Author's Text

Sometimes, you just have to have a little fun without too much else going on...this story is one of those. Centered on Doug's 40th birthday, there is a lot of fun and even some passion in this one...just a break from some of the other things going on in their lives from recent stories.

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

"Family Center"
"Lordy, Lordy...Look Who's Forty!"
Opening Act

Scene opens at the Ross home, interior, early morning. Pan slowly into the master bedroom and show Doug sitting on the edge of his bed, disconnecting himself from the dialysis machine. He places a cap on the exchange unit and tucks the tube under his waistband. Pushing buttons, he records the numbers from the machine and turns it off. He lays back in bed, reaching behind him to turn on the radio. He looks over at Carol, still asleep, and he smiles as he toys carefully with a strand of her hair. The song "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" by Journey comes on the radio and Doug starts nuzzling around on Carol's neck. He pulls the shoulder off her gown and kisses her skin, nuzzling his bearded cheek on her shoulder, neck, and cheek until she starts to wake up.

Carol (laughing):
What ARE you doing?

Doug (still nuzzling):
I'm an alarm clock...

Carol (giggles):
I don't hear any bells going off...

Doug (kisses her lips lightly and grins at her):
Give me just a little more time, Babe...

Carol:
Ummmm, I LOVE that song...
(she reaches back to turn up the volume a bit as she wraps her arms around Doug)

Doug:
And I love you.

Carol:
Oh, I love you, too! I was so glad you got your cast off!

Doug (chuckles):
Not as glad as I was!

Carol:
Now comes the hard part...are you going to let Jeannie help you with the Physical Therapy?

Doug (nods):
Yes, she said she'd be glad to help. I'll be talking to her about that today when I get to work.

Carol:
I thought it was noble of you to work in a cast...I'm sure you didn't have to.

Doug:
No, but, I wanted to. I like working...I'm not sure what I'd do with myself if I didn't practice medicine.

Carol:
I need to decide what I want to do about going back.

Doug (still kissing and nuzzling her):
You have time...no rush...Jeannie's happy with us...

Carol:
Is she? Is she really? She doesn't mind filling in?

Doug:
No, she really likes it. She even told us so.

Carol:
Maybe I should talk to her...I really just don't know if I want to go back anytime soon.

Doug (kisses her sweetly):
Then, that's your decision. You're the only one who can make it.

Carol:
You don't have any input?

Doug:
It's not my call. It's your job...your life...and your decision.

Carol:
But, you're my husband. Surely you have an opinion?

Doug (nods):
I do...I think you should do whatever you think is best for you.

Carol (rolls her eyes):
Well, that doesn't help me any.

Doug:
Honey, I have never been the kind of husband who tells you what to do and I'm not going to start now. You have always made your own decisions, and you'll make this one, and I will support whatever you do. Is that good enough?

Carol (smiles, kisses him):
One of the things I love most about you is the fact that you just NEVER change!

Doug (chuckles):
About more things that you know.

He moves on top of her and begins kissing her in quick repeated motions, all the while ravishing her body with his hands as she giggles wildly. Their horseplay is interrupted by the sound of Joshua crying in the nursery.

Doug (flips over on his back with an exasperated sigh):
Oh, man! He has a radar!

Carol (laughs):
He's hungry...I'll go get him...

Carol gets up and goes across the room to the nursery. She reaches into the bassinet and picks up the crying baby to carry him back to the bed. She gets back in the bed beside Doug and opens the front of her gown, placing Josh to her breast gently. He latches on like a super sucker and Doug watches him in mock disgust.

Doug (shakes him gently by the foot):
You just HAD to horn in, didn't you?
(Josh never stops sucking)
Hey, slow down, Bud! Save some for Dad!
(Carol giggles)

Carol:
Oh, don't you worry...there will be PLENTY left for Dad!
(she leans over and kisses him sweetly and gazes into his eyes)
Happy Birthday, Doug.

Doug (grins, thinking):
It IS, isn't it?
(frowns with sudden realization)
I'm 40 today.

Carol:
Now, what was it you told Mark? That age is just a number?

Doug (nods):
Yeah...but my number is getting too big now.

Carol:
You're just the same as you ever were...don't worry about it.

They are interrupted again by a knock at their door.

Carol:
Who is it?

Tatiana (voice from behind the door):
It's me, Mama! Can I come in?

Carol:
Yes, sweetie! Come on in!
(Josh is finished eating, so, Carol closes her gown and puts him on her shoulder)

Tatiana (opens the door):
Good morning!

Doug and Carol (in unison):
Good morning!

Tatiana:
Happy Birthday, Papa!
(she bounds over to the bed and jumps up with him)

Doug (laughs):
Thank you, Punkin.

Tatiana:
Your breakfast is almost ready...get up and come to the table, Please!

Doug:
My breakfast? You made me breakfast?
(she nods happily)
Well, I'll be right there, OK?

Tatiana (jumps down and runs across the room):
You better hurry!

Doug (turns to Carol once she is gone):
She made my breakfast?

Carol (nods):
Yeah...she can cook...I showed her how. She does bacon, eggs, and pancakes...all in the microwave.

Doug (makes a face):
Microwave eggs?

Carol (laughs):
You love microwave eggs, Doug...you've been eating them for almost a year now!

Doug (tossing the covers off him):
Huh...40 years old and still learning new things...how about that!

Carol laughs at his remark...focus on her cuddling Josh and playing pat-a-cake with his hands as Opening Act Fades into Opening Credits of the show.

Act One

Scene opens at the Ross home, interior, kitchen. Show Tatiana in one of Carol's aprons working busily around the kitchen while Scott sits watching at the table.

Tatiana (scolding):
You know you COULD offer to help!

Scott (nods):
Yeah...I could...but you said YOU wanted to do it all.

Tatiana (rolls her eyes like Carol always does):
Will you at least pour the juice, please?

Scott (gets up, heads for the refrigerator):
Sure...I can do that.

Tatiana:
Thank you.

Cut to show Doug coming through the hallway now dressed for work in jeans and a scrub top. He is walking with a cane and a slight limp. He passes by Marc's room and sees the little boy standing up in his crib looking out at him.

Marc (reaches his hands):
Da-Da!

Doug (chuckles, rolls his eyes):
OK, big guy...

He goes in and lifts the little boy out of his crib and puts him on the floor. Marc begins to toddle quickly in his footed sleepers along with Doug as he goes on to the kitchen. When they get to the three steps down to the main level, Marc puts his hands down on each step as he goes carefully down them in front of Doug. They both go into the kitchen.

Doug:
Hey, Scotty, put him in his chair for me, OK? Please?

Scott (jumps up and grabs Marc, who squeals with laughter):
Sure thing, Dad...
(as he puts Marc in his chair)

Happy Birthday. Doug:
Thanks, Son.

Scott (puts a neatly wrapped box on the table in front of Doug):
That's just a little something I made you at school in shop class.

Doug (smiles, starts unwrapping the box):
Hey! A present! All right! I knew there was something good about having a birthday!

Doug opens the box to find a very nice wood picture frame with an updated picture of all eight members of the Ross family.

Scott:
Mom gave me the picture...but I made the frame myself.

Doug (looks it over):
And you did a REAL good job!
(pats his shoulder)
Thank you, Scott! I'll take it to work with me and put it on my desk!

Tatiana (puts his breakfast on the table):
I made you something too!!

Doug:
Yes, you did! And it looks delicious!
(he takes his fork and digs into the plate)
And it IS! You're a regular little Betty Crocker, aren't you?

Tatiana (makes a confused face):
WHO?

Doug (rolls his eyes):
Never mind...

Carol (comes in to join the family):
Hey! Is there any breakfast for me?

Tatiana (nods):
Yes, there is! I made enough for ALL of us!

Scott:
Cool! I could eat again...

Carol (laughs):
Again?

Tatiana:
Yes, he had cereal already!

Doug (chuckles):
Well, he IS a growing boy, Carol...
(hands her the frame)
I guess you saw this already?

Carol (looks at it):
Not with the picture in it! Oh, Scotty! It's really nice!

Tatiana (climbs on Doug's lap):
Papa, are you old?

Scott (laughs):
Of course he's old, Tatch! He's 40! He's over the hill!

Doug (sarcastic smile):
Thank you SO much, Son!
(turns to Tatiana)
Well, Punkin, contrare to what your brother thinks, I am NOT old. I'm in the prime of my life.

Tatiana:
What does THAT mean?

Scott:
It means he's old, but, he doesn't want to think so, so he makes up something hokey like that to say!

Doug (throws his napkin across the table at Scott):
OK, Buster! That'll do!

Scott (laughs, gets up from the table):
I'm OUT of here, OK? I'll see you tonight, Dad!

Carol:
Wait a minute...where are you going?

Scott (shrugs):
Veronica's!

Doug (rolls his eyes):
Where else?

Carol (to Doug, once Scott is gone):
Don't you think those two are seeing just a little too much of each other?

Doug (shrugs):
Ah, they're OK. They're just young and infatuated with each other.

Carol (grunts):
Yeah, that's what worries me.

Doug:
Well, I had 'the talk' with him and I think we fully understand each other...don't worry...they're OK.

Tatiana:
What talk?

Carol:
One you don't need to worry about hearing for at least a few more years yet...

Tatiana (nods):
Oh...the sex talk!

Doug (chuckles):
Kids today are just too smart for their own good!
(scoots Tatiana off his lap)
I have to get to work.
(kisses Tatiana on the head)
You mind your Mom, OK?

Tatiana:
OK, Papa!

Doug (kisses Carol sweetly):
I won't work late.

Carol (smiles, kisses him back):
You better not.

Doug (as Carol walks him to the door):
You aren't planning anything hokey like a birthday party or anything are you?

Carol (grins):
I'm not, no...

Doug (nods, understanding):
But the kid are, right?

Carol:
It's just a small family party with ice cream and cake...nothing big...just be a good sport, OK?

Doug (sighs, nods):
OK.

Carol (kisses him on the cheek and pats him on the ass):
Have a good day.

As soon as Doug is out the door and Carol sees the jeep pull out of the driveway, she heads for the phone and punches a number.

Carol:
Mark? He's on his way!

Mark (smiling into the receiver, nodding his head):
Good...everything's ready!

Carol (giggles):
He's going to kill you, you know...

Mark:
I'm not afraid of him...

Carol:
I'll see you later, right?

Mark:
I'll be there for the party, yes!

Carol:
Are you coming from work with him?

Mark:
Probably...

Carol:
OK...I'll see you then!
(Carol hangs up the phone, picks it up again and punches another number)
Karen? It's Carol Ross...I just wanted to confirm that I have the Presidential Suite for tonight...yeah...and I want the works! Satin sheets...chilled champagne...everything! Yeah! Thanks, Karen!
(hangs up the phone)
Plan 'A' is in motion...time to work on Plan 'B'!
(she goes to the kitchen and gets Marc out of his high chair)
Come on, Marc! Mommy has a big day planned and I need you to be good, OK?
(Marc smiles his lopsided grin at her, Carol rolls her eyes)
Yeah, right...I forgot...you're Doug's child...no chance of you being good...

She carries Marc with her as she starts through the house to find Amy.

Cut to show Doug ambling slowly across the parking lot with his cane at the center. When he gets to the staff door there is a HUGE Black wreath on it, with his picture in the middle and a computer made banner that says "Lordy! Lordy! Doug Ross is 40!" on it. Doug shakes his head as he opens the door and goes in. As he walks through the back entrance to the lobby and the elevator, he passes staggered balloon bouquets taped to the wall...one set is solid black and the other set says 'Over The Hill'. Doug starts to snicker as he limps through hallway and gets into the elevator. Inside the elevator is another banner that says "LOOK WHO'S 40!" with another picture of him under it. He gets off the elevator and steps into the office to find it covered with black streamers and streamers that say OVER THE HILL on them, black and OVER THE HILL balloons, and black flowers. Mark and Jeannie are waiting at the front desk.

Doug (as he limps to the desk):
You know you're REALLY pushing it, don't you, Mark?

Mark (beams):
Happy Birthday, Bud!

Doug (sarcastically):
Well, it was, until I got here!

Mark:
You have NO idea how long I've been planning this!

Doug:
I assume you've only just begun?

Jeannie (snickering):
Wait until you see your office...

Doug (rolls his eyes):
Do I dare?

Mark and Jeannie follow him as he hobbles down the hall to his office. His office door has a black wreath on it and the room is adorned with more streamers and balloons. His desk chair has been replaced with a rocking chair and there is a ratty looking cardigan sweater folded over the arm of it. On his desk are things like denture cups, cane tips, and other assorted "over the hill" items. Now, Doug can't help but start laughing.

Doug:
You must have worked a LONG time on all this!

Mark:
Nina and I came down here after hours last night and set everything up.

Doug:
A rocking chair?

Mark (nods):
Bought it at a flea market...you already had the cane!

Doug (picks up the denture cup):
You must have really had a ball with this!

Mark (grins):
You bet I did!

Jeannie (laughing, heading for the door):
Happy Birthday, Doug...I'll see you later for your therapy?

Doug (nods):
Yeah, Jeannie, OK...thanks.
(turns to Mark once she is gone)
You know I'm gonna get you back for this somehow don't you?

Mark:
I just hope I didn't make you so mad that you won't still be my Best Man...

Doug (shakes his head):
Not going to happen, which is what I'm beginning to think about your wedding, too!

Mark:
How about this weekend? You and Carol have any plans?

Doug (brightly):
No! No plans! THIS weekend? For sure?

Mark:
Saturday night if things go as planned. It's going to be a very simple ceremony by a Justice of the Peace...Rachel and Emma will be there for the wedding and then we wondered if we could dump them at Ross Children's Center until Sunday night?

Doug (laughing):
The Ross Children's Center?

Mark (shrugs):
Well, yeah! What's two more kids at your house?

Doug:
I'll have Raoul this weekend, too. It won't be a problem...I'll put the boys, Scott and Raoul, in the attic and the girls can sleep in Scott's room...

Mark:
There's no bed upstairs...where will the boys sleep?

Doug (chuckles):
In sleeping bags on the floor...they'll love that idea!

Mark:
You sure it's not a problem?

Doug:
No problem at all...as you said...what's a few more kids at our house!
(picks up the phone and dials a number while Mark looks on curiously)
yes, this is Dr. Douglas Ross...I'm checking to be sure a delivery I scheduled for this morning is on the truck, please? Going to Carol Ross, 17 Morgan Lane...yes...that's correct...it is? OK did you put those plans I gave you with it? Good....good...thank you very much!
(hangs up the phone)

Mark:
Something going on?

Doug:
Carol has been feeling a little down in the dumps lately. I just sent her something to cheer her up a little.

Mark:
What kind of 'plans' are you talking about?

Doug:
I found a piece of property in a beautiful area...there's a picture of it with the plans for a house I'd like to have built on it. But, I want to run it by Carol first...

Mark:
So, you're buttering it up with...?

Doug:
A single red rose...and a note...

Mark (chuckles as he starts out of the room):
Huh...I thought it was YOUR birthday, Bud...

Doug (follows him out):
It is...and I'm taking steps to make sure it's happy!

Mark and Doug laugh at this thought as they pick up their patient schedules to begin their work day and Act One Fades to Black.

Act Two

Scene opens at the Ross home. Show a Floral Delivery boy walking up onto the porch with a single red rose in his hands. He rings the bell and Carol opens the door, fending off Marc, who is toddling in the doorway making a growling animal noise at the delivery boy.

Carol (scolding):
Marc! Stop that!
(grins at the delivery boy)
He doesn't bite...that I know of.

Delivery Boy (smiles):
Sign here, please?

Carol (grabs a pen):
Sure...
(scribbles her signature and takes the rose)
Thank you very much!

Carol takes Marc by the hand and gets him away from the door as she closes it, carrying the rose in with her. Once inside, Marc goes dashing off someplace else while Carol takes the card from the rose to read it.

Doug's Voice (words on card):
"Carol...remember the first time I ever gave you a rose? Remember what I told you that night? It's still true...Doug"

Carol smiles, lost in her thoughts, as she smells the rose sweetly. Distort the picture to show us her thoughts...

*****Flashback*****

Scene opens at County ER on a quiet day. Carol is working at the desk, looking over some files in the basket. While she is looking down, a hand comes in front of her extending a single red rose from the fingers to her. She is startled and gasps her breath, reaches out and takes the rose, and looks up to see Doug smiling at her.

Carol:
Doug! You scared the hell out of me!

Doug:
I'm sorry...I just wanted to be sure our date was on for tonight!

Carol:
Yeah, I guess so...I leave at 6...what time to you leave?

Doug:
I leave at three...should I come back here and pick you up?

Carol:
No, pick me up at my place.

Doug (nods):
OK...
(chucks her chin gently with his fist)
...looking forward to it.

Carol (in a daze as he walks away):
Yeah...me too!

Cut to show Mark coming down the hallway and he passes Doug, who looks WAY too happy, so Mark stops him by taking his arm.

Mark:
What are you up to?

Doug (smiles):
Nothing! Why?

Mark:
I know that look...that look either says you just got what you wanted or you're planning to!

Doug:
I already have everything I want, Mark...

Doug brushes on past him and goes down the hall whistling, leaving Mark shaking his head. He goes on to the desk and stops where Carol is smelling her rose and lost in thought.

Mark:
What's going on with Doug?

Carol (smiles sappily at Mark):
Everything.

Carol walks away to another area to work and Mark just rolls his eyes as he goes back down the hallway to work.

Cut to show time lapse. Show Doug walking down the sidewalk on the street where Carol lives. He is dressed in a nice suit, dress shoes, and a tie. He is carrying a large bouquet of fresh cut flowers. He bounds happily up the steps and rings the bell at her apartment. Her mother, Helen, answers the door.

Doug (smiles):
Hello, Helen! How are you this evening?

Helen (coolily):
Hello, Doug. She's not ready yet.

Carol (voice off camera):
Ask him to come in, Mama.

Helen doesn't ask him, but, opens the door so he can step into the room. He is nervous and looks at his feet.

Doug (softly):
You don't like me much, do you, Helen?

Helen:
I don't like you for what you are...not who you are.

Doug (shrugs):
What's that supposed to mean?

Helen:
It means that I know all about men like you...I know how you think and how you work...

Doug (grins):
Ever think you might be wrong?

Helen:
I'm never wrong, Doug...I can see through any act you have. You might fool my daughter into thinking you really care about them, but, you don't fool me. I know your kind. You're a heartbreaker.

Carol (coming into the room):
That's enough, Mama.
(Goes over and kisses Doug gently on the cheek)
Sorry I kept you waiting.

Doug (smiles at how she's dressed):
It was worth it.
(hands her the flowers)
These are for you.

Carol (smells them sweetly):
Oh, thank you!
(turns and hands them to Helen)
Would you put these in water for me, Mama? Please?

Helen (takes the flowers with a knowing look):
And be sure I'm gone by the time you get back, I'm sure.

Carol just smiles as Doug helps her on with her coat and they go out together. Once alone, he turns to her.

Doug:
Why does she hate me so much?

Carol (laughs):
Don't mind Mama...she doesn't trust any man that dates one of her daughters. It's nothing personal...

Doug (puts his arm around her):
Well, I have an evening planned for you that you're going to love! I promise!

Carol (gazes into his eye):
It's got a good start!

He chuckles and hugs her close to him as they walk...she slips her arm around him to be as close as possible.

Show with no audio various points of their evening. Show them having dinner together someplace really nice in Chicago and show her feeding him something from her plate across the table with both of them gazing lost in each other's eyes. Show them dancing and looking longingly in each others eyes and they hold each other close on the dance floor. Finally, show them coming back up the steps of her apartment and Doug walks her to her door.

Carol (turns to him, key in her hand):
You want to come in? For coffee? Or something?

Doug (smiles devilishly):
I'll take the 'or something'.

He leans in and kisses her tenderly and she wraps her arms around his neck to kiss him back. She reaches behind her and opens the door, pulling both of them into her apartment, never letting up from the kiss. She takes hold of his tie and pulls him with her to the bedroom, where she starts tugging him out of his jacket. He lets her slip it off him willingly and he reaches to unzip her dress. She tugs his shirt out of his pants and starts unbuttoning it, all the while he runs his hands across her shoulders and slips her dress down across her hips to fall to the floor. His shirt unbuttoned and her in just her slip, she pulls him with the open shirt to the bed and down on top of her, never once letting him stop kissing her. She puts her hands inside his open shirt and runs her fingernails across his bare chest, reaching for his belt. He lets her have her way with him and starts caressing her body while nuzzling at her breast. He slips the straps of her slip off her shoulders and begins to kiss her bare skin and nuzzle his cheek against her shoulders and neck. She leans her neck back to give him more room and she is enjoying the pleasure he is giving her. She works them both under the covers and we see her toss his pants out from under it and onto the floor. Now we can't see where her hands are going, but, from the way he keeps kissing her, we can only guess it is giving him a LOT of pleasure.

Cut to show time lapse. Doug and Carol are now lying side by side in bed, she with her head on his shoulder, him with his arm around her shoulders holding her close to him. Both of them are bare chested and she has the covers up over her breasts. She sighs, contented, and reaches back to run her hand across his chest.

Carol:
Was it good for you?

Doug (chuckles):
You couldn't tell? You're always good for me...
(he pauses, playing with a strand of her hair)
Carol?

Carol (closes her eyes and snuggles close to his shoulder):
Ummmm?

Doug:
Can I tell you something?

Carol:
Sure!

Doug (looks down at her):
I love you.

Carol (smiles):
I love you, too, Doug.

Doug (reaches for her chin and has her look up at him):
No, I mean it. I LOVE you. I never said that to a woman before.

Carol (gives him a curious look):
No?

Doug (shakes his head, looks into her eyes):
No...not ever. I don't know what it is that you do to me, but I know I never want you to stop.

*****end of flashback*****

Pull back to present and show Carol standing gazing at the rose, thinking about the note and smiling. Her thoughts are shattered, however, by the sight of Marc pulling out the desk drawers and dumping their contents into the floor.

Carol:
Marc! No...No, Marc!

Marc (imitating):
No no!!

Carol (going over to shoo him away):
Oh, Marc! Just look at the mess you've made!
(pause)
Amy?
(calls a little louder)
AMY!?

Amy (coming quickly into the room carrying Tina):
Yes, Mrs. Ross?

Carol:
Take him someplace while I clean up this mess he's made!

Amy (smiles):
Sure thing, Mrs. Ross.
(reaches out and grabs Marc by the hand)
Come on, Marcus...come play with Amy for a while...

Carol (mumbles as she takes him away):
Before Mommy has a nervous breakdown...

Carol sets to picking up the contents of the drawer off the floor and returning them to the desk.

Cut to the family center and show Doug coming out to the front desk and picking up the phone, quickly dialing a number, while Mark looks on.

Mark:
Calling home?

Doug (shakes his head as he puts the receiver to his ear):
Nope...calling a radio station Carol listens to all day.

Mark:
What for?

Doug (grins):
You'll see.
(into receiver)
Yes, I'd like to make a request and a dedication, please? OK...would you please play WITHOUT YOU by Nielson? And send it out to Carol from her husband? You can? Great! Thanks! And when do you think you can get this on? (looks at the clock behind him)
About a half hour? Great! Thanks!
(hangs up the phone)

Mark:
What exactly is going on with you two?

Doug (shrugs):
We're in love.

Mark:
You've been in love before...this is something new...what's going on?

Doug (sighs):
Carol has been feeling a little under the weather lately and I'm just trying to cheer her up...that's all.

Mark:
Post Pardum depression?

Doug:
I think that's part of it, yeah, because she complains about feeling fat and not being able to get into her jeans, but she's also a little depressed about the hysterectomy and the fact that she can't have anymore children...

Mark (laughs):
You guys don't think six is enough!?

Doug:
Whether we do or not is not the issue...the problem is that we no longer have a choice. I think that really bothers her.

Mark (nods):
Yeah, it's more devastating for a woman to lose their reproductive cycle than it is a man.

Doug:
So, I just want her to know that I still find her attractive and I'm still in love with her...that nothing has changed.

Mark:
Good for you, Doug!
(nods)
Good for you...

Cut back to the Ross home where Carol is sorting laundry in the laundry room and listening to the radio.

Radio DJ (over radio):
...and moving right along on the all request lunch hour...this next one was a number one smash for Nielson and it goes out to Carol from her husband...didn't get his name so all you ladies named Carol, if you're married, this one is for you...
(opening strands of WITHOUT YOU start playing)

Carol (smiles to herself):
Oh, Doug...
(reaches for the phone and dials a number)
Hi, Vickki! Let me talk to Dr. Ross, please, this is his wife.

Doug (picking up the phone in his office):
This is Dr. Ross!

Carol:
Thank you for my song...

Doug (chuckles):
Your name must be Carol and you must be married...

Carol:
I knew it was you...that was the first song we ever slow danced to! I didn't think you even remembered that!

Doug (smiles):
I remember lots of things you don't give me credit for.

Mark (sticks his head in the doorway of Doug's office):
Hey, Doug! Come on! Nina's bringing the cake!

Doug (nods):
On my way, Mark...
(back into receiver)
They're having cake here...you should see this place...it looks like a tomb.

Carol (grins...chuckles):
Wait until you see the cake.

Doug (surprised):
You KNEW about all this?

Carol:
Knew about it? I gave Mark half his ideas!

Doug (laughing):
Oh, you just wait, Missy! You're REALLY gonna get it!

Carol (grinning):
I'm counting on it.

Focus on Carol's smile and devilish look from her eyes and Fade Act Two to Black.

Act Three

Scene opens at the center. Show Doug coming down the hallway to the front desk where Jeannie, Mark, and Nina are waiting for him, crowded around the counter. As he gets closer, Jeannie starts lighting candles on the cake with a live match and Nina and Mark start singing (badly and off key) 'Happy Birthday'. Once all the candles are lit, Jeannie, Mark and Nina all open umbrellas and put them over their heads. Doug leans on the counter and lets them finish their song, looking at the cake and shaking his head. The cake has grey icing on it and a large tombstone that reads R.I.P. - Doug Ross' Youth on it.

Doug (once the last note is strained):
What's with the umbrellas?

Mark:
Well, with so many candles, I was afraid the fire might set off the smoke alarm and the sprinkler system!

Doug (nods sarcastically):
Very funny.

Jeannie (motions to the cake):
Blow out the candles, Doug! And make a wish!

Mark:
Yeah, make a GOOD one.

Doug (grins):
I know just the one...I'll wish for less tormenting friends...
(Doug leans over the cake and blows the candles out...Jeannie and Mark applaud)

Mark (reaches over and turns on the radio):
And now for a little music...

Doug (rolls his eyes):
Why do I think this is a set up?

Mark (grins):
Because you know us?

Radio DJ (over radio):
And we have a BIRTHDAY BOY in the area today...our own local hero...you remember that Doctor that saved the kid from the storm drain a few years back...well, he's FORTY today and this song goes out to him and he knows who it's from...
Strands of the Beatles song WHEN I'M SIXTY FOUR starts playing and Doug just starts chuckling, shaking his head, and covering his face with his hands.

Doug:
Yeah...I think I DO know who it's from.

Nina:
Now, I made the cake, but, it wasn't my idea...

Doug (smiles at her):
I'm sure you had persuasion...

Nina:
As long as you know it wasn't my idea...

Doug (kisses her cheek):
It's nice to know you love me, Nina.

Mark:
Hey, I love you! Would I go through all this trouble if I didn't?
(Doug chuckles)

Nina (looks at her watch):
Well, save me a piece of cake, OK? I have a patient in about five minutes...

Doug (nods, scrapes icing off with his finger and tastes it):
OK, Nina...thanks again...

Jeannie:
Not to be the bad guy or anything, but, we have a machine in the back that has your name written on it...are you ready to work that leg?

Doug (sighs):
Ready? No...going to do it? Yes! Let's go...we'll cut the cake after...

Doug goes off down the hall with Jeannie and Mark scrapes some icing off to taste it too...he makes a pleased and 'yummy' face when he tastes it.

Mark (mumbles):
Looks gross in color but taste great!

He goes on off down the hallway.

Cut to Nina's office. She is sitting at her desk writing on a file when there is a knock at her door.

Nina (calls out):
Come in!

Carol (opens doors and steps in sheepishly):
I'm sorry I'm late...

Nina (snickers):
You have six children at home...if anyone has an excuse to be late, you do! Come on in, Carol...

Carol (goes in and slides into a chair):
How'd the birthday cake go over?

Nina (smiles, nods):
I think he got a kick out of it...

Carol:
I heard the song on the radio on my way over here...

Nina:
Mark better not even get out of bed when he turns 40...I'm sure Doug is making notes on all these things he's done to him today!

Carol (laughs):
I think Doug is a pretty good sport.

Nina (closes her file and folds her hands):
OK...what's on your mind?

Carol:
Well, first of all, I really appreciate you seeing me on such short notice...

Nina (scoffs):
Nonsense, Carol! You're family! I always make time for family!

Carol (smiles softly):
I appreciate that...

Nina:
So, what can I do for you?

Carol:
Well, today is Doug's birthday, as you well know...and I am taking him out tonight...I had Karen reserve the Presidential Suite at the Drake and I want him to have a wonderful night. He deserves it. He's had to abstain so long since Stephanie put me off sex at 5 months...then I had to heal from the births AND the hysterectomy...we just started acting like husband and wife again just recently and it seems like everytime we get going really good one of the kids kills the mood. He's always such a good sport about it...so I want tonight to be really special.

Nina (smiles):
Doug's a lucky man to have such a caring wife.

Carol (frowns):
Yeah, but, I'm afraid it's going to be less than spectacular for him...because of me.

Nina (confused):
What about you?

Carol:
This hysterectomy has really bothered me. I didn't think it would, and I tried not to let it, but it has.

Nina (nods, understands):
You feel like you're less of a woman because you can no longer have children...

Carol (frowns, nods her head):
What's wrong with me, Nina? I have six wonderful children, four of which I bore myself...shouldn't that be enough for any woman?

Nina:
Under normal circumstances, yes...

Carol:
It's just that I love Doug so much, and that was one way I could show him and know he knew it...now, all I can do is say 'I love you' and hope he believes it.

Nina (suspecting):
Is something wrong between you and Doug right now?

Carol (sighs):
He found the suicide note Greg Powell left to me...and I hadn't told him about it...and he was a little upset about it. I think he's over it now, but, I doubt he just forgot about it.

Nina:
Why didn't you tell him about the note?

Carol (shrugs):
I don't know. I told myself because I didn't think he was strong enough to know it, but, that was only good while he was in the hospital. When he came home, I should have told him...but I just didn't. I don't know why.

Nina: What kind of a relationship did you have with Greg Powell?

Carol:
What are you talking about? There was NO relationship...

Nina:
But, you obviously had feelings for him, otherwise, you would have told Doug about the note he left you.

Carol:
He was a friend...that's all.

Nina:
And does Doug understand that?

Carol:
Yeah, I think he does...but he was really upset when he found that letter...

Nina:
I think he was upset that you were keeping something from him more than he was anything else.

Carol:
I haven't been very nice to him lately anyway...I've been cross with him and yelling at him...

Nina:
Post pardum depression?

Carol:
Yeah! How'd you know?

Nina (laughs):
I went through that after Emma was born...I was too fat to get into anything...it was all Colt's fault...that kind of thing been what you've been doing to Doug?

Carol (nods):
Yeah. And then we went through the crisis with Josh while he was still nursing that leg...things have just been a mess lately.

Nina:
Then, I think both of you deserve this night off you're taking tonight...

Carol:
We couldn't do that even if it weren't for Doug suggesting we hire a Nanny. And Amy is wonderful...she's great with the kids and she can do anything around the house I need her to do...she really is one of the best things that's happened to us...she's family now...I don't know what we'd do without her now.

Nina:
Then take this night and enjoy it...use the time to give Doug all the attention you think you've been neglecting him lately...it'll be good for both of you.

Carol (grins):
Yeah...but how do I get over this empty feeling I have inside me?

Nina:
I can only tell you that this feeling will pass with time. I can't tell you anything first hand because I've never gone through it, but, you will adjust to the fact that you can no longer have children and while I think it will always bother you some, you will learn to live with it.

Carol:
Doug says we can adopt later if we want another child...

Nina (nods):
That's always an option...you and Doug certainly have plenty to offer a homeless child.

Carol:
I don't know how I'd feel about that. I mean, I know I can love a child that isn't my own, because I am crazy about Scott and Tatiana...

Nina (smiles):
When the right child comes along, you won't even think about it...you'll just do it. And by the way, I think it's wonderful that you are able to be a 'Mom' to two children you didn't give birth to in the same light that you are 'Mommy' to the others. I've seen you with Scott and Tatiana and I think it's commendable that you treat them equally...Doug too...he doesn't treat Tatiana any differently than he does his own son. The two of you do a marvelous job and I applaud you.

Carol (smiles, embarrassed):
There's really nothing to it...we love them all the same.

Nina:
And it shows.

Carol:
Something I wanted to ask you about...I asked Stephanie about this and she said that my sex with Doug shouldn't be any less satisfying for him just because of my hysterectomy...is that true?

Nina:
Well, as I said, never having gone through it, I can't give you first hand answers. But, medically, and from other patients I've counseled about this kind of thing, yes...that's true...Doug won't be able to tell any difference as long as you treat him the same as you did before.

Carol:
I think that's what I'm nervous about...

Nina:
Well, if I know Doug, he'll take that fear right away from you.

Carol (laughs):
You know, it's funny...I've been in love with Doug since the first time I laid eyes on him. Over the years he's been my friend, my lover, a thorn in my side, and a cause of mental anguish...now I just can't even imagine my life without him. He's always there when I need him...he always says the right things I need to hear whatever the situation is...somewhere along the line he grew up and turned into the man of my dreams. I tell myself everyday how lucky I am to have him.

Nina (smiles):
Then tonight...why don't you just show him?

Carol (nods...grins):
Yeah...I think you're right.

Nina:
And come back and see me anytime you need to talk, OK?

Carol (nods, stands up to leave):
Thanks, Nina...I appreciate it.

Nina (walks out with her):
Come on...let's go see if they've cut that cake yet...

Carol and Nina go out and the front desk is deserted, so, they go through the hallway. Mark is in an exam room with a patient and Carol sticks her head in.

Carol:
Do you know where I can find Dr. Ross?

Mark (motions with his head):
He's in the back with Dr. Boulet.

Carol (grins):
Thanks, Mark!

Nina hangs around the front desk scraping a taste of icing while Carol goes into the back to find Doug. Cut to show Doug in gym shorts and a t-shirt working on a leg machine with Jeannie's supervision. He is straining to lift the weight, grunting, sweating, and his muscles shaking, while Jeannie counts.

Jeannie (clicks a stop watch):
OK, time.

Doug released the weight and lets out a sigh. His face is twisted with pain as he towels off.

Jeannie:
You're doing great, Doug.

Doug (pants):
It hurts.

Jeannie:
It's going to for a while, but before you know it, you'll be beating Mark with that cane!
(Doug chuckles)
That's enough for today.

Doug (gets off the machine and reaches for his clothes, sees Carol in the doorway):
Hi, Babe.

Carol:
Hi! I came down for cake!

Doug (tugs into his shirt and steps into his jeans):
We were just about to cut it...

Carol (puts her arm around him as they start down the hallway together):
How are you doing?

Doug (nods):
Jeannie says I'm doing fine.

Carol:
Looks like hard work...

Doug:
Well, you know what they say...anything worth having is...

Focus on the five of them crowded around the cake, Doug cuts the cake amid a round of applause, and they start into devouring it as Act Three Fades to Black.

Act Four

Scene opens at the Ross home. Everyone is gathered around the dining room table in party hats as Doug blows out candles on yet another birthday cake. This one is not tormenting, though, and is decorated with medical symbols and words all over it. Everyone applauds as Doug blows out all the candles with help from Tatiana.

Marc (reaches his hand to the cake):
Cook-ee!

Carol (pulls his hand away):
No, that is not a cookie! That's your Daddy's birthday cake and he doesn't need ANY help from you...you holy terror! You've been a monster all day today...

Mark (laughing):
Like father, like son!

Doug (licking icing off his fingers):
You know, Mark, you are REALLY asking for it!

Tatiana:
Does Papa get spanks or kisses for his birthday one to grow on?

Carol (raises her eyebrows at Doug):
Ummm, well, tonight he might get both...

Nina (snickers):
If he's lucky!

Tatiana (kisses Doug's cheek):
Well, I'M gonna give him kisses!

Doug:
Thank you, Punkin.

Scott:
Open your presents, Dad!

Mark (pushes one to him):
Yeah, open this one first... Cut to show short time lapse. All of Doug's presents are opened and laying on the table...the cake is half gone...and Mark and Nina are saying their good byes.

Carol:
Thank you both for coming...

Nina:
We were so glad you invited us.
(leans close to Carol and whispers)
Good luck later tonight, huh?

Carol (giggles):
Thanks.

Mark (claps Doug on the shoulder):
You were a good sport, Buddy...

Doug (chuckles):
Oh, I'm saving it up...I'll get you back...don't you worry about that.

Mark (chuckles):
Oh, I'm sure of that! I wouldn't think anything less!

Once Nina and Mark are gone, Carol turns to the kids.

Carol:
OK, you two, tell your Dad good night and you'll see him in the morning!

Scott:
We don't have to go to bed NOW do we?

Carol:
No, but your Dad and I are leaving for the evening.

Doug (surprised):
We are?

Carol (nods):
Yes, we are! MY present we have to leave the house for!

Scott (waves to him as he starts away):
Good night, Dad! Happy Birthday!

Doug:
Thanks, Sport! You keep an eye on things around here, OK?

Scott (on his way out of the room):
You got it, Dad!

Doug (calling as Scott disappears up the steps):
And don't be on the phone to Veronica all night, either!

Tatiana (hugs him):
Good night, Papa! Do you feel older?

Doug (laughs, hugs her):
No, Punkin...I feel just the same as I ever did! You mind Amy, OK? Don't give her any trouble!

Tatiana:
I'll be good!

Doug (turns to Carol):
OK...where are we going?

Carol (smiles):
It's a surprise...
(she hands him a blindfold)
Put that on...

Doug (laughs):
Are you serious?

Carol (leans close to him):
As a heart attack...and I plan to use that later anyway...

Doug laughs and puts the blindfold on and lets her lead him by the hand out of the house and to the Van. She helps him in on the passengers side and they pull out of the driveway. Follow the van through the city and into the parking garage of the Drake Hotel. Carol helps Doug out and leads him to the elevator. She pushes a button and they stop. The doors open and Karen is standing right at the elevator holding the room key. Carol smiles wide and takes the key, giving Karen a silent wave as she closes the doors and they continue their ride. The doors open again and Carol leads him down the hallway to the room, opens the door with the key, and leads him in.

Carol:
OK...you can take it off now!

Doug takes off the blindfold, looks around the room and starts to chuckle.

Doug:
You brought me to the Drake?

Carol (begins to wrap herself around him):
Just the two of us...all night long.

Doug (kisses her):
Ummmm...happy birthday to me!

Carol (kisses him):
Doug, you've been so patient...I just want to show you how grateful I am.

Doug (chuckles):
And then I get to show you how thankful I am, right?

Carol (nods, giggles):
All night long...

Doug (happily):
Well, let's get started...did you say something about using this thing later?
(holds up the blindfold)

Carol (nods):
Uh huh...
(reaches behind her and pulls out handcuffs)
But, I'm using these first...

Doug (grins at her):
Uh oh...

Carol (clicks one cuff on his wrist):
You're my prisoner...you are sentenced to one night at my mercy...

Doug (kisses her, chuckles):
Have mercy...

Carol leads him over to the bed and takes his shirt off him. Then she puts his hands up over his head and cuffs them to the headboard rails.

Carol (runs her fingernail down his cheek gently):
Don't go away...

Doug (scoffs):
Yeah, right...like I can go anywhere.

Carol:
I'll be right back...

Carol steps into the bathroom and comes back out minutes later wearing a black lace teddy that leaves NOTHING to Doug's imagination and he reacts with a positive gesture of arching himself on the bed. Carol goes to the bed in a sultry walk.

Carol (models is quickly):
You like?

Doug (eyes wide):
Oh yeah!

She climbs onto the bed and gets over top of him on all fours like an animal on the prowl. She kisses his lips and then lays her tongue across his lips, sending him reeling with sensation. Then she reaches to the table and brings out a tube of cherry gel. She holds the tube up high and squeezes it, sending the cool, gooey liquid plunging down onto his bare chest.

Doug (licks his lips):
Oh, my God...

She takes her fingertips and begins spreading the gel all over his chest in circular motions. Doug groans in ecstasy and rolls his head on the pillow.

Carol (teasing):
Tisk tisk...what a mess...I guess I better clean you up, huh? (she bangs her tongue back and forth against the sides of her mouth in quick secessions)

Doug (groans):
Oh, God...you wouldn't? Would you?

Her response is to start licking the gel off him sensually. He groans and tries to get his arms around her, but, the handcuffs keep him from it.

Carol:
You want loose?

Doug (pulling against the cuffs):
Yes!!

Carol (runs her fingernail around his ear):
Don't be so impatient...

She takes the blindfold and puts it back on him. Now he is cuffed and blinded and at her mercy. She takes out a huge ostrich feather and begins to run it down his arms and across his chest. She tugs his pants off him and tosses them on the floor, running the feather across his legs and up the insides of his thighs. Doug is pulling to get loose and unable to stay on the bed as he reacts to all her foreplay. She reaches up and takes his hands loose...he rips the blindfold off and wraps his arms around her, ravishing her with kisses.

Carol (makes happy sounds as she kisses him back):
Ummmmm...somebody is VERY happy....
(she reaches her hand downward and giggles)

Doug (pulls her back onto the bed with him):
Are you sure I'm not too old for this kind of stuff...

Carol (giggles):
Well, even if you are, I know CPR!

He chuckles and kisses her quickly and then turns it tender with a lot of passion, holding her head with one of his hands and being gentle and tender with her. She responds by taking her tongue and playing it inside his mouth.

He comes alive with a whole new passion and responds quickly. Show in slow motion several angles of them rolling around on the bed, various stages of undressing, and always locked in tender, passionate kisses. Finally, pull to calm, they are lying in bed together, both of them undressed, with the cover over them, drinking champagne and eating strawberries.

Doug (munching on a strawberry):
I gotta tell you...of all the presents I got for my birthday, yours was DEFINITELY the best.

Carol (feeds him another strawberry):
I was kind of hoping you might say that! You know, the one we owe this to, is Amy...if you hadn't had the idea to hire a Nanny, none of this would have been possible with six children at home.

Doug (raises his glass):
To Amy!
(sighs):
Where did this come from?

Carol:
I just wanted you to know how much I love you.

Doug (kisses her forehead sweetly):
Honey, I know you love me...you don't have to do things like this to prove it to me...although I'm glad you did!

Carol:
Was it good for you, Doug? Was it good like it used to be?

Doug:
It was the BEST!
(kisses her)
Why? Did you think I wasn't enjoying it?

Carol (shrugs):
I just worried, that's all.

Doug:
Worried? Why?

Carol:
I know you think it's silly, but, I worried that I wouldn't satisfy you after my surgery.

Doug (slips his arm around her shoulders and lets her drink from his champagne glass):
Well, stop worrying about that! You took me BEYOND the golden palace tonight.

Carol (sighs, lays her head on his shoulder):
I got your plans with your rose today...

Doug:
Uh huh...

Carol:
You want to tell me what's going on?

Doug:
What did you think of the plans?

Carol:
I thought they were great...is that something we're going to be doing?

Doug:
Well, you know where the property is right...
(Carol nods)
The plans are for the house I want to build on it for us.

Carol:
What's wrong with the house we already have?

Doug (shrugs):
Nothing...it's just that all my life I've dreamed of having a custom built home...and now we can have that if we want it. That's why I sent you the plans...to see what you think.

Carol:
I think we need to talk about it later...
(kisses him)
...right now houses are the LAST thing on my mind...

Doug (closes his eyes and kisses her):
Ummmm....you and me both...

Pull back to show them start to engage in another round of loving as Act Four Fades to Black.

Closing Act

Scene opens at City Hall outside the office of a Magistrate Judge. Mark is pacing and looking at his watch. Doug is sitting on the bench across from him watching him pace. Mark is wearing a brown suit, blue shirt, and a brown and blue striped tie. Doug is wearing a dark suit, peach shirt, and dark tie.

Doug:
Will you relax? They'll be here...

Mark:
What if she decided not to go through with it?

Doug:
She would have TOLD you that already! Will you PLEASE just sit down and relax until they get here?

Mark comes over and sits quietly beside Doug for just a minute, then he gets nervous again.

Mark:
The rings!!! Have you got the rings?!

Doug (holds up his hand to show both rings on his fingers):
Right here, Bud...

Mark (taps his foot):
I can't believe how nervous I am...were you this nervous when you and Carol eloped?

Doug (chuckles):
Huh...no! It all happened so fast, I don't think either one of us had time to think about it!

Pan back to show Nina and Carol coming quickly into the hallway with Rachel and Emma in tow. Carol is wearing a nice dress, Rachel and Emma are wearing Easter type dresses, and Nina is wearing an off-white dress and carrying a small bouquet of flowers.

Mark (stands up nervously):
I see the florist got my delivery there on time.

Nina (smiles at him):
They're beautiful, Mark...thank you.

Mark (stands face to face with her):
I guess this is it.

Nina (nods):
I guess it is.

Mark:
Are you real sure you want to do this?

Nina (smiles):
I've never been more sure of anything in my life.

Mark (smiles):
Then, let's do it!

The party goes into the Magistrate's Office and stop at the desk.

Mark (to girl behind the counter):
We'd like to get married, please.

Girl:
Do you have your blood test and some form of identification?

Mark (produces both and Nina lays her driver's license down too):
Yes, we do.

Girl (hands Mark a form):
OK, both of you fill this out and sign it and I'll get the Judge!

Doug (leans over and whispers to Mark):
Sign your real name, now...no fudging.

Mark (nods sarcastically):
I think I can handle it, Doug, thanks.

Cut to show the party standing in front of the Magistrate and the ceremony is underway.

Magistrate:
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to join this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. If there is anyone here who sees just reason why these two people should not be joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.
(Mark looks nervously around, but, of course, there is no one there to protest)
Mark Aaron Greene, do you take this woman to be your lawful, wedded wife? To have and to hold...in sickness and in health...
(show Doug and Carol looking at each other during these vows and smiling at each other)
...for better or worse...for richer or poorer...forsaking all other and keeping only unto her for as long as you both shall live?

Mark (nods):
I do.

Magistrate:
And do you, Nina Diana Pomerantz, take this man to be your lawful wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, forsaking all others and keeping only unto him for as long as you both shall live?

Nina (smiles at Mark):
I do.

Magistrate:
The rings, please?
(Doug produces both rings and hands one to Mark and one to Nina)
With this ring, I thee wed...

Mark (slips the ring on Nina's finger):
With this ring, I thee wed...

Nina (slips the ring on Mark's finger):
With this ring...
(smiles at him)
...I thee wed.

Magistrate:
By the power vested in my by the State of Illinois, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. (Rachel and Emma high five each other)

Rachel:
All right! We're sisters!!

Magistrate (smiles):
You may kiss your bride.

Mark pulls Nina close to him and kisses her sweetly. The second their lips meet Doug and Carol and the girls start throwing confetti on them and Doug begins to mimmick humming the wedding march. Mark and Nina laugh and hold each other close as Closing Act Fades into Closing Credits of the Show.

April 22, 1998