Taking his bride by the hand, John leads her through the dining room doors, where the entire room erupts into applause for the couple. Arriving at the family table, Lucy goes directly to her mother and gives her a kiss and hug, “You feeling better, baby?” “Yeah, just a case of nerves, it's been a long day,” she smiles. Looking at the two empty chairs, “Where's grandma and grandpa?” “Upstairs, they both were pretty tired by the time we finally got back.” “We're not going to do anything important until they get here.” “Okay, Sweetie, just enjoy yourselves.” “Is everything okay?” John asks. “Yeah, grandma and grandpa, should be down later, I don't want to cut the cake until they do.” “Your the boss,” he smiles. “Millicent,” Lucy says, acknowledging her presence. “Glad to see you're feeling better, Lucy.” Turning to her grandson, “John, you have a telephone call.” “Who would be calling me, today of all days,” sounding somewhat annoyed. “It's your mother,” she replies quietly. “Looking at Lucy, who nods, “John, you HAVE to talk to her.” “Be right back,” he says giving her a little kiss. “Millicent, thanks for everything you've done for us the past few months. I'm grateful for all the support you've given me through all this. I don't know what I would have done if you didn't.” “I do, you and John would have done just what you’ve been doing, getting ready to have a baby and be married,” she laughs. Then continues, “Lucy, you are like a breath of fresh air, that has blown into our family. I should be thanking you, for making a difference in John's life.” “Well, the same can be said for me, if it hadn't been for John coming back into my life, I don't know what I'd have done.” With that, the two women, share a warm hug. As Millicent leaves to visit her other guests, Barbara Knight returns to her daughter, “Everything okay?” “Yeah, Eleanor's on the phone. I'd sure like to be listening to that conversation. Anyway, what's up?” “Well... what kind of a person is Robert Romano?” “What? Why?” Lucy asks, stunned. “He asked me out,” her mom replies. “You're not seriously considering it, are you?” “Why not? I'm available,” she laughs. “MOM!” “It's not like he's going to be your dad or anything. It's just dinner and a play.” “If that's it, I guess, it's okay.” “I am not asking your permission Lucy. I don't recall you me asking about the guys you dated?” she says sarcastically. “You got me there,” she gives in. “Well?” “He's self centred, a brilliant surgeon, which we both know, and I have to admit, he does have a heart of gold, she smiles, I hope you have fun. Now, I think I'd better go mingle,” giving her mom a kiss. Going to the table where their friends from work sat, Lucy greeted all of them, who were able to attend, Susan, Mark, Elizabeth, Dave, Doug, Malik, Chunni, and Romano who Lucy was most anxious to speak to, “I hear you're taking my mother out tomorrow. Exactly, what are your intentions towards my her?” she inquires. “Strictly honourable, I assure you, Ms. Knight-Oh, excuse me, Mrs. Carter,” he corrects himself. “I'm sorry, I had to ask. We've always been protective of each other. She had her turn last year, protecting me, now I guess, it's my turn to be over protective. I hope you guys have a great time.” “Thank you, Lucy.” She turns her attention to the women at the table, “Come on Lucy, let's see the ring,” Susan demands. Lucy proudly holds out her hand for all to see, “Carter didn't spare any expense for that rock did he?” Chunni remarks. “Well, I would have been just as happy with a plain old band,” Lucy replies. “So, what are your plans for tonight?” Chunni inquires with a little smirk on her face. “John's cousin is letting us use his cabin north of town for the week.” “Sounds romantic,” Elizabeth remarks. “Yeah it does, being alone together, with no pager or anything else to bother us, sounds really good at this point. “Hey Lucy, where's Carter at?” Doug asks. “He had a phone call.” She turns her attention to Ross and Dave, “You know, it's meant a lot to John, you being able to come. Thanks, Dr. Ross.” “Lucy, I think you can drop the Dr. Ross, it's Doug,” he smiles. “I can't do that,” she replies. “Why not?” “You were like, one of my teachers,” she says. “That didn't stop you from marrying Carter, did it?” “Give me a break,” she says totally embarrassed. At this point, Dave decides to join their conversation, “I'm going to ask her.” “Dave, I wouldn't,” Doug replies in low voice. “No! I want to know if I'm going to be a hundred dollars richer.” “Ask me what, Mallucci?” “Well- since the wedding, how many times has Carter performed his husbandly duty?” “That's none of your business, Dave!” she snaps. “You don't have to bite my head off,” he says backing off. “I told you Dave, don't mess with pregnant women, hormones can be hazardous to your health,” Doug laughs. He continues, low enough for only Dave to hear, “We'll ask Carter later.” John returns from his phone conversation with his mother, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, “We need to talk,” he whispers in her ear. “Where?” “Let's go to the sun room, I'll let Gamma know where we're at, in case she needs us.” Entering the sun room, John pulls Lucy to him, “What's wrong John?” she asks concerned. “Nothing, I just wanted you for myself for a few minutes,” he says holding her close and closing his eyes. “I thought there was a problem-the phone call?” “It was only my mother, trying to ruin our day. No big deal, I was halfway expecting her to do something anyway. All she wanted to do was complain about how my father is trying to shut her out of his life. And eventually, she feels, I'm trying to do the same thing to her.” “She's still you mom, maybe we should have insisted she come.” “No, if she's not able to accept the fact that we've gotten married and started our own family, then to hell with her. She never was much of a mother to me after Bobby's death, anyway. Even after I was stabbed, she didn't even come back to see how I was. It's always been me, being the one, as the go-between for the two of them. Promise me, we'll always keep the line of communication open, even if things start getting rough.” “Shh.” Putting her fingers to his mouth, “I'm communicating,” she says, kissing him deeply, and pulling him down on the sofa. A short time later, they realize, Millicent is knocking at the door, “John. Lucy, it's about time you cut the cake. Oh, Lucy, your mother told me to ask you to go check on your grandparent's, she's getting a little concerned they haven't come down yet.” “Why don't you go ahead and go in there, I'll go get grandma and grandpa, and be right back.” As they head toward the door to go their separate ways, Lucy adds, “Forgot to tell you, Romano asked mom for a date tomorrow night.” “Did she-” “Accept? Yes she did. I can just hear them talking now. It's not enough Lucy's married to the Chief Resident, now her mom's in with the Chief of Staff,” she says sarcastically. “And oh yes, Dave would like to talk to you, something about a bet,” she smiles. “I had NOTHING to do with that, I swear,” he replies innocently. “I bet,” she smiles giving him a little kiss. Calling over her shoulder, on her way upstairs, she asks, “By the way, who won, and how many times?” she laughs. “Doug and five times,” he grins. “Oh great! Now the whole ER will know.” “Well, at least it wasn't Dave.” “We can all be thankful for that can't we?” “Yeah, I'll see you in a few minutes.” Lucy quietly knocked on her grandparent's door, not wanting wake them if they were resting. Just as she was about ready to leave, Elsie answers the door, “Hey are you guys okay? We're all getting worried about you.” “I'm fine, grandpa's a little under there weather.” “Maybe I should take a look at him.” “Lucy, before you do, we need to have a little talk,” she says seriously. Taking a seat on a foot stool, Lucy wonders about her grandmother's serious tone. Elsie begins, “Last year, remember when you were in the hospital, and grandpa didn't come to see you?” “Yeah, I thought it pretty strange at the time, but mom said, he was just too upset about what had happened." “The truth is, he suffered a heart attack.” “You should have told me,” she replies quickly. “Your mom and I, and later your grandpa all agreed, you had to focus on getting better first, and not worry about him. Yes, we should have told you later.” “I'm not the china doll everyone thought would break. I've been through that stage of my life, I'm a lot stronger person now, thanks to John.” “We all have seen that. Your mom told us how much you had grown back in November, when you came home to tell your mom about the baby.” “So, what meds he taking?” “He's been taking Plavix, and it seems to be working. Today, however, wore him out a little bit.” “If I'd known about his health, we would have come home for the wedding.” “I know that, but today was your and John's day to celebrate. It was a day to celebrate with your friends, you needed to be here, this is your home now.” “I love you guys so much. I can hardly wait for our baby to meet her great grandparents." “We'll have four generations in our family, not many of my friends back home, can say that.” Giving her grandmother a kiss, she quietly opened the door to see her grandfather laying in bed. Going over to him, to give him a kiss, she realizes something is wrong, “Grandpa?” she says loudly. There was no answer, “Grandpa, can you hear me?” she repeats. Still no answer, “Grandma,” Lucy yells, “Go to the first person you see and have them call 9-1-1. Get John up here right away!” Elsie steps through the door, “What's wrong?” “His breathing is shallow and his pulse is weak. Go!” As Elsie leaves, with all her might, Lucy carefully pulls her grandfather from his bed to the floor, for support and begins performing CPR. First tilting his head, she gives him four quick breaths, and checks to make sure his airway is not blocked. Seeing his chest rise, she take his pulse and discovers it's still weak. After beginning chest compressions, Lucy continues alternating compressions and breaths until John finally arrives. “I'll do compressions, you breath,” he orders. They continue to work as a team, until the paramedics arrive, “We're going to take him to Mercy, Mrs. Knight, you can ride with us.” Looking over to Lucy, her grandmother gives her a worried look, “Don't worry, Mercy is a good hospital, we'll meet you there.” “I want them to take him to YOUR hospital. County General, right?” “Grandma, that would be another ten to fifteen minutes way, and time is really important.” Elsie looks at the paramedics. “We're going to County Hospital.” Turning to John, Lucy says. “John, tell her it's not a good idea to-” “Lucy, he's her husband, and she's the one making the decisions, you need to step back and respect her wishes.” “But he's MY grandpa,” she says with her voice full of emotion. “You probably saved his life, now it's your job to be there for her and your mom. When we get to the ER, I want you to have Abby of someone check you out.” “John, I'm fine,” she protests. “Listen, I'm going to exercise my right as your husband and the baby's father, I love you Luce, I just don't want anything to happen to either of you.” “I love our baby too, John. When we get to the hospital, I'll get checked out,” she holds him tightly. “Why don't you see if your mom wants to ride with us?” giving her a kiss on her forehead. Turning to her mom, who is followed by Romano, “Do you want to ride to the hospital with us?” “No thanks, Sweetie, Robert's going to head back too, I'll catch a ride with him, so you two can be alone.” “If you're sure? We'll meet you in the ER, giving her mom a hug, she turns back to her husband. “We'd better let Millicent know what's going on and make our apologies.” Then out of no where she says, “She's going to hate me.” “What?” he says taken aback. “She's gonna hate me.” “What for?” “All the planning that was put into the reception, we hardly even attended.” “It will be alright, she'll understand. Come on, let's let her know we're leaving.” After making their apologies to friends and family, and finding their way to the Jeep, they begin the drive to the hospital. Lucy, staring out into the darkness begins to cry, “Everything's going to be alright, Lucy, you know that don't you?” She wipes her tears away, “Yeah, he's a fighter, he's not going to let this get him.” “I know he's a fighter, just like his granddaughter,” he replies taking her left hand and giving it a kiss. The rest of the ride was made in silence, John concentrating on the road and occasionally, taking a glimpse at his wife and mother of his child and realizing, how strong of a person she really was. Lucy on her part, was remembering all the wonderful times, she had spent with her grandfather, especially her memories of earlier in the day. As they come upon the familiar structure of Cook County Hospital, all those memories disappear from her thoughts and the life and death reality comes crashing back.