Finding You

Chapter Four

Regina quickly let go of his hand. This situation was too weird and was getting weirder by the second. Much to her surprise the idiot man held on to her hand a second longer than she would have liked.

"Papa, I'm tired." Riley says as she rubs her brown eyes.

"We'll go home right away." Robin says picking up his daughter. His eyes flashed to the Queen and he saw the sadness in her gorgeous eyes.

"No." Riley says bringing Robin back to reality.

"What do you mean no?" Robin asks bringing a hand through her blonde hair.

"I want to stay here with Mama!" Riley exclaimed as she smiled at Regina.

"Will you give us a few minutes?" Robin asks as he looks at the Queen.

"I'll be in my chambers." Regina says sadly and Robin nods his head. Once the Queen is gone he turns to look at Riley.

"Riley, we aren't staying here." Robin says and Riley whines.

"Why not? I love it here!" Riley says as she pouts.

"I don't trust the Queen and I trust her." Robin says and Riley hits his shoulder.

"Her name is Gina! Papa please, you don't know her like I do." Riley pleads and Robin sighs.

"Three days. We'll stay for three days and then we're going back to the woods." Robin says and Riley smiles.

"Yay!" Riley says as she jumps out of her father's arms.

Robin watches as his daughter runs over to the Queen's chambers. Riley bursts through the door and hops onto Regina's lap. Regina smiles as she looks at the small girl who she's grown quite attached to.

"Papa said we can stay!" Riley beams and Regina smiles.

"I'm so glad sweetie. I can't wait to spend time with you." Regina says as Riley lays her head on Regina's shoulder and lets out a yawn.

"I'm tired Gina." Riley says as her eyes get droopy.

"Then go to sleep. Have sweet dreams baby girl." Regina says as she caresses her cheek.

In a few minutes Riley falls asleep clinging to Regina's dress. Regina smiles down at the small girl and a tear falls out her eye. She'll have to leave her arms sooner or later and Regina is dreading that moment. She loved the girl she truly did and it broke her to know that she'll have to her, just like Daniel.

"I love you." Regina whispers so only the girl can hear. A tiny smile appears o  n Riley's face and Regina smiles.

"Why her?" Robin asks from his post leaning against the stone wall. "Why kidnap her?"

"I didn't kidnap her! She stumbled into my gardens and I saved her from my guard. She wanted to stay and I let her." Regina says as she stares daggers at the man.

"Did she even miss me?" Robin asks with his cracking voice.

"Of course she missed you. She talked about you every chance she got. She talked about how kind and funny you are. I dreamed of meeting you but never thought you would be threatening to kill me when we did." Regina says and Robin laughs.

"I'm sorry about that. It's just I wanted her to have some nice things when I found her." Robin says and Regina nods.

"I can understand you trying to the best for your child." Regina says as she looks down at Riley.

"Your majesty, have you ever had children?" Robin asks and Regina's holds in a sob.

"I never had the chance to since love never happened in my life." She says as she looks up at him. "My name is Regina. You should at least know my name if  you're staying here."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Regina." Robin says taking her hand and kissing her knuckles which made Regina blush uncontrollably. "Robin Hood at your service." He says as he bows.

"It's lovely to finally meet the nan who stole from my late husband. Now, you can take her if you want." Regina says as she motions to Riley.

"Are you sure? She seems pretty comfortable in your arms." Robin says as he walks closer to them.

"A daughter should be with her father." Regina says and Robin nods.

"I'll take her." Robin says as he picks up Riley, catching the smell of Regina's intoxicating perfume.

"Mama?" Riley whimpers in her sleep. Regina stands up from the couch and holds Riley's hand.

"I'm right here baby. Just let Papa take care of you." Regina says as she looks up at Robin, realizing how close they are.

Their eyes lock in a loving gaze. Regina looks up at Robin and a smile grazes her sad lips. Robin can't help but smile back at her as he leans in. His lips were so close to touching hers as she pulls away from him.

"Goodnight, Robin." Regina says with a smile as her heart beats out her chest.

"Goodnight, Regina." Robin says thinking about what almost happened.

Robin walks out the room with his daughter in his hands. Regina sits back down on the couch and clutches her beating heart. What the hell just happened? A thief tries to kiss her! And she wanted to kiss him back! Everything is spiraling in Regina's mind as a knock interrupts her thoughts.

"Who is it?" She asks as she walks towards the door and opens it. "Oh, it's y-"

Her sentence is cut off by the thief's lips pressed against hers.