Chapter Six

From Heartache to Happiness

After hanging up with Bobby, Laurie phones her parents; they inform her that they will call their brother. Alex continues to stare at the doors in which her baby is on the other side. Laurie tries to make small talk. Alex's only response is a slight nod. No more than twenty minutes has passed since she called and Bobby is walking swiftly down the hall. Laurie takes a quick glance at her watch, "What did you do, fly?"

"No," he smirks. "I broke a rule or two and used the bubble. What happened?" He says trying to catch his breath. He eyes her as she continues to gaze upon the ER doors, the hospital could have fallen into a sinkhole but nothing could break her stare.

"The babysitter, Misses Walters, foolishly placed Robby in the high chair. She must have unbuckled him and then pulled out the tray, anyway…" He takes a step toward her.

"Yes that's probably what happened," Alex says as she turns slowly to face her sister. "Oh by the way, where in the fuck did you find that woman Laurie, huh? I mean Jesus Christ the woman is a complete moron." She walks closer to her sister, practically nose to nose, not acknowledging the fact that Bobby has shown up. "I told her," she points her finger in her sister's face. "I made sure I pointed out the fact not to use the high chair and what does she do. She uses it."

"Alex, it was an accident," Laurie says as she backs up a step.

"Is that suppose to make me feel better," tears start to well up in her eyes. "Did you see his eyes? They were crossed and his sweet little face," she points to the ER doors. "My baby is in there. They won't let me in."

"Alex, everything is going to be…"

She cuts her off, "Fine, how do you know that?" Alex turns back to staring at the door. Laurie takes a step closer to her sister, "Alex, please."

A hand touches her shoulder. She reaches up and holds it to her face. "He's behind those doors Bobby. Are they ever going to come out of there? What are they doing?" Her voice quivering, "Why don't they say anything?" She turns to face him and falls into his arms crying hysterically. He slowly moves her toward the couch and they sit down. Laurie has not moved from where Alex had assaulted her. "Laurie," Alex whispers.

She hears her name but continues to stare straight ahead. "Yes Alex, what do you want?"

"Please come here." Alex holds out her hand waving her over, "Please, I'm sorry." Alex stands and the sisters hug. Down the hall recognized voice are heard.

John and Sara Eames are walking toward their daughters holding hands, John calls out, "Alex." Simultaneously the ER doors open and a tall gray haired man looks up and down the hallway, "Mister and Misses Goren," he points to Bobby and Alex. Bobby gets up from the couch and stands beside Alex.

"Yes, yes Doctor," Alex, says, pulling on Bobby's arm.

He holds out his hand, Alex shakes his hand as does Bobby, "I'm Doctor George Salmon and I have been treating Robert, or." He pauses.

Alex smiles, "We call him Robby."

"I have been treating Robby and I believe he may have sustained a subdural haematoma. This damage or alteration in brain function sometimes requires brain surgery. As in other parts of the body, it is susceptible to bleeding, infection, trauma and other forms of damage. I have contacted Doctor Fredric Benson one of the best neurosurgeons in New York and he is standing by."

"He's going to need surgery?" Alex asks her voice trembling.

"I'm not sure yet we have been closely monitoring his eyes, ears, blood pressure, pulse, and breathing rate. I have checked the interior of the eye with an ophthalmoscope twice, fifteen minutes apart to see if pressure within the brain has increased. There is minimal pressure. I have arranged for a CT scan to look for damage or clotting. He has been vomiting and he is very drowsy."

"And if he has damage or clotting, what then? Surgery?" Bobby asks impassively.

"Depending on how much pressure has built up, then Doctor Benson will perform the operation. Tiny holes will be made in his skull to relieve the build up of blood."

"Oh my God," Alex says through tears, grabs Bobby's arm and squeezes.

Doctor Salmon touches her arm, "It's not as bad as it sounds and Doctor Benson is the best in the tri-state area. Robby is in the best of hands."

All heads turn to the ER doors as they open and a large wheeled bed is emerging, in the bed is a small form, very still. Alex makes a quick move to the bedside and her along with Bobby and the rest of the Eames family follow the bed with little Robby to another floor where the CT scan will be performed.

Alex manages to get a hold of his little hand, he is asleep. Softy she speaks, "Robby. Mommy and Daddy are here, sweetie. Everything will be fine." Moments later she feels a hand on her back, "Alex he has to go in the room."

"I want to go in with him."

A rotund nurse says, "I'm sorry Ma'am but you have to wait out here." Once again doors automatically open, all eyes watch as the doors softly close before them with little Robby disappearing behind them.

He is prepared for the exam and minutes later he is inside the tube where a three dimensional image of his brain will be photographed. After examining the photos, Doctor Benson and Doctor Salmon agree that he will need surgery.

At 8 PM Robert Alexander Goren is anesthetized. They are lead to the waiting area. John takes a hold of his daughters hand and leads her to the couch, "Alex he's gonna be fine."

Alex sits; her father sits on one side her mother on the other. Alex looks up and Bobby is standing off to the side leaning up against the wall, looking down the hallway. She has seen that expression on his face many times before. What is he thinking? Why doesn't he say something?

Her mothers' voice breaks her concentration. "Oh yes sweetheart," she pats her hand. "He'll be just fine."

"That is so easy to say, Mom." She takes a hold of their hands and holds them up, "I have to think positive….Yes." She nods her head. "He's gonna be fine."

Laurie's cell phone rings. "It's Michael," she says. She walks down the hallway talking to her brother. Moments later she returns. "He's stuck in traffic and should arrive within the next few minutes."

Laurie volunteers to get coffee; Bobby quietly excuses himself to visit the men's room. Alex watches him as he walks slowly down the hall. He's awfully quiet, damn what is he thinking? She doesn't turn away from his form until he disappears around the corner.

The elevator doors open and they, expecting to see Michael, move forward to greet him. It's not Michael, "Do you believe this?" Alex says nodding her head. "That fuckin' bitch has the nerve to show up here."

Sara turns to her daughter, "Alexandra."

Suddenly Alex is on her feet, "You have some fuckin' nerve coming here you stupid bitch."

Bobby is returning to the waiting room when he hears Alex's voice. "Oh no."

Alex pushes the woman and she manages to keep her balance, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Alex pushes her again, "Get out of here, no one wants you here." She is just about to push her once more when Bobby's arm reaches around her waist. "Stop it, Alex."

Alex struggles to get free, which is impossible. "Let go of me!" She punches his arm. "Let me go!"

"Alex stop it, I'm not going to let go until you stop struggling."

She stops and he releases his hold, she then turns around and steps back, "I shouldn't blame her, right. Because this is my fault, that's what you've been thinking?" She looks at her family and they stay silent. She turns back to Bobby. "Especially you," she pokes his chest with her finger. "I was being selfish, thinking only about myself and now our baby is fighting for his life in there and you……...blame me, don't you?"

She pounds his chest and tears fill her eyes, she screams as she jogs down the hall, Laurie proceeds to follow her, Bobby steps in front of her and lightly grabs her arm, "Leave her be."

"What?" She removes her arm from his hold, "She needs someone to talk too."

"No…………she won't listen to anyone now, leave her be."

Laurie looks past him, "Dad?"

"Bobby's right, Laurie. Leave her be."

Bobby notices that Misses Walters has not moved, he pats her on the arm, "I think it best that you leave."

"Are you his father?"

"Yes I am."

She looks up into his eyes. "He has your eyes." She exhales, "I'm sorry Mister Goren, I'm so sorry."

He nods, "Yes Misses Walters I'm sure you are." He walks past her stuffing his hands in his pockets. Laurie follows him. "Bobby."

He turns around, "Yes Laurie, what is it?"

"I'm sorry about what happened."

He takes her hand and looks over her face. He never noticed how much they look alike. Not very observant Detective. He shakes his head to clear his mind. "I know you are. It was an accident."

"No Bobby," she has trouble meeting his eyes. "Not just that. What happened just now."

"It's alright she's your sister."

"No," she looks down at the floor and then to where her father is sitting. Bobby follows her gaze. He leans his head down and catches her eye, "Laurie it's alright, believe me I understand."

Michael has since arrived and John fills him in on the circumstances.

Minutes turn to hours and Doctors Benson and Salmon greet the family, Alex has since returned and is sitting quietly. "The surgery was a success," Doctor Salmon says with a smile. "He is in post op. He will remain there for an hour, after that I will send him to ICU for round the clock monitoring. The parents may visit him."

Very quietly Bobby and Alex stand on opposite sides of the bed, Alex holding one of his hands, Bobby the other. His head is bandaged and he looks so small in the large bed. Bobby lightly touches his head, "I have never felt so helpless in my life. Look at him. It's not fair that he should have to go through this."

Alex stays very quiet, she looks at the two men in her life and she smiles. Softly she says, "Bobby I'm sorry I acted that way. I don't know what came over me." Bobby reaches over the bed and takes her hand.

"I feel so helpless Sara. I can't help my daughter and I can't help my grandson."

"Just us being here for her," she pauses. "For them is all that we can do John, besides she has Bobby," she continues. "He does tend to keep things to himself."

"You know, Sara. I don't know if that's good or bad."

Robby is sent up to the ICU and the doctor suggests to them to go home and get some rest. "You won't be any good to him if you guys are falling down from exhaustion."

They reluctantly agree. "Mister Goren, a word with you if you please?"

"Be right back," he says to them.

"One of the nurses told me about the incident with your wife."

Bobby puts his hand up, "We're not married……..yet."

"I'm sorry, I just assumed……"

"It's alright, what about her?"

"If you want, I can write a scrip for a tranquilizer. You can pick it up downstairs."

Bobby nods his head in agreement. Then he thinks of the argument that will occur if he tries to get Alex to take a tranquilizer. He then shakes his head. "No Doctor I don't think it will be necessary."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

The Goren Home

Bobby finally convinces Alex to go upstairs and lie down for a while. He stays downstairs and makes himself comfortable on the couch. Moments later the doorbell rings. "John, Sara," he says as he stands aside to let them in. "Alex is upstairs, I'll get her."

"Is she asleep?"

"I doubt it; it took me a while just to get her to lie down."

"I think you should do the same, Bobby," John says.

"Nah," he says as he walks into the living room. "I'm fine."

"Bull shit," Sara says. Both men looked stunned. "Go on."

He steps back from her and smiles, "Alright, I guess you're right."

"Pull out the phone in the bedroom, Sara or I we'll answer the phone. Also leave you cell phone down here."

When he walks into the bedroom Alex is surprising asleep. He quietly lies down next to her. He soon falls asleep.

An Hour Later

Bobby rolls over and wakes when he feels emptiness on her side of the bed. He finds her in the baby's room sitting on the floor hugging a teddy bear. He leans up against the door frame, "Alex, what are you doing?"

"Our baby should be in here."

He walks into the room. "He'll be home soon."

He is just about to join her on the floor when she stands up and faces him. "You always tell me about your father and his insensitivity toward your mother and her illness. Well as they say the apple does not fall far from the tree."

He is dumbfounded then shakes his head, "What?"

"The way you're acting, you think that if he isn't perfect, like your father expected his wife to be that you have every right to turn your back on him………….and me."

"I don't understand, what was I suppose to do? Perform the surgery."

"Support me at the hospital."

He stuffs his hands in his pockets and turns away from her, "Your father was there………."

She pulls him by the arm to get him to look at her. "My father? You're Robby's father." He reaches for her, she turns away. "I was right wasn't I? You do blame me for this, all of this," she steps forward, "Admit it, say it Bobby. Say Alex, this is all your fault. You've hurt my son and I will never be able to forgive you." A voice is heard from behind. "Alex, stop it!" They both turn in the direction of the doorway.

"Dad?" Bobby turns his head to face her. He then looks at John, puts his head down and brushes by him quickly out of the room.

"See Dad," Alex points. "He's running away, just like his Dad did. His father ran away when things got messy."

"Alex, he's not going anywhere. Maybe instead of assuming how he feels……….."

"Oh I know how he feels." She grabs Robby's blanket and holds it up to her face.

"No, you only know how you feel. You've not given him a chance to express anything. You of all people should know how good he is at holding things inside. But this entire night it's been all about you. You keep focusing all the attention in your direction. Putting the blame on yourself, so that everyone will feel sorry for you."

She is just about to speak, John holds up his hand, "Stop and think, think about him and your son. That man in there loves the two of you more that anything in this world. You are not the center of attention here Alex, you all are."

Alex finds him lying on the bed with his arm across his eyes. She puts her knee on the bed. He does not move. "Can we talk?"

Without removing his arm he says, "Of course."

"Bobby I'm so sorry, I don't know why I said those horrible..."

He takes his arm down and gestures for her, "Come here, you think you're gonna get rid of me that easily."

"It's just that……….."

"Shhhhhhh, it's alright."

She snuggles in closer, "It's just that you were so quiet and I was reading the signals wrong. I should have known." She pats his chest, "Why couldn't you just freak out...like I did?"

"Ah that was nothing," he squeezes her lightly.

"Nothing, I assaulted that poor woman and every two minutes I was crying."

"Oh damn to be able to cry like that."

"You'd hate it."

He kisses the top of her head, "Not if you couldn't do it anymore."

She holds him tighter. God I love this man so much. "Bobby one thing I need to ask. It might sound silly but it's been bothering me, no not really bothering me but I keep thinking about it."

"What is it?"

"How come you never said he's gonna be fine, like every one else?"

He squeezes her gently, "When I was a kid………my Dad would always say, she's gonna be fine………….don't worry guys your Mom's gonna be fine…………and of course she never was."

"I'm sorry." Alex turns on her side and lays her head on his chest. "Did you call your Mom?"

"No, not yet. No sense in keeping her awake all night. Besides, she'd call every hour on the hour to ask how he is. I'll call her tomorrow and maybe go pick her up and bring her down," he turns on his side. "Is that alright?

"Of course it's alright, why do you feel you have to ask?"

He shrugs his shoulders, "Just thought I'd let you know what I was thinking." He smiles and she lightly taps his face. He lies on his back once again. "You know," he exhales. "There's a chance that Robby…….."

She suddenly sits up; "Don't do this to me Bobby………."

He cuts her off, "You never think about it?"

She lays back down resting her head on his chest. "I think about it all the time………..but then I think that in twenty years there will be a cure for it."

He kisses the top of her head, "Alex always the optimist."

"Well one of us has to be." They hold each other in silence for a few minutes. "How will we know if he's going to be alright?"

"Motor skills, if he does the same things he did last week when he wakes, he'll be alright."

"And if he doesn't?"

"Then it will take him a little longer to learn things." He squeezes her lightly. "Ah, he'll be fine."

She pats his chest and laughs. "Oh gees," she exhales. "The past few months I have been so wrapped up in my…………the wedding plans that I think I've lost a little of what really is important in life." She grabs his hand. "Why didn't you tell me I was going over the top?"

"Because I didn't think you were. You were enjoying yourself and after going through these plans with you." He pauses. "I have to admit that I am getting excited about the day myself."

"Yes, but it is so inane."

"No……….." he places his hand on her chin and turns her face in his direction. "No there's nothing wrong with wanting to have a special day to celebrate the beginning of a life together."

"You're something, you know that Bobby Goren." She reaches up and kisses him. "Oh one more thing," she says.

"What is that?"

"I told you this at the hospital, when Robby was born." She sits up, and grabs his chin, "Look at me."

He laughs. "I am."

"Don't you ever take a backseat to my family again."

"Yeah but your Dad was…………."

"That's what I mean. I love my Dad. He's a special guy but you and Robby are my family and the two most important people in my life." She kisses his cheek. "Don't you ever forget that."

He smiles and then pulls her down and kisses her deeply. "I love you so very much Alex."

She kisses him and grabs his hand, "Bobby, I love you too, oh by the way."

He gives her a serious face, "By the way what?"

"Dibs on the shower," He laughs. The clock chimes two times. "My God. Its two a.m. already."

Alex returns from the bathroom, "Gees what a long night." She pulls on the covers. "Night, its two o'clock in the morning." She gets in the bed and sighs. "You're parents, are they still down stairs?"

She shakes her head, "No I sent them home."

He gets ups, removes his shirt and shucks off his pants. He tosses them on top of the hamper. He can feel her stare. He smiles then places the garments inside.

When they return to the hospital very early the next morning, Alex says. "Bobby, do you think they'll let us go up?"

"We'll…………….I'll show my shield if I have too." He grabs her hand. "Come on, let's go." They walk thorugh the hospital with their heads held high. They enter the ICU and when they find Robby's room he is awake. Doctor Salmon sees them and immediately greets them.

Bobby shakes his hand, "You've been here all night?"

The Doctor nods his head, Bobby smiles. "His vital signs are perfect." He takes out an examination light and shines it in his eyes. Robby moves his arms and his legs. "He is responding to light and sound, two excellent signs. My experience," he says with a huge degree of certainty. "He's gonna to be just fine." Bobby grabs Alex's hand and pulls it up to kiss it, they can't help but laugh. "I do want to keep him in for at least another 5 to 7 days, monitoring him, in case of infection."

Robby remains in the hospital another six days and he is FINE!!!!!!!!

TBC