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Christmas morning dawns far earlier than Regina expects after such a long and eventful Christmas Eve. She shifts delicately to face her sleeping husband.
Husband.
Just the thought of it sends a shiver down her spine. She's felt married to Robin since the day the marshals guided her into Einstein Bros. to reunite with him, but-- No, it was from the moment they conceived their sons. But now it's legitimate in the eyes of the Church. So much stress lifted from her shoulders when Father Marco pronounced them husband and wife. Their sons aren't bastards, not in the eyes of the Church, certainly not in God's eyes, and never truly in their eyes, despite her mother's admonishments when she was growing up.
"Merry Christmas, Mrs. Maistín," Robin murmurs, pulling her from her thoughts. He pulls her closer to nuzzle his nose to hers.
"Morning, Mr. Maistín, and Merry Christmas to you, as well." She shifts to kiss him sweetly. "I hope I didn't wake you."
"Not at all. Christmas morning is always special. And today is especially so." His hand shifts to rest over her belly. "Did something wake you, love? Are the boys being naughty?"
"No, they've been little angels." She licks her lips and rests her hand on his. "I'm just feeling overly excited this morning."
The twinkle in his eyes sucks her in. "Is someone to see if Santa came last night?"
"Perhaps." She attempts a saucy wink. "I know I did."
"Yes, you did." His chuckle is mischievous. "I'm surprised Mal didn't give us a hard time."
Regina snorts softly. "She was probably dreaming about ways to debauch poor Father Michael."
"Trying to follow in our footsteps?" he asks, nuzzling at her nose again. "Lightning doesn't usually strike twice like that."
"No, nothing like that. She just likes a challenge sometimes." A soft chuckle escapes her. "And she has a very active imagination."
*****
The den is littered with colorful paper and ribbons, boxes, and tissue paper. Mal lounges happily on the floor with her haul of gifts and her hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps, taking pictures of the morning's events. Robin and Regina are curled up on the couch, piles of gifts on the floor and coffee table before them. Regina nurses her own hot chocolate and lets out a soft hum of contentment. She could definitely use a nap at some point, but she's good for now.
"Let me go check on the turkey, love," Robin murmurs, pressing a kiss to her temple. "You ladies just rest here a bit, yeah?"
"I've got Mama watch," Mal says with a softness to her tone that brings tears to Regina's eyes. "Go check on the food. We'll be just fine here."
Regina watches Robin nod and head toward the kitchen, then she turns her gaze toward her best friend. "I am so grateful to have you back in my life, Mal. I know I keep saying it, but it's true. I never want to take you or our friendship for granted again, and I never want to go another day without the sunshine of your snarky laughter in my life or my family's life."
Mal bonelessly shifts to a standing position, every bit the feline she adores, and crosses to settle next to Regina. It takes no time for those familiar arms to wrap around her in a cherished embrace. "Little One, you will never get rid of me, especially now that I'm going to be an auntie and can spoil these sweet little boys on the way." They both laugh when one of the twins kicks gently. "See? They already agree that Auntie Mal is gonna be the fun auntie that spoils them rotten, just like she's always spoiled their mama."
"Then Auntie Mal needs to remember that she's also quite good at kicking Mama's butt when needed, too," is Regina's soft response, choked up with emotion. "I hope she'll remember to do the same for the boys if they need it, and their daddy."
Mal shifts to cup Regina's chin gently. "Little One, listen to me and listen good. I'm not going to change what I do for you or for any member of this family just because you've become all domesticated and married and a mama. In fact, I'm likely going to be doing it more now." The glimmer of tears in her eyes nearly does Regina in. "And I will love every second of it. I meant it when I said that motherhood looks good on you, and so does marriage. This is the happiest I have ever seen you, Regina, and the most comfortable in your skin." Her thumb traces the scars on Regina's left cheek. "The fact that you've found a man who would literally move Heaven and earth to ensure your health and happiness? You deserve this, Little One, and I will be the first one in line to kick his sorry ass if he ever hurts you."
"I don't thi--"
"And I'll do the same to you if you hurt him," she says, cutting off Regina's protest smoothly. "I've only known Robin for barely over a month now, but it feels like I've known him as long as you. He's a good man. Don't let him get away."
"I don't plan on it. I would be every bit as lost without Robin as I was after…" She can't finish the thought.
Mal pulls her into a tighter embrace and murmurs, "I know, Little One, I know. It's okay. You are okay now. We're both here."
"All ri-- Regina? What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong, Robin, just come here," Mal says softly. "Your wife is in need of a little reassurance."
Regina feels him come closer, feels the love and concern envelop her, as it always does, just before his arms do. Mal is still there on the other side, and she is surrounded by the two most important people in her life besides the boys still growing in her womb. Their words wash over her in a comforting haze as she focuses on the good, the now. There will be at least one therapy session devoted to this, but she's not going nonverbal, and that is progress in and of itself.
*****
"Robin, what is this?" Regina asks as he sets a small box in her lap as they rest in the den again after lunch. "I thought the gifts were all done already. Plus, you've already spoiled me so much."
"No such thing, love, but this is kind of from the boys, as well. I was waiting for the right time."
Tears prick in her eyes at his words, and it takes a moment before she can pick up the package to carefully unwrap it. Opening the box, she finds a sterling silver necklace of interlocked links upon which is a beautiful oval pendant with an engraved capital M in a fancy script font. Her fingers tremble as she opens the locket to find spaces for four photos, the first of which is filled with the original ultrasound from their first appointment where they'd learned they were having twins.
"Oh god," she whispers tearfully, stroking the image of the ultrasound. "I don't deserve you, any of you."
"You're entirely wrong there, Regina, but I have no problem reminding you when you need it. You clearly recognize the first image, and the other three spaces in the locket await the first pictures of the boys after they're born, as well as our first picture as a family. It's a reminder of our greatest gift from God."
Before she can find the words to respond, Mal pipes up. "I've already agreed to do that first family photo, Little One. I know you probably figured that out, but I wanted to say it anyway."
She can only nod at her best friend gratefully before turning tear-filled eyes on her husband. "P-Please put it on me, Robin?"
Robin takes it from her hand and lightly closes the locket before settling the chain around her neck. The pendant rests just above and between her breasts, a sense of familiar warmth suffusing her entire body. His thumb rests on the locket, but the rest of his palm settles over her heart, a familiar position over the past few months, and he leans in to press a gentle kiss to her lips. She feels more than hears his I love you, mouths her own response into the kiss.
"If I ever get the urge to settle down…" Mal murmurs as Regina also hears the click of the shutter from Mal's camera.
"If it's God's will," she replies, leaning back to rest her forehead against Robin's and bask in the love surrounding her in this moment. "And I do hope God has a love like this in His plan for you. It is the greatest feeling…"
"That it is, love," Robin murmurs, nuzzling his nose against hers. "Merry Christmas, Mrs. Maistín."
"Merry Christmas, Mr. Maistín, now and for many years to come."
