Mother Dear

A/N: Review and tell me that you think

DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything.

~*~

Abby had taken to wondering around the mansion when Ashley was at school and Carter at work.  Her stomach felt fine and being cooped up in the room – however large and luxurious it was – was driving her squirrelly.  

She opened the door to Ashley's room and looked at the toys that were strewn across the floor.  Carter had taken her shopping for clothes and toys and pretty much anything the little girl wanted.  Abby knew the little girl would never quite be satisfied living in their small apartment building again, but still, she was happy to see Carter and Ashley getting along so nicely.

A week ago, she had been jealous and spiteful when Ashley had started to spend time with Carter, but as she began to accept the fact that Carter was the girl's father and was entitled to as much time as he wanted with his daughter, she found herself delighting in watching the two of them scampering around in the yard, flipping pancakes (Ashley had looked so cute with flour all over her face) and watching videos, Ashley's small figure spread across her parents' laps.

She and Carter had also started to become much more at ease in each other's presence.  They had talked for hours last night, about nothing in particular.  Carter had lain beside her in the bed, on top of the covers, his socked feet reaching out nearly a foot past hers and they had talked until both their voices had been hoarse and it was well past midnight. 

She was still puzzled over their relationship, not sure whether they were merely friends or a couple.  They hadn't succumbed to their physical desire for one another since the night that Ashley had walked in on them kissing.  She was frightened that it would turn out to be just that: physical desire, and nothing more.  And so, she and Carter talked and re-introduced each other to the other's life and they spend hours a day together, but they hadn't reached a point in their relationship where they were ready to go any further.

Abby didn't know whether she was happy with this or not.  She loved talking to Carter, she had never found anyone with whom she could open up so easily, but at the same time, she did lust after him and her heart still fluttered when his arm brushed against hers accidentally and when she caught him staring at her before he quickly refocused his gaze. 

~*~

Dinner that evening was an affair.  Apparently, Carter had instructed the staff to make a feast in honor of Abby's last night at the mansion.  Abby, while pleased that he had been so thoughtful, was not excited to leave.  Nor, she could tell, was Ashley.

The little girl remained unnaturally silent throughout the start of the meal staring at Carter sadly.

"You're still going to see me," he reassured her, "You can come over whenever you want."

"But it won't be the same," she moaned, upset, "I like having all of us together."  Abby watched them interact quietly and she felt strangely guilty. 

"I'm sure your mother will let you sleep over sometime," Carter said firmly, looking at Abby.  Abby nodded.

"Whenever you want, Ashley."

"But I want all of us here together," she said again, whining.

"Ashley, we can't always have what we want.  We have an apartment that is filled with all of our things.  That's our home, Ashley.  I know you've had fun here, but you knew it would only be for a week and a half." Ashley looked devastated and Abby and Carter exchanged worried glances.

"I don't want to go back," the little girl said firmly, "and you can't make me."

"Ashley Rose Carter, don't pull an attitude with me," Abby said, warning in her tone.  This was the first time Carter had ever seen Abby even remotely upset with the girl.  Ashley sulked into her seat and Abby looked pained.  She hated getting upset at Ashley, but she didn't want to have to deal with this.  She didn't want to leave either, and it seemed unfair to make Ashley suffer through something that she didn't want to happen either.  Unfortunately, Carter seemed unaware of all of this, as he remained quiet.

"Pass the potatoes, please," Abby said to Carter and he handed them to her quietly, "Ashley don't play with your food," Abby said turning her attention to the little girl who was making stick fingers on her plate with her asparagus.

"I don't want to go back home," the little girl whined again, "Why do we have to go back home?  I like it better here."

"We can't always have what we want," Abby repeated.  Carter was watching them both sadly.  There was nothing he wanted more than to invite his family to live with him, but he was hesitant.  He didn't know how Abby would take it.

They all ate in silence for a little while, Ashley still sulking and Abby trying to eat left-handedly.

"Well," Carter declared, trying to brighten the mood, "this is good.  I'll have to ask the cook what it is." Neither Ashley nor Abby responded.

"Look," Carter said finally, "I don't want my two favorite girls leaving my house so upset."

"I don't want to leave, Daddy," Ashley said, appealing to her father now, having given up on her mother.  Carter did want them to stay.  There was nothing he wanted more right at this moment.  He thought for sure that Abby would strangle him for suggesting it and getting the girl's hopes up, but he suggested it anyway.

"Well," he said finally, looking cautiously at Abby, "I don't mind if you stay as long as your mother agrees."  Abby fumbled and her fork clattered against her plate loudly.  She cleared her throat and looked at Carter.

"What?"

"You can stay," he said, surprised with Abby's reaction.  He knew she had been thinking about it, why did she sound so surprised.

"Just like that?" Abby said, amazed.

"Just like that," Carter said with a grin.  They looked at each other, their eyes communicating far more clearly than their mouths ever could.

"Just like that," Abby repeated softly.  She looked at the girl who was sitting by her side staring up at Abby, her eyes pleading for her mother to agree.  Abby smiled at her.  She didn't know why she didn't answer right away, she had wanted this.  Of course, this did put certain finality on the whole situation.  What would people say when they knew that Abby had moved in with Carter?  She brushed off her doubts and her smile widened. 

"Okay," she said finally and the little girl squealed with delight, "but I don't know what we're going to do with the apartment and all our stuff and –"

"Don't worry," Carter cut her off, "I'll deal with it."  Her eyes were thanking him much more profusely than her mouth ever would be able to and she felt her heart flutter lightly again as he smiled happily at her.

"Thank you," he muttered gratefully.  Ashley was looking from Carter to Abby expectantly.

"Well," she urged them, "Aren't you going to kiss again?"  Carter and Abby laughed out loud and Abby felt her ears turned to pink.

"Uh, no," she said to her daughter with a grin as she tore her gaze away from Carter and turned her attention back to her food.

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