Based off the following prompt from GlindaLovesShoes: Hotel verse: Robin tells Regina he loves her and she freaks out because she thinks no one can love the EQ. Bonus points if Robin already knows who she is but doesn't tell her
Three Small Words
Regina stared at her closet, trying to find the perfect outfit. Bobby hadn't been specific about where he was taking her for their date and his only clue was that he was going to treat her now that he was the owner of the Ever After Hotel. "My bank account has suddenly doubled in size," he said, "and I want to spoil you."
With that in mind, she imagined he was taking her some place a bit more on the pricey side, even though she always protested he didn't have to. Regina had had her share of someone trying to use wealth to win her affection (though Leopold wasn't so much trying to win her affection but hope to please her without really bothering to find out why his young bride was truly unhappy). All she needed this time was Bobby, their sons and time together. They could just have a movie marathon and she'd be infinitely happier than she ever was in the royal palace.
Yet spoiling her made Bobby happy and she doubted it would be as painful as sitting through a ball shrouded in shadows while her husband treated his daughter as a queen. Bobby always gave her his full attention and did everything in his power to make her feel special. In turn, she hoped she did the same to him.
Regina selected a green cocktail dress to wear. Green wasn't one of her usual colors but it was one of Bobby's favorites, so she had gotten the dress especially for him. It had a plunging neckline that gave a tantalizing-but tasteful, in her opinion-glimpse at her breasts before hugging her curves and ending just above her knees. Cap sleeves covered her shoulders but not her arms, so she pulled out a black wrap to wear as well.
She sat at her vanity, curling and pinning up her hair, when she heard a soft knock. "Henry, is that you?" she called out.
"Can I come in?" His little voice was muffled by the door.
"Of course," she called out. "The door is unlocked."
The door creaked open and Henry peeked in, hazel eyes gazing at her. "Are you getting ready for your date with Mr. Bobby?"
"I am. Do you need something?" she asked, pulling out her makeup as she sat at her vanity.
He shook his head, jumping onto her bed. "I just wanted to spend some time with you."
She smiled at him, her heart melting at his comment. However, she was sure he would get bored. "I'm just putting on my makeup, sweetheart."
"That's okay," he said, bouncing a bit on her bed. "I'm fine just sitting here."
Regina turned around, concerned. That was a statement that usually sent him heading back downstairs to play with his toys. She frowned. "Are you sure there's nothing wrong, Henry?"
"Yes," he said, far too quickly for her liking. She kept her gaze on him, trying not to glare or stare, and waited.
He squirmed on her bed before asking: "Are you going to marry Mr. Bobby?"
That caught her off guard. She stood from her vanity and sat next to him on the bed, pulling him close to her as she wrapped her arms around him. "I don't know," she admitted. "Why?"
"Because I like him and I like Roland. I think we'd be a great family," Henry said, hopefully. "A normal one."
"Normal?" Regina felt like her gut was twisted into knots as the fear she was depriving Henry of something vital crept up again.
He nodded. "You know. Mom, dad, siblings...maybe a dog? Like I see on TV and what some of the other children have."
She hugged him close, feeling sick from her guilt. "Do you feel like you're missing out?"
"Sometimes," he admitted, snuggling closer to her. "You're a great mom but there are some things a boy just needs a dad for, you know?"
Fighting back tears, Regina gave him another squeeze. "I know, sweetheart. And I don't know if I'm going to marry Mr. Bobby. But I think no matter what happens, he'll always be in your life."
"Really?" Henry perked up, smiling as hope filled his eyes.
She nodded. "I'm sure of it."
"Great." He seemed happier and she relaxed as he looked up at her, a sly smile on his face. "I hope you marry him though. That will be cool."
"Well, I'm not even sure if Mr. Bobby loves me," she said, fiddling with her necklace as her heart fluttered.
Henry giggled. "Of course he does."
She glanced down at him, frowning. "What do you mean by that?"
"Please, Mom, it's so obvious." He rolled his eyes, something that was clearly her.
"Oh really?" she asked, her eyebrows rising to meet her hairline.
Henry knelt on her bed, almost eye level with her. "Mom, please. He has this goofy smile whenever he sees you, is always trying to touch you, wants to spend all his time with you, and kisses you all the time. He loves you."
"Love is a bit more complicated than that, Henry," she said, her heart speeding up as she realized everything Henry said was true.
"Why?" he asked, frowning.
She sighed, not sure she was ready to get into this with her young son nor if she had the time. "It just is. Now, let me finish getting ready for my date. We don't want to keep Mr. Bobby waiting, right?"
"Right," he replied, though looking a bit unsure. Henry slid off the bed. "I'm going to go back to watching my cartoons."
"Henry, wait." When he paused by the door, she approached him and hugged him. "No matter if I love Mr. Bobby or not, I love you. You're my son and the most important man in my life. And that's not complicated at all."
He grinned and hugged her back. "I love you too, Mom. And that's not complicated either."
Regina laughed and then gave him a gentle push. "I'll be right out, sweetheart."
"Okay, Mom. By the way, you look really pretty," he said before leaving the room.
She smiled and headed back to her vanity to finish getting ready.
Bobby wiped his hands as he approached Regina's door, his heart beating so loud he was afraid she was going to hear it. It's just a date with Regina. Nothing to be so nervous about. It's just Regina.
Yet he knew he had everything to be nervous about. Today was the day. He was going to tell her how he truly felt about her and he could only pray she felt the same. While his gut told him she did, doubt still filled him.
He rang the doorbell as he tried to get his breathing under control. To his relief, Henry was the one to open the door and he smiled down at the boy. "Your mother say it was okay to open the door?"
"Yes," Henry replied, "because it was you. She said she'll be right down."
Bobby nodded, spotting Dr. Hopper standing in the doorway. Surprise filled him. "Archie, you're watching Henry tonight?"
"Pongo and I are, yes," Archie said as his beloved Dalmatian appeared by his side. "Regina asked and we figured it would be fun. Right, Henry?"
Henry nodded as they heard the familiar click-clack of heels on the stairs. Bobby looked up and his breath was stolen as he saw Regina, all dressed up in a gorgeous green dress and smiling at him. "Wow," he breathed.
She smiled. "You like it?"
"I love it," he said, taking her hand and kissing it. He kept his eyes on her. "Stunning, in every way."
"You flatterer," she replied, but her cheeks turned pink. He loved being able to make her blush like that.
He grinned. "I only speak the truth, milady."
Archie cleared his throat, reminding them they weren't alone. He smiled, holding Henry against his side. "So, what time do you two expect to be back?"
"Right," Bobby said, nodding. "I promise not to keep her out too late. Is eleven fine?"
Archie looked down at Henry, who nodded. Satisfied, the older man looked back up. "Eleven is fine."
Regina walked over to Henry, hugging him. Bobby's heart melted as she combed her fingers through his hair, murmuring: "I love you, sweetheart."
"I love you too, Mom. Have a good time." He then turned and hugged Bobby, a bear hug that almost knocked him over. "You too!"
Bobby hugged him back, kissing the top of his head. He already considered the boy to be his son. "Thanks, Henry. I hope you and Archie have fun too."
Once Regina grabbed her coat, she took Bobby's arm. "Where are we off to tonight?"
"That," he replied, opening the door for her, "is a surprise."
She raised an eyebrow but she continued to smile at him. "Should I be concerned?"
He smiled, knowing she was uncomfortable not having control of a situation and feeling pleased that she trusted him to give him control. "It's a place I know you like. No worries about that. Trust me."
"I do," she assured him, her smile making his stomach do flip flops. She then climbed into the car, giving him a wink. Or rather a slow blink he now knew was her attempt at a wink. He followed a few moments later, a bright smile on his face.
Regina relaxed in the front seat of Bobby's truck. She never thought she would ride in one when she first got to Storybrooke but since meeting Bobby, she found herself liking it more and more. There was just something cozy about it and she felt like she was flying over the streets since they were sitting so much higher than her Mercedes.
"Is the radio too loud?" he asked, hand hovering over the volume control. Until he asked, she hadn't realized the radio was turned on and only just made out soft melodies, no lyrics.
She shook her head, looking at him. He was staring straight ahead and he was now clutching the wheel for dear life. In the glow of the passing streetlamps, she could see how tense his shoulders were and the furrow between his brow. Regina frowned. "Is everything okay?"
"Of course. Why?" he asked.
"Because you weren't this nervous on our first date. So what's going on?"
He sighed. "I just want today to be perfect."
"Why?"
"Because it's your birthday. Well, tomorrow is, but I thought we could get a start on it today."
She tensed up, her eyes widening as she continued to watch him. No one knew about her birthday. "I don't talk about my birthday. How did you find out?"
"I have my ways," he said, sounding mysterious. He then grinned at her for a brief moment. "Such as a contact who shall remain nameless at the DMV who might have pulled your information for me."
"That's cheating," she replied, cursing this world's bureaucracy and efficient record keeping.
He shrugged. "I guess. But I wanted to celebrate you. When better than your birthday?"
"I haven't celebrated my birthday in a long time. Didn't seem to see any point to it," she admitted. "Henry doesn't even know."
"Well, maybe it's time we changed your perception of it," he said, reaching over at a red light to caress her cheek.
She doubted that would happen, but she was secretly pleased that Bobby wanted to try. At the next light, she leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Thank you."
He smiled at her, taking her hand and kissing it. "Don't worry. I won't draw attention that it's your birthday. This is just for me and you. Then tomorrow night, cake with Roland and Henry. Both boys may have already worked on birthday cards and stashed them in my safe."
That sounded wonderful to Regina. She leaned back again, imagining the scene: lights down in her kitchen as she sat in front of a cake covered with flickering candles. Henry and Roland sat on either side of her, helping her blow out the candles while Bobby clapped. It was a lot better than the last time she blew out a candle, bitter over Snow White and surrounded by a court forced to celebrate her birthday.
"Here we are," Bobby said, putting the truck in park.
Regina glanced out her window and smiled in confusion. "You took me to your hotel? Really?"
He grinned, opening his door. "It has some of the best food in town—though don't tell Granny I said that. I plan on pampering you. Wait there."
"I can open my own door," she insisted but she remained still. When Bobby opened her door, she took his hand and let him help her down. He kissed her cheek and she glanced over at him. "What was that for?"
"For your birthday," he told her, holding out his arm to her. She took it and let him guide her toward the doors, which the doorman opened for them with a tip of his hat.
Bobby paused at the doors to one of the ballrooms in the hotel, turning to smile at her. She tilted her head as she watched him and he felt his excitement for his plans grow. "Are you ready?" he asked.
Regina crossed her arms as she narrowed her eyes. "There isn't a surprise party waiting in there, right?"
"No, sweetheart," he assured her. "I wouldn't do that to you. I promise your birthday will be a secret I'll pinkie swear the boys to take to their graves."
She dropped her arms and appeared to relax, no doubt comforted by the fact their sons both took the pinkie swear very seriously. He slid open the door to reveal the ballroom, its lights dimmed to make the candle on the one table set inside stand out more. One of their best lacy white tablecloths covered the table and the best China rested there, waiting for them.
Regina gasped softly, grabbing his arm as she looked up at him. "Bobby? Did you do this for me?"
"Unless you know of another gorgeous brunette mayor with beautiful brown eyes who also happens to be celebrating a birthday," he teased her.
She pushed against his shoulder. "Someone suddenly switch from hotelier to comedian?"
"It's just a hobby," he told her, pulling out her chair. "Milady?"
"Thank you, good sir," she replied, sitting down. He placed her napkin on her lap with a flourish before pushing her in.
Bobby then approached the ice bucket containing a bottle of champagne. Regina frowned, shaking her head. "There's treating me and then there's going overboard. Champagne seems overboard."
"Nonsense," he said. "I own the place now thanks to someone who shall remain nameless…you…"
She gave him a bemused look. "I thought I was to remain nameless?"
"Eh, changed my mind," he teased, uncorking the bottle with a soft pop. "Anyway, I now have more disposable income thanks to some good deals I've managed to make and I am determined to spoil Roland, Henry and you."
"Henry?" she asked, lips curling up at the thought that he would include her son in that list.
He poured the champagne into her flute, smiling. "Of course. I hope you don't mind but I see him as my son as well."
"I don't mind at all," she replied. "As long as you don't mind that I see Roland as my son too."
Bobby paused, his smile growing brighter before he handed her the filled flute. "Of course not. With Melynda gone, I'm glad he has a mother figure now. I always worried what such a hole in his life would do to him. Now, I'm not so worried."
"Same here," she replied. "I had such a close relationship with my father that I often wondered if Henry was missing out on that."
Sitting down, Bobby took her hand. "You and Henry have a close relationship. I doubt he feels he's missing out."
"Still," she said, thinking of everything she had done with her father growing up. She wished the curse hadn't required his heart, that he could've been here to enjoy this new world and to spend time with his grandson. He would've loved Henry, she was certain, and would've doted on him endlessly.
"You miss him, don't you?" Bobby asked quietly.
She nodded as tears started to run down her cheek. "Very much."
He leaned over and brushed the tears from her cheeks. "I wish I could've met him."
"He would've liked you," she said, smiling as she was certain in that fact. She covered his hand as he cupped her cheek, enjoying the warmth and comfort.
Bobby slowly removed his hand and picked up his flute. "To you, Regina, the most amazing woman I know. I know you haven't really celebrated your birthday but I know you are someone who deserves to be celebrated. Happy birthday."
They clinked their glasses together before taking sips of their champagne. Once the bubbly liquid went down her throat, she smiled at Bobby. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome, but I'm not done yet. Hang onto your socks." He winked as he stood, heading to the kitchen.
Regina watched him walk away, shamelessly letting her eyes drift down to his ass. She smirked, watching as it moved with his every step and hoping to get her hands on it before she had to go home that night. Once he disappeared behind the swinging door, Regina thanked Tinkerbell—wherever that pixie had ended up. It seemed pixie didn't lie after all.
Dinner had been a grand affair for just two people. There had been three courses, starting with a salad before moving on to the most delicious lobster she had ever eaten. It had been paired with roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables. Regina had eaten greedily, her mother's voice a distant echo in the back of her mind reminding her about manners and maintaining her figure.
Bobby thought she was beautiful and sexy, no matter what, and slowly, he was building up her own self-confidence to believe the same about herself. And so her voice was finally starting to drown out her mother's.
Wiping her mouth, she leaned back in her chair. "So, what do you have planned for dessert? Because I might need a new dress."
"Your dress is fine for now," he assured her, wiping his own mouth before placing his napkin on the table. "Dessert will be later. I have a special surprise for that."
She raised her eyebrow as she studied his smiling face, trying to find a clue. Only one thing came to her mind. "I do have to relieve Archie tonight. He's not going to spend the night with Henry."
Bobby nodded, standing. "I know. Ian can't keep Roland the entire night either. But we still have plenty of time, so don't worry."
"I see," she said, looking up as he approached her. "What do you have planned?"
He held out a hand to her. "Dance with me?"
"To what music?" she asked, glancing around. Was he hiding a string quartet somewhere? Or perhaps an entire orchestra?
Did Storybrooke even have an orchestra?
Bobby tilted his head. "Regina? Are you okay?"
"Sorry, I got lost in my head," she replied, glancing around. "I was wondering where you're hiding the musicians?"
He chuckled, pulling a small remote from his pocket. "There's a sound system in here. I have a CD already to go. You just have to say yes to dancing with me."
She crossed her legs, smiling up at him as she decided to have a little fun. "And what if I say no?"
"Then the remote goes back in my pocket," he replied, "and we find something you want to do."
Regina stood, taking his hand. "Well, I guess it's a good thing I want to dance with you."
Bobby's smile brightened and he hit the play button on the remote. A soft ballad filled the room and he pulled her close, twirling her around the floor. She rested her head on his shoulder, sighing in contentment.
After a few turns around the floor, she felt Bobby kiss the top of her head. "Are you having a good birthday, lovely?"
"It's the best I've ever had," she confessed, closing her eyes as she enjoyed just being in his arms. She tried not to think of birthdays past—elaborate affairs thrown more for her mother to show off rather than to celebrate her. Dinners loaded with foods she didn't like and filled with people she didn't know. Once she married Leopold, her birthday went ignored while Snow White's was celebrated with balls that grew grander and grander as her stepdaughter grew older. Even when Regina was the sole ruler, her birthdays seemed to just be attempts from her court to placate her, not celebrate her.
When she created Storybrooke, she decided to treat her birthday as just another day but she promised herself that Henry's birthday was all about him once she adopted him. Now, though, Bobby was just celebrating her and making sure her happiness was paramount. It was alien, refreshing and frightening all at once.
"Good," he replied and she could feel him smiling against her hair. "I want you to feel as special as I know you are."
She lifted her head, biting her lip. "Why do you treat me so well?"
"Isn't it obvious?" he asked, coming to a stop. He looked right in her eyes as he said: "I love you, Regina."
The pounding in her ears drowned everything else out. All she heard in her mind was his voice repeating I love you, I love you, I love you. Then her mother's voice broke in, as well as Leopold's and Rumpelstiltskin's, all reminding her that no one could love her. It would always be a cruel trick that would end in pain. So she did the only thing she could think of:
She ran.
Behind the Ever After Hotel was a beautiful botanical garden that Mr. Gull had guarded with his life. No one had ever been allowed back there and he had tended to the flowers himself. His reasoning was a mystery but the garden was not suffering from his absence. Bobby had hired an excellent gardener and had plans to let people book time in the gardens once the warmer weather came. He figured some of the summer events would rather be outside than in some stuffy ballroom. Regina thought it was a sound business plan.
Now, though, the garden was dead and full of snow. Bare trees lined the dirt walkways, blowing in the wind that Regina didn't start to feel until she was a good distant from the hotel. She shivered as the cold bit at her skin, cursing her rash decision to run off and not even grab a coat.
She hugged herself as she stood in the middle of the dead garden, trying to process everything. Bobby had said he loved her. At least he thought he loved her. How could he really love her if he didn't know the real her? Perhaps it was just part of the curse. It was supposed to give her her happy ending. She always thought that would be Snow White miserable but then she got Henry. Now she had Bobby and Roland. Maybe they were all her happy ending.
No, she reminded herself. Snow and Charming's daughter was out there, destined to break her curse in only a few short years. Then it would all come crashing down, she knew. Bobby would remember she was the Evil Queen and be repulsed by her.
Of course, he could forget her entirely first. She hadn't bothered to learn how the part of the curse that froze time worked. Roland had advanced to first grade with Henry but she had a feeling he wouldn't go to second, instead going back to kindergarten. How was she going to explain that to her son? How was she going to explain it to Bobby and Roland? Or would they just forget her and they would be at square one again?
There were so many reasons Bobby couldn't really love her and she hated herself for loving him. Once again, it was only going to end in pain for her.
"Regina! Regina, are you out here?" Bobby's voice echoed amongst the trees before he appeared on the pathway she was on. He looked anguished and concerned, clutching her coat against his chest. Relief filled his eyes as he hurried toward her.
Bobby threw her coat over her shoulders, pulling it tight against her and gave her a gentle tug toward him. His body heat started to warm her up and her skin began to tingle. She realized she was shivering, her teeth clattering.
He kissed her forehead. "Let me take you back inside, please? Before you catch your death out here?"
Unable to speak, she nodded. She stuck her arms through the sleeves and wrapped the coat tight around her body. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, guiding her back toward the warm hotel.
They didn't return to the ballroom. Instead, Bobby ushered her onto the elevator and hit the button for his floor. She didn't protest, though, still too frozen to do much except stand there and drink in all the warmth the hotel provided as the elevator ascended.
Bobby let them into his room and guided her to his kitchen table. He eased her into a chair. "You stay here and I'll make you some tea."
"Why are you being so kind to me?" she asked, her teeth no longer chattering. "I ran out on you."
His shoulders tensed up as he stood over the stove before he took a calming breath. "Yes, you did. But that doesn't change how I feel about you. And it certainly doesn't mean I'm going to leave you to freeze in the cold."
"I'm sorry." She shrugged off her coat, feeling warm enough without it.
"For what?" he asked, taking out a teabag and a mug. "For running off or for not feeling the same way I do?"
He said it so matter-of-factly, it gave her pause. Did he really believe she didn't feel the same? Even though she had run off, couldn't he tell why? Then again, he wasn't a mind reader and she had some very thick walls. Maybe she was still an enigma he was trying to unravel.
Could he really love her then?
"Regina?" he asked, setting down a steaming mug of tea. "Do you want anything else? Sugar? Milk? Lemon?"
"Whiskey?" she asked, giving him a half-joking, half-hopeful look. He nodded and headed to where she knew he hid his alcohol supply, pulling out his bottle of whiskey.
After adding a generous amount to her tea, he did the same to his own. Bobby left the bottle between them on the table as he took a seat across from her. "So…"
"I'm sorry for running out," she clarified. "I just needed to get away before I got hurt again. Because I know this is all a cruel trick."
He frowned, anger burning in his eyes. "Do I seem to be the type of man to hurt a woman in that way?"
"No and I know you don't mean it to be cruel. Nor do you want to hurt me. But at the same time, you don't really know me. And I know that once you see the real me, you'll run far away. It's just my lot in life." She sighed, sipping her whiskey-laden tea.
Bobby stood, moving chairs to sit closer to her. He tucked two fingers under her chin and gently turned her head until she was forced to look him in the eyes. "What makes you think I don't know the real you?"
"Because there's a lot about me that you don't know," she said. "Things that would make you never want to see me again."
He was quiet for a long time, searching her eyes for something. She wasn't quite sure what it was so she didn't look away, ready to face whatever was going to happen next.
"Have you ever spoken to anyone about your self-esteem issues?" he asked at last, brow furrowed.
"It doesn't help," she snapped, thinking of wasted sessions with Dr. Hopper. Why had she thought getting help from a former cricket would do any good? She had been a weak fool.
"Well, let me see if I can help you," he said, taking her hand. "Do you want to know what I see in you? I see an amazing woman who runs a town almost singlehandedly. Who juggles that with being a hands-on mom raising an amazing boy in a house full of love. A woman who has opened her arms and heart to my son, nurturing and loving him.
"I see a strong woman who loves to learn. I love watching you when we watch Jeopardy. How you shout out the answers and are usually right, how you scrunch your nose when you're considering Final Jeopardy. It's just downright sexy." He smiled at her, gently tapping her nose.
She scrunched her nose, shaking her head. "Bobby…"
"Hush," he said, pressing his finger to her lips. "I'm not done. You are an amazing cook and I think I would gladly sell an organ for one of your apple turnovers. You like to sing when no one is looking and you do the cutest dances…and I feel so privileged to get to witness them."
"I can't believe you've seen those," she moaned, hiding her face behind her hand as her cheeks started to burn.
He gently pulled her hand away, still smiling. "I have. And you have nothing to be embarrassed about, Regina.
"But back to what I was saying…There are many sides I don't know about but I know I know the important ones. I know who you truly are at your core and I love you for it. And no matter what I learn in the years to come, that will never change. I promise you that," he finished.
She wanted to believe that, wanted to believe that he truly loved her and would always love her. But she knew that love was conditional. Everyone wanted someone who was perfect and she knew she was far from it.
"You can't promise that," she whispered. "Please don't promise that if you mean it when you say you don't want to hurt me."
He paused, his eyes studying her face. After a few tense seconds, he slowly nodded. "Alright, I won't promise that if it hurts you. I don't want to hurt you."
"I know you don't, but you will. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday, you will," she said, knowing it was her fate. If only she could convince Bobby of it without sounding like a complete loon…
It was bad enough he was now looking at her like she was. He reached over and brought her hand to his lips. "I'm sorry you've been hurt so much before, Regina. And if I could, I would fight every person who did that."
"You're sweet," she said. "But I'm afraid everyone who hurt me is long dead." Because I killed them.
"All of them?" he asked.
She paused, thinking of Snow White. "Well, no. But I like to think the other person got what they deserved." A mediocre life as a meek schoolteacher doomed to spinsterhood. No more happy ending.
"Well, then, I guess I have to be satisfied with that until they invent time travel." Bobby gave an exaggerated sigh.
Regina finished her tea, feeling warmer and a bit lighter than she had. She glanced down at her empty teacup. "I guess I ruined this evening, huh?"
"Not necessarily," he said, running his thumb over the back of her hand. "We could try to salvage something of it."
She shook her head, feeling awful but knowing she needed some time to herself. "I think I should just go home, Bobby. Thank you for a wonderful evening. I'm sorry it didn't go as you planned."
"Okay," he said softly, letting go of her hand. He stood. "I'll go get my keys and I'll drive you home."
Regina wanted to say something, anything to alleviate the tension now in the room but she didn't know what she could say. Her throat also seemed to have closed up and she followed Bobby out of the room silently, fearing she had just ruined the best thing to happen to her in years.
Their drive home was just as bad. Neither said anything, though many words raced through Regina's mind. She couldn't put any in something that resembled an intelligent sentence and so remained quiet, watching the town she had created go by her.
He pulled into the driveway and turned off the car. That was when he finally broke the silence: "I'll help you down. Just wait right there."
She didn't put up a fight, just waiting until he opened the door. He held out his hand to her and she took, letting him guide her as she stepped down from his truck. Bobby held her hand until they got to the door, where he dropped it and tucked his hands in his pockets. "So…"
"I'm sorry, Bobby," she said, unable to help herself. "I just…I just need some time, okay?"
"Take all the time you need. I'm not going to rush you. I'll be right there when you're ready." He leaned down, kissing her cheek. "Good night, Regina."
She wished him a good night, trying not to let anymore tears fall in front of him. Pulling out her keys, she opened her door and stepped inside. Their eyes met as she went to close the door and he nodded, heading back to his truck as Regina closed the door with a soft click. She pressed her forehead to the cool wood, still fighting her tears.
"Regina?" Archie's soft voice still sounded so loud in her quiet foyer. A wet nose pushed against her hand until it was resting on the soft, warm head of his beloved Dalmatian, Pongo.
Scratching behind his ear, Regina turned to face Archie. He looked confused and frowned. "Is everything okay? I wasn't expecting you until eleven."
"Yes," she lied. "I just got tired and thought it best if I came home to get some sleep."
He tilted his head and she knew he saw right through her. There was probably still part of him that had his conscience abilities and she cursed it.
Regina decided to distract him before he could ask any more questions. She started to dig around in her purse, looking for her money. "I will pay you until eleven, don't worry. How much did we agree on again?"
Archie didn't respond with his amount, though Regina knew it. He hadn't fallen for her plan to change topics. Instead, he continued to study her. "Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?"
"I'm paying you to be a babysitter, not a therapist," she snapped, glaring at him.
He had the audacity to give her a smile. "I'm always a therapist. You don't have to pay me for that."
"Well, I'm just interested in your babysitting duties." Regina slapped down the agreed upon amount into his hand. "Good night, Dr. Hopper."
"Regina, I am available if you want to talk. And not as a therapist," he told her, voice low.
"As what? A friend?" she asked with a derisive snort.
He nodded. "If you want that. And I think you do."
"Oh, really? Why?" She crossed her arms, staring down the former cricket with her best Evil Queen glare. To her dismay, it didn't seem to affect him.
"You're the mayor and everyone knows you…but do you have a good friend? Someone you can confide in, someone you can seek counsel from? Someone you can turn to in both good and bad times? Just someone else who is there for you? Someone you can trust?" he asked.
"Good. Night. Doctor." She enunciated every word, making sure they were dripping with disdain.
Archie nodded, putting on his hat and taking Pongo's leash. "Good night, Regina. Thank you for letting me watch Henry. We had a lovely evening. I'm sorry yours wasn't the same."
She turned around, starting to climb the stairs. "I trust you can show yourself out, Dr. Hopper?"
"Yes, Madame Mayor," he said, finally returning to the more formal address she usually insisted on. She paused on the steps, waiting to hear the door open and close. But first, Archie had one last piece of advice: "No man is an island, Regina, and it's not weakness to want to have companionship. Isolating yourself will only end up hurting you. And you don't deserve that."
She heard the door open and then close again. Tears began to trickle down her cheek and she hurried to her bedroom, letting them fall. Regina cursed herself, Dr. Archie Hopper, Bobby Locke, Maleficent, Rumpelstiltskin, her mother and then herself again. Her life had always been lonely and now that she had the chance for it not to be, she knew it would be snatched away. There was no way her relationship with Bobby could survive the curse breaking and she knew it was pointless to believe otherwise.
"Have a good day at school, sweetheart," Regina said, pulling on Henry's coat. She hadn't gotten any sleep the night before but tried to stay chipper for his sake, giving him a big smile.
He tilted his head, though, frowning. "Maybe I should stay home today."
"Oh?" she asked, concerned. "Why?"
"I think I'm sick." He then let out the least convincing cough in the history of fake coughs.
Regina gave Henry a skeptical look. "You don't sound sick. Are you sure you need to stay home?"
He nodded. "I need to cuddle with you on the couch, watch movies and drink hot chocolate until we both feel better."
"Oh, Henry." Her perceptive little prince had picked up on her mood and wanted to make her feel better. What had she done to deserve him?
Oh, right. Nothing.
"Mom?" he prompted, waiting for her response.
She smiled, rubbing his arms. "I'm fine, sweetheart. You go to school, see your friends and then we'll watch a movie together tonight."
"With hot chocolate?" he asked, hazel eyes wide and hopeful.
"Yes," she assured him, locking their pinkies together. "Promise."
He threw his arms around her, hugging her tightly. "I love you, Mom."
"I love you too, Henry," she replied, holding him close. She kissed his cheek before letting go to open the door. "Have a good day at sch…"
Her words died as she came face to face with Bobby Locke, who was standing on her front porch. He was bundled up in his puffy green jacket and a navy blue scarf was tied around his neck. One gloved hand held onto Roland's as the boy beamed at her and Henry. "Hello, Ms. Regina."
"Good morning, Roland," she said before glancing up at his father. "This is a surprise."
"Papa said I could take the bus with Henry!" Roland announced.
Henry let out a whoop and high-fived his best friend. "Awesome!"
The yellow school bus pulled up to the curb by Regina's gate. She crouched down, kissing Henry's cheek and then Roland's. "Have a good day, you two."
Bobby hugged both boys before giving them gentle pushes down the path. He shoved his hands in his jacket pockets, much like the night before, and stood next to Regina as they watched their sons. The door slid open and Henry got on, introducing Roland to the driver. They moved down the aisle as the door closed and their faces soon appeared in a window. Regina and Bobby waved as the bus drove away, disappearing around the corner.
She turned to face Bobby, frowning. "So, why are you really here?"
"I was hoping we could talk," he said, eyes looking over her shoulder into her warm house. "May I come in?"
"Sure. Do you want coffee?" She stepped into the house, trusting he would close the door behind him.
Regina wasn't sure why she offered him something. He said she could have all the time she needed last night and now he was here to talk. She knew what it was about and so there was no need for him to have some coffee. It would just prolong the inevitable and she wanted to get it over with as soon as possible. Then she could lick her wounds and remind herself that happiness wasn't meant for her.
He hadn't taken off his jacket, hands still in his pockets, and he shook his head. "Let me just say what I have to say and we'll go from there, yeah?"
"Fine," she said, leaning against one of her chairs as if it were a shield for whatever he said. She made a sweeping motion with her hand. "Proceed."
"Regina, I meant what I said last night. I love you. And no, the abrupt ending of our night didn't make me suddenly stop loving you," he said, eyes narrowed a bit.
"But," she added.
He shook his head. "There is no 'but.' I love you. And you said you loved me."
"Bobby…"
"No," he said, voice firm. "I'm not done. Please let me finish, Regina. I need to say this to you."
Swallowing she nodded, slipping into the chair she had been leaning again. Regina kept her eyes on Bobby, noticing how serious and open he was.
He paused, gathering his thoughts. "I understand that you've been hurt in the past. And it pains me to see how you had to guard your heart because of yourself. I considered myself honored to be one of the few people you lowered your walls for because it means I get to know how special you really are.
"I also know how scary this is," he continued. "I know because I'm scared too. I was hurt by loss too. It's been me and Roland for quite a long time now, Regina. While it was easy to fall in love with you, it was difficult for me to take that first step. I sat up many nights thinking about it. Especially because it wasn't just my heart I had to consider. I had to think about what this would do to Roland"
"Of course," she said softly. She had been so caught up in her angst, she had forgotten about Bobby's past and his own pain. His smile and easy demeanor had tricked her into thinking he wasn't as conflicted as her.
He nodded. "I can't promise you what tomorrow will bring because I don't know. I know I would never do anything intentionally to hurt you. Just as I know you would never do the same to me. All I do know is that now that I know what having you in my life is like, I don't want to go back to what it was when you weren't there. You and Henry have made my life so much richer. I am asking you not to remove that. But if you need to walk away from me for whatever reason, then I wish the best. Just know that I will be pining for you from afar and making sure that you are happy. Because you deserve happiness, Regina, no matter what anybody has told you in the past. All you have to do is say the words and you will have it. You will have me and Roland."
The clock in her kitchen ticked the seconds away as she stared at him, unable to formulate a response. Her mind seemed to slow as it processed everything he had said. She knew he was expecting something though, but all she could do was stare at him.
Bobby nodded, pushing away from the chair. "I guess I won't be having that coffee after all. Goodbye, Regina."
And then he was gone.
She didn't register it until she heard the door close. It felt like she was waking up from a dream except it was real. Bobby had walked away from her. She had pushed him to it.
Wet drops splashed onto her clasped hands. She raised one, brushing her cheek to find she was crying. As she stared at her damp fingers, she let out a loud sob. More followed and she sat hunched over, body shaking as tears fell and she cried in a way she hadn't since Daniel died. She felt the same—as if her heart had been crushed as well and that nothing would ever be good again.
This is different, a small voice chided her. It almost sounded like…her. You don't have to lose Bobby. You can fight to keep him.
"How?" she asked her empty kitchen, not caring that she was talking to herself out loud.
You need to find the root of what's keeping you from him.
"I know that," she replied, growing annoyed with her inner voice. "It's this stupid Dark Curse I cast. It's brought me everything I want and then it's going to take it away."
It's not all the Dark Curse and you know it. There's something more at play, something you don't want to admit. But if you don't, you'll end up alone and unhappy yet again.
The voice in her head changed, now sounding like Archie Hopper. She groaned as she figured out what her subconscious was trying to tell her. Putting her mug in the sink, Regina sighed. "Fine. I'll go bear my soul to a former grasshopper. Happy?"
She received no answer.
If Dr. Hopper was surprised to see her at his door that morning, he hid it well. He stepped aside and let her step into his office. Pongo, his faithful Dalmatian, perked up and bounded over to her. Regina petted him as she felt Archie study her. "I'm glad you're here, Regina."
"Because it means you can charge me an exorbitant fee?" she asked, not looking away from Pongo.
He chuckled, which annoyed her. She stood, crossing her arms as she stared him down. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," he said quickly, smile falling as he grew a bit uncomfortable. "I…I thought you were making a joke."
She paused before sighing, closing her eyes. "I'm sorry, Dr. Hopper. I'm just…in a mood."
"I can tell. Do you want to have a seat? Or we can stay standing. I'm good with whatever you want to do."
Regina opened her eyes, finding Dr. Hopper standing there with his hands casually in his sweater pockets. He gave her a soft smile and she frowned. "Why are you being so nice to me?"
"Because I'm going to charge you an exorbitant fee," he joked back. She felt her lips turn up a bit, impressed.
"I'd like to sit, please," she decided. He nodded and motioned for her to follow him. Pongo followed her, remaining close even when she sat on the couch in Archie's office. The dog jumped up next to her, resting his head on her lap.
Regina scratched behind his ear as Archie took the seat across from her. "So, Regina, what do you want to talk about?" he asked.
"Well, I'm sure the entire town knows that Bobby Locke and I have been dating," she started.
"It's caught our attention, yes," Archie said. "But to be fair, you two haven't been hiding your relationship nor should you have to. You are both adults."
She nodded. "I know. I just…I just don't like to have my private life aired so publicly. I like to keep somethings for myself."
"Understandable. Yet you are such a private person, Regina. I doubt many people in Storybrooke know much about you besides the fact that you're the mayor and Henry's mother," he said.
"Add in that I was dating Bobby Locke, that's everything about me," she replied with a shrug.
He frowned, shaking his head. "Certainly there is more to you than that, Regina. You aren't just who you know. What do you like to do?"
"Do?" she asked with a frown.
"Yes," he replied. "What are some of the things you like to do to relax? When you're not being the mayor or Henry's mother?"
"I'm always Henry's mother."
He paused, nodding. "You're right. Let me rephrase—what do you do in your spare time?"
"Oh," she said, thinking about it. Her frown deepened. "I guess…I guess I like to bake. And read. Bobby said I have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. I guess I do like to learn and I like to know a lot about…well…everything."
"Anything else?" Archie asked, smiling softly.
She thought about it and realized there wasn't much else she liked to do…or rather that she made time to do. "I used to like horseback riding. I haven't done that in a long time," she admitted sadly.
"Well, why don't you start again? Storybrooke does have stables," he pointed out.
Thoughts of Rocinante flashed through her mind and she swallowed past a lump, unsure if she could love another horse. "I don't know…What does that have to do with my relationship with Bobby? That's why I'm here, remember?"
"I do," he assured her. "You just seemed so defined by your relationships, that I wanted to know who the real Regina Mills is."
He would never know who the real Regina Mills was. She was locked away with the remnants of her old life in her vault hidden under her father's coffin. No more murders, no more threats, no more…
No more Evil Queen.
Who was the real Regina Mills then?
"Regina?" Archie asked, concerned. "Is everything alright?"
She shook her head. "I think I'm having an existential crisis."
"We might need all day then," he replied with a wince. "Do you want me to cancel my other appointment? I'm sure Leroy won't mind."
Regina smirked at the thought of the grumpiest dwarf turned town drunk spilling his innermost thoughts to Archie before she shook her head. "No, I don't think I have the time. Maybe we can just focus on my relationship with Bobby?"
He nodded, pulling out a pad and pen. "So, what exactly seems to be the problem?"
"He loves me."
Archie paused, frowning as he looked up to her. "I'm sorry. How is that a problem, Regina?"
She toyed with Dalmatian's ear, pleased that it didn't seem to bother him as he continued to nap on her lap. Taking a deep breath, she said: "Because there's still so much he doesn't know about me."
"I imagine not," he replied. "No one can truly know someone. There are couples who have been married decades and are still learning new facts about each other."
"You don't understand, though. I'm sure they don't have things that would disgust and horrify their partners if revealed," Regina protested.
Archie leaned forward, tapping the pen against the pad. "I don't understand, Regina. What have you done that would disgust and horrify Bobby?"
She shook her head. "I can't talk about it. I just know, though, that it will come out eventually and I'll lose everything."
"Why?" he asked.
"It's bad. No one would be able to love me after learning it," she replied. "No one."
"Why?"
She sighed, growing frustrated. "What do you mean by that?"
"Why do you think love is so easily lost? Why do you think that love is conditional?" Archie asked.
"Because…it…is?" She furrowed her brow in confusion. How could he not know that truth about love? Or did he believe all that romantic garbage instead? If so, could he be an effective therapist?
He took off his glasses, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Okay, let's look at this another way. Is there anything Henry could do that would make you stop loving him?"
"What? Of course not," she said, certain of that fact. No matter what he did—even if he had a body count to rival hers, she would always love him.
"What about Roland?" Archie pressed.
She frowned. "The same as Henry—nothing. I would always love him."
"And what would it take for you to stop loving Bobby?" he asked her.
Regina paused, considering everything before finding the truth in her heart: "I'd probably always love him, though I would leave him if he hurt either me or Henry. But he would never do that."
"How do you know that?"
"Because I do," she said, annoyed that she had to explain it. "Bobby is a good man who has been nothing but kind to us."
"But how do you know he won't one day turn violent?" Archie asked.
She thought he was crazy. "Because I trust him. I trust that he would never turn violent. That he would rather hurt himself than us."
"And what if you learned he was violent in his past? Something beyond a simple bar fight here or there?"
"It wouldn't matter," she said resolutely. "That's not who he is now."
Archie gave her a pointed look and she swore silently. Scowling, she leaned back and crossed her arms. "That's your point, isn't it? That if Bobby loves and trusts me as much as he says, no matter what he learns about my past, he'll still see the person I am now and still love me?"
"Yes," he said. "Do you trust Bobby enough for that?"
"I…" She paused, thinking about it. Did she trust Bobby to not crush her heart whenever he turned back to whoever he had been before the curse? Did she trust herself to love whoever that person was? Would he still be Bobby?
Archie smiled softly at her, leaning forward. "I think we just had a breakthrough, Regina. Care to talk about it more?"
Regina leaned back, smiling softly. "Yes, I think I would," she said, hoping it would help her move on with Bobby.
They would be family. She was going to make it happen.
A/N: Don't worry, there will be a part two coming! It's based on another prompt (though I kinda already answered it in this one but shh). So keep your eyes open for it!
-Mac