Sweet Escape

Robin walked back into his camp still protectively carrying Regina in his arms. Making his way over to the campfire, he gently set her on her feet, then helped to ease her down on a blanket by the fire.

Upon being set down, Regina groaned a little at the loss of his warmth, feeling much better now than right after her confrontation with Zelena. Currently, she only felt slightly dizzy. She knew she needed to rest. She could feel the exhaustion not only from her pregnancy but also from the exertion, both physical and magical, begin to set it, leaving her feeling more drained than she could ever remember being.

"Are you alright, my lady?" Robin inquired, kneeling down beside her.

"Yes," she said, closing her eyes and breathing in the smells of the forest. Her hands naturally rested on her stomach and rubbed slow soothing circles to calm her active daughter.

Robin knew the Merry Men would be stoking their fire pit by now and preparing supper. That's the first thing he'd do after checking on Roland. He'd get food into this stubborn, beautiful woman. Making his apologies for leaving her alone, he quickly made his way across the camp to check on his men and the state of things before making his way back to the queen.

"Dinner will be ready soon." Regina looked up at the sound of his voice. "The men love to cook in this realm's new-fashion, so the meal is now 'on the grill,' as they say." Robin walked around the fire, and he was soon met by the delighted squeals of his son trying to sneak up behind him.

"Papa!" Roland shouted in glee.

"Roland, my boy!" Robin picked his child up and threw him into the air, both laughing out loud. "Were you good for Little John?"

"Yes, Papa!" Roland said, with both his hands on his father's face. "But I'm not supposed to tell why."

Intrigued, Robin raised his eyebrows. "And just what aren't you supposed to tell?"

"It's secret, Papa." But the sweet, white remnants of marshmallow and the smell of chocolate on his boy's breathe gave it away. It'd been one of the first treats Roland had discovered after they arrived in Storybrooke, a sticky, fluffy substance that Robin couldn't quite bring himself to call food. It was more like sugary clouds meant only for the drooling mouths of children who craved sweets.

"I see. Well, I'm glad you had fun with your uncle." Robin's gazed now shifted toward his best mate in question. "Even if it seems a bribe was necessary."

Little John cleared his throat and walked away, pretending he hadn't heard and made himself busy with dinner preparations.

Robin carried Roland with him toward Regina and took a seat on the blanket next to her. Roland, now settled into his father's lap, eyed Regina suspiciously, a sight that was both cute and amusing.

They warmed their bodies over the crackling fire directly in front of Robin's tent. Regina caught the little boy's eyes and waved to him. The little boy reluctantly slid off his papa's lap between them but didn't go any further.

Regina glanced at Robin who was watching Roland's reaction. He smiled but said nothing.

"Roland," Robin started gaining the small boy's attention. "I'd like you to meet a very dear friend of mine. Her name is Regina."

Regina smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Roland."

Taking time to size up the situation, Roland finally decided to ease around to Regina, but staying as close as he could without touching her and watching her intently the entire time. When he finally reached Regina he slowly sat in front of her, never breaking eye contact with her. The adults were enjoying watching him as he quietly stared at her.

Finally, he asked, "Are you the queen?"

Regina laughed and Robin smothered his grin.

She nodded. "I used to be."

He tilted his head, his little brow creased in confusion. "You're not no more?"

Regina had to smile. "No, in this land I'm just like everyone else. Just like you." She reached up and tapped him on his little nose.

"Like me?" His eyes widened, and then as if deciding she was okay, he carefully crawled on Regina's lap.

Regina's eyes met Robin's for the briefest of seconds, worry showed on his face knowing she was still feeling the effects of her fight with the Wicked Witch. Regina reassured him without words that she was fine and slowly focused her attention on the sweet, dimple faced four year old in her lap. He crooked a little finger at her and then cupped his hands around his mouth.

Regina leaned down, and he said into her ear, "Do you know how to use magic?"

"Hmm…" Her eyes met Robin's briefly before she asked, "Who told you that?"

Roland pointed to across the fire from them to Friar Tuck who immediately looked away, and then feigning thirst got up from the camp fire. Regina watched in amusement as Robin scowled after his friend's retreating back.

"Yes, I know magic," she told the little boy. "But magic isn't like a toy."

"Oh, I have a toy!" Roland exclaimed, smiling. "Do you want to see it?"

"I would love to see it," she told him, and at that he jumped up off her lap running to his tent.

"I'm sorry about that," Robin apologized.

Regina chuckled. "No, it's fine. He's adorable."

Robin opened his mouth to say something when a rustling sound of little feet came up from behind them, and Roland plopped back down heavily in Regina's lap.

"Roland," Robin warned. "You must take great care with Regina, son."

Roland looked up at his father. "Why?"

"Because she's with child," Robin said, looking up at Regina.

Roland's forehead crinkled. It's not that there haven't been pregnancies in camp, of course there had been. However, Roland had been too young for many of the births and never close enough to the families to be directly involved. So it didn't surprise Robin when his son asked, "Papa, what is "with child"?"

Robin's face fell at his son's question, and Regina bit her lip hard in an attempt to contain the laughter that suddenly bubbled up in her. She found Robin's distress almost as adorable as his son. She smiled up at him from behind Roland's head.

Robin hesitated, clearing his throat. "Well, um..."

With all the seriousness she could muster, Regina scrunched up her nose playfully and asked, "Yeah, papa, what is it?"

Roland looked curiously between the two adults waiting for an answer.

Robin pursed his lips and cleared his throat before telling him, "It means Regina has a baby in her tummy."

Roland frowned and slowly leaned away from her a bit, looking down at her belly. He had to think about it for a moment before he looked back up at her. "There's a baby in your tummy?"

"Yes, there is." Regina glanced at Robin.

Roland put his small hand on her stomach a moment before pulling it back and asking, "How did it get in there?"

Regina looked at Robin who was rubbing a hand down his face in an attempt to smother an embarrassed groan.

Laughing she told Robin, "You brought this all on yourself."

Gilford, another one of the Merry Men, who also had been sitting with them, got up from across the fire leaving Robin and Regina alone with the boy. "Good luck, my friend," he called to Robin over his shoulder.

Robin looked at his son. "Well my boy, it... just… did..." he said, stumbling for words. Then he glanced down at the stuffed animal in the boy's hand. "Didn't you want to show Regina your toy?"

"Oh, yes!" Roland squealed, his attention diverted, much to the great relief of his father. Hoisting a stuffed animal at Regina, he said, "See, I have a monkey!"

"Yes, you do," Regina agreed, with equal enthusiasm to the boy's. Taking it from him, she eyed it as though she'd seen it before. Somehow it felt so familiar. Shaking off the feeling, she asked him, "Does he have a name?"

Roland looked up at her with wide eyes. "I can name him?"

"Of course you can," she told him.

"Well, I don't know any names." He shrugged.

"Hmmm, well let's think of some. It should be a special name."

His eyes lit up. "A special one?"

"Mmhmm, well he's a special monkey. He should have a special name."

"Hmm, how about... Henry!" he said, smiling up at her.

Regina looked at the boy in wonder. "Why that name?"

"Because that's the name of my friend," Roland told her matter-of-factly.

Robin leaned close to Regina and said. "When I took you into the hospital the other day, Henry was kind enough to play with Roland."

Warmth filled her at the thoughtfulness of her son. "Oh, I see." Looking back down at Roland, she said, "That's a very good name for him."

Finished with that conversation, the little boy asked, "Can the baby play?"

"I think I'll just go check on supper then," Robin told them, jumping to his feet.

Regina shook her head, grinning as he walked away.

"I hope you're hungry," Robin said, walking back to them a short while later.

A chuckle bubbled up from deep in Regina's chest. "It seems, I'm always hungry these days."

Robin smiled at that. "Roland, why don't you go give Tuck a hand with the tables."

Roland looked up at his father from his place on Regina's lap. "Is supper ready, Papa?"

"Yes, so you better hurry and beat Tuck to the carrots," he told the boy in a low conspiratorial tone.

Roland scrambled off Regina's lap yelling, "Tuuuuuck, don't take all the carrots!"

Robin laughed and held out his hands, helping Regina to her feet. He reluctantly let go of her hand and stepped a respectful distance away from her. "Shall we?"

She gave an indulgent nod, and they walked the short distance to where they had six large picnic tables set up.

It was only now that Regina registered just how much food was on offer. Along with the carrots, there was chicken, baked potatoes, grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, and various other condiments and sides.

Regina laughed. "There's enough to feed a small army."

"Well, there are quite a few of us," he pointed out.

Robin moved behind Regina and gestured to the bench at the first table. She sat down at the end, and Robin excused himself while he got them some plates.

Soon a shuffling noise came, followed by a young Roland Hood scrambling up on the bench beside her.

Regina gave Roland a once-over, noting the unruly mop of dark curly hair, mud-smudged pants, and little wool sweater. He smiled sweetly up at her. "Can I sit with you, Regina?"

"Of course, sweetheart."

"What's this?" Robin said, putting down two plates of food for Roland and Regina. "Have you taken my seat?"

"Noooo, cause I beat you." Roland stuck out his tongue and blew a raspberry in Robin's direction.

Regina huffed a laugh.

Robin smirked good-naturedly. His heart filling as his son scooted closer to Regina's side. "It appears I have lost my seat."

"You're apparently not as quick-footed as you think you are, Sir Robin of Locksley." Regina arched an eyebrow at him.

Robin laughed. "Apparently not."

Regina shot a grin his way and then, as she surveyed the table, reached for a glass, but Robin beat her to it. "What would you care for, my lady?" he asked.

"Water would be great and thank you. Dinner smells delicious."

Nodding, Robin took one of the empty plates for himself and after a smile patted Roland on the shoulder. "Eat your dinner and keep Regina company for a moment, alright?"

Roland nodded, "Yep!"

Smiling warmly, Regina picked up her fork and began to eat. It was delicious – better than she anticipated – which shouldn't have surprised her.

"Regina?"

Regina swung around at the sound of the familiar voice.

"Archie?" Now this was strange, she thought but smiled up at him. "What are you doing here?"

A curly haired brunette appeared at his side and tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. Regina's smile grew. Oh, now it made sense.

"Oh, Regina, this is Rachel. Rachel, this is our mayor, Regina Mills."

"Ah, The Evil Queen, yes I know." Rachel smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Welcome."

Regina looked down at Roland who had given them an odd look, before going back to his dinner. Her gaze went back to the young woman with a wry look. "I prefer, Regina."

Just then, Rachel was roughly handed a stack of plates from Friar Tuck, and she glared up at him only a moment before going and placing them on the other tables.

"I'm sorry about that," Archie apologized. "Her sister didn't make it back with the second curse. Everyone will come around, Regina. They just need some time."

He smiled sadly at her before he left to help with dinner. Her shoulders slumped. She should have known this was a bad idea. Regina was tempted to cut her losses and leave now.

However, as though on cue, Robin sat her water glass beside her. "What was all that about?"

"Just another one of the many reasons, why I don't socialize with people," Regina said, hoping she sounded indifferent.

He frowned at the woman, who sat down with Archie at the farthest table, as everyone shuffled around to make room. He made a mental note to speak with the girl in question later. Robin pulled up a chair and sat at the end of the table next to Regina.

They ate in silence for a few minutes, listening to the sounds of the evening and the quiet rustle of the trees. The sun had set a while ago, and overhead the stars had emerged from the darkness. Regina's gaze was drawn skyward as she tried not to sigh.

She knew Robin was watching her. She could feel his eyes on her, and lowering her gaze, she gave him a half smile before concentrating on her meal once more.

"How is it?"

She hummed appreciatively. "Very good, thank you."

There was a chorus of greetings as cups of coffee and various beverages were distributed and places taken at the large tables.

Everyone began helping themselves, passing plates and bowls back and forth, chatting, laughing, and making 'mmmming' noises as they ate. Reaching for another piece of chicken, Friar Tuck threw in an aside, "So, Majesty, before you came tonight we were all just talking about you."

Little John, Robin, and a teenager she'd met earlier, Emery who was also at the table, looked up.

"Oh?" Regina grabbed her water and took a drink. This should be interesting. "What town gossip have you heard about me?"

Tuck leaned forward, jabbing a fork in Robin's direction, and said, "It appears our leader is in much of a snit these last few days. Are you the cause?"

Robin choked on his water and gave Tuck an exasperated look.

Regina cleared her throat, not sure where this was going, and muttered sotto voce, "I'm not sure what you mean?"

Regina sent a questioning look in his direction, and Little John amended quickly, "We hear you can pluck his majesty's never-miss-a-mark arrows from the air."

"Where did you hear that?" she asked, taking another sip of her water.

This time it was Friar Tuck that pointed an accusing finger at the little boy next to Regina, who looked up at them all with wide innocent eyes.

Attention now focused on him, Roland looked up from his sticky fingers to the adults now watching him. "What?"

Robin leaned forward. "My boy, I told you that in the strictest of confidence."

Roland leaned into Regina. "What's confidence?"

She looked down at Roland and put her hand on his back. "It's like keeping a secret."

"Ohh." Roland nodded in understanding and then shrugged. "Well then why didn't you say so, Papa?"

Robin laughed softly, shaking his head. "Why, indeed?"

Unnoticeable to the others, Regina winked at him and said, "Telling our secrets, are we?"

"I admit to no such thing."

"Well whatever the cause, we thank you." Tuck smiled and raised his glass to her.

Emery added, "His lofty perch isn't so high anymore now that everyone knows a woman can thwart him."

Robin groaned his face becoming a bit redder under everyone's scrutiny, but he bit back good-humoredly, "Watch it, men. I know where you sleep, and it was one arrow."

Tuck shook his head. "Not just that, you're forgetting the monkey near the village it took… what was it..." he looked to Emery, "three attempts before striking it?"

Robin rolled his eyes. "I would like to state, in my defense, that it was a total of two arrows, and only two. Also I was trying not to kill the poor beast, only injure it. That does not mean I'm in a snit."

Regina said, "I think we should take a look at your track record, Robin. It doesn't bode well."

Robin rubbed his forehead. "I feel a slight headache coming on."

Regina laughed. Under the table, Robin felt Regina's hand squeeze his thigh just above the knee. He bit his lip to hide the smile as her hand stayed there. He could tell by the sparkle in Regina's eyes that she was having fun with this conversation, so he didn't stop it.

Another man came and took a seat across from the friar. "What did I miss?"

Tuck took a sip of his beer. "We were about to embarrass Robin further."

"Oh? That sounds like merry fun," he said.

"Must we bring up all these rather unpleasant memories?" Robin asked.

"You could end it by simply 'fessing up' and admitting that you're not perfect. Your choice," Emery told him, smiling widely.

Robin sighed dramatically. He put his hand on top of Regina's under the table. "Hmm, I'm afraid I can't do that."

Regina shook her head.

A while later, Emery offered Regina the plate of cookies. "You'd better have a few before they're all gone, majesty."

Regina looked up and after licking a drip of chocolate from her s'more off her finger. "Oh, I couldn't. I'm so stuffed already."

"You'd better grab her a couple for later, Robin. Regina's been wolfing the s'mores down like she hasn't had a decent meal in years. Don't your people feed you out there in the town?" Tuck asked, playfully.

The corner of Robin's mouth lifted in a smile.

Regina and Roland stopped chewing and looked at one another. His chocolate covered face grinned up at her. "R-gina likes chocolate just like me."

"Yes, I do sweetheart," she said, brushing his hair away from his face as he yawned. "And I eat," she tossed back at the man sitting across from her.

Tuck hummed in disbelief but let it drop.

Regina smiled warmly as she cast her eyes around the table. The strange sense of dislocation and isolation had gone tonight. She felt at home here with Robin. Not that anyone would have been aware of her troubled thoughts or preoccupation. She'd hidden it well. Her ability to 'put on a happy face' was something she'd become quite adept at. But whether anyone else knew or not was immaterial; she could feel the difference and for now that's all that mattered.

It was only moments later that she was obliged to amend that thought. It appeared she wasn't the only one aware of her improved frame of mind, as the thief who had her heart smiled gently from beside her.

Robin touched her forearm and gestured to the little boy that had fallen asleep against her arm. Their eyes met for a moment, and she could read the question in his gaze. Regina nodded, her eyes softening as she lifted the boy towards her and into her arms. He helped her stand up from the table and held out his arms to take the boy, but Regina shook her head.

"I'll take him, if you don't mind," She said.

He smiled at her, and they both left towards the back of camp.

After settling Roland in his own tent next to his, Robin lead Regina to his tent, where he was covering his mat with many extra blankets and pillows.

She sat beside him, watching him fuss over her in great interest.

"I'm afraid I didn't quite think this through," he admitted more to himself than to her. "You would have been more comfortable in your own bed, I dare say."

She smiled and shook her head. "You have more here than I'll know what to do with. I'll be just fine," she assured him.

He helped her to her knees, and she snuggled down into the bed made of blankets and pillows. Holding her hand, he asked, "Is that alright?"

"Mmmhmm. Thank you." She sucked in her breath and put her hand on her belly. "Oh."

His eyes widened. He asked, "Is something wrong?"

She shook her head. "No, she's just really moving tonight."

"Moving?"

Regina smiled and nodded. "She's been very active tonight, but right now she has the hiccups."

Robin grinned up at her amazed. "You can feel that?"

"Mmhm. Give me your hand." He held it out for her tentatively, and she pressed it into her belly, moving it to the side and holding it over the baby.

His hand stilled on her stomach as they waited. Robin gasped as he felt something move under his hand.

Just then she smiled at him. "Do you feel that?"

He nodded.

"If you wait a second, you'll feel it." But she didn't have to finish as the flutter happened once more. "See, hiccups."

"That's incredible." He didn't remove his hand, but he realized something and looked sharply up at her. "So you know it's a girl, then?"

Regina's smile slowly disappeared, and she continued to look deeply into his eyes. "Let's just say, I have a feeling."

He stroked one hand over her pregnant belly and then looked up at her, his eyes filled with something she wouldn't let herself acknowledge. She felt the sting of tears as she looked at his dear face. She only wished that she could just remember.

"I know I'm taking a chance but," Robin began, but faltered a moment.

Regina swallowed and held her breath. If her heart had been in her chest, she was sure he'd be able to hear it.

"Do you have any inkling who… I mean…" Robin sighed, frustrated. "I don't know why this is so bloody difficult."

Taking his hand, she said, "I know what you're asking, and as much as I wish I could give you the answer, I don't know it for sure."

He looked down into her eyes. The hope radiating from them was almost overwhelming. "So you have some idea, then?"

Shaking her head, she said, "No, not exactly, but I have a feeling."

"And what's that?"

Her eyes were locked with his. "I don't think I can say."

"Why?"

Her voice was thick with emotion, "I think I'm afraid."

He tilted his head in concern. "Afraid of what?"

With sadness in her eyes, she reached out, and with feather light touches, she traced a line across his brow and down the side of his face. Her hand stilled on his cheek. "Afraid of being wrong."

He reached up, holding her hand in place and whispered, "I don't think you are." He leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Sleep well, my lady."

Regina fought back tears as he rose away from her, but then making a quick decision, she grabbed his hand to stop him.

"Wait," she whispered. "Stay with me?"

He nodded and crawled in the bed of pillows behind her. Pulling heavy blankets up to cover them, he gathered her into his arms to spoon her against him, while she in turn wrapped her arms around his.

She could feel his lips press into her hair, and she closed her eyes at the onslaught of emotions that filled her.

Regina took a deep shuddering breath. "Thank you."

He nuzzled her neck, and with his lips close to her ear, whispered, "For you, my lady... anything."

She snuggled back into his embrace, and as his hand protectively slid onto her belly, she quickly fell into a peaceful sleep.