I picked the stuffed dog off the couch and held it up. "Should I take this to her?" I asked. I studied Carter's face carefully. He never talked to me about his brother and I was hoping he would now. But he just shook his head.

"Don't wanna risk waking her up," he said, grinning. Annie had fallen asleep and we had put her to bed in the guest room.

I plopped onto the couch. "I never realized that kids were so in tune with what's going on around them. I thought kids were totally clueless as to what adults are thinking and feeling."

Carter sat down next to me. "No, they're really perceptive about that stuff." He paused, obviously upset about something. Then he continued. "She knows I didn't love Jessica," he said.

"Did you tell her that?" I asked.

"No. She just knows. And when she's old enough to understand what that means, she'll hate me for it."

I place my hand on Carter's knee. "Well, explain the whole thing," I said. "Tell her that you only married Jessica because she was going to have your baby."

Carter laughed. "That'll make it worse." He turned his head towards me and our eyes met. He smiled. "Maybe she'll just forget," he said, leaning in to kiss me.

I lay down on the couch and he followed. But something made him break away from me. "What's wrong?" I asked, my arms still encircling his neck.

"Did you mean what you said to Annie?" he asked. "Do you love me?"

He looked so scared and vulnerable that I couldn't help but laugh.

"Are you paranoid, Dr. Carter?" I teased.

"Abby, come on . . ."

"Of course I meant it you jerk!" I smacked him playfully on the arm.

"Then say it again," he said.

I rolled my eyes. "This is like some sort of weird role reversal," I said. "Either that or you're just actually turning into a woman."

This made him smile. I took his face in my hands and kissed. "I love you, John Carter," I said. "I love you."

"I love you, too." He pulled me up and led me to the bedroom. There are very few people who can make you truly happy just by standing in front of you but John Carter is one of them. And he wanted to be with me. Of all the women who would die to have him, he chose me.

Without warning, tears starting pouring down my face. "Abby?" Carter said. He looked concerned. "Are you OK? What's wrong?"

I smiled at him. "Nothing. Nothing's wrong. Just don't . . . don't stop touching me."

***************************

When I woke up the next morning, Carter and Annie were sitting at the kitchen table eating cereal. "Morning," Carter said brightly.

"You're up early," I replied, pouring myself a cup of coffee.

"Well, Annie usually gets up at around 7 so I usually get up with her."

I smiled at Annie. "You feeling better today?" I asked.

She nodded. "Yes," she said. Then she smiled mischievously. "Are you and Daddy gonna make me a baby brother?"

Carter laughed awkwardly. "Not anytime soon, punkin."

*****************************

Carter spent the rest of the day with Annie and I spent it shopping with Susan. When I got home someone was sitting outside my door. He had redish-brown hair and light brown eyes. He looked familiar. "Abby?" he said, standing up. That's when I recognized him.

"Will!" I threw my arms around him. Will was my boyfriend from high school. We'd dated for two years and only broke up because we went to different colleges. I hadn't seen him since the day I left for Penn State.

He grinned his goofy, yet extremely charming, grin. "How've you been?" he asked.

"Pretty good, you?"

"Pretty good. I've missed you."

"It's been a long time," I said, unlocking my door.

Will put his hand on mine. "Why don't we go out to dinner?" he said. "My treat."

For a brief moment, Carter flashed through my mind but I shrugged it off. It's just an innocent meal. No harm . . .right?

*****************************

Will and I talked non-stop for three hours. We had so much to catch up on. Will ordered a bottle of wine at the beginning of the meal and poured me a glass. So I drank it. Three bottles later we were still talking. I glanced at my watch.

"Jesus Christ," I said. "It's almost mid-night."

Will smiled. "Time flies when you're having fun."

He walked me home and then to my door. He took my hand. "I always used to think we'd get married after high school," he said.

I laughed. "Guess not," I said.

Will smiled. "There's still time," he said, leaning forward. Perhaps it was because I was drunk. Perhaps it was because I was still a little angry and hurt that Carter had married Jessica. But it doesn't matter why I let him kiss me. The fact remains that I let him kiss me. And I kissed him back. I knew I was doing something wrong but I couldn't stop. I couldn't stop until I heard Carter's shocked voice say my name.

I shoved Will away from me. "John," I said. "This isn't what it looks like."

Carter raised his eyebrows. "It's not? That's funny because it looks like you were kissing another guy."

Will blushed. "Abby," he said. "You didn't mention that you have a boyfriend." There was an excruciatingly awkward pause and then Will spoke. "I better be going."

Carter looked at me for a minute. "I'm leaving too," he said.

I grabbed his arm. "John," I cried. "I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. Please. It only happened because I got drunk . . ." He stared at me in disbelief. I pressed the heel of my palm against my forehead. "That was supposed to make it better," I mumbled.

"Yeah, well, you made it worse." Hate filled his eyes and tears filled mine.

"Don't walk away from me, John," I said. He headed down the hallway. "Please. Please. I'm sorry. Please." I was begging like a small child.

He turned towards me. "If it had been the other way around," he said. "If you had seen me kissing some other girl, would you forgive me?"

Tears were pouring down my face. "John, I . . .I love you."

"It doesn't seen that way, Abby."

After he left I went into my apartment and collapsed on the couch, sobbing uncontrollably. What had I been thinking? I guess I hadn't been thinking at all. And my momentary lapse had resulted in losing the man I loved. I picked up the phone and dialed Carter's number. I knew he wouldn't have gotten home yet but I wanted to leave a message.

"John, it's Abby," I said, trembling. "I can't change what I've done and I can never make it go away. But please, don't throw away everything we have. I love you. I was stupid. I made a mistake, just like everyone else makes mistakes. Please call me so we can talk about this."

But he didn't call.

Response to reviews (for chapter 15)

Canard - Carter and Abby are cute together. But they're both stupid because they don't realize it.

Vkh214 - Don't worry, I will continue. I feel a little sorry for Annie too.

carbylobsterandavrilfan - I know I don't update as often as I should but I try. Hopefully this long chapter will keep you satisfied for the moment.

CamilaC - Sweetness is good. However, life is never just peaches and cream. As Carter and Abby have shown us over, and over, and over, and over again.

Hyperpiper91 - Thanks! I like writing it. I like having control over what happens between Carter and Abby. That way I can make it happy!

Board-monkey - I'm glad you've been enjoying my fic. That's why I write it!