Author's Notes: Due to the fact that there will no be no new ER episode until the 13 of March (I'm soooo sad!), I have decided to write. And write. So don't be surprised if this story gets about five new chapters. I think that I've decided to skip over the song part this chapter, simply because I don't know a good song that would fit here. Well, maybe not! I don't know!!! Thank you to those of you who have reviewed this fic. It means a lot to me. Also, because someone was kind enough to help me with my carat issue, Abby's engagement ring is 2 carats. Is that small enough? Anyway, here you go. This should be a fun and interesting chapter. The song That's When I Love You is performed by Phil Vassar and written by Phil Vassar and Julie Wood. I'm sorry that this took so long to get out. I was going to post last week but then the computer won't let me. (Sometimes I really don't like this new technology.). Anyway, enjoy!
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PART 5:
Abby's POV:
I open my eyes and stretch in bed. Carter's got a shift, so he's already left. I pull off the covers and pad into the bathroom. A shower should do me some good. As I'm waiting for the water to heat up, I smile as I take off my engagement ring. It's the most beautiful thing that I have ever seen and I have to stop sometimes and pinch myself just to make sure that this is real. But it is real and John Carter loves me. I step into the hot water and let the water wake me up.
Fifteen minutes later, I'm eating breakfast and the doorbell rings. Who the heck is that? I unlock the dead blot and open it to find a flower delivery boy with a huge bouquet of red roses.
"Are you Abby Lockhart?" he asks.
"Yes." I say as I continue to stare at the roses.
"These are for you." He says, offering the bouquet out to me.
"Thank you." I say as I take them and close the door. I set the bouquet down on the table and look for a card. I finally find it and open it to read:
Every time that I look at you,
I'm amazed by your beauty.
Every time that I hear you laugh,
I smile because I know that you are happy.
Every time that I see the tears running down your cheeks,
A piece of my heart breaks apart.
Every time we're together,
I wish that I could make the time stop.
Every time I say 'I love you',
I mean it from the bottom of my heart.
-All my love, Carter.
I feel tears forming in my eyes. Who ever knew that Carter was such a romantic? I glance down at my engagement ring and smile. But then I see my watch. Crap! I'm going to be late for work unless I get moving.
I tuck the card into my purse to put up in my locker and finish getting ready.
Carter's POV:
Susan and I are waiting for an ambulance to come when I see Abby walking towards us. As she gets closer, I stand up and smile. I quickly give her a gentle kiss, "Hey."
She smiles and pulls out the card that went with the roses that I sent her this morning, "I wanted to thank you for this."
I smile, "You're welcome. Did you like them?" I ask her.
"Did I like them? Carter, they take up half of my table!"
"Well, I'm glad that you like them." I say.
"What do you like, Abby?" Susan asks.
"Carter sent me a bouquet of roses this morning."
Susan smiles, "That's so sweet."
"I thought so." Abby says as she tucks a piece of hair behind her ear.
Abby's ring must have sparkled in the beautiful morning light because Susan looks at Abby with a surprised look on her face, "Is that what I think it is?"
"Oh, you mean this?" Abby says, playing with her ring.
I smile as Susan takes Abby's hand and looks at the diamond, "My God, this thing is huge! When did he propose?"
"Last night," Abby says, "You can hear the details later."
"I had better. Congratulations guys," Susan says as she hugs Abby and then turns to me, "Congrats, Carter. You know, I never figured that you would be the one to tie the knot."
"Thanks Susan," I say as the ambulance pulls into the bay. I turn to Abby, "I'll see you later?"
"Yeah. We've having lunch at 12, right?" she says, turning to head inside.
"Yeah, I'll meet you out here." I say as Susan calls me over, "I'll see you later."
As I watch her walk away, I smile. I love this woman with all my heart and soul and we've going to get married. Good God!
Abby's POV:
"Hey." A voice says from behind me as a pair of strong arms wrap around my waist.
"Hello." I say as I turn slightly and I lean forward to give him a kiss, "Let's go, I'm hungry."
"You're always hungry."
I laugh as I lace my fingers through his. I love being with him like this. Just us, no words needed to communicate, and okay…people rushing through but that's what living in Chicago is like!
As we head into the park to what has become our 'bench', I ask, "When are you off?"
"Four. You're off at five, right?"
"Yeah." I say as I sit down and Carter hands me a sandwich and a Coke.
"Good 'cause I was thinking that we could go out and then do something fun." He says as he takes a bite of his sandwich.
"Dinner sounds great. What do you want to do tonight?" I ask him as I start on my own sandwich.
"I don't care. You choose."
I take another bite and think for a minute, "How about bowling?"
"Bowling?" he asks as he looks at me.
"Yes, bowling. You said that I could choose and I want to go bowling."
"But seriously, Abby, bowling?"
"Carter, are you going to go bowling with me or not?"
"I'll go."
I smile, "Oh, come on. It'll be fun. Something new and different." I say as I open my Coke.
"Yeah right." He says.
I laugh. Tonight's going to be interesting.
Carter's POV:
I can't believe that she chose bowling. But like the good fiancé that I am, I'm here at the bowling alley while she gets shoes for us and gets our lane number. I look around to see people rolling the balls down the lane really fast. Abby had better not be a good bowler otherwise I'm going to get my butt whipped.
"Here you go. We've got lane number six." She says as she hands me my shoes.
After finding our lane and putting on our shoes, Abby puts in the names into the score board. "You want to go first?" I ask her.
"Why, are you too afraid to go near the ball?" she asks with a smile.
"No." Yes.
"Good. Then you can go first. I want to see what I'm up against."
I smile at her as I pick out a ball and figure out where the fingers go. I take a few steps forward and then bring my arm back as to roll the ball down the lane. As I'm about to release the ball, I feel the pressure that is against my fingers suddenly leave. I hear a crashing sound behind me and then a laugh. I turn around to see the ball on the ground and Abby is doubled over laughing. "For God's sake." I say as I pick up the ball.
She stops laughing long enough to say, "Your face…"
I turn around and smile. It's good to see her so happy. She doesn't smile all that much and I want to her to laugh. To be happy. She deserves that much after all of the hell that she's gone through in her life. She deserves to love and be loved back. I'm just happy that she found some one who loves her back. That person is me.
Abby's POV:
After a good couple of games, Carter announces that he's had enough and wants to go home. I think that it had to do with the fact that I'd thoroughly beaten him twice. I smile at him, "Thank you." I say to him.
"For what?" he asks as he unties his shoes.
"For doing this with me. Nobody ever really wanted to go bowling with me."
"Even though I got beaten, I had a good time. We have to do this again." He says, putting on his sneakers and grabbing my coat. He holds it out for me and I slip my arms through the arm slots. I feel him let go and I untuck my hair from beneath it.
"That we do." I say as I smile at him. I grab our shoes and then head up to the desk.
Fifteen minutes later, we're heading back to Carter's apartment when he takes my hand and laces his fingers through mine. I smile at him and then reach over and turn up the radio.
Carter looks over at me as I sing.
When I hear you stop and laugh out loud
When you're fallin' fast asleep
When you're in the middle of a crowd
When you're lyin' close to me
When I hear you softly say my name
When you're high and when you're low
When you don't need me to explain
'Cause you already know
When you smile that way
I know, every night and day.
That's when I love you, when I need you
When I care about you
That's when I know without a doubt
That I can't live without you
Everyday I find another reason
Every season we go through
And every little thing you do
That's when I love you.
He smiles at me, "I think that it's perfect for us, don't you?"
"Definitely," I say and lean over and kiss his cheek. This song is written just for Carter. With everything that he does, I fall more and more in love with him. When he's with a patient, easing their aches and pain; or when he's just with me, giving me so much attention, that's when I love him.
When you're drivin' in your car
When you dance and sing to the radio
When you're walkin' underneath the stars
Anywhere and everywhere you go
When you're dressed up or you're dressed down
When you're talkin' on the phone
With a million people all around
Or when you're all alone
When you're near, or you're far
You're in my heart no matter where you go
That's when I love you, when I need you
When I care about you
That's when I know without a doubt
That I can't live without you
Everyday I find another reason
Every season we go through
And every little thing you do
That's when I love you.
When you smile that way
I know, every night and day
That's when I love you, when I need you
When I care about you
That's when I know without a doubt
That I can't live without you
Everyday I find another reason
Every season we go through
And every little thing you do
That's when I love you.
That's when I love you, when I need you
When I care about you
That's when I know without a doubt
That I can't live without you
Everyday I find another reason
Every season we go through
And every little thing you do
That's when I love you.
That's when I love you.
END PART 5.