Ella's pudgy arms reached up and Elizabeth eased her out of her bed. With her left hand Elizabeth lightly pushed Ella's head against her shoulder whispering, "shh, you're ok. Mommy's here... you can go back to sleep… sleep… shh." With a slight bounce and comforting tones Ella settled against her and quieted her cries. Ella twisted her fingers into Elizabeth's hair and looked over to Robert who was still standing just a few steps in from the doorway.
"Dolly!" she stated happily fighting Elizabeth's hand that was keeping her head down. Elizabeth shifted placing both of her arms under Ella.
"Yes Ella. It's me," he answered stepping forward and patting Ella's head back down. Ella relaxed to his hand and lay heavily against Elizabeth's chest.
"Dolly?" Elizabeth questioned.
Romano covered, "too much story to explain."
She spied him inquisitively… "Well you got her head down… so I'll let it go now, but I will expect a full account later."
"Of course." Romano smiled.
Moments passed with the three of them swaying slightly in the darkened room. Just as before though, Ella's active hands let them know that while she was tired, she was not going to be giving into sleep anytime soon.
"Robert, could you hold her? I think I ought to go get her some warm milk."
"I thought you'd never ask." he answered as he took the toddler lightly from her. Ella immediately curled up against Robert without a fuss.
Elizabeth walked down to the kitchen smiling inwardly. Just a month ago she had worried about Robert and Ella not getting along. She questioned if Romano could ever grow to love a child of Mark Greene's. She shook her head slightly and closed her eyes for a second. "He already loves her," she spoke into the refrigerator. After preparing a warm beverage in Ella's sippy cup she walked back up the stairs feeling, for the first time, completely confident in her feelings for Robert.
"I brought her…"
"Shh…" Robert cut Elizabeth off as he placed the soundly sleeping Ella back into her bed.
"How did you… I mean what did you… how?" Elizabeth questioned.
Romano kissed Ella lightly on the head and then turned to Elizabeth. "More secret stories I'm afraid."
Elizabeth was overcome with the warmth in her heart for him. She took a step back, leaning against the wall to steady herself.
"You ok?"
"Robert, we need to talk." She said plainly, before heading out of Ella's room and into her own. Confused Romano paused a moment before following after her.
By the time he reached her bedroom she was sitting on the edge of her bed looking out her window into the dark night. Romano looked around the room not really sure of what was appropriate. Eventually he walked over to her and took a risk. He sat down beside her and reached his arm up to her back and started to scratch it lightly. He looked ahead to the window waiting for Elizabeth to make the next move.
Elizabeth purred softly, turned around and stretched out fully on to the bed. With her back still facing up he scooted up on the bed a bit more and continued to scratch. He felt her body warm with his touch and eventually he threw all caution to the wind. He kicked off his shoes and straddled her while sitting up on his knees. He took turns moving up and down her back with light tickles, intense muscle rubs, and fervent scratches.
Abruptly Elizabeth turned her body around, sat up and kissed him hard on the lips. Romano, caught off guard, fell down with his back to the bed. Elizabeth stayed with him affectively climbing on top of him. Adjusting a bit, appreciating Elizabeth's wordless offer, Romano began to kiss back. The power struggle that played out in their kiss became one of contented relaxation rather than authoritative control. Their kisses became exploratory not forced. Romano was able to get back up to his knees, and the two of them held one another closely as they figuratively danced through the changing rhythms, speed, and intensity of their kisses. They moved together simultaneously as if they had years of experience behind them.
They were both surprised at how seamlessly their lips connected since their verbal communication had struggled for so many years with misunderstandings. Romano breathed a heavy sigh and pulled Elizabeth closer to him as she kissed a trail along his collarbone and then up to his ear. He tangled his fingers into her hair and pressed her harder against his neck. She was overcome with the heat and pressure and had to take few breaths before continuing to investigate with her mouth the various curves, muscles, and other sensitive areas of his neckline.
At the point in which Romano thought he could take it no longer, without flipping her down to the bed as payback, he pushed himself away from her. With hands up to signal both a surrender and retreat he gazed at her waiting for their breathing to calm and steady.
Slowly and somberly he spoke. "Lizzie… are you sure?"
She took a moment to let the severity of the words sink in. "Honestly Robert…" she trailed off fearful that he would run, just like every other time she had shown any uncertainty at all. She found her voice and tried again, "Robert, I want this. I do…"
Romano scanned her face. Even in the darkness of the unlit bedroom at night, he could see the emotion in her face and words. Suddenly, it dawned on him, what she was trying to say. "Elizabeth, I don't mean tonight."
"You don't?" she questioned tentatively. History had told her that if things didn't progress now, it would be weeks before she had the chance with him again.
Romano smiled at her question, "Lizzie, I'm not going anywhere… well that's not entirely true." Elizabeth took an audible heavy breath, before Romano finished, "that is of course, if you'll allow me to crash in your guest room."
"Really?" Elizabeth questioned with a broadening smile.
"Really." he confirmed.
Thank you Merrymime for creating such an excellent kiss-heavy chapter (Oh What Webs… 17) I felt compelled to respond in my own fic.
And thank you Bansh for reviewing all of the chapters that no one else reviews. Your comments really keep me writing through the less plot driven (more character driven) chapters.
And a very special thanks to Michelle who convinced me that moving forward in time wasn't doing anything to move forward the relationship. Really all compliments should go to her (even though she doesn't post reviews.) She talked me into the fact that FF readers/Cordano fans have been tortured long enough.