Chapter Three took longer than I wanted. But soon there will be *TW* for where this story is going. Thank you for the support.
"Regina, get back here!"
"Please! Just leave me alone."
"You know I can't quite do that, we are meant to be together forever."
Regina runs through the woods looking back every now and then to see if he is still chasing her. Her blazer is pushing behind from all the wind she is catching, running in heels is difficult but she does it to save her own life. She looks back again pushing herself away from a tree, when she turns to face the direction her feet were taking her, he is now standing right in front of her. She falls to the ground one hand behind her while the other in front palm facing him, "Daniel please, you don't have to do this." He grabs her hand and gets close to her face.
"You didn't want to listen to me." He lifts her up by her arm, his other hand hiding behind his back.
"What is that?"
"Why must you make it so difficult for me? I just want to love you." Daniel lifts his hand from behind his back, he was holding a knife. Regina is trying to get away, begging him not to hurt her. He starts to lower the knife fast as its on its way to her heart inches away-
Regina shoots up from her bed panting and feeling her forehead for she was sweating from her nightmare, while the other is placed over her heart. She checked the time on her phone. It was 4:30am on the dot. Laying back down on the sheets, she knew she couldn't go back to bed, and the feeling of being sticky was getting to her. She grabs clothes and hops into the shower. She puts silk shorts on with a bralette. Grabbing her phone, she sits on the white lounge chair in her room. She see's Robin texted her back:
I got breakfast covered. So, don't think you are cooking.
That simple message brought a smile across her face. She debates whether to text him back or not, but with nothing else to do she responds:
Thank goodness, I like to cook dinner more than anything.
Sitting on the lounge chair deciding what to do, letting her mind race because of the nightmare she just had. She hasn't talked about Daniel in over a year, and the simple fact he can come back and haunt her again scares her. The phone lights up while vibrating, it snaps her out of her thoughts. Looking at the phone, it was Robin.
You are up late milady. Everything okay?
A few tears form at the brim of her eyes.
I had a nightmare. Cannot see to fall back asleep. You're up late too.
Robin responds quickly
Yeah, can't sleep tonight. Too much on my mind. Maybe we can have a jump start to the morning?
As she sits and debates, being left alone with her own thoughts isn't something she wants at the moment. It is only 5am, and there isn't much else to do,
Sure. See you soon.
It only took Robin 30 minutes to get to her place. Regina Throws a t-shirt on and rushes down the stairs to be able to open the door for Robin when he gets onto her front porch. He walks in quickly placing a kiss on her lips, moving towards the kitchen placing all the groceries he bought on the counter. She leans against the island looking at Robin setting everything up.
"The pans and skillets are in that cabinet," Regina points to the lower cabinet near the stove.
"Why thank you. We most certainly need that to make breakfast now don't we." He quickly whips the eggs, pops toast in, and make some sausages. Regina isn't much of a breakfast person, Robin is making it, so why not. "So, what woke you up?"
"Just some past coming back to haunt me. I'm really glad you are awake at this time to keep me company." Robin turns around to look at her with a smile that shows how deep his dimples are. She sets the table up as he finishes breakfast. She only eats half the plate he served her, asking if he wanted the rest. When he declined, she got up throwing the rest away and places her dishes in the sink. He follows right behind her.
"What now Regina?" he asks leaning against the counter.
"Well, that food really made me tired. You may come upstairs and join me if you want."
"If it helps to keep the nightmares away." He says as he places his hand on the small of her back as they walk, and he begins to follow her put the stairs. They reach the bedroom and she takes her side of the bed turning off the alarm, and he lays on the other side.
"Thank you for making breakfast." They face each other laying down, waiting to go to sleep. Deep down, the 'thanks' was the simple fact he came to keep her company. Staring into each other's eyes, her hand under her pillow as the other rests on her side. At this very moment Robin places his hand over hers running his thumb on the back of her hand, he feels calm and at peace with himself as she feels safe and at home with him.
"Let's try to get some sleep." Robin calmly responds to her. He watches her eyes close and hear her breathing become deep, he follows right behind her. Sleeping soundly, letting the ticking of the clock being the only noise they hear throughout the house. Regina tosses and turns in her sleep. Robin props himself up to look at her concerned she is having another nightmare trying to make sure she was alright. When it came across to him that she was about to scream, Robin did what came naturally, moving closer to her to spoon. Her body calms down and molds to his. They both let out a sigh of relief and continue to sleep throughout the night.
Regina is the first to open her eyes when the sun creeps through the curtains hitting her face. Letting her eyes slowly flutter open, she and Robin are face to face, what's in sight is Robin with his mouth open, his arm stretched out resting on her waist. A smile comes across her face looking at the sleeping thief in her bed. Yes, that is what Robin Locksley is, a thief. He is slowly taking something she protected for so long, her heart. She moves from under him and heads down stairs to wash the dishes they left for it was late and the last thing they cared about was doing the dishes.
Hearing the creaking of the floorboards, she let the smile creep to her face. She couldn't fight the feelings growing for him.
"Good morning." His voice breaks the silence leaning against the island in the kitchen she turns off the facet turning around to look at him.
"Well look who's finally up."
"That was the best sleep I had in a very long time."
"I have to go into town and get a few things. Yes, this is an invitation." She walks past him tapping his shoulder. He takes this opportunity to hold her hand making her stop where she is and cups her face and kiss her. They exchange lazy kisses as she lowers his hands breaking the kiss, "we should get ready. It's later in the day than I'm used to." Robin nods going to his car to grab a bag he packed. Heading back inside he see's Graham walking up to Regina's door.
"Good morning mate." Robin shouts as he jogs lightly to Regina's door that he left it open to get back in. "I'll let Regina know you are here." Graham nods and stands in the foyer with his hands on his hips.
"Just keeping going, you'll find the bathroom." Regina yells out to Robin for him to get ready to head out. "Good morning Sheriff, anything I can help you with?"
"Mind answering why he is here?"
"I don't think that's any of your concern." She quickly reacts to his annoying question.
"So, I'm taking it, it's a bad time to ask you for dinner tonight." He comments looking broken hearted that she doesn't reciprocate the feelings he has towards her.
"Not tonight Graham. Maybe we can reschedule." Regina responds crossing her arms hugging herself for she can feel his eyes linger.
"Are things serious between you guys?" He questions wanting an answer that will hopefully make him smile.
"Look, I have things to do today. This is a conversation for another time. Have a great day Graham." Regina emphasizes as she walks Graham to the door. Before leaving they quickly hug and she closes the door behind him. Regina leans against the door letting out s sigh and attempts to move the hairs in her face behind her ear.
Hopping into the shower and quickly gets ready Regina heads down stairs to see Robin making coffee. She smells his forest scent and coffee mixed together. They grab their coffee and head out to her car. Regina likes to go to the grocery store right out of town for its faces that aren't so familiar.
"Regina, I'm going to grab a couple things. I'll call you to meet up."
"Okay, I'll be walking through these isles, so if you can't find me, call me."
Robin leaves to grab fruits and vegetables to pack lunches for the work week. Regina walks through the isles slowly making sure she has everything for the dinner she is cooking Robin. Another cart hits hers, "Oh, I am so sor-" when she looks up to see who it is, her heart stops, and everything goes silent. Regina tries to stay calm and breathe normal.
"Long time no see Regina." Daniel says in a menacing voice with a smirk that made her hairs stand up. She couldn't seem to move or utter out a single word. Baffled that he is even standing right in front of her, she can't grasp it.
"I thought you moved away Daniel."
"I can't visit the few people I know here?"
"I have somewhere to be. Have a good day." She tries to walk away but Daniel grabs onto the cart making it hard for her to move. "Please. Don't make a scene here."
"I'm not doing anything, just simply want to talk."
"Regina, look I found fresh strawb-," Robin comes rushing with excitement until he sees the man holding onto the cart and Regina looking pale. He calmly approaches the situation, "Hey, what's up?"
"Was just saying 'Hi.' Have a great day Regina." Daniel answers winking at Regina and walks away from the pair.
"Who was that?" Robin questions, but see's Regina's eyes fill with tears.
"I'm ready to go home now." She responds wiping her tears away quickly walking to the front to cash out. Regina sits in the car crying unable to move,
"Want me to drive?" Robin voices with concern. She got out passing the keys to Robin to drive for she didn't want to drive crying all the way home anyway. When they were close home, Robin decides to break the silence.
"Hey, I can order take out. How does Chinese sound?" He slowly moves his hand over to hers to grip it. She grips it tightly looking up at him, finally letting a smile come across her face.
"I would love that. You aren't upset I can't make dinner?"
"We have plenty of time for that. We work together. You can make it and bring it for lunch."
They get home and bring in the groceries. Regina and Robin change into something comfortable.
"We can go into the living room and watch some television." She voices out looking at him with tears still in her eyes. When Robin nods, she takes his hand and leads him to the couch. He wants to ask what happened, but he will be patient with her. He see's the walls she has built up, the way she can be so cruel at times, therefore when seeing her broken like this, there needs to be patience for the answer. She grabbed a blanket she kept there incase she fell asleep on the couch. Leaning into him, Robin wrapped his arm around her. He felt her sobbing and his shirt growing wet where she laid. Robin places a kiss on her head and plays with her hair. She fell asleep in his arms. Robin let her take a nap for she didn't sleep much in the night either. When 3 o'clock rolled around he decided to get up to order Chinese for they haven't eaten all day. Regina grabs his arm lightly, "Where are you going?"
"We haven't eaten all day, I'm going to order the Chinese now." Regina nods her head, sitting up watching Robin pick up his phone to call. She heads to the bathroom. Upon washing her hands, she leans against the counter looking at herself in the mirror. Realizing there is red puff under her eyes from crying and the bags made her angry. Why is he back? Is the only thought running through her mind. He has no right making her feel so helpless and powerless. A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. "Do you want to come with me to pick it up?"
Regina debated for a while wondering, "Um. Yeah. Let me just put some pants on." She opens the door to see him walking down the stairs. Regina heads to her room to pull some jeans on and her shoes. They get into his car and she stares out the window.
"Are you okay Milady?" He questions looking at her and back to the road.
"To be honest, no. Daniel was never meant to be back in this town." She leans her head back closing her eyes trying to comprehend what was going on.
"So, that's Daniel. Your ex- fiancé?"
"Yes. It ended badly between us. When he changed, it wasn't for the best." She quickly turns to look at him.
"You don't have to explain if you don't want to."
"I want to tell you, but at this moment I can't." She takes hold of his hand, "just, give me some time." He parks the car near the Chinese spot, before getting out he looks at her.
"It's okay. When ever you are ready I am here to listen." He pats her hand before going to get the food. Regina grabs her phone to text Mary Margret of the interaction she had with Daniel.
Hey Mary, sorry to bother. but Monday morning please come into my office. Very important.
Regina tries to leave her personal life outside of work, but she has a feeling this is going to affect her at her job.
Mary replies: Everything okay?
Regina: Please, just meet me in my office Monday morning when I come in.
Mary: Okay.
Robin comes into the car giving her the food to place on her lap. On their way home Robin asks if they are going to eat on the table or the couch. She wants to sit on the couch for she wants to be comfortable.
Arriving home, she hands the bag to Robin for him to set the living room up and darts upstairs to change into shorts again. Reaching the couch, she plops herself down next to him and grabs her noodle carton.
"Thank you for spending the day with me."
"I wouldn't have it any other way Regina." He replies.
"I never thought I'd have this."
"What?"
"Something so natural." She says smiling as she takes another forkful of noodles. They watch the history channel as it reaches 7pm.
"Should I go home?" Robin broke the silence to make sure they were on the same page.
"You can stay the night again. Do you have an over-night bag?"
"I always pack extra in my bag milady." He moves from under her to change upstairs. He took in her vanilla scent in her room while he changed. It was oddly relaxing to him. He headed downstairs to cuddle on the couch again. They spend the whole weekend together enjoying the presence of each other.
Monday morning rolls around and she rushes to get ready. In a day like today, she decides to wear a pant suit. Black slacks, a white button up, with black heeled boots. Rushing out with her trench coat over her arm she makes it early to work. With so much time, she goes upstairs to put her things in her office. The elevator doors open, and Mary Margret was already there too.
"Oh, you are here early." Regina exclaims.
"I couldn't sleep worried of what you had to tell me."
"Come into my office." Regina whispers looking around making sure no one else was around. Mary was right behind her moving quickly. Closing the door to her office Regina rushes to put her trench coat on her chair.
"Regina, is everything okay?"
"Quite the opposite." There is a long pause before she continues, "Daniel is back."
"What? What are you going to do?" Mary Margret's face is full of concern when she saw Regina's eyes begin to gill with tears.
"I don't know." Regina reacts to the question wiping a tear that fell down her cheek. Mary grabs a tissue and hands it to Regina. She places a hand on her shoulder for reassurance that she has someone there for her while they take in the silence.
"You have to tell Gold."
"It is 6:45. The meeting will start shortly, I will pull him aside to fill him in." Mary brings Regina in for a hug. Regina was hesitant to reciprocate the physical touch, but she truly needed it. "Do I look okay?"
"Makeup is still flawless." A smile is shared between them. Regina heads down for the meeting. While getting closer to the first floor, she hears someone slightly yelling. The elevator doors open and Zelena was standing in front of it.
"Hey, sis. It's best if you go upstairs."
"The meeting is going to start. And you know how Gold gets when we are late." Regina pushes through Zelena who keeps trying to block her way. When she see's gold standing by the entrance to the building blocking someone from coming in, she grew confused. The intruder was in sight, she lost sight for a while and placed her hand on her stomach for it started to turn. Daniel was waiting outside. He had flowers and was dressed in a three-piece. Her head started to spin, Zelena came to her rescue and take her upstairs.
"Good morning Regina!" She hears Daniel yell from the outside.
