A/N: Wow that was the quickest I've updated in a while! It's time for some Hood-Mills fluff and Marian love. I hope you enjoy!

It was a grey day when Regina finally moved out of Robin's house. Dark clouds filled every part of the sky and wind steadily blew through the air, shaking the branches in the trees. A hell of a storm was about to roll through. And yet it was nothing compared to the storm Robin felt inside.

He'd been helping her load up boxes all day, watching as she'd shuttled them from his garage to her new home, a lovely little bungalow with two bedrooms not even five miles from his own home. As the weather worsened so had the melancholy feeling in his gut.

He was sad, truly sad to see Regina and Henry go. Having them in his home over the last three months had been a joy. Though he knew they'd be visiting often he'd miss the certainty of seeing their faces every day. Despite his feelings on the matter he knew their departure was for the best. Regina and Henry deserved a home of their own and spending some time apart from her would help him sort out his feelings. Gauge their authenticity as it were.

Fat raindrops had started splattering against the windows by the time she returned for her final trip. Even from the kitchen he could hear the howling of the wind as she walked through the front door, struggling to slam it closed on her way back inside. She appeared in the kitchen, breathless, her hair blown wild form the wind, raindrops scattered across her face as she shrugged off one of his old hoodies revealing the plain maroon tee underneath. God she looked beautiful.

"It's really blowing out there," she said, attempting to brush her hair back in place.

"I noticed," he replied, taking another sip of his coffee. He didn't make it for the caffeine, just for the warmth. He set his mug down on the kitchen table where he sat. "You're lucky you got the bulk of it done before things got too bad. How much more do you have left?"

"Just the last three left upstairs." She'd going back and forth all day. Steadily shrinking the number of boxes cramping up his guest room. It was back to being empty now. He'd offered to help but she'd said she'd rather him stay with the boys. Keep them busy and out of the way.

She softly shook her head and placed her hands on her hips. "You know it's funny? I was unloading the boxes at the house and I could've sworn I had another box of linens," she mused, her eyebrows scrunched in confusion.

A smirk grew on Robin's face. "You did. Roland hid it under my bed this morning."

A guilty moan rose from Regina's throat. Her godson hadn't taken the news of her departure well. The closer they'd gotten to move-out day the surlier his mood had become. His latest act of defiance? Hiding all her things so she and Henry couldn't leave.

"I guess I'll pack it up with all the others," she mumbled. She sighed before speaking again. "Actually I wasn't wondering if you wouldn't mind letting him come along with me and Henry for the night. You know? To help ease him through the move."

"Yeah?" Robin raised his eyebrows at her. He didn't know why he was surprised. Regina had always been careful to consider Roland's feelings.

He shrugged his shoulders as a contemplative look grew on his face. "You're certainly welcome to it but you should know that Roland hates storms. If things get rough through the night, he won't be easy to deal with."

Regina waved off his concerns. "Things will probably clear up by then. Besides I think I've gotten pretty good at handling Roland's moods by now."

A soft sound of agreement passed through Robin's lips. During her time in the house Regina had gotten better at dealing with Roland than anyone else besides Robin. She could always manage to talk him down from his tantrums, calm him down and clear the tears from his eyes like no other woman could. Except perhaps his mother… not that she'd ever gotten the chance to try.

Robin nodded his head. "I think a night with you would do him some good."

Regina smiled at him. "Thanks." She jerked her thumb over her shoulder. "I'll head upstairs ask him how he feels about it."

She turned and headed up the stairs, crossing paths with Henry as he made his way down. She smiled and patted him on the shoulder as she passed but he didn't give her much of a response. Robin saw her smile falter as she continued up to Roland.

Henry made his way over to the kitchen table where Robin sat.

"It's cold," he mumbled. "Can I have some hot chocolate?"

Robin smiled at him. "Sure. One more for the road."

He had to admit he agreed with Henry's assessment. It'd been chilly all morning. Robin had even deigned to put on one of his thinner pullovers.

He rose from the table and headed over to the pantry for the hot chocolate packets. While he pulled out a mug and stirred up the ingredients Henry climbed onto a stool next to the kitchen island and laid his head on top of his arms. Robin loaded his hot chocolate into the microwave before turning back to him.

"So are you excited about the move?" he asked, forcing himself to be enthusiastic.

Henry only shrugged his shoulders. He hadn't exactly been taking news of the move that well either. However, unlike Roland, Henry had chosen to retreat inside himself as a way to express his displeasure. He'd become very quiet and withdrawn over the last few days, hardly speaking or cracking a smile. It was unnerving.

Robin sighed before taking a seat next to him at the counter. "What's wrong Henry? Don't you like the new house? It's got a lot of space and you'll have a room to yourself again."

"It's alright," Henry flatly replied. "I liked staying with you and Roland though."

A spike pierced Robin's heart. "Well, we'll still be around," he promised. "And you can visit anytime you like. I'm sure your mother won't mind."

"It won't be the same though," Henry stressed, his voice going wobbly. His lips had pulled into a watery pout. "What if I need you and you're not here?"

Robin nervously pressed his lips together before digging into his pocket for his phone. He clicked it on, brought up Google Maps and typed in his address. Once the red flag appeared onscreen he showed it to Henry.

"Do you see this?" he said. "This is where my house is."

He tapped on the screen, typing in Regina's new address. A green flag dropped and a red line appeared connecting the two points on screen.

"And this is where your new house is," he said, pointing it out onscreen. "Can you read the distance between them?"

Henry squinted at the map. "2.3 miles," he read, softly.

"That's right," said Robin nodding his head. "And do you know how many miles I run when I go jogging at night? Three miles." He emphasized the number by holding up three of his fingers. "I run three miles a day, four days a week and it's become really easy for me to do. So I promise, that if you need me you can call, I'll put on my jogging shoes and I'll run the 2.3 miles to your house, just like that."

Henry sat up in his chair. "Just like that?"

"Just like that," promised Robin. He wrapped his arm around the boy's shoulders. "Henry if you ever need me all you have to do is ask and I'll be there. No hesitation."

Henry looked up at him, serious as an eight-almost-nine-year-old could be. "You promise?"

"I promise," Robin solemnly replied. He pressed a quick kiss to the top of Henry's head.

The microwave beeped then, signaling to them that the hot chocolate was ready. Once Robin stood to get it he heard the sound of footsteps against the stairs and looked over to see Regina making her way back into the kitchen.

She nodded to him as she approached. "Roland's packing an overnight bag." Turning her attention to Henry she added, "And what about you mister? Do you have all your things packed up?"

"No," Henry drawled sullenly.

"Well hop to it," Regina gently ordered. "You can have your hot chocolate when you're done."

"Fine," he sighed, climbing off the stool.

Regina shook her head to herself as she watched him drag his feet up the stairs. "I swear that kid acts more and more like a teenager every single day."

Robin chuckled as he pulled the hot chocolate out of the microwave and onto the counter. "You know I hear maturity is a desirable trait for young boys."

Regina sucked her teeth as she leaned against the kitchen counter, her hands gripping the edge. "I just hope I'm not forcing him to grow up too fast. You know with everything that's happened these past couple months. All the changes and unpredictability…"

"Hey." Robin placed his hand on top of hers. "Henry's fine. He's a little upset about the move but he'll adjust. You're just a mile or two away. He doesn't even have to switch schools."

Regina softly nodded her head. "I know. I just feel like I've been shifting him around a lot lately."

Sympathy shined in Robin's blue eyes. "You wouldn't have done any of this if you didn't think it was best for him. You're an excellent mother Regina."

He gave her fingers a comforting squeeze sending a jolt of electricity through both of their hands. For a moment Regina allowed herself to sink into the comfort and familiarity brought on by the feeling of his hand atop her own. Then she remembered the line she'd drawn and the decision she'd made.

Clearing her throat, she gently wriggled her fingers free and brought her hand up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "Robin there was actually something I wanted to talk to you about."

"What?" asked Robin. His fingers stretched out of their own volition, as if searching for the ones that she'd so suddenly removed from his grip.

She opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out.

Lightning flashed and the kitchen lights flickered. On and off they blinked before everything suddenly went dark. Thunder pounded outside the windows and Robin instinctively stepped closer to her, his hand immediately reaching for her shoulder as if to make sure she hadn't disappeared.

She hadn't.

Her hand gripped his elbow as her eyes searched the room, caught off guard by the blackout. Goosebumps rose up on her arms. Whether they were from the storm or his touch she couldn't tell. It hardly mattered.

"What the hell…" she heard him softly mutter, his voice closer to her ear than she'd anticipated. He'd moved closer to her in the darkness, his hand protectively drifting down to the middle of her back. The weight of his touch caused her pulse to quicken.

Almost simultaneously their phones began to buzz while cries of "Mom!" and "Daddy!" were screamed from up the stairs. Another flash of lightning lit up the kitchen and for a brief moment they each caught sight of the temporary panic in each other's eyes.

Robin sprang into action first. He moved past her and headed in what he thought was the direction of the stairs. "I'll get the boys," he called over his shoulder. "Just stay here." She heard him curse as he tripped over what she assumed was the first step of the stairs.

As she heard the sound of his footsteps ascend to the next floor she pulled her cell phone out of her back pocket. Tapping the screen, she saw an emergency alert displayed.

SEVERE STORM WARNING IN THIS AREA UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. POWER OUTAGES EXPECTED. LOCAL ROADS CLOSED. STAY INDOORS. CHECK LOCAL NEWS.

She cursed under her breath before swiping it away and flicking on her phone's flashlight. She raised it to get a good look at the kitchen and caught sight of Robin making his way down the stairs with the boys, Henry by his side and Roland in his arms, his own phone shining a light in his hand. Henry rushed down the stairs and immediately wrapped his arm around his mother's waist. It was the most affection she'd received from him in days. She could almost feel grateful for it if it hadn't been born out of her son's fear over the blackout.

Roland didn't appear to be doing much better. His arms were tightly wrapped around his father's neck as he sniffled in distress. Regina's heart broke for him.

"Did you see the alert?" Robin asked as he approached her at the counter. He dropped his cell phone on the counter – light-side up – so he could comfortingly rub Roland's back. Shadows covered both their faces as she nodded her head at him.

"Yeah. Looks like the roads are closed."

"How are we going to get back to the house?" Henry's voice was small and trembling as it rose up from his spot at her side. She gently ran her fingers through his hair in an effort to comfort him.

Robin shook his head. "I don't think you can. At least not tonight."

Regina sighed. "Looks like we'll be spending another night in your hair."

Roland lifted his head from Robin's shoulder. Even in the dark Regina could see his big round eyes glistening with tears. "You're not leaving?" he sniffled hopefully.

She sent a small smile his way before reaching over to wipe a tear from his cheek. "No my dear, not tonight."

"Then can we have a sleep over?" he asked, perking up.

"Yeah," Henry chimed in, softly but enthusiastically. "We can sleep downstairs with blankets by the fire place."

A chuckle rose from Robin's throat. "I don't see why not." He smiled over at Regina and playfully shrugged his shoulder. "How about it? One final sleepover for the road?"

Her lips pulled into an amused smile as she took in their excited faces. Chuckling she nodded her head. "Alright. One last sleepover."

XXXXX

Regina had to admit she was a bit surprised by how well Robin was handling their sudden emergency.

Within ten minutes a roaring fire was set up in the living room. While she and the boys set up blankets by the fireplace Robin braved the outdoors and locked all the storm shutters. With a flashlight in hand he'd headed into the garage and managed to scrounge up an old generator and battery operated hot plate. Together they'd lit a few candles and set them up in the kitchen and the downstairs bathroom downstairs. Everyone dressed in their pajamas the boys were busy building a blanket fort in the living room while Regina helped Robin hook the fridge up to the generator.

Robin was pulling the fridge out from its spot in the counter while Regina watched from the counter. The howling of the storm from just outside the kitchen windows could be heard as she trained the flashlight in her hand toward the back of the refrigerator where Robin was focusing his gaze.

Her lips were pulled into a grimace. For the third time she asked, "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

"You better hope so," Robin replied, "or I'll have to force the boys to eat all the ice cream before it melts. And I don't think either of us wants that."

He reached down to pull out the fridge's electrical cord out onto the counter while Regina watched him, clearly fascinated. "You know I'm a little impressed," she said. "I didn't think disaster preparedness was something you were into."

Robin chuckled as he shrugged his shoulders, the candlelight flickering over his bare arms. "I wish I could take credit but most of this stuff belongs to Hook actually. He left it here after he returned from his last sailing trip."

His tone darkened a bit at Hook's name. Regina detected a bit of resentment but also a hint of sadness. She tilted her head at him. "You know Tink told me the two of you had a bit of a falling out."

Robin's heart skipped a beat. For a moment he feared that Tink had revealed his feelings for her but he quickly decided that such a move wasn't in the tiny blonde's nature.

"She said you fought during his shift at the Drunken Monk?" Regina continued, her chocolate-colored eyes attempting to bore into his soul.

"It was a gentleman's disagreement," Robin sullenly replied.

"It was an overstep followed by an overreaction," countered Regina. She shrugged her shoulder. "According to Tink, that is."

Robin grumbled as he rolled out the generator's extension outlet. "Well, witnesses do tend to be unreliable."

"Robin… I think you need to let up on this cold shoulder treatment," Regina advised. "From what I hear you've barely spoken to him in two weeks."

Robin groaned as he pulled on the cord. "You weren't there Regina. What Hook said… he crossed a line."

"Really? Did he suddenly reveal that he's been lying about his identity for the past eight years?" she sarcastically replied, arching her eyebrow in his direction.

Robin scoffed and rolled his eyes at her. "Wow. You really had to go there?"

"Felt like it was the smoothest way to get my point across," she said smugly. "Look Robin I might not have been there for this one moment in your friendship but I have seen a lot of it. Hook might overstep every once in a while, but he's only ever done it because he cares. I doubt this time was any different."

Robin let out an exasperated breath. She was right. He knew she was. Even if Hook had crossed a line he'd only done so out of concern. He might be an ass but he was still a good friend.

"Fine," Robin reluctantly agreed. "I will send him a text to make sure he's okay during the storm. We'll see where it goes from there."

Regina grinned over her flashlight. "Just glad to see you're putting in the effort."

He plugged in the refrigerator to the extended outlet and grinned when it began to hum in response. Turning to Regina with a triumphant look on his face he said, "Told you I knew what I was doing."

She smiled at him. "My hero," she replied.

A moment of silence passed between them as both their hearts fluttered. Once again Robin felt the irrational need to be closer to her. A smile was plastered to his face as he took in her appearance. She was dressed in his pajamas that night, a plain white tee and green plaid pajama pants, both of which were at least two four sizes too big for her. She was practically drowning in them but like every other piece of clothing she'd worn Robin thought she wore it well. Her flawless skin glowing under the yellow light of the candles, the flickering flames reflected in her eyes, dark hair falling over her shoulder. She couldn't be more beautiful to him.

The moment was broken by another flash of lightening. It made both of them jump.

"We should check on the boys," said Robin.

Regina nodded her head as she slipped of the kitchen counter. Flashlights in hand they tiptoed their way into the living room where they found the boys, lying on their stomachs under a fort of blankets next to the fireplace. An open bag of marshmallows was by their side along with two empty juice boxes. Their heads were huddled together as Henry shined his small flashlight onto a picture book that he read aloud to Roland. They could barely hear his soft voice over the storm.

"The next day was Sunday again. The caterpillar ate through one nice green leaf…" His reading was stilted and slow. It still warmed both their hearts.

Robin smiled as he leaned against the living room entrance way. He turned to Regina with a smug look in his eye. "See you can sing your praises for the iPad all you like. There is nothing greater than an old fashioned book in my opinion," he stealthily whispered.

Regina rolled her eyes at him before turning her attention back to the boys. They looked so cute together, warm in their pajamas, huddled over the book, their flashlights shining beneath the blankets causing them to glow as they hung over the chairs they'd arranged in front of the fireplace. If she didn't know any better she would say they looked like brothers. Perhaps they were.

She sighed to herself. "I almost feel guilty taking him away from this. He's always wanted a little brother. Someone to share the space in the house. I think he's dreading the day it goes back to just him and me."

"Well it's not like Roland and I will disappear," said Robin. "And he's always welcome here. You do know that?"

She turned and looked into his eyes. "Yes. I do know that."

For the second time that night she felt that familiar warmth swell up in her chest. The same one that appeared every time she saw just how much Robin cared for her son. She could never doubt his love and affection for Henry. It was one of the few things in the world that she knew would never change.

It was then she was reminded of the urgent matter she had planned to speak with him about. Yet again she opened her mouth to have nothing come out.

"Mom come get under the blankets with us! You too Robin!" She heard Henry yell his order at them from over her shoulder. She turned to see both him and Roland grinning at them from their spot in the living room. Light shined into her eyes and she squinted as they both beckoned them over with their flashlight.

"Okay," she giggled nodding her head. She trotted over to them with an enthusiastic smile on her face, Robin on her heels. They descended to their knees and climbed under the fort with their boys. Their joined laughter mixed in with the storm as she pulled Roland into her lap and Robin laid on his side next to Henry.

"Looks like you two have been having all the fun without us," Robin said playfully.

They boys laughed as they nodded their heads in unison.

"Henry was reading me stories but now I want to hear you tell me one!" said Roland, pointing at his father.

"Me?" said Robin with false shock. "What story could I possibly tell you?"

"Tell me one about Mama."

Robin's face froze for a moment. "One about your Mama?"

"Yeah," said Roland softly. "Like the ones you used to tell me."

Regina saw Robin attempt to swallow his guilt as his eyes dropped to the floor. "It has been quite a while hasn't it?"

Regina caught his eye and saw a mixture of hesitation and remorse. The warmth inside of her dimmed at the sight of it. She pressed her lips together before playfully squeezing Roland's side and smiling down at him. "Hey? How would you like to hear about the first time I met your Mama and Papa?"

"Yeah!" Roland nodding his head so enthusiastically his dark curls shook against his scalp.

"Am I in this story?" asked Henry.

"Yes you are," said Regina, nodding her head, "But you were a tiny little baby at the time. I could practically fit you in my pocket."

The boys giggled at her euphemism and her smile grew.

"Henry you and I… well… we were lost in a way." Her throat started to tighten up as she struggled to find the words to explain to her son the poverty she'd experienced months after his birth. "And we were hungry. After you were born we lost our home because it wasn't safe for us there."

"Why?" asked Henry, his hazel eyes growing more curious by the second. He was staring at her intently as he laid by Robin's side.

Regina hesitated before answering him. She caught Robin's eye and saw him give his head a little shake. She agreed him with him. It was best not to go into detail.

"Because there were bad people there," she said cryptically. "So we left but I didn't get the chance to bring very much with me so we didn't have much. One day you were crying because you needed new diapers. I went to the store but I didn't have enough money to buy them. And the cashier made fun of me because of it."

"That's mean!" Roland declared vehemently, causing a proud smile to grow on Robin's face.

"He was mean," said Regina, nodding her head. "He was one of those greasy teenager with pimples and stringy hair. He was so rude to me I wanted to cry."

Even though years had passed Regina still felt her skin grow hot with embarrassment over how the cashier had treated her that day. She'd never felt lower in her life.

"But then your Mama showed up," she said softly, the beginnings of a smile growing on her face. She held Roland closer to her as she wistfully remembered the first time she'd met his mother. "She yelled at the cashier for being so mean to me." She nodded her head at Henry. "She bought me your diapers and food. Then she convinced me to come home with her."

"To this house?" chirped Roland.

"No no no," said Regina shaking her head. "To your first home. Remember the apartment?"

"A little," said Roland, shrugging his shoulders with a frown.

"Well she brought me there," she continued. "And it was warm and safe and the nicest place I had been in months. She made me macaroni and cheese and let me take a shower. But then, while I was in the bathroom, she went across the hall…"

Robin dramatically rolled his eyes. "Oh god…"

Regina laughed as she continued her story. "And your daddy didn't know that she'd brought me home…"

"Because your Mama neglected to tell me even though it would've taken one short phone call," Robin interjected.

Regina shushed him as she continued to laugh. "And he came into the bathroom while I was showering. Now I didn't know who he was and I got a little scared."

"Your mom punched me in my nose!"

"What?!" sputtered Henry.

Regina glared at Robin while he pointed an accusing finger in her direction. Henry burst into laughter while Roland giggled in her lap.

"I was a defenseless man coming home from a long day of work and she punched me!" Robin declared.

"It was more complicated than that," Regina playfully argued. "I was alone in the bathroom. I didn't know who he was and I thought he was a villain there to hurt me." She sighed and shook her head. "But yes, the first time I met your daddy… I punched him the face."

"That's funny," laughed Roland.

"You wouldn't think it was so funny if it was your sore nose," said Robin, teasingly poking him in the stomach.

"It was a misunderstanding but we were both very angry," said Regina, continuing her story. "Your Mama came home and found us arguing in the bathroom. I wanted to leave and your daddy wanted me to go but that didn't happen. Instead your Mama convinced me to spend the night and she convinced you daddy to let me."

"She didn't have to try very hard," added Robin with a wistful smile. "She told me she brought you home because you were lost and she wanted to help you find a home. And I couldn't say no to her. Especially when she'd brought home such an adorable little baby."

He ruffled Henry's hair.

"The next morning your Mama made me the best eggs I had ever had and she took me to the Drunken Monk," said Regina. "She said if I wanted to you and I could stay in the apartment above it until we could afford to leave."

As she smiled over toward her son she remembered just how close she'd come to giving him up and how grateful she'd felt when Marian had told her she could stay above the bar. And how grateful she still was for everything that had happened afterward.

She leaned down to press her cheek against Roland's. "Your Mama gave us our first home. But not just that she gave Henry and me a family. We made one together with your Mama, and your papa, and Uncle Kilian, and Aunt Mulan and Tink, and later on with you. And that's why every night before I go to sleep I thank her. Because none of us would be sitting here if we'd never met her."

A watery, grateful smile tugged on her lips. The idea of where she could be if she'd never met Marian is something she could hardly imagine. At best she would be alone, separated from Henry, still hiding who she was with no one to confide in. At worst… well, she might not even be alive. Because of Marian she still has her son and more. That's how she knows she'll never have a greater friend than her first one.

Silence fell over the four of them and Henry was the first to break it. "I wish Aunt Marian was still around," he whispered.

Robin sighed. "You aren't the only one Henry."

He locks eyes with Regina. Guilt floods both of their hearts.

XXXXX

The storm rages on for a while. The clouds thunder, the rain pours and lightning strikes repeatedly. But despite nature's monstrous call for attention inside the Locksely house it continues to be ignored. Drowned out by the good times created by Robin and Regina and their two boys. The four of them barely leave the living room floor, opting to stay in the warm cocoon of laughter, junk food and old-fashioned fun they'd cultivated by the fireplace. Over time the storm wanes. The thunder quiets, the lightning stops and only the rain remains. Robin puts out the fire and replaces it with an electric heater as they all snuggle into their blankets and sleeping bags for warmth. Soon after the steady pitter-patter of raindrops lulls them all to sleep. There's no rhyme or rhythm to their arrangement. Heads are beside knees; arms are over stomachs. Yet they're all as comfortable as could be, huddled together on the living room floor.

At least for a little while.

As they slumber in their blankets the storm begins to pick up. The wind returns and thunder shakes the windows.

This time mother nature's call is not ignored.

Lightning strikes and Regina eyes open. She'd been sleeping peacefully, her head less than two feet away from Robin's finely toned stomach (a fact that does not go unnoticed by her). It's not the storm that causes her to wake but the tears. With a mother's hearing the muffled whimpering from across the carpet is far louder than any thunder could ever be. Leaning up on her elbows she whispers, "Roland?"

In the darkness she can barely make out where he is but she hears the shuffling of his body and turns her attention to her left. As her eyes adjust to the lack of light he takes shapes, sitting up from where he lays head near the fire place, toes an inch from Henry's nose. She sees him wipe at his eyes, more likely wiping away tears than sleep.

"Is the storm scaring you?" she gently whispers. She doesn't want to wake Henry or Robin.

She sees him nod in the darkness but remain silent.

"Do you want to come in my sleeping bag, next to me?"

Even in the dark she sees how quickly he moves, standing to his feet as swiftly and silently as possible he heads over to her without hesitation, tripping over Henry's legs as he goes. Her son lets out a soft moan in response but doesn't wake. She smirks to herself. He's always been a heavy sleeper.

Arms wide open she welcomes Roland into her sleeping bag. His arms immediately wrap around her waist and his head falls onto her chest as she gently rubs his back, softly shushing in his ear.

"It's okay," she whispers, resting her chin on the top of his head. His curly tickles her skin and she breathes in his familiar scent of dirt and baby powder. "You're safe," she promises.

The stay like that for a while, him clinging to her while the storm thunders outside the window. She lets her hold onto him as hard as he likes, hums to calm him down. Over time she feels his grip loosen and his breath evens out. She hums a little longer, almost certain that he has gone to sleep, until she hears his tiny voice in the darkness.

"Regina?"

"Hmm?"

"Is my mama in heaven?"

His asks his question so quietly but to hear ears it's as loud as a shattered glass. Her heart skips a beat and her hand goes still on his back.

"That's where daddy said she was," added Roland.

Through parted lips she lets out a slow, silent breath and nods her head. "He said that because it's true, sweetheart. Your mama's in heaven."

She feels him clutch the fabric of her shirt between his fingers. "Will she ever come back?"

A lump forms in her throat. She tries her best to swallow it. "No honey," she whispers, shaking her head. "Once you go to heaven you can't come back."

It breaks her heart to say those words but she can't leave him with false hope. Like many times in the past few months she finds herself wishing that Marian was still alive, not for her sake but for Roland's. He was so young when she'd passed away he didn't remember her at all. The sound of her voice, the touch of her hands and the warmth of her heart were all mysteries for him. Oh the things she would do to give him one memory of her, one moment that he could see through his eyes, not someone else's. She'd move mountains for that chance.

She feels him let out a disappointed breath and she comfortingly runs her fingers through his hair.

"If my Mama's not here anymore… does that mean you're my mama now?"

Her eyebrows knit together and her lips part in shock. She tilts her head down so she can see his face. "Why do you think that?"

He shrugs his shoulders. "You do mama things for me. Like reading me stories and bake me cookies. Doesn't that mean you're my mama now?"

She's silence for a moment. The storm is fades in the background as her attention focuses on the swirl of guilt residing in her stomach. Over the past few months she and Roland had spent more than their fair share of time together. She'd tucked him into bed, driven him to school, praised him when he'd done well, chided him when he'd done wrong. But in all that time she didn't realize that Roland had started seeing her as a mother figure. She'd never thought that he'd place her in that role.

She hadn't wanted him to.

It was bad enough that she'd started having feelings for Robin. Knowing Roland wanted to place her in a role that his mother should've filled… well, it felt like stealing. In the worst possible way.

Even in the dark she can see there's hope in his eyes as he looks up at her, silently waiting for her answer. She nervously wets her lips, internally struggling to find the right words to say.

"No Roland it doesn't," she softly answers, staring into his big brown eyes. She takes a deep breath before continuing. "Roland your mama is your mama whether she's in heaven or not."

She places her hand right above his heart, close enough that she can feel it's tiny thumping against her palm. "I know you can't see her or hear her but before she died your mama loved you so much that a tiny piece of her heart jumped out and leapt into yours. And as long as you keep it there your mama will always will be with you."

She took his tiny hand and placed it under her own on his chest. "So every time you miss her you can just place your hand right here and feel her heart beating, with same rhythm as yours. Do you feel it?"

Roland's heart thumped in his chest and nodded his head. "Yes."

"Good." She presses a kiss to his forehead and pulls him closer, silently praying that this was the end of his questions for the night.

It wasn't.

A moment later she hears, "Regina?"

Her heart races in fear of what he'll say next. "Yes?"

"If you're not my mama then what are you?"

She hesitates before answering him. "I'm your godmother, Roland."

"What does that mean?" he whispers, curiously.

She smiles into the darkness. A small, almost inaudible chuckle escapes her. "It means that no matter what I'll always bake you cookies and read you stories. Every time you ask."

"You promise?"

She holds out her pinkie. "I pinkie promise."

Roland grins as he loops his pinkie with hers, satisfied that she really means it. The storm continues as he settles his head against her chest but this time it doesn't touch him. He yawns. Listening to the beat of her heart his breathing evens out. He falls asleep, arms still wrapped around her middle. She follows not long after thoughts of his mother still on her mind.

XXXXXX

Robin was usually the last to go to sleep. It was something he'd noticed in the nights since Henry and Regina's arrival. He could never bring himself to lay in his bed and close his eyes without knowing that everyone in the house was safe, dreaming in their own beds first. Tonight was no exception. Even with the three of them laying less than two feet away he waits until their eyes close and their breathing evens before letting himself rest. For a few moments he just takes them in, watching the steady rising and fallings of their chest. It feels so right to him. Having the four of them together like this, all under one roof. He hates that after tonight that won't happen again.

He hears the storm outside the window as he drifts off to sleep. The deeper he goes the more the sound of the raindrops transform. Before he realizes it all he can hear is the sound of the ocean…

He's standing on a beach. He can feel it in the sand beneath his toes. Hear it in the sound of the waves rolling in with the tide. It's beautiful. The sun is shining and the sky is blue.

He can see them. A family. His family. His two sons. The oldest with thin brown hair and small hazel eyes.

Henry.

The younger with wild thick curly locks and large, round eyes.

Roland.

They're with their mother. Their gorgeous mother. Her olive toned skin and midnight-colored hair. Whiskey eyes deeper than sea itself.

He breathes her name. "Regina."

The boys splash in the water as she walks in the sand along the shoreline.

They see him and they wave.

He waves back.

They want him to join them. They call him over.

He wants to go but he looks down at his feet.

There's a line in the sand. He can't cross it.

If he does… they'll crumble and fade away. He won't see them again. That's not what he wants.

He stays on his side of the line.

He feels someone by his side, grabbing his hand. He turns to see her. Dark skin, warm brown eyes, chocolate hair.

He hears himself say, "Marian."

She's even more beautiful than he remembered. Her hair shines in the sunlight. Her dark skin is flawless and glowing. She radiates peace and he's calmed by her presence.

For some reason he's unsurprised to see her but still he asks, "Why are you here?"

Smile on her face she replies, "I've always been here Robin. I never left."

She looks at his family waiting on the beach. "Why won't you go to them?"

He can't lie to her. "Too afraid to lose them."

She shakes her head at him. "You shouldn't be so afraid of losing something that you don't even try to have it. That's no way to live."

His eyes drop back down to the line. "If I cross it everything will crumble."

"No it won't," she promises. "Not if you don't let it."

She makes him turn to face her. Her eyes have grown serious. "It has to be you Robin. She can't cross the line so you have to do it. You need to be the brave one. You always have been."

She turns back to look at the boys and their mother. She smiles. "I made you a family Robin. You just need to be brave enough to have them."

His eyes are fixed on their hands. His uncertainty is obvious.

He whispers, "What about you?"

"Every day you were with me you made sure I knew that I was loved." She nods at him and a tear falls down her cheek. "I still know. And I'll keep knowing even when you let go."

Her gaze drifts over to Regina. "But she doesn't. So you have to tell her."

She steps back from him, still holding onto his hand. "You just have to let go and cross the line."

His eyes flicker over to his family and back to her. She nods encouragingly as her smile returns. "You can do it. It's okay."

His thumb runs over the back of her hand. He hears himself whisper. "Thank you. For everything."

Giving her hand one last final squeeze, he takes a deep breath and slips his fingers from hers.

XXXXX

When Robin woke up the next morning the storm outside was gone. As his eyes opened he saw the sun shining and heard the birds chirping outside the window. Silently sitting up from where he looked over the room and saw everyone was still on the floor with him. Everyone was still laying where they dropped. Well everyone except Roland that is.

It appeared his son had wandered into the arms of his godmother sometime the night before. Robin had no doubt this was due to his fear of storms. Even so, Roland seemed rather at peace laying in Regina's arms and from what he could tell she certainly seemed comfortable having him there. Her eyelids lightly fluttered as dreams still played out in her head but on the whole her face appeared rather serene. One could even say she looked poised as she slept. Her son, on the other hand, was different story. Henry was a wild sleeper and in the morning light it certainly showed. Separated from his mother he was situated to Robin's right, limbs splayed out in every direction as his mouth dropped open bringing in more air to power the snores flying out of his nose. It didn't look as though he'd be waking up anytime soon.

Robin stood to his feet and let out a content sigh as he, once again, took in their sleeping forms. Crossing his arms with a smile he realized that just like the storm inside him had disappeared just as much as the one outside. He no longer felt sad or conflicted because he knew, without a shadow of a doubt, this was not the last time the four of them would be under the same roof. It was not the last time that they would feel like a family. He would make sure of that.

The power had been restored to the house overnight and Robin set about making himself a pot of coffee. As soon as he had a steaming mug of breakfast blend he headed out the front door to see if there was any damage left over from the storm.

Though it certainly hadn't swept by gently there didn't appear to be any major repercussions. A broken tree branch here, a knocked over mailbox there, wet leaves scattered all about. Nothing a good day's yard work wouldn't cure.

He sat on his porch and sipped his coffee, mulling over the night before.

He remembered his dream as clear as day. He remembered the feeling the sand between his toes and his wife's hand in his own. He could still hear her voice urging him to cross the line, telling him that he had to be the one to do it.

He didn't know if the dream was what he thought it was, what he believed that it was. A blessing from beyond. But he did know it would be just like Marian to waltz into his dream just for the chance to talk to some sense into him.

Real or not she had been right. He hadn't told Regina how he felt because he'd been afraid of losing her. Of losing the makeshift family that they'd created in the past few months. But he couldn't be afraid anymore. If he stayed afraid he'd lose any chance of having what he really wanted.

He had to tell her how he felt.

She deserved to know.

He heard the front door open behind him. Looking over his shoulder he saw Regina step outside, still wearing his clothes from the night before. Her had covered her mouth as she let out a small yawn, and joined him on the front porch.

"Good morning," she said, her voice still raspy from sleep.

"Morning," he replied.

He smiled thinking to himself about how adorable she looked, hair still mussed from sleep, yawning in his oversized pajamas as she sat down next him.

"Coffee?" He offered her his mug.

"Thank you," she said, gratefully taking it out of his hands. She took a sip and licked the spare drops from her lips. Her eyes ran over the yard. "Look like it was quite a storm."

"Looks like."

They sat together in silence for a moment, taking in all the damage the storm had left on the street. The entire time Robin watched her from the corner of his eye. They were alone. Could he tell her now? Lay out all his feelings over coffee and a sunrise?

Perhaps he could.

He nervously clasped his hands together before speaking. "Regina –"

"Robin, I –"

They both started talking at the same time and paused, chuckling together over their verbal collision.

"Sorry," said Robin, gesturing toward her. "You can go first."

If he was honest he was grateful for the delay.

She nodded her head and took a deep breath. "So I've been meaning to talk to you, all night actually, about something. Something very important."

Robin felt him so grow worried. He shifted in his seat to better face her. "What?" he asked.

"Well… I've been doing some thinking… about us and our relationship," she began.

Robin felt his heart begin to race. Was she about to say what he thought she was?

"And I've been thinking a lot about everything that's happened this last few months, and losing my father and all that he did for me," she continued, her fingers nervously tapping against the mug in her hands. "I've started realizing that life is very short and unpredictable. So… I went to see Archie."

"Archie?" He twisted the man's name on his tongue in confusion. He remembered Archie, the tall, red-haired lawyer who'd given her inheritance. As far as he knew they hadn't talked since she'd signed the papers as Regina Mills and taken back her life.

Regina nodded her head. "Yes. See I needed a lawyer I could trust… to help me write my will."

Robin's eyes went wide. "Your will?"

"Yes," said Regina. "Like I said I've been thinking about my father and all he left behind for me and I just want to make sure that I've done the same for Henry if the worst happens."

Their conversation has taken a turn and he is not please by it. He doesn't like the idea of her planning for her death, speaking as though she could be gone at any time. It twists his gut.

She bites her lip before continuing. "Robin I don't have any blood family left. If something was to happen to me the only person left would be my mother. I don't want that for him."

Her last sentence is barely louder than a whisper. He can practically see the shivers running down her spine as she imagines her son in the hands of her mother.

"Archie and I are drawing up drafts of my will now," she said softly. Her nervous brown eyes lock onto his confused blue ones. "Robin if anything happens to me… would you be Henry's legal guardian?"

"Yes."

There's no hesitation before his answer. The word comes out firm, full and sincere, leaving no room for doubt. He's shocked she even thinks she has to ask.

She smiles at him relief playing out in her brown eyes. She'd known he'd say yes but actually hearing it lifts a weight off her shoulders. "I know it's a lot to ask and I knew you'd say yes but after everything we've been through I just couldn't imagine leaving him with anyone but you. If I'm not here I want my son to have a family and this is the only one he knows."

He knows that she doesn't mean just him. She means him and Roland and all the mock aunts and uncles Henry acquired over the years. She means all the people that make him feel safe and loved. And he knows that should anything happen to her all those people would rally to make sure her son was cared for.

But for a moment he let himself believe that all she meant was him and Roland. That the family she wanted for her son was the one that they'd made together under his roof.

"Regina you don't have to worry," he said. "You're not going anywhere."

She moves to speak again but he cuts her off.

"And even if you do I'll make sure he's taken care of," he promises. "He won't end up with her. I swear it."

She studies his face for a moment. She's not searching for lies or uncertainty. She's just staring, wondering just what she'd done in her life to deserve having him by her side.

"Thank you Robin," she says softly.

"No need to," he replies. "I'd do anything for him. You know that."

She nods her head and sighs in content, turning her gaze onto the street and then quickly back to him as if she'd suddenly remembered something. "Oh, did you have something that you wanted to talk to me about?"

Yes.

He thought about it, telling her his feelings then and there. It would've been easy. Wait, that wasn't true. It would've been convenient but hard. Like ripping off a band-aid so it wouldn't hurt as much. But his feelings weren't a band-aid. If he was going to tell her the truth, he didn't want to do it just to get it over it with. He wouldn't say it just because the timing was convenient. He wanted to take his time. Say the right words, choose the right moment.

This was not that moment.

He could feel it.

"It was nothing important," he lied. "I was just wondering if you still wanted to take Roland for the night."

She nodded her head. "Sure. Another night with him would be great."

She started talking then about her house, about checking on it to make sure that it was okay but he barely heard her. He was too busy lost in his own thoughts.

He'd tell Regina how he felt about her. He just wouldn't tell her today.

But he would tell her.

He would have to be the one to cross the line.

Of that he was certain.

NEXT CHAPTER: Regina collides with a piece of Henry's past while Robin tries to find the right moment to tell her how he feels.

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