Scorpio House, Port Charles 4:15pm
After about an hour of catching up with each other's personal lives in more detail including their wives and the children, Robert decides that it is time to bring Luke up to speed on the most recent events and discoveries. It is a discussion he is not looking forward to since it will impact Luke just as personally as it has impacted him. He has missed this man more than he will ever admit to his face. They both know they have a bond of trust and loyalty that could never be broken by any situation or by any person.
The episode with Holly all those years ago tested that bond, but in the end it remained intact and has to this day regardless of time and distance. Robert's relationship with Sean could never get to this level of complete trust that he has with Luke, it never could due to past events. He knows however that he could trust Sean with his life, but there will always be that sense of doubt that he might not be getting the full picture. He never felt that with Luke. Everything was always out in the open.
"Want a beer mate?" Robert says standing with a sleeping William and placing him in the bassinet.
"Yeah, sounds good. I have to say Robert, fatherhood suits you. I can honestly say I could never picture you in this situation, but you look happier than I have ever remembered seeing you." Luke says truly happy that his friend has finally found his place in the world.
As Robert straightens up he turns to Luke. "I have never been happier Luke. At one time and for a long time I thought I found the happiness I was looking for. All I can say is that that period of my life pales in comparison to what I feel today. I have everything I have ever wanted." Robert tells him.
Luke is surprised at his uncharacteristically emotional declaration. "I'm happy for you man. You deserve it. We both do." After a beat. "So when do I get to finally meet the source of all this happiness anyway?" Luke asks.
Robert looking at his watch becoming instantly concerned realizing how late it is, "She should be home any minute. Let me get the beers. I'll be right back."
He walks out the office through the living room to the phone, as he picks up the receiver, Anna walks through the door.
"Hey, I was just about to put an APB on you." He says instantly relieved when he sees her.
She stands there taking in his appearance and his goofy smile. His shirt is tucked half in and half out of his jeans, his has a cloth diaper on each shoulder and is holding a baby bottle in one hand and her love for him instantly takes her breadth away.
She walks up to him with that smile that never fails to drive him crazy and he knows he's in trouble. She doesn't say anything as she removes the diapers from his shoulders with a chuckle and then grabs two handfuls of his shirt kissing him deeply and thoroughly.
He's instantly lost in her kiss and forgets where he is and almost who he is. She breaks the kiss gently and wraps her arms around his neck and smiles up at him.
"What was that for?" He asks a little wobbly.
"No reason, just missed you, that's all." She says kissing him lightly on the lips and then his chin and proceeds to his neck.
"So how did Daddy do this afternoon?" she asks as she looks up at him.
"Well Mommy, William's asleep in the office. He didn't take much of his bottle again though. Robin is at her dance class until 6 and Jodi's mother will bring her home. Not bad huh?" he asks wiggling his eyebrows and holding her closely to him.
"You are one talented man." She says kissing him lightly again.
"You know, that's twice you said that to me today." He says with a knowing smirk and loving the blush that instantly comes over her face.
She leans her head against his chest and starts laughing and he joins in. Then suddenly the overwhelming urge to be with him consumes her. She looks up at him and moves her hands to his chest. He knows that look and again knows he is in big trouble. When she is like this, it is impossible for him to resist her, but he must now because Luke is waiting in the other room.
"Wanna show me more of your talents?" She asks as she travels her right hand down his chest and down over the front of his jeans. It has the desired effect and she kisses him passionately again. He breaks the kiss abruptly realizing he has to stop her now or he is going to take her on the floor right here, Luke be damned.
"Actually Love, we have a visitor." He stammers out trying to reel himself in and control his reaction. She looks up at him with a sultry look and cheeks flushed with desire.
"We certainly do." She says against his lips punctuating her statement with another caress as she feels the evidence of his desire for her growing. She moves her hand to the zipper of his jeans and proceeds to lower it when he stills her hand.
"No no, Anna, in the office we have a visitor." He says trying to back away from her without success. She stops abruptly as his words finally make it through her hormonal fog.
"We do? Right now? Who?"
"Me." says the voice from behind Robert.
She jumps and immediately moves to stand in front on Robert, which he is extremely thankful for at the moment.
"Sorry to interrupt. Robert, I was coming out to give you a hand, but I see you already have one. By the way your fly is open." Luke says with a self-satisfied smirk after witnessing a portion their exchange.
Robert glares at him over Anna's head, zips his fly and says after a beat
"Anna, the man with the butter-knife sharp wit here is Luke Spencer. Luke, I'd like you to meet my wife, Anna."
Luke is momentarily stunned by her beauty recalling that neither Robert nor Bobbi did her description nearly enough justice. He recovers quickly and steps toward them extending his hand to Anna who is still trying to recover from her embarrassment. Robert immediately recognizes the look on Luke's face and is amused that his friend is rendered temporarily speechless in his wife's presence. Although, considering his next statement, he wishes it was a more permanent condition.
"Anna, it's an honor to finally meet you. You are positively stunning. Robert, how did you manage to bag this beautiful and elegant woman?"
Robert makes a cringing face shaking his head, bracing himself for the reaction. Anna quickly pulls her hand from Luke and says with a severely raised eyebrow and matching venomous tone,
"I beg your pardon?" Robert decides not to say a word to help out his friend.
"No offense intended Anna, I apologize, that came out wrong. It's just your husband's description didn't do you nearly enough justice and quite frankly your beauty has removed the idiot censor in my brain." Luke says with as much charm as he can muster.
"Nice save." Robert says with a slight chuckle.
"Yes, nice save indeed. It's a pleasure to finally meet you as well. However, I can say Robert's description of you was dead-on." She says with sarcasm and a smile.
Luke takes note that Bobbi's description of her demeanor was pretty accurate and he correctly surmises that this is not a woman you would want to mess with.
"You have a beautiful family Anna. I've met your children and I must say your daughter is as equally charming and beautiful. She definitely takes after her mother." Luke says as Robert rolls his eyes.
"Thank you." She says with pride. "So what brings you to Port Charles? Is your family here? I do look forward to meeting them as well. Robert has told me so much about Laura."
They proceed to the living room area and Anna sits closely next to Robert on couch as Luke proceeds to sit in the chair by the fireplace.
"Yes, Laura and Lucky, our son, are here and right now are over at the Brownstone with Bobbi. We plan on staying for an extended stay and Bobbi is setting up a space for us there. We want to spend time with family for awhile. We have been away too long." He says to Anna but giving Robert a knowing look.
Luke is not sure how much if anything Robert has filled Anna in on their possible mutual Cassidine problem.
"It's okay Luke, she knows. In fact, she's part of the team here locally trying to sort out this entire mess." He says looking toward Anna and smiling.
"Good to hear and from what I have heard, you are as equally talented as your husband here. But in all honesty, both Laura and I felt that we have been away too long. Port Charles is and always will be considered our home. We felt it was time Lucky had the opportunity to get to know his family. But on to business. Want to fill me in and more importantly where do we begin?" Luke asks.
Robert and Anna spend the next hour and a half getting Luke up to date with every detail they know to date regarding Faison, the Cassadines and the history regarding both. They tell him Faison's history with Anna, but following Robert's lead, leave out Anna's traitorous past with the DVX. Robert feels it is not necessary to the current case and in fact no one will ever know again considering the recent expunging of her file. Anna is extremely grateful to Robert and places a thankful hand on his thigh when he finishes his side of the details to date.
Luke notices the couple's comfort and ease with each other as well as their ability to finish each other's sentence as if they are reading each other's minds. Up until today, he thought only he and Laura possessed this kind of deep trust and intense relationship, but now he sees that his best friend has finally found this as well. For that he is extremely happy and thankful that they were able to come together after everything they've been through.
Luke is extremely impressed with Anna's intelligence and her fierceness in relaying some of the details and he can tell by the way Robert looks at her, that he is as well. He can sense that Robert places all his trust in this woman and is surprised to see how he regards her as his equal in every respect. Knowing Robert, the way he does, this is the highest compliment his friend can ever bestow on anyone including him. Luke doesn't recall ever getting this intense vibe while Robert was married to Holly and in fact aside from their British heritage that is where the similarities between both women end.
"Okay, so now you know most of the details to date from our side. But there is more, frightfully more I'm afraid. We have saved the worst for last." Robert states looking at Anna who nods her agreement to continue.
"There's more? Now you've got me worried." Luke states somewhat alarmed. Robert leans forward and takes comfort with Anna's hand on his back.
"Luke, Holly is alive and is somewhat living here in Port Charles." Robert states very carefully. Luke slowly put his beer bottle on the coffee table not quite sure he heard correctly. He looks up at Robert.
"What?"
"You heard me. She's alive and she's here, but the worst is yet to come." Robert proceeds alone in detailing how Holly reappeared in his life; her family connection with the Cassadines and Faison; her history and her most recent activities including those with his brother. Robert told Luke about Mac last year when he had first arrived in Port Charles in one of their phone conversations. Recently he also filled him on their reconciliation. Luke is shocked to hear about Holly possibly using Mac to get to Robert. Luke is now pacing the floor as he hears the details. He appears to be in shock and Robert sympathizes with his friend. He recognizes the same distraught reaction he had only a couple of weeks ago.
"I don't know what to say." He says finally turning around to face them. "Come on Robert, please tell this is another one of your sick jokes, please tell me." He says knowing full well that it's all true.
"Mate, I wish I could, but even I'm not that sick." He says with only a hint of a smile.
"We don't know the extent of her involvement in anything that has transpired since she came into our lives. It's all circumstantial really. But her family connections with Faison and with Cassadines make all of it too coincidental. Anna's abduction this year and her sudden reappearance along with phone records, well it's just too much to be anything other than sinister. It's something I have had the last couple of weeks to try to come to terms with, but have not made much progress."
Robert stops suddenly not wanting to say much more in Anna's presence. He will never be comfortable talking about Holly in front of her, especially now.
Luke just nods his head in understanding instantly catching on to Robert's discomfort. William's crying suddenly breaks the awkward silence.
"I'll get him." Anna says leaning on Robert's thigh to stand. Both men watch her leave with a slight smile.
"She's amazing Robert, you're a very lucky man." Luke says as he watches her enter the office.
"Yes, she is and yes I am. I'll also add that you are lucky to be alive after that comment." Robert says laughing.
"Yeah, I realize that now. You must fill me in on the juicier details about her over drinks sometime, but definitely not here." Luke adds.
"In your dreams." Robert states with a laugh.
They both look at each other and the smile fades from their faces.
"I have to admit Robert, I am completely thrown here. I can't believe this woman I knew all those years ago could be a Cassadine involved in everything you have described. It's almost like those years knowing her were not real, that that whole part of our lives were just part of some evil plot in a bad movie or something." Luke states with sadness.
"I know. Its part of what we need to do, what I need to do. I need to get the truth from her one way or the other." Robert states with equal sadness.
He proceeds to provide Luke details on his plan regarding Holly, to which Luke is equally shocked that all parties including Robert's wife agreed to such a ploy. Again, the woman impresses him with her professionalism and her focus on the real goal of the mission. Luke looks at his watch and realizes he has been gone from the Brownstone for a couple of hours, way longer than he anticipated.
"Look Robert I'm going to go, it's getting late. You've given me a lot to process here." He says solemnly. They talk about getting in touch within the next couple of days and say their goodbyes.
"Listen, Sunday is my son's Christening, I would really like for you and your family to be there." Robert says putting his hand on his shoulder.
"We would be honored." He says with emotion.
"It's really good to be back man and it looks like it's us against the Cassadines once again. I guess it's true what they say. The more things change the more they stay the same." He says sadly knowing this time it's much more than that this time.
"Tell Anna I said goodbye and we look forward to Sunday." Luke says at the door.
"I will mate and tell Laura I look forward to seeing her as well." He says and then closes the door after Luke. He stands there a moment with a feeling of sadness but renewed hope that the man he trusts almost as much as Anna is a part of his life again.
"Did Luke leave?" She asks looking up from William in her arms, seeing him at the office door.
"Yeah, he said to say good-bye. We'll talk to him in a couple of days. I want to give him and his family time to settle in." She nods and removes the blanket covering herself and William as he sits next to her on the couch. All thoughts of nefarious plots and evil people escape from his mind when he sees them like this. He reaches out and caresses his son's head as he nurses from his mother.
"He's a character though isn't he?" He says smiling at her.
"He certainly is, but I can see why you trust him the way you do. Aside from his less than stellar manners, he seems very genuine." She says.
"Yeah, he does need to work on his social skills a little." He says chuckling. "He is right about one thing though." He says looking at her.
"What's that?" she asks quietly looking up from William and into his eyes.
"You are stunningly beautiful." He says moving his hand from his son's head to caress her breast. She smiles at him and leans in to kiss him deeply. They both moan quietly into each other's mouths both remembering hours before at the same time when Luke unfortunately interrupted them. They break reluctantly for air.
"Maybe we can finish where we left off before. He's almost finished." She says against his lips.
"Definitely." He says leaning his forehead against hers.
They both hear the front close and the sound of girl's voices which indicates that Robin has arrived home right on time and with a guest. They both chuckle.
"Best laid plans and all that." She says with a smile wiggling her eyebrows.