Chapter Two

When Anna entered Robin's kitchen, she is surprised to see Robert sitting there drinking a beer.

"What is going on here," she asks, her arms crossed in defiance.

Robin sighs as she looks at both her parents in exasperation.

"You two have got to be the most stubborn people in the entire human race. You can talk to me about each other but when comes to talking to each other; you act as if the world is ending. "

"Robin that's not," Anna stutters. Robert looks over at her and smiles. He knows what her stuttering means.

"Mom, I understand that you have a lot to think about. I also know you would not be so confused if you did not have real feelings for dad. Are you going to deny that?"

Anna looks directly at Robert and immediately wants to hit him. He is looking at her with that devilish grin that used to melt her heart…still does if she were honest…except right now she is perfectly aware of what it means. Cocky bastard.

"And Dad, "Robin continues. "I know how much you have always loved mom. I admire you for finally deciding to chase your own happiness when for so long it was always about us…but you also need to remember that mom just accepted a marriage proposal…even if it was from the wrong man."

Robert almost spit out his beer and Anna nearly choked on the water she just picked up. "Excuse me? Did you just say the wrong man?"

"You know exactly what I said."

"What's wrong with Finn," she asks?

"Is that a real question," Robert interjects. "I could tell you a thousand reasons."

"Is that so," Anna challenges. "Name one."

"He's not me," he says simply.

He looks up at her with that arrogant smirk that tells her that he is pleased with himself. She wants to smack him for his smugness but instead flashes him a seemingly nonchalant smile of her own. If only she did not want to kiss him too.

"You are such a pompous ass, you know that," she yells.

"Which only means you hate the fact that I'm right."

"Alright you two," Robin interjects, standing between them. "Separate corners."

Anna sunk down into a chair at the table as Robert retreated to the other side of the kitchen. Robin looked between her parents.

"What in the world is wrong with you two," Robin questions. Anna and Robert look at her with somber expressions but neither of them say a word.

"Look, you both came here because you needed my advice about each other. Clearly, there is something more going on. How can two people who are so obviously in love with each other…"

"Robin," Anna interrupts.

"Don't deny it mom. I know that is why you are so upset. If you were so happy with Finn, then why did you kiss dad yesterday?"

"He kissed me," she defends.

"And I suppose you were not kissing me back were you," Robert challenges.

"It was a mistake."

"Why mom? Is it because you regret kissing him…or because you are engaged to a man you don't really want to marry?"

"How do you know I don't want to marry him," she questions.

"Because you believed that dad was going to propose and on some level, you wanted him to. "

"That's crazy," Anna states.

"Mom, what is crazy is thinking that Dad would propose to you when he knows you are living with another man. He might be in love with you but he knows what boundaries are. The only reason you would believe that is that subconsciously it was on your mind…and when it was Finn that proposed and not dad…you were disappointed. Think about that okay. Whatever it is that is simmering underneath the surface…you both need to deal with it. I will be in the living room. Do not even think of leaving here until you have dealt with this."

Robin closes the door behind her and Robert takes a few steps forward. Anna wants to be anywhere but here right now.

"Tell me the truth Annie…Is Robin right? Did you think I was going to propose to you because it is what you wanted? Please do not lie to me baby. Haven't we had enough lies between us?"

Tears fall from her cheeks as she turns to him. "What does it matter Robert? You were not the one who proposed."

"It matters because I thought about it. When I found out that Finn wanted to marry you, I felt as if my whole world was ending. Again. I was looking at the ring and trying to figure out how I could win you back. You should still be my wife Luv. The only reason I did not ask you was that you were not mine to ask anymore. I need to know if something has changed."

"What could possibly have changed?"

"Annie."

"Robert I…I do think about you okay. Way more than I should. After you kissed me at the hospital yesterday, I could not get you out of my mind. I am not supposed to be reacting to you like that anymore Robert. I am about to become another man's wife."

"Then why did you kiss me back Annie. You cannot possibly tell me that Finn kisses you like that. I would never believe you."

"I wish he did Robert. I wish it was not you I wanted to marry.I wish it was not you that I was thinking of when that ring fell onto the stage."

"So you were hoping I would propose to you, "He says, grinning.

"Yes okay. Are you happy now? I did want you to propose to me. I wanted you to kiss me…I want…"

Her words die in her throat when Robert pulls her into his arms and starts kissing her passionately again.

"I love you Annie. I will never love another woman as I love you. It is not too late for us to get married. To have the life we always wanted to have. What are you so afraid of?"

"Losing you. We had our chance Robert. God, we had more than one chance. I still lost you. "

"It will be different this time Luv. It will."

"You don't know that Robert. You can't possibly know."

"I know that the man who caused us the most harm…the man who destroyed both our marriages is dead. I also know that if you gave me another chance, I would do everything in my power to keep you with me. I love you more than anything in this world. Doesn't that count for anything?"

She looks at him again and she can see the love in his eyes. She is not sure of much right now but somehow when he says it, she wants to believe it. He holds out his arms and she steps into them. He kisses the top of her head as he folds his arms around her. She buries her head in the crook of his neck. She does not know what the future holds tomorrow but for today, as Robert holds her in his arms, she is content.