Wednesday: "Best One Yet"
64. Regina hates celebrating her birthday. Robin finds out and does something special for her.
91. Robin surprises Regina with a dog/cat as a birthday gift.
120. Robin gives Regina a ring.
Today sucks. It always does. Regina hates February 1st. It's her birthday, though she'd rather forget it and move on like a regular day. But people like Mary Margret won't let that happen. She'd been interrupted at work with several texts from the annoying girl wishing her a happy birthday and asking if they were going to celebrate this week (which she promptly responded to with a definitive, No.)
Her birthday has always been a terrible day. Growing up, her mother, Cora, always threw a ball or some type of high class dinner party, always searching for the perfect suitor to take Regina off her hands. She would be forced into dresses far too tight for her teenage frame and would have to dance with every eligible man that came through the doors, no matter his age, when all she wanted was to run off with Daniel, ride through the forest and sit by the lake watching the stars in the sky.
It was horrible.
When Cora had accepted King Leopold's proposal and she'd been thrust into the spotlight as the new Queen Regina, she was at least thankful the awful birthday parties would end. No more men clamoring to dance with her and win her heart.
How wrong she'd been. The men were no longer trying to claim her heart, for in their eyes, she belonged to the King (and she did, belong to him, she had no choice but to act as if she loved the man old enough to be her father).
Leopold used her birthday as the perfect excuse to throw a ball in her honor, though each year it seemed more and more attention was bestowed upon Snow White and her sweet, innocent, disgusting, face. Her birthday celebrations were just another way for the King to fawn over his young daughter and make her the center of attention while Regina sat by herself surrounded by presents from people she didn't even know.
Once she was rid of the king and able to cast her curse, she never celebrated. Living in Storybrooke was nice, peaceful, and she never had to worry about anyone throwing her a large birthday bash.
When Henry was younger, she'd been forced to tell him when her birthday was when he asked. She could never deny her little prince anything, not even that, though she told him begrudgingly.
Henry had always tried to make her birthday special, despite knowing how much she hated it. He would laugh in amusement, under the impression that she didn't like it because it meant she was getting older, and tell her they at least had to do something. He would make her little cards at school or buy her small gifts with what little allowance money he had. It was sweet, and always brought a smile to her face. Her son was like that - always thinking of others. He was her bright spot in a dark world.
This year, however, had started off quite differently. Robin was spoiling her this morning, lavishing more attention to her than she normally accepts on this special day. Their first year together, just before the day rolled around, she had confessed to him late one night as they lay naked in bed together just why she hated her birthday so much. He'd simply placed a kiss to her bare shoulder, trailing his fingertips up her torso, over her breast, and up to her neck, causing goosebumps to cover her skin, as he promised he'd make her learn to love her birthday. And, bless him, he has tried - giving her gifts, convincing her last year to take the day off to spend with the boys, he's even mentioned taking her on a trip one year.
She'd rolled her eyes then, but she has to admit, the breakfast in bed he'd woken her with today was a nice surprise. He'd laid beside her, talking softly, as she enjoyed the pancakes and bacon he had prepared.
Regina had finished her food, gotten ready and rushed off to work after giving him a thankful kiss at the bottom of the stairs. She'd spent the whole day working, ignoring her texts from Mary Margaret, and smiling at the pictures Robin sent of Henry and Roland playing on the playground together after school.
When she'd walked into their house that night, Robin, Roland and Henry were all standing in the kitchen with a huge, homemade banner hanging above the sink, displaying the words, Happy Day!
She laughed at the wording, noticing Roland had added a teeny tiny 'birthday' in between the two larger words. Walking further into the kitchen, she made her way over to all three of them, placing kisses to her boys' cheeks and a deeper one to Robin's lips.
"Something smells amazing," she exclaims, scooping Roland up into her arms and placing him on her hip. The little boy giggles, his dimples sinking into his cheeks as he wraps his legs around her waist. Regina leans in, pretending to eat the indentions right off his face, causing him to squeal with laughter and bury his head into the crook of her neck.
"We made lasagna, Mom!" Henry calls, proudly motioning toward the pan that sits atop the oven.
She inhales deeply, telling them that it smells wonderful. Setting Roland down, she walks over to Robin, wrapping her arms around his middle.
"Hello, love," her murmurs, pressing his nose softly against hers.
She returns the gesture, a symbol of love they've created over the years, just one more way to say I love you without having to speak the words.
They'd already set the table, so all she has to do is sit down and enjoy, according to all her boys. Robin pours her a glass of wine while the boys settle at the table with glasses of water. Robin serves everyone their portion of the cheesy pasta, while Regina dishes out salad and fresh fruit for them to have.
The four of them spend the next hour and a half laughing, talking, and simply enjoying being a family. It's nice, she decides, birthday or no birthday, she loves being here with her family - wishes Robyn could've joined them, but Zelena had taken her to Oz for a few days to visit now that they'd discovered how to travel so easily between the realms, which is fine. They'll have the baby for an entire week when she gets back, and Regina can't wait. She loves having a baby in the house again. She is so thankful that all the villains that could attack their sleepy little town seem to have gone away since they defeated Hades so many months ago. Everyone finally feels safe again, and she thanks whatever god is out there that she was able to poof her and Robin from her office that horrible day.
She smiles as she takes the last bite of her food, listening to Roland chatter on about what he'd learned in school today. He was still so excited to be attending a real school, just like Henry had done his whole life. The little boy was picking up on the alphabet and reading quicker than anyone imagined, and thoroughly loved having stories read to him (usually by his big brother).
Robin takes her hand, giving it a light squeeze. She looks over, winking in his direction as they listen to Henry tell them about the colleges he's considering when school ends in May. He's already applied to a few outside of Maine, causing Regina's heart to crack, but Robin had been there to remind her that he could always come to visit no matter what college he chose.
A homemade cake, covered in sprinkles at the bottom with long candles on top is brought out, surpringing Regina once more when Roland reveals they'd baked it after school, and with a little help from Granny, had been able to cover it perfectly in Regina's favorite buttercream icing. She giggles at the young boy's elation, smiling over at Robin and Henry before taking the first bite. It was magnificent, and Regina assured them all of that fact when Henry asked her if she liked it.
After dinner, Robin runs her a warm bath, letting her relax while he and the boys clean up the kitchen. She can't complain with that, not having had to cook or clean is the best gift anyone could give her - no matter the occasion.
Once out of her bath, she changes into her comfiest pajamas and pads over to Roland and Henry's bedrooms to wish them goodnight, planting kisses to both their faces. After tucking in her sons, she makes her way to their bedroom.
A small laugh bubbles out of her throat when she turns around from shutting the door. Robin is on the bed, waiting for her in a pair of deep red boxers. He's laying on his side, head resting in the palm of one hand. Biting down on her lip, she waggles her eyebrows playfully, making her way over to the bed.
Regina runs her hand along his bicep, leaning down to kiss his lips.
Before the kiss can grow, though, Robin pulls back, swinging his legs around his side of the bed and bending down. "I got you a present," he grunts, seeming to fight with whatever gift he has stashed underneath.
Her eyebrows pinch in confusion, stating, "You didn't have to get me anything, Robin." Sighing, as he mumbles an, I know, I know, she tells him that breakfast in bed and a nice family dinner were more than enough of a birthday gift for her.
She sits back against the headboard, knowing it's no use in arguing with him. He's gotten her a gift and that's that. "Close your eyes," he tells her, and she complies, a smirk growing on her face.
Before he can tell her to open, she hears deep, panting breaths coming from something other than her boyfriend. Her eyes pop open when the top of her hand gets licked, and she looks down to see a tiny, gray pitbull puppy with white spots on his feet, nose and underbelly. "Robin!" she squeals in excitement, sitting up straighter as the puppy roams around the bed, giving a tiny yelp of a bark in excitement.
She scoops the puppy into her arms, kissing the top of his head as she looks over to Robin. "You didn't!"
He laughs, that deep belly laughter that makes her go weak at the knees. They've been discussing getting a dog lately, ever since Roland came home from school a few months ago begging for one. Regina had to finally admit that she, too, wanted one in the house. David and Mary Margaret had adopted a dog from the shelter a year ago, and ever since then, she'd been toying with the idea. "He's adorable," she beams, holding the tiny dog up to her face.
His puppy breath wafts into her nostrils and she giggles, placing kisses all over his tiny face. She pulls back, looking more closely at the pup. "Robin, is this…." she trails off, eyes watering at she looks over at Robin once more.
He nods, confirming, "It's the one just born at the shelter two months ago." There'd been a pregnant pitbull at the animal shelter where Robin works, and she'd given birth to a litter of adorable puppies eight weeks prior. Regina and Roland had been making special trips some afternoons after school to see Robin and visit the puppies, and she'd fallen in love with this one in particular. He was the sweetest, and clamest, of the bunch, and she just felt drawn to him. Like he was always meant to be a part of their family.
"What are we going to name this little guy?" she asks in a high pitched voice, setting him down in her lap as she strokes his back.
"The shelter named him Bandit because they thought the white around his eyes looked like a mask," Robin laughs, pointing to the pup's face, "but I figured we'd let the boys choose a different one if they want to."
Regina nods, saying she likes the name, mainly because it reminds her of her thief, but agrees that the boys can change it if they don't like it.
The puppy turns onto his back then, seemingly asking for a belly rub.
Regina and Robin both laugh at him, and she reaches out, scratching his chubby little belly. She looks over to Robin, smiling brightly and telling him to rub the puppy too. As he does, Regina looks back down at their newest family member and notices something on the dog's collar.
Her hand stops moving as she picks the puppy up once more. Robin sits back, a smirk on his face as Regina ducks down to get a better view of his collar. There, sitting atop the silver bone that has their address engraved on it, is a ring. A gold band with a large, sparkling diamond surrounded by a halo of smaller ones.
Tears instantly spring to her eyes as she unclips the ring from the collar. "Robin?" she asks in awe, holding the ring up and looking over to him with tears shining in her eyes.
He's sitting there, criss cross on the bed watching her. He's got the goofiest grin on his face that she's ever seen, and she can't help but match it with one of her own.
"We've conquered so much together over the last two years," he begins, taking the ring from her. The puppy hops off her lap, sniffing around the mattress before settling at the foot of the bed where Robin had placed a chew toy. "We have been tested, pushed to the brink, and still came back together stronger than ever."
She nods at his words, thinking over the trials they've been through with Marian coming back, him taking Roland to New York, and every discovery that came with that particular piece of heartbreak. After everything, Zelena and her pregnancy, the Underworld and defeating the God of Death himself, they still love each other deeper than they ever thought they could love another person.
"I love you, Regina," he says so sincerely it makes her heart swell, and tears form in his eyes.
Her vision is clouded by her own tears as she tells him how much she loves him too. Regina leans over, pressing a kiss to his lips, and he returns the gesture, deepening their embrace briefly before pulling back.
"I can't imagine mine and Roland's life without you or Henry in it. You've made us so happy - you've made me happier than I ever thought I could be again after losing Marian so long ago."
She nods again, knowing she feels exactly the same way. She never thought she'd have this kind of love ever again, but here he is, loving her so completely that she sometimes can't believe he's real.
"I once told you that you are my future," he continues, smiling over at her. He takes her left hand in his, giving it a loving squeeze before bringing it to his lips to place a soft peck to her knuckles. "And you are. I meant it then, and I mean it now. Regina," he take a deep breath, blinking his tears away, "will you marry me?"
Her tears stream down her face as she nods vigorously, unable to speak for the moment. She clears her throat, declaring a heartfelt, "Yes, yes, of course I'll marry you."
Robin beams, slipping the gorgeous ring onto her finger. It's a perfect fit, just like he is for her, and she's overwhelmed with the amount of love she has for this man.
The puppy yelps then, bounding over to where Regina is now straddling Robin's lap, kissing him passionately. They break apart, laughing through their elated tears as Robin brings the puppy to sit in between them. Regina slides off his lap to make room for the dog, and they settle into the bed, cuddling together with the puppy between them. They spend the next hour discussing possible names for the dog to suggest to the kids, Regina examining her ring, and talking about having a small wedding surrounded only by their sons and their closest friends.
Robin regretfully climbs out of bed, placing Bandit in his crate that they will use for the first few months and bidding him a goodnight before placing the thin blanket over it to give him some privacy.
He joins her back in bed, and just before Regina finally drifts off to sleep, Robin whispers, "Happy birthday, my love," and she smiles. A perfectly happy birthday indeed. Maybe February 1st isn't so bad afterall.
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Thoughts? :)
