Comfort Food

Home for the Holidays

"Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays for no matter how far away you roam, when you long for the sunshine of a friendly gaze..." Regina's singing trailed off as she realized it was just her and Karen Carpenter.

She glanced over at Robin, who was now staring out the window as they entered Mist Haven. Was the blown opportunity for his company still on his mind? There had been talk of a makeup dinner but no invitation had come yet. Robin had already figured he had lost his chance but she knew he still harbored hope to get it. She wondered if part of him still blamed her.

"Robin?" she asked. "Is something wrong?"

He shook his head but didn't look away from the window. "Just thinking."

"About that dinner? I'm still sorry about that."

"Stop beating yourself up over it." He turned to face her, giving her a weak smile. "And that's not what's bothering me."

"Is it the song? Are you homesick?"

Robin shook his head. "England stopped being home for me a long time ago."

"Then what is it? You can tell me."

He sighed, biting his lip. "Does your dad own any guns?"

"Yes, he does. But he doesn't keep them in the house. Mother won't let him. So he keeps them at the hunting cabin he shares with my Uncle Xavier." Regina frowned. "Why?"

"So he's never threatened a boyfriend of yours with one?"

A flash of her father on their front porch, pellet gun in hand as Keith Nottinham crouched behind his car filled her mind. She sighed as they passed the Lake Nostros sign, meaning they were almost at her parents' house. And her boyfriend was afraid of getting shot.

"Regina?" She could hear panic fill his voice. "He has, hasn't he?"

She sighed. "He's threatened a boy with a gun but I wouldn't call Keith a boyfriend. We were dating for a bit in college until I found him cheating on me with a girl in another sorority. He didn't deny it, saying he just wanted to be my trophy husband when my trust fund kicked in. Which I don't have, by the way."

"I'm not with you for money, Regina," he said. "I love you."

"Right. Just talking about Keith brings back that old insecurity."

"He was a douche."

"And that's why when Ursula called to warn me he was coming to try and win me back, Dad went and borrowed a neighbor's pellet gun with Mother's blessing. He stood on the porch and shot around Keith until he left."

Robin sighed. "So if that's what he did to a douche, I can imagine what's awaiting me since I was an arse."

"Daddy is not going to be waiting on the porch with a gun." Regina shook her head. "I told you, they understand that couples fight. They've been married for almost forty years and I told you I'm a lot like Mother. Trust me—they understand."

"Understanding that couples fight is one thing. It's another thing when it involves your only child."

Regina sighed, turning into her parents' driveway. She knew there was nothing she could say to assuage Robin's fears. The only thing that was going to help was for him to hear it from her parents themselves. She parked the car and turned it off. "We're here. See? No armed father on the porch."