I Dreamed A Dream
Part Ten - I Found A Seed
By Breigh
breighbers@juno.com

Ok, this series needs explanation, and here's one:
This series starts around 6 years after "The Storm". When Doug left Carol was pregnant, and she decided to not tell him about the baby. Instead of having twin girls, she had twin boys, Ben and Joel. (You might not like the idea now, but trust me, it grows on you as the series goes along. Also, this story is one of my first, and the next ones are a lot better developed, and they're better than this one, this is just the one that explains everything and gets you into the series.) One day Doug comes back to Chicago for a conference and finds Carol and he meets the two little boys that he never knew he had, and that's where it all starts! Feedback is always appreciated, send mail to: Breighbers@juno.com

Doug and Carol tell the boys about Carol's pregnancy.



It’s 2 weeks later. Ben did well in his hockey tournament-they came in second place. Doug and Carol still haven’t told the twins about the baby, but they’re planning on telling them soon. Also, Carol is experiencing a pretty fair amount of morning sickness. Oh, she is about 7 weeks, or almost 2 months, and today they’re going for their first ultra sound. Carol went to the doctor before, but they didn’t do an ultra sound, they only checked for the heart rate. Plus, they haven’t told anyone yet. Doug is doing really great at County, and he’s happy that he came back. Doug also made a bid on the lot in the development, and they accepted it, so they’re going to start building the house as soon as they choose the model-they’re also going to do that today after the doctors appointment.



Doug groggily rolled over in bed. He looked over next to him and saw that Carol wasn’t there, but he heard her in the bathroom. This is what he had woken up to for the past week. He rubbed his hands through his hair, then got up and walked into the bathroom just as Carol was flushing the toilet. Doug walked over to the closet and pulled out a washrag, then he wet it with cold water and sat down on the floor next to Carol. “Here honey.” He said handing her the washrag.

“Thanks.” She said as she rubbed it over her face.

“Better now?”

“Uh-huh.” She said as she rubbed her hand back through her hair. “I’m glad you’re here.” She said smiling over at him and placing her hand atop his. Doug knew what she meant. He had caught her in thought a couple times the past couple weeks-she was just sitting there, and he knew she was thinking about her pregnancy with the boys.

“I’m glad I’m here too.” He said returning the smile. “Were you like this with Ben and Joel?”

“No, my pregnancy with them was great…well it wasn’t totally great-you know what I mean.” She said as Doug nodded.

“Yeah, I know. Well, then that could mean that it’s a girl.”

“What?”

“Well, you were ok with Ben and Joel, and they were boys, and now your getting sick with this baby, maybe that means it’s a girl.” Doug said as Carol got up. She placed the washrag in the sink and then turned back to Doug. “But either way, you’re ok, right?” She asked leaning against the sink.

“Huh?” Doug asked as he got up.

“Whether it’s a boy or a girl, it doesn’t matter to you, right?”

“Babe, we talked about this.” He said taking his hands. “No, it doesn’t matter. The baby will be ours, whether it’s a boy or a girl, and I will love it either way regardless.”

“Good.” She said sighing. “We have to get the boys’ ready, and we have to get ready, our appointment is in 2 hours.”

“Alright, you get showered, and I’ll get the boy’s showered.”

“Ok, Carter is coming by in a half hour to pick them up.”

“What did you tell him? I mean why did you ask him to watch them?”

“I told him we were going to talk about the house to the architect, and then we were going out to lunch.” Carol paused for a second. “We’re going to have to tell them soon, I mean before long I’ll start showing.” She said as she placed her hand over her stomach.

“Yeah, and we have to tell Ben and Joel.” He said leaning over and kissing her cheek before walking out of the bathroom and heading down the hall to get the boys.

Carol’s OB, Dr. McLucas opened a private practice about 10 minutes away from County, so that is where Doug and Carol are now.

“You ok?” Doug asked looking over at Carol. She was just staring straight ahead. They were sitting in the waiting room waiting for the doctor to finish up with another patient.

“Oh, yeah. I always get nervous at these things.” She said glancing over at him.

“Why?”

“Well, you never know what they’re going to tell you.”

“I’m sure everything will be fine.” Doug said rubbing Carol’s arm. Carol laughed gently.”What?” He asked, not knowing what she was laughing about.

“I remember when I found out that I was having twins.” She said rubbing her fingers across her abdomen. “Dr. McLucas cancelled, and I was scheduled for an ultra sound. I snuck the ER’s ultra sound machine into exam 6 and shut the door, and the blinds. I thought I locked it, but I apparently didn’t, because a minute or two into it the door opened and Mark and Elizabeth walked in. I couldn’t do it myself, so Mark did it. They found the first heartbeat, and then I remember looking up at Mark. His face was…irreplaceable, his eyes were wide, and he was just gazing at the screen. He looked over at Elizabeth, and she nodded. Then Mark said heartbeat again. I just looked at him and told him that he’d already said that. Elizabeth looked at me, and said ‘no, he means there’s another heartbeat.’ I couldn’t breath, I just looked at the screen, and I could just barely make them out. Now, almost 7 years later here I am again.” She said with a smile.

“But there’s something different about it.” Doug said cocking his head.

“What?”

“Well, I doubt that it’s twins…and this time I’m here.”

“Yeah, that is different.” She said laughing as a nurse walked out.

“Carol Hathaway?” She asked walking over to them.

“Yes.” Carol said standing up.

“I’m going to bring you back and get you all set up and then Dr. McLucas will be in to do the ultra sound and to check you over.”

“Ok. It’s alright if he comes back with me, isn’t it?” Carol asked referring to Doug.

“Is he the father?”

“Yes.” Carol nodded.

“Yes, then he can come back.” The nurse said smiling at them. They walked down a hallway and then turned into an exam room. “St down and let me get your blood pressure.” She said going over and getting the blood pressure cup. She took her blood pressure. “Looks good.” She informed her, and then she went under the exam table and pulled out a gown. “Put this on, and lye down on the table. Dr. McLucas will be right in.” She said handing Carol the gown.

“Ok, thank you.” Carol said as the nurse exited. Carol slipped off her close and then slipped on the gown.

“Here, let me get that.” Doug said as he helped Carol tie the back of her gown, then she got up on the table and Doug sat down in the chair next to her. Carol looked around the room at all the baby pictures, and fetal development charts.

“Uh, I can’t believe that I’m going to get like that again!”

“Like what?” Doug asked looking over at her.

“Like that!” She said pointing at a picture of a pregnant lady’s stomach.

“Oh, I’m sure you’re beautiful when you’re pregnant.”

“No, I’m a cow!” She said just as the doctor walked in.

“Hello Carol.” She said walking in and sitting down at the little desk on the wall.

“Hi. Um, this is Doug Ross, I don’t know if you remember him or not…”

“I remember him.” She said leaning over and shaking Doug’s hand. “How have you been?”

“Good, everything’s been really good.”

“Great.” She said leafing through Carol’s chart. “Your blood pressure looks good. You had high blood pressure with the twins, right?”

“Um, yeah.” Carol answered.

“Ok, then that’s something I want to keep an eye on.” She said nodding. “But how has everything else been? Have you noticed anything irregular, or anything that may cause concern?”

“Well, I’ve had morning sickness the past couple weeks, and I never had that with the boys, but besides from that everything seems to be alright.”

“Great.” She said nodding as she leafed through Carol’s chart one last time. “Now, I need to talk to you about the delivery.”

“Alright.”

“Ok, well, since you have a cesarean before I think that it would be smart to have a scheduled cesarean this time.”

“Is that what would be safest for the baby?”

“Yes, for you and the baby. I can’t schedule it now, because it’s too soon. A little later on in the pregnancy we can see how the baby is progressing, and when it’s at a good birth weight we can deliver.”

“When do you think that would be?”

“Probably between the 37th and 40th week, if you don’t deliver before then. That would be in what? Probably the end of June.”

“Ok.” Carol said in agreement.

“Alright, well why don’t you lye back and we can start the ultra sound.” She said getting up and wheeling the machine over by Carol. She then lifted Carol’s gown and put the gel on her stomach. Doug moved closer to Carol’s head, and began to brush his fingers through her hair. He could tell that she was nervous; she was just gazing up at the ceiling.

“It’s going to be fine.” He whispered in her ear. She nodded, and then looked over at the screen as Dr. McLucas started the ultra sound. In minutes the room was filled with a loud swooshing noise. Carol sighed a sound of relief, it had been a long time since she’d heard that, and up until a couple months ago she thought that she might never hear it again-but there it was. Doug leaned over and kissed the top of Carol’s head. ”See.” He whispered. Doug was mesmerized by what he saw on the screen. He could barely make out the outline of the fetus, but it was there. Sitting there he regretted not being at the ultra sounds with the boys. But he was there now, and he’d never felt what he felt at that moment-it was indescribable, and he knew that if just the sound of the baby’s heart made him feel like that, the birth of the baby would be one-million times better.

“Is everything ok? Does everything look alright?” Carol asked as Dr. McLucas continued with the ultra sound.

“Yep, everything looks perfect, the baby’s got a really strong heartbeat, and there appears to be nothing wrong, but it’s still early.” She said turning off the machine. Then she got a towel and cleaned off Carol’s stomach. She then walked back over to the desk and wrote something down on the chart. “Oh, I almost forgot…” She began as Carol sat up. “I think that it would be a good idea if we did an amino synthesis.” She said looking at Doug and Carol. Carol just looked down at Doug.

“Why? Do you think she needs one?” Doug piped up.

“Well, she’s over 35, and we recommend it for women over 35. Also, it tests for any type of retardation, or nay other problems, and I think it’s a really good idea.” Dr. McLucas informed them.

“And is there any risk involved with the baby?” Doug asked for Carol. He could tell she was thinking about it, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask it.

“Not really. It’s perfectly safe, we do them all the time, and you have no past history of miscarriages, so everything should be fine.”

“Well, Carol, it’s up to you.” Doug said looking up at her.

“You think it will be alright?” She asked Doug.

“Yeah, I think it would be ok.” He said nodding.

“Ok then, I’ll do it.”

“Ok, I want to set it up around your 15th week, which is almost 8 weeks from now.” Dr. McLucas said looking over her calendar. “Make an appointment for 4 weeks from today for another check up, and then make one for 4 weeks after that, and that’s when we’ll do the amino.”

“Alright.”

“Well then, that’s it.” Dr. McLucas said getting up. She gathered Carol’s chart in her hand then walked over to Doug and shook his hand. “Nice too see you Doug.”

“Likewise.” Doug answered.

“You too Carol.” She said going over and shaking Carol’s hand. “Take it easy, and don’t hesitate to call if you notice anything unusual.”

“I won’t.” Carol said before the doctor walked out of the room.

“Ok, so what do you say we grab something to eat, and then w can go by and talk with the architect about the house.” Doug said looking over at Carol. They had just gotten into the car.

“That sounds good. What time do we have to meet the architect?”

“2, and its one now; so we can just get something quick.”

“Alright then, fine with me.” Carol said nodding as they pulled out off the parking lot.

“Have you thought of any names for the baby?” Doug asked as he headed down the street.

“Me? No, not yet. I didn’t think of what to name Ben until I held him for the first time.”

“But you knew you were going to name Joel Joel?” Doug asked as he looked over at a little diner. “This place ok?” He asked pointing to it.

“Yeah, that’s fine.” She agreed as Dog pulled in. They walked in and a waitress took them to a booth in the back.

“Do you know what you want to drink? Or would you like a few minutes?” The waitress asked.

“Um, I’ll just have a Pepsi.” Carol responded looking up at her.

“I’ll have the same.” Doug said looking up at her.

“Alright then, I’ll bring them right out.” The waitress said walking away.

“So?” Doug asked closing the menu.

“So what?”

“Joel, how did you always know what you were going to name him, but you didn’t know what you were going to name Ben?” Carol closed her menu and looked over at him. Doug thought he knew why she had decided to name him Joel. When he first heard the little boys name his heart jumped.

“Well, I didn’t know if they were going to be boys, or girls, or one of each because I decided to wait until they were born. I had no clue what I wanted to name them either way. Then one night I was sitting at home watching…I was um watching…”

“What? What were you watching?” Doug asked taking Carol’s hands in his.

“I was watching a tape of us. It was the one from the bar-b-q we had. It was when we were trying to have a baby. I had been trying to forget about you, I’d been trying not to remember you, or look at pictures or anything. But as soon as I saw you I knew what to name one of the babies if it was a girl, and what to name one if it was a boy.” Carol began as the waitress interrupted them. She brought them their sodas and sat one in front of each of them.

“Are you ready to order?” The waitress asked them.

“I’ll have a burger well done, and fries.” Carol said handing her the menu.

“And I’ll have the turkey club.” Doug ordered and then handed her the menu. She walked away, and then Doug looked over at Carol, urging her to continue.

“Ok, well I remembered lying in bed one night after we’d had sex. You put your arm around me, and I moved in close to you. You leaned down and kissed my head, and then we both looked up the ceiling. You said something like, ‘do you think we’ll have a baby in nine months?’ and I just laughed and said something like ‘I hope so’. Then you started talking about what you thought your life being like when you were little. You wanted a daughter and a son, and you wanted to name the little boy Joel, and the little girl Tess. So, as soon as they said that I had a little boy, I knew that his name had to be Joel.”

“You remember that?” Doug asked rubbing her hands. That is what he had thought of when he heard the name Joel. He remembered that night, he remembered telling her that he wanted a little boy named Joel.

“You don’t forget things like that.” Carol said smiling.

“When I first saw the boys, when they came into the lounge that day?” Doug said smirking.

“Yeah?”

“When I heard you say his name-my heart dropped. My mind went back to that night, and I wished that they were mine, that they had came in and called you mom and then came over to me and called me dad. Then you told me they were mine, and right then I made decisions faster than I ever had in my whole entire life.” Carol nodded.

“Well, if the baby’s a girl, do you want to name her Tess?”

“Maybe.” Doug said shrugging. “But you have to choose a name that fits the baby, and what if she doesn’t look like a Tess?”

“Then we’ll have to have a back up.” Carol said smiling. “But how do you know it’s going to be a she?”

“I don’t.”

“Ok, so then lets say it’s a boy. What do we name the baby then?” Carol proposed as the waitress brought them their food.

“I have no clue!” Doug said laughing. The two started eating, and midway through his sandwich Doug grew somewhat timid, and Carol saw his changed in attitude.

“You ok?” Carol asked him.

“Carol, I’ve been back for a while, and I’m sure you knew this was going to come up sooner or later.” Doug paused for a second. “Marriage, what do you think about it?”

“Well…” She started. “I think that we should do it, definitely. But right now isn’t a really good time. I mean the twins are going to be starting 1st grade next month, and I don’t want to get married pregnant.”

“Yeah…but if I asked you, you’d say yes?” Doug asked.

“Of course I’d say yes! I’m having your baby, and I have two of your babies at home!”

“But it’s not just because of them, right?” Doug asked moving his straw around in his soda.

“No, it’s not.” She said taking his hands. “It’s because I love you- I love you so much that I don’t know what to do with it, I love you without knowing how. There’s no explanation for it, but it’s there.” Doug simply nodded. He felt as tears began to build in his eyes. He lowered his head, and then Carol removed her hands and the two continued eating.

“This is it.” Doug said as he walked around the lot that they had bought. “This is where we’re going to live, this is where we’re going to be raising the kids…all 7 of ‘em.” Doug said walking over to Carol who was standing a few feet in front of the jeep.

“Whoa, wait, did you just say 7?” She asked with a giggle as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

“7, 3, whatever.” Doug said laughing as he kissed her neck.

“Well, maybe 4.” She said smiling. “We’ll just get through this one first.” She said as the architect pulled up behind them.

“Deal.” He said as he saw the architect. He removed his arms from around Carol and walked over to meet him.

“Hi, I’m Dave Caselli.” He said shaking Doug’s hand.

“Doug Ross, and this is Carol.” He said introducing her to him.

“Nice to meet you.” Carol said with a smile.

“Same here.” He said as he pulled out a roll that held blue prints. “Ok, now what I need from you is to let me know how you want your yard space set up, and how you want to arrange the house.” He said laying the prints across the front hood of Doug’s Jeep.

“Well, we want a nice size front yard, but we’d prefer a larger backyard.” Doug said squinting as the sunlight hit his eyes.

“Ok, so what you’ve got here is 2 acres. I suggest you use about ¾ of it for the front yard, which should give you a nice size. Then, for the backyard I’d say about a whole acre. The rest we’ll use for the house.”

“That sounds good.” Doug said nodding.

“Now, I’ve brought you the blue prints for the Windsor model, that’s the one you said you liked, right?”

“Um, yeah, yeah that’s it.” Doug said looking over the blue prints. “We want one with what?” He asked looking over at Carol. “I’d say 5 bedrooms.” He said shrugging his shoulders.

“Ok, well then I’d say you go with around 36 thousand square feet.”

“36?” Carol asked with a gasp. Doug smiled and moved his hand to Carol’s back. “Doug, that’s huge!” She said as Dave leafed through to find the plans for the 36 thousand square foot Windsor design.

“Now, this one has a 3 car garage, a real nice foyer, a formal living room, and a formal dining room, a gathering room, which is like an informal living room, a big kitchen with a dining area, and a den on the first floor.”

“Wow.” Carol said, unbelieving that they were about to build a house like this.

“That sounds great.”

“Yeah, it’s nice, and you can also get a full basement.” He offered.

“Yeah, that would probably be good for our sons.”

They finished up with the architect. They planed out everything for the house, and then they thanked Dave and left.

“Doug, are you sure we can afford that house? I mean, it’s going to be huge.” Carol questioned as they were on their way home.

“Don’t worry about a thing. I just want you to put everything in it that you want, and don’t hold back, got it?”

“I’d like to know where you’re getting all this money from.” She said sighing.

“Carol, I said don’t worry about it, ok? I’ve got it, and that’s all that matters.” He said starting to get frustrated.

“Ok, ok, I’ve got it.” She said turning away.

“Hey, I didn’t mean to be…” He started seeing that he had upset her.

“No, it’s fine.” She said smiling to convince him that everything was ok. “We should tell the boys tonight.” Carol said out of nowhere.

“What? Are you sure?”

“Yes, they should be the first to know, and I think it’s time.” She said smiling.

“Well, if you think they’re ready.”

“I do.”

“Ok then, we’ll tell them tonight.”

“I was thinking we could bar-b-q for them, they love that. Then over dinner we could tell them.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Doug said nodding to show his agreement.

“Ben, Joel, dad and I have something to tell you guys.” Carol said as she sat down at the table. They had just finished their dinner. Doug looked over at Carol and gave her a quick smile.

“Ok.” Both boys said in unison.

“Ok guys, well, there’s only one way to say this.” Carol said looking over at them and smiling. “Guys, dad and I are going to have another baby.”

“Really?” Joel asked jumping up.

“Really.” Doug said smiling.

“Yeah!” Ben joined in. Carol was laughing happily-happy that the boys were excited.

“So then you found a seed?” Joel asked running over to Doug. Doug lifted Joel up on his lap.

“Seed?” He asked, forgetting the conversation that they had had a few months ago. Ben walked over next to Doug and Doug put his arm around him.

“Yeah, a seed to make a baby, remember you said that you couldn’t find one before.” Ben reminded him. Doug smiled, happy that the boys remembered his story.

“Yeah guys…I found a seed.” He said kissing each of the boys on the top of their head and pulling them in closely to him. “I found a seed.” He said quietly as he kept a tight hold on his sons.