AN: thanks for the reviews, follows, faves, and people who are sticking with me. Sorry for the wait but I was out of town for a wedding, then sick, and work is crazy this month so I doubt there will be a weekly update as before but I will try. We are getting close to what everyone is waiting for. As always excuse mistakes as they are mine.

I can't sleep tonight
Wide awake and so confused
Everything's in line
But I am bruised
I need a voice to echo
I need a light to take me home
I kinda need a hero
Is it you?

I never see the forest for the trees
I could really use your melody
Baby I'm a little blind
I think it's time for you to find me

Can you be my nightingale?
Sing to me
I know you're there
You could be my sanity
Bring me peace
Sing me to sleep
Say you'll be my nightingale
Demi Lovato—nightingale

Chapter 13: Best Friends Forever

The following morning, Regina once again found herself in front of Robin's resting site after she had gotten the boys up and gotten them breakfast. She needed to come here today to work through her insecurities about adopting Roland and if this is what Robin would really want. So she had asked Henry if he would mind watching Roland for a bit while she came here. Of course, being the wonderful young man he was, he had agreed.

Clutching the sunflowers, she trudged her way through the graveyard , automatically made her way to his engraved epitaph, and knelt down while placing the flowers on top.

"Hello, my love." She began while fiddling with her fingers nervously. "I told you I'd be back." She sighed and paused a moment. "I know, you never doubted I would be but I came here today because I need to talk things out, I need your reassurance." Tears threatened to fall once again but she choked them back. She almost felt silly for coming here, like he was going to answer her and tell her it was ok, that she was making the right decision. He knew that even after everything, she still didn't trust her instincts and was afraid of making the wrong decision, the decision that would hurt others.

" You already know it but Roland came to visit. The Merry men called me through the mirror I gave them. He wasn't doing too well—Nightmares and wetting the bed." She sniffed back the tears and wiped her nose. Even talking about the hurt Roland has been going thru gets to her. Of all things, It was most unfair that he had lost both his mother and father now. "So they called asking for my help and how could I say no? He had a nightmare and accident while here the first night." She choked, thinking about those big brown eyes filled with tears and embarrassment, afraid she would be disappointed in him but that could never happen.

"At first, he didn't want to open up but I shared that I too was having nightmares and he then told me that most of his nightmares were about something bad happening to you. It broke my heart to hear because a boy his age shouldn't to go thru this. You should be here!" Trying to calm her threatening emotions, she inhaled and exhaled a deep breath.

"Opening up seemed to help. He was able to fall asleep with me that night and sleep peacefully. The rest of the weekend I tried to fill with fun and laughter because that is what your boy deserves. Henry being the good boy he is entertained him, he saw his sister, played in the park, and even Rob played with him. Roland seems to like him, I hope that's ok. All I want is for him to be happy but don't worry no one could ever replace you." She stated nervously playing with her ring.

"Yesterday, I took him back to the Merry Men as he seemed to be doing better. The rest of the weekened he didn't have a nightmare or accident. But when I was about to leave he cried that he didn't want me to go and told me that the other children teased him,calling him orphan boy. It broke my heart. Children can be so cruel." Sniffling again, she swallowed down the ball that was forming in her throat

"He asked me to adopt him, Robin, like I did Henry. How could I say no to that?" she whispered the last part, emotion coating her voice. "You know I could never say no to him but…" she paused, wiping away the tear that threatened to fall.

"I question if this is what you would want or if you would want him to be in Sherwood with the Merry Men?" she gulped deeply, trying to keep her emotions at bay. "But it seems this is what Roland wants and the Merry Men and I are coming up with an agreement. During the school year, He will be with me full time and go with the Merry Men every other weekend. Summers he will spend more time with them. We agreed that this seemed best for him and that he needs everyone in his life right now. I just…this is so stupid but I feel like I need some sort of sign this is ok. That I'm making the right decision. I'm not trying to replace Marian. The Merry Men will make sure he knows the mother who gave birth to him but I can't help to love that boy as if he were my own."

Pinching her eyes shut, she huffed and bowed her head down, feeling stupid that she hoped she would get some sort of sign from him. Looking up and opening her eyes to look around, she waited not even know what she was waiting for. As she expected, nothing happened. How stupid could she be? Waiting for a sign, ridiculous she thought before she stood up to leave.

AS she was about to turn around, a bird swooped in and landed on top of the tombstone, pecked at the flowers she left, and then looked at her with a tilt of its black—brown head before it puffed out it's orange chest. It was then that she realized this bird was a Robin and she smiled when the bird fluttered over to her shoulder, pecking at ear gently, as if saying are you listening to yourself and the ridiculousness of what you're saying. The bird then hopped up on top of her head and perched there. "Do you think you're funny." she snarked at the bird as she looked up at it annoyed. "You better not shit on my head. Get down from there." She scowled at the bird but it didn't listen and stayed right where it was.

Rolling her eyes, if this was the sign, it did have Robin written all over it. Stubborn ol' Bird. "Get down now." She warned in her best Queenly tone. "Get down now or I'm sure there's a cat around here whom could go for a nice snack." Was she really talking to a bird?

The threat seemed to work because the bird hopped back down to her other shoulder and quickly flapped its wings causing a single feather to flutter down that she caught in her palms As she stared at it, a smile crossed her face and the bird pecked her cheek before it flew back over to the top of the tombstone and cocked its head in the same manner as before. With that her smile brightened.

As she cupped the feather in her hand, taking that as her sign, she was about to turn around when a silver almost ghost like fox slinked out from behind a tree and stealthily made its way over to them behind the tombstone, peaking its head around it to look at her. The animal hesitated for a moment but when it felt safe it came from around the tombstone and sat on its haunches, his eyes never leaving hers. It too tilted its head once before returning straight and then dropping his head once as if to bow at her. The whole time his eyes, which were blue as the ocean, never left hers.

"well hello to you too." She said as she curtsied in reply.

The fox did nothing, just continued to stare and tucked his ears to the side and then to the front again. "What, got nothing to say?" she sassed at him as she placed her hands on her hips, chuckling at her own little joke. "Cat got your tongue? Or should I say bird?" She was officially losing it, she thought to herself.

Then as if the bird was jealous, it chirped loudly at the fox , who glanced over at it and did nothing in retaliation. The fox just looked up then at her and almost seemed to smile before it bowed one more time and trotted away as the bird followed.

Regina watched in awe as the fox and bird retreated towards the forest before she glanced down at the feather once more and smiled. When she looked back up, she expected to see the animals retreating but was surprised to see nothing there. Was she halluicinating? She really needed a drink. But first, she would have to stop at Gold's because there were adoption papers to draw up. He was still a lawyer in this place after all. With a smile, she placed the feather in her pocket and turned to make her way to the car.

A little while later, at Granny's…

Rob sat in one of the booths while sipping a coffee and reading the sorry excuse of the town paper, the Storybrooke Mirror. As he was folding up the paper and went to take a sip of his coffee, the crack of a cane on the floor got his attention, causing him to look up and see Gold in front of him.

"Hello Thief." He said not so subtly. "Haven't heard from you in awhile."

"Shut up Gold. People could hear you." Rob muttered through his teeth.

Gold went to sit down across from him, leaning his cane against the outside of the booth. "Wouldn't want that now, would we? Especially a certain Queen finding out you've been lying to her… All. This. Time."

"You wouldn't. We have a deal." Rob shot back at him.

"Yes. We do. One that you haven't made all that much progress on." Gold said in a threatening tone.

"I need time, Gold. It can't just happen over night."

Gold didn't reply, he just stared at Rob for a few moments before replying. "Tell me Robert, we both know what are on those pages of yours but what was the driving force that lead to your dark path?"

Rob glowered at him before answering, knowing he couldn't avoid this question. The Dark One never left until he got what he wanted " self-loathing. Revenge."

Gold eyed him before propelling him forward. "And?"

Rob flicked his eyes down and then up again with a sigh. "Anger." He answered with a deep throatiness in his voice.

Gold stood up and leaned over the table to get right into Rob's face. "Tell me, thief, doesn't it just make you burn knowing that it was originally Regina who killed your precious Marian." Rob eyed him as he continued. "How could you so easily forgive her?"

Madness appeared behind Rob's iris' as he launched forward and grabbed gold by the collar. "Don't you dare try to turn me against her. It won't work. What happened to Marian was my fault and Zelena's. She's been absolved and she's not that person anymore. I'm not that person anymore."

Gold just snickered. "Oh the Evil Queen, her darkness, will always be apart of who she is, just like the darkness has always festered within you. Your time is running out for our deal—"

"What if I don't want this deal. What if I won't—can't do it?" he spat back at Gold.

If you can't do it well then I'll let all of these retched citizens, your friends, your men, your children, and your precious queen know exactly the fraud you are. Would hate to see the disappointment in your Queen's eyes when she finds out the honorable thief isn't so honorable after all. That you have been lying to EVERYONE since the beginning. That it's all a giant farce." He smiled maniacally at Rob. "Tick… tock… Dearie." He punctuated his words by poking him in the center of his chest each time.

Upon his words, Rob then threw him by the collar out of the booth, not wanting to deal with him any longer. Going to the dark one for help may have been a mistake but at this point he had no other choice. After he watched Gold leave, he hung his head back and rubbed his palms against his face as he took a deep breath.

"That looked intense." A feminine chirpy voice said a few moments later causing him to jump up. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you but do you mind if I join you a moment?"

"Sure." He said as he watched Snow take a seat on the other side of the booth. So much for a relaxing coffee and read of the paper, he thought to himself. "I'd be careful with Gold by the way. He makes a superlative enemy."

"Tell me something I don't know, Princess. Why do I get the feeling you didn't come over here to warn me about a thing I'm already very aware of?" He questioned as he leaned back against the booth, waiting for an answer.

Snow nodded as she swiped non existence crumbs off the table. "You are correct." She answered and looked up at him as she asked her question a little nervously. "How's Regina? We havn't seen a lot of her lately."

"As good as she could be doing considering she just lost yet someone else she loves." He looked out the window before he looked back and continued. "But tell me why don't you ask her yourself?" He threw back at her with annoyance in his voice.

"I've tried. Emma has tried. We invite her out. You spend so much time with eachother. We're worried about her"

Rob nodded a little before he asked her, knowing this may open a can of worms or bring the princess down to reality. "Regina cares about you Charmings…a lot. But tell me what exactly are you inviting out to do?"

"We invite her over for family dinners, David and I will invite her out to dinner with us, and Emma said she even invited her to dinner with her and hook." Snow answered his question honestly, wondering what he was getting at.

"uh huh." Is all he said in return, trying to give her a knowing look. "You want to reiterate that and really think about what you just said."

"We invite her to family dinners, I invite her to have dinner with me and charming, and Emma invites her to dinner with…" Snow trailed off as it hit her what Rob was trying to point out. "Oh my god." Snow said covering her face with her palms in embarrassment.

Rob sat forward in the booth, hands clasped together on the table. "Yeah." He said as if she should have known all along. "I didn't quite think you charmings were this obtuse but basically you've been inviting her to play 3rd or 5th wheel on a double date when she just lost her true love or to a little family gathering when she lost the one she never got a chance to have."

"Is that why you've been so gruff with us?" snow asked what would be a rhetorical question. Looking up, Rob didn't say a word just sat there with a look that answered everything.

"Don't be too hard on yourself. It wasn't all you." He tapped his fingers against the table as he tried to comfort her. "Being around you guys in general was hard for her. Looking at you guys—"

"Just reminded her of everything she lost." Snow cut him off.

"Yup." He nodded in response. "Sometimes she just needed to forget her pain."

"And that's where you came in?" she asked

"Sort of. When we would hang out I just wanted her to forget her pain, even if it was for five minutes. Or if she needed it, a friendly ear. I think it helped that I had no connection to Robin or memories associated with him." If they all only knew that was a giant lie? God he needed a way out of this mess and back to his real self. In the end, everyone was probably going to hate him, especially Regina.

"I'm glad you've been around then." Snow said sincerely, only wanting Regina to find some sort of happiness.

"Me too." Rob gave a tight smile to Snow.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure." Rob answered.

"Do you think there's anything we could do?" Snow inquired to Rob wholeheartedly.

"I've heard that a girls night out is quite popular in this realm." Rob suggested.

"That's a perfect idea!" Snow squealed excitedly. "Why didn't I think of that before? I'll talk to Emma about it right away. Thank you." Snow reached out and cupped his hands.

"No problem." He said with a raise of his brows. Honestly, he is surprised that he needed to prompt this in order to make it happen. It seems the Charmings could be that obtuse.

"I'll see you around." She paused of getting out the booth a moment. "It's good to know someone else has Regina's back."

"She's become somewhat of my best friend. I wouldn't let anything happen to her." Some best friend you are, lying to her this whole time, he thought to himself.

"Good." Snow said before she stepped out of the booth and Rob watched as she made her way out of the diner but not before she turned to say something else to him. "Oh!" she chirped as she made her way back to his booth. "David and I thought it would be a great idea to have a ball in a couple of weeks. Celebrate everything being normal for awhile. We were hoping you and Regina would come?"

"I'll ask her. But I can't promise anything." He replied back, knowing balls weren't Regina's favorite thing. Remembering that robin, no he himself really, almost died at the last one and feeling like a trophy at the others.

"right." He snickered a little. "Thank you though." She said before she turned on her heels and made her way out of the diner. Rob just chuckled and shook his head as she left.

Saturday Morning…

Regina, Roland, and Henry were all sitting around the kitchen table munching on the omelets and toast she had made her boys. The first week with Roland had gone by quickly. Much of it had been spent making Roland feel at home. Clothes, Toys, and other items for his bedroom were bought throughout the week. She was even happy to take time off from the office in order to get him settled in.

After she had the trippy experience at the graveyard, she went over to Gold's shop and had asked if he would help making Roland's adoption a reality. Surprisingly, he had agreed and done so without making a deal, which shocked Regina. Gold went on to explain that he didn't want to see another child grow up without a parent and had seemed sincere about it too. So the beginnings of Roland's adoption were put into place.

Now they sat around the table munching their eggy goodness while Roland told one of his animated stories from the time he had spent with the merry men. Just as he was about to finish his story, the ring of her cell phone echoed from the foyer. She would throw a fireball at whomever was interrupting their time together. Excusing herself, she told them to keep eating while she padded through the kitchen and to the foyer in order to answer the phone. As she picked it up, she snickered once she saw who it was and pressed the answer button. "You're lucky its you on the phone because I was considering throwing a fireball at whomever decided to interrupt my relaxing breakfast with Henry and Roland.

"You wound me, Your Majesty." Rob responded back to her. "And you wouldn't dare."

"Try me." She threatened him.

"I'll make sure to come with one of those water snake things this world has." He retorts back.

"It's called a HOSE." She laughs at his ignorance of this world. "Anyway. I know why you're probably calling and whatever you had planned for today probably has to be canceled. Roland and Henry are both with me this weekend. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to call and let you know. This week has been busy with getting Roland settled."

"Not to worry. I figured Roland would be around and made adjustments accordingly for something the little lad could do as well. But I thought Henry was usually with Ms. Swan on Saturdays?" he questioned.

"Usually…Yes. But it seems Emma and Hook had decided to take a "private" sailing trip together." She rolled her eyes as she put air quotes and emphasis around the word private. "Or whatever."

"Yes, I'm sure we all know what private refers too. Sometimes Emma thinks everyone is oblivious…Anywho, I think Henry would enjoy what I have planned too. If you three are game?"

"What exactly do you have planned?" she asked to which Rob just sniggered over the line. "Let me guess?" she rolled her eyes again. " You can't tell me?"

"You're getting good at this." Rob complimented her.

"Should I even try and convince you to tell me?"

"Nope." He continued to chuckle as he put emphasis on the p.

"Is it safe for my children?" she asked, catching herself at my children realizing it came out naturally. This week it already felt that way and in a few it would be legal.

"I would never do anything to endanger Henry and Roland. It's perfectly kid friendly. Roland will love it. It's probably something more in his age range, but Henry may like it and will tolerate it for Roland."

"Yeah." She smiled as she leaned against the doorway to the dining room and watched as the two boys talked between each other animatedly; however, Henry sensed she was watching and looked up at her with a smile. If there's one thing she got right in this world, it was him and she would do the same thing for Roland. As she watched these two interact, she knew she was making the right decision. "It's like they were always meant to be brothers."

So the two adults agreed they would meet outside of Granny's in a few hours and go from there. After she hung up with Rob, she went and sat down to enjoy the rest of breakfast with her sons.

A Few Hours Later…

Regina, Roland, and Henry strolled down the street together to meet Rob outside of Granny's . Regina was in the middle with Roland to her right holding her hand and Henry was to her left while she had his arm slung over his shoulders. As the trio walked, Regina and Henry listened as Roland rambled on about, what it seems, to be absolutely nothing. They rounded the corner and saw Rob waiting for them outside.

When he saw them from his peripheral vision, he turned to watch and couldn't help but smile at the scene as they made their way towards him. How he wished he could have been walking right next to them. Hopefully soon he will be. Just as they were arriving, he met them by the fence that boarded Granny's. "So you guys ready to have some fun?" He asked them.

"That depends upon your definition of fun?" Henry retorted back to him.

"Touché." He chuckled at Henry. "I promise we will do something more your speed another day, alright?"

"Fair enough." Henry replied back.

"So what are we doing?" Regina asked him.

"Yeah, Mr. Rob. What are we doing?" Roland asked as swung Regina's hand back and forth.

"Come on, follow me." He directed them ahead with a wave of his hand and the four of them walked together, with Rob leading a few steps ahead, for a couple of blocks. They halted at a storefront with colorful paintings in the window and bright letters reading above "Anastasia's Artistry and Craft."

"Arts and Crafts?" Regina inquired with a raise of her brow as she looked over towards Rob.

"I said it was more Roland's speed but she also totes that it's for kids AND adults." He defended himself to her.

"I guess we shall see about that. You boys want to do this?" she ran her fingers through Roland's long curls, thinking that he would need a hair cut soon.

"I like to paint, Gina!" Roland exclaimed excitedly as he looked up at her and swung her hand.

"What about you?" She turned and asked Henry.

"I don't mind doing this for a bit. I used to like to play with clay when I was younger." He stated as he smiled at her, referencing to the mold of his hand he had made for her when he was little. "Besides, Roland seems excited."

Regina nodded at him and squeezed Roland's hand before she looked towards Rob. "OK Outlaw. We're game."

"Ok clan. Lets make some art." He held open the door and let them go before him before he followed them in.

"Wow." Regina looked around the place in wonder after they had entered. To her left, there were chairs with easels in front of them for people who wanted to paint. Straight in front of her, there were several pottery wheels with chairs and set up. Then next to those were tables with different type of charcoals for sketching. Finally to the left, there was a station set up for what appeared to be a sort of make your own jewelry. "They have every sort of art here."

"Indeed we do." Chirped the red head with long flowing hair, trim figure, and what appeared to be a slight Russian accent. "Welcome to Anastasia's arts and crafts." The group watched as Ana walked around the front desk to meet with them and stuck out her hand for a handshake. "I'm Anastasia—Anastasia Rominov."

"THE Anastasia Romanov, as in the Duchess of Russia?" Henry said excitedly as he took her hand first. "Awesome!"

"That's me and I own this place with my husband Dimitri." She said as she shook Henry, Rob, and Regina's hands. When she got to Roland she crouched down to his height. "And who are you?" Anastasia asked him in her sing song voice.

"I'm Roland." He said a little shy as he held on to Regina's legs.

"I like that name." she said genuinely. "How old are you, Roland."

"I'm this many." He said as he held up five fingers tentatively.

"Such a big boy." She exclaimed as she smiled at him. "Do you like art Roland?"

"I do." He answered her as he leaned more into Regina as she ran her fingers through his curls. "I like to make figurines and paint."

"Then I would say molding clay is an excellent place for you to begin. That is if your Mom says its ok." Anastasia looked up at Regina for confirmation and her heart warmed a little at the term, even if the woman was doing it just to be polite. Soon enough, she would be his mother legally and she already felt like one to him.

"I think Roland would like that very much, wouldn't you, Roland?" Regina glanced down at him with a knowing smile. Roland shook his head excitedly in conformation.

"Come on Ro." Henry said as he took his hand and guided him to the middle of the room where the clay was set up. "Lets go get messy with some clay." Henry turned and winked at his mother.

"Not too messy!" she scolded as she watched her boys sit down and began to take directions from Anastasia who had followed them.

"Come on." Rob said to her after the boys began to get settled in. "lets go sit over at these tables."

Regina followed him and the sat down next to each other at the jewelry station.

"So…" Rob started off.

"Yeah?" Regina queried with a raise of her brows."

"Did Snow tell you?" Rob asked as he sat back in his chair, knowing Regina was going to love to learn of the Ball Snow had planned.

"Tell me what?"

"I'm surprised, as she can't seem to hold in her excitement at the ball she has planned in a couple of weeks?"

"Ball!" Regina exclaimed a little too loudly in startlement. "Leave it up to her to want throw a ball." She scoffed in annoyance. Really she shouldn't be that amazed, this is snow they were talking about. She rolled her eyes at the thought of going.

"She really wants you to go."

"Well what If I don't want to go? I hate these things!" She folded her arms in front of her and stomped her foot down like a petulant child.

"Why exactly is that?" Rob leaned against the table and turned towards her more to gain her attention.

"They're just so Royal and pompous. The dresses and the extravagance of the food are just ridiculous. It's all a big game for men to just parade their woman around like trophies."

"Let me guess." He leaned a little further into her so he could whisper. "You're old not so considerate tosser of former husband used to do this?"

She shivered a little everytime someone called that man her husband because he definitely was not a prime example of what one was supposed to be. "Yes." She whispered so quietly he could almost not hear her answer.

He nodded his hand in understanding. "Yeah…definite tosser but why do I get the feeling that isn't the whole reason you don't want to go?"

There he goes again, reading her like an open book. How did he do that? Taking a deep breath, she answered him. "I never had anyone to dance with." She began as she nervously rubbed her palms against her pants. "The king always gave his attention to his precious daughter…Not that I really wanted his attention to begin with but, while we were in Camelot, there was a ball, Robin was there, and we danced and—"

"It was perfect." He completed for her with a grin, knowing he felt the same way in that moment as well.

Pausing a moment, she gave him an inquisical look before nodding her head. "Yes…well..if you take the part out where a knight tried to stab me and Robin had to be heroic and step in front of me. Always getting in the way." She sniffled back the tears that threatened to develop at that statement because she warned him from the very beginning not to her in her way. Why didn't he listen?

"It seems to me he was protecting something, or someone, very sacred to him. Someone who he thought was worth dying in order to protect." As he said this, he gazed deep into her eyes before she glanced away.

"I'm not wor—"

"I think there are many who would argue against that, including Robin." He cut her off as he took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "How about this?"

"What?" she asked as she exhaled a breath she was holding.

"How about we go together. We get all fancied up, eat the extravagant food, and dance badly together? Laugh at the ridiculousness of it all?"

She sniggered at the last part. "I need a dress."

"Then we will get you a dress." He stated simply.

"And I don't want to look like a fool while everyone waltz's around gracefully." She gestured her hand in a figure eight for emphasis on waltzing.

"That's what the wonders of something this world calls you tube is for." He countered back. "We can learn together."

"You're going to have to get rid of the leather jacket and dress nice. Maybe even make a trip to see Sweeney to trim that thing you call a goatee."

"Done and they don't make dress robes in leather?" He asked with cheek to which she rolled her eyes.

"No. You have to wear something called a tux in this world."

"Done. Now will you go?" he asked with some exacerbation in his voice, why must this woman be so difficult? But oh did he love her for it.

"Fine. I'll go but only because I will never hear the end of It from snow if I don't."

"Good." He nodded. "Then we will fetch you a dress some evening this week."

"Fine." She said back.

"ok." he said as he looked at the different containers of beads and charms in the middle of the table. "What do you suppose people make with these?" He questioned holding up a charm that said "BFF."

"Looks like people would make some kind of jewelry with it, being it bracelets, necklaces, and earrings." Regina offered an answer to him.

"Bracelets are the most common." Anastasia came up behind them as she answered, causing both of them to jump and turn to look at the smiling woman. "Friendship bracelets to be exact."

"Friendship bracelets?" Rob asked with a confused raise of his brow.

"People usually take that clear stretchy wire there, add beads and charms that they think the other person would like, and then exchange. Why don't you too give it a shot while the boys continue with the clay? They're buy one get one free today."

With a shrug of her shoulders, Regina glanced over to Rob. "Sure, why not?"

"Why not?" Rob echoed back. "What color beading would you like your majesty?" He asked as he glanced around at the array of rainbow colors in each container.

"She said we are supposed to make them of what we think the other would like. Take a guess." She challenged him with smirk. "Or do you not know we that well yet, Outlaw? Here's a hint, Don't choose a wicked witch green."

Rob choked out a laugh, knowing she was referring to her sister. He would indeed not choose a color like that for her. "I look forward to what you make for me, your majesty."

"Easy." She said as she picked a silver motorcycle bead and thread it through the string. "I'll just put these little motorcycles on it."

"That's breaking the rules, you have to use different ones and the colored ones." He argued against her tactics.

"Do you always have to be so difficult?" she countered back.

"Well maybe you should be more creative, your majesty."

"I'll show you creative." She taunted back as she took a handful of forest green beads and began to thread them. For some reason, it seemed this color suited him and she had no idea why. Then she took a couple of the different silver beads with designs on them that Rob could not make out and alternated them after some green ones.

For awhile, the two continued to work in contented silence before Regina spoke breaking it. "So there's something I wanted to ask you." A little nervousness was behind her voice as she said this. Not knowing what he would think or what he would say.

"Shoot." Rob urged her on as he looked up from threading purple beads.

"Have you found a job yet?"

With an amused chuckle, rob responded. "Unfortunately not. Not many people want to hire a common criminal. Although Granny gives me some work around the diner and B&B to pay for my housing."

"Well..." she hesitated a little before she stopped what she was doing and looked up at him. "How would you feel about watching Roland during the day while I am at work and then after school for a few hours when summer break is over?"

"You want me to be the ' nanny?" he asked, a little surprised.

"Sort of. I guess?" she snickered at the term. "Roland likes you and you're good with him. It pays pretty well and maybe comes with the bonus of dinner every once in awhile. And…well…you're one of the only people I trust who is available to do it. I interviewed some people and they're all morons."

"I'll take that as a complement." He laughed a little in response. "Mary Poppins was already taken?"

"You know, I am surprised she hasn't shown up by now." Regina commented as the two laughed together. "What do you say?" she asked hopeful that he would accept. Roland seemed to take to him and she wouldn't trust just anybody with her youngest. It seemed unfair to ask Henry to watch him everyday during the summer and she had the finances to pay someone. As always, for some reason, she trusted him.

"I'd say for the first time, in a long time, I have a legitimate job." He smiled at her before continuing. "Thank you, Regina. I promise your little lad will be safe in my charge."

"Good…Because if anything happens to him under your watch, it will be your head." For some reason, she felt she could trust that he would never let anything to happen to Roland.

"I am certain you mean those words."

Glad that he took the job, she glanced back down and continued on her bracelet as Rob did the same. A little while later, she put the finishing touches on his bracelet and announced that she was done. Shortly after Rob was finished and Anastasia came over and showed them how to fasten the two ends together so they would not rip apart.

"Ok, ladies first." Rob said as he held out his hand. "May I have your hand?"

Raising her hand, she settled it in his palm and extended her fingers so he could slide the bracelet on. For whatever reason, she felt a warmth run through her at the contact and looked up at him to see the warmest blue eyes. Blue eyes that felt oh some familiar.

"So, tell me what do you think? Do I know you pretty well?" He inquired and she looked down to see mostly purple beads alternating with a few different silver ones, the silver ones being a horse, an apple, a crown, and one inscribed with the word mother in cursive. In the middle of those, was one that said "BFF." As she wrapped her hand around her wrist and ran her thumb over it, she couldn't help but smile and think that yes, he seemed to know her pretty well. The smile continued as she looked up at him. "I'd say you know me pretty well…for an outlaw. She deadpanned.

Looking down and then back up, he chuckled as he held up his hand for her. "Lets see how well you know me." He baited her as he held up his hand.

With a cheeky smirk, she slide the bracelet over his hand and snapped it around his wrist. His was mostly forest green beads with a few silver alternating in between as well. It seemed their minds thought a like. He too had a BFF bead in the middle with the others being a bow and arrow, motorcycle, A hand with an open palm, and a pine tree. "What's with the hand?"

The right side of her lip upturned before she explained. "Well…you are a thief and outlaw."

"Nice." He laughed as he looked at the bracelet before looking up at her before a serious expression crossed his face.

"What?" she asked as she noticed the change in expression.

Before he answered her, he took her hand that had the bracelet wrapped around her wrist and gave it a squeeze. "Promise me something?"

"Ok." she said a little hesitantly over the seriousness of his tone. "Go on."

"Promise me that no matter what happens, we will remain at least friends."

"That's a little cryptic, don't you think?" she stated back with concern, not knowing where this seriousness came from or why he was asking this

"Just promise me?" he urged as he dipped his head and met her eyes. Some day the truth would be revealed about who he really is, whether it was on his terms or not, and he wasn't completely sure how she would react. Deep in his heart, he knew she understood the darkness and would accept his past but the other part thought she would be disappointed to know he wasn't always the honorable man she knew and had been lying to her this whole time.

"ok. I promise that we will always be friends but where is this coming from?"

"Good and it's just you never know what may happen in this world. You have come into my life and I couldn't be more greatful. I don't want lose that." He smiled and exhaled the breath he was holding as he let her hand go.

Her heart warmed at those words. There have been very few people in her life who cared whether she was around or not. Before getting up, she nodded her head with a smile and then went to stand. "I'm going to go check on the boys."

Rob watched as she made her way over to the boys who were working on their clay projects. As he watched the three together, he wanted so badly for all of this to be over and everything to be as it once was and never had the chance to be.

Peering over Roland's shoulder, she tried to get a peek at what he was working on. "What are you making Roland?"

"NO GINA!" Shooting up out of his chair, he leaned over, wrapped his arms around his project, and covered it with his body. "It's a surprise, you can't see it yet."

"oh…and when will I be able to see it?" she inquired softly

"When I give it to you. It's a present." His tone was final. "Henry helped me to make it."

She gave a small giggle before glancing over to Henry was finshing up painting a ceramic figure. "what are you working on, Henry?"

Before answering, he dropped his paint brush back into the cup of water and looked up at his mom. "Well…I can't say I was very good on the pottery wheel. So Anastasia gave me one of these premade figurines." He explained as he held up what appeared to be clay molded into a book that had a quill and inkwell attached to its corner. Yes that suited her boy well.

"My two little artists." She complemented as she ruffled Roland's long curls. Yes she would definitely need to take him for a haircut. It seemed the merry men had forgotten to take this into consideration. That is what mother's were for after all.

Anastasia then appeared back behind Henry and examined his art work. "Good color choices. Now these will go in the kiln in a little while and you should be able to pick them up on Monday."

"Not tomorrow?" Regina questioned.

"They have to stay in the kiln for a good period of time and then cool." She explained to Regina as she took Henry's and Roland's clay projects, keeping his hidden. "We close early on Sundays, so it wont be ready until Monday.

"The little lad and I can pick them up on Monday." Rob popped up next to Regina. "Don't try and pretend you weren't attempting to take a sneak peak at Roland did for you." He teased her, knowing exactly that is what she was wanting to do.

"Am not!"

"Are too!." The two of them sounded like petulant children.

"Whatever." As usual, she rolled her eyes at how smug he could be and then turned her attention back to her sons. "Would you boys like to do anything else?"

"Roland wanted to paint." Henry answered for them. "And Anastasia said she could guide us through a pretty easy painting step by step."

"Yeah!" Roland chimed in with excitement practically bouncing in his seat. "Then can Henry and I make bracelets like you and Mr. Rob did?"

"What do you think about that Henry?" she asked, wanting to know if he was ok with doing these more little kid things.

"Yeah, why not?" Henry replied with a smile and not an inch of annoyance in his voice.

Her heart swelled at how loving and accepting her boy was. So for the next couple of hours, the group followed along as Anastasia showed them a painting step by step and Regina helped Roland make his bracelet while Rob made suggestions to Henry on his. After they were done, the three men argued that pizza would be a perfect way to wrap up this day. Regina reluctantly agreed but only if there was some sort of salad involved along with it. After all, it's not like they had pizza everyday.

Then after dinner, Rob returned to Granny's claiming she should spend some of the day alone with her two boys but not before he offered to take Henry on his motorcycle next weekend with the permission of his mother. Regina was against it at first but if Henry wore his helmet and Rob stayed in town and parking lots then she reluctantly agreed.

After they said their goodbyes, the three of them returned home to enjoy a movie together. Since Henry tolerated the arts and crafts, he got to choose the movie. As they sat on the couch with Regina in the middle and the two boys flanking each side, they shared a bowl of popcorn as they watched the adventures of the Avengers. Kissing both of their heads, she couldn't help but think this is the most content she had felt in awhile and it was almost perfect. Almost. Would that be her fate? To almost have everything she has always wanted?

So…what do you think Roland made Regina? Hint—it's something we have seen before. Any guesses? Any ideas on what Rob's deal with Rumple is? Or what his past may be? The reveal is soon! One more chapter until everything is unveiled. Thanks to those whom have continued with the story!

Next Chapter: Dancing Queen