DESTINED FOR ETERNITY
CHAPTER 22
JUNE 1983
When Monica arrives, she is happy to see Robert doing so much better. "It certainly is good to see you awake and in much better condition." She begins taking his vitals and inspecting his wound.
"And it is good to see you under better circumstances than we had in the cafeteria," He replies/
Monica smiles. "Better for me, maybe. But for you, I am not so sure. How are you feeling?"
Holly goes to stand closer to his bed and Robert takes her hand in his. He turns back to Monica. "Actually, I feel like maybe I was ran over by a truck."
Monica shocks both Robert and Holly when she says, "Good. That would be perfectly normal."
"Great," Robert sighs, "I am only normal. And by the way, thank you."
"You are welcome. And thank you, for keeping Bobbi and me sane in that cafeteria" Monica replies.
Robert then asks, "So, when do I get out of here?"
Holly is totally floored. "What?" She cries. "Robert, you had a bullet removed from your chest! They did major surgery. You can't just walk out of here as if nothing happened to you!"
Robert stares at Holly in surprise. "Calm down, luv. I just don't see why I can't recuperate at home and . ."
"Commissioner Scorpio," Monica interrupts them. "You will remain here for a few more days at the least. So don't even ask. We really do need to keep a close eye on you for a few days. The infection you had set you back and we need to make sure there was no damage to your organs."
Robert puts his hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay. I won't fight you both."
Monica leaves and Holly adjusts Robert's pillow and his covers. "Now you just lay back and try to rest. I know that you hate the idea, but I insist."
"I wish I had the strength to argue with you," Robert replies. "Tell you what, I will make a deal with you. I will rest if you will rest. You go home and get some sleep."
Holly smiles. "At least I know you are doing better when you are trying to make deals."
"So, do you agree?" He asks as he eyes her closely.
"Sure," Holly whispers as she kisses him on the forehead. "Sleep well."
Robert's eyes are all ready closing from exhaustion. Holly then pulls the chair close to his bed once again, having no intention of going home. Several times during the night, when Robert would be moaning from the pain, Holly would call the nurse and they would administer more pain medication. She hated to see him in pain. There were no longer any doubts in her mind about the deep love she felt for Robert. It was a lasting love, one that would last through eternity. Once, Holly honestly believed that Luke Spencer was the love of her life. Now she knew how wrong she had been. Luke had been the first man who had really taught her about love, but Robert was the one who 'showed' her what love was really all about. Robert completed her. Now she realized that she had felt so guilty for moving on and falling in love with Robert that she had pushed what she truly felt way back deep inside because she owed it to Luke to return to him. She knew she had to try and explain all of this to Luke and it would not be easy.
Robert wakes up and immediately turns to see if Holly were there with him. Even though he wanted her to get rest, a part of him was disappointed to not see her sitting in the chair beside his bed. But then his eye catches sight of her standing over by the window, staring out into the night. She looked as if she were very deep in thought. The pale lighting did not hide the fact that she was was exhausted, but she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever known. Robert knew that the deep feelings he felt for this woman would last him an entire lifetime. He wondered how he would ever survive when the time came that he would be unable to see her on a daily basis. That thought hurt his heart more than any bullet ever would.
"Holly?" He whispers.
She quickly turns around to see him and walks over to his bedside. "I'm right here, sweetheart." She takes his hand in hers. "How are you feeling?"
Robert frowns at her. "You didn't go home like you promised," He accuses.
"I never promised," Holly tells him innocently. "I agreed, but just not to a specific time."
Robert tries his best to glare at her, even though he loves that she is here with him. "You are tired." He states. "Now go on home and get some sleep."
"I am not going anywhere," Holly tells him. "Robert, ever since I learned that you are going to be okay, I feel fine. Great, in fact. I am not that tired and I WANT to be here with you. If I were home, I wouldn't be able to sleep from thinking about you being here. Sorry, you are stuck with me."
"Well, I can see that I can't change your mind," He states.
"Not at all," Holly answers, glad to see he doesn't intend to argue with her.
"Fine," Robert announces. "I will scoot over and you can lie down here beside me."
"What?" Holly asks in surprise.
Robert carefully tries to edge himself over to make room for her. He grimaces at the pain the movement causes, but he still manages to move over.
"Robert, no. You're hurting yourself. Quit." Holly tells him angrily.
"Holly, I can't rest knowing that you are not, and you can't rest at home from worrying about me. This will be the perfect solution. We have plenty of room here. Now come over here." He pats the bed.
Unable to resist just the idea of being close to Robert, Holly quickly removes her shoes and carefully sits on the mattress beside him. "There," She says simply.
"Not quite," Robert argues. "Now, lie down."
"Robert, I am afraid I will hurt you," She explains.
"Never," He refutes. He pushes the control button so that the bed lies down more flat. Carefully, Holly settles down beside him. Robert takes her hand in his and places it on his chest. "Now, this is much better," He states as he closes his eyes. He quickly opens them again to see Holly staring at him. "Close your eyes and go to sleep," He orders.
Smiling, Holly says, "Yes, sir." Closing her eyes, Holly feels the soothing beating of Robert's heart beneath their joined hands that rest on his chest. She silently thanks God for giving her a second chance with this wonderful man before she falls into an exhausted sleep.