Chapter 25
Robert was trying to finish up a case before Thanksgiving, they only had a few cases that needed their attention right now but Anna was rather busy with wedding preparations at the moment. He looked up when Sean walked in, "Well if it isn't my best man. What brings you here today?"
"Anna's not here is she?"
"No, she's out with Bobbie and Felicia, they are working on wedding plans."
"Good, Tiffany told me they are all going to look at dresses tomorrow." Sean sat down across from Robert, "I want to give you a little heads up." Robert looked up at him suddenly very interested in what he had to say. "Duke is becoming very close to Victor Jerome kids, Julian and Olivia. She is the one that was in charge of the remodel at his club."
"Jerome, really? I'd be willing to bet we know who told Duke we all went to South Dakota."
"Yeah, that was kind of what I thought as well. He isn't still coming around to see Anna, is he? Does Robin spend much time with him?"
Robert now understood what Sean was actually telling him, he felt Duke was working for the Jeromes. "He seems to have finally accepted that me and Anna are together. He hasn't come here or to the house in a few weeks now. I think the last time was before he started the remodel."
"That's good. Guy Lewis has been watching Duke and his club for quite a while as well. He told me he knows Duke is up to something but so far he hasn't been able to figure out what that is."
Robert sat forward, "Anna told me Lavery wouldn't actually deny being connected to the mob. I think he is more than connected now. The blonde we both saw him with at Bentley's, that Olivia Jerome isn't it?"
"Yeah, and from what I saw at his club's re-opening I think they are a couple now."
"Dating the bosses daughter, that could be a rather risky choice in that line of business."
"That's kind of what I was thinking as well. If Duke has decided that's the life he wants I'm glad he isn't coming around anymore. I know Robin is rather fond of him but I know none of us wants anything to happen to that little girl."
"He would pay in the most painful way I could come up with if he ever does anything that harms my little girl."
"I know Duke would never want to harm either Robin or Anna but we already knew he can't control what his associates do," Sean said, Robert knew what he was referring to.
"I think we might need to pay a little closer attention to what really is going on down at Duke's club. Do you think he'd be dumb enough to think about laundering money through the club again?"
"Maybe not money laundering but he's up to something I'm sure of it."
Robert sat back in his chair, "Time for a new topic, next Tuesday are you still coming for our tux fitting. Anna will not be impressed if we are not ready for the wedding."
"I'll be there. I'm not willing to face Devane's wrath."
"Smart man," Robert said with a grin.
...
Anna was so excited about their upcoming wedding. She had spent the last two afternoons working on the plans. Today she's with Tiffany Felicia and Bobbie after looking at wedding dresses, she felt she had found the perfect one today. Felicia was going to be matron of honour Bobbie and Tiffany would also be in the wedding party along with Tony and Frisco who was going to make it home in time for the wedding and was staying for Christmas. After the dresses were picked out they all agreed to go for something to eat and ended up at Kelly's.
"Well look who it is," Ruby said smiling at them all. "Anna, I don't think I've seen you look this happy in all the time I've known you."
"I haven't been this happy in years," she admitted as they all took a seat at a table and Ruby poured them coffees.
"Not since the last time you and Robert were together." Bobbie hinted, Anna smiled and blushed a little.
"In just over two weeks I will be Anna Scorpio again. In the new year, we are going to start looking for a bigger house, our practice is doing great. Thanks to the ELQ case we are working on a lot of corporate cases. They can be longer cases but the money is great, everything seems to be going our way."
Felicia leaned a little closer then asked with a grin, "Is there a reason you need a bigger house?"
Again Anna smiled, "Not yet, but we want there to be a reason."
"That's it! I need to sit Sean down and have a good long talk with that man," Tiffany said making them all laugh.
"He loves you Tiff. Give him time, he'll figure out he wants to marry you," Anna said with a smile. "Who knows you might be the next one to get married."
"I hope you're right."
"Are you excited?" Bobbie asked Anna.
"Yes! I think I have always wanted this. I love Robert so much and now we are finally going to correct our earlier mistake. This time nothing is going to come between us."
"I'm so happy for both of you. Robin must be over the moon about this," Felicia said.
"Oh, she is. Robin says it's going to be great when he daddy no longer sleeps on our couch," Anna told them with a smile.
"Still?" Tiffany questioned sounding surprised.
"Well, not every night," Anna admitted with a little grin.
"Next weekend Sean says he's throwing Robert's bachelor party. So that means we are having your shower, then a little bachelorette party of your own the same day."
"Tiffany's right you get to have a little fun too," Bobbie agreed and they all started giggling. They were all excited and went back to talking about what else still had to be done before the wedding.
...
Duke had to admit he was enjoying this shift in his relationship with Olivia. He didn't think they had a future together but having someone in his bed again was nice and next week when he was in New York she would be there with him as well. Listening to her talk he could tell she thought this could go on for a while, he didn't think she has real feelings for him either, but they were both enjoying themselves.
Duke had to meet with Victor once he was in New York. Yes, there is a club that they want him to run, but Duke knew it was a front for the Family business. Victor would be using it to have meetings with his men. Duke didn't want to have to think about that part. He just wanted to run the club, that was what he was good at. He was sitting in his office when Olivia came in, "I have some bad news," she said as she walked over to him.
"Oh, what's that?"
"I have to head back to New York tonight. So I won't see you until you get there on Monday."
"That is bad news." Duke got up and walked around to her, "I'll miss you, especially having you in my bed." He knew this was just about sex for him and he thought she felt the same way.
"I'm looking forward to having you in mine." Olivia put her arms around his neck, they kissed passionately." See you in a few days." Then Olivia smiled at him and turned and walked away.
...
It was the day after Thanksgiving and Robert Anna and Robin were sitting in the living room playing a board game together. Anna was leaning against Robert a little and Robin couldn't help but smile at them. "How long are you going to be gone after the wedding?" she asked.
"We are only going on a short honeymoon, we'll be gone four days, but during your Christmas break, we are all going on a trip together. How does that sound?"
"We are going on a family trip? I actually get to go somewhere with both of you and you'll be married. Our first real family trip!"
Anna and Robert were both smiling at her, "I think she likes that idea," Robert said to Anna.
"I think so too." Anna was so happy, this right here was what she wanted. There was no doubt about it. Her family was finally back together, they will be married very soon and hopefully, they would be adding to it soon. "Robert."
"Yes, Luv."
"I love you."
He smiled at her then tilted her chin up and kissed her tenderly, "And I love you."
Robin grinned at them, she loved seeing them kiss each other, her parents are in love and getting married she didn't think anything could be better than this. "I guess I don't mind the hugging and kissing that much," she told them still grinning.
Robert and Anna both smiled at her, "That's good because I really like hugging and kissing your mom." They were interrupted by a knock at the door. "I'll get it," Robert said then stood up. When he opened the door he saw Duke standing there, "What are you doing here?"
"Nice to see you too Robert. I came to visit Robin. I know Anna and I broke up but I don't want Robin to think that I've forgotten about her."
The conversation he'd had with Sean was running through his head. Even knowing that Robert did appreciated what Duke was trying to do for his daughter. Duke didn't want Robin hurt by thinking suddenly Uncle Duke doesn't care about her any longer. "Fine come in, we're just playing a board game." The two men then walked into the living room.
"Hi Uncle Duke," Robin said excitedly seeing him.
"Hello, my bonnie las." Robin jumped up and they hugged each other. "I've missed you. You're so busy with your other friends and dance class you don't have time for me anymore."
"Oh Uncle Duke, I still have time for you."
"I'll go put some coffee on," Robert offered then left the room.
Anna watched Robert leave, she knew there would have been a conversation before he let Duke in. "What brings you here today. Aren't you busy with your club now that it's reopened?"
"I have been busy, that's why I wanted to come and see Robin while I had a little time." He looked at Anna, "That's why I came here Anna, no other reason."
"Alright, why don't I let you two have a little time together then." Anna got up and followed Robert out of the room. She found him sitting at the kitchen table, "He says he just came to see Robin."
"I know, that's why I let him in." Anna sat down beside him. "I don't mind if he comes to visit her but I don't want him taking her out places."
"Robert!"
"No Anna, it not what you think. Sean came to see me the other day. That woman we saw Duke with is Olivia St. John, but her real last name is Jerome. The dark haired man we saw them with was, Julian Jerome. I think you can figure out who his boss is."
"Victor Jerome," Anna said as she let a slow breath out.
"It might have been an act the night we saw them out together but Sean felt they were a couple when he saw them at the re-opening."
"So he's most likely in deeper than he was before."
"That's what Sean and I think, yeah."
Anna put her head in her hands, "Alright, what do we do?"
"Duke's right about not just dropping out of Robin's life but I don't want her anywhere near the Jeromes."
"No, Robin will not be any part of that. I'll make sure he understands that." Anna looked over at the counter, "Did you make coffee?"
Robert smiles at her, "No, I just didn't want to be in the same room as them. They have a bond and I don't want Robin to think she can't be friends with Duke because I don't really care for the guy."
Anna leaned forward, "I don't want her hurt because of that bond either." Anna kissed him then got up, "I better make some coffee just in case."
Robin was talking excitedly, she had told Duke all about the upcoming dance recital and then had told him about the trip they were going to go on while she was out of school. "That is a lot going on," he said with a smile.
"That's not even the best part Uncle Duke! I get to be the flower girl when mommy and daddy get married."
"They're getting married?" Duke was a little shocked to hear that, "When?"
"In two weeks, isn't that exciting. Then daddy can stop sleeping on the couch and we can be like other families. Hopefully, I get to be a big sister too."
Duke could tell she was very excited about all of this but he could hardly force a smile for her benefit, let alone join in her happiness. "That's great," he said not meaning it.
"I know and they are so happy," then she saw the look on his face. "I'm sorry Uncle Duke. I didn't mean to make you sad, I'm just so excited." Robin might be young but she knew he wasn't that happy for her parents.
"I know you are."
Robin gave him a hug, then looked in his face, "You were making mommy sad, I could hear her crying sometimes. There were nights I could hear her yelling about you to daddy. I didn't like that."
Duke hadn't even thought about how their fighting might have affected the other people in Anna's life. "I'm sorry about that Robin. I'm glad you and your mommy are both happy now." He gave her another hug, "I think we should spend a little more time together then I have to get to the club. I have to go to New York in a couple of days, that's why I came here to see you today."
"Do you want to play this game? It's fun and you only need two people to play."
"I think that sounds wonderful." Duke had come here to see Robin and that was what he was going to do. He could be upset about Anna and Robert's upcoming marriage later.