Always on my mind
(sequel to Consequences)

This is set approximately 18 months in the future

Kerry and Dave have been married for just over a year
Mark and Elizabeth have just announced their engagement
Carter successfully completed his rehab and returned to work

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Dave arrived home from work one evening.
"Hey Kerry," he said. "Mark and Elizabeth were dishing out wedding invites today. They must have had a few left over because they gave us one."
He handed the invitation to Kerry.
"I thought they must have been making plans. Mark was offering to work on Thanksgiving and Christmas if I could let him have his next years holidays around Memorial Day."
"Yeah that's round about when the wedding is, about six months from now."
"Hmm," said Kerry.
"What's the matter?"
"Oh I was just wondering whether I'll be able to make it or not."
"You can always arrange the schedules. After all you are the chief."
"That wasn't what I meant. You see I finally figured out why I've been feeling a little off-color lately. By the time of the wedding I should be almost due for maternity leave."
Dave was dumbstruck.

"Kerry are you sure?"
"That's why I took today off work, so I could see my gynecologist. She thinks I'm about eight weeks along."
Dave did a quick calculation, "That would mean it happened round about our first anniversary."
"Looks like it,"
"Oh Kerry, this is wonderful." He put his arms around her and hugged her warmly.
"Listen," said Kerry. "I don't want to announce this to the ER just yet. I'd like to wait another month or two at least, just in case."
"I understand, I won't mention it." Dave shook his head in disbelief, "I just can't believe it. I'm going to be a father. This is great."

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Surprisingly they did manage to keep it a secret. Kerry started to wear looser clothing and was fortunate not to suffer much morning sickness. Unfortunately Dave was suffering from sympathetic morning sickness.
"When I said I wanted to share this with you, this wasn't what I meant," he said one morning after a particularly bad bout.
"If you think this is bad, just hope you don't suffer from sympathetic labor pains."
"Yeah, at least you'll be able to get an epidural."
"I think I'm going to try for a natural birth."
"Why not go the whole way and have a home birth"
"No I'd feel better delivering in a hospital. At least this time."
"Let's get this one safely landed before we start thinking of 'next time',"
"I just don't want junior to be an only child. I was one and I know how lonely it can be."
"You might feel differently after you've had this one."

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They kept it quiet until Kerry was about four months pregnant.
Then one day Carter walked in on Dave being sick in the toilet.
"Whoa Dave," said Carter. "You must have some night last night."
"This isn't a hangover Carter," replied Dave. "I haven't had a drink in months."
"Wine can give you hangovers as well, believe me I remember knocking back a good few bottles with Kerry when I was lodging with her."
"We're both off the drink for the duration," said Dave without thinking.
"What duration?" asked Carter in puzzlement. Then the penny dropped. "Is Kerry pregnant?"
Dave groaned. "Me and my big mouth," he cursed inwardly.
Out loud he said, "Yes she is, but don't say anything. We're keeping it quiet for the moment."
"I thought she seemed to be putting on weight. How far along is she?"

"How far along is who?" asked Luka, who had entered unobserved during their conversation.
Dave groaned again.
"Kerry's pregnant," said Carter.
"Congratulations Dave," said Luka shaking his hand. "That's wonderful news."
"Thanks Luka, but it won't be so wonderful if Kerry finds out I told you guys. She wanted to keep it secret for a while."
"Don't worry," said Carter. "We won't tell anyone."
"Thanks guys. Oh and when she does tell you, can you try and act surprised."
"No problem," said Luka.

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Later that night in bed Dave confessed to Kerry. "I'm afraid I let the cat out of the bag at work today."
"Who to?" asked Kerry sleepily.
"Carter and Luka," replied Dave. "But they promised not to blab."
"It's all right. I was going to have to tell Luka soon enough. I've decided to appoint him and Mark as acting chiefs while I'm on maternity leave."
"There's only one chief in the ER and that's you."
"Thanks but even I can't run the ER from the maternity ward. No I'm going to step down temporarily in a couple of months. That'll give me enough time to train them both in before I take maternity leave."

Kerry sighed as another thought struck her. "You know I wish you'd get a car instead of cycling to work each day. I worry about you on that bike of yours."
"Hey, the last time I was hospitalized it was from a car accident not a bike."
Kerry shuddered at the memory. The few hours when she thought she would lose Dave had been the longest hours of her life.
Dave cursed inwardly as he felt her tense up. He should have known that the mention of the car crash they had been in would stir up bad memories.
"I'm sorry Kerry, I didn't mean to upset you." He hugged her close to him. "Anyway just so you don't worry, I've started wearing a helmet when I'm on the bike"
Kerry twisted around to look him in the face. "I've never seen you with one," she said suspiciously.
"That's because I always hide it in my bag before I get to work. After all I have a reputation to live up to."
"You mean live down to."
"That too. Goodnight Kerry, I love you."
"Goodnight Dave, I love you too."
"Goodnight junior. See you in a couple of months."

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ALWAYS ON MY MIND II

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A few months passed. Kerry was conscious of a subtle change in attitude to her by several members of the staff, most notably those with children of their own. She was developing quite a rapport with Haleh and Lydia as they discussed stretch marks and cravings and other matters.
"It's weird," she confided in Dave one evening as he massaged her shoulders. "I've worked with some of these people for so long, and yet I've learned more about them in the past few months than in the previous five or six years."
"I suppose now you finally have something in common with them."
"Mmh. You could be right. There, just a bit lower. Oh that's nice."

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The next day Kerry was running a trauma with Luka. The patient was confused and incoherent and started to lash out frantically at the doctors and nurses. Kerry stepped back out of reach of the patients flailing limbs. In her haste she put all her weight on her bad leg. She tried to right herself with her crutch but was unable to and fell heavily.
"Malik hold him down, Chuny get restraints," ordered Luka as he hurried to Kerry's side.
Kerry was trying to sit up when he reached her.
"Stay where you are, don't try to move," he told her.
"I'm fine just a bit dizzy," said Kerry. She put up her hand to push back her hair and winced as she touched a sore spot. "I think I banged my head on the way down."
"Lydia, get a wheelchair and help Kerry to curtain two. Anyone know where Dave is?"
"He's on his break," said Lydia. "I think he went to the canteen."
"Have Randi page him."

"You don't need to call Dave, I'm fine," protested Kerry.
"I'm not taking any chances," replied Luka. "You just rest in curtain two and I'll see you when I've finished here."
"I'm still the ER chief," retorted Kerry.
"No you're not, for now you're a patient, so do as your doctor tells you."
Kerry sighed. She could see it was no use protesting, and besides she was feeling a little shaken by her fall.

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Dave turned up just as Lydia and Haleh were helping her onto a bed in curtain two.
"Kerry," he said as he rushed to her side. "Randi paged me and said there been an accident."
"Randi exaggerated," replied Kerry. "I just slipped and banged my head a little. Luka insisted that I be checked out. I'm fine, really."
"Are you sure? How many fingers am I holding up?"
"I'm fine, we're fine. Luka's just being overprotective."
"Well where is he? Why isn't he here?"
"He's with a trauma patient. He'll be here when he's finished."

Sure enough, Luka arrived a few minutes later and gave Kerry a thorough examination.
"No dizziness, nausea, head or back pain?" he asked.
"No, no, a little and no," replied Kerry. "Look. I just moved too quickly and lost my balance. My head hurts a little, but that's normal when it gets hit like that."
"Normally I would do a skull X-ray, but in your condition that's not advisable. When is your next ultrasound?"
"Next Monday. Do you think I may have hurt the baby?" Kerry tried to remain calm but her heart was pounding.
"Given the way you landed, I think it is unlikely. I'll order an ultrasound now just to make sure. After that, we'll keep you under observation for a few hours and then send you home to rest."
"Thank you Luka," said Kerry.
"I'm not finished with you yet. We need to talk about the cause of your accident."
"What's there to talk about? I moved too quickly and lost my balance. That's all."

"How long has your leg been giving you trouble?" asked Luka.
"Ever since I can remember, but I know that's not what you mean," replied Kerry. "It has been aching a lot in the last few weeks."
"You never told me that," said Dave in surprise.
"I didn't want you to worry."
"I thought as much," said Luka. "The extra weight you are carrying is putting more and more strain on your leg. That's why it let you down."
"I thought that because it was a gradual process that I'd be able to adjust."
"It's not just the weight, it's the distribution of it as well. Your center of gravity is changing and that coupled with the weight gain and the baby's movement is affecting your balance and mobility. Normally you would have been able to avoid that patient without a second thought."

"So what do you suggest?" asked Kerry. "That I sit around all day with my feet up until I give birth?"
"If I said yes, would you do it?"
"No," said Kerry. "Yes," said Dave simultaneously.

"It is as I thought," said Luka. "You are not suited for the idle life. Well I canot force you to stop working, but I would recommend that you limit your active duties in the ER and stay off your feet as much as possible."
"You just want to take over my job a little sooner," said Kerry, but she smiled as she said it.
"One other thing that might help you would be to start using a second crutch. It would assist your balance."
"Hmm," said Kerry. "I suppose you're right."
"Listen to your doctor," said Dave.
"Listen to your husband," said Luka. "Now you rest for a few hours and then I'm sending you home." He left the room.

"Kerry, you should have told me you were having problems," said Dave.
"I thought I was able to manage."
"Well at least if you use a second crutch it'll make things easier."
"I know. Its just..." she sighed heavily.
"Just what?"
"When I first learned to walk, it was with two crutches. I remember going to school and seeing the children pointing at me. I promised myself that I would grow up strong enough to walk without any crutches. By the time I was fifteen I was able to manage with just one, but my doctor said it was unlikely that I would ever be able to manage without any support. Having to use two crutches now just seems like a step backwards."
"It'll only be for a couple of months."
"I know."
"Promise me that you won't hide your problems?"
"I promise,"
"Good. Now you rest and I'll be back in a few hours."

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Dave caught up with Luka a few minutes later.
"Is Kerry really alright?" he asked.
"I'm probably just being overcautious in keeping her here," replied Luka. "But the rest will do her good, and you will be there to watch her at home."
Dave looked glum and said, "Not tonight, I'm on for a double shift so I could have time off for Kerry's next scan."
"Leave it to me and I'll get someone to cover for you."
"Gee thanks Luka."

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Luka checked the rosters and then found Carter.
"Carter, are you doing anything tonight?" he asked.
"Why Dr Kovac, I thought you'd never ask," replied Carter.
"Be serious," said Luka impatiently. "I need someone to cover for Dave. Kerry had a fall and I don't want to send her home unless there's someone there to keep an eye on her."
"Is she alright?" asked Carter with concern.
"A bit shaken but she's fine. So can you do it?"
"Of course."
"Good."

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Kerry spent the next few days at home with her feet up. The scan at the hospital had revealed no problems and so far all was going well.
She was stretched out on her couch listening to some of her favorite music when Dave got home from work.
"Hi honey I'm home," he said as he bent down to kiss her. "Did you do anything nice today?"
Kerry stretched herself languorously. "I decided it was time to introduce Junior to music. You know they say playing music improves a child's mind even before birth."
"I think they meant something like Mozart or Bach, not Grace Jones. If that's the stuff you're listening too, it's no wonder that Junior's so restless at night. Last night I could swear he woke me up kicking."
"That was me. You were snoring."
"I do not snore."
"Oh yes you do."
"I kiss do kiss not kiss snore," said Dave.
"Keep persuading me like that and I might believe you."
"Your wish is my command."

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Always on my mind III

A few months later.

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Kerry looked at herself in the mirror and sighed, "I'm a blimp."
Dave came up behind her and put his arms around her, "no you're not you're beautiful."
"I'm still a blimp."
"You're eight months pregnant with our daughter, that's all."
"How can you be so sure it's a girl? Did you ask the nurse doing the ultrasound?"
"Of course not. We agreed we didn't want to be told. I just know by looking at you."
"Oh yeah," said Kerry skeptically.
"Hey between them my sisters have eight kids, and I was right about the sex of six of them. And I might have been right about Heather's two if she'd mentioned that she was having twins."
"At this stage I don't care what it is, I just want it out. I'm going to look like a beached whale at Mark and Elizabeth's wedding."

"You sure you're going to be all right for it. It's going to be a long day."
"I'll be sitting down most of the time, and I can always leave early."
"Just don't overdo it."
"If I can handle a day in the ER I can handle a day at a wedding. Not that I get much to do in the ER anymore. Maybe I shouldn't have let Luka and Mark take over so soon. I haven't been let near a trauma for weeks."
"Well it was getting a bit awkward for you to squeeze in close enough to the patients. Ow." (as Kerry swatted him)
"I suppose you're right. Besides once I had to start using the second crutch for balance, I couldn't move quickly enough anyway." She sighed. "At least there's always plenty of sutures and paperwork that I can do sitting down."
"That's the spirit."

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Meanwhile Elizabeth and Mark were making final preparations for the wedding when they were joined by Doug and Carol.

"It's so good to see you," said Elizabeth hugging Carol. "How are the children?"
"My mother's minding them," said Carol. "Tess and Kate are fine. Andy's teething, but they were all settled when we left."

"So," said Doug to Mark. "Any last minute instructions for the best man?"
"I'm not sure why I asked you to be the best man," replied Mark. "After I wasn't your best man. I didn't even get an invite to your wedding."
"Nobody did. There was just Carol, me and a couple of witnesses. But if I do it again I promise I'll ask you."
"You'd better not be doing it again, unless it's with me," said Carol.
"Of course," said Doug and he kissed her.

"Do you think we'll be that romantic when we've been married for two years?" asked Elizabeth.

---------------------------------
When Doug and Carol finally came up for air he asked Mark, "So who else is coming to this shindig? Anyone I know?"

"Well there's a few people coming from County. Peter Benton for one,
Carter."
"We did invite Dr Romano, but unfortunately there's a medical seminar in Honolulu this weekend, so he won't be there," said Elizabeth with a wicked gleam in her eye.

"And of course your favorite attending will be there," said Mark.
"Don't tell me you invited Weaver?" said Doug incredulously. "Oh well there'll be plenty of people there, I'm sure our paths won't cross."
"Oh Kerry's not so bad," said Mark. "I think married life is suiting her."
"Weaver married? Wow, what poor fool got stuck with her?"
"You wouldn't know him. He started as a resident a couple of months after you left. Carol, you probably remember him, Dave Malucci?"

It was Carol's turn to be incredulous "Malucci? I thought he'd be long gone by now."
"I admit I never thought he'd make it as a doctor," said Elizabeth. "But he has improved dramatically since he got together with Kerry. I think she's been a good influence on him. Not to mention his impending fatherhood."
"Kerry's pregnant?" said Carol.
"She's due next month," replied Mark.
"Wow," said Doug. "I leave for a few years and the whole place goes crazy. Next thing you'll be telling me that Randi's become a nun."

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"So," said Mark. "Where are you taking me for my stag night?"
"Well I thought we'd hit a few bars, maybe a strip joint or two."
"Hey I don't mind where you take him," said Elizabeth. "Just make sure he's clean, sober and at the church by 11.30 tomorrow."
"Yes ma'am," said Doug with a mock salute.
"Go on get out of here," ordered Carol ushering the two men out the door.
"So did you tell Mark where we're going tonight?" asked Carol when the door closed.
"I thought there were some things he's better off not knowing. Anyway in England it's traditional to have a male stripper at one's hen party."
"A stripper, not a whole troupe."
"Well it would have been a bit expensive hiring one just for the two of us."

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Doug did manage to get Mark to the church on time and sober the day of the wedding.
Dave and Kerry were already seated when she saw who the best man was.
"Do you know that guy?" asked Dave.
"His name's Doug Ross. He was a good friend of Mark's."
"But not of yours?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"Only to me. Anything I should know about?"
"Not really. Doug and I never saw eye to eye on anything. I felt he was selfish and irresponsible. He felt I was too caught up in rules and regulations to care enough about the patients."
"The name's familiar."
"He's the father of Carol Hathaway's twins. I think they got married after she left Chicago."
"Ahh."


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Later at the reception:

Dave and Carter were talking when Doug joined them.
"Hey Doug, that was a nice speech," said Carter. "Where've you been hiding until now?"
"I've just been avoiding Weaver. Mark told me she got married. I pity the poor guy who took her on."
Carter tried not to choke on his drink.
He interrupted Doug. "Doug, I've don't think you've met Dave. Doug Ross, Dave Malucci."
"Dave Malucci," said Doug. "That name rings a bell."
"That's Dave Weaver Malucci," replied Dave. Outwardly he remained calm, but inside he was dying to punch this guy out. But he had promised Kerry that he'd behave himself.
Carter was surprised. This was the first he had heard of it.
"Then you must be..." Doug's voice trailed off as he remembered where he'd heard the name before.
"Kerry's husband, yes I am. I can't say I've heard of you. Did you work at County General at some stage?"
This caused Carter to choke again on his drink. He knew darn well that Dave knew who Doug was. After all Carol's sudden departure to Seattle had still been a topic of conversation by the time he had got out of Rehab. Dave with his curiosity and ear for gossip must surely have heard the details.
Out loud Carter said, "Doug's married to Carol Hathaway."
"Hathaway, with the twins that did a runner for Seattle a couple of years ago?"
"Yes, that would be my wife," said Doug with steel in his voice.
"Oh no one could ever forget Carol," said Dave.

Carter tried frantically to think of a neutral topic.
"So Dave, not much longer until you're a father," he said.

Dave relaxed a bit and said, "Yeah man, I can hardly wait. Another two to six weeks is all."
"I'm surprised Kerry wasn't able to get a more accurate due date," said Doug. "She must be slipping."

"We both know that the so called 'due date' is really only the midpoint of the 'due month'. Junior could arrive anytime within that month." Dave's tone was intentionally patronizing."
Doug was about to make a comment when Carter stepped in again.
"So do you think those Lamaze classes helped you out any?"
"We'll see when the time comes. I know one thing, I'd travel a thousand miles to be there when I'm needed."

Carter gave up. If Dave and Doug wanted a catfight he wasn't going to stop them.
Fortunately Dave looked at his watch and said, "I'd better get back to Kerry. See you later Carter. Nice to meet you, eh Doug was it?"

Doug and Carter watched him leave.
"Just who does he think he is?" asked Doug irritably.
"He's the guy whose wife you just insulted," said Carter. "You're lucky you're still standing."
"I could've taken him."
"I saw him go for a guy who'd abused his kid. Malik was barely able to hold him back."
"Yeah?"
"Yes and I heard that later, he was suturing the same guy and he didn't give him a proper anesthetic."
"Hmm. Maybe he's not so bad after all."

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Dave snuck up behind Kerry and kissed her on the cheek.
"You're looking very pleased with yourself," she said. "What have you been up to?"
"Nothing much. Just a little Doug-baiting," replied Dave with a grin. "Oh and if anyone asks, my name is Weaver-Malucci."
Kerry looked at him suspiciously, "What have you been saying?"
"Nothing I haven't been thinking about for a while now. Listen, I know when we got married you wanted to keep your own name, and I respect that. But now with Junior coming along I'd kinda like for us all to have the same name. Whether it's Weaver, Malucci or any combination you like I don't mind."
"I never knew you felt like that."
"I've been meaning to say something for a while, but this really isn't the right time or place. We can talk about it later."

As Dave finished speaking the band stopped playing for a moment. Kerry stared at Dave in the silence. The bandleader spoke into his microphone. "And now by special request here's a song from the King himself." The opening bars of "Always on my mind" started playing over the speakers.

Kerry looked at Dave. "Did you request this?" she asked.
"What, the first song we danced to at our wedding? You bet I did."
He stood up held his hand out to Kerry and said, "shall we dance Mrs Malucci-Weaver?"
Kerry took his hand and stood up "we shall indeed Mr Weaver-Malucci."
Leaving her crutches behind her she leaned on Dave as they took to the floor.

Carol and Elizabeth watched them from the other side of the dance-floor.
"I can't believe I'm saying this," said Carol. "But they do make a lovely couple."
"They're not usually this affectionate in public," said Elizabeth. "But I suppose I've only really seen them together on duty, and they always act professionally in the ER."
"What, no sneaking off together into the suture room to make out? How dull."
"Well, I once caught them coming down from the roof and they both had big grins on their faces."
"Knowing Malucci, he was probably dropping water balloons."
"That's probably why I also saw Romano turn up for his shift soaking wet that day."
The two women burst into fits of laughter.

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to be continued