AN: Don't worry it is a Carby
The Other Side Of Never
Chapter Five
Two Weeks later at County
'Do you have any idea when Carter is likely to return Susan?' Kerry asked
''Never' butt in Frank
Susan and Kerry frowned at him.
'He's going to do some retainer type work in some small Montana hospital, they called last week about references' Susan told Kerry, as Kerry headed back towards the elevator.
'Has he found his one true love?' asked Jing-Mei sarcastically.
'Don't know' Susan replied 'didn't say, sounded more cheerful though'
'Must be all that fresh air up there' suggested Lydia
'Must be' said Susan
'So he's not coming back to Chicago for Thanksgiving?' Jing-Mei asked
'No' said Susan 'Look guys' she addressed everyone who stood at the admit desk. 'I spoke briefly to the hospital up there who wanted references and such and he called and said he was fine and well that was about it'
Disappointed with the lack of gossip they all changed the subject.
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Montana same day
'They invited me for Thanksgiving?' Carter asked surprised.
'Sure, they want to meet you. The kids keep talking about you'
'Really!' he paused 'Elise and Toby's grandparents, want me to go to their home for the day?'
She nodded 'Apparently'
He smiled 'Sure; I'd like to go' he said
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Thanksgiving night.
Carter sat in bed pondering over the day's events. Thanksgiving had been one of the most enjoyable he had had in a long time. He had found Bill and Marjorie Dirkiss oozing with warmth and generosity. They had arrived early in the morning as Abby had left all three of them at the Dirkiss place and then headed off to work.
'Stay Mommy' wailed Toby
'I'll be here later okay' Abby told him as she gave him a big hug 'and I get to have Christmas off'
'Lucky you' said Carter 'I somehow agreed to work an early shift'
'Ah but you're not working today' she replied
'That's because I haven't started there yet'
He grinned at her and took Toby from her arms as Marjorie opened the door and the quartet waved goodbye to Abby.
Carter had found Bill and Marjorie welcoming. The rest of the family which consisted of Nick's two older sisters with their families, a much younger single brother and a very ancient looking Aunt. Along with Elise and Toby there were about another half a dozen children ranging from early teens to tiny tots.
Carter thought he could understand why Abby liked the Dirkiss family so much. To Carter this family seemed 'normal', something he and Abby had not had as children. Carter still didn't know what had happened to Nick and was unsure whether or not to ask. There were a few pictures dotted around of him. A couple of the pictures were with Elise and one or two included Abby, who looked happy.
Was she happy now? She had appeared happy when she had returned from work later in the day. The kids were pleased to see her. If he was honest with himself, he had been too.
That was the trouble really, he loved her, still loved her had always been drawn to her and now was no exception. He had been dumb enough to dump her, thinking at time that it was for the best, for both of them. But the truth was he had done what he always accused her of doing. He ran away. From a difficult situation, the bad time which they were going through. It wasn't all Abby either although the drinking hadn't help, Eric either. Which came at the same time as his Grandmothers death and her will which left him in a situation that he had tried to avoid all his life. He was still stuck in a rut regarding the foundation, even now. He knew he couldn't stay here forever at some point there would be a problem and he would be expected to go and sort it out, whether it be in Boston, New York or Chicago.
What was done was done, he couldn't reverse the past, but he could influence the future, his future. He would stay here as long as he could. He knew he would have to talk to Abby, apologise for the past, and tell her about the last five or so years of his past, not that there was much to tell really.
Carter hoped that she would be more forthcoming than she had been, He ached to know what had happened to her since she left Chicago, so far she hadn't once mentioned Maggie or Eric the children hadn't either for that matter.
One thing was sure though, she was stronger than he was, stronger than she believed herself to be, otherwise she wouldn't be where she was now. There were so many unanswered questions, so many unasked questions between them. He knew he was being unreasonable to know everything already after all he had only been back in her life a few weeks. Abby had been generous enough to offer him a place to stay when he's needed it.
Abby appeared more relaxed now than she used to, happier than before, more self-assured. Maybe crashing into her life like this wasn't a good thing for her. Hell, he didn't know anything anymore. He was fed up of being alone and he had only really felt whole when he had been with Abby. Now, he was beginning to feel that way again.
Sleep was not favouring him tonight. Carter looked up at the ceiling, which needed painting, and the cracks needed filling too. He still didn't know what had possessed her to buy a house of this size, a rundown house at that which was five miles from town.
He got out his cell phone, the signal was poor but he managed to check his messages, there was one from his father saying he missed him at this time of year. He picked up a medical journal and started to read, the next thing he knew it was morning.
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