Chapter 71

Matt walked into Robin's room to see his brother sitting by Robin's bedside holding her hand as he waited for her to wake up from the sedative Matt had given her. It had been Robin's idea to use her previous fainting spell to aid in her escape.

Flashback

"What's your idea?" Matt didn't like the look in his sister-in-law's eyes.

"You know I passed out a few days ago." Robin went back to sitting on the bed, a little dizzy from jumping up off the bed so quickly.

"Yes and we will be doing a blood draw to see why as soon as possible." Matt gave Robin his sternest look but it didn't even faze her – she was concentrated on getting out of her prison.

"Do you think you can slip a sedative in here tomorrow?" Robin smiled at Matt.

Matt looked at her suspiciously until he realized what her plan was. "Of course – I knock you out, tell Marcus that you passed out again and have Connor carry you out the front door." Matt sat down and hugged Robin. "You are brilliant."

Robin giggled. "I have my moments."

"But why the sedative – why not just pretend to be passed out?" Matt really did not want to drug her, especially since she wasn't feeling well.

"Because I did that trick before with his father. He is going to want to make sure that I am actually passed out – we can't fake it this time." Robin took Matt's hand in hers and squeezed it. "I trust you and I know you won't hurt me. Is tomorrow enough time to get everything ready with my parents?"

"Of course it is." Matt leaned over and hugged Robin one last time. "Make sure Connor knows the plan. I will take care of everyone else."

He got off the bed and headed to the door. "Do me a favor and try to eat something tonight, please? Tomorrow – you go home."

End Flashback

"She should be waking up any time now." Matt walked over and placed his hand on Patrick's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"She's so pale Matt." The fear and worry were evident in Patrick's voice. "She's lost weight – I'm scared."

Matt began to speak but was interrupted by a soft moan coming from the bed. "Robin?"

Patrick practically knocked the chair over as he leaped off it and onto Robin's bed. "Robin?" He gently stroked her cheek as she started waking up. "Welcome back sunshine."

"Patrick?" Tears filled her eyes and she reached up and gently stroked her husband's face. "It worked?"

"Of course it did – it was your plan." He leaned down and kissed her. "I love you, so much."

"And I love you, so much." Robin kissed him back. "I was so scared that I would never see you again." The tears started streaming down her face. "That he would make me…"

"But he didn't. He is on his way to Steinmauer and you are here with me. Tomorrow we head home to our kids and our life." Patrick pulled Robin into his arms and held her close, relishing the feeling. "It's over Robin – it's finally over."

He sat there holding her for a few more minutes before Matt finally spoke. "Now that we know everyone is safe, we need to go over the results of your tests…"

Epilogue

One year later

Patrick paced the living room, trying to get the restless child in his arms to go to sleep. It had been a long day with back to back surgeries and he was wiped but never too tired to take care of his children. "Come on – it's late and we all need to get some sleep."

He looked down and saw a pair of big brown eyes staring back at him looking not even the least bit sleepy. Patrick chuckled. "Come on Ariana Dale, it's time to go to sleep."

The four month old little girl finally yawned and closed her eyes. Patrick gently moved her to his shoulder and began rocking her back and forth slowly. Finally he felt the heaviness the signaled their little girl was going to sleep. He heard a little snore in his ear and carefully made his way to the nursery and set the little girl down in her crib.

He watched her for a few minutes, almost in disbelief. Ten years ago he considered commitment a dirty word – impossible to consider for a skirt chaser like him. If you had told him he would be happily married to his soul mate with three beautiful healthy children, he would have laughed his head off. No way, not him, at least not until a five foot ball of fire came blazing into his life and drug him kicking and screaming into adulthood. Robin had given him everything he never knew he wanted and he would be forever grateful for the day she stormed into his OR.

"Coming back to bed?" Robin wrapped her arms around his back and leaned into him. "Is she out?"

"Did you have any doubts?" Patrick pulled Robin around and maneuvered her until she was in his arms, his chest against her back, his chin on the top of her head as they watched their youngest daughter sleep. It had been a shock when Matt had told them that Robin was pregnant. Her morning sickness was terrible with their third child but it disappeared after the third month and everything else went perfect. She even managed to make it to her scheduled c-section date without any complications and Ariana was the easiest of the three births. Robin had no complications after Ari was born and the family was able to enjoy every moment together.

"With you – never." Robin smiled at her little girl. Ariana was HIV negative so far – just like her brother and sister.

Patrick kissed the top of Robin's head. "Have I told you thank you lately?"

Robin shook her head. "You got up with her, I should be thanking you."

"No, thank you for her," Patrick turned Robin around so she was facing him, "for Ari and Josh and Emma. For being everything I needed and wanted even when I didn't know it."

Robin bit her lower lip as tears filled her eyes. "Thank you for fighting for us, for not giving up even when you had every reason to. I love you Patrick."

"And I love you Robin." Patrick kissed her and picked her up in his arms at the same time. He carried her out of the nursery and to their room. "Right now, I think I need a little of that Dr. Scorpio lovin'."

Robin giggled at him as he set her down on the bed. "The things I do for you. Come here."

Frisco sat down in the interrogation room and glared at Marcus. "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, how is Robin?"

Frisco shook his head. "Robin is happy with her husband and their children – that is all you need to know."

Marcus considered this. "Good. I wish to speak to you regarding some of Helena Cassadine's co-conspirators. I think I can give you information to help track them down, that is if a reasonable deal can be met. I do not want to spend the rest of my life in this prison."

Frisco was torn – Robin was family to him but this deal could result in the capture of many a dangerous criminal. He considered what Marcus was saying. "It depends on what you have to offer."

Marcus smiled. "Oh, I have a lot to offer."

The End