Still Holding On
Same disclaimers, ratings, etc.
Time for a Baby Shower and an Unwelcome Surprise.
****
The next six months or so were spent planning and preparing, and purchasing ridiculously priced baby furniture and toys. Deb was eight months pregnant and they had every thing ready.
John had surprised Deb in his acceptance of this child. This was his baby, even though it wasn't really his. At their five-month OB appointment, they had found out that they were having a boy, and John left the office grinning like a schoolboy.
The only awkward moment came when they were talking about names. The decision about making him a Jonathan T. Carter the fourth was a difficult one for John. Deb did not want to pressure him in any way. It was his name to give. John had decided not to decide until further along in the pregnancy.
Deb had decided not to go back to work at all, even though she was emotionally ready. She found herself extremely happy just being John's wife. She found joy in the simple things like rearranging the nursery, growing her roses out in the garden, and cooking for her husband. She did keep in touch with the girls at work, and found that they often had company at nights.
She enjoyed her peaceful days at home, although she was never alone. Tim and Margaret were always there, and made Deb feel completely safe and secure in her own house. They had all become fast friends.
It was on one of these peaceful days that her afternoon nap in the den was interrupted by Margaret.
"Jing Mei, John is on the phone. He needs to speak with you."
"Is something wrong?"
"No. I don't think so."
The older woman handed her the portable phone, and quietly left the room.
"John?"
"Hey, sweetie. What are you doing?"
"I was taking a nap. Is something wrong?"
"Nope, I was just hoping we could grab an early dinner together."
"You're on until midnight I thought."
"Yeah, but I get an hour for dinner, and Kerry wants me to take it around 5:00 because Luka has to leave early. Can you meet me up here?"
"Well, I guess so. I wasn't planning on getting out today, but sure. I'll see you in an hour. Love you."
"Be careful. I love you, too."
With that, they both put down the phone, and Deb went to get ready for another meal at Doc Magoo's. She didn't feel much like dressing up, so she simply put on some khaki maternity overalls and a red turtleneck shirt. She threw her hair into a high ponytail, and finished it off with a red ribbon. She touched up her face with a tiny bit of makeup, and grabbed her purse, and headed out the back door.
"I'll be back in while, Tim. I'm meeting John for dinner."
"Do you want me to drive you?"
"No thank you. I'll be fine. See you later."
"Bye, Jing Mei. Be careful."
"Thanks. I will," she said as she hoisted herself into the driver's side of the new SUV they had purchased. She and John both realized that his jeep and her BMW, which she could hardly fit into anymore, were not very practical for a baby, so they had added the more practical vehicle to the other two.
She meandered her way through the streets of Chicago, and twenty minutes later found herself at the parking garage of County General.
She still had an uneasy feeling every time she entered the Emergency Room, but it was nothing unbearable anymore. Upon entering through the triage entrance, she instantly ran into Susan. The blonde spoke up with a slight nervous laughter about her voice.
"Jing Mei, Hi. What are you do in here. John said you weren't coming until 5:00."
"Well, I'm only five minutes early. Where is he?"
"I'm right here, Baby."
John walked up behind her and turned her to face him. He planted a long deep kiss on her lips, giving Susan time to escape.
"Mmmm. You're in a good mood. You ready?"
"Not quite. I have to dispo a broken leg, but you can wait in the lounge for me."
John took his wife by the arm, and led her to the lounge. When he pushed open the door, all the lights were off.
"Damn bulb blew again, I guess," he said, smiling as he stood behind Deb.
At that moment, the lights came on, and the couple was surrounded by all the female nurses and doctors and surgeons that worked down in the ER.
"SURPRISE!!!"
Deb was completely shocked and caught off guard.
"You guys! What is this?"
"A baby shower, of course," Elizabeth said with her sweet British accent. "Come on and sit down, your ankles must be killing you." All the women chuckled at this, and John helped his wife over to the chair. He kissed her forehead, and walked towards the door.
"Now if you ladies will excuse me, there is a little bit too much estrogen in this room. I'm going to go help the rest of the men who are taking the raw part of this deal. You ladies owe us, big time."
"Keep the board moving, Carter."
"Will do, Kerry."
Deb looked around the room at the women who had pulled this whole thing together. Susan and Abby and Chuny sat on the floor next to a huge pile of gift bags and boxes. Kerry, Heleh, and Elizabeth sat on the couch, while Randi and Lily were each perched on an armrest. Connie and Amira sat at the table, guarding the massive amounts of pretzels, cookies, popcorn, chips, and a huge cake shaped like a baby rattle.
"This is great! I had no idea."
"Well, that wasn't the hard part since you're not here to listen in on our plans. The hard part was convincing all the men to take part of our shifts."
They all giggled at Chuny's comment, and Susan announced that it was time to open the gifts.
Deb opened Randi's first and to no ones surprise, it was an utterly ridiculous leather jacket for newborns that Randi had designed herself.
"Thaaanks, Randi," Deb said with a fake smile plastered on her face.
"Your welcome. All you need now is a little baby Harley for the little guy."
"No, no, no. No motorcycles for him. Not my son."
Next she opened Kerry's gift, which was a huge box of diapers.
"I always go for practical gifts. You can never have too many of those Jing Mei."
"Thanks, Kerry. We definitely do need as many of these as we can get."
She continued to open her gifts, and received a basket of baby hygiene items like an aspirator, nail clippers, thermometer, shampoo, and lotion from Susan. She also got a baby blue fleece outfit from Abby, a sliver plated piggy bank from Lily, and a breast pump from Connie.
When she opened Elizabeth's gift, Deb was in awe.
"Elizabeth, did you make this?" she asked as she pulled the beautiful pale green and white crocheted blanket out of the box.
"Yes, I did. I love to do this. I learned when I was on maternity leave after Ella was born. Mark always made fun of me when I did it. He said that I was turning into an old lady well before my time."
All of the women thought about Mark for a moment, and Deb finally broke the silence.
"Well thank you. I really do love it. It matches the wall paint perfectly."
"I know. Your husband was kind enough to bring me a paint chip."
Deb quickly finished unwrapping the gifts, which were a stuffed teddy bear from Heleh, some sleepers from Amira, and a set of crib sheets from Chuny.
"I really do appreciate everything you guys. This whole thing hasn't been easy for me or John, and it's because of our friends that we are able to get through all of this. I am nearly speechless, and I would be completely if it weren't for the fact that this kid and I are starving, so I'll end with this: let's eat!!!"
They all laughed, and Connie fixed the guest of honor a plate and gave her some punch. They all began to chatter and eat until Jerry burst into the lounge.
"The men have decided to stage a revolt until we get some cake."
The ladies all looked at Deb.
"What do you think Jing Mei? Should we have pity on those lacking the ability to give birth?"
"I don't know, Elizabeth. We could just keep this for ourselves." Deb had a devilish grin on her face. Jerry opened door so that all the women could see the sad puppy dog eyes of John, Luka, Pratt, Gallant, Frank, and even Romano, that glared their way. "Oh, all right. I give. You guys can have some."
There was a stampede into the lounge, and the men were soon talking baby stuff right along the ladies. They looked through the gifts that the women had given Jing Mei, and commented on them all.
"Randi, why?"
"Come on, Dr. Carter. It's the height of baby fashion. Every baby needs a leather jacket."
"Riiight. Ok! Whatever you say, Randi."
John walked always from the desk clerk, and over to his wife who was describing the baby's room to Lily. He walked up behind her and placed his hands on her large belly, and set his chin on her shoulder. He waited while the two women finished their conversation before he spoke.
"Were you really surprised?"
"Yep. I had no idea. Thank you."
She turned and faced him, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"But I'm exhausted now. How about helping me get this stuff to the car?"
"Okay. Gallant, Pratt. Take these things out to the car for me."
Deb laughed at her husband's abuse of power, as Pratt grumbled about the same. Gallant on the other hand was already picking up several of the boxes and was about to head out the door. Deb gave him her keys, and looked around, checking for anything that might have been left. All of the other doctors and nurses said their congratulations, and began to disperse. But before they could get very far, Jerry, who had gone back to manning his post at the admit desk, ran into the lounge.
"Dr. Weaver, we have a twenty six year old rape victim pulling up. Police found her down by the lake."
The words hit Deb like a rush of powerful wind. She found it difficult to keep herself contained, knowing what this woman was going through, and what she had ahead of her.
Everyone stopped, and stood silently, not wanting to bring attention to Deb. John, who was standing behind her at that moment, grabbed on to her shoulders in support. He wanted nothing more than to get his wife out of this nightmarish moment. He didn't want her to have to relive this again. Dr. Weaver realized the situation immediately, and began to corral the doctors and nurses out the door, barking orders as she went.
"Chuny, get a rape kit. Abby, go and prep trauma one. Luka, Susan, come with me, the rest of you keep the board running."
She was the last one out the swinging door, and she turned around to find Deb wrapped in John's embrace. Dr. Weaver looked into John's eyes, and saw the pain return.
"John, take the rest of the night off."
He nodded at her, and they were left alone in the lounge.
"Baby, I'm so sorry. Let's get you home."
"I don't want to see her. I don't want to hear her. Please. Wait until she is in trauma one."
"I know, I know, sweetie. I'll go make sure she is out of sight. You all right here alone?"
She nodded.
John waited a few minutes and then exited the room, and headed toward trauma one. What he saw when he got there brought back so many memories. Terrible ones. A beautiful girl with bruises, cuts, and blood everywhere. His mind instantly returned to that day nearly eight and a half months ago.
He returned to his wife, and said nothing, only held her hand and walked her toward the door.
****
So, What do y'all think?
PLEASE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!! I WANT REVIEWS!!!
Same disclaimers, ratings, etc.
Time for a Baby Shower and an Unwelcome Surprise.
****
The next six months or so were spent planning and preparing, and purchasing ridiculously priced baby furniture and toys. Deb was eight months pregnant and they had every thing ready.
John had surprised Deb in his acceptance of this child. This was his baby, even though it wasn't really his. At their five-month OB appointment, they had found out that they were having a boy, and John left the office grinning like a schoolboy.
The only awkward moment came when they were talking about names. The decision about making him a Jonathan T. Carter the fourth was a difficult one for John. Deb did not want to pressure him in any way. It was his name to give. John had decided not to decide until further along in the pregnancy.
Deb had decided not to go back to work at all, even though she was emotionally ready. She found herself extremely happy just being John's wife. She found joy in the simple things like rearranging the nursery, growing her roses out in the garden, and cooking for her husband. She did keep in touch with the girls at work, and found that they often had company at nights.
She enjoyed her peaceful days at home, although she was never alone. Tim and Margaret were always there, and made Deb feel completely safe and secure in her own house. They had all become fast friends.
It was on one of these peaceful days that her afternoon nap in the den was interrupted by Margaret.
"Jing Mei, John is on the phone. He needs to speak with you."
"Is something wrong?"
"No. I don't think so."
The older woman handed her the portable phone, and quietly left the room.
"John?"
"Hey, sweetie. What are you doing?"
"I was taking a nap. Is something wrong?"
"Nope, I was just hoping we could grab an early dinner together."
"You're on until midnight I thought."
"Yeah, but I get an hour for dinner, and Kerry wants me to take it around 5:00 because Luka has to leave early. Can you meet me up here?"
"Well, I guess so. I wasn't planning on getting out today, but sure. I'll see you in an hour. Love you."
"Be careful. I love you, too."
With that, they both put down the phone, and Deb went to get ready for another meal at Doc Magoo's. She didn't feel much like dressing up, so she simply put on some khaki maternity overalls and a red turtleneck shirt. She threw her hair into a high ponytail, and finished it off with a red ribbon. She touched up her face with a tiny bit of makeup, and grabbed her purse, and headed out the back door.
"I'll be back in while, Tim. I'm meeting John for dinner."
"Do you want me to drive you?"
"No thank you. I'll be fine. See you later."
"Bye, Jing Mei. Be careful."
"Thanks. I will," she said as she hoisted herself into the driver's side of the new SUV they had purchased. She and John both realized that his jeep and her BMW, which she could hardly fit into anymore, were not very practical for a baby, so they had added the more practical vehicle to the other two.
She meandered her way through the streets of Chicago, and twenty minutes later found herself at the parking garage of County General.
She still had an uneasy feeling every time she entered the Emergency Room, but it was nothing unbearable anymore. Upon entering through the triage entrance, she instantly ran into Susan. The blonde spoke up with a slight nervous laughter about her voice.
"Jing Mei, Hi. What are you do in here. John said you weren't coming until 5:00."
"Well, I'm only five minutes early. Where is he?"
"I'm right here, Baby."
John walked up behind her and turned her to face him. He planted a long deep kiss on her lips, giving Susan time to escape.
"Mmmm. You're in a good mood. You ready?"
"Not quite. I have to dispo a broken leg, but you can wait in the lounge for me."
John took his wife by the arm, and led her to the lounge. When he pushed open the door, all the lights were off.
"Damn bulb blew again, I guess," he said, smiling as he stood behind Deb.
At that moment, the lights came on, and the couple was surrounded by all the female nurses and doctors and surgeons that worked down in the ER.
"SURPRISE!!!"
Deb was completely shocked and caught off guard.
"You guys! What is this?"
"A baby shower, of course," Elizabeth said with her sweet British accent. "Come on and sit down, your ankles must be killing you." All the women chuckled at this, and John helped his wife over to the chair. He kissed her forehead, and walked towards the door.
"Now if you ladies will excuse me, there is a little bit too much estrogen in this room. I'm going to go help the rest of the men who are taking the raw part of this deal. You ladies owe us, big time."
"Keep the board moving, Carter."
"Will do, Kerry."
Deb looked around the room at the women who had pulled this whole thing together. Susan and Abby and Chuny sat on the floor next to a huge pile of gift bags and boxes. Kerry, Heleh, and Elizabeth sat on the couch, while Randi and Lily were each perched on an armrest. Connie and Amira sat at the table, guarding the massive amounts of pretzels, cookies, popcorn, chips, and a huge cake shaped like a baby rattle.
"This is great! I had no idea."
"Well, that wasn't the hard part since you're not here to listen in on our plans. The hard part was convincing all the men to take part of our shifts."
They all giggled at Chuny's comment, and Susan announced that it was time to open the gifts.
Deb opened Randi's first and to no ones surprise, it was an utterly ridiculous leather jacket for newborns that Randi had designed herself.
"Thaaanks, Randi," Deb said with a fake smile plastered on her face.
"Your welcome. All you need now is a little baby Harley for the little guy."
"No, no, no. No motorcycles for him. Not my son."
Next she opened Kerry's gift, which was a huge box of diapers.
"I always go for practical gifts. You can never have too many of those Jing Mei."
"Thanks, Kerry. We definitely do need as many of these as we can get."
She continued to open her gifts, and received a basket of baby hygiene items like an aspirator, nail clippers, thermometer, shampoo, and lotion from Susan. She also got a baby blue fleece outfit from Abby, a sliver plated piggy bank from Lily, and a breast pump from Connie.
When she opened Elizabeth's gift, Deb was in awe.
"Elizabeth, did you make this?" she asked as she pulled the beautiful pale green and white crocheted blanket out of the box.
"Yes, I did. I love to do this. I learned when I was on maternity leave after Ella was born. Mark always made fun of me when I did it. He said that I was turning into an old lady well before my time."
All of the women thought about Mark for a moment, and Deb finally broke the silence.
"Well thank you. I really do love it. It matches the wall paint perfectly."
"I know. Your husband was kind enough to bring me a paint chip."
Deb quickly finished unwrapping the gifts, which were a stuffed teddy bear from Heleh, some sleepers from Amira, and a set of crib sheets from Chuny.
"I really do appreciate everything you guys. This whole thing hasn't been easy for me or John, and it's because of our friends that we are able to get through all of this. I am nearly speechless, and I would be completely if it weren't for the fact that this kid and I are starving, so I'll end with this: let's eat!!!"
They all laughed, and Connie fixed the guest of honor a plate and gave her some punch. They all began to chatter and eat until Jerry burst into the lounge.
"The men have decided to stage a revolt until we get some cake."
The ladies all looked at Deb.
"What do you think Jing Mei? Should we have pity on those lacking the ability to give birth?"
"I don't know, Elizabeth. We could just keep this for ourselves." Deb had a devilish grin on her face. Jerry opened door so that all the women could see the sad puppy dog eyes of John, Luka, Pratt, Gallant, Frank, and even Romano, that glared their way. "Oh, all right. I give. You guys can have some."
There was a stampede into the lounge, and the men were soon talking baby stuff right along the ladies. They looked through the gifts that the women had given Jing Mei, and commented on them all.
"Randi, why?"
"Come on, Dr. Carter. It's the height of baby fashion. Every baby needs a leather jacket."
"Riiight. Ok! Whatever you say, Randi."
John walked always from the desk clerk, and over to his wife who was describing the baby's room to Lily. He walked up behind her and placed his hands on her large belly, and set his chin on her shoulder. He waited while the two women finished their conversation before he spoke.
"Were you really surprised?"
"Yep. I had no idea. Thank you."
She turned and faced him, and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"But I'm exhausted now. How about helping me get this stuff to the car?"
"Okay. Gallant, Pratt. Take these things out to the car for me."
Deb laughed at her husband's abuse of power, as Pratt grumbled about the same. Gallant on the other hand was already picking up several of the boxes and was about to head out the door. Deb gave him her keys, and looked around, checking for anything that might have been left. All of the other doctors and nurses said their congratulations, and began to disperse. But before they could get very far, Jerry, who had gone back to manning his post at the admit desk, ran into the lounge.
"Dr. Weaver, we have a twenty six year old rape victim pulling up. Police found her down by the lake."
The words hit Deb like a rush of powerful wind. She found it difficult to keep herself contained, knowing what this woman was going through, and what she had ahead of her.
Everyone stopped, and stood silently, not wanting to bring attention to Deb. John, who was standing behind her at that moment, grabbed on to her shoulders in support. He wanted nothing more than to get his wife out of this nightmarish moment. He didn't want her to have to relive this again. Dr. Weaver realized the situation immediately, and began to corral the doctors and nurses out the door, barking orders as she went.
"Chuny, get a rape kit. Abby, go and prep trauma one. Luka, Susan, come with me, the rest of you keep the board running."
She was the last one out the swinging door, and she turned around to find Deb wrapped in John's embrace. Dr. Weaver looked into John's eyes, and saw the pain return.
"John, take the rest of the night off."
He nodded at her, and they were left alone in the lounge.
"Baby, I'm so sorry. Let's get you home."
"I don't want to see her. I don't want to hear her. Please. Wait until she is in trauma one."
"I know, I know, sweetie. I'll go make sure she is out of sight. You all right here alone?"
She nodded.
John waited a few minutes and then exited the room, and headed toward trauma one. What he saw when he got there brought back so many memories. Terrible ones. A beautiful girl with bruises, cuts, and blood everywhere. His mind instantly returned to that day nearly eight and a half months ago.
He returned to his wife, and said nothing, only held her hand and walked her toward the door.
****
So, What do y'all think?
PLEASE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!! I WANT REVIEWS!!!