Chapter 37

"So why do you want to do this now and why at the Floating Rib?" Maxie asked Lulu as they walked into the Crimson office.

"Because I think Mom and Kevin will like to have a more laid back celebration so the Floating Rib works. Since Ryan was messing with their life and Kevin was actually locked up in Ferncliff, they didn't get to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. We've all been through so much because of Ryan and I think now that we really know he is dead why shouldn't we throw a little party and let loose some," Lulu told her.

Maxie smiled, "I agree. When do you want to do this?"

"Why not this Friday? I know it's only a couple of days away but the biggest thing is going to be inviting people."

"Yeah, I'll talk to my Mom and then I'll take care of arranging the decorations. Let me know who all needs to be invited and between the two of us we'll get ahold of everyone."

"Thank you, Maxie. I think this will be perfect." They walked over to Maxie's desk and started talking about what all needed to be done to prepare for the little party on Friday. When they were done Lulu got up to leave, "Oh, did you talk to Anna about those samples?"

Maxie looked at her thinking for a moment, "Oh no, I didn't but when I was talking to Robert he made it sound like there was only one sample."

"But Peter told you he got the results, why didn't you ask about it?"

"I couldn't really. Anna was talking to Peter while I was keeping my uncle distracted. He doesn't trust Peter as it is, I wasn't going to bring it up in front of him."

"Why doesn't he trust him?"

"Honestly, I think it is because Faison raised him."

"That doesn't mean Peter is like his father," Lulu said.

"The things Faison put Robert Anna and Robin all through, that he put so many people through. I don't think he can see how a child raised by that man isn't at least a little bit like him. So he doesn't trust him."

"I guess that makes sense, I can see why he would feel that way. Is it going to be a problem if Peter is at the party on Friday?"

"No, with Anna there Robert won't start anything."

"Good, because I want everyone to have a good time. I'm going to go start contacting people," Lulu said.

"I will too, see you later." Then Lulu left the office.

...

When Laura and Kevin walked into the Floating Rib they both smiled, Laura took Kevin's arm, "What is this all for?" They had been told they needed to come here but not why.

"I'm not sure," he answered. Then they saw Lulu and Maxie come walking over with big smiles. "I bet they'll tell us."

"Hi, Mom, Kevin. I'm so glad you're finally here."

"I didn't think we were late," Laura said.

"Not really, no."

"What's going on?"

"Well, I decided that since you didn't get to celebrate your first anniversary you should get that chance now. Also, now that Ryan is gone I thought people could use a reason to get out and let loose a little."

"I think that is a wonderful idea," Kevin said happily.

"This is just what we all need, put that horror behind us," Laura said, then hugged Lulu.

They all moved further into the room and started greeting other people that were there. Everyone was smiling and seemed to be enjoying themselves. When Kevin saw Mac and Felicia he excused himself. He smiled when he got to them but he wasn't sure if they wanted to talk to him. "Hello."

Felicia and Mac turned, "Hello Kevin."

"Hi," Felicia could see the sadness in his eyes and gave him a hug. When it came out about Kevin's part in Ryan's return they had both been upset, Mac more than Felicia, but they knew Kevin had only wanted to help his brother he never wanted anyone to get hurt.

"I'm sorry that so many people were hurt because of me and I hate that you had to go through so much pain and fear again."

Felicia touched his cheek, "Kevin, tonight we are here to have a good time because we know Ryan can never cause any of us pain again. Let's not talk about him tonight."

He smiled at her and nodded, "Alright."

Mac patted his shoulder, "I was angry but I guess I understand that you just wanted to help your brother, even if he was beyond help."

"Yes, clearly he was." Kevin looked around, "There are a lot of people here."

"Maxie said it's a party so they invited a lot of people, they're still expecting more people," Felicia told him then she noticed Anna walk in and waved her over. "Hi, glad you made it."

"I wasn't going to miss this. I know what a relief it is when the person that keeps threatening everything is finally gone."

They all knew who she was talking about. "Well, tonight you can celebrate that too," Mac offered. "Where's my brother?"

"He'll be here after his flight gets in."

"Good, are you two ready to celebrate anything yet?" Mac asked with a little grin. Anna just smiled then turned to get herself a drink.

As the evening went on it was clear the people there were all there to have a good time. More people kept arriving most had been invited some heard about it and decided they wanted to be here. The music was playing and there were even some people dancing. When Finn walked in he saw Anna talking to Maxie Peter and Lulu. Anna was smiling and looked very happy, a quick scan of the room and Finn realized Robert wasn't here. He watched her for a while, oh how he missed her. She looked so happy, smiling and laughing. He never got to hear her laugh enough, while they were together there had been happy times but there had been so many tears, so much pain that she had been dealing with. It was nice to see her enjoying herself.

Finn started to make his way over to Anna, he waited until Maxie and Lulu walked away and she was only talking to Peter. "I'm glad you want to do this, maybe she will give you some of the answers you're looking for," Anna said to Peter as Finn joined them. "Hello Finn," she said as she noticed him.

"Hello Anna, Peter."

"Hi Finn, I'll let you two talk," Peter said then walked away leaving them alone.

"You look happy tonight," Finn noted.

"I am," she said with a smile. "Tonight everyone can just relax and enjoy themselves and that includes me."

"I'm glad to hear that. Can we talk?"

"I think we already are," she said with a little grin.

"Right," he glanced around then back at Anna. "Last week when you were at the hospital we didn't get to talk very long."

"No, we didn't. What do you want to talk about?"

"Um, were you and Peter talking about him visiting Alex?"

"Yes, he's leaving tomorrow and has a couple of visits line up so he can at least meet her and he says he wants to ask her some questions."

"And you're OK with that?"

Anna thought that was an odd question, "Yeah, I think it's a good idea."

"Really?"

Again Anna was confused by his response, "Yes, why wouldn't be? I want Peter to meet his mother."

"His mother, right," Finn said as he wiped his forehead. How does she not see how crazy this is? "Anna, Peter is your son."

"Oh please! Do not start that again, Finn."

"The things you told me, how emotional you were when you did. How we made love after."

That caught Anna's attention, they hadn't made love after she told him about Peter. "Finn, I don't want to talk about this tonight. We can stand here and have a conversation but we are not talking about Peter or the fact you still believe he's my son."

Finn was realizing he would have to come up with another way to get her to talk about this, "Fine, I'm sorry. I heard you went to visit Robin last weekend."

Anna smiled, "I did."

As they continued to talk someone else walked in, he smiled seeing so many people there having a good time, he took in the fact there were even a few couples dancing. He walked over to the bar and smile at the couple standing there, "Hey Robby, we were wondering when you'd get here."

He patted Mac's shoulder, "I figured I'd drop off my bag before coming here. I see the dance floor is open tonight."

"It is," Mac said with a smile. A slow song was playing at the moment and there were five couples dancing. "Everyone is enjoying themselves."

"I see that," Robert said as he scanned the room, he spotted Anna talking to Finn. She wasn't really smiling but didn't look like she wanted to punch him either. "What made you want to through a party?"

"This was all Lulu and Maxie's idea," Mac told him.

"They wanted anyone that was affected by Ryan's latest rain of terror to get out and have some fun," Felicia started to explain.

The song changed and Robert took note, he'd heard this song before and it always made him think of Anna. "Excuse me."

Found myself dreaming

In silver and gold

Like a scene from a movie

That every broken heart know

Robert walked over to Anna, "Dance with me." She smiled at him and took his hand and moved to where the other people were dancing.

We were walking on moonlight

And you'll pull me close

Split second and you'd disappeared

And then I was all alone

As they started to dance, Anna realized what song was playing.

Woke up in tears

With you by my side

Breath of relief

And I realized

No, we're not promised tomorrow

So I'm gonna love you

Like I'm gonna lose you

I'm gonna hold you

Like I'm saying goodbyes

Anna slid her other hand to Robert's neck, looking into his eyes, nothing was said, the words of the song saying everything they wanted to. Robert stroked her cheek as the song continued. As they danced all they wanted to do was cling to each other. The words to the song speaking right to their hearts, this had already happened to them. They'd had everything, they'd had each other, then it was gone in a flash, ripped away.

In the blink of an eye

Just a whisper of smoke

You could lose everything

The truth is you never know

So I'll kiss you longer baby

Any chance that I get

And I'll make the most of the minutes

And love with no regrets

Robert leaned in and kissed her tenderly, with so much love. Anna held him close, kissing him back letting the passion build in their kiss. When the kiss finally ended she smiled at him with a tear in her eye, she put her head on his shoulder, their arms wrapped around each other as they continued to dance.

Wherever we're standing

I won't take you for granted

'Cause we'll never know when

When we'll run out of time

So I'm gonna love you

Like I'm gonna lose you

I'm gonna hold you

Like I'm saying goodbye

As the song ended Robert kissed her again, then they heard a few cheers. Robert rested his forehead against hers, "I think people know we're together now."

"Good," she smiled at him. "I'm glad you're back."

"So am I." As the next song started they started dancing again.

Finn was not one the people that had cheered and he wasn't going to hang around here to watch the happy couple. If Anna wants to be with him and they both want to pretend that Peter isn't her son maybe it's none of his business. He watched them a little longer, then left.

When the second song ended Robert lead Anna over to the bar so they could get drinks. With his arm still around her waist, Robert ordered for them then felt someone touch his arm. He turned and saw Laura smiling at him. "So my dear old friend is finally happy?"

"I am, I have Anna in my life and that makes all the difference." Laura gave him a hug and smiled at Anna.

Maxie and Lulu, were the next to come over, "Why didn't you tell me this the other day?"

"Did I deny it?" Robert asked with a grin.

"No," Maxie said with a grin, "Oh and your perfect woman is the one you're with. Maybe I should have figured out what you had actually told me."

"Maybe, it wasn't like we were going to stay quiet about this that much longer," Anna told Maxie. Anna put her arm around her, "He told me what you said."

Maxie smiled, "You are both family and I want you to be happy."

"We are."

"So this night just keeps getting better. Mom and Kevin have patched up the damage Ryan did to them. We never have to worry about that man hurting anyone again and you two are a couple again. Does Robin know?" Lulu asked.

"Of course she does, we spent the weekend at her house last week."

As they talked Anna looked around the bar, there were still people dancing. There were other people playing pool, everyone just seemed to want to have a good time tonight. Anna did notice that Finn was no longer there. There was something he seemed to want to talk to her about she could tell but it always seemed to lead back to Peter being her child. As Robert's arm went around her again all thought off Finn left her mind. This is what she wants now, what she had always wanted.