Chapter 34
"This is ridiculous." Robin couldn't believe she let Patrick talk her into carrying her into the house. "I am perfectly capable of walking."
"I never said you weren't but you are still recovering and there is no reason to take any chances." He leaned down so she could open the door. "Besides, Michelle is in class and I didn't want you here alone."
Robin rolled her eyes as he set her down on the couch. "Why - because I am incapable of taking care of myself?"
"I have no doubts you can take care of yourself." Patrick took the afghan from the back of the couch and tucked it in around her legs. "But it won't kill you to let someone else take care of you for once."
Robin sighed and laid back on the couch. The truth was that she was enjoying being taken care of – it had been years since that had happened, not since Roger died. He had always made her health a top priority and would wait on her hand and foot if she had the slightest cold. Robin by nature was a caregiver so it had taken a lot to let Roger take care of her but she had no issue with Patrick doing it. "So how long until you get bored and run off to the hospital for some big emergency?"
"Not going to happen – Alan insisted I take a week off to tend to my favorite patient." The reality was that Alan had been concerned that Patrick had worn himself out over the last week and wanted Patrick to take some time off to recharge. "So you are stuck with me Soltini." He saw a look cross her face he couldn't quite read. "What?"
"Nothing." Ever since she started feeling better she had been trying to decide where she and Patrick stood. She didn't doubt his feelings for her but she did worry that he would get scared again and run off.
"Robin," Patrick reached over and took her hand in his, "I promise you that I am not going anywhere."
She nodded her head. "Okay."
"I'm serious Robin." He scooted closer to her. "I almost lost you this week and it was the worst feeling in the world. I haven't feel so scared or lost since my mom died but I didn't disappear, I stayed and I fought for you, for us. I want you and I am not going anywhere."
"You sound awfully sure of yourself."
"You have every reason to doubt me." He pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "All I am asking for is a chance to prove myself to you."
Robin's eyes welled with tears, happy tears. The sincerity in his voice and the gentleness of his touch were getting to her. "Then you have it."
Patrick leaned over and was just about to kiss her when they heard little feet run into the room. "Grandma!"
Rylee pushed Patrick out the way and jumped onto her Grandma's lap. Patrick turned around to see Michelle standing in the doorway laughing. "Timing Michelle."
"Sorry, someone couldn't wait to see her grandma." Michelle set down Ry's book bag and joined the group. "Besides, I am making supper tonight and I needed to get a head start."
"I can…"
Patrick interrupted her. "You are still on bed rest – doctor's orders." He stood up and took a deep breath. "Besides, we are having company for supper."
"Who?" Robin looked at Patrick and then Michelle before shaking her head. "No, absolutely not."
"Mom, he really just wants to make sure that you are okay." Michelle had finally met her Grandpa Robert the other day and had been fascinated by the man. He had regaled them with stories of his many adventures and spoken proudly of his little girl and how much he had missed her over the years. Surprisingly, he and Rylee had instantly bonded and within an hour of their meeting she had him wrapped around her little finger. Robert was already planning to take it upon himself to personally train the four-year-old how to pick locks and untie knots in 30 seconds flat.
Robin was surprised to hear this news. "You met him?"
"Grandpa Robert is funny." Rylee informed her grandma.
"He is, is he?" Robin glared at Patrick before turning around and smiling at Ry. "You know what would be great right now?" Ry shook her head. "A picture drawn by my favorite granddaughter."
Rylee squealed in delight before hopping off the couch and running to her room. Robin waited until the little girl was out of earshot before she spoke again. "Rylee met my dad?"
"He came by the daycare center as I was picking her up. Grandma Anna asked me if it would be okay and I said yes." Michelle stood her ground about her decision.
"Rylee is your daughter and you get to decide who she is around." Robin leaned back in the couch. "I'll just go in my room…"
"No." This time it was Patrick who spoke up. "I kept Robert away from you while you were in the hospital because it was the right thing to do at the time. Now it is time for you to talk to him."
Michelle knelt down next to the couch. "Mom, I know he hurt you but I also know that he loves you and you love him." She couldn't help but get a little choked up as she spoke. "I would give anything to have dad back again. This is a gift mom, don't turn it away. You can be mad at him, you can curse and yell at him, you can do anything you want to him but at least admit that you are happy he is alive and here."
Robin tears flowed steadily down her cheeks as she listened to her daughter. She had been so caught up in her own emotions about her father's return that she had missed completely how it affected Michelle and Rylee or how her father coming back from the dead would bring up painful memories of Roger's death. She reached over and pulled her Michelle into a tight hug. "I didn't even...I am so sorry. Of course I am happy he is alive."
Michelle started crying as well. "I know you are." She leaned back. "I almost lost you mom and…"
"Okay, what time will he be here?" Robin wiped the tears from her cheek.
"6 – we wanted it to be early enough that Ry could eat with us." Patrick was relieved that Michelle was able to get through to Robin.
"We?" Robin was surprised he was staying around for dinner.
"You didn't think I would let you go through this alone?" Patrick headed to the kitchen. "Any requests for dinner?"
"Yes – that we order in some pizza and go casual." Robin was not about to put on airs for her father.
"Sounds perfect." Patrick winked at her as he went to check out the drink situation in the kitchen. "It's going to be okay Robin – I promise you."
"I believe you." Robin watched him leave the room and then focused her attention on Michelle. "So, who else is coming tonight besides my parents?"
"Uncle Mac, Georgie, Maxie and Matt – we wanted a full support system in place for you."
"I appreciate it." Robin yawned. "Why don't you check on Ry while I take a little nap? I have a feeling that I am going to need all the energy I can get tonight."
Michelle nodded her head and headed towards Rylee's room while Robin laid down and closed her eyes. She was definitely going to need to be well rested if she was going to deal with Robert Scorpio tonight.
