Three more chapters to go after this one and it'll be over! Hope you've been liking the story so far and that it's made the season a bit more JOQLLY for all of you =)

Enjoy chapter 5!

On December 5th, Regina receives her official Permanent Visitors' ID, and is able to take Henry out for a day of fun in the City.

They ride the train, and laugh together as they tell each other crazy stories of previous Christmases, the holiday all the more prominent as they pull into New York and are greeted with all manner of decorations.

Henry is in awe. He's been here before, of course, Robin has taken him to a few Yankees games, and to the park for ice skating, but New York at Christmas is his favorite thing, he tells her, and he's so happy to just be here with her, to get to have a day out of the home and in a place he loves so much, that Regina almost blurts out her secret right there.

She hasn't told him yet. Has asked Robin to keep the knowledge of her plans to himself, as well. Because Izzie had been very clear that Henry is not to find out about the possibility of having a permanent home until the paperwork is in order. Even though she'd been pre-approved to adopt a baby, her application has now been modified, and the red tape can make things a little difficult, which means there's no guarantee she'll be approved for an older child.

So no, she can't tell Henry yet, can't bear to give him hope and then crush it if something goes wrong.

But she'll enjoy this. Oh, how she'll enjoy this. Showing him around her favorite places in the city, taking him to that cafe she likes so much and treating him to a double chocolate muffin, grabbing lunch at that Indian place near her office...

Robin will be there, as well. They've made plans to meet at four to go to Central Park together with him and Roland. It's an exciting day, and Henry's enthusiasm is contagious.

Snow begins to fall as they're eating their lunch, and gets heavier as four o'clock rolls around, but they keep to their schedule, are promptly at the park entrance on 59th street a few minutes before the hour, when the flurries have stopped and the park is now a white fluffy winter wonderland.

And there are Roland and Robin, excitedly waving them over, both father and son showcasing those dimples that make Regina go weak in the knees.

"Regina, it's snowing!" Roland yells happily when she and Henry reach them.

"I know! What do you say we go build ourselves a snowman?" she asks, and off they all go, running in the snow until they find a spot that is just right for the task at hand.

Robin is close, crouches down beside her to help, then leans into her a bit when they're trying to roll a smaller snowball into place atop the giant one they're using for the body. The tip of his tongue sticks out in concentration, hair tousled and getting in his eyes. Regina finds herself pushing it back to improve his visibility, and it's such a casual thing, such a natural gesture, that she doesn't even realize how mortifying it truly is until he turns to smile at her and utters his thanks.

But then as they're putting the finishing touches (Roland spent a good amount of time picking just the perfect twigs and tree branches to make the face and arms), he makes a joke about the snowman needing some plastic surgery to fix its cross-eyed stare, and when she laughs, he kisses her cheek, his lips warm against her chilly skin. The shock at the action has her laughter fading, but her smile lingers as she looks at him. He grins back, reaches up to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear, and his fingers brush just over the spot he's just kissed, making her blush.

The boys say nothing about the exchange they've just witnessed between the adults, but when Regina turns to look at them, they're both giving them all-too-knowing smiles.

She chooses to ignore that, and takes Robin's hand as she rises from her spot on the snowy floor.

Robin doesn't let go.

They walk along Bow Bridge, the lake beneath them frozen and covered in today's fresh coat of snow, white and vast and undisturbed. The streetlamps are already on despite the early hour, and the sun is just starting to sink over the horizon, the sky awash in yellows and pinks as they stroll together.

Henry and Roland are ahead of them, laughing and running their gloved hands over the bannister, watching the snow piled on it fall onto the cloud-like depths below. Regina is just behind them, her hand still in Robin's as they talk in hushed voices.

"Do you think we can do this again?" he asks, "After you've adopted Henry, I mean."

"We don't know if I can adopt him yet."

"But if you do, if they say yes?"

"Yes, sure, why wouldn't we?" she answers, and Robin exhales in relief, then explains how he's seen older kids lose touch with the people they're close to before they're adopted, once they move to their new homes.

"Some parents want their children to start new lives and embrace them, leave everything from their old life behind. And as much as I understand wanting that, I would miss Henry terribly if seeing him was no longer an option."

"I would never do that to you or Henry," Regina says, hoping her sincerity is conveyed in her voice. "But we're getting a little ahead of ourselves. Like I said, we still don't know if my application will be approved, and even if it is, we don't know if Henry will want to live with me."

Robin gives her a soft smile, and answers her with a reassuring squeeze of his hand over hers.

"He's so enamored with you, Regina. Of course he'll want to."

She smiles back, and they continue to walk in silence.

"There's... another reason why I'd like for this to happen again," he says tentatively.

"Oh?"

"Well, as it turns out," Robin says, pausing in his strides and turning to face her, his hands grabbing both of hers now. "I'm rather enamored with you, too."

She knows that. Of course she does. All those soft touches and the constant flirting, she'd be a fool not to see it, but somehow the fact that he's acknowledging it has her grinning from ear to ear.

"Are you, now?" she asks, batting her eyelashes in mock flirtation.

Robin chuckles as he answers, "I think we both know by now that I'm quite smitten with you, milady."

She wants to comment on the nickname, wants to throw in a clever little quip about his antiquated terms of endearment, but chooses not to, she's too interested in what he has to say to make jokes right now.

"The truth is I've been wanting to ask you out for a drink for days now, but my courage fails me every time I look at you," he admits, and it's his voice, and that accent, and the way he's looking at her, all of it, that makes her body tingle with anticipation.

"Doesn't seem to have failed you today," she remarks, her voice low and flirty.

"I suppose you're right... now it's a matter of whether it pays off," he adds expectantly.

She takes a few seconds, just because she loves that look on his face, enjoys the way he's admiring her while battling his nerves. It's when the boys run back to them and ask what's taking them so long that she finally decides to answer.

"A drink sounds nice," she murmurs as they rejoin Roland and Henry, and Robin is beaming, shaking his head in disbelief and exhaling a relieved laugh.

He takes her hand again, and this time she's the one to squeeze his fingers in silent reassurance. I want this, she says through her touch, and it seems he gets it, because he brings their joint hands up to his lips and places a feather-light kiss there.

Her cheeks hurt from smiling, but Regina can't say she minds.

She forgets.

She's so caught up in joyful, boyish giggles, and snow, and the warm weight of Robin's arm around her shoulders as they walk, that she forgets about Henry's room.

So when Roland asks for hot chocolate, she offers to make them all some at her apartment before they take Henry back, and it isn't until she opens the door and Henry takes in the blue bed, and the little desk, and the constellations painted on the wall, that Regina realizes what she's done.

He stops just inside the door, blocking the way for Robin and Roland to follow him in, and when he lifts his head to meet her gaze, he looks... betrayed. Hurt.

"You didn't tell me you had a kid," he begins. "Is it because you didn't want him to meet me?"

He's almost pouting as he asks, his eyes brimming with tears he's fighting so hard to keep at bay, and before Regina can explain that that's not the case, he speaks again.

"You said I was on your team. That we were friends, and you never told me you were already a mom," he accuses, and he looks so sad, so dejected at the prospect of Regina not being entirely honest with him, that she can't bring herself to lie anymore.

"I don't have a child," she tells him firmly. "Not yet."

She offers her hand to him, and Henry hesitates, but takes it, lets her lead him closer to the nook she's created for him. Over by the door, Robin is hoisting Roland up and perching him against his hip, muttering something to keep him quiet while she and Henry work this out.

"I put this together about a week ago," Regina continues, her focus solely on Henry now as they sit on the bed, "I'm hoping it'll be for my... well, for you."

"What?" he whispers, tearing his gaze from the stars on the wall to look back at her.

"I've..." she trails off, and god, is it hard to say the words. She knows this is it, this is the moment she'll know if he wants this, and it shakes her, has emotions running in agitated swirls inside her. So much so, she has to take several deep breaths before she can speak again.

"I've petitioned to adopt you, Henry," she finally says, her voice choked and whispery. "I... I want you to be my son, if you'll have me."

Silence. She is met with absolute silence for the next couple of minutes, long enough for Robin to make his way inside and close the door behind him, sliding Roland onto the floor as they both watch the scene before them with rapt attention. Regina doesn't turn to them, though, keeps her attention on Henry.

The tears that have been brimming in his eyes spill freely now, his voice small as he sniffles and asks, "Really?"

Regina nods, whispers back, "Really," and before she knows it, Henry is launching himself into her arms, crying silently into her shirt as he hugs her. She hugs back as tight as she can, and gasps when he mutters a simple sentence into her ear.

"I knew it was you."

Suddenly she's crying, too, holding him to her chest with her arms crossed over his back, his tearful little face still buried in her neck as he sobs into her shirt.

"Is that a yes?" she blubbers, and hears the wet chuckle he gives in reply, feels him nod against her chest.

She looks up at Robin, at the tender smile he's giving them, Roland beaming at them from where he's curled against his father's leg, and it all just... fits.

If ever there was any doubt in her mind about her decision, they're cleared away now, as she holds her son in her arms, her hand stroking up and down his back as they both cry out the roller coaster of emotions that the past five minutes have been.

Regina closes her eyes, and pours every ounce of love she feels for this wonderful boy into the hug she's giving him, and new tears break when he whispers, "Thank you," into her ear.

"No, sweetheart. Thank you."

She drinks her hot cocoa one-handed, her other arm around Henry, who stays glued to her side for the rest of their time together. Even on the subway, he huddles close to her, rests his head on her shoulder, and Regina cannot stop glancing at him and smiling in disbelief.

Robin sits across from her, holding a sleepy Roland in his lap, but she can see his face just over his son's curls, see the fond smile that forms on his face as he watches them.

They make a stop to drop Roland off with his sitter at Robin's apartment. It's the first time Regina's seen his place, and she takes it all in while father and son argue about whether or not it's time for pajamas and goodnight cuddles.

It's all cold colors and straight, clean cuts, both in furniture and decor, but despite that, there's a warmth to it, an addition of life in the form of Roland's toys in the corner, and colorful IKEA plastic plates and cups in the sink (Robin had apologized for those the second they walked in, and Regina had teased him in a low whisper, earned herself a seductive, dimpled smirk when she'd taunted him, asking whether he was waiting for some naughty French maid to come do his dishes).

"Depends on who the maid is," he'd quipped, with the unspoken connotation that he wouldn't mind one bit if it was her.

"Dream on, dear," she'd fired back, rolling her eyes at his antics, her answering smirk one of amusement rather than seduction.

Roland is tired from the day's activities, so despite his drowsy insistence that he wants to go back to Westchester with them, Robin affirms that he must stay with Ruby, who Regina finds to be a quirky young woman with gorgeous hair and lovely eyes, tall and pretty and an absolute delight as far as the boys are concerned.

She greets Henry excitedly, and they perform some sort of secret handshake that makes a pang of jealousy erupt in Regina. She stops herself from letting it get to her, though, especially when Henry excitedly informs the woman that Regina is adopting him, and that he's moving to New York, and Isn't that awesome?! to which Ruby replies that Yes, it's wonderful! and looks at Regina with admiration in her eyes as she thanks her for keeping Henry around. Regina nods, touched at her words, and then crouches down to say goodnight to Roland.

About an hour later, she and Robin are dropping Henry off. His goodbye is a fierce hug Regina gladly returns, watching him until he's disappeared up the stairs.

Izzie is there, gathering a few documents, and she tells Regina and Robin to wait for her, so they can all ride back to the city together.

Which is why Regina is now sitting on the train back to New York with her case worker, nervously wringing her hands as she tells her what transpired with Henry at the apartment.

"I didn't really mean for it to happen, it just... did. We got caught up in the moment and when Roland asked for hot chocolate, I couldn't say no. Henry's room just feels like it's always been there, in that moment it didn't register for me that he was supposed to be kept in the dark about it until we knew for sure if—"

She's rambling and she knows it, cuts herself off and sighs.

"I'm so sorry," she says at last, daring to hope that this won't hurt her application. Robin is sitting beside her, his hand running along her back in calming strokes that are far too intimate, considering they've yet to actually explore this pull between them, but the contact is welcome, soothing. Regina anchors herself in it, breathes in time with the steady up-and-down of his hand on her back, and looks down at her lap as she waits for her case worker to speak.

"Regina," she says at last, "look at me."

She does, and finds that the blonde doesn't look angry in the least. In fact, she looks... excited.

"What?"

"He's yours," the woman informs her. "I spoke to the judge this morning. You're right, you shouldn't have told him anything until it was a certainty, but, well... it was already a certainty when you told him, right?"

She winks at them conspiratorially, and Regina finds herself laughing in relief.

"Right. Thank you," she agrees.

"Of course," Izzie answers, and then she looks at Robin, and back at her, at their cozy position, at the way his arm is now wrapped around her shoulders, his free hand holding hers on her lap.

"This is new," she remarks, a mischievous glint in her eye.

"Tink, please," Robin begs her, "not now."

She giggles, then moves to 'zip' her lips shut before she says, "Just pretend I'm not even here."

Robin takes her up on her word and does a pretty good job of ignoring her presence. He doesn't talk, not really, just a few little comments here and there that Regina returns with few words, nothing of consequence, but he's curved forward, crowding her space for a moment as he gets comfortable, and then he holds Regina's body to him, her back resting on his chest, head facing out the window, his chin propped up on her shoulder. It's a snuggle, really, nothing too scandalous, not in these seats, but it is definitely a show of intimacy, of privacy, as it shields her from Isabelle's too-curious eyes.

Regina is glad for it.

When the train pulls into Grand Central, Izzie is off to the subway with a hurried goodbye, leaving them alone in the bustling hum of the station.

"Would you mind if I saw you home? We could ride the subway together?" he asks, his voice low despite the loud atmosphere around them. "I'm not ready for today to be over just yet."

"How about we walk?" Regina offers, and his answering nod is brief, but quite enthusiastic as he takes her hand again and heads for the Park and 42nd exit, out into the steady chaos of the city.

Cars honk and voices drift around them, muted slightly by the chill in the air. It's cold, and Robin is only wearing a light jacket, which both worries and annoys her.

"How are you not freezing right now?" she asks, her steps faltering a little as they both pause at the corner of 39th Street. "You're going to get sick."

"I've had my flu-shot," he says with a laugh, adding, "and I enjoy the cold."

There aren't that many people around, and so it's easy for her to sink into his gaze, into the way his hand holds on tightly to hers, the electric little zing from his touch seeping through her gloves as they walk.

"Besides," he explains after they've crossed, continuing on their way, "I tend to run hot."

He smirks at her as he says it, wiggling his eyebrows at her. Regina rolls her eyes, but lets a chuckle break out of her all the same.

"So... you still owe me that drink," he says as the sign for 34th Street comes into view. Regina turns the corner first, walks a step or two ahead of him, so that he can't see her cheeks flaming red as she grins to herself and answers.

"Yes, I suppose I do."

"Any chance you'd be willing to pair the drink with dinner? Say, tomorrow night? Around seven?" he asks then, and she turns to look at him, that grin still pulling at her lips.

"You're full of good ideas today, Mr. Locksley," she flirts, letting him walk closer and closer to her, until his hands are hovering over her waist, awaiting her permission.

She nods, lets those strong arms wrap around her while he hums and says, "I'm always full of good ideas, milady," in that low, raspy tone that makes her insides melt.

He's leaning in, his forehead resting on hers, and Regina almost can't resist the urge to kiss him. But it's cold, and the wind is picking up. She should get home.

Grinning, she leans in just a bit, just enough for her low whisper to tempt him.

"Robin?" she says, and he hums in response, his Adam's apple bobbing as he takes in just how close they are, his lips parting as he waits for her to speak.

"I'm cold," Regina finally says, breaking the moment, and he looks so sad she can't help but laugh as she pushes away from him.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Robin immediately says. His arms drop from her waist, and he looks nervous, afraid that he might've done something she didn't want, she realizes, afraid that he might've read her signals wrong.

"Oh, I want to," she assures him, smiles at his obvious relief as she adds, "but I really am cold. And my apartment is right there."

He laughs good-naturedly at that, walks closer and takes her gloved hand again, raising it to his lips and dropping the kiss there instead.

"Then let's get you home."

One very creaky gate and two flights of stairs later, they're at her door, his hands holding hers at their sides as they stare at each other.

"We're here," he says.

"We are," she replies. Unnecessary, of course. Ridiculous. She knows she should say goodnight, turn around and get inside, but she's glued to the spot. Her neighbor has placed Christmas lights over his door, and the warm glow of them dances in gold specs across the clear blue of Robin's eyes. Regina is mesmerized by the sight.

"I should get home," he warns. "Roland."

His voice is as breathy as her own, though, and despite the declaration that he's leaving, he's only moving closer, his hands letting go of hers to settle at her waist.

"You should," is all she replies, but his eyes are closing, and then he's leaning in, his hand resting on her cheek and his lips meeting hers.

It's a sweet peck, one she's not sure he even meant to give her, given how casual it feels. It's like they're both used to doing this, like it's a normal thing for them to say goodbye with a kiss. It doesn't linger, doesn't build, he only busses her lips gently and pulls away.

And then he realizes what he's done, and his eyes widen a little before he drops his hand from her cheek and moves it to scratch the back of his neck, giving her a sheepish smile.

"Sorry, I didn't—"

But she's home now, the cold warded off by concrete and indoor heating, and she won't put this off any longer.

Before Robin can finish his sentence, Regina pulls him in for a proper liplock. Fists her hands in the lapels of that silly, provides-no-warmth-at-all jacket and crashes their mouths together, holding him there.

There's no moment of surprise, no initial shock at her actions, Robin kisses back right away, one hand threading in her hair, thumb rubbing softly over her cheekbone.

Her lips part under his, and then his tongue is meeting her own, and his other arm loops around her waist to pull her closer, and Regina moans at the delicious feeling of it all.

He exhales into the kiss when he hears her, parts from her for just a moment to whisper a needy Regina against her lips, and then he's back, and his tongue is there again, warm and wet as it slides over hers, her hands gripping that jacket tighter.

He smells like forest, all smooth pine and fresh air. Tastes like it, too. Like rain and sunlight at once, with a sweet hint of the hot chocolate he'd drank in her living room a few hours ago. Regina wants to savor him forever.

He parts for a second, just enough to get some air, but she's addicted now, and gently sinks her teeth into his bottom lip, pulling slightly until his mouth is back on hers, tongues once again tangling slowly. The action has him jerking his hips forward against hers on instinct, and she smiles into the kiss when she feels just how much he likes this, the evidence pressing into her thigh.

When their panting breaks the kiss, he lingers in their embrace, places little pecks along her cheeks and temples, down her jaw and back up to her lips.

They're out of breath, but grinning like fools.

"Still cold?" he asks, and Regina gives a breathy chuckle in answer, kisses him again.

It's a brief thing, but it has the same heat from before, the same enticing pull of his lips as they suck on her bottom one, that hand on her waist roaming up and down her side.

They part with a wet pop, and Robin brushes the tip of his nose against hers.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" he asks, and Regina nods, biting her smirk.

"Try and stop me," she whispers, bussing his lips softly before reluctantly letting him go. He chuckles, holds on to her hand, and she stretches her arm to prolong the contact as he takes a few steps backward, until the bannister on the stairs halts his movements and he's forced to let go.

"Goodnight, Regina," he murmurs, with a smile she'd consider idiotic if it wasn't mirrored on her face.

"Goodnight, Robin."