The Rainbow After The Storm

Chapter Fourteen

Two months later

Abby had just come off the phone to Maggie who was still trying to persuade her daughter to talk to Eric whom she said was trying really hard to stay on his meds this time when doorbell rang, sighing deeply she got up and answered it.

'Hi' said Susan barrelling into to the apartment laden with Daniel and baby paraphernalia 'Here' she thrust the baby into Abby's arms and disappeared down the stairs.

Abby was still getting over the shock when Susan returned with yet more of Daniel's things.

'Susan? What?' Abby managed to say

'Abby I need a favour a really big favour, I need you to look after Daniel, for a few days, a week or so, ten days max, I promise. I've got a problem, a big problem with Chloe and Susie and I have to go sort it out. If I could take him with me I would. But it wouldn't be practical'

Noticing Abby's somewhat stunned expression she continued. 'Don't worry about work I've sorted it'

'What?' croaked Abby 'I can't have any more time off, after the sick leave I had'

'Oh no, I explained the situation and they rearranged your shifts so you only work days and Daniel can go to day care at County, then at the weekend Chuck will come here and pick him up Friday night and drop him back Sunday evening, both weekends, if I'm away that long, but I'll try to get back sooner'

Whilst Abby stood there with her mouth open with the shock of everything, Susan kissed Daniel goodbye and left.

'Thanks I owe you one' she shouted as she went down the stairs. Abby was still standing in the doorway to her apartment when Susan came back.

'Car seat, oh and he was changed a couple of hours ago but I gave him tea so he just needs a feed in about an hour, sometimes he sleeps through sometimes not. I wrote down a guide of his routine, it's in with the bottles and some cash if you need more food, diapers that sort of thing' she said, gave Daniel another kiss and hurried away yelling 'I'll call everyday'

Abby looked at Daniel who seemed content enough in her arms.

'I guess we'd better sort your stuff then' she said to the baby and walked into her apartment shutting the door with her foot.

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First she sat Daniel in the car seat and found a rattle for him to play with, then she sorted out the bags that Susan had brought over with bottles, infant formula, baby food, clothes, diapers and so forth. She looked at the travel cot and decided that it would be a good idea to assemble that while he was still happy and make it up ready for bedtime.

She was in the middle of bathing him in the sink when the doorbell rang, again. Picking the towel with one hand she wrapped it round the baby and carried him with her to answer the door.

'Carter' she said looking at his stunned expression, much like she had looked earlier she supposed. 'Come in'

In the midst of all that was happening she had forgotten that he was coming over with videos and pizza that evening for a chat. He followed her round the apartment as she finished bathing the baby and getting him ready for bed, whilst she filled Carter in on the situation.

They eventually sat down with Daniel on her lap and ate the pizza before it got completely cold.

'Sorry' she said between mouthfuls.

'About what?'

'This' she indicated the baby 'I'm still in shock, she didn't even call first'

'Maybe she thought you'd have time to say no'

'Perhaps'

'Kind of ruined our evening, I know you wanted to talk, somehow I don't think that's going to happen'

'We can still watch a movie'

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That comment Abby decided later was Carter's famous last words, he got to watch the movie but Daniel was decidedly unsettled. Happy though he was to be with Abby, he was not used to anyone except Susan or maybe Chuck putting him to bed. Especially in a strange apartment.

'Okay what did I miss?' Abby said sitting down a couple of hours later

'All of this movie' Carter answered 'this is almost the end'

'Oh maybe I can catch the next one'

'I'd suggest you catch some sleep while you can' he answered

'You're leaving? I've just sat down'

'Yeah and you look exhausted, you have to work tomorrow you know'

'Don't remind me'

'It'll be better if I go' he said standing and collecting his things together

'Okay' she bit her lip, not really looking forward to having to care for the baby by herself

'It'll be okay' he said noting her expression 'Call me if you need to, okay?'

She nodded but deep down knew that he didn't want to be round Daniel, not that it was Daniel particularly, but babies generally, specifically boys.

'Don't get up, I'll see myself out. See you at work' he said letting himself out.

Which left Abby sitting there wondering if it was all a dream and that she would soon wake up. When the baby started crying she realised that it was real, very, very real.

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The next morning she felt like a zombie she finally decided as she sat on the El with Daniel and a bag of stuff which if she was going away would have done her for a week. The morning has started badly and early, too early for her liking and then the car wouldn't start she knew she would have to take the El. She looked at all the things she needed to take and in the end opted not to take the stroller as the El station was only minutes away from the hospital.

Carrying everything and the baby was not easy and he was not a small baby. Carter caught up with her as she approached the ambulance bay.

'Want me to take something?' he asked

She was tempted to put the wriggling infant in his arms but chose the bag, which he slung over his shoulder and she found that it was much easier without it.

'Something you haven't been telling us?' said Pratt from the desk as Abby and Carter walked in.

Abby gave him a 'don't mess with me today look' and Pratt walked off chuckling to himself.

'You want me to come up with you?' Carter asked not really wanting to but offering anyway.

Abby shook her head and he gave her the bag back and she headed to the elevator.

'What happening?' Jing-Mei asked Carter

'Susan had to go away for a few days and chose Abby to take care of Daniel'

'What about Chuck?'

'Chuck is having him at the weekends'

'Oh, she looked stressed. Abby.' Jing-Mei continued

'Yeah I don't think she got much sleep and her car wouldn't start'

'She took him on the El, that was brave' said Sam

'You didn't offer to pick her up then?' said Randi

'Well no I... I said to call if she needed a hand' he stuttered

'As if she'd do that, said Chuny 'she usually gets on with things herself'

'Yeah' Carter muttered under his breath, feeling a bit guilty at the same time. Not realising that he would be confronting his emotions on the subject of children sooner than he imagined.

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A few days later

Abby plopped down on the sofa after seeing Chuck and Daniel out.

'I guess we can talk tonight' Carter said 'If you can keep awake that long'

'Ha' she replied 'I can keep awake fine'

'Yeah right' he answered smiling fondly at her

'Did we order food?' she asked

'Yeah I ordered some when Chuck was leaving'

'Oh. Good. I'm starving'

'Well this is a great conversation' he said grinning at her

'When I've eaten' she told him 'I'll feel revitalised'

He just looked at her and smiled.

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'Okay, you've eaten, feel revitalised?' Carter asked

'Some' she replied

'How's it going?'

'What?'

'You and Daniel?'

'I don't know how Susan manages alone'

'She's not alone, she's got Chuck' Carter stated

'But they don't live together. Daniel hasn't slept through once since he's been here. I bet for Chuck he will though'

'Probably'

'Is that why you've been avoiding me?' she asked him

'What do you mean?'

' 'Cause Daniel's here?'

'You know me too well' Carter answered not looking at her.

'Maybe. But that's good right?'

He looked at her and nodded 'Yeah'

'You still don't want to be near him?'

'Who?' Carter said being intentionally evasive.

'Daniel. I mean, is it still painful?'

'Yeah. Sometimes, if I think about it too much. Sometimes when I get home and I'm on my own I start thinking. What if? It's not as bad as it was. I really wanted to be a dad though'

'You still can'

'Perhaps, one day'

'I guess if we're being honest with each other...' she stopped mid sentence then said 'Never mind it doesn't matter'

'Yes it does, what?' he replied intrigued

'Oh kids you know'

'That you're scared to have them? Yeah I know'

'Not exactly. I was scared, scared they'd be like Maggie or I would be like Maggie'

'You saying that you're not scared now?'

'No. What I'm saying is, if I felt six years ago like I feel now, things, my life might be different. I might have had my baby'

'What?' he did a double take at her.

She shrugged 'Yeah well I could have been a mother, but I was too frightened. Stupid huh?'

'No. What happened?' he said needing to hear her tell him.

'I had an abortion'

'Do you regret it?'

'Sometimes. It would have complicated things with Richard'

'Maybe'

'I sometimes look at kids and wonder, like you a bit I guess. Wonder what if, what if I'd kept the baby. Would I be a good mother? What would my child be like?' she whispered

'You' he answered and traced his finger down the inside of her arm.

'And Richard'

'Especially you' he said smiling at her

She returned the smile but it was wistful.

'Are you ready now?' he asked

'For what?'

'To be a mother?'

She shrugged 'It's hardly likely to happen now. I'm young, free and single, well free and single anyway' Even as she said it she knew deep down that she wasn't even free and single. Just single, because to be free, she would have to not, love John Carter.

'You're not that old'

'You're just saying that because we're the same age and you don't want to sound old'

'Maybe. You know what, I'll try harder next week?'

'With what?'

'Daniel. Give you a hand'

'Really?'

He nodded

'That would be great' she turned and gave him a hug and they settled down to watch a movie together.

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The following week

Abby looked out of the window it was a fine day and after having been cooped up in her apartment all morning she decided that it would do both of them, good to get some fresh air. Both of them being herself and Daniel. She had got used to the routine and him being with her, with Susan calling every evening usually around nine to see how it all was going.

Susan had nearly finished with her family problems and would be heading home soon, she had told Abby the previous evening. Abby felt sad in a way, having the apartment to herself again would be odd, quiet somehow.

Carter had been true to his word and even came over to baby-sit a couple of nights ago so that she, Abby could pop to a meeting.

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Frustrated Abby stopped turning the key in the ignition, she would have to get another car or get rid of this one and not bother with a car at all. It wasn't as if she needed it much in any case and the times she did it was unlikely to start anyway. Sighing she got out and retrieved the stroller and sat Daniel in it telling him that they would have to walk to the store instead of going to the park.

She briskly walked down the street when all of a sudden a car pulled up.

'Hi' Carter said winding down the window 'Going somewhere good?'

'No' she snapped still annoyed with her car not him, but her irritation came through nonetheless.

'What's up?' he asked jumping out and walking beside her as she continued down the street.

'My car'

'Oh' he mouthed 'Where were you going?'

'To the park, but I need to get some grocery shopping too, so now the car's not starting we're just going to do that'

'We could go in my car?' he suggested

'The car seat is still in my car'

'No problem I'll go get it and fix it in the jeep'

'You know how?'

'No you could help'

She smiled slowly 'Okay, thank you'

And they went back the way they had come from Carter driving back to Abby's apartment and Abby walking with Daniel to her car.

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'You're hands are freezing' he commented as he handed her a coffee from the stand in the park.

'Forgot my gloves' she said

'Here' he said putting his hand in his pocket and pulling out his 'Have mine'

'What about you?'

'I can do this' he said putting one hand back into his coat pocket, the other was closed round the polystyrene cup of coffee.

'Or you could have your gloves, push the stroller and I could put my hands in my pockets'

'I could'

'Thank you' she said smiling 'How was work?'

'Busy, one trauma after another, bet you're glad you had a day off'

'Mmmmm'

'He's quiet all of a sudden'

Abby looked at the baby 'He's sleeping finally' she said

'Finally?'

'Yeah, he's been awake since two am, in fact we've both been awake since two am'

'Oh'

'That's all you can say 'oh' '

He laughed 'Maybe I got the better deal, working'

'I don't know Susan's back soon. I'm going to miss him'

They stood there in a comfortable silence as they finished their drinks.

''If we go now we can get to the store before he wakes up, it will be easier to shop then'

'You're sure?'

'Trust me' she replied and they went back to the jeep and then onto the store.

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They didn't notice Susan when they finally pulled up at Abby's apartment a short while later, engrossed, as they were with each other, with Carter reliving some childhood incident, which Abby found extremely amusing.

Susan looked at the pair of them wondering if anything has happened whilst she had been away.

Stepping to meet them she said 'Hi guys'

They stopped, surprised to see her.

'Thought you said you'd call, when you were coming back?' Abby said

'I wanted it to be a surprise and I really missed Daniel. Did I miss anything good?' Susan asked referring to Carter and Abby.

Abby however took her to mean with Daniel 'Oh well he's been cutting teeth since you left. He spends half the time awake, when he's supposed to be sleeping'

Under her breath Susan muttered 'That's not what I meant'

But she took her son from Carter who had gotten him out of the car.

'Hey beautiful' she said to her son hugging and kissing him as Abby and Carter looked at them thoughtfully. 'Well?'

'What?' said Carter and Abby together

'Did anything else happen, to anyone else?' she tried to clarify what she meant.

Carter and Abby looked at each other.

Abby shook her head and said 'No I don't think so, but then I've been kind of busy with Daniel, Carter?'

'No can't think of anything. You'd be better to ask Frank or Jerry tomorrow they know what's going on better than anyone else.

'Oh' said Susan disappointed, thinking that it was about time that her friends who stood before her sorted themselves out in respect the their relationship with each other which was obviously still only friendship in their eyes at least. Susan knew that she knew better.

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