On to your Waterloo

Whispers my heart

Pray I'll be Wellington

Not Bonaparte

("Say a Prayer," Gigi)

Chapter 14: The Letter

I recovered after a week of being sick. Emma and Rachel felt better too, back to playing with their toys as well as their brother. Rachel began crawling once she got her energy back, happily following Roland and Emma around the room now. Bandit followed them all, more like a caretaker than part of their little group.

"They look like a parade," Robin said, watching them with a small smile on his face. "A very cute one."

Laughing, I leaned against him. "Yeah. Imagine what it's going to look like when Rachel starts walking."

He groaned, shaking his head. "Don't talk about that. It's all moving so fast."

"You said the same about Emma," I reminded him, pointing as the blonde fell down with a laugh. "And she's still a baby girl learning to walk."

Emma looked up at Robin, holding up her chubby arms. "Papa! Up!"

"Up? Okay," he said, scooping her up into his arms. He nuzzled her and she closed her eyes, resting her head in the crook of his neck.

Roland threw his arms around me, laughing as he gave me a tight hug. "I love you, Mama."

"I love you too," I said, laughing as well. "What's this for?"

He shrugged. "Just because."

"Well, I love 'just because' hugs." I ran my fingers through his curls as I rocked him gently. Rachel sat at my feet, babbling as she petted Bandit, who laid down next to her.

It was a perfect family tableau. "Have I told you how much I love being a family?" I asked.

"Not lately," Robin replied. "But I have to agree. We have a pretty great family."

"We do," I agreed. We leaned closer and he gave me a sweet kiss.

"Eww," Roland said, scrunching up his nose. I tapped it and we all had another good laugh before he let me go.

I backed up a bit. "How about I start dinner? Does anyone want anything special?"

"Lasagna!" Robin and Roland cheered, eyes lighting up in identical ways.

Laughing, I nodded. "Okay. Let me go get that started and we'll be eating soon. You all have fun."

"I think we can manage that," Robin said, scooping Rachel up. He balanced both girls in his arms before motioning to Bandit. "Come on, boy."

I watched as Bandit followed him into the living room, Roland on their heels. Feeling lighter due to happiness and my returned good health, there was a bounce in my step as I headed into the kitchen to start our dinner.

That night was bath night. Emma and Rachel splashed around in the tub together as Robin and I washed their hair. Rachel laughed as I twisted her dark curls into a giant cowlick rising from her head. I laughed as well, her joy so pure it was contagious.

"Ten minutes until your bath, Roland," I called out, rinsing out the suds.

"Do I have to?" he called back. Despite getting older, he had yet to outgrow certain tendencies. Being difficult at bath time was one of them.

I rolled my eyes. "Yes, you do."

"But I'm in the middle of an epic quest!"

"Even great heroes take baths," I argued, soaping Rachel up now. Beside me, Robin shook from trying to hold in his laughter as he tried to wash a squirming Emma.

I sighed, glaring at my husband. "Can you finish up here? I'm going to negotiate with our hero of a son."

He nodded, reaching for two towels. "Good luck, milady."

"Thanks," I said, heading down the hall to Roland's room.

My son was standing on top of his bed, holding his plastic sword aloft as he fought an imaginary foe. Bandit lay by his bedside, watching him with concern. It seemed he was ready to jump in should anything happen to Roland.

"Can we take this adventure to the bathroom?" I asked, crossing my arms as I leaned against the doorway.

Roland lowered his arm and frowned. "But I'm almost done defeating the ogre! Then I have to go to the palace to rescue the princesses!"

"You mean the princesses currently in the tub?" I asked, figuring out that he was going to include his sisters in his game. He tended to that, enjoying that they were still passive players in his games and therefore he was able to turn him into anything he needed. Usually he cast them as princesses, though a few times they had been fairies and gnomes.

He paused, as if he hadn't considered that yet. "Oh. But they're getting out, right? And then Papa's gonna put them in their cribs, right?"

I sighed, shaking my head. "I think Papa is going to give Emma some dessert and Rachel one more bottle before putting them down for the night. And they'll need to sleep, not play."

Roland sat down on the bed, chewing his lower lip as he thought it over. Bandit tilted his head, as if praying the boy decided to do something less dangerous now. I just hoped he would get in the bathtub with little argument.

An idea popped in my head and I stepped closer. "What if you now have to fight a monster in the ocean to rescue the princesses?"

He considered his options before nodding. "I think I can do that."

"Great," I said. "You have five minutes for me to drain your sisters' bath and fill yours. Don't make me come get you."

"I won't, Mama," he promised, climbing off his bed. "Can Bandit come with me too? He's my sidekick."

I glanced down at the dog, who met my eyes. His big brown ones seemed to plead with me to say no, to give him an escape from Roland's crazy imagination. Biting back my chuckle, I shook my head. "No dogs in the bathroom during bath time. Do you know how bad wet dog smells?"

Bandit let out a little bark, as if indignant over my remark. I raised my eyebrow, silently questioning if he wanted me to get him out of this or not. He lowered his head, waiting to see how Roland would react.

The boy flopped down on his bed, groaning. "All right, Mama. Bandit can stay here. I'll just rescue him later."

"Good. Now, get ready for your bath, please," I said, heading back down the hallway.

I passed Robin as he held a squirming Rachel. Her face was red and she was pounding on his chest as he huffed. "She did not want to get out of the tub. I think she might be part fish."

"You think the same about Roland," I told him. "So that means you must be part fish as well. Anything you want to tell me?"

He winked before continuing to the girls' room. "That's for me to know and you to maybe find out. But good luck with Roland."

I sighed, kneeling by the tub as I ran fresh water for Roland. The pounding water as it filled the tub was soothing and I pulled out his shampoo as well as some of his toys. He was going to need them if he was going on a big nautical adventure.

"Here I am, Mama!" Roland said, bursting into the bathroom naked as the day he was born. He giggled as he stood before me.

"Yes, indeed," I replied, making a mental note to buy him a bathrobe now that he was getting older. "Why don't you get into the tub?"

He shook his head. "Not yet. I have to fall overboard from my ship first."

"You're overboard. Get in." I pointed to the water. It was growing late and we didn't have time to mess around.

Roland huffed, crossing his arms. "Mama, that's not how you play the game. Otherwise it's no fun."

I rubbed my forehead, trying to find a way to keep Roland entertained and make this bath as quick as possible. "Okay, okay. How about I'm a mean pirate who is making you walk the plank? How's that?"

He lit up and nodded. Then he looked defiant, pretending to be ready to fight me. "I'll never join your crew, you mean pirate!"

"Then I must send you to Davy Jones' locker," I said, pushing him gently toward the tub. "I hope you can swim."

Roland climbed into the tub and sat down in the water. "I will swim my way to freedom! You haven't defeated me!"

"We'll see about that. You have to face my obstacles before you get to the shore!" I added his toys into the water before lathering up his shampoo. As he pretended to wrestle with his rubber duck, I shampooed curls that were much like his sister's and rinsed out all the suds.

I then soaped up a facecloth and handed it to him. "Before you swim to shore, you need to make sure you're nice and clean."

He sighed but took the facecloth. "Yes, Mama."

"That's my boy," I said, leaning back and watching to make sure he got every place with the soapy facecloth.

When he finished, he held out the facecloth to me. "Can I play now, please? I'm all clean, Mama."

I took the facecloth, smiling at him as I pushed his toy sailboat toward him. "Yes, you can play for a little bit. Have fun, sweetheart."

Roland cheered, splashing around a bit. I frowned as some of the water splashed onto the floor. "Be careful, please. I don't want to mop up."

He nodded, looking sheepish. "Sorry, Mama."

Sitting on the toilet cover, I watched him play. He successfully took down the rubber ducky monster as well as sank the small armada made up of his two plastic boats. As he fought the octopus toy we had just gotten him, I smiled. These were the moments I treasured the most—when he was just a boy letting his imagination run wild. I prayed he never lost his whimsy and creativity as he grew up.

"Mama, why are you looking at me like that?" he asked, tilting his head. "Am I doing something wrong?"

I shook my head, kneeling next to the tub. "I just love you so much, you know that?"

He nodded, smiling. "Of course I do. I love you too."

"I know," I said, placing my hand against his cheek. "I know things were crazy with the girls being sick. How about we spend some time together? Just you and me?"

Roland's eyes lit up and he smiled widely. "You mean it?"

"Of course. How does this weekend sound?"

"Sounds great. Can we go to the park? Maybe I can ride my bike? Please, Mama?" He clasped his pruny hands together in a pleading gesture.

I laughed. "We can do whatever you want. But for now, I think you need to get out of the bathtub. You're all wrinkly."

He sighed but stood up. "Okay, Mama. Can I have some dessert now too? Like Emma?"

"Of course," I replied, wrapping him in a warm and fluffy towel. "Let's get you in your pajamas and then we'll go pick it out, okay?"

Robin climbed into bed, curling around me with a sigh. "How are you feeling, lovely?" he asked.

"Tired," I said, melding myself against his chest. I smiled as I closed my eyes. "But a happy tired."

He kissed her shoulder before humming. "Good. I don't want you pushing yourself too much and having a relapse."

"That makes two of us," I said before growing cheeky. There was an itch that hadn't been scratched in weeks that I was hoping we could take care of tonight. I glanced over at him and noticed his closed eyes, making me frown. "So no sex tonight?"

His eyes popped open before he frowned. "Absolutely not. Maybe a couple more nights of just sleep and then we can talk about sex."

"But it's been so long," I whined, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing myself against him. It had been weeks and I was growing desperate for him.

Robin sighed, rubbing my back. "I know, lovely. I'm painfully aware of how long it's been. But you can wait a few more days, right?"

I pouted. "I guess so. But it's going to be hard."

"Not just for you," he said cheekily.

"Did you just make a pun?" I gave him a playful shove and he laughed as he fell onto his back. I straddled him, tickling his stomach. "Did you?"

He let out a hearty laugh, swatting at my hands. "So what? Is that a crime?"

"Maybe it is in this house."

"Is that so?" He flipped me easily, hovering over me as he supported his weight on his arms. Robin grinned down at me and I grew excited. Maybe I would get what I wanted after all. I knew he would crumble.

I nodded. "I should punish you."

"Perhaps," he replied. "And perhaps I should plead for mercy."

Craning my neck, I gave him a kiss. "Perhaps you should. I'm feeling merciful."

He nodded. "And cheeky, no doubt."

"Cheeky?" I asked, furrowing my brow.

"Don't think I don't know what you're doing. Trying to get me all excited and hoping I'll forget that I want you to get some more rest before we have sex." He lowered his face to whisper: "Nice try, love."

I let out a long sigh. "Do you blame me for trying? I'm actually pretty horny, which should prove I'm feeling better."

"Not going to work." He rolled over, spooning me again as he held me close. "All we're going to do is sleep."

"Fine," I conceded. My eyes were growing heavy from his familiar warmth and scent, my body relaxing knowing he was there. I sank deeper into the bedding, sleep tugging at me. "Good night, Robin."

It seemed like I had only just closed my eyes when consciousness pulled at me again. Opening my eyes, I saw the room was filled with the light gray of an early dreary morning. A chill had settled in the room and I burrowed closer to Robin, using his body warmth to chase it away as I tried to fall back to sleep.

Curling my fingers around his t-shirt, I took a deep breath in of his woodsy scent. "I love how you smell," I whispered.

"You're still not getting sex," he whispered back.

I rolled my eyes, though I was impressed he could shoot that back so quick after waking. "I was just telling the truth."

He chuckled, holding me closer. "I know. I was just having a little fun with you. And I love how you smell too."

We laid there for a bit, just holding each other and enjoying being so close together. I sighed again. "I miss the Enchanted Forest sometimes," I whisper.

"You do?" he asked, sounding confused. "Why?"

I shrugged. "I guess because everything was a lot simpler back there."

"Need I remind you that we had to put a spell on you that hid you from everyone unless I told them where you were?"

"Maybe that's why everything was so much simpler," I joked before growing serious. "But going back to our old rooms…I just miss being there with you."

"You're here with me now."

I pressed my lips together, trying to figure out the best way to explain how I felt. But it was hard to put into words without sounding strange or like I didn't feel the same here in the Land Without Magic. So I decided to stick with the truth.

"I don't know how to explain it," I whispered. "Everything just felt different there. An exciting different."

He nodded, his whiskers brushing against the top of my head. "I get it. We were falling in love there. But I keep falling in love with you every day, Regina."

"The same for me," I said. "I told you I didn't know how to explain it. I just miss the Enchanted Forest."

There was a long pause before he sighed. "I understand. I can't explain it but I miss it too."

"You can't…?" I lifted my head to stare at him in disbelief. "Of course we can explain your feeling. You called the Enchanted Forest home your entire life."

"I did. And now home is wherever you and the children are. If I have you four, I'm happy," he said, rolling onto his side to face me.

I laid on my side as well, tucking my hand under my head as I smiled at him as well. "You're my home as well."

Robin tucked some of my hair behind my ear before pulling me close. "I love you, Regina. Forever."

"I love you too, Robin," I sighed, feeling sleep pull me under again as I laid in his arms. "Forever."

Roland and I went to the park later that day, just the two of us. Most of the snow had melted so Robin had helped us put his bicycle in my car. Opening my trunk, I flicked my wrist and the bicycle disappeared in a familiar cloud of purple smoke only to reappear on the sidewalk. Roland's eyes grew wide as he breathed: "Cool."

"I know," I said, wrapping my arm around his shoulder and pulling him close. I smiled down at him. "I'm awesome, right?"

He nodded and laughed, pulling out his helmet. I placed it on his head and clicked it under his chin, testing the straps to make sure it was secure on him. "Okay, you are cleared to go biking. Just don't go too fast, okay? I want to make sure I can see you at all times."

"Okay, Mama," he said, climbing onto his bike. He gave me a wave before he pedaled away, happily rolling down the path.

I found the nearest bench that no longer had snow on it and sat down. Cold seeped right through my pants and started to numb my ass, but I didn't care. I sat there and watched my son enjoy his bike and the feeling of freedom riding it gave him.

"Ahh, she lives," Harold said, drawing my attention away from Roland as he sat down. He grinned at me. "We've been worried about you. Feeling better?"

"Yes, thank you," I replied, watching Roland from the corner of my eyes. He continued to pedal his way around the bike path, clearly in sight, and I relaxed a bit. "Have I missed much at the center?"

He shook his head. "The usual. Had me wishing I was sick instead."

I let out a little laugh, knowing the fights that still occurred at the center on an almost daily basis. Then I grimaced. "Trust me. You did not want to be sick. It was awful."

"I guess so," he replied. "And my wife would've killed me if I got everyone else sick. That wouldn't be pleasant either."

Harold pulled something from his pocket and held it out to me. "This came while you were sick. It feels important."

I took it from him, examining it. The handwriting didn't look familiar and there was no return address. Only my name and the address of the center. I frowned. "I wonder who sent it?"

"Don't know," he replied.

"Wait," I said, my mind catching up with me. "Did you say it feels important?"

He sighed, shifting on the bench. "Yeah. I can't explain it. But when I held it, I just…felt it."

"So it's magical," I declared, turning the envelope over in my hands again. I didn't feel anything but perhaps my gloves were preventing me from doing so. Shoving it in my pocket, I sighed. "I'll open it at home."

"Yeah, I should head back. I just wanted to drop that off and Robin had mentioned you were here when I called…" Harold stood.

I squeezed his hand. "Thank you. Now go back to your family and enjoy the rest of this Saturday, okay?"

"Sounds like a good plan," he replied. "Enjoy your time with Roland."

He walked away and I turned back to my son, who was now pedaling up to me. His cheeks were pink and his eyes bright as he smiled at me. "I think I'm done biking, Mama."

"Okay," I said. "We can put your bike back in the car. Do you want to go do something else or are you ready to go home?"

"I'm not ready to go home. Can we go to the jungle gym, please? I want to climb on the monkey bars," he said, bouncing up and down.

I laughed, starting to roll his bike back toward the car. "Okay. But just be careful on the monkey bars. I don't want to have to heal any broken bones."

"Yes, Mama," he sighed and I could almost hear the eye roll. I let it slide for now as I magicked his bike back into my trunk.

Turning to him, I saw he was holding out his hand to me. I took it and swung our clasped hands between us as we walked to the jungle gym. Roland was excited about the monkey bars. "I almost made it across once, just like Michael. Donna and Pinocchio haven't yet."

"I'm sure they'll make it across too," I said. "Just like you're going to do it. And you'll feel so proud of yourself."

He nodded as we approached the jungle gym. Roland let go of my hand and smiled at me. "Can I go play?"

"Yes," I said, letting go of his hand. "I'll be right here, watching. Try to be careful, though, okay?"

Roland promised he would and raced over to the monkey bars. He climbed up the ladder and reached out for the first bar. I held my breath as his little legs swung in the air. One little hand released the bar and stretched toward the next one, grasping it. He then moved his other hand and was soon two bars away from the ladder.

My heart jumped into my throat as he easily swung from bar to bar until he was halfway across. One hand was holding one bar and the other the next one, Roland's body just suspended between the two. He pressed his lips together and furrowed his brow as he no doubt tried to move his other hand.

I watched as his fingers started to lose his grip and he kicked at the air, as if trying to find something to give him a boost up. But it was all for naught. He released the bars and plunged toward the ground. I let out a little shout but he landed on his feet like a cat, arms circling as he regained his balance.

"Are you okay?" I asked, kneeling in the sand before him. "Are you hurt?"

He shook his head before frowning, looking upset. "I just couldn't hold on anymore, Mama."

I hugged him, my body shaking from adrenaline. "That's okay, sweetheart. You'll do it another time. Just keep practicing, like with your archery."

"Thanks, Mama," he said, pulling away. He then frowned. "Were you scared? That I was going to get hurt?"

"Yes," I told him, caressing his face as I smiled at him. My heart was still racing but I didn't feel an impending sense of doom any more.

He tilted his head. "Why? I told you I was fine."

"Mothers worry. It's our job. We always worry about our children, even when they're grown and living on their own."

"I'm always going to be with you, Mama," he told me, hugging me again. "So you'll always see me."

I bit my lip, trying not to laugh since he was so earnest. So I held him closer, deciding to relish these moments before he grew up and went to live his own life. I kissed his head. "I love you, Roland."

"Love you too, Mama," he murmured, patting my back as he held onto me a bit longer. He then asked: "Can I go on the swings?"

"Of course you can," I replied, standing up. "Just please don't jump off them, okay? You've aged Mama enough today."

He laughed as he took my hand and we walked over to the swings together.

I laid in bed, fiddling with the envelope Harold had given me earlier that day. Part of me want to open it while the other wanted to burn it. Robin insisted on being there no matter my decision, just in case something went wrong. So I waited for him to return from putting the girls down for the night.

"Someone refuses to sleep," Robin said, entering the room with Rachel in his arms. She babbled as she banged her little hands against his chest, no doubt trying to tell him what exactly was wrong with her.

Putting the envelope aside, I held out my arms. "What's keeping our little lady up tonight?"

"I'm not entirely sure," he replied, slipping Rachel into my hold. "I think she might have another tooth coming in, though."

Hurts, Mama, she told me, clutching my nightshirt. Make the pain stop.

I rubbed her back, bouncing her a little. "I know it hurts, but it's something that needs to happen. You can lie here with me though."

She cuddled against me as I laid down with her. Robin came out of the bathroom, changed in his pajamas and smelling of mint. He slid into bed with us and rubbed Rachel's back. "Was I right?"

"Your dad sense was right on the money." I kissed Rachel's hair as she began to whimper. With the flick of my wrist, I conjured up her cold teething ring and held it up to her mouth. She began to gum it eagerly.

Robin kissed her head. "I'm sure she's feeling better now."

"She is," I said, lying her between the two of us. "But she can just lie here for now."

He hummed, propping himself up on his elbow to watch Rachel. She laid there, kicking her legs and gumming the teething ring. Her big blue eyes looked between the two of us and she smiled around the plastic ring, showing off her few teeth.

"I can't believe she's getting so big," Robin commented. "She's almost a year old. Where did the time go?"

I groaned. "You're not going to start that again, are you?"

"I just can't believe how fast they're growing. Roland is shooting up like a weed, Emma is walking and talking and soon Rachel will be too." He sighed, kissing her head again. "I just wish I could freeze time."

"But think of all the milestones you'll miss if you do that," I told him, rubbing Rachel's belly. She cooed and I knew it was only a matter of time before I got her to fall sleep.

He chuckled. "It wouldn't be forever. Just long enough to really enjoy these years with them."

"That wouldn't really help their socialization, would it?" I continued rubbing Rachel's stomach, noticing her eyes starting to close.

"No, I guess not," he mused. "Though I'm locking her and Emma up once they become teenagers. No boys for them."

I gave him a look and pushed his shoulder. "Come on. Are you going to lock Roland up and declare no girls for him as well?"

He paused, thinking about it before nodding. "Yes. None of our children will date. They just stay with us forever."

"Yeah, no," I said, rolling my eyes. "I love our children, but that seems like punishment for us as well."

"You don't want our children to spend forever with us?" He pouted, but his eyes were sparkling.

I raised my eyebrow. "I would like some private time with you. Time to do things together. Things we definitely don't want the children to see…"

His eyes widened as his eyebrows went up. I watched him swallow, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. "You're being a little minx right now."

"Am I?" I asked coyly, fluttering my eyes for extra measure. I could see him start to fidget and I resisted the urge to smile. He was weakening at last. Good. "Something wrong?"

Robin narrowed his eyes at me. "Oh, don't go there. You know what you're doing."

I laughed, kissing him. He nibbled on my lower lip but I didn't open for him. Instead, I pulled away. "Rachel is right here."

He glanced down before smirking. "She's asleep, lovely. She won't see a thing. Besides, I doubt us kissing with tongue is going to traumatize her."

"I would feel better if you put her in her crib before we did anything. I don't know how much self-control I have right now," I said, looking down at Rachel. Her eyes were closed and her teething ring hung from her open mouth as her little chest rose in even breaths.

I started to pull the teething ring from her mouth when it clamped down on the piece of plastic. She began to squirm, her brow furrowing as she kicked and whined. Her blue eyes blinked open, looking at me. Rachel need ring. Rachel need Mama.

"Okay," I sighed, laying down next to her. I touched the ring, using my magic to make it colder for her. "I'm not going anywhere until you feel better, sweetheart."

Rachel made happy noises around the ring before turning her to head to Robin. She flung a little hand out toward him and he chuckled, taking it. He kissed her hand, sliding down to curl around her as well. "I'm not going anywhere either."

She shook his finger and gummed the ring as her eyes closed again. I kissed her feathery curls as I felt the warmth radiating off her. Everything was perfect, even if my other plans were put on hold yet again.

"Does she want me to sing to her?" Robin asked softly. He kissed her fingers again. "Do you, sweetheart?"

I conveyed her positive answer to him and he started to sing as my eyes fluttered closed. I nuzzled her soft cheek, inhaling her baby scent and smiled. Here together with her and Robin, I felt safe and warm. We enveloped Rachel in our love and I knew she was happy, even if she had some pouts of pain due to her teeth.

Lying there with my husband and our daughter, I began to drift off to sleep. The envelope could wait.

The envelope ended up waiting for a few more days as the weather had continued to warm up, meaning we had spent more time outside to get fresh air in our lungs. Roland and Emma chased Bandit around our yard under Robin's watchful eye while I sat with Rachel on a blanket. She crawled around it, pulling at some grass with glee.

The fresh air also reinvigorated Robin's and my sex life at last. I was fully recovered from being sickness and we had determined we were in a safe time that I had little chance of conceiving. With the children out cold each night from having so much fun, we had all the time at night to enjoy each other.

My head fell back against the mattress as I moaned. Robin was between my legs, his tongue lapping at me and teasing my clit. I gripped the sheets tightly as my body began to quiver, pleasure coursing like electricity through me. It felt like I had gone years rather than weeks without this feeling and I gave myself over to every sensation flooding me.

"More," I pleaded. He answered with his finger, teasing at my entrance before entering me. One curl of it had me babbling. Two and a broad lick against my clit had me coming undone.

I panted as Robin kissed his way up my body, stopping at my breasts. He took one in his mouth, tongue swirling around the nipple. It sent little jolts through my still keyed up body and I moaned louder. "You're trying to kill me with sex, aren't you?"

He chuckled as he released my nipple. "It would be a good way to go, wouldn't it? But no. I'd like to keep you around a bit longer."

"You're doing a piss poor job of…oh gods, Robin!" My eyes closed as he turned his attention to my other nipple, my hips bucking against him. Every inch of me was keyed up and I thought I was going to explode.

Robin let the nipple go with a soft pop before trailing kisses up to my neck. His lips closed around a pressure point and my hand flew to his hair, fingers digging into the damp strands. "You're just teasing me now," I gasped.

"And what if I am?" he asked, raising his eyebrow in a challenge. "What if I want you good and riled up so we can come together?"

"Then I'd say you're succeeding and should fuck me soon if you want that to remain a possibility."

He laughed, planting his arms on either side of her as he hovered over her. "Is that so?"

I nodded, swallowing. "I'm close again, Robin."

"Already?" he asked, his eyes widening in surprise. He then smirked. "I didn't think I was that good."

"Don't get cocky," I warned before mentally hitting myself. I had just walked into a joke he wouldn't be able to resist making.

He grinned at me. "Too late, lovely."

"Please don't. Or I'll finish by myself."

Robin gasped. "You wouldn't dare."

I smiled, realizing I had him right where I wanted him as I slid my hand down my body. "Do you want to take the risk?"

"You win," he said, sighing. He then nipped at my ear. "Minx."

"You love it," I replied, closing my hand around his cock and giving it a few quick pumps.

He moaned, burying his face against my neck. "Don't stop."

"You're close," I said, fondling his balls. "How about you flip us and I ride you the rest of the way?"

Robin did just that, letting me straddle him as he laid back on our mattress. He grinned. "I love this view."

I took his hands and placed them on my breasts, smiling down at him. "I know you do. Enjoy."

"You should be enjoying it too," he said, massaging my breasts. His thumbs played with my nipples.

"I am. Don't worry." I slid my hand down my body until it rested between my legs. One finger teased my clit as Robin watched me, hunger clear in his eyes. I slid back until his cock was pressing at my entrance, resting just under my hand.

Robin's hands fell from my breast to grip my hips. Sweat trickled down his face as his breathing grew shallow. "Are you now torturing me, milady?"

"Perhaps," I said, playing with his tip. I spread the precum dripping from it around, waiting for the right moment to slide over him.

He threw his head back, panting now. "Gods, Regina, please! I don't think I can wait any more."

Smirking, I decided to torture him a bit more. I pumped his cock a few more times, asking: "What's the magic word?"

"Please," he cried, back arching off our bed as he closed his eyes. "Please, Regina. Please."

I guided his cock toward my entrance, sliding down along it until I was filled to the hilt with him. Looking down at him, I smiled. "Much better, right?"

He could only nod as I began to ride him. My fingers gripped his shoulder to brace myself, setting my pace hard and fast. I was already close and knew it wouldn't be long until I went over the edge. Hopefully I could take Robin with me.

Beads of sweat dripped into my eyes and I fought to keep them open. I loved watching him and nothing was going to obscure my vision. "Do you like this?"

"Yes," he groaned, trying to shift his position. I squeezed his hips and he groaned again. "What was that for?"

"I'm trying to hold…oh gods…you still." I moaned, guiding his hand to my clit. "Don't move."

"I need to shift though. I'm nowhere near the spot that will have you seeing stars. I just need to…"

I squeezed my thighs again, shaking my head with a frown. Every part of me was shaking, begging for release. This time, though, I was the one denying myself of that. "Not yet. I'm so close but you're not. I want us to come together."

He nodded, cupping my ass and pulling me closer. "You drive, lovely, and I'll let you know when I'm ready."

"Thank you." I leaned down and kissed him before I resumed my hard and fast pace, trying to hold off my own orgasm as long as I could.

The only sounds that filled the room were our moans and the slapping of sweat-slicked skin against sweat-slicked skin. Robin's back arched more and more as his gripped tightened against my hips. His eyes were screwed shut and his mouth hung open as he panted beneath me. I now felt he was close and I smiled, ready for the big finish.

I tugged on his hair and he opened his eyes, taking some time to focus on me. He smirked when he did. "Now?"

"Now," I panted, my body now aching for my release. "And make it quick, please. I can't last…"

I gasped as he shifted inside me. His movements seemed minute but the change was overwhelming, his tip hitting my g-spot immediately. White spots danced in front of my eyes and my breaths came in jags as I felt myself climb higher.

Throwing my head back, I screamed his name as my orgasm climaxed. My walls tightened around his cock, our rhythms growing erratic until I felt him spill inside me. He groaned before stilling, breathing heavily as he laid there.

My limbs were too weak to support me and I collapsed on him. Robin let out a soft "oof" before wrapping his arm around me. He kissed the top of my head. "That was bloody amazing."

"I know," I said and then because I couldn't help myself: "You were pretty good too."

He paused before chuckling. "You're lucky I can't move or I would be tickling until you took that back."

I laughed, closing my eyes as I nuzzled his neck. "Fine. You were bloody amazing as well."

"Thank you," he said, stroking my hair. He kissed my forehead before inching toward the edge of the bed. "We should probably clean ourselves up."

"Too comfortable," I murmured, curling closer to him. I threw a leg over his. "You're not going anywhere."

He ran his fingers up and down my spine. "Alright, lovely. But don't blame me when we're stuck together in the morning."

I made a face as I considered that option and sighed, letting him go. "Okay. But be quick."

"I will." He slipped out of the bed and I opened my eyes, watching as he crossed the room to our bathroom. The lights flipped on and I heard the water start running.

Trying not to move too much, I felt around for our blankets. My hands closed around them and I pulled them closer to my body, which was starting to cool now that we were finished. I hoped Robin would hurry up before I started to shiver.

I saw the light in the bathroom turn off and Robin hurried over to the bed. He climbed in and handed me the damp facecloth. "Here you go, lovely. Better be quick. The room is colder than I remembered."

"I think we're cooler than we were," I quipped, running the facecloth over my skin. Goosebumps formed as the cool air hit it and I shoved it back at Robin. "Your turn. I'm burrowing under the blankets."

"Don't hog them all," he said, wiping himself down. He tossed the facecloth onto his nightstand and laid down next to me as I pulled the blankets over our bodies.

Once we were cocooned, I curled against him again. "Good night, Robin."

"Good night, Regina," he said, closing his eyes. "Pleasant dreams."

I closed my own eyes, humming softly. "That's the plan."

My wakeup call in the morning was Robin's fingers carding through my hair as he held me close. "Time to wake up, lovely. We need to change before the children find us naked."

"Good point," I replied groggily. "Can you pass me my pajamas?"

"You're going to make me do all the work for you?" Robin asked me teasingly. But I felt him roll over, no doubt searching for my pajamas and I was grateful for him.

He handed me the pajamas and I quickly put them on. As I rolled back to face him, I caught sight of the white envelope in his hand and my stomach clenched. "Oh. Right. That," I said.

"Yes, this." He handed it to me. "Maybe we should open it now. We probably shouldn't put it off anymore."

I gave him a look as I turned the envelope over. "It's probably nothing. Just Zelena choosing to whine in another medium."

"Do you think that looks like the Queen's handwriting?" he asked.

"I don't know. I've never seen it. She didn't usually send me letters," I replied, breaking the seal.

Robin watched as I pulled it out. "So she probably didn't send you this one. Do you think it's the Dark One?"

"I can't imagine he would send a letter either." I pulled out the piece of paper inside, opening it. The handwriting looked familiar at last and when I glanced down, I saw a familiar name. "It's from my mother."

Holding up the envelope, we compared the handwriting there to the one in the letter. We both frowned. "It doesn't match," he said.

"I'm guessing Zelena addressed it," I replied, my brow furrowing. "She probably made my mother write it."

Robin sat next to me before kissing my shoulder. "What does your mother say, lovely? Is Zelena treating her well?"

"Let's see," I said, starting to read it.

Dear Regina,

It feels like it's been months since you and I last talked, even though I know it hasn't been. However, I'm sure you've forgotten about your mother. Shame on you.

"Charming," Robin said, sarcasm dripping from the word.

"That's Mother for you," I replied, already scowling.

Zelena's mansion may not seem like a prison, but it is. I cannot go outside or call anyone. Nor can I get my hair or nails done. And I can't remember the last time I went shopping…

I rolled my eyes. "Poor Mother. I'll alert the Geneva Convention immediately."

"The what?" Robin asked, smiling though he looked confused.

"I'll explain it to you later," I told him, patting his hand. "Let's see what else Mother has to say."

However, Regina, there's another reason I'm writing this. Mostly because Zelena is forcing me to in exchange for a manicure.

"Do you get the feeling she could just walk out and Zelena wouldn't really stop her but she doesn't?" Robin asked me.

I sighed. "She's probably enjoying being the victim and dreaming of all the attention that's going to bring her when she's found."

She says that if you want to see me again, you will do what she says. You will figure out a way to break the curse and get her back to the Enchanted Forest. Then she will give you a chance to…

Images rose up in my mind, planted there by Zelena's magic. I could feel it traveling through my fingers, up my arms and into my mind. A green haze surrounded them, confirming that they were from Zelena. She brought me back to her palace in the Enchanted Forest. I could see Robin holding me after my brief fight with Zelena while an unkempt Belle stood in the background, afraid and confused. A cauldron sat bubbling next to me and I realized I was seeing the casting of the Dark Curse from Zelena's point of view.

"It has to be a very specific heart, I'm afraid. The heart of the thing I love the most," Zelena said.

Cora's eyes widened and she leaned back, looking distraught and betrayed. "Zelena, darling, you said we would rule together."

"And we will. I've taken steps to ensure that." I felt the sorrow and love Zelena had felt at the moment for her mother. Just like I thought back then, she regretted that she needed to do this to the one person she truly loved in order to achieve her happiness. "But I need to do this to be able to rule. To be rid of that pesky Snow White once and for all."

"I understand," Cora said, tears filling her eyes. "I'm proud of you."

"Thank you, Mother."

I remembered what came next and wanted to look away but knew I couldn't. Not with how Zelena had chosen to replay these memories. I couldn't look away from my mind. So I was forced to watch as Zelena's hand plunged into her mother's chest, ready to pull out her heart. Before that happened, though, Cora turned into my mother. The change was only in her clothing—going from the elaborate black dress Cora favored to one of my mother's designer dresses. Her brown eyes widened before glazing over in pain as the heart was removed. She then crumpled to the ground.

The memory ended and I gasped, my hands shaking. Tears spilled down my cheeks and I could see a few wet splotches on the paper. Robin's hand rubbed my back and his concerned voice asked: "Regina? What's wrong?"

I couldn't speak yet and so I handed the letter to Robin. He took it and held me close as he read it: "Then she will give you a chance to say goodbye to me. I don't know what that means, Regina, but I think we both can guess that it's not good. I'm scared and you know I don't like to admit anything that might be considered weakness. Please, Regina. Please come."

"The magic Harold felt in the letter…it was a memory spell. Zelena let me see the moment she took her mother's heart for the Dark Curse…except she replaced Cora with my mother. I know Mother and I don't have the best relationship," I said, sniffling, "but I also don't want anything bad to happen to her."

He wrapped his arm around me and held me close, kissing the top of my head. "You're a good person, Regina. Of course you don't want anything bad to happen to her, no matter how awful she was to you."

I accepted the tissue he passed me and dried my eyes. Picking up the letter, I read my mother's ominous words again before realizing there was only one thing I could to do. "I have to meet with Zelena."

"Regina…"

"No," I said forcefully, cutting him off. "I need to know if she plans on killing my mother. And I need to see if I can get my mother out without Zelena knowing."

He knelt next to me and turned me to face him. Robin tilted my head up and smiled. "We'll find a way to get your mother out."

My eyes widened and I fought a smile. "You'll help me?"

"Of course. Breaking in and stealing things happen to be two of my specialties, remember?" he teased me.

I wrapped my arms around him and we held each other, still kneeling on our bed with our torsos pressed together. Burying my head in the crook of his neck, I said: "Thank you."

"Any time," he said, kissing the top of my head. "We're in this together, Regina. I promise you that."

He laid us down, still holding me close. I clutched onto his shirt, breathing him in as I tried to not think about all the horrible things Zelena could do to my mother. It wouldn't help us…it wouldn't help me. My family needed me most of all and though Robin was willing to take on the entire burden if need be, it wasn't fair to them. So I would take a few moments with him, put thoughts of the letter aside and then be the best mother I could be.

Soon, though, I would rescue my mother and friends. Zelena would wish our paths had never crossed.

I would make sure of it.

A/N: Things are getting ominous. Zelena is certainly upping the stakes in order to get Regina to move faster. What will happen to poor Caroline? Will Regina save her mother? Find out soon!

-Mac