Chapter Fourteen:
Robin sat outside at the playground while Emma played with the other kids during recess. It had been such a wonderful day and she finally felt like maybe things were going to be okay.
"Emma must be so happy to have you home," another parent said as she sat down next to Robin.
"Yes," Robin smiled warmly. She didn't recall the woman's name. Many of the other mother's were there helping today and she had trouble remembering one name after another.
"How is your husband doing?" Another woman asked as she sat down.
Robin turned and stared at her.
"What do you mean?"
"I heard he was sick from whatever went around. I assumed he's okay, but I was just checking."
"He's perfect, thank you," Robin said, the vibe from these women wasn't pleasant. She sort of felt like they were angry she was there.
"We all did what we could to help Patrick while you were gone," she said with an inappropriate tone.
"What do you mean?" Robin innocently asked.
"Well I just mean it was hard for him to handle everything alone. Emma needed a woman's touch."
"Which is why my mother and family were here," Robin said as she debated whether or not to punch this woman.
"I know. That's what Patrick kept saying. He had many of us at his disposal, but he never took us up on anything."
"What would you like me to say to that? Should I be happy or sad that my husband didn't buy whatever it was you were selling?"
The woman balked at her and huffed as she crossed her arms.
"He's a very handsome man and I am sure he had needs."
"Are you for real?" Robin snapped. "Maybe one day you'll find a partner who treats you with respect like my husband does for me. Maybe then you will learn to have some respect for yourself."
The woman looked at her with a shocked stare.
"Excuse me," she said as more of the mothers walked over as the kids played and Robin moved to the side, watching Emma and staying out of the conversation. These were not the people she cared to socialize with.
"The redhead isn't here," one woman said. "I'm glad. I didn't want to have to make a scene."
"She wouldn't have been able to play anyway, too many problems," another said.
"Still, I don't think it's smart to have her around the kids."
Robin felt her blood boil and she turned to them.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not familiar with what you mean. Are you talking about Natalie? Is there something wrong with her playing with the kids?"
The woman who asked about Patrick smiled at her.
"Natalie is a very sickly child and her mother has a communicable disease. Not all of us were happy about having her in class."
"Oh, well that's stupid," Robin said. "Natalie is a beautiful and funny child who adores school. Brittany is an amazing physician and an incredibly charitable performer. I can't understand why either one of them wouldn't be welcome here."
"Because she has AIDS," another woman said. "We all just got over one disease, we don't need to be exposing our kids to another."
"Shut up Janet," a mother with long blonde hair who sat at the other end of the bench called out. "You're so full of shit your eyes are brown. Natalie is smarter than your precious Buffy and that's why you're so threatened. Her mother is HIV positive and doesn't have AIDS, so try and get an education."
The group of snotty women all glared at the intruder and moved away to continue gossiping.
"I'm sorry about that. I'm usually not so crude, but I hate them. I've been trying to get my daughters out of their class," she grinned and held out her hand as Robin laughed. "I'm Jade."
Robin shook her hand.
"Robin. It's so nice to meet you."
She smiled as two beautiful little blonde girls ran up to her and Robin could see they were twins.
"Mommy? Can we go home?" one said.
"What's wrong Julia?" Jade brushed the hair out of her daughter's face.
"Buffy is mean and we miss Natalie and Tramp," the other blonde said.
Jade smiled and nodded.
"Me too, but we can go see her later. Girls, I'd like you to say hi to Dr. Scorpio-Drake. These are my daughters, Eden and Julia."
Robin smiled at them and realized Jade must know who she was.
"Are you friends with Brittany?"
Jade smiled.
"Yes, and I also work with her. I'm an OB nurse. My girls and I moved up here at the beginning of the school year so they could start with the other kids while we waited for Dr. Brittany to come, too."
Robin watched as Emma ran over to her.
"Hi pumpkin," Robin smiled. "Are you having fun?"
"Kind of. I like Eden and Julia so I wanted to come over here," she smiled and went to play with the girls.
Jade laughed as her daughters pulled Emma with them to play.
"I see Emma has good taste," Jade grinned as she pulled her long hair up into a twist.
"Your girls are adorable. They look just like you."
Jade blushed.
"They are amazing miracles. Their looks are from me, but their personality is all their father. He is in the Army and has been away for months. It's hard for them, but we write to him every day."
"That's awesome. I hope he is able to come home soon."
Jade smiled.
"Me too. He hasn't been able to skype with us recently and I know it's because he's deep undercover. I just want him to come home safely. I just miss him."
Robin saw Jade's eyes fill with tears and she squeezed her new friend's arm.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you sad."
Jade shook her head and wiped her eyes.
"It's all good," she grinned.
Both of the ladies phones rang and they answered.
"Robin? Are you okay?" Patrick's deep voice filled her body but she could hear the worry.
"Yes, I'm fine. What's wrong?"
"You're sure? No fever or nose bleeds?"
Robin self consciously checked her nose and felt her face.
"I'm all good. What's going on?"
Patrick filled her in on what happened with Brittany and she decided to stay with Emma for now. She told him to keep her informed and she would take Emma home in case she started to feel badly.
Jade hung up and sighed.
"I need to go to the hospital. Dr. Brittany is having some trouble and it will be best if I take Natalie home so Tommy can stay with his wife."
"That's what Patrick was saying," Robin said. "Is this usual?"
Jade hesitated and Robin sighed.
"I'm sorry. It's none of my business and that was rude."
"No it wasn't," Jade put her phone away. "You know, based on the moronic discussion those women had, that Brittany is HIV positive?"
Robin nodded.
"Well she also suffers from thrombocytopenia, and it can be very dangerous. She has almost bled out numerous times."
Robin didn't know why, but she felt the need to say it.
"I am HIV positive, too."
Jade smiled.
"Thank you for sharing that with me, but I already knew you were amazing," she said and Robin laughed.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
Robin stood up with her and they grabbed their things.
"For being real. For showing me that not all of these parents were the same. For having wonderful daughters who seem to have taken to my daughter."
Jade laughed when she saw the girls all braiding each other's hair.
"You deserve it," Jade walked to the girls. "Maybe we can have a sleepover soon and you all can play dress up to your hearts content," Jade rolled her eyes as her daughters squealed.
"Mommy, could we? And bring Natalie too?"
Robin laughed at Emma's excitement.
"I think that would be awesome.
"Then we would have every hair color!" Eden said as she thought about it.
"Cool!" Julie said and the two girls linked arms with Emma as they walked back inside.
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Patrick walked into the room where Brittany lay and he smiled when he saw Natalie reading her a story.
"Hi Dr. Patrick," Natalie said and smiled.
"Hi Natalie! What are you reading?"
"It's mommy's favorite thing," she said and showed him.
"Shakespeare?" Patrick was surprised.
Brittany smiled through the mask she wore.
"My Grandpa Nate used to read it to mommy, so I read it to her. I really just memorized it, I can't read so good."
"That's not true," Brittany said, her face showing her tiredness.
"Mommy doesn't like when I say things like that," Natalie whispered.
"Mommy can hear you," Brittany reached and tickled her daughter and Patrick smiled.
"Nat? Why don't you listen to your music for a little bit," Brittany said and Natalie put her headphones on and went back to reading her own book.
"I spoke with Robin and she is fine. She was heading home with Emma."
"Good," Brittany said. "This is probably just me being dramatic," she smiled and Patrick saw the blood by her eyes.
"Your mucus membranes are bleeding," he said worriedly as he grabbed gloves.
Tommy raced in and his heart dropped as he saw them.
"I'm sorry. I was in surgery and just got out. Are they getting you platelets?" he rushed to her and took her hand.
"I'm okay," she smiled and Patrick stepped out, feeling out of place. He heard them talk a little and he realized how much they were facing.
Having HIV was one thing, but having a bleeding disorder while HIV positive opened up a whole new world of problems. His admiration for their new friends grew.
"This is the doctor," Patrick heard a voice and turned around.
"Hi David," he smiled.
"Dr. Drake, this is my mom and my sister."
"Julie," the young brunette smiled as she held out her hand. Patrick couldn't believe she was the mother of an 11 year old. "Thank you for seeing my son on such short notice."
"My pleasure," Patrick grinned at them and then looked at the younger girl. "Who is this lovely lady?"
"She's not a lady," David snorted and the young girl kicked him.
"Ow, mom!"
"You can't be mean to her and then complain when she fights back, and Jo, you can't hit people just because they say something you don't like," she sighed and looked apologetically at Patrick.
"Sorry. I was trying to find my brother and sister in law. Do you know where they are?"
"They are in there. Brittany is having some trouble, so she has been admitted."
Julie looked worried and nodded.
"Thanks. Come on you two, let's go make Aunt Brittany feel better."
Josie grinned.
"Your face will make her laugh," Josie grinned and David chased her into the room.
Julie wiped her eyes and peered at Patrick.
"Are you interested in adopting a couple kids?" she smiled.
Patrick laughed as she walked into the room. He turned and saw Matt walking towards him and it was clear all was not well.
"Hey," he walked to him. "How did it go?"
Matt crossed his arms and glared at Patrick.
"Like you don't know. Apparently there are quite a few things you didn't see fit to tell me."
Patrick was at a loss. He watched Matt storm off and he wondered what the hell just happened.
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