December 4th, 2006

Okay it was a little bit harder than the two of them thought to get back into the swing of things, but Dave and Randi were trying hard. Even though Dave thought he didn't drink much, he got help. He didn't buy a single alcoholic beverage. Ireland was asking a lot of questions, but her parents tried to answer them as best as they could. They had three daughters. They needed to work through every bump in their relationship.

"Dave you have a case of the sniffles in two." Randi said.

"Another one?" He sighed and took the chart; "There's no name." Randi shrugged with a smile.

"Jane Doe, I guess." She said. Dave sighed and went into room two. Lyric was sitting on the table. Dave chuckled.

"Good morning, Ma'am. My name is Dr. Malucci." Dave said, "What is the problem?"

"I have a stuffy nose." Lyric said softly.

"Let me see." Dave pinched her nose. "Hmmm, you're right. I think I will right out a prescription for you."

"Am I gonna die?" Lyric asked.

"Not yet." Dave smiled, "I want you to drink a lot of orange juice and listen to what your mother says, all right?" Lyric nodded.

"Thanks, Doc." She said pushing her pigtails off of her shoulders.

"Dr. Malucci?" Alicia stepped into the room.

"What is it?" Dave asked signing Lyric's chart and handed it to her.

"You have a visitor." Alicia said, "She said Her name was Dr. Weaver." Dave and Randi looked at each other.

"Dr. Waver? Short red head with a crutch?" He asked.

"That's her." Alicia smiled, "Want me to tell her your busy?"

"No….Thanks." Dave sighed as he walked out. He walked out into the lobby. Kerry smiled slightly when she saw him.

"Good morning, Dr Malucci." She said. Dave sighed.

"Morning, Dr. Weaver. May I help you with something?"

"No. I saw ads for your clinic and a few of our nurses talking about it. I thought I'd come to see what the fuss is all about."

"You like what you see?" Dave asked. Kerry shrugged as she looked around again.

"It's pretty nice." Kerry said. Dave chuckled softly.

"Thanks. A lot of time and money went into this place." Dave said, "I think leaving County was the best move I have ever made." Kerry chuckled softly. "Do you mind that?"

"Not at all." Kerry said. "It's nice to see one of our doctors succeed." Dave leaned against the wall with a smirk.

"Are you mad that I'm taking some of your nurses and Doctors?" He asked.

"Well, they have a right to volunteer where ever they want on their free time." Kerry said, "I don't want to be each others enemies. It is my understanding you need to have a partnership with a major hospital." Dave nodded.

"Mercy is my peds and ortho." Dave said, "I was hoping County could be my ER and surgery." Kerry nodded slowly.

"I'll see what I can do all right?" She asked. Dave smiled.

"Thank you. I would like that." Dave said extending his hand. "Friends?" Kerry smiled looking at him and took his hand.

"Friends." She said. It was nice that she had liked the clinic, but it didn't matter to Dave either way.

December 18th, 2006

Red, white, and green balloons were every where you looked. Red and gold streamers were every where else. The Malucci's always did first birthday parties the best. Sailor was turning a year old. It was a big deal. Dave didn't dare mention that he wanted to try again for another baby already. Randi was still a little offish with him.

"Can we open presents?" Ireland asked. Dave chuckled.

"In seven days you can open your presents, but right now Sammi is the only one can open presents. She's turning one." He said.

"Yeah, well…" Ireland put her hands on her hips, "When I turn five in Feberry, I'm gonna open up al the presents in the world and you, Mommy, Lori, and Lyric can't have any of them."

"All right." Dave chuckled, "Go see if Mommy needs help."

"You're mean." Ireland growled and stalked away.

"I love you too, Princess." Dave said. Lyric walked up to him skipping.

"I love you, Daddy." Dave chuckled and picked her up.

"I know you, Pumpkin." He said. Lyric's hazel eyes twinkled.

"When's Ella coming over?" Lyric whispered.

"In a few minutes." Dave said, "Is Mommy still getting Sammi all dressed up?" Lyric nodded.

* * *

Randi sat on the bed as she ran a brush through Sailor's hair. Tears trickled down her cheeks. Sailor was a year old. Her baby girl was getting old. That meant she was old.

"Dada!" Sailor clapped her hands when Dave walked in. Dave grinned.

"Getting all pretty I see." He said looking at Randi, "Why are you crying?" She chuckled as she wiped her eyes.

"Sailor is growing up. She can say three words and next thing we know She'll be walking. We won't have a baby anymore."

"No, but we'll have three gorgeous princesses." Dave said, "Two in school and before we know it Sammi will be in school. We'll have the whole house to ourselves." Randi chuckled softly.

"We have a dog and a medical practice in our backyard."

"I know, but just imagine how quiet it will be." Dave said.

"I don't like quiet." Randi said as she put Sailor's hair up in a ponytail, "I like hearing mommy being yelled through out the house. I like hearing them running around and laughing."

"You always get depressed on their birthdays." He snickered.

"I know." She said, "Come on. I hear Elizabeth's car." Dave picked up Sailor and the three of them went downstairs. Ireland was letting Elizabeth and Ella in. "Hey there."

"Hey." Elizabeth smiled as she pulled her jacket off. "It's starting to snow bad out there." The girls ran off giggling.

"Glad you arrived her safely." Randi said, "Let me get you some coffee." Elizabeth smiled and glanced at Dave. "I have a few days off. If you need my help at the clinic, let me know."

"That would be great." Dave grinned as Sailor struggled in his arms. Dave put her down. "You can put her present on the kitchen counter."

"Great thanks." Elizabeth said walking into the kitchen, "Oh the cake looks great!" Sailor's cake was of Santa Claus and Rudolph the red nosed reindeer. Randi chuckled softly.

"I didn't make it." She said. "I had to order it."

"Randi!" Dave gasped, "Look!" Randi turned and looked at Sailor. She was starting to lift her little legs and take her first steps. Randi looked at her with wide eyes. "That's it, Sammi. Walk to Mommy." Sailor grinned, showing of her two teeth and stepped over to Randi. She lost her balance but Randi caught her.

"Oh Sailor!" Randi hugged her daughter, "You can walk!!"

"That was great." Elizabeth smiled at Dave.

"We were just saying a few minutes ago that she should start walking soon." He chuckled softly.

"I'm so proud of you." Randi whispered softly as the girls walked back into the kitchen.

"Can we have the cake now?" Ireland asked. Randi nodded.

"Sure. Go sit down." Randi slid Sailor into her highchair as Dave started to light the birthday candles. Elizabeth shut the lights off.

"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Sailor. Happy birthday to you!!!" Everyone sang out.

"Blow the candle out." Randi chuckled. Sailor stared at the candle. She wasn't really sure what to do with it. Randi bent over and helped her blow it out. Everyone clapped. One year down many more to go. Dave and Randi wasn't sure if they would survive all those years, especially when they had three teenage girls in their house.