A/N: Sorry guys for the long wait, I hope this makes up for it. Also, thank you for all the faves, follows, and reviews. You have no idea how much they mean to me. Big hugs/kisses/thanks to OutlawQueenLuvr for giving this a quick beta. Love ya, lady. ;)
It's the eerie quiet that slowly drags Regina out of sleep. Usually, she's woken up by her daughters cries, resonating out of the baby monitor, but this morning it appears her two-week-old newborn is letting her enjoy a few extra hours of slumber. Regina stretches lazily, yawns and blinks back remaining drowsiness. As her eyes open more fully, she suddenly realizes, no, remembers yesterday, the knock on her door, and –
"Wren!"
Throwing the covers off and bouncing out of bed, she flies to the baby's room and is almost physically ill when she sees the crib is empty.
No.
No, no, no.
He wouldn't.
She is down the stairs in no time at all. Running into the living room, practically tripping over her own feet as she finds it empty. Spinning on her heel, she bolts across the hall, bursts into the kitchen and is greeted by the sight of Robin standing at the counter, Wren asleep in his arms.
She's somewhat relieved, but still frantic enough to croke out, "Why didn't you wake me?"
"I'm sorry," he looks taken aback and then shakes his head, a look of apology claims his features, "I was on my way down to make breakfast for us, and when I looked in on her, she was wide awake. I thought I'd tend to her until you woke or until she got hungry, but she fell asleep again." He sighs and steps over to her. "I apologize, I should've told you."
Regina's knees seem to buckle with the flood of relief washing over her. She drops into a chair and realizes that no matter how much she believes in the man standing in front of her, within some recess of the back of her mind there's still doubt. Not of him, but of the danger lurking behind her missing memories. She hunches over and drops her head in between her legs, feeling more than a little nauseous.
Seeing her struggle with the situation, Robin drops gently to his knees in front of her, he cradles a sleeping Wren in his arms. "I'm sorry, I truly never meant to upset you." Her expression softens, he notices and tracks her eyes as she follows his thumb tenderly brushing against their daughter's downy hair. She's mesmerized by him, no longer has that scared look on her face that she had when she first entered the kitchen.
"I know. It's alright, I'm just..."
"You don't have to explain, Regina. I understand."
"You do?"
"Of course, I do. As much as I wish it weren't the case, I'm still as much of a stranger to you as our little one here." He breathes out a sigh and gives her a sad crooked smile. "Trust takes time, and I know I'll have to earn that trust again. That's not something I take lightly."
"Thank you."
"You're quite welcome. Now, how about I cook you that breakfast, hm? Are you hungry?"
"I am actually." She looks down and notices that she's still very much in her pajamas. Her white cotton tank top that's more see through than not, and a pair of cotton shorts. Her face heats but she pushes the redness back and tries not to make a big deal of it. "Breakfast would be lovely."
"Fantastic. Now, I'll give this little one to you," he says, carefully handing the baby to her. "Do you want some coffee or tea?"
"Robin?"
He pauses before standing. "Yes?"
"Thank you for looking after us."
"I've got lots of experience looking after you, love." The term of endearment sounds familiar, like he's said it a hundred or more times before. But she still can't remember. "Nothing will ever change that. And well, having this little one here, makes it that much more rewarding."
Robin joins Regina and the baby in the living room later in the evening. He put in a call to Emma earlier that morning, informing her that he found Regina, that she was safe, and explained the situation to her. Everything that is, except for Wren. He can't explain why, but his Wren is something he wants to have between himself and Regina for now. And he most definitely does not want the wrong person hearing word about his infant daughter.
Robin spoke with Henry and Roland. Assuring them their mother was fine, and would be coming home soon. Henry was understandably upset not being able to speak to her, but Robin explained that now wasn't the best time for her, perhaps give her a little while to get used to the idea. He spends the day talking with Regina, just chatting and holding his daughter. He tells her about Storybrooke and the people there. Their boys and the people who think of her as family. As she tells him about waking up alone with nothing but her ID, a home address and bank account to guide her way, Robin begins to frown.
How is it that all this was here waiting for her? Then he realizes that whomever did this to Regina has to be close by. Perhaps, has even been watching her the entire time. He suddenly feels very very vulnerable.
Perhaps, they should rethink their plan and head back to Storybrooke?
Regina hands him a mug of coffee and joins him on the couch to watch the baby, laying on his lap and kicking his hands with her tiny feet.
Robin beams at Wren and gently brings the subject around to what's been weighing on him heavily for the last half hour.
"Regina, I think we might want to think about relocating elsewhere." As her eyebrows raise he adds, "think about it for a moment." He takes a deep breath and continues on. "You disappear, and you wake to find yourself in a town with no memories, no one who knows you, but this other life is conveniently arranged?"
Regina frowns at that, but waits patiently for Robin to continue.
"Which means whoever did this to you knows what they are doing. If they went to all that trouble, I doubt they'd be far behind." His hand is on her knee, not sure if it's for her reassurance or his own.
"So you think someone's been watching me this entire time?" A mixture of shock and fear shows on her face, but she hides it well, and reaches out for Wren whom he helps place in her arms.
"I think it's not out of the realm of possibilities," he tells her honestly. He doesn't want her to be frightened but at the same time, this is a real and true threat they could be facing. She reaches across the space between them and takes his hand. Robin is quiet for some time. His eyes are fixed on the baby in her arms. "Which is why I think we should leave."
She chuckles darkly at the situation, because it's ridiculous. This is all so damn ridiculous. "And go where?"
"Home."
Regina's eyes widen. "But I thought you said it could be dangerous?" Her face is conflicted, and she gets up, walks over to the bassinet, placing the baby into it. "I don't even know anyone. What if they want answers that I don't have?" She's getting upset now, and is making an unsuccessful attempt trying to calm herself.
"I did say that, but staying here, we are vulnerable to whoever did this to you. At least back at home, we have some sort of protection."
"What protection is that?"
"There's Emma, my men, and your family."
Her arms cross in front of her. The problem is, she can't remember any of them. Family or not, that means nothing to her at the moment. She pinches the bridge of her nose and blinks back tears glistening in her eyes. "Why is this happening to me, Robin?"
He's on his feet and standing in front of her before she knows it. Taking her by the shoulders, his wonderful blue eyes find hers and he tells her, "I don't know, love, but we will find the person responsible. I promise we will get your memories back."
"Was I so horrible that I somehow deserved this?" She whispers, hadn't meant to say that, but it just tumbles out before she can stop herself.
"Hey," he cups her cheeks in his palms. "You most certainly did not deserve this. You are a hero, Regina," he tells her, with so much passion and confidence she almost believes him.
Tears start spilling down her cheeks and she sniffs, looks down and rubs them away. "I'm sorry," she mutters, stepping slightly out of his grasp, and looks over at her daughter. "I shouldn't cry, in case Wren needs me."
He hooks his finger under her chin and brings her gaze back to his.
"Regina, cry. I'll look after you both." So certain and calm. For seconds more, she tries to reign it in, but the affectionate caress of his thumb on her jaw and the conviction she sees in his eyes opens the floodgates. She practically collapses into his arms, sobbing hard but almost silently. The stress and loneliness raw and so very close to the surface.
She's been so strong for so long, and in true Regina Mills form, didn't show any outward signs of stress, besides an aura of sadness. He knows that she has skillfully hidden her feelings, just as she did in the Enchanted Forest a little over two years ago, but he can see them. He's always seen them.
Robin guides her over to her couch and settles her there, urges her to lean against him, and she does. Tenses at first, but then relaxes into his embraces. When she finally falls asleep, he checks on Wren, but she's just as equally conked out as her mother. Pressing a soft kiss to her brow, he leaves her, joins Regina again on the sofa. She barely stirs as he sits down. Glancing over at the baby one more time, assured she is still peacefully asleep, he allows himself rest as well.
Regina wakes, curled up in Robin's arms. Deciding that this is an opportunity too good to waste, she makes the most of it and stays put, relishing in the feeling of being wrapped up in his warm arms. They'll talk later about leaving. She's already made her decision. He's right. They need to go somewhere else.
Not fifteen minutes later, Wren wakes, demanding attention. Regina untangles herself reluctantly from Robin, and goes to collect the baby, taking her upstairs to change and feed her.
A little later, when Wren's cries get louder and louder, Robin is torn away from his restless sleep. He drags his hand over his face and tunes into the sound coming up from Regina's room. He rises quickly and he moves across the room and up the stairs, Robin knocks on her door, and when he hears Regina's soft voice telling him to come in, he doesn't hesitate.
She's sleep ruffled and is walking around, the baby whimpering against her chest. He stops in front of Regina and looks down at their daughter.
"Why don't you let me hold her? You can shut your eyes for a while longer, yeah?" he asks her, his hand coming up to caress her cheek. "I'll stay right here with her, you don't have to worry."
"It's not that I don't trust you," Regina says to him, adding, "I just ... I guess it's more difficult than I thought, letting her go."
"But you're not letting her go, Regina. I'm not talking her anywhere." He gives a tilt of his head in the direction of the chair in the corner of her room. "I'll be right there with her."
Regina nods and he gently takes Wren from her mother's arms, tugging her blanket with her.
She runs her hand over the baby's head, and looks up at Robin with a half smile. "I'm being ridiculous, I know."
"No, you're not. You're being her mother." Feeling bold Robin leans down and kisses her cheek. When he pulls back her eyes meet his and she swallows visibly. "Now go lie down. I'll wake you when she's hungry."
Regina smiles at him gratefully now, because she is finally going to get some sleep. She trusts Robin, she knows that, but for so long she's had this idea in her mind that she would be all alone, and him being here, helping her, it's another idea entirely. However, she likes it more and more. Especially when she can still feel the way his lips felt against her cheek and the way her heart fills when he holds their daughter like he's doing now.
Wren looks up at her father and Robin smiles down at her. He thinks he sees a grin on her face, even though she is still far too young, but he sees it there nonetheless.
Robin moves to the rocking chair with Wren in his arms. He rarely takes his eyes from her. Especially right now, late at night with Regina so near, Robin is experiencing a moment of complete disbelief that this baby girl is his - theirs. His and Regina's. Though he wishes he could rewrite these last few months to be with Regina, be there for Wren's birth, he cannot forsake what he has now.
They are both safe and healthy, and they are all together.
As Wren's steel blue eyes gaze up at him, Robin watches her. He rocks her, tells her stories about her brothers. She chews on her tiny hand, and Robin tells her how she already reminds him of her mother. And unbeknownst to him, Regina is listening as he begins to lull their daughter to sleep with tales of the Enchanted Forest, whispering to her that she's a real princess, how he fell in love with her beautiful mother, and although their love story isn't the way most fairy tales begin, they found their happy ending together.
Not too long later, Robin opens his eyes slowly and looks over at Regina. She is sound asleep. He grins. He loves the peaceful look on her face as she sleeps. Tomorrow they will pack and head back to Storybrooke and hopefully find the answers they seek.