A month had passed and Regina had just finished what was hopefully her last radiation appointment. She and Robin had just walked through the door when Roland came bursting forth, rambling about cupcakes that he and Henry had made. Regina didn't want to let either of the boys down but her stomach was not ready to handle any food. She was feeling a bit nauseous and really tired but she wouldn't admit to needing sleep.

"I'll take three," Robin chuckled, "but mom is not hungry."

Regina looked at him and thanked him with a small smile. He could always read right through her. When Roland took back off toward the kitchen, Robin helped her out of her coat and helped her get rested on the couch. Since her third session of radiation her bones had been aching and Robin did his best to soothe them when possible.

"Would you like anything to drink?"

Regina rested her head against the back of the couch and shook it. "No. I'm alright, just tired. I think I might take a nap."

Robin nodded in understanding. If Regina was admitting that she needed a nap, she was probably more tired than he realized. Last week they had gotten into a small scuffle over her lack of admitting rest. She was always trying to exert herself with tasks such as cleaning the house; especially when she was trying to hide her discomfort.

"I'll make sure the boys keep their volume down."

Suddenly it was like something snapped inside of Regina. Her face grew red with anger and her nostrils flared. "No," Regina said flatly, "that doesn't make any sense. Just because I have to change my life doesn't me they have to. You can't expect them to stop being children just because I said I needed a nap."

Robin could sense her anger so he knew to keep his voice as calm as possible. "Alright, love, I wasn't thinking. My apologies."

"That's just it!" Regina yelled as she stood up and marched toward the door, "you don't think!"

"Regina-"

Before he could get another word in the door slammed in his face leaving him to explain to the children what had just happened.

As Regina walked alone down the sidewalk, she felt like crying. She hadn't wanted to argue with Robin but she just got so angry. She didn't want the boys to have to be quiet just so she could rest, it wasn't fair to them. She didn't want to be the reason people were changing their normal routines. She wanted things to be as normal as possible. She shivered as the bitter cold air breezed past her, hugging her coat tighter to her body. She knew she should apologize to Robin for blowing up on him but right now she needed a moment to herself, a moment to breathe.

As she came to the lake and noticed an empty bench she sat down, feeling all of her bones aching deeply. She stared into the nearly frozen lake as a lone tear escaped down her pale cheek.

"Robin told me I might find you here."

Regina didn't need to turn around to know that Mary Margaret was standing behind her. "He said you had a small argument." She made her way around the bench and sat down, also peering out at the lake. "Want to talk about it?"

They sat in silence for a few moments before Regina finally spoke. "I yelled at him," she admitted sadly, "I just… I got so angry and he was there and I took it out on him." She shook her head, "he probably doesn't want to see me right now."

"That's not true, he's worried sick. He called me right away and asked me if I would check on you."

Regina pulled her coat even tighter to her, feeling the degrees drop by the minute. Mary Margaret noticed but didn't want to rush. If Regina needed time then that's what she would get.

"I yelled at him," she repeated.

"It's okay," Mary Margaret assured her as she took off her jacket and placed it around Regina, "people yell, they argue. David and I argue at least once a day."

Regina finally looked over and smiled. "You're just trying to make me feel better."

"Is it working?"

"Do you really argue?"

Mary Margaret nodded.

"Then yes," Regina answered, "that definitely makes me feel better."

"I know that you're going through a lot," Mary Margaret said, growing serious now, "and none of us can really understand how you feel. We just want to help you and be there for you the best way we know how. For Robin, that means hovering over you and making sure you feel the least amount of stress and pain as possible."

Regina sighed, "I know."

They sat there for a few more minutes, just staring out at the water that was half frozen and half thawed. It seemed like a reflection of Regina's life. She had her happy ending but some of it was still stuck, trying to emerge on the page just like the ice trying to melt.

"I can walk you back?" Mary Margaret asked as she saw Regina shiver violently.

She nodded, "you know… I know I don't tell you this often but, I'm really thankful for you." She stood up and avoided eye contact.

Mary Margaret smiled from ear to ear, "let's get you home." She knew that if she said anything else Regina would only tease her but her heart was beaming. Some years ago she never would have seen this coming but, here they were.

When Regina arrived back at home, she handed Mary Margaret's coat back to her and thanked her before going inside. Before she even had her coat off Robin was by her side, asking her if she was okay.

"I'm okay," she responded quietly, "just cold." She made her way to the couch and sat down, unfolding the black velvet duvet and draping it over her. "Will you sit with me?"

Robin nodded and eagerly sat down next to her, wrapping his arm around her and pulling her into his warmth. He kissed the top of her head where her hair had thinned but mostly remained.

"I'm sorry I yelled."

"I'm sorry too."

"I was just angry," Regina went on, "I just want things to be normal again."

Robin gently ran his hand up and down her arm, giving her warmth and shivers all at the same time. "You're allowed to be angry," he said, "I understand."

"You're not mad?"

He shook his head, "of course not. While you were away, the boys and I began brainstorming ideas of something to surprise Mary Margaret."

Regina raised a brow, "oh yeah?"

"Mhm. We can discuss that tomorrow. Right now, I'm thinking about a nap."

Regina knew that he was only saying that because she had mentioned it earlier. She was also sure it showed on her face just how tired she was. She smiled faintly, forgetting all about her awful day and instead focusing on her incredible true love. "A nap sounds lovely."

Within seconds the two of them were cuddled comfortably on the couch and Regina was sound asleep, safe within the arms of the one man who would always make her feel better.