By Melissa Larkin
Disclaimer: You know the drill by now. I don't own ER, and Sara Lewis is my own creation. The poem "When You Are Old" was written by William Butler Yeats. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter Seven
Sara stood at the kitchen counter in Robert's house and sliced fruit for their breakfast. A few moments earlier she'd heard the water turn off in the shower and knew Robert was on his way down. As if on cue, Robert entered the kitchen.
"Mm, smells great in here," he said as he wrapped his arms around Sara from behind.
Sara turned around and kissed Robert. "You smell great, too. Aftershave?"
"Yes ma'am," he answered with a grin. "Come here." Robert kissed Sara and soon the kiss deepened and became very passionate.
The couple broke apart a moment later and Sara blushed. "Wow."
"That was some kiss, huh?" Robert responded, his face broken into a large grin.
"Yeah," Sara replied. She leaned in and kissed Robert again, only to be interrupted by the oven's timer beeping. Sara groaned and pulled away. "I was keeping the pancakes warm while you were in the shower." She turned off the timer, opened the oven door, grabbed an oven mitt and pulled out the plate.
"Thank you for making me breakfast," Robert said. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Um, yeah…you can put this on the table," Sara said as she handed Robert the bowl of fruit she'd sliced.
Robert carried the fruit to the table, then pulled out a chair for Sara. "For you, madam," he said in a dramatic voice.
Sara laughed and sat down. Robert poured coffee into her mug. "You know me that well, right?"
"That I don't have to ask if a Lewis lady wants coffee? No, I've been educated," Robert smirked.
Sara and Robert began to eat the breakfast that Sara had prepared: pancakes, fruit, bacon and toast. A comfortable silence filled the room.
Sara sat back and gazed around the kitchen. She really loved Robert's home. It had a cozy, warm feeling to it.
"You really love the house, don't you?" Robert said, as if he'd read Sara's thoughts.
"I really do," Sara said. She sipped her coffee and smiled. "I could see myself living here."
"Good, because I want you to," Robert began. "After we get married, I mean."
"And when are we getting married?" Sara asked slyly.
"After I propose," Robert said matter-of-factly as he popped a grape into his mouth. "And that, my dear, is going to be very soon."
"How soon?" Sara asked.
"Soon," Robert replied. "And that's all I'm telling you."
"Do you have the ring yet?" Sara inquired.
"Yep, bought it last week," Robert answered. "And now that's it. No more questions."
"Okay, fine. I won't ask any more questions." Sara walked to the window and looked out. "I really love this street. There's a park right around the block, right?"
"Yeah, and a grammar school on the next block," Robert replied. "So you like Summerfield? I know you wanted to live in a small town, and it's only twenty minutes outside of Chicago, so we don't have to deal with a long commute."
"I love it." Sara turned around and faced Robert. "And I can't wait until we get married and I move in here."
"I can't wait either," Robert said as he rose and walked over to Sara. "And I won't tease you about how long you have to wait. Do you want to know when the proposal is?"
"No," Sara said thoughtfully. "I want to be surprised." She wrapped her arms around Robert's neck. "But I know it'll be romantic." Sara kissed Robert and then the couple spent a wonderful morning together.
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The next afternoon, Robert and Sara were cuddled in each other's arms under a large tree in the nearby park. Sara rested her head on Robert's chest as he read to her.
"When you are old and gray and full of sleep, and nodding by the fire, take down this book and slowly read, and dream of the soft look your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep." Robert began to stroke Sara's hair. "How many loved your moments of glad grace, and loved your beauty with love false or true; But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you, and loved the sorrows of your changing face." Sara sighed with happiness and Robert continued. "And bending down beside the glowing bars, murmur, a little sadly, how love fled, and paced upon the mountains overhead and his hid face amid a crowd of stars." Robert quietly closed the book.
Sara looked up at him. "I love that poem," she stated. "And I love you." Sara leaned in and gently kissed Robert.
Robert gazed into Sara's eyes. "I want to grow old and gray with you." He stood up and held out his hand to Sara. She took it and rose to her feet. Robert held both of Sara's hands and smiled. "You are the best thing to ever happen to me, Sara. You've made me a better person. You've given me faith in God, and in myself. I wouldn't be the man I am today without you." Robert took a deep breath and got down on one knee.
"Robert," Sara said, her voice barely above a whisper. Tears sprang to her eyes.
Robert reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box. "Sara Lewis, will you do me the incredible honor of becoming my wife?"
The tears now escaped Sara's eyes and she nodded. "Yes," she said. She wrapped her arms around Robert and hugged him tightly. "Yes!" The couple eventually parted, and Robert slipped a diamond ring into Sara's finger. She stared at it, still in shock of what had happened.
"Do you like it?" Robert asked.
"I love it," Sara replied. "I love you." She kissed Robert, then hugged him.
Robert pulled back slowly from the hug and looked at Sara. "So, you really want to marry me, huh?" he asked jokingly.
"You bet I do," Sara answered. Robert brushed the tears away from her eyes. "They're happy tears." Robert sat back down under the tree, and Sara joined him. She rested in his arms once again.
"Who do you want to tell first?" he asked.
"My parents, and your mom. And Susan, Mark, Susie, Melanie, Dave, and I have to call Tom in Houston," Sara rambled. "But for now, I just want to stay here with you."
"I promise you, right now, that I'm going to make you happy," Robert stated firmly. "I'm going to love you, and protect you, and be there when you're happy or sad."
"You already do all of those things," Sara gently said. "It's why I love you so much, and why I can't wait to be your wife."
"I've never loved anyone the way that I love you," Robert declared. Sara stroked his face and kissed him.