DESTINED FOR ETERNITY

CHAPTER 27

JULY 1983

The weather was beautiful as the Scorpio's walked along the beach. They found seashells and even sat down in the sand to make a sand castle. Robert proved himself to be quite the architect.

"I can see that you had hidden talents that you never shared with me," Holly says as she admires his castle.

Smiling at her, Robert replies, "Well, I figured I might need to rescue a fair maiden from a tower someday, so I should learn how they are built."

Holly stares at him thoughtfully for a long moment. "And you did," She remarks.

"Did what?" Robert asks in confusion.

"You rescued me," She reminds him. "I will never ever forget that. You are my white knight."

Uncomfortable with her praise, Robert says, "Holly, please. You make me sound so chivalrous. You know the reason I did it."

"Yes," Holly agrees, "I do. But very few men would ever have sacrificed as much as you did for a friend. You are a very special man, Robert Scorpio."

Looking up from his castle, Robert stares at her lovingly. "It did turn out differently than I had expected. Who would have known that we . . ." He stops talking as if afraid to say the words.

"Would fall in love," Holly finishes the sentence for him.

Robert looks out over the ocean. "Yea," He says sadly.

Taking a deep breath, Holly asks, "Robert, do you still? Love me, I mean."

Surprised at her question, Robert turns to look at her closely. Staring into her eyes, Robert answers softly, "Can't you feel it?"

Feeling the tears well up in her eyes, Holly says, "Yes, I can. And Robert, I want you to know that . . ."

Robert quickly jumps up and brings an end to her words as he does so. "This is supposed to be a vacation, remember? Nothing too heavy." He holds out his hand to her and she takes it to help herself up. He doesn't release her hand as they walk along the waters edge and head back toward their bungalow.

"It will be dinner time soon," Robert comments. "What are you in the mood for? I'm sure their are several restaurants nearby."

"Instead of going out," Holly suggests, "Why don't we eat in? I noticed the kitchen had food available."

"And you intend to do the cooking?" He asks in alarm.

"Robert, I am getting better!" She insists.

"Mmm," He says noncommittedly.

She can't help but smile at him, knowing that he is right. Her cooking does have much to be desired. She decides she should let him off the hook. "Actually, I thought we could probably find a place to deliver us dinner."

Robert's smile lights up his face. "Now, THAT is a good idea."

Holly then adds, "It has been a full day for you. I am sure it will be better for you to stay in and rest tonight."

"Holly!" He warns, "I am..."

"Just fine," She finishes for him. "Yes, I know. Just do it for me. Please."

Staring at her innocent face, Robert rolls his eyes. "I can never say 'no' to you."

"Really?" She asks in delight.

"As if you didn't know," He retorts and they resume walking.

"Thank you," Holly says as she tightens her grip on his hand.

"For what?" He asks.

"For being here for me," She answers honestly. "I hope you always will be."

Stopping to turn and look at her, Robert touches her face softly. "Always," He promises. "No matter what."

"I know it hasn't been easy for you to love me," Holly says. I have caused a number of problems in your life that you never even asked for, and for that I do apologize."

"Please, Holly, don't ever apologize. I don't want you to be sorry, because I am not. Loving you has been the best thing that has ever happened to me."

"How can you say that?" She cries. "You lost so much. Your way of life, your girlfriend, Jackie, and more important, your best friend, Luke." The tears are building once again.

"And I gained so much more," He tells her sincerely. "Now, come on, stop this." Unable to stand seeing her cry, he takes her into his arms. "Why are you being so melodramatic all of a sudden? It is all in the past. Let's just enjoy our last time alone together. Lets not bring any past recriminations into our holiday."

Leaning back so she can look up into his face, Holly manages a smile. "Robert, I do lo. . ." Suddenly, her words are silenced by his mouth as Robert kisses her. His arms tighten around her as he pulls her closer and the kiss deepens even more. Finally, Holly breaks free and looks into his eyes. There is an unspoken understanding between the two of them in the realization that these feelings would last a lifetime.

"Robert, we need to talk. I want to. . ." Robert kisses her quickly. "Not right now. Holiday, remember?'' He then takes her hand and pulls her along beside him as they head back to their bungalow. Robert intended to evade her conversation as often as possible. He doesn't want to hear the words she intends to say. He doesn't want to face the truth as he knows it. She feels horrible that he was shot. Robert has no doubt that she cares for him a great deal, but Luke Spencer is the love of her life. It is just a fact he has to learn to deal with, and he will, AFTER this holiday trip. After this trip, he will listen to Holly and accept what she has to say, but right now he just wanted this time to be carefree and relaxing, a time to remember through eternity.

Once they return to their bungalow, Holly goes to take a shower and Robert calls the resort manager to arrange a candlelit dinner for two to be delivered to their room. As Holly is putting on her makeup, she tells herself that she has to get up her nerve and tell Robert how she feels. But Robert has been acting so strange. He interrupts her everytime she has something serious to say and that is so unlike him. Robert had always encouraged her to share her innermost thoughts and feelings with him so why all of a sudden was he pushing her away? Suddenly Holly's eyes light up and she smiles. One thing that she knew for sure was that Robert wanted her and he couldn't avoid a conversation indefinitely. She laughs to herself. Robert Scorpio was in for a big surprise if he thought she was going to let him avoid her. Not a chance. After dressing ina yellow sundress, Holly looks for Robert and finds him out on the patio looking out over the ocean. She takes a moment in silence just to admire him from a distance. He was so handsome, so vital. She was so afraid that she would never see him like this again, healthy and strong. She had the horrible fear that she would never again feel his arms around her, comforting her, loving her. As if sensing her presence, Robert turns to find Holly looking at him intently. His breath catches in his throat as he takes in her beauty. od, he would never tire of looking at her. She was so incredibly gorgeous. He was so grateful for these days they would have together, they would have to carry him through a lifetime. Finally, he moves closer to her.

"They delivered dinner," He says as he points to the table.

She looks at the candlelit table. "It is beautiful. And I even hear music."

"Well, I provided that part," He says with a grin as he pulls a chair out for her sit down.

Holly looks over the dinner as she sits down. "This looks wonderful."

Robert starts to open a bottle of champagne and Holly stops him. "Robert, what about your medication? I don't think alcohol is a good idea."

"I haven't had any pills all day," He tells her with a smile.

Holly smiles and holds out her glass. "In that case."

Laughing, Robert fills their glasses and then sits down in his chair. Holly holds up her glass for a toast. "To YOUR continued good health," She says sincerely.

Shaking his head, Robert touches his glass to hers, "To OUR continued good health, and our happiness."

"Indeed," Holly agrees as she takes a sip of the champagne.

During dinner, Robert says, "You know, I never did thank you properly for all you did for me after the shooting."

"What do you mean?" Holly asks in confusion.

'When I opened my eyes and saw you sitting there at my side, I knew that whatever had happened it must be okay if it ended with you by my side. That meant far more to me that you will ever know."

"I couldn't be anywhere else, Robert," She states honestly.

"I admire your loyalty," Robert tells her. "Very commendable."

Holly stares at him intently. "It wasn't just loyalty, Robert."

"No?" He asks curiously.

"I couldn't be anywhere else, Robert." She tries to explain. "I just knew that I had to be with you. I was so scared that I would lose you. I could never have left your side."

Robert looks at her closely before saying, "It was very comforing having you there. I had never had that experience before."

"What experience?" She asks.

"The feeling of wanting, NO needing, that one special person to be by my side. To know that someone actually cared enough about me that they wouldn't leave. In all of my adult life, I had never felt that vulnerable."

Holly reaches across the table and takes his hand in hers. "I am so glad I was there, Robert. And I want you to remember that I will always care enough to be by your side, no matter what."

"Holly, I don't want you to feel guilty because you think Luke Spencer was to blame for my getting shot."

Holly's eyes meet his in silent understanding. "You know?" She says.

"Luke came to see me in the hospital. Holly, it is my job that got me in that cafeteria, my duty as the police commissioner is what put me in the position to be shot."

"But Larrick may never had fired that gun if Luke hadn't barged in there and . . ."

"We will never know," Robert states. "But don't blame Luke for it. And he did eventually get us out of there."

"Almost too late," She reminds him.

"Mmm," He answers evasively.

"Let's change the subject," Holly suggests.

Robert laughs. "As you wish, luv."

Finishing their dinner, they enjoy the company and talk about how beautiful the island is and what they intend to do with their time here. Happily, they realize that as long as they are together, it will be all they need to have a wonderful holiday.