The Nanny

Roland

Chapter 12: Roland

The skies were overcast, threatening rain any moment. No leaves were on the trees and their bare branches shook in the wind. Regina knew it was a cold one but she didn't feel it. She didn't feel anything, at all.

It was silent in the cemetery. No sounds of mourners, of birds or even traffic from the nearby roads broke the stillness. Regina stood amongst gray and black tombstones as well as imposing white statues, their unseeing eyes focused on her in her grief.

She stared at a long coffin made of wood with brass handles. A splay of roses rested atop it, the wind blowing the "Beloved Father" banner up. It whipped Regina's dark hair into her face but she didn't bother fixing it. The strands hid the awful sight in front of her, the brass plate that read Henry Mills.

Her father was dead.

Regina was all alone in the world.

The coffin lowered into the ground, disappearing from her view. Regina fell to her knees, trying to keep an eye on it but it was gone. She curled up, her sobs shaking her body as her heart broke.

"Regina? Regina, wake up," Robin's voice said, cutting through the silence at last.

She bolted upright, right into a strong chest as arms wrapped around her. Robin held her close as he rocked her and whispered: "It's okay."

Regina found it difficult to catch her breath, it coming in shallow jags. He released her, taking her hands in his as he pressed his forehead to hers. "Breathe with me, Regina. Just focus on my voice. In. Out. In. Out."

She listened to him and soon her breathing even out, air filling her lungs at regular intervals again. Tears ran down her face and Robin brushed them away. "Bad dream?"

Nodding, Regina leaned over to grab a tissue. "I dreamt Daddy had died and I was burying him and I was so alone..."

A fresh wave of tears overtook her and Robin pulled her in for another hug. She clutched onto his shirt, feeling a growing damp spot as she sobbed into his chest. He ran his hand over her hair, her head tucked under his chin.

"Come on," he whispered, helping her up from the bed. "Let's go downstairs. I'll make you some warm milk."

She curled against him as he led her downstairs, settling her at the table. He placed her cell phone down in front of her. "Call Emma," he said.

As Robin warmed some milk for her, Regina hit Emma's name. The phone rang a few times before Emma's sleepy voice greeted her. "What's wrong?"

"I know this is silly, but I had a dream," Regina began, voice hoarse from crying. "Can you check on Daddy? Please?"

Emma sighed but Regina heard the rustling of sheets, meaning she was climbing out of bed. She wasn't going to call Regina paranoid or hysterical, knew the situation better than that. "Henry's been doing fine all day. He was in great spirits when he went to bed too," Emma told her.

"I know this is silly but the dream really shook me up."

"Sounds like it but you're not being silly." Regina hears the creak of a door and Emma moving around. "He's fine, Regina. Sleeping like a baby."

Robin set down a mug of warm milk as Regina sighed in relief. "Thank you, Emma. I feel a lot better now."

"I know a way you can feel even better. Go wake up Robin and let him..."