Chapter 44
"Mom!" Robin laughed as her children ran into the room, excitedly running to her bed.
Emma made it there first and hugged Robin tightly. "You're feeling better?"
Robin squeezed her oldest tight. "I'm great, especially now that my kids are all home. How about you? I didn't hurt you when I pushed you in the water?"
Emma shook her head. "No Mom, I promise I'm alright."
Stephanie pushed her way through next. Tears filled her eyes as she held her mom. "I'm so glad you're home."
"Me too baby, me too." Robin then looked up and smiled at her boys, waving them over for hugs. "Get over here."
Mal and RJ both came over and hugged their mom. "I think you guys have grown 6 inches since I last saw you." Tears filled her eyes.
"Well I did but I'm beginning to think that RJ is going to take after you mom." Mal joked making Robin smile.
"Hey – that's not very nice." RJ punched his brother in the arm and the whole family laughed.
Patrick put his arms around his boys. "I'm sure he is just a late bloomer. Better watch out or he'll be towering over you in a few years."
Robin smiled at them. "So, tell me everything that I missed. I want every detail about the past few weeks. RJ, why don't you start."
Extra chairs were brought in and the 4 children each took a seat next to their mother's bed while Patrick sat down on the bed next to her.
As their youngest son began his tale of the past two weeks, Patrick wrapped his arms around Robin and gently kissed the top of her head. Finally, their family was together again.
Jason knocked on the door and then popped his head, careful not to startle John. "How are you doing?"
"Good – I've talked to my professors and, given the circumstances, they are willing to let me do some work online." John was a semester away from earning his MBA and didn't want to fall behind.
"That's great – and him?" Jason gestured towards Nikolas's bed.
"The same I guess." John sighed and put down his book. "I could actually use a breather – care to step outside for a moment?"
Jason was surprised but nodded his head in agreement. John stood up and they left the room and went into the hallway. "Why did you want to talk out here?"
"Because I don't know how much he understands when he is like this and I don't want to give him any information. It may sound silly, the man's in a coma, but I won't take any chances when it comes to my sister's safety." John had a bad feeling that Nikolas wasn't done with any of them yet.
"I understand. Stephanie is visiting with her mom right now. Do you want me to send her down here later?" Jason knew that John wanted to see his sister.
"No – I don't want her anywhere near him. Are they going home?"
Jason shook his head. "No, not yet at least. The kids are out of school until next week and with Robin still in the hospital we felt it was best if they stayed with us. That way they can get back into a routine and Patrick isn't running like crazy trying to take care of them and Robin."
"Makes sense. Maybe I could come by there and visit?" John didn't want to impose on Jason's hospitality anymore than he had.
"Why don't you just stay with us? Sam would love to spend more time with her cousin and we have plenty of room." Jason and Sam had discussed it and wanted John to live with them.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm positive. You're family and we would love to have you there. What do you say?"
John thought about it for a minute and then smiled. "I say yes."
"Great – I'll have your things brought to the mansion and put in your room. See you for dinner tonight? You need to get away from the hospital for a least a little while." Jason was hoping to get John home for some good food and a long night's rest.
John looked at his father's door and then back at Jason. "Sure – see you tonight."
John walked back into the room and Jason took one last look at Nikolas before heading home.
