Life is a series of obstacles, events, and routines that require careful consideration and planning. Regina stood in front of the mirror staring at her naked form and frowned.

Was it her imagination or was her body already changing? Sure, her breasts were fuller, her stomach softer. But her mind could see the hips already widening and her thighs already fuller.

No matter if she knew she was being ridiculous, she was fretting the changed her body was soon to overgo.

Behind the door, she heard Robin in the bedroom talking on the phone. She couldn't make out the words, but she could hear him moving around, his voice was professional.

Distracted, she wrapped a towel around herself and opened the door. He had his hand poised with a pen, jotting down a number.

"I appreciate it. I'll be in touch." He turned and smiled, "Hey."

At her dresser, she pulled out undergarments, a shirt, a pair of jeans, and socks. "Who was that?"

Absently, she fiddled with the towel. Why was she suddenly embarrassed to be naked in front of him? It unnerved her. With intention, she dropped the towel on the bed.

As she slipped her undergarments in place, he sat watching her. "Client," he murmured.

Over her shoulder she met his eyes, but he was distracted by her body. "I'm fat," she grumbled pulling on her jeans.

"What?"

"You're staring."

"I know what I'm doing. Why the hell would you think you were fat?" He edged closer and swung his feet to meet the floor.

As she hooked her bra in place, she sighed, "My clothes are tighter." To prove it, she had to scoop her breast to rest in the cup. It overflowed over the fabric and she scowled at the cleavage it showed.

"I see that," he said to her breasts.

"Robin," she snapped.

His eyes shot to hers, he saw the redness of her cheeks, the irritation in her eyes. "You're gorgeous."

"I look like some pinup girl. I'm gonna have to get new bras, new clothes," she jerked her arms into a t-shirt. "I'm fat."

"You're pregnant," he amended. "Your body is going to change and I for one am looking forward to it." He took her hand and pulled her into his lap. He touched his lips to hers.

"Of course, you are," she rolled her eyes.

"What's eating you? Besides the obvious," he smiled.

"I'm tired, the nausea isn't going away, and we're buried in depositions."

He watched her eyes, "No. That's not it." He lifted her chin to meet his eyes. She looked pissed and sad. To soothe her, he leaned forward and kissed her long and hard. He edged into a deep and warm kiss. She trembled against him and moaned deep and long.

He rolled until she was under him, he scraped his teeth along her bottom lip, nibbled until his teeth sank into the skin at the point where her pulse beat rapidly. "I just took a shower," she managed.

"Uh-huh," he hummed against her skin. His hands molded and pressed. He could smell the subtle fragrance of her soap. He covered her mouth with his and took the kiss from exploratory to desperate.

Her arms hooked around his neck and gave herself to him. Her fingers worked his shirt up his back until he lifted to pull it off. Her nails grazed the front of his chest.

Humming, he removed the shirt she'd just put on, threw it aside, and filled his hands with her. "You're beautiful," he whispered against her lips.

Her fingers fumbled with the buttons on his slacks, "You're full of it," she laughed. Hooking her thumbs into the fabric, he helped her glide it from his hips. He toed off his shoes, threw the slacks aside.

"Come here, let me show you how full of you I can get." Her jeans were pulled from her body in one swift move as she giggled. His fingers disappeared beneath the lace and found her warm and wet.

Her giggle morphed into a husky moan. Her breathing was hitched as he took her up and over. He pressed against her, in her. "Robin," her breath sobbed out as she came.

Unbearably aroused, she grabbed at him, wrapped around him as he groaned. He captured her lips and rolled the fabric down her legs. He rolled to his back and brought her atop him.

She smiled down at him, "I thought you wanted to fill me." Her eyes were playful, she wasn't focusing on whatever had come into her eyes before this dance began.

"I will," he said and guided her onto him. Their shared groan vibrated deep with him. He sat up and wrapped around her. "How's that?"

Her arms locked around him, "So far so good." The smirk on her face brought such a thrill to him.

He shifted, rolled her hips over him, and watched her eyes cloud. "Hold on, it'll only get better." He tightened his grip and rocked slowly. His hands bit into her hind and lost himself in her.

..

"So, are you going to tell me what was eating you?" His fingers cascaded through her hair as she lay wrapped in a sheet over his chest.

"Zelena called me last night." She snuggled closer for warmth.

He kissed the top of her head, "What did she say?"

"I didn't answer the call," she admitted. "I was a coward. I figured whatever she wanted could wait. I'm still angry with her."

"I know."

"I just…I know she meant well, but she went about it the wrong way. She knew how much it would hurt me." She knuckled a tear away.

"Hey," he shifted to his side and lifted her chin. "You have a right to be upset. It's been enough, don't you think? Don't you want to tell her our news?"

"No," she lied.

"Come on. If you were in her position, what would you have done? Honestly?"

She sighed, "I guess the same thing. I would've done what my mother wanted. I just…It's not Zee that I'm mad at. I worry that what I tell her will get back to her."

He raised a brow, "Does it matter?"

"Yes," she insisted. "It does matter. She doesn't deserve to be a part of my life. She walked out years ago. Why should I let her be a part of it now?"

"I don't know because you're thirty-two years old, not ten." He looked at her disapprovingly. "Until a week ago, we thought you were sick. If that isn't a time to tell your family what is going on with you, I don't know when is."

Withdrawing, she rolled to look up at the ceiling. "But I'm not sick. I'm fine."

"I know that. Dr. Harmon said the new medication would be safe for the baby and would give you relief. Just because we don't have to worry doesn't mean that you should close yourself off from your sister." He squeezed her hand.

"Regina, you're pregnant. We're getting married. I told everyone I know because I'm so proud to call you mine. To start a family with you." She turned her head to meet his eyes. "Do I embarrass you?"

"No, of course not."

"Then, it's time to be an adult and talk to your sister. You'll feel better for it. Trust me," he kissed her fingers. "You've been moody all week and I think it has little to do with the baby."

"We've been busy with depositions and slammed with paperwork." She looked so damned earnest, it made him smile.

"Sure, but usually that puts a smile on your face not a sneer." He brushed his thumb along her lower lip. "Talk to her."

"Soon," she returned staring at the ceiling.

"Now," he suggested handing her the phone. "The longer you wait, the longer I have to see you unhappy. Call her. I'll be in the living room." He leaned over her, kissed her lightly. "I love you."

He slid his jeans up his hips and walked out of the room leaving her frowning after him.

..

Dressed and feeling more in control, Regina sat on the newly made bed. Robin's shirt was folded on the table, his shoes beside the door.

She dialed her sister's number and waited until the third ring to hear her voice. "Regina, it's about time you call me back."

"I've been rather busy," she said.

"I'm sure," Zelena said sarcastically. "Look, I'm sorry for what happened in London. I wasn't honest with you and I should've been."

"How could you do that? You knew how hurt I'd be."

"I know," she sighed through the phone. "I wanted to see you get along. I guess I thought that everything would be fine. I thought we'd get along and it would be like it was before."

Regina asked, "Before what? She's been gone for years, Zee. I don't know that woman. I don't know what to say to her and the way she was trying to pretend like nothing was wrong…"

"She wasn't acting like nothing was wrong, Regina. She was trying to make a connection."

"Bullshit. She wanted to pretend like walking out on us was no big deal. She pretended to be the perfect mother and that was an insult."

Zelena sighed, "Okay, yes. She wanted to make a good impression. She was embarrassed by what her life became, Regina. She's still in recovery. Seeing you come in looking beautiful and put-together, that killed her."

"Why?"

"I think you made her nervous. She was really upset after you left. In fact, that's the reason I've been calling you."

"What?"

"Well, after you left, she disappeared. I haven't been able to get ahold of her. I can't find mother."

"Oh," she frowned. Despite her feelings her stomach fluttered. "I don't know what to say, Zee. Except that I hope she's alright."

"I almost believe that."

"I'm not a horrible person. Where would she go?"

"I don't know, I can only guess to score. She's been in recovery. It's only common sense to think she'd score drugs being that upset."

"Great. Did you file a missing person's report?"

"No."

"You should. It'll help to have more than one person looking."

"I guess. Regina, you sound tired."

"I've been through a lot lately, Zee. I have so much to tell you." She rested a hand on her belly.

"Tell me."

So, she did. Regina laid it all out for her. She told her of the testing, Robin's father's death, her pregnancy, her cancer scares, her health issues now, and her engagement.

It spilled out of her like a flood. When she'd gotten it all out and Zelena said her apologies, her heart lifted. It felt good to express herself uncensored.

"Oh, Regina. Are you sure you're not sick?"

"Yes. I'm fine, the baby is fine."

"I can't believe it. I know you've wanted to be a mother for a long time. I'm happy for you. When is the baby shower?"

Regina laughed, "I don't know. Ask Maggie. Oh, Zee." Tears fell down her face. "I missed you."

"I missed you more. Tell me, does he make you happy? Is he the one?"

"I love him, Zee. I love him more than I ever think I could have loved Daniel."

"That's saying something. You were out of your mind for Danny."

"I was but I was young. When I lost him, I thought I'd die along with him. Now, I think of him fondly. Robin is different. He's my partner, I trust him, he helps me," she laughed. "He puts me in my place."

Zelena laughed, "Really? That's interesting."

"Tell me you'll come to the wedding. Promise me."

"I promise. I'm glad you called me back."

"I'm sorry it took me so long." Regina smiled feeling lighter and less unhappy.

..

She found Robin in front of his laptop with files opened beside him, a steaming cup of coffee in his hand, and the radio crooning about there being no sunshine when she's gone.

He raised his head to gaze at her over his mug, the warmth filling his belly. "You call her?"

She took his mug and set it down and slid into his lap. "I did. Thank you." She touched her lips to his.

"For what?"

"For pushing me."

He smiled, "I didn't do anything. I just highly suggested."

Rolling her eyes, her lips curved. She laid her brow to his, "I mean it. You're good for me."

"I know. Well, what did she say?" He kissed her cheek.

"That's between us, but we made up. Cora is missing."

He creased his brow, "What?"

"After I left, she went on an errand, so she told Zelena. Zee hasn't heard from her. She can't find her."

"She just took off?"

"Yea. I encouraged her to take out a missing persons report. She probably went to score. We're not sure."

He smiled at her, "Look at you."

"What?"

"You care about what happens to her." He rubbed his hand along her thigh.

"I'm not a monster. I don't want her to be hurt or anything."

"It's okay to love her, Regina. She's still your mother despite what she's done. I know it might take a lot of time to forgive her but she's human. She made a mistake."

She was silent a long moment, "Could you forgive your parents for what they did to you?"

His face turned sober, "That's different. She didn't abuse you. She didn't leave you the way my parents left me. It's not a fair comparison. I resent you bringing it up."

Framing his face in her hands, she said, "I'm sorry. You're right. I shouldn't have brought it up. I…" Feeling embarrassed, no mortified, she stood and paced the room. "That was hateful."

"Regina, she abandoned you. I know what that feels like. It leaves you empty. There was no closure, you wonder what you did. What you could have possibly done to cause it."

He paused, drank deeply. "I've wondered it sometimes. It's not our fault," he said. "It's not your fault."

Their eyes met across the room. "It feels like it was. My father loved her. My sister loved her. She loved them. I had no place in her life. I was an obligation."

"I don't believe that."

"You didn't grow up in that house. I was invisible to her. A convenience when she saw fit. She sent me away to get an education. She put up with me when I was home.

"I tried to be quiet, to follow her rules, and to stay out of her way. Still, she found a fault in me. I was an embarrassment at best."

She kept pacing, felt the blood in her body vibrating. Tears tickled her eyes threatening to embarrass her further.

"When she was tired of me, she'd be working. Her work took more importance than I did. I distracted myself in my studies. I told myself that it would be alright. I'd be someone I could be proud of."

"Regina."

"But I couldn't grow up fast enough," she interrupted him. His voice was full of compassion, she hated it. She wanted to stay angry. Tears betrayed her and started to stain her cheeks.

"I was a woman in a girl's body, so it seemed. I lost out on my childhood. When my body began to show evidence of my growth, I didn't want to turn to her. I was humiliated and concerned. I went into my mother's bedroom."

He watched the grief and the sadness on her face. It was in her body, in her face. It broke his heart.

"I asked her what was happening to me. I tried to understand why she swatted me off like a fly. She told me to ask my father."

"Did you?" He spoke carefully.

"No. I researched it in a library. That became my way of support. My sister was too involved in her friends and being in my mother's back pocket," she said bitterly.

"By the time, I gained enough courage to ask her why she disliked me so much, she was gone." She stopped and stared at the wall. "My father told me she needed some time to herself."

"How long did you figure out she was gone for good?"

"I don't know. A year, maybe. I thought she would come back, but she never did. I never saw her again. The woman I saw in that restaurant in London wasn't my mother."

"Who was she?"

"A shadow," she murmured. "A shadow of a woman I never knew. A stranger."

He stood and took tentative steps toward her, put his hands on her shoulders, felt her jerk under them. "Why does it upset you so much?"

He turned her and came face to face with an innocent woman. Her eyes were so young. "I loved her, Robin. I loved my mother even if she couldn't love me."

"Do you really think she didn't love you?"

"I don't know. I can't say." She put her hand on her belly. "What I can tell you, is that I will love this child every single day."

"I know."

"I won't ever hurt them, turn my back on them, or make them feel like they are invisible." He caught a tear with his thumb. "I won't ever leave them. I won't ever make them feel empty and unimportant."

He cupped her cheek in his hand, "I know you won't. You have a big heart, Regina. I love you so much and it kills me to see you this upset. I didn't know you had this much hurt inside of you."

"Neither did I."

He lowered his brow to hers and closed his eyes. He held her, loved her, comforted her. "If you ever get a chance to talk with her, I think it would do you both some good to get all this out on the table."

"Maybe," she sniffed.

He wiped her tears, "Let's get some food and you can help me with this case."

Turning to glance at the screen, she nodded. Getting lost in a case would clear her head. Calm her nerves. It would take away this ache inside of her.

"Okay." He kissed her and they settled at the table.

He walked around to pour her a cup of coffee and watched the polish surround her and replace the hurt and vulnerable woman. By the time he sat, she was composed and dry-eyed.

She was going to be an amazing mother when she dealt with the world of hurt she was carrying. A wife that he could depend on. He smiled to himself as she drank and picked up a file.

He was a lucky bastard. She was more loving and had a bigger heart than she knew. Now that his plan was in motion, he knew that he'd do anything to make her happy.

It was a matter of time before he heard back from his contact. He hoped it wouldn't backfire. Hope, he thought. It was all he needed.