Disclaimer: I do not own the original ER characters, however I have made up a few of my own

Apprehension: Giving Your Blessing

~*~*~*~*~*~

"If I go another day without seeing a patient like that, I'll be perfectly fine," Susan said as she shrugged out of her lab coat before entering the lounge.

"Surprise!" Everyone shouted as Susan and Carter stepped in. While Susan was shocked, Carter started laughing.

"What is this?" Susan asked.

"Baby shower. Belated wedding shower," Abby suggested.

"Wedding shower? But I'm not," Susan started.

"Mysterious trips to Hawaii. Diamond rings. It shows all the signs," Chuny said.

Susan blushed. "I was waiting for the right time," she said.

"Congrats," Deb said hugging her friend. Carter stepped away and grabbed his stuff out of his locker. Within seconds he disappeared from the room, on route to his own house.

"Where's Carter?" Abby asked suddenly.

"Probably went home. Why?" Susan asked.

"We all assumed he would want to help you open all the presents," Pratt said.

"Okay, now I'm the confused one." She set her plate down, laying a reassuring hand on her stomach. "Did you guys think that Carter and I eloped?"

"'It's obvious you two have a thing for each other. You were all over each other and then you were fighting and then back together, right before you found out you were pregnant. He gave you a ring and then you guys disappeared," Haleh said.

"Wait, this was not what we agreed," Abby said.

"And it's not true. Carter never gave me a ring. And to stop the other rumors, he's not the father of my baby," Susan said.

"Then who did you marry?" Abby asked.

"Chuck. It's more like re-marry and he is my baby's father."

"That's something to celebrate," Deb said.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Hey," Abby said walking onto the roof to find Carter looking out onto the city.

"Aren't you off?" he asked.

"Yeah. Didn't feel like going home."

He'd been continually distant at work. His flirtation and jokes with Susan died down and any non-work conversation faltered. He was rude or pushy to anyone, but he wasn't friendly with them either. He got the work done and then he left. The ER use to be his home. All his friends were there, his life was there. Suddenly that wasn't happening anymore and Abby felt lonely. She wanted her best friend back.

"Why? Problems with Andrew?" he asked.

She shrugged. "Susan had the baby."

"I know. I videotaped it. Beautiful baby boy. As I predicted."

"I heard he's being named after his God Father." Carter didn't respond. "So, Andrew proposed to me last night."

"Congratulations."

"I haven't answered him yet."

"Why not?"

"For the longest time the only person who made me happy was you. So many times I go back and wish I could do things differently so we'd still be together."

"Let me help you with your decision. I'm not coming back. I will always love you but I've made my decision. I'm not making the same mistake twice."

"I want to marry Andrew. I just want us to be clear. Especially when it comes to Adam."

"So you've waited this long and now you want to tell me."

"John, I was never certain."

"I was. From the day I looked into that little boy's eyes, I knew he was mine. And I'm not letting you make the decisions. Harper wouldn't let me near my daughter. But Adam isn't the same. I want involvement. I want him to know his father. I've already missed so much."

"I would never deny you that," she said.

"I'm glad." He remained silent for a few minutes. "Andrew deserves you. He doesn't have the baggage. I think we both realized that was a bad idea. I'll love you forever. But we make better friends than lovers," he admitted.

"It means a lot to me that I have you blessing."

"You too. Just treat him right. Trust him. And love him, unconditionally," Carter said.

"When you find her, you do the same," she said before wrapping her arms around his waist. She felt him breathe a sigh of relief. Things turned out okay.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Author's Note: That's the end. Let me know what you think. I'm not sure when I'll start, probably after some of my others are further along, but I'm planning on doing a sequel. Let me know what you think. Thanks for reading.