Chapter 51

"Pardon?" Patrick asked in shock.

"I think – it's possible – I think I might be pregnant." Robin stammered.

"But how?" Robin arched her eyebrows at his question. "Okay, I get the how" he corrected "but I thought the last test was negative?"

"It was – maybe….oh god" A look of horror crossed her face. "What if I've exposed you again?" Tears sprang to her eyes.

Patrick took both her hands in his and smiled at her reassuringly. There was a part of his heart that broke every time Robin's fears about transmitting HIV came to the surface. When she had discovered she was pregnant with Rian and then later that he was the father, she had been beside herself that she had exposed him to the virus. Even more upsetting to her was that by the time they realized he was the father it was too late to put him on the PEP protocol and they waited six long months to know for sure if he was in the clear. He had been so moved when she told him that he made her forget she was HIV+ but the truth was, despite the regular protocol and the extra precautions they took, he often forgot too. The truth about her disease and what it could do was never completely gone from his mind but on a day to day basis she was his wife – his beautiful, smart, hot wife. HIV didn't enter his mind.

"Robin if you're pregnant, it's from the artificial insemination – not from a broken condom."

"Patrick!" she protested " We have sex almost every day…"

"Okay – ewww – I didn't need to know that" Brenda teased.

Robin blew out her cheeks and gave a small smile. "I'm being hysterical, aren't I? I mean I'm probably not pregnant, I probably just have food poisoning or something."

"Robin – is this how you felt with Rian?" Brenda asked.

She nodded. "I was sick every day – of course with Rian I just thought I had the flu. I am, of course, a brilliant doctor…" she said rolling her eyes.

Patrick chuckled as he continued to stroke his cheek. "We'll stop at a pharmacy and get a pregnancy test."

"I swear, if I am – we are getting you PEP tonight."

"Robin – I keep trying to tell you – it's not possible. We did not have sex when you were ovulating – we weren't allowed, remember?"

"Oh god – my ears are bleeding" Brenda joked. "I'll be back" she said as she got up and left the room.

"We had plenty of sex!" she protested.

"Okay, let me rephrase – we didn't have intercourse while you were ovulating. Now, my boys are good swimmers but not even they can do the impossible." She moved into his arms, letting them close around her. His warmth relaxed her and she sighed deeply.

"You want this, right?" he asked tentatively.

Lifting her head, she studied his face carefully. "To be pregnant? Yes Patrick I want it very much but there's one thing I forgot…"

"What's that?"

"These freaking hormones make me mental" she said against his chest.

He kissed the top of her head. "I kind of like you a little bit crazy." He linked his fingers through hers. "Look, if the test is positive, we will fly home tomorrow and go see Dr. Maida as soon as we land – if it's not positive, we will fly home tomorrow and go see Alan as soon as we land."

"So either way we're going home tomorrow?"

He nodded. "I think you've done what you needed to do. Brenda and my dad have spoken to each other –that's huge. And while I have no objection to you wanting to spend time here, if you're not feeling well – if there's even the slightest change to your health, I want you back in the States under Alan's care."

"You're kind of hot when you're bossy" she said tiredly.

There was no doubt in her mind that she was pregnant. She had been feeling fatigued for days but chalked it up to chasing after her son, working full time and dealing with the myriad of crises at home and here in Italy. But now the indigestion, the spotting and the mood swings were all convincing her that she was in fact carrying their second child.

"I'm kind of hot always" he teased as he rubbed her back. "Robin" he said softly, "there isn't anything we can't face together – second baby, health issue – carrying triplets" She swatted his chest playfully. "You taught me how to be a partner and so this is what we do."

"I love you" she said, wiping at the tears that had appeared out of nowhere.

"Yeah, yeah sure you do and in nine months you'll be calling me every name under the sun and threatening to remove my appendages."

"Pretty much" she laughed, sniffling. Brenda came back in to the room and handed Robin a box. Robin looked up at her in surprise. "Dare I ask what you are doing with a pregnancy test?"

"Oh god" Patrick covered his face.

Brenda threw a pillow at him. "Relax – no little brother or sister for you."

"Seriously, are my brains leaking from my ears? Because it feels like that is happening."

"I had an occasion to buy one before I returned to Port Charles" she said looking at Patrick. "They come four in a box – there are three left."

Robin turned the box over in her hand. "Would you mind if I did it now?"

Brenda grinned. "I was SO hoping you were going to say that!"

Robin looked at Patrick. "Well?"

"Go forth and pee on a stick" he said, kissing her forehead. Slowly getting up from the couch, Robin swayed slightly as she made her way to the bathroom.

"So" Brenda said looking at Patrick. "More wine?"

"I think I might need it" he said, holding out his glass to her. Brenda filled his glass and sat back down. "You know, there's something about Rome and Robin being pregnant…" he said referring to the last time.

They had just reestablished their relationship when Robin announced that she needed to go to Rome suddenly to see Brenda. She had been evasive and distant but Patrick was still learning about her and hadn't realized she was running away. The day she left he swung by her apartment to drop a few things off and while there decided to tidy up for her. He was emptying her garbage when multiple pregnancy tests fell from the bag. They were all positive and he had been thunderstruck. Everything suddenly came together for him and he literally jumped on the next plane to Italy, following her across the ocean. Though he hadn't told her at that point, he knew he loved her –that she was the only woman in the world for him and discovering she was pregnant forced him into action.

"You look worried" Brenda remarked.

He shrugged slightly. "I am a little I guess – it's not as important to me that she's pregnant – so long as she's okay."

She smiled at him. "I still remember when you showed up at my door and charmed your way inside."

"I still remember you kicking my ass at the hotel when I was going to leave."

"What made you come back?"

"You and Nathalie" he said simply. "You both told me, not what I wanted to hear but what I needed to hear."

"We're smart women."

He smiled. "Yes you are and I'll admit to being slightly terrified when the three of you are in a room together."

"You're smarter than you look" she teased.

He rubbed his hand together nervously and looked back at her. "Listen Brenda – regardless of what the test says we're going to fly home tomorrow – because if she's not pregnant, she needs to see Alan. Why don't you come with us?"

Her wine glass slipping in her hand, Brenda tried to compose herself. "Uh – wow – I'd love to but I'm in a really busy period at work."

"You're going to have to come home sometime" he said.

"This is my home"

"Nah – this is where you live. Your friends – and my father – live in Port Charles – that's your home."

"Not even sure you're a father for a second time and you're getting all sentimental on me." She was trying desperately to deflect the conversation. The truth was she wanted to go back – she wanted to rebuild her life with her friends, old and new and with Noah but there was something stopping her. Until she could figure out what that was she was where she needed to be.

"Okay" he acquiesced, recognizing that she didn't want to be pushed. Both looked up in surprise when Robin returned. "Well?" he asked trying to contain his excitement.

Robin pursed her lips together and held up the three pregnancy tests. "We're having another baby, baby."

Brenda squealed and Patrick cheered, jumping from the couch. He picked up his wife and swung her around. "I love you so much" he said.

"Um Patrick" she said, patting his arm. "Please put me down."

"Oh god – I'm sorry." He carried her to the couch. "Are you okay?"

"I'm pregnant, nauseous and moody."

"Bring it on" he said grinning. "I love you" he kissed her lips. "so so so much."

"Oh lord – are you guys reenacting the Pantheon?" Brenda teased. Getting up from her chair, she pushed Patrick aside and hugged Robin tightly. "I'm so happy for you sis."

"Me too" Robin smiled. "Me too."

Brenda refilled their glasses, with Robin having Perrier and they toasted to the forthcoming addition to the Scorpio-Drake household. Exhaustion for Robin had set in and despite an offer of dinner, they opted to head back to the hotel and change their return flights home. Embracing her friend before leaving Robin also tried to convince her to come back with them but Brenda resisted, giving her the same reasons she gave Patrick.

"Soon Bren – you need to come back soon."

"We'll see" she said guardedly. "I love you Robs and I so happy for you."

"Love you too. Call Noah again."

"Take care of my girl Patrick" she said hugging him.

"Always. Take care of yourself Brenda" he whispered, kissing her on the cheek.

******
Slipping out of her brown wrap dress, Brenda pulled her closet door open and hung it up. From the corner of her eye she could see the nearly translucent fabric and though she had been ignoring the dress since her return to Italy, tonight she pulled it from its hanger. She ran her fingers lightly over the shiny satin. Once Robin and Patrick decided to get married in Australia, it had been a mad dash to get all the details pulled together in two days. The newlyweds-to-be had very few demands or needs for their big day save for one or two. The wedding would be on the beach before sunset and everyone would dress in white - no ties, no jackets and no sweeping ball gowns - just simple, crisp white clothing. Having grabbed Lulu and Nathalie, they headed in to downtown Brisbane to find dresses. They had come across a little boutique on a side street carrying a small but impressive selection of Australian and European designers. The dress had caught her eye immediately - it was simple and understated but rich in the way it draped her body. It was a bias cut dress that skimmed her knees; the neckline was a tasteful, modestly plunging v on both the front and the back. As soon as she looked in the mirror she knew it was the dress and if she were completely honest, even there at the store, she had wondered if Noah would like it.

Her lips curled into a small smile as she thought of those heady days in Australia. She had no reason to believe that Noah Drake was the slightest bit interested in her - while he had always been gentle and kind, he had not flirted or taken liberties - which was likely the reason she was attracted to him. All of her life men had given her attention for her looks or what having her on their arm would say about them but Noah was different. Bringing the fabric to her nose she thought there would perhaps be a faint trace of his scent on the dress - she was disappointed when there wasn't. Unzipping the dress she pulled it on and lay down on her bed. Her hair fanned around her on the pillow; the richness of her brown locks a stark contrast to the white pillow case.

In thinking back on it now she didn't know what possessed her to make a move on Noah. It had been incredibly risky on her part but every time she was in his company she felt drawn to him. He had danced with her at the wedding and hummed along to the music. The vibrations from his throat reverberated against her skin and gave her goose bumps. His hands were strong and it wasn't until she had pulled him up from the sand to start the long walk back to their hotel that she realized what it was that she liked about his hands - they made her feel secure.

They said little as they walked to the hotel - his thumb moved in soft circles along her palm. Reaching down her dress, she pulled her key card from her bra.

Noah smirked as she opened the door. "What else do you have stashed in there?" he asked jokingly.

"I think you're about to find out." She pulled him through the door and led him to the couch. Sitting down, he pulled her onto his lap licking his lips nervously. Brenda gave him a small smile and draped her arm across his shoulder. "Hi there Original Hottie."

He trailed his finger along her leg over the cool satin material. "Hi" he replied.

Brenda dipped her head and captured his mouth. His lips were soft and parted easily allowing her tongue to sweep inside. He cupped the side of her face, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss. A small moan escaped her lips as she shifted in his lap. She felt the hesitation in his kiss before he pulled away. Turning his head to the side he let out a long, slow breath. Gently tracing her fingers under his eyes, she turned his head back to face her. "Are you okay?"

He smiled apologetically. "I'm having a bit of a moment" he said truthfully.

"Oh" she said, trying to keep the disappointment from her face. That was the problem with risk - if it worked, the payoff was tremendous, but if it didn't the failure too could be tremendous. "Do you...do you not want to?" she asked.

Tilting his head to the side he reached up and ran his fingers through her hair. "You are an extraordinarily beautiful woman Brenda..."

"But you don't want to have sex with me" she finished.

"No, that's not it at all."

"Is it because I'm younger? Or because I'm Robin's friend?"

He entwined his fingers through hers and brought her hand to his mouth dropping a soft kiss on it. "It's not that - though it probably should be."

"Then what? Do you doubt I'm attracted to you? Because I am and have been for a while now."

He smiled, his eyes crinkling. "No, I think I figured that out when you asked me about the mile high club on the flight over." He tucked her hair behind her ear. "I'm a little nervous" he admitted.

"Why? I don't bite - well, unless you want me to." She giggled lightly.

"Brenda - I've only had sex a few times since my wife died and I wasn't sober during any of those times." He swallowed thickly. "This will be the first time in ten years that I'll be having sex and not be drunk - it's a little terrifying. I, uh, well..." his cheeks flushed slightly, "performance might be an issue."

His admission had only served to heighten her attraction and she slid from his lap to stand up. She held his gaze as she pulled her dress over her head and tossed it to the floor. Having kicked off her shoes when she came in, she stood before him in a sheer white bra and matching g-string. Her golden skin glowed against the light material. She smiled as his eyes grew heavy with lust.

"It's okay" she said as she walked towards him. Straddling his lap, she cupped his face with her hands. "We have all night and can go as slowly as you want to." She could hear his breath shorten and she felt his arousal push up against her. Dipping her head, she pressed her lips against his. "And I think you are so incredibly sexy" she whispered.

Noah inhaled before seizing her lips. His kiss moved from gentle to aggressive and Brenda responded by pushing her body against his. Sweeping her hands over his shoulders and down his chest, she undid the buttons of his shirt and pulled it from him. Dropping his shirt to the floor she did a double take. "Where did that come from?" she asked wondrously.

"Where did what come from?" his voice was tinged with confusion.

She ran her fingertips over his collarbone and let them trail down his chest, grazing his nipples. "This body - where did this body come from? Have you always had it?"


Noah laughed nervously. "Um...yes?"

"You are seriously built"

Covering his eyes with his hands, he blushed. "Can we stop talking about my body?"

"Good point - why talk when I can taste?" she dropped her lips to his shoulder, kissing his skin softly.

He closed his eyes and shivered as Brenda moved her lips all over his skin. She stroked him, kissed him and worked her tongue over his nipples. He threaded his hands through her hair, pushing his body into her lips. Still astride his lap, Brenda could feel him responding to her attention. She moved back to his mouth, greedily sucking on his tongue. The sweep of his hands across her skin was one of the sweetest touches she had felt in a long time. He palmed her breasts and traced the outline of them with his fingertips. With one hand, he reached behind her and popped her bra clasp letting it fall away from her. The feel of his mouth on her breasts as he, first tentatively, then confidently, kissed her sent her reeling.

She moved from his lap and grinned at the small whimper that emerged from his throat. Taking him by the hand, she led him to the bedroom. She lay down on the bed, propped up on her elbows and stared at him. "You are so hot" she purred.

Noah watched her for a few moments before making quick work of his belt and letting his pants drop to the floor. He allowed himself a small smirk at Brenda's expression when she saw his erection jutting forth. "I may be old but I've got some game" he teased.

She threw her head back as she laughed uproariously. He completely disarmed her – there was no pretense and no agenda – he was exactly who he appeared to be. Kneeling on the bed, he peeled her now damp g-string from her and tossed it to the side. She parted her legs for him as he lavished her torso in kisses. Each touch of his lips was like a jolt of electricity through her body. He ran his hands up her legs and grazed her hot centre. Brenda moaned and arched from the bed, trying to encourage him to go further. He lowered his head and kissed her sex, his tongue circling her sensitive nub.

".god" she cried. She fisted his hair and parted her legs further for him. Noah smiled against her skin as he slipped first one, then two fingers inside her. He moved them rhythmically, increasing the pace and then pulling back. The stopping and starting was driving her mad with desire. He brought her to the edge twice before moving his way back up her body.

"Do you…have anything?" he asked, hovering over her mouth.

She nipped at his lips, wanting to taste as much of him as she could. "You aren't going to think me a hussy if I say yes, are you?"

"I think you are a beautiful, smart, sexy woman and why wouldn't you be prepared?"

He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. She moved quickly to get the condom so he wouldn't see the tears that had suddenly formed in her eyes. There was something about the lack of judgment in his voice that broke through all her walls. Tearing open the foil packet, she pushed him back against the bed and wrapped her hand around his cock. She stroked him slowly and watched as he closed his eyes, clearly lost in the pleasure. Lowering her head, she closed her mouth around him and began to work her tongue around his length. His eyes flew open and he gently removed her from him.

"I..uh…I really want to be inside you" he said blushing.

Realizing what he meant, Brenda smiled and quickly sheathed him. Moving across him, she slowly lowered herself on to him, gasping as he filled her.

"Fuck" Noah hissed as she rocked her hips back and forth.

He took hold of her hips and rolled her on to her side. He pulled her leg over his hip, pushing himself deeper inside of her. Their hips moved in unison as Noah assaulted her neck with his mouth and explored her body with his hands. Brenda ran her hands through his hair and over his shoulders, struck again by the strength they possessed. Feeling him pulsing inside her, she was surprised at how quickly her orgasm came – in fact, she was amazed she had one at all. Though she never lacked for male company, not every encounter ended with fireworks for her. He pulled her tightly to him as he came inside her and held her until their pulse rates returned to normal.

She was shocked when he ran his thumb under her eyes and wiped away tears. She hadn't even been aware she was crying. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Uh, yeah" she tried to cover. "I've never – I don't cry – I'm not a crier"

He kissed her under one eye and then the other. "There's nothing wrong with crying" he said softly. "Releases happen in all kinds of ways."

Her normal routine was to cuddle for several minutes and then head to the shower, hoping her date would be long gone by the time she was done. Instead, she snuggled in closer to him and held tightly. He had stroked her hair, murmuring to her, his arms around her securely. In that moment she didn't want to let him go.

Brenda wiped at the tears that had gushed down her face at the memory. She wished he was here with her now – that she had the courage to fly back to Port Charles and run into his arms – but she wasn't ready. Not yet.