A/N: Remember this is the second of two chapters I'm posting today. Check out the previous chapter if you haven't already. Enjoy!

AT THE HOSPITAL, 8:15 AM

Regina sighed as she dug her vibrating phone out of her pocket. She hoped it wasn't Mrs. Connelly calling to tell her Henry had woken up. She was still hoping she had an hour or two before she had to take him to daycare. That should at least be enough time for Robin to show up. She frowned as she glanced at her screen and realized it was actually Mulan who was calling. She leaned against the nurse's desk and brought her phone up to her ear. "Hello?"

"Do you want to explain to me why I am the only one here for the opening shift?"

Regina scrunched her eyes closed and let out a moan. "Damn it! I'm sorry Lani. I forgot."

She'd been scheduled to open the bar this morning with Mulan but in the chaos of Marian's labor she hadn't even called to say she wouldn't be able to make it.

"I don't care if you forgot," Mulan bit out. "Just get here so we can clean up the mess the closing crew left behind."

"I can't," sighed Regina. "Marian went into labor last night and I promised Robin I wouldn't leave her until he got here."

"Are you kidding me?" replied Mulan in an exasperated voice. "Just what am I supposed to do then? I can't open the bar by myself."

Mulan truly understood how important it was that Marian not be alone in the hospital but she also knew how important it was the bar remain on schedule. They had an office party coming in at 11am and in the bar's current state she knew she wouldn't be able to handle the cleaning on her own.

Regina brought a hand to her forehead. She was thinking over all her options when she was interrupted by her cellphone beeping. "Okay hold on Mulan. I have another call coming in and it might be Robin."

She quickly put Mulan on hold and switched over to the new number.

"Hello?" she said tiredly.

"Well you don't you sound positively knackered?"

She rolled her eyes as she recognized Hook's accent. "You better be calling me with good news."

"Alas I'm afraid that's not the case, love," responded Hook. "I just got a call from Robin. The train broke down he's stuck in Goleta for at least another three hours unless one of you can go and get him."

Regina stomped her foot on the ground in frustration. "You have got to be kidding me right now! Why can't you go and get him?"

"I am an hour away from meeting with new booze dealer," Killian reminded her. "He's at least two hours away from me. I can't make the round trip in time to get to the meeting. It has to be one of you guys."

Regina let out a deep breath clearly irritated by the sudden turn of events. Do I have to do everything myself today, she thought to herself. She drummed her fingers against the counter as she tried to think up a solution.

"Hang on," she said, before quickly putting Killian on hold. She switched back over to her call with Mulan. "Hey Mulan. Look I clearly can't make it there but you can call Chloe and tell her to come in for the day. It's been more than 24 hours so she should be over her food poisoning by now."

Mulan sighed apprehensively. "What if she says she can't do it?"

"Then remind her that I came in on my day off with my three-year-old to cover her ass yesterday," growled Regina lightly. "I'd love to see her argue her way out of that one. She owes me."

Mulan laughed at the venom in her voice. "Alright I'll call her in. Bye."

As Mulan hung up on her she quickly switched over to Killian on hold. "Listen. Tell Robin to hold on. I'm going to send someone to come for him."

"Who are you going to send?" asked Killian curiously.

"Someone he's fond of," she replied.

AT THE GOLETA TRAIN STATION, 9:30 AM

Robin paced back on forth on the steps of the train running his hands over his face in desperation. He just wanted to see his son being born. Was that too much to ask? Hadn't he earned that right? He sat down on the stone steps and dejectedly put his head in his hands. He knew this trip was a foolish idea. He couldn't believe he'd let Marian talk him into going. Now she was at the hospital giving birth to their child while he was dozens of miles away. The only silver lining in the whole situation was that he had been smart enough to ask Regina to stay with her last night. She'd been helping as much as she could and he knew she was doing everything in her power to make sure that Marian was comfortable. When he'd last talked to Killian, he still clenched his jaw at the thought of his name, he'd said that Regina was arranging for someone to come and pick him up. Yet another thing she'd done to help his family. He swore he'd give her medal once this day was done.

He lifted his head from his hands as the sound of a rapidly approaching police siren reached his ears. He narrowed his eyes to see a 1980's station wagon barreling toward the train station with a flashing police light on its roof. For a second he thought the driver was losing control of the car as they pulled up to station nearly going over the curb as they skidded to a stop. His jaw dropped as he saw Tink step out of the driver side and wave him over with a bright smile.

"Get in!" she yelled.

Despite his shock he quickly ran over to passenger door and hopped into the car. "Tink what the hell are you doing?"

"Coming to get you," she answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Regina called and said you needed a ride to Marian at the hospital."

He shook his head at her confusedly. "No I know that. I mean what the hell are you doing with a police siren?"

Her eyes widened as she realized what he meant. "Oh that? It's my brother's. You know Rory, the cop? I told him what was going on and he gave it to me. This way I can break all the speeding laws I want."

Robin gave her a long hard look. "Tink did he actually give it to you? Or did you take it without his knowledge?"

She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. "Robin your wife's in labor at the hospital. Do you really care how I got this siren?"

He turned his eyes to the road and sighed. "You know… I really don't. Just floor it, okay?"

She grinned at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Yeah you're gonna want to put your seat belt on."

The tires of her station wagon screeched against the road as she tore away from the curb.

AT THE HOSPITAL, 10:45 AM

Regina held Marian's hand as the doctor examined her for the fifth time. She tried to rub her hand as comfortingly as possible. Marian was looking pretty exhausted. Her face was still red from the pain of the previous contraction and she'd had Regina pull her hair back into simple braid but the tiny strands around her face had begun to stick to her skin. Regina sympathized with her. She knew how taxing giving birth could be. It didn't help that Marian was still filled with anxiety over the absence of her husband. Her contractions were barely two minutes apart now and soon she'd be ready to give birth. If he didn't get here soon he'd miss it.

Dr. Montgomery stood from where she'd been examining Marian and gave her a smile. "Well Mrs. Locksely it looks like you are finally fully dilated. We should start prepping you for the delivery room."

Marian eyes flitted between Regina and the doctor. She shook her head frantically. "No. No I want to wait for my husband. I can do that right? I can wait for him. He has to be here."

The doctor sent her a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry Marian but that's now how it works. Your baby is ready to come now and we cannot make him wait."

Marian turned to her friend with worried eyes. "Regina…"

"It's okay Marian," she said quickly, squeezing her hand. "I'll stay with you. I'll be here the whole-"

She was cut off by a bang against the door frame. They all looked over to see Robin clutching his shoulder where he'd run into the frame. "Ow fuck! I'm here!"

"Robin!" Marian's face lit up as she saw her husband step into the room.

"Thank god," Regina mumbled under her breath as she let Robin replace her by Marian's side.

Robin quickly peppered kisses across his wife's forehead. "I made it. I'm here," he breathed.

Marian smile faded as she looked up at him with narrowed eyes. "Did you shave?"

Robin's hand flew to his freshly bare chin. "Well yes…"

"I was here in labor and you STOPPED TO SHAVE!" cried Marian.

Regina covered her mouth to try and stifle her laughter.

"Well I didn't stop exactly…" he tried to explain. He was interrupted by the snapping of the doctor's fingers.

"As domestic as this all is we do actually have a baby to deliver," she said sternly. "I assume the father will be joining us in the delivery room."

"Yes he will," said Robin proudly.

He turned to Regina and quickly pulled her into an embrace. "Thank you so much for staying with her," he whispered gratefully.

She returned his hug warmly. "Like I was ever going to leave. You take care of her in there."

"I will," he promised as he released her.

As Robin went to get his scrubs from the nurse Regina turned back to Marian with a smile. "This is it," she said with a nervous smile. "After this you'll have your baby."

Marian looked up at her, clearly frightened by the prospect of delivery. "What'll it be like?"

Regina gave her a tearful smile. "It'll be the hardest, most exhausting, rewarding and surreal experience of your life. It'll end in tears but they'll be the happiest tears you've ever shed. I promise."

Marian gave her a hopeful smile. "Thank you."

Regina gave Marian a quick kiss on the cheek before the nurses began to wheel her bed toward the delivery room. As she watched Robin and Marian head away from her she placed a hand over her heart and sent up a silent prayer for the safety of her friend and her baby. She asked for Daniel to watch over them both as she headed for the hospital elevator.

"God, I need a shower," she mumbled to herself.

MARIAN'S HOSPITAL ROOM, 1PM

There was a still silence in Marian's hospital room as she Robin both laid on her hospital bed. Neither of them speaking, making sure to breathe as silently as possible. She held her newborn son in her arms and they both basked in his perfection. All ten fingers and all ten toes. Perhaps a little small for a newborn but perfectly healthy. He was here. He was finally here.

"We did it," Marian whispered happily, as tear rolled down her cheek. As she looked down at her son her smile could light up the darkest cave. "We're a family now."

"Yes we are," said whispered Robin, pressing a kiss to the side of her head. He ran his thumb over the baby's cheek. They had a son. He was a father. Marian was a mother. It still didn't feel real to him. He felt like he could wake from his bliss at any moment.

They stayed like that for a while, in a silent cocoon of joy and love but it was pierced when Robin felt the need to ask his wife a very important question. "Were you able to get in contact with your parents?"

A drop of sadness sullied Marian's joy as she thought of her parents. "I asked Regina to call them. She said the line had been disconnected."

"Well that's a bit of bad luck then," said Robin in a disappointed voice.

Marian shook her head at her husband. "Robin… I called that number two days ago. It's still theirs."

He raised his eyebrows at her in surprise. "You actually spoke to them?"

"No," she said sadly. "I heard my father's voice and I hung up without saying a word. That's why I had Regina call this time. I thought she'd be braver than me."

"But she said the line was disconnected," breathed Robin sadly. He shut his eyes as the realization of why she would say such a thing washed over him.

"They didn't want to see me," said Marian, her voice dripping with sorrow. "Or him."

Robin ran his hands over her shoulders in effort to comfort her. "I'm sorry, love."

She blinked back her tears as she shrugged her shoulders. "It doesn't matter. Our son has more than enough family. He doesn't need them."

Their discussion was interrupted by a knock on the room door. They both looked over to see Regina poke her head into the room with a smile. "Hi," she said softly. "Are you up for visitors?"

A bright smile grew on Marian's face as she laid eyes on her best friend. She looked a lot better now that she had taken a shower and changed into a maroon tee and a fresh pair of jeans. She felt her heart swell as she remembered just how much Regina had done for her in the past 12 hours. Driving her to the hospital, staying with her during her labor, making sure Robin got to the hospital in time. She might not have had her parents but she did have Regina, the woman she'd come to see as practically a sister.

"We're always up to see family," she answered happily.

"Good," replied Regina. "Because I have someone who is dying to see you." She reached behind her and pulled Henry into the hospital room. He waved at Marian and Robin shyly as he clutched a tiny stuffed monkey in his hand.

"Hi!" he whispered enthusiastically. "Mommy says I need be quiet."

"Need to be," Regina corrected softly. A grin was planted firmly on her face as she eyed the small bundle in Marian's hands. She patted her son on the shoulder encouragingly. "Why don't you show Aunt Marian and Uncle Robin what you brought for the new baby?"

Henry shuffled over to Robin shyly and held up his stuffed animal. "It's a monkey!" he said proudly.

Both Marian and Robin chuckled as they eyed the fluffy gray monkey the young boy had clearly picked out from the gift shop. "Oh he's going to love that," whispered Marian, with a small smile.

"Do you want to see the new baby, Henry?" asked Robin softly. He carefully lifted the small boy into his lap so he get a better view of his son. Henry stared at the baby with the curiosity only found in a child who'd never seen one up close.

"He's tiny," he commented. "And wrinkly."

A giggle flew from Regina's throat at her son's assessment. "Believe it or not mister but you used to be just as tiny and wrinkly."

"No I didn't," he protested fiercely.

The adults all laughed at Henry's indignation. As their laughter subsided they heard another knock at the door and were surprised to see Mulan step in the room with a vase full of artificial blue daisies.

"Lani?" said Robin in surprise. He stood to give her a quick hug. "What are you doing here? I thought you were watching the bar."

"I am," she replied patting him on the back. "But I do occasionally get a lunch break, don't I boss?"

She stepped walked over to Marian's side. "Figured I'd use it to get a look at the newest Drunken Monk crew member."

She stared down at the new baby, her lips parted in awe. "He looks amazing you two. Congratulations."

"Thank you," Marian responded, looking up at her. "And thanks for taking care of bar."

Mulan rolled her eyes at her. "Please. That is literally my job."

Another knock at the door signified the arrival of Killian. He stepped into the room with a cautious look on his face and six balloons in his hand. "Is it safe for me to come in?"

Robin chuckled at his friend's apprehension. He happily waved him in. "Trust me Killian I am far too happy to hurt you right now."

Killian quickly released the balloons to give his friend a joyful hug. "I'm pleased for you, mate."

"Thank you," said Robin, releasing him from the hug. "But you should know as soon as the haze of my newfound fatherhood subsides I will be coming for you with a pair of rusty knives."

Killian chuckled at his Robin's threat. "Well perhaps it would dull your knives to find out that I was successful in our meeting with the new booze dealer. You can rest easy on your time off knowing that the bar will be properly stocked with liquor."

"That is actually a relief," said Marian from her spot on the bed. "Thank you Killian."

"Anything for a new mother," he responded with smile. He moved over to her side of the bed. "Now let's a get a good look at this little lad."

A smile grew on his face as he stared down at the baby. "Well he's a cute little bugger, isn't he?"

"Just like his father," replied Marian, cheekily.

Killian rubbed his hands together in anticipation. "Would it be presumptuous of me to ask for a chance to hold him?"

Robin shook his head at him. "No the first hold is actually going to be given to his godmother."

Marian nodded at her best friend expectantly. "Regina."

Regina felt her jaw drop in surprise as all eyes turned on her. "What, me?"

"Of course we choose you," said Robin, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "After all you've done today how could we choose anyone else?"

"We love you Regina," added Marian. "And I think we'll both rest easier knowing that you'll always be in our son's life. Do you accept?"

"Of course," breathed Regina, her voice overflowing with joy. She quickly wiped a happy tear from her cheek. "Can I hold my godson now?"

"Yes," said Marian nodding her head. She carefully transferred her son into her best friend's arms. Regina looked down on him with a watery smile on her face. She watched his small chest fall up and down as she rocked him slowly in her arms. "Hello there you precious thing."

Killian cleared his throat. "So what I'm hearing is that the position of godfather is still open?"

Mulan smacked him in his chest. "Hook let it go."

She turned toward the new parents. "So have you decided on a name yet?"

Marian rolled her eyes and shrugged her shoulders exasperatedly. "Not even close. We've got a middle name picked out but nothing seems right when it comes to his first."

As Regina ran her thumb across the baby's tiny hand a name popped into her head. She lifted her head to look over at his parents. "How do you feel about the name Roland?"

Robin tilted his head curiously. "Roland?"

Regina shrugged her shoulders. "When I was a little girl my father used to read to me about Arthurian legends. There was this one knight I was really fond of, Sir Roland. I always thought he was the noblest."

Marian nodded her head as she thought over the name. "Roland? I like it. It's classic."

"And English, which I can certainly get behind," added Robin with a grin. He pulled his son back into his arms and walked over to his wife. "Well then I guess I can formally introduce you all to my son, Roland Tucker Locksely."

As they all hummed in appreciation of the name Marian placed a gentle hand to her son's head. "Roland Tucker Locksely. Welcome to the family."

AT THE DRUNKEN MONK, THREE MONTHS LATER

A Beach Boys song played softly through the jukebox as Regina wiped down another table in her section. She checked the watch on her wrist hoping that time had magically jumped to the end of her. Sadly it had not. She still had an hour left before she could head home.

"Anxious are we?" said Killian as he walked past her table.

She smirked over at him. "Just missing my son is all."

"Well hang in there lass. You're almost at the end of your shift," he replied heading back toward the bar.

Ever since Robin and Marian had taken time off to spend with their new baby, Killian had taken his role as bar manager rather seriously. He'd been very attentive to all the employees, making sure that everyone had what they needed and was satisfied with the schedule. Regina had never seen him so… well, responsible. She was almost sure he was trying to make up for the fiasco that had been Roland's birth. She smiled to herself at the thought of her new godson. He was growing happy and healthily and Robin and Marian couldn't be more thrilled.

As if she'd summoned them up by the power of her thoughts she saw Robin walk through the door with Roland in his car seat. She quickly rushed over to greet them.

"Hello Regina," said Robin with a smile as he set his son on the bar counter.

"Hey Robin," she responded brightly. "And hello there Roland!"

She reached into his car seat to tickle his tummy and was pleased when he smiled back up at her. Her godson had grown quite a lot in these past few months. No longer tiny and wrinkly, he was an adorable little baby. Despite his light skin tone, which he appeared to get from his father, he had taken more than enough of his mother's beauty. His dark, curly hair and round chocolate eyes mirrored Marian's exactly. He kicked up at his godmother happily as he squirmed in his seat. "What are you guys doing here today?"

"That's exactly what I'd like to know," said Killian walking over to them. He gently patted Roland on the head before turning to Robin with an accusing eye. "You're not checking up on me are you?"

"No that's exactly what I'm doing," replied Robin with a smug smile. "Marian needed to take a trip to the store so I had her drop us off here to make sure you weren't running my bar into the ground."

"Your lack of faith is so disturbing," said Killian, shaking his head at him.

Robin chuckled at his reaction. "Seriously though I'm just here to check the books and make sure they're in order."

He turned to Regina. "Would you mind watching Roland for me while I head upstairs?"

"Not at all," she said taking a seat at the bar. "I'm due for a break anyway."

"Thank you," Robin called back as he made his way up to the office.

Killian shook his head as he watched Robin head up the stairs. "Three months running this place at they still don't trust me."

"Yes they do," responded Regina. "They just love to double check your work."

"Well doesn't that make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside?" Killian rolled his eyes at her as he headed back towards the end of the bar.

She laughed at him as she continued to play with Roland's feet.

Marian rolled her cart down the dairy aisle of the grocery mart looking for the familiar brand of milk she and Robin were accustomed to. The past few months had been blissful for her. She had everything she could ever want. A beautiful son, a loving husband and amazing friends. Things would be perfect if it wasn't for this blinding headache that had been irritating her for the past few days. As she rubbed her palm against her forehead she made a mental note to go to the medicine aisle and pick up some pain killers.

She quickly grabbed a jug of milk when she spotted her favorite. Spots of lights began to dance before her eyes as she dropped it into the cart. She suddenly felt a rush of heat flow through her head as she dropped to her knees. Then all she could see was darkness.

Regina checked her watch again as she ran her thumb over Roland's tiny hand. It'd been half an hour since Robin had left him with her.

"Robin's been up there for a while now hasn't he?" she yelled over to Killian.

He shrugged his shoulders at her from behind the bar. "He's probably just double-checking the pay stubs like you said."

It was a perfectly reasonable explanation but it still wasn't enough to lift the unsettling feeling Regina had in her gut. "Hey watch Roland for me. I'm going to head up there really quick."

She didn't even wait for his response before heading up the stairs to the office. The studio had gone through a renovation or two since Marian had reclaimed it as her office. The linoleum had finally been ripped up and replaced with elegant bamboo flooring. She'd replaced the old wobbly desk with a vintage mahogany one she'd found at a yard sale and she'd paired it with a comfy swivel chair. The kitchen still remained but the studio had come a long way from the place Regina had once called home.

As she opened the door she was surprised to find that Robin was situated behind the desk like usual. He was on the floor with his back against the corner. His mouth was open in shock and his eyes only held a blank stare. Regina quickly rushed to his side and forced him to look at her.

"Robin?" She called his name desperately. "Robin what happened? What's wrong?"

He didn't respond to her in the slightest. From the way he was acting Regina was sure he was looking straight through her.

"Hello?"

She looked down to see that Robin's cell phone was still in his hand. She could hear someone's voice speaking. A call must still be active. She slipped the phone from his hand and eyed him warily as she brought it up to her. "Hello?"

"Hello?" the voice responded. She could tell it was a man from the sound of his voice. "Is Robin Locksely still there?"

"Yes but he can't speak right now," she replied softly. "Who is this?"

"My name is Michael. I am an EMT," he answered. "It's very important that I speak to Mr. Locksely. It's about his wife."

Regina felt her clench and her throat close up. "Marian? What happened to her?"

The man hesitated before speaking. "It's very important that I only speak to a relative Ma'am. If I could just speak to her husband please-"

"He can't speak right now!" shouted Regina anxiously. "He's not going to come to phone right now. So just tell me what happened to her!"

She heard the man sigh over the phone and she took a deep breath to try and rein in her emotions.

"Please she's my sister," she lied softly.

"She collapsed in the grocery mart," said the EMT sadly. "We did all we could but… she didn't make it."

NEXT CHAPTER: Everyone attends Marian's funeral and Robin crumbles under the weight of his loss.

Please read and review! It really motivates me! Thanks.