Chapter Two: A Brand New Day

Carter Pov

"Oh, my God...Lucy." My mouth drops open from shock then my doctor instincts kick in. I had a very pregnant woman in front of me who was clearly in labor. And a small boy that I could almost swear looked like me. "Morris, I need you in here!"

"Why there shouldn't be... Whoa where did she come from?"

"I don't know, but we've got a baby crowning right now."

"Okay, hey Chuny, can you come in here?"

"Yeah, what can I do for you?" Chuny stuck her head inside the door. Seeing both doctors rushing around a pregnant woman, she realized Morris probably wanted her to take the small boy out of the room. "Yeah, I'll take him to the family room. Ms, what's his...Lucy."

"Chuny, just take him. We'll figure everything else out later." I glance over my shoulder to look at the nurse. I knew she recognized Lucy just as I did.

"But I want to stay with Mommy."

"You can come back after Mommy has her baby. What's your name?"

"You know my name, Aunt Chuny."

"It's Noah. Do as Chuny says I'll be fine," Lucy replied.

"Okay, Mommy."

Once the door closes behind me, I begin to focus on Lucy. "Okay, Lucy, on the next contraction I want you to push."

"Shouldn't we wait for OB, John?"

"There isn't time, Morris. She's having this baby now."

"It's twins actually." Lucy's blue eyes focus on mine as the next contraction hit.

"Push, Lucy. 10..9..8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1, okay you can stop. The head and shoulders are out. One more big push and baby number one will be out. Come on Lucy, push...It's a girl."

"She looks great," Morris said taking the crying new born from my arms."

"Okay, here comes baby number two. Big push on the next contraction, Lucy. 10..9..8..7..6..5..4..4..2..1..you can stop now. You're almost there. I know your tired. Here we go...he's out."

"It's a boy?"

"Yeah, and he's beautiful," I say placing the crying infant on Lucy's chest as Morris comes back with the other baby.

"I thought I was having two girls, but I'm pleasantly surprised. Thank you, John."

"It's no problem... I know you're exhausted but.." I take the baby boy back so I can clean him up before returning him to Lucy's loving arms.

"But how is it that we're here? I've been wondering the same thing. This is my home, but it's not because you're here."

"Me... I don't understand. You're the one who isn't supposed to be here. Lucy, you died nine years ago right here in this hospital."

"And you died today at Northwestern on the operating table."

"My kidney transplant...but that was three weeks ago."

"Not for me and Noah. That happened today."

"Um, if you're done with me I think I'm going to leave you two alone."

I glance at Morris and nod my head. I had actually forgotten that he was still in the room. "Yeah, that's a good idea, Morris."

"Okay...you take care, ma'am."

"Thanks, Morris."

"So, what you're telling me is you came here from an alternate reality?" I see a smile grace her lips and I shake my head. "That's impossible. Alternate realities don't exist."

"And yet here I am, John. How else can you explain it? It's just like you said. I shouldn't be here because I'm dead."

"Unless Lucy had a twin sister she never told anyone about. That would explain how you look like her."

"And what about Noah, John? He knows you as his daddy. If what you said was true, what kind of person would that make me? The kind to tell a five year old his memories aren't real or true? He knows you because you've been with us his entire life."

"I can't help it if he believes a fantasy."

"A fantasy...that's rich coming from you. Do a DNA test on all three of them, John. All three are your children. Hell, do a DNA test on me if you want to. DNA doesn't lie. I am Lucy Knight Carter."

"This is insane. You're insane if you think I'm going to believe this."

"Then I guess I'm insane because it's the truth. Do the tests, John."

"They won't prove anything. Tests can be altered."

"Then watch them do them. I'm not lying. I know this is hard to believe on just my word alone. So do the tests and talk to Noah. He's too young to come up with a story like this."

"Yeah, all right, I'll talk to Noah and watch them do the tests." I open the door spotting Sam. "Hey, Sam, can you help get this patient up to OB?"

"Sure Dr. Carter, I'd be happy to."

"Thanks, Sam. I'll talk to you later, Lucy."

"All right, John...I'm sorry this happened."

I nod my head before walking out of the room. I couldn't honestly say I was sorry this happened. If it was true. All I ever wanted was a family. I thought Kem wanted that too, but the impression I gathered from her earlier tonight was Chicago wasn't home anymore. If I wanted to be with her, I would have to leave my home behind.

I did that once for love and it worked for almost four years. That was until I brought up having a family again. The conversation ended once again with Kem in tears. I dropped the subject knowing I would be coming back to Chicago for my transplant and to finish the Carter Center. Not knowing then how long it would take or if I would ever get a kidney, I never told Kem I was leaving. It was the hardest thing I've ever done after rehab because I still loved Kem, and I still wanted a family with her.

I glance at my watch. Speaking of Kem, she should be getting up. I didn't want to call her right at 6 a.m., but I also didn't want her avoiding my call. If this was going to work between us we needed some quality time together. Problem is I don't think she wants anything more to do with me. The thought of my marriage being over terrified me, but as I watch Sam take Lucy upstairs I realize it might not be such a bad thing.

I decide to talk to Noah first before I called Kem. I enter the family room to find a very upset little boy. "Hey, Noah, what's wrong?"

"Aunt Chuny doesn't know me, but that's not right."

"Why is it not right, Noah?"

"Because I'm here at the hospital with you and Mommy all the time. Everyone here knows me."

"You come to the hospital with me too?"

"Daddy, what's wrong with you? Why are you acting like you don't know me either?"

"Daddy...is there something you forgot to tell us Dr. C?"

"Chuny, this isn't funny."

"Sorry, just trying to lighten the mood."

"I know. Noah, I'm sorry. I'm just trying to get to the bottom of this mystery."

"I don't understand. Mommy and I lost you today then found you again. And Mommy had the babies. Are they okay? Is Mommy okay? I want to see Mommy."

"Mommy, your sister, and brother are doing just fine."

"I have a sister and brother?"

"Yes, you do."

"Wow... When can I see Mommy?"

"In a few minutes, actually I think I'll take you upstairs right now."

I might as well kill two birds with one stone. I would need samples from the boy and the babies for a DNA test. I felt bad testing Noah simply because he looked so much like me, but I had to be sure. I've had too many disappointments in my life, and I was ready for something good to come along my way. The Carter Center was a good thing for Chicago, and I was happy I could do something for the underprivileged, but it didn't fill the void I currently lived with.

"If you're done with me..."

"Yeah, Chuny, I think I can handle it from here. Thanks for your help."

"No problem, Dr. C, I'll see you later, Noah."

"Bye, Aunt Chuny," Noah said waving before climbing to his feet and taking a firm hold of my hand. "Daddy, can we see the babies first?"

I smile at his eagerness to see his siblings. "I don't see why not," I say gently squeezing his small hand.

I easily pick him up before stepping out into the main part of the ER. There's still a buzz of activity going on as everyone scrambles to help where they can. I see Rachel with Morris smiling. I remember feeling the excitement of learning new things or simply putting what I've all ready learned to use. I dodge prying eyes as I carry Noah upstairs, then grab some buccal DNA sample collection kits from a supply cart as I step into the nursery.

"Dr. Carter..."

"He wanted to see his baby sister and brother," I say smiling at the nurse on duty who smiled in return. I carry him to the beds then place him on the ground before gently swabbing the inside of both babies' cheeks then sealed the swabs inside the kits.

"They are so little."

I look down at the boy smiling. He was so innocent. "Well, you were that small once."

"I was?"

"Yup, most babies are small, but then they grow up to be big and strong."

"So, I'll be big and strong like you?"

I kneel down to his level and place my hand on his shoulder. "Yeah, Noah, one day you'll be big and strong like me. Would that make you happy?"

"Nope...being a doctor like you will make me happy."

Tears fill my eyes as an even bigger smile breaks out. This was music to my ears that such a small boy wanted to follow in my footsteps. But then again he thought I was his father. "What kind of doctor do you want to be?"

"An ER doctor like you and Mommy."

"Really...Mommy became an ER doctor?"

"Uh huh, but you know that, Daddy."

"Yes, you're right I do I just forgot."

"You're funny, Daddy."

"I bet I am. Are you ready to see Mommy?" Noah seemed to have forgotten our earlier conversation which was good. How could I explain to a five year old that I wasn't his father?

"Yes, please. Bye baby brother and sister."

The babies gurgled in response and I laughed before once again lifting Noah into my arms. I check the nurses station and find Lucy's room number. At least for the time being, she is going by Knight instead of Carter. I knock on the door before walking inside to the most beautiful smile I have seen in a long time. I still remember just how much Lucy's smile used to effect me. I would feel a tightening in my stomach as all my blood rushed south filling me with desire.

I clear my throat realizing her smile still had that effect on me. "Noah wanted to see you."

"I saw the babies too, Mommy."

"You did? How are they doing?"

"Fine I think. What are you going to call them?"

"I don't know yet." I notice Lucy looking intently at me as she answered her son's question. "Do you want to sit on the bed with me?"

"Please..."

"Okay, here we go," I say sitting him gently on the bed so I didn't jar Lucy too much. "I have the DNA swabs if you don't mind." I hold out two kits.

"No, I don't mind if it'll put your mind at ease." Lucy took the kits from my hand. She quickly swabbed her cheek, then sealed the swab. "Noah, open your mouth. Mommy needs to swab your cheek."

"Why?"

"For a test they do here at the hospital after babies are born."

"Oh...okay."

She holds out the used swabs bitting her lip the whole time. Knowing Lucy she wanted to tell me off, but with Noah in the room I figured she was holding her tongue. She didn't want him seeing us fight. I could understand her reasoning remembering the arguments we used to have. I shake my head slightly and sigh. I had to stop thinking of her as my Lucy. She would never be my Lucy because my Lucy was dead.

"Thanks, I'll see you guys later."

I step out of the room and make my way straight for the lab. On a normal given day lab work like this would need to be sent out and it would take a few days to get the results back. I didn't have days to wait. I needed to know the answer to my most burning question now. I knock on the door and am rewarded with a pleasant 'come in.'

"Dr. Carter, this is a surprise. I've never seen you out of the ER before. What can I do for you?"

"Well, I've got some DNA swab samples I'd like you to test for me. These three you'll find are siblings, but I want to know if they are related to me."

"Is there a DNA sampler from you there for me to test?"

"No, but give me a second and there will be." I pull out the last DNA kit and swab the inside of my cheek then hand over the sample.

"What about the last one?"

"That one will be a bit more time consuming. It'll involve comparing DNA from a blood sample and this last kit."

"What am I comparing?"

"If the samples came from the same person."

"Okay, this is going to take a couple of hours. You know we usually send this stuff off to be tested."

"I know and I'm sorry to ask you to do this..."

"Dr. Carter, you are well known and very respected by everyone in this hospital, so I don't mind doing it. Besides I have the time right now anyway. I'm assuming you'll be present for the whole thing?"

"Will that be a problem?"

"Not at all. Lets get started."