Fic: Some Enchanted Evening (GH, Ensemble, Lanaverse)

[empressearwig]

Title: Some Enchanted Evening
Author: empressearwig
Prompt: 57 - Anniversary
Pairing/Character(s): Robin/Patrick, Lana/Jake, Matt/Lucy, Maxie/Lucky, Brenda/Jax, Spencer/Lila, Morgan/Audrey, Molly/Cameron, etc.
Rating: PG-13 for language
Disclaimer: None of the characters that began their existences on GH belong to me. Anyone else, however, is mine.
Word Count: 10,369
Spoilers/Warnings: This is set far in the Lanaverse’s future.
Summary: Robin and Patrick’s 25th wedding anniversary in the Lanaverse.
Author's Notes: First, this is my secret santa gift for normative_jean. Second, the inspiration for this fic is two fold; one, one the prompt anniversary on the theechochorus has been taunting me for months, and this made me finally write it, and two, from Patrick’s truly lovely line during the third GH proposal, “I want to look to you on our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary and tell you that I love you more now than I did on our wedding day.” It begged to be borrowed, even if it happened after this universe went off in its own direction. Lastly, thanks to mtp, leobrat, and florashaw for looking at sections of this before I posted it. Happy holidays, normative_jean! I hope you enjoy!


The lights from the Haunted Star reflected off the ice in the Port Charles harbor.

Robin took Patrick’s hand and stepped out of the car and into the February cold. She shivered a little, as she adjusted to the shift in temperature.

“Cold?” Patrick asked, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

She nodded, teeth chattering, despite her efforts to stop them.

“Aw,” he teased. “It’s nice to know that even after twenty five years of marriage, some things will never change.”

“Yeah, like your inability to not tease mom,” their daughter’s voice came from behind them. She stepped out of the car, holding tightly to her husband’s hand. Safely out of the car, she stretched up on her toes to press a kiss to his cheek. “Thanks honey.”

“Do you two have to be disgustingly cute all the time?” Matt groused from inside the car.

Lana turned to make a face at her brother. “Yes,” she sniffed.

“Well could you do it somewhere else? You’re blocking the car door.”

Robin looked up at Patrick and grinned. “Isn’t it wonderful having both our children in one place again?”

“Wonderful,” Patrick agreed, bending down to kiss her. “Lana, let your brother out of the car.”

She rolled her eyes. “If you insist,” she said with a sigh, stepping away from the car door.

“Thanks so much, Lan,” Matt said, scrambling out of the car.

“Matthew?” a girl’s voice came from behind him. “Aren’t you going to help me out of the car?”

“Yeah, Matthew,” Lana needled. “Aren’t you going to help your girlfriend out of the car?”

“Shut up,” Matt hissed at his sister, face red, though it was hard to tell if it was from the cold or embarrassment. He turned back to extend a hand into the car, helping Lucy out onto the pavement.

“Can we go inside now?” Robin pled. “Not that I’m not enjoying the family banter, but I’m losing feeling in my toes.”

“I think that can be arranged,” Patrick said, steering Robin towards the entrance.

She glanced back towards her children as they walked. “So this is just going to be a little party, right? Nothing elaborate?”

“Of course, Mom,” Lana said innocently. “We wouldn’t dare go against your wishes would we, Dad?”

“Of course not,” Patrick said cheerfully, voice contrasting with the glare he was shooting Lana over Robin’s head.

“Good,” Robin said with relief. “I meant it when I said I didn’t want anything extravagant.”

They came up to the boat, and Jake jumped forward to hold open the door.

“Allow me,” he said with a grin, holding it open for his in-laws.

“Surely you shouldn’t have to play doorman at your own casino,” Patrick said, laughing at his son-in-law.

“True,” Jake acknowledged. “But I figure sucking up to my mother-in-law is never a bad idea.”

Robin laughed, and patted Jake’s arm. “You don’t need to suck up,” she assured. “But I’ll take it.”

The group made their way into the casino, shedding their coats and passing them off to the coat check room.

“So Robin,” Patrick began as they walked down the corridor to the casino proper. “How serious were you about wanting a low key anniversary party?”

Robin stopped dead in her tracks, nearly causing a collision with the rest of the group. “Very serious,” she said emphatically, narrowing her eyes at her husband. “What did you do, Patrick?”

“See for yourself,” he answered, tugging her through the archway that opened up to the casino floor.

Robin’s jaw dropped at the sight of their family and friends, and most of the hospital staff standing below, smiling up at them.

“Surprise,” Patrick murmured in her ear, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Happy anniversary, baby.”

“Were you surprised, Mom?” Lana asked from behind them. “This was all Dad’s doing by the way,” she added as she hugged Robin.

“Happy anniversary, Mom,” Matt echoed, leaning in to give Robin a quick hug. He looked at his father. “And to you too, I guess.”

“Thanks so much, Matt,” Patrick said dryly. He looked down at Robin and squeezed her hand. “You haven’t said anything.”

She looked up at him with a wide smile and dangerous glint in her eyes. “That’s because I’m trying to decide whether to murder you or be touched that you did this,” she said sweetly. Too sweetly.

Patrick gulped. “Are you leaning a particular direction?”

“Since it’s our anniversary, I’m leaning towards letting you live,” Robin said impishly. She stretched up on her toes to press her lips to his. “I’m touched you did this, even if I’d rather you hadn’t”

Patrick smiled, dimples winking out. “Well as long as there’s touching involved,” he drawled.

Robin slapped his arm. “Patrick!”

Lana looked over at Matt with sympathy. “Are they still like this all the time?”

Matt nodded and let out a long suffering sigh. “All the damn time,” he confirmed.

“Language, Matthew,” Robin warned.

“I don’t mean to interrupt the family bonding,” Jake said with a mixture of laughter and apology in his voice. “But do you think we should maybe join the rest of the guests?”

Patrick clapped Jake on the shoulder. “I knew we kept you around for a reason.” He held out his arm to Robin. “Shall we?”

Robin slipped her arm through his, and they proceeded down the staircase, Lana, Jake, Matt, and Lucy at their heels.

The guests who had watched the scene with amusement erupted in applause as they happy couple joined them, causing Patrick to beam with pride and Robin to blush furiously.

Maxie was the first to rush to their side, dragging her husband behind her.

“Robin, that necklace is gorgeous!” she squealed. She looked over at Patrick. “Did you pick that out?”

He nodded, and hooked an arm around Lana’s shoulders. “With an assist from this one.”

Robin lifted a hand to her throat, skimming her fingers across the yellow diamond pendant Patrick had fastened there earlier in the evening. “It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?

Maxie nodded and shot Lucky a warning look. “You should be taking notes.”

“I’ll do that,” Lucky said wryly. He looked at Patrick and cocked his head towards the bar. “Drink?”

“Absolutely, assuming my blushing bride doesn’t mind,” Patrick said, looking hopefully at Robin.

She waved him away. “Go.”

“You’re the best.” Patrick kissed her quickly, before striding towards the bar with Lucky.

Robin watched him walk away, a possessive gleam in her eyes.

Maxie noticed the expression and smirked. “Still think he’s the hottest guy in the room, don’t you?”

Robin nodded, a smug smile on her face. “I do, indeed.”

“And on that note, we’re leaving before I hear anything that could scar me for life,” Lana announced. She grabbed Jake by the hand and started tugging him towards Molly and Cameron. “Enjoy your party, Mom!” she called back over her shoulder.

Jake smiled helplessly at them as he was dragged away by his tiny brunette wife.

“We’re leaving too,” Matt said decisively, reaching out for Lucy’s hand. “We’ll be by Gia and the harem.”

The two teens hurried towards the corner of the room where their friends had congregated, and were watching their parents with apprehension, as if waiting for one of them to do something embarrassing.

Robin turned to Maxie with a confused look on her face. “The harem?”

Maxie rolled her eyes and laughed. “That would be Matt’s name for Gia’s flock of admirers. Since I agreed to let her do the cover of Teen Crimson, boys have been coming out of the woodwork, and it’s not as if the girl was lacking for attention before.”

Robin raised an eyebrow. “And you’re okay with that?” she asked skeptically.

“That’s what a ridiculously overprotective father is for,” Maxie said, waving Robins concern away. “But enough about our children’s love lives. It’s your party. You need to mingle.”

“I do, do I?”

Maxie nodded firmly. “You do. If for no other reason than to make every other woman in the room green with envy when they see that rock around your neck.”

Robin laughed and let Maxie steer her towards the first group of guests.

*

Lana and Jake found Molly and Cameron sitting at the black jack table.

The girls exchanged hugs and the brothers nodded hellos at each other.

“Your mom looked ready to kill your dad,” Molly said with a laugh, tugging Lana down on the stool next to hers. “She doesn’t like surprises, does she?”

Lana shook her head. “That would be a no.” She looked up at Jake. “Can you get me some chips, please?”

Jake frowned. “You’re a terrible gambler, sweetheart. And it doesn’t seem quite right for my wife to lose at a casino I own.”

“Bad idea, man,” Cameron murmured to his brothers, stepping closer to his wife and away from what was sure to be an explosion.

Sure enough, Lana’s eyes narrowed at Jake. “You wouldn’t be telling me what to do, would you, Jacob?” she asked in a clipped tone.

He held up a hand in surrender. “Of course not. You want to lose our money, you go right ahead. I’ll go get you those chips.”

He stalked away to get her chips, muttering under his breath.

“It’s good to know my brother is as much under your thumb as ever,” Cameron remarked with a grin.

Lana snorted. “As if you’re one to talk.”

Molly laughed and reached up to pat her husband’s hand that was draped around her shoulders. “She has a point, honey.”

“Shut up, wife,” Cameron said in a mock threatening tone. “How am I supposed to maintain my image as a hardnosed businessman, if people know how easily I can be controlled by a tiny brunette?”

“Two tiny brunettes, really,” Lana offered with amusement. “How is my godson, anyway?”

Molly beamed. “He’s fabulous.”

“He’s a terror,” Cameron corrected.

Molly glared at Cameron, though the effect was marred by the palpable affection mixed in. “He’s your son,” she pointed out. “What else would he be?”

“True,” Cameron conceded with a grin, pressing a kiss to the top of Molly’s head.

“You two are disgustingly cute,” Lana observed, smiling at her friends.

Molly laughed. “As if you have room to talk!” she exclaimed, throwing her friends words back at her.

“Hey, Jake and I are not disgustingly cute!” Lana protested. “At least we fight every once in awhile.”

“You two stop fighting?” Cameron asked. “Besides, I thought that was, like, foreplay for you guys.”

“Cameron!” Lana spluttered, jaw dropping.

Molly elbowed her husband in the ribs.

“Ow,” he said, rubbing the spot she’d hit. “We’ve talked about how your elbows are deadly weapons.”

“You deserved it,” Molly sniffed.

Lana nodded. “Thanks Mol.”

Jake walked back up with a tray of chips. “What are we thanking Molly for?”

“Assaulting me,” Cameron answered.

Jake grinned at Molly. “I knew I liked you for a reason.”

Molly and Lana burst into laughter as Cameron looked at his brother with indignation.

“You’re supposed to be on my side,” he said plaintively. “If we can’t be on the same side against these women, we’ll never get anywhere.”

Jake shrugged. “Sorry bro, I think it’s more important that I stay on my wife’s good side. She’s the one that controls where I sleep.”

“See, is it really so hard to give into my every whim?” Lana beamed up at him, drawing his face down for a lingering kiss.

The sound of Molly and Cameron’s laughter interrupting their kiss, Lana and Jake turned their heads in unison to glare at them.

“What was that you were saying about not being disgustingly cute, Lan?” Cameron snickered.

She frowned at him. “Shut up, Cameron.”

Ever the peacemaker, Molly interjected, “Didn’t you want to lose some of Jake’s money?”

“Shut up, Molly!” Jake exclaimed. “I thought she’d been sufficiently distracted to forget about that!”

Lana laughed at him, patting him on the chest. “After nearly ten years, you’re not that distracting.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really?” He bent down to whisper in her ear. “We’ll see what you’re saying later tonight…”

She shuddered a little from the sensation of his hot breath on her neck. “I sincerely hope that’s a promise.”

“Oh, it is,” Jake assured, placing a wet kiss on her neck, and then straightening. “Now , please try not to bankrupt us,” he ordered, resting his hands on her shoulders.

“I’ll do my best.”

“Great.” He looked at the dealer, who had been watching the scene with boredom. “Curtis, I think we’re ready for you now.”

Curtis snapped to attention, nodding at his boss. “Very well, Mr. Spencer.”

With experienced hands, he began to deal.

*

At the bar, Lucky and Patrick flagged down a bartender and ordered two beers.

“You realize you’ve given Maxie all sorts of ideas?” Lucky asked pointedly, while they waited for their drinks.

Patrick snorted. “As if your wife needed any help with ideas.”

Lucky frowned. “I don’t like that you have a point.” He turned his head to look out over the crowded room. “You did a hell of a job, though. Great party, man.”

Patrick smiled ruefully. “I just hope Robin forgives me for throwing it.”

“She didn’t look too pleased when she walked through the door,” Lucky snickered.

“That was just the surprise,” Patrick tried to deflect. At Lucky’s disbelieving look, he sighed. “Okay, she threatened to kill me, which she is totally capable of doing, but she’s calmed down now. I think.”

“You’d better hope,” Lucky warned. “Because we both know she could follow through on that threat.”

“It’s not like your wife couldn’t,” Patrick pointed out, pouting a little. “All you spy-superhero offspring have skills no one not employed by the CIA should have.”

“Ah, but I’m a Spencer,” Lucky said sagely. “For every trick Maxie knows, I know two more.”

“Keep telling yourself that.”

“I will, thanks.” Taking a sip of his beer, Lucky scanned the floor looking for signs of his wife. “Where are our women anyway?”

“You’d better not let them hear you call them that,” Patrick warned with a smirk. “Or Maxie’ll find a new way to kill you, probably with Robin’s help.” He looked out at the crowd for sight of her. “Why do they have to be so short? It makes finding them in a crowd a bitch.”

“They’re not short, they’re petite,” Lucky corrected automatically. “Don’t let them hear you saying otherwise, unless you’re trying to give Robin more reasons to kill you.”

“Point taken.” Patrick squinted. “Is that them standing by the roulette wheel with Brenda and Jax?”

Lucky looked in that directed and nodded. “It is. Thank god he’s tall.” He picked up his glass and straightened. “Should we join them?”

Patrick nodded, doing the same.

They wove their way through the crowd in search of their wives.

*

A crowd of teenagers stood in one corner of the casino, casting envious looks at older siblings who could drink and gamble, as well as wary ones at parents who could do something embarrassing at any moment.

Lucy and Matt joined them, and found Gia holding court, as was her usual custom.

They picked their way through her flock of admirers, Matt earning more than a few glares, despite the fact that he and Lucy were holding hands.

No matter how many times he and Gia said it, no one quite believed that they really only thought of each other as cousins.

“Lucy!” Gia squealed when she saw them, jumping up to hug her friend. “I’ve been waiting for you!”

Lucy hugged her back warily. “What type of trouble are you going to be getting me into?”

“Would I do that?” Gia protested, eyes sparkling with mischief.

“That’s a ridiculous question,” Matt said with a laugh. “You live for trouble.”

“I suppose that’s a fair point,” Gia pouted, effect marred by the laughter that bubbled to the surface. “You know me too well, Matthew.”

“I should,” he retorted, smirking at the boys who were frowning at his proximity to Gia. “Your harem seems upset.”

Gia brushed the comment aside. “Who cares about them?”

“You do,” he countered. “Or at least you do about some of them.” He smirked. “How are Teddy and Steven doing?”

“Shut up, Matt,” Gia hissed, turning the faintest bit pink. “Ask them yourself.”

“Oh, I will,” he assured her. “I Have to make sure their intentions toward my cousin are nothing less than honorable. Tell me, what’s your dad think about his underage daughter dating boys in college anyway?”

Lucy saw Gia’s mood was rapidly shifting towards actually being angry with her cousin, rather than enjoyment of their typical repartee. “Matthew, be nice to your cousin,” she scolded.

“This is what we do,” he protested. “We banter.”

“How about you dance with me instead,” she suggested, tugging him towards the small dance floor that had been cleared.

Matt stayed firmly where he was. “I don’t dance.”

Sensing her chance for revenge, Gia jumped in with both feet. “That’s not true, Matthew, and I have the pictures to prove it.”

He shot her a withering glare. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Oh, now you know you shouldn’t have put it like that…” she laughed.

Lucy looked back and forth between them with confusion. “What is she talking about?”

“Nothing,” Matt said desperately. “Right, Gia?”

She shook her head. “Wrong.” Glee on her face and in her voice, she turned to Lucy with a triumphant smile. “Did you know Matt took ballet lessons?”

Lucy’s jaw dropped and she turned to Matt in disbelief. “Matt?”

He groaned. “I hate you so very much, Gia.” He looked at Lucy and shrugged. “I was five,” he said. “And my mom and Maxie signed us up for a dance class together.” He hooked his thumb towards Gia. “It was her idea.”

“How did I never know about this?” Lucy spluttered, trying to contain her laughter.

“Wasn’t that the year you guys moved to Boston when your grandma got sick?” Gia asked, frowning as she tried to remember.

Lucy’s forehead burrowed in concentration as she tried to place it. “I think you might be right.” She snuck a glance at Matt and then looked back at Gia with an impish grin. “Are there pictures?”

Gia nodded. “But better, there’s video!”

“Have I mentioned that I hate you?” Matt snarked at Gia.

“Aw,” Lucy said. She wrapped her arms around Matt’s neck. “I could probably be distracted by this for a little while if you danced with me.”

Matt sighed. “Is that the only thing that could distract you?” he asked resignedly.

She nodded firmly. “I’m afraid so.”

“Fine,” he grumbled, shooting daggers at Gia. “I still hate you, you know.”

Gia laughed. “I know.”

Matt grabbed Lucy’s hand and pulled her towards the dance floor, eager to get it over with.

“Wait!” Gia called after them. “I’m coming too.” She locked eyes with Teddy, who’d been watching the scene between the three of them with amusement. “Want to dance?”

Teddy raised an eyebrow at her and made no move to stand and join them. “Are you talking to me finally?”

Gia rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips. “I can change my mind,” she warned.

He smirked. “Go on then,” he said, calling her bluff.

Gia looked like she wanted to stamp her foot. Instead, she took a few steps forward, grabbing his hand and tugging him to his feet. Without a word, she pulled him towards the dance floor. Despite his brief protest, Teddy went willingly, causing the glares Matt had been receiving to shift towards him.

Matt and Lucy fought to keep the amusement off their faces as they followed them out onto the dance floor.

They nodded to Spencer and Lila who were wrapped in each other’s arms, oblivious to the curious stares they were receiving.

Matt pulled Lucy into his arms and she rested her cheek against his chest.

They swayed to the beat of the music, lost in their own little world.

*

Maxie and Robin joined Jax and Brenda at the roulette wheel, as well as their daughter Isabella and her sometimes significant other CJ Radcliffe.

Brenda pulled Robin into a hug the moment she reached her side. As she released Robin, she grinned as she examined her friends face. “You don’t look nearly old enough to have been married for twenty-five years.”

Robin threw back her head and laughed. “You are a horrible liar, Bren, but you know what, tonight I’ll take it.”

Tugging her away from his wife, Jax enveloped Robin in his arms, hugging her tightly. “Brenda isn’t lying,” he insisted in his faintly accented voice. “You look as young as they day you married Patrick.”

“You’re both liars,” Robin accused, smiling at her friends. “But I love you for it.” She turned to CJ and Isabella. “How are the two of you tonight?”

Isabella stepped forward to hug Robin. “I’m enjoying myself thoroughly, and I can see how wonderful you are. Congratulations, Robin.”

Robin nodded her thanks, turning to CJ, blinking in surprise as he bent down to kiss her cheek. In all the years she’d known CJ, and it was more than she cared to admit since he and Isabella had been circling each other since they were teenagers, CJ’d never quite let himself slip into the open affection with which their extended family treated each other.

“Congratulations, Mrs. Drake,” he said in his low gravely voice. While most of the men at the party were in suits and ties, CJ had bent to convention enough to wear a suit (Robin assumed at Isabella’s insistence), but he’d eschewed the tie, opting for an open collar.

“I’ve told you a million times to call me Robin,” she scolded warmly.

He grinned, the roguish charm he’d inherited from his father in full effect. “Of course, Mrs. Drake.”

Robin laughed and turned to Brenda. “He doesn’t call you Mrs. Jacks, does he?”

Brenda shook her head and patted Jax on the chest. “No, but he calls this one sir all the time.”

“That’s because he knows that I know enough people that could have him shipped off to Timbuktu if he ever steps a toe out of line,” Jax said mildly, eyeing CJ warily. He’d never quite learned to trust him, no matter how many times his wife and daughter insisted he was merely paranoid.

“You wouldn’t have CJ shipped anywhere, Dad,” Isabella said, sounding bored with the familiar threat. “It would upset Jackson, and you’d never risk that.”

“How is Jackson?” Robin asked eagerly. “I haven’t seen him in forever.”

Isabella started digging into her clutch. “Do you want to see pictures?”

Maxie looked at her in horror. “Right now, no one would guess you were a world famous model, and now run one of the top modeling agencies in Manhattan.”

Brenda laughed. “I remember a time when you were anxious to dig out pictures of Gia, Maxie.”

“And you see how well that turned out?” Maxie countered. “You take their picture all the time, you get a kid that wants to be a model. And then suddenly is one.” She frowned at Isabella. “I still blame you for that, by the way.”

“No son of mine is going to be a model,” CJ interjected smoothly.

Maxie turned to him with an appraising look. “It’s not as if he won’t have inherited the looks for it. You know, you could probably have been one too. That whole rugged vibe would have really worked for print work especially.”

“You are not stealing my boyfriend and turning him into a model, Maxie,” Isabella said with a grin. “Even if he is pretty enough.” She let out a squeak as CJ grabbed her hand and started pulling her away. “Where are we going?”

“Somewhere where you won’t be calling me pretty,” CJ said, still pulling her towards the dance floor.

“Okay!” Isabella shot a parting smile at her parents and an amused Robin and Maxie, before letting herself be dragged away.

As CJ and Isabella disappeared into the crowd, Patrick and Lucky joined the remaining foursome.

“What was that all about?” Lucky asked curiously, wrapping an arm around Maxie’s shoulders.

“CJ doesn’t like being called pretty,” Maxie snickered. She looked up at her husband innocently. “You wouldn’t understand. You’ve always liked that you’re pretty.”

“I think that’s Patrick,” Robin corrected, snuggling against Patrick’s side. “Right, honey?”

Patrick shrugged. “I’ve always enjoyed the benefits that come along with it. It’s a heavy burden, but someone has to handle it.”

Brenda looked at him with amusement. “Robin, just how have you managed to live with that ego for twenty five years?”

“I have my ways of keeping him in line,” Robin said mysteriously.

“She means lots of sex,” Maxie said bluntly, laughing at Robin’s incredulous expression. “Please Robin, it’s not like it’s a secret. The hospital staff has a list of places that you two haven’t hooked up in, because to keep a list of the ones you have would be too long.”

Patrick frowned. “There are places at the hospital that we missed?”

“Patrick!” Robin hissed, slapping him on the chest.

“No, really.” His brow furrowed as he tried to think of where they might have missed. “I could have sworn we’d tried everywhere.”

Robin burrowed her head into his chest to hide the mortified expression on her face. “I can’t take you anywhere,” she said, though it was hard to tell since her voice was muffled.

“What was that?” Brenda asked, laughing at her friends reaction.

“I believe she said, ‘I can’t take you anywhere,’” Patrick translated. “You know you love it, sweetheart.”

Robin pulled her head back and looked up at him with a frown. “I’m reconsidering.”

“Didn’t we talk about you not ending up dead by the end of the night, man?” Lucky asked with an amused grin. “Somehow I don’t think this is the way to go about it.”

“That’s a good point.” Patrick pulled Robin away from him, and smiled at her in his most charming manner. “May I have this dance?”

She looked at him skeptically. “What?”

“May I have this dance?” he repeated. “It’s our anniversary party. We should dance.” He held out a hand. “Please?”

She took the hand warily. “Do you promise to behave?”

Patrick grinned and started leading her towards the dance floor. “Baby, you know you like it better when I don’t…”

That was the last thing Lucky, Maxie, Brenda and Jax could hear before Robin and Patrick were enveloped by the crowd.

That and the sound of Robin slapping Patrick once more.

*

Morgan sat at the bar nursing a scotch, and trying not to look out at the dance floor.

He should have known better than to come to a party celebrating a marriage, when he was still feeling pretty raw about the whole institution. Knowing that his ex-wife and the man he’d thought was his best friend, as well as his cousin, were out on the dance floor wrapped in each other’s arms for all the world to see made everything all the worse.

He frowned at his drink and disgust, pushing it forward and starting to rise, till a small, well manicured hand laid itself on his wrist.

“Leaving so soon?” Audrey murmured, leaning against the bar, carefully not touching him, except for where her fingers were still curled around his wrist.

He snuck a glance at her, then back down at his drink. “I was about to, yes.”

“But the party is just getting started, and we’re actually in the same city for once,” she pouted. “And you haven’t even danced with me yet…”

He shook his head. “And I’m not going to.”

He could hear her frowning as she said, “Why not? We’ve been friends forever. No one would think anything of it.”

“Have you ever heard that you can tell if two people are intimate by the way they dance together?”

“No.”

“Well, it’s true.” He leaned over to whisper in her ear, hot breath darting across her neck. “And someone would be able to tell that I’ve had my hands all over you.”

She shivered. “So?”

“So we agreed that we were keeping this a secret.” He straightened on his stool, as his sister Kristina approached them, boyfriend Hector in tow. “Hi Krissy.”

“I’ve told you a million times not to call me that, Morgan,” Kristina warned, reaching out to ruffle his hair. She smiled at Audrey. “How are you tonight, Audrey?”

“I’m fine,” Audrey demurred. “I was just leaving. Enjoy your night everyone.” She walked away, heading towards the door that led up onto the deck.

Morgan tried not to look, but couldn’t quite help himself. The sight of her swaying hips and long legs was almost too much to bear, and he took a drink to smother the groan that threatened to erupt.

“So are you alright?” Kristina asked with concern. “I know tonight must be hard for you.” She looked at the dance floor for a moment, and sniffed with disgust.

“I’m fine,” Morgan said patiently. “I’ve told you that a million times.” He looked at Hector who was hovering at Kristina’s elbow, and pretended that he didn’t remember that Hector was Lila’s cousin. “How’s it going, man? Upstate New York in February must be a shock compared to sunny California.”

“I’m good.” Hector wrapped a possessive arm around Kristina’s waist. “And Kristina here is helping keep me warm.”

Morgan made a face. “Ew. That’s my sister, man.”

Kristina laughed, but elbowed Hector back. “He lives in la-la land. He doesn’t quite know how to adapt.” She narrowed her eyes at her brother. “I still don’t believe you’re fine.”

“I am,” Morgan insisted. “But I need to get some air. Too many people in here.” He slid off the stool and bent down to press a kiss to Kristina’s cheek. “Stop worrying.”

He followed the same path Audrey had to the exit to the deck.

Kristina watched him go, worry written on her face. “He’s not fine, no matter what he says.”

“He’s a big boy, Kristina,” Hector said, nudging her over onto the stool Morgan had vacated. “I know you love your brother, but I’m here for once.” He wrapped his arms around her, and tilted her chin up. “I just want to spend some time with you. Just you. Is that okay?”

She sighed. “It’s very okay.”

“Good,” he murmured as he bent down to kiss her tenderly.

No one noticed Morgan slipping out onto the deck.

*

The music changed.

As Robin and Patrick walked out onto the dance floor, the music which had been featuring contemporary ballads switched to an older song, one that Lila thought she vaguely remembered.

The D.J. announced “The doctor’s Drake, ladies and gentleman.”

The rest of the dancers ceased their movement, and let Robin and Patrick take center stage, forming a circle around them and letting them dance alone.

Lila stood in the circle of Spencer’s arm, resting her head against his chest, watching the happy couple sway to the music.

She sighed wistfully.

Spencer bent down to whisper in her ear. “Everything okay?”

She nodded. “They’re so perfect together.” She brought a hand up to her face to brush a stray tear away.

“I didn’t know you had this sentimental streak in you, princess,” Spencer murmured, tightening the arm around her shoulders. “I like it.”

She sniffed. “You would.”

He pressed a kiss to the side of her head. “If it makes you feel better, I agree. They’ve always been good together. I remember growing up, that no matter what was going on between anyone else’s parents, Robin and Patrick always just seemed so solid, so right. I envied Lana that.”

She looked up at him with surprise. “You never told me that.”

He shrugged. “It never came up.”

“I suppose it’s good that we still have things to learn about each other,” Lila mused, mostly to herself. “It’ll keep things interesting.”

“I’ll tell you what else could keep things interesting,” Spencer whispered wickedly into her ear, voice pitched low enough that it was for her ears only. “Meet me in the coat room in five minutes.”

Lila’s jaw dropped. “Spencer!” she hissed as she swiveled around to face him, but he’d already released her and slipped away. She saw him darting towards the hall that led to the coat room, probably on his way into bribing the staff into taking a break. A lengthy break if she knew her fiancé.

She started to turn her attention back towards the happy couple, when she caught sight of her ex-husband darting up the stairs that headed up to the deck. Suddenly not in the mood for joy of happy couples, she stepped out of the circle on the dance floor and over to the bar.

“Champagne,” she requested politely. The bartender nodded and stepped away to fill her request.

She tapped her fingers idly on the bar while she waited.

“Having fun?” Lana’s voice suddenly materialized at her side.

Lila started, turning her head towards the sound. “You scared me to death.”

“Sorry,” Lana apologized sheepishly. “Are you having fun?”

Lila nodded. “I am. It was sweet of you to invite me. Us. I know Spencer and I aren’t exactly on anyone’s list of favorite people right now.”

Lana shrugged. “Spencer is Jake’s brother. Of course we were going to invite you.” She hesitated, debating whether or not to continue. The look on Lila’s face made her press forward. “Besides, I don’t blame you for what happened. Any of you.”

Lila looked at her with shock. “Really? I assumed you were as angry as Molly is, though she’s far too polite to say anything.”

“Morgan’s as good as Molly’s brother. I’m a bit more removed from the situation. And I understand what it’s like to not be able to control who you love.” She smiled a little. “Did I ever tell you that I sort of had a boyfriend when Jake and I got back together the last time?”

Lila shook her head, fascinated by the admission. Little miss perfect wasn’t so perfect after all? “No, but then we’ve never been the type to trade confidences.”

“True,” Lana acknowledged. “Ask me again sometime. This isn’t the time, but you and Spencer aren’t as alone as you think you are, Lila.”

The bartender set a flute of champagne down on the bar.

“That must be your drink.” Lana surprised Lila even more, by leaning forward and giving her an awkward hug. “Give me a call sometime soon. You and Spencer should have dinner with Jake and I.”

As quickly as she’d appeared, Lana was gone, leaving Lila staring after her in shock.

In a million years, she’d never have guessed that Lana Drake-Spencer of all people would be on the side of a woman who’d cheated on one of her friends and was now engaged to her brother-in-law. Especially since Lana’d never liked her at all.

She picked up the champagne flute and drained it.

Setting it back down on the bar, she picked her way through the crowd, and headed down the hall to meet her fiancé with a lighter heart.

Maybe it wasn’t always going to be so bad.

Maybe someday she’d be able to stand with Spencer on their twenty-fifth anniversary at a party like this one, and no one would remember what they’d done to get there.

But then an arm snaked out of the coat check room, and she found herself pressed back against a wall, caught up in an urgent kiss, and she stopped thinking at all.

*

Lana found her husband at the fringe of the circle watching her parents dance.

She wrapped her arm around his arm and leaned her head against his shoulder. “Where did Molly and Cam run off to?”

He turned his head towards her in surprise. “You should wear a bell, you know that?”

“So you’ve said many times. Molly and Cam?”

“Something about calling and checking on the baby-sitter, I think,” Jake said, disentangling her arm from his and wrapping it around her shoulders, tucking her head more securely against him. “I think it’s more likely that they’ve snuck off to work on making a little brother or sister for Alex.”

Lana laughed. “Molly would be bright red if she ever heard you say that.”

Jake snorted. “Doesn’t make it less true.” He pressed a kiss to her hair. “Are you having a good time?”

She nodded. “I am. Thank you again for arranging all of it.” She peered up at him cautiously. “I just invited Lila and Spencer over for dinner.”

He looked down at her in surprise. “Really? I didn’t think you liked Lila, even before what happened.”

“I didn’t. I still not sure I do, but how can I not understand needing to be with someone else no matter who gets hurt?” She raised a hand up to trace the line of his jaw. “I love you, Jake.”

“I love you, too,” he returned, bending his head to kiss her deeply.

From behind them, Matt said, “Get a room,” disgust dripping off every word.

Lana pulled back and leaned around Jake, sticking her tongue out at her brother. “Get lost, twerp.” She reached back up on her toes to kiss Jake again.

“I’d love to,” Matt said. “But it’s nearly time for our toasts, right? Shouldn’t we start setting up for them?”

Lana pulled back and dropped back down to her heels. “Crap. I almost forgot.”

“We can totally skip it,” Matt offered eagerly. “I know Dad has one ready, he’s made me listen to it a million times this week, but you and me, we don’t actually have to give them if you forgot to get one ready…”

“I didn’t forget,” Lana scoffed, digging in her clutch and pulling out a stack of note cards. “I just didn’t realize it was nearly time.”

“Yeah, because you were too busy putting on a show with your husband. You two are more like Mom and Dad than you think, Lan.”

Lana narrowed her eyes at her younger brother. “You’re a real pain in the ass, you know that?”

Matt nodded. “I do, indeed.”

Lana looked over at Lucy, who was holding onto Matt’s arm, watching the siblings with fascination. “You have my utmost respect and heartfelt sympathy for putting up with this loser, Lucy.”

“Hey!” Matt protested. “That’s not fair!”

Lana turned back towards her brother. “Did you or did you not offer to drive Jake’s getaway car on our wedding day? Didn’t you tell him he was insane to marry your control freak of a sister and into your loony family?”

Matt frowned. “I don’t think I used the phrase loony family.” He looked at Jake. “Did I?”

Jake held up his hands. “I’m staying out of this, and I’d advise my little cousin Lucy to stay out of it as well. In fact, Lucy, why don’t you come with me, and you can help me get the timing of this part of the program all worked out, while the two of them battle this out?”

“Coward,” Lana and Matt accused in unison, glaring at Jake and then each other as they realized what they’d done.

Jake nodded. “And damn proud of it.” He pressed a swift kiss to Lana’s lips. “Come and find me in my office when you guys work this out.” He held out his arm for Lucy. “Shall we?”

Lucy nodded with relief. “Absolutely.”

Arm in arm the cousins walked off towards the back of the casino, disappearing behind a closed door.

Lana crossed her arms over her chest. “You suck, Matthew.”

“I know, but you love me anyway,” Matt countered, surprising Lana by wrapping an arm around her shoulders in a hug.

“I’ve strongly reconsidered that position over the years,” Lana sniffed, hugging her brother back.

“Isn’t this a heartfelt family scene?” Patrick said slyly, coming upon his children. “Your mother will be sorry to have missed it.”

Arm still around Lana’s shoulders, both children turned towards their father. “Where is mom?” Matt asked curiously.

“She ran off towards the ladies room, with vague allusions to powdering her nose or something,” Patrick said. “I didn’t press for details.” He looked at his children. “Are you two all set for the speeches?”

“We were just discussing that,” Lana said cheerfully. “Matt has a touch of stage fright, don’t you?”

Matt dropped his arm from her shoulders and elbowed her in the side. “You wish. You’re just worried I’ll make you look bad. You’re still not over the fact that I’m mom’s favorite.”

“Your mother and I don’t play favorites,” Patrick interjected, hoping to stave off the inevitable argument about who was more of the favorite. “Speeches?”

Lana glared at Matt before turning to Patrick. “I think we’re all set. I want to find somewhere quiet to run through mine first, though.”

“I think that’s an excellent idea,” Patrick said, before Matt could speak. “Let’s all do that.” He stepped between his children, wrapping an arm around each of their shoulders, and steering them towards Jake’s office, the one place that he was sure there’d be quiet on the boat.

Of course with Lana and Matt in the same place, the quiet was sure to be short lived.

*

Out on the deck, Audrey leaned against the railing, looking out over the harbor.

She heard footsteps approaching from behind. “Took you longer than I thought it would,” she called out.

“Kristina wanted to make sure I was alright,” Morgan said, stripping off his suit jacket and draping it around her shoulders. “Are you crazy standing out here in just that dress?”

She turned her head to look at his profile as he took the place next to her on the rail. “And are you alright?”

He hesitated. “I am now,” he said simply, laying a hand over one of hers and twining their fingers together. “I missed you, Audrey.”

Her heart leapt. “How many years have I wanted you to say that to me?” she wondered. She let go of the railing and wound her arms around his neck, brushing her lips against his. “I love you, Morgan.”

He returned the kiss, but not the words. “I’m not good enough for you, Audrey. I wish to god you didn’t love me, but I’m too selfish to tell you to go.”

She sighed. “You are what I want. You are what I’ve always wanted. Why is that so hard for you to believe?”

He tried to pull away, but she refused to let go. Unable to meet her eyes, he looked over her shoulder at the frozen harbor. “I do believe you. But Audrey, you deserve someone that isn’t so broken. Someone that can love you the way you deserve.”

Now she drew back, eyes flashing. “You’re going to deny you love me now?”

“Of course not. I do love you, but it’s not the kind of love you need.”

“And what type of love do I need?” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I might be younger than you, Morgan, but I assure you I know what I need.”

“You don’t understand. Even before Lila, I was a broken man. She just broke new things inside me.”

Her voice gentled. “I know that. But why won’t you let me help you fix them?” She raised a hand to caress his face. “I know you’ve been hurt, but that doesn’t mean you’ll hurt me.”

“You’re wrong about that,” Morgan warned. “I’ll take whatever you want to give me, but I won’t be able to help hurting you in the end. And I don’t want to hurt you.”

“So don’t,” she said simply, pulling him down for a kiss once more.

He resisted for a moment, but couldn’t help but be pulled in by the warmth she offered. He pulled her closer to his body, absorbing her into him, deepening the kiss, pouring himself into it. No matter what she said, he knew he couldn’t offer her everything she deserved, needed, but he could give her this.

They were so absorbed in each other, they didn’t hear the door creaking open behind them.

Elizabeth stepped out onto the deck, blinking at the site of the couple entwined in each others arms. She turned to go back inside and give them their privacy, but something made her turn back around. She thought she recognized the dress and hair of the women. “Audrey?”

They jumped apart.

Audrey whipped her head towards her mother, stepping instinctively in front of Morgan. “Mom, this isn’t what it looks like…”

“On the contrary, I imagine it’s exactly what it looks like,” Elizabeth said bluntly. “Would you like to tell me what’s going on?”

“Mother!” Audrey hissed. “I am a grown woman. If I want to kiss a man, I’ll damn well kiss one.”

Elizabeth nodded. “And that’s fine, but clearly this isn’t the first time the two of you have kissed, and I’d like an explanation.”

“I am twenty-two years old, I live in France, I am under no obligation to tell you everything about my social life,” Audrey said furiously.

“Your father and I pay for your life in France, Audrey Laura Cassadine, and as long as we do so, I’d say that yes, you do owe us an explanation when I find you kissing a man none of us knew you were involved with.”

Audrey threw up her hands. “It’s not like you don’t know Morgan. You like Morgan. I haven’t been cavorting with a serial killer or mob hitman or the like, so what the hell is the problem?” She saw her mother wince at the mention of the mob. “I’m sorry, Mom, that was below the belt.”

“It was,” Elizabeth said tightly. “Look, I’m going to go inside, and we’ll be discussing this later, at home.” She glanced at Morgan. “Morgan,” she nodded, and then turned on her heel and went back inside.

Once she disappeared through the doors, Audrey turned on Morgan. “Thanks for the help,” she said angrily. “You could have said something.”

“What did you want me to say?” Morgan asked, studying Audrey with a touch of amusement in his voice. “Gee, Mrs. Cassadine, no, it was the first time I’ve ever kissed your still in college daughter and I promise I’ll never do it again?”

Her face slid into a pout. “No.”

“Then what did you want me to say?” he laughed, pulling her back into his arms.

“I don’t know.” She frowned. “So does this mean we can tell people about us?”

Morgan shook his head. “No. I still think we should wait.”

“Till when?” she demanded.

“Till you’re living here again?” he offered hesitantly. “Would that be alright?”

She pursed her lips, considering his offer. “I might be able to live with that.” She grabbed onto the lapels of his jacket. “But you have to promise that it’s only till then. You can’t push it back anymore.” She frowned again.

“What?”

“You realize this is all contingent on my mother keeping her mouth shut, right? If she tells my dad and my brothers find out, all this planning will be for nothing.”

“Will your mom tell your dad?”

Audrey sighed. “That probably depends on what I tell her when she interrogates me about what’s going on between us.” She pouted. “I think this means I have to go home tonight. I was planning on seducing you into letting me stay with you, but if I don’t go home, I imagine things will be considerably worse.”

Morgan kissed her pouted lips. “Well, maybe we can sneak out early and then you can go home after. Because I was very much looking forward to being seduced.”

She grinned. “Well then, I’ll have to do my very best to make sure that you are.” She leaned up on her toes to kiss him. “I’m going to go back inside.” She slipped his coat off her shoulders and handed it back to him. “I’ll see you in there.” She trailed a finger across his chest as she walked away. “And then after…”

Morgan watched her walk away, slipping back into his suit coat. He smiled.

She really was too good for him.

But maybe that wasn’t so bad.

He followed her back into the casino.

*

The music stopped.

Patrick, Lana, and Matt all joined the DJ on the raised platform that he'd been working from.

Brenda and Maxie tugged Robin forward till she was standing front and center, and held onto her arms to keep her there.

Picking up the microphone, the DJ announced, "Dr. Drake and his children have asked to say a few words at this time." He looked over at them. "Who's first?"

No one moved.

Lana shoved Matt forward, none too gently, and he shuffled forward to take the mic, glaring at his sister as he did so.

He held it awkwardly in front of him, jamming his spare hand into his pocket.

"So, I think I know everyone, but I'm the happy couple's son Matt," he started. "When my Dad first told me about this party, I was like, cool. Just tell me when I have to show up. But then he told me that he wanted me and Lana to give speeches and I suddenly didn't think it was such a good idea anymore.

The crowd laughed.

"I mean, I like to talk, don't get me wrong." He shot a sly look Patrick's way. "I am their son after all."

Patrick frowned. "I'll get you for that later," he mouthed.

Seeing it, Robin burst out laughing, and Matt looked at her with a grin.

"But I didn't know what I was supposed to say. Congrats Mom and Dad for being married for 25 years wasn't going to cut it and I didn't really think Dad would appreciate it if I stood up here and did a comedy act or something." Matt looked at Patrick hopefully. "Unless you wouldn't mind?"

Patrick shook his head.

"I was afraid of that," Matt sighed. "Anyway, I was trying to come up with something to say that wasn't too sappy or sentimental, because I figured Lana and Dad would take care of that, and I wouldn't have done it anyway. I do have an image to protect."

The guests laughed again.

"So then I remembered this song that Mom used to sing to me when I was little and I thought it would be a good substitute for me coming up with my own words. So, Mom, Dad, this is for you, though I'll spare you the singing."

He took a deep breath.

"It's you I like,
It's not the things you wear,
It's not the way you do your hair--
But it's you I like
The way you are right now,
The way down deep inside you--
Not the things that hide you,
Not your toys--
They're just beside you.

But it's you I like--
Every part of you,
Your skin, your eyes, your feelings
Whether old or new.
I hope that you'll remember
Even when you're feeling blue
That it's you I like,
It's you yourself,
It's you, it's you I like. "

He looked out at the crowd and spotted Robin, who was smiling broadly even as she wiped away tears.

"Congratulations Mom and Dad. Happy anniversary."

He stepped back, handing off the microphone to Lana. He surprised Patrick by leaning in and giving him a hug, before jumping off the stage to go do the same to Robin.

Robin wrapped her arms around him tightly.

He leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Did I do good, Mom?"

He felt her nod. "You did very good," she said, pulling her head back and looking up at him with sparkling eyes. "Now, let's see how your sister and father do."

"Works for me," Matt said cheerfully. "I'm just glad to be off the hot seat."

Robin laughed, and turned back towards the stage, Matt's arm around her shoulders.

Lana stepped forward.

"I hate to mimic my brother in anything, but as I'm sure most of you know, I'm the Doctors Drake daughter Lana."

Matt stuck out his tongue at his sister.

"Unlike my brother, I have no problem being sappy and sentimental about my parents or marriage, and since I've been married less than a year, I'll probably be both."

That earned a laugh from the crowd.

"When I was growing up I didn't realize how lucky I was. It wasn't till I grew up some and fell in love myself that I realized how truly fortunate I was. Loving someone is hard. Living with someone is harder," She looked out over the crowd for her husband and smirked.

Jake grinned at her.

"But my parents, they made it look so easy. I don't mean to make them sound perfect, because everyone here knows they aren't. They fought and there were way too many instances when I caught them doing things no child should have to see, but it was never possible for a moment to doubt the depth of their love for one another. Their love for my brother and I. Without knowing it, I was given the best example of how to love someone and how to let yourself be loved, and I am truly grateful to both of them for it."

She paused, and smiled up at Patrick before looking out at the crowd and seeing Robin already brushing away tears.

"I know everyone that knows us thinks that I'm a Daddy's girl."

There was more laughter and more than a few nods of agreement.

Lana accepted both with grace. "I wouldn't deny that for a moment. I am and will forever be one. But what most people don't realize is that it's my Mom that I aspire to be. My Mom is the one that rules the collected Scorpio-Drake universe with her tiny fist, and she does it in a way that makes people not realize they're being controlled. She was the one with all the power, and she damn well knew it, no matter what she might say now. My Mom is the best example of strength, courage, and grace that I know. All of us, especially my dad, would be lost without her."

Lana turned towards Robin. "So thank you, Mom. Thank you for being the best example anyone could ever ask for. Thank you for loving my annoying brother and I, and thank you for loving Dad. Just thank you."

Robin was all out crying now.

"Congratulations on 25 years of marriage, Mom and Dad. You give me hope that I'll be just as happy on my own 25th anniversary. Here's to both of you."

She turned to Patrick and found herself pulled into an enveloping hug.

"You'll always be my little girl," he whispered in her ear.

She nodded. "And I wouldn't have it any other way, Daddy."

"Good," Patrick sniffled. "You didn't really have a choice in the matter."

Lana laughed and pulled back. "Better not get too sloppy till after you finish," she advised. "I'm going to go hug Mom now, okay?"

Patrick nodded and released her.

She walked down the stairs and straight into Robin's arms.

"I love you, Mom," she whispered in Robin's ear, finally choking up herself.

"You are proof I did something right," Robin said between sobs. "I love you so much, baby girl."

"I know," Lana said, drawing back and wrapping an arm around Robin's waist, while Matt's settled over her shoulders.

"Now let's see how Dad does, okay?"

"Okay," Robin managed, trying to pull herself together.

Lana looked at Matt over Robin's head. "Weren't you in charge of kleenex?"

Matt looked confused for a moment, and then brightened. "Oh, right!" He reached into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out a wad of kleenex. "Here you go, Mom."

Robin took them with a laugh. "Now you think of them?" She blew her nose. "Matthew, Matthew, Matthew. What am I ever going to do with you?"

"Keep on finding me charming and adorable?" Matt suggested with a dimpled grin, tightening his arm around Robin's shoulders. "You know you do."

"Heaven knows why," Robin sniffed, leaning her head against his shoulder.

"Oh, you know why," Lana said coyly. "And he's about to give his speech."

Patrick stood alone on the stage, microphone in hand, waiting to give his speech. He looked out into the audience and saw Robin staring up at him lovingly. He took that as his cue.

"So the way I figure it," he began. "I'm pretty much the luckiest man in the world. I have two pretty amazing kids." He smiled at Lana and Matt below. "And I've managed to hoodwink the smartest woman I know into loving me and putting up with me for over twenty five years."

The crowd laughed.

"I can't imagine my life without any of them, and yet looking back there was a time when none of them fit into my life plan. I didn't want a serious girlfriend, let alone a wife. I thought the word love would never pass through my lips. And kids? I didn't want any part of them."

He paused, and locked eyes with Robin.

"And then this tiny brunette spitfire walked into my operating room and changed my life." He paused, smiling at the sight of Robin's tears. "You'd have to ask her exactly what she said, but it was something about needing a miracle and that I was it. She was talking about medicine and my brilliant hands, of course, but what she said holds true, only she got it wrong. I needed a miracle and she was it."

The women in the crowd seemed to sigh "aw" in unison.

He smirked. "Robin gave me my life. She taught me that love wasn't just another four letter word, she helped me realize that it was possible to want forever with someone and yet still know that forever wouldn't be long enough. She helped me see that the children we could have together, the children we did have together would be equally miraculous, that I could be just as good at fatherhood as I'd been at everything else I set my mind too." He looked at Lana and Matt who were frowning in the audience. "No comments from the peanut gallery, please."

Giggles erupted from the guests.

"Now as my lovely daughter Lana pointed out, no one that knows us believes that our life together has been as perfect as I'm painting it to be right now. No one that knew us at the beginning of our relationship thought we'd last twenty five minutes, let alone twenty five years. We drove everyone on the hospital staff crazy with our constant arguing -"

"You still do!" someone called out.

Patrick nodded. "You clearly weren't there for the beginning of it," he said, laughing at the memory. "We were much worse." He shook his head. "As I was saying, we were an unlikely fit. Yet someone we've managed to bump down life's path together, carving out our own road, one that's had it's ups and downs, but one that's exclusively ours."

He locked eyes with Robin again.

"One of the many times I proposed to you before you finally agreed to marry me, I told you that I wanted to look at you on our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary and tell you that I loved you more today than I did on our wedding day." He saw Robin's breath catch in her chest. "And baby, believe me when I tell you, I love you so much more today than I did then, so much more than I ever believed was possible."

He set the microphone down and jumped off the stage, heading straight for Robin. He drew her into his arms, looking deeply into her eyes and caressing her face as he said the rest.

"You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You and our children. Thank you so much for loving me. Thank you for letting me love you. Thank you for giving us them. Just thank you." He brushed his lips gently across hers. "Happy anniversary, Robin."

"Happy anniversary, Patrick," she managed, before he crushed his lips to hers, swallowing anything else she might have said.

They kissed long and deep, till cheers from their guests as well as a few shouted "get a room" comments pulled them apart, leaving them grinning foolishly at each other.

Patrick reached up to tuck a stray hair behind her ear. "Are you happy, baby?"

Robin nodded, unable to speak. She stretched up on her toes again, kissing him gently.

This time it was their son's voice that interrupted. "Seriously guys, can't you save that for later when no one can see you?" he said with disgust, though a hint of a smile was on his face.

“No,” they said in unison, grinning up at each other.

Robin leaned her cheek against Patrick’s chest and looked at Matt. “One day you’ll understand.”

He shook his head. “I really don’t think so, no.”

Patrick laughed, and shot a pointed look at his son, and the girl who was holding on to his hand. “Take it from someone who knows. You’ll change your mind.”

Seeing that Matt was about to strongly disagree, Lana stepped in. “I think Mom and Dad should dance again, don’t you, Matt?”

Matt nodded, frowning at Patrick. “I think that sounds like an excellent idea.”

Robin looked up at Patrick. “What do you think?”

Patrick smiled. “I think there’s nothing I’d like better.” He pulled out of Robin’s arm and held out a hand. “Shall we, wife?”

Robin smiled back, and put her hand in his. “Let’s husband.”

Hand in hand, they walked towards the center of the floor.

At Lana’s signal, the familiar strains of their song came over the speakers.

Walked into the room last night, shook my head you left me mesmerized…