A/N: Thanks to all of you who read the story and especially to those who took the time to leave comments. I really appreciate them and they keep me motivated to write. Sorry it took so long to post this chapter, but real life has interfered with the writing of late. Hopefully after the next few weeks, I'll be able to get on a regular schedule so I can complete the story, but the completion is a ways off. Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy the latest.
Chapter 20
The church was decorated in fall colors. Gorgeous roses and fall flowers filled every vacant surface. Maxie had outdone herself on flowers. The colors complemented each other and in their own way expressed who Robin was – vibrant and content and welcoming. The lit candles gave the church a hint of charm that would have otherwise been missing. Maxie had created the perfect atmosphere for Robin and Patrick to exchange vows.
Patrick and Matt took their places next to the Father Coates and waited, but not for long. Directly in front of them sat Noah, smiling proudly at his sons. While he and Matt were still somewhat at odds they'd come to an agreement to not let their animosity spoil Patrick's wedding. There was plenty of time for them to fight after the wonderful day was over.
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Outside, in the foyer Mac, Maxie and Anna crowded around Robin trying not to cry. Anna pulled Robin into a hug. "I'm so proud of you. I love you, luv."
"I love you, too, Mom." With that, Anna smiled and turned toward the sanctuary. As the music began, she strolled down the aisle in her ruby-colored dress looking like anyone but the mother of the bride.
Maxie took her turn in giving Robin a hug and said, "I'll see you at the altar."
"Yes, you will," she said, with a smile. "Maxie, thank you for today."
"My pleasure," Maxie said. The amethyst-dress she wore was perfect for the occasion. As Maxie walked down the aisle, Robin caught sight of Matt's face. She smiled at the awe she saw there.
"Uncle Mac, how do feel about more than one Drake in the family?"
Mac followed Robin's gaze and said, "I'm not even touching that right now. I'm still getting used to Patrick. I don't want to think about another one."
Robin laughed and kissed Mac on the cheek. "I love you, Uncle Mac, and I'm so glad you're with me today."
"There's no other place I'd be," Mac said returning the kiss. "I love you. Are you ready to get married?"
"I'm so ready," she replied. "Let's do this." Mac tucked Robin's hand into the crook of his elbow and gently turned her toward the sanctuary doors. As soon as she got to the entrance, The Wedding March started and all the guests stood. She saw Bobbie and Sean and Tiffany together in a pew. Finally, Robin's gaze met Patrick's and she felt all the love he had for her. She'd been right. Patrick was the man for her.
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At the altar, Patrick and Matt straightened as Anna walked down the aisle. This was it. In just minutes, the bride would enter the church and Patrick would be well on his way to being a husband. Who would have thought just three years ago that Patrick would be here now? But he was, and he was happier than he ever thought possible.
Patrick heard Matt's breath catch when Maxie entered the church and he had to smile. Maxie's gaze never left Matt. His little brother had no idea what he was in for, but Patrick planned to enjoy watching it unfold. Matt was smitten, if Patrick could use the word, and he didn't even know it.
Before Patrick could make another coherent thought, Robin and Mac filled the entry way. He only had eyes for Robin. How was it that he'd been lucky enough to have this amazing creature fall in love with him? And she was having his baby. How was it possible? He couldn't fathom it, but he was thankful. More thankful than he'd ever been in his life. Nothing would ever be the same after today, but he couldn't wait to experience all that life brought . . . with Robin.
When Robin was feet away, Patrick couldn't stand it any longer and took multiple steps to meet her. Mac gave Patrick Robin's hand with a look of warning. Patrick met his gaze with a promise that both men understood – he would take care of Robin and always love her. Mac, satisfied, took a seat next to Anna.
Patrick and Robin approached Father Coates and he began, "Dearly beloved, we've gathered together to witness and bless this union of marriage between Patrick and Robin. To this sacred moment, they bring the fullness of their hearts as a treasure and a gift from God to share with one another." Father Coates looked out at the guests and then back to Robin and Patrick. "They bring the dreams which bind them together in an eternal commitment. They bring their gifts and talents, their unique personalities and spirits, which God will unite together into one being as they build their life together. We rejoice with them in thankfulness to the Lord for creating this union of hearts, built on friendship, respect and love."
Beside Anna, Mac retrieved a clean handkerchief and gave it to her as tears of happiness were already running down her cheeks.
"May we pray. God, for the joy of this occasion we thank you. For the significance of this wedding day, we thank you. For this important moment in an ever growing relationship, we thank you. For your presence here and now and for your presence at all times, we thank you. Amen. Please be seated."
Everyone took their seat and sniffles could already be heard throughout the church. Tears filled Maxie's eyes, but didn't fall as she made eye contact with Matt. It was clear to Maxie that he felt something when their gazes met. She couldn't deny the connection she felt to him in that moment.
"Patrick, will you take Robin to be your wife," Father Coates continued with the ceremony, "to live together as friend and mate? Will you love her as a person, respect her as an equal, sharing joy as well as sorrow, triumph as well as defeat. And keep her beside you as long as you both shall live?"
Patrick with tears in his eyes as well, answered in a whisper, "I will."
Father Coates repeated the pledge to Robin. Taking a moment, to clear her throat of the tears there, she looked up at Patrick and replied, "I will."
Turning to the guests, Father Coates said, "The bride and groom have written their own vows. They will share them now." He tilted his head to the groom. "Patrick?"
"Robin, I take you to be my wife, my partner at home and at work," he chuckled. "You are my best friend. You taught me how to be a better doctor and a better man. You taught what true love really is." A tear rolled down Patrick's face and Robin reached up and caught it with her thumb. The tremulous smile she gave him, gave him the strength to continue. "I promise to always be here to love you and support you no matter what obstacles may come. As husband and wife, whatever challenges we face, we will face them together. I love you."
Father Coates turned to Robin and nodded.
"Patrick, I take you as my husband, my constant friend, my partner and the man that I love from this day forward. Thank you for showing me what it is to love again. I will cherish and love you more each day than I did the day before," she said with a smile as her bottom lip quivered. "I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you through good times and bad, regardless of what comes our way. I give you my hand, my heart and my love for as long as we both shall live."
Patrick cupped her cheeks and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"The rings, please?" Father Coates, said looking from the Best Man to the Maid of Honor. Matt and Maxie broke eye contact to give the rings to Father Coates. After saying a silent prayer over the rings, he gave the respective rings to Robin and Patrick. "Both of you, please repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed."
Robin and Patrick repeated Father Coates in unison, placing the rings on the ring finger of each other's left hand, and then they both looked back at him.
He smiled at them and said, "By the authority vested in me be the Catholic church and the State of New York, I now pronounce you man and wife."
Claps and cheers rose from the gallery and Father Coates added, "Patrick, you may kiss your bride."
Patrick turned to Robin and they smiled at each other with a look of love that couldn't be imagined. He leaned down and they kissed. After a few long minutes, cheers and claps arose again. They pulled apart, but leaned into each other . . . the epitome of perfect love.
Behind them, Matt and Maxie's gaze met again. The charge between them was electric. It wasn't their imagination, but they were both afraid of what it might be. Could they pursue something that frightened them this much?
Father Coates cleared his throat, raised his voice, and announced, "It is my privilege to introduce to you for the first time, Dr. and Dr. Patrick Drake, or rather, Dr. Patrick Drake and his wife, Dr. Robin Scorpio Drake."
Patrick, holding Robin's hand, took his first walk with his wife. Matt approaching Maxie to escort her from the church, took her hand and gave it a squeeze, before leaning toward her and whispering, "You look amazing."
Suddenly shy, Maxie replied, "Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself." Matt gave her a sexy grin that made her breath catch and pulled her along with him to where Patrick and Robin were kissing in the foyer. They were soon joined by the rest of the family and friends. Anna asked that they stick around to get a few family shots so they would always remember the details of the day.
Ten minutes later, the bride and groom climbed into the limo to be transported to the reception at the MetroCourt. The best man and maid of honor followed in his car, while the parents rode together. The other guests had already left and were waiting for the bridal party to arrive at the restaurant.
Matt and Maxie entered first to an introduction by Jax, who'd agreed to do introductions since the reception was his gift to the bride and groom. Maxie pulled Matt behind her as she checked on all the hors d'oeuvres and the cake. Instead of champagne, sparkling cider was flowing out of the fountain, in honor of the pregnant bride and the father of the groom.
Just as Maxie was finishing her check, Robin and Patrick filled the ballroom of the Metrocourt. To cheers, cat calls, and tinkling of spoons tapping the crystal water glasses, they kissed. Then they entered the room with huge grins on their faces. Strolling among the tables, they greeted all the guests, sharing hugs and smiles and congratulations. It was everything Maxie had promised.
"You did a great job," Matt commented. "You should think about this as a career."
"What are you talking about?" Maxie asked.
"You planned an entire wedding and a reception in just a few weeks, while working full time, because your boss was in the hospital," he said, his voice full of admiration. "That's an amazing feat."
"I'm just organized," she said, dismissing the compliment. "I didn't do anything special."
"Yes, you did. You made this day happen for Robin and Patrick," Matt replied, looking at his brother and new sister-in-law laughing and talking with Lucky and Nikolas at a table across the room. "Look at them," he said. When Maxie followed his gaze, he added, "You did that. You should be proud of yourself. You do good work."
"Thank you."
"You can thank me, by saving me a dance."
"I will," she replied, turning back to ensure everything was as it should be.
Everyone mingled and ate and laughed as Patrick and Robin joked as they cut the cake. Finally, it was time for the couple's first dance. The music began and Patrick took his bride to the dance floor. Pulling her to him, they moved around the dance floor.
Anna and Noah stood off to the side taking in their children and their happiness.
"They look so happy," Anna observed, tucking her arm through Noah's.
"They are happy," Noah said, looking down at Anna. "Are you happy?"
Anna turned her attention from the laughing couple to the man beside her. "Absolutely. Patrick is everything I wanted for my daughter. A man who loves her and will stand by her."
"He's a better man than his father," Noah contended.
"I don't know about that," Anna countered. "You've made mistakes in your life, but so have I. Plus, I happen to think you're pretty special."
Across the room, Bobbie stood talking to Mac. "Can you believe that's the same little girl that showed up on Robert's doorstep all those years ago?"
"Absolutely," Mac replied. "When has Robin not known her own mind and gone her own way?"
"Well, you're right about that. I'm so happy for her."
"You and me both. I didn't think after Jason, she'd ever let herself love again," Mac pondered. "I'm so glad I was wrong."
"I never thought I'd hear you say that," Bobbie teased.
"I was wrong a lot when I was raising those girls, but they were patient with me," Mac said affectionately. "I love them so much."
"You were a great father to all three of those girls," Bobbie corrected. "They love you."
Halfway through the dance, Jax called for others to join the bride and groom. Anna and Noah joined them, followed by Mac and Bobbie. Edward had a dance with Monica. Nikolas was seen with his sister.
Matt approached Maxie where she was talking to a member of the wait staff and took her hand. "I think I'm owed a dance."
"Really?" she teased. "I didn't know I owed you a dance."
"Debt. Gratitude. They can be so similar," he said teasingly, pulling her close. Wrapping one arm around her waist and putting his hand on her opposite hip while she wrapped an arm around his neck, he held her other hand to his chest.
"I didn't realize that. Thanks for clearing that up for me."
"Anytime," Matt said. He spun Maxie around and dipped her. She giggled and held on tightly with her arm wrapped around his neck. "I like that."
"What?" she asked, laughing when he stood her back up straight.
"You holding on to me like that," he admitted. She sobered and blinked up at him.
"Matt, what are you doing?" she inquired.
"I'm not sure, but I don't think I can stop," he replied pulling her close and pressing his cheek to hers. "I've missed you," he whispered in her ear.
"What?" she asked leaning back to look him in the eye. She was surprised by his admission.
"I've missed you the past few weeks," he answered, before pulling her back to him. "You've been avoiding me."
"No, I haven't," Maxie protested quietly. "I've been really busy with the wedding and holding everything down at Crimson. You know that."
"I know you've been busy, but there's something else going on," he insisted.
"What? What do you think is going on?" she retaliated. "You haven't been around either."
"I know," he confessed. Matt spun her around and added, "I've been confused."
"About what?" she asked reluctantly, not sure she wanted to know the answer.
"What I feel when I'm with you?" he answered.
"What do you feel?" she wondered.
"Alive. Excited. Cautious. So many things that I can't describe." Matt played down his fear. He wasn't ready for these feelings. Matt didn't want Maxie hurt and he had no desire to be hurt himself, but he had a feeling it was already out of his control.
"I feel the same things, but I don't want to," she replied. Matt pulled her closer to him and sighed. They were in the same boat and he had no idea what they were going to do about it.
A few couples away, Robin stopped moving abruptly and stared up at Patrick.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I think . . . my water just broke."
"What? Are you sure?" Patrick didn't let her go, but took a half step away from Robin so he could look at her to be sure she was alright.
She nodded up at him, nervously.
"Let's find Kelly and get out of here," he said scoping the room for the obstetrician. "There," he indicated pointing just to their left. Moving swiftly to her, they stopped as Robin had her first contraction. Matt had just turned to look in their direction and he, too, stopped moving. Seeing Robin bent over, he said, "Something's wrong with Robin."
Maxie turned around quickly and followed his gaze. "Let's go," she said pulling Matt along with her. "What's wrong?" she asked as Anna, Noah, Mac, Bobbie, and host of others crowded around.
"We're having a baby!" Robin cried.