Chapter 9

Robin was going through the refrigerator looking for a snack when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around with her fist up and was about to punch the person when they spoke. "Robin it's okay – it's me."

She looked at Nikolas and lowered her hand. "Sorry – I think it's going to be a while before I stop being so jumpy."

"It's understandable given what you have gone through." He smiled at his old friend. "Looking for a little midnight snack?"

"I hope that is okay." Robin suddenly wondered if she should have asked first. "I mean I…"

"Robin my house is your house – you know that. You can have anything you want in this kitchen." Nikolas opened up the freezer and pulled a box out. "How about a fudge mocha brownie ice cream bar?"

Robin's eyes lit up – she hadn't had one of those in years. "That sounds wonderful."

Nikolas opened up the box and handed one to her and took one for himself before putting the box back in the freezer. "Why don't we sit down and you can tell me what's on your mind?"

Robin sighed but nodded her head and walked over to the table. She and Nikolas sat down and began eating their ice cream bars. After a few bites she finally spoke. "This is good but a snack is not the only reason I came down here. I guess I needed to reassure myself that the door was really unlocked and I could come and go as I please."

"I would never do that to you. I am so sorry about what my family had done to you Robin." Nikolas felt an enormous amount of guilt over the fact that Helena had had Robin this whole time and he didn't know it.

"I know and I appreciate you trying to make up for it but I think it would be best if I take my mom up on her offer of a place to stay. Emma and I will be moving in with her tomorrow." Robin needed time to bond with Emma and to talk to her mom about what had happened.

"Are you sure? You can stay here as long as you want." Nikolas was worried that Anna couldn't protect Robin from Helena.

"I'm positive – three generations of Devane women under one roof should make for some interesting times if nothing else. Plus my mom really wants to make up for not realizing that I was in danger and this is her way of doing it." Anna had done a lot of groveling that night before she had gone home. It was clear to Robin that her mother's guilt was enormous and she had no desire to add to it. It was time to heal and move forward.

Nikolas couldn't help but note the sadness in Robin's voice. "Robin, what is it?"

"It's just – I can't believe that Patrick took off without seeing if I was okay with his own eyes." Tears started to fall down her cheek. "I mean, I know he doesn't love me anymore but…"

"No Robin, he loves you." Nikolas reached over and took Robin's hand. "The reason he didn't come upstairs is because I wouldn't let him."

"Why would you do that?" Robin felt a mixture of anger and relief at his words.

"Because he willfully ignored you Robin. He hurt you and let my family keep you away from your daughter. If Patrick had…"

Robin interrupted him. "I'm not completely blameless – I told Patrick I wasn't being held against my will."

"But you also said you were broken and he didn't try and help you." Nikolas gently rubbed his old friend's hand. "Robin, you have been through hell for the last four years and he has barely been there for you. I wanted to surround you with people you love and trust."

Robin smiled at Nikolas. "I appreciate the thought but I do love Patrick and I trust him with the most important person in my life – our daughter. I understand the sentiment behind what you were doing but I haven't been able to make a decision for myself in almost four years and I really want to start."

"I didn't even think about it that way – I'm sorry." He took the ice cream bar stick from her and stood up to throw it away. "I just wanted to protect you."

"Like I said, I appreciate that but I need to talk to him. I need to let him know that I am okay with the fact that he has moved on with Sam and that I hope we can raise Emma as co-parents." Robin still couldn't believe that Patrick was engaged to Jason's wife.

"They're not together anymore." Nikolas felt like Robin deserved the truth about the situation.

"But Helena said…"

"They were but Patrick ended things with Sam the same day he took off to find you."

Robin was shocked - she knew he had left Sam to save her but Robin had thought that it was a temporary separation. "Before the truth about Jason came out?"

"Yes – all he could think about was you and getting you home." Nikolas walked over to Robin and took her hands in his again. "I may not like the man right now but I will admit that he does still love you. He was even worried that I would take advantage of your return to try and steal you away for myself."

"You're kidding, right?" Robin couldn't help but feel a little hope building as Nikolas told her what was going on with her ex-husband.

"No – apparently he has not forgotten that kiss I laid on you years ago at the Metro Court." Nikolas pulled Robin into a hug. "I want you to be happy and if being with Patrick does that then go for it."

"I can't think about that right now – I just want to have some time to be mommy again. Everything else can wait." Robin had a lot to work through before she could even consider reuniting with her ex-husband. "But it does help to know that he dropped everything to come for me."

Nikolas released Robin from the hug and smiled at her. "I will do everything I can to protect you and be there for you Robin." Nikolas took her hand. "Now, would you like me to escort you back to your room?"

Robin laughed. "That would be wonderful."

They got to her room and Nikolas gave her a kiss on the cheek before bidding her good night. Robin climbed into the bed and wrapped her arms around Emma – the little girl had insisted on sleeping with her mom that night. She smiled, closed her eyes and settled into a deep sleep. As long as she had her little girl everything was going to be alright.