ER: Doug and Carol Series

Story #14

The Main Event

by: Courtney

Doug Ross rolls over in the bed and looks at the bedside clock. It is 9 o’clock on Christmas morning. He notices Carol has already risen for the day and decides to get up and see if he can be of any help with the preparations for today’s dinner with the family. He crawls out of the warm bed and steps onto the cold hardwood floor. He walks quickly to the bathroom and gets into the shower.

Fifteen minutes later, Doug enters the kitchen. Carol and Charlie are already hard at work preparing the food for that night. “Morning ladies, Merry Christmas,” he says, making his way across the kitchen to the coffee pot.

“Merry Christmas,” Charlie replies.

“Merry Christmas. Good morning, sleepy head,” Carol says with a smile.

He grins, “You two sure were up early. What time did you get started this morning?”

“Around 7:30 or 8,” Carol replies as she washes a pile of green beans.

“You’re kidding? Why didn’t you wake me up to help you?”

“We were fine, there was no need. Besides, we saved that mess in the living room for you,” she smiles.

“Goody,” Doug says with a smirk. He walks over with his cup of coffee and gives Carol a kiss. She smiles and continues washing the beans before her. “I guess I should get to work,” Doug says and he turns to leave.

Entering the living room, Doug sees the mess that they had left the night before. There is wrapping paper scattered everywhere and boxes stacked in piles around the room. He sighs and begins to straighten up.

By ten o’clock, Doug has picked up all of the mess and is vacuuming the floors. Carol and Charlie are still busy cooking. Doug cuts off the vacuum and hears the doorbell. He isn’t sure how long it’s been ringing because he couldn’t hear it over the vacuum.

He walks to the door wondering who it could be. He isn’t expecting any of the guests so early. Even Mark probably won’t be here for three more hours or so. He unlatches the deadbolt and pulls open the door to reveal a delivery man.

“Hello,” the man says. “I’m looking for a Mr. Douglas Ross.”

“That’s me,” Doug says curiously.

“I have a package for you, Mr. Ross.” He thrusts a notebook at Doug and points to a signature line. Doug signs and the man reaches down and picks up a package about the size of a shoe box. “Thank you sir, Merry Christmas,” the man says and turns to leave.

“Thanks, you too,” Doug says. He closes the door, eyeing the package curiously.

“Who’s at the door?” Carol calls from the kitchen.

“Just a delivery guy,” Doug responds as he walks in the direction of the kitchen, still examining the package. He reaches the kitchen and Carol and Charlie look his way.

“What is it?” Carol asks.

“I’m not sure. There’s no return address,” he notes.

“Who could it be from?” Charlie inquires.

A strange look passes over Doug’s face. “I’ll bet I know who. Who do I know who would send me an unexpected gift but never think to show up in person to present it?” His expression is bitter.

“Ray,” Carol says with a sigh.

“Exactly. I’ll bet you a million dollars this is his idea of a Christmas gift. I can’t believe him! He just sends a package to my door on Christmas morning? He doesn’t even call? He’s never going to change!” Doug is getting more and more angry. He pushes the package aside on the table and scowls.

“Aren’t you even going to open it?” Carol asks.

“Why bother? I don’t care what it is, I don’t want anything from that man.” She watches sadly as he leaves the room. She looks to Charlie who nods for her to follow him. Carol hesitates, but finally decides to go after him.

She enters the living room and finds Doug sitting in front of the Christmas tree. He is staring forlornly at the tree and seems to be deep in thought. She walks up behind him and touches his shoulder. He remains stiff. She rubs his shoulders gently and says, “It’ll be alright. Don’t let Ray bother you, not today.”

“I really try, Carol, but it’s not easy sometimes. Especially now.”

“Why now?”

“Because, I just keep thinking about how Ray is and how he started off being a pretty good guy. My mother would never have married him if he’d always been this way. She had to have loved him once, Carol,” he looks up at her. He puts his hand on her stomach and says, “I don’t want to end up that way.” The look in his eyes is sad and frightened.

“You won’t. You aren’t your father, Doug. I love you now and I will always love you because you are always going to be the same man I fell in love with. I know that will never change.” She puts her hand on his on her stomach. “I’m going to need you now more than ever.” He looks up at her and she smiles. The corners of his mouth turn up as he, too, attempts a smile. “I love you,” Carol says and pulls him to her. They embrace, his head lying against her stomach. She strokes his hair.

“What would I do without you?” Doug asks.

“You’ll never know, will you?” They part from their embrace and Carol bends down to kiss him tenderly. “I better get back to work on dinner,” she touches his cheek, then turns to go. Doug is left alone in the living room, still staring at the tree.

Just before two o’clock, the doorbell rings again. This time Doug is expecting someone as he goes to answer it. As he pulls the door open, he is not surprised to see Mark on the porch. He has a plate in his hand as well as a bag over his arm. Handing Doug the plate, he says, “Merry Christmas buddy.”

“Merry Christmas to you, too,” Doug says, examining the plate he’s been handed and seeing that it is a pie. “Thanks, but you didn’t have to bring anything,” he tells Mark.

“Well, I thought I should. Anyway, my neighbor made it. It’s pecan. She’s always bringing me stuff and it’s always delicious so this should be good.” He follows Doug as they go into the kitchen.

“Mark!” Carol says as she turns to see them enter the kitchen. “Merry Christmas! I’m so glad you could make it!” She walks over and gives him a hug.

Mark returns the hug and smiles at Carol and Charlie. “I wouldn’t miss it. Merry Christmas to you both. It smells wonderful in here.” He looks down at the bag on his arm. “Oh, before I forget, I brought you all a gift. I thought I’d go ahead and give it to you before the others arrive.”

“You shouldn’t have done that, Mark,” Carol says.

He shakes his head as he opens the bag. “I wanted to.” From inside the bag, he pulls out three boxes and hands one to each of them.

“Thank you so much,” Carol hugs him again.

“Well, go ahead, open them,” Mark says, smiling.

Carol opens her box and finds a silver picture frame. Inside is a photo of herself, Doug and Charlie that was taken at the hospital Christmas party just last week. She smiles at Mark and hugs him yet again. “This is wonderful, thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Merry Christmas,” Mark replies.

Charlie opens her gift next. It is a radio with head phones. She smiles but looks a little perplexed by the gift. “Thanks,” she tells Mark.

“Wait about nine months. You’ll get a lot of use out of those head phones then,” he explains. Realizing the purpose for the gift, Charlie widens her smile. Carol and Doug grin as well.

Doug is the last to open his package. He looks inside to reveal a basketball. He already has a few basketballs, but he smiles and thanks Mark anyway. Mark, seeing that Doug doesn’t realize what his gift is, reaches over and turns the ball a little to the left to reveal a signature written in black. The ball has been signed by Michael Jordan himself. “Wow! Mark, where did you get this? When?”

Mark smiles, “When I took Rachel to the game last month. We had pretty good seats and I was able to have him sign it during half time. I almost got trampled though,” he laughs.

“This is so great! Thanks buddy,” Doug grins at his friend. “Oh, we have something for you, too.” He turns towards the living room and goes in to get Mark’s gift.

“That’s not necessary,” Mark yells after him, but Doug has already disappeared to retrieve the gift. He comes back holding an envelope. He hands it to Mark. “You guys shouldn’t have gotten me anything,” Mark protests. He opens the envelope and finds a gift certificate for dinner for two at Frederico’s, a fancy Italian place downtown. Mark grins, “Is this supposed to be a hint that I should start dating more?”

Carol smiles, “We just thought you and Nina might enjoy a nice evening out. That, and Doug could think of anything else to get,” she concludes with a smirk.

“But,” Doug says, “you also get part of one of my presents and this is even better.” He holds up the two tickets Carol and Charlie got them for the season ending Bulls game.

“You’re joking! One of these is for me?” Mark’s mouth drops open.

“Yep! Can you believe these two managed to find two tickets?” he nods to Carol and Charlie who smile and look away innocently. “I’m still trying to figure out how in the world they did it,” he says.

“Who cares?” Mark grins. “Wow, are you sure you want to give me one of the tickets though? Don’t either of you want to go?” he asks the two women.

“Not a chance,” Carol replies. “You’re stuck with him that night, Charlie and I have plans of our own,” she tells him.

“Like what?” Doug asks curiously.

“Oh, girl stuff,” she says and turns back to the casserole she’s making.

“Figures,” he says to Mark. “Let’s get out of here before they put us to work,” he turns and leads Mark into the living room. They sit down on the couch and turn on the television. They only have to flip the channel once to find a football game in progress.

“So, how are things going lately?” Doug asks his friend.

“Not bad, better,” Mark says.

“You look better. You know, if you ever need to talk . . .”

“I know,” he smiles at Doug. Doug nods. “So,” Mark says, changing the subject, “how are things with you and Carol?”

“Pretty good. If we can make it through this dinner they will be a lot better,” he rolls his eyes and chuckles.

“What is it with you and Carol’s mom? Why don’t you get along?”

“She doesn’t think I’m good enough for her daughter. She thinks Carol deserves better. I can’t totally disagree with her,” he sighs.

“Hey, Carol thinks you’re good enough. That’s all that matters.”

Doug nods and smiles a little.

“How about the baby? Did you tell Helen yet?” Mark inquires.

“No, we haven’t gotten up the courage yet. I think we’re just hoping to get through this dinner, then we’ll hit her with that little piece of news. She’s going to freak!” he shakes his head and grins at the thought of Helen’s reaction.

“It’ll all work out, I’m sure,” Mark tries to reassure him.

“I hope you’re right,” Doug says.

“Your mom still coming today?” Mark asks.

“Yeah, she should be here soon. I told her 3:30 or 4 so she’ll be here by 2:30. She’s perpetually early like I’m perpetually late,” he grins and Mark smiles. He knows very well about Doug’s problem with being tardy.

Doug and Mark settle in and concentrate on the game for a while. Like two kids, they can’t stay out of the kitchen and they are constantly going in to question how much longer dinner will be. Carol has already run them out for the fifth time when there is a knock at the door.

“How about you boys make yourselves useful and answer the door,” she calls in to them. Doug hops up from the couch and goes to the door.

“Mom, Merry Christmas,” he says when he opens the door to find his mother on the porch, waiting.

“Merry Christmas, sweetheart,” she says and gives him a hug and a kiss. She has brought lots of packages and Doug reaches down to help her with them. “No, no, I have these. You go get the rest from the car,” she instructs.

“You mean there’s more?” he asks.

“Of course, now go,” she repeats and Doug turns with a grin to get the bags from the car.

He reenters the house, loaded down with packages, and sees that his mother is talking with Mark in the living room. “Mom,” he says as he sets the packages in his hands around the tree, “have you meet Mark?”

“Yes, we met at the hospital, I believe. It’s been a while though. We were just getting reacquainted,” she smiles at Mark and he returns the smile.

“I’ll be right back. I’m going to get Carol and Charlie,” Doug leaves and goes to get them from the kitchen. They all enter the living room together and approach Mark and Doug’s mom, who are chatting like old friends. As she sees Doug approaching with Carol and Charlie, she stops talking and turns their way.

“Mom, I’d like you to meet Charlie Chimengo,” Doug says, motioning towards the girl. Charlie smiles. “Charlie, this is my mother, Sarah Burgess.”

Sarah smiles warmly at Charlie and says, “It’s very nice to meet you dear.”

“Yes, you too Mrs. Burgess,” she replies.

“Please, call me Sarah,” she says. Charlie nods. “And this must be Carol,” she goes over to Carol and wraps her arms around her. “My son has told me not nearly enough about you. Either of you, really,” she motions to Charlie and Carol. “We have got to get together more often and get to know one another.”

“I’d like that,” Carol smiles. “I’m so glad you could come today.”

“Are you kidding? Doug asked me to Christmas dinner, how could I turn that down? Last year all I got was a phone call,” she chastises, half joking.

Doug hangs his head and grins apologetically at his mom. “At least I’m making up for it, right?” he gives her his puppy dog look and she has to laugh.

“I suppose so,” she grins and pats his cheek. “Well, Carol, do you need any help with dinner?”

“Oh no, that’s alright. We have everything under control in here. You can stay and talk to Doug for a while.” She and Charlie head back towards the kitchen.

“No, I insist. There must be something I can do to help you,” Sarah will not be dissuaded so she, Carol, and Charlie return to the kitchen and finish preparing the night’s meal.

Carol, Charlie and Sarah get a chance to talk while they finish the cooking and they all find that they really like each other. By the time Helen arrives, shortly before five o’clock, they are already like old friends. Doug lets Helen in and they exchange their usual short greetings with one another. Then, Helen proceeds to the kitchen while Doug slips thankfully back to the living room.

“Hello, dear,” Helen says to Carol as she enters the kitchen. Carol, Charlie, and Sarah turn towards her.

“Mom, hi,” Carol says. She walks over to her mother and gives her a hug, then says, “Merry Christmas.”

“Yes, Merry Christmas to you, too,” she replies.

“Mom, you remember Charlie,” Helen nods towards the girl and smiles, “and this is Doug’s mom, Sarah Burgess,” she motions to Sarah who comes over to meet Helen.

“It’s good to meet you,” Sarah says with a smile. “I’m so thrilled that my son has found such a wonderful girl. I just can’t say enough about Carol,” she smiles at Carol and pats her arm.

Helen smiles politely and tries not to let her real feelings for Doug show. “Yes, it’s nice,” is all she says.

“Well,” Carol says, trying to quickly change the subject, “dinner is almost ready. Charlie, why don’t you start setting the table.” Charlie nods and goes off towards the dining room.

“I’ll help you,” Sarah says and follows behind her.

Carol and Helen are left alone in the kitchen. “She seems nice,” Helen says without much enthusiasm, indicating Sarah.

“She is nice. You promised to give this dinner a chance. Please don’t start right away, Ma.” Carol is not in the mood to hear the offhanded remarks she is sure that her mother has to say about Doug or his mother.

“I didn’t say anything,” Helen protests. She goes over to the counter and looks over the food that Carol has just pulled from the oven. “Everything looks nice. You have been working hard on this.”

“Yes, I have. Charlie and I both have and we want this to be a nice dinner,” she tells her and turns to head out of the room to get a serving dish from the pantry. Helen sighs and turns back to check the turkey which is just about ready to come out of the oven.

Carol calls Doug and Mark in from the living room and everyone is just sitting down at the table as the two men appear in the doorway to the dining room. “You should have called us in to help set the table,” Doug tells Carol as he and Mark take their seats. Doug is sitting on one end of the table and Carol is on the other. Charlie and Sarah are sitting beside Doug with Mark beside Sarah and Helen beside Charlie, closest to Carol.

“We had everything under control,” Carol tells him. “You can carve the turkey, though,” she motions to a carving knife that they have brought to the table along with the turkey. Doug nods and begins carving the turkey and distributing it to everyone’s plates.

When everyone has filled their plates and passed this dish and that around to everyone, they all begin to eat. The meal starts out much like their Thanksgiving did, in silence. But, this time, they have a few extra guests and the silence is not allowed to continue for very long. Sarah begins to chat with Carol, Mark, Doug, Charlie, even Helen. She manages to keep the conversation going, talking about everything imaginable. She shares a few stories about Doug, which embarrass him and seem to delight everyone else. She also wants to know all about everyone; what they do, where they’re from, general things. She seems to have single-handedly turned the atmosphere from the tense silence it started out as to more relaxed and pleasant. Carol might actually enjoy this dinner were it not for the tight mouthed expression on Helen’s face the entire evening. ‘Oh well,’ Carol thinks, ‘at least she hasn’t said anything too terrible yet.’

After the meal, they all go into the living room to have coffee and desert. They sit around and eat slices of the pecan pie Mark brought and the coconut cake that Helen made and they all talk a little more. Sarah is still the most pleasant part of the evening. Doug shows her the picture that Charlie painted for him for Christmas and she cannot say enough about it. Charlie is a little embarrassed by all this praise, but also flattered. Her cheeks flush with color as she blushes and she smiles as Sarah tells her what a wonderful artist she is. Helen is also very impressed by the painting but she doesn’t allow herself to be quite as vocal as Sarah.

Aside from perhaps Helen, though, no one seems to mind Sarah’s constant conversation. It is comforting and keeps them from falling into a strained quiet.

They have all finished their coffee and dessert and, by 8 o’clock, they are all ready to exchange gifts. Doug, Carol and Charlie have gifts for Sarah and Helen and Helen and Sarah each have brought things for the three of them. Their gifts are all very nice and everyone is very polite and appreciative to one another. Doug is surprised to see that Helen has even bought him something, a gift certificate for a round of golf. “Thank you, Helen,” he says with a smile which she tries her best to return.

By the time the night is over, they are all exhausted. It’s been a long day for everyone and it is after ten that night when the guests begin to leave. Mark is the first to go since he has to work very early the next day. He thanks Doug and Carol for dinner and tells everyone good-bye, expressing how much he has enjoyed himself.

Helen then tells Carol she must be leaving as well. “It was a wonderful dinner, dear,” she says as she gets her coat. Doug comes around behind her and holds the coat out for her to slip it on and she reluctantly allows this. “Thank you,” she says quietly. He nods and smiles. “It was very nice to meet you,” she says to Sarah. “Maybe we shall see one another again sometime.”

“Oh, I’m sure we’ll see a lot of each other,” she smiles at Doug and Carol and then back to Helen. Helen nods and smiles slightly.

“Well, good-bye then,” she turns to Doug and Carol, “Good-bye dear,” she gives Carol a kiss on the cheek. Turning to Doug she says, “Good-bye Douglas, Merry Christmas.” It is obvious how difficult it is for her to be cordial but Carol appreciates the effort. “Charlie, dear, good-bye,” she says to the girl.

“I’ll walk you out,” Charlie offers and grabs one of the bags Helen has to take home.

“Thank you,” she says to Charlie and the two walk out together.

“Well,” Sarah says as the door closes behind them, “she seems very nice, Carol.”

Carol smiles and nods and says, “My mother is just a little bit overprotective. She’s not too sure yet about this situation. It’s a big change.”

“Situation?” Sarah seems confused.

“Doug and I living together, Charlie, all of it,” Carol says. Doug stands beside her in the foyer with his arm around her waist as they face his mother.

“Oh, I see,” Sarah says. “She’s not happy with it, then?”

“Well,” Doug says, “she’s not exactly unhappy . . .things will work out.”

Sarah nods and smiles, “I’m sure they will. I should be going, too,” she says. “I have so much to do tomorrow,” she heads for the living room to get her things together. When she is out of sight, Carol turns to Doug. “Should we tell her?” she whispers, referring to her pregnancy.

“Let’s wait a while,” he responds quietly.

She isn’t sure why he doesn’t want her to know just yet, but she decides to go along with his request. Sarah reenters the room just as Charlie appears from outside. “Well, I had such a wonderful time,” Sarah tells them. “I am just so happy that you invited me.”

Carol says, “We’re so happy you came. It was great to meet you. We’ll have to stay in touch better from now on.”

“Definitely, I would love that,” Sarah beams. She hugs Carol and says again how much she has enjoyed the dinner and thanks her. Then she hugs Charlie. “We should really get better aquatinted,” Sarah tells her. “Maybe we could have lunch one day soon?” Charlie nods and tells Sarah she would like that. “Well, you give me a call in the next week or so, okay?” Charlie agrees and Sarah seems very pleased.

Turning to Doug, she says, “Thank you again for inviting me, Doug. I am so happy you asked me here today.” He smiles and hugs his mother. She holds on tight to him and kisses his cheek. “Don’t be such a stranger. You need to bring these two lovely ladies over to my house for dinner very soon.”

He smiles and agrees. They all bid Sarah good-bye and Doug helps her out to the car with her things. She leaves and Doug comes back into the living room and flops down on the couch. Charlie and Carol are already there, looking just as worn out as he does. “Well, we made it,” he tells Carol. It wasn’t so bad, was it?”

“No, thanks to Sarah it was pretty nice. She’s really great Doug. I don’t know why you haven’t introduced us before.”

He shrugs and puts his arm around Carol. He looks over and sees that Charlie’s eyes are already closed. “We’d better get to bed before we all fall asleep right here,” he says. They wake Charlie and all of them head upstairs to their rooms.

Once in their bedroom, Doug and Carol get into bed and she snuggles up in his arms. “Today went much better than I expected. I’m glad we did this.”

“Yeah, me too.”

Carol has a thought and turns back to Doug, “Did you ever open that box from Ray?” she asks. He shakes his head no. “Are you going to?”

“Why should I?” he asks her.

“He’s your father.”

“Well, when he starts acting like it, maybe I’ll start being his son. I don’t feel like dealing with him again right now. I have more important things to occupy my time.” He smiles at Carol and kisses her lips, placing his hands on her stomach. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” They fall asleep in each others arms.

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Created by Courtney Stovall © 1998

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