A/N: Hey guys! Welcome back:) I know it's been a long wait so I hope you enjoy this chapter!
FOURTEEN YEARS AGO
The florescent lights above shined down on the tile floors as Regina made her way down the hospital hallway. Her pleated skirt bounced rhythmically against her tight-adorned thighs as she cantered in the direction of her father's room. In her haste to check on his condition she hadn't even changed out of her school uniform. Despite the fact that her father was having major surgery Cora had still insisted that she attend school that day, claiming that such a luxurious education couldn't be squandered. Cora herself had chosen to continue working as well, hopping aboard a plane to Berlin rather than coming to the hospital to be by her husband's side.
Regina tried to push the thoughts of her mother out of head as she rounded the corner and immediately spotted her father's hospital room. Light shined in through the blinds as she found her father in his hospital bed eating red Jello as if he hadn't just been through a four-hour surgery that morning. He smiled at her as she cautiously made her way into the room.
"Hope you don't mind but started on the Jello without you," he said jovially. "Turns out going nearly a whole day without eating can make you quite hungry."
She sent him a cautious smile. "No daddy I don't mind."
She tossed her backpack onto the leather couch beside the door and slipped of her school blazer before scooping up the bowl of Jello her father had placed next to his own on the tray attached to his hospital bed. It had always been a strange tradition of theirs. Jello at the hospital. No matter what reason had brought them there her father had always made sure they take a visit to the hospital cafeteria for a round of red Jello. Just a little bit of sunshine to break through the gloom.
Seated in the arm chair next to his hospital bed, Regina twirled the spoon in her hand absentmindedly as she regarded her father with cautious eyes. "How are you feeling?"
"Better than before," answered her father softly. "The doctors say my body isn't rejecting the liver which is good. After we hire the private nurse I should be back home in a few days."
"Good," she answered softly. She turned her attention back to her Jello but couldn't seem to find her appetite.
Henry tilted his head as he gave her a concerned look. "Regina what's wrong?"
"Nothing," she muttered with a shrug of her shoulders.
"I'm your father dear. I think I've spent enough time with you to know when something is bothering you."
She sighed before setting down Jello and shaking her head. "It's just that you've been sick so much lately. I'm worried."
"It's just a side effect of getting old sweetheart," said her father nonchalantly. "My body just can't take things like it used to. I'm just going through a rough patch."
She pressed her lips together anxiously before asking her next question. "Daddy… are you dying?"
Henry let out a nervous breath as he looked into his daughter's fearful eyes and lifted his shoulders apologetically. "Well, my dear, if you believe the doctors I've been dying since the day I was born. I've never been particularly healthy you know that."
"I mean are you dying now?" she asked anxiously leaning forward in her seat.
Henry sadly shook his head at her. He'd hoped to avoid this conversation with her. "No sweetheart I'm not… but I will be someday. And sadly I can guarantee you it'll come sooner than either of us would like."
Regina nodded her head solemnly. It wasn't the answer she wanted but it was one she could accept for now. "Are you afraid?"
He raised his eyebrows at her. "Of dying?"
She nodded.
He let out a breath and shrugged his shoulders. "No more than anyone else I suppose. No one really wants to go Regina." He reached over and grasped her hand lovingly. "Especially when they have something as special as you to leave behind but unfortunately death is something that will happen to all of us. The best you can hope for is not to face it alone."
Regina squeezed his hand appreciatively. In that moment she made a promise to herself. A promise that no matter when or where it happened her father would not be alone in his final moments. She didn't know it then but it was a promise that she would be unable to keep.
XXXXX
PRESENT DAY
Regina had to remind herself to breath as she sat in the passenger seat of Robin's jeep, staring out the window to the church where her father's funeral was being held. People were just beginning to arrive and she found herself a little daunted by how many of them had shown up. Her father had never had very many friends, so that had to be her mother's doing. She wondered just how many of these people were capable of recognizing her. Her knees subtly began to shake as she took in the numbers of cars and people that were beginning to swarm around.
She felt Robin gently place his hand on her shoulder and her knees began to still.
"It's not too late to drive away," he calmly suggested.
She shook her head. "No I need to go in. I want to. I just didn't expect so many people."
Robin sighed as he observed the outside of the church. Nearly a dozen town cars were parked outside on the street and half as many limousines were prepared to follow their lead. Groups had already begun to congregate on the lawn before heading into the church.
"No this is good," said Robin, nodding his head gamely. "The more people there are the easier it'll be for you to blend into the crowd."
"What if someone recognizes me?"
"Well do you recognize any of them?"
She shook her head. "Not really."
Regina blew out a nervous breath as she narrowed her eyes at the church lawn. She knew a few faces, obviously, but none of them really stuck out in her mind as important. Just as she'd suspected most of them were investors and business partners of her mothers. Probably there out of professional courtesy.
She nervously turned back to Robin. "I think the wig and sunglasses should be enough to throw them off."
With shaking hands, she slipped on an old pair of Ray-Bans hoping they would provide her with the anonymity that she so desired. She swallowed hard as she gave herself another look in the rearview mirror. She was actually doing this. Sneaking into her father's funeral while in disguise. She couldn't believe this was what she had stoop to in order to say goodbye to him.
"Are you ready?" asked Robin.
She exhaled shakily. "No but if I waited until I was ready I'd never go in."
She opened the car door and stepped one foot out onto the parking lot pavement. The gravel crunched under her feet and for a split second she considered jumping back inside the car and begging Robin to whisk her far away. She had no doubt that he'd agree but it was her decision to be here and she was determined to see it through. So she shut the car door behind her and stared down the church as if she going into battle. In a way, she felt like she was.
She tried to relax as she felt Robin walk up beside her.
"I'll be next to you the entire time," he promised, supportively offering her his arm.
She nodded at him as she placed her hand around the crook of his elbow, gripping it for dear life. "Okay, let's go."
He placed his hand atop hers comfortingly before they began steadily making their way to the church.
XXXXX
Snow had never been a fan of funerals. She supposed no one was but she really didn't understand the appeal of having one. To have everyone show up in their blackest outfits and cry around a corpse hardly seemed an appropriate way to appreciate someone's memory. Yet here she was in her most demure black cocktail dress and blazer fiddling with the strap of her purse as she waited for Henry Mills' funeral to begin.
Seated next to the bar counter, absentmindedly swirling the ice cubes in her water Snow looked out among the crowd in the reception area just outside the sanctuary doors. It was a much larger turnout than she expected. Regina had always said that her father wasn't much of a people person. She'd only met the old man twice before Regina had run off with Henry. There wasn't much that she could say about him from her own experience but she knew from Regina that he'd loved his daughter and his grandson more than anything. And since neither of them could be present today Snow had decided to show up in their place. It was an impulsive decision but one she didn't think would yield any negative consequences. Not even if it meant facing the architect of her friend's misery. She'd yet to see Cora and was hopeful things would stay that way.
People were beginning to file into the church for the ceremony and Snow leaned against the bar, letting her eyes roam the crowd. Despite being only two in a dozen a young couple caught her attention as they walked through the church doors. A blonde man with a brunette woman. The man she barely gave a glance but the woman… she seemed far more familiar. Sunglasses obscured her eyes but the clenching of her jaw, the tone of her skin and the scar above her lip were unmistakable.
The glass in Snow's hand slipped from her fingers and shattered onto the floor. "No…"
XXXXX
Regina's grip on Robin's arm could not be tighter as they made their way into the church. Despite her sunglasses and wig she'd never felt more exposed. She had to remind herself to breathe as she robotically put one foot in front of the other.
Soothingly placing his hand on top of hers, Robin whispered into her ear, "How are you feeling?"
"Fine," she lied. "Just a little nervous."
"Do you see your mother anywhere?"
"No," she said quickly shaking her head. "I don't see-"
Her sentence was cut short by the sound of shattered glass. Immediately her head, along with everyone else's, whipped toward the direction of the sound. Her jaw nearly dropped to her chest as she locked eyes with Snow from behind her sunglasses. Even from across the room the shock and disbelief in her green eyes was obvious.
Snow took a step in her direction and Regina slyly shook her head stopping the younger girl in her tracks. They couldn't talk. Not out here.
Regina saw her take out her cell phone before marching over to a nearby stairway with a clenched jaw. She watched her go with parted lips as Robin's head swiveled between them.
"Who is that?" he asked.
The side of Regina's purse began to vibrate and she swiftly pulled out her cell phone to find a text from Snow.
UPSTAIRS BATHROOM. NOW!
Regina sighed. "She's someone I owe an explanation. Come on."
She gripped his arm and lead him to the staircase. Her mind began to race searching for any reason that Snow could have to be there. She thought it was clear that neither of them were to attend the funeral. Then again she hadn't really stuck to that agreement, had she?
Once upstairs she and Robin quickly found the bathroom and entered to find an irate Snow already pacing its floors. Her fiery gaze landed on them the minute they opened the door.
"What the hell are you doing here?!" she immediately questioned. Her green eyes blazed with indignation as she gritted her teeth at Regina.
Regina shook her head guiltily. "Snow…"
"No we agreed that you were staying far away from this place!" Despite the low volume of her words, Snow's voice still echoed off the bathroom's pink tile floors, as she stood her ground against Regina with both hands on her hips.
"I know we agreed but I couldn't not be here!" shot back Regina. "It's my father's funeral. I have to be here!"
"No you don't!" snapped Snow.
"Ladies I'd like to remind you both that voices carry," said Robin timidly stepping forward.
Snow's eyes snapped to his face as if she was just now realizing that he was there. He found himself knocked back by the intensity of her gaze.
"And who the hell are you?!" she snapped.
He opened his mouth to reply to her.
"You know what I don't even care," she said raising his hand in his direction and turning her attention back to Regina. "You have to leave. Now!"
Regina stared down the younger with tired eyes before turning to Robin with a sigh. "Would you give us a minute?" she whispered.
Robin's eyes flickered back to Snow before he grimaced at Regina with uncertainty. "Are you sure?"
She nodded at him. "Yes. It'll just take a second."
He gave her one last look before leaving the bathroom and shutting the door behind him. As soon as he was gone she let out a slow breath trying to calm her nerves before slipping off her sunglasses and turning back to Snow. "Look, I know that I'm not supposed to be here."
"Damn right you're not," muttered Snow.
"But it's my father's funeral," finished Regina. "What did you expect me to do? Miss it?"
"Yes!" hissed Snow. "For your sake and for Henry's I expected you to miss it!"
"Well I couldn't okay! I needed to come!" she stressed. "He's my father! This is my last chance to be there for him!"
With one hand she leaned against the bathroom counter as Snow stared at her with pity in her eyes. "Look it's not like I'll be sitting front row. I'll stay in the back. I'll leave early if I have to but I need to be here for this. Please…"
Snow sighed in annoyance. She wasn't that close to her father, not after learning what he'd done, but she could understand Regina's need to be present for the funeral. "Fine. If you really need to be here, then I've got your back."
"Thank you," said Regina softly. "And thank you for showing up here when you thought I couldn't."
"Whatever," mumbled Snow, shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly. Her flickered up to Regina's hair. "Your wig is ridiculous by the way."
A chuckle slipped from Regina's lips. "It was the best I could do on short notice."
"Well brown is most certainly not your color." Snow nodded her head toward the mirror. "Let me help."
Regina moved to stand in front of her reflection as Snow reached for the top of her head. The younger girl blew out a breath as she ran her fingers through the wig's brunette strands. "So… who's the guy outside the door?"
XXXXX
After an impromptu styling session, Regina exited the bathroom with Snow on her arm. They found Robin waiting against the wall just outside the bathroom.
He raised his eyebrows at Regina. "Are we staying?"
She nodded. "We're staying. Snow's agreed to help me keep a low profile."
He quizzically narrowed his eyes at the younger girl. "Snow?"
"It's Mary to you," she replied in a clipped tone. She hid her displeasure behind a tense smile as she slipped her arm from Regina's. "I'm going to head downstairs and make sure Cora's out of sight. I'll send a text when the coast is clear."
Robin waited until the sound of her footsteps faded before turning to Regina with concern in his eyes. "Who was that?"
She swallowed hard before answering him. "You remember when I told you about the man who wanted to marry me?"
He nodded.
"That was his daughter."
Robin widened his eyes at her before his head whipped back in the direction Snow had just walked off in. "But she's… she can't be more than ten years younger than you."
"Eight. She is eight years younger than me," she corrected softly. "Like I said it was a complicated, undesired situation."
Looking into his confused eyes Regina felt embarrassment rise up into her cheeks. She dropped her gaze down at the red-patterned carpet under her feet. There was less judgement there.
The phone in her hand beeped and Regina nodded toward him. "Coast is clear. We should head in now."
XXXXX
The sound of the church organ filled the sanctuary hall as the funeral began. In back of the church, in the darkest corner possible, Regina sat as almost trembling with grief. From behind her sunglasses, a tear fell from her eye and down her cheek as her gaze remained fixed on the coffin on the alter. Her lips were pressed into a thin line as she compelled herself not to cry out and attract attention to herself.
Her father was gone. Really, truly gone.
Regina had imagined her father's funeral many times since she was a young girl. Henry Sr. had never been particularly healthy and because of that she'd always felt the need to prepare herself for the moment when she'd lose him, funeral preparations included. Of course the day was nothing as she'd imagined. A church ceremony had never been in the cards given her father's lack of faith. Neither had this many people. Her father had always said he'd prefer a private ceremony with only those he knew personally. And of course when she'd imagined the day she'd say her final goodbye to her father Regina had always imagined herself front row. Being involved. Not having to hide behind sunglasses. But also she imagined having to go through the day alone. Instead, sitting in the back row of the sanctuary with Robin on one side of her and Snow on the other, she had more support than she ever expected. Through the entire ceremony they sat next to her offering her silent comfort as she remained transfixed on her father's coffin.
Robin had offered her his hand the minute they sat down and she'd immediately gripped it with all her might. In truth, the feeling of his hand clasping hers was the only thing keeping her from running up to the alter.
Her grip remained tight through the whole ceremony, not that it was a long one. Just a few words were spoken, first from a priest and then from a few of her father's old friends from school. The whole thing lasted just under an hour. Then it was time for a few words from Henry's wife, her mother. As soon as Cora's speech was announced Regina swore she felt her heart stop beating. For the first time since entering the sanctuary her eyes left her father's coffin. Instead they immediately whipped to the front row of the church where she saw her mother rise from her seat.
It had been years since she'd last seen Cora and the sight of her knocks the air from her lungs. Perhaps there was an extra gray hair or two and a spare wrinkle here or there but it almost seemed as if no time had passed for her at all. Her lips were still painted their signature red. Her hair, pulled back into a bun, was still it's same shade of lustrous auburn. And her eyes, even in manufactured grief, were as sharp and calculating as ever. Even from twelve rows she could see that hadn't changed.
Snow placed a hand on her shoulder and Regina felt herself start to breathe again. As she watched Cora make her way up to the podium she tried to remind herself that her mother couldn't see her and probably wasn't looking for her anyway.
Once Cora reached the podium she tapped the mike before speaking.
"Hello everyone," she said in a grief-stricken tone. "I wish I could've seen you all under better circumstances. The loss of my husband brings me a pain that I didn't think was possible. And in this time I am grateful for the solace that can only come from being surrounded in the comfort offered by my husband's colleagues, friends and of course… family."
And on the mention of family Cora's eyes slid to the back of the church, to the darkest possible corner and landed directed on her daughter. Regina felt her body go rigid as the weight of Cora's icy gaze fell on her. She felt Snow begin to grip her shoulder in panic.
"Did she…?"
"Yes," Regina hissed under her breath. She turned to Robin the anxiety clear in her eyes. "We have to leave. Now!"
Her arms began to shake as the sound of Cora's voice continued to fill the room. She tried to stand to her feet but Robin's kept her in her seat.
"We can't get up while she's speaking," he whispered.
Regina sucked in a breath trying to slow the beat of her panicking heart. "She saw me."
"We don't know that yet," Robin whispered practically. "And if she hasn't we don't want to attract her attention by leaving while she's still speaking. Let's wait one more minute between speakers."
Regina thought over what he said and nodded her head slowly as she tried to swallow down her apprehension. God, she hoped he was right. Maybe her mother hadn't seen her and she was just overreacting. Either way she wanted nothing more than to escape as soon as possible.
For the entirety of Cora's speech Regina focused all her energy on fighting the instinct to launch herself out of the church as soon as possible. It seemed as if time had stopped and Regina swore she could feel her legs slowly turning to stone.
As soon as her mother finished and moved to sit back down Robin tugged on her elbow. "Okay we can go now."
Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible the three of them stood to their feet. As the sound of hymns began to fill the church they scurried toward the nearest exit and out to the side of the church. Once the sun hit her face Regina felt herself begin to hyperventilate with anxiety. She could still feel the weight of her mother's eyes on her skin.
Snow rubbed her back comfortingly. "You okay?"
Regina sucked in a breath through her nose. "Not really."
"We should go," said Robin. "You'll feel better once you get far away from here."
"Oh I think that's going to be a little difficult," mumbled Snow.
Rounding the corner of the building four intimidating men walked in their direction. In all black suits with mics feeding from the collar of their white shirts and into their ears, it was clear they were guards. And of course they could only be working for one person.
The sound of the church door slamming open behind her caused Regina to go rigid.
"Regina!"
Everything went still as Regina heard her name called by the voice she'd hoped never to hear again. She turned to see her mother standing in the door of the exit, shock and anger burning in her brown eyes. Snow moved to step in front of her defensively but Regina tugged her back by her wrist. Whatever happened next wouldn't be pretty and she didn't want Snow to be cannon fodder.
Stepping forward to face her mother she was immediately struck by the swift heat of Cora's palm against her cheek. The sound of Snow and Robin's cries of shock echoed in the background as she stumbled sideways at the force of her mother's assault.
She felt Robin wrap his arm around her waist protectively as she brought her hand up to her cheek in a daze. She had no doubt that her skin was already beginning to grow red. After taking a deep breath in order to find her courage Regina stared up at Cora with spiteful eyes. "Hello mother."
Tension filled the air as Cora took another menacing step toward her. "Hello mother?" she growled. "Is that really all you have to say to me after all these years?"
"What else could I possibly say?" responded Regina. "Quite frankly I think the hand mark you've left on my cheek speaks for itself."
"Oh don't pretend you didn't earn it," snarled Cora. "Your little disappearing act cost me millions! Do you have any idea how much time and energy I've had to waste explaining your absence and seeking you out?!"
Regina began to tremble as her mother began to raise her voice. Just like that she felt just as frightened and alone as she did all those years ago. She swallowed hard as her eyes dropped to the ground to avoid her mother's gaze. "I'm sorry mother."
Cora scoffed at her. "I should've known Henry's death would've been the only thing to get you to pop up. I cannot believe how much money I had to spend to get coverage for this miserable funeral."
"What?" mumbled Regina. "So all this? The funeral and the non-stop press was all just a way to get me to come back here?"
"Of course," snapped Cora. "Did you really think anyone would care when your father stopped breathing? Be realistic dear."
Her words flew at Regina like bullets landing straight in her heart.
"You should be flattered by the effort Regina," said Cora. "It certainly wasn't cheap to get people to pretend as if he mattered."
"He mattered to me!" cried Regina, her voice beginning to waver.
"Well that makes you the exception dear, not the rule," hissed Cora.
Snow angrily stepped forward. "That's enough Cora!"
The older woman's icy gaze landed on the girl beside her daughter as she scoffed. "I should've known you'd be here. I heard you had a penchant for sticking your nose where it didn't belong. Just like your mother."
"Don't speak about my mother," growled Snow, her cheeks growing red with anger. "She was twice the woman you will ever be."
"Then I can only imagine what a disappointment her druggie daughter would've been to her," replied Cora.
Snow's lips pulled into a thin line and Regina could see she was struggling to hide just how much damage Cora's words inflicted on her.
"As happy as I am to see how thorough your latest rehab treatment has been, this matter doesn't concern you," continued Cora. Her eyes drifted back up to Regina's face. "This is between my daughter and me."
"There is nothing between us anymore," seethed Regina. "I'm a grown woman mother. You can't control my life."
Cora chuckled cruelly at her. "You foolish girl. This isn't your life. It's mine."
Her dark eyes suddenly turned serious. "Look at the choices you've made my dear. First sleeping around with the help, then choosing to have his baby and walking out on the most lucrative deal I made to secure both your future and your son's. Really Regina? How could I ever trust you to make a decision when you are constantly deciding wrong?"
"Choosing love over power isn't choosing wrong," whispered Regina.
Cora narrowed her eyes and shook her head at her. "If you truly believe that then I didn't raise you half as well as I thought I did."
Regina clenched her fists as she felt a fire start to kindle in stomach. Looking into her mother's eyes she growled, "Time hasn't changed you a bit. You're just as cruel as ever."
"Well look who climbed into the gutter and found a backbone," sneered Cora, her voice deathly low. She advanced upon Regina until their faces were just a few inches apart. "A few years away from me and you think you've earned the right to talk back but that insolence ends today. You're coming home with me Regina. Right now."
Her mother attempted to pull at her wrist but Regina swiftly resisted.
"No I'm not," she declared defiantly.
Cora just chuckled cruelly at her. "Oh sweetheart, look around you. Does it seem like I'm giving you a choice?"
It was only then that Regina noticed that the guards they'd seen had surrounded them in a tight circle. Each more than six-feet tall with an intimidating look mirrored on all their faces, Regina felt her heart speed up just looking at them. It was like the penthouse all over again.
"Aren't they handsome?" purred Cora, eyeing her guards. "And you know I pay them well enough that they'll do whatever I say."
She took another step toward her daughter. "Now are you going to get in my car or are they going to have to drag you there?"
Regina felt Robin's grip on her waist loosen as he moved to stand in front of her. "She's not going anywhere with you," he growled protectively.
Cora only smirked in his direction. "Well look what we have here, a white knight."
Regina shivered as she watched her mother's eyes roam over Robin before turning back on her. "Tell me dear is he a gardener as well or has your taste actually improved?"
Her words had no effect on Robin at all. He only narrowed his eyes at Cora and continued to stand protectively in front of Regina. Unfortunately, this only served to make her more nervous. Regina had no doubt that Robin could hold his own in a fight but this wouldn't be fair. There were four of them and only one of him. She couldn't let him try to fight his way through these guards. They'd destroy him.
Regina placed her hands on his shoulders and whispered, "Robin… don't."
He turned to her with a wild look in his eyes. "I'm not just going to let her take you."
Regina swallowed as she looked into his eyes searching for the right words to convince him to stand down. None came to mind. Luckily they didn't have to.
"Is everything alright here?"
Everyone's heads whipped toward the new voice that had suddenly arrived. A small group of six men in black suits were approaching them from the rear. At the head of the group was a man with ice blue eyes and platinum blonde hair slicked back with gel. He raised an eyebrow as he observed the situation before him and then turned his attention to Snow. "Do you require our services Miss Blanchard?"
Snow let out a relieved sigh as she nodded in his direction. "No, everything is fine Damien. Thank you."
She turned back to Cora with a devious smirk on her face. "Ms. Mills I'd like you to meet Damien Masters, my head of security and his associates."
Cora's hands clenched into fist as she sent a tight-lipped smile in Damien's direction. The tables had just turned and she knew it.
Snow looped her arm through Regina's before turning to address Damien. "I'm ready to leave now Damien and I just wanted to make sure my friend got to her car safely. I hoped you would escort us there."
She turned to raise her eyebrows at Cora daringly. "Unless your four bodyguards have something to say to my six?"
Regina watched with baited breath as her mother appeared to have an internal debate. She knew it wasn't in Cora's nature to give up a fight without exploring every option but it was clear the situation was no longer in her favor. After a moment's hesitation Cora let out a seething breath and shook her head. "I suppose there's nothing more to say, is there?"
"Well then I guess this is goodbye," replied Snow, pointedly placing a guiding hand on Regina's back. She gave Cora one last superior look. "So sorry for your loss."
Still trembling with fear, Regina let Snow and Robin guide her toward the safety of Snow's bodyguards. The entire time she could feel the weight of her mother's gaze on her back. It made every step she took feel like her feet were made of lead. She barely made it ten feet before her mother called out to her causing all of them to look back in fear.
Cora stepped forward and leveled a fierce glare on all three of before settling a threatening gaze on her daughter. In a deathly low voice, she said, "You might be leaving today but don't mistake this for a victory. You will come home to me. Whether you like it or not. And now that I've laid eyes on you… there is nowhere that you can hide."
With one last look Cora turned her heel and headed back into the church taking her bodyguards with her. As she watched her mother walk away from her Regina replayed every syllable of her threat on a loop in her head and she knew… her mother meant every word of it.
XXXXX
From the comfort of his town car Eli Gold shook his head to himself as he watched his goddaughter walk away from her father's funeral flanked by two friends and six bodyguards.
"So sentimental," he muttered in disapproval. Just as Henry had suspected Regina had been lured out of hiding by his funeral.
He turned his head toward the driver's seat as the partition in front of him began to roll down.
His driver asked timidly, "Would you like to go inside now Mr. Gold?"
He shook his head in response. "No. I've seen all I need to see from here."
He pulled out his cell phone with a sigh. Suddenly he had a lot of calls to make.
XXXXX
The drive home from the funeral was one of the longest rides Robin had ever endured in his life. With his hands gripping the steering wheel until his knuckles went white and Regina staring blankly out the window in the passenger seat, the whir of the tires against the road was the only thing breaking the silence that filled the space between them. Immediately after their confrontation with Cora, he and Regina had headed straight for their car accompanied by Snow and her many bodyguards. Attending Henry, Sr.'s burial was certainly out of the question now so Robin drove toward the highway instead. He wanted to get Regina back to the house as soon as possible. After everything that'd happened he was sure that she needed to be somewhere she felt safe.
Even as he tried his best to focus on the road Robin was still reeling from the things that he'd just seen. It was as if he'd left real life and entered one of those telenovelas that Marian had once been so fond of. Bodyguards, step-daughters and evil mothers. It was too much to comprehend.
He snuck a look over at Regina before pulling off the highway. If he thought, she'd been in pain the day before it was nothing compared with how she looked now. As the sun moved over her face Robin could see a bright, red mark had taken shape over her left cheek. A souvenir from her mother. She hadn't spoken a word the entire drive home but her body was rigid with tension. Once glance down at her hands told him that her nails had been digging into her palms for as long as they been in the car. He was surprised she hadn't started to bleed yet. He longed to reach out and comfort her but a part of him feared that she'd shatter at his touch.
Not half an hour after leaving the funeral they pulled back into the driveway of his house. Regina was out of the car before the engine even stopped running. Arms wrapped herself, she headed for the house with Robin right on her heels. As soon as the door was open she breezed past him and headed inside. Robin watched as she robotically slipped off her shoes and closed her eyes before taking in a deep breath.
He licked his lips before addressing her. "Regina… I'm sorry."
She turned to him with a raised eyebrow. "For what? You told me not to go. I refused to listen. And just as you said everything went horribly. There's nothing to apologize for."
He shook his head at her. "Regina…"
"It's fine!" she said, raising her voice. Her eyes began to water and she started to blink back her tears. "I'm fine. I just need some rest."
If only that were true, Robin thought to himself. He watched her turn on her heel and her rush up the stairs, her feet thudding against the floor as she made her way to the guest room. He ran his hands over his face in frustration as he heard her slam the door behind her. He wanted nothing more than to chase after her and comfort her in the way she deserved but he doubted she'd be receptive to him. All he could do was wait until she was ready to come to him.
XXXXX
Regina barely made it to the guest room before the tears started streaming down her cheeks. She ripped the wig off her head and dropped it carelessly to the floor as she stumbled over to the bed. The events of the day played on a loop in her mind as she collapsed onto the mattress and buried her face into the cotton bed sheets.
How could she have been so reckless?
Everything her father had sacrificed for, everything she'd been so careful to protect was now in jeopardy because of her. Like a fool she'd played right into her mother's trap and put both herself and her son back in danger. And not just them but Robin and Snow as well. Now that Cora knew about them it would only be a matter of time before she tracked them all down.
Sobs began to overtake her as she imagined all the horrible the scenarios that could take place. She could feel it swirling in her gut, that ball of dread that appeared right before she was about to lose everything that mattered. It was sweeping through her entire body. It was long before she closed her eyes and let herself fall into the darkness.
XXXXX
That sun had long since set by the time Regina woke up. As her eyes creaked open she could see the moon glowing in the sky outside her window. With a groan she sat up and swung her feet down to the bedroom floor. The events of the day resurfaced in her mind and she brought her hand up to her forehead as pain began to bubble underneath her skull. Standing to her feet she stumbled to the bathroom and turned on the sink. She ran a small cloth under the water and sighed as she brought it up to her face. Its cool dampness offered her a bit of relief from the heat radiating from her skin. She let out a slow breath as she continued to press it against her eyelids. No more tears, she thought to herself. There wasn't time for them. She had to figure out a way to protect herself and her son.
Her son?
Regina narrowed her eyes once she realized that the house was just as silent as when they'd first arrived back. Even as she strained her ears she couldn't hear the pitter-patter of either Henry or Roland. She snuck a look the clock. They should've been back from the zoo by now.
Still feeling a little weak from her crying session Regina headed downstairs in search for her son. Instead she found no one but Robin. Having changed out of his funeral suit, he was now dressed in a pair of jeans and a snug green cotton shirt. Sitting in an armchair in the corner of the room, he was clearly lost in thought as he stared blankly into the roaring fire that was now flaming in the living room's fireplace. He only looked up when he heard the creaking of Regina's feet against the stairs.
She cleared her throat nervously as she made her way over to him. "Where are the boys?" she asked.
"They are spending the night on Hook's boat," he answered. She raised an eyebrow at him and he quickly raised a calming hand in her direction. "The boats docked, they're below deck and will be wearing life vests the entire time I promise. Don't worry they're safe."
He shrugged his shoulders at her uncertainly. "I just thought you might need… some time."
She nodded at him in acceptance. Truth be told she didn't think she could face her son right now. She'd failed him today and no matter how good of a liar she could be she knew she wouldn't be able to hide her feelings from Henry. Not today anyway.
A tired sigh escaped her as she moved to sit in the loveseat across from his armchair. He watched her with a concerned eye as he leaned forward in his seat. Her dress from the funeral was now crumpled and wrinkled from her time in bed and her hair in still slight disarray as she set her chin in her hand. Even after sleeping through the afternoon she still looked tired.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
Like my heart got run over by a lawnmower.
"As well as can be expected," Regina responded dryly. "I just… don't know what I'm going to do now. I mean I fell for my mother's trap… like an idiot. And now everything I wanted to protect is in danger. I feel like now all I can do is wait for the moment when she shows up and takes away everything I love."
"That won't happen," said Robin firmly.
"I wish I could believe that," she whispered. She ran her fingers through her hair as she shook her head. "God… I really wish I had a drink right now."
He nodded his head before standing to his feet. "Wait here for a second."
He headed into the kitchen and returned a second later with a bottle of wine and a long-stemmed glass. Regina raised an eyebrow at him as he set them down on the coffee table in front of him. "Wine?"
"After the day you've had I think you've more than earned it," he replied, pulling out the bottles cork.
Regina licked her lips nervously as she watched him pour the white wine into a glass for her. She couldn't help but wonder if this wine was the only alcohol present in the house. As far as she knew Robin hadn't broken his sobriety and she'd like it to stay that way. She forced a smile to her lips as he handed her the glass and Robin narrowed his eyes at her.
"It was a housewarming gift."
"What?"
"The wine," he specified. "It was gift from my realtor when I first moved in here. Don't worry. I've still got my chip, don't plan on losing it."
An embarrassed breath escaped her as she shook her head at him. "Robin I didn't…"
"It's alright," he said. "You know I love it when you're concerned about me."
A small smile tugged on her lips as he sat next to her on the love seat and she instinctively shifted closer to him. He nodded at her encouragingly before she took her first sip of wine. It was sweet and she relished the taste of it on her tongue. She sighed as she tried to will its heady effects to advance faster. This day had put her through the wringer and she'd be lying if she said she wasn't in the mood to feel numb tonight. In that respect she supposed drinking probably wasn't the best thing for her right now. Not that she would stop.
Robin put a hand on her shoulder and raised an eyebrow at her. "Better?"
She nodded her head. "A little."
She turned to him with serious eyes. "Thank you for coming with me to the funeral. I just want you to know that I don't take it lightly."
He pulled his hand from her shoulder and brought it back to his lap. "Well it wasn't as if I could let you go alone. Marian would never forgive me for that."
Regina just brought her glass back to her lips in response and her silence didn't go unnoticed by Robin. His gaze dropped to his hands as he uttered the question that had crowded his mind for the past 24 hours.
"Did she know?"
Regina's head whipped toward him with wide eyes. "What?"
"Marian," he whispered. "Did she know… about you? About everything?"
For a brief moment Regina considered lying. She considered saying that Marian had never known the truth about her. That she had remained just as ignorant as everyone else about the true origins of her circumstances. She didn't know what good she thought it would do but staring into his eyes she knew that even if she wanted to lie she couldn't.
She pressed her lips together nervously before whispering, "She was my best friend Robin. She knew all my secrets."
Robin let out a deep breath as he leaned back in his seat. He wished he could say he was surprised. Instead he just shook his head to himself as he went over the last three years of his marriage in his head wondering just when his wife decided to keep things from him.
Regina watched with concern in her eyes as Robin grappled with the news he'd just been told. "Robin… I'm sorry."
Robin just shook his head at her and sighed. "You know yesterday I would've been mad about it and maybe tomorrow I will be but… today I think I'm just glad that you had someone to talk to. Even if it was her and not me."
Regina felt relief flood through her chest at Robin's words. He wasn't mad now. That was all she needed to hear.
"Did she take it better than me?" asked Robin. "Finding out the truth?"
Regina shook her head. "Not even close. I wasn't the one to tell her and when she found out on her own she was furious with me. She hardly looked at me for more than a week."
She tapped the side of her glass absentmindedly as her mind wandered back to those heart wrenching days when her best friend wouldn't speak to her.
"I really thought I was going to lose her," she whispered.
After a moment Regina set her glass down on the coffee table and turned to Robin with serious eyes. "Robin… I appreciate everything you've done for me today but… if you wanted time without me I would understand."
Robin sighed before shifting in his seat to face her better. "I will admit that after everything that I've learned things are going to be a bit different for us. There are still some questions that I need answered and it might take me a while to truly get past everything but… I don't want you to think that you've lost me because you haven't. I'm still here and I promise that I'm not walking away from you Regina Mills."
Tears began to well up in her eyes. "You… you said my real name."
"I know," he said with a small smile. "I like it."
And listening to it in his voice Regina realized that she missed hearing it.
As Robin pulled her into a hug she let her face fall against his shoulder with a sigh. She breathed in his scent as he held her tight and wondered if she would ever again feel as safe as she did right there in the warmth of his arms.
NEXT CHAPTER: Regina has to make a choice about her life.
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