Chapter 5

Mary Margaret met her at the elevator in the morning, a serious but concerned look on her face. "Let me walk you to your office," she said.

"No," Regina replied, fire burning in her veins. Her blood had been boiling for almost twelve hours, ever since her friends started to send her links to her mother's video. Regina had tried to call her mother but Cora was conveniently not answering her phone. Which meant that Regina couldn't confront her mother until now.

And nobody – not even her best friend and assistant – was going to stop her.

"Regina, don't do this," Mary Margaret said, following her. "Let's go into your office and talk this out first."

"There's nothing to talk about with you," Regina said, still looking straight ahead. People darted out of her way, all understanding that they needed to avoid her and keep the path to her mother's office clear. "I need to talk with my mother."

Cora's assistant stood up as Regina approached. She looked white as a ghost as she held up her hands. "Let me announce you, Miss Mills," she said.

"No need," Regina replied, walking right past her. "My mother will make time to talk with me whether she likes it or not."

She opened the door and stalked into her mother's office. Cora was the picture of serenity as she sat at her desk, writing something. She didn't look up as Regina stopped at her desk, seething as Cora held up her hand. "You can schedule a meeting with my assistant and I'll talk to you then."

"No, Mother," Regina said, almost spitting out the words. "You're going to talk to me now."

"Mrs. Mills?" The assistant sounded scared and was no doubt hovering by the door, ready to throw Regina out on her mother's word.

Cora slowly looked up and waved her assistant off. "It's okay. I was expecting my daughter."

Regina heard the door click shut. Glaring at her mother, she asked: "How dare you?"

"Please sit, Regina," Cora said, motioning to the chair next to Regina. "My neck already hurts from having to look up at you."

"I think I'll stand," Regina replied, knowing her mother would either have to stand or continue looking up at her instead. She hoped it was the latter and that Cora would understand how she felt in that moment.

She then said: "You didn't answer my question."

"I wasn't aware it was a question," Cora said. "It felt more like an utterance."

"I'm not in the mood for your little games, Mother," Regina warned her, clenching her fists to keep from doing something she would regret. "Why did you make that video?"

Cora sighed, standing now. "I made it to help you."

"Help me?" Regina asked, trying not to yell though she wanted to scream from the tallest building in Mist Haven. Her mind felt like a jumble as she tried to collect her thoughts. "How did you even find out about the man at the party anyway?"

"I have my ways," her mother replied vaguely. "And so I'm doing something try to get your mystery suitor to reveal himself."

Regina frowned, wondering if Shakespeare would be tempted out by the offer of marriage. And if he was, did that mean he was the man for her after all? Was that her mother's ultimate plan? To humiliate her?

"I had it under control," Regina argued, not wanting her mother to think she was winning this argument. "I would've found him in good time."

"Well, I hurried the process along," Cora replied smugly.

Regina glared at her. "By offering my hand in marriage like I'm some fairytale princess. This is the twenty-first century, Mother. People just don't do that."

"Oh, don't be so dramatic," Cora said, waving her hand as if dismissing her.

"I'm not the one who filmed a video and put it on the internet telling everyone that my daughter is going to be married by Christmas," Regina told her. "Why Christmas?"

Cora sipped her coffee. "Gives him a deadline. We don't want your Mr. Right waiting forever to come forward. Besides, Christmas weddings are beautiful, don't you think?"

Regina did think Christmas weddings were beautiful but that was beside the point. "I don't want to get married this Christmas to a complete stranger."

"He's not a complete stranger," Cora argued. "He's the man you fell in love with."

"I don't know if I love him! I think there's the possibility but we would need to nurture it, not rush down the aisle. That's a recipe for disaster and probably make my reputation in the tabloids worse," she argued, hoping that would appeal to her mother and get her to back off this ridiculous plan.

Cora, though, shook her head. "Nonsense. Tabloids love a good wedding."

"And they love a scandalous divorce even more," Regina retorted.

"Who said anything about divorce?" her mother asked, sounding as if it was obvious Regina would just live happily ever after with Shakespeare once he showed up to marry her after only sharing one night together.

Regina shrugged. "Marrying someone I barely know seems to promise that we could end up hating each other and getting a divorce."

"Oh, nonsense," Cora said. "There will be no divorce."

"Because you think I'll be happy?"

Her mother sighed. "I wish you would give up this fantasy of what marriage is. It's so…childish."

And suddenly Regina understood.

"You don't think there will a divorce because you expect me to stay in a miserable marriage because that's what you did," Regina countered. "You expect me to just suffer in silence."

"No, I expect you to be an adult and do the mature thing," Cora said. "I want you to put aside these immature thoughts and actions. I want you to finally gain access to your inheritance and be the woman your father wanted you to be."

Regina's heart hurt at the thought of her father, the loving and affectionate man driven to an early death as he tried to cope with being married to her mother. Venom filled her as she spat out: "Don't bring him into this."

"Don't sound like I'm spitting on his memory," Cora snapped at her. "You're the one doing that."

"I still can't believe that Daddy wanted me to get married just to be married," Regina told her mother. "That doesn't make any sense."

Cora sniffed. "Your father wanted what was best for you."

"I can't see how marrying a virtual stranger is what's best for me," Regina argued, feeling her anger rise again as she thought of the essentially arranged marriage her mother was trying to force her into. Hopefully everyone realized how fucked up this was and no one rose to take the bait.

"He's not a virtual stranger," Cora argued. "You said you both felt a connection, right?"

Regina shifted from foot to foot. "I thought so. I'm not sure. Maybe I was just imagining it because I wanted it be true?"

Cora rolled her eyes. "I did not raise you to be so wishy-washy, Regina. I raised you to be confident and assertive."

"I know," Regina replied, not willing to get into an argument with her mother about that. "I'm not a mind reader, though. I can't guarantee he felt the same connection I did. Besides, actions speak louder than words. He ran off after realizing we would have to take off our masks. For whatever reason, he didn't want me to know his identity. He may not want to come forward."

Even after that wonderful kiss that haunted her dreams and confused her. Had it been a kiss to wrap up their entire interaction and allow him to move on? Or was it a promise that there could be more?

She wished she knew.

"Of course he'll want to come forward," Cora insisted. She motioned to Regina. "Who wouldn't want to be married to a successful businesswoman like you?"

That was oddly complimentary for her mother and Regina raised her eyebrow. "You're hoping the money will lure him out."

Cora shrugged. "Not entirely but I'm sure it couldn't hurt."

"I keep telling you I don't want someone who just wants me for my money," Regina told her. "You never listen to me."

"You need to stop pretending the money will never play a role in any of your future relationships," Cora told her. "It's always about money in the end.'

Regina resisted the urge to throttle her mother and switched to a different tact. "Well, what happens when you go through all of this, somehow find Shakespeare, throw this amazing Christmas wedding in three weeks and there's no bride?"

That finally caught her mother's attention and Cora frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Last I checked, we live in a country where you can't force someone into an unwanted marriage," Regina said. "What if I just don't show up and refuse to get married? What then?"

Cora studied her before asking: "Do you like your lifestyle, Regina?"

"What?" Regina asked, surprised.

"Your job? Your house? Your car?" Cora asked. "All those parties you attend or throw? All your designer clothes? And all those trips you take?"

Regina didn't like where this was going as she asked: "What does any of that have to do with this?"

"I think you'll find it has everything to do with this," Cora said, smiling like the cat who ate the canary. It sent a child down Regina's spine.

Holding her chin higher, Regina said: "I'm not in the mood for your riddles today, Mother. Just spit it out."

"How crass," Cora said, shaking her head. "Fine. I'm still the executor of your father's estate and the CEO of this company."

"I know that," Regina replied, her stomach twisting into knots.

Cora nodded. "So I could fire you."

"You wouldn't dare," Regina said, though she knew that her mother never made a threat she wasn't ready to execute.

"Wouldn't I?" Cora countered. "With you gone, there's no need to keep Mary Margaret around either as I'm sure our new COO would want their own assistant so she would have to go as well."

Regina tried not shake as her anger consumed her. "Don't use my friends as collateral damage."

Her mother continued as if she hadn't heard Regina. "And then there's the house. It's still technically mine so I could kick you and Granny out and sell it. I could also sell your horse as well."

"I own Rocinante," Regina reminded her, fire in her veins and voice. "You can't touch him."

"But I own the stables," she replied. "So you would definitely have to move him. With no job or house, how are you going to afford him?"

Regina held her chin high. "I have savings. And I'm sure I could get another job soon enough."

Cora looked smug. "Do you think so? Your only job has been at your family company. Are you sure other companies will think you had talent or was it just nepotism?"

"I'll work my way up," Regina said. "I'll prove my worth."

"But what about Mary Margaret and Granny? What are they going to do?" Cora asked. "I doubt you'll be able to hire Mary Margaret. And Granny will probably have to go to a home."

Rage filled Regina. "You would really hurt innocent people just to see me married to anybody with a penis?"

"If that's what it will take, then yes," Cora snapped. "It's time to grow up, Regina. I trust you will do the right and mature thing."

"Fine," Regina said, feeling as if her back was against the wall. But hopefully if she went along with Mother's harebrained scheme, she would have time to find a way to at least protect Mary Margaret and Granny before bailing on the wedding. "If Shakespeare shows up, I will marry him."

Smug, Cora smiled. "There. Already a fast improvement. I can't wait to see what happens once you and your mystery man are officially husband and wife."

"Neither can I," Regina replied, hoping that Shakespeare was some place he couldn't return until from after the New Year. Then she could avoid the marriage and have more time to fortify plans against her mother.

"I hired the same party planners you used for your masquerade," Cora said, moving back to her desk. "They clearly planned the event of the year so only they could top themselves."

Regina's stomach tightened at the thought of seeing Keith again. "Oh."

"They'll be here this afternoon to start discussing the wedding," her mother continued. "Four PM sharp. You will be here."

"Yes, Mother," Regina replied, knowing there was no point in fighting her. She would put up with being treated like a child as long as she could keep Mary Margaret and Granny safe for now.

But once they were safe for good, Cora would regret this behavior.

Regina would see to that.

"Is there anything else?" Cora asked her, raising an eyebrow.

"No," Regina said, gritting her teeth as she played the role of dutiful daughter. "I'll see you at four."

Her mother nodded. "Good. You may go now."

Dismissed, Regina left her mother's office. She walked the hallway toward her office, frowning when she saw several employees pressed against the windows lining the corridor. Regina stopped, tilting her head. "What's so fascinating?"

"Oh, Ms. Mills, we didn't see you there," one woman said. "We were just looking at the line of men outside."

A man nodded, grinning. "Looks like you have a good amount of suitors."

"What?" she asked, turning to the windows and looking outside. She saw a line of men on the sidewalk outside the building, all clearly there to answer her mother's video. Regina let out a soft groan. "Oh no."

"I think this is romantic," another woman said with a dreamy sigh.

Her companion nodded. "It's like something out of fairytale."

"Only because it's not your life," Regina snapped at her, causing both women to shrink back. They tried to stammer out their apologies but she was not in the mood for them. Glancing at the men ready to throw themselves at her and her family's money, disgust filled her and she walked away.

"She's acting like more of a bitch than usual," the second woman said, either not realizing that Regina was still within earshot of her or not caring. "Why propose marriage if she didn't want a line of men waiting to woo her?"

Regina paused, feeling her eyes twitch as she resisted the urge to turn around and tell that woman off. Thankfully, Mary Margaret swooped in to answer them instead. "Mrs. Mills proposed marriage without Regina's consent. How would you feel if you arrived home to a bunch of strange men and your parents telling you that you needed to marry one in three weeks? Would you consider that romantic?"

"No," the woman replied, sounding hesitant. "I guess I wouldn't."

"When you put it that way, it sounds like a nightmare," the first woman said, now sounding disgusted.

Regina couldn't agree more.

She continued to hope that Shakespeare didn't show up. And if he did, she was prepared to find a way to at least delay the wedding until she was ready without her mother destroying the lives of those she loved the most.

If it was a fight Mother wanted, it was a fight she was going to get.

And Regina was determined to win it.

Robin pulled up to the security booth by the entrance to Mills Incorporated. He rolled down his window as the guard leaned out. "Name?"

"Robin Locksley," he said. "I'm with L and N Catering. I have a four o'clock appointment with Cora Mills."

The guard picked up his clipboard and checked it, nodding. He raised the security bar and pointed to Robin's right. "Guest parking is over there. Feel free to park in any spot marked guest."

"Thank you," Robin said, driving forward. He turned to the right and quickly found a guest spot. Parking there, he took a deep breath before grabbing his bag and looking at himself in the rearview mirror. "You can do this. You can plan your own wedding even if they don't know you're the groom."

It was still weird.

At least Keith had begged off coming this time, insisting he needed to go to some clinic to get his skin treated after his allergic reaction. Robin didn't really care. The last thing he needed was his cousin trying to convince Regina Mills to marry him instead while Robin tried to plan a wedding that likely would never happen.

Or maybe he should've brought Keith after all. Perhaps he would've provided enough distraction to at least get through this part while he considered what to do next.

Leaving his van, Robin walked up to the building and slowed when he saw a line of men waiting outside the door. He frowned but continued to walk toward the door. Someone then called out: "If you're here to see Regina Mills, there's a line, buddy."

"I'm here to see Cora Mills," Robin replied. "I have an appointment with her."

Another man chuckled. "A few people on this line tried that. You'll be right back out here with us in no time. We're all waiting for our turn to prove we're Regina Mills' True Love," he said.

"Why?" Robin asked.

"Same reason you're here," the man countered. "The money."

Robin frowned, feeling a bit sick to his stomach. "That's it? You're just here for the money?"

"Oh, don't act all high and mighty," a second man said, scowling. "Why are you here then?"

"I'm the one planning the wedding," Robin replied. "Maybe you'll be the groom, maybe not. But you may want to be nice to me if you don't want to end up wearing a kilt to your wedding."

Most of the men nearest him looked horrified but one looked thoughtful. "Women seem to like that Outlander show. Maybe a kilt is the way to go," he said, rubbing his chin.

Robin just rolled his eyes. "Good luck, gentlemen. You'll need it."

He stepped into the building and a harried receptionist looked up at him, annoyance in her eyes. "Let me guess. You're the man who belongs to that stocking and you're here to reveal your identity and marry Regina Mills?"

Yes to that first part, no to the rest, Robin thought. Aloud, he said: "No, I'm the wedding planner. I'm here to see Cora Mills. I have an appointment with her at four."

"Name?" she asked, leaning over her keyboard.

"Robin Locksley," he replied. "L and N Catering. That's an ampersand."

She nodded, printing out a name tag for him and handing it to him. Pointing to an elevator bank, she said: "You're going to take that to the fourth floor. The receptionist there will help you."

"Thank you," he replied, placing the name tag on his shirt. He then looked behind him at the line of men before turning back to her. "So how many men have come to claim they are the groom-to-be?"

"I've honestly lost count," she said, sighing. "But they've all come down disappointed. So I guess none of them have been Ms. Mills' masked partner."

He nodded. "Do you think he's out there?"

She shrugged. "Probably. I mean, the Mills' family is loaded. Who wouldn't want access to all that money?"

"But what about Regina Mills?" he asked, thinking of his conversation with Milady the night before. She had spoken of all the men she had dated never wanting her for her. Glancing at the line of men again, he realized history was repeating itself for her.

Even if he wasn't sure who Regina Mills was – the aloof heiress he met while planning her party or the passionate and vulnerable woman he met at the party – he was certain she deserved better than some gold-digger.

The receptionist shrugged. "I guess that's up to her."

"I guess so," he agreed. "Well, thank you."

She nodded. "Good luck with the wedding."

"Thank you," Robin replied, walking over to the elevator bank. He pressed the call button and waited for an elevator to open. As he did, he looked around the lobby. Mills, Inc. had a brick lobby that was decorated for the season. There was a tall Christmas tree in one corner, all decorated with large colored ornaments and draped in white and silver garland. A gold start sat on top, something on it glinting in the fading sunlight from the windows that lined the top of the lobby wall over the doors. Fake presents were placed under the tree, giving it a very Christmassy feel. Evergreen garland hang around the walls and snowflakes hung from the ceiling.

Regina Mills and her mother were both very festive.

No wonder they were planning a Christmas wedding.

One elevator opened and Robin boarded it, pressing the button for the fourth floor. As it rose toward that floor, he took a deep breath. It was time to pretend that he didn't know the wedding wasn't going to happen because he was the man they were looking for.

Piece of cake.

The elevator arrived at the fourth floor and the door opened. He stepped off it and another receptionist greeted him. "Mrs. Mills' four o'clock appointment?" she asked.

"Yes," he replied. "Can you point me to her office?"

"I can take you," another woman said. He turned to find a woman about his age with brown hair cut in a familiar pixie cut. She wore a pink sweater over a brown dress and he tilted his head, trying to figure out why he felt he knew her.

The receptionist nodded. "Mary Margaret can take you. She works with Ms. Mills."

"You can follow me," Mary Margaret said. Robin nodded and fell into step with her as she led him down a hallway.

He held out his hand. "I'm Robin, by the way."

"Nice to meet you," she said, shaking his hand. "Regina's party was wonderful. You did a great job."

"Were you there?" he asked, wondering if he recognized her from the party. "It was hard to recognize everyone behind the masks."

She chuckled, nodding. "I was there. I was the Master of Ceremonies."

"Oh," he said, now recognizing her voice. "Yes. Now I see it."

"Were you there?" she asked him.

Robin panicked, wondering if she recognized him before pushing against that thought. "I was at the end but I was busy cleaning so I didn't get to see everyone without their masks."

"Oh," she said, sounding disappointed. "I was hoping that maybe you knew who Regina's mystery man is."

"I'm afraid not," he lied, feeling a bit bad. So he added: "But maybe I'll be able to help figure it out."

She looked hopeful as she nodded. "Good. Because I've never seen Regina like this before."

"Like what?" he asked, curious.

"Happy," she said. "Whoever that man was made her really happy for a few hours. And Regina hasn't had much happiness in recent years."

Robin paused at that, recalling how sad Regina had sometimes been during their time together. But he had to play it cool so he just said: "I'm sorry to hear that."

Mary Margaret nodded. "I hope he comes but I also hope he doesn't want to go through with the marriage."

"I did see the video and got the feeling Mrs. Mills did that without Regina's permission," Robin said, treading carefully. "Is she onboard?"

"For now," Mary Margaret replied, sounding annoyed. "I guess it depends on if her masked suitor shows up and how he is with the mask off."

"And with all that money on the table?" Robin asked.

She nodded, looking impressed. "You understand."

"I do," he replied. "I saw the line of men waiting to sweep Regina Mills off her feet and take her money in the process."

"And you're okay with planning this wedding?" she asked him.

He sighed, lowering his voice. "Honestly, no. But a job is a job. We're trying to expand our clientele into those who run in the same circles as the Mills family and my cousin insisted we couldn't pass up this opportunity. He's one-half of the company too and I really couldn't reason with him."

Mary Margaret smiled. "Oh, you really get it then. Word of warning, Mrs. Mills is even pushier than your cousin. You're probably in for quite the fight with her."

"Well, I'm here to please whoever pays the bills," he said, sighing. "I feel the most sympathy for Regina. Er, Ms. Mills."

"Did she make you call her that when you were planning her party?" Mary Margaret asked, sounding surprised.

He paused before shaking his head. "No. She seemed okay with us calling her Regina. I never really dealt with her directly. You and I probably communicated more than she and I did."

Mary Margaret raised an eyebrow. "You and I never communicated. She handled everything directly."

"Oh," he said, feeling foolish. "I guess I just assumed…"

"That because she's a very busy COO, she just had her assistant handle all her communication?" Mary Margaret suggested, smiling. "That's not who Regina is."

He nodded, still feeling foolish. "I'm starting to realize that."

They arrived at a door and Mary Margaret stopped. She motioned to it. "This is where I leave you. Good luck."

"Thank you," he said. "I hope I talk to you soon."

"Same," she replied, walking away from him. He took a deep breath and opened the door, entering the office.

It was a rather spartan office with only a desk and a few chairs, all done in black and red. There was very little decoration in the room and almost no pictures, though several accommodations and certificates hung on the wall. All bore the same name – Cora Mills. He guessed his new client did not like clutter in her space though it also made him worry about her sentimentality. There wasn't a single picture of her daughter in the office – what did that mean for how she would plan Regina's wedding?

He then realized he wasn't alone in the office as he spotted Regina Mills standing at the window. She looked out with her arms crossed, no doubt watching the line of suitors still outside the building. The glow of the setting sun hid her facial expression from him but he was certain she was not pleased.

Robin didn't blame her.

She hadn't yet realized he was there so he took a moment to study her. Regina looked just as beautiful in her business clothes as she had in her ballgown at the party. This time, she wore a dark red shirt with sheer sleeves that had little pearl buttons, though he wasn't sure if they were functional or merely decorative. She had paired it with either a dark gray or black pencil skirt that showed off a rather perfect ass that had been hidden by her gown. The tall high heels she wore accentuated said ass as well as her legs. For a few moments, Robin allowed himself to ogle her.

Damn, she was even more beautiful than he remembered.

Regina started to turn and he looked away, hoping she wouldn't realize he had been looking at her. From the corner of his eye, he saw her walk toward him and so he turned his focus back to her. Away from the window, he could see that that her dark hair was pinned up into a bun, letting him see the pearl earrings and necklace she wore to complement her outfit. Her brown eyes were fixed on him and he wondered if maybe she still recognized him even without the mask.

He hoped she did.

"Can I help you?" she asked him.

"Yes," he replied, falling into those beautiful brown eyes again. "I believe you can."

She tilted her head, pursing her lips. "Well?"

"Oh," he said, shaking himself from his stupor. "Sorry, sorry. I have an appointment with Mrs. Mills. I'm planning the wedding."

"I thought she booked the people who planned my masquerade?" Regina asked, looking confused.

Annoyance flared through him as he realized she didn't recognize him even though they had just seen each other the day before at her house. He tried not to scowl as he said: "Yes, my cousin and I planned that party for you."

"Oh, right," she said, looking a bit sheepish. "You're Keith's cousin. What's your name again?"

"Robin," he replied, certain he had given her his name several times over. "Robin Locksley."

She nodded, holding out her hand. "You think you're up for this?"

"Are you?" he asked, shaking her hand as he watched her expression. "I saw the video and I get the feeling you're not completely on board."

"I have my reservations," she replied carefully. "But I'm willing to see where this goes."

He nodded, not entirely sure what that meant. "Alright. Do you think the groom will show up?"

She shrugged. "Maybe. He could be out there right now, just waiting for me."

"Maybe," Robin agreed. "How will you know it's him?"

"Trust me, I'll know," she told him. "I'll recognize him."

Robin bit the inside of his cheek. "Really? Because my experience is that you barely remember anyone."

"Pardon?" she asked, frowning now.

"And how do you know he'll want to marry you?" Robin asked, barreling forward even though his mind was telling him to stop. "Maybe he doesn't want anything to do with you."

Her frown turned into a scowl. "You weren't there. You don't know the connection we had."

Oh, you are very wrong about that, he thought. I just don't know if that connection was genuine or just a pleasant dream induced by alcohol and a good party.

"Do you really want to be with someone who might just be with you because of the money?" he asked her, knowing the answer from their time at the party as well as his conversation with Mary Margaret. But he wanted to hear it from her again.

Needed to hear it.

She tensed up as her eyes narrow. "Why are you asking all these questions?"

"I'm just trying to get to know you and your groom-to-be," he said. "It's all to help plan your perfect wedding."

"Trust me, Mr. Locksley, this will be far from my perfect wedding," she said, spitting out every word as tears shimmered in her eyes. "Is that what you wanted to hear?"

Robin felt as if he had been punched in the gut. Everything had been clear that Regina was against this wedding and he went to rub salt in the wound. Feeling like an absolute cad, he sighed. "No, it wasn't."

"Really? You could've fooled me," she snapped, walking away. He figured she wanted to collect herself and gave her space.

She leaned against her mother's desk. "Maybe we should ask someone else to plan this wedding."

It felt as if someone had splashed cold water on Robin as he remembered he was there in a professional capacity. Though he was tempted to agree with Regina, he knew Keith would be furious and would find some way to get revenge. Besides, he found he did not want to leave Regina just yet. He still wasn't too sure who she was.

"No, that won't be necessary," he said. "I apologize. I forgot myself."

"You did," she agreed. "I hope that won't be an issue going forward. Or will Keith really be the lead?"

He bristled at the mention of his cousin but knew he had to be diplomatic. The last thing he needed was to ruffle Keith's feathers after basically insulting their client. "We both serve as the leads and work together," he replied.

"I see," she said, studying him. "Well, I look forward to hearing your ideas for the wedding. Keith and you planned a wonderful masquerade for me."

"I'm glad you enjoyed our work," Robin said, internally seething that she kept giving Keith so much of the credit he alone deserved.

It's your own fault, his mind told him. You let him take that credit rather than stand up for yourself.

He batted that voice away.

Regina nodded as the woman from the video entered the room. Cora Mills wore a black pantsuit with a red shirt, almost very similar to what she was wearing in the video. She looked at Robin and tilted her head. "Are you here to prove that you are my daughter's mystery date?"

"No, Mother," Regina said. "This is Robin. He's one of the party planners."

"Oh," Cora replied. "You normally don't see male party planners."

He nodded, having heard that before. "We exist, I assure you."

She looked him over. "Clearly. Well, let's get everything started."

"You can have a seat," Regina said, motioning to a nearby chair. She sat down in one at the side of her mother's desk, looking like a child playing pretend while her mother worked. Robin wondered if that was symbolic of their relationship.

He guessed he was about to find out.

Once they were all seated, Cora studied Robin. "So, what were you and my daughter talking about?"

"Just questions about her and her intended," he answered somewhat truthfully. "I would like to get a feeling for the couple so I can plan their perfect wedding."

Cora nodded. "Well, I'm sure you know that we do not know who the groom is just yet."

"I do," he replied. "I saw the video and passed the line of wannabe suitors."

"Yes, we're sorting that," she said. "I hope that won't be a problem?"

He shook his head. "I'm sure we can plan a few things and get the groom's opinion later."

"Well, it's a Christmas wedding," Cora said. "I'm sure he'll accept whatever decisions we make."

Regina frowned but said nothing, keeping her eyes down. Taking a deep breath, Robin said: "Well, let's get started. So Christmas Eve doesn't give us much time. We may not be able to get a venue on such short notice."

"Price is not an issue," Cora replied. "And I have a lot of connections. I'm sure we can find something."

"Well, Regina, where do you want to get married?" Robin asked, already getting the sense that Cora was going to steamroll over her daughter and hoping he could find a way to keep at least some of her wants.

Regina looked up, her eyes wide as she met his gaze. She blinked and a more neutral expression slipped into place. "I haven't really thought about it. I suppose wherever you can find will do."

That seemed to be the expected answer as Cora looked pleased, no doubt knowing her daughter would defer to her. But Robin recalled earlier email exchanges with Regina and he knew where she would truly like to get married based on them. He just had to figure out how best to put it so her mother would agree to it as he figured she would prefer the most expensive and grandest venue in all of California.

"I was thinking we could have the wedding at your house, Regina," Robin suggested, watching as her lips twitched. She tried not to smile but he could tell she was pleased by the suggestion.

Cora, though, was not. She scowled. "I told you money was no object, Mr. Locksley."

"This is not about price or trying to save money," he assured her, hoping his argument would convince her. "Think about how romantic it would be for Regina and her mystery groom to marry at the same place where they met, maybe even in the very spot. It would probably be the lead in every article written about the wedding."

"That's a very good point," Cora said, leaning back as she thought over his suggestion. "And we do have a lot of property out in Mist Haven. We can easily fit a few hundred guests."

Robin nodded, though he doubted that many people would want to attend a wedding that day before Christmas. But he would let Cora have her fantasy, especially as he was pretty certain the wedding wouldn't happen. "We would also have better control over decorations."

"Another good point," she agreed. She leaned forward. "The wedding will be at Mist Haven."

"Good," Robin said, writing that down. "So the theme is Christmas, but that's a bit broad. Do we want to narrow it down?"

Cora frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Well, there are lot of ideas that we can do for Christmas," he said. "Do we want to focus on a more Winter Wonderland theme…?"

"We live in Southern California," she replied in a deadpan. "A Winter Wonderland seems a little ridiculous, don't you think?"

He nodded, crossing that off his list. "Understandable. So I assume a North Pole theme is out of the question as well?"

"Please tell me that was a joke," Cora said, leveling him with a look that made him feel as if he had just shrunk to three inches tall.

No wonder Regina was staying quiet.

"Of course," he replied. "Just a little humor."

He then cleared his throat. "We can always narrow down the theme later. I can do some research on other Christmas…"

"Traditional."

Robin paused, frowning. For a moment, he had thought he had imagined hearing something from Regina because she had spoken so softly. He looked over at her as she lifted her head, clearing her throat. "I want a traditional Christmas theme," she said.

"Traditional…Christmas?" Cora asked, raising her eyebrows. "Do you mean like that monstrosity downstairs?"

"What monstrosity?" he asked, confused.

She turned toward him. "Didn't you see the lobby when you walked in? How my daughter had it decorated?"

"Yes," Robin said, feeling even more confused. "I thought it looked lovely."

Cora sighed. "I think you're right. We should put a pin on the theme for now. Maybe the groom will have some thoughts about it."

"Right," he replied, feeling bad for Regina. He almost outed himself as the groom just so he could agree with having a traditional Christmas theme. But he just wrote it down, ready to plan around that theme for the bride.

"I think this is a good start," Cora said, standing. "Thank you for coming, Mr. Locksley."

He stood as well, a bit surprised by the abrupt end to their meeting. But he figured Cora Mills was someone who expected everyone to abide by her schedule and just operated as if everyone was just grateful to have some part of her time. Robin held out his hand. "Thank you for asking us to plan this wedding. I promise it will be a wedding to remember," he said.

Though not in the way you're hoping.

"Good," Cora replied. She turned to Regina. "You should meet with Mr. Locksley tomorrow to show him the grounds again so he can get a good feel for setting up the wedding."

"Yes, Mother," Regina replied. She looked up, her eyes now meeting his. "What time works for you?"

His stomach flipped as he recalled looking into those eyes while dancing. Robin saw the same sadness now that he saw then and remembered what she had said about her mother. After spending this meeting with Cora Mills, he understood Regina even better. Maybe he would tell her the truth tomorrow and they could figure out their next steps from there.

"I can work around your schedule," he assured her. "What is good for you?"

Regina glanced over at her mother before saying: "Perhaps the same time? If you don't mind coming out so close to the end of the day?"

"The end of the day?" Cora asked, shaking her head. She motioned to the window and he saw that it was already dark out. "He won't have enough time to see everything. I guess you can take a half day and meet him around noon. How does that work, Mr. Locksley?"

"Um, if it's okay with Miss Mills, then it works for me," he said, glancing at Regina.

She nodded. "It works for me."

"Good," Cora said. "Will your partner be coming as well?"

"I'm not sure," Robin replied honestly. He never knew when Keith would agree to come along with him. After all, he had expected Keith to join him for this meeting but at the last minute, his cousin insisted something very important had come up. There was no guarantee that wouldn't happen again.

But to Cora, he said: "Our line of work involves a lot of meetings. I need to check our schedules but he may need to meet with a caterer or musician while I figure out the logistics at the house, especially given the short amount of time we have to plan it."

She nodded. "I'm glad to hear that you two are giving this your complete attention then."

"We are," he replied, knowing that he was likely the only one giving his complete attention to the wedding. "We promise you the best and we deliver."

"You better," Cora told him before motioning to the door. "Regina, please show Mr. Locksley out."

Regina nodded before walking past him. "Please follow me," she said.

He thanked Cora Mills before following Regina out from the office. Most of the staff had now gone home for the evening, so they were alone as she led him down the hallway to the elevators.

She said nothing until they got to the elevator bank, pressing the call button and waiting for one to come. Regina turned to him. "When you get to the lobby, Security will let you out, Robin."

"Oh," he replied. "Thank you."

"I will see you tomorrow at noon," Regina said. "You remember the code to my gate?"

He nodded. "Yes, Regina. It wasn't that long ago."

"Good," she said. "Have a good night."

She didn't wait for him to say anything else or to get on the elevator. Instead, she turned on her heels and walked away from him. Regina disappeared into a nearby office, closing the door behind her so he could no longer see her.

It seemed they were done.

The elevator opened and Robin stepped onto it, pressing the button for the lobby. As the doors closed, he took a deep breath and tried to process everything that had just happened. Regina had bounced between confident and powerful to insecure and powerless to cold and aloof. He still couldn't get a good reading on who she really was, especially as he couldn't even begin to reconcile her with Milady.

Who was Regina Mills?

Robin knew he had to figure it out before he told her the truth. He would continue with this sham of wedding and hoped that by the time Christmas Eve rolled around, he would know whether to tell her who he truly was or take that secret with him to the grave.

"Thanks, Mal, I appreciate you taking such a late call," Regina said, almost slumping at her desk in her home office.

"I knew if you were calling this late it had to be an emergency," Mal replied. "And honestly, I was expecting it after I saw the video your mother put out. You should've called me first."

Regina sighed. "Probably. But I just wasn't thinking clearly."

"Understandable," Mal said. "Your mother had just offered you up like a contest prize. Anyone would be pissed."

"Pissed didn't even begin to describe it," Regina replied. She then sighed. "But I'm caught and you need to help me. Please."

Mal's tone changed and she went from friend to lawyer in the blink of Regina's eyes. "Of course. I'll look into all our options. I'm sure we'll find some way to stop your mother without having to destroy anyone's lives in the process."

"Or at least contain the damage to mine own," Regina said, knowing she would be fine as long as Mary Margaret and Granny weren't affected. "I can manage."

"I know but I would rather find a way to make sure you don't have to upend your life," Mal told her. "And I'll get started on a prenup."

Regina frowned. "Why?"

"Insurance," Mal said. "It may scare some of the people trying to go after your money, especially if Marlowe shows up and manages to convince everyone that he is really Shakespeare."

"You think that is possible?" Regina asked, certain she wouldn't be fooled by some fake. No one would be able to know what had transpired between her and Shakespeare at the party. There would be ways to determine who the real Shakespeare was.

Mal sighed. "It's possible. Especially if the real Shakespeare doesn't show up by Christmas Eve. Your mother seems desperate to marry you off. I fear she may try to force someone who seems close enough."

"I hate to admit you're right about that," Regina said, sighing herself. "But you're probably right."

"So let's stock our arsenal with as much ammunition as possible," Mal told her.

Regina nodded. "Mother may not be happy about it."

"I doubt that. Your mother may be desperate to marry you off but is not going to trust a stranger with her fortune. She may be having her own prenup drawn as well," Mal said. "But even if she isn't, I am ultimately your lawyer. I only answer to you and my main job is to protect you."

"Thanks, Mal. You're the best," Regina told her. "I'll let you go since it's getting late."

Mal wished her a good night before saying: "And Regina? Don't worry. Everything will work out in the end. I just know it."

They ended the call before Regina let her phone fall to the desk. She groaned as she covered her face with her hands, wondering when her life had become a real-life soap opera. I wish you were here, Daddy, she thought. You would know what to do or say to make it all go away.

Knocking interrupted her musing and she lowered her hands, smiling when she saw Granny in the doorway in her bathrobe. The older woman held a saucer with a teacup balanced on it as she approached Regina's desk. "I brought you some tea before you went to bed," she said.

"Thank you, Granny," Regina said, taking it from her. "Though I feel like I need something a bit stronger than tea right now."

Granny nodded. "That's why I put a couple shots of whiskey in there for you."

"Bless you," Regina replied, relief spreading through her. She took a sip of the tea and felt the warmth of the alcohol already soothing her as she swallowed. "This is amazing, thank you."

"You're welcome," Granny replied, sitting down in front of Regina's desk. "Was Mal able to help you get out of this mess your mother created?"

Regina sighed, setting her tea down. "Not right away but she's going to look into my options. I won't let her hurt you or Mary Margaret, I promise."

Granny reached out and covered her hand. "I'll be fine, I promise you. I don't want you trapped in marriage or forever beholden to your mother on my behalf. All I want for you is to be happy."

A lump formed in Regina's throat as she said: "Thank you."

"Don't thank me. Promise me you won't go through with this marriage nonsense," Granny said, a hardness in her voice and eyes.

"I promise," Regina said. "I have no intention of marrying anyone on Christmas Eve, even if Shakespeare does show up. I won't give my mother the satisfaction. But for now, I figure there's no harm in playing her game until I can figure out my counterattack."

Granny nodded. "Good."

"So speaking of playing the game, the party planners will be back tomorrow to continue planning the wedding," Regina said, making sure Granny was aware people would be on the property the next day.

"Who is planning the wedding?" Granny asked.

Regina realized she hadn't told Granny about that development and answered: "The same people who planned my party. Mother figured only they could top themselves."

Granny hummed before asking: "So will Keith be here?"

"Not sure," Regina replied. "Only his cousin showed up and Robin thinks it will just be him tomorrow."

"Good. I like that one," Granny said. "He's a gentleman."

Regina almost snorted into her tea. She set it down as she said: "He wasn't much of a gentleman today."

Granny's eyebrow went up. "Really? I'm surprised. He's always been so polite to everyone he's come across."

"Well, he was a little snappish from the moment he stepped into the office," she said. "But especially talking about the wedding. When I said that I would recognize Shakespeare, he said that I generally don't recognize people at all."

"He said that?" Granny asked, even more surprised. "I wonder why?"

Regina swallowed before admitting: "Well, I didn't recognize him as my party planner."

"How did you not recognize him?" Granny asked. "He was here almost every day leading up to the party getting ready!"

"I was busy!" Regina protested. "I never really looked at him."

Granny sighed, shaking her head. "Oh, Regina. No wonder he wasn't so kind to you. You weren't very kind to him."

"He was just the party planner!" Regina snapped before feeling a chill sweep through her. She pressed her hand to her mouth. "Fuck, I just sounded like my mother there, didn't I?"

"You did," Granny replied, frowning.

Regina moaned, rubbing her face. "Shit."

"At least you realize it," Granny said. "That means you can change your behavior and possibly fix things with Robin."

"I hope so," Regina replied. "He was actually really sweet in the meeting and convinced Mother to have the wedding here rather than at whatever venue she wanted instead."

Granny's eyebrows went up. "He did?"

Nodding, Regina grew giddy as she remembered that part of the conversation. "He was excellent at convincing Mother it was the best idea and that it would be a great hook for all the articles written about the wedding."

"Brilliant," Granny said.

"It was," Regina agreed, remembering how impressed she had been with how he had handled her mother. She also recalled him writing down the fact that she had wanted a traditional Christmas theme for the wedding that she had to remind herself was never going to happen.

She then recalled how she parted from Robin at the end. Regina had felt humiliated after sitting there, saying almost nothing and letting her mother steamroll over her. Once again, she had felt like a child rather than the accomplished professional she truly was. Upset at herself, she had been short with Robin and hadn't said much to him.

"He must think I'm a real jerk," she said, shaking her head. "He probably regrets agreeing to plan this wedding."

"Maybe, but I think you can fix it," Granny told her. "You need to swallow that pride you got from your mother and be your father's daughter. You need to apologize."

Regina nodded, knowing Granny was right. "I know. I will. Tomorrow."

"Good." Granny stood with a little groan, rubbing her knees. "I'm going to turn in for the night. See you in the morning, Regina."

"Goodnight, Granny," Regina said, sipping her cooling tea. "And thank you."

The older woman crossed to the door before pausing. Granny then looked back at Regina. "Maybe this will be a good time for you to follow the advice I gave you the other night, about the people you tend to overlook? Robin is clearly one of them and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised when you give him a chance."

Regina nodded, knowing that Granny was usually right. "I will keep that in mind. Thank you, Granny."

"You're welcome," she replied before slipping out of the room.

Leaning back in her chair, Regina sighed. She decided to take Granny's advice and get to know Robin. He likely wouldn't end up being like Shakespeare but it could lead to at least a professional relationship that could benefit them both. Or maybe just a friendship. Anything was possible, she realized.

"Wish me luck, Daddy," she whispered, holding onto the locket she wore with some of his ashes inside it. She kept him closer to her heart and felt like she always had him with her. Regina hoped he would help her as she worked to repair her relationship with Robin. After all, he was likely to be her best ally against her mother.

At least until either the wedding didn't happen or Shakespeare showed up, whichever happened first.

A/N: Uh oh. Doesn't look like Robin and Regina had a good second meeting. Will she be able to make up for being so rude? Will Robin decide to reveal his true identity to her?

Or will someone get in their way?

Find out next time!

-Mac