After a few moments the two separated again. Smiling at the most recent events in his life, Doug led Carol up to the house. Going in, he asked, "You want a tour of the house?" Smiling she nodded.
"First, here's the Living Room," Doug said taking him into the first room off the entry hall. "Then it's the kitchen, and then the Dining Room. Those doors lead to the back porch," he said, pointing to a pair of glass sliding doors. "Then it's the den which I use as an office." Doug said, continuing. "And that brings us back to where we started from, so let's go upstairs," he said leading her by the hand. When they got upstairs, he took her into the first room. "This room and the one across the hall are Guest Rooms." Taking her down the hall, they went into a well- furnished bedroom. This room is my, well, our bedroom. It has it's own bathroom, and the doors between the second guest room and this one are a bathroom and closet, respectively."
Exiting, Carol saw there was one room they hadn't gone into yet and asked, "What about this room?"
Doug grinned, "This room, this one's my favorite."
Opening the door, he led her in. She was shocked to see that it was a nursery. Along one wall was a crib, a changing table, and in the corner, a rocker. Along the other wall, the same. The walls themselves were painted a very pale pink and had a teddy bear stencil at the top. Between the two chairs was a chest of drawers that Carol knew were already filled with clothes and diapers. On the end of the first crib, Tess's name was inscribed. Along the other, Kate's. There was a window on the east side of the room, which could let in the morning sun, and not be to hot, Carol thought.
"When did you do all this?" she asked.
"I started the night they were born. I was hoping that you'd… I don't know…"
Carol cut him off by kissing him sweetly. "It's wonderful, thank you." Carol said, kissing him again.
Taking her by the hand, he led her out of the room. "I missed you." He whispered.
"I missed you too, Doug, where are we going?" Carol asked as she was led into their bedroom.
"I'm going to show you how much I missed you."
Laughing, she pulled his head down to kiss him. Making a growling noise deep in his throat, Doug kicked the door shut behind them.
Several hours later, the two finally ventured out of bed and went downstairs to get something to eat. Sitting at the counter in the kitchen they made plans for the next day. Doug had already booked to seats on the first flight to Chicago. Their flight left at 5:30 am (Seattle time), and they would land at 9:30 am (Chicago time). From the airport, they'd got to the hospital and turn in her resignation. They'd also say good-bye to all her co-workers. Then they'd go to her mom's and pick up the girls. From there they'd go to her house and pack her stuff. The next morning they'd catch a flight back to Seattle. What they couldn't take on the plane, they'd have shipped. Carol would talk to Mark about buying the house, as he and Elizabeth had been looking for a place.
After planning, and eating a late dinner, Doug noticed how tired Carol was. "Hey, you okay?" he asked sweetly.
She smiled. "Yeah, just a little tired. My body is still on Chicago time."
"Well, by all means, let's go to bed."
Carol smiled again. "That sounds good."
Going to her, Doug lifted her into his arms and carried her up the stairs and into their bedroom.
When they landed in Chicago the next morning they went straight to Carol's car, that she had left in Parking the night before. The only luggage they had brought was a bag with a change of clothes for Doug in it. From the airport, they followed the plan and headed straight to the hospital. They got there and parked, and Carol was getting out when she noticed that Doug was making no move to get out.
"Doug," Carol asked, "are you coming?"
Doug just shrugged.
"Honey? Are you okay?" Carol asked.
"Yeah, I'm, I guess I'm just a little scared. I haven't seen them in almost a year and a half, Carol. It's weird coming back." He said getting out, and making his way to the doors of the ER.
When they got in, Doug went straight to the Lounge, as not to be seen, at least not yet, while Carol went to talk to Kerry. Seeing her at the front desk, Carol went to her and said, "Hey Kerry, I need to talk to you."
"Oh, Carol, I need to talk to you too. You can't just disobey me like you did yesterday. In light of that, you're suspended for a week."
"Kerry, Kerry, I quit."
"Carol, in the workplace…" Kerry stopped dead when she saw Doug come out of the Lounge, get a drink, and go back in. "What is he doing here?" she asked.
Carol sighed, "That's what I was trying to tell you. I quit. I'm moving out to Seattle to be with Doug."
The look on her face was priceless. After a moment, she tried to smile. "Well, if that's what you really want, then I'm happy for you."
"Thank you." Carol whispered. Going in search of Doug, she entered the Lounge to see Doug resting on the couch. Just as Carol was about to ask what he was doing, Mark walked in.
"Hey Carol, where'd you run off to yesterday?" Mark asked, as he fixed his coffee. Taking a sip, he turned around and noticed Doug for the first time. In shock, the coffee spewed from his mouth. "Doug! What… you…" Mark stammered.
"Hey Buddy," Doug said.
"That's where I went yesterday." Carol said.
"So, you just in town for a visit?" Mark asked.
"No. I'm gonna help Carol get everything in order, get the girls, and go home." Doug said smiling.
"Home?"
"Seattle. I'm moving out there with him. We leave tomorrow. The house is yours if you and Elizabeth still want it."
"Wow, sure. I'm gonna miss you, but it's great seeing you so happy." Mark said. "Are you two gonna get married?"
Looking over to Doug, Carol answered, "Soon, yeah. Of course you'll be sent an invitation."
"Yeah buddy, I'm still hoping you'll be my best man." Doug said.
"Of course," Mark said as he was about to say something else the door opened and Luka came in. All three turned as he entered.
Sensing Carol's discomfort, Mark said, "Luka, this is Doug Ross. Doug, Luka Kovac." The two shook hands.
Turning to Carol, Luka said, "So I guess you got your answer?"
Nodding, Carol said, "I'm just here to get my stuff and the girls, and then I'm moving out to Seattle."
Giving her a small smile, he said, "That's great. I'm happy for you."
"Thank you."
After talking a few more minutes, Doug and Carol left the Lounge so she could say good-bye to everybody before they left. Of course they'd all get invitations to the wedding, but that was still awhile away.
Finally, a half- hour later, they were pulling in to Helen's driveway. Going in, Carol called, "Mom! I'm here to pick up the girls."
Coming in to the room, Helen saw Doug. Carol had filled her in the day before, so she took this as a good sign. "So you'll be going to Seattle?" she asked.
"Yeah. Mom I'm really sorry…" Carol started, but her mother cut her off.
"No honey, I can see that you're happy. Really and truly happy. You need to start your own family now. Just send me a wedding invitation."
"We will. And you can visit, all the time." Carol said.
"Yes, I suppose I will."
Leading Doug into another room a few minutes later, Carol asked him if he was ready to meet his daughters. He nodded nervously. Handing him the first baby, she said, "Doug that's Tess. Tess this is your daddy."
Taking her in his arms, he cradled the baby to his chest, and whispered, "Hey kiddo, I'm sorry it took me so long to do this. I'm so sorry I wasn't there. I swear, I will never not be there again. I swear."
After a few minuets of bonding, Carol took Tess from him and handed him Kate. "Doug this is Kate. Kate this is your daddy."
Much like with her sister, he cradled her to his chest and whispered, "Hey punkin, like I told your sister, I am so sorry, but I'll never leave you guys or mommy again. You guys are my whole life, and I love you so much."
Carol smiled at the nicknames Doug already had for the girls. She knew that they were stuck with them now. Kiddo and Punkin. Their two girls.
The next day, Doug and Carol walked hand-in- hand, each carrying a baby, over the threshold of their new home. Wrapping his arm around Carol, Doug leaned into her and whispered, "Welcome home love." Kissing her softly on the lips, he closed the doors behind them. The one to the house and to their past. They had a whole new future ahead of them, and a whole lot of possibilities. And they were going to face it together. Who knew what was in store for them. One thing the two of them did know though, was that the best was ready to begin
Coming Soon: Doug and Carol settle into their new lives
Wedding plans are made