AN; If you are still reading thank you.
The Rainbow After The Storm
Chapter Fifteen
January 2005
'He said no' said Caroline coming to admit
'There's a surprise' replied Frank
'I won't stop trying' she added
'It's a waste of time' Frank told her 'I told you he'd say no'
'Who would say no?' asked Pratt
'Caroline asked Carter out' said Frank
'On a date?' said Pratt
'Yes. How many times had he turned you down now? Five? Six?' Frank added.
'More like ten, he says thank you, but no, every time'
'If it's any consolation I keep asking Abby out and she turns me down every time' said James Wright then to Frank he added 'When I've finished this' indicating some form he was filling out 'I'll be upstairs in that meeting with Dr Weaver, page me if you need me'
'You two haven't a hope in hell' Susan said joining in the conversation. 'Besides tonight they're going out together'
'What on a date?' asked Frank
'No unfortunately, I don't think so. It's Abby's birthday but I know for a fact that they're going out for dinner'
'You sure it's not a date?' asked Pratt
'Sure I'm sure. I quizzed then both separately and they swear that they are just good friends'
'They've never been just good friends, even when they were dating other people. There was always something there between them' said Malik, then to Susan he added 'sorry'
'Don't be' she replied
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Later Dr Wright caught up with Abby as he exited the elevator.
'I hear congratulations are in order' he said
'Pardon?' she replied
'Happy birthday, it is your birthday right?'
'Yeah' she said suspiciously
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Meanwhile Carter stood at the other end of the corridor watching them.
'Jealous are we?' Susan asked
'What?' Carter said trying to act innocent
'Don't what me. You know perfectly well who I'm talking about. You'd better get your butt in gear before she actually accepts one of his offers for a date'
'What? She wouldn't do that'
'You're sure of that are you?'
'Yeah, pretty much'
'You talked about things together?'
'Well no, not really'
'Ever?'
'Ever what?'
Susan frowned at him 'You want to keep her you'll have to make a move in the right direction'
'She could say something'
'This is Abby we're talking about. Did you ever tell her?'
'What?'
'You know what. I can't remember exactly what I said but it was along the lines that you're desperately in love with her and can't live a day without her or words to that effect. Geez Carter how long ago was it we broke up, two, three years ago and you never told her that you love her'
'I said stuff'
'Obviously not the right stuff. Yelling that you want to marry her whilst a helicopter's landing up on the roof doesn't count. You have to tell her Carter before it's too late'
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The waiter left their table after taking their order.
'What wrong John?' Abby asked concerned, as he seemed at bit off.
'Nothing' he replied
She looked at him he was miles away, in his own world. She reached across the table and took his fingers in hers. This encouraged him to look up but her gaze was now fixed on their entwined fingers. He took the time to study her, whilst reflecting his conversation with Susan earlier. Part of him however didn't want to break the silence or the contact that they were sharing at that particular moment.
'Tell me?' she said speaking softly but without looking at him.
'Er, Abby. I.... well..... It's nothing'
This time she looked at him with a puzzled expression across her face.
'You know what you kind of remind me of how you were that day when...' she stopped and regarded him then continued 'Never mind it doesn't matter'
'Yes it does, what day when?'
'The day you were going to propose and didn't'
'Oh, that day'
'See now I've spoilt everything by mentioning that'
He shook his head 'No you haven't'
They sat in silence again
'Abby, can I ask you a question?' she nodded and he continued 'James Wright, you like him?'
'What kind of question is that?'
He shrugged 'Just wondered'
'He's good at his job' she answered
'That's not what I meant' Carter replied
She smiled at him and said 'I know. I don't want to date him if that's what you're asking'
'He seems to like you'
'The feelings not mutual believe me, besides Caroline seems to have a soft spot for you' she said with a smile on her face.
'I don't want to date her' he said rather too hastily
She grinned again. 'You know there is this guy, I would like to date though'
'Really?' his heart began to hammer in his chest and he could feel himself start to panic.
'Yeah'
He looked up at her and she could see confusion in his eyes, whilst he could see that she was teasing him so he calmed down and decided to play along.
'So what's he like, this guy?'
'Oh you know he's a great guy'
'What does he do?'
'He's a doctor, I've known him a while, long time actually'
'That's good, has he got a name'
'I think you know what his name is'
He laughed and then grinned at her.
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'Coffee?' she asked putting down her keys and purse along with her coat on the kitchen table
'Yeah' he replied from the lounge where he sat on the sofa.
She busied herself with making the drinks as he sat and watched her. Still going over in his mind the things that he had discussed with Susan earlier and then with Abby during dinner.
Standing he then moved into the kitchen to where Abby stood pouring the coffee. He placed a hand on her shoulder and turned her around.
'Carter?' she asked softly
'Sshhh'
She looked at him puzzled.
'I've got to say this' he explained
He looked at her intently and she wondered what was going on when suddenly he leant down and kissed her.
Somewhat breathlessly she said 'That's not talking Carter'
'No I've decided I don't want to talk after all'
And he kissed her again, she was just thinking that this was turning into one of her better birthdays when he pulled away.
'What? What's wrong?' she asked
'You sure about this?' he said
'Yes, you?'
He nodded and she took his hand and led him into the bedroom.
'It's more comfortable in here' she clarified, still rather hesitant as she was still unsure whether or not he was going to change his mind. She knew one thing for sure and that was that, she was not, going to change her, mind.
They stood there facing each other with the soft glow of light coming from the lounge. She reached up for the buttons on his shirt and he put his hand over hers.
'Abby' he said
'Yeah'
He said nothing.
'You want to stop?' she asked
'No. I want you to be sure. I don't want you to regret anything'
'That's not going to happen. I do regret maybe things not happening maybe sooner say a month or so ago, but I guess you weren't ready, so I was willing to wait'
'I think, I was ready the day I came round and Susan had dumped Daniel on you' he finally confessed
'Then why did we wait so long?' she asked
He shrugged.
Then she said 'There's nobody I want to be with more on my birthday than the man I love'
Carter was somewhat stunned after his conversation with Susan earlier he hardly expected Abby to come out and tell him this. Abby however was more confident about everything than she used to be and felt that Carter needed to hear her say this as she usually shied away from such declarations.
He smiled at her before taking his hands away from hers and delving them deep into her hair and then they both sunk onto the bed.
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'Carter's happy this morning' said Jing-Mei to Jerry
'He's been like that for about a week or so' Jerry replied
'Any particular reason?' she asked
'The only one I can think of is' and he nodded his head in the direction of Abby.
'That can't be, I was talking with some of the nurses last week and they said that still nothing was happening'
'That was last week'
'Okay what do you know?'
'Nothing for sure, they've been on opposite shifts all week, so no proof or anything, but they both seem happier than usual'
'Except he still won't date me' said Caroline 'I am actually beginning to give up. There's a cute new guy in Gynie'
'Oh I've seen him' said Jing-Mei
'What's that supposed to mean?'
'Nothing but you're right, he's cute' Jing-Mei said then called out to Abby who was approaching 'What do you think of that new guy from Gynie?'
'There's a new guy, I hadn't noticed' she replied not aware of the look that was shared by Jing-Mei, Jerry and Caroline.
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Abby and Carter sat by the river drinking coffee.
'Did you notice anything?' she asked 'Everyone kept staring at me as if I had a an extra nose growing out of my face or something'
'No' he replied 'I think you look pretty good. No seriously I kind of felt that way myself too. Don't worry about it'
'I'm not, so are you busy tonight?'
'I thought you would never ask'
She grinned at him as he reached over to tuck some stray strands of hair behind her ear before leaning in to kiss her. Unaware that they had a very interested audience.
'At last' Susan said to Daniel as they walked past then she added 'I'm going to have a lot to talk about at work, tomorrow'
And she did. Word spread like wildfire and eventually Carter and Abby overheard the nurses gossip for themselves.
'That didn't take long' Abby commented
'Oh I don't know' Carter added 'It was about a week, quite long really for this establishment'
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