Carol stands by the window in her and Doug's bedroom. She listens to him whistle in the bathroom and she sighs, wishing she could be as happy as he sounds. She watches the snow fall lightly outside the window as a train passes overhead on the El tracks. She hears the bathroom door open and sees his reflection in the window as he walks closer to her. He wraps his arms around her waist and cuddles close to her.
"Hey." He whispers softly, setting his chin on her shoulder. She smiles weakly.
"Hi." She replies, leaning into him. He smiles and kisses her cheek gently. He turns her in his arms and is about to kiss her when he sees the look of sadness in her eyes. He stops and just looks deep into her eyes and then smiles, trying to cheer her up.
"Care, what's the matter?" He asks.
"It's..nothing." She says quietly. He tilts her chin up with his finger.
"Carol, if it's bothering you, then it's everything." Doug says. She smiles weakly and let's her thoughts come free after a short moment of silence.
"Why can't I get pregnant?" Carol asks. He smiles.
"Carol, it's only been three months. You have nothing to worry about." Doug says.
"Am I defective?" She asks, ignoring his comment.
"God, no, Carol. You aren't defective. And even if there IS a reason that you're not getting pregnant, that could be my fault." Doug says, and smiles. She just blinks back the tears in her eyes.
"Doug..I really want to have your baby." Carol says. He smiles.
"You will...just give it time." He says. The tears finally spill over and he gathers her into his arms, letting her bury her head into his neck. "Carol..we're getting married in 2 weeks, maybe the reason you aren't pregnant yet, is because whoever out there, wants you to be married first." Doug says.
"I just...I'm sorry..I can't help it." Carol says, sobbing lightly into his shoulder. He squeezes her waist.
"It's okay. Anytime you need a shoulder to cry on, mine's available." Doug says.
"Thank you." She says. He smiles and she lifts her head. He wipes her tears away with his thumbs and kisses her gently.
"Let's get some sleep. You're tired." Doug says. She nods and lets him lead her into the bed. He pulls the covers up over her and walks around to his side of the bed. He climbs in and she moves into his arms instantly. She snuggles against his chest and he holds her tightly, waiting for her to fall asleep.
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It's two weeks later and the day before Doug and Carol's wedding. Carol has an appointment with Dr. MacLucas. Carol wanted to see if there was anything wrong with her, making her not be able to get pregnant. Even though she pretended like she wasn't worried anymore when she was with Doug, it was always in the back of her mind.
She was lead into an examining room, where the nurse told her to get changed into the gown that was lying on the table beside them and that Dr. MacLucas would be in soon.
When Dr. MacLucas came, Carol was dressed in the gown, sitting on the bed.
"Well hello Carol." Dr. MacLucas greets her. Carol smiles.
"Dr. MacLucas." She replies.
"What brings you here today? Didn't I already see you this year?" Dr. MacLucas asks. Carol nods slowly, choosing her words carefully.
"Yes..you did. There's a specific reason I am here." Carol says.
"Oh?" Dr. MacLucas asks, looking up from Carol's chart.
"My fiancé and I, are trying to have a baby." Carol says. Dr. MacLucas nods.
"And?" She asks.
"We've been trying for three months and I still haven't gotten pregnant." Carol says.
"You shouldn't be worrying until at least 6 months." Dr. MacLucas says. Carol sighs.
"I know....it's just..tomorrow is our wedding, then we are going to Hawaii for our honeymoon. I wanted to make sure nothing was wrong with me before we left.." Carol says, her voice trailing off. Dr. MacLucas smiles and pats her hand.
"I'm sure nothing is wrong, Carol." Dr. MacLucas says. Carol nods, not assured. "Okay, so I need to ask a few questions then." Dr. MacLucas says. Carol nods in agreement. "Okay, when was your last period?" She asks.
"2 weeks ago." Carol replies.
"Are you or your fiancé taking any medication?" Dr. MacLucas asks.
"No." Carol replies.
"You've been trying for three months, correct?" She asks. Carol nods.
"Yes." She answers.
"Alright, now..I need you to try and pee in a cup for me." Dr. MacLucas says with a grin. Carol rolls her eyes.
"Alright." She says. Dr. MacLucas hands her a cup.
"Restroom." She says, pointing to a door. Carol nods and goes into the restroom. A few minutes later she comes back out and sits down on the table, to wait for Dr. MacLucas to come back inside. Dr. MacLucas comes back in with a nurse a minute or so later. The nurse takes the urine to get it tested for anything and everything.
"Alright, I need you to lay back on the table...put your legs in the stirrups." Dr. MacLucas says. Carol nods and does so. "So..does your fiancé know you are here?" Dr. MacLucas asks as she begins. Carol pauses for a second then shakes her head.
"No." She says softly. Dr. MacLucas nods.
"Are you going to tell him?" She asks.
"Only if you find something wrong..." Carol replies. Dr. MacLucas nods and continues examining Carol before she stops, then turns back to something she saw. Carol looks at her with a puzzled look, noticing the look on Dr. MacLucas's face. "What is it?" Carol asks. Dr. MacLucas shakes her head.
"Nothing..nothing. Everything checks out. You can put your legs down now." Dr. MacLucas says. Carol nods suspiciously. "Carol, do you know when you had your last alcoholic drink?" Dr. MacLucas asks.
"I stopped drinking when we started trying." Carol replies cautiously, thinking that is not a normal question. Dr. MacLucas nods.
"Okay..Don't panic because this is really nothing to worry about, but I found something." Dr. MacLucas says.
"What?" Carol asks, her eyes widening.
"It might be nothing, but I need to wait for your urine results to come back. So do you think you could stay? I'm going to get a rush put on those." Dr. MacLucas says. Carol nods.
"Okay." She whispers, frightened. Dr. MacLucas smiles and touches her shoulder gently.
"Carol, I said it was nothing to worry about. Please don't worry. If did find something, it's not the reason you're not pregnant and it's not life threatening or anything horrible." Dr. MacLucas says. Carol smiles and nods, a little more relieved but not completely.
"I'll wait." She says.
"Okay, you can stay in the waiting room and watch TV or read magazines, until I call you out. It'll only be about twenty minutes or so." Dr. MacLucas says. Carol nods as they get up, leaving the room. Dr. MacLucas smiles reassuringly at her before walking off. Carol goes into the waiting room and sits in a chair. She looks over to the side where she sees a woman, probably about 7 months pregnant, sitting in chairs, waiting. Carol sighs nervously and turns her head back to her hands and fiddles with her fingers as she waits nervously.
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About twenty-five minutes later, Dr. MacLucas walks out, instead of a nurse which is unusual. Carol stands up and Dr. MacLucas leads her into the same exam room she had just been in. Dr. MacLucas has a happy look on her face. Carol gives her a confused look.
"What's going on?" Carol asks. Dr. MacLucas smiles.
"When I was checking to see if anything was wrong, I saw something. I had them test your urine and...I am very happy to say...you're pregnant." She says. Carol's whole face lights up.
"I'm....pregnant?" She asks. Dr. MacLucas nods and grins. Carol squeals and hugs Dr. MacLucas. Dr. MacLucas smiles and Carol laughs happily.
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On the way home, Carol decides to wait and tell Doug after the wedding...letting it be her wedding present to him. She smiles in the car as she daydreams about her new family.
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"Carol, are you ready?" Susan asks, coming into the room Carol is in, waiting for the wedding. Susan had been invited to the wedding and had come up to be Carol's maid of honor. Carol nods nervously.
"He's here right?" She asks. Susan giggles.
"Yes, Carol. Doug's here. You know he wouldn't run now." Susan says. Carol smiles.
"I know..but this is my second attempt at getting married, I think if Doug left me at the alter, I wouldn't have anymore faith left in marriage." Carol says. Susan smiles.
"I know. Let's go." She says.
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"Now, Doug will be saying his vows to Carol." The preacher says, standing in front of Carol and Doug who are holding hands and smiling at each other.
"Carol..I have loved you from the moment I saw you. When I walked into that ER, I had to pick my jaw up off the ground. I finally convinced you to go out with me and then I put you through some horrible times. When you tried to take your own life, I realized, as I stood there, almost positive you would die, just how much I loved you. When we finally got back together, we were both careful and cautious but I think it was all worth the wait. I love you more then I ever thought was possible to love someone. You are my reason for living." Doug says, with tears in his eyes. Carol's tears spill over her cheeks as she smiles lovingly at him. He smiles back.
"Now Carol will be saying her vows to Doug." The preacher says.
"The first time I saw you I had fallen in love. I tried not to let you get to me, but you did and we finally went out on a date. That first year with you was one of the best years of my whole life. Even though you did hurt me, I have long since forgiven you and I am so happy that you changed. Kissing you on the porch that night was probably the best thing that's ever happened to me. Everyday since then you have proven your love to me over and over. We have been through some rough times, but throughout it all I have loved you. I love you more then you could ever know." Carol says, as the tears spill down her cheeks. Doug smiles as one single tear slips down his cheek. She squeezes his hands reassuringly.
"May we have the rings?" The preacher asks. Mark hands Doug the ring.
"Doug, repeat after me. With this ring.." The preachers says.
"With this ring." Doug says, staring straight into Carol's eyes.
"I thee wed."
"I thee wed." Doug repeats and slips the ring on Carol's finger. She smiles and swallows a sob. Susan walks forward and hands Carol Doug's ring.
"Carol, repeat after me. With this ring.." He starts.
"With this ring." Carol says in a shaky voice.
"I thee wed."
"I thee wed." She says in a stronger voice.
"I pronounce you, husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." The preacher says. Doug doesn't need to be told twice. He leans forward and they share a passionate kiss, Doug's hands resting on her face. When they pull away they smile at each other as they start down the aisle. Doug leans towards her and whispers in her ear.
"I love you Mrs. Ross." He says. She smiles.
"I love you too." She replies.
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"I'd like to make a toast." Mark says, standing. The people attending the reception all turn to look at him. Doug has his arm around Carol's waist, not having let go of her the whole night. "Doug and Carol are like brother and sister to me. They have been with me through everything. And even though it wasn't obvious to them, everyone knew they loved each other, throughout it all." Mark says, the staff of County all grumble their agreements. Mark, Doug, and Carol smile. "What I want for them is to be happy and with each other, they are. Congratulations and may I just say, it's about time!" Mark says. Everyone laughs as they sip their drinks. Carol has somehow managed to get away without drinking anything alcoholic. She pries herself out of Doug's arms and stands.
"Thank you, Mark." Carol says. He nods and smiles. Doug looks at her curiously. "Okay, well...I know that the bride normally doesn't make a speech but there's an exception here." Carol says, her heart beating fast. She can feel the pounding in her ears. She takes a deep breath. She glances down at Doug before speaking again. "Everyone here are my friends and family, people I hold close to my heart, so I thought, now would be a good time to let you all in on something." Carol says, grinning mischievously. Doug looks at her, completely stumped. "Yesterday..I found out.." She says, pausing. The whole audience is leaning forward in their seats waiting for the news. "I'm pregnant." She says. Cheers ring out and Carol looks down at Doug. His jaw is hanging open. His face lights up and he grins like a mad man. He stands.
"So that's where you were yesterday." He says. She giggles and nods. He kisses her and places his hand on her stomach. "I love you." He whispers into her ear. She smiles happily and kisses him.
"I love you too Doug." She says.
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Alison Krauss' song "When You Say Nothing At All" came on.
"May I have this dance?" Doug asks, holding his hand out to Carol.
"Certainly." She replies. He pulls her out to the dance floor.
"It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word you can light up the dark
Try as I may I could never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing"
Doug stares into Carol's eyes as he holds her close to him. She smiles as she stares right back.
"The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
A touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall"
"I love you." Doug whispers. Carol touches his cheek with her hand.
"I love you too." She replies. He smiles.
"We're married and expecting. It's like heaven." He whispers. She nods.
"I know." She says.
"You say it best, when you say nothing at all
All day long I can hear people talking out loud
But when you hold me near you drown out the crowd
Old Mister Webster could never define
What's being said between your heart and mine
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
A touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best, when you say nothing at all
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
A touch of your hand says you'll catch me ever I fall
You say it best, when you say nothing at all"
Doug and Carol pulled apart and the crowd cheered as they bowed playfully.
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