Abby had been living at Carter's house for a couple of months now. The divorce was finally finalized after the tears and arguments, the doubts and insecurities, after the need for comfort and encouraging words, after the near ending of a year's worth of sobriety.
It was a Friday evening; Abby had just finished a very stressful shift and was looking forward to returning home to spend some time with Carter. They had grown closer, physically over the past few month but still didn't know where they stood. A part of her felt that it was still too soon, she felt guilty about getting together with someone after only have being divorced for about two months. But it was Carter, not a complete stranger and someone whom she had had feelings for a long time. They had dated before her marriage, after all. And now he was going away. For a month! Off to Australia to visit some friend of the family who had recently fallen ill, and to take care of some issues for the foundation. She knew he had to go but really was upset to see him packing and getting ready to leave.
She walked through the doors and out into the entrance bay.
Abby's POV
"Hi there, beautiful" I look up and see Carter leaning against his car. I was going to take the El, but my mood just got significantly better now that he is here. "Why so down?" He really does notice everything. So much for keeping it to myself. I walk up to him and he engulfs me in a big hug. A short while later he starts to pull away, but I won't have it.
"Not yet." I just want to be close to him. I hold on a little bit longer and decide that I've been standing long enough today and really want to sit down. "I'm ready to go home." He nods his head and he leads me to the passenger side of the car. I turn away from him to open the door, when he takes my hand and gently pulls me back to him. He gently kisses me and I never want it to end. He really knows how to make me forget about things.
"I've been thinking about that all day." He winks at me, kisses my forehead and walk to his side.
Mood: steadily improving.
I stay pretty quiet on the way home, trying o think about what I'm going to do about him being gone for such a long time. We're stopped at a red light, the last red light before home, thankfully. Carter reaches across and puts his hand on my leg.
"Is everything ok?" No. Hardly ever is, really.
"Just tired." I shrug if off and hope he believes me.
Finally we arrive at the house. We get in and I immediately head for the stairs.
"Abby" I hear him call my name so I stop on the first stair." I ordered some food before I left, it should be here soon. He always thinks of everything.
"Ok, I'll be right back."
I go upstairs to change out of my work clothes. Fresh clothes always feel better.
I come back down just as Carter is shutting the door on who I'm guessing, was the delivery person. It really smelled good.
He looks at me and smiles, I'm glad to see he's so happy, on our last night to spend time together. I'm just wondering why it's bothering me so much. It never has before. Has it?