Author's Notes:
Special Thanks to my illustrator and contributing author ale_nena for the constant support and the wonderful cover art!
Setting: Misthaven non-magical modern AU. The society and political system will be based on a combination of modern countries, with a probable bias toward the American system as I am an American. However, all characters are fictional and resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidence.
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The drive back to Unity City and the Mills estate was a long and silent one. Robin could see the other car carrying Regina until they turned off the highway. On the drive toward the estate, though, his car slowed down considerably.
By the time they got up to the house, the first car was already driving through the breezeway toward the back garage.
Drake appeared at his door and opened it. After Robin stepped out he slammed the door closed, and the car sped off.
"The Mills have requested you wait in Mrs. Mills' downstairs office," Drake said.
"Where's Regina?" Robin asked.
"This way," was Drake said, him and Lot flanking Robin, making it clear it wasn't a request.
With a sigh, he let them lead him up into the front door and to Cora's designer office.
"Okay, I'm here," he said, "So where's Regina?"
Wordlessly Lot and Drake left the room and closed the door behind them, the lock clicking into place loudly.
Stepping toward it he knocked on the door and called, "You realize this is technically false imprisonment, right?"
It was all bravado, though. He wasn't going anywhere, not without Regina and he'd knew that whether they managed to work something out with Henry and Cora or ended up leaving in a Flyt with nothing but the clothes they were wearing, this was always going to happen first.
With a sigh, he turned back into this fake office, the same one he'd neither been in nor seen her use since the moment his first day on the job turned into an impromptu photoshoot.
Resignedly, he walked over to the pristine looking designer couch and flopped down on it to settle in for a while.
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Regina was a few doors away pacing back and forth in her father's study.
The door opened with a rattle, and Henry and Cora stepped in.
Straightening, she turned to face them head on, "Alright, enough of the theatrics! Where's Robin?"
"Mr. Locksley, is speaking with Drake," Cora said coldly, emphasizing Robin's formal title, "His employment is being terminated and he'll be leaving the estate immediately."
"Well if that's the case then I'll be going with him," she answered.
"Don't be absurd, Regina," Cora rolled her eyes, "You're nearly 30. You're too old to be threatening to run away with a boy."
"Of course, I'm not going to do that," she agreed, "I'm going to start a life with my husband."
"WHAT?!" Henry and Cora asked simultaneously.
Picking up her bag, she pulled out the marriage certificate from the Grenway chapel, "We're married."
Cora stepped forward and snatched the certificate out of her hand, while Henry simply gaped incredulously.
"There is no possible way this is legal!"
"I assure you it is, Mother," she answered, "Entirely legal."
"We'll see about that," Cora said, turning from the room and storming out to the balcony.
Left along with her father, Regina met his eyes. While it was true he already knew about her and Robin, she really wasn't certain how he was going to react.
"Regina," he approached her cautiously, "You're really married?"
"Yes, Daddy," she answered, "I know my mother's calling the lawyer right now but he'll tell her it's all legal. I made sure of it."
He still looked rather rattled by the news, and she couldn't really tell what he was thinking, "I know this is a hard situation, but this is very sudden. Are you sure this is what you want?"
Before she could answer, though, Cora came back into the room with an furious look on her face that cut off all conversation.
"Here's what's going to happen," she said, "This marriage will be annulled-"
Regina chuckled, "That won't be possible, Mother."
"Regina, this is not up for debate!" she shot back, "You have embarrassed this family enough and you are going to listen to me now!"
"What I mean is an annulment won't be legally possible," she answered calmly, "The chapel we chose was full licensed, they showed me credentials, and neither of us were impaired at the time. The only other grounds for annulment is non-consummation and I assure you that doesn't apply either."
Henry cleared his throat awkwardly, but the look of rage that passed through Cora's eyes was enough to make her feel like a small child again. She steeled herself against it, though, and met her mother's eyes calmly.
When Cora finally found her voice again she said darkly, "Henry, could you join me outside please?"
Giving her a sympathetic look, he followed his wife out of the study. As the door clicked shut, Regina let out a breath, sinking into one of her father's chairs.
Resting her hands on the chess table, she took slow deep breaths, trying to get them to stop shaking. She hated that her mother still had this effect on her. It made her feel like an adolescent.
Finally, she managed to calm down, though, and sat back into the leather chair. Well, no doubt she was claiming her independence now...
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As soon as they were out of an earshot of the study, Cora whirled on her husband, "Did you know about this?!"
He blinked in surprise before answering, "How could I have known about this, Cora? You and I were together all day yesterday, you know that!"
She frowned, continuing on along the way to the elevator.
"Where are you going?"
"To my office, to speak to our attorney!"
"Even if he finds some way to get an annulment, we can't force Regina to agree to it," he pointed out.
"Oh, I have no doubt she's right about the annulment," Cora said bitterly, "Regina isn't a fool. She's many things but she's not stupid! She planned this out perfectly!"
"Well then there isn't much we can do is there?"
She glared at him angrily as she stepped into the elevator, "Why am I not surprised that's your take on this? Don't worry, Henry, I'll fix this by myself...as usual."
As the doors slid closed, he wasn't sure she meant by that but he knew it likely wasn't anything good. Letting out a breath, he suddenly felt very tired, the shock of learning that Regina had actually eloped and wondering what his wife would do wearing on him.
Running a hand over his face, he really wanted to go back to his study and get a drink. However, he knew that speaking to Regina without Cora there would just make things worse. Even if he really wanted to tell her everything would be okay...he couldn't honestly say that because he didn't know.
Turning, he went instead to retrieve something from the wine cellar.
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Robin was tapping his foot as he stared around Cora's show office. As he'd observed on his first day everything was perfectly place. The books were important political works and history tomes...all leather bound with unbroken spines. The artwork was a combination of Tierras influence and Northern Kingdom historical scenes. On the pictures were family captures, though, unlike the candid happy scenes from Regina and Zelena's childhood, the ones in this office were obviously carefully staged. The cherry-on-top, of course, was President Mills official portrait on the wall above the desk.
Everything was perfectly designed and clearly unused. The desk didn't even have a computer.
He was snapped out of his musings when the door swung open and Cora Mills paraded in. Shutting the door behind her, she walked over to him without hesitation.
"Alright, Locksley, let's get down to it," she said without any ceremony, "15 million gold coins is the offer."
"Excuse me?" he asked.
"Our attorney will draft up the details," she went on matter-of-factly, "We'll agree to a settlement of 15 million in exchange for a divorce. We'll require a nondisclosure agreement, of course. I'll handle any statements to the press-"
"You're offering to pay me to leave Regina?" he asked incredulously.
She simply stared back wordlessly.
He shook his head, "Not a chance."
"I assure you it's your best option," Cora said, "Henry and I control this estate, our investments, and most of the Mills fortune. We can change our living wills to transfer control of all of it to Zelena and Blake when we pass. Regina only has her personal savings and small trust fund from her grandfather...in total she's barely worth more than 5 million on her own. The most you'll get in a divorce is 55%. I'm offering you six times that much right now. Think of how well you could live on that back in Sherwood."
He blinked, surprised at what he'd just heard about how much money Regina had. He'd suspected that Henry and Cora controlled famous Mills fortune, but he didn't realize just how wealthy she was on her own.
Snapping out of those thoughts, though, he answered again, "No."
"If you're concerned about taxes our attorneys can set up a post-tax trust-"
"That's not my concern and, frankly, you're unbelievable for suggesting this!" he interrupted, "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised you think I'm some kind of gold digger, but I didn't marry Regina for money. I love her."
Cora's face didn't change for a second. She simply stared and him with an unimpressed expression before finally saying, "That was very convincing, I'll give you that. I can see how you won my daughter over. I suppose you're banking on the idea that I won't disinherit my own daughter, though? I assure you, Locksley, I'll do what it takes to make sure you never see a cent of our assets...or you can take this offer right now and be set for life."
He stared back at her, getting ahold of his temper before finally saying, "It's only because I love Regina that I won't say what I want to right now."
She clicked her tongue, lifting up her papers, "Alright then. I'll give you some time to reconsider...I very much suggest you do. You don't want me as an enemy."
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As Cora re-locked the office door behind her she was slightly shaken by what had just happened. She hadn't expected him to play hardball. She'd looked back through all the information they'd gathered about Robert Locksley before hiring him, and he'd lived his entire life just above poverty and 15 million was more than he could hope to make in the rest of his life!
She'd fully expected him to jump at the chance. Regina was sheltered and had the naivete of growing up wealthy...Locksley had done time and truly struggled in life. She thought he'd have been far more practical!
Glancing around, she was glad to see that Henry was nowhere in sight. He'd spoken to her earlier when she returned from her upstairs office, and he hadn't liked the idea of offering Locksley money, but she managed to convince him that it'd be a test of his intentions. If she had to tell him that Locksley had refused he might find his spine for a change!
She smirked ruefully at the irony of, for once, being happy about his weakness.
Better she get this over with as quickly as possible, though, and it was time to change tactics.
Setting the folder with her offer to Locksley on a side table in the sitting area, she strode to Henry's study and opened the doors.
Regina was sitting slumped in one of the chairs, hopping up as soon as Cora entered the room.
"What are we doing here, Mother" she asked, drawing herself up, "Are you planning to just keep me locked in here all day?"
"Regina," she said, taking a breath, "Can I we sit? We really should talk."
Regina eyed her suspiciously as she walked over and sat down in the other chair. Biting her lip, Regina sat back down as well.
"I understand this is very emotional for you-"
Regina sighed, "Mother, stop! You're not going to manipulate me into changing my mind about my marriage!"
"I'm not the one manipulating you, Regina," she said, "I offered Locksley a settlement in exchange for a divorce-"
"You did what?!" Regina demanded, "By the Gods, Mother! I'm not surprised but somehow I'm still disappointed! You really went right to that?"
"He accepted, Regina."
"What's that?"
"He accepted the settlement," Cora said, giving Regina the best sympathetic look she could muster, "I made him see that he'd better off taking the settlement than he would likely be married to you, so he agreed to a divorce."
"I don't believe you."
"I'm truly sorry to tell you this, Regina," she answered, "I may not be happy about the pictures in the press but I don't want to see you get hurt...even if you don't believe that."
"I don't believe Robin let you bribe him into divorcing me."
"Regina, I know things have been difficult for you since you were at university. Maybe I haven't been quite as sensitive to that as I should have been. I truly did think that by trying to steer you toward men of our own class would be the best thing for you. That it'd be the way for you to find your happiness. Maybe I was wrong about that," she admitted, "I'm not saying these things about Locksley, to hurt you, though Regina. This man is not right for you. He's using you."
Regina paused for a moment, giving Cora hope that she as getting through, but the asked, "You have that in writing?"
"Excuse me?"
"If you agreed to a settlement you must have put it in writing," she answered, "Can you show me that Robin agreed in writing to divorce me for money?"
"Well…" Cora paused but quickly recovered, "...Regina these things take time. The lawyers are still drawing up paperwork-"
Regina stormed to her feet, "I knew it."
"Regina-"
"No more, Mother!" she snapped, "I have had enough! Of all of it! The pressure, the guilt, the lies! I've had it! You know I was terrified when I found out about those pictures? I was terrified of you! I spent my life terrified of you, but I'm not anymore. I'm a grown woman, Mother, and yesterday I married a man I love and who love me, and I don't care if you approve, I don't care about your money, I don't care if you never speak to me again. I have had it. Either you accept us or just let us go!"
Cora rose to her feet and said simply, "I'll let you have some time to think about that."
* 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 * 0 *
Cora walked into the kitchen on shaky legs. If Locksley's reaction had been surprising Regina's had been downright shocking. Her daughter had never spoken to her so forcefully.
She couldn't believe how this was going. This had clearly been going on for some time, right under her nose! She was caught off guard by those photos showing up in the press, then the ran off and got married, and...she could feel it all slipping out of her control.
This wasn't how things were supposed to go! She was announcing a Presidential run in week!
Taking a deep breath, she composed herself.
Glancing up, she saw Henry sitting at the table with a glass and a half-full bottle of wine in front of him.
She checked her watch, and frowned, "Henry, it's barely after 12:30!"
"Given the circumstances, I think an exception can be made," he slurred.
Glaring in disgust, she stormed to the inner kitchen, "Mrs. Fa! Could you make me a sandwich please and some kind of side dish?"
"Ah," the elderly chef looked up from the vegetables she'd been chopping, "Yes, Ma'am, of course. What kind of sandwich?"
"I don't know!" she snapped, "Anything!"
"Right away, Mrs. Mills."
"What did he say?" Henry asked as he continued drowning himself in his wine glass.
"He's thinking it over," she said evasively.
"What?" he asked immediately perking up, "You mean he's considering it? He said that?"
She ignored the question, walking over to the fridge and searching through its contents. She picked up a bottle of beer. She wasn't familiar with the brand, but it should do.
"Cora!" Henry said insistently, "He really took the offer?"
"Not yet," she answered, "He's almost there, though."
"What does that mean? Did he say he'd be willing to divorce Regina or no?"
"What do you care?" she asked irritably, "You couldn't be bothered to help! I'm the one who has to look out for our daughter! Go back inside your bottle. I'll handle this alone...like always."
Mrs. Fa had emerged from the kitchen with a plate containing a sandwich and a slide of coleslaw, which she handed over to Cora, discretely avoiding eye-contact.
Taking the plate, Cora composed herself on her way back to the office.
Inside Locksley was still sitting on the sofa.
Forcing her voice into a clam state, she stepped over to him, "It's lunch time. You must be starving."
He looked at her blankly, making no move to accept the plate.
Not letting it phase her, though, she simply set the sandwich and bottle of beer on the table next to him, "Go ahead, really."
With that she walked around to the other end of the sofa and sat down.
He watched her, not speaking or making any move to eat. Sighing audibly, she picked at the red decorative cord on the cushions, "I know you think I'm a monster...I suppose after our last conversation I probably sounded like one. You have to understand, though, I've been in politics for a long time. I've run into a lot of shady people. One become cynical after a while. It's not personal."
Robin met her eyes but didn't comment.
"I believe you care about my daughter," she told him.
"I love her," he repeated.
She sighed again, "Well then I'm very sorry for that."
"Why?" he asked, "Because I'm not what you want for her? Believe me, I know that!"
"You're misunderstanding me entirely, Locksley," she said, "I mean I'm sorry you got drawn into all of this."
"Excuse me?"
She took a breath, "You have to understand...I made a lot of mistakes with my girls. I see that now. I wanted to give them everything I never had, but in doing so I apparently failed to give the some of the skills they needed."
"You've lost me," he told her.
"Regina and Zelena don't understand the real world. They're used to having their mother their always fix things for them, and I do because I love them. I know I come across as harsh but I do love them I'll always protect them...even from themselves," she said.
"Themselves?"
"Regina, has problems."
He actually chuckled, sitting back on the couch, "Wow, you're actually going there?"
"I know you probably think you know her, Locksley," Cora said, "But you've seen her off and on for two years maybe? It couldn't have been too often for you to have kept your...relationship...a secret. You don't really know her."
"We'll have to agree to disagree on that," Robin said.
"She asked me to speak to you about this."
"What?"
"She asked me to be here," Cora repeated.
"You're saying Regina asked you to offer me money to divorce her?" he asked doubtfully.
"She didn't ask me that specifically, she asked me to help her...to fix this. She begged me to."
"Well that's not very believable considering getting married was her idea!"
"Of course it was!" Cora answered, "That doesn't surprise me at all! This is what I'm saying! I know my daughter even if you don't think I do. She was panicked, right?"
He tried to hide it, but his blue eyes were so expressive she could see that point land so she went on, "She was the same way when we got home this morning. She was practically in hysterics. She was so upset about what had happened, and she felt horribly guilty about you. She was worried you'd be disappointed and angry at her for changing her mind. She hides it well, but she's very fragile. When things don't go her way she breaks down, she makes impulsive decisions, and then she can't handle the consequences. So she comes home and begs us to make it go away."
"So you're saying she wants a divorce?"
"Yes," she said, "I'm sorry to have to tell you, but yes."
"I need to hear that from her."
"I told you how upset she was," Cora answered, "she doesn't want to have to face you."
"If we're getting divorced we'll have to be in the same room eventually."
Cora sighed, "You say you love her...if you really did you wouldn't put her through this!"
"Just once," he said, "I just want to see her once. If she tells me wants me gone, she'll never have to see me again. I don't even want any money. If she tells me she wants me gone, I'll go."
Cora felt rage rising inside her, but squashed it down, "I'll be back."
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As she closed the door behind her, she was surprised to turn and see Henry standing next to the intercom.
"What are you doing?"
"What are you doing?" he shot back, "What was all that in there?"
"What are you talking about"
"You told him Regina was unstable?! What is going on, Cora?"
"I'm trying to fix this!" she snapped, "Do you know what kind of a disaster this is! It's not just the tabloids any more, this has made television news! As if those morons have nothing better to cover besides those disgusting photos!"
"I'm not happy about the photos either," he said, "But we're a bit beyond that, don't you think? They're married."
"Which is what I'm trying to fix!"
"Fix what?" he asked, "Cora our daughter felt strongly enough to get married even without family there! Don't you think that says something?"
"Yes!" she answered, "That that criminal has conned her!"
"You don't really think that! You don't actually think of our daughter is unstable and would be conned!" he argued, "Besides, I know he cares about her."
Cora stopped in her tracks, turning on him, "Do you?"
"Yes! He's a good man and he does love her."
"Are you saying you knew about this?"
His eyes widened as he realized what he'd given away.
"YOU KNEW ABOUT THIS?!" she yelled.
"Cora-"
"How could you do this me, Henry?! You knew that our daughter was sneaking around with that street rat and you kept it from me?!"
"I know I should have told you but-"
"You betrayed me!"
"And you're betraying out daughter!" he argued, "You offered him money to leave her! Do you know what would have happened if he'd said 'yes'?"
"I'd have saved her from a con artist!"
"And that's the only reason I agreed to this...just to be sure. But he didn't!" Henry argued, "I can't do this anymore, Cora. We have to stop lying!"
"Where are you going?" she demanded and he strode towards his study and threw the doors open, "Regina, we need to talk."
"Daddy," she stood in surprise, "What's going on?"
"We offered Robin money in exchange for a divorce, but he said 'no'. I'm so sorry."
She sighed, "I know, Daddy. Mother told me."
"Regina, I know that a lot has happened but, I must confess, I'm shocked about this marriage," he told her, "This is very sudden, isn't it?"
"Not really," she said, "We've been together almost 18 months."
Cora drew a sharp breath at the words.
"I know it's not a conventional situation but, really, we figured it was a win for everyone."
"For everyone?" she demanded.
"Yes, Mother," Regina answered calmly, "I know that those pictures in The Mirror are bad for you. I don't know where they came from. I swear that's the truth. However, now that we're married...we can turn this into a good thing."
"A good thing? How could this possibly be a good thing? I am supposed to announce a Presidential run in six days and all anyone can talk about is those pictures of you…" Cora couldn't even finish the sentence.
"The pictures are regrettable, but the best way to get them out of the news cycle is to give them a juicer story," Regina said, "Such as an elopement?"
"And what?" Cora demanded, "You expect me to just go along with this? Let you marry a criminal!"
"It's either that or Robin and I leave tonight, and...I don't know what we might tell the press if they ask us,"
"Are you threatening me?" Cora's voice was low and dangerous.
"Regina-" Henry prompted.
"What I'm saying, Mother, is that this can be a good thing for you. A wedding, a happy event, it even helps your political credibility...you aren't just willing to hire a former criminal but you'll welcome one as a family! And we're all a happy family going into the election," Regina said, "But it's up to you…"
Cora stared at her daughter, part of her grudgingly impressed by her. This was the person she'd always wished Regina would be...she just wasn't happy at it being used against her.
Wordlessly, she got up and stepped into the foyer.
"Cora!" Henry called, jogging to catch up with her, "Cora we need to do this."
"Have you lost your mind?" she hissed.
"I'm more concerned about losing our daughter!" he shot back, "By the God's Cora...she fell in love! Is that really such a bad thing? All she's asking for is acceptance! We can give her that!"
Cora contemplated for a long time before turning and walking back to the study.
"Come with me," she instructed.
Regina was surprised, looking at her father for a hint. He simply shook his head, though. Hopping up she hurried behind her mother as Cora led the two of them to her downstairs office.
She unlatched the door and led them both inside. Robin immediately leapt up at the sight of Regina, who broke away to run into an embrace.
"Are you alright?" he asked, cradling her head.
"Yes," she breathed, "Are you?"
"I'm fine."
"Regina has filled me in your little scheme," Cora interrupted, "You want this so badly, Regina? Fine. I have conditions though...neither of you are to speak with the press without my permission, you will be discrete and appropriate and do nothing to embarrass me or distract from my campaign now until election day!"
They let out simultaneous breaths.
Cora thought for a moment, "We'll have a wedding reception. A real one. Something for the press to busy themselves with."
Henry smiled at the idea.
"And, Regina," Cora said, turning to her, "You'll move to the political office immediately!"
"Wait, Cora-" Henry started.
"Deal," Regina said, looking resigned but squeezing Robin's hand tightly.
"Very well, then," Cora frowned, "I hope he's worth it."
"I have a condition too!" Robin jumped in.
"Which is?" Cora asked.
"My job. It'd like to keep it."
Both mother and daughter looked surprised, but Regina didn't speak. Cora contemplated. She was surprised by the request but realized that it could actually work in her favor, "Very well. I'll tell Drake to cancel your exit paperwork. I told the housekeeping staff to pack up your room. You might want to catch them before they throw your belongings out."
"That's alright, Mother," Regina interrupted, "You can just text Mrs. Lucas and tell them to move everything to my suite instead."
Cora frowned harder than probably anyone ever had but finally said through gritted teeth, "Fine."
Robin squeezed Regina's hand reassuringly.
"Now, if you don't require anything else, it's been a rather trying couple of days. I think we could all use a little space...and peace and quiet!" Cora said angrily.
"Of course, Mother," Regina answered, "Have a good afternoon."
She and Robin walked hand in and across the polished marble floor and waited silently for the elevator. As they stepped inside the watched her parents walking toward the study, her mother stone faced and her father trying to speak to her.
They waited until the door slid shut before collapsing into each other in a fury of desperate kisses, drinking each other in until they ran out of air and then holding each other tightly even as the doors dinged open on the second floor. They were too distracted to notice, though, as a single thought went between them...it's over, we did it.