***Disclaimer: We don't own anything.***

***Author's Note: This takes place in the restruarant during A Thousand Cranes. The first part begins in 2007.

Co-written by Starbright.

How We Got Here

Chapter 1

2007

Abby and Carter were sitting in their living room with their daugther sitting next to them. Abby and Carter both smiled at their daugther. They both thought that this would never happened, but it did, they had been married for 3 years. Megan went and sat down on Abby's lap. Abby smiled at her 2 year old daugther, Megan. Abby then turned to face Carter.

"I remember the first time you propose to me," Abby smiled as she thought about it.

"You said no," Carter said as he put his arms around Abby. Abby then started to think about 4 years ago when it all started and how they got to where they are now.

Flashback to 2003

"Abby, I know this is kind of a surprise, but I have grown so close to you this last year and I don't know what we would have done without each other, and I don't ever want to find out. Abigail Lockhart, will you do me the great honor in becoming my wife?" Carter asked as he got down on one knee in front of Abby's chair. She gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. Was he proposing to her? She wondered.

"I... Oh my... Carter," she began softly moving her hand from her mouth.

"Abby, will you marry me?" Carter asked as he looked up at her. Abby looked at him with the ring in his hands.

"I....I," Abby studdered. Carter frowned slightly.

"Abby?" he asked, confused.

"I'm sorry. I can't," Abby cried softly. She stood up and ran out of the empty restraurant. Carter stood up as he watched her leave. He frowned. What was wrong? She was the one that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, there was no one else for him, he thought she loved him, but maybe he was wrong. He sighed and placed the ring in his pocket. He looked at their table and he hit one of the nicely folded napkins on the table. He walked out of the restraurant and started to walk to his car more confused than ever. He needed to find Abby, and find out what happened.

***

I can't believe that he proposed to me. I want to say yes, but just can't, not after what happened with Richard. I know John loves me and I love him very much, but just can't do that. . I don't know what to think anymore. My mom and Eric need me! Abby thought to herself as walked along the waterfront. Why did Carter have to propose to me, I'm so confused, just when I thought our realtionship was going well, he had to do this. She started to cry, as she sat down on the couch. What am I going to do?

***

Carter looked everywhere for Abby when suddenly he realized exactly where she would be. He thought to himself as he saw Abby sitting on the bench. He saw her crying. He went up to her, and put his hand on her shoulder.

"It is going to be okay," he said. He needed to know why she wouldn't marry him, but right now all he cared about was that she was okay. Abby jumped and stood and turned around to meet Carter's eyes.

" John," she said shocked that he was standing in front of her. She didn't think that he would want anything to do with her after she rejected, but he was here making sure she was okay. Maybe I was wrong, maybe he is nothing like Richard, and marrying him would be exactly what she needed.

"John, I'm sorry," she said as he sat down next to her. Carter took a hold of her hand.

"Tell me what is wrong," Abby looked up at Carter. He was everything to her, how could she tell him that she was scary to marry him. She took a deep breath.

"This has something to do about what happened back at the restaurant," Carter asked. She looked at him,and smiled slightly.

"Abby, it was my fault I shouldn't have rush you like that, we haven't ever dated for a year,"

" Carter.. it is not that," she said.

"Then what is it?"

To be continued.