Robert went back in and rejoined the group. "What did I miss?" He asked.

"Nothing, Ethan insisted we wait for you." Felicia told him.

"Thanks." Robert took a seat and gave Ethan a pat on the back, he was the son he always wanted. His son in his heart. A part of his Holly.

"You would have done the same for me." Ethan smiled, he knew that Robert was looking out for not only him but his mother with getting rid of Diane just now.

"Yes." Robert turned his attention back to Annie. "What was it you found out?" Robert's impatiently asked.

"I got some ideas on who flew in her place. Trust me I've not even got started. For what it's worth the last time she was seen she was happy." Annie hoped that gave them hope.

Robert heard 'the last time' and couldn't bear it. "Excuse me." He got up and walked into his room. Going over to Holly's ring.

Unbeknownst to him Ethan had followed him. "That's not her last time, not my mother."

Robert looked back at Ethan and gave him a nod. "I'll never quit on her. I just..." Robert caught himself and stopped.

"Go on please, I'm a man, the other person who loves my mum more than anything. Talk to me Robert." Ethan walked over looking at Holly's ring. "You know she wore that with such pride. A few men had asked her if she was married in my presence and she always said always and forever. I don't think she could even begin to get over you."

Robert flashbacked to that goodbye.

Holly hugged him tightly, the two had spent the past twenty four hours holding and loving each other and now it was pausing again. "I wish you didn't have to go." She placed a kiss on his lips.

Robert hated leaving her, he pleaded with her to come with but she wasn't ready. Truthfully a part of her had this nagging feeling she wasn't good enough. That these years they had spent together would have a more heartbreaking end if she went back to Port Charles with him.

"It won't be forever." Robert kissed her forehead. He pulled her ring out of his pocket. "I've got something for you."

"Here?" Holly teased, biting her bottom lip. She wanted to lighten the mood.

"Holly!" Robert exclaimed, chuckling as he took a step back. He opened up the box Holly's ring was in.

"Couldn't resist." Holly smiled as she noticed what he had. Her eyes filled with tears. "Robert! Where did you get that?"

"Did you ever doubt I would keep it safe?" He asked her.

"Not for one minute." Holly beamed, that ring was a symbol of one of the strongest loves she would ever know.

Robert took her hand, sliding the ring back on her finger. "While we're separated we're never gonna be done with each other." Their eyes locked before sharing a passionate kiss.

End of flashback

"I can never get over her." Robert held onto her ring.

"You know what you've got to do?" Ethan asked Robert.

Robert looked at Ethan, waiting for him to continue.

"You've got to give her that ring back. Tell her that the two of you have wasted enough time." Ethan looked at the ring then Robert. "I want my mum and the man who is like a father to me to be happy. Life is too short."

Robert smiled, seeing so much of Holly in Ethan. "You know I couldn't have asked for a better son." He gave him a hug. Ethan held onto Robert, him being the only parent he could right now made him hug him tighter.

"She's coming home and she's staying." Robert told Ethan. Hoping to reassure not only him but himself.

Holly's location

Holly placed her hand on her heart. "They'll never give up." She told herself softly. Her belief in Robert and Ethan was unwavering.