Chapter Four:
Robin hugged Emma and wiped her eyes as she sat back.
"Why are you crying?" Emma asked. "Aren't you happy?"
"I'm so happy, baby, That's why I'm crying. I missed you so very much. I love you and I never want to spend so much time away from you again."
Emma snuggled against Robin in the bed and she played with her fingers.
"We have the same fingers," Emma said. "Daddy's fingers are too long, but our fingers are just right. I like my fingers because when I look at them I remember you."
Robin kissed Emma's forehead and ran her free hand through her hair.
"Tell me about school. Tell me about your friends and what you're reading."
"School's okay. I like math and reading, but science has been hard. Cameron has been nice but I don't really like Spencer very much. He talks funny and I don't like that he makes fun of people."
"Do you have any girl friends?"
"Yes. I like Jenny and Naomi and Greta. They are in my class and they like Frozen like I do. It's the best movie, mommy, because it's all about girl power. You should watch it with me when you get home."
Robin smiled and sniffed.
"I would love that."
"Are you going to come back home now with daddy?"
"No, daddy and I are divorced now, remember?"
Emma looked at her and smiled.
"I know, but you are wearing your rings, so you must want to come home, right? Daddy just didn't know you were going to come home, but now he does, so it's okay."
"I'm going to be staying with Aunt Brenda for a little while, but you can come there and spend time with us as much as you want, okay?"
"Okay, like a sleep over?"
"Yeah, just like that."
"I love you, mommy. I never stopped missing you. I knew something was wrong and I'm sorry I didn't find you," Emma looked at her and her big eyes were swimming.
Robin cupped her daughter's face in her hands and smiled.
"You are my most important blessing, Emma. You have nothing to be sorry for and I knew you were waiting for me; I felt it. I found my way back to you because I will always find my way home. I waited for you my whole life, baby girl. I will never leave you."
Emma hugged her and they lay together while Emma read Robin a story.
Mac walked in a little while later and Emma put her finger on her lips as Robin slept. He grinned and sat with them.
"She fell asleep so I was just rubbing her back," Emma said. "I always liked when mommy rubs my back."
Mac nodded and looked as Anna and Brenda walked to the door.
"Gramma! Look who came home!" Emma said and Robin opened her eyes, seeing everyone there.
Brenda looked at Emma and Mac.
"Let's go to the cafeteria and get a snack while Robin talks to Anna."
Mac looked at Robin.
"Only if you want. If you don't want to see her, I'll get her to leave."
Robin squeezed his hand and smiled.
"It's okay. Thank you."
Mac kissed her forehead and picked Emma up off the bed. He smiled when she took his hand and grabbed Brenda's in the other as they left.
"Luv," Anna said as she sat down.
"Mom, you don't need to be here. I'm tired and I need to sleep. I absolve you of all guilt, so you're free to go on the next adventure."
Anna reached to take Robin's hand and she pulled it away.
"Robin, I didn't know you needed me," she said softly.
"Okay."
"What does that mean? What do you mean, okay?"
Robin looked at her and Anna was terrified by how sick her daughter looked.
"I thought you would come for me," she said as her tears fell. "I tried to give you a clue. I went to far as to tell you I felt like I didn't deserve this life anymore and that I messed everything up. I figured a mother, hearing those words from a child would know that something wasn't right. I thought you were trace the call or come and make sure I was okay. None of that happened. Helena had me and I was once again held for months."
"Oh, Robin, I'm sorry. I didn't know. I wish I had listened to my instincts but Patrick said you had been trying to help Jason and you were just upset by losing him. I believed him. I don't know what to say."
"It doesn't matter anymore. You and Patrick have a great relationship and Emma is a beautiful young girl because of that. I appreciate how you've looked out for her. Now, I need for you to leave me alone. I don't want to talk to you or listen to you. I don't need you or Patrick. Please leave me alone."
"Robin, luv, please," Anna said and Robin turned her back.
"Can you have Mac come back in? I have something I need help with."
"I'll help you. Robin, I'm your mum."
"I'll wait for Mac. Please get out of here," she said and had trouble catching her breath.
"What is it? What's wrong?" Anna stood up as the machines rang and Robin's lips turned blue.
"Move out of the way!" the nurses yelled and Anna was shoved out of the room.
She stood there, her hand over her mouth.
"What happened?" Patrick raced up with a suitcase.
"I don't know. She had trouble talking to me and her lips turned blue. They made me leave."
Patrick looked up as the doctor came out.
"She needs rest. I'm going to have to ask you both to leave."
"What happened to her? Why were her lips blue?" Anna asked.
"She has pneumonia. She needs rest. Please," the doctor said and walked away.
Anna looked at him and she sat down.
"I don't believe this. She is so hurt and angry with me. What happened when she found you that caused her to be so mad?"
Patrick sat down and looked at his hands.
"She walked in on me and Sam at the Metrocourt."
Anna sighed.
"This is such a mess," she said.
"No it isn't. This is because I was an arrogant ass. This is because I ignored everything. This is my fault."
Anna stood up and shook her head.
"No, this is Helena's fault, and I'm going to find her," she said and looked at Patrick before she left.
Patrick knew she didn't want to see him, but he took her suitcase and walked into the room. He put it down and walked to the bed, seeing she was asleep, oxygen in her nose and her head bandaged. He saw her wedding ring on the night table and his heart cracked a little more. The nurses would have put it away for safe keeping. She took it off and put it there.
"You need to leave," Brenda said as she walked in, startling him.
"I just want to talk to her, to explain," he said.
"I don't care. She needs rest. Take your daughter and go home. I've got Robin."
"Where are you staying?"
"Not your concern. If Robin chooses to talk to you, she will. Please go."
He looked at the suitcase.
"I packed her some things. Please let her go through the suitcase when you feel up to it."
Brenda rolled her eyes.
"Stuck love notes throughout, huh? I think it's going to take a bit more than that."
Patrick shrugged.
"Just have her look through it, please."
Brenda stood there and Patrick sighed as he walked out.
XXXX
Mac walked to Patrick with Emma and she ran to him.
"Mommy is sick, but we can help her feel better, right?" she asked as he scooped her up in his arms.
"I'm sure you can," Patrick said and looked at Mac who glared at him.
"Let's go home, okay?" he said to Emma.
"Can we come see mommy again soon? I don't want her to be alone and scared. I think she's been alone for a long time and I don't think she wants to be alone anymore," Emma looked at him and her eyes filled with tears.
Patrick felt like dirt.
"You can come see mommy whenever you want, okay?"
She sniffed and nodded.
"Okay."
They all looked up as Sam came over and Emma held onto Patrick a little tighter.
"Can I speak with you for a minute?" she asked him.
Mac looked at Emma and smiled.
"Why don't we go sit with mommy and Aunt Brenda for a few more minutes," he said and Emma grinned.
"She wanted some jello. Can we go get her some?"
Mac smiled.
"Of course. Come on," he grinned as she and Mac walked down the hall.
"You haven't returned any of my calls," Sam said as she walked to him. "We did have fun last night," she said softly.
He walked to sit down on the bench and she sat next to him.
"I don't know what you want me to say," he said. "Robin was held captive and your husband is alive and for once in my life, I want to do the right thing."
"I need to talk to her again," Sam said.
"No way. She is really sick, Sam, and talking to you will only upset her."
"I have nothing to go on to find Jason. I need to know who held her and what happened. I have to find him. He is out there and in trouble and I have to do something."
Patrick wiped his face.
"Yeah, I hear you. I just wish I had done the same."
"No! Please no!" they heard Robin screaming from her room and Patrick ran in.
Brenda sat with Robin and held her, soothing her.
"It's okay. It was just a dream," she said and Robin lay back, her heart monitors screaming.
"Get the nurse," Patrick said as he looked at her numbers.
Sam rushed out and Patrick ignored everything and went to Robin.
"You need to try and breathe," he said as he upped her oxygen. Her lips were blue and she was having trouble getting enough air.
The nurses rushed in and began a breathing treatment which immediately opened her airwaves. Brenda stood back, her tears falling as she watched them. Patrick stood and watched the numbers, his heart pounding with fear.
After a few minutes, things were calmer and the breathing treatment was finished. Brenda looked at Robin and took her hand.
"Everything is all set for you to leave. I took care of what you told me."
"What? She can't leave. She needs to be in a hospital," Patrick said as he walked to them. "Whatever you think, you're wrong. She is really sick. You can't take her out of here."
Brenda faced Patrick and shook her head.
"Perhaps we aren't as dumb as you think. Perhaps Robin is smarter than you. She knows what she needs and contrary to popular belief, they make things called home care nurses. You can go. We're all set."
Robin looked at Brenda.
"Bren, give me a minute with Patrick, please."
"Robin," she said.
"It's okay. I love you, just give me a few minutes."
Brenda sighed and glared at Patrick before she walked out.
Robin looked at him and she moved the bed so she was sitting up more.
"I really need you to leave me alone," she said softly.
He walked to the side of the bed and sat down.
"Robin, I need to talk to you. I need for you to understand what happened."
She sighed and the look in her eyes cut him to the core.
"We share a beautiful daughter together and the way you have raised her is something I can never thank you enough for. Other than talking to me about Emma, I truly have nothing else to say to you."
"Robin, please let me help you," he said brokenly.
She chuckled a little and wiped her cheek.
"No thank you."
"I didn't know you were in trouble," he said lamely.
"Okay."
"What do you mean, okay? Why aren't you talking to me?" he said, his panic at her complete detachment growing.
"Because it's okay, Patrick. You have moved on and I see it. I'm not surprised, I just didn't expect it to be with Sam. I'll get over it, so it's okay. You're all set to go."
"What the hell does that even mean?" he asked, needing her to give him a way in, some kind of opening.
"Robin? I need you to help me," Sam said as she walked into the room.
Patrick turned and stood up.
"Sam, you need to leave," he said.
"No, I ruined things just like before, when I interrupted your wedding," Robin said and her eyes were cold. "Hey, I'm really sorry I ruined your New Years Eve, but it looked to me like you already had some fun. Maybe later we can compare notes," Robin said, her tears betraying her words. "Now both of you need to leave me alone."
Patrick looked at Robin.
"Please let me help you."
She smiled and looked up as Brenda came back in.
"I've got everyone I need to help me. Please tell Emma I will call her as soon as I'm settled in. You both have a nice life," she said and Brenda led them both out the door.