Chapter 2: Diamonds

September 19, 1979

Dixie wakes early the next morning, glorious dreams glittering in her mind. Then, she realizes that one of those dreams isn't a dream at all. She is engaged. She, Dixie McCall, is engaged to Dr. Kelly Brackett! She glances at the diamond ring on her finger, and grins.

Her shift starts at 11 am. Around noon, Squad 51 comes in with a victim. After Kel follows the gurney into treatment room 4, Roy and Johnny come over to the nurses' station to pick up some supplies.

"Hi, Dix," John says.

"Hey, guys," she replies, her exuberance not very well hidden in the giant smile on her face.

"What are you so happy about?" Roy asks. Dixie just smiles wider.

"Okaaaaaay," Johnny says, eyeing her suspiciously. He rattles off a list of supplies they need, and she grabs them from the cupboard. She is just signing off on the supply sheet when Kel comes out of treatment 4. His eyes light up as soon as he sees his fiancée, and both paramedics notice it. John looks back and forth between the doctor and nurse.

"Alright, you guys," he says, his eyes narrowed. "What's going on?"

"You wanna show 'em, Dix?" Kel asks mysteriously.

She holds up her left hand, the diamond glistening on her ring finger. Her smile, if possible, gets even bigger. Finally, the paramedics begin to understand.

"That's great, you guys!" Roy exclaims. "When's the wedding?"

"November, probably," is Kel's answer. "And you two are going to be groomsmen."

"Oh, and Roy," Dixie adds, "ask Joanne if she'll be a bridesmaid."

"I don't need to ask her. We - all three of us - will be there," Roy replies, with a glance at
Johnny.

"Of course we will!" Johnny is quick to back Roy up. "Who's your best man, Doc?"

"Joe," Kel answers. "I don't have a brother, so he's my only option."

"I heard that," says Dr. Joe Early, walking up to the group.

"Who else is in the bridal party, Dix?" Roy asks, ignoring Joe's comment.

"Well," she replies, "My sister Kim will be matron of honor and Kel's sister Sophie is going to be the other bridesmaid."

"Roy," Kel says suddenly, "do you think your kids would want a part in the wedding?"

"Uh, maybe," is his answer, "but they're kind of in an in-between age."

"Yeah, I think Jenny's a little old to be flower girl," Dixie says.

"I know," Kel says. "How about making her a junior bridesmaid? Chris could be a junior groomsman. We shouldn't leave them out completely."

"I think that's a wonderful idea," Dixie says. "What do you think, Roy?"

He smiles. "I'm sure they'll be thrilled."

Then Johnny's HT crackles to life. "Squad 51, what's your status?"

He picks it up. "Squad 51, available."

"Squad 51, stand by for response." The alarm blares through the radio. "Squad 51, with Engine 51, vehicle accident with injuries. Corner of Wilmington and 5th. Wilmington and 5th. Time out: 12:36."

"See you guys later," Roy calls over his shoulder as they jog away.

"We'll be here," Joe says. "Now, Kel, about your 'only option'."