Chapter 14
Robert found his way down to the waterfront again. Last night he and Anna had talked, he was so relieved to know she no longer believed she had ever slept with Faison. That she had not lied to him about that. There had been untruths between them, they had both had to keep things from each other over the years but that had been because of their line of work. For a year he had been trying to find a way to accept Anna had not only slept with Faison and had his child but had lied to him for years about it. Knowing that Anna now believes she isn't Peter's mother was such a relief. He looked out at the water and smiled, how many times had they found each other out here. Been there for the other even if they didn't know what the other person needed from them at that moment. Last night that had happened again.
"What brings you here?"
Robert turned to see Finn approaching him. "What do you mean? I like it here."
"Anna likes coming down here when she needs to think."
"She always has, ever since she first came here," Robert told him as he looked back out at the water.
"Oh right, I guess you would know that." Robert glanced over at him but didn't bother responding. "Does that have something to do with harbour bells? Was that about some of the conversations the two of you had when she moved here?"
Robert smiled, "Nope."
"I want to help her, shouldn't that be something I understand? She wants to believe Peter isn't hers and she says that and you accept it completely? Why, what did that mean?"
"I'm going to assume you tried to get Anna to tell you. If she wanted you to know she would have told you. Some things aren't about you, they don't matter to you. That matters to us and that's all you need to know."
"So you don't think Anna's Peter's mother?"
"Nope, I'm sure Alex is."
"What about Robin?"
Robert turned, "Excuse me?"
"I mean if she believes she isn't Peter's mother," before he could finish that statement Robert had him by the collar. Finn realized this was not the person he should have mentioned his concerns to. "Wooo."
"Robin is mine and Anna's daughter!"
"I didn't,"
"Are you trying to suggest that I'm not her father? That Alex decided to pass off her child as mine and Anna's for some reason!"
"You could still be her father."
"I have never even met Alex!" Robert yelled still holding Finn by the collar.
"Are you sure?"
"Let's say that maybe I have met Alex and she wanted me to believe she was Anna. That does not mean I had sex with her. That does not mean I had sex with her and fathered her child. Do you think identical twins have the exact same freckles, the exact same moles? I know Anna's body, I'm willing to bet better than you." Robert shoved Finn backwards as he let him go. Finn stumbled and fell against a crate and watched Robert walk away. That man thinks he knows Anna so well, thinks he'll always be important to Anna, what the hell does he know Finn thought.
Finn was still leaning on the crate when Chase walked over to him. "What was that about?"
"Um, I don't think he knows Alex."
"He looked like he was ready to hit you and all you asked was if he knows Alex?" Chase asked.
"I may have questioned if Robin was Anna's which meant I was questioning if he is her father and may have suggested that he's her father but that Alex is her mother."
"You do get that he doesn't like you, right? Why would you say something like that to him?"
"I wanted to know what something meant but it's clear it's none of my business."
"It's something between him and Anna isn't it?" Finn nodded then Chase asked, "Did Anna tell you she met with him last night?"
"No, Anna doesn't tell me everything she does."
"Especially when it's about meeting up with Scorpio. They are rather affectionate for exes, have you noticed that?"
Finn looked at Chase, he didn't want to think about that. Part of him wanted to know what Chase was talking about but the part that wanted to believe he didn't have to worry about Anna and Robert didn't want to hear anything he might have seen. "Yeah, I've noticed," was all he said. "You know what, I have to get to the hospital. See you later," then Finn walked away.
...
"Hello Robert," he turned to see Alexis standing there. He had decided he needed a drink before going up to his room at the Metro Court.
"Alexis, how are you?"
"Good, I hear you're going to be around Port Charles for a little while."
"I am. There are a few things here I want to make sure get straightened out. I have also been informed I'm attending the Nurses Ball this year."
"Oh, are you? They are usually entertaining. Your entrance added a little extra flare last year."
"I like to keep people on their toes," he said with a smile. "Can I get you a drink?"
"I don't drink anymore but I could use a sparkling water."
"Then that's what you'll get." Robert ordered her drink, then turned back to her. "Are you meeting anyone?"
"No, just finished a meeting with a client. This might seem a little forward but are you going with anyone to the Nurses Ball?"
"Well Emma told me she'd be my date if I needed one," he told her with a smile. "Alexis, would you like to accompany me to the Nurses Ball?"
"It would be my pleasure. You are also saving me from having to go by myself. I went with a date last year but ended up leaving alone."
"Unless I need to arrest any of your family members I will make sure I deliver you safely home at the end of the evening. You are helping me as well," he told her with a grin. "Everyone I'd be there with would be there as a couple as well."
Alexis smiled, "Glad to help. It will be nice getting to know you a little better. We haven't really talked all that much since I got you out of jail but I do seem to hear a lot about you."
"Why do I get the feeling it's not always good things you're hearing?"
"It's mostly good," she reassured him.
"So clearly it's not Julian Valentin or even Finn that you are hearing these things from."
"Two of them no. Finn may talk about you a little."
Robert grinned at that, "Yeah, I think the fact I've been around lately is getting on his nerves. He really doesn't like when I let him know what I think."
"Did you really tell him that he's an idiot?" Robert just grinned at her. She laughed and shook her head, "Maybe that's why he doesn't like you hanging around."
"Oh, so you admit it?"
She put her hand on his shoulder and smiled, "You like making him feel uncomfortable?"
"I've gotta have a little fun."
Anna and Finn had decided to go for dinner at the Metro Court. When they stepped off the elevator Anna noticed Robert was at the bar. As they were seated she realized he was talking to Alexis. They were talking about what to order when Anna looked up from her menu and saw Alexis touching Robert's arm. Is she flirting with him? Wait, why do I care if she is Anna asked herself. Finn was telling her about his day so she looked back at him and started paying attention to him.
"So I know you had mentioned that sometimes Sean wasn't sure who you were. How did you deal with that?" Finn asked catching Anna a little off guard.
Before this Anna hadn't thought he had really wanted to hear about her trip, "I told you about giving them time in the morning. Throughout the day even if he didn't know me for a little while I think he at least knew he should. He wasn't concerned about why I was there. A couple of times he did ask who I was and that was hard. I'd get a little emotional when that would happen but overall it was a really nice visit." She looked up when she heard Robert's laugh. Did he just ask Alexis for her number? What had she said to make him laugh? She looked back at Finn trying to not think about Robert. "I got to have some nice long chats with Tiffany as well, I do miss her."
Finn had noticed her look over at Robert, he was well aware he was over by the bar with Alexis. She hadn't talked about Robert since she had explained about why she believes Peter could be Alex's so he wasn't going to worry if she looks over at him. He didn't care what Chase wanted to tell him about them earlier either "I'm glad you had a good visit and I'm sure it was nice for Tiffany to have her friends there for a while."
"I think it was," she said with a smile. "Tomorrow evening we'll have our own visitors," she reminded him.
"Yes, I do remember that. It should be interesting have them all there."
Anna noticed he looked a little worried. "You aren't afraid of my family are you?"
"It will just be different but I'm sure I will be fine." That made Anna laugh. "It's funny that I'm a little worried about spending time with your family."
"You'll be fine," Anna reassured him with a grin.
"It was nice talking to you, I'm glad I bumped into you, Robert." Anna heard Alexis say as she and Robert got closer to their table.
"So am I, Alexis. It will be nice getting to know you better. Have a good evening."
"Thanks, you too." She smiled at Finn and Anna, "Hi," then she walked away.
"Hey, so I don't want to intrude but I thought you might like to know that our daughter has invited me over to your house for dinner tomorrow. It's not like I was going to say no."
Anna smiled, she actually expects to see him a lot while the family is here. She might try talking to him about how to approach Peter about getting a DNA test. "I kind of thought she would. I just hope she doesn't expect me to cook it."
"Oh come on she's smarter than that. I think the reason she was so interested in learning how to cook was because your cooking scared her," he said with a grin.
"You'll never stop teasing me about my cooking will you?" she asked with a smile.
"I have too much fun doing it," he said with a little gleam in his eye. "Besides, think about some of the things you tried to feed me." Anna laughed at him, her cheeks flushed ever so slightly. Are they seriously flirting right in front of me Finn wondered? "Like I said I don't want to interrupt, I'll see you tomorrow. Finn," he gave him a slight nod.
"Robert." Then he turned and walked away from their table, Finn noticed Anna watched him walk away, a little smile on her lips. "I guess I should have realized Robert would be coming over tomorrow."
"Of course he will. I'm sure he'll be over a lot while their here. It's not very often we all get to spend time together and the fact Robert is here they are all going to want to spend time together. Oh, I think I should have a little get together. All the Scorpios, Maxie can bring James and," Anna paused.
"You were going to say and Peter."
"Yeah, if I'm right he is still my nephew. I know him and Robert don't exactly get along but I'll tell him to behave and he will."
"Peter?"
"No, Robert," she said with a smile. "He won't make a scene at a family get together but I might just have to remind him to be nice in front of the kids."
...
Anna was so happy to see Robin, as soon as she walked in Anna hugged her tightly, "It is so good to see you. You being here is just what I need right now." Anna kissed her cheek then looked at her, stroking her hair.
Robin smiled, "I missed you too, mom."
Emma and Noah were waiting to hug her and Anna happily did. After Patrick gave her a hug Anna carried Noah into the sitting room. "I am so happy you came to see me," she told him as she sat down with him.
"Hi," he smiled at her.
"You said that already. Are you happy to see me?" Noah nodded and hugged her again. "Oh, that's what I need. Some love from my favourite little man."
Emma came and sat down beside them while Robin smiled at them as they cuddled in by her mom. Finn was helping Patrick take their things upstairs. Anna put her arm around Emma and pulled her a little closer. "Everything alright mom?" Robin asked.
"Yeah, I am just really happy that you are all here." Yes for a short time she had her doubts about her and Robert's past but thankfully he had reassured her that she was the woman he knew, the only Devane he has ever known. Even knowing that Anna really did need this time with her family. She needed her little girl close, she needed her grandkids here to hug and kiss and just help ground her. Remind her that this is her family.
Robin knew a little about what was going on. Her dad had told her about the fact there were some of Alex's memories in her mom's head and something told her the reaction Anna had to seeing them was partly because of that, not just because she missed them. "Mom," Anna looked up at her. "I love you."
Anna smiled, "Oh I love you too sweety." She understood Robin must know a little bit about what she was dealing with. "You've been talking to your father."
"I have. We are going to talk while I'm here." Anna nodded then started talking to Emma and Noah again.
When Patrick and Finn came back downstairs they found the four of them all laughing together and wandered into the kitchen so they could have some time alone together. Finn was enjoying getting a chance to talk to Patrick, even if he wasn't Anna's son-in-law Finn would have wanted to talk to him as a doctor he had an incredible reputation so they had a lot to talk about.
Sometime later when there was a knock at the door Emma jumped up to answer it. With a big smile on her face, she greeted Robert, "Hi Grandpa," then gave him a hug.
"Hello, sweetheart. I am so happy to see you."
"Come on we're all in here." Emma took his hand and pulled him into the sitting room.
When Noah saw him he got up and walked over to him, "Hi, Papa."
Robert smiled and picked him up, "Hello little man. Oh, it's good to see you," then he gave him a hug. Robin stood up and Robert gave her a hug while still holding Noah, "Hi sweety."
"Hi dad, it is so great that you are here too. I am looking forward to us all spending time together."
"I am too." Robert sat down beside Anna, "Hello Luv."
"Hi Robert, you couldn't wait to come see them," she said with a smile.
"What can I say. I miss our family," he leaned in a little closer. "The one we made together."
"Luv," Noah said looking at Anna then Robert.
"That's right grandma is Luv. You should call her that."
"Hi Luv," he leaned over to Anna and hugged her while still on Robert's knee.
"Robert," she said with a smile. She thought it was cute but kind of thought Noah should stick to calling her Grandma.
"I think you better go with Papa, this little guy seems to be repeating everything."
"Papa and Luv, miss you."
Anna glanced at Robert then touched Noah's cheek. "You miss us." He nodded and Anna hugged him. "We miss you too but we are going to get to visit lots while you're here."
"Papa too."
"Yes Papa and Luv will spend lots of time with you Noah," Robert told him with a little grin. Emma and Robin were watching them smiling.
"Oh, while you're here I want to have a Scorpio get together and it has to be before the Nurses Ball because your Uncle Mac and Felicia are going to see Sean and Tiff right after," Anna told Robin when she noticed they were watching them.
"That sounds like a great idea. James and Noah can meet each other. Would you be inviting Peter?"
Robin looked at Robert wondering what he had said under his breath. "I think he and Maxie might want to come together, there seems to be a bit of an attraction there," Anna said.
"Really?" Robin said with a grin.
"When are you going to talk to him?" Robert asked quietly.
Anna looked at him, "I'm not sure yet but I need to know. So it should be soon."
"You already do," he said and touched her chin so she would look right at him. "Anna, you know."
She gave him a little smile, "I still need to do this. Even just I can make him understand."
"Of course you do."
Robin couldn't quite hear them but knew there was something about Peter that needed to be cleared up. Then she had to wonder if it had something to do with what Robert had told her. Was the identity of Peter's mother in question? What else was her mother questioning about her memory? Robin still couldn't believe her aunt had done this. What happened to the woman that had helped Anna when they first met? Had she only helped Anna because they needed her healthy to do these experiments? Robin shook her head, she didn't know and maybe they never would. Whatever the case was at least Alex had gotten her mom the treatment she needed or she wouldn't be sitting here laughing with her grandkids. It was hard to know how to feel about Alex but no matter what she would always be grateful to her for helping Anna when she found her. Robin was pulled out of her thoughts when she heard the other all laughing. Her dad was tickling Noah who was now laying on Anna's lap, Emma was telling her grandpa where the best places to tickle her brother were.
Robert stopped tickling him the leaned down and kissed him, Noah put his arms around his neck holding Robert there. "Papa, fun." Robert sat up bringing Noah with him they both had big smiles on their faces as Robert sat back.
Patrick and Finn had walked back into the room while everyone was laughing. "Sounds like everyone is having a good time in here," Patrick said. "Noah, what are you doing to Papa and Grandma?"
"Play with Papa and Luv. He tickle me."
"Oh, Papa was tickling you." Patrick smiled at them, he was happy that both Robin's parents were here. He knew his kids loved them both and it was going to be fun getting to watch them all together. He glanced over at Finn, he might not like it as much but if he was going to be in Anna's life he was going to have to accept that Robert was still a part of that too and times like this were important to all of them. "You're calling Grandma Luv now?"
He smiled at his daddy, "Like Papa." Then he looked at Anna, "Hi Luv."
"Hi Noah," she leaned in and kissed his cheek and grinned at Robert.
Finn was watching them all together. Clearly, personal space wasn't an issue for Anna and Robert. Now he has their grandson calling Anna by his pet name for her. This is going to be an interesting week he thought. It looks like he will be spending a good deal of that time watching Anna and Robert together. Finn shook his head slightly and reminded himself that this is their family, their grandkids and he shouldn't read too much into the fact they are all happy to see each other. Without saying anything he slipped out of the room and left. He figured he would give them all some time alone together, he wasn't really sure what he should be doing at the moment anyway.