Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. They have been borrowed for entertainment purposes only without any commercial gain.

NofA: Again, thank you to all of my faithful readers who have been with me from the beginning of this great journey. Unfortunately all things need to come to an end and we are almost done with this wonderful story and these outstanding characters who have kept me company for so long; thanks to them, I have rarely fet lonely. Thanks to Steph who has been such a joy to have as a reader and Justin, who keeps sending me these great messages of encouragement. Thank you to you both. Thanks also to others who have left but still read...you know who you are, for you gave me great support...thank you. Finally thank you to mi amor, who has been my most faithful and supportive reader and fan from the very beginning. I love you my sweet angel... 3 This was for you...always for you.

Mine

Chapter 38

"Fait Accompli"

Kerry sighed contented. She yawned as she watched people come and go from the United Airline's check-in lounge at O'Hare. From afar she could see Abby in her worn out jeans, white sneakers and white blouse standing in line and glancing every so often towards Kerry's direction as if making sure all was fine. Patricia had offered to pick them up and put them up for the week of their visit. Kerry flatly refused the offer of stay but accepted the airport pick up; a week –in her view- was way too much time to impose on her kindness so they made reservations in a local hotel instead.

Abby was excited, thrilled. She had never wandered too far from Chicago except the times she'd gone to Florida to ser her mother Maggie, so the perspective of a week –long visit to California sounded fabulous. But, despite her youthful eagerness the brunette was changing.

"She's driving me crazy, Janet…"

"Oh…I think it is rather cute…"

"But I'm not a paraplegic; I'm just a little pregnant…"

"Let her…it's adorable…"

And Janet looked up and gazed at the brunette who was fast approaching their table with a tray full of food.

"Here you go Jan…"-said the young doctor as she gave Coburn her chocolate muffin. Turning to Kerry, Abby smiled and passed her the fruit bowl, the oatmeal and the bottled water. "Hun…I got you the oatmeal instead…the granola muffin looked too starchy and the English muffins just didn't look fresh…I'll be right back with our coffees…"

And off she went again.

"See what I mean..? I wanted muffins…English or otherwise but nooooo…God forbid I have a gram more of fat or a tad more of sugar!"

"I think it's the cutest thing…"

And Kerry made a face, mimicking her fellow doctor.

The changes were obvious. For starters her patience had exploded. Kerry first noticed it after the accident, once the brunette had woken up from the coma and had started the pulmonary toilet routine which involved several unpleasant practices. To everyone's surprise Abby did not even flinch. All she requested was for Kerry to be there and hold her hand; she did not complaint, did not moan or whine…nothing. She let the nurse insert the tube to vacuum the secretions or allowed the therapist to batter her forcefully to loosen up the phlegm. Later, her temperance in the face of the daunting regime of physiotherapy or her sheer stoicism when in pain had startled her wife.

"Honey, you want some Diclofenac..?"

"No Ker…I'm fine…"

"Abby, you're not fine my angel, I can see you -and hear you- wince miles away...why are you so stubborn..?"

The brunette just shrugged, closed her eyes and tried to will the pain away.

Once back at work, the same kind of situations that used to make her livid, did not even face her any longer. Phones ringing, Frank's moaning, students' inertia or Luka's regular moodiness were details she did not even notice anymore. Her concentration was unbreakable and her sole intention, loud and clear; to treat as many patients as she could as efficiently as she could. This single-mindedness allowed Abigail Lockhart to clear more patients than Morris and Barnett combined which in turn, made her superiors take notice.

"Kerry...do you have a moment..?"

"Sure...come on in..."

"Please don't think of me as nosey or anything but...Is everything okay between you and Abs? I know it's an odd question to ask but..."

"Why, yes, everything is quite fine Susan...Is she slacking or something?"

"No! God no...-answered the blonde Attending-...quite the contrary, look at these numbers..."-added Susan as she handed a folder to Kerry. "And that's just the last month...see the consistency..?"

Kerry took the folder and examined the data. "Wow...these are better than my numbers when I was an intern..."

"I think it's wonderful...I mean, she was always good but...uh...this is incredible..."

Kerry leaned back on her chair and nodded; she understood Susan's vague concern.

"Everything at home is wonderful Susan...to tell you the truth; it is the best it has ever been..."

"Okay...could it be sort of like... a 'Carpe Diem' kinda thing..? It happens...people do change after major traumas like that..."

Kerry pursed her lips. "I dunno, perhaps...things have changed at home...she's changed...with me specially..."

"What do you mean?"

"Ever since I became pregnant Abby has been...like in over-drive? She wakes up early now, she makes us coffee, runs my bath, drives us, cooks..."

"Cooks?"

"Cooks...It's like this complete new person that has decided to take charge of everything and particularly, of me..."

"Aaawww...Kerry..."

"Well yes, don't get me wrong it's wonderful but it can be a little..."

"Infuriating..?"

"Disconcerting..."

"I remember Chuck being like that...He wanted to do everything..."

"Yeah but Chuck is like that already Susan, Abby isn't...or wasn't...I mean, things at home had always been sort of 'tacitly defined'...I used to cook, we both did the grocery shopping, we both cleaned, driving was mostly something I did whereas any DIY project at home or repairs, Abby did...now, she does almost everything!"

"Well Kerry...perhaps all you need to do is welcome it and enjoy it...with a baby on the way, I'm sure you will appreciate the extra help..."

And the help was appreciated; baby or not. As they took their seats in the plane Abby stood up and made sure their bags were secured in the overhead compartment. "You need anything, Ker..?"-she asked pointing to the bags.

"You..." –answered the redhead rather loudly.

The brunette looked somewhat surprised and smiled shyly. Closing the compartment, she sat next to her wife, took her hand and answered, "You have me..."

Kerry turned around to face Abby. "I know I do it's just...you're different now..."

The brunette looked a bit disconcerted but soon caught up. "Because I have to be..."

Kerry was about to protest but Abby placed her hand on her wife's mouth. "It's not my duty, that's not what I meant..."

Kerry's expression relaxed.

"What I meant is...I have to because things are different now and mostly because...you've changed me..."

The redhead furrowed her brow in confusion.

"You don't need to stand always on guard Ker, you're not eternally on duty...I think you've taken care of us...of me...long enough...-the brunette paused caressing her lover's hand-...By taking care of me, by supporting me, by protecting me, feeding me...loving me...you've taught me that I can be a lot more tan this woman to whom all these bad things have happened to...so...I want to do the same for you..."

"But honey...I'm fine..."

"No, Ker, please listen...I need to do this because it is the way I need to love you at this point in our life...I don't know how to explain it...it is...whatever you want to call it..I've changed...you've changed me...our separation changed me...the accident changed me. I am married to you and you are pregnant with our baby and God! This is the best moment of my life... The minimum I can do for you is this..."

Kerry nodded and leaned in to kiss her wife and for the first time in her life she completely disregarded her surroundings. After the quick peck, she nestled in Abby's chest and open arms and closed her eyes.

And she felt safe.

"Do I look alright..?"

Lorraine turned around and gazed at her girlfriend from head to toe..."You look gorgeous, tesoro...you always do..."

"You think this sweater...with the jeans..?"

"Hun...of course you look fine, don't worry! Come on...let's go..."

Fifteen minutes later the couple was arriving at Patricia's house. Kim opened the gate with the remote control and the blue Lexus sedan quietly entered the parking area of the ample house.

"You nervous, cara..?"

Kim fidgeted a bit. "I guess I am... a little...it's a bit...surreal..."

Lorraine backed up the car and turned off the engine. "I guess it can be a little weird...your ex, her partner and your fiancée all together...You'll be fine, though..."

"Oh I know, I know...I guess it's mostly Abby...we...I dunno..."

"What you mean..?"

"Well, we never really...synched..."

"I'm sure she will not hold anything up against you...-added the brunette, causing Kim to smile gently-...and if she does I'll be here to defend you...just hold my hand, okay..?"

The blonde leaned forward and kissed Lorraine. "Okay..."

"Are you okay..? You seem really quiet, Ker..."

"No...I'm fine..."

"Nervous..?"

Kerry hesitated. She sighed and admitted defeat, "Yeah I guess..."

"I'll behave...I promise I'm not gonna punch her in the face...-Abigail paused, her expression perfectly serious-...well, maybe just a little kick underneath the table but you know, nothing too awful..."

Kerry turned around, dumbfounded. The brunette turned around and the two of them burst into loud laughter as their taxi arrived to take them to Patricia's.

"No, seriously though...there's nothing for you to feel nervous about, wubber..."

Kerry lifted her eyes and smiled broadly. "You hadn't called me that in a long time..."

Abigail leaned forward and brushed her lips to Kerry's. "I know, I'm sorry..."

"No need to apologize..."-whispered the redhead.

"Let's make a deal...I won't apologize if you stop being nervous, okay..? Just hold my hand and don't let go..."

"Okay..."

An hour later, the five women were sitting on the comfortable patio chairs of the Legaspi residence, admiring the sunset and trying to enjoy each other's company. Patricia had sensed the tension and had monopolized the conversation from the beginning trying to ease up the almost tangible apprehension in the air. Unfortunately, it wasn't working; '...different measures...' she thought.

"Okay...Kerry, Kim...with me, please...?"

The blonde and the redhead looked at each other and stood up like naughty school children that were been sent to the Principal's office.

"And you two? Find something to talk about..."

"Yes Sir..."-answered Lorraine sheepishly. "Okay...-she said turning to Abby-...wanna have a drink..?"

"I'll take anything non-alcoholic..."

"I think we can manage that...come on...walk with me..?"-said Lorraine and the two brunettes walked through the garden to the bar.

In the mean time, Kim and Kerry walked behind Patricia, quietly. Kim -gallant as always when it came to Kerry- held the swinging kitchen door to let the redhead in.

"The fish and the seafood are inside the fridge...could you please get it all out..? I'll be right back..."-said Patricia as she went upstairs.

The two women watched Pat leave and then, both looked at each other and chuckled. Kim approached Kerry and touched her on the arm. "Hey...you good..?"

Kerry nodded gently, "Yeah...I'm just...I dunno...it all feels a bit surreal..."

"Yeah...I said the same thing to Lo...Lorraine, I mean..."

The two women stared at each other, "You happy?"- They both asked at unison.

After a shy smile Kerry motioned for Kim to answer but Kim shook and cocked her head, "No, you go first...please..."

"I am happy, Kim...Abby makes me so very happy...I'm just...I'm sorry that I couldn't...that I couldn't love you...If things would have been different...If I had never fallen for Abby..."

"I know...I am happy too, really complete...I adore Lorraine with all my heart but...I know if I had never met her... I would have...I would have done anything in my power to get you back..."

"And I would have gone back to you, Kim..."

Kim smiled and pursed her lips, hesitant.

"I will always love you, Kerry..."

"I will always love you too..."

Kim opened her arms and hugged the smaller redhead tightly. "Thank you..."-whispered Kim. "No...thank you..."-answered Kerry.

Five minutes later outside in the garden, Abby and Lorraine were standing and leaning over the patio rail. "Okay...that was..."

"Odd..."-added the young doctor smiling shyly.

"Yeah...so you're a doctor too..?"

"Yup...just graduated not long ago...and you're a musician..?"

"Yup...Is it me or this whole dinner thing feels kinda..."

"Weird..?"

Lorraine nodded.

"I thought it wouldn't be but...I mean...Kim and Kerry have their history in which I am somewhat involved..."-said Abby softly.

"And I'm not but I feel like I'm supposed to do something..."

"Me too..."

"But I dunno what it is..."-whispered Lorraine smiling broadly.

"Me neither..."

And the two brunettes burst into laughter for a few moments. When the laughter subsided, Lorraine went on.

"Could you do me a favour Abby..?"

"Sure Lorraine..."

"Could you please –somehow- let Kim know you don't hate her..?"

The younger woman turned around in surprise. "She thinks I hate her..?"

"Well...perhaps 'hate her' is too strong a phrase...dislike her...you know, because of what happened..?"

Abigail took a sip of her non-alcoholic beer and smiled. "No, she shouldn't feel that way...what happened was my fault...I screwed it up..."

"Why you say that..?"

"Have you taken a look at your girlfriend? She's...perfect! She's beautiful, intelligent, funny..."-added Abby who chuckled mid-sentence.

"You gonna tell me or do I need to torture you to get it out..?"

Abby shook her head and motioned the older woman to wait for a moment. "I'll tell you...–she managed to say between chuckles-...I used to call her 'Lesbian extraordinaire'..."

"That's funny..!"-added the musician laughing.

Abby went on. "Truth is Lorraine, I thought that Kerry would not choose me if she could have Kim because Kim's all those things I thought I was not..."

"We all are those things to someone if we are lucky enough to be truly loved..."

Abigail took another sip of her drink and sighed. "Yeah...I've learnt that since then...So...she really should not feel that way..."

"Perhaps you can tell Kim that yourself..?"

"Tell me what?"

Abby opened her eyes open wide and almost choked on the beer. As her spotless luck would have it, Kim herself had approached them and they had not noticed. Abby inhaled deeply and turned around.

"Tell you that I don't hate you or dislike you –or in any way- hold you responsible for whatever happened between Ker and I, Kim..."

"Oh..."-managed to whisper the blonde.

"In fact I owe you an apology for not even looking at you that day at the hotel lobby...I was just too..."

"Oh God Abby no...-Kim touched Abigail's arm, gently-...please don't apologize...I guess I could have gone after you...I could have explained that nothing had happened...I am sorry for not doing anything..."

From afar, Kerry looked at the scene with some degree of anxiety.

"Relax Kerry...-said Patricia rubbing Kerry's shoulders-...relax...they're doing fine..."

"You think Patricia..?"

"I know so..."

Kerry turned around and smiled at the older Legaspi who was smiling at her, very kindly. "I've missed you..."-said the redhead.

"I've missed you too...By the way, that picture you showed me of Abby does not do her one bit of justice...she's beautiful..."

Kerry glanced quickly to where her lover was and smiled, "She is beautiful, isn't she..?"

"And you both look so happy...it's amazing to see her now...considering the last time I saw her she was in a coma..."

"I know...I thank God every day for her..."-said the redhead still looking with pride and love in her heart.

Abby's eyes left Kim's for a moment and locked on her wife's across the garden. Seconds after, she regarded the blonde again. "All is well now Kim...In fact it's better than it has ever been and in a way, in a very odd way –she paused looking down for a second an shaking her head as in disbelief- I feel that if you had not shown up, my life with Ker...perhaps...would not be as...as...well, as it is now..."

"You mean that..?"

"Come on Kim...you know I do..."

The blonde psychiatrist nodded, "Thank you Abby..."

The brunette smiled and nodded, shyly. Looking up, she watched Kerry turning to gaze at her. "And if you'll excuse me I better get going...Ker looks like she's about to have a heart attack..."

Walking the distance between the edge of the patio and the redhead, Abby smiled.

"You okay?" –she asked the redhead as soon as she was close enough.

"Yup...you..? All is well..?"

"Of course it is Ker, see..? I told you I wouldn't hit her..."-said the brunette with a grin.

Kerry slid her left arm around her wife's waist and kissed her lips quickly. "Okay..."

-answered Kerry, smiling.

"Ker...let's tell them..."

"Tell them what..?"

Abigail smiled and just cocked her head.

"Oh...tell them...that..."

"Tell us what?"

Abigail turned around and opened her eyes wide. "What is it with the Legaspi women, you guys have ESP or something?"

"Uh...no...-Patricia chuckled-...just good timing..?"

Kerry looked confused.

"Who has good timing..?"-asked Kim.

"Us..."

"See?"-said Abby to Kerry.

"Says who..?"-asked Lorraine.

"Abby..."-answered Patricia.

"Why?"

And eight pairs of eyes turned to look at the young doctor who smiled, bewildered.

"WE'RE PREGNANT!!!"-shouted Abigail as she held on to Kerry.

"WHAT?" –asked Kim, Lorraine and Patricia at the same time and in the distance, the distinctive sound of laughter and joy could be heard across the miles.

Kerry could feel Abby's even breathing and her long fingers as they gently brushed her hand as they swayed lazily to the music. The glorious sunset could be seen beyond the waves and the air brought a scent of salt and food. The redhead opened her eyes and turned her head to rest it on her lover's shoulder as Abigail accommodated her, tenderly.

Kim and Lorraine's wedding had turned out to be a memorable occasion. They arrived at around 2:15 but the ceremony itself did not start until around 3 o'clock or so. A pastor from the Metropolitan Community Church in San Jose performed the blessing which had the University of California at Monterey's Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir as a backdrop with a large number of glorious musical numbers.

Kim looked radiant. Her dress was pale pink adorned with black lace, loose on the body and to the middle of her thighs. Lorraine chose a very pale grey dress that looked almost silver although she later changed into a multicoloured silk 1950's vintage sarong dress from Hawaii. Together, the two women looked stunning but their beauty was only surpassed by their glee; it radiated from them, from their smiles, from their laughter, from their body language. Both Kerry and Abby felt it and rejoiced in it.

Around 7 pm, both women were tired and ready to head back to their hotel. Both brides had already left for their two week honey in Tahiti and the Cook Islands and the party had started to dwindle. The song ended and Kerry and Abby parted, smiled and holding each other's hand, walked slowly to the table. Kerry had one last drink of champagne while the brunette picked their small purses and Kerry's silk shawl. Together they went to say goodbye to Patricia and finally left for the hotel.

(End of Chapter 38)