2nd chances

Chapter 26: Getting Robyn ready to meet her Granddad

(In Jo's point of view)

A/N: A REALLY BIG THANK YOU AGAIN TO EVERYONE WHO HAS REVIEWED THIS STORY SO FAR. ALSO A REALLY BIG THANK YOU TO MY LOVELY BETA READER LOOPSTAGIRL WHO HAS BEEN A HUGE SUPPORT FOR ME WHILE WRITING THIS. THANKS SO MUCH HONEY XXX. I THINK I AM COMING TO THE END OF THIS NOW AS I ONLY HAVE ABOUT MAYBE 4 MORE CHAPTERS TO GO. BUT I HAVE REALLY ENJOYED WRITING THIS. OK ENOUGH WITH THE CHAT EVERYONE

ON WITH THE STORY. ENJOY EVERYONE XX

While Virgil was downstairs talking to Jeff, I was busy getting Robyn ready for the day. Part of me can't believe I am here or that Virgil knows about Robyn. I can't wait for Robyn to meet her Granddad and her uncles, although I wonder how long it will be until she finds her tongue around them. Once that happens, there will be no stopping her. As I am finishing getting Robyn ready, I hear a knock on the bedroom door. I knew it wasn't Virgil because he had only just left to talk to his father, so wondering who was about to hear, I was slightly apprehensive as I called out.

"Come in." I smiled in relief as Penny walked in, almost visibly relaxing.

"Good morning, darling. I trust you slept well?"

"Yeah fine, Penny, thanks. Just getting Robyn ready now." I told her, smiling. I couldn't believe I had kept it from Penny for so long who Robyn's father was. I don't honestly know how I had been expecting her to react, but she had so understanding about the whole thing. I couldn't have asked for more.

Robyn came bounding into sight just then, clearly having finished getting ready whilst I was talking to Penny. She looked happy enough, that was for sure, a wide grin on her face that seemed to just get even wider when she caught sight of who else was in the room.

"Hi, Auntie Penny!"

"Good morning, darling." Penny bent down, giving Robyn a hug at the enthusiastic greeting. Watching them with a smile, I suddenly realised that whilst my daughter was now ready, I was in no state to meet the grandfather of my daughter looking like this.

"Penny, do you mind watching Robyn for me whilst I just get sorted?"

"You go right ahead, dear." Penny said, her eyes twinkling as she looked down at Robyn"Although I thought her father would want to do that?"

"He's with Jeff." I explained, moving across the room as I spoke. "He wanted to have a word before breakfast."

"Very well. You go and get ready now, dear."

"Thanks, Penny." I finally slipped back through the adjacent door, intending to finally get myself sorted. I couldn't believe how much the morning was slipping away from us already. There seemed to be so much to take in.

I was feeling anxious as I dressed. It had been years since I last saw any of the family, I doubt Alan and Gordon even remember me. Although it would be quite interesting to see if they remembered any of the tales I had stored away from when they were youngsters. In fact, I couldn't help but wonder whether they had even grown out of the trouble they used to get into. Then there was John, someone who I only have very vague memories off, he was always off doing his own thing whenever I was there. If I was worried about meeting Virgil's brothers, it was nothing to how I was feeling for facing his father and grandmother though.

Before my own thoughts could worry me too much, there came a knock on the door.

"Come in."

The door slowly pushed open and Virgil's head poked around. "Hey. You ready for the big meeting then? Dad can't wait to meet Robyn.

"She's just about ready," I said, knowing that Penny would have sorted out any last minute things. The fact that I was in here was proof of that. Virgil however, saw my slight frown.

"What's on your mind?" He asked as he sat down on the bed beside me, concern radiating from him.

"Did everything go ok with your dad?" I muttered quietly. "You were gone longer than I thought you would be."

"Everything went fine with dad. Actually it went better than fine." Virgil said with a small smile. "He definitely likes the sound of being a grandfather. You know, now the surprise has worn off. I was lucky there in some ways. "

"What do you mean?"

"I don't think he would have taken it as well had I known you were pregnant when I had left." Virgil broke off, frowning as if something had just occurred to him. "But I would never have left had I known, so he didn't need to worry anyway."

"That is something at least," I replied with a smile, reaching out and squeezing his hand at the slightly bewildered look on his face. I could tell this was the first time he had truly thought about what might have happened if he had known.

"To be honest, I think that is the most open with Dad I've ever been, and him with me. We don't exactly talk about stuff like this often," Virgil explained, before suddenly smiling. "But now Dad is out of the way, I know the others are going to love you."

"Think it's time to introduce Robyn then?" I asked, taking a deep breath. I had a feeling if I didn't say it; Virgil would just sit here all day. He nodded mutely, and the pair of us crossed over to Robyn's room.

"Morning, Virgil. How are you doing my dear?" Penny asked. I smirked. She showed absolutely no surprise at all that I had come back with Virgil.

"Good thanks, Penny. Just going to take Robyn and Jo to see Dad before breakfast." Penny didn't have time to respond, for someone else caught sight of them and let out a squeal of excitement.

"Daddy!" Robyn shouted, running straight for Virgil and immediately being met with his welcoming arms. Virgil scooped her up.

"Hi Angel. Are you ready to go and meet your new big family?" Virgil asked her, giving her a cuddle before setting her back on the ground again, his hand ruffling her hand fondly and causing Robyn to giggle.

"Yes, Daddy!" Robyn replied eagerly, and I knew she wasn't lying. That was genuine enthusiasm in her voice there, she was excited.

"I'll leave you to it then," Penny responded smoothly, standing up from the edge of the bed and sweeping from the room elegantly.

"Ready?" Virgil asked quietly, hoisting Robyn back into his arms and smiling encouragingly at me once Penny had left. I took a deep breath and tentatively nodded. Stretching out one hand, Virgil squeezed my arm gently in encouragement and led the way, carrying Robyn down the stairs.

I tried not to stare too much as he led me through the house, but there could be no denying it was amazing. Despite the wealth they clearly had, this was still a family home first and foremost, the normal home comforts littering odd places. Virgil led me down a corridor and stopped. Smiling at me once more, he knocked lightly on the door.

"Dad?" I took another breath to try and steady my nerves as a low voice sounded from the other side.

"Come in."

This was it.