Chapter Thirty-Three:

Robin took a shower after Patrick took Emma to school and she felt better than she had in a long time. Mac was coming over to stay with her while Patrick was at work and although Robin wanted to be left alone, she understood the danger.

She towel dried her hair and grabbed her clothes from her bag. She went into the hall from the guest bedroom and almost walked into the master bedroom, but hesitated. She just couldn't do it.

The doorbell rang and startled her, but she went to let Mac in. She looked outside and sighed. It wasn't Mac.

"Hi mom," she said when she opened the door.

Anna smiled.

"Hi luv. Can I come in?"

Robin nodded and moved to let her in.

"I thought Mac was coming over."

Anna wanted to hug her daughter, but she saw Robin wasn't open to that.

"He is coming in a few hours, but I asked him to give me some time. I hope that's okay. I really wanted to spend some time with you."

"Sure. I was just going to try and bake some cookies so Emma could have them when she gets home from school."

"That's a great idea," Anna said and followed Robin into the kitchen. She saw her stop and hesitate.

"What is it?"

She blushed and shrugged.

"I just wonder if I should ask Patrick if he minds that I cook something. I shouldn't assume I can just do whatever I want. I think maybe I should just wait," she said and sat at the table.

"But this is your home. Why wouldn't it be okay?" Anna went to sit next to her at the table.

"It's not my home, mom. It hasn't been my home in a long time. Patrick had other women here and Emma had dinner with them. Other people spent the night and ate the food and did the laundry. Sabrina was almost moved in here and I have no idea how many things here are hers. I mean, when I came home before, her presents were wrapped under the tree. I had to watch Emma pretend to like my things, knowing Sabrina had already gotten her the same thing," she wiped her eyes and looked at Anna.

"Nothing about this place is my home. It's all a mirage. It's all a fantasy of a life I should have had, but didn't. Nothing can change that," she got up and walked into the family room, sitting on the couch.

Anna sighed and followed.

"Have you talked to Patrick about any of this? I have to admit, I was surprised when Mac said you agreed to stay here. I know it's not my place, but can I ask how things are going with the two of you?"

"It was safest for us to be together right now. Helena is lurking and Jason is worried she will come after me or Emma and Patrick. It's easier to stay here."

"Okay," she said. "So have you two spoken?"

Robin looked at her mother and ached to confide in her, but her hurt was fresh and painful.

"I'm doing okay, mom. Can we leave it at that?"

"Robin, I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say. I have no explanation for not searching for you and I am incredibly sorry for all you've been through. I know it's not enough, but I'd really like to try and make it up to you."

"It's not important anymore," Robin said softly.

"What? Sure it is. It's everything," Anna said. "You are my daughter and I love you. I have always loved you and I have been the worst parent. I abandoned you for more time than I was here and I have let you down so many times. What I am trying to say now is that I want a chance to be able to try and earn your trust back. I know it won't be easy, but I am just asking for a chance."

Robin was quiet and she finally met Anna's gaze.

"Why didn't you come for me?"

Anna felt her eyes fill.

"I think I worried you wanted time away from me. I let you and your father down for so long. I was duped by Faison and Obrecht and you both suffered for almost two years. I was afraid you needed space from all of the memories of the people who let you down. I know it doesn't make sense and the words you used should have set off all of my radars, but I failed you again. I'm so sorry Robin."

Robin looked at her mother and saw the genuine sadness in her eyes. She knew the mother she loved was there; she just had regrets.

Who didn't have regrets?

"Okay," she said softly.

Anna reached over and took her daughters hand.

"Will you let me try to win back your trust?"

Robin smiled a tiny smile and squeezed her hand.

"Let's just try and move forward together?"

Anna nodded and her tears fell as she wiped them away. She hugged her gently, careful of her shoulder and they both laughed at their tears.

"Now. How about you tell me what happened with Jason. You said he thinks Helena is here?"

Robin sighed.

"He thinks the elevator was planned. He thinks it was just a fluke that it didn't kill us."

Anna stood up and paced.

"And what is he doing to stop her? What can I do? I'll call Robert and we can help along with Mac," she stopped and looked at Robin. "We left you alone before and I promise you we won't do it again. Please let us help you."

"I don't want anyone I love to get hurt any more than they already have," Robin said and ran her hand through her hair.

Anna walked back over and sat down.

"No luv; it's time for you to stop living in fear. It's time for you to never be hurt again."

XXXX

Patrick made his way to his office after a long surgery and was anxious to get home. He felt like he really made headway with Robin last night and although there was so much to still repair, their talk had been healing and destructive at the same time. Both of them had so much held inside and a lot of the deep seeded issues finally came to light last night.

As painful as it was to relive all of the mistakes and sadness, it was freeing in a way.

Patrick wanted this freedom.

He wanted his life back.

He opened the door to his office and heard his name called. He sighed as he turned around.

"I'm in a hurry, sorry."

"I just need a minute," Sabrina said as she walked to him.

"I don't have a minute. Excuse me," he opened the door to go into his office and she followed.

"Please leave."

"Patrick, we had a child together. We were almost married. Why are you so mean?"

He stared at her as he remained by the door.

"You threatened Robin. You hit Robin. You spoke to Emma in a way that scared her and made her worry. You blame Robin for something she had no control over. You kidnapped a little boy because his father spoke to Robin. You and I have nothing to do with each other anymore and I'm asking you to leave."

Sabrina crossed her arms and glared at him.

"So Robin comes back and it's like Gabriel never existed? He was just collateral damage in some sick game Robin and her family played? How am I supposed to just handle that? How was it so easy for you to leave me behind?"

He raised his eyebrows and chuckled.

"You think it was easy? Do you know what it did to Robin when I made her wait so I wouldn't hurt you? None of this was easy and I am not trying to hurt you, but you need to understand something. I love Robin. I have always loved Robin. I am sorry you were hurt and I will never get over losing Gabriel, but my life is moving on and you need to do the same. I mean if you think about it, we really weren't all that compatible. We didn't have excitement and passion. We were comfortable and safe and I'm sorry, but I need more. Now I'm asking you one more time to leave."

She walked past him and out the door.

Patrick closed it and exhaled a deep breath.

He was done with the mess of his life. It was time to show Robin his heart.

XXXXX

Robin sat on the couch after Anna left and felt better. She needed to repair that relationship and she knew it. She also knew that what happened to her effected every part if her family's lives.

She also knew that Anna prided herself on serving and protecting and it must have been terrible to know she couldn't help earlier.

Walking around the room, she rubbed her arms and smiled.

It was time to try and move forward. It was time to figure out what her future was going to look like.

She needed to make a decision about Patrick.

She stood and looked at the framed images of Emma and smiled when suddenly there was a crash from the kitchen.

Her heart raced as she ran and hid behind the cabinet in the corner.

Why did she tell Anna that Patrick would be home in a few minutes so she didn't have to stay? What was she thinking? She looked and saw her cell phone was on the couch which was too far away.

She held her breath and prayed.