Title: Medical Wonders: Fight, Kiss and Makeup
Author: Jen Zoromski
All other information is in first chapter.
Author's Note: Yep I agree that this is probably the first cordano fic to have Elizabeth pregnant, but I might as well explore the territory since TPTB will probably take another six years to get there…haha…well thanks to everyone that has reviewed. You guys are awesome and I've given ya a longer chapter for all of the reviews. Thanks so much. Here's more. Hope ya enjoy!
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Elizabeth lays on the examining table with Doctor Jill Koenig standing over Elizabeth's exposed stomach. Robert sits on a stool next to her holding onto her hand -- uncharacteristically quiet.
"This might be a little cold," Dr. Koenig says as she applies gel to Elizabeth's abdomen followed by the ultrasound roller.
Elizabeth flinches at the coldness, but smiles as a grainy picture of a tiny fetus pops up on the screen. Robert squeezes her hand reassuringly.
"It's hard to see features this early, but looking at the size of the fetus I'd say that you are just about six weeks a long."
"Can we hear the heartbeat?" Robert asks in awe staring at the screen.
"Sure," Dr. Koenig says turning the sound on.
The fast beating of a tiny heart echoes through the room. A life that Robert and Elizabeth created. A child that is a surprise to both of them, but maybe the thing that they will need in their lives.
"Congrats you two," Dr. Koenig tells them.
Elizabeth and Robert stare at the grainy screen as the tiny heart continues to beat. Everything is perfectly normal.
They're mesmerized.
"When am I due?"
"December 15th," Dr. Koenig says, "Maybe you'll get a Christmas baby."
The two are still watching the screen. For the amount of complex work that they do it is hard to grasp the idea that a simplistic child can hold both of their attentions for that long.
"Elizabeth, I'd say that right now everything looks to be in tip-top shape and I want to see you back here in a month."
"Well that shouldn't be too hard," Romano starts his tone turning sarcastic, "She can just pop in between the cardiac surgery and the bowel obstruction," he replies.
"Dr. Romano, I'd suggest that you keep your comments to yourself or it'll be a long nine months," Dr. Koenig replies angrily at Robert Romano's remark.
"Do we have to go over who runs the hospital again? Who has the power to fire people? What's his name again? Wait! That's me!" Robert says arrogantly. He doesn't like this OB. But then again he doesn't like a lot of people.
"Thanks, Jill for the warning, he'll take it in full stride," Elizabeth replies slightly embarrassed, as she gets up from the table -- trying to get her balance with Robert's help.
"The hell I won't," Robert whispers into Elizabeth's ear with a devilish grin on his face.
Elizabeth and Robert head out of the office a short time later. Once they get out into the hallway Elizabeth takes him aside like a small child who has been misbehaving.
"Robert, what's the matter with you? Why do you act like a pompous ass when you are around others?" Elizabeth scolds, slightly embarrassed at the way he acted.
"Lizzie, are the hormones going to your head already?" he inquires playfully, "I've always acted like that around people. Why would your OB be any different?"
Elizabeth rolls her eyes at his answer.
"Of course. How could I forget?" she answers becoming angry.
She heads down the hallway not waiting for him. He's made her angry. Not one of the first times and definitely not one of the last times.
"Lizzie! Wait!" Robert yells after her down the hallway. She doesn't turn around, just continues off down the hallway.
"Damn hormones," Romano mutters to himself before he heads off down the hallway after her.
Robert catches up to her and turns her around. She's fuming.
"Robert I can't deal with you right now."
"Listen to me."
"I have been for the past six years. All I've gotten is angry."
A smirk appears on his face, "Oh come on! You've been amused in the past and I even think that you actually enjoyed our bantering."
Elizabeth turns away from him, but doesn't leave.
"Lizzie--"
"I'm tired, Robert. Let's just go home."
He turns her around so he can see her face. The expressive face of Elizabeth Corday is withdrawn, drained, tired, and there is still a small glint of anger in her eyes.
"Robert--" she says sharply.
"Lizzie, I have no excuse. I'm just a mean hard assed person who doesn't know what to do in unfamiliar situations except to be mean. It's a defense mechanism."
"Yeah--" she says coldly.
"And even though I hate to apologize I can see that I've hurt you. For what I'm not sure. But my behavior has hurt you and I'm sorry."
She continues to glare at him, but a small smile appears across her lips.
"What?" Robert asks confused.
"Wow! You are apologizing again. That has to be a record. Twice in one year," she responds playfully.
"Don't think that this will be a daily occurrence."
"We'll just have to see about that."
"Lizzie, you never cease to amaze me," Robert replies in full stride.
She smiles at him and accepts his arm around her as they walk towards the elevator. If anyone saw them they didn't notice. It was sort of a mutual understanding that they wouldn't hide their romance, but they wouldn't come straight and announce it either. Besides, the ER and everyone would have proof of the relationship in a few months.
Elizabeth's Home
March 26, 2003
Hours later Elizabeth sleeps peacefully in her own bed for a change. The sun is high in the sky, but Elizabeth continues on sleeping. Dreaming of nothing, but of everything. She dreams of the child that is growing strongly in her womb, a child with auburn curls and dark brown eyes.
Meanwhile, Robert Romano sits downstairs in the living room holding the grainy 6 week ultrasound image of their child. Their child's first photograph.
He is actually amazed by the tiny image on the paper. He can't seem to get enough of the idea that he and Elizabeth created the tiny little life. Even though he has done complicated surgeries that only the best could ever do -- an image of his child keeps him just as engrossed. He wonders what the child will look like. Who it will take after. Elizabeth he hopes, but then he grins. They both have their tempers and the kid could be one hell of a fireball.
He traces the tiny bean with his index finger.
"Robert?" the British voice comes from behind him interrupting his daydream.
"Lizzie, you're not going to bite my head off?" Robert asks sarcastically.
"I might gnaw on it a little if I get hungry," Elizabeth counters. She walks closer to the couch as Robert moves to make room for her. They cuddle up against one another.
"What are you doing up?" Robert asks her putting his arm around her protectively.
"I kept on waking up," she replies.
"Well its about time! You've had too damn much sleep," Robert says.
"Thanks for the compassion, Robert."
"For you Lizzie, it'll be available anytime."
They sit in silence, both lost in their own thoughts. It's quiet in the house. Too quiet for Elizabeth's liking.
"Where's Ella?"
"She's with Chris and they should be home any minute."
As if on cue a car door slams outside and seconds later the front door opens.
"Dr. Corday?" Chris calls out as she places Ella down in the entry way.
Elizabeth meets her at the door. Ella sees her and bolts literally jumping into her arms.
"Have you been a good girl, Ella?" Elizabeth asks planting a kiss on her forehead.
Ella nods. "She's been great," Chris tells her.
"Thank-you so much for doing this."
"Oh its no problem. So I'll see you tomorrow then, eight a.m."
"Yes, eight a.m.," she reiterates.
"Bye, Dr. Corday, Bye Ella."
Chris leaves them standing in the doorway. Elizabeth just holding onto Ella for a moment longer. She's missed her daughter having been out of it for the last day and a half she's missed holding onto her.
"Lizzie," Robert says behind her interrupting the bonding moment.
Elizabeth turns around to face Robert, "Yes?"
"I'm hungry," he replies as if he were no older than Ella.
Elizabeth rolls her eyes, "You're going to have to starve then."
Ella struggles in her mother's embrace, "Mommy, down," she says forcefully trying to get out of Elizabeth's grasp.
She puts Ella down and watches as her daughter heads off towards the living room and her pile of toys.
"They learn early don't they," Robert observes.
"Learn what?"
"How to twist us around their little finger," he responds as if Ella were his own child.
"Just hope that this child isn't a girl then," Elizabeth replies with a smirk on her face, "Or you'll be her own personal servant."
"Now just a minute! Do you think I am that easily taken advantage of? Especially by women with their own agendas."
"Rahba! Play," Ella demands shedding the shy demeanor that she once possessed when around him.
Robert shakes his head playfully, "Ella, you're not helping. I'm trying to prove a point to your mother."
He turns his attention back towards Elizabeth trying to remain serious. Elizabeth's 'I won' smirk has already appeared.
"Robert, it's obvious, she has gotten you right were she wants you."
"I can not start to believe that a one and a half year old knows how to wrap me around her little finger. People have tried for years to do that, and no one has succeeded."
"Oh really?"
"Well, except maybe --"
"Must be something genetic then. Us Corday-women just have that affect on you."
Ella, meanwhile had made her way back to Robert's side, looking up at him with her deep blue eyes.
"Play!" she demanded again from him.
"Ella don't look at me that way. You're going to ruin my mean demeanor if you keep this up."
She reaches out for his hand and takes it, starting to pull him towards her pile of toys.
"My dear little friend what do you think you are doing?"
Ella giggles as Robert picks her up, tickling her in the process. Her laugh is wholesome and innocent. Just seeing the two of them like that Elizabeth even starts to laugh at the sight of them. Robert turns to her with the child over his shoulder, a huge grin on his face.
"Consider this one point that you've proven. But it's a freebie so I'd gloat wisely."
Robert places Ella down on the ground next to her pile of toys. She sits down happily since she has gotten what she wanted.
"Oh, Robert, I have plenty of ideas on how to gloat," she starts playfully pretending to think hard.
"Lizzie, get over here," Robert tells her as he sits down next to Ella.
Elizabeth shakes her head.
"Do I have to carry you over here too?"
She sighs deeply and sits down next to Robert watching as Ella picks up toy after toy and deposits it next to them.
Robert grabs a plastic stethoscope and holds it up in front of Elizabeth, "Look Lizzie a stethoscope. Maybe we should play doctor," he says with a playful tone.
"Only you, Robert would ever suggest that seriously while holding onto a plastic stethoscope."
He shrugs, "It's one of my many quirks."
"If that's what you want to call it fine," she counters.
"What do you call it then?"
"After six years I don't think the term is very appropriate to say in front of my daughter."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Lizzie, no need to think bad thoughts about me."
"Robert, those were the good thoughts," her grin widens as she says this leaning into kiss him.
"What was that for?"
"Everything."
They kiss again, but to the protest of Ella, break apart. On that day they found something that has rarely been found between the two of them: a tolerance that even after six years has just started to show how much they put up with from one another. But then again the ability to do so has made them a stronger couple, maybe one that will last unlike many of the other romances that have fizzled at County.
TBC
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More to come! Please R&R!
Thanks
~Jen