Chapter 11
Anna was sitting at her desk the next day, she had to be in court all afternoon and needed to read through a pile of reports before then. She was annoyed when she heard the knock, "Come in."
"I have a report for you and a coffee."
Anna smiled as soon as she saw him, "I hope that's strong coffee. I forgot you said you'd be here this morning"
He handed her the coffee then sat down across from her. "So after you left Kelly's I followed Duke when he was done on the phone."
"That's why you were there," she smiled, "Why didn't you tell me last night?"
"I had more important things on my mind."
They smiled at each other then she asked, "Where did he go?" Robert explained that he followed him to the docks where he thought Duke was expecting to meet someone he had waited there for about half an hour but then he got a phone call and he left. He was walking into the office building when he got another call then left and went right back to the docks again. Robert didn't know what he was doing but he was sure Duke was up to something. He told Anna he had some time again today to look into what Duke was involved in. Then he got up and turned he was about to leave. "Thank you for doing this for me." He smiled and left, Anna picked up her coffee and went back to reading over the reports.
...
Anna was getting ready for her date when she started to think about why she thought Duke was up to something. She sat on the edge of her bed, why didn't he like to talk about his job or even what he does there? There had been several times when he would ask her questions about the cases she was working on, was that him just being interested in her job or was it him trying to get information. Now Robert believed he was up to something as well. No, there was definitely something odd going on, she just didn't know what it was.
She stood up and started getting ready again, whatever it was she wasn't going to figure it out tonight. There was also the possibility she was overreacting and Duke wasn't doing anything and just didn't want to talk about his job because he doesn't like it. Anna looked in the mirror at least she didn't look as tired as she felt. Duke should be there anytime, she checked her outfit once more then went out into the main room of the suite. She was just about to sit down when there was a knock at her door.
When she opened the door Duke was standing there with another bouquet of flowers, she was sure this one was biggest one he'd brought yet. "These are for you," he handed them to her and leaned in and gave her a kiss.
"I'm going to run out of vases," she said as she took the flowers. "I'll just go put these in water, be right back." This was the third bouquet he'd brought her in just over a week, she liked flowers but this was a little much. When she came back Duke was still standing by the door, "So where are we going tonight?"
"There's a new little Italian place I heard about I thought we could go check it out." Anna noticed he was already holding her coat. Once he had helped her put it on he took her hand and lead her out the door. She felt like he couldn't get away from her suite fast enough, then she smiled maybe he was worried Robert would try to repay the favour and interrupt their date. They didn't really talk much until they were in his car heading to the restaurant, even then it was just Duke asking her about her day and what cases she was working on. When they got to the restaurant they were shown right to their table and a bottle of wine was opened for them as they took their seats. Duke smiled at her, "Here's to a wonderful evening." Anna smiled back and they clinked glasses. "I hope you don't mind I went ahead and ordered for us earlier, I wanted this to be a very special night."
"Oh, alright." She did mind a little but not enough to get upset about it, if he brought her here again she'd make sure he knows she'd like to look at the menu at least.
Duke brought up her work again so Anna politely asked to talk about something else. He told her he was sorry then added he'd spent the day in meetings and just wanted to talk about something interesting. They talked about her family for a little while then Anna asked if he enjoyed his job. Duke asked why she wanted to know about it and got a little defensive. So they started talking about the cabin they had owned and the good times they'd had there. They were having a nice conversation but again it was about the past. When the main course came just before they started eating Duke took her hand, "Anna I love you. You know that right?" Anna smiled and nodded, "You are so beautiful and an amazing woman, I want you in my life. This silliness with Scorpio won't last and I'm willing to wait until you've realized he's not what you need."
"Duke let's not ruin what so far has been a nice evening by talking about Robert or your opinion of him."
"He's a fool if he thinks he can just turn up here and demand you to go back to him," he said heatedly.
Anna looked at Duke for a few seconds before speaking, was that really what he thought was going on? "Robert didn't demand anything, yes we are close and have feelings for each other. Duke, I keep getting the impression that I'm not that important to you and even if I was you can't trust me. Me feeling like you and I aren't the right fit is the big problem here, and that has nothing to do with Robert. Him being here and that making you act like a jealous fool has helped open my eyes to the problems between us."
"What problems are these?" he demanded.
"Are you serious Duke? You think everything is wonderful between us?"
"This is because I throw that beer at him isn't it?" He noticed the surprised look on her face, "Yeah I hit him then I throw a drink at him trying to get him to fight me but he wouldn't. Your hero wouldn't even fight for you."
"You did what?" Anna stared at him, wondering when this had happened. "I thought they said you left after you hit Robert."
"It was after you told me about this ridicules plan of his, I still can't believe Scorpio talked you into dating both of us."
That's why his shirt was wet and why they had come back so early, "This was my idea, I couldn't deny what I'm feeling for Robert and if I'm going to know who I should be with I need a chance to see who I'm more compatible with now." She looked him in the eye, "Duke honestly why are we fighting so much lately?"
Duke thought about it for a minute, "I can't trust what you feel for me and ever since I heard that Robert woke up I think I've known it was only a matter of time before you would break up with me."
"So because you believed I was going to break up with you, you've been pushing me away. Why? To speed up what you just assumed would happen without talking to me about it at all. Did you think for one minute that was something we should talk about?"
"What would you have told me? That everything was fine between us and not to worry that Robert was going to be hanging around, I know that's a lie."
"I would have been honest even if it did hurt you some and hoped you understood. Yes things happened between Robert and I while we were locked up together I told you that, but I swear once we got out nothing happened until recently. I am so tired of being accused of having sex with Robert, now it's all I think about, it's what I want." Anna stopped talking, she hadn't meant to tell him that.
"You want to be with Robert?" he paused trying not to yell, "You barely kiss me but you want to have sex with Scorpio! You can't stop thinking about it?"
Anna was looking down at her plate when she looked up she could see the pain on his face, "Yes."
"Yes?" Duke picked his napkin up out of his lap and folded it before putting it on his plate. "I think we're done, we should get the cheque," Duke flagged down the waiter and paid the bill. "I'll drive you back the Metro Court." He had lost her already, maybe he already knew that, but to hear her admit she only thinks about Robert crushed him. They drove in silence, Anna had no idea what to say or if she should say anything at all. Once they were there they rode up in the elevator together, when the doors opened on her floor he said, "I hope you'll be happy. I won't be bothering you anymore."
"Duke, I am so sorry that it came out like that. I never wanted to hurt you."
"It's a little late then," he said as the doors closed. Anna turned and went to her room, she leaned against the door after she'd closed it. What had she done? She looked at her empty suite, she didn't want to sit alone in here, she decided she could use a drink, maybe a few strong ones, and left again.
Anna was sitting at the bar alone when Robert walked in with Mac and Felicia. He noticed her then turned to Mac, "Why don't you two get a table I want to talk to Anna for a minute." He walked to the bar and ordered himself a drink and looked over at Anna's which was almost empty and ordered another one for her. "Hi Luv, this doesn't look like tonight went well."
"You have no idea how badly tonight went." Anna turned and looked at him, "Why didn't you tell me Duke throw a beer at you?"
"He was trying to get a rise out of me, I wanted none of it so he throws a mug at me, Mac kicked him out, then we left. I didn't tell you because he was drunk and upset about you wanting to date me, he was just hurting," Robert explained and stepped closer to her.
"Not as much as he's hurting now." Anna took a sip of her drink then looked at Robert again, then she hit him in the chest. "Why do I have to want you so much? Why can't I stop thinking about you?" she asked and hit him again, "Why did I have to tell Duke that?" Anna hit him once more, "I didn't want to hurt him like that," then she started to cry and leaned into Robert. He wrapped his arms around her, as soon as he did she started to calm down.
She sat back then turned to the bar and leaned on it, "Anna I might not have completely understood that. You told Duke that you think about being with me?"
"I told Duke I can't stop thinking about being with you. Then he asked me if I wanted to have sex with you even though I hardly kiss him anymore, and I wouldn't lie to him. When I said yes the date ended, I never meant to hurt him like that. So I came here to drink because I couldn't stand the idea of being alone to think about what I just did to him."
"Um, I don't think I'm the right person for you to talk to about this right now. I mean I'll listen but it might be easier for you if it's someone else. I'm here with Mac and Felicia, would you want to talk to her?" he offered.
"You're a smart man," she said sarcastically, "I think Felicia would be a better choice as well. It would be very odd crying about the guy whose heart I just broke to the guy that's the reason I broke it."
"Yeah, when you put it like that." Robert kissed the top of her head, "I'll send Felicia over." Anna just nodded then he walked away.
Robert walked over to their table and sat down, Mac asked, "Everything alright bro? I couldn't help but notice you getting hit yet again."
"Felicia she needs a friend and I can't be that for her, not about this." Felicia got up and left she didn't even question what it was about. Robert watched her walk across the bar once she was with Anna he looked back at Mac. "Is it strange that I actually feel bad for the guy? It sounds like Anna said more than she meant to on their date and I think her and Duke are done. She said she never wanted to hurt him like that, so it couldn't have been good."
"No it's not good if it's got to be a private conversation, they just got up to leave." Robert turned and they watched them. "I get what you mean, I feel bad for the guy. They've been trying to get it together for so long but maybe it just wasn't meant to be."
Robert took a sip of his drink, "So what do you have planned for your man cave? I have a little side project that's going to keep me busy some of the time but I'm still going to need something to do with my time."
"Aren't you going to be busy with Anna?"
"Don't be stupid I still have to win her back. We've had two interrupted dates, that doesn't mean that we're a sure thing. I'm not even sure what the hell I'm supposed to do now. I understood it before, I was going to have to prove I really love her and I'm the one she should be with. Now she and Duke just broke up, so do I step back and give her time to get over the breakup. Do I rush in and sweep her off her feet. Either way, I'm worried I'll make a mess of it and end up losing her again."
"I think you need to talk to her, but not until after she's done talking to Felicia. Find out what she wants from you."
Robert looked at Mac, sometimes his little brother could be pretty smart, "Thank you. I think that's what I'll do."
...
"Felicia if you had seen the look on his face." Anna and Felicia were sitting on the couch in Anna's suite. "As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I knew it was bad, but when he said you barely kiss me but want to have sex with Robert, there was no going back, there was no fixing the damage I had just done." Anna had already explained how the evening had started and how they got to the conversation that ended their night and their relationship. "Even when we got back here, I could still see the pain on his face. I know I broke his heart tonight."
"Anna it was going to happen to one of them, they both love you and you love them. Someone was going to end up losing you."
"I know that, but I wanted to know I was picking the right one, that Duke and I really weren't going to work. He was trying too, the flowers and he had put a lot of thought and effort into tonight. Then we started talking about our problem because I was getting the feeling he was trying to pretend there weren't any then next thing I know I'm telling him I can't stop thinking about having sex with Robert. Who does that? How could I be that cruel?"
"Anna you didn't mean to hurt him." Felicia took Anna's hand so she would look at her, "You don't hear it but I've noticed this a few time now. When you talk about the two of them I can't help but think that it's Robert you wanted to end up with. You smile when you talk about him, you lit up when he enters the room. I think you wanted to let Duke down easy. Maybe that was why you wanted to date them both for a while then you and Duke would both see it wasn't going to work out."
Anna got up and started pacing, then she looked at Felicia, "I think you're right. I haven't even really thought about a future with Duke since Robert woke up. Then there's my thoughts, my actions when it comes to Robert," Anna looked at Felicia a shy little smile on her lips and sat down again, "He took me out dancing last night, it was so wonderful, we had a few drinks, flirted with each other, so much flirting. Oh, the things we said to each other," Anna was fanning herself.
"I thought there was no pressure to make it physical?"
"That's just it, there wasn't any pressure, a lot of dirty promises and suggestions but no pressure." Then Anna smiled sweetly, "We could barely kiss each other good night, we both knew if anything started we wouldn't stop." Anna sat back and smiled, Felicia squeezed her hand and smiled as well, she could tell Anna was going to be happy after she got over hurting Duke. They started talking about Robert and what Anna wanted to happen now. After they had talked for another half hour Felicia sent Mac a text telling them to come to Anna's suite.
When Mac got the message he told Robert and they got up and walked toward the elevator, when the doors opened Duke got off. He glared at Robert then slowly walked toward him, he got right in his face and said, "You're the one she wants but if you ever hurt her I will hunt you down and make you pay!"
"I would expect nothing less," Robert told him, then Duke walked away and they got on the elevator. "At least he didn't hit me again," Robert said with a smile once the doors were closed. They were joking around when they got to Anna's door, Robert knocked, when the door opened he smiled and said, "You requested our presence." The kidding around was easier than thinking about what Anna wanted to do now.
Felicia smiled back at them, "Robert, you are here to talk to Anna, Mac you are here to take me home. Bye, you two have a good evening." Then she grabbed Mac's arms and dragged him out of the room again.
Robert noticed Anna had changed since he'd seen her in the bar, now she looked like she was ready to stay in for the night. "I was hoping you'd want to talk again, I just wasn't sure when it was going to be," Robert admitted and walked toward Anna. "I'm not sure how we proceed now. Do you want some space or some time? Anna, I don't want to mess this up." Anna smiled and took his hand and started leading him out of the room, when they got to the bedroom door he stopped. "Anna we shouldn't do this yet. I can wait, we should wait."
"I'm very glad you said that because we are not having sex tonight. I want you to hold me, we need to talk and I am really tired. You will take off your shoes lay on top of the covers with me and talk. If we fall asleep then we fall asleep." Robert smiled and followed her into the bedroom. Anna sat on her bed, she looked up at him and smiled, he was standing by the bed but wasn't moving. "Take your shoes off then come here." He sat on the edge of her bed once his shoes were off he sat back, Anna was already laying down. He laid down beside her, they were on their sides facing each other. "I'm not sure what we do now either."
"Do you want me to take a step back? I can stay away for a little while, give you time to deal with how you feel about what happened tonight."
She took his hand and smiled, "I don't want you to stay away. Robert, I realized something tonight while I was talking to Felicia. I've known for a while who I want to be with, I just didn't want to do what I ended up doing anyway."
"One of us was going to end up hurt. I saw Duke just before we came back here, if I hurt you he will make me pay."
"He didn't hit you or throw another drink at you did he?" she asked with a smile.
Robert smiled, "No he got off the elevator told me that and I said I expected that, then he just walked away." He rolled onto his back and Anna moved in closer to him. "I think we should wait a little while before we really let on that we're together, we don't need to rub our relationship in Duke's face."
"I think that would be best, good thing we're going to Robin's tomorrow. You're still coming with me right?" Robert nodded and that made Anna smile again. "I hurt Duke tonight, I didn't mean to be cruel but I was. I think we were trying to hold onto a relationship that was long gone. He wanted what was taken away from us when we thought he died but I've known for a while that it was never going to be the same again."
"Too much has happened, you aren't the same person, neither is Duke."
"You and I have changed but we both know that. We don't talk about trying to get back what we had, we talk about being together now. Even when you were sick we talked about finding each other and ending up together. That we both just knew that was what was meant to happen," she said and slid her hand up under his shirt. "Do you really want to stay in Port Charles? Do you want to stay here for me?"
"After the last mission, a little island to grow old and grey together," he said and pulled her still closer. "I think I've had my last assignment, field work anyway. If I can do something for the WSB but live here then I will, if not I think I need to find something else to do." Anna put her head on his chest, "I meant everything we said to each other then. I'm not sure why we couldn't get it together, maybe it was because we were both still working and we knew we wouldn't be living in the same place."
"You're probably right, we would be together when we were in the same place but we both knew it was only going to last until one of us had to leave again. I think that's what's still holding me back, I can't give my heart to you completely if you are just going to walk away from me when you get cleared to return to work."
"No more walking away. I've already made a few calls about finding something that I can work on from here. Nowadays I don't have to work out of the head office, I could set up an office where ever and still coordinate a field team. At the moment there aren't any coordinator positions open but since I'm on leave, I was told there could be by the time I'd be returning to work."
"You are serious about this then. We can actually try again and I won't be wondering how long till you have to leave. You know that's what's been holding me back, if we are going to make this work we need to be in the same place."
"If I get the position I might get called out of town once in a while but I would be living here. I actually started looking for an apartment today, I don't want to live in a hotel room anymore, that's been my life for much too long." Anna wiped her eye and Robert looked down at her, "Please tell me those are happy tears."
"Yeah, I think I'm a little overwhelmed, but I'm happy about this." Anna yawned then cuddled in she put one leg over Robert's. "Stay for a while longer I really want you here with me."
"Close your eyes Luv, I'm not going anywhere." He wrapped his arms around her and held her close while she fell asleep. Robert had a smile on his face as he fell asleep not long after she did.
...
When Anna woke up in the morning she was alone, she stretched and looked around. She noticed there was a note beside her on the bed, she smiled and picked it up to read it, 'Morning Luv, I've gone to take a shower and change I'll see you at the station soon'. He had stayed with her all night, that must be why she felt like she had slept so well, she smiled then got out of bed she had better get ready and get to work or he'll beat her there.
Anna was reading over the report Dante had left on her desk when there was a knock at her door. She thought it would be Robert but it was Dante coming to talk about the report she was reading. They were still talking about it when Robert did arrive. "We can't bring him in on this alone, but if you're right and he's selling drugs at the college we need to get the proof."
"I know I'm right, I'll get what we need to bring him in," Dante got up, said hi to Robert then left.
"Close the door Scorpio." Anna smiled when he did then she got up and he walked over and gave her a hug, "Good morning."
"Good morning to you too," then he kissed her lovingly. He leaned back and smiled, "Time for business," Anna walked back around her desk and Robert sat in the chair. "I take it you still want to find out what, if anything Duke is doing with Corinthos."
"Yes, I don't want him messed up in anything illegal, the last thing he needs is to end up back in jail. Sonny always seems to walk away smelling like roses but there is always someone that doesn't, I don't want that person to be Duke." Anna looked down at some papers then added, "If this has anything to do with Julian Jerome, Sonny could use Duke's hatred of him to get what he wants which I'm sure is Julian out of his way."
Robert had been listening closely, "I think I have to find out who I've seen him with and what they do." Then they talked about the best way to find out what was going on without Duke becoming suspicious. Dante knocked and walked in just as Robert said, "I'll look into this, I shouldn't have too much trouble finding him again today."
"Just make sure you stay out of sight."
"I've been doing this longer then you have Devane," he smiled and stood up.
"That's what I mean, you might be slipping," she said with a big smile.
Oh, the things he could have said if they were alone, "I'll let you know what I find out later."
Robert starts to leave, "Hey, dinner at Robin's tonight don't forget." He nodded and waved as he left her office, he better not forget she thought then looked at Dante, "What can I do for you?"
"Robert's looking into something, is that why he's been coming in so much lately?"
"It's not a police matter but yes he's checking some things for me. Were you able to find anything on Rick Andrews?"
"He has a record but nothing that involved drugs, but that doesn't mean he hasn't decided to widen his horizons.
...
It was almost six when Robert got back to his room. He had spent most of his day following Duke around and he wanted to change quickly before meeting Anna and heading over to Robin's. He had just taken off his shirt when his phone rang, "I haven't forgotten."
"OK, that's good when should I expect you?"
"I will be there in ten minutes or less."
"Good, don't keep me waiting," Anna smiled and hung up. She hadn't really thought he had forgotten but wanted to know how much time she had to finish getting ready herself. She had already changed but wanted to look nice tonight, so she went and checked her hair again. She smiled again when she heard the knock at her door, and went to answer it, "Hi."
"Hello," he stepped inside and Anna closed the door, "I was going to bring flowers but I had noticed you had been getting a lot lately. I did pick up wine to take over as the uninvited guest." He leaned in and kissed her cheek.
"I forgot to phone Robin to tell her you were coming, but she won't mind." Anna looked him up and down, he'd changed for tonight as well. He still looked great and it didn't seem to matter what he wore he looked good in it, he was dressed casually and she was going to enjoy watching him tonight.
"You look beautiful," he told her with a smile fully aware she had just checked him out. "What time is she expecting us?"
"Me?" she smiled, then Anna checked her watch, "We can leave anytime, she said between 6:30 and 7." Anna put on her coat then they left together, as they walked they kept some space between themselves. If they were seen together neither of them wanted to make it worse if it got back to Duke. He would know they're dating but for a city, Port Charles could feel very small town sometimes especial when it came to gossip.
Once they were in the car she asked if Robert had learned anything new about what Duke was doing today. "He kept me busy at least, I followed him to that same office building, then he met the man I'd seen him before down on the docks. They talked for about half an hour, then he returned to the office, I followed him to the docks again this afternoon, but he seemed to just be hanging out. He might have been trying to stay out of sight as well, I couldn't really figure out what he was doing, same as the other day."
"He was there to run interference," then she looked at him, "That was why he was there that day we got in the fight on the docks. I would bet Sonny was there meeting with someone that he didn't want to be seen with."
Robert thought about it for a second, "That would make sense, he was there for almost an hour then he just went back to the office again, and he didn't do anything else while he was out. He could have gotten a call to come down and make sure they weren't seen by say someone like you. Sorry, I don't know what he did after that because it was getting late"
"This is good, if you have free time do you mind keeping an eye on him for me. If he's involved in something that could put him in danger I want to know."
Robert reached over and squeezed her leg, "Of course I will." No matter what had happened between her and Duke he knew the last thing she wanted was for anything to happen to him.
When they got there Anna knocked and Robert stood to the side of the doorway. When Robin answered, Anna gave her a little smile, "I hope you don't mind I brought a date."
"I did bring wine," Robert said as he turned and smiled at her. Robin was glad it was her dad that had come with Anna, "I could wait in the car."
Robin took the wine, "Shut up and get in here," they were all smiling when Patrick and Emma saw them.
"Grandpa! Mommy didn't say you were coming too." Emma ran over and gave him a big hug before hugging Anna as well.
"Now that's how I like to be greeted. Hi Patrick, how are you this evening?" Robert asked and went over to talk to him.
Emma lead Anna over to the couch and had her sit with her, "I hope you don't mind I invited your father," Anna said to Robin.
"Not at all and I think you made Emma's night now that you're both here."
Emma was cuddled up to Anna, "You go ahead and bring Grandpa whenever you want. He's funny and makes you smile a lot."
Anna gave her a little hug, "He is pretty funny and I think he'd like to come with me more often now. How does that sound?"
Emma smiled, "That sounds good Grandma. Oh, we need to take you out to lunch again, I'm going to go ask him when we can." Then Emma went off to talk to her Grandpa, they watched her walk away then Robin smiled at her mom, the look in her eye said she wanted to know what was going on.
Anna looked over at Robert and smiled, "I should tell you a choice was made."
As Anna said this Robin was confused by her expression, Robin was sure she meant she was with her dad, but why did she seem a little sad about that. "You're here with dad so I assume I know what the choice was, but you seem upset as well."
"Actually I asked Robert to come with me tonight before anything happened, but you're right," Anna gave her a knowing smile, "My date with Duke last night didn't go very well. We talked during dinner and things were said that should have come out better or differently, and now I'm only dating Robert."
Robin now understood, Anna felt she had hurt Duke and that was the sadness she could see. Robin wouldn't pry into what had happened, she respected their privacy. "So are you still taking it slow with dad?"
"We talked last night and I know we want the same outcome now we are just trying to figure out how we get there, so yeah, we're dating," Anna said with a smile. "I think Emma will get to come out with us for the next little while, she can keep us in line," Anna laughed. They talked a little more about what had happened the night before then Robin started telling Anna about her day, Robin noticed that Anna kept watching Robert, she smiled but didn't mention it.
Robert came over carrying Emma, "Well divine Devane I am here to tell you we are taking you out for lunch on Monday."
Emma looked at Robert, "Divine? Grandma's name is Anna."
Anna and Robin started to laugh, "Your Grandpa is being silly. The very first day I meet him he called me Miss Divine by mistake."
"Well I don't think it was that much of a mistake," Robert said and smiled at Anna with that devilish twinkle just for her. Then he shifted Emma so he could sit beside Anna with Emma on his lap. "Is there any place you want to take us on Monday, maybe we can get Grandma to skip work and spend the afternoon with us again."
"There is a movie I want to see," Emma said with a grin.
Anna playfully slapped Robert's arm, "You're a bad influence, on me and Emma."
"What I just want you to have a little fun, besides Emma suggested the movies," he teased.
"It's the Scorpio coming out in her, that has to be it. Before long she have mastered that little twinkle that warns she got some crazy plan brewing."
Robert was now grinning, "You love my twinkle, it means you're about to have an amazing time." Then he looked at Emma, "Maybe Grandma is right, this time we stick to just lunch." Emma agrees then they started talking about where they were going to go.
Robin got up to check on their meal and Patrick followed her into the kitchen, "They are happy, I mean you can feel it. Emma came over before your dad could really tell me anything, but he did say Duke and Anna aren't dating now."
"That's right, mom and dad are only dating each other."
"They're the same but it's different. It's like there was a properness they were upholding since you've all been back that they couldn't quite be totally at ease with each other, like they didn't want to slip or something. Tonight they're like they were before, do you know what I mean?
"I do," then Robin smiled, "slip, that's what mom said too. They were trying very hard to just be friends, but sometimes they would slip. I think tonight they're happy about being free to act on what they feel for each other."
"So this is a thing now, they're really together?"
"Mom says dating, but I can already tell it's more than just that. They love each other so much and I've noticed those little looks they're giving each other, I've seen them before when I was teen and they got back together."
Patrick looked at her then, "Oh! Oh so now they're..."
"No, I don't think so, it's still complicated. Mom still loves Duke probably always will, and dad knows that. Dad also considers him a friend, so they might not be in a rush because of all of that and from talking to mom they might not be in a rush because they did just start dating again." Then Robin smiled, "I just want them to be happy, if this is what makes that happen then good." She pulled the last pan out of the oven, "I think it's time you set the table, dinner is almost ready."
When they went back into the living Robert had his arm on the back of the couch he and Anna were very close but not quite touching and Emma was kind of sitting on both of them telling them some silly story that they were both laughing at. Robin stopped and watched them, she was smiling but Patrick noticed the tears as well and wrapped his arms around her. "I wasn't much older then Emma when I found out they were my parents, apparently dad figured it out as soon as he saw mom and I together for the first time." She smiled thinking back to that time, enjoying doing anything with the two of them. Robin watched a little longer then took a shape breath and looked at Patrick, "I think dad might be done with traveling the world chasing bad guys. Mom once told that they had talked about ending up together, she'd said something about after the last mission." Patrick looked back at her wanting more of an explanation but Emma noticed them instead.
"Hi mommy. Hi daddy, I'm entertaining our guests." Then she grabbed a book and leaned into Anna with her legs across Robert, "Grandma can you read it this time, Grandpa is too silly when he reads it." Robert just smiled at her.
"That's because he is very silly but when you get older sometimes you have to be serious. When he's with you all that silliness just has to come out."
"When that story is done you go wash your hands then we're going to eat," Patrick told Emma with a smile.
While they were eating Emma had convinced her parents that since it was the weekend and her grandparents were over she should get to watch one TV show with them before she went to bed. So while Robin and Patrick tidied up, Robert and Anna got comfy on the couch with Emma snuggled in between them. By the time the show had ended Emma was all but asleep leaning on Anna, Robert gently picked her up and carried her to bed Anna got up and followed him to her room. Robin smiled as they walked out of the room, once again she was hit with a wash of memories, "Those were the best nights, dad carrying me to bed and mom staying to tuck me in, I felt so safe, so loved."
Patrick walked up behind her, and wrapped his arms around her, "Watching them with Emma, I can get a pretty good picture of what they were like as parents."
"It wasn't perfect and it wasn't always safe but I always knew I was loved." She smiled enjoying his arms around her for a moment longer then started to put the cushions back in place. She hoped her parents would stay a little longer, so far Emma had talked to them the most this evening. She had just put the last cushion down when Robert came back, "Mom tucking her in?"
He smiled, "Yeah," then he walked over to Robin, "I watched them for a little while, it took me back. I couldn't stop thinking about when I first met you, tucking you in, hearing your prayers, I loved you before I knew who you were." She smiled and gave him a hug, she wanted one too. "The most shocking moment of my life was also the happiest."
Robin looked up at him excitedly, "I was just telling Patrick that you knew as soon as you saw me with mom."
Robert smiled at Patrick who had taken a seat in the chair, "Robin Soltini was 6, she had a grandma, a close family friend she called Luv, and she lived in New York City. That was all I really knew about the little girl staying in my house. Then Anna showed up in a panic needing my help but before she could tell me what was going on a little voice said 'Luv' they rushed into each other's arms, seeing them together told me everything I needed." Robert looked over at Robin, "After Anna had put you back to bed and I could think again, I asked her Robin Soltini should be Robin Scorpio?"
"He told me he loved you, then I told him Scorpio was the name on your birth certificate." Anna smiled when they all looked up at her, then walked over to Robert.
"She captured my heart just like her mother had," Robert put his arm around her and kissed her cheek.
"Emma's asleep, and I see I'm not the only one thinking about when Robin was little."
Since they were already feeling nostalgic they sat and talked about Robin's childhood. They talked about the happy times and the funny times but seemed to stay away from the other things that had been too big a part of her childhood as well. It was actually quite late when Robert walked Anna to her door, "Are you coming in?" Anna turned to him before opening the door.
"I think I should just go back to my room tonight." Robert knew if he went inside tonight he would want to stay until morning and he didn't want to rush it. "We should do something tomorrow. Your choice, so let me know in the morning."
She leaned back on the door, "I will." Anna knew why he didn't want to come in, "Do I get a kiss?"
"What out here?" he looked up and down the hall, "or is this a trick to get me into your room?" he asked with a smile.
"If you come in I wouldn't even let you as far as the couch," she assured him, then opened the door behind her and stepped inside. The look she was giving him told him to follow her. He stepped inside and she closed the door behind him, "Just a goodnight kiss."
Robert smiled and took her in his arms, "I had a wonderful time tonight, thank you for inviting me," then he kissed her.
"I hope you'll be doing more things like tonight with me," they were holding each other close.
"I'm looking forward to it, but I should go, not before one more kiss." They kissed then just held each other.
Anna pushed herself away from him, "I don't want to let you go but,"
"I should go." he finished her thought and smiled. He started to open the door, "If I haven't heard from you by two I'm just coming over."
"I'm fine with that." She watched him walk away then closed her door. She smiled to herself what were they going to do tomorrow she wondered. She didn't care she just wanted to spend some more time with him.