Vows and Promises
Part Five
By Susan
lilichild@aol.com
ARCHIVE: Sure, just tell me where
TIMELINE: Well, this part takes place in the summer before season 7 and goes from there,
the other parts will take place later, itll make more sense once you read the fic.
SPOILERS: I dont read em. You shouldnt either J That said, anything that
I didnt beyond the latest aired episode is pure speculation.
DISCLAIMER: The story is mine, the characters arent. They belong to Warner Brothers,
dont waste your time suing, I have no money
NOTE: This is part one of a series and is my first fic, be kind J Comments welcome
PREVIOUSLY: Doug and Carol got engaged (yes, again), and decided upon a post Thanksgiving
wedding at the house in Seattle. Doug called Mark to share the good news and asked him to
be his best man. Mark accepted, Chuni, Haleh, and Conni overheard and put two and two
together so to speak and asked if they were right in their assumption. Mark told them yes,
and the three nearly knocked him over hugging.
PREVIOUSLY: Doug proposed to Carol and she accepted (again), Doug called Mark to share the
good news and ask him to be his best man. Carol called Susan and asked her to be maid of
honor. Likewise, she accepted. The wedding was planned for after Thanksgiving.
CHICAGO
To say that news travels fast in the Cook
County ER is a vast understatement. Mark marveled. Since his conversation with Doug had
been overheard everyone, and really, everyone was talking about Doug and Carols
wedding. Well, except for Kerry. Kerry, was more concerned with the business of the ER
that day, and of course, Jerrys mess of caramel that was still on the floor. It was
still sticky and didnt appear to be coming off of the floor anytime soon. Honestly,
though Mark thought that the caramel was just an excuse for Kerry not to think about what
was really bothering her Carter. Kerry had been distant and snippy, even more than
usual, since theyd found out about Carters addiction. As much as they tried to
hide the problem for Carter, word had seeped out and soon everyone had been whispering
about it. Well, Mark mused, at least Doug and Carol will get everyones mind off of
Carter.
On that subject Carol had called the nurses
about 10 minutes ago. In the lounge, Haleh, Lydia, Conni, and Chuni were crowded around
the phone giggling with excitement. Needless to say, that increased the talk. Mark figured
hed just let them talk, after the past year, people needed something happy they
could be excited about. He was just finishing up a chart when Chuni popped out of the
lounge.
Mark! Chuni called Carol
wants to talk to you
Okay, be right there Mark was
certainly happy to speak to Carol, aside from Doug and of course, Elizabeth, she was one
of his closest friends. He reached the lounge and looked at the four nurses who looked
like little kids at Christmas time. He grinned at the thought and picked up the phone.
Hi, Carol he said.
Hey, Mark the cheery familiar
voice responded.
Congratulations are in order Mark
told her. It had been a long time since he had heard Carol so happy.
Thank you, Mark Carol responded
Uh, Mark do you have an audience?
Actually, yes Mark said eyeing
the four nurses huddled behind him Want me to get rid of them
I think you better. Carol said.
Okay he told Carol. He then
turned and looked at the four behind him.
All right, all right. Were going
Haleh said and she along with Chuni, Conni, and Lydia left the lounge.
Theyre gone Mark said
settling into the nearest chair. So whats so important?
Well, Doug and I heard about Carter
Carol began
Oh Mark said. Geez, news really
does travel here, he thought
Mark, we want to ask Carter to be an
usher, but I figured we should ask you first Carol finished
Carter? Mark asked not totally
comprehending what they were saying.
Yes, Carter Carol responded.
Im just not sure if it would be good for him or not. Hes still at rehab,
right?
Yeah. Hell be there until early
September Mark said avoiding the question.
So, hell be back by the wedding.
Im having seven bridesmaids Carol said trying not to laugh
Seven?! Mark said in shock What
happened to the small wedding?
Well, I couldnt leave anyone out.
I asked Conni, Lydia, Haleh, Chuni, my sisters and of course, Susan. Carol said
Oh, God. That wont be a problem Mark will it?
No, no of course not. Mark
assured her I can bring Elizabeth right?
Of course. Do you think I should ask
her to be a bridesmaid too? Carol asked suddenly
Thats your call, Carol Mark
replied I dont think shed be hurt if she wasnt asked
No, I should definitely ask her.
Carol said You and Elizabeth were so good to me in Chicago.
Are you sure, Carol? Mark asked.
Yes, I definitely should. Will she be
at your place tonight? Carol asked
Unless she gets mad at me. Mark
teased
Okay. Ill call her tonight
Carol said That brings bridesmaids up to eight. Which brings me back to my original
point. We could use Carter as an usher, but we dont want to force him into anything
You can try calling him, but I dont
know what kind of response youre going to get Mark said uncertainly.
Yeah, do you think hed respond
better to me or Doug? Carol asked hopefully.
Do you have to ask? Mark said. He
couldnt imagine Carter had any problems with Doug, but Carol actually saw a lot of
what he went through, while Doug was away in Seattle.
No, I know it should be me Carol
said. Mark heard talking in the background. Carol muffled the phone and Mark made part of
a conversation with Doug.
Mark? Carol came back on the line
Yeah Mark responded
Doug says for you to tell Kerry shes
very welcome at our wedding Carol said trying not to laugh
Sure thing Mark responded
grinning.
Suddenly the lounge door opened.
Hey, Mark Elizabeth said. Mark
turned around to see Elizabeth in the doorway clad in blue scrubs.
Oh, Im sorry Mark, Ill come
back later She apologized when she noticed he was on the phone.
Mark, who still had the phone to his ear,
shook his head to Elizabeth.
Mark, can I speak to Elizabeth?
Carol asked, who had overheard her entrance on the phone.
Sure, hold on Mark said into the
phone. Elizabeth, its Carol, she wants to talk to you Mark said handing
over the phone.
Oh? Elizabeth said with some
confusion. She was sort of friendly with Carol before she had departed Chicago, but the
two were never extremely close.
Hello she said into the phone.
Hi, Elizabeth Carol responded.
Did Mark tell you the news?
What news? Elizabeth asked, she
had spent the day in surgery, and this was her first trip downstairs all day.
Doug and I are getting married after
Thanksgiving Carol said
Oh, Carol! Elizabeth exclaimed
That is wonderful! Congratulations! She said, slapping Mark at the same time
for not telling her the news.
Thank you Carol beamed across the
line Elizabeth will you be a bridesmaid?
A bridesmaid? Elizabeth asked in
wonder Id love to
Great, Ill call you tonight with
the details. Carol responded.
Okay, talk to you then Elizabeth
said still in shock of having been asked
Okay, bye Carol said
Bye They hung up and Elizabeth
spun to face Mark.
Im the best man He said,
answering her question before she even got to ask it.
Um, Elizabeth He began Theres
something I should tell you