Hi my dear friend !
As always, I wanted to thank you for your love&support, it means more to me than words can say and this is way I never fail to thank you ! I feel so lucky to have you all in my life. I love you all !
And now, about this chapter...
A LOT is happening, in 2005 and in 2015... I hope you'll like it ... ;) And, the reunion is coming soon, so be ready for some OQ feels ! haha
Chapter 10 :
-2005-
Regina was sat in the living rom, thinking about how perfect her life was...
Robin had told her he loved her.
He had actually told her that he loved her.
She chuckled happily thinking about it...
She had texted Madelyn right away to tell her the news and her bestfriend had been ecstatic while not really surprised.
It was the first time that she admitted it to herself, but Regina could really see a future with Robin.
A real future.
"Are you alright?" asked a voice and she looked up, finding Ana looking at her with a smile.
"Never better." she answered, smiling brightly.
"You really do love my brother, don't you?"
"I do." she admitted shyly, "More than anything."
Ana smiled brightly and sat by her side, squeezing her hand tightly.
"I am just so glad Robin has someone like you in his life..."
What they didn't see was Robin spying on them on the other side of the door. He had this huge smile that couldn't leave his face since Regina had told him she loved him, too. He was so happy and he knew she was the one for him.
Could actually picture what a life with Regina would feel like.
"Robin?" asked a voice and he looked up, found his mother looking at him while frowning slightly. "Can I talk to you for a second?"
He nodded.
"Of course, mum."
He looked one last time toward Regina and then followed his mother to the kitchen, and he could see she looked unsure.
"Mum? What is it?"
"It's about Regina."
"She is amazing, isn't she?" he asked, smiling stupidly.
She frowned slightly.
"Robin..." she took a deep breath. "Please don't rush into something without thinking things through."
And just like that,
His heart stopped.
"What?" he breathed.
"I just mean ... I mean that Regina seems like a decent woman, but-"
"But what?" and now he was getting angry.
How dared she?
He knew she was not happy with him bringing Regina, he would have been blind not to see it.
She barely talked to her.
She refused to even look at her.
She was always looking at her like she was uninvited in her house.
Like she wasn't good enough.
And Robin was the one comforting Regina night after night, holding her so close to him while trying to soothe her worries, tell her that -no, his mother didn't hate her, she was just tired, just shy, just careful...
But he knew the truth.
His mother was doing her very best to show the world that she wasn't happy with his choice...
But he couldn't care less.
And he had ignored her.
But now that?
How dared she.
"Robin, I just... I just don't see a future for you two. She is not the right woman for you, in so many aspects. I think you need someone more like Marian was and we both now Regina is nothing like Marian."
His eyes widened.
His heart stopped.
"Tell me that you're kidding me." he breathed and her eyes widened at the coldness in his voice.
"Robin-"
"How dare you?" he said, trying not to get too loud because he didn't want Regina to hear that. "You don't even know her!"
"I have seen enough."
"You judged her the moment she entered that house!"
"My house."
Her eyes widened when she realized what she just said.
"Robin..."
"Fine."
"No, that's not..."
"We can leave if that's what you want."
"Robin-"
"But if I leave, mum." he was glaring at her. "There is no telling when you'll see me again." and he left the kitchen, slamming the door behind him.
Regina heard the door slam and when she looked up, Robin was leaving the house and she could feel the anger radiating off him. She frowned slightly and started to get up before remembering Ana,
"Go." breathed the girl, "He needs you."
Regina smiled and then ran out, to Robin.
Always to him.
Ana frowned and then got up, walking to the kitchen and finding her mother nursing a glass of wine.
"What did you do, this time?"
Paige jumped.
"Only what I think was right for my son."
Ana shook her head, frowning.
"Mum, he loves her. He really, really loves her. Bloody hell, a blind man could see it!" Paige opened the mouth to speak but she cut her, "I know you don't like Regina, but why? Because she is an American and you've always secretely hoped that he would settle for an English woman and come back to us? This is not gonna happen. And let me tell you somethign? You'll only end in pushing him further away..."
And then she left.
"Robin!" called Regina but he didn't stop and walked further into the garden. "Robin, wait!"
She caught his arm and he stopped at least. When she faced him, he was livid and she could see the anger in his face and eyes.
"Please, Regina-" he tried but she shook her head and cupped his cheeks, bringing his mouth to hers and kissing him tenderly, trying to erase his anger and replace it with her love.
When they receded, they were both a bit breathless and his hands fall on her waist.
"I needed that." he breathed sadly, and she frowned, receded until brown eyes met blue.
"What is it, my love?" she breathed.
Robin shook his head,
"Nothing that's worth mentionning."
"Please, tell me."
Robin looked at her, and then he put his hand on top of hers on his face. He couldn't tell her that. He couldn't tell her that his mother was judging her... It would hurt her and God, he couldn't do that. He loved her too how could he lie to her?
"My mother is being a bitch." he finally admitted and saw her pale.
"Oh." she breathed and her hands fall from his face, but Robin hurried to take them again, and brought them to his chest.
"She said awful things, and things that aren't true."
"What did she say?"
Robin sighed.
"It doesn't matter. Bullshits, if you ask me."
"She doesn't like me, does she?"
"I don't care, Regina. And you shouldn't."
"Please, tell me what she said..."
He didn't know if he should tell her, but he knew his mother and she was capable of telling it herself, so he needed to be the one to tell her.
At least this way he could try to protect her.
Tell her how much he didn't care.
Remind her how much he loved her.
"Please, keep in mind that I don't care about a bloody word she says."
"Tell me."
"That I love you and what my mother thinks is of no importance."
"Robin."
He sighed.
"She said that she couldn't see a future for us because you weren't the right woman for me. She compared you to bloody Marian..." a tear rolled down her cheek. "I think that in her bloody stupid mind, you're not good enough..."Hey!" he breathed but she avoided his eyes. "Regina, this is not what I think!"
He saw another tear rolled down her cheek and God, how angry he was at his mother!
"She is your mother..."
"Regina-"
Regina escaped his hold and he could see how upset she was,
"I just need some air." she breathed and then she was out of his arms, walking alone along the road.
"Bloody hell." he whispered, unable to make her stay.
And then...
Anger.
White, hot anger as he rushed inside his house and found his mother in the living room with his father and siblings.
"Robin?" asked Robert, frowning slightly at the state of his son.
"You." he said angrily at her mother and her eyes widened. "How dare you? How dare you say such things about Regina? She has done nothing to you!"
Paige opened the mouth, but her husband frowned.
"Paige, what is he talking about?"
"I just-"
"She just told me that Regina wasn't the right woman for me! She said I should be with someone like dear old bloody Marian! " shouted Robin and now he was plain furious. "That she wasn't good enough for me. "
"That's not-"
"That's what you meant!"
"Tell me you did no such things." said her husband and she looked down a few seconds.
"But Robert... I am his mother and this is my job to-"
"And you have to start supporting him, Paige!" said Robert and Ana nodded.
"But he is making a mistake!"
"You don't know that!" shouted Robin and she jumped. "Regina isn't a mistake! She isn't a mistake! She is the woman I love and the woman I hope to marry one day." everyone gasped. "And I don't care what you think, or say." he ended and now he was breathless.
"Robin-" tried once again Paige but then they heard a knock at the door and when Robin turned around, Regina was there, eyes red and slightly swollen.
"Regina..." he breathed and hurried to go by her side, ready to take her in his arms but she raised a hand to stop him and his heart stopped.
"Can I talk to you for a second?" she asked and he nodded, before following her.
He barely heard the voice of his parents arguing again before closing the door behind him.
Regina ran a trembling hand through her hair and then turned around and what she saw broke her heart further. Robin was there, eyes red and wide, looking as heartbroken as she was sure she did. He tried to take a step closer to her, but she stopped him and saw the hurt in his face.
But she wouldn't be able to do what she came for if he touched her.
How did things turned out to be so wrong?
She was so happy barely an hour ago...
But she knew what it was to not get along with your family ( she knew it all too well, actually. The pain, the loneliness... Christmas time, birthday time... This was a living hell. And she knew what she was talking about from experience) She just wouldn't let that happen to Robin.
She loved him too much for that.
She knew how close he was to his family, he talked about them all the time and she knew how precious their bonds were to him. She wouldn't be the one to ruin that.
No matter what it cost her...
"Regina..." he started.
Robin could see something was wrong. All he wanted was to hold her in his arms and swore that he didn't care about what his mother said and that he loved her, and he knew she loved him so what else mattered?
"Robin." she said again and then took a deep breath. "You know I never wanted to come between you and your family."
"That's not-"
"I do not wish you to be in bad terms with your mother because of me." she looked down and he tried to take her hand but she removed it softly and now, he was terrified.
Absolutely terrified.
"Regina, this is not you-"
"I know what it is to be on conflict with your family. Do you want to know the last time I spoke to my mother? Or my father? They were once everything to me, and now there is nothing left and I know this is something I will never move on from. I don't wish that for you, and certainly not because of me."
His heart stopped.
"What are you saying?"
She looked up and he saw tears leaving her eyes.
"I think that's best if I go back home, tonight."
"Home?" he asked, voice breaking.
"I am going back to New York."
"No..." his voice broke again and a tear escaped his eye. "Or at least, let me come with you. I want to come with you. "
She shook her head and then cupped his cheek and he leant into her hand, kissing it tenderly.
"I think it's best if you don't." she whispered, voice so low because it was breaking her heart. "We'll see what to do when you come home..."
His heart stopped and crushed.
"I don't want to lose you." he said and blue eyes were wide with panic as he laid his hand on top of hers. "I can't, Regina."
"I don't want to either." she admitted and a few tears left her eyes, but then she took a deep breath, "But I also don't want you to lose your family over me. Because Family is what matters the most at the end of the day, Robin."
He shook his head.
"You are what matter the most to me. You are my family. And one day, we'll make it bigger and bigger... But I need you."
Another tear rolled down her cheek.
"Please, don't try to hold me back, it would only make things worst."
And then she turned around and left, and all he could do was hold onto her fingers until he had to let go...
He came back into the living room and everyone gasped at seeing him. He was pale, red-eyed and looking utterly heartbroken.
"Robin..." tried Ana, running to him and she could see her eyes were red, too.
"Have you heard?" he breathed and she nodded, squeezed his hand but he couldn't feel it.
All he could feel was the horrible pain in his heart.
All he could see now, was how someone had taken from them the future he had been able to see not an hour ago... He looked up at his mother, and she was pale.
"She is leaving me. Happy, now?"
"Robin, that's not-"
"Let me tell you something, I swear to God that if I lose her, you will lose me." And with that he ran upstairs, trying one more time to hold back the woman of his life.
"What the bloody hell have you done to these kids, Paige." only said Robert, eyes dark with anger.
-2015-
Regina was sat on the couch, Roland speaking joyously beside and her and Robin on the other couch, looking at them with a stare she couldn't quite read.
This shouldn't feel so right.
It should feel weird.
It should make her want to leave and never return.
"You're pretty!" smiled the child and she chocked on her beer, making Robin chuckled and she only glared at him.
"Thank you, Roland. That's really nice of you."
"Papa told me you were pretty." he shrugged and now, it was Robin's turn to choke on his beer.
"Oh he did, didn't he?"
He gave her a sheepish smile, cheeks a bit red and she couldn't help the smile on her face.
"Do you want to see my monkey?" asked Roland and she smiled softly, "Daddy gave it to me when I was a baby, and now, it protects me."
"I would like to see it."
Roland giggled happily and then ran to his room, leaving the two adults together.
"So..." she couldn't resist it. Blame the beer for that. "I'm pretty, then?"
Robin's eyes widened, but then there was this light in his eyes that she knew so well.
(They were playing a dangerous game)
"I have no idea where he went searching for that..."
"Children have such a wild imagination." she hummed, siping her beer.
He smiled, and his eyes were shining with something she'd rather not name.
"I wouldn't have used pretty, anyway."
"Oh." she smirked, raising a eyebrow. "What would you have said, then?"
He pretended to think about it,
"More like ... stunning."
She could feel her cheeks heat under the praise and was rather relieved to hear Roland come back with a stuffed monkey under his arms. Robin looked a bit too happy with himself and she secretly made a note to make him pay later for that.
"What's his name?" she asked the boy,
He frowned.
"Monkey."
Regina laughed at that and ruffled his hair.
"You're cute, you know that?"
"Like my daddy?" he smiled, and she could hear Robin's chuckles.
Regina leant in, and then whispered loudly so that Robin could hear.
"A lot more than your daddy." she said, "But don't tell him I said that.." Roland laughed at that and then ran to his father.
"Regina thinks that I am cuter than you!" he smiled brightly and Robin feigned to be offended.
"What?"
"That's what she said."
"Did you?"
Regine pretended to sigh loudly and the looked at Roland, winking.
"I did. Your son is quite the charmer..."
Robin bit his lip and no, he shouldn't be doing that.
It shouldn't make her feel ... things.
Forbidden things.
Forgotten things.
Things she vowed to herself never to feel again.
Regina's heart stopped.
What was she doing?
God, she needed to get out.
She looked at her watch and realized it was way over an hour since she was there. So she cleared her throat and tried a smile but she knew it didn't quite reach her eyes, for Robin frowned slightly.
"I should get going." she said, trying to regain a composure.
"Oh, no!" pouted Roland and she smiled at him, knelt so she was at his level.
"We will see each other again, young man. I promise."
The boy nodded happily, smiling brightly. Regina got up and forced herself to look at Robin in the eyes, blue eyes that seemed disapointed suddenly.
"Regina..."
"No need to walk me to the door." She cut him, and he sighed. "Thanks for the invitation."
He smiled sadly.
"Anytime."
And then she was out.
What the hell was she thinking?
Flirting with Robin?
That was on top position of her Don't do list !
She ran a hand through her hair.
Oh God.
Robin ran a hand through his hair and groaned.
Great.
Flirting with Regina while they were still trying to mend their friendship ...
What a perfectly stupid idea!
"Are you ok, daddy?"
Robin smiled at his boy, and took a deep breath.
"I am. Did you like Regina?"
"Yes!" screamed the boy and Robin smiled, not that he had ever doubted it.
And not that he knew what to do with that information...
Not that he knew what to do at all.
Regina came home and right away, her cat purred at her ankle.
"Hey there, baby." she breathed, leaning in to stroke him. "You've missed me, haven't you?"
She smiled and a few minutes later, she was settled in her couch with a glass of wine and her cat purring loudly on her knees.
"What the fuck am I doing?" she breathed to no one else but herself as she siped her red wine. Then, suddenly, her phone buzzed and she frowned when she saw that she had a Facebook notice. She opened it and then her eyes widened. "No way..." she only breathed.
It couldn't be.
God, how long has it been since high school?
At least 15 years?
She looked at her screen again, at the smiling face of the man who had sent her an invitation to become friends...
He had not changed one bit.
"Daniel Colter..." she breathed, before hitting the "Agreed" button.
This should be interesting.
-2005-
Robin ran upstairs and to their room, but when he tried to open the door, it was locked.
"Regina..." he pleaded, knocking at the door. "It's me, my love. Please, open the door. We can talk it through. I am sure of it. I know it. We're stronger than that.. I love you." his voice broke and he laid his forehead on the door.
"Please, Robin." came her voice and he got up, "Please let me go."
And that broke his heart more than he thought possible.
Downstairs, things were electric.
"How could you do that?" asked Robert loudly and Paige's eyes were wide and lost.
"I didn't mean-"
"For God's sake, Paige! Are you happy, now? Have you seen our boy?"
She looked down.
"I am doing it for him."
"But have you noticed how happy he was until now?" asked Ana, voice cold. "He was so happy, mum. I think I have never seen him that happy before..."
Paige closed her eyes for a few seconds.
"Does that mean that hot-American-brunette is free, then?" smirked Paul and his sister hit him loudly on the chest. "Ouch!"
"I don't see anything funny, Paul." only said their father and the young man groaned.
"Just kidding."
"Now, you have to make it right." Paige's eyes locked onto her husband's. "Because I am not losing my son because you tried to interfere with his life."
She opened the mouth, but then closed it.
She had gone too far, and she knew it.
She just wanted so badly for Robin to leave with them again...
She just missed him so much.
She had always dreamt he would fall in love with an English girl, marry her, come back by their sides.
But she had seen the way he acted around Regina the moment they came into the house, and she had realized that him coming back would never happen.
She had realized Robin would never come back to her, if Regina was still in his life.
So she had acted.
Robin tried to knock again and again,
"Please, Regina. Let me in... Please. I can't lose you. I don't want to.. Please..."
Paige took a deep breath and started to climb the stairs, when she did, she heard someone pleading and her heart stopped when she glimpsed her son at the door, trying desperately to get in.
"Please, my love." she heard him say. "Please, we just have to talk. I love you, I know that you love me too, so what else matters? It's just you, Regina. It's you and it will always be you. I can never love another... Please, you can't leave me."
She couldn't do that.
She couldn't face his pain.
So she ran away, back to the living room.
Regina was on the other side of the room, a hand on her mouth to stiffle her sobs.
Her things were packed and she was just waiting for the taxi, who should be there by ten minutes, but Robin was still trying to get her to open the door, and her heart was breaking in her chest, again and again.
"I love you. I love you and I don't care what my mother thinks! " then he paused and added in a voice so sure... "She's not the one I want to make my life with, you are."
Her heart stopped.
Had he said...
Regina got up and wiped her cheeks, took a deep breath and then opened the door...
He was there, blond hair disheveled, blue eyes wide and panicked, and she could see he looked heartbroken and desperate.
"Regina..." he whispered.
"So?" asked her husband when she got back. "Have you made it right?"
She shook her head.
"I can't."
"What? But mum-"
"It's too late." she breathed and looked down.
"You will regret this, Paige. This is breaking Robin's heart and I know that it must be breaking yours just like it is breaking mine."
She closed her eyes tighter.
Too proud to back down.
She would regret it and she knew it.
But it was too late.
They were facing each other and Robin's panicked eyes caught sight of her things, all packed. This seemed to shook him as he took a step to her, she took a step back but he was stubborn and cupped her cheeks, hands trembling slightly.
"Don't do that." he breathed and she closed her eyes for a few seconds, "I know why you're doing it, Regina. I know you think I couldn't live without talking to my family, but I could. I can. They'll come around and they'll always come back. But I can't live without you. I can't live knowing you won't come back to me." he breathed fervently and she shivered, "I swear to God that I can't."
She opened the mouth to answer, but he cut her by claiming her lips tenderly. She gasped and he deepened the kiss, savouring the taste of her and Regina lost herself in the kiss...
Until the cab honked and they both jumped. She was still dizzy from the kiss, but she receded from Robin and grabbed her things.
"We can talk about it when you're in New York."
He shook his head and caught her arm.
"I want to come with you."
"No, please."
"Then promise me that I would not be too late if I come back later?"
She didn't answer.
"Regina..." he breathed and then, because he couldn't help it, he took her in his arms and she buried her face in his chest. "Don't do that. Don't make me do that. I am begging you."
She bit her lip to stop a sob and then escaped his arms,
"Merry Christmas, Robin." she breathed before walking out of the room.
Regina took a deep breath and then came into the living room, when he saw her, Robert jumped and almost ran to her.
"Please, Regina, we are so sorry for the way you were treated, but please don't make Robin pay for our mistakes."
She smiled sadly and then said,
"I want to thank you for welcoming me into your house." her opened the mouth but she cut him, turning toward Paige. "I understand your point of view and I never wanted to come between Robin and you." her voice broke and she cleared her throat, "Goodbye."
But when she turned around, Robin was blocking the way out and his blue eyes desperate as they locked onto them.
"Please, Robin." she breathed but he shook his head.
"I love you." he said, "I love you and I don't want you to leave me. Please, Regina. I know you love me, too."
"I do." she breathed, "So very much. And that's why I have to go."
She went on tiptoes and kissed his cheek tenderly before pushing him slightly and leaving toward the cab.
Leaving Robin behind.
With her heart.
So... Please don't hate me ! haha
I remind you that I love you all ;)