Author's Note: Did I forget to mention this story was going to be following these idiots for the next twelve weeks? Well grab a cuppa and something cozy, cause they're all gonna be a long. And thank you for all the sweet reviews! I'm so glad you're all as excited for this as I am.
Chapter Two
Dark skies rolled over New York the following day. Regina stretched in bed sleepily. Her gaze settled out her bedroom window while her hand caressed over her growing belly. She could feel her baby girl move and stretch inside her. She smiled. She wasn't the only one awake it seemed.
Her mind thought back to something she read recently about how active a baby was at night and in the day time would determine their sleeping pattern after they were born. If that turned out to be true, which she hoped that it was, she wouldn't have to worry about losing too much sleep. Her baby girl was always more active in the daytime, and only woke her occasionally at night with little kicks every so often. She didn't mind those times though, they were reassuring, as if her baby girl was reminding her she was there. It always made her smile before drifting back off to sleep.
Closing her eyes, she thought about sleeping in for a little while longer. She didn't have anywhere to be or anything to do besides make a trip down to the store for laundry soap and maybe she would grab some things to make lasagna for dinner. She might even make an apple pie...
Her stomach growled loudly at the thought.
Regina giggled and shook her head. "All right, I'm getting up."
Grabbing her robe from the end of the bed, she pulled her tee shirt that seemed to always ride up her stomach at night back down and grabbed her phone from the bedside table. Yawning, she walked slowly out into the living room and pulled up a string of text messages from her best friend, Emma. She scanned through them while grabbing the teapot to put some water on the stove.
Since she had all but given up coffee, except for the occasional cup of decaf, she's gotten in the habit of herbal tea throughout the day. She found it to be an acceptable substitute for the time being, but she honestly couldn't wait until she could have her morning coffee again.
A light laugh left her, reading Emma's text. Emma's son, Henry had peed all over his father after giving him a bath the night before, prompting another bath for Henry and a shower for Neal. She sent a quick reply back.
"Next time he'll remember to get that diaper on faster."
No sooner than the message was sent and she had gotten a mug from the shelf did her phone ring.
She shook her head and answered. "You're up early."
Emma's sleep-filled voice replied, "Yeah, Neal has a job in the city today. You're staying home today, or what?"
Regina took a tea bag of Mango Passionfruit from the container nearby. "I am. I'm going to take a bath, have some tea, and probably try and read my book I've been meaning to finish."
"Ah, you don't mind if me and the kiddo drop by later?"
Regina smiled. "Not at all. I could use some baby cuddles."
"Okay, great. I'll get up and get ready then. I'll have Neal drop us off on the way, sometime around ten."
"See you then."
Once she had her tea, Regina made her way into her bathroom and started the water for a bath. Her pains from the previous day had abated, but a warm bath sounded too good to pass up. She tossed in a Cheer Up Buttercup bath bomb and grabbed her copy of What to Expect When You're Expecting from her bedroom. After undressing, she stepped into the tub and sank down into its warm fizzy depths.
Turning to the place she had bookmarked, the twenty-fourth week, she discovered from here on out her little baby girl would be gaining six ounces per week. Her eyebrows, eyelashes, and hair would be grown. Regina's mind paused there as she pondered over this information. Would her baby have dark hair like her, or would she have the lighter hair like her donor? Though Regina was almost certain her genes would be more dominant, she couldn't help picturing her daughter with maybe light brown hair and her dark eyes. Statistically, Regina couldn't see the baby having the father's blue eyes either, although she hoped that her baby did.
She read on. The focus of the week shifting from the baby to her own body. She had things like migraines (which she already had), swollen feet and ankles, leg cramps, and what do you know, lower abdominal pains to look forward to.
Regina let out a huff. "Could have mentioned that a little sooner."
Reading further down, she also discovered her belly button innie would soon become an outie. Her hand brushed over her stomach to her belly button which was, thankfully, still an innie.
She made a face and mumbled, "No, thank you" to herself before flipping the page. Her eyes scanned over the Things to Ask Your Doctor checklist and only paused briefly on one of the questions.
"My husband thinks sex will harm the baby. How can I reassure him it's safe?"
Regina flipped the page looking for the answers to the questions. "Seriously? I bought the book for the answers to the questions, not to have to ask my doctor about them."
Not that she was planning on having sex any time soon… even if she was going out with Robin again. They were not having sex. No matter how attractive she found him. How awkward would that be? Maybe if she hadn't been pregnant, those looks of his coupled with his charm and that accent might just be enough to get her in his bed after a handful of dates… but she was pregnant, so no.
Shaking her head, she continued reading into the next week until she got back to her body and the big thing to look forward to... Hemorrhoids.
Regina tossed the book on the floor and groaned.
Sinking down into the water, she closed her eyes. Forgetting all about swollen feet and outies, instead, she took herself back to the day before, to the sweet man with the blue eyes and dimples she could get lost in.
Just because she wasn't going to have sex with him, it didn't mean she couldn't imagine how it would be.
#
He didn't wake up until nearly noon. With his head buried under his pillow, Robin let out a wide yawn before flipping onto his back. Christ, he was becoming a lazy bastard. Though he told himself since his return from his internship, in which he spent nearly a year of working every day from seven to nearly one in the morning, that he deserved a bit of a lie in. Only that lie in had lasted nearly two months now.
He closed his eyes and let out a soft groan knowing he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep. He was in the middle of a damn good dream. A dream involving a raven-haired beauty with warm brown eyes and a smile that made his heart come to a halt. The evidence of that dream still tented in his boxer briefs.
He breathed in deep and let it out slowly. Only two more days until he saw her again.
After his mind had finished playing devil's advocate with him on the way home from taking her home the previous night, he was more determined than ever to woo her. Even though she carried a child that wasn't his, it didn't matter to him. He always wanted a family. Growing up with his sister and many cousins, family had been the number one priority instilled in him since he was young.
He was ready to settle down, and the arguments his mind came up against it were weak and selfish. Arguments like he was still too young for marriage or for children, there were places he still wanted to travel, and he was just now starting his career. They all made little sense to him as he was going on twenty-six not eighteen. His parents were even younger than he when they had him. As far as traveling went, he doubted he would do much of that just having gotten a job with Richard Lionel and Associates. There was absolutely nothing about starting a good paying job that would get in the way of settling down and having a child. Most couples waited for an opportunity such as this before they started having children. If anything, Robin was ahead of the game.
Robin sat up. He needed coffee and a shower.
Walking from his room and through his tiny apartment, he blearily wandered out to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee before making his way to the bathroom. The place he shared with his mate Killian wasn't bad as far as places went around there. They rented the small two-bedroom on Nostrand in their last year of college. The rent was reasonable for Brooklyn, but it wasn't the outrageous prices they would pay in the city. Their neighbors were decent and the neighborhood quiet, for the most part.
Stepping under the hot spray, he swore and stepped out quickly. "Bloody pipes," he muttered, reaching over and turning down the temperature.
That was his biggest issue with the place. If water wasn't scalding, it was freezing. He'd have to give his super a call. Again.
Robin washed up quickly, then with a towel around his hips, made his way back to his bedroom. He closed the door behind him with his foot and walked over to his dresser. Grabbing a pair of boxers, a tee, and some jeans, he frowned at the tattered old pair. He should probably go shopping later. He could use a few more pairs of new jeans and something a little nicer for his date. That was the one thing about his wardrobe as of late, the jeans he had were a little on the frayed side, and the only other thing he had to wear were the more formal trousers and suits for work.
She'd already seen him in a suit, even if she hadn't, it would be a bit overdressed for an evening of cheesecake and maybe dinner before that if he could talk her into it. As he lied in bed last night, he berated himself for his idiocy. He couldn't just get her cheesecake. She was pregnant. She and her baby needed something more nutritious and filling than baked goods.
Resolved to have some coffee and then head out to the shopping mall, he picked up a tune he had stuck in his head that had played the night before inside the Italian restaurant, and he began to whistle on his way out of his bedroom.
No sooner than when he got to the kitchen, there came a deep groan from the living room. "The bloody hell is all the whistling for?"
Robin looked around seeing his roommate rise from his hungover state on the couch. He shrugged and smiled. "No reason. Just in a good mood."
"Never thought a job could make someone so bloody happy," Killian said, holding his head in his hands. "When do you start?"
Robin, whose mind was making a shopping list, took the pot from the coffee maker and filled it with water. "Start what?"
Killian got to his feet and shuffled over to the counter. "The job, mate."
"Oh that, next week." Robin poured the water in the coffee maker and switched it on.
His friend's brow furrowed. "What were you thinking about?"
"Nothing."
"Obviously something. No man, whistles for no reason. Have ya finally met someone?"
Robin snorted but admitted nothing. He wasn't exactly sure he wanted Killian to know about Regina just yet.
But his indecision must have registered on his face as Killian's slipped into a wolfish grin. "Is she pretty?"
Robin let out a sigh. Blast his roommate's uncanny ability to see right through him. "It was one date."
"It's a start. What's her name?"
"Regina."
His friend's lip stuck out as he nodded. "Will ya be seeing her again?"
Robin poured himself and Killian a mug of black coffee. He took a healthy sip, letting the rich roast go down before answering, "I'm taking her out Friday."
"Good for you, mate. It's about time I'm not the only one getting some action round here."
Robin internally cringed as his mate walked by and clapped him on the arm as he passed, retreating to his own room and closing the door behind him.
He braced his hand on the counter in front of him. He hadn't thought about sex. He snorted and picked up his coffee. That was a bloody lie. He had thought of sex with her, thought of how soft her skin would be, how her breasts would fit perfectly in his palms, and how he would cup that fantastic arse of hers and pull her against him...He did not, however, truly picture every detail… like the fact that there would be her small belly between them preventing him from feeling her flush against him.
Pushing himself away from the counter, he went into the living room.
He was getting ahead of himself. Far ahead of himself. As far as he was concerned, he was in no hurry to rush whatever this was between them.
He just wanted to spend time with the woman whose smile he saw every time he closed his eyes.
#
"So, wait, you went out on a date?"
"No." Regina shook her head from where she sat with one-year-old Henry in her favorite armchair beside her living room window. The rain poured down the glass, as it had been all morning. She balanced Henry on her lap as his small hands braced on the window, his eyes following the streaks as they fell lazily down. "I went out to dinner."
"Whatever, you went on a date."
"Call it what you will," Regina told her then made a face at Henry who smiled widely before blowing a raspberry at her.
"Oh my God, Regina, this is a big deal for you right now."
"It's not like that," she began, helping a fractious Henry down from the chair, ready to crawl around and explore. Her eyes followed him. Though her apartment was clean and very little he could get a hold of that would hurt him, she still kept a close eye on him. "He's sweet, and... I don't know there's just something about him. There's nothing wrong with being friends with a man."
Emma's eyebrows rose as she considered her a moment before shrugging and saying, "Yeah, okay sure."
She sat back in her chair and caressed her hands over her belly. "I knew I shouldn't have told you."
"Hey, I'm just looking out for you."
"I understand that, but you don't need to look out for me. I have no plans to get involved with anyone right now. It's just me and Bridget."
Emma's nose scrunched. "She's Bridget now?"
Regina's hands rested on her stomach, and she shrugged. "I was trying it out."
Emma hummed with her lips pursed tightly together and went back to flipping through her magazine. "I'd keep trying…"
Regina rolled her eyes before letting out a sigh. She wasn't even going to get into Emma's name choice and how they hadn't named their son until a week before he was born. When Regina's father had given Emma and Neal a loan Neal's father had refused them, effectively pissing off his father two fold, not only had Henry been named after Regina's father but Neal's business was able to get off the ground without the help of his father.
Shifting her gaze to the window, she let her mind wander back to the previous day, to Robin. There was nothing wrong with being friends with him… As much drama as Emma had in her life, she was able to be a good mother and deal with it all. She could do the same, though she was sure she wouldn't have nearly the same amount of grief as her friend.
Her lips pulled up, and she ran a hand over her belly feeling her baby girl's movements. Her small kicks, which at first felt like fluttering, were starting to get stronger with each passing day. These days she reacted to Regina's movements and sometimes even sound of her voice.
"Earth to Regina."
Her eyes rose. "Hm?"
"Neal just sent me a message, he's gonna be working till five now. Want to get a pizza?"
"Sure." She wouldn't say no to pizza or more time with her favorite baby boy who was back from his little crawl around the couch and pushing himself back up to his feet beside her.
"Do you want up?" She held out her hands, and he outstretched his. He grinned, displaying his little two top and bottom teeth as she pulled him up to her, then he giggled while she kissed his cheeks noisily.
"Hey, that offer to babysit next week still good?"
"You know it," Regina replied automatically. Henry sat in her lap, trying to take her book from beside her so he could chew on the cover. She laughed and took the book, setting it down on the floor beside the chair. "Does he have those snacks?"
"Yeah." Emma sat up, grabbing Henry's diaper bag from the floor and took out a packet of goldfish. "Here ya go."
"Did you guys decide to go out?" Regina asked. She loved spending time with Henry, and being alone with him was good practice for her. Besides, if she could help her friends so they could work out their problems all the better.
"Nah, I'm gonna go see this guy about a job."
"Oh?" Regina raised a brow. Emma hadn't worked since she got pregnant with Henry, and not because she didn't want to, but because Neal had this idea in his head they would have more children and he'd support them all himself. "What kind of job?"
"Private investigator. It's a little less crazy than bail bonds. This guy named August has his own business; he got my name from my old job and wants to talk."
"How's Neal gonna be about that?"
"He's gonna have to deal with it. He doesn't want me to work, yet we're always broke, and he's always going from one job to the next. I'm not gonna raise Henry like that."
"I don't blame you."
Regina scooped out some more Goldfish for Henry who had already devoured the first handful. Henry hummed as he chewed and Regina echoed him.
"Tell me about this guy. What's his name?"
She never took her eyes from Henry when she replied, "Robin."
Emma tossed away the magazine, and slipping off her shoes, she tucked her feet under her. "Is he cute?"
This time, she did look at Emma. She pictured Robin's smiling face and sighed. "Extremely."
Emma's lips tipped up into a sly grin. "Yeah? Now we're getting somewhere."
#
Friday came, and Robin woke up for the first time in a long time looking forward to the day ahead. He was wide awake at nine and finally gave up trying to get back to sleep. After a shower, he made coffee and straightened up the flat. He tossed in a load of laundry, then made his way back into his room where he grabbed his phone to ring up his mum.
While he normally called her up on Sundays, a thing he'd been doing since she made him promise to do so when he moved to America in his second year of college, his father had recently gone through heart surgery. It hadn't been open chest surgery but an outpatient stint that still shook the family nonetheless.
Since then, he'd taken to calling her just to check up on him and make sure she was doing all right whenever he had a free moment.
"Hello, my darling."
"Hey, Mum." Robin took a seat on the couch and kicked his feet up on the coffee table. "How is everything?"
"All well here. Your father's outside trying to get the car to start working."
Robin rolled his eyes. "That thing hasn't worked properly since I was in primary school. You need to tell him to get a new car."
"You know how attached your father is to his car."
No, he's just too cheap to buy another, Robin wanted to say but didn't. The amount of money his father spent over the years trying to fix that piece of shite, he could have bought three new ones. "I suppose."
"I got your message about the job, we're so proud of you, darling."
Robin warmed at his mother's words. "Thanks, Mum."
"When do you start?"
Robin blew out a breath. "Monday morning."
"I bet you're happy to be getting back to work."
"I am." He wasn't just saying that either. He'd been entirely too picky when it came to the jobs he'd been willing to accept, especially for the pay most of them had been offering. He held out because he knew he could do better, but in the meantime, he was becoming bored out of his mind.
"Do you have plans for the weekend then?"
"Um, not really. I'll probably stay home and maybe go play a set with the guys one last time."
"Aw darling, you really need to spend some time somewhere where you can meet a nice girl. Do you know, my friend Karen's daughter, Gwen, met her husband in the library of all places. You wouldn't think that happened anymore with all these books on those pad gadgets..."
"I think you mean E-Readers and iPads…"
"Is that what they are? Well, anyways, I think you could really find someone there or perhaps the museum you took your father and I too, what was it called?"
Robin let out a heavy sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. "It was the Met, but Mum…"
"Also I hear online dating is the thing these days…"
He hated to do it, but it was the only way to stop her. Raising his voice above hers, he called out with a chuckle, "Mum!"
"Yes?"
Robin's head fell back against the couch as he groaned. "You don't have to worry about all that, I have a date tonight."
His mum went quiet, and he could picture her standing there blinking at nothing. "Really? Is this recent? Have you told me about her? Surely not, I'd have remembered."
He laughed. "I haven't told you, and yes, it's recent."
He left out how recently.
"What she like? Is she pretty?"
He pictured Regina's face and smiled. "She's very pretty, gorgeous actually."
He could hear his own mother's smile in her voice when she said, "You're treating her like a lady, I hope? Just because you moved to America doesn't mean you're allowed to treat her anything less than an English gentleman would."
Robin shook his head. "Mum, I'd like to think you know me better than that."
"I do, I'm just reminding you," her voice held warning, making him laugh.
"No reminder needed, Mum."
There was a scuffling, and he could hear his father's voice in the background. "Oh shoot, your father's just gone and got his hand stuck in the motor again. Ring me later, darling and tell me how it all went."
Robin's head fell, and he closed his eyes. His father was going to up and lose a hand one of these days. "I will."
They said their goodbyes, and he tossed his phone on the couch beside him. The clock on the wall across the room told him it was just after eleven. This day was going to drag on forever until four when he would leave to pick up Regina.
From across the room, Killian's bedroom door opened, and Robin lifted his head to see not only Killian but also a tall red-head walk out. The girl met his eyes, then looked away quickly. Killian gave him a sheepish grin before walking his new friend to the door.
Ignoring the pair, Robin got to his feet and went into the kitchen intent on finding some breakfast. He never made an attempt to get to know Killian's guests anymore as they changed so frequently.
His friend came back into the room and took a seat on the barstool across the small counter. "Ya busy tonight, mate?"
Robin looked at his friend with a raised brow. "Why?"
"You should come down ta the pub with me tonight. Felicia's got a friend she says she'll bring along."
Robin's lips clamped together. Was this Felica who had just walked out with her undergarments hanging out of her purse? He wanted to ask but thought better of it. His friend's taste in women with loose morals was his own business. Shaking his head, he replied, "Thanks, but I already have a date."
Killian clapped a hand down in front of him. "Even better, you can bring her along."
He scoffed. Bring his six-month pregnant date to a pub? Not bloody likely. "That's not exactly the kind of date I had in mind."
Killian's face fell into a scowl. "What's wrong with it? Good drink, music, and some laughs. What lass wouldn't enjoy herself?"
"One who might enjoy a conversation that doesn't involve shouting over said music and laughter?"
"There are other ways to communicate, mate." Killian wagged his eyebrows.
"This is why you never have a girl more than a week," Robin said before turning away from his friend. He took out some cheese and butter from the fridge then grabbed the loaf bread that was setting on top of the fridge. Grilled cheese and a few matches on the PlayStation sounded like just the thing to kill some time.
"Aye, and I'd like ta keep it that way."
Robin let out a snort. "Just keep doing what you're doing then. Wanna play a match or two?"
Killian's eyes widened knowingly. "You'll only get your arse kicked, mate."
Robin's chin jutted out towards the living room. "Start it up, and we'll see."
#
Regina had never been so frustrated in her life. After spending all day in the park, she came home, showered, and had been standing in her closet for a good part of forty-five minutes trying to find something to wear.
Stepping out into her bedroom, she held out her arms and asked, "What do you think?"
Emma looked up from the bed where she'd been watching reruns of Friends. The blonde had been trying to help her pick out an outfit since she showed up twenty minutes ago, baby-less, having an afternoon to herself while Neal took Henry to see his dad. "I think you're trying really hard for someone not going on a date. What's that, like the fifth outfit you've tried on?"
Regina dropped her arms to her side. Her eyes burned with angry tears. "Yes, and I hate it."
"You've hated everything," Emma called after her.
Regina sniffed and pulled off the blouse, before bitterly replying, "That's because everything is too tight!"
Regina's hands came up to cover her face. She didn't know why she was doing this. She was pregnant and didn't understand why a guy like Robin would want to date her when she looked like a great white whale, while he could be dating some thin and blonde, who wasn't going to be having a seven-pound screaming child ripped from her.
"Calm down there, lady." Emma's voice came from behind her. "Just wear the dress you had on before this. That wasn't too bad. Ah, Jesus, you're not gonna cry are you?"
She wiped away the moisture from her cheeks. "No…"
Her friend let out a sigh. "Come on, show me what you've got."
Regina turned to face her. "It doesn't matter, nothing fits. I'm not going."
Emma's head tilted to the side. "Oh, come on you're letting all those baby hormones do the talking." Emma pulled the dress from the hanger she had on prior and held it out. "Why didn't you like this one?"
It wasn't that she didn't like it, Regina loved it. It was a white and grey striped summer dress with short sleeves just off her shoulder; it fell a few inches above her knee and had pockets. She bought it a month back. Back when she was smaller than she was now. Right before her baby decided she was going to have a little growth spurt and her boobs swelled from small B's into C's.
"It doesn't fit. I just look fat."
Emma rolled her eyes. "You don't look fat, Regina, you look pregnant."
She walked around Emma and sat on the edge of her bed. "What am I doing, Emma? I can't date. I've got a baby coming in three months. How can I start something with someone and then ask them to take a backseat to my daughter?"
Emma walked over and sat down beside her. "He doesn't have to take the backseat if you don't want him to, Regina. I think you're getting ahead of yourself though. Weren't you the one who said there was nothing wrong with being friends?"
Regina sighed, remembering her own arguments from only a few days ago. "Yeah, I did."
"Then be friends with the guy. Be friendly friends if you wanna take it slow. And come on, you obviously like the guy if you're considering something more than just cheesecake." She bumped her shoulder with her making her laugh. "Go out with him tonight, see how it goes, and if you're still feeling like this isn't the right time, then be honest with him."
She smiled thinking of him and all that Emma said. "I do like him."
"Then go have cheesecake and don't worry about the rest."
"I guess I could." She shrugged looking down at her stomach and placing her hand over the spot where she felt the little kicks of her baby girl.
"That's a girl." Emma stood and tossed her dress to her. "Put this back on, show the guy a little leg. No reason not to give the guy a little eye candy."
#
The late afternoon skies were bright blue, and the temperature dipped down into the low seventies. Dressed in a new pair of khaki trousers and a dark blue button up shirt, he was thankful for the declined temperature.
He talked Killian into letting him borrow his car for the night. Robin had been on the fence about getting his own car, but with the free parking provided by his job and the commute, he needed to just bite the bullet and get one. And if he was lucky enough to see more of Regina, his own car would certainly come in handy.
Taking a small detour, he made a quick stop by a flower cart just outside of Prospect Park that sold blooms every Friday through Sunday and spent a fair amount of time humming and hawing over the arrangements. He finally picked a bouquet of pink lilies with a single rose in the center. Thinking of the lilies for the baby girl and the rose for her beautiful mother. He almost rolled his eyes at what a sentimental fool he was.
His nervousness didn't hit him until he crossed the Brooklyn Bridge heading into the city. It'd been a long while since his last date, well over a year ago now. His stomach clenched, and he could feel himself beginning to sweat. Cranking up the AC, Robin willed himself to relax.
Twenty minutes later, he found himself climbing the stairs to her apartment. He'd scowled at the sign that still said "Out Of Order," on the elevator door. He had half a mind to find out the name of her landlord and make a complaint. She couldn't keep taking the stairs like that in her condition.
He stopped in front of her door, and taking a breath , he knocked. He hadn't had to wait long, she had known he was one his way up when he rang her from the entrance, but he was still unprepared when she opened the door.
She was gorgeous.
"Hey, you," she said. Her lips that were covered in a bright red gloss he just wanted to kiss away, pulled up into a smile.
His top teeth sank into his bottom lip. "You look beautiful."
She tucked her shoulder length hair behind her ears, and her gaze dropped to the blooms in his hand. "Flowers?"
Her soft smile encouraged him to take a step forward. His nervousness had not vanished completely, but being near her, made it less so. "Do you not like flowers?"
She rolled her eyes and teased, "No, I do, I just thought we were getting cheesecake."
"We are," he began. Taking a breath, he took a chance. "Although it occurred to me on the way over, it might benefit the both of us if we had something a bit more substantial before hand, if you're up for it?"
He could see she was trying desperately to fight a smile and his chest warmed. "What were you thinking?"
"Nothing too adventurous. There's a small Mexican restaurant not too far from the cafe, and I promise the food there is worth it."
"I see what's happening here. You tempt the pregnant woman with cheesecake and then lure her into spending an evening with you with the promise of good Mexican food."
He grinned finding the light side of her adorable. "What can I say, I enjoy your company."
"Hmm." She narrowed her eyes slightly before replying, "Well you're in luck. I haven't had dinner yet."
Holding out his arm, he asked, "Shall we then?"
#
He opened the car door for her and helped her in, even though she told him she wasn't an invalid. However, she was grateful for it, and it only seemed to encourage him. They chatted on the way out of the city about the weather and how the traffic wasn't so terrible for a Friday evening though it started to thicken when they neared the bridge.
The restaurant was across the street from Prospect Park. It was a cute little place with yellow walls, stained glass windows depicting Spanish history, and colorful art giving the environment the Mexican flare. They were shown to a table for two in the back, and as they made themselves comfortable, their waiter brought them chips and salsa and waters for each of them.
She took in the relaxed atmosphere and music that played softly in the background and smiled. "This is nice."
"So..." Robin's lips pulled up, making his dimples pop. She felt butterflies erupt in her stomach, and she licked her lips. "What have you been up to since the last time I saw you? Any more pains?"
"No, but I've been being good and relaxing." She tipped her hand in the air. "Except for today. I had that birthday party for a few hours outside."
"And how'd that go?"
She had just taken a sip of her water, she swallowed, and answered, "Good. Thankfully the heat wasn't so bad today. The little girls were all adorable, and I had done her parents wedding last year, so it was nice."
Robin hummed. "I didn't realize parents hired professional photographers for birthday parties, but then it would make sense as one parent is always the one left out of pictures."
Regina nodded, liking that he had thought of that himself. Most people couldn't imagine the benefits of hiring a photographer for things other than weddings. "Exactly, and you'd be surprised what people will pay for. I once did a photoshoot for an older couple's terriers."
Robin let out a laugh. "The dog?"
"Mmhmm." Regina shrugged. "They were like their children."
"Wow," Robin replied, his head shaking. "I imagine that's not cheap either."
"Not at all." She reached for a chip but didn't dare go for the salsa. One drop on her dress, and she'd die of mortification. "What about you? How was your week?"
Robin helped himself to the chips and salsa, the bastard. "Not bad, not at all productive. Although, I did go out and get some more clothes for work."
"Are you nervous?" she asked, remembering how he was before his interview.
Robin laughed. "No, not really. The internship I did last year put me ahead of the game, so to speak. I won't be starting at the bottom, I'll be more of a mid-level designer, so I won't be working under so many seniors. I'll be able to do my own projects and have a bit more freedom than entry levels."
"What kinds of things do you design?"
He finished his bite and then replied, "Commercial mostly. Office buildings. What I really want to do is the large skyscrapers one day."
"How long does something like that take?"
"Oh years, just the drawings and plans alone can take three to five years depending if you're working solo or with a team."
Her brows rose. "And you enjoy that?"
"Absolutely," he told her with a confidant smile.
"What else do you do? For fun?"
"Hmm. I've been known to play guitar. I like to read."
Regina sat up and folded her arms on the table in front of her. "What do you read?"
They talked about books until their food arrived. Their favorites, ones they hated, ones they would read over and over, and the ones that made them think.
When their meals came, Regina groaned at the full plate staring up at her. "I can't eat all that."
Robin winked at her. "Sure you can."
She laughed. She had an appetite but not that big of one. "And have cheesecake?"
He chucked, that rich, deep thing that made her belly flip again. "We'll take a walk around the park and work off our dinner a bit before we go for the cheesecake."
She raised a brow at him. He was so sure of himself. Cheesecake, dinner, and now a walk in the park? "You know, I'm beginning to really think you planned this all along."
"I'll confess to the dinner, but I'm afraid I can't be blamed for the portion size,' he said, pointing his fork at her meal while grinning.
She clamped her lips together and shook her head. It smelled wonderful, and what the hell, if she didn't finish it, she could always take it home for Emma, if she was still there. Picking up her fork, she took a bite, and as soon as she closed her mouth around her fork, she groaned. The enchilada sprinkled with Pico, sour cream, and guacamole was amazing.
She might be able to finish this after all.
Robin nodded his head knowingly at her. "I promised the food was good here."
Making a hum of agreement, she swallowed and took a drink of her tea before asking, "Do you like children?"
His eyes met hers. He wasn't thrown by the abrupt change in topic and answered easily, "I love them."
Finishing another sip, she tilted her head and asked, "Have you been around many babies?"
"Only my cousins and my little sister, but I was also really young." He turned her own question on her and asked, "And you?"
Smiling, she admitted, "She'll be my first… but I've spent a lot of time with Emma's son, Henry."
He placed his fork on the side of his dish and picked up his drink. "Are you excited?"
She inhaled a long, deep breath. Other than Emma or her doctor, no one had ever really asked her about how she felt about becoming a mother. It was nice talking to someone, to him, about it. "Excited, overjoyed, nervous, terrified..."
His brow furrowed. "Terrified?"
She considered him as she traced the tip of her finger around her water glass. Being honest with him came easily to her. She didn't feel like he would judge her or criticize her for her fears. He was, after all, on a date with her when he knew nothing about her circumstance surrounding her pregnancy and patient enough it seemed to let her let him in her own time. It was all of those things that told her it was okay to open up to him.
"Sometimes I think about how horrible my relationship with my mother has been. Then I think about the kind of parent I want to be, but I still can't help thinking I'll turn out just like her."
Robin shook his head. "I doubt that."
She let out a light laugh. He didn't know her mother, and he was just getting to know her, yet he sounded so sure of her. "And why do you say that?"
"Because you recognize this fear, and it will remind you of this as you find your way."
Her eyes narrowed. "You're annoyingly insightful, you know that?"
He chuckled. "I'm sorry?"
She shook her head. "Don't be. It's comforting."
His eyes dropped down to her plate, and his hand came up settling over hers. "How are those enchiladas?"
She felt herself shiver as his thumb lightly brushed over the side of her hand. "Amazing."
#
The sun was just beginning to set as they made their way down the sidewalk of Prospect Park. The lush green trees reached out overhead, and the only sounds were of their footsteps and quiet voices.
"You know," she began looking over at him with a sheepish smile, "it's sad I can probably count the number of times I've been to Brooklyn on one hand."
"That is sad." He was mildly amused she was such a city girl. "Do you not like it?"
"No, I do." She shrugged. "I just don't ever leave the city."
He put his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching for her hand. "Were you raised in the city?"
"I'm from Staten Island, actually. After college, my parents wanted me to stay at home, but let's just say, it got to where I needed a bridge between me and my mother."
He laughed imagining her a few years younger rebelling against a woman who probably looked much like her.
"Where do you live?"
"Umm…" he turned on the spot and then pointed to the east. "About five blocks that way on Midland."
She took his hand and gave it a light pull. "Let's go."
He blinked at her unsure what her intentions were. "What about cheesecake?"
She shrugged. "Oh I still want cheesecake, but I also want to know more about you, and what better way than to see where you live?"
He chuckled. "All right, but I have a roommate, just to warn you."
Ten minutes later, a taxi dropped them off out front, and he gave her a small smile. "It's the top floor. Luckily, our lift works."
"That's reassuring," she mumbled.
His mind raced over to earlier in the day. He did his laundry, but it was an unfolded heap on his bed. He was sure he put his coffee cup in the sink but not in the dishwasher, and his head fell back, he hoped to hell Killian picked up that Playboy on the living room coffee table.
He took a step and then felt her hand take his stopping him. "Robin, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. If you'd rather we not go in…"
"No, it's fine. I just can't remember if I picked up my clothes from the bathroom floor or if I rinsed my coffee cup."
She giggled. "I'm sorry, let's not."
"No, I mean, of course you can go up. I don't mind showing you. I just want you to be aware it is a bachelor pad, and I apologize in advance for anything you may see."
Her brow raised. "Well now I'm curious."
His top teeth sank into his bottom lip, and he shook his head. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
Unbolting the door, the place was quiet and roommate free. He inhaled, now paranoid she may think it smelled like a locker room, but the only smell was the smell of the candle he got in the mail a few weeks ago from Prospectors Co. It'd been a free sample that had come with the cologne he bought online and smelled of chopped wood and leather, promising a manly scent for single men living on their own.
Her eyes met his, and the pull of her lips upward made him release the breath he had been holding. She let go of his hand and walked into the kitchen.
"This is cute."
"I think the word you're looking for is small."
Their apartment was only seven hundred square feet. The kitchen was smaller than the bathroom, and the living room only large enough for one couch, a TV, and a coffee table.
Her hand slid across the marble counter top. "Still, cute."
His eyes peeked around the corner and sure enough, Miss July was staring up at him. "Eh…" He dodged into the room and quickly stuffed the magazine under the couch cushion. Stepping back into the hall, he said, "It's not much, but it's home. At least until I start saving up for something of my own."
Regina stepped into the living room, her eyes taking everything in. "I like it. Where's your room?"
He swallowed and pointed down the hall. "Last and only door on the right."
Walking by him, she raised her hand and rushed it across his chest as she passed. She was having fun with him, and he willingly played right into her hands.
"Now this is what I expected."
He stepped into the room after her. "What's that?"
"Something that told me you weren't completely perfect." She sat down on his poorly made bed next to his clean pile of laundry and placed a hand on her stomach. She raised a brow and teased, "Are you not a folder?"
He chuckled and fell sideways against the door frame. "I was in a bit of a hurry and I can't really see the point of making your bed when you're just going to get in and mess it all up again."
She shook her head and hummed that hum that made him want to draw it out of her in other ways. She pat the spot next to her, and he laughed. Shaking his head, he told her, "I think it's better if I stayed over here."
Her eyes held his. "And why is that?"
"If I go over there, I'm just going to want to kiss you."
"Oh."
His eyes fell to the floor. He hadn't meant to be so honest, but she had to know how much he liked her. He couldn't hide it from her.
"I suppose it will be alright."
Her words surprised him and had his eyes raising back up to meet hers. "Regina?"
"Just one kiss couldn't hurt."
He was sure he stopped breathing, but nevertheless, he walked over to the bed and sat. Turning towards her, he looked into her warm brown eyes. There, he saw her hesitance, yet eagerness, as her eyes slid from his to his lips. It was then his hand rose, his fingers threaded through her soft, dark locks, and he leaned in pressing his lips to hers.
There was a noise, a moan, whether it was his or hers he couldn't be certain. All he knew was the softness, the warmth of her lips and her hands as they reached up, taking his face between her palms. For the hundredth time since he met her Robin wondered where she had come from, where she had been all this time. He had never felt so strongly for someone so quickly. She was beautiful, intelligent, funny, and by God, sexy as hell.
He meant for it to be a simple kiss, but their mouths softened, opened easily for one another. The kiss went on and on, tongues meeting over and over again. He felt himself harden, but he ignored it.
That was certainly not happening.
Moments later, they eased from their intense kiss with soft pecks that became less and less.
"That was…" he began.
"Some kiss."
Robin let out a laugh, being bold enough to lean down and steal one more peck from her lips. "That it was."
Her eyes held his before falling between them as she laughed. "We can go have cheesecake now."
His brow furrowed. "Is that what you wanted to come here for? So I could kiss you?"
Her head rose, a beautiful blush settled on her cheeks as she reached out and brushed a wrinkle from his comforter. Her smile was shy and sexy as hell. "Maybe."
He wanted to kiss her again. Hell, he wanted to kiss her for the rest of his life, but they needn't rush this. They had all the time in the world, and he needed her to know he was in for more than just a date and a few kisses.
"Anytime you want kissed, love, you just let me know."
"I'll keep that in mind."
He snorted a laugh. "Come on, you, or they'll close and we won't get that sweet."
He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. She didn't let go, and when he looked at her, she was smiling and biting her lip in the most gorgeous, sexy way that he had to go in for one more. She met him halfway, and they stood in the middle in his room, recreating their first kiss with an eagerness he felt would never be quenched.
It would always be like this for them. He could feel it.
Pulling away from her, he took a step back and growled softly.
Regina shook her head softly. "We definitely need to go."
#
The cheesecake was delicious. He hadn't lied when he said it was the best around, because she had her share of cheesecake in New York, and that was one of the best she'd ever had.
She ordered original, but he had a slice with chocolate shavings and caramel sauce. Half way through her own, he had offered her a bite of his and that had been it. She was in heaven, actual heaven. He had seen it on her face too, because he laughed and traded their plates.
After they were finished, Robin ordered them hot chocolates, even though it was summer. He moved from the seat across from her to sit beside her as they drank, and watched people pass along down the sidewalk while they chatted some more about his job and hers.
More often than not, between sips of their beverages, their fingers would find one another, slip between the others before moving away.
She wondered many times over the day what she was doing. How she thought this would all work out with the baby, but the moment she thought too far ahead, she remembered Emma's words, her own words, and how they could be friends.
Friendly friends.
By the time they had finished their hot chocolates, it was nearing nine. She couldn't believe the time had flown by so quickly.
Regina had been curious about what kind of guy he was when she asked to see his place. He didn't exactly come across as a twenty-five-year-old man, more like someone far more mature. Whether it be his upbringing, or his experience in life, she wanted to know more about him before she got in too deep.
She hadn't been disappointed. He was tidy, and aside from the rumpled bed and laundry left for later, he was the regular guy he said he was. He played video games, had a cute little collection of Star Wars figures on his dresser, and his bookshelves were filled with all the books they discussed.
She'd never been more relieved because as hard as she tried not to fall too quickly, she found her attraction to him was hard to fight.
Too many times that night he'd caught her staring at him. He was handsome and funny, and she hadn't been kissed in so long.
He looked like he'd be a good kisser.
Again, she hadn't been disappointed.
Before she knew it, they were at her building, he still wouldn't let her climb the stairs on her own,despite her telling him she'd climbed them many times that day without tripping over her own feet… Thankfully she could still see her feet.
When they reached her door, she turned to him. Her heart thudded in her chest, even though they had already kissed. "Thank you for tonight, I had a very good time."
"I hope it's not too forward to ask if we could do it again, soon?"
She tried to hide her smile, but when she pulled out a piece of paper from the pocket of her dress, it couldn't be stopped.
He raised a brow. "What's this?"
"My number."
"That was going to be my next question."
"Before you go I need to be honest with you about something… If you're really serious about dating, you need to know that my daughter is going to come first. She's going to be my whole world, and she's going to change my life in every way. I like you, Robin, probably more than I should for someone I've been on two dates with. I don't know what the future holds, but if you're serious and willing to go slow, I'm willing to take a chance."
He didn't answer right away, only closed the distance between them and lowered his head. Their lips met, this time only a brief brushing of his lips over hers before he pulled back.
"I've thought a lot about this, too. I know we're young, and I know you're unsure. You're gonna be a mum to a lucky little girl, and I'll count myself the luckiest bastard in the world to be there for it." He cringed. "Sorry, I will work on the swearing… What I'm saying is, I like you a lot too, Regina. I'm more than willing to go as slow or as fast as you'd like."
Pushing herself up on her tiptoes, she kissed him, lingering only a few seconds longer than necessary before dropping back down. "Well then, call me later."