More mush… yay! Was going to be nice to you all and make it longer and gooier but I'm tired cause I got up at 5:30 am on Saturday - to deliver phone books no less… raised heaps of funds for youth group, but am still recovering from lack of sleep. Is this whole talking, confiding, encouraging, kissing, adoring, more kissing, crying, despairing, encouraging, confiding, confessing, more kissing and a couple of hugs… routine getting boring? Don't worry, I'll put some drama in the next ones. Dr Dorset is still at work and Robert is still insecure. Plus, it'd be fun to have some good ol' Kerry vs Robert fights, some snide nurses' gossip and it'd be even better if I'd shut up and let you read the damn story…
Disclaimer: you know the drill
***
Elizabeth woke to Ella squirming and whining "Mama" from the cot only meters away from her bed. But Elizabeth didn't mind. She flipped her legs out of the bed,
"Good morning sweetie." She said and lifted Ella out of the cot. "Did you sleep well?"
"Home?" Ella said, confused by her surroundings
"No, Robert is looking after you again. Is that okay?"
Ella nodded enthusiastically and wriggled out of Elizabeth arms. Elizabeth put her down and quickly dressed as Ella raced toward the door. Elizabeth opened the door and followed Ella towards the kitchen. The door was closed so she picked up Ella and opened it silently. Robert was standing over the stove, stretching his neck and shoulder repeatedly. The aroma of whatever he was making hit her senses immediately - as did the desire to ease the pain he was obviously trying to relieve.
"You okay?" she said, ignoring her rumbling stomach.
"Wobut!" Ella yelled, reaching out toward him. He was facing them now. Elizabeth put Ella down and followed the excitable toddler across the kitchen till she was only inches away.
"Yeah, you hungry?"
"Starving - you in pain?"
"Oh it's nothing - just a bit stiff…" He stepped away from her as he picked up Ella.
"She won't help much, but I might be able to." Elizabeth took Ella and sat her on the bench then turned back to Robert. Tentatively she began to rub the muscles in his shoulder and what remained of his upper arm, moving up to his neck. The warmth of his skin through the thin shirt he was wearing made her fingertips tingle.
"Mama…" Ella was playing with/eating a bagel and, being used to Elizabeth's full attention, she was disappointed to find her mother was quite pleasantly entertained without Ella.
Elizabeth tore her eyes and hands from where she was quite happy to leave them for significantly longer. "Yeah?" she took the bagel from her daughter "what do you want on this honey?"
"Jam. Jam!" Ella said decidedly and wriggled towards the edge of the bench.
"I got her." Robert said and picked up the toddler - leaving Elizabeth free to make Ella's breakfast.
"Here you go." Elizabeth handed Ella the jam covered bagel and then took the toddler off Robert and sat her back on the bench. "So, what are we having?"
"A gourmet selection of…" he paused for dramatic effect, "you'll have to wait and see."
"Okay," Elizabeth smiled at his teasing and picked Ella up. "I should get her changed. And I'm in need of a bit of straightening up too." She looked down at her wrinkled, slept-in shirt.
Robert laughed at her, "You look lovely, I wish that was the first face I saw everyday. Just one more thing - come here…" he turned back to the stove and put down the spoon he held then turned back to Elizabeth. As soon as she reached him he boldly took her face in his hand and kissed her passionately. She was half expecting it but found herself breathless nonetheless. He pulled back after a very brief, though deep, kiss, leaving the woman in front of him wanting more.
"Oh, no, you can't get away with that." She took his face in the one hand that wasn't holding Ella against her hip and returned the favour - but she didn't pull away so quickly… and they probably would have kissed a lot longer except that Ella giggled/squealed delightfully and clapped her hands. They broke apart laughing and Elizabeth walked out of the kitchen wordlessly - nothing needed to be said - kissing was very effective communication. Robert turned back to the breakfast he was preparing - a silly grin on his lips. He put the spoon down again and lifted his fingers to his lips. He was still amazed - she was in his house! She had slept there - her daughter was staying everyday for the next few days - he'd see Elizabeth everyday and she didn't mind either - in fact she seemed quite happy about it. She trusted him to look after her daughter - the most important thing in her life she would leave with a one-armed man who, until recently, she rightfully held in contempt. I don't deserve this, he mused, I don't deserve her. But if I did then it couldn't feel like this - it couldn't be this heart racing, mind blowing, exhilarating… oh, crap I'm burning the sauce!
He took it off the burner and flicked off the gas. Then he checked the smoked salmon filets - they were almost done - he sliced two fresh wholemeal bagels and put them in the oven to grill. Minute later everything was ready.
"Lizzie." He called, standing in the doorway and looking up at the balcony upstairs. He smiled, thinking to himself that this was just like a scene out of Romeo and Juliet - only Romeo hadn't just made Juliet a surprise breakfast, neither Robert nor Elizabeth were fourteen, and Juliet didn't appear right beside him and jab him in the ribs breaking him from his musings.
"I was just setting up Ella - she's watching a video in the lounge. So we can have breakfast in peace."
Robert lifted his eyebrows mischievously. Elizabeth just laughed at him and pushed him into the kitchen.
"Wow." She surveyed the food spread out on the bench. "I'm going to put on weight at this rate."
"Excuses, excuses." Robert pulled out a stool for her to sit on, "My lady," he bowed gallantly.
"Good sir," she played along and sat down but before he had a chance to get away she put her hand behind his neck and pulled him down into a sultry kiss. When he reacted by kissing her back with equal fervour she found the kiss lasted longer than she had intended… until her stomach audibly rumbled.
"That's one way to kill the mood." He said sarcastically, sitting in the stool beside her, ensuring his knees were touching hers. He squeezed her hand and then relinquished his hold so he could eat - regretting that he couldn't do both at once.
"This is great Robert - the best morning I've had in a long time - not to mention the breakfast." She took a bite of the toasted bagel laden with smoked salmon, cream cheese, lettuce and an amazing sauce whose flavour was so illusive and delicate that she couldn't get enough of it. Kind of like the man beside her. They ate in companionable silence, savouring both the company and the food.
"I wish I didn't have to rush off to work."
"You're not the only one." Robert stood up to put the dishes in the sink. "I'd swap with you if I could."
"I know." She smiled, standing up. "Have you made an appointment to get your prosthetic fitted?"
He shook his head. "I suppose I should give them a call today. I got two messages from the physio yesterday - they must have called when Ella and I were out."
"What did they want?"
"Me - to visit - to go to a proper physio - but I must admit, I quite enjoy your massages"
"I really don't know what I'm doing - the physio would do a better job. Why don't you come in at 5 - I finish then, so Ella and I could go with you - moral support?"
Robert thought about it for a moment. "Sounds like a plan."
"Don't look so scared - not everyone in that hospital are total numb-skulls."
"But the odds are not in my favour."
"I'll book it in for you - who do you want?"
"You." He held her eye contact with a way-past-suggestive look.
"I mean for the physio." She held his eyes contact and smiled.
"Just the same as before - don't want to have to explain anything or everything to some ignorant newbie." The suggestive look was gone.
"I'd better get my things and get going." She turned and left the children, disappearing up stairs. Robert went through to the hallway and yelled up the stairwell
"Maybe you shouldn't come - physios don't bring out the best in me."
"I know what I'm getting into" she yelled in reply, "the first time I saw you when I came back from England you were finishing physio - calling the poor woman all sorts of colourful adjectives." Elizabeth teased and then appeared at the top of the stairs, her shoes on and a bag slung over her shoulder. He didn't want her to leave - ever. But he smiled anyway.
"Elizabeth," he started as she descended the stairs. He was so comfortable with her - he surprised himself at how honest and vulnerable he was prepared to be, and that it didn't seem unnatural, in fact it fit into place perfectly. "Do you have any idea how much of my happiness you hold in your hot little hand?"
She reached the bottom of the stairs and stopped - the few feet between them seemed a lot further since they were becoming accustomed to stand much, much closer.
"I'll be careful." She said and smiled delicately, taking one step closer. "On one condition - make that two."
"What?" he asked, taking a step closer.
"Always tell me what you think and trust me enough - like you did just now - even if it's scary." She stepped in.
"And…" He stepped in.
"And be careful with me." She stood still - her vulnerability evident in her eyes.
He closed the gap between them and hugged her. "I have to go." She said and reluctantly pulled back. She had tears running down her cheeks. Robert wiped them away with his fingertips then kissed her softly.
"Good bye Ella." Elizabeth said from the lounge doorway.
"Bye, bye mama." Ella waved, turning back to the TV immediately.
"Well, she's happy."
Robert smiled and opened the front door. "So, I'll bring Ella to the hospital at 5 - is that all right?"
"Yeah - sounds good to me." She took his hand and squeezed it encouragingly.
"Thanks. You make this much easier."
"Just say the word - I haven't been here before so I don't really know how to help."
"Neither - but you help more than you can know. You better go - you won't need me to baby-sit if they fire you."
"But at least then I could spend more time with the baby-sitter." She kissed him mischievously. He responded with an honest, vulnerable kiss that left her heart racing long after she was out of sight (but not out of mind).
Disclaimer: you know the drill
***
Elizabeth woke to Ella squirming and whining "Mama" from the cot only meters away from her bed. But Elizabeth didn't mind. She flipped her legs out of the bed,
"Good morning sweetie." She said and lifted Ella out of the cot. "Did you sleep well?"
"Home?" Ella said, confused by her surroundings
"No, Robert is looking after you again. Is that okay?"
Ella nodded enthusiastically and wriggled out of Elizabeth arms. Elizabeth put her down and quickly dressed as Ella raced toward the door. Elizabeth opened the door and followed Ella towards the kitchen. The door was closed so she picked up Ella and opened it silently. Robert was standing over the stove, stretching his neck and shoulder repeatedly. The aroma of whatever he was making hit her senses immediately - as did the desire to ease the pain he was obviously trying to relieve.
"You okay?" she said, ignoring her rumbling stomach.
"Wobut!" Ella yelled, reaching out toward him. He was facing them now. Elizabeth put Ella down and followed the excitable toddler across the kitchen till she was only inches away.
"Yeah, you hungry?"
"Starving - you in pain?"
"Oh it's nothing - just a bit stiff…" He stepped away from her as he picked up Ella.
"She won't help much, but I might be able to." Elizabeth took Ella and sat her on the bench then turned back to Robert. Tentatively she began to rub the muscles in his shoulder and what remained of his upper arm, moving up to his neck. The warmth of his skin through the thin shirt he was wearing made her fingertips tingle.
"Mama…" Ella was playing with/eating a bagel and, being used to Elizabeth's full attention, she was disappointed to find her mother was quite pleasantly entertained without Ella.
Elizabeth tore her eyes and hands from where she was quite happy to leave them for significantly longer. "Yeah?" she took the bagel from her daughter "what do you want on this honey?"
"Jam. Jam!" Ella said decidedly and wriggled towards the edge of the bench.
"I got her." Robert said and picked up the toddler - leaving Elizabeth free to make Ella's breakfast.
"Here you go." Elizabeth handed Ella the jam covered bagel and then took the toddler off Robert and sat her back on the bench. "So, what are we having?"
"A gourmet selection of…" he paused for dramatic effect, "you'll have to wait and see."
"Okay," Elizabeth smiled at his teasing and picked Ella up. "I should get her changed. And I'm in need of a bit of straightening up too." She looked down at her wrinkled, slept-in shirt.
Robert laughed at her, "You look lovely, I wish that was the first face I saw everyday. Just one more thing - come here…" he turned back to the stove and put down the spoon he held then turned back to Elizabeth. As soon as she reached him he boldly took her face in his hand and kissed her passionately. She was half expecting it but found herself breathless nonetheless. He pulled back after a very brief, though deep, kiss, leaving the woman in front of him wanting more.
"Oh, no, you can't get away with that." She took his face in the one hand that wasn't holding Ella against her hip and returned the favour - but she didn't pull away so quickly… and they probably would have kissed a lot longer except that Ella giggled/squealed delightfully and clapped her hands. They broke apart laughing and Elizabeth walked out of the kitchen wordlessly - nothing needed to be said - kissing was very effective communication. Robert turned back to the breakfast he was preparing - a silly grin on his lips. He put the spoon down again and lifted his fingers to his lips. He was still amazed - she was in his house! She had slept there - her daughter was staying everyday for the next few days - he'd see Elizabeth everyday and she didn't mind either - in fact she seemed quite happy about it. She trusted him to look after her daughter - the most important thing in her life she would leave with a one-armed man who, until recently, she rightfully held in contempt. I don't deserve this, he mused, I don't deserve her. But if I did then it couldn't feel like this - it couldn't be this heart racing, mind blowing, exhilarating… oh, crap I'm burning the sauce!
He took it off the burner and flicked off the gas. Then he checked the smoked salmon filets - they were almost done - he sliced two fresh wholemeal bagels and put them in the oven to grill. Minute later everything was ready.
"Lizzie." He called, standing in the doorway and looking up at the balcony upstairs. He smiled, thinking to himself that this was just like a scene out of Romeo and Juliet - only Romeo hadn't just made Juliet a surprise breakfast, neither Robert nor Elizabeth were fourteen, and Juliet didn't appear right beside him and jab him in the ribs breaking him from his musings.
"I was just setting up Ella - she's watching a video in the lounge. So we can have breakfast in peace."
Robert lifted his eyebrows mischievously. Elizabeth just laughed at him and pushed him into the kitchen.
"Wow." She surveyed the food spread out on the bench. "I'm going to put on weight at this rate."
"Excuses, excuses." Robert pulled out a stool for her to sit on, "My lady," he bowed gallantly.
"Good sir," she played along and sat down but before he had a chance to get away she put her hand behind his neck and pulled him down into a sultry kiss. When he reacted by kissing her back with equal fervour she found the kiss lasted longer than she had intended… until her stomach audibly rumbled.
"That's one way to kill the mood." He said sarcastically, sitting in the stool beside her, ensuring his knees were touching hers. He squeezed her hand and then relinquished his hold so he could eat - regretting that he couldn't do both at once.
"This is great Robert - the best morning I've had in a long time - not to mention the breakfast." She took a bite of the toasted bagel laden with smoked salmon, cream cheese, lettuce and an amazing sauce whose flavour was so illusive and delicate that she couldn't get enough of it. Kind of like the man beside her. They ate in companionable silence, savouring both the company and the food.
"I wish I didn't have to rush off to work."
"You're not the only one." Robert stood up to put the dishes in the sink. "I'd swap with you if I could."
"I know." She smiled, standing up. "Have you made an appointment to get your prosthetic fitted?"
He shook his head. "I suppose I should give them a call today. I got two messages from the physio yesterday - they must have called when Ella and I were out."
"What did they want?"
"Me - to visit - to go to a proper physio - but I must admit, I quite enjoy your massages"
"I really don't know what I'm doing - the physio would do a better job. Why don't you come in at 5 - I finish then, so Ella and I could go with you - moral support?"
Robert thought about it for a moment. "Sounds like a plan."
"Don't look so scared - not everyone in that hospital are total numb-skulls."
"But the odds are not in my favour."
"I'll book it in for you - who do you want?"
"You." He held her eye contact with a way-past-suggestive look.
"I mean for the physio." She held his eyes contact and smiled.
"Just the same as before - don't want to have to explain anything or everything to some ignorant newbie." The suggestive look was gone.
"I'd better get my things and get going." She turned and left the children, disappearing up stairs. Robert went through to the hallway and yelled up the stairwell
"Maybe you shouldn't come - physios don't bring out the best in me."
"I know what I'm getting into" she yelled in reply, "the first time I saw you when I came back from England you were finishing physio - calling the poor woman all sorts of colourful adjectives." Elizabeth teased and then appeared at the top of the stairs, her shoes on and a bag slung over her shoulder. He didn't want her to leave - ever. But he smiled anyway.
"Elizabeth," he started as she descended the stairs. He was so comfortable with her - he surprised himself at how honest and vulnerable he was prepared to be, and that it didn't seem unnatural, in fact it fit into place perfectly. "Do you have any idea how much of my happiness you hold in your hot little hand?"
She reached the bottom of the stairs and stopped - the few feet between them seemed a lot further since they were becoming accustomed to stand much, much closer.
"I'll be careful." She said and smiled delicately, taking one step closer. "On one condition - make that two."
"What?" he asked, taking a step closer.
"Always tell me what you think and trust me enough - like you did just now - even if it's scary." She stepped in.
"And…" He stepped in.
"And be careful with me." She stood still - her vulnerability evident in her eyes.
He closed the gap between them and hugged her. "I have to go." She said and reluctantly pulled back. She had tears running down her cheeks. Robert wiped them away with his fingertips then kissed her softly.
"Good bye Ella." Elizabeth said from the lounge doorway.
"Bye, bye mama." Ella waved, turning back to the TV immediately.
"Well, she's happy."
Robert smiled and opened the front door. "So, I'll bring Ella to the hospital at 5 - is that all right?"
"Yeah - sounds good to me." She took his hand and squeezed it encouragingly.
"Thanks. You make this much easier."
"Just say the word - I haven't been here before so I don't really know how to help."
"Neither - but you help more than you can know. You better go - you won't need me to baby-sit if they fire you."
"But at least then I could spend more time with the baby-sitter." She kissed him mischievously. He responded with an honest, vulnerable kiss that left her heart racing long after she was out of sight (but not out of mind).