Elizabeth yawned. She was sitting in her kitchen, thinking about how much she loved Friday evenings. She often had weekends off, and so did Robert - he had seen to it that the surgery schedule was arranged so that they could spend time together. Occasionally, one or both of them had to go in on Saturday or Sunday, but it happened rarely, so she thought of Friday as the beginning of a mini-vacation. Time to relax and unwind -- go out to dinner, or stay in and order food and watch a movie. Sleep late and cuddle in bed.
She poured some wine into two glasses. Robert was on his way home -- or to her house, to be exact, but that had begun to seem like home. They hadn't addressed the subject of permanently moving in together since Rachel's visit, but Elizabeth wasn't worrying about it. She knew they would work it out eventually.
Her phone rang, and she picked it up. "Hello?" she said.
"Hi," he said.
"Hi," she said, smiling at the sound of his voice. "What's that noise? Are you on the el train?"
"Yeah," he said. "It's noisy and annoying, as usual." She heard him say, "What? I am being quiet," to someone near him.
"What's wrong, is someone giving you trouble?"
"Yeah, some woman is giving me the evil eye because I'm on a cell phone. I rue the day I listened to you about taking the train into work, Lizzie. Even a few days a week, it's not worth it."
"Less wear and tear on your car, no traffic hassles--"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah yeah," Robert said. "I've heard it all before. Give me the gridlock over the irritations of public transit. I feel like a sardine packed in with the rest of the sardines."
"Robert, did you call me only to complain?" Elizabeth scolded him.
"No," he said. "I called you to tell you I'm on my way--" She heard some noises. "--I'm stepping onto the platform now."
"Good," she said. "I poured some wine for us. I haven't figured out dinner yet."
"Don't bother," he said. "Just get the takeout menus into a pile, we'll pick something out."
"Okay," she said. "Where are you now?"
"I'm on the street, I'm about seven minutes away."
"Well, hurry up and get here," she ordered him, smiling.
"I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying," he said good-naturedly. "Look outside the window, why don't you."
"Why? Are you on my street already?"
"No, but -- just look outside, Lizzie."
She walked to the window and gazed out with a sigh. The early evening sky was a beautiful sunset, full of pinks and lavenders and blues. "It's so lovely," she said.
"Isn't it?"
"Yes," she said dreamily.
"I ordered it just for you."
"Oh," she said smiling. "Well, thank you, that was very sweet."
"Any time," he said. "See you soon."
"Bye." They both clicked off.
***************************************************************************************************
Robert put his key in the door and came in. "Hey," he called out.
"In here," Elizabeth said.
He walked into the living room. She was lounging in an arm chair. He bent down and kissed her. "Hey," he said softly.
"Hey," she said. She ran her hands over his shoulders. "I'm glad you're home."
He smiled. "I'm going upstairs to change," he said. "Be right back."
"I'll be here," she said yawning.
"Don't fall asleep!" he said, as he went upstairs. He came down a few minutes later, having changed into a black shirt and a pair of gray pants. He walked into the living room softly. Elizabeth was leaning back in the chair with her eyes closed. "Elizabeth?" Robert said gently.
Elizabeth opened her eyes. "Hi, sweetie."
"Were you sleeping?"
She smiled drowsily. "I think I just dozed off for a moment."
"Well, none of that," he said lightly. "The night is still young. Should I get the menus?"
"Yeah," she said, "why don't you bring them in here."
He got up and went into the kitchen, then came back a few minutes later with the menus and their glasses of wine. He set the wine glasses down on the coffeetable, as he and Elizabeth pored through the menus. They decided to order pasta, salad, and garlic bread from their favorite Italian place. Robert called in the order. "They said twenty minutes," he told Elizabeth.
"Good, I'm starving," she said.
"Me too," he said. He turned on Elizabeth's stereo and some jazz music came on. "Want to sit on the couch?" he said.
"If you can give me a lift," she said. "I feel like I can't move."
"Oh, okay," he said. He took her hand and gently pulled her up, then pulled her up against him. She laughed and grabbed onto him. They kissed and he playfully pushed her towards the couch. "Go sit down," he teased. He picked up the wine glasses and moved them closer to the couch, then sat down next to Elizabeth. She smiled and he smiled back at her and handed her a glass.
"Thank you," she said.
He smiled and picked up the other glass, clinked it against hers. "Cheers," he said.
"Cheers," she repeated. "To our weekend." They drank and then set their glasses down. He put his arm around her, and she snuggled against him. "I've thought of nothing but being with you for these past few hours," she murmured.
"Only the past few hours?" he said, pretending to be hurt. "I've been thinking of you for - all day...all week...all month...."
"Ohhhh," said Elizabeth, smiling. "Poor you."
"All year," he said, as she laughed. "All my life..."
She leaned in to kiss him.
"Wait, I have more tales of devotion to share," he said.
"What, did you think of me in the womb, as well?" she said. They kissed and leaned against each other on the couch.
"I have something for you," Robert said.
She looked surprised. "You do?"
He smiled shyly. "Yeah." He reached behind the couch and lifted up a small box. "The thing is, we work so much, all the time, and I want more of you than just a day or two on the weekend, so - I thought this would help." He handed her the box and smiled. "I hope you'll be happy."
She looked at him with surprise, then reached into the box. Inside were Frommers travel guides for Paris and Provence, two travel guides for Italy, foreign dictionaries, and two tickets. She stared at the tickets.
"Two first-class tickets to Paris," she mused.
"A week-and-a-half in France, and a week-and-a-half in Italy," he said. "I got the dictionaries and the travel guides, although I doubt we'll need them. I've been to Italy twice, and I know you're an expert in French." He winked at her.
"The languages," she said. "You were asking me about how well I spoke French that day at the hospital..."
"Yup," he said. "Well, really, who has time for refresher courses? You'll teach me some French, because I don't know any of it. Except for 'Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?' "
"Robert," Elizabeth said, and laughed. She gave him a hug. "I can't believe you did all this! We're really going?"
"End of next month," he said with a grin.
"But how will we be able to get away? For three weeks?"
"Lizzie, Lizzie," Robert said, "don't you know by now that I control everything at the hospital, the least of which is the schedule? If I say we're going on vacation for three weeks, that's what we're doing, and everyone else can just like it or lump it."
"Well, okay," she said amused. "I can't believe it though! What made you think of this?"
"I wanted us to get away, and these seemed like pretty romantic locales."
"You are so sweet!" she said.
He shrugged. "I am sweet," he said.
Elizabeth let out a little yelp of excitement.
Robert laughed.
She put her arms around his neck. "How am I ever going to thank you?" she said.
"Just promise me you'll squeal like that later tonight when we're upstairs."
Elizabeth laughed. Just then, they heard a soft cry coming from Ella's room.
"And it looks like we're going upstairs sooner than I thought," he said. He started to go up the step. The doorbell rang.
"That must be the delivery guy," Elizabeth said.
"My wallet's on the table, just get the money out of there," Robert called down.
"Okay," she said. She paid the delivery man and put the food on the table, then went upstairs to Ella's room. Robert was in there comforting Ella.
"I was scared," Ella said to Robert.
"You don't have to be, I'll take care of you," Robert consoled her.
"Rob take care of me?" she said.
"I'll take care of you," he said, holding her close. "I love you."
"Everything all right?" Elizabeth said, smiling.
"Yeah, we're fine," Robert murmured. "Ella just had a dream, but she's okay now, aren't you, sweetheart?"
"Rob, where Gretel?" Ella wailed.
"Gretel? She's around here somewhere. Gretel, where are you?" Robert called out, and Gretel trotted into the room. "Well, there you are. Someone's been asking for you, you know."
"Gretel!" Ella called out happily. "Come play?"
"No, you need your sleep, Ella," Elizabeth said gently. "Gretel will play with you tomorrow."
Ella looked at Robert for confirmation. "Morrow?"
"Tomorrow morning, yes," Robert said. "After your mommy and I wake up. Late. Very late," he said, giving Elizabeth a sidelong glance and a wink.
"Rob, not sleepy," Ella complained.
"Oh, sure you are," he coaxed her, stroking her hair. "You are sleepy." He yawned for effect. "I am too, see?"
Ella laughed and yawned.
"Good girl," Robert said. "You say good night to mommy and I, and go to your sleep. Okay?"
"Good night, Ella," Elizabeth said, leaning down to kiss her daughter.
"Night," Ella said, closing her eyes.
"Hey, don't I get a good night?" Robert said, pretending to sulk. Elizabeth laughed.
"Night, Rob," Ella said, drifting off to sleep.
"Good night, baby," he whispered, giving her a kiss. He looked up at Elizabeth, who was smiling at him. "I think she'll sleep through the night," he whispered, as they walked downstairs. Elizabeth smiled.
"What?" Robert said.
"Nothing," she said, smiling. "I'm just happy. And hungry."
"Me too," he said.
"Although," Elizabeth said, hesitating, "What are we going to do about Ella if we go away?"
"We'll get Kris to stay with her," he said.
"It's a lot of hours," Elizabeth fretted. "Three weeks - what if she can't do it?"
"If she can't do it we'll get someone else good to stay," he said. "Don't worry, she'll have the best care, and we'll call every day."
"Okay," she said, smiling.
They heated up the food for a few minutes in the microwave, ate it in the kitchen, then retired to the living room couch.
"I still can't believe it," Elizabeth said, as she cuddled against him. "Three weeks."
"You think you can stand it?" he said.
She laughed. "I think I'm going to have to finally tell my dad about you."
"Your dad?" Robert said. "What's he got to do with anything?"
"Well, he called me today to see how I was doing, and you know I've never said anything to him about you and me, because, well you know..."
"Because he hates my guts?"
"Because - I don't know how he'd react," Elizabeth said, giggling, "And he lives far away, so I didn't think it was necessary to tell him yet, or my mother. But if I'll be away for three weeks - well, I'd have to explain that, wouldn't I?"
"Tell him you're away on medical conferences."
"He'd want to see me then," she mused. "My mother probably would, too."
"Well, tell them you're conferencing in New York," Robert said. "And you'll be very busy, with no time to spend on the phone."
"I don't know, maybe it's time for me to come clean," Elizabeth said.
"Lizzie," Robert said with a sigh, "Haven't you had enough of people who hate me?"
"We'll never get away from that," she said, grinning.
"Ha ha," he said, trying not to smile. "I just don't know why you want to stir up trouble all the time."
"I don't!" she protested.
"Is that why you called Benton this week?"
"Robert, I am very proud of myself for arranging that. It was a big thing for Peter to come around! We're having dinner with him and Cleo next Saturday, so don't forget."
"Plenty of time to get out of it," he said, grinning.
"Robert."
"What?"
"Behave," Elizabeth said sternly.
"You don't want me to behave!" he said.
"Yes I do!"
"You want me exactly like this," he said, tickling her neck. "Admit it."
"I will admit no such thing," Elizabeth said, laughing. "Stop it!" He continued to tickle her and she moved around to resist him, putting her arms up and pinning his hands back so he couldn't reach her.
"Ow!" he said.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she said, concerned, releasing her hold on him. "Did I hurt you?"
"Very, very badly," he said, with an evil grin.
"Robert!" she said. "What am I going to do with you?"
"What am I going to do with you?" he said. "In Italy, with all those Italian rogues coming after you. I know what those guys are like, being half-Italian myself."
"What am I going to do with you in France?" she said.
"France?" he said innocently. "There's nothing to worry about. You're going to teach me the language, aren't you?"
"Yes, but Robert, you have to be careful with the French people. They can be very sensitive."
"Tres sensitive," he mocked, in a perfect French accent. "What do they have to be sensitive about?"
"I'm just worried - I know they are about Americans. Americans who act boorishly."
"You think I'm a boor?" he said, amused.
"I think you can be very charming when you want to, and very arrogant when you want to."
"Ooh," he said, with a sarcastic grin. "You really sized me up there. Which Robert will they see? It's really the great unknown, isn't it."
"This is exactly what I'm afraid of," she said.
"You love it," he said, kissing her. "Admit it."
"I do," she said, kissing him back. "I really do."
"I love you," he said, between kisses.
"I love you too," she murmured.
***************************************************************************************************
Five weeks later...
Robert and Elizabeth were leaving for vacation the next day. They were both at County, tying up loose ends. Robert was talking to Kerry Weaver in his office, as she would be taking over his Chief of Staff duties while he was on vacation.
He handed her some file folders. "This one is for the budget, these two are for the department meetings. This one for the board. The past year files are in the cabinet, if you need it for the budget, and...Brenda will get you anything else if you need it."
"Thank you, Robert," Kerry said formally. "I appreciate you leaving everything where I can find it."
He nodded.
"Oh, and don't worry, I won't call you while you're away, I know you'll be on vacation," she said.
"That's right," he said dryly.
"I'm sure you and Elizabeth will have a nice time," Kerry said.
"Thanks."
They both got to their feet, and he walked her out. "I guess you can call if you need to," he said grudgingly. "If it's an emergency."
"I'll keep that in mind," she said.
Robert grinned. "Don't get too comfortable, Kerry. I will be back."
"I know," Kerry said good-naturedly.
*************************************************************************************************
"So where are you going in France?" Susan asked Elizabeth. "I know you told me, but I can't remember...where besides Paris?"
"We'll be in Paris, and Provence," Elizabeth explained. "We might also try to fit in a trip to the city of Carcassonne, even though it wasn't on our original itinerary. Then it's off to Italy, where we'll be spending time in Rome, Venice, and Florence."
"God, it sounds amazing," Susan said, sighing. "I'm jealous - take me with you?"
"You'd have to put up with Robert," Elizabeth said, grinning. "And although he might not mind a threesome, I certainly would."
Susan laughed. "You know, I don't see myself going that route, either. Now that I think about it."
"What's this?" Jing-Mei asked, as she approached.
"We're talking about Elizabeth's trip, she leaves tomorrow," Susan said, smiling.
"Oh, that's right!" Jing-Mei said. "Two weeks with Dr. Romano!"
"Three weeks!" Susan said.
"Three weeks!" Jing-Mei repeated. "Oh my God!" They both turned to Elizabeth in amusement. "Are you up for this?"
"Of course," Elizabeth said.
"Have you guys ever been away together for a long time?" Susan said. Elizabeth shook her head. "Have you been away together at all? Even for a weekend?"
"Well, no," Elizabeth said, "but we've spent loads of private time together. We spend almost every weekend together as it is, unless one of us has to work."
Susan and Jing-Mei shot each other a knowing look. "You're talking about spending time at home. It's different when you're out of town," Susan said good-naturedly. "Trapped in a foreign country together - alone..."
"Well, France won't be that much of a foreign country to Elizabeth," Jing-Mei said. "You've been there before, right?"
"Yes, yes I have, but--"
"And besides, France is just a hop-skip-and jump away from England," Jing-Mei said reassuringly. "You can always go see your parents if Romano is too much for you to take."
"Why would he be too much for me?" Elizabeth said.
"I don't know -- you don't think he would be?"
"No," Elizabeth said uncertainly. "I mean, no! I'm crazy about him, and we both really want this trip!" She noticed the two women eyeing each other again. "What? What is so funny?"
Jing-Mei smiled.
"Crazy," Susan sang, to the tune of the old Patsy Cline hit. "Crazy for feeling so lonely..."
"Crazy," Jing-Mei sang, "Crazy for feeling so blue...."
"Willie Nelson," Susan said matter-of-factly. "He wrote that song."
"He did?" Jing-Mei said.
"All right, you two," Elizabeth said coolly. "I'm off, then." She started to gather up her bag and other items that she had left near ER admit.
"Don't be mad," Susan said. "You know we're just kidding around."
Elizabeth folded her arms defensively.
"You know I'm jealous," Susan said. "It sounds very romantic."
"It does!" Jing-Mei said.
Elizabeth smiled. "Even with Robert?"
"Yeah, even with Robert!" Susan said. "I'd go with him, but I know you wouldn't like that."
"Ladies, please, there's enough of me to go around," Robert said, coming up to the left side of the desk and surprising them all.
"Hi, Robert," Elizabeth said, smiling.
He put his arm around her. "Ready to go?"
"Ready to go home and finish packing," she said grinning.
"Well, we'd better get out of here then," he said, grinning back at her. He turned to the others. "Ladies, hold down the fort."
"We will," Jing-Mei said. Since Kerry would be filling in for Robert as Chief of Staff, Robert and Kerry had arranged that Susan, Jing-Mei and Luka would be in charge of the ER. "Have a great trip, Dr. Romano."
"Thank you," he said. He looked at Susan. "Since you're coming in Lizzie's suitcase, no need to say good-bye."
"Good-bye, Dr. Romano," Susan said, smiling. "Have fun."
"I intend to," he said, with a wink.
Susan and Jing-Mei each gave Elizabeth a hug. "Have a wonderful time," Jing-Mei said.
"I will," Elizabeth said, smiling.
"I want dirt," Susan whispered.
Elizabeth blushed. "I know," she whispered back, smiling.
Elizabeth and Robert left the hospital, waving to the others. Lydia, Haleh, and some of the other staff approached them on the way out with good wishes.
"Thank you, we'll see you when we get back!" Elizabeth called out.
"Don't work too hard!" Robert called out. He looked back at the crowd. "On second thought, work too hard." Hand in hand with Elizabeth, they reached the stairs that led out to the parking garage.
"Let's take the stairs, elevator's too slow," Robert suggested. Elizabeth shook her head and smiled. "What?"
"You," Elizabeth said, as they made their way down the stairs and into the parking garage. "You're so impossible."
"Oh yeah?" he said, hitting the remote-control that unlocked their car.
"Yeah," she said playfully, putting her arms around his waist. "Susan and Jing-Mei don't know how I'll last a week with you, let alone three weeks."
"I don't know either," he said, grinning. "How do you plan to manage it?"
"Oh, I'll keep you in line," she said.
"Really?" he said.
She nodded, amused.
"Show me," he said.
She kissed him full on the mouth. Their bags dropped to the floor.
"Have you ever made out in the parking garage?" she murmured.
"No."
"There's always a first time."
**Notes: Robert's spoken line of French ("Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir") is a lyric from the song "Lady Marmalade," and it translates to, "Will you sleep with me tonight?"
She poured some wine into two glasses. Robert was on his way home -- or to her house, to be exact, but that had begun to seem like home. They hadn't addressed the subject of permanently moving in together since Rachel's visit, but Elizabeth wasn't worrying about it. She knew they would work it out eventually.
Her phone rang, and she picked it up. "Hello?" she said.
"Hi," he said.
"Hi," she said, smiling at the sound of his voice. "What's that noise? Are you on the el train?"
"Yeah," he said. "It's noisy and annoying, as usual." She heard him say, "What? I am being quiet," to someone near him.
"What's wrong, is someone giving you trouble?"
"Yeah, some woman is giving me the evil eye because I'm on a cell phone. I rue the day I listened to you about taking the train into work, Lizzie. Even a few days a week, it's not worth it."
"Less wear and tear on your car, no traffic hassles--"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah yeah," Robert said. "I've heard it all before. Give me the gridlock over the irritations of public transit. I feel like a sardine packed in with the rest of the sardines."
"Robert, did you call me only to complain?" Elizabeth scolded him.
"No," he said. "I called you to tell you I'm on my way--" She heard some noises. "--I'm stepping onto the platform now."
"Good," she said. "I poured some wine for us. I haven't figured out dinner yet."
"Don't bother," he said. "Just get the takeout menus into a pile, we'll pick something out."
"Okay," she said. "Where are you now?"
"I'm on the street, I'm about seven minutes away."
"Well, hurry up and get here," she ordered him, smiling.
"I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying," he said good-naturedly. "Look outside the window, why don't you."
"Why? Are you on my street already?"
"No, but -- just look outside, Lizzie."
She walked to the window and gazed out with a sigh. The early evening sky was a beautiful sunset, full of pinks and lavenders and blues. "It's so lovely," she said.
"Isn't it?"
"Yes," she said dreamily.
"I ordered it just for you."
"Oh," she said smiling. "Well, thank you, that was very sweet."
"Any time," he said. "See you soon."
"Bye." They both clicked off.
***************************************************************************************************
Robert put his key in the door and came in. "Hey," he called out.
"In here," Elizabeth said.
He walked into the living room. She was lounging in an arm chair. He bent down and kissed her. "Hey," he said softly.
"Hey," she said. She ran her hands over his shoulders. "I'm glad you're home."
He smiled. "I'm going upstairs to change," he said. "Be right back."
"I'll be here," she said yawning.
"Don't fall asleep!" he said, as he went upstairs. He came down a few minutes later, having changed into a black shirt and a pair of gray pants. He walked into the living room softly. Elizabeth was leaning back in the chair with her eyes closed. "Elizabeth?" Robert said gently.
Elizabeth opened her eyes. "Hi, sweetie."
"Were you sleeping?"
She smiled drowsily. "I think I just dozed off for a moment."
"Well, none of that," he said lightly. "The night is still young. Should I get the menus?"
"Yeah," she said, "why don't you bring them in here."
He got up and went into the kitchen, then came back a few minutes later with the menus and their glasses of wine. He set the wine glasses down on the coffeetable, as he and Elizabeth pored through the menus. They decided to order pasta, salad, and garlic bread from their favorite Italian place. Robert called in the order. "They said twenty minutes," he told Elizabeth.
"Good, I'm starving," she said.
"Me too," he said. He turned on Elizabeth's stereo and some jazz music came on. "Want to sit on the couch?" he said.
"If you can give me a lift," she said. "I feel like I can't move."
"Oh, okay," he said. He took her hand and gently pulled her up, then pulled her up against him. She laughed and grabbed onto him. They kissed and he playfully pushed her towards the couch. "Go sit down," he teased. He picked up the wine glasses and moved them closer to the couch, then sat down next to Elizabeth. She smiled and he smiled back at her and handed her a glass.
"Thank you," she said.
He smiled and picked up the other glass, clinked it against hers. "Cheers," he said.
"Cheers," she repeated. "To our weekend." They drank and then set their glasses down. He put his arm around her, and she snuggled against him. "I've thought of nothing but being with you for these past few hours," she murmured.
"Only the past few hours?" he said, pretending to be hurt. "I've been thinking of you for - all day...all week...all month...."
"Ohhhh," said Elizabeth, smiling. "Poor you."
"All year," he said, as she laughed. "All my life..."
She leaned in to kiss him.
"Wait, I have more tales of devotion to share," he said.
"What, did you think of me in the womb, as well?" she said. They kissed and leaned against each other on the couch.
"I have something for you," Robert said.
She looked surprised. "You do?"
He smiled shyly. "Yeah." He reached behind the couch and lifted up a small box. "The thing is, we work so much, all the time, and I want more of you than just a day or two on the weekend, so - I thought this would help." He handed her the box and smiled. "I hope you'll be happy."
She looked at him with surprise, then reached into the box. Inside were Frommers travel guides for Paris and Provence, two travel guides for Italy, foreign dictionaries, and two tickets. She stared at the tickets.
"Two first-class tickets to Paris," she mused.
"A week-and-a-half in France, and a week-and-a-half in Italy," he said. "I got the dictionaries and the travel guides, although I doubt we'll need them. I've been to Italy twice, and I know you're an expert in French." He winked at her.
"The languages," she said. "You were asking me about how well I spoke French that day at the hospital..."
"Yup," he said. "Well, really, who has time for refresher courses? You'll teach me some French, because I don't know any of it. Except for 'Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?' "
"Robert," Elizabeth said, and laughed. She gave him a hug. "I can't believe you did all this! We're really going?"
"End of next month," he said with a grin.
"But how will we be able to get away? For three weeks?"
"Lizzie, Lizzie," Robert said, "don't you know by now that I control everything at the hospital, the least of which is the schedule? If I say we're going on vacation for three weeks, that's what we're doing, and everyone else can just like it or lump it."
"Well, okay," she said amused. "I can't believe it though! What made you think of this?"
"I wanted us to get away, and these seemed like pretty romantic locales."
"You are so sweet!" she said.
He shrugged. "I am sweet," he said.
Elizabeth let out a little yelp of excitement.
Robert laughed.
She put her arms around his neck. "How am I ever going to thank you?" she said.
"Just promise me you'll squeal like that later tonight when we're upstairs."
Elizabeth laughed. Just then, they heard a soft cry coming from Ella's room.
"And it looks like we're going upstairs sooner than I thought," he said. He started to go up the step. The doorbell rang.
"That must be the delivery guy," Elizabeth said.
"My wallet's on the table, just get the money out of there," Robert called down.
"Okay," she said. She paid the delivery man and put the food on the table, then went upstairs to Ella's room. Robert was in there comforting Ella.
"I was scared," Ella said to Robert.
"You don't have to be, I'll take care of you," Robert consoled her.
"Rob take care of me?" she said.
"I'll take care of you," he said, holding her close. "I love you."
"Everything all right?" Elizabeth said, smiling.
"Yeah, we're fine," Robert murmured. "Ella just had a dream, but she's okay now, aren't you, sweetheart?"
"Rob, where Gretel?" Ella wailed.
"Gretel? She's around here somewhere. Gretel, where are you?" Robert called out, and Gretel trotted into the room. "Well, there you are. Someone's been asking for you, you know."
"Gretel!" Ella called out happily. "Come play?"
"No, you need your sleep, Ella," Elizabeth said gently. "Gretel will play with you tomorrow."
Ella looked at Robert for confirmation. "Morrow?"
"Tomorrow morning, yes," Robert said. "After your mommy and I wake up. Late. Very late," he said, giving Elizabeth a sidelong glance and a wink.
"Rob, not sleepy," Ella complained.
"Oh, sure you are," he coaxed her, stroking her hair. "You are sleepy." He yawned for effect. "I am too, see?"
Ella laughed and yawned.
"Good girl," Robert said. "You say good night to mommy and I, and go to your sleep. Okay?"
"Good night, Ella," Elizabeth said, leaning down to kiss her daughter.
"Night," Ella said, closing her eyes.
"Hey, don't I get a good night?" Robert said, pretending to sulk. Elizabeth laughed.
"Night, Rob," Ella said, drifting off to sleep.
"Good night, baby," he whispered, giving her a kiss. He looked up at Elizabeth, who was smiling at him. "I think she'll sleep through the night," he whispered, as they walked downstairs. Elizabeth smiled.
"What?" Robert said.
"Nothing," she said, smiling. "I'm just happy. And hungry."
"Me too," he said.
"Although," Elizabeth said, hesitating, "What are we going to do about Ella if we go away?"
"We'll get Kris to stay with her," he said.
"It's a lot of hours," Elizabeth fretted. "Three weeks - what if she can't do it?"
"If she can't do it we'll get someone else good to stay," he said. "Don't worry, she'll have the best care, and we'll call every day."
"Okay," she said, smiling.
They heated up the food for a few minutes in the microwave, ate it in the kitchen, then retired to the living room couch.
"I still can't believe it," Elizabeth said, as she cuddled against him. "Three weeks."
"You think you can stand it?" he said.
She laughed. "I think I'm going to have to finally tell my dad about you."
"Your dad?" Robert said. "What's he got to do with anything?"
"Well, he called me today to see how I was doing, and you know I've never said anything to him about you and me, because, well you know..."
"Because he hates my guts?"
"Because - I don't know how he'd react," Elizabeth said, giggling, "And he lives far away, so I didn't think it was necessary to tell him yet, or my mother. But if I'll be away for three weeks - well, I'd have to explain that, wouldn't I?"
"Tell him you're away on medical conferences."
"He'd want to see me then," she mused. "My mother probably would, too."
"Well, tell them you're conferencing in New York," Robert said. "And you'll be very busy, with no time to spend on the phone."
"I don't know, maybe it's time for me to come clean," Elizabeth said.
"Lizzie," Robert said with a sigh, "Haven't you had enough of people who hate me?"
"We'll never get away from that," she said, grinning.
"Ha ha," he said, trying not to smile. "I just don't know why you want to stir up trouble all the time."
"I don't!" she protested.
"Is that why you called Benton this week?"
"Robert, I am very proud of myself for arranging that. It was a big thing for Peter to come around! We're having dinner with him and Cleo next Saturday, so don't forget."
"Plenty of time to get out of it," he said, grinning.
"Robert."
"What?"
"Behave," Elizabeth said sternly.
"You don't want me to behave!" he said.
"Yes I do!"
"You want me exactly like this," he said, tickling her neck. "Admit it."
"I will admit no such thing," Elizabeth said, laughing. "Stop it!" He continued to tickle her and she moved around to resist him, putting her arms up and pinning his hands back so he couldn't reach her.
"Ow!" he said.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she said, concerned, releasing her hold on him. "Did I hurt you?"
"Very, very badly," he said, with an evil grin.
"Robert!" she said. "What am I going to do with you?"
"What am I going to do with you?" he said. "In Italy, with all those Italian rogues coming after you. I know what those guys are like, being half-Italian myself."
"What am I going to do with you in France?" she said.
"France?" he said innocently. "There's nothing to worry about. You're going to teach me the language, aren't you?"
"Yes, but Robert, you have to be careful with the French people. They can be very sensitive."
"Tres sensitive," he mocked, in a perfect French accent. "What do they have to be sensitive about?"
"I'm just worried - I know they are about Americans. Americans who act boorishly."
"You think I'm a boor?" he said, amused.
"I think you can be very charming when you want to, and very arrogant when you want to."
"Ooh," he said, with a sarcastic grin. "You really sized me up there. Which Robert will they see? It's really the great unknown, isn't it."
"This is exactly what I'm afraid of," she said.
"You love it," he said, kissing her. "Admit it."
"I do," she said, kissing him back. "I really do."
"I love you," he said, between kisses.
"I love you too," she murmured.
***************************************************************************************************
Five weeks later...
Robert and Elizabeth were leaving for vacation the next day. They were both at County, tying up loose ends. Robert was talking to Kerry Weaver in his office, as she would be taking over his Chief of Staff duties while he was on vacation.
He handed her some file folders. "This one is for the budget, these two are for the department meetings. This one for the board. The past year files are in the cabinet, if you need it for the budget, and...Brenda will get you anything else if you need it."
"Thank you, Robert," Kerry said formally. "I appreciate you leaving everything where I can find it."
He nodded.
"Oh, and don't worry, I won't call you while you're away, I know you'll be on vacation," she said.
"That's right," he said dryly.
"I'm sure you and Elizabeth will have a nice time," Kerry said.
"Thanks."
They both got to their feet, and he walked her out. "I guess you can call if you need to," he said grudgingly. "If it's an emergency."
"I'll keep that in mind," she said.
Robert grinned. "Don't get too comfortable, Kerry. I will be back."
"I know," Kerry said good-naturedly.
*************************************************************************************************
"So where are you going in France?" Susan asked Elizabeth. "I know you told me, but I can't remember...where besides Paris?"
"We'll be in Paris, and Provence," Elizabeth explained. "We might also try to fit in a trip to the city of Carcassonne, even though it wasn't on our original itinerary. Then it's off to Italy, where we'll be spending time in Rome, Venice, and Florence."
"God, it sounds amazing," Susan said, sighing. "I'm jealous - take me with you?"
"You'd have to put up with Robert," Elizabeth said, grinning. "And although he might not mind a threesome, I certainly would."
Susan laughed. "You know, I don't see myself going that route, either. Now that I think about it."
"What's this?" Jing-Mei asked, as she approached.
"We're talking about Elizabeth's trip, she leaves tomorrow," Susan said, smiling.
"Oh, that's right!" Jing-Mei said. "Two weeks with Dr. Romano!"
"Three weeks!" Susan said.
"Three weeks!" Jing-Mei repeated. "Oh my God!" They both turned to Elizabeth in amusement. "Are you up for this?"
"Of course," Elizabeth said.
"Have you guys ever been away together for a long time?" Susan said. Elizabeth shook her head. "Have you been away together at all? Even for a weekend?"
"Well, no," Elizabeth said, "but we've spent loads of private time together. We spend almost every weekend together as it is, unless one of us has to work."
Susan and Jing-Mei shot each other a knowing look. "You're talking about spending time at home. It's different when you're out of town," Susan said good-naturedly. "Trapped in a foreign country together - alone..."
"Well, France won't be that much of a foreign country to Elizabeth," Jing-Mei said. "You've been there before, right?"
"Yes, yes I have, but--"
"And besides, France is just a hop-skip-and jump away from England," Jing-Mei said reassuringly. "You can always go see your parents if Romano is too much for you to take."
"Why would he be too much for me?" Elizabeth said.
"I don't know -- you don't think he would be?"
"No," Elizabeth said uncertainly. "I mean, no! I'm crazy about him, and we both really want this trip!" She noticed the two women eyeing each other again. "What? What is so funny?"
Jing-Mei smiled.
"Crazy," Susan sang, to the tune of the old Patsy Cline hit. "Crazy for feeling so lonely..."
"Crazy," Jing-Mei sang, "Crazy for feeling so blue...."
"Willie Nelson," Susan said matter-of-factly. "He wrote that song."
"He did?" Jing-Mei said.
"All right, you two," Elizabeth said coolly. "I'm off, then." She started to gather up her bag and other items that she had left near ER admit.
"Don't be mad," Susan said. "You know we're just kidding around."
Elizabeth folded her arms defensively.
"You know I'm jealous," Susan said. "It sounds very romantic."
"It does!" Jing-Mei said.
Elizabeth smiled. "Even with Robert?"
"Yeah, even with Robert!" Susan said. "I'd go with him, but I know you wouldn't like that."
"Ladies, please, there's enough of me to go around," Robert said, coming up to the left side of the desk and surprising them all.
"Hi, Robert," Elizabeth said, smiling.
He put his arm around her. "Ready to go?"
"Ready to go home and finish packing," she said grinning.
"Well, we'd better get out of here then," he said, grinning back at her. He turned to the others. "Ladies, hold down the fort."
"We will," Jing-Mei said. Since Kerry would be filling in for Robert as Chief of Staff, Robert and Kerry had arranged that Susan, Jing-Mei and Luka would be in charge of the ER. "Have a great trip, Dr. Romano."
"Thank you," he said. He looked at Susan. "Since you're coming in Lizzie's suitcase, no need to say good-bye."
"Good-bye, Dr. Romano," Susan said, smiling. "Have fun."
"I intend to," he said, with a wink.
Susan and Jing-Mei each gave Elizabeth a hug. "Have a wonderful time," Jing-Mei said.
"I will," Elizabeth said, smiling.
"I want dirt," Susan whispered.
Elizabeth blushed. "I know," she whispered back, smiling.
Elizabeth and Robert left the hospital, waving to the others. Lydia, Haleh, and some of the other staff approached them on the way out with good wishes.
"Thank you, we'll see you when we get back!" Elizabeth called out.
"Don't work too hard!" Robert called out. He looked back at the crowd. "On second thought, work too hard." Hand in hand with Elizabeth, they reached the stairs that led out to the parking garage.
"Let's take the stairs, elevator's too slow," Robert suggested. Elizabeth shook her head and smiled. "What?"
"You," Elizabeth said, as they made their way down the stairs and into the parking garage. "You're so impossible."
"Oh yeah?" he said, hitting the remote-control that unlocked their car.
"Yeah," she said playfully, putting her arms around his waist. "Susan and Jing-Mei don't know how I'll last a week with you, let alone three weeks."
"I don't know either," he said, grinning. "How do you plan to manage it?"
"Oh, I'll keep you in line," she said.
"Really?" he said.
She nodded, amused.
"Show me," he said.
She kissed him full on the mouth. Their bags dropped to the floor.
"Have you ever made out in the parking garage?" she murmured.
"No."
"There's always a first time."
**Notes: Robert's spoken line of French ("Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir") is a lyric from the song "Lady Marmalade," and it translates to, "Will you sleep with me tonight?"