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Who knew?
Six months ago, I was bored, and pissed off at the ER producers, so I sat down and wrote.
When I started doing this, I never thought I'd make it to number 10. Heck, I was shocked
to make it to #1. But here it is, story #10 in my series! Seeing as this is kinda a
milestone, I'm gonna ramble for a sec and thank some very important people without whom
there would be no series!
Liz Bradshaw: What can I say? You're the best editor ever, and there's no replacing you!
(hint hint…don't go anywhere!) From spotting errors to providing to inspiration to
being there when I vent about writer's block, you've been totally supportive the whole
way. If I hadn't stumbled across your name in the TERFFA pool, my ER fanfic career would
consist of a rough draft of Streets of Philadelphia wasting away on my hard drive. So I'm
really glad you're here! And congrats on your incredible comeback to writing! You're
awesome! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!!
Amanda Miller (partner in crime): Thanks for putting up with me :) You've been a great
friend, and you were always there to talk about ER, fanfic, or whatever. Thanks for making
me laugh and for keeping me sane.. "Can I have a sneak peek at your story?"
"Yeah if you update your site!! (smack smack)" hehe. Sorry bout the online
smacks (need some ice? :) ) "Oh my god, you killed Carter!" Your beta reading's
been sooo helpful!! And thanks for inspiring me :) Carter/Anna fans forever!!!!
S.B.J. - "Oops Sarah I messed up. Can you change…" Bet you wished you had a
nickel for every time I said that. I've bugged you a lot. And for that I'm very sorry!
Thanks for letting me put my stories on one of the best ER pages EVER, and thanks for all
your feedback. You have no idea how good it feels to check your email at midnight after a
bad day and see that someone thought your story was good. All the things you've done mean
a lot to me.
And finally, thanks to Shirl, Lizzie, Caroline, and Lisa for all their feedback. You have
no idea how much it helps me, so keep it comin'! :)
To everyone I mentioned, this story is dedicated to you
OK I'm done rambling. You know the deal, these characters are not mine and I don't make
money from them.
This story is number 10 (!) in a series. Previously stories:
1. Streets of Philadelphia
2. Lost and Found
3. A New Day
4. Feels Like Home
5. Piecing Things Together
6. Eye of the Storm
7. Healing Hands
8. From This Day Forward
9. Beginnings
Previously in this series:
Oh heck, if you haven't read it, you won't understand this story anyway :)
And now, here's To The Future!
Doug was in the middle of plastering his locker with pictures of Mark and Carter when
Susan walked into the lounge, looking very tired.
Doug laughed. "Well well if it isn't Smoky the Bear. How was the trip?"
"Well, I learned I would have made a horrible Girl Scout. I can't pitch a tent to
save my life! But we had a lot of fun. I think after the shock of the engagement, it was
good for us to spend some quality time together."
"So they're taking it well?"
"For the most part."
"That's good!"
"So," said Susan, walking over to the locker, "how are my two favorite
men?"
"They're good. Carol's being discharged in a couple hours."
"That's great! You excited?"
"Yeah. Of course I get to miss your moment of glory."
"Huh?"
"When you're named Chief of the ER."
"We don't even know if they're going to announce it at the banquet. Besides, it's
gonna be Kerry Weaver."
"Not if I had my say."
"Are you just saying that because you can't stand her?"
"I think you're the best person for the job and that you'd make a great Chief. But
yes, I can't stand her. I think it's mutual."
Just then Kerry burst in the door. "Doug, what the hell are you doing? The Pedes ER
is swamped."
"Isn't Anna on?"
"Not for a couple hours." Kerry closed the door as she left.
"Well looks like I gotta join Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm now."
"I'm right behind you," said Susan as she closed her locker.
"So which one do I have?" asked Anna as she scooped up one of the babies.
"That's Mark," said Carol. Anna was visiting in Carol's room.
"Hey, Mark!" cooed Anna as she gently bounced him. "Carol he's so
adorable."
"I kinda like Carter myself," said a voice from outside. Carter entered the
room, grinning. He went over to kiss Anna and sat down on the other side of the bed.
"You ready to go down?"
"Yeah, in just a sec," said Anna. "You are sooo cute! Yes you are."
"Gee thanks."
Anna gave Carter a playful shove. "Not you."
Anna turned back to Carol. "You excited to be going home today?"
"Yep. You should see Doug, I bet he's driving Weaver crazy right now."
At that moment, Carter and Anna's beepers went off. "Ugh, we gotta go," said
Anna as she handed Mark to Carol. "We'll come back later."
Carter and Anna got up, walked down the hall, and pushed the elevator button. "What's
up with you?" asked Carter.
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know. You were acting kinda funny in there."
"It's just really hard. Carol's one of my best friends. I want so badly to be one
hundred percent happy for her. But I can't help but feel a little…"
"Jealous?"
"Yeah. Oh god you think I'm a horrible person, don't you."
They got on the elevator and he put his arms around her. "No, sometimes I feel the
same way. Watching them, it's hard not to imagine what could have happened with us. In
about five months, that would have been us. But we just have to tell ourselves that our
time would come."
Anna's jaw was trembling. "I just wish it were sooner rather than later."
"I know."
They got off the elevator and went to the area where the charts were. Doug looked up from
the computer.
"Oh good, you guys are here. I need to find another bone marrow match for a kid. Do
you think you two could do a blood test?"
"Sure," they said.
"Susan, can I talk to you?" asked Kerry as she passed Susan in the hallway.
"Sure."
"You ordered these tests for Mrs. Rogers?"
"Yes."
"Don't you think they're unnecessary?"
"No, there are a lot of conditions to rule out."
"Yeah, well I won't have it."
"Excuse me?"
"I'm not going to let you order these tests."
"You can't tell me what and what not to do. We're both attendings. You're not interim
Chief anymore, Kerry. I won't come asking for your blessing on everything I do!"
"Well you'd better get used to having to do that, cause this time tomorrow that's
exactly what you'll be doing!" said Kerry as she shoved the chart back at Susan.
"Okay Anna, you know the drill," said Doug as he prepared to draw blood from
Anna.
"I hate needles."
"You're a doctor!"
"Still."
"Okay…all done. I just need to ask you, is there any chance that you may be
pregnant?"
"Ha!"
"Seriously. They don't recommend the procedure for pregnant women. Should I
test?"
"I guess, why not. But there's really no point."
"Okay, well thanks Anna. I hope we find a match for this kid."
"Yeah me too. Wouldn't that be amazing if I matched twice?"
"I'll say. I'd better go get Carter. Let's hope he behaves a little better,"
said Doug with a grin.
A couple hours later, Anna went back up to see Carol.
"Hey Anna!"
"Hey," said Anna as she sat in the chair by the bed. "Where are they?"
"With the doctors. They just want to do a final checkup."
"How are you feeling?"
"Good. I can't wait to go home! You excited for the Banquet?"
Anna rolled her eyes. "Let's hope it's better than last year."
"Don't worry, I don't think it can get worse than frozen meatballs."
"Oh wow wasn't that awful!" Anna laughed, then quieted again.
"Anna?" asked Carol.
"Huh?"
"What is it?"
"What's what?"
"What's going on with you? You've seemed a little..uncomfortable around me
lately."
"I have? Sorry, I've been acting strange toward everyone lately. Guess I need more
sleep."
"Anna, I know you."
Anna sighed, knowing that she was defeated. Carol knew. The question was, could their
friendship be saved?
"Carol, I don't know what to say. I'd be a liar if I didn't say…as happy as I am
for you, it makes me sad too. Please don't hate me."
"I don't hate you. What is it?"
"Ever since Mark and Carter were born, I've spent a lot of time with you and Doug. I
see how incredibly happy you are, and I can't help but think about…you wouldn't
understand."
"You'd be surprised Anna."
"What do you mean?"
"A few years ago, I tried to adopt a little girl named Tatiana. It looked like
everything was going to work out perfectly. But then the Social Services people said I
couldn't have her, because it was only about ten months after I attempted suicide."
"Carol…I had no idea."
"Anyway, about three weeks later, my older sister adopted a little boy. Everything
went perfectly, except that I couldn't be happy around her. I wanted so badly to be happy
for her, but the jealousy just sort of took over."
"It's just that.."
"Anna, no one expected you to heal right away. It takes time. I could understand if
just seeing Mark or Carter would upset you."
"No, actually, it helps."
"Did you ever talk to anyone about the attack?"
"Carter, my parents, that's about it."
"I'm always here to listen, just remember that, okay?"
"I haven't put a damper on your day, have I?"
"The only thing that put a damper on my day is that something was bothering my best
friend. And Doug is kinda driving me nuts too"
They laughed.
"Okay, now give me your honest opinion," said Susan as she walked out of the
closet in her black dress.
"Black isn't much of a spring color," said Rachel, wrinkling her nose. She was
seated on the bed giving Susan fashion advice.
"How about the blue one?"
"I would, but Anna's wearing one that's practically identical."
"Then don't wear that one. There's nothing worse than two people dressing
alike."
"Which one do you like?"
"Can I look?"
"Sure." Susan stepped out of the closet and Rachel went in. She began pulling
out dress after dress, finding nothing that met her approval.
"I have an idea," said Rachel.
"What's that?"
"Let's go shopping."
"You think I need a new dress?"
"Come on. Either they're winter dresses, or you say they make you look fat, or
someone else is wearing it. Besides, when was the last time you got a new dress?"
"You have a point."
"So?"
"Just give me a minute to change."
Susan and Rachel ran downstairs and got in the car.
"You're pretty cool, Susan." Said Rachel.
"I can't believe we're home," said Doug as he set down Mark's baby carrier.
"Yep. Seems kinda weird. But it's really great."
"Are they asleep?"
"Yes, for the first time ever, I think," said Carol with a laugh.
Just then, the phone rang and both the babies woke up and began to cry.
"Welcome to reality," said Carol to herself. She picked up the boys and took
them upstairs to their new room.
Meanwhile, Doug was on the phone.
"Okay. Uh-huh. Great, thanks so much. Bye." He hung up the phone and went
upstairs.
"Who was that?" asked Carol.
"You look amazing," said Mark to Susan as he met her outside the banquet room.
"Is that a new dress?"
"Yeah, Rachel helped me pick it out."
"I like it! So that's good you guys are bonding."
Carter and Anna came in the other door.
"Well," said Carter, "here we are again. Who knows what mayhem will ensue
this year."
"I'm sure it will be fine," said Anna.
"As I recall, we had a rather interesting conversation last year at the
banquet."
Anna rolled her eyes. "Don't remind me."
"Well one thing's for sure, at this year's banquet you won't say you don't have
feelings for me."
"I wouldn't say that…"
"Anna!"
They both laughed and went over to meet Mark and Susan.
The night went much better than expected. After dinner, Dr. Anspaugh went up to the mic to
make a speech.
"Welcome everyone. This has been quite a year for the ER. Patients of all ages have
come in from all over Chicago, and we have been able to provide the best of care. This
wouldn't have been possible without all your hard work in the ER. I'd especially like to
thank Doug Ross and Anna Carter for all their work starting and running the Pediatrics ER.
The presence of a Pedes ER puts County in an elite group of hospitals in this country. You
are all obviously a tight knit group, and that is what makes you work so well.
And you've been able to do this without a Chief. I'd like to thank Kerry Weaver for her
hard work as interim chief, but thankfully County will have a permanent chief from now on.
The Chief of the ER needs to be an outstanding doctor and leader. He or she must handle
pressure and help the rest of the staff pull together to save lives. The committee had no
doubt that our choice for Chief would be able to meet these criteria. So to avoid getting
too melodramatic, let's raise our glasses to the new Chief of the ER—"
"Kerry Weaver," thought both Susan and Kerry.
"Susan Lewis!"
Susan was speechless as everyone gathered to give their congratulations. Even Kerry
congratulated her. Susan and Anna were talking when Anna's beeper went off.
"Oh you've got to be kidding!" said Anna. She looked at the beeper, seeing an
unfamiliar number on there. She went off to find a phone. She found one and dialed the
number.
"Hello?"
"Carol?"
"Anna! Hi!"
"Carol what's going on?"
"Don't ask questions. Just come outside."
Anna walked outside and saw Carol standing outside her car.
"Carol what are you doing here?"
"I needed to talk to you about the bone marrow thing."
"Now?"
"I wanted to talk to you about it myself."
"Don't tell me I matched again, already. Wait, it's too soon anyway, right?"
"We can't really even check. We can't use you."
"Huh?"
"Anna, you're pregnant."
"When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie…" the whole staff was
joined in song, just like last year. Anna slipped through the door grinning. She walked
over to the table and took Carter aside.
"Anna what was that all about?"
"That was Carol."
"What was she doing here?"
"She wanted to give me an update on the bone marrow thing."
"Huh?"
"My words exactly. She said they can't use me."
"Why?"
She whispered it in his ear.
"Woo-hoo!" he exclaimed. They hugged and kissed, then walked back to the table
smiling.
"What's with the Cheshire Cats?" asked Mark of Carter and Anna.
"We just found out we're going to have a baby."
"Wow, you guys, Susan, what a night!" said Elizabeth.
"Here's to them!" said Mark. He raised his glass. "To the future."
The others followed suit. "To the future."
