Title: Adjustments
Author: Listabets
Rating: PG-13 and a bit of R for the most part
Category: Robert and Elizabeth romance
Disclaimer: I do not own Robert or Elizabeth. I'm just borrowing them for a little bit for my own amusement, and hopefully for the amusement of those reading this.
I have had this written for ages-but couldn't manage to upload!! GRRRRRRRR.
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Elizabeth eased down into the scented water and let her shoulders relax in the wet heat. Since leaving the surgical floor earlier in the evening she had battled traffic, raced to get to the dry cleaner on time, picked up a few essential groceries, played with, fed and bathed Ella and now she was finally having a moment all her own. Being a single parent was hard even with the help of a nanny. Elizabeth could not imagine how people who were not as fortunate financially managed.
The smell of Lavender and Rosemary was beginning to work its magic and Elizabeth could feel the tension slip away and her muscles loosen. Before getting into the bath she had taken a few moments to light a candles and the cumulative effect of the bath oil, dim light and scented candles was making Elizabeth feel as if she were at a spa. Lazily she reached for the glass of chilled white wine resting on the side of the large tub. Swirling the crisp liquid over her tongue Elizabeth relaxed back down into the steaming water. Just as she closed her eyes to revel in the experience the phone rang, instantly bringing her back to the real world. With some irritation Elizabeth snatched up the offending instrument.
"Hello?" She was polite but not terribly welcoming.
"Lizzie, it's Robert, am I catching you at a bad time?" Robert sounded genuinely concerned that he was interrupting.
Elizabeth smiled to herself as she leaned her back against the cool porcelain of the tub. "Not at all, I'm just relaxing after a tough day. How was your day?" Elizabeth reached out for her glass and sipped. It felt good to have an adult to talk to.
" Productive but full of long drawn out meetings and negotiations with morons who happen to be over endowed with power and under whelming levels of intelligence. The most unfortunate part of my day was being completely unable to escape long enough to have a moment or two with the only person I would choose to spend time with."
"Who would that be then?" Elizabeth chuckled and leaned forward to add some more hot water to her bath.
"Obviously Weaver." Robert quipped, "What are you doing? Do I hear water running?"
"You certainly do. It's the bath." Elizabeth turned off the tap and lounged back in the heated water sure that Robert could hear the slosh as it settled around her. "I just wanted to ask you a quick question and then I will let you have your time in the tub." Robert replied
"I'm already in the tub, with a glass of wine and some scented candles, so there is no rush" Elizabeth lifted her glass to her lips and resisted the urged to make loud slurping sounds.
"So..um...Ok now that I can't get that picture out of my head I am finding it difficult to make any sense at all!" While Robert's comment was self depreciating his tone of voice was very serious. Elizabeth felt herself flush.
"You had a question?" She prompted
"Yes, yes, yes..." Robert stumbled over his words, obviously a bit flustered "I was wondering if you, and of course Ella, wanted to do something together tomorrow. I thought having lunch and going to the children's Museum at Navy Pier would be a suitable diversion."
"Are you sure you want to spend the day with a toddler and her overstretched mother? It will certainly not be the erudite company you are used to." Elizabeth swished her free hand through the water enjoying the feel of it on her skin.
"What company do you think I keep?" As Elizabeth attempted to tell him, Robert continued without pause "Actually I don't want to know!" She could heard ice cubes clinking against his glass and could picture him sipping a drink, sitting comfortably in one of the overstuffed leather chairs she had seen on her way through his house on that fateful day not so long ago.
"If I wasn't sure I wanted to spend the day with both you and your daughter I would not have asked. So..will you and Ella allow me the pleasure of your company tomorrow?"
"It would be our pleasure." Elizabeth replied feeling very pleased that he had asked. She reached for the control to add a bit more hot water.
"Speaking of pleasure, I can hear you adding water again. I will let you go now, and swing by and pick the two of you up at around 11:00, if that is OK." Elizabeth could here a faint creak in the background and what sounded like footsteps.
"We'll be ready and waiting. Thanks for asking us, and planning on doing something that will interest Ella." She could now hear some sort of rustling sound coming from Roberts end of the phone. "What are you doing?"
"Heading for a shower, a cold shower" Robert explained "I can't get the vision of you in the bath out of my head! I will see you at 11, enjoy the rest of your bath." With a click the line disconnected and he was gone.
Elizabeth replaced the phone on the side of the tub and sank up to her chin in the fragrant water enjoying the concept of the always-focused Rocket Romano distracted by the mere thought of her in the tub. The perfect ending to a long day.
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Elizabeth caught herself glancing out the window again even though she was well aware that Robert wasn't due to arrive for another ½ an hour. The sun was bright in the way that it can only be on a crisp early autumn day, clear and cool under a brilliant blue sky. Pacing over toward the front door she leaned over to double check that Ella's bag included the prerequisite emergency change of clothes, snack and juice boxes. She had learned early into Motherhood to prepare for all eventualities and hope that you need none of it.
Ella was ensconced on the couch watching cartoons. Elizabeth had given her a quick snack to make sure there would be no "I'M Hungry whine fest". Stopping at the mirror in the front hall Elizabeth checked to make sure she looked OK. Smoothing her hair back from her face Elizabeth sighed as it became clear that her curls were going to do their own thing regardless of her wishes. She had decided to wear a nice pair of jeans paired with a simple white silk blouse and chunky silver earrings. Nothing fussy or overproduced since they would be having a casual day out and she had known Robert for years. It felt odd to go on a date with someone she knew so well, yet knew so little about. Did Robert even like kids? Elizabeth remembered that day in ER when she had found herself watching him with a small boy with a toy stuck up his nose. Robert had built a really great rapport in a very short period of time. It was a good sign anyway.
Elizabeth found herself wandering over to the window again and watching the light stream of traffic in front of her house. What would they talk about all day? Would they manage conversation beyond medicine and whatever tragic events were occurring in each other's lives? She was beginning to get nervous and her palms felt decidedly sweaty. Elizabeth rubbed her damp hands on her jeans and realized that Robert's Jag was pulling into her drive. The butterflies began to mambo in her stomach as she headed to the front door.
"Waiting for me, Lizzie" Robert teased as her as he got out of the sleek car. Dressed in Khakis, a light blue oxford shirt and a slightly darker sweater he looked relaxed and comfortable. " Are you ready to get going?"
"I just need to get Ella, her bag of essentials and my sweater and I am out the door. Are we taking your car; we'll need to move the car seat." Elizabeth watched as he bounded up the front steps, lifted Ella's bag and popped it over his left shoulder.
"Don't be offended but I would really prefer to drive. Will it be a problem moving the seat?" Robert was standing in the hall watching as Elizabeth switched off the TV and got Ella ready to go.
"The car seat is no big deal." Elizabeth had a decided twinkle in her eye as she continued, "Is driving some American Male Macho thing I don't get culturally?" She ushered them all onto the drive and began the process of getting the seat out of her car and into his.
"Oh no, it a Jag thing! Now that is something you should definitely understand culturally." Robert stowed the bag in his trunk and saw the collapsible stroller in Elizabeth's car and grabbed that too.
"Well spotted, Dr. Romano. A day out with a 2 year old and no stroller would have been no fun at all. So do you have some toddler experience that I am not aware of?" Elizabeth finished the job of buckling her very watchful daughter into her seat with a quick kiss. Straightening she found Robert was in very close proximity. Her stomach flipped in that odd way she was beginning to expect when he was near.
"A little bit with nieces and nephews." He was looking into her eyes "I don't know enough to be really useful, just enough to make sure they go home to their Mom a bit too sugared up, and loaded with toys she would never agree to." Robert smiled as he spoke.
Without any thought Elizabeth stepped forward and closed the small space between them. She leaned in and placed a soft sweet kiss on his lips. She could feel the fleeting brush of their mouths connecting and a swift intake of breath before she stepped back.
"I'm glad we are spending the day together." She said simply as she turned and headed for the passenger side of the car. She didn't see Robert watch her get into the car or the look of pure pleasure on his face. She was much to busy looking forward to the day ahead.
Rating: PG-13 and a bit of R for the most part
Category: Robert and Elizabeth romance
Disclaimer: I do not own Robert or Elizabeth. I'm just borrowing them for a little bit for my own amusement, and hopefully for the amusement of those reading this.
I have had this written for ages-but couldn't manage to upload!! GRRRRRRRR.
............................................................................ .................................................
Elizabeth eased down into the scented water and let her shoulders relax in the wet heat. Since leaving the surgical floor earlier in the evening she had battled traffic, raced to get to the dry cleaner on time, picked up a few essential groceries, played with, fed and bathed Ella and now she was finally having a moment all her own. Being a single parent was hard even with the help of a nanny. Elizabeth could not imagine how people who were not as fortunate financially managed.
The smell of Lavender and Rosemary was beginning to work its magic and Elizabeth could feel the tension slip away and her muscles loosen. Before getting into the bath she had taken a few moments to light a candles and the cumulative effect of the bath oil, dim light and scented candles was making Elizabeth feel as if she were at a spa. Lazily she reached for the glass of chilled white wine resting on the side of the large tub. Swirling the crisp liquid over her tongue Elizabeth relaxed back down into the steaming water. Just as she closed her eyes to revel in the experience the phone rang, instantly bringing her back to the real world. With some irritation Elizabeth snatched up the offending instrument.
"Hello?" She was polite but not terribly welcoming.
"Lizzie, it's Robert, am I catching you at a bad time?" Robert sounded genuinely concerned that he was interrupting.
Elizabeth smiled to herself as she leaned her back against the cool porcelain of the tub. "Not at all, I'm just relaxing after a tough day. How was your day?" Elizabeth reached out for her glass and sipped. It felt good to have an adult to talk to.
" Productive but full of long drawn out meetings and negotiations with morons who happen to be over endowed with power and under whelming levels of intelligence. The most unfortunate part of my day was being completely unable to escape long enough to have a moment or two with the only person I would choose to spend time with."
"Who would that be then?" Elizabeth chuckled and leaned forward to add some more hot water to her bath.
"Obviously Weaver." Robert quipped, "What are you doing? Do I hear water running?"
"You certainly do. It's the bath." Elizabeth turned off the tap and lounged back in the heated water sure that Robert could hear the slosh as it settled around her. "I just wanted to ask you a quick question and then I will let you have your time in the tub." Robert replied
"I'm already in the tub, with a glass of wine and some scented candles, so there is no rush" Elizabeth lifted her glass to her lips and resisted the urged to make loud slurping sounds.
"So..um...Ok now that I can't get that picture out of my head I am finding it difficult to make any sense at all!" While Robert's comment was self depreciating his tone of voice was very serious. Elizabeth felt herself flush.
"You had a question?" She prompted
"Yes, yes, yes..." Robert stumbled over his words, obviously a bit flustered "I was wondering if you, and of course Ella, wanted to do something together tomorrow. I thought having lunch and going to the children's Museum at Navy Pier would be a suitable diversion."
"Are you sure you want to spend the day with a toddler and her overstretched mother? It will certainly not be the erudite company you are used to." Elizabeth swished her free hand through the water enjoying the feel of it on her skin.
"What company do you think I keep?" As Elizabeth attempted to tell him, Robert continued without pause "Actually I don't want to know!" She could heard ice cubes clinking against his glass and could picture him sipping a drink, sitting comfortably in one of the overstuffed leather chairs she had seen on her way through his house on that fateful day not so long ago.
"If I wasn't sure I wanted to spend the day with both you and your daughter I would not have asked. So..will you and Ella allow me the pleasure of your company tomorrow?"
"It would be our pleasure." Elizabeth replied feeling very pleased that he had asked. She reached for the control to add a bit more hot water.
"Speaking of pleasure, I can hear you adding water again. I will let you go now, and swing by and pick the two of you up at around 11:00, if that is OK." Elizabeth could here a faint creak in the background and what sounded like footsteps.
"We'll be ready and waiting. Thanks for asking us, and planning on doing something that will interest Ella." She could now hear some sort of rustling sound coming from Roberts end of the phone. "What are you doing?"
"Heading for a shower, a cold shower" Robert explained "I can't get the vision of you in the bath out of my head! I will see you at 11, enjoy the rest of your bath." With a click the line disconnected and he was gone.
Elizabeth replaced the phone on the side of the tub and sank up to her chin in the fragrant water enjoying the concept of the always-focused Rocket Romano distracted by the mere thought of her in the tub. The perfect ending to a long day.
............................................................................ ....................................................
Elizabeth caught herself glancing out the window again even though she was well aware that Robert wasn't due to arrive for another ½ an hour. The sun was bright in the way that it can only be on a crisp early autumn day, clear and cool under a brilliant blue sky. Pacing over toward the front door she leaned over to double check that Ella's bag included the prerequisite emergency change of clothes, snack and juice boxes. She had learned early into Motherhood to prepare for all eventualities and hope that you need none of it.
Ella was ensconced on the couch watching cartoons. Elizabeth had given her a quick snack to make sure there would be no "I'M Hungry whine fest". Stopping at the mirror in the front hall Elizabeth checked to make sure she looked OK. Smoothing her hair back from her face Elizabeth sighed as it became clear that her curls were going to do their own thing regardless of her wishes. She had decided to wear a nice pair of jeans paired with a simple white silk blouse and chunky silver earrings. Nothing fussy or overproduced since they would be having a casual day out and she had known Robert for years. It felt odd to go on a date with someone she knew so well, yet knew so little about. Did Robert even like kids? Elizabeth remembered that day in ER when she had found herself watching him with a small boy with a toy stuck up his nose. Robert had built a really great rapport in a very short period of time. It was a good sign anyway.
Elizabeth found herself wandering over to the window again and watching the light stream of traffic in front of her house. What would they talk about all day? Would they manage conversation beyond medicine and whatever tragic events were occurring in each other's lives? She was beginning to get nervous and her palms felt decidedly sweaty. Elizabeth rubbed her damp hands on her jeans and realized that Robert's Jag was pulling into her drive. The butterflies began to mambo in her stomach as she headed to the front door.
"Waiting for me, Lizzie" Robert teased as her as he got out of the sleek car. Dressed in Khakis, a light blue oxford shirt and a slightly darker sweater he looked relaxed and comfortable. " Are you ready to get going?"
"I just need to get Ella, her bag of essentials and my sweater and I am out the door. Are we taking your car; we'll need to move the car seat." Elizabeth watched as he bounded up the front steps, lifted Ella's bag and popped it over his left shoulder.
"Don't be offended but I would really prefer to drive. Will it be a problem moving the seat?" Robert was standing in the hall watching as Elizabeth switched off the TV and got Ella ready to go.
"The car seat is no big deal." Elizabeth had a decided twinkle in her eye as she continued, "Is driving some American Male Macho thing I don't get culturally?" She ushered them all onto the drive and began the process of getting the seat out of her car and into his.
"Oh no, it a Jag thing! Now that is something you should definitely understand culturally." Robert stowed the bag in his trunk and saw the collapsible stroller in Elizabeth's car and grabbed that too.
"Well spotted, Dr. Romano. A day out with a 2 year old and no stroller would have been no fun at all. So do you have some toddler experience that I am not aware of?" Elizabeth finished the job of buckling her very watchful daughter into her seat with a quick kiss. Straightening she found Robert was in very close proximity. Her stomach flipped in that odd way she was beginning to expect when he was near.
"A little bit with nieces and nephews." He was looking into her eyes "I don't know enough to be really useful, just enough to make sure they go home to their Mom a bit too sugared up, and loaded with toys she would never agree to." Robert smiled as he spoke.
Without any thought Elizabeth stepped forward and closed the small space between them. She leaned in and placed a soft sweet kiss on his lips. She could feel the fleeting brush of their mouths connecting and a swift intake of breath before she stepped back.
"I'm glad we are spending the day together." She said simply as she turned and headed for the passenger side of the car. She didn't see Robert watch her get into the car or the look of pure pleasure on his face. She was much to busy looking forward to the day ahead.