Chapter Four:
Robin put the finishing touches on the dinner table and went to check on the chicken. She didn't know why she went all out for this dinner, but she figured it was time to break out of the status quo.
She didn't know much about Patrick, but she found herself wondering what was behind the bravado. He was handsome, that was obvious. He was also intelligent and caring and someone who made her question things.
Making her way to her bedroom, she pulled her clothes off and went to head into the shower. The butterflies in her stomach reminded her that she had a big secret, and it may be a game changer. What would he think when she told him she was HIV positive?
XXXX
"This is a beautiful home," Patrick said to Matt after he got the grand tour. "I'm proud of you."
Matt chuckled and handed Maxie some juice.
"Thanks, I think?" he smiled as they sat down.
"So Patrick, is there anyone special in your life?" Maxie asked as she rested her hand on her pregnant belly.
"Right now, all I can focus on is getting started in my new job," he said, thinking of Robin. He just wasn't ready to say anything about her yet. He really didn't know what there was to say.
"Well we can't have that," Maxie said and took a deep breath.
"You okay?" Matt asked worriedly.
"Yep," she smiled. "Your daughter is playing a soccer match and it's pressing on my chest."
"I can't believe you're going to be a dad," Patrick smiled. "Are you both ready?"
"I'm ready," Maxie grinned. "I can't wait to see him holding her and I know your dad will be so excited to be a grandpa."
Patrick felt his heart twist at mention of Noah.
"Yeah, he'll be a great grandpa."
Matt looked at his brother and Maxie nodded.
"You should visit him. He would love to see you."
"I will."
"Patrick, you both have made peace with things, haven't you?"
"Yeah, we're good. I'll visit soon," he said, effectively ending the discussion.
"So, do you want to stay for dinner? I mean, I'm not cooking, but Matt will pick up something amazing," Maxie grinned.
Patrick stood up and laughed.
"Thanks, but I have plans," he said.
"What kind of plans?" Matt smiled.
"Just plans, nothing big," he smiled and hugged Maxie before Matt walked him out.
Patrick went back to the hotel to shower and change before he headed to Robin's. He was more than a little nervous and knew this was more than just 'plans'.
XXXX
Robin put the wine on the table and smoothed her dress down. She was wearing a short sundress that tied up around her neck. She had wanted to wear her wedge heels, but her ankle was swollen and so she had to resort to a pair of flats that allowed her bandaged ankle to fit.
Her hair was down around her shoulders and curled a little and she put a tiny bit of lip-gloss on. She was ready.
For what? She didn't know.
The doorbell rang and she jumped before smiling and going to answer.
Patrick stood there and was speechless. She was beautiful, but he just got lost in her eyes. He felt such a sense of comfort and belonging when she looked at him and it made him nervous.
He hardly knew her. What the hell was going on?
"Come in, please," she smiled and opened the door.
He stepped in and she closed the door.
"These are for you," he said and handed her a dozen roses. "I realized on the way over that roses seem serious and I should have gotten daisies or something, but I didn't and now it's all weird."
She held the beautiful red flowers and smiled.
"They are beautiful and I promise not to think they are serious. Thank you. Make yourself comfortable while I put them in a vase."
He nodded and she went into the kitchen.
Patrick walked around the plush room and smiled at how homey it felt. She had a nice television and a fireplace and on the mantel were photos of a few people who looked like they were family.
He admired her bookcases and ran his fingers over some of the titles, impressed by the collection.
"Thought I would have stuffy old research books and nothing else?" her voice startled him and he grinned.
"Well, the thought had crossed my mind," he turned to her and she laughed as she sat on the couch. He walked over to sit next to her.
"How is your ankle?"
"Just a little swollen but it's nothing," she said. "Did you get a chance to check out any places to live today?"
"Not yet, but I need to do that."
"When do you start work?"
"Next Monday."
"That's great," Robin said and there was an awkward silence. "We can eat if you want. It's ready."
"Okay, that sounds great," he said and they got up.
Why was this so awkward? He was acting like a teenager.
He sat at the table and poured the wine while she grabbed the food. After she sat down, he proposed a toast.
"To strange first meetings," he said.
She clinked his glass.
"To strange first meetings."
They began to eat and finally, the conversation began to flow.
"So why neurosurgery?" she asked as they ate.
"It was the most complex and challenging," he said.
She stared at him.
"Not true, but I'll allow it."
"Is that right? What's more challenging than the human brain? What's more complex than the one organ that makes everything in the entire body work?"
"Finding out ways to create medications and procedures to fix problems in the brain as well as the rest of the body."
He leaned in and grinned.
"Research isn't everything."
She nodded.
"Neither is surgery."
"Sometimes removing the problem is the only solution."
"And sometimes there can be more than one way to remove something."
He grinned and sat back.
"It's quicker."
"Is that your solution to everything?"
They both stared at each other and laughed.
"On the contrary, I take my time when it's important."
She took a drink.
"So brain surgery isn't important?"
He blinked and she laughed.
"You make this too easy," she said and got up, taking the plates into the kitchen.
He grabbed the glasses and followed her.
"Robin, why did you ask me to dinner?"
She put the dishes in the sink and took the glasses from him, placing them down.
"To thank you for helping me."
"I think that's a lie," he said as he moved closer to her.
She crossed her arms and looked up into his eyes.
"I don't lie."
"You could have sent me a card or a text. You didn't have to ask me to dinner and make such an amazing meal to thank me."
"So what? You think I want something more? I had ulterior motives?"
He shrugged.
"I think you like me."
"If you were honest, maybe. I don't like people who play games," she said and walked back to the dining room.
"What the hell does that mean? I'm honest. What are you talking about?"
"I asked you why you became a neurosurgeon. You gave me the textbook answer, but it wasn't true. There was a deeper meaning. You wanted to prove something to someone. You wanted to do something that others couldn't. There is a story behind your words that you wouldn't share."
He was surprised she picked up on that and more than a little confused by her ability to see through his words.
"Well, thank you for the thank you dinner. I'll see myself out."
She nodded.
"And you run when scared."
"And your need to analyze my every move is more than a little bit of a turn off."
She blushed.
"Sorry, it's a habit. I just don't like lip service. I prefer an honest approach. Life's short and I don't have any time to waste."
That was a weird statement.
"Right, so is there a reason for that?"
"What do you mean?"
"You said you don't have time to waste. Why?"
"No reason."
"Now who's lying?"
"I asked you to dinner because I like you."
Patrick moved to her and took her hand in his.
"I like you, too."
She smiled and he ached to kiss her.
"But I need to tell you something."
He kissed her fingers and she took her hand away.
"I am HIV positive."
What?
He was quiet and she felt her tears sting her eyes.
"Thanks for dinner," he said and she watched him walk out.
Patrick felt the walls closing around him as he walked to his car.
How did he react like that? How could he just walk away? What the hell was wrong with him?
He knew why, but he couldn't deal with it. He wasn't ready.
He jumped in his car and grabbed his phone as it rang.
"Patrick? Maxie's water broke and the baby is coming."
"Right now? Are you at the hospital?" he asked, starting the car.
"Yeah, but Maxie's pressure is too high. I'm really worried. Can you come and help?"
"I'm on my way," Patrick said and sped off to the hospital.
XXXX
Robin angrily wiped her tears and finished washing the dishes. She was disgusted with herself for believing he was different. She just felt like he wouldn't react that way.
If she was honest with herself, it did seem to be like there was more to it.
Her phone startled her and she answered.
"Hi Uncle Mac. She is? Right now? Okay, I'm on my way."
She hung up and grabbed her keys.
Maxie was in labor and Robin felt it was the perfect distraction to get Patrick off her mind.
Time to welcome a new member of the family!