Forever and Always

Chapter 3

As Robin and Regina approached the sandbox, Roland looks up in time to see his loving parents. He runs up to Regina and says "Momma, I'm hungry." Running her hand through his curly locks Regina says to him in a motherly tone, "Alright, come on. Let's go eat." Regina bends down to pick up Riley from Henry. Riley lets out a fussy cry signaling to Regina that she too is hungry.

"Come on, angel. Let's get you fed!" Regina says smiling as she brushes off small particles of dirt off her perfectly pressed dress. Carrying Riley in her arms, Regina leads the way to their perfectly set picnic table with Robin carrying Roland and Henry trailing close behind.

As Regina sets Riley down, she begins to cry in frustration. Regina lovingly tries to calm her baby girl. "It's okay, my love. Momma has to feed your big brothers." Robin walks up to Riley who is crying when he bends down to her face to face. "Why is my little girl crying? Come here, my love."

Regina turns around with a sarcastic look on her face. "Let her be, Robin. She's just upset because I'm not holding her. She needs to learn to be patient and realize that the world does not revolve around her. She's just being a drama queen."

Robin slowly gets on his feet with a smirk on his face that made him chuckle. "Says the queen who when things didn't go her way casts a curse on an entire city to get what she wanted." Looking back to his crying daughter and then looking back at his wife who has a "how dare you" look on her face; Robin continues to say, "Like mother, like daughter," he smiles at her and gently leans in for a kiss on her forehead. Holding her by her arms, he says "you get her food and feed her while I get the boys their plates." He walks off leaving Regina thinking to herself that given her history as "the Evil Queen" and all the terrible things she has done in the past, she still can't believe that Robin sees her for who she is. A person that is capable of loving, a woman capable of providing an environment full of love and acceptance and a human capable of turning for the better. While the thought set in, a smile came across her face as she shook her head and turned toward her daughter.

Regina walks over to Riley and picks her up to join her dashing men at the picnic table. They begin to unpack all the goods and they begin to talk randomly about the boys' school, Regina's work, Robin's work, and of course, baby Riley's birthday party.

Pulling out the food, Robin looks at Regina who is bouncing little Riley in her lap. Robin says, "You know, the last time we planned a party this important was our wedding day."

"Oh, yeah," Regina says with a smile on her face as she reminisces on that day. "The reception was quite the talk of the town." Regina continues. "I don't see why though. It was just an ordinary reception. If anything, you were the best part of that night." Regina smiles at Robin and shoots a loving wink at him.

"Well, milady, you were rather stunning in your dress and the whole town couldn't get over how elegant and graceful you looked."

"It was a magical night," Regina said with a glowing smile on her face.

The carriage that carried the happy newlywed couple gracefully galloped in front of the dining hall as their wedding guests greeted them with cheers. Gathering around to make way for the husband and wife, they create an aisle that has been laid out with red roses leading into the celebration. Robin was the first to step down. He turns around and extends his hand to reach for his wife.

Surprisingly, just before Regina steps down, Robin grabs her, picks her up and turns her around before bringing her down for a loving kiss for all to see. All smiles, Regina gladly returns the gestures to her husband as they walk hand in hand to celebrate the rest of their night with family and friends.

As the wedding party heads to their seats, the bride and groom follow close behind to make their grand entrance. The DJ announces their arrival and all that can be heard are cheers from the wedding guests. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Robin Hood," the DJ announces with excitement.