Phew! It's been a few months. Hopefully y'all are still interested in seeing what happens with these love birds. If you need a refresher of last chapter: Regina and Henry spent the night at Robin's after Daniel attacked Regina. She also dropped Henry off at camp the next day, had a frustrating dinner with Cora which helped her admit to herself that she loves Robin. She went to Robin's apartment and they got it on for the first time. Man, a lot happened, huh? Lol… Hope that helps!
Let me know what y'all think of the newest chapter!
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Chapter Nine
When Regina's eyes open, thanks to the morning's sunlight streaming in through the cracked blinds in the room, she's wrapped in Robin's arms, completely content. She'd turned her body at some point in the night and is now facing him.
He's still asleep, so she takes a few moments to stare at his face, soaking in every detail, almost as if she's trying to memorize the way he looks in this moment. She loves Robin and had told him of those feelings the week before when she'd finally let her last remaining walls crumble and had given herself completely to him.
Picking up her head a little, she places a soft kiss to his cheek before running her hand over that same spot, savoring the feel of his stubble under her fingers. She remembers how that stubble felt in other places last night and smiles to herself.
Robin stirs slightly, so she takes it upon herself to wiggle from his arms, moving so she's straddling his middle. It's almost time for Roland to wake up, and she wants to give Robin a proper good morning before they start their day.
"You're a bloody minx, y'know that?" he slurs groggily, peeking up at her from one half open eyelid.
Laughing, Regina leans down and presses a kiss to his lips, which he returns easily.
"Look who's finally woken up." She glances down between their bodies at his hardening member and adds, "Looks like all of you is up."
Regina's never been the greatest winker, but she gives it her best shot, winking at him (which is more of a blink) and lowering her head to kiss him again.
His hands have apparently woken up now, because they begin to move along her body, sending a flutter down her spine. Goosebumps rise on her skin as his grip tightens on her hips, holding her in place.
She grinds her hips as much as she can, sending a sultry smirk down his way. Regina takes Robin's hands from her hips and holds them above his head, pressing them into the pillow as she interlocks their fingers. She loves the feel of his fingers wrapped around hers.
As her tongue peeks out, seeking entrance into his mouth, he groans and welcomes it willingly. She moves her lips to trace his jaw before slowly placing soft kisses and nips down his neck to give his shoulder a little bite. Letting his hands go, she wiggles her body down so she's laying between his legs. She reaches inside his boxers, stroking his length and licking her lips.
She looks up into Robin's eyes when he lets out a moaned God, Regina, and says, "I think I know what I want for breakfast."
Rolling his eyes back into his head and placing his head deeper into his pillow, Robin grunts, "Wh-what's that, love?"
Giving him her best evil grin she can, she pumps his cock and mumbles a seductive, "You," before lowering her lips onto his hard member.
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After a very good wake up from Regina, a round of returning the oral favor to her, and another very soapy, very hot shower, Robin and Regina make their way out of the bedroom.
As they're coming into the kitchen, Roland joins them, dragging his favorite stuffed dinosaur behind him and rubbing his eyes, letting out a giant yawn.
"Good morning, my boy," Robin says, rubbing his son's back when he wraps his little arms around his father's legs, dinosaur dropping completely to the floor behind him.
"Mornin' Papa… Gina."
After Roland joins Regina at the kitchen table, where he leans into her side, still tired from his slumber, Robin announces he thinks they should all go to breakfast at Granny's.
Roland perks up at this idea, saying he'll go change, scooping up his toy and running off into his bedroom to pick out his clothes for the day. Robin taught him early on how to dress himself, so luckily, he hasn't had to help his son get dressed, save for a few occasions, since he was about three years old.
"Robin," Regina says, standing and joining him at the kitchen counter, "I can't go to Granny's in the outfit I have on." Glimpsing down at her in his black boxers adorned with tiny pine trees and fox heads (a Christmas gift from Roland that his son had giggled about) and his plain, white t-shirt, Robin smirks saying he wouldn't wear his underwear out to breakfast either.
Chuckling, she adds, "I mean my dress, silly. It's wrinkled by now since we left it on your floor last night." She smirks, causing his grin to match hers. They'd gone on a date the previous night, and in the heat of the moment, they hadn't thought to hang her dress up so it wouldn't wrinkle during the night. Leaning down to place a kiss to her lips, he tells her they can swing by her apartment so she can change and then they'll go eat.
"You might as well just pack a bag since you've been, thankfully, sleeping here most nights anyway since Henry's been gone." He leans in again to give her cheek a kiss before playfully swatting at her rear.
Jumping away a little bit and laughing, Regina tells him he's right, saying, "I'll pack for a few nights when we go."
Roland runs out then, wearing jeans and a navy blue shirt with "Surfs Up" written in a mint color, exclaiming he's ready for Granny's.
Robin snickers and moves from behind Regina to scoop up his son, telling him, "Let papa change. We'll take Regina home to change clothes, and then we'll go."
Excited at the idea of going to Regina's, Roland clambers out of Robin's arms and makes his way over to her, chattering away about her apartment and all the fun things he's done there.
"I really like your aparment," he hears Roland tell her, adorably mispronouncing the word.
"Apartment, sweetheart," she corrects softly, "and I'm glad you do. Maybe we can convince your papa to hang out there for a little bit today."
Robin has no doubt between both of their pleading, chocolate eyes, that he will cave and give in to their desires. "So we can work on the Dr. Seuss puzzle?"
They've worked on that damn Dr. Seuss puzzle several times now with Regina, completing it, taking it apart, and doing it again. But if that's what Roland wants, then who are they to deny him?
"Maybe," she giggles, ruffling his tousled hair.
Chuckling at their interaction, Robin hurries to his room, quickly changing into jeans and a forest green t-shirt before joining the two of them again. Regina is just finishing brushing through Roland's hair, telling Robin he needs to get some more detangling spray before long as Roland winces at a particularly large knot being brushed out. He make a mental note to pick some up later today as he grabs his keys. The trio make their way out of his apartment, all climbing into Robin's 4-Runner, excited for the day together.
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Once Regina has changed into jeans and a black tank top, the three of them head to Granny's.
It's busy today, which he should've known. It's Sunday, and the church crowd is out and about now that most services have finished, adding to the already busy crowd of people that frequent the diner for breakfast.
Sitting down in the first available booth, Robin smiles when he sees Roland chooses to sit with Regina. It warms his heart to see how his little boy has taken to the woman he loves so much.
"What can I get for ya?" the dark haired waitress asks when she gets to the table.
After ordering juice for Roland, and coffee and two waters for the adults, Regina looks down to Roland, asking him what he'd like to do today.
"Talk to Henry!" Roland exclaims as Regina softly smiles at his son. "I really love him."
Robin's breath hitches slightly in his throat at the boy's sweet admission (which he said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world). "Me too, baby," Regina whispers to him, wrapping her arms around the boy's shoulders. She gives him a gentle squeeze as she looks over toward Robin, eyes a little bit glassier than they were a moment ago. He loves his kind hearted son, a trait he more so got from his mother than him. Marian was always a bit more tender hearted than he. Robin has known that Roland looks up to Henry, but hearing him say he loves the older boy brings a certain amount of joy to his heart. He loves Regina and Henry, and he's so glad his son does too (not that he ever really doubted it).
Pulling him from his thoughts, Regina asks Roland, "But what else would you like to do?"
Roland goes on to babble out ideas as only a child can do - go to the park, the museum, fly to space, feed a pig - and the list went on.
Chuckling, Robin tells him, "I don't know if some of those are possible today, son. NASA might not let us all get on their rocket." Smirking over at his son's confused, scrunched up face, Robin takes hold of Regina's hand that is resting on the table.
This action causes her eyes to leave his son's and look into his. Her eyes are a beautiful, chocolate brown, and the way the sun is shining on them from the window makes them appear to have flecks of gold in them. He's convinced he could stare into those expressive eyes of hers every second of the day and never grow tired of it.
The waitress comes over a few more times, delivering their drinks and taking their orders, checking on them while they wait and assuring them it won't take much longer. It's taking longer than normal because of all the extra people, but Robin assures her it's fine.
"Would you like some paper and a pen for the little one to draw on?" the waitress, Ruby, as they've come to learn is her name, offers.
"Yeah!" Roland shouts, bouncing up and down in the booth's seat.
Laughing, Robin thanks Ruby. She tells them she has a son about his age, so she understands needing to keep them busy while they wait on food.
"My son can throw a holy terror if I don't get food in him on time, so my wife and I have definitely found ways to distract him."
Ruby hands Roland a piece of paper from her notebook and a pen from her apron. "Thank you," Roland tells her, dimples shining brightly, before picking up the pen and writing his name.
He's just finished Kindergarten, so he knows how to write, but Robin has come to discover that his son is quite the perfectionist and wants to practice writing his name and numbers any chance he gets so that his handwriting is better before he goes to first grade.
Robin looks down at his phone to check his work email, and when he brings his eyes up again, he can't help but to smile. Regina has one arm around Roland while he's pressed into her side. She's helping him write a sentence about an orange bird that he's just made up, but the sight of her helping his son, being so motherly with him, warms his heart. He's so glad, in that moment, that Roland finally has a woman in his life that he can look up to. He knows Marian would have loved Regina, and she would approve of their relationship.
After their food is delivered, Regina places Roland's work into her purse and tells him they can play sight word tic-tac-toe, a fun game Henry taught him weeks ago, after they eat.
Robin has ordered the Big Boy Breakfast special, complete with two pancakes, four slices of bacon, and eggs. Regina ordered toast with scrambled eggs, while Roland has a bowl of oatmeal and a piece of toast. Robin ordered the breakfast special originally intending to share some of it with Roland, but he's hungrier than he thought, so he thinks he might just be able to finish it all (minus the slice of bacon Regina just swiped from his plate with a smirk full of amusement on her lips) on his own.
"Can I have some of your pancake, Papa?" Roland asks in between bites of his apple and cinnamon flavored oatmeal. Never one to deny his son, too much anyway, he cuts one of his pancakes into fourths, putting one piece of it on a small plate that Ruby brought over.
While Regina is cutting his pancake up for him, Robin sees his little eyes roaming over Regina's plate.
With widened eyes, he says, "What kind of toast is that, Gina?"
She tells him it's cinnamon raisin toast and lets him take a few bites.
When he goes to ask for more of their food, Regina steps in and states, "You need to eat your food, young man, that's why your papa ordered it for you." Running her hand through his curls, she finishes with, "You'll get a belly ache if you eat too much, and then we won't be able to fly to the moon or anything."
Smirking at their adorable interaction, Robin watches as Roland nods, in the most serious manner, and tells her he definitely doesn't want that, and starts eating his oatmeal again.
Her eyes turn to him then, shrugging a shoulder and lifting one eyebrow. "What do you want to do today?"
They discuss plans for the afternoon, agreeing they should go to the zoo once they finish there, while it's not too hot outside.
"We can see the flamingos!" Roland exclaims, telling them he loves those pink birds and their skinny legs.
Laughing around his last bite of food, Robin swallows and says they'll definitely go see the flamingos. "What else do you want to see, Roland?"
Roland prattles off a list of animals he wants to see at the zoo, including lions, tigers, gorillas, sharks, and giraffes.
"I don't think they have sharks at the zoo, sweetheart." Regina giggles, "Those would be at the aquarium."
With widen eyes, Roland sits up saying, "Can we go there, too!?"
Robin tells him they'll have to go another day, one place is good enough for an afternoon (and his wallet) to which the boy slumps down and says a quiet okay, Papa.
Ruby brings the check over, and Regina argues with him that she can pay her part of the bill.
"Ruby put it all together already, and it's busy in here. We wouldn't want to waste any more of her time by making her split the check, darling," he says, biting his lip to keep his grin at bay.
Pursing her lips, she lets out a little huff and a fine.
Smiling in triumph, Robin pays for breakfast and the three of them stand to leave. Before they can get out the door, Ruby is coming over to their table, smiling and collecting their receipt.
"Have a fun time at the zoo!" she tells them. Looking up at Robin, she smiles at him, saying, "Your family is beautiful," before waving a quick goodbye and hustling off to her next table.
Smiling at her mistake, Robin couldn't help but agree with her.
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The day is spent at the zoo, and Roland is amazed at each new animal display they come to but decides that the monkeys are his new favorite.
"Look at that one, Gina!" Roland exclaims, pointing to the smallest monkey in the simian enclosure.
"I see it! It's so tiny." The little brown monkey can't be bigger than a newborn baby and is actually very, very cute.
Glancing over Roland's head to Robin, she gives him a small smile. He's been taking pictures of Roland all day at the zoo, wanting to capture as many moments as he can. Regina had told him the other night that his kid was too cute not to post on Instagram, causing Robin to laugh. He has an account but rarely uses it, but Regina was determined to change that. The world, or his friends at least, needed to be able to see Roland's adorable dimples. She may be biased, but she thinks he's the cutest five-year old out there (Henry, of course, being the cutest ten year old).
"Let me take your picture together," Regina says, unlocking her phone and pulling up the camera. "Stand over there with your Papa."
Roland scampers closer to Robin, always one to be up for taking a picture, and lifts his arms up. Bending down to pick him up, Robin then settles the boy on to his hip.
"Make sure you can see the baby one," Roland tell her with all seriousness in his tone.
Nodding, she grins, telling them to shift a little to the left so it'll be in the background.
Snapping the picture just in time to capture the baby monkey standing on his mother's shoulders, Regina laughs and turns the phone around to show her dimpled duo.
"Brilliant!" Robin laughs, pointing to the baby monkey in the picture to Roland. "Look at that baby on his mum's shoulders."
Roland giggles, turning to place his hands on the fence and lean as close as possible to the animals. He's talking to the monkeys as if they can understand him, and Regina shakes her head. He really is just too adorable.
Robin's arm comes to rest on her waist, whispering in her ear that he thinks they might be there for a while. "He doesn't seem to remember there are other animals in this zoo."
Kissing his cheek, she smirks, saying, "Luckily there's some shade other there." There's a few benches that have an awning over them, providing just enough shelter from the summer's blazing sun, which was hotter this early in the afternoon than they'd originally assumed. They are close enough to the monkey enclosure that parents can sit while their kids observe the animals. There's a sheer net attached to the fence and going all the way up, so there's no worry of children falling in. They'd all slathered on the sunscreen before getting out of the car earlier, but the heat was making sweat roll down her back, so she and Robin walk to sit on the nearest vacant bench.
"I'm going to go buy us all some water bottles," Robin says, kissing the side of her head. She grimaces, knowing full well that her forehead has sweat on it, but he didn't seem to mind.
Regina gets back up after a few moments of resting her feet, not liking Roland being by himself for too long, even though she's practically within two arm lengths of him.
"You still watching the baby one?"
With an overly excited yeah! he points toward the baby who is taking a nap on his mother's back. "It's so cute."
Smiling, she tells him it is. "But maybe we could go look at some other animals when your papa gets back." She reminds him that there are elephants and giraffes on this same side of the zoo that she's sure he wants to see before he gets too tired, as well as the flamingos he'd talked so much about this morning on the other side.
"I'm not gonna get tired, Gina," he vows to her, even though they both know that isn't true. Roland loves his naps still and after being out in the heat all day, she knows he's going to need one later.
"Here you go, my loves," Robin says, walking toward them and handing them each a cold bottle of water.
Thankful for the coolness against her skin, Regina opts to hold the bottle to her neck instead of taking a sip. "Ah," she breathes, briefly closing her eyes and tilting her head back, "that feels good."
Once they've cooled down with their water, Robin finally convinces Roland to move on to the next pen of animals. "I think the elephants are next, and you know how much Henry loves elephants." With that, the little boy perks up, causing Regina and Robin to share an amused look with one another. "I bet we could get a great picture of them to show him when he gets back."
"Okay, Papa! Let's go!" Taking his and Regina's hands, they make their way to the elephants, swinging Roland's legs into the air as they go.
After several hours, multiple animal enclosures and, of course, another elongated stop at the monkeys, the three of them make their way to the gift shop. Regina knows how much Henry loves any and all animals and wanted to get something for when he gets back from camp.
Since Robin paid for breakfast, Regina insists that she buy Roland the gray, stuffed monkey at the gift shop that he can't stop eyeing. She's already getting Henry a stuffed elephant, so she reasons that since she is already buying something, it just made sense for her to get the monkey, too.
"The line is long, and we wouldn't want to waste their time with two purchases when they could just ring it up as one, darling," Regina teases with a smirk and the raise of one eyebrow, throwing his paraphrased words from the diner back in his face.
Chuckling, he wraps his arm around Regina's shoulders and agrees. Kissing her cheek, he bends down to hoist Roland up on his other side as the boy snuggles into the plush, stuffed animal as they wait in line.
After purchasing the toys for her two favorite boys, they make their way back to Robin's car. As they near the car, Regina's phone rings.
"Roland, it's Henry!" she tells him, now nestled into her arms. The afternoon of excitement and warm summer sun had worn him out, and he was beginning to get sleepy (not that he would ever admit it).
Placing him in his car seat so he could buckle himself up, Regina put her phone on speaker so Roland could talk to her son. His admission this morning at the diner had brought tears to her eyes, which she tried to blink away before either Robin or Roland had seen them. She loves Robin and Roland, more than she ever thought possible, and knowing Roland loves Henry, too, made it all just seem right. It brought a joy to her heart that she hadn't felt for a very long time - if ever.
"Hi, Henry!" Roland shrieks.
"Hey, Ro! Mom, Robin."
Smiling at Roland's attempt to buckle himself in while being so excited, she reaches over and flips one of his straps so it's facing the correct direction before saying, "How are you, sweetheart?"
Sighing happily, Henry tells them he is really good, that camp is awesome. He tells her he had his favorite writing class this morning, and they wrote about fairy tales. "Fairy tales, of all things, Mom!" Henry exclaims, making she and Robin chuckle quietly. "I was so excited!"
Buckling her own seat belt, Regina smiles over to Robin who is listening to Henry's recalling of his class with a smile of his own. Henry's been at camp for a week and almost every time he's called, Robin and Roland have been there, so they're all caught up on the news about his summer adventure. There have been a few times, though, that she's been able to go into a quiet room by herself and talk to her son, which she's loved. Those private conversations were the times that Henry would admit he was having a great time, wants to do this every year, but he misses her a lot. She, of course, would try to keep her emotions at bay as she told him over and over again how much she missed him, too.
"That's fantastic," Robin says when Henry tells them he got to create his own hero and villain for his story. "Sounds like that class is a lot of fun."
As Robin drives down the street, headed toward Regina's apartment, Henry tells them more about camp. Says after writing class, they had lunch, which he just finished, and then he was going horseback riding.
"Oh, and I met this really nice guy the other day named Merlin. He's into fairy tales, too, so we decided we'll sit together in class for the rest of the time we're here."
She tells Henry that it sounds like he's already had an exciting day. She's glad, her son deserves this. He loves to write, and this camp will help foster that talent in ways she could never do at home.
They talk to Henry the whole ride home, while Roland chimes in from the backseat telling Henry more about their zoo trip.
"I wish you could have been here!" Roland tells him, causing Robin and Regina to catch each other's gazes and smile. She loves how much Roland admires her son.
Henry laughs and says they will all have to go again sometime when he gets back.
"I'll be home in a week, so we can go before school starts back!"
With Roland's excited yeah! from the backseat, Henry tells them he has to go; his riding lesson starts in a few minutes, and him and Merlin want to get there first to pick out the best horses.
"Alright, sweetheart," Regina says, leaning her head against the headrest and taking Robin's free hand in hers, "Well I'm glad you're having fun. Call me tomorrow."
"I will, Mom. Love you."
Smiling brightly, she tells him she loves him too, and they hang up.
The three of them continue their drive back to her apartment so Regina can pack a bag to stay with the boys for a few nights, exhausted but happy. Regina hasn't been to the zoo in a few years and tells Robin they need to take the boys when Henry is home now that Roland has already promised it. Chuckling, Robin agrees, saying it'll be fun for the four of them to go someday soon.
The rest of the drive is made mostly in comfortable silence save for the radio playing softly in the background as Roland continues to mumble quotes from the movie playing in his headphones. He's been watching this one on repeat for the last few weeks but claims he still loves to watch it in the car.
Glancing up from her phone where she'd been going through her pictures from today and posting to her Instagram, she notices Robin keeps looking her way.
His arm is resting on the middle console while his hand rests on his leg. Reaching over, she slides her fingers in between his and brings his hand to rest with hers on her own leg.
He looks over, smiling softly at her, and says, "I love you."
"I love you, too," she tells him, before adding, "Today was fun."
He hums, saying it was, before they fall back into a peaceful quietness. She sighs as she closes her eyes for a quick moment, thinking the sun seems to have worn her out just as much as Roland; the boy might not be the only one taking a nap today.
Coming to the next red light, she peeks over and sees Robin staring. Once their eyes connect, his gaze seems to deepen, causing her to feel self-conscious. She knows they all got sweaty outside today, so she's positive she is a mess right now.
Tucking her hair behind her ear, she tilts her head down slightly before questioning, "What is it?"
He sighs, leaning over to peck her cheek before glancing at the light. Still red. He looks back at her and says, "You just ever feel like you were born to gaze into someone's eyes?"
Her breath hitches in her throat as she stares back at him lovingly before she shakes her head with a good natured chuckle falling from her lips. His words warm her insides, despite how cheesy she thinks he's being, because yes, she knows the feeling. Feels that way every time he looks at her with those crystal blue eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, Romeo," she says, pointing toward the light, "All that sun must've gotten to you today. Watch the road."
He chuckles, turning his head to face the light once again, just in time for it to turn green.
She smiles, gives his hand that still rests on her lap a little squeeze before adding quietly, "And yes, I do feel that way, blue eyes."
He smiles brightly over at her then briefly, before mumbling a knew it to himself which earns him a playful slap to his bicep.
Laughing along with him, Regina settles back into her seat, letting the music and Roland's background chatter soothe her.
Roland falls asleep in the car, so when Robin parks, Regina gently unbuckles him from his seat and carries him into her apartment building with Robin walking next to her, his hand on the small of her back.
"We can lay him down in Henry's bed for a little bit while I pack my bag," Regina says softly as they make their way to the lobby's elevator.
"Sounds good, babe." Robin slings Roland's backpack over one shoulder and places his hand on the small of Regina's back again. He likes to be prepared, especially with as messy as a five year old boy can get, so he usually keeps a small bag in his car with an extra pair (or two) of clothes and underwear along with a pack of baby wipes. Once Regina suggested the other week that he keep some snacks in there, in case they ever find themselves somewhere when a snack is needed, he put a pack of crackers and a squeeze pouch of apple sauce inside of it, too.
As they make their way from the elevator to her front door, her steps falter, and Robin grasps her waist at what they see there.
Daniel.
"What are you doing here?" Robin asks, gritting his teeth and trying to keep his voice low, as not to wake up Roland, and pulling Regina closer to his body.
Holding up his hands in surrender and moving to the side so Regina can open the door, he tells them he's not there to hurt her, he just wants to talk.
Glancing over her shoulder and the top of Roland's head to Robin, she nods, letting him know they should let Daniel inside. Maybe he's actually here to explain himself.
Once inside, Regina carefully hands a sleeping Roland over the Robin.
"You can lay him down; it's okay." She can tell Robin is apprehensive about leaving her in the living room with Daniel, but she gives him a small, reassuring smile, telling him again that it'll be fine.
He sighs but kisses her cheek, pulling back and shooting Daniel with lasers from his eyes as he turns to walk down the hall with Roland.
Turning to face Daniel, she wipes her suddenly clammy hands on her jeans.
"What are you doing here, Daniel?" She's not angry, just curious. He looks better than he did a week ago when he assaulted her, he doesn't have that crazy glint in his eyes, he seems almost… remorseful.
"Regina," he starts, moving closer to her, as she takes a step back and holds up a hand. They've moved into the space between the living room and kitchen. It's neutral, no furniture to be pushed against and doesn't seem like she's inviting him to sit down on the couch for a chat. Thank God for open living spaces, she muses to herself sullenly.
Sighing, he looks down at his feet. "I'm sorry, Regina. I'm so sorry," he chokes out. He's not sobbing, but he's definitely affected by the emotion of what he did to her. "I never meant to hurt you. You know I would never do anything to hurt you."
"But you did," she tells him as Robin makes his way back into the living room area. She looks over at him, trying to tell him with her eyes that she's okay. He seems to get the message because he nods and walks into the kitchen, standing behind the island, where he can keep an eye on what's happening without actually being in their space.
"I know. And I'll never be able to forgive myself for how I acted," Daniel says with a pinched brow, looking up into her eyes again.
She can see the tears brimming in his and knows that his apology is actually sincere.
"You hurt me, Daniel," she tells him, her voice wavering a little.
It's with those words, that the brimming tears drop onto his cheek and he drops his head again. Her eyes fill with tears, too, remembering back to that night and how scared she had felt.
"I know. I know what I did was wrong, Regina, and all I can say is that I'm so very, deeply, sorry." Shaking his head, he continues telling her he never wants her to feel scared like that again, at the hands of anyone, let alone him.
"I'm going away for a few months," he tells her, which causes her brow to furrow. She glances over Daniel's shoulder to Robin in the kitchen, and he shrugs his shoulders, giving her a reassuring smile.
"What do you mean?"
"My family has that lake house, you know?" And she does. It's a lake house in Maine that his family has owned for years. They used to spend summers up there before Henry was born and a few times when he was younger.
"In Maine?"
"Yeah." He nods, stuffing a hand into his pocket and rocking back on the balls of his feet. "My mom said no one is going to be there throughout the summer, so I'm going to go, clear my head and get myself right. There's a therapist up there that my aunt goes to. I've got an appointment with him in a few days, and hopefully I can set up regular meetings while I'm there." Running his free hand through his hair, he sighs and apologizes again, saying, "Hopefully Dr. Hopper can help me work on whatever caused me to act like that with you."
Surprised, because Daniel used to claim no one should need a therapist, but impressed, Regina lets out a breath she didn't even know she had been holding. Tilting her head, she says, "I think that's a great idea, Daniel. It'll be good for you to talk to someone about things."
"Yeah." He sighs, looking at her again and sheepishly smiling, almost a grimace. "I really am sorry."
"I know," she tells him, nodding. Because she does. She spent twelve years with this man, she knows what he did was out of character, and she's seen him regret several decisions over the years. So she knows what his regret and honest apologies look like.
Daniel turns to face Robin, and walking toward him, says, "I know she's really happy with you, man. Please just... take care of her," sticking his hand out for a shake. Robin looks at Regina, who smiles warmly at him, nodding her head.
Once Robin receives that silent communication from Regina, he looks to Daniel, and shakes his hand.
"Of course. I plan to, for as long as she'll keep me around." Both men smirk, causing her to roll her eyes as she makes her way into the kitchen to stand next to Robin, wrapping an arm around his torso.
"Thank you," Daniel says, reaching into his pocket. He pulls out a small piece of paper and hands it to her. At her questioning gaze, he explains, "It's the landline number up at the lake house. Figured you didn't still have it written down from years ago."
She smiles, placing the paper on the kitchen counter and running her hand over it, thanking him. Daniel nods and gives her a you're welcome as he turns to walk toward the front door.
Regina follows him, saying she'll give Henry the number in case his cell doesn't have good service up there.
"Just… take care of yourself, Daniel," she tells him, opening the door as he walks out.
Turning around to smile sadly at her one last time, he assures her he will and tells her that he'll see her in a few months. He says to take care of Henry and he'll see him when he gets back, hopefully with a much clearer mind.
And with that, Daniel leaves, leaving Regina completely dumbfounded.
Closing the door, she joins Robin on the couch; he'd walked over there and propped his feet up on the coffee table while she said goodbye to Daniel at the door. Laying her head in his lap and stretching her legs the length of the couch, she sighs. His fingers begin to rub through her hair, relaxing her whole body.
They're quiet for a few minutes before Robin speaks up. "You alright, love?"
"Yeah," she breathes out, "I think it'll be good for him to get up there and talk with Dr. Hopper. Help him figure things out." She shrugs a shoulder up. "I'm glad he apologized, though."
"Yeah, me too."
Sitting up, Regina gazes into his eyes. There's nothing but love for her shining in them, and she feels safe, happy, and loved. She's content.
"What is it?" he asks, eyebrows creasing in confusion at her sudden movement.
Sighing, she leans closer, pecking his lips before saying, "Nothing. I'm just trying to memorize you like this."
"Like what?" he chuckles with a crease of his eyebrows and a smile on his lips, "With apprehension and protectiveness written all over my face?"
She lets a breathy laugh escape her lips as she leans into his side saying, "No, with love in your eyes."
"Ah," he says, kissing the top of her head. "Well that's easy to do when I'm looking at you."
Never one for overly sappy moments, partially not believing she initiated the cheesiness for once, Regina rolls her eyes with a grin on her face. She uses her hand to push herself up from his side so she is once again sitting next to him.
Smiling, she moves to sit across his lap. He wraps his arms around her while she rests her head in the crook of his neck, breathing him in. He still smells like sweat from being outside at the zoo all day, but she assumes she does, too.
"You stink," she mumbles, smirking into his neck. Laughter bubbles out of him, causing her to laugh too.
"You don't smell so great, yourself there, darling."
Laughing, they sit there, her off his lap now with her legs draped over his thighs, but still wrapped up in each other's arms while Beach Front Bargain Hunt plays softly on the television and Robin lightly massages his calves. They doze in and out of napping, him commenting how people are overpaying for beach property on this show. They stay like that for the next hour, completely comfortable.
{*****************************}
While Roland napped in Henry's room, Robin finally pulled himself from his and Regina's nap and ran home to grab some pajamas and a change of clothes for him and his son. They decided they were far too tired to go back to his apartment. Plus, Robin reasoned with himself (and her) that she slept at his place last night, and her apartment was closer to his office anyway. It just made sense.
He also knew she was mentally exhausted from everything with Daniel, along with physically exhausted, and he didn't want her to have to worry with packing a bag and everything that entailed.
When he gets back to Regina's apartment, he's greeted by the sight of his son curled up in Regina's lap, as she softly sings to him and rubs his back.
"He just woke up a few minutes ago," she tells him as he walks into the living room, kissing the top of her damp, curly hair that she'd pulled into a bun. She tells him that while he was out grabbing clothes, she had hopped in the shower, claiming she could no longer sit there and stink when she had a wonderful shower just waiting to be used.
He ahh's in response as he walks down the short hallway to drop his and Roland's clothes off in the bedrooms. He also brought some of Roland's toys, just in case he gets bored at some point tonight with the "big boy toys" and wants something of his own to play with.
"I can't say I blame you," he smirks, walking back into the living room and joining them on the couch, "you do have a bloody fantastic shower."
She giggles, leaning over to kiss his lips, saying, "Well feel free to use it, too. Although…" she eyes him skeptically, narrowing her eyes are they roam over his body.
He laughs, telling her, "I just couldn't take the zoo smell any longer either, love. I had to shower while I was at home."
She sighs peacefully as he slips his arm around her and she leans into his side.
"This one needs a bath next, though," he says, tickling Roland's sides.
Amongst Roland's fits of giggles, he tells them both that he brought Roland's favorite Iron Man body wash from the apartment.
Roland woo-hoo's as he hops up, running off to the bathroom, hollering down the hallway for Robin to hurry up.
The rest of the night passes peacefully. There's a calm about this relationship that he appreciates and loves. Everything feels natural and domestic, nothing is forced or fake. It's the greatest relationship he's been in, along, of course, with his marriage to Marian.
After everyone's been cleaned of all the sweat and zoo smell, they get into their pajamas, despite it still being early in the evening. Once Regina brushes through Roland's damp curls, she makes her way into the kitchen to help Robin make chicken alfredo while his son plays in the living room. He's currently flying his new stuffed monkey around, crashing into Henry's stuffed elephant, muttering words like take that! and aha! nowhere to hide now Mr. Trunks! causing both adults to giggle under their breath at the cute imagination of the small boy.
"Need any help?" she asks, walking up behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Mmm," he hums, "Can you stir the noodles a bit?"
She moves from behind him to stand next to him, picking up the wooden spoon and stirring the noodles around in the pot.
He moves to stand behind her, wrapping his arms around her middle and nuzzling his nose into her neck.
Giggling, she says, "I thought you needed help. You're not doing much."
He laughs, saying he can't help it; he prefers kissing over cooking.
She lays the spoon down and turns in his arms, wrapping hers around his neck.
"You're right." She smiles up at him, "Kissing is much better."
He leans down and places a few innocent kisses to her forehead, lips, and neck while gently swaying them back and forth. She buries her head into the crook of his shoulder and lets out a sighed breath.
"Something wrong?" he asks, pulling away slightly to look in her eyes.
"No, no," she laughs, shaking her head and smiling, "I'm just so relaxed."
Blowing out a breath of relief, worried she was still upset over Daniel, he tells her he's relaxed too and that he had a lot of fun today at the zoo.
"Yeah," she agrees, wrapping her arms around his neck once more, "it was a lot more fun than I remember."
Standing up on her tiptoes, she places a kiss to his lips, deepening the kiss as she presses more into his body.
He moans into her mouth, sneaking his tongue out to trace her lips. She opens her mouth, letting his tongue join hers in her mouth. His hand wraps into her still damp hair, tugging on the base of her neck, pulling her closer to him. She moans quietly, rubbing her hands along his biceps. It's not until the water the noodles are in begins to boil over that they pull apart, giggling to themselves.
As Regina spins to turn the heat down on the stove, Robin turns to glance over at his son, making sure he didn't just catch them in an unplanned snogging session. Luckily, Roland is still occupied with his toys, crashing his flying monkey onto not just the elephant but also the toy cars. Laughing at his son's oblivion, Robin stands next to Regina, stirring the sauce a bit, smirking over at her flushed cheeks.
"Shut up," she mutters playfully, elbowing him in the ribs.
Laughing, he kisses the side of her head and whispers, "I love you."
When dinner is finished, cleaned up, and leftovers are deposited into the refrigerator, the three of them turn on Finding Dory. She tells them that Henry always loved Finding Nemo growing up, so she was glad when this one made its way onto Netflix, which causes Roland to tell her how he loves Finding Nemo and Dory both, making him smile. It's true, though. Roland wasn't born when the first movie came out, but has seen it several hundred times over the last five years. And now the second one has also been added to his favorite movie list, so it, too, has played over and over and over again in the most recent months.
Roland is cuddled up in some blankets atop her living room rug, snuggling with his new stuffed monkey and a throw pillow, while he and Regina snuggle under a blanket together on her couch.
It's summer, and very hot outside, but her air conditioner works great, and with their damp hair and cool air, a blanket is perfect to keep them warm. It's quiet and cozy. The only sound to be heard is the stingrays on screen singing their song as they swim by the other fish. He's relaxed and thinks he could fall asleep, if it weren't for Regina's wandering hand under that blanket.
Minx, he thinks to himself, a smirk playing on his lips. Her hand is rubbing up and down right above his knee. She's obviously keeping it clean since his son is just a few feet away, but, he surmises, he is quite engrossed in the movie. Shifting his body slightly so he's sitting up a little bit, he pulls Regina up with him so he can reach her mouth. Leaning down, he places a soft kiss to his lips that she smiles into.
"Watch the movie," she whispers onto his lips.
Grinning, he pulls back slightly to stare at her incredulously, "You started it," running his hands through her hair and kissing her neck.
"And I'll finish it, too," she smiles temptingly with a quick raise of her eyebrows, "Once the movie is over and the kid is in bed."
All he can do is grin.
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