Author: Catgurl83

Title: Shocking News

Disclaimer: Not mine, never will be.

Feedback: Much appreciated.

Author's notes: I'm sorry for the infrequency of updates of this story. I've barely had time to breath, let alone write, the last few weeks. Please, bear with me.

A notice has been posted on the main page informing all writers that all author's notes that are not attached to an actual chapter of the story must be removed. I have done so which is why there are now a few less chapters to this story. None of the story has been removed.

This chapter was posted without beta. Any mistakes are all mine.

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Matt stood in the doorway to the waiting room that his family occupied, observing them, unnoticed.

His parents sat on the small sofa. With mother's head rested on his father's shoulder, her eyes closed in much needed sleep. His father rested his head on the back of the sofa.

Lucy was curled up in an armchair, a magazine resting in her lap as she slept. Kevin was nowhere to be seen.

Mary had taken Simon's usual spot, staring out the window.

Simon and Peter had left at some point during the night and the Colonel and Ruth hadn't returned with the twins.

Matt glanced down at his watch. It was almost 8:30, but then, they probably hadn't managed to fall asleep until late the night before. He smiled ruefully. He hadn't gotten much sleep either but his daughter had and had awakened at sunrise demanding attention.

Footsteps behind him caught his attention and he turned around. "Good morning."

"Good morning." Kevin replied, handing Matt a Styrofoam cup filled with coffee from the tray in his hands. Stepping past Matt, he laid the tray on the table.

Hearing the two men exchange their greetings, Mary turned from the window. Spotting the coffee, she shot Kevin a grateful smile and took one of the cups.

"How's Charlie?" Mary asked, adding a packet of sugar to her coffee.

"She's doing well." He sighed. "She's been up since dawn."

Mary laughed. Charlie certainly hadn't gotten her early bird disposition from her father. Matt was definitely a night owl.

"Sarah's signing the discharge papers right now," Matt continued. "How is Ruthie doing?"

"We haven't heard anything for several hours," Mary answered worriedly. "One of the nurses came in at about 2:00 to tell us that Ruthie was still holding her own."

The door opened again and Dr. Richards stepped into the room.

Mary immediately stepped over to her parents, "Mom, Dad wake up."

Annie's eyes popped open. "Is it Ruthie?" she asked anxiously.

"The doctor is here," Matt answered as his father opened his eyes and sat up straighter.

Kevin lightly tapped his wife on the shoulder until she woke up. From her spot, she immediately caught sight of the doctor and caught her breath.

Dr. Richards stepped farther into the room. "I just checked on Ruthie."

"Is she alright?"

The doctor gave Annie a small smile. "She'd like to see her parents."

"She's awake?"

"She's awake and semi coherent."

"So, she is going to be alright?" Eric asked.

"She isn't out of danger," the doctor warned. "She is still a very sick young lady. We are still monitoring her blood levels very closely."

"Can we see her?" Annie asked.

"You and your husband can see her for five minutes. Remember to get a gown, gloves, and a mask from the nurses station," he cautioned. "An infection is the last thing that Ruthie needs right now."

"We will doctor," Annie said as she stood up.

Dr. Richards turned to Matt. "How is your daughter?"

"She is doing well. She is being discharged today."

"I'm glad to hear it. I know how difficult it was for you and your wife to allow her to go through with the procedure."

"I'm just glad that we were able to help Ruthie," Matt answered sincerely.

Annie and Eric stepped out of the room just before Sarah stepped into it. Charlie was in her mother's arms staring at her surroundings. The baby caught sight of her father and held her arms out. "Da.dy," she gurgled.

Everyone in the room chuckled, including the doctor, who patted the baby's head as he exited the room.

Mary handed Sarah a cup of coffee. "She's checked out?"

"Yep." Sarah answered the question cheerfully. She was so grateful that everything had gone correctly with the operation and her baby was alright.

Matt set his daughter on the ground and took the chair closest to her. He sipped his coffee slowly. Everyone in the room slipped into a comfortable silence as they waited for the day to really begin.

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