Hi my friends,
So sorry about the late but I have a thousand things to do this week ! :O But I don't forget about you and I will post all of the prompt for the OQ week and I hope you will like it :) This prompt is very, very, very BIG and I am sorry but I couldn't stop writing once I started ! I must warn you, this is very very angsty ! ;)
I hope you will like it and I wanted to thank you for your support and love, it means the whole world to me :) 3
LOVE YOU ALL !
Also, this chapter is dedicated to : dandelionsanddaisiesss , thank you so much for all your kind reviews ! You're such a sweetheart and I am happy that you like my stories :)
*SPOILERS*
Have you seen the spoilers for 5x02? We got a kiss ! *-* I am so, so, so excited ! I can't wait ! AAAAAH ! :D
*END SPOILERS*
July 22 - Lost Together; Regina and Robin get lost. Where, how, why, it's up to you.
Lost. [AU]
"We're lost." stated Regina and Robin just kept on driving, looking right in front of him.
"We're not." he corrected. "We're in the forest. Somewhere."
She glared at him, then.
"Great." she said bitterly. "Well done, Robin."
"What?" he said and her eyes widened at the sound of his voice. "What have I done this time?"
"You got us lost."
"I didn't mean to."
"You're doing it to buy you time because you don't want to sign the papers for the divorce!"
He tensed then and she saw his knuckles were white on the wheel now.
"I won't sign them." he said stubbornly and she moaned in annoyance.
"Robin-"
"End of the discussion."
"For now." she breathed and saw his knuckles relaxed slightly.
Robin and Regina had been married for five amazing years. They had met one summer at a restaurand and never separated after that. They had dated for a year when Robin had asked her to marry him, and she had said yes.
Their wedding was the best day of their life, and they were so sure they would end their lives together, live happily ever after.
And at first they did.
But five years later had Robin taking a new job with a lot of responsibilities and he was home less and less often, making Regina doubt him. A lot of fights, and screams, and tears were shed during that fifth year.
Until it was enough.
And one day, Regina asked for a divorce, so sure that Robin was cheating on her with his secretary; Marian.
But he was not, and the young man didn't want to give up on the love of his life so easily, and he fought back with all that he had. He tried to win her heart back, even taking time from his office to do so but Regina was inflexible.
So here they were now, a few months later.
"Here," she said and he looked up toward what she was showing him. "There's a motel, perhaps we could ask how to get back on the main road."
Robin nodded and parked the car.
"How can I help you?" asked a voice and they found woman smiling at them.
"We want to know how to get back to the main road." said Robin,
"We got lost." added Regina and he rolled her eyes.
"Well, I am afraid that you'll have to wait until tomorrow." said the woman and Regina's eyes widened.
"How's so?"
"The only road that leads to the main road is closed at this hour, it will open tomorrow morning."
"You got to be kidding me..." breathed Regina, a hand on her forehead.
"I am sorry. But I can offer you a room to stay here, if you want."
Robin opened the mouth but Regina cut him,
"Two separate rooms, please." she said and Robin's heart stopped.
"Regina..." he tried but she didn't want to listen to him.
"I am sorry, but I have only one room left." said the woman and Regina only muttered a You got to be kidding me.
"Two places?"
"Yes."
"We'll take it." said Robin.
They entered the room and saw only a bed and a TV. Regina sighed again and sat on the bed while Robin laid the luggages on a a corner of the room.
"You better not touch me this night, Locksley, or that might be the last thing you'll ever do."
"I seem to remember a time when my touch was not a bother for you." he said and blue eyes were pained suddenly.
"I seem to remember that time is gone."
Robin sighed and took a step closer, stopped when she tensed.
"What happened to us?"
"Time, I guess."
"You know I still love you, Regina." he said then and she closed her eyes, tried to fight back tears. "And I hope this is not because of this Marian-thing because if not, I swear I'm gonna fire her once and for all and then you'll see there's no place in my heart for anyone but you!"
"It's not." she breathed and saw him looking confused.
"Then why?" Robin walked toward her and sat by her side, taking her hand. "Whatever it is, we can work this through, I promise."
"I don't think we can, Robin. It's broken."
"It's not!" he exclaimed and kissed her knuckles, "I'll fight for you till my last breath, you do know that.
"You can't fight this." she said sadly and his eyes widened in confusion. Then he paled and his bottom lip shook slightly when he spoke, hands tightening on hers.
"Have you met someone else?" he asked and it would be so easy to lie to him and say yes. "Cause I'm not giving up either, there's a way to show you I am the man of your life and no one else."
Regina sighed and got up, before she started pacing in the room.
The truth was, a few months ago, Robin told her he wanted to start a family with her, and she had been so, so happy by then.
She wanted a family with him more than anything else in the world.
But one day, she had had an appointment with her doctor and he told her the most heartbreaking of news: she couldn't have children.
She was barren.
And what was the use of a barren wife?
Robin deserved better. He deserved someone who could give him all that his heart asked for and she loved him enough to send him away so he could have this life he dreamt of.
Even if it wasn't with her.
That's why she was so adamant about getting this divorce, because the sooner she set him free, the better.
Regina didn't know how long she could keep on pushing him away and she must admit the way he didn't want to let her go was making her heart roar in her chest.
But her decision was final.
This was hurting her like hell and there was no way she would be able to move on from losing him, but this needed to be done.
This was the right thing.
"Regina" he breathed and she closed his eyes when she realized that he had gotten up and was just behind her now. "Talk to me."
"I'm not sure you'll like what I got to say." she breathed and her voice broke.
"Whatever it is," he said. "I'll be there for you, and we can make it through, together."
She took a deep breath and willed the tears back.
This needed to be done.
She turned around and what Robin saw must have frightened him a little because she saw him swallowed.
"I love you." he murmured before she could say anything else and her heart broke in her chest.
"You want to know the real reason why I want this divorce?"
She saw him hesitate suddenly, before he nodded.
"I do." and his voice was low, she wasn't used to it. She noticed suddenly the weariness in his face, his usual smirk now turned out into a frown and the fear in those blue eyes she knew so well.
She realized that these past few months had been as exhausting for him as it had been for her.
He had fought with all he had to keep her by his side.
And she was about to destroy that, but it was for his sake.
He deserved to have a wife who could give him a real family.
"Robin, this marriage..." she took a deep breath and tried to remember how to hide her feelings. "This marriage was good, but you know it's not enough."
She saw him paled.
It was a low blow and Regina knew it. Because Robin ( from the day they met) had been afraid he was too simple for her; afraid he was not enough.
And now she was using it to hurt him.
"But... I've worked hard, Regina." he only said and she saw he was livid. "I've worked hard to deserve you and... I'm CEO now. I'm not the small, pathetic boss you met!"
Damn, this wasn't working.
And she wouldn't be able to keep doing this for long, not when he was looking at her the was he was right now; like he had been stabbed in the heart and she was the one holding the knife.
"But marriage is also about love."
Silence fall on the room.
"No." he breathed and then took a step closer, cupping her cheeks and she could feel his hands were trembling slighty against her skin.
"Robin-"
"Please, no." he begged but he could't care less.
"Did you ever wonder why I didn't answer back when you told me you loved me? Did you ever wonder why I didn't say it to you anymore?"
She saw tears forming in his eyes,
"Please, Regina." he murmured and her heart broke. "Please, don't." his voice broke and he shook his head, hands were trembling against her skin.
"That's because I don't feel it anymore, Robin." she finally said, taking his wrists and removing it from her face. "And that's why I want to end this marriage."
Robin didn't answer but she saw a tear escaped his eye. He was only looking at her and she felt his hurt right in the heart. He only looked at her then, and she saw his breathing was laboured and his chest was moving heavily.
He didn't know what to say.
He was searching for another reason to fight for what they had,
But he couldn't find one.
Not anymore.
"You've won." Robin said in a whisper and she felt ill. "I will sign the papers." another tear escaped his eyes. "You've won." he said again.
When Regina got out of the bathroom, she found Robin, ready to go to sleep too but she noticed he had put on a shirt ( he always slept shirtless) and she swallowed. Regina hurried to the bed and then noticed that Robin didn't move but stayed in the other part of the room, looking so lost she felt her heart break.
"I'd sleep ont he couch but there isn't one..." he started but she cut him.
"You can sleep on the bed."
"I..." she noticed he wasn't looking at her in the eyes and that he was closing and opening his fists by his side. "I won't annoy you. I swear."
She nodded because she didn't trust herself to speak and Robin walked toward the bed, getting in it and he stuck to the edge of it, afraid that she would mind his proximity.
Regina couldn't face his pain and she turned on her side, tears leaving her eyes.
"Goodnight." he breathed but she didn't answer and closed her eyes.
She had made the right choice.
Robin deserved what was best.
Even if she wasn't the one to give him.
It was late in the night by now and she couldn't sleep.
She knew Robin couldn't either.
"Regina?" she heard his voice and froze, "Are you asleep?"
She didn't know why, but she chose to keep on pretending she was asleep.
And then, she heard the bed move and she felt two strong arms wrapped around her waist and his chest against her back. His breath was labored and she felt him tucked his face in her neck.
"I love you, Regina." she heard his whisper and his voice broke, arms tightening around her. "I love you so, so much. You have made me so very happy and..." his voice broke and then she felt him laid a small kiss on her neck, another on her hair and then his warmth left her.
When Regina opened the eyes again, she saw him opened the door to the balcony and stepped outside, his head in his hands. Regina felt her heart break when he leant against the window and let himself slide on the door, his head still buried in his head.
Robin had to leave.
He had to.
Because while he was with her earlier, he realized this was likely the last time he had her in his arms.
The last time.
He thought they had forever.
And Robin was tired, and heartbroken and he had needed air.
So he had left.
But now that he was outside? A thousand thoughts were running in his head : how he would never be able to kiss her again, or hold her in his arms ; how he woud never again come back home to her at night ; how he would have to close the bank account he had opened for the children they might have in the future ; how he was not enough.
Another tear escaped his eyes.
It was over this time.
He had fought with all that he had.
He had fought to keep her by his sides.
But he was so tired, now.
And she didn't want to be with him anymore.
So no matter how hurt that would left him, no matter if it meant spending the rest of his life with a broken heart,
He would let her go.
But before that, he would let himself weep the loss of the love of his life.
Robin had spent his night outside, but now he could see the sun rising and he knew what he needed to do.
So he got up on shaking legs and wiped his eyes, trying to erase the remnants of tears and the lack of sleep from it before he entered the room again.
Regina was there, sleeping.
Robin felt his heart roared with love and looked down before walking closer.
She looked so peaceful when she slept, so beautiful.
He would never again see her face when she woke up in his arms, sated and so full of love.
He would never fall asleep with her all cuddle in his arms, nor would she wake him up with soft kisses along his neck and jaw.
The man raised his hand and stroked her cheek tenderly. She scrunched up her nose and he removed his hand,
"Wake up, Regina." and even to him, his voice sounded hoarse. Her eyelids fluttered and she finally opened the eyes.
"What time is it?"
"I don't know." he said, not looking at her. "But the sooner we'll leave, the sooner I can sign your papers."
That seemed to wake her as she sat up, frowning slightly.
"Robin..."
"It's fine." he breathed though it wasn't fine at all. "I will go and pay for the room, you can get prepared and join me after."
And then he was gone.
And Regina was left alone in the room, feeling so alone. She had been watching Robin looking so alone and distraught, she had felt her heart bled for him and she must have fallen asleep because the next thing she knew, soft strokes on her cheeks were waking her and Robin was there, blue eyes full of love and pain.
And she had done that to him.
The drive in the car was a tense one.
Robin didn't speak or look at her, he kept his eyes stubbornly on the road while Regina was sneaking looks at him, bitintg her bottom lips to stop the tears.
"I know you had booked a room in a hotel." she finally said and his knuckles were closing and relaxing around the wheel.
That had been the point of this week end together. Robin had told her he had booked a room in a hotel where they could start over and really focus on saving their wedding.
But now it was ruined.
"It wasn't the way I hoped this week end would go." he admitted and she felt her heart squeezed.
"Robin..."
"You asked me if I wondered about why you didn't tell me you loved me anymore." he cut her and she froze.
"That was mean of me and I am so, sorry." she breathed, voice breaking. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
"Of course I wondered." said Robin without acknowledging her previous words. "I did everytime you didn't answer me, everytime I was brave enough to tell you about my feelings. I just thought what we had was worth fighting for."
And that shut her up.
The tense past he was using.
"I am sorry I couldn't be enough for you." he whispered and she saw a tear escaped the corner of his eyes.
They arrived in front of the house they shared, before Regina decided to rent a flat a few streets from there. She saw Robin swallowed as he stopped the car, and still without looking at her ( he had not looked at her for all morning), he said;
"You can wait for me here while I go fetch the papers."
And then he was out of the car.
But Regina couldn't stay away from this house that once had been their home and she unbuckled her belt and went out of the car, before tracing the walls of the house and entering it.
Everything was the way it was when she left, a few weeks ago.
Like nothing had changed ( even if everything did).
She entered the living room and found it in the same state it was when she left. Robin's cushion and cover on the couch ( he had been sleeping there for months now after she asked him too.), pictures of them everywhere and she felt it was hard to breath suddenly.
But what caught Regina's attention was an album laid on the table. She walked closer and rrecognized it even before she opened it.
It was their wedding album.
In a trembling hand, she opened it and covered a sob at how happy they looked; free and innocent from what life would soon throw at them.
Robin took the paper and a deep breath.
He could do it.
With a trembling hand, he raised his hand to the paper, ready to sign but then stopped.
No, he couldn't.
Who was he kidding?
He couldn't give up on the love of his entire life.
How was he supposed to do that?
But he had to.
Because Regina wasn't happy by his side anymore and no matter how hurt he was, that was still the most important thing to him.
Her happiness.
So, he took another deep breath and finally signed the papers that meant the end of his own happiness.
Regina couldn't help but look at the pictures, no matter how hurt it made her.
"I kept it close," said a voice and she jumped, saw Robin leant on the doorway with his eyes wide and pained. "It helped me keeping faith; it helped me remember what I was fighting for." he looked down before taking a few steps toward her and laying a piece of paper on the table. "But I'm tired, Regina."
A tear escaped her eyes.
"I am sorry."
"And I hope this will make you happy." he said murmured because right now he didn't trust his voice.
"I've been very happy, with you."
He smiled sadly and she saw his eyes were glassy.
"Have you?" Robin then smiled, even if she saw it didn't reach his eyes. "If you need anything, I want you to know that I will always be there for you. Always." he needed her to know that for sure.
"Thank you."
Robin nodded and then they stayed facing each other without a word.
She still loved him and he didn't know that.
He still loved her and she was very aware.
This situation was a mess.
How had they gotten in it?
Regina was about to say something but then she remembered.
She couldn't be with him, no matter how she loved him.
Because she couldn't give him what his heart most desired.
A family.
A week later.
It's been a week.
An entire week since Regina left his house and his life, and he had not heard from her since then.
He missed her.
He missed her badly.
And Robin had resisted calling her this entire time, but tonight he felt so alone in this huge house where they used to be happy and in love.
He had spent a bad day at work today.
He needed to hear her voice.
So Robin took his phone, took a deep breath and let it out.
He just wanted to hear her voice.
One ring.
Two rings.
"Hi this is Regina Mills, I am currently unable to answer you, but I'll call back as soon as I can!"
Robin's heart stopped.
He had missed her so badly.
But he cleared his throat and then,
"Hi Regina, it's Robin." Now he felt stupid, talking to her voice message. "I... I just wanted to know how you were doing. I... " Great. Now he didn't know what to tell her. Just fucking great. "Maybe you're still at work. Speaking of which, I don't know if you care, but I'm not working with Marian anymore. She is now working at the Notthingham business and I am sure this is best for everyone." he didn't tell her that he had been the one to tell Marian that she couldn't keep on working for him. "I've got a new secretary, her name is Belle Gold and she is quite a nice girl. I am sure you would like her. She is married for 5 years now and very much in love with her husband." his voice broke. "Anyway, I ... I was just calling for news so... Call me back. If you want. Goodnight."
And he closed the call.
Regina was frozen in front of her phone.
Robin had tried to call her.
She had been thinking about him all week but it was for the best. Because he might be missing her right now, but soon he will find someone else.
"Hi Regina, it's Robin." A gasp escaped her and she put a hand on her mouth. She had missed him so badly and hearing this voice of his... "I... I just wanted to know how you were doing. I... " he seemed tired and that broke her heart. Was he getting enough sleep?"Maybe you're still at work. Speaking of which, I don't know if you care, but I'm not working with Marian anymore. She is now working at the Notthingham business and I am sure this is best for everyone." Of course she cared. The idea that he might end up with Marian had been eating her alive this past week. "I've got a new secretary, her name is Belle Gold and she is quite a nice girl. I am sure you would like her. She is married for 5 years now and very much in love with her husband." She heard his voice broke and closed her eyes tightly. "Anyway, I ... I was just calling for news so... Call me back. If you want. Goodnight."
She considered calling him back but then stopped and a tear rolled down her cheek.
"I am so sorry, Robin."
"Hi this is Regina Mills, I am currently unable to answer you, but I'll call back as soon as I can!"
"It's me again. I know I called you yesterday but ... " Robin considered lying for a few seconds but then, why wouldn't he tell the truth? "I just wanted to hear from you. I'm worried. So please, call me back? Goodnight."
This was not the entire truth.
But it was close enough.
"Hi this is Regina Mills, I am currently unable to answer you, but I'll call back as soon as I can!"
"Hi, this is me again. I've just had a terrible day at the office and I guess I wanted to talk with someone. Not just someone, you. I wanted to talk with you because you had been the most important person of my life these past ten years and I don't know know how to do without you, Regina." his voice broke. "I need you. Please, call me back. I love you." he breathed before the line went dead."
"Hi this is Regina Mills, I am currently unable to answer you, but I'll call back as soon as I can!"
"Hi," Robin cleared his throat. "I wanted to apologize for yesterday night. I ... I had a bit too much wine and ... And I went out of control. I am sorry, Regina."
"Hi this is Regina Mills, I am currently unable to answer you, but I'll call back as soon as I can!"
"Hi, I don't even know why I keep on calling you, really. I don't even know if you listen to my messages ! But somehow, I feel less alone when I can speak to you even if it's not directly. Also, it is your birthday on friday and ..." he took a deep breath. "I've made a reservation in the restaurant we met for 8pm. I'll be waiting for you there. It's not a date, it's not a trap. Just a friendly dinner to celebrate, I promise." his heart broke but he would go to ends to ensure that she would stay in his life.
Friday night.
Robin was fidgeting when he entered the restaurant when he and Regina first met, all those years ago.
"Robin!" screamed a voice and he turned, found Ana a few miles away.
"Hi." he said as she walked to him and kissed his cheek. "How are you?"
"Fine." she smiled then stroked her swollen belly, "The little one is there is definitively a sportive one though."
"Must take after his father." came a third voice and Robin chuckled when Ana rolled her eyes.
"Of course, dear." she muttered and Will leant in, kissing his wife's temple.
"I'm glad to see you, mate." he said, clasping Robin's shoulder and this one smiled slightly.
"Have you prepared the table?"
"Yes." then Will swallowed. "But Robin, what if-"
Ana elbowed him, frowning and Robin sighed.
"She will come." he only said and the woman smiled genuinely and squeezed his hand.
"I'm sure she will."
This restaurant was Will's and Ana's, Regina and he had met each other at this very place some ten years ago when she had entered to have a snack with her friends and he was there helping Will's family ( whom where the former owners) . He had insisted on being the one to take care of her table, and by the end of the meal he had her phone number.
They had never left each other's side after that.
Robin smiled at them and walked to the table while Ana leant into Will, still frowning.
"Do you think she will come?" she asked and Will sighed.
"I sure hope it. Because I don't know how we'll be able to pick the pieces of his broken heart if not."
Ana nodded, tears in eyes.
It's been an hour.
And she wasn't there.
Robin took a deep breath and tried to keep calm.
She must have had a good reason.
She must have.
Two hours.
Still no Regina.
Three hours.
People around him were starting to look at him with both curiosity and pity, he wasn't sure. Robin's heart was breaking in his chest.
Where was she?
God, he would have given up everything he had, for her to be there with him.
Ana and Will were behind the bar, watching their bestfriend with worried look.
"I can't take it anymore." breathed Will and his wife looked at him. "We got to do something."
"I agree." she said, her heart breaking when Robin checked his watch and looked around him one more time. "And I think I might have an idea. Put the "closed" thing on the door, then go find John, Alan and the others in the kitchen." Will raised an eyebrow. "We're having dinner, tonight."
Will smiled then, and kissed her lips.
"I love you."
"And I love you, too." she smiled before walking toward Robin.
Robin kept his eyes on his empty plate, thinking about Regina when suddenly, someone sat in front of him and his eyes widened at the blond-haired woman in front of him.
"Ana?" he asked and she only smiled and took the menu.
"I am starving, aren't you?"
"What are you doing?" he asked but she only looked up and her smiled widened at something Robin couldn't see.
Suddenly, another table was set besides his, and he saw his best friends sat around him ; Will ( who clasped his shoulder), John, Alan, Dale, Tuck ( this was his last name, but everyone called him that way). He looked up, eyes glassy when Ana took his hand and squeezed it before saying,
"We're your friends, Robin. And we are here for you, no matter what."
"Always." added Will.
"It's over." he breathed, feeling tears stinge at the back of his eyes.
"I know it hurts, Robin." said Ana, "But you'll be alright. I promise."
"We're not letting you down," added John. " You'll get through this, mate."
"You've got us." said Will, smiling sadly at his best friend.
Robin looked around him, feeling so touched and lucky to have such friends, and then for the first time in weeks, he smiled.
He might have lost the love of his life,
But he still had his friends.
When he went home that night, heart still broken but grateful for such friends in his life; Robin knew what he had to do.
And he dialed her number
One last time.
"Hi this is Regina Mills, I am currently unable to answer you, but I'll call back as soon as I can!"
"Hi Regina, it's me." he said and noticed his voice was low suddenly. "I just wanted you to know that I've waited for you, all night at the dinner but you never came. I got your message, my love. I won't bother you anymore. I just wanted you to know that you will always be the love of my life, and I wish you all the happiness that you deserve." he took a deep shaky breath. "Goodbye."
And then it was over.
Regina had spent the night crying in her bed.
She knew she was making the right choice in letting Robin go.
She knew it wouldn't be easy.
But no one told her told her it would be this hard.
Then her phone buzzed and she froze, wiped her eyes and saw it was Robin. She looked at her alarm clock and saw it was 2:00 am. Trembling, she took her phone when she saw she had a new vocal message.
"Hi Regina, it's me." he said and she closed her eyes. She missed him so much. "I just wanted you to know that I've waited for you, all night at the dinner but you never came. I got your message, my love. I won't bother you anymore. " A tear escaped her eyes, soon following by many more. She loved him. She loved him so much. "I just wanted you to know that you will always be the love of my life, and I wish you all the happiness that you deserve." a sob escaped her. "Goodbye."
That night, Regina cried herself to sleep.
It was over.
He wouldn't call her again, she just knew it.
It was truly over.
Months later.
Robin was running in the corridors of the hospital, heart beating so fast he was afraid it might explode when finally, he caught glimpse of a secretary.
"I am searching for Regina Lo...Mills. Regina Mills." he breathed and it was so weird, to use her former name when she was still Regina Locksley to him.
The woman raised an eyebrow.
"Are you family?"
"I'm..." he swallowed, the harsh truth still difficult to accept, even now four months later. "I am her ex-husband."
"Then I can't tell you."
His eyes widened.
"Are you bloddy kidding me?"
"Only family is allowed inside, mister?"
"Locksley."
"Well, only family is allowed inside mister Locksley, I am sorry."
Robin was about to get really mad and start a scene, when someone cleared her throat behind him. He turned around and found a small woman, with short dark hair and green eyes looking at him with interest.
"You must be Robin?" she said and his eyes widened.
"How do you know?"
She smiled again and made him sign to follow her. He did and when they arrived to a quiet corridor, she said.
"I am Mary Margaret," she said. "I am the nurse who took care of Miss Mills when she was brought in after her accident."
"God, is she alright? How-"
"She is fine." smiled the young woman, "I will take you to her in one moment."
Robin frowned then.
"You were the one who called me?"
"Yes."
"Why?" this time she frowned and he hurried to say, "I mean, why would you call me? Regina and I are divorced and I am not sure she'll be thrilled to see me."
The nurse smiled sadly.
"I shouldn't tell you this, but when she was brought in she was conscious. Barely so, but still. She caught my arm and all she kept repeating was your name."
"My name?" he asked, feeling a bit dizzy. Could she miss him as he missed her? "Are you sure?"
She nodded again, smiling.
"Now, we should go before someone sees us." she said and started walking.
"Mary Margaret?" asked a male voice and she cursed, before turning around.
"I've got this." she said to Robin as a tall blond man with blue eyes walked to them, frowning slightly.
"Who is this?" asked the man.
"There is no one." she said.
"Mary..."
"David."
"Tell me you're not sneaking patients who are not family into the rooms. Again."
"I am not." she said, standing tall and had the situation not been so dramatical, Robin might have laughed.
"Please, Mary-"
"Now, listen to me well doctor." said the woman, taking a step closer. "You didn't see anything unless you want your hand to be the only thing keeping you warm at nights." she raised an eyebrow and the man blushed suddenly and only then did Robin noticed the wedding ring on his third finger and the matching one on the nurse's house.
"Mary" he said again and she chuckled, pecked his cheek and turned around.
"We can go, now." she only said.
They arrived in front of a room, and Robin took a deep breath.
"I'll let you two a minute, ok?" asked the nurse and Robin nodded before looking at her again.
"Why are you doing this?" he asked and she shrugged at him, remembering the discussions she had had with Regina a few hours ago, and which decided her to call Robin.
Mary entered the room and find the woman - Regina, sat on her bed, her eyes lost faraway.
"Are you feeling better?" she asked and the woman nodded.
"I am. Thank you."
"You must learn not to be so reckless when you drive."
"I know. The doctor already gave me the speach."
Snow smiled gently.
"I know David can sometimes be blunt, but he does care about his patient."Regina looked at her, frowning slightly."He's my husband." said Mary and the other woman smiled sadly.
"I see."
Then a small silence until Mary Margaret couldn't help herself.
"Who is Robin?"
Regina tensed.
"How do you know?"
"You kept saying his name when you were brought in."
Regina looked down, hands fidgeting. A long silence could be heard then, and the nurse was about to leave when she heard a very small,
"Robin was my husband."
"Oh." said Mary, understanding. "Did something happen to him?"
Regina shook her head.
"I broke his heart."
"But you didn't want to?"
Again, the woman shook her head.
"But I had to. It was what was best for him." she sniffled and then Mary sighed and walked to her, taking her hand and she saw it startled Regina, but she spoke.
"Believe me when I said David and I are our fair share of troubles. And trust me when I say that you are wrong." Regina's eyes widened. "What you're doing? You're not making him a favour, here. He needs you, loves you. All of you."
"You can't know." breathed Regina, eyes wide with pain.
Mary looked down, chuckling sadly.
"David and I, we met in highschool. We were so very young by then, and so very much in love. It was an accident, really, but one day I learnt I was pregnant." she looked up and saw Regina was looking at her with interest. "We were too young to have a children, I had to do what was best for her, and put her to adoption."
"Oh my God," breathed Regina. "I am so sorry."
"Thank you." Mary's eyes were glassy at the memory. "After that, I had myself convinced that I was wrong for David, that he was heartbroken because of me. That we had to stop seeing each other."
"Did you?"
"Yes. I can be very convincing and had him convinved that I didn't love him. That somehow, I had fallen out of love with him." she shook her head sadly, "The idiot believed him. As if it was possible."
Regina looked down and Mary knew she had had the same experience.
"A few years later, we met again by accident when I started working here. The spark was still there."
"What happened?"
"He was engaged by the time, and even if I had been the one to set him free, I was still very heartbroken. I will spare you the details but he gave me another chance, we married the year after that. We realized we couldn't live without one another."
Regina nodded, smiling sadly.
"What happened to your daughter?"
"Emma." smiled Mary. "Her name is Emma. It wasn't easy either, but we managed to get her back. She was almost eight when she got home with us and we had our share of trouble there too, but she is fifteen now, and we've never been more happy. Last year, we even had a son, Neal." Mary squeezed her hand then, and green eyes met brown. "No matter what you're scared of, Regina; you can't shut him away. You're hurting yourself, but you're hurting him too and he doesn't deserve that. Love is a gift too precious to be wasted. Trust me on this."
Mary was then brought back to reality.
"I guess I'm just a sucker for love stories." she only smiled and then winked, "Some people even call me Snow White."
He chuckled and then smiled at her.
"Thank you."
The woman smiled back.
"You're most welcome."
Robin entered the room slowly, heart beating so fast in his chest and then, he saw her.
She was on the bed, looking pale but alive; she had a few cuts on the face but she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
And the way his heart was doing flips on his chest?
He still loved her.
"I told you I don't need more medi-" started Regina but she stopped when she saw who was there. "Robin?"
Robin nodded and then walked toward her before doing the only thing he could think of.
He took her into his arms.
"God," he breathed, face buried in her hair. "Don't ever do this to me again. Ever. Please."
She closed her eyes and took in this scent she had missed so much.
"I promise."
Robin receded and cupped her cheeks,
"Are you alright?"
"I am fine." she took a deep breath, lost in his blue eyes and tender touches, and then she thought about her conversation with the nurse and she knew what needed to be done. "But we have to talk."
She saw Robin paled and he smiled sadly before receding from her and taking a step back.
"I am sorry." he breathed and she saw he was opening and closing his fists by his side. "I was just so worried about you that I forgot..."
"Robin..."
"It's fine, Regina." he smiled but it didn't reach his eyes at all. "I just want you to be happy. You were not with me. I get that."
"Please, let me talk." she begged and something in her voice must have stopped him because he frowned slightly.
"I'm listening."
She didn't know where to begin.
How could she begin?
"Regina-" started Robin but if she didn't speak now, she never would.
"Listen," she said. "I don't know if I am too late or not, but I am sorry. I am sorry because I've made terrible choices but I swear they had nothing to do with you, or with us."
"I don't understand." he breathed and she took a deep breath.
"A few weeks before it all started..." God, she couldn't do this. But then she felt Robin's hand squeezed her and she smiled at him, eyes glassy. "I had an appointment with my doctor. And... And he told me ..."
"What did he tell you, Regina?"
She took another deep breath.
"I can't have children, Robin." she finally said, a tear leaving her eyes and looking down because she couldn't face him. "The family you dream of? I can't give it to you." a sob escaped her. "No matter how much I'd want to. But I can't. I just can't..."
A silence could be heard in the room and she closed her eyes tightly.
This was it,
She had lost him for good.
But then...
"Is this what it was all about?" he asked, voice trembling and she looked up to see him look at her intensely.
She nodded.
"I am sorry. The only thing I could think about was your happiness and I thought that if I pushed you away, you would find it with someone better. Someone who could give you what your heart desires."
Robin's eyes widened.
"You foolish woman." he breathed and then cupped her cheeks and kissed her.
She moaned under the first contact she was allowed in months, and his hands were everywhere. They were both enjoying this kiss, and when oxygen forced them apart, Robin nuzzled her nose with his.
"You should be mad at me." she breathed and he chuckled.
"How could I?" he breathed, stroking her cheeks. "I was so sure you didn't love me anymore..."
"I love you." she said firmly and a tear escaped his eyes. "I love you, Robin."
"I love you, too. And I don't care if you can have children or not, Regina." she looked down and he forced her to look at him. "I really don't. All I need is you. All I want is you. You are my family. The only family I need."
"But what about children?"
"My love," he said tasting the words on his tongue after so much, and that had her smiling. "We can adopt. I am sure you'll be an amazing mother." he leant in slightly, "The only mother I want for my children."
And he kissed her again.
All was not perfect, far from it. They still had a lot to talk and settle. They will be tears, and kisses and words of undying love later in the day,
But for now?
They just enjoyed being together again, with the assurance that their love is safe.
Years later.
"Boys!" screamed Regina from the bottom of the stairs. "It's time to eat!"
She heard groans and then people were climbing down the stairs toward her.
"But I was winning, mommy." whimpered a little boy with brown curls and dark eyes.
Regina smiled and opened his arms to him, the boy jumped to it and she kissed his cheek tenderly.
"You can play tomorrow, Roland."
"But I don't want to play tomorrow." pouted the boy and he was so cute, she couldn't help a chuckle.
"I love you."
"Mommy, I'm mad at you."
She laughed and tickled his side, and soon, he was laughing too; his little arms around her neck.
"I love you." she said again.
"I love you too." said the boy and then his eyes widened in delight when he spotted someone behind her. "Daddy!"
She smiled and let him go, watching him run to his father, who scooped him in his arms.
"Hey there, little man!"
"You're home early!"
"I am. I wanted to make all of you a surprise. Happy?"
The boy nodded, curls bouncing and Regina chuckled, bringing blue eyes back to her and even now, almost 17 years after they first met, Regina was breathless from the amount of love she could see in those blue orbs.
"Very happy." she breathed and saw her husband smiled, dimples of full display.
"Mom, I'm fifteen." came another voice and she smiled, watching their teenager went down the stairs. "Have I to go to eat at the same hour as Roland?" She smiled and kissed the top of his hair. "It's not fair." he breathed. Regina chuckled again and put an arm around his shoulder.
"Life's unfair, sweetheart."
Henry chuckled and then looked up and his eyes widened,
"Dad!"
"Hi buddy." smiled Robin. "How was your day?"
And the family walked to the kitchen to eat, and Regina's eyes were glassy with happiness.
They had adopted Henry first, exactly 6 years ago, one year after they had gotten back together. His parents just died in a car accident. At first things were a bit difficult because Henry couldn't get over his parent's death, but things had quickly gotten better when Robin&Regina made it clear they weren't there to replace his parents but to make sure he got the love he deserved.
Roland had been easier somehow, because he was adopted as a baby boy. His mother didn't want him so all he had ever known was Robin, Regina and Henry. They would tell him the truth about himself, but when he would be in age to understand it.
Robin&Regina had gotten married again the year they had gotten back together.
They had never forgotten about the young nurse that helped them, and they were now close friends to the Nolans, having dinner every sundays. Plus, Mary Margaret and David had become great friends with Ana and Will so yeah,
Everything was finally perfect.
Especially in moments like those, when they were taking a walk in the forest after dinner, Robin had intertwined their finger and was holding Regina close by his side, she smiled at him and he whispered an I love you that she whispered back, leaning in to kiss him tenderly, under the screams of their boys who ran away.
They chuckled and Robin wrapped his arms around her frame while she leant into him, closing her eyes.
This was perfect.
This was their family.
Forever.
A/N : So ? ;)