Ok, so I took a night off and didn't post last night. I walked a 10K and decided to read Bridget Jones's: Edge of Reason (for the 50th time) instead. Anyway, to compensate this chapter is longer than any other one I have written so far. Chalked full of Cordano romance. In other words, probably totally out of character for Robert, but hey, it's my fan fiction.
By the way, does anyone want to be a Beta for this story? It would mean reading (most likely) a chapter everyday. I loathe going back and seeing all of my glaring typos that I have already posted with previous chapters. E-mail me if you are interested. Thanks!
The dinner really was fantastic. Elizabeth was blown away by the presentation of the dish that was placed in front of her. In a coconut half shell she was served a delicious combination of pork, bean sprouts, mint leaves, cilantro, shrimp, rice noodles, and several other things that she couldn't identify but most certainly enjoyed.
"Robert this is… incredible."
"Yeah, well I get that a lot," he smiled using his chops sticks to lift in the last few bites of his own dinner.
"No really Robert, how did you find this place?"
"Oh no. I have learned my lesson. If I give away all of my secrets now, there will be no reason for a second date."
Elizabeth thought about pushing, but then let it go. She guessed that her dinner partner was probably telling thing the truth in that he rarely had second dates. She had certainly never heard about anyone special in the last several years that they had been working together.
Robert yawned and tried to cover by bringing his fist to his mouth. Elizabeth, who had been staring at his face, thinking about his date-behavior caught it immediately. "I saw that."
"I'm sorry Lizzie. I wasn't trying to rush you or anything. It's just been a long day."
"No. It's fine. It has been a long day. Let me just get the bill and we can head out."
"Always the comedian," he chuckled and stood from the table.
"What… what do you mean?" Elizabeth asked obviously not trying to be funny.
Romano took her hand and led her out of the chair. "It's on me."
"What? How? The bill never even came."
"Stop asking questions Lizzie, I'm magical."
The conversation slowed to a stand still in the car but neither was complaining. It was a comfortable silence and Elizabeth found herself smiling like a schoolgirl while looking out the window.
"What's got you in such a giddy mood?" he asked softly breaking the quiet.
"It's nothing Robert." She tried to subdue her grin but to no avail. Her face flushed red again and she smiled so wide she showed teeth.
"It's not nothing. Spit out the canary now Lizzie, or I will turn this car around." Robert started to sputter with laughter as Elizabeth tried harder and harder to look somber.
"I was just thinking Robert…" she began slowly, becoming serious as she spoke. "Tonight has been… interesting."
"Interesting? That term could be used as a sign of disappointment."
"No, that's not it at all. I just mean you surprised me Robert. I didn't think I could have such a good time with someone…" she trailed off not really knowing how to finish her statement.
"With someone you have been trying to avoid for the last five years?"
She smiled, "yeah, something like that." She smiled wide again.
"Oh, come on Lizzie. What is it?"
"Well, I was just thinking about your saying that you were magical. And I was picturing you… in a black cloak… with a wizard's hat…"
"Don't you dare..." he knew what was coming and tried to stop her.
"… and I was thinking… you look a little like…"
"don't say it Lizzie…" he lowered his head and shook it back and forth while keeping his eyes on the road.
"well… just a little… mostly because of your ears…"
"It'll just kill you to stop talking now won't it?"
"I mean not so much the personality…"
"Would it help if I slowed down and just kicked you out of my car?"
"And not so much the four fingers on each hand…"
"I hate you."
"I mean you have such a smooth jaw line..."
"Oh just get it over with."
"I couldn't help but see a little similarity between you and…"
"Mickey Mouse" they both said together. Elizabeth burst into full stomach-holding laughter. Romano tried to look offended but seeing her beaming so pleased with herself he couldn't help himself.
"God, your beautiful." He whispered it, involuntarily. He didn't even think he said it aloud until Elizabeth abruptly stopped laughing and sat stiffly upright.
"What did you say?"
"Uh, nothing. So Lizzie, did you expect this to be a self-service or full-service date?"
"What?!!"
"Relax. I mean will you be needing a ride to your home or did you dust off that van of yours and drive to my house?"
"Actually, I did take a cab from the El."
"I figured. And by the way I really appreciate you conserving your vehicle so I can tool around in my V-8 each day with one less driver on the road."
"Anything for you, Robert."
Romano pulled up to her home and walked around to her side to open the door for her. He held her hand as they walked to the door. Robert stopped before she opened the door. Tugging on her hand turned her back towards him. He wasn't expecting to go in. Elizabeth was the first to speak.
"So… like I said, I had a really good time tonight." She started stammering, "Oh god, did I just say that? What am I? 14? Out on my first date? Gee, you think my dad is waiting…"
Robert smiled and brought his hand up to her face, "I'm nervous too." She looked into his eyes and her laughter subsided as she nodded. Painfully slow he moved forward to kiss her. She pushed her arms forward, and placed her hands first on his hips, and then softly, cautiously wrapped them around to his back as their lips met. It was a gentle kiss. A small one. It didn't last long but it was full of emotion. He leaned into her further and exhaled a heavy sigh when his chin curved into her neck. He breathed in her faint baby powder scent. They stood there, simply holding one another, for what seemed like eternity. Robert defined, in his mind, the muscles that relaxed as he stood there in her arms. Elizabeth listened to her breathing as it slowed and eventually became in sync with his.
"Uh… Robert," she spoke quietly, not moving from their embrace, "Would you like to come in?"
His body tensed, "actually…"
"Please." She added.
Robert released from her arms and took a step back. He shifted his weight a bit his knees a little shaky. "I don't think it would be a good idea."
Elizabeth flinched. "Oh, ok." She turned to her door and fishing out her keys she fought to get in the door as quickly as possible. "Damn," she whispered as she fumbled with the wrong key.
"Wait, no Lizzie. It's not that I don't want to."
She stopped fidgeting and turned back to him. "No?"
"No. I do." He looked down and blushed. His body was showing evidence of how much he wanted to go in. "I just don't want to rush anything."
Elizabeth nodded. Romano kissed her on the cheek. "I'll call you tomorrow. Ok?" And seeing in her eyes, that everything was 'ok,' he walked back to his car.
Elizabeth's mind reeled, as she got ready for bed. Who was that guy on the doorstep? Certainly not the notorious Dr. Romano, chief of staff. And certainly not the surgeon Dr. Romano who lost his arm and whom she felt twangs of pity for. This man was sensitive to her needs. And warm. And… exactly what she wanted in her life.