Sorry, I'm late! Hehehehehe
I wanted to update this chapter sooner but I'm working in a new job right now and it's on another city. So, right now my life is really complicated and I'm still adjusting myself on this new routine. Don't worry, I won't stop writing this fanfic, it's my commitment to you and to myself.
Anyway…thank you very very much for your patience and lovely reviews; I didn't expect that when I started to write it.
In this chapter, Robin is singing for Regina. I hope you like the song I chose for him to sing; I think it's very beautiful and it's very important to me...
Merlin is showing his face in this chapter and I hope you like the way I'm introducing him and the connection he has with this story.
Plus, there's a big revelation here! I know a lot of you already distrust about what I'm talking about, but now I'm affirming that!
Enjoy the chapter…
CHAPTER 7
"No! No! No! Nooooo!" Robin was screaming and had woken up the whole camp with his screams.
"Robin! Robin! Man! What is wrong with you?" Little John was inside Robin's tend and trying to understand what was happening with his friend.
He was sweating and his whole body was shaking. He was in trance.
Was that real? Was that a dream?
He was in shock, trying to understand what was going on with him, and he didn't notice somebody shaking his arm.
"Robin! Please!" Little John said a bit louder this time and gave a firm shaken on Robin's shoulders.
Finally, Robin woke up, with widened yes and tried to avoid Little John's touch, but his friend was a big man and was able to control his fight.
"What happened?" Robin asked, still confused and dizzy.
"Well, man… I was supposed to be the one asking that for you. You were screaming. You woke up the whole camp!" His friend said with a little of despair and Robin looked ahead and saw his own son looking at him with scared eyes.
"Roland…" Robin whispered and was about to stand up and walk towards his son, but something hit his mind. Regina. She was in dangerous. It was a bad dream but maybe it was a sign. He had to see Regina and to make sure she was alright and safe. That dream had been so real…he had to see her.
"I have to reach Regina. I have to check on her!" He exclaimed, still dizzy, and started to head to the entrance of his tent but his friend put his arm on his front, trying to block him.
"Man, I don't think you are in conditions for it right now. Take a deep breath and rest a little. Tomorrow you can check on her. It's the middle of the night and…"
"Robin… Robin!" Little John tried in vain to stop him but it was too late. Robin forced his way off of the tent, telling his friend to take care of Roland, and seconds later, he was already running through the woods, panting and out of control.
The cold wind hit his face as he was running desperately into the woods but he couldn't even feel it. He couldn't stop, he couldn't think... he couldn't even breathe properly. He had to be sure Regina was safe. If something had happened to her…
It had been his idea of freeing Zelena from the hospital. Regina was right: the woman was dangerous with or without her magic. If she had done something to hurt Regina, he would never forgive himself. Never! The single thought made his blood boil and tears came to his eyes.
He stumbled through the gates of her house, screaming her name.
"Regina!" He yelled out her name again and a sense of deja vu hit him, but in that time, he was drunk. Now he had a real feeling that something bad was going on with the woman of his life.
He knocked and knocked a few times on the door, hopeful waiting for her answer.
Answer, Regina! Answer me, please!
"Robin?" She opened the door after a while, with sleepy eyes and trying to adjust her eyes to the light.
He heard her voice but he was so nervous and panic, that he was afraid his eyes were deceiving him.
It was her, right? Or was he dreaming again?
He stepped forward and touched her arm to make sure it was really her. The very moment he felt her warmth, his heart skipped a beat. She was fine and alive. She was there, living and breathing. Instantly, Robin stepped closer with one large step and pulled her into a loving embrace, cupping the back of her head and burying his nose in her hair. He needed to feel she was really there in flesh and bone.
He tried to speak something but he was still out of breath from the running and his bad dream.
Regina found herself caught off guard for a moment. The way he had looked at her and was currently holding her, made it seem as if something terrible had just happened.
"Robin, what's wrong?" She asked, and as he backed away and their eyes met.
She noticed the way his chest was moving rapidly and she could feel his heart was practically jumping out of his chest. Robin placed his hands on her cheek, smiling widely and trying hard to suppress the tears.
"Robin, what's going on? You're beginning to scare me!" Regina asked him with a confused expression on her face.
"You're here!" It was the only thing he managed to whisper, with trembling lips.
"I am." She answered, narrowing her eyes.
Instinctively, he pulled her into his chest, hugging her again. He couldn't let her go. He had to feel the warmth of her skin and the smell of her hair.
"Robin, please! Talk to me. You're freezing and breathless! What is going on?" She said, taking one step back.
He couldn't tell her the truth. He didn't want to worry her. It was only a dream. A really bad dream, but it had been so real…
"Robin, I know you and I know something bad happened. You can tell me." She said holding his face.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't think." He leaned his head to her hair, closing his eyes and releasing his breath for the first time since he had woken from that dream.
"I just… I had to know if you were fine... If you were alive." He said and couldn't suppress the tears in his eyes anymore.
"Did you have a nightmare?"
"I'm fine, really. I'm here!" She added softly.
"I know, but it was so real." He said and touched her stomach right on the place of her injury.
"What are you doing?" Regina widened her eyes, stepped back and instinctively put her hands over her stomach.
"The little girl… She said you were in danger!" He rubbed a hand over his face, trying to calm down his nerves, but apparently, his words made Regina froze at her spot and widen her eyes in shock.
"When I arrived at the place the girl had pointed to me, you were there…" Robin had no idea why he was telling her about his dream, he was confused and talking a lot of nonsenses and mismatched words.
"I didn't know it was you, I just followed her and…" He felt his muscles tense up, as he remembered the dream.
"Robin, you are scaring me." Regina finally had found her voice back.
"What little girl?" She stared at him, demanding an explanation.
"She was… you were there too but she disappeared and then appeared again by your side while you were…" He said and stopped suddenly as the memory came to his mind. He shook his head and tried to focus again, but noticed the confused and panicky look on Regina's face.
She was silent, with her mouth half opened and staring eyes. She was feeling like her heart was about to burst from her chest.
It was just a dream!" His eyes drifted close.
"You don't have to worry." He tried to comfort her as soon as he saw her face expression.
"I have no idea why I came here at this hour of the night. I'm so sorry, I didn't want to scare you! I know I'm sounding like a crazy man right now!" He answered and rubbed his forehead with one hand.
Regina gulped and bit her lower lip. She was really confused. She couldn't stare back at his eyes anymore. She couldn't… she had to tell him the truth, maybe his dream was a kind of sign, but that it was a madness at the same time. A dream is just a dream, right?
"Maybe it's a bit of craziness but now I want to know." Regina tensed and took a deep breath, before shrugging.
"What little girl, Robin?" She tried her best to snarl out her words but they ended up sounding more vulnerable than she had hoped.
Robin signed.
What the hell was he doing? How crazy was he?
He came at her house in the middle of the night to disturb her, to worry her. And now, it seemed she was upset and frightened because of him.
"The little girl said you were her…" But before he could complete the sentence, someone interrupted them.
"Regina, what's going on?" Arthur came behind Regina, with only his pajama's pants.
Robin shocked, closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Stupid! You're stupid, Robin!
Robin couldn't even look at them. He shook his head hard, trying to clear his thoughts. Maybe it was a nightmare too, a man in her house, with her. But when he opened his eyes, he saw the reality it was worse than a bad dream. The man was there, by her side, inside her house.
"I only want to make sure Regina was fine." He said after clear his throat but without making any eye contact.
"As you can see, she is fine!" Arthur answered sharply.
"Right! Right! I, I … I'm going!" Those were his final words before he turned around and started to make his way away from there.
"Robin!" Her voice made him stop on his tracks but he couldn't turn around.
She came close to him and stopped right in front of him.
"I… we are not…" She said these words gesturing towards Arthur.
She didn't know what she was supposed to say to him. After she had told Arthur everything in the library, he had offered to spend the night with her, because she had fell apart in tears; she was really confused at that time and had ended up accepting his invitation. It was not on Robin's business who she decided to go home with, but she felt a pang in her heart. She recognized the look on his face. She could remember.
"It's alright." He whispered.
He was deeply hurt but didn't have the energy or the right to start a fight right now, no matter how his mind was screaming inside or how his heart was broken.
"You're fine, that's all that matters right now." He lied, not about her being alive, but about the man being there with her.
He couldn't believe that. The man was in her house spending the night with her.
Was he in their bed? Was he touching her?
No. No. Just no!
He couldn't deal with that, it was too much! At the same night, Regina had died on his arms again and now there was another man in their bed.
Their bed, he chuckled. It was her bed, not theirs. But she had promised him! She had said that but now there was another man in their bed.
Her bed, Robin… her bed!
He squeezed his knuckles until they turned into white.
Jesus!
He had to get away from there as fast as he could. He couldn't lose control. He had to remember she was fine and alive, that was what matter in that moment.
They kept facing each other for a moment but none of them could say a word or even blink.
"Good night, Regina." He finally broke the silence and couldn't control a single tear dropping from his eye.
She knew exactly what he was thinking. She closed her eyes as she felt his shoulder brushing against hers, as he made his way to the gates. When she opened her eyes to say something, he was already gone.
** FLASHBACK ON **
Regina was stroking his chest, running her fingers over his warm skin. Robin pulled her closer to him, letting her rest her head on the crook of his neck and wrapped his arms around her middle. Eventually, she pulled back and glared at him.
"I wish we could stay like this forever."
He snorted a laugh and rolled her beneath him. Laughing, he kissed her neck and she let out a loud squeal as he tickled his way down her body, laying and nipping her skin as he went down.
"Robin, we have to get up. The boys will be up soon!"
"So, we have to be quick!" He said with a smirk on his face.
"You said that 30 minutes ago!" She held his head and brought his face to hers.
"Did I? I can't remember! And you are the one saying you wished to stay in our bed forever!"
"Our bed?" She said and narrowed her left brow, leaving an embarrassed Robin. Immediately his face became red as the realization of his words.
"I, ah…" He cleared his throat, trying to say something coherent.
Regina tried to control herself, but couldn't help and let out a loud laugh at the sign in front of her.
"This is not funny, Regina. It's embarrassing!" He tried to defend himself but he failed because his face was totally red.
"So, thief… I can make you blush?" She teased him and rolled her body over his, staring directly at his eyes.
He chuckled.
"I'm not blushing!"
"Really? Do you a need a mirror?" Regina couldn't let that go. He loved push her buttons and make her blush. Now, it was her turn. And she added:
"You are the jealous type of guy?" She started to kiss the skin of his neck while her hand was tracing patterns over his naked chest.
"Don't worry, I'm not interested in nobody here in Storybrooke." She led her hand down to his stomach and her fingers started to play with the waistband of his boxers.
"Unless, of course, a really handsome man shows up here someday." She grabbed his length tightly and murmured these words in his ear, then bit it provocatively.
"Hmm…" He managed to whisper, as she kept teasing him with her fingers and mouth.
"Well, in this case, I'd have to think about it…" She was trying to push his buttons and find out how much jealous about her he could be, but she felt his muscles tensed under her touch. She glared up at him and saw him change his look into a serious one.
Immediately, he stood up on a sitting position and tried to get away from the bed.
"Robin, what is it?!" She grabbed his arm and didn't let him get up.
"It's nothing…" He forced a smile to his face, but didn't look at her.
"Let's get up and make breakfast for the boys." He said and tried to get up again but she was faster and held him by his shoulders.
"Robin, I'm sorry. It was a bad joke." She said and sat on his lap, caressing his cheeks softly.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head on her chest. He took a deep breath and told her what was bothering him.
"I know it's your bed, Regina. I just… I can't picture another man here with you, touching you. I… I'm just overthinking!" He signed heavily on her chest.
Then, Regina rolled him beneath her and stared down at his face.
"Robin, this is not going to happen. I promise you." She said, winding her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.
He let out a soft moan as her lips moved hungrily against his. Her tongue darted out touching his lips, seeking permission to enter which he granted gladly.
"No other man will lie down in our bed!" She smirked at him, raising her left brow.
"You better!" He held her neck and pushed her for another heated kiss, making her laugh into his mouth.
"Hm…" Regina managed to say after the breathless kiss, starting to rub his length with her hands again.
"What?" He closed his eyes, feeling his arousal getting bigger and bigger at the sensation of pleasure of her touches.
"I think you have a problem right there!" She looked at his evident arousal, wetting her lips.
"What are you supposed to do about that?" He asked with his gorgeous dimpled smile.
"Me?" She straddled him right and rubbed her still cover sex against his, making him groaned and she let laughter overtake her.
"Regina…" He said, with a warning tone in his voice.
"What?" She asked, a devilish grin on her face.
"You know? I think more 30 minutes won't hurt!" She added with that provocative smile and bit her lower lip.
She didn't need to tell him twice. Minutes later, he was on top of her with his cock buried deep inside her, groaning nonsenses in her ears. She was moaning beneath him, screaming his name as she reached another orgasm in the morning.
** FLASHBACK OFF **
Robin was running into the woods and trying to take away of his mind the memories of that day. She had promised him, she had said that no other man would be in their bed, but he knew he had screwed up again.
So, he kept running and running until his breath dropped in his throat. He stopped and anchored his weight against a tree, taking a deep breath. It was over. Everything was over. She had moved on and she had that right. He knew that, but he couldn't control the tears. He sat down on the base of the tree and cried until the first sun shines began to emerge on the horizon.
At least she was fine. He thought with himself.
She was not his anymore but she was safe. She was alive.
Robin was standing in front of Granny's, thinking about the best decision he should make.
Should he get inside or turn back?
If he turned back and went away, he'd disappoint Henry and he loved the boy. His second option was getting inside there, but in that case, he'd have to face Regina with that man. He gulped and rubbed a hand over his forehead.
He couldn't do that… he should call Henry, give him his gift and go away. But it had been almost one week since he had seen her. The past week had been the worst one. He was missing her more than anything and the distance was killing him, but he couldn't deny that he was disappointed with her. He knew he didn't have the right but he had never thought she could be happy with another man and get over him like that.
Was she alright? Was she happy?
She couldn't be happy without him, could she? The single thought made him shiver and tears came to his eyes, but he knew that maybe it was his selfness speaking for him right now. He should want to see her happy, after all, she deserved that.
He screwed his eyes shut to keep the tears that he felt forming in the corners at bay.
"Daddy, come on!" Roland squeezed his hand, tearing him away from his thoughts.
"You can go, my boy." He said and Roland almost ran into the dinner.
He didn't want to see what he was almost sure he'd see if he got in there, but he had to do that for Henry, he had promise to the boy he'd do it when Henry had invited him last week for his party.
He breathed deeply and finally got inside the place.
The first image he saw made his heart stop; it was the last thing he'd like to see, but he knew that would happen. There she was, more beautiful than ever, smiling and happy, with Roland on her lap and that man by her side. Robin felt his throat begin to constrict and his heart was pounding fast in his chest. He should go away, he couldn't stand that anymore. When he was about to call Roland and turn around, he saw Henry approaching him with a big smile, and that, melted his heart.
"Robin! I can't believe you came!" The boy hugged him tight.
"I promised you I was coming." He tried his best to snarl out his words but they ended up sounding less happy than he had hoped.
"Happy birthday!" Robin said softly and glanced up, his eyes locking with Regina's, who was carefully watching them.
"Thank you for coming, it's really important to me." Henry was aware about the awkward situation but he had shared special moments with Robin and he wanted to share this special date with him too.
"I know it's not easy for you." He whispered, following the line of Robin's vision.
"It's fine, I wouldn't miss it for the world! You're turning into 16!" Robin said, breaking eye contact with Regina.
"I have a gift for you." He completed.
"You don't have to!" Henry nodded his head, smiling brightly at him.
"Of course I do."
"Come on!" He said to Henry and started to walk towards the door, glancing at Roland and catching his attention. The boy stood up immediately from Regina's lap and started to approach them, with a giggling face.
"Where?" Henry stared at him with a confused expression.
"Your gift it's outside! Let's go!" Roland took Henry's hand and started to lead the way outside; the boy couldn't contain his excitement.
Henry and Robin followed the boy outside Granny's, but Henry had no idea what Robin had in mind for him. Still, he was really anxious about his gift.
"Here." Robin said as they stopped on the sidewalk.
"What do you think?" He asked and Henry frowned, but followed Robin's gaze.
"Wow!" Henry exclaimed, as he followed Robin's gaze.
"What did you do to the car? It's seems new, almost a different car!" He completed, walking around the car and looking at it with fascinating eyes.
"I made some mechanical and electronic repairs, some paintings and these kinds of stuff. Did you like it?" Robin asked.
"Of course I did, it's amazing! Can I drive a little?" Henry said enthusiastically.
"Every time you want." Robin said, making his son put a hand over his mouth in a tentative to contain his laugh.
"It's yours!" He completed and handed the keys to Henry.
"What?" Henry asked with a confused look.
"It's your gift, you silly!" Roland walked fast towards him and hugged Henry's legs.
"Robin…" Henry smiled, patting Roland's hair.
"It's our birthday's gift for you, right Roland?"
"Yeah!" The little boy giggled happily in reply.
"I can't…" Henry said, little embarrassed.
"Look, you deserve it, you worked so hard and now it's yours!" Robin gave a comforting squeeze on Henry's shoulder.
"Please, let me do that for you!" He completed.
"Thank you so much!" Henry hugged him again and couldn't control the happiness he was feeling right now.
"Let's drive!" Henry was euphoric and immediately climbed into the car, followed by Roland. Robin was following them, but before he could make his way into the car, he stopped on his track.
"Not so fast!" Robin froze as he heard the voice coming from behind him. He couldn't even turn around and face her, he was afraid to sound vulnerable or idiot or say something stupid.
"Mom, you know I can drive and Robin is going with me, and…" Henry tried to convince his mother.
"I know that!" She cut him and continued to approach them.
Robin didn't move, not even feeling her presence so near to him.
"Despite the fact you don't have your drive license yet, there's a party for you going on in there, remember?" She tilted up an eyebrow.
"But mom, it's my gift!" Henry argued.
"What?" She turned around to face Robin but he didn't look at her yet. He only stood quietly, listening and looking at Henry.
"Robin finished the car repairs and gave it to me as my birthday's gift." Henry completed.
"You did what?" She muttered tenderly only for him to listen.
"I'm sorry… I… I should have talked to you first!" He spun around and finally faced her, eyes full of concern.
She wet her lips and kept staring at his eyes for a moment.
"You gave your car to him." She added quietly, maybe only for her to listen, but Robin could hear her words.
"It's not mine, we fixed it together!" He said and forced a smile to his face.
Regina was speechless. He was giving his car to her son. A car he loved and had worked hard to fix it, a car they shared funny and passionate moments inside it. A wave of emotions washed her heart. She could only stared at this man, standing right in front of her; the man she loved but couldn't stay with, the man that was giving to her son one of the most precious things to him. She wanted to get lost on his embrace, kiss him hard and shows all her emotions to him…. but she couldn't, she had to restrain herself, he was not hers anymore.
"Thank you." It was the only thing she could whisper softly, with tearing eyes. She walked towards him slowly and kissed his left cheek.
Robin froze and his heart stopped. He closed his eyes and tried to blink away the unshed tears. He would enjoy her contact as long as he could and no matter how long they were apart, he could feel their connection would last forever. That strong and unique energy which belonged only to them and it emerged up every time they were close. He knew she could sense that too as he noticed her stepping back a little and putting a lock of hair behind her ear; she only used to do that when she was nervous or graceless.
"You're welcome." He tilted his face up and said that with his gorgeous dimpled smile.
They remained closed, too close for Robin restrains his sanity. That was an awkward silence between them, none of them dared to break the eye contact. Robin was feeling as his heart would jump through his mouth. He could feel her warmth, her breath on his face and her sweet smell invading his senses.
"Mom! Can I drive or not?" Henry said with puppy eyes, making them jump.
"You can, honey!" Regina said, shaking her head and trying to recompose herself.
"Come on, daddy! Let's drive!" Little Roland almost screamed from the back seats.
"Can we...?" Robin asked her, gesturing his hand towards the car.
"Of course!" She answered quickly and he climbed into the passenger seat.
"Why are you not coming? Henry is driving the new car!" Roland exclaimed to Regina.
She gulped, not knowing how to answer him.
"Yes, mom! Please, just this time! Today is my birthday!" Henry begged her.
Regina didn't know what to do.
What an awkward situation!
She couldn't refuse her son's request on his birthday. She breathed deeply and climbed into the car, sitting by Roland's side.
"Let's drive then!" She lifted her hand in the air and tried to sound normal, despite of the actual situation.
"Yeah!" Roland smiled and started to clap his hands.
Regina nodded her head and gave to him a sincere smile but when she turned her head forward, she could see Robin staring at her through the rearview. Her heartbeat fastened immediately but she turned her head to Roland and started a conversation with him.
Regina was impressed by Henry's skills; he was really good at driving. She was proud of him and it was not only her, she could notice that every time Henry did something right, Robin said a few encouraging words to him or messed with his hair. She had dreamed about that a lot of times: the love of her life with her soulmate getting along and the little gracious boy squeezing her hand tight, smiling at her and jumping from his seat in excitement… not mentioning her precious little secret she was carrying by herself for a while.
That was everything Regina had dreamed but it was not her reality anymore and she had to accept it. That was a dream…. a sweet dream she would never be able to live anymore.
Why her life, their life, had turned into that mess?
Unwittingly, she shook her head, with tears running freely down her cheeks and tried to think about something else.
"Look, Regina….the camp!" Roland took her off of her trance and pointed at some place on the woods.
"Yes, sweetheart." She muttered softly, after dry her cheeks with the back of her hands.
"Why are we living in there now? I liked your house!" The little boy said and looked directly at her eyes.
"Because… because…" Regina cleared her throat but couldn't answer him, she didn't want to lie. She stared at the rearview and noticed Robin was staring back at her and, luckily, he intervened.
"Roland, do you want some ice cream at Granny's? Chocolate, maybe?" Robin leaned his head to the backseats and smiled at his son, then turned his attention to Regina, who nodded to him.
"Yes! I love chocolate!" Roland said, getting distracted by Robin's words and turned his attention to something else.
Regina couldn't wait for their arriving before any awkward moment happened. Finally, Henry pulled over the car in front of Granny's and it was over. Regina didn't know if she was sad or happy about that, maybe she was feeling both things at the same time.
"Here we go!" Henry exclaimed as he shut the door closed.
They climbed out of the car and another weird moment happened between Robin and Regina. She kept rubbing her hands on her thighs and biting the inside of her cheeks, clearly embarrassed. He stopped by her side, shrugged and put his hands on his pockets, staring at the floor.
"Roland, I think we should go, it's getting late" Finally, Robin found his voice back and took Roland to his lap.
"No, daddy! You said I could take some chocolate ice cream!" Roland said with a pout on his cute face.
"Another day, I promise you!" Robin shook his head, because he could sense Regina was uncomfortable and he didn't want to make her feel that way.
"Nooooo!" Roland replied.
"Roland…" Robin said firmly, with a warning tone to his voice.
"Robin, please… stay!" This time was Regina asking him to stay. She glared at him and he released a breath he didn't remember he was holding in the first place.
"Yes, at least until I cut the cake! Please!" Henry begged to him.
"You gave to me the best birthday's gift ever… I want you in there!" He added with pledging eyes.
"Alright! Let's do this!" Robin breathed deep and made his decision.
"Where have you been?" Arthur asked to Regina as soon as he saw her approaching him.
"Henry got a gift… a car!" She said and sat down by his side.
"A car? Wow!" He smiled at her in excitement.
"Who did give it to him?" He questioned.
"Robin." She muttered.
"Did you talk to him?" He tilted his head slightly, raising his eyebrows.
"Not much." She answered quietly, leaning her head down.
"Are you alright?" He asked and squeezed her hands in a comfort manner.
"Yes, don't worry." Regina squeezed his hand back and forced a smile to her face.
Meanwhile, Robin was watching them from his place. He didn't want to see her with that man, but at the same time, he couldn't resist to look at them. Regina was supposed to be by his side. He couldn't admit she had moved on and seeing her happy without him was like stick a sharp knife right through his heart. He had to get away from there as soon as he could, otherwise he'd punch that damn man on the face for daring to touch her.
Why was he accepting that? Why did he let her go so easily? Why wasn't he fighting for her?
Regina was right, he had never fought for her and he had always given up on her. He thought he was an honorable man, always doing the right thing, but giving up on his feelings for her was right or honorable?
"You're the next!" Henry gave a little pat on Robin's shoulder, dragging him from his deep thoughts.
"What?" Robin asked Henry with a confused face.
"That is a karaoke!" Henry pointed at something on the arranged stage.
"A karo what?"
"Karaoke. It's one thing people can sing songs! Go ahead… I know you can sing!" Henry smirked at him with a knowing look.
Robin's eyes widened in confusion but when he glanced at Regina, he saw her trying to contain a smile.
"I can't…"
"Look at my granpha, he is horrible at singing. I really doubt you're worse than him!"
"Oh, come on, mate!" Hook approached them, followed by Emma.
"Are you singing too?" Robin questioned.
"Of course he is." Emma affirmed, smiling at Hook with a mocking face.
"Don't make David and I shamed by ourselves here!" Hook smirked at him.
"Please, daddy!" Roland looked at him with puppy eyes.
"Alright!" Robin sighed, finally giving up.
"Yeah!" Henry and Roland exclaimed together.
"But you have to help me out there because I have no idea how that thing works!" Robin said toward to Henry.
"Of course, I can help you to choose a song." Henry assured to him.
When David finished his show, people breathed in relieve, thanking the Gods he was done. Robin climbed on the stage, following Henry, and the crowd started to clap to him, making him blush. The boy started to show him a list of songs, but Robin didn't know the most of them, but an especial song's name caught his attention.
"That one." Robin pointed at the monitor and Henry nodded his head, selecting that specific song.
** FLASHBACK ON **
Regina was on her balcony after a long shower with only her robe and some music on, trying to relax and assimilate all the new things that were happening in her life. She was not a villain anymore. She had done the right thing, her happy ending didn't have to be rewrite by a drunk and crazy author. She wanted to get it by her own actions, she had to deserve it. Now she understood that. Maybe things would be more complicated this way, but at least she'd own it. Besides all bad things, she was trying and she wouldn't give up on her happiness. Henry was really proud of her. He was staying in her house almost all the time, as Robin and his little boy too. All quietness and loneliness was replaced by laughs and sometimes, screams. Regina chuckled. That was exactly what she wanted in her house. Now, she could call it as her home.
"A penny for your thoughts, milady." Robin kissed her checks and sat beside her. Regina was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice him coming into her room.
"I was just thinking." She signed and leaned her head on his shoulder.
"About?"
"About everything. Henry, my happy ending, you…" She admitted.
"What is it funny?" She asked because she noticed he was holding a laugh.
"Nothing!" He lied to her, but couldn't control his laugh anymore.
She slapped him on the arm.
"Ouch!" He pretended she did hurt him and caressed his arm, but his smirk and dimples gave him away.
"You know, if I tell that, nobody would believe me!" He added.
"Tell what?" She frowned.
"That you are here all relaxed, listening a romantic song and thinking about me." He said, leaning to her and arching his left brow.
"Don't flatter yourself, thief. I didn't say I was thinking only about you!" She replied.
"Oh, yes… Yes, you did!" He said and stole aquick peck from her mouth.
She baffled but before she could defend herself, he continued, still smirking at her.
"What kind of song is that?"
"I don't know!" She said and turned her head away from his look.
"Well, something is telling me that you do know and that you do enjoy it!"
"It's a Bon Jovi's song!" She admitted because she knew she couldn't lie to him. Not to him.
"Is this Bon Jovi a sad person?" He frowned.
"What do you mean?" Regina gave him a confused look.
"That is the saddest song that I ever heard in my life!" He exclaimed.
"Of course it's not. The song is beautiful." She replied.
"So, you're admitting you enjoy the song?" He teased.
"If you tell that to anyone, you're a dead man!" She tried to sound serious to him but of course she failed and he laughed.
"Are you threatening me?" He pretended to be offended.
"No, I'm warning you!" She said and pointed a finger to him.
"Do you really think it's a beautiful song?" He asked and she nodded for him as an answer.
"Come on, Regina! The guy is devastated! His woman is with another man and he still loves her! I can't believe you think that is beautiful!" Robin said completely annoyed because of the song.
"And I can't believe you're complaining because of that! It's only a song, Robin!"
"Yes, a horrible one!"
"Well, you know what they say: a good romantic story is always a tragic one!"
"But that doesn't have to be. I'd never write or sing something like that!"
"What? Can you sing, Robin?" Regina smirked at him and arched her brow eye.
Robin froze. She got him! He had never told Regina he could sing. Actually, he never sang for a woman before, not even for Marian. He had only sang for his Merry Men when they were in front of a fire at the forest, and usually, drunk. At that times, he sang for spend some time, for have fun, but he had never sang for a woman, and he'd like to carry on that way. However, he knew Regina and she wouldn't let that go so easily.
"Sing for me!" Regina said excited, holding a laugh.
He knew it. She wouldn't let that go.
"No!" He answered shortly.
"Why not?" She complained.
"I only sing for my Merry Men. It's just for fun. I'm not good like your Bon Jovi!"
"Of course you're not!" She replied and he made an offended face.
"But if you sing, I could judge that by myself!" She teased.
"I know what you're doing, milady. That's not going to work with me!" He knew she was challenging him, just to make him sing.
"So, you're saying you'd never sing for me?" She frowned.
"I didn't say never, but for now… no!" He emphasized.
"Fine! I didn't want to listen anyway. I bet you have a terrible voice!"
"Stop, Regina! That's not going to work. I told you, I'm not singing for you!" He said.
"Well, maybe you will. Who knows if one day I'd be with another man and let you miserable without me? Maybe in that day you'd sing for me." She teased.
"Regina…" He adverted her with a warning look.
"Robin…" She said, mimicking his reaction.
"You're an insufferable woman!" He laughed at her with sincere and lovely eyes.
"And still, you love me!" She sat on his lap, circulating his neck with her hands and kissed him.
"Always!" He held her nearby her waist with one hand, as he ran his fingers of his other hand through her hair, and touched her lips with his owns once again.
** FLASHBACK OFF **
Robin took a deep breath, trying to contain the tears that were wetting his eyes as he remembered that day, but everybody was watching him, so he had to hold on.
He cleared his throat and tried to concentrate on the chords of the guitar that had already started to play. He knew he couldn't even lift his head because he'd see her, he could sense her eyes staring at him.
Then, he started to sing.
This Romeo is bleeding
But you can't see his blood
Regina immediately gasped. She couldn't believe he had remembered that song. The memories of that day were passing like a movie in her mind. She closed her eyes and gulped. She had to hold on and try to control her breath, but she started to shake, anyway.
It's nothing but some feelings
That this old dog kicked up
Regina felt tears prickling in her eyes but she was determined to not let them show in front of all these people. Why was he doing that? Was he trying to torture her? Her heart clenched painfully because it seemed that song was written for them, for their situation right now.
It's been raining since you left me
Now I'm drowning in the flood
Robin still couldn't face her. He was looking at every direction, but not hers. He didn't know if she remembered that day he had found her listening to that song.
You see I've always been a fighter
But without you I give up
Robin could remember she was beautiful, calm and happy on that day. He closed his eyes and still could feel her warm breath on his neck and her soft hair brushing on his shoulder, as she leaned to him and kissed his lips.
I can't sing a love song
Like the way it's meant to be
Well I guess I'm not that good anymore
But, babe, that's just me
A tear left Regina's eye but she didn't even notice it. She was frozen at her place. She couldn't think or even breathe properly. She could only look at him and notice the dark circles under his eyes and his pale face.
And I will love you, baby
Always
And I'll be there, forever and a day
Always
When he sang the last sentence, he was finally able to lift his head to her direction, his eyes laying on hers. His heart skipped a beat as their eyes locked, neither of them dared to break the eye contact.
I'll be there till the stars don't shine
Till the heavens burst and the words don't rhyme
He wanted to make sure she knew that that song was for her, but at the look he saw on her face, he noticed she did.
I know when I die, you'll be on my mind
And I love you, always
Regina could see the sadness in his eyes but she tried to stay strong. She shook her head and finally, looked away from him.
Now your pictures that you left behind
Are just memories of a different life
She closed her eyes and tried to forget about the memories that were now crossing her mind. Memories of that times when she started to have hope that everything would be fine.
Some that made us laugh
Some that made us cry
One that made you have to say good bye
She remembered their happy days together; the sweet taste of happiness she had experienced by his side, but now, it was over.
What I'd give to run my fingers through your hair
To touch your lips, to hold you near
God! How much he missed to touch her hair, to bury his hands in them. How much he missed to touch her lips and hold her close to him.
When you say your prayers, try to understand
I've made mistakes, I'm just a man
Not having her by his side was killing a part of him every day. He knew he would never be complete again without her.
When he holds you close
When he pulls you near
When he says the words
You've been needing to hear
When Robin sang that part, everybody stared at Regina and Arthur. The man grabbed Regina's hand firmly and stared back at Robin, looking directly at him with a defiant look. Robin hated that guy, maybe because he was jealous or because that man was making her smile – a thing that Robin was not able to do anymore, due to his wrong choices.
I wish I was him, cause those words are mine
To say to you till the end of time
He wanted to scream for everybody hears that he loved her, that he was able to do anything for her. If he could build a damn portal to travel through time and undo the wrong things he had done, he would! But he couldn't… the damage was already done!
If you told me to cry for you, I could
If you told me to die for you, I would
Take a look at my face
He had never felt so stupid in his life. Regina was moving on because of his stupidity, and there he was, miserable, on a stage and singing a horrible love song – according to his own words – for her.
There's no price I won't pay
To say these words to you
Robin could do anything, everything if Regina asked him. He knew he had made mistakes again but what else could he do? Again, he didn't have a choice and again, he had hurt Regina in the process.
Well there ain't no luck in this loaded dice
But babe if you give me just one more try
Everything he wanted and needed was getting her back and getting the life they were used to share together, them and their sons. He needed that as the air he was breathing. He needed to feel her warm and listen her laughter again. He needed... He needed her. His Regina.
We can pack up our old dreams and our old lives
We'll find a place where the sun still shines
As the melody was playing, he kept singing and feeling the burden of the song's words, he couldn't control his tears anymore, so he let them fall ashamed on his face.
I will love you, baby
Always
Regina couldn't listen nothing more. She felt like her heart was about to burst from her chest. She couldn't even look at him. She only caught a glimpse of his tears streaming down his cheeks and swallowed hard. She had to get out of there before she collapsed. Suddenly, she got up, did excuse herself without looking at no one and left the dinner, not looking behind her. Robin closed his eyes and breathed deeply, panic seeped back into him, but he had to try to end the song.
And I'll be there, forever and a day
Always
Then, the song was over and Robin stayed on the stage staring at the closed door. People kept silent, looking at him. In a tentative to relieve the mood, David stood up and started to cheer for him, followed by other people.
Robin come down of the stage really embarrassed and was making his way out of Granny's when he felt a hand touching his chest, trying to stop him.
"Aren't you tired of hurting her?" Arthur's voice.
Robin wanted to punch the guy hard on the face. He clutched his knuckles so tight until they became white, but he remembered that that was Henry's birthday party and his son was there. He couldn't do that but he didn't know if he could control himself anymore. He was waiting for that since the first time he had saw that damn man by Regina's side. For a moment, he couldn't think brightly because anger was taking control of him. With a fast move, he grabbed the man's collar and it was about to punch him, but David interfered.
"Slow down, mate." David said holding Robin's arm.
"Henry… Roland!" David whispered to Robin.
When Robin looked around, he saw the boys facing him with widened eyes. Immediately, Robin released his hands from the man.
"I'm sorry." It was the only thing he said to Henry, who was approaching him.
"I need some air…Roland!" He tried to call the little boy but Henry was decided to help him.
"Go, I watch him."
"Thank you." He said to Henry before turning around and leaving Granny's.
After he closed the door, he could listen a "Stay away from her!" coming from inside the place.
Never! He thought with himself.
He was decided to get her back and he wouldn't give up on her again. He'd fight for her until the end of his days, no matter how many kings would cross his way.
Regina stumbled through the Granny's door and headed to nowhere. She was panting, her lips were trembling and the air inside there wasn't enough for her to breathe properly. She reached for a bench and supported the weight of her body there, trying to recompose herself. She looked behind, seeing a person leaving the Dinner and starting to approach her.
Robin.
She started to walk fast, with large steps but he was faster and she only felt his arm catching her waist softly from behind.
"Please, stop! Don't run away from me!" He murmured, his arms were clenching her waist and his thumbs were rubbing random patterns on her stomach.
Does he know?
She signed, turned around, looked at him in the eyes and saw the despair on his face. She should walk away from him, that was the right thing to do, but she couldn't, she didn't find enough strength for doing that.
They kept staring at each other, face to face and breathe to breathe for a while until she was brave enough to break the silence, with a weak voice.
"I knew you had a beautiful voice…." She smiled at him and he couldn't contain his happiness, sighing in relief.
"But that song is still horrible!" He said, making Regina roll her eyes.
"Regina, I…" He tried to say the three words for her, but he knew he had to do more than that, he had to make her believe in him again, he had to prove his words for her, and not just say them.
"I know…" She said, looking down.
Robin wasn't able to control himself anymore, looking at her right in front of him, so broken and hurt. He knew she wasn't ready, he knew she needed time and he had to work hard to get her trust back.
However, he couldn't avoid but lean forward, closing the small distance between them, cupping her cheeks and capturing her lips with his own.
That was it! He needed to feel her warmth no matter the consequences after that.
She widened her eyes in surprise and startled at first, but then relaxed against his body and let him kiss her.
You shouldn't be doing that, Regina!
The voice of her conscience was screaming for her to stop but when she felt his beard scratching against the soft skin of her cheeks, she got lost. She'd listen to the reason after that, but right now, she was ignoring all good sense and reacting according her body's needs and the voice of her heart.
Fuck the reason!
She winded her arms around his neck and deepened the contact of their tongues. She was kissing him and she was kissing him hard. Actually, she was devouring his lips with hers, as he was doing the same to hers. And that felt so good and so right…
She had to stop that, she would stop that… she was stopping that now!
But apparently, he could read her mind, and seeing her sudden hesitation, he bit her lower lip.
Oh! She wasn't going to stop it now, because right now, she was moaning and her body was saying the opposite.
Robin let out a soft moan as her lips moved hungrily against his. He fisted his fingers into her hair, deepened even more their kiss. He was in heavens, he had been dreaming about it every single night, and there she was, letting him kiss her, letting him feel her again. He was afraid to open his eyes and she disappear from there, so he would enjoy this moment as long as he could.
Stop it, Regina!
That damn voice was screaming to her again and making her think about the consequences. But with him, it was so easy to forget about the complications that life had threw into their paths, to let it go and pretend that everything was fine, except it was not.
"I'm sorry… I can't…" She muttered, under her breath, putting her hands on his chest and breaking the kiss.
His heartbeat didn't even get a chance to slow down before she ran away from him. He wanted to come after her, to beg her forgiveness, but she was already gone.
Regina ran, literally ran into the woods. She could use her magic and transport herself for another place, but she wanted to feel the wind on her face, to breathe the pure smell of the threes and hear the silence of the nature. She needed that. She needed to be alone and think about what she had just done.
She couldn't do that to him or to herself. She was confused and letting him confused too. She had said she didn't want him anymore, but she let him kiss her.
Where's the coherency?
She stopped near to a three and put her hands on the trunk to support her weight, or her sorrow, or her burdens.
When she looked around, she saw it.
Their log.
She chuckled sarcastically.
The destiny was indeed a bitch!
For all places she could end up right now, she was there, where everything had started, at least in Storybrooke.
"I can see you have a lot in mind." Came an unknown voice behind her. Immediately, she turned around, seeing an old man staring at her.
"Who are you?" She widened her eyes and tried to focus on the person who was studying her from head to toe.
She leaned her head in confusion because she had never seen that man before. Certainly he was not a Storybrooke resident. He was almost an ancient, his grey hair, white beard and the signs he was carrying on his face, were showing the long path he had travelled in his life. However, he had a resolution in his eyes and an honest smile on his face.
"You have to learn how to control your magic." He said, not answering her question, but putting more doubts in her mind.
"Do you know me?" She narrowed her eyes.
"I'm here because of you." He said with so much patience in his voice that almost annoyed her.
She concentrated at the man features, analyzing his figure and trying to figure out if she knew him. She gasped as a thought crossed her mind.
He was Merlin! He had to be!
"What do you want from me?" She tried her best to snarl out her words but they ended up sounding more vulnerable than she had hoped.
"You're carrying a precious and unique soul, the one I was waiting for a long time!" He tried to approach her, stepping forward.
"Don't come any closer…" She stepped back and put a protective hand around her stomach, fear exhaling through her body.
She was really confused; she had been looking for answers since Dr. Whale had told her she was pregnant. Answers that could explain how or why that was happening to her, but no book could give her a reasonable explanation.
That was not possible! She had drunk an infertile potion a long time ago; she was supposed to be barren! There was no way she could be carrying a child!
She was scared, but at the same time, she had never been so happy in her life.
She was carrying a child! Her little miracle… Robin's and hers little miracle!
"Don't try to find a reasonable explanation for everything. You live in a world with magic and your daughter has magic, like mine!" Merlin spoke and her eyes widened.
"What do you mean?" She was trying to sound strong but gasped, despite of herself.
"She is product of soulmates, conceived with true love. Do you have any idea how much powerful and unique she is?" He was trying to clarifying to her.
"She?" Regina's eyes squeezed hard as the old man told her about what she had already sensed, but still wasn't sure about it. It was too soon for her to know the baby's gender but she didn't need any test to prove that; since she had figured out she was pregnant, she could sense it was a girl.
"Your daughter." He assured her, with an honest look.
"Her kind of magic is really rare and only appears in centuries. I'm looking for it for a long time and I had finally found it on her." He completed.
"Why do you need her?" She stepped back once more, making a good distance between them.
There was no sorcerer or any strong magic that could take her little girl away from her.
She was hers!
Regina was able to do anything or hurt anyone to guarantee the safety of her daughter. If she had to turn into the Evil Queen again, she would, but nothing or nobody would hurt her little princess.
"I'm not here to hurt her, quite the opposite…. I'm here to protect her!" The man tried to calm down her nerves, telling her his intention.
"Nobody will take her away from me, not even you!" Regina felt her blood boil as Merlin hit too close to the mark.
"As I said, I'm here to protect her, to assure she will be born. I'm not hurting her, trust me." He insisted, trying to explain that his real intention were good and he was there to help her, and more important, her baby.
"Why?" Regina was a little relaxed after she had seen the honesty in his eyes, but she kept her guard up, giving him a suspicious look.
"I'm on this position for a long time…" He said and carefully approached her but this time she didn't stepped back.
"Lately I started to feel weak…" He continued.
"I'm dying…" He admitted and Regina felt sadness in her heart that she couldn't explain the reason.
"But when I arrived here, dragging with my people by an inexplicable source of power, I understood why." He said and continued.
"She'll be my replacement." He concluded, pointing a finger to where her daughter was resting quietly and growing old every single day.
Why was she so quiet? Wasn't she feeling threatened?
Regina didn't understand because every time her baby had exploded its magic though her body, it had been in a moment of fear.
But why not now? Was this man a friend? Was he telling the truth?
"No, she' won't!" She shook her head, trying to focus again on the man in front of her, because no matter what were his intentions towards her daughter, she wouldn't allow that her little girl would have to carry that heavy burden.
"Regina… please, let me finish." He tried to speak to her again; his time was short and he had to make her understand the gravity of the situation.
"How do you know my name?" She raised her eyebrows as she regarded the sorcerer.
"I know everything about you." He smiled at her.
"You had tried to run away from your destiny but here you are: carrying a child of your soulmate." He pointed that out, making Regina widen her eyes even more, if that was even possible.
"It was prophesied, no matter what you do, it had been always your fate… and hers." He said, making her remembers Tinkerbelle's words and she froze at her place.
Was that her fate? Having a Robin's child?
"You don't have to be scared. She has a gift and she'll use it for good." He said, hopefully.
"But…" The sorcerer started to explain but stopped, afraid of Regina's reaction.
"But what?" She asked, a small bit of bitterness showing in her voice.
"You have to protect her. There're dark forces working against it but she has to be born!" Merlin was really worried about Regina's child.
"She will be born." She affirmed, with a firm tone.
"I trust that." He nodded his head.
"I wish I could help you more but I can't… my magic is fading away from me while she is using hers."
"How can I stop that?" She asked, really concerned.
"You can't, she has the stronger magic of all and you have to learn with her. She doesn't know what she is doing but you are her mother, you can sense her, you can feel her needs and fears, and only you can control it." He explained to her.
"What if can't?" She was desperate and she needed to know how to control that strong magic.
"You have to." He said with determination in his eyes.
"If you were reunited with her father, the task would be easier…"
"You're not serious!" She gave him a sarcastic look.
"Indeed I am. She is the daughter of soulmates, persons who share the same soul; when the two parts are together, they can be stronger and can protect her more efficiently." Merlin clarified.
"You're saying that while she is becoming more powerful, you're becoming weaker?" Regina asked.
"Exactly." He nodded.
"So when she is born…"
"I'll be dead." He admitted and she glanced to him with solidarity.
"Don't worry, I need to rest. My time here is over and I'm grateful for it." He gave her a confident smile.
"I'm sorry." She had pain and sincerity in her eyes.
"Don't be. Protect your little girl and make sure to love and help her to accomplish her mission."
"I'm the Evil Queen! How is that possible?" She was confused and couldn't believe her daughter could be so powerful.
"That's why you were chosen for a long time, but only now you're ready. You have the most resilient heart and you're trying to redeem yourself. That's harder than if you had always been good. Like her father… he made a lot of mistakes but he is still trying to choose the right path." He said and continued.
"You two are not perfect, but you have good souls and that's why you're the right ones… you love each other and you were destined to be together, to take care and love her, despite the difficult path you're having to face it!" He concluded and Regina felt tears prickling in her eyes but she was determined to not let them show, but failed. The man was saying her story, her past and present, and maybe, her future.
"I can protect you, come with me! I have my vault and…" She extended a hand, despite herself.
She was feeling a need to help the man, maybe because she was convinced that he was speaking the truth or her daughter could be at the same position as his one day, needing help.
"I can't… she is the only one who needs concerns right now!" He shook his head no and Regina noticed a sincere smile on his face.
Was he happy about dying? Or was he grateful for her attempt of help?
"Wait!" She tried to stop him, leaning her hands towards him.
"Where are you going?" She stepped towards him, as she noticed he was waving his hand and she knew he was about to disappear in a cloud of magic.
"I have to comply with my destiny, not matter how hard it is… promise me you'll take care of her, Regina!" He almost begged her.
"I would do anything for her! I could die for her!" She promised, letting the tears stream down her cheeks freely.
"That's why you had been chosen!" He nodded her head in consent, smiling brightly, before disappeared in a light blue smoke.
Regina tried to compose herself as the man had gone, but it wasn't easy. She was trying to process the fresh revelations that the man had told her.
Her daughter was destined to be the new most powerful sorcerer of the whole lands.
A girl.
Her girl.
Her daughter.
The daughter of the Evil Queen and a common thief.
A little human being that was growing inside her womb, a product of her love for him, her soulmate, a man she had ran away a long time ago, but had met again, had loved and still loved.
She touched her stomach, not caring about the tears that were running down her cheeks.
She was having a baby, a girl, her little princess, her little miracle.
A girl that she didn't even had put the eyes on her face, but already loved with her whole heart and soul.
She was crying and laughing at the same time, but they were tears of join.
Despite the circumstances, she'd face them… and she would face them bravely!
She wasn't lying to Merlin, she was able to do everything for her little miracle, for her little girl…. and she would.
Sooo?
Did you really think Cora was talking about Zelena's baby on Regina's dream? You were wrong! Hehehehe
Since I had the idea for this fanfic, I wanted to do that. For the ones who asked me during the first chapters if Regina was sick, well, now you have your answer.
I had always wanted Regina getting pregnant on the show and her baby with Robin being special. After they did that to Zelena, I was really upset and I don't know if now I want it for Regina on the show; I think would be really weird for the babies: would they be brothers or cousins? IDK! It's really complicated! But don't worry, in this fanfic, we don't have to face that kind of complication (no more spoilers! Hahahha).
Let me know what you're thinking. I wanted to make a connection between OQ baby and Camelot. Did you like her little girl having that special kind of magic, like Merlin's?
Thank you for reading!