(Its taking me slightly longer to write this section than I hoped, but unfortunately real life has got in the way. Instead of having one long scene for the wedding I have decided to break it up into little chunks so that you can have something to look forward to. Thanks for the positive reviews and, as ever, I hope I don't disappoint you.)



Part 11

Carter and Abby entered the lobby of the hotel and asked the desk clerk for directions to the Lockhart-McBride nuptials. They were directed to the "Grand Banqueting Hall" which occupied most of the lower floor of the hotel, and which they could see as they approached was decorated within an inch of its life with flowers and swathes of gold cloth.

"This is so typical of Richard," she whispered to John who was looking about him unimpressed. "He cries poor for most of our marriage and then he goes and pulls something like this. Nice to know my alimony is being put to good use!"

"Whoa, you're not bitter at all! I only hope I never get on your wrong side!"

She appreciated his attempt to lighten the situation and calm her down so she gave a little laugh and turned to give him a dazzling smile when she caught sight of something over his shoulder and her face promptly fell.

"Oh God! Quick hide me before she sees me!" Abby ducked her head down and turned slightly in an attempt to hide herself. John turned his head to see what she was trying to avoid but she put her hand out to stop him. "NO! Don't look around, she might come over!"

"Who might…?"

"Abigail? ABIGAIL!" A loud voice shouted across the room and Carter turned to see a rather large woman who was waving furiously trying to get Abby's attention.

"Too late!" Abby said through her teeth as she forced a smile and gave a small wave back to the woman, who then proceeded to walk towards them and arrived within seconds. "Martha, good to see you."

"Abigail, my dear, you look simply marvellous!" The woman said. "I haven't seen you in years. How have you been?"

"Oh, you know, same old-same old!" Abby laughed nervously and looked around her desperately, trying to think of a way to get away from this person who she clearly did not want to speak to. "How about you?"

"How lovely of you to ask! I was hoping to run into you today because I've had such terrible problems with my feet lately, and I know that you'll be able to give me your medical opinion as a nurse and almost-doctor. And while we're at it I've been experiencing this constant pain in my stomach whenever I eat…"

"You mean you actually stopped eating long enough to experience pain?" Abby muttered under her breath. The woman had carried on talking, totally oblivious to what Abby had said, but John heard her and gave a small chuckle. The woman immediately stopped talking and for the first time noticed his presence, switching her attention from Abby to him.

"Well, you don't really want to know about me," she said. "Why don't you introduce me to your handsome young friend over here?"

Abby looked as though she'd much rather not, but the woman was looking John up and down with an appreciative eye, and he looked rather eager to be introduced. Truth be told he wanted to know who it was that Abby was so reluctant to meet.

"I'm sorry," said Abby, "where are my manners? John, this is Martha Bridgeport, Richard's aunt. Martha, this is my husband, John."

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs Bridgeport." John reached out his hand and shook the hand that she offered. On hearing Abby refer to him as her husband a grin had spread across his face and it looked like it was going to stay there for some time. He liked the way it sounded.

"Oh please, call me Martha. Abby, you dark horse, you never said anything about being married."

"Its not exactly like I've been on speaking terms with the family since the divorce. I rather got the impression that if you didn't hear from me again it would be too soon."

"Oh what nonsense. Besides, who wouldn't want to keep in contact with a doctor in the family? It saves all that time waiting at hospitals if you can get the advice for free! Speaking of which, I really would like for you to take a look at my feet…"

"Oh look, there's cousin Rachel," Abby interrupted, pretending to see somebody in the crowd behind Mrs Bridgeport. "I really have to go over and say hello, see how her exams went. I'll try to find you later, Martha, and you can tell me all about it."

With that she grabbed hold of Carter's hand and dragged him away towards another corner of the room. He looked behind him to see Richard's aunt moving away to another group of relatives, as if she was used to these rapid departures, and he looked back at Abby in amusement and confusion. As soon as they came to a halt he started to laugh and asked Abby breathlessly, "What was all that about?"

"That was Richard's great-aunt Martha, the biggest hypochondriac in the world. Every time I see her she has a new list of complaints for me to examine and diagnose. One time she insisted I take a close look at the boil she could feel growing on her backside. It wasn't a pleasant experience, I can tell you. And you can stop laughing," she added, giving Carter a slap on the shoulder, "all I have to do is go back and tell her you're a doctor and my problems are solved!"

"OK, ok, I'll be serious. It's just that you look so cute when you're annoyed. Your forehead gets this little wrinkle just above your nose and your nose scrunches up. It's just so adorable!" She tried to make an angry pout at him but she was suddenly self-conscious and burst into laughter along with him. They started to inch closer together for a kiss when a round of applause from the other side of the room made them both look up. Standing in the doorway were Richard and his new wife, Cathy, who was looking slightly uncomfortable with the surroundings whilst Richard was smiling his usual smarmy smile that his thought was charming. They started to mingle and greet their guests, but for a split second Abby caught Richard's eye and she saw him do a double-take. He whispered something to his new wife and they started to make their way over to where Carter and Abby stood.



(That's it for now. I'm almost finished on the next couple of parts but I don't know when I'll be able to get near a computer to post them. Keep your eyes peeled! Oh, and I'm a bit worried that I may have made Abby a little bitchy in this chapter, but we all know what its like to be attacked by an unwelcome relative at a party, don't we?)