A/N Thanks to Joy Booth for helping with this story.
The next morning Regina woke up rested from the first good night's sleep she'd had in a while. Her eyes were still closed, but she could feel Robin's arm laying across her waist. She turned so that she was looking at him. She loved moments like this when she could just admire him without him knowing. She looked at his chest, at the way his abs were clearly defined from years of hard work living in the forest.
"Anyone ever tell you it's rude to stare?" Robin asked with a smirk. Regina looked up to his face, but his eyes were still closed.
"How long have you been awake?" Regina asked.
Robin opened his eyes then to look at her. His eyes swept her beautiful face and he wondered how she managed to stay so beautiful at every moment he had been with her.
"A little before you woke up. How did you sleep?" Robin asked as he pulled her into his arms, her head resting on his chest.
"Very well, for the first time in a while," Regina replied. Her right hand moved to his chest and started to trace the muscles there.
"Now then milady, I seem to remember someone wanted to wait until we were married," Robin said. Just the touch of her fingers on him made him want her even more.
"Ridiculous," she laughed her gentle fingers still administering their sweet torture. "Who would suggest such a horrible idea?"
"Someone who is going to well satisfied on her wedding night, I promise," Robin replied, causing a small blush to appear on Regina's cheeks.
"And I promise you the same, my thief," Regina whispered. Robin lowered his lips to hers and kissed her softly.
"Are you feeling alright this morning?" he asked.
"Yes, I am glad to say no morning sickness, as of yet," Regina said with a raised brow as if waiting for the dreaded ailment to strike at any moment, but Robin moved his hand to her stomach.
"That's my baby girl," he cooed in that eminently father-like tone. "Give your momma a break for a while."
"She's going to be so spoiled by the time she is born if you keep this up," Regina commented with a smirk.
"She's my little girl, our daughter. She is so young, and yet already so precious to me. I now have four people who I die for without thinking twice," Robin said causing Regina's eyes to tear up slightly. She saw the truth in every single word he said to her, not that she had ever doubted his love for them. Her daughter was extremely precious to her also, not that she loved her daughter any more than she loved both her sons, but this was her baby and she swore she would not treat her child as Cora had treated her.
"I better get down stairs and get some breakfast for the boys before they destroy my kitchen," Regina sighed as she made a move to get out of the bed, but was restrained by Robin's arms around her.
"I have a better idea. How about we all go to Granny's for pancakes? It would be our first official outing as a family," Robin asked.
"I like that idea very much," she answered, placing a kiss on his lips before moving toward the bathroom. "Would you mind getting the boys ready while I freshen up?"
"Of course," Robin replied before he got dressed and went to get their boys ready for breakfast. Regina changed into a nice pair of black pants, a simple sweater and flats. When Robin came back into the bedroom, she was just finishing. He put his arms around her waist as she looked at herself in the mirror.
"No heels today?" Robin asked. He liked how dainty she was compared to him with no heels on. The top of her head barely reached his chin.
"I'm not taking any chances with her," Regina said. "Besides, I'm sure my ankles are going to start to swell soon, so might as well get used to it now." Regina smiled at their image in the mirror. She watched his hands move her breasts and cup them through her sweater.
"I think they are growing milady," Robin said as he massaged them slightly.
"You would like that, wouldn't you?" Regina teased him. She knew most men liked a fuller chest.
"They were beautiful as they were. I just don't know how long I can keep my hands off you," Robin said as he lowered his head, moving her hair to the side with one of his hands, then brought the hand back to her chest as he kissed her, nipping the soft skin of her neck.
"Well Robin, I don't think you are doing such a good job of keeping your hands off right now," Regina pointed out, though she wasn't disappointed by his attention in the least.
"What can I say, milady? You are just irresistible to me. Not to mention, if you remember correctly, I never did promise I would not tempt you," Robin teased as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of his hands on her. It felt like so long since he had touched her like this. She knew she wanted to wait, but it still felt so good to feel his hands on her body.
A slow ache was beginning to make itself known between her legs and she boldly took one of his hands from her chest and moved it slowly down to where she wanted it. When she pressed his fingers right where she wanted them on her clit, he took over and started to rub her slightly, circling her clit with the tip of his middle finger as Regina leaned back into his chest and started to moan.
"Can you wait till our wedding night Regina? Or do you to be on your bed right now, with me between your thighs licking you and teasing you till you come on my mouth?" Robin whispered into her ear as he dragged kisses down the curve of her neck, his teeth nipping at her earlobe slightly.
"Can you see us on your bed milady? Making love to each other all night long until we can't even remember our own names?" Robin continued as he stopped circling her clit and instead pressed on it hard. Regina opened her eyes upon that movement and looked into the mirror to see Robin's eyes on her, watching for her reaction to this.
Robin's mind was on one thing, the woman who was in his arms at the moment. He loved her with everything he had in his being. He loved how responsive she was with him from their first kiss to their first time making love to one another. He was going to do his best to restrain himself and wait till they were married, but it was so hard not to just want to tear both their clothes off and make love right now. He knew he had to stop now before his body took over his mind. Already he was irrationally hard for her. With a soft groan he removed his hands from her, turned her in his arms, placed his hands on the side of her face and kissed her, letting his hands move to her hair as he did so.
"We better go or we're never going to get out of here," he finally said against her lips as he looked down into her face and touched her forehead to his slightly. Her eyes were locked on his. He could see in her eyes just how turned on she was and for one split second he was so tempted to pick her up and place her on the bed, but before he could even think further than that, they were interrupted.
"Daddy, we're ready for pancakes," Roland called from the hallway.
"I guess we have been summoned," Regina said. She took her bottom lip with her teeth causing Robin to moan when he saw the action.
"I'm getting my suit today and putting a rush on it," Robin said as he leaned down and took said bottom lip in between his lips and pulled.
"Mom! We're starving!" Henry then called out from the hallway as well.
"We better go," Regina said as she smiled into his mouth. Just then her stomach growled slightly.
"All my children are against me now," Robin said with a soft laugh. He took Regina's hand as they headed downstairs to get their boys. The beautiful little family left the house and made their way to Granny's. Many a people stared when they saw Robin with Roland holding his left hand and Henry holding Roland's left hand and Regina was holding Henry's left hand. Robin noticed as they were walking a few times Regina placing her left hand on her stomach and he could not help but smile as his family was by his side.
When they arrived at Granny's, the morning rush was finally starting to dwindle, so they sat in a booth with Robin and Henry on one side and Roland and Regina on the other. A few minutes later, Ruby made her way over to take their orders.
"We'll have pancakes all around with extra syrup. The boys and Regina will have orange juice and a large coffee for myself," Robin announced jovially.
"No coffee for you Regina?" Ruby asked as she was a little surprised because every time Regina came in she had at least one here and took one on the go.
"None today, thank you," Regina said. Then she met Robin's twinkling eyes and smiled at him as they shared their little secret. Regina was not going to take any chances and that meant limiting her daily intake of caffeine. She had done some research on what foods to avoid, but there was some evidence now that moderate amounts of caffeine was safe during pregnancy. Sadly, the same could not be said for alcohol. While she usually liked to have one glass of red wine after dinner, she was going to go without until she was done breastfeeding her baby. She had told Robin about the food and drinks she was going to be avoiding so he would know as well.
"Well all righty then, be back out with your orders in just a few," Ruby said as she turned and left. The door to Granny's opened behind them and the bell went off as Doctor Whale walked in and seeing Regina he made a motion with his head that he wished to speak with her.
"I'll be right back," Regina said as she stood up to go see what Doctor Whale wanted.
"Is everything alright?" Robin asked. His concern for her was only getting worse. He saw that Doctor Whale was standing near the door.
"Everything is fine," Regina said as she looked meaningfully at the boys. Robin then stood up as well.
"Boys, stay here. We'll be right back," Robin said. They walked over to where Doctor Whale was.
"Nothing is wrong, Robin," the Doctor said as he saw the concern on the archer's face. "I was just going to tell Regina that I had a cancellation this afternoon. I hoped to have her in to meet with an OB-GYN and talk to her about the pregnancy."
"What's this OB-GYN?" Robin asked. He was still learning the comings and goings of this new world.
"It's a doctor who specializes in pregnancy. I can come in today. What time?" Regina asked. She too was anxious to make sure everything was going as it was supposed to.
"Two o'clock?" Doctor Whale asked.
"I'll be there," Regina said, but Robin grabbed her hand, giving it a supportive squeeze.
"We'll be there," he said as he gave her hand a firm grip letting her know he wanted to be there as well.
"See you both later then," Doctor Whale nodded before he went to the bar to order his own breakfast.
"You sure you want to come along?" Regina asked. She knew some men feel the need to be there through all the exams and doctor's appointments.
"Regina, I'm going to be there for you and our baby for everything," Robin said. He had lowered his voice so that this secret could stay theirs as long as possible. Regina smiled, touched the side of his face and leaned up to kiss him. As they made their way back to their booth, Ruby brought their plates full of pancakes. The family sat and enjoyed their breakfast, while Roland enthralled them all with a few stories of his father's adventures he had heard from his Uncle John and Henry told some of his mom's more hero-like adventures like getting his heart back when Peter Pan stole it.
"I'll be right back. I need to visit the restroom," Regina said as she went towards the back. Once she was done she left the restroom, only to turn and bump into someone.
"I'm sorry, I...William, what are you doing here?" Regina asked.
"I just wanted to check on you. See how you are doing," William said.
"I'm fine, but you really shouldn't be here." Regina said, her eyes darting around to make sure they were alone.
"Afraid Robin might see me? Is he jealous of me?" William asked.
"He is for now, but once I explain to him he won't be," Regina snipped not that she blamed Robin for feeling like he did.
"You have to give me just a little time, then you can tell him everything," William said, praying Regina wouldn't ruin his plans.
"What are you after here?"
"Always suspicious aren't you?" William laughed.
"With you, do you blame me?" Regina asked. Then they both laughed in remembrance of their past together.
"Come here," William said. He opened his arms and Regina walked into them. They hugged for a few seconds. She leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.
"I've missed you," she whispered.
"Me too, but we both know why I couldn't be here for you. That is one of the things I will always regret in all this," William said seriously.
"We can't change that now. Just tell me, what brought you here?" Regina asked.
"I'm here for him," he answered. Regina pulled back to look at him in shock.
"William, you are no match for him. Besides, he is not like he was," Regina said.
"That doesn't change things. I'm not going to let him get away with what he did to you, to us," William said. He placed a small kiss to her forehead and before she could even say another word, she felt William being pulled from her and saw Robin standing there.
"I warned you," Robin said as he pulled back a fist and connected with William's jaw sending him flying across the floor.
"Robin, stop it!" Regina said as she moved to stand between Robin and William who was still lying on the floor rubbing his jaw.
"Regina, he had his hands all over you. Now I have tried to be patient, but this is different," Robin said. He knew his jealously was getting the best of him, but damn it, he didn't trust William with anything these days.
"I was just talking with her Robin, no need to be so serious," William said as he started to stand. Regina turned and helped him up. She checked his jaw to see if it was broken, but as her hands traveled on his face, he winced causing her to stop.
"I think you should go have it checked out William," Regina said.
"I'm alright. It's not the first time I've taken a hit," William said though he was glaring at Robin.
"And it won't be the last, if you don't stay away from her," Robin warned returning his glare.
"Oh, are you afraid I might steal her away from you?" William asked. He was enjoying getting Robin all worked up, and as he saw Robin make a move to come after him again, he knew he was doing a fine job.
"Robin, stop it. You too, William," Regina said as she placed a hand on Robin's chest to stop him. She knew he would stop in his tracks with her standing there between them. "William, get out of here. Stop being such a child."
"Fine, but we'll speak again soon," William said. He couldn't resist getting in the last word, before he sauntered out the back door.
"I'm sorry for over-reacting, Regina, but that man makes my blood boil," Robin said.
"You have nothing to be jealous about. I need you to just trust me. I love you, and only you," Regina said hoping these words would have the desired effect.
"And I love you, milady. I just don't like the idea of him being alone with you and it's not because I don't trust you, because I do. It's him that I don't trust." Robin said as he pulled her into his arms.
"Let's get out of here. We'll drop the boys off at Tink's and head over for the appointment with Dr. Whale," Robin said. Regina agreed, so they gathered their boys and made their way to the hospital.
At the hospital, they waited, and waited, and waited. They waited in the waiting room for half an hour. Then Regina's name was called, and they were shown to a little room that reeked of bleach and antiseptic. The nurse came twenty minutes later, took her vitals, gave her a paper gown, and said the doctor would be right with her.
"You have to get naked for this?" Robin asked.
"Yes, I do. If you don't want to stay for this, I will understand," Regina answered. She took off her clothes, placed them on the empty chair, tried not to rip the flimsy dress as she slipped it on, and then sat down on the exam table.
"No, I'm good," Robin said. He stood beside her while they waited another fifteen minutes for the door to open behind them. Finally, it was Doctor Whale who appeared at the door.
"Wait, he's doing the exam?" Robin asked. He didn't like the idea of him or any man looking at Regina like this. He had thought it would be a woman.
"I'm just filling in for Doctor Lisa Smith. She is out right now," Doctor Whale explained.
"Are you sure you can do this, because the last time you were near me you went flying," Regina asked. She remembered the day the baby had kept Doctor Whale from her.
"Well, I was hoping you might be able to speak to her, and tell her I mean her mother no harm," Doctor Whale said.
"I can try. Now sweet pea, that silly Doctor is not going to harm us, so don't send him flying out the window. And remember your daddy is here to protect me if need be," Regina said to her baby as she rubbed her stomach slightly.
"Alright, let's give this a try, shall we?" Doctor Whale said. He moved his hand to carefully touch Regina's arm and luckily there was no repeat of the last time. "Okay then, let's begin. I have you about two months pregnant now, which means you should be due in around seven months. Let's say the middle of February. We need your family's medical histories. Is there any diseases on either side that I should know about?" Doctor Whale asked as both of them shook their heads no.
"Good, then we move to a tricky part. Regina with you being magical and trying to protect the town, I really hope you make very smart moves. Though your baby is able to protect you both right now, we don't know how long that may last," Doctor Whale said. Robin took her hand and squeezed it to tell her he agreed with the doctor.
"Have you ever been pregnant before?" Doctor Whale asked.
"No, never," Regina answered.
"Okay then, now I have you on prenatal vitamins already. I want you to get plenty of rest, but with that being said, I also think a morning and evening walk would do you good," Whale said. Regina nodded. Finally, Doctor Whale went over a list of foods to avoid which pretty much matched the ones she already was.
"Do you two have any questions for me?" Doctor Whale asked.
"I have one," Robin said. He looked at Regina, then back at Doctor Whale who waited. "Will us making love hurt the baby?" the question caused Regina to turn her head at Robin, not believing he had asked that and causing a slight blush to appear on her cheeks.
"I see no reasons why you can't still have sex until right before the birth. Unless you have any complications everything should be fine, though I don't recommend any hard stuff," Doctor Whale said. "Now I'm going to do a pelvic exam. Regina I need you to put your feet in the stirrups and lean back," Regina moved and did so while Robin watched. He was okay until he saw Doctor Whale put on a pair of gloves and then moved his rolling chair to be sitting between Regina's legs.
"Hold on!" Robin said. He started to move forward, but Regina grabbed his arm to stop him.
"Robin, it's alright. He needs to do this to check the pregnancy. That's all," Regina said.
"You touch her in any way not appropriate and you'll be the one needing a doctor," Robin warned.
"Maybe it would be better if you waited outside?" Doctor Whale asked.
"I am not going anywhere. My place is right here by her side," Robin snarled dangerously. Doctor Whale nodded and started the exam. He couldn't help but think Regina was going to have her hands full with Robin during the pregnancy.
"Now, you might feel just a touch of tenderness, but everything else looks normal. You have a fine healthy baby growing there," Doctor Whale said. "I would like to see you back here in four week, when Doctor Lisa will be the one doing the exam."
Regina nodded and he left the room, while Regina got out of the paper gown and put her clothes on.
"You feeling alright?" Robin asked as he helped her finish.
"I'm fine, Robin. Stop worrying so much," Regina laughed thinking of the way he had threatened Whale.
"I can't help it. I can't imagine my life without you in it," Robin said. He kissed her lips before they left the room and walked out of the hospital.
"Can we go for a walk?" Regina asked.
"Anything you want," Robin grinned. They started walking into the forest and before they knew it they were at their special log where he had found her that day after her confrontation with Zelena in the diner. This time he sat, pulled her into his lap and hugged her to him.
"I said these words to you once before, but you truly are stunning in every way," Robin said as one hand slipped into his pocket and removed something.
"What is that?" Regina asked even though she could clearly see it was a ring.
"This is a symbol to show my love for you. I love you Regina Mills, my Queen. I think I fell in love with you from the moment you refused my offer of helping you to your feet." he said as he looked directly into her eyes. She nodded incapable of words, and he smiled and slid the ring onto the third finger on her left hand.
"So, it's official," Regina smiled, tears in her eyes.
"Hey now, no tears," Robin said as he wiped them from her cheeks with his hand.
"This time they are only happy tears. I love you Robin Hood, my thief," Regina said. When she kissed him, she poured her love for this man into that kiss. His hands moved into her hair. He loved her hair so much, especially now that she was letting it grow out. It had taken all he could do to restrain himself during that missing year to not reach out and touch her long flowing locks.
"We better be getting back or Tink will have our boys on a sugar rush," Regina said when she pulled away some time later. They both laughed and started their walk back to town.