Chapter 3

Regina is sitting in her living room and can't help but think of that chance she missed to kiss Robin. Every inch of her lips desired to feel the taste of his. Her body was so attracted to him that she couldn't fight it, no matter all the efforts. She wanted his arms around her, pulling her closer. Her fingers wanted to be wrapped around his hair.

And yet, I didn't. Why?

It's been a long time since the last time Regina felt this way for a man. She felt attracted to Graham and his body, but it was before she cursed the entire Enchanted Forest. Back then, when the Huntsman disobeyed her, she saw the potential and took his heart, but she didn't crush it like she was used to. She kept it, instead. He was forced to do everything she wanted, but the situation changed once they started the new life in Storybrooke. She never used his heart for her personal desires, she just seduced him, or sort of. Graham's heart belongs to her, he'll always feel attracted to her, but she never forced him to anything. With Robin, on the other hand, everything is different. It feels more like a jump in the past for Regina. It feels like she's the same teenager who fell for the stable boy many years ago. That kind of forbidden love that every girl likes to read about. Regina's life is not the same anymore; her mother couldn't control her from the grave. Falling for Robin is just her choice, but how hard it will be for her to tear down those walls she built around her heart?

Another thing can't leave her mind today. What kind of past could bond Graham and Robin in the Enchanted Forest? She knows that one of them is the Huntsman she sent after Snow White but Robin? She knows nothing about him.

What if...?

Regina runs upstairs, in Henry's bedroom. The book Mrs. Blanchard gave him describes exactly all the stories of the people she cursed, or at least, the main ones. Maybe it's the only way to find out who Robin used to be in the Enchanted Forest. She reaches Henry's desk, it's not there. She checks all the drawers, nothing. It looks like it's disappeared. Regina is sure that her son brought that damn book with him at school but right when she's about to leave his bedroom, she realizes it. There's only one more place where he could've left it - under his bed. She looks under it and she finally finds the book.

Sit on her son's bed, Regina turns every single page of it, looking for Robin. Or at least a little clue on who he really is. She read those stories few times before but she doesn't remember reading about a fascinating man, with blue eyes and a very seductive accent. Deep down she hopes she remembers wrong. Every person she knows in that town are depicted in that book, from Cinderella to Red, from Rumpelstiltskin to Hansel and Gretel, and many others, including the story of how Snow White fell in love with Prince Charming and vice versa.

Of course! I could write every single detail of their story myself.

Regina feels disappointed. Obviously she doesn't know every person she cursed but now she has no idea how to find out about Robin's past. She doesn't know what to expect from him, which it can be either a good or a bad thing. She hates surprises, but a part of her is intrigued by this mystery. More precisely, the mystery behind Robin. Differently than with other people, Regina is amused by how easily he can read her and tease her. No body every dared that much with her since she became the terrible and ruthless Evil Queen. And maybe that's why she feels so attracted to Robin.

After she read those stories twice, Regina gave up. There was nothing that could've helped her. She put the book back on its place and left Henry's room.

Maybe it's for the best. She kept telling herself walking downtown. Maybe not finding anything about Robin it's a sign of destiny. Maybe I should just let fate do its course and just live it.

Regina is now patiently waiting for Henry's bus to arrive. She decided to try a new approach with her son. To show him, despite the fact that he believes she's the Evil Queen, that she can be a good person and that she loves him very much. She can't expect him to change his mind in one afternoon, but maybe starting with little steps. Henry's birth mother may have abandoned him, but Regina would never do that. That little boy means more than anybody to her.

'Mom?'

Regina raises her head and sees her son standing in front of her. She was too lost in her thoughts that she didn't even listen to her son approaching. 'Henry. Hi.'

'What are you doing her? I told you I could walk myself.'

'I know, Henry, but..' she stands up and lifts his little face by his chin. 'I was wondering that maybe you and I could step by Granny's and have one of those donuts you like, before to get home. What do you think?'

A big smile appears on his face. 'Really?'

'Mmm-hmm.' Regina nods. 'Let's go.'

They walk over Granny's talking of his day at school was. Somehow she feels he's still taking some distances but she also knows that's normal.

Little steps. Little steps.

In front of the diner, Regina sees Mary Margaret walking in her direction. Her first instinct is to not ask her anything, but a part of her really needs some answers. 'Henry, why don't you get inside and order a donut for me too?'

'Where are you going?' He asks with a tone of disappoint.

'Nowhere. I just need to ask something to Ms. Blanchard.' She turns to her son to make sure he doesn't feel ignored or less important. 'I'll be right there.'

'Okay.' He says leaving her on the sidewalk.

Regina looks at her son walking inside the diner before to turn. 'Mrs. Blanchard. A word?'

'Oh, Ms. Mills. Sure. Is everything alright?' The woman is surprised to see her.

'I wanted to talk to you about the book you gave Henry.' Regina hated that woman for giving it to her son, in addiction to all the mistakes she's done in the past, but now she is her only chance. 'Do you have another copy?'

'I'm sorry?'

Regina takes a deep breath, suffocating the impulse to rip her heart out in that very instant. 'Do you have another book like that? With different stories?' She says, keeping calm. 'I… I wanted to make a gift to Henry.'

Really? Couldn't I come out with a better excuse?

'I'm afraid I can't be helpful. That's the only copy I had.' Mary Margaret says scared. Scared because deep down she knows that's not the answer Regina wanted to hear.

'I see.'

'But I could check out the school library. Maybe I can find something similar to that fairytales book.'

'No, thanks. Have a good day.' Regina says with the usual creepy tone of voice she likes to use with Ms. Blanchard, before to walk over the diner. The last thing she needs is to end up being friendly with her, after all the troubles that woman caused. Regina will never forgive her for spilling the secret to her mother and, because of that, her first love Daniel died. She could've been happy with him, if only that little girl kept her mouth shut.

Walking inside the Granny's, Regina notices her son took a sit on a table near the window. She sits in front of him.

'There you go.' Granny says approaching their table. 'One chocolate frosted donut for you, Henry. One chocolate frosted donut with nuts grails and black coffee for you, Madame Mayor.'

'Thank you, Granny.' Henry says grabbing the donut fast. 'What?'

'Black coffee?!'

'I thought you might want some.' He says biting a large piece of his donut.

'Well, thank you, Henry.' Regina takes her favorite donut and starts eating gracefully, like a queen is used to. Some things never change, no matter in which land she might be. 'Do you like it?'

'Mmm-hmm. It's the best!' Henry says, keep eating.

Regina would give up on anything she has to spend more time like that with her son. Obviously, buying him donuts is not gonna change anything but she wants him to know that his mother is there for him. Regina may not be his birth mother but she loves him like her own son. The fact that her blood is not flowing in Henry's body doesn't matter to her. She took him in her arms when he was so little to easily lose him in the blanket. Night after night, she spent hours looking at him sleeping peacefully next to her in the bed, gently caressing his fluffy cheeks. And cuddling that boy every time he cried, resting his little head against her own chest so he could hear the beat of her heart.

Time flies by so fast.

Regina looks at him easting his favorite donut, but something captures her attentions behind him. Or better, someone. Robin is closing the door of the diner behind him and meets her glance.

'Regina!' He smiles brightly walking towards her.

Henry turns to him, wondering who dares calling his mother like that.

'Robin. Hi.' She raises his head to look up at him. 'This is my son.'

'Henry. I finally have the chance to meet you.' Robin says stretching his arm. 'I'm Robin.'

'Hi.' Henry says shaking his hand.

Regina spontaneously smiles looking at them. 'So… even at Granny's now?'

'I stepped by to take my order. Actually, I didn't think you were a donut woman.' Robin says turning to her.

'Well, you thought wrong.' Regina is blushing but she does her best to hide it.

'Anyway, Roland and I are gonna have a picnic in the forest this Saturday. Perhaps you would like to join us.' He says looking at her son.

For the second time in the same afternoon, a big smile appears on his face. 'Can we?' He turns to her making puppy eyes.

'I..' A very brief moment of hesitation. 'I don't see why we can't.' Regina says smiling at her son before to turn to Robin. They both are looking at her with joy in their eyes. She honestly can't tell who is happier between them.

'Great! See you both on Saturday. Early afternoon, at the tavern? Then we'll go from there.'

'Sure.'

Regina and Robin look in each other's eyes for a moment that felt infinite, as Henry eats the last piece of his donut. She wonders if she has to say something but she doesn't know what. They're both enjoying that silent but deep look.

'Robin! Your order!' Granny shouts from the counter.

'I have to go. Bye little boy.' Robin says, friendly giving him a pat on his shoulder. 'Bye.' He winks her before to turn around and walk away.

Thanks again for all the support.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter as well.