Chapter 12
Robert ran all the way back from the farm he was helping at. The news had come that Anna had gone into labour and he wanted to be there for her. He went to Filomena's first, that was where they had planned to have the baby, the midwife should already be there. As soon as he opened the door he heard Anna cry out in pain. As quickly as he could he got washed up then turned to the spare room. He opened the door slowly and was greeted by a flood of Italian, he didn't know what the midwife was saying but he got the impression she didn't want him there. Anna's face was flush, her hair damp with perspiration. Robert moved past the two other women in the room, he didn't care what they were saying. Robert stroked her hair, "I'm here Luv." Then he started moving the pillows that were behind her, then sat down behind her supporting her body with his.
The other women must have noticed the change in Anna as soon Robert sat with her, the midwife no longer sounded upset. "Yes Roberto, you help," Filomena smiled at him. Now that Anna had relaxed some the midwife seemed more at ease, she knew a stressed mother can make the delivery harder. When the time to push came, Anna was ready. She might feel like she had no strength left, but she found strength in Robert's words. "Just breath Luv, she'll be here soon. You are such an amazing woman." The words whispered in her ear between her cries of pain gave her strength. He was here, they were together and they were about to welcome their baby into this world. "Push Anna, just a little more. You can do it, soon you will be holding our baby." Then they heard the baby cry, Anna was crying the pain had passed, now she just wanted to see the baby.
Once the baby had been cleaned up a little Filomena turned to them, carrying a blanket with their baby wrapped safely inside. "Oh the Bambina, she beautiful." Then she handed Anna the baby, Robert was still sitting behind her, looking over her shoulder they saw their daughter for the first time together. Robert couldn't believe how amazing all of this was, here in Anna's arms was their daughter. He nuzzled her neck and kissed her, a few tears slipped from his eye.
"Oh, you are precious." Anna touched her face softly. "I am so glad you are finally here, Robin. Your daddy's here too, he didn't want to miss this."
Robert reached around to touch Robin. He ran his finger along Robin's cheek then stroked her dark hair with his thumb. "Hi little one, I'm your daddy." The baby squirmed in Anna's arms a little as if she was responding to his voice. "I can tell already, she is going to be beautiful, just like her mother." Anna turned enough so she could kiss him. "I never dreamed I could be this happy. I have the woman I love as my wife and she just gave me the most amazing gift, a baby girl. Oh Anna, I love you."
"Do you want to hold her?"
"I can wait. Holding you and looking into her little face, I'm good right where I am." Anna smiled and snuggled in a little more, she was starting to feel tired. "When you're ready to sleep I'll take Robin."
Later that evening Robert stood in the dimly lit room holding a sleeping baby, watching her mother slept. He came very close to losing this, if he hadn't needed to understand what had really happened he wouldn't have come looking for Anna and forgiveness. "I almost let someone tear apart your family before you got here Robin. I want you to know I'll never leave again. Until your mommy came into my life I didn't know I wanted this. Now I can't think of anything better little one."
"Darling, bring her here." Robert looked up from Robin's face to see Anna smiling at him. "Is she still sleeping."
"Yes," he looked back down at Robin. "You and mommy had a big day, I think she wants to hold you again." Robert sat on the edge of the bed and past her to Anna. "She's perfect," Robert said and kissed Anna on the cheek.
"You being here with me for this is perfect. I was sure I had lost you forever." Anna looked at the baby now in her arms then back at Robert, "Then you were there, walking towards me. Touching my belly, talking to our baby. There was no anger, just love. You knew the truth."
"When I found out what Sean had done, that you were only doing your job. All I could think about was finding you, I knew I would do whatever it took to get you back. Then I saw you, the joy that washed over me when I realized you were pregnant. I had found you and we were going to have a baby."
"And here she is." Anna stocked Robin's cheek, then her hair. "I love how soft her hair is."
"She must have your hair," Robert said as he tucked some behind her ear. "Are you hungry? Filomena told me I had to make sure you ate something."
"Yeah, I could eat a little something. I should try feeding this little one again too," Anna said as Robin started to fuss in her arms.
Robert kissed her then stood up, "I'll be right back." Robert left the room and saw Filomena sitting at her kitchen table, she smiled up at him then got up and started putting together a plate of food for Anna. Since Robin had been born she had been looking in on them but was mostly just leaving the little family on their own. Robert was thankful that she had picked up a fair amount of English and they could communicate fairly well now. "Anna's going to try feeding Robin again."
Filomena looked up smiling, "Good, that is good. Roberto, sit." There was a plate ready for him as well.
Robin was really starting to fuss now Anna was trying to position Robin so she would feed. Finally, when she starting suckling Anna smiled, "I knew you were just being stubborn before, you're clearly a Scorpio." She stroked Robin's hair as she ate, struck by how truly amazing this was.
Robert ate quickly then pick up the tray with Anna's supper on it. When he entered the room he saw them in the dim light and smiled. Could anything be more beautiful than this? Anna looked up and smiled at him, Robin was still contently eating. "I didn't think you could get any more beautiful, I was wrong." Anna smiled at him, he put the tray aside for now and sat beside Anna, just watching mother and daughter.
After Robin had gone back asleep Robert put her in the bassinet while Anna ate. He sat and started rubbing her back then put the tray down when she was done. "So I have a little bit of news. I got the job in Port Charles. I got the letter earlier today. They want me there in six months, a little before the current commissioner retires."
"So we are going to Port Charles? I know it will be wonderful." Sitting there together watching their baby girl sleep they knew nothing would stop them now. This was just the beginning of what was sure to be the best adventure either of them could have ever dreamed of.
