We Can Love Again

Lessons in Machinery

It had been a while since Regina had seen her son so happy. Smaller things always delighted him, like coloring books or his superhero shows- Roland was pretty easy to entertain for the most part. But it was rare to see such a bright smile on his face, one that was overjoyed, full of pure joy and excitement. Seeing her son race around their home with that puppy trailing by his side was amusing, nonetheless. Regina's thoughts towards his new puppy still remained centered on constant messes and broken dishes, but she knew Jupiter was indeed good for Roland. As much as she resented to say it, Robin was right.

"Why don't you take her outside?" Regina proposed, having to force him to stay still after running around the living room a couple hundred times. "You'll have more space to run around in the backyard."

Roland folded his arms sternly across his chest. "It's cold outside Mommy. Jupiter doesn't like the cold."

Regina gave him a look. "Why, did she tell you that?" She asked with perspicuous sarcasm, lowering her head to see the tiny beagle practically struggling for breath at Roland's feet.

"Oh honey, I think you tired Jupiter out," Regina said, "why don't you let her rest for a bit. You have to clean your room too."

Roland knelt down so he could pick up the puppy in his arms. "What do you think Henry will do when he finds out about her?"

Regina smiled. "He'll be just as excited as you are." Then, she glanced over at Will, who was still planted on her couch watching television. "You know, I think you should get Will to help you. He needs something to do."

That was enough for him. Roland was off to drag his uncle off the couch in an instant, resulting in the usual gripes and complaints that came with having Will Scarlett as a brother.

"Can't I catch a break at this house?" He asked her, as Roland continued to pull him by the hand up to his room.
Regina watched him with a playful smirk. "Robin wanted me to help him with...

Something. So I'll be out for about an hour. You remember promising to be a babysitter wherever I needed you, right?"

He responded with a sour look as they ascended up the staircase. Regina had to wait for Robin to finish in the shower for a few seemingly long minutes before he came down, dressed in a warm flannel shirt and blue jeans. He was finally starting to get used to the new attire.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Regina asked him, her eyes full of concern.

"Of course! I need to know how to. After all, Killian can now."

"And you don't want to be left out of the loop," she finished for him, knowing exactly what he was feeling.

Robin nodded, slowly taking the keys out of her hand despite her unsure look. "I can do this, I promise- I'm a fast learner."

Rolling her eyes, Regina began leading him towards the front door. "Okay, but I don't want you to get hurt-"

"I won't! Just... Teach me how to drive, so you don't have to take me everywhere."

His determination came though as just plain cute to her. She was still nervous, but she allowed him to get into the drivers seat go her black Mercedes.

"First off, you stick the key in here to start the car. Push it forward until everything turns on."

Seeing his hands clutch the steering wheel was like seeing a dog walk on its hind legs- it just didn't happen, nor did it look right.

Robin obeyed, and soon the car came alive with different lights and sounds.

"Now, you see those two pedals by your feet? The right one makes the car move forward, and the left one slows it down and stops it." She knew deep down that their lesson in machinery would turn into a disaster very quickly. Granted, she had taught herself how to drive when she first arrived to Storybrooke. It took some time to get used to it yes, but eventually she got the hang of it. She figured Robin would do the same after some practice.