Sorry it's been a while, job training has consumed my life. For those of you reading Alternate Endings, I will be updating that this week. Thank you for the reviews (: xoxo
Regina stared at the ceiling above her bed, careful not to make any movements as not to wake the man beside her who was already stirring in his sleep. Her head was finally clear of the alcohol induced decision making she'd enacted the night before, anxiety rising in her chest. She had to stop this thing with David. They were being careless and stupid, slipping up like this after they'd both moved on. Had anyone seen them come out of the bathroom? Did anyone notice their absence? What would Henry say if he found out?
They'd been divorced for two years now, and in that time had shared custody of Henry, whom they'd adopted together. It was senseless, really. Years of marriage discarded because they were both too bullheaded to compromise. They'd been through rough times before, like when they'd first married and found out Regina had fertility issues. They'd tried hormone therapy, sunk their savings into IVF, and had sex on a schedule to try to conceive. None of it worked, though, but they'd stuck together through it all.
There were plenty of times then Regina had expected David to leave. When they found out she could never give him a child was the first, then when she was irrationally moody thanks to the fertilization steroids, and when she was a stressed out mess over the adoption process once they had applied. But no, David was her partner through it all; they persevered.
She supposed time and careers had gradually pulled them apart. Their relationship had lost the spark it once had and their sex life was almost nonexistent with their schedule. David had been taking on extra cases since being promoted from sheriff to detective and was even more determined to advance to lead. Regina's mayoral status consumed most of her day, and what free time she did have was dedicated to Henry. She and David had started arguing over the stupidest things and unlike earlier in their marriage, they wouldn't kiss and makeup. They'd let it fester and grow until it was an explosive fight that lasted a week at a time.
Sex had been a critical part of their relationship, as well. Neither one of them functioned very well without having it regularly and the lack of it only added to the tension their careers had already placed on their marriage. They would fight but only sometimes have makeup sex...if you could even call it that. It lacked the passion they used to have. It was merely doing the deed, letting out the pent up frustration. Both of them felt empty when it was over; an act symbolic of the state of their marriage. Going through the motions without the emotion that was once so strong between them.
David's moods grew foul and his work hours longer, making Regina question his whereabouts. Her distrust and accusations would send him through the roof. They'd end up hurling threats of divorce at each other, until they finally agreed to split up during one extra-heated spat. Anger and pride blinded them through the following divorce proceedings, not allowing them to acknowledge what they were actually doing; that they still had feelings for each other. True to their nature they were both too headstrong and defiant to give in, to be the first one to admit that they didn't whole heartedly want to be apart.
The divorce was finalized, but not without a few romps after meetings with their lawyers. Usually in the backseat of David's car in the law firms parking lot. They allowed themselves to believe that they just needed to get each other out of their systems. That after each time, they'd be able to be finished once and for all.
Months would pass afterwards, both of them would avoid each other except for when it concerned Henry...but then something would happen and they would fall off of the wagon. Their son's birthday, when Cora got sick and David came over to make sure Regina was okay, or when one of them would have a bit too much to drink and call one another up in the middle of the night.
It was a cycle that repeated with them, despite the divorce, despite their fighting or the fact they didn't get along anymore. They still couldn't seem to stay away from one another. Regina finally confronted him, telling him that it had to stop and she wanted to move on with someone she'd met. She could tell it hurt him and David had left dejected.
She'd continued seeing Robin, whom she was still dating now. Her ex husband had made himself scarce, not even coming in when he'd come to pick up Henry for the weekend. It wasn't until Thanksgiving that Henry had come home, exclaiming that his Dad and his girlfriend had eloped over the weekend. Regina had barely known he was seeing anyone, though it had been almost a year since she'd cut things off.
Regina remembered the sinking feeling in her stomach that day, the realization that David had actually moved on and would no longer be an option. Meeting Mary Margaret had felt like a stab in the chest. She was the complete opposite of Regina. Cheerful and optimistic, a goody goody and wholesome. David had always claimed he liked Regina's spunk, that he found it sexy. Perhaps their marriage had made him change his mind about that?
It wasn't until Christmas that Regina and David slipped up again. They'd had an evening together with Henry, always making it a point to be together on Christmas for his sake. He'd opened his gifts while they shared wine, casually talking and laughing. Regina pretended to be happy for him on his new marriage and he pretended to be interested in how great things were between she and Robin.
Their son went to bed, but they continued talking, reminiscing on past holidays together and funny moments with the son they shared. The wine had slowly disappeared, reappearing in the rosiness of Regina's cheeks and the friendliness of David's hand on her thigh. Before they knew it they were on the floor in front of the fireplace, making love like they would have done if they were still married on Christmas.
Since then they'd seen each other a few more times in the new year, swearing each time was the last. Regina knew she had to put her foot down after the night before. They'd both been invited to their mutual friends party, knowing the other would be there. It was hard now sharing friends like Emma and Killian, who'd they'd done a lot with while they were still married. Regina was determined to go to the party, knowing David would bring Mary Margaret. She couldn't let his new wife replace her or push her out of their group of friends, and not going would make it look like she was bothered by her. So she'd gone and taken Robin, who luckily was too busy downing whiskey with Killian to notice Regina's absence.
How stupid were they? To sneak off into the hall bathroom of a party with both of their significant others there. Regina tried to ignore the little thrill that ran through her at the fact that David would take that risk with his new wife in the other room. Why the hell did she still care, though? They were finished and there was no going back on that now. She shouldn't hold anything against the new woman in his life, either.
"Reginaaa," Robin groaned from beside of her as he woke up to an undoubtedly nasty hangover. She'd practically had to help him walk in the house by the time they'd gotten home. His ex had Roland this weekend, so Robin had taken full advantage of his freedom. "Babe, will you grab me a Tylenol?" He put a hand over his eyes to block the light, making Regina roll her own as she reached over to get them from the nightstand. Luckily she'd gotten them ready last night in anticipation of his headache today.
"Here," She placed a couple of pills in his free hand before getting up to go get him a glass of water from the bathroom. When she returned he was slowly managing to sit up.
"You're too good for me," He said, attempting a charming grin that ended in a wince with the throbbing of his head, "Next time I'm staying away from Killian. He drinks like a bloody pirate."
"Aren't you British supposed to hold your liquor better?" She gave him a smile, sitting down on the edge of the bed and handing him the glass.
"I've been in the states too long," He grinned back before swallowing his pill.
"I think you're just getting old," She jested, getting up and putting on her robe, silently hoping he'd have to go home soon so she wouldn't have to feel guilt every time she looked at him. Robin was a good man, everything she wanted in someone, really. He was calm, easy going, and affectionate. She hated herself for not being as in love with him as she should be.
He treated her well, never raised his voice or got angry with her. He'd always give into her demands, even when she was being bossy. When she tried to fight with him, he'd just make jokes about it.
Truthfully,Regina missed the fire that came with someone who knew how to push her buttons. She craved someone who wouldn't give into her and argue back when she was being a bitch. Someone who would stand up to her, put her in her place and then fuck her until she forgot why she was angry.
Then she remembered that she had that once and it ended in disaster. Being too much alike with David had been their undoing. Regina struggled to remind herself of this, but the nagging desire crept up in her each time Robin let her have her way, or apologized to her when she was in the wrong. Yes, her marriage to David had been chaos, but with that chemistry came excitement and passion unlike anything she'd experienced with anyone else. How could she leave him alone?