All characters still not mine...
Chapter Fourteen -
Robert walked into the bedroom after a marathon surgery and smiled at the sight of Elizabeth sat up in bed, reading. "Now, why are you still awake?"
She looked up smiling, closed the book and placed it down on the bedside table. "Because, I was waiting for you...so, how did it go with Donald?"
"Not as I thought it would," he said, taking off his tie and starting on the buttons of his shirt.
She looked up at him worried. "What does that mean?"
Shrugging out off his shirt, he threw it into the linen basket, and rolled his neck several times, trying to loosen the stiff muscles. She saw him grimace and scooted across the bed towards him as he unbuckled his belt, and started on his trousers. "Well, as you can imagine Donald's not happy with the prospect of losing both his Chief and Associate Chief of Surgery in one fell swoop." He stepped out off his trousers, folded them, and put them down on the Ottoman.
"Turn around and sit," she said and she climbed onto her knees behind him and started massaging his neck and shoulders.
"He's also not very keen on taking on the position himself. So...mmmm,...Oh, God, that's good…. Yeah, yeah...right there." She dug her thumbs in harder. "Yeah, so he has suggested that we both stay on in our current positions, and suggests he become your immediate supervisor. That way, any management or disciplinary action where you're concerned, would fall to him. What do you think?"
She lowered her mouth to his ear. "I think that would work. I take it on that premise he's also happy for you stay on as Chief of Staff?"
Robert smiled nodding. "Obviously I told him I had to run it past you first."
"It all sounds good to me. That any better?" He rolled his neck again and smiled turning around. "Much better, thanks," he said brushing a stray curl away from her face before kissing her. He pulled away from her long enough to remove his boxers and socks and tossed them at the basket, smiling as he hit the target. Lifting the covers, he crawled in and spread himself over her.
"So, really it couldn't have worked out any better," she said as he nuzzled her ear. He lowered his mouth to her neck, pressing a trail of soft, feather light kisses against her skin and traced his fingers up the underside of her arm, feeling the goosebumps he knew would appear. "Mmmmmm," she moaned, repaying him in kind grazing his back lightly with her nails.
"It worked out so well," he moved lower still. "I actually invited him to the wedding, aaaand…." He found her breast and smiled as he felt her body react. "He was so relieved we'd consider it, he even green-lighted two weeks off for us, too. Soooo…." He moved his mouth across. "Where would you like to honeymoon?"
She arched her neck back into the pillow and squirmed with delight as he flicked his tongue across her stomach and reached down for his head, pulling him back up so their foreheads were touching. "How about Paris?"
"Paris?" He gazed down at her with smokey eyes and sang. "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?
"Sweetie, why do you think I'm still awake?" she purred.
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Elizabeth snapped off the latex gloves and threw them in the bin after ruling out a surgical candidate and started to head back upstairs. She turned around at the sound of Abby's voice. "So, I take it the wedding is back on?"
"Yes. Yes, it is," Elizabeth beamed back. "News certainly travels fast around here."
"Well, the two of you are walking around with goofy smiles again so it's not exactly a reach to connect the dots. I think I can safely say, that all of County would like to extend their eternal gratitude to you, for giving us happy Romano back," Abby said and Elizabeth giggled.
"You're all very welcome. Actually Abby, I wanted to thank you."
"What for?"
"Well, that little chat we had last week. It helped me a lot."
She shrugged. "I didn't really do anything."
"Well, that's a matter of interpretation. Anyhow, we've pushed up the wedding….and I'd love it if you'd come?"
"Really?" Abby said surprised. "Yes, yes I'd love to."
"And Luka, too. You and he are still?"
Abby nodded smiling. "So erm, that pushed up wedding date. It wouldn't have anything to do with you throwing up would it?" she said knowingly.
Elizabeth looked around and pulled her into an empty exam room and closed the door. "Not really, we just don't want to waste any more time. But yes," she said and unable to contain herself any longer, she smiled and nodded. "I am pregnant!"
Abby smiled and pulled her into a hug. "Oh, congratulations, that's great news! I'm so pleased for you! How far along are you?"
"Seven weeks. But you can't tell anybody!"
"I won't, I promise.
"Yes, other than family, we're not telling people, you know, until after the first trimester for obvious reasons, but I think Robert just doesn't want people to know until after we're married. I think his ego is scared people will think I'm only saying yes because, as he so eloquently puts it... 'knocked me up,' but I'm so excited to finally be able to talk about it with someone other than Robert!
"Aww, I think it's really great...and listen, now that I know, anytime you want to talk baby stuff I'm here for you."
They hugged again and Abby shook her head. "A mini Romano? Is the world really ready?" she joked and Elizabeth laughed.
They left the room and bumped into Mark. "Abby," he said. "Can you draw some blood on my guy in curtain two?"
"Sure." She nodded at Elizabeth and carried on.
"Hey, Elizabeth?" Mark said, and she looked at him expectantly.
"So, erm, I'm guessing from your smile you and Romano sorted things out?"
"Yes. Yes, we did," she said, still beaming, and lifted her left hand up to show off the ring. He nodded and caught her fingers in his hand, and gave it a little squeeze. "Look, you know I don't really like the guy.."
"Mark.."
"No, hear me out. I just wanted to say, that whilst I may not like him, he obviously makes you very happy, and I guess anyone who can put a smile on your face like that, can't be all that bad...so I guess that's good enough for me. I'm really pleased for you, and I just wanted you to know that."
"Oh Mark, thank you," she said and pulled him in to a hug. "That really does mean a lot to me."
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The house was fit to bursting and filled with far too many females for Robert's liking, but at least he had his brother-in-law, Jack, there for some male backup. The two of them mostly hid out in the den when possible, or went running a lot, which was not a bad thing considering his mother had taken over the kitchen; a fact, he was perfectly fine with, just not the expanding waistline, that came with it. He was going to have to up his runs, he thought.
His mother was also enjoying fussing over the expectant Elizabeth, who in turn was enjoying being fussed over. That was until her own mother had arrived, and seemingly become territorial trying to out-fuss Mary. A battle he knew, she would lose. He hadn't quite figured her out yet. He wasn't sure at first, if she was being aloof or just being plain old British with him; but after she'd inadvertently overheard him say a negative comment about her ex to Jack, she seemed to be coming around to team Romano.
Elizabeth and Emma were thick as thieves making last minute wedding plans. Jess, amazing niece that she was, was somehow getting on well with Isabelle, probably due to the fact that she was deaf. All in all things were going great. The one remaining element was the one they were all now sat round waiting for, who was running late.
They were all waiting for Charles Corday to arrive so they could all go out for a family dinner, before the big day.
He heard the knock on the door followed by Elizabeth's excited voice. "Daddy!" Gretel barked and followed Elizabeth as she went to answer.
Here goes nothing, he thought and stood up and plastered on his best smile.
Charles entered the room with Elizabeth on his arm. "Doctor Romano," he said stiffly and offered out his hand.
Formal it is then, he thought and shook his hand. "Doctor Corday."
"Oh, please!" Isabelle said, rising out of her chair. "Charles, don't be an arse. His name is Robert! You can say that, can't you? He is after all, marrying our daughter and is the father of our unborn grandchild!"
"Thank you Bella, for that charming picture. Well then, Robert, would you like to make the introductions?"
Robert marvelled at how the man had managed to roll his name and make it sound like a dirty word. He closed his eyes briefly, then introduced everyone.
As they were all heading out to the cars, Isabelle pulled Robert back.
"He doesn't seem to like you very much," she said looking over at Charles.
"I think its safe to say, he's never been my biggest fan."
"Well then, Robert," she said smiling widely, linking her arm with his. "I think I can safely say, we are going to get along just famously."
Ground swallow me now, he thought.
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Robert leaned back into his chair and took a moment to watch the party in full swing. Champagne was being quaffed by the case, the band were excellent, knocking out favourites, old and new, keeping plenty of people on the dance floor.
He sat quietly with his mother enjoying the moment and reflecting on the day. Looking down at his left hand he engaged in a bit of self indulgence and admired the gold wedding band that sat proudly on his finger, and mused to himself...he was a married man. He was going to be a father. If there were such things as soulmates, well, he had found and married his.
The day had gone pretty much perfect. Even the weather had behaved, despite it being January.
He closed his eyes, remembering the precise moment the music had begun to play and he'd turned and watched, utterly mesmerized, as she walked up the aisle towards him. Stunningly beautiful, her smile exquisite, he'd actually thought his knees would fail him, and he'd smiled allowing his eyes to mist up. Emma, whom he'd asked to stand with him had nudged him and told him to man up and get a grip, but he'd figured if you can't get misty eyed on the biggest day of your life, well then, when can you? Plus, he'd wanted Lizzie to see just how much she meant to him, but was thrilled to see the same dewy mist shining in her eyes when she'd reached him.
The service had been a simple one. They'd exchanged vows, both their voices hitching with nerves. The priest hadn't quite finished inviting Robert to kiss his bride before he'd swept in and done just that, in font of God, et al.
Of course his mother had cried. Jack and Jess had sat either side of her, shoring her up as she sat there, proudly watching her 'baby boy' finally get married. He was amused to note the large space left immediately on the pew behind her, as she seemed to have found the largest hat, this side of Christendom to wear.
He glanced up from his musing and shook his head, smiling as he watched Jess teaching Isabelle how to sign some rather choice, colourful language which she in turn practised on the back of an oblivious Charles. She was an odd woman. He was still amused he'd suddenly become flavour of the month when she'd realised just how much Charles didn't like him. Still, one in-law in his camp was better than none.
He turned his head and watched his beautiful bride happily jigging away with Stacy, Emma, Abby and Shirley on the dance floor. Shirley was one of the chosen few from work, who'd received an invitation, specifically from him, and boy, had she enjoyed lording it up over the other nurses. When he'd invited her, she'd squealed with delight and actually lifted him off the floor when she'd hugged him. He'd actually had to ask her to put him down, his cheeks red and pride somewhat battered.
Kovac, who was Abby's plus one sat talking with Jack and Shirley's husband, probably swapping war stories.
He looked over at Charles Corday, his now father-in-law, who was deep in conversation with Donald Anspaugh. They were probably trying to out-bore each other, if the expression of the other tables occupants were any indicator.
Emma bounced off the dance floor and made her way over and plopped down heavily in the chair next to him. "Done shaking your tail-feather already?"
She reached for a bottle of champagne. "Intermission," she said and topped up her glass and took a swig. "So how does it feel to be all grown up and allegedly an honest man?"
Remembering his mother was sat next to him, he laughed. "Pretty awesome."
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Elizabeth left the dance floor and let Abby and Shirley drag her over to an empty table, while Emma sauntered over to check on her mother and Stacy remained on the dance floor and latched on to Joe, a surgeon friend of Robert's who worked over at Mercy. She'd only met him a few times but thought, they'd probably hit it it off, for at least the next forty-eight hours. She sat rather heavily in the chair, happy to be off her feet for a few minutes and closed her eyes, smiling to herself. She couldn't believe they'd finally managed to tie the knot after everything, or indeed just, how well the day had gone.
Slipping off her shoes for a bit of gentle relief, she closed her eyes and smiled remembering the moment Robert's eyes had locked with hers as she'd walked towards him. It was one of those moments she thought, where everything else around you ceased to exist, and they'd drank in the sight of each other. He looked amazing in his tuxedo and if she hadn't already felt beautiful in her white dress, the way he looked at her, the look of utter love he gave, would have more than convinced her. She swallowed, and as it did then, thinking of it now brought a tear to her eyes.
She heard her mother laugh out loud and looked across to see her sat with Jess. Her mother had been staying with them for the last two nights and was driving her batty. Having seen the easy intimacy between Robert, Emma and Mary, Isabelle had decided to up her game and was attempting to play the doting mother, and it was quite frankly freaking her out. Jess, bless her heart had taken on the mantle of running interference for her where possible, and oddly the two seemed to get on like a house on fire. She wondered what the giggling pair were up to, and made a mental note to ask Robert to teach her some sign language.
Emma had of course, been amazing and a huge help in planning the wedding, while Mary had kept everybody well fed and doted on being reunited with the family.
Robert had coped with the 'Female home invasion' rather well she thought and was so happy that Jack had been able to get leave for the wedding. The two of them would take off for runs or they'd find a sports event to watch in the sanctity of his den, when the girlie meter, as Robert put it, tipped into the red.
Of course, her parents still couldn't quite behave around each other and there had been several times she'd had to intervene and warn the pair of them to behave. The previous evening at dinner, she knew Robert and Emma were exchanging bemused glances, amazed that for once the Romano's came off as the normal ones. All in all, she was feeling exceptionally good, high on life and the one small glass of champagne, she'd allowed herself. Stacy and Shirley, however had no such alcohol restraints on them and were partaking liberally. Stacy was already well on the road to Sloshdom and had made a bit of a show of herself when she had all but tried to seduce an embarrassed Luka, right in front of Abby.
"I can't believe you'll be in Paris this time tomorrow," Shirley said, draining her glass. "I'm so jealous!"
"And we know what you'll be doing, while we're at work!" Abby said, and they all laughed. Then she smiled cheekily. "So, erm, go on then...tell us, we're dying to know...what's he like in the sack?"
Elizabeth's eyes widened and Shirley giggled. "Yeah, and are the 'Rocket' rumours true?"
Elizabeth looked between the pair of them her mouth open. "Now what rumours would those be?"
"Ohh, come on...we've all heard them...and we're all friends here," encouraged Abby.
Elizabeth hadn't heard any rumours but thought she'd have some fun and smirked. "I can confirm, all true."
Their eyes lit up and they leaned forward. "Go on.."
"He is, let me see." She held up her left hand and her eye caught her wedding ring. She admired it briefly, before counting off on her fingers. "He is loving and passionate as one would expect."
"Yeah, yeah," Abby said, waving her on. "Get to the juicy stuff."
She leaned forward herself drawing them in closer, and lowered her voice. "Honestly?" The other two women smiled, nodding eagerly.
"Let's just say, as a lover, when it comes to satisfying my needs...he's...incredibly intuitive. He's also voracious, rather inventive, very flexible and also has amazing endurance. Does that answer your question, ladies?"
Abby and Shirley's mouths hung open in stunned envy, and slowly, they turned their heads to look across the room at him, where he sat talking with his mother and sister. He looked up suddenly and caught them looking, his expression one of suspicious curiosity, before they quickly turned their heads back and burst into laughter.
"Oh my God, I'm never going to be able to look at him in the same light again!" Abby cried and Shirley laughed. "At least you won't have to try and keep a straight face the next time he asks me for more suction!"
Elizabeth sat back laughing at the pair of them and Shirley grabbed a bottle and started to fill up their glasses. Elizabeth's hand immediately shot out to cover her glass and Shirley raised an eyebrow.
"Now who doesn't drink on their wedding day?" she asked and caught the brief look exchanged between Elizabeth and Abby.
"Oh My God!" she exclaimed. "You're pregnant?!"
"Shhh!" Elizabeth shushed and Abby burst out laughing.
"And you knew?! How come she got to know?" She asked with a look of utter betrayal, turning to stare daggers at Robert, who again caught her looking, and raised an eyebrow.
"I only know because I caught her throwing up!"
"We're telling people when we get back, Shirley. Please keep it to yourself for now."
"Fine," she said with an exaggerated sulk, then smiled and raised a glass. "And congratulations of course...again."
"Thank you," Elizabeth said as the band started playing 'Just the Way You Are.' She looked across the room to Robert who'd also heard it, and their eyes met. He smiled, stood up and began walking towards her.
"You'll have to excuse me, I believe they're playing our song," she said and slipped her shoes back on. Still feeling like bragging, she added. "You know, he sang this to me on our first date."
"Awww, that's sweet...wait, hang on, he sang it?!" spluttered Shirley.
"Yep...whilst playing the piano."
Shirley and Abby exchanged stunned glances as Robert approached.
"Don't mind if I steal my wife away from you, do you ladies?" he said offering his hand to Elizabeth. "I think this is our song?"
"I do believe it is," Elizabeth said accepting his hand and let him lead her onto the dance floor.
Abby and Shirley watched them go, downed their glasses and refilled.
"So, happy?" he asked as he pulled her into his arms and they began to sway with the music.
"Never more so."
"Have I told you lately that I love you?"
"You have, but you can show me again, later," she teased and he held her tighter to him, and quietly began to sing along to the music. They remained dancing together for the rest of the evening until it was time to say their goodbyes. Elizabeth tossed the bouquet which was caught by Abby much to Luka's surprise.
They climbed into the waiting limousine that was to transport them to the honeymoon suite at the Hyatt Regency before their flight to Paris the following day, and waved at everyone as the car pulled away.
TBC
Just a few more to go...