Chapter 50
Kids were running all over the patio, a party in full swing. Adults were watching indulgently. It was almost time for presents then cake and ice cream.
Robbie was holding an infant in his arms, bobbing the little boy up and down. Laura watched him, marveling at how much their lives had changed in the space of a year. A small part of her wished he'd been there from the beginning but knew they had happened the way they should have.
Looking at her watch, she knew it was time and weaved her way through running children to his side. She wrapped her arm around his waist, kissing his back. Pushing up on her tiptoes, she whispered, "It's almost time for presents."
He turned slightly, wrapping an arm around her then kissing her on the head. "Will you take Jack?" She nodded, taking Jack from him. "If you get them all together, I'll bring it out."
She smiled, leaning up to give him a quick kiss. He jogged away from her and she could see how giddy he was. Shaking her head, she placed a gentle kiss on Jack's head. A hand on her shoulder made her turn.
"I'll take him, Laura. I gather since dad ran off, it's present time."
Placing one last kiss on Jack's head, she nodded before handing him to Lyn. "Yes, I need to gather everyone together."
Laura called to the children, getting them settled so Matty could open his gifts. He dove through the presents, opening them to ooh's and ahh's from the other children. Finally as he was opening the last one, Laura looked up trying to get Robbie's attention.
He wasn't where she expected him to be. She looked around, frantically, finally spotting him in the kitchen on his mobile. Not understanding what he was doing, she stood to go get him when she heard James voice.
"Matty, I think you might have forgotten one present."
Matty jumped up, remembering the present in his mum's office the prior year. "Is it in mummy's office?"
James walked through the side gate holding a large box, "No, it's right here. You're dad asked me to bring it in."
Laura looked at him questioningly as he sat the box on the ground in front of Matty. She hissed at James, "Why isn't he here?" James smiled, waving her off, trying to tell her not to worry. "Matty, why don't we wait until dad comes outside?"
A disappointed Matty was just about to argue when he heard his father's voice. Beaming ear to ear, Robbie walked onto the patio, "Go ahead and open it, son."
Matty lifted the lid on the box and a small yellow head popped up. The little boy along with all of the other children squealed with delight. Matty reached into the box, touching the soft fur of the yellow Labrador. The puppy licked his hand causing Matty to giggle.
Robbie knelt beside his son, "Sorry, we didn't talk to your mum together."
Smiling at his father, "It's OK. What's his name?"
"Well she's a girl and you get to choose the name."
Matty made a face, "Why a girl?"
"Your mum insisted on a girl so she wouldn't be outnumbered."
Matty rolled his eyes, "Girls." Petting the small dog on her head, "Can I take her out of the box?"
Robbie lifted the dog from the box then placed her ground. She looked around, slightly frightened by the crowd. Finally, she stepped towards Matty and crawled into his lap. He hugged her to him as his friends crowded around desperate to pet her.
Laura picked her way through the children touching Robbie lightly on the shoulder, "I thought you were bringing the box in."
He smiled down at her, "Patrick called. Looks like we have another June 9th birthday in the family."
Laura covered her mouth, smiling under her hand. "Is Kate OK? The baby?"
He pulled her to him, "Both doing beautifully. A boy, William Robert. He's named after his grandfathers."
She hugged him, pulling him down for a tender kiss. "Happy birthday, grandpa."
Robbie wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer for a slightly more passionate kiss, "Thank you, grandma."
Insert Line
Robbie opened the door to their bedroom to find Laura already in bed and almost asleep. Creeping quietly to the side of the bed, he leaned over to kiss her. Her eyes fluttered open, "Is Matty asleep?"
Sitting next to her he smiled, "Matty is asleep, the puppy is in her kennel, all is right with the world." Stroking the hair from her forehead, he looked at her with concern, "It's unlike you to be in bed this early. Are you OK?"
She nodded, trying to fight a yawn, "Just a long day. Why don't you get ready for bed? Then you can see if you can keep me awake."
Laughing, he leaned over and kissed her head. "Why don't you go to sleep and one of the many times I will get up with the puppy I will see if I can keep you awake?"
She pulled him down, kissing him with a hint of promise, "No, I'll stay awake. I promise." Looking up at him she smiled innocently, "Besides, you have one last present to unwrap."
Looking down at her modest pajamas, he laughed, "Really with everyone we care about just down the hall?"
"A wise man once told me we would occasionally do this with them down the hall." Robbie laughed somewhat proud she was parroting his words. She sat up, whispering into his ear, "Of course, that same man insisted on a puppy so he might not be too smart."
Robbie wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her to him, "I love you, Laura."
Nuzzling into his neck, she smiled, "I love you. Now go get ready for bed."
Reluctantly, he pulled away. She watched him go, listened for the water starting before reaching into her nightstand and pulling out a slender box. She placed it on his pillow then lay back and waited.
Robbie came out of the bathroom, "Pet, why don't you sleep in in the morning? I'll wrangle the troops and serve you breakfast…"
He quieted immediately as he saw her fast asleep on the bed. Turning out the remainder of the lights, he made his way quietly to his side of the bed. As he moved to turn down his covers he saw the slender box at rest on his pillow.
Sitting gently, he turned on the lamp on his side of the bed. The box was light. He shook it slightly and could feel something moving around but couldn't tell the contents. For a brief moment he considered not opening it, just leaving it till the morning.
But it was his birthday and she had said it was his last birthday present. Finally, his curiosity got the better of him and he slipped the bow from around the box and lifted the lid. A thin layer of tissue covered something in the center of the box.
Carefully peeling back the tissue he stared at the items nestled in the box, trying to understand their meaning. He lifted them from the box, letting them spin in his hand. Looking down at her sleeping form, the last few weeks played through his mind. He thought back to the night of their wedding and his words as she pulled him onto the bed.
Closing his hands around the dice, he smiled to himself. He turned out the lamp, slipped fully under the covers and turned to her. She rolled onto her side, away from him as he did. Settling as gently as he could behind her, he pulled her to him, sighing as she curled into him.
His hand gently came to rest over her stomach. A tear slipped quietly down his cheek when he felt her hand cover his. All of those long ago dreams of Laura he suddenly knew had come true. Only, unlike in his dreams, he was the man beside her. With a smile on his face, he drifted off to sleep. A sleep filled with thoughts of a happy life spent together.
Author's Note: This brings us to the end of our tale. I need to give thanks to MurphyCat for the idea. Of course, she wanted a Robson baby and I gave her a Robson toddler with the promise of a baby at the end. As I was writing her a long email to explain why I would never write that story this story came to mind. I hope she will forgive me for not really fully honoring her request.
This story has been an absolute joy to write. In prior stories I have generally stuck to the shows, finding little seams in them where I felt there needed to be some extrapolation. I love these characters so and hope you feel it when I write about them.
Thanks to each and every one of you who reviewed, even those who didn't particularly like my story or my characterization. I genuinely appreciate them and I enjoy chatting back and forth with reviewers who are signed in. Writing for me is a pleasure, something I do to relax. Communicating with you, brings me great joy as well. Thanks for being such a tremendous fandom. I want to assure you, I never start a story without knowing EXACTLY where it is going. Generally I have the last chapter written when I start the story. So have a little faith, I promise to get us to a happy place (even if I might make you suffer a bit along the way).
PS
I will be publishing a 49A as a separate piece in the near future. It's what happened on the honeymoon. You didn't really think I wouldn't write an M piece did you?
PPS
If you are not reading Screenwriter's piece you need to be. Also anything by Muffinzelda should be at the top of your reading list as well. And finally, a shout out to JackDawsInFlight. She has been silent of late but her stories are pure poetry. Check them out and give her a big shout out.
PPPS
Despite writing a Robson baby story (which I swore I would never write). Here is a few promises I will never write, so no need to ask. James/Jean pairing - not gonna happen, EVER. I see them as great friends and partners in crime but not a couple. James/Robbie pairing - NO, NO, NO. I have nothing against male relationships but that is one I never see as anything other than a father/son relationship. There are other good writers who cover it but I am not one of them. Beyond that, if you have any ideas, throw them out there. You just never know.
