JUST A DEFAULT



These characters are not mine and no money is made off of them but the one's that are mine should not be used by any other author besides me.

Summary from last time: Doug and Carol cuddle in front of a movie. Malik's girl friend may be pregnant. Susan comes for a visit. Carol goes into labor without complications(baby was born at home and delivered by Doug)and has a healthy baby girl, Caitlin Emmalee Ross.

Scene 1 It is three months from the last story. Carol is sleeping restlessly in her and Doug's room. Just then she hears a piercing scream come from over the baby monitor. Carol manages to emerge from the bed and walks slowing into the nursery. She wishes Doug were back from that conference in California so she wouldn't have to do this but, she thought, he won't be back for 2 days. She picks up the wailing infant and settles down the rocker/glider chair in the corner. She slowly unhooked the small buttons on her pale pink nightshirt. As soon as she reached the 5th button she is satisfied and lifts Caitlin to her breast. The baby resists so Carol guides the child's mouth to her breast. Caitlin resists again so Carol figures it must be her diaper. She carries Caitlin to the changing table. She unwraps the soft pastel blanket that is wrapped around her. She unbuttons the sleeper and then the onesey and starts to rip open the sticky fasteners on the diaper. When the diaper is open Carol checks it but it is dry and clean. What is it Caitlin, Carol wonders? Maybe she's hot, I'll put on lighter sleeper Carol thought. After she had undressed and redressed the infant she was still crying. Carol sat up and rocked her for another 45 min. but it didn't help. Caitlin's crying wasn't stopping and it seemed to be getting worse. Carol was about to brush her hair with the soft baby brush which normally lulled the baby to sleep but as her hand brushed past Caitlin's forehead when she was about to grab the baby brush and it was hot to the touch. Carol placed her hand back on the baby's head and it was burning. Oh my god Carol thought she's got a fever. Minutes later Carol had the thermometer in Caitlin's ear. Caitlin seemed to scream louder at this. 3..2..1..beep. Carol looked down at the numbers and she gasped in fear. 103.7, oh my god I've got to get her to a hospital now. Carol quickly changed her clothes while trying to calm the ever screaming Caitlin. She hushed at her and then whisked her off to the Cavalier.

Scene 2 Carol ran threw the er doors with a sudden burst of energy.

Carol: "I need some help here!"

Mark comes around the corner to see Carol drenched from the rain carrying the screamed and crying Caitlin.

Mark: "Carol what's wrong?"

Carol: "I don't know Mark. She woke up about 2 hours ago crying. I tried to feed her but it didn't help. She wasn't wet. I tried rocking her but that didn't help either. Then I noticed she felt hot so I took her temp and it was 103.7. I didn't know what else to do?"

Mark:(taking Caitlin from Carol) "It's ok will find out what's wrong, but while your waiting I'd like you take a seat in the lounge or something."

Carol: "Come on Mark she's my baby!"

Mark: "Carol don't test me!"

Carol: "Fine, I'll be in the lounge."

Scene 3 It is almost an hour later. Carol has been waiting for the results on Caitlin but hasn't received any yet. The minutes seem to pass like hours. Just then Mark and Haleh walk into the lounge.

Carol:(in a panic) "How is she? Is she going to be alright?"

Mark:(trying to sound professional) "Here's the scoop, she has a double ear infection in the right ear and an ear infection in the left. She has a strep throat. She also has pneumonia."

Carol: "Oh my god. What did I do wrong?"

Mark: "Carol you didn't do anything, it just happens, and it's more likely since Caitlin is enrolled in daycare."

Carol: "But Mark were talking about hospital daycare here, shouldn't it be more sterile or something?"

Mark: "Carol they do all they can to keep that place sterile but they can't help it if another kid sneezes on your's but let my finish first, while we were trying to drain the fluid from her lungs she slipped into a coma. I'm sorry Carol. Would you like me to try and reach Doug?"

Carol:(upset) "Please, and if you find him tell him and let me talk to him. Can I see her?"

Mark: "Sure, she's up in PICU. Haleh would you take Carol to her?"

Haleh: "Yes, Dr. Greene."

Mark: "I'm so sorry Carol."

Carol: "Wait Mark and I want the truth, what are her chances of waking up?"

Mark: "Alright, 75% no, 25% yes."

Carol starts to cry as Haleh leads her towards the stairs.

Scene 4 It is Thursday afternoon. Carol is upstairs sitting next to Caitlin's bed. Every heartbeat makes Carol more hopeful but every time a machine goes off she because less optimistic. Doug has been notified on his daughter's condition several times. He is making an endless effort to get home. Mark walks into the PICU and sits down next to Carol.

Mark: "Doug found a flight home. He said he should be here around 2:30 PM. Would you like me to pick him up for you?"

Carol: "Sure Mark, and Mark, thanks for everything."

Mark: "Don't mention it. Your a friend and I'm glad to help."

Mark leaves Carol in peace to sit and watch her baby. Dr. Resnacheck, Caitlin's doctor, thinks there isn't much hope. He comes to tell Carol.

Dr. Resnacheck: "I'm sorry Carol, but there isn't much hope. I think it would be best if we took her off life support now."

Carol:(starting to sob) "If we did would she breath?"

Dr. Resnacheck: "It is very unlikely that she would. All odds are against her. But if she took a breath she'd most likely live."

Carol: "Dr. Resnacheck, not based on your medical knowledge, but do you think she could live?"

Dr. Resnacheck: "Not based on medical percentages and theories, yes I think she could but those theories aren't usually wrong Carol, and you should know that. Do you want me to take her off now?"

Carol: "Could we wait, at least until my husband gets to say goodbye?"

Dr. Resnacheck: "Sure, as you wish."

Carol sat in the chair thinking over Caitlin's life. She had only had her 3 months and already she was given a death sentence. This isn't right Carol thought. Not at all. What did I do wrong? And how is Doug going to react? He'll blame me for all of this and then I'll never be able to live with my self again. Caitlin was such a good little girl, she didn't deserve this. I wish I could take her place. Maybe this is for the best though. No, how could I think such a thing, this couldn't be for the best. But if I lost Caitlin I don't think I could go on. I doubt I could ever carry another child again. Carol must have sat there thinking for over an hour because then thoughts were shattered by the entrance of Doug.

Doug: "Carol is she ok?"

Carol: "No, Doug she's not ok. They want to take her off life support."

Carol starts to cry and puts her face into Doug's chest. He puts his arm around her to give her a hug when she says something.

Carol: "I suppose you'll want this back."

Carol hands Doug the wedding ring.

Doug: "Why would I want your wedding ring, Carol?"

Carol: "Because you don't love me anymore for letting this happen to our child."

Doug: "Carol, do you think I'm blaming you for this?"

Carol:(now has burst into tears) "Yes."

Doug: "Oh, Carol I don't blame you for this at all. It isn't your fault. Babies get sick. And I know if Caitlin were able to talk to you she would tell you that it isn't your fault either. Carol you know me better than that."

Carol: "I know Doug and I'm sorry that I accused you of that. I guess it was just what I expected. I'm really sorry."

Doug: "It's alright. All I want to concentrate on now is making you and Caitlin feel better. I think we both need some lunch. How ‘bout we go to the cafeteria and get something."

Carol: "Well, alright as long as someone stays with her."

Anna walking in.

Anna: "I will Carol."

Doug and Carol turn around and are shocked to see Anna there."

Anna: "I came to see how you were doing and I heard your conversation. But I'll stay with her as long as you'd like."

Doug: "We'd appreciate that Anna, thanks."

Doug and Carol walk out of the room and Anna sits in the chair next to Caitlin.

Scene 5 It has been almost an hour since Doug and Carol went to lunch. Anna sat in the chair still and frozen. She shut her eyes for what seemed liked seconds but they flew open when she her the machines going ecstatic. Anna: "What, what's wrong now?"

Dr. Resnacheck: "Her condition's improving, if it keeps up like this she could be awake in minutes."

Anna: "I'll go get Doug and Carol."

Dr. Resnacheck: "Dr. Del Amico wait, she's awake."

Anna ran back to Caitlin's bedside to see her little eyes staring up at her.

Anna: "Hi little one. Your mom and dad will be so happy."

Dr. Resnacheck: "You'd better stay with her or shall get scared."

Anna: "But what about Doug and Carol..."

Dr. Resnacheck: "Let's let them be surprised."

Scene 6 Doug and Carol walked back to the PICU. They saw Anna still sitting in the chair.

Doug: "How's she doi...."

Doug's eyes boggled when he saw Anna holding Caitlin. Her little hands holding Anna's.

Doug: "When did she wake up?"

Anna: "About a half in hour ago, I was going to go get you two but the doctor wanted it to be a surprise."

Dr. Resnacheck: "So I see you've found her."

Doug: "How's her condition?"

Dr. Resnacheck: "At this rate will keep her over night and if there's no problems she can go home by morning."

Carol: "Oh, thank god. Thank you Dr. Resnacheck for all you've done."

Dr. Resnacheck: "It wasn't me at all, she's real strong and know's what she's fighting for."

Doug and Carol were ecstatic. They kissed passionately and went to tell everyone in the er. This was definitely something to celebrate.

Scene 7 The next day Doug and Carol stood at the admit desk in the front of County General. But they were not alone. In Carol's arms was little Caitlin wrapped up in her favorite blanket. They walked out to the Jeep in the entrance bay and Doug helped Carol in the car as they drove away to their home. When they drove up to the house Doug helped Carol out of the car and she took Caitlin out of her car seat. The scene was memorable to Doug though, he remembered it from the day they brought Caitlin home from the hospital. But his thought was interrupted by Carol.

Carol: "Doug are you going to let us in?"

Doug: "Oh, yeah. I was um, just thinking."

Carol: "‘bout what baby?"

Doug: "Nothing, nothing at all."

Doug and Carol stepped into the house Carol walked to the kitchen to set down the diaper bag and was startled to death when someone jumped out from behind the rubber tree.

Carol: "OH MY GOD!

Er staff: "Surprise!!"

Carol: "You guys scared me to death. What are you doing here?"

Er staff: "We gave you guys a coming home party."

Doug: "Carol are you alright?"

Carol:(trying not to laugh) "No, I'm not!"

Doug: "Why who in the hell is in our hous..."

Er staff: "Surprise!!"

Doug: "What in the world?"

Mark: "We threw you guys a coming home party, hey with all you've been threw he thought you deserved it."

Doug:(slapping Mark on the back) "Yah, thanks buddy!"

All the women crowded around Carol and Caitlin and the men went downstairs to watch t.v.

Scene 8 Doug and Carol lay wide-eyed on their bed together. Caitlin had been asleep for hours already. Doug got off the bed and went over into the bathroom to brush his teeth. When he returned Carol was taking off her silver necklace at the dresser. Doug walked to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He started kissing her neck.

Carol: "Do you know how good that feels?"

Doug: "No, but you could show me?"

Carol: "Doug, the baby is here. What if she wakes up?"

Doug: "Carol then will go get her. This is a perfect time."

Carol: "Well alright then Douglas Ross. Show me what you got."

Doug: "I'd be glad to."

Closing credits roll.

Written by Christina on August 7, 1998.

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