The Nanny

Anniversary

Marco pulled up to Nottingham and looked back at Robin with a smile. "Here you go, sir. And once again, congratulations," he said.

Robin thanked him before getting out of the car. He approached the kitchen door and opened it, setting foot inside his warm house as the aroma of coffee wrapped around him. It made him perk up as he realized just how tired he still was. Everyone looked up from the table and Roland rushed over, throwing his arms around Robin. "Papa! You're home! But where are Mom and the twins?" he asked.

"They need to stay in the hospital for a couple days," he told his son. Panic filled Roland's brown eyes and Robin quickly assured him: "Sparky is watching over them."

"Good," Roland replied, relief filling his eyes knowing that his stepmother and siblings were being protected by his beloved stuffed dragon.

Robin crouched until he was eye level with his son. "How would you like to visit them?"

"Can I go today?" Roland asked as his eyes lit up. When Robin nodded, Roland started to bounce. "YES!"

"Alright. Let me eat some breakfast and then we can head to the hospital to see Mom, Henry and Grace," Robin said, gently ruffling his son's curls before standing to head to the table.

Will greeted him with a nod. "We're having some oatmeal and fruit. Do you want anything else?"

"Coffee," Robin said, tired after only getting a few hours of sleep. "Lots and lots of coffee."

"Coming right up," Will replied, gently clapping him on the shoulder and pushing him toward the table to go sit down.

Mum frowned as Robin collapsed in a nearby chair. "Maybe you should take a nap before you head back to the hospital. You look ready to fall down."

It was a tempting suggestion but Robin shook his head. "I want to get back to Regina as soon as possible. Emma's just as tired as me and deserves some rest."

"So do you," Mum argued.

"Maybe," he replied, "but Regina had my babies. It's only right that I'm there to support her until she gets out of the hospital."

She sighed before smiling as she patted his hand. "You're a good partner and father, Robin."

"I try my best," he replied. "That's all I can do."

"And I'm sure Regina appreciates everything you're doing for her," she assured him as Will set down his bowl and cup of coffee.

Robin took a sip of the coffee, feeling as if the caffeine was already flooding his veins. He thought over the past twenty-four hours, love and pride surging through him as he considered what Regina had done during that time. "I appreciate everything she did to bring our children into the world. Going into labor, having surgery, dealing with both post-surgery and post-birth aftermath..."

He paused, taking another sip as gratitude filled him for the amazing woman fate had sent into his life. Mum smiled and pushed his bowl closer. "Eat up. You're going to need the energy to keep supporting Regina," she said.

"Thanks, Mum," he replied, taking a bite of his oatmeal. He ate as fast as he could, eager to get back to Regina, Henry and Grace.

Roland climbed into the chair next to him. "Can I see a picture of my brother and sister now please?" he asked.

"Let your father eat," Dad told him, gently playing with Roland's hair. "You'll be able to see your siblings soon enough."

"Okay," Roland said, sitting back with a glum look on his face.

Robin set down his spoon and pulled out his phone. Opening it, he pulled up a picture of the twins and slid it toward his son. "There you go. Henry is wrapped in blue and Grace is wrapped in pink."