Once home, Regina was able to finally breathe. She's been keeping her emotions at bay because she did not want to further anger Robin. Yes, the man is not upset with her but with his family and after seeing them, she cannot allow him to harbor such feelings towards them. She understood where they were coming from no matter how unfair it was that she got the receiving end of it.

There is a voice nagging in her head telling her that perhaps they were right to be wary of her. After all, she's not the girlfriend material. She has lived her life shutting relationships out from her world and she has her fair share of breaking hearts left and right.

It was not her fault really when some of her encounters could not grasp the idea of no strings attached. She did not lack effort in warning them that she could not give nothing more than sex. Of course, she's not the type of woman any parent would like their son to be with.

Thing is, it's different with Robin. She badly needs it to work because for so long, she finally found someone she wants to be with. Her needs evolved from detachment to wanting more than just someone to keep her warm at night. She should not want him this much but she does.

That's why she's willing to bend backwards for him, willing to take whatever his family is going to throw at her because that's how much she needs him in her life. She never thought she would get to this point so fast but Robin shattered her walls instantly she failed to stop it.

Yes, she is head over heels for him and she fears that it might be her downfall.

"Are you sure you're alright?" he asked.

No matter how many times she answers that he is still not convinced. She can't really blame him because she's not alright. Everything is swirling inside her and she's losing control of her own self.

"I will be. You're here",

She means that. He is the only one who can make her feel better. As long as she has him, everything is going to be just fine.

He smiled at her and her worries faded. God, he has no idea the power he holds over her. It's crazy to think that after years of running away from human connection, it took Robin to make her dive into it head first.

"Are you going home?" she tentatively asked because she still respects his privacy and she didn't want to appear so clingy.

"I am home", he replied.

That admission hit her deeply. Can they be this serious so early on? Sure, they're not some teenagers who opted for some wooing first and tons of date but she can still remember the first time they saw each other like it happened yesterday. Aren't they moving a bit fast?

Well, she already met his family. He knows things about herself that she didn't bother sharing with anyone and yes, they've been in bed together more than once. Perhaps, they are way past the wooing part.

"Let's get some rest then. I am beat",


Sleep keeps on evading her. Lying on her bed naked with Robin who is also equally naked, she should be in deep slumber after being spent but her eyes are wide open.

Her mind is running all the different what ifs and she could not force herself to rest. What if this all turns out to be a dream? What if one day she wakes up and this will be taken away from her? What if Robin realized she's not the right woman for him?

There is so much he does not know about her which she likes to keep that way. There are so many skeletons in her closet she wants to remain buried because she is certain that if he ever finds out about them, he will be running straight through the door. That part scares her and it made her feel guilty. Robin is such an open book while she keeps a big secret within her.

It almost felt like lying. She knows it's not but omission is not entirely being truthful, right?

"I can hear you thinking", he stirred next to her as he pulled her close to him. "Why are you still awake?" his voice is still laced with sleep.

"I can't sleep", she took a deep breath because she feels like she has to. "I feel like when I wake up tomorrow, you'll be gone",

He is now fully awake as he propped himself with his elbow so he can look at her. "What do you mean?"

"This all feels like a really nice dream and nice things don't last with me, Robin. I don't want this to be over", she confessed.

She hates the way she sounded because she appears to be weak, vulnerable and she thought she had outgrown that. She learned how to toughen herself up, to swallow down her emotions, and to protect herself at all costs. She is being the opposite of that at the moment and she hates that.

"It's not going to be. When you wake up, I'll be the first person you will see and before you sleep, I will be the last one you will see too. I mean it when I said I am not going anywhere, Regina",

He says that now but in the future?

"Does that mean you're not going to sneak to the kitchen tomorrow to make me breakfast?"

She has to change the tone before she goes in deeper with her dark thoughts. He laughed at that and she's grateful that he did not see the turmoil within her.

"I will still be making you breakfast but I will not sneak to the kitchen. I promise", he said.

He then went back to cuddling her and she let him. Perhaps, she can allow herself to enjoy this while it last. It's the least she can do because she does not have the power to control what's ahead of them. She will cherish the present and just hope for the best even if hope is never her thing.


Two months of being with Robin changed her life completely.

Her routine has changed, her lifestyle, hell, her entire being for that matter. Despite having his house right across the street, Robin spends more time in hers that his. He also has his own space in her closet, toothbrush next to hers in the bathroom. He even has his own side of the bed in her bedroom. If it's not official then, it sure is now. She is in a relationship with Robin Locksley.

Also, the entire town of Storybrooke has been aware of the relationship between them and somehow, it helps in changing their view of her. Once they called her the Evil Queen but now, they see her as someone completely different from the person they thought she was. She became human in their eyes.

"You seem happy", Mal said when she came to visit her that day.

Despite working together, they don't get to spend much time as they used to because she rarely joins their night outs anymore. She would rather stay home with Robin instead cuddling by her sofa watching some soppy movies on the TV.

None of her friends hold that against her. In fact, they are very supportive. It seems as if this is what they've been wanting for her to do with her life but never had the guts to say it out loud. Robin also became their favorite person.

"I am…at least, I think I am. I am not familiar with the feeling so if this is what it feels like, I think I am",

"Well, I am glad for you. You're always meant to be happy, Regina, and I know you will roll your eyes on me but it's true. You deserve to be happy and to be loved. After everything…no one else deserved it more than you",

Her eyes watered a bit because out of everyone else in the world, Mal knows her…every bit of her. She's that one person who knows her secrets, her past. That's why she's the one person she couldn't hide from.

"Thanks, Mal…for being here always",


Regina had to fought the urge to groan. She found herself that day at Robin's house together with Mary Margaret, Emma, and Belle, and no, she's not there to spend time with the girls.

After clearing things up during Cruella's birthday and the whole Marian thing, her relationship with her neighbors changed. If they're not friendly, they are at least civil. That's entirely the reason why she has not bolted out of Robin's living room yet.

She came there looking for Robin only to find the women has invaded his house. Apparently, the boy's had abducted her boyfriend to help them set up town hall for the upcoming Winter Festival.

Winter Festival is the most awaited event in Storybrooke but she never bothered showing up before. First, she's not their most favorite person and second, she didn't have anyone to mingle with at the event so she chose to stay at home or have her own party somewhere else instead.

This year is different, however. She's not alone and she's in good terms with the rest of the town. So yeah…her presence is somewhat expected now.

When they saw her at the door, they immediately assumed that she's there to help them with the planning when in reality, she just wants to spend time with Robin. She has expressed that too but they're all rather insistent and now, she's listening to them talking about balloons and cakes.

"What do you think, Regina? Should we go with pink or yellow?" Mary Margaret asked.

"I don't think my opinion in this thing really matters. Go with whatever you like. It's going to be fine",

Surely, they don't want her choosing the theme color for the festival. Are they crazy?

"Of course, it matters. Out of all of us, you're the one with the talent to throw gatherings", she arched her brow at Emma because they don't have a good history when it comes to party. "You know what I mean. You know your stuff when throwing a party and people enjoy it. You planned Robin's housewarming party in a day and it turned out amazing", the blonde said.

"Come on, Regina. It's just a color", Belle urged.

Why does she need to be alone with three highly optimistic women?

"Blue and silver. It's called the Winter Festival so blue and silver will fit the season just fine although we don't have snow here in Storybrooke. They also complemented each other so it's going to be a nice combination for decorations", she yielded.

It was followed by silence and suddenly, she felt awkward. That's why she does not want to say anything in the first place. It always ends up badly and now they think she's from another planet.

"Oh my god, Regina. I think that's brilliant. You're a genius!" Mary Margaret suddenly exclaimed.

She had to blink to process what she just said. She thought they did not like her suggestion and made a fool out of herself but it turns out she's wrong.

"You should be part of the decorating committee", Belle suggested.

"Oh no…"

"Oh yes…you're going to be great. I think this is going to be the best Winter Festival yet", Emma cut her off as she almost dragged her out of Robin's house and into her car.


Planning the festival is actually not a big deal for her. She lost count on how many times she has to plan balls way bigger than the Winter Festival but for some reason, the stakes are higher with this one.

It could be because she's finally feeling like she belongs to the community and she fears of ruining their beloved event. That could instantly threw her back to their most hated person list.

So, she did her best. She called her contacts, made sure everything is covered down to the T. The budget is a bit short for what she has in mind but she does not care about spending a few dollars of her own just to make it work. She wants to make sure that the event is not going to disappoint her neighbors because god knows, she has started to care about their community spirit.

She blames it all entirely on Robin. He's the one who's into partaking with the town's activities. He even coached the children's soccer team because he wants to. He is just so good with everybody and everyone adores him.

It made her step up because if he's making an effort to be part of Storybrooke, she can do the same too. She got into charity work. She helped the council with developing projects for the town like making the children's playground a lot safer. She even revised the town's charter for free.

"Hello there, boss lady",

The smile formed so fast on her face. "Boss lady?" Trust Robin to come with pet names to call her.

"Well, I've been watching you bossing people around all day and I must say, you look so hot while doing it",

He wrapped his arms around his waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. Public display is not her thing but with Robin, she does not seem to mind.

"Someone has to or this hall will remain bare until tomorrow night and everyone will blame me for ruining their festival",

"I think after tomorrow, people will be bowing at your feet for making the festival the night to remember",

She scoffed because really, it's not like she's organizing a royal ball.

"What have you been doing all day?" She asked.

"David and Killian dragged me to get some supplies for the festival. I think they just want to be far away from their women so they would not get drag down to planning mode",

"Wish I have thought of that so I would not be in this mess",

He laughed some more before turning her around and pressing his lips onto hers. He did it so naturally that she got caught up in the moment, completely forgetting their not in her house. When they parted to breathe some air, he is smiling at her like an idiot.

"What?"

"You're amazing. Have I ever told you that?"

She pursed her lips because she knows he's being a romantic fool again.

"Once or twice and you don't need to keep telling me that or it will get into my head",

"I won't mind. It's better if you know it yourself because you are", he kissed her again as they swayed into the music that's being played by the sound guy for testing. "I love you, Regina",

Suddenly, she stiffened in his arms. She's not deaf and it's not loud in the hall so she's certain that she heard him right.

She tried to pull away from him but his hold on her only tightened, not wanting to let her go. What is wrong with him? Why would he say that?

"Robin…"

"You don't have to say it back. I just want you to know it in case I am not showing it enough. I do love you…very much, it actually hurts", he repeated and her heart is ready to burst.

She knows deep inside her chest that she feels the same way too but why can't she say it? She wants to say it. She wants him to hear her say it too.

"I want to say it",

He pulled away from her only to cup her face with his hands.

"Take your time. I am not rushing you. I just said it because it's how I feel and I want you to hear it. Even you don't say it, Regina, I feel you. I know. So…don't worry about not being able to say it back. I can wait", he said.

She pressed her body close to his again just to calm her nerves. At least, she can take comfort to the fact that he knows how she feels despite her not voicing it out loud. Someday…she will be able to say it back.


Her hands are sweating.

It's the day of the Winter Festival and she's nervous. Of course, she is. She's in charge of the whole thing. What if something happens? What if things did not go as planned? In her frustration, she threw her pillow towards the bathroom door before picking it up and throwing it back on the bed.

She is just being ridiculous because it's not her first time to organize an event. She organized bigger ones before and they all turned out great. This is nothing. She is just overthinking stuff again like she always does.

Taking one last look at herself on the mirror, she picked up her purse and went downstairs.

"Are you all set—"

Robin halted when he saw her descending the stairs. It made her conscious because his silence can mean so many things.

The dress is nothing showy. It's silver and long with just the right length of slit on the side to allow her to walk comfortably. The neckline is not too low to be revealing and the back has a beaded crystals crisscrossing on her skin. She also had kept her makeup light and her hair is done in a messy bun.

"Do I look okay?" She asked.

He scoffed as he went to her.

"Okay? That's not the word I would use",

"Then what is the word that you would use?"

"Stunning. Gorgeous. Breathtaking. Goddess—"

She pressed her fingers onto his mouth. "Okay…I just said word not a list. I get what you mean and thank you. You don't look so bad yourself",

He really does not. He cleans up nice and that suit fits him like a glove. He is incredibly handsome and she knows when they get back, she will have her way with him one way or another.

"Thanks…I am choosing to take that as a compliment. Shall we?" He offered her his arm which made her laugh because he is so old school.

"Let's get this over with",