We Can Love Again

Teenage Idiots

Regina Mills was beginning to rethink the whole working out thing. Her mind was beginning to doubt her, telling her that there was no way she was ever going to loose the weight that had come with the baby. But, she had made a promise to her friend, and she intended on keeping it. If she hated it completely, then she would try Emma's way of going about the topic, and so on. Her wedding was slowly beginning to become a top priority in her life, as well as keeping her two boys in check and tending to a newborn.

"Well well, what's all this about?" Robin mused, seeing her standing before a mirror and pulling her hair into a ponytail.

She cast him a sideways look. "I don't need any comments from you- I'm going running with Ruby."

He looked her over, surprised to see her in extremely tight capris and a red tank top.

"What, I didn't say anything," Robin said, "good for you, getting out there and running. I suppose that means Roland and Caroline are under my care until you get back."

Regina let out a small smile. "I suppose it does. I should be back in a few hours."

She then bent down to tie her tennis shoes, hoping that Ruby's prediction of fifty degree weather was true. Once she finished, she checked herself one last time in the mirror before starting for the door. Regina planned on walking past him without another word, playing hard to get, but that quickly changed when she felt a slap to her ass, not just a tap but a slap, making her spin around and send him a baffled look, her mouth gaping open.

Robin couldn't help but laugh at her expression as she continued on her way without another word. Ruby texted her and told her she was waiting restlessly outside her house, and if she didn't hurry, she was going to turn into a werewolf and tare up her front yard.

"Took you long enough!" She exclaimed when she saw the queen exit her house, looking as though she was seriously considering the whole yard idea.

"Sorry, I hurried as fast as I could," Regina muttered, sending her a smug look.

"You try getting Roland to leave you alone long enough to change. It's a Sunday morning too, I'm supposed to be sleeping right now."

"Well you want to look perfect in your wedding dress right?" The younger woman inquired, setting her hands on her hips.

Regina sighed. "Yeah... Guess that means we're running for the next little while."

Ruby took no hesitation in starting off towards the sidewalk, in a slow jog that was easy to catch up to. It honestly had been quite a while since the former mayor had gone out and ran; she was always too busy with work for that.

The morning was peaceful- chilly, but not overly cold. The freak snowstorm that had plagued the town was all gone, no traces left behind. It was finally beginning to look like spring. The two of them started out in a comfortable silence, starting down the concrete sidewalk side by side. Regina hoped and prayed nobody would be out to see them running.

"I finished the rest of those online classes last night," Ruby started, giving her friend a sideways look, "I'm finally a college graduate. But what use does a fairytale character have for a diploma these days?"

A smile formed on her face when she heard this. "True, but I'm sure you can find a better job around here somewhere- maybe you could start your own painting business."

She thought on that idea for a moment. "Maybe I could. I don't think Granny will ever let me leave the job at the diner, though."

Regina hated to admit it, but she was already feeling tired, making her feel more and more out of shape. "Yeah, you're right about that one. Granny tried to get me to become a waitress for her a few weeks ago, but I told her I was shooting for my old job back again."