Chapter 55

Chapter 55

"Robin! This is a nice surprise" Ric said, ushering her and Patrick into his office.

"I wish it were under better circumstances" she said as she took a seat. Patrick reached for her hand.

"What can I do for you?"

Robin handed the documents to him. "Bruce Harris is trying to force me to take a paternity test."

"Wait" he asked in surprise "you're pregnant?"

Robin smiled. "Almost 11 weeks."

Ric bounded from his chair and coming around the desk, pulled her into a hug. "I am SO pleased for you. That's great news!"

"Thanks."

"She didn't do it alone" Patrick said jokingly.

"Ah, yeah – congratulations Patrick" Ric said offering him his hand. "So if Patrick's the father then why is Bruce Harris demanding a paternity test?"

Robin felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment. There was something humiliating to her about there being some question as to who the father of her child was.

"When I first discovered I was pregnant we pegged the date of conception at five weeks which would have made him the father. I alerted him and advised him of the need for HIV testing."

"Something has changed?"

"I had an ultrasound…"

"We" Patrick interjected.

Robin smiled. "We had an ultrasound a few days ago and Dr. Lee says based the development of the fetus, I'm actually closer to 11 weeks which means Patrick is the father."

"If you're confident about paternity, why the objection?" he asked.

"Why should she have to justify anything?" Patrick snapped.

"Just playing devil's advocate Patrick" Ric said calmly "In order to answer his suit I need to have all the information."

Robin gave Patrick's hand a reassuring squeeze. "I don't actually have an objection to a paternity test Ric but I can't do one in utero. It would expose the baby to HIV and the risk for miscarriage is relatively high."

"But once you give birth?"

"Take all the blood you want. This child is Patrick's. I always felt in my heart and now I know it to be true."

Patrick looked sideways at her, smiling.

"Okay. Let me do a little research. I'll call his attorney and see what we can work out. I'm sure this can be negotiated."

"I'm not" Patrick grumbled. Both Robin and Ric looked at him. "What? If he was interested in negotiating this, he would have called you rather than put his lawyer on it. This is a publicity stunt on his part and I really don't think that he's open to discuss this."

"Point taken" Ric said. "Let me do some digging and I'll see if I can't get us an early court date and get this resolved once and for all. We may need Dr. Lee to testify."

"I'm sure she'll do it" Robin asserted. "Ric, I can't tell you how grateful I am that you're agreeing to take this on."

"Robin, after everything you did for Molly and Alexis, how could I not?"

Patrick gave Robin a look, which she ignored. "What did you do for Molly and Alexis" he asked curiously.

"Nothing" Robin demurred.

"Nothing?" Ric said in amusement "Sure if you call delivering my daughter by c-section post a train crash with nothing more than a stick of gum and a shoelace nothing."

"I had a knife, whiskey and some light" Robin said defensively.

Patrick turned to look at her with a mixture of awe and respect. "You? You did this?"

"Yes" she said shyly "It was when Manny Ruiz caused the train crash and Alexis went into labour"

"How did I not know this?" he asked shaking his head.

"Because, Patrick, your girlfriend is ridiculously modest."

"I'm beginning to see that" he said grinning.

"I'll be in touch shortly" Ric said standing up, offering his hand. Both shook it.

"Thanks again Ric" Robin said as they left.

Patrick took her hand as they left the office. "I'm beginning to think you should have Adventure Girl tattooed on your body."

"What makes you think I don't?" she teased.

He leaned in and whispered against her ear. "Because I have been over every part of your body and there are no tattoos there"

"Maybe you haven't looked hard enough" she teased.

"Is that a dare Dr. Scorpio?" Robin smiled seductively at him. "Don't do that! Or I'm taking you home right now."

"You can't – we have a lunch date at the MetroCourt"

"We can be late" he said as he ran his hand over her behind.

"We really can't"

"You're no fun when you're being a grown up" he pouted.

"Well one of us has to be"

xxxxxxxxxxx

By the time they arrived at the MetroCourt, Robert, Noah and Mac were already sitting at the table.

"Did you need to stop off for a quickie or something?" Robert said.

"Oh god, my ears" Mac said. "Not to mention my eyes. Thanks for the visual Robert" Noah smiled as he took a sip of his soda water.

"Gentlemen" Patrick said taking a seat. Robin couldn't stop from smiling as she sat down.

"So what's the big occasion?" Robert asked, eyeing them suspiciously.

"We have news" Robin said beaming.

"Oh?" Noah said, raising his eyebrows.

"Well, we would like to tell you that all three of you are going to be grandfathers"

"Yes, yes we know" Mac said impatiently.

"Actually you don't" Patrick interjected. "We had an ultrasound and it shows the baby is further along than we thought"

Patrick and Robin waited as realization dawned on all three men.

"You mean…" Noah started

"You got my daughter pregnant?!" Robert exclaimed

"Well, uh," Patrick said, finding his throat constricting.

"I really am going to be a grandfather?" Noah asked.

Robin reached over and took his hand. "Yes, Noah, you are."

"You really got her pregnant?" Mac said, accusingly to Patrick.

"Got her pregnant seems to be such a harsh way of saying things" Patrick said, shifting closer to Robin.

Noah reached out and squeezed his shoulder. "I'm so proud of you" he said softly.

"And you're happy with this?" Robert asked Robin.

"I'm thrilled. Dad – it's great news – really."

"So does that mean that waste of space Harris is out of the picture?" Mac asked.

"Well…." Robin started, tired of having to speak about him at all.

"He's not going quietly" Patrick finished for her.

"We could make him" Robert offered.

"No that's okay Robert, we have our lawyer working on it."

"Hrmph" Robert said crossing his arms across his chest. "My way is more effective"

"And not what I want" Robin said quickly.

"Fine" Robert said, pouting slightly. "But I swear Robin…"

"Yes yes, hate him with the fury of a thousand suns. I get it."

"It's because we love you" Mac said.

"I love you too Robin but I won't offer to kill anyone for you" Noah said, trying to lighten the mood.

"You are now my new favourite person Noah" she smiled.

Patrick playfully smacked his arm. "Hello – sitting right here"

"Sorry, I meant my favourite person AFTER Patrick"

"Well I think this calls for a toast" Mac said, signaling for the waiter. Robert, Mac and Patrick each had a glass of champagne and Noah and Robin had gingerale. Mac raised his glass.

"To Robin, Patrick and the next generation – may your child be healthy and safe and grow to be as special and talented as you both are."

Robin and Patrick looked lovingly at each other as they clinked glasses with each other and then their guests.

xxxxxxxx

Robin rolled her eyes as she lay in bed and Patrick pushed her tank top out of the way to rub her belly. "I'm getting fat" she said as he ran his hand over her stomach.

"Not fat - perfect." He dropped a kiss on her stomach.

"Are you planning on doing this for the rest of the pregnancy?"

"Maybe" he said kissing it again.

"When did you become so goofy?" she asked as she ran her hands through his hair.

"I caught it from you. Falling in love has definitely impacted my cool factor" he lifted his head and pressed his lips against hers. "I have a question for you"

"Yes" she replied as gently nipped at his bottom lip.

"When does the superhorny phase of your pregnancy start?"

Robin giggled. "Superhorny?"

"I saw Friends – Phoebe had a cut out of Evander Holyfield"

"I don't know – maybe you can jump start it with a few of your patented Drake moves" she teased.

"Patented Drake moves? You mean like this?" he said lowering his head to her breasts, pulling at her nipple through the fabric.

Robin moaned. "Like that" she arched into him.

Patrick moved to the other side but was distracted by the shrill ring of Robin's cell phone.

Groaning, she reached for the phone and flipped it open. "Scorpio"

"Robin, it's Ric – I'm sorry for calling so late"

She sat up straight. "That's okay Ric – what news do you have?"

"Patrick was right – negotiation is out of the question. Due to the timeliness of the case and no doubt his political pull, we are scheduled to be in court day after tomorrow. We'll need to meet tomorrow and prep"

"Damn" Robin swore softly. "What time?"

"Let's say 10. Robin, I'm going to move heaven and earth for you."

"Thanks Ric." She flipped the phone closed. She looked away from Patrick and hurled her phone against the wall.

Patrick rubbed her stomach. "Robin?"

"I just want him OUT OF MY LIFE!" she yelled.