Cordano version of 'Homecomings'...
Chapter Ten -
The automatic doors to the ER opened and Robert walked through them for his first day back since the shooting. Jerry spotted him immediately, and started clapping. Remembering that the man had been upgraded onto his 'Just Tolerable' list, Robert dipped his head in acknowledgement. However the clapping caused several people to turn around, see him, and join in with the impromptu round of applause. Robert, unused to such warm attention, actually felt himself blushing and fought to stamp it down.
"Alright! Holiday's over folks, the grinch is back in town. Get back to work and clear that board!" he bellowed, but admittedly, only achieved a half-hearted effort. He waved his hand as if to bat away the well wishes and made it to the elevator.
He received the same reaction on the surgical floor. "Welcome back Doctor Romano," Shirley said, leading the applause with a wide smile.
"Good to be back," he said stopping in front of her. When she didn't move out of the way and kept smiling, he rolled his eyes, opened his arms and sighed. "Oh, go on, get it out of the way!" She pulled him into a hug which he pretended not to enjoy, letting his arms dangle loosely by his sides.
"So what have I got to look forward to this morning?" he asked when she eventually put him down.
"They're just bringing up an appendectomy from the ER."
"Ha-ha. No, really what have you got for me?"
"Sorry, Doctor Anspaugh was very clear that you were to be kept to shorter surgeries."
He unpinned his ID badge and held it up to her face. "What does it say on there? Oh, that's right, not only am I Chief of Surgery but I'm also Chief of Staff. Now go whip me up a whipple or something else juicy," he said in his best Chief voice. He noted, however that it didn't seem to faze her at all, and in fact she raised an amused eyebrow, and smirked. Clearly after a month off work, he was losing his touch.
"Leave her alone Robert," Donald's voice sounded from behind him. Robert shot Shirley an accusing look, and mouthed, 'You knew!' She smirked back at him.
He turned around, with a smile on his face and shook the elder surgeons hand. "Donald."
"Welcome back, Robert."
"Thanks."
"And I'm serious. I want you to give it a week on light duties. I'm sure there's a mountain of paperwork waiting for you, anyhow. Between you and me, Elizabeth's been struggling with the amount. It'll probably take you a week just to wade through it all."
"Oh, I wouldn't underestimate her, Donald. I'm sure she's got it all under control," Robert said.
Donald looked sceptical. "Light duties, you hear me?"
"Yes Sir."
"Good man. Shirley any problems, you know where I am," he said never taking his eyes of Robert.
"Yes, Doctor Anspaugh."
Donald satisfied, nodded and walked away.
"Yes, Doctor Anspaugh," Robert mocked in a childish voice and Shirley laughed. "Well if I'm to be stuck on boring duties, fill me in then. What have I missed?"
Shirley's smile faltered, and suddenly she looked a bit uncomfortable.
"Ohh, I know that look. C'mon spill. Who's doing what to whom?"
"It's nothing."
"Shirley…c'mon I put my big boy pants on today and everything."
Shirley hesitated. She knew he carried a torch for the British surgeon and didn't want to hurt him, especially on his first day back, but figured he was going to find out anyhow. "It's Doctor Corday," she said with some trepidation, really not wanting to tell him this particular rumour. "Word is, she's seeing someone in Oncology."
"Wait, back-up a minute. What happened to her and Greene?" he said.
"Oh, he dumped her."
"Really?! What an idiot!"
"Right?"
"But...she's seeing someone else already?"
"Apparently," she said gently, watching him closely for his reaction.
Robert dipped his head and adopted a suitably sad, but resigned expression. "She seem happy?"
"Actually yes. In fact, I've never seen her look happier."
"Well, then I guess we should all be happy for her," he said, trying for a look of sad acceptance.
"Yes, you're right," she said, relieved that he was taking the news so well.
"Must be one hell of a guy though, to satisfy her, eh? Oh well, best I go get changed for this exciting appendectomy you are graciously allowing me to do."
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Robert had to admit it...he might have only had the one surgery, and a plain old bread and butter appendectomy at that, but it had been amazing to get back to performing actual surgery again. His day was nearly over, but on a scale of one to ten it had to rank around a seven.
So to review he'd had one surgery, (could've done it blindfolded, but great to be back), two meetings (both far too long and mind numbingly boring), three verbal body-slams (best one taking Kerry Weaver down a notch), one actual dismissal (the jerk had it coming)….but best of all, three very secret, stolen kisses from Lizzie, who he would be going home to; that is until his pager went off.
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Robert let himself into his house, a lot later than he'd planned. Another last minute disaster had kept him at work much longer than he'd wanted. He saw the light on in the lounge and allowed himself a silent, 'yes.'
"Lizzie," he called out, and followed the light. She was sat on the couch, a half open bottle of wine sat in front of her with two glasses. As he rounded on her, he noted she was sound asleep, her head slumped down towards her chest. Gretel was keeping her company at her feet, but stirred when she sensed Robert and got up to greet him.
"Hey girl," he said. "At least someone's pleased to see me." He poured himself a glass of wine, kicked off his shoes and gently slid down next to Elizabeth, slipping an arm around her shoulders. Unconsciously, she leaned into him, her head falling onto the space between his shoulder and his heart. He was struck that this was the first time he'd finished a days work, and come home to someone waiting up for him, in a long time. And not just someone, but his Lizzie. He felt truly blessed, and sat there, content to sip his wine and bask in the heat of his slumbering company. He relaxed and closed his eyes, enjoying his wine and couldn't recall ever feeling this happier. After draining his glass, he leaned forward to refill it, and felt Elizabeth stir in the process.
"Hey," she said sleepily. "Did I fall asleep? What time is it?"
He tipped his wrist and looked at his watch. "Late."
She leaned her lips up to his and kissed him.
"Thank you for trying to wait up for me," he said.
"Sorry," she giggled. "How come you're so late?"
"Little girl versus slow moving vehicle. She'll be okay, thanks to yours truly."
"Thought you were on light duties?"
"I am, but Herr Anspaugh and his evil sidekick Shirley had already left for the day, and no-one else has the balls to say no to me."
"Ahh, so you had a good first day back?"
"I did. But, coming home to you just made it," he said tilting her face up to his. He looked down at her with eyes so full of love, it took her breath away, and slowly, he lowered his mouth to hers, and kissed her. When he withdrew his lips she opened her eyes to meet his, and everything he was feeling was there, staring back, reflecting up at him. "I love you," he breathed.
She smiled and put her arms around his neck pulling him back to her. "I love you too."
He heard her speak the words he'd only ever heard her speak in his dreams, and suddenly felt overwhelmed. Her hand was stroking the base of his neck, right where his hairline started, her fingers gently caressing the skin there. The gesture both comforted and thrilled him, driving him back to her, and he kissed her again, longer and deeper, giving her all of himself. Slowly, they undressed each other and he slid his hands around her, encircling her in his arms, lowering her gently down onto the couch. He covered her with himself, and when he started moving in her, she met him with all of everything, until, closer, she moaned his name, and in response he willed her to take the last of him, crying out as her arms tightened around his waist. She held him there, not wanting to lose the moment, unwilling and unable to release him, not now, not yet, not ever.
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The next few months passed quickly and much in the same vein. Robert was back to full strength, back to full duties, and back enjoying surgery. Elizabeth was happier than ever, and had all but moved in. So far they had managed to keep their relationship under the radar, with the rumour mill still convinced Elizabeth was involved with someone else.
Then, by some very intelligent design, namely by Robert, he managed to arrange a weekend where they were both off. He organised for his neighbour to take care of Gretel and whisked Elizabeth off to Wisconsin Dells for a romantic weekend. They drove up early on the Saturday discussing their itinerary, and came to a compromise.
They arrived at the B&B, a grand old Victorian looking place, around ten and checked in.
"Robert its lovely," Elizabeth gushed, when they got into their room.
"Nice big bed," he noted with a naughty grin.
"Lets see the bathroom," she said running off. "Hey, there's a tub and its huge, we can both fit in it!" After having unpacked, they headed out and spent the rest of the morning exploring around the old town and shopping, before grabbing a leisurely lunch. In the afternoon, as his reward for trailing round the shops without too much complaint, they visited the Fawn Creek Winery, where Robert bought enough wine to restock his cellar. Then they enjoyed dinner and returned to the B&B where they enjoyed the bathtub and each other.
Sunday, they woke late, had brunch and spent the rest of the day walking around the lake and woods, before going for an early dinner at the Ishnala Supper Club. They were seated by the window with a spectacular view, overlooking the Mirror Lake.
"This has been just lovely, Robert. It's so nice to get away from it all, even if it's only for a few days," she said clinking her wine glass against his raised one.
"Well, next time I can work the schedule again, what would you say to visiting Philadelphia? You could meet my mom?" he ventured.
"Really? Actually, that would be wonderful!"
"Good. She's really looking forward to meeting you."
After a couple more bites of his steak Robert asked. "Sooo, have you told your parents about us yet?"
"Not yet," she smiled, sheepishly.
"How come?"
"Just….well, we don't actually talk that much. So when we do, it just doesn't seem the right time."
He sliced into his steak, with a raised eyebrow. "Scared of telling your dad that I'm deflowering his flower?
"Not at all."
"Uh-huh," he said taking another bite.
"Speaking of fathers, may I ask why you never talk about yours?"
"Huh?"
"How come you never talk about your father? You, your mum and Emma are all close, but I've never heard you, or Emma, once mention him. I never asked before, in case it was taboo?"
"So you thought this nice romantic getaway, was a good time to ask?" he chortled and put down his knife and fork. "There's no mystery, Lizzie," he said and gave a small smile to put her at ease. "I guess I never talk about him, because I never really knew him."
"Oh?"
"Yeah…he died when I was four years old. An accident at work. I know from mom that he was a good guy and that she loved him very much...still does in fact; she never really got over losing him."
"Oh, I'm so sorry," she said reaching for his hand and he slid his fingers between hers and gave a small squeeze.
"It's sad, but it is what it is, Lizzie. I can't miss what I never had, and Mom did a great job."
"You know its weird. I grew up with two parents and I can't really say that I know either of them, really. They were doomed from the start, but then I came along so they made a show of it...but really, all I remember is arguments and then living in two homes, then finally being packed off to boarding school."
"Well Lizzie, I can guarantee you, that our kids will not have any of your childhood memories."
"Our kids?" she said bemused and raised an eyebrow, as she put her wine glass down on the table.
In contrast, he raised his glass to his lips and took a small sip never taking his eyes of hers. Then, slowly he lowered it, and said. "Our kids."
"And when do we have kids?"
"Right after we get married."
"And when do we get married?"
Carefully, he swirled his wine around its glass and took another sip, then smiled. "You already agreed."
"Really? I don't recall being asked, and I'm quite certain I'd remember something like that."
"You do remember our first kiss?"
She nodded. "Of course. In the park."
He smiled, the candlelight flickering in his eyes. "Well, first and foremost, before you kissed me, I told you I was a 'yours for life type guy'...and that you should know that….and yet... you kissed me anyhow."
"Mea culpa," she smiled back dipping her head slightly.
"So you see, you charted your own path that night," he said smoothly.
"I see."
"Glad you see," he said smiling at her playfully, but then his eyes turned serious, and he wondered how far should he go. When would they get another moment like this? Without taking his eyes from hers, he reached into his jacket pocket. Nervously, his tongue brushed his bottom lip briefly before his teeth bit down on it. "I've been carrying this around for a few weeks now, trying to find a right moment...but, you know what? Our whole relationship has consisted of waiting, so I think maybe its time to buck the trend."
Unconsciously, she held her breath and leaned forward, suddenly very much aware of her increasing heartbeat.
"I think we can both agree I'm not great when it comes to mushy stuff...especially where words are involved, but here goes...Lizzie...you know you have me...you've always had me, and you always will have. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you...I want us make beautiful red haired children together, give them a beautiful life and never grow old of waking up to you every morning. Would you do me the very great honour of becoming my wife, and sharing the rest of your life with me?" He produced from his pocket, a magnificent diamond ring, that glittered in the candlelight.
Her hand shot to her mouth, and her eyes went from his, to the ring then back to his. She smiled the most open and beautiful smile he'd ever seen, and it took his breath away. "Yes," she gasped. "I would be very honoured to do all of the above with you."
Robert gulped down the rush of joy he felt threatening to boil over, and fought to keep his normally steady hand from shaking, as he slipped the ring onto her finger. He smiled, leaned across the table and kissed her with an elation that reached down into his soul. "God, I love you," he murmured into her mouth. "Love you too," she whispered back.
He pulled his lips away from hers, just a fraction. "Lizzie...how hungry are you?" he asked, looking at the remainder of their dinner. She shook her head, smiling. "Stuffed actually, couldn't eat another thing."
He leaned back slightly, and raised a hand to catch their waiters attention. "Check please...and a bottle of Champagne to go!"
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They drove back in the early hours to get back to Chicago. He dropped Elizabeth off at her apartment and went on ahead to work, a full two hours before she was due in, in an attempt to deflect any undue suspicion of them arriving at the same time as having just had the weekend off.
They had a meeting scheduled with Peter Benton, and as it happened Elizabeth ran even later than planned. She got to Robert's office, a full half hour later than planned.
When she entered, Peter was already there, leaning against a wall looking bored, watching Robert display the knife he'd picked up in one of the antiquity shops she'd dragged him into.
"Someone's still on vacation time I see," he said when he heard her enter. Mainly for Peter's benefit, but also because he hated tardiness and couldn't resit the dig.
"Sorry," she said.
"That's alright. Peter was just helping me hang this straight. How's that look?"
"Great," Peter said, unimpressed.
"Did you finish the interview?" Elizabeth asked, looking at Peter.
"We were just getting to that. So where were we, before we left off last time?" Robert said walking towards his desk.
Peter stood up straight and smiled. "You were just about to give me the job?"
Robert turned and smirked. "Developing a sense of humour Peter, that's progress. You get points for that," he said gesturing to the chairs and they all sat down.
Elizabeth spoke up. "Err, why don't we discuss faculty responsibilities? Erm, Peter, as an attending you'd be responsible for supervising resident research."
"I look forward to that."
"Liar," Robert scoffed.
"I like working with residents," Peter said and Robert laughed. "Yeah, you mean you like abusing them, and you don't exactly have the best track record in the research department."
"That can change."
"Uh-huh. Where else have you applied?"
"What?"
"Where else did you apply?"
"You can't ask me that!"
"Oh no, someone call the interview police. Has anyone offered you anything?"
"You're not supposed to ask me that either!"
"Oh come on Peter, it's a simple question."
"I've looked elsewhere as a backup, but I'd like to stay here as an attending," he finally admitted.
"Okay….was that so difficult?…..Elizabeth, what are you doing?!" Robert asked, shifting his gaze to her.
She looked up at him, from where she'd been focusing on scratching her hands. "Err, my hands itch for some reason."
"Well cut it out, its distracting," he said as his pager went off.
Peter looked over at her hands. "Linear vesicles. Probably a phytodermatitis. Are you allergic to any plants?"
"I don't think so," she said.
"You have a garden?"
"I went hiking in the woods this weekend."
Robert was struck by a thought and groaned inwardly. "Tell me, you know what poison ivy looks like?"
"Poison ivy? Is that in Wisconsin?" She asked wearing a puzzled expression.
"Oh, boy." He shook his head looking at the number displayed on his pager, and got up to leave. "Sorry, Peter, I've gotta run. We'll have to finish this later."
"When?"
"My office will reschedule. Good luck with that, Lizzie," he said and left closing the door behind him.
Peter watched him go and stood up himself. "He's never going to give me this job."
"Of course he will, he's just being Robert," she said, now scratching furiously at the hands.
"Don't scratch. Put some hydrocortisone TID on it. If it gets any worse, get a shot of steroids."
"It won't spread, will it?" she asked.
"That depends on what you touched last before you washed your hands," he said and left, closing the door behind him.
She sat up straight and her eyes widened. "Oh dear," she said.
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She found him scrubbing for surgery along with Doctors' Anspaugh and Edson.
"Robert, could I see you urgently?" she asked, and he looked up from his scrubbing wearing an expression, which she read as 'really?'
"What is it, Lizzie?"
"I need a few minutes of your time."
"Well, it will have to wait until after surgery."
"This can't wait….it's a delicate Chief of staff problem...possible lawsuit, pending," she added somberly.
"Oh dear...you'd better go Robert," Donald said. "I'll make a start, and you can join me when you're done."
Robert scowled at the pair of them, shook his hands off into the sink and stomped out following her.
"What's so friggin important Lizzie?"
"Not here," she said. "Your office, now."
When they reached his office she all but pushed him inside. "Get rid of Brenda," she whispered.
"What?! Lizzie if this is a booty call, your timing is lousy."
"How's your rocket, Robert?" she said, and waved her gloved hands at him for effect.
His eyes widened and his mouth fell open as he realised what she was telling him. He reached down for the phone and buzzed through to Brenda. "Brenda could you go upstairs to accounts, and get me a copy of last years budget review. I need it asap…..Thanks." He went to the coat stand and retrieved his penlight from the pocket of his lab-coat. Loosening his scrub pants, he turned on the light and looked down and groaned. "Oh man! Lizzie!"
"Let me see," she said rushing forward.
He quickly pulled his scrub pants back up prissily. "No!"
"Robert, don't be shy!" she said still reaching for him and he half turned himself away from her tainted hands.
"You've done enough damage!"
"Well, do you have it?"
"YES, I have it! Jeezus Lizzie, who in the hell, picks poison ivy? Haven't you ever heard of 'leaves of three, let it be'?"
"What?"
"Leaves of three, let it be! As in, don't touch!"
"Sorry, we don't have poison ivy in England! 'Leaves of three', or any other kind for that matter! Anyhow, its as much your fault as it is mine!"
"How in the hell do you figure that?!"
"Well, for one, I will never understand your bizarre fascination with throwing yourself into freezing cold water. I simply got bored waiting for you to finish your skinny-dip in the lake this morning, and made myself a wild flower bouquet. Anyhow, you do remember how I warmed you up afterwards?"
"Hardly going to forget it now, am I?!"
"Well I didn't hear you complaining about it then! And calm down, Robert, its not that horrible."
"Easy for you to say, you've only got it on your hands!" he said rubbing at his crotch now that he was painfully aware of it.
"So, do you want the cream or the shot? I have them both," she said smiling proudly, and produced them out of her lab coat pockets.
Robert groaned and rolled his eyes. "Better give me both. I was supposed to start a damn whipple five minutes ago!" he said and grabbed the cream from her.
"I can do that," she offered.
"You can keep your infected mitts to yourself!" He turned his back, before applying a generous amount to the afflicted area.
"Right, well this one you do need my help with," she said preparing the needle. "Right, bend over and show me that cute bottom of yours."
He muttered something under his breath, but dropped his scrub pants enough to reveal his left buttock, and leaned a little over his desk. "Just do it already!"
Elizabeth gave him the shot just as the door to his office opened.
"Doctor Romano, we need you now, the ER are sending up two GSW's...Oh! Oh my! Oh sorry!" Shirley exclaimed before turning and fleeing.
"Shit! You done back there, Lizzie?"
"I'm done," she said, unable to help herself as she started laughing.
"Laugh it up flower girl!" he shouted pulling up his pants, and ran out of his office after Shirley.
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"Shirley, wait up!"
She froze and turned around unable to hide the smirk on her face.
"Yes, Doctor Romano?" she said sweetly.
"Look, before you go transmitting whatever you think you just saw, you're wrong. I was feeling nauseous and asked Doctor Corday to give me a compazine shot," he tried to explain, knowing it sounded pretty lame even to his own ears.
She folded her arms across her chest, and looked smugly unconvinced. "You're the mysterious 'M' aren't you?"
At the sound of a familiar ping, they both turned briefly, in the direction of the elevator as the first of the GSW victims was wheeled out. Robert returned his gaze to Shirley again and looked pleadingly at her, giving her his best puppy dog eyes. "Please Shirley. I'll talk to you once we get rid of this bunch, just promise me you'll say nothing for now."
She nodded, still smiling unable to mask her joy at the situation, and they both went to deal with their latest client.
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After the procedure and once clear of recovery, Robert very lightly touched Shirley's back, and said quietly, "My office now, please?"
Shirley nodded and followed him in.
"Close the door please."
"Should I lock it?" she smirked.
"Ha-ha! You, err, want something to drink?"
"No, thank you," she said, enjoying this abnormally polite Romano, whom she'd never before encountered.
"Take a seat. Okay so what you saw earlier..."
She remained standing and crossed her arms. "Don't bother Doctor Romano, you're not sweet talking your way out of this one. You're 'M,' and I'm guessing you two have been seeing each other for quite some time now...probably since that semi-permanent smile first appeared on Doctor Corday's face?"
Robert ran a hand across his face and sighed. "Are you going to say anything?"
"You're kidding, right?! This is too good not to….give me one good reason why I shouldn't go out and blab right now."
"Well, I could threaten to make your working life hell, or even sack you?"
She looked suitably un-fazed, and he knew he'd have to try a different approach.
"Or I could demonstrate how serious I am, and be truthful with you…I love her."
Such frank honesty from her boss threw her and she hesitated. "Wow."
"Yes, wow. So, the last thing we need right now is being heckled from the cheap seats. Look, when we're ready to go public I'll give you the full scoop. How's that sound? And to demonstrate once more, my grovelling sincerity, I'll give you another titbit…we got engaged last night."
Her eyes opened wide and she smiled broadly. "No way!"
Robert couldn't help but grin, and Shirley stepped forward and pulled him in, to yet another unsolicited hug.
"I'm so pleased for the both of you," she cried happily.
"So I can count on your silence for now?"
"Yes….although its going to kill me. Oh, and I want Christmas off."
His head shot up, and his eyes said, 'no way', whilst his head was already nodding his assent.
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"Have you spoken to Shirley?" Elizabeth asked, when he walked into the surgeons lounge.
"Yep." He walked over to the coffee pot and picked up a cup waving it at her, by way of invitation.
Elizabeth nodded. "What did she say?"
He poured two cups and handed one to her.
"She's going to keep quiet for now."
"Well, that's good."
He sat down opposite her. "Yeah, but I fear, Fortress Shirley is made of marshmallow, so I'm not sure how long she'll be able to actually hold out."
"I'm impressed you got her to say nothing at all. How on earth did you manage that?"
"I was candid with her," he said taking a sip of coffee.
"Candid, how?"
"I told her that I loved you," he said softly and was happy to see the small proud blush take hold off her. "I also promised her the full publishing rights when we're ready to go public...and may have revealed that we're getting married."
"What?!"
"Yeah, so you might want to think about making that call to Daddy Corday and breaking the news," he said smirking.
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The next day he took Elizabeth shopping for wedding rings and they stopped by city hall for a marriage license.
TBC