Lexie stirred a small amount of sugar into her tea and looked up at Maggie
who sat smiling at her.
"I know that I have said it a thousand times already but I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see you two finally together."
Lexie smiled. "Did he really talk about me?"
Maggie nodded. "Yes. As a matter of fact we had a discussion right before he got married about you."
Lexie raised an eyebrow at her. "Really? What did he say?"
Maggie looked into the living room where Robert was asleep on the sofa with Max laying on his chest to make sure he wouldn't over hear their conversation.
Robert stared out the window at the light dusting of snow that had fallen over night. He hated the snow. It always made everything so much harder to do and he just wished for once things could be easy. He missed her. He had told himself over and over that this was the best thing, the right thing to do. He just wished he could convince his heart. He took a sip of his coffee and looked out at the landscape in front of him. A tap on his shoulder made him jump and he turned and smiled at the woman who stood behind him.
"Penny for your thoughts." She said and he smiled at her.
"Oh I am afraid you wouldn't get your moneys worth on that one." He said laughing.
"Try me." He grinned at her and walked over to the sofa. "Thinking about the wedding?" She asked and he shook his head as he took another sip of the bitter liquid. "Well, are you going to tell me or do I have to guess?" She said with a playful smile and sat down next to him on the sofa. He stared ahead and then turned to her so his whole body faced her.
"How do you know when you have found the right person?"
She grinned at him. "Having cold feet are we?"
He shook his head. "No, nothing like that." He turned and faced forward again.
She slid over and put her hand on his knee. "Robert, what are we really talking about?" She asked quietly.
He smiled at her. "Is there such a thing as true love? Is it really possible to find that one person that the word love doesn't even begin to describe the feeling you have? And if you are lucky enough to find her is it possible that it can really last forever?" He turned and faced her as he finished.
She looked at him with love in her eyes and she nodded. "Yes, all of those things are possible. And if you are lucky enough to find it you have to grab hold of it and not let go. People have spent lifetimes looking for anything that remotely resembles that and die never knowing what it is like to feel totally loved." She got up and walked over to the window and looked out. "Robert," She said and turned around. "We aren't talking about Donna are we?" She said and he thought about lying to her but he knew he couldn't. He shook his head and looked at the coffee mug in his hands. She walked over and sat down in the chair next to him. "Your mind is back in New York isn't it?" She asked and he nodded. "Are you in love with her?" He looked up at his mother and grinned as he nodded his head. "Then what are you doing here?"
He stood up and walked back to the window. "It is complicated."
Maggie stood up and walked over to him. "So. The best things in life usually are." He shook his head. "Is she in love with you?" She asked quietly and he looked at her.
"I think so." He said quietly.
"Then go to her, fight for her. Robert, don't make a mistake that you will regret for the rest of your life." He shook his head and looked out again. "Don't do the safe thing for once. All I want is to see you happy and to be honest I have never seen your eyes light up like they did just a minute ago. Robert," She touched his chin and pulled his face to look at her. "Follow you heart for once and go sweep her off of her feet." They stood staring out the window in silence.
There was a knocking at the door and she looked at him and went to open it. "Hey, you ready man?" his best man asked and he nodded.
Maggie stopped him as he was walking out the door. "Robert, I love you, but mark my words, one day you will look back on the choices you made out of fear and feel a regret like you have known before."
He kissed her cheek. "It's time mom." He said and she took his arm and led her to the church. Lexie was his past and although the thought of leaving her in the past left him with a feeling of not being able to breath he had no choice.
Lexie looked at Maggie and shook her head.
"What my dear?" She asked and laid her hand on Lexie's.
"I was on a plane when that all took place." She said quietly and looked up to meet Maggie's gaze.
"I don't understand." Maggie stated simply.
"Well..." Lexie began.
Lexie stepped out of the car and looked up at the huge house before her. It had been years since she had been there and the frightened child inside of her wanted to get back in the cab and go back to the airport. The front door opened and she smiled. "Barbi," her Grandfather said and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her.
"Hi Poppy." She said as he kissed her head.
"Well come in before you catch your death out here." He led her inside and they sat down in the study. "Ok, so fill me in on what is going on. You were so vague on the phone."
She looked down and smiled. "I am about to do something extremely selfish. And it could blow up in my face but I have no choice." She looked up at him and he smiled.
"Robert?" he asked and she nodded.
"I love him." She whispered
"Ok, so what is the problem? He doesn't love you?"
She shrugged. " I don't know. But I have to at least tell him right? If not I will always wonder what could have been."
Her Grandfather stood and walked over to the bar, pouring himself a drink. "Maybe you would wonder, but maybe that would be better than the reality. I have actually met Dr. Romano. He seems very polite but Barbi; he has a reputation for being a stubborn man. Are you sure you want to be with someone like that?"
She laughed. "It's true, he can be difficult, to say the least. But there is something in him that is so amazingly tender and soft. I know that any relationship we would have would be hard but the way I feel when me looks into my eyes makes me feel like nothing I have ever felt before."
Her Grandfather walked over and sat down next to her. "Barbi, you do know he is getting married right."
She nodded and looked down. "That is why I have to tell him now. I can't let him go without a fight."
The older man smiled at her and kissed her forehead. "Then fight with everything you have."
She looked up at him and grinned. "I love you Poppy." She whispered and he hugged her tight.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Go get prince charming." She laughed and got up.
"Thank you." She said and smiled one last time at him before she ran out the door.
She walked through the lobby of the hotel where the wedding was going to be held. She had no idea if he would be staying there or not but it was her only idea of where to look. She went to the front desk. "Excuse me." She said to the clerk.
"Yes?" he said and she smiled at him.
"I wonder if you could help me. I am looking for Dr. Robert Romano. He is getting married here tomorrow and it is important that I speak to him." The clerk typed the name into the computer and nodded.
"Yes, he is also a guest here. I can't give out the room number though."
She sighed. "Please," she said quietly. "I have to tell him something before he makes the biggest mistake of his life." The clerk smiled at her. He could see the quiet desperation in her eyes and it wasn't hard to figure out what she was going to tell him.
"I'm sorry miss. I can't give out the room number. But, I do know that someone from the wedding party would be able to give you the information and they just happen to be doing the rehearsal dinner in our restaurant tonight." He said and winked at her.
She grinned. 'Thank you." She said and walked to towards the restaurant. She had no idea as to what she was going to say or do. Should she be dramatic and burst through the doors and declare her undying love for him? Or should she pull him aside and quietly explain how she felt? Before she could decide she found herself at the door and peaked inside. There were at least 40 people there and it took her a minute to find him. He was sitting at the end of a table next to a blonde that she figured was Donna.
Robert was not having fun. He didn't like spectacle and he didn't like the tight feeling that was wrapped around his heart. He knew that this was a mistake but he also knew that a life with Lexie would be impossible. She was in love with Landon and he didn't feel right about making her choose. Not to mention he couldn't stand the heartbreak if she rejected him. Donna noticed the look of disgust on his face and leaned over to his ear.
"Would it be possible for you to pretend to be happy for one night?"
He glared at her. "What is that supposed to mean Donna?"
She shrugged. "I know you are a million miles away right now and I am not going to get myself upset by trying to figure out why, so please just smile and act like you want to be here." She hissed. His face shown an angry smile at her and she grinned back at him. She didn't give a shit if he was in love with what's her name in New York. He was going to marry her and that was that. She knew that he had a bright future and she wasn't about to give up the perks that came along with it.
Lexie stood in the back of the restaurant away from view and watched he and Donna whispering into each other's ears. Her heart broke into a million pieces as she saw them smile at each other. He was truly happy and if she loved him she shouldn't try to destroy that. He hadn't made any effort to win her back so who was to say that he even wanted her? All she would do was ruin what was supposed to be a happy occasion for him. She felt the tears burning her eyes and dared to stare at him for one last minute. She turned and walked out of the restaurant.
He looked up as the door closed and saw her hair. He leaped up and walked out after her. He had no idea if it was really her or not but he had to find out. He saw her standing by the bar and he grabbed her shoulder and turned her to face him. But it wasn't her. He apologized and looked around. He could have sworn it was her. He had felt her there. He ran out the front door to the street as a huge truck drove past causing the wind to blow his coat open. She was nowhere to be found. Lexie crossed the street as a truck rumbled past and she could finally let the tears flow. She would just have to forget him and go back to Landon. He seemed to be an all right person and he got along with her parents well. She hailed a cab and rode in sadness back to her Grandparents house. Her Grandfather looked up as she walked back into the study.
"That was fast." She nodded and sat down in the chair facing him.
"I never spoke to him. I saw him and his fiancée and they looked so happy that I couldn't do it." She said quietly.
"You did a good thing. I am proud of you." He got up and hugged her. She knew it was the right thing but she just wished it didn't hurt so much. She cried on her Grandfather's shoulder for most of the evening and woke up with a new resolve the next morning. She would do what ever it took to make Landon happy and try to forget Robert. Even though it would be hard as hell. As Robert was talking to his Mother at the church Lexie boarded a plane and swore she would never come back to Chicago.
Maggie sat with her hands covering her mouth. "I don't know whether to cry at the udder irony or at the movie like romance of it all."
Lexie laughed. "I guess it just wasn't meant to be then."
Maggie nodded.
"Uh, can I ask you something that has been bothering me for a while now?" Maggie nodded. "What happened between you and Robert to cause such animosity?"
Maggie took a sip of her tea. "I guess it is time that you know the truth about Robert. Let me get a bottle of wine, I know that you can't drink it but I am going to have to."
"I know that I have said it a thousand times already but I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see you two finally together."
Lexie smiled. "Did he really talk about me?"
Maggie nodded. "Yes. As a matter of fact we had a discussion right before he got married about you."
Lexie raised an eyebrow at her. "Really? What did he say?"
Maggie looked into the living room where Robert was asleep on the sofa with Max laying on his chest to make sure he wouldn't over hear their conversation.
Robert stared out the window at the light dusting of snow that had fallen over night. He hated the snow. It always made everything so much harder to do and he just wished for once things could be easy. He missed her. He had told himself over and over that this was the best thing, the right thing to do. He just wished he could convince his heart. He took a sip of his coffee and looked out at the landscape in front of him. A tap on his shoulder made him jump and he turned and smiled at the woman who stood behind him.
"Penny for your thoughts." She said and he smiled at her.
"Oh I am afraid you wouldn't get your moneys worth on that one." He said laughing.
"Try me." He grinned at her and walked over to the sofa. "Thinking about the wedding?" She asked and he shook his head as he took another sip of the bitter liquid. "Well, are you going to tell me or do I have to guess?" She said with a playful smile and sat down next to him on the sofa. He stared ahead and then turned to her so his whole body faced her.
"How do you know when you have found the right person?"
She grinned at him. "Having cold feet are we?"
He shook his head. "No, nothing like that." He turned and faced forward again.
She slid over and put her hand on his knee. "Robert, what are we really talking about?" She asked quietly.
He smiled at her. "Is there such a thing as true love? Is it really possible to find that one person that the word love doesn't even begin to describe the feeling you have? And if you are lucky enough to find her is it possible that it can really last forever?" He turned and faced her as he finished.
She looked at him with love in her eyes and she nodded. "Yes, all of those things are possible. And if you are lucky enough to find it you have to grab hold of it and not let go. People have spent lifetimes looking for anything that remotely resembles that and die never knowing what it is like to feel totally loved." She got up and walked over to the window and looked out. "Robert," She said and turned around. "We aren't talking about Donna are we?" She said and he thought about lying to her but he knew he couldn't. He shook his head and looked at the coffee mug in his hands. She walked over and sat down in the chair next to him. "Your mind is back in New York isn't it?" She asked and he nodded. "Are you in love with her?" He looked up at his mother and grinned as he nodded his head. "Then what are you doing here?"
He stood up and walked back to the window. "It is complicated."
Maggie stood up and walked over to him. "So. The best things in life usually are." He shook his head. "Is she in love with you?" She asked quietly and he looked at her.
"I think so." He said quietly.
"Then go to her, fight for her. Robert, don't make a mistake that you will regret for the rest of your life." He shook his head and looked out again. "Don't do the safe thing for once. All I want is to see you happy and to be honest I have never seen your eyes light up like they did just a minute ago. Robert," She touched his chin and pulled his face to look at her. "Follow you heart for once and go sweep her off of her feet." They stood staring out the window in silence.
There was a knocking at the door and she looked at him and went to open it. "Hey, you ready man?" his best man asked and he nodded.
Maggie stopped him as he was walking out the door. "Robert, I love you, but mark my words, one day you will look back on the choices you made out of fear and feel a regret like you have known before."
He kissed her cheek. "It's time mom." He said and she took his arm and led her to the church. Lexie was his past and although the thought of leaving her in the past left him with a feeling of not being able to breath he had no choice.
Lexie looked at Maggie and shook her head.
"What my dear?" She asked and laid her hand on Lexie's.
"I was on a plane when that all took place." She said quietly and looked up to meet Maggie's gaze.
"I don't understand." Maggie stated simply.
"Well..." Lexie began.
Lexie stepped out of the car and looked up at the huge house before her. It had been years since she had been there and the frightened child inside of her wanted to get back in the cab and go back to the airport. The front door opened and she smiled. "Barbi," her Grandfather said and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her.
"Hi Poppy." She said as he kissed her head.
"Well come in before you catch your death out here." He led her inside and they sat down in the study. "Ok, so fill me in on what is going on. You were so vague on the phone."
She looked down and smiled. "I am about to do something extremely selfish. And it could blow up in my face but I have no choice." She looked up at him and he smiled.
"Robert?" he asked and she nodded.
"I love him." She whispered
"Ok, so what is the problem? He doesn't love you?"
She shrugged. " I don't know. But I have to at least tell him right? If not I will always wonder what could have been."
Her Grandfather stood and walked over to the bar, pouring himself a drink. "Maybe you would wonder, but maybe that would be better than the reality. I have actually met Dr. Romano. He seems very polite but Barbi; he has a reputation for being a stubborn man. Are you sure you want to be with someone like that?"
She laughed. "It's true, he can be difficult, to say the least. But there is something in him that is so amazingly tender and soft. I know that any relationship we would have would be hard but the way I feel when me looks into my eyes makes me feel like nothing I have ever felt before."
Her Grandfather walked over and sat down next to her. "Barbi, you do know he is getting married right."
She nodded and looked down. "That is why I have to tell him now. I can't let him go without a fight."
The older man smiled at her and kissed her forehead. "Then fight with everything you have."
She looked up at him and grinned. "I love you Poppy." She whispered and he hugged her tight.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Go get prince charming." She laughed and got up.
"Thank you." She said and smiled one last time at him before she ran out the door.
She walked through the lobby of the hotel where the wedding was going to be held. She had no idea if he would be staying there or not but it was her only idea of where to look. She went to the front desk. "Excuse me." She said to the clerk.
"Yes?" he said and she smiled at him.
"I wonder if you could help me. I am looking for Dr. Robert Romano. He is getting married here tomorrow and it is important that I speak to him." The clerk typed the name into the computer and nodded.
"Yes, he is also a guest here. I can't give out the room number though."
She sighed. "Please," she said quietly. "I have to tell him something before he makes the biggest mistake of his life." The clerk smiled at her. He could see the quiet desperation in her eyes and it wasn't hard to figure out what she was going to tell him.
"I'm sorry miss. I can't give out the room number. But, I do know that someone from the wedding party would be able to give you the information and they just happen to be doing the rehearsal dinner in our restaurant tonight." He said and winked at her.
She grinned. 'Thank you." She said and walked to towards the restaurant. She had no idea as to what she was going to say or do. Should she be dramatic and burst through the doors and declare her undying love for him? Or should she pull him aside and quietly explain how she felt? Before she could decide she found herself at the door and peaked inside. There were at least 40 people there and it took her a minute to find him. He was sitting at the end of a table next to a blonde that she figured was Donna.
Robert was not having fun. He didn't like spectacle and he didn't like the tight feeling that was wrapped around his heart. He knew that this was a mistake but he also knew that a life with Lexie would be impossible. She was in love with Landon and he didn't feel right about making her choose. Not to mention he couldn't stand the heartbreak if she rejected him. Donna noticed the look of disgust on his face and leaned over to his ear.
"Would it be possible for you to pretend to be happy for one night?"
He glared at her. "What is that supposed to mean Donna?"
She shrugged. "I know you are a million miles away right now and I am not going to get myself upset by trying to figure out why, so please just smile and act like you want to be here." She hissed. His face shown an angry smile at her and she grinned back at him. She didn't give a shit if he was in love with what's her name in New York. He was going to marry her and that was that. She knew that he had a bright future and she wasn't about to give up the perks that came along with it.
Lexie stood in the back of the restaurant away from view and watched he and Donna whispering into each other's ears. Her heart broke into a million pieces as she saw them smile at each other. He was truly happy and if she loved him she shouldn't try to destroy that. He hadn't made any effort to win her back so who was to say that he even wanted her? All she would do was ruin what was supposed to be a happy occasion for him. She felt the tears burning her eyes and dared to stare at him for one last minute. She turned and walked out of the restaurant.
He looked up as the door closed and saw her hair. He leaped up and walked out after her. He had no idea if it was really her or not but he had to find out. He saw her standing by the bar and he grabbed her shoulder and turned her to face him. But it wasn't her. He apologized and looked around. He could have sworn it was her. He had felt her there. He ran out the front door to the street as a huge truck drove past causing the wind to blow his coat open. She was nowhere to be found. Lexie crossed the street as a truck rumbled past and she could finally let the tears flow. She would just have to forget him and go back to Landon. He seemed to be an all right person and he got along with her parents well. She hailed a cab and rode in sadness back to her Grandparents house. Her Grandfather looked up as she walked back into the study.
"That was fast." She nodded and sat down in the chair facing him.
"I never spoke to him. I saw him and his fiancée and they looked so happy that I couldn't do it." She said quietly.
"You did a good thing. I am proud of you." He got up and hugged her. She knew it was the right thing but she just wished it didn't hurt so much. She cried on her Grandfather's shoulder for most of the evening and woke up with a new resolve the next morning. She would do what ever it took to make Landon happy and try to forget Robert. Even though it would be hard as hell. As Robert was talking to his Mother at the church Lexie boarded a plane and swore she would never come back to Chicago.
Maggie sat with her hands covering her mouth. "I don't know whether to cry at the udder irony or at the movie like romance of it all."
Lexie laughed. "I guess it just wasn't meant to be then."
Maggie nodded.
"Uh, can I ask you something that has been bothering me for a while now?" Maggie nodded. "What happened between you and Robert to cause such animosity?"
Maggie took a sip of her tea. "I guess it is time that you know the truth about Robert. Let me get a bottle of wine, I know that you can't drink it but I am going to have to."
