I'll tell the world, I'll sing a song
It's a better place since you came along
Since you came along
Your touch is sunlight through the trees
Your kisses are the ocean breeze
Everything's alright when you're with me

("Better Place," Rachel Platten)

Chapter 9: New Year, New Surprises

I rocked Rachel as Dick Clark broadcasted live from Times Square, preparing to ring in 1985. Roland had tried to make it to midnight but lost the fight around ten o'clock and Emma had gone down even earlier than that. Rachel had been asleep but must've realized we were still having fun without her, for she had appeared in my arms a little while ago.

Running a finger over her feathery black locks, I kissed her forehead as Robin returned from the kitchen with a bottle of champagne. He shook it a bit. "We're getting close."

"Yes, we are," I said, smiling. I glanced down at Rachel, who was mesmerized by the TV. "While I loved carrying this little one, I am so glad I can drink this year."

He chuckled, leaning down to kiss Rachel's forehead. "Are you looking forward to your first New Year's, sweetheart?"

New Year? She frowned, looking up at me with questioning blue eyes.

I bit back my chuckle. "It's a party."

Rachel eat cake? She smiled, her eyes lighting up.

"No," I said. "There is no cake and you're still too young."

She frowned and laid her head back down on my shoulder. I rocked her, rubbing her back as I tried to get her back to sleep.

Robin covered Roland, kissing his head before coming to stand next to me and Rachel again. "How are my girls?"

"We're good," I replied, smiling at him. "Rachel's not too sure about New Year's but I'm excited."

He chuckled and took her from my arms, bouncing her a bit. "You know what? This year was very good to me. We got Emma, had Rachel, got married for real, and moved here. And we found our friends."

"It was a good year," I agreed, taking Rachel's hand in mine. I kissed her nose. "Maybe the best year of my life."

"Is it the New Year? Did I miss it?" Roland squeezed between Robin and me, rubbing his eye as he yawned.

Running my free hand through his curls, I chuckled. "No, sweetheart. There's still time before it starts."

He nodded, leaning against me as Robin smiled. "Almost the whole family's here to ring in the New Year."

The air crackled around us and I held out my arms as I gave him a look. "I think the whole family's going to be here."

Emma landed in my arms, looking cross with us as if we were keeping her from having fun. Party?

"Yes, Emma, we're having a little party. And you're just in time," I said, noticing the clock tick closer to midnight. "We're about to ring in the New Year."

Cake? Her eyes lit up like her sister's had earlier at the thought of the dessert.

I shook my head. "No, but maybe I can make one for later."

Cake good.

"Yes," I laughed. "Cake is very good."

Roland looked up, his eyes wide. "We're going to have cake?"

"Later," Robin and I said together.

He then held out Rachel to me. "Can you take her so I can pop open the champagne at midnight?"

I nodded, shifting Emma so I could also hold Rachel. Both girls leaned against my shoulder as Roland pressed himself against me as well. Despite the frost on the window, I was growing very warm.

"We have a minute to go," Dick Clark announced, "so find your loved ones and get ready to ring in the New Year!"

"I've got the champagne," Robin said, standing off to the side as he held the bottle. "Let's ring this year in right."

I looked down at Roland. "You ready to count? Ten…"

"Nine," he joined in. "Eight…seven…"

Robin chimed in as we finished the countdown: "Six…five…four…three…two…one.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

The pop of the cork echoed around the room before Robin leaned over to kiss me. "Happy New Year, love," he whispered.

"Happy New Year," I whispered back. I then kissed Emma and Rachel before crouching down to kiss Roland. "Happy New Year, my lovelies."

Robin took Emma from me as he handed me a flute. He then took another while Roland grabbed his glass of now flat ginger ale. We clinked glasses together and took sips of our drinks, toasting the year to come.

"Okay, young man. Time for bed," Robin said, taking Roland's cup from him. "Say goodnight to your mother and sister."

"We'll come up with you. I think Rachel's ready to go back to sleep as well." I kissed her forehead.

Rachel no sleep.

I chuckled. "Oh, yes, Rachel sleep. Come on."

We all made our way upstairs and soon all three children were once again asleep. I turned off the light in the nursery before sagging into Robin's arms. "What now?" I asked.

"Let's go downstairs, have another glass of champagne, maybe a dance to start the year off right and then go to bed," he suggested, nuzzling me. "How does that sound?"

"Sounds like a good plan. Except for the walking down the stairs part." I looked at the stairs and sighed. My legs felt tired already.

I then squeaked as he scooped me up into his arms, holding me close. He chuckled. "Now you don't have to walk. Problem solved."

"I'm not complaining," I replied, resting my head on his shoulder as I closed my eyes. Though I felt every movement, he did his best not to jostle me as he carried me downstairs.

Robin laid me on the couch before turning off the TV. He quickly returned with flutes full of champagne, handing one to me. "Here you go."

I took thanked him, shifting until I was leaning against him. "You think 1985 is going to be better than 1984?"

He shrugged, sipping at his champagne. "Maybe, maybe not. We have the whole year in front of us. Anything could happen."

"I like that," I said, taking a sip. "What do you hope happens this year?"

"That we continue to be happy and healthy. And maybe that we figure out how to break the curse," he replied.

I nodded. "That sounds good. But what about that dog you want?"

He chuckled. "I didn't think you would want to talk about it so soon. You said after the holidays."

"It could be considered after the holidays," I replied, setting my flute down. I shifted to face him better. "So, a dog."

"Yes. I know it's a big responsibility with three kids, two of whom are still babies. But I really do miss playing with a dog, petting one, and just having one there all the time. And I think it could help teach Roland responsibility," he said. "We give him a few tasks he needs to do to care for the dog and see what happens."

I shrugged. "Sounds like a plan. But are we getting a puppy or a grown dog?"

"I was thinking grown dog," he said. "From a shelter. If we can get one already housebroken…"

"You've put some thought into this already." I was impressed.

He nodded. "I was talking with a few of the staff down at the rec center and they gave me some tips."

"Have you thought about breed? Because I see you with a golden retriever," I replied, believing the friendly and energetic breed was perfect for him.

"I'll have to see which dog we bond with. That's going to be key." He took another sip of champagne.

I nodded. "Makes sense. When do you want to go?"

"A couple weeks. Let's let the holiday rush die down." He then set his flute down, turning to me. "Now, I believe I promised you a dance?"

"I have a better idea." I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him down on top of me as I laid back on the couch. "Let's really ring in the New Year."

He smiled, sliding his hands under my shirt and inching his fingers toward my bra clasp. "You want to do this here? I can carry you to bed."

I undid his belt buckle, pulling it off as I nodded. "Here is perfect."

"I still worry about your back." He began rubbing it as if he could ward off any aches I might feel later.

"Don't," I told him. "It's been fine since I gave birth. Probably just something about carrying a growing human inside me."

He nodded, nuzzling my neck. "Okay, if you're sure."

"Shut up and fuck me," I said, humor in my voice.

Robin chuckled, removing my shirt. "As milady commands."

Once my bra was off, he lowered his mouth to one nipple. He teased it with his tongue, getting it wet before blowing gently on it. It pebbled as I squirmed, trying to rut against his leg. He wouldn't let me, grinning at me. "Not yet."

"I said fuck me. This is not fucking me," I whined.

"I decided to take my time," he replied, turning his attention to my other breast. "Make sure we really ring in 1985 right."

I moaned and nodded. "Well, when you put it that way…"

He then began trailing kisses down my stomach, dipping his tongue into my navel. I let out another moan, gripping his hair as dulled pleasure began to pool deep inside me. "Don't stop."

"No plans to do that, milady." He began rolling down the pants I was wearing, revealing the lacy underwear I wore underneath. Robin raised an eyebrow. "Expecting this?"

I shrugged. "Wanted to ring in the New Year right, no matter what we did."

"I approve but they have to go," he said as he pulled off my pants.

His fingers toyed with the band of my panties and I glared at him. "Don't even think about ripping those off."

"Wouldn't dream of it," he assured me, carefully pulling them down. "I was just admiring how sexy they looked on you."

"Nice save." I closed my eyes, letting my head fall back against the couch as I laid naked before him.

He gently opened my legs a bit more, kissing the inside of my thigh before his lips closed over my clit. I gasped as he began sucking, making my pleasure sharper. Trying to find something to grab onto, I began to writhe as his tongue lapped at me.

"Robin," I moaned. He chuckled, sending me soaring as my body hummed with anticipation.

Then his lips were gone and I whined. Opening my eyes, I found him removing his shirt. "I plan on fucking you properly," he told me.

"Oh," I replied, my eyes raking over his chest. His time at the rec center definitely served him well. "Then continue stripping. Maybe put on some music and tease me a little."

Confusion filled his eyes. "What?"

"Never mind," I said. "I'll tell you about strip teases another time. Just take off those pants."

He did as I ordered, pulling of his boxers as well. As he tossed them to the side, I reached for his half hard cock, wrapping my fingers around it. "Someone's already very eager."

"It's been a while, Regina," he said, caressing my breasts again. "We've been so caught up with the holidays and Zelena…"

I nodded. "I know. Everything is so chaotic, especially with three young children."

"We're safe, right?" he asked, his thumbs flicking over my still pert nipples as I hissed in pleasure.

"Yes," I told him as I began to stroke his cock. "I'm not ovulating tonight. We're good to go."

While he continued to massage one of my breasts, he slid the other hand between my legs and his fingers began to stroke my clit. I felt myself getting wetter as my body trembled from his ministrations. He leaned down, capturing my lips in a kiss as I continued to stroke him until he was hard in my hand.

A finger slid into me and I moaned into the kiss, bringing my free hand to play with his hair. I nibbled on his ear. "Do I feel good?"

"Very good," he groaned, adding another finger to curl inside me. He brushed my spot and my hips bucked. I was ready but he was determined to draw this out.

"Robin…"

He smirked as he pumped his fingers in and out of me. "We are really going to ring in the New Year right."

I felt myself growing close, my walls starting to tighten around his fingers. My hand fell from his cock, grabbing on to one of the pillows as my hips rolled in time to his thrusts. A groan left my lips as I closed my eyes.

Robin's lips found a pressure point on my neck and he began sucking there. I yelled his name as I reached my peak. He kept pumping his fingers, slowing down as I rode out my orgasm on them.

Panting, I clung to him. "That was amazing. I can't believe I went so long without it."

"Me too," he replied, kissing under my jaw. "And that's only the beginning."

"I need a minute. My heart is still racing like I ran a marathon." I sighed.

He nodded, carding his fingers through my hair. "Okay. Just let me know when you're ready."

My eyes started to close and I could feel myself starting to drift off. "Sleepy…"

"That's okay. Rest if you need to."

"No!" My eyes popped open and I frowned. "You shouldn't be left hanging. It's not right."

He chuckled. "It's okay. We can always continue this later when you're more rested."

I shook my head, though, reaching down to pump his cock again. "No. I'm ready to finish this now."

"If you insist, I'm not going to complain." He gave me an impish grin and rolled onto his back. "You can even drive this time."

While I loved being on top, I shook my head. "I want to be on the bottom tonight. You started, you finish."

He chuckled again. "Okay, love. Whatever you want."

"I want you," I replied, giving his balls a squeeze. He groaned, reigniting the fire inside me.

"Let me make sure you're ready," he said, fingers ghosting over my clit. "I don't want to hurt you."

He never hurt me, always certain to make sure I was ready before entering me. So I slid my free hand up to his hair, toying with it. "I trust you."

Robin hummed, rubbing circles against my clit as he lowered his mouth back to my breast. He laved my nipple as I gripped his hair, my head tilting back. I groaned.

"I love that sound," he growled before taking my other nipple in his teeth. I groaned louder this time.

He was rock hard in my hand and I knew I was ready. Kissing his head, I then tugged his hair again. "Take me. Please."

"As milady wishes," he replied, his tip pressed against my entrance. As he inched his way inside me, he kissed me.

We found a good rhythm, moving together as one as the springs in the couch began to squeak. "Don't break anything," I moaned.

"No promises," he grunted back, changing his angle. It hit something deep inside me and I keened over the edge again, gripping him tighter. He followed me over shortly after, landing beside on me on the couch.

I curled against him. "Happy New Year, Lord Locksley."

"Happy New Year, Lady Locksley," he said, kissing my forehead as the first few hours of 1985 passed us by.

"So Zelena has your mother," Barbara said. "Why?"

"And are you going to tell the authorities?" Joe asked.

I sighed. "Tell them what? That a crazed witch is holding my mother captive because she thinks Carolina is her mother? I don't want to bring the witch hunts here. Especially to Storybrooke."

Joe nodded. "That is probably for the best."

"So what does she want you to do?" Barbara asked, sipping her tea.

"She wants me to break the curse now," I replied, shaking my head. "But everything so far points to what the Dark One said—Emma will break it when she's twenty-eight."

Barbara grew pensive. "You said the Dark One has his memories. Have you tried to talking to him?"

I toyed with my mug. "He only speaks in riddles and definitely has his own agenda which he's not sharing. So I still trust him as far as I can throw him."

"I don't even trust him that much." Robin entered our kitchen, giving me a kiss hello. He then greeted Barb and Joe.

"Do you want some tea?" I asked him.

He shook his head. "I'm just going to grab a glass of water. Be right back."

Barb sighed. "So you're really stuck, huh? Is there any way you can just sneak in and take your mother back? I mean, you're married to Robin Hood. Surely he can steal a person?"

"A person is trickier than gold," Robin replied, taking a seat next to me. "And I usually avoided stealing from practitioners of magic. They can add too many variables for a successful heist."

Joe stared at him before chuckling. "You really are an expert thief, aren't you?"

"Was," Robin clarified. "I went straight a long time ago."

"Right. Because of Regina?"

"Because I lost Marian and was focused more on getting revenge than lifting gold coins," Robin replied, a dark look coming to his eyes.

I took his hand, squeezing it to comfort him. "You were a different man then," I assured him.

"Regina straightened me out," he said, squeezing my hand back. "Gave me something to focus on that wasn't revenge."

"And now we need to figure out how to rescue my mother," I said with a sigh.

Barb patted my hand. "You two aren't alone. You have plenty of friends here who are willing to help."

"Thank you," Robin replied, smiling at them. "I know we both appreciate that."

I nodded, standing as I gathered up my empty mug. "Can I get anyone a refill?"

They shook their heads and I headed back to the kitchen, putting the kettle back on. As I waited for the water to boil, I frowned as a familiar feeling washed over me. It felt like a stone had been dropped into my stomach and every nerve in my body was pulled tight. I was waiting for something to happen. The problem was I didn't know what.

I jumped when the kettle whistled and let out a little yelp before turning the knob to shut the gas off. Leaning against the counter, I tried to calm my racing heart.

"Regina?" Robin asked, voice soft. He made sure his footsteps were loud so he didn't startle me when he put his hands on my shoulders. "What's wrong?"

"One of my feelings," I whispered. "It's back and I don't know why."

"They usually have to do with Zelena."

Groaning, I turning in his arms and buried my face against his chest. "Can't she give me a moment's peace?"

"It's Zelena. Of course not." He rocked me like I was one of our children, rubbing my back soothingly. "Do you want me to politely get rid of Joe and Barb?"

I shook my head. "I'm not going to let her ruin today. We're going to have dinner together. The five of us and the three of them."

"Okay," he said, rubbing my arms now. "Why don't I get the kids ready and you just take a few moments?"

"Thank you. And can you assure Barb and Joe that I'm fine? They're probably wondering what happened to me."

He nodded. "Of course. I'm sure they'll probably want to get Pinocchio ready anyway."

Robin left the kitchen and I took a deep breath. Feeling or not, I wasn't going to let anything ruin my night out.

Squaring my soldiers, I smiled and headed out of the kitchen to get ready for the rest of the evening.

My feeling did not go away but I did my best to ignore it as I focused on enjoying my evening out. I did make Robin drive a bit slower, worried that something might happen to us on the road. After all, my feelings usually preceded bad news.

We made it to the restaurant safely and dinner was uneventful. I tried to relax but I feared I was always on edge, afraid something was going to happen. At one point, I thought I heard something that sounded like the beating of wings and imagined flying monkeys assaulting the establishment.

Did Zelena even still have them?

"Aunt Regina, are you okay?" Pinocchio asked me, frowning. He had taken to calling us "Aunt Regina" and "Uncle Robin" rather than "Lady Locksley" and "Lord Locksley," something we definitely didn't mind.

I ran my hand through his red hair. "Yes, I'm fine. Just a little tired, I guess. Must be the weather."

"They were saying on the news that the snowstorm should pass us by but I fear we're probably going to get hit," Joe said. "Because that's our luck, right?"

"Snow days are fun though," Roland said, picking at the last of his potatoes.

Barb chuckled. "Not when you're an adult, I'm afraid."

Roland seemed unable to comprehend that and he just put down his fork, looking at me. "I'm full, Mama."

"Okay, sweetheart. It looks like you ate most of your meal anyway," I said, looking over his plate.

Beside me, Emma was fighting a battle with Robin. She wanted to throw her Cheerios on the ground and he was trying to keep her from doing so. It was a battle he was losing.

"I think we need to get someone home and into bed," he said, taking the cereal away from Emma. She let out a high-pitched wail and began banging her hands on the tray.

"You're right. Let's flag down the waitress," I replied, looking around for our server so we could settle our bill.

Barb shook her head. "You guys head out. We'll cover it this time."

"Oh no," I started but was drowned out by Emma's scream. I sighed. "On the other hand…"

Joe waved us on. "Go, go. We got it from here."

"I'll call you tomorrow," Barb told me.

Robin gathered a screaming and flailing Emma in his arms, trying to hush her, while I picked up a sleepy Rachel. Go home? she asked me.

"Yes, sweetheart, we're going home." I kissed her forehead before helping Roland into his coat. "I think we're all going to turn in early."

"Not sleepy," Roland argued even as he leaned against me. I could feel the exhaustion in his little body.

I chuckled, guiding him out of the restaurant. Rachel was falling asleep on my shoulder as we approached the car, where Robin was fighting with Emma as he tried to buckle her into her car seat. "Come on, Emma. Please don't be difficult. Papa is too tired for this."

Emma quieted down a bit. "Papa?"

"Yes," he said, sounding relieved. "Papa needs you to be a good girl. Please."

She settled down into her car seat and he finally snapped the buckle. Robin leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Thank you, Emma."

He straightened up and took a sleeping Rachel from me. "I think she'll be fine the rest of the way home."

"Of course she will," I said, helping Roland into the car. As he buckled himself, I played with Emma's foot. "You're a daddy's girl, aren't you, Emma?"

Emma love Papa.

"Yes, you do," I said, kissing her. "Now sit back and we'll all be home soon."

By the time we got home, Rachel and Roland were sound asleep in the backseat. Only Emma was still up but she was calm as Robin undid her buckle, holding her close to him. "I'll take her inside and them come back for Roland," he whispered.

"I'm sure we can wake him and at least get him upstairs," I whispered back. "Don't strain yourself."

He shook his head. "I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."

I sighed, picking up Rachel. She squirmed in my arms before settling on my shoulder, smacking her little lips a bit. I carried her inside and up to her room, easily taking off the dress I had put her in. Once she was down to her onesie, I laid her in her crib and pulled the blanket over her.

"Mama!" Emma pulled herself up in her crib, reaching out to me. "Mama."

"It's time to sleep, sweetheart," I told her, grabbing onto her outstretched hands.

Emma not sleepy. Want Mama and Papa!

I picked her up, cradling her close. "Okay, Emma. Let's go see if Papa's put Roland to bed and then we'll all snuggle."

She giggled, already snuggling against me as I stepped out of the nursery. Robin was closing Roland's door and smiled at us. "Is my Princess still awake?"

"Yes, she is. And she wants to snuggle with us," I replied, rubbing Emma's back. "I think that's a good idea."

"Well, I'm not going to argue with two of my three girls." He wrapped his arm around me, guiding us to the bedroom.

Robin changed into his pajamas as I used my magic to change both Emma and myself into ours. I laid down on the bed, letting Emma roll onto the mattress as she laughed. She reached up as Robin laid down on her other side. "Papa!"

"Emma!" He picked her up and held her over him. "How about a little flying, Emma?"

She laughed as I rolled onto my side, watching them with a goofy smile. I knew it had to be goofy from how my cheeks were already hurting. Not that I cared. This was everything I had ever wanted and I knew I was lucky to have it.

The phone rang and my joy evaporated. Robin stilled, Emma still "flying" over him as our eyes met. We both knew a phone call this late wasn't good.

I rolled over and picked up the phone, dread building in my stomach. "Hello?"

"Regina?" Snow asked. "I'm sorry, I know it must be late…"

"Is something wrong?" I sat up, frowning as my stomach twisted in knots. Who knew what Zelena was capable of in this world?

Snow rushed to assure me nothing was wrong. "It's just…John Doe woke up tonight."

That got my attention. "He did? Why?"

"Dr. Whale is still running tests," she replied. "I was reading to him when visiting hours ended. Saying goodbye, I touched his hand. When I went to pull mine back, he grabbed onto me and groaned. His eyes fluttered open and he looked so confused, it broke my heart. I tried to assure him he was in the hospital and was alright but he grew more agitated."

I glanced over at Robin, who was no longer playing with Emma. He was focused on me and my conversation while she sat on his chest, happy to just bang against it playfully.

"What happened next?" I asked Snow.

"Ian rushed in to tend to him while they paged Dr. Whale. I was asked to leave but before I left, he grabbed my arm. He called me 'Snow' and asked me where Emma was," she replied.

My heart stopped. Charming not only was awake but apparently had his memories from the Enchanted Forest.

Interesting.

A/N: Happy Once day! I feel so silly—I totally forgot that this past Wednesday was the anniversary of my posting "All That Was Me." It was a hectic week or I would've posted this chapter then!

I hope everyone has a good Halloween and stays safe!

-Mac