Chapter 11

"So I guess Regina is going through with this, huh?" John asked, sitting in the van with Robin outside Mist Haven as they watched workers set up for Keith and Regina's Christmas Eve wedding in a few hours.

"Yes," Robin replied, not sure if he was angry or disappointed. "I guess she choose the money."

John reached out and squeezed his shoulder. "I'm sorry, man."

Robin sighed. "Thanks."

"Do you want to go?" John asked. "Will and I can handle this and make up some excuse for you."

While John's offer was tempting, Robin just shook his head. "I'm going to see this through to the end. Maybe she'll change her mind, right? Or maybe Keith will. And if they don't, at least I'll have that closure."

John nodded. "Right."

"Okay," Robin said, taking a deep breath. He held it for a count of ten before slowly letting it out. "Then let's do this."

They both opened their doors and stepped out. Will greeted them with a solemn look, squeezing Robin's shoulder. "You good?"

"I am," Robin said. He paused before saying: "Or I will be."

Will nodded. "Alright. Well, the chairs are all set up and the arch is in place. The trees are all decorated as well. Everything seems to be in order for the ceremony."

"Good," Robin replied, pleased with that. "When are the musicians due to arrive?"

"They're here and already set up. They should begin warming up soon so they are ready for when the guests arrive," Will said.

Robin nodded. "And the food?"

"Caterer just texted that they are about five minutes out," John said. "Everything seems to running on schedule – maybe even ahead of it."

"Good," Robin replied, pleased with all the vendors. "Then I guess I'll go check on the groom."

John frowned. "You sure you want to do that? Will or I could check on Keith for you. We have Mulan here today so she's handling everything with the bride so you don't have to deal with Regina either. You can just stay in the background running things and never have to talk to them."

It was a tempting offer. And maybe a few weeks ago, Robin would've taken it. Now, though, he was done being a passive player in his own life. He was going to take the initiative and start using his voice.

He had already lost too much because he hadn't used it before.

"No, I'll be able to check on my cousin," he said. "I want to talk to him before the wedding."

"Alright," Will said, sharing a look with John. "Let's just get your microphone on you, though. Just in case you need backup."

Robin nodded, knowing that was a good call. He doubted Keith would cause much trouble that day but he didn't want to risk it. It would be reassuring to know that John and Will would be able to come help him if needed.

Once his mic was on, Robin took a deep breath. "Here I go. Wish me luck," he said.

"Good luck, mate," John replied, squeezing his shoulder. "Maybe you'll get through to Keith and he'll learn what a conscience is."

"Yeah, and maybe pigs will fly," Will said, snorting. John shot him a look but Will didn't appear phased. "Keith has no conscience. But Robin will at least be able to walk out of today with a clear one."

Robin nodded, knowing that was true. "I will. After that, all of us will have to deal with the consequences of our own decisions."

He then took a deep breath. "Okay, where have we put my cousin?"

"He's in a bedroom on the second floor and in the east part of the house," Will said. "Go up the staircase and hang a left. Then go to the end of the hallway. You'll find him there."

"Thanks," Robin said, heading into the house. It was strangely quiet for a place where people were getting ready for a wedding but it was a mansion after all. He would probably find more activity once he got to the areas where the preparations were taking place.

Climbing to the second floor, he turned left and walked down the hallway. He felt the vibrations from music before he heard the bass line, wondering how loud his cousin and his groomsmen had the stereo. Robin took a deep breath before opening the door, wincing as the sound assaulted his eardrums. He quickly stepped into the room and looked around for his cousin, finding Keith in a white T-shirt and his black tuxedo pants as he sipped a beer with his old frat brothers.

Robin walked right over to the stereo and turned off the music, causing the groomsmen to groan. Keith sat up in his chair, looking annoyed. "What the hell did you do that for, Robin?" he asked.

"We need to talk," Robin said, looking right at his cousin. "Alone."

"Fine," Keith replied, turning to his friends. "Why don't you all finish getting ready? I'll join you once my cousin is done."

The groomsmen stood and each gave him a hug disguised as a chest bump before they filed from the room. Once the door closed behind the last, Keith set down his beer and crossed his arms. "I'm guessing this is where you try to convince me not to marry Regina?" he asked.

"Yes," Robin said. "I like to believe you're a good man, Keith. Now's your chance to prove it."

"But I am proving it," Keith insisted. "Remember the reason I'm marrying Regina? To make sure she doesn't lose everything because of her father's will?"

Robin nodded, wondering if Keith was really committed to the lie or if he really believed that story. "So if you're just doing this to help her keep her inheritance, you would be okay with walking away if she decides to divorce you after she gets it?" he asked his cousin.

Keith chuckled before smirking. "Trust me, cuz, she is not going to want to divorce me after our wedding night."

"It takes more to make a good marriage than be good in bed," Robin told him. "But even if it did, what if you don't please each other in that capacity?"

"Please," Keith scoffed. "I have never gotten any complaints from any of my previous bedmates. And I have a feeling Regina's freakier than she lets on but even if she's as plain in bed as she is in person, all I need to do is think of all that money."

He started to thrust his pelvis forward as he closed his eyes, moaning. "Yes, one million dollars. Ooh, two million. Five million…six…ten…OH YES, TWENTY MILLION!"

"ENOUGH!" Robin shouted, disgusted by his cousin's display. Though his feelings toward Regina were complicated at the moment, she didn't deserve to be reduced to just her money by the man who was going to be her husband. She still deserved to be loved and cherished.

"What's the matter, cuz?" Keith asked, almost sneering. "Did I hit a sore spot?"

Robin felt his jaw lock as he tried not to grind his teeth. "Yes, I tend to get sore when I hear anyone be disrespected."

Keith rolled his eyes. "Oh, don't pretend you are so noble. You're pissed because you know I will be the one fucking Regina instead of you."

"I'm angry because you're being a selfish prat again," Robin said. "All you care about is you."

"Yes, I do," Keith said proudly. "Most people do. You're the only fool who always puts yourself last. How's that working out for you, cuz?"

When Robin didn't answer, Keith nodded with a smirk. "Yeah, that's what I thought. I also suspect that you already know that Regina figured out that you're really Shakespeare but she's still chosen to marry me. That's why you're here trying to guilt me into calling off the wedding. Well, it's not going to happen."

He walked away, heading toward the double doors leading to the balcony off the room. "She's chosen to marry me and this will all be mine, along with her money and a rather cushy job at Mills, Inc. I am going to be set for life while you're always going to be grinding away to earn even half the money I'll have. And I imagine it will be harder since you're going to have to start from scratch somewhere else."

"What?" Robin asked, confused by his cousin's statement. "Why would I have to start over somewhere else?"

"Well, I imagine that Dad is going to want to downsize now that he's retiring and will want to sell the house. I think I'll finally be able to convince Regina to move as well and we can take Dad in," Keith said. "I doubt you'll want to see me living the life you should've had every day. And it'll be easier for you to just move away, start over. You built an amazing company here. I'm sure you can do anywhere."

That still struck him as odd and Robin crossed his arms. While he believed that his uncle could one day want to sell his mansion to downsize, he would then move into his own place rather than continuing to live with his uncle. Nor would he ever want his cousin to be his landlord as he knew Keith would use that against him somehow. So even if Uncle Richard moved in with Keith and Regina – likely here in Mist Haven as he knew not even Keith would be able to convince her to leave – Robin wouldn't be there. There was no reason for Keith to believe he would move away and start over again somewhere else.

Except for one.

"You're afraid Regina is going to leave you for me," Robin said, a strange feeling soaring through him. "She may be marrying you today but you know I have her heart. And that is more powerful than any piece of paper."

"Nonsense," Keith replied, though his gaze now seemed fixed on a spot on the floor. "And even if she is still hung up on Shakespeare, that will all change after our honeymoon. I can guarantee that."

Robin, though, wasn't convinced. He suddenly saw his conversation with Regina in a new light and wondered if he had been too hard on her. While he had seen the money as a tool to keep her a prisoner, maybe she saw it as her one chance for freedom. That after she got her inheritance there would be nothing left for her mother to hold over her and so she could do whatever she wanted – like divorce the husband she was forced to marry and pursue her heart's true desire.

Which hopefully would still be Robin.

"I don't think you're sure about that," Robin replied, growing more confident. "I think deep down you fear that's just using you for the money because that's what you're doing with her. And of the two of you, you have more to lose. So you want to remove any temptation she might have by sending me far, far away. But it's not going to work."

"Why?" Keith asked, sneering. "Do you think love will win in the end? If so, I don't know if it's naivete or stupidity but at this point, I'm inclined to think you are just that stupid."

His words unnerved Robin, who didn't know his cousin held such a cynical view. "It's not stupid or naïve to believe in love. Love is probably the strongest force on this planet."

Keith chuckled. "And you think it's going to bring Regina back to you? Get a clue, Robin. She picked me. She doesn't want you. No one wants you but you just keep lingering around. It's pathetic."

"What?" Robin asked, feeling his stomach knot. He told himself that Keith was just spewing bullshit but it was still striking a nerve. Maybe John was right that he had lingering issues stemming from his parents' death.

Or maybe Keith was right and he just didn't belong anywhere.

"No one wants you around," Keith repeated. "Everyone just puts up with you. Dad only took you in because you are his sister's son and is too nice to kick you out. You have to pay John and Will to hang out with you. I only work with you because you do all the work and I can just sit back and reap the rewards. But once I marry Regina, my job will be just to be her husband and make her look good – I'll do even less work for more money. And I don't have to spend so much time with you. That's a big win in my book."

Even though he long suspected his cousin only tolerated him so he didn't have to get a real job, his words still felt like a punch in the gut to Robin. Guilt and doubt also swirled in him as he tried to convince himself that Keith wasn't right – that Uncle Richard loved him and wanted him around, that John and Will were his friends before they were his employees and would still be his friends even if they stopped working for him, that what he had been sharing with Regina this past few weeks was more special than anything he had experienced before. He tried to convince himself that people did at least like him and didn't just tolerate him like Keith said.

Keith continued to smirk, looking more confident now as he stepped closer to Robin. "For fuck's sake, Robin, your own parents didn't want to be with you. Why else would they have driven into that tree?" he said.

Something snapped. Anger consumed the guilt and doubt. If there was Robin knew in his very soul, it was that his parents loved him. Keith had clearly forgotten that Robin had been in the car as well. And that his parents hadn't been driving – they had been in a taxi. That Robin had been the only survivor because his parents had thrown themselves on top of him to keep him safe. In the end, they sacrificed themselves to save him – the ultimate act of love, something Keith clearly would never understand.

Robin balled his fist, ready to slam it in his cousin's face – wedding be damned. But a large figure jumped between them just before Keith ended up on the floor, staring up at the person with fear in his eyes. The color drained from his face and he started to shake, surprising Robin. Keith clearly feared whoever the person was – but why?

"ENOUGH!" the man roared. He then glanced over his shoulder, frowning. "Lower your fist, Robin."

"Yes, sir," Robin said, blinking as he realized the man was his Uncle Richard. Anger though almost made him unrecognizable as fire burned in his eyes and he appeared to stand taller as well as straighter. He was not a man anyone would want to cross.

Keith got to his feet, scowling. "You pushed me to the ground!"

Uncle Richard nodded. "And you should be grateful I did that instead of letting your cousin pound your face in."

"Robin's overreacting," Keith said. "He's just jealous."

"I heard you, Keith," Uncle Richard said, tapping his left ear. Robin realized he was wearing one of the earpieces they used to communicate with the staff during events. All the microphones were live but he thought only John and Will were listening in.

Uncle Richard took a step closer to Keith. "I heard everything but I especially heard the disgusting bullshit you told your cousin. That was lower than low. I can't believe you would be so cruel. That you are so cruel."

"You heard what he was saying to me," Keith argued, pointing to Robin. "I was provoked."

"You were not provoked," Uncle Richard replied. "You just didn't like what Robin was saying."

Keith threw up his hands. "Of course. You always take his side. I'm always wrong and he's always right."

Uncle Richard shook his head. "I didn't like anything I heard. Both of you are wrong in different ways but you're the only one who went too far. So don't pretend you are some victim," he said.

"Now," he said, looking between Robin and Keith. "I want the truth. Which one of you is the man that Regina Mills met at the party?"

"I am," Robin replied, stepping forward. "Keith was home with an allergic reaction."

Keith pointed at Robin. "But he stole my invitation. Regina gave it to me and only me. I told Robin not to go and that he would regret but he went anyway. He wore my suit and used my invitation, so it should've been me anyway."

"That's not how it works," Robin said. "Regina was attracted to me – to my personality. Not because of my suit or because we picked each other's stockings. It was because of who I am. And this entire time, you had to pretend to be me and even then you still couldn't secure her affection."

"Please, she likes you because you're practically a woman," Keith shot back. "You're just a girlfriend to her, not someone she would ever want to fuck. Not like you could. I doubt you even know where to stick your dick, let alone please a woman."

His blood boiling again and tired of his cousin's insults, Robin lunged for him. Uncle Richard blocked him, pushing him back before turning back to Keith. "So did you lie about being the man at the party to get back at your cousin?"

"I didn't lie," Keith said. "Not completely. Cora knew the truth. And she agreed that I was a much better choice for her daughter."

"So the whole story about Regina's inheritance was a lie as well?" Robin asked, seething now.

Keith's eyes grew wide as he shook his head. "No, that's real! Cora told me that herself. It's the reason why she set this whole thing up."

Robin hesitated, believing that Keith was being earnest about that. He didn't trust Cora Mills though and now considered that perhaps his cousin was also a victim of hers as well. It didn't absolve him of his role in this debacle but it at least assured him that his cousin wasn't a complete villain.

"But you were already scheming to marry Regina before that, weren't you?" Uncle Richard asked. "Why?"

"It was for the money," Robin said, certain of that fact. He recalled their conversations from before the whole debacle began and the fire continued to course through his veins. "He had been talking about marrying Regina even before the party and the reasons he gave was because she was rich and beautiful. Actually, he called her fine and sexy. Not even beautiful."

Keith rolled his eyes. "When you say it like that, you make me sound like a monster."

"Then what would you call yourself?" Uncle Richard asked, crossing his arms now.

"Smart," he replied, smirking. "I'm proving myself to be a much better businessman than either of you."

Uncle Richard frowned while Robin rolled his eyes, knowing that this was ultimately just another one of his cousin's get rich quick schemes. But Uncle Richard didn't seem to get that just yet. "What do you mean?"

"You've worked your whole life, right? From morning until night. You're exhausted and haven't really gotten a chance to enjoy your money," Keith said. "But I've found a way to get all that money without having to work crazy hours. I just have to be Regina's husband and I have access to everything I want. I can enjoy it."

"But it's not a very secure source of income," Uncle Richard said.

Keith scoffed. "Nothing is a very secure source of income. You've had bad years at the business. And you could've always lost it all."

Uncle Richard nodded. "That's true. But you know what? I could always pick myself off and make it back because I earned it from my work. I also learned how to save and invest so I could make sure that I didn't lose too much when things did take a turn for the worse. Did we ever really have to struggle?"

"Well, there was the time you had to cancel our trip to Cancun because one of your businesses failed," Keith pointed out.

"Because I had to stay here to clean up the mess," Uncle Richard pointed out. "Not because we no longer had the money. And that's not even what I'm talking about when it comes to struggling. The fact that you went there proves you don't know what it really means to struggle. To wonder where your next meal will come from or even when it will come. If you'll have enough money to buy gas for your car. To pay for medicines. To pay rent. You've never had to worry about that."

Keith looked chastised but Uncle Richard was not finished. "Your plan doesn't really guarantee you any security. It treats Regina as a non-entity. Her feelings don't seem to matter and you just keep assuming she will stay married to you after she gets her inheritance. She could easily divorce you and then what will you do?"

"Well, I imagine I would get something in the divorce," Keith replied. "She hasn't made me sign a prenup."

"That doesn't mean anything," Robin said. "Post-nup agreements exist and she could probably afford a pricey lawyer who could take you to the cleaners."

Uncle Richard nodded. "And even if you win some money from her, what are your plans when the money runs out? Just keep trying to marry rich? How long will you be able to do that before you're tagged as a gold digger?"

Keith frowned. "A man can't be a gold digger."

"Of course a man can be a gold digger," Robin replied. "That's not something only a woman can be, you sexist prick."

"Let's not resort to name calling," Uncle Richard told him. He then turned to Keith. "You didn't answer my question. Is that your life plan? Just keep marrying rich?"

Keith shrugged. "I guess. I mean, one is going to have to stick eventually, right? Or at least last me until I get my inheritance."

"So I am just an ATM to you too?" Uncle Richard asked, looking and sounding hurt. "Just a future payday?"

"What?" Keith asked, his eyes widening. "Of course not. Why would you think that?"

Robin's frustration with his cousin grew. "Because you never think of anyone else but yourself, Keith. And it feels like you just keep seeing us as means to an end, a way for you to get money and keep living the lifestyle you prefer. So why wouldn't we assume you just see as giant walking dollar signs?"

Keith shook his head. "That's not how I see you at all."

"But is it how you see Regina?" Uncle Richard said. "Or is she some doll that you think you can take out to play with when you want and then put away when you're done?"

"I don't see her that way," he replied but Robin could tell he was shaken. "I guess I don't know how I see her."

Uncle Richard hummed. "I think you need to figure that out. And maybe call off the wedding until you do. Or let her pursue a relationship with the man she really connected with that night – your cousin."

Keith's eyes grew colder. "If she wanted to be with Robin, then she would've called off the wedding like she threatened. She's still going through with this wedding and it's clear she's chosen me. I think this time, Robin needs to back down and let us be happy."

"And I would if I believed you both would be happy," Robin replied. "But I think we all know you and Regina are getting married for the wrong reasons and that will only end in both of you being miserable."

"I have to agree with Robin here," Uncle Richard said. "I already worried you were rushing this whole marriage thing but wanted to trust that you knew best. Now, though, I think I need to insist that you at least delay the wedding to make sure you and Regina are on the right page and getting married for the right reasons. This should be a serious commitment, Keith. Not something you do now and then move on from in a few months."

Keith held his head higher. "I am making a serious commitment."

"To Regina?" Robin asked. "Or to your bank account?"

"To Regina," Keith replied – a little too quickly and not as confidently as Robin would've liked. "Of course I'm committed to her."

Before either Robin or Uncle Richard could comment on that, a door opened and Regina stepped into the room. She wore a red turtleneck sweater and a pair of dark pants. Her hair was pulled into a simple ponytail and she wore light makeup. Robin's heart skipped a beat as hope filled him that she was going to stop letting the money control her and call off this wedding.

Keith diverted his eyes. "Regina! The groom's not supposed to see the bride on the wedding day! It's bad luck," he said.

"Regina!" Cora Mills burst in after her daughter. She was dressed for a wedding in a velvet red gown with off-the-shoulder sleeves and an elaborate beaded embellishment that rested in the middle of the neckline. Her brown hair was swept up into an elaborate updo with some curls framing her face. Cora complemented the look with a diamond chandelier necklace with matching earrings and bracelets. She was certainly ready for her pictures to be in several magazines and the paper's society page.

She looked her daughter over, horrified. "Why isn't your hair and makeup done? And why aren't you getting into your dress? The wedding starts soon."

"There isn't going to be a wedding," Regina said. "I am not going through with this farce."

Surprise and pride coursed through Robin. He had gotten through to her and given her the courage to finally stand up to her mother. Concern then followed it as he thought about everything she now stood to lose.

"What about your inheritance?" Keith asked, echoing Robin's thoughts. "You could lose everything."

Cora nodded. "You need to think about that."

"I have thought about it," Regina said, looking at Robin. "I've let the money control me for too long."

Pride filled him again and he resisted the urge to smile as she turned to her mother. "Mal and I had a meeting and I've signed away any claims I have to my inheritance, including this house. She and I are ready to discuss logistics and some of our conditions."

"Of course," Cora said, looking and sounding pleased. "I can send someone to get Gold and we can finalize everything now."

"Are you serious?" Keith asked, his cheeks again turning red. "I thought you were working to ensure that Regina gets her inheritance. Now you're just going to let her give up that easily?"

Cora pressed her hand to her chest. "I want what's best for Regina. If she thinks it's giving up her inheritance than I'm going to support that."

That still struck Robin as odd and he wasn't the only one. Uncle Richard crossed his arms, frowning. "I don't get it. You went through the trouble of this Christmas Eve wedding, roping Regina into marrying someone she barely knows, and now that she just says she's giving up her inheritance, you don't fight back or ask any questions?"

"Yes. Regina's made her decision," Cora replied. "Why overrule that?"

"Because you've overruled everything else she's decided," Robin said. "Pretty much the only things you didn't change about this wedding was the venue, the cake and the music – and only because Regina compromised on that last one. You always get what you want…"

He trailed off as a thought occurred to him, one that shook him to his core. Robin met her eyes as he said: "You want Regina to give up her inheritance."

Cora leaned back with a dramatic gasp, trying her best to look indignant but not achieving it. "How dare you accuse me of that! You know nothing of my relationship with my daughter and I know she doesn't think that."

"I don't just think it," Regina replied, her eyes cold as she looked at her mother. "I know it."

She turned to Keith. "This has all been a ploy to get my inheritance. I found a document in her office from the lawyer responsible for writing my father's will and it was quite illuminating. If I marry before my thirtieth birthday, I don't gain my inheritance. I lose it and it all goes into a fund controlled by mother while I am left with nothing."

While disgust filled Robin, he wasn't surprised her mother would stoop that low. Keith, though, took a few steps back as if he had been slapped. His lips parted and his eyes widened as they focused on Cora. He looked like his heart had been broken as he asked: "Is it true?"

"Regina, maybe we should discuss this in private," Cora said, ignoring Keith's question and focusing on her daughter as a warning flashed in her eyes.

"No," Regina replied, not backing down. "You involved Keith and Robin in this. So I think it's only right that they are here for this."

Keith stepped closer to Cora, his cheeks turning red. "You haven't answered me. Is it true? Was this really a plot to get her money? Was I ever going to get a job at Mills, Inc? Live the good life?"

Cora glared at him. "Not now," she snapped.

"So it's true," he said, pushing her. "You were going to rush us down the aisle and then leave us high and dry while you live the high life. Why do you even need the money? Don't you have millions already?"

"There is no amount of money that would make my mother feel as if she had enough," Regina replied. "My therapist thinks it's a trauma response from her childhood spent in poverty but Mother thinks that's just a bunch of mumbo-jumbo."

Cora sniffed. "It's called being smart. You just don't understand that because you never had to worry about money. The same goes for you, Keith. It's not that you want more money. You just want money without working for it. You both do. Well, I worked for all this money and I deserve it! But no, my husband had to go and leave it to our spoilt daughter who can't appreciate the gift she was given!"

"I appreciated everything I was given," Regina replied hotly. "And while I agree I was given an amazing boost in life, I still work hard to prove myself every day. Nothing I do ever seems enough for you. It hurts but I've come to realize you don't want me to be happy. You want me to be miserable. Well, I'm not going to let you do that anymore. If that means giving everything up, then so be it."

"Foolish girl," Cora snapped. "You believe that fairy tale that money doesn't make you happy. You're going to come crawling back when you realize how difficult it is without all the riches Daddy left you. And I'll enjoy watching you beg."

Robin felt his stomach turn and his anger rise. How dare a mother talk like that to her own daughter? It was like Cora Mills didn't love her daughter at all. Maybe she was just incapable of love entirely.

He moved closer to Regina, hoping to give her some comfort. She just held her mother's gaze as she said: "Trust me. I won't."

"Well, then, I guess we should go sign that paperwork and let everyone go have their Christmas Eve back," Cora said, motioning to the next room. "Lead the way."

"So we're really not getting married?" Keith asked, looking angry. "That's it?"

Regina nodded, her gaze softening. "I am sorry I let it get this far, Keith, but I think we both know this is for the best. I wish you the best."

"I wish you the best," Keith said, pitching his voice higher to mock her. He then spat at her before hissing: "Bitch."

Robin lunged toward his cousin but Uncle Richard got to Keith first, grabbing his arm like he did when Keith was a child and doing something wrong. Uncle Richard glared at Keith. "I did not raise you to act that way," Uncle Richard hissed. "We're going home. Now."

"Fine," Keith said, pulling his arm away from his father's grasp. He fixed his eyes on Robin as he smirked. "I think we have plenty to discuss."

Robin tried to ignore the knot forming in his stomach and did his best to focus on something else instead.

"Has anyone informed the guests there won't be a wedding?" Robin asked, wanting to stay with Regina but knowing his place was just as the party planner. If that was the case, then he needed to focus on the guests rather than her no matter how much his heart told him otherwise.

He received no response and he realized that Regina had left the room with her mother without another look or word to him. Not that she owed him either. He just hoped she would've acknowledged him one last time.

Uncle Richard walked past Robin, squeezing his shoulder. "You should probably go down and see what's happening. I'm going to have a long talk with your cousin. I'll see you at home," he said.

"See you there," Robin replied, watching as he left.

"I hope you're happy with yourself," Keith said, walking toward Robin with a smirk. "You had to be the hero and have now destroyed all our lives. Regina is giving up everything and will likely resent you for the rest of her life. I've lost my ticket to easy street and I imagine Dad's going to force me to get a real job or some bullshit like that since we can kiss our business goodbye. This is an unmitigated disaster and there is no way Cora Mills is going to give us a good reference. We're done."

Robin held his head high even as his heart sank in his stomach, knowing Keith was right. But he would not give his cousin the satisfaction of seeing him breakdown. Instead, he just said: "Then I will rebuild my business. And you won't be part of it."

Keith chuckled. "Of course not. Because my father isn't going to back it this time. So good luck getting it off the ground without his money. He'll probably kick you out as well. Think Will or John will let you sleep on your couch when you're the reason they are unemployed as well?"

"I do," Robin replied. "Because they aren't my friends because I pay them to be. They are my friends because they like me."

"I guess we'll find out," Keith said, smirking as he walked past Robin. "Have fun picking up the pieces of your life…if you can."

Keith left the room and Robin took a deep breath. He didn't know what he would face once he left the house – likely for the last time – but he knew he would survive. Robin had faced his life being shattered once before and had managed to build it back. He would do it again and again if necessary. Locksleys never gave up.

Robin would not be the first.

He left the room and headed back to the backyard. Opening the door, he stepped outside and stopped. The tent was still up but the chairs and tables were gone. So was the food and he did not see the caterer's van anywhere. Nor did he see the band or the person managing the sound systems for him. There was no sign of the photographers or any member of his crew. Robin walked toward where the ceremony was supposed to be and saw that while the decorations were still up, the chairs were gone and the fountain was off. And again, there was no sign of his crew.

Wondering if Will and John were waiting at the van, he walked back toward but saw no one there. Robin had been left alone and he sighed as he climbed into his van. He took a deep breath before letting it out slowly. Turning the van on, he pulled away as the past hour or so played in his mind. Keith was right – everything was falling apart around him and he never felt so alone. He turned out of Mist Haven but didn't head back into town, deciding instead to go someplace where he could clear his mind and figure out his next steps.

Especially if he truly lost everything – his family, his friends, his business, his home and Regina.

If that was the case, then he would need to be prepared to start the new chapter alone.

Again.

"We should probably tell the guests that there won't be a wedding," Mother said as they walked into the conference room Daddy had built in the house. He had sometimes done work from the house and Regina remembered watching his meetings through a crack in the door, eager for the day she would get to sit in them and then lead them. It was the reason she hadn't changed it.

Regina closed the door behind her as she said: "That's been handled by Mary Margaret."

Mother nodded. "Good. Maybe we'll find some use for her after all."

"I'm sure Mary Margaret will be fine," Regina said, sitting down next to Mal. She motioned to a chair occupied by Alastair Gold, her mother's long-time attorney and who had also written her father's will. "Since you wanted Gold to be here as well so why don't you sit with him?"

"I will," Mother said, greeting Gold with kisses on both cheeks as she sat down. She then clasped her hands. "So, shall we sign the paperwork then?"

Regina took a deep breath before saying: "Not just yet. There are a few things we need to discuss first."

Mother frowned. "Like what?"

"Like the memo saying that I lose my inheritance if I marry before my thirtieth birthday and that you get control of it," Regina said as Mal pulled the memo out of her case and slid it across the table toward Mother.

Gold scowled. "That is a confidential memo from me to my client. You have no right to read it or even use it."

"In a court of law, most likely," Mal replied. "But we're not in court. Right now, we're trying to help a mother and a daughter sort through years of lies and manipulation. And considering the role you played in that, I don't think you have much standing to protest. So all's fair right now."

"Does it really matter?" Mother asked Gold. "She's giving up her inheritance anyway. I doubt she's going to sue us or anything."

Regina did her best to keep her voice even as she said: "I'm not. That was just a ruse to confirm that you really were just after my inheritance and to get you in here."

Mother's cheeks grew red as she glared at Regina. "You impertinent girl! Are you happy now?"

"No," Regina replied honestly. "No, I'm not happy that my mother cares more about my money than me or my happiness. I'm not happy that you just saw me as a pawn to get richer. I know you're not happy either and though you won't believe it, more money isn't going to make you happy. Because you'll never have enough because it won't fill whatever hole exists inside of you."

"And as I said, poverty won't give you whatever you're looking for either," Mother retorted. "You may not be signing over your inheritance but you're still going to lose it when you're not married in a couple months. I still win."

She turned to Gold, starting to stand. "Let's go. This is just a waste of our time."

"Despite what you think, I'm not a fool," Regina replied, keeping her tone even as she held her Mother's gaze. "I am your daughter after all. I didn't do all this just for some hollow victory. So I think you should sit back down and let Mal and I continue talking."

Mother glanced toward the door and Regina knew she was debating whether she stayed or not. However, she was certain that her mother's curiosity and desire to see Regina possibly make a fool of herself again would overrule Mother's desire to just walk away. That belief was proven correct when Mother sank back down in her seat. "The club will start its Christmas Eve festivities in an hour. You have until then to make your case," she said.

"We won't need that long," Mal replied, pulling out a stack of papers from her bag. "I am going to assume, Mrs. Mills, that you have never seen your husband's will and only know of its contents from summaries provided to you by Mr. Gold. Is that correct?"

"Yes," Mother replied, looking confused. "I thought that was how these things are done."

Mal assured her it was before sliding the will toward Mother. "When I heard about this whole Christmas Eve wedding thing, naturally I wanted to write a prenup for Regina. To make sure I protected all her assets, I requested and received a copy of Henry's will. And it was very enlightening. I think you'll find that as well."

Taking the will, Mother raised an eyebrow. "I doubt there's anything new I could learn from actually reading my husband's will. Alistair told me everything I needed to know."

"You needed to know or wanted to hear?" Mal asked. "Maybe you should take a look at the will yourself. I've marked some passages I think are most relevant. Go to the first one and read who the executrix is."

"I know who the executrix is," Mother replied, flipping the page. "But I'll play your stupid little game."

She scanned down the page and then nodded. "I hereby name Eugenia Lucas as my executrix…That can't be right."

"It is," Mal replied. "You can see on the front that I received that directly from the court. I made no changes to it."

"So Granny is the executrix?" Mother asked, her cheeks turning red again. She turned to Gold. "Why did you tell me it was me?"

Gold shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "It was you but when I had to take a brief leave to deal with my…situation…Henry came in and changed it with one of my colleagues. By the time I realized it, it was too late to convince him to change it back. I knew that losing Henry was painful enough for you so I decided to tell you a little white lie and when Mrs. Lucas never asserted her right as executrix, I realized that she didn't know and there was no real reason to change anything."

Mother, though, looked horrified rather than mollified. "What about all the documents I signed? All the decisions I made thinking I was the executrix? Will I face legal repercussions for your stupid decision, Alistair?"

"You will be fine," Gold assured her, though Regina could tell that her Mother's trust in her lawyer was broken. That was a good sign for her and Mal. "I have taken care of everything and nothing will come back to you."

"What the fuck does that mean?" Mother said, surprising Regina with an uncharacteristic curse word.

Mal cleared her throat. "I believe it means that Mr. Gold here likely had you sign documents to keep up the ruse and then tossed them before forging Granny's signature on the documents submitted to the court. I'm sure we'll find out if I'm right soon enough but let's move on to Regina's inheritance."

"Yes," Mother replied, sitting up straighter as she focused on Regina. "If you think Granny will let you have your inheritance and not obey your father's wishes, then I would think again."

"I think it's cute that after learning that Gold lied to you about being the executrix, you aren't questioning if he lied to you about anything else," Mal replied. "Turn to the other marked page."

Mother scowled but didn't snap at Mal's condescending tone. Instead, she turned to the other page Mal had marked. "Okay, what am I looking for?"

"Go about halfway down the page and I think you'll find it," Mal said. "You'll see that yes, Henry opted not to let Regina have access to her trust – or the inheritance as you've constantly called it – until she was thirty because he believed the twenties should be spent finding who you are as a person. He wanted her to have many experiences but he wanted her to earn them for herself, which I believe she has done."

"Thank you," Regina said softly, glad at least someone appreciated what she had done over the years since her mother never did.

Mother was too focused on the will to make any snarky comments. Relief filled Regina as Mal decided to continue talking. "However, you'll note that there is no requirement that Regina be married by thirty. All she has to do to gain control of her trust fund, which I'm going to ask that we call it since that's what it is, is to just reach her thirtieth birthday.

"There is a condition if Regina got married before her thirtieth birthday," Mal continued. "Most likely to protect her from someone marrying her just for her money. In that case, she got access to but not control of her trust fund on her birthday. Henry appointed someone to oversee the fund and to dole out appropriate monthly payments to Regina. And you'll see that someone would be Alistair Gold."

"What?" Mother's cheeks grew redder as she looked up at Gold. "Why did you tell me that I would get Regina's inheritance if she didn't marry by the time she was thirty?"

For the first time in Regina's memory, Gold squirmed. "I must have misread the will."

Mother's eyes narrowed. "Don't try that bullshit with me, Alistair. We've known each other far too long for that."

"I think I know what happened," Regina said, trying not to sound smug. "I think while you were using me as a pawn in your quest to get my money, Gold was using you as a pawn in his quest to get my money."

"What a ridiculous accusation," Gold insisted, though he didn't meet her eyes or Mother's eyes. "I don't need your money."

Regina turned to Mal, who hummed. "You sure about that? We know that you were on leave when Henry changed his will because you were still dealing with the fallout from your first divorce and child support issues," she said.

"Yes," Gold replied. Regina could hear anger simmering in his voice as he continued talking. "But my son is a similar age to Regina so child support is no longer an issue."

"For that son," Mal said. "But you've since gone through another divorce and have another child that you need to pay support for. And I've heard stories around the courthouse that you never really recovered from the first round so I can only imagine how stretched you are right now. Gaining access to Regina's trust fund would solve a lot of problems."

Mal then proceeded to lay out the theory she, Regina and Granny had put together. Gold had come back from dealing with his issues and that left his bank account significantly lighter. He worked with rich clients and envied their wealth. When Henry died, he saw his chance to get the wealth he deserved. That likely why he lied about Mother being the executrix – he knew he could manipulate her greed and envy toward Regina for his own end. When Granny didn't object and didn't seem to know she was the true executrix, he pushed forward with his plan. He told Mother that if Regina married before she was thirty, Mother would inherit her trust. Willing to trade Regina's happiness for money, Mother worked to convince Regina to marry quickly.

Regina, though, kept blocking them by wanting to marry for love and constantly meeting the wrong man. Maybe she did that because of the pressure she felt from her mother, who hoped she would just pick one to marry and finally give Mother her payday. And then she met Shakespeare at the masquerade, handing Mother the chance to get it on a silver platter. Gold likely loved when Mother announced that whoever proved they were the man behind the mask would marry Regina on Christas Eve. It would be the catalyst he needed to put his plan into motion.

Once Regina married Keith, Gold would lie to Mother and say he was filing the paperwork to transfer control of the trust to her. Instead, he would take control of it and then wire the money to offshore accounts and shell companies that would be impossible to track. No doubt he had already done that for other clients so it would be easy for him. He would then disappear and by the time everything was sorted out, he would be just as untraceable as the money. Everyone else would be screwed while he lived in the lap of luxury.

The fatal flaw in his plan was that Regina didn't trust him like her parents had and so she had her own lawyer. Even in the chaos of the wedding, Mal had done her due diligence to protect Regina and that was bringing him down.

"That's quite a story," he said, snarling. "But that's all it is."

"Maybe, but I'm sure the courts will get to the bottom of it," Regina said, nodding to Mal. As she pulled out a piece of paper, Regina continued: "Mal's already filed a motion on Granny's and my behalf to have you removed as the estate's lawyer. We both signed affidavits attesting that we were never told that she was the executrix and we found a few others who were will to sign similar affidavits."

Mal pushed the paper toward Gold. "This is an injunction preventing you from touching any account associated with the Mills Estate, just in case you had any funny ideas about running off with the money anyway."

Regina thought steam was about to come out of Gold's ears as he snatched the injunction from her. Beside him, Mother tapped the will. "Congratulations, Regina, you'll get the money. I suppose you'll need it once you're homeless and jobless. After all, all of that is mine."

"Excellent segue," Mal said, turning her attention back to Mother. "Turn to the next marked tab and we can discuss Regina's actual inheritance, not just her trust fund."

"Why?" Mother asked, turning to the marked page. "Are you about to tell me that I didn't inherit everything?"

Regina bit the inside of her cheek as Mal said: "Yes."

Mother's eyes widened and she read down the page, fire burning in her eyes the further down she went. "He left everything to Regina?"

"Yes," Mal said. "This house, the apartment in New York City and the house in Puerto Rico, though I don't think you knew about those. She also inherited all the land here in Mist Haven and in Puerto Rico."

"And she inherited all of that upon Henry's death?" Mother asked, scowling.

Nodding, Mal said: "Regina was an adult when Henry died. I believe he amended his will to reflect that when he changed the executrix as well. The only thing she didn't immediately inherit upon his death was the company. She becomes the President of Mills, Inc. upon her thirtieth birthday."

Mother flipped all the pages back to the front as she pinched her nose. "So I cease being the president in six weeks? I would think someone in the company would've reached out to me about that."

"That's an employment matter," Mal said. "You'll have to talk with your company's legal counsel. But I have a feeling they weren't aware of that clause either."

"So, you have nothing to hold over my head anymore," Regina said, remembering how light she felt when she realized that. "I own this house and the land. So you can't kick me or Rocinante out. You also can't kick Granny out. And you certainly can't fire me or Mary Margaret. You have no power."

Mother pushed the will aside as her lips slowly turned up into a smile, reminding Regina of the scene where the Grinch got the awful idea to steal Christmas. "Don't count me out just yet," she said. "I still have a few tricks up my sleeve."

Regina wasn't surprised. "I'm sure you do. But though you think otherwise, I have learned a few things from you. Like that while the legal system may work slowly, the court of public opinion often renders a quick verdict. So if you think you can go out and take control of the narrative, I would think again.

"Naturally, your little stunt attracted a lot of attention and there are a lot of reporters here to cover my Christmas Eve wedding to my mysterious masked suitor," she continued. "Most got here early so they could cover the whole event from start to finish. So they already know that the wedding was called off. And they know why."

"I'll just put out a statement claiming that Keith lied to me as well," Mother said. "I doubt he will respond and even if he does, his credibility is nonexistent compared to mine. It would be your word against mine."

Regina shook her head. "It would be your word against your word. You see, Keith and Robin were already wearing microphones in anticipation of the wedding. And it just so happened that the sound techs decided to run tests during our conversation, meaning everyone who was already gathered on property heard our entire conversation – especially the fact that you've just been after my money the whole time. Can't really spin that in your favor."

Mal checked her watch. "Looks like our hour is up. We wouldn't want to keep you from Christmas Eve at the club," she said.

"Fine," Mother replied, standing. She kept her gaze on Regina. "I wouldn't rest on your laurels. You maybe have won this battle but I wouldn't assume you will win the war. I have fought tougher battles and won. You'll see who has the last laugh in the end."

"I guess we will," Regina said, no longer afraid of her mother. "Merry Christmas, Mother."

Without acknowledging Gold, Mother turned on her heels and stalked out of the room. Regina turned to Gold, feeling ice form in her veins. "I think it's best if you left. And if you are spotted anywhere near this house or my office building, you will have a less-than-friendly encounter with security. Understood?"

"Understood," he said, standing. "And I have a warning for you as well. You may not think so, but you have just made a very powerful enemy. You better watch out."

"Don't threaten my client," Mal replied, her voice hard. "Go."

Gold nodded, walking out of the room as well. He slammed the door for extra measure and Regina rolled her eyes. "Seriously?"

Mal shook her head. "Don't let him get to you. He's backed into a corner and just trying to bluff his way out."

"I know," Regina replied. She took a deep breath and then released it slowly, letting her annoyance out at the same time. Relief filled her instead as well as happiness that that conversation with done. Now, though, she knew she needed to have another one as Robin's face filled her mind. Her heart skipped a beat and she wanted to make amends with him, to let him know that she had chosen him. That she was his if he still wanted her.

She stood and hugged Mal. "Thank you so much. Now, go home and enjoy Christmas Eve with Lily. Apologize again that she won't be performing."

Mal hugged her back tightly. "She's actually thrilled. She still got paid and can spend Christmas Eve how she wants. Thankfully, she wants to spend some of it with me. So thank you for that."

"You're welcome," Regina said. "I'll talk to you soon. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Regina," Mal replied, releasing her. She then squeezed Regina's hand. "Now I can show myself out. You go get your man."

Regina nodded, biting her lip as she left the conference room. She knew she owed Robin an explanation as well as a thank you for giving her the push she needed to stand up to her mother. And she also owed him an apology for how she treated him the other day. He had done the right thing and she had treated him horribly. She would beg his forgiveness, hoping that perhaps he would be willing to give her a second chance.

"Robin?" She burst into the kitchen, her heart beating rapidly. Regina scanned the kitchen but she didn't see the face she wanted to see.

Mary Margaret stood from the table, looking apologetic. "He's not here, Regina. We were ushering guests off the property and we think he left without anyone seeing. Will and John have confirmed his van is gone."

"We didn't think he would leave without checking in with us," the skinnier man said, looking worried. "But we had also already broken down the area by the van so he might have thought John and I left without him."

"He's not answering his phone," the larger man added, answering the question Regina was about to ask. "It just keeps going to voicemail."

Regina swallowed, concern filling her. "Do we know where he would go?"

"There are a few options," the skinnier man said. "John and I are going to split up and look for him there."

"Let me help," she said, knowing that she played a part in whatever caused Robin to be out of contact. "Please."

The larger one, who she now believed was John, shook his head. "I think it's best if Will and I talked to him first. We'll call Mary Margaret when we find him," he said.

"Don't worry," Will told her. "Robin sometimes disappears when he needs to clear his head but he never stays away more than a couple hours. He'll be back before it's dark. You'll see."

"Come on," John said, clapping Will on the shoulder. "Let's go check out his usual haunts."

Will nodded, thanking Granny as he followed John out of the house. Regina slid into a chair, groaning. "Do you think I've messed this up so much I destroyed my chance with the first man who I felt really loved me for me and not my money?" she asked Granny.

Granny shook her head, setting a cup of hot chocolate down next to Regina before sitting down. "Not at all," she said. "You know I'm not one to believe in fate but I do believe that you and Robin are meant to be together."

"Even after everything that's happened?" Regina asked, stirring her hot chocolate and watching the marshmallows melt in the hot liquid.

"Yes," Granny said. "You have never been one to give up, Regina, and I don't want you to start now. Got it?"

Regina nodded, knowing Granny had a point. She decided she would enjoy her hot chocolate and then she would go look for Robin as well. They needed to talk and she could not wait for Christmas to be over before they did so.

No matter what the outcome was.

A/N: Happy New Year!

Here's the latest chapter of "A Fairytale for Christmas"! I really deviated from the original movie here mostly because the storyline with the mother in the movie made no sense. Her motivation just seemed shoehorned in to match the Cinderella plot and so I decided to change it. Pretty easy when Cora's in the role.

I also thought the main character's cousin got off too lightly in the movie as well but that won't happen to Keith. (Though, like Cora, he is much worse than his movie counterpart). Uncle Richard has some idea of what's been going on and he's not happy.

I know there wasn't a lot of Outlaw Queen interaction. I honestly planned for this chapter to have a couple more scenes but I realized it had enough in it already. So Robin's talk with his uncle and then more Outlaw Queen scenes will be in the next chapter. After that chapter will just be the epilogue.

Yes, this story is almost over. But not just yet.

See you soon!

-Mac