Challenged, but still Unbroken
Rating: PG-13 (Just in case, for other chapters)
Disclaimer: These characters belong to NBC, Michael Crichton, and etc.- except the ones I made up!
Author's note: This chapter is probably not unexpected, but for it to fit into the upcoming plot, it had to be presented. Hope you enjoy it!
Oh, yeah-big "thank you's" to those of you who have posted ideas for the upcoming story. I think they were all very good ideas, and I will try to work as many into the story as I can in some capacity! Here you go: Chapter 3. Hope you enjoy, And PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
****
"Baby, I'm leaving for work."
"Okay. I'll see you later." Randi's reply was weary. John was leaving for his first night back after their two-week vacation, and he was concerned about how his wife was acting. He came to the conclusion that she was just jet lagged, and the problems they had with his mother and their daughters' nightmares the night before had not helped at all.
The whole family had done nothing all day, spending most of it lying around in the den, not bothering to make themselves the least bit presentable. Randi, in fact, had not changed out of the big t-shirt and pair of John's boxers that she had slept in the night before.
"You all right, Randi?"
"Just tired. What time are you off?'
"I'm working a double. So I'll be home around noon tomorrow."
"Okay. Do you have time to tuck Georgia in before you leave?"
"I already did. She was pooped, too. I'll see you tomorrow. Get some sleep!" He turned to walk out to the garage, but not before a quick "I love you!" was shouted over his shoulder to his wife.
"Love you, too," Randi said as she groggily got off the couch. She stopped for a quick snack in the kitchen. She quickly washed the ripe red apple, and took it with her into her bedroom. She crawled onto the bed, picked up the remote, and turned on the television. After flipping through the channels, she settled on watching "The American President" for the 700th time. After fifteen minutes, she was sound asleep.
****
"It's about time you got back to reality."
"Missed you, too, Deb. How were things around here? Anything big happen while I was away?"
The Chinese woman walked over to the coffee maker in and effort to prepare herself for the last half of her shift. John was putting his stuff into the fairly empty locker.
"Well, you might want to check out Abby's left ring finger."
"Luka finally got up the nerve to ask her, huh?"
"Not only ask her, but they went down to the courthouse and everything. But don't tell her that I told you. I think she wanted to tell you herself. Oh yeah, Susan and Robert are dating."
This caught John off guard. He turned from his locker and just stared at his best friend. He unsuccessfully tried to stifle a laugh.
"What did you say? I could have sworn I heard you say that Susan Lewis and Robert Romano are dating."
"Yeah, I did. He took her to the opera a few nights ago, and last night they attended the gala hospital fundraiser together. You should see them together. It's really pretty cute."
"Yeah, I'll bet."
At that moment Abby walked into the lounge.
"Hey, Carter. You're back. Did you have a good time?"
"I guess. It was pretty relaxing. We didn't do much of anything. You miss me?"
"Well, I didn't really have time to miss you, Carter. I was busy getting married." She flashed the small gold band out away from her body, giving John a good look at it.
"Well congratulations! It's about time." He gave Abby a friendly hug, looking over her at Deb who was still fumbling with the coffee maker. Deb winked his way, and gave up on the coffee, and exited the room.
"So when did you guys do this thing?"
"Well, the day after you left, the subject came up, and we just went to the courthouse and did it."
"You did have witnesses, right? Otherwise, I will have trouble believing it. I need proof, since the two of you have been dancing around this for so long."
"Shut up, Carter." The nurse smiled, and exited the room quickly.
Alone in the room, John turned back to his locker. He smiled as he looked at the pictures he had taped to the inside of the door. Their wedding picture; Randi, eight months pregnant; Georgia the day she was born; her first and second birthday parties; an ancient picture of the then ER staff; and one of Gamma. He inhaled deeply, and shut his locker door, and headed out into the chaos of the ER.
****
Randi woke up around five thirty the next morning, and the room was spinning. She knew that something was not right. Next thing she knew, she was jumping out of the king sized bed, and running to the master bathroom. As she sat on the floor next to the toilet, she thought about how awful she felt, and tried to think of the last time she had felt that bad. After only a few seconds of thinking, it hit her. She did not have long to think about it though, because another wave of nausea enveloped her.
"Mommy?"
Randi heard her daughter's still sleepy voice from outside the bathroom door.
"What is it, sweetie?"
"Does your tummy hurt?"
"I will be fine. I'll be right there."
"Okay."
When Randi felt good enough to leave the bathroom, she found Georgia sitting outside the bathroom door.
"Sweetie, let's go get you dressed."
"Where are we going? It's still dark."
"I know, but we are going to see Daddy."
"At the hospital?"
"Yep. Come on and get dressed."
****
"Hey, Randi. Kind of early for a morning stroll, don't you think?"
Randi and Georgia entered the County General's emergency room at about a quarter of seven. The place seemed fairly quiet, with the exception of a few drunks sleeping it off in chairs. Randi instantly remembered why she had decided to stay home after Georgia was born. Besides, it wasn't like the money was an issue anyway.
"Abby, have you seen John?"
"He's actually in a trauma. I can tell him that you are here if you need me to."
"Actually, I think you can help me first."
****
"Pratt, you've been a doctor for almost three years now. You know that you can't beat yourself up every time you lose a patient. The guy was ninety- one years old. He had a heart attack. Death was inevitable. Move on."
"I know, but I just thought that we could have done more. He could-"
Just then, Abby walked up to the two men.
"Look, I hate to interrupt this incredibly repetitive argument that the two of you have had after every trauma for the past two and a half years, but I have a healthy thirty year old woman with nausea and dizziness in exam two for you Carter."
"Take her, Pratt. She probably pregnant, so don't do too much overkill on the tests."
John began to walk past Abby, but she threw the chart at his chest.
"Carter, take this one. Pratt will, uh, make her, um, uncomfortable."
"Fine. I'll take her." John sounded exasperated as he headed toward the exam room. He looked at the chart as he walked down the long hallway.
"Could she not even bother with the name?" he mumbled to himself, when he noticed the blank for the patient's name was left blank. He pushed the swinging door open, still looking at the chart. Before he had a chance to say anything, a familiar sound filled the room.
"Daddy!"
John knew his daughter's voice, and instantly looked up to find her sitting on the bed, next to her mother. A surprised look swept over his face.
"Randi? Is this you chart?"
"Thirty year old female, nausea and dizziness? Yep-it's mine."
"You're pregnant?"
"You're the doctor."
John walked over to his wife, and kissed her softly. Georgia sat on the other side of her mother's bed, and giggled at her parent's affection. Randi brought her hand up to John's cheek, and gently pushed him away.
"I wouldn't do that for too long. I can't seem to keep anything down."
"Sorry. So, we're having another baby?"
"We won't know for sure until you order the test."
"Oh yeah. Right." John caught a glimpse of Chuny walking down the hall. "Chuny. I need a pregnancy test in here."
The nurse walked in, and was a little surprised at who the test was for.
"Another one?"
"I think so," Randi replied.
John walked over to his little girl, who had not been paying any attention to what was going on around her. She was too busy pretending that a nearby emesis basin was a hat. He picked her up, and headed toward the door.
"We're going to go hang out in the lounge. I'll come back and check on you in a minute, after I find someone to watch her."
John put his little girl on his shoulders, as they made their way to the lounge. They entered the room, where they found Jerry.
"Hey, Miss Georgia. What are you doing here this time of day?"
"Mommy was sick."
Jerry looked up at John.
"Morning sickness, apparently."
"Congratulations."
"Thanks, Jerry. Could you watch Georgia? Just for a few minutes until we get Randi's test results back?"
"Sure, no problem. Go back to Randi."
"Thanks."
John quickly exited the room, and headed back to exam two. He walked in, and over to his wife. Gently kissing her forehead, he sat down on the nearby stool.
"You feeling better?"
"A little bit. At least it only lasts the first trimester. So, how long will this take?"
"Not long. After we find out for sure, I'll get the ultrasound in here, and we'll check everything out, okay?"
Randi flashed a smile toward her husband, and nodded. A little while later, a knock was heard at the door.
"I was up in the lab, looking for some patient work ups, and ran across some very interesting lab results. Anybody call for a pregnancy test?" Dr. Chen was smiling profusely as she handed the papers to John. "Congratulations, you two. I'm assuming you didn't get a chance to redecorate this time around, Randi?"
Randi chuckled and looked in John's direction.
"So, we are pregnant?"
It was his turn to nod at her and smile.
*******
Not a big surprise I know, but you knew that it was going to happen, right? Anyway, I really hope that you enjoyed this, and you can look forward to the next part really soon!
DON'T FORGET TO READ AND REVIEW!!! I thrive off your complements and comments alike. Don't be afraid to tell me what you like or dislike. Let me know!
Rating: PG-13 (Just in case, for other chapters)
Disclaimer: These characters belong to NBC, Michael Crichton, and etc.- except the ones I made up!
Author's note: This chapter is probably not unexpected, but for it to fit into the upcoming plot, it had to be presented. Hope you enjoy it!
Oh, yeah-big "thank you's" to those of you who have posted ideas for the upcoming story. I think they were all very good ideas, and I will try to work as many into the story as I can in some capacity! Here you go: Chapter 3. Hope you enjoy, And PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
****
"Baby, I'm leaving for work."
"Okay. I'll see you later." Randi's reply was weary. John was leaving for his first night back after their two-week vacation, and he was concerned about how his wife was acting. He came to the conclusion that she was just jet lagged, and the problems they had with his mother and their daughters' nightmares the night before had not helped at all.
The whole family had done nothing all day, spending most of it lying around in the den, not bothering to make themselves the least bit presentable. Randi, in fact, had not changed out of the big t-shirt and pair of John's boxers that she had slept in the night before.
"You all right, Randi?"
"Just tired. What time are you off?'
"I'm working a double. So I'll be home around noon tomorrow."
"Okay. Do you have time to tuck Georgia in before you leave?"
"I already did. She was pooped, too. I'll see you tomorrow. Get some sleep!" He turned to walk out to the garage, but not before a quick "I love you!" was shouted over his shoulder to his wife.
"Love you, too," Randi said as she groggily got off the couch. She stopped for a quick snack in the kitchen. She quickly washed the ripe red apple, and took it with her into her bedroom. She crawled onto the bed, picked up the remote, and turned on the television. After flipping through the channels, she settled on watching "The American President" for the 700th time. After fifteen minutes, she was sound asleep.
****
"It's about time you got back to reality."
"Missed you, too, Deb. How were things around here? Anything big happen while I was away?"
The Chinese woman walked over to the coffee maker in and effort to prepare herself for the last half of her shift. John was putting his stuff into the fairly empty locker.
"Well, you might want to check out Abby's left ring finger."
"Luka finally got up the nerve to ask her, huh?"
"Not only ask her, but they went down to the courthouse and everything. But don't tell her that I told you. I think she wanted to tell you herself. Oh yeah, Susan and Robert are dating."
This caught John off guard. He turned from his locker and just stared at his best friend. He unsuccessfully tried to stifle a laugh.
"What did you say? I could have sworn I heard you say that Susan Lewis and Robert Romano are dating."
"Yeah, I did. He took her to the opera a few nights ago, and last night they attended the gala hospital fundraiser together. You should see them together. It's really pretty cute."
"Yeah, I'll bet."
At that moment Abby walked into the lounge.
"Hey, Carter. You're back. Did you have a good time?"
"I guess. It was pretty relaxing. We didn't do much of anything. You miss me?"
"Well, I didn't really have time to miss you, Carter. I was busy getting married." She flashed the small gold band out away from her body, giving John a good look at it.
"Well congratulations! It's about time." He gave Abby a friendly hug, looking over her at Deb who was still fumbling with the coffee maker. Deb winked his way, and gave up on the coffee, and exited the room.
"So when did you guys do this thing?"
"Well, the day after you left, the subject came up, and we just went to the courthouse and did it."
"You did have witnesses, right? Otherwise, I will have trouble believing it. I need proof, since the two of you have been dancing around this for so long."
"Shut up, Carter." The nurse smiled, and exited the room quickly.
Alone in the room, John turned back to his locker. He smiled as he looked at the pictures he had taped to the inside of the door. Their wedding picture; Randi, eight months pregnant; Georgia the day she was born; her first and second birthday parties; an ancient picture of the then ER staff; and one of Gamma. He inhaled deeply, and shut his locker door, and headed out into the chaos of the ER.
****
Randi woke up around five thirty the next morning, and the room was spinning. She knew that something was not right. Next thing she knew, she was jumping out of the king sized bed, and running to the master bathroom. As she sat on the floor next to the toilet, she thought about how awful she felt, and tried to think of the last time she had felt that bad. After only a few seconds of thinking, it hit her. She did not have long to think about it though, because another wave of nausea enveloped her.
"Mommy?"
Randi heard her daughter's still sleepy voice from outside the bathroom door.
"What is it, sweetie?"
"Does your tummy hurt?"
"I will be fine. I'll be right there."
"Okay."
When Randi felt good enough to leave the bathroom, she found Georgia sitting outside the bathroom door.
"Sweetie, let's go get you dressed."
"Where are we going? It's still dark."
"I know, but we are going to see Daddy."
"At the hospital?"
"Yep. Come on and get dressed."
****
"Hey, Randi. Kind of early for a morning stroll, don't you think?"
Randi and Georgia entered the County General's emergency room at about a quarter of seven. The place seemed fairly quiet, with the exception of a few drunks sleeping it off in chairs. Randi instantly remembered why she had decided to stay home after Georgia was born. Besides, it wasn't like the money was an issue anyway.
"Abby, have you seen John?"
"He's actually in a trauma. I can tell him that you are here if you need me to."
"Actually, I think you can help me first."
****
"Pratt, you've been a doctor for almost three years now. You know that you can't beat yourself up every time you lose a patient. The guy was ninety- one years old. He had a heart attack. Death was inevitable. Move on."
"I know, but I just thought that we could have done more. He could-"
Just then, Abby walked up to the two men.
"Look, I hate to interrupt this incredibly repetitive argument that the two of you have had after every trauma for the past two and a half years, but I have a healthy thirty year old woman with nausea and dizziness in exam two for you Carter."
"Take her, Pratt. She probably pregnant, so don't do too much overkill on the tests."
John began to walk past Abby, but she threw the chart at his chest.
"Carter, take this one. Pratt will, uh, make her, um, uncomfortable."
"Fine. I'll take her." John sounded exasperated as he headed toward the exam room. He looked at the chart as he walked down the long hallway.
"Could she not even bother with the name?" he mumbled to himself, when he noticed the blank for the patient's name was left blank. He pushed the swinging door open, still looking at the chart. Before he had a chance to say anything, a familiar sound filled the room.
"Daddy!"
John knew his daughter's voice, and instantly looked up to find her sitting on the bed, next to her mother. A surprised look swept over his face.
"Randi? Is this you chart?"
"Thirty year old female, nausea and dizziness? Yep-it's mine."
"You're pregnant?"
"You're the doctor."
John walked over to his wife, and kissed her softly. Georgia sat on the other side of her mother's bed, and giggled at her parent's affection. Randi brought her hand up to John's cheek, and gently pushed him away.
"I wouldn't do that for too long. I can't seem to keep anything down."
"Sorry. So, we're having another baby?"
"We won't know for sure until you order the test."
"Oh yeah. Right." John caught a glimpse of Chuny walking down the hall. "Chuny. I need a pregnancy test in here."
The nurse walked in, and was a little surprised at who the test was for.
"Another one?"
"I think so," Randi replied.
John walked over to his little girl, who had not been paying any attention to what was going on around her. She was too busy pretending that a nearby emesis basin was a hat. He picked her up, and headed toward the door.
"We're going to go hang out in the lounge. I'll come back and check on you in a minute, after I find someone to watch her."
John put his little girl on his shoulders, as they made their way to the lounge. They entered the room, where they found Jerry.
"Hey, Miss Georgia. What are you doing here this time of day?"
"Mommy was sick."
Jerry looked up at John.
"Morning sickness, apparently."
"Congratulations."
"Thanks, Jerry. Could you watch Georgia? Just for a few minutes until we get Randi's test results back?"
"Sure, no problem. Go back to Randi."
"Thanks."
John quickly exited the room, and headed back to exam two. He walked in, and over to his wife. Gently kissing her forehead, he sat down on the nearby stool.
"You feeling better?"
"A little bit. At least it only lasts the first trimester. So, how long will this take?"
"Not long. After we find out for sure, I'll get the ultrasound in here, and we'll check everything out, okay?"
Randi flashed a smile toward her husband, and nodded. A little while later, a knock was heard at the door.
"I was up in the lab, looking for some patient work ups, and ran across some very interesting lab results. Anybody call for a pregnancy test?" Dr. Chen was smiling profusely as she handed the papers to John. "Congratulations, you two. I'm assuming you didn't get a chance to redecorate this time around, Randi?"
Randi chuckled and looked in John's direction.
"So, we are pregnant?"
It was his turn to nod at her and smile.
*******
Not a big surprise I know, but you knew that it was going to happen, right? Anyway, I really hope that you enjoyed this, and you can look forward to the next part really soon!
DON'T FORGET TO READ AND REVIEW!!! I thrive off your complements and comments alike. Don't be afraid to tell me what you like or dislike. Let me know!