The Nanny

Next Steps

Robin was glad President's Day was after Valentine's Day. He slept in and meandered down to the kitchen sometime around eleven. Will sat at the table, a half-eaten piece of toast and glass of orange juice. He held his head in his hand and groaned every so often.

"Had a good Valentine's?" Robin asked, voice soft for Will's sake.

His friend nodded. "I might've enjoyed a little too much champagne though. You?"

"I had a great Valentine's." Robin sighed, wondering if now was the right time to have this conversation. "I have a favor to ask, though."

Will groaned. "I love you and I love Roland, but I am not cleaning up any mess either of you managed to make last night."

"There's no mess. Everything is nice and clean, don't worry about that."

"Then what is it?" Will leaned back, raising his eyebrow.

Robin carried his bowl to the table and sat down next to him. "I want to take Regina out on a date. We kissed on her birthday and have kinda been sneaking around since then. But I don't want that for us."

"Wait." Will rubbed his face and blinked a few times. "You and Regina have been together for two weeks and you're only telling me now? Why?"

"It was all too new and I don't know, I guess I liked have a secret for a little bit," Robin replied, placing a spoonful of cereal in his mouth.

Will continued to stare at his friend. "But you tell me everything. I'm a bit hurt you didn't tell me you finally pulled your head out of your arse and acted on your feelings for Regina."

"I'm telling you now," Robin said. "Can you watch Roland for me on Wednesdays? I figure since Regina's already off, it'll be the best day for us to date."

"And what am I supposed to tell the lad? Does he know about you and Regina?"

Robin grew quiet. He had been debating about when to tell Roland since the moment he left Regina's room on her birthday. At first, he thought they could tell him right away. Roland adored Regina. But then Robin thought about it more. Just because Roland adored Regina as his nanny didn't necessarily mean he would like his father to start dating her. Or he might resent Robin for taking "his" Regina away from him.

"Why is he making that face?" he heard Regina ask.

"Because he is overthinking something," Will replied.

Robin focused again, seeing Regina standing over him with a concerned look on her face. He smiled as he took her hand. "Sorry, love. Lost in my own thoughts."

"About?" she asked, sitting down.

Will leaned back, crossing his arms. "Roland and your new relationship with Robin, I suspect."

"You know?" Regina asked, tilting her head.

Robin squeezed her hand. "I told him because I need him to watch Roland while we're on our dates."

"Right," she replied before shaking her head. "I don't know why I was surprised. I just told Emma myself."

"What was her reaction?" He smiled, curious.

Regina held up her phone and the "Hallelujah" chorus played over her speakers. "She sent me that."

The men laughed as Roland came downstairs, rubbing his eyes. "What's so funny?"