Chapter 1

"No, I'm not going." Robin sat down on the couch and crossed her arms.

"But Robin, you love the races. You have since the first time I took you." Patrick sat down next to her. "Robin, we promised we'd be there."

Robin sighed. "I know but…"

"No buts." Patrick wrapped his arm around her and held her close. "Our boys are counting on us to be there and we will be there."

"What if he gets hurt?" Robin looked at Patrick with such worry that all his complaints melted away. Above all else, Robin was a ferocious mother, ready to protect her children from any harm that may befall them.

He took Robin's hands in his and gently squeezed them. "I'm not going to swear to you he won't get hurt – that is always a possibility – but I can swear that he will be as protected as he can be."

Robin sighed, knowing she was going to go. Today was Mal's first race as a professional driver and Robin was a nervous wreck. She knew Mal was a talented racer and that he had the best equipment possible but she was still scared to death for her son. "I don't want to lose him."

Patrick gave her a soft kiss and hugged her tight. "You won't. Mal is an excellent driver and John has made sure that the Cassadine Industries car is the safest car on the track. He wouldn't risk his little brother's health for anything."

It had been five years since John Vine, aka Spencer Cassadine, had re-entered their lives and the couple couldn't be happier. John became another one of their children in no time, quickly earning the moniker of big brother from all them. He and Cam were now best friends and John, along with Mal and RJ, would be standing up with Cam at his and Emma's wedding in two months. The couple had gotten engaged three years ago but decided to wait until Emma was done with med school to get married. Cam had recently been promoted to detective while Emma had secured herself a residency at General Hospital working in pediatrics.

"Is mom ready to go yet?" Stephanie bounced down the stairs and smiled at her dad. "I promised Aiden we would meet him there."

The cheerful 18 year-old had been dating Cam's brother for the past couple of months. While Cam was a lot like his surrogate father, Lucky, Aiden was a duplicate of his late grandfather Luke Spencer. He loved adventure and running around like he was Indiana Jones and Patrick didn't really trust him. "Why is Aiden coming – I told you this was a family outing."

"Simple – Cam is family, Aiden is his brother, therefore Aiden is family." Stephanie smiled at her dad as he shook his head.

"I knew I shouldn't have let you take that job at Aunt Alexis's law firm." Alexis, Stephanie's aunt and an old friend of the Drake family, had retired years ago but her firm was still open and she had happily given her niece a job there after school and during the summer. Stephanie had recently entered the pre-law program at Port Charles University with plans to become a lawyer. She still had over six years of schooling ahead of her but no one doubted that she would succeed. She was stubborn with a love for a good argument and there was also the Scorpio family predisposition to crime solving. "We'll be leaving in just a moment. Where is your brother?"

RJ jumped down the stairs, making it down in no time flat. "I was just finishing up my paper. Between the race and the double header tomorrow I decided it might be smart to get a head start."

RJ was the star pitcher for the PCHS baseball team. Tall and lanky, like his father, he had a mean fastball but it was his academic achievements that had earned him scholarship offers from around the country. He was still weighing his options but he was a young man with a clear goal – to become the best neurosurgeon in the country, following in his father's and grandfather's footsteps. "Is mom still stalling?"

"Ha ha guys." Robin took a deep breath and stood up. "Alright - let's go cheer on your brothers."

Hours later the family stood in the garage with Mal, celebrating his 10th place finish in the race. Mal had plenty to be proud of – he had run a good, clean race and finishing in the top 10 was amazing. He had to leave tomorrow for the next race on the circuit but he was happy he was able to share his first race with his family. He walked over to his mom and gave her a hug. "Thank you so much for being here – I know it wasn't easy for you."

Robin smiled at her son as he took his elbow and leaned on her shoulder. She jokingly shrugged him off and smiled at him. "I am so proud of you and, for the record, it isn't your driving that worries me – it's the other drivers."

Mal smiled back at his mom. "I get it Mom and I love you for worrying but I'd be more worried about Steph's driving."

Stephanie turned away from her boyfriend and glared at Mal. "Not funny."

Patrick laughed as he stood by the car with John. John leaned back on the car. "So Pops, when are you going to take it for a spin?"

Patrick just shook his head. "As much as I would love to, your Mom is already having enough problems with Mal driving it. I think it would be better for the whole family if I stay out from behind the wheel. She kept her head buried in my chest for most of the race as it was."

John chuckled. "She worries too much."

"And I always will." Robin gave John a big hug and then leaned back into her husband. "I will always worry about my kids and don't you forget it."

Patrick wrapped his arms around her and smiled. "And that is one of the many reasons why we love you." He kissed the top of her head. "But let's put those worries away for a few hours and celebrate our boys success."

"Sounds great to me." She grabbed Patrick and John's hands and pulled them back to the party.