Chapter Ten:
Patrick sat up in his hotel bed and stretched. He had fallen asleep for about an hour when something woke him up.
He looked at the clock and saw it was 10pm.
He had stayed at the hospital until 8, but he knew Maxie was right.
If Robin wanted to see him, she would call.
He sat on the edge of the bed and grabbed his phone, seeing there was a missed call and a message.
He figured it was probably his mom.
"Patrick? It's Robin. I was wondering if you could maybe stop by tomorrow so we could talk? If not and you went home, that's okay. I'm sorry things were weird when I passed out. Okay. Um, goodnight."
He smiled just listening to her.
How did he miss the call?
Should he wait until tomorrow?
He grabbed a new shirt and pants and decided to see if she was up to talking tonight.
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Robin was thinking. She had been thinking for what seemed like hours and she hadn't gotten anywhere.
She went on the trip to find herself and what happened was beyond anything she was looking for.
Patrick had been such an unexpected complication.
But not a bad one.
She put her head in her hands and her long brown hair fell over her fingers.
What was she going to do?
"Robin? My shift is over, but I wanted to stop in and say goodnight. I'm off tomorrow, so I won't see you before you leave," Brenda said.
Robin smiled at the nurse who had been with her when the doctor gave her the news.
"I hope you enjoy your time with your nieces," she said. "Thank you again for all you've done for me."
"Have you made any decisions?"
Robin sighed.
"No. I was hoping to gain some sort of enlightenment, but it hasn't come yet."
Brenda smiled.
"I think you know what's right. Remember I'm here if you need an unassuming ear."
Robin smiled warmly.
"Thank you. I truly appreciate it."
Brenda left and Robin turned on the light and grabbed her notepad. She would make a list.
After a half hour of staring at a blank sheet of paper, she groaned and threw it across the room.
"Ow," a male voice said.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" she looked and was stunned. "Patrick? What are you doing here?"
He rubbed his arm and picked up the pad.
"I was coming to talk to you."
It's almost 11pm. How did you get in? It's way past visiting hours."
He handed her the pad of paper and his heart soared at how much better she looked.
"I have credentials," he smiled.
"You have dimples."
He raised his eyebrows and grinned.
"I do, but I hardly think they worked on the 85 year old guy snoring at the desk."
She laughed and smoothed the blanket over her legs.
"It's nice to know we're safe."
He sat down and chuckled.
"I got your message."
"It could have waited until later. You didn't need to come out so late."
"I'm not a big fan of hotel life. I couldn't sleep so I figured I would come by. Besides, I was worried. You're really okay?"
She nodded.
"I'm getting there. My blood pressure was a mess and that's why I passed out. I wanted to apologize to you for that."
"It's not like you did it on purpose," he smiled. "Or did you?"
She laughed.
"Nope. I have other ways of ending uncomfortable conversations. Passing out is a last resort."
"Were you uncomfortable? You should have just told me you weren't interested," he said.
"Oh, no, that's not it. I didn't mean it that way. I was just trying to be funny."
He grinned at her attempt at covering her embarrassment.
"You really are beautiful."
"Right," she said. "I'm a mess of IV's and bandages. I'm wearing a hospital gown and my hair is in desperate need of a washing. I'm a ball of sexiness. I'm not sure how you can resist me."
"It's taking every bit of restraint I have," he said with a straight face. "Although if I'm honest, I prefer you with a bucket of paint on your head."
They both burst out laughing and Robin felt better than she had in a long time.
"That's just what I needed," she said. "A good laugh."
"I'm happy to oblige," he said. "Now can we talk about what you wanted to tell me?"
She looked at him and sighed.
"Yeah, I guess we should."
"You don't have to talk to me if you don't want to. Would you rather I talk to Maxie or your mom?"
Robin rolled her eyes.
"My mom is already on her way out of town. She's the last one to talk to, but that's a story for another day. Besides, they don't know the whole truth."
Patrick was confused.
"But you want to tell me?"
"Yeah, I think I should. I need for you to let me get all of this out before you say anything, okay?"
He nodded.
"Okay."
"You know I have MS. You also know I started the medication right after we met. I had a pretty severe reaction within a few weeks, but the damage to my system was severe. Some of us had what they called the perfect storm."
"Yeah, I know all about that," he said and saw he look at him. "Sorry. Shutting up."
She smiled.
"I guess that makes sense. You can't be representing a medication to fix something if you don't know what you're fixing. Anyway, the bad meds caused an infection in my heart."
Patrick paled.
"What? How serious?"
"I have a heart murmur and the doctors are concerned it could develop into endocarditis."
"That's really bad," he said. "But they can treat it, right?"
"Normally, yes, but there's more."
"What do you mean?"
She looked at him.
"I'm pregnant."
Patrick stared at her.
"I'm sorry," she continued. "I didn't mean to just tell you, but I'm not someone who would ever keep this from you. I know what it's like to grow up without a father and I would never do that. I don't expect anything from you, but I thought you deserved to know."
"It's mine?" he asked.
She blinked.
"Yes. I haven't been with anyone else."
He stood up and crossed his arms.
"Wow."
She shivered and nodded.
"I know. I'm a little shell shocked myself. I had no idea."
He was thinking and he ran his hand through his hair.
"Does this effect your treatment?"
She felt her eyes fill with tears.
"The doctors feel it would be best if I terminate the pregnancy."
Patrick sat down like the wind was knocked out of him.
"Oh," he looked at her. "Are the meds bad?"
"Yeah. It would most likely cause birth abnormalities or miscarriage."
"What if you wait?"
She held his gaze.
"There is a good chance I won't live through the pregnancy."
"Oh my God," he said. "I don't believe this."
"I know. I don't mean to pile all of this on you, but when the doctor spoke to me, I just knew that you had to know. This is a lot and I understand if you need to sort through all of it. You have my number on your phone, and if you want to call me, you can. I'll be home tomorrow afternoon and if you want to talk more, you can come over."
"Wait, let me understand this. You are pregnant with my baby, but you have a heart condition that requires immediate treatment but that treatment can harm the baby so you aren't going to do it? You are choosing to die?"
"No, I'm choosing to think about this for more than a few hours. I suggest you do the same thing."
"You really didn't tell Maxie or your mom?"
Robin sighed.
"You are the only one who knows except for the doctor and nurse."
"Oh, okay."
"I'm really tired, so would you mind letting me sleep? I think you should go back to the hotel."
Patrick wiped his face.
"I think you're right."
Robin watched as he walked out.
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