AN: This is a short chapter compared to the previous one, sorry it's just the way it goes. Thank you for reviewing, I appreciate your comments.
The Other Side Of Never
Chapter Seven
January 2010
'They're in here' Marjorie led Carter into the large kitchen where Elise and Toby were drawing.
'What are you making?' he asked
'Birthday cards, for Mom' Elise told him
'Well' he said inspecting them 'They look great, shall we go and buy her a present?'
'Grandma usually takes us shopping for Mom' Elise told him
''But I have some things I need to do today, so John will take you this time' Marjorie said to them whilst giving Carter a reassuring smile.
'Okay' said Toby climbing off his chair to get ready
'Coming' said Elise reluctantly.
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They had been walking round the shops a while Carter had taken them to a couple of places he need to go for his gift to Abby and now they were searching for something special for Elise and Toby to give her.
'Up' said Toby moving in front of Carter his arms raised.
Carter sighed and picked him up.
'So' Carter said to Elise 'What have I done?'
She looked up at him frowning 'Nothing'
'Doesn't seem like nothing, you haven't wanted to talk to me lately'
'It's just stuff'
'What kind of stuff? Here lets grab a soda and you can tell me'
'I don't want a drink' she replied
'Well I do and if we sit down for a bit Toby can have a rest and then I won't have to carry him'
'You should have bought the stroller'
'Where does Mom keep it?'
'In the car'
Carter looked at her 'You could have told me this morning'
Elise just shrugged.
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They sat at a table of a busy cafe with their drinks.
'So' Carter said to Elise 'Tell me'
'I know, I saw'
'What?' he asked
'I asked Mom, she told me'
'About what?'
'You and Mom'
'Oh, you don't want me to date your Mom?'
'You haven't been on a date'
'Well no'
'I saw you kissing...... in the kitchen'
'That upset you?'
She shrugged and said 'No... It's just...'
'You're not used to your Mom with a guy?'
'A bit. I don't remember my Dad anymore'
'You have lots of pictures'
'But I don't remember him' she shook her head mournfully
'That makes you sad'
She nodded. Carter bit his bottom lip as he tried to think of something to say to make this little girl feel better.
'I never knew my.... Jodie' she said
'I know, but Abby really loves you the same as she loves Toby'
Elise nodded 'I love her too'
'Me too and that's why we're going to sort this out'
'I'm okay, I just don't want you to go' she finally admitted
'I'm not going anywhere'
'You might' the child answered 'People leave'
'Not right now. If I have to go away I'll talk to you guys first okay' he told them.
Elise smiled and nodded 'Okay...... You know what?'
'What?' Carter asked
'I feel hungry now'
'You do?' he answered
'Yeah'
'You mean I have to splurge out on ice cream'
She nodded smiling and Toby squealed with glee.
'Okay but don't tell Mom I gave you ice cream before dinner'
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10th January 2010
'I don't know if a surprise birthday is such a good idea' Carter told Marjorie as they gathered in Elise and Toby's grandparents' home.
'Get away, it's only the six of us, including Abby' she replied 'She'll be fine'
'Okay guys she's just pulled up' Bill told them coming into the room. He put his finger to his lips and said 'Ssshh'
Toby was jumping up and down on the sofa; Marjorie picked him up and tried to quieten him down a bit.
Bill went and answered the door and ushered Abby inside.
He whispered in her ear 'The kids have planned something special for your birthday'
'Okay' she mouthed back smiling.
She opened the lounge door and the kids yelled out happy birthday, Marjorie embraced her in a warm hug and Carter stood by the food looking goofy. They all had fun eating all the food and birthday cake Marjorie and the kids had cooked.
Then Elise said 'Present time', she led Abby to a chair and Toby resented her with an odd looking gift.
'Wow, this looks pretty' she said as she examined the wrapping pretending to give it a little shake.
'Don't shake it' said Elise alarmed.
'Sorry' Abby replied as she unwrapped it gingerly. She was surprised to find a mottled pink vase.
'I chose it' said Elise proudly, who was very into pink.
'Thank you it's lovely' Abby told her and she gave then both a kiss.
'Here, nothing very interesting' said Marjorie giving Abby an envelope. 'Go out and treat yourself'
'Thanks' Abby said opening the envelope to find some money.
Marjorie, Bill, Elise and Toby all looked up at Carter who was still picking at the food.
'Skipped lunch' he replied with a mouthful, trying to swallow it quickly. He took a square box out of his pocket and gave it to Abby. 'Happy Birthday' he said.
Inside the box was an oval shaped locket; she looked at him quizzically.
'Open it' he said softly.
Opening it she found a really cute picture of Elise and Toby together and room on the other side for another picture.
'You can use the other side for who ever you wish' he told her
'It's really beautiful' she replied, kissing him on the cheek, not feeling she could show her complete appreciation in front of everyone. 'Thank you'
'We had the picture taken last week when we went shopping with Carter' Elise told everyone.
'Oh that's what you did. I just thought you went to have ice cream' Abby said smirking.
'You told I bought ice cream' Carter said to the kids devastated that they had been caught out.
They both shook her heads.
'They had streaks of chocolate and strawberry down their clothes Carter' Abby said
'Oh' he replied sheepishly
'It's okay' she said smiling 'Thanks guys, all of you, you have really made my day'
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