Perfection, Chapter 5 - Ringing The Changes

Susan. Everything that Carter had told her a few days ago, was it of any consequence now? They'd been talking in Doc Magoos after their shift. Abby and Luka were still on so they'd gone for coffee to wait for them. It was their last shift before the wedding and Susan was already nervous. She hated that Carter could tell how she felt about everything, he obviously had a sixth sense about people. They'd been talking about the wedding and Susan had confessed, after lots of coaxing, that she still didn't know if she was doing the right thing by marrying Luka so quickly.

Carter admitted he had his doubts but Luka was obviously up for it, he had asked her after all. They came to the conclusion that it would all work out for the best and getting married didn't change that much.

"It's only a bit of paper that changs your name." Carter had joked.

"So you and Abby not thinking about it?"

He shook his head and explained the 'not sleeping together since the lockdown' situation. He told Susan about how they'd kissed, then regretted it, then kissed again.

"And one thing led to another, as you can imagine." He sighed. "It wasn't the greatest experience of out lives. In fact it was pretty bad. We were exhausted. Neither if us had the energy really, it was just a spur-of-the-moment type thing."

Susan nodded. She wished that she and Carter could've had that 'spur-of-the-moment' type thing she so hoped they would. In the back of her mind there was always going to be the thought of 'what could've been' between them and a burning desire to try it out, see what could be. But she was with Luka, and he made her happy, very happy. At that moment she couldn't picture herself with any one else, ever.

They carried on talking, Carter explaining about his and Abby's relationship. How they were in love but nothing had happened since the lockdown, no matter how much he wished he had, there were issues.

"My scars. I couldn't bear it if she saw them and hated them. I hate them, I can't imagine what they look like to other people. I can just see it, she'll see them and decide she doesn't like the look of me any more." He dropped his head and looked into his coffee.

"John, how could she do that? She loves you, and it would take more than a few scars to put a stop to that. I know we never got that far..." she paused. 'I wish we had. No, you're with Luka now.' she thought. "But I know if it was me, I wouldn't be put off. You hot, no matter how many scars you have!" she smiled.

"Thanks, but you're not Abby, I can tell what she's thinking every minute of every day, but this time I won't like what I know."

"John, quit worrying. You'll work it out. Concentrate on my wedding!"

"You're wedding..." A plan entered his head, it was the perfect night. All the emotions of the day, it would be so special. "Susan, I've gotta go get something. If Abby comes in tell her I'll meet her at her place later."

And with that he rushed out of Magoos. Where he went only he knows...