Plans for the Big Day
Part 13
By Cari
cxcarleo@naz.edu

Welcome to part 13 of my series.

This starts on March 23rd, about two weeks after "Moving Forward." Carol has started back to work part time. Suzy is in nursery school and Emma in day care.

Notes: the staircase that adjoins Doug and Carol's apartment with Susan's is located in the kitchen of both apartments. Elizabeth, Carol, and Susan have picked out their gowns and are, in this story, going for the final fitting.

Once again, I don't own any of the characters except for Jim and make no money from their use.

Thanks to Rachel for some ideas she provided me

Carol walks into the house around 3:30 PM after a long, hard day at work. She is grateful that she has some time to herself in the house before Doug or Susan get home so she can be alone with her thoughts. She goes into the master bathroom and starts to fill the tub with warm water for a bath. As the tub fills, she gets what she needs for the bath.

About 10 minutes later, the water is ready so she undresses and climbs into the tub and lets the warm water get to work on her aching muscles. A tear also starts to slide down her cheek as she thinks of an incident that happened earlier that day.


FLASHBACK


Carol had been on break when she got word of a serious MVA that had come in. She headed into Trauma 1 as quickly as she could and to her dismay, saw that Romano was running the trauma...

Carol asked, as she gloved and gowned up, "What's the bullet?"

Romano snapped, "Well if you had been here when the trauma came in, you would not need to ask me that, now would you?"

"What do you need me to do? CBC? Chem 7? Tox Screen?"

"Haleh already took care of that. She was here on time," Romano snapped.

"Well then, it appears that you don't need me." Carol said, throwing off her gloves and trauma apron and storming out of the room.


END FLASHBACK


Carol thought to herself, "He is such a jackass." She tries her best not to let her mind think back to work and tries to relax in the tub.

It is now 5:00 and Carol is lying on the couch in the living room with a book in her hand. She is wearing black leggings and one of Doug's Bulls sweatshirts, and she has a blanket pulled up around her because she is cold. Her hair, which she did not bother to dry, is pulled back in a ponytail. She has been reading the book for about 15 minutes but has not gotten past a few pages because she is not absorbing what she is reading. Her eyes get heavy, and within a few more minutes, the book falls limply against her chest. She has fallen asleep.

She wakes up around 6:30, a little confused at first as to what had happened. She looks over at the coffee table to see her book is now there, with a note lying next to it. She reads:

Carol-

You were sleeping so peacefully; I did not want to wake you up. I have dinner ready upstairs if you feel like eating when you wake up. Come up if you want. Emma is with me.

Susan

Carol got up slowly, not to happy to find that her muscles were still aching. She stopped by the bathroom to take Tylenol before heading up to Susan's apartment. As she walked into the kitchen, Susan said, "Hey! Did you have a good nap?"

"Yeah. I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"That happens...Emma is all ready for bed. I was going to bring her down after I put Suzy to bed."

"Thanks. I will bring her down when I go down."

"I was just about to get Suzy's bath finished. Your plate is in the microwave, it just needs to be heated up."

"Thanks," Carol says softly as she heads to the microwave.

Susan returned to the kitchen about 10 minutes later while Suzy was getting dressed and choosing a book to read. Susan saw that although Carol had heated up her chicken, she had not eaten any of it. Instead, she just seemed to be staring at the plate. Susan asked gently, "You haven't touched your food, are you ok?"

"I'm not hungry, is that a crime?" Carol snapped as she got up from the table; ran out of the kitchen and downstairs. Part of Susan wanted to follow her to see what was the matter; it was not at all like Carol to snap at her. However, the other part advised her to let her calm down for a few minutes.

Suzy, who had come to the kitchen to say goodnight to Carol, asked, "Is Aunt Carol ok?"

"Yes sweetie. She's just tired. Let's get you to bed."

About 15 minutes later, after Suzy is asleep, Susan picks up Emma's carrier and heads downstairs, uncertain as to what she will find. She had looked out to the driveway and saw that Carol's car was still there so she knew she was still home. Susan walked quietly into Doug and Carol's kitchen and saw Carol sitting at the table with her head resting in her hands.

Wordlessly, Susan sets Emma's carrier down on the table and pulls another chair next to Carol. Before Susan can say anything, Carol chokes out in between sobs, "I'm so sorry."

"Hey, hey. It's ok," Susan says, putting her arms around Carol and pulling her head to her shoulder. She rubs Carol's back gently and asks, "Want to talk about it?"

Carol didn't say anything for a few minutes, but then she pulled back from Susan's arms and wiped her eyes. "I was going to come up and apologize. I just wanted to figure out why I snapped at you so it didn't happen again. I didn't mean it."

"It's OK. I know that. From what I heard, you had a rough day."

"That doesn't excuse it. The shitty day had nothing to do with you."

"I know that, but frustration builds. My comment just set you off, and for that I'm sorry."

"You don't need to apologize. You asked a simple question, and I blew up at you for no reason."

"But I'm here if you need to explode, that's what friends are for."

"I don't know what I did to deserve such a good friend," Carol said.

"I don't know what you or I did...But we're stuck with each other," Susan said, a comment that made Carol smile a little too.

Susan said, "Since its just us girls until Doug gets home, did you want to watch a movie?"

"I'd like that."

"Why don't you put Emma in bed and I'll get it ready. Anything in particular that you want to watch?"

"Nope, you choose something."

"OK."

After Carol put Emma in bed, she stopped by the kitchen to grab a drink and called out to Susan, "Did you want anything?"

"I'm OK, thanks."

Carol came into the living room and laid on the couch, as she had earlier. Susan was sitting in the recliner right next to her. As she was about to press play, Carol was wracked by a coughing fit. Quickly, Susan helped her to sit up and held the glass of water to her mouth. "That cough really doesn't sound too good," Susan said, as Carol stopped coughing.

"It's a cold," Carol said wearily. "It will go away. I'm fine."

Susan knew better then to argue with Carol right now and said, "At least take something?"

"OK," Carol agreed, mainly to keep Susan happy.

A few minutes later, Susan returned not only with Robitussin Cough and Cold, but also an extra pillow to prop up her head. "Thanks," Carol said as she took the meds.

Susan started the movie, but by one half hour later, she realized that Carol had fallen asleep. She switched off the movie and began to read a book.

Around 9:30, the phone rang, and Susan answered it quickly so as not to wake Carol.

"Hello"
Doug said, laughing, "Hey...It's me. Are you our official answering service?"

"Yep...Actually, I wanted to get it before it woke Carol."

"She went to bed early?"

"She fell asleep watching a movie, and she was napping when I got home with the
girls. She isn't feeling so great, and from what I heard, she had a rough day."

"Yeah, that's what I heard too. Can you just let her know I called and that I'm
going to be later than expected? I need to stay on until 1130 so Ill be home by
midnight."

"Will do. Have a good night."

"Thanks. If she needs anything, just call or page me."

Susan wants to stay with Carol to make sure that she is ok. But around 11:00, she herself is falling asleep. She knows Doug will be home soon so before heading upstairs, she leaves Carol a note on the coffee table:

Carol-

Doug called to say he's going to be a little late. He should be home by midnight. I wanted to stay with you, but I was falling asleep. Just call me if you need anything though, and I will come down. Sleep tight

Susan

Doug gets home a little before 12 and sees Carol asleep on the couch. After taking off his coat, he gently lifts her and carries her into their bedroom and lies her down in bed.

After he changes, he lies in bed, and is surprised that she moves to lie her head on his chest. He gives her a kiss on the forehead and realizes that she is warm. As he feels her forehead, she says, "I don't feel so good. If you're not too tired, can you just hold me for a little while?"

"Of course," Doug says, shifting his position slightly so that he can get his arms around Carol a little better. "Did I wake you up when I carried you in here?"

"Sort of. I wasn't sleeping that soundly. I kept coughing and that would keep me from falling into a deep sleep."

"You do sound very congested, do you want me to get the humidifier?"

"If you think it might help. Could you grab me some fresh clothes too? I am all sweaty and want to change."

"Sure, I have another idea too," Doug said climbing out of bed. "I will be right back."

A few minutes later he returned to the room with several things in hand. On his side of the bed, he placed a large towel down to cover the sheets. Seeing the basin, Carol asked, "Sponge bath?"

"I think it will bring down your fever a little, and make you more comfortable,"
Doug said.

"Thanks," Carol said softly.

Doug got the humidifier set up and running and then turned back to Carol, who had scooted over to his side of the bed.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he helped her to sit up and take off her shirt. Before she lay back down, he used his stethoscope to listen to her breathing. "Does it sound ok?" she asked cautiously in between deep breaths.

"Yeah. You're just very congested. It could be heading into bronchitis though. We'll check it tomorrow and I can get the meds from work if you need them."

"OK."

She lay back down, with the sheet pulled up to her waist so that she wouldn't get the chills. Doug dipped the washcloth in the warm water and washed her hands, arms, stomach and chest. After washing, he patted her dry and then put some powder on her, kissing her body gently. Although she was tired, he could see the smile on her lips and in her eyes.

"I love you," he said, kissing her nose.

"I love you too. Thank you for taking care of me."

He had her turn over and he repeated the process with her back, and then her lower body. After he finished, he helped her into a nightgown. He made a quick trip to the bathroom to empty the basin and came back with two pills and a glass of cold water. "Tylenol Cold and Flu," he explained.

She quickly took them, and he tucked her in, pulling the blankets snugly around her before crawling into bed himself. He got as close to her as possible and just ran his fingers gently through her hair.

A few minutes later, he looked at her face, expecting to find that she had fallen asleep but was surprised to see she had tears in her eyes. "Honey, what's the matter?"

"I'm just thinking a little too much."

"About what" he asks, putting his arm around her.

"How different things could have been...I remember once when I was sick when I was with Tag..."


FLASHBACK


It is about 5 years ago; Carol is lying in bed. She hadn't gone into work that day because she felt lousy. Tag had been on since the previous morning so he hadn't seen her. He comes into the bedroom, wearing a surgeon's mask.

"Hey."

"Hi, are you really sick?"

Carol felt hurt and said, "Of course. I don't call in for no reason. I think I have the flu."

"Didn't I tell you to get your shot?"

Carol was fighting tears by this point, "I did. I can't help being sick. It's not my fault."

"I know. I hope that you don't mind I don't stick around. I can't afford to get sick. I'm going to Jim's to watch the game and I'll probably spend the night there. I expect to see you at work tomorrow. You need the hours and as charge nurse, you're expected to be there."

"I'll try."

After she heard him let himself out, she just started to cry. She was sick and he was being so hurtful.


END FLASHBACK


Doug said, "I remember that. You did come in the next day, and you were so sick. We told Tag you were in meetings all day and could not be disturbed..."

"But you let me sleep in one of the rooms. That was so sweet of you and Mark."

"I couldn't imagine ever doing what he did."

"Honestly, one of the things I thought even then was that you would never do that to me. You would not come into our bedroom wearing a surgeon mask or spend the night at Mark's just to avoid getting sick. It meant so much to me..."


FLASHBACK


It is still about 5 years ago; the day after Tag came home to find Carol sick in bed. She went into work the next day as he ordered but as soon as they saw how sick she was, they told her to go to sleep in one of the exam rooms. It is now a few hours later. Doug walks quietly into the room in case she is asleep.

Carol said softly, "Hey."

Doug sat on the edge of the bed and said, "Hey...How do you feel?"

"Not so good."

Doug felt her forehead, "Can I get you anything?"

"I'm good, I think. I just want to sleep. But I'm afraid of Tag finding me and..."

"If he does, Mark or I will deal with him. You are too sick to be seeing patients. You can barely stand."

"I know. I just.." She pauses as tears come to her eyes.

Doug gently rubbed her back and said, "Hey.. I'm sorry...I didn't mean to make you so upset... Just try to get some rest, ok?"

"I'll try."

"I had planned to go home since I have been on for 24 hours, but I'll stay if you want me to."

"Thanks, but that's ok. You need your sleep. Mark is here, and I will call you if I need anything."

"At any time, I don't mind."

"Thanks."

"It's no problem...And Carol...There is something seriously wrong if you're afraid of your fiancé."


END FLASHBACK


"You took the time to give a damn about me. You cared about how I was feeling, even though we weren't going out. When I got home that day, Tag didn't even ask how I felt. And I crawled into bed to sleep some more. He didn't even come in the room, he left dinner by the door and slept in the living room."

"Just because we weren't going out didn't mean I didn't care about you. You're my best friend. I always cared about you..."

Moving closer into Doug's arms, Carol said, "I think it was around then I started to see the change. You realized what you had done. I had a long ways to go before I could trust you totally, but I had a feeling then..."

"Was there ever a time when you felt you knew we were going to make it?"

"Yes...It was a few days after I kissed Powell. We had the fight at work, but then later you told me you'd give me as long as I needed to be ready... That's when I knew we were going to make it. What about you?"

"When you came out to Barstow after my dad died. I knew that I had changed enough to make you see I deserved another chance. And I was determined not to screw up...So I knew from then."

Doug looked into Carol's eyes and said, "You're tired. Why don't you try to get some sleep."

"I want to. I just don't know if I can."

"Why?"

"I keep thinking about today...I was so stressed out. I blew up at Susan for no reason."

"Hey hey, it's ok," Doug said, seeing the tears in Carol's eyes. He pulled her close, so they were both lying on their sides, facing one another. He put one arm around her and the other he gently wiped the tears from her eyes. "I heard that Romano wasn't very nice to you. I'm sure Susan knows you weren't mad at her. At least you have a few days off so you can rest and not deal with Romano."

"I just don't know how much more of the bullshit I can take from him. He has made work hell."

"If you don't want to deal with him, then quit. You don't have to work, you know that."

"I know, I just...." Carol just let the tears flow, so Doug puts his arms around her and pulls her tightly to him saying, "It's going to be OK. We'll work something out. I promise you that."

"Thanks," she said through the tears.

"Now why don't I hold you and see if you can fall asleep."

"I'd like that," Carol says, lying her head on his chest as he rubs her back until she falls asleep.

The next morning, Doug tried to get ready for work as quietly as possible so that he didn't wake up Carol. After he gets Emma ready, he comes back in their bedroom to say goodbye before going upstairs to get Suzy. He gives her a kiss, and as he whispers "I love you," she stirs slightly.

She opens her eyes and he asks, "How do you feel?"

"I don't know yet. I'm still asleep," she whispered with a smile on her face.

"I tried not to wake you up. Go back to sleep. I love you."

"Thanks, I love you too."

Doug went up to get Suzy, "Hey," he said to Susan who was making coffee.

"Morning, want a cup?"

"No thanks. We have an attendings meeting this morning with breakfast."

"Sounds good. How's Carol?"

"Not great. Her cough is getting worse."

"Did she sleep ok after going to bed early?"

"She woke up when I carried her to bed and we stayed up talking for a little while-until about 1:30 when she fell asleep. She just woke up when I said goodbye, but she was going back to sleep."

"That's good. We don't have to meet Elizabeth for the fitting until 1, so she can sleep."

"I forgot you had that today."

"Yeah it's the final fitting and then we're going to Mark and Elizabeth's to work on some wedding stuff. If Carol isn't up to it, we can always postpone it."

"I'm sure you'll figure out something."

"We usually do," Susan said with a smile.

Around 11:30, Susan went down to Carol and Doug's bedroom. She sat on the edge of their bed and began to rub Carol's back to wake her. "Good morning, sleepyhead," Susan said with a smile as Carol opened her eyes. "How do you feel?"

"A little better," Carol lied.

"That's good," Susan said, feeling Carol's forehead. "I woke you up so that you would have time to take a shower if you wanted one."

"Thanks. I think I will so I feel a little more human. I can't believe I slept so late."

"That happens when you're sick. How about I make you breakfast while you get ready?"

"I'd like that, but I'm not too hungry."

"How about plain toast?"

"That sounds ok. I can't promise that I'll eat a lot."

"Eat what you can."

About 45 minutes later, Carol came into the kitchen and handed Susan a card as she sat down at the table. As Susan opened the card, she read:

Susan-

Again, I am sorry about the way that I acted yesterday. I should have forewarned you when we got the house together that I'm a bitch when I don't feel well. I didn't mean to blow up at you. Thanks for staying with me to make sure I was ok. You're a great friend.

Love,
Carol

Susan put her arms around Carol and gave her a hug. "It's ok. I'll always be here for you."

"Thanks."

"Plus," Susan added with a smile. "You haven't seen me when I'm sick. I'm impossible."

"Well I'll take care of you."

"Thanks."

They got to the store where the fitting was a few minutes before 1 and met Elizabeth outside. After hellos and hugs, Elizabeth felt Carol's forehead and asked, "Are you ok?"

"I'm sick."

"Yuck. Why didn't you call? We could have postponed this to a day when you felt better?"

"It's OK. It won't take that long."

"We don't have to do the planning that we were going to at my house."

"No, it's fine. I should be OK for awhile. As long as the drugs last," Carol said with a laugh.

"And if you get tired, you can just take a nap."

"Sounds like a plan. Perhaps the better question is, are you ok? You look kind of down."

"We'll talk later. I don't want to get into it now."

"OK," Carol said, giving Elizabeth a hug.

They went into the shop and tried on their dresses. Carol and Susan had the same dress, a pale purple dress that was close fitting. It had two spaghetti straps on each shoulder that criss-crossed for a beautiful pattern in the back. The material was satin. They each loved how the dressed looked, and the only alterations that were needed were hems.

Elizabeth's gown was a simple white gown, beaded on top with a scoop neck, and short sleeves. They all agreed that she looked wonderful. All the work there was finished within about an hour, so they were back at Mark and Elizabeth's house by 2:30.

"Can I offer either of you something to drink?" Elizabeth asked as they walked into the kitchen.

"Nothing," Susan said.

"A glass of water is fine," Carol said.

As Elizabeth got their drinks, she noticed that there was a message on the answering machine. As Elizabeth hit play, her mom's distinctly British voice filled the room,

"Elizabeth dear, I heard through the family gossip that you invited your father to the wedding. I hope that is nothing more than a nasty rumor. At any rate, please call me back. I need to discuss several things with you."

Elizabeth angrily pushed stop, and as she turned back to the table, both Carol and Susan could see the tears forming in her eyes. "My parents," she said, choking though the tears. "They are determined to ruin my wedding."

Susan and Carol stood up to put their arms around her. They both rubbed her back and tried to comfort her, "What's the matter? What happened?" Susan asked gently.

"It all started about a week ago. I called to ask dad if he received the invitation since I hadn't heard anything from him. He wasn't at home so he called me back. I also asked him if he would walk me down the aisle..." Elizabeth stopped as tears overcame her.

After a few minutes, and washing her face with cool water, Elizabeth was calm enough to continue. "He said that he won't be coming to the wedding because my mother would be there. Can you believe that? He and I have always been close and he won't even come to my wedding."

"I'm so sorry," Carol said, wrapping her arms around Elizabeth. She pulled back a few minutes later so Susan could hug Elizabeth and so she could dry her own tears. "When did you find this out?"

"Just a few nights ago. These tears are nothing. You should have seen me then."

"I don't blame you. I would be devastated as well."

"And now this from my mom...I really don't care if either of them come now, I don't want my wedding destroyed by arguing. You would think that adults would be mature enough to put their differences behind them for one event."

A few minutes later, they were seated at the table again and Carol asked Elizabeth, "Did you have any ideas on who to ask to walk you down the aisle?"

"I don't know for sure, but Mark made a suggestion."

"What was that?"

"He has attended weddings where the best man also walks the bride down the aisle and then takes his place next to the groom. He suggested that I ask Doug."

"I think that's a good idea."

"Do you think he would do it?"

"He would be honored."

"I'll have to ask him at work this weekend."

"I think he said something about dropping Mark off tonight because his car is in the shop, you could ask him then."

"I didn't realize they had made those plans, that's a good idea."

"They planned that when we told them we'd be over here doing wedding plans. After I got sick, Doug asked if we were still going to be here."

"When did you get sick?"

"I've had a cold for awhile, but it has gotten worse over the past couple of days. The cough is what's the worst and then I started running the fever."

"Does anything help the cough?"

"Not really. Doug thinks its borderline bronchitis. He was going to check my lungs this morning and pick up meds at work, but I don't think he ever did. Then again, I was too out of it this morning to really know what was going on."

"I can do it now if you want me to and then call it in."

"OK," Carol said, and Elizabeth went to get her stethoscope.

Carol and Elizabeth went into the living room. Carol sat on the couch, and Elizabeth gently lifted the back of her shirt. "Take a deep breath."

After listening, she said, "Yeah, that sounds like a nice case of bronchitis."

"Great," Carol said sarcastically. "Would you mind if I call Doug?"

"Not at all." Carol dialed the hospital and Jerry answered:

"County ER."

"Hi Jerry, it's Carol. Is Doug around?"

"He's in with a major trauma, but he told me you might be calling. Is it about meds?"

"Yep"

"He said to let Mark take it and that he would get back to you, is that ok?"

"Sure"

(A pause as she waits for Mark to pick up. She mouths to Elizabeth and Susan, "Doug's in a trauma, Jerry is getting Mark.")

Mark picked up and said, "Hey Carol, how are you feeling?"

"Not great. It went into bronchitis"

"That's what Doug thought. I'll write a script and get it filled, and bring it home tonight. Will you still be at the house or are you going to go home?"

"Thanks. I'll be here. Did you want to talk with Elizabeth?"

"Sure, and I'll have Doug call you when he's done."

"OK Thanks."

About 45 minutes later, Carol, Elizabeth and Susan are sitting around Elizabeth's table looking over the RSVP list when Elizabeth said, "Carol, you look totally wiped out. Why don't you go lay down?"

"I feel bad, I want to help you guys."

"It's ok,you're sick. You've helped a lot so far, but why don't you take a break?"

"If you're sure you don't mind."

"We don't," Susan said.

Elizabeth added, "If you want to change, there are sweats in my top drawer."

"Thanks."

It's now a few hours later. Carol is asleep in Mark and Elizabeth's bed. Susan and Elizabeth are working on seating for the reception in the kitchen when Mark and Doug come into the house with a pizza.

They exchange hellos and Doug asks, "Where is Carol?"

"Asleep in my bed," Elizabeth said. "She was really wiped out."

"I'm going to wake her up to give her the meds. There is a bad strain of bronchitis going around and I want to get her on the meds ASAP," Doug said as he got Carol a glass of water.

He walked into the bedroom, sat on the edge of the bed and gently woke up Carol.

She rubbed her eyes and groggily said, "Hey."

"Hi," he said giving her a kiss. "I wanted to get you started on the meds quickly. The strain of bronchitis going around is bad."

"OK. You're out of work early," Carol said, taking the meds.

"It's 6:15," Doug said, helping her to her feet.

"Oh my gosh. I laid down to rest at like 4:30."

They walked into the kitchen and sat at the table. Susan asked, "Are you feeling any better?"

"Not really," Carol admitted, sitting in Doug's lap.

As they started to eat, Elizabeth said to Doug, "I have a question or favor to ask of you."

"Shoot."

"My dad is not going to make it to the wedding, for a variety of reasons. He was to be the person to walk me down the aisle. But Mark has seen weddings where the best man walks the bride down the aisle and then takes his place next to the groom. Is that something you'd be willing to consider? I wanted to ask you because you've been a great friend since I came to County."

"Of course. I would be more than happy to do that for you."

"Thank you so much, that means a lot."

The scene fades to black as they sit around the table, talking, eating, and making wedding plans.