Title: Medical Wonders: The Diagnosis

Author: Jen Zoromski

All other info is in first chapter.

Author's Note: Thanks so much to everyone that has reviewed. You guys are great. Keep them coming!

Well here's more.

Enjoy!

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County General

March 25, 2003

3:01 a.m.

Hours later Elizabeth slowly opens her eyes in a dimly lit hospital room. The bleak room confuses her as she looks down at her arm and the sight of Robert Romano sleeping with his head resting on her hand.

Ella is also asleep in a crib in the room. Her reddish-blond curls gently splay over her forehead. Elizabeth feels extremely better. Her stomach is settled for the first time in nearly twenty-four hours.

"Lizzie," Robert whispers groggily as he lifts his head.

"Robert, what happened?"

"You were upchucking chunks for a good day and passed out."

"Robert you have such a way with words," she replies grinning at him.

"Lizzie, I'm hurt," he replies pouting.

"So was it a really bad strain of the flu?"

"They wouldn't tell me. Carter thinks that we actually use the patient/doctor confidentiality policy."

"Was it that bad?" she inquires.

"I have no idea. I'd say we call Dr. Carter in here. It's three in the morning - his shift should be just about over - or maybe his nap," Robert replies smugly.

Elizabeth laughs at his evil plan, but her eyes go over towards the form of the sleeping toddler in the crib.

"How's Ella been?"

"Amazing."

"I didn't think I was that sick," Elizabeth tells him.

"Lizzie, you're a stubborn doctor who thinks you'll be able to handle it."

"Sounds like someone else I know," Elizabeth counters.

"So what do you say to paging Dr. Carter at three in the morning?"

"I say that you're evil."

"All right then, I'll page him."

Five minutes later a groggy John Carter walks through the door.

"Is everything all right?" Dr. Carter asks.

"Dr. Corday is awake and wants her diagnosis," Robert replies annoyed.

"Right - if you'd like to take a step out into the hall I'd be more than happy to tell Dr. Corday what's going on."

"I'm staying."

"Look Dr. Romano, its three in the morning and I really don't feel like dealing with you."

"The feeling's mutual."

"It's fine, he'll find out anyways," Elizabeth pipes up.

The room becomes awkwardly silent.

"Anytime now, Dr. Carter. We're not getting any younger."

Carter ignores Robert's comment and turns his attention towards Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth, we ran some blood tests on you and ruled out an infection. You've had a nasty viral flu," he pauses.

"I hear a but coming--" Robert snaps.

"Robert!" Elizabeth scolds.

"We found something when we ran the blood tests."

"Damn it, John, just tell me already," Elizabeth says impatiently.

"According to the blood test -- you're pregnant."

A pin could have dropped and been heard echoing in the room. Looks of disbelief come over both Elizabeth and Robert's faces.

"I'm what?"

"Damn it, Carter, it's too early in the morning to be pulling pranks on people," Romano states.

Carter hands him her file, "It's all there. I'd suggest when the sun is up and sane people are at work that you get an ultrasound to determine just how far along you are," Carter says as he walks out of the door.

Elizabeth stares at her hands, nervously playing with them.

"Lizzie?" Robert finally whispers, any traces of the cold, insensitive Romano are gone.

"What are we going to do?" she inquires in the same tone.

"You know I'm not great in this area -- this mushy stuff," Robert begins.

"Yeah, I know, but I'm speechless -- pregnant?"

Robert grins smugly, "They way we were going at it, I'd say that you should have been pregnant weeks ago."

Elizabeth grins and absent mindedly places her hand on her flat abdomen.

"Do you think I can go through it again?"

"With a Romano? Of course."

"I'm serious, Robert. Can we make this work?"

"I don't see why not - I love you - you love me. I love Ella and placing a child into that mix only makes it better."

Robert leans in and kisses Elizabeth firmly on the lips as he places his hand over hers on her stomach. They part and Robert starts to move away from the bed - back to his chair.

"Don't leave me."

"I'm not going anywhere, just to my chair."

Elizabeth holds out her hand and he places his in hers. She pulls him towards the bed.

"Stay in my bed."

Robert grins and crawls into her bed -- spooning up behind her. His lips trail kisses along her neck and up to her ear.

"You know, Lizzie, the hospital might talk if one of the nurses finds me in your bed."

"Just wait until they find out I'm pregnant," Elizabeth replies groggily, "It'll be the ER's new gossip for a long time."

Minutes later they both drift off into the world of deep sleep -- completely and entirely worn out.

TBC

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Yay…now I'm getting to the point of the certain predicament that Elizabeth and Robert find themselves in…

There's more to come!

R&R

~Jen