"You're sure that they won't help?" Regina asks, talking to Killian.
Regina sits at the table of Emma's apartment, doing some real-estate work while Mary Margret feeds Jacob and Henry is at school.
She sighs in frustration at Killian's answer. "Alright, well be safe for the next few days." She says before hanging up.
Mary Margret looks up at Regina with sad eyes.
"Another refusal," the real-estate agent sighs.
"Why can't people just open their hearts to help?" the teacher mutters.
"Not everyone is as kind hearted as you," Regina says. "If everyone was like you, it'd be a scene right from a Disney movie, with songbirds and cheesy songs."
"And with magical fairy godmothers and poison apples," Mary smiles, checking on her son at her chest.
Regina smiles once and then tries to go back to her work.
It had been a long few months. Once Killian could walk again, she immediately moved back into her apartment, happy to have sanctuary and a decent mattress again. She did feel bad leaving Henry, but for now, but everyone in their circle of friends were taking shifts staying with the teenager, those who were not out scouring every forest in Massachusetts looking for his mother. Tonight, it was Mary Margret's night and she had set up a bassinette for Jacob in Emma's room as well as a high chair. Everyone's life basically rotated around Emma's apartment. It was their "home base" so to speak where everyone was kept updated and informed about the investigation.
Regina runs a hand through her hair. She had been working so hard, she felt like she was a balloon that was deflating more and more each day. This was search was going nowhere… but everyone was holding out hope. Emma was alive… somewhere out there and could very well be… pregnant.
Regina stared down the hall into Emma's room where Jacob's bassinette was set up. It looked out of place at first but considering that if Emma is found… she might be needing it. All of it was a hunch of course, but if the kidnapper was insistent on forcing Emma to conceive a child, she must be by now. He wouldn't keep her if she wasn't… It must have been what she wanted to tell Killian and everyone. Regina kept this secret to herself, not breathing a word to anyone for fear it would ruin Henry's life and stress out everyone else. Especially Killian. If he could run off, get drunk and crash into a tree at the thought of her being raped; imagine what he might do if she is pregnant.
Her phone buzzes on the table. A familiar name pops up. She can't help but smile.
She and Robin had been growing closer and closer, becoming good friends despite about how Regina felt for him. After their kiss, he was forced away to deal with his ex-wife and son. They didn't really talk about it that much and seemed to just become friends all of a sudden. That still didn't stop her from thinking about the kiss and wanting to be with him more. Her heart would always race when he was in the room and she'd become lost in her blue eyes. She felt like she was walking in some sort of dream, she was the queen and he was her night in shining armor. She hadn't felt like this since Daniel, and even then, this was much deeper.
The two of them shared secrets with one another and talked about their days over coffee or on the couch of the apartment. She even bought Christmas presents for him and his son as a sign of their connection. She wished beyond all measure that she could ask him out on a date, but with the divorce and Zelena on the prowl all the time, she had shelved the idea awhile ago.
She texts a response to Robin, asking how Roland is and Regina then catches Mary Margret's eye.
"What?" Regina asks.
"Is it Robin again?" Mary Margret asks, raising her eyebrow and patting Jacob on the back to burp him.
Regina just has to smile to confirm it.
"What's going on between you two?" the teacher asks.
"Nothing is going on between us," Regina says firmly.
"Really?" Mary says in surprise.
"Yeah, we're just friends Mary, nothing else."
"Really?" she repeats. "Because it seems like more than that. I mean you bought him a Christmas gift."
"But so did you."
"It was a watch, a very expensive watch I might add. That's usually something a girlfriend might get for a boyfriend."
Regina rolls her eyes. "We're not dating, we can't. It's too complicated already."
"Just because he's getting divorced and has a child doesn't mean you two can't go out for dinner or something. Besides, didn't your relationship with Graham fall through?"
Regina swallows a lump her throat. After she started seeing Robin, she kind of neglected Graham and it didn't help that he was all over the city for his gigs. She wanted to talk to him about whether there was a future between them, which she didn't see going anywhere anyways. It was mostly just sex and an occasional drink, but both had been so busy that when they did meet up one last time, the break-up was mutual. Both apologized to the other and then went their separate ways. Regina knew that neither of them felt anything for one another, except mutual physical attraction. She was happy that for once, one of her break-ups wasn't completely devastating or ended in divorce.
"Yeah, but it was kind of mutual."
"I know, but don't you think you should at least consider going out with him?" Mary Margret asks, rocking her son in her arms.
The real-estate agent shrugs and stares at her phone. Her heart soars in excitement at the thought but then the picture of her sister and the shadow of Robin's elusive ex crosses her mind again. She wanted to date him, more than anything… it was just hard.
"And don't you deserve to go out and relax, I mean you've been working so hard and sacrificing so much for Henry."
Regina stares at her reflection in her phone. She was hardly the pretty, dark and confident woman she once was. Ever since her friend had disappeared, she was slowly unraveling at the seams. Her eyes had bags under them, her hair had lost its shine, her body ached all the time and she wasn't happy at all. She hadn't had a night of fun since New Years, and even then, it wasn't that fun. There was this gloom hanging over her, gloom and uncertainty.
"I guess…" Regina mumbles. "But what would we do?
"Just keep it simple, dinner and a movie, that's it. Just ask him."
"You don't think that will come off as desperate?"
Mary Margret shoots her a look before picking up Jacob to put him in the bassinette.
"Just ask him, the worst he can do is say no."
Regina bites her lip as she's left alone in the kitchen. She stares at her phone for a long time, running through every possible scenario in her head. She did want to ask him out, very badly, but she was afraid of the answer. Slowly, she picks up her phone and begins to type.
Know this is out of the blue, but would you like to have dinner sometime this week?
Her finger hesitates on the send button, but she forces herself to press down.
She waits and tries to go back to her work, except her mind is racing. Was he laughing at her text? Had he seen it yet? Would he just turn her down flat or beat around the bush? Her heart pounded against her in fear and anxiety.
Her phone vibrates and she nearly jumps out of her seat. She reaches over and opens the message.
Like a date? Is the question
Regina swallows and then responds.
Yes… if you're okay with that.
I'd love to Regina. We should just keep it simple, though. Your sister is driving me crazy with the custody stuff and I need a night away.
No surprise there, she'll drive anyone over the edge. she texts back. Should we do it on Friday?
That should be fine, I know a nice little restaurant we can go to.
Sounds great, can't wait for it.
She feels like a bit of a dork for adding the smiley face, but she is so happy she wants to burst. Her head began spinning and her heart is racing. She was actually going out with Robin! She wanted to get up and dance she was so excited. The date was only a week away, but she could hardly wait and there was a bunch of things she had to do. Find the right outfit, pick the perfect perfume, find good makeup and above all, find out what she's going to say.
Mary Margret comes back into the room to see Regina grinning from ear to ear.
"I'm guessing he said yes?" she asks with a knowing smile.
All Regina can do is nod.
…
Friday comes faster than she ever anticipated. She spent almost a week preparing for this date, which seemed silly since it was going to be simple and she had gone on many dates before. But still, as she waited for him to pick her up, she had butterflies in her stomach, making her weak in the knees.
She waits in a dark coat with her purse on her shoulder and two-inch heels at the front of her apartment building, shivering to stay warm in the cold winter winds. These winds represented how she felt inside, torn and confused by her emotions. It wasn't too late to cancel.
What if it doesn't work out? What if he kisses me? What if her…?
She felt like a teenage girl all over again, going out on her first date. Her head was swimming slightly. It wasn't like she was just meeting him for the first time or they weren't already friends, but she still felt so anxious about this simple date.
Then his car pulls up and he honks. She waves to him and walks to the car, only to trip as she was getting in. The stupid heels! She climbs in just as it starts to snow.
"Are you okay?" he asks, reaching over to grab her hand as she slides into the front seat.
"I-I'm fine, just slipped," she says breathlessly.
"You look very beautiful tonight," he says.
Regina immediately blushes bright red. "Thank you."
She wore a purple blouse with a black jacket over top and a dark skirt with pantyhose and two-inch heels. She wore her favourite makeup and perfume, hoping that he would all find it very attractive.
Robin then pulls out of the apartment parking lot.
"We're going to Jade's for dinner if that's alright?"
"Sure," Regina smiles.
The two fall into awkward silence for a little while as Robin drives them through the streets of Boston. Regina becomes more and more nervous as this awkward silence lengthens. It was weird, they didn't seem to have that much trouble talking before, but now it was pure silence.
They pull up to the restaurant and Robin goes around to open the door for her. They walk into the restaurant and take a seat by the window. The waiter greets them and brings them water.
"Good evening Sir and Madame. Out for a date night, I see?"
Regina swallows hard and Robin turns a bit red. The waiter moves on to read them the specials and then hands them their menus.
The food looks quite appealing on the menu, but Regina decides on a Greek Feta dish while Robin goes for chicken. Once they are left alone, they stare out the window, lost in their own thoughts, both wondering why it was so hard to start a conversation.
"So… how's Roland?" Regina ventures.
"He… he's alright," is the answer. "He got a new bike for Christmas and he wants the snow to melt so he can start riding it. Or at least learn how to ride it."
"He's still on training wheels?"
"He hasn't really been on a bike at all yet," Robin says, adjusting his tie. "But he wants me to teach him."
"That's nice," Regina says smiling.
Another silence.
"How's… How's Henry doing?" Robin asks.
"He's okay, improving a little bit every day, but the stress is still getting to him."
"I can't imagine what he's going through…" Robin sighs. "Any luck with the search parties?"
"They were turned down again and so another few nights in the woods."
"Any more evidence surface?" Robin asks.
Regina shakes her head. They fall into another silence. They look away from one another, their hearts beating nervously, wondering what to say next.
"You know it's funny," Robin says. "I've known you for months now, but I don't even know your favourite colour or what kind of music you like."
"That is funny," Regina says, smiling and relaxing a little. "I find that purple is my favourite. Not lavender or Violet, but a royal purple. I also like jazz music."
"Really? That's an interesting choice."
"I find it relaxing and it's a change from the rock music I usually listen too. What about you?"
"Green is my favourite colour and I actually like rap music?"
"You? Really?" Regina's jaw is on the floor in shock.
"I blame Will for that. He's a big fan and he got me hooked on it."
The two begin laughing and talking. They eat and converse, feeling much more comfortable and happy than before. The awkwardness had faded and they were free to be themselves. They even ended up splitting the bill.
As they walk out of the restaurant, it's snowing lightly, creating the perfect romantic atmosphere. Robin drives Regina back to her apartment and her heart is beating in anticipation for what will come next.
As he pulls up to the building, he turns the car off and faces his date. Then two are silent, but this time it's a nice silence, lost in each other's eyes.
"U-usually this is the part where the man kisses the girl good night."
"Yes," Regina whispers with a smile.
"That kiss at the hospital never really left my mind," Robin admits.
Regina smiles. "Me neither."
The two lean forward, their lips meeting. There's a slight pause as both seem to experiment with the firmness and taste of their lips. Once they are comfortable, they begin to get closer and hungrier, pulling together in curiosity. Robin reaches over and runs his hand through Regina's jet black hair and she grips the edge of his shirt, squeezing tightly. The continue their flurried romance when Robin's elbow accidentally hits the horn and snaps them out of the trance.
The two of them break apart, upset, but also very happy. They smile at each other knowing that sleeping together right now would not be a good idea. They could wait, even if it was painful for both parties.
"I had a really great time, Thank you," Regina whispers.
"Me too, we need to do this again."
"Yes," she says, becoming lost in his blue eyes again. The two lean in once more to kiss.
Despite how complicated everything was around them, the two were in their own sanctuary where everything was simple. A simple kiss after a simple date.
Here's a nice long chapter for everyone. To answer one of the comments, Emma will be in her fifth month pretty soon. Don't worry things are going to get much more exciting and with the semester ending soon, I'll be able to update a lot more. Goodnight everyone.