Something to Celebrate
an ER-based fan fiction
by: Joycelyn Solo

Author's note: This story is a slightly alternative universe of ER. If I explained more, it would give things away, so just read it and please enjoy.
Disclaimer: Don't own anything, but if anyone wants to discuss leasing options, I'm interested...

Chapter Four

I can't believe it. Even seated in an exam chair, her legs propped in stirrups as she waited for Susan to return, Abby had a hard time believing it was true. Not only was she pregnant - she was almost three months pregnant.

How could she have not known? She knew Susan was thinking the same thing as she asked Abby all the obvious questions she should have asked herself. She used to be an OB nurse, for crying out loud. She should have known the signs.

Of course, she'd also been told by several doctors that she wouldn't be able to have children. Not after ­

She wouldn't think about that. She wouldn't mar the gift she and John had been given by thinking of that dark period of her life that eventually lead to her divorce from Richard.

"Everything looks good." Susan announced, coming back to the exam room. "I've scheduled an appointment upstairs for a more thorough exam."

"And I was just starting to get comfortable in here." Abby joked, unable to keep the wide grin off her face.

Susan shared the smile. "When does John get back?"

"Tomorrow night." She stopped short as she thought about it. "How is he going to react?"

"He'll probably freak out and run screaming from the room." Susan laughed, then saw that Abby wasn't amused. "I'm sure he'll be happy and run to the nearest toy story and start stocking up."

Abby looked dubious. They'd only been married a year and a half. This wasn't something they'd really expected so soon. Actually, they hadn't expected it at all. They'd talked about alternatives like adoption, but with no immediate plans.

"I think you were right the first time. He's going to freak out." Abby said finally. "We really didn't see this coming."

Susan didn't press for details - the most prominent being how could a nurse and a doctor not know she was pregnant - and tucked Abby's chart under her arm. "They're expecting you upstairs any time."

* * *


I can't believe it. Even seated in the crowded auditorium, John still couldn't fathom how it could take an entire week to cover so little - and so basic - material. Not for the first time he entertained the idea of leaving early.

He would calmly stand and walk toward the exit, acting like he was just going to the restroom. Then, as soon as the auditorium doors were closed he'd run through the lobby like hell's hounds were on his heels, hail a cab, catch the next plane to Chicago, and, once safely in the bosom of his fair frozen city, he'd call the hotel to check out and have them ship his luggage to him.

The idea had appeal. And it occupied his mind for a few minutes while another speaker droned on and on about "improving the quality of service in your resident hospital."

Granted, he only had one more day, but that was one more day in his young life he didn't really want to waste. He'd already lost five days to this conference - days he would never see again.

Plus, he missed Abby.

When he wasn't plotting an escape scenario (of which he'd conjured eight with varying themes), his thoughts were of his beautiful wife.

His beautiful and recurring nauseous wife.

If she'd been a patient with the same symptoms, the first thing he'd do would be a pregnancy test. But they both knew, though neither said it, that wasn't possible.

While married to Richard, Abby had become pregnant. Never telling Richard ­ who didn't want children at the time, anyway, and fearing that any child she had would suffer the same bipolar disorder as Maggie ­ Abby had an abortion.

Following the procedure, there had been complications. The doctor, and many after, all informed her of the same fate.

She would not be able to have children.

John had never really given a lot of thought to children. Based on his own childhood experience, he didn't know if he would have made a good father. However, faced with the reality of it, he knew that he and Abby, together, would make wonderful parents. That was why they had been discussing adoption. Possibly in a few more years. They knew, working for a county hospital, just how many children there were in need of good homes.

He broke out of his reverie to join in the polite applause as the speaker left the podium. John knew everyone was probably clapping because there was only one more speaker to go and they would be done for the day ­ with two more speakers first thing the next morning, a farewell lunch, and a mad-dash for the airport.

He couldn't wait to see Abby tomorrow night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I want you all to know how lucky you are. Originally I was only going to post the Abby-centered portion, but then I remembered how wonderful you all are and decided to let you have twice the post for the price of one.

I also wanted to take the opportunity to thank Em (author of "The Dress" and "If Tomorrow Ever Comes") for all her encouragement.