ATTENTION: THE AUTHOR IS POSTING THE LAST CHAPTER ON MAY 5. TO THANK ALL THOSE WHO HAVE READ HER STORY, SHE IS ALLOWING THE ENTIRE STORY TO BE PUBLISHED UNTIL MAY 22.

THIS BOOK OR ANY PORTION THEREOF MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM WITHOUT PERMISSION. THE SCANNING, UPLOADING, AND DISTRIBUTION OF THIS BOOK VIA THE INTERNET OR VIA ANY OTHER MEANS WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER IS ILLEGAL AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.

THE SMELL OF COFFEE AND CINNAMON fill her senses when she wakes. Fluttering her eyes open and shielding them from the sun through the open blinds, she takes a deep breath. Glancing at the clock, she smiles. Two hours. Two hours and she would spend the day with Roland.

Thrilled and filled with excitement, she climbed out of bed and slipped on her robe. In the Kitchen, Robin was perched on a stool newspaper in hand. A cup of steaming coffee set on the counter next to him. His eyes met hers as she stepped out of the hallway. "Morning," he smiled.

Stepping into his arms, she wrapped her arms around his neck and met his waiting lips. Sinking into a warm kiss, she hummed, "Morning." They indulged in another kiss, she nuzzled in closer. She brushed her nose along his, "What's that smell?"

"Oatmeal, in the pot," his hand patted her bottom. "Come on, you've got to eat and get ready. Big day ahead, starting with a surprise."

Walking around the counter, she filled a mug and a bowl, sat beside him, "What surprise?"

He smirked, "If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?"

Rolling her eyes, she took the first bite of the oatmeal and sighed, "A-plus," she announced.

"Thanks for the grade, Ms. Mills," he laughed. "My mother called this morning," he said as he filled his mug and took a long sip.

"Yea?" He watched his brows knit, his mouth frowned slightly.

"They've invited us to stay at the house, she spent some time getting a room ready. She insisted," he said.

"So, she knows about us?" She watched him over the rim of her cup.

"Of course, she does. I told her the night I told you I loved you," he said. "You know what she said?"

Setting down her mug, she asked, "What?"

"Be careful, Robby. My mother worries, especially after what happened with Greta. She never forgave me for sneaking off to get married."

Regina stood, went to him, wrapped around him, "She's right to worry. I'll be careful, Robby," she grinned.

"Don't call me that," he insisted. "If you start calling me that, I'll only picture my mother and that could get tricky. Especially when I do this," he said taking her mouth with his in a long sultry kiss. His hands fisted in her hair, around her waist, took the kiss a hair deeper. "Don't traumatize me like that."

Laughing, she lifted her chin, "I'll spare you the shame. Thanks for breakfast," she smiled before untangling herself and heading off to the shower.

THE SMILE ON HER face told him how much she loved his surprise. "How did you manage this?"

Standing on the sidewalk outside of Harley's toy store, a banner hung over the display window reading, Merry Christmas Roland. In the window, the north pole was surrounded by a locomotive train currently circling slowly around the cheery scene. The window sprayed with snow, Mr. and Mrs. Clause flanked the shelf smiling at them and waving in rhythm.

"I pulled some strings," he said. "Come on, there's more." He took her hand and knocked on the locked door of the store. Behind the glass, a woman dressed as an elf turned, smiled, and opened the door.

"Robin, come on in, it's all set," she said. "Hi, you must be Regina. I'm Tink," she offered her hand.

Speechless, Regina turned to him and had tears in her eyes, "I don't…"

"Just wait for it," he said sliding his hand in hers.

The store held two walkways that split into a diamond and merged together at the back of the store. They went right he looked down to see her jaw drop. Santa's workshop was covered in snow, there was a small train track, children could sit in and ride the train around the area. A large red chair sat in the center ready for Santa.

Behind the chair, a backdrop was set up for photos, a table held several photo props. Christmas trees flanked the chair on each side, more pine trees with covered snow lined the train tracks. A large white area rug covered in penguins, snowmen, and elves stood out in spots. A pile of presents overflowing from Santa's bag.

"This is gorgeous," Regina managed.

Robin turned to her, "We have the store for an hour," he told her. "Call Katherine, tell her to get down here. Take pictures, let him ride around, open presents, I bought him a few. I want you to have this time, Regina. Before the crowds and the other distractions."

Tears filled her eyes, spilled over on her cheeks, "Why did you do this? I can't believe you'd do this," she said.

"I told you," he said framing her face with his hands, "I'll give you anything you want. You want to give Roland a good Christmas. I told you I'd help you, and I meant it. I called Tink last night," he smiled. "Call her."

"I love you," she said. Wrapping him in a hug, he breathed her in.

"I love you, too. Now, call her," he said kissing her.

REGINA STOOD NEAR THE door with a Santa hat on her head, dangling bells at her ears, and nervous jitters in her belly. Beside her, Robin stood with an elf hat on his head, slippers on his feet, and slid his hand in hers. "Don't worry, he'll love it."

"I know," she said. "I'm nervous and I don't know how to feel or what to say. It's been months and I hope it's not too awkward with Katherine." It was her concern and she'd kept it inside of her. What-ifs were numerous and unworthy of her thoughts. Human, she worried.

Glancing at him, she said, "You're amazing for doing this. For wearing that."

Puffing out his chest, he lifted his chin in defiance, "What this? I make a cool elf. Check out these ears," he flaunted them proudly.

Unable to hold it in, she laughed, "You are pretty cute. Come here, elf. Give me some sugar," she smirked into the kiss.

The bell on the door rang, she pushed Robin's chest and turned. Katherine walked in wearing black jeans over boots, a red coat, and her blonde hair loose around her shoulders. A smile in place and her hands rested on Roland's shoulders.

Focusing on the boy, she smiled at him. He wore boots, dark blue jeans, his coat was brown, and hugged his plaid shirt. His dark brown curls framed his face currently broken out into a dimpled smile. "Gina!" The boy rushed forward and launched himself into her arms.

Regina lifted him off the ground and wrapped her arms around him with emotions overwhelming her. "I missed you," she said into his hair. Crouching down, she set him on his feet and placed him at arm's length. "You look so handsome," she smiled. Looking up, she looked at Katherine. "Kat."

Kat smiled, "Hi. He's been really excited to see you."

Standing, she hugged her. "This is Robin, Robin, this is Katherine Nolan." They exchanged introductions. "Roland, this is Robin. A friend of mine."

"Hi," he said.

Robin crouched down, offered his hand, "Hi, Roland. You ready to have some fun?"

He glanced up at Regina, at Katherine, then met his eyes, and nodded. "Yea."

"Well, we have about an hour in this toy store. We'll take some pictures, you'll get to open some presents, and the big man is here," he smiled.

"Big man?"

Robin grinned, "Santa."

"Really?" His gaze drifted to Regina and went alight. "Santa is here?"

"You bet," she said. Holding out her hand, she asked, "Ready?"

Roland slid his hand into hers, and she led him into the store.

It was the best morning with Roland in her life. She watched him have the time of his life. She watched him ride the train, run around the toys, listen to Robin explain how the locomotive worked. Tink brought out cocoa with cinnamon with peppermint sticks and mint mixed in.

After the discussion, she took a picture with Roland and Santa. Took one with Robin and her. Took one of the four of them. She even took one with her and Kat. The last picture was of Roland on his own. Memories, she thought.

After, she watched him open presents from Santa, Robin, a few she'd snuck in, and Kat. They ranged from superheroes, cars and trucks, a rocket, and Robin bought him a book and action figure of Robin Hood. It melted her heart to see the love on Roland's face.

Roland and Robin got into a deep discussion over comic books. Robin lifted him on his shoulder to check out a display of a Spiderman figurine atop the boy's shoes section. Watching them together made her smile. Robin was sweet, attentive, and didn't seem to mind the chatter. If she didn't know either of them, it looked like a father and his son.

Kat said, "He seems like a nice guy. He's good with him."

Regina turned, "I'm in love with him."

"I know," she said. "I've watched you together. Has he said it? Have you?"

Sitting on a bench, they sat, "Yes, to both. We're flying to London in the morning. I'm spending Christmas with his parents. I'm visiting my sister," she said keeping her mother out of it.

"Wow, so it's serious," she stated.

"Yea, I think so. We work together, he's a civil attorney," she said. "I keep waiting for it to go south."

"Oh, Regina. Don't. You deserve to be happy, and from what I've seen, you are. Keep it that way," she said rubbing her shoulder. "Always a cynic," she joked.

"I am…okay, maybe a little," she admitted.

"Regina, I'm really sorry for how I behaved and for what I did," she said somberly. "I freaked out, and I still do. Roland asks about you all the time and it breaks my heart that you can't be together."

Swallowing, she sighed, "I don't blame you, Kat. It's not your fault and I know it would hurt you if you lost him."

"It would," she confessed. "Seeing the connection, you have makes me envious. He talks about you all the time. He has your picture on his nightstand."

That made her smile, "Really?" When she saw the look on her face, she felt guilty. "I'll go along with what you want. I don't want to step on your toes or cross any boundaries."

"I know you wouldn't, but it's hard on him. How long are you gonna be gone?"

"Two weeks," she said. "Robin and I are spending Christmas and New Year in London. We'll be back on the fourth."

"Call me when you get back. I'm going to duck out and let the three of you enjoy the day."

"Kat, you don't have to do that," she protested.

"You need the time. Take it," she said hugging her. "Drop him off at my place later, okay?"

"Thank you." They hugged one more time before Kat left.

Regina went back toward the boys, Roland was riding the train, while Robin sat in Santa's chair. She went toward the chair, "This is the best surprise." Sliding into his lap, she wrapped her arms around him. "Kat left."

"Why?"

"She wanted to give us the day to ourselves. Tink says we've got twenty minutes before she opens the doors." Resting her brow to his, she smiled, "Thank you. You're so good with him."

"He's a great kid. I see why you love him."

Tears burned her eyes, "I do," she said turning to look at him.

"Gina, look! Choo Choo!" His giggles brought joy to her heart and a sudden sadness that had her burying her face into Robin's shoulder.

"Shh…" he soothed. "Don't cry, baby." His hands caressed her back in comfort. "Hey," he took her shoulders and pushed them back to see her face. He used his thumbs to wipe her tears. "I know what you're feeling. Let's table it, and enjoy your time, okay? Come on."

Nodding, she swallowed the lump in her throat, "Yea, okay. I'm sorry."

He leaned in and kissed her softly, "The parade is starting soon, let's get Roland and find a good spot."

THE STREETS WERE CROWDED with people as they usually were during this time of year. The Parade route was centered on the main street in town. Shop windows were adorned in lights and decked out in Christmas gear. Along the electrical lines, they managed to hang Santa's sleigh along with all the reindeer. Rudolf included, as Roland pointed out.

Along the sidewalk's booths were spread out offering treats, art, and products of all kinds. Robin stood with his hand in Regina's, his other was full of Roland. Perched on his hip, he turned, "When does it start?"

Robin squeezed his side, "Patience, buddy. You see that fire truck?"

Craning his neck, he tried to get as tall as he could get, "Yea!"

"That's where it'll start, see that banner? They start the show."

Regina said, "After the parade, we'll walk around the booths for some fun stuff."

He turned and winked as he squeezed her hand, "Good idea. Look, here they go."

The threesome watched the parade pass by starting with the firetruck and the trusty dalmatian pal. A marching band followed playing the ever-popular, 12 Days of Christmas. The next four floats had Roland yelling with excitement. "Look! It's the north pole." Then, "Those elves are sillier than Tink." Then, "What's that?"

Robin put in, "Frosty the snowman in man form. His name is Jack Frost," he explained. "He can fly and he blows frost from his mouth."

"Like a superhero?"

"Kind of, sure."

"Gina, look! It's Mr. Heat mister from that movie you showed me!"

Robin turned to see two characters each with frost and fire pretending to be in an epic battle. One wants the town to be heated, one wants it to snow. Roland giggled when the heat mister fell over and his fire hat spun around.

"Look, baby," Regina pointed. "It's frosty and Rudolf."

The floats were as elaborate as they could be in Texas. Fake snow flurries were falling from a snow machine, music played on each float in different volumes. The local ROTC boys put on a performance with their rifles.

Robin glanced at the joy on Regina's face, on Roland's bouncing body, his smile permanent. He perched him on his hip after his shoulder got too tired. The parade went through town in less than twenty minutes, a shame really. The last float had Roland yelling, "It's Santa! Look, Santa!"

As the parade came to an end, Robin set Roland on his feet. He put his hand in Regina's instantly. Robin noted how in tune they seemed to be together. Like she was his mother, he thought. "Ready to walk around?"

So, he followed behind them slowly as they moved from booth to booth. Watching them interact together was a sight. They painted their faces, him with Rudolf, her with a snowflake. He was roped into getting his face painted with frosty, even though his facial hair made it itch. He didn't mind a bit.

Regina was fascinated by a glass sculpture artist. He had a rod hot at the tip, he used glass and molded whatever customers wanted. Roland asked if he could make one of the three of them. Robin had his doubts but was pleasantly surprised. After fifteen minutes, he placed a cooled glass sculpture of Roland flanked by the two of them. They didn't pose for it, but it looked like they had.

Robin told Regina, "That's talent."

Her smile was contagious, "Right?" He snuck a kiss as Roland wondered to a booth with decorative stockings. They each used the crafted painting, some sewed, and some merrily wrote their names atop them. Roland decided on wooden letters, Robin chose a patch, and Regina sat down and with surprising skill, sewed her name into the fabric.

"You can sew?" He watched her playful eyes and reddened cheeks.

"Yea, I don't do it often enough. I love it," she said. "You know that throw on the back of the couch?"

He brought the vision into his mind, "You made that?"

"I did."

"You're full of talent, aren't you? Legal dragon, party planner, and you can sew. Anything else you want to share?"

Smirking, she took their stockings and put them in a bag, "You'll have to wait and see."

Gladly, he thought with a laugh. Spending the day with her, with Roland was putting things in his mind. Wants he thought he could have. A future, a family. He hadn't ever really thought about having kids. When he was Greta, he'd thought of being with her. He'd never really considered moving past that.

Until she got an abortion, he recalled. He hadn't wanted a child with her, but the thought of her ending a life that was part his, that had gotten him. It had hurt deep. Deeper than he thought possible. It left scars.

Seeing the fun and ease of how he could be with Regina, with a child, he was thinking. When she turned to smile at him with Roland's hand in hers, it was that simple. Yes, he wanted a family. He wanted to give her that. She was a natural, the woman he thought of as cold and hard, was far from it.

This woman, the woman with soft eyes, a huge heart was someone who was made to be a mother. Made to help others and cared deeply for those she worked for. It did not wonder why she worked herself so hard. He recalled the person he thought she was when they first met. The vicious and mean lawyer who could rip you to shreds.

The woman he had come to know was the farthest thing from that woman. Yes, she could be feisty, a little bitchy, he admitted. Though, he'd never say that out loud. Underneath it, she was a soft and vulnerable woman. His weakness, he mused. It was what he wanted in a partner. Yea, he thought, he was thinking.

They stopped at a booth where they sold beverages and snacks. He pulled out his wallet and bought cocoa, caramel-dipped apples, roasted almonds, and chocolate-dipped pretzels. As they walked through more booths, snacked and drank, he took her hand and linked their fingers. "I love you," he said easily.

Turning, she had caramel on her lip, she laughed, "I love you too." He leaned in, kissed her, and lingered taking the caramel with it.

"Taste good too," he teased.

"Ew," Roland complained. "Kissing is yucky."

They both shared a laugh and moved on to a stand in line for a horse carriage ride. As they rode through the town, horses jingling with bells, the lights all over, he smiled. The best Christmas he'd had in a long time, he decided. More to come, he knew.

When they dropped Roland off with Kat, there were some tears on both sides. Regina kept hers at bay until he was inside, and the door was closed. He held her in the seat of his car as she cried for the loss. Knowing that it would be another month before she'd see him again. "It'll be okay."

"I know," she said. "Come on, we have to go home and pack."

When he pulled up outside of her apartment, he took her hand, "I need to head home and take care of a few things."

"Are you staying?"

"Yea," he leaned over kissed her. "Is that alright?"

Smiling, she nodded, "Sounds perfect. I'll make dinner."

As he drove away, he felt content. Picking up the phone, he dialed his mother's number not caring what time it was. "Hello? Robby?" Her voice was full of sleep, she sounded concerned.

"Hi, mom."

"What time is it?"

"Doesn't matter," he said. "I have a favor to ask."