This story, a Gilmore Girls AU, was inspired by Anamii's moodboard on Twitter, which you can find here. Enjoy, and let me know what you think!

The bell that appeared to have hung over the door of the diner for the entirety of its existence rang as Regina and Margot stepped over the threshold for the first time. Regina had been meaning to try Robin's Diner for far too long, and had finally decided that Margot's first day in Storybrooke was the day to do it. Her friend Tiana, who was head chef at the inn they ran together under the supervision of Mr. Gold, while critical of Robin's cooking, had raved about his coffee. So of course, Regina, avid coffee drinker that she was, had to try it.

Heads turned as they entered, and Regina and Margot glanced at each other. Margot looked toward the perfect booth, secluded, but not tucked away in the corner, and Regina nodded.

As soon as they sat down, a girl with long brown hair and red highlights walked up to them. "Welcome to Robin's, I'm Ruby, and I'll be your waitress today. What can I get for you?"

"Coffee, coffee, coffee!" Regina exclaimed, making Margot and Ruby laugh simultaneously.

"Coffee it is then," Ruby confirmed before turning to Margot. "And for you?"

"Um... " Margot pondered, looking down at the menus Ruby had placed on the table in front of them. "Mango smoothie please."

"Coming right up!" Ruby said cheerfully over her shoulder as she walked behind the bar.

Regina watched Margot as Ruby walked away. Ever since Zelena's death and the discovery of her will, which left Margot in Regina's care, Regina had been filled with nerves about all aspects of her new role as both Margot's aunt and adoptive mother. Margot had always seen her as the cool aunt, and Regina was afraid that not only would she not be able to carry out the discipline aspect of parenting Margot, but that if the occasion arose that she would need to pull the parent card, Margot would rebel, claiming that as her aunt and not her mother, Regina would have no right to do the things that only a parent could do.

As these thoughts ran through her mind, Regina grasped her purse, where she had stashed the letter addressed to her that they had found with Zelena's will. Although it didn't comfort Regina in some of her weakest moments, it did help alleviate her anxiety enough that she carried it with her wherever she went. Zelena's words came to her now:

Dear Regina,

Although I know we both hate to admit it, as I write this letter, my time helping Margot become the strong, kind woman I raised her to be is coming to an end. Take care of her for me, would you? I'm sure you'll have your doubts, fears that you'll be just like our mother was with us growing up, but I know you'll be a much better guardian for Margot than our mother ever was to us. You'll doubt this when you read these words, but I know that you'll rise to the challenge and find it in you to love and care for Margot as much as I always have. Teach her to love and show compassion for everyone she meets. Teach her that no matter what, life is always worth it if one only learns to look on the bright side of every scenario.

I love you both, and wish more than anything that I could stay. Remember that I'll always be with you.

All my love,

Zelena

Thinking of the letter still folded in her purse made Regina's throat tighten and tears threaten to trickle down her cheeks, but remembering where she was, she forced herself to regain her composure and focus on her niece, pushing all thoughts of her sister aside until she could have a moment alone at home to deal with all of the feelings she thought she'd dealt with when her sister passed away a week ago.

"So, what do you think you'll get?" she asked her new daughter.

Margot's long hair fell away from her face as she looked up at Regina, the lights of the diner reflecting off of her glasses. "I have no idea. I also have a feeling that no matter what I choose, it won't be the wrong choice. This just seems like the type of place that no matter what you get, it's all good."

She nodded in agreement. The menu had everything, from soups and salads to entrees that made her mouth water and would surely appall Margot's grandmother. Cora was never known for her good taste in food, always subjecting the Mills sisters to dishes that she claimed were delicacies, but in reality, given that Regina and Zelena couldn't even pronounce some of the names, they couldn't find it in themselves to enjoy them. "But if you had to choose?"

"Robin's grilled cheese," Margot decided just as Ruby walked up to them, pen and notepad in hand, ready to jot down their order.

"What side?" Ruby asked her. Regina tuned them out for a minute to glance down at the menu. Robin's grilled cheese sounded like a culinary masterpiece, crab dip (prepared Maryland style, we promise! the menu advertized) topped with cheddar cheese and bacon between two slices of bread. The only part she's a little skeptical about were the jalapeƱos- she loved spicy food as much as the next girl, but not on a grilled cheese, and not with crab.

"And for you?" Ruby asked, looking toward Regina.

Without having the time to look at the rest of the menu, Regina decided to get the same thing- with the one slight variation, of course. "Robin's grilled cheese with no jalapeƱos, please."

"And for your side?"

Oh, shoot. For all her decisiveness about almost everything else in her life, Regina had never been good at choosing what food she wanted. So much so, in this case, that it seemed she had forgotten that she would need to choose a side to go with her sandwich.

"What are my options?" Regina asked, saving herself, Margot, and the poor waitress the hassle of waiting for her to both find the list of side dishes and decide which one she wanted.

She listened to Ruby with rapt attention, and immediately decided against classic sides like fries or chips before finally hearing one that was a little unusual as a side for a diner, but sounded so delicious that she knew she had to try it. "Potato salad, please."

Ruby smiled. "Coming right up!" She turned, heels making a racket on the tile floor, and walked toward the kitchen.

The diner's bell rang as another customer entered. It was Leroy, one of the town gossips,

He strode up to the counter like he owned the place and confidently asked one of the cooks, who had his back turned, "What specials do you have today?"

Without turning, he answered, "Nothing you'll like, Leroy, now go home," in such a soft voice (with a British accent, no less) that when he spoke, Regina was sure that at the sound of it, she had melted into a puddle that Ruby would need to clean up later. She didn't know how she hadn't come into the diner before now, but somehow she did know that she was meant to, as crazy as that sounded.

Or maybe you just want to listen to his voice all day long, Regina, get a grip, she scolded herself.

Regina was brought out of her thoughts by the short bearded man at the counter. Instead of following his suggestion, Leroy had looked at the menu, which Regina hadn't noticed was posted on the wall by the bar. "I'll have a basket of fries please."

"With the works?" the cook asked, his back still to him (and me, Regina lamented, eager to see the face that went with that irresistible voice.)

Once again she scolded herself. What was she, a lovesick teenager? Just because she was awestruck by the sound of his voice didn't mean that she would think he was handsome too- soft voices that made your heart flutter didn't come with handsome faces to match, the universe just didn't work that way. A woman got to enjoy either one or the other, and Regina was sure that she had just so happened to stumble upon a man who possessed the former quality.

"Of course, no one should settle for anything less," he declared.

The diner employee sighed, clearly admitting that he had lost the battle. "Fine. But don't blame me when you die from cardiac arrest because despite the fact that I own this diner, what you choose to eat isn't my problem."

"I won't, because I won't be dying," Leroy responded confidently.

"We'll see about that," the owner- Robin, Regina realized- replied skeptically.

She stopped eavesdropping and glanced over at Margot as she tried to figure out if she had ever seen Robin before. As small as Storybrooke was, she knew she had to have seen him- at a town meeting, surely? But maybe he was one of the few townspeople who didn't go to town meetings. She had to admit that to some extent, she had to agree with him if he stayed away because he thought everyone in the town was crazy. Because in a way, they were, there were far too many people in town who drove her nuts. But that was also the part of the town meetings that she couldn't wait for Margot to experience. With all of those unique personalities in one room, attending a town meeting was like watching a soap opera, only better, because it was a live performance. She chuckled at that simile, which prompted Margot to speak.

"Do you know who that is?" she asked.

Regina nodded. "That's Leroy, one of the town gossips. He and Sidney, who you'll probably meet tomorrow night, put The New York Times and social media to shame with how quickly they spread news. And you, as the newest member of the town, will likely be one of their hot topics this week."

"No!" Margot protested so quickly that Regina laughed.

"I wouldn't worry about it, they're harmless," she assured her.

"If they're so harmless, why don't you go introduce yourself to the cook you've been staring at for the last five minutes?" she retorted. "Wouldn't that be part of their gossip mill as well?"

Regina was mortified as her cheeks heated. But looking at the girl who was practically her daughter long before Zelena passed away and she had signed the adoption papers, she knew she couldn't refuse. "Fine."

She was about to slide out of the booth and go up to the counter, but a soft, "Here you are, milady," from that melodious voice that had captivated her from the moment she first heard it stopped her in her tracks.

She looked up slowly to meet the deep blue gaze of the man standing before her, holding a plate in each hand. He set the plates in front of them before saying, "I don't think I've seen you in here before, I'm Robin, and this little diner has been mine ever since my grandmother passed several years ago. What are the names of the two beautiful women I have the pleasure of serving this afternoon?"

Regina shook her head, trying not to look too intently into his eyes. She tried to focus on somewhere different instead, and regretted it instantly, as she spotted the dimples that appeared when he smiled.

She was finally distracted by her new daughter's words. "Hi Robin, I'm Margot. And the woman too busy staring into your eyes to say anything is my aunt- mom now, I guess- Regina."

"Margot!" Regina scolded, her cheeks even more red than they had been.

"'Aunt- mom now I guess'?" Robin questioned. "I'm sure there's a story there that I'd love to hear someday."

Margot's face lost all of its animation, turning a chalk white that Regina was sure matched her own features, despite the fact that mother and daughter looked nothing alike. She was in shock that Robin had asked such an impertinent question, then realized that it was unlikely that he would have known about their loss, given that he was just meeting them for the first time. Given that Sidney and Leroy were always in the know, however, and Robin owned one of Storybrooke's prime meeting locations, she was surprised that Robin hadn't heard all about Zelena's passing already.

Seeing their expressions, Robin clearly got the message and rapidly retracted his inquiry. "But that story is for another time, or never, if you like. Just know that I'm here if either of you need me- whether that's for a shoulder to cry on or someone to just listen, I'll be there, I promise."

"What makes you think either of us will need a shoulder to cry on?" Regina asked, her walls coming back up at the suggestion that she would ever need this arrogant man for anything.

His eyes glinted and he held up his hands in surrender. "Well, excuse me, Your Majesty, I was only trying to offer my help to my new friends. But it appears that my assistance isn't wanted, so you don't need to worry, I won't be offering it again anytime soon."

"Good," Regina replied, and he walked away.

Regina glanced over at Margot, who was shaking her head. "What?"

"I understand why you got upset- to some degree, I did too- but did you have to take it out on him? The accident wasn't his fault, you didn't need to lash out. Poor guy."

Regina groaned, then took Margot's hand, which was lying by her untouched plate. "I know. But I just- need something to pay for this. Because while I love having you as my daughter-"

"You want Mom back, I know," Margot finished for her. "I do too."

Regina squeezed the hand that was still resting in hers. "I know I'm not your mom. I'm nowhere close, trust me. But I will do my best, it just might take some time adjusting- for both of us. But we'll figure it out together, okay?"

Margot nodded.

With that, they settled in to enjoy their food. It was possibly some of the best food Regina had ever tasted. She had been to Maryland, so she knew how crab dip was supposed to taste according to the way they did it, and Robin's kitchen delivered. The cheesy crab mixture melted in her mouth, the flavors a perfect balance for her to truly savor the experience.

When she and Margot stood to leave, she heard Robin call out, "I look forward to the next time we meet, milady. Perhaps our conversation will go a little better next time?"

"You'll have to wait to find out," she raised her voice above the din of the restaurant to answer. With the sound of Robin's chuckle in her ear, she walked out onto the street, fighting her own grin. She would definitely be visiting Robin's Diner again.