Author's Note: I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to update this story. I hope you enjoy this new chapter and I'll try to do better. BTW, thanks to all of you, who've taken time to comment on the story. It means a lot to me that you're reading and enjoying it. Have a great week!
Chapter 12
It was late in the evening when Matt heard the door to his room close and recognized Maxie without opening his eyes. Somewhere along the way, her scent had embedded itself in Matt's brain. Why it was so distinctive Matt didn't know, he only knew that it was. For a moment, he pondered when he'd ever recognized another woman by scent. He couldn't recall and that didn't sit well with him.
Matt listened while Maxie tiptoed around the room in her usual high heels, the faint clicking of them was unique only to her. As she quietly settled into the chair beside his bed, he could feel the energy in the room change subtly. What was he doing? He'd told himself, and anyone else who would listen, that there was nothing going on between him and Maxie. So, why was he having such a hard time putting her out of his head?
"Aren't you supposed to be at work?" he finally asked without opening his eyes. The softly asked question must have caught her off guard as he heard her gasp.
"I thought you were sleeping."
"I was," he replied, opening his eyes and tracking her hand as she ran her fingers through her hair. The feeling of the silky blond tendrils on his skin bombarded his memories. He sighed and continued, "You didn't answer my question."
"I was working and I thought about you stuck in this bed and I just decided to stop by." She leaned over and turned on his bedside light.
"That was nice of you, but you didn't have to. Your cousin has helped me with the boredom problem by giving me some work to do," Matt revealed, nodding toward the files on the adjustable table nearby.
"What kind of work?" Maxie asked glancing at the stack of files.
"I'm reviewing some of her research and making some notes for her."
"Should you be doing that? Aren't you supposed to be resting?" It was clear that Maxie was concerned about him doing too much.
"I'm reading files, not running a marathon," Matt retorted, then smiled to soften the comment. "I'm fine."
"So you keep saying, but last night you were in pain just moving around," Maxie challenged with a smirk.
"Thanks for reminding me. I actually went for a walk earlier this evening."
"Good. That should mean you'll be out of here soon and I won't have to keep making these trips to the hospital, unless I want to see Robin."
"Oh, so when I'm back on my feet, you won't be visiting me at the hospital," he shot back, eyebrows raised. His tone was teasing, but unfortunately, for Matt, he really wanted to know the answer.
Matt smiled as she floundered with her answer. In Matt's experience with Maxie, it wasn't often that she didn't have a retort or some smart comment to anything said. That he'd surprised her, pleased him.
Finally, she asked, "Do you want me to?"
"Sure. You're one of the few friends I have here in Port Charles," Matt answered. A bit of her normal spark disappeared at his answer and he didn't know why. In an effort, to get the spark back, he added, "It's not often a guy is friends with a beautiful woman who actually has heart."
Matt got what he wanted. She blushed at his words and that missing spark returned.
"Okay, I'll stop by every so often." She agreed as if the words had been dragged from her, but the smile on her face clearly indicated she was teasing him.
"Good. I'd miss you otherwise." Matt couldn't miss the pleasure at his words in Maxie's eyes and knew he was on a potential path with disaster. In an attempt to turn the conversation, he asked, "How was work?"
For a moment no words came. Matt wasn't sure what was wrong or what had changed in the last few moments. Suddenly concerned, he asked, "Maxie, what is it?"
Maxie regarded him warily. "People don't ask me about my work, except for Robin or Mac or sometimes Spinelli." Maxie offered a soft sad smile. "Sometimes, it's like people don't take what I do seriously. I mean, okay, it's fashion, but everyone has to wear clothes and why shouldn't they be stylish ones. Plus, it's a multi-billion dollar industry."
"I won't argue with you. While I'm not into fashion, I think it's a pretty important industry, especially since it's paid for part of my education."
"What do you mean?" Matt definitely caught her off guard. Maxie leaned forward in her chair.
"When I was in college in New York, I did some ads for a few designers."
"Really?" Maxie's blue eyes flashed with interest. She scooted her chair closer to Matt's bed.
"Absolutely, the pay was good and it didn't interfere with my studying. It was a great way to make some extra cash. It was hectic though. Most of the people I met were great, but they worked really hard to get the job done."
Maxie hadn't expected that from Matt Hunter. She'd expected him to be flippant at the very least about what she was aspiring to do. That he appreciated the industry made him that much more off limits. Maxie knew she was feeling something for Matt, she just didn't know what. Whatever it was, it was becoming a distraction. She should still be at work, but Maxie knew she wouldn't concentrate, so why not spend the time with Matt. He was, after all, the reason for her distraction. Maxie knew she was going to get hurt, it was inevitable, but like a moth to a flame, she couldn't stay away.
---------------------
Lucky opened another crate while Cruz did the same thing less than 20 feet away.
"Drugs in this crate," Lucky confirmed, pulling multiple medicine bottles from the crate.
"I've got guns over here," Cruz countered. He held an automatic machine gun in one hand and a handgun in the other.
At the front of the warehouse, Mac was looking at the inventory sheet one of his officers had passed him. Between the automatic weapons and the drugs, there was more than a million dollars worth of contraband in the warehouse. Search warrants had been issued for two others on the pier as well. If the other two warehouses contained anything close to this one, this would be the biggest bust the PCPD had made under Mac's leadership.
Too bad, he'd be sharing it with the DEA. Somehow, they'd gotten word that warrants were being issued for Karpov's warehouses. After the work Matt had done and his being shot, they wanted in. After much discussion and negotiation, Mac had agreed. The DEA would take possession of the counterfeit drugs and the PCPD would get the guns.
Mac's only regret now was that Karpov was missing. He'd been in and out of the warehouses earlier that morning and Cruz had the pictures to prove it, but he hadn't been back. Nor was he at any of the places he was known to frequent. Now, they had a manhunt on their hands. Karpov's attorney and a number of his thugs were in custody, but they wanted Karpov. With Karpov on the loose, too many people were still in danger.
----------------------
"This is so good," Robin said, taking a bite of the chicken Patrick had placed in front of her just moments before. "What made you decide to cook?"
"I wanted to do something nice for you. I've been so confused dealing with my dad and my new brother, that I wasn't sure I'd been there for you."
Robin smiled at him from across the candlelit table in his apartment. "You're always there for me, when I need you."
What had she done to deserve him? Patrick had been patient and totally supportive of her even though she'd turned down his marriage proposal. She had wanted to accept it more than anything in the world, but Robin knew that he was only doing it because he thought it was what she wanted and that sooner or later, he'd grow to resent her. Robin loved Patrick too much for that. They were in a good place and she didn't want to rock the boat.
"Can we talk about something?" Patrick asked tentatively.
"Sure. We can talk about anything." Robin said, concentrating on the delicious dinner in front of her.
Patrick rose from the table and reaching out a hand took Robin's. "Come on. I don't want to do this at the table."
"But, we just sat down," Robin complained.
"I know, but hopefully, I can make it up to you." The look he gave Robin was mysterious and she was intrigued. What could he possibly have to talk about that was so important they couldn't talk about it over food?
"You'd better," she teased and gave one last longing look toward the food on her plate.
Patrick lead Robin to the chocolate leather sofa that graced his living room. After sitting in the corner of the sofa, he pulled Robin down to sit between his legs, her back to his chest.
"Do you love me?" he asked abruptly.
Robin laughed at the question, before answering, "Of course, I love you." She glanced over her shoulder at him and realized he was serious. Robin turned around and ran a hand down his chest, resting it over his heart. "Patrick, what is it?"
"Do you trust me?" he asked, ignoring her question, looking her directly in the eyes.
"Yes." The word was said with solid conviction.
"Are you afraid that if you marry me, I'll betray you like my father betrayed my mother?"
"No."
"Then why won't you marry me? And don't tell me it's because I don't really want to marry you."
"Patrick, why are you doing this to me? I don't want to talk about this."
Robin attempted to move, but Patrick held her still. He needed answers and he was determined to get them tonight.
"What are you afraid of?" he asked. Robin sighed, but didn't speak. Patrick knew that he was pushing, but he couldn't let this go on. He wanted to marry Robin and he knew she wanted the same thing. Patrick just had to get her to admit it. "Robin?"
"I don't want you to grow to resent me when you start to feel trapped in a marriage you don't want."
"You said you trusted me."
"I do."
"Then trust me to know my own mind. I love you, more than I ever thought it possible to love anyone. I love this baby we created and I want to marry you. Not because I think it's what you want, but because I want to wake up next to you each morning. I want you to be the last thing I see every night. I know it sounds corny and it's cliché, but I want to grow old with you and raise our daughter together. I want a life with you, as my wife."
Patrick watched as tears filled Robin's eyes and a soft smile took residence on her lips.
"I want that, too," Robin said, her bottom lip trembling as she spoke.
"Good," Patrick said, pressing his lips to Robin's. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring his father had given him. Robin's eyes widened at seeing the ring. Patrick answered Robin's unasked question. "It was my mother's. My dad gave it to me earlier. Both of us believe she'd want you to have it." Pressing his lips to the ring and then to Robin's left ring finger, he looked into her eyes and said, "Before you, I didn't know what life was all about. Now I can't imagine mine without you in it. Please do me the honor of becoming my wife."
Robin looked from the ring to Patrick, not believing that this was really happening. Her prince had finally come and she was going to have the dream. A husband and child whom she loved and who loved her in return. She cried as she said, "Yes."
After Patrick slipped the ring on her finger, he pulled her to him and said, "I think dinner is going to have to wait until after the celebration. I'm famished, but not for food."
Patrick pressed a kiss to her lips and lifted her into his arms. As he carried her into the bedroom, she replied, "Me, too."
-----------------------
As Matt lay in his bed, he realized he missed Maxie. She'd slept in his room one night and now he was lying awake wondering what she was doing. Maxie had protested when he'd strongly encouraged her to go home earlier. Closing his eyes briefly, he relived the conversation.
"Maxie, go home," he said firmly.
"I'm staying. You need me," she replied in her own quick, clipped way.
"I'll be fine. You need to get a good night's rest. You have the photo shoot with Frederico tomorrow and Kate's wedding right after."
"I can stay tonight and still make the shoot. Kate's wedding is totally taken care of. I've checked and rechecked everything," Maxie explained.
"I want you to go home." Matt had seen what could be a flash of pain in her eyes, but it was gone so quickly, he knew he had to be mistaken. "You need your rest and you won't get it in that chair."
"Okay," she replied slightly subdued. "I'll go home. I don't know when I'll be free tomorrow, but I'll try to check in."
"I know you're busy. I'll be okay." He pointed to the stack of files on his tray table. "Your cousin is keeping me busy."
"Great." She collected her purse and turned toward the door. "I'll see you later," Maxie said, before she walked out of the room only glancing back at him momentarily.
Matt opened his eyes and sighed. He had stopped himself from calling her back. As much as he'd been looking out for her, he was looking out for himself. He was becoming dependent on Maxie and he couldn't afford that. Last night, it had been a comfort to know she was in the room. She had been constantly moving in that chair all night. He could only imagine what it would be like to sleep with her. As soon as the thought registered, Matt reprimanded himself. He was not supposed to think of Maxie that way. Too bad neither his heart nor his head were listening.
-------------------
Maxie tossed her purse on the chair in her room and sat on the edge of her bed with a sigh. She couldn't believe Matt had sent her home like she was a kid who didn't know how to take care of herself. Okay, so he'd been looking out for her, but it stung. She knew he felt something, too.
He'd as much as admitted it when they talked about what he'd said to Patrick earlier. Maxie didn't want to be confused either, but it was too late for that. After all her losses and failed attempts at love, Maxie was sure that true love was never going to find her. But, she couldn't keep Matt out of her thoughts.
After she lay in her bed for more than an hour, she knew she'd never get to sleep in her room and suddenly thought of Matt's. Sleeping in his hospital room last night had been comforting. She'd known he was safe and the rhythm of his breathing had been calming. Maxie wouldn't be able to hear him, but being in his room might help. He wasn't home so he'd never know if she slept there. She could make sure nothing was out of place and no one would ever be the wiser.
Maxie meandered down the hall to Matt's room and cracked the door open. She had only been in the room a few times since Matt moved in. He'd been so irritating that the times she was inside were tense. When he came home would they go back to being that way? Or had their relationship evolved into something new? Maxie thought so, but she wasn't sure. She was grateful to Matt for saving her life, but her feelings went deeper than that. Were his?
"How am I going to keep him at arm's length when I'm about to sleep in his room to be close to him? What am I doing?" Maxie muttered to herself as she crawled into Matt's bed. His scent still clung to the sheets and for a moment she buried her nose in them. She took a deep breath and couldn't hold back the smile that she knew always appeared when she was thinking of him.
Maxie's smile suddenly turned into a frown as she realized she was in trouble and its name was Matt Hunter.
