The Old And The New

It was a beautiful day outside, and as Terri sat in the hospital grounds cradling her morning coffee, her only thoughts were of Mitch.

Mitch was gorgeous, kind, sensitive, and he was her man...the man she had loved forever..even when they parted all those years ago, she had never stopped loving him..the day she had walked out and left him, she new she had made a terrible mistake, and out of sheer desperation and bewilderment, gave herself to the church.

But, today life was different, through fate they were brought back together, even Mitch's illfated marriage to Rose could'nt keep them apart.

As Terri's eyes glazed over into space, a sense of warmth engulfed her body, it was a feeling like she had never experienced before, it was the feeling of impending motherhood. Mitch was completely unaware, after all, Terri had only learnt of their impending parenthood half hour before.

"Hi Sullivan"....Mitch had crept up behind her completely taking her by surprise, "Hi yourself" Terri beamed. As Mitch settled into the seat next to her, she smiled a huge smile, "What's with you"..Mitch grinned, Terri thought for a second, bursting to tell him her good news, "well"....she stopped herself, after all, their wedding was only five days away, I'm sure I could keep it to myself till then, she thought, My perfect wedding gift. "nothing, just thought how sexy you look in that tie". Suddenly Mitch's smile faded, "I just hope it's worth it", Mitch retorted, Terri sat back in her chair, "You'll be fine...don't worry".

"Well, you can hardly blame me, ever since the Detox centre went up in smoke, I've hardly been top of the popularity ratings, with neither Colin or the board". Terri looked concerned, she knew that Mitch was dreading this meeting, Oh why she thought, why did I push him into this.......

"Don't go Mitch, not if you're going to hate it"...Terri looked deeply worried, "No..no..I'll go, you never know, Colin might like me down in Emergency, probably think i can't rub anyone up the wrong way down there". Terri just looked at him, and bit her lip, he looked nervous, sex on legs, but nervous.

"Hi Terri....Mitch"....."Hi Joan", with that Mitch stood up and motioned to Joan Marden to have his seat, "Please forgive me Joan, I must go, time to feed the lions", Joan looked bemused, "Take no notice", Terri Jumped in, "Just a bit wound up thats all, he has a meeting", "Yes...I noticed the tie" Joan answered.

"Terri, I need to talk to you about your bed allocation", Terri immediately went on to the defensive, "Joan, please don't start, I have had Nelson bending my ear about beds, since I arrived this morning...I can't make anymore beds available until at least three people have been discharged, and I can't discharge anyone, until I get a Dr. down here to discharge them"...

"Okay...Okay, I'll see what I can do, where's Dr. Beaumont?" Terri looked agitated, "Charlotte is unavailable until at least 2pm, she has some business she had to tend to, I need someone else..." Joan smiled uneasily, "Okay, I'll go and see what I can do".

Later, as Terri busied herself in her office, under a pile of paperwork, there was a knock on the door. "Come in...How did it go?".......As she glanced up she froze, barely able to get the words out......."Malcom.....". At that moment, Terri felt quite nauseous.

"Hi Terri, how are you?", Terri looked very tense, barely able to look him in the eye, "What are you doing here?", "You wanted a doctor...." Terri looked vague, "Patients...discharged", Terri regained herself, "Of course, sorry Malcom".

Terri was clearly agitated, when Mitch walked in, "Hi ya Sullivan...I got it", Terri was miles away, "Earth to Terri"...Terri looked up, "Sorry Mitch...you got it, thats fantastic news. "Well.." Mitch laughed, "They had a new member on the board, and she obviously liked my wit and charm". "Okay, well, I'll pick you up at 6 o'clock then", Mitch turned to her as he opened the door, "I thought I might buy you dinner tonight". "That'll be lovely, thanks".

Mitch left, he could sense that something clearly was not quite right, she seemed preoccupied. Once Malcom had finished his rounds, he entered Terri's office, "Sorry if i caught you off guard earlier, I did'nt think"... Terri busied herself, "No not at all", she hoped she at least looked convincing, not that she felt it.

"So....How was America? everything you hoped it would be?" Terri asked trying to make conversation, "Yes, lonely at times, but worthwhile," Terri could feel his eyes piercing into the back of her head. "Terri....I've missed you!" Terri did'nt turn round, she dare not. "Why did'nt you come? I wanted you...I wanted you to be my wife...We could have been great together! Why?"

"Because Terri is marrying me!" Malcom spun round to see Mitch standing squarely in the doorway, "Mitch, I did'nt hear you come in".