Chapter 30

Their trip had been amazing they'd spent most of their time in Italy but had gone to France for a few day as well. Not once had either of them worried about if someone was looking for them, they just enjoyed their time there. They did the tourist thing for a little while but had spent most of their time in a little bed and breakfast just outside of San Remo. When they got back the night before they went and surprised Robin at work, they didn't get to visit long because she was working the night shift so she was going to come over tomorrow tonight. Right now they wanted to go down to the police station and find out what had happened with the de Salva case.

"Would you look at the two of you. The next time I take down a crime family I want to take a month long holiday in Italy," Clayton said when he saw Robert and Anna enter the squad room. "You both look happy, but you just couldn't stay away from this place, could you? Had to come see me right?"

"We missed you that much Clayton, we just couldn't wait to come see you," Robert told him with a big smile.

He laughed, "Yeah like I'd believe that. You just want to find out what's been going on with Jonathan de Salva's case."

"Yes we do, then we can enjoy the holidays," Anna admitted. "Is Mac in his office?" Clayton said he was so they made their way there saying hi to other offices as they went. They knocked on Mac's door and went in when he called out. "Hello to my second favorite Scorpio brother."

Mac looked up and smiled, "I'll take what I can get. Hi, when did you get back?" He got up and hugged them "How was the trip?"

"We got back last night, and the trip was amazing, but we'll tell you about that later. Right now we want to know what's been going on with Jonathan de Salva, so we can start to enjoy the holidays with family and friends, Sean, Tiffany, and Ann will be here tomorrow," Robert explained.

"Well de Salva is now awaiting trial, the DA feels there is a very strong case against him. His court date I believe is the 7th of January," he said as he went and sat back down. "Then he will be sent to Miami to face charges there as well. There were several cases that had gone unsolved that de Salva is now facing charges on. Pauly Munro has already pleaded guilty and will serve twenty years. He spent a day with the assistant DA telling him everything he knew, or he would have had a much longer sentence."

"That's good, what about Jim Conners?" Anna asked they had sat down across from Mac.

"Oh he had a lot to say as well, he didn't do as much dirty work as Munro did so he's looking at 10-15 years in prison, depending on how the judge feels. He'll be in court later today actually." Then Mac smiled, "He was so angry about the fact de Salva insisted on going after the two of you, he was adamant that was not what they had originally planned. He swore that was a personal vendetta and when he tried to convince de Salva you two weren't the ones he should be going after, that was when they started fighting with each other. That first day I talked to him, Conners was so pissed off, he kept saying if he would have just left Scorpio and Devane alone."

"At least one of them has a brain," Robert said then looked at Anna. "I doubt we would have gotten involved if Putnam hadn't been brought here. You would have been dealing with a nasty turf war but I think we would have stayed out of it." Anna nodded in agreement.

"What about de Salva's other men?" she asked.

"Most of them have been extradited back to Miami, there's a long list of charges they are being brought up on. The ones that were involved in that shootout at the Harborview Towers are awaiting trial here then they'll be extradited to face more charges in Miami." Robert sat back in his chair, pleased with how it was all going to turn out.

"What about Grant Putnam?" Anna asked she hated the thought of him still being in Port Charles.

"He has been sent back to Ravinview," Mac told her. "He will spend the rest of his life either there or in another institution. His case is being reviewed, and it is clear that he cannot be released ever. He did talk about why he was here in Port Charles, and what he had done. When he's on his medication he knows he shouldn't want to hurt either of you, but he said it didn't change the fact he still wants to."

A chill went through Anna, he is a very sick man. "Will the fact that de Salva used a mentally ill man to do his dirty work be brought up during his trial. That just shows how little he cares about other people, Putnam could have continued to live his life as it was. Now he'll have new restrictions and may even be moved to a more secure facility, because of de Salva." Anna was a little surprised to find that a small part of her felt sorry for Putnam.

"Yes, the DA is aware of how he was using Putnam against you and that will be presented during the trial."

Anna then looked at Robert, "Well I guess there's only one person that was involved that you haven't told us about." Anna had accepted that Holly was unlikely to get any jail time, the fact she had helped shut down not one but three sites that were used by criminals to facilitate crimes had ensured her freedom. The information found on those sites had lead to several arrests as well. "Please tell me at least that she isn't here."

"No, she's not. When she was released she left the country, as far as I know, she went to London to lay low in case anyone finds out what she did," Mac told her. Anna breathed a sigh of relief if she never saw Holly again that would be fine with her.

Robert squeezed her hand, "It's all falling into place then. Do we need to be in court today?"

"No Conners is pleading guilty as well so it should be a fairly straightforward sentencing."

"OK, we should let you get back to work, I'm sure you still have to be there. Besides we have some things to take care of ourselves. We have to get ready for some guests and Christmas"

As they got up to leave, "I still want to hear about your trip."

"You will," Anna smiled at him as she turned to leave.

"You still have to come over on the 23rd remember, the early Christmas party, it can wait till then." Then Robert followed Anna out of Mac's office.

...

After they had left Mac's office Robert and Anna realized they had a lot to do if they were going to have their house ready to host any type of Christmas celebrations. They need decorations and food and of course a tree. They had bought a few things on their trip and brought back a few other things, but still needed quite a lot. They spent the rest of the day getting everything they needed and then getting the house decorated.

It was quite late when they had finally finished everything but they didn't care, Robert got them both a glass of wine, then they sat in front of the fire. "The last time I decorated for Christmas was with you, fifteen years ago," Robert admitted.

"You really wouldn't do anything for Christmas?" Anna asked.

"You mean besides get drunk?" he said, then realized there was bitterness in his voice. "Sorry. No, I'd try to ignore that it was even that time of the year. All I would think about was being home with you and Robin and I knew that it wasn't going to happen. It just made me miss you more, so I would pretend it wasn't Christmas instead."

"Well we aren't living in limbo any longer and this is going to be a great Christmas. We're together, Robin is happy, she's got Patrick. Our best friends are going to be here tomorrow and there are so many friends and family that are going to be around us this year. Just look at all of this, it's perfect." Anna snuggled in a little closer. They looked at their living room happily, the decorations made it seem so wonderful. The tree was up but they were going to wait to decorate it with Robin.

Sitting by the fire looking around their living room, Robert realized he wasn't bitter about the missed holidays, he was just really excited about this one. Anna was right, this Christmas was going to be wonderful. When Robert noticed Anna was starting to fall asleep they went up to bed. It was going to be another busy day tomorrow with the Donely's were arriving at noon.

...

Mac was running late and when he and Lisa got to Robert and Anna's he could hear the laughter coming from inside, he was sure they were the last one there. He had been spending a lot of time with Lisa, she was going to her parents tomorrow but he didn't want her to be alone tonight. He was already smiling when he knocked on the door. It flew open, "Merry Christmas, get in here you're late," Sean said as he all but pulled Mac inside, Lisa followed them inside and started to smile as well. There was still two days until Christmas but they were all ready to start celebrating.

As Mac looked around he knew he was right and they had been the last ones to get there, both his girls were there talking to Robin and Ann. Patrick was talking to Anna and Tiffany and Robert was already walking towards him. "It's about time little brother before you say anything there is one very important rule that everyone else here has already agreed to and that it no one talks about work tonight, at all."

Mac smiled, "I think that is the best rule ever and I can totally live with that."

"Hi Lisa, I'm glad you're here," Robert said then they turned and walked into the living room. "Alright everyone is here now so girls you can start decorating the tree and anyone else that wants to help feel free," Robert said with a big smile, then he offered Mac and Lisa drinks. Robin and Maxie both grabbed a box of decorations, Ann and Georgie followed them over to the tree.

Anna picked up a package and went over to the tree as well. When Robin turned she handed her the package, "Here are a few decorations we brought back from Italy. We spent some time with Filomena's family and they sent these back with us, there's another package for your tree as well."

A tear came to her eye when she opened it and saw the beautiful ornaments inside, "These are old, were these hers?"

Anna wiped the tear away, smiled and nodded, "This one was labeled Anna and Roberto, and yours says, Bambino Robin. I don't even know when she put these away for us but they said it was on one of her visits home. She always believed Robert and I should be together so it could have been anytime really."

"I always loved hearing the story of her finding you and dad on the beach and leading you to your wedding." Robin smiled thinking of the woman who had raised her as a grandchild from the time she was a baby until she found out who her parents were and still stayed with them after. Robin always missed Filomena at Christmas but now she would always have a little part of her.

Everyone came and put at least one decoration on the tree, they were all in high spirits and enjoying being together. Once the tree was done, Robert got everyone's attention. "I want to thank all of you for being here tonight, it means a lot to have you all here with us. I can't start to explain how happy I am, and how wonderful it is to be celebrating Christmas with all of you. It has been far too long since I've wanted to be a part of anything like this. In '92 I only wanted one thing for Christmas and I have wanted that same thing every year since. I finally have it this year." Anna took Robin's hand lead her over to Robert. "I just wanted to come home to these two amazing women. Now with all of you here to share this with us, I couldn't feel any more blessed. I love you all and Merry Christmas." They all raised their glasses with him, everyone saying cheers and Merry Christmas.

Robin put down her glass and took Robert's hand, she was still holding Anna's in her other hand, "Every Christmas I took time to remember the last one we spent together, I never thought we'd get another one together. Dad, you're right this is the best gift ever, just having you both back."

"Like I already told Robert, there will be no sad tears this year, only tears of joy. You two are all I need. I love you both so much." Robert pulled them both into a big hug, they all had tears in their eyes cause they were so happy. They were together and that was all that mattered.

"Are you done with the mushy stuff for a while Robert?" Tiffany asked as they let each other go. She smiled over at them, "I've been here for a day and a half and you two have hardly told us anything about your trip, I need details."

"Not until I get a hug from you too Ms. Hill." Robert smiled and gave her a big hug as well. "I'm so happy that you guys are here." Then they walked over and sat on the couch, "If you want to hear about the trip we'll tell you, Robin there are a few pictures we thought you might get a kick out of."

Mac Lisa Sean and Patrick didn't seem as interested in hearing about their trip as the others, so they went and got another drink and started talking amongst themselves. Anna started by telling them about some of the places they had gone, a few were places they had been the first time they were there, others this had been their first time there. Then she told them about staying at the little Bed and Breakfast and getting to visit with some Soltinis. Robin said she actually remembered a few of the names Anna mentioned from her time there when she went with Filomena as a child. "And they remember you," Anna told her. "It was so odd walking into a home in Italy and seeing a picture of three little girls and realizing you were one of those girls."

Robert leaned forward to turn on the laptop. "These are just some of the pictures we took, there's a few from while we wandered and a few in San Remo, I think there might even be a video," Robert said then smiled at Anna. Robin and Tiffany were already sitting on the couch with them, so Ann Maxie and Georgie all moved closer so they could see as well.

Robin clicked through the pictures, Anna told them what they were, or who the people in them were. "Is that who I think it is?" A picture of Anna Kate and a young man had come up on the screen.

"Yes that's King, we met them in Paris, we were only there for that one day to see them," Anna told her. The next picture was of Robert and King they were both smiling happily, "He's not that annoying kid he once was," Anna assured Robin, "he's a graphic designer now and seem to be doing very well for himself, Kate is very proud of him."

Robin kept clicking through the pictures, then she saw one that made her gasp, "That's the fountain, Filomena took me there."

"Oh, this is some real Robert and Anna history then," Tiffany said with a smile.

"Wait, what do you mean?" asked Ann.

"That is where my mom and dad got married when your dad was their boss and they all worked for the WSB." The next thing that came on was the video, it started at the fountain as well, whoever was taking the video started to pan around showing the scenery. "Oh there's dad, where are you, mom?" Robert was standing by the fountain, he was wearing a dark suit without a tie, he looked shape but casual.

Robert and Anna smiled, "You'll see me soon." Then Anna came walking toward the fountain walking with two other women in front of her, "That's Filomena's great-nieces Abriana and Dahna, they were the girls in the picture with as kids."

"I love that dress you look amazing in it," Tiffany said. Then her jaw dropped some and she looked at Robin right beside her who had a similar look on her face. "Oh! really?"

"You didn't?" Robin looked at her parents, but she couldn't read their expressions, they still had the same smiles as before. "Um, you guys might want to come see this." Mac and Sean looked at each other then wondered over, Patrick and Lisa followed not knowing what was going on.

They were all watching the video now, Anna had joined Robert by the fountain edge. They smiled at each other then took each other's hands. Tiffany and Robin both let out a little squeal of excitement and grabbed each other's hands. They all watched in silence as Robert and Anna exchanged their vows. No one had noticed Robert take something out of his pocket, and put it on. When the video ended Robin turned to her parents, a huge smile on her face. "You're married! Congratulations. Then she hugged them, "When was this?"

"That was on the 10th of December," Robert told her.

"Hey you weren't wearing that before," Robin insisted when she noticed his wedding ring.

"No he wasn't, but I've had mine on all night and no one noticed. I figured the engagement ring would distract anyone from seeing it," Anna said with a smile.

They all stood up and congratulated and hugged them. When that was done Tiffany looked at them, "So was this part of the plan when you went to Italy?"

"No, once we were there we got talking and just knew we wanted to get married there," Anna admitted. "The first time we were madly in love and got married because it felt like the right thing to do, but we knew almost nothing about each other. This time I can honestly say we know each other better than anyone else. After spending about a week there it just felt right, we were already engaged and we still love each other madly so."

"There's no denying that you two love each other, and I think it's wonderful you got married there again, where it began," Sean said. "I think that will erase at least some the mistakes that other people made that cost you both so much."

Anna gave him another hug, she understood what he meant. "Oh come on Sean," she reached up and touched his face, saying so much more with her eyes, then she said out loud, "you know it began that first day in your office." He smiled back understanding they don't blame him and that he had to let it go.

"If it wasn't part of the plan then how did you arrange it?" Robin asked.

"Filomena's family was so helpful. They helped us find someone to marry us and then had it filmed so we could share it with all of you when we got back," Robert answered. "We said we'd get married when it was right for us and like the first time we just knew it was right."

"Well now, this really is a party. Here's to Mr. and Mrs. Scorpio, for the third time." toasted Sean, they all raised their glasses.

"It's still Devane," Anna told them, then she looked at Robert, "Devane-Scorpio."

Robert did a little fist pump, "Yes. She's been keeping me waiting to tell me what she'd decided."

"Is that how you got to be first for the PI office?" Robin jokingly asked. They both smiled and told them it was.

Mac popped a bottle of champagne, "There's going to be a few hangovers at the GH Christmas party tomorrow but it'll be worth it," he said and they all cheered. They celebrated well into the night, happy to be together and safe.

The End