Always on my mind
Part Five
By Céindreadh
ceindreadh@eircom.net

(set approx 2 years after season 6 finale)

DISCLAMER: "ER," the characters and situations depicted within are the property of Warner Brothers Television, Amblin Entertainment, Constant c Productions, NBC, etc. They are borrowed without permission, but without the intent of infringement. The story presented here is written solely for entertainment purposes, and the author is making no profit.

Thanks to the people at ERFFCC for all their comments

Previously on my ER
Dave and Kerry are married.
Kerry is expecting their first child.
Mark and Elizabeth got married.
When Kerry went into labor Dave felt her pains.



Dave got to OB just as another contraction started. He staggered into Kerry's room and collapsed on a chair. "Kerry," he said, when he got his breath back. "Are you all right? How long since you started?"

"I'm fine," said Kerry. "It's been a couple of hours, but I was three centimeters dilated at my last check. Dr. Coburn says it'll be several hours yet. Are you all right? You didn't get sick on the chopper again, did you?"

"No, I didn't. But I think I'm feeling your labor pains."

"Oh dear." Kerry tried not to laugh. "Well it shouldn't be for much longer. I think I'm going to get an epidural."

"Are you sure? I mean, I know you wanted a natural birth."

"I know my limitations. Even with you here, I'm not sure I could manage. I 'll give it another few hours and then decide."

"Whatever you feel is best."

A few hours later, Luka found Dave pacing nervously in the corridor. "Did Kerry kick you out already?" asked Luka.

"She sent me downstairs to get something to eat. When I came back, they were setting her up for the epidural and wouldn't let me back in until they were finished."

"I'm sure it won't be much longer," said Luka comfortingly.

"Yeah. I just can't stand to see Kerry in pain and not be able to do anything."

At this, the door opened and Kim, Kerry's OB nurse looked out. "You can come back in, Dave. We're all set."

"Give my regards to Kerry," said Luka. "And let us know how things are going."

Kerry was looking a lot more comfortable than she had been when Dave had left her.

"I think I'm in love with the epidural man," she said as Dave approached the bed.

"Hey, if he's stopped your pain, then I'm in love with him too."

"Looks like another notch on your stethoscope, Dr. Babcock," said Kim as she helped him tidy up.



Downstairs in the ER, time was passing slowly.

"Any news, Dr Kovac?" asked Haleh as Luka walked up to reception.

"Not yet," replied Luka. "But it is her first labor. It will probably be several hours yet."

"Damm," said Haleh under her breath. "Another half an hour and I'm out of it."

"What are you talking about?" asked Luka, confused. "Your shift isn't over for three hours yet."

"We have a pool going on the time of birth," said Randi.

"You are gambling on the birth of a child?" said Luka in shock. "That's terrible."

"The closest time gets half the pot," explained Chuny. "The rest we'll use to buy a present for the baby."

"I hope you asked Kerry or Dave about it first."

"Oh, Dave said it was alright as long as he could have a go as well."

"Hmm. And what time did he pick?"

Chuny consulted the chart. "He went for between 9 and 12 tonight."

"The rat," said Haleh. "He's probably upstairs right now, telling Weaver not to push that baby out for another five hours."

Luka smiled. "It would seem that Dave is more in tune with Kerry than we realized."

Six hours later, Dave was sitting behind Kerry supporting her firmly as she pushed again.

"Okay," said Kim. "One more big push."

"C'mon, Kerry we're nearly there," said Dave. "Just a little bit more."

"I can see the head," said Kim. "Now just ease off for a minute and when I tell you, push as hard as you can."

Kerry gathered her strength. Even with the epidural to ease the pain, she was still exhausted. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth.

"Okay, now push," ordered Kim.

Kerry pushed with the last of her strength and then flopped wearily against Dave's chest. The sound of the baby crying was the most beautiful sound she had ever heard. "It's a girl," said Kim as she carefully wrapped the baby in a towel before handing her to Kerry.

"Oh my God," said Kerry weakly as she held her daughter. "Is she really ours?"

"She's so beautiful," said Dave with a catch in his voice as he embraced the two of them.

A few minutes later the nurse said, "Kerry, we're just going to weigh and clean up your daughter. Have you decided on a name?"

"Her name is Sarah Florence," said Dave.

"Sarah Florence Weaver-Malucci," said Kerry.

"You just rest for a bit and we'll have Sarah back to you in a few minutes."

"Weaver-Malucci?" said Dave to Kerry.

"And as soon as I'm out of here that'll be my surname too," said Kerry.

"Thank you, Kerry."  He kissed her gently.

"Thank you, Dave."

Cleo put down the phone and smiled at the crowd that had surrounded the reception desk when they had realized who was calling.

"Well," said Luka. "What's the news?"

"It's a girl, nine and a half pounds. Mother and child both doing fine."

"That's great news," said Luka.

"Exactly what time was she born?" asked Chuny checking her chart.

"About half an hour ago." Cleo checked her watch. "About ten-thirty."

"Who won the pool?" asked Lydia.

"Malucci got it," replied Chuny.

"I don't believe it," said Lydia.

"I told you that Dave was in tune with Kerry," said Luka with a smile.

continued in next post
céindreadh