Chapter 2
Patrick flopped onto the couch beside Robin and Rian. "Every last dish is either in the dishwasher or put away."
"Good" she said, biting back a smile.
"Good? I do all the cleanup and all I get is good?" he asked, looking at her.
Robin stroked a sleeping Rian's head. "Well you said you would do all the clean up because I did all the set up - what are you looking for - a reward?"
Patrick grinned and leaning in, pulled her lips into his. "As a matter of fact, I am" he said against her mouth. "A really, really big reward."
Robin ran her tongue along his bottom lip. "Honey, really, really big is your department, not mine"
He gasped jokingly and covered Rian's ears. "Your momma is such a dirty girl"
Giving him a sideways grin, she looked at him. "Would you have me any other way?"
"Er, no" he said quickly. "Why don't I put our little man to bed and you put another log on the fire?"
"Okay" she agreed. Kissing Rian's cheek, she nuzzled his face. "Goodnight baby boy - when you wake up tomorrow we'll see what Santa has brought you." She kissed him once more before placing him in Patrick's open arms. He kissed the top of her forehead before taking Rian upstairs.
Robin got up from the couch and turned of all the lights in the living room save for the Christmas tree. Reaching down, she gently placed another log on the fire and rearranged the cushions so they could recline in its warmth. Going to the kitchen, she returned with a bottle of red wine and two glasses and placed them by the cushions. Crawling over to the tree, she fished out the gift she wanted Patrick to open tonight. They had agreed they would exchange one gift on Christmas Eve and the rest the next day. She sighed as she leaned back against the cushions, slipping slowly on her wine. Their party had been a huge success. The house felt warm and alive as their friends and family fell into an easy patter with each other. It was the domesticity that she had always craved. There had been no less than seven children running around the house, delighting in the snow and in Kristina's case, eating so many candy canes she threw up. An embarrassed Alexis and Ric promptly cleaned her up and headed home as the sugar high wore off. Robin enjoyed watching Patrick and Noah chatting. There was no more tension between them. All had been forgiven and a new, stronger relationship had evolved in place of the old one. She had spent some quiet time with her Uncle Mac - her first real opportunity to do so since returning from Australia. The only people missing were her parents. Upon their return to Port Charles after the wedding, both had been called on assignment. Robin had been disappointed having become accustomed to their constant presence but they were hunters and they were unable to stay away from the thrill of the chase for very long. She closed her eyes and listened to the silence. It had been a difficult road for her and Patrick but they were now reaping the rewards and she was enjoying every minute of it.
She smiled as she felt Patrick slid in behind her and wrap his arms around her. "Our boy is fast asleep dreaming of race cars."
She let out a small giggle. "Patrick, our son is six months old, he doesn't know what a race car is."
"Sure he does" he said confidently. "I've told him all about them and he is a very, very smart boy."
"And it's your objectivity that allowed you to arrive at this conclusion?"
"I call 'em as I see 'em" he said, pouring himself a glass of wine. "Did you have fun tonight?"
She nodded. "How about you?"
"It was great. Can you believe all the kids that were here?"
"I know" she smiled, nestling further back against him as he kissed her neck. "This is quite a change from where we were last Christmas"
Patrick grinned against her skin. "Not that different, I was hitting on you then, I'm hitting on you now."
Reaching up behind her, she stroked the back of his head. "We couldn't stand each other back then."
"Not true" he said sitting up. "I liked you from the moment I met you. I thought you were pushy, overbearing and strident but I liked you."
"Oh stop sweet talking me" she teased.
He trailed his fingers down her arms. "I love you more every day - I never knew that was possible."
"I'm a lucky woman" she said. "Gifts?"
Patrick grinned at the tone in her voice. Christmas was her favourite holiday and she enjoyed shopping for presents so much that he was worried they were going to need a second mortgage to cover it all. "What makes you think I got you a gift?"
"You got me a gift."
"You're pretty sure of yourself there Scorpio."
"It's Scorpio-Drake thank you very much and yes, I am VERY sure of myself."
"Fine - who goes first?"
"Me!"
"Giving or getting?" he asked, knowing the answer.
"Giving!! It's the best part."
Reaching beside the cushions, she pulled out the square box wrapped in gold paper and handed it to him. He moved from behind her so that he could sit in front of her. Half reclining against the fireplace ledge, he slowly pulled the ribbon off the box. He watched as Robin's eyes danced with anticipation and she bordered on giddy. Rubbing her hands together she watched every movement he made as he opened the box. Taking the lid off, he pulled out the frame that was closed in half. Opening up the frame he saw that it held a picture on each side. His mouth dropped open and his cheeks began to redden.
Watching his reaction, Robin's face fell. "You don't like it - I'm sorry - I thought you would like it."
He shook his head, trying to find his voice. "I like it fine" he managed to croak out before tears began to tumble down his face.
"Oh baby" she said, crawling over to him "I didn't mean to make you cry"
"It's beautiful Robin" he said, wiping at his tears. "I haven't seen this photo in a long time" he said, tracing the outline. On the left side of the frame was a photo of Noah and Mattie from a party years ago. Noah was sitting in a dark leather chair and Mattie was sitting on his lap, her arm draped around his shoulder. She was laughing and Noah was staring at her, smiling. In the right side of the frame was a photo of Robin and Patrick from the wedding in Australia. They were dancing and gazing deeply into each other's eyes. Both were candid shots that captured the couples perfectly.
Robin touched his arm. "I've never seen you display a photo of your mom and I just thought that you might like this one. Your dad helped me with this."
He continued to stare at the photograph, overcome by emotions. Finally placing it down on the floor, he reached for her, pulling her towards him. Cupping her face, he kissed her, slowly letting go of her lips. "It is the most beautiful gift" he said hoarsely. "I absolutely love it."
She exhaled. "Good" she said before kissing him again.
"I suppose you'd like your gift now?"
"Well" she started innocently "if you have one for me?"
"It just so happens that I do." Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small box wrapped in red paper. He passed it to her and watched with amusement as she carefully removed the paper. Prying open the box, her eyes widened. She pulled out the gold locket and gazed at it admiringly. Opening the locket, her eyes sparkled as she saw the tiny photo of Rian tucked inside.
"Patrick" she whispered. "It's beautiful"
"Can I put it on you?" Robin handed it to him and spun around, lifting up her hair so that he could close the clasp. Turning back around, she fingered it.
"I love it - it's so wonderful." Kneeling up, she kissed him gently on the lips, keeping her lips pressed to his long after she let them go.
Patrick patted his lap and Robin scooted over to him, sitting squarely in it. Leaning her head against his shoulder, she sighed as he stroked her hair. "I have a question for you" he said quietly.
"What's that?" Robin ran her hand over his chest. She never tired of touching him, of feeling him against her. He licked his lips nervously. It had taken him the better part of a month to work up the courage to ask her the question but now that it was here it felt like his nerve was failing him. "Patrick?" she asked.
"How would you...I mean we can talk about timing...but how would you feel about having another baby?" He clenched his eyes as soon as the words left his mouth, unsure of the reception his question would get.
Robin lifted her head from his shoulder. "Really?" she asked searching his eyes. "You want to have another baby?"
He ran his thumb along her chin. "Do you?"
"I, uh...I didn't think you really wanted children - I mean Rian was an accident but to plan a child? Do you really want another?"
He inhaled slowly. "I thought I never wanted children Robin because I never imagined settling down. But I have you and Rian and life feels so complete and I love you so much that I can't think of anything I'd rather do than have another child with you."
"You understand that we'd have to do ai? Because I would never, ever allow you to be exposed a second time" she said firmly.
"I've done some reading. I know you want to go back to work and I know Rian is still young and I'm not trying to force anything but can we consider it?"
She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Patrick" she smiled, her eyes filling with tears. "I would love to have another baby with you. We need to talk to Dr. Maida and Kelly and we need to do some planning around it but yes - let's plan for another baby some time in the new year."
"Really?" he said in surprise. Patrick had been confident that she would shoot him down or want to put him off for at least a year but her reaction was more than he could have hoped for.
"Really" she said kissing him deeply. Running his hands along her back, he pulled her closer to him.
"I love you"
"What's not to love? I'm pretty terrific!" she teased.
Patrick laughed and bit her lip. "Smartass."
Robin smiled. Looking past him, she turned back to him, eyes shining. "Guess what?"
"What?" he asked, stroking her hair.
"It's past midnight. It's officially Christmas Day and officially our first Christmas together!"
He crashed his mouth down on hers, smiling as Robin's lips parted immediately, waiting for him to plunge his tongue inside her mouth. He didn't keep her waiting. She sucked greedily on his tongue while pressing her body into his. She heard him moan into his mouth and arched further against him as he moved away from her lips, leaving tiny butterfly kisses on her cheeks and under her eyes before moving to her neck. Her body shivered as his warmth breath enveloped her skin.
"Merry Christmas, wife" he said huskily.
"Merry Christmas, husband."
xxxxx
"Merry Christmas" Nik said quietly, setting down a cup on the bedside table.
Nathalie sat up slowly and smiled lazily as she reached for the cup. "Merry Christmas yourself" she said, taking a long sip from the steaming cup.
"How is it this morning?" he asked, crawling back into bed beside her.
She gave him a wry smile. "Same as always" she said before taking another sip of tea. As the trial date for the custody case got closer, Nathalie's stress level began to rise significantly. Looking at her, it was almost impossible to tell that she was bothered by anything as she constantly gave off an air of control and serenity. Only Nikolas knew that not to be true. Her nausea would be so strong when she would wake up in the morning that it was nearly impossible for her to get out of bed without at least one cup of mint tea. When it had first hit, he had insisted that she go to the doctor. Several tests later including a pregnancy test, the doctor admitted that it was stress and Nathalie should do what she could to eliminate it from her life. She had smiled and thanked the doctor for his advice. It had been Alfred, reliable Alfred who missed nothing at Wyndermere, who quietly suggested to Nikolas that a steaming cup of mint tea might help Miss Nathalie in the morning.
Lying propped up on one elbow with his other hand soothingly rubbing her stomach he watched her. Her dark circles were becoming slightly more pronounced and fine lines were appearing around her eyes. "Did you get any sleep last night?" he asked.
"Sure" she said, sipping from the cup.
"Liar" he said softly.
"I slept some - really."
"I wish I could do something to take this away from you" he said for the millionth time.
Putting the cup down, Nathalie turned on her side and propped herself on her elbow facing him. She let her hand rest on his hip. "You do - every day" she reassured him.
"Can I interest you in a gift?" he said, reaching under his pillow.
Nathalie grinned. "Yes please."
He passed the small velvet box to her with a silver bow on top. "It's not a ring" he said quickly.
Nathalie pressed her lips against hers. "You're cute when you're nervous."
"I thought we established that I'm cute all the time."
She rolled her eyes. "How silly of me to forget." She opened the box and gasped. "Nik - you can't give this to me - it's too much" she said.
"Do you like them?" he asked, massaging her hip bone.
"They're emerald earrings Nikolas, I love them."
"Then I can give it to you - besides they match your eyes - you have to wear them."
She shook her head. "Your logic is too much for me to argue against at this early hour." She kissed him softly. "Thank you."
Smiling, he ran his thumb under her eye. "You deserve beautiful things."
Her cheeks flushed at the compliment. "Are you ready for a gift?"
"I thought we agreed to no gifts?" he asked.
"We did and as you followed that rule so well, I had to break it too" she teased.
"How did you know I was going to break the rule. "Because I'm a genius" she smiled as she gave him a small leather bag.
Nikolas looked at her quizzically before untying it and shaking out its contents. The watch fell heavily into his hands. Picking it up, he looked at it admiringly. It was a Tag Heuer watch with a square face and black leather band. "It's wonderful" he said. "I love it."
"I had it engraved" she said shyly.
Turning the watch over, his breath hitched as he read the engraving.
N -
You make time stand still
Love, N
He inhaled deeply and immediately put it around his wrist. He moved closer to her, allowing his hand to travel over her hip and onto her behind. He stroked it, sending shivers through her body. He kissed her so lightly, their lips barely touched. Nathalie thought she might just pass out from the heat between them. His hand became more insistent as he massaged the round globes of her ass.
"Nik" she said huskily, trying to think coherently as he assaulted her neck.
"What?" he asked, tracing minute circles on her skin.
"It's 6 in the morning."
"Which means we have tons of time" he said
"It's 6 in the morning on Christmas Day and we have three kids who are expecting Santa to have left them something."
"You don't actually think they're..."
"Mommy!!" Grace called from the hall. "Can we go see if Santa came?"
"Just a minute baby" she called back.
Nikolas pressed his forehead against hers. "I reserve the right to pick this up later."
"Absolutely. Can you take them downstairs and I'll be there in a minute?"
He bussed her lips. "Take your time, finish your tea and come down when you're ready." She smiled appreciatively. Nikolas pulled a t-shirt over his sweatpants and headed to the door. "Hey Nat?" he asked.
She looked up. "Yeah?"
"This is already the best Christmas I've ever had."
"I love you Nik."
He grinned and headed out the door. Her heart sank as he left the room. The nausea came back. She knew that the lawsuit could cost her children, she just hoped there would be no collateral damage in the process. Reaching to the bedside table, she picked up the phone and dialed the now familiar number. "Merry Christmas Alexis, I took the chance that you'd be up too...I've done some thinking about what you asked last night and it's possible there are a few things in my past my parents will use against me. Can we meet tomorrow to discuss?"