Regal Arts

Reliving Old Memories

Today was it. The big day. No not the wedding that won't be for another month. No, today is Monday. We're opening the art school. It's like it was several months ago, Emma setting up in her room, Mary Margaret running late because Neal was being trouble, Ruby at the front desk, and I nervously setting up my classroom.

I hear a faint knock on the door frame and I turn to see my fiancé, his hand linked with with a chubby one, both their dimples winking at me as they smiled at the door.

Roland bounds toward me, throwing his arms around my upper thighs and waist. "Momma!" He squeals. I kneel down so I'm eye to eye with him. I pull him in to another hug and he pulls back, "I was scared cause when – when I woke up you – you weren't there." His lips are pulled down in to a slight frown and I cup his cheeks in my hands.

I brush the pads of my thumbs across his chubby cheeks, feeling his smooth unblemished skin underneath my fingers. "Oh baby, mommy is back at work now so I'm gonna be leaving before you wake up."

His frown deepens, "Does that mean I won't see you anymore?"

"Well I'll see you everyday at school, and on the weekends, and at night." His lips tilt upwards and I see the glimmer return to his eyes.

"Can I still come cuddle with you?" He asks, hope resonating in his voice.

"Of course baby." He jumps up and down at my response and I give him one last hug before he runs outside to the playground. I look up to see Robin leaning against the door frame watching us. It reminds me of that day when I was playing batman and joker with Roland on the floor and Robin stood the same way watching us.

I stand up and run my hands across my pants, dusting them off. "What are you looking at?" His smile increases, defining the small wrinkles on the corners of his eyes.

He pushes off the wall and walks towards me, "I was just thinking about the first time I watched you and Roland on the first day of school." He walks slowly towards me and I feel my heart beat faster.

"You know what's funny?" He hums in response and his feet come toe-to-toe with mine. "I was just thinking the exact same thing." He takes his index fingers and slips them in to the belt loops of my jeans and pulls my hips flush against his. I watch his motions before flicking my eyes back up to meet his blue ones.

He dips down and presses his lips softly against mine. Our lips move smoothly and languidly against the others. He slips his tongue gently in to my mouth and I hum in response at the sensation I've become so accustomed to. As we kiss his hands run through my hair gently tugging at the ebony strands. I keep my hands pressed against his chest until I begin to curl my fingers and lightly scrape my nails against his chest.

He slowly pulls away and I smile up at him. His eyes stay closed as we run our noses gently against one another's. I place a soft peck on the tip of his nose and he lightly peppers my forehead with sweet kisses. I bring my hands up to his cheeks and whisper, "I'm gonna miss you."

He leans his forehead against mine and and curls his hands around my wrists, stroking his hands up and down my forearms. "I'm gonna miss you too."

***

Overall the day went well. It was a nice day so we had decided to eat outside for lunch on the picnic tables David had put together. The kids seemed to have had a blast and I met lots of new kids as well as seeing some familiar faces.

I sit at the dinner table enjoying a simple yet delicious meal consisting of spaghetti and a Caesar salad. I watch as Roland pokes his lettuce with the tip of his fork. "Do I have to eat the leaves mama?" He begs, directing a repulsed look toward his salad.

I put down my fork and sit up straight addressing the boy sternly but still keeping a kind attitude. "Well Roland let me ask you something." Assuming what was coming he also let his fork slide down the side of his bowl and his eyes made contact with mine. "Do you wanna grow up and be like your daddy?" I ask, gesturing toward Robin.

He turns his attentions toward Robin, contemplating what his answer should be. "I wanna grow up and be strong and nice like my daddy!" He exclaims while bouncing in his seat.

Robin smiled back at his son with a mouthful of food and I glared at his poor manners. He immediately sealed his lips but kept his grin and winking dimples. I turn my attention back to Roland and finish my lecture, "well to be strong you must eat your greens. That means your salad." I turn back to Robin who's still stuffing his face with food.

Clearing my throat he looks up and nodded his head. "Your mothers right eat your food." I roll my eyes at his sad attempt to help the situation.

"Roland to be strong you eat your veggies, fruits, and proteins. Your salad has lettuce which is a veggie, and chicken, which is a protein. So that salad is packed with lots of strong stuff and it tastes delicious."

He looks at me in the eyes deciding weather or not to believe me before scarfing down the rest of his salad.

We end the night with a family movie, Robin and I cuddled together with Roland curled up between us. My hand is gently combing through his silky curly hair, straightening the springy strands before releasing them.

As the movie finishes and the credits roll by I lift Roland from the couch, his legs draped over one forearm and his neck resting against the other. I gently lay him in bed, careful not to wake him, before pulling the covers over his shoulders. He curls in to their warmth and I tip toe away, closing the door behind me as I walk out.

I approach our room and find Robin brushing his teeth. I quickly change, pulling my t-shirt over my head and slipping off my cuffed blue jeans. Left in just my underwear, I clothe myself with a oversized t-shirt and a old pair of athletic shorts.

I make my way to the bathroom, removing my hair from its ponytail as I do so. I brush out my hair and begin brushing my teeth right as Robin finishes. When I walk out of the bathroom I see Robin already curled up in bed. I come rest next to him, flipping off the lights on my way.

I lay flat on my back, staring at the ceiling. "Penny for your thoughts milady?" He asks, startling me in doing so. His eyes are still closed but he moves, draping his arm over my abdomen.

"I was just thinking about the wedding." Keeping my body still, I turn my head to look at him, "you know it's only a month away."

He smiles and opens his eyelids revealing his gorgeous ocean blue eyes. "Of course, I've been counting down the days."

I turn my whole body now placing my head in the crook of his neck, "your not having doubts about marrying me right?"

"Of course not love. I'm eager for you to be Regina Locksley."

I smile at his response allowing my eyes to flutter shut. "Me too." I say just above a whisper before I let my eyes flutter shut. And I fall asleep like that, comfortable and safe in his arms, breathing in his pine scent, completely happy with the path I'm on, and overjoyed to have found someone who loves me, and cares about me. More that just a physical attraction. A real true love that can withstand anything the world throws at it.