Chapter 9

Robert and Anna were sitting on the couch, she had one foot on his lap as he rubbed the other one. They had slept a little later than they normally would this morning then ordered some breakfast. Now they were just relaxing, Anna's eyes were closed as she enjoyed the foot rub. A little smile played on her lips. She opened her eyes when there was a knock at the door. "Ahhh, we are picking this up once we're alone again. I was promised some pampering." She swung her legs down and stood up. She leaned down and gave him a quick kiss, "Stay right there."

Anna walked over and answered the door and smiled seeing Emma and Robin standing there, "Hi, come in." Emma gave her a hug then saw Robert and hurried over to give him a hug as well. "What brings you here?" Anna asked as she and Robin walked into the room.

"Patrick got called into work so we thought we'd come visit."

"I'm glad you did," Anna said as she put her arm around Robin. "We're just having a nice quiet day here."

Robert pulled Emma onto his lap so Anna can sit beside them. "How late did your welcome home party go on after we left?" he asked.

"I think it was about two more hours before everyone left. It was so great seeing everyone but today I'm glad it's been quiet far so. Maybe that's part of why we're here. Not as many people will be looking for me here and I can have some quiet time as well," she said smiling at her mom. "I did get to enjoy some time alone with Emma this morning before we came over."

"If you need some time alone or you and Patrick want an evening to yourselves to talk or whatever. We are here and will happily watch Emma for you," Anna offered.

Again Robin noticed that it sounds like her parents are staying here together, they were both here when they arrived. She can't figure out if they're together though. "I will take you up on that and I think there might even be some sleepovers requested," Robin said with a little grin. Then she noticed Emma whispering to Robert and him nodding with a little grin of his own. "What are you two plotting over there?"

"Nothing," Robert said quickly, Emma just smiled at her mom. "We have somewhere we need to be." He looked at Emma and she nodded with a big grin. "We're gonna go out for a bit, we'll be back in a little while." Then he whispered something to Emma and she jumped up off his lap, hugged Robin then walked over to the door while Robert grabbed his coat.

"What are you up to Scorpio?" Anna asked as he walked over to the door.

He put his hand on Emma's back as she opened the door, "We'll be back," he said smiling at them over his shoulder as they walked out the door.

Anna looked over at Robin, "What do you think they're up to?"

"I don't know, but I just realized she has his mischievous streak. I will get to experience what you did with him and I, when I was little."

That made Anna grin, "Enjoy it, you and Robert never plotted something I didn't end up loving."

"I am just so happy to finally be home with them. That I will actually get to do things with them, with you and Dad." Robin got up so she could sit with Anna. As soon as she did, Anna put her arm around her. Robin smiled and snuggled in beside her.

"How is everything with you and Patrick?"

"Good, the first night I was home we talked for a long time after Emma was in bed then made love. It was so wonderful to reconnect with him."

"That's good, I'm glad things are going well." Robin nodded but Anna could tell there was something else Robin was thinking about. "What is it?"

Robin tilted her head then told her, "Apparently, there might be a doctor at GH that might not be all that happy about me being home."

"Oh. Why's that?"

Robin sighed, "I thought I was getting sicker last Christmas. I didn't think I was still going to be alive this year. I had left a video message for Patrick in his stocking telling him he should find someone to share his life with. I guess he already knew she was interested in him and they have been spending some time together over the last little while. He told me he didn't think it was anything serious and says he is going to talk to her but I," Robin let her words trail off.

"But she might think it was more than he did," Anna said knowingly.

"Maybe," Robin let out another sigh, "I don't know."

"Are you worried about it?"

Robin took a moment before answering, "Yeah, I guess I am, at least somewhat," she admitted.

"Do you think Patrick was already moving on?"

"No, I know he wasn't. He might have spent a little time with her but he said he was only trying to move on because of that video I left for him."

"Robin, Patrick took losing you very hard, he struggled a lot."

"He told me all about that, about what he went through. How he struggled. He told me about Dad too."

"I figured he must have," Anna said knowingly. "Robert was very happy that he got so much time with his little girl yesterday."

"I needed time with him too, it was nice being close to him." Then she grinned, "What kind of time is he getting with his big girl?" Robin asked ready to change the topic.

Anna tried not to smile, "Um, a lot of my time."

"And what does that mean?"

"It means that the night he saved me from Faison we finally started leaning on each other. We started opening up about our pain, what we need and we haven't really stopped. We finally had the person we had needed since we thought we'd lost you. I have spent every night in his arms since then. It isn't sexual, it's comfort, it's what we both need."

"So he is staying here with you?"

"Yes, he is," Anna admitted with a smile.

"Is that all?" Robin asked with a grin.

"No," Anna sat back and Robin sat up straighter to look at her. "We have talked about a lot of things we should have sooner, about things we would never tell anyone else. Is there something going on between us? Yes. Do we know what that is? Not really but we both want to see where this leads."

"So, you're dating?"

Anna grinned, "We're living together. I don't know if we're dating."

Robin started laughing, "I guess I shouldn't expect anything different from my parents."

"While he's here, he is staying with me. We just don't know how long that will be exactly," Anna said with a smile. "I know he wants to be here."

Robin knew she was telling her the truth, "Alright, I'll drop it for now. I do want updates when you have them though."

Anna smiled, "I think I can do that." Then they started talking about some of the things that had happened the day before and how wonderful it is that Robin is home and that their friends were all finding out that wonderful news.

Emma was smiling happily when she and Robert got back on the elevator heading back to Anna's suite. While they were out she had happily told everyone she saw that she was buying a gift for her Mommy. "She's going to like this right, Grandpa?"

"Of course she will."

They got off the elevator and Emma hurried down the hall dragging Robert behind her, excited to give Robin the gift she had picked out for her. When Robert opened the door Emma smiled and let go of his hand running over to Robin. "Merry Christmas, Mommy!"

Robin and Anna were both smiling as Emma handed Robin her gift. "You didn't have to get me anything, sweety."

"Yes, I did. You didn't get any presents this year Mommy."

"I got to come home to you and the rest of my family. I got to see a lot of my friends already. I think that's a pretty good gift." Robin had a bright smile on her face as she looked at the small box now in her hand.

Emma sat down beside her, "Open it, Mommy," she insisted excitedly. Robin smiled and started ripping the wrapping paper open. She opened the box and pulled out a necklace it had a heart-shaped pendant with a diamond at the bottom of the heart. "Do you like it?"

"I love it, it's beautiful. Thank you, sweety." She pulled Emma into a hug as she looked up at Robert.

"She picked it out all on her own," he told her with a smile.

"I did," Emma said proudly. "Put it on Mommy."

"Alright."

"Here, let me help," Anna offered. Robin took out the necklace and handed to Anna then lifted her hair so she could fasten it for her.

"Dad, you know you didn't have to do this."

"Yes, I did. My granddaughter wanted to get her Mommy something pretty for Christmas so that was exactly what she did."

She smiled at him again, then looked at Emma. "Thank you, I love it." Emma gave her a big hug smiling happily.

Robert was smiling at them then looked over and saw Anna smiling at him. He was so happy that they were all together for this. "Can I interest the three of you in lunch?" Robert offered wanting more time with them.

"Kelly's?" Robin said with a big smile. "I really want to go to Kelly's."

"Kelly's it is," Robert agreed. They got ready to go and were talking happily as they left.

After they had gotten back from lunch Robert had been busy on the phone. He was getting updates about Jerry Jacks, Faison and Obrecht. Jerry was more than happy to turn on the other two. Yes, he had wanted Robin to work on a cure for him but he had nothing to do with her abduction or faking her death. Faison wasn't talking at all while Obrecht maintains she is innocent and doesn't understand why she was being held.

When he was finally done on the phone he put his head in his hands and leaned on the table. He looked up when he felt Anna's hand on his shoulder, "You look like you're the one that could use a little pampering now."

"Well, I wouldn't turn it down," he said as he leaned back. Anna leaned down and kissed him tenderly. "Mmmm, that's what I needed."

"What did you find out?" Anna felt they might as well get this out of the way now so they can enjoy their evening.

"Jerry's talking but all he's telling them is what we were already sure of anyway. That Faison and Obrecht were the ones that planned and carried out Robin's abduction. Faison and Obrecht aren't talking."

"All right, as long as they all stay locked up I don't care which one turns on the others. I think we should talk about something else this evening. I don't want to think about any of that tonight."

Robert stood up, "Would you like to go out to dinner? Maybe take a nice walk after."

Anna smiled at him, "Yes, I would like that."

Robert checked the time, "If you need to change or want to freshen up, I'll make the reservations."

"Where are you taking me?"

"Someplace nice."

Anna smiled, "Alright." Maybe we are dating she thought with a smile as she turned to go get ready.

After they had eaten Anna picked up her wine glass, "I'm glad we came here."

"I wanted to take you somewhere nice. Someplace we would be able to talk."

"I like that we've been talking so openly," Anna said as Robert reached out and took her hand.

"Anna, could this be something you'd be interested in? Should I be thinking the way I am?"

Anna smiled, "I want to see where this is going too, Robert." He smiled back at her. "Robin asked me what was going on between us."

"Oh?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. "What did you tell her?"

"That we both want to find out what this is."

"I don't want to make any mistakes or mess this up. Anna, I know you've already been through a lot this year."

"That doesn't mean you have to wait, does it?" She put her other hand on his, now hold his hand in both of hers. "My mistakes shouldn't mean you need to feel like I'm not ready for a relationship with you."

"Anna, I don't want to lose this again."

"Robert, neither do I."

"Are we together?"

"Robert, I invited you to live with me. I want you in my bed at night," then she grinned, "not just in my bed. If we aren't together, what's holding us back?"

"Fear," he answered quietly as he looked down at their hands.

Anna glanced around the restaurant, it was mostly couples there but she thought Robert might feel more comfortable talking if they were alone. "I think you mentioned going for a walk."

Robert looked up, relaxing a little. "Yes, I did." He paid the bill then they got their coats and left. Anna took his arm as they walked along, leaning against him. They walked in silence for a time, Robert trying to think of what he needed to say, Anna giving him time to do just that. "It's not just the fear of losing you. It's the fear of never really having you to lose in the first place."

"What do you mean?" Anna asked as they continued to walk.

"I don't know exactly. Am I here with you as a friend that you are finding comfort from? Or am I the man you might want to spend all your spare time with, live with, love?" He stopped and turned to her.

"Why can't you be both?"

"Oh, Anna. That's what I want more than anything." He pulled her into his arms and held her.

When he loosened his hold on her Anna leaned back in his arms, "I think it's time you take me home."

He leaned in and kissed her tenderly, "Gladly."

As he leaned back Anna put her hands on his cheeks, pulling him in and kissing him, longer this time. "Alright, now I'm ready." She took his arm again, as they turned and walked back to the car.

When they got back to their suite Anna took Robert's hand and led him into their room. She turned to him and smiled, "I need you to know something."

"Alright."

"I want you. I know maybe we aren't there yet but that doesn't mean when we're in bed you can't,"

Robert pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately. Anna moaned as desire raged through her. Then put his forehead against hers not letting her go.

"I want you to kiss me like that when we're in bed." Anna's arms were now around his neck, "I don't want to wait much longer, Robert. We've waited a very long time already."

"Yes, we have." He leaned in and kissed her again. "I think we should get ready for bed," he suggested as his hands moved down her body, cupping her bottom, holding her close to him.

Anna smiled up at him, she was going to make sure he knew what she wanted. "I'll be right back." Then she turned to go get changed. Robert took a deep breath as he watched her walk into the bathroom then grinned. He started to get undressed and when he was just in his boxers he got into bed. He put his head back waiting for her. When he heard the door open again he looked over and smiled. "You like?"

Anna was standing there in a light blue nightgown. He propped himself up on his elbow watching her walk towards the bed. "I was hoping I'd be seeing this kind of sleepwear again."

"I thought you might appreciate this."

"Come over here," he said as he pulled back the covers for her. Anna smiled as she got into bed beside him. "You are so beautiful."

She grinned again as she moved closer then kissed him. "I want you to be the man in my life. The man I live with, the man I love."

Robert stroked her hair tucking some behind her ear, "I love you, Anna. I always have." Then he leaned in and kissed her tenderly. Her hand moved to his chest, needing to touch him. The slow sensual kiss continued as he rolled them so Anna was on her back. Slowly he planted kisses along her jawline, "I can't lose you again," he said between kisses as he moved towards her neck.

Anna put her arms around him as he nuzzled her neck, holding him close. She knows as well as he does, when they take this next step they are committing to each other. "I love you, Robert. I never want to lose you either."

Slowly he started kissing her neck, light kisses leading down to her chest then up to her lips. Kissing her lovingly as her fingers moved through his hair. There was such tenderness in every touch, every caress. The need for each other building gradually.

"I need to touch more of you." Anna lifted herself enough so Robert could remove her nightie. He grinned as he removed it and tossed it across the room, "That's better." Then he leaned in kissing her again as his hand moved down her body. "I need you, Anna."

Her hand moved down his back and hooked in the waistband of his boxer, pushing them down. Robert lifted himself enough so she could push them further down then finished removing them himself. Anna put her head back and closed her eyes, she moaned as he filled her, "Mmmm, oh Robert."

He planted kisses along her shoulder, "You feel so good," he whispered. Slowly he started to move. There was such tenderness, so much love in their touch. Moans of pleasure passed their lips as the passion grew. Robert knew he could never lose her again, this woman is everything he needs. Now that they are together again he will do everything in his power to make sure they stay together.

Anna kissed him as she felt her release approaching biting his bottom lip. Tender was nice but she wanted more. As he quickens the pace she responded instantly, "Yes Robert!" It may have been years since they had been together but they still know what the other wanted, needed.

As she came down from her orgasm Robert grinned and kissed her. Anna smiled then pushed him back so he would roll over, the time for tender had passed. She ran her hand down his chest as she straddled him. Robert put his hands on her thighs as he looked up at her with desire in his eyes. "You're mine now Scorpio."

"Mmmm, that's all I've ever wanted." Then she started to move, slowly at first but it wasn't long before they were calling out each other's names as they found their release at the same time.

Anna collapsed on his chest, "Please tell me we can do that again before going to sleep," she said smiling into his neck.

He chuckled as he continued to breathe heavily. "I'll need a little time but yes we are doing that again." He turned his head and kissed her, "I love you."

"I love you too, Robert. I love you so much."