A/N: Sorry it's been so long, I am temporarily computerless, ugh.

Anyway, hope you like!

This is dedicated to my Bestie and fellow addict, Happy Birthday Hon!

He slept on the couch that night and woke up with his body feeling as bruised as the heart that seemed to beat slower in his chest. After watching Matt and Liz he had taken off walking down the wide expanse of beach and staring into the blackened night. He seemed to be stuck in hell at the moment. His marriage was ending, that fantasy he had entertained about them living happily ever after had crashed back into him at full force. He had broken the heart of the woman he thought he'd spend forever with and in turn felt like he had failed his daughter. If that wasn't bad enough he was already halfway (or more) in love with his brothers girl…his best friend, his wife's friend and the worse part was that if he could change it; magically wake up and not wanted Elizabeth, he wouldn't.

No one was awake so he brewed a pot of coffee and went to the patio to watch the sun rise over the water. Thoughts swirled in his head and he was overcome with emotion at the decisions that had to be made when he came home.

"You want to talk?" came from behind him.

Her eyes were still heavy lidded with sleep but there was a slight sad smile on her face for him. He shrugged and she walked out of the gate, "Come on let's walk on the beach"

Before he could say no his legs were moving towards her. It was silent until they reached the lifeguard tower from their first night. That had been just a couple days before and yet it seemed like a lifetime ago. She sat down and patted the seat next to her. A slight smile came to his face as he sat on the soft sand and stared out on the water.

She always seemed to know when to give him space and they sat there for a long time while he attempted to swallow the lump in his throat, "It's over" he managed to choke out closing his eyes to trap the tears in.

Softly he felt her hand entwine in his and her head rest against his arm, "I'm so sorry" she whispered.

It was the little moments, like this, that he could remember vividly when he thought of how he ended up falling for her. She was always there for him, to listen to him, to be strong for him, and to be on his side when he had no other real friends in town. Not only did it make his heart swell but it made him want to lay her back on the sand and kiss her breathlessly as every inch of bare skin lingered on each other.

They sat a long while together watching the waves crash onto the sand and then he looked at her, "Thank you…for always being there" he said a slow sad smile coming to his face.

Her eyes were filled with moisture and she mimicked his smile, "Any time"

There were inches between their lips…and for a moment he imagined closing the distance, pressing his lips against hers, wrapping his hands in her hair, suckling her neck. He didn't…not because of want, the want was coursing through his veins a mile a minute…but because he knew it wasn't right. He was too messed up right now to drag her into his drama, and then there was Matt…and he couldn't do it to him.

"You ready?" she asked breaking the moment.

Nodding he got up and pulled her up next to him. Before he could move she wrapped her arms around his waist, "It's going to be okay"

With her soft pliable body pressed against his and the smell of shampoo invading his nostrils he really believed it could be.

OoO

The cottage was empty when they got back, just a simple sheet of scrawl with Matt's writing.

Elizabeth,

Took Robin home, will explain later.

Matt

Patrick's shoulders sagged and he fell back in the kitchen chair, "I'm sorry" he said looking up into her cerulean eyes.

"For what?" she asked.

"Ruining your vacation"

Sitting in the chair next to him she smiled, "Nothings ruined, don't beat yourself up over this any more than you already are. Now get up, get packed because I'm starving, and your treating" she teased getting up and walking towards the doorway.

He felt a real smile come to his face as his dimples caved into his cheeks, "Just no country music, please" he said feigning begging.

Laughing she shot one look back at him, "Fine, but I am not listening to Nascar either"

Chuckling he looked at her smiling face, "Deal"

OoO

They arrived back in Port Charles in the early evening, and when he drove passed his house he knew Robin wasn't there…and that she probably never would be again. The fact struck in his throat where a ball full of unshed emotion had taken up residence.

Elizabeth looked at him and then simply placed her hand on his, "You sure you don't want to come over for dinner?"

Shaking his head he drove up to her house, "No, I'm okay, thank you"

Nodding she waited until he stopped and then turned to him, "One day you're going to wake up and it's not going to hurt so badly"

A quick shake of his head was all the response he could offer and he watched as she went to the door and waved to him and then he drove up to the empty house on the corner.

The house had represented so much to him…becoming a family, a father, a husband and now it just sat there a shell of what was once there. Walking in he threw his bag on the couch and retrieved the small blue envelope from the coffee table. It was the stationary they had received as a wedding gift and as he ripped it open he sucked in a deep breath.

Patrick,

Emma and I are going to be staying with my Uncle Mac for awhile. I know that we have decisions to make about the house, and our daughter but I'm not ready. I just know I can't sleep in our bed.

Robin

Fighting back the tears that pricked at his eyes he walked in the back to their baby's room. Everything still looked the same; like the whole world hadn't changed its course in 24 hours. He picked up her baby blanket and smelled the sweet scent before closing his eyes and putting it down.

Going to the bathroom he turned on the shower and let the hot water scald his skin. He barely felt it, the numbness spreading throughout his body and plaguing his mind.

When he got out he pulled on workout clothes and thumbed through the pile of take out menus that were clipped together in the kitchen. The doorbell rang and he walked to the door and flung it open.

Elizabeth stood there with Jake in her arms, a casserole dish and Cameron standing in front of her, "Here" she said handing him the blonde toddler.

"Hey Jake"

"Patty" he squealed happily.

He ruffled Cameron's hair, "Hey buddy"

"Hey, look I brought my cars" he told him holding up racecars.

"Awesome"

Looking up at Liz he smiled, "You didn't have too"

She shrugged, "I wanted too" she answered, "You hungry? It's lasagna"

"Starving"

"Good" she said making her way to the table and pulling out plates and knives from the cupboards.

He sat Jake in Emma's highchair as Cameron crawled up into the seat next to him as Liz sat across. A familiar thumping resounded against his chest and through his whole body. The only thing missing was Emma…and then it would be complete.