December 17th, 1981 (Thursday)

Robert and his routine...

Despite still feeling devastated every time he had to separate from his fiancée, time went by faster than he thought.

He kept his days taking care of his patients and that night there would be a cocktail on the hospital's conference room for the Christmas' Celebrations.

The event would be on a formal attire and, it was hot as hell that day. Relieved, he remembered that the party room had a very strong air conditioner. Regina would meet him there.

All of the professionals of the health department were invited with the right for one guest, with an exception of the ones who were on call.

There would be music and dance, a prize raffle sponsored by suppliers and the professionals who were the bests of the year, voted by the hospital staff, would be honored.

Robert was hoping that his named wouldn't be mentioned, since he was almost the son-in-law of one of the hospital's partners and it wouldn't look good.

He had mentioned that to Dr. Smith, who said he would put it into consideration.

This relationship of father-in-law/boss didn't make him comfortable.

He felt embarrassed in front of the other doctors. He had already considered looking for a new job, but didn't want to hurt Dr. Smith, who treated him like a son.

While he fixed his tie, an idea crossed his mind. He had some money saved in the bank and, if necessary, he could always ask his siblings for a loan. Would Dr. Smith accept to sell half of his stocks to him?

Even as a minor partner, it would be different. He would be one of the hospital's bosses and not just "boss' son-in-law". He decided to talk to his father-in-law on the first opportunity.

At 7 o'clock, he was ready, and the phone rang. It was Regina letting him know that they were leaving for the event and they would meet in a few minutes.

When he arrived at the party room, the receptionist took his invitation and pointed him to the correct table.

He walked there greeting many people on the way. He had made a lot of friends there and admired a bunch of his professional colleagues.

Dr. Adrianna Barnes, the gynecologist, stopped him on the way and kissed his cheek smiling. She was escorted by her brother. She was a nice person, young and beautiful, but a little too clingy for him. Robert had already realized that Regina didn't like the way Dr. Barnes touched him but had never said anything.

Regina arrived with her parents and Robert came to her direction.

She opened her beautiful smile when she saw him.

She was spectacular with a strapless chiffon red dress and a satin scarf around her neck. Her only jewelry was a pair of earrings and her engagement ring. She was wearing those extremely high heels and a clutch on her hands. Very elegant.

He kissed her on the cheek, so he wouldn't blur her lipstick, and she wrapped her arms around his waist.

─ You look beautiful, doctor cowboy ─ she whispered in his ear.

The sound of her voice and her breath had already awoken his libido. She knew how to knock him down.

He greeted his parents-in-law and all of them walked to their table. The band was already playing and, some couple were dancing.

She looked at Regina and nodded positively, getting her message. They excused themselves and went to the dance floor. While they danced, Robert could squeeze her in his arms and feel her breasts against him. Her high heels made her ass rounder and he had to control himself to keep his hands above her waist.

Some couples went by them and greeted them. They asked Regina to sing a little something. She couldn't get rid of her fans.

Before they announced the night's honored professionals, Regina was officially asked to get on stage and sing.

There she was, that beautiful doll, talking to the band and trying to decide what she was going to sing. She warmed her voice with a smooth ah ah ah ah before she started.

Impossible not to feel thrilled.

She sounded like an angel. When she finished, she got a standing ovation.

She left the stage with her simplicity and beauty and returned to the table. Robert felt like grabbing her and kissing her for hours, but he welcomed her with a single peck.

Dr. Smith went to the stage to join the other partners for the prizes to the best professionals.

They started calling the doctors and Robert felt relieved when another orthopedist was called to receive the prize. There was a little mumbling around the other guests, as if they didn't agree with the nominated.

He pretended not to notice all the looks turned at him.

After the end of the prizes, Louise, Robert's assistant, got on stage and talked to Dr. Smith. He could tell he was a little embarrassed by whatever she had told him, but agreed with her, giving his consent.

Louise grabbed the mic and asked for everyone's attention.

Robert didn't know why, but he could feel the hair on the back of his neck get static as soon as Louise started talking.

─ I apologize for my interruption and I don't mean in any way to embarrass the awarded doctors, as I'm sure they all had their merits. I would just like to say a few words about a person that didn't want to participate in the event due to his familiar relationship to one of the partners.

However, a group of employees standing here would like to applaud this doctor, who continues to surprise us as a great human being, complimented by patients and colleagues, and who never used his privileged situation to achieve anything. He is a simple man with a noble heart.

Your award tonight Dr. Robert Toledo is the sincere compliments from all of those who are with you every day, me a little more, for being your assistant.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join us to applaud our special honored guest. Come to the stage Dr. Robert Toledo.

The feeling that went through Robert was to run out of there as soon as possible and to fire Louise on the next day. He gave up on the idea when he saw how proud Regina looked. He went to the stage decided to reprimand his assistant.

However, he felt touched once he saw all those people applauding him. It was a little embarrassing too.

All the board of directors greeted him, and Walter gave him a hug. Robert greeted Louise with a kiss on her cheek and pulled her ear. The crowd laughed loudly. The took the mic and thought a little about what he was going to say.

─ It's hard to find words to explain my feelings at this moment. I'm very honored by this unexpected tribute and I can only say thank you. I thank God who gave me this gift to take care of people, my family who supported me when I decided that I wanted to be a doctor, all of the board for believing in my resume and hiring me, my colleagues, professionals from many different areas, who supported me since day one. To my patients for trusting me and treating me with so much kindness.

I also thank the woman that has been by my side since the day we met.

Here, I would like to make an addendum. When I met her, I already worked at the hospital for almost a year and I didn't know who her father was. Laughter was heard and he waited to continue. ─ She has brought me great spiritual strength, making me wish to be a better man everyday so I can be worthy of her. For all eternity I'm thankful to you, Re.

The applauses persisted for several minutes.

After he got out of stage, he was surrounded by colleagues who wanted to greet him.

When he finally got to the table, he found Regina with teary eyes. Gave her a tight hug and held himself not to cry as well.

An American-styled dinner was offered to the guests.

Regina and Robert were in line for the buffet when they saw an old lady very well dressed. Her outfit was a little too much for the event. She was dressed like a gypsy.

She came near them and immediately they felt as if they were being transported to another dimension.

The lady looked at them in a profound and loving way.

─ The first battle against the darkness was won, but don't consider yourselves victorious yet. There's still much planned for you to achieve your true mission. Stay together and always alert. You'll never be alone, and I'll always be around to help you. The fatality that happened in the past must not repeat itself. Stay with the light. Our friends on the Greater Dimension are very happy with this love that brings you and the girl together.

Without saying goodbye, in the blink of an eye, she disappeared among the guests, leaving them as if they had just come out of a trance. They left their dishes on the table and went out to look for that woman.

They couldn't find her, and no one seemed to have seen her. With that outfit, she wouldn't go by unnoticed. They walked towards Walter and discreetly told him what had happened. He looked perplexed. Didn't know what to say. He had no idea of this revelations.

Regina felt like she couldn't stay at the party anymore and let her parents know that she was going to spend the night at Robert's apartment.

They arrived quiet, just as they had been on the drive there. They couldn't pronounce a word. They were astonished, lost in their thoughts. What was that, was she a ghost? Who was that woman? A friend? What else had happened in the past and couldn't happen in the present?

They quietly walked to the bedroom, took their clothes off and laid down, spooning. They fell asleep, but both dreamt all night.

Robert woke up at 6am feeling well. He was on call and was already late.

He tried not to make any noise to let Regina sleep. She needed to rest. He left her a note and went to the bakery to have some breakfast.

Regina woke up at 9am, feeling completely calm and rested. The memory of a dream about the gypsy came to her mind and she remembered her words.

─ My girl, there's nothing to fear. Fear is a paralyzing feeling. Don't worry about what will come, because everything will happen when it should to, just like how it was planned. The shadows will remain far.

Regina got up and took a quick shower. She needed to go home because it was Andrea last performance of the year and she was very anxious.

While she finished getting ready, she called the doorman and asked him to call her a cab.

When she got home, she was greeted by an even more anxious Andrea thinking that her mother had forgotten about her performance.

Regina drank a glass of juice and grabbed a fruit to take on her bag.

She, her mother and Andrea went to the gymnasium. Before they left, she called Robert to let him know where she was going. She asked what time the presentation was.

When they arrived, the gymnasium was crowded. Sonia sat on the benches and saved Regina a spot while she helped Andrea with the final touches.

She calmed her daughter down with a kiss and guaranteed her that everything was going to be ok.

She left Andrea with the other skaters and went to the benches. The show was about to start.

She found her mother in the crowd and, to her surprise. Robert and Walter were already there. Her heart felt as it was going to explode of happiness. This were the men in her life, who loved her and took care of her and her daughter. She sat between them and waited for the show to start.

The performance went on without any problems. All the skaters were beautiful. When it was over, all of them held hands and bowed to thank the applauses. Andrea saw them on the crowd and opened a big smile. For sure, it was the best Christmas present for her.

Regina went to the dressing rooms to help her again and found her in tears. She hugged her mother repeating:

─ They came, they came to see me. Out there, her grandpa and her "dad" were waiting for her with flowers.

She couldn't hold her emotions. The bond that brought them together was extraordinary.

Walter and Robert had to return to the hospital and Andrea went for a snack with her mother and grandma at the new mall. They made most of the situation and decided to go Christmas shopping. Regina chose the newest record from a country band to give to Robert. That would be one of the gifts.

The other one she would find at a lingerie store. She was certain that it would drive him crazy. She also bought a special pack of perfume and lotion for Andrea to give him as a gift.

This would be the first Christmas they would spend together, and she wanted to be special. They would spend with her parents so they wouldn't be alone on Christmas Eve. On Christmas day, they would all go to the farm for lunch. Regina found a nice blouse for her future mother-in-law. After, she and Andrea went to a toy store to pick something for Robert's nephews.

Sonia chose a beautiful tablecloth to give to Rosie and decided to buy chocolates and panettones for the of members of Robert's family.

After walking a lot with many bags, they decided to have some ice cream. While there, Andrea told her mother about a dream she had with a gypsy that had appeared to her in a beautiful garden, sat on a bench and put her on her lap. They talked a lot, but Andrea only remembered the gypsy saying that she was her spiritual godmother.

Regina met her mother's eyes and they both smiled. 

How could they not believe her?