It Is You
By Melissa Larkin
Chapter One
Disclaimer: I do not own ER, though I wish I did. However, the characters of Sara Lewis and Melanie Malucci are all mine.
Robert Romano was far from happy. How on earth could he be, after breaking his arm in a freak accident? Slipping on wet pavement during one of Chicago's fierce rainstorms had sent this brilliant surgeon into physical therapy. Robert hoped and prayed that he would be able to use his left arm again to operate. His life was all about being a surgeon, about saving others. He had nothing else to show for it: no wife, no children. Only his beloved dog, Gretel and his close relationships with his mother, Mary and brother, Anthony.
With a sigh, Robert pushed open the door to County's physical therapy room. He looked around for his therapist, Sara Lewis. They'd been working together for a month now, and he had to admit that Sara was the one bright spot in all of the hard work he'd endured. She was first cousins with ER doctor Susan Lewis-Greene and Robert could see they were both alike in their fun, laid-back demeanor, and of course, the famous Lewis green eyes. Sara walked over to Robert and pushed her shoulder-length red hair back.
"You're early," she said with her usual bright smile.
"Well, it's not like I had any operations to perform," Robert replied. Sara was used to his self-deprecating attitude and took it in stride.
"Yes, but that's why you're here. And your arm's much better than it was a month ago," Sara reasoned.
"You're right, as always," Robert said with a laugh.
"Let's get to work on some stretching," Sara began. "It'll be good for your muscles."
"Okay, boss," Robert responded. He noticed how relaxed he felt around Sara. It must be because of her attitude, he thought to himself. Susan's the same way. Definitely a good Lewis quality.
Sara began to help Robert with exercises on his arm. "So, how was dinner with your mom?" she asked.
"Fun," Robert said. "Anthony and his wife came over with the kids. I'll have to show you their new pictures when we're done."
"I can't wait to see them," Sara said. "How old are his kids?"
"Ella is six and Joseph is two," Robert said.
"Six, huh? It's a good age," Sara said softly.
Robert noticed a look of sadness on Sara's face. "What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing," Sara brushed off. "I'm just tired."
"That's not it," Robert replied. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Sara stated firmly. There were a few tense moments of silence between the pair.
"So, do you have siblings? I don't think I've ever asked," Robert said, desperate for Sara to talk to him once more.
"I have an older brother, Tom. He lives in Houston," Sara responded.
"Are you close?"
"Pretty much," Sara said.
"Any sisters?" Robert inquired. He felt Sara tense up once more.
"No," Sara said with sadness in her voice. She brushed some stray wisps of hair out of her face. "Um, I think we should work with the weights now." Sara turned and began to walk away.
Robert followed her and gently placed his hand on her back. Sara turned around, surprised. Robert spoke softly. "If you ever want to talk, I'm here."
Sara looked into his eyes, took a deep breath and nodded. "Are you busy after this? I don't have any patients for a couple of hours."
"Besides all of the surgeries I have to perform?" Robert replied with a laugh. "No, I'm free."
"Okay," Sara said. "Thanks." She handed him a small weight. "Let's see how you do with this."
Robert and Sara continued the therapy session without the banter they usually engaged in, but the awkwardness has disappeared.
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A while later, Sara and Robert strolled through a nearby park. It was now mid-April and the weather was warmer, the flowers and trees in bloom. The pair sat on a bench for a few quiet moments. Robert patiently waited for Sara to begin.
"I um, I wasn't totally honest with you earlier," Sara began. "I'm sorry."
"It's all right," Robert assured her.
"I did have a sister," Sara admitted slowly. "Her name was Erin, and she died when she was six years old. I was twelve."
"I'm so sorry," Robert sympathized. "How did she die?"
"She um, was born with a heart defect," Sara softly replied. She bit her lip to keep the tears from falling. "The doctors didn't think she'd live to her first birthday, but you know us Lewis women - you can't keep us down." Robert smiled for a moment, thinking of how right Sara was. "So anyway, she underwent quite a few operations over her six years, and after the last one, the doctors said they'd done all they could. She wasn't even expected to make it to a year old, so I believed them. It's why I wanted to help others, too."
"I understand," Robert said gently as he rest his hand on Sara's back.
"Erin died at home, and after the funeral, my parents and brother just shut down," Sara said, the tears falling down her face. "I wanted to talk about her, to keep her memory alive, but Tom said it would make Mom and Dad upset." Sara wiped her eyes and looked at Robert. "So this is the most I've talked about her in twenty years."
"Come here," Robert replied as he wrapped his arms around Sara. She buried her face into his shoulder and sobbed. "It's okay." Robert soothed Sara as she let twenty years of tears escape her eyes. He rubbed her back and spoke gently to her. "It's all right."
Robert had his own fears, that he'd never be the excellent surgeon he'd been just months before. Sure, he was still the Chief of Staff, but he wanted to be able to operate again. And there was one other matter that worried him, but only because he wasn't sure if it was reciprocated.
That matter?
He'd fallen completely in love with Sara Lewis.