Chapter 4:

As he stepped off the launch, Nikolas took a long look at his inheritance. Wyndamere was a huge sprawling property that from the outside had an eerie, gothic feel. But to him, this was home. A place where he would never want for nothing and its location kept him isolated yet still a part of Port Charles.

"Welcome home, Sir Nikolas. Master Stefan is awaiting your presence in the den." Alfred greeted him, sufficiently wiping away his thoughts as he entered the home.

"No need to be so formal, Alfred." Nikolas said in passing as he headed towards the den. Opening the double doors to the room, he saw his father hunched over his desk looking at some folders. "Hey dad, Alfred said you wanted to see me?" He inquired as he took a seat in the chair closest to his father.

Putting the folder down with a heavy sigh, Stefan smiled at his son. He was growing so quickly and while he knew that Nikolas needed to be groomed to take over the family holdings, a part of him didn't want his son burdened with the responsibilities until absolutely necessary. He had spoiled his only child with everything the world could offer to make up for the fact that his mother had left them at such a tender age. As heartbroken as he had been when the love of his life had walked out on him and their young son, he put all his feelings aside and focused on Nikolas. With the help of his family and friends, both he and his son had been living a very happy fulfilled life until news came that his ex-wife was back in town with her new family.

"How was your first day back at school? Did you learn anything new and interesting?" Stefan inquired casually. He had hated school as a child and he knew that his son had inherited that trait as well.

"Well the classes that I showed up for were fine, I guess. But after lunch, I just couldn't take any more of the bullshit they shove down our throats so Patrick and I drove around town." Nikolas divulged. He and his father were always honest with each other and it made their relationship closer.

"Still Nikolas, I expect you to pass all your classes and graduate on time. I know how hard it is with your mother--"Stefan said as he got up from his chair and moved to sit on the desk in front of Nikolas.

"She's not my mother…she lost that title a long damn time ago. If she thinks she can just move back to town like everything is all better, she can just think again. She made her choice dad….she left us." Nikolas angrily pushed back his chair and stood up. Pacing around the small room, he refused to let out all the feelings that he had bottled up. He felt angry with his mother for leaving him and not looking back and hurt that she could so easily start a new family without him. As he felt his father walk up and put his arms around him, he surrendered to his feelings and clung to his dad for support.

With tears in his own eyes, Stefan whispered into his ear, "We all make choices son, good and bad. Your mother chose to move on with her life and we don't have to like it but we can't let it affect us our own choices." Turning him around and looking him in the eyes he continued, "I love you son, no matter what happens, no one can take that away from you." With one last hug, Nikolas nodded in understanding, "I love you too dad. I don't know what I'd do without you." He avowed before walking out onto the balcony for some fresh air.

Hunching his shoulders in defeat, Stefan sat back in the nearest chair and put his head in his hands. Before long he felt a tap on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw his younger sister Alexis, who knelt down beside him. "When are you going to tell him Stefan?"

***********

"I know Max…but he…yeah so….I know…well she…" Robin put the phone on speaker and walked towards her dresser to get ready for bed. She loved her cousin but you couldn't get a word in edgewise when she was excited about something. They had started off talking about their homework assignment due next week and somehow ended up talking about Maxie's new "love" interest, Johnny Zacchara. Taking off her top and leaving her bra, she changed into a pair of shorts and headed into her bathroom. Brushing her teeth, she could faintly hear Maxie's voice echo around her bedroom. Looking in the mirror one last time before turning off the lights she walked back into her room and noticed the window was open. 'Hmm that's weird, I don't remember opening the window' she thought to herself as she closed it. Turning around she let out a piercing scream as she noticed a shadow on her bed.

"Shhhh! Robs, it's just me!" Patrick whispered before ducking under her bed as he heard footsteps in the hallway rushing towards the bedroom.

"Robbie…are you okay? Do I need to call 911?" Maxie cried out over the speakerphone. Just then the door to her room was shoved open as her brother rushed into the room to see if she was okay.

Breathing out a sigh of relief, Robin nervously glanced at Jason before answering her cousin, "No that's okay Max...I thought I saw a spider. I think I'm going to go to bed now. Goodnight!" "Are you sure Robs? I can come over right now." "No really Max, I'm so tired (feigning a yawn) I think I'm just going to sleep. I'll talk to you tomorrow." "Alright, if you say so, Luv ya cuz." Maxie chirped before hanging up the phone.

"What's really going on Robs? You're not scared of spiders." Jason said as he looked in her closet and bathroom. Before he could look under her bed she grabbed his elbow and lightly pushed him out the door.

"Bye Jase…goodnight!" She said as she shut her door and leaned back into it with a loud groan. "What the hell is wrong with you Patrick? You scared the bejeebees outta me!"

Patrick crawled out from under the bed and smirked as he looked her up and down. In his mind he counted down…3...2… "Eeeeww you perv, turn around!" Robin screeched as she put her arms over her chest to cover herself up. She quickly put a tank top on, "Okay you can look now."

"Geez Robin…it's nothing I haven't seen before." Patrick snickered as he took a seat on her bed. "Yeah, well you haven't seen mine so again I'll ask…what are you doing here?"

"Can't I just want to talk to my best friend?" He insisted as he pulled her down next to him. She hesitated before saying, "That's what phones were invented for."
"I don't think you should go out with Jax. You don't know him like I do and I'm just trying to look out for you." Patrick said waiting for the hysterics he knew were soon to follow. Robin had always been stubborn and was very outspoken. But she surprised him when she started laughing. "What Robs? You think this is funny? Stop laughing. He is way too experienced for you. Look, guys only want one thing in high school and you're better than that. I'm just trying to- -"

"Well you're a guy…is that all you see in me?" Robin asked. She tried to keep a serious face on but she just wanted to leap in joy. He was jealous and he didn't even know it.

"NO! Of course not. You're like my little sister and I'm just trying to watch out for you."
Angrily Robin stood up in front of him, "Well guess what? I already have an older brother so you can just mind your own business. Get out Patrick, It's been a long day and I'm tired." She was so tired of being treated like a child. She watched him climb out the window and pause before turning around, "Goodnight Robin." He whispered before he left. She turned off her light and climbed into bed. With tears in her eyes she turned over onto her side. He'd never get it…how was she supposed to get over him if he kept acting like he cared?