This is the ending part so I hope you enjoy, but if you really want more I'm open to writing some one shots from this universe too.Thank you for reading!
•Part Two•
September, five years later
"Go on Henry, blow out the candles!"
The little boy did as he was told, and with no less than eight attempts he managed to blow out all five- one for every year. His mother carefully doled out slices for all the excited kindergarten party goers, before taking a slice of Lego Batman cake for herself. The children had exhausted themselves in the indoor playground- especially in the ball pit- and were now being fed and watered before their parents came to collect them. It was a good place for children's parties, with food and an adventure center section for older kids. From the abundance of balloons at that side, Regina deduced that there was an eight year old's birthday also going on today.
Henry's chocolate covered face grinned up at her. She couldn't believe that her little prince, little miracle boy, was already five years old. It seemed like just yesterday that he was born. He was so small and soft with such a tiny little nose. She thought back to that day with a smile.
"Mommy! I have to go give Daddy some cake! It's really yummy."
He slid out of his seat and -paper plate in hand- barrelled towards his father. She watched him eagerly shove the cake into Daniel's face, clambering awkwardly over the wheelchair to sit on his father's lap. She loved to watch them interact. They were so alike in some ways, but as she often lamented, not in looks. She just thanked the heavens that Henry mostly inherited her looks from his dark hair to brown eyes, so no questions were asked. But those dimples- there was no question of who they came from. Except there was, because she doesn't even know her son's father's name.
However, that man isn't really his father. She likes to only think of him as a sperm donor (unwittingly as he was), on the rare occasions that her mind wanders that way. Because Henry has a father, her husband. And no one, other than herself and Daniel, knew any different.
When she found out she was pregnant, she dreaded telling him, and feared for her marriage. But he was miraculously okay about it all. He admitted to having thought about trying for a baby, but wasn't comfortable with his lack of real feeling down below to actually do the act. He had even looked into the possibility of a donor. Regina was a little shocked, but after an incredibly long tear-filled conversation they came to the conclusion that this was for the best. They went back to couples counseling (they hadn't been since shortly after the accident), to help resolve any lingering issues that they had previously brushed under the carpet. They even started to have sex again after a while. It was different but it seemed to help them connect emotionally- just as Dr Hopper said it would.
And now, she was pregnant again.
A little girl with Daniel's DNA.
She smiled at the thought, and passed a hand over her small but growing bump.
That man in the rain had changed her life, and it seems, for the better.
~~~
After Marian broke up with her precious Sheriff, she took Roland with her to Boston. Robin had been livid, as she barely gave him notice before the move, but he followed them up soon after. It was a rash decision, but upon his father's death the inheritance made it easy and affordable. He had never been so glad to be an only child.
Today he was collecting his child from a birthday party. He drove his late father's Rolls Royce (he may have hated the man but he wasn't about the suffer through the Micra more than he had to) and sang along to the song on the radio. It was eighties hour.
"All I wanna do is make love to you
One night of love was all we knew
All I wanna do is make love to you
I've got lovin' arms to hold on to"
He parked outside the playground and checked his watch. He was a few minutes late, so he hurried into the building, failing to notice the familiar Mercedes Benz that was right beside him.
~~~
Most of the children were gone home, as were many of those at the eight year old's party. Henry was playing with his remaining friends (back in the ball pit to work off the sugar rush), so Regina took the opportunity to sit with her husband. She stroked his very muscled arm that strained against his flannel shirt.
He put a lot of effort into maintaining a fit and sporty physique everywhere that still functioned normally. He lifted weights and wheeled himself around race tracks. He was determined to not let his paralysis slow him down. He may be unable to run, but with that much strength in his arms, he could cover ground just as fast. He wanted to be able to chase Henry and catch up with him if he runs off somewhere dangerous. Henry gave him a new aim, a new lease of life.
Regina was proud.
She saw the door open and Mary Margaret- a close but slightly annoying friend of both Regina and Daniel- entered to collect her son Neal. She squeezed her husband's hand and rushed over to greet her friend. With the distraction, she didn't notice a stranger with a very familiar face pass them on his way to the other party.
~~~
"Well m'boy, did you enjoy Fiona's party?"
Roland nodded his curled head and flashed his dimples. "It was awesome Dad, we climbed the wall and I went on the zip wire five times! We should come here for my birthday too!" Robin smiled. "Maybe we will. You go get your things, I want to talk to Fiona's parents." The growing young boy dashed off to collect his shoes and party bag.
"Hello Harold, Lillian- have you recovered from ten children on a sugar high yet?" He said with a laugh, and sat down next to them. Lillian smiled. "At least we're not that couple over there- twelve five year olds! Especially when the father is in a wheelchair. I'm glad those days are behind me." Robin glanced over. A tiny dark haired child with a birthday boy badge was running around excitedly with his friends. He reminded Robin of Roland at that age.
~~~
Mary Margaret talked a lot, but eventually she left, after all the other parents had collected their children. Regina started to gather up Henry's bits and bobs. She was lost in thought, planning how she would move furniture in the spare room to allow for the cot- when she walked right into a stranger.
"I'm so sorry I…"
Her voice trailed off. It was him.
They stared at each other.
"Ummm, Roland why don't you wait in the car," the man said, handing a little boy his car keys. The child- with dimples she noticed- took them with a smile and headed out the door. Her heart clenched at the realisation that the boy looked like her son.
She stared at the man in disbelief. He hadn't changed a bit, just a few extra flecks of grey at his temples and more professional, designer clothes. He still had that stubble that felt so good trailed down her torso, and strong fingers that did things to her. And, his sleeves were rolled up to show that blasted lion tattoo. The memories hit her hard and she felt her heart speed up.
This was not happening.
~~~
She cut her hair. That was the first thing Robin noticed about the woman that had haunted his dreams these past five years. It stopped an inch past her jaw line, so different from the long chestnut locks that he knotted his fingers in as it tickled his chest. Her plump red lips were ajar as she stared at him. Her eyes, coffee hued and warm, were just like he remembered staring into as they tumbled over the edge that fateful night.
She was the same and beautiful and enchanting.
"Hi."
Her word barely made a sound, she said it so softly. His face broke into a smile. "It's you! I never thought I'd see you again- I can't believe it! It must be what- five years?" (Five years nine months and three days, but who's counting?- he certainly isn't because that would be weird and clingy.) She smiled limply back with an "either did I" in a tone he chose not to read into. They had shared something special that night, it wasn't just sex. It was the beginning of something, a spark, a seed of- dare he say it- love.
"I thought about you- not in a weird way. And well, now that you're here, I was wondering if you'd like to go for coffee or something?"
He missed the way her face fell.
"I am so sorry-" she was cut off, by a man in a wheelchair. Robin was surprised at his speed.
"Regina, Henry's ready to leave- are you alright?"
Regina. So that was her name. It suited her, and he was pleased to know her as more than the nameless siren of his dreams. What a coincidence that he had called her "my Queen" in the throes of passion.
"Daniel, I- it's him" her voice cracked a little as she said it. Robin frowned, and looked at Daniel. The man's eyes were hardened in what looked almost like hatred, but there was something else. Like Robin had stolen his most prized possession but he ended up getting something even better as compensation. Suddenly Lillian's comment came back to him.
A couple, the man in a wheelchair, twelve kindergarteners.
It suddenly clicked.
"You're together. And you have a son. Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry! God this is embarrassing. I must seem so desperate to have tried to create a connection again, I'm sorry, I-"
"Mommy, Daddy- come on!! I want to go home!" A small tornado of child jumped into their increasingly uncomfortable conversation, oblivious and dimpled as usual.
Robin stared at him.
It couldn't be a coincidence.
From the distance before, the child had only been reminiscent of Roland in his actions. However, up close he wasn't just similar. His face was the same, just with Regina's eyes instead.
Five years and nine months.
It was the boy's fifth birthday.
Robin looked at Regina in horror and realisation. Nothing needed to be said, it was clear in her eyes.
He had another son.
~~~
Daniel gripped Regina's hand tightly. She didn't miss the irony of him being the one to give her strength in this moment. The guilt was rising, but she would never regret Henry or what that night caused. It was the look in this man's eyes that hurt her heart. He was in shock, and seemed to be on the verge of tears.
Slowly she watched him crouch down to Henry's height. Maybe she should have stopped him, have been afraid that he would say something that would ruin the family she had made. But somehow she felt safe that he wouldn't do anything like that. She felt that she could trust this stranger.
"Don't worry Henry I'm just about to leave.I wouldn't want to keep the birthday boy waiting now would I?"
They both smiled, matching dimples that only one of them noticed. The man stood again, before nodding and walking out the door.
Regina kissed Henry's head, and realised that she still didn't know his name.
He was just the man with the lion tattoo.
I hope you enjoyed the story! Please leave a review because I'd love to know what you think! I'm also considering getting a one shot series going also in this universe where you see what else happened in those 5 years, the years before and after (will the ever meet again?), if you'd like that please let me know!