Chapter 35

1:45 PM – 15 minutes before the wedding

"Where are they Uncle Mac?" Robin was furious that her children weren't there yet.

"I told you, there was a problem with the launch and they are still trying to fix it. I told Felicia and Maxie to take the kids to lunch until it's fixed." Mac hated lying to her but right now it was the best way to protect her. The less she knew, the safer she was.

Robin was certain that there was more to this story than her uncle was telling her. She had been so worried about her father that she had missed the fact that it was Maxie, not Felicia, who had called and offered to take the kids off her hands for the morning. She loved Maxie but taking on 3 kids, including Maxie's daughter Georgie, at once was a little much for her, even with her mom's help. No, there was definitely something else going on here. She gave her Uncle a stern glare.

"Oh my God, how could I have not seen this – you're trying to stall the wedding! You know I won't get married without my kids here with me so you arranged for them to be off the island." She began tapping her foot, glaring at Mac accusingly.

Mac thought quickly. "Come on Robin. Do you really think I would do that?" Robin raised her eyebrows at him. "Well, maybe I would but how do you explain the launch? I don't know a thing about boats. I think that maybe this is a sign that you should rethink this whole marriage. I mean, most of the people you love aren't here. Your mom, the kids, your dad…"

Robin winced at the mention of her father and Mac noticed. "Robin, is there something you want to tell me?" He was hoping to get her to tell him the truth but she didn't budge.

"Just that I am so happy and proud that you are here to walk me down the aisle again. I know we didn't get to finish the ceremony, but it meant the world to me to have you give me away at Patrick and mine's first wedding." Her eyes glistened with tears, remembering the day their daughter was born.

Mac put his arms around her and hugged her close. He hated knowing how upset she was and not being able to fix it. He decided to try to get her to open up to him one last time. "Sweetheart, you don't have to do this. Say the word and I will find a way to get you off this island."

She shook her head and pulled away. "No, what I need you to do is to see if there is a way to get my children here. I need them with me Uncle Mac. You check on that and I am going to fix my makeup."

She smiled at him as he walked out the door.

Robin sat down at the vanity and fixed her makeup. She was trying to act the part of the happy bride but it was getting harder to do in these last few minutes before the wedding. She leaned on the vanity and, closing her eyes, put her head in her hands. She was in the middle of taking some deep breaths in order to calm herself when she heard the door open. "How soon until the kids get here?"

"I am certain I do not know, nor do I care." Helena entered the room with her guards standing by her as always.

"But I can't get married without my kids." Robin looked at Helena in disbelief. Even she could understand how important it was for the children to be there.

"You can and you will. This is obviously a pathetic attempt by your ex-husband to stop this wedding but it will not work." Helena walked over and stared at Robin in the mirror. "Now, put on your best smile and head to the ballroom. It is time for you to officially join the Cassadine family."

"But my kids…"

"They will understand." Helena was starting to get angry. "My dear little bird you have two choices: you can either go to the ballroom and start the wedding on time or I can arrange for your father to bear the brunt of your refusal by, say, having a bone broken for every minute past 2 you delay the wedding. Which will it be?"

"I hate you." Robin spat the words at her but Helena just smiled at her.

"Spoken like a true Cassadine. I will be watching the ceremony dear Robin. If anything goes wrong, your father will pay. Are we understood?" Robin nodded her head. "Good – I will see you downstairs."

Before she left, Helena took one last look at Robin. "You really are a beautiful bride. My grandson is a lucky man."

Robin took a moment to steady herself. She then went down to the ballroom to start the wedding.