Miracles Happen Everyday
By Beccabo

Chapters 1-5

Prelude - Just a little background info

Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.
~*~Aristotle~*~

The alarm clock buzzed loudly. Robin groaned and rolled over onto her side, taking the rest of the blanket with her. She stayed like that for a little while and then received a kiss on the cheek from her boyfriend. He smiled softly at her and she cracked an eye open.

"Morning," she mumbled sleepily.

"Morning," Patrick replied. He tenderly ran a finger down her cheek and began to nuzzle her neck. "Tired?"

"Exhausted." Robin replied, loving the feeling of his warm breath on her neck and his morning stubble scratching her sensitive skin. They had been lovers for over a year now and she still couldn’t believe the beautiful feeling of waking up next to him each morning.

Robin could feel him grin as he said, "I guess we need to stop keeping each other up so late, hmmm?"

Robin smiled and teased, "Let’s not get too drastic."

Tenderly kissing her lips, Patrick mumbled, "I’m going to work now. Are you coming?"

"Mmm-hmmm." She murmured, rolling over and burying her face in the pillow as she felt him get up off of his side of the bed. "Are you going to make coffee?"

She was mumbling into the pillow and her request was a bit incoherent, but he understood. "Yes," he rolled his eyes, "don’t worry. It’ll be waiting for you when you wake up."

Robin opened her eyes just in time to see him strip off his boxer shorts and walk into the bathroom. Suddenly, the idea of a shower began to appeal to her.

Chapter One - Good News?

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.
~*~Eleanor Roosevelt~*~


Robin lay back on the exam table, staring blankly up at the ceiling, and waited for Dr. Meadows to return with the news that could change her life.

Her symptoms had begun about a week ago when she got out of bed and stumbled into the bathroom. She bent down over the toilet, gagged, and vomiting followed soon after. It had felt like she had a hangover, but she hadn’t even been drunk the night before. When it happened two more mornings in a row, Robin began to get concerned. She was a doctor, after all, but morning sickness had never even crossed her mind. Her menstrual cycle was always off kilter because of her HIV medications, so she never really kept to much of a schedule. Some months it didn’t even come at all. So she hadn’t thought twice about missing her period. That, apparently, was her first mistake.

How could this have happened? Robin wondered. They had always been so careful. Beyond careful. Condoms, spermicide with a Noxile 9, everything. In fact, Patrick often teased her about foreplay and the preparations they made. Nothing should have gone wrong but it had. She had done everything in her power to keep herself safe from this and now here she was.

After what seemed like an eternity, Dr. Meadows returned to the exam room. "I’ve got great news. Well, at least I hope it’s great news," she announced, beaming.

"I’m pregnant?" Robin asked.

"You’re pregnant." Dr. Meadows confirmed.

Even though she knew this news was coming, Robin’s mouth fell open and her eyes bulged out of their sockets. She didn’t blink for a long time.

"Robin?" asked Dr. Reynolds. "Are you ok?"

"But we’re so careful. We use the best protection every time..." Robin whispered.

Dr. Meadows shook her head. "Not everything is 100% effective."

"So, he could have..." Robin asked, alarmed and suddenly concerned for Patrick’s safety.

"Let’s not jump to any rash conclusions. Just because Patrick got you pregnant doesn’t mean you got him infected. You are receiving excellent and effective antiretroviral treatment, which makes you less likely to transmit HIV. We talked about this, remember?" Dr. Meadows looked at Robin’s emotionless face, and asked, "It is Patrick’s baby, isn’t it?" She teased.

Robin nodded and finally cracked a small smile. "Well, his or one of the other hundred guys I have been sleeping with." Dr. Meadows chuckled as Robin placed her hands on her stomach. Although it was now smooth and flat, in a matter of months it would start to get fuller. At this last thought her eyes began to well up with tears.

Dr. Meadows covered Robin’s hands with her own. "This is good news, Robin. I promise you that it is."

Robin nodded and tried to blink back her tears. "I know. But, my baby..."

"Come here." Dr. Meadows said, taking Robin’s hand and leading her over to the desk in the exam room. "When you scheduled your appointment, I had a feeling that I knew why you were coming to see me. So I did a little research ahead of time." She handed Robin a folder and Robin looked over it’s contents as Dr. Meadows continued by saying, "Modern drugs are highly effective at preventing HIV transmission during pregnancy, labour and delivery. When combined with other interventions, including formula feeding instead of breast milk, a complete course of treatment can cut the risk of transmission to below 2%. Even where resources are limited, a single dose of medicine given to mother and baby can cut the risk in half."

"2%?" Robin asked, her eyes scanning Dr. Meadows research more thoroughly. It’s not like this was a new area for Robin...she had researched it before. But not for herself and certainly not for her own baby.

"We’ll run a CD4 to test your immune system and a viral load test to see how much HIV is currently in your blood." Dr. Meadows said gently, still trying to get in tune with what was going on in Robin’s head. "Your viral load has been practically non-existent for some time now, which also decreases your risk of passing it on to the baby." Dr. Meadows paused for a moment and then said, "Or there is always the option of terminating the pregnancy."

Robin looked up at Dr. Meadows and the two women locked eyes for a moment. "I’ll be here to help you, Robin, no matter what you decide to do."

"I have to talk to Patrick." She said quietly.

"I suggest you do that right away, so we can begin to figure out what our options are." Dr. Meadows looked up at the clock on her wall and asked, "Is he working today?"

Robin shook her head. "He and Noah are doing a surgical consult down in Manhattan today. He won’t be home until later tonight."

Dr. Meadows’ concern was written all over her face. "Robin, are you alright?"

Robin shook her head and laughed a shaky little laugh, saying, "Actually, Dr. Meadows, I’ve never been so terrified in my whole life."

Chapter Two - Telling Patrick

"Love is giving someone the power to destroy you and trusting them not to" – Unknown

Robin glanced up at the clock on the kitchen wall as she took the salad dressing out of the refrigerator. Patrick would be home anytime now and dinner was almost ready.

She just didn’t know if she was ready. He had been her lover and best friend for over a year and she knew him better than anyone in the world outside of Liz and her family. But she had absolutely no idea how he was going to react to the news of impending fatherhood.

Robin tossed up the salad and returned the bowl to the refrigerator. The lasagna, Patrick’s favorite dish, was in the oven getting bubbly and delicious and the garlic bread was in the broiler getting toasty. Everything was ready. Except for Robin.

Robin pressed her hands to her flat tummy and looked down at her form. "Hey, you." she whispered to the little life inside of her. "For now, I’m just going to call you Baby. Hey, Baby. We’re going to tell your daddy all about you tonight. I want to be able to tell you that he is going to be thrilled beyond belief to hear that you are coming, but he’s a little unpredictable." Robin rubbed her hands up and down her torso as she kept talking, "The fact that he’s been with only one woman for an entire year is pretty amazing, but this is an entirely different thing. Fatherhood is important to him. He wants to do it right, not make the same mistakes his father made. I just don’t know if he’s ready to do that right now." Robin closed her eyes and leaned back against the counter. "But don’t worry, we’ll get through this anyway. Because we’re Scorpio’s. And that means that we are survivors. You just can’t get rid of us because we always come back." Literally, Robin thought with a smile, thinking of the brief reunion she had had with her presumed dead father last year. Robert had been in the middle of something pretty dangerous, as usual, and in hiding from his enemies. But he managed to sneak away to see her when she had taken sick to give her the lifeblood she sorely needed. That illness had also been the beginning of her relationship with Patrick...when he realized that he could love someone more than himself and she realized that she could trust him with her heart. They began dating and...

"Robin!" Patrick’s voice tore Robin back to reality as she heard him come in the front door. "I’m home, baby!" She heard him greeting Riley, their German Shepard, with some playful wrestling and shook her head. He treated that dog like his own son. Coming into the kitchen, Patrick dropped a welcome home kiss on her waiting lips and said, "Mmmm, dinner smells great. Didn’t you work today?"

Robin nodded and began to take the garlic bread out of the broiler. "I cheated on the sauce...store bought. Saves hours of prep work. How was New York?"

Patrick pulled a bottle of red wine out of the corner wine cooler and examined it’s label. "Ah, you know. Just another routine consult." He poured himself a glass of the wine and began explaining to her about the medical intricacies of this latest case. He began to pour wine into a second glass for her and she put her hand over the rim and shook her head. He looked at her questioningly, but put the wine away and continued telling her about his day. They settled into the quiet, domestic scene of preparing dinner together as Patrick set the table and Robin put the finishing touches on the lasagna. They ate and talked their way through dinner, Robin growing more and more antsy as the meal went on. She had no idea how to broach the baby topic. As it was, she didn’t have to.

After finishing dinner, Patrick sat back in his chair, leveled her with his eyes, and said, "Okay, what’s up?"

Robin looked at him questioningly and asked, "What are you talking about?"

"This is me, Robin." He said with a smirk. "I know you better than anybody and I know that something is on your mind. Since you know I always like being the only thing on your mind at all times, you’d better spill it so we can get it out of the way."

Robin shook her head and said quietly, "This isn’t going to get out of the way that easily." She stood up, picked up their dinner plates and began to walk toward the sink. "Do you want dessert?"

"No," he said, grabbing her wrist and pulling her onto his lap. "I want to know what’s going on." He put the plates down on the table and placed his finger under her chin, forcing her to look at him.

Robin took a deep breath and said, "I made an appointment during my lunch break today. For a check up. With Dr. Meadows."

"Is everything okay?" He asked, not yet understanding why an appointment with her OB/GYN would cause such tension within her.

"That depends." Robin said, looking him in the eye. Finally, she blurted out, "I'm pregnant." Two simple little words that caused a silence to fall over the entire kitchen. They just sat there in stunned silence. Robin searched Patrick’s face, hopeful for some sort of an idea as to what was going on in his head. But his face was a blank canvas, the only emotion visible was shock. Robin gave him a few minutes to process the information and finally had to ask, "Patrick?"

"I...uh, um...I...wow." Patrick was speechless. "A baby?"

"I don't even know if I'm going to keep it." At those words he finally turned to look at her and Robin rushed to explain, "Because of the risks. There is a chance that..."

"I know the risks." Patrick said suddenly. Seeing Robin’s questioning look, he grinned. "It’s not like I’ve never thought about having a baby with you, you know. I do research, too. When it suits my interests."

"You’ve thought about this?"

"Babies are not solely a woman’s domain." Patrick smirked at her. "I think about fatherhood, too. The question is...have you thought about this?"

"Every day since I was a little girl. I just never thought it would happen."

"Well, I guess it was inevitable. I’m so irresistible and you can’t keep your hands off me..." Robin’s playful smack on his arm interrupted his arrogant statement. Standing up, he took both of Robin’s hands in his and led her to the couch in the living room. Settling down on the sofa, Patrick said, "Listen to me. I love you and I will go along with whatever you decide."

"This is your baby, too, Patrick."

"But you have to carry him. In your body. Which has been through so much already." He touched her face gently with his hand and said, "I almost lost you once and I don’t ever want to go through that again. There are other ways to become parents if you decide not to go through with this."

Remembering what Dr. Meadows said, Robin quickly reminded him, "You have to get tested tomorrow. If I got pregnant, then it means you were exposed somehow and..."

"OK, I’ll talk to Alan when I get to work in the morning. But let’s not change the subject." He said gently, touched by her fears for his safety. But he knew all the risks when he fell in love with Robin and was prepared to live with them. All of them. "What do you want to do?"

"Dr. Meadows did a blood work up and my CD4 count is high and my immune system is good. She said that the pregnancy will cause it to drop, but other than that it should not be a risk to my health..."

"Stop." Patrick said, interrupting Robin. "Don’t talk to me as a doctor, Robin. Talk to me as a woman. A woman who just found out she is having a baby."

Robin was quiet for a few moments, looking down at their intertwined hands. Finally, she looked up at Patrick and said, "I was talking to the baby before you came home. Like he or she was already here and could listen to me."

Patrick smiled. "You’re connected already."

"I’ve been thinking about this all day." A tear slid down her cheek and she smiled. "I’m excited about this baby. I really am."

He touched his hand to her stomach and smiled broadly. "I am too."

"We’re having a baby, Patrick." She whispered, leaning her forehead against his.

"I love you," he replied softly. Robin was surprised to see that his eyes were filled with tears.

"I love you too." She smiled at him and placed her hand on top of his, which was still touching her stomach. They shared a sweet kiss.

Suddenly, Patrick pulled away and got up off the couch. "Okay, now that that’s taken care of..." He walked back toward the bedroom and turned around before disappearing around the corner. "Stay right there."

"Okay," Robin said, a little confused.

Patrick returned a moment later, looking nervous and fumbling with something in his big hands. "I’ve had this for awhile now and I was just too scared to give it to you." He said, coming toward where she was still sitting on the couch.

"Scared?"

"Well, I was going to give it to you for your birthday but I chickened out. I didn’t want you to say no and bruise my ego." He fumbled with the little velvet box and continued, "Then I was going to give it to you for Christmas, but we got into that big fight and I didn’t think you deserved it." He grinned and Robin laughed at him. She was so nervous her hands were shaking. "But, now, I think is finally the perfect time. You can’t say no, because that little baby in there is going to need a family and I know how you feel about family. So.." Patrick came to stand in front of Robin and then got down on one knee. Robin looked down at him with the tears brimming in her eyes as Patrick took a deep breath. "Robin Soltini Devane Scorpio, I love you so much. I didn’t even know what love was until you came into my life. So, would you please make me the luckiest man in the entire world and say that you will marry me?"

Patrick flipped open the lid of the box and Robin gasped. Inside was the most perfect diamond and sapphire engagement ring that Robin had ever seen. The tears flowed freely down her cheeks as she looked from the ring to Patrick’s face and back down to the ring. She was stunned and overwhelmed! She knew he loved her, he had told her as much a few months ago. But she didn't think his feelings were this deep. She had hoped they were, but she was so afraid to believe...

"Robin, you’ve got to say something. You’re killing me here..." Patrick said, a worried crease on his brow.

"Yes!" She shouted, throwing her arms around his neck. Patrick stood up at that moment, and lifted her into his arms for an amazing kiss. She buried her face in his neck and kept repeating, "Yes, I’ll marry you! I love you so much! Yes! Yes! Yes!"

Patrick twirled her around the living room until they were both dizzy with happiness. Cupping his face, Robin asked, "Are you happy, Patrick?"

He met her gaze and nodded his head. "Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be? I’m having a baby with my bride-to-be. What possible reason is there for me to be unhappy?"

Chapter Three - The Wedding Day

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person." -Mignon McLaughlin

Robin stood in front of the full length mirror in the bridal suite and ran a nervous hand over her stomach. It wasn’t like her pregnancy was a secret anymore, but the last thing she wanted was for her slightly protruding stomach to be the topic of her wedding day. Her wedding day. Robin said it over and over in her head as she smiled to herself in the mirror. She stared at her reflection and for a second didn’t even recognize herself. Is that really me? she wondered. Is it really true?

"Robin, you are like a dream bride! That dress was made for you. I couldn’t have picked a more perfect gown if I tried." Brenda said, prattling on so that she wouldn’t start to cry as she fussed with Robin’s dress. "I just can’t believe this is happening. You and Patrick deserve to be so happy."

"Bren, calm down. I’m the one getting married today, so stop being nervous enough for the both of us." Robin said and grinned at her maid of honor, who had flown in from Rome for the weekend to be at Robin’s side. She turned back to her bridesmaids, Maxie, Georgie, and Liz, and said, "It is a fabulous dress though, isn’t it. It swishes when I walk. I like that." They all agreed and Robin took a few deep breaths with her hand on her abdomen once more, as if that would somehow stop the churning emotions turning her insides into a cement mixer.

"OK, here they are!" Anna called, rushing back into the bridal suite with a strand of pearls in her hands. "I packed them in my lingerie bag instead of my carry on. Wheww. You can’t get married without something old." Anna fastened the pearls around Robin’s delicate neck and turned her around so they were face to face. "Grandmother Filomena gave these to me when you were just a little girl. Even back then, she was thinking about this day." Anna’s eyes filled with tears as she took a long look at Robin in her wedding gown.

"Anna, don’t!" Maxie cried, rushing to Robin with a tissue. "I spent so much time on her make-up and the good stuff isn’t waterproof."

The women all giggled as Anna smiled through her tears and said, "My baby is getting married." She looked down and pressed her hands against Robin’s stomach. "And having a baby! If you think I am going to make it through this day without crying, you are nuts."

"I love you, mom." Robin whispered, trying to blink back the tears that were already forming in her eyes.

Anna pulled her close and whispered, "Not nearly as much as I love you, baby girl."

"OK," Georgie said, trying to lighten the moment, "so now we have Brenda’s antique earrings for something borrowed, the garter is baby blue, Filomena’s pearls for something old....we just need something new."

"The dress is new." Maxie suggested, digging through her make-up bag once more for the lip gloss she had purchased for Robin’s wedding day.

Liz came closer to her friend and laid her hand on Robin’s stomach. She winked at Robin and said, "Oh, I think Patrick took care of something new way before we ever had to worry about it."

The girls all started laughing and Maxie squealed, "Oh, Robin, I can’t believe this. This is huge, enormous! Marriage and a baby are such a big deal. They’re such grown up things to do."

"As opposed to developing miracle drugs and saving people’s lives?" Brenda asked, a twinkle in her eyes.

"You know what I meant."

Anna came back to stand in front of Robin and began to fuss with her veil and her hair. "Look at you. There has never been a more beautiful bride." Fluffing the little tendrils of Robin’s hair that escaped her intricate coif, Anna whispered, "Your daddy is going to be so proud of you."

"He’s here?" Robin asked excitedly.

"Somewhere." Anna nodded. "Luke won’t tell anyone where he is exactly because he doesn’t want to interrupt your special day. But Robert wouldn’t have missed any of this for the world. He’ll find you before the day is over." It was Robin’s turn to nod as Anna continued, "Besides, he thought that it was only fitting that Mac walk you down the aisle since he’s been right there with you for everything else."

"And it keeps you from having to choose between the two of them." Brenda said quietly.

A knock sounded on the door of the bridal suite and there was a mixed reaction as Sonny and Jason come through the door. Sonny’s eyes crinkled at the corners when he saw Robin, a smile of sheer pride on his face and Robin returned a radiant smile of her own.

"Can we have a minute with the bride?" Sonny asked the room, but focused his attention mainly on Anna. The tension radiating between Sonny and Brenda didn’t go unnoticed by any of them, but none of the women dared to say anything.

Anna looks at Robin, who nods, and cleared her throat. "Of course." she said, gathering up her purse and corsage. "We’ll be right outside if you need us." Anna cast a warning look at Sonny and said, "You’d better hurry. Mac will be here any moment and he’s not thrilled about the fact that you are anywhere near this day." Sonny nodded and Anna smiled back at Robin, a tear in her eye as she kissed her on the cheek and squeezed her shoulders before leaving with all of the bridesmaids.

Robin turned to face Sonny, her heart still racing as she held out her hands to him. "Can I kiss the bride?" Sonny asks, moving in to kiss Robin’s cheek. Then looking down at her stomach, he says, "Hi, baby."

"How do I look?" Robin asked, stepping away from him and twirling around to show off her wedding gown.

"You look beautiful. You always look beautiful." He told her after a moment. "Dr. Happy Pants is a lucky guy."

Robin sighed. "Sonny, it's my wedding day, can't you refer to him by his name just for the day?"

"Okay, okay, but only because you asked me too. Patrick is a very lucky man." Sonny repeated with a grin, putting the emphasis on Patrick’s name. "What do you think, Jason?"

"You look happy." Jason said, quietly from where he stood near the door.

"I am happy." Robin told him.

"It looks good on you."

Robin blushed and said, "There was a time in my life when I didn’t think I’d ever get here, especially not after Stone died. But by some miraculous event here I am." With a smile to them both, she continued, "In little over an hour I will be Mrs. Patrick Drake."

Jason shifted uncomfortably, glanced at Sonny, and then said quietly, "I just wanted to tell you how happy I am for you. About how things have worked out. I know that this is what you’ve always wanted...someone to love you as unconditionally as Patrick does and now a baby."

Sonny moved over to the door as Jason moved closer to her. Robin nodded her thanks at his kind words, but she could tell that there was something else that Jason wanted to say. "What, Jason?"

Jason looked her in the eye and said, "It’s just that...well, I mean, if things had been different...if I had been different...a better man...this could have been me today." He looked away and said, "But things worked out the way they were supposed to, I guess. So I just want you to know that I will always love you and nothing can ever erase that time we spent together or your place in my heart, no matter how foolishly I have acted." He took her hands in his and continued, "You are going to make an amazing mom and Patrick really is the luckiest man in the entire universe."

"Thank you, Jason. I needed to hear that." Robin said quietly, squeezing his hands and smiling. "Thank you."

Meanwhile in the grooms' suite...

Noah stood in the doorway and watched his son fumble with his tie. He looked the same way Noah had always remembered him...like a little boy and a grown man all at the same time. Patrick had a way of making himself seem confident, but nervous at the same time. Noah chuckled to himself lightly and shook his head, moving forward. "Need some help there?"

Patrick turned away from the mirror and scowled. "These things are totally useless. I can’t believe I agreed to wear this thing."

Noah reached up and straightened his son’s tie with a smile. "You agreed to wear this because you love Robin and Robin’s dream wedding day includes you in this monkey suit." Noah finished tying the tie with a flourish and said, "So, in essence, you are doing this for love." He pats his son on the back with a laugh and said, "Get used to it."

Mac came into the room with a grin on his face and said, "Everyone in Port Charles is out in that sanctuary right now. I have shaken so many hands that I think my arm is going to fall off."

"I’m marrying a very popular woman." Patrick said with a grin. "Because you know that half of those people out there can’t stand me."

"Mainly because you either hit on them or their wives when you first rolled into town. But now, you are beloved by association." Mac assured him, putting his arm around Patrick’s shoulders. "All everyone out there wants is to see Robin happy. And you have made her happier than anyone has seen her in years. For that, I will forever be truly grateful." Lowering his voice and leading Patrick away from his groomsmen, Mac said, "But just tell me one thing."

"What’s that?"

"Just tell me that you thought about marrying her before you got her pregnant." Mac said, in his overprotective way that Patrick had become used to.

Before Patrick could answer, Lucky came up to the pair with a nervous look on his face. He was holding a cell phone and said quietly, "Uh...Commissioner Scorpio, headquarters is on the phone for you. They need..."

"No!" Mac yelled, causing everyone in the room to stand at attention. "Didn’t everyone in this city get the memo that nothing criminal can happen on my niece’s wedding day? Give me that phone." He grabbed the phone and stormed out into the hallway, causing Patrick and Lucky to burst out laughing.

"You ready for this?" Lucky asked Patrick, patting his friend on the back.

"Do you get to be ready for this?" he asked, taking a deep breath and letting out a nervous laugh.

"Today is just about the pomp and circumstance stuff." Lucky reassured him. "You and Robin have already done the hard part by simply getting here."

"It was a long road." Patrick mused, as Noah and Jax came up to join the little group.

"But a road well traveled." Noah said, smiling at his son. "I’m proud of you, son. You’re going to make an excellent husband and father."

"Thanks, dad. That means a lot."

Noah grabbed Patrick’s shoulder and squeezed it, as Mac came barreling back into the room muttering something about stupid criminals. Looking up at the guys, he said, "Okay, is everything set in here? Because I have to go be sure the bride has not been turned into a mushy puddle of nerves by her mother and the girls."

"I think we’ve got it, Mac." Jax said with a grin. "Let me just get one thing straight, though. Do we have to open the door to the sanctuary before we lead Patrick through it or...?"

Mac smiled sarcastically at Jax as the guys all started laughing at Mac’s nervous behavior. As he turned to leave the room, Patrick pulled on Mac’s arm and said quietly, "Third date."

Distracted, Mac asked, "What?"

"I decided to marry her on our third date." Patrick reassured him, answering Mac’s earlier question. "Robin was just a little harder to convince."

Mac was touched by Patrick’s simple statement, but recovered his cop bravado quickly and asked, "What was wrong with the first two dates?"

Patrick laughed and asked, "Have you met your niece? She made things a little difficult for me during the first few months we knew each other."

Mac smiled knowingly and said, "Welcome to the family, Patrick. God help you."

Chapter Four - The Wedding Day, Part 2

When Robin emerged from the bridal suite, Mac covered his heart with his hands and his eyes filled with tears. "Wow. Robin, you look so beautiful."

"Oh, no! Not you, too!" Robin protested, feeling the tears forming in her eyes at the look of love he was giving her. "Maxie is going to flip if she has to redo my eye makeup one more time."

"Okay, okay. I promise. No mushy stuff until after the ceremony." Mac promised, holding out his arm for her to take. "Are you ready to do this?"

"Ready as I’m going to get." She answered, taking both of his hands in hers instead of taking his arm. "But first, I have to tell you one thing." Robin smiled up at the man whom she adored more than most and told him, "I once asked my mother if I'd ever be lucky enough to have the kind of fairytale marriages she had. She looked me in the eye and answered, ‘Luv, you're going to have a love story all your own. There are just two things you need to do. One, be sure you're in love before you get married. And two, find a man as good as your father and your uncle."

"I love you, Robin." Mac said, pulling her close and whispering into her ear, "But, just so you know, I plan to make this the longest walk in history. Because at the end of that aisle, I have to let you go." He took a deep breath and said, "And there is just no way that I will be ready to do that by the time we get to the front."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Patrick was standing up at the altar with Noah, who was his best man, and the rest of his groomsmen. "You nervous?" Noah asked quietly over his shoulder.

"Not yet." Patrick whispered back.

"Well, this is it. Do you need anything?"

"Just Robin."

Noah smiled at his son, nodded to the back of the church, and said, "Well, your wish is our command."

Patrick was relieved to hear the sound of the music. It was finally time for the ceremony and nothing could keep his anxiety at bay. He stood at the alter, gazing at the crowd of people who showed up to witness him and Robin pledge their undying devotion to one another. He looked over at Anna. He could see the tears already forming in her eyes and knew it wouldn't be long before she would need the handkerchief she was gripping at her side.

The bridesmaid’s processional began walking down the aisle, Georgie leading the way, and instantly, Patrick knew that Robin's instincts were right. The red velvet gowns she picked for her bridesmaids looked just as beautiful as she said they would. Velvet may not have been a popular choice anymore, but Robin knew she wouldn't get that same rich color with any other fabric. The halter style, floor-length gowns hugged every curve on the girls’ body and exploded with red and silver Austrian crystals trimming the bodice. Patrick knew that if the bridesmaid’s looked this good, he'd literally fall over when he saw Robin.

The music changed and Patrick knew that the time had come. The doors to the chapel opened and Patrick held his breath until he saw the vision he had been waiting for framed in the doorway. He imagined that she would look gorgeous, but he wasn't prepared for the sight before him. She was more beautiful than he could have ever envisioned. Her glossy auburn hair cascaded down her face, gently scraping the top of her shoulders, with just a few strands from the sides gathered at the top of her head to ensure her pearl and crystal tiara was nestled securely in place.

She had chosen a ballgown-style wedding dress. His eyes followed the sweetheart neckline on the white velvet bodice which exposed just enough of her cleavage to give her a sexy, yet sophisticated look. The skirt was made entirely of silk with tiny flecks of velvet petals, trimmed in silver sparkle and miniature clear crystals. She was glowing and sparkling. She looked beyond perfect. She looked like an angel. His angel.

As Mac and Robin took smooth, calculated steps towards Patrick, Robin couldn't take her eyes off him. He was always handsome, but today was different. His eyes were darker, his hair was shinier, there was an incandescent glow radiating from him. Their eyes locked and Robin smiled her 100-watt Scorpio smile at him.

Mac kissed his niece on the cheek and placed her hands gently into Patrick's. Robin fought back the tears, but she lost her battle when saw a single teardrop lingering just outside of Patrick's eye.

"Dearly beloved, we gather today in the sight of God...." The priest began the ceremony and Patrick hoped he would keep talking for as long as possible. Because Patrick knew once he stopped, it would be time to recite the vows he and Robin had written for one another. And right now, he couldn't even form the words to express his thoughts.

"Patrick?" The priest called out. "Go ahead."

Patrick nervously looked around the room, unable to admit he had forgotten his vows. He was so overwhelmed by emotion that he couldn't remember the words he had rehearsed a dozen times. He looked at Robin and quickly realized he didn't need scripted words. He spoke from his heart.

He leaned in to whisper something only she could hear. "I love you." He had said those words countless times, but never did they have as much meaning and as much depth as they did in that very moment.

Clearing his throat, Patrick began. "I'm making a commitment to you right now, in front of God and everyone we know and love. You're incredible, Robin. You're the precious gift that until recently, I had only ever dreamed about. I never imagined that another human being could ever touch my soul the way that you do with every smile, every sound, every single emotion. There just aren't enough words in the English language that I can use to adequately express how I feel about you."

He stroked her hand and tightened his hold. "All I can do is take your hand and promise to be the best husband in the world to you and to bring you all the joy that you've brought into my life. I promise to always be faithful and true to you as we go on this journey together. I'll be your confidante, your lover, and your best friend. I want to share your hopes and your dreams and I want to face everyday with you by my side. I love you."

Robin's eyes were now swimming with tears. She repositioned her hand around his to get a firm hold on him before she started to speak. "I had forgotten how to believe in the power of love until you came into my life last year -- the tall, dark, handsome stranger that made me forget everything and everyone else. You awakened feelings in me that I never thought I could feel again. You opened my eyes to things that I had only read about, made me believe in things I never would have otherwise, and you did it with the charm and the grace and the huge ego that I fell in love with -- and all of that was before we ever went on our first date," she smiled at him warmly.

"Since then, it's been a whirlwind of laughs and tears -- and fights -- that I'll never forget. It's brought us to where we are today. In front of all our friends and relatives, in front of God as our witness, I pledge my love to you, Patrick. I'll be your faithful partner and your best friend, in good times and in bad. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you, to laugh and to cry with you as we move ahead and face the future together." She leaned in just as he had earlier. "I love you too," she said firmly, locking her eyes with his.

Patrick wiped a tear that trickled down Robin's face. They both turned back towards the priest, ready to exchange rings.

"Repeat after me," he said to Patrick.

Patrick began to slip the ring on to Robin's finger while he stared deep into her eyes.

"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love," the priest began.

"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love,"

"and with it, I give you my body, my soul, and my heart."

"and with it, I give you my body, my soul, and my heart," Patrick repeated.

"I promise to love, honor, and cherish you, in sickness and in health, for richer, or for poorer, for as long as we both shall live," they both completed in unison.

The priest turned to Robin. "Robin, repeat after me."

Robin continued to hold Patrick's gaze as she placed the ring at the tip of his finger. "I give you this ring as a symbol of my love."

The priest continued, "and with it, I give you my body, my soul, and my heart."

With a hitch in her voice and a renewed struggle to fight back the tears that threatened to make her lose her composure, she repeated, "and with it, I give you my body, my soul, and my heart."

"I promise to love and obey you, in sickness..."

With a sudden force of energy, Robin pulled the ring off Patrick's finger and jerked her head to the side to face the priest as she cut him off. "I don't think so." She turned back to Patrick. "When did you slip that in?"

Patrick grinned mischievously. "Just trying to keep you on your toes, babe."

Robin shook her head at him then took his hand and began again. "I promise to love, honor, and CHERISH you, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for as long as we both shall live," she concluded as she pushed the ring to the base of his finger.

Patrick grabbed hold of the trim on her veil and lifted it up over the sparkling tiara and the silver barrette he hadn't noticed until now. It was the one he had given her at the Nurse’s Ball last year.

With the veil out of the way, he stared at her porcelain skin, lightly tracing over her right cheekbone with the tip of his index finger. He leaned his head to the side and began to kiss her.

"I haven't told you to do that yet, Patrick," the priest jokingly scolded as the congregation laughed.

Patrick straightened himself back up and he and Robin exchanged a coy glance.

"By the power vested in me by the State of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

Before the words were completely out of his mouth, Patrick had wrapped his arms around Robin's waist and pulled her up for a passionate kiss. The guests rose to their feet and applauded as the couple headed towards the door, hand-in-hand.

Chapter 5 - The Wedding Day, Part Three

Robert, standing quietly and unseen at the back of the crowded ballroom, watched his daughter with her new husband as they shared their first dance as man and wife, impressed that the young doctor had bothered to learn Robin’s favorite waltz. Then he caught sight of Bobbie smiling as she critically watched Patrick’s feet, and guessed that she had likely been the one to teach Noah Drake’s son that particular dance, and shook his head.

A smile came to his face as he realized that his little girl had her hands full with this one. Arrogant, cocky, patronizing, and completely crazy. Crazy enough to fall in love with a Scorpio, crazy enough to get involved with a woman who lives with HIV, crazy enough to take time out of his busy schedule to learn Robin’s favorite dance. Patrick’s small act of thoughtfulness touched Robert deeply, easing a paternal worry in his heart that he had not been able to relieve all of the sorrows that once plagued Robin’s life. But she found someone who could.

"I raised her as if she were my own, you know." Mac said quietly, sidling up next to his brother and invading his private thoughts.

"I knew you would." Robert said, just as quietly, never taking his eyes off his daughter and son-in-law. "It made it easier to be away. And I will never be able to thank you for that."

"I blew it on many occasions."

Hearing the remorse in Mac’s voice, Robert finally looked over at his brother. "Well, you must have done something right. She is the most amazing woman I’ve ever known. And," he put his arm around Mac’s shoulder, "as much as I hate to admit it, only part of that is due to genetics."

"It seems like I was always telling her what not to do." Mac said, not so easily swayed by Robert’s kind words. "And she was always doing the opposite."

"That’s my kid." Robert grinned.

"I forbade her to see Stone and that didn’t work. So instead she ended up HIV+." Mac said quietly, taking all the blame upon his large shoulders. "I forbade her to see Jason and that didn’t work. She ended up in the middle of a mob war and got a broken heart for her trouble." Mac shook his head, saying heavily, "I was always trying to protect her and it never worked out. So, when she told me that she was pregnant...everything within me wanted to forbid her from having that baby. From putting herself and her body and her unborn child in unknown danger." The tears came to Mac’s eyes as he turned and asked his brother, "But how do you forbid her from trying to have the one thing she wants more than anything in this world?"

"You can’t." Robert replied gently. "That’s what being a father is all about. Now we just trust that between the two of us, we did okay by her." He nodded back out to the dance floor and Mac followed his gaze. "Look at what we did, Mac. Just look at her. She’s smart, she’s strong, and she’s going to make one hell of a mother."

"If it doesn’t kill her in the process." Mac whispered.

"You’d die for her, wouldn’t you?" Robert asked quietly.

"You know I would."

"Well, so would I. So would Anna. So, what makes you think Robin would do anything different for her own child?"

Mac looked over at Robert again and said, "It’s different..."

Robert shook his head. "No, it’s not. We want it to be. Because we love her and we know that we could lose her so easily. But Robin’s not doing anything different than what we would do for her. She is our kid, after all."

Mac looked back out onto the dance floor and watched Robin laugh and dance her way around the ballroom, completely at ease in her husband’s arms. And he knew that Robert was right. He also knew that the next nine months were going to be the most excruciating of their entire lives.

"She is in good hands," Mac finally said, pleased in the moment, warmed by the happiness that shone from Robin’s beaming face as she gazed into Patrick’s eyes, both oblivious to anyone else in the room . "He will treat her as she deserves to be treated. He will treat her as a queen. And he’ll get her through this."

"I’m counting on it." Robert replied.

to be continued...

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