Previous Stories
1.) A Long Awaited Gift
2.) Great Things Yet to Come
3.) A Best Friend for a Special Day
Previously- Carol informed Doug, who now lives in Seattle she is pregnant. He returned for a visit, and proposed, again. All of the wedding plans have been made, and it's the big day.
___________________________________________________
I will never find another lover
Sweeter than you
Sweeter than you
And I will never find another lover
More precious than you
More precious than you

All my life
I prayed for someone like you, baby
And I thank God that I
That I finally found you

All my life
I prayed for someone like you
And I hope that you
Feel the same way too
Yes, I pray that you do love me too
------ All My Life, K-CI and JoJo
___________________________________________________
It was June 2. Doug had arrived from Seattle 3 days ago. This time, he brought a playpen and a baby swing. Things at their house were hectic. With only one day left until the wedding, last minute plans were being made, gowns and tux's were being picked up and having final alterations, the church was being decorated, and the caterer's were putting the final touches on the food. Carol was running around, panicking.
"Oh no! Did we order Susan's bouquet? I have to pick up my coat from the cleaners. Doug, did you pick up your tux?" Carol cried as she was running around the house.
"Carol, honey, calm down!" Doug exclaimed, sitting her on the couch. "You're pregnant. You have to take it easy. And don't worry, we have Susan's bouquet, and I picked up your coat, and my tux. I have everything under control."
He pulled her close to him and kissed her. She looked into his eyes and smiled. She loved the way he made her feel safe. She could sit there all day, and not worry about a thing. As long as he was there with her.
"I just want everything to be perfect tomorrow.." she started to say.
"As long as you're there, everything will be perfect." He whispered, kissing her again. "I promise."
___________________________________________________
Over at the hospital, things were just as hectic. It was 3 hours until the wedding rehearsal and the people in the wedding party had no interest at all in the patients. All they wanted to do was talk about the gifts they had gotten Doug and Carol, and wedding cake. Finally, Kerry had had enough.
"Hey! I know everyone, including myself is excited about the wedding. Especially those in it, but we still have a hospital to run. So for the next 2 hours, Chuny, Haleh, Jeanie, Elizabeth, Mark, Peter, Carter, and Malik, at least try to concentrate!    
Yea's and OK's were heard from the staff, but no one was really paying attention to her.
"She's just pissed cause she's not a bridesmaid." Chuny whispered to Elizabeth, which caused both women to start laughing.
"I can't believe she was actually invited." Haleh whispered to Malik.
"Me either. I heard that they didn't really want to invited her, but felt obligated to after they realized they had invited everyone else." He whispered back.
The phone rang, and Randi picked it up.
"Kerry, Multiple GSW's to the head and neck coming in."
"ETA?" Kerry called.
"2 minutes."
"You heard her people. Get moving! Set up Trauma 1. Mark, I'm gonna need you! You to Elizabeth!"    
Hearing this, everyone reluctantly scattered.
___________________________________________________

    That night, everyone in the wedding party was gathered at St. John's Church for the wedding rehearsal. Carol was wearing a long, beautiful, light yellow dress, along with the diamond tennis bracelet Doug had given her. Elizabeth was wearing a long, blue, flowerprint dress. Doug had a blue polo shirt and a pair of khaki's on. Mark was in a white polo shirt and a pair of chinos.
"Is everyone ready to begin?" Father Martin asked. He walked over to Doug, who had been talking to Brian and Malik. He brought him up to the altar, to wait for Carol. Father Martin then returned and helped set up the procession. He randomly paired off the bridesmaids and ushers.
"Ok, the flowergirl and ringbearer will start the procession." He continued. After he finally had everyone in place, this is what he had come up with.
Reese and Susie
Malik and Haleh
Peter and Jeannie
Carter and Chuny
Brian and Susan
Mark and Elizabeth
Helen and Carol
    The wedding march began to play and one by one, the couples made their way down the aisle. When Helen and Carol reached the front, Helen whispered.
    "Remember Carol, there is still a day left. You still have time to back out of this."
    "Ma, I'm not backing out of this. I love Doug. So lay off."
    Helen sighed and sat down. Carol took Doug's hand and Father Martin began to explain how things would work the next day.
    After they were done at the church, everyone went back to Doug and Carol's house for the rehearsal dinner. During dinner, Doug and Carol handed out the gifts they had gotten everyone in the wedding party. Finally, at about 11:30, everyone had left. Including Doug. (He was spending the night at Mark's apartment) Carol and Susan were exhausted. They sat down for a moment in the den, where little Susie was asleep on the couch.
    "I'm so tired, but I'll never sleep." Carol laughed.
"Oh, I bet you will." Susan joked, getting up and lifting Susie off the couch.She carried her to the stairs, and Carol followed.
    "Maybe. I just can't believe tomorrow night; I'm going to be Mrs. Carol Ross. It seems unreal. We're getting married, and having a baby."
    "You can say that again." Susan whispered, not wanting to wake Susie. "Never did I think you two would get back together, let alone get married and have a baby."
    The two women walked up the stairs and into the guestroom to put Susie to bed. Carol went to leave and Susan gave her a hug.
    "Goodnight for the last time, Miss Hathaway." She joked.
"Night, Miss Lewis." Carol laughed.
"Don't even go there! I'll find a guy, hopefully." She laughed.
___________________________________________________
    The next morning Carol woke up with her stomach in knots. She got up and walked to the kitchen where Susan was drinking coffee.
    "I could use about 25 cups of that." Carol yawned as she poured a cup of orange juice.
"Only 6 1/2 more months." Susan said.
"6 1/2 long months."
"So, are you ready for your big day?" Susan asked, cleaning up Susie's bowl of cereal.
    "As ready as I'll ever be." Carol said, smiling nervously. "Where's Susie?"
    "In the den, watching Rugrats. I told her to stay on the couch and not to move. She's already had 2 baths today, I don't feel like giving her a third."
    "Two?"
    "Two. I put her in when she first woke up, then, she spilled her cereal all over, so I had to put her back in."
    "Well, at least you know she's clean." Carol joked, sipping her juice. "I can't wait until this one gets here." She continued, touching her stomach.
    Susan laughed finishing her coffee.
    "Susan, tell me the god's honest truth. Can you tell I'm pregnant in my dress?" Carol asked, out of the blue.
    "No. Why?"
    "Because Doug and I haven't told our mom's yet. We're waiting until after the wedding cause you know how my mom's gonna react."
    "Ah, what do you think she'll do?"
    "I'm afraid to think about it." Carol laughed.
___________________________________________________
    That morning, over at Mark's apartment, all of the men were gathered, getting ready.
    "So, the big day has finally arrived." Brian commented, tying his tie.
    "Sure has. I just can't wait to get up there and say I Do." Doug replied.
    "Aren't you nervous?" Mark asked, sitting down to put his shoes on.
    "What do you think? I'm about to marry the woman I've loved for the past 7 years. Of course I'm nervous!"
    All of the men laughed, and finished getting dressed.
    "So, how do I look?" Doug asked, as they left the apartment.
    "Same as always. Like a doofus." Malik joked.
    "Nah, you look like a dressed up doofus." Peter laughed.
    "I shouldn't have asked. Look at the idiots I'm talking to." Doug joked and ran down the hall.
    "Hey, were not idiots!" Mark called. "Were just.. just.."
    "Face it Mark. Were idiots." Brian laughed.
    "And Doug is right again!" Doug called from the elevator. "Cowabunga dudes!" he yelled as the elevator door closed.
    "Yeah, he's real nervous." Malik joked, running for the stairs, hoping to catch Doug.
___________________________________________________
    At 2:30 on the dot, the wedding march began. All of the guests in the church turned to face the back as the wedding procession began. Reese and Susie began walking down the aisle, but halfway down Reese decided he didn't want to carry the pillow with the ring on it anymore. So he threw it on the ground and ran the rest of the way up to the altar. Susie picked the pillow up and carried it to the altar. By this time, most of the people in the pews, the whole wedding party, Doug, Carol, and the priest were laughing.
    "Come here kid." Doug joked, picking Reese up.    
Eventually, everyone made it to the altar. Once Peter reached it, he took Reese from Doug Then, Helen and Carol started down the aisle.
    She is so beautiful, Doug thought as she approached.
    He is so cute, Carol thought, as she reached the altar.
    Doug and Carol joined hands as the ceremony began.
___________________________________________________
    "Doug, do you take Carol to be your lawful wedded wife. To love and to cherish, to have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, for better or worse, for as long as you both shall live?" Father Martin asked.    
"I do." Doug replied, looking into Carol's eyes and smiling.
    "Carol, do you take Doug to be your lawful wedded husband? To love and to cherish. To have and to hold. For richer or poorer. In sickness and in health. For better or worse, for as long as you both shall live?"   
"I do." She replied, squeezing Doug's hand and smiling back at him.    
After the vows, and rings, Father Martin finally announced.   
"By the power invested in me, by the state of Illinois, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."   
Doug wrapped his arms around Carol and they shared a slow, passionate kiss. They then headed hand in hand, down the aisle, toward the back of the church. After posing for wedding photos and receiving many congratulations, the new couple walked out of the church, through a shower of rice, toward the limo.
___________________________________________________
    "May I now introduce to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Doug Ross!" Mark announced into the microphone as Doug and Carol walked into the main party room of The Meadow Club.
    As everyone clapped, Doug walked up to the microphone.
    "Carol and I just want to thank everyone for being here. We are both very glad you could share this special day with us." Doug said to the crowd. "We've been waiting a long time for this day, and I bet you all have been too!"
    "Got that right!" Malik called from the crowd and everyone laughed.
    Doug gave the microphone back to Mark who announced.
    "Let's hear it for Doug and Carol! Now, let's see the happy couple dance to their song!"
    (Music begins playing in the background)
All I am, all I'll be
Everything in this world
All that I'll ever need
Is in your eyes
Shining at me
When you smile I can feel
All my passion unfolding
Your hand brushes mine
And a thousand sensations
Seduce me cause I

    Doug and Carol were in each other's arms, dancing on the dance floor. Carol had her head resting on Doug's shoulder, as everyone at the party looked on.
I do cherish you
For the rest of my life
You don't have to think twice
I will love you still
From the depths of my soul
It's beyond my control
I've waited so long to say this to you
If you're asking do I love you this much
I do
    "They look like they've got the world in their hands." Elizabeth whispered to Susan, as Doug and Carol danced.
    "It sure does. But it took a lot of work to get to this point in their relationship." Susan whispered back. "I'm just glad everything worked out."
    "Sure wish I could meet a guy as great as him." Elizabeth whispered.
    "Yeah. I'm just glad she realizes how lucky she is. And to think, she was going to throw it all away."
    "What do you mean?" Elizabeth asked.
    "Her suicide attempt. About 5 years ago. She was engaged to this other guy. We all knew she didn't love him. She still loved Doug. But she never wanted to admit it. One night, she swallowed a bunch of pills. No one thought she was going to make it. It was a miracle she did." Susan whispered.
    "My god. I had no idea." Elizabeth whispered back. "Now I'm even happier she's back with Doug."
    "Yeah. She's really happy now. Happier than I've seen her, I think ever."
In my world before you
Live outside my emotions
Didn't know where I was going
'Til that day I found you
How you opened my life
To a new paradise
In a world torn by change
Still with all my heart
    "Think he's happy now?" Carter asked.
    "Absolutely. It use to be if he was within 10 feet of Carol he was happy. Now he's married to her, he must be ecstatic." Mark whispered back.
I do cherish you
For the rest of my life
You don't have to think twice
I will love you still
From the depths of my soul
It's beyond my control
I've waited so long to say this to you
If you're asking do I love you this much
I do
    As the song ended and Doug and Carol stopped dancing, everyone began clapping. More couples then began going out onto the dance floor to dance. Including Mark and Elizabeth.
___________________________________________________
    Later that night it was time to cut the cake. Doug and Carol held the knife as they cut the first piece. They each took a bit of it and put it in each other's mouths. Carol smiled as she wiped icing off of Doug's face and kissed him.
___________________________________________________
    As the night was ending, Chuny ran around, gathering all of the single women calling.
    "She's throwing the bouquet!!"
    All of the women gathered in a large group, laughing and talking excitedly.
    "Here goes!" Carol yelled, and threw the bouquet into the crowd.
    All of the women went wild. Jumping on each other, pushing each other, trying to be the lucky one to get the bouquet. Finally, Elizabeth stood up, with the bouquet in her hands yelling.
    "I've got it! I've got it!"
    Everyone began clapping and laughing. The women were all a sight. Their hair was falling out, their make-up was smeared, and their dresses were wrinkled. No one cared though. Elizabeth just smiled a smile of satisfaction.
    "So, when do you think their wedding will be?" Doug whispered to Carol, looking at Mark and Elizabeth who were kissing again.
    "Hmmm. I don't know. Hopefully soon." Carol replied, wrapping her arms around Doug.
    "I love you."    "I love you too."
    It was the perfect end to a perfect day.
___________________________________________________
Finally!! I hope you guys are all enjoying my fanfic's. I really enjoy reading all of your feedback. So keep sending it! And keep checking back for new editions!- DougandCarol@hotmail.com