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

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author's note: Nothing notable for the author to say, so on with the Chapter...

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter Five

A cool autumn breeze tugged at Abby's pony tail as she walked through the ambulance bay.

She smiled at Susan Lewis, sitting on the bench enjoying the waning rays of the afternoon.

Susan looked up at her approach, a wide grin on her face. "Well, if it isn't the blushing bride."

A frown creased Abby's brow. "He told you?"

At Susan's nod, Abby frowned harder. "We were going to tell people together."

"I forced him to tell me why he had that goofy grin on his face." Susan shrugged in apology. "It was starting to make some of the patients uncomfortable."

"And how many people have you told?"

"None..." Susan looked away as her voice trailed off, but then she admitted guiltily, "Okay, one. I was just so excited that I told Jerry."

"You told Jerry? We don't even need to put an announcement in the paper, now."

Susan had the decency to look sheepish, but it didn't last long and she stood up to follow Abby into the hospital.

"Are you gonna show me the ring? Knowing Carter's family it's gotta be..."

Abby held up her hand.

"Wow."

"I know."

"Too bad you and Carter were already together when I came back to Chicago."

Abby stopped in front of the door to the Staff Lounge, but before she could respond, the door opened and she was pulled into the break area by Lydia, Randi, and Jing-Mei.

"Tell us all about it." Haleh lead her toward the table. "Details girl, we want details."

"Did you set the date?" Randi asked.

Jing-Mei sat down. "What type of gown are you going to wear?"

"Where's the honeymoon gonna be?"

"Ladies, you're getting ahead of yourselves." Susan held up Abby's hand. "Don't forget the Carter jewels."

Randi's gum snapped as she stared at the ring. "That's some rock."

"Those are some rocks, plural." Jing-Mei corrected her.

"Wow," Lydia breathed.

"That's what I said." Susan pulled up a chair and joined the other women at the table. "Now, Abby, dish."

Abby opened her mouth to start answering their questions but was interrupted when Michael Gallant strode in, heading toward his locker.

He seemed unaware of their presence, but apparently the feel of five pairs of eyes on his back was enough to make him turn around. He gave them a questioning look. "What's going on?"

Susan answered first. "I'm on break."

"I'm on my way home." said Lydia.

Jing-Mei grabbed a disposable cup off the counter. "I'm getting some coffee."

"I'm pumping Abby for wedding details." said Randi.

"Who's getting married?" Gallant asked, and then saw the ring on her finger -- surprised that he hadn't noticed it upon first entering the room considering its size -- and rephrased his question, "You and Dr. Carter are getting married?"

Abby nodded, a smile spreading across her face. She couldn't help it. Even though they were in the middle of discussing the wedding, the fact that she was actually marrying John Carter was kind of a pleasant shock to get used to.

"Congratulations to both of you." he returned to his locker and quickly exchanged his jacket for lab coat and stethoscope. "I'll let you ladies get back to what you were doing."

"I have to get to work, too." Abby said, looking at her watch. "You'll get all the details you want when Carter and I send out invitations."

"At least we're invited." Lydia patted Abby's hand as she stood. "Congratulations, Abby."

"Yeah, congrats, Abby." Randi snapped her gum, she giving the bride-to-be a smile.

"And don't forget that we'll be throwing your bachelorette party." Jing-Mei added.

Haleh placed a motherly hand on her shoulder. "We're glad to see you're happy. But," she lowered her voice conspiratorially, "you just let us girls know if he makes you unhappy."

~~~~~~~~~~~~