Nearly a year after the epilogue, Regina "meets" Marian.

"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Regina curses, pulling the pie from the oven.

The intricate heart design has turned to charcoal with the rich blueberry and chocolate filling oozing from every angle. She tosses the pie onto the counter and throws her gingham oven mitts to the floor, kicking the oven closed. Another fuck escapes her lips as pain runs through her foot.

"Well, that's one way to make a pie," Mal quips from the doorway.

Regina blows a loose strand of hair from her face, turning to face her smug best friend. She rolls her eyes. "That's the third pie I've burned today. Our profit margins are going to be shit."

"You'll be fine," Mal says, wiping her hands on the smock of her uniform. "It's three pies out of how many? Plus, we did really well yesterday with the Braun graduation party."

"I can't afford to make these mistakes, Malina. This is my diner now and I could very easily run it into the ground!"

Mal raise a perfectly tweezed eyebrow before leaning back towards the doorway to the diner. "Remy," she calls out. "You need to finish the rest of the pies."

Regina sighs. "Mal, no, I've got this…"

Mal holds up a hand. "Hush," she says. "You go to your office and sit down, I'll be right there."

"But…"

"Now, Regina."

Regina eyes her friend up and down for a moment before letting out another, albeit more frustrated, sigh. "Fine."

She limps out of the kitchen and back towards her office. It's more organized than it was when Granny was alive. She rarely came into the diner at that point and left all the administrative stuff to Killian. While he was great with making sure everyone was paid and the bills sent in on time, he barely had any system. Though he claimed there was a method to his madness, it drove Regina crazy. She didn't take much from her mother's way of doing things, but one was that if you wanted a clear mind, you needed a clear space. There were new filing cabinets and a color-coded system that Mary Margaret helped her put into place. She found a white desk at a yard sale and Ruby's reopening gift to her had been an overstuffed black arm chair with wheels to go behind it. Pictures of Henry, Mal, Mary Margaret and the rest of the family she created line he walls, along with some of Henry's artwork. Now that he's in pre-school, things have been a little easier.

Regina drops into the seat behind her desk and checks up on a few e-mails. Pajama day at Henry's school is next Friday, followed by teacher appreciation week. She needs to find a gift for that. There's the BBQ at Mary Margaret and David's to celebrate little Neal's birthday, another thing she needs to shop for. The calendar app dings, reminding her of the dinner she has on Thursday night, what's probably bringing her the most stress right now.

Mal enters the office holding a bottle of Tito's with two small glasses. She shuts Regina's laptop, ignoring her protests as she moves it out of the way. Mal pours out the drinks and settles into the chair in front of the desk, lifting her glass.

"Cheers."

Regina reluctantly takes a small sip. "We're on the clock, you know."

"You're the boss, I'm the manager. I think we'll be fine." A large gulp pours down Mal's throat. "Now, what's going on? Why are you burning pies?"

"I guess my mind was just in ten million different places today," Regina says. "I have to finish up the payroll and then get to work on the special menu for the Harris graduation, I fucking hate graduation season, you know? It brings in a decent amount of change but they're so much work."

"That's nothing new though," Mal says, unfazed. "You always have a lot to do, especially as a mom. And yet, your pies are normally fine."

"Everyone has bad days."

"Regina."

She sighs, massaging her temples. Dammit, she's got a migraine coming on. "How long have we known each other?"

"Too damn long, now spill."

Regina downs the rest of her drink, taking in a newer picture on the wall. Roland and Henry in pastel polo shirts paired with khaki pants. Regina and Robin behind them in their own Sunday best. Their first holiday spent with the four of them since Regina and Robin began dating for real. It was only their second official time meeting each other's kids. The boys got along great, Roland was so patient and kind towards Henry. Robin created an Easter egg hunt for the boys complete with a treasure map. Henry hadn't been able to stop talking about it for days as he munched on all the candy he received.

"I'm having dinner with Robin, Marian and her fiancé on Thursday."

Mal lets out a low whistle. "Oh."

"Yeah." Regina goes back to rubbing her temples. "We haven't met, not officially. I doubt she even remembers how she helped me the day Henry was born."

"And she doesn't know that you…"

"No. Robin and I discussed it and we don't see what good it would do. It was nearly 4 years ago, we waited until the two had been divorced for awhile before we even saw each other again. And yet…I feel so damn guilty."

"He was the one that was married. You owed her nothing."

"That's not true," Regina says, pouring herself another glass. "Yes, he took vows but I knew she wasn't an evil or horrible person. I knew she was kind and hardworking. And yet, I hurt her."

"Robin chose to tell her the truth."

"I think that was the right thing. Sure, he could leave her and just let it go, but she deserved the truth. We both handled things horribly."

"And like you said, it's been almost 4 years since you were together. When did they get a divorce?"

Regina frowns. "Nearly 3 years ago."

"How are they now?"

"Better. Things are still strained but they try, you know? For Roland's sake? Still, if she figures it out, it could set everything back. What if she doesn't want me around Roland? Of course Robin is going to pick his son, I would never want him to do otherwise. But we're finally happy, in a good place and I just…"

"Regina," Mal interrupts. "Deep breaths."

"Mal…"

"I'm serious. Deep breath in, deep breath out."

Regina sucks back a deep breath, slowly letting it out. She repeats the process a few more times, her joints slowly relaxing. Mal keeps a watchful, kind gaze on her. Regina shuts her eyes, shifting a bit to become comfortable. When she opens them once more, Mal's hand is atop of hers.

"Marian isn't going to figure it out," she says. "If she does, you and Robin will work it out. A lot has changed. Marian herself is getting married, right?"

Regina nods. "Yeah."

"So, she's happy. She's not going to have the energy to break the two of you up."

"I'm still nervous," Regina whispers. "I love Robin, so much. We've finally found a way to be happy, the right way, you know? No sneaking around, going on dates and meeting the boys officially. We have a chance to be a family and I don't want to ruin that."

"You won't. No matter what happens, you two will face this together."

Regina nods, knowing that much is true. A few years ago, they had to handle their problems with their respective spouses alone. Outside Robin beating up Jefferson, the two never interacted. Had Marian not found her on the side of the road, Regina wouldn't have sought her out. They were in love back then, but they struggled with their marriages alone.

They're not alone anymore. They have each other. She just has to hope that's enough.


Regin runs her sweaty palm down her navy-blue blouse and black pencil skirt. Over the years, she's cut her hair to chin length. It's so much when it comes to baking along with motherhood. As a baby, Henry loved to attempt to bald her. There are times she misses her long locks, but has found the shorter bob suits her.

Robin slides his hand through hers, squeezing it. "You doing okay?"

"Trying," she admits. "It's hard to not be nervous."

"She's going to love you."

Regina nods, wanting to believe it. "Are you sure she really has no idea who I am?"

"I mentioned your name. Marian is a terrible poker player, if she knew, I would. This isn't an attack mission. She really just wants to see who's around her son."

Regina lets out a slow breath. "I made a pie for dessert."

Robin chuckles, pulling her into his arms. "Oh? What kind?"

She snuggles against him. "Well, I had to debate, what's the right pie to make for meeting your boyfriend's ex. Finally just landed on strawberry rhubarb, Roland mentioned it was her favorite."

"Aye." Robin softly kisses her. "You didn't have to get all dressed up for this."

Regina shrugs, nuzzling her face against his. "Don't get many opportunities these days." She sighs. "I just hope everything goes well at the diner. We're getting busier these days with the colleges letting out and the other schools coming to a close. Killian had to take Bailey to his freshman orientation so Mal is alone…"

"She'll be fine, she's ran the diner before plus you have a full staff tonight." Robin strokes her cheek. "And she knows that if anything, she can call Mary Margaret for back-up."

"That's true."

Even though Mary Margaret has turned to teaching, she'll come back to the diner when needed. Especially in the summer when she's off and the kids are spending time with Ruth. She loves throwing on the apron and getting to serve people for the day. It's nice to work like old times, with Killian making the same quips as always. Even if it was for the best that Mary Margaret went back to school, there are times Regina misses the way things used to be. She knows that eventually, Mal will leave her too. With the support of Lily and Killian, she went back to school and has started her communications degree. There's still two years before that's a reality but Regina is not looking forward to the day that she has to find her replacement. At least Killian has no plans of going anywhere.

Regina kisses Robin once more, allowing herself to fall into him. For a moment, they're not in his house, she's transported back to their first "date" in the Heights. The cornucopia of spices from Tiana's truck, the brass instruments floating melodically from the band. Only this time, he hasn't had the po' boy and his breath tastes of the spearmint gum he chewed 15 minutes before.

"Gross! Henry, I told you they might be kissing!"

Robin chuckles against her lips as a snort escapes her nostrils. Her lips pulls away from his own, still keeping her grip on him. They turn to find their sons, Roland's nose turned up and his eyes bugging out of his head. Henry copies him, though Regina isn't sure if he's really disgusted or is acting that way because his friend told him he should be.

"What's up, boys?" Robin asks.

"Henry wanted…" Robin fixes him a look and Roland sighs. "Henry and I wanted to know if we could have some of those moon pies Regina made last night."

"No," Robin and Regina say at the same time. The boys' faces fall. "Dinner's in a half hour," Regina adds. "Your mom and Mulan will be here soon. If you're hungry and want a snack, I'll cut up apples for you." Roland pouts. "I know you don't like the pie I made, so the moon pies are for dessert."

Roland lets out a loud dramatic sigh, which Henry copies. "Okay," he says.

Regina chuckles, shaking her head. "Okay." She holds out two hands, one of which Henry instantly takes.

"Red apples, Mama," he says. "Not green."

"Of course."

Roland takes her other hand and she leads them back into the kitchen with Robin following behind. Regina helps Henry sit at the island with Roland sliding into the seat beside him. Regina plucks two apples from the fruit bowl on the counter and rinses them off.

"What's for dinner?" Henry asks.

"Lemon chicken, asparagus and pasta."

Without a second thought, Regina finds a cutting board and knife. She and Henry have spent a lot of time at Robin's house over the past few months, something he and Robin hope to make more permanent before the new school year begins. It's partially why it's so important she meets Marian. She begins chopping up the apples.

"And you know when your mom is here, the same rules apply," Robin says, giving his son a Look. "I know you get excited Roland, but she'll tell you to behave just as much as I do."

"I know, Papa," Roland chirps, his eyes intent on the apples Regina's are cutting.

"When dinner is done, there's probably going to be a lot of boring grown-up talk," Regina says. "So, I went to the video store and got you guys a DVD. You can watch it in Robin's room until we're done."

Roland and Henry cheer. Regina grins and divvies the apples into small colorful plastic bowls, handing them over.

"You can bring these into the den, finish watching your show."

"Thank you, Mama," Henry says at the same time Roland goes "Thanks, Regina."

She watches them scamper out of the room, popping a leftover apple slice into her mouth allowing the soft fruit to mush against her teeth.

"You're good with him," Robin muses.

"It's no different than how you are with Henry," Regina shrugs. "I love him, you know? Roland, I mean. He's a great kid."

"He is, when he's not being sassy."

Regina chuckles. "And where do you think he gets that from?"

"His mother," Robin deadpans, totally.

Regina rolls her eyes and cleans up the apple mess before moving to the oven. "Whatever you say, darling." She's halfway through checking on her dish when Robin pinches her ass. "I could've burnt myself," she chides, turning back to face him.

"I'd gladly ice that for you," Robin smirks.

Regina pecks his lips. "Be as cheeky as you want, the boy are likely to fall asleep in your bed tonight. Fun will have to wait for Mal and Killian taking them to the carnival tomorrow." Robin pouts and she laughs. "Worse than the boys."


Regina had forgotten how beautiful Marian was. Her natural curls spring down her back that night, her built skinny arms holding a bottle of wine. Mulan is gorgeous as well with a smile that lights up the dark entry way as Robin gives them each a hug. A small diamond on a silver band sits on Marian's left ring finger while Mulan has a plain silver ring on her own. Marian turn to Regina, tilting her head.

"You look a little familiar," she muses. "I didn't care for your baby, did I?"

Regina shakes her head, the sweat gathering in her palms once more. "Um, no. But you did save me from giving birth on the side of the road."

It takes a few moments before recognition falls over Marian's face. "Oh my God, you're Regina, Regina!" She beams. "How are you? How's the baby?"

A bit of Regina's anxiety marginally melts away. "He's good, almost 4 now."

"What's all of this?" Mulan asks.

"I told you about this. A few years ago, I was heading to work when I found Regina here sitting on the sidewalk in labor. I took her to the hospital."

Mulan raises an eyebrow, smiling. "That's her favorite party story."

Regina nervously matches her smile. "Oh, I didn't realize it was that exciting."

"Of course it is, I'm still shocked you trusted me," Marian chuckles. "I could've been a serial killer."

"I was in labor, I don't think it'd matter so long as I got to deliver anywhere that wasn't a sewer like Pennywise the clown."

Even Robin laughs at that. Marian passes the wine to him before throwing an arm around Regina.

"I think I like this one, Robin," she says.

It's a sentence that should ease Regina but only adds to her guilt.


The wine settles Regina's stomach a bit. She's able to eat most of her dinner and even has a slice of pie. Regina tells Marian and Mulan about her diner, which they vow to try out sometime. The two explain how they met shortly after Regina and Robin separated, joking that they were they very definition of the trope "they were roommates". It took a good year for them to finally admit their feelings for one another. Robin slides his hand through Regina's under the table at that admission. The boys chime in here and there. Marian is patient as Henry goes on through a rambling tale about a bird he saw at the playground at school the week before. Mulan keeps pouring the wine and Regina accepts each glass, trying to silence the guilt mounting over her.

Once a third of the pie is gone and the moon pies are devoured, Henry and Roland head up to Robin's room to watch the Disney movie Regina rented. The adults head into the living room with more wine and the rest of the pie.

"How did you two meet?" Mulan asks after Regina puts on some Frank Sinatra for ambiance. "I can't believe I didn't think to ask."

Regina stiffens, moving her finger against the glass. "Oh um, well, I was a patient of Dr. Ryan's. We would see each other there occasionally."

"I thought Dr. Ryan retired?"

"This was back when I was pregnant," Regina clarifies. "We talked some but didn't really connect until almost a year ago when Robin brought Roland into my diner. He asked me out and the rest is history."

It's not a lie, but it withholds so much of the truth. Luckily for her, Marian and Mulan seem to buy it. Robin laces his fingers through hers.

"This has been a lot of fun," Marian says. "And I think it's good for Roland to see all of us get along."

"I agree," Robin replies. "I know things were tense when we first separated." He bites his lip. "But I want him to see that things are better now."

Marian nods. "It's just nice to be able to sit in the same room without wanting to rip your head off." Regina cringes and Marian must have taken notice, because she clears her throat. "I don't know how much Robin has told you about our divorce."

"Quite a bit," Regina mumbles into her wine glass.

"It wasn't pretty. And there was a lot of anger there but now…I just want to…"

Marian trails off, looking between the two of them. She frowns for a moment and Regina's heart beat picks up.

"Regina, are you alright? You look pale."

Regina quickly sets her glass down. "I'm fine. Probably just too much to drink."

"Are you sure? Because you've seemed a little off all night."

"Marian." Robin tightens his grip on Regina. "She said she's fine."

Mulan pats her fiancé's arm. "The pie you made was delicious, Regina. Do you make all of them in your diner?"

Regina nods, trying to ignore the hole Marian is drilling into her head. "We serve 25 regular pies every day and then I always make one or two special ones."

"Like what?"

"Oh, whatever strikes my mood. I have one that I created with my father when I was a little girl, peppermint. There's the coffee cream delight I whipped up when Henry was a baby and couldn't sleep." She manages a chuckle there. "Oh, and then of course the one that won me the blue ribbon at the pie competition. Robin helped me create that one, actually. Chocolate and bacon. Oh, plus I do this thing with lime…"

"Wait," Marian interrupts. "At dinner you said you won the pie thingy when Henry was 1."

Regina nods. "I did."

"But you and Robin only started dating a year ago."

Robin's fingernails dig into her palm. Tears pool Regina's eyes as the anxiety creeps up her throat. Recognition fills Mulan's eyes as she wraps an arm around Marian's forearm.

"Marian, baby, maybe we should go say goodbye to Roland and get going, huh? It's getting late."

"It was you," Marian whispers.

Robin sighs, dread filling his blue eyes. "Marian."

"It was you," she repeats, her eyes locking directly with Regina's. "Wasn't it?"

"Babe, c'mon," Mulan says. "We really should…"

Marian pulls away from her. "One of you answer me."

"I'm sorry," Regina breathes. "I just…I'm so sorry."

Marian's mouth drops open. "Oh my God. Oh…oh my God!"

Robin flinches. "Marian, please…"

"You really did this?" Marian jumps from the couch, Mulan following suit. "You really invited me over to play nice with your mistress?"

Robin's fingers slip from Regina's grasp as he rises to his feet. "She's not my mistress."

"Oh, not anymore. But isn't that what she was a few years ago when we were married?"

"Marian, please, this isn't what I wanted. You have to believe me…"

"Why should I? It was enough for you to cheat on me. A part of me was always glad you'd never say who she was. I didn't want to know. I wanted to be able to look you in the eye, to believe that it was over."

"And it was. We really did only start dating a year ago. Things are just complicated."

"I'm just supposed to believe that?"

The whirring takes over Regina's ears. She tunes out the arguing, watching as Marian's arms fly to accent every words. The tears slowly fall down her face. She should say something, do something. Defend Robin, herself. And yet, she finds herself frozen in place. This is all happening around her and not to her, at least that's how it feels. Guilt is etched on Robin's handsome face, the tears built up in his own eyes.

"I need to get out of here," Marian's voice cuts back through to Regina. "I just…I can't. And I'm taking my son with me."

"It's my time with him!" Robin argues.

"And I'm just supposed to leave him around her? You really think I'd want to after all this?"

"You know I'd never put him in any danger!"

"How am I ever supposed to trust you again!"

Regina finds the strength in her legs to stand. "I'll leave."

Robin's fingers caress her shoulder. "Robin, no."

"Robin." Regina meets his eye. "I love you, so much. But I am not about to let you make this mistake. You two need to talk this out. Without me."

She ignores Robin's protests as she heads to the stairs, calling up for Henry. It takes a few minutes but he finally comes down. Regina ushers him to the door, grateful that the arguments in the living room have turned to hush whispers.

"I thought we were sleeping here," Henry says.

Regina shakes her head. "We were, sweetheart, but Robin needs to talk with Marian about some things."

Henry looks up at her. "Are you okay, Mommy?"

Regina forces a smile. "Yeah, my little prince, I'm fine. Let's get your shoes on, eh?"


It only takes two books for Henry to go to sleep that night. Normally, he insists on at least five but he's wiped from the sugar and fun with Roland. That only adds to Regina's guilt as she fixes her peppermint tea once he's fast asleep. She should've waited for them all to meet until she "met" Marian. Regina was naïve to think this wouldn't happen. If not during this first meeting then at some point.

There was no way she could remain in the dark forever, at one point Marian would realize. As much as Robin and Regina tried to fabricate the timeline, the holes were there. Regina put it off for as long as she could for that reason. Now that Marian knows, there's no way this relationship can continue. Of course, Marian won't want her around Roland. If the roles were reversed, would she want Jefferson's mistress around Henry?

"Jefferson wouldn't have gone after someone like you," Mary Margaret tried to tell her when Regina brought up this fear a few weeks ago.

But what does that even mean? Regina isn't a good person. She's been selfish and short-sighted, only seeing what will benefit her in the long run. There are days she doesn't feel worthy of raising Henry, let alone becoming the step-parent to Roland. God only knows how he'd feel if he ever knew the truth.

Who's to say Marian isn't telling him as she pours the hot water into the mug.

Regina settles down at the tiny kitchen table. Her phone comes to life with Robin's face as it vibrates. She quickly hits accept, holding the black device to her ear. Robin's voice washes over her with a simple hello, my love. The tears spill down her face once more.

"I'm sorry I ran out of there," she whispers. "I just…it seemed like a conversation for just you."

"I don't blame you," Robin reassures her. "Are you okay?" Regina must consider the question too long because he follows it up with, "Of course you're not. It's a stupid question?"

"And you?" Regina's fingers trace the polka dot mug. "How are you?"

"Still standing. Mulan took Roland to a friend of theirs so we could talk. Or more, fight, I guess."

Regina holds her breath. "What did she say?"

"What didn't she say? She accused me of lying about the affair ending, bringing you around Roland sooner. I told her that it wasn't true but it took a few rounds for her to finally take my word." He sighs. "Not that I blame her. Our post-divorce relationship was already built on a foundation of sand. All we needed was one big tidal wave to take us out."

She sighs, taking a long sip of her tea. "Let me guess, she doesn't want me moving in with you. Hell, she doesn't want me around Roland ever again."

"At first. But after me pleading with her for an hour, she said she wants to meet with you. Alone."

"Alone?" Regina repeats. "What, to kill me?"

"She claims she wants to talk but I told her it was ridiculous. Look, I think in time she'll calm down and then we can…"

"Robin," she interrupts. "I don't think she's going to calm down without us talking first. What else did she say?"

"She knows she can't stop us from dating but before she's comfortable with us going forward as a family, she wants to talk to you. Which like I said, is ridiculous. I'm not going to set you up to be berated."

"What if I deserve it?"

"Of course you don't."

"Robin, come on."

"I was married when we started. I was the one that agreed to all of it. It falls on me…"

"And I chose to have sex with a married man. I let myself fall in love with one."

Regina shakes her head, even though he can't see her.

"She has every right to be mad at me. I wasn't an innocent party who stumbled into this. I could've walked away but I didn't." She sighs. "I love you, Robin. I want us to have a future, all four of us. And if that means we need to meet with Marian, that's what I'm going to do."

Robin's static sigh comes through the receiver. "You're stubborn."

"Yeah, well, isn't that what you love about me?" The line is quiet. "Did I just make you smile?"

"Irrelevant." Regina manages to do so herself. "Seriously, how are you doing?"

"A little shaken up, but I'll be okay. How about you? Roland?"

"Roland is good. As far as he knows, his mom and I just needed to talk. I spoke to him. He'll be fine with the friends for tonight. Marian left about an hour ago. I've just been sitting in the living room, finishing the wine." He lets out a deep breath. "I had a feeling this would happen. Not tonight, of course, but at some point. I guess I let myself live in denial."

"That makes both of us."

"I know I deserve all the hate she has towards me. I hurt her, so much. I just want to protect you from it."

"Which is very sweet, darling, but impossible. It took the two of us to get into this situation."

She can nearly picture him nodding. "How's Henry?"

"He was a little confused but went down okay."

"Good. Roland goes back to Marian tomorrow. Can I see the two of you then?"

"Of course." Regina yawns before taking another sip of tea.

"Get some sleep, love. I'll talk to you in the morning."

"Okay," Regina whispers. "I love you."

"I love you too."


Robin and Marian make the arrangements as he doesn't want her having Regina's phone number. A week after the ill-fated dinner, Regina finds herself at a coffee shop in Hyperion Heights. The coffee is absolutely dreadful and she only needed half a bite of their raspberry pie to tell they don't make them fresh. And still, it's better than Mal and Killian spying had they met up at Granny's.

Marian sits across from her, having just ordered a Coke with lemon. Regina needs the pie, something to keep her hands busy.

"Is Henry, Robin's?"

Regina chokes on the dry crust, crumbs spurting out of her mouth. She takes a swig of the lukewarm coffee to wash it down. "Excuse me?"

"They don't look alike but…"

"No, no," Regina waves her hand as she finishes swallowing. "I was pregnant when I met Robin, we really did meet in his office. Dr. Ryan was out of town and all Robin did was confirm my pregnancy." Marian's face remains skeptical. "I was married too, at the time."

Marian's eyebrows knit together. "You were?"

Regina sighs. "Yes. To an awful, terrible man that treated me like crap. It's how I was able to justify my end of the affair. Jefferson never cared about how he treated me, so why should I care if my affair hurt him?"

"Did he ever find out?"

"I don't think so, no. I left him the day I went into labor, something I would've done regardless of Robin. Henry deserved better than a father who…"

She trails off, not wanting to make this about her. It wasn't. She hadn't spoken to Jefferson in years and if he has it her way, that won't change.

"Is that why you went after my husband?" Marian asks. "So your son could have a decent father?"

"No, it was nothing like that. I honestly couldn't see a future with Robin at the time, mostly because I couldn't see one with myself. I was drowning in a dead-end job, had no money or prospects. Robin, he was the best distraction I could've asked for. He was kind, intelligent, caring, he took me out of all my problems."

Marian nods, her tongue poking into her cheek. "He's always been a very charismatic man."

Regina takes in her pained brown eyes. She copies the breathing Mal taught her before the dinner, trying to melt her guilt.

"He never spoke poorly about you," Regina says.

Marian shakes her head. "You don't have to tell me this."

"But I do." Regina resists the urge to take Marian's hand. "This wasn't your fault, Marian."

"Wasn't it?" Her voice breaks. "If I had been the wife he needed, if I hadn't made us move…"

"No. This was a choice Robin made, one I did too." Regina shakes her head. "It was nothing you did."

Marian lets out a choked laugh. "I knew he didn't care for me the same he did when it started, but I always blamed our careers. When you're a doctor, you're married to the job. Add in that we only got married for Roland and…well, I wasn't naïve. But I didn't know things were so bad. He never came out and said it. I guess I never did either. We co-existed. I tried…but after we moved it felt like he pulled away and it was such a mystery until he told me about his affair."

"It's such a cliché, Marian, but neither of us set out to do this to hurt you," she says. "It doesn't change that we did, of course. But we were just two sad people looking for an escape…the love came later."

Marian nods. "Did you two really end things for 3 years?"

"We did. After you helped me, I realized who you were. You were real."

"I was always real."

"To me you weren't. All I could think of was myself and what I needed. I spent so long doing things for everyone else, I just wanted something for me."

Regina pushes her coffee and pie out of the way, locking eyes with Marian.

"I am so sorry, Marian. Robin is at fault here too, but I could've walked away at any time. I tried to, more than once, but I became addicted to him. His kindness, his love, it was so nice after years of being treated like crap by Jefferson. But just because I was hurt, doesn't mean I should've hurt you."

Marian purses her lips. "And yet here we are."

"I know there's nothing I can say or do to change things. But I need you to know, the person who I was 3 years ago…I'm not her anymore. Henry saved me. He showed me that I needed to be better, to make a change. So, I ended things with Robin and I didn't speak to him for 3 years. Now, we're together and I love him, so much. And I love Roland. I promise, I would never hurt him."

Marian stares at her for a few moments, drumming her fingers against the table. Regina holds her breath. Her future, the one for her and Robin's family, rests in this woman's hands. Sure, Robin could take Marian to court and fight for all of it, but Regina would never let him. His relationship with his son comes before all of this.

The first words out of Marian's mouth send Regina's heart careening into her chest. "I don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive the two of you."


Robin should finish his charting, but instead he stares at the screen saver on his laptop. Regina holding one hand over her face, another towards the camera. A tiny grin hides behind her fingers. Custard sets in a bowl in front of her, getting ready for the cake they devoured on Easter. She hadn't wanted her picture taken while she baked, claiming she was a mess. And yet, Robin would give anything to see her with mussed hair and a stained t-shirt. She was always an angel to him, even moreso when she looked less than perfect.

He loves her, dear God, he loves her. Those 3 years without her were hell. He tried to keep her out of his head, to focus on Roland and the practice. And then there were days he'd drive past the diner just to get a glimpse of her. Sometimes it'd hurt, just to get that glimpse. So, he tried. He stayed away.

Now that he had her back, his life was full once more. They had a life to look forward to. One as a blended family.

And yet a part of him could never blame Marian if she tore that all apart. He's apologized more times than he can count but it'll never be enough. His selfishness hurt her. For months following the separation, Marian walked around like a hallow shell. He only saw her like that once before, after her father passed. This time, he did it to her.

"Hey."

Robin looks up to find Marian standing there. He fumbles up from his desk. They haven't seen each other since that night. It's been her week with their son and he already anticipated Mulan handling the drop off the following evening. They had come so far since initial separation and now it feels like they're back at square one.

"I met with her," Marian says.

Robin hesitantly nods. "And?"

"She's nice," Marian admits. "She's remorseful. She comforted me. Did everything you wouldn't expect from a mistress. And yet…all I wanted to do was punch her in her pretty face." Robin's mouth opens and she holds up a hand. "I didn't, don't worry."

"Marian…"

"Please, let me finish. I don't know if I can face her. At least not for now. And yet, I know you love her. When I moved here, I kept you from being happy."

"I chose to follow you."

Marian nods. "And yet, I know you hated it. I also know that if we had stayed in New York, our marriage still would've ended. Just may have taken a few years." She sighs. "Like I said, I don't want to see her or deal with her. Our communication will stay strictly for Roland and it's you're responsibility to handle drop off and pick up. Not her."

Hope slowly rises in Robin's chest. "But?"

"I told her she could see him. You two can move in together."

Robin lets out a sigh of relief. "Oh, Marian. Thank you." He takes a step forward, ready to hug her but she takes a step back.

"I'm not ready for that."

He nods. "I understand. If I haven't said it yet, I'm sorry. For all of this. You don't deserve to have to deal with any of it."

"You're right, I don't but it's where we are. I know she makes you happy and she's good to Roland. That's all that matters for now." Marian's mouth opens then closes before she speaks once more. "I don't think we should tell him. How you two came to be. Not now and probably not ever."

"Thank you," he whispers.

"It's not for you, it's for Roland. He deserves to think highly of his father. What does knowing you cheated add to his life?" Marian shakes her head. "He's a happy boy. I don't want that to change."

"Agreed."

Marian plays with the band around her finger. "You're happy?" she asks.

"Yeah," Robin breathes. "I'm really happy."

"I am too. I don't want that to change. I've given this too much mind space over the years. I told Regina. I don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive either of you but I just want to find peace."

She exits the office without another word. The weight Robin's carried for the past week slowly evaporates. He digs through his pocket and realizes he has a missed call from Regina. Quickly, he dials her back, smiling when he hears her voice.

"Come over," she says. "Henry's still at school for a few more hours."

"I'll be right there."