Chapter 49

Patrick sat by Robin's bedside, just watching her sleeping. Laura had plans with Lulu and Patrick and Robin both had encouraged her to go once they had found out that Robin was going to be okay. Not long after Laura left Robin had fallen back asleep, needing extra rest to help her recover.

"Mommy?" Emma and Noah walked into the room and she ran straight to her dad. "Is she okay?"

Patrick picked up their little girl and set her in his lap, hugging her close. "Yes baby, she just needs a little rest."

Emma carefully looked over her mother and saw the bruises on her arms. "He hurt her."

Patrick looked at his dad with tears in his eyes and gently rubbed Emma's back in a comforting motion. "Yes but not too bad. Dr. Tom told me the Mommy is going to be okay – I promise."

The words had no sooner left his mouth when Robin began stirring. Emma jumped off his lap and onto the bed. "Mommy?"

Robin opened her eyes and smiled. "Emma? Oh baby, are you okay?"

Tears filled Emma's eyes and she laid her head down on her mom's chest and hugged her. "Yes Mommy." Emma burrowed into her mom and Robin's arms quickly wrapped around her. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry? For what?" Robin looked at Patrick questioningly and he just shook his head.

"I didn't stop him."

"Oh Emma." Tears filled Robin's eyes and she could almost feel her heart breaking. "You did exactly what you should have done. He was a very bad man and there is nothing you could have done to stop him from taking me. Grandma Anna couldn't stop him and she is a spy. I am so proud of the way you did what I told you to do. Nothing matters more to me than your safety so do not blame yourself for what the bad man did, okay?"

Emma nodded her head and slid in closer to her mom as Patrick and Noah watched the scene with tears slowly falling down their cheeks. Patrick finally spoke up. "Emma, I'm going to give you a few minutes with your mommy while I talk to Grandpa Noah. Is that okay?"

Both Emma and Robin nodded and Patrick walked outside with his father. He was surprised to see guards posted outside of Robin's room and looked at his father curiously. "What is going on?"

Noah took Patrick over to a couple of chairs in the hallway and sat him down. "Anna and Robert thought it would be best if we were all together for now – easier to guard."

"I understand and it's only for a little while. They have Grant now so they…" Patrick saw Noah flinch at the mention of Grant's name. "Dad, what is it?"

Mac had called Noah on their way to the hospital and told him the entire story of Robin's rescue, including Grant's death and the part Patrick had accidentally played in it. "Patrick, what do you remember about what happened on that bluff?"

"Dad I don't understand…"

Noah interrupted him. "Just humor me."

"Fine! He had Robin and she was fighting him. She kicked him and then he threw her to the ground and she wasn't moving." Tears filled Patrick's eyes as he remembered that moment. "He was going to take her and I knocked him out of the way."

"And after that?"

"I did a quick exam and made sure she was still alive – that was all I cared about." Patrick suddenly sat up straight and looked at his father. "He went over the bluff, didn't he?"

Noah shook his head and wrapped his arm around his son in an attempt to comfort him. "It was an accident Patrick – you weren't trying to hurt him, you were saving Robin."

"Is he dead?" Noah remained silent and Patrick stood up, pacing the hallway. "Is he dead!?"

With a deep sigh, Noah answered. "Yes son, he's dead."

Patrick leaned against the wall and slowly slid down in, his stomach in knots. "I killed him."

Noah jumped out of the chair and to Patrick's side. "No, you pushed him away from Robin. Patrick it is not your fault that Grant lost his balance and fell. He was attacking an innocent woman and you stopped him. This is all on Grant and Marcus – not you. Look at me."

Patrick turned his head to look at his father. "What?"

"You did not kill that man. You didn't shoot him or stab him or even hit him. Did you push him – yes, but he was going to hurt Robin. This was not someone you could reason with. Grant was a madman who kidnapped your, well Robin, and attempted to kidnap Emma. He was going to hand her over to his son, another madman, to do God knows what to her. You did what you had to do to save the woman you love and you need to understand that – for all your sakes." Noah sat next to him and pulled him into a tight embrace. "I am proud of you son for saving her."

"I want to believe you but…"

"Then do. I talked to Mac and he told me that Lucky confirmed that it was an accident. Right now, you need to focus on the fact that Robin and Emma are home safe."

"Then why the guards? If Grant is dead and Marcus has left the country…" Patrick looked at his dad and a feeling of guilt overwhelmed him. "It's because of me, isn't it? Marcus knows what happened and he is going to go after my family for revenge?"

"Patrick, guards would be necessary no matter what. Marcus is still out there and obsessed with Robin and he will use you or Emma or anyone else she loves to get to her. Guards are going to be necessary to protect you all for a while."

"And you too." Noah began to protest but Patrick stood up and stopped him. "Marcus could decide that he wants to have an eye for an eye – kill you in retaliation for my killing his dad. You get a guard."

Noah was touched by his son's concern. Years ago, before Robin, Patrick wouldn't have even cared but now it was one of his main worries. "Then I guess we better talk to Robert and Anna. Why don't I call them and you spend some time with your family." Patrick headed back to the room but Noah stopped him. "And son, I love you."

"I love you too Dad."