Chapter five, Maggie turns up rocking the sisterly boat ever so slightly…
"Mom, Hey Mom." Abby said running up to Maggie. "What are you doing here?" She asked slightly breathless, searching Maggie's eyes for the all to familiar signs, she saw none.
"My bus got in early so I thought that I should just come here and let you know that you didn't have to pick me up." Maggie explained cheerily. "I know how busy you are; that's ok right?" She questioned.
"Yeah, yeah, it's fine, here let me get you the keys so you can go settle yourself in." Abby said smiling shaking off any doubt she had she lead her through the newly designed ER.
Maggie had come to stay for a few days, safe in the knowledge that Eric would be ok without her, not wanting Abby to think she was favoring Eric over her; she was trying to show her children that she loved them equally despite the fact she would always be a concern in Abby's life, rather than a comfort.
"This place has changed." Maggie noted surveying her surroundings.
"Yeah." Abby agreed as she pushed her way into the lounge. "I have a break in about ten minutes, d'you want to go and get a coffee?" She added searching through her bag,
"Sure." Maggie smiled at her.
"Ok, if you want to wait in here I'll be back soon." Abby said looking over at her for the first time, adding, "It's good to see you Mom."
Maggie smiled back reiterating the compliment with her eyes.
Fifteen minutes later Abby and Maggie were sitting in a coffee shop down the street from county.
"So are you seeing anyone?" Maggie questioned, warming her hands around her mug.
Abby shook her head smiling a little, Maggie always got straight to the point.
"You always had a way with the men." Maggie noted, causing Abby to blush slightly.
"What happened to John, you never told me." She asked comfortingly.
"Nothing, nothing really." Abby stuttered shaking her head looking down into her coffee. "He's going to be a father." She added suddenly, looking back up at Maggie, she spoke quickly again as she saw a glimmer of hope flashing in Maggie's eyes. "Some woman he met while he was away. He's happy though." Abby smiled slightly, thinking about it she was happy for him as well; he said it was what he wanted.
Abby watched as Maggie's eyes dulled slightly and she took on a pitying look. "Are you ok?" She asked quietly.
Abby nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, actually." She said as convincingly as she could. "It was never going to work really, I don't think." She half smiled.
"I thought he proposed?" Maggie said a frown creasing her forehead.
Abby shook her head 'no' in response.
"I'm back in med school though." She said brightly changing the subject.
"Really!" Maggie said pulling back clearly thrilled for her daughter.
"Yup." Abby replied smiling warmly, pleased at her mothers reaction.
"That's great sweetie." Maggie said placing her hand over Abby's.
"I actually have to get back." Abby said glancing at the time, pulling her hand away from Maggie's draining her mug and standing up. "I left my keys at the hospital, you're going to have to come and get them." She added.
"Ok." Maggie stood as well nodding as she followed Abby out of the shop.
The pair walked back to the hospital chatting amicably, Abby gave her the keys to the apartment and they made there way back out to admit. They stood making arrangements for later as Amelia walked past them. Maggie glanced at her briefly before turning back to Abby, about to say her goodbyes.
"Amelia" Susan yelled from behind them.
Abby watched the scene play out in front of her as if it was slow motion, Amelia turned to respond to Susan, and Maggie looked over, as she had every single time she'd heard anyone call that name since her youngest daughter was taken. The two locked eyes for half a second before Amelia looked away, trying to pretend it had never happened.
"Oh my god." Maggie whispered, disbelief etched on her face.
Amelia had a 'deer caught in the headlights' glint in her eyes as she searched for an escape route. Abby shut her eyes as Susan walked past wishing this latest family drama away.
As ever R&R, it'd be much appreciated and after this chapter I'm going to start getting back to the lovely people who've reviewed this story.