Chapter 8

Abby gripped her bright yellow sweater tightly as the nurse wheeled her down the hallway toward the elevator. "You know, I can walk." Abby smiled ruefully at the nurse in annoyance.

"You know the rules Abby," the nurse, who had no sense of humor, replied. "Is your boyfriend meeting you out front?"

Abby grimaced, "Not my boyfriend, Dr. Kovac." Luka offered to let Abby stay at his place until she was used to the crutches and was able to care for herself. While she and the baby were both fine, Abby was still in a great deal of pain from her broken leg and needed to adjust to life on crutches before moving back to her apartment.

"Well whatever, is he out front?" The nurse snapped her gum rudely at Abby and checked her watch for the fiftieth time since she loaded her into the wheelchair.

"I don't know, but I'll find him. You can go now Sandy, I'll be fine." Abby smirked as she watched the young nurse saunter back down the hall to the nurse's station, her open magazine blocking her view as she walked.

Abby wheeled herself into the waiting elevator and pressed the button down to the ER. The doors opened and Abby was confronted with the bustling scene of the trauma center she had grown so familiar with.

She was met with the smiling face of Susan Lewis. "Abby! I'm so glad you are feeling better. I can't believe you are going home not three days after you got smacked by that car. Here let me help you, Luka is just bringing his Jeep around." Susan began pushing Abby out of the ER and into the cold air of the winter morning.

Abby shivered beneath her thin sweater but loved the feeling of the crisp air on her skin. She had never been one to lie in bed at home and was feeling very claustrophobic being hospitalized for three whole days. She didn't know how she was going to manage the next five months laid up with a broken leg. She didn't ponder long however, because Luka's silver Jeep Grand Cherokee pulled up into the ambulance bay, pulling to a stop right in front of her and Susan.

He got out smiling and hurried over to help Abby from her wheelchair. Abby couldn't help but notice Luka was looking very cute in his tight black jeans and gray knit turtleneck as he gently grasped her under her armpits and pulled her up into a semi-standing position. Susan helped Luka guide Abby into the front seat of the Jeep and pull her seat belt on. She stood in the open doorway on Abby's side as Luka rounded over to the driver's side. "Have fun, but behave!" Susan smiled mischievously at Abby as she closed the door.

Abby shook her head smiling as Susan winked and headed back into the warm ER. She rubbed her hands on the fronts of her jeans, trying to warm them. Luka opened the door and smiled at her.

"Don't worry; the heater doesn't take long to warm up this beast." He started the sleek SUV, turning the heater up to full blast and pulled out of the hospital parking lot.

They rode in silence for a few minutes before Abby asked, "Are you sure you don't mind me staying with you? It isn't everyday you have a pregnant woman with a busted leg sleeping on your couch."

Luka laughed, "Of course not. Believe it or not, I get lonely in the apartment by myself. No matter what you think, fish aren't always the best company."

Abby laughed, "It has to be better than the hotel room you were living in way back when. That place was cold and creepy."

"Hey, I liked the hotel!" Luka protested, "but you are right, the apartment is much better. However, don't even think that you will be sleeping on the couch. There is no way I'm going to let you with a broken leg sleep on that thing. I've bought a futon which I will sleep on and you can have the bed."

Abby looked over at him in surprise. "Luka, you didn't have to do that! I'm a guest in your home; the couch is where I expected to sleep." Abby was touched by his kindness but felt uncomfortable that he was going through so much trouble to have her stay with him.

"Don't worry about it. I needed to get a futon for my guest room and besides, I'm the one who asked you to come and stay with me. The least I could do was let you sleep somewhere comfortable.

Abby suddenly felt warm inside knowing that Luka was so devoted to making her as welcome and as comfortable as possible in his home.

He looked over at her. "I've brought home some saline IV's and morphine so I can help you control the pain in your leg. Even though you feel okay now, the break you sustained will most definitely cause some severe pain that will need to be treated on a round the clock basis."

Abby nodded. "I know, right now I am full of painkillers but I'm sure they will wear off eventually. I'm just worried about the baby right now; I can handle the pain in my leg." She stroked her stomach softly and looked out the window, worry creasing her forehead.

"Right now Abby, the baby looks fine. Just hold onto that." Luka placed his hand over hers in a comforting gesture. "Don't worry, I'll not let anything happen to you or the baby."

Abby smiled and leaned her head into the headrest, closing her eyes.