Comfort Food

Playing Cupid

Regina laid in her bed, head pillowed on Robin's chest. Both of them stared at her ceiling, bodies cooling after an evening of sex as she played with his hand. He kissed the top her head. "Regina? Would you say we're in stupid love?"

"I have already said that several times," she replied, smiling.

"And that we're happy?"

"Exceedingly so."

"So you know what comes next, right?"

"Marriage?" She furrowed her brows. "Please tell me this is not your idea of a proposal."

"Of course not. I'm the walking romantic cliché, remember? Besides, we talked about this. I want you to meet my family first."

Rolling over, Regina rested her chin on his chest as she smiled at him. "I know. I was just teasing you."

"I see." He reached out, tucking her hair behind her ear. "So do you want to know what comes between being exceedingly happy in our stupid love and getting married?"

"Sure."

"Setting up our single friends so they can be exceedingly happy and in stupid love."

She raised an eyebrow, deciding to play along with his little game. "Really? And who would our victim be?"

"Will."

Regina sat up, leaning against her headboard as she realized he was serious. "Will? And who would we be setting him up with?"

"Your coworker, Ana."

"Ana?" Regina let out a little laugh. "How did you ever put those two together? And don't say it's because she's British."

He sat up as well, leaning closer to her. "No, it's not just because she's British. They seemed to get on at your party and I think I saw a real spark between them."

Regina thought back to the party the night before, held on Mary Margaret's rooftop in her honor. It had been a surprise her assistant and her boyfriend had been planning for a few weeks and she had to admit she had no clue about it. Mary Margaret had taken a half day, but with so much going on as her wedding approached, Regina had thought nothing of it. Nor had she questioned why Robin had shown up at her office to pick her up for their date.

Even when he had insisted on blindfolding her blocks from her office building, she still didn't think much of it. She thought he was just going to surprise her with a special dinner, not a party. When the blindfold was removed after an elevator ride, she found herself staring at all her friends on the rooftop terrace. Lanterns were hung around to light the area and happy birthday tablecloths, plates and cups covered the tables set up.

They yelled "Surprise" before rushing toward her. She was swept up in hugs, kisses and congratulations as she was pressed further and further away from Robin. He caught up with her at the end of the crush of people, gathering her up in his arms again. "Enjoying your birthday surprise?"

"Yes," she replied, "though it's very overwhelming. I can't believe you and Mary Margaret planned all of this."

He smiled. "Anything for you, love. And I think she wanted a break from wedding planning."

Robin led her to the makeshift bar and she remembered being surrounded by her friends as she munched on hors d'oeuvres. Ana had been there as well as Will but she couldn't recall seeing them together. In fact, she had been focused for a bit on the fact that Robin had invited Graham, her ex, and that he seemed pretty cozy with her cousin Ruby.