Title: Wishes and Weddings
Authors: Ali-Bee and Rachel
Disclaimer: They don't belong to us.
Spoilers: Starts around A Saint in the City. No Spoilers.
Notes: Big thanks to our beta Melissa and to our cheerleaders Lily and Tracey.
Chapter One: Getting away from it all.
John sat on the couch with Abby nestled against his chest. She had been worn out from the long day that they had spent in the ER. John had stopped by and checked his mail before coming over to her apartment. He hadn't had a chance to look through it before he settled down with Abby to watch a movie. She had fallen asleep on him and he hadn't bothered to move. He slowly lifted her up off him, and laid her back down on the couch. He was surprised that she didn't wake up when he moved her, but then he also knew that she was tired.
He walked over to where he had thrown his mail when he came in. And there it was. Something had come from his sister Barb, he missed her. She was living in Switzerland now with her boyfriend. He slowly opened what looked to be something more than just a letter checking in. His eyes about popped out of his head when he read what it was. His sister was getting married. He was shocked to say the least. Surely his mother would have mentioned this to him, but then it had been awhile since he had talked with her. He was going to have to book a flight so that he could be over there in time. Abby, she would have to come with him for sure. He was not going to go to his sister's wedding and leave her behind. Abby would love Switzerland or so he thought. John had been there when he was younger, but that had been years ago. But he wanted Barb to meet Abby. They would love each other.
John threw on his coat, scribbled a quick note to Abby telling him that he had an errand to run and that he would be right back. Weaver had to give him the time off to go. They wouldn't be able to spend a long time in Switzerland, but Abby deserved a vacation. And one where they were not stuck in the ER for two weeks, one where she could kick back and relax. He thought of all the ways that he could pamper her while they were there. He needed to get down to the travel agency and book their vacation. He thought about waiting and running it by her, but the surprise would be nice too.
Abby's eyes slowly came open. Her apartment was silent. The TV had the blue screen of a movie completed and rewound, and she didn't see Carter anywhere. Abby stretched, as she became more fully awake. She was so tired. The ER had been busy, but that was normal. She really needed a vacation that didn't involve chasing across the country to help her family. Not that she didn't love Eric, but dealing with his illness and Maggie had been very draining.
Abby looked around her apartment some more. Where was Carter? She knew he had been here when she had fallen asleep. Abby then saw the note on the table. He had to run an errand? Must have been something that came up suddenly, because she was sure that Carter would have mentioned it otherwise. Since his note didn't say what time he left, Abby wasn't sure what time he might be back and since she was so tired, she started getting ready for bed. Abby smiled as she thought of Carter. It amazed her how quickly she had gotten used to him being around in the evenings. It was hard for Abby to open up to anyone. She had spent years building walls and defenses to protect herself, but slowly Carter was getting around them. Leaving a light on in the living room for Carter when he came back, Abby headed for bed.
Carter made the arrangements with the travel agent for the trip. A vacation would be so nice and to be able to share that with Abby made it even better. There was nothing more that he wanted to do than to take Abby away from the world that they were living in, even if it would be for just a few short days. And the wedding gave him the perfect opportunity to do so. He just hoped that this surprise trip wasn't going to make her mad. He knew she wasn't one for spontaneity but after all this was his sister's wedding and he wanted her to go with him. He walked into the apartment. The light in the living room was on, but he didn't see Abby.
He figured that she had to have been tired from her long day in the ER. They had been busy all day and she had been running from patient to patient, trauma to trauma. That had to have been exhausting for her. The surprise was just going to have to wait until morning. He would tell her about it before he left for the hospital. He didn't have to be on until 12 so there would be plenty of time. He turned off the light and made his way to the bedroom. He slipped inside the covers and snuggled close to her. He was looking forward to them escaping together. As Abby lay dozing she felt Carter slip into bed with her. A small smile crossed her lips as she fell into a deep sleep now that he was there.
Abby woke just after seven the next morning. Carter was still asleep, and since she knew he didn't have to work until noon, she didn't wake him. Instead she watched him sleep. He didn't really look his 32 years when awake, but while sleeping he looked even younger. All right, Abby said to herself, enough of this woolgathering. She got up, took one last glance at Carter, then headed for the shower.
As Abby stood in the kitchen making french toast she heard the water running in the bathroom. Great, she thought, he has perfect timing. He should be out of the shower by the time breakfast was done. As Carter came into the room, Abby noticed a mischievous grin on his face. She wondered if it had anything to do with his mystery errand last night.
"Morning, Carter" she said with a quick peck on his lips. "So where did you disappear to last night?"
"I had an errand that needed to be run. Sorry, I really needed to get it done or I would have woken you up to go with me." He said looking at her. "But how would you like a vacation away from Chicago?"
Have you been inside my head? I was just thinking that I really needed a get away. Do you have anywhere in mind?"
"I was thinking, well rather, my sister is getting married and well I thought that we both could go and make it a little vacation in Switzerland."
"Switzerland?" Abby asked, sounding shocked. "I was thinking New York. And besides, do you really want to take me to a family thing?"
"Abby," John said taking her face gently in his hands, "I love you. I wouldn't want to go with anyone else. Besides who else would I take to a wedding? You can't go to these things alone."
"Well" Abby said, looking into Carter's sincere brown eyes,"since you can't go alone, I guess I have to go with you. Just don't leave me alone with your mother."
"I wouldn't do that to you." He said smiling down at her, "even if I did on accident you would be able to handle her. My family is just as dysfunctional as yours is. Getting away will be good for you. You need a break from everything that has been going on here."
"I don't know what I did to deserve you." Abby said, with a kiss to Carter's cheek. "But wait. There's no way Weaver will give me the time off to go."
"I talked to Weaver. And even though she's not thrilled that I am whisking her new nurse manager away, she is giving you the time off. I owe her my first born child though, she is making me pay thru the nose for both of us going off." He said laughing.
"Your first born? So when do you plan on giving birth, Carter?" Abby remarked.
"Hmm," He thought about that one for a minute, "as soon as medically possible. That would give the family something to talk about other than me choosing medicine." Carter quickly changed the subject; "Can you be ready to leave in a couple of days?"
"Lucky for you I have maintained my passport just in case something happened to Eric when he was overseas" at the mention of her brother's name, a slight shadow crossed Abby's face.
"Abby I know you are worried about him. But you and I both know that he will show up when he's ready to see you again. Right now he has a lot that he has to face. We'll leave word with the hospital as to where we are at and if he does show up they can call us. You need to get away even if it is just for a few days. Things here will go on just as they always do. It will be okay, I promise." He said pulling her close to him.
Abby laid her head on Carter's chest and just listened to his heartbeat for a moment. "You're right, someone will know how to get in touch with us."Abby said with a slight sigh."I guess I better get some things put together. I will need a new dress if I am going to face your family. I am not wearing that pink bridesmaid dress to your sisters wedding. Did you trade my day off today for this trip?"
"Are you kidding, I knew if I did that you would kill me, and I didn't think Barbie would appreciate a corpse at her wedding. No you still have today off. Besides I didn't give up anything of yours for the trip. I just now owe Kerry a bunch of doubles for the next three months. It will all work out Abby. Oh and we'll go shopping, you're right I love you but that pink bridesmaid's dress just won't work." He said. "Let's get you something a whole lot more stunning. The most beautiful woman in the world should look that way."
"Maybe I should go shopping with Susan instead, that way you can be surprised. Would you trust me to go without you?" Abby asked, as she pulled out of Carter's arms and headed toward the bedroom.
"Nothing too shocking." He said. "You I trust, Susan's taste I don't. I have to work tonight as part of my deal to get us out of there. So I will see you tomorrow morning."
"How could you not trust Susan's taste, she used to date you." Abby headed back into the living room, dressed and ready to hit the mall. "I'll call her and see how soon she can go shopping. Don't work too hard."
"I might have dated Susan but that doesn't mean that I agree with her taste. Have fun shopping with her; I'll miss you while I'm off slaving away for Weaver." He said heading toward the door, "I'm heading in to get some charts caught up before she beheads me for those."
"If shopping goes well, I will stop in and bring you dinner." Abby stood on her toes to give Carter a quick kiss goodbye. "Have a good shift."
"Mmm, that sounds nice. I can't wait. I'll see you later," Carter said pulling the door closed behind him.
He walked down the stairs out into the bright Chicago day. He was going to be stuck in the ER today, and for a lot of days to come now that he was going to be taking the time off to flee to Switzerland, but to get away with Abby was going to be well worth any doubles that he had to pull at Weaver's command. He couldn't wait to wisk Abby away. It had been so long since they had any time alone together with out having to worry about everything else that seemed to be going on around them. Every time things got peaceful something else popped up. Oh well a week away would be enough time to relax for the two of them. At least they would be together. Carter would have to get everything in line between shifts. He wasn't going to get a day off for a long time to come now. He was sure that Weaver would make sure of that. He hoped that Susan would be able to go with Abby and help her shop. He would love to be the one going with her, but that just wasn't going to happen.
He walked up the stairs and caught the EL. Abby was constantly on his mind the entire train ride. He couldn't help himself, he was happy that they were taking their first official vacation together. Surely her meeting his parents wouldn't be all that bad. She had met Gamma and they seemed to do just fine. Granted they hadn't spent a lot of time with her, but enough for him to get a feel for how Gamma felt toward Abby. He walked thru the double doors and prepared himself for a busy day of treating Chicago's finest misfits.
Authors: Ali-Bee and Rachel
Disclaimer: They don't belong to us.
Spoilers: Starts around A Saint in the City. No Spoilers.
Notes: Big thanks to our beta Melissa and to our cheerleaders Lily and Tracey.
Chapter One: Getting away from it all.
John sat on the couch with Abby nestled against his chest. She had been worn out from the long day that they had spent in the ER. John had stopped by and checked his mail before coming over to her apartment. He hadn't had a chance to look through it before he settled down with Abby to watch a movie. She had fallen asleep on him and he hadn't bothered to move. He slowly lifted her up off him, and laid her back down on the couch. He was surprised that she didn't wake up when he moved her, but then he also knew that she was tired.
He walked over to where he had thrown his mail when he came in. And there it was. Something had come from his sister Barb, he missed her. She was living in Switzerland now with her boyfriend. He slowly opened what looked to be something more than just a letter checking in. His eyes about popped out of his head when he read what it was. His sister was getting married. He was shocked to say the least. Surely his mother would have mentioned this to him, but then it had been awhile since he had talked with her. He was going to have to book a flight so that he could be over there in time. Abby, she would have to come with him for sure. He was not going to go to his sister's wedding and leave her behind. Abby would love Switzerland or so he thought. John had been there when he was younger, but that had been years ago. But he wanted Barb to meet Abby. They would love each other.
John threw on his coat, scribbled a quick note to Abby telling him that he had an errand to run and that he would be right back. Weaver had to give him the time off to go. They wouldn't be able to spend a long time in Switzerland, but Abby deserved a vacation. And one where they were not stuck in the ER for two weeks, one where she could kick back and relax. He thought of all the ways that he could pamper her while they were there. He needed to get down to the travel agency and book their vacation. He thought about waiting and running it by her, but the surprise would be nice too.
Abby's eyes slowly came open. Her apartment was silent. The TV had the blue screen of a movie completed and rewound, and she didn't see Carter anywhere. Abby stretched, as she became more fully awake. She was so tired. The ER had been busy, but that was normal. She really needed a vacation that didn't involve chasing across the country to help her family. Not that she didn't love Eric, but dealing with his illness and Maggie had been very draining.
Abby looked around her apartment some more. Where was Carter? She knew he had been here when she had fallen asleep. Abby then saw the note on the table. He had to run an errand? Must have been something that came up suddenly, because she was sure that Carter would have mentioned it otherwise. Since his note didn't say what time he left, Abby wasn't sure what time he might be back and since she was so tired, she started getting ready for bed. Abby smiled as she thought of Carter. It amazed her how quickly she had gotten used to him being around in the evenings. It was hard for Abby to open up to anyone. She had spent years building walls and defenses to protect herself, but slowly Carter was getting around them. Leaving a light on in the living room for Carter when he came back, Abby headed for bed.
Carter made the arrangements with the travel agent for the trip. A vacation would be so nice and to be able to share that with Abby made it even better. There was nothing more that he wanted to do than to take Abby away from the world that they were living in, even if it would be for just a few short days. And the wedding gave him the perfect opportunity to do so. He just hoped that this surprise trip wasn't going to make her mad. He knew she wasn't one for spontaneity but after all this was his sister's wedding and he wanted her to go with him. He walked into the apartment. The light in the living room was on, but he didn't see Abby.
He figured that she had to have been tired from her long day in the ER. They had been busy all day and she had been running from patient to patient, trauma to trauma. That had to have been exhausting for her. The surprise was just going to have to wait until morning. He would tell her about it before he left for the hospital. He didn't have to be on until 12 so there would be plenty of time. He turned off the light and made his way to the bedroom. He slipped inside the covers and snuggled close to her. He was looking forward to them escaping together. As Abby lay dozing she felt Carter slip into bed with her. A small smile crossed her lips as she fell into a deep sleep now that he was there.
Abby woke just after seven the next morning. Carter was still asleep, and since she knew he didn't have to work until noon, she didn't wake him. Instead she watched him sleep. He didn't really look his 32 years when awake, but while sleeping he looked even younger. All right, Abby said to herself, enough of this woolgathering. She got up, took one last glance at Carter, then headed for the shower.
As Abby stood in the kitchen making french toast she heard the water running in the bathroom. Great, she thought, he has perfect timing. He should be out of the shower by the time breakfast was done. As Carter came into the room, Abby noticed a mischievous grin on his face. She wondered if it had anything to do with his mystery errand last night.
"Morning, Carter" she said with a quick peck on his lips. "So where did you disappear to last night?"
"I had an errand that needed to be run. Sorry, I really needed to get it done or I would have woken you up to go with me." He said looking at her. "But how would you like a vacation away from Chicago?"
Have you been inside my head? I was just thinking that I really needed a get away. Do you have anywhere in mind?"
"I was thinking, well rather, my sister is getting married and well I thought that we both could go and make it a little vacation in Switzerland."
"Switzerland?" Abby asked, sounding shocked. "I was thinking New York. And besides, do you really want to take me to a family thing?"
"Abby," John said taking her face gently in his hands, "I love you. I wouldn't want to go with anyone else. Besides who else would I take to a wedding? You can't go to these things alone."
"Well" Abby said, looking into Carter's sincere brown eyes,"since you can't go alone, I guess I have to go with you. Just don't leave me alone with your mother."
"I wouldn't do that to you." He said smiling down at her, "even if I did on accident you would be able to handle her. My family is just as dysfunctional as yours is. Getting away will be good for you. You need a break from everything that has been going on here."
"I don't know what I did to deserve you." Abby said, with a kiss to Carter's cheek. "But wait. There's no way Weaver will give me the time off to go."
"I talked to Weaver. And even though she's not thrilled that I am whisking her new nurse manager away, she is giving you the time off. I owe her my first born child though, she is making me pay thru the nose for both of us going off." He said laughing.
"Your first born? So when do you plan on giving birth, Carter?" Abby remarked.
"Hmm," He thought about that one for a minute, "as soon as medically possible. That would give the family something to talk about other than me choosing medicine." Carter quickly changed the subject; "Can you be ready to leave in a couple of days?"
"Lucky for you I have maintained my passport just in case something happened to Eric when he was overseas" at the mention of her brother's name, a slight shadow crossed Abby's face.
"Abby I know you are worried about him. But you and I both know that he will show up when he's ready to see you again. Right now he has a lot that he has to face. We'll leave word with the hospital as to where we are at and if he does show up they can call us. You need to get away even if it is just for a few days. Things here will go on just as they always do. It will be okay, I promise." He said pulling her close to him.
Abby laid her head on Carter's chest and just listened to his heartbeat for a moment. "You're right, someone will know how to get in touch with us."Abby said with a slight sigh."I guess I better get some things put together. I will need a new dress if I am going to face your family. I am not wearing that pink bridesmaid dress to your sisters wedding. Did you trade my day off today for this trip?"
"Are you kidding, I knew if I did that you would kill me, and I didn't think Barbie would appreciate a corpse at her wedding. No you still have today off. Besides I didn't give up anything of yours for the trip. I just now owe Kerry a bunch of doubles for the next three months. It will all work out Abby. Oh and we'll go shopping, you're right I love you but that pink bridesmaid's dress just won't work." He said. "Let's get you something a whole lot more stunning. The most beautiful woman in the world should look that way."
"Maybe I should go shopping with Susan instead, that way you can be surprised. Would you trust me to go without you?" Abby asked, as she pulled out of Carter's arms and headed toward the bedroom.
"Nothing too shocking." He said. "You I trust, Susan's taste I don't. I have to work tonight as part of my deal to get us out of there. So I will see you tomorrow morning."
"How could you not trust Susan's taste, she used to date you." Abby headed back into the living room, dressed and ready to hit the mall. "I'll call her and see how soon she can go shopping. Don't work too hard."
"I might have dated Susan but that doesn't mean that I agree with her taste. Have fun shopping with her; I'll miss you while I'm off slaving away for Weaver." He said heading toward the door, "I'm heading in to get some charts caught up before she beheads me for those."
"If shopping goes well, I will stop in and bring you dinner." Abby stood on her toes to give Carter a quick kiss goodbye. "Have a good shift."
"Mmm, that sounds nice. I can't wait. I'll see you later," Carter said pulling the door closed behind him.
He walked down the stairs out into the bright Chicago day. He was going to be stuck in the ER today, and for a lot of days to come now that he was going to be taking the time off to flee to Switzerland, but to get away with Abby was going to be well worth any doubles that he had to pull at Weaver's command. He couldn't wait to wisk Abby away. It had been so long since they had any time alone together with out having to worry about everything else that seemed to be going on around them. Every time things got peaceful something else popped up. Oh well a week away would be enough time to relax for the two of them. At least they would be together. Carter would have to get everything in line between shifts. He wasn't going to get a day off for a long time to come now. He was sure that Weaver would make sure of that. He hoped that Susan would be able to go with Abby and help her shop. He would love to be the one going with her, but that just wasn't going to happen.
He walked up the stairs and caught the EL. Abby was constantly on his mind the entire train ride. He couldn't help himself, he was happy that they were taking their first official vacation together. Surely her meeting his parents wouldn't be all that bad. She had met Gamma and they seemed to do just fine. Granted they hadn't spent a lot of time with her, but enough for him to get a feel for how Gamma felt toward Abby. He walked thru the double doors and prepared himself for a busy day of treating Chicago's finest misfits.