Rough Path
Chapter 10: "A year later"
Abby was sitting on the couch when Carter walked into the living room.
"Good morning," he said as he leaned over and kissed her.
She looked up at him. "Morning."
"How long have you been up?"
"Since about five."
He touched her stomach. "Is she keeping you up?"
Abby shook her head. "No, it's not her. You don't know what today is, do you?"
"No, I don't."
Abby took a deep breath before she spoke. "A year ago, Luka called me and told me that you were missing in Africa. I don't know why I still remember that day, but I guess it still sticks in my mind, I still remember how close I was to losing you."
"But you didn't did you?" he said, as he grabbed her hand. "You are my wife now, and you are expecting our child, you will never lose me, let's forgot about that day."
Abby then remembered the day that Carter and her got married.
Flashback.
8 months ago
"I can't believe that you are getting married today," Susan said, as she looked at Abby in her wedding dress.
"Yeah, just a few months ago, I thought I was going to lose John forever and now I am marrying him," Abby smiled.
"I guess fate was working for you two," Susan said, as she put on Abby's veil.
Abby turned to face Susan. "Thank you for staying positive during that time. I couldn't have done that without you," she said, as she started to cry.
"Don't cry, Abby. Not on your wedding day," she said, as she grabbed a tissue, and gave it to her.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door. It was her mom.
"Abby, it's time," she said.
Abby turned around to Susan. "I'm really doing this, I'm marrying John Carter."
"If you don't get out there right now, he might think you don't want to," Susan laughed.
Abby smiled. "Let's go," she said, as she followed her mom and Susan.
She saw Eric standing near the aisle, and smiled. He grabbed her arm.
"Come on, it's time for your wedding."
She looked at Carter at the end of the aisle and couldn't stop smiling.
"Okay, let's do this, Eric."
She was marrying the man of her dreams, and she couldn't be happier.
End of Flashback.
"Where were you just a moment ago?" Carter questioned.
Abby looked at Carter. "I was thinking about our wedding day."
Carter put his arms around her. "You looked so beautiful. I can't believe that we are married for months now."
Abby sat down on the couch. "I still remember the day that you proposed to me, it wasn't even a week after you returned from Africa."
Carter smiled. "I guess my experience in Africa made me realize that I didn't want to live another day without you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
"I know. When you proposed, I didn't even need to think about my answer. You were the one that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with."
Suddenly there was a knock at the door.
"I'll get it," Abby said, as she opened it.
"Susan!!" she exclaimed, as she hugged her.
"I just thought that I would come by and see how you are doing," Susan said, as she walked in, and saw Carter sitting on the couch.
"I guess I'm not the only one who remembered what today is."
Susan smiled. "You got me. I looked at my calendar, and remembered what today was. I wasn't sure if John was at work .. I didn't want you to be alone today."
"You know you are a great friend," Abby said.
Carter stood up. "I'll leave you two alone to talk," he said, as he leaned over and kissed Abby.
He grabbed his jacket and keys when Abby called out to him.
He turned around. "Yeah?"
"I love you," Abby said, smiling.
"I love you too," he answered, as he walked out of the apartment.
Susan looked at Abby. "So how are you really doing today? I know this is a really hard day for you."
Abby turned to face Susan. "I'm doing well actually. I woke up this morning, and I looked at Carter sleeping peacefully and I couldn't believe how lucky I am to have him. He is not only my husband, but he is the father of my child. A year ago today, I didn't think I would ever have any of these things with John."
Susan nodded. "I know, but you have stop thinking about the past and think of the present and your future," Susan replied.
Abby put her hand onto her stomach. "I know I have to think of this little one and stop thinking about what happened last year. It is over."
Abby stood up. "Would you like something to eat?" she asked, as she went to the kitchen and opened the fridge.
"No, I'm fine," Susan said, as she joined Abby and sat down on the stool.
Abby turned around. "So, enough about me, how is your love life?"
Susan smiled. "Chuck and I are doing great."
Abby smiled. "I never knew someone who got married, annulled it and then started to like the guy and date him."
Susan laughed. "That's me. I never do what everyone is doing."
Suddenly the baby kicked. "Did she just kick?" Susan asked as she walked up to her.
"Yeah. Do you want to feel it?" Abby asked, as Susan put her hand on her stomach.
"This is so amazing. I can't believe that you are going to be a mother. Let's just say I was surprised when you told me that you were pregnant, three months after you got married."
Carter had just walked into the apartment and heard Abby and Susan talk about the pregnancy and remembered the day that Abby and him found out that they were going to have a baby.
Flashback.
"Are you sure you are late?" Carter asked.
Abby looked at Carter. "Of course, I am."
"Are you saying that we're going to have a baby?"
"I don't know for sure, John. But I know the signs."
Carter then grabbed Abby's hand. "Well what are we waiting for? Let's go get a pregnancy test, and find out if we are going to be parents."
Abby smiled. "Are you sure you want to know?"
He smiled back at her. "Of course, I do."
"Okay," she said, as she got the pregnancy test out of the bag.
"When did you get this?"
"I got it yesterday. I was going to do it, but I wanted you to be here," she said, as she put her arms around him.
"Then do it," he said.
She walked into the bathroom, and a moment later, she came out.
"We have to wait a few minutes before we can find out."
Carter grabbed her hand, and smiled. "Whatever happens, I'm here with you."
"I know you are."
A few moments later
"I guess I should go see if we're expecting or not," Abby said as she walked towards the bathroom.
Carter followed her and stood outside of the bathroom, waiting for the result.
She looked up at him. "I'm pregnant."
End of the flashback
"John? Are you going to stand there or are you going to sit with me and Susan?"
He smiled. "I heard you and Susan talking about your pregnancy. It made me think of the day that we found out together that we were going to be parents."
"I still can't believe it," Abby said, as she put her arms around Carter. "But I'm glad that it is with you."
{{{
Months later
"Congratulations , Abby and John. You have a healthy baby girl," the doctor said, as she handed the baby to Abby.
Abby looked at her daughter. She is so pretty, she thought to herself, as she kissed her daughter's forehead.
"She is so beautiful, exactly like her mother," Carter said, as he leaned over and kissed her.
"Thanks John, but I don't think I am that pretty after all those long hours of labor," Abby laughed.
"Of course you are."
"So what are we going to call our daughter?" John asked, as he took a hold of his daughter's tiny little hands.
"I think the name that we talked about a while ago fits her just perfectly."
"Well then, I guess your name is going to be Vanessa Carter."
Carter then picked his daughter up and walked towards the window. "I'm your daddy, and I love you."
Abby looked at Carter holding their daughter. She realized that the rough path was finally over, and they were going to spend the rest of their life happily together.