Green Eggs and Ham
Part III
Author: Robbie (curlygurly87@hotmail.com)
Spoilers: Not really, General up through what we've seen of Season 9
Archive: Ask and you shall receive.
Disclaimer: While I'd love to be able to lay claim to every character in the story, not a one really belongs to me. They are the property of the big shots at NBC, Warner Brothers, Amblin Productions etc …
Authors Notes: See Parts I & II
Thanks for beta-ing, Sara.
Summary: Carter and Abby's first Christmas as a couple. Enjoy …
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The somber man walks up to admit, face tearstained and eyes bloodshot. "My daughter?" he croaks in a broken voice, "Sasha."
"Yeah, follow me. Dr. Carter, the doctor who treated your wife should be with her."
"Does she uh … know about her mother?"
I shake my head. "We thought it would be easiest for you to tell her. If you want we could …"
"No. It's my responsibility as her father." He briefly pauses. "Is she hurt?"
"Some cuts and scratches mostly. The nurses have bandaged her up. She should be fine in a couple of weeks, kids are pretty resilient."
For the first time, he looks my directly in the eye. "How did it happen?"
I sigh. "Your wife pulled into the intersection when the light turned green. A drunk in a pick-up truck hit her from the left, and made impact right where she was sitting."
"Sasha must have been sitting on the other side of the car. She liked to be able to see her mother while she drove."
I nod dully in quiet recognition.
As we approach the exam room, a voice gently wafts through the pleasantly quiet atmosphere of the ER.
"I will not eat them, Sam I am, I will not eat green eggs and ham …"
"More, more!" a delighted voice cries impatiently. I hear her clapping her hands.
My breath catches in my throat. It's Carter, reading to Sasha, bringing some happiness into her life in wake of the tragedy she still doesn't know about. Like a ton of bricks, I suddenly realize what a wonderful father my boyfriend will make someday. And I realize with a start, that I want to be the mother to his children. I want to spend the rest of my life by his side, to stumble upon him reading this classic story and others to his own children. His children that are also my own.
"I don't know if I can do this …"
Mr. Reynolds. I suddenly remember his presence, the impossible task which he is about to complete. My heart fills with sorrow and pity.
"You can and you will, Mr. Reynolds."
I fail to mention the other factor; he must. We walk into the room. Both Carter and Sasha look up. Carter is sitting on the bed, legs thrown carelessly over the side and Sasha is curled up in the crook of his arm, listening in captivation to the story. Her eyes light up as we enter the room.
"Daddy!"
"Hi sweetheart." I blink back the sting of tears. Suddenly he's by the bed, holding her to him tightly, smothering her with kisses.
"Come on Carter," I whisper and we leave them to mourn again, in privacy. As he gently shuts the door behind us, and we begin to walk away, a primitive whimper of pure tortured agony cuts through the ER.
"Mommy …"
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Our shifts are both long over as we walk into the lounge. I walk over to the couch, tiredly plopping down, instantly closing my eyes and propping my feet up on the coffee table in front of me.
"What time is it?"
He looks at his watch. "11:59 … 12:00, Merry Christmas, Abby."
I open my eyes and smile at him, patting the couch next to me. He comes over and grasps my hand, showering a flowery kiss on each knuckle.
"Do you ever think about having a family someday?"
My heart skips a beat. Apparently, his thoughts have been on the same path as mine today. "Someday maybe. I suppose there's that feminine part of me that has always wanted to be a mother."
He releases my hand, reaching up with both of his hands to encircle my cheeks. "Really?"
I nod. "Someday."
He's quiet for a moment.
"If we had a baby …" he murmurs.
"And if it was bipolar …" I finish.
"Then we'd still love it no matter what. You know that, right?"
I nod again, closing my eyes and turning away from him.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know if I could go through that again. Eric, my mother … it's too much."
"It would be us, together, Abby. You wouldn't be alone. Besides, the chance of that actually happening is remote."
"There's still a chance. I'm a carrier."
"Hey." He turns my face to look at him. "I'm not Richard, I would love any baby that's ours. Promise me that you understand that."
I shake my head in affirmation, feeling the familiar sting of tears behind my eyelids.
"I'm tired, take me home." For now this conversation is over, he's not going to push it. For now.
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Ten minutes later, bundled in clothing and laden with our stuff, we're ready to leave.
"One more thing, Abby."
"What?"
Carter grabs me by the hands and pulls me over to the sink, right under the mistletoe. A smile spreads across his face and my cheeks go warm with anticipation as I elicit a playful giggle. Enveloping my face in his warm hands, he leans in places a passionate kiss on my lips which I eagerly reciprocate. Perfect timing too, as a whole slew of doctors and nurses, Malik included walk into the lounge, cheering and clapping.
"Now that is what I'm talking about, Carter man." Malik yells, whistling through his fingertips.
The lounge fills with the noise of their planned Christmas party; clinking glasses, food being opened and set up, conversations. Blushing wildly, I'm led by Carter out the side door and into the chilly night air.
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Thoughts, comments, criticisms? You tell me … I'd love to get some feedback and provided this is received well, I have some more parts written. Thanks!