Hurrying through the ambulance bay doors, Lucy immediately goes to the admit desk, where she finds Randi reading a magazine, “Where is he?” she asks, trying to catch her breath.
“He who?” Randi replies, not looking up.
“My grandfather, George Knight, cardiac arrest, brought in by paramedics?”
“Trauma one,” she replies, but still not looking up.
“Thanks.”
“I expect, they belong to you then,” pointing to Barbara and Elsie,
waiting in chairs.
Resisting the temptation to check trauma one, Lucy goes to her mom and
grandmother, and gives them a comforting hug.
As John enters the ER, he sees the three women and joins them, giving
Lucy a kiss.
“He's in trauma one,” Lucy says sadly.
“Who's in with him?”
“Don't know,” she answers in a tired voice.
“Robert and Dr. Weaver,” answers Barbara.
“Listen why don't you take your mom and grandmother into the lounge,
I'll go see what's going on.”
“Thank you, “Lucy answers quietly as she shows her mom and grandmother into the staff lounge.
“Can I get either of you coffee or juice?”
“No dear, I'm fine, just wanting to know what's happening to dad,” Barbara replies.
“Grandma, can I get you anything?”
“Unless it can be a good strong drink, I don't think so,” she says, trying to lighten the mood succeeding.
She moves to her locker, “I've been in this dress all day, I'm going to see if I have something to change into.”
Just then, John comes in and goes directly to his mother and grandmother in law, “They were able to stabilise him, and have taken him to the Cath Lab, to find out exactly where the blockage is. Dr. Chen will show you where you can wait.”
“Thank you John, you don't know how much it means to mom and me, having you and Lucy here. I know, this isn't the way the two of you wanted to spend your wedding day. I'm sorry.”
“Barbara, we're family, and family ALWAYS comes first, you know that,”
John says showing them the door, where Deb waited to take them to the
Cath Lab.
He moves towards Lucy, “What's going on?” he asks with a puzzled look.
“I REALLY want to get out of this dress. I've been in it, more or less all day.”
“I was kinda hoping, that I was going to be the one, to help you out of it later,” he quietly whispers in her ear.
“I know you did, but things just didn't work out like we thought they would, did they?” she quietly asks leaning her head against his chest.
“Abby's ready to check you over.”
“I feel fine,” she protests.
“You promised.”
“Okay, Okay, I give up. Do me a favour?”
“What?”
“Stay with mom and grandma, I don't want them to be alone.”
“But I don't want you to be alone either.”
“Please, John, I'll be fine, I'll go to the Cath Lab when I get done. I just don't want them to go through all that waiting by themselves, please?”
“If you're sure?” he gives her a kiss on the top of her head.
Walking together, they leave the lounge, John going to the Cath Lab and
Lucy to find Abby, who she finds waiting for her in exam two.
As Lucy enters the room, “Okay Lucy you know the drill, up on the bed,”
Abby orders.
“Aw come on Abby, all I need is just a little time to myself, I'm fine.”
“Carter would have my ass, if I don't do what he says.”
“You wouldn't have to tell him, give me fifteen minutes with the lights out, then you can do what you have to do, and if Weaver says anything, I'll take the heat,” Lucy bargains.
“Okay, fifteen minutes, then I come in and give you a fast once over.”
A few minutes pass and Dr. Weaver walks by a darken Exam Two, “Abby, why are the lights out in Exam Two?”
“Lucy's in there. Carter wants me to make sure she's doing okay you know with all that's going on with her grandfather and everything.”
“Well, it look like your patient left AMA.”
“What?”
“She just went up the stairs.”
“Shit, Carter's going to be pissed.”
Hospital Chapel
Lucy is sitting in the front pew, quietly reminiscing about the days events, feels the presence of her husband entering the door and quietly sitting beside her. Without acknowledging him she says, “How'd you know where to find me?”
“A certain nurse told me you were headed up the stairs. I figured you'd
be either in one or two places. You didn't have your coat, so you didn't go
up top, this was the only other place that would hold any special meaning
for you.”
“You know me so well, don't you?” she replies quietly, tears forming in
her eyes.
“Yeah I do, and I know that you're hurting right now,” he holds her
close.
“I'd do anything to take that hurt away, you know that don't you?”
“Just having you here helps,” she says sounding tired.
Playing with her wedding ring, John says, “See these?”
She nods, ”These mean, we're always gonna be here for each other. I
know today hasn't gone like we'd planned, and I'm sorry, but I'll try to make it up to you later,” he tried to change her mood.
“I know you will,” she says with the littlest smile forming on her face. Wiping her tears, she continues, “You know the only regrets I have about
today?”
“What?”
“We never danced our first dance, and that cake, was so beautiful, and I
sure was wanting a piece of it, but most of all, I want out of this dress and shoes. I'm beginning to feel a bit constricted,” moving her hand to the baby growing inside. “And my feet are KILLING ME!”
“Why don't you just change?”
“Into what? Scrubs? No thanks.”
Over the hospital P.A. system, “Dr. Carter, call extension 6195, Dr.
Carter, 6195.”
“The ER,” she states.
“Yeah I told Randi to page me when your mom found out what's going on.
You ready to go?”
She nods. They walk out of the chapel to the nearest phone, “This is
Carter.”
“Dr. Carter, this is Jack Kayson, Mr. Knight has a blockage in the left
coronary artery and is being prepped for surgery.”
“Who's going to do be doing it?”
“It's Romano's decision. I think he's considering doing it.”
“Okay, thanks, we're on our way up.”
“That was Kayson, he's got a blockage in the left coronary artery.
Romano's doing the surgery with in the hour, we need to get up to four. I'm sure your mom and grandmother will already be there.”
“Romano? You know if everything goes okay, he's going to demand our
first born, after everything's he's done for my family,” she kids, knowing her
grandfather's life was in capable hands.
“I'm going to call gamma, and have someone go get our things from the
Plaza, and bring them to the ER, so we can change. I have a feeling, we're in for a long night.”
“That sounds great.”
Dialing the numbers to his grandparent's house, he asks to speak with
his grandmother.
“John?”
“Yeah, I need a favour.”
“Of course, how's George doing?”
“As well as can be expected, he's headed to surgery now.”
“How's Lucy holding up?”
“She's upset naturally, they're all so close, you know?”
“Yes I do. Let me talk to her please?”
Hands Lucy the phone, “She wants to talk to you.”
“Hello Millicent.”
“Lucy, dear how are you doing?”
“As well as can be expected, I guess. Like John said, It's going to be a long night. I want to thank you again, for all the planning that went into the reception,” almost near tears, she continues I'm sorry I ruined it.”
“What on earth are you saying, you did no such thing. Things happen, your grandfather was lucky it happened when it did, and you and John were there to help when he needed you.”
“Thank you Millicent, for everything. John needs to talk to you again.”
“Bye.”
“Gamma?”
“Yes John, Lucy sounds tired.”
“Yeah, she is, but she's hanging in there. Have whoever picks up our things to check at the desk. I'll give them a call and let them know what's
happening.”
“John take care, and let me know if we can do anything to help.”
“Thanks Gamma, I'll be in touch.”
Ending his conversation with his grandmother, he calls the Plaza, and
makes arrangements to have their things packed and ready to go.
As they walk in to the surgical waiting room, they hear laughter coming
from Lucy's mom and grandmother, “What's going on?” Lucy asks.
“We were just talking about some of the crazy things dad has done.”
“Like?” she asks with a smile coming to her face.
“Remember your Senior Prom?”
“How can I forget? I've never been so embarrassed in all my life.”
“What happened?” John asks with a grin on his face.
“Don't you dare tell him, mother.”
“Why not? I think it was kind of cute.”
“Oh please,” was Lucy's response.
“Well, as I recall, Lucy and her date, stayed out way past her curfew, and as they were walking up the sidewalk to the door, dad was standing there with a shotgun. I don't think, I'd ever seen a guy run so fast in all my life,” Barbara laughs.
“Thanks to him, I couldn't get a date for two months,” Lucy adds laughing.
As she turns to see what her husband's reaction, she notices him smiling and looking at her with loving eyes.
“What?” she questions.
“You are so beautiful, when you're happy,” he replies giving her a kiss on her forehead.
Taking a deep breath, “He's going to be okay, I just know it.”
“Lucy, you're really looking tired. John, can you please talk your wife into getting some rest. She's been on the go all day and then some,” her mom asks.
“She's right you know, just lay your head in my lap, close your eyes and
take a little nap.”
“I will if you promise to wake me if you hear anything?”
“You know I will,” he answers, giving her a kiss.
It doesn't take long for Lucy to lay her head in John's lap and have sleep overcome her, while he gently strokes her hair.
THREE HOURS LATER
“John, mom and I are going down to the cafeteria can we get you anything?”
“No thank you, I'm going to wake Lucy in a few minutes, our things are here, we're finally going to get out of these clothes.”
“If you're sure. Come on, mom let's go.”
As they leave the waiting room, John hears a familiar voice, “John Carter?”
“Dale?”
“When'd you get back? Haven't seen you around?”
“About six months ago, been busy working downstairs”
“I hear congratulations are in order-you and Lucy. When's the big day?"
“Actually, it was today,” John says showing off his wedding band.
“Well, all I can say is, I guess the best man won. I know, she was just
using me to make you jealous, it was fun while it lasted. I also heard a
rumour about her being-”
“Pregnant? Yep, in four months.”
“Just let her know, I'm really happy for the both of you. See you around.”
Leaning down and giving Lucy a kiss on cheek, she slowly opens her eyes and turns to look into his face and smiles. “Good morning, beautiful,” he says giving her another kiss on her forehead.
“Please, I must look a mess,” she answers playfully.
“Our things are here, let's go get cleaned up.”
Looking around- “Where's mom?”
“They left a few minutes ago to get something to eat.”
“Any news yet?” she asks, standing and rubbing her stomach.
Shaking his head, he takes her in his arms and holds her. Just then her
mom and grandmother walk in, “We saw Robert in the hallway and told us, he'd be in, in a few minutes, Barbara says, turning to Lucy, “Did you sleep well, Sweetie?”
“Much, thanks.”
She turns to her husband, “I'm not leaving until Romano comes and tells
us how surgery went. The clothes have been on all day, a few minutes more won't matter.”
Waiting for Romano to talk to the family, John tells Lucy about their visitor, “Had an interesting talk with a mutual friend of ours, while you were asleep.”
“Oh? Male or female?” she asks playfully.
“Male, and you were expecting who?”
“Never mind, who was it?”
“Dale.”
“Well, I hope you both were civil to each other?”
“Yeah, whatever there was between us, seem to have disappeared. We
actually carried on a friendly conversation.”
“About?”
“You, past and present,” he smiles.
“Good, now we can consider that chapter in my life closed. I wish Romano would hurry up.”
“You know as well as I do when he decides to-”
At that moment, Romano walks in and goes to the family, but speaking
more to Barbara then anyone else, “Everything went well. We were able to clear the blockage and graft a vein to bypass the damaged artery. He's being transferred to his room, you'll be able to see him shortly. Turns to Lucy and John, “Let them know about all the tubes and monitors that he'll be hooked up to. It might be a little intimidating.
“I don't think they'll bother them. Remember, it's only been a year since I was in the same position.”
“Has it really been a year? How time flies. Carter, I don't think you've properly thanked, me for saving the life of your wife, the mother of your child, and quite possibly my step daughter.”
At which point, Lucy just stares at him and John says, “I'm not going to
touch that one, you're kidding right?”
“Gotcha! See you all later, Barbara, I'll be in touch.”
“Thank you Robert for everything,” Barbara says with a smile, “Yeah, thanks Dr. Romano, for everything you've done for my family, now and before. None of this would have been possible without you AND Dr. Corday.”
“Lucy, John, why don't you go ahead and see him first, then you can leave, I'm sure you have better things to do,” her mom smiles.
Going into her grandfather's room, seeing him, hooked up to the monitors, bring back the unpleasant memories of last year, when it was her in the hospital bed, “Are you okay?” John whispers.
“Just thinking about this time last year,” she answers quietly.
“I know you can't help it, but you've come along way in the past year, maybe that's another chapter that needs to be closed."
“I'm trying, but you being with me, this past year, has made all the difference in the world.”
“It's made a difference to me too Luce, we've both, come along way since
last year. Starting today, let's not look back about what has happened, but look forward to what will,” he says softly in her ear, putting his hand on her stomach and feeling their child growing within her.
“We do have a lot to be thankful for, us being alive, our baby, and grandpa coming through this.”
Quietly, looking a her grandfather, she takes his hand and talks to him,
“Everything's going to be alright grandpa, you just get some rest and we'll be back later. I love you so much,” giving him a kiss on his forehead, being careful not to disturb any of the equipment helping him recover.
Waiting outside of the room, her mom and grandmother, give her a hug as the couple leave.
“We'll be back in the morning, mom.”
“Sweetie, it's already morning, now it's time for you two to have some time alone,” Barbara says giving her another kiss.
“I love you mom.”
“I love you too, Lucy, now go!”
Leaving the fourth floor, and unknown to Lucy, John pushes the top button. When they arrive on the roof, she begins to question his motive,
“John, why are we-”
“Shh,” he puts a finger to her lips, “Do you hear it?”
“Hear what?” she asks quietly.
He places his hand on his heart, “The music, coming from my heart. Shall we dance, Mrs. Carter?”
“Absolutely,” she answers with tears filling her eyes. There they dance
their first dance as husband and wife, after a day filled with happiness,
tears, and hope..
