18 comments/ 32081 views/ 51 favorites Ms Surgeon By: mattwatt43 Jackie Lawrence was in what she considered the best part of her life. The various struggles of the past were simply that, in the past. She could name them, chew on them, if she wanted, or allowed herself but these days she simple didn't bother. She'd grown up with a name that she hated, Samantha Jacqueline. She'd often chided her Mom about where they came up with that name. Her Mom only ever smiled her soft enigmatic smile and said her usual: "Oh I like that name." Jackie surely didn't like it. She hadn't wanted to grow up known as "Sam", which was inevitable. But there it was, until she got into college and shed the "Sam" and the image that went with it, and fashioned herself as 'Jackie'. And, of course there was the image. She'd been sort of heavy in high school. She wasn't really fat but she was 'she's only material to be a friend' heavy. She lived with that, sobbed about it personally and privately until a few things happened. Firstly, in college she discovered the track team and a love of running. She became a work out devote. She also grew an astounding two inches. The end result of her efforts and mother nature's good graces was that Jackie Lawrence was a willowy 5'10" with raven black hair. She liked the 'willowy' image that her efforts and growth brought her but was also secretly pleased that she'd inherited from her Mom the tendency to be large in the breast. She was often not sure if it were possible to be both 'willowy' and 'big bosomed' but there she was, and she liked it. She knew the salutary effect of both short skirts with her long legs and blouses that emphasized her breasts. But that all changed with what she called 'the Brad incident'. Her athletic nature brought her into contact with various others with the same pursuits. Brad was one of those. He was a jock. They did the normal; they 'fell in love' and got married. He promised to see her through school, since at an early age Jackie had aimed herself toward medical school. But Brad turned out to be a whiner. He complained lustily and frequently that she was a millstone around his neck and that all his money was going into her schooling. He actually, to Jackie's immense relief, bailed out, when she was just beginning her med school education. He was the last of her 'Sam' friends before she turned herself into her present 'Jackie'. So, Brad was gone. He was gone with great relief, when she agreed with him that they mutually foreswore any kind of obligation, financial obligation from each other. It pleased him to shut off what he saw as the flow of money to her education. She continued it then, with a little help from her parents. Of course, he never was able to work through the issue far enough to be able to see that in the future she would probably be the source of the money but for Brad 'that train had left the station' so to speak. Jackie was a surgeon. It had become her dream and one that she followed with all the intensity that she'd put into her running and track career, or put into refashioning herself as 'Jackie', and not 'Sam'. In the long process of getting that done, she shut down any thoughts of romance. She simply didn't get involved. She would often enough say to girl friends and those who prompted her to date that she'd been 'entertained quite enough by that kind of idea in her life, thank you.' It was her standard comeback for such suggestions. She'd worked excessively hard and got to her goal. She was now a staff surgeon at a significant medical center. Once she was established in her practice, she allowed herself to buy an old home in a section of lovely old homes in the near suburbs of her city. She loved the old place and made it super comfortable for herself and her lifestyle. Jackie took very good care of herself; she continued her exercises and continued running. She dressed with Žlan and was extremely popular around the hospital. She certainly had had date offers, even the smarmy ones from married men, who felt that they could get some from Dr. Jackie on the side. She remained aloof from them. Her 'Brad Days' had, she thought, cured her of such romantic ideas and she just wasn't interested. She also knew that there were, at times, rumors that her sexuality ran to women. It was an idea that she'd never entertained, and she had enough self possession, when a friend of her, Doris, mentioned the rumor that she was a lover of women, to simply laugh at the insinuation. At her present age of 35, Jackie Lawrence was extremely pleased with her life, her practice, her appearance, and especially her home. It all pleased her. She also lived these days for those occasions when she was visited by her Mom or her Dad. SAMANTHA It was being a lovely and fairly rare day off for Jackie. She had decided on a late cup of tea on her patio behind the house. It was her favorite Irish Breakfast tea with sugar and evaporated milk, a true comfort drink. She was just enjoying the early morning sun and the sound of the birds when she was interrupted by a voice: "Hi there!" came a small almost squeaky voice. Jackie looked over and all she could see was a small blond head. The head of a little girl. Before Jackie could acknowledge the girl, the little girl spoke again: "This is Mr Twig," she said, holding up a raggedy brown bear, "And I'm Sam, that's short for Samantha. I was named after my Mommie!" "Well," Jackie said, both surprised but also completely taken in by the little tow headed, blue eyed girl and her Mr Twig bear, "I'm Jackie, and I'm afraid that I don't have a Mr Twig, so he's welcome here, and you are too." "Thank you, Jackie," the little girl said with a winning smile that showed a gap where she'd lost her two front teeth. "In case you're wondering," Sam continued, "Mr Twig and I are here with our Poppa. He' next door now doing some work on Mommie's house." "How nice for all of you!" Jackie said. "My Mommie's in heaven with God," Sam continued, "She had the cancer they told me; she got sick and went to God. Mr Twig and I miss her. I think that my Poppa misses her too. There are times when he's sad and has tears in his eyes. Mr Twig and I try to comfort him but he's still sad. Poppa says that he bought the house for my Mommie; it was her dream house and now that Mommie's with God, we'll fix it up and live in it. What do you do?" Jackie was a bit taken back by the complete switch of topic at the end of the sentence but just smiled and said: "I'm a doctor, Doctor Jackie is my name." "Mr Twig and I are pleased to meet you, Dr. Jackie," Sam said then, making sure that the bear bowed to her new friend. Just then a voice called out: "Sam! Sam!" "Oh," Sam said, "That's my Poppa; he told me to be sure to not go toward the road and stay where he could see me. Bu then I saw you setting here and having such a nice morning that I thought that Mr Twig and I would come and say 'hello' to you." Just then a man with dark curly hair and some gray at the temples came around the side of the house. He was wearing a pair of tan cargo pocket shorts and a tool belt. "Sam, where'd you get off to?" the man said, just a second before seeing Jackie, who that morning had on a pair of running shorts and a tee shirt. "Poppa," Sam said politely, "Mr Twig and I were just talking to our neighbor Dr Jackie." Sam smiled her toothless smile, obviously suffused with love for her Poppa and then went on: "Poppa this is Dr Jackie." The man gave Jackie a smile and said: "Sorry to have the ambassador at loose; she was supposed to stay where I could see her." "And away from the road, she tells me," Jackie said. "Exactly," he said and advanced a few steps. "I'm Walt Williams, you already know Sam, Samantha and Mr Twig." Jackie smiled a broad smile and said: "Pleased to meet you, Walt; Sam and I are already fast friends." "Don't you just love my name?" Samantha asked enthusiastically. "It's really Samantha, my Mommie's name, but I got to be called Sam. Mr Twig prefers just 'Sam', though, when I'm in trouble, it's usually 'Samantha'. Jackie laughed at that and Walt joined her in the laugh. "Sorry to have your morning disturbed," Walt said. "Not at all," Jackie said, "I'm always 'in' to my friends; I'm having a day off, and just am lounging here over my tea. I was just going to invite Sam and Mr Twig to join me for tea and cookies. May she?" Walt looked at Sam who got a huge grin on her face and said: "Poppa, oh, could we? Mr Twig would like it ever so much." "I'll watch out for her, Walt," Jackie said. "Thank you," he said, and then "Yes, honey, you and Mr Twig may visit with Dr. Jackie." "Send her over, if you don't mind, when you need to, " he said to Jackie. "I'll bring her, if I may," Jackie said. "Perfect," Walt said and before turning to go, bent to give Sam a hug. The little girl threw herself into her Poppa's arms and then presented Mr Twig for a hug. Jackie tinkled into laughter and Walt grinned at her and walked back to the work that he was doing on the house. TEA WITH MR TWIG "Well what about milk and cookies, while I have my tea?" Jackie asked. "Super," Sam said, "Mr Twig and I really like milk and cookies; it's a favorite." "Good," Jackie continued, "Would you like to come and help me or do you want to wait with Mr Twig?" "I'd love to help you," Sam said, and went inside with Jackie. "Your house is very nice," Sam said, as she looked around the kitchen area, with it's breakfast corner, where a round breakfast table was surrounded by a wall of windows that looked out onto the rambling back yard and the woods beyond. "Thank you, Sam, I'm glad you like it," Jackie said. "Mr Twig will like it also," Sam said with certainty in her voice. "Oh, good," Jackie said, "I'm pleased that he would." "What kind of cookies does Mr Twig like?" Jackie asked. Sam went over to the walk in pantry where Jackie was and looked at the variety of cookies that were available. "I like cookies," Jackie said, "Although I try to not eat too many; I watch my weight." "Well, you're certainly not fat," Sam said again with certainty. "Why, thank you," Jackie answered, as they picked out a few kinds of cookies to put on a decorative plate to take out to the patio. "Will it be milk for you?" Jackie asked. "Yes, ma'am," Sam said, "And I'll share mine with Mr Twig." "Very thoughtful of you," Jackie said, and carried the plate of cookies and the glass of milk out to the patio. They sat and had their cookies, talking companionably for a bit, when Sam said: "I used to have tea parties with my Mom, before she got sick." The thought was apparently too much for her. In about a moment, her face fell and she began to sob. "I miss her so!" she said through tears that were coming quickly. "Come, Sam," Jackie said, holding out her arms to the little girl, "Doctors give hugs." Sam climbed down from her chair, grabbed Mr Twig and went into Jackie's arms. She curled into Jackie's lap and, turning her face, to Jackie's tee shirt, began to cry in earnest. That's when Walt appeared again. He stood for a moment just staring at the scene in front of him, and the way Jackie was cradling and caring for Sam. "Hey?" he said but Jackie said to him: "We're having a little sadness. Sam has been talking about having tea parties with her Mom." Sam turned and seeing her father produced a smile. "I was telling Dr Jackie about Mommie," she said. "Yes, honey, I know," he said, coming up to the patio and holding his arms out now for a hug of his own. Sam looked up into her father's face and said softly: "Poppa, Dr. Jackie would make a very nice Mommie. . ." At that point Walt got red in the face and Jackie put her hand to her mouth to keep from laughing out loud, and then Sam went on: "But, Dr. Jackie, we need another Samantha; it's Poppa's favorite name. I'm sorry." Jackie got control of herself and said: "I understand completely, Sam; but you and Mr Twig and I can certainly be friends, and whenever you're here and I am home, I'd like it if you came to visit me. Would you?" "Oh, yes," Sam said enthusiastically, "Promise." Then she turned to her father again and said: "Dr Jackie has such a lovely kitchen with a round table and all; I'm going to take Mr Twig in to see it, maybe she'd let you come in to see it too." She looked at Jackie hopefully, once she'd said it and Jackie gave a brief laugh and said: "Of course, Mr Twig and your Poppa are welcome to come in and see my kitchen." They went in, single file and Sam showed her father around the kitchen, telling him what she liked about it. He was attentive and Jackie was secretly pleased. Once the tour was over, Walt said: "I have to go to the hardware store; Jackie, is it possible for Sam to stay with you, while I'm gone?" "Of course," Jackie said quickly, "I'd love it." Sam smiled, and said: "You go, Poppa, Mr Twig and I are enjoying our visit with Dr Jackie." They continued their 'tea party', and Walt stopped to tell Jackie that he was back, after just a little bit. He went back to work and Sam stayed with Jackie. "Are you getting hungry?" Jackie asked, after just a while. "It's about lunch time." "Yes, please," Sam said, "Can we make some lunch for Poppa too?" "Well, I guess that we can," Jackie said. "What do you think he'd like?" "Oh, I think he'd like best grilled cheese and tomato soup," Sam said with her usual certainty. "Well that's what we'll have," Jackie said. They busied themselves together making the lunch. Jackie got a stool for Sam to stand on and put an apron around her waist, since she wanted to help with the making of the lunch. When it was all finished, and ready, Jackie got a tray and loaded it with the soup, the grilled cheese sandwiches, cookies and drinks for all three of them, since Sam said that she and Mr Twig would, as usual, share. Walt was surprised, pleasantly, when the girls arrived with the lunch in tow. "Wow!" he said, "Lunch with beautiful women and a tray loaded with favorites." Turning to Jackie he smiled broadly and said: "I really appreciate this; I know how much of an invasion of your day off this is." "Not a bit of it," Jackie said, "I love the company, and Sam and I are such good friends, aren't we?" "Sure are," Sam said, "I helped with the lunch; I had my own apron and all. I fixed the soup. Isn't it grand?" Walt laughed and said: "Yes, it's just grand." They ate their lunch in silence, and only after they were finished did Walt say to Jackie: "I have only a little more to do here; she can stay here with me now." "But Poppa," Sam protested, "I helped with the lunch and should help now with the cleaning up, I think." Jackie smiled and nodded to Walt. "Okay, pumpkin," he said, "You can help with the clean up but then I want you and his nibs Mr Twig to take a nap." "Oh, can I nap at Dr Jackie's house?" Sam asked eagerly. Jackie laughed and nodded at Walt again: "Yes, you can, honey;" she said, "If your Poppa doesn't mind." "Thank you again," Walt said, "Sam normally stays with my sister, when I'm over here working on the house. She was busy today. It seems like such an imposition." "It's not, really," Jackie said, putting her hand on his arm. "We're getting along famously. I'll put her down for a nap, once we've done the clean up and will let you know, when she's up and about." "Thank you so much!" he said earnestly, smiling at her. Jackie and Sam took the tray back to her house, once the lunch was all eaten. Jackie got out the pink apron that Sam had worn before, and once Mr Twig was seated at the kitchen table in the breakfast alcove, the two girls gathered at the sink to do the clean up. "I used to help my Mommie," Sam said proudly. "I bet you did," Jackie said, "And I appreciate the help that you're giving me." They were finally done and Sam yawned. "I guess it's time for you and Mr Twig to have your nap." "Yes," Sam said, "We're getting tired." "Well, come with me then," Jackie said, leading both the little girl and her bear up the stairs to her room. She had a king sized canopy bed that Sam just loved. Jackie helped her get up onto the bed with Mr Twig and put a cover over her. "My Mommie would lie down with me and Mr Twig," Sam said softly. "Then I will too," Jackie said, getting into bed and snuggling the little girl up to her. "Thank you, Dr. Jackie," Sam said and with the swiftness of youth, slipped into slumber. Jackie had tears in her eyes, as she held onto the little girl, saying softly to herself: "No, thank you Samantha." Her mind lingered over the little girl's name and all of her past struggle with being a 'Sam' came back to her, only this time it didn't seem as bad a name as she once had thought it. She'd had a run that morning and was herself drowsy in a few minutes. She woke up after about a half hour with Sam still curled in her arms. She lay there until Sam woke about twenty minutes later. Sam opened her eyes and smiled at Jackie, saying a soft: "Hi, Dr Jackie! Thank you for the nap on this pretty bed." "It's my pleasure, love," Jackie said, leaning over to kiss Sam's cheek and being both surprised and pleased by the fact that Sam moved her face also and gave her a kiss at the same time. "We're gonna be good friend, Dr Jackie, don't you think?" Sam asked softly. "Oh, I think we're gonna be the best friends ever," Jackie said, realizing that she meant it. Jackie took Sam for a brief wash up, once the nap was done. Then the two of them decided to go an look for Walt. They were walking hand in hand, and Mr Twig was under Sam's arm, when they found him at the house next door. Sam ran to her father and hugged him, as soon as she saw him. "Oh, Poppa," she said, "Dr Jackie has a big, big bed with a cover over it; it's ever so lovely, and she napped with Mr Twig and me, just like Momma used to. It was so nice!" Walt smiled at her and gave her a kiss. His glance at Jackie was one full of the greatest possible appreciation. Jackie understood, nodding at him. "That's marvelous, pumpkin," he said to Sam. "And you know what? I'm finished here for today and we can go home." "Ice creams on the way?" Sam asked. "Ice creams on the way," Walt said. Sam went to Jackie then and gave her a hug. Jackie bent down and gave, and got a kiss from Sam. "Thank you, Dr Jackie," Sam said, "For letting me spend the time with you." "Well, we're good friends," Jackie said, "You need to come and see me again." "We should show Poppa your lovely bed," Sam said, her enthusiasm boiling over. "We will," Jackie said, "Maybe next time." "Goodie!" Sam said. Jackie waved to them, as they drove away, and went to her house with a sigh and a smile on her face. It was only about 15 minutes later, as she was sitting and reading a magazine, that the doorbell rang. Jackie went to it and was surprised to see Walt standing there. He was holding a soft chocolate ice cream cone. Jackie smiled broadly at him and waved to Sam, sitting in his truck. "How nice!" Jackie said, "Thank you." "We didn't want you to feel left out, and thank you again. I know she can be a handful." "She's delightful," Jackie said. Then Walt got a strange, almost embarrassed, look on his face and said: "May I ask you to dinner to, um, say a proper 'thank you'?" Jackie was taken aback by it but realized immediately that she was very pleased by the invitation. "I'd like that!" she said. "What's your schedule," he said, "I imagine that it's more complicated than mine." "Well, this weekend would probably suit me just fine," she said. "I understand," he said, "Friday?" "Friday's good," she said, "Eightish?" "Good," he answered, and seemed pleased with himself. Ms Surgeon "Dress?" she asked. "I'll wear a sport coat," he said. "Fine, I can judge from that," was her reply. He left her smiling and she got another wave from Sam. DINNER WITH WALT She was tingling, when he left. She almost forgot the ice cream cone. The entire event had her off balance a bit: the ice cream cone, those waves from Sam, who was in the car, and finally Walt's asking her to dinner. She was approaching giddy. She had a quick remedy. She called her nurse assistant, a member of her surgical team, office mate and close friend. Doris answered the phone in a professional tone saying: "Dr. Lawrence's office." "Doris," Jackie said in a rush, "What are you doing there?" "Someone's got to make sure the money machine doesn't stall, boss," Doris said with obvious humor. "What can I do for you, boss?" "Help!" Jackie cried into the phone. "What?" Doris asked, now getting anxious. "I have a date and I NEED HELP!" Jackie said. Doris' response was to cheer, and then: "Good for you! About time! Who? When? Tell me! Tell me!" Jackie went over today's incidents one step at a time and finished with Walt bringing back the ice cream cone and asking her to dinner. "What do I do?" Jackie asked plaintively. "I'm about done here," Doris said, "I'll be right over." "Thank you!" Jackie said sighing. Doris was as good as her word. She and her husband Al had even tried to fix up Jackie at times but Jackie never was interested. Doris was excited about this news. Jackie was waiting for her at the door. She opened the door and Doris came in with her arms spread out wide, saying: "Ooooooooo! Aren't you excited!" "I'm too nervous to be excited," Jackie said complaining. "Give me a complicated injury to deal with any time." "No, boss," Doris said, "We'll get you fixed up. So, it's on Friday, right?" "Yes," Jackie said. "Tea?" But Doris opted to go with Jackie first to look over her wardrobe. They were looking through clothes and Doris said: "You know, Jackie, almost any of these frocks that you wear for hospital functions would serve very nicely. We could always opt for the little black dress idea." "Do you think?" Jackie asked. "I do indeed," Doris said. "Let's look at these two. Try them on and we'll see." Jackie tried on the two dresses and paraded for Doris, who said, after looking at them: "I really think the one with the short skirt and low cut neck is the one. You want to put your t & a on display a little bit." She was giggling before she even finished saying it, but Jackie joined her in the giggling. They took time then to look over accessories and decided on a pearl necklace and not much more to accessorize. By the time they were finished and ready for tea, Jackie felt much better about it. They sat at Jackie's kitchen table and Doris asked: "So what is it about this guy?" "Well," Jackie admitted, "I already love his daughter." "You mean 'Sam'?" Doris asked. "Yes, Sam," Jackie said, and then went into some of the details that she hadn't previously given Doris. She spoke about Sam crying about her Mom and how she comforted the little girl, and then what she said to her father about making a good Mom but that they were holding out for a Samantha. "Did you tell them?" Doris asked. "Of course not!" Jackie said, "I'm not going to raise my hand and tell the world that my name is Samantha." "I think that maybe you should," Doris said, laughing again. "Fine help you are," Jackie said but then immediately said to Doris: "Hey, I really appreciate the help here. I would have died on the vine trying to get myself ready." "No, you're just out of practice is all," Doris said, heading toward the door. That Friday Jackie was turned out in spectacular fashion. The shortness of the dress emphasized her lovely long legs; the dress clung to her hips and butt, showing nice movement, when she walked, and the scoop neck showed off her large 38c breasts. She faced herself in the mirror, when she was all dressed and said: "Impressive!" Then the thought climbed into her mind: "Hope he likes the way I look." Just then the doorbell rang. Walt was smiling, when she opened the door but soon it turned to an all out stare for a few seconds. "Sorry," he said, "Left my manners at home with the chickens." Jackie giggled and said: "Really, nicest compliment that I've had in a long, long time." "All ready?" he asked. "Yes," she said, as they walked to his car. "How's my pal and Mr Twig?" she asked him. "She's spectacular," he said, "She warned me, as I left, to remember that we're looking for another Samantha." He was laughing at the end of the statement. She just swallowed and giggled too. She said nothing. They got in the car and he said: "Jackie, you look so lovely!" "Yes," she said, "Different from tee and running shorts." "Lovely in those also," was his statement and she blushed. "Sorry, didn't mean to make you blush," he said then, and in answer she simply touched his arm. She spoke to him then, aiming for honesty: "Walt, I haven't dated for years. Friends have given up on me. I was married before to a senseless, shallow jock, who declared that he was spending too much money on me, while I was working toward my goals. He left and I gave up men and just concentrated on work. I'm not even sure that I know how to act on a date anymore." "You're doing fine," he said. There was a silence and he picked it up and asked: "What kind of doctor are you?" "I'm a surgeon," she said. "Oh," he commented, "You were so great with Sam that I was sure that you were a psychologist or something like that." "No," she said, smiling, "I guess that Sam and I and Mr Twig just have chemistry." "I have to say that she doesn't always take to people well, or often quickly. I was amazed at the way she acted with you the other day." "She is so sweet," Jackie said. "It was a lovely day. Did you know that she asked me to nap with her?" "No," he answered, "She didn't tell me that part." Jackie explained about the scene in her bedroom. Walt just sighed, and said: "Losing her mother was so hard on her." "Can't have been easy for you either," Jackie said, putting her hand on his arm. "No, difficult time; I got cheers from my sister, when she learned that I was going out on a date." "I had the same response from my best friend, the nurse practitioner from my practice." She laughed then, and went on to explain to him her call to Doris in a panic. "Panic, yes, I know the word well," he said, "But here we are." The dinner, it turned out, was lovely; they both did relax with one another. Jackie proceeded to give him details of her problems with Brad, and he talked about the terrible time when he was losing his 'Sam' to cancer. Their conversation was soft but received with a great deal of understanding from each of them. "So," he said, "A surgeon." "Yes," she said, "General surgery but I've done a lot of emergency stuff too. Generally everything comes my way. But I'm having fun with it." "Wow!" he marveled, "Not sure I've ever heard a doctor say that kind of thing." They talked about his job as high school basketball coach for one of the local high schools. By then they were finished with their dinner and ready to head home. He took her to her house and she asked him if he wanted to come in. He accepted and she got them each an after dinner drink. She put on some music and they sat companionably and talked still some more. It was she who had the courage to bring up the subject of sex: "Walt," she said, "I like you, but I'm not ready to show you that bed or bedroom tonight. I hope you understand. This is new for me." She chuckled and continued: "It's really outside of my pattern totally but I want to be honest with you; you deserve that." "Thanks, Jackie," he responded. "I don't know if I'd be able to do what they call 'perform' tonight. I was so nervous about actually going out with someone, I couldn't get my attention as far as even thinking about what came at the end of the date." He laughed and said: "In 'my day' or maybe 'our day' it was always a big decision about kissing on the first date. It's changed." She laughed, when he said that and agreed with him that things had, indeed changed. They walked to the door, and at the door she said to him: "Walt, at least one thing is certain, I'm not letting you out of this house without a kiss." "Oh, yes," he said, and put his arms around her. The kiss was really spectacular. It was soft and began in a low key fashion but by the end of the kiss she was pressed up against him and he was reacting involuntarily to her presence. She ended licking his lips with her tongue. "Wow!' she said, "Some kisser, Walt!" "Wow yourself," he said. Then as he was turning to go: "Walt, thank you for a lovely evening and say hello to that precious little girl of yours and her Mr Twig." He turned and smiled at her: "I will give a good report about you to my sister. I promised to call her as soon as I got home." She laughed and said: "Yes, I have to call my nurse practitioner Doris to report on you. I'll say the best for you. And, Walt, I'm. . .I'm sorry about not going upstairs." "Don't be," he said, stroking the back of her hand, "We're just not there yet." She watched him as he went to his car; when he was gone, she closed the door and leaned against the door just smiling to herself. "Very nice, Walt Williams," she said, "Very nice." WALT COMES AGAIN It was several days later. Jackie had just gotten home from the hospital. She'd had a long day, and a very busy one. She gave herself the luxury of going to her bedroom and shucking off her clothes in favor of a short red silk robe. She left only her panties on and was intending to go down stairs for a glass of wine before her shower, and dinner. As she was walking toward the cabinet with the wine in it, she glanced out the side window and noticed that Walt's truck was parked at the house next door. She only saw it briefly before she heard the door bell ring. She went, anticipating already that it was Walt, and upon opening it, saw him standing there. He seemed a bit lost. "Walt?" she said, concern creeping into her voice. "I don't even know why I'm here," he said, "It was instinct and I came, when I saw the light. I'm afraid that I'm just come from a practice and haven't even had time to clean up. I'm such a jerk." He turned to go but she grabbed him by the shoulder, turning him around. "We both know why you're here," she said. "Here I am just home from a busy day at the hospital and haven't had time to clean up either. But we know, Walt." She tugged on his arm and had him inside the house then. "We made a bad decision the other night," she began, "I feel it, I think you do too." "Yes," he said, shaking his head in agreement. "So now we make up for that; right now," she went on. "Yes, right now!" he said. "Me just from practice." "And me just from work," she said. He was staring at her and went on: "Quick and dirty." "Oh, yes," she agreed, "Quick and smelly and lovely, and then a shower for the two of us." "Wonderful!" was his response. As she said that, she shook the robe from her shoulders and went into his arms. "My god you're beautiful!" he said, kissing her neck. "Walt, you have the advantage," she said, "You're still dressed, and I'm not." "Oh, yes," he said, "You make me forget everything." He backed away long enough to pull the tee shirt over his head. While he had his hands in the air, and the tee shirt over his head, she leaned down, obeying an instinct, and licked his nipple. "Ohh," he said, throwing the tee shirt aside. Then his shorts were down and his trainers and socks off. She reached down between them and grabbed his erection in her right hand, while putting her other arm around his neck and pulling him close for a kiss. His own hands were busy moving down her back, framing her ass cheeks with his hand and inserting his hands inside the waist band of her panties to push them down and off. "Where?" she asked desperately. "Right here, if you don't mind!" he said. "Right here! Here!" she sang out, reacting to his playing with one of her nipples. "Anytime," she cooed into his ear, "I'm wet and ready, have been ever since our date the other night." She went to the floor, holding on to him still, and he stretched out on top of her, the carpet under her, in the background the music playing was a Rossini overture to the 'Gaza Ladra', a fact that she'd always remember. She lifted up her hips to receive him, and his thrusting. They both made love vigorously. She clung to him and in her passion dug her nails into his back a bit. "Oh fuck yes!" he managed to say in a hoarse voice, never once stopping the movement of his hips, as his cock filled her. "Fuck yes, I guess!" she responded, meeting his movements with her own. She came first, whispering to him fiercely: "Right now, Walt! Right now, honey!" "Yesssssss," his voice trailed off, as he matched her orgasm with one of his own. She had her legs wrapped around him, holding him in place and held on to him with her arms around his back. They calmed down only slowly. "Ohh, Walt," she said, "Was that marvelous or was that marvelous!" "Yes, yes," he replied. They lay there for a few moments and she said: "Can you reach my panties? I'm going to leak, I've got a lot of coach pumped into me." "Well," he said, grinning at her and kissing her on the lips, "I had a lot of doctor to work with." He reached for her panties and she put them back on. They still lay there for a few moments, when she asked: "Do you have time for a shower?" "Sure do!" he said, "Then maybe out for dinner?" "Great!" she said, "Can we take Sam and Mr Twig with us?" "She'll love that," he responded, helping her to her feet. As she led him toward her 'master' bedroom, she said: "You at least this time get to see the bed that Sam loves so much." "Closer and closer!" was his comment. They went to the shower hand in hand, and she insisted on his being quiet and cooperative so that she cold wash him. She made it a thorough wash, and it was as much an act of love as what they'd just been doing on the living room floor. He smiled throughout. Then, of course, it was his turn. Hands in the air, her back to him, he began the task of washing her, lingering on her stomach and letting his hands, encircling her, to drift down and soap up her pubic hair and then pay detailed attention to her vagina. He got little throat sounds from her in the process. Next it was her breasts and nipples. He 'worked' there a long time, going then to her back and another lingering wash process for her ass cheeks, and her ass crack. Jackie leaned against him, feeling his resurgent erection against the cheeks of her ass. She said: "Walt, Walt, it's been so long! So long!" "Oh it has," he answered, "But this is so fine! I don't think that I can ever thank Sam enough for discovering you." Then he began to play with her pussy from behind, getting small sounds from her again that just spurred him onward. Finally ready, he pulled her hips out to him a little and fit himself into her from behind, while the hot water beat down on them. "Fucking in the shower!" she crooned to him, "How decadent!" "We're older," he said, "We get to be decadent!" "How right you are," was her comment, "Fuck me, Walt, it's time for us to be fucking, fuck me!" Their moans as they both came were drowned out by the sound of the shower water. She laughed: "We're going to be pruny!" "But happy!" was his answer and she nodded and kissed him. They had showered and before she dressed, she put his clothes into the washer, so that he wouldn't have to dress in his sweaty clothes. She was dressed now in linen slacks and a brown silk blouse, and smiled at him, "You get to be naked, while you wait. I like my toy boys to hang around naked." He laughed, and said: "Hey, I always wanted to be a toy boy; just thought I missed the age cut off. Do you have lots of those?" She smiled and began to count on her fingers, while he watched. Then she got a pixieish look on her face and said: "Just you!" "Wow!" he said, "The doctor's only toy boy! Good for me!" They each had a glass of wine, while they waited for his clothes. He toasted her with his glass and said: "Jackie, I'm so overwhelmed by this thing that has grown between us; I can't explain it. I know it's not down to only how Sam reacts to you. It's just so amazing to me." She answered softly: "I know and I agree, Walt; it's so scary but, I think, manageable; at least it feels right." and then she leaned in to kiss him. "It does that," he said, kissing her back. Finally, his clothes were finished and they were on their way. Sam was over the moon, when she realized that her friend Dr. Jackie was with her Poppa. The two of them were met at the door by Walt's sister, Judy, and right behind her came Sam with Mr Twig. "Poppa," she said with unfeigned happiness. "Have a friend of yours here, Sam," he said, standing aside so that Sam could see Jackie. "Dr Jackie!" Sam said joyfully and was suddenly busy with hugs, first for Walt and then for Jackie. Judy then said that she needed to be off, after meeting Jackie and talking for a bit. Walt announced to Sam that the three of them were going out to dinner and that she would get to pick the place. "Shouldn't Dr Jackie," Sam asked, "Since she's the guest?" Jackie smiled at that and kissed Sam on the cheek, who said: "One for Mr Twig too please." Jackie complied by kissing Mr Twin also. Jackie then mentioned Italian and saw Sam shake her head vigorously 'yes' and it was decided that it would be an Italian place. Their dinner was a huge success. Sam got to talk about her day and then wanted to hear about Walt's day and then Jackie's day. She was fascinated by the types of surgery that Jackie had performed that day. The conversation went on swimmingly. By the time that they got home from the dinner, Sam was already asleep. Walt carried her into the house and Jackie carried Mr Twig. The two of them took Sam upstairs. Jackie volunteered to wash her up for bed, and once she'd accomplished that took Sam into her bedroom and snuggled her down into the covers. Walt was watching all of this, tears in the corner of his eyes. Sam's sleepy eyes opened briefly, when she was in bed with Mr Twig. She said, in a groggy voice, "Good night, Momma, I love you; good night Poppa, I love you." It was only then that she realized that it was Dr. Jackie putting her to bed. She smiled, her large gap toothed smile and said: "Oh, Dr. Jackie, I love you too." "I love you too, Sam," she kissed Sam's forehead and then said: "Yes, I know, Mr Twig too." She kissed the bear and pulled the covers up to Sam's chin. The tears were streaming down Jackie's face once they were down stairs. "I'm sorry, Walt," she said, "I do love her and she's so sweet." "You are so good with her," was his comment, as he held Jackie. "Walt, I hate to run but I have a big day tomorrow, surgery at 8 AM; I need to get going, beauty rest and all," she said, but stopped for a kiss before leaving. "Hardly need it," he said to her retreating back, and was awarded by a twenty carat smile over her shoulder. THE ACCIDENT It was to be a girls' day out luncheon. There were four of them, including Jackie and her practitioner Doris, plus two more friends, both of them nurses. They were already charging the air with their laughter, as the left Jackie's. They had all decided to dress 'smartly' for their foray out today. Jackie was wearing a white pleated skirt, deliciously short above the knees, and a white silk blouse; her outfit was finished off by a gold chain around her waist. Ms Surgeon The girls were in high spirits, as they moved toward Jackie's car, when they heard the crash. It only lasted a few seconds but in that time it was an omnipresent sound. All of their heads whipped around, and the truth became obvious immediately. The windows of the house next to Jackie's, where Walt had been working, were covered with dust and dirt and where there was an open window, the dust cloud was billowing out. Jackie was sprinting, her heels notwithstanding, toward the house immediately. Over her shoulder she was already calling: "Doris, my bag is in the back seat of my car." Doris headed for it immediately. The next order rang out just as quickly: "Jennie, you'd better call 911. We might need an ambulance here." Jackie ran into the house, and by then Doris was right behind her. They turned at the hall way into the large living room, where Walt had been working and saw the wreckage. The wall and an upper floor had collapsed. The room was filled with debris. There were beams down, floor and ceiling joists with only one little, narrow kind of passage way into the rubble. Jackie swung around to face Doris: "I'm going in there; you stay here, no sense of both of us getting injured. We might have to have this pile removed." No one thought even for a moment of gainsaying Jackie's orders. She was down on her hands and knees, crawling under and through the groaning rubble immediately. She saw him right away. He seemed to be partially pinned by the wreckage. His one leg was off at a nasty angle and he had blood on his face. He was conscious and saw her coming. "Jackie," he said feebly. "Coming, love," she said involuntarily. "Don't!" he said, "Dangerous!" "Got to!" she said. She moved off to the left in order to get to where he was, and as she moved, got her skirt caught on a nail. In her haste and impatience, she just pulled at the fabric and it tore away from the nail. Finally she arrived at where he was. "Can see your panties, doc!" he said. She hastily looked and saw that the nail had indeed ripped her pleated skirt and left her white nylon panties showing. "Pink bows!" he said, obviously losing ground. "Love the pink bows!" "Concentrate on my panties," she said to him then, "And I'll get you fixed up here." "Good," he said softly, "Pink bows." "Boss," Doris' voice rang out, "What's he talking about?" "He can see my panties," she said, "My skirt got caught and ripped." "How is he?" Doris called out then. "A little bloody and I'm not sure what all but a typical man!" Jackie quipped, as she was already working on the blood on his forehead from a laceration, "Always interested in a woman's underwear." There were muted giggles from the other ladies at that point, and they could hear sirens approaching. They'd called for an ambulance and a rescue squad from the fire department. Jackie was talking softly to Walt then: "Walt, honey," she said, "It's going to hurt like hell, when they lift the beam off of that leg, but I need them to be quick about it, you might need surgery on the thigh." "Know any good surgeons?" he croaked. "Concentrate on the pink bows, coach!" she said then she called out to Doris: "Doris, get them to work at this load. The big beam that you can see to the right is pinning his leg and the thigh bone looks like it might be fractured, he's going to need surgery asap!" She went on with her orders then: "Jennie, call to the hospital and tell them that I'm going to need surgery #3 and, Doris, get the team together." The things that she asked to be done were accomplished immediately. The firemen proved to be both gentle and thorough in dismantling the pile of rubble. Soon enough the beam was lifted from his leg. He let out a combination of shout and scream and fainted, when the beam was lifted. It gave her a chance to get him ready for the stretcher. Doris was at her side right away and pinned her skirt back together with a safety pin, that she had handy. Jackie's skirt was ripped all the way up to her waist. They had him in a private room, after the recovery and he was sleeping. Jackie had been relieved to find only a simple fracture, and took care of the bleeding. She was pleased with the results of the operation and stood by his bed to take his vitals, when Doris spoke to her from the doorway: "Boss." "Yes," Jackie said over her shoulder. "Can she come in?" Doris said, and Jackie turned to see Sam standing in the doorway, Walt's sister Judy standing behind the two of them with a man standing with her, that Jackie took to be Judy's husband. Sam was crying and clutching Mr Twig to herself. She didn't at first recognize Jackie in her green surgery sweats. When she did, she ran to Jackie, crying full out: "Dr Jackie," she wailed, "Are you taking care of Poppa?" "Yes, honey, I am!" Jackie said, now with tears in her own eyes. "Is he. . .is he okay?" the little girl asked, her chin trembling and all of her anxieties showing on her face. "Yes, honey," she said. "I fixed him up good as new and now I have him sleeping, since he needs his rest but maybe a kiss from his Sam and one from Mr. Twig is just what the doctor ordered here." Sam hugged Jackie with a fierceness that was all love. The little crowd at the doorway gave up a group sigh, when they saw the interaction. Then Jackie picked up Sam and held her in place so that she could give her Poppa a kiss. Jackie held her in place long enough for Mr Twig to be pressed against Walt's face also. "Honey, he's going to sleep for a while now; what say we go and you and I get something to eat?" "Not sure I'm hungry," Sam said, her chin still trembling. "Well in that case, we'll just have ice cream sundaes," Jackie said. "'K," Sam said and took Jackie's hand. She stopped outside of the room to tell Judy and her husband about the injuries and what she'd done. She indicated that he'd be sleeping for a few hours now but she'd call them as soon as he was conscious again. "If you don't mind," she said to Judy, "I'll keep Sam and Mr Twig here with me." Judy hugged her and said into her ear: "Jackie Lawrence, I love you!" Jackie kissed Judy on the cheek. Then Judy bent and gave Sam a hug and kiss before she left. "I'll stay with Dr Jackie," Sam said to Judy with decision in her voice, "They'll probably need me and Mr Twig here." "Yes, they probably will," Judy said, as the went to where her husband was waiting for her. Doris was standing off a bit and Jackie hugged her: "Tell them all how much I appreciate the effort. This was important to me." "I know, sweetie," Doris said, hugging her back. She turned then to Sam and said: "Take care of the Doctor, Sam; she one of the good ones!" "Yes," Sam said nodding, "Mr Twig and I know that; Dr Jackie's just like our Momma, one of the good ones." The two of them went off to have their sundaes, which Sam enjoyed very much. Then Jackie took her to her own office and arranged a chair for her and Mr Twig, and the two of them took a short nap. Jackie went in a bit later and knelt down. She stroked Sam's hair from her eyes, and the bright blue eyes popped open. "Dr Jackie!" she said a bit disoriented. Then she remembered: "How's Poppa?" "Marvelous," Jackie said, "Why don't we go and see him?" "Oh, can we?" Sam said joyfully. "Sure," Jackie said, "The doctor will take you." They were a sight walking hand in hand through the halls of the hospital on the way to the private room where Walt, now awake, was resting. He spied them as soon as they got in the doorway. "There are my girls!" he said in a contented voice, and Sam ran across the room to hug him. "Careful, honey," he said. "I know, you've wrecked yourself in Momma's house!" Sam said. Then, with a determined look on her face she said: "I'm not sure that I like that house and Mr Twig agrees with me." "Well, honey, we'll certainly watch out for it in the future," he said back to her kissing her. "Now I think that you'd better give Dr. Jackie a hug and kiss, Poppa," Sam said, "She's the one that saved you." Jackie smiled at him and leaned over the bed, letting her lips graze his. "Kiss for a savior!" he said, and she bent for another kiss. Just as his lips met hers, he whispered: "Nice panties! Pink bows for the surgeon!" She laughed, as they kissed; "Nothing but the best for my toy boy!" They sat and talked to Walt for a little bit, while he explained what he'd been doing. He indicated that he'd been surprised, and hadn't known at all that the ceiling and floor structure of the house was so precarious. "I want you to sleep now, Walt," Jackie said. "I'm going to take Sam and Mr Twig with me. They'll stay at my house tonight." "Can we sleep in your big bed with the roof on it?" Sam asked enthusiastically. "Sure can," Jackie said, and then to Walt: "I'm going to give you something that'll help you sleep through the night. If you need anything at all, they'll contact me, I'll be available." She bent over him to kiss him again and he said, without any fore thought: "I love you, Jackie!" She stared at him and said: "Yes, I love you too, Walt. Now kiss wonder woman here and her faithful companion Mr Twig." She assisted Sam so that she could give her Poppa a kiss also. As it turned out, Walt was in the hospital for fully four days. For that time he was in a cast up past his hip, immobilizing him. He periodically joked with Jackie about getting on top of her and crushing her with his cast. It was a Thursday, and he was scheduled to be released the next day. Jackie, who had time off that day, was finally going out on her 'girls' luncheon', the one that was interrupted by his accident. She was wearing a different pleated skirt, a black one, topped by a yellow silk over blouse. She was with Doris, who said she'd wait. "There's my girl!" Walt said, as she walked in on him. "And lookin' sexy!" "I see that someone is definitely better!" Jackie said, joking with him. "Better but not moving much, and really horny!" he complained. She smiled at him and went to the door. She told Doris that she'd be a few minutes only. Doris grinned at her and said: "You're gonna play 'doctor' in there." Jackie just grinned at her and began to shut the door. "I've got your back," Doris said, and Jackie gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Doctor is back," Jackie said then. "Lookin' lovely as usual," Walt said in return. "Want to show you something," Jackie said and shocked him wide eyed, as she removed her skirt, showing him her delicate white panties with the pink bows, on at each hip and one in front and one in back. "Wow!" he said. "You're gonna make me hurt myself here!" he complained. "No, the doctor always knows what to do," she said in a soft voice. She went to him and hiked up his hospital gown. She just grinned at him, when she discovered his erection leaning against his good hip. "This is what I want," she said, and lowered her head. "You're not!" he said breathlessly, "Right here! In the hospital?" "It's where I work," Jackie said, "And this is what I want to do right now." She took his cock and captured the cock head in her mouth. "Ohhhhhh shit!" he said. "Don't you be moving around on that bed; your doctor will be furious!" she said. "My doctor is sucking my cock!" he said back to her. "So she is, so she is!" Jackie said and lowered her head again and ran her tongue up and down the length of the cock, taking it finally into her mouth again. She spent a good bit of her time sucking on the underside of the head, driving Walt nuts. Then she began to bob her head up and down, capturing the cock skin with her lips and bringing him ever closer to cumming. He put his hand over his own mouth as he came in her mouth. She kept his cock in her mouth until he was finished and then got a cloth to wash him. When he was washed, she went back and put her arms around his neck. "A promise of things to come!' she said. They had not talked about his and her declaration from the day of his accident. It was as if they were avoiding it and giving themselves thinking time. It was he that took it up again, taking the opportunity to talk about it right then: "I do love you, Jackie! It amazes me. I thought . . .I thought that it'd never happen, not twice, not so wonderfully. And I was content with that but. . ." She cut him off by kissing him and said: "I know, Walt, I understand; I felt that way myself and am a bit overwhelmed by it but it's there and it's real." She straightened up then and said: "One last look and I'm off to lunch." As she said it, she slowly turned around to give him a view of her from all sides, while she still had on her yellow silk blouse and panties. "Wonderful!" he said, sinking back into the pillows. She went to him, having put her skirt on again, and kissed him. Doris was waiting for her at the door. She looked around quickly and said: "Boss, your skirt is on sideways!" "Oops!" Jackie said, straightening the skirt, while the two of them giggled. He was released into her care the next day. She had him taken home and installed in her house, with Sam and Mr Twig supervising all the while. She and Sam had taken time to go through her house to pick out a room for Sam and her constant companion. They got him to the bedroom, wearing a reduced cast, which allowed him to move around. "Poppa needs to rest a bit," Jackie said to Sam, who nodded gravely. "Yes, honey," Walt said, "I want to inspect you and Mr Twig's room right after I lie down and rest a bit." "How 'bout if we go down stairs," Jackie said to Sam, "And work on some lunch for our patient?" "Good idea," Sam said, "We need to keep him well fed, to keep his energy up." His convalescence went well with Jackie and the therapy helping out all the while and the constant loving attendance of Sam and Mr Twig. THE HOSPITAL BALL Jackie said that she had a goal in mind. The hospital ball was coming up in about 10 days and she was on the committee that was arranging it. She wanted to dance with him a little. He promised that they could and worked toward that goal. It went well for him, and he strengthened himself constantly. He and Sam were able to move back into their house after a week. Jackie was terribly sorry to see them go. She helped him into the car and took the two of them home. It was in fact a teary scene at his house. Sam gave her a kiss and hug, saying: "Dr Jackie, thank you for saving my Poppa! Mr Twig thanks you too." Jackie hugged both the little girl and the bear, and went to Walt. "Yes, thank you," he said, kissing her. Sam looked on, grinned and went into the house, where Judy was waiting to help out a bit. "I know this is important to get your feet under you again," Jackie said, "But I hate it. I'll miss you there next to me, making love, all of it." "I know, love," he said, "This is the way it needs to be for just right now." Jackie cried then, and he held her. "Don't forget the ball. It's coming up in only days." She smiled then and said: "Sorry to be a baby about this, this destruction of my bliss." "Temporary, I think," he said. "Temporary," she echoed and went back home, where she cried again. She had no argument against his going back to his own place; she just reacted from the loss of a wonderful home situation that she had never suspected would be important to her: his being there all the time, her interactions with Sam, putting her and Mr Twig to bed, reading stories and being such good friends. She called Doris and wept her story to Doris, whose answer was to direct Jackie's attention to what she'd wear to the ball. Jackie let out a loud 'eeep'. "I don't have anything," she said. "Well, let's go shopping, girl!" Doris said, and plans were made. The dress that Doris bought was a frilly one but Jackie fell in love with a simple ankle length off pink gown that was clingy. "What do you think?" she asked Doris. "I think that if I were a man or inclined in a certain way, I'd be making love to you right here, right now." Jackie covered her mouth with her hand and giggled, with Doris grinning all out at her. Walt was indeed ready for the ball. He had a small walking cast still and used a cane but promised that he'd dance. He picked up Jackie and then took her back to his house for a command appearance before Sam and Mr Twig. Sam was really excited: "Dr Jackie you look so lovely." Sam then got a frown on her face. "What?" Walt asked, and Sam said softly to Jackie: "I wish you were a Samantha." "Sam," Walt said. "Yes, Poppa!" she said and went to hug Jackie, who almost at that moment talked to them about her name. The ball was dazzling. They mingled and were having a grand time, when a voice announced that the members of the ball committee would lead the dancing. The announcer went on to present them: "From administration, Edward Everett Carlson and his wife Latitia." The couple came forward and waited. Jackie noticed immediately and was afraid of what was about to happen. Then came a bit of confirmation: "From the nursing staff, Jenine Drew Whitman and her husband Stan." They also went out to the floor, amid applause and joined the first couple. Jackie was terrified by that point, and the moment came: "And from the medical staff, Dr. Samantha Jacqueline Lawrence, and her date Walt Williams." Jackie gave him an apologetic look, as he stared at her for just a few seconds, and then led her to the floor. They danced slowly and carefully. "I'm so sorry," she said, whispering into his ear. "I need to tell you." He only smiled and nodded and led her to their table. The others were dancing and they were alone. "I grew up with the name 'Sam'," she began. "I was always the fat girl 'Sam', and I hated myself and that name. I determined to change things. I became a runner. I grew a few inches and got myself in shape and I just left 'Sam' behind. I'm so sorry, Walt," she said miserably. "I never meant to deceive you; it never seemed to matter until Sam started talking about you needing a new Sam for her Mommie." "And now I've found one!" he said. "Ohhhh," she sighed and then, as if to work up her courage, straightened her shoulders and said: "There's more, Walt. I was hoping to not have to tell you 'til a different time but we're here and revelations are being made so I might as well go on. Walt, I'm pregnant." Tears came to her eyes automatically. She sincerely thought that her actions were ruining this wonderful relationship. Walt yelled and all conversation at the tables around them stopped. Jackie was startled. Then Walt all but yelled: "We're going to have a baby!?" Jackie grinned and shook her head 'yes'. Others had heard it and there were smiles all around. Then Walt moved, set his cane aside and went down on one knee, with a barely suppressed groan. "No, Walt," she said without thinking, "Your leg!" "My leg be damned," he said, "I need to do something here." All around was silence; Jackie's hand went to her mouth and she started to sob. "Samantha Jacqueline Lawrence," he began, "Lovely woman, my own personal savior, beloved of my beautiful Sam, mother of my child and love of my life, will you marry me?" "Ohhhhhhhh, Walt," she said but right then he blanched from the pain in his leg. "Doris," Jackie called out, "Help me here." Doris was there in an instant but Walt waved her away and said: "I'm not moving until I get an answer!" "Yessssssssssss!" Jackie exploded. Then she and Doris got him up from the floor. "Come on," she said, "I'm going to take you into a side room and look at that leg." "Help," he cried out, "She's gonna take me away and take my pants off!" Ms Surgeon He was grinning at her, as he said it! "Yes, loon," she scoffed at him, "I'm gong to marry you, have your baby but right now I'm going to take your pants off, either here or somewhere more private." Doris was grinning at the two of them, and Walt said: "Excuse us, folks, we need a private place. Ignore the doctor's cries of passion!" There was general laughter at that, with Jackie blushing and nodding to all around, who were clapping just then. His leg was indeed fine, and they came back to the ball. They danced one more dance, which seemed to be his limit. "Jackie, I love you!" he said. "You can call me 'Sam' if you want or Samantha," she said."I'll be a new 'Sam' for you, and I know that I owe Sam an explanation. Can we do that tonight?" "Yes," he said gently. He kissed her then, they stopped dancing and embraced into the kiss with sighs heard from all around. They left after that, with Jackie getting a special hug from Doris before they went. During the hug, Jackie whispered to Doris: "Thanks for all your help, honey, and, by the way, I need a Matron of Honor. Will you?" Doris, teary eyed, said a simple 'yes' and hugged Jackie again. They wanted to be in time to talk to Sam at home. They decided on the way there that Walt would be the one to tell Sam what their plans were. When they got there, they discovered that Sam was in bed with a story book with Mr Twig. They asked Judy to wait for a minute, while they went to talk to Sam. The little girl gave them her best gap-toothed smile, as they entered the room. "Look, Mr Twig," she said, "It's Poppa and Dr Jackie!" She opened her arms for the hugs that she was expecting from them, first from Walt and then from Dr. Jackie. "Sam, honey," Walt said, "We need to talk to you and I think that Dr. Jackie has a secret to share with you." "Ohh," giggled Sam, "I like sharing secrets, it's for best girlfriends." Walt sat on the edge of the bed and Jackie stood behind him, with her hand on his shoulder. "Dr. Jackie and I are going to be married," Walt said. Sam smiled and then looked puzzled. "Honey?" Walt asked. Sam was close to tears as she said: "Oh, Poppa, I love Dr. Jackie but I thought we were going to wait for a new Samantha." "Well, pumpkin," Walt said, "I guess that I'd better let Dr. Jackie tell you her secret now. I'll just go and give you girls some privacy." He went out and Jackie sat down on the edge of the bed. She stroked Sam's face and said: "Sam, I want to show you a card that I have in my wallet." While she spoke, she brushed a tear away from Sam's eye and bent down and kissed the little girl. Then she produced the identity card and said to Sam: "Sam, this card shows my own full name." Sam took the card and began to cry lustily. Jackie held her and let her cry, and only slowly did Sam calm down. The first thing that she did was turn to Mr Twig and say: "Mr Twig, we've got another Samantha! Dr Jackie is a Samantha, that's the secret." She turned back to Jackie sand said: "I love you Dr Jackie Samantha." "I love you too, honey," Jackie said, "And I love your Poppa very much." "Can we live together again?" Sam asked,"In the house with the bed that has a roof?" "Sure can," Jackie said, as Walt came back into the room, "And I bet that you and I can go shopping and find a bed like that for you and Mr Twig!" "Oh, can we?" Sam almost squealed, then she turned to Walt and said: "Poppa, Poppa, we're going to live in Dr Jackie's house and I'm going to have a bed with a roof over it for me and Mr Twig." "Great news, pumpkin," he said, joining the two ladies. "And, I think that there's one more thing that we need to tell you," Walt said to the grinning little girl, who was hugging Jackie and Mrs Twig. "Jackie," he said softly. She leaned down to Sam and said: "We're going to have a baby!" "Yay!" Sam sang out, "I get a sister or brother." She made sure that she told Mr. Twig right away. They realized that Sam was too excited to sleep just then, so they took her downstairs for some hot chocolate. They were joined there by Judy, so that they could share all the good news with her. When they were seated around the table, Sam spoke up and said: "Aunt Judy, did you know that Dr Jackie is 'Big Sam'? And I'm going to be 'Little Sam'. Isn't that nice? Mr Twig and I are so happy about it." They all laughed at her enthusiasm. Epilogue: Walt and Jackie/Big Sam were married shortly after that. Doris and Judy stood up with Jackie for the wedding. Between Walt's basketball team and the hospital staff, it was a large and lovely affair. They decided that their honeymoon would be a trip for the four of them, Mr Twig included. It was Disneyworld for all of them. The big house where Walt had been hurt was sold, as was his own house and the three of them, with Mr Twig, settled into Jackie's large home. Once they were home and moved, Jackie and Sam went shopping and picked out the canopy bed that she wanted so badly. Gradually, Mr Twig exited from the scene but he never lost his place of honor in Sam's room. Jackie and Walt were good partners in all ways, and with the birth of little Jacqueline their family was complete. The End