a/n-I haven't updated this in ages and ages. First there was Christmas and then I got banned from uploading anything for a week (my ode to flamers had to be removed from the site coz I was naughty and broke the rules. If you missed out on reading it e-mail me at cutecarrie2@hotmail.com and I'll send you a copy). I resisted my big urge to use the song 'little by little' in this chapter, because although it's a brilliant song and stuck in my head, sadly it has no relevance to the story at hand. I missed out on a Christmas chapter, but this is a New Year one. As always please R&R, I'm sorry that this is a really bad chapter!!!!! Also, if any of you have ideas for the baby's name, tell me, bearing in mind that it's a boy!

*set soon after the previous chapter so Abby is still 6 months pregnant*

Abby sat by the river alone, listening to the silence. She pulled a cigarette out of her bag and was about to light it, when she felt a familiar hand on her shoulder,

'You know smoking isn't recommended for pregnant women,' Carter said, as he went to sit beside her.

'So you've been telling me for the past 6 months,'

'I'm just looking out for you and the baby,'

'Sometimes it sucks to be married to a doctor,'

'And of course at other times being the wife of a doctor is the most wonderful thing in the world,'

'Especially when the doctor in question is rich,'

'Gold-digger.'

'Rich kid.' She smiled as she leant her head on his shoulder, sometimes their playful banter could be the best thing in the world. He wrapped his arms around her and she cuddled closer to him, taking in his warmth as a refuge from the cold.

'Ready to go home?' he asked her, as he smiled.

'Let's stay here for a bit longer,'

'Okay,'

'And then we can go buy some cookies on the way home,' she playfully punched his arm as he laughed.

Later Carter and Abby were at home, eating cookies and pizza. Carter glanced over to the clock, seeing that it was 11pm.

'Just an hour to go until the new year,' he said, with a mouthful of pizza.

'Don't talk while you eat Carter,'

'Sorry mom,'

'Oh I'm your Mom now, am I?'

'Yup,'

'Well I don't think it was very charitable of you to get your 'Mom' pregnant,'

'Now that would be incest,'

'Just what I want to talk to my husband about,'

'Would it be okay if I kissed my wife?'

'Finish eating that pizza first Carter,'

By eleven forty-five Abby was lying with her head on Carter's lap,

'Fifteen minutes,' he said to her, stroking her hair,

'And we're gonna greet the new year in with tomato juice,'

'Yup,'

'I hate tomato juice,'

'So do I,'

'Do we actually have any tomato juice?'

'No.' Carter said, causing Abby to start giggling.

At eleven fifty-nine they were still in the same position and were watching the clock.

'Ten seconds,' Carter said, grabbing a slice of pizza.

'9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Happy new year John.'

'Happy new year Abby.' Carter said, before leaning towards her and kissing her. The new year was going to be the best year of both of their lives.