Chapter 25
Robin didn't want to show up empty handed. He and his mates plan to visit Regina in the hospital and hopefully clear the air. John, Mulan, Tuck, and Will all were able to get some fracture of closure with Regina in Orange Valley General Hospital in California. The last time Robin and Regina saw one another was on his front porch filled with paparazzi. It was a horrible experience for them both. He can understand if she never wants to see him again. Honestly, all he wants to do is apologize to her personally. Yes, he made an apology video, but that that was meant for the entire world. Robin wants something just for her. He and his mates took to the sleepy town of Storybrooke, Maine. They wanted to immerse themselves in the culture of Regina's home town. They filter through many shops along main street. That's what led him to The Golden Belle pawn shop.
It was a small shop filled with natural light an antiques, most of which Robin is too afraid to even touch let alone pick up and buy. Everyone else seems to be taken with something in the room. Mulan is hunched over a glass case, admiring swords. Little John has found the bows and arrows. Tuck is off in a corner trying on hats, while Will shuffles through an old pack of playing cards. Robin surveys the room in hopes of spotting something that catches his eyes.
What do you get as an apology present to a person who's life you ruined? Where would he even start?
"Can I help you? You look a bit lost." A young woman steps in from the back room. She wears tall heals to compensate for her lack of height. She has a dialect he isn't familiar with. It doesn't sound like any of the other locals.
"Sorry. Hi. Is it that obvious?" Robin stumbles over his words. He's really out of his element here.
"Well, I'm Belle. I own the shop. If you tell me what you a re looking for, perhaps I can be of assistance."
"I'm look for a gift for.. someone." Can he say friend? Can he say he's looking for a friend? Are they still friends?
"Ok.." Belle draws out the hoping to pull a little more information than that. "and what is the special occasion the requires a gift? A birthday? Graduation? Anniversary?"
"An apology." Robin looks way from Belle's taken aback expression.
"An apology." Robin looks way from Belle's taken aback expression. He'd have to get used to that wouldn't he? People judging him for the worst moment of his life. He'd be judging himself for it. He wants to do better. In order to do that, he must first own up to his actions and take responsibility for his decisions. Robin understands that people will begin to see him differently. Ironically, he got what he what he wanted. They differently will see him differently, just not in that exact way he wanted.
"You don't plan buy their forgiveness for you?"
It was Robin's turn to outwardly react. "What? Dear god no! I just didn't want to show up empty handed. She's been through a lot since we last spoke." Robin sighs into his hands. This was a bad idea.
"I see." Says the brunette saleswoman. She walks behind a glass counter and rummages through a large ornate box.
Robin steps closer to get a better look at what she's doing. He takes a peak at the treasures below in the glass counter. His eye catches a box of necklaces, all raging in different style, make, and material. He wonders if Regina likes the color red? He doesn't give it anymore thought when Mulan slides next to him, taking an interest in what Belle is doing.
"The guys went to find some place to eat." Mulan informs. Robin takes a quick look around the shop, just in time to see Tuck, John, and Will leave the and down the street. He assumes they will meet up at the hospital. It is still pretty early in the day. It would likely be visiting hours by the time they made it. Robin just hopes Regina will be open to seeing them. He has thought of the likely possibility that she would not have them, a lot actually. He just doesn't know what he'd do if it does happen?
"What am I going to do if we can't see her?" Robin asks softly. He sinks into the counter next to where Mulan is leaning against it. He rest his head on her shoulder. The tiny apple pendent just beyond the glass of the counter brings an ache to his heart because it reminds him of her. More specifically it reminds him of her heart and how resilient she is. "What happens if I never get to apologize to her face? I love her Mu. I honestly don't know what I would do anything if she isn't apart of my life. I don't want the last time to be the last time I ever see Regina."
"Regina? As in Regina Mills?" Belle snaps him out of his musings. He and Mulan stand straight, cautious of interest.
Mulan nods slowly. "Yes. Do you know her?"
"I do actually. She comes into my drop quite often." The young shopkeeper guides them behind a curtain to the back room. It's a small library filled with floor to ceiling shelves filled with books. It looks a tad too personal for it to be open to the public. "When she comes, she spends most of her time here rather than the front shop. She's an avid reader like myself. I don't let everyone back here. Not everyone has the same respect for books as I do."
Robin smiles despite himself. Regina has more friends than she gives herself credit for. On the way over they stopped by a fishing merchant passing out free samples of what his fish cooked could taste like. It was a little booth that apparently Regina frequented mostly for conversation. She has made an impact one the people's lives here. Then again it could be that people only recognize her now because of all the buzz she's made in the media. It wouldn't be a difficult story to believe. He knows the paparazzi have been all over town questioning anyone willing for 5 seconds of fame. However, Robin doesn't think that the case with the people he's run into, especially not Belle.
"So how does this work? Is it like a library or can you purchase books?" Robin asks. He figures that's why she brought them here. A book could be his apology gift to Regina.
"Some of them, yes." She points to two tall shelves. "The others are for library use only and will be expected to be returned."
Mulan grabs a book from one of the shelves Belle pointed out. "It'll have to be a book you've read. Books have meaning. You don't want it to give off the wrong idea." She suggests smartly.
She does have a point. He doesn't want to give Regina a book like blank and she never talk to him again because she thought he was comparing their situation to the one in the book. Robin skims through many of the books on the shelf. Either he hasn't read the book or it is inappropriate for the mood. He can give Regina a cook book. This isn't going to work. Robin leans his head on the shelf and takes a deep breath of the old book smell.
Belle speaks as she recognizes a few books she's pulled from a box. "If you can't find anything you like, may I suggest you write something yourself?"
"Write my own book?" Robin exclaims confused.
"No. Like a letter." She corrects. "Write a letter addressed to Regina about what you truly feel, everything you want her to know, everything you want to tell her. It'll be better than any book you find in here because it'll be in your own words. She'll appreciate the gesture I'm sure."
A letter. Robin thinks. He can do that. Honestly, it isn't a bad Idea. On the slim chance that he actually gets to see Regina, he can't guarantee that words won't fail him when he sees her. The letter would guarantee that everything that needs saying reaches her.
"That's a great idea. Thank you for the suggestion." Robin sends her a genuine smile. "I would still like to bring her a gift. There was a necklace in the glass in the front room I think she'd like."
Mulan steps close to him and talks in a low voice. "Rob are you sure? You just paid for all of her medical expenses and considering one of the topics of your last fight, maybe don't 'throw your money around' buying things for her."
He pauses at her words. He hears her, he does. So did Belle considering how she shifted when Mulan mentioned paying off the medical bills. Robin choses to overlook it for now. "I highly doubt a charm necklace will be considered throwing my money around. Especially considering the circumstances that I require such a gift." He hadn't meant to come off as harsh, but he was a bit sensitive to the current topic.
A moment of silence passes between the three of them.
Belle clears her throat and guides them back to the front area. She pulls out the box of necklaces and sets them on the counter. "Which one did you have your eye on?"
"The apple."
Belle fails to hide a smirk. "That, is a wonderful choice. I think Regina will love it." She smiles and hands him the necklace.
Robin had to turn on his phone in order to find where his mates had run off to. His phone buzzed with the notifications he'd been dreading since leaving Hollywood and posting the video. He had his mates have avoided any social media, phone calls and messages by cutting their phones on airplane mode. Robin cut his off completely. He did not want to risk being in the reach of his parents or any of the rest of their team. They are aware they may be the potential reason for the loss of many jobs. They would find more work in time. There are plenty of celebrities in the city. But he and his mates possibly may not work in the entertainment industry ever again.
Just as he suspected, there is a onslaught of messages and notifications finally able to filter to his phone. It's a bit overwhelming. Robin swipes most of them away. He tries to avoid the ones that he may want to revisit on a later date when he isn't dealing with nearly as many emotions.
He dropped Mulan off at the restaurant Will, Tuck, and John found for them. Robin took his to-go and went back to the hotel. He sat in silence for minutes before even picking up the pencil. Its been tough, but he believes he has made headway with his letter to Regina. He thinks about everything he wants to say to her. He writes as if he won't be there to give it to her in person. He pays it all out on the paper. There are likely plenty mistakes considering he doesn't write a draft first. He writes everything that is on his mind. His mates made it back to the hotel room at some point during his writing, though the chose not to talk and disrupt him. Once he's finished he puts it in an envelope along with the necklace and a song her wrote. He wants her to have it, to know its hers. Even if he and his mates don't get the chance to make their 2nd debut album, he wants Regina to know just what knowing her means to him.
A/N: For anyone wanting to listen as you read, the original song is "Sophia" by Juke Ross.
He titles the song "My Gina". It goes:
They don't know you like I do
I know that your heart burns true
Still they try and send their waves after you
When evening falls
I know where your demons crawl
Can't deny it, that you fight them face-on
When all is done and said, you are on my mind and
Ignore their greasy eyes, cherish your all
While we grow still
My Gina, oh
I might be gone tonight
But I'm never far from you, oh
My Gina
Know I said goodbye, but I'll never forget your heart
My Regina
Swear that I won't slip away
The essence of your heart will always stays safe within my lungs
And the blood in my veins
When the crowds are gone and we are old
By your side I rest bones, take our space in the grass
And watch 'til lilies grow
That's when I'm on my knees
Can see the fall is from the trees
Just like the morning breeze
You know you pick me up with ease
My Gina
I might be gone tonight
But I'm never far from you
My Gina
Know I said goodbye, but I'll never forget your heart
My Regina
My Gina
My Regina
My Gina
My Regina
I might be gone tonight
But I'm never far from you
My Gina
I might be gone tonight
But I'm never far from you
My Gina
Know I said goodbye, but I'll never forget your heart
My Regina
Regina means so much to him. Robin wants nothing more than for to see herself the way he sees her. He loves her. She's brilliant. And he will forever regret the words he said about her on Cruella's show. She did not deserve that. He will spend the rest of his life proving the opposite. He wants to be better than the Robin Hood he's been portraying in the media for years. He wants to be the Robin Locksley Regina saw in him, the Robin she believed he could be. He wants to do that for her, but more importantly he wants that for himself.
He quickly packs up all of his things and tells the band he's ready to go. He needs to see Regina now. He's built up his nerves. He has to do it before he gets nervous again.
The walk to the hospital is short. They made sure of that when looking for a place to stay on the way to Maine. It's a good and a bad thing. The walk is just long enough that he can feel his nerves you coming back to him and just short enough that he doesn't want to run away.
The hospital entrance is much smaller that the Orange Valley General Hospital. That's not to say that entering the building does not intimidate him. Mulan slides next to him and squeezes his hand. He gives what he hopes is a reassuring smile. Deep down he knows the outcome of this visit. He'd seen the images and videos of the crowd that was in here the early morning. He knows what that may do to a person. But still he ventures forward.
Robin stops at the front desk and waits for the receptionist to acknowledge that she's ready to assist them. She up at them and offers a welcoming smile. Robin does not miss the way she studies each of their faces. "Good afternoon. How may I be of assistance?"
Robin clears his throat and rubs his free hand on his pants to get rid of the sweat that's began to form on them. "Are your visiting hour open. We'd like to see our friend."
The woman nods and begins typing on the computer. "And what is your friend's name?"
"Regina Mills."
The receptionist stops typing and looks up at him. "Her parents requested absolutely no visitors outside the immediate family. I'm sorry."
Robin suspected as much. He tries not to be heartbroken about it. He hates that the last time he would have seen Regina is that awful night on his front porch. He will forever regret not being able to apologize to her face and truly express how he feels about her.
Robin holds the envelope to the receptionist with both of his hands. "Could you please at least pass this along to her. It's extremely important that this goes straight to Regina's hands." He quickly adds. "Its nothing bad I promise. nothing to be suspicious of. It's just a letter that is long overdue."
The woman at the desk stares at him for a long time. Robin is afraid she's going to throw the lot of them out and call security of them. Eventually she nods and takes the envelope from him. A piece of his heart chips off. There is nothing more he can do. It's all up to this receptionist whether or not Regina hears from him personally. Then it's up to fate that she chooses to read it at all. He will never know any of this. He will have to make his peace with that.
"Who should I say this is from?" The woman asks.
Robin is ready to tell her his name when the thought occurs. What if this woman realizes who je his and refuses to give Regina the letter? What if she tells Regina who it's from and she never even opens it or her parents take it from her? No. He cannot allow that to happen. Robin says instead: "A friend. She will know who it's from when she reads it."
She nods and holds out a hand to take his mates get well gifts as well. Tuck and John both hand her their small bouquets and Mulan leaves the book she found at Belle's shop on the desk. Will is the only person yet to pass on his gift. They all look at him curiously.
"Could I borrow a pen if you don't mind?" He asks sheepishly. The receptionist hands him a blue pen he can use. Will takes it and signs his name on the tag of the teddy bear he's brought. "What? Don't look at me like that. You all had designated places for you write your cute little messages and sign your name. I wouldn't have to let her know who the bear is from if I handed it to her." Will passes her the now signed bear.
"I will make sure these make it to her." The receptionist smiles at them before taking their gifts and retreats down a hallway and out of sight.
There is nothing more they can do. They will not bug Regina or Zelena through social media. If the sisters want to talk to them they will reach out. The band understands that they likely need time.. its all so fresh. But it does not dispel the hurt they now feel knowing they cannot speak with their friend. They cannot see for themselves that she is ok. And the will have to be ok with that. This will likely be the last time they all will ever be this close to Regina or anyone in her family again. They all stand there a moment longer, basking in the closeness to Regina before leaving the hospital.
Regina is quite numb to it all. The nurses running around, her parents worrying over her, her sister's theories. She numb to it all. The worst thing about it is that she cannot retreat into her mind like she did at the hospital in California. Nope. She has to live all of this in real time. Too bad she is completely over it all.
Her parents have been discussing non-stop about an anonymous donor who paid for all of Regina's medical bills. That intrigued her. Who would want to pay for someone else's, from what she knows yo be, extremely expensive bills. Who would be able to actually pay it? See, this didn't happen over time. It happened overnight. Regina's theory is that multiple people from all around the internet raised a ton of money in order to pay it off. People on social media are crazy and willing to do a ton of wild ideas. She's seen them raise money for less.
If Regina is honest with herself, she is a little upset with her parents. They are so focused on how someone had access to the account in order to make such a payment. They want to start an investigation on which in the staff allowed something like that to happen instead of simply thanking the anonymous angel and taking it for what it is, a kind gesture. Out of all the absolutely ridiculous things that could have been done and has been done, thus is by far the best thing to come from this situation. Her parents have been struggling with those bills for years. Everything they did to make ends meet revolved around paying those medical bills and for medications. Somebody, likely somebodies, did an amazing thing and brought them out of debt. Could they not enjoy a win for once?
For what feels like a lifetime now, all of them have been dealing with too many losses. Did they even know how to recognize a win anymore? Do they what it means to not be stressed about something? They'll figure it out eventually.
Regina has taken to people watching outside her window. She thinks they hospital gave her the best room in the hospital. It has the perfect view. She is high enough up that she can see many of the surrounding buildings, but low enough to still be able to m a key out details of people entering and exiting the hospital. Too bad they aren't that busy. There aren't many people coming in and out of the hospital. Wait, that's a good thing right? Yeah, it is.
Regina stands straighter when she sees a group of familiar looking people enter the hospital. It couldn't be them. Could it? No. She left them in California. They wouldn't have flown all the way here just to see her, would they? No. Though they do have the means to do so if they wish.
She looks t o her door and waits for them to enter her door or to hear their footsteps in the hallway coming toward her room. Instead there is nothing. There is nothing for a long time. She tries not to feel disappointed. There was no factual proof that those people were them. There is no evidence that they are on the east coast let alone the state of Maine.
Regina takes to watching the people coming to and from the hospital once again. She sees the same group again as the exit the hospital. It was a quick trip, whatever they came here for, she thinks. It's uncanny how familiar those people seem to her. Regina takes great interest in them when they stop to talk on the sidewalk. She must be staring too hard because we want a film turn to look up towards her window. Regina gasps in shock when she sees the person's face. She takes half a step back from the window, but doesn't break eye contact with Robin. She knows for certain it's him. She could never mistake those icy blue eyes for anyone else's.
He offers her a sad smile that does come anywhere near his eyes. He gives a her a small wave. She waves back, but rest her hand on the glass as if it could bring them any closer together. Regina comes as close as she can to the window without actually touching it.
He's here. Robin is here. What does that mean?
He chose her. Regina has heard enough of her sister's ranting to learn that the entire Marion thing was a lie. What a horrible thing to have happen. All she wants to do is go down there and hug him. She wants nothing more than to touch him, to make sure she isn't dreaming. She wants to give him a shove and hold him tight all in one breath. How can a person that infuriates her to the point of insanity be the same person inspires her to actually want to live life? Regina knows she must do the same for him. Why else does he keep coming back to her? She has done nothing but derail his life since she met him. Maybe they've both lost their sanity somewhere between dressing in other people's clothes, watching the sun rise, and nearly drowning in quicksand. That's the only explanation.
She hears when her sister enters the room. She refuses to look away for even a second, too afraid to break the spell that holds her and Robin in this suspended time together. She wonders if he thinks about it too, if this moment is the same for him as it is for her. Regina doesn't think she can experience in this suspended moment of life without just active participation. She often thinks about their cabin by the lake. Their little oasis. A place perfectly made for them to exist as their truest self.
Regina can feel their time dwindling. Deep down she knows that once she looks away this may possibly be the last moment she will ever spend with Robin like this. She can see out the corner of her eye how the rest if the group is climbing into a car. She can feel her sister getting closer. Regina offers him a smile. Its small and there is so much mixed emotions in it, but she wants him to see, to know, to feel that she doesn't hate him. After everything that has happened, she cannot bring herself to hate him.
And just like that, the moment is over.
Regina crashes into her sister's arm. She holds her tight as all of her emotions come crashing forward. He's gone.
When the bulk of the heavy emotions have passed and she feels as if she can breathe again she lets of of her sister. That's when she notices the box of flowers on the hospital bed. "What's this?" Regina asks as she walks toward the box. Inside are two bouquets, a book, a teddy bear and an envelope.
"A woman just came a brought it." Zelena explains. "She said that a group of teens brought it in. Maybe its from kids at our school?"
Definitely not. She doesn't know enough people at her school to care enough to bring her gifts. She has an idea who it may be from. The thought has her heart racing.
"Why didn't they bring it themselves?" She chokes out the question, too nervous to know the truth. She runs her fingers across one of the flowers has Zelena responds.
"Mother and Daddy banded visitors."
So they couldn't come up even if they wanted to. Regina takes a deep breath and reads the little card attached to the first bouquet.
"May these brighten your days and remind you of me. Only the good stuff. I love you, Tuck"
She smiles and reads the next bouquet.
"I look forward to discovering the person you will become, because you are already extraordinary! I love you with all my heart. From John"
She pick up the bear next. Regina isn't immediately sure who it's from, then notices scribbles on the tag. 'WILL'. She can see on the other side were he attempted to write more, but gave up and scribbled a heart instead. Regina out right laughs at that. It just feels very him.
"Well, who is it from?" Zelena looses her Patience and takes the bear from her sister. She squints at the tag. "Will? Oh my God! They were here? In Maine?"
"I guess so." Regina can't keep the smile out of her voice. She opens the book. It's a hard back copy of Pride and Prejudice. There was a message in the flyleaf.
Regina (Roni), I gift u Pride and Prejudice because, why not? This book has always been a fun escapism of mine. After talking with Belle the pawn shop lady, I realized u would too enjoy it. You were my friend before you were Robin's (don't deny it) and I always felt that we a have a different, special connection than we do with the boys. I want you to know that I will treasure that connection always no matter how short lived it my be of feels. It will live forever in my heart.
With much love, Mulan
Regina's heart squeezes. That felt like a goodbye. Was this what this was? Were they all saying goodbye? They're all leaving her a small piece of themselves with her. This isn't how she wants this to end. This truly is the conclusion to her adventures. Was this the end of Verónica Sanchez? Regina doesn't think she could truly exist as Roni anymore. It's all her fault really. She introduced Roni to the world and the world ate her up then spat her out. Verónica truly got to experience the highs and lows of what it meant to be alive. They killed her spirit. She was the one to be hit by that car that awful night. And she didn't survive. That was the last straw. Roni withered away and all that was left in her wake was
Verónica Sanchez is dead. May she rest in peace. Long live Regina Mills.
Too bad the girl that is left behind isn't all that interesting. Who is Regina Mills? A nobody. A teenaged girl once again stuck in a hospital. She has to give herself credit, she did manage to enrage two separate fandoms in the span of a week. Though Verónica did help with that. Verónica had her own fandom. What does Regina have? A sister?
"Hey, where did you go just now?" Zelena takes the book from Regina. "What does it say? Is it from Robin? Pride and Prejudice?" Her sister laughs at the title. She opens the book and reads the inscription. "Mulan is cool. Why does this upset you? I thought you would be over the moon to hear from them."
She is. "I just.. it all just feels like a goodbye." Regina pushes the box over to make room so she can sit on the bed. "I mean I knew it would have to come to an end at some point. We live completely different lives. I just thought.. well I didn't think it'd be this hard." She wipes a stray tear from her cheek.
Zelena joins her on the bed and pulls her into a hug. "I'll miss them too. I know I didn't have the same connection you did with them, but I did know them. I guess that's why they say never meet your heroes." Her sister jokes. Gina knows there's a little sadness there too.
"I sorry I ruined that for you." Regina returns the hug. "I know they were a safe space for you."
Zee scoffs. She releases herself and Regina from the hug. "I should have never blamed that on you. Honestly, I think it was time my obsession died . I think I have a greater respect for them now that I recognize them as actual human beings."
"A good thing."
"Yes, a good thing."
The sisters sit in comfortable silence. A lot has changed between the two. Regina thinks they've grown much closer than they've been in forever. For a long time Regina used to think of Robin Hood and the Merry Men as the thing that tore her sister away from her, but in a round about way the band is what brought them closer together. She wishes she spent more time with her sister over the break. They wasted a lot of time either doing their own things or being man at one another. How would have things turned out if she had spent the day on the beach with her sister? Fun, most likely. Yet, Regina isn't sure she'd change much of anything about the trip. Even with how that day ended, she wouldn't trade any of the moments she spent with Robin. It was those quiet moments in between the chaos that they truly connected. If she hadn't left with Robin that day, she wouldn't have gotten her first kiss. Or second. Or third.
"Oh my God! You're face is beet red. What did you just think of?" Zelena gasps and pokes at her sister.
Regina laughs. "Zee its nothing."
"You were thinking about Robin weren't you?"
"No." she answers too quickly.
"You totally were! I knew you liked him!"
"No." Regina shoves her sister away. "I don't." She fails to even convince herself. "So what if I like him. Like half the girls around the world like him, including you."
Zelena rolls her eyes and stands from the bed. "Yeah, yeah. Thing is we have no shot. You on the other hand actually know him and we know he likes you too."
"What? He does not." He doesn't. He can't. Besides he had a girlfriend at the time. Yet, he didn't seem at that in to her before they realized she was completely crazy. And what about Zelena? Doesn't she like Robin? Why would she want her and Robin together? "What about you Zelena? You know him too. I thought he was your true love or whatever."
"I actually never met Robin." Regina cocks her head to the side at her sister's confession. "We saw each other via video call on Marion's phone, but we didn't talk. And he DMed me his apology video. That's it. I meant what I said on the beach, if I can't have Robin than is rather see him with Verónica. But surprisingly there is some else I'd rather see him with."
"Who?" She can't think of anyone else that would a possible fit for Robin.
"You Regina." Zelena states plainly. "And the world would be blind not to see how crazy you two are for each other."
Regina stares at her sister. She can't be right, could she? He isn't crazy about her. Is he? Robin did kiss her. Did that mean nothing to him? It couldn't have. For her sanity she has to choose to believe it meant something to the both of them. It will kill her never truly knowing.
"Oh!" The redhead gasps. "There's something else in the box!" Her sister pulls out a puffy looking envelope and hands it to her. Whoever it's from stuffed a lot in it. She looks at the 'To: Gina' scrawled on the front and thinks Robin. It has to be.
Regina quickly, but carefully rips open the envelope and pulls out its contents. There were three pieces of paper, two of which were filled with writing on the front and the back. Regina realizes that the paper with words scribbled on only one side was in fact lyrics. She has to wipe her eyes multiple times before even making halfway through the song to clear her blurry vision. He remembers. He wrote about her heart. Not about how weak or broken it is, but about its bright and precious it is to him. Its strange. Regina never fully understood soulmates, but she cannot for the life of her find any other explanation for her and Robin's intense connection. It's more than just simple attraction or teenage fantasies. There's an understanding. His words are clear to her, but she needs to hear him say it out right. For anyone who doesn't know the true experiences behind the lyrics, its just a beautifully written song.. And it is beautifully written. But for Regina its so much more. It's about them and their experiences knowing one another.
"What is it?" Zelena worries at her sister's renewal of tears.
"He wrote a song." Regina hand the paper over to her sister. She quickly picks up what she was correct is assuming was a letter. A pretty long letter. She takes a breath to prepare herself for what awaits her in his words. It reads:
Dear Regina,
There are a million things running through mind that I want to tell you all at once, but I'll start with this: I'm sorry. I am so sorry. I'm sorry for how I treated you that day on the beach. I'm sorry for pretending not to know you when you came to me for help that night on the porch. I'm sorry for not helping you. I'm sorry for all the awful things I said about you on Cruella De Vil's show. I'm sorry for all of the evil things my fans and people of the internet have said to you believing they wer found it on my behalf. I'm sorry for it all.
I will never forgive myself for making you feel like you are anything but the beautiful, kind, amazing human being you are. That is what I am sorry about most of all. You must believe me when I say you, Regina Mills are amazing. No one can change that. Not the lousy people on the internet, not the paparazzi, not some dumb popstar that hit you with a door. I'm sorry about too… not really. I'm sorry you got hurt, but I'm not sorry I met you. You are, hands down the best thing to ever happen to me.
Ok. I know you don't like for me to throw my money around, but I don't consider this a waste. I bought you a necklace from the pawnshop in town. The owner said that you'd maybe like a book, but I could not take my eyes off the charm. It reminds me so much of you. I wanted you to have it. I hope you like it.
Also, I want you to know
There are scribbles in the next few lines of where he wanted to say something then changed his mind or perhaps looking for the right words. Regina uses the natural break in the letter to pull out the necklace Robin mentioned. She completely missed it earlier. It's a small blood red Apple pendent attached to a thin gold chain. Regina doesn't believe Robin thought of this gift all on his own. Belle knows she's eyeing this necklace for moths. She's never had the courage to actually buy it herself, yet Robin did. He's sweet.
"Zelena can you help me put this on?"
Her sister looks up from the song and nods. "Is that from Robin too?" Zelena has an odd look on her face. Its not an expression she recognize. She takes the necklace from her sister and motions for her to stand and turn around.
Regina hesitates to answer. "Yes." She hopes she hasn't made Zee uncomfortable with all of the gifts from Robin and the band. She is aware that up until maybe a day ago it was Zelen's dream to meet Robin Hood, make him fall in love with her, and be on the receiving end of his gifts. Instead it's Regina who grabs his attention. She hadn't even liked him to start off. Yet, somehow they've made such an intense connection. She hadn't meant to rub it in her face.
"He wrote you a beautiful song. I wonder what it sounds like. It's already so different from his other songs." Her sister comments as she finishes attaching the clasp.
"I'm sorry if I've had you uncomfortable with all of this." Regina gestures to her gifts sprawled about the bed. "I never wanted it to feel like I'm shoving our relationships down your throat."
Zelena blinks. "What? I'm the one who brought the box to you. I just… I just didn't realized how deep of a connection you had to Robin until I read his song. It wasn't some made up dream, but something true and authentic. I'm sorry if I made you feel like it wasn't."
"I'm sorry for ditching you on our sister beach day."
"Yes that was a screwed up thing to do." Zelena laughs. "Sorry about Marion getting the account."
Regina smiles and hugs her sister. "I forgive you."
"I forgive you too."
This is the moment she been waiting for. This moment has been a long time coming, since way before their trip to California. And boy does Regina feel good. She missed having her sister as a friend. Zelena is the coolest person she knows and she's effortless at it. Not even Robin can pull that off.
They pull away and sit in comfortable silence before Zelena breaks it. "Well," She gestures to the papers in her sister's hands. "are you going to finish reading or what?"
Regina gasps. "Oh right!"
I want to leave it all out in the open. I don't want to leave anything unsaid. I care for you deeply. I cherish our friendship and believe it to be the base of something more. Something extraordinary. That is if you feel the same. Regina you are my muse. You are the sun herself. I wish you could yourself the way I do. You shine bright. I remember sitting next you in the car amazed by your inner beauty shining through. You are a warmth in this cold world. You changed my perspective. You led to the path to become myself, to find myself and love every minute of my discovery. I can never be disappointed by meeting you and what our relationship has done to my career. Because of you I can live freely as Robin Locksley and I can never thank you enough for freeing me. You are my hero.
I love you, more than words can describe. I never knew I could feel so passionately toward another person. I never knew something; someone was missing until I met you. You filled in every missing piece. We complement each. Do you feel it too? Can you feel a part of your soul breathing from a different point in the universe, because I do? I am crazy? I'm crazy. Sorry for the tangent.
"You aren't crazy." Regina mumbles to no one in particular as she reads. She understands completely how he feels.
You know what they say about when you love someone. This isn't a goodbye. I know in my heart that our souls will cross paths once again. I cannot wait for that day. But for now, I think we have some growing we need to do on our own. I love you dearly and cannot wait to see the person you've become.
With all my love,
Robin Locksley
Regina's crying now. She knows this isn't a goodbye, but it feels like it. It feels like the end of something amazing. She's going to miss him. She going to miss all of them. She thinks she may even miss Verónica as crazy as that sounds. She was apart of Regina's life long before Robin. Most nights Roni was the one that kept Regina from spiraling and aware of life. She was her rock. It's not going to be easy to say goodbye to everyone. Well, hopefully for most of them it's only a goodbye for now. It's tome Regina live her life without Roni hold her hand. She's grateful for what she was for her, but it's time this butterfly fly free. Who is Regina Mills? She can't wait to find out!
You made it to the end! Thank you so much for reading. I know its a bit of a weid ending... maybe not the onr you were expecting, but I hope you still found it enjoyable!
S'D