The Nanny

The Other Shoe

Robin's flight was a stormy one, at least internally for him. Outside, it was smooth flying all the way to California.

For the first hour, Robin was elated. Regina wanted to work on their relationship and was willing to give him a second chance. He vowed to do everything he could to prove to her she wasn't making a mistake. There was no way he was going to risk losing her for good.

The second hour was him raging at Cora Ozgreene. How she could offer up one child as a sacrifice to protect the other? She didn't deserve the title mother. There was not a single maternal bone in her body.

After that, he raged at Zelena. She was stealing from him, even after he had placed so much trust in her professionally. He should've trusted his gut about her personally and kept her as middle management. Maybe not have hired her at all.

He sighed, rubbing his face. No, she had been a good executive. She might have been a pain who couldn't take a hint about his lack of romantic feelings for her, but she was just what his company had needed. Zelena had really helped him build up his West Coast operations.

Which brought him back to Cora. He had no doubt she was the reason Zelena had decided to steal the money. Regina had spoken of her mother's expensive tastes and everything he had seen of Cora supported that. She probably had put her stepdaughter up to taking more money so she could live a more lavish lifestyle.

*****

The plane landed and he headed over to the hotel, trying to ignore the fact it was the last place Marian had been before she died. He specifically requested a different room, not that it made much of a difference. But he had other things to focus on.

Robin opened up his laptop and soon was connected. Opening his video chat software, he called home. He stared at the screen, waiting for Regina to pick up back at home.

"Papa!" Roland's smiling face filled the screen. "You're safe!"

"Yes, I am. Can you move back a bit so I can see you better?" Robin suggested. Roland did as he asked, settling on Regina's lap.

She smiled at him. "How was your flight?"

"Uneventful, thankfully." He grinned back at her. "How are my two favorite people?"

"Oi! You mean three, right?" Will's face appeared upside in the screen.

Robin rolled his eyes. "Yes, yes. How are my three favorite people?"

"We're good," Regina replied, motioning for Will to join her and Roland on the couch. He did, grinning cheekily at Robin.

"When are you coming home, Papa?" Roland asked, leaning against Regina as she wrapped her arms around him.

Robin sighed. "I don't know. But I'm going to meet with the detective out here and we can work out a plan. I'll probably have a better idea tomorrow."

"Okay." He pouted and looked upset.

Will leaned forward. "Well, you just focus on nailing Zelena and getting back home. Regina and I will hold down the fort."

"Thanks. And I'll call you tonight, Roland, right before you go to bed. I promise," Robin said.

Roland nodded before panic crossed his face. "Papa, where's Sparky?"

"He's still in my bag. Why?"

"You need to put him on your nightstand so he'll watch you and keep you safe in California," he explained, almost crying.