January 9th-10th, 2002
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The last story took place in about February through March-ish. :) Anyhow, so this next chapter takes place in July of the same year. This is technically a prologue, not a chapter, since it's just one big scene.
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Carol stuffed a piece of wedding cake into Doug's mouth and laughed as she smeared it all over his cheeks. He chuckled and stuffed the piece in his hands into her mouth as they laughed together. Then he leaned over and kissed her, cake and all. Everybody clapped and cheered for them.
After they had cleaned up Carol turned and looked at everyone there. Everyone was there from the hospital, including Mark and his wife Elizabeth and their baby, Ella. Carol saw both of her sisters and their families, plus her mother. Carol was so glad her mother was there and seeming to be enjoying herself. When Carol and Doug had decided to get married, Carol had sat down and had a talk with Helen and asked Helen to try and be civil toward Doug and accept him. Helen had promised to try and here she was, at their wedding.
"Carol, c'mere." Doug said and took her hand. Carol followed him, wondering where he was going when she looked over his shoulder and saw his ex-girlfriend Jo standing with some man. Carol's heart skipped for a moment. She and Jo had seen each other a few times in the hospital but had never talked to each other, even though both had sort of wanted to try but had been to nervous about it. Now they were going to meet face to face and have a conversation. Carol was nervous for a minute but she realized it wasn't because she was jealous anymore, but it was because she hoped that she lived up to Jo's expectations and vice versa. Doug pulled Carol up to his side and then reached over, kissing Jo on the cheek. She smiled.
"Thanks for coming." Doug said. Jo smiled.
"Of course. You know I wouldn't miss it." She said.
"I don't think you have been properly introduced." Doug said to Jo and the man. "This is my wife, Carol." Carol glowed and smiled, reaching out to shake hands with Jo and her date.
"This is my," Jo paused and glanced up at him, smiling, "boyfriend, Brian." She said. Carol looked at the tall, blonde, and very handsome man and smiled. They look perfect together, Carol thought and then glanced at Doug. He was smiling at her.
"We'll have to get together sometime." Carol said. "Go to dinner or something."
"That sounds great." Jo said and smiled warmly. Doug wrapped his arm around Carol's waist as a song came on over the speakers.
"I'm sorry to interrupt but I must take my bride out to the dance floor." He said and pulled Carol with him. She laughed and twirled into his arms.
"You enjoy calling me your wife and your bride, don't you?" She asked. He chuckled.
"Of course I do." He said. "I love you, Carol." He said and leaned his cheek against hers. She sighed and shifted closer to him.
"I love you too, Doug." She paused. "I have a present for you." She said. He pulled back to look her in the eye.
"What's that?" He asked. She grinned and leaned toward his ear.
"I'm pregnant." She said and pulled back to watch his reaction. His jaw dropped and his eyes lit up.
"Really?" He asked. She laughed and nodded.
"Yes." She said. He let out a loud whoop and picked her up, wedding dress and all and twirled her around. Then he set her back down and kissed her.
"We have to tell the girls." He said once he pulled away. She nodded. "Right now."
"Okay!" She said and giggled. Doug turned and spotted the twins.
"Hey girls!" He said. They turned immediately and smiled at him. "C'mere." They came as quickly as they could, sliding a bit on the dance floor in their panty hose. The shoes they had been wearing had bothered them. Doug bent to the floor and Carol smiled down at them. "Mommy and I have something to tell you." Doug said. The girls nodded. "You have to be quiet about it for a second, okay?" He said. They nodded. Doug looked up at Carol. "You tell them."
"No, you do it." She said warmly. He grinned.
"Mommy is going to have a baby. You're going to have a little brother or sister." Doug said. The girl's eyes lit up.
"When?" Kate asked immediately. Doug laughed.
"It'll be awhile, but it'll get here in time."
"I want a brother." Tess immediately announced.
"That'd be wonderful." Carol said and Doug smiled up at her.
"Do you want to tell everyone else?" He asked.
"I don't see why not." Carol said.
"Well, if you want to wait until after the first trimester." He said, growing serious.
"Everybody here is people we love. If something happens they'll understand." She said softly. He nodded and smiled.
"Okay then. Let's have the girls tell them." Doug said. Carol nodded.
"Mommy, what's a trimester?" Kate whispered. Carol smiled.
"I'll tell you later." She said and Doug told the girls what to say into the microphone that he got from the DJ.
"Tess and Kate have something to tell everybody." Doug announced. Everybody turned toward them and grew silent. Doug bent down and put the microphone up to the girl's mouths.
"We're gunna have a baby brother or sister 'cause Mommy has a bun in the oven." They repeated as Doug had instructed. Everybody laughed, including Carol and Doug.
"Mommy, what bun?" Tess asked.
"In what oven?" Kate replied.
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The end!! What'd you all think?
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