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Diana hated when her parents fought.
She could hear their raised voices through her bedroom wall though she couldn't make out what they were saying. They had been tense at dinner and had barely talked with each other, both focusing on either Diana or the other guests at dinner – Grandfather, Aunt Marian, Aunt Mulan, Uncle John and Uncle Will. It was unlike her parents, who usually joked with each other and flirted as well – or at least that's what her uncles called it when her parents shared soft smiles with each other and made certain comments that Diana didn't really understand. She liked to watch them do that, though, because she could really see how much they loved each other.
And she knew they still loved each other. Even at her young age, she knew one fight couldn't undo the powerful bond her parents shared as soulmates. However, she didn't like the tension their fight was causing. It made her feel sad and like she wanted to hide from her parents.
But what could she do?
There was silence on the other side of the wall and she wondered if her parents had finally made up. But her hopes were dashed when the door between her room and theirs opened. Mama walked in and approached her bed, pausing when she saw Diana. "Did we keep you up, sweetheart?" she asked quietly.
"You were very loud," Diana told her. "Are you and Papa still fighting?"
Mama pressed her lips together before saying: "We need some time away from each other to cool down. I'm going to sleep here with you."
"Alright," Diana replied, moving over so Mama could climb into bed with her. She cuddled against her mother, who kissed her forehead. "I love you, Mama."
"I love you too, sweetheart," she said, snuggling against her. "Pleasant dreams."
Diana nodded, closing her eyes. While she loved when she got to sleep with her mother, she wished it wasn't because her parents were fighting. She hoped they apologized in the morning and went back to being themselves again.
Or else she would have to take drastic measures.
They were still fighting the next day.
Mama and Papa weren't yelling at each other anymore but they still weren't talking. Only Mama had been at breakfast and was gone by the time Papa returned to their rooms. He had greeted Diana warmly but it still felt tense in the room. After changing, he had left and Diana tried to distract herself with her toys. When she grew bored, she went looking for someone to play with her and passed her parents' offices. Usually they preferred to spend time together, sometimes in Mama's office and other times in Papa's, but that day they were in their own offices. Both still looked upset and she knew they hadn't made up yet at all.
It made Diana feel sad and she knew she had to do something to fix it so her parents stopped fighting. She got an idea and she continued down the hall, determined to find her uncles and aunts. They would help her.
She found everyone in a room by the kitchens. Uncle John saw her first and he picked her up, giving her a little toss before catching her again. "Hello, Diana, sweetheart. What brings you to our little corner of the palace?"
"Mama and Papa are still fighting," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I don't like it."
"I know," he replied with a sigh. "None of us like it."
"Why are they fighting?" she asked, wondering what could've caused her parents to act like that in the first place.
Uncle John shared a look with her other uncles and aunts before sighing. "It's complicated, sweetheart."
She sighed. "You always say that when you don't want to tell me something."
"I know," he replied. "But it's usually because it's true. And this time is no different. Your parents are running an entire country and sometimes they have different ideas how to do that. This is one of those times and they haven't figured out a way to resolve it."
"There must be something we can do," she said, her heart sinking. "I don't like it when they fight."
Uncle Will stood, grinning. "I think there is something we can do. But we must all agree on it."
Aunt Mulan smiled as she leaned forward. "If you're suggesting what I think you are, I'm all for it."
"I have one question," Aunt Marian said, looking up at Diana. "Did your parents sleep in the same bed last night?"
Diana shook her head. "Mama slept with me last night."
"And Robin slept with me and John," Uncle Will said. "It seemed neither of them wanted to stay in their bedroom last night."
Aunt Marian sighed, nodding. "They didn't spend the night together so I'm in. I think getting them in the same room will be good for them."
"Or we're going to have to owe the palace staff," Uncle John replied, grimacing. "But I think it's our best bet."
Uncle Will stood and approached them, smiling. "We're going to need your help, Diana. Can you do something for us?"
"If it gets Mama and Papa to stop fighting, I'll do anything," she told him, meaning every word. "What is it?"
Her uncles and aunts gathered around as Uncle Will told them his plan. Diana grinned as she heard it, certain it would work. Mama and Papa would make up and everything would go back to normal.
Just what she wanted.
Regina raced down the hallway toward her bedroom, her heart pounding in her chest. She held her skirts up as high as they could go so she could move faster, eager to get to her baby girl. Marian hadn't given her much information – just that Diana was sick and asking for her mother. That was all Regina really needed to know. She could figure everything else out once she was by her daughter's side.
She reached her bedroom and almost skidded to a stop. "Diana? Diana, where are you?" she called out, looking around for her daughter.
Her panic receded and confusion took over her as she looked around her bedroom. She saw no sign of her daughter and wondered if maybe she had misheard Marian. Perhaps Diana was waiting in her own bedroom and Regina moved toward the door that connected the bedroom she shared with Robin and Diana's.
"Diana!"
Regina paused, slowly turning as Robin raced into the room. His eyes were wide and the color had drained from his face. She watched as he looked around the room with his bright blue eyes before they landed on her. Frowning, he asked: "Where is Diana? John and Will said she's sick."
"Marian and Mulan said the same but she is not here," Regina said, her annoyance at her husband mingling with her concern for their daughter. "I was about to check her room."
He nodded, stepping closer to her as she leaned into Diana's room. She frowned when she saw it was empty as well. "She's not here. Why did they tell us that she was…?"
SLAM! CLICK!
Both stepped away from their daughter's room, staring at the heavy door that separated their room from the outside hallway. Regina's mind started to put the pieces together as Robin let out a shaky laugh. "I think we've been had," he said.
"They wouldn't dare," she replied, though she knew this was hardly the first time their friends had locked them somewhere to sort out their differences. Still, she hurried to the door and tried to open it. When it refused to budge, she yelled: "Fine! We'll just go out through Diana's room!"
"That's been locked and warded too." That voice belonged to Tinkerbell and Regina silently cursed the fact they had brought in the fairy for this situation as well. "Once you and Robin talk through whatever it is you're fighting about, you will be able to leave the rooms."
Regina was about to yell and demand they let them out now when another voice made her heart stop. "I want you and Papa to stop fighting, Mama. I don't like it," Diana pleaded, sounding like she was about to cry.
Her heart breaking at the sadness in her daughter's voice, Regina turned to face Robin and saw the same pain in his features though his eyes were closed. This wasn't the first fight they had had and it certainly wouldn't be the last but it was the first time that Diana ever expressed being affected by one of their fights. And neither wanted to hurt her.
"What do we do now?" Regina asked softly.
Sighing, Robin sat down on their bed and opened his eyes to look at her with anguish in them. "I guess we talk."
"Isn't that all we've been doing?" she asked him, afraid this would just end up as another screaming match.
"We've mostly been yelling at each other," he pointed out. "And talking at each other rather than with each other. I think we need to stop all that and actually talk."
She swallowed, knowing he was right. "Alright. Do you want to start?"
"I can," he said, patting the spot next to him on the bed. She tucked her skirts under her as she sat there and waited to hear what he had to say now.
He sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "I don't want to start a war."
"I know," she said, wondering if they were just going to end up arguing in circles again. "I don't think this will end in war."
"But that's no guarantee it won't," Robin replied. "I don't want to take that risk. Especially in that part of the country. They bore the brunt of the Ogre War and they are still rebuilding. Fighting is the last thing they need."
She paused, knowing he had a point. But she did believe it wouldn't come to that. "I know King George. He's all talk, especially now that his son is off living in the woods with Snow White. I think if we call his bluff and send troops to the border, he'll back down. Then we can get him at the negotiating table to talk this out."
Her husband studied her, a knowing look in his eyes that made her uncomfortable. Robin leaned closer. "You mentioned Snow White and Charming. This doesn't have anything to do with the fact that they've been spotted in the area, does it?"
Regina tensed up, cursing the fact he knew her so well. She did her best to keep her voice even as she said: "Of course not. King George wants nothing to do with them so I know they can't pose much of an issue."
"We also know that King George has his own vendetta against them," Robin said. "I think you're more worried he will hurt them, especially Snow."
"Maybe," she muttered, feeling exposed. There were some days she hated how he could see right through her and this was one of those days.
He reached out and took her hand, rubbing the back of it with his thumb. "Why didn't you just say so?"
"I doubted our advisors would agree to anything involving Snow White at this point," she told him, knowing her advisors thought the princess a lost cause and that it was best to leave her to her own devices in the forest.
"But why didn't you tell me?" he asked, hurt in his eyes and voice. He seemed to plead silently with her to explain why she didn't trust him, the one person she trusted the most.
She swallowed, understanding his pain as she confessed: "I thought you wouldn't agree to anything involving Snow White either."
"Regina," he said, brushing some hair from her face. The anguish remained in his eyes as he asked: "You really thought I would just dismiss your concerns like that?"
"No, yes, I don't know," she admitted, confused. She placed her hand over the one he had on her cheek. "I just…I just know you think it's futile to keep looking for Snow White."
He sighed. "It's not that I think it's futile…You know better than anyone the path she is walking. Think back to when the darkness surrounded you and all you felt was anger and betrayal, could anyone get through to you? Was there anything someone could've said or done that would've changed your mind?"
"There was someone," she told him, love surging through her as she gently cupped his cheek now. "And he did say the words that changed my mind."
Warmth filled Robin's eyes as he smiled, revealing the dimples she loved so much. He chuckled. "Well, thank you, but we both know you were a bit more receptive to my words at that point."
"You think so?" she asked, thinking about those early days. "I was still just as angry as ever, especially so after Snow stole my throne and forced me to live as an outlaw in the woods with a bunch of thieves."
He nodded. "You were angry but you were also starting to let us in. And I think that made you more receptive to my words."
"Probably," Regina agreed, remembering how much time she spent with Robin and Marian back then. She grudgingly admired them and that probably allowed her to accept his advice.
She then sighed as she realized what Robin was trying to tell her. "You don't think Snow's reached that point yet."
"I don't," he said. "And I don't think sending troops in, even to protect her from King George, is going to help her get there."
"She'll think we're trying to capture her," Regina conceded, knowing he had a point. "And that I will destroy her even though I have no desire to do so."
He nodded, gently cupping her chin like she did with Diana. Robin pressed his forehead to hers. "I wish I knew what to do to make Snow White receptive. I wish I could bring her to you and help you two repair your relationship. But I just don't know how."
"I wish I knew as well," she whispered, trying not to cry. "I appreciate all your support. I don't know what I would've done without you by my side."
"I'm always here," he told her. "Please don't shut me out again, alright?"
She nodded, sniffling as she felt tears prick her eyes. Regina hated when she fought with her husband and she felt even worse knowing that all she had to do was talk with him. That she had jumped to conclusions rather than trusting him with how she truly felt. Maybe then Diana wouldn't have felt so sad and had to resort to drastic measures.
Taking a deep breath, Regina said: "You're right. We don't have to send troops to the border with King George's kingdom. We can meet him at the negotiating table."
"Well, we should probably send a few troops there," he said. "Not to fight but to show that we won't be intimidated. I think it'll make it easier to get King George to the table if we somewhat call his bluff."
"Thank you," she said, relieved that there would be some soldiers on the border. She let out a little laugh. "I guess it's easier to come to a compromise when we're not shouting at each other, huh?"
He nodded. "Apparently. We're both stubborn people, though. Sometimes it takes a few times until a lesson gets knocked into our heads."
"That's true," she said, "but there's someone else to consider now too."
"Diana," he replied, nodding. "She's now old enough for our fights to affect her and that's not fair to her."
She pulled back and took his hand. "I promise to talk with you and trust you, no matter what."
"I promise to do the same," he said. "And if we need a moment to calm down, we will agree on a time to meet again to talk. Agreed?"
"Agreed," she said, relieved they had resolved this issue – and hopefully any further issues as well.
She then looked at the door. "Should we go tell them we made up?"
"Not just yet," he said, surprising her. When she looked back, he was giving her a suggestive smile. "We are alone in our bedroom after a major fight. I think we should really make sure the spell knows we've made up, if you know what I mean."
"I agree," she said, biting her lip. "We should be really thorough about making up."
He chuckled, cupping her cheek. "Glad we're on the same page."
"Me too," she replied, rising up on her toes to give him a kiss. He responded, pulling her against him as she wrapped her arms around his neck. They stood there, exchanging slow and lingering kisses as she wondered why she had ever been so angry with him that she was willing to go without his kisses.
Curse her temper and stubbornness.
His too.
Robin broke the kiss, still holding her close. "Shall we undress the long way or the short way?"
"I'm for the short way," she replied, biting her lip. "But I'll let you choose."
He hummed, running his hands along the laces holding her dress together in the back before nodding. "The short way. I do not have the patience for all these laces and the small buttons. I want you naked sooner rather than later."
"Good," she said, raising her hand. "I want the same."
With a flick of her wrist, she engulfed them in her cloud of purplish-blue magic and felt her clothing fall away. His did as well and her bare arms now rested on his bare shoulders as the cloud died down, revealing his nude form to her. She licked her lips, knowing she certainly was a lucky woman. Though it had been several years since he had given up the life of an outlaw living in the woods for the life of a prince living in a palace, he had not gone soft as she knew most royals tended given their access to rich foods. He was still as lean and muscular as ever, often preferring to run drills with their soldiers to make certain he was still in top form just in case something happened.
And she certainly wasn't complaining.
"You look ready to eat me," he said, cupping one of her breasts and gently massaging it.
She moaned as she leaned closer to him. "You know I love you for so many reasons and not just your looks…but you are very, very sexy."
He chuckled before kissing his way up her neck. Robin nipped at her ear as he whispered huskily: "You're very, very sexy too."
"Shall we move to the bed?" she asked him, feeling herself grow wet between her legs. "Or do you want to do this standing up?"
"I want to make love to you properly," he assured her, kissing along her jaw now. "So let's move to the bed."
He lifted her up and she laughed, wrapping her legs around him. Robin walked a few steps before gently laying her on the bed. As she made herself more comfortable, he climbed onto it with her. Hover over her, he grinned. "Much better."
Giddy, she nodded. "I agree."
"See?" he teased her. "We're getting along even better than before."
She laughed as she pulled him closer to her. "I think we'll more than satisfy Tinkerbell's spell in no time."
"Indeed," he replied, studying her. "Now, where to begin?"
"Well, I think this is always a good bet," she said, pulling him toward her and capturing his lips with hers. He responded eagerly and they exchanged several slow kisses again, arms and legs wrapped around each other as they laid on their bed. Regina nibbled on his lower lip, hoping to deepen the kiss but he did not respond. She tried not to pull away as she wondered what he was planning on doing now.
He broke the kiss and gently bopped her nose with his. "I think I know the next step from here," he said huskily.
"Oh?" she asked, feeling heat go straight to her core. "And what is that?"
"This," he said before trailing kisses along her jaw and down her neck. He reached her shoulder and pressed a kiss there before adding: "And then this."
Robin dropped a kiss between her breasts before teasing one of her nipples with his tongue. She sucked in some air before letting it out again in a shaky breath as dull jolts of pleasure coursed to her core. "Yes…"
He released the nipple and smiled. "You like that, huh?"
"You know I do," she said. "You know my body."
"I do," he agreed, moving to her other breast. "So I know you're going to like this just as much."
He closed his lips around her other nipple and teased it between his teeth. A good pull made her gasp as the jolt was sharper. Wetness covered her inner thighs and she felt something tighten deep inside her as she waited for him to make his way down there.
She knew it was going to be amazing.
It always was.
Robin released her nipple before kissing between her breasts again. He then pressed little kisses down her stomach, heading lower and lower. She closed her eyes as his lips brushed just above her sex and she let out a soft sigh.
"I love the little sounds you make," he told her. "And I love that I am the one who gets to hear them."
She bit her lip. "Yes, you are."
"And I'm the only one who gets to hear how you sound when I do this," he said, smirking as he brushed his thumb over her clit. It sent a rush of pleasure through her and she let out a little moan. He chuckled. "Yes, just like that."
He lowered his head and began peppering kisses over her thighs, now avoiding the one place she wanted him most. Regina gripped the pillow behind her in anticipation as something tightened deep inside her. "Fucking tease," she told him.
"Fuck yeah I am," he retorted. "And you love it."
She had to admit he had there – she loved the way he teased her and worshipped her body when they made love. Even though they had been together for almost a decade now, it still felt so novel and refreshing to her after her marriage to the king and all the times she used her body as a means to an end.
He pressed a kiss to spot so tantalizing close to her sex and she let out another sigh. Robin chuckled. "Alright, alright. I guess I've put it off long enough?"
"Just a bit," she told him, tightening her grip on the pillow in anticipation.
"Then I guess I should give my queen what she wants," he said, his thumb brushing against her clit again. Her hips bucked and he grinned. "Perfect."
She let out a shaky breath as he lowered his head and his tongue teased the lips over her sex. Fire filled her core, starting to spread through her veins to warm the rest of her body. Robin's tongue brushed against her clit, making her moan as her body began to tremble. He always knew how to make her come undone and now was no different.
Regina didn't know if she loved it or hated it at that moment.
And then his lips closed around her clit and she decided that she loved it.
Her mind began to spin as her husband teased her clit with both his lips and tongue as well as lapped the juices flowing from her. Regina's breathing grew shallow as her toes curled against the bed. She felt her arms shake from gripping the pillow to keep her body from twisting and bucking. Her release was getting closer and closer.
"Fuck," she moaned. "So close."
Robin pulled away a bit, looking up at her with blue eyes darker than usual. "Do you need more, darling?"
"Yes," she sighed. "Please."
"Alright," he replied, rubbing circles against her clit with his thumb. He pressed a finger to her entrance and slowly filled her with it. "Like this?"
She nodded. "Perfect."
"Good," he said, pumping the finger into her as he lowered his head again. His tongue brushed against her clit and she let out another moan.
This was exactly what she needed after their fight.
Which was thankfully already a distant memory as a haze covered her mind.
Her hips moved in time with the rhythm Robin set with his fingers and her breaths came in shorter gasps. Robin added a second finger, stretching her out more as he continued to lick and suck at her clit. Stars danced before her eyes and she felt her walls tighten around his fingers.
She was even closer.
"Fuck," she moaned. "Robin…"
He curled his fingers, the tips brushing against the right spot inside her. She cried out as her fingers dug into the pillow. With a few more brushes, something released inside her and the first waves of her orgasm hit her. Regina continued to gasp and moan as she rode it out on his fingers and tongue, her body on fire.
The waves ebbed and she let go of the pillow as her arms trembled. She let out a shaky breath as Robin slowly pulled his fingers from her. He laid next to her, kissing her shoulder. "Good?"
"Yeah," she said, her voice a bit strangled. She cleared her throat. "Fuck."
He chuckled, wrapping his arms around her. "I love when you curse."
"Imagine if the people knew I cursed like a sailor," she said, snuggling against him. "What would they think?"
"They would love you even more," he told her, holding her close as they both seemed to ignore how hard he was.
She chuckled. "You think so?"
He nodded. "The royal family always felt difficult to relate to as commoners. But you've now spent time with our people and they still see you as one of them. Cursing like a sailor, like they do, would only make you more relatable to them."
"Good to know," she said, grinning. "Though I'm sure wherever she is, my mother's head is spinning to know that I'm thought of as common."
"Let's not think of her," Robin said. "She'll only ruin the mood because I'll be thinking more about how much I want to give her a piece of my mind rather than focusing on you. And I really, really want my mind on you."
Regina laughed. "I really, really want your mind on me too."
"Then we're agreed," he said, rolling closer to her and cupping one of her breasts. "We both want my mind on you."
She nodded, reaching down and wrapping her fingers around his cock. "And I think I know a good way to make certain of it."
He let out a moan. "Oh, yes."
"You like this?" she asked, gently pumping his cock before teasing his tip with her thumb for good measure.
"I do," he replied, moaning again. "Fuck."
She chuckled. "Now who has the mouth of a sailor?"
"I have the mouth of a bandit," he corrected her. "No amount of life in a palace is going to change that."
"Thank goodness," she replied, kissing him. "Because I fell in love with a bandit who just so happened to be a prince."
He smirked. "I am about to do some unprincely things to you now."
She chuckled, flicking his tip yet again. "You better."
Robin reached down and gently moved her hand from his cock. He urged her onto her back and ran his fingers through her sex, biting lip. "Fuck, you're still soaked," he said.
"You sound surprised," she replied, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You are always very thorough."
He chuckled, nodding. "Yes, I am."
She gasped as he rubbed slow circles against her clit, sending jolts through her again. He leaned down and kissed her neck. "And I'm being very thorough again now," he said.
"Fuck," she moaned again. "Don't stop."
"Don't worry," he assured her, pressing her forehead to his. "I have no intention of doing that."
As if to prove his point, he pressed down on her clit and made her hips buck. She grabbed onto his arms as he chuckled. "See?"
"If you're not careful, we're going to end up fighting all over again and then we'll never get out of here," she warned him, though she knew there was very little likelihood of another fight.
"I'm sorry, is that a threat or a promise?" he asked. "Because I see no problem with that. It just means more make up sex."
She rolled her eyes. "Men. You all seem to have one track minds sometimes, you know?"
"But we agreed we want my mind on it," he teased her. "Remember?"
"We agreed we want your mind on me," she reminded him. She leaned closer as she added: "Remember?"
He chuckled, lining his cock up with her entrance. She felt the tip press there as he nodded. "Oh, I remember."
Robin kissed her as he slowly entered her, filling her. She moaned into the kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck, letting her body adjust to the sensation - no matter how familiar it was now. This was her favorite moment, if she was honest, when they were newly one and right before he began to move inside her.
Then that led to her second favorite moment.
He broke the kiss and began moving inside her, his cock just brushing her spot. She moaned as she let her head fall back onto the pillow, knowing that he was going to take his time with her pleasure this time. And she wasn't going to complain about that.
Robin's lips found that one spot on her neck and he started to suck. She let out a moan as her hips moved in time to his rhythm, entangling her fingers in his damp hair. Tugging on them gently, she moaned his name as he went deeper inside her.
Kissing behind her ear, he whispered: "Hold on, love."
"Why?" she asked, wrapping her arms around his neck again and holding on tightly anyway. He then flipped them so that he was lying on his back and she now straddled him, gasping as their positions changed.
He smirked at her. "There. Much better."
She chuckled, adjusting herself as she nodded. "I agree."
"Go ahead, love," he told her, gently gripping her hips. "You're in control now."
Regina loved those words.
She started to move against him again, moaning at how his cock brushed her clit while also hitting her spot. Her walls began to tighten and she knew it would not be much longer before she reached her climax.
"Fuck," Robin moaned. "So good."
That sound went straight to her core.
She picked up her rhythm as she felt something tighten inside her, ready to spring. Moaning, she said: "So close…"
"Me too," he replied with a grunt. "I'm with you."
Regina slid a hand down her slick body until it reached where their bodies were joined. She slipped a finger between her folds, finding her clit. As she began rubbing it, her body jerked as that tight coil inside her finally unspooled. Pleasure and heat flooded her body as her orgasm washed over her. She rode it out as she felt Robin release inside her, his own rhythm slowing until they both stilled.
Her mind reeling and her body tingling, Regina collapsed onto him. Robin caught her and held her, running his fingers through her hair as she listened to his racing heart. It matched her own and they laid there together, letting their bodies recover.
"Okay," Robin said finally. "If that didn't satisfy Tink's spell and unlock the doors, then nothing will."
She laughed, nodding. "Though I guess it wouldn't be the end of the world to be trapped in our bedroom with you. Besides, someone would have to come get us eventually."
"True," he replied, kissing her forehead. "On both counts."
He then pulled away from her, starting to sit up. "I'll go check the door and see if it's unlocked."
A chill swept through Regina and she reached over, grabbing his arm. "Don't go."
"I'll be right back," he promised, leaning back down to look her in the eyes. "Promise."
"We don't have to check the door now," she argued. "Maybe we could just cuddle? And nap? We didn't sleep together last night."
He settled back down, his eyes softening. "No. And honestly? I didn't get a great night's sleep."
"Neither did I," she said, curling next to him. "I was so mad at you and then I would miss you and then I would get mad at myself for missing you when I was mad at you…it was exhausting but it wouldn't let me sleep."
"Then we should get some sleep," Robin said, cuddling her. He kissed her forehead. "Sweet dreams, sweetheart."
She smiled as she closed her eyes. "Sweet dreams to you too."
And with peace restored between her and Robin, she fell asleep in his arms.
"Should it be taking this long?" Diana asked, sitting down next to her grandfather for dinner. It had been hours since she and Tink had locked her parents in their room and she was starting to get worried, fearing they hadn't done the right thing after all.
Aunt Marian ran her hand over Diana's hair, smiling. "Everything is fine. The fact that neither have busted themselves out of there is a good sign. They're probably still talking it out."
"Or they're already on the kissing and making up part," Uncle Will said. "That could take hours."
"Hours?" Papa and Mama appeared in the doorway. Looking amused, Papa said: "I'm flattered you think I have the stamina."
This made everyone laugh except Diana, who was not entirely certain why her father would need a lot of stamina to kiss her mother for hours. All she cared about was the fact that Mama was holding Papa's hand, their fingers laced together, and that they looked more relaxed than they had the day before.
She jumped up and ran to them, throwing her arms around her mother's waist. "You made up!"
Mama held her close, cupping the back of her head. "We did, sweetheart. Sorry we worried you."
"Your mother and I sometimes get a little too passionate when arguing but we never want to hurt you," Papa added, pulling Mama and Diana close to hug them both. "We love you and we love each other. That will never change, no matter what."
Diana sniffed, nodding. "Alright. But can you try not to fight like that please? It was scary."
"We promise to do our best to not let our anger or frustration affect you," Papa said, dropping to one knee to look her in the eyes. He brushed some tears from her cheeks. "How does that sound?"
She nodded. "That sounds good."
"And remember one thing," Mama told her, still holding her close. "No matter what happens, we always love each other and most of all, you."
"I love you too," Diana said, hugging her parents at the same time. They hugged her back before kissing her cheeks, making her laugh. She was relieved and happy that her parents weren't fighting anymore. Everything could go back to normal.
Her parents stood and Mama took her hand. "Come on. Let's go eat."
Diana nodded, letting her parents lead her back to the table. She took her chair next to her grandfather again while Mama sat on the other side. Papa sat next to her and Uncle John, nodding to the waiting servants to bring in the food. They obliged and light conversations started as everyone around the table enjoyed their meal.
Every so often, Diana glanced at her parents. They were back to normal, with Papa sometimes whispering something in Mama's ear that made her laugh or Mama resting her hand over Papa's wrist when she wasn't eating. All was well again and Diana was very grateful for that.
Peace was restored.