Chapter 25

"Woo hoo! Go RJ!" Robin was screaming and yelling from her seat on the bleachers as her son finished up another three up, three down inning. It was the bottom of the sixth and RJ had a no hitter going. It would be the second of the season for him if they could just make it through the next inning.

Patrick smiled at his wife, always thrilled by how excited she got watching their son play ball. "That's my boy."

"Excuse me, I believe there may be a little bit of me in there – after all, my aim is legendary." Robin leaned into her husband as he wrapped his arm around her.

"What can I say – when you're right, you're right." Patrick finished his soda and stood up. "I'm going to get a refill – need anything?"

"I would love a lemonade and maybe some popcorn?" Robin batted her eyelashes at him. "Please?"

Stephanie and Emma sat on the bench below their parents and both girls laughed at their mom. She didn't need to flirt with their dad to get him to do something, Robin had Patrick wrapped around her little finger. Patrick rolled his eyes and gave her a kiss. "The things I do for you." He turned to their daughters. "And would you two like anything?"

"No thank you Daddy." Steph smiled at him. "Jack is bringing me a sandwich."

"And Cam is bringing me some chips after he picks up Mal but thank you dad." Emma turned back to the game as her dad left to go to the concession stand. She tried to act nonchalant as she questioned her sister. "So, Jack is meeting you here?"

Steph had known the interrogation was coming so she watched the field and gave a simple answer. "Yep."

"What about Aiden?" Emma loved Aiden and knew her sister and him were much closer than either one would admit.

"Aiden said we are free to date other people so that's what I am doing. He actually went out with someone the other night – some girl from one of his art classes." Emma noted a slight bit of disdain in the statement but let it go. "Besides, Jack and I have a lot in common. In fact we are going to the opera next week. It is nice to go out with someone whose idea of a good time includes more than a movie and a burger."

"I don't know – a movie and a burger sounds good to me." Emma had seen Aiden the night before and he was miserable over Steph and Jack.

Stephanie sighed and turned to her sister. "Look, I understand that Aiden is going to be your brother-in-law in less than two months but that doesn't change my feelings about him or Jack. Not all of us are going to find the love of our lives while we are in our teens. Right Mom?"

Robin shook her head. "I'm out of this – as long as you are happy, I'm happy."

"Look Ems, I'm 18, in college and I am dating two great, very different guys who know about each other. I'm not lying to anyone but I'm also not making any promises to anyone. I don't know what is going to happen in the future but if that future doesn't include Aiden, I hope you will be happy for me." Stephanie shook her head.

Emma suddenly felt very guilty. Steph was right – she was only 18 and she had every right to date whoever she wanted. "I'm sorry Steph. You're right and Jack seems like a great guy. How about we have a double date next week?"

"That would be great!" Steph looked over Emma's shoulder and saw Cam, Mal and Jack approaching with their food. "The guys are here – why don't we go talk to them before the next inning? RJ won't be batting yet."

"Let's go. We'll be right back mom." The girls stood up to go meet up with their dates while Robin watched RJ's team begin their turn at bat.

Robin's was so focused on the game that she didn't even look when a lemonade was placed in front of her face – she just took the drink and set it down next to her on the bleachers. "Thanks babe, I really appreciate it."

"Not a problem Robin." Terrell sat down next to Robin and smiled at her. "This is a very good game."

"What are you doing here Terrell? I don't recall you having any children." Robin was suddenly very uneasy. She looked to the concession stand and saw Patrick was deep in conversation with Tom Hardy, completely oblivious to what was going on with her.

"No, I was never as lucky as you and Patrick in that area but I heard that your son is a future Cy Young winner and had to see it for myself." He took a drink from his lemonade and looked at Robin. "He does have a great arm. I see he got your aim."

"But the rest is his father." Robin scooted away from him a little bit and looked at him pointedly. "Who will be back here in just a minute."

"Of course he will – I'm surprised I got you alone this long. You seem to be avoiding me Robin – may I ask why?"

"I'm not avoiding you – I gave you my recommendations on your patient yesterday." Robin had made notes in her copy of the file and had one of the nurses deliver it to him.

"Yes by way of carrier pigeon. Every time I have asked you to meet with me, you have been busy. I am beginning to take it personally." Terrell grinned at her. "I know you wouldn't do that to an old friend."

"Well, I am a very busy woman. Between work, my daughter's wedding, house hunting with Matt, spending time with my children, my parents and, of course, my husband, I don't have a lot of free time." Robin returned her focus to the game. "You can understand that, can't you?"

"Of course I can." Terrell looked over at the concession stand and saw Patrick turn and finally notice who was sitting next to his wife. Patrick began to storm over, Tom right behind him. "I just wanted to tell you that I am starting your treatment next week. I will keep you posted on his progress."

"Thank you Terrell." Robin refused to look at him. She jumped and looked at him once again when he stood up and his hand brushed her leg.

Terrell smirked at her. "Sorry about that. I will talk to you later."

He jumped down off the bleacher just as Patrick ran up. "Robin, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. He just wanted to tell me he was taking my recommendations for his patient." Robin was not looking Patrick in the eye and he knew she wasn't telling him the whole truth.

"And," Patrick gently took Robin's chin in his hand and lifted her head so she was staring into his eyes, "Robin, he could have called you to tell you that. Why show up here at RJ's game?"

"He said he had heard about RJ's pitching and wanted to see it for himself." Robin was a little shaken by Terrell's sudden appearance but she was trying her best to hide it.

"Robin…"

"Fine – I guess it bothers me a little bit that he just showed up out of the blue but, you know it's no big deal." Robin saw the kids heading back to the bleachers. "And we have more important things to worry about – like cheering our son on to his second no-hitter of the season."

Patrick watched her carefully and then gave her a hug. He wasn't going to get anything out of her right now; she was firmly planted in mom mode. "Fine – but we will be talking about this later."

"I had no doubts about that." Robin turned to their boss and smiled. "You want to sit with us Tom?"

"How can I turn down an afternoon with the family of the future MVP of the state tournament?" There was another game scheduled for later this afternoon for the winner of this game. RJ wouldn't be pitching again but he would be pinch hitting. "Let's enjoy an afternoon at the ball field."

Terrell watched from a distance as Patrick held on to Robin. He turned and walked away, going to his car and starting the engine. He took one last look at the bleachers and shook his head. "Enjoy it while it lasts Dr. Drake."