AN: Thank you for reviewing. Here is the next instalment.

The Rainbow After The Storm

Chapter Seven

Much to her surprise she slept in the strange bed straight though until the morning, she lay there wondering what Carter was doing.

Carter was feeling refreshed after the best night's sleep he had had in weeks, no insomnia, no nightmares, he actually felt ready for the twelve hour shift he had ahead as he let the water cascade over his body. As usual he lost track of time standing there, just as the water began to run cold he got out and got ready for the day ahead.

He was halfway down the stairs when he remembered Abby was probably still in the room down the hall from his, so he went back upstairs and gently tapped on the door. When there was no reply he opened the door and peeped inside, he finally decided that she was already up and he made his way down to the kitchen. There he found her eating toast and drinking coffee.

'You're up early' he stated

'It's not that early it's after seven, anyway I'm waiting for a tow for the car' she explained

'What about trying to start it again, this morning?' he suggested

'I've already done that, while you were taking your two hour shower'

'I did not take a two hour shower, hang on, how did you know I was in the shower?'

'I know from previous experience, good job there's more than one shower here' she said glancing at him knowingly.

He decided to change the subject 'Sleep well?'

'Yeah, great, you?'

'Better, you working today?'

'Later'

'It's alright for some not having to be there early' he teased

'Ha!' she replied 'But I get the graveyard shift'

'Maybe I've got the better deal' he concluded 'No midnight coffee together tonight then'

'Not with me' she said

'Girls are hardly queuing at my door'

'That's because they don't know you're available, I'm sure your Mom knows a few'

'Don't. I don't even want to think about it' he replied laughing 'I'll pick my own girl thank you'

She smiled wishing that it would be her, that he chose. But knowing that he wasn't ready to choose anyone right now.

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The next four weeks seemed to fly by. Carter and Abby had a few more coffees at midnight. Carter talked through some things with her about his grandmother, Kem, Africa, County, but they tended to avoid talking about their relationship. Abby was busy as usual with Carter, Susan, work and endless phone calls from her mother, until spring finally gave way to summer.

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Abby rang the doorbell and waited, and waited.

'Hi' Abby took one look at her friend who appeared rather tired 'Are you okay, you were ages coming to the door, we don't have to shop today if you don't want to'

'If I don't shop today, I'll never get round to it. I had a bad night, couldn't sleep, that sort of thing' replied Susan

'Ah' Abby replied 'Just as long as I don't have to carry you'

'I don't think you'd get far if you tried' She answered shutting the door behind her as the headed off to the shops together.

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'Wonderful' exclaimed Susan as she sat down on a chair in a cafe, she had been wanting to have a sit down for ages but all the baby clothes in the store kept catching her eye.

Abby studied her friend, for someone who had trouble walking to the front door earlier she had certainly made up for it, during the last few hours. They had gone from one shop to another, searching for all kinds of baby paraphernalia and now they were laden down with bags, or rather Abby was.

'There's that new boutique place Kerry mentioned' Susan said as they drank coffee

'I think we have enough stuff, plus all the stuff on delivery' Abby replied not wanting to take her friend to this particular shop as it would spoil a surprise, that all their women colleagues in the ER had organised.

They had nominated Abby, to make sure that she didn't go anywhere near the shop and so far she had succeeded. But she didn't know if she could keep it up.

'You might get some more things as gifts, don't forget' Abby added

'Well yeah I guess so, but I still need wallpaper and stuff'

'I thought you'd decorated already'

'No, I thought about it, but that was about it'

'You're leaving it a bit late'

'I don't suppose you would help?'

'Well you can't go doing by yourself I guess'

'Thank you, for that I'll buy you another coffee'

'Wow, thanks' Abby said sarcastically

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Abby sat tiredly flicking through the channels on the television when the phone rang.

'Hello?' she said

'Hey'

'Carter'

'How was your shopping trip with Susan?'

'I think she bought half the stuff in all the stores'

He gave a small wry laugh.

'You okay?' she asked suddenly concerned

'Yeah, I just was thinking that, well that you know..... Susan is having a baby and I thought that by now I .... I was supposed to have been a father by now'

'You sure you're okay? D'you want me to come over?'

'No. I'm okay, feeling sorry for myself, today'

'You've been doing much better lately, you know it's okay to have a bad day, everybody gets bad days sometimes'

'When's the last time you had a bad day?'

'Well I don't think tomorrow will be great, I start at eight for a twenty four-hour shift'

'Mmmm well on that note I'll hang up, let you get some rest, bye Abby'

'Take care, bye'

After she put the phone down she pondered on their conversation, hoping that he was okay and wondering if she should have gone over to see him.

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Abby turned over in bed the digits on the clock read five fifty, who the hell was pounding on her door at this time of the day. As she got up she grabbed and robe and put it on as she headed for the door. Gingerly she opened it.

There before her stood a man she knew well, looking rather dishevelled and definitely worse the wear for drink.

'Can I come in?' he asked

'Yeah, but the drink stays out my apartment' she replied.

The man put the alcohol down on the floor outside the apartment door and he followed her in shutting the door behind him.

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