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 CAFE WAS filled with patrons, the smell of coffee, and little bold light bulbs hanging from the ceiling in pyramid droplets. Tucked behind dome glass in shelves and wrappings settled pastries, chocolates, and various cakes. A tall dark-haired man in glasses and an apron took orders. A young girl with a sweet smile and capable hands made the coffee. Tables in twos, threes, and fours scattered the diner design. Booths huddled in fours settled on the upper floor.

The window took up the entire wall to the outside greeting patrons with the snow falling and traffic meandering at a slow crawl. Robin opened the door for her, "I'll pick you up when you call."

"Do you want any coffee?"

"I'll take it to go, but I'll get it. Don't be nervous."

"I'm not nervous to see my sister, but if she decides to bring my mother, I won't be happy."

Rubbing her upper arms, he said, "She promised." He kissed her cheek, "Go, she's in the corner. I love you," he kissed her.

"I'll call," she promised before walking toward her sister.

Varying women with short skirts, buttoned blouses, and thin figures sat huddled in a group on the far west side. They were giggling and talking a mile a minute, some of them not in English. Three men dressed for business sat huddled around a computer, cups in hand. They spoke into a phone while a man dictated directions in a muffled voice.

As she crossed the room, she observed the lovely café. Garland strung around the counters, the table legs, and along the ceiling. Wreaths hung from the doors of the bathrooms and storage rooms. Centerpieces of holly berries and pine cones sprinkle with glitter lined each table.

A snowman family hung on the wall flanked by Christmas trees decorated to the fullest. On another wall a food platter flanked by wine glasses took up some of the windows.

Zelena sat with her long red curly hair sprawled over her shoulders. She looked good, Regina thought.

"You look great," she said hugging her sister as she stood to envelop her into her arms.

Memories flooded her as she indulged in the hug. She remembered sharing a room, staying up late, and huddling under a blanket with a flashlight while they shared their dreams. The sound of their father's music lulling them into sleep. The demands of their mother brought them closer in times of strife.

Having Zelena back was like bringing a memory to life and relishing in the afterglow. "I missed you," she said as they pulled back. They sat as a waiter came to take their order. A young man barely old enough to shave took their order and scurried off at Zelena's brisk tone.

"I've missed you too. Who was that hunk who dropped you off?"

With heated cheeks, she said, "That's Robin, I told you about him." The implication of Zelena's tone reminded her of the way she used to tease her about boys. How she'd tried to protect her from getting her heartbroken. The support she'd given when Daniel died, and she needed support and love.

Zelena whistled, "You hooked a good one," she teased. "He's a fine specimen."

Rolling her eyes, Regina thanked the boy who brought them coffee and a large brownie to share. "He's sweet and good for me. We're staying with his mother."

"Really? That sounds cozy." With a raised brow, she watched her, and it made Regina nervous.

"She insisted, her husband is in the hospital and she's alone. Robin didn't want her to be alone during the holidays."

"He is sweet," she smiled. "Seriously, though. I hope he makes you happy and you do the same for him. You deserve to be happy after what happened with Daniel. I'm glad you haven't let your heart close to the possibilities. When you told me you were in love, I didn't think it was real. Seeing the way, you were with him, I know it is."

"It is, it hasn't been an easy road, but I love where I'm at. Everything I want is right here," she took her hand.

"Good. It's about time I see you happy," she said.

"So, tell me what happened with him who shall not be named," Regina said hoping to get the attention off her.

"I've been busy with the office, he'd been out and about with his business, so I thought. I came home early one day, and he was in bed, with a slut."

"In your bed?"

"Yes, classy right?"

"What did you do?"

"I picked up the lamp and threw it at him when she tried to run out, I pulled her hair and more drama ensued. My rage blocked out some of what happened next. I threw his clothes outside of the flat and he's history."

"God, I'd have loved to see that," she laughed. Zelena had always been strong spirited. As a child, she wouldn't let anything stand in her way and she never allowed anyone to ring her around. It also reminded her of how impulsive and explosive she could be when she let her anger take over. Many times, she had to take a step back and apologize for the actions.

Zelena glared, "It wasn't pretty. Trust me, you cheat on me, you get violent Zee."

"I'll keep that in mind." They were both avoiding the elephant in the room, it was obvious. "What are you doing for Christmas?"

"I'm staying home with ma. I'm worried that if I try to introduce too many people or take her too many places, she'll get overwhelmed. Little things set her off and she gets upset."

"I don't even remember what she looks like anymore," she admitted. Zelena had been with her for months and it was unnerving. Her mother had been so entitled, so uptight, and so above those around her. "When you told me she was thin, I imagine some hungry kid from Africa. Is it that bad?"

"No, but she didn't look good when she showed up the first time. Now, she's gained some weight, a little heavier than we knew as children. Her eyes aren't quite themselves, but she'll get there. I don't want to give up on her and I'm hoping you won't either."

"Zee, it's not easy for me. I'll try, but I don't know. I'm glad I have after Christmas to come to terms with it. Robin's having a party and wants to introduce me to his family."

"Sounds serious, how serious is this relationship?"

Regina smiled, "I'm hooked, Zee. I think I want this more than I'll let myself want it."

"If he proposes, I better be your first call. Before Maggie," she insists.

Regina stared blankly, "What?"

"Oh, come on. He has to propose soon, right?"

"Zee, we've barely known each other for a couple of months. That's a little fast, don't you think?"

"Not if it's real," she pointed out. "If it's real and you both care about each other, love each other," she corrected. "It is what it is. Why put the brakes on it. I can tell you love him, you'll figure out the rest."

Anxiety filled her belly, flutters fill her heart, and hope blossomed underneath it all. Placing a hand to hold it all in, she sighed, "I promise to tell you if that happens. Zee, I need to tell you something else."

"What?"

"Robin's father is in the kidney dialysis unit, he's sick and on the transplant list. I'm donating one of mine to him," she explained.

The food on its way to her mouth froze, she lowered it again, "Wait, what? Are you serious?"

"I…yes. Zee, if I had more time with dad, I would've taken it in a heartbeat. Robin loves his father and it's been killing me to see how heartbroken they are."

"Regina…"

"I know, Maggie said that I was a little crazy, but if you had extra time with dad, wouldn't you?"

"Of course, I would, but this is altering your body and giving up an organ. What if you get sick and need one? Are you prepared to live with that?"

"I never get sick, and I know I can handle it. He needs his father, Zee," she said with a thick voice. "I can't bear to see them like this."

"You really love him, don't you?"

"Yea, I do."

They sat for hours longer than they intended moving from coffee to tea, sweets to a meal, while the snow flurried from the sky and the sun hid behind the clouds. People ushered about in and out on their routines. Smells permeated the air in delightful cheer.

Catching up on the last year included things like job details, personal victories, and realty discussions. Her father's house was in escrow, Regina was hating her apartment, and Zelena was thinking of moving into a bigger place.

They talked of the heartbreak of Roland and the situation that was precarious and fragile. When they'd talked themselves out and the sky was turning dark, she texted Robin. After an hour, he walked in and up to them.

"Robin, this is my sister, Zelena."

Standing, she bypassed his extended hand and his pleasure to meet you, and hugged him, "Oh, you're practically family now. Come sit with us, Regina was just telling me about this case you helped her land."

He sat, "I didn't do anything, it was all her."

Zee rolled her eyes, "A gentleman," she snickered. "You pushed her into it, I know our Regina. So, let's just pretend you helped."

"Deal. We'll have our work cut out for us, that's for sure."

"Good to hear, well I've left my mother alone a little too long. I should get home, but I'll see you in a few days," she kissed her cheek.

As she walked out into the snow, Robin took her hand. "It looks like you had a good time."

"I did, it was nice connecting with her again. How was everything?"

"My dad had a good day, I ate some turkey and stuff with him. My mom is helping the ladies knit scarves. She's hanging in there, but I think it's tougher than she lets on."

"What do you say we go back to the house and surprise her?"

"With?"

Regina smiled, "I'll show you."

ARMED WITH BAGS, a headache, and annoyance, Robin followed Regina back into his mother's house. The house was still silent, the fire from the hearth died out, and the room was cold. Setting the bags down in the kitchen, he shrugged out of his coat and put a log on the fire. Lingering by the fire, the warmth seeped into him.

Resting on the couch, he could hear Regina in the kitchen rummaging around. She'd taken him all over town, it seemed. They hit the market for dinner, the farmer stands for fresh vegetables and a book store. Whatever she was planning, he wasn't in the loop. His mind was elsewhere.

His father had a good day, but there was no escaping the severity of his illness. There wasn't a lot they could do but make him comfortable. If he could do anything to help, he would. At this point, there wasn't anything to do but be there. To spend time with him, talk to him. To keep him entertained.

They'd shared their favorite Christmas stories, they'd laughed about the year the turkey burnt. The year his mother made chocolate pudding and put salt instead of sugar because of his nephew's prank. When he came in one year from the treehouse drenched in mud after taking a tumble.

Conversations were easy to have, and it filled the room with laughter and memories rather than tension and sickness. If his father died, he wanted to make sure that they shared memories. That the memories they had would last. Making new memories was important but not much you could do in a hospital room.

The one thing he loved was how Regina had insisted they put a tree in his room, decorations on it, along with lights. His mother put up pictures of them all over the room.

Closing his eyes, Robin sank into the sofa and enjoyed the warmth. Regina sat beside him breaking the relaxation bubble. "Are you alright? You were quiet today."

"Yea, I just…it's hard."

Sliding next to him, she snuggled close, "I know, I'm just trying to take some of this away. I know how easy it is to slide into a state of grief. You have to try and hold on to bright spots. I'm trying to give you a few."

He wrapped her close, turned to her, "I'm grateful for that, truly." Her lips curved. "I wish we were spending this holiday in a different way."

She shrugged, "Life is unpredictable."

"I know," he squeezed her side, "Regina, we haven't been together long, and I feel like we're slipping into things that are bit serious for the length of our relationship. Do you know what I mean?"

"Yea, it's been a little heavy," she said.

"Exactly, and I just wanted to bring you here and introduce you to my family. I didn't expect to fall in love with you this quickly."

"Me neither."

"I just…I feel like maybe with all this heaviness, we've forgotten to have some fun. Thank you for trying to do that."

"You're welcome."

He laid his lips on hers lightly, lingered, "You're good for me."

"That's funny, that's what Zelena said to me today."

"Is that right?"

"Yea, she said you were the guy she could see me with and how different you and Daniel are."

"How so?" He traced patterns along her skin with his fingertips.

"Well, for starters your personalities are different, you're more business-minded, and he was more artistic. You both have big hearts," she said with a small smile on her face.

"I know how important he was to you," he said softly. "I'm glad that you remember him, that you talk about him."

"You don't feel like you're competing with a ghost?" She met his eyes and looked a little scared of the thought.

To reassure her, he kissed her, "No, I don't feel like I'm competing with anyone. I think it's good that you talk about him. Don't feel like you can't. It's not like you're talking to me about an ex. This is different," he said.

"Where the hell did you come from?" She leaned in and kissed him deeply. Caught off guard, he drew her in and hugged her close. When she lifted her lips from his, she whispered, "I love you so much."

"I love you, too. Now, let's go in the kitchen so you can show me why you dragged me all over town," he said to lighten the mood.

In the kitchen they put together soup, French bread, and his mother's favorite pie. The simple task of cooking side by side felt right. The music played softly, his mother's favorite, Bach. They worked side by side, as they had in her apartment, his. This time, it felt like they were partners. Partners in helping his mother feel better.

Regina told him how her lunch with Zelena went. How they'd connected and talked about the past. The anxieties of the future, which he would make sure to be there for. When it came to her mother, she was nervous and easily agitated. When she met with her mother, he'd be there to hold her hand.

For now, they put the pie in the oven just as his mother walked in the door. "Well, what's all this?"

Regina turned, "Dinner is ready and waiting on the table. We made your favorite, minestrone. There's bread on the table and we just put the pecan pie in the oven."

Amelia turned to him, "I just…you're so lucky to have this sweet girl." She encircled her into her arms. Watching the two women of his life embrace, made his chest tighten. The ring in his mother's room was itching to make it onto her finger. Was it too soon? Every time that she did something like this, something sweet, he wanted to give her the ring.

He could see her in his future like this, cooking together, working together, coming home to surprise his mother. She fit into his home, his life, and he wanted to keep her there. "Luckiest guy in the world."

They ate dinner together, he watched his mother's smile brighten, and watched Regina fit like a glove in his life. He was an idiot, he thought. What the hell had he seen in Greta that he'd thought she fit like this? Where was Greta in all of this love and home?

Regina was generous, beautiful, and her heart was pure and sweet. When they entered the bedroom that night, he waited until she was done with her nightly bathroom routine. When she walked out in a nighty, he nearly swallowed his tongue. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.

When she walked toward him and slid into the bed, he immediately wrapped his arms around her, and his mouth found hers. He found comfort in her, in her heart, and in her arms. "I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here."

"You'd be okay," she said.

"It must've been hard to be alone with all that went on with your father. If I'd have known you, I'd have been there for you."

"You're sweet. I got through it and my situation isn't the same as yours. Your father still has a chance, don't give up."

"I'm not, I just…" he sighed heavily. "I fear for his state of mind. I'm glad I decided to come. I almost canceled this trip. Bringing you with me was the best decision I could've made. My mother loves you."

"I love her."

"I love you," he said kissing her again. "I know it's been a short time, but I don't want to imagine myself without you."

Tears sprung to her eyes, "I can't either." Regina rested her head on his chest, "You don't have to." He held on to that feeling as he slid into sleep.