If Looks Could Kill (Sideshow Bob Fanfiction)

Chapter Fifty-Nine

Chapter 59

At the end of Bob's work day, Bob left the university in his car, and headed straight for Springfield Hospital.

If Bob was completely honest with himself, Caitlyn was the last person that he wanted to see after what had happened that day. Bob's stomach had been all too right; the knots had been there for a reason. A terrible, horrible reason.

Franchesca.

The sour, sickening bubbling sensation in Bob's stomach hadn't settled down when Franchesca had left, and having to face Caitlyn was making it worse, if anything. Bob scowled out at the road as he drove along the street, heading for the hospital car-park.

Bob parked the car in the hospital car park and then strode across to the reception area. He signed in, and then proceeded along corridors, in search of Caitlyn's ward. When he finally reached the destination, Bob halted outside the room, an uneasy wave of goosebumps spreading along his arms. A powerful sense of nauseating fear knocked Bob a step back. Was he going to tell Caitlyn about what had happened...about Franchesca?

Well, keeping secrets wasn't ever a good idea.

But then again, neither was mentioning Franchesca.

As Bob stood dithering in the corridor , outside the room , Harriet came hurrying down the very same corridor. 

"Hello, Robert!" Harriet called. She picked up her pace and rushed towards a nervous Bob.

"Good afternoon, Harriet! What a pleasure to see you," Bob greeted her with false cheer.

"Here to visit Caitlyn? Yes, me too," Harriet said, and then laughed at her absurdity, "Why else would we be here?!" she giggled.

"Yes, why else?" Bob chuckled, running his hand over his arm anxiously.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Harriet asked, "Come on, let's go and see her."

Harriet confidently pushed the door open and strutted in. Bob followed, fighting the urge to nibble is lip. He was starting to feel incredibly ill, but he was already here, and there was nothing he could do about it.

"Good afternoon, Caitlyn, my darling!" Bob exclaimed with joy, rushing over to hug her.

Caitlyn leapt out of the bed and gladly into Bob's arms.

"Oh God, Bob, I've missed you all day!" Caitlyn cried, her voice muffled by Bob's chest.

Bob savoured the scent of Caitlyn's coconut-shampoo, and the warmth of her against him. It was only then did he realise just how much he'd missed her too. Catching Caitlyn off guard, Bob swooped her up into his arms, bridal-style, and carried her back to the bed before laying her on his knee. She shrieked excitedly at being lifted off the ground, and nuzzled into Bob's chest as he lay her onto his lap.

Harriet smiled as she watched the romantic scene happen right before her eyes; it was everything she'd wanted as a young girl. But even more so, Bob seemed like a wonderful man, and that's all Harriet really wanted for Caitlyn. Of course, in her mind, no-one would ever be completely good enough for her little girl...But Bob came close. Much closer than any of the other men Caitlyn had dated. Sure, none of the other men that she'd dated had gotten Caitlyn pregnant, but not many stayed for more than a couple of months either. To Caitlyn, a year and a bit relationship was true love. And maybe she was right; maybe it could be.

Harriet let out a content sigh as she watched Bob snuggle her daughter. It was beautiful - beautiful and heartbreaking. Harriet had known what she had once thought was true love...With Caitlyn's father. She had loved him more than she had loved anyone. They had been married for five whole years before they had Caitlyn. They had been married for nearly 25 years when he - abandoned her. And Caitlyn. His departure had driven Harriet so grief-stricken and rage-filled that she had thought that she hated her own daughter. A man who she had loved ever since she was 16 just left her, and his daughter, turning them against each other like wild jackals.

Love had turned to such bitter, bitter hate. And so quickly. It didn't take a genius to know that Bob wasn't exactly in the best frame of mind at that moment in time. And Harriet was no genius, but after years of living with the recognition of all the signs, far too late, she recognised nearly all in Bob. She could see the inner struggle, even having only just met him. He was emotionally fragile, for obvious reasons, but he tried far too hard to stay calm and appear happy.

Just like Caitlyn's father had appeared to be.

All Harriet could really do is cross all her fingers, and toes, and hope that things went well. But even more so, hope that Bob would stick around. And not abandon Caitlyn like her father had.

Caitlyn smiled inwardly as Bob cradled her, rocking her gently in his strong arms. She couldn't help but wonder how many times Franchesca had felt the way she did...safe...warm...truly loved...

'No!' Caitlyn scolded herself mentally; pushing all thoughts of Franchesca out of her mind, she looked down at her abdomen.

"Did  the doctors say anything about him?" Bob asked in a whisper, noticing Caitlyn looking at their unborn son.

"Yes, actually. They did an ultra-sound, and they said he's perfectly okay. I am so lucky," Caitlyn replied.

"No," Bob said, "We're so lucky. Me especially. I don't know what I'd have done if you left me," Bob whispered, a lump rising in his throat. He choked it back down again, fixing the wavering smile back to a firm smile on his face.

"I'm so sorry, Bob," Caitlyn whispered back, "I'm so, so sorry!"

"Shhh, it's okay, darling. It's okay. You're okay."

"I love you, Bob," Caitlyn nuzzled into Bob's neck, her hair tickling his chin a little.

"I love you too."