A New Start-Chapter 2bA New Start-Chapter 2b
By: Vicki [email protected]
RATED R (For language and Sexual situations)
"Lucy, it's time to get up. Listen, I'm sorry about last night, maybe
I should have said something to her. Come on Luce, we need to start
Getting ready," he quietly says through the closed door.
Not getting any answer, he opens the door to find an empty bed.
Running to the nursery,
"Lucy?"
Noticing the twins� empty beds, and diaper bags gone, he heads downstairs to the kitchen, where he finds a note, telling him that Lucy and the twins had already left for the hospital. Driving as fast as he could, John frantically attempts to page Lucy to talk. Not receiving any answer rushes through the ER doors, and goes straight to the desk.
Before he could ask, Frank points to the lounge. Entering he finds Susan and Randi, each playing with one of the children.
"Man, Lucy's really pissed at you," Randi laughs.
"Yeah, I know, he replies quietly.
Susan, going over to him with Beth in her arms, quietly whispers,
"The Harper thing's not the only thing that's bothering her, she's on the roof, go and talk this out, she really needs you right now."
"So you know what's bothering her?"
"Yeah I do, but she needs to be the one to tell you."
"Are you guy's alright with them for awhile?" he asks, indicating the twins.
"Yeah, but you guy's better hurry up and straighten everything out,
I don't want to change any dirty diaper, "Randi complains.
"So, she knows what happened?" he whispers to Susan.
"Carter, EVERYONE knows what happened," Susan smirks.
"Great," he groans, giving Beth a little kiss on the top of her head.
"We'll be down as soon as we can. Thanks."
"You just work things out with Lucy, if Randi gets in trouble with diaper duty, I'll talk her through it," Susan grins.
Heading up the stairs, John forcefully opens the door to the roof.
"I called you twice," he yells.
"I know, I didn't want to talk to you," she yells back, not looking at him.
"You scared the shit out of me when I couldn't find you and the kids," he says, very upset.
"I left a note. I gave Bobby and Beth their first ride of public transportation.
Seeing he wasn't going to get any where, as long as they both continued to argue, calms down.
"Listen, I don't want to argue about this anymore. I didn't sleep very good last night," he sighs.
"I didn't either," she whispers.
"I should have introduced you as my wife, I just wasn't thinking, sorry, "he says taking her hand.
"You know that's right," she says, with a slight grin." And I guess I shouldn't have over reacted to what everyone told me about the two of you. I'm sorry, too," she says quietly, squeezing his hand tighter.
Is there anything else I need to know?" he asks, scrutinizing her closely.
"No, let's just go get the babies; I want to spend some time with them before we take them to day care," she says starting to stand.
"Not so fast," he says grabbing her hand." Susan told me there was something else.
"It can wait till later, really" she whispers.
"Lucy?"
Taking a deep breath, she quietly begins,
"I saw Coburn yesterday," she whispers.
"And?"
"She doesn't think I'll be able to carry the baby full term, "she cries.
Not expecting to hear news like this, John too, has tears coming to his eyes.
"Why?" was all he could say.
"She said my body hadn't had time to fully recover from the last pregnancy. Oh John, I'm so sorry," she sobs.
"Shh, it's going to be okay," he whispers, trying to comfort her and make some sense for himself. "You should have told me."
"I tried but...."
"I know, I know," he whispers, holding her close.
After holding each other for several minutes, John takes Lucy's face in his hands, and whispers,
"We're gonna get through this, "wiping her tears.
"I don't know if I can, "she cries, burying her face in his chest.
"Look, it's going to be hard, but with every pregnancy there's always a risk of miscarriage. But there's always a chance that Beth and Bobby will have a brother or sister in...?"
"March" she whispers.
"Besides, if I recall, you told me once, that nothing over comes easy for us. Why should this time be any different?"
"I know, "she sighs.
"So, what do we do now?"
"Go downstairs, get our babies and spend some time with them before we have to take them to day care," she says, finally drying her tears.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, let's go," she says, with determination.
On the way to the ER, Connie tells John that Harper had been looking for him.
"Tell her I'm not on yet, and I'll get to her, when I can," he says, with a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"You know, you didn't have to say that for my benefit, "Lucy whispers.
"Believe me I didn't," he smiles, as he puts his arm around her waist.
Going to the lounge, they find Susan and Randi attempting to quiet two screaming babies.
"It's about damn time you two showed up, SOMETHING'S wrong with these babies," Randi complains, holding Bobby straight out in front of her to
Lucy.
"I think they're both hungry or missing mommy and daddy," Susan laughs. "Or both," she adds; as John takes Beth, at which point, both babies immediately stop fussing. "By the way, Harper is looking for you."
"I know," John answers. "Tell her I'm busy. Lucy and I are going to take the kids for a walk outside for a few minutes, then to day care, THEN I will tend to Harper, "he says, matter of factually.
"Way to go Carter," Susan smiles, as John and Lucy put there babies in their stroller and leave to have some quality time together, until it was time to take the twins upstairs.
That morning at work, Lucy felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off her shoulders. She didn't have to ask John if he had told Harper they were married, for all morning, Harper would give Lucy a look of animosity every time their paths would cross. All doubt had left Lucy's mind, when mid morning, Harper finally spoke to her.
"Lucy, would you take this abscess in two? I've got a meeting with
John and Romano, "she remarks snidely.
Not wanting to give Harper the upper hand, simply replies, "Of course I will," taking the chart from her.
After treating Harper's patient, she realizes it's time to go feed the babies. Telling Susan to page if she's needed, and to let John know where's she's at. When she arrives at day care, she's surprised to see John already feeding Beth.
"What are you doing here?" she asks curiously.
"It's lunchtime, why wouldn't I be here?"
"I just thought....."
"What?"
"Someone said you had a meeting with Romano and... never mind."
"Lucy?"
"Okay, Harper."
"Who said?" he continues questioning her.
"Harper okay?" she says, as she begins feeding Bobby. "Just forget it," she sighs and plays with her son's hair.
Completely changing the subject, John begins the conversation-
"So? How have you been feeling?" he grins.
"Tired mostly," she sighs.
"No morning sickness?" he continues.
"Nope."
""Come on Lucy, I thought we had moved passed all this earlier?"
"Yeah, we did. I just don't know why she is so set on causing trouble."
Just then, both of their pagers go off-
"Looks like the ER. Heather, you guys will need to finish here, "Lucy says, trying to finish up.
"Sure thing Lucy, be glad too," she smiles, taking Beth from John and giving her to another day care worker, while Lucy finished with Bobby.
After kissing the babies goodbye, John and Lucy hurry downstairs, as one patient already was being wheeled into trauma one.
"Carter you and Lucy have a burn victim coming in, ETA about five minutes. Susan and Luka just took another to trauma one, "Kerry informs them, handing them each a protective gown and glasses.
Standing outside, waiting for the paramedics to arrive, Lucy stands with her arms, wrapped around her stomach, as a sudden wave of nausea overcomes her.
"Are you all right?" John asks, seeing the strange look on her face.
"Yeah fine," she whispers.
"You sure?"
"Yeah, "she lies.
Upon arrival of the paramedics, Lucy took the patient's vitals, as
John led the trauma team. Entering the trauma room, Lucy determined the patient's breathing was not as it should be and needed to be intubated, which she did with ease.
"I see you haven't lost your touch," John says, as he continues examining the patient.
"How's he doing?" Lucy questions.
"I'm loosing the pulse in his legs. Okay doctor Carter, what do we do?" he asks in his 'old teaching' tone.
"Loss of pulse in his feet indicates swelling and constricting of the blood supply. We should consider an Escarotomy."
"Very good," he smiles.
"I had a good teacher, remember?" she smiles back.
"Do you want to do the honors?"
"Absolutely," she says confidently, taking her position at the end of the gurney. Taking a look at the patient's condition, renews the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"On second thought, you'd better do it, I'll help Malik and Lydia keep an eye on the monitors."
As John makes the first incision, Lucy once again feels sick, only this time she realizes that she won't be able to hold it in.
"John, I'm going to be sick," she whispers.
"What?"
"I'm going to be sick, "she says, not waiting for his acknowledgement.
Running out of the room and down the hall, she heads straight for the restroom.
"Do you want me to check on her?" Lydia asks casually.
"No, she'll be fine, she just pregnant, he says, nonchalantly.
"Way to go Carter!" Malik grins. "What took you guy's so long?"
"What?" John looks at him curiously.
"Lucy. Pregnant! Again?" Malik grins.
"Oh shit!" he groans. "I don't even want to hear it," John smiles, as he continues the procedure.
As the patient is being wheeled to the burn unit, Lucy returns in much better spirits. Entering the trauma room, where the others were cleaning up, she's greeted by wide smiles and cat calls.
"What are you guys smiling at, do I have something on my face?" she asks cautiously.
"Congratulations!" Malik and Lydia yell.
"You told them didn't you?" she says, pretending to be upset, as she looks at her husband.
"Sorry, it just slipped out," he shrugs, grinning.
"I think something else, slipped out, "Malik smirks, giving John a friendly punch on the shoulder, and leaving the room.
"Thank you very much," she gripes. "Now the whole hospital will know," she says, turning to leave.
"Lucy don�t be like that," he says, grabbing her hand and pulling her to him.
"I thought we were just going to keep it between the two of us for awhile. In case something happens, I don't want everyone getting all emotional about it. It's going to be hard enough to loose this child, I just don't want people feeling sorry for me...us again." she says with tears beginning to form.
"Come here," he whispers, holding her close. "I love you and I'm sorry I screwed up again. But I told you, 'if' the worse happens, we'll face it together. We have Bobby and Beth, and if we're meant to have more children, we will.
Holding her in his arms, helps calm her down. Pushing reluctantly away from him, she sighs,
"I really need to get charts done before we can go home. Can we just talk about this later at home, when the kids are in bed?"
"Sure kido, I'll see you in about an hour," he whispers, giving her a kiss on her forehead.
"I saw Susan with an armload of charts; I think I'll search her out and do mine with her. Page if you need us."
"Sounds good. See you later," he says, giving her another quick kiss before she leaves.
Finding Susan alone in the suture room, Lucy sets her pile of charts down and sighs,
"Well, John told them about the baby," she says, plopping down beside her.
"So, how do you feel about that?"
"I guess, in a way relieved, "she sighs.
"Anyway, who was that sharp looking guy I saw you talking to earlier today?"
"Oh just a lab tech, who wanted to go out. Why?"
"I just thought you and Luka should go out, he's available now that
Abby's gone. He's really a great guy, "she grins.
"Oh?" Susan asks, interested. "Did you guys ever..?"
"No, of course not," she smiles. "But he helped me through a bad time, before the attack, when I had lost confidence in my ability as a doctor.
It was when John was being his 'not' so attentive self," she sighs, thinking about that sad time in her life.
"I'll think about it," Susan sighs, seeing the depressed look coming over Lucy's face. So how you handling the Harper thing?" she asks cautiously.
"Okay I guess. She sweet talked me into taking a patient this morning."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, she said she had a meeting with John and Romano, then while
John and I were upstairs feed the babies; he told me there was no meeting. What the hell is she up too?"
"I don't know, but look who just walked past the door. Wait a minute! Oh my God! She's coming in!" Susan exclaims.
"What?" Lucy asks.
"Look, "Susan says, pointing to Harper standing in the open doorway.
"Lucy?" Harper asks.
"Yeah."
"We need to talk...alone, "Harper says, looking at Susan.
"Okay, "Lucy replies.�Susan I'll be fine."
"Do you want me to go get...?"
"Yes, that probably would be a good idea," Lucy answers.
"I'll just take these charts to the desk and finish up there." Susan says.
"Thanks," Lucy whispers.
Taking a deep breath, to gather some courage, Lucy begins,
"I was wondering when we were going to have out little talk," she says sarcastically.
"I'll have to say one for John; he sure can pick out he sweet and innocent types."
"What makes you think that?"
"Look at you, cute as a button and probably just as naive too. John hasn't told you about 'Us' has he?"
"Let me see...the extended champagne lunch hour, among other things."
"Then you understand we have a history."
"And we don't?"
"Probably not like ours, the best sex I have ever had anyway,"
Harper smirks.
"Well, ours isn't bad either.�So, what do you really want?" I'm getting tired of this conversation, "Lucy says, definitely irritated.
"I want John in Dallas, at Parkland. The Chief of Emergency Medicine position available and John would be perfect for it. John and I worked so well together when we were medical students, I thought we could work as a great team again," Harper says honestly.
"What makes you think he's interested? If I'm correct, you broke up with him, telling him he was self centered and only interested in furthering his career."
"That's true, but I've always regretted that, and was hoping I'd somehow get a second chance with him."
"Well, I can think of three good reasons, why he wouldn't want to
go," Lucy says, as she sees John quietly enter the room.
"And those would be?" Harper replies snidely.
"Two of them are upstairs in day care and the other is, well� right here," she says, touching her stomach.
"And you're looking at the other," John offers. Acknowledging
Lucy, "you okay?'
"Yeah, fine," Lucy smiles.
"Why don't you finish those charts, so we can go home soon? I've got some business to tend to with Dr. Tracy."
"Absolutely," Lucy says, as she walks to the door with her arms full of charts.
"You did well," he whispers, giving her a tweak on the nose as she leaves the room.
Finding Susan in an empty exam room, doing her charts, Lucy joins her and once again plops down in a chair beside her, this time with the biggest smile on her face.
"I owe you big time for this one, thanks Susan."
"You're welcome, "Susan smiles back. "Thought you wouldn't mind the back up," she laughs.
"He heard everything."
"Well, are you going to tell me?"
"She wanted him alright, for herself and supposedly a Chief's job down in Texas. Said she had regrets about breaking up with him when she did. Man, you should have seen her face when I told her about Beth and Bobby, and the one on the way. That really burst her bubble. Then to make it even better, John was standing right behind her listening the whole time."
"So Carter's in there now?"
"Yeah, I'd like to be listening to that conversation, oh well, he'll let me know what happened later," she laughs, as she get down to the business of doing her charts.
Meanwhile in the Suture Room-
"You have kids?"
"Do you want to see their pictures?" John smirks, as he begins to pull out his wallet.
"No thank you. You led me to believe it was just the two of you," she gripes.
"I did no such thing; I just didn't tell you everything. You were the one hell bent on coming in here and causing trouble."
"All I wanted was a chance to work with you again, and then maybe try to make a go of 'us' again. "Instead I find out you're married with kids, and to your former student no less. She's awfully plain looking, not exactly the kind of woman I thought you'd end up with."
"What kind of girl would that be?"
"A person more on your intellect level, someone with a little more
'Class' "
"Lucy has more 'class' in her little finger, then you ever will. You know looking back, I don't know what I ever saw in you, other than a good fuck. As far as I'm concerned this little exchange program is finished, you can go back to Texas."
"You can't terminate the program, only Romano can do that. I'd watch it if I were you, I could tell him you were sexually harassing me. You know it would be easy to prove with our history. Then you'd be out of a job and your precious Lucy would have to support you."
"Yeah, you could, but before you do, you'd better know Romano's pretty protective of her and well...it would be your word against mine, and I let me tell you one thing, nobody will believe you, because they all know what Lucy and I have been through to get to this point in our life. So you go ahead, tell Romano, but you're the one that will have to prove any accusations."
"But John," she whines. "Lucy must have misinterpreted everything."
"Save it for someone who cares."
"I thought you did."
"A long time ago, I did," he says reminiscing about the past. "A messenger will be sent to your hotel, with your airline ticket and the necessary paper work. I want you out MY ER, as soon possible," he states, coming back to reality.
"You haven't heard the last from me!" she says smugly, leaving the room.
Taking a deep breath, John has a bad feeling, they hadn't heard the last from Harper Tracy.
Wanting to check on Lucy, John decides he'd better go upstairs and let Romano know what had happened.
An hour had past and Susan had finished her charts, and left Lucy to do hers. Having a hard time concentrating on them, she pulls out a picture of the twins, and begins slowly tracing their faces, thinking about how her life had changed from one year ago.
"Lucy? Carter wants you at the admit desk," Lydia says, poking her head through the door.
"Tell him, I've got to finish these charts, "Lucy complains.
"Doesn't look like you're getting much done," she grins.
"Just tell him I'll be there, when I'm there," she snaps back.
After another fifteen minutes, she gets a page-
*Damn it,* she thinks,*I'll never get these finished.*
Grabbing her charts, she heads to the desk where she sees John standing there, smiling at her.
"What the hell do you want?" she bitches.
"Shh," he motions, "Listen," he points to the radio-
"This is a special request going out to Lucy Carter, from her husband, at Cook County Hospital."-
"All I am, all I'll be"
"Everything in this world"
"All that I'll ever need"
"Is in your eyes."
"What's this all about?" she asks, grinning.
"Don't talk, just listen," he says, offering his hand.
"I've got to get these done," she whispers, still smiling.
"Susan will do them," he says leading her in front of the desk.
"I do cherish you"
"For the rest of my life"
"You don't have to think twice"
"I will love you still"
"From the depths of my soul"
"It's beyond control"
"I've waited so long to say, this to you"
"If you're asking do I love you this much?"
"I do."
"Come on, dance with me," he whispers.
"I can't," she blushes.
Not taking no for an answer, he takes her in his arms and they enter their own special world, oblivious to those watching them.
"In my world, before you"
"I lived outside my emotions"
"Didn't know where I was going"
"Til that day I found you"
"Now you opened my life"
"To a new paradise"
"In a world torn by change"
"Still with all of my heart"
"Til my dying day."
"I love you Luce, he whispers. "I've got something for you," he says, stopping and putting his hand in his shirt pocket.
"What?" she smiles.
"These," he says, pulling out her engagement and wedding rings.
"What's Weaver going to say?"
"It was a stupid rule anyway. Besides, rules are made to be broken."
"I wish you would have thought that way a couple of years ago," she grins.
Placing the rings on her finger, he gently wipes the tears falling from her eyes.
"What about yours?" she manages to whisper.
"This?" he says, pulling another ring out of his pocket.
All she could do was nod her head, as she took the ring from him, and slipped it on his finger. "I love you John," she whispers, as she lays her head on his chest. �Let's go home," she says looking into his eyes.
"I'm with you," he smiles, tweaking her nose.
"I'll get the kids, and we'll just meet you back down here," she says, coming back to reality.
"Looks like you won't have to go very far," he smiles, pointing to Susan and Deb, each holding a baby.
"Thanks guys, "Lucy says, as she takes Beth and hands her to
John, then taking Bobby in her arms and gives him a kiss.
"We'll see you all tomorrow, thanks for everything," John says, as they leave the hospital.
On the short drive home, Lucy brings up the subject, "So are you going to tell me what happened, or am I going to have to hear it through the rumor mill?" she laughs.
"The program was terminated. Go ahead and say it," he grins.
""Say what?"
"I told you so," he sighs.
"You know, I didn't want to be right, don't you?" she says, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Yeah, I know."
"So, everything's okay then, right?"
"Well...kind of," he smiles.
"What?"
"Dave's really pissed about the whole thing though," he grins.
"Why's that? No, let me guess, he's fallen madly in love with her and he wanted her to bear his children," she laughs.
"Nope. Believe it or not, Weaver was going to send him to Texas next month."
"Whoops!"
Pulling the Jeep into the driveway, John and Lucy opt to carry the babies into the house, leaving their stroller inside, Lucy takes Bobby upstairs to give him a bathe, while John goes to the kitchen, with Beth in arms, to fix the two of them something to eat and feed Beth. Going back downstairs, Lucy sits on the couch, next to her husband and daughter and begins nursing Bobby and eating. After finishing both, she takes Beth upstairs to bathe and get her ready for bed. Going once again downstairs,
Lucy smiles at the sight she sees. There before her, she sees John laying on the couch asleep with a sleeping Bobby in his arms.
"Hey, you ready for bed?" she whispers, as she bends down to give him a kiss on the cheek.
"Yeah," he smiles, getting up carefully, with Bobby in his arms.
After they put the babies to bed, they both fall on their bed, exhausted by the day's events. Laying her head on his chest, he softly begins caressing her hair.
"Sure beats sleeping alone, doesn't it?" he whispers, giving her a kiss.
"It sure does," she answers, returning his kiss.
"Do you feel like...?" he grins, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah," she smiles, rolling on top of him and smothering him with kisses.
Rolling her over on her back, he looks into her eyes and sees that beautiful smile on her face that he has come to love. He slowly begins kissing her neck and works his way down her body. As he gently takes off her tee shirt, Lucy reciprocates, and begins tracing the lines of his bare body. As he grows hard against her hips-a baby's cry is heard coming from the nursery.
"Shh, maybe, she'll stop," John whispers in her ear.
"Yeah right," she groans playfully, biting his ear. "I'll be right back."
Falling back on the bed, John let's out a heavy sigh, smiling to himself, thinking to himself, how things have changed since they had become parents.
Grabbing a tee shirt, Lucy jumps out of bed, and goes to the nursery, where she finds Beth crying. Picking her up, she holds her close and begins pacing the floor. As she does, she smiles and thinking to herself, how much their lives had changed since the babies arrived. She then thinks about the new life she's carrying, and wonders how it's birth or death will affect them. Realizing Beth was asleep, Lucy gently puts her back in her crib. She then checks on Bobby and gently strokes his cheeks to make sure he too was asleep.
"Is she okay?" John asks, as she returns to bed, and into his waiting arms.
"Yeah, a bad dream, I guess. Before you ask, yes, I checked Bobby, he's fine. Now where were we?" she grins.
"Right...here, "he smirks, pulling her on top of him.
Brushing the hair from her face, he takes it in his hands and slowly begins to trace it's familiar outline. As he works his way down to her breasts, she let's out a little gasp.
"You okay? Do you want me to stop?" he whispers.
"No," she whispers, shaking her head.
Pulling her down on him begins kissing her passionately.
When all of a sudden---
"BEEP, BEEP, BEEP!" the car alarm on the Jeep goes off.
Song credit: I Do (Cherish You), sung by : Mark Wills
