Chapter One:
Dr. Patrick Drake was off for a whole week of uninterrupted relaxation. He loved his job as a top-notch neurosurgeon, but lately, it seemed his life consisted of one brain after another. People were a blur and he knew he needed this break. He told everyone he was going away for the week, but in truth he was planning on staying home and just doing nothing. He jumped into his black Mustang and sped out onto the sunny street, picking up his cell phone as it rang.
"Drake."
"Hi Patrick," Shelley's voice rang through the phone.
"Hey Shell," Patrick said. Shelley was his older sister and he had been doing his best to look out for her and his niece Amber while his brother in law was serving overseas.
"I know you are starting your vacation, and I wasn't going to bother you, but I think you might be the only one who can help," Patrick could hear the tears in her voice.
"What's wrong Shell?"
"Amber wanted to get her father a present for his birthday, a nice chain for him to wear when he comes back. I was going to take her, but she insisted on going with a man, because she said I wouldn't know what he liked. I tried to explain that I know her father better than anyone, but I think this is more about him not being here for her big dance next weekend, and not really about jewelry. I just feel so badly for her, you know? She is 14 going on 40 and I just don't know how to help her. Sorry to ramble, but I wondered if on your way home you could take her to the jewelry store and help her pick out a chain? It shouldn't take long, and she looks up to you so much," Shelley hoped Patrick could get through to her daughter.
Patrick felt his heart twist for his niece and for his brother in law, being so far away and knowing how much he missed them all. "Is she at school?"
"She should be out in a half hour."
"I'll pick her up and we'll go shopping. I'll have her home before dinner."
"Patrick, I don't know how to thank you," Shelley said tearfully.
"You could make me a dinner care package to take home so I don't suffer on beer and pizza for the next 7 days," Patrick said with a twinkle in his eyes.
"You got it, but you need a wife," she laughed and hung up.
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After driving to 3 jewelers, Patrick decided he deserved a medal for this. Amber was the most stubborn kid he had ever met. "Amber, this one is fine. Every chain we have looked at has been exactly the same."
"When I see it, I'll know it's the one," Amber said and flashed him a dimpled grin. Although only 14, Amber was blessed with the Drake genes, tall, slim and gorgeous. Patrick knew his brother would have his hands full with her. Patrick walked up and ruffled her hair and Amber shot him a death glare. "Uncle P, stop that," she hissed.
Patrick crossed his arms. "Fine, but I would like to be done before my vacation is over."
"Oh Uncle P, you're so dramatic," Amber said and Patrick rolled his eyes.
"This coming from the queen of drama."
"OMG! There he is," she squealed and ran behind Patrick.
"Omg? Did you just text speak to me? What the hell is going on?" he turned to see her blushing the color of a tomato and then he turned to see where she was looking. There was a young boy, about 15 or 16 who walked out of the service door and began cleaning the glass around the ring cases. Patrick laughed. Amber had a crush. "Do you want to introduce me to your friend?"
Amber turned white. "Shhh, don't draw attention to us." She turned around and pretended to not notice anything. "Kevin is busy."
"Amber, when you are with me, attention follows," he grinned and she turned and smacked him. "Kevin, huh? Look, as a once teenage boy, he is probably just as nervous as you are. Why don't you go and say hello?"
She looked at him like he suggested she strip and run across the floor naked.
"Or not," he said.
"He would never look at me, anyway, he is on the football team and everything," she said, her eyes downcast. "I was hoping he would ask me to the dance, but he didn't."
"Then he is a jerk. Maybe I should have a talk with him."
"You wouldn't dare. I would never speak to you again and when my dad came home he would shoot you," the feisty teen flared at him.
"Very nice and mature," he grinned. "Why don't you ask him to take you? Guys love assertive women."
"No, he just doesn't seem like someone who would like me," Amber shrugged and looked down at her hands.
Patrick tilted her face back up to look at him. "Amber, you are a beautiful and intelligent young woman. Don't ever sell yourself short."
She snorted. "I can't. Thanks to your side of the family, I will grow to be an amazon."
"Hardly, now how about we stop for some ice cream and go home," he said, tired.
"Ice cream doesn't always help, you know," she looked at him. "Well maybe it does."
They both laughed and Amber turned to make a decision on the chair when something caught his eye. In the corner of the store, on the phone, was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.
"Uncle Patrick, I think this is the one I want," Amber's voice invaded his thoughts.
"Fine, good," he said, not looking at her, his eyes transfixed on the woman who was intently talking to someone on the phone, and he thought he saw a glimpse of a tear. She was upset.
"Earth to Uncle P," Amber said and stood next to him, following his gaze. She grinned and looked at him. "She's cute."
"Huh? What?" he blushed as he looked at his niece. "Never mind, are we ready?"
"Mom said you are too much of a kid to ever become an adult. I told her you were just waiting for the right woman. You have high standards and you should. You're quite a catch Uncle P."
Patrick looked at her and shook his head. "Amber, this is not a discussion I am having with you." He chuckled and she shrugged.
"I'm in high school, I know all about these things," she blushed as Kevin looked at her from across the room.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he raised his eyebrows at her.
"Nothing," she muttered and smiled innocently at her uncle.
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Dr. Robin Scorpio was pissed off. She was hurt and betrayed and angry with herself for settling. She knew that Scott wasn't the one for her, but she had settled. She also knew he was cheating on her, and again, she ignored it. The last straw was walking in on him with her friend and colleague. She felt her tears come again and then she cursed her weakness. She didn't love him, so why did she care?
She knew why. She was afraid she would never find someone who would love her for her, issues and all. She was attractive and had a few nice curves, although she was short and her body was nothing to write home about. She knew she had walls built around her and she was working hard at trying to break them down. She made a decision when she walked in on Scott. She left him and her life behind. She put her belongings in her car and had driven two states over to Port Charles New York. She didn't know where she was going to live, or what she would do first, but she knew the hospital here had a huge research department and she hoped they would allow her to work. All of that was irrelevant right now. She had brought in a few pieces of jewelry she had and wanted to have them made into something else, a symbol of a new beginning.
She was waiting to be called when she saw a sight that made her heart jump. Across the store was a man and what appeared to be his daughter, in an argument of some sort. His features mesmerized her, and when he smiled, the dimples that both he and the girl shared were simply beautiful. She smiled in spite of her mood as he ruffled the girls hair and she almost stomped her foot in anger.
He was tall, dark and handsome, and had the softest eyes she had seen. Her phone buzzed and she was forced to look away from the man who captured her attention.
She sighed as she picked up the phone. "Scott, I asked you to stop calling me."
"Robin, you can't leave me. We love each other," Scott whined into the phone.
"Actually, you only love other people, Scott, not me. I told you we're through and I've moved on. Don't call me again," she hung up and her tears fell once again. She needed to start fresh. She needed to discover who she was.
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Patrick watched her hang up the phone and he fought the urge to go over and pull her into his arms. This was ridiculous. He needed to go home and begin his vacation. "You ready?" he asked Amber.
She took her package and nodded. "Yep, now how about some ice cream," she smiled.
"Your treat?" Patrick grinned.
"Uncle P, I just spent all of my money," she pouted.
"Well, then I guess I can treat. Oh, these are for you," he handed her a small package.
She looked at him, her eyes wide. "What are these?"
"Open it," he grinned.
She opened the box and saw the most beautiful tiny diamond earrings. She covered her mouth. "I don't understand."
Patrick swallowed the lump in his throat. "Your dad is very upset he is going to miss your first big dance next weekend. He bought these for you and he wanted you to wear them. I told him I would see to it you had them."
Amber closed the box and hugged him. "Thank you Uncle P. I'm so glad you're here."
Patrick smiled. "Me too baby A."
"You promised never to call me that anymore," she pouted.
He shrugged. "Sorry, can't help it," he turned to walk and bumped into someone. "Oh, I'm sorry," he said and reached out to steady who he hit. Shit, it was that woman.
Robin looked up into the chocolate brown eyes of the man who had stopped her cold. "I'm sorry, I wasn't watching," she reached down to pick up her purse.
Patrick stood there, unable to find his voice. Amber looked at him and smiled. "Hi, I'm Amber. This is my uncle Patrick, he's a doctor."
Patrick looked at Amber. "Seriously?" he slanted his eyes at her.
Robin grinned as she shook Amber's hand. "My name is Robin. I'm also a doctor."
A doctor? Patrick smiled. Robin, what a beautiful name.
"Nice to meet you, Robin." Amber said. "Well Uncle P, ready?"
Patrick still hadn't moved. "Yeah, I guess so," he said and looked into Robin's eyes, dying to say something.
They were all stunned when a loud shot rang through the air and the words that followed. "Get on the floor, this is a robbery."
The jewelry store was covered with men wearing ski masks and carrying large weapons. Patrick, Robin and Amber froze.
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I would love a review to know if I should continue
