Chapter 21

Anna sat cuddled in with Robert. He had one leg up on the couch holding her close, her back resting against his chest as he rubbed her now big round belly. She was a little over eight months along and felt like she was as big as a house. "Your son is a lot bigger than our daughter. It feels like he's gonna pop a rib when he kicks."

"He must get that kick from you then," he said as he kissed the side of her head.

"Oh, is that how it is?" she asked with a smile.

"I was as much a part of this as I was with Robin, I think we're both equal parts."

They both laughed at that then Anna said, "Oh, but Robin's a little like me. This little one is going to be tall and strong like his father."

He couldn't help smiling, thinking about what his son might be like. "I am very excited about having a son," Robert admitted proudly.

"You are going to be so wonderful with him. Are you ready for diapers Dad?"

"I might need a few pointers but I feel up to the challenge."

Anna groaned slightly as the baby pushed again, then she adjusted to get comfortable once again. "I'm not doing anything, aww, just stop pushing," she said as she rubbed where he had just kicked her. After a moment she let out a little sigh as the baby relaxed and stopped pushing on her ribs. "What were we talking about before he interrupted?"

"I was saying that Tiffany accepted Sean's marriage proposal."

"He finally pulled off something she loved?" Anna asked with a smile. Tiffany had been telling her about the different ways Sean had tried to set up his proposal and that so far she hadn't really turned him down so he just kept trying better ways.

"I guess," he said with a little laugh. "All I know was they were very excited when they stopped by the office earlier."

"Good, I'm happy for them." She put her head back on his shoulder. "Do you know what I'm looking forward to?"

"Having a baby?"

"Well of course that," she said with a laugh. "I am looking forward to the holidays with you. Our little family all together for Thanksgiving, for Christmas. Our little bundle of joy getting here around the new year."

"I'm looking forward to all of that too." He closed his eyes, putting his head back. These last few months have been wonderful, better than anything he could have imagined. Robert had never dreamed he could be this happy. Their life was so much fuller now than it was the first time they had been married. These little moments, the big events all meant that much more now. This was them getting the life they had lost, Robert smiled, enjoying having her there in his arms, having her back in his life.

…

After the club was closed for the night, Duke took a seat at the bar as the staff went about their work cleaning up for the night. He let out a sigh then put his head in his hands. Not quite a month ago Maggie walked back into his life. She has explained about the baby and that she had planned on telling him months ago but then when he left town she felt it was better not to cause any more problems for him. She thought it would be better for his marriage if he never knew about the baby. It wasn't until after she learned of the divorce that she decided to tell him and had returned to Port Charles.

He understood why she had made those choices. He also understands what she is now offering him. She wants him to be a part of their child's life. Maggie has also made it clear that he could have her in his life as well if that is something he is interested in. That if he wanted to have a relationship with her all he has to do is tell her that.

Until last night nothing had happened since before she left Port Charles. Why had he kissed her? They were talking about the baby, they were throwing around names wondering if this was a boy or a girl then she had started to complain about being in some discomfort. He had rubbered her back, made sure she was comfortable then they had just sat together watching some old movie. When she cuddled in a little closer he put his arm around her, then at some point, he had leaned in and kissed her. It was soft and sweet and lovely. Why did he do it if he doesn't know what he wants? She was a wonderful woman and didn't deserve to be strung along by him. If he isn't willing to be in a real relationship with her he needs to figure that out before he lets it go too far. It wouldn't be fair to any of them to start something only to change his mind a few months down the line, especially their baby.

"What's on your mind, boss?" Angel asked as he sat on the barstool next to him. Duke looked over at him then sighed and hung his head again. "That bad, hey? This can only be about one thing, a dame."

"Yeah, I can't mess this one up. This is about my kid."

Angel shook his head slightly in disbelief. "Duke, I thought you had accepted that Robert is the father of Anna's baby."

Duke let out another long breath and shook his head slowly. "I wasn't thinking about them. I might still want proof about that when the baby gets here but that isn't the baby I'm referring to."

With a raised eyebrow Angel leaned in, "Did you knock up some broad in the city?"

"No, this one I was having an affair with before I left town," Duke admitted after a pause.

"Did Anna know about this? Is that why all this happened?"

"I don't know which one of us cheated first," Duke said with a slight shake of his head. "Maybe we were doomed from the start. Maybe she's right and we should have waited to get married. This all could have been different."

"Or it could have turned out exactly how it did," Angel offered.

"Yeah, I guess it could have." Duke put his hand to his head, "You've seen her in here a few times since she's come back. We've had dinner a few times. She's about eight months pregnant and is leaving it up to me what happens next."

As he spoke Angel realized he did know who Duke was talking about. Her name is Margaret and he does remember them spending time together several months ago. He had noticed she is pregnant but it had never occurred to him that Duke could be the father. "What are you gonna do? What does she want from ya?"

"She is offering me a chance to be a part of my child's life. She is also willing to take a chance on us being a couple if I want that."

"Do you want that? That's pretty big, boss." Angel was having a hard time accepting what he was hearing, this must-have really hit Duke when he heard it, he thought.

"I am going to be a part of my child's life," Duke said with certainty.

Angel studied his friend as he spoke, he believed Duke meant that. "What about the mother?"

"I don't know." Duke thought about that a little more. "I know she has feelings for me. I think she might even be in love with me but I don't really know how I feel about her."

"You still hung up on Anna?" Angel knew Duke was always going to have feelings for Anna Devane.

"Of course I am. I also know that isn't going to happen now. She's married to Scorpio and with Robin maybe that's how it should be. I don't know if knowing that is enough to let myself try with someone else."

"Someone else that just happens to be having your baby." Angel patted Duke on the back then stood up again leaving him alone to think some more. All he could do for his friend right now was be there for him when he needed someone to listen.

Duke finished his drink then got up and went to his apartment. Angel's right, he needs to figure this out and soon. If he is willing to give a relationship with Maggie a chance then he needs to be sure about that and if he isn't then he needs to stop giving her the wrong idea. Their baby would be here in about a month and he knew he needed to figure all of this out before then. Well, he at least needs to figure out if he is willing to give a relationship with Maggie a chance. It's not fair to anyone to just string her along.

…

It was now just a little over a week until Christmas and the excitement was in the air. Everyone was getting ready for the holiday, going to Christmas parties, school performances. Anna and Robert had just arrived at Duke's Club, they were meeting Sean and Tiffany for dinner. Tiffany wanted them all to go out together so tonight was the PI firm's unofficial Christmas party. Their wedding was in two weeks and according to Tiffany, they could all use a night out.

"How are you doing?" Robert asked Anna as they waited to be seated.

"I told you, I don't care if Duke might not like seeing us out together. We're married, we go out together and he owns a popular night club. We are going to come here once in a while."

"You are absolutely right," Robert nodded in agreement. "Even if I was asking about you, how you and junior were feeling." Anna just smiled up at him. "We won't stay late if you don't want but it will be nice spending time with them."

"Yes, it will." Anna was glad the three of them had been able to regain their friendship. Maybe it was even better now, no more secrets from the past waiting to be exposed. They are all at the beginning of new life paths as well. "I had a little nap earlier so hopefully he will cooperate and let me enjoy tonight."

"Hopefully," he said with a smile just as Angel walked over and greeted them.

Angel showed them to their table and as they were seated Sean and Tiffany arrived. They all greeted each other happily then Tiffany started talking a mile a minute about everything until she got to the topic of their wedding. Then it was time for serious discussion.

"Are you sure, Anna. If you can't make it I won't be offended. If you go into labour I will even understand that the best man might have to leave."

"I've spoken to Junior about this a few times now. We are shooting to be the New Year baby not steal the spotlight from Tiffany Hill," Robert said with a grin.

That made them all laugh. Anna leaned a little closer to him, "It is so cute, Robert talks to his son every night." She ran her fingers through his hair by his ear. "I have often fallen asleep listening to him." It was how gentle he is while talking to the baby, how his hand caress her body. The two of them all alone, the love she feels during those moments. That is what puts her most at ease, knowing that Robert is there loving her, loving their family. That she has him back and they are just starting the next chapter of their life's adventure.

"That's when I tell Junior all the good stuff," Robert said with a bit of a laugh.

"I'm sure the man to man talks can wait until he's at least out," Sean offered with a smile.

"I don't know, some of this is really important stuff and he needs to know just how amazing his mom is."

"I've heard you tell him that before, you know," Anna said as she laughed.

"There might be other things we've talked about while you were sleeping," Robert said then leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.

Anna was still smiling when she asked, "So how are the wedding plans really going? I know it's not as bad as you think, Tiff."

"No, you're right. I believe most things are on track and will be ready for our wedding day. My parents still haven't confirmed if they're going to make it. If they do I just know that will add an entirely new layer of things to worry about that day."

Sean rubbed her shoulder and she smiled over at him, "It will be fine. If your family is there that just means I finally get to meet them."

"Oh Sean, I know." It wasn't that Tiffany was worried about Sean meeting her family, it was what he might think of her family name that concerned her the most. "I just wish Mamma would let me know one way or another already."

"It will be wonderful," Anna said with a bright smile. "No matter what, I know Tiffany Hill will have the wedding of her dreams."

They continued to talk happily, all enjoying an evening out together. They were not paying attention to the other people there and none of them was in the dancing mood. They had mostly stayed to themselves all evening, it might be a while before they have a chance for a night like this.

Duke had seen them all come in but was glad it was Angel that had greeted them. As they got ready to leave Duke turned to avoid bumping into them and having to make small talk. It still hurts seeing Robert and Anna together, seeing Anna look that happy with another man. He sighed as he turned to the elevator go up to the office. What had been between him and Anna was gone. It was time for him to accept that, there might not be a future for him and Anna but there is going to be someone here very soon that will need him. That is who he should be thinking about.

A/N: If you're still reading this glad you're sticking with me. It's almost time for baby Scorpio to arrive. The Stiff wedding will not be touched so next chapter they will just be married. To this day theirs is still one of the funniest weddings so I'm not touching that lol. Leave a comment if you're enjoying this story. Thanks