January 17th, 2004

The snow was deep outside. Susan, Luka, and Suzie were snowed in. They called into work and Kerry said it was fine because no patients were coming in. Luka took this opportunity just to be a dad and husband for practice. Susan walked into the kitchen still in her robe and slippers.

"Suzie wants to go out." Susan said.

"Make sure she bundles up." Luka said. Susan smiled as she sat on the counter.

"I've been thinking a lot since Chloe's phone call." Susan said.

"What about?" Luka poured his fiance a hot cup of coffee.

"Well, Chloe doesn't seem to care to be a parent anymore so I was wondering if it's all right with you, if the two of us could adopt Suzie." Susan said. Luka looked at her.

"You want to adopt her?" He asked. Susan nodded.

"Well, yeah. I've been more of a mother to Suzie than Chloe has ever been." Susan said, "I want her to have a proper family."

"Well, that's a big step, Susan." Luka said.

"I know. If you don't want to do it then we don't have to." Susan said, "It was just an idea."

"I never said I don't want to." Luka said, "I would love to adopt her." Susan's face brightened up.

"Really?" She asked.

"Really, but I think we should ask Suzie what she wants." Luka asked, "If she's opposed to it, then I think we should reconsider." Susan nodded.
"Yes. I agree." She said. Susan glanced out in the living room. "I think she'd say yes."

"I think she'd say yes too but It's just nice to ask her." Luka replied. Susan glanced out the window for a moment. The snow was still coming down hard.

"Suzie, could you come in here please?" Susan called out. Within seconds, the blue eyed little girl came bouncing into the kitchen.

"Yes, Aunt Suzie?" She asked.

"Come sit down with Luka and I. We want to ask you some questions." Susan said. Suzie nodded and sat down. Luka and Susan sat in front of her, "How much do you like living here?"

"Oh! A whole lot!" Suzie beamed.

"Do you love Luka and me?" Susan asked. Suzie nodded.

"Yes. I love you guys a lot." Suzie continued to smile.

"Do you still love your mommy?" Luka asked. Suzie's smile faded. She hesitated for a moment. Then Suzie nodded.

"I love her but in a different way." Suzie said.

"How do you mean?" Susan frowned.

"She's my mom so I love her, but she hurts my heart so I cant love her the same way I love you and Luka." Suzie said.

"I see." Luka said as his heart broke and swelled for this child t the same time.

"All right. Luka and I want to ask you a question. Feel free to say no." Susan said, "Your Mommy isn't coming back."

"I know. I'm yours forever." Suzie said. Susan smiled.

"Yeah you are." Susan said, "Luka and I were thinking of adopting you which mean you would become our daughter."

"I know what adopting is." Suzie said.

"You don't have to if you don't want to, but We would love to. You could keep your last name or you could have Luka's last name." Susan said. Suzie smiled.

"Luka has a cool last name." She said. Luka chuckled softly, "Would I have to call you Mom and dad?"

"No. That is strictly up to you." Susan said.
"Cause I wouldn't call you Mom. You're still Aunt Susan." Suzie said, "But I would call Luka dad cause I don't have one so it would be cool."

"You can do whatever you want, Sweetheart." Luka said.

"So, would it be okay if Luka and I adopted you?" Susan asked. Suzie grinned brightly.

"That would be totally cool." Suzie said.

"Really?" Susan asked. Suzie nodded.

"I've always wanted to belong to a real family." Suzie said.

"Well, now you are." Luka hugged Suzie. This was a terrific decision for all three of them. It was what they needed.

February 1st, 2004

The adoption process was already set in process. There hadn't been any problem so far. Susan and Luka's lawyer had contacted Chloe and she signed away her parental rights. Now Luka and Susan were just waiting for things to be smoothed out with their lawyers. Everything looked great though.

"So, it's very serious now, huh?" Abby asked as she sipped her diet coke. Susan laughed.

"Wedding date and everything is all picked out." Susan said.

"I think it's great." Jing-Mei said, "One of us needed to get married."

"Who knows. You and Pratt may get married before Luka and I do." Susan laughed dipping her fry into some ketchup. Jing-Mei laughed loudly.

"I don't think Greg is the marrying type." She said.

"You two look nice together." Abby admitted, "Mention it in passing."

"Not yet." Jing-Mei said, "So, Luka was cool about the adopting thing?"

"He wants a family. Of course he was cool with it." Susan said.

"Has he had any of his nightmares recently?" Abby asked. Susan looked at her oddly.

"What nightmares?" Susan asked. Abby looked surprise.

"Oh! he hasn't?" Abby asked. Susan shook her head.

"No...What nightmares are these?" She asked. Abby sighed putting her sandwich down.

"When we were together he would often have these nightmares about the war and his family." Abby said, "They got really violent. Sometimes he had night terrors. It was very scary to watch. he would be drenched in sweat."

"That's horrible." Jing-Mei said.

"Wow." Susan said, "I don't think he's had them with me yet."

"I'd ask because they first started out as simple dreams and then they turned into nightmares and then night terrors." Abby said, "They would come in waves. He seriously hasn't had them?" Susan shook her head.

"No he hasn't." She said. "Maybe I should talk with him."

"I would." Jing-Mei said, "Night terrors are horrible things to go through alone." Susan nodded as she began to eat again.

"So," Abby said, "Who is going to be your maid of honor?" Susan laughed at Abby's attempt of changing the subject.

"I don't think I'm going to have one." She said.

"Oh you have to." Jing-Mei said.

"I think I'm going to only have two bride's maids." Susan said, "And I was thinking about asking you two."

"Us?" Abby asked.

"Why?" Jing-Mei asked. Susan laughed.

"If you haven't noticed, I don't have many female friends." Susan said, "You two are my best friends." Abby and Jing-Mei grinned brightly.

"I would love to." Abby said.

"Me too." Jing-Mei laughed.

"The wedding isn't until next year so don't gain too much weight between now and then." Susan winked.

"I can't promise that." Abby said, "I love myself some chocolate ice cream." Susan chuckled.

"You and me both." Susan said, "Don't get pregnant, Deb."

"Oh! I won't!!" Jing-Mei laughed.

"Riiiiight." Abby said giving Susan a look, "You know she and Greg will by the end of the year."

"One of us will." Jing-Mei said, "But it won't be me."

"Me either." Abby snickered. They both looked at Susan.

"I'm not saying a word. I might jinx myself." Susan smiled biting into the sandwich. Granted, it would be cool to become pregnant. her and Luka wanted to badly, but not right now with the whole adoption and wedding. They had too much on their plates for the next couple of years for that.

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