Thankfully, by the next morning, Robert had reconsidered his position
on pain management. He began allowing Erin and the nursing staff to
administer boosters of Demerol at regular intervals. After some intense
negotiation, he was even able to convince Stephen Malcolm to discharge him
after only two weeks of observation. It was agreed upon that, since Erin
was a doctor and could stay with him full time, he would be allowed to
convalesce at home.
On the day of his release, Erin spent the morning packing what she would need and moving it to his house. It felt a bit odd, placing her clothes in his dresser and closet without him there. The number for his maid service was in his book by the phone; she called and asked them to send someone out to give the place a quick once-over. Then she stepped into the garage. She had taken a cab to County General the day before to fetch his car, and now, she climbed behind the wheel. She guided the vehicle to St. Anthony's hospital and parked near the entrance. She was walking down the hall to Robert's room when she heard commotion, voices raised. She recognized one as his, and she picked up her pace. She entered the room in time to find him thoroughly dressing down a young male nurse, who stood over a wheelchair.
"It's my arm I lost, moron! My legs work just fine, and I am not setting foot in that thing!"
"Dr. Romano, I'm sorry, but it's hospital policy. You didn't walk in; I can't let you walk out."
"No, I'm sorry, but unless you plan to bodily lift me into that chair and strap me down, you're SOL."
"Hey, hey, HEY!" Erin hurried over and placed herself between the two bickering men. "Time out"
Both of them began addressing her simultaneously. "Thank God! Would you tell this idiot."
"Miss, could you please explain to."
"QUIET! BOTH OF YOU!" She shouted. She pointed a finger at Robert. "You. Shut up." He scowled at her. She turned her attention to the young man with the wheelchair. "You. What is going on here?"
"As I tried explaining to Dr. Romano, it is hospital policy that anyone who doesn't walk in on their own two feet gets an escort to the door on the day of discharge."
Erin sighed. "Let me guess," she turned back to Robert. "You don't want a ride."
"You're not getting me anywhere near that thing." He shook his head vehemently.
Scratching her head, she decided to try a different approach. "What would you say to a patient if you just re-attached his arm?" She reasoned. "Would you let him walk out?"
Robert's eyes were suddenly filled with a profound humility. "I'd do what I had to, to leave the poor bastard his dignity." Erin reached out and lightly touched the fingertips that emerged from the cast, a sad little smile on her lips. Without looking back at the nurse, she gave a wave of her wrist. "Get it out of here."
"Ma'am, I'm sorry but." the words died in his throat as the young woman leveled her gaze on him, her expression stoic.
"I said, get it out of here."
"Yes ma'am." Feeling quite small, he exited the room quickly, pushing the chair in front of him. Erin leaned over and kissed Robert's now relaxed forehead. "Sorry."
"Then how's about a real kiss?" Her smile widened and she moved her lips to his, happy to oblige. When their mouths parted, she set the duffel bag she'd brought on the bed. "What's in there?" He asked. "Traveling clothes," she pulled out a pair of his personal scrub trousers and a button down shirt. "Remember, we're going for comfort here, not style."
"Anything beats this damn thing." He hastily pulled off the gown he'd been draped in and swung his legs slowly off the edge of the bed. Erin helped him into his pants first, cinching the drawstring waist for him. Then she eased his right arm into the sleeve of his shirt and pulled the back over his left shoulder, making a low sound in her throat. "What?" He asked, mildly alarmed.
"Oh, nothing," she grinned. "It's just that, sometimes, I forget what a nice body you have." She kissed his ear as she finished wrapping the garment around him. Then she retrieved his sneakers. As she knelt to put them on his feet, Robert was overwhelmed, feeling both profoundly grateful and utterly useless. The words were tumbling out of his mouth before he even knew it. "You're going to be a great mom someday."
She smiled up at him as she finished tying the last lace. "You're just saying that to cover for the fact that you're looking down my shirt." She rose in front of him and moved closer, his knees on either side of her body. "Much better," she said, putting her arms around his waist. "How about it? Ready to blow this joint?" She helped him to his feet, collected what little belongings they had in the room, and took his right hand. His stride was slow and careful at first, but as his legs came awake, he wriggled his fingers free from hers, wrapping his arm around her shoulders instead. Erin misinterpreted the gesture, thinking he needed her for balance. She quickly put one arm around his waist and placed the other hand against his chest, alarmed. "No, I'm okay," he reassured her. "Let's get the hell out of here."
They drove back to his house with the top down. In the sunlight, Erin was struck by how pale and gaunt Robert looked. "Hungry?" She asked.
"Starving."
"That's a good sign."
"Know what I could go for?" He grinned. "A big greasy cheeseburger and fries with too much salt."
"Now you're talking."
The sun had already dropped below the horizon by the time Erin eased the Jaguar back into the garage. She helped Robert from the car and led him inside. There was a gunshot rattle of nails on the hardwood floor, and Sophie and Gretel came bolting around the corner. Erin knelt to intercept them before they knocked them both over. "Calm down," she soothed them both as Robert slowly sank to his knees as well. Gretel pushed her dark head against him with a whine, and he embraced her, burying his face in her soft, fragrant fur. Not to be outdone, Sophie pushed her nose under the fingers of his left hand, begging for some attention of her own. Erin was alarmed. "Oh, God, girl, be careful!" She reached for the retriever's collar, but Robert stopped her. "It's okay." Still holding the Bouvier to his chest, he craned his neck towards the Golden, who happily lapped his face with her tongue. "Oh, what do you want?" He cooed.
"Maybe she' hoping you've got more of those hot dogs."
He kept his face guardedly neutral. "What hot dogs?"
"You think I don't see you," Erin chuckled, "but, believe me. I see everything."
"Uh-oh, girls, we're busted," he murmured quietly to the dogs, who growled happily along. Erin helped him back to his feet, and the group made their way into the house. "So what can I do for you?" She asked.
"Where's my briefcase?"
"You want to work?" She wasn't as surprised as she sounded.
"You bet. While the cat's away the lesbian will play."
Erin could not suppress her laughter. "Robert, the ER has been shut down all this time.."
"Uh-huh. And don't kid yourself that Weaver isn't using her time off to do a little posturing for my chief of staff job. Well, she's not going to get it. Not without a fight."
Erin shook her head, bemused. She led him into the study, where he promptly took a seat behind his large mahogany desk. She watched him dive eagerly into the stack of paperwork there and sighed. She left the room, returning a moment later with a handful of pills and a glass of water. "Meds." She lay them on the blotter, then disappeared once more. This time, when she came back, she held a snifter with a small amount of amber liquor swirling in it. "Louis XIII." She smiled at his look of hearty appreciation. "Don't you tell anyone about that."
"You really are a goddess." He grinned up at her.
"Well, looks like you're set for a while. I think I'll go take a dip in the tub." She could see he was already absorbed in a file, so she excused herself quietly and headed upstairs. She filled the tub with steaming hot water and added some oil she'd brought from home. She slipped into liquid bliss up to her ears and closed her eyes, letting everything else melt away. She lingered until the water cooled, then dipped her head under the spigot to rinse her hair. She wrapped herself in a towel and moved into the bedroom, rummaging through one of the drawers she had commandeered. She selected a white silk, button down sleep shirt and slipped her arms inside. Then she returned to the bathroom and retrieved her moisturizer. She rubbed the softly perfumed lotion over her legs, her arms, her throat and face. Then she ran a comb through her hair before rubbing the excess water out with the towel. She was walking back into the bedroom when Robert appeared in the doorway, startling her. "Hey, you. I would have helped you upstairs."
"Turns out I didn't need it." His voice was a bit husky. Erin realized he had shrugged his way out of the shirt he'd been wearing, and her heart began to beat a bit faster. She watched him move into the room, towards the bed. He pulled the coverlet and sheets back. "There is something else you can help me out with, though." He turned to face her, his eyes dark and smoky.
She closed the distance between them slowly, and his arm slipped around her waist. He rubbed the small of her back through the fabric of her shirt. "This new?" She shook her head. "I like it." He nuzzled her cheek with the tip of his nose. "I've missed you," he whispered before claiming her mouth with his own. Erin melted into his embrace as she tasted his tongue against hers, and her body cried out for him. His hand left her back and fumbled at the waist of his pants. She helped him undress without ever breaking the kiss, then steadied him as he sat down on the bed. He leaned against the headboard and she moved the pillows behind his back and neck. Then, ever mindful of his injured arm, she straddled him gently and lowered her body onto his. Her fingers moved to the buttons of her shirt, but he shook his head. She nodded slightly, then kissed him once more.
They made love with slow and deliberate care, Erin's hair covering their faces like a damp curtain. Robert groaned once from the pain in his arm, but recovered quickly, burying his face in her neck. Erin stroked her fingers over the ridges and angles of his skull, closing her eyes and relishing the feel of his breath against her skin. "I missed you, too," she murmured softly.
When their quiet passion had reached its climax, she carefully moved her body down his, coming to rest in the crook of his arm. She kissed his chest, and he sighed deeply. "Well, at least that's something I can do one- handed," he joked dryly.
Erin nibbled his flesh playfully. "You won't be one-handed for long," she mused.
Robert nudged her forehead with his chin, pushing her to look up at him. "You really believe that, don't you?" She nodded, her eyes full of innocent certainty. "Don't you?"
He regarded her in quiet contemplation for a moment, then shifted beneath her. "Could you move for just a second?" She obeyed, her brow darkening a little.
With his good arm, Robert fumbled open the drawer of his bedside table and fished something out. As he lay it on the tabletop, Erin's heart stopped. It was a hinged box, shiny black lacquered and stamped with a gold swirl. She looked at Robert her face stunned, blank. "Do you remember what we were supposed to do the night." He trailed off, looking down at his casted arm.
Erin racked her brain, unable to concentrate. "It's okay," he said quietly. "You said you wanted to go to the observatory."
"That's right. It was supposed to be a really clear night, all the stars out."
He nodded. "Well, you thought that was your idea, but it really wasn't. I manipulated you a little." She cocked an eyebrow at him. "So sue me." He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "See, I had this whole scene written out in my mind. We'd go, we'd check out the stars, you'd say how beautiful they were, I'd ask you if you wanted me to pluck one down for you, you'd say yes. And then I'd give you this." He gestured to the box. "Open it."
With a trembling hand, Erin obeyed. Her breath caught in her throat. It was brilliant, emerald cut, twice the size she'd ever dared to hope for. "Oh, my God. Robert."
"I know it's really unfair to ask you now, given what's happened."
Her head snapped up, and she cut him off. "Ask me."
He gulped a bit. "Erin, would you marry me?"
Erin pulled into Robert's parking space in the garage. Returning to work after the previous two weeks seemed surreal, but at least, with the chief of staff still on home rehabilitation, she got to park by the elevator. She stepped inside and pushed the button for the ER. As the car began its descent, she checked her watch. 5:47 a.m. She wondered if any of the prisoners of the smallpox war were still around, or if they had made a mad dash for the door as soon as the CDC had cleared them. The doors slid open, and she stepped out into the ER. It was eerily quiet, and she shuddered a little. She made her way towards the lounge, hearing voices echoing through the halls. Carter, mumbling something she couldn't understand, Susan saying something about Barbados, Abby and Kerry, their voices intermixed. Erin slipped into the lounge unnoticed and prepped for the day. Bracing herself (for what, she wasn't certain), she opened the door and walked casually to the admit desk.
"So there's the little teacher's pet,"Carter drawled in a smarmy voice.
Erin pointed at his clothing with her right hand. "Weren't you wearing that the last time I saw you?"
Undaunted, John leaned his elbows on the desk. "Don't even try to get out of this one!" He grinned. "How could you not tell me? I thought we were friends!"
Erin batted her eyes obliviously. "Tell you what?"
"Oh, come on! You know what!" John could see she wasn't going to give up information easily, so he pressed again. "You and Romano!"
"Oh, that?" She pretended to brush it off, but did not notice Susan coming around behind her until she had grabbed her by the wrist.
"Oh, my God!" Susan exclaimed, inspecting the ring on Erin's left hand. "You make me sick!"
"Oh, you've got to be kidding!" Carter rounded the desk to get a look for himself. "He asked you to marry him." Erin nodded simply. "And you said yes?" She punched John in the stomach and he doubled over.
"Yes, I said yes." She answered proudly.
Susan hugged her enthusiastically. "That's so great!"
"But it's Romano," John groaned playfully.
"Oh, he's not so bad." Susan began, leading Carter away from the desk. Erin turned to face Kerry, who was smiling, if a little bewildered. "I guess congratulations are in order," she leaned on her cane and offered Erin her hand. Erin took it gratefully. "Thank you Kerry. And thanks for my schedule. I hate to put you on the spot, but..."
"It's all right. He needs you at home as much as possible. I understand that." The two moved to the chart area to await the first patient of the day. "So, have you decided on a date?"
Erin shook her head. "Things have been kind of crazy lately, obviously. It won't be anything big or lavish, I can tell you that. We'll probably just have a small civil ceremony, just us and a witness or two. And then a big party after." She smiled. "You and Sandy will be there, right?"
Kerry seemed flabbergasted that Erin would ask. "I don't know. Robert isn't exactly my biggest fan right now."
"Oh, so what?" Erin tossed lightly. The door swung open and a young man walked in, his hand wrapped in a bloody towel. Erin moved around the counter to assist him. "We'll talk later." She waved a bit to Dr. Weaver, then threw herself into work.
While the day started a bit slow, by eleven o'clock, things were jumping like usual. Erin observed in quiet amusement as news of her impending nuptials spread amongst the staff. She began mentally dividing people into two categories: the "conga rats" were those who expressed their congratulations, real or feigned, and wished her well. Then there were the "call me crazy's", who did just that ("Have you lost your mind?" was the statement that made Jerry her first inductee to that particular group). Finally, three o'clock arrived, and Erin made her way upstairs to the surgical floor. She found Shirley in recovery. "Hey, Shirley."
"Hi, Dr. Windsor. Welcome back."
"Thanks. I'm supposed to pick up a packet of things that Robert asked for?"
"Oh, right. Come with me." The two women walked over to the nurse's station, and Shirley retrieved a stack of folders and forms. "I hear that best wishes are in order."
Erin smiled as she eased the stack into her satchel. "Thank you."
"How is he doing?"
"Same old Robert," Erin grinned. "He's actually doing quite well. You ought to stop by and see him. I'm sure he'd love it." "Yeah," Shirley snorted a little. "Love to start giving me orders to fill in his absence." The two women laughed. "Speaking of which, when can we expect our fearless leader to return to his throne?"
"At the rate he's going I'd give you." Erin contemplated her answer, ".six more weeks of peace and quiet."
"Wow! He must be doing well."
"Either that, or he's raising pig-headed stubbornness to a new level. You'll get to decide for yourself tomorrow."
Shirley looked at her inquisitively. "He's transferring from St. Tony's to our PT department. Eight a.m." She turned to leave, then paused. "You may want to sound the alarm now, though. Give everyone as much prep time as possible." She walked away on the wave of Shirley's laughter, anxious to get home.
When she arrived, she found Robert in the kitchen. He was bent over an eggplant, practicing one-handed sutures with his right hand. "Oh, good, you're home." He handed her a knitting needle and gestured to his left shoulder. She picked up her cue, amused by his brusque tone, and slid the metal rod under his cast. "Little lower. Lower. To the right.perfect!" He sighed in relief as she quieted the itch that had been nagging him for hours. She finished, taking his face in her hands and forcing his head up to face her. "You're welcome," she said dryly, kissing his lips.
"Oh, sorry. Thank you."
She laughed, then physically turned his neck back to its original position. "Did Shirley get everything I asked for?"
"Looks like it."
"So, first day back. How'd it go?" He didn't lift his head, and his voice bore no expression. Yet Erin knew he was envious as hell. She answered him lightly as she moved through the kitchen, trying to give him a little detail without making him any more miserable. She assembled all the necessary ingredients for their dinner, the switched on the tiny television on the counter. He surveyed the food she'd laid out as she scanned the channels. "Mussels marinara?"
"Mm-hmm," she was still focused on finding something to watch.
"Aww, honey, you spoil me." He said in, what he liked to think of as, his best "Ward Cleaver" voice. Still not looking away from the TV, she shot him the finger. Then her face lit up as she settled on a channel and turned up the volume. The most annoying sound Robert had ever heard came from the speakers, and he glanced up, and saw what looked like Swiss cheese in trousers, laughing its head off. "What the hell is that?"
"It's 'Spongebob Squarepants'."
"It's what?"
Erin laughed at the absurdity on his face. "It's 'Spongebob Squarepants'." She repeated.
"'Spongebob Squarepants'?" Seeing him roll the words on his tongue made her laugh even harder. She nodded. "What the hell is a 'Spongebob Squarepants'?"
Now her eyes were beginning to tear. "He is," she pointed to the little yellow character on the screen, then to another. "And he's Patrick Star." The screen changed, filling with an animated crustacean in a suit. "And that's Mr. Krabs."
"Mr. Krabs?!" His expression on that one did her in. She buried her face in her hands, laughing uncontrollably. "You watch this stuff?" She nodded, still laughing. Robert sat, observing her curiously, and his composure only made it more difficult to reign in her hilarity. "You're out there, Windsor."
"I know, I know."
On the day of his release, Erin spent the morning packing what she would need and moving it to his house. It felt a bit odd, placing her clothes in his dresser and closet without him there. The number for his maid service was in his book by the phone; she called and asked them to send someone out to give the place a quick once-over. Then she stepped into the garage. She had taken a cab to County General the day before to fetch his car, and now, she climbed behind the wheel. She guided the vehicle to St. Anthony's hospital and parked near the entrance. She was walking down the hall to Robert's room when she heard commotion, voices raised. She recognized one as his, and she picked up her pace. She entered the room in time to find him thoroughly dressing down a young male nurse, who stood over a wheelchair.
"It's my arm I lost, moron! My legs work just fine, and I am not setting foot in that thing!"
"Dr. Romano, I'm sorry, but it's hospital policy. You didn't walk in; I can't let you walk out."
"No, I'm sorry, but unless you plan to bodily lift me into that chair and strap me down, you're SOL."
"Hey, hey, HEY!" Erin hurried over and placed herself between the two bickering men. "Time out"
Both of them began addressing her simultaneously. "Thank God! Would you tell this idiot."
"Miss, could you please explain to."
"QUIET! BOTH OF YOU!" She shouted. She pointed a finger at Robert. "You. Shut up." He scowled at her. She turned her attention to the young man with the wheelchair. "You. What is going on here?"
"As I tried explaining to Dr. Romano, it is hospital policy that anyone who doesn't walk in on their own two feet gets an escort to the door on the day of discharge."
Erin sighed. "Let me guess," she turned back to Robert. "You don't want a ride."
"You're not getting me anywhere near that thing." He shook his head vehemently.
Scratching her head, she decided to try a different approach. "What would you say to a patient if you just re-attached his arm?" She reasoned. "Would you let him walk out?"
Robert's eyes were suddenly filled with a profound humility. "I'd do what I had to, to leave the poor bastard his dignity." Erin reached out and lightly touched the fingertips that emerged from the cast, a sad little smile on her lips. Without looking back at the nurse, she gave a wave of her wrist. "Get it out of here."
"Ma'am, I'm sorry but." the words died in his throat as the young woman leveled her gaze on him, her expression stoic.
"I said, get it out of here."
"Yes ma'am." Feeling quite small, he exited the room quickly, pushing the chair in front of him. Erin leaned over and kissed Robert's now relaxed forehead. "Sorry."
"Then how's about a real kiss?" Her smile widened and she moved her lips to his, happy to oblige. When their mouths parted, she set the duffel bag she'd brought on the bed. "What's in there?" He asked. "Traveling clothes," she pulled out a pair of his personal scrub trousers and a button down shirt. "Remember, we're going for comfort here, not style."
"Anything beats this damn thing." He hastily pulled off the gown he'd been draped in and swung his legs slowly off the edge of the bed. Erin helped him into his pants first, cinching the drawstring waist for him. Then she eased his right arm into the sleeve of his shirt and pulled the back over his left shoulder, making a low sound in her throat. "What?" He asked, mildly alarmed.
"Oh, nothing," she grinned. "It's just that, sometimes, I forget what a nice body you have." She kissed his ear as she finished wrapping the garment around him. Then she retrieved his sneakers. As she knelt to put them on his feet, Robert was overwhelmed, feeling both profoundly grateful and utterly useless. The words were tumbling out of his mouth before he even knew it. "You're going to be a great mom someday."
She smiled up at him as she finished tying the last lace. "You're just saying that to cover for the fact that you're looking down my shirt." She rose in front of him and moved closer, his knees on either side of her body. "Much better," she said, putting her arms around his waist. "How about it? Ready to blow this joint?" She helped him to his feet, collected what little belongings they had in the room, and took his right hand. His stride was slow and careful at first, but as his legs came awake, he wriggled his fingers free from hers, wrapping his arm around her shoulders instead. Erin misinterpreted the gesture, thinking he needed her for balance. She quickly put one arm around his waist and placed the other hand against his chest, alarmed. "No, I'm okay," he reassured her. "Let's get the hell out of here."
They drove back to his house with the top down. In the sunlight, Erin was struck by how pale and gaunt Robert looked. "Hungry?" She asked.
"Starving."
"That's a good sign."
"Know what I could go for?" He grinned. "A big greasy cheeseburger and fries with too much salt."
"Now you're talking."
The sun had already dropped below the horizon by the time Erin eased the Jaguar back into the garage. She helped Robert from the car and led him inside. There was a gunshot rattle of nails on the hardwood floor, and Sophie and Gretel came bolting around the corner. Erin knelt to intercept them before they knocked them both over. "Calm down," she soothed them both as Robert slowly sank to his knees as well. Gretel pushed her dark head against him with a whine, and he embraced her, burying his face in her soft, fragrant fur. Not to be outdone, Sophie pushed her nose under the fingers of his left hand, begging for some attention of her own. Erin was alarmed. "Oh, God, girl, be careful!" She reached for the retriever's collar, but Robert stopped her. "It's okay." Still holding the Bouvier to his chest, he craned his neck towards the Golden, who happily lapped his face with her tongue. "Oh, what do you want?" He cooed.
"Maybe she' hoping you've got more of those hot dogs."
He kept his face guardedly neutral. "What hot dogs?"
"You think I don't see you," Erin chuckled, "but, believe me. I see everything."
"Uh-oh, girls, we're busted," he murmured quietly to the dogs, who growled happily along. Erin helped him back to his feet, and the group made their way into the house. "So what can I do for you?" She asked.
"Where's my briefcase?"
"You want to work?" She wasn't as surprised as she sounded.
"You bet. While the cat's away the lesbian will play."
Erin could not suppress her laughter. "Robert, the ER has been shut down all this time.."
"Uh-huh. And don't kid yourself that Weaver isn't using her time off to do a little posturing for my chief of staff job. Well, she's not going to get it. Not without a fight."
Erin shook her head, bemused. She led him into the study, where he promptly took a seat behind his large mahogany desk. She watched him dive eagerly into the stack of paperwork there and sighed. She left the room, returning a moment later with a handful of pills and a glass of water. "Meds." She lay them on the blotter, then disappeared once more. This time, when she came back, she held a snifter with a small amount of amber liquor swirling in it. "Louis XIII." She smiled at his look of hearty appreciation. "Don't you tell anyone about that."
"You really are a goddess." He grinned up at her.
"Well, looks like you're set for a while. I think I'll go take a dip in the tub." She could see he was already absorbed in a file, so she excused herself quietly and headed upstairs. She filled the tub with steaming hot water and added some oil she'd brought from home. She slipped into liquid bliss up to her ears and closed her eyes, letting everything else melt away. She lingered until the water cooled, then dipped her head under the spigot to rinse her hair. She wrapped herself in a towel and moved into the bedroom, rummaging through one of the drawers she had commandeered. She selected a white silk, button down sleep shirt and slipped her arms inside. Then she returned to the bathroom and retrieved her moisturizer. She rubbed the softly perfumed lotion over her legs, her arms, her throat and face. Then she ran a comb through her hair before rubbing the excess water out with the towel. She was walking back into the bedroom when Robert appeared in the doorway, startling her. "Hey, you. I would have helped you upstairs."
"Turns out I didn't need it." His voice was a bit husky. Erin realized he had shrugged his way out of the shirt he'd been wearing, and her heart began to beat a bit faster. She watched him move into the room, towards the bed. He pulled the coverlet and sheets back. "There is something else you can help me out with, though." He turned to face her, his eyes dark and smoky.
She closed the distance between them slowly, and his arm slipped around her waist. He rubbed the small of her back through the fabric of her shirt. "This new?" She shook her head. "I like it." He nuzzled her cheek with the tip of his nose. "I've missed you," he whispered before claiming her mouth with his own. Erin melted into his embrace as she tasted his tongue against hers, and her body cried out for him. His hand left her back and fumbled at the waist of his pants. She helped him undress without ever breaking the kiss, then steadied him as he sat down on the bed. He leaned against the headboard and she moved the pillows behind his back and neck. Then, ever mindful of his injured arm, she straddled him gently and lowered her body onto his. Her fingers moved to the buttons of her shirt, but he shook his head. She nodded slightly, then kissed him once more.
They made love with slow and deliberate care, Erin's hair covering their faces like a damp curtain. Robert groaned once from the pain in his arm, but recovered quickly, burying his face in her neck. Erin stroked her fingers over the ridges and angles of his skull, closing her eyes and relishing the feel of his breath against her skin. "I missed you, too," she murmured softly.
When their quiet passion had reached its climax, she carefully moved her body down his, coming to rest in the crook of his arm. She kissed his chest, and he sighed deeply. "Well, at least that's something I can do one- handed," he joked dryly.
Erin nibbled his flesh playfully. "You won't be one-handed for long," she mused.
Robert nudged her forehead with his chin, pushing her to look up at him. "You really believe that, don't you?" She nodded, her eyes full of innocent certainty. "Don't you?"
He regarded her in quiet contemplation for a moment, then shifted beneath her. "Could you move for just a second?" She obeyed, her brow darkening a little.
With his good arm, Robert fumbled open the drawer of his bedside table and fished something out. As he lay it on the tabletop, Erin's heart stopped. It was a hinged box, shiny black lacquered and stamped with a gold swirl. She looked at Robert her face stunned, blank. "Do you remember what we were supposed to do the night." He trailed off, looking down at his casted arm.
Erin racked her brain, unable to concentrate. "It's okay," he said quietly. "You said you wanted to go to the observatory."
"That's right. It was supposed to be a really clear night, all the stars out."
He nodded. "Well, you thought that was your idea, but it really wasn't. I manipulated you a little." She cocked an eyebrow at him. "So sue me." He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "See, I had this whole scene written out in my mind. We'd go, we'd check out the stars, you'd say how beautiful they were, I'd ask you if you wanted me to pluck one down for you, you'd say yes. And then I'd give you this." He gestured to the box. "Open it."
With a trembling hand, Erin obeyed. Her breath caught in her throat. It was brilliant, emerald cut, twice the size she'd ever dared to hope for. "Oh, my God. Robert."
"I know it's really unfair to ask you now, given what's happened."
Her head snapped up, and she cut him off. "Ask me."
He gulped a bit. "Erin, would you marry me?"
Erin pulled into Robert's parking space in the garage. Returning to work after the previous two weeks seemed surreal, but at least, with the chief of staff still on home rehabilitation, she got to park by the elevator. She stepped inside and pushed the button for the ER. As the car began its descent, she checked her watch. 5:47 a.m. She wondered if any of the prisoners of the smallpox war were still around, or if they had made a mad dash for the door as soon as the CDC had cleared them. The doors slid open, and she stepped out into the ER. It was eerily quiet, and she shuddered a little. She made her way towards the lounge, hearing voices echoing through the halls. Carter, mumbling something she couldn't understand, Susan saying something about Barbados, Abby and Kerry, their voices intermixed. Erin slipped into the lounge unnoticed and prepped for the day. Bracing herself (for what, she wasn't certain), she opened the door and walked casually to the admit desk.
"So there's the little teacher's pet,"Carter drawled in a smarmy voice.
Erin pointed at his clothing with her right hand. "Weren't you wearing that the last time I saw you?"
Undaunted, John leaned his elbows on the desk. "Don't even try to get out of this one!" He grinned. "How could you not tell me? I thought we were friends!"
Erin batted her eyes obliviously. "Tell you what?"
"Oh, come on! You know what!" John could see she wasn't going to give up information easily, so he pressed again. "You and Romano!"
"Oh, that?" She pretended to brush it off, but did not notice Susan coming around behind her until she had grabbed her by the wrist.
"Oh, my God!" Susan exclaimed, inspecting the ring on Erin's left hand. "You make me sick!"
"Oh, you've got to be kidding!" Carter rounded the desk to get a look for himself. "He asked you to marry him." Erin nodded simply. "And you said yes?" She punched John in the stomach and he doubled over.
"Yes, I said yes." She answered proudly.
Susan hugged her enthusiastically. "That's so great!"
"But it's Romano," John groaned playfully.
"Oh, he's not so bad." Susan began, leading Carter away from the desk. Erin turned to face Kerry, who was smiling, if a little bewildered. "I guess congratulations are in order," she leaned on her cane and offered Erin her hand. Erin took it gratefully. "Thank you Kerry. And thanks for my schedule. I hate to put you on the spot, but..."
"It's all right. He needs you at home as much as possible. I understand that." The two moved to the chart area to await the first patient of the day. "So, have you decided on a date?"
Erin shook her head. "Things have been kind of crazy lately, obviously. It won't be anything big or lavish, I can tell you that. We'll probably just have a small civil ceremony, just us and a witness or two. And then a big party after." She smiled. "You and Sandy will be there, right?"
Kerry seemed flabbergasted that Erin would ask. "I don't know. Robert isn't exactly my biggest fan right now."
"Oh, so what?" Erin tossed lightly. The door swung open and a young man walked in, his hand wrapped in a bloody towel. Erin moved around the counter to assist him. "We'll talk later." She waved a bit to Dr. Weaver, then threw herself into work.
While the day started a bit slow, by eleven o'clock, things were jumping like usual. Erin observed in quiet amusement as news of her impending nuptials spread amongst the staff. She began mentally dividing people into two categories: the "conga rats" were those who expressed their congratulations, real or feigned, and wished her well. Then there were the "call me crazy's", who did just that ("Have you lost your mind?" was the statement that made Jerry her first inductee to that particular group). Finally, three o'clock arrived, and Erin made her way upstairs to the surgical floor. She found Shirley in recovery. "Hey, Shirley."
"Hi, Dr. Windsor. Welcome back."
"Thanks. I'm supposed to pick up a packet of things that Robert asked for?"
"Oh, right. Come with me." The two women walked over to the nurse's station, and Shirley retrieved a stack of folders and forms. "I hear that best wishes are in order."
Erin smiled as she eased the stack into her satchel. "Thank you."
"How is he doing?"
"Same old Robert," Erin grinned. "He's actually doing quite well. You ought to stop by and see him. I'm sure he'd love it." "Yeah," Shirley snorted a little. "Love to start giving me orders to fill in his absence." The two women laughed. "Speaking of which, when can we expect our fearless leader to return to his throne?"
"At the rate he's going I'd give you." Erin contemplated her answer, ".six more weeks of peace and quiet."
"Wow! He must be doing well."
"Either that, or he's raising pig-headed stubbornness to a new level. You'll get to decide for yourself tomorrow."
Shirley looked at her inquisitively. "He's transferring from St. Tony's to our PT department. Eight a.m." She turned to leave, then paused. "You may want to sound the alarm now, though. Give everyone as much prep time as possible." She walked away on the wave of Shirley's laughter, anxious to get home.
When she arrived, she found Robert in the kitchen. He was bent over an eggplant, practicing one-handed sutures with his right hand. "Oh, good, you're home." He handed her a knitting needle and gestured to his left shoulder. She picked up her cue, amused by his brusque tone, and slid the metal rod under his cast. "Little lower. Lower. To the right.perfect!" He sighed in relief as she quieted the itch that had been nagging him for hours. She finished, taking his face in her hands and forcing his head up to face her. "You're welcome," she said dryly, kissing his lips.
"Oh, sorry. Thank you."
She laughed, then physically turned his neck back to its original position. "Did Shirley get everything I asked for?"
"Looks like it."
"So, first day back. How'd it go?" He didn't lift his head, and his voice bore no expression. Yet Erin knew he was envious as hell. She answered him lightly as she moved through the kitchen, trying to give him a little detail without making him any more miserable. She assembled all the necessary ingredients for their dinner, the switched on the tiny television on the counter. He surveyed the food she'd laid out as she scanned the channels. "Mussels marinara?"
"Mm-hmm," she was still focused on finding something to watch.
"Aww, honey, you spoil me." He said in, what he liked to think of as, his best "Ward Cleaver" voice. Still not looking away from the TV, she shot him the finger. Then her face lit up as she settled on a channel and turned up the volume. The most annoying sound Robert had ever heard came from the speakers, and he glanced up, and saw what looked like Swiss cheese in trousers, laughing its head off. "What the hell is that?"
"It's 'Spongebob Squarepants'."
"It's what?"
Erin laughed at the absurdity on his face. "It's 'Spongebob Squarepants'." She repeated.
"'Spongebob Squarepants'?" Seeing him roll the words on his tongue made her laugh even harder. She nodded. "What the hell is a 'Spongebob Squarepants'?"
Now her eyes were beginning to tear. "He is," she pointed to the little yellow character on the screen, then to another. "And he's Patrick Star." The screen changed, filling with an animated crustacean in a suit. "And that's Mr. Krabs."
"Mr. Krabs?!" His expression on that one did her in. She buried her face in her hands, laughing uncontrollably. "You watch this stuff?" She nodded, still laughing. Robert sat, observing her curiously, and his composure only made it more difficult to reign in her hilarity. "You're out there, Windsor."
"I know, I know."