Chapter 5

They had both fallen asleep for a little while, now they were just laying in each other's arms. "Stay here tonight," Robert said as he stroked her hair.

"I can't."

"Who would know? There's no one to go home to."

Anna grinned, "That is true."

"When is Felicia dropping Robin off?"

"At about eleven, so Robin still has time to get ready."

Robert kissed her neck, "Spend the night with me."

She tilted her head giving him better access. "Alright, I'll stay."

"Good." Robert gave her a quick kiss then laid back. He took her hand in his, lifting it to his lip. "I noticed the other day you aren't wearing your wedding rings now," then he kissed her hand.

"I took them off when I got back from the cabin. I didn't want to wear another man's rings any longer."

"Anna, are you mine?" She nodded with a little grin. "I can't wait for everyone to know that."

"I never stopped loving you, Robert. I just thought I had lost you, that you would never want me as yours again."

"I never stopped loving you either. I tried to forget you. I tried to pretend there had never been an Anna Devane but I couldn't, you've been a part of me since we first met."

"I feel the same way." Then she kissed him tenderly.

"Do you want to eat? I could cook you a little something."

Anna grinned at the sudden change in topic, "I could eat. I think you should eat. We'll want to have lots of energy for later," she smiled suggestively.

"Mmmm, I agree about that." Robert kissed her then got out of bed. Anna watched him as he pulled on a pair of jeans. He looked over at her and grinned. "Are you expected to eat in bed?"

"I'm just enjoying the view before you cover up that amazing body again."

Robert dropped the shirt he had just picked up making Anna grin. "Would you like to borrow my robe?"

"Yes, please." Robert picked it up then brought it over. Anna got out of bed and took it from him. As she put it on Robert put his hand on her stomach. Anna covered his hand with hers, "Made from our love for each other."

"I am so excited about this. We're having a baby." Robert looked in her eyes as he pulled the robe closed and tied it for her. "I'm also scared of making a total mess of all of this. Two kids, Anna. We're a couple now. There's so much we need to figure out and I know that should feel overwhelming but I just feel energized. I want this so much."

"Oh, Robert." Anna put her arms around him.

"I know we are going to struggle at times, this is a big change. I'm sure at some point we will both wonder what we have gotten ourselves into. Oh and I know we are going to argue," that made Anna giggle, "but there will be so many more wonderful moments. I am looking forward to all of it. This is going to be a big adjustment for us. It isn't going to be easy but we both want this and will do whatever it takes to be together. Oh Luv," Robert leaned in and kissed her tenderly, showing her the love he couldn't put into words.

Anna took his hand when the kiss ended, she smiled at him sweetly there was nothing else that needed to be said. Then she led him out of the bedroom. When they got to the kitchen she sat on one of the stoles as he went over and started pulling things out of the fridge. "I think it is very sexy that you can cook."

"I think it is adorable that you can't"

"Oh aren't you funny tonight?" Anna said with a laugh.

"I'm always funny," he said and flashed her a quick smile as he started cutting up the ingredients. Once everything was started Robert went and got them both a glass of orange juice and sat down beside Anna. "Are you worried?"

"No." She took his hand, "I want to be with you. I have known that for a while now." Anna leaned in and kissed his cheek. "I think I realized the night we were together that it could be you, I was meant to be with."

Robert put his head down, her hand moved to his neck. "I knew I might never have a chance to tell you how I felt again. That night I had to tell you how I truly feel, even if we were never going to talk about it again." His head tilted towards her hand as she stroked his cheek.

"I know, I felt the same way. Then once I knew," Anna paused and Robert looked up at her, "I couldn't stop myself from wondering." Anna kissed him lovingly, "Don't forget you're cooking."

Robert smiled as he got up and went over to the stove. "I have thought very dirty thoughts about you since that night."

"Are those the only thoughts you've had?"

Robert looked over at her, "No but they're the fun ones I like to get lost in," he admitted with a grin making her smile again. "I have thought about the what-ifs as well. Now here we are in one of those what-ifs and I am excited to be here."

"What if our night together produced a baby." There was a dreamy look on her face as Anna spoke. "Is it wrong that part of me secretly wanted that what if to come true."

"What's wrong with letting yourself dream a little?" What if it happened again? What if they got back together? What if she leaves Duke for him? What if they could try again? What if she gets pregnant? Robert had been doing a little dreaming of his own.

Anna smiled, "Yeah, what's wrong with that." They both lean in and share a playful kiss before Robert went to finish cooking. As they ate they talked about their days. It felt great, just the two of them getting to share an evening alone together.

…

The next morning they were awake early but took their time, enjoying their first morning together since they had been married. Robert loved waking up with her in his arms, Anna's head on his chest. She looked up at him as he stroked her hair, "Good morning."

"Good morning, Luv." He leaned in and kissed her tenderly. "It feels wonderful to hold you like this again."

"This is where I belong, this is where I should wake up every morning."

"Won't it be a little crowded, four of us living in Sean's guest room?" Robert asked with a smile making Anna laugh. She looked up at him smiling happily, oh how she loved this man, then she leaned in and kissed him passionately she was in no rush to get out of bed this morning. It didn't appear Robert was either, his hand slid down her body as their desire took over.

After they had eaten breakfast at Sean's, and a brief bout of morning sickness Robert went to Anna's with her. They both wanted to spend more time together but Robert also wanted to be there if Duke showed up. They were sitting on the couch waiting for Robin to get home. Robert had his hand on her stomach, her head on his shoulder. "I really like this," Anna said with her eyes closed.

"So do I. I am looking forward to more time like this." He kissed the top of her head, "How big of a house do we want?"

Anna grinned, "I think we'll need four bedrooms."

"Four? Are you already planning for another baby?"

Anna giggled, she knew he was only being silly. "Not yet no. I was thinking we would want a spare room as well."

"Oh, I see." He slipped his hand under her top, rubbing her stomach. "I think this little one is enough for right now. We have a lot to figure out and look forward to already."

"I am looking forward to when this gets to be our normal day. In our little home, my belly out to here," she said, holding her hand out in front of herself. "You and I cuddled together like this."

"Anna, what do you want to do if he fights you on the divorce? I want everyone to know you and I are together. That you are having my baby. How long do we wait to be a couple if he won't give you a divorce?"

Anna sat up and turned to look at him, his hand moved to her cheek, his thumb stroking it gently. "I am dating you. We are a couple, after talking to Duke today I am going to start telling people he and I are getting a divorce. I don't care if Duke wants to drag this out. I don't think we should go out and start yelling it from the rooftops but I think as we start going out more and more people are going to understand that we are together."

"When do I get to hold your hand, kiss you in public?"

"The kissing can't happen yet we haven't even talked to Robin, but I would like to go to the recital today with you, I will hold your hand, sit with you. I need to talk to Duke but I am spending my day with you."

"Alright, when do we want to talk to Robin about us? Do you think she will understand any of this?"

"I think we should talk to her together but not until after her recital. I want her to know about us soon though."

"I do too." He took her hand, "We're finally going to be a family."

Anna smiled, "Yes we are." She turned as she heard the door open. Robert let her hand go as Robin came into the room, Felicia following her.

"Hi Mommy. Hi Daddy, I didn't know you were going to be here." She walked over and gave him a hug.

"I came over to talk to your Mom and we agreed that we are all going to go to your recital together."

Robin smiled brightly, "That's greats. I have to go get ready."

"We still have about an hour before we have to leave," Anna called after her as she hurried off to her room. Anna turned back to Felicia, "Thank you, for taking her last night."

Felicia grinned and glanced at Robert. "No problem, I love having her come visit. Morning Robert, when did you get here?"

"About an hour ago."

Anna got up and smiled at Felicia, they can talk about this at the office on Monday. "Did you want anything to drink?"

"No, I'm good thanks. I am actually gonna get going. I have a little running around to do before the recital so I will see you both there." She touched Anna's shoulder as she passed her, a little grin on her face as she glanced towards Robert, Anna just grinned back. "Bye."

When she was gone, Anna looked back over at Robert. "I think I will be confirming something on Monday when I get to the office."

"I want our friends to know," Robert said as he stood up.

"She knows, I told her there was someone else after Duke had stormed out of the office yesterday. That little grin she gave me, she knows you're the someone else."

Robert pulled her into his arms, a smile on his face. "Our friends are already finding out."

"Yes, they are." Anna gave him a quick kiss then she turned to go help Robin get ready.

…

When Robert and Anna took their seats Anna took one more look around, she still had not seen Duke. Was he even going to show up? She knows they need to talk about this more but that didn't mean Duke was going to show up. She also knew this was not the place for this type of conversation. Robert took her hand as the first dancers were introduced, she instantly relaxed and settled in to enjoy the performance.

They were standing together waiting for Robin when they both heard her. "Uncle Duke, you made it!"

"Of course I did. I couldn't miss this." He gave her a big hug then they both turned to her parents. "Hello Anna, Robert."

"Duke," Robert said with a nod.

"Hello Duke, I'm glad you made it."

"I said I'd be here."

Anna knew that didn't really mean much any longer, his word wasn't what it once was to her. "When would you like to talk?" Anna asked.

"I was actually going to ask if I could take Robin for a late lunch. I realized after I left your office that this is not the place for the conversation we need to have."

"No it is not but we still do need to talk more."

"I can take Robin this evening, give you two some time alone," Robert offered.

Duke looked at him, of course, Robert knows what's going on between them he thinks. "Thank you, Robert. Should I drop her off at your place?"

"I'll pick her up at the house," Robert told him.

"Alright," he turned back to Robin. "I get to spend a little time with you, where do you want to go?"

"Kelly's."

"I should have known that." He put his hand on her back, "Let's go." Robin said good-bye to her parents then walked away with Duke.

Anna watched Robin and Duke leave together. She closed her eyes as Robert took her hand then let out a little sigh. She smiled at Robert, "Looks like we get a little more time to ourselves."

"Yes, it does. Let's get out of here," he said with a smile then they left.

They went back to Anna's and spent the rest of the afternoon there. Robert knew the conversation she was going to have with Duke was not going to be easy on her. Anna was stretched out on the couch as Robert gave her a foot rub, "As I get bigger you are going to have to do this more often."

"I can do that. I want to make up for what I missed with Robin so I think that means I owe you a lot of foot rubs."

"Late night craving runs, you'll have to do those as well."

"Oh, will I?"

"Yes, especially if we aren't living together yet. Food wasn't the only thing I craved when I was pregnant with Robin."

Robert grinned, "Did I mention that I think we should start looking for a house?"

Anna started laughing, "You said something about that, yeah."

"I want to be involved, to be a part of this pregnancy."

"I want that too." Anna put her head back and closed her eyes, feeling very relaxed at the moment as he continued to give her a foot rub.

Several minutes later Robert put her foot down and smiled at Anna, he was sure she had fallen asleep. He got up and walked into the kitchen wanting to get a drink. As he leaned against the counter he started thinking about his finances. They need a house, he knows he'll have to move a few things around but he feels he will be able to provide them with a nice home. He was working out the price range he thought they would have when he heard Robin's voice. He turned and walked back into the living room.

"Hi, Daddy. Mommy was asleep when we got here."

"I know, I was talking to her then she stopped answering me so I went to get something to drink and was just hanging out in the kitchen. I figured she either needed the sleep or I am rather boring." Anna smiled over at them. "So what are we doing this evening?"

"Can we go see a movie?"

"If that's what you want, sure. Go put your things away then we'll get going."

"Alright." She looked at the three adults in the room, Robin knew what they were all not talking about. She fully understood why she was leaving with her father. This really is happening, they are going to get divorced. That's why Uncle Duke is here, why he showed up to watch her dance today. When she came back into the living room no one was talking. "I'm ready."

"Let's get going then." Robert then stepped over to Anna, "Call me later, let me know if she's spending the night." Then he leaned in and kissed her cheek. They both knew Robert was coming back here no matter what this evening but he didn't think Duke needed to know that.

"I will talk to you later. Bye Robin, have fun."

"Bye, Mommy. Bye, Uncle Duke." Then she turned and they left.

Anna turned to Duke, "Thank you for doing this. We need to talk but you made Robin very happy by being here today."

"I miss her. I miss you too, Anna."

"You made your choice, Duke. The Jeromes or our life here. I've made a choice as well. My life is here with Robin. What I want is here. I can't stay married to you when,"

"Anna stop! Just wait. I told you we are not getting divorced."

Anna looked at him, not believing he won't even hear her out. "Duke, let me finish, please."

"No," Duke said angrily. He didn't want to hear why she thought they needed to end things. It didn't matter because they were not getting a divorce. "What you think is so important right now, isn't. You and I, our marriage, that's what's important. We will get through this. We are meant to be together, Anna."

"Duke, I know that's what you think but your actions prove it's not true. Your life isn't here, it isn't with me."

"Of course it is. I am doing what I need to do then I will come home to you and Robin."

"We won't be here to come home to! I am leaving you, Duke. I want a divorce!" He is being so frustrating why won't he just listen to her.

"I said no! I am done fighting with you, I have to get back to the city."

"No, we have to straighten this out. I am filing for divorce, Duke. I am no longer your wife."

"You will always be my wife, Anna." He turned to the door, "We will talk again when you've come to your senses."

"DUKE!" she yelled after him but he didn't stop, he just walked out the door. Anna was so infuriated, she picked up a cushion and screamed into it. Why is he acting like this? Why won't he let her tell him the reason she needs to leave him? She lowered the cushion then flopped onto the couch. She has a meeting with her lawyer on Monday and after that Duke will be served the papers. It doesn't matter how much he wants to fight this Anna knows she will never change her mind. Robert is who she wants in her life, to have a life with. She put her head back and sighed, hopefully, it wasn't a long movie they went to see. She wanted both of them back here with her, Anna thought with a smile.

…

When Anna heard the front door open she walked back into the living room. " How was the movie?"

"Good, Daddy let me have popcorn liquorice and M&M's."

"Oh did he?" Robin smiled and nodded. "You've had a big day so I think you deserved it."

"She was nice enough to share with me too."

"Yes, I did. Is Uncle Duke still here?"

"No, he left a while ago"

"Oh, alright." Then Robin turned and went to her bedroom. Anna watched her then let out a sigh and put her head down.

"How did it go?" Robert asked. Anna didn't raise her head, she just shook it, no. "That bad?" He stepped over to her and put his arms around her. Anna's arms were around him quickly. "What happened?"

"He says he won't give me the divorce," then she started crying into his chest.

"Oh Annie, shhh." He stroked her hair as he kissed the side of her head. "Baby, it will be alright. We will get through this."

"I just want to be with you."

"And you will be, you are. I am the man in your life."

Anna leaned back in his arms and he leaned in and kissed her. "He didn't let me talk much again today. I still haven't been able to tell him the other reason I'm leaving him. I did tell him we wouldn't be here for him to come home to."

"I guess we should find a place for you to move into then." He leaned in again, kissing her tenderly. "This will all work out, it might take a while but we will get married, even if it is after the little one gets here."

"That's all I want." She stroked his cheek then leaned in kissing him. "Stay here with me, I don't want you to leave yet."

"Well, it's a good thing I wanted to spend the rest of the evening here." They stood there holding each other a little longer, neither wanting to let the other go. They know no matter what, they are going to be together. This time they will stay together.