Understanding
Part Thirteen - Marriage
By Cimerene
cimerene@gci.net

John was seated at a desk, reading a patient's chart and talking on a cell phone at the same time. "We haven't figured that out yet," he said into the phone. "Uh huh, that's sounds great. Might work, but only if I can surprise her." He briefly glanced through a chart and initialed it. "You know at this time of year getting the right flights.(-)" He broke off, paused and then listened for a few minutes. "That's even better. That's wonderful!" He was quiet for a few moments, listening to the other end of the
conversation. "I think it would work if we could use," Deb walked up and interrupted him. "Excuse me a minute, Gamma." 

"Dr. Carter, can you sign these discharge papers for Mr. Ellis? He's ready to go home." John briefly glanced at the papers and signed. He told her: "I've already given him some instructions but could you make sure he knows how important it is for him to keep off of that leg for the next few days?" He paused for a moment then adds "Tell him I'll be right there, I'll talk to him personally." He smiled briefly at Deb and returns to the phone. "Sorry, where was I? Yes, that's what I was going to ask." He laughed lightheartedly into the phone, not noticing Deb who was still waiting to talk to him. Deb tried not to eavesdrop on his conversation, and failed miserably. "So we can? That's great, Gamma, I owe you one. I'll get back to you on the details. Kerry and I are still arguing the length of our honeymoon." He listened for a minute more. "Ok, I love you too." He hung up his cell phone and slipped it into his pocket.

Deb watched him for a few seconds. "John, did you and Dr. Weaver set the date?" she asked him curiously. "I had no idea you two were that serious," she said, her voice matter of fact.

John looked up at her, his face serious but happy. "Exactly one month from today. We figured that will give us enough time to get seriously stressed over the arrangements."

John and Kerry had always maintained a professional manner while at work. While it was true that Mark was overseeing John's evaluations, Kerry never once stepped down from calling John on the carpet when she felt he was going overboard.  And while John respected his fiancée, he always felt that his patients came first. He knew in his heart that Kerry felt this also, but he also knew that he didn't have the magnitude of responsibility that was Kerry's job. She managed both to be caring with the patients she cared for, and to juggle the necessary paperwork that it took to run an E.R. and keep it running for the long
haul. He knew if it meant calling him on the carpet to keep the E.R. running, she'd do it in a heartbeat. He knew that Kerry wasn't popular at work, and it bothered him. Sometimes he felt it bothered him more than it bothered her. He remembered bringing it up once and she told him with a lilt to her head and fire in her eyes that sometimes people needed to hate the boss and it might as well be her. All the more reason he thought to make their honeymoon something special. He wanted to make sure that where he took Kerry was a special place. She had been through so much in her lifetime. The last thing she needed was to go through more. 

He turned his attention back to Deb. "I'll catch you later, I have patient I need to see." He walked off, his thoughts turned solely on his next patient.

***********One week later*************

John wouldn't tell her where they were going. Which was ok for John as he knew what to pack and she didn't. How could she fall in love with someone so devious? It's a good thing he's so handsome, she thought. Otherwise! It was a rare day off for Kerry. She was enjoying sorting through catalogs and trying to decide what to buy and what not to for their wedding. She had already made up several lists, and the amount of stuff she had to purchase was at least a mile high. 

She was a little nervous. She had never been the kind of person to rack up friends by the hundreds. But when Millicent had discovered their wedding plans, the wedding had taken on a life of its own. Forget the mother of the bride platitudes she had always heard of, beware the grandmother of the groom, she laughingly thought. She was thankful though that she wouldn't need to coordinate the reception too. She was also overwhelmed by the support John's grandmother was giving them.

The reception was growing bigger than either John, or Kerry had planned. Kerry had almost been relieved When John's grandmother had all but informed her that she was going "to take care of that little detail for them." Any other time Kerry would have been irritated. But now, relief was all she felt. One less detail for her to obsess over.  

3 weeks to go. Kerry looked at a dress in the catalog. How do they find women this skinny? She thought. Not possible! Size 6 indeed! She sighed. Finding the perfect dress and coordinating a wedding with just a few weeks to go, yah, no problem. What was she thinking? She glared at the supermodel in the picture again.

Samantha wandered into the kitchen. It was her half day. She had worked till noon and was trying to convince Madison that it was smarter to play outside instead of playing her playstation inside. She was failing miserably. "Problems?" She asked Kerry. She looked over to Kerry who was sitting on the couch; catalogs were strewn all over the coffee table. Samantha thought that if just one more catalog was thrown on the top of that stack, Kerry would disappear totally. 

"Not really, I've just discovered that there is no possible way John and I can get married." She laughed. "I mean, if I have to go to another boutique and look at another dress I'm going to go insane. I'd rather be doing paperwork any day than this." She scowled at the blonde in the magazine. 

"So you can't find the perfect dress? Why don't we try that new boutique on Third Street? I'll go with you; it's my half day and Maddy and I don't have any plans." Samantha looked forward to day of shopping. Now that she had a regular job she just might be bold enough to spend some money on herself. "C'mon I need an reason to buy a new dress and this the perfect excuse!" Maybe something a little daring guaranteed to rise the blood pressure in one Mr. Dave Malucci? She grinned evilly. 

Kerry smiled, she knew when someone wanted to go shopping. She looked at the magazine again and glared at the model for the umpteenth million time that day. She slammed the book down. "OK, grab Madison. And let's get this train moving."  Maybe shopping with Samantha, she would be able to find that perfect dress. One that said, gorgeous, unique and beautiful all rolled up in one. One that would roll John's eyes back in his head!

***************Three hours and 2 very tired women later*************

Kerry entered the house and plopped down on the sofa. She was so tired. But it was worth it! She had found the perfect dress! Of  course she was so tired of shopping she wondered if it was really perfect or if she had just given up because
she was so tired. She didn't care. Today she had managed to find her dress, Samantha's maid of honor dress, and the cutest flower girl dress for Madison all in less than 5 hours. It had to be a miracle. It was a very tiring, exhausting miracle. 

Samantha and Madison came in. Samantha dropped the boxes containing both their dresses on the sofa and sank exhaustedly in the chair. She never knew it was possible to try on that many dresses in one day. 

Madison, of course, having more energy than was normal or right, raced into the kitchen. "I'm going to get some water, then I want to play my Playstation. Can I?" she said almost as an afterthought as she RAN into the kitchen. Kerry and Samantha both just nodded their heads in unison. Neither one wanted to move. In fact breathing seemed almost optional right now. 

Kerry thought to herself, To hell with the rules! She shoved a stack of catalogs onto the floor and placed her feet up on the coffee table. So she would have to clean later; right now this felt so good. Her feet ached. Her whole body protested movement of any type. She refused to think of how much her bankbook was protesting at the moment. Oh well, you only get married once, she thought. 

Samantha looked exhausted too, Kerry was relieved to see. I mean if you have to suffer, do it with company. Samantha looked over at Kerry and giggled. "We look fantastic don't we. Maybe instead of actually cooking we should do take out tonight.  You bought the dresses, I'll buy dinner." She said magnanimously. 

Kerry grinned back at her. "If it's up for a vote don't ask Madison or it will be Pizza, Pizza or Pizza." She grinned, thinking of Madison. That child could eat more pizza in one sitting than she had ever thought possible. Course if she didn't have to cook, pizza sounded almost heavenly right now.

Samantha groaned out loud. "Now you have me craving pizza."

Kerry scowled, "Well since you're buying I'll eat it, but only if I don't have to lift a finger to get it into the house." 

Samantha glanced over to the table; it looked miles away to her aching feet and body. Samantha smiled tiredly. "Don't worry I have that part covered." 

Kerry promptly covered her ears as Samantha screamed at about a decibel 10.

"MADISON!"

"*************** Several hectic days before the wedding**************

"Are you sure you don't want to tell me where we are going?" Kerry complained. "Just a little hint? I mean I have to know what to pack." 

John just grinned. "Don't worry. I'll pack for you."  

Kerry glared at him. "John, no offense honey, but um, you're a guy. No man on earth knows how to pack properly." She had him now; he would have to tell her. 

"Then I guess you'll have to pack everything you own, or go without a thing. Because I'm not saying a word." He grinned.  Usually the sight of John's grin stirred deep emotions in her, but this time it was the most irritating sight she had ever seen! 

Kerry was screaming into the phone. Jerry tried to ignore her. It wasn't easy, though: you could hear every word she said.

"You're trying to tell me that my wedding with over one hundred and fifty guests is the least of your priorities?" she screeched. Jerry tried to block her out. It was easier said than done. "Well," she continued, "let me tell you, BUB. If I don't get fresh Roses delivered personally to the chapel on my wedding day, I'm going to personally go over there and rip out your liver. I'm a doctor - I can do that without out leaving a scar, you know." Kerry slammed down the phone. 

Jerry pretended to be very, very busy.

"No, Dad, it's all right. I understand. The takeover of Farnsworth industries is very important." 

Pause

"Well if you can't make it for the wedding, maybe we'll get a chance to see you next year."

Pause

"Yeah, sure, put Mom on."

"I'm going to be the flower girl," Madison said, glaring at her cousin Steve, during the rehearsal dinner. "It's way more important than what you're going to be. You're just a Stupid ring bearer!" 

"MADISON!" 

She could clearly hear her mother's voice echoing throughout the church. "Uh oh" Madison yelped.

****************THE DAY**************

The phone rang while Kerry was still sleeping. She sleepily answered it, instinctively knowing who was on the line. 

"Hi," Kerry said softly "Did you sleep well?"

John smiled, picturing her lying on their bed. "Ok, but I sleep better next to you. Don't you think you're taking this 'not supposed to see the bride on the wedding day' a bit too far?"

Kerry smiled. "It's tradition. you don't want us to start out our marriage wrong now, would you?"

John chuckled. 

"Besides," she continued. "It's the bride's way of guaranteeing that the groom will show up. I mean you haven't even seen my dress yet. This way I'll look even better since you haven't seen me in so long."

John smiled. "If I have to lie awake all night because I'm not next to you, you'd better look absolutely stunning in that dress to make up for it." He laughed lightly.  

Kerry smiled at his whimsy. Turning serious for a moment she asked. "Are you sure you're ready for this?" 

John's tone of voice was just as serious. "I've never been more ready."

"If he doesn't like this dress, then he needs to get his eyes examined," Samantha told Kerry.

"Are you sure?  I don't usually wear things this er.. Revealing," Kerry said. Last minute jitters were definitely hitting Kerry. Part of her loved the dress, the other half was scared to wear it in public.  

"Trust me." Samantha said quietly. "Trust me." 

"Ok, what do we have left? The dress is new, the garter is blue. We need old and borrowed. I could wear your rain coat. That would be borrowed and old, it would also cover this dress." Kerry laughed, her insecurities still showing. 

Samantha just laughed. "Yes, BUT, I don't think that's what I had in mind when we got that dress for you. Don't worry *I* was prepared," she said laughingly. She pulled out a small leather case from her purse. "Now you be really careful with these as they belong to Madison and not me."
Inside was a string of flawless pearls with matching earrings.
"I can't, what happens if I lose them, or if they fall off or something?" Panic briefly overtook her. 

"You won't! Now put them on, you'll be late."

How did he pull this off? Of all the things that Kerry had been thinking of in regards to their honeymoon, the last thing Kerry had expected was a private jet. John had finally taken the honeymoon decision away from her. He had told her: "You decided how long, and I'll surprise you with where!" It seemed like a good compromise to her. 

Silently lying back in her comfortable airline chair, she reached out to hold John's hand. 

He looked as happy as she did. Her eyes glanced down at their intertwined hands. Their simple yet matching rings gleaming in the airplane's dim cabin light.  John was lightly stroking her arm.

"Are you going to tell me where?" Kerry smiled impishly at him. 

John laughed, "Nope, not yet." 

"And why not?" Kerry replied, watching him smile.

"You'll know in a few hours, and trust me it will be worth it." John said laughingly at her. He knew he could have told her but he was able to surprise Kerry so few times, this time he wanted their honeymoon to be a complete secret. It felt so right being married to her. He couldn't remember ever being so happy. He pulled her closer for a deep kiss. He'd waited a long time to kiss his wife.

When they broke apart he softly said to her, "Happy?" His eyes shone with the love he had for her.

"Very," Kerry replied. Her word said it all. 

End of Part Thirteen

If you have comments or suggestions, email me at cimerene@gci.net