Author's Note: I know it's been a while, and as an apology, here are some feels for your Christmas Eve.

Chapter Eight

On Monday Regina made an appointment with her doctor, Kathryn. Knowing the baby was his they had some questions on ways to truly confirm that he was the father, not that either of them really needed a blood test or whatever the doctors were going to do. They had all the confirmation they need as far as Robin was concerned. She had his donor file and his letter he'd written to his future child, there was nothing more he needed to be sure their baby was his.

Theirs.

However convinced they both were, in the early hours of the morning, Regina woke him with questions. Groggily, he pulled himself from the pull of sleep, doing his best to assure her he didn't think there was a mix-up. That his donation would have been stickered and stored away until the time came when it was picked, but still she'd been unable to settle, and so he suggested they go see her doctor because if going there only to talk about their options or getting poked with a needle would help her then, by all means, he would gladly go.

As it turned out, there was a test. A simple, non-invasive paternity test that involved a little blood from him and Regina. They would send the samples to be analyzed with their child's cells which float in her mother's bloodstream, and in a little over three days they would have their results.

Robin chuckled again remembering the doctor's response to their story. The way her brow creased in confusion and then the way they raised up and up, clear into her hairline right before she uttered a single word, "Shit."

From there began a barrage of questions. Mostly from her own curiosity than from a medical perspective. How and where they met, when had she known, when had he known, what was his reaction, what were they going to do now. All of these spilled from the doctor with an awe and enthusiasm as if their story was some Hollywood tale unfolding before her.

"I'll call you both with the results in a few days," Kathryn said with a smile. The doctor's optimism lifted any remaining doubt from Regina so much so that they both took the rest of the day off just to be and enjoy the feeling of sharing something that bonded them more together than before.

#

They were sitting in Regina's apartment, the heat had chased them inside, or more, the heat chased her inside. There was a movie playing, something about a man and a woman meeting in Grand Central Station and they were, for some reason, walking around the city.

Regina was too content with the feel of Robin's hand caressing up and down her arm to feel like doing anything else but lie curled up against him on the couch. She yawned sleepily against his chest. "I think you should move in."

His hand stilled, and then he asked, "Wasn't that the plan all along?"

"Yes," she said. Sitting up, she looked up at him. "But we never got to the part where we decided when."

"Ah, true." He took her hand and brought it up, placing a soft kiss on her knuckles. "When do you wish for me to bring over the rest of my clothes?"

How about right now, she thought, but then her good senses kicked in. "Do you need to give Killian time to find another roommate?"

He let out a sigh. "I probably should. I can always move in but continue to pay rent until he does."

"Good, because I like you here," she said leaning up to kiss his cheek.

Robin put his hand on her belly and began to caress small circles. "I think you just like having me around to rub your feet before bed."

She giggled and dropped her head back to his chest. Guilty. "It's one of the reasons."

"Oh?" His lips pressed a kiss to her hair. "And what are the others?"

"Well, you're nice and warm to lay next to. Your cooking comes in handy…" she trailed off to raise her head once again. "And you're not so bad to look at."

"Not so bad, hm?"

Her shoulders lifted and fell. "I've had worse to look at."

Her favorite dimpled smile bloomed. "Anything else?"

"Hmm." She pretended to think a minute before bumping her nose against his. "You're not so bad in bed either."

His chuckle was a low rumble and his voice filled with want as he pulled her close and said, "You're not so bad yourself."

His lips captured hers. She signed contently into the kiss, tilting her head as his tongue slid along the seam of her bottom lip, coaxing her mouth open. They made out for minutes that felt like hours. Hands slid over cotton and she felt herself growing warm despite how high she had the air conditioner on.

"Miss Mills, would you like to take this somewhere more comfortable?"

Oh. Her eyes widened. She almost forgot. "I wanted to talk to you about that."

He looked at her bewildered. "Talk about sex?"

Regina let out a light laugh as she rolled her eyes. "No, about the baby's name. I want her to take your last name."

"Oh," he replied. The desire that had once filled his eyes was being replaced by something more serious. "Well, I actually wanted to talk to you about that as well." He cleared his throat, looking slightly nervous, but she couldn't imagine why. "You see, I wanted to ask…"

They were both startled by the sound of the buzzer that filled the room. Robin sighed and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. "You know I'm beginning to think someone out there has it out for us."

She got to her feet before he could. Going over to the intercom, there was a smile in her voice when she said hello, but her smile faltered when she heard the voice.

"Regina, sweetheart, it's us."

Her mouth went dry. Oh, God. Her parents were here. Her thumb hit the buzzer allowing them entry, but she stood unmoving.

"Babe?" Robin was walking toward her.

"My parents are here."

He chuckled. "Alright, it can't be that bad. I'll have to meet them sooner or later."

"I'd rather it be later," she stated in a whisper, but the knock on the door brought that hope crashing to the ground.

Robin gave her a reassuring smile and held out his hand. She took it, letting his strength and optimism ground her as she walked over to the door. She paused to look at him, and he leaned in, quickly kissing her before the inquisition began. Before her mother had him running from her forever.

Pulling open the door, Regina smiled. "Mother, Daddy, I didn't know you were coming by today."

"We decided to surprise you…" her father said, and then noticing Robin, smiled warmly. "Oh, hello, you must be Robin?"

"I am."

As her father and Robin shook hands, Regina told him, "Robin, these are my parents. Henry and Cora."

"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you both finally." Robin smiled.

Her mother had yet to say anything, but her silent appraising assessment of Robin was louder than anything in the room. After a moment, Cora said, "Regina, dear, why don't you make us all some tea so we can sit down and get to know one another?"

Regina nodded. "Alright."

"I'll help you," Robin said following behind her.

Robin got mugs while she filled the kettle. She took out bags of Oolong that she kept for when her mother came to visit because heaven forbid she drink anything else that wasn't rich in antioxidants and promoting healthy skin.

"Are you alright?" he asked quietly once her parents were settled in the living room.

"I'm fine," she said through gritted teeth as she attempted to rip open a bag, but it wasn't budging. Robin must have sensed her frustration because right before she was about to use her teeth, he was taking the bag from her hand and ripping it open with ease. The bastard. Regina leaned against the counter and sighed. "God, what is she doing here?"

Robin eyed her, he didn't kiss her like he probably would have if he parents weren't there but put a hand on her back. "I'm going to apologize ahead of time for anything she may put you through."

"Don't worry, love." He leaned toward her and said conspiratorially, "I've got thick British skin."

As true as that may be, she doubted he'd ever had to go up against someone like her mother. When the tea was done, he carried out theirs while she took two cups to her parents who were situated in the armchairs by the windows. She and Robin took seats side-by-side on the sofa.

Her father was the first to ask Robin a question, and for a time they talked about where he was from, his parents, and where he went to school. Robin was polite and charming, and Regina could tell from the way her father and he joked around that she had her father's approval. Her mother, on the other hand, sat stoically, drinking her tea, adding only little 'hmm's' and 'ahh's' when her father spoke to her.

She may have looked calm and happy sitting there beside Robin, but inside she seethed. How dare her mother sit there and judge him so harshly. He was more accomplished than most men his age, and the fact that she was judging him so unfairly made her want to shout at her that it wasn't Robin who got her pregnant… only it was, but he hadn't done what her mother thought, which was get her pregnant out of wedlock. Only he technically had, but it had been his choice, damnit.

Robin's hand squeezed hers, pulling her from her thoughts. It was then she found her parents were looking at her expectantly. Regina swallowed. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Have you thought of names for the baby yet?" her father asked.

Oh. Regina smiled at him and then met Robin's warm gaze. "We do have a name for her. Olivia Harper… Harper after grandma Mi-"

Just then her mother finally decided to speak and interrupted her. "And will she be taking your surname name Mr.…"

"Locksley," Robin answered unbothered, and she twisted her hand in his grip to thread their fingers together. "And yes, she will."

"Curious…" Cora said tapping her lips with her finger. Regina narrowed her eyes at her.

"Cora, please." Henry sighed.

Robin raised a brow but held her gaze steadily. "What's curious, Mrs. Mills?"

"That you seem to have no problem claiming my grandchild as your own, but you've yet to make an honest woman of my daughter."

Regina let out a light gasp. "Mother."

Holding up his hand, Robin said, "No, it's quite alright, Regina. Your mother has a very good point."

Cora tilted her head. Her eyes narrowing perceptively. "Do I?"

"Indeed, you do. And I want you and Henry both to know I have every intention of asking for your daughter's hand. I've wanted to wait until I'd gotten a good footing at my job, and until after Olivia is born."

Regina's belly swooped at his words, but she didn't get a chance to focus on them because her father was speaking once again.

"You see, Cora, my dear. They're being smart. You can't blame them for waiting."

Her mother straightened and reached for her tea. "Perhaps waiting is what they should have thought about in the beginning."

Just as Regina was about to tell her mother off, her father sighed and said, "What's done is done, my dear…" His fond smile towards her, the one that was free from judgement kept her from saying anything to her mother. "I, for one, couldn't be more thrilled for them. Now tell me, Robin, what it is you're working on?"

"I'll do you one better than that, sir. I'll show you."

Regina watched Robin and her father get to their feet and walk into the kitchen where Robin would show him his latest set of plans. Regina rubbed her belly, smiling until she caught her mother's bored gaze staring out the window.

She and her mother sat in awkward silence. The voices of Robin and her father bonding filtered in the other room made Regina realize just how much distance there was between her and her mother. Her eyes dropped down to her belly, and she caressed a hand over the bump while promising herself she would never let this happen to her and her own daughter.

"Do you want to see the baby's room?" she finally asked. It was the only thing she could think of that might draw her mother out from where she sat firmly behind her great morals.

"Well, if I must." Cora rose to her feet, and Regina lead them down the hall.

Clicking on the light, Regina let her mother go in first. Her mother's hands were clasped in front of her, her eyes drinking in everything from the crib to the stuffed animals to the art that decorated the walls. "Robin put together her crib. He's going to paint a tree here in the corner… It's mostly ready, just waiting for her to come."

Her mother hummed and turned toward her. "And your shower? When is that?"

Regina frowned. She and Emma had talked about having one; Emma insisted that even if it was them, the guys, and Henry, it'd be fun. A small something with cake and more pizza than they all could eat. However, she wasn't about to tell her mother about that idea. Regina could just imagine what she would think. "I… I didn't plan on having one."

"Well, that won't do." She sighed, and her gaze dropped to Regina's belly a second before they met her eyes once again. "We still have a couple months left, yes? I'll plan one sometime next month."

Regina swallowed. "Really? You don't have to."

"Of course I do. What kind of mother would I be if I didn't?" Her mother walked over to her and took her by the arms gently. Regina's eyes burned. If her mother hugged her she would cry. It was just then Regina realized she wanted her mother to hug her. To give her approval. To be there for her and Robin and Olivia. But then her smile turned into something more stern and said, "We can't throw all traditions aside now can we?"

Her mother released her arms and stepped out of the room. Regina stayed behind until she ran out of tears to cry.

#

Robin wondered where Regina had gone off to when he and Henry returned to find Cora alone in the living room. Twenty minutes later, she came back in. When he saw the redness in her eyes, his jaw tightened, and his eyes slid across the room to land on the person responsible. Cora sat looking untouched by Regina's appearance, and Robin wasn't the only one to notice.

Henry met his gaze and gave his wife a dark look before getting to his feet and declaring, "Well we've taken up your afternoon." He walked over to Regina and kissed her cheek. "You look tired, sweetheart. You should go lie down and let this man take care of you for a while."

Regina nodded. "I will, Daddy."

Robin walked them to the door with Regina following behind him. They said goodbyes, and when he shut the door, he turned to find her looking just as crestfallen as she'd been when she appeared moments before.

He closed the distance between them and raised a hand to cup her cheek. "What'd she say to you, love?"

She shook her head and released a breath before telling him about what happened in Olivia's room. A sudden hatred for her wench of a mother consumed him. If she thought she'd get away with upsetting Regina from here on out, she had another thing coming. When she finished, she said, "I'm sorry about her."

His brow furrowed. "Don't apologize for her. It takes a lot more than a heartless mother to scare me off. Besides, your dad's not so bad. I like him."

A small smile pulled her lips up. "He's a good man. Sometimes I don't understand how he puts up with her… Still, you shouldn't have had to defend us like that, not when it's my doing..."

He placed a finger against her lips. "Olivia may have been your doing, but she's our baby, regardless of how she got here. And even if we'd have met before you got pregnant, I have no doubt things would have worked out the same."

"Are you saying you'd have gotten me pregnant? I'd like to think I'm a bit more responsible than that." Her eyes were playful. He was proud how easily he could pull her mother from her mind.

Robin shrugged. "You wanted a baby."

She hummed. "I might have changed my mind if I had you to love from the start."

"It would have happened eventually," he said because he knew it to be true. He would have fallen in love with her just as quickly, would have wanted to start a family.

"Oh? Before or after you asked for my hand?"

Her words were teasing from his own earlier that day, but there was a real question there. A hope that she couldn't hide from him. "Wouldn't have mattered, but I like to think I'd have asked you not long into our whirlwind romance."

He dipped his head and pressed his lips softly to hers.

"I like the sound of that," she murmured against his lips.

"Me too." He replied with another kiss. "It's getting late. How about I take you out to dinner and then maybe we go for a little walk in the moonlight?"

"Hmm… Greek?"

Robin's stomach rumbled at the thought of lamb skewers and sausage pitas with fries, cucumbers, tomatoes, and tzatziki. His mouth watered. "Yes please, absolutely. Lead the way, gorgeous."

#

The Thursday afternoon sun warmed all of New York, but the breeze coming off the Atlantic made the heat tolerable. Enough that she even enjoyed her latest project in the city. Twin sister senior pictures. One of them, the eldest by three minutes, wanted her pictures taken on Broadway. "I'm going to be an actress," she told Regina earlier that day, and with her dramatic flair and big doll eyes, Regina believed it. The youngest wanted her pictures taken at the top of the Empire State building. She wasn't going to college, instead, she was going to see the world.

Regina was just telling the girls and their mother goodbye when her phone began to ring. With her eyes gazing out over the city, she swiped the screen to answer. "Hello?"

"Regina," Kathryn's voice began, sounding pleased. "I have good news."

"The tests are back?" she asked even though she knew the answer.

"They are, and I don't know what to say but congratulations to you both. Your baby girl is his."

Regina covered her mouth with her hand unsure if the wanted to laugh out loud or sob. A moment later, when she found her voice, she said, "Thank you, Kathryn."

"Don't thank me, just do me a favor and take that luck you and he have to Vegas sometime."

Regina did laugh then. "I'll pass along your suggestion."

After Regina thanks her once again, she ended the call and wandered over to the other side of the building overlooking Brooklyn. Somewhere in there was Robin and the thought brought a smile to her lips as she tapped his number.

#

Traffic was at a standstill just before the bridge that would take him into Brooklyn on his way to meet with Marian. He didn't mind all too much because he'd stopped at one of his favorite burger joints along the way so he could eat lunch, and the small delay allowed him to eat without having to navigate through traffic.

Now if only someone could call in and tell off the imbecile on talk radio, his afternoon would be made.

His phone began to ring just as he was about to go off on the topic of education and the lack of funding Brooklyn schools were receiving. Regina's name came up, washing away his frustrations, but also making him remember she had a shoot that was supposed to last until the late afternoon. "Hello, love, everything alright?"

"Everything's fine, I just finished up work for the day and Kathryn called."

"Oh, did she?" he asked with a smug smile. He already knew from the sound of her voice what the results were, so he had absolutely no qualms when he teased, "And was I right?"

She hummed into the line which made his grin widen. If she was like him, she was remembering the night before when her anxiousness got the best of her and he had to once again talk her away from her fears. At the end of their conversation she'd been a little less clothed, but far more relaxed by his assurances Kathryn would call and she would hear exactly what she wanted to hear.

"You were right."

"Well, I'll be sure to pop by the store and grab us a bottle of bubbly apple cider."

She laughed, and the sound of it free from worry made his chest warm. "While you're at it, grab me a piece of chocolate cake."

"Apple cider and chocolate cake it is."

"Alright. I love you."

"I love you, darling."

The rest of the drive goes by in a blur. As confident and as sure as he'd been, knowing a blood test confirmed what they already knew made it even more real for him.

Robin grinned. He was going to be a father.

#

He had another stop to make on his way back to Regina's later that night to a small store across the street from Marian's flower shop. He spotted it last week but thought nothing of it at the time. Only how out of place it seemed to have such a posh jewelry store in the art district of Brooklyn. It was something usually placed in cities next to Bergdorf Goldman and Louis Vuitton, not Rough Trade NYC and Artists & Fleas.

As he made his way in, Robin noticed how much larger it was. The walls were a crisp beige and overhead in the center of the room there was a large, rather ominous looking crystal chandelier. The glass displays gleamed, not a fingerprint to be seen, and the jewels inside looked polished to perfection.

"Can I help you find something in particular?" Robin came to a stop beside a case where an older woman stood. She gave him a welcoming smile, one he returned.

Glancing down, he smiled seeing just what he'd been after. "Can I have a look at that one there?"

He pointed directly down into the case, and her eyes followed as she leaned down. Pushing the back of the display aside, she reached in. "This one?" He nodded, and she handed it to him. "It's a one carat, princess cut with a platinum gold band."

Robin took the ring from the box, unable to keep from glancing at the price on the small tag that dangled from it, and tried his best to hide his grimace. It wasn't cheap, not that he thought it would be, but one like this would set him back. Most likely, take what was left in his savings to do it. Which was fine because it was easily replaced. He made a good living, he would be able to set aside more a month once he moved into the city with Regina. That was their plan, to begin with anyway, and the baby was taken care of for a while now.

Besides all that, Regina was worth it, and she deserved the best ring he could afford.

He was about to ask about wedding bands that would go with it when the light from the outside caught on another ring, casting a ray on another row down from the one in his hand. It was smaller but even more stunning than the one he held. He didn't know why he hadn't seen it before.

Handing the ring back to her, he asked, "Actually, can I see that one?"

"This one here?" she confirmed, then reached for it when he nodded.

The woman, Julia, he noticed by her name tag, gave him the other while telling him, "This one is only a three-quarter carat princess cut, but it's a beautiful vintage halo."

Just like Regina, it was classic and beautiful. This is the one, he thought.

"It's stunning. I'll take it."

#

Groaning, she licked the chocolate from the tip of her spoon. She was propped up in bed against the headboard with only a sheet covering her. She balanced a small plate on her belly, and on it, a slice of seven-layer chocolate cake. Her legs were tangled together with Robin's who was next to her, just as equally naked and sated as she after a vigorous round of lovemaking and eating his own slice of cake.

"I cannot believe we're eating chocolate cake in bed... naked." She took another bite, savoring the dark, sweet frosting.

Robin grinned at her. "I'm convinced that this is the only good way to have it."

He'd gotten it for her to have with their celebratory glass of sparkling cider, but then he kissed her and her arms wrapped around him, drawing him against her. Their mouths softened and before they knew it, he was leading them down the hall and into the bedroom.

Regina arched a brow at him. "I bet you are."

He grinned, unashamed, and then sitting up, he reached out and grasped her plate. "I'm going to take this from you for a moment, my darling."

She scowled at him. She wasn't finished yet. "Why?"

"I have something else for you."

Regina conceded with a small sigh and rested back against her pillows. Her hand rubbed over her belly that was covered by her sheet. She smiled at the tiny feet making her belly rise. "I don't know… dinner, sex, sparkling cider, and cake..." She stretched out, and if the sheet slid down and exposed herself to him, she couldn't bring herself to feel bad about it. She bit her lip seeing his eyes fall to her chest, but then pulled it back up, as she said, "A girl could get used to this."

Once she was covered, Robin placed both pieces of cake on the bedside table. His forehead creased as he frowned. "I'm going to try and ignore how much emphasis was placed on the cake rather than the sex…"

Again, a giggle slipped from her. "Stop." She licked her lips and her eyes roamed over his bare chest and arms. She intentionally lowered her voice into something breathy and told him, "You know I love you naked and inside me more than any dessert."

Robin groaned then placed his hands on either side of her, lowering his head to take her lips in a lingering kiss. When he drew away, he bumped his nose lightly against hers and said, "Stop talking like that or you won't get this until later..." Another kiss and then, "Close your eyes."

"What?"

"Indulge me, babe." She didn't know what he was up to but did as he asked. She wondered if he was going to surprise her with something else for the baby… but her thoughts trailed away with his voice next to her ear. "Have I ever told you, I knew the moment we met we'd be together?"

She felt his lips as he kissed her cheek. "Oh, you knew it, did you?"

His quiet laughter filled the room. "Well... maybe a little later that day, but I knew there was something there. Some inexplicable pull to you I couldn't put into words and still can't explain to this day. Being with you, finding out Olivia is ours had only made that pull stronger. I'm quite convinced we were meant to be."

She let out a sigh as she felt his lips on her brow, her cheek, her jaw. "You're a terrible romantic," she breathed.

He hummed. She felt the bed dip as he sat back farther away from her now, but she didn't miss his, "You knew I was when you met me. After all, what man in his right mind wouldn't ask a beautiful, albeit a bit grumpy pregnant woman out on a date?" in response.

"Only one bold, frustratingly charming idiot I know."

She felt his hand take her left hand that had been resting on her belly and her brow scrunched feeling cold metal as it slid on… on her finger. Regina's heart leaped, and her breath caught in her throat.

"Alright, open your eyes." Maybe, if she wasn't pregnant, if she wasn't carrying this wonderful man's child she might have been able to keep the tears that filled her eyes at bay, but she was so she didn't. She let them fall unchecked down her cheeks, and looked up into his blue, hopeful eyes that held hers as he asked, "Regina Mills, mother of my child, will you marry me?"

With her hand grasping his she let him help her sit up fully. She reached out, taking his face between her palms and urged him down to her. Her heart thundered from feeling so happy and in love. She broke from their kiss and placed a hand on the side of her belly where her daughter began to kick some more, no doubt excited from her emotions. A watery, chuckle left her, and she smiled. "Yes. Yes, I will marry you."

#

Robin was happy. Deliriously so. She said yes. He was going to marry the woman he loves more than anything in the world… except perhaps his baby girl…

She rose up on her knees and slipped the sheet from herself.

His hands grasped her hips as she dipped her head. Her lips were soft, and he tasted her tears on them. Robin felt himself stirring again as her wandering hands traced over the contours of the muscles in his arms and shoulders. He groaned when her lips replaced her hands, dotting kisses on his neck and chest. She would be the death of him, but Robin could not fathom a more fitting way to perish.

She pushed him back, and he went willingly. Over the last few weeks her belly had gotten a bit bigger, and they found sex more comfortable for her with her on top or on her side with him behind. He didn't mind either, but God he loved watching her. Her belly wasn't the only thing blossoming. Her breasts were starting to become fuller as the weeks went on, captivating his attention when he wasn't looking into those wonderful warm depths of her eyes.

"Cake can wait," she told him with a quirk of her brow.

He grinned and grasped her hips, pulling her against him with his hard length nestled between them. He guided her up and took himself in hand, running the top of him along her before guiding her gently down. A breath passed through her lips as she sank fully on him. She stilled for a moment and slowly rose, her urgency growing more with each motion down. Her fingers tangled in his and his name left her lips in a reverent, needy whisper.

He was worried it was too soon, that she may need more time before they had sex once again. But she wanted him, and he wouldn't refuse if she felt up to it. He reached down between them and ran his fingers over her clit softly. Her soft gasps encouraging his fingers to move in quick, tight circles.

Her breath hitched, and she licked her lips, her hands clutching his arms. Robin knew it was only a matter of time. "Regina, look at me, my love."

Her dark eyes opened slowly, heavy with arousal. His other hand dropped to her hip, clutching her. The feel of her tight heat sank over him again and again, drawing him closer to the edge.

Jaw tightening, he coaxed, "Come for me, baby."

She closed her eyes, murmuring, "I am," then he watched as she came, and he couldn't help himself, he wanted those full, pink lips on his. Leaning forward, Robin reached up and took her mouth in a kiss. Her nails dug into his shoulders, her movements becoming more and more erratic.

Robin fell back and grasped both her hips and thrust up one, two, three more times before emptying himself deep inside her.

She hummed softly, and he helped her fall softly on her side beside him. Her head fell onto his shoulder, and he held her close for some time while they came down from yet another orgasm. His hands traced along her spine, over her hip and side of her belly. He could feel the stretch and kicks of their child against his side making him smile. When long moments had passed, Robin whispered lazily against her brow. "Tell me that was better than cake."

Regina wrapped her arm firmly around Robin's waist and giggled. "It was," her heavy, sleep-filled response came.