make.
Thankfully, he just glared back at her but made no move to grab her or the boys. She ushered them into the car, making sure they buckled themselves in as she set the box between them. "No sneaking bites. I'll know."
"Yes, Mom," they sighed together. It sent her heart fluttering to hear Roland call her "mom."
She smiled and climbed into the driver's seat, aware of Graham's eyes on them the entire time. Regina did her best not to show how much it unnerved her. Instead, she grinned at the boys in the back. "Okay. Let's go home!"
Despite the fact the Robin and the boys protested it was too early, Regina's house was all decorated for Christmas by the time Thanksgiving rolled around. Her Christmas tree stood in the corner of her living room, its twinkling lights shining on them as they laid on the couch. All four suffered from turkey comas, with Roland having fallen sound asleep. Henry was zoned out as he curled closer to his mother and Robin was sure she was not far from nodding off herself. He too fought the urge to close his eyes, not wanting to miss any moment with his new little family.
Roland stretched out on his lap, mouth hanging open as he slept on. Robin chuckled as he rubbed his son's stomach, like he had when the boy was just a babe. It had soothed him then and still seemed to like it. Though he did kick Regina, which made Robin wince along with her. "Sorry," he whispered.
"It's okay," she whispered. "He didn't hurt me."
She began to rub Roland's leg as Henry lost his battle to stay awake, pitching forward until his head landed on her chest. He began to snore softly as she combed her fingers through his brown hair, a soft smile on her face as she turned her attention back to the TV.
It amazed Robin yet again that this was the Evil Queen, the great and terrible witch who had terrorized the Enchanted Forest. Here she was, with two children she had taken into her heart and become their mother despite carrying neither in her womb. There was nothing she wouldn't do for Henry or Roland. In the year he had been with her, Robin had seen her mothering skills firsthand. She woke in the middle of the night to soothe frightened boys after nightmares or nurse sick boys when flus and stomach bugs hit. She had kissed many a cut and bruise, rubbed noses and wiped away tears until they were smiling again. During the rare tantrum, she would calmly wait for them to pass before gently disciplining them. In the fact, the only times he saw the Queen's legendary temper were only when it was raised by fools who deserved the full brunt of her wrath.
He knew she wasn't affected by the curse. There were little telltale signs, such as her panic whenever he mentioned the future or her loathing for Mary Margaret Blanchard, who he now recognized as Princess Snow White from the days their wanted posters had hung side by side from trees in Sherwood Forest. There were even times he caught her trying to do something with magic before remembering she didn't have it anymore. But the fact she wasn't affected by the curse made him wonder: Had the Evil Queen calmed down now that she had won or was he seeing the real Regina, the one no one had bothered to get to know past all her bluster and anger back in the Enchanted Forest?
Did she really cast the curse to spite her stepdaughter or had it been a chance for her to start over without the baggage of being called "evil"?
These were questions he longed to ask her yet still couldn't bring himself to tell her that he remembered, that he had somehow freed himself of her curse. He didn't want to scare her off, to have her shut him out. At the same time, he knew he had to tell her sometime. It wouldn't be fair to either of them for him to keep up being "Bobby Locke" forever.
Yet he didn't feel like Robin Hood or Robin of Locksley anymore either.
"Bobby," she said, frowning. "Are you okay? You look like you're a million miles away."
More like another realm away. He smiled as he lied: "Just zoning out. I think the turkey's gotten to me."
"I think it's gotten to us all." She scooted over to lay her head on his shoulder. "We should probably go to bed but..."
"That would require moving," he finished, smiling. He kissed her forehead. "We can just stay here a bit longer."
She sighed, closing her eyes. "Good."
As she rested against his shoulder, he thought about the ring box locked up in his safe back at the hotel. He grew more resolute in his decision to give it to her every day. Only one thing held him back: whether or not he also told her he remembered everything. Robin knew it wouldn't be right to propose while hiding such a big secret. Yet he knew it could change everything and he could lose her.
That thought terrified him.
Robin closed his eyes as he rested his cheek against her head, still no closer to his decision then before. And for now, he was going to push it to the back of his mind and enjoy this moment.
People filled the sidewalks of Storybrooke, rushing from store to store. They toted many bags and tired children, most well on their way toward a tantrum. Regina weaved amongst them, holding her own bags aloft so she didn't hit anyone. She definitely didn't need that Mirror headline.
Mayor Takes Out Innocent Christmas Shoppers in Horrific Bag Accident
She shuddered as she thought about it. The clothing store caught her eye and she dove into it, glad to get off the streets though the store wasn't much better. Parents went through that year's offerings for their children, still getting the same size as they did the year before but still thinking their child was growing too fast.
Glancing down at her list, her heart sank. Henry was a whole size bigger but Roland hadn't grown an inch. Bobby insisted he was also a slow grower but she knew the truth. Roland was frozen at his current height and weight. And soon, Henry was really going to notice his friend wasn't aging. Bobby was probably going to realize it too. And then what would happen? She figured the curse would probably take care of Bobby and Roland but that still left Henry.
Regina sighed, sinking down into a chair. This curse was more trouble than it was worth. And instead of giving her a happy ending, it was going to take it away from her.
Tears began to fall down her cheek as the truth came to her. If she wanted a future with Bobby and Roland, she was going to have to find a way to break some aspects of the curse. Or maybe break it entirely.
It could ruin her life completely but it was becoming clearer to her that it was a risk she was going to have to take.
Taking a deep breath, Regina stood and went to pick up the clothes she was getting Henry and Roland for Christmas. She could break the curse later.
Robin placed flowers at Marian's grave, even though it said "Melynda Locke" and probably didn't have her body. It still felt nice to have some place to go to mourn her. He knelt at her grave and sighed.
"Sorry it's been a while, Marian. And sorry I've been calling you Melynda when I have come," he said. "The queen managed to curse us and I believed that was your name for almost twenty-five years. Can you believe that?
"I'm the only one with my memory back, though. Well, aside from Regina. Since she casted the curse, it didn't affect her. At least, that's what I assume. I haven't told her I have my memories. I'm...I'm scared, Marian.
"Not of Regina," he assured the stone. "Never of her. She's not the Evil Queen we feared, Marian. She's...She's amazing. And she loves me. I love her too."
Robin paused before scooting closer to the grave. "I want to marry her, Marian, and I want your permission. Your help too. I know I should tell her about my memories. I just don't know if I should do it before or after I propose. If you could give me a clue, I'd appreciate it. I always appreciated your counsel."
He sat there a bit longer, telling Marian about Roland and Henry. As the cold began to seep into his bones, Robin stood at last and sighed. "Goodbye, Marian. I promise to come back soon."
A powerful gust of cold air blew off Robin's scarf and he chased it through the grounds, determined to get it back. It caught on the bare branches of a nearby tree, allowing him to grab it and wrap it around his neck again. He noticed he was by a large vault and his eyes widened when he saw the name over the double bronze doors.
Mills.
He was standing in front of Regina's family vault.
And the door was open.
It had to be a sign.
Robin crept inside, taking in the coffin sitting in the middle of the room. He crouched down to read the nameplate: Henry Mills. It must've been her father, though he wondered how the man had died and if his body was really inside. If so, did that mean Marian was really in the grave bearing the name "Melynda Locke" after all?
He walked around the coffin, trying to find Regina. Robin found a staircase leading below the vault instead. He walked down, wondering what she kept down there.
As he reached the landing, Robin realized it was a place for Regina to store all the remnants of her old life. Several large and old-looking books lined a bookcase next to several shelves lined with glass vials containing various ingredients. Robin doubted they were for her delicious recipes.
Robin walked toward a large mirror against the back wall, black iron curling around it. It looked like a dark sun surrounding his reflection. He had heard stories that the Queen had an enchanted mirror that she could use to spy on anyone in the kingdom. Robin had doubted it back then, believing that if she could do that, then his camp would've been swarming with black guards years ago. Yet staring at the mirror now, he started to believe there was some truth to the stories.
A red curtain covered another wall and he reached out to pull it back, revealing several boxes. It reminded him of the post office when he went to get his mail from the little box assigned to him. What did she keep in there?
"Bobby?" He slowly turned to find Regina standing there, clutching a book to her hand. Her brown eyes widened at the sight of him, panic filling them. "What are you doing here?"
"I was visiting Marian's grave when my scarf blew away..." he started.
She frowned in confusion. "Who is Marian?"
Robin cursed him, not realizing he had slipped with his wife's real name. He knew he was going to have to answer some difficult questions and closed his eyes. "My wife."
"Your wife's name was Melynda."
He hesitated, knowing he was about to change everything. Yet he also knew that this was the sign he had asked for and it was time. Robin took a deep breath. "My wife's name was Marian...Maid Marian."
She gave him an annoyed look. "Be serious, Bobby."
"I am," he said, holding out his hand. "Robin of Locksley, at your service."
Regina looked at his hand and when she looked back, he could see fear and panic in her eyes.
And then she ran.
Regina locked the door and staggered away from it. Her worst nightmare had come true and she wasn't ready to face it. Bobby remembered. He knew who he really was as Locksley was a prominent territory back in the Enchanted Forest, adjacent to Sherwood Forest. Home to...Robin Hood.
Her soulmate was Robin Hood.
She wanted to laugh but knew she was going to cry instead.
Regina slid down the wall, wrapping her hands around her knees once she connected with the floor. She buried her head in her arms, crying for everything she was about to lose. She had dared to hope, dared to think she could have everything-family and love. Yet Maleficent's words came back to haunt her, the warning that there would be a hole in her soul she would never be able to fill. The curse kept her from doing so.
Why didn't she heed her friend's warning? Or her father's? Then she'd still have Daddy and maybe a chance.
Maybe.
"Regina? Regina, please talk to me," Bobby...no, Robin...pleaded.
She looked up, blinking as she saw him standing in front of her. Regina frowned. "How did you...?"
"I'm a thief, Regina," he said. "I can pick a lock."
"Right. So what are you going to do?" she asked.
He knelt down in front of her, frowning. "I told you. I want you to talk to me."
"You want some answers, right? Before you storm off, take Roland and never see me again." She tried not to let her lip quiver as tears pricked her eyes.
"Who said anything about that?" He inched closer to her. "Regina, my memories have not changed my feelings for you. I love you."
She shook her head. "You're still confused. How long have your memories been back? Five minutes?"
"Almost two months," he replied, voice soft. "I had been having flashes for a long time but then when I took the boys camping, it all just came back to me."
Regina's heart skipped a beat. "You mean you stayed with me even knowing I am the Evil Queen?"
"Were the evil queen," he said, inching even closer to her. "You might have been bold and audacious, but I don't think evil."
"Tell that to the villages I burned and the people I killed. You know what's in those boxes? Hearts I pulled out." She pointed in the direction of her ghastly collection.
He paused and she held her breath, wondering if it was starting to sink in. Robin reached out a hand and cupped her cheek. "I still don't think you were ever evil. I think you were lonely."
"I was," she admitted, choking down a sob. "But it doesn't excuse what I did."
"No, it doesn't," he agreed, moving now to sit next to her against the wall. He wrapped his arm around her and she curled closer to him.
They sat like that for some time, Robin rubbing her arm as she clutched the gray flannel he wore under his dark wool coat. "I don't understand how you got your memories back, though," she whispered.
"It's been slow, I think," he said, pressing his cheek against her silky hair. "Every time you used to call me 'Robin Hood,' I would get flashes. Of trees, of raids, of my Merry Men. They were quick and left me disoriented. But they only happened when you said it, no one else.
"Then they got longer after we started having sex," he continued. "They also could happen at any time, without any prompting...until the night I took the boys camping, when everything came back to me at once."
She frowned, wondering what the significance of the woods was. Bobby...Robin...had gone camping plenty of times that summer. Why hadn't it triggered him then? "What was the date of your camping trip?" she asked.
"October twenty-third. Why?" he asked.
"That's the anniversary of the curse," she realized. "Something about it, you being the woods and us must've broken it on you. I just wish I knew more."
Robin rubbed her arm absentmindedly. "But why just me? Why just us? We're not the only lovers in Storybrooke."
She bit her lip before taking his right arm in her hands. Regina pushed up his sleeve until his lion tattoo was visible. "Because of this."
"My tattoo?" He raised his eyebrow. "My family crest is some ancient rune?"
"Don't be...This is your family crest?" She pointed at the tattoo and he nodded. "Huh. Anyway, no. It's...It's more than that."
Regina rubbed his tattoo as she explained about Tinkerbell and the pixie dust the fairy stole for her. "She brought me to a tavern, pointing to a man lit up in green. She told me he was destined to be my soulmate and told me to go inside. I opened the door but grew afraid so I slammed the door again. All I ever saw of him was his tattoo...this tattoo."
"Me?" He glanced down at the tattoo and then back up at her, caution and hope in his eyes. "I'm your soulmate?"
She nodded and he kissed her, holding her close to him. He brushed her hair off her shoulder as he tapped his nose against hers. "No wonder I've always felt so drawn to you."
"I know," she said, voice a whisper. "I wanted to keep my distance, knowing I couldn't have you as long as everyone was cursed but I couldn't stop. You just made me feel so...appreciated. I wasn't as lonely when I was around you. I wasn't lonely at all, honestly."
"It pains me to know you ever were." He pressed her hand over his heart, letting her feel it beat against her palm. It soothed her and she let out a little chuckle.
They sat together for a bit longer, foreheads pressed together and her hand over his heart. She smiled, reveling in the knowledge that he had his memories and still wanted her-all of her, Regina Mills and the Evil Queen.
"What now?" he asked, breaking the silence.
She pulled back, frowning. "What do you mean?"
"The curse is broken for me," he said. "Can we break it for others? Like...Roland?"
"I don't know if we can break it. Snow White and Prince Charming's daughter is fated to break it...but not for another three years. But I was looking for something to at least unfreeze Roland," she said.
Robin frowned. "Unfreeze?"
She nodded. "Right now, time is frozen. Most people don't notice it because of the curse. No one ages, though. Except Henry."
"Right," he said. "I've probably seen that kindergarten show several times now. I get a reprieve every other year."
"I was wondering how Roland was able to follow Henry," she mused before shaking her head. "Anyway, I found a potion that will unfreeze him so he can age with Henry now. It'll probably keep the curiosity at bay for another year, if I'm lucky."
Robin nodded. "It'll give us time to figure out how to break the curse."
"Us?" Surprise filled her. Was he proposing what she thought he was proposing?
"Yes," he said. "I'm going to help you. You don't have to it alone anymore, Regina."
Tears filled her eyes. "I've been alone for so long."
"Not anymore." He pulled her close, kissing her.
She sighed into the kiss, melding her body against his. Warmth spread through her at the thought that she didn't have to do everything by herself anymore and that Robin was going to be by her side the entire time.
It was a wonderful feeling.
Robin sat at his kitchen table, a glass of whiskey in front of him. Storybrooke Academy's holiday party had just wrapped up and he had been too tired to drive back to Regina's. So he stumbled into the elevator and took it to the room he hardly resided in anymore, calling Regina to tell her not to wait up. She assured him that Roland was sound asleep and that they would see Robin in the morning, telling him to get a goodnight's rest.
He changed into his pajamas, brushed his teeth and climbed into the bed determined to do just that. Then he stared at the ceiling, tossing and turning in a futile effort to get comfortable. Nothing worked.
It just didn't feel right not to be by Regina's side.
They were bound to each other already. Perhaps it was that soulmate thing she had told him about.
He liked to think so.
Sipping his whiskey, Robin leaned back in his chair as he mulled over the word. He liked having a soulmate, liked having that bond with Regina. It helped him understand so much about their connection.
His mind was still a jumble of his old memories and his new. Robin really had to concentrate sometimes to separate the false memories of Bobby given to him by the curse while focusing on his real ones as Robin Hood. Yet he knew all his memories of Regina were real.
What they had was real.
Robin placed his glass back down and walked over to the room safe. He crouched down and pressed the combination-Roland's birthday-to unlock it. Inside was everything he wanted to keep safe, both as Bobby and Robin. The birth certificates the curse had created for him and Roland, "Melynda's" wedding ring, his passport as well as Roland's, and a few other things. He reached in and pulled out one object in particular, something that had been sitting there for almost a month. Robin studied it and knew it was time to give it to Regina.
And he knew just the way he was going to do it.
It snowed Christmas Eve.
Henry and Roland raced into the bedroom, jumping onto the bed to announce it was snowing. Robin and Regina groaned as they rolled over to face their children. "What time is it?" he asked.
"Eight in the morning," Roland replied. "We've been up longer but Henry said we should let you sleep."
"At least you raised the considerate child," Robin murmured. "Not sure where I went wrong with mine."
Roland giggled, lying between the two adults. "Silly, Papa."
Henry laid down as well, looking between the two. "Can we go out and play?"
"Wouldn't you rather stay here in under the nice warm blankets and cuddle as a family? We could watch movies," Robin suggested.
Roland rolled his eyes. "We can have so much more fun in the snow, Papa!"
"Yeah, Papa," Regina echoed, teasing her lover.
He glared at her before sighing. "Fine. I can see I'm outvoted. But we're definitely having breakfast first."
"Yes," she agreed. "How about some nice warm oatmeal?"
They all climbed out of bed and Regina shrugged on her bathrobe, watching Robin do the same with the one she bought him to keep at her house. He picked up each boy, who giggled as they kicked their little feet. "Come on," he said. "Let's go get everything ready downstairs."
He left with them and she followed, grinning the entire time. They all entered the kitchen and she went to the stove while Robin put the boys down. He crouched in front of them. "I'll get the bowls and spoons and then you two set the table. Okay?"
"Okay, Dad!" they both chorused. Regina paused as she placed the pot on the stove, smiling at the fact they both called him "Dad." It was a wonderful sound.
She felt Robin right behind her before his fingers gripped her hips. "You look absolutely beautiful," he whispered.
"I just rolled out of bed. I'm in my pajamas, my robe and my hair is a mess." She pulled his arm around her, leaning against him with a smile on her face.
He kissed her neck. "Exactly."
She rolled her eyes. "You're sweet talking me. What do you want?"
"You," he whispered, nipping her ear.
"Eww," Roland said, interrupting them. He looked up, nose crinkling. "Must you two be mushy in the kitchen?"
They gave him a look before sighing. Robin backed up, holding his hands up. "How's that?"
"Better," he said before turning to Regina. "Can I have some juice, Mom?"
Her heart skipped a beat at the title and she nodded. "Of course. Henry, do you want some too?"
"Yes, please," he said, already sitting at the table and swinging his little legs. His toes were starting to brush the floor.
Regina opened the fridge and pulled out the orange juice. She poured two glasses and held them out to Roland. "Do you think you can carry these?"
He nodded, taking the glasses. As he did so, his sleeves rose up and no longer covered his arms completely. Regina stared at it, her hearting beating fast. "I think those pajamas are getting a bit small."
"You know what? I think they are," Robin agreed, looking over the garment. "I think you've grown, Roland."
"Really? Can we measure?" Roland asked, eyes lighting up.
She nodded. "Once you put the orange juice down."
"Okay, Mom." He walked as quickly as he could without spilling the juice and placed them on the table. Roland then turned to face them. "Can we go?"
They laughed and Robin held out his hand. "Come on. Let's go measure you."
"Wait for me!" Henry jumped off his chair and hurried after them.
They approached the wall where Regina had been marking Henry's growth with a pencil since he was a baby. She had started to mark Roland as well, though he never had a change. Regina held her breath as he pressed himself against the wall, making sure his feet were flat on the floor. She pressed the pencil to the very top of his head and then had him back away. After drawing a dark line, her heart beat faster as she realized it was above the line she had been tracing for months now.
"I grew! Look, Papa, Mom, I grew!" Roland pointed at the mark, grinning at them.
Robin's smile was blinding. "I see! You'll catch up to me in no time."
"Way to go, Ro!" Henry high-fived him. "Maybe you'll be able to play basketball soon!"
Roland shook his head, curls bouncing around. "Nah. I prefer soccer."
The two headed back to their breakfast as Robin and Regina continued to stare at the mark on the wall. "I did it," she whispered.
"You did. The potion worked." He pulled her close, hugging her. "He may not have his memories, but he's growing."
She leaned against him. "Maybe I can break the curse without Snow and Charming's daughter."
"I believe in you," he told her, kissing her forehead.
"Mom! Dad! Are you two eating or not?" Henry called out. The two adults looked at each other, chuckling as they headed back into the kitchen to enjoy breakfast with their sons.
Regina felt giddy in a way she hadn't felt since she was a teenager and was falling in love with Daniel for the first. It was a nice feeling and she hoped it never went away. She hoped Robin made her feel like that all the time.
Preferably forever.
Christmas Eve was the perfect day.
After cleaning up from breakfast, the boys ran up to their rooms and changed into warm clothes. Regina oversaw each layer before helping both into their snow suits. Once the boys were all bundled up, she and Robin did the same. The little family trooped onto her front lawn and proceeded to do every snow day activity possible-building snow forts, having a snow ball fight, making snow angels and finishing with their own snowman.
Regina then ushered her three men back into the house where they all peeled off wet clothing and decided to change back into the pajamas for lunch. She made them all BLTs, professing that Christmas Eve was a special enough event for them to actually have bacon. They all cheered and Robin hugged her from behind. "You're the best," he whispered.
He kissed her cheek before carrying some of the sandwiches to the table. She carried the rest and they all ate as the boys talked about the excitement waiting for them that night as well as the next day.
Robin wiped his mouth before picking up his empty plate. "I should head over to the hotel and make sure everything's set for the town Christmas party tonight."
She nodded, grabbing onto his shirt to stop him. "We'll be there in a couple hours."
"Take your time," he told her before kissing her. He grinned at her. "I want you to get there safely. Okay?"
"Okay," she said, touched. "You get there safe too. We need you."
He smiled before turning to the boys. "You be good for your mother. Remember, Santa's watching."
They nodded and he grabbed Regina's plate, bringing it to the sink. He gave her one last kiss and then left the kitchen to grab his coat and keys.
Once the boys were done, she let them go watch a movie while she cleaned up. Regina joined them, plopping down on the couch. Henry and Roland moved from the floor, curling up next to her. She snuggled with them, enjoying the moment.
Checking her watch, Regina patted them. "Okay, time to go upstairs and get ready for the party. I need to get there early."
"Do I have to wear a suit?" Roland asked, grimacing. "It's uncomfortable."
She chuckled, kissing the top of his head. "Yes, you do. It's only for a couple hours and you'll look very handsome, just like your father."
He hesitated and she knew she almost had him. If there was one thing Roland wanted to be, it was just like his father. At last, he nodded. "Okay. I'll wear the suit."
"And you?" Regina asked Henry.
"I'll wear my suit too," he said.
She smiled. "Good. Now, you two march upstairs and no fooling around. Got it?"
They nodded before racing each other up the stairs. She called after them to be careful but knew it fell on deaf ears. Regina shook her head, following her sons at a much slower pace.
Pausing outside their doors, she heard them laughing but it was mixed in with the sounds of drawers opening and closing. It assured her they were getting changed and she padded down the hall to her room, ready to get herself all dressed up for Robin.
"Where do you want the alcohol, Bobby?" John asked, wheeling it in.
It took a moment for Robin to remember he was still Bobby to his friend before he pointed to the bar. "Over there. The bartender should be in soon."
"This is going to be a great party, huh?" John winked at him.
Robin nodded. "I also have something planned for after it too."
John stopped, leaning against the boxes. "You going to do it? You going to ask her?"
"I am," he replied. "It's all planned out."
The bigger man smiled. "You think she'll say yes?"
"I think so."
"Good." John clapped him on the back. "If I don't see you, good luck. And congratulations."
Robin laughed, his tongue poking out a bit. "Thanks, mate. I'll talk to you after the holidays if I don't see you later."
John rolled the hand truck away as he heard two familiar giggles. Robin turned to find Henry and Roland racing toward them, their ties flying over their shoulders as they raced each other.
"Do you two ever walk anywhere anymore?" he teased, catching both boys in a hug. They only laughed in response.
He stood up as Regina walked into the room, her heels clicking against the dance floor. Robin forgot how to breath as he took in his beautiful queen. She wore a red dress with intricate lace covering her neck, chest and forming the sleeves. The rest was made of satin and the A-line skirt fell to her knees. Her dark hair was curled and pinned up, held by a red jewel-encrusted comb. She wore the gold heart necklace he had given her for her birthday, proudly displaying it.
"Is someone speechless?" she teased, curling her dark red lips in a smirk.
"Just soaking in your absolute beauty," he replied, wrapping his arm around her waist. He pulled her against him. "I am so, so lucky."
Her smirk softened into a smile, her eyes searching his own. "I'm lucky as well."
Robin leaned closer, capturing her lips in a tender but passionate kiss. Beside them, he heard the boys groan. "You're kissing again," Roland groaned. "Why?"
"Because we love each other." Regina bopped his nose.
He crinkled it but sighed, trudging away as he muttered about how "adults are so weird." She laughed, turning back to Robin and tugging on his suit jacket. "Do you need me to do anything?"
"No, we have everything under control," he assured her. "You just relax until the guests arrive."
She gave him a pointed look and he knew what was coming next. "I can't just sit still."
"Fair enough. Hey, Al?" he called out to Alan, their DJ. "Can you play a ballad or something? I'd like a dance with Madam Mayor before everyone else gets here."
Alan chuckled. "Abusing your power already, Locke?"
"I wouldn't call asking to dance with the woman I love abusing my power," Robin shot back.
"Whatever." The DJ started up the music and it floated around the empty room.
Robin turned to Regina and held out his hand to her. "Milady, may I have this dance?"
"You may." She took his hand with a smile and he pulled her closer. Regina wrapped her arms around his neck as Robin rested his hands on her waist. They began to sway on the dance floor, alone in their own little world.
Robin never wanted the moment to end, just wanted to stay there with her in his arms forever. Yet he knew their guests would be there soon. So he kissed her before stepping away as the song ended. "Be sure to save me at least one more dance," he said.
"Of course," she replied. "As long as you do the same."
He smirked at her. "As you wish."
The Christmas party was a rounding success.
Almost all of Storybrooke came and crammed themselves into the Ever After's largest ballroom. Children raced around, munching on cookies and candy canes as their parents called out warnings about choking. Regina herself had to slow both Henry and Roland before taking their treats away. "You either run or your eat. Your choice," she told them.
They chose to run.
She held onto their candy canes as she watched Robin mingle around the room, talking with everyone there. His smile was dazzling and Regina could see the charasmatic leader all the folklore made him out to be. It set a fire deep inside her, one she had to keep down for another hour judging by her watch.
"You going to dance with him?" Graham asked, appearing at her side as if by magic.
Regina gave him a side eye. "Yes, I am. We've promised each other a dance. It's just difficult when you're the host, you know?"
"I guess," he said. "Or maybe that's just an excuse."
"An excuse? For what?"
"To cover that you've grown tired of the hotelier like you grew tired of me."
Her jaw clenched. She didn't like fighting with Graham because of the memories only she retained. Regina knew she had used and abused him in ways similar to how she had been used and abused. Two wrongs didn't make a right and she knew she had done little to make things right with him. Yet his comments and jabs were starting to get to her and she couldn't abide by them anymore.
Regina grabbed his arm and dragged him to a more private spot. He smirked. "I knew you'd come back."
"That's not what this is," she hissed. "I don't want us to have it out in front of the entire town."
His smirk dropped into a frown. "Have it out?"
"Yes. I will not take any further snide comments you might have. So let's just end this here and now." She crossed her arms.
"Fine," he said. "I'll be happy to get this all out in the open. You kept me relegated to secret rendezvous, forcing me to sneak into and out of your house sometimes. I felt like your dirty little secret."
Regina swallowed. "Fair."
Graham nodded. "And then you just dropped me without another word."
"I dropped you?" She grew indignant. "You dropped me."
"What?"
She held her head high as she nodded. "I came back with Henry and you suddenly couldn't give me the time of day. I got the hint, Graham."
"You never sought me out. I got the hint, Regina." He threw her words back at her.
"Okay, maybe we should've talked and worked things out. I just never thought we were that serious."
Graham was silent, his eyes dark as different emotions filled them. Finally he said: "No, I guess I didn't think we were either."
She took his hands. "Look, Graham, I think you're a great guy and what we had was good...for what we needed when we needed it. My needs have changed and I love Bobby. We're building a life together. Do you think you can respect that?"
"Yes," he said after another few seconds of silence. "I think I can."
"Thank you. I hope we can at least be friendly now," she said sincerely.
After a pause, he smiled and nodded. "I think I can do that."
"Thank you. And Merry Christmas, Graham." She smiled back at him.
"Merry Christmas, Regina." He gave her a quick hug before heading back out to join the party. She lingered behind for a few moments, watching as he made his way toward Robin. The two men talked for a few minutes before shaking hands and she knew they had made their peace.
Robin approached her, grinning. "A Christmas truce?"
"It would seem so," she said, leaning against him. "I feel better now."
He kissed the top of her head. "Dance with me?"
"Gladly," she said, taking his hand. She followed him to the dance floor as a soft ballad played. He wrapped his arm around her and they swayed together, the peace and love of the season settling over them.
Regina prayed it would last.
"Mom! Dad wants to see you," Henry said, skidding to a stop in front of her. "Outside in the lobby."
She frowned. The last guest had finally left a half hour ago. Certainly nothing could be wrong? "Why?" she asked.
He gave her a big smile. "It's a surprise."
Curious, she followed Henry out to the lobby and gasped. Robin had transformed it into a winter wonderland. White felt carpeted the floor and fake snow covered a few fake evergreens he had set up. Lights were strung up between them as well as around them, twinkling in the dim room and making the ornaments shine. Wire reindeer stood around as well as a glittery snowman.
Robin stood between the trees, still in his suit. He smiled as he held out his hand to her. "Surprise."
"You did all of this?" she asked, taking his hand. "For me?"
He nodded before getting down on one knee, making her heart skip a beat. "Regina, I thought it appropriate to do it here, where we officially met for the first time. You were a guest who ended up being the mother of my son's best friend...and I knew I had never seen a more beautiful woman, bar Roland's mother, of course."
"Of course," Regina agreed softly.
"I told you I already admired you and was honored you would have dinner with Roland and me. By the time I left your room, I believe I was already falling in love. You're an amazing woman, Regina Mills. You're loving, smart, passionate, kind, hard-working, and a really great mom. Each day I spend with you, I fall more and more in love with you. Now, I want to spend all my days with you." Robin pulled out a small black velvet box and opened it to reveal a simple diamond flanked by rubies on a silver band. "Will you marry me?"
A sob got caught in her throat and all she could do was nod as tears spilled down her cheeks. He slid the ring onto her finger before standing, pulling her close to him. She grabbed his lapels and pulled him down for a searing kiss, sealing their engagement.
"I think she said yes, Henry!" she heard Roland exclaim. "We're going to be brothers!"
"Yes!" Henry shouted and she heard hands slapping together in a high-five.
Breaking the kiss, both looked at their beaming boys. They held out their arms and the two rushed into them, hugging them tightly. Robin kissed her forehead as she pressed both boys close to her. "We're going to be the best family ever," she said.
They laughed as they watched the lights on the Christmas trees. Robin turned to her, smiling. "Merry Christmas, Regina Mills."
"Merry Christmas to you," she leaned in to whisper: "Robin of Locksley."
He grinned before telling the boys to get their coats. Kissing her again, he promised to get hers and that they would all be home before Santa arrived. Regina smiled, watching her family, knowing that if Santa existed, he couldn't bring her a gift better than the one she had already received:
Them.
A/N: I meant to have this up for Christmas, but Little Christmas is close enough, right?
As stated before, this is not necessarily being written in linear order, so I may jump around a bit. Like I did here. Don't worry, though, I plan to go back and write about Bobby/Robin getting his memories back!
I hope everyone is having a great New Year! I started mine off with a cold but things are improving, thankfully.
Have a great weekend!
-Mac