ATTENTION: CHAPTER 34 WILL BE POSTED MAY 3. CHAPTER 35 ENDING! WILL BE POSTED MAY 5. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND STICKING WITH ME DURING THIS BOOK. IT MEANT SO MUCH TO ME TO INTERACT WITH ALL OF YOU. 😊

Robin sat in a stuffy office filled with filing cabinets crammed in the corner. The window would open the room, he thought. If only, the blinds weren't plastered against the window behind the computer screen and printer.

It smelled of stale coffee and a mixture of the flowers on the desk and perfume of the woman he sat across from. The chair he sat in rocked if he didn't plant his foot.

The wall held the social worker's license, bachelor's, and master's degrees. Her certificate displayed to showcase her ability to practice psychiatry was crooked, the glass was broken in the corner.

He was starting to regret coming here. He didn't have a problem with disorganization, but it was rough enough to turn his stomach.

The woman's hair was tucked in a messy bun at the base of her neck leaving her face unframed. She'd applied a light layer of makeup. Her lips unpainted. Her drab brown suit was loose around her body. Practical, he assumed she was going for.

As she clicked on her computer, he tried not to focus on the stains on her desk from her coffee mug and what looked to be a piece of turkey from a leftover sandwich.

"Mr. Lockley, are you sure you know what you're getting into?"

"I'm sure."

"You understand there will be no turning back. This is an extremely important decision. It's not a matter to take lightly."

"I understand what I'm getting into. I've spoken to a therapist; I've completed the hours you asked me to complete. This means a great deal to me. I know exactly what I'm getting into."

She eyed him and nodded. "Alright. I want to make sure that you have what you need. The parties have been privy to what is being done. The lead client has agreed to the stipulations outlined by yourself and the agency."

"I know. I've provided the documentation, met with the appropriate people, we're sure."

"I'm still a little uncomfortable that you have yet to bring your fiancé into your therapy hours or had her complete the hours we've required," she said sternly.

"I told you, I'd like to keep this to myself until I know what the judge says. I don't want her hurt if this backfires. You agreed. Are you telling me you want to go back on our deal?"

"No, that's not what I'm saying. It just concerns me." She sighed, "I can't say no to you. Your file is too clean, and I trust you'll make the right decisions regarding your situation."

"Thank you."

"Judge Norman will be impartial; he'll look at the case. At this point, you've got a court date on the twelfth. The judge will give his decision. Make sure you're present."

He reluctantly reached out to shake her hand, "I appreciate it. Thank you." He took the file from her and tucked it under his arm.

"Good luck."

With his heart lifted, his nostrils clear, and his hands clean from the sanitizer on the way out, he felt like his plan was right on track.

..

Driving across town had been a nightmare, he would find. An accident on the highway would cause him to be in traffic for an hour. He'd tried to answer e-mails, make phone calls, and had to cancel lunch with Regina.

He sat in traffic and his eye on the clock that ticked by. The flashing lights and sirens were giving him a headache. A tow truck eased it's way through the side lane and took its time loading the totaled car onto the back rig.

A street crew swept the ground of glass, and a traffic officer started to direct traffic in the right lane to proceed forward. It took another twenty minutes to get to his lane. As he eased forward, he turned his head to look at the scene.

They'd cleaned up pretty good but broken glass shards were swept to the side; a hubcap and a child's toy were piled the mess. A family sat on the side of the road looking downtrodden.

In the back of the ambulance, he saw a man sitting with a bandage around his head. No deaths, he could see. They got lucky. When traffic began to move from a crawl to normal speed, he expelled a breath.

By the time he arrived at the office, he was hungry and irritated. He'd narrowly missed his hearing, withstood a thorough thrashing from the judge, and wanted a beer like he needed his next breath.

Regina wasn't in the office and the thought it best. His foul mood shouldn't be taken out on her. He settled at his desk, slid his file into a locked drawer, and pulled up the realtor's number.

A woman with a husky voice answered, "Southern Texas Realty, this is Bianca speaking."

"Hi, Bianca. It's Robin."

"Oh, Robin. I was just looking at your file. We've got some updates for you if you'd like to hear them."

"Hit me."

"Well, the roof is done, we've got some painters working on the bedroom and we've made the additions you asked for. Are you still doing the walkthrough next week?"

He glanced toward the door when Regina walked in, he smiled. "Yea, but I'd like a crack at it Friday if you can manage it."

"With your fiancé?"

"No. I'd rather I did this alone."

Understanding, she said, "Alright. I've got a two o'clock."

He glanced at his calendar. "That works for me. Thanks."

"No problem."

He put the phone in the cradle and turned to Regina. "Hey. Sorry about lunch."

She drank from her Thermus, "It's alright. I ate with Maggie. There have been some new developments. Sean Mueller's been arrested."

"What?" He swiveled his chair. "Why?"

"Vicky did some digging. Turns out he wasn't as forthcoming with his involvement in providing drugs and prostitutes to university mixers. Investigators found some drugs in his old office, in his home. They took him in this morning."

"Damn. I didn't peg that from being in front of him."

"I didn't know what to think. Now, I know. I guess my intuition was a little stronger than yours." She sipped again and grimaced.

"We interviewed Peter this morning. He wasn't as forthcoming. He was tight-lipped. Only gave us what he had to."

"You did his deposition already?"

"Yes. He didn't want to wait. I know you wanted to be there. I can tell you he might be regretting choosing our firm to represent him."

He stood and walked to her, took her Thermus, and sipped. "I'm sure. What is this?" He frowned at it.

"Maggie made me a shake. It's disgusting but it helps with the nausea."

He leaned down and kissed her. "You look less green." He grinned. "How about I take you out to dinner to make up missing lunch?"

"I may be persuaded," she smiled.

"Yea?" He pulled her closer and kissed her long and deep. "How's that?"

"Mmm, I think you can do better." She laughed as his mouth covered hers in a steamy kiss. His hands secured to her ass; he sank.

They pulled apart when they heard someone clearing their throat from the doorway.

Robin released her like his hands were burned. Gold stood in the doorway scowling at them. Regina turned and put her Thermus on the desk. "I sent the e-mail."

"That's not why I'm here."

"What's up?"

His eyes locked on Robin's before returning to look at her. "Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?"

"I…" She looked at Robin panicked. "I guess because it didn't seem to matter. It doesn't affect my work."

"That's not the point, Regina. I like to think we're friends," he said seemingly hurt.

"I'm sorry, Stan."

He walked to her, put a hand on her shoulder. It was his way of showing affection. "I'm happy for you, dear."

"Thank you."

"Now, let's leave the intimacy confined to your private quarters, shall we?" He aimed his eyes at Robin who only grinned.

"I'll see you tomorrow, dear." When he walked out, they exchanged looks and burst out laughing.

Covering her face, she sat. "That was embarrassing."

"No, it wasn't. I'm glad he knows. In fact, I'm surprised it took him this long to find out. It's been office gossip for weeks."

"Stan isn't exactly in on the gossip that circulates around here."

"Maybe not. I've got a meeting with a client at three-thirty." He sat and clicked through until he found the file he needed.

"Okay. I'm gonna head out. Maggie needs me for a case." Walking around his desk, she touched her lips to his. "You can take me out later."

"I plan on it." He swatted her backside on her way out and heard her squeal. It was unlike her. Her cheeks burned as she turned the corner.

..

"Robby, I've been waiting to hear from you all day," Amelia said through the phone.

"I know, sorry mum. I've had a busy day and I haven't had time alone." He watched the bedroom door knowing he had some time before Regina emerged from her shower.

"Well, what did you find out?"

He smiled. "I'm seeing the house Friday. She's going to flip out when she sees what changes they made."

"Oh, that's lovely. Have you told her the sale was final?"

Robin grinned, "Not yet. I don't want to tell her yet. She still thinks we're waiting to see the house after the repairs. She doesn't know I put the offer in."

"You scoundrel. I hope she won't be too upset," she sighed.

"I doubt it. She's been looking at the house for more than a year. I know she'll love it."

"Good. That's good honey."

"Did you give my offer some serious thought?"

"Oh, Robby. I don't know about that. It's a lovely offer. It's sweet of you to think of it."

"Mum, I'm serious. I've got it worked into the budget. Give me the word and you'll have everything you could want."

Amelia was silent a moment. "What about my life here? I'm not prepared to change everything."

"I don't want you to be alone. Think about it some more. The offer still stands." His eyes flickered to the bedroom door when he saw the light underneath it.

"Alright. What about your other meeting? How did that go?"

He hushed his voice, "I meet with the judge on the twelfth. I don't want to tell her until after the hearing."

"Is that for the best? She should know."

"I know. I don't want to get her hopes up. I have a good feeling about it."

Amelia laughed, "Oh, you do work fast. I miss you."

"If you move here, you'll never miss me again."

"Oh, don't throw that at me again. I'll think about it."

"I love you, Mum."

"I love you, Robby. Don't wait too long to tell her. She'll be thrilled."

"I promise. I'll call you Friday after I see the house."

"Send me pictures."

"Yes ma'am."

..

Robin entered the bedroom after working on his case notes to check on Regina. He'd been too into his work to notice he'd entered the third hour.

She'd been in there a lot longer than usual. He guessed he'd find her asleep and opened the door quietly.

He found her sitting on the bed with her phone in her hand and tears streaming down her face. His heart sank.

"Hey." He crouched down. "What's wrong? What happened?"

She was shaking, he could tell she was keeping in the sobs that wanted to escape. "Baby." He framed her face with his hands and forced her to meet his eyes.

She was holding on by a thread. He sat next to her, took her by the shoulders. "Let it go."

It looked like she needed a good crying jag. He drew her near. He rubbed her back as she finally broke down. "That's the way." He pulled her into his lap. "Let it go, baby."

He rocked slowly, rubbed her back, and glanced at the phone clutched in her hand. He pried it out of her fingers and scrolled through to see Zelena was the last person on her call list.

A million things raced through his mind. A fight with her sister? Then, it dawned on him. It could be about her mother. He saw the wrecked look on her face.

He set the phone aside and waited until she was silent and still. He rose from the bed, walked into the kitchen, and pulled out one of her shakes. He poured the contents into the blender.

When he carried it into the room on a tray with crackers, she was still in the same place he'd left her in. Her head was resting on the pillow, her arms hugging herself.

"Here, I brought you something to drink." He put the tray aside, helped her sit up, and handed her the mug.

Tentatively she sipped. Frowned at the cup. "I added some fruit to make it more palatable." He smiled. "You okay?"

"No." She set the mug down. "No, I'm not okay."

He took her hand and stared down at their linked fingers. "What happened?"

"I…" Tears sprang to her eyes again. She remained silent and closed off.

He sat back and pulled her back to his chest. He slid her shirt up and over her head. He unhooked her bra and pulled the sheet up under her arms.

He placed his hands on her shoulders and started kneading her muscles, he felt the tension release after twenty minutes.

Over her shoulder he said, "Zelena called you."

"Yea," she said with a thick voice.

"The last time you talked to her things seemed to be fine. You were even excited to be in contact with her. So, what went wrong?"

His fingers moved up into her hair and her head fell back in pleasure. He heard her hum. He waited a few more minutes when she remained silent.

"Baby, talk to me." His arms slid down to her elbows, massaged her skin. He slid his hands down to link his fingers with hers. He kissed the back of her ear.

"You want some time alone?" She nodded. "Okay, I'll be in the living room when you're ready." He stood and eased her back onto the pillow. "Drink your shake."

He stopped at the dresser, pulled out a pair of sweats and a t-shirt, and left her alone.

..

Regina found him asleep on the couch the next morning. He'd pillowed his head over one arm, the other was draped over his eyes. Guilt clawed in her gut when she remembered he'd tried to comfort her.

He'd massaged her, soothed her, and didn't push her when she remained silent. It was one of the things she loved about him. He was sweet, considerate, and even when it killed him to keep silent, he did it anyway. For her.

Now, watching him sleeping peacefully, her heart rolled in her chest. She loved him.

In the kitchen, she pulled out the jar marked, Regina's Shakes. That was another thing he'd done for her. He'd added bananas and strawberries to the mixture Maggie had given her.

Even in her grief, she'd been able to taste the difference. It was tasty. Thinking of it now, she put the desired amount in the blender, added a banana, a handful of strawberries, and pushed the button.

She glanced behind her to ensure it didn't wake him, but he stirred and opened his eyes. Wincing, she pushed the button on the coffee pot and sat at the table. "Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's okay." He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, yawned hugely, and sat up. In his habitual moves, he scratched his belly, ran a hand through his untidy hair, and gave her that goofy smile he aimed at her each morning.

"Morning."

"I put the coffee on. At least one of us can enjoy it," she murmured.

He stood and went around the counter to grab a mug, poured some creamer, and pulled the pot mid-drip to fill his mug. He put the pot back and the machine continued to brew.

He sat at the table with her, took her hand, and kissed her fingers. "You feel like talking?"

She sighed, she loved him so much for asking her instead of pushing. She watched him across the table and it still floored her that he'd be her husband in a matter of months.

She nodded her head, took a sip, and said, "Zelena called me last night." He knew that.

"I saw the call log," he said around his mug. He set it down, linked his fingers with hers. He gently stroked his thumb along her skin.

"My mother…" Her voice broke and she pressed her lips together, closed her eyes, and took a few unsteady breaths. When she opened her eyes, he was watching her with compassion.

"Zelena got a call last night from the rehab facility my mother attended." Pausing, she took a drink. "It seems my mother was scheduled to return to the facility next week."

"She fell off the wagon?"

"Yea, she did." Tears filled her eyes and she felt the ache deep in her chest. "The facility called to inform my sister that my mother was admitted to the hospital."

He squeezed her hand and that was more comforting than any words he could say.

"She'd overdosed on narcotics and they worked to stabilize her. That's what they told my sister. They worked to stabilize her. In the end…" She lifted her hand and let it fall weakly on the table.

Prepared for the worst, he set his mug aside, scooted his chair close, and wrapped his arms around her. She pressed her face into his shoulder and the tears fell.

He said the words she couldn't, "She didn't make it."

She shook her head and felt her chest tighten and her body shake as the flood emptied. "No, she didn't," she managed.

"Christ, I'm sorry." He held onto her and she could've sworn he held her together. She feared if he let go, she'd fall apart.