Chapter 8

Three years later

Robbie walked across the square holding the hand of his almost three-year-old grandson. He was patient, slowing his pace to allow the young boy to keep up with him. He pointed out different things around the plaza amazed as always at Jack's excitement.

He was laughing at Jack roaring like a lion, trying to get the statues to answer him when he heard his name. Turning he was surprised to see a face from his past.

He smiled gently, "Laura."

She smiled, closing the distance between them. "I thought it was you."

Jack had noticed his grandfather turn away from the lions. He stared at the stranger, taking a step closer to his grandfather.

Laura nodded toward him, "Who's this?"

Robbie stroked the dark hair of his grandson, "This is Jack, our Lyn's son."

Laura knelt in front of Robbie, dropping to Jack's eye level. "Hello, Jack. It's nice to meet you."

Jack buried his head in Robbie's leg, wrapping an arm around it. Robbie rubbed the back of his head, laughing. "Sorry, he's going through a phase. Gets shy around strangers."

Laura stood, couldn't help but think she wouldn't be a stranger had things gone another way. "Of course. Are you here showing him the sights?"

"No, I live here. Jack's just visiting while Lyn and her partner are on an adult holiday."

"I thought you were moving up near her."

He smiled, somehow managed to look younger than she remembered. "Things change. We have a place up there too but London is home."

"We?"

Just as Robbie was about to answer Jack screamed and ran away from him, "Nannan."

Laura panicked turned to go after the young boy only to be stopped by a smiling Robbie. Jack launched himself into the arms of the woman Laura had met in Robbie's flat years before.

A brilliant smile bloomed on the woman's face as she swept the boy into her arms, swinging him around. He wrapped himself around her planting a wet kiss on her lips. She returned the kiss, rubbing noses with him. "Hello, my darling. What have you and grandpa been up to this morning?"

"I got to see the lions. And I roared at them but they never answer."

Smiling over at Robbie, "Then you will just have to keep trying."

Katharine shifted him to her hip, smiling when he lay his head on her shoulder. She walked toward Robbie, unaware Laura was standing by him. "How has your morning been?"

Without any hesitation, he leaned down and kissed her. It wasn't a soft tentative kiss. It was filled with heat, the promise of an unspoken passion. His arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. "It wasn't the same without you."

Smiling up at him, "Well then it's a good thing I am through with work for an entire month. Whatever will we do with all of that time?"

"You shouldn't ask such things in front of little ears."

"Perhaps, if you're very good today, I will ask you again tonight."

"I look forward to it."

"Robbie…"

He turned, almost surprised to see her. In his excitement to see Katharine, he'd forgotten she was there. "Laura, I'm so sorry."

She smiled, suddenly understanding why he looked so much younger. "It's OK. It was good seeing you."

"I'd like you to meet Katharine."

Katharine smiled at Laura, "We've sort of met before, just not properly." Shifting Jack to her left side, she held out her hand, "Katharine Lewis."

Laura was unable to hide her surprise, "Congratulations."

Katharine laughed, smiling up at Robbie, "I guess I assume everyone knows by now."

"How long?"

Robbie kissed Katharine's temple, "Almost three years. Three very happy years."

"Nannan, when are we going to see the real lions?"

Laughing at Jack's exasperation, "Let's let grandpa say goodbye to his friend and then we are off." She smiled at Laura, "It was a pleasure to meet you." Looking back at Robbie, "We'll be by the statue practicing our roars."

Touching her face gently, "I'll be just a moment." Laura and Robbie watched them walk away. He turned to her, "It's good to see you, Laura."

She nodded, "You too. Who would have thought we'd run into each other here?"

"I'm here most Saturdays. Katharine is in love with the Leonardo cartoon."

"I never pictured you as a museum person."

"There's a lot of new things in my life."

"Are you happy?"

He laughed, "Happier than I ever thought I would be." Raising his eyebrows, "You."

Her hand rested gently on her stomach, "Very much so."

"Good, I'm happy for you." His eyes wandered to Katharine and Jack, his smile broadening. "I have to go."

"Sure, enjoy the zoo."

He leaned down, pressing an awkward kiss to her cheek. "Take care, eh."

"Goodbye, Robbie."

She watched him walk away, once again embracing and kissing Katharine. He seemed so at ease with her. There was none of the hesitancy she had always been accustomed to with him. She thought of all of the times she'd hoped they would finally cross the barrier from friend to more. Now all she could do was give thanks for unanswered prayers.

Katharine and Robbie walked away each holding one of Jack's hands. As she watched them, genuinely happy for the life they'd built, a gentle hand wrapped around her, resting on her stomach. "How are my two favorite girls?"

Turning in the man's arms, she forgot all about Katharine and Robbie. Smiling up at him, "We are famished."

"I'm sorry I'm late."

"Not at all, as always, your timing is impeccable." She pushed up, kissing him deeply, happy to have him here with her and in her life. "I love you, Alan Peterson."

And I love you, Dr. Laura Hobson-Peterson."