Disclaimer: I do not own any character of ER, I am merely using them for entertainment purposes only, I am receiving no monies for this, it is strictly for my own and the readers, enjoyment.

Rating: R - Due to Language

Written By: Marilyn

They all turned around when Robert said “baby.” Susan began to blush. Abby and Carter took this chance to ad-lib.

“Hey Ab, doesn’t that patient in curtain three need an echo or something?” Carter turned to her indicating with his eyes to the door.

“Hmmm? Oh yeah, yeah, I forgot” as she and Carter exited the lounge, leaving Romano and Susan to themselves.

Susan felt an overwhelming sense of guilt, with hands in her pockets, looking down to the floor, as she watched Robert walk towards her with a questioned look on his face.

“A baby Sus?” He asked, his hands on her hips.

Now is the time to spill Susan thought to herself.

“Rocket, I didn’t want to tell you like this, I mean, here, now.” Her eyes starting to well up with tears.

Robert just stood there, looking into her eyes, his thumb wiping a tear from Susan’s cheek. Slowly, she lifted her face to look at him. The gentleness in his eyes, now watery too, and the smile told her everything that he didn’t even need to say.

Cupping her face in his hands, pulling her in for a sweet kiss, “A baby!” He said happily.

“So you’re not mad?” she asked uncomfortably.

“How could I be mad? The most beautiful woman in the world, has not only agreed to marry me, but now is carrying our baby too?” he smiled at her, flashing his adorable dimples. He pulled her in for a hug, laying her head on his shoulder as his hand stroked the back of her hair. They just stood there together, tears of happiness, feelings of true love, no words needed to be spoken.

He pulled back and looked down at her belly as his hand softly slid under her scrubs to gently rub it. Looking up at her, tears still on his cheek, “That’s my, er, our baby in there” he stated proudly, kissing Susan softly, then bending down to kiss her belly.

Softly he whispered, “Hey in there, this is your daddy, I love you so much.” as his arms wrapped around Susan and he held his ear to her belly.

She couldn’t help but cry at the sight of him. So humbled and so proud he was, so content and so happy. He looked up at her from his transfixed state, “How far along are we?”

She looked down at him still rubbing her belly; eyes wide open awaiting the answer.

“I would say roughly 16 weeks now.” she smiled.

Finally, he stood up, and rather abruptly, “You say 16 weeks?” he looked at her accusingly now, “16 weeks and you haven’t even thought about telling me until now? 16 weeks and I have to hear Abby accidentally say the word baby to find out that you are pregnant?!” he said, clearly outraged at her now.

His hurtful expression tore her apart inside. “Robbie, I only found out a few weeks ago myself, I wasn’t sure,” she said honestly.

“Well why didn’t you tell me as soon as you found out?” his hurt and concern seemingly burning a hole right through her heart.

She swallowed hard, trying to find the right words, “I… um….” she stammered for answers.

“Well?” he said, his hands now on his hips awaiting her answer.

“I wasn’t sure how you’d react.” she said quickly.

“What are you saying Suz, that you didn’t trust in my love for you enough to tell me? My God, I worship the fucking ground you walk on, you make me the happiest man alive, and you keep this magnitude of a secret from me because you didn’t know how I’d react?” he asked her, in disbelief. “We’ve been living together for months now, you know how much I love you, take a look at that God damned ring for Christ’s sake! I asked you to spend the rest of your life with me! You don’t know me at all, do you?” he nearly screamed at her, as he walked towards the lounge door.

He stopped for a second to look back at her, her hands were rubbing her belly, she was speechless, and ashamed of herself for not telling him, but she couldn’t find the words. Robert shook his head and stormed out.

*

Everyone at admit had heard Romano yelling, looked up when he opened the door, but all of them immediately started working again. The argument had drawn a big crowd; it was like a soap opera playing out right there for them to listen to. Everyone had to stop what they were doing to listen. They all watched as he took a hasty retreat to the elevator.

“Talk about anger management,” Frank said, as everyone began laughing.

“Shut up Frank” Abby retorted as she headed for the lounge. She could only imagine the state that Susan must be in after that horrific argument. She didn’t want Susan alone in there with her thoughts.

Abby walked in, and saw Susan, still standing there, facing the door, and hoping that Romano would return. She was still rubbing her belly, and staring off into space.

“Hey…” Abby said quietly as she walked towards Susan. As she got closer, she could see the tears streaming down Susan’s face.

Susan didn’t say a word; she just looked at Abby, with no particular emotion on her face.

“Here Susan, come and take a seat, please.” Abby said, knowing how hurt Susan must be right now.

“They heard everything, didn’t they?” Susan asked, already knowing the answer.

“Who cares, besides, only you and Romano know how you really feel, now, do you want that tea?” Abby prodded.

“Yeah, I know they heard everything, and quite frankly, I don’t give a damn…. It’s just a little embarrassing when your fiancé’ is yelling at you, literally “in front of everyone.” Susan muttered. “Yea, tea please.”

Abby started the hot water for the tea and casually went around to the other side of the table, facing Susan. “Are you ok?” she cautiously asked.

“Yeah” Susan smiled, “Why?”

It was obvious to Abby that Susan had been crying, it was obvious right outside of the lounge doors that she and Robert had an argument, why was Susan playing it off?” Abby thought to herself.

Susan looked at Abby a crossed the table. “What is it, Ab?” Susan asked as Abby just looked at her, both elbows on the table, hands under her chin.

“Come on Susan, we all heard it, and I’m concerned.” Abby stated.

“What? Oh that, it was just a silly argument, everything’s fine.” Susan said, trying to be reassuring.

“Susan, tell me! I’m here for you!” Abby yelled.

“What in the hell do you want to know, fuck, if you’ve already heard it, then why ask?” Susan raised her voice, tears distinctly forming in her eyes now.

Abby didn’t know what to think, other than the obvious, “Oh God Susan, I’m so sorry” she said as she went to finish Susan’s tea.

Susan finally allowed herself to cry in Abby’s presence now.

Abby fixed her cup of tea and sat it down in front of Susan, “What, he’s not happy about the news?” Abby asked cautiously, getting up to fetch the box of Kleenex.

Susan gratefully took the tissue and blew her nose, “Yes and no” she sobbed. “He’s virtually gleeful about the baby, Abby, but…..” her voice trailed off.

“Well then what’s wrong?!” Abby said, now more than just worried, not she was mad for Romano making Susan feel like this.

Susan blew her nose again, “He’s just mad that I didn’t tell him sooner, that’s all.” she sighed, sobbing.

“Susan! I told you this would happen, I told you to tell him as soon as you knew, didn’t I?” Abby stated, not wanting to rub it into Susan’s face the “I told you so’s.”

“Ok, well I know now, Ab, ok?!” Susan screamed and sipped her tea.

“Want me to go talk to him?” Abby asked honestly. She was willing to do anything for her best friend, even if it meant talking to Romano about Susan’s apprehension of telling him she was carrying his child.

“No!” Susan quipped quickly, “I’ve got to be the one to tell him, not you. As much as I appreciate your offer, it’s got to come from me.” Susan smiled at Abby, reaching a crossed the table to touch her hand.

“Ok Susan, but only if you’re sure. You can’t strain yourself now, it would be so easy if I just told him…” Abby sighed.

“No Abby, I love you for offering, but I’ll tell him tonight, at home, ok? I promise, after I tell him why I didn’t tell him about this baby when I first knew about it, he’ll understand, I just know it.” Susan said, not only trying to convince Abby, but also herself.

TBC…….