Robin found Regina in one of the guestrooms, picking up a bedsheet. He sighed before approaching her and wrapping her in his arms with her back turned to him. She relaxed in an instant before leaning against his body.
He knew his family's stand about Regina's past. They mentioned it in passing while they were at the hospital but Robin could care less about what they think. He loves Regina and he's going to marry her whether they approve of it or not.
"I'm sorry", he whispered.
"What are you apologizing for, Robin?" she asked.
"I shouldn't have brought them here",
Regina let go of the bedsheet but didn't turn around to face him. "They are your family. It's alright with me for you to bring them here. This is also your home",
"What did my mother tell you?"
This time, she did turn around to face him. He can see the sadness in her eyes. It's clear as the day outside that his mother's words had hurt her no matter how hard she tries to hide it for his sake.
"She did make some point in the things she said. My history with Graham could affect you",
"…and you think I care about that? Regina, I knew about it before I even proposed to you. I knew what I was getting myself into. I love you. I want a life with you, a future with you. I don't care about what other people might think", he said.
She looked down before nodding.
"Of course, I've always known that about you…but they're not just other people, are they? They're your family. You love them. I never doubted what you feel for me and I know that if I ask to get married tomorrow and not invite them, you will do it. I also know that it will eat you up inside in the future, not having them there, not getting their approval, being estranged from them", she replied.
He blinked because he didn't like where this conversation is going. "Regina…are you saying you don't want to get married to me? Are you calling off our engagement?"
"What?" she asked.
"It's just…the way you talk right now…don't let my mother's words get to you. You may not say it but I already know what she might have told you and let me tell you now, I am not going to let you push me away because of that", he responded.
Regina did a doubletake.
"Robin…after everything we went through, you think I will break up with you just because your mother told me I don't deserve you?" his mother said what? "I am not breaking up with you. I am not calling off our engagement. I still want to be your wife, Robin",
That made him exhale in relief.
"…but I want to delay the wedding",
"Regina…"
"Listen to me. I am not in a rush. For most of my life, I didn't have a good relationship with my own family and recently, we're starting to act like one with one another. You have no idea what that means to me. So, if in the small amount of time that I am experiencing what it's like to have a family that's supporting me and loving me the way I wanted all my life is making me feel this good, I cannot imagine how much your family means to you. They've been doing that all your life",
"What I am saying is…I want them at our wedding. I want them to get to know me, hopefully, to deem me worthy of your love. I want you to feel complete on our wedding day, Robin. So…I can wait. I am a patient woman, Robin Locksley, and I am not going anywhere", she added.
That is a tall order to ask at the moment.
"What if they never give us their approval?" he asked.
Regina smiled at him. "Have faith, darling. I never thought this town would accept me and yet, look at me now. Don't worry. I will win them over at some point",
Her faith is quite infectious. He wanted to protest, to let her know that it does not really matter to him whether his family is present at their wedding but Regina's words struck a few chords in his heart.
"Alright, we delay the wedding for now. Let's do it your way but always remember that I love you, Regina Mills. I love everything about you, your past, your present, and your future",
She pressed his lips against his and he almost melted.
"I love you too, Robin", she replied.
The air is tensed at the dining table. Regina insisted that the Locksley family to remain in her house despite Robin's obvious reluctance. Robert thanked her and by the looks of it, it seems the old man had a talk with his wife.
The two men had prepared the meal and though they were all eating together, there is a tension that can be cut with a knife.
"So…any plans about the wedding?" Ruby broke the silence.
Regina chose not to see the question as provoking.
"There are a few but…it's been on hold",
Robert looked at the two of them in surprise while Isabella is rather intrigued. Perhaps, she's hoping that Regina is actually considering about calling it all off. Ruby, on the other hand, is just stunned.
"On hold? Why?" the young woman asked.
"We're not in any rush. If we're to do it, we want it to go smoothly and not step in a lot of toes", she answered while cutting the steak on her plate.
Robin chose to remain silent. He knows that if he speaks, he might say something Regina will not approve of.
"…but what about your family?" Regina frowned at Robert. "Robin told me on the phone that your mother has been involved in the planning. What did she say about delaying it?"
"I have not told her yet. It's alright. She'll understand. I think she might take that as good news so she can have more time with the planning",
If she didn't know any better, her mother might end up planning the whole thing if given more time.
"You know…if you're planning on breaking up with my brother, just do it. Don't prolong the agony and string him along", Ruby cut in.
Robin shot his sister a glare but the young woman was not deterred.
"What? Isn't it where this is going? Mom said a few words and now, you're having cold feet. You're going to delay the wedding and then, in the end, you're going to call it off and break up with Robin. Why wait? You're just giving him false hope when you're just going to break his heart in the end",
She actually sounded upset. Perhaps, she does not share her mother's view about her past.
"Ruby, dear…I do not have any plans in calling off the wedding let alone break up with your brother. When our wedding day comes, I only want it to be a special day which everyone", her eyes landed on Isabella, "…will be really happy for us. Your brother made it clear to me that he does not mind proceeding with the wedding even without your mother's approval but I did not want to join this family if I will be the one causing a rift in it. So…the wedding is delayed until your mother finally accepts me for who I am. I have no problem with waiting", Regina explained.
Ruby stared at her in awe. Her father shared the same look as well while Isabella remains to be mute. Regina resumed eating before she felt Robin's eyes on her. She glanced at his direction and he gave her a smile.
Yes, she does not mind waiting. Having Robin with her is enough. She can wait.
When the dinner is over, Regina went by the pool to nurse a glass of wine. Robert has steered his son in the living room while Isabella retired early upstairs.
"You do have a nice house", Ruby joined her.
"Thank you",
The young woman sat next to her and Regina poured her another glass of wine.
"If you want to say something, you can say it", she urged.
The sky is clear. She can see the stars above and it's putting her at ease.
"Why didn't you tell us about your ex-husband?" Ruby began.
Isn't that the question of the century?
"First, I am not proud of it. I've managed to free myself from that time of my life and made a life of my own, a good one. I didn't want to accept that there was a moment in my life where I let myself live that way. Second, I wanted to forget. Having a lot of people who know about it is kind of counterproductive. I don't want anyone looking at me like I'm some sort of a victim. Third, at the time, I was in hiding from Graham. That's why I didn't tell your brother at first when we got together. I moved here after the divorce and though there was a restraining order against him, I knew that wouldn't stop him from coming after me so I hid here and never told anyone about him",
She took a few sips from her glass.
"I guess, the main reason why I didn't tell your family…I didn't want you to think that I am not good enough for your brother. Like it's any help because, it's what happening now. I know I am not perfect, but I try every day to be deserving of his love. So, yeah…those are my reasons", she added.
Silence followed after that. Regina just let Ruby proceesed that information on her own.
"For the record, I don't think you shouldn't get married to Robin. My mother…she's old school, I guess. She believes in marriage so strongly and the community where we grow up, I think you already know the kind of people around us. She always wants the best for us. Don't worry, she'll come around. Once she sees how much you love Robin and how much you make him happy, she will give you her approval…not that you really need it in my opinion", Ruby said.
Regina turned to her and found her staring at her. She gave the girl a smile before looking away.
"That would be nice. Robin loves all of you very much. I don't want to take him away from all of you",
Those words meant a lot for Ruby. Back when Robin was with Marian, they rarely see him. At some point, she was convinced that Marian was purposely trying to keep him away from them, to keep him all to herself. She's glad to know that Regina isn't like that.
"What are you going to do in the meantime then? You're delaying the wedding and it seems you're still on leave from your work. Any plans?" she asked.
A smirk formed on Regina's lips.
"Well…I was hoping you're still game in going to Paris", Ruby frowned. "I really want that painting",
Ruby chuckled.
"You still want to go to Paris? After how Mom treated you?"
She shrugged.
"A vacation might do us some good. Who knows…maybe the two of us will form a bond there. Like you said, I am still not allowed to go to work. I have time in my hands. So, what do you say?"
Ruby beamed.
"Of course, I want to go to Paris!"
Regina laughed. It's a relief to have an ally in Robin's family.
"Then, it's settled. I'll book everything and check with your brother if his schedule is clear then we can go. I am really dying to get out of this house", she responded.
Meanwhile, the two Locksley boys are watching them from inside the house with big smiles on their faces.
"I told you, son. You have nothing to worry about. We like her. Your mother will come around. If it means anything to you, you and Regina have my blessings", Robert said.
Robin turned to his father before hugging him.
"It means everything, Dad. Thank you", he replied.