Robert woke and sat up abruptly. He looked over and saw Cal's side of the bed empty. The clock read 10:30. He couldn't believe he'd slept that late, but he felt great. He'd had the best sleep he could remember in ages and, even lying in her arms last night, he'd been good like he promised. Slipping on his jeans, he padded barefoot and shirtless out to the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee and then went in search of Calista. Nearing the living room he heard someone at the piano. At first he thought it was Liam and then he grinned realizing it was Calista using her usual two finger method to feel out a melody. He was just about to enter the room when she started to sing, very softly, and he stopped, out of sight, to listen.

There's a saying old .. says that love is blind
Still we're often told ... "seek and ye shall find"
So I'm going to seek a certain lad ... I've had in mind
Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet
He's the big affair I cannot forget
Only man I ever think of ... with regret
I'd like to add his initial to my monogram
Tell me ... where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?

There's a somebody I'm ... longing to see,
I hope ... that he .... turns out to be
Someone ... to watch ... over me.

Her voice was raspy and Robert could tell she was crying. She was half singing and half talking,

I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood
I know that I ... could ... always be good
To one .... who'll ... watch ...over me.

She stopped and when she continued, her vocalization was barely audible,

Although ... he may not be the kind some girls think of
as handsome ....to my heart ... he ... carries
... the key ...

Her voice broke completely. Robert repositioned himself just enough to observe her without being seen. It was overwhelming to see the sadness in her face - because he knew he was the cause. Calista continued almost in a whisper with definite tears in her voice,

Won't .. you .. tell him please .. to .. put on some
speed.
Follow my lead .... oh .. how ... I need
Someone ......to watch .....over ....me.

She laid her head down on folded arms and sobbed silently. Robert stood there paralyzed. Although she'd told him before, it finally dawned on him that, for all her inner strength, Calista needed someone she could lean on, someone she could count on. She needed him to finally be the strong one. Slowly, he backed down the hallway and went out the french doors off the kitchen to the pool.

He sat with his head in his hands, knowing how miserably he'd failed her, trying to to decide what he should do. Just then the back gate opened and the Nanny came through wheeling Liam in his stroller. "Good morning, Mr. Downey."

"Morning, Maria," he said. Liam saw Robert and got all excited, wanting out of his stroller. He was stretched out, reaching for Robert and whining, "Ow, daddaa. Leem ow."

"Liam," Maria said, "let's not bother Mr. Downey."

"It's all right," Robert said, getting up and lifting Liam out of his stroller, "he just wants to take a little swim with me. Right, buddy?" he asked Liam, kissing him loudly on the cheek. Robert walked with Liam to the edge of the pool. "Uh, Maria?"

"Yes, Mr. Downey?"

"You might want to hide your eyes, or better yet, go inside. Liam just told me he wants us to go swimming in the buff."

Maria blushed and said, "Oh, Mr. Downey, you're such a kidder."

"Trust me," he replied, "you probably really want to go inside." She nodded, smiling, and left Robert and Liam to themselves.

True to his word, Robert undressed Liam and took off his own jeans, and with Liam in his arms, jumped in the pool, both of them naked. He grabbed an inflatable raft floating nearby and sat Liam on it, holding him securely. "Okay, sprout," he said, "you and I need to have a man to man talk." Liam clapped his hands and giggled, splashing his feet wildly in the water. "Hey, hey, hey," Robert said, "none of that, okay? This is serious business, young man." He laughed as Liam suddenly became very solemn and looked at him with his mouth wide open.

"Here's the deal, kiddo, I love your mom more than anything. And, I'm pretty sure she loves me. But, I've screwed up more times than our combined fingers and toes can count, and I've done something pretty unforgivable, I hurt her very badly ... made her unhappy .. I made her cry," he said sadly. "She doesn't know if I love her - if she can trust me - and she definitely has a point on the last part." Robert sighed, "Okay, I'll get right to it. Are you listening?" Liam was wide-eyed, studying him, completely absorbed. "Good, now pay attention, ‘cause I really need your help on this." Robert said, softly chuckling at Liam's serious, open mouthed, big-eyed stare. Continuing, he said, "Here's the deal. I can do your mom a big favor and just say goodbye ... leave her in peace. Or, I can stay and we can all see how the future works out. So, what'ya think?"

Liam wasn't sure what to make of Robert and still hadn't closed his mouth. Robert looked at him intently, "Hm, what's that? You think I should marry mom? Oh, I can definitely do that - I wanna do that. I shouldn't make mom cry again? I won't .. I promise, you've got my word on that. What? I should make mom happy? Yep, I really think I can do that. Come again? You want a brother or sister?" Robert playfully poked Liam in the stomach, "Shame on you for always bringing sex into our conversations ..... Are you sure you're not my son?"

"Ahem."

Robert turned timidly to see Calista sitting at the edge of the pool with her legs in the water. "Hey," he said guiltily, "um.. how long you been there?"

She thought for a minute, "Does ‘man to man' work for you?"

He grinned.

"It's not enough you're having sex talks with my son, you're also looking to have him arrested for lewdness? Not to mention, of course, yourself?"

"Don't be a spoil sport, mom, come on in, the water's great."

Without warning, Calista stood up, stripped, and jumped in the pool. "Woman," Robert stared at her in awe, "you never cease to amaze me."

"Well, I told you, that's because I'm amazing," she smiled mysteriously.

He nodded slowly. His eyes locked with hers and he yelled out, "Maria!"

Maria came out on the patio and was amused, rather than shocked, at everyone's nudity. "Yes, Mr. Downey."

"I think it's time for Liam's nap. Uh...right, Cal?"

"Yeah," she said softly, her eyes not moving from his, "it's about that time."

After Maria had gone inside with Liam, Robert began treading water toward her.

"Don't you dare think about dunking me," she warned him.

He chuckled happily.

When Robert was close enough, he gathered Calista in his arms. "Liam gave me his permission to ask for your hand in marriage," he grinned.

"Hmm?"

Solemnly, Robert said, "No secrets, okay? I saw you at the piano. I'm just ... I mean the fact that you could even forgive me for what I've put you through makes me weak in the knees. You know, don't you, that if I could take back the pain, I would in a second. But, I'm learning that no matter how much I want to, I can't. And you've taught me that I have to accept responsibility, ask forgiveness, let it go, and move forward. That's what I want to do, move forward with you. My first thought when I heard you singing was to give you a break and just get the hell out of your life. Then, it dawned on me that I'm tired of running away. I know what I want - and I want you. A future, with you."

Calista averted her gaze, looking everywhere but at him. She was afraid of what he might say, and at the same time afraid that he wouldn't.

His eyes searched her face, "So, I'm just asking that you keep thinking about April, because if we're still okay by then, I don't want us to just move in together. Because, when you feel you're ready ... when you feel we've gone far enough ... I want to marry you. I love you." He gave her a look of comical shock, "Oh, my God, look what you've done to me! I just agreed to be patient! Hey, that's gotta count for something," he said smiling. Suddenly, he became very somber, "Seriously, Cal, I've never met anyone like you, never knew I could love anyone like this. I can't lose you now."

She smiled up at him and Robert kissed her sweetly. This time she offered no resistance. He tilted his head back, surprised that she hadn't pulled away, and looked deeply into her eyes to see if he could tell what she was thinking.

Slowly, Calista broke away from him and started toward the edge of the pool.

"You leaving me so soon?" he asked.

"Hm, Downey, being naked with you in the pool doesn't exactly promote clear thinking on my part." She climbed out and wrapped a towel around her and went through the open french doors into her bedroom. He quickly grabbed a towel and followed her. They stood there, staring at each other. His look bore into her, questioning. Her eyes reflected doubt and fear, but they also told him yes. He reached out and brought her to him.

As their lips met, their towels slipped to the floor. His tongue explored hers tenderly and sweetly. He began chewing on her lower lip as her teeth lightly tugged at his upper lip. He lifted her and carried her to the bed where he placed her gently. He stood for a moment taking in her beauty, his eyes shining with love, and then he laid down beside her. They kissed again, more passionately, and then urgently. Without warning, Robert pulled away and, turning, he sat on the edge of the bed with his back to her, his head in his hands.

She laid up against him and inquired softly, "What's wrong?"

He shrugged, "Honest? I just had to take a minute to calm down. I'm ... I'm nervous. I feel like I'm 15 and it's my first time again. I want you so much ... but I don't wanna blow it." Laughing softly, he said, turning his head slightly, "I'm sure we both want it to last longer than 45 seconds .. if that gives you a clue as to my first sexual encounter." Soberly, he asked, "Are you sure about this, Cal?"

She rubbed her nose across his back, "No," she whispered with her lips against his skin. "I don't know if I'm sure of anything anymore. But, the last few days, when I thought I'd lost you for good, made me think. What if we're only meant to have today? What if that's all God intended to give us?"

Robert turned around slowly and said, "I don't believe that. I won't believe it. We were brought together for a purpose, because we need each other, for different reasons, for much longer than a day." He put his hand up to her face. She turned her head and gently massaged his palm with her tongue.

"And", he continued, "now that I've found you, I'm greedy, I want forever."

"But, if it is just for today," she said, "then I've decided I want it all." She laid down and pulled him on top of her. The stereo was playing softly in the background.

He straddled her on his hands and knees and hovered above her to make sure she wanted him to continue. Her eyes, ablaze with desire, gave him the answer. He leaned down and kissed her softly. Then he began kissing her throat, licking her ear, and murmuring naughty, wonderful words. "God, I've missed you. I love you ... I love you," he whispered huskily, "let me love you, please love me, please let me love you." He kissed her face, her eyes, her nose, and then found her mouth and his tongue played tag with hers before traveling downward to her breast where it began circling her nipple. His hands and fingers explored her body. She moaned, and said breathlessly in his ear, "Bobby ... ." She arched her back and Robert's mouth closed around her breast, his teeth gently massaging her nipple. Lifting his face to hers, she kissed him and rolled gently on top of him and began biting his chest teasingly as she continued downward. Robert gasped and laced his fingers in her hair. He soon stopped her and brought her back up to meet him where, no longer able to deny their need, their bodies connected and they began a slow, rhythmic dance and came together explosively. Robert stayed locked with her for a long time before laying down to catch his breath. He leaned over and gently kissed her breast while his hand caressed her stomach. Softly, he asked, "You're not sorry, are you Cal?"

She met his gaze imploringly, "Please don't make me be."

He got up slowly, taking her hand to pull her with him. "Dance with me," he said. As he took her in his arms, he began singing softly in her ear along with radio:

Look into my eyes, you will see
what you mean to me
Search your heart, search your soul
And when you find me there, you'll search no more

Don't tell me it's not worth trying for
You can't tell me it's not worth dying for
You know it's true
Everything I do, I do it for you

Robert kissed Calista on the neck and she leaned back and looked up into his eyes. She silently prayed he would be strong enough to make it this time because the love she felt for him was like nothing she'd ever known before. She wrapped both arms around his neck and he kissed her again.

Look into our hearts, you will find
There's nothing left to hide
Take me as I am
Take my life
I would give it up
I would sacrifice

Don't tell me it's not worth trying for
I can't help it, there's nothing I want more
You know it's true
Everything I do, I do it for you

When the music stopped, they continued swaying back and forth. Robert kissed her and then pulled away slightly and looked down. "Uh oh. Looks like our friend wants to play again," he grinned.

Calista laughed, "Mm. Well, we sure don't want to be inhospitable."

They made love again, taking turns pleasuring each other.

It was about 2:00 when they heard Maria and Liam out on the patio. "Liam must be up from his nap," Calista said. She gave Robert a playful downcast look, "Shame to break up the party, but I guess we'd better make an appearance so I can let Maria get on her way."

Robert sighed, "All good things ...." and kissed her before they got dressed and went outside.

They spent the rest of the day playing with Liam, and Robert took a few hours to answer some long overdue fan mail. He left a message for his agent and called and talked to his mother and then his sister, both of whom Calista really liked. She noticed he hadn't talked to his father in quite awhile, but thought it best not to mention it.

About 7:00, Robert said, "Hey, how about we order in tonight?"

"What'ya have in mind?"

"How about something different for a change," he answered.

"Hmm?"

"How's Chinese grab ya."

"Robert! We eat so much Chinese food, we're gonna end up speaking the language."

He shrugged and grinned, "Sayonara."

She gave him a smirk, "Close, but no cigar. Same continent, wrong country."

He grinned. "What can I say? I like the fortune cookies."

"Then, why don't you just buy a big box so you can have one whenever you want?"

"Cause that's no fun. I like to get ‘em one at a time."

"Tell ya what, why don't you light the barbecue and I'll defrost a couple of steaks."

Laughing, he said, "Why, Ms. Flockhart, if I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to fortify me - to keep my strength up for later."

"Can't put anything over on you, can I?" she said teasingly.

Robert turned on the TV and immediately his face appeared in a screen clip on Extra. "Okay, here we go," he said. "Looks like I'm in love with .... um...um..." he cleared his throat several times.

"Who?" she asked.

"Uh ... ya know. The BLONDE we don't talk about."

"So, you're in love, huh. Well, this could be good. I hear the Star reported the other day that Garry and I are getting married next week. Maybe the four of us can have a double wedding."

He wrinkled his nose and squinted his eyes at her. "Couldn't possibly, I'm not registered anywhere."

"Too bad. It would've been fun."

Robert smirked, "Are you sure you don't wanna know about her?" "How many times do I have to tell you," Calista almost shouted at him, "NO!"

"Okay," he said raising his arms in surrender, "just checking."

She studied him for a long time. Then, she hit him playfully on the arm, "Hey, stop loitering. Go get the barbecue started while I bathe Liam and get him ready for bed."

After dinner, they curled up on the couch and watched an old Humphrey Bogart/Ingrid Bergman movie. As they were preparing for bed, Calista said, "Wonder why they don't make movies like Casablanca, anymore."

Robert said, "Probably because no one can say ‘Here's looking at you, kid,' like Bogie - and he's dead."

She rolled her eyes, "Why do I always keep expecting more from you?"

He smiled. "Uh oh," he said looking down, "Our friend's back. Just curious, are you ready to ... ‘Play it Again .. Sam?' " he asked doing a pretty good Humphrey Bogart impersonation.

She moaned, "Keep it up, Downey, you may just talk your way back to the couch."

They grinned at each other because they both knew there wasn't a chance in hell he was sleeping on the couch.