That night Carter arrived home to find Abby lying in the bath. The look on her

face told him she hadn't had a good day. He hadn't seen her all day. He had

spent all day upstairs in a meeting with all the heads of departments. Her

eyes were red and puffy. Why had she been crying? All he wanted to do was

take her into his arms and wipe away all her hurt. If only she would let him in

completely. "What's the matter gorgeous?"

"Maggie showed up at the hospital today. She and Eric are away to

Disneyland. She wanted me to go with them. Do you know what that

means?" Abby looked him straight ion the eye. She looked so serious but yet

so hurt at the same time. Carter shook his head and let her continue. "They

are both of the meds. I told her to go. I can't cope anymore John." Abby's

guard finally dropped and she burst into tears. This had been a long time

coming. Carter helped her out the bath, wrapping her in a huge white bath

sheet. Instead of moving anywhere he sat down on the tiled floor and cuddled

her body to his. He didn't care that she was wet, he just wanted to be there

for her, like he had told her, he wasn't going anywhere.

A few hours later he had finally managed to get her into bed and she

had fallen asleep almost as soon as her head had landed on the pillow. He

just watched her as she slept. She looked so much like an angel. He was so

mad at Maggie. How could anyone do this to their daughter? Abby had done

everything for both Maggie and Eric and this was how Maggie was repaying

her.

"Abby, it's time to get up." John gently shook her awake. He was so

reluctant to. It was the first night she had slept through for a long time.

She opened her eyes and the first thing she saw was his face smiling down on

her. She couldn't help but smile back. "Morning." She said as she stretched

and yawned. "Thank you for last night."

He knew she meant it. "I told you, I'll always be here for you."