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When Robert got back to the Admit desk, Elizabeth was waiting for him, her expression troubled. "Kris can't stay with Ella," she said apologetically as they left, "I'm afraid I won't be able to join you for dinner tonight."
"We don't have to go out."
"Excuse me?"
"I would love to be properly introduced to Ella. We could eat in," he paused, "Assuming that it's not too presumptuous of me."
"You, presumptuous?" Elizabeth laughed. He chuckled along with her, "I do have a reputation to maintain. So, what do you say?"
"But what will we have? About all I have at the house is baby food and what little else I have isn't enough for two."
He gave her a roguish wink and a grin, "Never fear, my dear, I'll come prepared. I'd be willing to bet that you didn't know I can cook. I'll whip up something that will make your tastebuds sing."
"Why do I get the feeling that I'd be amazed at your list of abilities?"
"Oh, absolutely! The list is long and impressive," he laughed. They reached Elizabeth's car. She asked, "So, what are you going to cook?" He shook his head admonishingly. "I don't think so, Lizzie," he said, "You're just going to have to wait and see."
He blew her a kiss and walked off toward his Jaguar, whistling cheerfully. Elizabeth smiled to herself as she watched his retreating figure. The man certainly never failed to surprise her.
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Elizabeth had just finished bathing Ella when the doorbell rang. Trying to restrain a silly grin, and knowing she was failing, she went to answer it. Robert was there, holding a bulging bag of food. She ushered him in and they went into the kitchen. As Robert set the bag down, Elizabeth felt a small weight impact behind her knee.
Glancing down, she saw Ella trying simultaneously to hide behind her legs and trying to get a good look at this intruder in her home. Elizabeth seized the opportunity to introduce them and gently took Ella's hand. She crouched down and tugged the little girl in front of her. "Ella, this is Robert," she said encouragingly.
Robert crouched down as well and said, "Hello, Ella." The child simply stared at him for a long moment, her eyes wide and her thumb in her mouth. Suddenly, she turned and ran from the room. Elizabeth watched her go, and when she turned back to Robert, her heart twisted at the look on his face.
There was an intense look of longing in his eyes that was painful to see. She took his hand and said, reassuringly, "Don't worry about it, Robert. She's just a little afraid of strangers right now. I'm sure she'll come around."
Robert stood, pulling Elizabeth to her feet in one fluid motion. He said with a rueful smile, "Why don't you go and check on her. Make sure I didn't frighten her too badly. I'll get started here."
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On the way back down the stairs from putting Ella to bed, a delicious aroma wafting from the kitchen greeted Elizabeth. She came back into the kitchen and Robert asked, "How is she?"
"She's fine," Elizabeth replied, "She asked about a thousand questions about you, and went to sleep."
"Oh good, I was afraid I made a bad first impression."
"So," she asked, "are you ever going to tell me what it is that you're making?"
"Actually, it doesn't have a name," he explained as he worked, "My mother made it up years ago and it quickly became a family favorite. When I moved out, she made sure that I knew how to cook and this was one of the things she taught me."
As they chatted, Elizabeth watched him work, retrieving needed utensils as he asked for them. He moved with the same surety of purpose that characterized his surgeries. He was in his element and completely comfortable.
Afterwards, they were talking in the living room. Robert was telling her about a mishap that had happened when he was a resident that had involved an intubation kit and a sleeping student when he trailed off, looking over her shoulder.
Elizabeth turned to see Ella standing in the doorway holding her favorite stuffed bear. As she watched, the child walked slowly over to Robert and stood in front of him. She regarded him solemnly, her eyes wide and her thumb in her mouth.
Robert didn't move, in fact, he seemed to have stopped breathing, as if Ella were some ethereal creature that might vanish at the slightest provocation. Suddenly, the toddler moved forward and clambered up into Robert's lap. She snuggled her head underneath his chin and relaxed against him. He brought a trembling hand up and gently smoothed her tousled blond hair. He let out a ragged breath and looked up at Elizabeth. He mouthed, "Thank you," and closed his eyes.
Elizabeth felt a prickle of tears behind her eyes and blinked to clear them. The scene was heart-breakingly poignant. This was what she had been looking for, waiting for. For the first time in a long time, Elizabeth felt complete.
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