Run Down

The Sleepover

Regina wiped the counter top down with her cloth and spread out the ingredients on the marbled surface, scales and mixing bowl sat proudly next to them ready for use. Robin and Roland would be round in twenty minutes - they were staying the night - and Regina had promised to make cupcakes with Roland.

She was becoming increasingly nervous at the thought of Roland coming to sleep over.  Yes she'd spend time with him before, countless evenings had been used up with him sprawled out over her legs while they watched a film or with Regina tucking him in before he went to bed in his own house, Robin's house, but this wasn't robins house, it was her house and the whole situation made butterflies erupt in her stomach. She realised it was irrational, knew that of course Roland would be fine with staying here, but the nagging in her mind wouldn't stop.

The doorbell rang, startling Regina from her thoughts with a sharp turn of her head towards the sound. She smoothed her palms over her jeans - a habit, a nervous gesture she just can't kick - and ran her fingers through her hair as she walked to the door. "Good afternoon," A very charming, well known, British voice was like music to her ears as she opened the door, his smile bright and intending his cheeks.

"Gina!" Roland slammed his little body into her, wrapping his arms around her legs, his face barely visible beneath the mop of brown curls. Regina chuckled and bent down, scooping the tiny child into her arms and lifting him into the air, slapping a big kiss to his cheek. He laughed and threw his head back, an eruption of high pitched giggles pouring from him and into the air, the most uplifting song she'd ever heard.

Regina placed him back on the ground and looked to Robin, who was beaming at the pair of them, his tongue poking out between his teeth as he smiled.

"Guess what we're gonna do this afternoon!" she turned her attention back to Roland; he jumped on the spot, clapping his hands in front of him, the dimples in his cheeks a perfect match to his fathers. "What?" He asked excitedly as Regina flicked her gaze up to meet robins before walking them into the kitchen. Roland's eyes lit up as he saw the baking ingredients laid out on the counter top. He spun on his heel to face Regina, eyes wide as she confirmed his thoughts. "Would you like to bake cupcakes?" It was a pointless question. She knew he did.

Robin sent him into the bathroom to wash his hands and stepped next to Regina, snaking his arms around her waist, palms coasting over the fabric of her jeans as he pulled her closer, their lips so near yet so far as he said, "I think you've just made Roland's week." She chuckled and dropped her forehead to his before Robin touched their lips together in a single chaste kiss.

"Well, I like to stick to my promises, Mr Locksley." She purred, eyebrow lifted into an arch as she placed her hands over his chest. He made a sound that started deep in his throat, squeezing her for a second before pulling away and brushing back a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Don't start things you don't intend to finish," he was smirking, that awfully charming grin she just couldn't resist, and his words were like a balm, coating her in a deep, cleansing happiness.

"Who says I'm not going to finish?" Regina wrapped her arms around his neck and began to lean in, Robin's parted lips so hard to resist--

"Ew!"

Robin closed his eyes and huffed out a laugh before moving out of Regina's grasp and turning to his son. Roland had an amused pout on his lips, clearly trying to hide the grin which was fighting so hard to plaster over his cheeks. He'd folded his arms over his chest, trying and failing to look sternly at the pair of adults. "I thought we were making cupcakes!"

"We are m'boy, we were just waiting for you to wash your hands." His words seemed to mollify Roland, because he dropped his arms and skipped over to them, arms raised for Robin to pick him up and place him on the counter.