Chapter 29

"You know, there are flights leaving the Port Charles airport every hour so you don't have to take this one." Robert winked at his daughter as he tried to convince her to stay a little longer. As much as he knew that this was a good move for Robin and her family, he wasn't quite ready to say goodbye. "We could maybe go have a drink…"

"Dad, this is the last flight we can take and still get a decent night's sleep before work." Robin shook her head at him. "Plus Noah and Matt are picking us up at the airport for a late dinner when we get there. They wanted to do something special for us since they couldn't make it to the wedding."

"But…"

"Dad, I love you and I know you love me." Robin took her father's hands in hers. "I know this is hard on you but, let's be honest, you are going to be leaving for an assignment with Frisco next week and it's not like it is any harder for you to get to Berkeley."

"That's true but it's a lot easier when my whole family is in one town." Robert squeezed Robin's hands.

"I'd say we're worth the special trip." Robin pulled her father into a hug. "Thank you for saving me."

"Hopefully I will never have to do that again." Robert hugged her close. "I am going to miss you kid. You are, without a doubt, the best thing I have ever done. I love you Robin."

"I love you too Daddy." Robin kissed his cheek and hugged him once more. As much as she loved her father, the knowledge that he would be leaving town soon made this goodbye much easier than the one she was going to have with her mom. She looked over her father's shoulder and saw Anna sitting with Emma in a chair while handing Emma an envelope.

"What is this grandma?" Emma hadn't expected any gifts today.

"Open it." Anna smiled as her granddaughter opened up the envelope and pulled out a plane ticket. "That is for you to come and visit me this summer. I already talked to your mom and dad and they thought it would be a great idea."

Emma stared at the ticket in disbelief. "Really grandma?"

"Yes." Anna couldn't help but get a little teary as she said goodbye to the little girl. She reached over and tucked a wayward strand of hair behind Emma's ear. "Promise that you will use it?"

Emma threw her arms around her grandma and hugged her close. "Of course I will. I love you."

"I love you too Emma." Anna pulled away and smiled at the little girl.

"Emma, you need to get your bag for the plane from your bedroom." Patrick walked over with his coat on and Emma's in his hand. He handed it to his daughter. "We have to leave in just a little bit."

"Yes daddy." Emma kissed her grandma. "Thank you Grandma Anna."

"You are most welcome." Anna stood up and looked at Patrick. "I guess this is almost it."

"Yes it is." He favored his mother-in-law with a smile. "I want to thank you for everything you've done for me, Emma and Robin. Even when Robin wasn't here you still treated me like a member of the family."

"That's because you are family." Anna hugged Patrick. "Now, you let me know if there is anything you need."

Patrick smiled at Robin as she helped Emma on with her coat. "Thank you but I already have everything I need."

Anna let go of Patrick and turned around to her daughter. She didn't even try to fight the tears as they came to her eyes. She grabbed Robin and pulled her into a tight hug. "I don't think I can do this – let you go again."

Robin began to cry as she held her mom. "I know it's hard but we are only a flight away and we will call you at least once a week – I promise."

"But I just got you back." Anna was still kicking herself for not seeing how much trouble Robin was in these past two years. "I wanted to spend some time with you and Emma going shopping or maybe getting manicures or…"

"And we can do that when you visit us in California." Robin finally managed to pull away from her mother and smiled at her. "Which better be as soon as possible. I should be able to find us a new house in no time flat and I could use your help decorating."

"You know they still make great Kevlar curtains." Anna laughed as she remembered trying to help get Robin's apartment ready for her when she was pregnant with Emma.

"The good news is that we won't need them in Berkeley." Robin wiped away her tears. "But we will need you to come and celebrate our new home with us. Promise me that you'll do that."

"I promise. I love you Robin." Anna took Robin's hand in hers and gently traced three letters on her palm. "L-U-V."

Robin took her mother's hand and did the same. "L-U-V."

Patrick looked at his watch and sighed. He hated to do interrupt this moment but they needed to get going. "Robin..."

Robin nodded her head. "I know."

Anna stepped back into her ex-husband's arms and allowed him to hold her close. "Call us as soon as you land."

"We will." Robin smiled at her parents one last time before following her husband and daughter to the door.

"Take care of our girls Drake." Robert stared Patrick down as he spoke. "We will be out to see you in a few weeks."

Patrick nodded his head. "Looking forward to it sir."

They heard the taxi honk its horn and Patrick bent down and picked up the small suitcase that contained their clothes for the next few days – everything else was being shipped over the weekend. Emma picked up her mother's bouquet and the family headed to the door. Emma took one last look at her grandparents. "See you soon!"

Both Anna and Robert waved to them as they walked out the door. Patrick followed Robin and Emma out the door and shut it behind him. He saw Robin bend over and help Emma get her hat straight on her head. "Ready to go?"

"Yes – I can't wait to see to Grandpa Noah and Uncle Matt." She stood up and put herself between her parents, slipping an arm through each parent's arm.

Patrick picked up their suitcase and smiled at Robin. "Ready for a new adventure?"

Robin smiled back at him as they headed to the cab. "Absolutely - let's go."

The End