Robin has been nervous about going back to his parents' house even more so than Regina. The last they were there, it did not end well. He had hoped for something nice to happen and his family failed to treat Regina in a way she deserved.
They have sent him messages after that day, well…his parents did but not his sister Ruby. At least, his mother had a sense to apologize to Regina but Ruby just seemed to have gone mute. She had not contacted him and he had not contacted her either.
Now, they're on their way to his parents' house and he cannot help but feel like he's waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Regina glanced towards him and smiled. Unlike the last time, she's not as anxious anymore. She had already seen what his family was like and therefore, the mystery was already lost on her. He can sense, however, that her usual guard is up. She's putting up a wall around her before they even get there which pains him. He does not want her to feel the need to do that every time they're about to see his family.
When they arrived at the property, Regina gave him another reassuring smile before getting out of the car.
His mother greeted them with a smile on her face. She greeted Regina as well and though Regina returned the smile, he can see that it is the one she used to give whenever she's dealing with the people she works with.
"You're just right on time. Your father was just finished with the roast. I'm sure you're famished from the drive", his mother said.
They entered the house and he could not help but grew more tensed by the minute. It's irrational because it's their house. He grew up in that place, with these people, and yet, he's the one testing the waters.
"Breathe, dear", Regina whispered low enough for him to hear.
His father was in the kitchen setting up the table for them.
"Oh, just in time! This is best served hot. Have a seat. Regina, pleasure to see you again", his father greeted.
"Likewise, Mr. Locksley", Regina replied.
Ruby walked into the kitchen and saw the two of them standing. Now, everyone can cut the tension with a knife. Regina stared at Robin first before turning to his younger sister.
"Hello, Ruby. Lovely to see you again", she greeted.
"Uh…Regina, hi", his sister looked at him. "Hi, Robin",
He only nodded. Somehow, he still cannot get over the things he heard his sister said about Regina. Sensing the increasing tension, his mother decided to intervene and ask everyone to take their seats.
Regina sat next to him before his mother began saying grace. He saw the way Regina glanced at everyone, like she's familiarizing herself with their ways. It's not the norm with her when it comes to family and she's taking notes.
"This is really good, Mr. Locksley", he heard Regina complimented his father's cooking.
He is really an excellent cook.
"Oh, thank you, Regina, and you don't have to keep calling me Mr. Locksley. Robert is just fine",
"Very well, Robert. This is very delicious. I now know where Robin inherited his talent in the kitchen",
He almost blushed because it's not common knowledge in his family that he loves working the kitchen. He does cook here and there when he's living with his parents but he never displayed his enthusiasm before. Besides, his father pretty much owns their kitchen.
"Really? Robin does the cooking in your house?" Ruby then asked.
He detected a note of sarcasm in his sister's voice and he could not help the glare he sent her way.
"Yes, he does. He always beats me to it and I have no complaints. The man can really cook", Regina responded without missing a beat.
In fact, she sounded proud that he cooks for her. She's never been shy in voicing out her compliments when it comes to food and she always appreciates the effort behind it.
"Oh…I hear you. My husband marked the kitchen as his territory and I never dared to invade it", his mother supplied.
The conversation continued as they talked about work and other trivial stuff. Regina is doing pretty well holding the conversation. Perhaps, it is her years of being a lawyer. She can carry pretty much any type of conversation with such ease.
Though he sensed that her guard is still up, she's not as tensed as he is. She is just working the room like she always does.
"You sold your house?" Ruby asked him directly.
Yes, he had told their parents about it but not her since they're not in contact anymore. It seems their parents failed to mention that to her either.
"Yes, I did. I moved in with Regina",
"Why can't she moved in with you? Why does it have to be you moving in with her?"
"…because I wanted to. Is there a problem with that?" He snapped.
He felt Regina's hand covering his to calm him down. When he glanced at her, she gave him a smile which coaxed that effect on him.
"So…you said that you have a big announcement, son. What is it?" His father asked.
He did call ahead before driving there to inform them that he has something big to tell them. He does not want them to be too shocked about it so he had given them up some sort of a heads up.
"Yes. We came here to tell you all personally that Regina and I are getting married", he saw the way their faces morphed into a surprise. "I proposed and she said yes so…we're engaged", he announced.
For a few seconds, no one said anything and he is on the verge of just bolting out of the kitchen taking Regina with him but then his mother got up from her chair and hugged the both of them.
"Congratulations! Oh…this is so grad. My son is getting married. Regina…I am so happy for the both of you", she expressed.
It was followed by his father who wished him all the best and welcomed Regina into the family with a hug. Meanwhile, Ruby remained seated, watching everything unfolds in front of her.
Regina and his mother are too engrossed with the ring he gave her to pay attention but he noticed his sister's lack of response.
"Aren't you happy for me, Ruby?" He asked.
They're extremely close while growing up. They always have each other's back so the thought of her sister not being on the same page as him when it comes to Regina pains him a great deal.
Ruby rose from her seat before walking around the table to get to him. "I love you, Robin. You know I do. You have to understand that I just want you to be happy and I don't want you to be hurt again. If she really makes you happy…then, congratulations. I am happy as long as you are", she then said.
It's all he wants to hear. He playfully pulled his sister into his arms and held her tight. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Regina smiling genuinely at the two of them finally making up.
The rest of the day went smoothly.
Regina let loose a little as she spent time with his mother. Being into arts herself, she found something in common with his mother. They talked about paintings and artists for hours while Ruby listened intently.
He can tell that despite Ruby's hesitation, Regina is slightly growing in her too.
"You've chosen one hell of a woman, son. She's special", his father said beside him as they watched the women in their lives.
"Yes, I did. I got lucky that she even looked my way",
"Don't sell yourself short, son. You're a catch too. I know that she sees that. Otherwise, she would not be out here trying her best to get along with all of us", he frowned at his father. "We know she's not comfortable with us especially after what happened the last time you brought her here. It was our fault but we can see that she's going out of her way to be open and polite to us. She's expanding her understanding and for that, we're grateful. She's going to be good for you. I just know it",
"Thank you, Dad. That means a lot",
Ruby had shown something on her phone that got Regina's full attention. She even went as far as grabbing the phone from his sister to get a better look. If his guess is right, it's a painting that his sister had captured from one of her many visits to art exhibits.
"…and this is in a gallery in Paris?" He heard Regina asked his sister.
"Yeah…you should have seen that place. I could not decide where to look. They're all breathtaking", his sister answered.
Regina hummed as she stared at the painting.
"Are you doing anything next month?" He heard her asked.
"What? Nothing, I suppose. Why?"
It got his attention as well because the question came out of nowhere.
"…because I am buying this painting and I need someone to come with me to Paris. If only you're not busy that is", Regina answered casually.
He watched as Ruby's jaw almost hit the floor.
"In Paris? You're going to Paris to buy one painting?" His sister asked in disbelief.
Regina just shrugged and handed her the phone back. "Well…I can always have it shipped here but I wanted to see it first in person before making the actual purchase so yes. Do you want to come with me?"
He stood there and watched them all in amusement. This is all funny the way his entire family stared at Regina like she's from another planet.
She can be spontaneous sometimes and an impulsive buyer too. When she likes something, she makes sure to get it even if it means traveling to Paris just to buy one painting.
"Are you kidding? Of course, I want to go to Paris!" Ruby exclaimed.
"Then, it's settled. I'll have Robin send you the details once I booked everything. I still have to work my schedule around it", Regina then turned to him and smirked. "You don't have a problem going to Paris for a vacation, right darling?"
She is now teasing him on purpose calling him darling in front of his family and he just beamed from ear to ear.
"Oh yeah…I've been dying to see the Eiffel Tower for years now", he responded.
Then, the conversation took a new turn as everyone got excited about the trip to Paris that his parents begged him to include them in the trip.
He realized that it's all Regina's plan to mess with him. She knew that by inviting Ruby, his parents would urge him to tag them along. He can see her suppressing a smile as she watched his parents literally plan everything from the flight to the accommodation. She looks very pleased with her handy work.
"You're a wicked woman, you know that right?" He whispered to her ear when he got close to her.
"Hmmm…not sure what you're talking about. They love the idea of going to Paris",
"They do. You know my parents are going to takeover that trip. They're basically doing the planning right now",
"Let them. It's going to be great. This could be our pre-wedding gift to them", she muttered.
He arched a brow at her.
"Shouldn't it be the other way around? We're the ones getting married, love. I think we're the ones who should be receiving wedding presents",
"What more can I ask for? They gave me you. They finally accepted me into your family. That's enough gift for me", she responded.
Ignoring the presence of others, he leaned in and kissed his fiancé because he is so in love with her. His father was right. She is a very special woman and he's the lucky man to be at the receiving end of her love.
"Urgh! Seriously, get a room you two!" Ruby protested much to their parents' amusement.
He arched a brow at Regina before scooping her up in his arms.
"Robin!" Regina gasped in surprise.
"Well, they did say get a room so let's go get one", he said.
"Oh my god…this is not funny, Robin. Put me down!"
He heard his family laughing. They have always thought Regina to be too uptight and now, they're seeing another side of her.
"No, can't do, milady. Now, off we go to a room of our own", he declared and then carried Regina upstairs.