We Can Love Again

Happy, Right?

That night was one of the happiest days of her life. Brightness- that was the only thing term Regina could use describe the reunion with her son as. Everything was happy; she had other things she and to worry about, but those things didn't matter at that moment. There were lots of hugs, lots of tears, and lots of smiles.

"Well he seems perfectly fine," Whale concluded, running one last test on him, "and he remembers everything- can you tell me what you remember about that night?"

The boy concentrated hard in his bed, surrounded by his mother, his father, and his older brother. They were all quiet as they nervously awaited his answer.

"Will was at the house, and... And..." To everyone's surprise, Roland's eyes glossed over with tears as he gave Regina a quivering look. "I was bad, Mommy. I did something bad."

Her heart melted inside it her as she wrapped her arms around his small body. "It's okay... It's okay. I forgive you."

It was probably well past midnight. Doctor Whale had quickly come over when he got the call from Regina saying that the five year old had finally woken up. He had been gone for a week, and it had been the longest week of everyone's life. The entire town had been nervously awaiting news on the most talked about family in the realm, all wondering of the wedding was going to go through or not.

"Can we go home?" Roland asked, his voice still groggy. He felt strange; it was impossible to wrap his mind around being asleep for a whole entire week.

Whale chuckled. "Soon, don't worry. I think you should let your family get some rest tonight."

Sleep was the last thing on Robin's mind- his son was back with them. He couldn't've been happier. But still, remorse found its way into the tender moment as the outlaw thought about how difficult it would be to tell his little son about what happened to Will.

"Can I have some pancakes then?" Roland piped up, "I'm hungry."

The four of them laughed lightheartedly. "I think that can be arranged," Regina smiled, glancing towards Whale for conformation. Opening her hand, she used magic to make a stack of two pancakes appear on a plate, with extra whipped cream on top. "Now eat it slow. You've been through a lot."

The boy grabbed a fork and began to dig in.

"You know, your friend Alex stopped by to see you a while ago," Henry began, "she gave you those balloons. Lots of people have even asking about you."

Roland grinned as he glanced up at the balloons- they were his favorite colors.

"And now that you're back with us, your mother and I will be married by the end of the week. I sent a tweet out saying that the wedding was officially happening on the 18th." Robin said with a smile, causing Regina to laugh. She still didn't understand how he had picked up technology so much quicker than she had. Nobody would guess that Robin Hood was once a thief who traveled the forest of an enchanted realm, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. She wouldn't have him any other way.

"We have a lot of work to do for it," Regina sighed, taking a delight in watching her son scarf down his pancakes against her wishes. "But we'll get it done. It will be the happiest day of our lives."

Robin slung his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. Now that he was back, everything was going to be okay.

--

For the first time in a week, going home actually meant going home. Whale had officially given Roland permission to leave the hospital in the morning; they were all ready to leave. Roland was still faint on his feet, though. He was given medication to help him sleep at night, and was instructed to keep the bandage around his head on until the wedding. Other than that, Roland was a free boy. He was happy to be home; to have his room back, to see his puppy again... it was all more than he ever wanted.