Hmm, who do I need to thank for reviews again – erm –

             Britgirl (again) J thanks for the review, very much appreciated.

            ALSO, starbright – thanks for the review and thanks even more for helping me work out how to make my writing italic, bold etc – it was very nice of you to put up with my incompetence with these sorts of things.

            The same goes to Nette (thanks plenty!) who helped me with the same problem – I really am quite useless.

             Well that's it, I think – so, read and review as normal and Enjoy! Love LJ xXx

            PS. As a plug for the other authors I have mentioned in my thanks: THEY ARE ALL VERY GOOD – really they are – so check them out!

            That's all now – LJ xXx

            Abby twirled the phone cord around her finger, absentmindedly while she listened to Susan on the other end of the phone line.

            "You have to come. It would just suck, sitting at home on Christmas," Susan insisted.

            "Just like any other day, really," Abby answered, dully. She heard Susan sigh.

            "Oh come on, it's Christmas – and it won't be the same without you," Susan urged.

            "But Susan – " Abby began.

            "Wait," she interrupted. "I have thought of all the excuses you could use and reasons why they're not good enough, so I'm warning you."

            "I'm five months pregnant,"

            "You don't have to drink – not everyone will be drinking anyway."

            "I've nothing to wear."

            "You're lying – don't think I haven't seen your wardrobe."

            "I don't have time."

            "Ha – what other plans did you have?"

            "Carter won't be there," Abby spoke quietly. There was a short silence.

            "That's not even a real excuse," Susan replied, finally, in a bright voice. "Please, Abby? You shouldn't be moping over Carter."

            "I'm not moping," she protested indignantly.

            "Then you can come then?" Susan chirped. She carried on talking loudly so she couldn't hear Abby objecting. "Great, I'll see you there. It's Jing-Mei's place at 7."

Then she hung up. Abby smiled slightly at Susan's persuasiveness and replaced the phone on the receiver. After all that, she probably should go – it wouldn't be the same without Carter, though.

*           *           *

Carter stepped out of the airport and stood, revelling in this long-forgotten, snowy world. The sheer idea of snow to the Congolese people would have been absurd and yet, here he was. Just a lot of phone calls and bribery and he was standing on familiar turf wondering where to go from here. He hailed a cab but got off several blocks from both his and Abby's places. Perhaps it would be better if he just walked for a while – clear his head and work things out. He smiled as he trod carefully along the slippery sidewalks – in no time at all he would see her and he couldn't wait.

*           *           *

            Abby stepped out of her front door and locked it up. She squinted out of the window at the snow and felt glad she was wrapped up in her coat. She left the building and headed towards Jing-Mei's place, with snow beginning to settle on her shoulders like the dread settling in her stomach. She wasn't looking forwards to tonight – as much as she tried to act optimistic, this was yet another reminder of everything missing from her life right now. It was already Christmas – Carter had been gone for, well, she only needed to check how long she'd been pregnant for and she had an answer. She sighed, watching the breath escape her mouth and hang in front of her in a misty cloud. When would he be back?

            She was nearing Jing-Mei's apartment now – she'd better put on a smile for everyone, she didn't want to let anybody down by being miserable, especially since everyone had been so good to her. Jing-Mei and Susan had been great friends and a great help. And Luka. Luka probably helped her the most, he always seemed to be there for her and it helped that he knew about life in the Congo.

            Daydreaming, she crossed the street. Suddenly her feet hit a patch of black ice. Panic rose in her as she tried to keep her balance, but she found herself slipping, skidding, falling –

            "Watch out," Luka grabbed her just in time. Abby looked up at him, feeling dazed and wondering why she hadn't hit the floor. Then she realised and blushed bright red.

            "Thanks," she buried her face in his shoulder, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Did you just appear out of nowhere?" He grinned.

            "I was kind of walking behind you when I saw you slip. You wouldn't want to take a fall like that," he told her. "Especially in your condition and everything."

            Carter rounded the corner, thinking wistfully of Abby. But he hadn't anticipated this: just a few streets down – Luka stood in the snowy road, holding Abby who was gazing up at him – like a picturesque, romantic scene from some sugary movie. Carter stood in shock and then, when she drew back, he saw. She was pregnant, too. They hadn't seen him. He turned and walked, briskly back the way he came. Of all things. Luka and Abby. He should've guessed. Maybe he didn't want to think about it. How long had he been away? Too long. He shouldn't have left.

            He carried on walking quickly and felt bitter disappointment filling his eyes with tears. Luka was there for her when she wasn't. Luka could give her everything he had failed to. He hoped she'd be happy; happy with Luka and a new baby. But he couldn't help but feel – crushed.