After Snow's departure following dinner, Regina leaves their guests momentarily in the company of Robin and the children to visit her private study. From the phone on her desk she dials her answering service to be certain that there is no pressing mayoral business for her to attend to before day's end. Satisfied to find that nothing urgent will call her away, she hangs up and heads for the upstairs hallway only to be halted by her sister's sudden appearance as she turns, reaching back to close the door behind herself.

From the elegant oval-shaped Venetian mirror on the wall behind her desk, Zelena calls out, "Youuuu whoooo." as she smiles her cat that ate the canary smile; her buoyant red curls exquisitely framed by hand-blown glass that is set in onyx with a delicate filigree of silver veins etched in amongst a pattern of white oleander vines.

Stepping into the room once more, Regina squints curiously as she closes the door. "Since when do you use mirrors, Greenie?"

Zelena continues to smile from the elegantly upholstered chaise in her bedroom where she reclines and splays an expertly manicured hand over her swollen middle. "Since I'm back to feeling like death warmed over. I don't feel like dropping in tonight. I don't even feel like crossing the room to pick up the phone. I just want to lay here and be pampered… but at least my sweet boy is back where he belongs."

"I'm glad he's back where he belongs too. Regina laughs wryly.

"Bet you are."

"Playing host to a deity is certainly not a job for a lightweight. That was an unforgettable experience."

Zelena chortles quietly with smug amusement. "Snow collapsed straight away. Couldn't handle it even for a few seconds. Emma didn't, but she wailed like a banshee."

"Yes, well, the only child Emma has yet to give birth to is Henry. He and I had an adjustment period immediately following his adoption. During which, he wailed relentlessly but once we got through it he was a very easy baby. In fact, with the exception of running away to find his birth mother at the age of 10 and the difficult months that followed, he was a particularly easy child to raise. It isn't at all difficult for me to imagine him being an easy child to carry. For a young man with two mothers who don't always agree with each other; one of whom happens to be his great grandmother by marriage, a dead father, a couple of extremely young maternal grandparents who are royalty, and a paternal grandfather who just happens to be the Dark One, I think he's extremely well-adjusted. I mean, this is the kind of garbage that permanently shatters the psyches of lesser people. So yes, all that considered, he's been an easy kid. Kids like him don't prepare you for carrying a demigod… Not even temporarily. Come to think of it, none of my children have prepared me for that particular experience. Roland is my ray of sunshine. He believes I am faultless. Henry and Norah know better. Norah's going to be my trial by fire. She's the one who's going to make me fight for the right to keep calling myself a good parent. Henry made me earn it, but she's going to make me fight to keep it… and she's no goddess." Regina offers a bemused smile. "No matter what her daddy thinks."

"I don't think anything can prepare you for carrying a demigod. This is my second time around, and I still wasn't ready. Eliana was different. I'm not sick from the Rh disease this time so, I don't have to deal with that, but in other ways, she was easier. She was calmer than her brother; less combative in the womb. Not that you can tell it to look at her tonight."

"How is my niece tonight?"

"She's sulking in her room. She's furious because we thwarted her efforts to rid herself of her little brother. She was inconsolable. She wailed and threw a tantrum until even Hades lost his patience with her. He told her to go to her room. Now he's heartbroken because she won't speak to either of us. It's not anything new for me. She refuses to speak to me at least twice a week. Not Hades. Big bad god of the underworld is beside himself with misery because his four-year-old daughter hasn't spoken to him for two whole hours."

"That's a dad for you. The only thing they hate worse than the silent treatment are the tears. Norah's bottom lip so much as quivers; Robin panics and goes into 'Mr. Fix-it' mode. but I can't laugh at him too much. Daddy was the same way with me."

"Must have been nice." Zelena says, sounding wistful without her usual dose of resentment.

"I didn't know it at the time, but yes, it was. Give Eliana time. She'll come around. When you're feeling up to it, talk to her about the baby. Try to get her involved. Maybe…" Regina squints thoughtfully. "Let her offer some suggestions for the baby's middle name or show her an ultrasound picture. Roland wasn't exactly thrilled about Norah at first, not until he saw the picture from the second ultrasound. He was fascinated by that. He didn't really start to warm up to the idea of being a big brother until he saw it."

"Roland was just shy of six by then Regina. You don't think that might be a little advanced for Eliana? She's not even five."

"Kids will astound you with what they do, and what they don't, focus on. After we showed Roland the picture from the ultrasound, it took him a few weeks to get around to it, but eventually he started asking questions. He danced around the big one for a while, sort of testing the water before he finally asked,' How did the baby get in there?' With three kids, I'm beginning to understand that they are not going to ask you a question they are not ready to hear the answer to. The trick is to answer their questions honestly without unintentionally giving them additional information that they may not be ready to process yet. Robin and I bought one of those books you read to little kids about where babies come from and the only part of the story that even remotely puzzled him was mention of the umbilical cord. The rest of it, he accepted without a single by question."

"Yes well, assuming she sees the ultrasound picture and starts asking similar questions, that's still going to leave me with a huge problem. One that weighs about 170 pounds. Eliana might have a very similar reaction to Roland's. Her father won't. I can just see the flames leaping from the top of his head now!' You want to read her a book about what?' Regina, He's certainly no prude, but his little girl is going to live for eternity and if by some chance she doesn't, then she's going to die as pure as the driven snow."

Regina lifts her eyes to the ceiling and laughs boldly. "I hate to break it to him, but even at four, that girl is not completely innocent!"

"Oh, don't I know it! But you can't tell him that! Well, you can, but I promise, those words will fall on deaf ears." Zelena squints momentarily. "What are you doing in your study? Don't you have guests to attend to?

"I came up here to phone my answering service and be certain that nothing pressing waits for me at the office. I was considering the notion of reaching out to Zeus when you appeared. If he's agreeable I'd like to offer Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley a few moments to visit with departed loved ones, courtesy of my mirror. What was his frame of mind when he left you and Hades? How did things go down there?"

Zelena offers her a carefree shrug. "Why should his mood matter?"

"Because, if he was hot under the collar when he left you, I'd just as soon leave him in peace."

"Well, I thought he left in a fairly good mood. Of course, who can tell. Gods are a fickle lot. Before he left, he did murder his brother."

Regina's mouth falls open and for a silent instant, she simply stares at her sister's reflection. After another protracted moment, she shakes her head as if to clear away confusion. She knows her ears are not deceiving her, but neither are her eyes. Zelena is far too relaxed; far too calm to be grieving the recent loss of her husband. "Obviously, I'm missing something."

"Yes, so was I. Zeus neglected to forewarn me that the only way to return Hades to his full and former godliness was to stop his pulse with a lightning bolt to the heart. He simply did it without warning. Two hours ago, for one horrifying moment, the unrepentant bastard let me believe I was a widow."

Regina shakes her head again, still trying to make sense of it. "Wait. He stopped his brother's heart without warning?"

Zelena nods. "This is what I'm saying."

"And…" Regina raises an eyebrow. "How is it that you're still breathing. If he didn't give you any warning, then I find it very hard to believe you didn't fly at him and get yourself killed in the process."

"Oh, that would've happened next to be sure if Hades hadn't spontaneously resuscitated before I recovered from the initial moment of shock-induced paralysis."

"So, what? Hades has reclaimed status as a full-fledged deity now? His power is no longer shackled?"

If Zeus is to be trusted. Hades seems a bit weary to me for a newly restored god."

Regina's chuckle carries a hint of derision. "How would you know? Do you have a prior frame of reference?"

"Of course not. What's your point?"

"Zelena, it's only been two hours. Give him time. I imagine a lightning bolt to the heart would make anybody, even the almighty Lord Death, a tad sluggish." She studies her sister's face and the pinched expression she finds there.

"Why so worried? You have to be happy. I would've expected to find you dancing on the ceiling."

"Oh, I'm thrilled… Or I would be if I didn't feel like Hades is squarely under his brother's thumb. One of the last things Zeus said to Hades tonight was,' Don't make me regret this decision.' Feels like he's under scrutiny. Like, if he displeases his brother in the slightest way, he'll be tried, sentenced, and banished to the underworld all over again before he can even hiccup."

"Instead of seeing Zeus as judge, jury, and executioner; try seeing him as a speed bump."

Zelena scowls in confusion as Robin taps lightly on the other side of the door before poking his head in. He offers his wife a raised eyebrow accompanied by a warm smile and Regina nods interpreting the reason for his visit; no further communication is needed between the two of them as Zelena queries, "Zeus, God of Thunder is a speed bump? You're going to have to explain that one to me, Regina."

Out of sight of the mirror, Robin quietly watches conflicting emotions manifest themselves in his wife's dark eyes as she admits, "Zelena, I still have times when I am a heartbeat away from firebombing this whole damned town. Even now, there are odd moments when I would do that with a smile on my face. Sometimes the only speedbumps along that slippery slope down into sweet darkness are the opinions of the people I love."

"Okay, I understand now, but I'm not sure you can call Zeus a speedbump along my husband's possible return trip to the underworld. Doing so would require a certain presumption; a presumption that Hades actually gives a damn what Zeus thinks. He's the one that exiled him to begin with, Regina. I can tell you without hesitation that Hades doesn't give a damn what his brother thinks."

Regina shrugs and offers Robin an impatient smile. "Maybe not. But, he seems to think the world of you. I'm quite certain your opinion matters. I know you like having him above ground. And, don't even try pretend you don't take a monumental amount of pride in the fact that you're married to a living breathing god."

Zelena shows off a satisfied smile that is fit for a toothpaste commercial.

"Uh huh. I thought so." Regina nods. "So, Hades lives. No more underworld?"

"Cora's going to oversee the underworld."

"That's too bad."

Zelena scowls.

Regina senses and stalls her sister's thought process quickly. "I only mean that I was hoping she would let go and move on."

"Oh, really?"

"Zelena, I've spent most of my life being mad at her. Except for those very limited occasions when that fact actually did seem to faze her, the only person it hurt was me."

"This is you telling me that you think I should just let go; forgive and forget?"

"You do whatever you want with the information." Regina shrugs as she changes the subject. "Gold was here briefly. He looked terrified but other than the fact that his limp was a bit more pronounced than usual, he appeared relatively unscathed."

Zelena laughs maniacally. "Mr. Gold is fine. The Dark One, however; no longer reinforces his weak spine."

Zelena watches her sister's eyes widen in obvious alarm. "You separated Gold and the Dark One?"

The wicked witch smiles triumphantly. "The Dark One is now imprisoned in his own dagger."

"And where is the dagger now?"

"Somewhere on Mount Olympus - under guard."

Regina presses two fingers to her right temple as if trying to massage away a headache. "If Gold doesn't attempt to steal the dagger back within the next few days, I predict that he may have to be put on suicide watch."

Zelena's blue eyes light up merrily. "Do you really think so?"

"Gold is an aging bully and a coward. He's been co-dependent on the Dark One for centuries. Without the Dark One to bolster him, he'll either crumble, or…"

"Or what?"

"Or he'll transform. It's possible you just breathed life into a whole new monster. We'll have to wait and see."

"Can't you stop worrying for just two minutes? Call me crazy, but I thought you might actually be happy about it." Zelena wrinkles her nose. "After all, the Dark One did plague your existence for more than half your life."

"Call me crazy, but if given the choice between dealing with the darkest of all magical practitioners, an evil entity who could at least be reasoned and bartered with; or dealing with a spineless weasel who would sell his own mother's soul to the highest bidder in the name of self-preservation, I'll take the Dark One. An enemy with even a shred of integrity is far less troublesome than one without."

Zelena nods thoughtfully. "I suppose that's true enough. Speaking of enemies - We tortured them briefly, but Zeus took Fiona and Bellatrix away."

"He took them away? Away, where?"

Zelena shrugs. "He didn't volunteer the information, and Hades didn't ask. That fact alone and leads me to believe Hades knows precisely where they are. Hades spoke with his brother again about half an hour ago. Zeus found the recipe for a resurrection serum on Bellatrix. According to what he found, they were after more than just the baby. In order to resurrect both of them, they would have needed not only him, but the final breaths of two tender-aged witches as well."

"Eliana and Norah." Regina verbally fills in the insidious void her sister left hanging midair as she shoots Robin a troubled look. "Was anyone else present to bear witness to this discovery?"

"No, just Zeus. Why?"

"This was just the first attempt. It won't be the last. Now that someone has attempted the initial power play for one of our children…"

Zelena easily picks up the thread of her sister's thoughts. "If that fact becomes publicly known, it will embolden others who would make similar attempts. It will become some sort of perverse challenge; one evil imbecile thinking he, or she, can do better than the last. We're going to have to be even more vigilant."

"Maybe not. Not if Zeus was alone with them when he made the discovery. He won't tell anybody." Regina tilts her head to one side thoughtfully. "I doubt either woman will ever be seen or heard from again. Zeus places too high premium on family to allow either of them to slip away unpunished. He welcomed both a wicked witch and an evil queen into the fold without so much as a second glance. He's not about to do or say anything that would jeopardize the welfare of children; especially not children he's related to… even if only by marriage."

"I hope he put them somewhere where they'll be tormented brutally for the rest of eternity."

"Not me. No matter how slim, with torment, there's always the chance for escape. I don't want them tortured. If you mess with one of my kids, if you even think about messing with one of my kids, I want you dead! Period, end of story."

Zelena laughs derisively. "Apparently not, sis. They already are dead. Remember?"

"Fine then. Past the point of return. Obliterated, wiped from existence. Whatever! I'm certain he can handle it."

"Fine then, you talk to him. He li…"

"Yeah, yeah. I know. He likes me." Regina rolls her eyes as she hisses venomously. "And this is one time I don't mind you thinking so. Right now, I have precisely zero problem using that fact to my full advantage."

Zelena giggles with malignant satisfaction. "Nice to know you haven't completely subjugated the queen."

"That wouldn't be wise." Regina declares as Robin silently but adamantly shakes his head in response. "Go celebrate with Hades, Sis."

The prospect of doing so brings another smile to Zelena's face. "Hmm… don't mind if I do."

When the redhead's image disappears from view and when the only thing visible in the mirror is the reflection of the room around her, Regina turns her full attention to her husband.

'So, the Prince of Darkness has been revived; restored to his former ill-fated splendor?"

Regina offers him a tentative nod as he crosses the room and steps around behind her desk to perch lightly against the edge. Turning toward him, she offers another warm, if slightly apprehensive, smile."

"is he going to be trouble for Storybrooke?"

She laughs dryly. "Oh, I'm sure. But I don't think we have to worry about that tonight. We may not have to worry about that for a few weeks. Lord Death and his wife are going to be too busy reveling in his return to power."

Robin wrinkles his nose. "I'd rather not think about that, love." He whispers, leaning forward to steal a kiss.

As usual, he finds her warm and receptive, but she still manages to catch him pleasantly by surprise when the light kiss breaks and she fists her fingers in the fabric of his shirt front and murmurs a single word against his mouth. "More."

Desire flares warmly in his blue eyes as he indulges the request. Starting out soft and slow they allow the glowing embers of passion to ignite and dance freely around them. Robin moves in tandem with her as she comes to her feet and steps into the space between his thighs. Leaning back slightly against the desk, his hands instinctively find the swell of her hips and pull her close. Mouths fused, they indulge in and delight one another until the kiss breaks long moments later and he groans softly in regret.

Regina chuckles softly and presses her fingertips to his lips in an intimate caress; letting them linger.

"Your sister's not the only one in the celebratory mood." He flashes his lazy grin.

"No, she isn't. I'm feeling a bizarre mix of both relief and dread."

"You said goodbye to your mother." He nods solemnly; his intuitive words indicating more than just a temporary farewell.

She nods in turn. "It's a strange sensation. I feel lighter; capable of bouncing."

Robin shrugs easily. "Sometimes we get so used carrying things around with us that we become unconscious to their effects on us. It isn't until we set them aside that we realize how much those things weighed."

Regina nods again.

"So…" He raises an inquiring eyebrow. "I'm a speedbump?"

She chuckles softly. "No, that's not what I said. Speedbumps have all the warmth and romantic appeal of sandpaper. You are not a speedbump. But, sometimes your opinion of me is one; and that is a very good thing. As is any opinion that gives me the moment's pause that keeps me from making a mad dash in the wrong direction."

"And the dread?"

"Rumple is going to be a problem as well. Without the Dark One to bolster his ego, he's likely going to overcompensate; become petty and mean in an attempt to prove he's still strong. He owns quite a number of properties in town. His tenants will likely become easy targets for his wrath."

"You think he'll try to reclaim the dagger?"

"I'm certain of it. But, Zeus can handle that."

"Do you think Belle can keep him out of trouble at least for the night?"

Regina's quiet laughter is heavy with scorn. "She's never had any control over him at all. Not even when he wanted her to believe otherwise. But, I doubt he'll cause any major problems tonight. Physically, I imagine he's been through quite the ordeal."

Robin runs his fingers through her hair.

"We still have a few things we need to take care of before we can call it a night. Do you think we can politely encourage our guests to depart and then sweet talk the kids into going to bed early?"

Robin raises a thoughtful eyebrow. "The first one shouldn't be too hard to accomplish. They've had a good meal. So, their stomachs are full. The adrenaline is starting to wear off. Pretty soon they're going to be feeling the effects of battle fatigue and the thought of home, with all its comforts, will become prevalent in their minds. And, it's not all that early, mi'lady. Still, getting the little ones down won't be easy tonight. I do believe they are a bit over-stimulated by all the excitement."

Regina nods as she purses her lips thoughtfully. "Go downstairs and see if you can herd them in the right direction. Give me ten minutes alone to talk with Zeus and then bring Potter and Weasley up."

Nodding, Robin steals one last kiss before leaving his wife to commune with the sovereign head of Olympus. Ten minutes later, he knocks quietly before escorting their guests into the room.

Both Harry and Ron wear puzzled but curious expressions as Regina smiles and gestures toward reflections of those who are present on the other side of the looking glass.

Harry smiles as Lilly Potter takes his father's hand in hers and says softly in greeting, "Hello sweetheart."

He greets them all with enthusiasm. "Mom, Dad, Sirius… Hello Lupin; Tonks." While Ron manages to grin ear to ear and somehow look disconcerted at the same time. He reaches out tentatively, he touches the mirror, afraid his eyes are deceiving him. "Fred? Blimey; bloody good to see you, brother!"

As Regina passes by, stepping toward her office door, Harry catches her eye. A breath away from whispering that he doesn't fully understand what's happening, he raises an eyebrow.

"Consider it a thank-you." She whispers before stepping over the threshold and closing the door behind herself. "It's one of the perks of having a god for a brother-in-law. Take your time."

An hour later, after escorting Harry and Ron safely through the mirror and back to their own realm, Regina and Robin share a smile as they pass each other in the second-floor hallway. She's not surprised when she looks back over her shoulder to find him standing in the doorway of their daughter's empty bedroom and clearing his throat in confusion. Still smiling, she silently points him to the room on the other side of the hallway and presses a finger to her lips indicating to him that their two youngest are up to something and he shouldn't disturb them too suddenly.

As she knocks quietly and waits for an invitation before stepping into Henry's room, Robin crosses the hall to find the younger children clad in pajamas sitting Indian-style on Roland's bedroom floor and retrieving hidden candy stashes from under his bed.

For a moment, Robin stands quietly watching as they spread various sweets and magical novelties out on the floor around them.

Norah smiles hopefully at Roland before wrinkling her nose in disgust. "You can have all my licorice whips. I don't want them. They're yucky. They're not the right kind."

Roland squints as he pops what appears to be a piece of hard candy into his mouth and an instant later, when the sound of a hyper chimpanzee escapes him, Norah giggles with childhood glee.

"What do you mean, they're not the right kind?"

Norah shrugs, "Some licorice is good. Some is gross. I like black jelly bellies. But these whips are double ye-uck!" She pushes two packages across the floor. One is an unopened package with ten candies in it, and identical to the package that is opened save one whip missing. "I tried that one. It was gross. So, I tried to give it to Big John. He eats almost everything, but he wouldn't eat the licorice. So, Mama threw that piece in the trash."

"You wanna trade frogs or beans."

"Can I have a little bit of both… or maybe some bubble gum."

Roland eyes the licorice packets on the floor between them and carefully selects a single chocolate frog, a carton of Bertie Bott's every flavor beans that is 2/3 empty and a handful of bubble gum from his own collection. "If you get gum in your hair, you didn't get it from me… And don't chew more than one piece at a time!"

Norah happily dumps the lot of it into the plastic purple basket that holds her stash before she glances up and catches sight of Robin in the doorway. Hoping he won't put a stop to their bartering, she smiles brightly, "Hi Daddy!" She whispers eagerly as she holds up her basket. "You want some candy?"

Chuckling at the obvious ploy, Robin steps into the room and joins them on the floor, scooping her up into his lap. "You can keep your candy." He whispers conspiratorially. I won't rat you out. Just don't eat it all at once and give yourself a tummy ache."

Roland sorts through his own collection momentarily before he pulls out a handful of rectangular red candies that are individually wrapped. He divides them equally and puts half in his sister's basket. "Don't eat those Norah. Save them. If Regina finds your candy, just give her a few of those and she will let you keep some and of it. She loves those cinnamon flavored ones."

Laughing, Robin reaches out and musses his son's hair. "You little sneak! Where did you learn the fine art of bribery?"

Roland shoots his father a deadpan look; his words dripping with sarcasm. "Gee, I don't know, Dad. Somebody must've taught me."

Robin drops his voice to a nearly inaudible level. "Just don't ever let her know you're honing your craft on her. If you do that, the lot of us will be in serious trouble, mi'boy."

Roland nods vigorously. "Right then."

Robin gently pokes his daughter in the ribs. "Give your brother something else to make it a fair trade. Right now, I think you're definitely the one coming out ahead on this deal."

Searching through her purple basket, deciding what she's willing to part with, Norah selects a small handful of peanut butter bark candies and a packet of Pop Rocks. "Mr. Ron liked my fizzy rocks. He says they don't have those in his realm." She passes the collection to Roland.

He stares with mild confusion. "You sure? You love this peanut butter bark."

Norah shrugs. "It's a good trade. You gave me magic jelly beans and another chocolate frog. I ate the one Mr. Harry gave me already."

"Did you save the card inside?"

"Yep, course I did. Mr. Ron said I had to. I got Her-my-oh-knee's. He said hers is the best card ever!"

Roland laughs. "I think you mean, Hermione."

Norah squints comically. "That's what I said. It's a hard name to say."

While Roland shrugs, Robin pilfers an individually wrapped lemon drop from his daughter's basket and pops it into his mouth.

For a moment, he has her undivided attention and then, she smiles and shrugs. "Have another one if you want to, Daddy."

"No, thank you. One is enough. Now, you two put these baskets away. No more candy tonight. It's time to go to sleep." Coming to his feet, he holds his daughter captive with an arm tucked securely around her belly and quickly retrieves the basket of candy she's enthusiastically reaching for with his free hand. He waits for his son to return his personal stash of sweets to its hidey-hole beneath the bed. When Roland climbs into bed, Robin drapes only the thin top sheet over him.

"Good night, son."

The curly haired boy smiles up at him before turning his gaze to the small framed picture of his mother on his bedside table. "Night Dad… Night Mama."

As Robin flicks out light and totes Norah out the door, carrying her like a sack of potatoes, she calls out to her brother giggling. "The bed bugs are gonna eat you up."

"Na uh!" Roland teases. "I left them all in your room."

"Did not!"

"Did too."

Stepping from one room and into the other with long easy strides, Robin carefully weaves his way through the minefield of toys that need to be put away and gently tosses his giggling child onto her bed and sets the basket of goodies on a shelf too high for her to reach. When she frowns, he smiles. "I'll give it back tomorrow. No more candy tonight. You're sweet enough already - and tomorrow…" He gestures toward the disheveled room around them. "You're going to clean up this mess… before you're allowed to go outside."

"Aww Daddy!"

"Seriously Kiddo. Some of the merry men keep their tents cleaner than this. Roland could leave a lot worse than bed bugs in here and, with all this mess, you wouldn't even know it."

"Okay. If I clean tomorrow can I have waffles for breakfast?"

Robin laughs. "I'll consider it if you do a good job cleaning. Now lay down, under the covers, put your head down on the pillow, close your eyes and keep them closed until the sun comes up." Tucking not only the top sheet around her but also the heavy down comforter to be certain that her small body stays warm in the night because she gets cold more easily than either of her brothers does, Robin kisses her forehead and tucks a raggedy looking stuffed turtle under the blankets beside her and she instantly wraps the toy in a hug.

"Daddy, I wanna go to the train station."

"What train station?"

"King's Cross where the Hogwarts train is."

"We'll talk about it after you grow some. For now, you're off to dreamland."

"Okay but I'm gonna dream about the train."

"That's good. Now, go to sleep my little firefly."

He waits for her to snuggle in, yawn, and close her eyes for a good 60 seconds before daring to leave her side. Making his way back to the door, careful not to step on any of her toys, he turns out the light and leaves the door ajar. He's halfway to Henry's bedroom door when his little girl shouts, "Love you!"

"I love you more. Go to sleep!"

He taps lightly against the frame of Henry's open bedroom door and finds the high school senior stretched out on his bed, above the blankets, and writing the day's events down on a blank sheet of paper. Without even looking up Henry automatically replies, "Night Robin."

Gesturing her way, Robin inquires, "Mind if I steal your mom away?

Wrinkling his nose in jest, Henry teases, "Naa, you can have her! I'm done with her for the day."

Swatting at him in protest even as she kisses the top of his head, Regina growls in mock frustration. "You should be nicer to your mother. You're going to want money for this weekend."

Suddenly feigning contrition, Henry smiles brightly, "Good night, Mom. I love you."

"Yeah, yeah! What time do you and Hook set sail tomorrow?"

"Early. We're leaving at 5:30 AM."

"In that case, lights out soon. Don't stay up too late and try not to wake your sister when you leave tomorrow morning. Have a good time. Will I see you Sunday night?

Henry shakes his head. "Maybe Monday or Tuesday. After we get back, I wanna spend a few days with Mom."

"You guys be safe out there on the water and call if you need anything." Regina steps through the door placing her hand in Robin's as her son calls out sincerely, "Goodnight Mom. See you next week."

As they near the master suite, Regina steps around Robin momentarily and peers over the second floor banister down into the great room below and calls out softly. "Goodnight, Daddy."

From one of his favorite chairs, her father pauses in his reading to smile up at her. "Goodnight dear. Sweet dreams."

When Robin embraces her from behind, she turns in his arms and crosses the threshold to their bedroom walking backward; trusting in him to guide her steps.

He makes sure the door is closed securely behind himself before threading his fingers through her hair and gently lifting her mouth to his.

They kiss languidly until a thought occurs to him and he gently forces himself to stop. "You sure you wouldn't rather just crash? You've had a full day."

She laughs quietly, her lips against his, teasing, trying to ignite another more passionate round of kisses. "And then some. I'm exhausted. But, I've got 30 minutes set aside just for you if you want it."

He shoots her a curious look. "Either carrying a demigod is not as hard as your sister makes it out to be, or you're just utterly relieved to have him back home with his mother where he belongs."

"She's not exaggerating. That's not an experience I want to relive; not even remotely. Still, as miserable as he made me, I almost miss a little guy."

Robin takes ½ step back away from his wife and studies her face seriously for a long moment.

"What? What's the matter? You look… confused."

"You want another one?"

"What? Another baby? God No! Not at my age! It'll be at least 15 years before Norah is ready to leave home. If we have another one now, it'll be even longer before we have time all to ourselves. Robin, what on earth possessed you to ask me such a question?"

He flashes his grin and shrugs. "Being pregnant with a demigod is not an experience you want to relive, but you miss the little guy anyway?" He raises an eyebrow.

"You have no understanding of what it's like to feel a life growing inside you. It's something I'm extremely lucky I got to do once. It's worth every ounce of the misery and then some. The problem is that eventually, the pregnancy does end and then it's 18 months of breastfeeding, diapers, and sleepless nights followed by 18 more years of delightful insanity."

"And that feels like a long time to you?"

"Depends on which direction I'm looking. If I look back to the day I brought Henry home, it feels like yesterday. But trying to look forward to Norah being his age… It's a lifetime. Or at least a very significant portion of one. I take it, it doesn't seem that long to you?"

Robin shrugs. "I guess the days go slow but the years go fast. Norah is growing up entirely too quickly."

"Oh, I see." She chuckles softly. "Robin that's not my biological clock you hear ticking. It's your own."

He laughs and shrugs, trying a little too hard to keep the conversation light, thus leading her to stop poking fun and study him seriously.

"How much of this is just because you saw me ripe with my sister's child and how much of it is genuine? Was it just fun, or do you truly want another baby?"

"There was nothing even remotely fun about mood swings of godlike proportion, or watching my nauseous wife fluctuate wildly between volcanic and sub-arctic body temperatures… And, I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not. But it would be nice to know you haven't completely ruled out the possibility."

Regina wobbles her head side to side in an indecisive fashion. "Okay, so think about it. Think about all of it. Make a rational decision one way or the other. Yes or no. If you decide that this is more than just a warm fuzzy impulse, I'll go to the doctor and at least find out if it's still possible."

"You will?"

"Sure, if that's what you really want. I'm not about to stand by and let you go off and have a baby with someone else."

"Aww, why not?" He teases.

Regina gives him a sour look. "Nope! That's against the rules; big time. That will get you in serious hot water, mister. But, just because we're not going to mix one up tonight, doesn't mean you can't… practice."

"Come here!" He orders softly despite the fact that she's already in his arms. Lifting her feet off the floor, he hauls her forward, across the room, until they topple onto the bed; their bodies colliding in all the right places.