Sorry for the long wait everyone. I am going through some changes in my life so please bear with me. Thank you all so much for the support! Enjoy!
Ch.23
The following day, Patrick and Sabrina took the kids Christmas tree shopping. Emma was beyond excited as she wandered up and down the lot to look for the perfect tree. Patrick and Sabrina laughed as they followed closely behind her. A sales associate greeted them and offered to help them find a tree. "Stay where I can see you Emma." Patrick called out to her as she walked with the sales associate. "Ok daddy." She replied back excitedly. "I'm so happy to see that after everything, Emma still has the same wonderful, carefree spirit that she's always had. She just continues to amaze me." Sabrina said as she walked along side Patrick while they watched Emma. She was pushing a double stroller that held their sleeping twins. "I know." He replied as he looked at Emma. "When she was found after the kidnapping, I was so relieved but I could see how affected she was by what happened. And for a second, I wondered if she would ever get through it. If she would be ok again with the nightmares and with you being gone, but she got through it." Patrick glanced at Sabrina and noticed a faraway expression on her face. He knew that she was thinking about what happened. He grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it causing her to look at him. "When she was going to her sessions with Dr. Lewis, she told Emma about how brave she was. Emma replied by saying 'I have to be for Sabrina.' She never forgot when you told her that and it's helped her ever since." Patrick confessed. Sabrina smiled. After a while, Emma found one of the biggest trees on the lot and decided that it was the perfect tree for them. Patrick and the associates of the Christmas tree lot helped load the tree onto their car. On the way back home, Patrick picked up some hot chocolate and lunch for them. He listened as Emma and Sabrina talked about how they were going to decorate the tree and smiled happily.
When they got home, Sabrina and Patrick were surprised to see Robin waiting for them. Emma's face fell as soon as she saw her mother and she made no moves to go towards her. "Robin, we weren't expecting you. What are you doing here?" Patrick asked. Robin couldn't help but stare at them. They looked like the perfect family. Robin had heard about Sabrina being home from her mother and she was truly happy that she was safe. Still, she couldn't help but feel envious of her; she had her family after all. She cleared her throat. "Christmas is in a couple of days and I wanted to make it back in time to spend some time with Emma if that's ok." Robin asked unsurely. Before Patrick could answer Emma spoke. "I don't want to see you Mommy. Please don't make me daddy." Emma said looking angrily at her mother. Patrick was shocked by what she was saying. "What's wrong Emma?" Sabrina asked her. "I just don't want to see her." Emma said strongly. "Ok, Sabrina can you get the kids inside please?" Patrick said to her. She nodded and ushered Emma and the twins inside the house. Robin was in tears by how Emma reacted and Patrick felt bad for her. "I'm sorry Robin. I don't know what came over Emma." He stated. Robin wiped her tears and scowled at Patrick. "I know what happened; you and Sabrina turned Emma against me! It wasn't enough that Sabrina took you away from me, she had to take Emma as well!" Robin shouted angrily. Patrick shook his head. He calmed himself down before answering, not wanting to start an argument where his kids would hear. "You know that Sabrina and I would never turn Emma against you Robin. You are her mother and I'll talk to her about what just happened but you need to take some responsibility for her acting the way she did. You have barely been calling or video chatting with her over the past couple of weeks. I've made excuses for you because I know how difficult it's been for you. I'm sorry that you're hurt Robin but please don't let it ruin your relationship with our daughter." Patrick said. Robin nodded. "I'm sorry. I'll be staying with my mom for a couple of days. Call me if Emma ever decides that she wants to see me." She said in a quivering, tear filled voice. And then she turned around and left before Patrick could say anything to her. He ran his hand through his hair with frustration as he walked inside the house. He found Sabrina playing with the twins in the living room. Emma was sitting in the corner of the couch playing with the Koala bear that Robin got her when she first came back. Sabrina and Patrick locked eyes with each other before they both glanced at Emma worriedly. Patrick went to sit next to her and pulled her onto his lap. Emma sank into the warmth of her father's arms and buried her face into his chest. He felt hot tears soak his t-shirt and felt his heart constrict with pain as his daughter cried in his arms. When he felt her calm down, he pulled her back and looked into her tear filled eyes. He wiped her face and kissed her on her forehead. "Do you want to talk about it?" He asked her. She shook her head. "I want us to decorate the Christmas tree. I want Sophie and Sammy to see it. It's their first Christmas." She said; the sadness still in her voice. Sabrina smiled lovingly at Emma. Even with whatever that was going on with her, she still thought of her brother and sister. Patrick smiled at his daughter and hugged her. He held onto her and kissed the top of her head. "I love you so much Emma, do you know that?" He asked her. Emma smiled. "I love you too daddy." She replied back. No matter what, Emma could always count on her dad being there. All of a sudden, they heard the doorbell ring. Patrick kissed Emma once again before setting her down to answer the door. He smiled at the sight he saw. "Emma I think that some of Santa's helpers have come to help us with the tree." Patrick said. She ran over to see what her dad was talking about when a huge smile came over her face. "Uncle Felix and Uncle Juan!" She exclaimed excitedly. Felix and Juan were standing at the doorway with the Christmas tree they had bought and they had elf hats on. Sabrina was happy that her cousin kept his promise to come visit them during Christmas. Patrick helped them carry the tree inside. As soon as they sat it down, Emma rushed over to Felix who scooped her up in his arms. "Hey munchkin, I heard you needed a little help with decorating the Christmas tree." Felix stated. Emma nodded happily. "You don't mind us helping out do you Ems?" Juan teased, knowing the answer. "Of course not! Besides, we got the biggest tree ever. We're going to need all the help we can get to decorate it." Emma stated matter-of-factly. Juan and Felix shook their heads in awe at how mature Emma was at times. "Alright then, let's get to it. You heard the boss lady." Felix said as he set Emma down. Patrick and Sabrina went to into the nursery to clean, change, and feed the twins while Felix, Juan, and Emma tried to decide on the best location for the tree. "Emma is not ok Patrick. She's using the tree as a distraction. We need to get to the bottom of why she reacted to Robin like that." Sabrina said in a hushed tone. She was holding Samuel in her arms while she fed him. Patrick nodded in agreement as he fed Sophie. She was already asleep even though she was being fed. "Robin accused us of turning her against her." Patrick revealed. Sabrina looked up in shock at Patrick and shook her head. "I told her that she knows that we would never do that and for her to take some responsibility. Emma has heard from Robin less and less over that past couple of weeks and that's the real problem." Patrick whispered. Sabrina nodded. "She loves Robin, it's apparent but she's hurt and I don't want that for her ever again. Emma has already been through so much. We have to fix this." Sabrina whispered with sadness and determination in her voice. Patrick looked at Sabrina and saw that same faraway expression on her face that she had earlier. Sometimes Emma would have that same look on her face. Patrick knew without shadow of a doubt that what had happened to the both of them was always there in the back of their minds. It was a part that they both tried to keep hidden from him but he saw it as clear as day. He saw the pain and the hurt and he felt it as well. He could only hope that they would let him be there for them. "And we will be, always. I just don't want to push her." Patrick explained. He heard Sophie burp and smiled. He kissed her and placed her in her crib. Patrick grabbed the baby monitor and looked over at Sabrina and Samuel. He was sleeping now and Sabrina eyes held so much love for her son. Patrick thought about how far they had come and smiled. Patrick knew that he could get through whatever life threw at them as long as Sabrina was at his side. He watched as she placed Samuel in his crib and turned on the music player that he loved. Sabrina felt Patrick's arms wrap around her waist and she sighed peacefully. She leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his arms. She felt him kiss her hair. "She's going to be ok, I promise." She heard him whisper. She turned around to face him and embraced him. Patrick kissed her on her temple and held her comfortingly. "I know she will. Emma's a strong girl." She whispered back to him. Patrick pulled back slightly so that he could look at her face. "Are you ok?" He asked her softly. She nodded. "I'm fine. We should go help them with the tree." Sabrina said with a small smile. He nodded and leaned down to kiss her briefly. He grabbed her hand and led her out of the room.
They found Emma, Juan, and Felix singing along to the Christmas songs playing on the radio as they decorated the tree. He released Sabrina's hand as she walked over to them. Emma's eyes shined bright as he heard Sabrina praise her for how the tree was coming along. It seemed as if what happened between her and Robin didn't make her upset like she was earlier. But like Sabrina said, he knew he had to make sure Emma's wellbeing was taken care of. Two hours later, the tree was fully decorated with ribbons, bells, and beautiful ornaments including the ones that Emma and Sabrina created for the entire family. Each ornament was decorated differently and had each family member's name written on them. The only thing they had left to add was the Christmas angel. "Emma would you like to do the honors?" Patrick asked her as he handed her the angel. Emma nodded. She giggled when Patrick hoisted her onto his shoulders. He walked towards the tree and helped Emma place the angel at the top. Patrick pulled her off his shoulders and set her down. "Ok Ems, it's time for the grand finale. Are you guys ready?" Felix asked excitedly. Emma ran over to Sabrina and sat on her lap. They smiled and nodded at Felix. Felix plugged in the lights and they illuminated throughout the Christmas tree. Sabrina smiled as she watched her family admire the Christmas tree and thought about how blessed she was.
~Next day~
The following afternoon, Mercedes came over to watch over the twins so Sabrina would finish her last minute Christmas shopping. After a couple of hours, she had enough time to go home, hide the presents, and go pick Emma up from school. Emma was happy to see that she was there and she talked nonstop about the Christmas cards that she made today in school for Sophie and Samuel. When they got home, Sabrina made them a snack and afterwards, she helped Emma with her homework. They were currently watching one of Emma's favorite TV. shows when Sabrina felt Emma tap her. "What is it Emma?" Sabrina asked. "Is mommy still in Port Charles?" Emma asked unsurely. "Yes she is sweetheart. She wanted to spend some time with you during Christmas." Sabrina replied. There was a pause before Emma started talking again. "Is mommy sad about me not wanting to see her yesterday?" Emma asked. "Yes she was Emma. Your mommy misses you so much. She loves you." Sabrina said reassuringly. "But she left. She promised that I would get to talk to her or Skype with her everyday but she broke her promise. Maybe mommy is mad at me for being with you and daddy instead of with her. Maybe that's why she stopped calling." Emma finally confessed. Tears pooled in the little girls eyes. Sabrina hated that Emma felt like this was her fault. Sabrina pulled Emma into her arms and hugged her. She kissed the top of her head and pulled back to look at her. "Your mommy isn't mad you Emma. She could never be mad you sweetheart. She loves you more than anything. You are the most important person in her life. And I know that you love her very much right?" Sabrina asked her. Emma nodded. "I think your mommy is sorry that she didn't keep her promise but I know that if you go see her and let her explain, all will be right again. Your mommy wanted to make sure that she saw you for Christmas. Would you like to go see your mommy at Grandma Anna's Emma?" Sabrina asked her. Emma smiled and smiled back. "Ok then sweetie. Let me call your mom and dad first ok? In the meantime why don't you go play in your room for now." Sabrina stated. "Ok Sabrina and thanks." Emma said giving Sabrina a kiss on the cheek. "I love you Ems." She said. "Love you too." She replied back before skipping happily to her room.
After a while, Sabrina spoke to both Patrick and Robin about Emma wanting to see her mom. Patrick was happy to hear it and was glad that Sabrina was able to help Emma. Robin was surprised when Sabrina called and said that Emma wanted to see her and that they were on their way. She had begun to accept that she wouldn't be seeing her daughter for Christmas. After much reflection, Robin knew that Patrick had been right about her not staying in touch with Emma like she promised. Although she was still hurt over the loss of Patrick, she knew that with time she would eventually heal. Besides, she could see how happy he truly was with Sabrina. But Robin knew that she could not afford to ruin her relationship with her daughter and risk losing her completely especially after what happened the other day. So she decided that she would stop running and stay in Port Charles so that she could rebuild her life and her relationship with Emma. Her first step was deciding to take a job position at Mercy Hospital and then she leased an apartment for her and Emma. Robin heard a knock on the door and took a deep breath before opening it. Her eyes locked immediately with Emma's. She saw sadness in her daughter's eyes and knew that she was the reason for it being there. "I'm sorry for what I said yesterday mommy, I didn't mean it." Emma whispered while looking downwards in shame. Robin squatted down to her level and lifted her chin up with her finger. Tears streamed down Emma's face. "You don't have to apologize baby. I'm the one that's sorry. Mommy broke her promise to you and I'm so sorry for that Emma. I won't ever break a promise between us again. I love you so much Emma." Robin cried. Emma immediately rushed into her mother's arms. "I love you too mommy." She heard her whisper back. Robin stood up with Emma in her arms. Sabrina smiled at them happily. Robin gestured for her to come in as she and Emma walked over to the couch. "I can't stay for long because the nanny has to leave soon. Patrick suggested that Emma sleep over with you…" Sabrina suggested. Robin looked at her daughter who nodded in agreement. She smiled at Emma and then at Sabrina who smiled back. "Ok, here's her overnight bag." She said giving the bag to Robin. "I'll see you soon Ems." Sabrina said. Emma walked over and hugged Sabrina. "Ok, give Sammy and Sophie a kiss for me." Emma stated. Sabrina chuckled. "I will sweetie. Your dad will call you later." She said. "Ok Sabrina." She replied. Robin walked Sabrina to the door. "Thank you so much for bringing her. I know that you somehow made this happen and I appreciate it." Robin said. "There's no need for you to thank me Robin. There's nothing I wouldn't do for Emma." Sabrina said. Robin nodded. "I know. She's blessed to have you in her life." Robin stated. "Thanks Robin." Sabrina replied back and left.