Robin proposes to Regina using the gold tipped arrows from their missing year. (Coincides with Chapter 23 of Rebuilding Her Heart. First mention of their engagement.)

Regina sighed as she looked around the forest waiting for her soulmate to arrive. The past five months had been so blissful for her. She had her son, she had Robin and she had Roland. She'd never felt so… complete before. She was sitting on their log. The same one where he had given her an unwelcome pep talk after Zelena had ambushed her at Neal's wake. She rubbed its bark as she reminisced about the fond memory. She looked up when she heard the sound of approaching footsteps. A smile grew on her face at the sight of her soulmate.

"Robin," she said, a genuine smile breaking out on her face.

"Milady," he replied smoothly leaning down to give her a kiss. God, she loved kissing him. Somehow every time felt different from the last while still being just as exhilarating. As soon as her lips left his she noticed that he was hiding something behind his back.

"What do you have?"

"Well," he said taking a seat next to her on the long. "Belle was clearing through Rumpelstiltskin's shop when she found something that she thought might interest me."

"And what would that be?" she asked curiously.

"These," he said pulling a loaded quiver from behind his back. She let out a laugh as she saw what it was filled with.

"The gold tipped arrows," she said with a fond smile.

"The gold tipped arrows," he repeated with a smile. "As shiny as the day you gave them to me."

She smiled as she lifted the quiver from his hands and ran her fingers over the tips. "I thought these would be enough to get you out of my castle for good."

"I know," he said. "Luckily I've never been that easy to get rid of."

As she ran her fingers over the tips again a frown settled on her face. "Robin I gave you ten arrows. Why are there only nine?"

"Because I took the tip from the tenth and gave it someone who could put it to better use," he replied.

Regina felt her heart crack a little at the thought of Robin giving away the arrow tip. She knew he was a Merry Men and giving to the poor was part of his core but it still hurt just a bit to know he'd given away a piece of their history. She cleared her throat. "Who did you give it to?"

"An old friend who owed me a favor," answered Robin. "In our world he used to be a blacksmith."

"Oh," said Regina nodding her head. He gave her arrow to a blacksmith? "Why?"

"I gave it to him so he could make me this," he said pulling a gold ring out of his pocket. Regina felt herself gasp at the sight of it. It was beautifully simple. Just a solid gold band with what looked like an inscription on the inside.

"Robin…" she breathed.

"Take a look at what the inscription says before you say anything," said Robin.

She gingerly took the ring from his hand and read the small inscription.

I choose you always

She felt a single tear go down her cheek as she read.

He gazed at her and anxiously took her hands in his own. He'd stormed a dark sorceress's castle and been less nervous than this. He took a deep breath before speaking.

"Regina I have made a lot of mistakes in my life but the biggest regret I have will always be making you feel like you weren't my first choice. I love you. I love you with my entire soul. I want a life with you and our boys more than I have ever wanted anything in my entire life. So if you're willing to let me I will spend the rest of my life proving to you that you are always and forever my first choice. Regina… would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

She felt more tears fall down her face as she fervently nodded her head. "Yes."

As soon as the word left her lips Robin wasted no time in giving her a heated kiss. She returned his kiss with equal passion. Once they gave into their need for air she pressed her forehead against his.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too," he replied.