Author's Note:  Thanks so much for the positive reviews.  I hope you like this chapter as well!

Abby was curled up dozing in the chair when Carter walked into Max's room.  She looked so peaceful when she was sleeping.  I can't believe that we are going to have a baby together.  My life has never felt so right.  Carter picked up Max's chart as Elizabeth walked in the room.  She saw that Abby and Max were asleep so she whispered:

"Carter."  He turned around, surprised that she was there.

"How did the surgery go?" he asked.  He knew that Abby felt deeply involved in this case and would want to know the moment she woke up.

"He lost a lot of blood and we almost lost him a couple of times.  I'm not sure he'll even wake up," she said.  I'll check on him later.  He can be extubated when he wakes up."  Elizabeth made a quick note on the chart and left.  Carter pulled an empty chair close to Abby.  Maybe I'll just close my eyes for just a minute…

~*~

            Abby opened her eyes saw Carter asleep in the chair.  She looked over at Max and saw that he was still asleep.  She stood up, stretched, and walked over to Max's bed.  She didn't know how long she had been asleep.  She looked down as Max started to move his head.

            "Max, it's Abby.  Can you open your eyes for me?" she asked him.  She held his hand trying to get him to wake up.  Carter heard her talking and woke up.  Finally Max opened his eyes.  "Don't try to talk, sweetie.  There's a tube in your mouth to help you breathe but it means you can't talk.  Dr. Carter will take it out in a minute," Abby reassured him.  He squeezed her hand as Carter prepared to take the tube out.  He eased to the tube out and Max started to cough.  Abby poured him some water and he silently began to drink it.  When he had stopped coughing he looked at Abby.

            "Where's my mom and dad?" he asked innocently.  "Where's Julia?"  Abby knew that it was time that he knew the truth.  She pulled a chair close to his bed and continued to hold his hand.

            "Max, you were in a very bad car accident.  We, um, rushed your parents, Julia, and you to the hospital.  We had the best doctors in the hospital helping your parents.  We gave them all of the best medications," she told him, knowing they hadn't lived long enough to make it to the ER.  "We did everything that we could but your mommy and daddy died."  She worked to keep the tears back and she could tell that this was hard for Carter as well.

            "When are they coming back?" he asked Abby.  She couldn't keep the tears back anymore.

            "They're not coming back sweetie," she said.

            "Mommy and Daddy…I want my Mommy and Daddy!" Max said, crying.  It hurt Abby to see him so upset.  All he wanted was his parents back and that was something that she couldn't give him.  Abby and Carter stayed by his side until he calmed down.

            "Where (sniff) are Julia and (sniff) I going to live?" he asked, still trying to stop crying.

            "I don't know but we'll find you a good place to live with people who will love and take good care of you," she said.

            "Abby, (sniff) will you be my new (sniff) mommy?" he asked.  Abby was speechless.  She looked at Carter, then back at Max.

            "Why don't you rest and we'll figure out what happens next, okay?" she said.

            "Okay, (sniff) Abby," Max said, squeezing her hand.  Abby gently let go of his hand when he fell asleep.  Abby walked out of the room with Carter right behind her.

            "What are we going to do, John?" she asked him.

            "What do you mean, what are we going to do?  We'll call social services and let them handle it.  Maybe they have some relatives that can take care of them," he said.

            "They have nobody.  Their parents were their whole world.  They're all alone," she said.  Carter pulled her close.  He wanted to protect her from any hurt.

            "Why don't you go home and get some rest.  I'll stay with Max and check on Julia in a little bit," he suggested.

            "That's okay.  I'm on tomorrow," she said, glancing at her watch.  "Actually I'm on today in about four hours.  I think I'll check on Julia and maybe get a cup of coffee."

            "I'll stay here with Max.  Corday said that they almost lost him but since he woke up he might be okay," Carter said.  Abby started to walk away and said:

            "Okay, I'll talk to you later."

            "What, No kiss?  You're going to leave me without a –" Carter was cut off when Abby reached up to kiss him.  The kiss lasted several seconds.  Finally Abby pulled away and Carter was speechless.  "Wow, I forgot what a good kisser you were."  He reached to kiss her again but Abby pulled away.

            "I think that our kissing has already got us in enough trouble," Abby said, placing her hand on her stomach.  "Plus, I need to go see how Julia is doing."  Abby walked away.  I think I made the right decision.  I really love him.  I want to marry him – I think.

Let me know what you think and if this story is worth continuing!  Have a good ER day!