The Road to Forever ~ The Sequel to Modern Fairytale

Anticipating Elsewhere

The family landed in Essex and were greeted happily by Josephine and Richard Locksley after their long haul from the baggage claim and customs. They hugged their grandchildren tight and smothered them in kisses, as all grandparents should, before welcoming the couple.

"Oh Robby, it's so good to see you," Josie hugged her son tight.

"You're looking wonderful, mum," Robin replied with a smile, kissing her softly on the cheek.

"Don't hog the man, Josie," Richard quipped and stole his son into a brief embrace.

The older woman approached Regina and pulled her into her arms, refusing to let go for what seemed like a lifetime, "My dear, I'm so thrilled you could make the trip."

"Of course. Henry and I are looking forward to seeing where Robin grew up," the brunette smiled, allowing the hug to linger when she realized she needed it more than she thought.

"Regina. El Angel," Richard said, showing off his Spanish before placing a gentle kiss upon her cheek as she remained in his wife's arms.

"Always the charmer," Regina smirked and took his hand, giving it a light squeeze as a warm greeting.

She was finally released from the embrace and the older man politely took her suitcase for her as they escorted the family to their car. Robin and his father loaded the luggage into the trunk while Regina situated the children in the backseat. There wasn't enough room for everyone to fit comfortably so Roland was instructed to sit on Henry's lap. She snuggled next to them in the middle seat as her lover finally climbed in beside her. He took her hand as his father started the vehicle and began to drive away from the airport.

The journey to their cottage in Essex was a pleasant one with many beautiful landscapes and villages. It was very different from the tall buildings and busy streets of New York, that was for sure. Farmers could be spotted tending to their crops or reigning in the cattle while the occasional tractor slowed traffic due to its need to cross the road.

They turned onto a long dirt road that Robin explained was their driveway. Henry couldn't believe it. All the land they were now passing on the drive to the house belonged to the Locksleys. There were horses roaming the fields and he asked if he could ride them, having never been on horseback before. With Regina's permission, Josephine told the teenager she would be delighted to take them for a ride the following day.

The car came to a halt before a quaint little cottage, perfect for raising a family and almost exactly how Regina pictured Robin's childhood home to look like. Josie escorted her and Roland inside for tea while the men unloaded the luggage from the trunk. She gave her legs some time to stretch by walking around the living room and admiring the photographs hanging in frames along the walls or resting on the mantle. She noticed the frame with the pictures her family had taken in Rockefeller Center hanging on the center of the wall above the fireplace. That brought a smile to her face, knowing her and her son had been graciously accepted into their family without a second thought.

"Here you are, dear," Josephine reentered the room, handing Regina her cup of tea.

She took a sip and hummed as the warm liquid rushed down her throat. She smiled, "This is delicious, Josie. Thank you."

"Nothing like English tea, I always say," the woman smiled and gestured for Regina to sit down.

"Oh, I'm alright, thank you. I've been sitting for far too long," the brunette replied.