DESTINED FOR ETERNITY

CHAPTER 18

JUNE 1983

Even though Robert is heavily medicated and is not coherent, Holly continues to talk to him as if he can hear every word that she has to say.

"I know you would never leave me, not when I need you so much." She leans over and kisses his forehead. "You were always aware of what I needed far more than I even knew."

Unaware that Luke Spencer is standing at the door of Robert's room, Holly continues on. "Do you remember when you decided that I needed to be trained in the art of exercise? Even though I wasn't the best student, I had to admit that you were right, it had made me feel so much better. And I also saw just how strong you really are. Now that I know that, you have absolutley no excuses not to get better very quickly., because I know you can do it, Robert." Tears are forming in her eyes. "Oh, Robert, you were there for me when nobody else was. When I thought my life was over, you taught me how to live again. You gave me friendship and understanding. You respected me as a person which taught me how to respect myself. You gave me joy and laughter. But most of all you gave me love, Robert. An unconditional love that I had never known before. And now it is my turn, darling. I am going to be here for you, no matter what. Do you hear me? I am not leaving your side."

Unwilling to hear another word, Luke finally walks into the room. Holly hears his footsteps and looks up.

"What are you doing here, Luke?" She whispers.

"I came to check on you," He answers. "And Robert," He adds.

Holly takes his arm and pulls him to the other side of the room, all the while keeping a protective eye on her husband. "YOU are worried about Robert?" Holly asks in disbelief. "Well, why weren't you worried before you tried that stupid stunt in the cafeteria that got Robert shot?"

"Look, English," Luke says gently, "I realize you are upset right now. Just calm down and you will see that everything is fine and. . ."

"Calm down?" Holly mocks him. "Good Lord, Luke, take a good look at the man in that bed over there and then tell me 'everything is fine' Robert could very well lose his life due to this."

"I know that," Luke says defensively. "But I also managed to save Monica Quartermaine and my sister."

Holly turns back to look at Robert and sees him moan as he tries to move. She glances at Luke and tells him to leave. "Now is not the time or the place to get into this," She then walks back over to sit by Robert's side. Sadly, Luke walks out of the room and he happens to see his sister, Bobbie, at the nurses station. Bobbi quickly rushes over and gives her brother a big hug.

"I haven't had the time to thank you for saving my life," Bobbi explains.

Luke holds her close and then releases her as they walk over to the lounge and sit down. "I sure am glad that you are safe, Barbara Jean. But," He adds sadly, "I sure did botch things up with that first fiasco."

"You only did what you had to do," Bobbi says in his defense.

"And look at the consequences," Luke reminds her. "Robert may die and Holly is furious with me."

"Robert will be just fine," Bobbi says positively. "And Holly is just upset over Robert. Once he pulls through, she will come around and see how you saved the day for all of us."

"Barbara Jean, I need to ask you something, and I want you to be honest with me."

"You know I will," Bobbi says. "What is it?" She asks curiously.

"Do you believe that Robert has always loved Holly? Before they married? When she was with me?"

Bobbi looks at Luke in surprise. "No, I don't think so. Robert really did marry her because he felt you would want him to do take care of Holly."

"That is what Robert said," Luke confirms. "So why did it all have to change? When did it change? Did you notice anything?"

Bobbi takes a deep breath, trying to decide how to answer his questions. "It just kind of happened, Luke. I think I realized they were falling for each other even before they knew it themselves."

"I noticed you didn't seem surprised when I told you and Ruby that the Scorpio's were 'man and wife' in every way," Luke recalls.

"No," She replies, "I wasn't. It was inevitable that it would happen. They were living together under the same roof and pretending to most everyone that it was a real marriage."

Luke sighs heavily. "Maybe I should just let her go," He says.

"Holly is a big girl, Luke. She can make her own choices. If she chose to be with you, it must be what she really wants. You have to trust her to know what she is doing," Bobbi tells him. "I am sure she cares for Robert and feels obligated to be with him right now. Just try to give her some space."

Meanwhile, in Robert's room, Holly keeps a running conversation going with him. She pleads with him to fight. Bobbi enters the room quietly and listens to part of the conversation before she interrupts.

Wiping the tears from her face, Holly looks up at Bobbi with a weak smile. "I keep thinking he is going to open his eyes any moment," Holly tells her.

"I'm sure he will," Bobbi assures her. "In the meantime, why don't you go with me down to the cafeteria for some coffee and something to eat."

"No," Holly says as she looks back at Robert. "I want to be here when he wakes up. Oh, Bobbi, he will be all right , won't he?"

"Sure he will," Bobbi says. "He is strong and he wants to live. That is the two most important things."

Holly paces the floor. "Does he?" She asks. "Does he really want to live? I wonder. His best friend has been fighting him for weeks and then gets him shot. And his wife chooses another man over him. Nothing inspiring to live for, I would say."

"Holly, stop this!" Bobbi reprimands her. "You feeling guilty will not help Robert."

Holly turns to look at Bobbi. "When you were held hostage in the cafeteria, did Robert say anything about Luke or me?"

"No, Holly," She answers. "Robert was his calm, cool self. He was just trying to convince Larrick to give himself up." Bobbi chooses not to tell Holly how Robert had told Larrick that he too had a wife that he loved very much and would hate to see anything happen to her. It would not only serve to make Holly feel more guilty, but would probably not help her situation with Luke either.

Holly interrupts Bobbi's thoughts. "I can't lose him, Bobbi."

"I know you are hurting for him, Holly. But Luke could use a little of your understanding as well."

"I can't think about Luke right now," Holly tells her,

Choosing to leave Holly alone with her thoughts, Bobbi leaves the room. She just witnessed how deep Holly's love was for Robert, far deeper than even she had realized. Luke may have had the right idea in letting Holly go, because Bobbi had a feeling that Holly wasn't his for the keeping anymore.