Ch. 28

They had been driving for about 30 minutes now. From all appearances, it seemed like they were leaving Port Charles. Where exactly? Robin wasn't quite sure. Jason had been very limited in providing any information. The ride so far had been in a comfortable silence with both of them stealing looks at each other and smiling softly. It was strange to be with Jason in this capacity again. She felt like a nervous teenager though she was an adult, and she had known Jason practically all her life. There was no reason to be nervous. This was Jason after all. She turns quickly giving him a glance as he concentrates on the road ahead. She smiles to herself, admiring his profile and the way his simple gray t-shirt hugged his muscular frame just right.

He turns catching her looking at him. He gives her that soft smile that's been so very familiar to her lately, "What on your mind?" he asks her still smiling excitedly at the prospect of this date. He had planned it all out, and he was hoping it would all turn out perfect.

"Where exactly are you taking me?" Robin asked as she looked at the unfamiliar area.

Jason smiled softly as he replied. "We'll be there shortly. I promise."

Robin simply nods as she takes in the scenery, "It's beautiful out here."

He turns looking at her and can't help but reach out to caress her cheek, "Not as beautiful as you."

She blushes at the compliment, which doesn't surprise Jason in the least. Robin doesn't know why but she grabs a hold of his hand and entwines her fingers in his. Robin sighs contentedly as she rests their hands in between them still holding tightly. He doesn't say a word just simply squeezes her hand tightly. There is no other way to describe it but the feeling she has right now, well it feels like she's home. She turns her attention to the view of the forest waiting to arrive at their mysterious destination.

"So did Jas give you any details about the date?" Brenda asks her husband as they are seated at their table.

Sonny shakes his head, "I have no idea. He wouldn't share anything. All I know is that he's been busy with a lot of details."

"I'm glad he finally asked her out." Brenda comments as she reaches out to take a hold of her new husband's hand.

"I am too. It's about time. And if anything it means you'll stop badgering me."

Brenda's eyes widen, "We're barely married and you're accusing me of nagging you already?"

Sonny grins, "Well I know how you like to play matchmaker."

"Admit it Corinthos, you were hoping the two of them would get to this point?"

He smiles at his wife not surprised at how well she knows him. He squeezes her hands in his, "Jason has never stopped loving Robin. After the split, I saw the pain in his eyes. The joy and laughter had disappeared. Even when he was with Courtney or Sam, it wasn't the same. He was a changed person. But these past several months, I'm starting to see the Jason I once knew. He's turned his life around and he's living for himself now. It's all that I ever wanted for him."

"Well I'm glad that they're trying to make things work."

"You can't rush them though." Sonny warns.

She gives her husband a look, "I'm not going to interfere. They were made for each other. We both know that, but they need to figure it out themselves. It's the only way that it's going to work in the long run."

"Wow, when did the two of us become so wise in the matters of the heart?" Sonny asks with a chuckle.

"Maybe because we had to learn the hard way?"

"Yes, we did. We are just too stubborn, but if it meant having to go through all that pain to wind up where we are right now. I'd do it all again."

Brenda smiles at her husband as she looks up and finds Carly across the way. A frown appears on her face expecting some sort of scene when it came to her nemesis, "Speaking of being stubborn, Carly's here."

Sonny looks up from their table and notices Carly who catches their eye. "She's coming over this way."

Brenda looks at her husband, "If she wants to start a fight."

He looks to his wife, "We're not going to let it get to that, Bren. I have made it perfectly clear what you mean to me."

"Sonny. Brenda." Carly addresses them as she approaches the table.

Sonny eye's her carefully, "What are you doing here Carly?"

"I'm actually having dinner with Jax. He should be meeting me here shortly."

"I didn't realize you two are back together." Brenda comments.

"We're not but we're working at it. I mean if you two could get back together, Jax and I should have a chance at it right?" Carly asks lightly.

Sonny simply nods his head as Brenda simply looks at Carly who appears to be rather nervous. She suddenly clears her throat and states, "You know I'm glad the two of you are here."

Brenda is ready to be on the defense, "And why is that?"

"I've been doing a lot of soul searching lately, and well I just want to start fresh. Sonny, we will always be connected because of our children, and well Brenda is part of the family now. I need to accept that for the sake of our family. I'm tired of all the arguing and am working on it. And I hope that maybe we all can start being civil with each other, what do you think?" she asks hopefully.

Brenda is shocked at Carly's words as is Sonny that they sit there silently.

Carly looks to both of them, "Say something, please."

Sonny simply sighs, "I think that's a good idea."

Brenda smiles tentatively as she looks to her husband, "We both think it's a good idea. I think the kids would really like to spend time together during the holidays instead of having to split their time between the two of you. I'm willing to try if you are?"

Carly nods her head up and down in agreement, "I'm glad to hear that." She looks up to see Jax and she smiles. She's starting to see a brighter future for herself. "So if we're starting fresh, I just want to say congrats on the recent nuptials."

Sonny replies, "Thank you." He is astounded by Carly's remarks but feel like it's a step in the right direction for his family.

"Well I better go now before Jax comes over. He might think that I'm up to something."

As Carly leaves, Brenda calls out, "Carly?"

She turns her attention to Brenda, "Good luck with Jax. I do hope that things work out for the both of you. He is a good man."

Carly simply smiles as she makes her way to the table that Jax is seated at.

Robin eyes the cobbled drive-up and notices the cottage a few yards ahead. Jason cuts the engine while Robin eyes him curiously, "Is this it?"

He gives her a mysterious smile, "It's part of it." He gets out of the car and goes to the passenger side and offers his hand, "Hurry up. I've got a surprise for you."

Robin gets out of the car and continues to stare at the cottage as she places his hand in his, "Is this your place?"

He leads her up to the cottage, "I bought it a few months ago and have been working on it."

"It's gorgeous." She comments as she takes in the landscaping and the intricate details of the cottage.

"You haven't seen anything yet. Wait until you see the back." He says excitedly as he briefly lets go of her hand to fish out his keys and open the door. One he does he ushers her in.

Robin is in awe as she takes in the small but cozy cottage. It was sparsely decorated yet the room had a warm feeling to it.

"So, what do you think?" Jason asks.

"It's beautiful." She says as she takes in the furnishings. She notices a bookshelf and skims the titles quickly. "You've read all these?"

Jason smiles, "A majority of them."

"They're all travel books."

"I could never really leave Port Charles, and these books allowed me to see other places." He comments.

She looks closer at one of the books and smiles. "Is this what I think it is?" she asks as she pulls the book out feeling the leather bound cover.

"Yes, it's your fairy tale book from back in the day. I was doing some cleaning and I found it. Thought I'd keep it and read it."

"I thought you didn't believe in fairy tales." She comments.

He shrugs, "Maybe that's the problem."

She's a bit confused.

He continues, "I didn't believe in fairy tales, so maybe that's the reason why I didn't get my happily ever after."

"And now?" she asks searching deeply into his blue eyes.

"Lately, I feel like anything is possible as long as I believe."

She smiles at the comment as she puts the book away. "I'm really glad you kept the book."

"Come now, I haven't actually showed you the surprise."

Jason heads towards the back and she follows suit only to be surprised at the view. It was abundant land filled with all sorts of flowers and vegetation. "Did you do this?" Robin asks.

"To be honest, no. I had a gardener come and tend to it." Jason states as he heads over to the shed several yards away.

Robin takes her time walking through the flowers ranging from lavender, baby's breath and some blue and purple hydrangeas and taking in the scents. A few minutes later, Jason comes out of the shed walking out a Ducati.

She turns to him and smiles, "Did you also get a new bike?"

He shakes his head, "Sort of."

"What do you mean?" she asks.

"It's actually your bike."

"What?" she asks a bit perplexed as she goes over to him. "What do you mean my bike?"

"Well if I recall you said that you used to go bike riding in the country in Paris. I thought maybe you'd like to do it again?"

"We'd go bike riding now?"

"Why not?" He smiles at her, his blue eyes twinkling. "There is a lot of land you can cover on this bike. You saw the winding roads and there aren't a lot of cars that come up here. It's the perfect terrain. I thought you'd enjoy it. Maybe we do a leisurely ride or even if you're up to it some racing?" he ask mischievously.

"And what would you ride?" she asks.

"I've got my bike in there as well. So what do you say? Do you want to go out for a ride?" he asks.

She responds with delight, "Absolutely."

"Hey, Patrick. You okay?"

Patrick looks up noticing Liz who notices the photo he is holding. It's a photo of him and Robin in the hospital with a newborn Emma. "I was cleaning my locker and found this."

She takes a hold of the photo and notices at how upset he is. Patrick goes back to organizing things in his locker, "It's hard still to let go of that life I once knew. Sometimes I feel like I'm in a nightmare and that I'm never going to wake up." He sighs, "But I know I need to move forward."

"It's difficult though isn't it? To move forward." She comments as she thinks about her own life and where she is. "I thought Jason and I had a chance to be together and then with the whole Jake revelation. That dream is gone and I have to figure this all out on my own."

Patrick turns his attention to Liz unsure if he should tell her or not. He decided he needs to tell her since they both need to face their reality. "Right now at this moment, Jason and Robin are on a date." He waits a beat to see her reaction as she takes it all in.

Liz licks her lips, "It was just a matter of time, wasn't it? How do you feel about it?"

Patrick shrugs, "I want to hate him but I need to take responsibility. I hate to admit it but I need to face the truth. I am the reason Robin left. I don't have a say as to what Robin does with her life. And if it's Jason, then for the sake of my daughter, I have to accept that. We will always have that bond."

"You've been really mature about this whole situation." Liz comments.

"Well there is no other choice. My main concern is Emma and PJ. I need to make sure I'm in a solid relationship with both mothers. The less tension and anger the better."

"Well I know Robin, so I don't see that being a problem. But what about Lisa? How is that working for you?" she asks.

"I have some good days, and sometimes I have bad days with her. But I have to focus on PJ and not let it get to me you know. Now that Robin and I are officially done, Lisa is on cloud nine."

"But that's just now. What if it isn't enough for her Patrick. What if she wants a total commitment from you? You know marriage, white picket fence and all the trimmings. Could you do that for PJ?"

Patrick sighs as he runs his hand through his hair, "I've thought about it and it's overwhelming. I have to take it day by day and just hope and pray Lisa will realize I'm not the one for her. Hopefully she will find someone else to love her the way she deserves to be and let me still play a role in my son's life."

Liz thinks about Jake and the recent situation of almost having lost him. She looks to Patrick, "It's hard to be alone. I don't like it but I accept it. I'm just fortunate that I have my boys. They are the world to me. And as long as I have them, its all I can ask for. It will have to be enough."

"So there's no chance for you and Lucky?" Patrick asks.

She shakes her head recalling her attempt to reconcile a few weeks ago. "It wasn't going to work. We've been through so much and he'll never trust me again after what I did with Nikolas."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Liz."

Liz wipes the tear away as she tries to shrug it off, "Like you I'm trying to be mature and take responsibility. It sucks doesn't it?

Patrick laughs, "Yes, yes it does. Look if you ever need to talk…"

Liz shakes her head in agreement as she finishes his thought, "I'm here for you as well Patrick."

He gives her a hug, "I'm glad I have you as a friend."

She smiles as she holds onto him as well, "I feel exactly the same way."

It had been over an hour of riding motorcycles next to each other exploring every corner and turn in the countryside. Personally Jason would have preferred that they shared the ride together having her holding him tight reminded of the days of his youth. She'd hold on to him for dear life, and he missed the closeness the two had shared. He looked to her and saw the gleam and joy in her eyes and he knew she needed this. He could only wish that maybe one day, there would be a chance to ride the way they did as teens. Perhaps this time around, they'd get to ride into the sunset and have their happily ever after he thought to himself.

"Jason?" Robin all but yelled over the buzz of the motorcycle engines. "You okay?"

He looked up with a grin on his face. She had caught him daydreaming. "I'm good. What about you?" he asked.

She took a deep breath as she took in the soft wind, "This was a wonderful idea. I don't think I realized how much I truly missed riding until right now." She began to rev the engine, "So what do you think?"

"About what?" he asked.

Suddenly, she screamed "Think you can catch up with me?" She pressed on the gas pedal and the motorcycle peeled away leaving him a few hundred yards behind.

Jason simply shook his head as he watched her grinning at him. He held tighter to the bars of the motorcycle knowing that he was in for some friendly competition. He revved up the engine and began to reach up to her. He knew in a matter of minutes, he'd be able to catch her. If things went his way, he wasn't ever going to lose her again.

"Come on Emma, I just need you to eat a little more of this and then you're all done." Maxie slowly fed the little girl and saw her make a face. She looked at the jar of baby food and made a face herself, "Ew. Sorry Ems, but your mother said you had to eat this. But I understand, this looks gross."

She stares at the jar of baby food and tosses it and grabs a banana and begins to cut it up, "Now this is more appetizing." She offers a piece to the little girl who automatically feeds herself and begins to smile. Maxie simply laughs, "Well that's better."

Maxie offers her niece another piece as Matt enters the apartment. He smiles at the scene before him.

"You're home early." Maxie comments as Matt walks over to them giving Emma a kiss on the top of her head and brushes Maxie's lips with his own.

"I got lucky but Patrick, not so much. He got called into emergency surgery so he's asked if we could watch Emma overnight. He said he'd pick her up tomorrow."

Maxie cleans up a smiling Emma, "Sounds fine to me. It gives us time to practice with her."

Matt likes seeing Maxie this way, all domesticated. It wasn't something he ever imagined for himself especially with her. But for some reason it all feels right. "How was today? Are you still having morning sickness?" he asks with concern.

Maxie shakes her head, "It's much more manageable now. But I'm definitely going to have to go shopping. I'm not going to be able to hide this little bump anymore. It feels like it's getting bigger by the day." She rubs her stomach as she looks into her husband.

Matt lovingly caresses her cheek, "Well, how about if I give Emma a bath and you can rest up a bit?"

"That sounds nice. Then maybe afterwards we can put her to sleep together?" Maxie gets up from the table and starts clearing the dishes.

While Matt picks up Emma, "You ready for a bath little girl?" His niece smiles and giggles as she holds on to her uncle.

Maxie looks at her husband and coos at the little girl. Her heart is full of warmth and joy as she comments, "Can you believe that in a few months, this is all going to be real for us."

Matt leans in to give his niece a kiss on the temple savoring her soft skin and baby smell, "I love you Miss Emma, and I can't wait for you to have a playmate. Wouldn't you like that? To have a cousin to play with?" The little girl smiles as she playfully smacks her uncle in the cheeks.

"Speaking of this being real, we're going to need to do a lot of shopping. Once we put Emma to sleep, we should go online." Maxie starts to get excited as she counts off in rapid fire, "We're going to need a crib, a stroller, baby clothes. What do you think should we go pink or blue? Or maybe something gender neutral? Do you want to know the sex of the baby or perhaps we should just have one surprise?"

"Maxie, you're going to need to breathe. We've got a few months before this baby is here. So why don't you just rest up on the couch while I take Emma a bath, and we'll figure it all out together."

She rolls her eyes at her husband as she grabs a note pad, "This baby is coming soon, and I want to be as prepared as possible."

Matt chuckles at his wife. He knows she's stressing out just a tad. It's one of the idiosyncrasies that he loves about her. He heads towards the bathroom as he hears his wife continue to babble.

Sitting at the counter overlooking the kitchen, Robin pours herself and Jason a glass of wine while she watches him prepare the dinner. She was in slight shock at how comfortable he was in the kitchen. "Are you sure I can't help you with anything?"

He looks up at her and smiles, "Nope. I've got this."

"I can see that." She hands him the glass of wine. "When did you get so good at this?"

"What do you mean? I used to cook dinner for you back in the day." Jason chops a few more herbs, which he throws into the sauce that's simmering.

"You did, but I think most of it came from a can or a box." Robin stated as she took another sip of the wine.

"Are you complaining?" he asks with a glint in his eye as he stirs the sauce.

She playfully shrugs her shoulders, "Just a comment. Things are different now. I mean you make your own pasta." She leans into the counter still amazed at all that he's done, "Did Sonny teach you that?"

He stirs the sauce a bit more and covers the pot, "No, he didn't. I took a class. And in about 10 minutes, dinner should be ready." He grabs the glass of wine as Robin just smiles at him. He takes as sip of the wine while Robin gazes into his blue eyes. He feels a bit conscious as he smiles shyly under her gaze, "What?" It's an unusual position for him to be in.

Robin can't help but laugh, almost spitting out the wine. "Where is Jason Morgan and what did you do to him?"

"What?" he asks as he moves across the counter from her, setting his wine class down.

"You just blushed." She accuses him.

His blue eyes widen as he responds in defense, "I did not."

"Yes you did."

"No I didn't."

She gives him a look, "Jason Morgan, I've practically known you my entire life and you've never blushed."

He looks down and nods his head, "Okay so maybe I did. I just well…" He looks up again and is gazing into her brown eyes. "The way you looked at me just now, it was just…"

"What?" she asks ever so softly.

He can barely breathe as he searches her face trying to find the right words, "It reminds me of how you used to look at me when we were together. I guess that I just never thought that you'd look at me that way again."

She reaches out and caresses his face, "There are a lot of things that I never thought would happen either. But we're here again."

He smiles as he reaches out and pushes a wisp of hair away from her face, "Yes, we are."

"Would you do me a favor?" she asks.

He nods his head, "What is it?"

"Kiss me?"

He tilts her chin up so he can look directly into her eyes and smiles, "I thought you'd never ask."