Hey guys! Nice to be back! Thank you for all your amazing reviews and kind words, they sure keep me going! This chapter is a bit simple, there isn't too much action on it but I hope you like it all the same. Keep reading, following and reviewing! Enjoy!

Robin needed to find a place for their little family and quick. They would need their own place, imposing on Enrico was no longer an option. They decided they didn't want to live too far from the farm even so. The old man still needed help taking care of it and Regina wanted her father to be able to visit when he wanted, without taking too much time or effort. The neighboring villages weren't the ideal choice since they needed to stay anonymous. So, Signore Molina gave them a small corner of land in the farm for them to build a house if they wished, happy to keep his family close.

Robin Locksley was pleased. He would put his building skills to work, something he had learned in his years in the army. After that, he went to the village to buy materials and, little by little, began the foundation of what would be his and Regina's nest for a while. The apple thief and his future father-in-law would spend the day at the construction site while Regina took care of the children, kept the house, cooked and spared a few hours or so to work on her wedding dress, something she kept hidden from curious eyes.

The cold of Winter came and, with it, violent sea storms. The construction of their house would have to be stopped for a while, until dryer days. In those rainy days, the boys would play under the porch and inside. The adults would do most of the work with the animals and crops.

Their first Christmas in Italy was rather special. The Molina residence roared with music and decorations. There was a sweet scent of panettone and cookies coming from the kitchen. A turkey was roasting on the oven with the potatoes and the veggies slowly steaming on a separate pot, something that was reminiscing of Regina's and Henry's Christmases together. The tree was quite different. In America, they would always have a large pine tree, decorated with all sorts of things from little cherubs to crystal snowflakes. Although Robin had gone out early to try and find a suitable one, he never found it. They only had an old Nativity scene on the fireplace's mantle, surrounded by a few candles and the customary Christmas socks. Everyone was dressed in their best attire for the occasion. Cheer and joy filled their spirits.

Presents were exchanged. The children offered simple handmade trinkets and several illustrations to the adults. They received in return simple toys - some Robin and Enrico had fabricated from wood scraps from the house construction, others had been bought in the village market –, new clothes and, of course, lots of sweets. The clothes they received however, were made by Regina's skillful hands. Robin and Enrico also received a few pairs of shirts. The matriarch of the family had received the most extravagant present of all from her fiancé: a pearl ring. It was the best he could afford not blowing his savings completely – they were taking quite the beating with the house and all - but it was also the best he could find. There wasn't much of a choice in a little village's jewelry shop. Robin was in luck, though: Regina had loved it. It gave him a sense of satisfaction seeing it in display on his wife-to-be's finger.

January came without much fuss. Rain stopped for a few weeks which enabled Robin to go on with his project. The sooner he finished, the sooner the wedding would take place. Regina's birthday on the first day of February with breakfast in bed prepared by two eager children, joined by Robin.

The days went by languidly between work and family and, after Easter, the sun started to show more often. It seemed to have taken pity on Robin's soul. By the end of April, Robin was already furnishing the house with the essential furniture and devices. Their nest was built and running smoothly. It was a lovely home, cozy and sweet. Upon entering there was the kitchen to the left and the living room to the right. Their room would be to the left at the end of the corridor in front of the stairs to the upper floor. The boys' room was in the attic. Outside there was a porch and a garden where they would grow a couple of vegetables and fruit. An apple tree was planted right in front of their room's window, a personal touch that earned a few laughs despite its practical use.

During the construction, Regina was also preparing for the big move. Since her wedding dress was ready, resting upon a mannequin hidden in a closet, her new project consisted in creating the drapes, sheets and towels for their house. As soon as they were ready, she washed, dried and stored them back in the house which was only awaiting its inhabitants.

A week before the ceremony that would bind her to Robin, she went home to prepare the rooms and fill the pantry with a few things, for their first meals there. She also had brought pots, plates, cups and cutlery.

They were married on the first week of May. Robin was dressed in his army dress uniform, olive drab shirt and coat with its insignias on, tie and pants, shoes polished until he saw his own reflection on them and finally the hat. He left home with the rings on his pocket and the kids already pristinely dressed for the occasion.

Enrico stayed behind to accompany Regina to the chapel. She came out of the house, her hair down with just a small gold hairpin in the shape of a laurel branch. The fabric was of the color of champagne. The boat-shaped collar was both discrete and flattering. On her neck, hung her "something old": her mother's Sunday pearls which her father had given her the evening before. The skirt hugged her curves going just above her calf. Her high heeled shoes were the same color as the dress. Her makeup was simple and light.

Her old man had a hard time keeping tears at bay. He was holding a bouquet which included white callas lilies and white jasmine from the garden tied together with a blue ribbon. He had picked them himself. Regina walked towards him and was enveloped in a warm fatherly embrace.

"You're so beautiful, my dear", Enrico whispered.

"Thank you, daddy", she answered back, tears threatening to fall.

"Come on, brides are supposed to be late but not too late", he humored. Regina giggled, happily taking the flowers into her hands.

And so, they left, walked slowly down the road to the chapel by the sea, breathing the olive and ocean scented air around them. Enrico held her hand tighter than usual, as if trying to not let her go again. He was sure she would be happy with the man he had grown to trust. He was a good father, a hard worker, a man of his word. He was good to her and Henry.

Regina, on the other hand, felt giddy; a strange excitement inhabited her every sense to the point she felt like floating in the air. She had done this before, the wife thing; yet she knew this time would be very different. Regina could trust him with her life; with the children's lives and know everything was going to be alright. Her handsome man… She could imagine how nervous he was, except he had done this before too. He knew how it went, what all entailed. If anything, he'd be there to hold her close to him and not let her fall.

Robin was already inside the chapel, being teased by two rambunctious children who teased him many times in order to see him turn his head towards the door to see Regina when nobody was there. After firmly asking both boys to be quiet and scolding them softly for such behavior inside a house of God, he walked to a statue of Saint Anthony seeking some sort of peace of mind. He thought of Regina, his beautiful bride, he hoped she was happy. What had he done to deserve such woman…? The priest arrived, congratulated him and exchanged a few words. Both men now stood in front of the small altar, Robin with his hat under his arm still with his back to the entrance door and the priest, going through the last details of the ceremony, turned to face it.

Suddenly, the light inside shifted. The children turned their heads and Robin heard them gasp. He knew what that meant. Regina was there.

He resisted the urge to turn around until he felt a hand on his back. It was Enrico's. He noticed the tears on his eyes and the lump on his throat, but he knew the man was happy even so. His smile said it all.

"Take care of her", he said.

Robin bowed his head in agreement and then looked to his other side only to be awestruck. There she was her smile bright and red as roses, chocolate brown eyes shining like a thousand stars, happiness oozing from them. His wife was truly the fairest in all the realms.

The ceremony began. They held hands and never let go, not once. They exchanged vows and rings. In the end, Robin and Regina finally kissed as the people present clapped away and the priest declared them husband and wife. The boys went to hug their parents and congratulate them. Enrico followed them kissing and hugging his daughter first and then shaking Robin's hand.

As they came out, a trustworthy friend of Enrico's came to take their picture and congratulate the couple. Regina remembered him from her childhood, Salvatore was his name. He was much older now. They all stood in front of the church while the camera flashed away. Salvatore then promised to have several copies of the pictures ready soon and deliver them personally to Enrico. Robin then, took the liberty to invite him to lunch with them to celebrate his and Regina's union. The man accepted right away. All of them walked back to the farm. A soon as they arrived, they changed into a more relaxed attire. Regina was not wearing a flowy, short-sleeved white dress and Robin was wearing a white shirt and normal pants and brown suspenders. They put the food they had prepared the night before into the oven to cook and the boys set the table. Meanwhile Enrico entertained his friend with a few glasses of homemade limoncello.

Lunch was ready. Everyone sat at the table eating merrily and toasting. The record player, which had been put outside next to the table, played music as they ate and talked and laughed. After the hearty meal, dessert was served: a delicious cake made by the village's baker who had delivered it that same morning. Following the cake came Robin's and Regina's first dance as husband and wife. They kept close, swaying away with the warm breeze of Spring.

The children also asked to dance with their mother. It was a sweet and funny affair to all who observed. Finally, it was time for father and daughter to share a dance, which looked more like a prolonged hug between the two than a dance. The old man was now in tears almost dragging Regina with him, Robin was quick to act, joining them, circling Enrico's shoulders with his arm, offering his support.

"What are those tears for? Do you not see that your daughter is right here? She's not leaving anytime soon, old man! Today is a day of celebration!" Robin tried.

"I know! I'm just being an old man, that's all..." said Enrico, smiling towards them.

Evening came, Salvatore said his goodbyes to the happy couple, the children and his friend and went back home. Then Robin and Regina said their goodbyes to the children.

"Are you sure you don't want us to take the children? We have everything ready for them back in the house…" said Regina.

"Don't worry, darling. I'll make sure they wash and go to bed. It's your wedding night, after all." Regina smiled and blushed.

"Alright. Goodnight, my boys."

"Goodnight, mom!"

"Night-night, mama."

The matriarch took both boys into her arms and kissed their little heads.

"I love you both very much. You know that, right?"

Both boys nodded against her shoulders.

"Love you too, mama."

"Love you, mom."

Then it was Robin's turn. He kissed both boys, hugged them tight and wished them goodnight. The couple joined hands and walked to their new home; the house Robin had built with his own hands. Upon their arrival, Robin opened the took, took Regina in his arms and carried her inside much like tradition dictated. This made Regina chuckle.

"Home sweet home" he heard her say as he closed the door behind them.

"And it's all ours for tonight" Robin quipped, bringing his arms around her waist and pulling her closer to him. She joined their foreheads together, closing her eyes in comfort. "What is it, my darling?"

She shook her head and he realized that her voice was shaky with emotion.

"I just thought I'd never have this", she whispered, touching his face with both her hands.

"Things work out when they are supposed to. It's like Mal once said…it's all about timing."

"I suppose she was right. I have you, my father is back in my life, I have two amazing boys… I have a family, a real one and it's the best feeling in the world!"

"It's like a piece of yourself was missing and now it's back. I feel the same…I felt like that for a very long time too. We just have to make sure it stays this way. We just have to be sure we don't allow anyone or anything between us or our happiness. I love you, Mrs Locksley."

"And I love you too, Mr Locksley, but I think you should kiss your wife, lest she forgets her vows too quickly."

"What am I but a humble servant to Her Majesty's whims?" Robin laughed.

"And don't you forget it, husband."

Regina brought hers and Robin's face close and joined their lips in a tender kiss which became hungrier and hungrier each second that passed. Robin encircled her legs, lifted her in the air and took her to their bedroom. The door closed and didn't open until the next day's afternoon.

The world was theirs to conquer yet for now, they would rest. The morning would come, and they would love each other, kisses greedy, bodies warm melting together becoming one, their bed in disarray but their hearts beating wildly in their chests in contentment.

So, how did I do? XOXO