The drive carried on peacefully, and Kerry found herself deep in thought over an article she had read earlier. The subject was on gay and lesbian adoptions and it had really given her something to think about. She still wanted a child, but she wasn't ready to try carrying again. She didn't think she'd be able to handle losing another baby. Having Sandy carry was out of the question, and she had come to respect her partner's wishes on the subject. As much as she still wished Sandy would change her mind, she knew it would never happen, and she wasn't going to push. She had been wrong to push the first time she had suggested it, and had almost lost Sandy because of her own thoughtlessness.

Now, after reading that article, there was this whole new angle she hadn't considered before. While the idea of bringing to term her very own baby was wonderful, it was time for her to start thinking rationally. She wasn't getting any younger, and if her body was rejecting the idea now, her chances only got worse each passing day. Besides, there were millions of kids out there lost in foster care limbo, and having gone through that herself as a child, it made perfect sense to consider adoption.

Of course this would all need to be discussed with Sandy. They were married now and decisions had to be made together. They were still hours away from their destination, so Kerry decided that now was as good a time as any to broach the subject. Reaching over to silence the radio, Kerry turned slightly in her seat so she was facing Sandy.

"I want to talk to you about something," she announced.

Sandy glanced over, taking in Kerry's rather serious expression she mentally braced herself for what was to come.

"I'm listening," she replied.

"Okay," Kerry began, "before I get into it, I just want you to know that I'm not making any demands, I'm just throwing an idea out on the table."

"Kerry," Sandy sighed impatiently, "is this about a baby?"

"Yes."

"We've already been over this. You know how I feel about carrying…"

"I do," Kerry interrupted. "I know how you feel, and I respect that. That's not what I wanted to talk about."

Sandy's face softened, "What, then?"

"I was thinking that maybe we should adopt." was the reply. When Sandy didn't immediately respond, Kerry continued. "I know my chances of carrying to term are minimal, and quite frankly I'm scared to even try again. That leaves us with few options. I respect that you don't want to carry, so I was thinking adoption is probably the best way to go." She paused. "That is, if you still want a baby. I guess I'm just assuming you want this as much as I do. Do you?"

Sandy thought about that for a few moments. Did she want a baby? Part of her did. There was no denying the fact that she had been pleased over the first pregnancy. Now that she and Kerry had committed themselves to each other, part of her really wanted to build a family. She'd enjoy having a little one to dote on, to buy toy fire engines for and teach all about fire fighting. Then there was the practical part of her that wondered how they'd manage a baby. Their hours were crazy, their shifts were long, and neither woman really wanted to give up their work. Sandy loved her job, and she knew Kerry was obsessively committed to her own. What would be the point of adopting a child if they'd have to rely on daycare to raise it?

"I don't know Kerry," she began, "I mean, sure it sounds nice, but a baby is a lot of work, and where would we find the time to raise it? I don't want to give up my job, and I'm sure you don't want to give up yours."

"We'd work something out," Kerry replied diplomatically. "I can make accommodations. No, I don't want to give up my career, but I also don't need it as badly as I once did. Before you it was the only thing I had; now it's not the be all and end all of my existence. I can use daycare while I'm in traumas or working with patients, and I can look after the baby when I'm doing paperwork. I'll find a way to cut back on my hours. I'm willing to make sacrifices."

Sandy couldn't believe her ears. Never in a million years had she expected to hear Kerry Weaver offer to make sacrifices in her career for anything. She remained silent for a few minutes digesting everything.

"What are you thinking?" Kerry whispered, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.

In an equally soft tone Sandy responded "All that aside, there's still the challenge of lesbian adoption. Two women adopting and raising a child is still looked down on. Are you prepared for that kind of unfair rejection?"

"Yes," was Kerry's reply. "The subject isn't as taboo as you think. I was reading an article earlier on the subject. It said that Illinois is one of the more advanced states when it comes to gay adoptions, and Cook County in particular is good about granting adoption to same sex co-parents. All we need is the right adoption agency, and a good family lawyer, and it should be okay. We'd both be able to adopt. It may take some time, but we could do it."

Sandy looked thoughtful. "You've given me a lot to think about," she started carefully, "We really need to talk about it some more, and I think maybe we should wait until we get back home. Okay?"

Kerry felt a slight twinge of disappointment, but she nodded in agreement. After all, Sandy had not come right out and refused the idea. Maybe there was hope. Turning back around in her seat she smiled.

End Part Three