Chapter 10

Anna wakes up first, she raises her head from Robert's chest. Watching him sleep, you're really here she thinks. The events of the last few days are actually starting to sink in. He's healthy, they're together, her hand moves over his chest playing in the fine hairs. They'll soon be married, and they're moving home. Can she really be this happy, she kisses his neck softly. She put her leg over his wanting to be closer to him. His arm moves slowly rubbing her back, "Mmm, morning Luv." In response Anna kisses his neck then nibbles his ear, Robert moans, she kisses along his jawline, while her hand moves lower running across his stomach. Robert turns his head, finding her lips, he kisses her deeply. Her hand moves lower finding him fully aroused, she takes him in her hand moving her hand slowly. Robert moans again. Still kissing him, Anna straddles Robert, he puts his hand on her hips put lets Anna set the pace. As she moves their pleasure rises. Rocking on the brink closer, closer Anna cries out as she climaxes, Robert quickly follows her over the edge. They're both breathing heavily, "I've missed these wake-up calls" Robert grins at Anna, "you can wake me up like this anytime you want."

Anna smiles "I'll keep that in mind," she says with a giggle, "Oh yeah, good morning Robert."

Once they're up and dressed for the day they head downstairs, Mac left them a note, he'd already left for the work, he put a fresh pot of coffee on before he left. Anna pours them both a cup and heads to the table, Robert asks if she hungry. Anna says not yet and tells him to come sit down.

"Robert I think we should start making a few plans, like a place of our own to start with, we could call a realtor today."

"You are full of good ideas this morning," Robert smiles. "Do you have any ideas what kind of place you want, house, apartment, penthouse, houseboat?"

"I want to have enough room so we can have Emma over as often as she wants. So that roles out a houseboat." she laughs, "I think a house, you know with a yard, again for Emma."

"Yeah, a house makes the most sense. We haven't talked about our careers much. Anna I don't want to be going out on assignments that will keep me away from you. I haven't told you this but, financially I could retire. Sean has helped me with some investments, and they have been very, very lucrative. I'm not sure I'm ready to sit around all day, but I'm done with traipsing around the world."

"Me too. I want to be home at night with you, and wake up together in the morning."

"OK, so we're looking for a house, and after a couple phone calls, we'll both be unemployed. What else can we decide?" asks Robert.

"I was wondering, how long do you want to wait to get married?"

"Anna, I would go to city hall with you right this second if that was what you wanted to do."

"Um, not quite," she smiles, "I was thinking more like nine days from today."

Robert starts to ask why nine days then it clicks, "Today's the 19th, nine days would make it June 28th." that's perfect he thinks, "OK wedding date is set. It would seem we really need to start making some phone calls, you get started on those and I'll wipe us up some breakfast."

By the time breakfast is ready, Anna has resigned and they have an appointment at 1 o'clock with the realtor. Anna also made another call, Robert tells her to come eat. Anna joins him at the table. "I called Sean and Tiffany they weren't home so I left a message. I'm sure they will want to hear our news."

"You're right, and once they know I'm sure we'll see them very soon. When I'm done eating it's my turn to quit my job," Robert smiles.

...

By 3 o'clock Robert and Anna are at the fourth house the realtor wanted to show them. This one is only a few blocks from Robin's, they look around, it has three bedrooms, a den, there is a fireplace in the living room and both the kitchen and living room have lots of room for family get-togethers. Robert asked the realtor to give them a few minutes. "Anna, what do you think?"

Anna walked around a little more then come back over to Robert, "I think this is the one."

He smiles, "Yeah? You mean it, this is the one."

She nods, "Welcome home Mr. Scorpio."

He takes her in his arms, "Welcome home Mrs. Scorpio."

Oh, that sounds so right," she kisses him.

When the realtor returns Robert tells her they'll take it. They head back to her office to take care of all the paperwork.

Anna's phone rings just as they are leaving the realtor's office, it's Robin, "Hi Mom, what are you and Dad doing for dinner tonight?"

"We don't have any plans but now that you mention it, I'm starving."

"OK you two are coming over, I'm cooking. I'm not taking no for an answer."

"We'd love to, we've had a very productive day, so we have lots to tell you. When do you want us there?"

"Come over anytime."

"OK, we just finished up here, so we'll head right over."

Hanging up she looks at Robert, "Next stop, Robin's for supper." She smiles and takes his hand and they walk towards their car.

"I really hope she isn't experimenting on a new dish tonight," they both laugh remembering some of her past creations.

A short time later they arrive at Robin's. She greets them and they head into the living room. Robert makes a beeline for Emma as soon as he sees her. Anna watches Robert play with Emma for a bit. Robin comes over and puts her arm around Anna's shoulders, "What's wrong Mom?"

"Oh Robin, I was just wishing that was you in his arms. You both missed out on so much time together."

"Mom, we understand you did what you did to keep us all safe."

"I know, it's just kind of came over me, Anna admitted. "You know he is going to spoil her."

"Yeah, that's OK though," Robin smiles, "I love watching them together."

Anna hugs Robin back, "So do I sweetheart."

There's a knock at the door, Robin goes to answer it while Anna joins Robert and Emma. At the door, Robin greets the new arrivals with hugs and has a hushed conversation. "They're already here, I didn't tell them you two were coming."

"What's going on, all you said was that we should hear it all from them."

Robin peaks at her parents before responding, "If I had told you I'm not sure you would have believed me."

"Their both healthy though?"

"Yes, now let's go inside, it's my turn to surprise them."

Robert and Anna both look up as Robin returns. "Hello, old buddy!" They can't believe it, there standing with Robin are Sean and Tiffany. They stand and go over to greet their old friends, Anna passes Emma to Robin so they can all share big hugs.

Tiffany looks at Emma in her mother's arm, "Oh she precious, can I hold her?"

"Of course, Aunt Tiff." Robin smiles as Emma is passed into Tiffany's waiting arms. The women go sit down, gushing over Emma.

Sean looks at Robert "You look well."

"I am Sean, I couldn't be better. I'm healthy, and probably the happiest man on earth."

"Well, that's quite the statement. I think you better start sharing."

"I will let's go join the ladies," they start walking, "it's Anna's news as well."

Sean pauses and looks at Robert, then follows him and they get settles in the living room. Anna asks Tiffany, "What made you guys decide to come here? I tried calling you earlier."

"That was part of it, I didn't have your cell number, so I called Robin to get it. She said that both you and Robert were in town. Also, you had some important things to tell us and that if we could get away we should come for a visit. So here we are."

Sean added, "It has been way too long since we have all been together so we decided to get the next flight out."

Robin had gone into the kitchen, she returned with champagne. When they all had a glass, Robert stood up "Sean, Tiffany," Anna stands and joins Robert, he takes her hand, "We're getting married!"

Anna adds, "in 9 days."

After getting over the initial shook, Sean and Tiffany congratulate them and they toast the happy news.

Robin finally says, "In 9 days?"

Anna responds with a smile, "I did say we had a productive day."

Robert says, "Very productive. There's more we want to tell you. We both quit our jobs today, no more globe trouting for us. We set the date, and we just bought a house. We had just finished the paperwork when you called Robin."

"Wow!" exclaims Sean, "You two are serious about all this."

"Of course they are," says Tiffany

Robin goes to her parents holding her arms open as she gets to them, they all hug. In an unsteady voice, Robin says, "You're getting married on, on your anniversary." She buries her face in Robert's chest and weeps.

Anna stroked her hair. "Aren't you happy about this?"

Robin finally lifts her head, "Yes, it's perfect. I'm just so overwhelmed. Suddenly it was like I was 13 again." She smiles at her parents, "My unspoken dream has come true." Robert thinks, in his arms, he has everything he has ever needed. He holds them a little longer, then kisses Robin's cheek before letting them go.

Patrick arrives home to find this happy little gathering. When dinner is ready they sit and eat, the room is full of laughter as Patrick learns even more about the family he's married into. Once Emma is in bed, they all settle in the living room. They sit talking happily, catching up with each other, telling stories of the old days. Finally, Anna says that she wants to start planning the wedding first thing in the morning, as there's no time to waste. Tiff says she will help with everything and they decide to meet at Kelly's in the morning. Robert looks at Sean telling him he gets to help get the house ready. Robin yawns and they realize how late it has gotten. They say their goodnights Sean and Tiffany head to their hotel, and Robert and Anna back to Mac's.

When they get back, Mac and Maxie are already in bed so Robert leaves a note for Mac, saying they want to talk to him in the morning. Then they head upstairs to their room, they change and crawl into bed Robert open his arms and Anna cuddles up to him. "In just over a week you'll be my wife. I love you."

Anna responds already sounding sleepy "I love you too, now get some sleep," and she drifts off, Robert kisses the top of her head and soon is asleep as well.