Elizabeth had been in and out of surgery more times than she could count that day. With Edson out on leave Elizabeth found herself covering the ER traumas in addition to her already fully scheduled surgeries. Thoughts of Romano invaded her mind throughout the day. Every so often she found herself staring into an open chest cavity, elbows into a procedure, with a wide smile displayed behind her mask. She wondered if Robert, himself, had ever been secretively smiling while they operated together in the past. She did her best to shake away her thoughts, only to find a million other things that reminded her of him.
She wanted to see him again. She knew the rules of the game they should be playing. She had learned a long time ago that his interests would not only maintain, but also grow, with their time apart. But with Romano, she didn't care about the rules. The more she thought through their last couple of days together, the more she wanted to collect more moments with him. She enjoyed thinking about the deep kisses that were sure to lead to more if they were ever to find themselves without Ella again. But she also enjoyed seeing Romano gently lay a sleeping Ella down in her bed. She played the memory of their almost kiss, over the fajitas he had made while she took a bath, back in her mind. Somehow he had made even cleaning up dishes sensual and exciting.
She was hoping that spending some quality time with Ella tonight would take her thoughts off of Romano. She swung by the store and picked up some Rice Krispies and marshmallows. She figured it would be just messy enough of a desert to keep them both entertained for the evening.
Elizabeth walked into her home and despite her trying to talk herself out for the last five minutes as she walked home from the store, her first words were, "Hi Chris, Ella, I'm home. Were there any messages?"
Chris walked out of the kitchen drying her hands on a towel. "No… it was pretty quiet all day. Were you expecting someone?"
"Uh… no. Just checking." She wasn't sure why she wasn't being forthcoming with information about Romano. Chris had been in Ella's life from day one. It seemed wrong to keep things from her. She had been professional and supportive when Mark and Elizabeth worked through some rough times. And after Mark passed away, Chris seemed know instinctively the times when Elizabeth needed some time alone. Chris would sometimes show up unannounced and wordlessly take Ella to the park for a while. But Elizabeth found herself silent about the growing relationship between herself and Robert.
"Umm… Elizabeth, Ella was asking for a dolly throughout the day. I went through both of her toy boxes trying to find it, but nothing seemed to work. Does she have a new favorite toy?"
Elizabeth smiled to herself and tried to cover, "umm, I don't know. It's hard to tell one day from another with her. It's a doll today; maybe it'll be Mr. Moo again tomorrow."
"Yeah, I guess. It's weird though, it wasn't just some doll she was asking for. It was clearly her Dolly. Oh well. She took a nap a bit early today and only slept for about an hour, so chances are she'll tucker out pretty soon. She's just finishing up some Mac and Cheese in there now." Chris explained, motioning to the kitchen.
"Thanks Chris. Do you need a ride?"
"No I borrowed my sister's car, but thanks. I'll see you tomorrow morning."
"Ok Chris, goodnight…" Elizabeth answered mechanically as she walked into the kitchen. Ella had the orange cheese noodles stuck to her arms, and a few made it as far as her forehead. Clearly, it had been a fun dinner for her. Elizabeth took a step closer and saw that Ella's eyes were closed and she was breathing heavily. Elizabeth quietly put away her groceries and tried to come up with another way to occupy her evening.
There was a light knock on the door. Elizabeth assumed it was Chris and opened the door with, "Alright Ms. Short-term-memory, you forget you purse?"
Romano was standing before her, "I'll have you know I remember everything. But if you think you have a purse that will go with this belt…"
Elizabeth laughed, "Robert. I thought you were…" then realizing it wasn't important she finished "Please, come in."
"Thanks." Romano answered walking into her home with his arms hiding something not too subtly behind his back.
"What you got there?" She asked trying to reach around him.
"Got where?" He said expertly dodging her grabbing.
Realizing quickly that even with her height advantage, Romano could spin away from her capably all night if he had to, she stopped grabbing. "Well whatever Robert. If you'll excuse me I have to go clean up Ella." She turned on her heels and heading back into the kitchen.
Romano followed her. Seeing Ella sleeping he continued their conversation in a hushed tone. "Sour grapes, huh? Reverse psychology doesn't work on me, Missy."
Elizabeth took a warm wet rag to her daughter's pudgy arms. "No Robert, nothing sour about it. You don't owe me anything. I mean what are we really to each other? Co-workers? You can have your little brown bag secret, if you want."
"Oh now it's just a little bag, huh? Well actually Lizzie, it's been a really good day for me today, and I was hoping you would celebrate it with me." Romano placed the brown sack-lunch sized bag on the table next to her.
Elizabeth looked over to it nervously. The bag was too small to hold a bottle of wine. Tentatively she asked, "Um… celebrate, Robert?"
"Yeah, it's our own little party in a bag. Only I have got to say it works much better once it's out of the bag and we are both able to share it together."
"Cryptic." Elizabeth admitted aloud. She had cleaned up Ella to her satisfaction and lifted her out of her chair. Ella curled up against her mom's chest without waking. Elizabeth felt somewhat more protected and safe with Ella separating them so she didn't make a move to put her to bed. "So… I see it's small than a bread box."
Robert smiled. Even time spend together at their kitchen table playing 20 questions, he was finding, was more enjoyable than his greatest moments at work. Romano chose his words very carefully, "Yes, it's small. But once open… well it has been known to expand… if used… feverishly."
Condoms? She guessed in her mind. Elizabeth looked down to the floor blushing. She adjusted Ella a bit. Nervously, she squeezed her a little tighter. Ella woke up confused and stated to fuss. Elizabeth bounced her a little and tried to wipe away the tears of her irritated daughter. "Oh, I'm sorry." She said in a half-truth to Robert. "Let me go put her down."
"Can I come?" he asked quietly.
Hearing Robert's voice Ella's tears stopped and she reached out to him, "Dolly!"
Robert's chest filled with warmth, but he didn't reach up to her. Romano pulled his eyes away from the adorable child and looked at Elizabeth. "It's completely your call," he said honestly.
"Oh Robert, it hasn't been up to me in a long time." She giggled and handed Ella over to him. The three of them started up the stairs.
"Thank you Lizzie. And if it's any consolation, if you can be the same attentive audience that your daughter has been, perhaps I'll sing you a lullaby tonight too."
"Promise?"
"Shh…" Romano cooed noticing Ella's head fell heavier against his chest. "Maybe I won't have to take out the big vocal guns after all."
"That's too bad." She answered mostly to herself, but Robert took it in.
Robert laid Ella down tenderly on the bed and the two of them stepped to her door. Elizabeth leaned against the railing that ran parallel to Ella's room. Robert stood at the doorway and waited for Elizabeth to make a move. She held his gaze seriously and then gave him a barely perceptible nod. Romano took that as his cue and took a step forward reaching his arms behind her and taking a hold of the railing. She could feel his breath on her the upper part of her chest, which was revealed by her scoop neck shirt. They stood there taking in the crackle that their closeness always brought for a few moments. Then Robert turned his end and leaned into her lips, "I've missed you." He whispered before kissing her lightly. In all actuality it was polite kiss… chaste even. No other body parts touched. Despite the intensity of their emotions, neither pushed for more nor was disappointed when he pulled back from the contact. Elizabeth's eyes stayed close, her lips slightly open, as he backed away from her and centered himself on his feet.
"I've missed you too." She said softly and leaned in for another gentle kiss. Romano took a hold of her hand and brought it between them. Elizabeth opened her eyes and tried not to show the disappointment she felt for being denied the second kiss.
Sensing her feelings falling he lifted her hand and kissed it. "I'm sorry Lizzie, but before this goes any further, I really need for us to open the package I bought you." He held her hand as they walked back down the stairs to her kitchen. With each step Elizabeth felt her panicky feelings return. Romano knew she was withdrawing and decided to clear up her this misunderstanding as soon as possible. He enjoyed toying with her and keeping her guessing, but he never wanted anything more than to flirt with apprehension. It was fundamentally important to Romano that she trust him completely.
Romano dropped her hand when they reached the kitchen and quickly retrieved the bag while Elizabeth waited in her living room. Romano motioned for them to sit on the couch. They sat down together an arms-length away from one another. He set the bag down on the table in front of them. Elizabeth looked at the bag… then back at him. "Well…" she started somewhat irritated.
Romano looked at her and then glanced around the room trying to figure out the best way to begin. "You know the first time we sat on this couch, I didn't really like the pattern. I mean what crazy male friend of Kerry's decided that a perfectly comfortable sofa should be covered in the color of moss."
Elizabeth lowered her eyebrows. "I like my couch. And besides, I know you couldn't have fit upholstery in that bag."
Romano smiled, "no, I'm not offering you a new couch. I was just saying that, at first glance, it didn't seem quite right. But as that night wore on, I found myself getting quite comfortable on it." Elizabeth smiled at the memory of their game of truths after their second date. "I can see from your face that you remember what I am talking about."
"Our game of truths" she said aloud. {ed. Note…see chapter 19 if confused}
"Exactly. So you see…" he picked up the bag and opened it, revealing a container of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. "As I recall you earned one scoop of ice cream that night. But tonight, I'm taking that scoop back. This container here is completely mine, because I'd like to go ahead and answer that question that you asked me."
Elizabeth smiled so wide her teeth showed. "Oh really Robert. So what is your answer?"
"You." He stated plainly, removing the lid, picking up a spoon, and taking a bite. Elizabeth's mouth watered, the ice cream looked especially good on her empty stomach. She tried to shake away her desire.
"Um… but Robert, I don't remember the question."
"Reaaaaaaaaaaally. Well that's too bad Lizzie."
"Please" she whispered scooting closer to him.
He looked down to the space between them and saw it get smaller. "No."
She scooted right up next to him. "Please," she repeated.
He froze with the spoon in mid air. "No."
She leaned in and kissed his sideburn letting her lips trace along the smooth skin of his ears. She purred, "pleeeeease."
Romano closed his eyes let the euphoric feelings wash over him. He leaned away from her, "Oh just take it." He gave in pushing the tub of ice cream and spoon over to her. "But you'll spoil your appetite for dinner."
She laughed taking it from him. "I'll save room, I promise." Romano stood up and walked into her kitchen to find something more nutritionally sound to eat. "Wait, Robert, what was the question?" she asked between bites.
"You asked me the name of the woman I had fallen in love with." He answered matter-of-factly before letting the kitchen door swing closed behind him.