Romano woke up before he opened his eyes. He felt a light vibration at his hip and thought for a moment that it might be Weaver paging him about his unveiling at the hospital. He didn't bother to stop it. He was far too contented lying still. Even with his eyes closed he knew he was at Elizabeth's. In her guest bedroom… lying in a bed that was, easily a third the size of his own bed at home. But somehow, unmistakably, this was more comfortable. He had relaxed in a way, with Elizabeth last night, which had allowed for him to sleep in a way he never had before. Everything just felt right.
That movement at his waist though, didn't feel quite right. What was it that was unsettling? he thought still not moving. The rhythm, he concluded it wasn't steady. He reached down to turn it off and made contact with something soft. He opened his eyes in a fright. It was a small hand.
"Dolly!" Ella squealed.
Robert lifted her up onto his small bed. She crawled around a little and finally settled down sitting on top of his stomach facing him. "Now Ella, I'd like to praise you for your stylish dinner provided by the staff last night. But I believe I requested a 9:00 wake up call and as you can see…" he held his watch in front of her, "it is only 8:15. You're a bit too early be changing the beds yet. I may need to have words with the management. Where is your mother anyway? You're not playing daughter-fugitive again are you?"
Romano stopped talking and just looked silently smiling at the adorable tyke. Ella leaned forward on his chest and placed both hands over his eyes. Romano closed his eyes quickly as she moved towards him but he didn't recoil from her touch. After a beat she lifted her hands and shouted, "E Ga Roo!" Robert sputtered out a low laugh that shook Ella.
"Peek a boo, huh? Peek a boo to you too." He said lifting her at her waist for a moment to sit up in the bed. He put her back down in his lap. "Ok, you're forgiven. We'll keep your early visit just between the two of us. Just as long as you promise to not wake up the other guest too early in the future. Agreed?"
She held her hands up to her own eyes and removed them quickly, "E Ga Roo!"
"I'll take that as agreement."
"Oh Robert, I am so sorry…" Elizabeth's voice came into the guest room before her body did. "I didn't mean for Ella to disturb you."
Robert and Ella's smiles dropped as stared at one another like they were both in trouble. Then the smile returned to Robert's face as we winked at Ella before tickling her sides. Ella rolled off of him panting to catch her breath.
Robert looked up to Elizabeth with a triumphant cocky grin, "look Lizzie, apparently this runs in the family.
Elizabeth collected up Ella into arms, "Are you done corrupting my daughter now? Don't let all this quality time without me go to you head. Ella and I are going to plot our retaliation down stairs in the kitchen. The room next to you is a bathroom. Feel free to join us when you're ready for breakfast." She headed to the door but then turned back to him to add, "If you dare."
Romano was pleasantly surprised to see a new toothbrush, razor, and clean towel for him to use. He thought for a moment that Elizabeth might keep these supplies stocked readily available for guests, but then decided that she had probably just woken up really early with Ella and gathered them for him. Robert was a little nervous at the thought of the three of them in the same home all morning with him unconscious. It struck him as peculiar that he wasn't at all nervous though when she walked into the room and gathered Ella. He should have been scared motionless having her near him while he sat in bed in his undershirt and boxers. Granted the blankets covered up anything too revealing. After getting dressed, and washing up in the sink a bit he quietly walked down to the kitchen. He stopped at the door and eavesdropped in on their conversation.
"It's 'Robert' honey."
"Dolly."
"No Ella, say 'Raw-bert.'"
"Dolly."
"Ella. Say 'Raa'."
"ra."
"Now 'bert'"
"bert."
"Robert."
"Dolly."
Robert's chuckle gave him away as they both turned their heads to the door he was listening from. Romano walked in grinning. "Problems Lizzie?"
"I don't get it Robert. She can't seem to say your name right. I've been trying most of the morning." Robert was going to tell her not to worry about it but he could see that she was genuinely frustrated.
"Well let's just give it a break for a while. I promise to ding you both in for round two later. So where's this breakfast you promised me?" He looked over to Ella whose mushed banana hadn't been content just covering her toast, but was also covering her arms, face, and hair.
"I don't have to wrestle you for your leftovers do I?" he asked Ella. Ella extended a piece of half eaten toast to Robert. Remembering the ice cream that Elizabeth and he had shared previously, he announced to them both, "Oh I see, it is Corday woman tradition to spot the first bite, huh?" Romano took a mouthful of her toast, "thank you Ella."
"No Robert," Elizabeth laughed, "you don't have to do that. I have your breakfast right over here." She walked over to the refrigerator and retrieved a bowl of cubed fresh fruit.
"Mango, melons, and cantaloupe, oh my," he sang delighted. "All of my favorites, how did you know?"
"I pay attention Robert."
"I have really missed being your mentor Lizzie. Have I told you that? You were always very good about studying the important things."
"Funny you should put it that way Robert. Ella and I are interested in learning something else from you today."
"Oh reeeeeeeeeally" he answered snidely. "Well, there is so much I can teach you…"
"Good. We'll start with how to play the guitar." She cut him off taking control of the conversation.
"What?!!"
"I'm serious Robert. For room and board last night, I think you owe the two of us a couple of music lessons."
"Fruit for guitar lessons is hardly tit for tat. How about I treat you both to a trip to Discovery Zone for last night? And we work out alternative payments at a later time."
"DZ! DZ! DZ!" Ella chanted.
Elizabeth looked at Ella in false shock. "Ella, we were supposed to stick together in this. Traitor." Elizabeth pouted. Ella looked at her mom confused, and then over to Robert.
"Upah Dolly" she requested with her arms outstretched to him.
Robert was bursting with glee as he picked Ella up out of her high chair. "What can I say Lizzie…" he boasted confidently, "I'm irresistible."