Regina was in a tizzy, it wasn't often she would get like that but when she did it was hard to control it. Though no one could blame her on this particular occasion, her baby was getting so grown up she could hardly handle it.

Today would be Heidi's first day at kindergarten, then after that, it would be first grade and before she knew it the girl would be heading off to college. She couldn't even begin to think about that now though. Her daughter was sat at the dressing table as her mother ran a brush through her dark curls, trying to tame them a little so she could tie her hair back into the fancy french plaits Heidi had been so set on.

"Hold still," Regina chucked. Heidi was restless, she'd been so excited about her first day, something that filled Regina with relief. In fact, she was almost certain that she was more nervous than Heidi was about her first day.

"I can't stay still! When are we going?"

"Soon enough," Regina quipped, tying off the hairstyle before her hands landed on Heidi's shoulders. "You look beautiful sweetheart." The young girl grinned at her as she met her eyes in the mirror. "Robin, do you have the camera," she called, looking to the doorway. He'd gone to find it a couple of minutes ago and hadn't returned yet.

"Coming," he appeared at the door with his camera slung around his neck. He smiled at Regina, snapping a photo of their daughter without her knowing before making his presence known. "Well then, are you ready to go?"

"Definitely," she beamed, sliding off the stool and hurrying down the stairs to find her shoes.

"How about you, are you ready?"

"I don't think I will ever be ready," Regina sighed, leaning against him as they followed their little girl down the stairs. She was already sat on the floor in the hallway, pulling on her blue and pink sneakers. "Did you put your snack in your bag?"

"Uh-huh," Heidi nodded, her tongue poking out as she focused on fastening her shoes. "I'm ready, come on!"

"Well then, let's go," Regina shrugged, picking up the Moana rucksack from the floor and handing it to her daughter who put it on her back and skipped out of the door towards the car.

When they pulled up to the red-bricked building, Heidi was literally vibrating in her seat whilst Regina was feeling a little nauseous. Heidi had been to pre-school but it wasn't the same thing, this was a proper school. There were children running around in the playground whilst their parents milled around chatting. Robin found a parking space and Regina climbed out before rounding the car to unbuckle her daughter and lift her out of the car seat.

They made their way through the gates and before Regina even knew it, Heidi's little hand had slipped from hers and she dashed off to the climbing frame, running up to a group of girls with a beaming smile on her face. "She's going to be just fine you know," Robin chuckled, his hands coming to rest on Regina's shoulders, giving them a little squeeze as the couple watched their daughter play so easily with the other children.

"I know that, but what about me."

He sniggered and hugged her softly with one hand, rubbing her upper arm tenderly. "You'll be fine too."

"How can you be so sure?"

"You will."

It was then when a woman with a stylish blonde bun approached with a smile on her face. "Hello. I recognise you from the parents meeting. How are you holding up?"

"Worse than she is I can assure you," Regina huffed, meeting the other woman's eyes. "Hi, Regina Mills, this is my partner Robin."

"Mallory Drake, but you can call me Mal."

"Hi."

"So which one is your daughter then?"

"She's there, the one with the dark plaits."

"I see," Mal smiled as she looked across to the children who seemed to be having the time of their lives. "Mines the blonde one with the Moana shirt," the woman gestured.

Regina could see that their daughters were both playing together, seemingly comparing their outfits. "Well, it seems they might be friends already."

"Indeed. I was rather worried that she might not make friends, but it seems she hasn't struggled at all."

Their conversation was cut short by the sounding of the school bell, signalling that it was time for the children to go inside and begin their day. Heidi and the girl she had been playing with both ran back to their parents. "Mummy, daddy, I think we have to go now." Heidi quipped as she wrapped her arms around both of their legs.

Regina knelt down to hug her properly, holding her close, "I love you so much sweetheart and I am sure that you are going to have a wonderful day." She leant in and pressed a soft kiss to her daughter's cheek.

"Don't worry about me mummy. It's going to be awesome!" she grinned brightly, copying her mother's actions and giving her a kiss in return. "I'll be back before you know it."

"Are you sure you're only five years old?"

"Uh-huh," she nodded as Robin leant down to give her a hug himself.

"Good luck pipsqueak."

"Daddy," she giggled, squeezing him before pulling back giving them a little wave as she grabbed her new friend's hand and the pair ran off towards the door.

Regina watched them go and felt her nose begin to fizz. When Heidi disappeared inside she was fighting back the tears, that was it, her baby was beginning her first day at school.

The day dragged on, Regina had gone to work in an attempt to distract herself. The bakery was busy, but she still couldn't get it out of her mind. Caroline had been sympathetic and told her many stories of when she had dropped Robin off at school. She had reassured her that Heidi would be perfectly fine, Regina just wouldn't believe that until she had her daughter back in her arms again at the end of the day.

When three o'clock rolled around, Robin had cleaned off his paintbrushes and opted to join her at pick up time. Mal was already in the playground and Regina found her out, stopping to stand beside her. "How've you been today?" the blonde asked with a chuckle.

"As well as can be expected."

"I bet she's been a nervous wreck hasn't she," Mal grinned, directing her statement towards Robin who simply shrugged in response, a slight smirk on his lips.

"I've had better days," Reggina admitted, her eyes trained on the door of the school where her daughter should be emerging at any moment.

Again the bell sounded, ringing out across the playground. The doors opened and out came a stream of children, each of them directed to their parents by kind teachers. Regina scanned over them, searching for one child in particular. It was then that she spotted her, a head of dark hair which most certainly wasn't in the style it had been in that morning. The girl ran towards them as fast as her little legs could possibly carry her. "Mummy! Daddy!"

"Hey baby," Regina grinned, lifting her daughter into her arms, swinging her a little bit before putting her back on the ground. "How was your day?" she asked, taking her in. There was paint smudged on her hands and a little on her face, it was clear she had been doing some kind of art activity, probably amongst many others.

"It was soooo good! I had so much fun."

"That's amazing Heidi," Regina smiled, watching as her daughter gave Robin a hug.

"Hi, daddy."

"Hi, you. Looks like you've been busy today."

"I've been painting, just like you do Daddy," she beamed. "I played dress-up with Millie, she's lots of fun. We went in the sandbox and on the climbing frame. They have bikes too mummy!"

Regina smiled at her daughter, happiness welling up inside her. "Well, it sounds as though you've had a wonderful time."

"I can't wait to come back tomorrow," Heidi giggled, holding onto her parent's hands as they made their way back to the car, their hands swinging as they walked. Heidi was slowly growing up, but both Robin and Regina would cherish each and every moment of it.