ALWAYS ON MY MIND
Part V
(set approx 2 years after season 6 finale)
spoilers for ‘Mayday’
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
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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.”
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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A few hours later Luka joined Dave on the roof.
“Dave,” he said. “The
OB nurses said you were up here.”
“Is something wrong?” asked Dave with concern.
“No, no, Kerry and Sarah are both fine. I looked in on
them to see how they were doing, but they were both sound asleep.
I thought you would be getting some rest as well.”
“I tried, but I just couldn’t settle. I’m
half afraid that I’ll wake up and find this has all been a
dream. I mean twenty-four hours ago Sarah was just a blur
on a monitor. And now she’s here and looking to Kerry
and me to take care of her. I’ve never had that type
of responsibility before. I’m afraid I won’t be
able to cope.”
“We all feel that way in the beginning,” said Luka.
“You just have to take it a day at a time. Soon you
won’t remember what it was like to not be a father.”
He sighed heavily.
“You still miss your children,” said Dave.
“Every day. But every day I thank God for the time
that I was allowed to be a father to them.”
There was silence on the rooftop for a moment.
“Let’s go inside,” said Luka. “It’s
getting too cold up here. You can buy me a coffee to
celebrate your daughter’s birth.”
“Yeah, I should have got some cigars.”
“The canteen coffee is probably as poisonous as cigars
anyway.”
Smiling, they both headed for the door.
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A few weeks later
Dave walked into the ER with Sarah in a
sling on his chest.
A crowd of adoring nurses soon surrounded him.
“Oh, isn’t she just the sweetest thing,” said
Haleh.
“I thought you weren’t on until later,” said Yosh.
“Yeah, but I had some paperwork to catch up on, and I
figured Kerry could use a break. She’s going to pick
up Sarah before my shift starts.”
“I never thought I’d see you with a baby in a sling,”
said Randi.
“Yeah, well I had to keep my hands free so I could steer my
bike.”
“Don’t tell me you took that sweet child on the bike
with you,” said Haleh looking shocked.
“Course not,” said Dave. “I took the El.
Mind you, I’d say the bike would have been a lot easier.”
There was more oohing and aahing over Sarah
before Dave finally said, “Anyone know where Carter is?”
“I think he’s in exam one.”
“Thanks, Yosh. I’ll catch you guys later.”
Dave stuck his head around the door of exam
one.
“Yo Carter. You busy?”
“Hi Dave. No, I’m just about finished here.”
“I need a quick word with you. I’ll be in the
lounge.”
“Okay. I’ll be with you in a minute.”
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A few minutes later, John opened the door to
the lounge. Dave was singing softly to Sarah. John
waited for a few moments so as not to disturb them.
As he reached the end of the verse Dave looked up and noticed
John standing there.
“I never thought I’d hear you
singing lullabies,” said John with a grin.
Dave smiled ruefully and said, “Yeah, well, <she>
likes it.”
“So how’s Kerry doing?”
“She’s good. Actually, neither of us are getting
a lot of sleep but we’re managing.”
There was silence for a moment before Dave spoke again.
“Listen, John, are you doing anything the first Sunday of
next month?”
“I’ll have to check the rosters. Why do you ask?”
“We’re having Sarah christened then, and, well, Kerry
and I would like you to be her godfather.”
John was stunned. This was the last
thing he had expected.
“I didn’t know you believed in that sort of thing.”
“Old habits die hard. We figure when Sarah’s old
enough she’ll make her own decisions on what to believe.
We just want to start her in the right direction.”
“Who else have you asked?”
“Kerry asked Jeanie Moore, Jeanie Boulet that was, and I
asked my friend Dee from college.”
“Are you sure that you want me? I mean I’m not
the most religious of people, plus I’d hardly call myself a
good role model what with my drug problem.”
“That’s all in the past. You haven’t touched
the stuff since you got out of rehab. As for not being
overly religious, well, what Kerry and I want most is someone who
will look out for Sarah when she’s growing up. John,
you’ve been my friend for years now. Will you do it?”
Dave was looking more serious than John had
ever seen him before.
“In that case, I’d be honored to accept.”
Dave smiled and said, “Thank-you, John.
Would you like to hold your goddaughter?”
“Of course.” He reached out to take Sarah.
“Be careful to support her head,” warned Dave.
“Dave, I <have> handled babies before,”
“Not my baby, you haven’t,” said Dave protectively
“Uh-oh,”
“Uh-oh, what?”
“I think somebody needs her diaper changed,”
John held Sarah up, revealing a damp patch on his lab coat.
“Oh, Sarah,” said Dave with a grin
as he retrieved his daughter. “That’s no way to
treat your godfather. C’mon, Carter, let me introduce
you to one of your first responsibilities as a godparent –
diaper duty.”
“I knew there was a catch to this god parenting business.”
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John was in the middle of changing the
diaper when Chuny looked in, “Carter, Dr Kovac wants you to
take an incoming trauma.”
“Saved by the bell,” said John. “Looks like
you’ll have to take over, Dave.”
“Not so fast. You finish here and I’ll take the
trauma.”
“What if I get stuck?”
“Call a nurse, of course,” said Dave with a grin as he
followed Chuny out of the room.
A few minutes later Haleh walked in. “Dr Malucci said
you might need a hand.”
“Thanks, Haleh,” said John holding out the clean diaper
to her.
“Oh, no you don’t. Malucci specifically told me
to supervise and <not> to actually change it.”
“But I’ve never done this before.”
“You’ve seen it done before, haven’t you?”
“Yes… a few times.”
“There you go then: see one, do one, teach one. Don’t
worry, Dr Carter I’ll talk you through it.”
John sighed, and set to work. At least it had only been a
wet diaper, and not a dirty one.
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to be continued