Disclaimer: Why can't we own the characters? Why? We have so much more
fun with them than the writers do.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: A family dinner leads to a new road.
Surprising Decision
Six weeks prior to the wedding:
A stressed out Carter is caught sleeping on the table in the lounge by Kerry. His charts are all spread out across the table, with his head using the one directly in front of him as a pillow.
"This isn't a nursery, wake up," Kerry commanded as she walked next to Carter. Carter groggily opened one eye as he looked up at Kerry.
"What?" Carter said obviously not quiet awake yet.
"You have charts to fill out and patients to see, get up," Kerry said as she grabbed a small cup of water.
"Why are you being so hard on me lately?" Carter said in a half-hearted attempt to sit up.
"Because you're taking a two week honeymoon, Dr. Romance," Kerry said, before finishing her glass of water.
"At least it's not longer," Carter said with a smile as he picks up his charts and leaves the lounge. As he exits he sees Susan.
"Don't forget you have to get fitted for your tux during your lunch break this afternoon," Susan said as he leaned up to give him a quick kiss.
"Oh joy," Carter murmured, as he walked away from the smiling Susan. Carter heads over toward exam room 2 as he looks over his patient's chart.
"Older male, married. Hmm," Carter murmured to himself just before entering the room.
"You look tired," his patient commented as he took a look at Carter.
"Yeah, planning a wedding has a tendency to do that," Carter said as he took a look at the patient's pulse.
"When's the wedding young man?" He commented as he watched Carter.
"Month and half to go," Carter said, making notes onto the patient's chart.
"Well, congratulations. Who's the lucky bride?" The patient asked just as Susan stepped into the exam room.
"Excuse me, here's the directions to the tux shop," Susan said cheerfully as she handed him a paper.
"Oh, so you must be the one," the patient commented, taking a look at Susan.
"John, what's he talking about?" Susan asked a little concerned.
"I'm talking about you being engaged to this young man," the patient said as Carter checked the patient's temperature.
"Well thank you, but I must go. See you tonight, John" Susan said as she left the room.
"You two make a cute couple," the patient said after Susan left.
"I certainly think so," Carter said with a smile. After Carter finished with the patient he left the exam room and walked over to Jerry at the admit desk.
"What time is it, Jerry?" Carter asked, as he was looking over his other charts.
"2:30," Jerry answered, as he continued working.
"Oh crap," Carter said as he dropped his charts on the desk.
"What's wrong?" Jerry asked.
"I'm late. Tell Susan I'll see her tonight," Carter said as he ran out of the ER.
Tux Shop:
Carter is sitting at the waiting area when Claudio walks in.
"You made it, how fabulous," Claudio said as he clapped his hands together and pranced over to Carter. Carter rolled his eyes.
"How long is this going to take C-l-a-u-d-i-o," Carter said, dragging out Claudio's name.
"Not long, not long, this tailor is just fabulous," Claudio said as he guided Carter to the back.
Meanwhile:
Susan and Abby are at the bridal shop.
"So you're having dinner with both of your families tonight?" Abby asked as they waited for the tailor.
"Yeah," Susan muttered as they headed over to the motioning tailor.
"So are they still mad that you knocked the guest list down to 450?" Abby asked as the tailor started taking measurements.
"They certainly weren't happy, that's for sure," Susan said as she began turning around for the tailor.
"At least Carter's happy," Abby said as she flipped through a magazine sitting on one of the nearby chairs.
"That's the important part," Susan said.
"So, where's the honeymoon?" Abby asked conspiratorially.
"I don't know, I told Carter I didn't care so long as I was with him, so now he won't tell me," Susan said with a smile.
"Oh that's so sweet, he sounds absolutely fabulous," the tailor said after listening to the conversation. Abby and Susan just looked at each other with a smirk thinking about how Carter must be loving his own 'fabulous' tailor, when Susan's cell phone rings.
"Hey John," Susan said after picking up.
"You're in big trouble," Carter said in a hopefully playful mood.
"Why?" Susan said innocently, thinking back to him and the tailor.
"If I hear another 'fabulous' thing about my 'luscious' suit, then we're going to be minus a 'scrumptious' wedding coordinator," Carter said, dripping with sarcasm, causing Susan to break into laughter.
"Susan? Are you finished yet?" Carter asked with feigned annoyance.
"Sorry John, sounds like you're having a marvelous time," Susan said imitating his sarcasm. Abby just stood there shaking her head, imagining what was being said.
Later that afternoon/Early evening:
Carter walks into the apartment and slowly makes his way to the couch, still hearing the word 'fabulous' resonate around his head.
"That word should be banned from the English language," Carter muttered to himself.
"Why should it be banned?" Susan asked as she came out of the bedroom.
"How in the world did you beat me home?" Carter asked as laid down on the couch.
"It didn't take that long. Now answer my question," Susan said with a smile, as she headed to the kitchen.
"I don't want to," Carter whined as he picked up Noah.
"Claudio's not that bad. At least he is only around for a few more weeks," Susan said as she grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge.
"Or even shorter if I can help it," Carter said under his breath.
"What was that?" Susan asked.
"Nothing, absolutely nothing," Carter said cheerfully. Susan just rolled her eyes as she walked over to him.
"I'm going to go take a shower and get ready," Susan said.
"Okay, I'm going to join you and I'm not taking no for an answer," Carter said as he got up and put Noah down on the couch.
"Who made you boss?" Susan said.
"After the day I had, I deserve to be boss," Carter said as he walked towards the bathroom.
"Well fine, be that way," Susan said as she followed him.
"You know what? I have a better idea," Carter said.
"What's your idea now?" Susan asked.
"I'll shower alone," Carter said as he closed the door and locked it.
"Cheater," Susan yelled at the door.
"Yeah, but you love me anyway," Carter said. About a half hour later Carter emerges from the bathroom, and sees Susan lying on the bed reading with Noah curled up at her feet.
"Did you save me any hot water?" Susan asked, still reading her book.
"I thought you'd like to take a cold shower to cool off," Carter said as he threw his wet towel at her.
"John," Susan yelled playfully as a wet Noah jumped off the bed and stalked out of the bedroom.
"Look what you did," Susan said as she watched Noah leave the room, while Carter snickered.
"He's a cat, he'll get over it," Carter said as he sat down on the bed.
"Well then you won't mind feeding him," Susan said as she headed towards the bathroom.
"Why do I get to feed him?" Carter asked.
"Because you already took a shower, and it is his dinner time," Susan said as she closed the bathroom door.
"I should have showered second," Carter said to himself as he headed towards the kitchen to feed Noah. About an hour and a half later, both Susan and Carter are showered and finally ready to leave.
"Well this should be a fun evening. Are you sure I can't just stay home with Noah, I mean I need to apologize to the poor guy," Carter said hurriedly.
"It's at your house and your family's hosting it. If anyone should get to stay home with Noah it should be me," Susan replied as she grabbed their coats.
"Did I mention that you look very beautiful?" Carter said sweetly.
"Thank you, but that's not going to work," Susan replied.
"I was being serious," Carter said, sounding hurt.
"Oh, I'm sorry, you look extremely handsome yourself," Susan said, apologetically.
"So I still have to go?" Carter said, trying to play his pitiful act.
"You're never going to change. Let's go," Susan said with a smile.
At the Carter Mansion:
Halfway through dinner, everything has been going smoothly and both sets of parents had been getting along, amazingly.
"At least they're getting along," Carter leaned over and whispered to Susan.
"Great isn't it?" Susan whispered back as she squeezed his hand underneath the table. A brief silence suddenly ensued as Carter and Susan both took a sip of their water.
"So, when can we expect the grandchildren," Cookie asked brightly causing both Susan and Carter to choke on their water, doing everything they could not to spray it across the table.
"Um, well," Carter stammered.
"We're not planning on having children for a bit, we're happy with our cat for now," Susan replied, trying to ease the situation.
"It only makes sense, you're both doctors after all," Jack said.
"Speaking about doctors, how has work been for you two?" Henry asked.
"Everything's been fine for me, but Weaver has been on John's case constantly," Susan said.
"She doesn't like the fact that Susan and I are taking a two week honeymoon," Carter mentioned.
"It's only fitting after all the work you two have put into the wedding, you deserve a nice long honeymoon," Henry commented.
"So, how are the wedding plans coming along?" Eleanor asked after a moment.
"I certainly hope it's going to be a large, fancy wedding. Lots of flowers and everything," Cookie commented.
"No, it should have a more elegant feel, grand but not too extravagant," Eleanor said in turn.
"But we do want it to have a relaxed atmosphere and larger is better," Jack said.
"Relaxed is good, more comfortable for everyone," Cookie chimed in.
"Oh so now you're agreeing with Cookie. You just have to make an argument out of everything don't you?" Eleanor said to Jack, starting to sound irritated. Carter and Susan looked toward each other, fearing where this was headed.
"Eloping is definitely starting to look good again," Susan murmured.
"I couldn't agree more," Carter said.
"Couldn't agree more to who?" Eleanor directed at Carter, definitely starting to sound angry.
"Oh he was just agreeing with Susan, that eloping sounded pretty good. At this rate, I can't say that I don't agree with them," Henry said.
"Who gave you permission to agree with my son?" Eleanor stated, more than just a little angry at this point.
"If he's going to be my son-in-law than I have every right," Henry said, defensively.
"You know, I remember this couple, they were friends of mine, and they were going to get married, they planned this wonderful, beautiful wedding and then because of all the problems they got eloped the night before. Everyone was upset at them for months, but they were happier, it actually seemed to work out better for them," Cookie said, bringing all conversation to a halt, and ending the dinner in a less than happy atmosphere. Everyone left the table, with strained, but formal goodbyes. Carter and Susan head outside, and sit on the bench next to the pool.
"We spoke too soon," Susan said to Carter after a moment.
"You know what's amazing?" Carter said a few moments later.
"What?" Susan asked.
"It was over a year ago that we sat in this exact spot and said we still had feelings for each other," Carter said with a smile.
"And look where that conversation led," Susan said with a smirk as she laid her head upon his shoulder.
"It has been on hell of a ride," Carter replied.
"I'm actually considering something drastic, because Cookie's story made a lot of sense," Carter said after a moment.
"Don't tell me you're actually considering eloping," Susan said, as she took her head off of his shoulder and slid away from him slightly.
"Why not?" Carter asked quietly.
"Why not? I can tell you why not. Our parents for one, the ER for two and three, well there's a third one there, but I just can't grasp it at the moment," Susan said, starting to sound angry, but losing her drive near the end.
"We know about everyone else. We know about what they want, but what about us? All I want is to be happily married to you Susan and to have a wonderful honeymoon with you, I don't care how we get there, so long as we get there happily together. Do you really want to have to deal with 450 people and then sit under the scrutiny of our parents knowing that they're going to complain about every detail? That's not exactly the happy wedding I envisioned," Carter said as he took his eyes away from Susan. Susan stood up and walked away from him, heading towards the pool. She stood there quietly looking down at the water, leaving Carter sitting on the bench, fearful of what she was thinking.
"So what, you're not speaking to me now?" Carter said after a couple of minutes.
"No, I'm just thinking about how much I agree with you," Susan replied.
"Run that by me one more time?" Carter asked, a little stunned.
"I'll say this in one word: Tonight," Susan said as turned around to face Carter. Carter looked at her and smiled. He stood up, walked over to her and pulled her into an embrace where he kissed her, never remembering a time when he felt so happy or relieved as he did at that moment.
To Be Continued.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: A family dinner leads to a new road.
Surprising Decision
Six weeks prior to the wedding:
A stressed out Carter is caught sleeping on the table in the lounge by Kerry. His charts are all spread out across the table, with his head using the one directly in front of him as a pillow.
"This isn't a nursery, wake up," Kerry commanded as she walked next to Carter. Carter groggily opened one eye as he looked up at Kerry.
"What?" Carter said obviously not quiet awake yet.
"You have charts to fill out and patients to see, get up," Kerry said as she grabbed a small cup of water.
"Why are you being so hard on me lately?" Carter said in a half-hearted attempt to sit up.
"Because you're taking a two week honeymoon, Dr. Romance," Kerry said, before finishing her glass of water.
"At least it's not longer," Carter said with a smile as he picks up his charts and leaves the lounge. As he exits he sees Susan.
"Don't forget you have to get fitted for your tux during your lunch break this afternoon," Susan said as he leaned up to give him a quick kiss.
"Oh joy," Carter murmured, as he walked away from the smiling Susan. Carter heads over toward exam room 2 as he looks over his patient's chart.
"Older male, married. Hmm," Carter murmured to himself just before entering the room.
"You look tired," his patient commented as he took a look at Carter.
"Yeah, planning a wedding has a tendency to do that," Carter said as he took a look at the patient's pulse.
"When's the wedding young man?" He commented as he watched Carter.
"Month and half to go," Carter said, making notes onto the patient's chart.
"Well, congratulations. Who's the lucky bride?" The patient asked just as Susan stepped into the exam room.
"Excuse me, here's the directions to the tux shop," Susan said cheerfully as she handed him a paper.
"Oh, so you must be the one," the patient commented, taking a look at Susan.
"John, what's he talking about?" Susan asked a little concerned.
"I'm talking about you being engaged to this young man," the patient said as Carter checked the patient's temperature.
"Well thank you, but I must go. See you tonight, John" Susan said as she left the room.
"You two make a cute couple," the patient said after Susan left.
"I certainly think so," Carter said with a smile. After Carter finished with the patient he left the exam room and walked over to Jerry at the admit desk.
"What time is it, Jerry?" Carter asked, as he was looking over his other charts.
"2:30," Jerry answered, as he continued working.
"Oh crap," Carter said as he dropped his charts on the desk.
"What's wrong?" Jerry asked.
"I'm late. Tell Susan I'll see her tonight," Carter said as he ran out of the ER.
Tux Shop:
Carter is sitting at the waiting area when Claudio walks in.
"You made it, how fabulous," Claudio said as he clapped his hands together and pranced over to Carter. Carter rolled his eyes.
"How long is this going to take C-l-a-u-d-i-o," Carter said, dragging out Claudio's name.
"Not long, not long, this tailor is just fabulous," Claudio said as he guided Carter to the back.
Meanwhile:
Susan and Abby are at the bridal shop.
"So you're having dinner with both of your families tonight?" Abby asked as they waited for the tailor.
"Yeah," Susan muttered as they headed over to the motioning tailor.
"So are they still mad that you knocked the guest list down to 450?" Abby asked as the tailor started taking measurements.
"They certainly weren't happy, that's for sure," Susan said as she began turning around for the tailor.
"At least Carter's happy," Abby said as she flipped through a magazine sitting on one of the nearby chairs.
"That's the important part," Susan said.
"So, where's the honeymoon?" Abby asked conspiratorially.
"I don't know, I told Carter I didn't care so long as I was with him, so now he won't tell me," Susan said with a smile.
"Oh that's so sweet, he sounds absolutely fabulous," the tailor said after listening to the conversation. Abby and Susan just looked at each other with a smirk thinking about how Carter must be loving his own 'fabulous' tailor, when Susan's cell phone rings.
"Hey John," Susan said after picking up.
"You're in big trouble," Carter said in a hopefully playful mood.
"Why?" Susan said innocently, thinking back to him and the tailor.
"If I hear another 'fabulous' thing about my 'luscious' suit, then we're going to be minus a 'scrumptious' wedding coordinator," Carter said, dripping with sarcasm, causing Susan to break into laughter.
"Susan? Are you finished yet?" Carter asked with feigned annoyance.
"Sorry John, sounds like you're having a marvelous time," Susan said imitating his sarcasm. Abby just stood there shaking her head, imagining what was being said.
Later that afternoon/Early evening:
Carter walks into the apartment and slowly makes his way to the couch, still hearing the word 'fabulous' resonate around his head.
"That word should be banned from the English language," Carter muttered to himself.
"Why should it be banned?" Susan asked as she came out of the bedroom.
"How in the world did you beat me home?" Carter asked as laid down on the couch.
"It didn't take that long. Now answer my question," Susan said with a smile, as she headed to the kitchen.
"I don't want to," Carter whined as he picked up Noah.
"Claudio's not that bad. At least he is only around for a few more weeks," Susan said as she grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge.
"Or even shorter if I can help it," Carter said under his breath.
"What was that?" Susan asked.
"Nothing, absolutely nothing," Carter said cheerfully. Susan just rolled her eyes as she walked over to him.
"I'm going to go take a shower and get ready," Susan said.
"Okay, I'm going to join you and I'm not taking no for an answer," Carter said as he got up and put Noah down on the couch.
"Who made you boss?" Susan said.
"After the day I had, I deserve to be boss," Carter said as he walked towards the bathroom.
"Well fine, be that way," Susan said as she followed him.
"You know what? I have a better idea," Carter said.
"What's your idea now?" Susan asked.
"I'll shower alone," Carter said as he closed the door and locked it.
"Cheater," Susan yelled at the door.
"Yeah, but you love me anyway," Carter said. About a half hour later Carter emerges from the bathroom, and sees Susan lying on the bed reading with Noah curled up at her feet.
"Did you save me any hot water?" Susan asked, still reading her book.
"I thought you'd like to take a cold shower to cool off," Carter said as he threw his wet towel at her.
"John," Susan yelled playfully as a wet Noah jumped off the bed and stalked out of the bedroom.
"Look what you did," Susan said as she watched Noah leave the room, while Carter snickered.
"He's a cat, he'll get over it," Carter said as he sat down on the bed.
"Well then you won't mind feeding him," Susan said as she headed towards the bathroom.
"Why do I get to feed him?" Carter asked.
"Because you already took a shower, and it is his dinner time," Susan said as she closed the bathroom door.
"I should have showered second," Carter said to himself as he headed towards the kitchen to feed Noah. About an hour and a half later, both Susan and Carter are showered and finally ready to leave.
"Well this should be a fun evening. Are you sure I can't just stay home with Noah, I mean I need to apologize to the poor guy," Carter said hurriedly.
"It's at your house and your family's hosting it. If anyone should get to stay home with Noah it should be me," Susan replied as she grabbed their coats.
"Did I mention that you look very beautiful?" Carter said sweetly.
"Thank you, but that's not going to work," Susan replied.
"I was being serious," Carter said, sounding hurt.
"Oh, I'm sorry, you look extremely handsome yourself," Susan said, apologetically.
"So I still have to go?" Carter said, trying to play his pitiful act.
"You're never going to change. Let's go," Susan said with a smile.
At the Carter Mansion:
Halfway through dinner, everything has been going smoothly and both sets of parents had been getting along, amazingly.
"At least they're getting along," Carter leaned over and whispered to Susan.
"Great isn't it?" Susan whispered back as she squeezed his hand underneath the table. A brief silence suddenly ensued as Carter and Susan both took a sip of their water.
"So, when can we expect the grandchildren," Cookie asked brightly causing both Susan and Carter to choke on their water, doing everything they could not to spray it across the table.
"Um, well," Carter stammered.
"We're not planning on having children for a bit, we're happy with our cat for now," Susan replied, trying to ease the situation.
"It only makes sense, you're both doctors after all," Jack said.
"Speaking about doctors, how has work been for you two?" Henry asked.
"Everything's been fine for me, but Weaver has been on John's case constantly," Susan said.
"She doesn't like the fact that Susan and I are taking a two week honeymoon," Carter mentioned.
"It's only fitting after all the work you two have put into the wedding, you deserve a nice long honeymoon," Henry commented.
"So, how are the wedding plans coming along?" Eleanor asked after a moment.
"I certainly hope it's going to be a large, fancy wedding. Lots of flowers and everything," Cookie commented.
"No, it should have a more elegant feel, grand but not too extravagant," Eleanor said in turn.
"But we do want it to have a relaxed atmosphere and larger is better," Jack said.
"Relaxed is good, more comfortable for everyone," Cookie chimed in.
"Oh so now you're agreeing with Cookie. You just have to make an argument out of everything don't you?" Eleanor said to Jack, starting to sound irritated. Carter and Susan looked toward each other, fearing where this was headed.
"Eloping is definitely starting to look good again," Susan murmured.
"I couldn't agree more," Carter said.
"Couldn't agree more to who?" Eleanor directed at Carter, definitely starting to sound angry.
"Oh he was just agreeing with Susan, that eloping sounded pretty good. At this rate, I can't say that I don't agree with them," Henry said.
"Who gave you permission to agree with my son?" Eleanor stated, more than just a little angry at this point.
"If he's going to be my son-in-law than I have every right," Henry said, defensively.
"You know, I remember this couple, they were friends of mine, and they were going to get married, they planned this wonderful, beautiful wedding and then because of all the problems they got eloped the night before. Everyone was upset at them for months, but they were happier, it actually seemed to work out better for them," Cookie said, bringing all conversation to a halt, and ending the dinner in a less than happy atmosphere. Everyone left the table, with strained, but formal goodbyes. Carter and Susan head outside, and sit on the bench next to the pool.
"We spoke too soon," Susan said to Carter after a moment.
"You know what's amazing?" Carter said a few moments later.
"What?" Susan asked.
"It was over a year ago that we sat in this exact spot and said we still had feelings for each other," Carter said with a smile.
"And look where that conversation led," Susan said with a smirk as she laid her head upon his shoulder.
"It has been on hell of a ride," Carter replied.
"I'm actually considering something drastic, because Cookie's story made a lot of sense," Carter said after a moment.
"Don't tell me you're actually considering eloping," Susan said, as she took her head off of his shoulder and slid away from him slightly.
"Why not?" Carter asked quietly.
"Why not? I can tell you why not. Our parents for one, the ER for two and three, well there's a third one there, but I just can't grasp it at the moment," Susan said, starting to sound angry, but losing her drive near the end.
"We know about everyone else. We know about what they want, but what about us? All I want is to be happily married to you Susan and to have a wonderful honeymoon with you, I don't care how we get there, so long as we get there happily together. Do you really want to have to deal with 450 people and then sit under the scrutiny of our parents knowing that they're going to complain about every detail? That's not exactly the happy wedding I envisioned," Carter said as he took his eyes away from Susan. Susan stood up and walked away from him, heading towards the pool. She stood there quietly looking down at the water, leaving Carter sitting on the bench, fearful of what she was thinking.
"So what, you're not speaking to me now?" Carter said after a couple of minutes.
"No, I'm just thinking about how much I agree with you," Susan replied.
"Run that by me one more time?" Carter asked, a little stunned.
"I'll say this in one word: Tonight," Susan said as turned around to face Carter. Carter looked at her and smiled. He stood up, walked over to her and pulled her into an embrace where he kissed her, never remembering a time when he felt so happy or relieved as he did at that moment.
To Be Continued.