Chapter Thirteen:
Patrick was whistling the next morning while he was looking through charts in his office. He was so happy to be back at work and things were going really well. He was feeling amazing and he knew, more than anything else, it was because of Robin.
Last night was the most amazing night of his life. It wasn't just that they were able to be together without any protection, but it was the connection that was so profound and beautiful.
He never looked at sex as any big deal. Before Robin, it was just something he did. He enjoyed it, of course, but it wasn't meaningful. When he first met Robin, he knew life as he knew it was over. He found meaning. He found his whole world with her.
And then he lost it. He almost threw it all away with Lisa and he still didn't understand how Robin saw fit to let him back into her heart. She loves with everything she has and everything she is. He knew that and it was why she fought admitting her love for him at first. She doesn't do things half way, and giving her heart to him was the most vulnerable she had ever been. What he did by betraying her was cause her to doubt herself and her instincts and that was immensely destructive to her and to them. He never thought he would get another chance with her, but he did.
Then it was all gone.
One moment.
One explosion.
One more miracle.
She found her way back to him and to Emma and now they were happier than they had ever been. If they could have another child, it would simply be icing on the cake.
Robin took Emma to school today and was spending the day there, helping with the reading program. He knew she wanted to spend some time with Emma in a normal setting and show her that she was home to stay. Patrick understood that and loved how she took care of Emma.
"Dr. Drake?" a nurse called on his intercom.
"Yes?"
"Pediatrics called for a consult. I know you aren't in for surgery yet, but could you look at the patient?"
"Of course. I'm on my way."
He made his way down to pediatrics and figured it would give him a chance to see Tom again. He really needed to apologize for his behavior and maybe explain things. Patrick smiled when he saw him pacing in the hall.
"Hi," Patrick walked over. "Did you need a consult?"
Tommy nodded.
"I didn't know for sure if they would send you. I don't mean to bother you, but my nephew is here and he took a soccer ball to the head a week ago. He was cleared by the doctor in Michigan, but he is going to start a new school tomorrow and they are asking for a current note from a neurologist before he is cleared to play sports. I knew you weren't doing surgery yet, but I thought maybe you could look at him. My sister brought him in, but she took my niece to get a snack in the cafeteria. She needed a break and I told her I would handle it."
Patrick sensed Tommy was a little reserved with him, but he took it as a good sign that he asked for Patrick.
"You seem a little worried. You said he was hurt a week ago? Is he having trouble?"
Tommy crossed his arms and nodded.
"Not with his head. He is struggling a bit with things and he is usually a pretty calm kid. I'm a little worried."
Patrick nodded.
"How old is he?"
"He's 11. His name is David and he's not happy about the move, so prepare for an attitude."
Patrick grinned.
"No problem."
They walked into the room and Patrick smiled at the boy who sat on the bed. He had blonde hair that was cropped short and he looked much older than 11.
"David? This is Dr. Drake," Tommy said.
David looked at Patrick and his blue eyes pierced right through him.
"Hi David," Patrick held out his hand.
David grumbled something and looked back at his hands.
"It's customary to respond with a hello," Tommy said and walked to his nephew. "What's going on with you?"
David looked at them and shrugged.
"Nothing. I'm sorry. It's nice to meet you," he said to Patrick.
"Nice to meet you as well," Patrick said and could see the young man was struggling with something.
"Do you mind if I speak to David alone?"
Tommy looked at him and sighed.
"Sure. I'll be in the hall."
Patrick watched him leave and pulled up a chair.
"So David, can you tell me what happened when you hit your head?"
David looked at him and shrugged.
"It doesn't matter. I'm fine and I am not going to be playing anymore."
Patrick nodded and got up.
"Okay."
David watched as Patrick went to leave.
"What?" Patrick looked at him.
"Aren't you going to ask me why?"
"No. If you wanted to tell me, you would."
"It won't make a difference if I tell you."
"That's bull," Patrick said. "It always helps when you can get something off your chest."
David wiped his eyes and shrugged.
"I don't know any of the kids here and I don't want to have to make new friends. I want to go back to my old school," he sniffed.
Patrick smiled.
"This is going to be a tough move, huh?"
"I'm happy to be near Bee, but I am going to miss everyone."
"You have a bee? Is it a pet?"
David laughed.
"No, Bee is my friend. Her name is Sabrina, but she goes by Bee. She is moving with her family, too. They will be here tomorrow."
"I see," Patrick smiled. "Do you like her?"
David blushed.
"She's my friend."
"You said that," he smiled. "So is it just your mom and sister and you?"
David's face clouded over.
"I have a dad, too."
"Oh, I didn't mean anything by that."
"He's in the Army and he's away for a long time. We get to talk once a month, but I haven't been able to lately because he hasn't called. Mom said he's deep in the mission and he'll call when he can."
"Is this the first time he's been gone?"
"No. This is his third tour, but I was a baby before, so I don't remember. He was hurt really badly the last time and we didn't think he would ever have to go back.."
"It must be hard to be home without him."
David smiled.
"I'm proud of my dad. He is the best man I know and while he's gone, I have to be the man of the house. I'm going to be strong and take care of my mom and Jo."
"Jo?"
"My sister, Josie."
"I see."
"And our dog, Hope."
"That's a lot of girls, huh?"
David rolled his eyes.
"They are all girls. Natalie and Bee and Tessa and Josie."
Patrick laughed.
"Well, let's do a quick exam and get you on your way to help your mom unpack."
XXXX
A little while later, Tommy and Patrick sat in the cafeteria and had some lunch. Tommy seemed uncomfortable when they sat down.
"Thanks for seeing my nephew, but I think I'm going to head back to my office."
Patrick sighed.
"Can you sit for a minute? I need to apologize."
Tommy sat down and looked at him.
"For what?"
"Being an ass? Jumping to conclusions? Not listening?"
"What are we, in a relationship?" Tommy asked with a grin.
Patrick laughed.
"Point taken, but I get that I have a chip on my shoulder the size of Texas. I assumed you couldn't understand what I had been through, and I was wrong."
"Okay, but it doesn't work like that. Even if my wife hadn't been attacked, I can still listen. I can be a friend and not have to live through similar experiences."
Patrick nodded.
"I hear you. Robin said your wife was attacked again after you met? Were you hurt, too?"
Tommy stared at him as if he was judging whether or not he could trust Patrick.
"We're both okay. Natalie is the most important person in our lives and we are just focused on her and getting her healthy."
"Does she need a transplant?"
"Most likely. Look, I don't really want to talk about it. I think I need to head out, okay?"
Patrick nodded and stood up.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."
Tommy shrugged.
"I'm a pediatric specialist and I can't do anything to help my daughter. There isn't anything you can say that would be worse than that. Excuse me," he said and left.
Patrick sighed and walked out and right into his brother.
"Matt! How are you doing? What are you doing here?"
"Hoping to get my job back," he said and walked with Patrick.
"That's amazing," Patrick said, truly happy for him. "Who are you meeting with?"
"The board and then Monica. I'm not sure they want to deal with the media circus that may follow, but I'm hoping they will allow me back in."
"I want to come with you and talk to them, too," Patrick said.
Matt stopped and smiled at him.
"No way."
"What? Why?" Patrick asked him.
Matt sighed and wiped his face.
"Look, you know how much I appreciate your support, but if you go in there with me, it will seem like I'm using my connections and I won't do that. I'll get my job back based on my skills and nothing else."
Patrick couldn't argue, but he didn't like it.
"Okay, but I reserve the right to tease you when you're back working under me."
Matt smirked.
"Under you?"
"Well yeah," Patrick said and then grinned. "I'll always be better."
Matt rolled his eyes.
"Arrogant much?"
"You wouldn't want me any other way," he teased. "But seriously, call me after the meeting?"
Matt nodded, grateful for the support.
"Of course."
Patrick walked away and headed back to his office, smiling to himself. He made his way down the hall and saw a group gathered around something. He realized quickly it was someone and it wasn't good.
"Excuse me," he said as he walked to the middle of the crowd. "What's going on?"
The people moved and he saw Brittany sitting on a chair, a towel in front of her face. There were people trying to get a picture of her and Patrick felt his anger grow.
"What the hell is going on? Get out of here," he said to the reporters.
They didn't move and he could see Brittany was struggling to keep her composure. He turned to the nurses and told them to get security.
"Come on with me," he said to Brittany and helped her up. He walked her down the hall to his office and closed the door as she sat down on the couch.
He looked at her and saw the towel she held had blood on it and her arms were bruised.
"Did someone hurt you?" he asked worriedly. "Did the men who attacked you come back?"
Brittany looked at him and her eyes filled with tears.
"What? Oh God," she said and her shame covered her face.
"I'll call Tom," he said and went to dial.
"Patrick? I need you to listen to me for a minute," she said quietly.
He turned and nodded.
"I think you need to get Robin here and I think she and I should be quarantined."
He paled and picked up his phone.
"Why? What's going on?" he asked as he dialed.
"Because I'm afraid I'm having a delayed response to the epidemic. I think she might be in trouble, too."
He felt the walls closing in around him as he realized they may all have underestimated everything.