The Nanny

Day One

Regina's first night in the Locksley household ended up being an interesting one.

After dinner, Robin had insisted that since she technically didn't start until the next day, he'd put Roland to bed and let her have the evening to herself. Regina, though, wanted to watch the boy's routine so she was prepared. "I'll just hover, if you don't mind?" she asked.

"I don't mind," he replied with a shrug. "But this is still your time. You can spend it however you want."

"I'd like to spend it like this."

He smiled, revealing dimples that Regina knew could be her downfall if she wasn't careful. "Well, Jefferson did say you were very dedicated. He wasn't lying."

"I like doing my job," Regina said, frowning.

Robin held up his hands. "I meant it as a compliment. Truly."

"Sorry," Regina said, shoulders sagging a bit. "I tend to get a bit defensive easily. I'll work on it."

He studied her for a bit and she held her breath, worried she had already done something wrong. She let it out when he smiled again, picking up Roland. "Well, let's go over this little scamp's bath time and bedtime routines, shall we?"

Robin tickled his son's stomach and the boy squirmed in his father's arms. "Papa, stop!"

"Okay." He kissed Roland's cheek, bouncing him as they went upstairs. Regina followed, a smile on her face.

Robin reminded her of Jefferson, which was reassuring. Especially when she thought about her first few jobs, which had been for parents who could barely make time in their busy schedules for their children. Regina had to watch the children round the clock, trotting them out whenever the parents wanted to show them off and then ushering them back out of sight. All the while, she had to deal with boys and girls who just wanted their parents' attention and affection.

Roland, though, had both from his father. Robin hadn't just been spitting out a platitude when he called his son his everything. She watched as he washed his son and listened as he pointed out every one of Roland's favorite toys. He also knew each name the boy had bestowed on them as well, which impressed her. She crouched down next to the tub and smiled. "It'll take me a while to remember all those names. I'm probably going to need some help."

"I can do that," Roland said, smiling at her.

She smiled back at him before busying herself with looking over the shampoos and soaps Robin used for his son, just like she had memorized which toothbrush and toothpaste Roland had used before getting into the tub. Anything to avoid looking at his father. Regina could feel him watching her and it sent her stomach on a gymnastics routine.

His gaze fell away as he reached for the stopper. "Okay, little guy, let's get you dried off and into bed."