"Richard, this is Abby Lockhart. Abby, my cousin Richard."
"Nice to meet you."
"You too." Abby replied, leaning over the bassinet and looking at Alexander. He had bright blue eyes, the same color as Sam's, and light, wispy blonde hair. When Abby had straightened up and stood next to John again, Richard motioned to the nanny, Joan, to take him upstairs and put him to bed. John shook his head at Abby and she slapped him lightly. "John, stop it. Be a good boy." He grinned at her. Samantha came down the steps then, kissing Alex, who was on his was up with Joan.
"John!" she made her way quickly over to Abby and John, who had barely gotten in the door.
"Sam, good to see you! This is Abby Lockhart, and Abby, this is Sam."
"Hey." was Sam's simple greeting.
"Hello. Nice to meet you."
Sam and Abby immediately hit it off, just as Sam and John had when they first met. The three sat close together at the dinner table, Richard at the head of the table, sitting to Sam's left. Millicent sat to Richard's left, and the entire table was ringed with relatives and friends, all of the rich snob variety.
Dinner was about to be served. Millicent smiled at Abby across the table, pleased that John had found someone to bring that night. Abby smiled back, not quite ecstatic to be there. John hadn't made it seem like it would be fun. Joan crept down the stairs and tapped Sam on the shoulder, whispering to her. Sam excused herself and followed the older woman up the grand staircase. Dinner dragged on without her there, and Abby and John were forced to pretend they cared about the other guests. After what seemed like years, it was time to get up, mingle, and have some drinks. Abby stayed close to John as they navigated their way to the opposite end of the room from the champagne.
"John, can we get out of here?"
"Of course, Abby. Let's just say goodbye to Sam. Upstairs."
"OK. So, shame we didn't get to cause any trouble tonight, eh John?"
"Well, of you want to go down for a drink, I'm sure we'd both cause enough trouble to last them for a while."
"John! Be a GOOD boy! Really, don't tempt me. I just can't..."
"Alright Abby, I'm sorry...I know how you feel. It's tough. Let's hurry up." They knocked on the door to the nursery.
"Who's there?"
"Abby and John."
Sam came to the door and opened it imediately. "You're just about the only Carter I want to see right now."
"They're not so bad..ok, ok, that's a lie. They're awful. Can we come in?"
"Yeah, but shh, because Alex is napping." They heard his little cries from inside, signaling that he was awake and in need of attention. "Well, nevermind that!"
They stepped inside the room and Sam shut the door. When she moved to get Alex, Abby smiled at her. "Can I?"
"OK, just make sure to support his..."
"Sam, Abby was an OB nurse for...wow, Abby, how many years was it again?"
"John, stop it!" She blushed.
"Sorry Abby, go ahead. Don't be offended if he's cranky...he gets like that."
Abby reached into the crib and gently lifted the little boy. He stopped crying when he got the attention he wanted, Abby was certainly satisfying in that department. While she oohed and aahed and played with the baby, holding brightly colored toys and shaking rattles, John and Sam sat on the floor.
"So, Sam, not having fun?"
"I don't know... I promised to do this for Richard, but I don't like this kind of gathering...too many Carters."
"Hey, you had a choice...I never wanted to be a Carter."
"John...you know what I mean. Heck, I'd only met you and Gamma when I agreed. If I'd met any more Carters, I think I would have run away screaming."
"I often do."
"Such a joker. Geez. Weren't you mister serious doctor man last time I saw you?"
"Yeah. It was all an act." They began to laugh and she quickly stopped herself.
"It's OK though. I'm not going to be a Carter for long."
"Wha...what's wrong?"
"Richard and I are getting a divorce. I complained about the party, and we got into this whole argument...it's over."
"Sam, I'm sorry to hear that."
"Don't be. I'm not...not completely. It's not working out. We're very different people. We kind of overlooked that."
"Well, you need someone to talk to, call me. I may be a Carter, but..."
"Thanks John...but won't *Abby* get jealous?" She grinned and they both began to laugh. "So, you and she..."
"Yeeeeahhh..."
"Congratulations."
"Yeah, thanks."
Abby turned to John, shooting him a worried glance and holding Alex tighter. "Um, John..."
He hurried over, not wanting to worry Sam. "What is it, Abby?"
"Resps are shallow, wish I had a stethoscope on me...pulse is getting a little weaker. We should get him to County...I'm not sure what it is."
"Let me see him." John held out his arms and took Alex. He had trouble finding the pulse, and it kept fading and then getting stronger again. He seemed to be having trouble breathing.
"John, Abby, what is it?"
"Alexander seems like he's having a difficult time breathing. It could be nothing, but he's getting a bit worse, and I think we should call an ambulance and bring him to the hospital."
"Couldn't we drive him? An ambulance has to get here and back."
"No, Sam, ambulances have supplies on board, they can start helping him when they get here."
"Whatever you say, as long as you can help him. I'll tell Richard we're going."
"Tell him to get a car, the ambulance can only hold one of us, and my limo's gone, I can call a cab for myself and Abby, but I know Richard wouldn't want to travel in a taxi. Besides, Gamma might want to come."
"One of you go with him. I want one of you with him, in case...I'd just be nervous and in the way. John, would you go? I'll ride with Abby in a cab. We'll take Gamma, and Richard can continue the party with Gramps. He can't lose all these damn investors."
"Samantha, this is his son."
"I know."
"Sam..."
"Trust me. He'll come by later. Now do you see why we're getting a divorce, John? He's nothing like you, nothing like Gamma.....he doesn't care about his family. Gramps found the perfect business partner in him."
"OK Sam, John, the ambulance is on its way, and we'd better tell Richard before he hears the sirens." Abby shuddered when she said his name. It brought up too many memories of her own ex husband.
"Yeah." Sam hurried down the stairs, and everyone stared at her in her jeans and tee shirt. She had no place at a formal party dressed like that, and Richard groaned. He only stopped himself when he saw her worried face.
"Samantha, what's wrong?"
"We're taking Alex to the hospital."
"Is he OK?"
"Oh yes, we're bringing him for a checkup. Of course he's not OK! He's barely breathing. But John says he'll be fine, and I trust him."
"I would like to come, but..."
"The investors? Yeah, it's always the investors. I'm bringing Gamma, John and Abby. Abby's calling a cab while John looks after Alex. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to get Gamma. You can call County General if you want to check on him. Though I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't." She heard the sirens in the distance as she took Gamma outside to join Abby and John. The ambulance pulled up and Sam motioned to John, telling him to bring Alex to County.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded, about to burst into tears. "Don't let anything happen to my baby, John."
"I won't." He promised as he closed the doors and the ambulance sped off down the dark city streets.