There's still so much turmoil in Regina's eyes when she and Robin finally pull apart. His hands linger on her cheeks, and the feel of her skin against his is intoxicating. But Robin can see how overwhelmed Regina is, and so he lets his hands fall to his lap, allowing her space if she needs it. She keeps staring at him, looking so frightened and disbelieving.

"Thank you Regina. Thank you."

Robin is staring at Regina with such earnestness and care and maybe more, and Regina's mind is screaming at her to run because he is still married and this is absurd and she doesn't know how this can possibly work. But Robin's here and he's looking at her like nothing else matters, and Regina will probably hate herself for this soon enough, but she stays.

"It's a lovely day for a hike through the woods," Regina suggests.

"Lead the way," Robin replies, his eyes lighting up and a smile stretching across his face, and Regina can't believe that smile is because of her, because he has a second chance with her.

For a few minutes they walk quietly, and Robin's head is whirling with everything that has so suddenly changed. He hadn't been certain that Regina would be willing to try, and he still isn't completely sure that she won't run again. And nothing will ever be as simple as it had been before, because Marian is back and Roland is still struggling with that adjustment. But then Regina reaches out, almost shyly, and interlaces her fingers with Robin's, and all Robin can feel is so very grateful that Regina is willing and able to open her heart to him again. He squeezes her hand in thanks.

"Tell me, what has it been like having Henry home?" Robin asks, because he has already missed so much, and because he knows that Regina won't be able to keep herself from smiling if she's talking about her son.

"It's been incredible. This is the first time he's stayed with me since the curse broke. At first I believed it was because he was afraid I would hurt someone after Marian returned. But I think that he's been looking for a reason to come home again," Regina says incredulously. "I think he really wants to be there."

"That shouldn't surprise you. You're his mother, and he's been through an an ordeal. Of course your boy wants to be with you."

Regina shakes her head. "The last time he wanted that was before he knew who I truly was."

"He's always known who you are Regina," Robin says, turning to look at Regina as they continue to walk. "You're his mother. Whatever else you've been, what you've always been to Henry is the mother who loves him more than anything. Did you know he gave me a stern talking to about treating you right? He told me that if I didn't I'd have him to answer to."

"Oh dear."

"His mother's child."

Regina laughs and shakes her head fondly. "I still remember when he was a baby with these big chubby cheeks, and he would look up at me with these wide eyes as if I was everything that he needed. And then he was this little toddler who was so scared of strangers and he would cry and cling to my neck when he wanted comfort. I promised that I'd never let him down, that I'd be worthy of the trust he placed in me."

"They give their trust so easily when they're young. It's quite different once they grow, so I would imagine that it's all the more special that Henry trusts you now."

Robin watches as Regina's face softens and she looks so young and open. Her eyes fill with tears. "I don't deserve him, but I think he wants to mend our relationship. He keeps looking at me like he did all those years ago. I never thought that he would forgive me."

"You've done right by your son. Henry's an amazing young man. Who do you think deserves credit for that?"

"I'm trying to do right by Henry. I'm trying so hard for him."

"I know, and he does too."

Regina wipes her cheeks, finding them unexpectedly wet.

After a moment of silence Robin squeezes Regina's hand. She turns to him, and he holds her eyes as he tells her, "However you want to do this is all right with me. As long you as you're willing to give me another chance, that's everything I can ask."

"What do you want?"

"The same thing I wanted a week ago. I know you don't believe that, but I hope that you'll give me the chance to prove it to you." Robin watches Regina, her lips are pressed together tightly, brow furrowed. "You're wondering how long this will last aren't you? You think that I'm going to change my mind and decide that I want to be with Marian?"

Regina considers denying this, but really there's no point lying to Robin. Somehow this man managed to understand her even in the Enchanted Forest when she had tried so hard not to let him in.

"This isn't a decision that I take lightly," Robin promises. "I wouldn't do that to you or to Marian."

Regina nods lightly, and though she believes that she is what Robin thinks he wants now, she can't help but wonder how long that will be true. But she doesn't push it any further though, simply wraps her arm around Robin's waist and continues their walk. He seems relieved to have permission to hold her, and he pulls Regina closer, pressing her into his side with an arm slung across her shoulder. He's grinning and pressing kisses to Regina's hair, and she tries to believe that he will stay.

Henry is still warming up when Regina makes it to the school soccer field. As soon as he sees her he jogs to her side. "Hi Mom."

"Hi sweetie. Are you ready for your game?" she asks, reaching into her purse and handing Henry a gatorade and a granola bar.

"Thanks Mom. I don't know. I got better at math last year. Soccer not so much."

"Well I think you're amazing."

Henry makes a show of an exaggerated eye roll, but he's smiling widely at Regina. "That's cause you're my Mom. You're biased."

"Of course I am, but I'm also right. Now go kick some butt out there," she tells him, making Henry almost snort with laughter before running back to finish warm up.

Regina can hardly stop grinning as she walks towards where Snow has left an empty lawn chair waiting for her. No matter how many times Regina hears Henry call her his mother, it doesn't stop amazing her.

"Hello Regina," Snow says, so happy to see Regina smiling. Neal coos from Snow's arms.

"Hi there, sweetie," Regina says, reaching out for the baby.

"Someone likes his Aunty Regina," Snow says. She observes Regina and Neal for a moment before asking. "Did something happen today? You seem…happy."

"That's because I'm a fool." Regina sighs and looks down at the baby in her arms, rubbing her fingers over his soft hair. "I let myself believe over and over, and I never seem to learn." She shakes her head at herself, and in response to Snow's inquiring glance tells her, "Robin asked for another chance."

"I guess his heart found its way back to its soulmate."

"Please don't start with your True Love talk Snow."

"You do remember who taught me about True Love don't you?" Snow watches a dark expression wash over Regina's face and then fade just as quickly. "I'm sorry; I shouldn't have."

But Regina is smiling at Snow warmly, and it's an expression that Snow is finally getting used to seeing again. "I think we agreed that we were no longer going to be haunted by our pasts."

"Yes we did," Snow agrees, her eyes filling with tears, as she reaches out to place a hand on Regina's arm. "I'm so grateful for that Regina. I know that trying again with Robin won't be easy, but you have another chance at happiness with the person you love."

"Who said anything about love?" Regina bristles.

Snow just keeps smiling and squeezing Regina's arm. Regina can't quite explain to herself why she opens up to this infuriatingly optimistic woman. "I don't think I'm strong enough to lose him again. And I know how pathetic that sounds."

"It's not weakness to love someone." The words sit heavily between them for a moment.

"Isn't it? How is what I'm doing not selfish and weak?"

"It's not selfish because Robin wants to be with you. He was devastated without you, so I don't see how you can call it selfish to do something that makes someone you… care for happy."

"He'll figure out that I'm not worth it soon enough."

"You're wrong. I have known you a long time Regina, and I know that the people you care about are very lucky. You are capable of so much good and so much love. I know that letting Robin in again won't be easy for you, but I think you were happy with him."

"I was," Regina whispers. She wants so much just to be happy like that again.

"I can't imagine how much strength it will take for you to put your heart out there again, but I hope you do it, because I believe that you can be happy. And I want that for you so much."

"Thank you," Regina whispers to the woman whose happiness she spent so long trying to destroy. There is such forgiveness and love in Snow's eyes it takes Regina's breath away.

"Are you sure this isn't strange for you Henry?"

"It's awesome Mom!" Henry tells her, grabbing the silverware and plates.

"I know you've never seen me dating before, and I don't want you to feel uncomfortable."

Henry rolls his eyes. "As long as you aren't making out at the table I can handle it. Emma spent last year dating a guy who turned out to be a monkey. You and Robin are way less traumatic than that."

"I'm happy to hear that we meet your rather low standards dear."

Regina takes three glasses down from the cabinet and walks with Henry to the dining room.

"So how did you and Robin meet?"

"The first time we met back in the Enchanted Forest after Pan's curse, Robin helped me break into my castle together."

"Why were you breaking into your own castle?"

"Zelena was there," Regina tells Henry, letting herself think about her sister for the first time since watching that surveillance video.

"Mom?

"Hm?"

"I'm really sorry you lost your sister."

Regina looks at Henry, and she remembers a boy who had been so convinced that people were simply good and evil. She's so proud of the young man standing in front of her. "Thank you sweetheart." Regina pulls Henry against her side, squeezing him tightly to her and kissing his hair. She can't stop hugging him, can't stop wrapping a protective arm around him like she had when he was young. It's been a year - a terrible, painful year when she had struggled to live each day - since she's held him. "Have I mentioned yet how happy I am to have you home?"

"Oh you know, once or twice or a million gazillion times."

"Just checking," Regina says before pressing another kiss to the crown of her son's head and leading him back to the kitchen so they can finish preparing for dinner.

"Mom? I'm really really really happy too you know."

She believes him. Without thinking, without doubting, Regina finds that she believes Henry. She realizes it a second later, when she looks down at Henry and he's smiling at her. He's so tall and mature now, but he's still so much her little boy.

"That's all that matters to me Henry. I just want your happiness."

"I know Mom. I promise that I won't forget that even again, ok? And I want you to be happy too. It's awesome that you and Robin are back together. You deserve to have your happy ending.

"Henry," Regina cautions. "We're just dating. That's all."

Henry smirks a little at his mother. "Sure Mom."

"All right Mr. Know It All. Go get the vegetables out of the refrigerator and you can help me make the salad."

By the end of the night Regina doesn't know why she had ever worried about whether Henry and Robin would get along. Henry seems endlessly fascinated by hearing Robin's tales of his adventures, and dinner is easy and for long stretches Regina finds that she hardly worries about the entirely too complicated path she is embarking on with Robin.

After dessert Henry loudly announced that Hansel and Gretel have invited him for a sleepover before bolting up to his room to pack a bag.

"I know what you're doing," Regina tells Henry, sitting down on Henry's bed as he pulls an already packed backpack out from under his desk.

"What do you mean?" he asks innocently.

"You're not as good of a liar as you think. You had this little sleepover all planned ahead of time."

"Why would I do that?"

Regina raises an eyebrow at her son.

"I'll be back tomorrow afternoon. But don't worry I'll call before coming home. And I'll ring the bell instead of using my key."

"You don't have to do that Henry. This is your home."

"No offense Mom, cause it's awesome that you and Robin are together, but I just really don't ever want to risk walking in on the two of you."

Regina doesn't think that she has ever blushed as much as she is in this moment. "Henry!"

"I'm 14, and I'm not an idiot."

"You really don't need to go out tonight," Regina says, wanting desperately to change the subject. She can still feel her cheeks burning.

Henry picks up his backpack and grins at Regina. "I'll see you tomorrow. Have fun!"

Henry laughs at how horribly embarrassed his mom looks he walks out of his room.

"Are you really are going to be at Hansel and Gretel's house?" Regina asks as she follows Henry down the stairs. "If I call their father he won't tell me that he thought they were staying here tonight?"

"Come on Mom. Where do you even think we'd sneak out to go? It's not like there's a whole lot of places to go in Storybrooke."

"All right. Have a good time then. Try not to think up too many more clever plans please dear."

Henry rolls his eyes before waving at Robin. "Good night Robin."

"It was good seeing you Henry. Have fun with your friends."

"Bye."

The door closes and Regina buries her still red face in her hands. Robin walks over to where she seems practically frozen in place. "Why do I have the feeling that Henry set this up," Robin asks with a chuckle.

Regina looks up at Robin. "He told me that he didn't want to walk in on the two of us." At that Robin is in a full on laugh, which earns him a little smack from Regina. "It isn't funny!"

"It is a bit funny," Robin counters, wrapping his arms loosely around Regina's waist.

"How am I ever going to look my son in the eye again."

"Just wait until he's dating."

"Can we please not talk about that. Henry is far too young."

"As you wish. What do you want to do instead?" Robin asks, and it feels so good to have his arms around Regina again.

"Do you need to get home to Roland?"

"He's staying with Marian tonight."

At the mention of Marian's name, Robin feels Regina stiffen. "We should talk," she tells him, pulling out of his arms.

Robin follows Regina into the den where she pours them both a glass of cider before sitting stiffly on the couch. She looks too much like the woman he had known in the Enchanted Forest, and he longs for how easily she had let him in so very recently. He knows it's a risky move when he sits down next to Regina, and riskier still when he stretches his arm across the back of the couch behind her.

Robin waits for Regina to begin talking, but she just sits there without saying a word, so he begins speaking instead, hoping to find the words to calm her fears. "I'm sorry for how I've treated you these last weeks. I've hurt you, and that is the last thing that I ever wanted."

"I don't blame you."

"You should though," Robin insists, his arm moving to Regina's shoulders. She remains stiffly beside him but doesn't pull away. "You deserve better than that Regina."

"I very much doubt that," Regina tells Robin, and it makes his chest ache to hear her say those words.

"You're wrong. You deserve happiness, and I promise you that I will try my hardest to give you everything that you deserve." Robin watches Regina's eyes fill with tears. He leans forward slowly, giving Regina a chance to pull away if this is unwanted. And then their lips are presses together and Regina melts into Robin, her body finally relaxing against his as she leans deeper into the kiss.

"I'm going to help you believe. I promise you that," Robin tells Regina, as she pulls back, just slightly, her eyes still closed. "You will believe that you deserve to be happy. That you deserve to be loved." She doesn't say anything, but her hands are on his cheeks, fingers running over his skin, and when she opens her eyes he can still see the fear there.

"We will be ok Regina," Robin promises as his free hand finds her face, wiping away the wetness he finds there. "Together we will both be ok."

It hits Regina then, and she feels awful that it's taken her so long. Robin is hurting so much, and she's panicking and letting him reassure her. "I'm sorry," Regina whispers, swallowing back the remnants of her tears. "I'm sorry Robin. I can't imagine how hard this has been for you, and I shouldn't have to imagine. You should be able to talk to me. You can. If you feel that you are able to trust me, then I want you to tell me."

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't trust you." Robin feels Regina relax against him, and her arm comes to rest on his hip. She's rubbing soft circles, and he knows she means to comfort and soothe. She's so different, so capable of caring and nurturing, when she lets someone in.

Right now this is all Robin wants, Regina's arms around him and the feeling of her beating heart pressed close to his. Perhaps it's weak and he's simply running from the complicated path he knows still lies ahead, but now he doesn't want to talk at all, he just wants to be close to Regina.

Robin lays his head on Regina's shoulder, and her arms squeeze him tighter. He sighs in relief, nuzzling into her neck, trying to get closer somehow. "I just want to hold you now," Robin whispers against Regina's skin. "I need to be close to you. Please."

Regina hears Robin's voice break, as he half sobs the next words. "Thank you for giving me another chance. Thank you. Thank you."

"Shh," Regina whispers, rubbing circles on Robin's back. Had he truly been afraid to lose her? Had he missed her though he had been with his wife? It's so hard to believe, and yet Robin is here clinging to her like he can't bear to let her go.

"It's ok," Regina tells Robin, pressing a kiss to his temple. "We don't need to talk tonight. If you wish, we can go upstairs and I can hold you. You look like you could use a proper night's sleep."

Robin sits up slightly to look at Regina. "If you would be comfortable with it, I would very much like to spend the night with my arms around you."

Regina gives Robin a small, but oh so beautiful and genuine, smile. She laces their fingers together and leads him to her bedroom.

This feels so different than the frantic stumbling to Regina's bed in various states of undress that Robin is used to, but when Robin curls himself against Regina's side and rests his head on her chest, he knows that he will finally be able to sleep peacefully tonight.