Hi my friends,

Here is the second part of the reunion, hope you will like it ! I can't wait to see what you have to say. I love you all so much, thank you for everything : love&reviews&support, it means the world!

And now without more waiting…

Enjoy chapter 18!

3

Chapter 18:

-2008-

This was the morning of the day Robin was supposed to meet Marian, and everything felt wrong with Regina.

She wasn't well at all and could he really blame her?

They had woken up snuggled together as usual, but when he had tried to bring her closer to him to wish her a good morning, she had escaped his arms saying she had a lot to do without even looking him in the eyes.

Oh God.

And she had been avoiding him all morning, despite every of his attempts to get close to her. But now he had enough of that distance between them, so he walked to the kitchen, where she was preparing lunch and his heart squeezed when he saw that despite her coldness, she had made his favorite dish. He stopped to look at her, head tilting; she looked upset and so very sad. Her brown eyes were speaking of loss and utter fear, while she was frowning even alone.

Nope,

He couldn't have that.

So Robin walked to her and he saw her froze but no, not this time so he put his arms around her waist and buried his nose in her hair.

"I love you." he breathed against her skin and felt her shiver.

But she didn't answer.

And she didn't move.

God, this was bad.

"Regina," he said again "I love you so much, I hope you know that."

Still no answer, he forced her to turn and meet his eyes and his heart broke when he saw a tear dying on the end of her cheek.

"Oh no my love..." he raised his hand cupping her cheek and wiping her tear, "Please don't cry because of me. Don't ever cry because of me, I beg of you."

"I'm fine, Robin."

"You're crying!"

She sighed but leant into his hand and that was something,

"It's just..." but the words seemed stuck in her throat and she sighed deeply. "Never mind."

"No." he said and her eyes widened. "I want to know what is going on in that pretty head of yours."

She sighed again.

"Nothing."

"This is about me meeting Marian for coffee, isn't it?"

Regina froze in his arms once more and she tried to escape.

"I need to-"

But he didn't let her leave. He used his hand on her cheek to bring her closer and he kissed her like there was no tomorrow. At first she resisted but she ended up kissing back, hands grasping his shirt and they kissed and kissed and kissed.

"I love you." he tried again and this time this elusive yet satisfying smile of hers came out, and his heart warmed.

"I know, Robin." she admitted and then laid her head on his chest. "It's just… complicated."

"Then talk to me."

She sighed again and laid her head back on his chest, he hoped she could feel how much his heart beat for her and only her.

"I am afraid of losing you." she finally admits and his heart just stops in his chest.

"What?"

"What if you go there and-"

"Regina, no-"

"I know you don't feel that way now!" She receded and desperate brown eyes met sad blue, "But what if you go there and … And I don't know, the spark is still there? What then, Robin?"

He frowned and studied her before sighing deeply and laying his forehead on hers,

"Do you really think I could love someone else than you? After all this time? After all we've been through? Regina… You're the one for me. I'm not changing my mind. Not now and not ever."

Another tear rolled down her cheek but she nodded,

"Okay." she breathed before nuzzling his nose to hers. "Okay."

But he wasn't convinced.

This wasn't enough.

She needed to understand she would always be his priority and that he wouldn't take his decisions alone without asking her first.

"Regina, if this is too hard to you, you can ask me not to go." her head came up, eyes wide suddenly. "I wouldn't mind and I would certainly understand. If you don't want me to go see Marian, then I won't."

"You're serious?" she breathed, eyes so wide and surprised.

Robin chuckled sadly and kissed her once again,

"Regina, you are my future."

She smiled, a tear rolling down her cheek as she kissed him so passionately he had to take a step back.

"I believe you." she murmured against his lips, "I believe you will find your way back to me."

He smiled.

"Always."

And then kissed her again.

How things might have turned, had she asked him to stay?

-2015-

They had achieved some kind of neutral happiness, at least they were content during all these years they spent apart, but all this pain had been brought by them being together.

And so,

Regina had taken her decision.

"Robin, I am sorry but I can't do this." then she clarified, "Us."

Robin's heart broke in his chest. He had known this would happen but hearing it…

It made it way too real.

What he didn't know was that Regina's heart was in the same state.

Bleeding through her chest.

But she was making the right choice.

She was sure of it.

To be happy, they needed to be apart no matter how wrong that felt or how much they would want to be together.

Robin had not talked, was only looking at her with blue eyes wide and searching.

"I can see this is hurting you as much as it is hurting me." he finally breathed and she froze.

"Robin, please don't..."

"Why would you do that, then?"

"I don't want to be with you."

"Bullshits." he said firmly and her eyes widened.

She hated that he could read so clearly in her.

"It doesn't change anything."

"Why?"

"Because my decision is final, Robin!" she finally exclaimed and he jumped in surprise. "And you promised you would respect my choice no matter what." he froze and she knew she had been right to call out on his honor. "Well, this is no matter what Robin, and I'm asking you to respect my choice." And then she added the thing that made his resolve broke… "You owe me that, at least."

He swallowed.

What could he say?

She was right.

Robin closed his eyes a few seconds, taking a deep breath. And then his eyes opened and locked onto hers.

"I don't want to let you go." he murmured, voice breaking and Regina felt a tear rolling down her cheek.

"You have no choice." He nodded and looked down a few seconds, but his eyes flew to hers in agony as she added, "And I have to let you go." her voice broke and she was fighting the sobs, "Robin, you have to let me let you go. Please."

He blinked and a few tears escaped his own eyes, she could barely see through the blur hers formed. Robin then tried a smile but it was so much of a grimace as he took a deep breath,

"This is goodbye, then? For real?"

She stifled a sob.

"Goodbye, Robin."

He nodded, eyes taking her in as if it was the last time.

"Goodbye, Regina."

Walking away from was still the hardest thing to do in his life.

But he was a man of honor.

And his honor was forcing him to let her go, to let her let him go.

He had to.

So Robin left, leaving his heart with her.

(But he took hers with him, if you asked Regina.)

Regina hurried to close the door behind her, sobs choking her as she tried to stifle them with a hand on her mouth. She wasn't strong enough to lose him again. She had to lean on the door because her legs was giving up on her and soon enough, she was on the ground, shaking from everywhere. She had not felt that way since almost a decade ago, the night he had left her like she meant absolutely nothing to him. Regina whimpered despite of herself as her sobs took control of her body, and once she started she couldn't stop…

And started weeping loudly the loss of the man of her life.

Robin tried to fight the wetness in his eyes as he hurried to get into his car. He hit the steering wheel and then buried his face into his hands, thinking about Regina and all they had been through.

It was his fault.

Nothing but his fault.

He had always known it, of course but…

This time it felt so final.

And it was his fault.

Robin started his car and tried to stifle the sobs he knew were about to get out.

He was not one to cry easily.

In fact, he had only cried a couple of times in his whole life…

In England, back when Regina had wanted to leave him because of his mother. When Marian had told him about their daughter. When he left Regina a couple of weeks after that, then of happiness when Roland was born… And today, after losing Regina once again.

One could say nothing would make him cry but Regina Mills.

Robin chuckled darkly, wiping his eyes.

And then the radio started up and he frowned, pressed the off-button but it started again… He cursed and stopped it but barely a few seconds later… It was on again… just like magic.

And then Robin absolutely froze when the smooth voice of Bruno Mars filled the car with lyrics that spoke to Robin in a way it never had before…

Same bed but it feels just a little bit bigger now
Our song on the radio but it don't sound the same
When our friends talk about you, all it does is just tear me down
'Cause my heart breaks a little when I hear your name

It all just sounds like ooh, ooh ooh hoo hoo

It was true.

He had lived that.

For years, anytime he had to hear her name...

It was torture.

Absolute torture.

But then, he lived for those moments when he could be close to her again, if only for a few seconds.

Mm, too young, too dumb to realize
That I should have bought you flowers
And held your hand

His heart broke.

Yes.

He had been too young and too dumb to realize just what he had.

He had met the love of his life and he broke her heart.

He let her go.

He had been lucky enough to find his soulmate and he had ruined everything.

Should have gave you all my hours
When I had the chance
Take you to every party 'cause all you wanted to do was dance

Now my baby's dancing
But she's dancing with another man

Robin couldn't even start to picture his Regina with someone else.

But that was exactly it, wasn't it?

She wasn't his Regina anymore.

And she had not been for a very long time.

My pride, my ego, my needs, and my selfish ways
Caused a good strong woman like you to walk out my life
Now I never, never get to clean up the mess I made, oh
And it haunts me every time I close my eyes

It all just sounds like ooh, ooh ooh ooh ooh

It did.

It haunted him.

It prevented him for falling asleep and consumed each of his thoughts.

The what if.

What would have happened if...

But then, he wouldn't have Roland and he could never wish for something like that.

Robin tried to focus on the road but these lyrics...

He felt like they had been written for Regina and he.

Mm, too young, too dumb to realize
That I should have bought you flowers
And held your hand
Should have gave you all my hours
When I had the chance
Take you to every party 'cause all you wanted to do was dance

Now my baby's dancing
But she's dancing with another man

Although it hurts
I'll be the first to say that I was wrong

Robin stopped at a red light, heart beating so fast in his chest.

She still felt something for him.

He was sure of it.

The way she had looked tonight... And everything that happened between them. She had not faked it, he knew that now.

But it was too late.

Oh, I know I'm probably much too late
To try and apologize for my mistakes

"It's too late." he breathed to himself, echoing the song that was slowing down.

But I just want you to know

I hope he buys you flowers
I hope he holds your hand
Give you all his hours
When he has the chance

And then the lyrics had Robin thinking about Regina with another man.

A man who would treat her better than he did.

But no.

No he couldn't take that!

Oh God.

Someone honked at him because the light was green, but Robin didn't hear.

He was lost in his own world.

Regina.

And this song...

What if it was a sign?

Take you to every party
'Cause I remember how much you loved to dance

What if it wasn't too late after all?

Do all the things I should have done
When I was your man

What if...

Do all the things I should have done
When I was your man

The song ended and Robin finally took a decision…

And turned the car around on the road.

Regina was still knelt beside the door, still crying her heart out even if she had somehow managed to calm down her sobs.

She knew this was her choice.

So why did she feel like someone had taken her heart out of her chest and was squeezing it to the point of not being able to breathe?

She clutched at her chest, willing the pain to stop.

"Please..." she begged, even if she didn't know who she was begging.

And then…

Then someone knocked hurriedly at her door and she frowned because no, she wasn't expecting anyone.

She frowned again, ready not to answer but the person knocked harder.

Regina got up and opened the door.

And then her heart stopped.

"Robin..." she breathed and he just took in her face, the tears rolling down her cheeks and the way she looked so heartbroken. He wasn't any better she noticed, blue eyes wide and frantic, still red from the tears she was sure he had also shed. "What are you doing here?"

She couldn't take another goodbye.

She just couldn't.

"You know me, Regina." he only said and there was a new determination in his eyes and voice that scared her. "You know I am a man of my word, a man of honor. I have a code: to be truthful, righteous and good." She frowned because she didn't get his point. But oblivious to her, Robin kept talking, his eyes focused on her and nothing else. "You know I've tried to live by that code, everyday of my life."

Okay, now she was officially lost.

So she asked the only thing that made sense to her…

"Then why are you here?"

He looked at her, tilting his head and the affection in his eyes took her breath away.

"Because today is not of those days." he breathed and then before she could even move, he closed the distance between them, cupped her cheeks and crashed his mouth to hers.

She wanted to push him away.

Only problem was?

She didn't really want that.

And she was so weak…

Her heart won this battle and in a few seconds, her hands were clutching at his back, kissing back with as much fire as he did.

"Robin..." she breathed when his kisses found their way to her neck, and he was clutching her so, so close to him.

Then he looked up, nuzzling his nose to hers and his eyes were dark blue with passion.

"Let's have tonight, Regina." he breathed in that husky voice that she adored. "Tonight about you and me, and nothing else."

She should say no.

She really should.

But…

She didn't answer, only studied him and then realized her hand was on his chest and her eyes fall on it, right above his heart that was beating so, so fast. And then their eyes locked again.

She had taken her decision.

She brought him closer by the lapels of his jacket in order to kiss him again and again, brought him inside while never leaving his lips and the door closed behind them as Robin followed the woman he had always loved inside…

He would have followed her to hell and back, anyway.

Robin woke up, half expecting the previous night to be a dream, but then he looked down and Regina was snuggled against him, brown eyes on him and unreadable.

"Good morning." he breathed, holding her closer as if he was trying to make her stay.

"Morning." she breathed and then laid her head on his chest.

They stayed that way for a long time, both so very afraid to let go of each other.

"Last night was-" he started but she cut him, receding slightly to look into his eyes once again and he noticed the frown on her face, the way her eyes were glassy suddenly as she tried to sound firm.

"A perfect way to say goodbye."

"Regina..."

"I mean it, Robin. Last night can never happen again."

He sighed and she receded from his hold, sat up in the bed with the cover against her chest. Robin ran a tired hand on his eyes before sitting up to, laying a small kiss on her naked shoulder and he felt her shiver; sighed and laid his head against her skin, pondering his next words very carefully.

"Why Regina?"

"Robin..."

"Why wouldn't you give us a chance while I know you crave this as much as I do." his hand found his way to her waist and he brought her close to his chest, she closed her eyes but didn't fight him. Robin then cupped her chin, tilting her head until she was looking at him but her eyes were still closed and he did the only thing he could think of. He kissed her. At first her mouth remained closed but then she broke and opened it, kissing him very deeply. When they receded, they were both breathless and Robin nuzzled his nose with hers. She turned around in his arms, her arms around his neck as he brought her to his lap and she moaned at the feeling of how much he wanted her already.

"Robin..."

No.

He couldn't let her end this.

Not yet.

(Not ever)

So he kissed her again, taking the cover out of his way and bringing her incredibly closer to him.

"Hear me out." he breathed huskily, affected by her, and she shivered but nodded. "If we don't leave this room… Then I think it still counts for the first time, don't you?" he smirked and saw she was fighting a smile of her own. She was shaking her head but he didn't let her time to think about it, kissed her even more deeply and she kissed back.

Everything else would have to wait.

An hour later they were both snuggled together again and he felt Regina laid a ghost of a kiss on his chest before she receded from him.

"You have to go, now."

Robin sighed.

"Regina..."

"Please, not again."

"But-"

"No."

"Listen to me-"

"Robin, leave."

"But why?" he finally exclaimed and she froze. "Why would I want to leave while it is very clear to me that you feel the way I feel! Regina, this could be our chance to be happy together. Don't ask me to turn my back on it, I've been waiting ten years for that second chance."

A tear rolled down her cheek.

"I can't."

"Why?"

And then she said an awful lie to get him to leave.

"Because I can't forgive you for what you did to me, Robin."

He paled, took the blow right in the heart but nodded, taking her hand.

"Give me some time to make it up to you."

"I can't."

"Please, Regina."

"You should go back to Marian."

She didn't think his eyes could go this wide.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

She swallowed.

"I said, you should go back to Marian."

"I heard the first time, doesn't make any more sense now that I've heard it again." And now he almost seemed angry, "Do you think so little of me Regina, that I could make love to you twice and go back to Marian as if nothing happened?"

She swallowed.

"This is the right thing to do."

"It is not and it never has been!" he shouted and she jumped, he raised his hands in surrender. "Sorry, I didn't mean to yell."

"It's okay."

A silence then fell.

"Why would you want me to go to Marian?"

"You have a son together."

"We have." he agreed, frowning. "But that is all that ever bonded us, Marian and I."

She chuckled bitterly.

"So how did you make this son, Robin? Do you think me a fool? You always say that you've always loved me but it didn't prevent you from having a son with someone else."

He froze, eyes wide.

"I had … I had to at least try." he let out a deep shaky breath. "Regina, I was so unhappy without you but the least I could do was try to make Marian happy. I failed. I thought… But we got separated less than a year after our marriage which was a year after she came back. We never worked and the only good thing that came out of this was Roland."

She looked down.

"Still." she said stubbornly and this time he groaned and took her hand, laid it on his beating heart.

"Listen to me, you stubborn woman." she was ready to snap at him, but her eyes got lost on this ocean of his. "This heart belongs to you, it has always belonged to you and it always will. Marian is my friend, only my friend and yes we have a son together but this is all there is to it. And you know what? She is even getting married. And Regina… I couldn't care less! I want you. I have always wanted you and I will always want you. You are my future, Regina. You always have been."

She froze, heart beating too fast in her chest.

She couldn't do that.

It was too much.

And the look on his eyes…

He was sincere and she knew it.

But she was afraid.

Always so afraid.

Another silence.

"Please leave." her voice broke and she hated how vulnerable she seemed. She receded from him, braced herself and he looked defeated for a few seconds.

Robin knew her well enough to know when a fight was useless.

She needed time to think.

He would give her that.

He sighed again and get out of her bed, put on his boxer and his clothes before turning around to her. She was looking at him, brown eyes so scared and lost. Robin sighed again and then walked to her, he leant in and kissed her brow very tenderly, his hands in her hair as he whispered against her skin…

"I will wait for you, Regina." she gripped his wrists, holding him close to her and her eyes were closed. "Whether you want it or not, I will wait for you forever."

He kissed her brow again and then left her room.

Leaving her to try and catch her breath.

-2008-

It was time.

Robin was about to leave.

He looked at Regina from where she was snuggled against his chest and saw how her hands clenched.

"I have to go, my love."

A silence.

"I know."

Robin's heart broke for her and he tilted her head, their eyes meeting. He leant in and kissed her tenderly, she was clinging at him deepening the kiss like she was desperate to get him to understand and he kissed back, dying to show her how he felt.

"I love you." he said again.

She took a deep breath and hugged him tight, burying her face in his neck.

"I love you too."

Robin didn't want to ruin his surprise proposal but seeing her so scared…

He had to do something.

Anything.

"And when I do come back..." he said, forcing her to look at him. "I will have a very important question to ask you. One I hope you won't say no to."

Her eyes widened in shock and he smirked, leant in to kiss her again and she cupped his cheeks. They receded and brown eyes studied him in that way she had, half amazed he was there in front of her and God he hoped she would always look at him that way.

Then a small smile broke on her face as she sighed,

"Go." she breathed.

He smiled sadly and pecked her lips once again,

"I'll see you later, my love."

"Yes."

Robin kissed her again before getting up, and started to leave but he scoffed and turned around, leant in under her surprised eyes and kissed her brow tenderly once and she closed her eyes, caught his wrist in a tense hold.

"You know you are the love of my entire life, Regina." he whispered against her skin,"Nothing is ever gonna change that."

He felt the smile on her lips, the nod of her head.

And then Robin left.

If only he had known how things were about to turn out…

He would never have left her side.

A/N : The brilliant idea of getting the song "When I was your man" from Bruno Mars comes from my friend Lucky Feather'A , so thank you girl because this was the perfect song for them !

Answers to my guests:

Guest : Here it comes ! Hope you liked it my friend :)