January 12, 2002

Abby sat Sasha in her carrier. The baby gazed into Abby's eyes. She smiled at her daughter. Her reflexes were getting so good.

"How's my favorite daughter? Momma is gonna get your christening dress on, okay?" She cooed at the newborn. "Then Daddy, Momma, James, and you are going to go to the church to see Uncle John and Aunty Jing-Mei." She grabbed a beautiful long silk dress that Luka's father had sent over form Croatia for the christening. It was the most stunning dress Abby had ever seen and it was just for a baby for this one day, but Abby new this dress and the silk set of James' were going to be passed down from baby to baby. That made Abby feel good. She liked tradition.

Abby wasn't sure if she was sad or not that her and Luka's family couldn't make it to such an important day. It seemed to Abby that Luka's family barely cared to acknowledge her presence. She assumed they were still dealing about losing Danjiela. But her friends were coming. Many of the nurses and doctors from Cook County were coming to see this. Abby slipped the dress over Sasha's head and gently pulled her arms through the holes.

"My my. Look how beautiful you look." She smiled. "Let Momma brush your hair and put your bonnet on and then we can see what's taking Jamie and Daddy so long." She knew this was a big step for Luka. When his first family died he had lost all faith. Last year around this time he started regaining some back, but it still wasn't al there. Abby wasn't sure if he'd ever regain full faith. It took a lot of courage for Luka to step into the church for their wedding and she knew he was mustering up everything he had to do this for the twins. "Luka? Come on. We don't want to be late for our own kids christening."

"We're coming." Luka said dashing down the stairs holding James in his Christening outfit tightly. "We're ready." He walked into the kitchen and put James in his carrier. He looked at Sasha. "Oh my! Look at my princess. Isn't she beautiful?" He leaned over and kissed Sasha's plump rosy cheek.

"Where's the camera?" Abby dashed upstairs. Luka chuckled and looked at his kids.

"Tvoj materinski je lud." He smiled and chuckled as Abby came into the kitchen.

"Oh no. Don't you start teaching them Croatian and then have secret conversations behind my back." Abby said. Luka laughed.

"Then what good is it to live in a bilingual family?" Abby frowned.

"Let's go before I smack you." She said picking up James' carrier. "What did you say first?"

"I said that you were crazy." Luka smiled as Abby smacked him on his chest. He laughed, "JA obo"zavati tebi." Abby raised her eyebrow.

"And what was that?"

"I said that I adore you." He smiled picking up Sasha's carrier. Abby smiled.

"I like that one." She kissed Luka and got the twins strapped into the car.

* * *

The ceremony was beautiful. The church and all the people inside of it looked beautiful. It warmed Abby and Luka's heart to see everyone join together to celebrate Sasha and James like this. Watching John and Jing-Mei pledge their selves to the twins made Abby smile. She turned and watched everyone in the pews. She watched pat take pictures. A few tears slid down Abby's face. Luka smiled and wrapped his arm around her waist.

"Thank you." He whispered. She looked at him

"For what?"

"For giving me two of the most beautiful children on the face of the planet." Abby smiled.

"Thank you too." She said leaning her head on Luka's chest watching the ceremony.

As it ended, people filed out of the church giving their blessings to Abby, Luka, and the twins. They all thanked them. Abby grabbed Jing-Mei and John from the crowd.

"Hey guys, come over our place for dinner." She said.

"That sounds great." John said glancing at Jing-Mei, "How about you?"

"Saves me from cooking." She chuckled.

"Great." Abby said watching Luka strap the twins in, "You guys drove in together right because, we don't have room." John held up his car keys.

"We brought my car." He smiled.

"Great. See you in fifteen." Abby bounced into the car.

* * *

As Luka started supper and Jing-Mei supervised, John and Abby relaxed in the living room with the twins. He smiled as he held James in his arms.

"They really are beautiful Abby." John said.

"Thanks." Abby smiled as she laid Sasha on the floor with her toys. She bounced a red teddy bear in front of her. "Do you think Jing-Mei is okay with this?"

"With what?" John asked.

"This whole godmother things. I mean I know she said yes and did it but....it has to bring back some memories of her kid." Abby said. John sighed rubbing James' back.

"She's a strong and amazing woman." He said, "Of course she's okay with this. She loves the twins. I mean, who wouldn't be?"

"Ha ha." Abby said as Sasha started to fuss, "Oh I need to feed her."

"Oh. I'll leave."

"No it's okay." Abby chuckled; "it's a natural thing. You're mother nursed you.... Unless you have a problem with it."

"No...I don't." He said. Abby smiled and picked Sasha up. John adverted his eyes and blushed slightly.

"Is there something going on between the two of you?" Abby asked as she settled against the edge of the couch cradling Sasha to her breast. She latched on quickly. Over the past few days, the twins had started to learn where their food came from and started to roam until they found it.

"Between the two of whom? James and I?" John smiled, "James and I are old friends. We go back all the way to 1983. We went to medical school together and fought over this girl who-"

"Shut up, Carter." Abby laughed, "I mean between you and Jing-Mei." John looked at Abby.

"Why? Does it look like there's something going on between us?" John asked, "We're just friends."

"Yes it does look like it...There's chemistry I tell ya." She smiled.

"She's my best friend. Always was and always will be." John insisted.

"Okay okay." Abby said as Luka and Jing-Mei walked in.

"Dinner is ready." Luka smiled. "And nap time for the twins."

* * *

"God Abby!" John cried, "I can't believe you just told Debt hat."

"I can't believe you got two perms!!" Jing-Mei giggled. Abby chuckled glancing at Luka who wasn't smiling.

"A perm is when-"

"I know what a perm is, Abby." Luka said. Abby leaned back.

"Okay." She said taking a sip of her water. Luka glanced at john. he didn't like John. He wasn't sure when this exactly started. he wasn't sure if it was because of Abby or a patient or maybe both. Sasha's soft cries started coming through over her monitor.

"I'll go get her." Luka said quickly and left the room.

"Is he okay, Abby?" Jing-Mei asked. Abby put her fork down.

"Ah...Yeah." Abby smiled, "Finish eating. I'm gonna go check on Sasha." She slowly got up and left the room. Jing-Mei and John exchanged looks. Abby walked upstairs and into Sasha's room to see Luka cradling her.

"I don't like John." He said. Abby sighed.

"I know, but he's my best friend...and the twins' godfather." She said.

"I try to like him, but I cant."

"I'm not asking you to like him. Just tolerate him." She smiled as Luka gave a small laugh. Luka looked so good holding the twins. he was a natural.

"I can't believe this Abby."

"Can't believe what?" Abby asked as Luka sat down in the rocking chair stroking Sasha's back.

"That I don't feel empty anymore." He said resting his cheek against the sleeping baby's head. "I thought I'd never feel this joy again. I never thought I'd ever be able to love anyone like I love Marko and Jasna, but when I had these two wonderful creatures in my arms for the first time it was like nothing else mattered. I could love other people. I can love the twins and still have love in my heart for Marko and Jasna." Abby smiled stroking Luka's forehead.

"It feels so good to hear you say that." Abby said. "I don't want you to forget Jasna and Marko ever. They were and still apart of your life. Cherish the memories you have of them and imagine how happy they are when they look down at you to finally see you happy and enjoying your life. That's what they want...All three of them want to see you happy." A single tear slid down Luka's cheek as he looked at Abby.

"You're an amazing woman Abby." He said as he leaned over and kissed her softly, "I love you so much."

"And I love you." She smiled, "Now let's go finish dinner with Jing-Mei and John." Luka smiled and nodded. It warmed both of their hearts that they were there for each other and the twins. Neither of them thought they could ever love again, until they met each other.