Regina had no idea how long she and Robin been wrapped up together on the sofa.
To be honest, she really didn't remember moving from the kitchen floor to the living room. But somehow they had, and they were still here, snuggled into each other under a blanket, legs tangled, hearts full, all warm and water-limbed, exhausted in every way possible.
She'd cried harder than she had in years, to the point where she was certain she couldn't have any moisture left in her body. Her eyes had to be red and swollen, her cheeks a blotchy mess if the state of Robin's face bore any resemblance to her own. But it didn't matter. He was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen besides Henry.
"What are you thinking?"
His voice was low, barely more than a rumble in his chest. She snuggled in closer, wrapping her arms around him, reveling in the feel of him under her cheek.
"Not much, actually," she hummed. "Too tired to think anymore."
He chuckled and hugged her closer.
"Same here," he breathed. His lips caressed her forehead, and she closed her eyes, sated and content. "It's nice just to feel for a while, isn't it?"
She chuckled.
"Now it is," she answered. "It wasn't before you came over tonight."
"No," he sighed. "You're right. Before we talked, it hurt like hell."
He was right-it had hurt like hell, had drained her of energy like a hemorrhage that wouldn't clot. She raised her head and stared at this man who'd somehow carved out a huge place for himself in her life.
"I'm sorry," she murmured. "I never should have-"
He cut her off with his mouth, kissing her as best as he could manage in their current position. It was awkward, but wonderful, and she slid up his body to give them both a better angle, kissing him back soundly.
"No more apologies," he muttered, drawing back just enough to speak. "I thought we agreed on that."
She sighed before kissing the tip of his nose.
"We did. I just feel terrible about running out on you when I should have-"
His lips interrupted her again, this time with more force, and he maneuvered their bodies until he was on top of her, pressing her into the cushions as his lips greedily devoured hers. Her mouth opened to him, and his tongue took full advantage, plundering, sampling, making her tingle all over. God, he felt good, and he tasted like sin. "I should have...trusted you," she managed, her tone breathless as he drew back far enough to breathe before peppering kisses along her jaw. "Should have given...you a chance...to hear the truth from me."
"I believe I just did hear the truth from you," he stated, nuzzling beneath her ear before kissing the sensitive flesh there. "Quite a bit of truth, if I'm remembering correctly."
"I meant first," she said, her eyes fluttering shut as his mouth slid deliberately down her neck, finding that spot that he knew drove her insane. "Instead of…. from….Henry….Christ, Robin."
He was sucking just below her ear, not hard enough to leave a mark but insistent enough to make her inner thighs pulse.
"If you apologize again, I may take off that blasted pajama top just to get you to stop," he said, moving his mouth back to her neck, his lips hovering just over her pulse point. "Desperate times, desperate measures, you know." His finger began to draw circles over her right breast, prompting her nipple to stand to attention, pressing against the soft flannel covering it.
"Now you're just tempting me," she returned, working her hands down his back until she could cup his rear. She gave it a squeeze as best as she could through his jeans, and he groaned into her neck.
"Look who's talking," he breathed as his lips slid down the vee in her pajama top. His fingers found her nipple and gave it a firm squeeze through the material as his mouth and tongue skimmed the edge of the fabric, making her moan as heat burned hotter between her legs. She pressed up against him, his growing erection notching up the need factor another ninety degrees when it pressed against her groin.
"Robin," she whispered, feeling him tremble as she uttered his name. His breath came in short puffs as he pulled up just far enough to look her in the eye.
"How do you do that?" he breathed as his lips skimmed her cheekbone. She was burning up, and she wished he would take off her pj's, wished there was nothing between her skin and his mouth.
"What?" she managed, pulling his mouth down on hers without giving him a chance to answer. He moaned into her, turning the pulse between her thighs into an acute ache.
"Make my name sound like that," he muttered between kisses. "Sexy as hell."
She chuckled, giving his ass another squeeze as he undid her top button. She felt sexy, even with her scar on full display for him, even as he kissed it reverently, making her shiver.
"The same way you make me feel beautiful," she murmured as one hand slid under her top to cup her bare breast. "Scar and all."
His face hovered just over her heart, the heart that had once belonged to his wife.
"That scar is one of the most beautiful things about you," he breathed. "It shows you're a survivor, a woman who refused to give up on life, even when it tried to give up on her."
His thumb caressed the top of her breast as he stared into her, searing himself onto her very marrow. Shadows of tears still hovered in those blue eyes of his, but she now knew they were tears of hope as well as remembrance, remnants of both shared and separate grief that baptized this new beginning of theirs and crafted it into something sacred.
"You're a survivor, too," she said, stroking his beard, nearly melting into him as he turned his face into her touch and gently kissed her palm. He gave her a half smile before touching his nose down to hers, his breath feathering warmth across her skin.
"I am," he agreed. "A survivor who refuses to let a second chance at happiness get away from him, especially when that chance is drop dead gorgeous and kisses like a goddess."
His mouth fused onto hers again, licking, searching, tasting, and she clung to him for all she was worth, moaning when his fingers pinched her nipple.
"Maybe...that's why we fit," she managed, exhaling when he drew back just far enough to look at her. "We know what it's like to stare death in the face and walk away from it."
He nodded, his attentions to her breast becoming more soothing and thoughtful rather than arousing.
"Maybe," he uttered. "I certainly think we understand each other on a level other people can't."
"You have another theory?" she asked, sliding her fingers along his scalp, his skin warmer than usual. "Why we hit it off so quickly?"
He grinned down at her, closing his eyes, practically purring under her touch.
"Alonzo said something to me earlier," he stated, his brow creasing as he opened his eyes. His fingers moved from her breast back to her scar, and she propped herself up on her elbows, curious and a little nervous as to what Marian's father had to say about their relationship. After all, it was his daughter's heart that beat in her chest, something that had to be hard for any parent to accept. She couldn't begin to imagine how she'd feel if anything ever happened to Henry.
"What's that?" she prompted, blinking as his fingers traced the contours of her face.
"That maybe Marian's heart-your heart," he began, pausing to clear his throat. "Maybe that heart was meant to be with me forever."
Her breath caught, and she stared at him, watching a myriad of emotions play out across his face.
"Do you agree with that?" she asked, not certain of what she wanted his answer to be. It was a beautiful thought in a way, and she knew they shared an instant connection, something that couldn't be explained away with logic. But she wasn't sure she wanted Robin thinking it was all related to her having his late wife's heart.
"Not necessarily," he answered, leaning down to brush his lips over hers. "I mean, the heart, for all intents and purposes, is an organ. It pumps blood into your body. It keeps you alive. You of all people know that." She nodded, watching as he swallowed. "But, it wasn't an organ that made me fall in love with Marian," he continued, his tone now low and intimate. "It was her spirit, her personality, the essence of who she was as a human being." His gaze lasered in on hers, his focus sharp yet warm. "Nor is it what draws me to you like a starving man who can't get enough. It's your soul, Regina, your intelligence, your wit, your depth of feeling, especially when it comes to children. It's who you are that's making me fall in love with you."
She sat up taller, gazing back at him as her heart thudded in her chest.
"Falling in love with me?"
The words tripped over her tongue, fluttering out of her mouth, half-spoken, half-breathed, partly-imagined yet fully alive. He nodded, grazing his fingers over his scalp as he swallowed hard again.
"Yes," he muttered. "I'm falling in love with you, Regina Mills, body, heart and soul. I'm sorry if I'm rushing you, if you're not ready to hear it, but…"
She silenced him this time, grabbing his Henley and pulling him to her, crushing her lips to his as his arms wrapped around her waist. She poured everything she was feeling into the kiss, throwing her arms around him, wanting him closer, kissing him deeper, stroking his skin through his clothes until they both had to come up for air.
"I'm ready to hear it," she breathed, coming to the realization that she was actually tearing up again. "God, I'm like a waterworks tonight."
He caught a stray tear with his thumb and brushed it aside.
"You're not the only one," he admitted with a small shrug. "I've been a sodding mess all afternoon." He paused, feathering a kiss across her forehead, making her somewhat lightheaded. "So...the L-word doesn't frighten you this early in the game?"
She shook her head and reached out to cradle his face in her hands, amazed by her own transparency.
"I honestly feel less pathetic now for falling for you so quickly," she breathed. "Because I'm falling in love with you, too, Robin." She swallowed, trembling at the raw emotion staring back at her, her insides melting into a puddle under his gaze. "That should scare the hell out of me, but it doesn't."
He chuckled before pulling her into another kiss, one that made her tingle down to her toes. It was insane, the fact that she already cared this much, the fact that he'd gotten to her so quickly, but there was no use denying what she couldn't explain, especially when it felt so damned good.
"It doesn't scare me, either, oddly enough," he admitted. "And if you're pathetic, then I've reached a new level of desperation." He drew back a few inches and unleashed those dimples that did things to her. "Do you have any idea how I berated myself this week for needing you so badly after spending one weekend with you?"
"Actually," she whispered. "I do."
He bit his lower lip, tracing seductive patterns across her collarbone.
"I called myself a first rate chump," he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Couldn't get you out of my mind or my heart." Then his tone dropped, caressing her as intimately as a physical touch. "Couldn't get your taste out of my mouth."
She trembled, remembering how she'd tasted herself when he'd kissed her after making her come on his tongue.
"I kept remembering your smile," she admitted, earning herself a disarming one in return. She stroked his dimples, unable to help herself, drawn to him like the tide to a beach. "How you made me laugh, how you made me feel free...how you felt inside me." She paused, leaning in until her lips brushed his ear. "How you made me come so hard."
"Christ," he groaned, practically panting as she leisurely sucked on his earlobe. "We are pathetic."
"At least we're pathetic together," she teased, tugging him back on top of her, trembling as he undid yet another button and his mouth reclaimed hers with force. "Beats the hell out being pathetic alone."
"You can say that again," he managed, the words painting her skin as his mouth blazed a trail down her neck back to her chest. "Does that mean I can sample these tasty morsels?" He slid her pajama top to the right, bearing one breast for his perusal. "I'm feeling particularly desperate at the moment."
"Ummhhh," she replied, words lost to sensation as his mouth claimed her nipple and he began to suck. "Oh, God, Robin…"
His unoccupied hand found her other breast beneath the flannel, squeezing her left nipple while his mouth continued to make love to the other. She pushed her groin into his and rocked her hips, suddenly needing friction as badly as she needed air. He moved against her, sucking and licking with more fervor, making her want him inside her now, knowing that it was a bad idea.
"We can't.." she tried, losing her train her thought when her third button was unfastened and his mouth switched breasts. "Henry…"
"Isn't here," Robin stated, rocking against her in all the right places as his tongue toyed with her nipple. He sounded so logical, but reason warred with her libido, niggling at the fringes of arousal like a pesky fly.
"Not yet," she muttered, biting her lower lip as his fingers strayed between her legs, stroking her through loose flannel. "Shit...Robin...but he…he'll be back...anytimmmmme..."
His fingers strayed beneath her pajama bottoms, finding her panties wet and her body willing. Her legs opened of their own will, allowing his fingers to slide inside her undies and stroke her where she ached.
"I know it's not smart for us to get naked on your sofa and have sex," he muttered, his lips moving from her breast to just below her ear. "As much as I'd like to, we don't really have time. But I thought I could take care of you before your son gets home and I have to get back home to mine."
"Oh."
In the back of her mind, she remembered Roland had the flu, that August was staying with him until Robin got home, that Zootopia was most certainly over by now, that they'd have to hurry before...
"God," she muttered, rocking her hips into his touch. It was all she could manage as his fingers stroked and circled, as every nerve came alive under his ministrations. A noise she didn't recognize broke free as his thumb found her clit and two fingers slid inside her, and her eyes squeezed shut as his mouth reclaimed her left nipple, zinging sharp strands of pleasure everywhere at once.
"You're already close, aren't you?" he questioned, and she nodded as he adjusted his angle slightly. Christ, she was already close, already trembling, already more than halfway there. And he kept at it, pumping in and out of her, stroking and circling until she was writhing with need.
"Shit," she exclaimed, realizing somewhere in the back of her mind that he was doing all of the work here while she was reaping all the rewards. She should reciprocate, she really should, and one hand began to toy with his fly, trying to remember exactly why they shouldn't just throw caution to the wind and fuck until they couldn't see straight right here and now. But he drew her hand away, muttering For you, love into her ear and Enjoy it as he picked up his pace just enough to make her curse again. Pleasure burned deep in her belly, making its delicious way over nerve endings and limbs, pulsing more acutely with each sweep of his brilliant fingers. Then her mouth dropped open as those same fingers fucked her faster, as his thumb worked magic on her clit, as his mouth relentlessly teased and nipped her breasts until her body went rigid and everything exploded, pleasure hitting her like an avalanche as she held on to him for dear life.
"Oh, God," she managed, riding wave after wave until the sensations became too acute, nearly bordering on pain until he eased his pace and kissed her open-mouthed.
"Beautiful," he murmured into her, dropping kisses across her face. "Bloody exquisite, watching you come."
He brought her down gradually, easing his pace before sliding his fingers out of her, continuing to rub her clit in slow, soothing circles as her breathing began to steady itself. She felt amazing, lying underneath him like this, satisfied, cherished and special in a way she never truly had.
"That was amazing," she panted, smiling as his mouth made its way back across her chest. "I owe you one."
"You owe me nothing," he breathed, pausing to kiss her lips. "Watching you is worth everything. But I won't put up a fight if you insist."
She laughed, bringing his mouth back to hers, feeling spent, sated and deliciously wicked. The kiss was lazy and warm, but his skin was still hot, not sweaty and cool from the aftermath of an orgasm like hers.
"You're pretty worked up, aren't you?" she asked, kissing his forehead as his face dropped to her chest.
"May need a cold shower when I get home," he admitted with a sigh. "But this was definitely worth it."
He leaned in for another kiss, his palm cupping one of her breasts and giving it a soft squeeze as she wrapped her legs around his middle.
"Are you trying to make me come in my jeans?" he muttered, nuzzling his nose into her ear, making her giggle. "Because if you keep rubbing against me like that, it's a very real possibility."
"Probably not a good idea," she agreed, lowering her hips, missing his solid presence between her legs immediately. "It's not really fair that it's so much messier for you than it is for me."
"No," he agreed, lowering himself enough to kiss the tip of her nose, something she was beginning to realize they were both fond of doing. "It's not. But I really don't want to face August with an inconvenient stain right where it counts. He'd never let me live it down."
"It would make for awkward poker conversation," she mused, earning herself a frustrated groan.
"Christ," he sighed. "August is bad enough. If Frankie and John got a hold of information like that, it would be unbearable. I'd have to leave town." He paused, kissing her forehead, moaning as she grazed her lips across his neck. "And I don't know that I could ever look Alonzo in the eye again...God, woman...you are trying to kill me, aren't you?"
She laughed, unable to keep from kissing him again, especially when his mouth was right there, that mouth she knew could do incredible things to multiple places on her body. He was irresistible, she couldn't help herself. It was then the realization struck her that she wanted to kiss this man for the rest of her life.
High beeps sounded, slicing into their lust-induced fog. Shit-Henry was home, and she was lying here practically topless under a very worked up Robin. Regina shoved him off, sitting up and trying to button her pajama top as Henry, Mary Margaret and David walked inside, letting in a blast of cold air that made her shiver.
"Hey, Mom," Henry said, making Regina wish that they weren't sitting in a direct line of sight from the front door. "Hey, Robin. Good to see you again."
Robin stood, tucking his Henley into his jeans, trying to give her some cover as she fiddled awkwardly with her buttons and ran frantic fingers through her hair. Thank God he was wearing jeans and not sweats. He'd be sporting an obvious boner in any other pants.
"Hello, Henry," Robin returned, his voice a few notches higher than usual. He cleared his throat as Regina stood, and she watched David turn three shades of red as Mary Margaret's eyes grew wide.
"Umm, we were just going to grab some clothes for Henry," Mary Margaret stated, her voice even more cheerful than usual. "He asked if he could stay over with us tonight."
"He did?" David asked, hunching over when his wife elbowed him in the ribs.
"Yeah," Henry chimed in. "It's been too long since I spent the night at their place, and it sounded like fun."
"You stayed at their house last weekend," Regina said, crossing her arms over her chest self consciously. She hoped the erect state of her nipples wasn't visible through the flannel.
"I did?" Henry asked, catching Mary Margaret's eye as she sent him an obvious look. "I mean, yeah, I did. But...we, uh, we never finished that jigsaw puzzle we were working on, and I really want to."
"Jigsaw puzzle?" Regina echoed. "You didn't mention anything about a jigsaw puzzle. What is it?"
"Hogwarts," Henry blurted out, just as Mary Margaret said, "Cinderella's Castle." Henry cleared his throat meaningfully, tossing his godmother a look before stepping towards Regina. "Hogwarts Castle. Sometimes, it looks so much like Cinderella's, Aunt Mary Margaret can't tell the difference."
Mary Margaret nodded with gusto, prompting Regina to roll her eyes.
"Really?" Regina asked, staring at Mary Margaret in disbelief. "I don't remember them being that similar."
"They really are," the other woman answered, rubbing her expanding belly as she shot Regina a disarming smile. "Besides, I have pregnancy brain these days. I confuse things all the time-right, David?"
"Um, right," David chimed in, right on cue. "In fact, she's confusing me right now."
Mary Margaret shot her husband a look that could slice tomatoes.
"So can I go, Mom?"
Regina eyeballed her son, her cheeks heating at the realization that Henry was all too aware of just what sort of activities she and Robin had been engaged in before he walked in the door.
"Yes," she said, wishing her neck didn't feel so hot. "You can go. If it's really okay with David and Mary Margaret, that is."
"It's fine," Mary Margaret returned before her husband could get a word in edgewise. "In fact, David was just saying how much fun it would be if we all slept in tomorrow morning and took Henry out for waffles around ten or eleven. Weren't you, David?"
David swallowed, forcing a smile as he nodded.
"Yeah," he echoed, trying to look convincing. "Waffles. At ten or eleven. With Henry. Tomorrow morning."
"You know how I love waffles, mom," Henry added, moving right up to her. "And I haven't had them in forever." God, she hoped she didn't smell like sex. She was certain Robin's fingers did and breathed a sigh of relief when he slid them into his front pocket.
"Go pack," she instructed, feeling Robin's other arm slide around her waist as her son bounced up the stairs two at a time.
"I'm going to run to the restroom," Robin stated, tossing a tight smile towards the Nolans before giving Regina's waist a squeeze. "If you'll excuse me."
"Sure," David piped in as Robin turned and ducked around a corner. "And I'll just go...and...uh...start the car. You know, keep it warm." He was back outside in a split second, practically tripping over his own feet before Regina could even say good-bye.
"Oh my gosh, Regina!" Mary Margaret whispered excitedly after her husband shut the front door. "Things are obviously going pretty well for you and Robin." Mary Margaret was beaming as she practically sprinted towards her friend. "But you might want to fix your top...before Henry comes back downstairs."
"My top?" Regina muttered, turning three shades of red when she noticed that she'd inadvertently skipped a button, the result being a gaping hole too close to her right breast for comfort. No wonder David had dashed out of her townhouse like a scared rabbit. She'd nearly given everyone a show. "Shit," she breathed, righting her buttons, trying to avoid looking at Mary Margaret.
"It's okay," her friend said. "I'm glad to see you having such a good time." She dropped her tone to a whisper. "Did you two actually, uh, you know…"
"No!" Regina exclaimed, wincing at how loud her own voice was. "We did not have sex on my couch."
Mary Margaret eyed her disbelievingly.
"But you came close, didn't you," the younger woman prodded before tossing Regina a wicked grin. "Or maybe you just came…"
"That's enough," Regina hissed, stepping back from Mary Margaret as Robin re-entered the room, rubbing his freshly washed hands together.
"You did, didn't you!" Mary Margaret whispered, an expression of supreme triumph on her face before she turned an innocent looking smile on Robin. "How is Roland feeling?"
"Still not good, I'm afraid," he answered, casting a regretful look in Regina's direction. "Which is why I should get going. I know August is perfectly capable of taking care of him, but…"
"But he's not a pediatrician," Mary Margaret cut in. "Like Regina. How wise of you to take her along with you to make sure Roland is okay."
Regina's mouth fell open, her lips moving even as no words came out.
"I-I don't want to impose on Regina," Robin managed, looking as confused as Regina felt. "I mean, I know she's a brilliant physician, but she's had an exhausting rotation at the hospital, and I don't expect her to make house calls."
"If it's your house, I'm sure she won't mind," Mary Margaret stated. "Although it really is cold outside. You might want to pack your own bag, Regina. Just in case you decide to stay over so you don't have to brave the weather again."
Mary Margaret's gaze honed in on Regina, her eyes narrowing to emphasize her point. Regina didn't know if she found this entire situation more embarrassing or ridiculous.
"You're certainly welcome to stay," Robin added, feigning a shrug. "I mean, if the weather's bad..." She arched a brow in his direction, noting that he was having a difficult time keeping a straight face. "And Roland would certainly love to see you, although he's likely to be asleep when we get there."
"So you have to stay over, Mom," Henry chimed in from the stairs, his duffle slung over his shoulder. "For Roland's sake."
"For Roland's sake," she echoed, feeling her neck prickle in embarrassment. It was one thing for Mary Margaret to encourage her to spend the night with Robin, but she wasn't sure how she felt about Henry realizing that his mother finally had a sex life.
"Yes," Robin agreed. "For Roland's sake." He tossed her a bemused look, half sheepish, half amused. "If it's alright with you, that is."
She sighed, eyeing him before turning her attention to Henry.
"I wouldn't mind checking in on him," she admitted. "The flu is nasty this year."
"So I've heard," Mary Margaret said before looking directly at Robin. "She's always helping people, you know. Can never say no to a child in need."
Robin nodded, his upper lip twitching as he tried to remain serious. He was enjoying this obvious charade, she realized. Smug bastard.
"But I'll stay here if you'd rather sleep in your own bed tonight, Henry," she stated, needing her son to know that he was still her priority, regardless of the state of her libido. The boy gazed at her, shaking his head as if she'd just suggested they go swimming in the snow.
"Bye, Mom," Henry returned, walking over to her and giving her a big hug, filling her nose with the scent of buttered popcorn. "Have fun. Just don't stay up too late, okay. You need some sleep."
"Yes, sir," she replied, giving him a big squeeze, trying her best not to sound mortified. "Did you remember to pack your toothbrush?"
"I keep one at their house," Henry answered, pointing back at Mary Margaret as he pulled back and looked at her earnestly. "But don't forget yours. Maybe Robin will let you leave one at his place. It's really convenient, you know."
She cleared her throat, feeling Robin's half-contained chuckle beside her. The urge to elbow him was growing stronger by the second.
"I won't forget my toothbrush," she promised as Henry and Mary Margaret made their way towards the door. "And I love you!"
"Love you, too," Henry answered before pulling the door shut behind him, leaving her momentarily speechless and somewhat stunned.
"You think they suspect anything?" Robin deadpanned, unable to contain his laughter any longer when she shot him a steely look. "I'm sorry, love," he continued, trying to catch his breath. "But Henry suggesting you leave a toothbrush at my place..."
"Is somewhat mortifying," she interrupted, giving his shoulder a whack. "He knows, Robin! He's not even a teenager, and he knows his mother is about to spend the night with a man who just made her come on the couch."
"He knows I made you come on the couch?" he questioned.
"No," she corrected, rubbing her forehead. "At least, I don't think so. But Mary Margaret does."
"Mary Margaret is a grown woman," he stated. "I think she can handle the fact that you just had a well-deserved orgasm."
"That still doesn't mean I want her to know you had your hand down my pants just before she walked in," she exclaimed, rubbing her temples as he drew her into his arms.
"At least our pants were on," he observed. "Could have been much worse if I'd done what I really wanted to do to you."
She shivered in spite of herself, warming up in places she hadn't realized had cooled off.
"And what's that, exactly?" she breathed, inhaling sharply as his hands moved lower and began to trace circles on her ass.
"Come home with me, and I'll show you," he teased, wiggling his eyebrows at her suggestively. She snickered, and he grinned, leaning in to kiss her lightly before drawing back. "I do need to get home and check on Roland, and I know you have to be exhausted, so if you'd rather stay here and sleep in your own bed, I understa…"
She silenced him this time, attacking his mouth with force, taking him completely off guard for a split second before he opened his mouth and responded in kind.
"Should I pack my waffle iron?" she hummed as she drew back and began peppering kisses along his scruff. "Waffles for brunch sound pretty amazing, actually."
"Have one," he managed before giving her derriere a gentle squeeze. "As long as you don't mind Mickey Mouse shaped waffles." He shrugged as she stared back at him, his ears turning a muted shade of red. "Gift from Marco when Roland turned three."
She grinned, amazed at how the simple fact that this man owned a Mickey Mouse Waffle Iron made him even sexier.
"Even better," she whispered, giving his lips one last peck before drawing back and moving towards the stairs. "Now let's grab my toothbrush and get out of here."
"So things must have gone well tonight," August mused, crossing his arms as he and Robin watched Regina check Roland's temperature. His son had crawled into her lap and snuggled into her chest the moment she sat down on his sofa, something that had tugged on Robin's heart with the strength of a semi.
"What?" Robin muttered, unable to draw his eyes away from the scene playing out before him as Regina said something to Roland before stroking his curls. Christ, they looked so natural together it was somewhat staggering. The two men stood in the doorway that separated the kitchen from the family room, granting them a small measure of privacy even as it allowed them to see the dark-headed pair now snuggled up together on the couch.
"Regina," August repeated. "The fact that she's here with you makes me think the two of you worked things out, especially since she brought an overnight bag."
He nodded towards the small case Regina had set down by the front door the moment Roland had spotted her and stood to his feet, reaching his arms out to her in a silent plea to be held. She'd responded immediately, going to his son and scooping him up in her arms before sitting down with him where they still sat.
"Oh, yes," Robin replied, swallowing hard. "Things are good between us-very good."
"Thank God," August said, rubbing his fingers over his scalp. "I'm glad to hear it, and Belle will be, too. I take it you two managed to talk things out."
"We did," Robin answered as Roland nodded at something Regina said. "It wasn't an easy conversation for either of us, but…"
He paused, watching his son burrow further into Regina's chest as she kissed the top of his head. She looked like Roland's mother, he realized, and his heart swelled painfully as she rocked the boy back and forth before easing both of their bodies back into the cushions.
"It was worth it?" August put in, clearing his throat when Robin didn't answer.
"What?" Robin muttered, shaking his head. "Oh-yes, yes. Definitely worth it." He blinked, smiling softly to himself. "Worth everything, actually."
August smiled, gazing at Roland and Regina before turning back to his cousin.
"She's it, isn't she?" August asked, catching him off guard. "Your second chance at love, I mean."
His chest constricted, and he cast a glance at his wedding photo hanging on the wall just behind the sofa on which his son and new love interest sat. Marian smiled back at him, looking radiant, watching over their little boy as she gave Robin her final stamp of approval. He stifled a sob as warmth exploded inside him, filling him with a peace and certainty that made him believe absolutely anything was possible.
"Yes," Robin replied, doing his best to swallow down a fresh wave of emotion. "She is. And I'm one lucky bastard."
August smiled as he clapped him on the shoulder before leaning in and giving him a hug.
"Yes, you are," the other man agreed, patting Robin's back. "But you deserve it, and it's exactly what Marian would have wanted-for you and for Roland." He drew back then and wiped his cheek. "She'd want you to fall in love again with someone who would love that little boy as much as she did."
August's tears surprised him, and he clasped his arm, so thankful for this man whom he loved like a brother.
"Thank you," he stated, inhaling sharply.
"For?" August asked, rubbing his face in an attempt to get his emotions under control.
"For everything," Robin answered. "Accepting Regina, helping Henry get us to talk, watching Roland so I could go and straighten things out tonight."
The other man nodded before reaching for his leather jacket he'd lain on the back of a chair and sliding it onto his body.
"My pleasure," August stated, casting another glance into the family room. "Truly. I'm rooting for you guys, you know. All four of you. Henry's a great kid who's never had a dad, and Roland...well, he seems completely taken with Regina."
He glanced at the two dark heads pressed together in the next room, blinking back tears that hit him with force.
"He is," Robin confirmed, swallowing hard. "And she's wonderful with him, you know-has the touch of a mother." He paused, shifting the spotlight onto his cousin. "Speaking of kids, Belle has a son, doesn't she?"
August's eyes narrowed as he wrapped his scarf around his neck.
"She does," he answered. "Why do you ask?"
"No reason," Robin shrugged, chuckling at the disbelieving look August shot him. "It's just that single mothers are extraordinary creatures," he continued, taking a step towards the other man. "They deserve special care and an extra dose of respect."
"I agree," August stated, sliding on his gloves. "One hundred percent. Do you have a point, Robin?"
"Just that you're great with kids," Robin added, grinning as the other man's face turned a soft shade of pink. "Especially little boys. Roland's given you plenty of practice."
"You're about as subtle as a bull, you know," August mused, pulling his car keys out of his pocket.
"You mean as subtle as Mary Margaret," Robin said, making August chuckle and murmur True. "In all seriousness, though, if you like Belle, you should ask her out. Don't waste time on wondering whether or not she's interested. Just do it. Time is precious."
August held up his cell phone, tossing Robin a half-smile.
"I've asked her if she'd have dinner with me this weekend," he confessed, eliciting a smile from Robin. "She gave me her number so we could work out details with our work schedules and line up childcare for Gideon."
"Good man," Robin said. "I hope it goes well. Regina says that Belle's a good woman."
August walked to the front door, pausing as he put his hand on the doorknob.
"Belle says the same thing about Regina," he stated with a smile. "And Robin-enjoy yourself tonight." He then walked out the door and into light flurries of snow that danced in the chilled wind like frozen fireflies. They were mesmerizing, and Robin found himself staring at them for a moment, regardless of the cold creeping under his Henley and making him shiver. They seemed magical, somehow, as if they were sent here to mark this day as significant, one he'd treasure and celebrate for years to come, one that had changed the course of his future. He waved as August drove away, watching his breath take shape and float away as the snow sparkled under the street lights, and he half-imagined that it caressed Marian's cheek in whatever realm she now dwelled.
"I still miss you, Babe," he whispered, crossing his arms to ward off the chill. "But I'm ready to start living again. Wish me luck."
The wind picked up just then, stroking his neck and forehead, tickling his cheek, and he smiled into the darkness, feeling his past and present merge in a way that left him breathless. August was right. Regina was it for him.
He stepped back into his townhouse, remembering that the night air couldn't be good for Roland or comfortable for Regina, so he shut and locked the door behind him, leaning against it a moment until he caught Regina's eye. She smiled softly, inclining her head towards Roland who now slept in her arms. Christ, she was a vision like this-her hair curling rebelliously, her face devoid of makeup, wearing an oversized Boston University sweatshirt and gray leggings that made him want to slide next to her on the sofa and wrap her up in his arms.
He walked into the family room and looked down at his boy.
"How is he?" he whispered, unable to keep himself from tucking a stray curl behind her ear.
"Still has a fever," she stated. "But it's gone down somewhat. I expect it will break soon."
He touched Roland's forehead, smiling as his son nuzzled in closer to Regina.
"Why don't I carry him up to bed?" he suggested, sliding his arms under the child's lax form. He brought Roland up to his chest and made his way to the staircase, taking them carefully as Regina followed them holding a well-loved stuffed Curious George.
"Where's Gina?" Roland muttered groggily as Robin deposited him onto his mattress, the boy's eyes now at half-mast. "She's soft."
He smiled, thinking to himself how Roland's family was made up of men, how his son had no memory of Marian, how being held by Regina was the closest thing he'd come to experiencing a mother's touch. He swallowed hard as a new wave of emotion pushed up his throat.
"I'm here, sweetheart," she answered, moving towards his bedside and depositing a kiss on his cheek. Robin tugged Roland's comforter up to his chest as Regina placed George into the boy's arms. "Now you get some sleep so you can start to feel better, okay?"
She caressed his cheek the way Marian had when Roland was a baby, the way he was certain she still stroked Henry's when she tucked him in at night.
"'Kay," Roland breathed, his eyes sealing shut as his face stretched into a yawn. "Just don't...leave…"
She blinked rapidly, and Robin slid his arm around her, loving how she stood and leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder as if it belonged there.
"I won't," she whispered, inhaling as Robin kissed the top of her head. "I promise. Not this time."
His heart swelled, and he kissed the tip of her nose, loving the way she nuzzled into his cheek and neck.
"I'm glad," he breathed, encircling her with his arms as they both looked down on his sleeping son. "I'm looking forward to waking up with you tomorrow."
"Mmmm," she hummed, wrapping her arms around his middle. "Me, too."
Something inside of him melted then and there.
They walked out of the bedroom hand-in-hand, holding on to each other as they went back downstairs and headed straight to the kitchen.
"Are you hungry?" he asked, and she nodded as she fought off a yawn.
"Starving," she admitted. "I didn't get to finish dinner. Too distracted for some reason."
"I can't imagine why," he grinned as he went to the refrigerator and took out the container of Alonzo's chicken and gnocchi soup, holding it up for her approval before setting it down on the counter and dipping some out into two bowls.
"Like hell you can't," she returned as he popped her bowl inside the microwave and set the timer.
He chuckled as she moved in behind him and slid her arms around his waist.
"I quite enjoyed distracting you, I must say," he said. "In fact, I'd like to distract you again, if you'll let me."
She kissed his back through his shirt.
"Not until I've eaten," she muttered before letting go and stepping back. "But after that, knock yourself out."
He grinned as he took her bowl out of the microwave and set it on the counter before placing his inside, watching a wide yawn overtake her face.
"As delightful as that sounds, I may need to wait," he observed. "Until after you've gotten a good night's sleep."
She laughed.
"It wouldn't do for me to fall asleep while being distracted," she mused, taking the spoon he held out in her direction.
"My ego might never recover," he agreed.
"It's not your ego I'm concerned with at the moment," she said, arching one brow in his direction as her gaze skimmed downward. His inner thighs tingled, the thoughts of being inside her ramping up a libido that should probably remain on pause for the time being.
"Trust me," he countered. "Little ego doesn't function well if big ego is mortified." She snort-laughed with a mouthful of soup, and he chuckled, knowing he was good and well lost to this woman and perfectly fine with that fact.
They ate side by side at his table, unable to keep from touching as they ate the soup, washing it down with a full-bodied zinfandel.
"I still can't believe this is real," she confessed as he refilled her wine glass. "Us. Here. Together. I just never thought I'd have this."
He took her hand within his a stroked her knuckles with his thumb.
"Neither did I," he admitted with a shrug. "But some surprises are good ones."
She kissed him full on the mouth.
He made love to her slowly, treasuring every sigh he coaxed out of her, memorizing the contours of her face as he pleasured her with his fingers, enjoying the heady buzz of sex, wine and woman that left him panting and hard. Coherent thought deserted him the moment he entered her body as sensation took over and pushed them both to the brink, and he lost himself inside of her just after she broke apart around him, whispering names and muttering curses, claiming each other body and soul. They rode out the swells together, unwilling to let go even when neither of them had the energy to move any more.
"Now I know I smell like sex," she breathed, and he chuckled, finally allowing himself to roll off of her and pull out, immediately missing the intimacy of being inside her.
"You and me both," he said, standing and moving to the bathroom to grab a hand towel. He sat back down on the bed and wiped between her legs, mesmerized again by the perfection of her nudity. "Do you want to take a shower?"
"In the morning," she replied. "Right now I just need to go to the bathroom and get some sleep."
"Fair enough," he smiled, helping her up before giving her ass a soft squeeze.
She donned one of his t-shirts along with her sleep shorts as he tugged on a pair of boxers, both of them cognizant of the fact that Roland could walk in on them at any point during the night. As happy as Roland was that Regina was here with them, Robin didn't relish the thought of answering questions about why the two of them were sleeping together naked, especially not when his son's innocent remarks all too often got overheard by Frankie, August and John.
"Your bed's really comfortable," she muttered as she shifted to lie on her side and fluff a pillow below her neck just the way she liked it.
"I'm glad to hear it," he returned, sliding in behind her and spooning her to his chest. "I'm hoping I can convince you to spend a good amount of time in it." She smiled and hummed her approval as he stroked her outer thigh, her eyes already drifting shut, her breathing already steadying itself.
"Sounds...like….a plan…" she muttered, the words barely audible through her yawn. He smiled as he watched her fall asleep, thinking how much his life had changed in just over a week's time, knowing that as crazy as all of this was, he was more than willing to go along for the ride.
"Goodnight, Regina," he whispered, his arms now as full as his heart as he allowed sleep's persistence to gently tug him into oblivion.
They woke up alone, no Roland in sight, still wrapped around each other and warm from sleep. They indulged in silent snuggling as sunlight tried to sneak in through closed blinds, small strokes and soft kisses that gradually lured them out of bed and into the shower where touches turned more fervent and need went wild. He found himself wishing that his shower was bigger, that his ass didn't keep hitting the shower door when his thrusts became harder, but then he didn't care as her mouth slid over wet skin, as her teeth nipped his shoulder, as her walls fluttered around him and they both fought to keep quiet, as he nearly collapsed against the shower wall, trapping her between him and it, unable to keep from smiling as she touched his face and grinned.
"I'm going to be sore tomorrow," she said. "My body's not used to this much sex."
"Do you want me to stop?" he asked, reaching behind him to turn off the water.
"God, no," she returned, biting her lower lip before he leaned in for a soft kiss. "But I might want to pick up a good lubricant."
"I don't mind doing that if you want me to," he offered, nudging the shower door open and handing her a towel. "And please tell me if anything I do makes you uncomfortable. I don't want you to feel anything but pleasure when we make love."
She raised up on her toes and kissed him before towelling off her hair and wrapping it around herself.
"Trust me," she assured him. "Sex with you feels amazing. And let me take care of the lube-I can get freebies from pharmacy reps."
"I see," he said. "So we can sample all of them to find out which ones work best. For research purposes, of course."
"Of course," she stated, tugging on the towel he'd secured around his waist. "Research is very important."
He kissed her again, moaning into her mouth as her tongue tangled with his, feeling the need to touch her even though his penis was soft and spent.
"I'm tempted to eat you out right now," he hummed, trailing his lips down the side of her neck. "As gorgeous as you are." She shivered and clasped on to him tight.
"What about Roland?" she breathed, unfazed as her towel hit the floor. "Won't he be awake soon?"
"Probably," he muttered, tracing a thumb over one nipple, entranced by her broken sigh. "But I can be quick."
He felt her grin as she took his hands in her own and kissed the tip of his nose.
"Can I take a rain check?" she asked. "I'm sort of starving at the moment, and I'm still tingling from the shower."
His lips feathered across hers as he cupped her breast.
"Whatever you want," he answered, raising his brows in her direction. "Gives me something to look forward to."
A small knock on the bedroom door caught their attention, and Robin tugged on his boxers before stepping out of and shutting the door to the master bathroom, giving Regina some privacy. He then opened his bedroom door, finding a groggy Roland standing on the other side, his hair sticking up in at least five different directions, his Curious George clasped snugly to his body. Robin walked to him and picked him up, cherishing the feel of his son snuggling into his body, all heavy and warm from sleep.
Warm...but not hot.
"How are you feeling?" Robin asked, sitting on the bed as he felt Roland's forehead, sighing in relief at the cool, clammy skin that greeted his touch.
"Hungry. And thirsty," Roland whispered, and Robin smiled. Roland had barely eaten for the past two days.
"So am I," Regina added as she stepped into the bedroom, clad in her sleep shorts and one of Robin's hoodies. It nearly swallowed her, but God, she looked perfect, damp curls and all. She touched Roland's cheeks and nodded, casting Robin a smile he couldn't mistake.
"That fever has finally broken," she stated, sitting down beside Robin and rubbing Roland on the back. "It may come back as the day progresses, so I'd get some food into his system while he's hungry. The flu is a roller coaster, but this is a good sign that he's finally on the road to recovery."
"Sounds like a plan," Robin said, kissing his son's mussed curls. "What would you like for breakfast, Roland? What sounds good to you?"
The boy leaned back and rubbed sleep from his eyes before tossing a shy grin at Regina.
"Pancakes," he answered, burrowing his face into his father's chest.
"I love pancakes," Regina said, toying with Roland's curls. "Especially blueberry ones."
"Chocolate chip," Roland returned, crinkling his eyebrows.
"That's Henry's favorite, too," Regina stated. "At our house, we make the batter plain so we can toss in whatever we want."
"That's what Daddy does," Roland said, sitting up taller. "He lets me put in my own chocolate chips."
"Within reason," Robin added with a raise of his brows. "If this one had his way, he'd use an entire bag for one breakfast."
Roland giggled, and Robin's shoulders eased as the stress from having a sick child began to work it's way out of his body.
"Henry tried to make Skittles pancakes when he was about your age," Regina said, chuckling as Roland's mouth dropped open. "It didn't turn out well-trust me."
"That's just silly," Roland giggled. "You can't make Skittles pancakes!"
"No," Regina agreed with a smile. "You can't."
Robin stood, still holding his son, and the three of them made their way downstairs to the kitchen where he deposited Roland onto one of the counters.
"You want me to make coffee?" Regina asked, and he nodded, pointing her towards the coffee maker and his stash of beans behind it. "Ohhh-Kona blend. You like the good stuff, I see."
He grinned as he raided his pantry for flour, salt, and sugar.
"Only the best for me," he returned, tossing her a meaningful glance. "You should know that by now."
She blushed and bit her lower lip, and it took every ounce of willpower he had not to press her into the refrigerator and kiss her senseless.
"Uncle Frank says Daddy's a coffee snob," Roland stated. "Whatever that means."
"Yeah, well, Uncle Frank says a lot of stuff," Robin returned. "Stuff you don't necessarily need to hear."
"You mean like when he said you needed a good fu-?"
"Exactly,!" Robin interrupted, practically shoving a cup of apple juice into his son's hands. "That's exactly what I mean."
"Whatever that is, it must be pretty awful," Roland returned, taking a sip of his juice. "'Cause Nonno chased him out of the kitchen when he said it."
He heard Regina snicker and turned to see her fighting back a laugh.
"I would have chased him out of the kitchen, too," Regina said. "Frank needs to control his tongue."
"Among other things," Robin stated.
He skimmed his tongue over his lips in her direction when Roland wasn't watching, and her eyes flashed back at him knowingly before she resumed her task of making coffee. The smell of fresh brew overtook his senses as he measured out dry ingredients and began to assemble the wet ones.
"Here," Regina whispered, nudging a mug into his hands. "You take cream only, right?"
"Good memory," he grinned.
"Not hard to remember when I take mine the same way," she stated, standing on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek. The fact that she wore no bra under his hoodie was starting to mess with both his brain and lower anatomy, so he silently instructed his cock to stand down. Just then, the doorbell rang, and they both shot confused looks towards the front door.
"You expecting anyone?" she asked.
"No," he returned, casting a glance towards the clock. Who the hell was stopping by at eight thirty-two a.m.? He made his way to the door and peered out the peephole, shaking his head in confusion as he opened the front door.
"So sorry to disturb you," Marco stated, sliding past Robin, bearing a large tray. "We just wanted to bring you some breakfast so you and Regina could enjoy your morning."
Alonzo waltzed in behind his brother, carrying a basket of what Robin assumed by the smell were blueberry muffins.
"Good morning!" he heard Marco exclaim as the older man entered the kitchen, and he turned to follow, nearly shutting the door in August's face.
"I'm only the transportation," August muttered, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I told them this was a bad idea, but you know how stubborn those two can be."
Robin swallowed down his embarrassment as he motioned August inside, glad he'd thought to put on a t-shirt with his boxers, at least, and wondering just how Regina was faring.
"Is there anyone else?" he asked, looking past his cousin before shutting the front door. "I mean, I'd hate to be rude if you all sent out invitations."
"Just us," August assured him. "Pop must have gotten up at six a.m. this morning to start cooking for the two of you. He and Alonzo hatched this scheme last night, evidently. I think they were as excited over the prospect of Regina spending the night with you as you were."
Robin rubbed the back of his neck, hoping that Regina wouldn't run out the front door screaming at this unexpected invasion. He found her pouring a cup of coffee for Alonzo, her eyes widening in Robin's direction for a split second before relaxing back into a smile that was charming the socks off his father-in-law.
"Forgive us," Alonzo began, taking a sip of his coffee and nodding his approval. "We only meant to give you all some extra free time this morning. Plus it's Roland's favorite breakfast casserole. I thought it might help him feel better."
"I do feel better, Nonno," Roland said, taking another sip of his juice. "Gina says my fever broke."
"That's good news!" Marco chimed in, giving his great nephew a squeeze. Roland hugged him back, nearly sloshing apple juice all over Marco's coat in the process. "We won't stay, though. We wouldn't want to intrude on anything important."
"Like breakfast?" Roland asked, happily biting into a blueberry muffin.
"Like dessert," August stated, raising his hands over his head when Robin whacked him soundly on the arm.
"Silly!" Roland giggled. "You don't get dessert until after supper."
"Nonetheless, we should be going," Alonzo said, turning to give Regina a quick kiss on the cheek. "We're so glad you and Robin got to talk things out, you know," the older man added. "We just needed you to know that we approve."
Regina inhaled sharply, blinking back tears as she sniffed and wiped her cheek. Alonzo deposited his mug on the counter and drew her in for a hug.
"My Marian would like you," Alonzo whispered, drawing Regina in close. "She'd be happy that her heart beats on inside of you." She drew back far enough to look the older man in the eyes.
"Thank you," Regina managed, nodding as Alonzo released her and clapped his hands together.
"Marco-we should go now," the older man stated, just as a loud knock was heard on the front door.
"You expecting anyone?" August asked, earning himself a death glare from Robin.
"I wasn't expecting you," Robin returned before making his way to the door yet again. He shook his head in amazement, opening the door to an obviously chilly but smiling Mary Margaret, David and Henry.
"Sorry," Mary Margaret stated before he could even say hello. "We ended up going out for breakfast earlier than we'd planned, so we thought we'd bring you two some waffles and bacon."
Henry extended two to-go boxes in Robin's direction, making him sigh as he motioned them inside, hearing a new commotion rise up from his kitchen. He made his way back, watching as introductions were made and hugs were given, as more coffee and juice were poured and napkins were produced. Regina crept over to him, handing him his coffee before taking a sip of hers.
"Do you want to invite anyone else?" she quipped. "I think we have room for a few more before we violate the fire code."
"I'll post an invitation on Facebook," he returned. "Then alert the local media." She chuckled, and he grinned, shaking his head as a makeshift breakfast buffet was created on his small dining room table over the din of excited conversation. "I'm sorry," he breathed. "I had no idea…"
She leaned over and kissed him, silencing him as soundly as he had her last night.
"No apologies, okay?" she said, cupping his face with one hand, holding her coffee with the other. "After all, my family is a part of the invasion force, too."
He grinned and sighed as he examined his kitchen, filled to absolute capacity with the people who now made up the fabric of his life.
"What are you gonna do?' he mused, sliding one arm around her waist as they observed their sons laughing together, as Marco, August and David exchanged stories, as Mary Margaret clapped her hands excitedly when August confided that he'd asked Belle out on a date. This was good, he realized in the midst of his exasperation, the fact that they had people in their lives who loved them so much, people who were cheering them on as they entered a new phase of living, people who'd held onto them when they'd broken apart and had helped piece them back together one day at a time. He was one lucky man, and his chest swelled when he kissed the top of her still damp curls, breathing in the scent of his shampoo in her hair, loving how that simple gesture made him feel ten feet tall.
"I don't know about you," she began, tossing him a sly glance he'd like to eat before grabbing up a fork. "But I'm going to grab a waffle before they disappear." She then made her way through the small crowd, sending him a come-hither look as she popped a piece of muffin into her mouth, marking him as her own for the rest of eternity.
"So am I," he muttered to himself, vowing then and there that he would grab life with Regina by the horns and live every second of it to its fullest without one single regret.