Something to Cherish
an ER-based fan fiction
by: Joycelyn Solo

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Author's note: I'm pleased as punch that everyone seems to be enjoying this endeavor so much. The reviews have been great and I only hope that I can keep writing to your expectations.

Disclaimer: ER and characters all belong to someone far more talented -- and richer -- than me. This story is meant for the amusement enjoyment of fans such as myself.

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Chapter Three

"Madam? Master John has arrived."

Millicent Carter looked up from the book she held in her lap and acknowledge Alger. "Thank you. Please tell my son and his wife that dinner will commence shortly."

As the butler turned away, Millicent couldn't' help the wide smile that spread across her elegant features. The smile had become a near-constant fixture since her grandson, named for her dear late husband like her son before him, had informed her of his plans to ask for Abby's hand in marriage. She was almost as excited as she had been when the first John Carter proposed to her.

And when John asked for her help in surprising Abby, Millicent couldn't fight the schoolgirl glee she felt. It was no secret that she was never entirely pleased with her son's choice of bride, but the Carter matriarch couldn't have chosen better for her grandson.

Abby Lockhart was an intelligent and independent woman who didn't back down from any fight or shy away from pulling her weight. In fact, she reminded Millicent of another Carter-bride-to-be.

Abby was everything she could have wanted for her grandson and she looked forward to welcoming the young woman to the family.

Leaving the study, Millicent sighed inwardly as her son, Jack, came from the library and his wife, Eleanor, descended the stairs. Even when they were both in the same room, rarely were her son and daughter-in-law "together." She could only hope that neither of them would do anything to taint John's chance at happiness.

"Good evening, Mother." Jack greeted, kissing his mother on the cheek. "I take it my wayward son and his guest have arrived?"

Millicent shrugged delicately, her face not betraying anything as she offered her arm for her son to lead her to the dining room.

* * *

Abby looked down at the ring on her finger and back up at the man who had given it to her. She really couldn't believe how much had happened in the last hour -- disbelieving that it had only been that long since John had blindfolded her and taken her to the Museum.

As she entered the dining room on his arm, she could tell by the less-than-discreet smile on Millicent Carter's face that she knew exactly why John had been late to dinner.

And, judging by the dour expressions on both his parents' faces, Abby could tell they had no idea what their son had been up to.

After seating Abby, John walked around the table, kissing both Gamma and his mother on the cheek, before taking his place across the table.

"Isn't this nice?" Millicent asked, breaking the silence that descended onto the table. "The family together for an evening meal."

"A late evening meal." Jack amended, a mild hint of humor affecting his voice as he looked pointedly at his son.

"Speaking of family, actually," John said, standing as he spoke. "I would like to say something before we begin eating."

Eleanor and Jack looked at him expectantly. Millicent looked at Abby and smiled warmly.

"Gamma. Mom. Dad." he began, locking eyes with Abby as he addressed his family. "Tonight I asked Abby to marry me."

He looked expectantly at his parents.

They returned his stare before fixing their attention on Abby and, more importantly, the ring she wore.

"I assume from the presence of your grandmother's ring on her finger, Abby has accepted." Eleanor stated, her gaze touching momentarily on Millicent.

Ignoring the ice in his mother's tone, John smiled widely. "Much to my surprise, yes, Abby accepted."

Hiding his shock -- and trying to cover for his wife's lack of etiquette -- Jack Carter announced, "This calls for celebration. Alger --"

Before he was able to finish his request, the faithful Carter butler appeared at his elbow with a bottle of chilled champagne.

"You knew about this, Millicent?" Eleanor asked, more accusation than question in her voice.

Millicent didn't bother to keep the pleased smile from her face.

"John," Jack announced as he stood with a glass of champagne in his hand. "I wish you and Abby all the happiness that marri --" he looked at his wife and decided to rephrase his toast, "-- that life can bless you with. Congratulations."

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