Chapter 12
Sean stood leaning against the doorframe of the spare room in his penthouse. Until yesterday Robert had been living here, he had packed up what he had left here and moved out. Robert wouldn't talk to him. Sean touched his nose, it had been straightened but both his eyes were black from Robert breaking it the other day. He let out a breath, he shook his head slowly still feeling the regret of what he had done. Tiff had told him that Robert had asked Anna to marry him, she had said yes, of course. Sean was happy for them, he wanted them to have what he had taken away. He hung his head, the more he thought about it, the more he accepted that maybe this is something they can't forgive him for. That this time, maybe they won't get past it.
He turned and went downstairs, then right out the front door. It was another day he would be working from his shipping office. For now, he just wanted to give them both some space. Hopefully, he will still be a wanted partner in the PI firm. Only time will tell.
It was mid-morning when he looked up to see Tiffany walking through his office door. Sean was sitting at his desk, he sat back in his chair and let out a slow breath as he folded his arms across his chest. "You knew he was moving out last night, didn't you?"
"Yes, I did." Tiffany stepped over to his desk, then leaned on it. "He told me you were behind him and Anna breaking up. He didn't give me any details but I understand why he's upset."
"I'm sure it's more than that. I took ten years away from them. He broke my nose. He's more than just upset."
"Why did you tell them?" she asked, wanting to understand what was really going on.
"I want them to have a real chance. They deserve that. Robert believed something happened, something he put in motion and it was because he made a choice to protect Anna. I couldn't let that be something that might come between them one day."
Tiffany really didn't like how that sounded. "What did he think happened?"
"He has believed for ten years that he told me something that cost another man his life. That isn't true. No one died because of what he said." Sean put his hands to his head, running his fingers through his hair. "I had put his life in danger by making a deal with someone and Anna had to do something for that person to save Robert's life."
"Sean!" She couldn't quite believe what she was hearing.
"I was their boss. I had my reasons for doing what I did." He sighed as he leaned forwards, "Back then I did what I thought had to be done. I broke them up because they broke the rules. They got married, they wanted to leave the WSB and I couldn't have that."
Tiffany stood up straight and walked away from Sean. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. No wonder Robert is so angry, why he wanted to get his things when Sean wasn't there. She turned back to him but didn't know what to say.
"I'm not that man anymore. I know what I did to them. What I took away from them. It eats at me. Seeing them together, watching them forgive and become amazing friends and co-parents, finally getting back together. They had to go through that because of me. Because of me, Robert didn't know about his daughter. It's not easy watching the aftermath of an order I gave. Seeing what that choice did to them, what I did to them. I had to tell them the truth. They needed to know so they could have a real chance."
Tiffany had walked back over to him as he was speaking. "Stand up." He looked up at her, then did as she asked. Tiffany put her arms around him. "I'm glad I met the man you are now. He is a good man. I agree," she stroked his cheek, "you needed to tell them the truth."
"Really?"
"Yes, if there was a lie or an untruth that could come between them they needed to know the truth. Robert told me he didn't know how he feels about you now. Give them time, I think they will see that you regret what you did then."
"I do. I have for years. I can't change what I did but I would, in a heartbeat I would."
"I know you would." Tiff kissed him lovingly. "You are a good man Sean Donely."
Sean pulled her close, he was so worried that if he told her what he had done to them that it would change how she feels about him. "I love you, Tiffany Hill. I am so lucky to have you in my life."
"You are lucky," she said with a smile then kissed him again. "Come on, I think you're taking me for lunch."
"It will be my pleasure." They turned and left his office together. It felt good having Tiffany know about this, he could tell her these things, she will listen to him and not judge him. How did he get fortunate enough to meet her? This is the woman he needs in his life.
…
It had been four days since Robert had moved in officially and this was his first Saturday morning there. He laid awake watching Anna sleep her beautiful hair fanned out across her pillow, a few stranded lay on her cheek. He didn't have to go anywhere today and he was quite content just watching her sleep. So peaceful, so beautiful. When they get up today they will be spending the day with Robin, whatever they decide to do. He put his head back, a smile on his face. This felt good, this felt right.
Anna's hand slid up his chest, "Mmm, good morning," he said looking over at her.
"Good morning." She snuggled in a little closer and gave him a quick kiss. "I like that we have nothing to do today."
"So do I. We can do whatever we want as long as we do it as a family."
"Did I mention that Robin is extremely happy that her Daddy lives with us now."
"No you didn't, but she did." He stroked her hair, "I am very glad you convinced me to move in. This is where we all belong."
"You, me and Robin, all together." There was a knock at the door as if on queue as she said this. "Yes," she called.
The door opened and Robin's head poked through, "Can I come in?"
"Of course you can," Robert answered.
She hurried into the room and onto the bed crawling in between them. They just smiled and adjusted making room for her. "What are we going to do today?" Robin asked excitedly.
"The only plan we have is spending the day with you," Anna told her with a smile.
"I like that plan."
Robert smiled at her and ruffled her hair, this felt truly wonderful. His little girl had just crawled into bed with them for the first time.
"After we've had breakfast if there's something you want to do let us know. We just want a day where the three of us are all together," Anna said, then looked at Robert and smiled seeing the happy look on his face.
"I wouldn't mind spending part of the day at the park," Robin hinted.
"I think that can be arranged," Robert said as he kissed the top of her head. He looked over at Anna and she leaned in and kissed him. "I am looking forward to a lot more days like this."
"This is just the first of many to come," she said smiling at him. "Alright kiddo, I think it's time we all got out of bed."
"Come on Daddy, you can help me make pancakes."
"Alright." Robert happily got out of bed and followed her downstairs.
…
They'd had a wonderful weekend together. They were fairly sure Robin hadn't stopped smiling the entire time. It made them both very happy to see that she really is happy that they are now together. Anna came downstairs after tucking her in. "She was out almost as soon as her head hit the pillow," Anna said as she sat down beside Robert.
"Well, we did have a rather busy weekend."
"I loved every minute of it."
Robert sat back, a big smile on his face, "So did I." This is what he has been missing, the way it always should have always been. Robert let out a sigh, "I don't really want to bring this up but, ah, how do you feel about your business partner?"
Anna took a moment, then leaned forwards as she looked over at Robert, "I don't know." She let out a sigh as she thought a little about it. "He told us that so it could never come between us now."
"It could only come between us because he set it all in motion."
"Yeah, but I never should have been a double agent."
"Anna you made a mistake when you were young, you regret it. I know you do. You've moved on from that."
"Of course I regret it." She took his hand, "Sean regrets what he did as well."
"He never should have done it! All we wanted was a life together!" he said a little heatedly.
"You're right, Sean shouldn't have, and I shouldn't have worked for the DVX."
"Stop it! For all, you know Sean knew the entire time and you never did anything he didn't want you to!"
Anna's shoulders slumped as the air left her lungs, she hadn't even considered that, "Do you think that could be true?"
"I don't know. How do we know what we can trust now?"
Anna covered her face, slowly sliding her hands down until they were covering her mouth. "What if he was using me? How long did he know I was a double agent?"
"It didn't take him long to find out we were married," Robert pointed out.
"You have a very good point." Anna adjusted how she was sitting and let out a long breath, "I feel a little ill."
"Is it the baby?"
"No."
Robert reached up and started rubbing her back. "I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sorry."
"You're right though." She leaned in and he wrapped his arms around her. "I don't want to talk about this anymore tonight."
"Alright." He slowly stroked her hair and she started to relax. He kissed her cheek, "This was our first weekend as a real family. Think about the amazing weekend we had with our daughter."
Anna nodded, "Mmm," she smiled as a tear rolled down her cheek. She had dreamed about times like this. To have Robin know her father, to have her father in their life, to be with Robert again. As more tears fell she took his face in her hands and kissed him. "I have you back."
Robert wiped her cheek with his thumb, "Why are you crying?"
"I have you back. All I wanted from the moment you left my hospital room was to have you back. To have you love me, to be there for our baby." Her tears started again. She wiped them herself this time, "I'm happy, I am so unbelievably happy. She smiled at him, "Damn hormones."
He laughed then leaned in and kissed her tenderly, "I have you back," he whispered. "I think it's time we head up to bed."
"I think you might be right." She stood up and stepped back as she pulled on his hand. Robert stood then followed her upstairs."Give me a few minutes and I'll meet you in our bed," Anna gave him a quick kiss then turned and went into their bathroom.
Robert got undressed then got into bed. He started thinking about what they had been talking about. What had Sean known and when did he know it? What all had Sean been up to back then? He was still lost in thought when he felt Anna get into bed. When he looked over at her, she smiled, "We aren't thinking about that now."
He looked down at what she was wearing, "We most certainly are not." The little bit of black silk he could see was all he needed to know that it wouldn't be staying on her much longer. His hand moved up her side as he pulled her closer, "You are breathtaking." Then he kissed her passionately, as desire washed over him.
Anna kissed him hungrily, as she moved across his chest, her body pressed against his. Robert grabbed her ass firmly, making her moan. She thrust her hips forward then Robert pulled her leg across his body. "Mmm, I want that," she said with a mischievous grin as she felt his hard shaft pressed into her hip. She sat up straddling him as she did. Robert pulled her nightie off as he sat up, then kissed her hard as she started to stroke him. "I really like having you here with me at night."
"Mmmm, I can tell." He kissed her then rolled them over. Anna's arms went around his neck as he buried himself in her core. "Ah, Anna." Slowly he started rocking his hips as he kissed her shoulder. Her fingers in his hair holding him close.
There was no need for words as they moved together. Anna arched her hips up moaning as he continued to thrust into her, harder now. He pushed himself upon his hands, Anna's hand moved up his chest. "Ahhh." How does he do that? Oh, it feels so good. "Don't stop, ah Robert, don't stop."
As he felt her start to tighten around him he let himself go. Calling each other's names as they reached their release. Breathing heavily still holding himself over her, Robert grinned down at her, "I get to do this with you for the rest of my life."
"Yes, you do." He leaned down and kissed her tenderly, then he smiled and laid down beside her, putting his head back closing his eyes.
Anna turned on her side, putting her hand on his chest. "I love you."
"I love you too." He said without opening his eyes.
Anna watched him as he started to drift off to sleep, smiling happily. This had been an amazing weekend and she was looking forward to everything that comes after this. She leaned in and kissed his cheek then cuddled in beside him and fell asleep.