Chapter 8: Mother

The blood pounded in Regina's ears as she stared at the woman who had given birth to her. Cora Mills had walked out of her life almost twenty-seven years ago but she hadn't aged a day it seemed, her face as smooth as a young woman's. Her brown hair held no signs of gray and was still has thick as when Regina had tried to brush it as a child. That had led to a lecture on how only her hairdresser was allowed to touch Cora's hair, not Regina. Just like then, Cora's brown eyes were full of judgment as she took in her daughter's grown form.

Emma's hand in hers was an anchor, keeping her grounded. Regina swallowed and found her voice. "Mother, what are you doing here?"

"I'm here with my daughter." Cora placed her hand on Zelena's arm. "Zelena, meet your sister, Regina."

Regina studied Zelena, who couldn't be that much younger than her. Not if she was already one of Robin's vice presidents. "But…But we appear to be the same age. We can't be sisters."

Cora sighed, rolling her eyes. "Really, Regina. I thought you were smarter than that."

"Don't," Emma replied, stepping between Regina and Cora. "You'll have to go through me to get to Regina."

"You always have someone else fight your battles for you, Regina?" Cora leaned past Emma, raising her eyebrow at her daughter.

Regina took a deep breath and tapped Emma's shoulder. "It's okay. I can handle her."

"You sure?" Emma asked, concerned.

"I'm sure." Regina stepped forward, arms crossed. "And you will answer my question, Mother. How exactly are Zelena and I sisters?"

Cora sighed. "Well, if we're going to be technical, you and Zelena are stepsisters. But I love her like she was my own, so you are sisters."

"It's going to be so much fun getting to know you, sis," Zelena said, smiling at Regina thought lacked any sincerity.

Regina didn't return it. "Even though I'm just the help?"

Zelena's smile faltered. "Well, maybe I was a bit hasty and judgmental…"

"A bit?" Emma countered, rolling her eyes. "That's an understatement."

"And we're not sisters. That woman stopped being my mother the day after my eighth birthday," Regina continued, glaring at Cora. "You two go be a family. I don't need either of you."

She pushed past Zelena and Cora, heading back inside. Emma was right on her heels and took her arm. "Come on. Let's go to the ladies' room first," she suggested.

The bathroom was blessedly empty and Regina took comfort in the silence. Emma wetted a towel and handed it to her. "Put this on the back of your neck. We can't mess up your makeup."

"True," Regina replied, doing as Emma said. "Who does that woman think she is?"

"I know." Emma leaned against the counter, watching her.

"Twenty-seven years, Emma. She's been gone for twenty-seven years. And now she accidentally stumbles across me and wants to be a fucking family?" Regina threw the towel into the garbage.

Emma nodded. "You don't have to be. She clearly has that redheaded bimbo now."

"Zelena is a vice president. I highly doubt she's a bimbo if Robin's put her in such an important position," Regina replied. "But you do have a point."

"Glad you see it. Now, are you going to let her ruin your night?" Regina sighed, shaking her head as she smiled. Emma smiled as well. "Good. Let's head back out there, okay?"

Robin paced the little hallway outside the restrooms. He had known Regina's mother for years and never knew it. Cora Ozgreene had never been one of his favorite people before but he had tolerated her because Zelena was an integral—if annoying—part of his team. Now, though, now that he knew how awful she truly was…well, even his niceness had a breaking point.

The door to women's room opened and he stopped, watching as Emma and Regina emerged. She didn't look too upset but he pulled her into his arms anyway, holding her close. After a few moments, she melted against him and her own arms wrapped around him. He rested his cheek against her hair, the feathers tickling his nose. "I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault," she said. "You didn't know."

"If it's any consolation, I've never liked her."

Regina laughed, a sound that soothed him. "It does, actually," she said.

"Good." He leaned back to look at her. "And don't worry. They try to stay at the mansion every time they come out east. They never have."

She let out a sigh of relief. "I was going to offer to stay at my father's for the duration…"

"Roland wouldn't have let you." Neither would I.

"You're right." Regina took a deep breath. "Now what?"

Emma wrapped her arm around her. "Now you go back out there and continue to be the belle of the ball. Make those two jealous that they don't deserve the honor to know you."

"She's right," Robin agreed, taking Regina's hand. "And I think you still owe me about nine more dances."

"Nine?"

He nodded. "I told I had tried ten times to dance with you. I got one dance and now I need nine more."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes," Robin said. "If you don't dance with me, then I might have to dance with Zelena. Please don't make me dance with her."

"Well, if it'll save you from her…I guess I can dance nine more times with you," she replied with a sigh before smiling.

"You're a lifesaver," Robin said.

Emma rolled her eyes, stepping ahead of them. "I'm going to find Killian. He's far less mushy than you two."

"We're not mushy," he scoffed. The smile was back on Regina's face and he was satisfied for now.

They arrived at the dancefloor and Robin placed a hand on her waist. He twirled her about as they found a free spot on the floor, falling into step with the others. Their masks were long forgotten but he didn't care. Not when he had a better view of Regina's eyes.

"You're a pretty good dancer," she said. "Did you take lessons?"

He nodded. "Marian and I did them together when she first got the idea for this masquerade."

"That must've been fun."

"It was frustrating. I stepped on her toes so much, she had to ice her feet afterwards."

Regina chuckled. "Poor Marian. But it paid off in the end. You're very good."

"Thank you. You're pretty good yourself. Did you take lessons?"

"No. I just watch a lot of Dancing with the Stars."

"So does Will. You should watch together."

She smiled. "I'll keep that in mind."

The music ended but Robin didn't let go. Another song would be starting up again soon, he knew. "Do you need anything? Water? Alcohol?"

"I'm fine, thank you. You can dance with someone else if you want." She tried to pull away.

He pulled her closer. "Not so fast. I said nine songs. We've had one, so there are eight more to go."

"You're determined, aren't you?" She put her hand back on his shoulder and leaned closer as the music resumed. "Alright, eight more dances it is."

"May I cut in?" Zelena asked and he had to bite back his groan.

He glanced over his shoulder at her. "Nope, sorry. My dance card is full for the rest of the night."

"I could sit out a dance," Regina started before he cut her off with a glare. Did she not remember his plea to her?

Zelena pouted. "Come on, Robbie. We usually have at least one dance. If Marian could give you up for a few minutes, I'm sure Regina can too. After all, she's just your nanny."

The amount of disdain she put in Regina's title had his blood boiling. He shook his head. "Regina's my friend. And I'd rather dance with her than someone who would judge her because of her job title."

"Oh, come on, Robbie. You know what I meant," Zelena said. "And now everyone is looking. So stop making a scene."

He glanced around and saw that everyone seemed to be engrossed in the dance, not their little conversation. But he felt Regina's grip tighten on him before she stepped away. "Maybe I will get something to drink. You dance with Zelena," she said.

Before he could argue, she slipped off the dance floor and Zelena slipped into his arms. She frowned. "You're not wearing your mask."

"I forgot it outside with all the excitement," he said. "It doesn't matter. Everyone knows who I am anyway."

Zelena chuckled. "I guess so. It just seems unfair that you and Regina aren't wearing your masks."

"Then take yours off, Zelena. It doesn't matter to me either way." Robin was already annoyed and he wanted to get through this with little conversation.

She, though, had other ideas. "No need to get testy with me. I didn't know my stepmother was your nanny's mother."

"I know," he replied. "And can you stop calling her the nanny? She has a name, you know."

"Fine. But really, why are you so hung up on her? She's just the help."

"Stop. Calling. Her. That."

Zelena frowned before her eyes widened. "Oh my god. You have feelings for her, don't you?"

"I care for her, yes. She's my friend," he said, stressing the last word.

His colleague wasn't fooled. "Oh god, it's Marian all over again. What is your fascination with the lower classes, Robin?"

"The fact that I don't give a damn about classes? That I just find good people and gravitate toward them?"

"Are you saying I'm not a good person?" She pouted.

Robin sighed. "You have your moments. But then you go around calling Regina 'nanny' like she's some pariah and…well…"

She rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll try to be nicer to Regina if she means so much to you. Especially if we're going to be staying in the mansion."

"No," Robin said, firmly. "You can stay at Storybrooke Plaza. Like you always do. Tink's arranged for the penthouse and everything."

"But the mansion is much more homey."

"Well, why don't you buy a home or rent one? You and your family have enough money to do so."

Zelena sighed. "But I want to spend time with you, Robbie."

"Please stop calling me that."

"You can't say you don't feel the connection between us."

He sighed this time. "Not this again. I don't have feelings for you, Zelena. Please, stop."

"Why can't you just give me a chance? I may surprise you," she said, running her hand up his arm.

The music stopped and Robin stepped away, not saying another word. He walked off, needing to cool down and find Regina.

Regina had run out into the foyer to get away from the crowd, away from their prying and judging eyes. She had forgotten herself. That couldn't happen again. Not for her sake and for Robin's. He didn't deserve gossip.

"So here's where you ran to," Cora said, entering the foyer. She removed her mask as she studied her daughter. "You take after me."

"Only superficially. Daddy made sure I turned out nothing like you," Regina replied.

Cora frowned. "He made sure you turned out to be the help."

"There is nothing wrong with being a nanny," Regina replied. "I love my job. And I have loved all my charges."

"I'm sure of that. But, Regina, to become a nanny after everything you did at Blanchard Financials?"

Regina frowned. "You know I worked there?"

"I saw your name in the business section," Cora replied. "And I started to follow your career. I was proud of you, Regina."

"Just not proud enough to actually reach out."

Cora sighed. "Chester, my husband and Zelena's father, thought he was my first husband. I only told him the truth a few years ago. He and Zelena were surprised, of course, but they understood."

"Yet you still didn't reach out," Regina pointed out.

"Well, you had left Blanchard Financials by then. A stupid decision, if you ask me. You could've been so much better than what you are."

"You don't know anything about what happened at Blanchard Financials, Mother. And I wouldn't have been a better person if I stayed there," Regina hissed.

Cora frowned. "You would've been richer. Tell me, does your father still live in that cramped apartment?"

"Yes," Regina replied. "But that's your doing. Your debt prevented us from moving anywhere else. I could've earned all the money in the world but you shot our credit and so we couldn't do much."

"It's so easy to blame me."

"Because it's the truth."

Cora shook her head. "You can make excuses all day long. But you let a good opportunity slip through your fingers and now you work for the people who make what you could've been making."

"Money doesn't buy happiness, Mother," Regina replied. "And I feel that I could insist on it until I'm blue in the face but you won't believe that I'm happy with my life."

"You don't look happy, my dear."

"That's because you just randomly reappeared in my life and are already nitpicking everything about it within minutes," Regina replied.

Cora frowned. "I get it. You need time."

"Mother…"

"I'll leave you alone for now," Cora interrupted. She then stepped closer to Regina. "But I want to make one thing clear. Robin and Zelena have known each other for a long time now. Had Marian not swooped in, I am certain they would be married. No doubt once the one-year anniversary passes, he'll finally ask her out. They are evenly matched, so don't try to interfere. Remember, you are just a nanny. And no matter what you tell yourself, that matters in this world."

Cora walked off as Regina felt her knees go weak. Arms wrapped around her and she smelled Emma's familiar perfume. She leaned against her friend. "I think I want to go home."

"Of course," Emma replied. "I'll go with you."

"I don't want you to leave on my account."

"Nonsense. I'm your best friend and I'm not letting you leave alone when you're so upset. Robin wouldn't either but he definitely can't leave."

Regina nodded. "Thank you, Emma."

"Anything for you." Emma squeezed her one last time before letting go. "I'm going to go check with Tink. Are you okay to wait here?"

Regina nodded and leaned against the wall as Emma returned inside the ballroom. Within seconds, though, Robin stepped out. "You're leaving?" he asked.

"Yes…I just can't…I can't stay, Robin. Not with her around," Regina said, averting her eyes. "I'm not strong enough."

He pulled her into a hug, kissing the top her head. "You're stronger than you know," he whispered. "But if you need to leave, I understand. I'll see you at home."

"Thank you." She pulled away, wiping at a few tears that formed. "I still owe you a few dances, don't I?"

"You do. Don't worry. I'll collect them." He smiled as Emma and Will exited the catering hall.

Will nodded to Robin. "They're looking for you in there, mate. I'll make sure Regina gets home safe."

Robin thanked him, kissing Regina's forehead one more time before slipping inside. Will and Emma gave her looks but she ignored them, accepting her wrap from Killian as he exited the hall.

Killian smiled as he helped Emma with her wrap. "I hope we will see each other again."

"I think that can be arranged." She slid his cellphone from his pocket and entered her phone number into it. With a smile, she handed it back to him. "Don't be afraid to use it."

"I won't," he replied, eyes shining as he smiled.

A limo pulled up and Will opened the door. "Ladies?"

Regina kissed his cheek. "Thank you. And keep an eye on Robin."

"Always do," he replied. "See you at home."

Robin had to bottle the rage he felt as he read off the raffle winners. He congratulated each one as he continued to stew over the fact that Cora had forced Regina to leave. That she had made her so miserable, she no longer could enjoy a night Robin had hoped to be a fun respite from her worries.

Will came up to claim a basket and Robin raised an eyebrow. His friend had notorious bad luck when it came to raffles. "Did you finally win?"

"I wish, mate," he replied. "This is Emma's ticket."

Tink handed Will the basket and Will leaned closer to Robin. "You look as tense as you feel. Try to loosen up so you don't scare everyone."

"I want to kill Cora," Robin admitted, voice low and hand over the microphone.

Will nodded. "I know. And you look it. You don't want to look it."

"Right." Robin sighed and tried to loosen up, clamping down on his building rage. He smiled and read the rest of the ticket winners.

Once the last basket had been claimed, Robin thanked everyone for coming and asked them to stay for at least another half hour of dancing. "And of course, the desserts," he added.

As everyone laughed, Robin left the stage and made a beeline for Cora. He sidled up to her, smiling. "Can we talk in private? Please?"

She nodded, following him out onto the balcony. All their masks were still there and Robin picked up Regina's white one, turning it over in his hands.

"Is this about us staying in the mansion?" Cora asked. "Because if it is, I have a list I'd be happy to give Will."

"It's not about that. It's about your daughter."

"Zelena? Oh, Robin, it's about time you came to your senses and realized that you and she…" Cora trailed off as he turned around and she saw the white mask in his hand. She pressed her lips together in a thin line and nodded. "I see. You meant Regina."

Robin nodded. "She left because of you."

"Because of…? Don't be ridiculous. She left because she's weak. Her father spoiled her and made her soft."

"Henry loves her and treated her well. I can't say the same about you."

"Oh dear. What stories have they been telling you?" Cora shook her head. "I would hope you can tell fairy tales from the truth."

Robin stepped forward. "I'd think carefully about insulting me."

"That wasn't…"

"Don't say anything. Just listen," he said to her. "I don't want you anywhere near Regina. It's clear you are toxic for her and I won't have that. So no, you won't be staying at the mansion. You come near it and I will have you thrown off my property so fast, your head will spin. And you and Zelena will refrain from any snide remarks about her in my presence. Understand?"

Cora didn't say anything and only narrowed her brown eyes as she studied Robin. After several long minutes, she nodded. "I'll agree to your terms. But are you sure you want to support someone you only met a few months ago rather than someone you've known for years?"

"Yes," he replied, quickly.

She chuckled. "I hope you don't come to regret that choice. Good night, Robin."

He watched as she returned inside before leaning against the railing. Cora's warning was just a weak attempt to get him to doubt his faith in Regina. As he clutched her mask closer, Robin vowed to make sure her awful mother didn't destroy her.

Even if it was the last thing he did.

Silence filled the limo as they headed back to Robin's mansion. Regina leaned against Emma's shoulder, staring at nothing as the evening kept playing out in her mind. Dancing with Robin, Zelena, Cora, how concerned Robin was, Cora, being in Robin's, Robin kissing her head, Robin in that tux…

"Shit," she whispered.

Emma hummed. "Thinking about Cora?"

"Kinda," Regina replied. "But more about Robin."

"What about him?"

"I think I'm in love with him."

"About time you realize what the rest of us know," Emma replied, hugging her friend. "It's alright, you know."

Regina groaned. "Is it?"

"Is this about Leopold again?"

"Surprisingly, no. It's about my mother."

"Oh god. What did that bitch say?"

"That Zelena and Robin were going to start dating any day now," Regina replied. "Which I don't think since he practically froze her out when she cut into our dance. But she did say something that rang true."

Emma frowned. "What could Cora possibly say that was actually true?"

"That I'm just the nanny. And in Robin's world, that matters."

"It doesn't matter to Robin. He'd love you know matter what you did. He looks past stuff like that and you know that."

"But still. I know how importance appearances are. Robin dating his nanny? I won't subject him to the gossip."

"Don't you think that should be his decision?" Emma asked.

Regina frowned before sighing. "I don't even know why we're talking about this. Robin doesn't have romantic feelings for me."

"Really? He told you that you were, quote, 'stunning in every way' this evening," Emma replied. "And he was quite protective of you. That screams that he cares about you more than a friend."

There was truth in Emma's statements, Regina knew. She had seen it in Robin's eyes all night long, ever since she had come downstairs. They were on the threshold of something very dangerous. "It wouldn't work," she whispered. "Everything would just get ruined again."

Emma held her close again. "Robin isn't Daniel, either, Regina."

Having no response, Regina just let the silence return as the limo sped closer to Robin's mansion.

The mansion was dark when they got back home. Emma used her phone's flashlight to light their way, the two parting at Regina's room. "If you need me, I'm just down the hall," Emma whispered.

"I know," Regina whispered back. "Thank you. Good night."

"Night, Regina."

Once Emma walked away, Regina slipped into her room and clicked on the light. The beauticians and masseuses left no sign they had been there that afternoon and her room looked exactly like she liked it. Unzipping her dress, she slid out of it and laid over her chair, deciding she would hang it up in the morning. For now, she just shrugged on her pajamas and grabbed her toiletries to head to the bathroom.

She took down her hair, smiling as the curls tumbled down and framed her face. Next, she cleaned off all the makeup put on her before brushing her teeth. After patting her face dry, Regina then headed to Roland's room to check on him.

He slept soundly in his bed, arm wrapped around Teddy. Soft snores wafted up from him and she chuckled before pressing a kiss to his forehead. "Good night," she whispered.

After checking on her father—who was also sound asleep—Regina returned to her room and laid down. While she was both physically and emotionally exhausted, her mind would not stop spinning. She thought of her mother and how she would tell her father that Cora was back in town. Or did she have to tell him at all? Why upset him when he was doing so well and responding to the experimental treatment? Cora hadn't even asked about him so no doubt she would only try to torture Regina more by trying to see her and pretend to be a "family" with that awful Zelena.

Then Robin would float through her mind. Behind her closed eyes, she saw how he looked at her all throughout the night and she recalled being in his arms as he twirled her around the dancefloor. It was an event to honor his late wife and he spent most of it comforting her. She felt guilty but a little thrill ran through her at the thought as well.

It felt strange to finally voice the name of the feelings that had been growing inside her since she arrived at Robin's mansion. She was falling in love with him, just like she feared. But how could she not? He was kind, loyal, intelligent, witty and too easy to talk to. She had to always be careful around him because she feared she would just tell him her entire life story, even the ugly bits she kept buried deep inside.

For as accepting and forgiving as Robin was, she doubted he would be able to see past even that.

Regina rolled over. She knew there was no future with Robin. There was nothing with him past friendship. It was the best thing for him, Roland and her. She would fall out of love with him in time, she was certain.

But the thought broke her heart, tipping her emotions over the brim. Sobs began to wrack her body and she buried her head in her pillow as the tears began to flow.

Robin and Will returned home a couple hours later, Will carrying Emma's basket. "I'll just put this in one of the empty rooms and give it to Emma in the morning," Will said. "Good night, Robin."

"Night, Will. See you in the afternoon?"

Will nodded. "Afternoon sounds fine."

Robin climbed upstairs, dragging his feet toward Roland's room. He opened the door and found his son sprawled on the bed, snoring away. Smiling, Robin kissed his forehead. "I love you, my boy," he whispered.

Closing the door, Robin then paused outside Regina's. He pressed his ear to it, hearing nothing from inside. She was asleep, he hoped. After the evening she had, she needed her rest. Robin was tempted, though, to go in and check.

He gave in, knowing she didn't lock the door. Approaching her bed, he found her asleep on her side. One of her arms was tucked under her head and she clutched the blankets closer with her free hand. The dim light from the hallway illuminated the tear tracks on her cheeks and his heart skipped a beat, pained at the thought she had cried herself to sleep.

Robin was tempted again, this time to take off his tux and crawl into bed next to her. To hold her close and try to comfort her in sleep. But that was definitely a line he could not cross. Not without her permission. So he tucked her hair behind her ear, stood and left.

Closing the door, Robin leaned against it. He wanted to bang his head but that risked waking both Regina and Roland. So he just sighed as he finally accepted the truth he had been denying for weeks:

He had fallen in love with Regina Mills.

Everyone slept in the next day. Regina rose sometime before noon and hopped in the shower. She washed the product out of her hair and scrubbed the dried tears from her cheeks. And then she just stood under the stray, letting the warm water wash everything away…Mother, Zelena, her feelings for Robin…

Well, not everything washed away.

Regina dressed for the day in a warm fluffy blue sweater and jeans paired with her fleece-lined booty slippers. She threw her hair up into a ponytail and headed downstairs to see what was going on with breakfast…or rather, brunch.

Her father and Roland sat at the table, finishing up what looked like a breakfast of oatmeal and fruit. A mug of coffee sat in front of Henry and Roland was sipping from a glass of orange juice. Regina smiled as she took them in. "And how was your evening?"

"Good," Henry replied. "I taught Roland how to play checkers and then I entertained him with some magic tricks. All-in-all, a good night. Right, Roland?"

Roland nodded, swallowing his spoonful of oatmeal. "He even read me a story from your book but it wasn't the same. You do it better."

"Regina does a lot of things better," Henry said, winking at her.

She smiled, heading over to make herself a bowl of oatmeal as Roland finished up. He put his bowl in the sink before hugging her. "Did you have fun at the ball? Like Cinderella?"

"Yes, I did," she replied, hugging him back. "Though I came back with both of my shoes."

"Did you dance?"

"I did. A lot."

"With Papa?"

She ran a hand through his curls. "We shared a few dances, yes."

Having gotten his answers, Roland left the kitchen to head to his playroom. Regina brought her oatmeal to the table, sitting next to her father. She felt his gaze on her and sighed. "What?"

"Something happened last night. Your smile doesn't quite reach your eyes." He took her hand. "What is it, Regina?"

She sighed, realizing she would have to tell him the truth. He knew her too well for her to attempt to lie. "I saw Mother last night, Daddy."

"You did?" He frowned. "Tell me what happened."

Regina went through the night, though she omitted Mother's warning about Regina developing feelings for Robin. It wasn't something she was ready to discuss. "I was so upset, I couldn't stay. Robin had his limo take me and Emma home."

"Oh, Regina…"

"I know, I know," she said. "I shouldn't have let her chase me away but I just couldn't process it all. Robin seemed to understand."

"I did," Robin replied, coming into the kitchen. He smiled at her, blue eyes shining behind silver rimmed frames.

Her mind almost short-circuited when she saw them and she blinked a few times. "Glasses?"

"Yeah," he said, touching them. "My eyes felt sore so I decided to give them a break from my contacts. These will be gone in a day or two."

"I like them. They look good on you." They were downright sexy, but she wasn't going to say that to her boss. Just like she wasn't imagining him in bed wearing those glasses and nothing else.

He smiled. "Thank you. I still prefer my contacts but maybe I won't be so reluctant to wear my glasses now."

Robin's words made her heart skip a beat and she had to use all her self-control not to smile like a smitten schoolgirl. She bit her lip before asking: "How was the rest of the ball?"

"Okay. A bit boring without you there." Robin brought his bowl and mug over to the table, sitting down. "Emma won a basket. Will put it somewhere for safekeeping."

"She'll be thrilled. What did she win?"

"I think it was a spa package of some sort." He winked at her. "I'm sure you'll be enjoying it as well."

She shrugged. "Probably. You know what? I think I should go wake Sleeping Beauty. She shouldn't sleep the day away."

Regina rose and hurried away from the table, needing to get away from Robin and those damn sexy glasses. It wasn't fair, especially with her feelings still so raw. Maybe the spa day with Emma would be just what she needed to balance herself again.

Robin frowned once Regina left the table. "Is she still upset about last night?" he asked Henry, voice low.

"Yes. She's trying to be strong…though I'm not sure if it's for me, Roland or you," Henry replied.

"She doesn't have to be strong for me. I want to help her."

Henry nodded. "I'm afraid she's used to being the strong one after everything Cora put us through."

"If I had known…" Robin sighed.

"How could you? Has Regina actually ever told you my ex-wife's name?" When Robin shook his head, Henry continued: "And did Cora ever mention her last name was once Mills?"

Robin shook his head again but the guilt gnawed at him. "I don't want to hurt Regina. And I don't want anything to hurt her. So I am going to do everything in my power to make sure Cora can't do that."

"I believe you," Henry said. He studied Robin, who squirmed a bit. Did the perceptive man know what he felt for his daughter? Would he approve?

Henry cleared his throat. "There's something I wanted to discuss with you, Robin."

"Of course." Robin's stomach twisted into knots. "What is it?"

"For several months, I've had to stare down my own mortality. Even if the cancer doesn't get me, I know my time on this earth is limited. Regina doesn't want to admit it yet but I have. And so I worry about her. I know when I'm gone, she'll always have Emma. But now that I've met you, it's clear to me that you are going to remain in my daughter's life in some capacity—employer, friend, something more—for years to come."

Robin swallowed, unsure what to process first—the possibility of Henry dying or the fact that Henry sensed his strong feelings for Regina. "What…What are you asking?"

"I'm asking that when I'm gone, you continue to look after Regina. She's going to need all the support she can get." Henry took Robin's hands. "Please?"

"As long as you make sure that day is a long way off," Robin replied.

Henry chuckled. "I'll do my best, but we both know it's not really my call."

Marian flashed through his mind and Robin nodded. He held out his hand. "I promise to be there for Regina."

"Thank you," Henry replied, shaking his hand. He turned back to his breakfast and Robin followed suit.

As he ate his oatmeal, Robin recalled his vow from the night before and reaffirmed his dedication to one thing: Protecting Regina from her mother.

A/N: Here's the rest of the Winter Masquerade! Cora ruins everything, doesn't she?

Well, at least her presence is making Regina and Robin admit some truths to themselves. Now they just have to admit it to each other.

On a slightly personal note, I also write my own stories besides my fanfiction. And I've finally decided to start posting it. If you like my fanfiction, perhaps you'll give it a look? I've posted it on Wattpad. Look for GraceMackenzieNess. If you do give it a read, thank you in advance!

-Mac