It tugs at his heart, more than he dares admit, to watch the scene unfolding in front of him. There are cries, whining, and confusion, but who can blame them? His children fell in love with Regina so quickly he barely saw it coming, and he admits that if his feelings for her aren't as strong as the ones he had for his dear wife, he can't fully ignore how deeply he got attached to her. She doesn't know, never will now, because she got the chance to find the love of her life back, and who is he to rip her away from such blessing?

Some people say he could – should – have fought for her, prove her his love, but to be honest he knew the second she came back from this mysterious encounter with her son that he had lost the battle. He doesn't blame her, because he told her the truth: If his wife had been brought back in place of her fiancé, he would've made the same choice that she did.

His heartbreak, he can handle it. She leaves him for something better, she is going to get her son back as well, and as much as he's going to miss her, he's happy for her. Not counting the fact that even though they had started a more intimate relationship, the knowledge that she was bound to leave and go back to Henry was a certainty that had never left his mind. They were, somehow, each other's cure for their grief and sorrow, the medication soothing a pain so intense they had both stopped living, and it's together that they came out of those ordeals that almost crushed them.

He remembers the first time he saw her smile – genuinely smile – how it had lit up something inside him. It's crazy, how her smile so easily triggered his own, how seeing her happy made him happy.

It wasn't always easy, not at first, because they were both wild and hurting, and she was so fiercely hiding her past from him, struggling to open up. Her walls were so high, so thick, that for a long time he thought he'd never be able to get past it unharmed. But with time, with patience, explanations, and compromises, they finally managed to develop a friendship that turned out to be a blessing for them both. Thanks to the work they did together, laughter and happiness slowly, but surely, took possession of this house again, and within months, of them as well. She is the one person he will always be grateful for, for helping him set his life back on tracks.

FLASHBACK

"Daddy, one more!"

Chuckling at his daughter's enthusiasm, Andrew checks the clock above the chimney, pursing his lips. Unsure, he glances at Regina, finds her softly brushing Tommy's head before she looks up at him.

"What do you think, Regina?"

She hums and tilts her head, frowning as she must think it through. It's still new to him, to handle his kids, play with them, and act as a father. Yes, he used to do it when his wife was alive, but she was the one handling most of the things at home, while he was focusing on work. Since she passed away... he's been on his own, and left his children to themselves. So Regina's help to show him the boundaries and how to get closer to them is more than welcome.

"Maybe one last quick game is alright since you don't have school tomorrow." The news is welcomed with joyous screams as Hayley and Tommy clap their hands together, but she interrupts them by lifting a finger, motioning for them to be quiet as she glances at Emily dozing off in his arms. "But, first your dad will put your sister to bed, and you go brush your teeth and change into your pajamas."

Needless to say that the toddlers are quick to obey, which amazes Andrew. This woman has a thing with children, a soft spot that she rarely shows to anyone else, a capacity to catch their attention and affection that he has rarely seen. As he watches her get up to follow his children, and he does the same, carefully making sure his youngest doesn't wake up, he can't help but thinking that her son must have been lucky to grow up with such a mother...

His hand finds her forearm, making her turn to face him and frowning in question. "Yes?"

"Thank you, Regina. Without you I'd never be able to share such a great moment with my kids. Everything would end up in screams or on a whim, and I'd hide in my office while letting them deal with themselves."

Her face softens, her eyes shining, and Regina flashes him this grin that does things to him that he never thought he'd ever feel again.

"It's my pleasure, Andrew. I told you, the one thing they needed was you. Since you've been more present in their lives, they have completely changed."

"It's true. I wouldn't have succeeded without you though."

She laughs softly, before they begin to walk towards the bathroom when they hear a door banging and the siblings bickering. "I was only the messenger. Go put Emily to bed, I'll supervise Tommy and Hayley in the meantime."

END OF FLASHBACK

He knew then that he was falling for her, that this woman was not only fixing his family, but also his heart. So yes, it hurts to see her leave. It hurts to see his children cry because they don't want to be separated from her.

But he can't tell her that, he can't show her his turmoil. Forcing her to choose, making her feel guilty, only for her to reject him would only make things worse. Especially when he already knew deep down that she was never meant to stay, that even if her dead fiancé hadn't miraculously reappeared, her son would've taken her away from them... Better rip the bandage now rather than later, right?

"I don't- want- you- to leave," Hayley whimpers between sobs, clinging to Regina's neck and refusing to let her go.

"I know, sweetie," Regina coos, rubbing the little girl's back and kissing her head, while cupping the chin of a pouting Tommy and brushing his chubby cheek with her thumb soothingly. "Trust me, I'm sad to leave you, but it's going to be okay. You have your daddy, and the new nanny is nice, no? You won't have time to miss me."

"Don't go, R'gina!" Emily whines, wiping her face wet from her tears with the back of her hand, sniffling.

"Oh, sweetie..."

Regina lifts teary eyes towards the ceiling, trying to hide the wetness filling them, and her gaze crosses his. Forcing through his own suffering, swallowing down his regrets and feelings, Andrew takes a step towards her before kneeling, catching his children's attention.

"Hey, kids." When they finally give Regina a break and turn towards him, he holds out his hands for them. "Come here. You know," he lets Tommy tuck himself against his chest, Emily grabs his hand while Hayley stays glued to Regina, but at least she's not whimpering anymore. "I think Regina would love to have something from you. So why don't you go to your rooms and make her a gift while she finishes packing, okay? So she'll never forget about you. I'm sure you can do something great, yeah?"

The sudden enthusiasm caused by his suggestion tampers their reluctance a little, and after a noisy kiss to the brunette's cheek, they all head for their bedrooms, the commotion caused by the rush slowly turning into a deep silence. Andrew needs a full minute to finally dare looking into her brown eyes, and when he does, he reads in them how sorry she is for what she's putting them through. So he gets up, walks the few steps separating them, and wraps his arms around her neck to keep her close.

"You will definitely be missed," he can't help but whisper in her ear.

He can sense the way she holds him tight, the shake of her chest and sniffling she fails to hide as she buries her nose in his shoulder. "I'm sorry," she breathes. "I never thought it would be so difficult."

When her sob bubbles up her throat, his grip on her tightens, a hand coming to card through her thick black locks while his lips drop a smooth kiss to her temple. "I know... But it was bound to happen anyway."

"Promise me that you'll be happy."

His heart squeezes in her chest at that, but he hides his turmoil. "I will," he promises, knowing very well that time will heal those wounds. He pulls back just enough to see the tears she hurries to wipe away, so he cups her cheeks tenderly and removes the remnant of the wetness with his thumbs. "Hey, none of that, alright? You're going to go back to your son and fiancé. I am flattered and grateful for everything you brought us, but they are your family, they need you."

"I know," she nods shakily, blowing out a breath. "I know. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to have them back-"

"Then nothing more needs to be said," he replies before she can say anything else. If she voices even the smallest regret about leaving them, he might very well lose it and try to convince her to stay, or kiss the fullness of her tantalizing lips while he is trying so very hard not to. She must get from his look that she shouldn't answer, so after a pause, she nods again.

"Alright." Pulling away from him slowly and attempting a small smile, she tilts her head in this adorable way that's only hers. "I'm going to use the time I have until the kids are back to keep packing."

"Good."

She's halfway to the stairs when she turns around, unsure at first, and then planting her feet to the ground. "You know, Andrew, you keep saying that I was a blessing to your family, that thanks to me you healed and got better. But if I manage to overcome what I went through and come out of the state I was in when we met, it's thanks to you. So thank you. For everything."