A/N Baby name to be revealed this chapter and as we OQ shippers get a bit passionate about the OQ baby name I just wanted to make a quick comment. In this fic Regina was not in Storybrooke during season 4 - there was no search for the author, no alternate page XXIII and the only hope speeches my Regina has had from Mary Margaret were in the missing year (and they were annoying) so baby's name is not going to be Hope.

I had my reasons for the name I picked and that is all revealed in this chapter. So even if you don't like the baby name please be nice about it :) and remember you will have plenty of opportunity in life to name things - pets, plants (your own kids) ;)

Thanks for reading, thanks for all the support via follows, favs and reviews and enjoy this chapter J

Before today Mac had only met Henry via Skype. The ranch manager's house doesn't have internet connected, so when Regina first moved in she was making the trek to a diner in town to have her daily Skype calls with Henry. Mac saw her there one lunchtime and made sure from then on Regina would go to his place to talk to Henry.

It wasn't long after that Regina introduced them. Mac happened to walk past the open study door one day as Regina was laughing at something Henry had said. Mac hadn't heard Regina laugh before, he was mesmerized by the sound and the look on her face, she was beaming with joy and he stopped at the door to watch for a moment. Regina looked up and saw him leaning against the doorframe; a quiet smile on his face and in what was the first completely unguarded moment between them, she waved him over to introduce him to her son. Mac learned then that even miles away from her, Henry was the light in his mothers life. Her touchstone, and just talking to him softened her. From then on if Mac was around while Regina was talking with Henry, Mac would duck his face into the screen and say hello or give a wave.

Seeing Henry at the ranch, Mac realized just how much he had gotten to know the boy during those little chats – and from things Regina had shared during their late night talks out on the porch. As he showed Henry the way inside after leaving Robin and Regina to their much-needed talk, there was no awkwardness and Mac was relieved.

"You must be tired after such a long journey," Mac said, more a statement than a question.

"Yeah I guess." Henry began. Clearly lots on his mind. Too much for a teenage boy Mac thought. "I haven't slept much since Emma…" Henry let the rest of the sentence fall away. "And then coming here – I just really want to talk to Mom."

"Why don't you set yourself down, I'll make you a something to eat. I'm sure your Mom will be finished with Robin before to long. Henry nodded taking a seat at the counter and looking around, taking in his surroundings.

The ranch house was large, with large windows overlooking the training rings. The kitchen, dining room and living area was all one big room with high ceilings and exposed beams giving it a warm and open feel, the room clearly the heart of the ranch. Mac had a photo wall of sorts in the kitchen that Henry was drawn to as soon as he spotted it and he made his way to the other side of the counter to take a closer look. There were lots of faces that Henry didn't recognize scattered in with photos of Mac or his Mom. Groups of kids that had attended riding lessons during the summer, pictures of friends and then there were lots of pictures of just Mac and his Mom. Sitting on the porch or in front of the fire, riding together, at a diner that reminded Henry of Granny's. It made Henry wonder and he side-eyed Mac who was plating up the food.

"So you and my Mom…" Henry began, but trailed off a little less sure now that the words were coming from his mouth. He knew he shouldn't be asking this. It wasn't any of his business and asking about someone's relationship wasn't exactly polite but then maybe Mac was part of the reason that she didn't want to come home? And he might as well ask now while he had Mac all to himself right?

Mac had watched Henry taking in the place and saw him move toward the photo wall. It was actually Regina who had started the thing. She had asked Mac to snap a photo of her and Biscuit to send to Henry one day and it had turned out to be a beautiful shot he just had to stick it up. A little embarrassed Regina had tried to get Mac to take it down and when he refused Regina put up a photo of Mac and the whole thing spiraled from there.

He wasn't surprised when Henry started to question him about his relationship with Regina. It was obvious that it was on Henry's mind but Mac had to chuckle a little and the lack of subtlety. Regina always said Henry was nothing if not direct.

"You're Mom is very important to me Henry," Mac began. Seeing no reason to hide anything from Henry. "We've worked together now for two years and spent a lot of time together. We're more than just colleagues. We help each other and care about each other. She's a good person, your Mom."

"Yeah – I know." Henry said. "I just meant are you – " Henry began again.

"We're friends Henry. Your mother is a very good friend of mine and I love her, very much. But not in the way you seem to be worried about." Mac smiled to himself when he saw Henry relax a little.

"It's not that I'm worried," Henry began.

"You don't have to explain, I had a Mom once too." Mac said in his good-humored way as they sat down to eat.

They both tried their best not to eavesdrop during the half hour conversation that was taking place outside but at times Robin and Regina's voices raised to a volume that couldn't be ignored. Though for a while now the volume had dropped so Mac hoped some measure of 'peace' had been found.

Mac heard the screen door close and quickly made his way to the entrance hall from the kitchen. Henry had gone to Regina's to freshen up and Mac had been cleaning the last remnants of their snack. Two days of diner and roadhouse food had the boy had practically inhaled the fresh salad sandwich and fruit Mac had prepared for him. Robin would need something to eat too, Mac imagined, though wasn't quite sure what he could (should?) do about that right now...

As Regina came into view Mac tried to work out how things with Robin had gone and if he had to guess he would say better than she had feared. She looked almost calm. Mac had never seen Regina completely relaxed. She was always just a little on edge, like a deer that knows there's a hunter out there somewhere looking to catch them in the crosshairs.

"Everything ok?" Mac asked, locking eyes with Regina and asking with his gaze if Regina had confessed everything to Robin. He didn't want to pry but needed to know if he should hide the evidence of the toddler sleeping down the hall.

"As ok as it can be," Regina replied slowly as Robin came up behind her. "Where is Henry?"

"He went to your place after having something to eat. He wanted to clean up a bit. Sounds like these two barely stopped for gas on their way here." Mac said with a smile and a nod towards Robin.

Regina marveled at how Mac could just role with things. Nothing seemed to faze him. He appeared completely at ease with these sudden developments. The news that Regina's family in Storybrooke wanted her home, her son and ex-lover showing up on his doorstep, said lover now standing in his entryway.

"Thanks Mac," she said with a warm smile. "For taking care of Henry while…" she let her voice trail off and Mac nodded slightly, raising an eyebrow at her in question. Regina glanced back at Robin who was looking at Mac with curious eyes. Mac was obviously a decent man and something about Mac was incredibly inviting – he was clearly a friendly kind of person with ice blue eyes, so much paler than Robin's but just as warm, and though his hair was much thicker than Robin's, Mac was almost completely grey. Yes, Robin could definitely see these two as together, yet his heart told him their relationship wasn't a romantic one… or was it? Was it just wishful thinking that Regina hadn't moved on? Regardless, Regina was right. He had no right to know, none at all.

Regina removed her hat and placed it on a hook in the entryway, turning back to Mac running a hand through her hair.

"I told Robin – " she began, but was cut off when the sound of crying echoed from the kitchen. Regina huffed out an annoyed sigh, walking past Mac who turned to follow her – Robin trailing behind them his heart hammering as he envisaged seeing his baby daughter for the first time in the next room. He was surprised when instead Regina approached a small white box, turning the sound off as she declared, "She always has had impeccable timing." She glanced up sharing a look with Mac that shot a pang of jealousy through Robin.

"That she does – I take it you told Robin about a certain little lady," Mac said. Leaning his back against the kitchen counter next to Regina.

"Yes – I'll just take him back…" Regina's voice trailed off.

"Sure thing. If Henry comes looking for you I'll send him on down."

"Thanks Mac," Regina was stalling a little, but her daughters muffled cries meant there was no more room for procrastinating. "This way," Regina said, heading down a hallway towards the back of the house.

"She sleeps here?" Robin asked curious but also desperate to learn Mac's role in his daughter's life.

"Only for her day time nap," Regina replied. "Mac has a housekeeper who keeps an ear on her and lets me know when she wakes."

They came to a small nursery – simply decorated given it was only used 'part time'. There was a cot and a rocking chair, a change table and a basket of toys and board books. Some pictures of cartoon characters on the wall. But all Robin saw was the tear stained face of his daughter as she stood holding the edge of the cot. Her cries gave way to a beaming smile as her mother approached. She clutched a long limbed doll that looked to be made completely of fabric – even the hair. It was clean but obviously well loved and as Regina plucked her from the cot Robin saw she was dressing in a little sleeping bag that hung over her shoulders. Regina instinctively held her up softly cooing a 'look who's awake' in greeting as she reached for the bottle of milk Regina always prepared when putting her down for a sleep. The little girl took the bottle with a smile and a joyful "Ta!" before putting it to her mouth and drinking happily. She seemed oblivious to Robin's presence, eyes only for her mother and her milk. He smiled, feeling like he was dreaming, as Regina turned back to see him frozen in the doorway.

Regina's smile turned watery as she took in the sight of Robin before her. He had tears falling slowing from his eyes, his own smile wide showcasing those dimples she loved so. God this was going to be hard, so much harder than she thought. Sharing a child with a man she loved but couldn't trust? The man who broke her heart and had now returned to declare his love for her? This was going to drive her insane and cause all of them nothing but heartache. She had to keep her guard up, had to try and keep their relationship about their child and nothing more.

"Come," Regina beckoned, her voice cool but not completely cold. "Come and meet your daughter." He approached as though he was afraid they would disappear before his eyes. His hand came out to capture one of the baby's raven coloured ringlets.

"Robin, this is Alayna. Lainey sweetheart – this is your daddy." Regina whispered, her voice breaking. So much for keeping her guard up. Lainey pulled the half finished bottle from her mouth. "Dadda," she repeated smiling proudly at the new word. Putting her own dimples on full display.

Ah! There I am… Robin thought. For other than those dimples he felt like he was looking at Regina.

"It's a pleasure to meet you… Alayna," he murmured, taking a small chubby hand in his and giving a small kiss to her palm. "I haven't heard that name before." Robin said, still not taking his eyes of the little girl in front of him.

"Hmm," Regina agreed. "There were many names I liked – thought of, during the pregnancy." She spoke softly, thinking back over those months that now seemed to be so long ago. "Adele, Katherine, Sophie- but then I thought about their meanings and I – " She paused, thinking. "You know Regina means 'Queen' but I don't know if I ever told you that my mother chose it for that reason, because she wanted me to be queen."

"And you were," Robin nodded.

"Yes…" Regina said slowly. "With each of the names I liked – I just couldn't get passed this thought I had that their meanings – whether it be noble or purity or wisdom – they would be nothing but a burden. That I would be putting that burden on my child. Then I heard Alayna. It comes from Alan - a name so old that nobody knows what it means… " she said with a wry smile. "It just seemed perfect." She ran her hands through Lainey's hair. "She can make her own destiny." She smiled at Robin, who was already smiling at her.

"It is perfect."

"Yes," there eyes locked and Regina felt herself being pulled to him. She needed to lighten the moment. "But then Mac immediately shortened it to Lainey – and Henry thoroughly approved the nickname, of course," Regina laughed. "I had been calling her Allie but that was quickly outvoted."

Robin smiled. A part of him was nostalgic for the time he had missed but a larger part was grateful to the man who had been there for Regina when he himself had failed so miserably. He looked back to Lainey.

"She's so big," he murmured. At Regina's raised eyebrow he corrected, "I mean – I just meant she's older than I thought. When you said our daughter I imagined a baby but she's standing, she's talking." Regina agreed with a soft sigh.

"She is, she's a toddler, not a baby anymore. Wait til you see her run!" Regina chuckled kissing the babies temple and began to remove her little sleeping bag. "Always running aren't you baby girl?"

"How old is she?" Robin asked. There was so much he didn't know, that he needed to learn. When is her birthday? What is her favourite color? Food? Lullaby? He was playing catch up and could suddenly understand Marian's constant questions about Roland so much better than he had before. He shook his head thinking how he'd quietly told Marian that she would learn it all in time, what a patronizing arse he had been.

"Nearly 18 moths, I was 8 weeks pregnant when I go to Boston." She continued, moving to the change table to freshen Lainey up.

"8 weeks? She's an Enchanted Forest baby?" He said, moving to follow them.

"Of this world and the next," Regina quoted the prophecy.

"Ah, yes, I remember you said that earlier. With everything I just didn't take it in." Robin lightly stroked Lainey's cheek as she squirmed. Wanting to sit up – not at all happy with her current position. It reminded him of when Roland started walking and hated having to stop for baths or diaper changes. In the forest Robin was able to let him go bottomless sometimes, the fight just too much. But that wasn't an option here. He managed to distract Lainey long enough for Regina to finish up.

"Here little one," Regina said sitting Lainey up. "Say hello to your daddy." Regina handed the little girl over to Robin who felt his heart stop as she came into his arms. She stared deeply into his eyes and God it was like looking at Regina.

"Your eyes," he softly acknowledged. Regina chuckled.

"Yes. They were blue until after her first birthday. I didn't think I would be able to cope with her blue eyes. They were so like yours and every time I looked into them I just - " She broke of, meeting his eyes briefly, surprising both of them that she was being so open. "Then when they changed I couldn't help but miss the blue…" She said wistfully.

"They are beautiful eyes." Robin said with a sureness to his tone that had Regina looking up from Lainey only to realize Robin was staring at her, not the baby. Regina smiled gently, taking a step back from them, 'distance, distance, distance' she repeated to herself like a mantra.

"Mom!" Henry called excitedly from the hall before hurrying into the room and Regina barely contained her sigh of relief. This is better; Henry would be a much better buffer for her than Lainey. "Mac said Lainey is awake!" He burst through the doorway and stopped when he saw Robin holding his sister and his smile faded a little. He didn't look angry, just a bit apprehensive, protective. He quickly glanced at his mother, "is everything alright?" At Regina's nod he continued, "you told him." It was a statement not a question, but Regina still answered.

"I did."

"That's great Mom," Henry moved to embrace his mother before taking a step toward Robin and Lainey. "She's so beautiful Mom. She's smaller than she looks on Skype." They all chuckled.

"Robin was just saying how big she was."

"She was just older than I expected," Robin said in his defence as they all smiled.

His gaze flicking back and forth between Robin and his Mom, Henry asked hopefully, "does this mean you can come home now?"

Regina was taken a little aback at that. "Henry all this time away from you – it hasn't just been about Robin. You know that, right?" Henry nodded, "I mean that Henry." She pulled him back into a fierce hug.

"I know Mom, but you'll think about it now right? We can work it out?" Henry sounded so pleading that Regina couldn't refuse him.

"We'll talk about Storybrooke after dinner." Regina pushed him gently towards Lainey. "Right now I want to see you hold your sister."

Henry rolled his eyes but moved to Robin who immediately placed Lainey in his arms. Lainey put her hands on Henry's cheeks and smiled.

"Henry!" She cried, lighting up the room with that dimpled smile.

Regina's eyes watered at the sight before her, her son and her daughter, finally in the same room! And Robin! A treacherous little voice (that sounded remarkably like Tinkerbelle) whispered in her mind. A voice she immediately silenced, wanting only to enjoy this moment; this calm before the proverbial storm that was oh so definitely coming.