Make of Two Hearts
Carter jumped from the seat as quickly as if it had been on flame. If Abby noticed this, she didn't acknowledge it. She was busy dealing with Lauren who was watching Carter carefully.
"Abby, don't you love Daddy anymore?" Lauren said and her tone was so pitiful that it broke Carter's heart.
"Of course I do, Lauren. You know that. I love you and your Daddy more than anything. We're a family."
"Then why are you trying to replace him with John?"
"That's silly, Lauren. I'm not trying to replace Brian."
"I saw you. He was sitting in Daddy's seat and you were sitting in your seat and you're going to marry Carter and you're going to forget about me just like you're forgetting about Daddy!" She burst into tears once again. Abby pulled the girl to her, embracing her in those motherly arms. Lauren tried to pull away, but Abby held tight, making soft soothing noises and rocking the girl, holding her lovingly against her chest.
Lauren's sobs quieted and slowly, Abby stopped rocking and released the girl.
"Lauren," she said, looking straight into the child's eyes, "I love you. Do you know how much I love you?"
The tears still stained Lauren's cheeks as she nodded her head. Abby wiped the tears away expertly.
"Lauren, I would never ever do anything if I wasn't completely sure that you would be happy with it. You're everything to me, Lauren."
Lauren nodded again.
Carter stood watching from his place next to the couch. He felt awkward and uncomfortable as though he didn't belong.
"Lauren," Abby said finally, "How do you think John feels right now?" Lauren looked past Abby at Carter.
"Awful," she said finally, her childish voice sounding regretful.
"Don't you think you should apologize?" Lauren nodded once more before approaching Carter, her head slung low.
"I'm sorry, John," she said quietly. Carter crouched down to her eye-level.
"I'm sorry, too, Lauren. I didn't know that was your Daddy's seat."
Lauren nodded.
"It's okay. It can be Daddy's place even if you're sitting in it. As long as I know that it was Daddy's place." Carter smiled sadly. The girl had lost so much so soon.
"You're Dad was a really special guy, wasn't he?"
"He was the best."
Abby joined them and put a hand on Lauren's shoulder.
"It's past your bedtime, snuggle bug," she said and she exchanged a satisfied glance with Carter.
Lauren protested lightly, but Abby threatened to tickle her and she giggled before heading up the stairs, Abby following slowly behind. Lauren stopped midway up and turned around.
"Wait," she said and hurried back to Carter. When she reached him, she gave him a quick hug and then whispered something into his ear that made his face light up and his eyes sparkle with laughter.
She turned back and ran up the stairs. Abby eyed Carter curiously, but he just shook his head happily and mouthed 'tell you later'.
~*~
Abby looked across the lake into the dark waters.
She had a coffee in her hand, but she wasn't all that thirsty. She was thinking about how much had changed so quickly.
She felt his presence beside her and she smiled without moving her gaze.
"Hi."
"Hey," she breathed, the wind was blowing her hair into her face, but she didn't push it back.
"Nice weather."
"Shh," she smiled, "Just breathe it in."
Carter grinned at her momentarily before turning to face the horizon.
"It is pretty," he muttered after a few minutes silence.
Abby turned to face him finally.
"How's your day going?"
"It's pretty quiet, actually. I thought I'd come find you, but I searched for so long that my lunch break is almost over."
She smiled and he brushed some of her hair out of her face, snagging it behind her ear.
"You're beautiful," he whispered. She chuckled as she felt her face flush beneath his scrutinizing gaze.
"Lauren's sleeping out tonight," she said finally and he smiled mischievously.
Abby felt her stomach turn somersaults.