We All Will Be Together

April Joys

Regina entered Robin's store, the bell tingling as the door opened. She glanced around, hoping not to spot her husband's familiar form. A few customers milled around the store and John manned the cash register but there was no sign of Robin. Relief filled her and she approached John.

"Hello, Regina," he greeted her warmly. "Robin isn't here. He had a meeting with a supplier."

"Good. I want to talk to you about him. Specifically, his birthday," she said.

He tilted his head, checking the calendar pinned up behind him. "It's still a few weeks away, Regina. His birthday is..."

"April eighteenth," she finished. "I know that. And I know it's over a month away but we know how fast things can go. I want to throw a surprise party for him but Easter is going to get in the way."

John nodded. "We probably should have it before then. But are you sure you want to plan a surprise party on top of your wedding ceremony?"

Regina bit her lip, knowing he had a good point. She and Robin had decided to get married at the end of June, right after school ended for their boys and before the real heat of summer could kick in. Their plan was to then celebrate the 4th of July with their family and friends before sending Henry and Roland to a two-week sleepaway camp. During that time, she and Robin were going on a weeklong cruise to the Caribbean for their honeymoon. She knew it didn't leave much time for planning but she wasn't trying to throw a big wedding, just a small ceremony to give them what Santa had robbed from them—memories of actually getting married.

That didn't mean there still was a lot to plan for the wedding, though. But Regina was getting a lot of help from both Tink and Mary Margaret, so she felt confident she could pull off a surprise party for Robin as well.

"I'm not planning anything big," she told John. "Probably just a small gathering in the backyard. Tink's helping with the wedding, so I was hoping you could help with this."

John smiled, nodding. "I'd be happy to help. Just let me know what you need me to do."

Regina grinned, reaching into her purse. She pulled out a folded piece of paper and held it out to him. "Do you think you can take care of these?"

He took the paper and unfolded it, scanning the items she had written down. John nodded. "Looks easy enough."

"Good," she said, relieved. "This is a big help."

"Anything to make sure Robin has a great birthday. He deserves it," he replied, tucking the list into his pocket.

She nodded, leaning back. "Thanks. I'll be in touch when I can. I think we can pull this off."

"Me too," he agreed. "Can't wait to see the look on Robin's face."

Excited, Regina said goodbye to John and headed out of the store. This was going to be the best surprise party she had ever planned.

Robin deserved nothing less.

*****

It had been a crazy morning. Robin had barely taken his first sip of coffee when Regina had shoved a list at him. Apparently she liked to create big baskets for Henry to open on Easter morning and this year was also making one for Roland. There were a lot of things she needed and she tasked him with picking all of it up without the boys while she went food shopping with them. Robin sighed but kissed her cheek, agreeing to do it. After all, how hard could it be to grab everything?