Author’s Text

Well, OK...I think I’ve finally learned my lesson...you guys want to read about Doug and Carol and not much else, huh? Well, if you want Doug and Carol, then, Doug and Carol is what you get with this one! I went back through some of my older stories to re-read the formula I used to use with them to try and recapture it with this story. Hope I mixed the right stuff together!

PLEASE DON’T KILL ME for the seeds planted in the end of this story. I haven’t really decided if that’s what I’m going to do or not but I’m really thinking about it. Maybe I’ll take feedback on that...

The characters in this story are not mine and no money is made by me for the use of them in this story.

Robin

"ER"
"A World Of Our Own"
Opening Act

Scene opens at the Ross home, interior, early evening. Show Carol Ross coming through the living room of the new Ross home in her hospital scrubs from work picking up toys as she goes. She goes into the kitchen and starts sifting through the mail. Scott Ross is sitting at the kitchen counter, eating cookies and drinking a glass of milk.

Carol:
Hey, Scotty.

Scott (nods):
Hi, Mom!

Carol:
Where’s your Dad?

Scott:
He went to take a nap. I guess he’s still there.

Carol:
How was your day?

Scott (shrugs):
It was OK. How was yours?

Carol (chuckles):
Interesting!

Scott:
Is Dad still suspended?

Carol (shakes her head with a smile):
Oh no...he can go back whenever he’s ready!

Scott:
I bet he’ll be glad to hear that!

Carol (nods):
That’s not all he’s gonna be glad to hear!
(puts the mail down and turns around)
Is he still not feeling well?

Scott:
He didn’t act like he felt very well. But I don’t know about things like that when it’s a Dad...only when it’s a kid!

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Uh huh...you’re a big help. Where’s Tatchie?

Scott:
She was in the nursery playing with Marc...I guess she’s still there.

Carol (roughs his hair as she starts out of the room):
You’re just Mr. Know-It-All today, aren’t you?

Scott (shrugs):
Hey, I try...

Follow Carol through the house to the nursery. She looks in the doorway and smiles at Tatiana playing with Marc. Marc is nearly two years old now, walking well and very active. Tatiana is stacking blocks and about the time she gets them all stacked, Marc knocks them all down, laughing with delight. Carol looks on around the nursery. Mrs. Lincoln is there with the triplets, who are now almost a year old. The girls are crawling actively but Josh is content to just play on a sit-and-play water mat. The attention is diverted when Marc looks up and sees Carol.

Marc:
Mama!

Carol (waves to him):
Hi, Sweetheart.
(she leans down to pick him up as he runs to her)
Looks like everybody is having a good time here!
(kisses his cheek and he squeals with delight)
You be good, OK?
(lifts him back down to the floor)
I’m gonna go check on your Papa.

Tatiana (as Carol starts away):
I don’t think Papa feels good.

Carol (turns back):
Oh yeah? Why is that?

Tatiana:
Cos he’s been in his room almost all day! Is he being punished?

Carol (laughs):
No, Honey...he’s there by choice.

Carol goes down the hall to the master bedroom and opens the door quietly. She looks it to see Doug sprawled on their bed with his arm up over his head and his eyes closed. The house is pretty much in place now, just a small hint that they are still moving things around. Carol walks over to the bed and sits down on the edge beside Doug. She reaches her hand to his forehead and feels it carefully. She frowns, and touches his chest with her hand, shaking him gently.

Carol:
Doug?
(shakes him again)
Doug, Honey, wake up.

Slowly, Doug opens his eyes and rolls his head on this pillow. When he sees Carol, he smiles. She smiles back at him and he pulls himself into a sitting position on the bed.

Doug:
When did you get home?

Carol:
Just a few minutes ago. How are you feeling?

Doug:
Kind of punk, actually. What’s going on at the hospital? Do I still have a job?

Carol (laughs, nods):
Oh, yeah! You have a job!

Doug (grins):
So, what happened?

Carol:
David reviewed the incident and filed a report against Garrett Holmes. Kerry was given a six month probationary period and you were reinstated with full honors and back pay for the days you missed.

Doug (frowns):
Wait a minute? I got suspended and Kerry Weaver only gets probation?

Carol:
Well, I brought that up too, but, David said you were suspended in error and it should never have happened...

Doug (nods):
Damn right it shouldn’t have happened!

Carol:
So, he said that was the punishment you should have received and he was in charge now and was calling the shots.

Doug (scoffs):
Figures.

Carol (feels his forehead again):
You’re still a little warm...do you feel OK? Do you hurt anyplace?

Doug (shrugs):
I’m just a little wiped out.

Carol:
Have you been around the kids much today?

Doug (shakes his head):
No...I’ve been in here most of the day.

Carol:
Well, OK...but I’m keeping an eye on you...

Doug (chuckles):
Yes, ‘nurse Hathaway’!

Carol (takes off her scrub top and throws it at him over her shoulder):
That’s Ross to you, Buster!

Doug catches the scrub top and laughs as Carol goes on into the bathroom to get changed and the Opening Act Fades into the Opening Credits of the show.

Act One

Scene opens at the Ross home. Show Carol in the kitchen working at the stove. She’s in jeans and a sweatshirt now and is stirring something in a pot over the fire. Show Marc toddle in and grab onto Carol’s pants leg, tugging on it quickly.

Marc (frantically):
Mama! Mama!!

Carol (looks down at him):
What IS it, Marc?

Marc (looks up at her, BIG smile):
Hi!

Carol (smiles, shakes her head):
Hi to you, too. Would you like some of your Papa’s Chicken Noodle soup?

Marc (claps his hands):
Soup!!

Carol:
OK...I’ll put some out to cool for you, OK? Go get in your chair!

Marc (heads for his high chair):
Chair!
(starts climbing into it, turns around, sits up, and claps his hands):
Soup! Soup!

Carol: (touches his hair and snaps the tray onto the chair):
It’ll be just a few minutes, OK?

Marc (wide smile):
O-K!

Marc watches as Carol fixes a tray for Doug with the soup and some crackers. She starts out of the room and sees Scott watching TV in the other room.

Carol:
Hey, Scotty, keep an eye on Marc, OK? He’s in his chair in here...

Scott (nods over his shoulder):
Sure, Mom!

Carol:
Give him that soup in that bowl on the counter when it cools, OK?

Scott (smiles):
Sure!

Carol takes the tray down the hall to the bedroom and opens the door, balancing the tray on her arm. She goes into the room and closes the door with her foot, carrying the tray to the bed. Doug is sitting up with his back against the headboard, reading a book. When he sees Carol, he takes his glasses off and lays them on the table beside him.

Carol (places the tray on his chest):
I brought you some soup.

Doug (shakes his head):
I’m not really hungry.

Carol (coaxing):
It’s your favorite....chicken noodle....extra chicken!
(stirs the soup and scoops up a spoonful)
Come on....open up....
(she holds her hand under the spoon to catch the broth the slips off the spoon and inches it towards his mouth. Doug obediently opens up and she slips the spoon into his mouth)

Doug (scoffs):
I don’t need you to feed me...I can feed myself.

Carol (hands him the spoon):
I was just getting you started.
(smoothes his hair off his forehead and feels him for fever)

Doug (bats her hand away):
Will you STOP already? I’m gonna have a permanent indention on my forehead from your hand if you don’t quit!

Carol:
I’m concerned about you! I’m your wife! That’s my job!

Doug (scoffs):
Oh yeah? This morning when I wanted you to stay with me you told me your job was at the hospital!

Carol (shrugs, smiles):
That’s my day job. This is my night job. I’m gonna go get the therm-o- scan...don’t go away.

Doug (rolls his eyes):
Where am I gonna go, Carol?

Doug sips soup from his spoon while Carol goes to the bathroom and comes back with the therm-o-scan in her hand. Without even interrupting his dinner, she puts the therm-o-scan in his ear, gets her reading, and then removes it.

Doug:
OK...so how hot am I?

Carol (chuckles):
Ummm....I’d say that’s a loaded question.
(smiles at him)
You’re a little warm.

Doug (reaches for the therm-o-scan):
How warm is a little warm!
(looks at the reading)
101...that’s not too bad.

Carol:
It’s high enough for me.
(reaches for the phone and starts dialing a number)

Doug (confused):
Who are you calling?

Carol:
My Mother...

Doug (grins, nods):

Oh, you’re gonna have her come and take care of the kids while you take care of me?

Carol (nods):
Something like that...yeah.
(into receiver)
Hello, Mama? Do you think you could come out and stay with the kids for a couple of days? No, it’s Doug. He’s running a fever and I think he’s better off if I get him away from the kids so I’m taking him to the Drake until his fever goes away...
(puts her hand up to ward off the quiet protest from Doug)

Doug:
We don’t need to go to the Drake...
(Carol waves him quiet with her hand)

Carol (still talking on the phone):
Oh, probably just a day or so...until the fever goes away or we know what he has...whichever comes first.
(rolls her eyes)
Well, of COURSE I’ll call a doctor for him when I get him there, Mama. How ELSE am I going to find out what’s wrong with him?
(waves Doug to be quiet as he is still quietly protesting)

Doug:
I don’t NEED to see a doctor...I AM a doctor for God’s sake...
(Carol gives him a stern look and shakes her head for him to be quiet)

Carol (still on the phone):
Yes, Mama, I KNOW I can take the tests myself but I’d feel better if a neutral party looked at him.
(rolls her eyes again)
Well, I don’t know who I’ll call but I’m sure with all the choices I have I can get somebody to come and look at him.

Doug (sipping soup):
Just as long as it’s not Kerry Weaver...

Carol (frowns at Doug):
Mama, can you come or not?
(nods)
Thank you!
(hangs up the phone, turns to Doug)
OK...she’s coming...let’s get you packed and we’ll be ready to go when she gets here.

Doug (sighs):
Don’t you think you’re over-reacting just a TAD?

Carol:
We have 4 children in this house under the age of 2 years old and an HIV positive daughter and you want to ask me if I’m over-reacting?

Doug (nods, sighs again, tosses cover off him):
OK...you’re right...
(kisses her cheek lightly)
...as usual.

Carol (playfully):
Hey! Be careful kissing me ‘til we know what you’ve got!
(Doug chuckles and grabs Carol around the waist, pulling her close to him, and nuzzling his mouth against her face. Carol laughs hysterically)
Doug! Stop it!

Doug (pulls her down on the bed):
You know what they say! Misery loves company!

Cut to show Scott passing through the hallway. He sees this scene of the two of them on the bed together and rolls his eyes.

Scott:
Oh, please! Why don’t you two get a room someplace? There ARE children in this house, you know!

Doug (looks up, grins at him):
Thanks for the advice...I think we’ll do just that!
(looks down at Carol)
What do you say, ‘Mom’...should we get a room someplace?

Carol (playfully beating on him):
Will you STOP it and get your things together!
(looks over at Scott)
We’re taking a room at the Drake until we know what’s causing your Dad’s fever. Your Grandma Helen will be staying here with you and the kids, OK?

Scott (brightly):
Cool!

Carol:
Scotty, can you help me load some things into the van? You can carry some of your Dad’s dialysis material.

Scott (nods):
Sure, Mom...no problem!

Carol (pulling Doug to his feet):
Come on....I want to have you ready to leave when Mama gets here.

Doug (stands up, pulls her close to him and smiles down at her):
Admit it, you just can’t wait to get me alone someplace without any kids around!

Carol (rolls her eyes):
I want to get you someplace AWAY from the children and where I can give you my undivided attention.

Doug (grins):
That’s what I’m counting on.

Carol (playfully beats him away and pulls loose from his hold):
Will you STOP it already! What has gotten into you!?

Doug:
It’s not a question of what’s gotten into ME but what’s GOING to get into YOU!

Carol (scoffs as she goes to the closet to get his duffel bag):
You are too sick for that!

Doug (comes up behind her, slips her arms around her waist and lays his head on her shoulder):
I am NEVER too sick for ‘that’!

Carol (chuckles):
Umm...and don’t I know it.
(turns around and smacks him in the chest with the duffel bag)
Pack your things...I’ll get your dialysis stuff together!

Doug (nods obediently):
Yes, Boss!

Carol (going across the room to the storage closet where Doug’s dialysis material is kept):
Who do you want me to call to meet us at the hotel to check you over? I can’t call Mark, so, who’s your next choice?

Doug (sighs, stuffs things in the duffel bag):
I don’t know...call Carter, I guess.

Carol:
You trust Carter, OK?

Doug (chuckles):
I better...I trained him!

Carol (picks up the phone, looks over at Doug):
Don’t forget your glasses.

Doug (annoyed):
Why? I’m not going to NEED them for anything!

Carol:
You don’t know...you might...besides...I think you’re really sexy in them!
(show Doug scrambling to pitch his glasses in the bag...Carol laughs...then turns her attention to the phone)
Hello, John? It’s Carol...listen, Doug is running a fever and we’re taking a room in the Drake until we know what it is. Could you come over to the hotel and check him over in about an hour or so?
(rolls her eyes)
No, John, you won’t get kicked out of the AMA for making a house call.
(show Doug laughing. Carol gives him a scolding look)
OK, thanks, John. Yeah, about an hour. Give us time to get there and get settled. OK. See you there.
(hangs up the phone and gives Doug a sarcastic tone)
Get kicked out of the AMA for making a house call? I wonder where he ever got an idea like that?

Doug (shrugs, chuckles):
I wouldn’t have any idea.

Carol:
I’m sure.

Cut to show Doug and Carol starting through the house to leave. Carol is carrying Doug’s duffel bag. Doug is carrying his dialysis machine in it’s carrying case. Show Scott coming back into the house.

Scott:
Got all the boxes loaded in the van, Mom!

Carol:
Thanks, Scotty. Kind of help your Grandma take care of the kids, OK?

Scott (nods):
I will.

Tatiana (from behind them):
I wanna tell Papa goodbye!

Helen (holding onto her):
No, Honey...your Papa has a fever and we don’t want you to get sick, too!

Tatiana (sad face):
If I get sick, do I get to go, too?

Doug (turns to her and grins):
No, Punkin...you’d have to go to the hospital!

Tatiana (pouts):
That’s no fun.

Doug:
You stay with your Grandma, OK? We’ll call you.

Tatiana (nods, disappointed voice):
OK.

Carol (as they start out the door):
Thanks, Mama...we’ll call you as soon as we know something!

Helen (waves to them):
Don’t worry about a thing, Dear.

Show Doug and Carol go out of the house and Carol helps him into the passenger’s side of the van. She goes around and gets in the driver’s seat. Show the van backing down the driveway as Act One Fades to Black.

Act Two

Scene opens with Doug and Carol coming into a room in the Drake Hotel. Show Carol flipping on the light and Doug trudging along behind her slowly. Once in the room, he puts his case down, and she puts his duffel bag on the bed. Show a bell hop coming in behind them pulling a cart loaded with the boxes of dialysis supplies.

Bell Hop:
And where would you like these, Dr. Ross?

Doug (motions behind him):
Just put them along that wall there...thank you.

The bell hop stacks the boxes along the wall and Doug reaches into his pocket and gives him a tip.

Bell hop (tips his hat):
Thank you, Sir.

The bell hop leaves, closing the door behind him. Carol gets into the duffel bag and takes out Doug’s sweat pants and a T-shirt and hands them to him.

Carol:
Come on...into bed with you.

Doug (takes the clothes, and grins at her):
Only if you come with me.

Carol (laughing):
WHAT is with you all the sudden? Why are you acting like this?

Doug (wraps his arms around her and pulls close to stare down at her):
Because I miss my wife.

Carol:
What are you talking about? I haven’t ‘been’ anywhere!

Doug (nods):
Yes, you have...and I have too. We’ve been so far apart lately and we don’t talk anymore...I think we need to alter that...and soon.

Carol:
Well, depending on what you’ve got, maybe we’ll be stuck here a couple of days.

Doug (grins):
We might be ‘stuck’ here a couple of days whether I have anything or not!

Carol (wraps her arms around him and gives him a coy smile):
Are you coming on to me, Dr. Ross?

Doug (chuckles):
You better believe it!

Carol (pulls loose from him, shakes her head with a grin):
Get in bed, will you?

Doug (imitating Rigor):
Yes, Master....

Doug peels off his clothes and pulls into his sweats before crawling under the covers. Carol picks up the phone and dials the front desk.

Carol (into receiver):
Hi, this is Carol Ross...could you please send up some ice and some water to Dr. Ross’ room?
(smiles)
Thank you.
(sits on the bed beside Doug and toys absently with his hair)
Have you checked on Mark today?

Doug (nods):
Yes, he’s feeling better.

Carol:
Any idea when he might be able to come back to work?

Doug (chuckles):
Probably not soon enough for Nina!

Carol (smiles):
Ummm....probably not!
(feels his forehead)
Well, you’re not any hotter than your were...not any cooler either, but...

Doug:
I’m stabilized!

Carol (smirks at him):
That’s a matter of a opinion.

Doug (smirks back at her):
Thanks!

Carol (laughs, throws her arms around her him):
Oh, Doug...you know I love you...why else would I put up with you?

Doug (ticks his head):
Huh....that’s the million dollar question, isn’t it.
(takes her hand and looks into her eyes)
You don’t have any doubts that I love you, do you?

Carol:
You come home every night...why would I doubt it?

Doug (surprised):
Is that all love is to you?

Carol (chuckles):
It was in my house!

Doug:
Well, we’ve been a little distant lately.

Carol:
We’ve had a lot of things happen in our lives.

Doug (nods):
Yes, we have....and now I think it’s time we slow down a little bit.

Carol (rolls her eyes):
We have six kids...how slow do you think we can go?

Doug:
Are you ever sorry we have six kids?

Carol (soft smile):
I love our kids, you know? Lana is pulling up now...I think she’s gonna walk any time now. Tina is just a little behind her...watching everything she does and imitating her. Josh is a little slower but he’s starting to show signs of progression now. Tatchie is growing and becoming a young lady...she’s doing so well right now it almost scares me. Scott...well... Scott is turning into a teenager. He’s growing up and growing away. I think we’re looking at some trying times with him not too far away. And little Marcus is getting to be so cute. He’s turning into a real little person now...

Doug (knowing look):
But?

Carol (shrugs):
OK...yeah...sometimes I wonder what it would be like for us if it were just you and me. I know that’s selfish...
(looks him in the eye)
But sometimes I really miss you. I miss us the way we used to be...when it was just us and we could do what we wanted without having to consider someone else....or get a baby-sitter...you know?

Doug (nods):
I know. But you know what? There’s nothing to keep us from taking time away from the kids once in a while...nothing except that we can’t stand to be away from them.

Carol:
You remember that weekend when we went to Kentucky? I know it was hard for you and you had a rough time with all of it, but, I thought it was great...just you and me and Nina and Mark...just to be in adult company and have fun for a while.

Doug:
Maybe we should take a trip...just you and me...someplace away...

Carol (shakes her head):
I’d feel guilty about the kids...

Doug (surprised look):
Guilty about the kids? Who go to dance camps...and sports camps...and every other damn camp they can get a brochure on and we never get to go to camp? You’d feel guilty about them? And before you say anything about the babies, the only one that would even know we were gone would be Marc and he’d live over it.

Carol (shrugs):
Maybe we could one of these days...

Doug (shakes his head and takes her hand):
No, not one of these days...soon.

Carol:
But, wouldn’t you miss the kids?

Doug (nods):
Sure...just like I’m sure they’d miss us, but, sometimes it’s good for parents and kids to be away from each other for a while.

Carol (frowns):
I don’t know if I could have a good time while I was missing the kids.

Doug (smiles, pulls his face close to hers):
I’ll make sure you have a good time!
(Carol smiles and puts her hand on his face)

Carol (gives Doug a funny look):
How long have your cheeks been puffy like that?

Doug (feels his face):
Like what?

Carol:
Your cheeks are just a little puffy...
(feels behind his ears with her fingers)
Does this hurt?

Doug (winces):
Ow....yeah...a little!

Carol (careful look):
You don’t suppose...?

Doug (scoffs):
Don’t suppose what?
(Carol gives him a coy look)
That I have Mumps? That’s impossible! I take preventive inoculations every year!

Carol (ticks her head):
Well, that’s what it acts like to me.

Doug (shakes his head):
Naw....probably tonsillitis.

Carol (gives him a grin):
You don’t have your tonsils...remember? They took them out right after you started working at County!

Doug:
Sometimes they grow back.

Carol (laughing):
They do not!

Doug (nods):
I’ve seen a few cases that did...seriously!

Carol shakes her head with a smile as there is a knock at the door. She gets up and goes to open it, finding John Carter on the other side, carrying a little black bag in his hand.

Carol (opens door):
Hi, John! Come on in!

Carter (coming in to the room):
Hi, Carol...sorry it took me so long but I got tied up at the hospital.

Carol:
That’s OK...he’s not going anywhere!

Doug (from his bed, smiles at Carter):
Hey, John! Where’d you get that bag? You hold up Dr. Kildare?

Carter (blank look):
No, it’s been in my family for years....it belonged to my grandfather...

Doug (grins):
I was only teasing you, Carter...it’s a very nice bag.
(as Carter opens the bag and takes out a blood pressure cuff)
You know, Carter, you can get kicked out of the AMA for making a house call now...

Carter (grins at him):
No, you can’t.

Doug (chuckles):
But I bet you checked that before you left the hospital, didn’t you?
(Carter gives him a sheepish look, Doug howls with delight)
You’re a good sport, John....that’s one of the things I like about you!

Carter just smiles and puts the blood pressure cuff on Doug’s arm and pumps it for a reading. Doug tries to watch it, but, Carter blocks it so that he can’t.

Carter:
122/87....pretty good.
(takes out a therm-o-scan)
Let’s check that temperature.
(puts the therm-o-scan in Doug’s ear)
Just takes a minute...
(looks at Doug’s face and turns his head by the chin)
How long have your cheeks been puffy like that?

Carol:
I just noticed that after we got here. I didn’t notice it that much at home.

Carter (takes the therm-o-scan out of Doug’s ear):
103!

Carol:
That’s up from the house.

Carter (feels each side of Doug’s head behind his ears):
Just let me check here...
(nods)
Yep! Parotid glands are swollen and tender....I’d say, unless I’m wrong, that you have a case of the Mumps.

Doug (shakes his head):
I can’t have the Mumps. I take preventive inoculations every year!

Carter (grins, shakes his head, and starts packing up his bag):
You didn’t take them this year.

Doug:
Yes, I did.

Carter (shakes his head, still grinning):
No, you didn’t. I pulled your records before I left the hospital and checked. The last time you took the preventive shots was at the clinic when we had Free Inoculation Day.

Doug (annoyed):
Well, why the hell DIDN’T I take them this year?

Carter:
I believe you were having back surgery.

Doug (still annoyed):
Well, that’s no excuse!

Carter (looks at Carol):
Try to control the fever as much as you can. If it gets over 105 you might want to take him to the hospital.

Carol (nods):
Thanks, John...

Carter (heads for the door):
If you need me for anything else, Doug, just give me a call!

Doug (scowls):
Yeah, thanks a lot, Carter!
(Carol lets Carter out the door and comes back to sit beside Doug, touching his hair, while he sits with his arms folded and a pout)
You laugh and I’ll kill you.

Carol (trying not to laugh):
I wouldn’t laugh at you, Sweetheart. Mumps can be very devastating for an adult male.

Doug (looks at her):
You think this is funny, though, don’t you?

Carol:
Well, you do look kind of cute with your cheeks all puffed out like that. If you’re not sure it’s Mumps I could go get you a dill pickle!
(giggles now)

Doug (nods his head sarcastically):
Yeah, go ahead...laugh at my expense...

Carol lays her head against his, smiling, but trying not to laugh, while he stares off across the room, shaking his head and repeating silently, ‘Mumps’ as Act Two Fades to Black.

Act Three

Scene opens with Carol heading across the room for the door and Doug giving her a hurt look

Doug (mock anguish):
Don’t LEAVE me!

Carol (laughing):
I’m just going down to the kitchen to get some plastic bags and some more ice. I’ll be right back.
(opens the door and blows him a kiss)
If I haven’t left you by now I’m never going to.

Cut to show time lapse. Carol is back in the room now and filling a plastic bag with crushed ice. She reaches over to Doug and pulled out the waistband of his sweats and puts one hand inside. Doug jumps.

Doug:
Hey! What are you doing!?

Carol (matter-of-factly):
I’m putting ice in your shorts...

Doug (pulls his waistband tight in one hand):
I don’t wanna be a brass monkey!

Carol (laughing):
A brass monkey?? I think I must have missed something on that one!

Doug:
You know all those weather reports in the winter time? "Better bring in your brass monkey"? Because it’s gonna be cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey? I don’t wanna be a brass monkey!

Carol (gives him a sarcastic look):
Trust me...your boys will be fine. I’m just gonna cool them off a little...

Doug (thinking):
Yeah, that’s a good idea. The cooler they can stay the less likely they are to quit working.

Carol (grins at him):
They won’t quit working, Honey, they might just quit producing.

Doug (pouts):
Same difference.

Carol (laughs):
No, it’s a big difference. Trust me when I tell you it is not your sperm inside me that sends me screaming through the roof!
(places the bag of ice in Doug’s shorts and positions it well. Doug jumps)

Doug:
Jesus! That’s COLD!

Carol (gives him a look):
Well, what did you expect it to be? It’s ICE for God’s sake!
(sits on the bed with him and pulls him into her arms)
Come here...and don’t be such a big baby!

Doug (lays his head on her shoulder):
If I don’t get to be a baby when I’m sick what other chance do I have?

Carol (kisses his hair):
OK...you can be a baby for a while.

Doug (sighs):
Have you had Mumps?

Carol (nods):
Oh yes. My mother made sure all of us had all the normal childhood diseases!

Doug (horrified look, thinking):
What about the kids?

Carol:
Our kids? What about them?

Doug:
Well, I wasn’t around the babies any, so, I’m sure they’re safe! But what about Tatchie? She was in my room with me a couple of times and I had the fever then!

Carol (sighs):
Well, did you kiss her? Or did she drink out of your glass?

Doug (thinking):
No...I knew better than to kiss her with a fever...and we have an understanding about drinking out of someone else’s glass...
(sigh of relief)
...she should be OK. God, I’d kill myself if I gave her Mumps. That’s ALL she’d need...

Carol:
Everything will be fine...the kids will all be fine and I’ll take good care of you...
(lays her head against his and smiles)
You remember the last time we were in this room?

Doug (chuckles):
I sure do...you wore this really sexy negligee that sent me through the roof...

Carol (giggles):
Uh huh...

Doug (sighs):
That was a great night...about the last time we had a really great night.
(looks at her)
What happened to us, Carol?

Carol (frowns):
Life got in the way and we lost track of what was really important...which is each other. We fell into a routine of work and children and didn’t have time left for us.

Doug (looks up at her):
And then you got hurt...

Carol (ticks her head):
Believe it or not, Doug, that didn’t have much to do with it. You getting hurt had more to do with it than that did.

Doug (scoffs):
Oh, come ON, Carol! The same thing happened to me and it took me MONTHS to get over it! I was in therapy and everything!

Carol:
It’s different when it happens to a man. Yes, it was a devastating thing but you know? I never really felt like it happened to me.

Doug (frowns):
You’re in denial, then?

Carol (shakes her head):
No...it’s just that I imagined when it happened to you. And by staying focused on what you went through...and what WE went through after it kind of kept me from freaking out about it.

Doug (looks at her, grins):
Really?

Carol (looks at him and smiles):
Yeah...really. I’ve dealt with it...I’ve had sessions with Nina over it...it’s in it’s place and it’s not really even an issue anymore. We hadn’t been back together very long when you hurt your back...and we had to deal with that. Then you had your surgery and you’re just now getting on your feet from that...we’ve had a lot to deal with over the past few months. Your back injury was more a factor than anything else.

Doug (frowns):
Yeah, it’s taken a long time to get better. I really thought it would heal faster than this.

Carol:
You didn’t give it time. You didn’t even stay off work six weeks. You went back WAY too soon.

Doug:
But Mark needed me. I couldn’t let him down. He’s been there too many times for me...

Carol (nods):
I understand that, but I also think you should take more priority in yourself.

Doug (nods):
I know you’re right. I have the kids to think about...
(looks up at her, pats her hand)
And my wonderful wife.

Carol (grins):
Your wonderful underSTANDing wife.

Doug (nods, smiles):
Yeah...
(frowns):
And now I have the Mumps...

Carol (grins):
Well, they’ll only make you sterile, Love...not impotent.

Doug (ticks his head):
Yeah...I guess....

Carol:
And what difference does it make now, anyway? There’s no chance I can ever have anymore children...

Doug:
It’s a psychological thing...

Carol (gives him a look):
TELL me about it!

Doug (chuckles):
Yeah, I guess you DO know, don’t you?

Carol (rubs his shoulders gently):
Just let me take care of you, OK?

Doug (frowns):
You always have to take care of me...sometimes I think I must be accident prone...

Carol:
I don’t always take care of you....you took care of me a few times early in our relationship...

Doug:
Name ONE time I ever took care of you!

Carol:
I was late for work and I was running through the lot and I stepped on a rock and twisted my ankle? Remember? You were shooting baskets by yourself and saw me fall? You came over and picked me up and CARRIED me in to the ER?

Doug (thinking):
Oh yeah...I DO remember that!

Carol (smiling):
You took me to an exam table and went yelling for Mark like I was bleeding to death or something! All I had was a sprained ankle and Mark wrapped it in an ace bandage? Remember? And then you brought a chair from someplace and put it under my desk with a pillow on it for me to keep my foot up? And you told me not to walk on it? And the you brought me coffee and soda and anything I wanted all day...
(chuckles)
...you stopped by my desk about every half hour. I was so embarrassed...
(toys with his hair)
...and so incredibly turned on!

Doug (looks up at her):
Yeah? It turned you on?

Carol (rolls her eyes):
I wanted to jump your bones right there on the desk. You were just so sweet and so caring and that was a side of you I’d never seen before. I think, it was right at that moment, that I fell in love with you..
(cuddles him close to her and cradles his head on her chest)
When you weren’t drinking and running around with woman and trying to be something you didn’t want to be, you were a really great guy, Doug. And that’s the guy that’s surfaced now...the sweet, caring, passionate man that I fell in love with.

Doug (looks up at her, takes her hand in his):
I remember another time we were in this room...

Carol (kisses his head):
Yeah, I do, too.

Doug:
It was my birthday...I was forty...and you brought me here and gave me a magic carpet ride I’ve never forgotten!
(Carol chuckles)
You know, I was feeling a little down that day...everybody ribbing me about being 40 and being old and everything...and I think I was feeling a little old...wondering if I was too old for you...and then you erased all that for me.

Carol:
I didn’t think you were the ‘vein’ type...I’m surprised you let something like turning 40 bother you.

Doug (scoffs):
Oh, well, I guess it didn’t really ‘bother’ me, so to speak, but, it did make me think about things.

Carol:
What kind of things?

Doug:
I don’t know....like getting older...and what would you do if something happened to me...

Carol:
We’ve come too close to that too many times for me to even think about that.

Doug (looks up at her):
If I die first...will you remarry?

Carol (shrugs):
I don’t really want to talk about it, Doug. That’s the one thing I’ve always been the most afraid of...losing you.
(smiles at him)
What about you? If I die first, will you remarry?

Doug (without hesitation, shakes his head):
No.

Carol (surprised):
No?

Doug (shakes his head again):
No. There’s no one else I want to share my life with. If I can’t share it with you, then, I’ll just live alone for the rest of my life.

Carol (smiles):
Alone? With six kids?

Doug (chuckles):
Have you thought about all the grandchildren we could end up with?

Carol:
I have a mental picture...yeah!

Doug:
The triplets have multiple births in their genes now...we could have a whole hoard of Ross’ running around later!

Carol (lays her head against him):
You know, I never saw anything like this in my dreams with you. I never saw us married...I surely never saw us with children...I was so afraid to trust you after what we went through...I battled with myself back and forth after that night on the porch. But I finally let my heart win...and I’ve always been glad I did.

Doug (pats her hand, sighs):
Me too...although I wouldn’t have blamed you if you’d said no.

Carol:
I knew if I said no I’d wonder for the rest of my life what could have been. Because I’ve always known I loved you.
(smiles at him)
I just was afraid to admit it.
(kisses his cheek and then feels his fever)
How’s that ice doing in there? Is it melted yet?

Doug (grins):
It was melted when you put it in there....melted with desire!

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Yeah, right...
(reaches into his shorts and pulls the ice bag back out)
Let’s get you a fresh bag...

Doug (mock protesting):
Hey! Be CAREFUL down there!

Carol (grins):
Why? I’m familiar with the territory!

She starts filling up a fresh bag with more ice as Doug looks on. When she reaches the bag into his shorts, he grabs her, pulls her close to him, and kisses her tenderly on the lips.

Carol (pulls back, half protesting):
Doug! You have Mumps!

Doug (devilish grin):
So what? You told me you already had them, remember?

Carol (snuggles close to him):
Ummmmm....I did, didn’t I?

She wraps her arms around him and lets him kiss her again as Act Three Fades to Black.

Act Four

Scene opens with Carol sitting on the bed beside Doug, who is napping lightly. Carol feels his head for fever and nods, satisfied that it is under control. She gently feels the crotch of his shorts to make sure the ice bag is well in place and he stirs just a little but settled quickly back into his nap. She covers him up, kisses his forehead, and picks up the phone.

Carol (into receiver):
Hi, Scotty!

Scott (on other line of phone):
Hi, Mom! How’s Dad?

Carol:
He’s OK but Carter says he has the Mumps.

Scott (shocked expression):
Mumps? Are you kidding? That’s a kid’s disease!

Carol:
Not if you never had it as a kid, it isn’t!

Scott:
Well, is he gonna be OK?

Carol:
He’ll be fine, but we’re gonna have to stay here for a few days. I need your grandma to bring some things from the house for me...can she come to the phone? Or can you write down what I need?

Scott (picks up a pencil by the phone):
Sure, Mom...shoot!

Carol:
OK, I have some clothes but I’m going to need some more underwear for me and for Doug, OK?

Scott (writing):
Unmentionables for Mom...boxers for Dad...got it.

Carol:
I have most of the daily stuff...Doug does too...have her bring my laptop, OK? That way we can both check up with the hospital...

Scott (writing):
Computer...got it...

Carol (thinking):
Bring Doug’s blanket off the bed...he’s already complaining that the hotel has ‘itchy blankets’ so maybe he’d rather have his own.

Scott (nods, writes it down):
Got it.

Carol:
I think that’s about it, Scotty. Just tell Grandma whenever she gets them here is fine.

Scott:
OK, when will you be home?

Carol:
Not for about 5 days or so...not until the swelling and the fever go away. Kind of help take care of things, OK?

Scott (nods, smiles):
I will, Mom. You can count on me. Tell Dad I said not to eat any sour grapes!

Carol (laughs):
Sounds like the voice of experience! Thanks, Scotty. I love you. Goodbye.

She hangs up the phone and quietly checks on Doug again. He is sleeping, but restlessly. He tosses about and shifts his position almost routinely. Carol gets into the duffel bag and takes out a radio, placing it on the table beside the bed and she turns it on lowly so that it’s audible, but not loud enough to disturb Doug. The song that comes over the speaker catches her attention with the lyrics and she smiles down at Doug as she listens to it.

Lyrics:
Close the door, turn out the lights!
We’re staying home tonight!
Far away from the hustle and the big city lights!
And we’ll be all alone...
No TV or phones...
And we’ll live in a world of our own.
...no more worry or strife...just leave us alone!
Let us live in a world of our own.

Carol (toys with a tuft of Doug’s hair and smiles at him, quiet voice):
That’s what we need, Doug. We had that once...

Carol closes her eyes and visions things in the past in her relationship with Doug. She sees them roller blading in a Chicago Park. She sees them out on the town, dressed to kill, for an evening of entertainment. She sees them dancing in an exclusive restaurant. She sees them walking hand in hand along a walkway near a duck pond...show Doug flapping his arms like wings and making a quaking sound at the ducks in the water and Carol laughing hysterically at his antics. She sees them eating ice cream from a cone and gazing into each other’s eyes. Doug tips his cone and puts ice cream on her nose and she crosses her eyes to see it. He leans in and licks the ice cream off, then kisses her sweetly. She sees more than one instance where she throws her arms around his neck and kisses him ecstatically. She opens her eyes and looks back down at Doug, sleeping beside her, and she slides down in the bed to curl up with him, gazing over at him and touching his face lightly.

Carol:
We’re going to get back to what we were, Doug. That’s a promise. And we’re never going to stray away from it again. You are absolutely the light of my life and I’m going to make sure you know that every day of your life.

Doug (quietly, weak grin on his lips):
Absolutely.

Carol (surprised):
I thought you were asleep!

Doug (opens his eyes, looks at her):
What? And miss all this great stuff you’ve been telling me while you thought I was asleep!?

Carol (playfully smacks him on the shoulder):
I hate it when you do that!

Doug (grins at her):
No, you don’t. You expect it.

Carol (rolls her eyes):
I guess if I don’t by now, I haven’t learned very much after all these years with you.
(thinking)
You know you really haven’t changed all that much from when I met you. Just the bad things.

Doug:
Oh, yeah, I have.

Carol
No, not really. You still like to joke and kid around and you still have your belligerent side that comes out now and then. You’re still stubborn and like to have your own way when you think you’re right...

Doug:
Gee, Carol, don’t sugar coat it so much, just give it to me straight! I thought I had worked hard to change!

Carol:
You changed in the way you needed to...not in the ways that make you the man I fell in love with.

Doug:
I just wanted to be the kind of man you wanted...the kind of man you needed. I knew what that was and I did everything in my power to become that kind of man.

Carol (looks him in the eye):
But are you happy? Is this the kind of man you want to be?

Doug (smiles):
Of course I’m happy. I have things in my life that I never imagined I would ever have 10 years ago. I have my son that I never thought I’d ever even see, much less have him in my life. I have a wonderful little adopted daughter that is my shadow and I couldn’t love her more if I’d brought her into this world myself. I have a darling little boy that if anything ever happens to him I’ll never be able to mow the lawn again without him following along beside me with that bubble mower of his...
(Carol chuckles)
...and I have 3 little babies that are starting to turn into little people now...the girls are developing nicely...Josh is starting to catch up now...
(touches Carol’s face)
...and I get to spend every day with the woman I love.
(Carol smiles, sheepishly)
...give me one reason in my life for me not to be happy!

Carol (sly smile):
Kerry Weaver?

Doug (rolls his eyes, sighs):
She’s only a very small part of my life...I can live with that.

Carol:
I just sometimes think about the way you used to be and see the way you are now and wonder if you’re really happy. I mean, instead of getting drunk at night now, you sit in a chair and read stories to your children. That’s a big change.

Doug (shrugs):
It was a change I had to make...otherwise...I might not still be alive. I was on a self destruction course with no way out...
(smiles at her)
...and falling in love with you changed my life. So, I guess I owe you my life...
(kisses her very lightly)
Thank you.

Carol (embraced smile):
You probably saved my life, too. I was going from man to man looking for the excitement I was missing with you...coming up disappointed every time. So, when you changed to save your life, you saved mine too.
(kisses him just as lightly as he kissed her)
Thank you.

Doug (smirks):
We’re really pathetic, aren’t we?

Carol (shakes her head):
No...we’re two people in love...I don’t think there’s anything pathetic about that.
(feels his head)
How’s your ice bag doing?

Doug (feels inside his shorts):
I think I need a new one! I think all this talk melted it.

Carol (grins):
No, Love...your fever is what’s melting it...
(reaches into his shorts, Doug looks up at the ceiling)

Doug:
Whoo!
(Carol shakes her head and smiles at him)
I love it when you touch me!

Carol (fixing a new bag of ice):
Behave yourself.

Doug (opens the waistband of his short and guides her hand in with his hand):
You don’t want me to.

Carol:
Yes, I really DO because I want you to get better...
(snuggles close to him)
...so we can have some fun before we go back home!

Doug (chuckles):
NOW you’re talking...

Carol (thinking):
Doug?

Doug (cuddles on her shoulder):
Yeah?

Carol:
When did you fall in love with me?
(he gives her a confused look)
Well, I told you when I fell in love with you...when did you fall in love with me?

Doug (thinking):
They second I laid eyes on you.

Carol (rolls her eyes):
That’s impossible!

Doug:
You don’t believe in love at first sight?
(Carol shrugs)
As many women as I had been with you don’t think I knew the minute it happened that I had met my match?
(Carol smiles lightly, Doug takes her hands in his)
You were tough...and you stood up to me. You weren’t some clinging vine or just wanted to get into bed with me...

Carol (chuckles):
Don’t bet your life on it!

Doug (ticks his head):
You know what I mean...you wanted more out of the relationship than just hopping into bed with me.

Carol (sighs):
I thought I could change you...

Doug (nods):
And you did.

Carol (shakes her head):
No, Doug...YOU changed you. You were the one that made the decisions that changed your life...

Doug:
But you were the reason I made them.

Carol:
Well, what if you had gone through all that to change and I’d said no...that I didn’t want to take another change on you...what would you have done then?

Doug:
I would never have given up. I would have kept trying until you saw I was serious and gave me another chance.

Carol (thinking):
I remember that night on the porch when you kissed me. It was like we had never been apart. It was everything I could do to keep from pulling you through that door by the jacket and ripping your clothes off and having you right there on the living room floor!

Doug (smiles):
Damn...I really missed out, didn’t I?

Carol (grins):
You know, Doug, I’m really sorry you had to get the Mumps...but I’m really glad we’ve had this kind of time together. We really needed to be able to talk like this.

Doug:
We need to make time to talk like this every day so we don’t fall into another professional’ routine again. Let’s make a pact to do that.

Carol (nods):
Every night...before we go to sleep....we’ll talk.

Doug (grins):
And then, after we turn out the light, maybe we’ll talk some more...without words.

Carol (soft smile):
Yeah, I’ve missed that, too. I was afraid to instigate it because I didn’t know if you physically up to it...

Doug (smiles):
And I was afraid to instigate it with you because I didn’t know if you were ready for it emotionally...I guess we just didn’t communicate with each other very well over all of this, did we?

Carol (shakes her head):
No, I guess we didn’t. You don’t know how scared I’ve been that our marriage might be falling apart...every since that incident with Marc it just seems like we’ve never connected with each other again.
(looks down)
I’ll never forgive myself for the things I did to you during that.

Doug (grins, lifts her chin):
You didn’t do anything to me.

Carol (looks him in the eye):
Yes, I did. I doubted you. And I hurt you.

Doug (shrugs):
You couldn’t help it, you were hurting too. And it paid me back for all the times that I hurt you...I can never take any of those back either.

Carol (looks him in the eye, touches his face):
You made up for them...you MORE than made up for them.
(pulls him close to her and cradles his head on her chest)
I think we’ve talked long enough...I think you need to get some rest now...

Doug (snuggles close...loops his arm around her):
Yeah...me too.

He closes his eyes and relaxes against her body. Carol wraps both arms around him and holds him close to her, toying with his hair, and kissing his head softly as Act Four Fades to Black.

Closing Act

Scene opens early the next morning. Focus on Doug sleeping soundly on his side of the bed. Pull back to show Carol coming out of the bathroom, brushing her hair, clothes changed for the day. She sits on the edge of the bed and reaches over carefully to feel Doug's forehead, nodding, satisfied. At her touch, Doug opens his eyes to peer sleepily up at her.

Carol (smiles at him):
Hi.

Doug (pulls himself into a sitting position):
What time is it?"

Carol (chuckles):
What difference does it make? You're not going anywhere.

Doug (gives her a sarcastic look):
I like to know what time it is.

Carol (shrugs):
It's a quarter to ten. Happy?

Doug (groans):
Ugh...why'd you let me sleep so long?

Carol:
Because you were so peaceful and sleep is the best thing for you. How are you feeling?

Doug:
My jaws feel like I tried to chew a whole pack of Tatchie's bubble gum!

Carol (laughs):
Well, your fever is down this morning, so, that's a good sign. We'll still keep some ice on your boys, though.

Doug (nods):
I'll take a sperm count when I go back to work...
(thinking, looks quickly at Carol)

Carol (nods, knowingly):
I already called the hospital and told them neither one of us would be in until you are over the Mumps.

Doug (frowns):
I bet I'm the butt of the jokes today.

Carol (teasing him):
Just wait until you go back...it'll be even worse.
(lifts the laptop computer to him)
Here...you can play with the computer and I'll order breakfast... (picks up the phone and looks at him)
Oatmeal?

Doug (nods):
Yeah...I won't have to chew it.
(show him working at the keyboard of the computer. He stares at the monitor screen with a confused look)
I have email.
(frowns in confusion)
Who the hell is DocsKidT?

Carol (hand over the mouthpiece of the phone):
Open it...it's safe.
(watches as Doug opens the mail and smiles with delight as Carol hangs up the phone)

Doug:
It's from Tatchie! Listen to this...she writes..."Grandma says you look like a chipmunk...but that's OK...because I think chipmunks are cute!"
(Carol laughs, Doug chuckles)
"I love you and I miss you...please get well soon"
(shakes his head)
And she sent me a cyber flower with a butterfly on it...look.
(Carol leans over to see and slips her arm around Doug's shoulders)

Carol:
That's one little girl that loves her Papa.

Doug (softly):
I miss our babies, Carol.

Carol (grins, nods):
I do, too. But, they're in good hands with my Mama...they'll be fine until we get back home.

Doug (slips his arm around her shoulder):
So...we're stuck here for about 4 or 5 days...what can we do to keep from getting cabin fever?

Carol:
Well, I'll be making short trips out to get things for us...you can watch TV...and catch up on some of the rest you've slacked off on lately.

Doug (sighs, nods):
Yeah...I guess I don't have much choice.

Carol:
You can play with the computer, OK? To email the kids and play games and stuff, but, I don't want you tapping into the hospital, OK? I want you to forget about the hospital for a while. It will survive without you.

Doug (thinking):
Are you ever sorry I gave up the private practice?

Carol (nods):
Sometimes.

Doug (looks at her):
I could go back to it, you know.

Carol (gives him a scolding look):
You made a commitment to the hospital...you should honor it.

Doug (scoffs):
They got what they wanted out of it...they got the money and the Pedes wing. Chiefs of Pediatrics are a dime a dozen. They could find another one pretty easy.

Carol:
Why do I get the feeling there's something here I'm not being told?

Doug (sighs):
I don't know if Mark is going to be able to go back to his duties as Chief of Staff. He and I have already talked about it. But, he could handle a smaller load private practice pretty easily. The office is still there...and the building is paid for...just something we've talked about.
(looks at her)
And you and I had more time for each other then, too.

Carol (thinking, nods, smiles):
Yeah, we did...that's true.

Doug:
What would you think if we seriously looked into that again?

Carol:
I'd say, I'm right behind you, Doctor.

Doug (shrugs):
Might not be a bad idea...the hospital is a big hassle most of the time...I've been under fire there almost from the day I went back.

Carol:
Who would take your place?

Doug:
I'd recommend Max. He'd do a good job...and Kerry would still have somebody to fight with. (Carol chuckles)

Carol (nods):
I think I like that idea...
(smiles at him)
I think I really like that idea.

Doug (leans his head against hers):
But before we do anything like that, you and will talk about taking a vacation...alone...just the two of us...

Carol (smiles, cuddles close to him):
Ummm....I really like that idea, too.

Focus on the two of them cuddled together, arm and arm, as Doug calls up something on the computer and they start looking at it together and the Closing Act Fades into the Closing Credits of the show.