Chapter 36

Robin leaned back in her chair and rubbed her belly. "I am stuffed. Uncle Mac that is best meal I have had in weeks."

He smiled at the four young women sitting at the table. "Only the best for my girls, you know that." Mac was busy cleaning up while Patrick and Matt played catch with Rylee. "Where do you guys want the leftovers? Fridge or freezer?"

"Fridge will be fine." Robin nudged her cousin who was sitting next to her. "Matt's really good with her."

Georgie and Michelle were sitting across from them and both nodded their heads in agreement but Maxie quickly waved them off. "We just got engaged, children can most definitely wait." She paused as she watched Matt pick Rylee up and swing her around. "At least until after the wedding."

"Speaking of, have you set a date?" Georgie was worried that Maxie might second guess her decision to marry Matt and call the whole thing off. Georgie knew that Matt was the perfect man for her sister and didn't want anything to stop them from being together.

Maxie smiled at her family. "3 months from today – Queen of Angels. I was hoping that Robin and Michelle would be my bridesmaids and Rylee the flower girl."

"Oh." Georgie was a little hurt that she wasn't being asked to be a part of her sister's big day. She quickly recovered – this wasn't about her. "I'm sure they'll be thrilled to."

"And I won't have to worry about them behaving since I'll have the best maid of honor ever to make sure they do as they are told." Maxie loved torturing her sister.

Georgie looked away from her sister. "Who would that be?"

"You of course." Georgie lit up as she realized what Maxie was asking her. "Would you be my maid of honor Georgie?"

"Of course I will." Georgie stood up and hugged her sister close. "That wasn't very nice."

"You're the nice one, not me." Maxie hugged her back. "So what do you say girls – do I have the best wedding party ever or what?"

"You do." All three women agreed without hesitation.

"Let me get Ry over here so you can ask her yourself – it makes her feel like a big girl to get to say yes herself." Michelle turned around and hollered for her daughter. "Rylee, could you come here please?"

Rylee came running over. "Yes mommy?"

Michelle picked up the little girl and set her down on her lap. "Rylee, Maxie has something she would like to ask you."

Rylee instantly smiled at her cousin. "Yes?"

"Rylee, I was wondering if you would like to be the flower girl at my wedding."

The little girl waited a moment before answering. "What would I have to do?"

"Well, you would walk down the aisle in pretty dress and throw flower petals." Maxie was glad to answer any questions the little girl had. "Your mommy and grandma are going to be a part of the wedding too."

"Really?" Ry looked at her mom and grandma who both nodded their heads. "I want to do it too!"

Maxie laughed. "That's great."

"Alright Ry." Michelle hugged her little girl. "Time for bed. Give everyone kisses and hugs."

Ry walked around the backyard and doled out kisses and hugs to all her relatives. Robin couldn't help but laugh as Rylee grabbed Patrick's hand and began dragging him into the house. "Read me a book? Please Uncle Patrick? You have the best princess voice."

Patrick ignored his brother's laughter as he followed the little girl into the house. "You're right Rylee – I do." He paused to check on Robin. "You'll be okay?"

"I'll be fine." She hugged Ry one last time. "Love you baby girl."

"Love you too grandma." She turned around and smiled at everyone in the yard while still holding onto Patrick's hand. "Good night!"

Robin yawned as she sat back in her chair. It had been a long night and so far everyone had behaved but she suspected that was more for Rylee's sake then her own. Robert, Anna and Mac had spent the night by the grill while Robin and the girls had sat with Matt and Patrick just talking and laughing. Now that Rylee was out of earshot, all bets were off and Robert proved it by heading straight over to Robin. "Have a good time tonight luv?"

"Did you Uncle Robert?" Sarcasm filled her voice as Maxie scooted over closer to her cousin, trying to protect her. Robin had helped her out many times over the years and she had every intention of doing the same for her. "I mean, I know we aren't as exciting as chasing bad guys all over the world."

Georgie and Robin both cringed at Maxie's words. Robert, however, took it in stride. "Actually this is far more fun than anything I have done in years."

"Did you run into Frisco during any of your adventures?" Maxie had no illusions about her birth father and was proud that Mac would be walking her down the aisle in three months. "You know he abandoned me and Georgie to go and work for the WSB full-time?"

Robert wasn't surprised that Maxie was the confrontational one – she had been that way all her life. He thought about his answer carefully. "First off, I didn't choose to leave Robin – the WSB blackmailed me into it. Secondly, Frisco is the only reason I am able to be here today. He got me out my deal and is doing wonderful work - work that keeps you safe."

Maxie rolled her eyes. "No, he does work that allows him to have fun without having to deal with the boring day to day life of being a father." She stood up. "Do me a favor and don't tell him about my wedding. He wasn't here for the bad times and I don't want him here for the good times. Mac is walking me down the aisle and that is what I want."

Robert hated that Maxie felt the way she did about Frisco but he understood why she did. "If that's what you want."

"It is." Maxie looked at Georgie. "Matt and I need to get going. Are you coming with us or waiting for Mac?"

Georgie stood up. "I want to get some work done on my thesis so…" Georgie was currently going for her Master's in English while waiting tables at Kelly's. The young woman was on her last step – her final thesis. Her work had impressed her advisor so much that he had already recommended her for a position at Port Charles University - one of the professors in the English department was retiring at the end of the school year. Thanks to her academic record and a few friends on the hiring committee with the last name of Quartermaine, the job was hers as soon as she got her degree.

"And I need to go tuck my daughter into bed." Michelle joined her cousins as they left the table. "Uncle Patrick can only do so many stories before he deserves a break."

Robert watched the women leave the table before turning back to Robin. "How are you feeling?"

"Okay, a little tired but okay." Mac and Anna were still talking by the grill and everyone else had left. "So where are you headed off to now that your assignment is over?"

"I am staying here in Port Charles. I convinced the agency that I deserved a little time off since I have been in their constant employ for the past 25 years." Robert had made it clear to Frisco that he needed to stay and reconnect with his daughter. "I want to ask you a few questions, really get to know you."

Robin steeled herself. "What kind of questions?"

"Let's start with something simple and happy. Maxie talking about her wedding had me wondering about yours. How was your wedding day? Could I see pictures?" Robert reached over and squeezed Robin's hand, tears coming to his eyes. "I bet you were beautiful."

"She was gorgeous." Patrick, Mac and Anna approached the table. Patrick sat down next to Robin. "She was so happy and Mac here cleaned up pretty good too."

"My pleasure, I can assure you." He sat down next to his brother. "Robin lit candles for both of you during the ceremony."

"You did?" Robert couldn't help but be a little surprised.

"I thought you were dead and it was my way of honoring my parents." A yawn escaped her lips and she shook her head. "Sorry."

Patrick went into hover mode. "I think that is enough for tonight. Robin is still recovering from being sick and I don't want her to relapse because she wore herself out catching you up on the last 25 years in one night."

Once again Robert was impressed with Patrick's protectiveness of his daughter. "Of course." He smiled at Mac. "Why don't you take me to the local watering hole and we grab a couple of drinks – along with my lovely ex-wife of course."

"Why the hell not." Mac stood up and kissed Robin on the cheek. "I will check in on you tomorrow."

"Me too." Anna hugged her goodbye.

"I would like to see you again too." Robert smiled at her. "How about lunch tomorrow?"

Robin nodded her head. "Okay dad." She waited for the three parents to leave before she leaned into Patrick. "Thank you – I am exhausted."

"I know." He got out of his chair and swiftly picked Robin up out of hers. "Which is why we are going to go inside, sit down on the couch and watch tv."

"So you think you are staying?" Robin wrapped her arms around his neck as he carried her into the house. "That's presumptuous."

"I'm your personal physician Robin and I am not going anywhere." He kissed her softly on the forehead. "Besides, I have a feeling you are ready to watch something other than cartoons for a night."

She grinned at him. "That does sound great."

"Of course it does, I suggested it." He set her down on the couch and sat down next to her. It took a few minutes but they eventually got settled into a comfortable position with her firmly lying in his arms. He picked up the remote and began going through the channels. "Let's see what's on."