3
Robert was a little surprised when Robin called and asked him to take her out for dinner this evening. She was coming over tomorrow night so what had led to her wanting to see him today? When he picked her up Olin told him it seemed like she's worried about something but she didn't know what it was. Anna wasn't home when he picked her up so she couldn't tell him what might be bothering their daughter. He got the feeling it might have something to do with Anna telling her about the divorce.
Robin hadn't said much in the car so Robert still wasn't sure what was on her mind. He watched her as she walked towards Kelly's, there was definitely something going on in that head of hers. Once they were seated, Robert asked, "What's on your mind, sweety?"
She let out a sigh, "I'm confused."
"About what?"
"Mom told me she wants her and Uncle Duke to get a divorce."
"Yeah, she told me that too," he said with a nod so she went on.
'When she told me the other morning she looked so happy. Like she knew that was what she wanted. In the evening she seemed worried about something and she was waiting for a call all night. She was still upset yesterday. I think it was about the same thing."
Robert knew Anna was annoyed that Duke hadn't called her back. That she has now called him five times in the last few days and has only actually talked to him once. "She wants to talk to Uncle Duke and can't get a hold of him."
Robin thought for a moment, "So she can talk to him about the divorce?"
"Yes, when I talked to her she told me she is very frustrated with Duke for not returning her phone calls. I don't think she has had a chance to talk to Duke even though she knows what she wants to happen now."
"So they are going to get divorced?"
Robert wasn't sure by her body language if she wanted them to break up or not. "Yes, they are. How do you feel about that?" Ruby came over just as he asked that. She talked to them for a little while then took their order.
After Ruby walked away Robin leaned on her elbows looking at Robert. "I think they are happier now. Mom is, I can tell she is." She paused, "I didn't want Uncle Duke to leave when he did but now Mom's happier, it's nicer at home. They aren't fighting all the time. I haven't been woken up by yelling since he's been gone or walked in on them arguing." Robert put his hand on her shoulder, this wasn't the first time Robin had told him about Anna and Duke fighting and he still didn't like how it affected her. "She looked happy when she told me. I thought it would mean the fighting would end and that Mom could be happy all the time again but she's not."
Robert leaned in and gave her a little grin as he tilted his head. "She got to tell you what she wants. The problem is that she hasn't gotten to talk to Duke yet."
"He isn't going to like this," Robin said, shaking her head. "He told me he would be coming home to us."
"How do you feel about it, about all of this?" Robert asked.
"I don't like them fighting. We were all happy when she came home from the hospital all together again. Mom and Uncle Duke seemed really happy but it wasn't long before he started taking lots of trips to New York and then the fighting started. I know it's about something he wants that Mom doesn't." She sighed, "Mom's been a lot happier since Uncle Duke moved out. Sometimes she walks around humming with a little smile on her face." Robin shakes her head and a little grin appeared, "Nothing's happened, she's just happy," then she gave a little shrug.
"That's what you want, isn't it? You want Mom to be happy."
"Well yeah."
Robert grinned at her. "Hopefully, she will be a lot happier soon. There is just a lot she has to deal with at the moment so Mom has a lot on her mind."
"Alright." Robin looked down at her hands, after a moment she looked up. "Are you coming to my dance recital on Saturday?"
"Of course I am." Robert grinned, hopefully, that meant Robin got to talk about what she needed to and they are moving on to a new topic.
"The dances are amazing, you are going to love it, Daddy. Even the little dancers are great. Oh and they are so cute," she gushed. They talked happily while they ate then Robert said it was time to head home. "Can we go to the park for a little while? It's not that late, Daddy."
Robert checked the time. "Of course sweety, let's go."
Watching her play with some of her friends, Robert was glad she no longer seemed worried about Anna and the Duke situation. This will all work out and he hopes she will be as excited about this as he and Anna are. After letting her play for almost an hour Robert told her it was time to head home, Robin happily agreed then they left the park.
When they walked in Anna looked over at them from the desk, "Hey you two, I was just wondering when you'd be getting back." It made her happy seeing them walk in like that. Anna liked that it felt like they had just returned home for the evening. Soon that will be their reality she thought with a smile.
"Daddy took me to the park so I could play for a while. Tina and Becky were there too."
"I wanted some extra time with my little girl," Robert said grinning at Robin.
"That's fine with me. You finished your homework already, right?" Anna asked.
"Yes, I only had a little bit and I finished before Daddy picked me up. I'm going to go to my room anyway, bye Daddy."
"Night, sweety."
Anna got up and watched Robin as she walked down the little hall to her room, then she turned and looked over at Robert. "Stay for a little while," she offered, then turned and walked over and sat on the couch.
"I was hoping you might ask me to." He walked over and joined her. "Has he called you back yet?
She let out a sigh, "No!" Robert took her hand, "It's starting to feel like he's avoiding me."
"That is possible," he said as he stroked the back of her hand with her thumb. He knew Robin could walk back out here at any time.
"I just want to get this started, I have an appointment to talk to my lawyer tomorrow afternoon."
"What are you putting as your reason?"
"The truth, irreconcilable differences and infidelity. He's going to find out and I think that will make him see that it really is over."
"If you're sure. We'll face this together."
"Yes we will," Anna said with a grin.
Robert looked over his shoulder then at Anna. He moved closer to her and put his arm around her, "Come here." Anna smiled and cuddled in beside him. He put his hand on her stomach, "How are you feeling?"
"Mornings aren't much fun but so far I don't think Olin has noticed that I've been sick several times."
"I wish I could be here for you more."
"Soon," she said with a smile, her head now resting against his shoulder.
Robert stroked her hair lovingly. "Other than the stress from dealing with Duke and some morning sickness, you're doing alright?"
Anna was touched by his concern for her. "Yes, darling. I feel fine for the most part. I'm excited about what comes next and I just want to get to that part. The, us, part." She looked up and he kissed her tenderly, then she put her head back on his shoulder happy in his arms. They talked a little bit about Robin and their days. Content getting to be alone together for a little while.
"As much as I would love to stay here all night with you, I think I should be going. I need to go or I won't leave."
"That doesn't sound that bad."
Robert grinned, "Walk me to the door."
"Alright," she said with a little grin of her own. Anna knew it was for the best if they didn't let themselves get swept up in their feelings tonight.
He got up holding her hand, Anna followed him over to the door. "I hope you get to talk to Duke soon and remember, call me anytime you need to. I mean that."
She stroked his cheek, "I know you do and I will."
Robert pulled her closer so they were both behind the part wall by the door, "I need a kiss before I go."
"Oh, do you?"
Robert nodded, a little grin on his face. "Kiss me." She didn't need to be asked again. Anna leaned forward, as soon as their lips met the passion started to build. It wasn't long before she was against the wall, Robert's body pressed against hers. Robert slowly ended the kiss, "I really needed that but I should be going."
Her fingers were still playing in his hair, "I hate to agree with that but you're right, you need to go." She smiled thinking about what they would end up doing if he didn't.
Robert smiled, he was thinking about the same thing. "Love you."
"I love you too. Night."
"Night." He leaned in and gave her one last quick kiss then turned and walked out the door. Anna leaned against the wall a little longer then turned and walked back over to the couch very grateful Robin had stayed in her room.
…
The next evening, Anna again, sat waiting for the phone to ring at the desk in her living room. Robin was over at Robert's for the night, since she was home alone she wanted Duke to finally call her back. Last night Robert had told her some of what Robin had talked to him about over dinner. She loved that Robin had him to talk to as well, that she could turn to him when she wasn't sure how to talk to her. They are so close and get to be a part of each other's lives. He will be a part of this baby's life as well she thought as she rubbed her stomach. She couldn't help smiling thinking about Robert. That was quite the kiss he had given her before he left last night. Anna couldn't wait until they could have more time alone together. Until they can start planning their future. Well to get to that she needs to deal with Duke first she told herself. Anna picked up the phone and dialled, Duke had better answer this time she thought while she listened to the line ring.
"Hello."
"Hello, Duke. I'm glad I actually caught you." Duke put his hand to his head, seating at his desk in the club office. He did not want to talk to Anna right now. Things had gotten out of hand here and he can't deal with her and their problems right now on top of what he was trying to straighten out here. "Anna, hi. I know you wanted to talk. I forgot to call you the other day."
"I have called you several times since then."
He knew she had, "What is it you want to talk about?" He might as well hear her out then maybe she'll stop calling.
He's tone told her there was no point beating around the bush. "I have come to a decision. Duke, I want a divorce. This marriage isn't working for either of us. We are never going to get past our differences and I need to move on. I want to move on."
The air slowly left his lungs as he took in what she was saying. Duke knew they were in a bad place right now but he didn't think it was something they couldn't work through. He took a sharp breath in, "You don't mean that."
"Yes Duke, I do. You not being here has given me a lot of time to think about us. This is not working, this is not what I want. I need to move on, Duke. I need to be free to move on."
"Why? We can work this out. Yes, the time apart is good for us. There is a lot that we both need to think about but I am not ready to give up on us. We are just having a difference of opinions. You were right about the separation but Anna, you are not right about this."
"You aren't the only one that gets a say in this. I've already talked to my lawyer about filing for divorce. I want a divorce so I can,"
"Anna, just wait until we can talk about this properly. I'm dealing with club business right now. We will talk tomorrow."
"Yeah, right," she scoffed. "When will that be? Is tomorrow four days from now when you decide to answer your phone again?"
"I will fly into Port Charles tomorrow. I'll call you when I get in, I promise."
Anna was a little surprised but glad he at least agrees they need to talk about this right away. "Thank you. I want us to talk, we need to deal with this."
"Fine, we'll talk tomorrow." Then he hung up.
Anna let out a breath, she has finally gotten to tell him. Tomorrow she will see what happens next. See what happens when she tells him about Robert and the baby. She sat back in her chair, please don't fight me on this she thinks then gets up to get herself some juice. She would love something stronger but started rubbing her tummy again, "Mommy can wait."