Robin knew that DNA didn't have to make a family. He had spent 3 years loving a child with all he had, knowing that she wasn't his biologically. Getting Evie in his life hadn't changed how deeply he loved Bryony and he knew that.
He also knew that as much as both girls had crept their way into his hearts, so had a certain boy: Henry.
When he had first moved in with Regina, he had made it clear that he didn't want to overstep. Obviously as Regina's husband, he'd be able to enforce rules and such, but Henry was a good kid. He stayed out of trouble, helped out with his younger siblings and considered Roland the little brother he never had. He had adapted to the situation a lot better than any 11-year-old would and Regina chalked that up to him being an old soul. Even so, Robin knew that Henry never had a father before and was okay with that. He liked Robin, but they had more of a long lost uncle and nephew kind of vibe, than one of father and son.
Regina brought up adopting Roland first, around the same time that they were working out the adoptions for the girls. Even though they were married, there were certain things that they couldn't do as the non-legal guardian of the child.
"I want to adopt Roland," she said one night after all the kids had gone to bed.
Robin looked up from the bills he was paying. "You do?"
"I've known him for almost 2 years now, I love him just as much as I do the girls and Henry. He's a part of this family, what does it say to him if I adopt his sister and not him?"
Robin paused for a moment, reflecting on her words. He knew deep down that she was right. Roland considered Regina his mother, he had even fallen into the habit of calling her "Mama" now that Bryony did the same. He had no objections to Roland being adopted, he would trust Regina with all of the kids if anything were to take him from them.
Yet…he thought about Henry. What would that say to him? If Regina was adopting Bryony and Roland, and Robin was adopting Evie…where did that leave Henry? Of course if anything happened to Regina, he would take custody of Henry in a heartbeat. There'd be no question about it in his mind. Yet, wouldn't it just be simpler if it wasn't even a process?
Plus…it wasn't just about the what-ifs behind the future. He loved Henry, he considered him his son. He was his child, just as much as Roland was Regina's. He never understood how a step-parent could be around a child for so long and feel nearly nothing for them. He wanted things to be legally binding.
It was still different. Roland, Bryony and Evie were younger. Roland had immediately jumped at the chance for Regina to officially be his mother and of course, Henry had blessed it. He was only 8, though, and had only been 6 when he met Regina. Henry had just celebrated his 13th birthday, he was getting older. Would he even want to be adopted by Robin?
Robin was so distracted by all that was going on, he had tuned out most of Will's story about something cute his daughter had done. He and Anastasia had finally settled down, gotten married and started a family. Robin never thought he'd see the day when all Will wanted to talk about was babies, yet there it was.
"She smiled for the first time," he said, excitedly. "A real smile, no gas or nothing."
"That's awesome."
Will paused, his smile fading a bit. "You're not here, are you?"
"What are you talking about? We've been sitting here for an hour."
"Yeah and you've been zoning out for most of it. What's going on?"
Robin sighed, rubbing his temples. "Regina's adopting Roland…and I've been thinking about doing the same for Henry."
"Aren't they a little old to be adopted? Plus, you two are already married."
"One, they're not too old," Robin said with an eye roll. "Two, being married doesn't guarantee a lot. I can't bring Henry to the doctor when he's sick, if anything happened to me, Regina getting Roland wouldn't be guaranteed."
"I suppose I see your point thee. What does Regina think about you adopting Henry?"
"I haven't told her yet, or spoken to Henry about it for that matter."
"Why?"
"For the exact reason you said. He's 13, for 11 years he didn't even have a father figure in his life. It was just him and Regina, and I know they were fine with that."
Will raised an eyebrow. "I thought Henry accepted you."
"He has, but it's not like he thinks of me as his dad and I'm okay with that. I like how things are, I love him like my own and I've told him that. It's just…I want it to be official. I want to be able to say, this is my son, Henry."
"So, adopt him."
Robin threw his hands up in the air. "You say like it's as easy as adopting a puppy."
"So, maybe it's not." Will shrugged. "What I do know is, somehow you and Regina have managed to make this little family of yours work. You all love each other, the kids are well adjusted, things are great. If Henry has been this accepting thus far, what's the harm in asking?"
"Because he could say no, okay?" Robin bit his lip. "And I'd never blame him for it, it'd just…it'd hurt a little."
Will nodded. "Well, I'll give you the same advice I did when you weren't sure how Regina felt about you…you'll never know until you try."
It was simple advice, but it did give Robin the courage to talk to Regina about it nonetheless. She thought it was a great idea and was all for it. However, she also said it was her son's choice and Robin would have to talk to him about it himself.
So, one day, Regina took the girls and Roland to the park to play and Robin took Henry to the bookstore. He let the teen pick out a few new novels and they grabbed some ice cream before walking around a bit.
"So…you know that I love you, right?" Robin asked.
Henry nodded, taking a bite of his rocky road. "Yeah, I love you too."
The little comment made his heart skip a beat. "And you know that your mom is going to adopt Roland."
He paused for a moment. "Yeah."
"Are you okay with that?
"Yeah, I mean…yeah."
"You can tell me how you really feel."
Henry sighed, digging the toe of his sneaker into the dirt. "It's just…when Roland, Evie and Bryony get adopted…you're changing all of their last names to Locksley-Mills, right?"
"Yes."
"And you and Mom changed your last names, too."
"We did."
"So…I'd be the only one with the last name Mills. Almost like…I'm not a part of the family."
"Hey," Robin touched his chin so he looked at him. "You will always be a part of this family, Henry. No matter who has what last name."
"I know. And I know that it shouldn't matter…maybe it's stupid."
"It's not stupid it at all. You know, the truth is, I don't need a piece of paper for Bryony or Evie to be my daughters, I love them regardless. Yet, sometimes a piece of paper means a lot more than we want to give it credit for. It's permanent, it means that nothing can change this."
Henry was quiet for a moment, but then nodded. Robin let out a deep breath, hoping the next part would come out how he intended.
"I've been thinking lately that I need that piece of paper with you," Robin said, finally. "I love you, Henry. I consider you as much my son as I do Roland. It's okay if you don't call me "Dad" or anything, I know for 11 years you were fine without a father figure. You took this whole situation with such grace, more than I think any kid your age would. You're amazing, smart and talented, you're a member of my family and I'd like to make it official."
Reaching into his messenger bag, he pulled out one of the manila envelopes that Mal had given him to look over. It had Henry's name scrawled out across the front. Robin handed it over to Henry and watched as he opened it, his eyes widening.
"You want to adopt me?" He whispered.
Robin nodded. "More than anything. What do you say?"
Henry was quiet for a bit more, before stopping at a bench and putting all his stuff down. Before Robin knew what was happening, Henry was throwing his arms around his waist and hugging him tighter than ever. A smile spread across Robin's face and he hugged him tighter.
"I'm guessing that's a yes?"
"It's a yes," Henry breathed. "Are you sure this is what you want?"
"Of course it is."
"Okay."
"I love you, Henry."
"I love you too…Dad."
