Hi my friends :)
I hope you are all well ! I wanted to thank you for still following me, for your support, love and feedback. It truly means the world to me! More than I could ever say. :) 3 I love you all so much !
I hope you will like this chapter ! :)
Chapter 5
-2005-
I'll be there in a few minutes, lovely.
Regina smiled when she saw the text and grabbed her phone, texting an answer quickly.
I am still in my law class, I should be out in about 5 minutes if Mr Radmirez ever let us out...
Oh God, I had him last year, good luck.
She laughed and Mal elbowed her.
"What?" whispered the brunette and her bestfriend smirked.
"So, is it getting serious between the two of you?"
"How so?"
"Regina."
The young woman sighed and then gave in,
"Well, we had not been going out for that long, but he still hadn't asked me to be his girlfriend if that's what you want to know."
Mal frowned.
"That's weird."
"Mal, we've only been seeing each other for two weeks."
The blond woman nodded,
"Yeah, that must be it."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing."
"Mal, now you're stressing me out. What's in your mind?"
Madely sighed again and then dropped her pen, turning towards her bestfriend,
"All I mean is that he should have asked you to be his girlfriend. It doesn't make sense. Or he is a womanizer but I don't think that-"
"Maybe miss Mills and miss Dragz would like to explain us what I was talking about?" suddenly asked Mr Radmirez and Regina blushed slightly while Mal looked down. "Unless you young ladies have something better to do at the moment?"
"No, Sir." answered Regina.
The teacher nodded and then kept on with his class.
"God, I hate him." muttered Mal and Regina chuckled lightly.
When the class ended, Regina wanted to ask Madelyn more details about what she was about to say, but as she was leaving the room, she saw someone waiting for her in the corridors and a smile lit up her face.
"Robin!" she waved and he smiled, blue eyes twinkling and dimples showing.
Robin walked towards her and kissed the corner of her lips tenderly,
"Hi there, beautiful."
She smiled and put a hand on his chest, feeling a bit dizzy like everytime he was near her. At the same moment, someone cleared her throat and she rolled her eyes, getting away from Robin but his arm stayed around her waist.
"Robin, this is Madelyn, my bestfriend. Madelyn, this is Robin."
The two shook hands, smiling.
"Glad to meet you, Madelyn."
"Oh please, call me Mal. I am happy to finally meet you."
"Mal." groaned Regina and Robin chuckled, squeezing her waist tenderly.
"So, when do you have class next?" he asked and she sighed,
"2 pm."
"Good, that leaves us enough time to grab something to eat, doesn't it?"
Regina smiled, feeling her heart beat so fast in her chest.
"It certainly does."
Then, she waved at her friend, promising to meet her later and she followed Robin. When she felt his hand trail down her arm in order to find her hand and intertwine his fingers with hers, all the anxiety she had felt when Madelyn talked suddenly disapeared.
They were here.
And this was true.
-2015-
Regina was lying in her bed, thinking.
About Robin, mostly.
This all thing would not end well, she was sure of it. Now that she really had time to think about it, think about the way she felt ( or refused to feel) by his side the day before.
She hated him, he had broken her heart so completely that she had been dysfunctional since then.
She hadn't been able to love again.
And it was all his fault.
Because she had thought she had found the man of her life, the father of her children, the man she would spend all eternity with, her soulmate.
But then he had taken all of her hopes and dreams away, crashing it like it didn't matter. Crashing it like she didn't matter and never had.
Regina groaned and laid an arm on her eyes, trying to stop the thoughts running in her head. She would need to put up higher walls so that he could not break those down. She needed to be cold and professional, she could do that.
She had mastered that, actually.
Cold and professional.
"Cold and professional." she whispered to herself.
But deep down,
Deep deep down...
Her heart was singing another kind of song.
Robin woke up because his phone was ringing, he groaned ( he had not managed to fall asleep before really late, thoughts of Regina invading his head and dreams) and took it, rubbing his eyes and seeing who was calling him.
"Marian?" he asked but she didn't answer and right away, he felt anxious. "Is something wrong with Roland?" he asked and heard her chuckle bitterly,
"Is there something wrong with you?" she asked and he froze.
That tone wasn't good.
He knew her at least enough to know that.
"Marian-"
"I ran into John this morning while I was at the supermarket buying Roland his favourite cereals."
Oh shit.
Shit.
Shit.
SHIT!
Why did fate hate him that much?
Why?!
He must have been a terrible person in another life, that was the only thing he could think about that would justify the fact that everything in his life eventually turned wrong.
Because if she had ran into John...
That meant she probably knew.
"Marian, let me explain-"
"So, you do have something to tell me."
"Yes."
For a moment, Robin considered his options. He could tell her the truth ( she would understand, he was sure of it.) but he had hurt Regina enough as it was and wasn't sure she'd like Marian to know. Or, he could lie to her. But what did that tell about him, if he lied to the mother of his son?
"I am listening, Robin." she said again and that was the tone she used with Roland, when he had been bad.
"Look," Robin ran a hand through his hair. "Yes, I am sorry, I should have told you sooner. But-"
"So you really are back with her?" she asked and he was surprised by the softness in her voice.
Option 1?
Option 2?
"Yes." he finally whispered. "Yes, I am back with Regina and I am so sorry I didn't tell you but we wanted to see if things could work between us after what happened and I swear she had not seen Roland yet and-"
"Robin." cut her Marian and he stopped his ramblings. "I am happy for you. I really am."
And that made Robin smiled.
Because while his life was a real mess a the moment ( and had been for quite a long time, to be honnest), there was one thing that didn't change. He didn't screw his friendship with Marian, and he was really glad of that because it meant that Roland could grow up having two parents who didn't hate each other.
"Thanks, Marian."
Regina was back in her office, trying to get her thoughts away from Robin and that stupid deal. She entered her office and right away, someone followed her.
"You've got explanation to do, young lady." said a voice and Regina turned toward her bestfriend.
"Mal..."
"How could- When did you- What did you- Why did you?"
Regina sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose before she sat on her desk.
"Madelyn, I am not in the mood for that, right now."
"Why? What's going on? Regina, I don't understand!" blue eyes were frantically looking at her and Regina's heart clenched at seeing her so upset. "Please, talk to me."
And Regina was tired and seeing Robin had been hard on her, and learning he had a son with Marian, and pretending to be dating him again, and to finally see that he had not changed one bit and was still this handsome and kind man she fell in love with so many years ago ... All that was too much.
She couldn't control it when suddenly the back of her eyes stinged and soon, tears were rolling down her cheeks.
"Regina!" screamed Mal, running to her and taking her hands in hers. "What's going on? Has he hurt you? What did he do?" tears were shining in her eyes, too. "Tell me, because I swear I will kill him."
Regina chuckled sadly and then tried to wipe her tears.
It was Madelyn.
Her bestfriend since they were student pretending to know everything about life.
She could trust her.
She did trust her.
"Mal," she took a deep breath. "I have something to tell you. But you got to swear you won't tell a soul."
"So, is this serious between the two of you, then?"
Robin swallowed.
"Pretty much, yes."
"Why haven't you told me?"
"I thought it would be ... weird."
Marian sighed.
"Robin, it was so long ago."
He wanted to chuckle bitterly. Marian could say that because she had been the one he had chosen at the end, she had not suffered because of him.
Regina had.
And it was not 'so long ago' to her.
"You know, I appreciate that you waited for my agreement to let her see Roland."
"Marian-"
"And you can. Let them meet, you have been so great when I wanted him to meet Keith. I won't prevent you the same happiness now."
"Thanks." he said again, smiling slightly.
If only she knew.
"So, I'll bring him to you tonight? He is really excited about his week with daddy." she chuckled and he smiled again,
"I am excited to have him, too. I will bring him back on Sunday?"
"Perfect."
They actually shared custody of Roland, one week each. Robin found that fair, and he got to see his son more often than not.
"I'll see you then, Marian."
"Yes, have a good day."
"You too."
And then it was over.
Robin closed the phone and took a deep breath. He still remembered the hurt in Regina's eyes when he mentionned that he had a son with Marian. And the way she remembered that it was his grandfather's name. He had hurt her pretty badly, didn't he?
Regina and Madelyn were sat facing each other and Regina had told her secretary that she couldn't be bothered because Miss Drags and herself were dealing with a very important case. ( that was what was the best with being associate with your bestfriend)
But now, she didn't know how to begin.
"So..." started Mal.
Regina swallowed.
"Promise you won't judge me."
"I do."
"Promise you won't try to talk me out of this."
"That's a lot to promise, Regina."
"Do it."
The blond sighed,
"Fine, I do."
"Well, a week ago I received that letter from my former highschool which organized a reunion with my former classmates." Mal frowned but didn't say anything. "Of course, at first I didn't want to go and was planning on not to."
"At first?"
"Well, this is where things get a bit complicated."
"How so?"
"I ran into Zelena."
Mal's eyes widened.
"The Zelena you told me about in freshman year? The one that made your life a living hell?"
Regina chuckled bitterly,
"This one."
"And? What did she say?"
"I can't remember clearly," admitted Regina. "But something about me being afraid to come a the reunion because my life was so miserable and I had no one and-"
"Oh darling." breathed Mal, taking her hand and squeezing it. "What happened next?"
"Well, I don't know how she does it, but she always manage to make me so mad ... I opened the mouth and said something I shouldn't have."
Mal's eyes widened and Regina knew she had gotten it.
"No..." she breathed.
"I said that I did have someone and that he would come to the reunion with me."
"Regina..."
"She asked his name."
"Oh please, no."
"I said the first name I could think about."
"Don't tell me that you told..."
"I said his name was Robin."
A silence settled on the room.
Mal's eyes were opened wide.
Regina was just waiting for what was about to happen.
But nothing came.
"What happened next?" murmured her bestfriend,
"I called him. I told him he owed me a favor and he agreed to help me right away."
"How are you doing?"
"Well, we've met some times and put a plan on action, I was at his bestfriend's house yesterday, John, you must remember him, he was-"
"Regina." cut her softly Madelyn, "That's not what I wanted to know."
Another silence and Regina's heart stopped.
"I ..." she tried but her throat was squeezing. "He..." she could feel her heart squeezing and breaking in her chest as she looked down and whispered the admission. "He hasn't changed one bit. Still the same man I fell in love with all those years ago."
"Oh, my dear..."
Regina looked up, eyes glassy.
"It hurts. Of course it does. It still does and you know it. But I have to do this, Mal. I've thought about it. A lot."
"Why? Why would you want to torture yourself this way? Because of Zelena? I'll go to her if you want to! I'll tell her my way of thinking and then I'll go to Robin and do the same."
Regina swallowed.
"At first I thought so, too. But I think it runs deeper than that..."
"How so?"
"I need closure, Mal." smiled sadly Regina. "I need this chapter of my life to be over with. I need to be able to start something new with somebody else."
"And you think this is the way to do it?"
"I don't know." shrugged the brunette.
"Regina..."
"All I know is that I need your support right now, more so than ever."
Madelyn opened the mouth as if she was about to say something else, but then she closed it and smiled.
"You know you have it, Regina. I will always be there for you."
Regina smiled and squeezed her bestfriend's hand.
Can I call you?
Robin sent his text and waited nervously by his phone, playing with his beer.
Why?
I need to ask you something.
I am busy right now.
Two minutes, I swear.
Fine.
Robin took a deep breath and dialed her number,
"What do you want?" he heard her deep voice but somehow, it sounded cold and distant. Robin instantly knew that whatever the moment they shared last night when he dropped her to her flat, it was gone.
"I am sorry to disturb you."
"Well, it's too late now. What can I do for you?"
Robin swallowed.
He should have known it, yesterday she had seemed so open... But he knew her, this only meant she would put up higher walls.
Regina closed her eyes.
She needed to do that.
Cold and professional.
Madelyn nodded at her and Regina knew she had her support. She had been there when Robin's texts came out and now was listening to the talk.
"Well, I guess I..." he took a deep breath. "I am getting my son for the week tonight." her heart clenched. His son. She would never get used to that one. Mal's eyes widened once again but Regina couldn't care for the moment.
Cold and professional.
"And?" she asked and was glad her voice sounded nothing like she felt.
"Well, I wanted to know if it was possible for you two to meet this week. You know, if you and I are to spend more time together in order to get ready for your reunion, I think you should get to know my son, otherwise it would just seem weird."
She froze.
Knowing he had a son was bad enough.
But meeting him?
She loved children. And actually, she thought she would have been a good mother if... If she had found the right person. ( If her right person had chosen her.)
"Regina?" he asked, worried.
He knew what was going on.
Of course he knew.
He could hear her slightly panting and he knew what was going on. She still had not come to terms with the news that he had a son with Marian. And he could understand that. And once again, he cursed his younger self for his lack of judgement. ( but he was young and lost, he had not known what to do).
"Yes." she finally croaked and he decided to act like he didn't notice she was acting strange.
"Great!" he tried to sound relieved. "I will have him tonight but I have to talk about this with him first, but maybe you could come monday and have dinner with us?"
She swallowed.
"Monday as in tomorrow monday?"
"Yes," came his voice, softly. "Will that be alright to you?"
Regina opened frantic eyes to Mal, who nodded at her, urging her to agree.
"Yes." she said, "I will be there."
"Regina?" he called after a small silence and his voice was so soft she gripped her phone until her knuckles were white.
He needed to do something.
Anything to make her feel slighlty better.
He refused to close this call knowing he had hurt her (again).
"Everything will be alright." he said and she chuckled slightly.
" I am not worried, just tired because I had a long day at work." and her voice was back to coldness.
"Of course." he hurried to add, "I won't bother you any longer, then."
She wanted this conversation to be over.
She couldn't stand it any longer.
"Fine. I'll see you tomorrow, then."
"7 pm at my place?"
"Fine."
"Goodnight, Regina."
"Goodnight."
And she hurried to close the call, before taking deep breath. Madelyn just shook her head,
"He has a son?" Regina nodded, heart beating so fast. "With her?" The brunette nodded again. "Don't tell me they are still-"
"No!" exclaimed Regina. "I wouldn't even have agreed to do that if they were still together ! They divorced years ago."
"Good. I hope he suffered."
"Mal..."
The blond shrugged and then grabbed her coat.
"Come on, I'm taking you out."
Regina chuckled.
"Where?"
"Anywhere that's selling vodka?"
"Oh God, yes please."
-2005-
Robin and Regina were having lunch in some restaurant in the campus, but Robin could see something was wrong with Regina. She ate in silence - and if one thing he had learnt about her, she was not a silent girl. And she threw him glances every once and awhile before looking down and blushing when he caught her. She had sat facing him and not by his side. And she couldn't stop putting that strand of hair behind her ear, like when she was extremely nervous.
Something was wrong.
Robin swallowed and laid down his fork.
Something was wrong.
Maybe it was him.
After all, he did have an issue with keeping his girlfriends. He always mange to screw things up and women left him behind.
But he didn't want Regina to leave.
God, he felt like in such a short amount of time, he was already falling so hard for her. ( had already fallen for her, if he was to be honnest)
Robin tried to remember something he could have done, or said that could have led her to this behaviour.
Regina looked up and saw Robin wasn't eating anymore, he had laid down his fork and was now seemingly lost in thoughts. She froze a bit. She had thought a lot about what Madelyn had said during their lunch and maybe she was right, maybe something was wrong with Robin. Maybe she was about to be fooled. ( she did have an habit of picking the wrong guys) But looking at Robin so confused had something in Regina softening as she cleared her throat softly and bright blue eyes instantly met brown,
"Robin?" she asked and he looked worried now.
"Is there something wrong?" he asked and cut himself before he could actually add 'with me'.
"What?" her eyes widened.
"You've been silent all lunch. Actually, you've been silent since I picked you up earlier." The brunette was speachless. "Regina, if I did or said something to upset you, I am very sorry."
"Robin..." she tried because no, that's not what she meant at all!
"I know I am a bit clumsy, sometimes. But this is because I don't always know how to act when I am with someone I really care about."
Regina's heart warmed.
"It's not that, Robin." she breathed and then sighed, "I was just wondering... what we were for each other."
Robin's eyes widened.
"Well, it seemed pretty clear to me." he chuckled nervously and then ran a hand through his hair. "But I may have got ahead of myself, here." he looked down and cleared his throat before looking up, "If you want some space, Regina, that's fine by me. I understand." he looked a bit hurt now, and she couldn't have that.
So Regina laid her hand above his and that seemed to cut him as he squeezed it.
"I don't want space, Robin." she said softly.
Blue eyes met brown.
"You don't?" he asked and she shook her head and now, she was the one looking unsure.
"I just want to know... you know... there wasn't any ... you know... label."
Robin's eyes widened in understanding and a small smile lit up his face, making Regina's heart beat faster.
She didn't want to leave him. Robin could swear something was lift off his chest. She wanted him to be clear about what he wanted.
He could do that.
"Perhaps," he said softly, "you'd like me to make things a bit more official, then."
"Perhaps." she smiled back because she couldn't help herself.
And she liked that, liked that they could be from being nervous to flirt in a matter of seconds.
"Well," breathed Robin taking her hand fully in his, "Regina Mills, will you be my girlfriend?"
She laughed and he smiled back, dimples in all display.
"I would like that very much." she answered and he chuckled while getting up and sitting by her side.
"May I kiss you, now?" he breathed, eyes lost on her lips and she nodded,
"Please, do."
Robin cupped her cheek and leant in, kissing her tenderly.
"That means we're exclusive, then?" he asked,
"Yes. Is that a problem?" she raised an eyebrow and he sighed dramatically.
"Well, not for me. But I can't say for the hundred of broken hearts I'm gonna leave behind me- ouch!" he screamed as she pinched his arm. Robin laughed and brought her closer, kissing her pouting lips. "You know I'm only joking, lovely."
"You better." she smiled, still pouting and he chuckled again, bringing her to him one more time.
"I would never hurt you, Regina."
Sincere blue eyes met hopeful brown and she smiled,
"I trust you."
And she did.
With all of her beating heart.