Chapter Text
Consequence: A result or effect of an action or condition.
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Regina stands inside of her walk-in closet observing her endless choice of suit jackets. She ponders which to wear to work today. Black was her color. Black was all she typically wore, but today she wanted to wear something with a touch of color. Something that would go well with her black dress up pants and white sleeveless blouse, and still screamed profession.
Her hand reaches out for her blue blazer, doing up the three buttons as it carefully adjusts to each curve of her body.
She’s standing in front of her full-view mirror, giving herself a once-over before she exits. Regina stands in front of her white vanity, reaching for her most favorite lipstick. Ruby red. Pop! She pulls on the cap and twists the neck of the tube until the color grows slightly out of it before she smoothly applies a touch of red to her lips. Her eyes catch sight of Robin, her husband of ten years as he steps out of the bathroom, towel wrapped around the line of his waist to walk into the walk-in closet.
Jesus, ten years. Where does the time go?
Today marked ten years of their wedding anniversary, and while that spark that some say never dies was not as bright as it had been since the first time they met in college. They still loved each other dearly. Regina was certain of that.
Just like Regina was certain their spark had turned somewhat dim simply because she liked to keep busy. Being the best criminal defense lawyer in the city of Boston hadn’t come easy nor by sitting on her ass. She had to work hard, and step over many, not to mention kiss all different kinds of asses to get to where she was today.
As a woman, fighting her way to the top of Gold and Locksley required her to remain headstrong, smart, dedicated and the best of the best.
She was second to Robert Gold’s law firm, a spot many men around the company hated her for. It made Regina grin every single time she thought about the glares she would gain around the office.
She wouldn’t change her success for anything in the world.
“Don’t forget,” Regina’s eyes caught sight of her husband’s shirtless form through the mirror as she applied her hooped earrings now, standing along the entry of the closet. His upper body was glistening with crystal drops of water from that shower. “The lake house. Remember?” He reminds her.
Regina didn’t forget. It was their anniversary. How could she ever forget that?
But there was a small, neglectful detail that- “I might arrive a little late.” Said Regina.
“Regina…” Robin’s shoulders drop in the only dramatic way that lets Regina know- she’s disappointed him. Again. “Not again. Please.”
Regina runs her perfectly manicured nails along her jet black hair, checking for any left over tangles. There is none, of course. Her hair is perfect. Just the way Regina liked it. If she wasn’t looking at Robin’s disappointed gaze, she could tell just by the tone in his voice that she had disappointed him before disappointment even began.
She hated disappointing him. But let’s be frank. Robin’s artistic career wasn’t exactly taking off. And Regina loved her job.
Still, as Regina turns away from her vanity she lets out a slow and steady puff of air before her ruby red lips frown. “I’m sorry.” Her head slightly bows before her husband.
Robin lets out a deep sigh. And like a bait lined to a hook, he’s walking up to his wife, trying to be every bit as understanding as a husband could be of his wife's career. He takes his forefinger to tuck it underneath Regina’s gin, enough to lift up her tilted head until her chocolate, beautiful brown eyes are lined up with his blue ones. Robin’s five-nine body towering over Regina’s five-five self. And just when Regina doesn’t think Robin will kiss her- he does. His lips meet with hers in a soft kiss.
Regina’s hands rest along her husband’s biceps, feeling every hair on the back of her neck rise just with that kiss. Ten years of marriage, and they still had it.
“We were supposed to leave for the lake house since yesterday. You promised.” Said Robin.
With that, Regina parts from their embrace as she moves along to reach for her leather briefcase and pack it up with the necessary documents before a day’s work. Allowing her professionalism to take over any wifely concern.
“Regina,” Robin turns, staring at the back of her wife’s head. His lips set in a thin line. “You promised you’d try to make it.”
“I know, Robin. I know.” Regina’s eyes close as she draws in a breath. Calm and collected before she continues putting her briefcase in perfect order. “And I’ll try. It’s just right now I have a lot of work at the office and I have this huge closing statement to prepare for.”
Regina doesn’t have to turn to look at her husband and know he’s shaking his head in disappointed silence. She can hear his quickened steps as they make their way across the room. Her ears pick up the sound of a drawer opening as Robin reaches for a long sleeve shirt to go along with his blue jeans.
“You always have a lot of work at the office. Lately, there’s always some big case.” Said Robin, his eyes narrowed at her.
“Well, someone has to pay the bills, dear.” Regina gives Robin a little playful smile. And he shakes his head before walking back into the walk-in closet and stepping out with a flannel shirt on top.
Regina would love nothing more than to take a break. For once. A good deserved break where she didn’t have to worry about a single case. But, there were people to defend and frankly, no one could do it better than her. And sometimes, there were just some things that were beyond her own control.
As Regina walks over to Robin, she allows her arms to circle along his shoulders, resting there, holding him to her. Forcing him to meet her eyes again. Regina can see the hesitance in Robin’s eyes, almost like reading his thoughts. He wants to resist kissing her as punishment for never keeping her word, but he fails. Miserably. Giving into the temptation that was Regina’s lips. Regina smiles, knowing well Robin couldn’t resist her. Just like she couldn’t resist him.
And before either of them could help themselves giving into temptation once again, their mouths part open, molding together in a passionate kiss, tongues dance their way in, and as Robin’s hands run along Regina’s back, Regina’s hands run along Robin’s pectoral muscles, sliding down from his neck and shoulders in such a sensual manner, it actually spurs Robin on.
But just as his hands begin to travel along her waist, and as soon as Regina feels the tip of his fingers barely reach her ass, Regina allows reality sink in as she pulls away, breaking their heated kiss.
“I have to go.” Her forehead presses along his as she speaks these words softly to him, like a child needing cradling before its mother must run off for the day.
Robin’s hands slip off of her body as he frowns. “But it’s our anniversary.” He says, watching Regina move along to reach for her briefcase.
“I will try to make it to the lake house today.” Said Regina.
Once more, Robin sighs, slumping his shoulders along the way. “You would think that after ten years of being married to you, I would be used to those words of yours by now.” His head lowers as he shakes it again. “I’m just really fed up here, Regina.”
You think I’m not? Regina keeps that thought to herself as she walks over to her disappointed husband, closing the space between them before her hand smooths along his scruffy cheek. “I’m really sorry, Robin. I’m aware that all I’ve done is constantly disappoint you. But, regardless, this will be my last case. After that, I give you my word, I will take some time off and spend it with you and only you.” She smiles for good measure. “I’ve already spoken to Gold about it.”
“And is that going to turn into another broken promise to add to your list?” Despite the punishment in his words, Robin gives Regina a small smile.
Ouch. Regina deserved that. But it's a comment that she can’t help but roll her eyes to playfully before she moves along the room, back to where her vanity was. “Speaking of our tenth anniversary…” Her voice trails off. She waits until she’s standing before Robin again before she holds out a long black box. Like the kind you got at a jewelry store. “Happy Anniversary.”
About two years ago, both Robin and Regina had decided to stop giving each other gifts for their anniversaries. But this was ten years together. It needed to be celebrated with something. And Regina hoped that this gift would make up for all of those times she broke her promises.
“What’s this?” Robin looks down at the box, then back at Regina in a quizzical manner. Obviously not expecting anything in celebration of their anniversary.
“Open it and find out.” Regina shrugs playfully, a smirk playing on the corners of her lips, from ear to ear.
“But, I thought we agreed-” Robin’s words are cut short by his wife.
“I remember our agreement perfectly well, dear. You are welcome to sue me, but I promise you, you won’t win.” She grins and hears a small breath of laughter escape Robin’s lips before he’s taking the box from her. Regina watches her husband part open the lid of the box, his blue eyes growing wide at the sight of an all platinum Rolex, shining and polished from head to toe. The face sparkling like a diamond before his surprised eyes.
“Regina…” Robin’s blue eyes stare widely into Regina’s own eyes. “This is the Rolex I’ve always wanted.” And behind his surprised expression, Regina can still catch some of Robin’s boyish charm. The same boyish charm she fell in love with.
“It would appear that it is.” Regina grins.
Robin chuckles and shakes his head as he’s looking down at his unexpected gift. “Regina, this is beautiful, but… I can’t accept this.” His hand never moves the box forward as he says this.
“Of course you can. And I’m afraid you must, because I had it engraved.” Regina reaches for the Rolex and turns it over, flashing it at Robin.
Robin reaches for the watch and reads: 2,256,000.
“What does that mean?” He looks to his wife, clueless.
“That’s how many minutes are in ten years.” Said Regina, planting a quick kiss along Robin’s lips.
“You actually counted?” Robin’s brow lifts, impressed. Robin never fails to be impressed by Regina. She was so… Her. Regina screamed perfection and above all professionalism.
Any man or woman would be lucky to have a woman like Regina as theirs. Yes, Regina was open to her sexuality with Robin, and he had been fine with it. Because in the end, she had chosen him.
“I’m always counting.” Regina lets out a light chuckle as she’s reaching for the watch once again and placing it along Robin’s wrist. “It looks great on you.” She acknowledges the watch along his wrist.
And as Robin does the same, holding out his wrist, he says, “2,256,000… So in minutes… That’s how long you’ve broken your promises and been neglectful toward your dear husband?”
Regina isn’t shy to roll her eyes at Robin’s comment.
Robin smirks, hoping Regina wouldn’t murder him for what he just said, “Come on, lighten up. I’m kidding.”
“No, you’re not.” Regina’s brow lifts. She knew better.
“Okay, maybe I am being a little truthful,” Robin moves to his wife who is reaching for her briefcase. His hands cradling her from behind as his chin rests along her shoulder. “But, regardless… I love you.”
“Still?” Regina’s head tilts.
“Always.” Robin whispers along her ear.
Regina manages to rotate her petite body along his arms. She smiles, pressing another quick kiss to his lips before she says, “I’ll meet you downstairs.” Her eyes glance down in one quick motion before she exits their master bedroom.
Robin’s brows furrow as he looks down and notices his bare feet. Shoes. He races his way back into his walk-in closet to fetch some shoes before kick starting his day.
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Regina enters her kitchen, placing down her briefcase along one of the stools near the kitchen island. The kitchen is all white with black cabinets and dark marble counter tops. Just like how Regina wanted it to be. The brunette moves along the kitchen, regal and swiftly, reaching for her mug along one of the cabinets, followed by the already steaming coffee pot. The dark liquid poured into her cup. Regina reaches for a spoon, gathering just a pinch of sugar from a bowl that had already been placed out, dropping it into her coffee. She stirs the spoon a few times before placing it inside the sink and taking her first delightful sip.
Regina loved her coffee black and bold.
Her brow furrowed right in the middle as she noticed yesterday’s correspondence lying along the breakfast table. Regina takes another sip of her coffee before reaching for the mail and shifting through the set of envelopes. One of them is a magazine- which is thrown directly into the trash. Regina stands by the trash can, the tip of her heel pressed along the bottom pedal, keeping the trash open at her disposal.
Bill. Bill. Bill. She tosses the first three envelopes back along her breakfast table. Her brow furrows and then lifts at the sight of a red envelope with an address and a name she knew very well. Joyce Locksley. Her mother-in-law. To Regina’s torment.
Her eyes couldn’t possibly ever roll far enough to the back of her head every single time that woman reappeared into her life.
Just like they couldn’t possibly roll far back enough now as she reached for the letter open opener inside of one of the kitchen drawers, tore open the envelope, and read the anniversary card that she sent to them in congratulations, but with a hint of Joyce.
Here’s to ten wonderful years to you two love-birds! Wishing you many more and hopefully a GRAND-motherly surprise along the way.
Love, Joyce.
After gulping down the bile that had formed in the back of Regina’s throat with another needed sip of strong coffee, the letter found its way into where it belonged. The trash.
The stainless steel lid slams shut as Regina moves along with her cup of coffee in hand. She stands along the massive window that looks out into the yard from the kitchen, enjoying the sight of a beautiful and bright new morning. Along with enjoying another quiet and peaceful sip of coffee. Her ears pick up on footsteps that enter the kitchen. She gives a quick shoulder glance confirming Robin’s entrance before she fishes for her phone inside of her jacket pocket to scan through some morning emails from work.
Robin walks among the kitchen, reaching for a cup from the same cupboard where Regina gathered hers, and helped himself to some coffee. His taste in coffee was always too sweet and too light for Regina’s liking. Robin always fixed his coffee the same way. He’d pour in the coffee, never fully to the top, leaving room for milk which he gathered next out of the fridge, but not before taking a small sip directly from the carton. His way of checking that the milk had not gone bad, as he didn’t believe in expiration dates. After pouring a good portion of milk into his coffee, he would gather two spoonfuls of sugar and stir. Loudly.
Regina continued to concentrate on reading through her emails that morning, no longer facing the window, but in Robin’s direction. And out of the corner of her eye, she caught him emptying the grounds of coffee from the machine. Quickly moving them over to the trash can as his foot stepped over the bottom pedal.
Robin frowns as he recognizes his own mother’s handwriting off of the red envelope that had been tossed away, along with the card. He reaches for it, and scans it in silence before turning his attention to his wife. “My mother sent us an anniversary card?” He asked her.
“It would appear so.” Said Regina, never looking away from her phone.
“Did you read it?” Robin’s brow furrows.
“Yes.”
“And you just… Throw it out?”
Regina’s eyes look up at Robin this time. “I read it. It was almost hard to digest. What more should I have done with it?”
Robin knew that Regina and his mother weren’t each other’s biggest fans. Regina couldn’t tolerate her, even if she tried. And she wasn’t shy about it. But, he couldn’t allow Regina to just toss a perfectly sweet card. He tucks the card back into its envelope and places it in the safety of a kitchen drawer Robin had taken upon himself to stuff junk in. In a manner of speaking, a collection of Joyce’s anniversary cards.
“What’s on your agenda for today?” Regina asks, wishing to move on to a much more fascinating topic between them.
“You mean besides having all the time in the world to do as I please?” Robin grins at his attempt at a bad joke, flashing his new Rolex.
Regina rolls her eyes, not seeing the humor. Robin’s jokes were as bad as his mother’s.
“I was thinking about heading up to the lake house. Take in the peace and quiet, the lovely scenery. Maybe work on a new painting. Find my muse again.” He smiles.
Regina nods as she takes another sip. “Anyone would be crazy not to buy your work. I’m sure you’ll create something fabulous.”
“You truly believe that?” Robin’s eyes light up. Nothing made him happier than his own wife’s encouragement and positivity. He had been in a rut for four years now, without so much as a hint of inspiration for anything new.
“Of course I do. I mean everything I say, Robin.” The brunette downs her last sip before she’s walking toward the sink. She freezes upon feeling Robin’s familiar arms wrap around her from behind. To feel his lips pace a kiss along her neck makes her smile so.
“Promise me you’ll come tonight. Please, Regina.” Robin whispers along her ear.
“I said I’d try and I will.” Said Regina.
“Don’t try. Just come. We’ve owned that lake house for a whole year and you’ve never once set foot inside of it.” He frowns, saddened by the thought. Truth was, Robin had spent more time inside of that lake house than Regina ever has.
Regina rotates in his arms again, her hands picking off an imaginary lint off of his shirt before her hands smooth and adjusts the open collar. “I will do everything I can to try and make it. But for now, I really have to go.” Robin pouts, and Regina can’t help but kiss it away with a quick chaste kiss before wiping away any trace of lipstick along his lips and parting away for good. “Bye. Love you.”
“Love you.” Robin says with a frown to him, listening to Regina’s heels as their sound along the marbled floor fades farther and farther.