Chapter Twenty-Five:

Robin woke up and her head ached. She realized she had fallen asleep with her hair in a ponytail and it was digging into her head. She sat up and realized she was on top of her covers and still in her clothes.

Pulling the band out of her hair, she remembered the night before.

Patrick.

Looking at her clock, she saw it was 8am and she sighed.

He must have put her in bed and then left.

How did she sleep through that?

She got up and pulled her clothes off before she went into the bathroom and turned on the shower.

She knew how she slept through it. Too much wine and not enough sleep in the past week.

The warm water cascaded over her body as she thought about their date. It had been amazing and fun and sexy and full of arguing.

Her smile reminded her how much she liked that. Patrick challenged her and it was refreshing.

He was an amazing kisser and she frowned when she thought of how he always stopped them.

Maybe he didn't want to sleep with her?

To be honest, she didn't know how ready she was for sex.

She rinsed her hair and her body and got out of the shower, wrapping a towel around her and grabbing another for her hair.

She made her way back into her bedroom and heard a loud thump.

Someone was in her house.

Looking around for a weapon, she grabbed a shoe and held her towel around her as she made her way into the family room.

Nothing looked out of place. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. The dishes were still in the sink and nothing seemed wrong.

Exhaling, she went into the family room and saw something that stopped her.

Patrick was lying face down on the floor.

"Oh God, Patrick?" she cried and ran to him, trying to figure out where he was hurt. She reached to him and he didn't move.

"Patrick? What happened?" she tried to turn him over and it was like dead weight.

"Oh no, oh please," she said and shook him.

Suddenly he rolled over and her towel got caught underneath him, falling completely off of her. She fell down onto him and her wet hair smacked him on the face.

"What the hell?" he said as he opened his eyes.

Oh God. She was completely naked and she was lying on top of him.

"Robin?" he blinked and moved her hair off his face.

She stayed flat against him and when his hands moved to her, she smacked him.

"Don't touch me. Don't look at me. Don't move."

He grinned as he stared into her eyes.

"Why didn't you wake me up if we were getting naked? I would have enjoyed it more."

"Shut up. I thought you were hurt or worse. Now move over so I can get my towel."

"If you get off me, I'll move."

She looked at him like he was crazy.

"I'm naked."

"Yeah, I know."

"How do you know? I'm totally smushed against you. You can't see anything."

"I'm not blind, Robin," he grinned. "Now move and I'll get up."

"No. I'm not moving unless you close your eyes."

He was having too much fun with this.

"What if I don't?"

She shifted so her knee was close to his crotch.

"Okay, don't get all crazy," he said and closed his eyes. She quickly moved off of him and shoved him to the side as he moved. She grabbed her towel and wrapped it around her body.

"Can I open my eyes yet?"

"Yes, fine, whatever."

He sat up and smiled at her.

"Good morning."

She tried to smooth her plastered hair away from her face and she glared at him.

"I didn't know you were here. I heard a crash and thought someone was in my house. When I saw you on the floor, I thought you were hurt."

He stared at her.

"You thought someone was in the house and you chose to greet them in a towel?"

She blushed.

"I brought a shoe."

"Oh, well that makes it better," he stood up and stretched. "I was sleeping on the couch and I guess I rolled off. That's what you must have heard."

"Why did you spend the night? Why did you take me to bed?"

"Because I was drunk and because you were snoring. I figured you would be more comfortable in your bed. I didn't do anything creepy."

"I know. I just, well, I need to get dressed. Excuse me," she said and went to her room.

Patrick exhaled as he watched her leave and he sat down on the couch.

He tried to wipe the smile off his face, but he couldn't. She was amazing.

The feel of her naked body against his was something he wouldn't soon forget, even though he remained clothed. That was quite the wake up.

His shirt was wet from her hair and he smoothed his own hair down as he waited for her.

Was it too soon to ask for another date?

XXXX

Robin brushed her hair and wondered if a person could literally die from embarrassment. How humiliating.

She was certain he must think she was ridiculous. Who molests someone who fell asleep on their floor? He woke up to her naked body all over him.

Who does that?

She finished drying her hair and gathered what dignity she had left before going to see him.

She walked into the family room and he smiled at her.

"I liked your last outfit better."

She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.

"I'm sorry I thought you were dead. I won't push my naked body against yours again."

He flashed his dimples at her.

"I'm not complaining."

"Right, so you should probably go now."

He stood up and walked to her.

"Thank you for an amazing night and an even better wake up," he leaned in and kissed her cheek before he left.

Robin locked the door and smiled.

Maybe today would be a good day after all.

She went to work cleaning up the kitchen.

XXXX

Patrick showered after he got back to his hotel and ordered breakfast. He was eating and looking online for the appointments the realtor had booked for him.

He had to find a place. Living in a hotel was nice, but he needed something a little more permanent.

There was a knock at his door and he went to open it, hoping for a minute that it was Robin.

"Hey," Matt said as he walked in with Kenzie. "We need you to watch her for a few hours."

Patrick looked at the little baby.

"What's going on?"

"Maxie "apparently" asked me to find a sitter a while ago for something special she had planned today. I "apparently" forgot and I am "apparently" a terrible husband. If I want to ever touch her again, I need to free up a few hours."

Patrick laughed.

"Got it. I'll watch her, no problem."

"Here are the instructions," Matt said and handed him what looked like a book. "Here is her stuff."

Patrick looked at the bag of things.

"You said a couple hours, right?"

"Yeah, or a few."

Patrick laughed.

"Go. I got this."

Matt kissed his sleeping daughter and left.

Patrick looked at the cute squirt.

He could handle this.

All the girls loved him.

Suddenly an ear-piercing cry came out of the little cutie and he went to pick her up.

XXXX

Robin was catching up on the mail she missed while she was in the hospital. She couldn't believe how close she came to dying. The more she realized how much time she missed, the more she knew how lucky she was.

She was anxious to get back to work and after the discussion with Patrick last night, she kind of wanted to check in on working with Urology again. She really enjoyed contributing and she knew she could do more.

Her phone rang and she smiled when she saw the number.

"Hello?"

"I need help. I thought I could do it but I can't. She won't eat or sleep. All she does is cry," Patrick's panicked voice startled her; a strange sound was in the background.

"What are you talking about? What is that noise?"

"It's your niece. Matt dropped her off and she hates me. I need you to come over."

Robin smiled.

"Did you change her?"

"Yes, five times. It's not that. Girls always love me and she doesn't. She just hates me."

"She doesn't hate you, Patrick. She's three months old. Give her time to hate you."

"Nice. Will you just come over?"

"Of course. I'm on my way."

She hung up and smiled as she grabbed her keys.

When she got to the room and knocked, she stifled a smile as Patrick opened the door.

His hair was a mess and he had spit up all over his shirt. He held a crying Mackenzie and when she walked in, he simply handed Robin the baby.

"She's broken."

Robin smiled at the cutie and immediately quieted her down.

"She's not broken, Patrick," she said as she rocked the little girl.

"How did you do that? She hasn't stopped screaming since Matt left."

"Shh," Robin said as she rubbed Kenzie's back. "Your negative energy is upsetting the balance of the room."

"You've got to be kidding me," he said.

Robin walked to the couch and sat down, Kenzie sleeping peacefully on her shoulder.

"Babies are very sensitive. You were upset and your tension caused her to feel unbalanced. The more she cried; the more upset you got and it just escalated."

He ran his hand through his hair and frowned at whatever it was he felt.

"Why don't you go get cleaned up and I'll have a little talk with our niece."

He walked to her and looked at Mackenzie. He touched her back and the little girl sniffed in her sleep.

"See, I come near her and she cries."

Robin laughed.

"Go clean up. I'll tell her how amazing her Uncle Patrick can be."

He shook his head and walked into the bedroom.

Robin put her knees up and placed Kenzie on her back against her thighs so she was facing her. The little girl opened her eyes and Robin smiled at her as she rubbed her belly.

"Hi my pretty girl," she said and Kenzie smiled. "You were giving Uncle Patrick a hard time, huh?"

She kicked her little legs and Robin nodded.

"I know. It's tough when you're little and have so much you want to say but can't find the words to say it. With Maxie as your mommy, I have no doubt she will raise you to always voice your opinion and to never take any crap from anyone. She is the best, little Kenzie. She is strong and loyal and smart. She's been through a lot in her life and she understands how precious life is. You are going to love growing up with her."

Robin picked her up and held her against her shoulder as she walked around. Kenzie let out a loud burp and Robin smiled.

"Well, now that's much better, huh?" she said and rubbed her back.

"Your daddy is amazing, too. He loves children so much and made it his job to care for them. That takes someone very special, too, you know. Children are so important in the world and when they get sick, it's so heartbreaking. Your daddy makes sure that every child feels loved and appreciated and every mommy and daddy know that they are doing their very best for them. Your daddy is smart and caring and he loves you and your mommy so very much."

Patrick stood in his room after a quick shower and got dressed as he listened to her talking. He sat on his bed and didn't want to interrupt.

Robin walked some more and felt Kenzie fall asleep.

"You don't know me very well yet because I couldn't see you while I was sick. I had a really bad case of the flu and I had to stay away, but I'm better now. I'm better because of your daddy and your Uncle Patrick. He's the one you spit up all over. He loves you like I do and I think you should know that both of us adore your parents. When you grow up, you will learn how fun your Uncle Patrick is and how you can go talk to him about anything. He will watch out for you and he will always have your back. That's really important. You might not know that now, but you will."

She smiled as she heard Kenzie sigh in her sleep.

"I know. Life is hard. Sometimes it's scary and sometimes you might feel like it's too much to handle. Always know that it gets better. I've had some sad and scary times in my life. When I was diagnosed with HIV, I didn't think I had a future anymore. I know you don't what that is and I wish you never have to learn, but it's something I have living in my body and as much as I try, I can't get it to go away. I hope you never get scared because of that. I hope I'm always here and able to watch you grow up. I hope you understand how amazing this life can be."

Patrick walked out and smiled, trying to hide his emotions at hearing her talk.

"How is she doing?"

Robin smiled as she turned around.

"Sound asleep."

"Oh, good," he said as Robin put her down on the blanket Patrick laid out on the floor. "So you think she's okay?"

"I do. She was fussy and I think she had an air bubble in her tummy. She had a nice burp and settled down."

"Good. I guess maybe I could have handled that. I'm sorry if I messed up your day."

Robin sat back down and shrugged.

"I was just relaxing. I'm anxious to get back to work, but I need to wait until Alan clears me."

"Right," he said and sat down next to her. "How are you feeling?"

"Good, really good, just tired."

"It will take time for your body to recover. You're probably anemic, too."

She glanced at him and he sighed.

"Sorry. I need to stop doing that."

"It's okay, but I don't want you to look at me and see a patient. I have always had a really good handle on my health and I know this was bad, but I'll be fine. I won't push myself and I won't do anything I shouldn't. Try not to worry so much."

He sat back and looked at his watch.

"I hope whatever Maxie had planned for them is going well."

Robin looked at Mackenzie.

"I'm sure it is."

"Do you know where they went?"

Robin grinned.

"I do."

He waited and then laughed.

"I see how it's going to be. Tell me what you know."

She pretended to think about it for a minute.

"Well, it's been eleven weeks since Kenzie was born and Maxie had a tough surgery and recovery."

"Right. Is she okay? Is there something Matt didn't tell me?" Patrick asked worriedly.

"Sometimes the female body takes longer to recover before all activities can be resumed," she said and looked at him.

"What are you talking about? What kind of activities?"

Robin stared at him and he was quiet for a minute.

"Oh, seriously? They needed a babysitter to have sex? She wouldn't know what they were doing."

"It's not about that. Maxie wanted some romance. She wanted to reconnect with her husband and she didn't want any interruptions. I think it's sweet."

Patrick shook his head.

"Women and their ideas of romance," he muttered.

"What is that supposed to mean? Should Maxie have settled for a quickie in the hallway between feedings?"

"Well no, but there's nothing wrong with a quickie."

"You know, I can help with that if you need it."

He looked at her and she burst out laughing.

"Very nice."

Kenzie began to fuss and Robin grinned as she picked her up. Patrick grabbed the book and searched for what to do while Robin grabbed the bottle and began feeding her.

"She needs to eat," he said as he looked up and saw Robin was way ahead of him.

"Oh, should I have waited for you?" she asked with a wink.

He smiled as he watched her.

"One day I'll surprise you," he said.

She smiled at Kenzie as the little baby hungrily ate. She didn't see how enamored Patrick was with her.

He had simply never seen a more beautiful sight.