Looking forward to a family.

By Em.

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing, not even the computer I typed this on, please I am only doing this to provide a insight into how I wish my life would be.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I am only a recent AS fanatic, and as such I am taking a few liberties, namely... That Terri doesn't have a car and that the creche (where Mitch leaves Lucy when he's at work) isn't at the hospital.

Just a quick thanx to L.J. for allowing me to bounce this off her!

COMMENTS and CRITICISM: Very welcome, SweetDramaQueen@hotmail.com

It was late Friday afternoon and the nerves of all the staff were frazzled. This was not helped when Mitch emerged from room 1 obviously disappointed, he looked toward Terri and he explained in a hushed voice that he had just lost the patient to a infection complications that he had been trying to treat since her return from surgery. Terri went to the sunroom in order to find the patient's partner. After a brief explanation Terri allowed the man a moments privacy as he farewelled his girlfriend.

He returned to the reception desk where the majority of the staff were gathered. He addressed Terri with un-mistakable sadness.

"Thank you for all you did for her." Mitch looked away, this was the part of the job he hated the most. "I just wanted you to know that I loved her, and I would have married her, if... if..." He paused briefly attempting to recollect himself. "Don't let time go by being un-happy. Find the one person who makes you go crazy, who you love more than life itself and spend as much time showing them how you feel. Time is precious." Terri walked toward the man and rubbed his arm soothingly, however she found her eyes being drawn to Mitch as his eyes were to her.

It was well past the scheduled end of her shift and yet Terri Sullivan remained in her office. All the day staff had retired for a night of relaxation, and for a lucky few they had the luxury of a sleep-in tomorrow. Terri was fighting her way to the end of the paperwork that threatened to over run her desk, normally she would allow herself to leave once the pile were manageable, but seeing as the roster had afforded her a weekend off, she intended to start Monday on a clean slate, relaxed and ready for a new week.

3 folders remained and just as she opened the top file, she watched as someone entered her office, flashing a quick and tight smile, she set about her work. The intruder was silent, content just to watch her work and amazed that they were so comfortable in each others presence as to not be embarrassed doing something trivial while being watched by the other.

Closing the last folder and filing it away, Terri placed her head on the desk in exasperation. It was only moments later that she felt hands gently kneading her shoulders. Without realising it, she leant back into the sensuous hands and found her eyes locked with those of Mitch Stevens.

"Mmmm, what are you doing?" Terri murmured unwilling to break their gaze.

"Calming, relaxing, enjoying being here with you." He smiled.

"What are you doing?" Terri pushed away from him and he sensed the sudden change in her mood.

"Terri?" He looked straight at her, while making his way to the opposite side of her desk.

"We can't do this, I thought we had agreed?" She broke away from his gaze and dropped her head.

"There is no one here but us!" As soon as the words escaped his mouth he wished he could call them back.

"There are the night staff, there are patients, but besides that I am not just someone you can pick up for a one night stand." She turned and looked out her window, hurt by his insinuation.

"I never meant it like that, Terri, you are so important to me and you have been working too hard, I just want to see you happy." She turned back toward him, hurt still evident in her eyes, unable to bear the sight he turned away from her. "I would do anything for you." She smiled in spite of herself and walked toward him and placed herself in front of him before embracing him in a tight and meaningful hug.

They stayed like this for some time, Terri's eyes were closed but despite this the occasional tear still escaped down her cheek. Mitch buried his lips in her hair and after several minutes in the embrace he whispered "I love you."

Terri looked up and met his eyes. "Sorry, what did you say?"

"I said, I should go." With that he walked quickly out the door. Terri hadn't heard what he had whispered to her, but she knew it bore no resemblance to 'I should go.'

After composing herself and bidding "Adieu" to the ward for the weekend she walked out into the cool night air, just as she wrapped her arms about herself, she spotted Mitch leaning casually against his four-wheel drive. He smiled and she returned in favour as she walked toward him.

"Hey you..." He opened the passenger side door for her and waited until she was safely in. "I just have to pick Lucy up is that OK?" Terri nodded and they headed off toward the creache. He went to get out, but a little too quickly mentioned that she should remain in the car, Terri averted her eyes, but couldn't mistake his grip on her hand as he squeezed it tenderly.

They made it to Terri's house relatively quickly and he walked her to her door. As they reached the door, she turned around and thanked him sincerely. She moved to go inside, but Mitch took her arm softly. "Wait!" He paused and waited for her to look at him. "Get changed." This earned him only a puzzled stare.

"Terri Sullivan, I would be honoured if you would accompany me and Lucy to dinner." He smiled at her cheekily.

"Lucy and I, and I would love to." She waited while he retrieved Lucy from the car and motioned for them to take a seat in her lounge room. "Can you wait 5 minutes?"

"Just for you." She smiled gratefully and emerged from her bathroom soon after to find him looking at her admiringly.

"Lovely." He breathed as he drank in her outfit, whenever she wore a skirt it meant it was a special occasion and he was thrilled that she would wear it just for him.

Next stop was Mitch's house, where Terri announced, that she would feed and change Lucy while he had a shower.

It was in the nursery where he found Terri leaning over a completely fed, clean and dressed Lucy.

"I didn't realise I would take so long, sorry."

"You didn't. Lucy and I here work well together." She smiled as she picked the growing baby from the change table and cradled her safely in her arms. Together they walked back out to the car.

He chose a restaurant not too far from his home, and he opened the door as Terri wheeled Lucy in. They found a seat easily as it was rather late for dinner and they were approached shortly after by a waiter who complimented Mitch on his lucky situation. "Two beautiful women in the same family, you are one lucky man." Terri blushed accordingly and Mitch just smiled proudly.

Dinner progressed smoothly, with a never-ending stream of conversation. It was as Terri was finishing the last of their wine that Mitch reached across the table and took hold of her hands. He forced her to look at him and she did so, alarmed by the change in his demeanour.

"We have to talk." Mitch held her gaze efficiently and Terri couldn't tear herself away. "I received a phone call on Monday, Rose has been discharged." An involuntary sigh was released from Terri's lips. "She rang earlier today, to inform me that she wishes to begin divorce proceedings. We are to meet on Wednesday with our lawyers." He smiled and Terri couldn't help but smile along with him. It was in such a mood that they concluded their night out, and being a gentleman, Mitch happily took care of the bill.

Terri was thankful and in order to show her appreciation, invited Mitch and Lucy around for dinner the following evening.

"Don't you have to work tomorrow?" Terri shook her head at Mitch's question as he drove toward her house.

"I am extremely lucky and have been granted an entire weekend off." She grinned.

"I am very jealous and will be pleased to join you tomorrow evening, after my entire day on YOUR ward."

"Our ward."

He deposited her safely, and eagerly anticipated the following night.

Terri awoke early on Saturday, accustomed to her early starts and succumbed to the urge to have the entire house sparkling for Mitch's visit that evening. She carefully prepared the meal and found herself smiling at odd points throughout the day. "Is this what it is like to be happy and in love?" she wondered as she set about preparing the table.

Mitch arrived only an hour after his finishing time, he was unable to fight the urge to be as near as possible to Terri. The words of the man on Friday were still firm in his mind and it had made Mitch as determined as ever to make Terri happy.

"Terri, how are you?" Mitch greeted with a warm smile, Lucy skirmed in his arms and Terri took her as Mitch headed back to the car for her things.

"Fine thanks." Terri found herself blushing under his gaze and smiling nonetheless.

Dinner was a fine affair with Mitch enjoying the culinary talents of Terri and her the closeness of someone she loved.

Mitch insisted that he clear the table and Terri went to attend to the murmuring baby. Mitch stacked the dishwasher and was walking into the lounge room when he saw Mitch walking softly around the room, with Lucy in her arms. He paused, this was the moment he had dreamt of, seeing the two people he loved above all else bonding, to see his child in the arms of the woman he loved, it was too perfect and as he absorbed the picture into his memory, he felt the vibration and then heard the wailing of his mobile phone. He answered and mouthed a quick apology to Terri as she noticed him staring at her and turned toward the ring of his phone.

"I understand... uh-huh... yep... I agree..." Mitch mumbled into the phone, while mouthing to Terri 'It's Rose'.

After quickly putting Lucy down into her portable crib, Terri ventured into the kitchen in order to make coffee and afford Mitch some privacy.

Terri fumbled about in the kitchen the faint sounds of Mitch's voice reminding her that he was still on the phone. She re-emerged some time later, he was still on the phone, but motioned for her to sit on the couch, next to him. She pretended that she hadn't seen this and took a chair opposite him, with the division of a coffee table.

Mitch took a few sips of coffee and smiled a Terri apologetically, however at the same time he was marvelling about how it was that she could remember exactly how it was that he liked his coffee and Rose never could get it right.

The phone call ended abruptly with a short 'Bye'. Terri had averted her eyes the entire time he was on the phone and thus heard rather than saw Mitch creeping around toward her.

Mitch leant down at the side of the chair and took Terri's right hand in both of his, he caressed them gently, before beginning.

"Rose rang to explain that she is leaving for her sister's next week following the meeting with the solicitor. She wants a few months away from everything, her sister lives on the outskirts of Tamworth and is offering her rest and relaxation. She said that she wants me to take good care of Lucy while she is gone and while she maintains she will be back, she claims that she needs to take this time in order to be a good mother." Mitch placed a quick kiss on Terri's hand and continued. "I love you Terri. You make me crazy and happy, you are everything that I have ever wanted. I..." Here he paused and removed a small box from his pocket. "This is something I saw that reminded me of you and know I want you to have it as a reminder of how much I love and cherish you."
He opened the box and extracted a gold ring littered with small diamonds, before Terri could protest, he carefully removed the necklace about her neck upon which her cross lay and allowed the ring to join that which Terri believed so faithfully in, then he clasped the necklace about her and smiled, willing her to say something, anything.

"Mitch, oh..." She carefully fingered that which hung so beautifully about her neck and waited for the tears welling in her eyes to fall unashamedly down her cheeks. "I love you."

"It won't always be like this... One day I will place it upon it's rightful place" he delicately caressed her left hand before standing and retrieving his coffee.

Mitch took up the other single chair in the room and proceeded to tell her about his day as they drank their coffee, smiling at the emotion that was finally acknowledged between them. They stayed like this for above an hour, Terri stood when there was finally a silence between them and began to clear the coffee cups, knowing it was late and that Mitch had to work tomorrow.

She walked in front of him in order to retrieve the mugs, when she felt two hands slide around her waist. She relinquished her hold on the mugs and allowed herself to be pulled into Mitch's lap. He encircled her with his arms and Terri sunk easily into the comforting embrace.

Leaning her head upon his chest, Terri felt him kiss her hair sweetly and finally lay his head atop of hers. It was during this silence that enveloped the entire room, that the quiet breathing of all the occupants became the soft even breaths that are characteristic of those in a comfortable sleep.

Mitch woke stiff and sore from the unusual position, he registered quickly that the woman laying within his arms was more precious to him than any amount of discomfort he was experiencing as a result of sleeping with her in his arms.

Deciding quickly on the best method to leave, he adjusted himself so that his arms were in a position to support the still sleeping woman. He gathered her up quickly in his arms and casually threw her arms about his neck, as he rose to take her to her room, she began to stir, she mumbled groggily. "Mitch? Mitch! I love you, Mitch!" He whispered gently in reply.

"I love you too." Her eyes fluttered open and she allowed herself to gasp and yawn.

"Mitch?"

"Yeah, it's me. We fell asleep in the chair, I'm going to tuck you in and then I'd best get into the hospital." He smiled at her obvious concern, she was sleepy and definitely not at her most glamorous, but it was at this moment that Mitch felt that she was the most beautiful creature, nothing about her was fraudulent, with Terri what you got was absolute honesty and sincerity, she was perfect just as she was now.

"I am so sorry, I had no idea. Mitch, I honestly..." Mitch silenced her with a finger as he placed her upon the bed.

"I know, don't be sorry. It's the best night sleep I've ever had." He smiled and walked toward the door.

"Mitch!" He turned back to face her.

"It's alright, really." He smiled until she smiled in return and then he left.

Terri woke properly only a few hours later, reflecting that it wasn't the worst way to be woken up, being told you were loved by a man carrying you to your bedroom. At this a bright blush flushed Terri's cheeks and she looked at her hands and remembered the night before, at this point she fingered the ring that lay about her neck.

It was mid-afternoon before Terri sat down to have some lunch, she reflected on the weekend before taking off her necklace. She slid the ring of the chain and admired it. She recalled Mitch's words from last night... "One day I will place it upon it's rightful place." Instinctively, she slipped the ring upon her left hand and watched as it was the perfect size, she smiled in-spite of herself.

A stressful day at the hospital was only worsened when Terri was not around to comfort and soothe his worries. He arrived home tired and rather irritable. Mitch desired Terri's presence, but felt it too obvious that he ring her to come over. It was early when he sat down with a small plate of left-overs, he had just picked up his fork when Lucy started, she was wailing and he quickly abandoned his meal, and checked her nappy and made sure he had fed her. He held her, but despite his rocking and soothing, she continued to cry. She continued thus for above 4 hours, it was nearing 10 o'clock and Mitch was reeling from a stressful day and only a brief sleep the night before. When he was nearing his breaking point, he jumped into the car, remembering that sometimes driving was helpful. He found himself making his way toward Terri's and as Lucy continued to cry he picked up his mobile and rang the familiar number.

"Terri Sullivan" Terri was cheerful as she picked up the call.

"Hi, it's Mitch." Terri smiled, but allowed it to dissolve as she heard the distress in his voice.

"Where are you?"

"About to pull into your driveway." He smiled apologetically although she couldn't see it.

"Are you OK?" At this point there was a knock on her door. Running with the cordless in one hand toward the door. She hung up as Mitch's tired eyes leapt out at her. She hugged him and asked him to come in. He declined and asked her to take a drive with him. Quickly collecting her keys she repeated her unanswered question.

"Are you OK? What's wrong?" Her eyes were filled with concern.

"It's Lucy, she won't stop crying. Terri I am so sorry. I had no one else to come to. I need you, please." He turned to her, begging her to help him.

"Of course, where is she?" Mitch hopped into the drivers seat, while Terri jumped into the back seat next to Lucy. She checked all the usual sources of problems and asked Mitch if he had given her any 'Baby Panadol'

"Yes." He snapped, but quickly apologised. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright. Can we just go back to your place, you look frazzled?" He nodded and no sooner than he begun to tell her about his day than they were outside his house. Terri lifted Lucy from the carrier and followed Mitch inside.

"Have a shower, go on, you look exhausted." Terri explained over the cries of the baby in her arms.

He obeyed obediently and didn't even look as he left the room.

Terri walked about with Lucy, and began to hum quietly as she remembered the words of her favourite lullaby.

*** Hush my baby, sweetly sleeps.
Do not cry, I will sing a lullaby.

I will rock you, rock you, rock you.

I will rock you, rock you, rock you.

Here's some fur to keep you warm.

Wrapped around your tiny form. ***

Terri was just about to begin the lullaby again, when Lucy feel asleep in her arms. Terri sighed gratefully, and sunk into the nearest sofa.

She continued to sing quietly until Mitch re-emerged.

Mitch laid her to sleep in the nursery and went back out.

"Thank you so much. I don't know what I would have done without you." Mitch walked over to her and sunk into the couch next to her.

"Don't. I was happy to help - really. Anytime." He motioned for her and she leant in toward him. Involuntarily Terri felt a yawn escape her.

"You must be tired, I... " Mitch stumbled as he thought about his words. "Do you... You can always stay in the guest room if you wish, I mean I'm sure I have something I could..."

"Yeah, well you don't really want to be disturbing Lucy... I mean..."

"And I could never let you walk or take a cab or anything." They both smiled nervously.

"I can just sleep in this." Terri nodded confidently.

Mitch stood up and walked quickly to his room. He returned shortly offering Terri a shirt of his, she took it hesitantly. He waited while she used the bathroom and walked behind her into the guest bedroom. He winked at her teasingly and tucked her in. He stood and the door and they exchanged their good-nights.

It was nearing 6 when Mitch was preparing himself for work, needing to be on the ward by 7, he realised that it was time to wake the sleeping beauty in the next room.

He stole only a moment at the door watching her sleep, before walking and sitting on the edge of the double bed. He leant over and placed a protective kiss upon her forehead and stroked her face gently. This was enough to cause her to stir.

"Morning." He smiled as she stretched and fixed her eyes upon him.

"Already?" She mumbled and attempted to rise from her position. Mitch moved back to the door.

"I'm leaving in about 20 minutes, is that OK?" Mitch snuck one last look into the room before moving out into the kitchen.

Only a few minutes later, Terri emerged dressed in her clothes from the night before.

"That was quick!" He smiled and handed her a mug of coffee.

"I can take longer if you want." She shot straight back at him.

"No, just perfect the way you are." She knew instinctively he was talking about more than how long it took her to get dressed.

They left as soon as they had finished their coffees.

Mitch was unable to stop and merely walked Terri to the door before heading off to the creache and then the hospital.

Terri started only a few hours later than Mitch and was greeted with the Monday morning smiles as she made it to the ward.

"Good Morning, Terri." There was a chorus of hello's and she replied in turn.

"How was you weekend?" Von asked as she wandered past Terri's office later in the day.

"Great, very relaxing, just what I needed!" Terri smiled and continued to smile long after Von had gone.

THE END

'Baby Panadol' I think it's trademarked and I don't own it!

The Lullaby was used in "The Man from Snowy River" once and sung by Olivia Newton-John and I don't own that either!

Thanx for reading. Please comment at; SweetDramaQueen@hotmail.com

THERE, HOPE PEOPLE LIKE IT!! LUV eM

"And by the way, you are the ONLY woman"

Mitch to Terri

Private Affairs