A/N: I know updates are taking forever, but school makes my life so busy! I'm trying my best, though, to write whenever I can.
This chapter is going to set up a good chunk of the story. Don't get too excited when you read the ending! That's all I'm going to say. Also, the next chapter will be triggered. You've been warned, but don't worry, I'll warn you again.
It was another Friday and the leaves were changing colors, the wind was cold and crisp, and Regina had caught her annual autumn cold. She woke up that morning with a pounding headache, a scratchy throat, stuffy nose, and upset stomach. With Robin gone on a business trip as he had been for the last week, Regina had no one to comfort or care for her, so to add to feeling shitty, she was also grumpy, which may have also come from the fact that she was sex deprived, as her lover hadn't been around for the past week. After getting ready and downing two Advil tablets, she headed for work, where her bad mood and wellbeing did not go unnoticed by Regina's assistant, Belle, who always helped her in the bookstore.
"Regina?" Belle asks as Regina makes her way inside of The Book Palace, "is everything alright?"
"I'm fine, just a bit under the weather this morning," Regina replies, taking a deep breath as she sets her bags down behind her desk and takes a seat.
She needs a coffee or some herbal tea, anything that will soothe the dull ache behind her eyes, the churning in her stomach, something that will wake her up.
She pulls out her laptop and turns it on, blinking at the bright screen that pierced her eyes. She can feel Belle watching her intently.
"You don't look fine," Belle says and sets the book she is holding in its proper spot before crossing her arms over her chest. "You know, you can go home if you want. I'm sure I could survive a day here by myself."
"No, Belle, that's alright. But thanks for the offer," Regina says as she turns the brightness down. There, problem solved. Somewhat. At least she can get some work done without burning her eyeballs out.
The day ticks by slowly. Regina constantly finds herself glancing at the clock. If she could just get to four, she could get off of work early to pick Robin up at the airport. But each time she glances, no matter how hard she works, only a few minutes have gone by. The shop is quiet all morning. Only a few customers pop by to look at some books, to buy a few, to hang around in the chairs up front to read quietly after making themselves a cup of coffee. Regina has thought about getting a cup for herself and maybe one of the muffins that Belle had brought in from Granny's Diner that morning, but her stomach is still queasy and she's afraid that anything that goes down will come back up.
At around noon, Regina feels even worse. She's managed to evade Belle's questions about her wellbeing but that doesn't mean the other woman isn't concerned. She's eying her all the time, making sure she really is okay.
"If you won't leave, maybe you should head into the back office and nap," Belle suggests after a while, once it's only the two of them in the shop. "Regina, really. You look like you could either faint or vomit. You should rest."
"Fine," Regina says. She's been looking for an excuse to quit as much as she doesn't want to do it and Belle nagging her is a good enough reason she supposes. So, she heads back towards the back room and plops down on the couch. She pulls an old quilt over her body and sighs, staring off at the wall as she tries to get some sleep.
Regina hasn't felt this bad in years. Maybe she's coming down with the flu... but with a sinking feeling, she thinks she knows what this is. She lays there in worry for the next several hours, unable to tear her mind away from the thought.
When four o'clock rolls along, Regina rushes over to the grocery store to grab some things she needs, along with ingredients for lasagna. It's Robin's favorite and she knows he will want it tonight. Then, she heads off to the airport and stands, waiting for Robin to disembark.
Finally, she sees him, and her face lights up. He grins back at her, his eyes twinkling happily. Regina rushes forward into his arms and hugs him tightly.
"Hey, love," Robin laughs as he lifts Regina up and spins her around, arms wound around her slim waist. He kisses the top of her head as he sets her back down, neither of them willing to pull apart. "I missed you."
"I missed you, too," Regina replies. "I've been so lonely without you," she says and leans up to kiss his cheek. "So has my bed," she murmurs against his ear.
When she pulls away, Robin is giving her a mischievous smirk. "I'll make it up to you tonight," he says softly.
Before another word can be said, someone is clearing their throat. Both Regina and Robin turn to see a tall, slender woman with chocolate hair, dark eyes, and tan skin standing before them. She is dressed professionally and gives the two of them a look of disproval.
"Oh, right. Regina, this is Marian Maids. She's come back with me on a business deal," Robin introduces. "And Marian, this is my best friend, Regina Mills."
"Best friend?" Marian asks with a raised brow.
Regina can't help but feel jealousy build up inside of her. Robin was with this woman all week? She can't help but glare at her. "Yes, is that a problem?" she asks defensively, snaking her arm around Robin's waist.
Marian gives her a sly smirk. "No, not at all," she replies, her voice sickly sweet. Robin must catch on to it because he tenses. "I've just never seen friends so... intimate."
"We get that a lot," Robin says with a nervous laugh.
"For all we know, we'll probably just marry each other some day," Regina adds. Shit. Why did I say that? she thinks.
"Hm..." Marian hums, her eyes narrowing on them. "I'll see you later, Robin. Thanks for a nice week." She smirks at Regina as she says that and walks off.
When Regina glances up at Robin, he's watching her walk away. She slaps his arm and he looks down at her with a frown. "Ouch. What was that for?"
"For not telling me you went on a business trip with a hot woman!" she growls.
Robin sighs. "I didn't go on the trip with her, we just had to work together along with our coworkers," he says. "Are you jealous?"
"No," Regina snaps. "I just hope you remember our rules," she says.
"Yes, I remember, which is why I'm fucking you good and proper tonight. I haven't had sex for a week and more importantly, I haven't had sex with you. We need to make up for lost time," he says. When Regina still frowns at him, Robin sighs and leans in, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. "I missed you," he says, "and you are totally jealous."
Regina scowls. "I am not."
Robin throws her a smirk and takes her hand. "Come on, let's go home before you start turning shades of green."
As they walk away, Regina is still not impressed. She's mad for some unexplainable reason, even though she knows that's so dumb. "It's not funny, Robin."
"Regina..." Robin sighs. "Are you okay?" he asks. "You aren't acting like your normal self."
"I've been feeling terrible all day and this was the cherry on top," she says.
"What? Me coming home?" Robin asks as disappointment crosses his face.
"No. You coming home with another woman," Regina snaps.
Robin gives her hand a gentle squeeze as he pulls her to his side so he can wrap an arm around her. "Regina, I've remained loyal to you this entire time. I have no interest in Marian. She's tried, believe me, but I told her every single time that I have a beautiful girl waiting for me when I get home."
"But I'm not your girlfriend," Regina points out.
"No, but you're my best friend and I've made a promise to you that I intend to keep," he says. "Besides, why would I want to hop into bed with another woman when I can come home to, well..." he gestures at her and smirks, "... this."
Regina gives him a playful nudge, feeling slightly better. "Okay, fine," she says softly. "I guess I can forgive you."
"Good. Let's head home."
They return to Robin's apartment shortly after. He unlocks the door and lets the both of them inside. Regina holds the bag of groceries that she had picked up before going to get Robin and he juggles his luggage.
"Go unpack. I'm going to get started on dinner," Regina says.
She makes her way into the kitchen as Robin disappears down the hall to his room. She flips on the light, narrowing her eyes as the brightness aggravates her head again. She hopes a hearty meal and some rest will edge away the discomfort she's been feeling all day. Maybe Robin will give her a massage.
She makes lasagna and Robin comes into the kitchen just as she's putting it into the oven. He wears a bright smile. "Lasagna? My favorite!"
"I know," Regina replies as she gets squished against his chest in a big hug. His arms envelop her tiny frame and he cradled her head against his chest. "I figured it would be a good 'welcome home' meal," she murmurs and wraps her arms around Robin. "Robin... I can't breathe."
"Sorry," he says gently as he loosens his arms but doesn't let go. "I just missed you." He runs his fingers through Regina's hair as she lays against his body. He slowly rocks them back and forth as he buries his face against the side of her head.
"I missed you, too," Regina says. She is grateful he's home. She's missed his company, his smile, his laugh, the way he holds her and kisses her and... fucks her. Her heart is beginning to betray her and Regina thinks she's starting to develop actual feelings for her best friend.
"So, you've had a bad day, huh?" Robin asks as he scoops Regina effortlessly into his arms and whisks her away into the living room. He lays her down on the couch and follows suit until they're cuddled up together in a tangle of limbs.
"Yeah," Regina says as she lays her head against Robin's chest and listens to his heartbeat. His fingers play with her hair and for some odd reason, it soothes the ache she's been feeling in her head all day. "I've just been feeling under the weather."
"It may be the change of seasons," Robin says as he presses his lips to her forehead, letting them linger there. "A little cold maybe."
"I hope that's it," Regina whispers, taking in a deep breath. Robin's cologne filled her nostrils and the pine smell soothed her despite her racing mind.
They settle into silence after that and Regina dozes off until the sound of the oven gives her a rude awakening. She stumbles tiredly into the kitchen and serves dinner. Lasagna is about the only thing she's eaten all day, and after a few bites, she's finished. It won't be good on her already weak stomach and she doesn't want to make herself sick. Robin voices his concern but Regina brushes it off as she busies herself with the dishes and tells him to pick out a movie.
When she heads into the living room, the TV is off and all that lights the room are a few candles which Robin must lit. He holds his arms out for her and she falls into them in exhaustion.
"Baby, I'm sorry you aren't feeling well," he says softly as he cradles her close and kisses her head. "It makes me upset to see you like this."
"I'll be fine," Regina murmurs as she unbuttons Robin's shirt and pushes it off of his body. She lays her head against his bare chest, listening to his heart beat. That combined with the rise and fall of his chest makes her eyes grow heavy with sleep.
"How about a massage?" Robin suggests.
Regina smiles. "I thought you'd never say that," she says.
"And I thought you'd never ask," Robin replies.
He slips Regina's shirt off as carefully as possible, trying his best not to disturb her since she's cuddled against him so closely. Her bra comes off next and joins their shirts which now lay in a pile next to the couch. They lay against one another, skin to skin. Regina finds it quite relaxing, somehow adding to the way Robin's hands begin to move along her back, working away the tension she's been feeling all day. She sets free a gentle sigh, her body going limp against Robin as his fingers work their magic on her shoulder blades and lower back.
"Does that feel better, babe?" He asks, his warm breath against her ear. He presses a kiss to her temple and reverts to rubbing soothing circles along her back, which results in tingles that leave her muscles relaxing all the same.
"Yes," Regina breathes. As she shifts to make herself a little more comfortable, she discovers Robin's half-hard erection throbbing in his pants and an idea pops into mind. "I want a full body massage."
Robin smirks. "As you wish, but I believe this needs to be taken to the bedroom," he says as he picks her up again. "Just so we have more room to lay you out," he says but they both share a knowing smirk.
After he sets her down on the bed, he finishes removing her clothes. Her pants and panties come down until she's completely bare.
"Alright, backside first. Flip over," Robin says. "Something tells me I'll pay a little more attention to the front."
Regina rolls her eyes and chuckles softly as she turns over and displays her back to Robin. He spends several moments thoroughly massaging the muscles in her back, palms and fingers working in unison until her entire back tingles and feels loose. He then moves to her ass and runs his hands over it, giving her cheeks a gentle squeeze before he moves to the insides of her thighs. Regina feels her body betraying her plan as wetness begins to pool there. She hears Robin chuckle as he moves on down her legs and even spends a few minutes massaging her feet.
"Okay, flip over," Robin instructs.
Regina turns over and doesn't feel any action for several moments. She opens her eyes to catch Robin just staring at her. She clears her throat and nudges him with her knee and that does the trick.
He laughs and smiles sheepishly. "Right, sorry."
Robin starts out on her shoulders and collarbones before making his way down her chest. He cups her breasts in both hands and traces his thumbs through the valley between them and all the way around them. He palms them lightly, making sure to rub over her nipples to get the full effect. Regina isn't sure if she's just so relaxed that it feels this good or if he's doing something special, but her breasts feel wonderfully sensitive to his touch.
His hands then move down her stomach and he leans in, lips taking their place over one of her nipples. Regina whimpers as he sucks it into his mouth, his tongue lapping to harden it into a pert bud. His hands fall to her hips and inner thighs and he massages there in a sensual manner as he switches to her other nipple.
His hands then move right to where she wants him, where she is slick and throbbing. His thumb rubs over her clit and a shaky moan passes her lips. His mouth travels away from her breasts and down her belly. His lips take their time, pressing slow kisses all over her skin as his fingers fondle with her folds and his thumb whisks over her clit again and again.
"Robin…" Regina murmurs.
They've done this enough to know what that means. Robin presses a chaste kiss over her pubic bone and then runs his tongue over her clit. Regina moans and arches her back, fingers delving into Robin's hair. She gives it little tugs as his tongue works it's magic. He laps at her clit relentlessly, swirling around it slowly and then pulling back the hood with his finger to give it full attention. Regina cries out as his lips latch around it and he pulls it into his mouth.
"Fuck…" Regina gasps, fingers lightly scraping against Robin's scalp as he sucks on her clit.
Slowly, he pushes two fingers inside of her entrance and begins to pump them in and out of her. He curls his fingers upwards so that he's hitting that spot inside of her that makes her nearly scream.
"Yes… Robin! Shit, right there!" Regina moans as his fingers pump in and out of her as relentlessly as his tongue works her clit. She feels her muscles tighten and her sex throb, she's going to orgasm. "I'm gonna come…" she pants as her walls clench around Robin's fingers. His tongue laps at her clit as she rides out her orgasm and when she's finished, he pulls back with a smirk.
"Feeling better?" he asks.
Regina smirks at him with a satisfied expression. "Definitely. But now I believe someone else has a problem." She sits up and yanks Robin's pants down and then his boxers, his erection springing from its confines, standing tall. Regina wraps her hand around his length and gave it a few meaningful pumps. "Fuck me."
Robin smirks at her and presses her back onto the bed, his lips connecting with hers immediately. They kiss passionately as he moves his body between her legs. Regina continues to pump his cock with her hand, getting delight from the little moans she pulls from his lips.
Robin removes her hand from his length and slowly slides it into her wet heat. He keeps a slow, steady pace as he plunges himself deep inside of her and then back out. Regina whimpers, trying to get him to go faster, but when their kisses turn to soft, languid, and passionate, she finds she actually doesn't mind the change of pace. There is something so much more intimate about lovemaking like this than just a rough, hot fuck.
The bed rocks slowly with their motions, squeaking every so often as Robin delivers another deep thrust. Their kisses are nothing but tongues exploring each other, feeling each other.
"I missed you," Robin murmurs, nibbling on Regina's bottom lip before slowly pulling away. He buries his head in her neck and picks up the pace, keeping things very passionate still.
"I missed you too," Regina replies as he kisses her neck, slowly sucking her skin. Regina knows he will make a mark, and she grins when she thinks that his excuse will be that he had to let the world know she was still his. He moves a hand in between them to rub her clit, pushing her closer to the edge once again.
After several long moments, Regina feels herself about to come. "I'm close," she says breathlessly.
Robin picks up the pace once again, his thumb pressing against her clit a little harder. Regina arches her back, nipples brushing against his chest as he chases her orgasm over the edge. As she comes, she feels him release inside of her and when he pulls out several seconds later, his seed runs down her legs.
Robin throws the blankets over them and pulls Regina as close to him as possible. Everything feels so perfect, to be curled up beneath blankets that feel soft and warm against her bare skin, to be curled up in Robin's arms. He presses a few tender kisses to her lips and Regina cups his face in her hands as she keeps him there. His hand lazily fondles with her nipples as they drink in one another. Regina can't help but think about how domestic this feels, to be loved on and appreciated after passionate lovemaking.
"Mm..." Robin murmurs as he pecks her lips one last time. "I'm glad to be back. Get some sleep, babe. You need your rest."
They fall asleep together after that, Robin worn out from his travels and Regina exhausted from her day of feeling under the weather.
When morning comes, Regina is rudely awoken by a terribly nauseous feeling in the pit of her stomach. She eases from Robin's arms and runs down the hall to the bathroom. She locks the door behind her just in time before she's throwing herself in front of the toilet and vomiting up what little content is left in her stomach. She knows now that it's time to act, to confirm her suspicion of the previous day.
She stands up shakily and flushes the toilet, washing her hands and face and rinsing her mouth out with water and mouth wash. She then creeps downstairs to the kitchen cupboard where she pulls out the box of tests she had hidden there after purchasing them at the grocery store yesterday.
She removes one and retreats to the bathroom, her hands shaking violently as her heart pounds and let's adrenaline rush through her veins. She can only hope for a negative, that this is a false alarm and she's truly sick. She doesn't want to be pregnant, not after the past two times with Daniel, because she knows, once again, what that will mean. Because of her, her unborn child will die. She will lose a third.
When five minutes are up, she looks down at the test results and finds her worst suspicions are confirmed, it's true and her heart sinks, making her feel sick all over again.
She's pregnant.