Erin stepped out onto the front porch to fetch the paper and gasped as the
cold air hit her face and hands. She surveyed the crisp white of the new-
fallen snow that had begun the night before and risen up above the tires of
the cars. The air was still and silent and she smiled to herself as she
hurried back into the house. She headed upstairs, dropped the paper on the
bed, and snapped on the TV. She found the local news, announcing the fact
that the city was virtually shut down because of the weather. Grinning,
she moved into the bathroom. The glass shower walls were veiled in steam,
and Erin dropped her robe. She opened the door and wrapped her arms around
Robert, who jumped. "Jesus, you're freezing."
"I know. Warm me up," she cooed. He pulled her under the stream of steaming water and covered her waiting mouth with his. When their lips separated, he rubbed a clear spot on the glass, squinting to try and see the clock above the sink. "What time is it?"
"Don't worry about it," Erin smirked, squeezing some soap from the bottle onto her hands and rubbing them over his chest. "We aren't going anywhere. The city of Chicago is officially snowed in."
"Mmm," he breathed appreciatively. "In that case, I have a few other areas that could use a good scrubbing." Erin giggled as he guided her hands over his body.
They lingered in the shower until the water ran cold, chasing them out. Erin dressed in faded jeans and a sweater, and could not help but observe as Robert did the same. His movement was slow and careful, but undeniably effective. She rested her chin on her hand as she watched him secure his arm brace, the fingers of his right hand wiggling the fingers of his left hand with careful determination.
Robert could feel the weight of her stare, and although his frustration made him edgy and ready to toss some caustic remark her way, he remained silent. "So, am I just stereotyping, or shouldn't you be pouring over bridal magazines, picking out china patterns, squealing on the telephone with your little girlfriends?"
Erin grinned as she slipped her fingers into her still damp hair, twisting it into a braid. "Well, I probably would be, you know, if my parents were still around, or if I had brothers and sisters." She paused, then added, "Don't get me wrong. I am excited." She secured her hair with an elastic and crossed the room to put her arms around his neck. "I just don't think we need to make a huge fuss. You know, something small and private and elegant." She nuzzled his jaw, noticing his stiff upper lip. "What?" She asked.
"You don't think anybody would come if we went the other way, do you?" His voice was a bit sullen.
"Oh, Robert," she chided gently, kissing his unresponsive lips. "Actually, you're wrong about that. I think everybody would come."
"Just to see with their own eyes if you'd really go through with it."
Erin thought about playing off his statement with a joke, but the look in his eyes changed her mind. "Answer something for me: do you care what most people think of you?"
"No." His answer was quick and sure.
"Okay. Neither do I." His expression clouded with doubt. "All I care about is how I feel. How you feel. The rest of them? Well, they can all go to hell." She took his face gently in her hands. "Robert, my marrying you isn't about turning you into some 'nice guy'. It's not about smoothing out those rough edges so we can all 'just get along'. I'm marrying you because I love you, and I want to be with you." She forced his eyes to meet hers. "And, you'll probably never get me to say this out loud again, but." she trailed off, choosing her words with great care. "That abrasive, caustic wit; that titanic sense of confidence; that willingness to say whatever you think and make no apologies for it.those are all parts of the man I want to be with for the rest of my life. The fact that that side can exist in the same body as this side," she trailed her fingers over his collarbone, "it fascinates me. I don't want you to lose that. I certainly don't want you to get rid of it on my account. Okay?"
Robert wrapped his arms around her and held her as tightly as he could. "So, basically what you're saying is that, given the choice between the Ferris wheel and the roller coaster."
"Roller coaster." She grinned. "Any day of the week." She kissed him warmly, then pulled him towards the door. "Come on. Coffee." She stopped to grab the newspaper she'd abandoned earlier. He followed her out of the bedroom and down the stairs. The timer on the coffeepot had switched on, and a fresh pot sat waiting for them. Erin poured two cups, handing one to Robert. He watched her unfold the front page of the Sun Times as she perched on one of the stools at the counter.
"So let me ask you this." Robert began, leaning against the marble countertop. She sipped her coffee, looking over her mug with curious eyes. "What would think about putting your place up for sale?"
Erin's expression was a combination of excitement and nostalgia. "Really?"
"Yes, really. Doesn't seem wise to own a summer home in the same city as your winter home. Unless, of course, we want to spoil the girls beyond their wildest dreams and keep it as the most spacious doghouse in Chicago."
Erin laughed at the thought. "So, this would officially be home?"
Robert shrugged. "I've always thought of it that way." He moved to take a seat next to her. "We can do all those things you said before - skylight, new carpet, new furniture."
"86 a few Donalds and Daffys?"
"Hey, leave my ducks alone. I like my ducks."
Erin laughed. "Uh, yeah, I know."
Robert sulked for a minute, then nudged her with his shoulder. "They're a symbol of virility."
Erin nudged back. "So's your bald head. I don't see a picture of that in every room."
"Watch it, smartass. I was a redhead once too, you know."
They fell into a comfortable silence, drinking their coffee and sharing the paper. After a while, Robert rose from his chair and disappeared from the room. Erin lingered in the kitchen a bit longer. When she finally went looking for him, she found him pacing in front of the picture window that looked out onto the driveway. She glanced at her watch and realized, had they been able to reach the hospital, he would have been in physical therapy by now. She moved to the couch and sat down. "Hey, you. Come here." Robert moved to sit next to her, and she lay an overstuffed pillow on the cushion between them. She held her hands out for his left arm. "I won't be able to give you a progress report, but I can help you do the work." Gratefully, he lay his arm down, and Erin began the routine his therapist had been using. She wasn't sure what to say, but it seemed to her that his wrist was stronger, and he was able to elicit more response from his fingers then she had previously seen. Not wanting to get his hopes up, but needing to break the silence, she spoke casually.
"What do you think about the chapel at the hospital?"
"What about it?" He was concentrating intensely.
"What do you think about having a small ceremony there?" Erin suggested.
"You're serious?" Robert glanced up from his wrist to take in her expression..
She nodded. "It's a lovely little sanctuary, it's always open, and it would make it that much easier for us to have the people who matter there." As she talked, she continued the flexing and extending of Robert's fingers. "Then, afterward, we could have something here. Not a formal reception, mind you; more like a party. Some food, some drinks, some music."
Robert relaxed from his regimen and looked at her closely. "Is that what you want?"
Erin nodded, a light slowly dawning in her eyes. "Yeah. The more I think about it.that's exactly what I want."
"The we will make it so." Robert leaned in to kiss her. Erin was about to lose herself in the moment, when she felt something slide across the inside of her wrist. She looked down in surprise, realizing it was the forefinger of his left hand. "Did you just."
Robert nodded. "That's my new trick. Thought I'd show you." She threw her arms around him and crushed him in a hug of elation. When she finally released him, he asked, "Want to see it again?" She nodded, lying her hand down next to his. Once again, he moved his finger over her skin, and she shivered. "Oh, my God. Robert." she trailed off, not knowing what else to say.
"Matter of time, kid," he spoke purposefully. "Matter of time."
"Dr. Windsor, your realtor is on the phone."
Erin took the phone from Randi. "Doris? Yeah, it's Erin. I.no, Doris, I don't care what Dr. Romano said.look, it's my name on the mortgage, not his.yes, I know he can be difficult.well, I appreciate your concern, but.look, Doris, just tell them my insurance company has agreed to cover the new roof, okay? And from now on, just call me directly with any questions, all right? Yes, just pretend you and Robert never met. Thanks, Doris." Erin hung up the phone, looking a bit shell-shocked as Abby and Randi laughed.
"I didn't know you were selling your place." Randi said.
"Yeah. Would you believe Robert didn't want to move in there?"
"Well, his master bathroom is bigger than your entire kitchen," Randi shrugged.
Erin nodded automatically, then her brow knitted in confusion. "When were you in his master bathroom?" Randi sauntered towards the ladies room without a reply. "Should I be worried about that?" Erin asked Abby, who laughed and responded, "I think she's just messing with you." The doctor and nurse headed toward exam four together to check on a patient.
"So you think this offer's a good one?" Abby asked as Erin pressed her stethoscope to the chest of the unconscious man, who had been brought in for an overdose of Vicoden.
"You better believe it - they're actually willing to pay three thousand more than the appraisal value, as long as I replace the roof. And keep Robert away from my realtor. I swear, you'd think we were negotiating the sale of the Taj Mahal." Erin explained as Abby took the patient's blood pressure.
"BP 110 over 56," she announced. "So, you're going to accept it?"
"Are you kidding?" Erin laughed. "It's the only decent offer I've had in the two months since the damn thing's been on the market. I thought I was going to have to set it on fire to get rid of it." The pair left the gentleman in the bed to sleep off the affects of the drugs and walked into the lounge. Erin rummaged in the refrigerator for a juice while Abby filled a mug with coffee. "So you sell the house," she spoke as she added cream and sugar. "Then what?"
"Well, I'm already pretty much moved into his place - just a few boxes of stuff left to transfer and a few pieces of furniture to sell. So I guess, once the closing is official, all that will be left is for him to make an honest woman out of me." Erin grinned, sitting down at the table.
Abby sat across for her. "Does he still want to wait until his nine month review?" She was referring to Robert's own personal D-Day: the day he was hoping to be cleared to return to surgery.
"Actually, he said something last night about Christmas." Erin grinned.
"Christmas? As in a month from now?" Abby was surprised.
"Well, maybe not Christmas Day, but, you know, sometime in that week."
Abby leaned over to hug her friend. "I'm so happy for you."
The door swung open and Carter sauntered in. "Hey, let me get some of that action." He wrapped his arms around both women, then leaned in to place a sweet, sincere kiss at the corner of Abby's mouth. "So, what's with all the free love?" He asked, spinning the dial on his locker.
"Ask her," Abby grinned. "I need to get those lab results on the lady in curtain two." She exited the lounge and John took her seat. "So, what's up?" He asked Erin, his eyes bright and expectant.
"Well, I think I sold my house."
"Oh, yeah? That's great!"
Erin nodded. "And Robert wants to get married the week of Christmas."
John's face broke into a grin. "Get out! It's really going to happen?"
"I guess so." She smiled shyly. John rose to his feet and gestured for her to do the same. She obeyed and he embraced her warmly. "My God," he breathed. "You're going to be a Romano."
"Looks that way."
"You're going to be Dr. Erin Windsor-Romano."
"Oh, no! Around her I'll always be just plain old Windsor. I don't think County General has room for more than one Romano." Erin laughed.
"I sometimes wonder if it has room for the one we've got." They both laughed at that, and Erin sat back down as he moved to the coffeepot. She felt suddenly shy, and John sensed the change in her demeanor. "Something wrong?"
"Well," she bit her lip. "There is one other thing I wanted to talk to you about."
"Shoot."
"You know, we aren't doing anything big. Just a small service in the Chapel upstairs and a get-together at the house after. We want to keep things simple. But."
"But what?"
"Well, you know my parents are gone, and I'm an only child, so no brothers and sisters."
"Uh-huh," Carter was uncertain where she was headed.
Erin blushed. "I still need someone to give me away, someone to stand up for me.." She looked into his face with a sweet smile. "And, since you're the best friend I've ever had, I was just wondering."
John took her hands and squeezed them. "I would be honored."
Erin sighed heavily as he moved to embrace her once more. "Excellent. Now all I need is a dress."
Upstairs, Robert was wrapping up another therapy session, sweaty and spent and feeling pretty good about it. The movement in the fingers of his left hand was still quite sluggish, but it was there. His level of response surprised even his therapist, although she cautioned him that he still had quite some distance to cover before wielding a scalpel once again.
"Don't get so chipper on me there, doc, it might go to my head," he tossed out caustically. Wiping his neck with a towel, he strode towards his office. "Brenda, where is Corday?"
"Probably just scrubbing out of that splenectomy that came from the ER this morning."
"Well, page her. I expect her in my office in fifteen minutes." He poured himself a glass of water and drank it down in three hearty swallows. When Elizabeth appeared in his doorway, he greeted her robustly. "Lizzie! Did the patient make it through or shall we scrap him for parts?"
"You're awfully chipper this afternoon, Robert," she observed dryly. "Mow down a transient on your way to work this morning?"
"Ha-ha, very funny. OIG officer, actually." He sat down at his desk with a flourish. "Nope, I've got much more pleasant things to bask in the glow of here. The finance committee shot down Weaver's proposed 'administration liaison'; which I think is actually lesbian for 'spy intended to dig up dirt on the poor bastard whose authority you wish to usurp'. My therapy is going well, and I should be back in the OR soon. Christmas is coming, and," he inspected his fingernails briefly, "I'm getting married."
"You two finally set a date?" Elizabeth smiled.
"December 27th. Mark your calendar, alert the media and prep the ER for the surge of broken hearts: Robert Romano is officially taking himself off the market."
"Well, that's wonderful. Congratulations. I'm sure Erin is thrilled."
"Wouldn't you be if you were in her shoes?" Robert's grin softened around the edges. "Seriously though." He gestured for her to sit across from him. "You know we're going to do it here. Since she doesn't have any family, she wants as many of her friends around as possible. She figures the best way to achieve that is to take her vows smack dab in the center of her workplace."
"I think it's a nice idea, actually." Her eyes misted a bit. "I know things would have been much easier for Mark and I, had we chosen that path."
The held a respectful silence for a moment. Then Robert spoke in an even tone. "Erin plans on asking Carter to stand up for her. I need someone to do the same." He trailed off, and Elizabeth giggled ass he caught his meaning. "Robert, are you asking me to be your best man?"
"Well, it was either you or Weaver."
"Robert!" She chided him. Then she straightened her shoulders. "Do I have to wear a tuxedo?"
"Lizzie." Her pager began beeping. She checked it briefly. "That's the ER." She rose to her feet. "I guess you've found your.well, whatever I am." She extended her hand. He accepted it, squeezing her fingers.
"Friend?" He asked softly.
Elizabeth nodded. "Yes. I like the sound of that."
"I know. Warm me up," she cooed. He pulled her under the stream of steaming water and covered her waiting mouth with his. When their lips separated, he rubbed a clear spot on the glass, squinting to try and see the clock above the sink. "What time is it?"
"Don't worry about it," Erin smirked, squeezing some soap from the bottle onto her hands and rubbing them over his chest. "We aren't going anywhere. The city of Chicago is officially snowed in."
"Mmm," he breathed appreciatively. "In that case, I have a few other areas that could use a good scrubbing." Erin giggled as he guided her hands over his body.
They lingered in the shower until the water ran cold, chasing them out. Erin dressed in faded jeans and a sweater, and could not help but observe as Robert did the same. His movement was slow and careful, but undeniably effective. She rested her chin on her hand as she watched him secure his arm brace, the fingers of his right hand wiggling the fingers of his left hand with careful determination.
Robert could feel the weight of her stare, and although his frustration made him edgy and ready to toss some caustic remark her way, he remained silent. "So, am I just stereotyping, or shouldn't you be pouring over bridal magazines, picking out china patterns, squealing on the telephone with your little girlfriends?"
Erin grinned as she slipped her fingers into her still damp hair, twisting it into a braid. "Well, I probably would be, you know, if my parents were still around, or if I had brothers and sisters." She paused, then added, "Don't get me wrong. I am excited." She secured her hair with an elastic and crossed the room to put her arms around his neck. "I just don't think we need to make a huge fuss. You know, something small and private and elegant." She nuzzled his jaw, noticing his stiff upper lip. "What?" She asked.
"You don't think anybody would come if we went the other way, do you?" His voice was a bit sullen.
"Oh, Robert," she chided gently, kissing his unresponsive lips. "Actually, you're wrong about that. I think everybody would come."
"Just to see with their own eyes if you'd really go through with it."
Erin thought about playing off his statement with a joke, but the look in his eyes changed her mind. "Answer something for me: do you care what most people think of you?"
"No." His answer was quick and sure.
"Okay. Neither do I." His expression clouded with doubt. "All I care about is how I feel. How you feel. The rest of them? Well, they can all go to hell." She took his face gently in her hands. "Robert, my marrying you isn't about turning you into some 'nice guy'. It's not about smoothing out those rough edges so we can all 'just get along'. I'm marrying you because I love you, and I want to be with you." She forced his eyes to meet hers. "And, you'll probably never get me to say this out loud again, but." she trailed off, choosing her words with great care. "That abrasive, caustic wit; that titanic sense of confidence; that willingness to say whatever you think and make no apologies for it.those are all parts of the man I want to be with for the rest of my life. The fact that that side can exist in the same body as this side," she trailed her fingers over his collarbone, "it fascinates me. I don't want you to lose that. I certainly don't want you to get rid of it on my account. Okay?"
Robert wrapped his arms around her and held her as tightly as he could. "So, basically what you're saying is that, given the choice between the Ferris wheel and the roller coaster."
"Roller coaster." She grinned. "Any day of the week." She kissed him warmly, then pulled him towards the door. "Come on. Coffee." She stopped to grab the newspaper she'd abandoned earlier. He followed her out of the bedroom and down the stairs. The timer on the coffeepot had switched on, and a fresh pot sat waiting for them. Erin poured two cups, handing one to Robert. He watched her unfold the front page of the Sun Times as she perched on one of the stools at the counter.
"So let me ask you this." Robert began, leaning against the marble countertop. She sipped her coffee, looking over her mug with curious eyes. "What would think about putting your place up for sale?"
Erin's expression was a combination of excitement and nostalgia. "Really?"
"Yes, really. Doesn't seem wise to own a summer home in the same city as your winter home. Unless, of course, we want to spoil the girls beyond their wildest dreams and keep it as the most spacious doghouse in Chicago."
Erin laughed at the thought. "So, this would officially be home?"
Robert shrugged. "I've always thought of it that way." He moved to take a seat next to her. "We can do all those things you said before - skylight, new carpet, new furniture."
"86 a few Donalds and Daffys?"
"Hey, leave my ducks alone. I like my ducks."
Erin laughed. "Uh, yeah, I know."
Robert sulked for a minute, then nudged her with his shoulder. "They're a symbol of virility."
Erin nudged back. "So's your bald head. I don't see a picture of that in every room."
"Watch it, smartass. I was a redhead once too, you know."
They fell into a comfortable silence, drinking their coffee and sharing the paper. After a while, Robert rose from his chair and disappeared from the room. Erin lingered in the kitchen a bit longer. When she finally went looking for him, she found him pacing in front of the picture window that looked out onto the driveway. She glanced at her watch and realized, had they been able to reach the hospital, he would have been in physical therapy by now. She moved to the couch and sat down. "Hey, you. Come here." Robert moved to sit next to her, and she lay an overstuffed pillow on the cushion between them. She held her hands out for his left arm. "I won't be able to give you a progress report, but I can help you do the work." Gratefully, he lay his arm down, and Erin began the routine his therapist had been using. She wasn't sure what to say, but it seemed to her that his wrist was stronger, and he was able to elicit more response from his fingers then she had previously seen. Not wanting to get his hopes up, but needing to break the silence, she spoke casually.
"What do you think about the chapel at the hospital?"
"What about it?" He was concentrating intensely.
"What do you think about having a small ceremony there?" Erin suggested.
"You're serious?" Robert glanced up from his wrist to take in her expression..
She nodded. "It's a lovely little sanctuary, it's always open, and it would make it that much easier for us to have the people who matter there." As she talked, she continued the flexing and extending of Robert's fingers. "Then, afterward, we could have something here. Not a formal reception, mind you; more like a party. Some food, some drinks, some music."
Robert relaxed from his regimen and looked at her closely. "Is that what you want?"
Erin nodded, a light slowly dawning in her eyes. "Yeah. The more I think about it.that's exactly what I want."
"The we will make it so." Robert leaned in to kiss her. Erin was about to lose herself in the moment, when she felt something slide across the inside of her wrist. She looked down in surprise, realizing it was the forefinger of his left hand. "Did you just."
Robert nodded. "That's my new trick. Thought I'd show you." She threw her arms around him and crushed him in a hug of elation. When she finally released him, he asked, "Want to see it again?" She nodded, lying her hand down next to his. Once again, he moved his finger over her skin, and she shivered. "Oh, my God. Robert." she trailed off, not knowing what else to say.
"Matter of time, kid," he spoke purposefully. "Matter of time."
"Dr. Windsor, your realtor is on the phone."
Erin took the phone from Randi. "Doris? Yeah, it's Erin. I.no, Doris, I don't care what Dr. Romano said.look, it's my name on the mortgage, not his.yes, I know he can be difficult.well, I appreciate your concern, but.look, Doris, just tell them my insurance company has agreed to cover the new roof, okay? And from now on, just call me directly with any questions, all right? Yes, just pretend you and Robert never met. Thanks, Doris." Erin hung up the phone, looking a bit shell-shocked as Abby and Randi laughed.
"I didn't know you were selling your place." Randi said.
"Yeah. Would you believe Robert didn't want to move in there?"
"Well, his master bathroom is bigger than your entire kitchen," Randi shrugged.
Erin nodded automatically, then her brow knitted in confusion. "When were you in his master bathroom?" Randi sauntered towards the ladies room without a reply. "Should I be worried about that?" Erin asked Abby, who laughed and responded, "I think she's just messing with you." The doctor and nurse headed toward exam four together to check on a patient.
"So you think this offer's a good one?" Abby asked as Erin pressed her stethoscope to the chest of the unconscious man, who had been brought in for an overdose of Vicoden.
"You better believe it - they're actually willing to pay three thousand more than the appraisal value, as long as I replace the roof. And keep Robert away from my realtor. I swear, you'd think we were negotiating the sale of the Taj Mahal." Erin explained as Abby took the patient's blood pressure.
"BP 110 over 56," she announced. "So, you're going to accept it?"
"Are you kidding?" Erin laughed. "It's the only decent offer I've had in the two months since the damn thing's been on the market. I thought I was going to have to set it on fire to get rid of it." The pair left the gentleman in the bed to sleep off the affects of the drugs and walked into the lounge. Erin rummaged in the refrigerator for a juice while Abby filled a mug with coffee. "So you sell the house," she spoke as she added cream and sugar. "Then what?"
"Well, I'm already pretty much moved into his place - just a few boxes of stuff left to transfer and a few pieces of furniture to sell. So I guess, once the closing is official, all that will be left is for him to make an honest woman out of me." Erin grinned, sitting down at the table.
Abby sat across for her. "Does he still want to wait until his nine month review?" She was referring to Robert's own personal D-Day: the day he was hoping to be cleared to return to surgery.
"Actually, he said something last night about Christmas." Erin grinned.
"Christmas? As in a month from now?" Abby was surprised.
"Well, maybe not Christmas Day, but, you know, sometime in that week."
Abby leaned over to hug her friend. "I'm so happy for you."
The door swung open and Carter sauntered in. "Hey, let me get some of that action." He wrapped his arms around both women, then leaned in to place a sweet, sincere kiss at the corner of Abby's mouth. "So, what's with all the free love?" He asked, spinning the dial on his locker.
"Ask her," Abby grinned. "I need to get those lab results on the lady in curtain two." She exited the lounge and John took her seat. "So, what's up?" He asked Erin, his eyes bright and expectant.
"Well, I think I sold my house."
"Oh, yeah? That's great!"
Erin nodded. "And Robert wants to get married the week of Christmas."
John's face broke into a grin. "Get out! It's really going to happen?"
"I guess so." She smiled shyly. John rose to his feet and gestured for her to do the same. She obeyed and he embraced her warmly. "My God," he breathed. "You're going to be a Romano."
"Looks that way."
"You're going to be Dr. Erin Windsor-Romano."
"Oh, no! Around her I'll always be just plain old Windsor. I don't think County General has room for more than one Romano." Erin laughed.
"I sometimes wonder if it has room for the one we've got." They both laughed at that, and Erin sat back down as he moved to the coffeepot. She felt suddenly shy, and John sensed the change in her demeanor. "Something wrong?"
"Well," she bit her lip. "There is one other thing I wanted to talk to you about."
"Shoot."
"You know, we aren't doing anything big. Just a small service in the Chapel upstairs and a get-together at the house after. We want to keep things simple. But."
"But what?"
"Well, you know my parents are gone, and I'm an only child, so no brothers and sisters."
"Uh-huh," Carter was uncertain where she was headed.
Erin blushed. "I still need someone to give me away, someone to stand up for me.." She looked into his face with a sweet smile. "And, since you're the best friend I've ever had, I was just wondering."
John took her hands and squeezed them. "I would be honored."
Erin sighed heavily as he moved to embrace her once more. "Excellent. Now all I need is a dress."
Upstairs, Robert was wrapping up another therapy session, sweaty and spent and feeling pretty good about it. The movement in the fingers of his left hand was still quite sluggish, but it was there. His level of response surprised even his therapist, although she cautioned him that he still had quite some distance to cover before wielding a scalpel once again.
"Don't get so chipper on me there, doc, it might go to my head," he tossed out caustically. Wiping his neck with a towel, he strode towards his office. "Brenda, where is Corday?"
"Probably just scrubbing out of that splenectomy that came from the ER this morning."
"Well, page her. I expect her in my office in fifteen minutes." He poured himself a glass of water and drank it down in three hearty swallows. When Elizabeth appeared in his doorway, he greeted her robustly. "Lizzie! Did the patient make it through or shall we scrap him for parts?"
"You're awfully chipper this afternoon, Robert," she observed dryly. "Mow down a transient on your way to work this morning?"
"Ha-ha, very funny. OIG officer, actually." He sat down at his desk with a flourish. "Nope, I've got much more pleasant things to bask in the glow of here. The finance committee shot down Weaver's proposed 'administration liaison'; which I think is actually lesbian for 'spy intended to dig up dirt on the poor bastard whose authority you wish to usurp'. My therapy is going well, and I should be back in the OR soon. Christmas is coming, and," he inspected his fingernails briefly, "I'm getting married."
"You two finally set a date?" Elizabeth smiled.
"December 27th. Mark your calendar, alert the media and prep the ER for the surge of broken hearts: Robert Romano is officially taking himself off the market."
"Well, that's wonderful. Congratulations. I'm sure Erin is thrilled."
"Wouldn't you be if you were in her shoes?" Robert's grin softened around the edges. "Seriously though." He gestured for her to sit across from him. "You know we're going to do it here. Since she doesn't have any family, she wants as many of her friends around as possible. She figures the best way to achieve that is to take her vows smack dab in the center of her workplace."
"I think it's a nice idea, actually." Her eyes misted a bit. "I know things would have been much easier for Mark and I, had we chosen that path."
The held a respectful silence for a moment. Then Robert spoke in an even tone. "Erin plans on asking Carter to stand up for her. I need someone to do the same." He trailed off, and Elizabeth giggled ass he caught his meaning. "Robert, are you asking me to be your best man?"
"Well, it was either you or Weaver."
"Robert!" She chided him. Then she straightened her shoulders. "Do I have to wear a tuxedo?"
"Lizzie." Her pager began beeping. She checked it briefly. "That's the ER." She rose to her feet. "I guess you've found your.well, whatever I am." She extended her hand. He accepted it, squeezing her fingers.
"Friend?" He asked softly.
Elizabeth nodded. "Yes. I like the sound of that."