Disclaimer: All recognizable characters from WTR and SOT belong to Chuck and Aaron Norris and TopKick Productions. Anything else belongs to the author.

Chapter 4

"Can I see him?" she asked.

"Yes, he was asking for you, but," he warned her, "he still needs a lot

of rest, so not too long."

Julie quickly nodded her head that she understood, then bolted back into

the room.

When she sat down, Carlos turned his head and smiled. "Hey there, beautiful," he whispered. The doctor had told him that his throat might be

sore from the respirator.

Julie smiled back, "Hey yourself. And I am sure I look anything but beautiful," she laughed. When she had been in the ladies room that morning to splash cold water on her face, she had caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Julie almost didn't recognize herself with her pale skin, dark circles under her eyes and her normally shiny hair hanging limply down her back.

She sat with Carlos for ten minutes before a nurse came in and told her that she had to leave. Julie started to protest, but Carlos assured her that he would be okay. After gently kissing Carlos, Julie reluctantly left the room.

"Why don't I take you home so you could get some rest," said Trent, when he saw her.

Julie agreed, knowing there was nothing she could do now that Carlos was going to be okay. As soon as she was home and settled into bed, she glanced at the clock and saw that it was about three in the afternoon. Two hours later, the doorbell rang, waking Julie up. Pulling on a robe, Julie went to the door and asked who was there.

"Trent," came the reply from the other side of the door. She opened the door and let him in.

"You look better," he said as he came in.

"Thanks," she said. Then she looked at Trent sharply, "Is something wrong? Did something happen with Carlos?"

"No, everything's okay," he answered and was happy to see her relax again. "But there was an unexpected visitor at the hospital not long after you left."

"Really? Who?" she asked, although she had a feeling who it might have been.

"Your father," said Trent.

"What did he want? Did he say anything to Carlos?"

"I don't even know if Carlos knew he was there. Your father didn't go into the room at all. He just stood there at the window for five minutes and then just left."

"Good. As long as he doesn't cause any problems, then I don't care what he does," said Julie as she poured two glasses of water.

* * * * * *

* * *

Almost two months later a lot had changed for Julie and Carlos. Carlos had healed very well and Julie and Carlos were closer than ever. The ringing of the phone pulled Julie away from the file she was going over on a new patient.

"Dr. Lawrence," she said as her eyes continued to scan the file.

"Why am I not surprised that you are still working?" came an amused sounding make voice on the other end of the line.

It took Julie a moment to realize who she was talking to and what he was talking about. "Oh my God! Carlos, I'm sorry!! I completely forgot we were meeting for dinner," exclaimed Julie.

Carlos laughed a moment, "Don't worry, at least now I know what other people feel like when I'm late. Look, why don't you just finish up what you are working on and I'll meet you here when you're done."

"Well, I'm done anyway," said Julie. Then an idea popped into her head.

"Look, instead of meeting at C.D.'s, why don't you come over to my place and

I can put together a light dinner for us."

"Sounds great. Two hours okay?"

"Perfect, I'll see you then."

"Julie's stiil working?" asked Trent went Carlos hung up the phone and put it back in his jacket. "Are you also still planning on going through with it?" Trent asked after Carlos nodded.

"Yep. I'm going over to her place in a couple of hours," said Carlos.

"Well, good luck buddy." Carlos smiled, never in a million years would he have thought he would be so in love.

Meanwhile, Julie finished up her work and got home a little earlier than she thought she would. Changing into a pair of comfortable jeans with a button down white shirt that slightly showed her mid-driff. She then pulled her long hair into a ponytail. Going into the kitchen, Julie began the simple meal for her and Carlos.

Just as Julie finished setting the table and lighting the candles, the doorbell rang. Opening the door, Julie kissed Carlos and led him into the living room. The apartment was small but comfortable. The main room held the living room area, the kitchenette and the dinning table which was now covered with a silk table cloth and candles.

Once the meal was over, Carlos told Julie that the dishes could wait and led her over to the couch. Sitting down, he faced her. Feeling nervous, he took a deep breath and decided to just go with it.

Julie was slightly confused by how Carlos was acting and was about to ask if he was okay when he pulled out a small black box and held it out to her.

"What's this?" asked Julie with a small, confused smile on her lips.

"Open it," was all he said.

Julie took the box and slowly opened it. Inside, nestled on a bed of soft black velvet was a ring. The setting was silver with a diamond in the center. Gasping, Julie looked up at Carlos. "Carlos. . . what. . . ?"

Taking the ring from the box, Carlos picked up her left hand. Looking at

Julie, Carlos said, "I have never loved anyone like I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Slowly slipping the ring on her left ring finger, he continued, "I want to always be with you. Will you marry me?"