Chapter 37

Robin paced the front hall as she debated her next move. She stopped, took a deep breath and took her phone out of her purse. "I need to call this off – it has disaster written all over it."

Michelle snatched the phone from her mom's hand. "No, you are doing this." She took her mom by the hand and gently pulled her towards the couch. After they both sat down, she handed the phone back. "Mom, why are you so nervous? You guys have been basically dating for the last two months."

Robin sighed. "But this is our first official date." Robin and Patrick had spent plenty of time together as friends and colleagues but, aside from the kiss in her office after she starting seeing Keith, they had done nothing more than hold hands and kisses on the cheek. Robin had wanted to recover from her illness and she needed a little time to deal with the fact that her father had returned from the dead and Patrick had respected her enough to wait and just enjoy their time together as friends.

This last month with Patrick had been wonderful. No pressure, just really getting to know the people that they had become and enjoying their time together. She had met with her father several times a week to get to know each other again and, so far, it was going great. They were never going to get the years back they had lost but they were rebuilding their relationship slowly. Not only that but Robert had become a popular figure at their house and was actually babysitting Ry tonight while Robin and Michelle went on their respective dates. Right now they were out at a movie with Grandma Anna and then he was bringing her back home for ice cream and games.

Michelle and Michael were going strong and he had finally met Rylee last week. He had instantly loved the little girl and was more than happy to arrange dates that included her. Today they had spent the day at the zoo and enjoyed the sea lion show, the train and seeing all the animals but tonight he was taking Michelle out to celebrate their three month anniversary with dinner out at Chez Matisse.

"Do you really think that this being your first official date is going to change anything?" Michelle really didn't understand where her mom was coming. "Uncle Patrick is in love with you – even dad knew that."

"What?"

Michelle took a deep breath. "Remember when you got into that car accident about a year before dad died?"

Robin nodded her head. She had been on her way into work and a kid came around a curve going way too fast and lost control, slamming into the side of her car. Robin had been knocked into a ditch but she had not been hurt too bad thanks to her seat belt and the air bag. A few bruised ribs and a concussion but all she needed was some rest and she was good as new. "Yes."

"While we were in the waiting room I asked dad if he wanted me to call anyone. Keep in mind that all we knew at that point was that you had been in a terrible car accident and had no idea how serious it was." Michelle remembered this conversation well, it was one of the last long talks she had had with her dad before his death. "He told me that he wished he knew how to get in touch with Patrick because he knew that Patrick would want to be there for you. Then he started talking about something he saw, some dance class, I don't know, anyway, he said that he knew by the look in Patrick's eyes as he was dancing with you that he had fallen in love with you."

"Wait, if your dad knew…"

"Dad said that Patrick was an honorable man and would never try to steal you away from him." Michelle began tearing up remembering her dad. "And he was right."

Robin was crying too. "I want you to know that I have always and will always love your father. Whatever I feel for Patrick has nothing to do with my love for your dad."

"I know mom and he did too." Michelle smiled through her tears. "Dad wanted you to find love again and I think he hoped that, if anything happened to him, it would be with Patrick."

"I'm scared." Robin whispered.

"I know you are mom but that man would not have spent every day by your side, through everything that has been thrown at us over the last two months, if he had no intention of sticking it out with you." Michelle stood up and helped her mom off the couch. "Now we need to fix our make up before our dates get here."

Robin nodded her head. "Yes we do."

Carly sat down in the café and threw her purse on the table. She had spent all day trying to get anyone to acknowledge that Robin had even lived there but so far everyone was claiming ignorance regarding the doctor and her family. She pulled out her tablet and opened up her file on Robin. "Someone in this damn town knows something about you."

The waitress walked up to her booth and smiled widely at the blond. "Good evening darling. What can I get you?"

"Some clean silverware and a cup of coffee." She handed the waitress her fork, spoon and knife.

The waitress didn't say another word, just took the silverware and walked back over to the counter. She returned a moment later with coffee. "Here you go ma'am." She looked down at the table as she set down the coffee and smiled at the picture on the screen. "It's the doc – you a friend of hers?"

Carly's mood instantly brightened. "Yes I am. Do you know Robin?"

"Sure - the doc and her girls ate here all the time."

"Do you have a moment to talk to me?" She smiled sweetly at the waitress.

"I can't – I'm on shift and I…"

A man slid into the booth across from Carly. "I can." He put out his hand and offered it to Carly. "Damien Russo."

She eyed the man before taking his hand. "Carly Jax. How do you know Dr. Soltini?"

"Soltini? Is that the name she is using now?" Carly nodded her head. "Did she get married?"

"No." Carly relaxed – this man was exactly who she had been looking for. "What do you mean the name she is using now?"

"When she lived here, she was Dr. Scorpio-Collins." He took the tablet off the table and smiled at Robin's picture. "We lost touch after I went away for a few months and I have been trying to get back in touch with her. Where is she living now?"

"I'm sorry Mr. Russo…" Carly was getting a bad feeling about this guy and the way he was looking at Robin's picture.

"Damien, please."

"As I was saying, I'm sorry Damien but I really need to get going – my husband is going to start wondering where I am." She grabbed the tablet from his hand as she stood up and quickly shoved it in her purse.

"Could you at least tell me where I might find Robin?" He stood up to follow Carly out of the diner and to her car. "I really would love to see her again."

Carly thought about her answer for only a moment. "Miami." She jumped in her car, wanting to put as much distance between her and Damien as possible. "Her daughter got into school there."

Carly slammed shut the door and hit the gas. She would get her revenge but Damien Russo would not be a part of it.

Damien watched Carly's car speed off. He jumped back up on the sidewalk and got out his phone. "I need you to find someone for me. Her name is Dr. Robin Soltini."