She didn't know what she was thinking in agreeing to meet Robin's family but she said yes and she cannot take it back. It was a sudden thing but at the time, she thought that it would be a nice thing to do for him. Since they've met, it's always him going out of his way for her. She can take this one.

Now, she finds herself stressing on what to wear. It's not that she lacks clothes because she does not. She just wants to make a good impression, that's all.

It's been a while since she did the meet the family sort of thing and she forgot how nerve-racking it can be.

She really wants this thing to work with Robin because if she shatters her walls just for him, she might as well do everything in her power to make it work. She's not one to sail only to fail so if meeting his family will make him happy, so be it.

She settled on a long blue dress because it's safe. Normally, she would have chosen black but it's his parents' anniversary and she didn't want to look so gloom so blue it is. She carefully fixed her hair, applied some light makeup, and she's good to go.

When Robin picked her up, he's dressed casually not so casual that she would feel overdressed. He greeted her with a kiss before they went inside his car. His parents lived in the countryside so there will be an hour drive long to get there.

She does not mind. Robin is a good company and she can use the time to gather herself before facing his family. She's dealt with a lot of people in her line of work so she's used to meeting strangers every single time but this is different. It's his family. They're not just some clients she can keep at a distance and act all professional.

"So…tell me about your family. What are the things I should know?"

A little bit of background will go a long way.

"Well…they're like the definition of Disney fairytale. They've met when they were young, fallen in love, and they still love each other until now", he answered with a smile on his face.

They sound lovely already which she cannot relate at all. There's not a lot of love in her family so she wouldn't know anything about that.

"My mother is a painter and my father is a mechanic. We didn't have much growing up and sending me to college was a struggle for them so I took three jobs to support myself. I wanted to give back to them as soon as I finished. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them so I do the best I can",

Another thing they didn't share. She grew up in wealth. Education has never been a struggle for her aside from the fact that she wanted for years to be free from her own family whereas Robin loves his very much.

"My sister Ruby still lives with them. She's following our mother's footsteps and got into the arts. They can be loud sometimes so be prepared for that and they like to talk about me so don't believe everything they say because most of them are exaggerated", he added.

She hummed in response. "Oh, I think I am looking forward to that one",

He chuckled. "I figure you would",

The closer they got to the place, the antsier she gets. The family she's about to meet is so different from the ones she had and she does not know how to deal with that. What if they find her too cold? What if they think she's not right for their son?

"Here we are",

She saw the house as they pulled over and it's bigger than she expected. It's not as big as her house but it has a gorgeous yard. The trees around added to its appeal. She can already imagine Robin running around there as a kid.

The tables are already set outside so it's going to be an outdoor party. There are couple of people already present and it's safe to say she knows no one in there aside from Robin.

They got out of the car and walked to the door. At this point, her throat is running dry. Why is she nervous? She does this for a living, for goodness' sake! She can handle a day with his family.

"Robin!" a woman shouted from across the room and Regina had to squint at the volume.

"Jeez, Ruby…I am right here. No need to shout",

Robin greeted his sister with a warm hug and Regina suddenly felt out of place. The whole thing is making her feel smaller.

"So…who's this?" Ruby then asked.

"This is Regina Mills…and this is my sister, Ruby", he introduced them with smile on his face.

She took the chance to offer her hand to the woman. "Hi, pleasure to meet you",

Ruby did take her hand but not without eyeing her from head to toe. If Regina hadn't mastered the art of keeping up a face, she would've reacted badly with the way his sister is looking at her.

"Are you his girlfriend?" she outright asked.

She didn't know how to answer that. Is she? They didn't talk about that. Yes, they're together but they didn't talk about labels.

"We're together", she simply said and that seemed to be enough for Robin.

Ruby, on the other hand, hummed before walking away. It was obvious that the woman is not pleased to see her at all.

"Well, that's interesting", she muttered.

Robin pulled her into his arms before pressing a kiss on her forehead. "Don't mind her. She's a bit moody sometimes but she's harmless",

His parents came into view shortly after that and she can see what Robin was talking about. They're not really doing anything but she can see the love they have for one another and how in sync they are. She never saw that with her own parents, not even once.

"Happy anniversary, Mom…Dad", Robin greeted them with the same hug he gave his sister earlier.

"Thank you, son", his father said.

"Now, where are your manners, Robin? Aren't you going to introduce us to this lovely woman with you?" his mother then said.

Robin rolled his eyes. "I was getting to that. This is Regina Mills. Regina, this is Robert Locksley, my father, and this is Isabella Locksley, my mother",

She stepped forward and shook both their hands. "Pleasure to meet the both of you",

Unlike Ruby, the two gave her the warmest smiles and she felt at ease. That's good for the first minutes of her arrival.

"Robin never told us he's seeing someone so forgive us if we're surprised to see you but you're very much welcome here in our house as long as you make our son happy", Isabella said.

"Thank you. That's very kind of you", she responded automatically while silently chiding herself for keeping things so formal.

She cannot turn it off. It's her default when dealing with new people. She opted to talk like a lawyer.

"You do have a lovely house", she added.

That's when his mother decided to take her for a tour while Robin went with his father. She wanted to say that she would like for Robin to join them but how could she when he looks so happy just to be home?

The house is indeed lovely. Yes, it's smaller than what she's used to but it has that homey feel to it that grows on her fast. The walls are decorated with family pictures that had her stopping just to look at them. They clearly have a beautiful loving family and that didn't settle well with her. It's like she's a fish out of water.

"So…how did you and Robin meet, if you don't mind me asking", the woman started.

Ah…so the tour is more like a chance for her to get her to be alone so she can question her.

"We're neighbors. I live right across the street from Robin. We met while we were on a morning run and he asked for my help with his housewarming party",

"…and what is it that you do for a living?"

She frowned at the question because is she thinking that he's after Robin's money or what?

"I'm a corporate lawyer at Gold & Co. firm", she answered with a straight face.

If Isabella was warm earlier, now, she cannot read the woman's expression and how she looks at him. For some reason, she thinks that she was only putting up a show for Robin earlier.

"You see my son is a special man. He's done well with his life but he still remains my boy. When he likes someone, well…he gives it his all. He only brought one woman into this house and that ended up badly. She broke his heart. Now, you're here. I don't like history repeating itself",

Marian…she figured it would be that woman.

"I don't plan on hurting your son nor breaking his heart",

She may not do it intentionally but hurting him is far from what she has in mind.

"…and I heard the same thing too. You see, I've lived here long enough and I am not familiar with the ways of city girls but I will not let my son fall for such cruel games. He deserves more. He deserves love and someone who will actually loves him the way he deserves. He's not one to play with or something to throw when you're done with him", the woman then said.

Regina did a doubletake at that. She can feel her temper rising because the woman just met her and she's already making assumptions about her and how she treats Robin.

"I am aware of how special he is. Trust me, I wouldn't be here if he's not. Yes, I grew up in the city, and this…this is not something I do but I did for Robin. This makes him happy and I want nothing more than to make him happy", she took a deep breath and composed herself before she loses it. "This has been a lovely tour, Mrs. Locksley, but I am afraid I would need to use bathroom, if you would be so kind as to point to me where it is?"

She did not cringe with the way she sounded. It was cold and so detached that the woman flinched a little. She was not able to reply other than to point the direction with her finger. She thanked her because it's only polite and went to the bathroom to be alone.

In there, she allowed herself to breathe. This has been a mistake. She knew they're not going to like her and she's right. It showed without her being in the house for an hour. They could just sniff it out of her that she's not right for Robin. He comes from a good family, a loving family. She had none of that. Of course, they would notice how unfit she is to be with him.

When she came out of the bathroom, she thought about finding Robin and telling him that she needs to go. She thought about excuses on why but he knows that she got no plans for the day and lying to him does not really sit well with her.

She found him walking angrily outside and thought that it may not be the best time to talk to him but he already saw her and he's making his way to her.

"Hey", she greeted but couldn't force a smile on her face.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

The cheerfulness he had earlier is now gone and she didn't know what happened. Was it because of her?

"Yeah…I'm fine", she knows he didn't believe her because his brows furrowed. "Really…I am fine, Robin. It's nothing I can't handle",

Yes, he does not believe her because his face turned serious. "Yes, I heard you said that before and I know by now than to believe it for what it is. What did Mom say to you?"

"Nothing much. She's very protective of you and she loves you very much. She just wants to make sure that I am not here to hurt you",

That is the truth of it or at least part of what she gathered from the woman. "Do you want to leave?" he asked.

"What? Don't be preposterous. We'll stay. Let's just try to enjoy this. I'll be fine", she answered against her better judgment.