Disclaimer: I don't own Abby, Carter or any of the ER 'gang'

Nearest and Dearest

As the plane touched down on their home soil Abby let out a small sigh. This was it the start of her life as Mrs John Truman Carter III and she was scared. She knew she love him and she knew he loved her but was love enough? She hated thinking like this but she'd been disappointed before.

'Earth to Abby, earth to Abby'

'Hmm' She turned round to see Carters smiling face and those eyes.

There was something about those eyes, they said more than words ever could.

'Come on'

Abby obliged silently

'Are you Ok? You're not talking'

'I have nothing to say'

'Can I have that in writing?'

She hit him playfully. She loved the two sides of their relationship, there were times like these, the playful moments, when she couldn't help but smile and there were the moments when they would say nothing but mean everything, when they sat on their bench or walked along the beach. This was what true love was like.

Carter looked at her again but this time with concern on his face.

'What are you thinking about?'

'Nothing and everything'

'Post-honeymoon blues hey'

'Something like that'

'Well, you know the honeymoon isn't over until I've carried you over the threshold so technically we're still on our honeymoon'

Abby smiled

'You're right - you can take me out for lunch'

'With pleasure'

They decided to go to Doc's and therefore they ordered the usual coffee and pie.

'When do you start work again?'

'Few days' Carter replied after emptying his mouth of pie 'aren't you working the same shifts as me this week'?

'Probably. Why would I remember something like that?' She replied teasingly

'Oh that hurt, that cut me deep' he replied with the same tone of voice

She leaned over and kissed him.

'You're not getting away with it that easily'

'Are you sure?'

'As I can be'

'Well, I'll just have to find someway of making it right then'

'Hmm, I love you more than this pie'

'Gee, thanks. That's one to go on my lifetime achievement record - apparently I'm better than pie'

'I love you when you're angry'

She looked at him with sneaky eyes. She put her finger in the pie filing and wiped it all over his face. She stood up and ran.

Carter could do nothing but laugh. He put a few dollar bills on the table and chased after her. He knew exactly where she'd be - hiding behind the car. He snuck around the car and suddenly put his hands on her shoulders.

'You scared the life out of me'

'You put pie filling on my face'

'Your welcome'

'Devil woman'

'Come here'

'Why?'

He leant over and she licked his cheek

'You had pie filling on your cheek'

'Thanks'

'Come on lets go home'

So they drove, well, crawled through the streets of Chicago until they reached their apartment block.

'Home again, home again'

'I don't know about you but I'm going to take a shower when we get inside'

'I'm just gonna sleep off my jetlag'

'If you insist, boring but hey you do what you feel you have to' Abby replied

By this time Carter was fumbling with the door to their humble home. When he eventually got the door open Abby moved to go through it but his arm stopped her.

'Carter what are you doing?'

He picked her up.

'Welcome home Mrs Carter'

They both flopped on the couch. This is where they stayed for a while.

'Right, well, I'm going to have a shower, coming?' Abby called over her shoulder

'I'll be there in a minute'

He looked around the apartment. Nothing had changed except that something had fallen down the back of the table.

He walked over to it and picked it up. It was an envelope addressed to him with familiar handwriting.

'Abby'

'What?'

'Do you know what this is?'

Abby emerged from the bathroom with his bathrobe on.

'I don't know Elizabeth gave it to me to give to you'

'You never said anything'

'It was our wedding night I had more pressing things to think about' she laughed

Carters face was still fixed on the handwriting.

His finger slid across the top opening the envelope. In it there was a small folded up piece of paper.

Dear Carter and Mrs Just a quick congratulations. Sorry I couldn't be there on your big day but I'm sure you'll be just fine. All the best Mark.

Carter felt a tear fall down his cheek.

'What does it say' Abby asked

He silently handed her the letter.

She read the note.

'He always did know the right thing to say' she said trying to lighten the atmosphere.

Carter wiped his face.

'He did, didn't he'?

Abby kissed him. He pulled he closer to him.

'The shower will have warmed up now' he said

She nodded and followed him to the bathroom.

--- Ok this isn't the best chapter but it needed to be done. Things have been a bit hectic for me recently but I'm on half term next week so I'll be able to update both of my fics!!!!! Please review-Hna xXx