"Dr. Carter," Robert said as he entered the Exam Room. "May we have a word with you?"
John Carter groaned. He didn't want to even think about what he possibly did wrong. "Sure, I guess," was his reply though, as he stepped into the hall.
When he looked and saw Luka with Robert, he got really confused. "What's going on?"
"Well... you see..." Robert began, but couldn't find the words to make it all out.
"Carter," Luka cut in. "Have you ever thought of the possibility of a younger sister?"
"What, I don't have any siblings... anymore," Carter finished quietly.
"Carter, maybe you should sit down," Luka whispered.
"What, why? I don't have a sister," Carter protested.
"Carter... you have a half-sister," Luka informed him.
"That's impossible! My parents are still together," Carter said, raising his voice.
"I'll prove it to you," Luka whispered. "Let me do a DNA analysis on you."
"Fine, great," Carter began. "Let's do it so I can prove you wrong!"
Luka led Carter into the suture room. When he left to get the material he'd need, Carter turned to Robert, "What's this all about? Why are you here?"
"Your sister... she's my daughter," Robert managed to whisper.
"What?" Carter said as he began to laugh. "Now I know this must be a joke!"
As Luka was heading back to the suture room with everything he'd need, Abby stopped him.
"Luka," Abby said firmly. "I want an explanation for all this!"
Luka sighed, "And you deserve one Abby. Can you just give me a little time? I'm still trying to figure this all out myself. How about I take you to dinner tomorrow night?"
"No Luka!" Abby screamed. "Tell me now!"
"Fine Abby," Luka said, his voice raising only slightly. "Alexa's the girl I've been in love with since I met her in Florida four years ago. She made me realize life could go on after my wife... but then, two years ago, she left, no note, no nothing."
"Then why, when she shows back up, why have you gone back so easily?" Abby asked.
"Because Abby, she left cause she was pregnant. I had always said I never wanted more kids...."
"And she was scared," Abby said, finishing his sentence.
"Exactly," Luka whispered. "When I heard her voice this morning on the phone.... God Abby, I've been waiting for that for a long time."
"Why didn't you tell me all this this morning?" Abby asked.
"Because I didn't know what she was here for. I didn't know if she'd come back to me... or what," Luka replied. "I didn't want to get my hopes up because I didn't want to be hurt again." Luka's eyes began to tear up.
"So, what does Romano and Carter have to do with all this?"
"Well," Luka began hesitantly, not sure if she'd believe it all. "Romano is... he's her father."
"What?" Abby said with a laugh. "Romano has a daughter?"
"Yeah," Luka whispered. "He hadn't seen her since the day she was born. It had to do with her mother... she was cheating on her husband with Romano... didn't her husband to ever suspect a thing... so she left her with some friends and wouldn't let Romano get anywhere close."
"Well, that explains why Romano's been acting weird today," Abby said. "Like he has a heart."
Luka laughed. "He really missed her. I think that's why he's like what he is. He just doesn't want to let anyone in...."
Abby nodded. "Luka, I'm not going to make you stay with me. I wouldn't be able to anyway... but you really do love her, don't you?"
Luka nodded.
"As much as you did your wife?" Abby asked.
Luka sighed. "Yes, a different way, but just as much."
Abby leaned against the wall. "Then I suppose it's not fair to you if I try to stand in the way. Go be with her... you deserve."
Luka kissed Abby lightly on the cheek, "You'll find someone soon. Who knows, maybe he's right under your nose."
Abby laughed. As Luka began to walk away, she said, "Wait, you didn't answer my question."
Luka looked at her questionably.
"What's Carter got to do with this?"
"Oh," Luka said. Walking back over to Abby, he softly whispered, "He's her brother."
"What? Carter's Romano's son?"
"No..." Luka said. "God no! Half-brother."
"Oh." Abby said, than laughed. "That scared me for a moment."
"Anyways Abby, I have to get back to Carter."
"OK," Abby said. "But first... what's your sons name?"
"Julian," Luka said softly. "He's nearly two."
"He was beautiful."
Luka smiled as he turned and headed back to the suture room.
When Luka walked into the lounge after sending the blood work upstairs, he felt different. He didn't know why, it just seemed his life had finally come together.
"So, how long will it take for the results?" Alexa asked.
"A few hours," Luka said as he sat down beside her.
Alexa nodded. "So, what have you been doing the last couple years?"
"After you left... I came here," Luka said.
"Still got your boat?"
"No," Luka said laughing. "I sold it."
"Really?" Alexa said. "I never thought you'd ever part with your boat."
"Well, I needed a car."
Alexa laughed. Luka stood and poured them both some coffee. "What about you?" He asked.
"What?"
"What have you been doing the last couple years?" Luka asked.
"I went and stayed with some friends in Texas for about a year and a half. About that time I decided I had to tell you... Julian couldn't be without a father... I knew how hard that was. So I went back to Florida, but it took me until recently to find you."
"And by accident," Luka added.
"Yeah," Alexa said. "Listen Luka," She said as he handed her a coffee mug and sat back down. "I don't know who that woman was earlier today... but I didn't come back to you to ruin anything you have going. I felt you needed to know about Julian...."
"Alexa," Luka cut in. "I talked to Abby... the woman you saw earlier. She understands. I wish she didn't have to learn it all like that though. But, we can't change what happened."
Alexa nodded as Luka continued. "I love you Alexa. I have since the day we met. When I heard your voice on the phone this morning... it was like it was the first time my heart beat since you left. I need you Alexa."
Alexa smiled. "I love you to Luka."
With that Luka wrapped his arms around her and gave her a soft kiss. When he pulled back, he said, "What does Julian know about me?"
"Everything I felt appropriate for a two-year old," Alexa whispered. "You know, he hadn't met you before today... but always told everyone he loved his daddy."
Luka smiled. "So all the good stuff."
"I wish I'd known Alexa. I know what I had said... but I swear... if I'd known I would have been there."
Alexa nodded. "I know that now."
When Kerry Weaver came into the Ambulance Bay, about to start her shift, she found Robert sitting on the bench outside. He had tears rolling down his face.
"Robert, is everything all right?" Kerry asked.
He looked up, but didn't say anything.
"Did something happen to your dog?" She continued after getting no response.
Robert laughed. "Everybody in this damn hospital knows about that, don't they?"
Kerry nodded as she sat down, moving her crutch to the side.
"What's wrong Robert?"
"Nothing," he responded. "Everything is absolutely perfect. She's here!"
"Who? What are you talking about?" Kerry asked.
"My daughter, she's here."
"Did you say daughter?" Kerry asked.
Robert nodded. "I hadn't seen her since her birth... but she found me. God knows how long I looked for her. It took nearly 30 years Kerry."
"Wow," was Kerry's response.
"There's more," Robert continued. "She has a son Kerry. Can you believe I'm a grandfather?"
"Can I?" Kerry repeated. "Do I really want to?"
"Kerry, I haven't met him yet, but she showed me pictures," Robert said, ignoring her remark. "He's absolutely beautiful!"
"Robert, I've never seen you like this," Kerry said quietly.
"I know Kerry," Robert responded. "Thirty years away from a child can really change you."
Kerry laughed. "The whole reason you were so cold hearted is because you have a heart?"
Robert laughed at this. "I suppose so. I... I felt I had to hurt people before they could hurt me!"
Kerry nodded as the ambulance bay doors opened, and Luka walked out carrying Julian.
"Robert," Luka whispered.
Robert looked up and his eyes grew wide as he saw the young boy in Luka's arms.
"Julian," Luka said to the boy. "Why don't you go to your grandpa?"
Robert smiled as he took the young boy from Luka's arms.
"Hi there," he said to the boy. "Can you say anything for me?"
"Cookie?" Julian asked.
Luka laughed, "You know, that's the first thing he said to me this morning when I met him to." He reached into his pocket and handed Robert a cookie. "So I came prepared for you."
Robert took the cookie and handed it to Julian. "Cookie!" The boy exclaimed.
Kerry got up to leave with Luka, who had just turned to go.
When they were inside, she looked at him. "What do you have to do with this?"
Luka laughed. "Julian, the boy Robert's holding, he's my son."
"What?" Kerry asked. "I thought you had no family."
"Until this morning, so did I."
"Wait, you slept with his daughter?" Kerry asked, pointing to Robert, who was still talking with Julian outside.
Luka laughed. "Hey, I didn't know it was his daughter then. I didn't even know him then," Luka said in defense.
Kerry laughed as Andy came up and handed an envelope to Luka. He opened it and turned to Kerry, "I have to go."
Kerry nodded as she saw him go talk to Andy.
"Hey Carter," Luka said when he saw him in the cafeteria.
"Yeah?" Carter asked, looking up. Luka handed him the envelope.
"What's this?" Carter asked.
"Open it," Luka told him.
Carter did as he was told. The papers inside were the results of the DNA analysis.
"Oh my God," was all Carter could say as he read the findings over. A 99.974% chance they were siblings.
Luka sat down next to him. "I realize this is a shock."
Carter nodded. "Yeah, a bit of one."
"Carter, she's a great girl," Luka informed him.
"How would you know?" Carter asked.
"Cause I've known her for years," Luka told him. "And she's the mother of my child."
"What?" Carter asked.
Luka nodded.
"Oh wow." Carter muttered. "So, that makes me an uncle?"
"Yeah," Luka said.
"Wow," was all Carter could say as he stood, heading towards the ER, and his sister.
John Carter groaned. He didn't want to even think about what he possibly did wrong. "Sure, I guess," was his reply though, as he stepped into the hall.
When he looked and saw Luka with Robert, he got really confused. "What's going on?"
"Well... you see..." Robert began, but couldn't find the words to make it all out.
"Carter," Luka cut in. "Have you ever thought of the possibility of a younger sister?"
"What, I don't have any siblings... anymore," Carter finished quietly.
"Carter, maybe you should sit down," Luka whispered.
"What, why? I don't have a sister," Carter protested.
"Carter... you have a half-sister," Luka informed him.
"That's impossible! My parents are still together," Carter said, raising his voice.
"I'll prove it to you," Luka whispered. "Let me do a DNA analysis on you."
"Fine, great," Carter began. "Let's do it so I can prove you wrong!"
Luka led Carter into the suture room. When he left to get the material he'd need, Carter turned to Robert, "What's this all about? Why are you here?"
"Your sister... she's my daughter," Robert managed to whisper.
"What?" Carter said as he began to laugh. "Now I know this must be a joke!"
As Luka was heading back to the suture room with everything he'd need, Abby stopped him.
"Luka," Abby said firmly. "I want an explanation for all this!"
Luka sighed, "And you deserve one Abby. Can you just give me a little time? I'm still trying to figure this all out myself. How about I take you to dinner tomorrow night?"
"No Luka!" Abby screamed. "Tell me now!"
"Fine Abby," Luka said, his voice raising only slightly. "Alexa's the girl I've been in love with since I met her in Florida four years ago. She made me realize life could go on after my wife... but then, two years ago, she left, no note, no nothing."
"Then why, when she shows back up, why have you gone back so easily?" Abby asked.
"Because Abby, she left cause she was pregnant. I had always said I never wanted more kids...."
"And she was scared," Abby said, finishing his sentence.
"Exactly," Luka whispered. "When I heard her voice this morning on the phone.... God Abby, I've been waiting for that for a long time."
"Why didn't you tell me all this this morning?" Abby asked.
"Because I didn't know what she was here for. I didn't know if she'd come back to me... or what," Luka replied. "I didn't want to get my hopes up because I didn't want to be hurt again." Luka's eyes began to tear up.
"So, what does Romano and Carter have to do with all this?"
"Well," Luka began hesitantly, not sure if she'd believe it all. "Romano is... he's her father."
"What?" Abby said with a laugh. "Romano has a daughter?"
"Yeah," Luka whispered. "He hadn't seen her since the day she was born. It had to do with her mother... she was cheating on her husband with Romano... didn't her husband to ever suspect a thing... so she left her with some friends and wouldn't let Romano get anywhere close."
"Well, that explains why Romano's been acting weird today," Abby said. "Like he has a heart."
Luka laughed. "He really missed her. I think that's why he's like what he is. He just doesn't want to let anyone in...."
Abby nodded. "Luka, I'm not going to make you stay with me. I wouldn't be able to anyway... but you really do love her, don't you?"
Luka nodded.
"As much as you did your wife?" Abby asked.
Luka sighed. "Yes, a different way, but just as much."
Abby leaned against the wall. "Then I suppose it's not fair to you if I try to stand in the way. Go be with her... you deserve."
Luka kissed Abby lightly on the cheek, "You'll find someone soon. Who knows, maybe he's right under your nose."
Abby laughed. As Luka began to walk away, she said, "Wait, you didn't answer my question."
Luka looked at her questionably.
"What's Carter got to do with this?"
"Oh," Luka said. Walking back over to Abby, he softly whispered, "He's her brother."
"What? Carter's Romano's son?"
"No..." Luka said. "God no! Half-brother."
"Oh." Abby said, than laughed. "That scared me for a moment."
"Anyways Abby, I have to get back to Carter."
"OK," Abby said. "But first... what's your sons name?"
"Julian," Luka said softly. "He's nearly two."
"He was beautiful."
Luka smiled as he turned and headed back to the suture room.
When Luka walked into the lounge after sending the blood work upstairs, he felt different. He didn't know why, it just seemed his life had finally come together.
"So, how long will it take for the results?" Alexa asked.
"A few hours," Luka said as he sat down beside her.
Alexa nodded. "So, what have you been doing the last couple years?"
"After you left... I came here," Luka said.
"Still got your boat?"
"No," Luka said laughing. "I sold it."
"Really?" Alexa said. "I never thought you'd ever part with your boat."
"Well, I needed a car."
Alexa laughed. Luka stood and poured them both some coffee. "What about you?" He asked.
"What?"
"What have you been doing the last couple years?" Luka asked.
"I went and stayed with some friends in Texas for about a year and a half. About that time I decided I had to tell you... Julian couldn't be without a father... I knew how hard that was. So I went back to Florida, but it took me until recently to find you."
"And by accident," Luka added.
"Yeah," Alexa said. "Listen Luka," She said as he handed her a coffee mug and sat back down. "I don't know who that woman was earlier today... but I didn't come back to you to ruin anything you have going. I felt you needed to know about Julian...."
"Alexa," Luka cut in. "I talked to Abby... the woman you saw earlier. She understands. I wish she didn't have to learn it all like that though. But, we can't change what happened."
Alexa nodded as Luka continued. "I love you Alexa. I have since the day we met. When I heard your voice on the phone this morning... it was like it was the first time my heart beat since you left. I need you Alexa."
Alexa smiled. "I love you to Luka."
With that Luka wrapped his arms around her and gave her a soft kiss. When he pulled back, he said, "What does Julian know about me?"
"Everything I felt appropriate for a two-year old," Alexa whispered. "You know, he hadn't met you before today... but always told everyone he loved his daddy."
Luka smiled. "So all the good stuff."
"I wish I'd known Alexa. I know what I had said... but I swear... if I'd known I would have been there."
Alexa nodded. "I know that now."
When Kerry Weaver came into the Ambulance Bay, about to start her shift, she found Robert sitting on the bench outside. He had tears rolling down his face.
"Robert, is everything all right?" Kerry asked.
He looked up, but didn't say anything.
"Did something happen to your dog?" She continued after getting no response.
Robert laughed. "Everybody in this damn hospital knows about that, don't they?"
Kerry nodded as she sat down, moving her crutch to the side.
"What's wrong Robert?"
"Nothing," he responded. "Everything is absolutely perfect. She's here!"
"Who? What are you talking about?" Kerry asked.
"My daughter, she's here."
"Did you say daughter?" Kerry asked.
Robert nodded. "I hadn't seen her since her birth... but she found me. God knows how long I looked for her. It took nearly 30 years Kerry."
"Wow," was Kerry's response.
"There's more," Robert continued. "She has a son Kerry. Can you believe I'm a grandfather?"
"Can I?" Kerry repeated. "Do I really want to?"
"Kerry, I haven't met him yet, but she showed me pictures," Robert said, ignoring her remark. "He's absolutely beautiful!"
"Robert, I've never seen you like this," Kerry said quietly.
"I know Kerry," Robert responded. "Thirty years away from a child can really change you."
Kerry laughed. "The whole reason you were so cold hearted is because you have a heart?"
Robert laughed at this. "I suppose so. I... I felt I had to hurt people before they could hurt me!"
Kerry nodded as the ambulance bay doors opened, and Luka walked out carrying Julian.
"Robert," Luka whispered.
Robert looked up and his eyes grew wide as he saw the young boy in Luka's arms.
"Julian," Luka said to the boy. "Why don't you go to your grandpa?"
Robert smiled as he took the young boy from Luka's arms.
"Hi there," he said to the boy. "Can you say anything for me?"
"Cookie?" Julian asked.
Luka laughed, "You know, that's the first thing he said to me this morning when I met him to." He reached into his pocket and handed Robert a cookie. "So I came prepared for you."
Robert took the cookie and handed it to Julian. "Cookie!" The boy exclaimed.
Kerry got up to leave with Luka, who had just turned to go.
When they were inside, she looked at him. "What do you have to do with this?"
Luka laughed. "Julian, the boy Robert's holding, he's my son."
"What?" Kerry asked. "I thought you had no family."
"Until this morning, so did I."
"Wait, you slept with his daughter?" Kerry asked, pointing to Robert, who was still talking with Julian outside.
Luka laughed. "Hey, I didn't know it was his daughter then. I didn't even know him then," Luka said in defense.
Kerry laughed as Andy came up and handed an envelope to Luka. He opened it and turned to Kerry, "I have to go."
Kerry nodded as she saw him go talk to Andy.
"Hey Carter," Luka said when he saw him in the cafeteria.
"Yeah?" Carter asked, looking up. Luka handed him the envelope.
"What's this?" Carter asked.
"Open it," Luka told him.
Carter did as he was told. The papers inside were the results of the DNA analysis.
"Oh my God," was all Carter could say as he read the findings over. A 99.974% chance they were siblings.
Luka sat down next to him. "I realize this is a shock."
Carter nodded. "Yeah, a bit of one."
"Carter, she's a great girl," Luka informed him.
"How would you know?" Carter asked.
"Cause I've known her for years," Luka told him. "And she's the mother of my child."
"What?" Carter asked.
Luka nodded.
"Oh wow." Carter muttered. "So, that makes me an uncle?"
"Yeah," Luka said.
"Wow," was all Carter could say as he stood, heading towards the ER, and his sister.
