Always on my mind
Part One
By Céindreadh
ceindreadh@eircom.net
This is set approximately 18 months in the future Kerry and Dave have been married for just over a year Mark and Elizabeth have just announced their engagement Carter successfully completed his rehab and returned to work
Dave arrived home from work one evening. “Hey Kerry,” he said. “Mark and Elizabeth were dishing out wedding invites today. They must have had a few left over because they gave us one.”
He handed the invitation to Kerry.
“I thought they must have been making plans. Mark was offering to work on Thanksgiving and Christmas if I could let him have his next years holidays around Memorial Day.”
“Yeah that’s round about when the wedding is, about six months from now.”
“Hmm,” said Kerry.
“What’s the matter?”
“Oh I was just wondering whether I’ll be able to make it or not.”
“You can always arrange the schedules. After all you are the chief.”
“That wasn’t what I meant. You see I finally figured out why I’ve been feeling a little off-colour lately. By the time of the wedding I should be almost due for maternity leave.”
Dave was dumbstruck. “Kerry are you sure?”
“That’s why I took today off work, so I could see my gynaecologist. She thinks I’m about eight weeks along.”
Dave did a quick calculation, “That would mean it happened round about our first anniversary.”
“Looks like it,”
“Oh Kerry, this is wonderful.” He put his arms around her and hugged her warmly.
“Listen,” said Kerry. “I don’t want to announce this to the ER just yet. I’d like to wait another month or two at least, just in case.”
“I understand, I won’t mention it.” Dave shook his head in disbelief, “I just can’t believe it. I’m going to be a father. This is great.”
Surprisingly they did manage to keep it a secret. Kerry started to wear looser clothing and was fortunate not to suffer much morning sickness. Unfortunately Dave was suffering from sympathetic morning sickness.
“When I said I wanted to share this with you, this wasn’t what I meant,” he said one morning after a particularly bad bout.
“If you think this is bad, just hope you don’t suffer from sympathetic labour pains.”
“Yeah, at least you’ll be able to get an epidural.”
“I think I’m going to try for a natural birth.”
“Why not go the whole way and have a home birth”
“No I’d feel better delivering in a hospital. At least this time.”
“Let’s get this one safely landed before we start thinking of ‘next time’,”
“I just don’t want junior to be an only child. I was one and I know how lonely it can be.”
“You might feel differently after you’ve had this one.”
They kept it quiet until Kerry was about four months pregnant.
Then one day Carter walked in on Dave being sick in the toilet.
“Whoa Dave,” said Carter. “You must have some night last night.”
“This isn’t a hangover Carter,” replied Dave. “I haven’t had a drink in months.”
“Wine can give you hangovers as well, believe me I remember knocking back a good few bottles with Kerry when I was lodging with her.”
“We’re both off the drink for the duration,” said Dave without thinking.
“What duration?” asked Carter in puzzlement. Then the penny dropped. “Is Kerry pregnant?”
Dave groaned. “Me and my big mouth,” he cursed inwardly.
Out loud he said, “Yes she is, but don’t say anything. We’re keeping it quiet for the moment.”
“I thought she seemed to be putting on weight. How far along is she?”
“How far along is who?” asked Luka, who had entered unobserved during their conversation.
Dave groaned again.
“Kerry’s pregnant,” said Carter.
“Congratulations Dave,” said Luka shaking his hand. “That’s wonderful news.”
“Thanks Luka, but it won’t be so wonderful if Kerry finds out I told you guys. She wanted to keep it secret for a while.”
“Don’t worry,” said Carter. “We won’t tell anyone.”
“Thanks guys. Oh and when she does tell you, can you try and act surprised.”
“No problem,” said Luka.
Later that night in bed Dave confessed to Kerry. “I’m afraid I let the cat out of the bag at work today.”
“Who to?” asked Kerry sleepily.
“Carter and Luka,” replied Dave. “But they promised not to blab.”
“It’s alright. I was going to have to tell Luka soon enough. I’ve decided to appoint him and Mark as acting chiefs while I’m on maternity leave.”
“There’s only one chief in the ER and that’s you.”
“Thanks but even I can’t run the ER from the maternity ward. No I’m going to step down temporarily in a couple of months. That’ll give me enough time to train them both in before I take maternity leave.”
Kerry sighed as another thought struck her. “You know I wish you’d get a car instead of cycling to work each day. I worry about you on that bike of yours.”
“Hey, the last time I was hospitalised it was from a car accident not a bike.”
Kerry shuddered at the memory. The few hours when she thought she would lose Dave had been the longest hours of her life.
Dave cursed inwardly as he felt her tense up. He should have known that the mention of the car crash they had been in would stir up bad memories.
“I’m sorry Kerry, I didn’t mean to upset you.” He hugged her close to him. “Anyway just so you don’t worry, I’ve started wearing a helmet when I’m on the bike”
Kerry twisted around to look him in the face. “I’ve never seen you with one,” she said suspiciously.
“That’s because I always hide it in my bag before I get to work. After all I have a reputation to live up to.”
“You mean live down to.”
“That too. Goodnight Kerry, I love you.”
“Goodnight Dave, I love you too.”
“Goodnight junior. See you in a couple of months.”
To be continued......