What Would They Say

by Queen-of-the-Merry-Men

She couldn't dwell on the way his dimples flashed when he smiled. She couldn't think of how when he grabbed her hand she felt like she could get through anything. She couldn't remind herself that she loved his son as much as she loved her own. She couldn't let herself fall in love with the husband of her dead best friend. Outlaw Queen Modern AU. Not an adultery fic. Epic Slowburn.

36. Chapter 36

A/N: Here's the second half of the chapter. My advice read all the way to the end. Hope you enjoy.

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What outfit do you wear to meet your dead fiancé's mother?

Of all the things Regina could've worried about this was where she got stuck.

It was the 23rd and she stood in front of her closet, daunted by the endless possibilities it offered. Jeans and dresses. Blouses and tanks. Boots and heels. Not to mention the colors. Dear god, the colors! She couldn't decide. She'd changed eight times and it wasn't even noon.

Sighing, she took another look in the mirror. At the moment she had on a pencil skirt that she'd paired with a dark blouse and a deep magenta blazer. She'd added a pair of black pantyhose for modesty and planned to finish it with a pair of knee high boots. It was a decent ensemble. Classy. Professional. And it made her look… like she was going out to drinks after work. Goddamn it.

She started shoving the blazer off her shoulders. She couldn't wear this outfit. It was too… everything. It wasn't right.

Breathing heavily, she stepped back into her walk-in closet and viciously swiped through her clothes, shaking her head as she went.

No.

No.

No!

NO!

"Damn it!" she hissed to herself. She and Henry were meeting Daniel's mother today and she had nothing to wear. Nothing was right. They were going to hate her. They should hate her. They had every right to. He wouldn't have been dead if it wasn't for her. If he hadn't been coming to meet her he wouldn't have died.

Dark thoughts were coming at her from every corner of her mind as she swiped through the clothes. They'd been prodding at her for the past week, growing louder and sharper with every passing day. She could hear them constantly and she hadn't been able to chase them away.

Gripping the nearest shelf Regina leaned against the wall for support as she tried, without success, to suck in a deep breath. She could feel her heart pounding as she continued to hyperventilate. Her face grew hot, the walls started to close in. Sliding down to the floor she realized that she recognized this feeling.

Oh shit, I'm having a panic attack.

Sitting on her closet floor, practically shaking in terror she tried to remember the last time she'd had one. It must've been after her father's funeral. After seeing her mother again. That was months ago but they'd started long before that. Back when she was being forced on Leopold's arm. All those times she'd held herself together in public only to mutter a polite excuse and lock herself in the nearest bathroom so she could breakdown in private. It was just like she remembered. The harsh pounding of her heart. The uncontrollable shaking of her hands. Her short, rapid breathing. Panic seeping through every muscle in her body.

She placed her hands on her belly and tried her old coping method. Pulling her lips into a tight "o" she slowly sucked in a deep breath feeling her stomach expand beneath her palms. Only when it couldn't expand any further did she finally exhale as slowly and steadily as she could.

It's alright, she thought to herself. Everything's going to be okay.

It's a platitude, a lie. One that she doesn't even really believe but repeats in her head, over and over again like a mantra.

It's alright.

Everything's going to be okay.

She sits there for god knows how long, repeating it and trying to focus on her breathing.

After the maybe fiftieth echo it finally starts to sink in. Little by little her panic recedes, reduces itself to just an underlying buzz of anxiety. It's not gone but at least it's no longer debilitating.

She takes another minute to catch her breath and wipe away her tears before standing to her feet. Still a bit shaky, she used the shelf for support again. Her eyes sweep across the endless supply of clothes in her closet.

She still doesn't know what to wear.

Thankfully the sound of the doorbell saves her from falling down the rabbit hole again.

She gives herself a quick onceover before heading to the open the door. When she gets there she's not surprised to find Robin waiting for her on the other side, hands in his pockets and a warm smile on his face. He said he'd check in on her before she and Henry left. And after her episode in the closet she's damn glad he has.

She doesn't hesitate to let him in, stepping aside so he can cross the threshold. He lays a quick peck on her cheek on his way in and she feels her heart skip a beat. This time in a good way.

"Thanks for dropping in," she says, self-consciously tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear.

"Of course," he said, looking her over with concern in his eyes. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine."

It's a lie… and he knows it.

And even worse… she knows he knows it.

The concern from his eyes drifts into his voice. "Regina…"

"No I'm really fine!" She lies again, plastering a smile on her face for good measure. "I'm fine. I just… don't have anything to wear."

Her voice breaks as the tears pile up in her eyes. In an instant his arms are around her. She drowning in the smell of his pine-scented cologne as her tears fall onto his shirt. His hand is rubbing at her back in soft, comforting circles and she's never felt safer. Her muscles lose tension, her heartbeat steadies and her anxiety is banished. Once again she marvels at the effect this man has on her, and curses herself for needing it so badly.

"It's alright," he softly says. "Everything's going to be okay."

She could almost laugh at the irony. Of course he knows her calming mantra. The only difference is that coming from his soothing, husky voice she actually believes it.

"I know," she says, nodding her head and wiping away her tears. She pulls back and takes a deep breath. "I think I'm just a little overwhelmed," she reluctantly admits.

"That's understandable," Robin said calmly. "This is a big day. One you've waited a very long time for. It's okay to be nervous."

She scoffs. "Oh I am so far pass nervous. I am… a disaster."

Robin takes a deep breath before guiding her over to the living room. With a gentle hand he pulls her over to the couch and tells her to take seat next to him. He doesn't let go of her hand. Instead he keeps it in his own as he tries to send her a reassuring smile.

"Alright," he says. "Just for the hell of it… why don't you tell me what you're so afraid of?"

She nearly rolls her eyes at him. "Robin…"

"What have you got to lose?" he challenges.

Not much, she silently admits to herself.

Shrugging her shoulders she thinks it over before speaking up. "I guess… I'm afraid that they'll hate me," she reveals. "I'm worried that they won't believe me when I say that I loved Daniel. And that they've already made up their minds about who I am. And that… because of how they feel about me they won't accept Henry."

It felt scary saying her fears aloud. Letting them softly tumble from her mouth to fall at Robin's feet. But it was true. Even though she knew meeting Daniel's family was something she needed to do she was more than frightened of what they might say to her, think of her. She didn't know if she could handle it if things went badly.

"Okay," said Robin, shifting closer to her on the couch. "I'm not going to tell you those fears are ridiculous because they aren't. You don't know these people. You don't know how they'll react to you. And the truth is they could react badly." He paused for a moment to let this sink in. "But it seems like that's the worst case scenario for this day. What's the best case?"

"The best case?" Regina mused thoughtfully. Her head had been so wrapped up in all the things she didn't want that she hadn't given much thought to the things that she did.

"I suppose…in the best case… they'll be kind," she started. "That they'll hear me out and try to understand."

"What else?" prodded Robin.

She sighed. "That they'll be good to Henry. That they'll give him pieces of his father that I don't have. They'll talk about his childhood and show his pictures." She paused. "In the best case scenario they'd want to want to be a part of his life. And Henry would want that as well."

Robin offered her a small smile. "Those sound like really good things. And to me the good scenario sounds a lot more likely than the bad one."

He supportively squeezed her shoulder. "Regina think about it. Do you really think they would've invited you over, on a day that's clearly very important to them, just to yell at you? In front of Henry?"

"No," Regina admitted, shaking her head.

"They want to meet him," Robin assured her. "They want to know him. And if they didn't they wouldn't have reached out."

Regina nodded her head. "Right. That's true."

"And no matter what happens there," continued Robin, "you and Henry have a family here. One that loves you and supports you both. So if things go badly there just come back here. We'll help you get through it."

She let out a soft breath. Listening to Robin's logic had managed to clear her fog of insanity. For the first time since she'd been to Daniel's grave the thought of meeting his family no longer seemed frightening. Meeting them wasn't meant to be a trial where she would defend every choice she'd made since his death. It was an opportunity to give her son a little more of his father than he'd had before. Talking to Robin had reminded her of that.

It'd also reminded her of just how much she loved him.

Robin soothingly rubbed her back while his eyes searched her face. "Better?"

"Yes," she nodded her head. "Much better." After a moment's pause she added, "Thank you."

Robin sheepishly shrugged his shoulder. "It's what I'm here for."

She smiled at him before taking a deep breath and standing to her feet. "I should go change." She softly chuckled. "I still have no idea what I'm going to wear."

Robin nervously pressed his lips together before speaking up. "I'm not really a fashion expert but… there was this old picture of you that I remember. From your time in New York," he clarified. "I think you'd taken Henry to the zoo with Emma. And in it you were wearing this pink, sort-of, silky shirt and a pair of jeans or capris."

Regina narrowed her eyes at him surprise. She didn't think he'd remember something so very small. Robin awkwardly chuckled as he stood from the couch. "I only bring it up because… I remember thinking that you looked… beautiful… and happy."

Regina nodded her head thoughtfully. "I remember that day," she said softly. It had been a good day. An easy day. So simple and carefree. She hadn't a day like that in a while.

"I always really liked that outfit," she added with a small smile. "I could wear that today."

"Yeah, well… I'm happy to help," said Robin, returning her smile. "But in terms of jewelry you will be on your own."

"I think I'll manage," she replied, with a playful smirk.

She headed back to her room then, quickly letting him know that Henry was up if he wanted to talk. The weight on her shoulders had subsided after talking to him. And her dark thoughts were practically non-existent.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Robin breathed a sigh of relief as he watched her walk away. He mentally patted himself on the back for making sure to see her before she and Henry left. He knew she'd be freaking out. Today was an important day for her and Henry both. One that she felt could have a major impact on Henry's feelings about his father. Of course, she'd be nervous. He was glad he gotten the chance to calm her down even if, truth be told, he was just as nervous about this day as she was.

Regina had told him about her meetings with Lydia and it didn't give him a lot of confidence in how the rest of the family would react. The idea of her meeting them alone worried him. He couldn't help but see it as her walking into a lion's cage, steak in hand, without even a chair to protect herself. For the hundredth time he wished that he could go with them, check out the family for himself. But he wouldn't dare ask that of her. Through their years of friendship it had always been clear to him that for Regina Daniel was a private, very painful topic. One that she'd never really gotten comfortable with discussing anyone, except perhaps Marian. All he could do is stay where he was and hope for the best.

In any case, Regina was taken care of for now. Calm and relatively collected. It was time to check on Henry.

Going down the hall to Henry's room, Robin softly knocked on the door, calling his name. After a mumbled Come in from the other side he opened it to find Henry sitting as his desk, head hanging over a sheet of drawing paper. It was a familiar sight.

Henry loved to draw. Robin always thought it was a side effect of seeing his mom work so passionately at her designs. Regina, however, would always claim that his artistic talent was the result of Robin shoving comic after comic into his face whenever they were together. It was most likely a combination of both. Stepping into Henry's room, Robin smiled when he saw all the sketches and pictures of superheroes that were littered across the desk, floor and bed. Some were copies of well-known characters, ones that they'd read together. Captain America, Hulk and the like. While others, the ones Robin was most interested in, were original. Superheroes and characters that Henry came up with himself. He'd sketch them elaborate costumes, give them names and backstories. It was quite impressive actually. Which was not to say that Henry was very forthcoming with them. In fact Henry rarely shared his drawings with others. The only people he would freely show them to were Regina, Emma, Roland and Robin himself. A fact that made Robin feel a little special if he was being honest.

Looking over Henry's shoulder he could see that he was working on another character. It appeared to be a man with spiky hair and very long cloak.

"Who's that?" asked Robin, taking a seat on Henry's twin bed, next to his desk.

Henry shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. I haven't named him yet."

"Oh," drawled Robin, intrigued. "What's his power?"

"He has a cloak that makes him disappear into nothing," said Henry, not even looking up from his paper. "When he puts it on he can't be seen or touched."

Robin nodded his head thoughtfully. "Sounds useful."

"I guess," mumbled Henry, his eyes still trained on the character in front of him.

An awkward silence fell over the room then, only broken by the sound of Henry intensely scribbling against his drawing paper.

"So… today is the big day, huh?" ventured Robin. "Are you excited to meet your father's family?"

The scribbling stops then. He sees Henry go rigid at his question. Pressing his lips together like he wants to say something but can't.

Robin leans closer to him, concerned. "Henry?"

Biting his lip before speaking, Henry finally turns to him and softly asks, "Can I stay with you today instead?"

Robin's eyes widen in surprise but he quickly recovers. "You want to stay with me today?" Henry silently nods. "What about meeting your father's family?"

Henry just shrugs his shoulders with a grimace, offering no further explanation. Robin lets out a sharp sigh as he thinks over the best way to proceed. He decides questioning is his best path forward.

"Why don't you want to meet them?" he asks.

Henry shrugs his shoulders again, unable to meet Robin's eyes. "I don't know," he mumbles.

"Are you nervous?" Robin continues to question. "It's fine if you are."

"Mom is," Henry says bluntly. "She keeps pretending like she's not but I know she is."

Robin pauses for a moment before cautiously asking, "How can you tell?"

"Because when I ask her she has this weird look on her face. Like she's trying to be happy but really isn't," Henry explained.

Oh, that look, thought Robin. He knew it well. It was a face with a too tight smile and lying eyes. He'd seen it many times over the years when he asked her things like "are you alright?" It wasn't surprising that Henry knew it too. He'd always been a bit more perceptive than expected for his age.

"Well, you're right," Robin reluctantly admitted. "Your mother is… feeling a little nervous about today but that's only because today is very important to her. And to you. She really wants you to know them."

"Why?" drawled Henry, a hint of exasperation in his tone. "She never took me to meet them before. Why does it matter now?"

Robin nervously tapped his fingers trying to come up with an appropriate response. "Henry… that's complicated." He sighed when Henry sent him an annoyed look. "Listen. These people, your family, they were very important to your father. And because of that you're very important to them. It's why they want to meet you and tell you things about him. Things that your mother doesn't know but that she wants you to know. Stories of how he grew up and how he lived before he met her." He paused before adding, "Things that he should've been able to tell you himself but didn't get the chance to."

"I know it might feel very scary to meet these new people who want to know you so badly but I don't think it would be good for you to run away from them," he continues. "They're your family. And family gets a chance. Even if it's just the one."

He feels like such a hypocrite as he says these words, knowing how he feels about Marian's parents, how he feels about his own mother and how Regina feels about hers. But he reminds himself that this is different. That no matter how apprehensive he feels about the whole situation this is that family's first chance to meet the special little boy sitting in front of him. And they deserve it. They deserve the chance to know him and love him. And he shouldn't do anything to steal that chance from them.

Henry sat in his chair, no longer drawing, only solemnly thinking over Robin's words. He was silent for a moment before softly asking, "Will you come with us?"

Robin would later swear that no words had ever taken him more by surprise than the five Henry just uttered. He sat in shock for a full five seconds before the idea of them actually sunk in. Henry wanted him there when he met his family. In a way, they were the words he'd wanted to hear all week. An invitation to be present when the two people he cared about met the family they were so nervous to see. An opportunity to protect them if things went awry. But the words were coming from the wrong person. As much as he wanted to fulfill Henry's request, he couldn't step on Regina's toes.

"Henry… I…"

"Please," he begged. "If you're there then Mom won't worry. She never does when you're around. Please come with us."

He was staring at Robin, hazel eyes wide and pleading. Staring back at him Robin was taken back to that stormy night so many weeks ago, when he'd promised to be there for Henry, rain or shine, whenever he asked. It was a promise he was desperate not to break.

Sucking in a deep breath, he nodded his head. "Let me talk to your mother first."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

After her talk with Robin Regina was feeling much better. She'd changed out of her pencil skirt and blouse into the outfit that Robin mentioned. This time when she looked at herself in the mirror, dressed in a pink silk tank and dark wash denim capris, she could smile. Seeing herself in this outfit reminded her of that day at the zoo. A day of sunshine, cotton candy and no worries. It helped calm her down. She added a simple gold necklace as well as a pair of small hoop earrings for good measure. Before she left she'd throw on a pair of wedges but she was pleased with how she looked.

Instead she'd moved onto another issue. She was currently sitting on her living couch with at least a dozen photo albums spread out on the coffee table in front of her. Slowly flipping through them all she tried to narrow down the options of which ones she was bringing along for the day. She was sure Daniel's mother would want to see Henry's baby pictures, birthday celebrations and holidays. But there were also the random photos she'd taken throughout Henry's life, ones of him with their friends and the ones that highlighted the similarities between him and his father. She blew out an exasperated breath as she stared down at the coffee table. Maybe she'd just take them all.

She was still mulling over her options when Robin reappeared in the living room. He looked down at the coffee table. "Trying to figure out which ones to take?"

She nodded her head. "Yeah, it's a little difficult to decide." She looked up at him. "Did you check on Henry?"

Robin hesitated before nodding his head. "Yeah I did and… we need to talk."

Regina's smile disappeared in an instant. Her brown eyes immediately filled with fear and apprehension, as she asked, "What's wrong?"

Robin dug his hands into his pockets. "He wants me to come with you today, to meet Daniel's family."

It took a second for Regina to process what he was saying. Henry wanted to bring Robin along for the day? To meet Daniel's family? She scrunched her eyes closed and gave her head a little shake as she tried to swallow this new information. "He asked you this?

"Yeah," said Robin, nodding his head. "Just now in the bedroom."

Regina ran her hands over her thighs and let out a deep breath. The idea of Robin coming wasn't a terrible one… but it was too much. It was too much to ask of him. And with her feelings for him and her feelings for Daniel and his family's feelings for her…it was too complicated.

"I could come," Robin ventured. "I could call into work for the day."

Regina shook her head at him. "Robin, you don't have to come with us. You shouldn't. It's… complicated and… personal."

"I want to come," Robin said, firmly correcting himself. "I mean it. I want to be there."

He could barely look her in the eyes as spoke but he still sounded sure. He didn't want to pressure her but if Henry wanted him there he needed her to know that he would show up. Not because he had to but because he wanted to.

Still she shook her head. "Robin…"

"He's scared," Robin firmly states. "He knows this is a big deal. He can feel it and he's afraid. Genuinely, unmistakably frightened. And I don't want him to think I won't be there when he is."

It breaks her heart knowing that her son is afraid. Knowing that in this particular instance she's not enough to make him unafraid. And why would she be? Look at how she'd been acting. Breaking down in her closet, forcing smiles onto her face. No wonder he'd reached out to Robin and not her.

Robin crossed over to the other side of the coffee table and joined her on the couch. "Roland is with Granny for the day. I can call Tink and have her pick him and put him to bed for me tonight."

She sighed as she stared into his eyes, contemplating just what he was offering. How much it would mean to her. How much it was not his responsibility. "Robin… you really don't have to do this."

"Yes. I really do," Robin asserts. "When you walk in there Henry needs to know that there's someone in your corner. And frankly, so do they."

She's silent for a moment. Thinking over in her head all the complications and reasons she should say no. It's complicated. It's inappropriate. It's not his responsibility. But they are all silenced when a single thought enters her head.

It's what Henry asked for.

Her son asked for this. Asked to have Robin there on this very important day and she can't deny him that request. Not when he's made it clear it's what he needs.

He's not coming along for you, she silently reminds herself. He's coming for Henry. And that makes it okay.

"Okay." She gently nods her head. "You can come."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

At twelve o'clock Regina and Henry load into Robin's jeep and begin what felt like the longest car ride of their lives. Though Daniel's mother only lives an hour away time seems to drag on as they ride down the highway. No one really talks. In fact, the only thing breaking the silence are the soft sounds of the radio as each person remains silently stuck in their own little world.

Regina, sitting in the passenger seat, silently thinking over all the she knew about Daniel's family and mentally rehearsing all the she wanted say.

Henry, stuck in the backseat, eyes trained on the video game he was playing on the iPad, only choosing to break concentration when he reached out a hand to steady the stack of twelve photo albums his mother had placed beside him. (Yes. She'd chosen to bring them all.)

And of course Robin, sitting in the driver's seat, eyes focused on the road, worrying about the two people in the car with him and trying to figure out how to help make sure this day goes as smoothly as possible for both of them.

After what felt like an eternity on the highway Robin finally drifts toward an exit. When he does Regina can feel her heart start to pound in her chest. She was in Daniel's hometown, the one where he grew up, the one he'd told her about. Somehow she thought she'd never get the chance to come here. And maybe it was ridiculous given how much time had passed but she felt closer to him being here.

It didn't take them long to reach the house. She can feel herself tensing up when they turned onto Daniel's childhood street. They pull up in front of a small, unassuming tan house with a white picket fence and a green lawn and her breath catches in her throat. They're here. This is Daniel's home. This is his lawn. And his fence. And his porch. And his… mother.

Regina can see her. She's was standing on the porch, staring at the car. She'd been waiting for them.

Suddenly it feels like nothing outside the car is safe. This was a bad idea. She should just drive away. She should just turn to Robin and ask him to –

"Regina?"

His hand is on her knee and a calm sweeps over her when she turns and looks into his blue eyes.

"Are you ready?" he asks, his voice a mix of concern and optimism.

No more running away from this, she thinks. It's time.

She nods her head. "Yes, I'm ready."

She takes a deep breath before turning toward the backseat. "What about you sweetheart? Are you feeling okay?"

Henry doesn't respond to her at first. He's looking out the window, headphones finally pulled out of his ears, curiously staring at the house they were sitting in front of.

"Is that my grandma?" he asks softly.

"Yeah," Regina breathes. "That's her."

She sees him bite his lip and take a deep breath before turning to her. "Can you take me to meet her?"

She nods her head. "Yeah. I'll take you."

His eyes turn to Robin. "And will you…?"

"I will be here the whole time, buddy," he promises. He took a deep breath before turning his gaze over to Regina and nodding his head. "Okay… let's do this."

He added a hint of optimism to his tone but it does nothing to stop the somersaults performed by her stomach as she steps out of the car. Henry climbs out after her and she immediately lays a hand on his shoulder, pulling him close to her side. Daniel's mother is leaving the porch now, slowly coming down the steps to greet them. Regina's heart beats faster the closer she gets. A car door slams behind her and she can hear Robin's footsteps as he comes around the side of the car. She takes a deep breath when she feels him by her side. He stays silent but gives her shoulder a small supportive squeeze. It's all she needs to start moving.

In sync, she and Henry walk across the lawn's stepping stones with Robin right behind them until they meet up with Daniel's mother in the middle.

Up close Regina's finally able to get a better look at her. She's beautiful, truly. She doesn't look much like Daniel but she is the spitting image of Lydia, right down to the hazel eyes they both share with her son. Her hair is streaked with a few gray locks but most of it is still a deep chestnut brown just like her daughter's. For a minute Regina thinks that Daniel didn't physically inherit much from his mother but then she smiles. That same warm, lopsided smile that had made Regina's knees go weak so many years ago. The sight of it now fills her chest with warmth.

She tries to speak but her throat feels tight with emotion. She takes another short breath and tries to swallow all that she's feeling.

"Hi." She manages to squeeze out an unsteady greeting. "I'm Regina."

She saw tears begin to well up in the older woman's eyes as she slowly nodded her head. "I know," she softly replied.

Her voice was trembling. She kept a smile on her face but it wasn't forced. It was genuine. Regina could tell.

A soft, emotional laugh fell from her throat as she, to Regina's surprise, raised her arms and wrapped her in hug. She held her tight, resting her chin on her shoulder, hugging her like you would a good friend you thought you'd never see again. Not a stranger you harbored resentment for. After a momentary lapse in shock, Regina returned her hug. The pounding in her chest slowing as she breathed in her honey-scented perfume. Relief flowed through her when she realized there wasn't an ounce of anger in this woman's embrace. Only joy.

"It's so nice to finally meet you," Regina whispered. And it was. She'd spent so many years imagining this moment in so many different ways. None of them compared to the real thing.

Daniel's mother let her go then. Pulling back to take a deep breath and wipe a stray tear from under her eye but still holding Regina's hand in her own. Her eyes fall down to Henry then and Regina sees her smile her lopsided smile again.

Clearing her throat she places both her hands on Henry's shoulders and gives them a soft supportive squeeze, similar to the one Robin had given her only moments ago.

"This is Henry," she says, tears starting to form in her eyes. She drops her gaze down to her son. "Henry… this is Evelyn Colter. Your grandmother."

Henry shyly raised his hand to wave at her. "Hi," he softly mumbled.

"Hi," she emotionally whispered back. Regina noticed Evelyn's grip on her hand subtly go tighter and she could tell that Evelyn wanted desperately to take Henry in her arms but didn't want to invade his space. A good call. She could tell that at the moment her son was curious but apprehensive. It was best not to move too fast.

"Oh god," breathed Evelyn, letting out a soft chuckle. "You both look… so beautiful."

Regina felt her cheeks go red at Evelyn's compliment. She felt relief flow through her as she looked down at the outfit she'd chosen, thankful that she'd settled on Robin's suggestion and not changed for a tenth time.

"Thank you," she said, running her fingers through Henry's hair. "Today is always a… special day for us."

Her voice went low as she alluded to Daniel's birthday, unsure of how Evelyn would react. She simply nodded her head solemnly and replied, "It is for us too. And we're so glad you both could make it."

Her gaze falls behind them then. "And who is this?" she asks curiously.

Regina whips her head back, her eyes widening as she suddenly remembers that she'd brought Robin along with them. In the emotional haze of meeting Daniel's mother she'd nearly forgotten that he'd been standing behind her the entire time. Her mind goes blank as she tries to sputter out an introduction. Luckily Robin, is more than willing to speak up for himself.

He reaches past Regina and Henry to hold out a hand to Evelyn. "Robin Locksely. It's lovely to meet you, ma'am."

"Hello" said Evelyn, shaking his hand still a bit confused.

"Robin is a close friend of mine," said Regina, finally finding her words. Then she added, "He's also Henry's godfather."

Her heart skipped a beat after her last sentence and the flash of surprise on Robin's face certainly didn't escape her notice. It was the first time she'd ever used that particular title for him. She hadn't exactly planned to do it but she didn't know any other way to introduce him while also subtly explaining the important role he played in both their lives. Besides, given the fact she'd named him Henry's legal guardian it wasn't as if she was lying.

"Oh!" said Evelyn, surprise flashing across her face. Her smile widened as she took Robin in once again. "Well it is such a pleasure to have you here."

"Very glad to be here ma'am," he says, smiling at her.

"Well," she said, clasping her hands together. "I have some snacks laid out by the coffee table." Her gaze drops down to Henry. "I hope you're a fan of snickerdoodles."

Henry's eyes widened. "You know how to make snickerdoodles?"

"Of course," she said, gently nodding her head. She pauses for a moment before adding, "They were your father's favorite cookie."

"Really?" asked Henry stepping forward. "Mine too."

A flutter goes through Regina's heart at the similarity. She looked at Evelyn's face and could tell that her heart was doing the same.

"That's great!" she said, the smile on her face growing wider. She offered Henry her hand. "Why don't you come inside and let me know if my recipe is up to your standards?"

Henry glanced at her hand before flickering his eyes up to his mother, silently searching for her approval. She nodded and gave him an encouraging pat on the shoulder.

He took his grandmother's hand. "Do you put sugar on top of your snickerdoodles?"

"Is there any other way to make cookies?" Evelyn answered playfully, leading him into the house.

Regina let out a soft, deep breath as she watched them walk toward the front door. Henry and his grandmother. The sight of them together was literally taking her breath away.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The house where Daniel had grown up was not extravagant. It had three bedrooms on a single level, a nice backyard and a clearly well-used kitchen but not much else. It wasn't a mansion… but it was a home. And a warm one at that.

Regina could tell from the minute she stepped inside.

There were pictures everywhere. Literally, she couldn't turn her head without seeing at least one. Pictures of Evelyn. Pictures of Evelyn and her husband, Daniel's father. Pictures of Lydia and Daniel's younger brother, William. And of course there were pictures of Daniel. God, she could see him everywhere in the house. On walls, on top of end tables and on counters. All through the ages. From baby pictures all the way to his twenties. Of course none of them went past the age of twenty-five… and they never would. Realizing that fact gutted her but she ignored it for Henry's sake.

Her son was seated on the couch next to his grandmother now. Snickerdoodle in hand, his head was bent over the coffee table while his eyes were fixed on the photo album Evelyn had laid in front of him. Regina sat by his side while she showed them both photos from Daniel's childhood. For Regina, it was mind-blowing. Not just because she'd only known Daniel as a man but also because she was now able to see even more similarities between the man she'd once loved and the son he'd never gotten the chance to know. Flipping through the photos of Daniel's childhood was giving her flashbacks of Henry's. They'd had the same shaggy brown hair, the same nose and the same round face. It was like realizing her son had a twin.

As her eyes ran over page after page her throat subtly grew tighter. Looking at all the pictures of him now, even the young ones, reminded her of how much she'd missed seeing his face everyday. How much she'd missed seeing that lopsided smile and dark blue eyes. She'd forgotten just how handsome he was.

Regina wasn't the only one captivated by the photos of Daniel's youth. Henry's eyes never left the pages Evelyn set in front of him. He looked over the pictures of his father with a blazing curiosity that Regina had never seen from him before. It made her heart ache knowing that she'd kept him from seeing this part himself. Things might've been dangerous but she should've made more of effort to make sure that Henry knew Daniel as best as he could. He was clearly more interested than he'd let on earlier.

He listened to his grandmother speak about his father with great fascination. She explained each picture to him, letting him know the day it was taken, Daniel's age and what he was doing, only stopping whenever Henry offered up a question of his own. A frequent occurrence.

"How old was he when you took this?" he asked, pointing at a picture of his father at the beach. He couldn't have been more than five years old, Regina thought to herself. She sat next to her son on the couch – her on one side, Evelyn on the other – looking over his shoulder as he flipped through the pictures in his lap. He pointed at one that rested on the corner of the page. It was a picture of Daniel – probably no older than Roland was now – sitting on his mother's lap at the beach. They were both in swimsuits, their hair still wet from the ocean and matching grins on their face. It was an adorable picture. One that reminded her of the summer days she used to spend at the beach with Henry.

"Ah," Evelyn drawled wistfully, "Your grandfather took this the summer Daniel turned four. He'd started learning to swim and we were going to the beach nearly every weekend. He loved it there."

Henry narrowed his eyes at the picture thoughtfully. He turned to Regina. "It looks like you and me."

She let out a short, surprised breath. "What?"

"It does," he insisted. "Like that picture we used to keep on the wall in New York."

Regina thought back to the pictures she'd hung up in her townhouse in New York. Her eyes widened when she remembered the photo Henry was thinking of.

"Oh my god," she breathed. "You're right." She turned to Evelyn. "I used to work in a bar next to the beach and I'd take him there after I finished my opening shifts. Every once in a while, a few of my friends would come along and one of them must've taken a picture of us just like this when Henry was around three years old," she explained. "I used to have it on the wall in my front hallway."

She racked her brain trying to think of where that picture had ended up. It must've gotten shuffled around in the move. It was probably still packed up in a box somewhere.

"The one of you in the black swimsuit with the spider-man towel?"

Regina's eyes drifted toward the armchair on her right where Robin sat. He'd been next them the whole time, silent but clearly engaged. For all his insistence on coming along, he felt a little out of place in the situation. He was glad to be there, of course, it was just difficult finding a moment to insert himself in the conversation. But when Henry had mentioned that specific picture a spark of recognition had gone off in his brain.

Regina tilted her head at him, her lips slightly parted in surprise at his good memory. "Yeah, that one."

He paused for a moment before reaching into his pocket. "Hang on."

Pulling out his wallet, he reached inside and took out a small folded picture. A small smile grew on his face as he unfolded it and handed it to her.

A happy chuckle fell from her lips when she looked at it. "Oh my god," she laughed. It was the exact picture she'd been thinking of. It was old and faded from time but the picture was still clear enough to see. She was there her hair still slick from the water, a three-year old Henry wrapped up in a blue spider-man towel as he sat on her lap.

Her eyes met his. "How long have you had this?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "A few years now." He sent Henry a smile. "You gave that to me the day you and your mother left for New York," he said, pointing to the picture. "Said you didn't want me to forget what you looked like."

Regina kept her eyes on him as she passed the picture over to her son. "I can't believe you kept it."

"Yeah, well… how else was I going to remember your faces?" he said, brushing off her shock with a sheepish look on his face. "Just put in my wallet, never saw a reason to take it out."

"I'm glad you didn't," said Evelyn, staring down at the photo in Henry's hand.

Regina turns to face her, as if suddenly remembering the reason she was here. Evelyn had a knowing look on her face as she looked over at the two of them.

"I'm glad I got to see this," she said with a smile, her eyes dropping back down to the photo. She sighed longingly as she took in the image of her grandson during his toddler years. "You two look adorable together."

She reached her hand out to the armchair on her left. "Lydia you have to see this."

Lydia, sitting in the armchair rigid as ever, shifted uncomfortably at her mother's request. Regina had been watching her out of the corner of her eye the whole time. Lydia, in turn, had been openly staring at her… and Henry. She'd barely spoken a word besides a mumbled hello when they'd first come inside but she hadn't been able to take her eyes off either one of them. Regina could tell she was tense. Every part of her appeared to be clenched like she was waiting for disaster to strike.

Forcing a smile to her lips she took the photo from her mother's hand and looked it over. For a moment Regina could see her walls turn transparent. Lydia went breathless as a flicker of sadness and amazement fell across her face. It didn't last for long though. In an instant she swallowed down her emotions and tightened up her smile before passing back the faded picture.

"That's… very cute," she forced out as cheerfully as she could. "William's gonna love it."

"William is Daniel's younger brother," Evelyn warmly reminded them. "He'll be here in a little while. He just had to finish up some things at work."

Regina nodded her head understandingly. Not all employers recognized days of personal mourning.

"I have more photos in the car," she said, gesturing over her shoulder. "I thought you might like to see some of Henry's baby pictures."

"Oh I'd love that!" Evelyn said excitedly.

Regina smiled at her enthusiasm as she rose from the couch. For a second she wondered how she was going to carry all the albums with her in one go but then she saw Robin stand up beside her.

"I should help you gather them up," he decided. He sent a mischievous smirk toward Evelyn. "She brought more than ten albums."

Evelyn face lit up at the idea of so many pictures of her grandson but Regina shook her head in Robin's direction. "I'll be alright. You can stay with everyone while I run outside really quick."

She stressed the everyone to him, silently reminding him that Henry had wanted him close by. Things were going well and she didn't want him to withdraw in their absence.

"You should let Robin help," chimed Henry, from his spot on the couch.

Regina turned to him with wide eyes. "Are you sure?"

He paused for a moment before firmly nodding his head. "Yeah," he said softly. "You'll need the help."

She looks into his hazel eyes, searching for an inkling of fear or discomfort. But she finds none. Instead she finds a clear calm and secureness. He was comfortable and unafraid.

And subtly telling her that he would be okay.

He was with his family and he was fine.

That realization made her a little breathless but she doesn't show it. Instead she slips a smile on her face and gently nods at him. "Okay."

She gives him one last reassuring look before turning to Robin, gesturing toward the door. The sunlight hits her face as she slips her cellphone out of her back pocket and checks the time. 2:45. They'd been inside for nearly two hours but it'd felt like minutes. She lets out a small relieved breath.

She and Robin walk to the car side by side, the silence between them loaded with anxiousness. As Robin reaches out to open the back car door he let out a whooshing breath and relieved chuckle. "So…"

"Yeah," she breathes nodding her head. Leaning against the side of the car, she closes her eyes and just lets the warmth of the sun and moment wash over her.

Robin lets her breath, allows her to spend a few moments in her bubble of relief before he speaks again. "How are you feeling?" he asks.

"Good," she answers, opening her eyes and nodding her head. "I'm feeling good."

And she was. Things were going well. There had been no yelling or anger, perhaps a little tension and awkwardness but that was to be expected. She knew the day was hardly over and she still had to make it through dinner and meeting Daniel's brother but at the moment she carried no regrets. She was glad she had come to meet Daniel's family. And she was glad she had taken Henry with her. She still felt a little nervous but she was no longer petrified.

"It's a bit surreal… hearing other people talk about him," she admitted. "For so long… it kind of felt like I was the only one who knew him… and missed him."

Robin nodded his head understandingly, even though he knew he couldn't personally relate. When he'd lost Marian he'd been surrounded by people who felt the pain of her absence, maybe not as sharply as he had but in some way. It broke his heart to know that Regina had been denied the same experience when she lost Daniel. That she hadn't had the comfort or support of people who could understand her pain. How isolating that must've been for her.

She stepped away from the car and turned to him with anxious eyes. "Do you think Henry's doing okay?"

"Better than okay," he firmly replied. "He's doing great."

It had been a bit surprising to see how quickly Henry had opened up to his grandmother, given how reluctant he'd been to come. It took less than ten minutes for him to crack a genuine smile, which was a record for him when it came to meeting new people. Perhaps a grandmother's touch was all it had taken.

"He's asking so many questions about Daniel," marveled Regina. "And he's learning so much. I'm so glad. I never could've answered these things for him." She pauses for a moment to catch her breath. "Thank you for coming today," she says gratefully.

Robin smiles and nonchalantly shrugs his shoulders as he finally reaches for a stack of the albums she'd left behind in the backseat. "Of course," he says, not making a big deal of it.

But then she places her hand on his shoulder and he's forced to turn to her. There's nothing but sincerity in her face as she seriously looks him in the eyes.

"I mean it," she softly insists. Dropping her gaze down to her shoes she tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. "Look I know that I… fought you on coming with us and I know that it's been more than a little awkward for you to be here but… having you here has made this so much easier. For Henry… and me. So thank you for being here."

She meant every word. Forced them out no matter how hard it felt to say them aloud. She didn't know how this day would've gone if they hadn't had Robin by their side, radiating his calming presence, reminding them of the love they already had in their lives. It could've been fine but deep down she just knew that him being there had made all the difference. And she'd be damned if he didn't know it.

Robin stares at her. Surprise colored his face. His eyebrows scrunched together as he shifted toward her. "Regina… you don't have to thank me."

"I just…"

"No you really don't." His tone was firm and final. He stared harshly into her eyes as if daring her to argue with him.

"Regina there is no place in the world I'd rather be today than by your sides," he solemnly declared. "You and Henry mean the world to me. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you two."

His words – the way he said them, the way he meant them – it filled her with paralyzing awe. She opened her mouth but nothing came out. There were no words on Earth that could describe how grateful she felt. Regina had never considered herself a lucky person but standing there listening to Robin speak on how important she and Henry were to him she could believe that somewhere along the way the universe had decided to tip in her favor. What other explanation could be there be to explain how she'd managed to end up with this amazing, caring man in her life?

She didn't know what she'd done to deserve him.

The air between them grew thick, yet again filling up with weight of their unspoken words. Robin, satisfied that she recognized his sincerity, pulled his lips into an easy going smile. He pulled a short stack of photo albums from the backseat. "We should bring these inside."

"Right," she softly breathed. She tried to shake the earlier moment off of her as he passed the album into her arms. Her shoulders hunched over with their weight and she teetered in her wedges.

"Need a little help there?"

She turned around and a sharp gasp flew from her throat. All she could see was that thick dark hair, that straight nose and strong jaw. He was tall like him and carried the same lopsided smile on his face. Once her eyes landed on his face the albums slipped from her hands and fell into the street as she stared up at his face in shock. "Oh my god," she whispered under her breath.

Daniel?

It was the thud of her photo albums hitting the ground that brought her back to reality. Well, that and the absence of those deep blue eyes she'd fallen in love with so many years ago. Her eyes dropped to her feet where her albums had fallen and he was on his knees in an instant gathering them into his arms. She dropped down to help him and he chuckled to himself.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you," he said, keeping a smile on his face. That same lopsided smile. He reached out his hand to her. "William Colter."

"Oh!" Her eyes widened in recognition, as they quickly shook hands. "Daniel's brother."

He nodded happily. "Yeah that's me," he said rising to his feet, a few albums in his arms. "And you must be Regina Mills. Love of his life, mother of his one and only offspring?"

She struggled for a moment to find her words. "Uh… yeah I guess that's me."

Well he seems…open, she thought to herself. She didn't know very much about Daniel's younger brother. From what she remembered he had been seven years younger than Daniel himself, so that would make him at least 27, only 18 when Daniel had died. He'd played some sort of sport during high school and Daniel had said that he was a bit of goofball. Always open to being the comic relief. Daniel hadn't spoken about him often but whenever he did it was always with fondness.

At least he hadn't noticed her microscopic freak out when she'd first seen his face.

"And don't worry about the little reaction you had," he said, waving the whole thing off. "Happens all the time."

Damn.

"Oh… you saw that?" she meekly asked.

"Well you did drop all your photos into the street, so it was kind of hard to miss."

She felt a hot blush rising up in her cheeks. "Right."

"It's fine," he said shrugging his shoulders. "I've met up with a lot of Daniel's old friends over the years. Sometimes it takes them a second to realize I'm not a ghost. I just look like one."

He smirked a little at his own joke and Regina forced herself to offer up another chuckle. Even though she knew he was joking, she still ran her gaze over his face in amazement. He looked so much like his brother. They had the same jaw. The same nose. The same thin lips. And it certainly didn't hurt that William was very close to the same age Daniel had been when he'd died. The only difference she could find between them were the color of their eyes. While Daniel's were a deep sea blue, William's eyes, like those of the rest of his family, bore a warm shade of hazel. And perhaps it was just the wedges she was wearing but she could swear William was a little shorter as well. Those two features aside it was like seeing a ghost.

So she focused on his eyes. The one thing that was distinctly not Daniel. The one thing that made him easier to look at. His hazel eyes.

His hazel eyes that were current looking over her shoulder.

"And is this your husband?"

Her head whips back to Robin and her eyes go wide. "Oh no!" she says, swiveling her gaze back to William and fervently shaking her head.

Robin shakes his head along with her. "No, we're not married."

William raised his eyebrows. "Oh just dating then?"

"No," they flatly answered in sync. William stared at them confused and they both squirmed under his scrutiny. Regina's eyes nervously flickered toward Robin before she cleared her throat and broke the awkward silence settling over the group.

"Robin and I are just friends," she clarifies. "He's Henry godfather."

"O-kay…" William suspiciously drawled. "Nice to meet you." He was silent for a moment. "Well, I'm ready to meet my nephew. So do you…?"

"Have everything?" Regina quickly finished. She nodded her head. "Yeah I do."

They headed inside then with William leading the way. Robin and Regina silently trailed behind him, both of them playing the last ten seconds in their heads on a loop. How in sync they were when denying the depth of their relationship. It had been… odd, to say the least.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It was odd seeing him.

Ever since Lydia had seen that picture of him at Daniel's grave she hadn't been able to get Henry Mills face out of her head. A son. Her brother had a son. Well would've had.

It hadn't seemed real. He didn't seem real. But he was. Real enough to stand in her mother's kitchen anyway.

She'd whisked him into the kitchen with her the minute his mother and her "friend" had left. (She didn't know what was going on there but it was clearly more than they were saying.) Henry had mentioned that he loved superheroes and her mother had immediately run back to Daniel's room to pull out a few of his old comics. They'd been alone. Henry's expectant gaze had fallen on her and suddenly she'd felt paralyzed. She wasn't particularly good with children, and this one made her exceptionally nervous. After floundering for a few seconds she'd asked him if he'd wanted to help with Daniel's cake. He'd eagerly agreed.

Red velvet cake had always been Daniel's favorite. Their father's too. A fact she'd been sure to tell Henry. Everyone used to remark on how clear it was that the apple never fell far from the tree with the two of them.

Apparently the same could be said for Daniel and Henry.

She watched him as he poured the cake batter into the round pans, the concentration clear in his eyes. Even though they hadn't shared so much as a minute breathing the same air she could see the clear similarities. Henry had Daniel's nose. His ears. Even his lack of height but she suspected that wouldn't last because it certainly hadn't for her brother. He even had their mother's eyes. It was hard seeing him in person.

Her brother had a son. One he'd never get to know.

Henry set down the bowl when finished and looked up at her with expectant eyes. She smiled at him and offered up a quiet good job and thank you before placing the pans into the oven. Looking out of the window she could see that Will had arrived and was heading back inside with Regina. Her own mother would be coming out of Daniel's room any minute now.

It was now or never.

"Hey Henry," she said, pulling out the silverware drawer. "Do you know what the best part of baking a cake is?"

His eyes light up with excitement. "Licking the bowl!"

She grins as she passes him a spoon. "Exactly."

Her gut twists as she watches take the spoon and scrape out a dollop of leftover cake batter. He hums in satisfaction as he slips it into his mouth, leaving a small tinge of red on his lips. "It's good!" he tells her.

She forces herself to smile harder. "Thanks."

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

The front door opens and she can hear Will's voice as he loudly announces his presence as usual. Henry realizes that his mother is back and goes out to greet her, leaving his spoon behind on the kitchen counter.

She stares at it for a moment, feels a rush of nausea and self-loathing before ripping off a paper towel and picking up the spoon in her hand. Guilt swirls in her stomach as she places it in a plastic bag and hides it behind an old cookbook on the counter. She'd come back for it after everyone left and slip it into her purse.

She took deep breath and tried to remind herself that this was for the greater good. Getting this test was in her family's best interest. They'd been through enough with Daniel's death. This was insurance that they'd be spared any further pain.

Yes, he was the right age. Yes, Regina had claimed that there was no one else. And yes, he did look like her brother.

But looks weren't everything.

Looks weren't proof.

Daniel had once told her that she didn't have any faith. Not in people or anything else. He was right.

In her book solid proof always trumped misguided faith.

Even if she had to cross a few lines to get it.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Robin hadn't known Daniel but looking at his family was like looking at a Picasso painting.

They were mess of jumbled pieces, pieces that didn't look the same, pieces that individually didn't look like they belonged together.

There was his mother, Evelyn. Kind and matronly. Not a disingenuous bone in her body. Despite the pain she carried in her heart she had a light in her eyes, one that said she still had joy in her life and was more than willing to share it with whoever came along. Robin liked her. She was good to Regina.

There was his sister, Lydia. Quiet and closed off. The spitting image of her mother in everything but personality. Truth be told, Robin didn't know what to think of her. She'd kept her distance and hadn't such much. She seemed… detached from the whole situation. Or at least like she was trying to be.

And then there was William. The only one of them who seemed to be unrattled by the weight of the day. He was all smiles and ease. Robin suspected it took a lot to throw him off balance. In a way he reminded Robin of Tink.

Evelyn, Lydia and William. They were all so different. And separately you never would've guessed that they were pieces to the same puzzle. But somehow… they fit.

You could see it in the jokes William cracked to get Lydia smiling. In the stern looks Evelyn would send his way. And in the protective manner in which Lydia watched over them both.

They were a family. They fit.

And watching them together Robin realized that it'd been a while since he'd seen anything like them.

The Colters were a flesh and blood family. One that loved and cared for one another. One that had managed to stay together through their shared grief and hardship. Despite all the pain they still fit.

And they wanted Henry to fit with them. That much was clear.

They'd moved out into the backyard now. It was gorgeous. There was a spacious stone patio with an eating area. String lights were attached from the roof of the house, over the green lawn, to the branches of the old sycamore tree that sat in the center of the yard. In the branches of the sycamore lay a treehouse, handmade with sturdy wooden planks and rope ladder that fell down the trunk to the grass. Henry sat inside of it now, along with Lydia.

She'd mentioned that the treehouse had originally belonged to her before Daniel had laid claim to it when he was ten. After that he'd wanted her to show him the inside. There couldn't have been more than 80 square feet to share but she'd squeezed in with him. While Lydia told him tales of treehouse adventures the rest of them set up for dinner.

Regina and Evelyn were laying out plates and silverware on the patio table. Robin watched her from the corner of his eye while he stood next to William and watched him grill up steaks. She seemed better. Certainly more relaxed than she'd been this morning. Her shoulders were no longer tight and she was smiling in a way that finally didn't seem forced. It was a relief to see her loosen up. It almost made Robin feel like he could let his guard down. Almost.

"How do Henry and Regina like their steaks?" William asked him, firing up the grill.

Robin tore his focus away from Regina long enough to answer, "Regina will want hers medium but she'll insist that Henry's be well done. Apparently, it's safer for his stomach."

"That poor boy," William deadpanned with a smirk.

Robin offered a polite chuckle but didn't say anything further. He was still watching Regina from the corner of his eye. She'd laid out plates and silverware and was getting started on the glasses. He heard Evelyn call her from the kitchen and sighed when he saw her retreat into the house.

He'd come along on this trip to watch out for her and Henry but right now he felt more like a bodyguard than a friend. Standing silently off to the side, always keeping them in his sight, hardly saying a word. He might as well have a black suit and a mic in his ear.

Henry and Regina are fine, he silently reminded himself. They hadn't been accosted. They weren't uncomfortable. The Colters had been nothing but warm and welcoming. They weren't out to get his friends. There was no need to have his guard up this high. It wasn't helpful. It was just adding to the tension.

He needed to loosen up. Maybe get to know the family better. William was still standing next to him, manning the grill in his jeans and plain gray tee shirt. He seemed friendly enough. Might as well start with who's closest.

"So," Robin ventured. "How does it feel to be an uncle?"

"So fucking weird!" William drawled, adding a low chuckle. His eyes flickered up to the treehouse. "I mean I'm a middle school English teacher. I spend all day with kids and they're great. I love 'em but it's only been an hour and I'm already more invested in him than all the students I've taught combined. It… freaks me out a little."

Well, thought Robin, he seems to be an open book. At least he wouldn't have to muddle his way through any awkward small talk. Instead he nodded his head understandingly. "I get it. Just wait until you have one of your own."

William blew out a breath. "Believe me that's been on my mind for weeks."

Robin raised his eyebrows in surprise. "So you're – "

"Yeah, my girlfriend, Claire, is pregnant," William quickly interjected. "Been together two years, she's barely out of her first trimester. Only started telling people about two weeks ago."

"Two weeks ago?" Robin gaped at him. God, they couldn't have found out about Henry no more than five weeks ago.

William smirked as he nodded his head. "You might not have noticed but it's been a pretty eventful month for the family," he jested, good naturedly. He threw another steak on the grill and it sizzled against the heat. Still smiling, he added, "Mom is thrilled though. I haven't seen her smile this much in years."

He went silent for a moment as he shut the lid to the grill. "You know a month ago I thought I'd be giving my mom her first grandchild. Have to admit it kind of feels like my kid got dethroned."

He softly chuckled to himself as he stared up at the treehouse where Henry sat.

"I can't imagine what it must feel like. Finding out about him after all this time," said Robin.

William shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "Well it's definitely something none of us saw coming but we're all glad he's here. It's nice knowing there's another piece of Daniel in the world. I just wish my brother could've met him. He would've loved to have a kid."

A moment of silence passed between them before Robin asked, "What was he like?"

"Daniel?" said William, turning to him.

Robin silently nodded. He wished he could've waited to ask Regina. Wished he knew with certainty that she'd want to answer him. But he couldn't help it. He was curious. He wanted to know more about the man who'd played such a huge role in her life. He wanted to know more about Henry's father. About Daniel.

William sucked in a deep breath before simply answering, "He was good."

Robin stared at him expectantly, waiting for him to continue but he just chuckled.

"People are always shocked when I don't have more to say about him," he said. "But the truth is that's the best thing I could possibly say. Daniel was good. He was a good son. He was a good brother. He was a good man. He stopped to hold open door for others. He asked how your day was and actually cared what you'd say next. If he saw someone drop twenty bucks he'd run to give it back to them. He was just… a good person. Extraordinarily so. And being around him made you want to be good too."

William spoke softly but passionately and with obvious admiration. Robin could tell that in his eyes his older brother had done no wrong and never could've. The way he spoke of him reminded Robin of how people spoke of Marian. Daniel had been a good man. The type of man Regina could fall in love with.

"Were the two of you close?" he asked.

"Close as we could be with the age difference," said William. "He was my big brother. He always looked out for me and I loved him for it. Probably more now than I did back then."

He said the last sentence with a tiny smile on his lips, as if he was reminiscing about his brother in his head, but he quickly returned to the moment. "What about you and Henry?"

"Hmm?"

"He seems pretty attached to you," said William.

"Well I'm pretty attached to him," Robin replied with a smile. "I've known him since he was a baby. Saw the first steps and everything. Guess you could say I'm invested."

"That good to know," said William. He was silent for a moment. "And what about you and Regina?"

Robin's mouth suddenly went dry.

"What do you mean?" he forced out as normally as he could.

"I mean… you two seem pretty close. You being Henry's godfather and all."

Robin swallowed and averted his gaze back to the treehouse. "Well… we are. Close, I mean. I've known her for years. We've been through a lot together." He paused. "I couldn't imagine my life without either of them. And I don't want to."

William nodded his head silently, took a few seconds to contemplate something, then suddenly asked, "You ever date her?"

Robin's heart pounded in his chest as he shook his head. "No. We've never dated."

William's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Really?"

"Yes," Robin chuckled, forcing a smile onto his face. "We've only ever been friends."

"Oh," William drawled with a knowing grin. "But you'd like to change that right?"

Robin could feel the blush rising up in his cheeks as William stared him down with that mischievous glint in his eye. This wasn't good. He'd wanted to be relaxed, not transparent.

He tried to form a response but William waved him off.

"Don't worry you don't have to answer that," he said, reopening the lid of the grill. "But even if you did you'd get no judgement from me. You clearly have good taste… and so did my brother."

He laughed to himself while Robin tried to force a polite smile that he was sure came off as a grimace. Perhaps he shouldn't have started with the whoever was closest.

But my god, how obvious must his feelings be if this man, who hadn't known him more than an hour, could already point them out? It was embarrassing. And not because he had feelings for Regina but because he was failing so miserably at hiding them, except from the one person who actually mattered. He felt like a teenager mooning over his first crush. It was intolerable.

And it had to end.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Regina really liked Evelyn's kitchen. It was definitely old, probably at least older than she was, but it had charm. It had white tile floors and wooden countertops. The cabinets were painted white with wooden knobs and the bay window over the sink looked out into the front yard. There were piles of well-worn cookbooks on the counter, and various papers and photos were held onto the fringe with alphabet magnets left over from her kids' childhood. Standing in her kitchen Regina could tell that Evelyn spent a lot of time in it.

She was standing by the sink now rinsing and drying off some glasses for dinner while Evelyn frosted the cake for dessert. The cake was red velvet and she was using a thick buttercream frosting. Regina had asked about candles but Evelyn had shook her head. They didn't use candles for Daniel's birthday anymore. No candles, or singing, or wishes. Just the enjoyment of her son's favorite dessert.

Evelyn set down her frosting knife and asked, "Do you think this looks even?"

From where she stood Regina examined the cake and nodded her head. "It looks great."

Evelyn smiled to herself as she looked down at it. "He always loved red velvet cake," she said wistfully.

"I remember," Regina said softly. "He used to joke it was the only thing in the world worth killing for."

In Daniel's eyes, no dessert would ever surpass a moist red velvet cake. He'd always made that clear.

They both chuckled at the memory of that, but soon Evelyn's laughter grew tight and strangled. A tear slid down her cheek and Regina realized that she'd started crying. The sight of it paralyzed her.

"Evelyn?" she cautiously drawled.

She took a step closer but Evelyn shook her head.

"No, I'm fine," she said, wiping away her tears. She took a deep breath and leaned against the counter. "I'm fine. It's just… thirty-five. He would've been thirty-five today."

A pained smile tugged her on her lips. "I can never get through this day without wondering about him. Wondering about who he would've become if he'd gotten the chance."

Regina, still frozen in place, bit her lip as Evelyn continued to speak.

"I wonder where he would've been living," she said. "I wonder if he'd still have the same job, the same car." She pauses and locks eyes with Regina. "I wonder if he would've been married. If he'd have kids. I wonder if he'd be happy."

Her voice breaks and she goes silent, her eyes drifting down to the cake in front of her. "I used to spend whole days imagining all the different ways his life could've played out. But none of them matter because now I'll never know."

Regina still remained silent, trapped under the heavy weight of Evelyn's grief. Her throat had grown tight and her eyes had started to burn as she listened to her. Earlier by the car she'd told Robin that before today she'd felt like no one had missed Daniel like she had. In her grief, no one around her had even spoken his name let alone offered meaningful condolences. It was almost as if he'd faded into thin air. If it hadn't been for Henry she almost could've been convinced that he been a figment of her imagination. But he had been real. And others had missed him. Evelyn, and Lydia and William. They'd mourned him then and they grieved him still. And as welcoming as they'd been to her and Henry, Evelyn's confession had reminded her that this was and always will be a difficult day for them. Just like it had been for her.

Pressing her lips together she silently set down the glass in her hand and stepped closer to the counter where Evelyn stood. She swallowed hard and started to speak.

"He would've been married," she said softly. Evelyn looked up and locked eyes with her but she continued on. "It would've happened ten years ago in a New Mexican courthouse. It would've happened the same day we got there and I would've been wearing the first pretty white dress I could find and Daniel would've worn the only suit he owned at the time, the gray one that used to be his dad's."

She sadly laughed as she remembered Daniel's old, ill-fitting gray suit. The one he'd never replace or throw out because his father had loved it so much.

"It would've been our secret, the courthouse," she said. "We wouldn't have told anyone. We were just going to let everyone think that we were just engaged until a year later when we were able to have a real wedding with flowers and a church and our families, well his family. And we would've thrown the real wedding on the same day as our first one so we wouldn't get confused about when our anniversary was."

Her voice had grown tearful and wobbly as she spoke. She took a moment to catch her breath before barreling on with her story.

"And we would've had kids. Plural," she said, as firmly as she could. "Daniel always loved being the middle child and I always felt so miserable being the only child in my family, so we decided on three kids. Minimum. And he wanted them to be close in age so they could all play together and no one would feel left out."

She sniffled as she imagined the family she and Daniel could've had together. The siblings Henry could've had. How beautiful it could've been.

"We would've stayed in New Mexico until Henry turned five and then we'd move back to California so the kids could go to better schools and be closer to our families," she said. "We would've spent weekends at the beach and had winter vacations up north so the kids would get to see the snow."

Tears were streaming down her cheeks now but she barely registered them as she continued to speak about what could've been.

"He would've grown old with me," she said, the tone in her voice leaving no room for doubt. "We would've had a family. And we would've been… so… happy." She nods her head in certainty. "And I don't have to wonder about that. I know."

And she did. Over the years she'd doubted many things about the different ways her life could've turned out but on one thing she would always hold firm. If she and Daniel had made it on that bus, if they'd gotten away together, they would've been happy.

She could feel Evelyn's eyes on her as she finished her story with a deep wistful sigh. For a full minute they were both silent, neither of them knew what words to say next.

Then she felt Evelyn take her hand and give it a comforting squeeze. Tears had welled up in her eyes as she nodded at Regina. "That sounds like it would've been a beautiful life."

Regina sadly nodded her head in agreement. "Yeah… it would've been."

It was the first time she'd ever told anyone about the life she'd imagined for her and Daniel. The one she'd imagined every day after he'd died. Even though she'd moved on and built a new life for herself, she'd always kept it locked up in the back of her head. The memories of what could have been.

Evelyn comfortingly placed a hand upon Regina's cheek. "I'm so sorry you never got that life, sweetheart."

"Me too," whispered Regina, the corners of her lips tugging down into an uncontrollable frown.

She sucked in a deep breath and tried to reel in her emotions. She carefully wiped away her tears and tried to pull a smile onto her face.

"I have something for you," she told Evelyn before reaching into her pocket.

Evelyn's eyes widened in surprise when she saw her pull out Daniel's engagement ring. It was just as she remembered. A simple golden band with a tiny ruby centered on top.

"Oh my god," she whispered.

"I kept it this whole time," said Regina, handing it over to her. "Even when it would've been… helpful… to get rid of it I never did. It was all I had left of him and I couldn't let it go. It was too important."

Evelyn stared at the ring as she ran her thumb over the ruby in its center. A small smile tugged on her lips. She couldn't deny that having it back in her hands was like having a piece of herself returned. For twenty-six years this ring had sat on her right hand. He husband had given it to her and she would always count it as the most important piece of jewelry she'd ever owned. Until she'd given it away.

"I still remember the day he asked for it," she reminisced, with a smile. "Came home, said there was this beautiful, incredible girl and he wanted to make happy for the rest of his life. God he was so nervous but so sure at the same time. It was the first time he'd even mentioned you to me but I slid it off my finger and gave it to him without a fight. He loved you and I wanted him to have the best chance of you saying yes. I thought the ring might help."

"It didn't," Regina chuckled, shaking her head. "I loved the ring but the truth is he could've proposed with a Ring Pop and my answer would've still been same. I would've said yes, no matter what." She paused before adding, "I loved him so much."

"I know," said Evelyn with a smile. "You wouldn't be here if you didn't."

She looked down at the ring again, took a satisfied breath and handed it back to Regina. "You should keep this."

Regina shook her head. "I…"

"It's an heirloom Regina," Evelyn gently interrupted. "Heirlooms are meant to be passed down. Not up. Keep it. Save it for Henry. I'm sure he'll want it some day."

Regina wanted to say no. She wanted to be able to refuse, to admit that Evelyn deserved to hold onto it to more than she did. But when she opened her mouth to speak all her arguments died on her tongue. She took the ring back into her hands.

"Thank you, Evelyn."

Evelyn simply nodded her head. "You've raised a beautiful son Regina."

"Thank you," she repeated with a grin. "Henry's the best thing I've ever done. Being his mother got me through some very rough times."

"I can see that," said Evelyn. "And he adores you… and Robin."

Regina chuckled uncomfortably. "Yes, well, Robin has been in our lives for quite some time now. Ever since Henry was a baby in fact."

"He seems like a good man," said Evelyn.

"He is," said Regina, nodding her head. "He really is."

Evelyn was silent for a moment. She appeared to be thinking something over in her head. "Is there something between you two?"

Regina couldn't stop a nervous giggle from rising up in her throat. She tried to compose herself before shaking her head. "No, we're just old friends."

"No you're not," Evelyn firmly declared, sending her a knowing look. She chuckled to herself. "Old friends don't look at each other like you look at each other. All that concern and longing. I'm sixty-one years old sweetheart. I know what love looks like. You are in love with him. And he is in love with you."

For the third time in ten minutes she'd stunned Regina into silence. She couldn't find anyone to say in the face of Daniel's mother confronting her with the one fact she'd been struggling so hard to accept. She could only stand there awestruck by her perceptiveness.

Evelyn tilted her head. "Oh honey," she drawled. "Are you happy?"

Regina finally found her words. "What?" she dumbly asked.

"Are you happy?" Evelyn repeated. "With your life?"

She asked with no judgement in her voice. No criticism beneath the surface. Just genuine concern and interest in what she would say next.

"I… I'm happy enough." Regina tried to say her answer with as much conviction as possible but even she could hear it fall flat.

Evelyn raised her eyebrows. "Happy enough? Well… I've heard that before. Said it even."

She sighed. "I know we haven't spent much time together Regina but… I know you. I've been you."

She paused. "I was 21 years old when I got pregnant with Lydia. End of my junior year, so close to finish line when I 'tripped' so to speak." She chuckled wryly to herself but remained serious. "Now I was just an art major. I didn't have any future career or purpose set in mind but Lydia's father… well he was going to law school. He had a plan for his life. He wanted to be a politician, run the state, maybe one day the country he always used to say. When he found out about her… he didn't want a thing to do with us. Wouldn't even take my calls."

"That's awful," Regina softly commented.

Evelyn just shrugged her shoulders. "It's just what happened. I thought I'd spend a lot more time crying over him that's for sure. But I didn't. I was too focused on what was going to happen next. How I was going to take care of my daughter. That was all that mattered to me. So I called a cousin of mine. Perpetually single but had her own place. Told her everything that happened and asked if I could move in with her. She said yes. Apparently she needed the help with a rent. So I moved to town here. I got a job, had my baby, fell in love with her and for the next two years every decision I made, I made for her."

"I stayed home. I didn't date. I didn't have fun. It was just work and Lydia and I was always trying to convince myself that it was enough. Told myself that it was all part of being a good mom." She paused for a moment. "I was lying. I wasn't trying to be a good mom. I was trying to be a martyr. I was trying to protect myself from ever having to be hurt again. Lydia wasn't just my daughter. She was my crutch, my shield, my built-in excuse not to put myself out there. I spent years denying myself things thinking that the sacrifices I was making were what made me a good person. It took me so long to realize that they didn't make me good…they just made me lonely. And that is not the same thing."

Regina absorbed all that Evelyn told her. It was shocking to say the least. She hadn't expected her to open up like this. And she had to admit the things she was sharing felt vaguely familiar and similar to her own experience. She could relate to her. Especially the decision to put her child above everything else.

"What changed?" she asked.

A smile appeared on Evelyn's face. "I met someone. A kind, blue-eyed man who would always try his best to make my daughter laugh when I brought her for check-ups."

"Daniel's father."

"Mm-hmm," she hummed. "Thomas Colter. I met him on Tuesday night after work when I brought Lydia into the hospital for a cough she couldn't seem shake. He was about to leave. I could tell. He had on his coat and his hat. He was about to walk out the door when he saw me in my waitress uniform, pacing the waiting room with a coughing one-year old on my hip. Told the nurse he'd give her a quick check-up, wasn't even upset we'd thrown off his schedule. Told me the next time we came in just to ask for him and not wait in line."

"He sounds sweet," Regina said with a smile.

"Oh he was!" Evelyn jovially insisted. She started chuckling. "I hardly gave him the time of day."

She continued to laugh as she reminisced. "God, he spent a whole year trying to get my attention. After every check-up and every run-in at the park or the grocery store he'd ask me to go out to lunch. And every time I'd say I was a mother. Say I have responsibilities that I couldn't ignore. But he was so handsome and so kind and funny. I liked him but I just never felt like I could let myself go there."

"Why did you?"

"My cousin," Evelyn answered. "She sat me down. Told me I wasn't living my life. I'll never forget what she said. She said that 'sometimes the hardest thing to do in life is find something that makes you happy and let yourself have it.'"

She turned to look Regina in the eyes. "When's the last time you let yourself have something just because you wanted it?"

Her question gave Regina pause. It seemed a little impossible to answer. She had many good things in her life but nothing that arose simply from desire and nothing else.

She was still racking her brain trying to come up with an answer when she felt Evelyn gently pat her on the hand.

"Sweetheart, if you have to think about it…then it's been too long," she lovingly pointed out. "I'm sure you have created a multitude of reasons not to be with Robin. Reasons I couldn't possibly know or comprehend but maybe it's time to put them aside and just do what makes you happy. I know that's what my son would've wanted for you."

And she meant that. Regina could see it in her eyes and she was baffled. How could this woman, who so clearly missed her son, be pushing the mother of his child into the arms of another man so freely?

The answer to her question came within seconds.

It was because she cared.

Genuinely and selflessly cared.

All through the day Regina had been wondering how she could see so much of Daniel in this woman who looked so little like him. Standing in that kitchen listening to her it finally became clear. It wasn't the lopsided smile or strong chin that made them so similar.

It was their shared beauty.

Evelyn Colter was a beautiful woman… but not just in appearance.

Evelyn didn't just have beauty you could see. She had beauty you could feel. It came from the inside out, not the other way around. Her beauty came from the warmth, patience and understanding she radiated. There was candor in her voice when she spoke and a genuine kindness in her eyes.

Regina realized that the beauty Evelyn carried was the same beauty carried by her son. The very beauty that had made her fall in love with him on the first place.

A beauty created by sincerity.

Realizing it now made her think back to that moment so many days ago when she'd sat in front of Daniel's grave asking him for a sign on whether or not she should be with Robin.

This was it.

He had sent it in the form of his own mother telling her what choice she should make. The choice to be happy.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Compared to the rest of the day dinner goes by quickly.

They sit at the table in the backyard, eating steaks and grilled potatoes. They laugh and reminisce. Regina trades stories about Daniel with them, telling them of the time they shared together. Instances like how he'd hidden roses where she would find them, and planted a garden beneath her window. How he'd been the one to teach her how to drive. His proposal. All the little moments that they'd shared together. In turn they told her about Daniel's home life. Some of the things he'd never gotten to mention to her. Saturdays spent in the park playing soccer with his father and brother. The time he'd got caught cutting class to go see the Jurassic Park sequel with his friends. And one very embarrassing tale about his fifth grade talent show. Apparently magic hadn't been a very wise choice for him.

It was everything Regina wanted it to be. The best case scenario. They were welcoming. Henry was happy. And Daniel was honored.

And yet… the whole time all she could think of was the man sitting beside her. The one she loved. The one she wanted.

All she could think of was how Evelyn had urged her to let herself be happy. All she had to do was open her mouth and say the words.

After they split up the cake things came to an end. The sun had gone down, it was getting late.

They all said goodbye on the front porch. Henry hugged Evelyn and said goodbye Grandma which brought a tear to her eye. He gave William a high-five and Lydia a simple wave, which she appeared fine with, before climbing into the backseat of Robin's Jeep, his father's old comic in hand, while his mother said her goodbyes. She hugged William and Lydia, the latter seeming far more uncomfortable with it than the former, before saying goodbye to Evelyn. She gave the older woman a long embrace with promises of visits and calls to arrange more meetups. She made sure there was no uncertainty in the fact that they would remain in each other's lives.

Robin's goodbyes were of course more reserved. He waved goodbye to William and Lydia but was sure to give Evelyn a warm handshake and thank her for inviting him into her home.

"Of course," she said. "You're welcome any time." She had a moment of pause before adding, "I think my son would've really liked you."

It was high compliment coming from her. One he wasn't entirely sure how to respond to. So he just nodded his head and said the only thing he could say. Thank you.

The two trio's waved to each other as Robin pulled away from the curb and drove away to start the long journey home. The ride back was just as silent as drive there but certainly less tense.

Henry's nose was buried in the old comic's his grandmother had given him, using the light of his mother's cell phone to read the 90's tales of Batman and Wonder Woman. Apparently his father had been a DC fan.

Robin was still feeling a bit anxious but not about what had happened before. Only about what he knew was going to come next.

And Regina… well, she was feeling a new feeling. A sense of satisfaction and peace she'd never experienced before. When they were halfway home she finally recognized it for what it was. Closure. She finally had closure.

She'd finally been able to close the chapter on her and Daniel. She'd seen the end of their story, the real one. And while it hadn't been what she wanted or hoped it had been beautiful in its own way.

And it had shown her the possibility of a new story. One she'd stepped into before the first had even ended.

They pulled up to her house an hour later. Quietly they walked inside, the three of them, all a bit tired from the day's events. Regina takes Henry into his room while Robin waits for her in the living room. He's chattering like a little chipmunk, her son. Excitedly spouting off all that he'd learned about his father that day. And she listens with a smile on her face, watching as he changes into his pajamas all the while still talking.

Once he finished she tucks him into bed and holds his hand as he continues to talk

"I'm glad I got to meet Dad's family," he whispered. "They're pretty cool."

Regina nods her head and smiles. "They are and I'm happy you know that now."

For the first time since they'd gotten home he went silent. She could tell that he was thinking something over.

"Mom?"

"Hmm?"

"Was he as great as they all said he was?"

A sad smile appeared on her face as she nodded. "Even better, sweetheart. Even better."

Henry smiled at her answer. "I wish I could've met him."

"I know baby," she whispered. "Me too."

She plants a kiss on his forehead then, makes him promise to go to bed after just one hour of reading. A content smile is on her face as she closes the door to his bedroom.

Best case scenario, she silently thinks.

She finds Robin waiting for her on the couch in the living room. Kicking off her wedges, she sinks into the seat beside him and lets out an exhausted breath.

"Well… that was easier than expected," she comments.

"Yeah," he softly agreed. "It was."

They locked eyes and burst out into a quiet relieved laughter together.

"They were so nice," laughed Regina.

"Absolutely," chuckled Robin. "God I feel so ridiculous. I thought they were going to be so cold!"

"Me too!" she said, nodding her head as their laughter died down. "But they weren't. They were sweet and kind." She paused. "I'm so glad I met them."

"Yeah," Robin quietly agreed. "They seemed to really love you."

"You think so?" she asked, skeptically pinching her eyebrows together. She let out another relieved breath when she saw him nod his head. "Good. Because I do not want this to be a one-time thing. I want them to stay in Henry's life."

"They will," he assured her.

He spoke with such certainty and like always it comforted her. Robin always seemed so sure that good things would come her way. Oddly, she didn't think he realized that he was one of the best things in her life. It suddenly struck her that eight hours ago she'd sat on this very couch, shocked by his assertion that he'd wanted to come with her today. How ridiculous that seems now. Of course, he'd wanted to come with them. Of course, he'd wanted to be with her on what could've been an extremely destructive day in her life. Of course, he'd stood by her.

He always had.

She sat up and faced him on the couch. "Robin… thank you."

He gave her a stern look. "Regina…"

"No," she cuts him off. "I know you think I don't need to say it but I do. Because I mean it. And I don't think I've ever really said it before. Robin thank you. Not just for today but for all of it.

"Thank you for being in my life. Thanks for standing by me through everything that's happened. You have seen me through so much bad stuff and you're still always trying to convince me that something good is just around the corner. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have that, if I didn't have you. You are so important to me. I just… I'm so glad that I have you. You are…utterly irreplaceable and indispensable. So thank you… for being my person. I mean it."

It came pouring out of her. She couldn't have stopped it if she tried. It'd been an emotional day but she couldn't end it without telling him just how much she needed him in her life.

She didn't know what she expected him to say. And for a moment he didn't say anything. He stayed silent, as if he was considering something that had weighed on his mind for far too long.

Finally he spoke.

"Regina… could you promise me something?"

"Of course, anything," she immediately replied.

"Promise me that no matter what comes next we'll always be in our son's lives. You in Roland's and me and Henry's?"

Her head reared slightly back in surprise. "Robin... that would never change. You know that."

He swallowed hard before reaching out to grab her hand. "Regina… I am about to say some very… difficult things. So right now I can't have you just make an assumption. Before I say what I'm going to say I need an honest to god promise from you about this."

Her heart is pounding by now. She's looking into his eyes and she sees it, she sees his fear. He is nervous and afraid and he needs her to promise. So she does.

She places her hand on top of his own and promises, "Robin… no matter what comes out of your mouth next you will always be a part of Henry's life and I will always be a part of Roland's. I promise."

A tiny flicker of relief flashes behind his eyes but she can tell he's still apprehensive.

"Robin… what is it?"

He starts off quiet. "Regina I love our friendship. Having you as my friend has been… the most amazing gift I never asked for. And that's always been enough for me… but lately…"

He pauses and Regina feels like every nerve in her body has been set on fire. Everything in the world is still but the two of them. She feels like the world is about to tip on it's axis and she's hoping against hell that it's a good thing.

"But lately what?" she prods, her voice going soft and shaky.

"Lately… I've been wanting more," he admits. "With you."

She can't breathe. She can't think. All she can do is stare and wonder. Truly wonder how they'd gotten here. When it started. Where it'd go. And how, in the world, was it possible that he somehow felt the same way about her as she did about him.

"I kept it in," he confesses. "Because I worried that something might… break… between us if I said anything but after today… I just can't do it anymore. I can't wonder. I need to know. So I'm here, asking you… do you feel anything for me at all?"

She sees it flash behind her eyes. Their entire relationship from start to present. She remembers every talk, every touch, every quick glance from across the room. She feels it, the love and the longing and the hoping she'd felt every day for the past three months and maybe longer. It bubbles up in her chest and overflows into one word.

"Yes."

---

NEXT CHAPTER: Robin and Regina have their first date.

Thirty six chapter and it's finally happening haha! I hope you enjoyed it. Please read and review!