Six months, which meant three months left until the newest member of their family would arrive.
Maggie had left six weeks ago. Peacefully. In fact, Carter was happy with the way she handled herself when she left. He figured Abby was, too. The night Carter had mentioned the state of their relationship to Abby was the evening that put her into focus with her mother. For the first time, he thought. The following day, she'd taken off work and spent and entire block of time with her mother. And then the next day. By her third day off, Carter had come home to them deciding on names for the baby. Each of them were laughing as he walked in, and they both greeted him happily.
In fact, he couldn't have pictured a better scene for the two.
He remembered it perfectly. They were perched up onto the couch, sipping hot chocolate. In the middle of a casual conversation as Carter headed off to bed, it being almost ten-thirty. He had kissed Abby on the cheek and said his "goodnights" to the both of them.
Three long days had worked out everything that could be worked out. The past between them, needless to say, was pretty much unfixable. It was something Abby couldn't forgive, no matter how much she tried. Obviously they had come to terms with it as much as they could, though. The feelings for the other were as much mother-daughter as they would ever get.
When she left, Abby hugged her. Carter watched with a grin, genuinely happy for her. After they'd slipped away from the embrace, Carter had put an arm around Abby. He felt that difference in her immediately, although it had been there for a while. Maggie had asked if she could come back when the baby was born, and for the wedding. Before Carter could answer, Abby had already spoke, "Of course."
So she left. Abby had snuggled into bed that night with Carter and thanked him with a million small kisses on his face and a few lingering kisses. But she made sure he knew when she began to cry, catching herself off guard.
She wasn't her usual self. Not that it bothered him, but he took note. She was a little more honest now, in a sense to herself. When she cried, Carter only hugged her and chuckled a little as she went on thanking him. He treasured his hand on her back, smoothly setting the mood as he started in tiny circles, that broken spirit finally lifted from her aching thoughts.
When she pulled away, he saw her smile. He had missed that real, sparkling smile. He told her that, and they went to bed in the other's arms.
He knew how much he loved her more than ever just then. She was open to him, more than she had ever been. He wrapped her up so protectively in the comforter they shared, careful not to let her get cold. He was convinced that nothing would ever make her sad again. He didn't ever want to see her cry painful tears as long as he lived.
He brought her closely to his chest and nestled his nose in her hair, taking in every scent she gave off. Relief, shelter, and love all in one. With one arm draped over her stomach, she playfully traced his fingers until he fell asleep. It was the last thing he remembered of the night.
Six weeks later, Abby had swelled up even larger. She acted as if it never got in the way of her work, proudly carrying on with whatever needed to be done. She had been requesting more and more Chinese food in particular, so their diet had become one of that at home. She had found an abundance of uses for her stomach. Resting a magazine to mark her page, or setting Carter's coffee there.
At night, in bed they would make fun of themselves and how much they enjoyed being fascinated by the baby growing inside of her. She often fell asleep with her head on the pillow, and his close to her stomach. He rarely spoke to it, but more frequently had pressed his ear to the side. Just to listen. He didn't know why, and neither of them ever questioned why he did it.
She hadn't been working shorter shifts, although Carter suggested she did. He figured she would after realizing the pain her back would go through from the longer shifts. But for the meantime, he let her keep her pride held there and didn't force her. Mood swings were common for pregnant people, after all.
They had found themselves walking in the park holding hands more often than ever. And, of course the bench by the river. They had joked about the many times they had been near this spot. At the end of each laugh they had settled onto the seat before it had grown to cold for them to be out. Then, they would walk back to the apartment in silence, refusing to break it if they didn't have to.
And each night ended the same way. A kiss, a hug, and a pair of love declarations before entangling themselves in a mess of comfortable blankets.
--
Sorry that was so short. I just thought maybe a more detailed fic with no dialogue was in order. *lol*
Also have to thank everyone for all of the generous reviews and criticism I've been receiving lately. It really does make my day when I see a review in my inbox. Don't ask why. It's nice to know that people appreciate all of this that I take my time on (believe it or not). It really motivates me to continue, too. If people had stuck away and been quiet, I still might only have one fic alone on this site.
So thanks to everyone. You guys are so sweet, and awesome! :)
amanda-
Maggie had left six weeks ago. Peacefully. In fact, Carter was happy with the way she handled herself when she left. He figured Abby was, too. The night Carter had mentioned the state of their relationship to Abby was the evening that put her into focus with her mother. For the first time, he thought. The following day, she'd taken off work and spent and entire block of time with her mother. And then the next day. By her third day off, Carter had come home to them deciding on names for the baby. Each of them were laughing as he walked in, and they both greeted him happily.
In fact, he couldn't have pictured a better scene for the two.
He remembered it perfectly. They were perched up onto the couch, sipping hot chocolate. In the middle of a casual conversation as Carter headed off to bed, it being almost ten-thirty. He had kissed Abby on the cheek and said his "goodnights" to the both of them.
Three long days had worked out everything that could be worked out. The past between them, needless to say, was pretty much unfixable. It was something Abby couldn't forgive, no matter how much she tried. Obviously they had come to terms with it as much as they could, though. The feelings for the other were as much mother-daughter as they would ever get.
When she left, Abby hugged her. Carter watched with a grin, genuinely happy for her. After they'd slipped away from the embrace, Carter had put an arm around Abby. He felt that difference in her immediately, although it had been there for a while. Maggie had asked if she could come back when the baby was born, and for the wedding. Before Carter could answer, Abby had already spoke, "Of course."
So she left. Abby had snuggled into bed that night with Carter and thanked him with a million small kisses on his face and a few lingering kisses. But she made sure he knew when she began to cry, catching herself off guard.
She wasn't her usual self. Not that it bothered him, but he took note. She was a little more honest now, in a sense to herself. When she cried, Carter only hugged her and chuckled a little as she went on thanking him. He treasured his hand on her back, smoothly setting the mood as he started in tiny circles, that broken spirit finally lifted from her aching thoughts.
When she pulled away, he saw her smile. He had missed that real, sparkling smile. He told her that, and they went to bed in the other's arms.
He knew how much he loved her more than ever just then. She was open to him, more than she had ever been. He wrapped her up so protectively in the comforter they shared, careful not to let her get cold. He was convinced that nothing would ever make her sad again. He didn't ever want to see her cry painful tears as long as he lived.
He brought her closely to his chest and nestled his nose in her hair, taking in every scent she gave off. Relief, shelter, and love all in one. With one arm draped over her stomach, she playfully traced his fingers until he fell asleep. It was the last thing he remembered of the night.
Six weeks later, Abby had swelled up even larger. She acted as if it never got in the way of her work, proudly carrying on with whatever needed to be done. She had been requesting more and more Chinese food in particular, so their diet had become one of that at home. She had found an abundance of uses for her stomach. Resting a magazine to mark her page, or setting Carter's coffee there.
At night, in bed they would make fun of themselves and how much they enjoyed being fascinated by the baby growing inside of her. She often fell asleep with her head on the pillow, and his close to her stomach. He rarely spoke to it, but more frequently had pressed his ear to the side. Just to listen. He didn't know why, and neither of them ever questioned why he did it.
She hadn't been working shorter shifts, although Carter suggested she did. He figured she would after realizing the pain her back would go through from the longer shifts. But for the meantime, he let her keep her pride held there and didn't force her. Mood swings were common for pregnant people, after all.
They had found themselves walking in the park holding hands more often than ever. And, of course the bench by the river. They had joked about the many times they had been near this spot. At the end of each laugh they had settled onto the seat before it had grown to cold for them to be out. Then, they would walk back to the apartment in silence, refusing to break it if they didn't have to.
And each night ended the same way. A kiss, a hug, and a pair of love declarations before entangling themselves in a mess of comfortable blankets.
--
Sorry that was so short. I just thought maybe a more detailed fic with no dialogue was in order. *lol*
Also have to thank everyone for all of the generous reviews and criticism I've been receiving lately. It really does make my day when I see a review in my inbox. Don't ask why. It's nice to know that people appreciate all of this that I take my time on (believe it or not). It really motivates me to continue, too. If people had stuck away and been quiet, I still might only have one fic alone on this site.
So thanks to everyone. You guys are so sweet, and awesome! :)
amanda-