“Yes.” Debbie got up. “I’ll get us some.”
She seemed distant.
“Debbie, you’re okay with all of this, right?”
She handed him a glass. “Yes, of course. I know you and Gini have been in love for a long time. I’m glad you finally will be together.”
“I guess I should have talked to you first.”
She half smiled. “If you’ve had the ring for so long, why tonight? Why not sooner?”
“I had to make sure she wanted to be with me. After Ric came back on the scene, I didn’t want her to be conflicted. I had to know she loved me as I love her. When you told me earlier she called for me in her sleep, that’s when I knew. She knew my love would protect her and I would always be there for her.”
Debbie had never seen so much sentiment from Robert.
“I guess I can see if I can get my old job back at the hospital.”
Robert looked at her and then slid forward on the couch, putting his glass on the table. “Oh no, Debbie, I knew this was a package deal.”
“Robert, you don’t need me. You’re capable of taking care of Gini, probably more than I am. And besides, when you’re married, you’ll become her guardian.”
“Debbie, please, I need you; Gini needs you. I know how close you two are. And I’m still working. She needs you.”
“You’re sure?”
“Absolutely. I won’t have it any other way.”
Debbie gave a sigh of relief.
“You’ll never guess who showed up here tonight after you guys left. Ric.”
“Oh…”
“Robert, I think he came to ask if he could marry Gini. He fidgeted with something in his pocket. I think it was a ring box. But when he saw your box and the champagne, it took him no time to figure it out.”
“I’m thinking he had the proper manners, coming to you first. How did he take it?”
“I’m sure not well; he didn’t stay long.”
He sat back on the couch sipping his drink. Debbie was quiet as well.
“Gini wants me to sleep with her. Is that okay with you, Debbie?”
“You are going to be her husband, you don’t need to ask my permission. It’s okay.”
Debbie’s feelings were swirling inside her. She was extremely happy; at the same time, she was sad. Her and Gini’s lives were about to have a big change. Did she need to tell Robert that Gini would probably never be intimate with him? That they’d never make love? He must know that, right? Was he okay with just being with her and not having a sexual relationship? And there’d be no family. She wondered if he had thought about all of that, really considered what it would be like over the years. He was in love now, but what if he felt lonely later not having intimacy, not having a partner who could be equally responsible for their life together? Their marriage wouldn’t be a traditional one; he would be taking her place as Gini’s caretaker. They would have a discussion later.
“I took tomorrow off so I can be with Gini. I have a small bag I packed, down in my car.” He got up and started for the door.
“Oh, Robert…” Debbie picked up the key card Ric had left. “Here’s your key. It will get you into the building, elevators, and condo.”
“Thanks.”
Chapter 14—I Do
Robert woke up to the aroma of Debbie’s coffee. “Good morning, I smell something good.”
Debbie was just pouring a cup and handed it to him. “What do you want for breakfast?”
“You don’t need to fix my breakfast. Debbie, you’re here to take care of Gini, not me.”
“Well, I’m going to fix myself something. I might as well fix yours while I’m at it.”
“Okay. Here’s the deal: whoever’s up first fixes breakfast, but you always have to make the coffee.”
“Deal.”
Debbie moved her things out of Gini’s room and bathroom, and Robert brought more of his things each day when he returned from work. They worked well in tandem, fixing the meals, walking with Gini, and grocery shopping. Suddenly, Debbie had a lot more personal time—she liked it. Robert was eating more home-cooked meals and leaving work earlier—he loved it.
Debbie wasn’t surprised when Gini asked her to have Ric come visit so she could tell him about the engagement. He was invited to come at eleven. Debbie would wait to see how it all went before asking him to stay for lunch. Gini was uneasy all morning, seeming vague and confused.
“Baby, if you want me to tell Ric about your engagement, I will.”
“No… be… uff… teel. Er… guiney… be… uff… ta… alk.”
Gini was sitting on the couch and faced Ric when he sat down next to her. He picked up her hands from her lap and saw the bright ruby-and-diamond ring.
“Hello, sweets.”
She sat quietly, thrusting her tongue for a few seconds.
“Reek… Be… Uff… Fend.”
“Always.”
“Guiney… Be… Uff… Luff… Uff… Luff… Octor… Rob… Ber… Ong.”
“I know, sweets.” He brushed down her face and she started crying. “Hey.”
“Be… Uff… Marry… Be… Uff… Marry… Rob… Ber.” She slowly raised her left hand.
“Gins, what a beautiful ring. Why are you crying? I’m the one that should be shedding the tears.”
The words Gini spoke were painfully slow in coming as she thought hard to say each syllable. He was churning inside, trying to be patient with her talking, but he just wanted it to be over so he could get out of there before his emotions took him down.
“Reek… Be… Uff… Fend… Long… Teem.”
“Gini, no matter what happens in our lives, we’ll always be friends.”
“Oh… yes…
“Reek… Be… Uff… Wed… Ding?”
“I wouldn’t miss it. You just tell me when
