Chapter One: The Road to Enchanted Plaza

"I still can't believe it," she said, his arm wrapped around her waist as they walked along the path in Central Park. She gazed down at her left hand, smiling at the way the radiant-cut diamond glimmered under the dim streetlights and pale moonlight of the first night of the New Year.

"You better start believing it," he chuckled, kissing her temple softly before adding, "Your dreams are finally coming true."

Regina stopped suddenly, her brown eyes in the shape of almonds glistening as she peered into the blue eyes she'd fallen in love with. For nearly two years, she'd spent almost everyday gazing into those same blue eyes, falling deeper in love with the man they belonged to. She'd seen his happiness, his desires, his sadness, his anger; all in those eyes she found herself staring into. She believed she knew his eyes better than she knew her own; the color, the shape, the way one was slightly off-center, the way the corners crinkled when she was able to make him laugh, the way they narrowed when he concentrated. She could close her eyes and instantly describe them; they were the last thing she saw each night as she fell asleep and the first thing she spotted upon waking. And that's how it would always be, as long as she lived.

She smiled then, placing her left hand on his cheek so he could feel the cool platinum band pressing into his skin on the cold January morning, "My dreams have already come true, Robin."

His smile was soft and warm, as it so often was when directed to her. His hands pulled gently on the material of her coat near her hips to bring her closer to him when he replied, "Then I suppose I should take that ring back."

She gasped and shook her head wildly, causing him to laugh and hold her in his embrace. She couldn't help, but laugh along at his quip, knowing he would never do such a thing after the things they'd been through together in just a short time. The scruff of his beard scratched the smooth skin of her cheek where he placed tender, loving pecks. She sighed and relaxed into his arms, never wanting their hug to be over. He closed his eyes and allowed his lips to hover near her ear. His breath was warm against the cool breeze that brushed her ear lobe as he said, "I love you, Regina."

She closed her eyes for a moment and smiled as his words resonated within her. The night was fairly quiet, surprisingly so considering it was the New Year. However, as they stood in each other's arms at the edge of the park, the noise of the city ceased. It was as if they were they only two left in existence when he spoke those words to her. He'd said them to her numerous times before, but unlike every other time, he spoke them like he had nothing else to gain, but everything to lose.

Regina Mills and Robin Locksley squeezed together as they pushed through the revolving doors to the lobby of the Enchanted Plaza Apartments. They were giddy with the newfound joy they were experiencing, still over the moon with excitement over their engagement. No one knew except them. Henry, Grace, Roland, and Cora knew he would be asking, but they were all blissfully unaware that the deed had been done. Roland, who was probably fast asleep at his Grandma Cora's penthouse, and Henry, who was probably the farthest thing from asleep with Grace at the Chapeau apartment down the block, would continue to be unaware until the next day. While the rest of the world continued on with their New Year celebration, the newly engaged couple waited patiently for the elevator to arrive to take them to their home on the top floor; their home where they would be greeted with an exceptionally romantic surprise.

The doors opened for them and they looked at one another with matching, knowing smirks. She stepped in first, grabbing him by his coat and pulling him inside behind her. She wrapped her arms around his waist, his hands meeting the side of her face as she pulled him into a passionate kiss. The doors slid slowly closed as the elevator took its leave to the top floor. Regina pushed him into the metal wall, his lower back resting on the hand rail as she deepened her affectionate gesture. Their tongues met with eagerness, warm and wet and full of love.

Ding!

They'd arrived at their destination, the metal doors opening swiftly to allow their exit into the hall. Robin groaned, wishing they could make love in the elevator the way they always wanted to, but instead lifted her into his arms and carried her to their apartment. It wasn't bridal style. Oh no. He would carry her under the threshold the day she became his wife. This night, the palms of his hands rested on her bum as her toned thighs squeezed against his hips, helping her stay upright in his arms. She continued to kiss along his neck as he hurried to the end of the hallway and into their apartment. He fumbled with his keys, searching for them in the pocket of his jeans as she held herself up in his arms. She chuckled when she recognized his frustration, reaching into her purse and pulling hers out, never once allowing her lips to cease their ministrations against his neck.

Robin shook his head and placed the key into the door, turning it slowly before opening the apartment door. He whispered faintly to her as he stepped quietly through the archway, "Close your eyes."

She smirked and did as she was told, hiding her face in the crook of his neck as he carried her into their home. She heard the door click shut behind them, locked for the evening and most of the following morning, she presumed. He took her purse from her arm and placed it on the table beside the door, smiling as he admired the handiwork of their children. He kissed her forehead gently and said, "You can open them."

Regina lifted her head and slowly opened her eyes. Her jaw dropped slightly in surprise at the sight before her. The Christmas lights were taken off the tree and hung along the walls of the apartment in a line that led toward their bedroom. Rose petals were strewn about on the hardwood floor, also leading to the only place she wanted to be in that very moment. She remained in his arms as he started walking forward into the hallway, passing Roland and Henry's rooms until finally making a left into the master suite. As if what she already saw wasn't enough, this was surely about to woo her. A dozen red roses mixed with baby's breath rested in a vase on her nightstand. The room was lit by electric candles that outlined the bed and a sliver of moonlight entering through the curtains that covered the sliding doors of the balcony. More flower petals were atop the mattress in the shape of a heart around the letters "R + R."

Regina's heart fluttered with the feeling of pure happiness, looking into those blue eyes she missed so dearly when they were apart. She smirked, more of a devilish grin really, when she whispered, "What if I'd said no?"

Robin laughed, the sound of his amusement filling the room as he dropped her onto the bed. That laugh. That laugh could make her sing. Butterflies flew in her stomach as she listened to it. His dimples stuck out beneath his beard, the crinkles at the corners of his eyes making themselves known. She giggled happily along, keeping her legs wrapped around him as her arms pulled at the back of his neck. Their lips met, conjoined in a kiss of joy and love as they laughed along together in the privacy of their bedroom. They moved slowly, wanting to capture the essence of this moment together forever in their memories. Their clothes remained on their bodies for far longer than either of them expected. She wanted him close, giving him hugs and kissing every inch of his face. He wanted her closer, letting most of his weight rest atop her body as he stared deeply into her caramel irises. This was the definition of happiness. His next lecture about happy endings would be different than ever before; he finally knew what was written in fairytales and legends of true love. He would teach the meaning of love and describe one thing: Regina.

They rolled over so she was above him, his hands immediately finding the zipper of her forest green cocktail dress and pulling it to reveal the skin of her back to him. His fingertips grazed her spine, starting from the base of her neck down to her tailbone. Chills appeared on her back as she finally let her black peacoat slide to the floor, her hands moving to pull on his red sweater. He lifted his arms to assist her as she removed his jacket and undressed him. His bare chest rose and fell, his breath heavy with desire. She ran her fingers over the scar left behind from the bullet he'd taken at Columbia in September. She leaned down and kissed it, more than once, thankful it hadn't gone through his heart. Her heart. His heart that belonged to her.

Robin's hands ventured down the length of her torso, meeting her ribs through the material of her dress and working their way downward over her hips, until they reached her exposed thighs. He loved feeling them against his palms, the muscles that protruded as they assisted in holding her upright and the smoothness they had from being lathered in lotion every night. He thought for a moment about how they would lack their slickness that evening due to their blissful lovemaking. She couldn't very well have that, now could she? He smirked and turned over so she was beneath him again. He knew she would expect him to take control, completing the task of undressing her before furthering their passion. He was pleased when he noticed the confusion on her face as he stood and walked to her bedside table, taking the bottle of lotion she kept there and bringing it to her. He knelt before her as she sat up, her gaze meeting his as he squeezed the bottle and the cold liquid dripped into his hands. He rubbed them together, wanting it to be warm before pressing it against her skin. He moved slowly along the length of her left leg, starting at her ankle and moving steadily over her calf, knee, thigh. He reached under her dress and let his fingers graze her panties, the warmth of her sex arousing him as she sighed softly in response. He moved on to her right leg, following the same pattern as the bottle of lotion rested on the floor beside him. This time, when he reached the bottom of her dress, he pulled it up over her head and let it slip between his fingers until it lay gently on the ground. He continued to massage her thighs with each of his hands, smirking as she spread them apart for him.

She lay before him in only her red lace undergarments; his favorite, if he was forced to choose. His fingers slipped inside the waist of the material, pulling them from her body until they, too, were strewn about amongst the rest of their clothing. He leaned forward, pressing soft, tender kisses over her soft, lathered legs. He lifted them so her feet rested gently on the edge of the mattress, his face inching closer to her newly-exposed sex. His breath was hot against the crisp air that filled their bedroom, kissing her nearly naked body as he teased her. He brushed his lips against her pelvis, osculating her skin with his prickly beard. His fingers opened her up to him, exposing more of her folds to his salivating mouth.

"I am going to cherish you, Regina," he whispered, his lips mere inches from her bundle of nerves, "Until the day I die."

He finally pressed his wet mouth against her wet center, her body tightening from his initial contact, but relaxing immediately into the softness of the mattress. She hummed and ran her fingers through his hair, appreciating the meticulous way in which he pleasured her. She'd barely done anything for him by that point, but it didn't matter. She knew if this was all she wanted for the rest of their lives together, he would happily oblige. Of course it wasn't. The thought of living a life without ever having Robin inside her again was unimaginable. She anticipated the rush they would experience together once his tip slowly entered her, the way they would pant and moan and clutch at each other as they thrusted and pounded into one another.

Her toes curled over the edge, gripping the blankets between them as she cried out with pleasure from his ministrations. He licked and sucked in all the right places, his hands gripping and nails digging into her thighs as he did so. She pulled on his hair, desperate for him to give her more. She felt the vibrations of his chuckles against her center, her core tightening from the sensation. She was getting close. She knew she was going to climax and although she ached for his length, she was enjoying herself far too much to stop him. He seemed to be enjoying himself as well as he slapped his tongue against her sweet opening. She tilted her hips forward, her hands moving from the top of his head to grip at the sheets. Her eyes were closed, mouth hanging wide open to release a low, audible groan from deep within her chest. She was right there. She wanted him, no, needed him to continue. She had the right mind to beg for it. And that is exactly what she did.

"Oh baby," she released in a harsh whisper, overwhelmed with desire, "Right there." His tongue was quick, rubbing against her between each suck of his lips on her own. She was panting and moaning, the heat rising within her as it so often did when she was nearing the edge. "Don't stop," she pleaded, arching her back to press herself into his mouth. He moaned between her legs and that was all it took for her to lose all control. The sound that emerged from her was one he'd never heard before; a combination of a wail of pure ecstasy and a desperate plea for more. Her breaths were short and heavy as she thrusted her hips to be closer to him. He wrapped his arms around her legs, pressing his face more firmly between them and sucking in the juices she released for him. Regina tightened her thighs, trapping him in place as she rode out the wave of pleasure rushing through her entire body.

He'd learned by now when she'd had enough and ceased his movements to allow her the time to recover. When she was ready, she relaxed again into the softness of the mattress and reached down for him. He smiled as he wiped his mouth, the remnants of her orgasm dripping from the scruff of his beard, and crawled above her. She immediately wrapped her legs around his waist and forced him onto his back, straddling him as she fumbled with his belt. He was amused by her urgency, laughing softly to himself as he rubbed his hands over her smooth thighs, "What's the hurry?"

Once his jeans were unbuttoned, she leaned her torso forward, leading with her breasts that were still held within her red lace bra. Her lips were so close to his, he could feel the heat of her breath against the stubble on his chin. She smirked, obviously teasing him the way she so enjoyed, as she slowly pulled down on his zipper and said, "Would you rather I take my time?"

Robin sighed, feeling himself growing harder in his denim prison. He wasn't sure it was possible for him to be more aroused by Regina, but in that moment, she was proving anything was possible, that was for sure. He shook his head, leaning up in an attempt to take her lips in a kiss, but she pulled away. She was smug, biting her lower lip, as he groaned and gripped her hips, "You made your point."

She laughed, inching lower to pull his pants down to join the rest of their clothes. His Calvins were next and the final article of clothing keeping him from being completely exposed. She loved the way he looked in those Calvin Klein boxer briefs. He may not have been a billboard model, but to her, he was even better. She enjoyed how he paraded around their bedroom in them as they readied themselves for bed each night. She liked when she could feel him poking through the tightness of the material each morning as he rolled over and held her in his arms. But most of all, Regina enjoyed removing them from his muscular body each time they made love.

She slipped her fingers into the waistband of his plain white underwear, teasing him as she slowly slid them down. He leaned up to watch her with fascination and desire. The way her slender fingers moved gracefully along his legs, her eyes drinking in every inch of his body as she sat on top of him; each action was carefully thought out and he was seduced by her natural sensuality. When his length was finally exposed, it pointed upward, bending slightly to the right as it always did. He noticed the way her eyes darkened at the sight of him, her lips turning up at the corners in a mischievously seductive grin. His briefs fell to the floor in the messy pile of their clothing and Regina ran the palms of her hands softly up his thighs. She sat forward, skipping over his erection for the time being, and gently pushed his shoulders so he would relax into the sheets. Her middle finger pressed against his widow's peak and moved down the bridge of his nose as she whispered, "Relax."

Robin sighed and closed his eyes, allowing her to take the reigns for full control over him. When she noticed his eyes were shut, she leaned down and pressed a soft kiss upon his lips before using them to leave her mark on other parts of his body. Her lips roamed his neck, his chest, his strong abdomen, his pelvis; if asked, she wasn't sure she'd be able to choose a single, physical characteristic of this man to be her favorite. She loved everything about him. Her lips were finally met with the challenge of exploring his member, which she was happy to accept. She began with gentle, tender kisses to his tip and down his shaft. She liked starting that way, finding amusement and arousal in the soft sighs he released upon her slightest touch. Before long, she'd taken him into her warm, wet mouth, licking circles around his tip and feeling him harden in her grasp. He moaned loudly, grateful to have the apartment to themselves so he didn't have to sensor his reactions to her incredible ministrations. He tilted his head forward to catch a glimpse of Regina hard at work, her head moving to the rhythm she'd created with her mouth; all for his own pleasure. She was sensational, there was no doubting that, and as she moved faster, it took all of his willpower to run his fingers through her short hair and whisper, "Come here."

She moved from the bottom of his shaft to his tip, releasing him from her grasp and smirking at the way he winced from the pleasure as she crawled above him. She pressed her body against his, allowing his hands to reach around to unclasp her bra before he slowly rolled her onto her back. She smiled up at him, wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. His immediate reaction was to smile back, rubbing his knuckles affectionately against the side of her cheek. They were in love. They didn't say it, but then again, they didn't have to. Robin leaned down and took Regina in a passionate kiss, rebuilding the heat she created for him only moments ago. She felt it as well, the wetness beginning to pool between her legs for a second time that evening.

He pulled away, but only slightly, as he positioned himself and pushed into her. The way he looked into her eyes as he entered her was different this time. Neither spoke as they made love, but it was a look as if he was saying, You are mine. It wasn't possessive though. Not in the slightest. It was gentler than that, more meaningful. It was almost a look of disbelief; as if Robin couldn't possibly comprehend how he could be so lucky. And as he thrusted himself slowly into her, their eyes never parting, Regina wondered the exact same thing.