Chapter 28

Patrick held Robin's hand as Dr. Maida completed his exam. He sat beside the exam table and pushed her hair from her face. "Have I told you today that you're beautiful?"

"You are so cheesy" she teased.

"I'm trying to butter you up."

"Why?" she asked suspiciously.

"I'll need your....er....help in a little bit."

"Hello? Doctor still in the room" Dr. Maida reminded them as he made a notation in Robin's chart.

"Sorry Dr. Maida but Patrick is..."

"Don't finish that sentence" Dr. Maida teased. "Everything looks great Robin - you are, in fact, ovulating and if you both are ready, we'll get a sample from Patrick and then in a few hours we'll be ready to inseminate you."

Taking her legs down from the stirrups, Robin sat up. Looking at Patrick she smiled. "I think we're ready." Patrick squeezed her hand in response.

"Great." Reaching in to the cupboard, he smirked as he passed the plastic container to Patrick. "Your turn."

Patrick looked at the container and made a face. "Um, where?" he asked looking around the exam room.

"Well you could do it here though the walls are a little thin. We have rooms that are properly equipped downstairs or I suppose you could always go to your office. That being said, it would be better for the procedure if the only one having an orgasm today is Patrick."

Robin gave a small pout and Patrick kissed her quickly on the cheek. "Okay" Patrick nodded. "And when I'm done?"

"Drop it to my lab." Standing up, he looked at the young couple. Having seen Robin through her first pregnancy he had developed quite an affection for both of them and viewed them as a positive example of how complete a life someone with HIV could lead. "See you guys in a few hours."

Robin pulled her skirt back on and looked at her husband. "So..."

"So" he echoed, twirling the plastic container in his hand. "This seems a little weird - you know, to do this in a cup...."

"I thought I was going to help you" she teased.

"Yes - yes you are - but uh, where do you want to go - here?"

She shook her head. "I think we should do it old school."

"What?"

"I happen to know the linen closet on the tenth floor has a lock that works and we haven't visited it in quite some time." She waggled her eyebrows.

Patrick grinned. "I like the way you think." Taking her by the hand they left the exam room and made a beeline for the elevators. Like new lovers they sneaked looks at each other both grinning and blushing in response. Robin stuck her hand in his back pocket and squeezed his ass prompting him to push back against her hand.

"Just getting you warmed up" she teased.

"Baby with you around, I don't actually need a lot of warm up." The doors opened on the tenth floor and walking by the Nurses Station, they both waved to Epiphany who only rolled her eyes. Robin checked the hallway in both directions before pulling him in to the closet with her. Reaching behind him, he locked the door before cupping her face and crashing his mouth over hers. Backing her up, Robin jumped on the laundry cart and grabbed hold of his shirt, pulling him closer to her. She parted her lips, granting his tongue the access it demanded. Sucking greedily on it, she ripped his shirt open and urgently ran her hands over his chest.

Patrick threaded his hands through her hair, deepening their kiss. Taking hold of the hem of her sweater he pulled it over her head and smirked as he saw her without a bra. "No bra?"

Running her hands over her breasts, she licked her bottom lip. "No. I like the way cashmere feels against my skin."

Patrick swallowed thickly and reaching a hand out, pushed hers out of the way. "How about this - do you like this against your skin?" He rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger.

A small moan escaped her lips as she arched forward. "I like that a lot but shouldn't we be concentrating on you?"

Continuing to knead her breast, he dragged his tongue along her neck before reaching the soft spot between her ear and her jaw. "Touching you has the most amazing effect on me" he said huskily as he took her soft ear lobe in his mouth and suckled on it. Robin slid her hands between his legs and was amazed to feel his arousal already straining against his jeans.

"I'll say." Tipping her head to the side to allow him greater access to her neck, she undid his belt and the buttons of his jeans before gently pushing them over his hips. Moving from the cart, she pushed him against it and covered his chest in kisses. The feeling of Robin's tongue over his nipples set his body on fire and he felt himself harden even further. Robin ran her hand down his torso and over his boxer briefs. Feeling his dampness, she sank to her knees and ran her tongue along his length, kissing his sensitive head through the thin material. Patrick jerked in response.

"God, Robin" he hissed. Hooking her fingers under his waistband, she peeled his underwear from him and tossed it on top of his jeans. Wrapping her fist around his pulsating cock, she moved along his length twisting as she went. Patrick's hips bucked in response as he started to fuck her hand. Reaching his hand down, he fondled her breasts as she lavished his hips with kisses, dragging her tongue along his treasure trail. His breathing shallow and his eyes hazy with lust he felt his orgasm building deep within him. "Robin" he croaked.

Continuing to work him with one hand, she reached for the plastic container and pulled the lid from it. "Come for me Patrick" she whispered leaving wet kisses over his inner thighs. He stilled in her hand before shaking almost uncontrollably. Robin continued to stroke him until he went limp in her hand. Standing up, she kissed him hard on the mouth. "I love you" she said against his mouth.

Exhausted and spent, he simply nodded. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she rested her head against his shoulder and breathed him in. His breathing returned to normal he brushed his lips against hers. "I'm sorry we couldn't get you off too."

She smiled against his skin. "Don't you worry. You'll be making it up to me when we get the all clear to fool around."

"Hmm - I think I like owing you."

"I know I do" she teased. "We should probably um, deposit your deposit."

He laughed lightly. "Okay boss." Reaching for his clothes, he dressed and handed her sweater to her. Having reset all the bed linen that moved during their activity, they pushed the door open and calmly made their way to the elevator. Epiphany simply shook her head as they walked past her a second time and Patrick winked. Having dropped off his sample Robin left to check on things in her lab, suggesting Patrick may want to track Noah down and find out why he and Brenda were ducking phone calls.

xxxxx

Patrick stood outside his father's office watching him review a file. He looked tired, almost haggard and his shoulders slouched forward in a way he hadn't seen in months. Biting the bullet he knocked on the door before walking in and sitting in the chair across from him. "Hey Dad."

Noah looked up in surprise. "Patrick. I didn't...I didn't think you were on today."

"I'm not - Robin and I were just...we had an appointment."

"Is everything okay?" he asked urgently. "There aren't any changes to her health?"

Patrick smiled reassuringly. "No Dad - she's fine. Actually we weren't going to say anything until it was done but we've decided to have another baby and Robin is going to be inseminated today."

Noah smiled broadly. "Patrick, that is wonderful news! I am so pleased for both of you."

"Thanks. Think you can handle two grandchildren?"

"I can't wait" he said truthfully. "Another child to spoil rotten? Bring it on."

Patrick examined his father's face and saw that no matter how genuine his joy for him, Noah's smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "Is everything okay Dad?"

He nodded. "Sure, shouldn't it be?"

Patrick tilted his head. "You're a terrible liar - always were. I've been calling you for three days and you haven't called back once."

"It's been a busy time. I'm covering off some of Morrison's shifts while he's on conference and we've had a rash of emergency surgeries."

"Did something happen with Brenda?"

Noah shrugged, trying to keep a brave face. "She's decided to return to Rome."

Patrick's eyes widened in shock. "What? Rome? When did this happen?"

"A few days ago. I think she missed her life there and wanted to return home."

"But she's in love with you" he protested.

"Apparently not" Noah said dryly and returned to his chart. "And before you ask, I haven't had a drink."

"No Dad - seriously, she's in love with you - I know it and Robin knows it."

Looking up, Noah willed the tears from his eyes as he didn't want to cry in front of his son. "She doesn't know it and so she has gone back to Rome. I asked her to move in with me, to make a life with me and she left. I don't really want to talk about it any further Patrick."

Patrick's face softened as he began to understand just how hurt his father was. Noah had been a risk taker in surgery and out until Mattie's death. It wasn't until he got sober that he even rediscovered his taste for risks inside the OR but those were baby steps compared to opening his heart up to a woman again. Patrick cursed silently as he watched his father shut down.

"Dad, I am so sorry - is there...is there anything I can do?"

Noah smirked. "No thanks. No fool like an old fool, right?"

"Dad - you are not a fool" he said emphatically.

"Oh really? What would call a man in his mid-50s pursuing a beautiful woman who could have any man in the world?"

"Do you think this is about age or looks? You made her happy, you gave her balance and trust me if ever there was a girl who needed balance it was her. But more importantly, she made you happy, I could see it - you were different with her. You know there was a lightness to you that I hadn't seen since..." he stopped short.

"Since before your mother died" he finished.

Patrick nodded. "Hiding in your work isn't the answer."

"Well as drinking myself to oblivion is out of the question, this will have to do."

"Come for dinner tonight - come and spend some time with us - Rian would love to see you and there's a hockey game on."

Noah shook his head. "I'm not up to company Patrick."

"We are not company!" his voice flashed anger. He was furious with his father for not being able to fight and furious with Brenda for hurting him so much. "We are your family and you don't get to hide from us."

Noah raised his eyebrows. "I gotta tell you Patrick, it's a little strange having you as a spokesperson for the healing power of family."

"Yeah well, consider it a sign of my personal growth. You're coming for dinner - it's not up for debate."

Knowing he had lost, Noah nodded. "Fine. I'll be there after my shift."

Patrick stood up and walking around the desk, leaned against it putting his hand on his father's shoulder. "I love you Dad."

Too overcome to speak Noah simply nodded and continued to stare at his chart. Patrick gave his shoulder a small squeeze before leaving his father to his solitude. His father had taken care of him when he needed it and was unable to ask for it and now it was his turn.