In the five weeks since Felicia and Frisco discovered Tiffany's pregnancy, the world had turned upside down. Shep and Anna had uncovered that Wendy's killer was Drago.
It made Sean sick to think that for months,Tiffany had been in such close proximity to a killer. Even more so knowing that she was pregnant while Drago maintained appearances, and hadn't caused any suspicion till the very end.
He owes Shep a debt of gratitude for making the discovery and Anna too. Sean had come close to spilling the beans about the baby to Anna earlier today when they were talking about the case and Tiffany's involvement. But he had kept his mouth shut knowing Tiffany wanted to make the announcement together and told Anna to come over to the penthouse tonight for a little celebration.
He hopes that Tiffany will appear soon as he notices both Robert and Anna whispering and glancing in his direction as he waits for her to appear.
"Sean, where's Tiff?" Robert asks, coming over to stand by him near the terrace doors. "She insisted that we be here on time and now she's left her guests wondering what this whole to-do is really about. It surely can't be about celebrating Shep Casey. Anna yes, but Shep, not so much." Sean hears Anna chuckle and looks to see her grinning as she takes a sip of her wine.
"Come on Robert, you know Tiffany, she loves to throw a good party." He replies back. "Help me out here Anna."
"Ah Sean, see I'm just as curious as Robert about this. Yes, Tiff loves a party. But she is an excellent hostess and would have at least made an appearance before disappearing and we haven't seen her at all tonight."
"Exactly and that doesn't explain why Cheryl is here." Robert points to Tiffany's sister.
"She and Shep have been getting along so Tiff thought it would be nice to include her." He really hopes Tiffany comes downstairs soon before any more questions get asked.
"I guess that's plausible. But seriously Sean, where is Tiffany? And what is going on with you two? Robin has been wondering what could be going on for the past half hour," Anna gestures at her daughter who is talking animatedly to Shep and Cheryl on the couch.
"She thinks and I don't know where she got this idea that there may be the pitter-patter of little Donely feet soon," Robert responds "Is that it? Is Tiffany going to have a little gem?" He nudges Sean before laughing.
"Robert," Anna scolds him. "I already told Robin it wasn't polite to make assumptions especially when it came to couples having children. You should know better."
"Anna..Anna…Anna… Sean knows I'm only joking. And we all know that Tiffany will make her grand entrance soon."
"Did I hear someone say my name?" Tiffany is coming down the stairs in a new dress that is just flowy enough to conceal her growing baby bump. Sean can't take his eyes off of her. She is so beautiful, so radiant, she took his breath away every time he saw her. "Robert,darling." She kisses his cheek and turns to Sean.
"What did I miss?" she inquires, kissing him quickly on the cheek and taking his hand in hers.
"Well Tiff, you missed my wonderful inquisitive daughter thinking you gathered us here for a grand announcement. One that usually takes nine months to come."
"Well, Robin is an extremely smart child, no thanks to you," she retorts at Robert before looking at Sean. He grins at her, enjoying how she can joke so openly with Robert, how at ease she is with all of them. How she would drop everything to be there for any one of them. He wants this moment to be special, to be hers. He gives her hand a little squeeze to encourage her to continue.
"But she was wrong on one detail,the baby will be here in six months,not nine."
"What, wait… no. You really are going to have a little gem?" Robert asks softly.
"Yes, we are. Tiffany is pregnant. Now you know why we wanted to throw this little party." He beams at the priceless looks on both Robert and Anna's faces.
"This is great. This is fantastic. Robin, sweetie. You were right." Anna declares after gathering both Sean and Tiffany into a hug.
"Really!, this is great Uncle Sean! Aunt Tiffany," Robin exclaims, jumping up and coming over to hug them both. "Can I babysit?" She asks them both.
"Maybe, when the baby is bigger. We will talk about it with your parents. Ok sweetheart." Sean states, patting her on the shoulder.
He is so occupied by Robert retreating to the kitchen that he doesn't hear anything else being said around them.
"Excuse me, honey." He kisses her on the cheek before following Robert. He thinks that Robert of all people would be the most excited for them. The first to hug Tiffany. The first to shake his hand. He didn't expect him to leave the room. He wants to rip into Robert for his dismissiveness but doesn't when he sees how haunted he looks when he reaches the kitchen.
"Alright old buddy, no hand shake, no comment about me being a stud. No hug for Tiff, what's going on?" he questions while pouring them two glasses of champagne.
"You're not going to like what I have to say. But I'm just going to say it before Tiffany comes looking for us. Faison has managed to elude his captors and is currently on the run. And before you ask, there hasn't been any sign of him or his lackeys in Port Charles. Your announcement threw me for a loop. I thought my only worries would be about Robin and Anna. But now— " Robert picks up his glass and downs the contents. He goes and pours himself another glass before continuing.
"Sean, your baby is a blessing. But it puts a huge target on both of you. Especially Tiffany. The funny thing is I never worry about Tiff. Not when we first met and she was tangled up with Cassadine's or when we were together. She's so good at getting herself out of sticky situations. Lord knows how many times she's saved my butt, we had some good times. And then when you two got together I thought, 'this is perfect'. My two best friends are marrying each other, they will have each other's backs. I never put a baby into the equation and that worries me."
"Why Robert? Faison didn't come near Tiff the last time he was here. I made sure of it and I will again. Nothing is going to ruin this for her, for us. Stop worrying and go hug your best friend." Sean pats him on the arm.
He doesn't want their perfect bubble to burst, doesn't want to face any possible danger or talk of capers tonight. He wants to rejoin the party and his wife. He goes to leave the kitchen but stops when he hears Robert say.
"But you don't have a guarantee Sean. You don't know. Something might happen. To her. To the baby. I worry every day about Robin, about Anna. About what may happen. I'm going to fix this Sean. Make sure that Faison doesn't get the chance to come near anyone I love. I never told Tiffany this enough but I do love her. And I couldn't bear any harm coming to her or you. So… I'm going to have to ask you to stay out of my way on this. I won't have her losing you and being forced to raise the baby alone."
"Look Robert, I can't let you do that. I can't. You have Robin and I won't let her lose you again. Your happiness is just as important as the happiness I have with Tiffany. I worry every day that something may shatter it. I remind myself that she's healthy, and her pregnancy is going perfectly. But if Faison tries anything we have to be ready together. Ok?"
"Ok. If I didn't make it clear earlier I really am happy for you and Tiffany. The baby is going to be a little gem. I know it." Robert says, extending his hand.
Sean goes to shake it and pulls him into a brief hug instead.
"Thanks, I'm pretty excited too. I just hope that it doesn't have my ears. And by the way we are not going to say anything to Tiffany, about Faison I don't want to ruin the night. We are going to paste on smiles. You are going to give her the biggest hug. And make a ridiculous suggestion for a name."
They grab their drinks off the counter before heading out of the kitchen towards the living room.
"Tiffany. How about Matilda for a name? Is Bertha out of the question? Oh, how about Edwina or Edward. I know how much you love those Quartermaine names." Robert reaches Tiffany and pulls her into a hug.
Sean rolls his eyes. There is no way he is going to let Tiffany consider any of the male Quartermaine names. Although he does have a soft spot for Lila and knows that Tiffany does too. There would be time for all the finer details in the months to come.