2nd chances

Chapter 25: Having a good chat with Dad

(In Virgil's point of view)

A/N: SORRY EVERYONE FOR THE LATE UPDATE, SO HERE IT IS ENJOY. CAN I JUST CAN A REALLY BIG THANK TO MY WONDERFUL BETA READER FOR HER ADVICE, THIS CHAPTER WAS WORTH THE WAIT THANKS SO MUCH HONEY XX. ALSo LIKE TO THANK BEE FOR TELLING ME HOW TO GO BACK AND FIX A FEW WEE THINGS IN THE STORY. THANKS AGAIN,

We all had a really good night's sleep and I just hope Jo and Robyn did as well after the dramas of yesterday. I woke up to find it was 9.30AM, a time that – even with my brothers' opinions of me – is unusually late. Usually, I would be up and about by 7.30. Scott's not the only one to be paranoid about his 'bird, and I normally join him in the morning checks. To make sure that everything is ready for when we get a call out. Better be safe than sorry and all that. We only arrived here at around 3 this morning so something told me Dad wouldn't really mind if I was later than normal. Which never happens to me or if we have a mission during the night.

I got myself ready and made my way up to the guest bedrooms were Jo and Robyn are sleeping. I had half a plan about taking them down to the office again, giving Dad a proper chance to meet Robyn and see Jo when it wasn't some unearthly time in the night. I don't really want Robyn to meet everyone at once because I think it might be a bit too much for a 5 year old to handle. Heck, I think it would have been too much for me to handle. It is certainly going to be an interesting day for us all. Out of everyone, I really can't wait for Grandma to meet Robyn. It was her first great-grandchild, and the child in me still craved for her approval. If Grandma liked Robyn, we would have no trouble with the rest of the family.

Reaching the room, I knocked softly on the door.

"Come in," a voice called. Smiling, I pushed it open, stepping through at the same time.

"Morning, you." I smiled down at Jo. "Did you sleep ok?" Leaning over, I gently gave her a kiss.

"Yeah, I did thanks. And would you look at that, you even got your morning kiss today. Guess being on an island does have some advantages." She smiled, looking more relaxed than I could have hoped for. "Before Robyn comes in as well."

I grinned back at her, still holding her close.

"I think we better go and get Robyn up and ready for the day." Jo eventually said, pulling away from me as she spoke. Sighing, I grinned good-naturedly and stood up. I let Jo take the lead, following her through when she pushed open the adjoining door to Robyn's bedroom. Unsurprisingly, the five year old was wide awake.

"Morning, Mummy and Daddy!" Robyn called cheerfully, sitting in the middle of the floor with some of the toys she had brought with her surrounding her. She certainly seemed relaxed enough.

"Morning sweetie. How are you today?" Jo asked, crouching down so she was level with the little girl. I moved in, standing behind her but making sure I gave them some space. I'm sure they had a morning routine they were used too.

"M'fine, Mummy." Robyn seemed completely unperturbed that she had woken up in a completely different place from where she had fallen asleep, something I was more than grateful for. Turning her attention to me, Robyn continued. "Where are we, Daddy?"

"Remember the little holiday me and Mommy were telling you about?"

"Yes," Robyn's words were agreeing, but I could tell by her eyes that she couldn't piece together how she had woken up in a different place.

"We arrived here while you were a sleep, angel." I said gently, crouching down myself and smiling at my daughter.

"Really?"

"Really," Jo was quick to reassure even as she stood back up herself. "Come on you, it's time to get some clothes on." So saying, she walked over to the pile of bags left in one corner and began sorting through them, clearly trying to find something for Robyn to wear. Robyn leapt up, running over to "help"

"Jo?"

"Yeah, Virg?" She stopped, some items of clothing in one hand, her head twisting back over her shoulder as she glanced at me quizzically.

"I'm going to see Dad." I said rather bluntly. I knew by the look that she gave me she knew what I was talking about. I was going to see if he was ready to meet his first grandchild.

"Good idea." Jo responded simply. Nodding at her, I turned and walked out of the room, feeling a little nervous again. Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the office door.

"Come in." Dad's voice came floating out, and I pressed down on the handle, stepping through.

"Hey, Dad."

"Everything alright, Virgil?" True enough, Dad immediately picked up on the slightly reserved tone of my voice. I should have known he would have.

"Do you think you are okay with meeting Robyn now?" I asked quietly. The image of my daughter was floating in my mind's eye, and all I could think about was how much like Mom she looked. I had to know Dad would be able to deal with it; it wouldn't be fair on either Robyn or Jo otherwise.

"I will be fine son don't worry about me. How are you handling being a father?" Dad was looking at me with that expression that made me feel like he could read my mind.

"You mean now the shock has worn off?" I asked with a slightly bitter laugh, running my hand through my hair. "I'm coping I guess."

"But?" Dad prompted, clearly knowing there was more than that on my mind than what I had said.

"If only I had of known about Jo having Robyn. I could have found some way of supporting her, Dad, make sure that Jo got everything she needed for Robyn." I muttered as I put my hands in my head, unable to look the man in the eye.

"I take it you feel really awful about this whole thing then?" asked Dad, reaching over and putting his hand on my shoulder.

"You've no idea, Dad."

"At least you know now, Virgil. You've got a second chance with Jo now. You can do something about it now, son and be there for both of them."

"I thought about asking her to marry me, you know." I muttered, still refusing to meet his eye. "It was about two days before you sprang the surprise about IR."

"You must have really loved her." Dad said softly, giving my shoulder another squeeze.

"I did, Dad. I still do. To be honest, I don't think that I truly got over her. Not really. And I'm sorry. Sorry for how you had to find out about Robyn. Although can't exactly say it has been a walk in the park for me either."

"At least you are here for her now son That's all that matters"

"Are you mad at me for getting Jo pregnant in the first place?" My voice was barely more than a whisper, my head still buried in my hands. It was something I had to know the answer to, but at the same time, I was dreading his reaction.

"I would have been if you had walked away from it when you had found out." Dad responded bluntly, but when he spoke again, his voice was softer. "But I can't be mad when you have shouldered the responsibility now." I finally looked up, meeting his eyes so he knew I meant every word of what I was about to say.

"As soon as Jo told me about Robyn, I knew I couldn't walk away. I've already missed five years of my daughter's life; I can't make it any more. I have to make it up to them somehow."

"From what Scott has told me you have made a really good start with Robyn." Dad finally dropped his hand from my shoulder and moved back, perching on the edge of his desk and holding my gaze steadily.

I never would have believed that I would be a father. Dad, you're going to love Robyn, I just know it." I was smiling again by the time I had finished speaking, my worries slipping away now that I knew how Dad felt.

"Where is Jo now?"

"She is just getting Robyn and herself ready now. I'll bring them in on the way to breakfast, if that is okay with you?"

"That will be fine, Virgil. Your grandmother has left some breakfast out for you, Jo and Robyn in the kitchen." As my father spoke, I could have sworn I heard a familiar roar of engines. Frowning, I turned back to my dad, but he had clearly anticipated what my question was going to be.

"Believe it or not, but Alan offered to go up to 5 a week early so John could meet Jo and Robyn." He said with a smile, and I could see the pride reflected in his eyes for my youngest brother.

"John would like that." I said simply.

"That he would. Virgil, why don't you get Jo and Robyn? I'm sure they are both eager for some breakfast, you shouldn't keep them waiting any longer." I nodded at the man, making my way towards the door as I did so. Just before I left, his voice called me back. "I'm glad we had this chat. You'll make a great father, son." The same pride that had been shining in his eyes was now mingled in his voice, and I smiled at him, not knowing what to say. He seemed to understand though, for he nodded and sat down again at his desk.

I finally left and headed back up the stairs. Dad wasn't the only one who was glad we had the chat. I had been concerned about how he was truly feeling about being a grandfather, but if I was honest with myself, I now truly think that he is going to be alright with it. I couldn't ask for more. I just hope the rest of the family were that laid back about meeting Robyn as Dad seemed to be.