Sorry for the major lateness! But enjoy! This is set a year after the last chapter and Summer is around 20 months old.


Regina and Regina were driving to her parent's house for the fourth of July celebrations, after the disaster from last year they were both determined to make this one the best fourth of July ever. Summer was humming in the back seat, shouting out the odd word from the nursery rhymes that were playing on the stereo. She was playing with the plushie chick that her father had given her the Easter before last, it had soon become one of her favourite toys.

Robin had worked the earlier shift, so they would be a little late for the party, but it was better late than never and there would have been no chance of him getting the whole day off, not when virtually every other member of staff also wanted the day off. Regina's fingers were running gently through his hair as he drove and they talked about how they thought all her relatives would react to seeing how much Summer had grown.

The little girl was in a red dress which matched her mother's and she had her hair in the cutest pigtails, a style that Robin had mastered. Her dark hair was getting longer which meant they could now tie it up in adorable styles, she still had a cute fringe that Regina didn't want to grow out, so she'd taken her to the hairdressers for the first time, Summer had been so interested in just picking up the brushes, she hadn't even noticed the woman cutting her hair.

"Let it go!" Summer shouted as she kicked her feet, "momma! Let it go!"

"I think she wants Frozen on again," Robin chuckled as Regina shook her head and programmed the screen in the back of her chair to light up and the film to begin playing. She turned off the stereo and listened to her daughter talk along to Frozen, which she actually called Let It Go, but it was just too cute to correct her on the name. She glanced at Robin and smiled to herself as she looked back to the road. She had a feeling today would be a good day.


"Oh my goodness! Look at my little granddaughter!" Henry cooed as he lifted Summer up out of her chair and she happily went into his arms, popping her lips together in a way that signalled a kiss as she patted her grandfather's chest with her tiny hands.

"Opa! Opa."

Regina embraced her mother as they turned to watch Summer interact with her grandad, "teaching her the German for grandma and grandpa was a clever idea, Regina."

"Well, it's either that or she just gets confused, she can hardly say grandmother," Regina laughed, watching Robin grab Summer's bag before locking the car. "Sorry, we're late. Robin had an emergency at work he couldn't get away as early as we would have liked to."

"His job is more important than this party Regina," Cora stated, shaking her head, "don't be so concerned about punctuality."

Regina furrowed her eyebrows at her mother, this was the woman who was so hung up on being punctual that if you were even five minutes late for a function she would be shirty with you for the next couple of hours, so she was shocked that her attitude had apparently changed so drastically. "Is everyone else already here?"

"Yes, though Zelena is having a lie-down, she didn't feel all that well when she arrived. Maybe the drink just went to her head."

"Is she drinking?" Regina asked, her eyes widening a little, it was over two years since she last told her sister off for drinking whilst on dialysis and she thought she'd stopped. It was really important that she didn't drink alcohol whilst on the medication because it could cause all sorts of unwanted side effects.

"I think she might have had a little bit."

"Mother you shouldn't have given her alcohol, she really isn't supposed to drink."

"I didn't give it to her, I know better than to do that."

Regina sighed and stroked a hand over her daughter's back, "hi daddy. Robin, are you okay with Summer whilst I go check on Zelena?"

"Of course," he nodded, a concerned expression on his face, one that matched hers. She wasn't the only one who realised the severity of what Zelena was doing.

With that Regina left them to it and headed inside, making her way through crowds of people as she moved towards the stairs. Once she was on the landing she made her way to the spare room and knocked on the door, "Zelena, it's Regina, can I come in please?"

"Regina! Hi," the redhead greeted as she opened the door, not looking as sick as her mother had made out. Zelena pulled her into her arms and hugged her tight before pulling back, "happy 4th of July!"

"Hmm, Mom said you weren't feeling well," Regina quipped, pushing the other woman back into the room and making her sit down. "she also said that you'd been drinking."

"What? I didn't have a drink," Zelena shook her head, denying the accusation. "Why would I drink when you told me that I couldn't! I haven't had a drink for two years, not since you told me off the last time."

Regina narrowed her eyes, she didn't know whether to believe her sister or not, she wasn't known for her truthfulness, but Regina liked to think that she wouldn't lie to her about something so serious as that, something that could affect her whole life. "You promise me that you're telling the truth? That you've not touched the stuff."

"Scouts honour."

"Were you actually a scout?"

"No, but isn't that just a saying? Anyway, I haven't had a drink, I've just been feeling a little odd that's all, I'm sure it'll be fine. I had a little rest and now I'm ready to go back downstairs and mingle. Not to mention I want to see my favourite niece, is she with Robin?"

"Yes, Summer is downstairs."

"Ooh goodie, I am well overdue a nice long cuddle with her," Zelena quipped, attempting to move past her sister.

"Stop right there, I want to check you over."

"Regina, I am a grown woman and I'll be fine."

"Zelena, I am a doctor and I insist you let me make sure that you're okay."

"I'm fine," the redhead sighed as she headed out the door and down the stairs, leaving Regina alone in the room.

Regina took a deep breath before following after her and heading out into the garden where the party was being held. There were way more family members there than she had been expecting, she thought maybe there would be ten people there, but apparently not only had her mother invited every single member of their extended family, all their neighbours were there as well. Regina rose her eyebrows as she met Robin's eyes across the garden and made her way towards him.

Her sister was holding her daughter nearby, showing her off to one of Regina's aunts, "well, I think we might have lost our daughter to your sister," he chuckled, wrapping his arm around her.

"Not a chance, I'm already feeling weird not holding Summer and having to watch from over here as Zelena parades her around," she murmured, her eyes glued to her little girl. She didn't know what it was, but she felt a strange sense of protectiveness bubble up inside her, as if she needed to go and take back her daughter that minute.

"She's fine though. I take it you talked to Zelena, had she been drinking?"

"She swore to me that she hadn't, so I don't know what to think. Mom thought she had been," Regina shrugged. She didn't know who to trust, her mother or her sister. Her mom could have simply been speculating when she mentioned Zelena drinking, she didn't say that she knew for sure that she'd had something alcoholic to drink.

"I say we give her the benefit of the doubt and just keep an eye on her."

"I agree," Regina nodded, he was right, they should make sure that she wasn't drinking behind their backs. Regina really didn't want her holding her daughter if she was drunk, she needed to know that her baby wasn't at the risk of being accidentally dropped. "But right now, I need to go take Summer back and get her juice from the fridge. Did you put it in there?"

"Yeah, I gave it to your dad and he said that he would put it in."

"Good," Regina hummed as moved away from Robin and followed her sister around the garden as she went from family member to family member, showing off Summer who had her face hidden away in her shoulder, something that could be a sign that she was either tired or uncomfortable with the situation.

When Regina finally managed to catch her, she tapped her on the shoulder and moved around to rub her daughter's back gently, "Summer," she whispered, her fingers tracing a pattern up her spine before running through her black curls. The little girl's head shot up immediately and blue eyes stared into hers intensely.

"Momma!" she squealed in delight as her hands reached out, wanting Regina to take her from her aunty Zelena, "momma, momma!"

"Hello Summer," Regina giggled as her daughter managed to grasp hold of her and climb from Zelena's arms into her own. She pressed her little lips against Regina's before burying her face against her shoulder.

"Well, I take it Summer doesn't like her aunt," Zelena huffed playfully.

"Of course, she does, she just likes her momma better don't you baby?"

"Momma, Daddy, Ola, Summaaa," the little girl beamed as she told Zelena who she loved the most. Regina had to hold back a laugh at the look on her daughter's face as she talked about her family. She looked around and spotted Robin, "daddyyyy!" she called out, her fingers opening and closing as she tried to get him to come to them.

Regina glanced around and chuckled as Robin set off towards them, working to make their daughter even more excited as she almost jumped out of her arms with giddiness. "Hello sweetheart," he cooed, taking her hand as she clung to his fingers and brought them to her cheek so she could lean against his hand.

"She is the most adorable child I have ever seen Regina," Regina's aunt Ava stated as she approached them. "Even more so than you were and that is saying something because you were simply stunning."

"Auntie Ava," Regina smiled, "it's good to see you and thank you, we are rather fond of her," she laughed bouncing the little girl in her arms as she stared at something Robin was doing, her blue eyes fully focused on him.

"Just look at her," the older woman cooed just as Cora came over, "Cora, I may have to steal your granddaughter for my own, she is just too cute."

"You already have plenty of grandchildren Ava, you don't need to steal mine," Cora tutted at her sister as she glanced towards Zelena and then back to Regina again. "Regina, did you get a drink, there are plenty in the kitchen."

"I'm not drinking today," she shook her head, "I'm driving home." It was only fair, Robin had driven them here so she had to drive back, that also meant that he could have a drink if he wanted to, but she knew that he wasn't much of a drinker and that he more than likely wouldn't have more than a couple of beers.

"Well, there are non-alcoholic drinks. I bought some mocktails that I thought you and Zelena might enjoy."

"Thank you, mother, I'll make sure to try one."

"Momma, Ola where?" Summer asked, tilting her head at Regina, "Ola where?"

"What's she saying?" Ava questioned.

"I think she wants to know where our cat Lola is."

"Ola where?"

"Lola is at home baby," Regina stated, touching her hair gently.

"When we see?"

"When we go home, that's when we'll see her. How much do you love Lola Summer?"

"So munch!"

"So munch?" Zelena laughed.

"Oi, she's telling you how much she loves her cat, leave her alone," Regina narrowed her eyes and knocked her hip against her sister's, joking with her.

"I'm just laughing at how cute she is that's all," the redhead cooed.

"Hmm," Regina grinned, burying her face in Summer's hair and kissing the top of her head. "How much do you love Momma? Do you love me more than Lola?"

The little girl seemed to think about it for a little while before nodding her head and putting her fingers on her mommy's cheeks, "kiss," she hummed, leaning in and pressing her lips against her mother's face, "kiss momma."

"Aww thank you baby. What about daddy, do you love daddy?" Regina grinned, taking in the expressions on her family's faces as they watched to see what the little girl would do.

"Daddy kiss!" she squealed as Robin scooped her out of Regina's arms and kissed Summer's face as she kissed him back, giggling as she cuddled into him. "Momma daddy kiss!" she giggled, reaching out and trying to push her parents together. They did as they were told, sharing a quick peck, earning their daughter's approval. "Yay momma!"

"Would you like some juice, Summer?" Regina asked.

"Please momma. Come with," she begged. Regina nodded as she lifted her back into her own arms and waved at her family before taking off towards the kitchen.

"What flavour juice do you want then sweetie?"

"Orangeee."

"One orange juice coming up," she smiled as they bent down to the fridge to take the juice out. Once she had Summer's juice she moved towards her bag which Robin had left on the marble-topped breakfast bar in her mother's kitchen. "Quick grab your cup," Regina chuckled, pointing towards the yellow sippy cup that was resting on the top of the bag.

Her daughter picked it up and waved it, "I got it, momma."

"Well done sweetheart," Regina smiled, pressing a light kiss to the top of her daughter's head. It was in times like these that she wished she were back at home and could just pop Summer in her high chair, unfortunately, her mother and father didn't own one and she had to make do with juggling her daughter whilst pouring her juice. Once she had managed to pour it, she had to fight to clip the lid back on so that Summer could actually drink from it. "Here we go honey," she hummed, handing her the sippy cup and allowing her to drink it on her own.

"Tank you," she smiled as she moved the cup to her mouth and began to drink.

She was just about to pour her own drink when she heard a commotion coming from outside, groaning she moved her other hand to support her daughter and headed back outside to see what was going on.

"Walsh I told you not to come here!"

She heard her sister shouting and spotted her arguing with her boyfriend. Regina narrowed her eyes as she scanned the crowd for her fiancé and spotted him stood with her parents. She scurried over to them and placed Summer in his arms just as her sister's boyfriend grabbed the red head's arms.

"You're drunk Walsh and I don't want to be…"

"You can't just embarrass me like that. I had every right to come to this party."

"I didn't want you here. I wanted to spend some time with my family."

"I thought I was your family," he spat, moving to push her only for Regina to pull Zelena out of the way, she shouldn't be stressing herself with her condition, not to mention the fact that she had been feeling off-colour earlier that morning. Regina felt as though she should be the one to stand up for her, even though Zelena probably wouldn't appreciate the interference.

"Walsh, my sister clearly doesn't want you here and you're drunk, so please, just go."

"Did she tell you she broke up with me?" he asked, waving a beer bottle at her, "she broke up with me after everything I did for her. I was here for her all through her treatment and how does she repay me? She fucking goes and brakes up with me and it's a fucking joke!"

"Please don't use that language," Regina huffed, glancing back to her little girl who was nestled in her father's arms but still watching her. "You're clearly intoxicated and…"

"Why don't you shut up, you stuck up bitch," he slurred, moving towards her, pointing a finger at her, "you never liked me. It's your fault that Zelena broke up with me."

"Oh get over yourself, you weren't the best catch Walsh," she rolled her eyes. He was clearly oblivious to everything if he was actually going to blame her for their breakup when it was clearly his own fault for being so inattentive towards Zelena.

"Regina, leave it," her sister stated, her hand grasping Regina's upper arm. "Walsh, you aren't welcome here, please leave."

"Of course, you side with your bitch of a sister."

"That's quite enough of that, they both told you to leave, now, please would you leave my property before I call the cops," Henry warned, stepping in and telling Walsh where he could go stick it, but in a more Henry Mills like manner.

The man tried to push past Henry as he lunged towards Regina, that was the minute Robin appeared. Summer had been passed over to Cora and Robin needed to make sure that his fiancée was alright. He pushed Regina behind him and glared at the man in front of him. "Don't even think about it," he hissed protectively, "Henry has asked you to leave, now do it."

"What are you really going to do huh?! Big shot doctor and his stuck-up doctor girlfriend. You think you're so much better than everyone else with your perfect family. You daughter isn't even that cute."

Regina felt her teeth grit together and had to fight the urge not to push past Robin. On the other hand, it was quite laughable because anyone with eyes could tell that Summer was adorable.

"Whatever Walsh. Time to go," Robin reached out to take his arm and escort him out, but before he could make contact with him, Walsh's fist made contact with Robin's face as he punched him. Regina gasped and reached out for Robin, but he'd already grabbed the other man's arms as they entered a stare off.

There must have been something in Robin's eyes that got through to him and the man hurried off as quickly as he possibly could, hurrying out of the gate and back around the front of the house.

"Regina? You alright?"

"I'm fine," she nodded, thankful that he had stepped in. She hadn't exactly been scared of Walsh, not when there were so many people around, but she didn't exactly want to get pushed or hit by him either so she was glad for Robin's intervention. She was aware of her daughter crying behind her but moved to cup Robin's face, taking in the red mark that was forming under his eye, "how's that feel?"

"Stings like a bitch, but it'll be fine."

Regina sighed and shook her head, "we need to get some ice on that before it turns into a massive bruise."

"I'll go get you some," Regina's father spoke up before leaving them in the search for ice.

"Zelena, care to explain what the hell just happened there?" Regina asked, turning around to glare at her sister. Her hand hadn't let Robin's cheek as her thumb rubbed it lovingly.

"I broke up with Walsh, what else is there to explain?"

Regina released a deep breath before threading her fingers through Robin's and heading over to her mother who was carrying her inquisitive daughter. The little girl was staring at them from across the garden, her blue eyes wide with tears and her cheeks pink as she cried. "Daddy!" she squealed unhappily, "momma."

"It's okay darling," Robin cooed as he lifted his daughter out of Cora's arms, Regina watched him kiss their daughter's cheeks as she clung to him tightly. Her little arms wrapped around him and she buried her face against his shoulder.

"Daddy hurt?"

"No baby, daddy's okay," he reassured, bouncing her gently as he rubbed her back.

"I'm going to go have a word with your sister," Cora informed them before disappearing into the house, passing Henry on her way inside.

Regina took the bag of ice from her father and pressed it to Robin's face, making him flinch as she grinned at him, "big baby."

"It's cold," he complained.

"I bet it is, it's ice," Regina winked. Noticing that her daughter had stopped crying and was now trying to take the bag of ice from her hands. Regina let her and watched as she continued to hold it in place.

"Better daddy? Momma, make daddy feel better?"

"Yes sweetheart, it will make daddy feel better," Regina smiled as she tucked one of her daughter's stray curls back behind her ear.

"Daddy okay now?"

"Yes, thanks to my clever little doctor!" Robin laughed, "seems you're going to be just like mommy and daddy when you're older." Summer simply clapped her hands together and Regina chuckled as she tucked herself under Robin's spare arm and they found some seats around the table.


After a delicious meal, everyone had calmed down somewhat. Some people had gone home and the only ones now there were family members. Regina was fighting back a yawn as she cradled her sleeping daughter, Summer was sprawled out on top of her as she slept peacefully, clinging to her chick plushie.

"We have fireworks, but we don't want to wake her," Cora stated, coming up behind Regina and placing her hands on the back of her chair, her finger's toying with Regina's hair for a moment. Her action took the younger Mills somewhat by surprise, her mother very rarely showed her affection like that and it was certainly a change for the better.

"Summer hasn't really seen fireworks, she was asleep last year when we had them," Regina quipped, straightening up in her chair and stroking her daughter's cheek. She was contemplating whether to wake her up or not, but it seemed she wouldn't have to think about it because her slight movement had managed to rouse her sleeping child. "Hey there sleepy head."

"Morning now?" she yawned cuddling closer to the warmth of her mother's chest.

"No, it's not morning yet," Regina chuckled, "but Grandma was wondering if you would like to see some fireworks."

"What firewords?"

"Fireworks are pretty lights in the sky, but they aren't for children to touch, only adults."

"Stay momma."

"Yes, I'll be with you and they can't hurt you."

"See!" she nodded, clapping her hands in encouragement for her grandmother to show her them. One of Regina's cousins was going to light them, her father used to do it when he was a bit younger, but he was getting on and not as sprightly as he once was.

Regina decided that she would place her hands over Summer's ears, just in case they were too loud for her. The little girl tried to pull them away until Regina told here that they would be too loud otherwise. Then she leant back against Regina and stared up at the dark sky, her eyes transfixed upon it. The first firework they lit was pink and flashed brightly as it exploded, Summer's eyes widened as she squealed and clapped her hands.

Regina heard Robin chuckle from where he was sat next to her and he wrapped his arms around the two of them, resting his chin on Regina's shoulder. She hummed happily and leaned into him as they both watched Summer's reaction to the fireworks. She relished in having her whole family around her and realised that she couldn't be happier with the way her life had turned out.