OQ One Shots (#OQPromptParty)

Prompt 8- The First Time Roland Calls Regina Mama

Robin

I heard the bathroom door quietly tap shut, followed by the less discreet shuffling of Regina's feet on the carpet. I began taking two steps at a time up the staircase and made my way to the top where Regina was scurrying down the hall, her hand covering her mouth as tears fell down her cheeks, followed by a hard slam of the master bedroom door.

I swallowed and wandered into the bathroom where Roland was, contently unphased in the bathtub with his rubber trains and ducks. "Hi there buddy." I said with a gentle smile, ruffling his wet curls which were still crackling from the foam that Regina began washing his hair with once we began living with her.

I carefully took the cup from the edge of the tub and filled it with warm water from the spout, rinsing his curls out until they were free from the soap. "What's going on in here? Was Regina giving you a bath?" I asked carefully, but he simply nodded and continued to play, shivering slightly as the water grew cold.

"Let's go get dressed and then into bed." I suggested, pulling him out and into his blue furry robe that he had grown to love so dearly. "Okay papa."

Once our toddler was fast asleep, I managed to make my way into the master suite, quite exhausted from the whole ordeal. Regina did it with such grace, making it all look so incredibly easy to get a four year old bathed, dressed, and asleep.

She was curled under the duvet with her blouse still on, just splattered with bath water and soap. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, and I could tell something was bothering her from the way she was picking at her already raw and bloody cuticle.

"Regina, my love, what is it?" I asked gently, but she just shifted and sniffled at me, gathering up the courage to answer my simple question. "I got upset at Roland today." She admitted, making me turn my head at her and nod calmly, recalling our other conversation we had about finally allowing each other to discipline each other's children.

"Oh, did he do something I should be worried about?" I asked carefully, but she just pressed her eyelashes together and shook her head at me, tears now frantically falling down her cheeks.

"He didn't do anything wrong. He called me mama." She revealed, making me finally piece the pieces together and pull my shaking wife in for a hug.

"Marian was his mother- is his mother! I don't want to replace a woman who meant so much to the both of you. You should honor her and not have an evil queen doing bath time with her toddler!" She sobbed, but I carefully stroked her hair, giving her a minute to cry it out before interrupting her.

"Regina Marie. Take a deep breath." I instructed, watching as she did just that, carefully pulling away to look at me, her brown eyes watery under her wide brimmed glasses.

"Marian did give birth to Roland, and loved him dearly for the year that she was with us, but unfortunately she did die, and now Roland has someone who has stepped up as a mother, loving him to her full capacity. Regina, you do bath time, bedtime cuddles, kiss scraped knees, help with fevers, and everything in between. You're not the nanny who came over and after two days is called mama, you've earned it, and I wouldn't have anyone else take on that role for my son." I said with a smile, watching as Regina blinked away a few tears before getting up from the bed.

"Where are you going?" I asked, watching her smirk at me and readjust her glasses on her nose. "I have to go say goodnight to my sons."

Regina

I flinched as the door to Roland's room creaked open. The little boy was tiredly slumped over his favorite stuffed animals which were stacked neatly in the corner, his favorite bear still on top and out of his reach, resulting in the scene in front of me.

I smiled to myself and gingerly lifted him from the pile and into my arms, placing him into the small bed that Henry once occupied when he was Roland's age.

"Goodnight, mama." Roland murmured groggily, barely recognizing my face as he looked up at me from his pillow, warming my heart. Robin's words resonated with me, making my eyes water as I looked down at this little person.

"Goodnight, baby. I love you." I whispered back, gently kissing his forehead before brushing his curls back in a careful manner, so he wouldn't wake. However my heart skipped a beat when his tiny hand befell mine and clutched it, subconsciously assuring me that he loved me also.

I carefully slid his bear under his arm, sliding off his bed and out into the hallway. I shut the door and turned to see my other son exiting the bathroom, a wide grin falling on his lips as he made his way towards me.

"G'night mom." He muttered, but I stopped him before he could turn away, pulling him close into a hug. He was almost a head taller than me, but I still kept him close as if he were still the tiny ten year old that ran away from me to Boston. I recalled when he could barely call me by my relation to him, and settled bitterly with Regina. I could feel him chuckle and pull away, a goofy grin on his lips.

"I'm just going to bed, mom. I promise you'll see me tomorrow." He joked, but I just pushed back tears and shook my head at him. "I know, but I just needed some time with my baby." I said with a smile, making him laugh and roll his eyes at me.

"I'm almost eighteen, mom." He groaned tiredly, anxious to go and play some video game or whatever he kept busy with. "I know, but you're always going to be my baby." I said with a wink, dismissing him to do whatever he was itching to do, turning away to head back to bed.

I then suddenly heard footsteps and was instantly swooped off my feet, making me screech and immediately cover my mouth. Henry grinned widely and held me close, now chuckling under his breath as he was now taller and stronger than me, which allowed him to quite literally carry me like a sack of potatoes.

"And you'll always be my mama." He reminded, hugging me tight.