DISCLAIMER: Okay, once again, I do not own anyone, not even Luka (don't I wish…). Oh wait, I guess I can claim Ms. Hubert, the patient…Although, even if you do sue me you won't get anything, because I'm broke!
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Chapter 4 of "Life After Rampage" takes place a little bit after chapter 3 – maybe a couple of weeks. Please r/r, of course! Also, I changed the censor back to PG, because – wow – is this tame!
CONFRONTATION
Abby Lockhart was greeted with a squeal as she entered
County. Jing Mei Chen was grinning at
her slyly. "Is that what I think it
is?" she questioned, looking pointedly at Abby's left hand. Abby blushed, figuring she would have to put
up with the inquiries of the staff at least until everyone found out. "Well," Chen prodded, "when did he finally
propose?"
Abby was all smiles as she answered, "Last night."
Chen surprised Abby with a big hug, something that the two women had never shared before. What was it about engagements and weddings that made people suddenly so affectionate?
Just then, Chen's beeper went off and she left Abby to ponder the events of last night that had led up to Luka's proposal. Thinking back, Abby had had no idea that her boyfriend had marriage on his mind when he offered to cook dinner for her. He had arrived at her apartment with bags of groceries and set to work in the kitchen. Abby had been in her bedroom putting away laundry when the delicious smells coming from the kitchen enticed her out. She entered the kitchen to find Luka setting the table with a white tablecloth and candles. "Should I have dressed up?" she asked, half jokingly.
He looked up from the table and smiled. "You look perfect."
During the meal of chicken and pasta, Luka seemed distracted. Abby chalked it up to a hard day at work until he suddenly got up from the table and knelt by her chair. Abby couldn't help laughing, "You've been watching too many cheesy American movies." Her laughter was silenced by the look on her boyfriend's face. Immediately she sobered, her heart beating a little faster. "What is it, Luka?"
He took her left hand in his and placed a small velvet box in her palm. "Abby," he began, "when I lost my family, I thought I would never love anyone again. That's been proven wrong, because I am more in love with you than I could have ever imagined. I love you, Abby, and I don't want to spend another day without you as my wife. Will you marry me?"
Abby's eyes filled with tears as Luka opened the box, revealing a simple gold band with a beautiful diamond. "Oh, Luka, yes!" she exclaimed as he slipped the ring on her finger. He kissed her palm and she pulled his head towards her, their lips meeting in their first kiss as an engaged couple…
"Abby. Abby! ABBY!"
Abby was jolted back to the present by someone calling her name. She opened her eyes to see Dr. Mark Greene standing in front of her. "Oh. Sorry, Dr. Greene."
Mark shook his head and reminded Abby that there was a patient waiting for her in Exam 2. "Oh, and Abby," he continued, "congratulations." Abby smiled her thanks as she pushed aside the curtain to Exam 2. She was dismayed to find Carter with the patient. He glanced at her as she walked in and then looked away. "Ms. Hubert needs a hand getting to the restroom. Would you please…" He walked out the door without finishing. Abby tried not to let her disappointment over Carter's coldness show to her patient as she took the woman's arm and helped her out of bed.
When Abby got Ms. Hubert back into her bed, she walked out of the exam room to find Carter leaning against the wall, waiting for her. "Why don't you take your break now," he almost ordered. Feeling as if she had no choice, Abby followed Carter up to the roof. She stood, feeling awkward as she waited for him to speak.
He finally looked at her. "Deb said that you're engaged now?" he practically sighed.
Abby couldn't help smiling as she played with the ring on her finger. She knew it was cruel to do to Carter, but that seemed to be her involuntary reaction whenever she thought about being Luka's fiancé. She suppressed her smile and nodded. What could she say? "Carter, I'm sorry that I hurt you. I love you, but as a friend only. I know that's clichéd, but…"
He sighed again. "But you're in love with him – not me," he finished for her.
She nodded. How could she make him understand? "I don't want to lose our friendship, but I can't love you the way you want me to." She was frustrated by Carter's unwillingness to accept this. "I miss you, Carter. Can't we still be friends?" Abby winced at how juvenile that comment sounded – like she was a junior high girlfriend dumping her boyfriend of one week – but Carter didn't seem to notice. Instead, he just shook his head.
"I wish it were that simple. Maybe it is for you, but I can't just be the 'other man' in your life." He turned to leave. "Goodbye, Abby."
Abby watched as Carter climbed down from the roof, wondering why he had even bothered to talk to her. Despite the happiness in her heart, she was still upset and she fought against the tears that threatened to fill her eyes. She turned and looked over the rooftops of Chicago just as she had done the first time she and Carter had had this conversation a few weeks before. She heard footsteps behind her and felt Luka's strong arms wrap around her waist. She leaned back into his embrace, comforted by the fact that he always seemed to show up when she needed him the most. As he pressed his lips to the top of her head, she whispered, "Hold me." He did.