It has been so long since the last time I post something in here.
This is "I Believe" prequel, if you haven't read it, go now! Hahaha!
Thanks to Nani for helping me editing this and so! 3
And to ALL the types of mothers in the World, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! J
"Ma! Ma!" - Regina froze in her place. She was doing the dishes before leaving to her office. Slowly turning her face over her right shoulder, not believing what she heard. She saw the little girl, almost one-year-old smashing the banana bites to the table of her high chair. Her face and dark hair covered in oatmeal. "Ma! Ma!" she repeats offering the smashed banana she has on her little fist. At that moment Regina felt her eyes welling up with tears.
Regina remembered the first time Henry calling her "Ma!" He was six months old, she thought he would start saying "Dada", but no. It was like he knew she was her mom. While trying to grasp what her baby girl just said, her mind traveled to the first time she realized she was someone's mother.
It was spring and even though the weather should be nice, that day it was really hot. Henry was starting to learn how to sit, sometimes he would sit straight and other times he just supported his little arms to the side an then fell. To her, it was comical though she felt proud of her little prince. That day Henry was very fussy and clingy, dealing with his teething, the hot weather and just wanting to be held. Regina was getting a bit frustrated too, with Henry lately not sleeping well, having fever and such with the teeth situation, she has been waking up several times in the middle of the night with a crying baby in her arms.
She was getting home from work, feeling how her blouse and pants were clasping to her body all sweaty and feeling annoyed by that, she walked fast from her car to the door of her house. Her hair already up in a small ponytail, she was ready to remove her makeup and change into something more fresh and comfortable. Regina opened the door to her house feeling immediately the difference between the heat and the cool weather inside her mansion thanks to the A/C, relieve, she left her stuff on the table beside the door. She could hear the soft sound coming from her family room, on her way there, her heels making the clicking sound that echos all over her house, she found her nanny holding her baby boy, the tension of the day leaving her body right away, her heart expanding more just by seeing her son. Frowning, Regina saw his chubby cheeks were red and stained with dry tears.
"What happened?" Regina asked worried, even though she knew what whats going on.
Her nanny turned to her and sighed, relieved to see her. She looked exhausted while holding Henry. "He's being miserable, his gum is swollen." She said while Henry started to fuss again.
Regina's features softened watching her baby boy. "It's ok baby," The nanny said. Oh, but Henry had other plans, as soon he saw his mother, he blinked a couple of times, his little mouth turning into a pout, and then he did not cry, but wailed. Regina's heart contract by the sound. She saw what her nanny was talking about, his gums looked very red and swollen.
"Come here Sweetheart," the girl passed her Henry, and Regina automatically pressed her lips softly to his forehead, feeling him warm. Henry calmed a little bit and nuzzled his face in her chest. "He has a little fever, I'm gonna run him a bath," She said while trying to calm him, his little fits grabbing her blouse and his tears moistening it. "It's ok honey, Mama's here." She tried to soothe him while swaying side to side. Henry cried more. "Oh God," Regina murmured, it was too much for her. "Can you hold him for a minute? I'm gonna change and look for his gum's gel." She gave Henry back to his nanny making him cry even harder. "Baby, I'll be right back," She told him, as if he could understand her. Leaving Henry with his nanny, she felt the front of her blouse wet, a mixture of Henry's tears and sweat, she knew that his fever was getting up. She could hear him crying, and her heart was breaking with the sound. She was learning how much someone can hurt by just being a mother, not even when Daniel died she felt such a pain, it was like she was ready to switch places with her boy. Henry was just a happy baby, he only fussed when he was hungry, needed a change or was ready for bed, not even waking up was he like that.
He was a calm baby, the past six months living with him, learning step by step, going with his flow, not hers, she has been discovering how to be a mom. It was like every day brought her new teaching, one that not even inside a book she could find. Henry was teaching her how to be not just a mother, but his mother, and sometimes she felt like a failure. She just wanted her baby to be healthy, to be strong, to be happy. On her way to her room, Regina felt her eyes welling up with tears, her hand automatically pressed against her heart. She opened the door to her room, and after closing it she leaned on the door letting her tears run down her cheeks. Regina took a shaky breath trying to control her emotions, while Henry kept wailing for her. She quickly unbuttoned her blouse and pants while searching her drawers for some shorts and a sleeveless shirt.
After she changed, Regina went straight to her bathroom and cleaned her face, removing all her makeup or any sign that she has been crying her eyes out for her baby boy. Once finished, she put her expensive flip-flops and opened the door. She still could hear her baby crying out loud, her eyes quickly filling up with tears. Blinking them away, she walked to the stairs, "I'm coming Henry, I'll be right there" she said on her way to downstairs, only the nanny understanding. She walked to her kitchen passing by her family room and motioned the nanny to follow her.
The nanny, stopping on her tracks, not believing how relaxed the Mayor looked, she stared agape at her. Regina opened her fridge taking out Henry's gum gel and his cold ring. "Henry, just give me a second baby, let me get your toy," She told her son while turning her head to the side and looking at him. When he heard her and looked at her again, Henry cried harder, stretching his little arms toward her and wiggling a little in his nanny's arms. "Ma! Ma!" he cried, his baby voice trembling. Regina in shock turned around quickly. "Did he just?" She asked her nanny, while the other woman grinning brightly nodded. "Oh my God! Henry!" She exclaimed, her hands still full with the toy and gel for her son. "Come here honey," She took the baby from her nanny and he calmed a little, whimpering in her mother's arms. "Ma" he repeated pouting.
"Oh baby" She murmured and kissed his head.
"He called you mama, Madam Mayor." The nanny said enthusiastically while caressing Henry's soft baby cheek, strained with tears.
"Yes he did," Regina said smiling, in love with her son. She poured gel on her index finger and rubbed a little in his gum.
"Ma! Ma!" He fought trying to push her hand away.
Regina laughed through her new tears, "Yes, I am your mama."
"MA-MA!" Regina heard coming back to the present, blinking away the moist in her eyes, her heart fluttering with feelings. She saw her little girl, still offering the smashed bananas inside her fist. Regina smiled brightly at her baby girl, then taking a piece of paper towel, she opened the sink tap trying to get it wet.
"Is that for me?" She asked her baby.
"Ma!" The little girl smiled showing off the only 4 teeth she had.
After closing the sink tap and squeezing the paper towel, Regina walked to her daughter smiling, crouching a little she grabbed her baby girl tiny wrist, "Are you sharing with Mama, Coraline?"
"Ma!" The little girl shrieked.
"Yes, you are sweetheart," She said pressing her lips to the little fit and acting as she will eat it. "Nom, Nom, Nom..." she said making her baby squeal. Regina laughed at the baby's reaction and kissed her forehead. "I'm so proud of you," She told her daughter. "Sharing your breakfast with your mama," The little girl heard the word again and giggled at her mother. The brunette tried to clean her baby's face, tried because Coraline was whining and pushing away her mother's hand, her head moving side to side making Regina laugh.
"Ma-Ma!" She said giving her mother the rest of her smashed banana.
"I know you wanna share honey, but we have to get you ready..." She told her baby after cleaning the rest of her hands and face.
Regina smiled at her baby girl. Coraline was special, she wasn't supposed to have her, but apparently, she came from soulmates, true love. It was uncanny the way people kept telling her that her baby probably was born because she had a purpose, but she was no Saviour, or a Hero, or any other magical being, to Regina she was her gift from Robin.
Regina felt exhausted, she had been in labor for almost 14 hours, waiting for the baby to arrive. Even though she waited a lot of hours, the birth was quick. Regina lay back in her hospital bed sighing, all by herself there, the only company was her baby girl sleeping inside the bassinet. After learning how to breastfeed, a hurtful and difficult task, her baby latched, making her cry in relief. She was just there, waiting for her boys to come. Emma was supposed to pick them from summer camp; it was the first week of August, so they were still on vacation, and Snow just left to her house to change and see how her family was doing, probably coming back later. It was amusing how her relationship with her former step-daughter had changed, from being her enemy to her friend, and because of that she was grateful, as Snow never left her side during this last year, neither she nor her family. Regina closed her eyes, just taking in the silence in her room, breathing in, thinking about how much she wished Robin was there with her, meeting their baby. She wished he was there holding her through all the birth, she wished he was there telling her everything was going to be alright, she wished he was there learning every process with this new baby, she wished he was there helping her with the children, raising them together, she wished he was there by her side like it was supposed to be, she wished Robin became her future as he promised her.
Blinking away the moist of her eyes, Regina sighed again and heard the door, she knew her boys were there, so smiling brightly she saw how Roland pushed the door and ran to her, followed by an amused Henry.
"Regina!"Exclaimed the boy "Where's my baby?" he asked making her chuckle while he tried to get up in bed with her and having no luck. Pouting he looked at Henry "Will you help me? " he asked frustrated.
Still amused by the situation. Henry helped the little boy to get in bed next to Regina.
"Hi Roland" she kissed the boy's head while greeting him. Roland automatically snuggled next to her.
"Regina, where's my baby?" He asked her again while looking around the room.
Regina chuckled and then looked at Henry, "And you're not going to say hello to your mother?" She scoffed at him.
Henry chuckled and walking to the other side of her bed he hugged her and she kissed his cheek.
"Hi mom" He mumbled against her ear. "How you feeling?" He asked while breaking the hug.
"Tired, but ok..." She told him honestly. Though it was a natural birth, she felt her body aching and exhausted.
Henry tried to sit next to his mom, but Roland's whine stopped him.
"Regina..."He called her and she could tell he was getting anxious.
Regina rolled her eyes, laughing at the boy's antics and looked at Henry again. "Henry, can you please bring her here?" she asked him while pointing at the bassinet.
Henry's eyes winded, he had never carried a baby, probably his uncle Neal, but he always was seated. He looked between his mother and the basinet and Regina nodded to encourage him.
"Mom..." He started, and then Regina could notice the nervousness in his eyes.
"Just push it to here," She told him while pointing to a spot next to the bed. "You don't have to carry her...now," She told him biting back a laugh.
Henry looked at her in horror, he walked to the basinet and saw his baby sister inside sleeping. His horror expressions changed to a sweet smile, he felt warmth running all over him, feeling overprotective immediately, nobody will harm his baby sister. He looked at his mom and he noticed she was grinning brightly, happy tears starting to run down her cheeks.
Henry looked at his baby sister once again and pushed very slowly the basinet, stopping next to his mom. Regina moved so she could pick up her daughter and the baby stirred a little, making them smile. Roland watched everything very slowly, from how Regina picked up the baby to how she accommodated the head and little body in her arms.
In awe, the little boy got closer to Regina, "Well, this is your sister, Coraline." Henry sat on the other side of the bed, moving the basinet and leaving Regina between her two boys.
"Hi, my baby..."Roland whispered while he caressed Coraline's covered head.
Regina chuckled because since she told the boy she was going to have a baby, and that baby was going to be his sibling, Roland asked her if that baby was his too, and she told him yes, in a way it was going to be his sister or his brother to love, to protect and to care about. So since then, he began to say that it was HIS baby.
"She is so tiny mom," Henry said in amazement and unable to believe that his baby sister was already here.
"Yes, so we have to take care of her, right Regina? like we do with Robyn." Roland explained without taking his eyes away from his new sister.
Regina smiled proudly at him and kissed the side of his head. "That's right sweetheart." He has been very attentive with all the preparations for Coraline's arrival. Regina tried to make him part of everything, because, when they were waiting for Robyn, it was in a different situation and he learned about her after she was born.
Regina looked at Henry, he had been quiet, her alerts starting to show.
"What's going on Henry?" She asked in a low voice, Roland still entertained with his new sister.
Henry stopped looking at his sister and his gaze fell on his mother's. Henry noticed she was concerned.
"Is just..." Henry closed his eyes and shook his head a little.
Regina sighed and looked down at her daughter. She lifted her baby's head and kissed the head. After, she put the baby on the bed in front of them. She took one of Henry's hands and squeezed it a little.
"What's bothering you, honey?" She saw how Roland started to move to get closer to his sister. "Roland, be careful" admonished in a calm tone, she then looked at Henry.
"Is just...it's not fair mom", He told her while closing his eyes and laying back on her bed, a sigh leaving his lips.
Regina frowned, "What do you mean is not fair? What happened?" She could hear Roland talking to his sister. "Henry..." He could hear the concern in her voice. Regina turned to Roland and Coraline and saw that Roland was just looking with wonder at the baby, but he was getting really close. Patting a little Roland's back in warning, she looked at Henry. "Baby please, talk to me." She told her older son while removing some fringes that were getting just above his eyes, sighing, she knew he needed a haircut.
Blinking back his tears, Henry opened his eyes and looked at his mom, "It's not fair mom, it is not..." He sat down on the bed while looking at his siblings, "Robin should be here too," He told her. Regina felt how her breath got stuck in her throat. "He should be enjoying this mom, he should be here with you, meeting Coraline, he should be in Roland's life, he should be helping raise Robyn and I-I just miss him," he told her with a shrug.
Regina bit down her bottom lip because at that moment, her heart broke for her and her children. Henry was right, Robin should be there. Taking a shuddering breath, she hugged him to her side, "I love you so much Henry, and you are right he should be here with us. But remember something honey, he is here," Henry looked at her in confusion, "He's here with you "She told him while pointing his heart "He's here with us" she said while nodding towards Roland and Coraline, "and believe me, baby, I miss him too, every day. We are learning how to live with this pain Henry, and to be honest, it's going to be difficult. It is hard and the only way we can remember him is trying to live up to his name, even though that sounds heavy or complicated, every time we teach these kids, your siblings, something, we are literally going to think about what would Robin do; what he would teach his children, you're gonna teach them everything you got to learn from him, and I'm going to need your help in that. As a family, we're gonna keep Robin's memories alive sweetheart. Don't you worry, I do know how much you miss him, every time I heard you talking to Roland." She told him with a winked making him blush, "and as an older brother, you're helping here Henry, and you don't even realize how much." She told him and then kissed his temple. Henry looked a little relieved though he knew their lives were gonna get a little more hectic with a new baby in the house. He looked at his mom and smiled, "Thank you mom." he told her and then they heard the little squeak that came from the baby.
"I think Corie is 'bout to cry" Roland looked at them a slightly guilty, thinking it was his fault that his baby sister was fussing.
Regina heard how Roland called his sister, but paid no mind. Sbe noticed her pink beanie was about to get out of her head and her little fits were moving all around her head.
"I think this," she said taking the beanie out of her baby's head "Is making her uncomfortable."
"Oh my God mom, she has a lot of black hair!" Henry exclaimed laughing.
Regina narrowed her eyes to him, a snickered leaving her lips while picking up her baby again so her brothers could have her close to them.
"Ok, so who wants to hold her?" She asked her boys, looking at both sides of her.
"I do!"Roland said while raising his hand, Regina laughed at his reaction.
"And you?" She asked Henry, the boy glanced at her worried.
"Mom," He whined, "I don't wanna drop her." Henry murmured.
"You won't, I promise...now both of you go wash your hands and then put some hand sanitizer." She ordered her boys while positioning the bed with the head up.
Henry helped Roland to get down of the bed and wash his hands. After the boys did what Regina asked, both got back to either side of her in the bed.
"Me first, me first!" Roland said to her.
"Ok honey," she said while laughing. "I need you to sit like this," She explained to him, showing Roland how to sit properly so he could hold his new sister, his back leaning against the head of the bed. Regina told him how he needed to put his arms and Roland obediently followed her instructions.
Carefully, Regina put Coraline in his big brother's arms, "You just have to be careful with her head Ro, she is so small she can't hold her head by herself just yet, so we're gonna help her ok?"
Roland smiled warmly at his baby sister, his eyes were focused on her, he felt a funny sensation in his tummy, like the love he still has for his papa, his mama, his Uncle John, all the merry men, like he love his big brother Henry and his sister Robyn; like he loved his Regina, he felt love for his new sister, and it felt uncanny because he just met her.
"Henry, can you pass me my phone?" Regina asked her older son nodding towards the table that settled next to her bed. Henry reached out and grabbed the phone and then handed it to her.
Regina looked for the camera application and took some pictures of Roland holding the baby. After the last picture, she noticed the boy was frowning while looking at Coraline.
"What's wrong Roland?" She asked him worried, then she looked at Henry and he shrugged.
Roland looked at her, blinking; he was apprehensive, she could say. Once again his eyes fell on his baby sister, and then he looked at Henry.
"Hey honey," She called him patting his knee "What's the matter?"
Roland's lips turned into a pout and Regina noticed his eyes were shining with tears. She took the baby from Roland's arms and told Henry to hold her. Henry's eyes winded instantly, she didn't give him any option. He held his baby sister like he was taught before, with his uncle and watching his mother. Coraline stirred in his arms but never cried.
Regina reached Roland and grabbed his face between her hands. "What's wrong?"
"Am I going to share you too with Corie?" He asked, hesitant.
Regina blinked, not understanding what he was talking about, then she noticed that he called Coraline, Corie again.
"What do you mean?" She removed some of the curls that were getting on the way of his eyes, he too needed a haircut; but of course, if Henry is not gonna do it first, then he wouldn't want to do it either. Roland looked up to Henry a lot.
Bitting down his lower lip, he looked over to Henry, who also was waiting for an answer, then at the baby and finally at Regina. "Because," He sighed "because Henry gets to share you with me and now with Corie, and if I have to do the same that means that I am your son too?"
Regina gasped at the unexpected question, her gaze fell over Henry and the boy was trying to suppress a smile while shrugging and looking back at his baby sister. Since she started a relationship with Robin, she knew he had a son, even when they were back at the Enchanted Forest where they met, Roland became so important to her. He made everything easier to her, he helped her when she missed Henry, thanks to him she and Robin started a relationship, because through him Robin met the vulnerable side of her. Roland never left her during that year in the Forest, and even when they believed Marian was alive, the boy still looked for her. It broke her heart when Robin died because immediately all she was able to think about was his son, he was going to be alone. Yes, he had the Merry Men, but still, Roland already was a part of her like it was a part of Robin, so when Little John asked her if she could take care of him, help them raise Roland, she didn't think twice and took him under her wing. Now he was Roland Hood-Mills, because yes, she became his legal guardian.
And to her, he was her son long ago.
He was her little boy, the one that put everything upside down inside The Mills household, the one that made her laugh with his witticisms, just like his papa. When Henry was calm and adventurous, Roland was loud and also adventurous, but an extreme kind. Roland was unique and attentive, lovable, outgoing and fearless. Henry taught her to be a strong mother, to leave selfishness, to be alert, to put someone before her, to love deeply, who would truly give her heart for someone.
While Roland in this last year, taught her to be always alert as he was too unpredictable. She always had to be ahead his next step, although he has made her a more layback mother. Henry taught her what it was like to have a seven years old boy, but with Roland she never thought it would take this much energy. Henry was more stealthy, he always analyzed his next step first, Roland didn't care about his next step.
A mother would realize this, the differences between her children, knowing what makes them different and unique, she fell in love with each of them in a different way, but an extraordinary love like no other, it was the way she felt with her three children, she loved them, would give her life for them. Of course, Roland was her son, she couldn't deny it.
She put some of Roland's curls behind his ear, putting her finger under his chin, she lifted his face to her. "Of course you are. You're my son Roland, never doubt that you," she held his hand "Henry," she then reached to one of Henry's knees "and Corie are my children and only mine to love. Of course, you know I Iove your sister Robyn as my own, and I will do anything for you," she wrinkled her nose a little and then kissed his forehead. "I love you Ro."
She felt how he threw his arms around her neck, hiding his face in her neck.
"Ugh!" she huffed in surprise.
"I love you too Momma." He whispered
Regina felt a sob leave her lips, tightening the hug. She looked up to Henry who was smiling brightly then kissed Roland's head.
And at that moment, Coraline squeaked making her laugh.
"Ok then, your sister got bored with her big brother." She chuckled and Roland broke the hug.
Roland pushed Regina a little so he can get comfortable next to her, and Regina brought her baby again to her arms.
"Hey! I'm not boring! I'm cool!" Henry protested
"No!" Roland shook his head "I'm the cool one, right Momma." he asked her looking to his side and watching her getting comfortable in bed.
He called her Momma one more time, and she felt her insides getting warm with love.
"Well I think you both are cool, " She told them adjusting Coraline in her arms.
"Hey!" Henry whined
"...in your own ways." she finished, laughing at his reaction.
"Hi Corie" Roland whispered at his sister
"Roland, did you put a nickname on your sister?" She asked curiously, it was the third time she heard him.
Shrugging, "I guess, Coraline, is too long." he explained while caressed his sister little covered foot.
" I like it, " Henry told his mom "Corie," he said grabbing her little fist.
"Ok love, I guess you got yourself a nickname," she told Coraline. "Henry grabbed the phone "I want a picture, " she said while she still watched her daughter and noticed a glimpse of a dimple. Regina grinned, she was going to have Robin's smile.
"Here mom..." he offered the phone.
"Oh honey please take a selfie." she asked him "I need a picture with my children."
Roland smiled brightly showing her his dimples.
"You better put this picture in your office desk" Henry joked.
She shuddered, she was not going to put that picture where everyone can see how messed up she looked, wearing a comfortable pajama gown and her hair up in a messy bun, no make up on her face, no way.
" I don't think so." Regina scoffed.
"Yes you are mom, now everyone, don't move..." Henry lifted his arm, while Roland got close to Regina and she adjusted her baby trying to show her little face in front of the camera, smiling brightly and actually looking at the picture, watching her children, she thought that Robin literally was her future.
"Momma!" she blinked back to the present, taking Coraline out of her highchair.
She looked at her sons running into the kitchen. "Yes, Roland?" Hissing because she was getting tired of telling them that no running and screaming inside the house. She adjusted Corie on her hip, walking to the sink, as that oatmeal was on her baby's hair too.
"Mom we're gonna be late." Henry told her desperate.
Regina scoffed and watching her wristwatch, she noticed they were still on time.
"Guys relax, I made some sandwiches for you, have breakfast." She told them cleaning the rest of the oatmeal out of her daughter's hair.
"But momma, " Roland whined.
"Boys, we have almost half an hour until I have to drop you off at camp, so better have breakfast because I don't wanna hear another complain, is that clear?" She told them sternly, making Roland pout and Henry roll his eyes.
"Mom, I wanna get there in time for tryouts." He told her while sitting on the chair at the dining room table.
Regina turned to him after closing the water tap from the sink and narrowed her eyes at his son.
"Henry I paid a lot of money so you two can enjoy this baseball camp, this tryouts are just for the summer camp, not for the baseball season, so calm down," She glanced at both of her sons "and eat your breakfast, I need to change your —" she felt how her hair was pulled down, "Corie!" Regina winced taking her hair out of her baby's fist. "Don't do that!" She knew she needed a haircut, but since Coraline was born, her hair had grown almost at her shoulder blades. She could hear both of her sons laughing.
"Ma-Ma!" Corie giggled
Then she heard her boys gasp.
"Mom!" they both exclaimed in surprise.
"Did she just said "Mama"?" Henry asked her while walking towards his mom.
Regina's mood shifted instantly at her sons' surprising reaction and she grinned widely to them.
"Yes she did," she said proudly.
"That's so cool Corie" He told his baby sister while dropping a kiss in her head.
"Reeee!" Of course, 'Mama' was not Coraline's first words, she learned how to call her big brothers, she learned how to say no, to say hi, bye and water, at almost eleven months. While she called Henry, Ree, she called Roland, Roo.
"Momma, finally she says your name!" Roland laughed
Henry snickered while Regina scowled at him, they knew what Roland was talking about like she thought before, Coraline learned how to say their names, but to hers, the baby had never pronounced the noun.
Regina laughed, bouncing Coraline a little on her hip, making the baby squeal.
"Finally!" she repeated his words. "Now, both of you finish your breakfast, this princess and I need to get ready." She chuckled.
Regina saw how her boys walked back to their breakfast, but Roland twirled fast and started talking.
"And no Switch on the table, Roland." She then walked away with her daughter, hearing Henry talk. "I told you, mom knows everything." She shook her head smiling.
Of course, she knows everything and now more than ever, because after what she had been through, Regina knew that there was no better character than to be a mother.
"And Henry what did I tell you about leaving your shoes on the stairs." Both boys heard her while looking at each other with widened eyes.
The end.