Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Regina resists the urge to roll her eyes as she sends yet another “per my last email” to her supplier. They were supposed to get the advanced copies of the latest August Booth novel a week ago, so they’d be at the signing. There was a huge mix up and had Regina not channeled her mother,  they very well could’ve been screwed. She will not let “Colette’s Books” fail. They’re one of the few book chains still standing in the wake of Amazon and eReaders.

When Regina first met her late husband, the bookstore was on the brink of death. It had been family run for years by Robin and Belle’s mother, who then turned it over to her kids when the day to day got to be too much. Try as they might, and even with it being the only bookstore in their small town, the doors were threatening to close. Regina took the jump and quit her great job at a marketing firm in the city, to help save the store. Within a few years not only was the Kent chapter doing better, they had expanded to a few more cities. In the nearly 20 years since Regina met the Locksleys, it’s since expanded across the country.

Regina swivels in her chair and her eyes land on the large collection of pictures that take over her desk. So many parties with the Locksley family, who took her under their wing once she started dating Robin. She hasn’t spoken to her mother in nearly 15 year.  After  years of cruelty and judgement, she couldn’t subject her own son to it. The Locksleys were kind people with weird senses of humor. She didn’t just marry Robin, she married them.

Her late husband makes up the bulk of the photos. From him dancing with Belle at her wedding, to holding Henry in his arms for the first time. Anniversaries, special events, she had 15 great years with that man before someone decided to steal it from her.

The police have given up looking for the perpetrator. They tell her it was probably a mugging gone wrong, considering his wallet was never found. 

“At least you have closure,” Detective Jefferson Chapuex tried to assure her. “It’s more than most.”

Closure. Her husband is six feet under, her son hasn’t had a father in 5 years. But hey, at least she has “closure”.

A knock to her open office door pulls her out of her depressing thoughts. She looks up to find Mary Margaret standing there. Regina wasn’t the only misfit the Locksleys had adopted. After Belle married James, he and his brother became apart of their crazy family. A little while later, David met Mary Margaret. From the outside, none of them should get along. Mary Margaret is a dreamer, speaking in motivational posters. Regina is a realist. And yet, somehow, they built a bond. Ever since Belle and James decided to head up the Hyperion office, Mary Margaret and Regina have only grown closer. Without her or Regina’s former college roommate, Mal, Regina’s not sure how she would’ve gotten by.

“Busy?” Mary Margaret asks.

Regina shakes her head. “I think I got the Booth situation under control.”

“Great. Think you could break for lunch? I don’t have any more classes for another couple of hours and the kids are in daycare til 5.”

“I’ve got a mountain of a to-do list…”

“That’ll be here when you get back.” Mary Margaret fixes her with a Look . Regina frowns. Despite her sweet nature, Mary Margaret can turn on a person in a second. “Come on. That place with the monster salads is calling my name.”

Regina’s stomach grumbles. She downed some coffee this morning after dropping Henry at the bus, but that’s the extent of her meal. 

“Alright, fine. But just a half hour.”

A huge smile breaks across Mary Margaret’s face again. Regina gathers her belongings and follows her beaming friend out of the office.

Regina didn’t realize how much she needed that kale salad until she took the first bite. It’s devoured within 10 minutes, her ice tea drained in the next 2 and she places an order for an apple cinnamon muffin soon after.

Mary Margaret smiles behind her own Cobb salad. “Knew you were hungry.”

Regina rolls her eyes. “Things have just been crazy with August coming to the store. I know we’re doing well at our other locations but Kent was where it all began. It was Colette’s dream.”

“You’ve done everything you can to keep it running,” Mary Margaret assures her. “And even if something did happen, it’s not an insult to Colette or Robin.”

“Easy for you to say,” Regina mumbles around her straw.

“Maybe, but I also know how proud they were of you.”

Heat raises to Regina’s cheeks. After her father died, she barely had anything she’d consider family. She had wanted so badly to impress them. Sometimes she forgets their love is unconditional, even if they’re not with her anymore.

“How are things going with the new sales guy,” Mary Margaret slyly changes the subject.

Regina blinks. “Samdi is great at his job.”

“Is that all he’s great at?”

Regina rolls her eyes, stabbing at her empty salad bowl. It was a mistake to tell anyone about Samdi asking her on a date. He had been kind, wonderful, just like the other two men she had gone out with in the past 5 years. 

“There’s no spark,” Regina says. “And maybe that’s childish, chasing that after all these years. But with Robin, I just knew. There was no guessing or doubt. Not love at first sight, but I could tell he was special.”

“I don’t know what you’re going through,” Mary Margaret says, solemnly. “And I don’t want to be a cliche that tells you to move on without thinking. But I also don’t want you to miss out on anything.”

“I don’t think I am. I have an amazing son, our family, the business. It’s hectic but maybe I’m not meant to find someone new. Maybe I can be happy with just those things.”

“So long as it’s what you want.”

“It is.”

Regina’s gotten used to the quiet over the years, and she knows she needs to embrace it with the future. Henry’s 15, heading to college in just a few years. Already her son spends most of his time with friends. She’s happy for that. For so long after Robin died, he refused to leave her side. He was afraid she’d be lonely. It took nearly two years and lots of sessions with Dr. Hopper to convince him to be a kid again. 

It doesn’t mean Regina totally enjoys the quiet. It’s nice to be able to watch what she wants and eat the Thai takeout her son loathes. But there are times she misses some noise. Sure, she could go to Mary Margaret and David’s, chase around her niece and nephew. She could invite Mal and Ursula over for wine. All of that requires being around couples and she’s not totally in the mood.

Her cell phone comes to life, breaking through the dreadful so called comedy on her TV. Regina nearly hits ignore. It’s after 9 and she doesn’t recognize the number. Then she realizes Henry could be trying to reach her from a friend’s phone, and gives in.

“Hello?”

“I’m looking for Regina Locksley,” an accented voice informs her.

“This is she.”

“Ma’am, this is Detective Rogers of the Greenwich Police Department . I need you to come down to the station.”

A sinking feeling drops to the pit of her stomach. She’s only gotten a call like this once before. “Is my son okay?”

“It’s regarding your husband, ma’am.”

Regina sits nervously in a tiny room of the police station. She arrived over an hour ago and was ushered in by an unfamiliar officer, with no one answering her questions. Regina’s texted Henry to stay with Jack for tonight, she has a feeling she won’t be home anytime soon.

The door pushes open and the same unfamiliar officer walks in followed by a mysterious man. He’s shorter, grayer hair and wrinkles lining his face. His brows draw inward, lips frowning.

“Mrs. Locksley?” The older man asks.

Regina nods, her leg fidgeting. “Yes. What’s all this about? Did you finally find who killed my husband?”

The man lets out a long sigh. “Mrs. Locksley, my name is Captain Weaver. I took over the duty a few years back so I wasn’t with the team when your husband disappeared.”

“Okay?”

“I understand you identified his body.”

“Barely,” Regina says.

It was nearly 6 months after Robin disappeared. After weeks of being told to accept the love of her life probably walked out on her, Chapeaux had dragged her to the coroner's office. The coroner showed her a body so badly beaten, his face could barely be made out. He had dark blonde hair. His arms had been cut off, leaving her no way of using Robin’s telltale tattoo as ID. She wasn’t sure if it was her husband, but Chapeaux kept telling her it had to be. He claimed the DNA matched the sample Belle had offered.”

So, Regina uttered the words “it’s him” and had nightmares about that desecrated corpse for months.

“I understand you were told the body you saw matched the DNA of your husband’s sister.”

“I was.”

“Detective Chapeaux was let go several months ago for tainting evidence. Not just with your husband’s case, but several. He and Victor Whale are facing charges.”

Regina’s brows furrow. “I don’t understand.”

“Earlier this week, we received a call from the Hartford PD. They had a man in there who claimed he thought he may be Robin Locksley. We ran the DNA and it’s confirmed.”

Regina’s heart begins to pound heavily in her chest. This isn’t possible. Her husband is dead. She buried him. For the past 5 years, Regina has been a widow.

“Mrs. Locksley, your husband is very much alive.”

Her breathing quickens as the background turns to static. The officers are talking but she can’t hear or even see them. Dots flicker before her eyes. Her throat is closing.

“I can’t...I can’t breathe!”

A plastic cup is thrust into her hand but it just as quickly falls to the floor. Regina goes along with it, clamping her eyes shut. There’s anvil on her chest and she can’t get it off. 

When her breathing finally returns to normal, she finds herself back in the chair. The younger officer has his hand on her shoulder. She gazes up at him with tears in her eyes.

“Mrs. Locksley, I know this is a lot right now, but your husband is in this building.” Regina lets out a sob. “There’s more you should know.”

“What else could there be,” she mutters.

“Mr. Locksley...well, he sought out the Hartford police. He’s been living there the past 5 years. However, he has no memory of any part of his life.”

Regina tilts her head. “That’s impossible. That...that kind of stuff only happens in the movies.”

“I’m afraid it doesn’t. Your husband received terrible trauma to his head.”

Regina’s mouth opens but before she can say anything more, the door opens and another officer enters. Weaver barks something about not being ready but then he walks in.

Robin’s hair has flecks of grey now and a few wrinkles line his face. A large scar goes from the left side of his head to the center. The last time she saw him, he was in a button down and slacks. Tonight, he wears a t-shirt advertising a bar called “Sherwood’s”. Despite the weak kneee, Regina rises to her feet, her lips parted to say something, anything. Her first words to her husband in five years...they should be perfect.

And then she also sees her . A woman on Robin’s arm, with a tumble of dark curls and kind brown eyes. She holds onto Robin with one hand, the other clutching her gray cardigan closer to her.

Regina’s been alone 5 years, but it doesn’t appear he has.

Chapter Text

The man she loves stands just a few feet away and yet he looks right through her. Five years ago, his eyes would light up the moment she entered a room. Now, he clings to the arm of this mystery woman.

Who the hell is she?

The woman must have some sense, because she lets go of Robin’s arm. Regina slowly comes closer and touches his face. He flinches a bit, but doesn’t pull away. In the time since he’s left, his facial hair has grown out some. It’s spiky rather than prickly against her bare hands. Those gorgeous blue eyes stare down at her and Regina has to remind herself that this is real. She didn’t fall asleep in front of a Big Bang Theory marathon. Robin is alive and standing right in front of her, with no recognition on that beautiful face.

Another sob catches her throat. All she wants to do is pull him into her arms, kiss him over and over, never letting go. And yet, he has such discomfort from her just cradling his cheek. This isn’t the man who pulled her in for grand kisses at parties or proposed in front of everyone they knew. He’s inching back a little while also looking so hopeful. He wants to remember, he wants to know who she is.

“You don’t remember me at all, do you?” Regina whispers, tearing herself away.

For the first time in half a decade, she hears her husband’s voice. He’s still got his accent, despite not having lived in England in close to three decades. “No,” he says, a little broken. “I wish I did…but I just…”

“It’s okay,” she interrupts, even though it’s not. He can’t remember her or their son, their life together. He’s with this woman. And still, she continues to comfort. “I just…I’m so confused. I was told you were dead.”

“I was getting to that,” Weaver takes a step forward. “Detective Chapeaux wanted to be a hero, close all of the open cases within the department. As soon as he found a body that matched your husband’s, he forged documents so we would think the body matched the DNA sample on file.”

Regina bites down on her lip. If she had argued further, insisted another round of tests, maybe this could’ve been prevented. “But what happened? What got us here?”

“I can maybe lend a little help,” the mystery woman offers. Regina looks her up and down. “I’m Marian Dubois.”

“And how did you end up with my husband?”

Marian flinches. “Maybe we could sit down and chat?” She glances over at the officers. “Privately?”

The other officer nods. “The Hartford police already questioned Mr. Locksley; we’ve heard all we need to know. The room is yours for the moment.”

The two depart and with shaky legs, Regina lowers herself into one of the chairs. Robin follows suit, his eyes practically dissecting her from a far. It’s as if he’s willing himself to remember something, anything. Marian sits beside him, her hand going over his. White heat fills Regina’s veins. Her husband now takes comfort in another woman’s touch.

“So,” Regina says. “What happened?”

“I don’t know,” Robin replies, his voice still quiet. “The first thing I remember is waking up. I was in an alley, pretty beat up. I could barely walk. Eventually, I ended up at a hospital. They tended to my wounds, then put me in the psych ward for…I can’t even remember how long.”

Regina frowns as pain fills her heart. He was so close to her, in so much pain, and she had no idea.

“They tried to help me figure out who I was, but I had no ID or anything. I guess they looked into missing people and came up short.”

“I filed within 12 hours of your disappearance,” Regina assures him. “But they kept telling me that you had probably left me.”

“Had we fought before then?”

Regina shakes her head, a trace of a smile barely lining her face. “The last time we talked, you were leaving the office. We um, we own a few bookstores.” It’s better than overwhelming him with the truth. “You were supposed to go to the bank and deposit some money. We had plans to go to dinner that night with your sister and her husband after we went to a school play for our son.”

“Son,” Robin repeats. “We had a child. I mean…I read that…but…how can I not remember him?”

“You read about him?” He nods. “How exactly did you decide to go to the cops?”

And how did you end up with this woman?

“I guess I should get back to the story,” Robin says. “Eventually, the hospital just let me go.”

Regina’s frown returns. “They knew you remembered nothing and just released you onto the street?”

“They needed the bed and I had no insurance.” Regina’s nostrils flare and he nods as if he is the one that should have sympathy. “I was living on the streets for a while, trying to figure out how to get by. I didn’t even realize I was in Hartford until a few months in. Eventually, I ended up at Sherwood’s.”

“Which is my bar,” Marian interjects. “He would come in, pay for coffee all in pennies. I felt awful and would have our chef make him something to eat. For a while, he’d just come in for a hot meal and keep to himself. Then one day we got to talking and he told me his story or what he knew of it anyway. I tried to help him find who he was, but there was nothing out there. Like the hospital said, no missing person’s case seemed to match his. I figured he had been homeless for a bit and got into a fight.”

In reality, her husband lived in a nice house in Greenwich with a countrywide bookstore chain. Regina had gone to bed every night in a thousand thread count sheets and heat. Dread fills her as she realizes Robin went missing in the middle of fall. There was a great snowstorm not much later. He had been living on the streets during that time. Regina fights the tears and manages to swallow the sob that peaks up.

“Anyway,” Marian continues, blinking a bit to feign off her own tears. “I decided to give him a job. Turns out, he was really great with the bar.”

“He tended when he was younger,” Regina mumbles. “Before he took over his mother’s bookstore.”

Marian purses her lips. “I have a loft above the bar, it was mostly being used for storage but I let him stay there. Helped him come up with a name, which ironically…is his real one.”

Regina tilts her head. “Really?”

Robin nods. “She had a copy of Robin Hood up in the loft. I read it more often than I could count. It just…seemed like a nice name.”

“It is,” Regina agrees. She looks between the two of them. “So when did you…I mean…”

“How did we get together?” Marian asks. Off Regina’s tight nod, she begins playing with her fingers. “Not for a few years. I worked on helping him try to find some memories but nothing worked. At the end of the day, we were both there for each other. It took us three years before either of us tried anything.”

The question of who made the first move is at the top of Regina’s tongue, but she isn’t sure if she’s ready for that answer.

“We have a child,” Robin says.

Regina’s heart begins to pound loudly in her chest again. Just as the three simple words “Your husband’s alive” had brought her to a stop, these four did the exact same. A child. In the past five years, her husband had managed to meet someone new, create a whole life for himself and then have a child.

Having Henry had been an uphill battle. Thousands dumped into fertility drugs, two rounds of invitro with the first ending in miscarriage. She had been so cautious during her pregnancy with her son, any joy from it had been taken away. Then he was born 2 months early and spent some time in the NICU. When they first got married, Robin and Regina planned on a huge family with at least four children. After that pregnancy, they decided Henry was enough for them. They could not take any more rejection, heartbreak or the stress that came along with it.

And yet, in seemingly no time at all, another woman had managed to make him a father again.

“A son,” Marian says. “Roland. He’s 15 months old.”

This time, Regina cannot hold back her sob. She hasn’t even begun to process how she’ll explain any of this to Henry and now, there’s another child thrown into the mix.

“Roland,” Regina repeats, her voice shaky.

“We wanted to be a family, make it official. But obviously Robin has no real identification. In reality, it’s like he doesn’t exist.” Marian squeezes Robin’s hand. “One of the people we work with told us we should try one of those ancestry things, where you submit your DNA. Figured there was a chance we could find some match.” Robin remains quiet, his eyes still focused on Regina. “There was a sister, an Isabelle Locksley.”

“Belle,” she softly corrects.

“We looked her up, found out that she was part owner in the Colette Books chain. Some more digging showed us that she did indeed have a brother…one who was pronounced dead over five years ago.”

“That’s why you went to the police,” Regina says.

Marian nods. “There was no doubting it was him. We saw the pictures, read the obituary. The DNA test from the police really wasn’t needed.”

“You wanted to find me, find the truth, I mean.”

“Robin deserves to know who he is.”

“And you were in Hartford, all this time?”

“Yes.”

Regina stares at her husband, a fresh batch of tears coming all over again. For five years, he was just an hour away from both the city where she worked and the one she resides. Just last year, Regina had chaperoned a field trip to the Connecticut Science Center, in the very city he resided. Could it be possible they walked by one another and just didn’t realize?

She cannot stop herself from crying this time and Marian pushes a box of tissues across the table. Regina gingerly accepts them, letting out a deep breath.

“We have a son, too, you know,” she says.

Robin nods. “I know. Henry, right?”

Regina digs through her purse for her wallet and flips it open to a picture of the father and son at a family picnic. She passes it over to him and he gazes down, but no hint of recognition takes over. “He’s 15 now.” Regina bats at the tears with a tissue. “A sophomore in high school.”

“I have another son.” Robin shakes his head. “It’s just surreal to me. I knew there could be a million different paths my life went but…”

He trails off as he flips through the photographs. There’s an updated one of Henry, his school photo from the previous September. Behind that is a group shot of Robin, Regina, Belle and James opening their second location in Bristol. The next shows the two on their wedding day. Her hair neatly pinned back in a bun, wearing an off the shoulder pearl cocktail dress. He’s in a gray suit, arm linked through hers. Both have matching smiles on their faces. Regina holds her breath, waiting for that lightbulb to go off in his head.

Instead, he gently closes the wallet and returns it to her. Regina clings to it tightly.

“I don’t know where to go from here,” Robin says. “I mean…I want to see him. To talk with you more. But I also….”

“Have a new life,” Regina finishes, dread filling her voice. “One you can actually remember.”

Robin looks to Marian, but she simply shakes her head. “I…I’m not sure how much I should be a part of this,” she says. “I love you, Robin, but this is your…your wife. The mother of your other child.”

“It’s more complicated than that,” he tells her.

He’s clinging to her hand now, those beautiful blue eyes filled with sincerity. Regina takes the moment to swivel in the chair away from the table and bury her face in her hands. She can hear them softly talking as if she’s not even in the room. It almost feels like she’s intruding on a private conversation between a couple. As if she’s the girlfriend, they’re married.

Eventually, Regina composes herself and turns back around. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” she says. “I just don’t think we’re going to solve this tonight. Maybe once we’ve gotten some sleep, we can all regroup.”

“That sounds like a good idea,” Robin says, and Marian nods.

Regina hesitates. His hand is still slid through Marian’s. When she walked into the police station, the last thing she expected was to see her husband again. All those times she wished he’d come running through that door, now he can’t even leave with her. He doesn’t know her, the love they shared is gone.

Regina’s walking out of the police station as she came, alone. She finds some scrap paper and a pen, scribbling down her number and address before pressing it into Robin’s free palm. His warm touch is enough to send another floodgate to her.

“I…I’m sorry,” Robin whispers. This time, that sincere gaze has fallen upon her. “I wish…”

“I know.” Regina forces a smile onto her face. “Trust me, Robin, I know.”

“I’ll call you.”

“Okay.”

The metal of the chair scratches against the hardwood as she pushes herself up and exits the room, leaving her husband behind once more.

Chapter Text

Being a parent means tough conversations. In the 16 years that Regina’s been a mom, she’s had her fair share.

“If Santa is real, why are you eating his cookies?”

“Why is the sky blue?”

“Where is Heaven?”

“When will I get to be as tall as Dad?”

She waited weeks to tell Henry that Robin was missing, hoping he’d turn up. Her then 10 year old son at first bought that there was a problem in their Oklahoma store. But soon more questions kept popping up. Why isn’t he calling? Why won’t he return my texts? Regina could only make excuses for so long. She was honest and explained Robin was missing, but promised they’d find him.

Regina didn’t want to tell him when the body was discovered but it was her job. She stopped crying long enough to get the words out.

“Your father’s dead, Henry. I’m so sorry, but he’s not coming home.”

His tears stained her sweater that day as he clinged tightly to her, sobbing. They were barely apart after that. For a year, Henry was scared she’d disappear to. In time the sadness turned to anger and he yelled at her for lying, making promises of his father coming home when he couldn’t. Regina couldn’t hold it back anymore. Every book said to keep it strong for the kids but the pressure of the business and being a single parent mixed with grief over losing the man she loved was just too much. She dropped to the floor, sobbing. She hated herself too. Why hadn’t she gone to the bank? Then maybe, just maybe her husband would still be there. Henry was stunned for a few moments before dropping down beside her and crying as well.

Regina got them therapy after that. Both are better. He can go out and be a kid. Regina knows the anxiety is still there, she has it too. They’re moving on, she’d go as far as to say they’re happyZ

Now, Regina has to ruin that all over again.

She hasn’t told anyone yet, not even Belle. Everyone deserves answers, but Henry comes first. He needs to hear it from Regina, not second hand.

Regina sits in the kitchen, her head pounding from the lack of sleep. After leaving the station, she drove around for hours allowing herself to scream and cry. She entered her home around 6 AM, numb from head to toe. Her eyes flicker to the clock above the stove, 7:59. The coffee in front of her is lukewarm and she doesn’t have the stomach for anything.

The front door opens, then slams shut. Regina opens her mouth to remind him to be careful with it but the memory of Robin’s scarred face stops her.

Henry enters the kitchen, backpack swung over his shoulder. He’s tall now, having outgrown her by a foot already. She wonders how he’d compare to Robin…

Regina quickly shakes her head. Her lip twitches in an attempt of a smile, but she can’t get it there. “Hey sweetheart.” Henry bends down to kiss her cheek and she squeezes his arm. The weather’s growing cool and his skin is icy to the touch. “How was your sleepover?”

“It was fine. You’re not at the office yet?”

Regina shakes her head, watching him shuttle around the room. He pours himself a glass of juice and sticks a few pop tarts in the toaster. “I’m um, taking the day off.”

Henry raises an eyebrow. “You’ve gone in every Saturday morning for years now.”

She cringes at the reminder. Regina doesn’t love being a workaholic, but ever since Robin died, she’s struggled to find someone that can do his share of work. James and Belle are doing their best from across the country, but the fact is, she needs someone to do her husband’s job. She’s had a few start, but quit due to her “impossible demands”.

“Yes, I know. Um, can you sit down?”

Henry nods, lowering himself into the seat in front of her. “What’s going on? Are you okay? You don’t look great.”

Regina sucks back a sob. She cannot let herself cry again. “I’m not okay,” she admits.

Henry’s face falls and she debates if it’s worth telling him. Robin is with Marian, who’s to say if he’s going to want to be around. Her son doesn’t deserve another heartbreak. Regina also puts herself in his shoes. Her mother withheld so much growing up and it only lead to resentment.

“Last night,” se continues. “I got a call from the police. Henry, I know you’re not going to believe me, but your father is alive.”

Henry’s mouth opens, clearly ready to fight back, but Regina is quicker. She pulls out her phone and unlocking it reveals Marian’s Facebook page. The profile picture is of the two of them dressed up nice, at some even for their bar. Henry cradles the phone in his hands, blinking a few times. His face morphs from confused to awe to sadness and all the way back to confusion in a few minutes.

Her phone falls against the table at the same time as the pop tarts come up. “What the hell?” Henry asks.

Regina nods. “We don’t know exactly what happens. The last thing your father remembers is waking up in pretty rough shape. He didn’t know who or where he was for a while.”

“Where is he?”

“Bridgeport, currently.”

“So…he came to the police because he remembers?”

Regina purses her lips. “No. He submitted his DNA to one of those websites and found he was related to Aunt Belle. A little history and he found us.”

“So, he…he doesn’t remember you? Or me?”

“No, sweetheart, he doesn’t. I am so sorry.”

Henry’s face falls completely and Regina rushes to his side. She tries to touch his hand, but he pulls away from her. Regina ducks her head.

“And who is this woman?” Henry points to the phone. “Where did she come from?”

“She’s someone who…” Regina nearly laughs at how crazy it sounds. On so many levels, she resents Marian. But on others, she’s grateful for her. “She saved your father. He was living on the streets and she gave him a job, made sure he was okay.”

“If she really cared, wouldn’t she have tried to find him?”

“It’s not that simple, Henry. We thought your father was dead. By the time she found him, the missing person’s report was scrubbed from the internet and records. No one matching your father came up.”

Henry still doesn’t look convinced and she can’t blame him. A part of her can’t believe how much grace she has for this woman, but it’s not Marian’s fault. She’s just a kind woman who found a man who needed shelter, and she gave it to him. Marian is not he villain of this story, the mugger is.

Regina’s also a woman in her 40s. Henry is all of 15, having gone through more tragedy in his life than most ever will. She’ll allow his anger. It wouldn’t be healthy to take it away from him.

“Is there more?” Henry asks.

“We can talk about it later…”

“Mom, you know I can just as easily look this woman up in a minute.”

Regina sighs. This boy is too smart for his own good. “They have a son, Henry. He’s 15 months old, his name is Roland.”

That’s what gets to her son. It starts with one tear, then another. Before she knows it, his face has completely crumpled and he’s doubled over. Regina wraps her arms around him, not letting go when he fights against it. That in itself is short lived and his head falls against her shoulder. Regina runs her fingers through his hair, biting her lip.

“Oh my little prince, I’m so sorry. I am so, so sorry.”

He doesn’t protest the nickname he asked her to stop using months ago, instead he just clings tighter to her. Eventually, both of them are on the floor, hugging as if the other might disappear at any moment. Henry’s entire body shakes alongside his sobs. Each one breaks Regina’s already fragile heart a little more. When he was a baby, she knew to calm him, all she had to do was softly sing a lullaby or rub his stomach. In this moment, all she can do is rub his back and press kisses to the top of his head, knowing it’s not enough. What possibly could be in that moment?

The two sit there long after her legs fall asleep and her back begins to ache. Henry’s sobs turn to whimpers and eventually, just the occasional sharp breath. He eventually breaks apart from his mother, pulling his legs to his chest.

Henry’s voice cracks when he finally speaks up. “Where is he now?”

“Bridgeport,” Regina whispers. “He and…Marian have a bar there.”

He slowly nods. “He remembers nothing? Not even a little?”

“He wants to. Henry, he didn’t do this on purpose. Your father would never set out to abandon you.”

“I know.” He wipes at his face with his sweatshirt sleeve. “So, what happens now?”

“We’re going to talk about it. He does want to be in our lives, hopefully remember more than he does now.” Regina pauses for a moment. “But it’s totally up to you, you know? I would get it if you didn’t want to see him until he remembers something.”

“No, no.” Henry shakes his head. “I…I spent so much time wishing for this moment, you know? That the door would open and he’d come in, like nothing ever happened. Now it has.”

“Okay, baby.” Regina touches his chin so he’ll look at her. “No matter what, I support you.”

“What about you, Mom? I mean if he’s with this Marian…they have a kid…”

“It’s not what I’m thinking about right now,” she lies. “I’m worried about you, making sure both of you are safe and happy.”

“Mom…”

“I’m serious, Henry.” She clears her throat and sits up straighter. “All of that stuff, is secondary. I’m just worried about you.” He regards her with an unsatisfied look, but she powers on. “If you want to see him, we can arrange that.”

“Can I think about it?”

“Of course you can.”

Henry nods. “Does anyone else know?”

“No. Not yet. I know I have to tell your aunt, but I thought I should talk to you first.”

A wave of silence falls over them for a few minutes before Henry eventually pulls himself up, muttering an excuse about needing to lay down. Regina tips her head backwards, shutting her eyes and willing this all to be a terrible, terrible nightmare.

Chapter Text

Everyone told her not to do it. The man couldn’t remember his own past. What if he was a serial killer or a pervert? 

Her kind heart won out. She let him into her bar, her loft, her heart.

Marian prepared herself for the day. Would the police show up on their doorstep? Some gang looking for revenge?

It’s a beautiful woman with kind brown eyes and a sad smile that doesn’t quite reach the eyes. A 15 year old son who’s spent 5 years mourning his father’s death.

Would she do it again, knowing what she knows now?

Yes.