02. Just To See You Smile

Robert brought Anna breakfast in bed the following morning. She must have been exhausted because she barely stirred when room service arrived. She slowly opens her eyes when Robert tickles her nose with the petals of a Pink Rose. Pink, of course, symbolized friendship.

"Oh Robert, It's beautiful," she says with a lazy smile. "You didn't have to order all this food."

"I wanted to. You kind of scared me last night."

She touches his cheek with her fingertip and picks up a piece of toast. "I kind of scared me too. I don't know what I would have done if I had not been able to find you."

"How did you find me, by the way?"

"Do you doubt my secret weapon?"

He smiles at her knowingly. "I know better than anyone just how persuasive you can be," he replies. "Are you ready to talk about what happened?"

"After breakfast and a shower."

"I asked the maid to bring fresh towels for you. You take all the time you need."

"Robert…"

"What is it Luv?"

"Why are you always so good to me…I know that I hurt you the last time you showed up to rescue me…and yet, you still didn't slam the door in my face when, once again, I need your help. I would not have blamed you if you did. I am so sorry Robert. Can you ever forgive me?"

"There's nothing to forgive Luv."

"You are much too kind to me. Thank you."

He kisses her forehead and then turns to look at her. "You are not kind enough to yourself."

When Anna finishes breakfast, Robert tells her he is going to give her some privacy. He comes back with a few shopping bags.

"What is all of this," she asks when she walks out of the bathroom in his robe.

"That looks much better on you then it ever did on me."

"Are you flirting with me Scorpio?"

"Your single now…I'm allowed to."

"You are shameless, you know that? What is in the bag?"

"We are going out tonight. It is my last night in this city and I want you to remember how it feels to have a good time. I figured you could use a new gown."

"From the looks of things, it's more than a few gowns."

"I know you like to pick things out yourself. This way you still can."

"Can I model for you?"

"I can't think of anything I would love more."

Robert watches her walk away and he knows he made the right decision. Whatever happened between Anna and Finn had stolen her exuberance for life…the look in her eyes now was full of that old spark he used to see every day back when they were married. That look was worth every dollar he spent.


Robert spent the next hour and a half watching Anna try on every dress in the bag. She would walk down the makeshift runway in his hotel room just like a real life model, complete with every bow.

She had always been captivating but this time, it was much more. It was as if he could see a little into what her life as a child before tragedy struck had been like. A look into what their own life could have been if they had not been 'blown up.' She was beautiful then…today she was breathtaking.

He insisted on taking pictures of her fashion show so now they were lying on his bed looking at the photographs spread out on the comforter. There was a childlike wonder in her eyes that he promised himself he would do anything to keep.

"I knew you would like that one. You always did like me in Red."

"I still do...Keep them all if you like them."

"Robert, you can't be serious. You must have spent a fortune on this."

"You deserve to be spoiled Anna. Your smile is worth every penny. Come on; let your best friend make you smile. "

"You always could Scorpio. More than anyone else, you always could get me to laugh when I wanted to cry. No wonder I kept you around."

"Is that the only reason?"

"You know it's not. Thank you Robert. Thank you for knowing what I need."

"You don't have to thank me for listening. It is what you do when you care about someone."

Not everyone, she thinks, as she picks up the dresses. "I'm going to go hang these up. Then I think I'm ready to talk."

"I will be right here waiting Luv."

He watches her walk away and adjusts himself onto his back on the bed. He was glad she did not think his actions were extravagant. She was single now and for the first time in both their lives, so was he. He was not sure what that meant to either of them but he did know one thing…He was glad that Anna had knocked on his door last night. It just might change everything for them.