ER: Doug and Carol Series

Story #10

Family Dinner

by: Courtney

5am on Thanksgiving morning. Carol quickly hits snooze on the alarm clock on her bedside table. She lifts herself from the warm bed and puts her feet down onto the cold, wooden floor. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she stretches and yawns.

“What are you doing up?” asks a sleepy voice behind her. She turns to face Doug as he barely opens his eyes to look up at her.

“It’s Thanksgiving Day, Doug. I have a turkey to cook.”

“At 5am? Just how long do you have to cook a turkey, anyway?”

She chuckles. “A long time,” she says. ‘Men!’ she thinks.

“Oh come on, Carol. Come back to bed for a while. Let the bird wait.” He reaches up and takes her arm to pull her back down beside him.

“Doug! I really have to get up,” she says, but allows herself to be pulled down. He brings her close enough to reach her lips and plants a long kiss on them. She moans softly as his kiss grows more intense.

“How about I help you wake up a little first,” he says with a grin.

Carol smiles back and nods her approval to this suggestion. Doug’s lips meet hers again and she feels his hands lift her night gown. She pulls off his T-shirt and rubs his bare chest with her hands. Both of them seem very awake now.

Half an hour later, Carol is lying in Doug’s arms. She sighs, “Happy Thanksgiving, Dr. Ross.”

“You, too, Nurse Hathaway,” he leans down to kiss her once again and she can tell where this is leading.

“No, I really have to get up this time,” she says, pulling away. Doug groans, but she gets up anyway. “You’ll thank me when you’re eating turkey this afternoon,” she says.

“I can think of something I want a lot more than turkey right now,” he replies.

Carol smirks and shakes her head at him. “I’m getting into the shower before you drag me back into that bed,” she says and with that she disappears inside of the bathroom.

Carol emerges from the bathroom just before 6 o’clock. Doug has gotten out of bed and is nowhere to be found. She walks over to the closet and examines the contents, trying to decide on something to wear. She decides to put on some old clothes, then come back and get ready after she has dinner started. She is slipping a navy blue sweater over her head when Doug enters the room.

“Where’d you run off to?” she asks as she straightens her sweater and pulls her jeans from the closet.

Doug, clad only in a white terry cloth bath towel which is wrapped around his waist, says, “Thanks to you, I had to go take a cold shower,” he smirks and Carol laughs.

“Sorry about that, doctor.”

“We could always pick up where we left off,” he says, coming over to lace his arms around her waist and nibbling her ear.

“Oh no, I’m not starting this again! I have to go cook that turkey. Do you really want to tell my mother that this is the reason she had pizza for Thanksgiving dinner?” Carol looks at him and smiles.

“Oh, alright,” he laments. “I’ll get dressed and be down soon to help you, then.” Carol nods and finishes getting dressed, then turns to leave as Doug is stepping into a pair of khaki pants.

Doug enters the kitchen just as Carol is placing a large pan, containing the turkey, into the oven. “Are you feeding an army with that thing?” he asks as he notes the size of the bird.

She turns and looks his way. “You just keep quiet. Never question the chef,” she smiles and turns back to the oven to set the timer.

“Anything I can do?” Doug asks.

“Um, you could make some coffee,” she replies. He nods and goes to the far counter to start a pot.

When the coffee is finished brewing, Doug pours two cups and brings them with him to the table. Carol finishes up her early dinner preparations and walks over to join him. She picks up her cup and takes a sip of the steaming liquid. For a moment, they sit together in silence. Then, suddenly, Carol gasps.

“What?” Doug asks.

“I just thought of something. My mother will be here in seven hours!”

Doug gives Carol a strange look that says, ‘Yeah, and?’

She looks up at him, “I completely forgot about Charlie.”

“No you didn’t,” he tells Carol. “You told your mother there would be two other guests besides you and her, you just never told her they were Charlie and I.”

“That’s not what I mean,” Carol continues. “I mean, I forgot about Charlie’s face. My mother will freak when she sees that awful bruise. I really can’t deal with her today!” Carol moans and lays her head on the table. “Why can’t my mother just live a thousand miles away and be too busy to visit?” her muffled voice says.

Doug chuckles, “It’ll work out. She’ll probably think I did it.”

Her head shoots up from the table. “Doug! That’s not funny, don’t you dare say that in front of her,” she warns.

“Oh, I wouldn’t,” he laughs. “Helen just seems to think I am the cause of all that’s evil and wrong in this world.”

Carol rolls her eyes. “What am I going to do?” she moans.

“Hey, don’t sweat it. I’ll be my usual charming self and it will all be fine.”

“Oh God, now I know I’m in trouble!” She can’t help but laugh.

“Alright, watch it!,” he smirks. “Really, Carol, it could be worse. MY mother could be joining us. Then we’d be in trouble.”

“That reminds me, why didn’t you ask her to come today?” Carol inquires.

“She had plans with Steve, I think,” Doug responds.

“Steve?”

He shrugs, “Her latest boyfriend, I guess.”

“Am I ever going to meet her?” Carol asks.

“You’ve met her,” Doug responds. “At the hospital that day, remember?”

“Well, yeah, but you know what I mean. I saw her for all of about five seconds and I don’t even think we were introduced. Besides, you and I weren’t together then. Doesn’t she ever ask about who you’re seeing?”

“Yeah, she does. I’ve just blown her off about it so many times she’s probably sick of asking. I’ll tell you what, we’ll have her and her guy of the moment over for Christmas, okay?”

Carol punches Doug’s arm lightly. “You shouldn’t say things like that about your mother,” she chastises.

“Okay, sorry.” He gives her that puppy dog stare and she has to smile.

“What about Ray?”

“What about him?” Doug asks, his voice cold.

“Do you want to invite him, too?”

“Ray *and* my mother? No, not a good idea.”

“We could have him over for Christmas Eve if you wanted,” she offers.

“I really don’t care that much about seeing him, if you want the truth. When Ray wants something from me, I’m sure he’ll manage to find me.” Doug’s tone is harsh as he speaks about his father. They have never really gotten along. Carol knows there is a lot of animosity between Doug and his dad, so she decides to let the subject drop.

“Well, we really should invite your mom. Did you tell her about Charlie?”

“I mentioned it when I spoke to her last, but that was about three weeks back. She doesn’t know the court made a decision about the foster care.”

“You should call her more often,” Carol says.

“Now you sound like her,” Doug smirks.

Carol shakes her head and sighs. “Funny, I always pictured you as more of a momma’s boy.” She gets up from the table and walks over to the counter for more coffee. Doug follows.

“Yep, that’s me. Can’t let go of those apron strings,” with this he pulls the strings of Carol’s apron, untying it from her waist. She giggles and spins around. Doug puts his arms around her and kisses her nose. “You’re so cute when your domestic like this.”

“You’d better watch yourself, Ross,” she teases. “I might make *you* stuff the turkey.”

Doug grins and bows down to kiss her lips.

By noon, Carol has the preparations for dinner well underway. Doug is at the store getting some last minute supplies and Charlie is sitting in the living room with Carol, watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade on television. “So, what’s the big deal about this, anyway?” Charlie asks. “It’s just a bunch of balloons and marching bands.”

Carol shrugs. “It’s a tradition. I used to love watching it when I was a kid. I guess you grow out of it a little.”

“Hmm,” Charlie shrugs and gets up from the couch. “Want anything to drink?” she asks Carol as she heads for the kitchen.

“No, thanks. I’m fine.”

As Charlie leaves, there is a knock on the door. “What, did he forget his key or something?” Carol mutters as she hops up from the couch and walks to the door. She opens it, saying, “Forget your key, Do- . . . ,” she stops when she sees her mother standing on the porch. For a moment, she stands there, surprised. “Ma!” she finally says. “You’re kind of early.” She steps back and allows her to enter.

“I know,” Helen Hathaway says as she enters her daughter’s house. “I just haven’t seen you in a while and I was excited. I also thought you might need some help with the cooking.” They share a quick hug.

“Thanks, but I have it under control.” She takes her mother’s coat and hangs it up by the door. “Come on in, have a seat,” Carol ushers her into the living room.

As the two women sit down together on the sofa, Charlie reappears in the room. She is holding a glass of soda and looks curiously at Helen. Helen stares back with much the same look. “Charlie!” Carol says. “Mom, this is Charlie Chimengo. She’s the girl I told you about, the one Doug just became a foster parent for.” Her mother nods that she remembers.

“Nice to meet you, dear,” Helen says with a smile.

“You, too,” Charlie replies and takes a seat in a nearby chair. As she sits, her face turns a little and Helen notices her bruise.

“My goodness! What on earth happened to you?”

Charlie looks to Carol, unsure of what to say. Carol interjects, “She’ll be fine, just had some bad luck,” she gives her mother a look that says, ‘I’ll explain later.’

“So, who is your other guest, dear?” Helen asks Carol. Just then, the door opens and Doug enters the house. All eyes divert to the foyer, and Doug looks back.

His expression shows that he is surprised to see Helen there already. “Hello Helen,” he says as he enters the living room with a bag full of groceries.

“Dr. Ross,” she says with a nod but no smile.

“Please, it’s Doug,” he says, smiling.

“Doug, then,” she corrects herself.

“Here, I’ll take that,” Carol rises and takes the bag from Doug’s hands. She starts off for the kitchen.

“I’ll help you, dear,” Helen begins to rise, but Carol shakes her head.

“No, Ma, I’ve got it. You just relax.” Helen nods and turns rather uncomfortably back to Doug, who sits in the chair opposite her.

“So, how have you been?” he asks.

“Fine,” her tone is very abrupt.

Charlie, sensing the tension between the two of them, decides to get out of the line of fire. “I think I’ll see if Carol needs my help,” she says, hastily exiting.

Doug watches her go and wishes he could join her. “So, are you still enjoying life in the suburbs?” Doug asks, trying his best to make light conversation.

“Yes, I am. I’m just sorry to see that my daughter has made such a mess of her life in my absence.”

Doug looks up, a little taken aback by this direct comment. He is speechless for a moment, then gathers himself up to proceed. “Helen, I know you don’t like me . . .”

“You’re right. I don’t,” she interrupts.

“But,” he continues, unabated, “Carol and I are in love. We’re going to have to get past our differences for her sake.”

She eyes Doug contemptuously. “Dr. Ross, I don’t know what my daughter thinks of you, and frankly, I don’t care. She will come to her senses eventually and see who you really are.”

He frowns and shakes his head. “What can I do to prove to you that I’m a different person now? How can I make up for what I’ve done in the past? Carol has forgiven me and we *are* going to be together. Why can’t you respect her decision?”

Her voice drips with anger as she says, “What you did was unforgivable. Carol was a fool to take you back.”

Doug shrugs and decides that Helen is not going to listen to him. “Can we just call a cease fire through dinner at least? Carol has worked hard on this.”

Helen nods. “I am in my daughter’s home. I will not ruin her dinner because of my dislike for you.”

They both agree to disagree and turn away from one another.

Around 1pm, Carol sets the last dish on the table. The four of them are sitting in the dining room. Charlie and Doug are on one side and Carol and Helen are on the other. Carol’s seat is directly across from Doug’s. He has not told her about his earlier conversation with her mother, but she can tell it did not go well. Nonetheless, Helen has at least remained civil to Doug thus far.

Doug cuts the turkey and passes a plate to each of the women. They all go silently about getting their food, passing the dishes amongst one another without a word. They remain close-mouthed for the first part of the meal. Finally, Doug turns to Carol and breaks the silence. “This is really wonderful,” he says, indicating the food. She smiles.

“Yes, Carol, you did a nice job,” Helen adds.

“Thank you,” she replies. The conversation lags again and there is another long, uncomfortable silence between them all.

When it looks as though everyone has finished eating, Carol suggests that they all go into the living room. Helen and Charlie go ahead and Doug stays behind to help Carol clean off the table before they join them. “I guess it didn’t go so well, huh?” Carol asks in a hushed voice as soon as her mother is out of earshot.

Doug frowns, “Not exactly.”

Carol is displeased by this, but not surprised. “I wish she’d never known you before. She is the worst person on earth for holding a grudge.”

“It’ll be alright. At least she stayed for dinner,” Doug says, trying to brighten Carol a bit. He takes several plates from the table and follows her into the kitchen with them.

“I guess that’s something,” Carol says. ‘But, it’s not enough,’ she thinks. She sighs as she and Doug stand together at the counter and wash the dishes.

“So, Charlie, are you in school?” Helen asks the girl as they sit together in the living room.

“Yes ma’am,” Charlie replies quietly. She isn’t sure what to say to this woman. She wants to be polite because this is Carol’s mother. But, she can also see how much Helen seems to despise Doug and it is hard for her to get past that.

Helen nods. “You live with Douglas?”

“Yes.”

“And you like it there, then?”

“Yes, very much.”

“That’s good,” she is obviously searching for something to talk about with the girl. “My daughter seems very fond of you. Do the two of you get to spend much time together?”

“Yes, I see her a lot. I stay here when Doug works at night.”

“I see, that’s nice.”

They both seem relieved as Carol and Doug walk in. Doug has a tray of pumpkin pie slices and Carol carries another tray containing four cups of coffee. They pass the desert around to everyone and the four of them fall back into their soundless state. Carol tries to make conversation, but it seems to only increase the tension. Finally, at around five o’clock, Helen rises from her seat.

“I must be going now, dear,” she says to Carol.

Carol gets up as well. “Oh, so soon?” She doesn’t want to seem happy that her mother is leaving, but it is actually the best news she’s heard all day.

“Yes, I don’t want to be too late getting back.” She walks to the foyer with Carol. Charlie and Doug are close behind them. Helen turns to them as she gets into her coat. “It was nice to meet you, dear,” she says to Charlie.

The girl smiles and says, “Yes, you too.”

“Good-bye, Carol.” Helen gives her daughter a hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Douglas,” she nods, almost as an afterthought. He smiles at her, trying to look happy. “I will call you this week,” she tells Carol as she walks onto the porch. “Thank you for dinner.”

“You’re welcome. Thanks for coming, talk to you later,” she smiles at her mother and watches as she descends the porch steps. Closing the door, she looks at Doug and Charlie standing behind her. “I thought this day would never be over!” she says to them.

Doug chuckles and puts his arm around her. “It went okay, considering.”

“Considering what?” she asks with a sigh.

“Considering that she can’t stand the sight of me,” he says with a laugh, shaking his head.

“At least she liked you,” Carol turns to Charlie. “Thank you for being so nice to her.”

Charlie nods and shrugs her shoulders. “I didn’t really do anything,” she says.

“You just don’t know,” Carol says.

Charlie smiles. “I think I’ll go to my room for a while. I’m kind of tired.” She gets about halfway up the stairs, then turns back, “Are we staying here tonight?” she asks Doug.

“If you want to. Do you mind?”

“No, just wondered.” She turns back and climbs the rest of the stairs, disappearing into her room.

“What a day!” Carol says, flopping down onto the sofa. “I’m just ready for it to be over already.”

“We could arrange that,” Doug says, meeting her lips in a slow kiss.

“It’s only five o’clock,” Carol says.

“So? Is that against the rules?”

“Well, what about Charlie?”

“You heard her, she’s going to take a nap. She’ll probably sleep for a while. We have to find *something* to do,” he grins wickedly at Carol and goes in for another kiss.

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Created by Courtney Stovall © 1998

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