While Sabrina was in with Emma, Patrick got a text from Robin saying that she would be there in five minutes for Emma and to please have her ready. Patrick sighed when he read it because it saddened him that, after so many years together, they were barely on speaking terms. Although, they made a concerted effort in front of Emma to be civil, they spoke as little as possible otherwise. Patrick knew things would improve eventually. He just wondered when that would be.
Not wanting to piss Robin off, Patrick shouted to Emma to get a move on. When she and Sabrina re-appeared in the living room, he smiled, caught up in the moment. Emma and Sabrina were holding hands, with Sabrina carrying her overnight bag for her. Even dressed in scrubs, Sabrina was beautiful. God how he'd missed her.
Patrick's phone dinged, which meant that Robin was outside. Emma hugged Sabrina goodbye and then he herded her to the door. Before leaving, though, he paused. "Will you wait? I need to walk her out. I'll just be a minute."
When the door closed behind Patrick, Sabrina took a deep breath. She'd nodded when he asked her to wait because she knew she owed him a response to his declaration. Hearing Patrick confess that he left Robin because he wanted her and their future was everything she'd ever wanted to hear since the night he shattered her heart; but, now, Sabrina didn't know what to think. Leave it to the man to give her exactly what she wanted just when she closed the door on their relationship and committed to Will. Sabrina had been burned by Patrick twice. Could she really throw away everything she'd built with Will, who was a wonderful man she cared about very much, because Patrick finally woke up and realized he was a dumbass?
Sabrina was still lost in thought when the door opened and Patrick came back. "Sorry about that," he said apologetically, "but I don't trust letting Emma walk downstairs alone yet."
"It's no problem, Patrick. I wouldn't let her walk downstairs alone either."
He closed the door and walked over to her where she was standing by the kitchen island. "Thanks for waiting."
"You're welcome."
"So," he hedged, "I know I dropped a lot on you…"
"Yeah," she interrupted. "You could say that. Kinda like a nuclear bomb."
Patrick stepped closer. "I meant what I said, Sabrina. I love you. I want you back."
Furious at her body for responding to his nearness, she ducked around him. "It's not that easy, Patrick. So much has happened…"
"But, don't you see, Sabrina, it can be that simple. Emma made me realize that. I love you and you love me and we make each other happy. We should be together."
"Sometimes love just isn't enough, Patrick. This isn't a fairytale where you confess your love and I run into your arms and we live happily ever after."
"It could be. We could be happy. You just have to believe."
Sabrina frowned at him. "I stopped believing in fairytales the day you ran from the altar to kiss your dead wife in front of me."
"Sabrina.." Patrick started apologetically, but Sabrina stopped him. "I'm not mad, Patrick. Not anymore. I just grew up."
"So what does that mean?" he asked.
"It means, Patrick, that I will always love you, especially for giving me Gabriel, but I am not sure that we can work together. There is just so much water under the bridge… And then, there's Will."
"Are you in love with him?" Patrick, unable to keep the hurt from his voice, asked.
"What we have together is new and, given recent history, I've been cautious with my heart, so I'm not sure." When Patrick's face got hopeful, Sabrina added, "But, I know that I could love him."
Patrick closed the distance between them again. "I was an idiot, Sabrina, I messed up a really good thing. Twice. Please don't make the same mistake by clinging to this relationship with Foster because you might love him someday when you already love me."
Sabrina stepped back and made her way to the door. "I have to go. Will's coming over and now I'm running late." She pointed to the packet she'd brought. "Everything you need to know about the building is in there. If you have any questions, though, call the number on the card."
Patrick followed her and stopped right behind her. "If I have questions, I'll call you." Then, he leaned into her. Just as Sabrina was about to chastize him for being forward, she realized he was only opening the door.
Sabrina stepped outside and said, "Bye, Patrick. Good luck with everything." She started walking down the hallway toward the elevator when he answered. "Luck has nothing to do with it."
Patrick watched Sabrina as she left and smiled. Sabrina had been as affected by the current running between them as he was. She was just hiding behind Foster because she was afraid of being hurt. It might take time and planning, but Patrick could and would break down her walls. Luck would have nothing to do with it.