DESTINED FOR ETERNITY
CHAPTER 19
JUNE 1983
In the early morning hours of the next day Robert opens his eyes with a groan. He looks around, trying to remember what happened, where he was, and why he felt like he had been run over by a truck, several large trucks. He immediately notices that Holly is sitting beside him, asleep with her head lying on his hand, which she seemed to have a death grip on.
"Holly?" He murmurs, his voice hoarse.
Instantly awake at the sound of his voice, Holly's eyes shine upon him and her smile greets him. "Robert, you're awake!" She cries happily. "How do you feel? Let me get the doctor."
As she starts to head for the door, Robert speaks up. "Wait. What happened?" He tries to sit up higher in the bed, but as he tries to move, pain engulfs his chest.
Holly goes to him and places her hand gently on his shoulder. "Lay back, Robert. Just calm down. I will get the doctor in here and . . ."
"No," Robert argues. "Just tell me why I am in the hospital."
Holly hates to do this right now, but knows Robert will never relent. "What is the last thing that you remember?"
Robert hesitates, thinking back in time. "I was in the cafeteria with Monica and Bobbi. That man, Larrick, had us at gunpoint."
Holly breathes deeply. "Well, things got out of hand and Larrick shot you."
Robert is instantly alert. "What about Monica and Bobbi? Are they still in there with him?" Robert asks in alarm. "I have to get them out, I need Ramsey in here."
Holly quickly goes to him. "No, Robert. It is all over now. Monica and Bobbi are fine. Larrick has been apprehended. Monica is the doctor who operated on you. Bobbi was there as well."
Robert lies back in the bed and closes his eyes in relief. "Thank God. How did we get him?" He frowns as he tries to concentrate. "I can't remember. I had thought I almost had him talked into giving himself up."
"Darling, it's okay. We can talk about all of this later. The important thing is that you are alive and on the road to recovery. I was so scared, Robert," She admits, the tears swimming in her eyes. "I just kept thinking I was going to lose you and . . ."
Robert takes notice of her tears and how she is shaking. He takes hold of her hand. "Holly, it's all right. I am right here. I will be as good as new before you know it."
Holly tries to manage a smile, but her nerves are still too jumpy to feel like Robert is totally out of the woods. "I am going to see if I can find Monica," She tells him. "I am sure she will want to take a look at you."
When Monica arrives and her eyes set upon an awake Robert, she can't help but give him a smile. "It is defiitely good to see you awake," She tells him.
Robert releases a small groan when he moves to try and sit up better. "I am not real sure right now, but I think I should thank you for saving my life."
"Well," Monica answers, "I think I can arrange for you to have something for the pain. It's the least I can do since you risked your life for me and Bobbi."
Too weak to carry on his usual friendly banter, Robert just smiled. Monica administered the pain medication into his IV. "This should help you sleep for several hours."
"Is he for sure going to be all right?" Holly asks Monica. "He seems so weak."
"He is," Monica agrees, "But his chances for a full recovery are excellent. So, while he is sleeping, why don't you go on home and do the same. You are, no doubt, very tired."
Holly looks back at Robert, who lay with his eyes closed. "No, I'm fine," She tells Monica.
"You will do him no good if you are exhausted," Monica tells her. "We will call if there is any change in his condition, good or bad."
"I can't leave him," Holly says simply. "I need to be right here by his side."
"When Robert wakes up to see you still here, he will probably be angry with you," Monica guesses.
Holly manages a smile. "I would love to see him awake and healthy, whether he is angry or not."
"I see your point," Monica agrees as she heads for the door. "Let me know if he needs anything."
After Monica leaves, Holly takes her place in the chair beside Robert's bed. Taking his hand in hers, Holly just looks at him closely, afraid to let go of him.
Feeling the pressure of her hand, Robert manages to open his eyes for a brief moment. "Go home," He orders his wife. "You need some sleep. How long have you been here?"
"It doesn't matter. And don't waste your energy arguing with me, because you are not going to win." Holly explains. Smiling at her, Robert can hold his eyes open no longer and peacefully falls into his medically induced sleep.
As the hours move on, Holly sits in the dark, quiet room staring intensely at her husband. Things seemed to get clearer and clearer. How had she been so blind? She had thrown away something so special for a past love, a man who neither trusted or respected her, Robert was the man who made her feel safe and cherished, the man who loved and trusted her. This love she had for Robert, it was such a powerful love, so very different from what she had had with Luke. This was an everlasting love, one that would last through eternity, just as Luke's love for Laura had been. Holly jumps up from her chair in pure joy. She felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders The clouds were clearing and Robert was the sun leading her into the warmth and light of his love. She was so anxious for him to recover so she could tell him how she felt. They were going to be so happy and she coudn't wait to begin their life together.