Chapter 46
"She is out." Robin softly shut Rylee's door as she spoke to Patrick on the phone. The little girl had passed out watching cartoons and Robin finished tucking her into bed before calling her boyfriend to check on him and say goodnight. "She didn't even make it to In Summer."
"But that's the best part of the movie!" Patrick smiled at his little brother as he took a drink from his beer. After hearing from his father that Patrick was spending the evening alone, Matt had shown up at his brother's place with beer, pizza and plenty of movies to watch. He needed to let Patrick know he wasn't alone.
"I know you love Olaf but the best part is when Anna punches Hans." Robin and Patrick had watched Frozen with Rylee many times over the past few months – it was second only to Inside Out in Ry's eyes. "Dare I ask what movies Matt brought over?"
"We just finished Shaun of the Dead and are getting ready to start Hot Fuzz."
"You're doing the Blood and Ice Cream triology?" Robin loved Simon Pegg and was a huge fan of his films with Edgar Wright. "Does he have The World's End?"
"Of course." Patrick threw a fake glare at his brother for getting him in trouble with his girlfriend but Matt just shrugged his shoulders and took another drink of his beer. "But I promise that we will do the same marathon next week."
"Fine." Robin heard a knock on her door. "I wonder who that could be?"
"You won't know unless you answer it." Mac had texted Patrick and let him know he was on his way over. "Though if it is one of your other boyfriends…"
"Like I have time for that." Robin looked through the peephole and saw her uncle standing there. She began unlocking the door as she continued her conversation. "Besides, aren't you always telling me that you are the best lover on the planet?"
Mac rolled his eyes as he walked in the door. "I did not need to hear that."
Robin giggled. "I'm going to talk to Uncle Mac. You have fun with Matt and I will talk to you in the morning. Good night Patrick."
"Night Robin."
Robin hung up her phone and hugged Mac. "What are you doing here? You do know that Ry is sleeping."
"Which is why I waited until now to come over – I was warned that Rylee instigated a no boys rule tonight and I did not want to break that." He kissed his niece on the cheek and held up a bag. "Besides – I didn't want you to have to share these."
Robin jumped up and down like a little kid. "Chocolate chip cookies?" Mac nodded his head. "Yes!" She grabbed the bag from her uncle's hand and walked into the living room.
Mac sat down next to her on the couch. "So, how are you doing?"
She studied her uncle and sighed. "Patrick called you, didn't he?"
"Actually we met up for a beer but yes, he told me what happened today." Mac gently squeezed her hand. "He also told me that he tested negative and he has no reason to think he won't stay that way. He was more worried about you."
"Me?" Robin laughed nervously. "I'm fine."
Mac shook his head. "No, you're not. Come on Robin, I know you better than anyone and I can see that you are covering right now."
"Mac…"
"I was there Robin. I was there for you when Stone found out he had AIDS and died. I was there for you when you found out you were HIV positive. I was there for you when you were adjusting to a new life and started on the protocol. I was there for you when Roger died and when Michelle was going through her rough patch. Please, let me be here for you now."
Tears came to her eyes. "I'm scared. I know it's irrational. Patrick had a minimal exposure, he has already tested negative and he is on drugs that weren't even created when Stone and I were infected, not that either one of us would have known to take them. He's healthy and strong and I have no doubts he can beat this."
"But?" Mac knew that Robin was holding something back.
"But when I look at him, I see Stone. Suddenly I am 17 years old again and I cannot stop the man I care about from being sick."
"Robin, that is a perfectly normal reaction." Mac was glad Robin was getting this off her chest. "You said yourself that his first test came back negative…"
"So did mine." Robin began crying.
Mac realized that he had reached the crux of the problem. Robin was scared for Patrick and this was bringing back memories of Stone and his death but she also knew that an initial negative test did not mean you were out of the woods. "Robin, look at me." She lifted her head and he gently wiped away a tear. "I understand what you are saying but the PEP protocol is highly effective is preventing infection, right?"
"Not 100% but still…"
"And the chances of contracting HIV through the exposure Patrick had is low, right?" Mac had done some research online before coming to see his niece. He needed to be prepared and the PEP protocol was not something he was very familiar with.
"Yes, it is."
"Then your two situations are different in a lot of ways and you need to remember that." Mac reached over and pulled her into a hug. "I know that you think you need to be strong for Patrick right now and you will be but you need someone here for you too. Someone to hold your hand or just reassure you that when he gets a cold, it's probably just a cold – let me be that person for you."
"What would I do without you?" Robin leaned her head on her uncle's shoulder and let herself cry.
"Sweetheart, you will never have to find out." He kissed the top of her head and settled back on the couch. "Now, how about we watch a movie and just chill out for the rest of the night."
"That is the best idea I have heard all day." Robin wiped her eyes and turned on the TV. "Have you seen Hot Fuzz?"
"I'm on my way back and we can talk about what I have found out when I get there." Dean was packing his bag as he spoke on the phone.
Damien was looking through the pictures Dean had sent him of Robin and her family on his computer. "Did you get to see her?"
Dean looked at a picture of Rylee and smiled. "Yes and you are right, she is beautiful. I can't believe I let Michelle and Robin talk me into signing those papers."
"You were young and you made a mistake – we can fix that now but we need to be smart about it. Michelle's boyfriend is a rich man who knows a lot of influential people." Damien had been thrilled that Dean wanted to know more about his daughter and was using it to his full advantage. The deal he had presented the man was simple: Dean would help Damien get Robin and he would help Dean get to be a part of his daughter's life. "Luckily you do too now."
Dean scoffed at the mention of Michael. He hated the way the man had so easily laid claim to his daughter. Michael could have Michelle, that shipped had sailed years ago, but he could not have Rylee. "Whatever we have to do – I have missed years of my daughter's life and I don't want to miss anymore."
"Patience Dean. If we go about this the wrong way, you may never get to see her again." He closed his laptop. "We will be meeting up at a cabin in Canada – fewer distractions there."
"Whatever." Dean shut his suitcase and headed out the door. "I am on my way – the sooner we get planning, the sooner I get to be with my daughter."
Damien hung up the phone and shook his head. Dean was not the brightest man but he would do for what they needed. Personally Damien couldn't stand the man, it was obvious that he didn't care about what was best for Rylee. This wasn't about getting to know his daughter or being a good father - it was about Michelle finding a better father figure for her daughter. He wanted to claim Rylee like a prize just to soothe his own ego and wounded pride.
In the end it didn't matter, Dean was perfect for what Damien had planned. He picked up his phone and made one final call. "Get the plane ready – it's time for phase two."
