CHAPTER 2 Dresses and Dinner
Abby's doorbell rang. After checking to make sure it was Susan, she answered the door.
"Hey Abby," Susan said. "What's up with the impromptu shopping trip?"
"Carter's sister is getting married and he wants me to go with him to the wedding," Abby said as she gathered her purse and keys. " If I have to face all his relatives I need something proper to wear"
Susan and Abby headed to Susan's VW bug. As they got in Susan asked, "do you have any idea what you are looking for?"
"I don't know. Something conservative, I guess. I don't think a Carter Family wedding is the place to show a lot of skin."
"That's true, but you don't want to look like the Mother of the Bride either," Susan said.
"Please, don't even mention the Mother of the bride" Abby groaned. "I'm sure Carter's mother hates me. I've only met her twice and that was before Carter and I were dating. I know she thinks I'm not good enough for her precious son."
"Abby, it doesn't matter what his family thinks. Carter loves you," Susan said as she pulled into the mall parking lot. "Ok, lets find you a dress that will knock Carter's family on their ears."
Abby and Susan stood in front of the racks of dresses. "First of all, what color do you think you want" Susan asked?
"I don't know, maybe something black," Abby said.
"I know you like black Abby," Susan said, her eyes sweeping over Abby in her black turtleneck sweater. "But I don't think black is appropriate to wear for a wedding. How about pink?"
"No," Abby said firmly. "Not pink."
Susan chuckled. "Ok, not pink. Sounds like there is a story there."
"Yes there is, but I'm not telling," Abby said as she flipped through the dresses. "What about light blue?"
Susan thought a minute. "It's a winter wedding, maybe a winter color"
"What constitutes a winter color Susan?" Abby asked.
"I'm not sure, dark colors. Not pastels," Susan replied.
"How about purple? Or red? Navy blue? Brown? Green?" With each color Abby's voice got a little higher pitched. "Maybe I should just stay home."
"You are not staying home. Lets just pick out a few things and have you try them on," Susan said, pulling dresses off the rack and handing them to Abby. "You just need a little confidence."
"I don't know if a dress is going to give me any confidence Susan," Abby said as she headed to the dressing room with the dresses Susan handed her. "But a great dress couldn't hurt."
18 dresses later Abby came out of the dressing room once more. As she came around the corner, Susan sat up straight. "That's it, Abby. That's the one," Susan exclaimed.
Abby ran her hands over the fabric and smiled. " I think your right. Do you think Carter will like it?"
"Carter will love it," Susan said. "That dress looks like it was made just for you."
Abby took one more look in the mirror, her heart palpitating as she imagined the look on Carters face when he saw her.
"I better get changed and get this dress paid for," Abby said as she headed back to the dressing room for the last time. " I told Cater if shopping went well I would bring him dinner, and we have one more stop to make before picking up food.
Sure thing, Abby," Susan said. "Who am I to stand in the way of true loves path. You know, to the heart through the stomach." Abby just laughed.
Carter kept staring at the clock. This damn day was never going to end, and a double to boot. He was beginning to hate Kerry for this. He'd do anything to take Abby away, but this double shift thing, especially on Abby's day off was killing him. Dinner. She said she was going to bring him dinner. At least that gave him something to look forward to. There was no way that Kerry wasn't going to let him sneak away for a few minutes for dinner with Abby. He'd make sure of that.
He walked out of the lounge after his fifth cup of coffee, or rather what they called coffee. It was thick, it was black, and nearly tasted unbearable. Carter had to wonder if they had let Luka near the coffee maker again. The way that Luka made coffee could curl your toes. He drank it silently, he should have tried to run to the newspaper stand. At least there was decent coffee there. Carter thought about the impending vacation. All his family was going to be there, and for the first time, Abby would get to meet them all. He still couldn't believe that Barbara had decided to tie the knot. The family must be tickled about that. He didn't know much about the man she was marrying but he was sure that he would get the chance to know him before they left Switzerland.
"Carter!" A voice snapped him back into reality.
"Yeah" Carter called back.
"Are the labs back on your patient in three?" It was Weaver.
"Not yet Kerry, I just checked again." He said wondering what she was complaining about now. He had been on top of clearing the board all day.
"Get them, she has been here for over 4 hours." Kerry seemed a little testy tonight.
"I'll get them as soon as they get up here Kerry. I've talked to the patient several times already. She didn't seem that upset that she's been here awhile."
"I don't care if the patient's upset over it or not. Get that bed cleared ASAP."
"What's crawled up her ass?" Carter said not meaning to say it out loud.
"I heard that John." She said as she walked off.
At least John hadn't called her Festus like Dave did. Oh well Kerry's mood wasn't going to ruin his. He was looking forward to an ER dinner with Abby. He just wished that she would get there soon, he was starving.
Abby had Susan stop at the grocery store so she could pick up dinner for Carter to take to him in the ER. It wasn't as much fun as dinner at home, but at least she could see him for a little while and make sure he ate well.
Susan pulled over about a block from the ER. "If Weaver sees me she might ask me to work," Susan answered Abby's questioning look.
"Thanks for taking me shopping. I probably would have chickened out if I had gone alone," Abby said as she gathered the food. "I'll pick up my dress from you tomorrow."
"I had fun, Abby," Susan said. "Now go enjoy dinner with Carter."
Abby waved as Susan pulled away and walked the rest of the way to the ER. Abby was happy to see that the ER wasn't too crazy when she walked in.
"Jerry," she asked the desk clerk, "Where's Carter? I have dinner for him.
I don't know where he is. Weaver has been keeping him pretty busy," Jerry said, never taking his eyes off the television.
"Thanks Jerry. I'll see if I can find him myself," Abby said, looking around for Carter.
Carter was getting frustrated with Kerry. It was almost as if she was passing every little thing on to him. He enjoyed being busy but this was getting to be insane. He hadn't even had a chance to grab a cup of coffee in the past three hours. He came storming out of exam three. Not looking where he was going when he ran right into Kerry.
"Slow down and watch were you're going John, someone could get hurt." She said to him.
"Yeah Kerry." He said not even looking at her.
"Oh by the way you have a patient in exam one that needs a lac sutured." Kerry said.
"Why can't you do it Kerry? Or send on of the med-students to do it. You have been burring me all night long." He said, "I haven't had to do all the scut work, which is what you are giving me, since I was a first year. What is up with you?" He asked.
"Nothing is up with me John. Just get to that patient." She snapped.
He wanted to strangler her. He didn't know why she had him doing every little thing that came into the ER tonight but he was getting sick of it. He looked down the hall and saw Abby standing there, he had never been so happy to see her in his life.
Gallant Exam one needs sutured." He barked. "I'm on break, just take care of it. Dr. Weaver can sign off on it."
Carter didn't care anymore. His mood was lighter as he headed down the hall to greet Abby. He came up behind her and put his arms around her waist, "has anyone told you, you're beautiful today."
"Well let me see. There was the guy at the gas station, the checker at the grocery store, and Jerry", but as Abby spoke she leaned back into Carter embrace. The feel of his strong arms around her always made Abby feel special. "How has you day been?"
"I think Weaver is trying to get even with me. She's had me doing scut work all day. Every time I turn around she is throwing another patient at me. I've been running my ass off. Enough about my day, did you bring me dinner," He said, "oh and did you have fun shopping?"
"I don't know if I would call shopping fun, but I did find a dress I think you will approve of. And, yes," Abby said, holding up the bag, "I did bring you dinner. Can you get away a few minutes at least to eat?"
Carter quickly glanced, "Jerry where's Weaver?"
"She's upstairs. Do you want me to page her?" He asked.
"NO!" Carter yelled at him. He pulled Abby down the hall into the lounge. "I'm starving. Hopefully Weaver will be tied up for awhile and I can have a few minutes with my favorite lady and food." He said kissing her. "What did you bring me? Anything is better than nothing since Weaver is working me to death."
Abby set the bag on the table, pulling out items as she spoke. "Let's see, We have french bread, potato salad, fried chicken, soda and my personal favorite, chocolate ice cream. Which do you want first?" Abby asked.
"Abby you are my goddess." John said smacking his lips, "chicken please, this is so much better than doc's or having to eat in the cafeteria again. What would I do with out you?"
"Buy stock in Kentucky Fried Chicken?" Abby said, skipping the chicken and going straight to the ice cream. "But seriously, you need to eat something healthy if you are going to work so many doubles. Are you sure it's worth it? I can stay home. Your sister has never met me; she won't miss me at her wedding."
"Abby it's not just my sister's wedding that makes me want to take this trip. It's going with you. To spend the time with you. Why are you trying so hard to get me to change my mind about taking you with me? Do you really not want to go that bad? Because I definitely want you to go."
Abby came around the table and put her arms around Carter's neck from behind. "I do want to take this trip with you, its just this 'meet the family' thing has me more freaked out than I'm willing to admit."
"Abby, I have more important things for us to do than just spend time with my family. God that's the last thing that I want to do. I want to take you away. Just you, me and a hotel room with no pagers going off in the middle of the night. Where we can concentrate our thoughts on just us."
"Well, when you put it that way, what can I say?" Abby placed her lips to Carter's neck. "Ok, no more doubts."
"You make it hard for me to want to stay here." He said. He was enjoying being close to Abby but he knew that any minute Kerry would be back slave driving him in the ER. "I'd better eat this before Weaver gets back here and works me to the bone. Will you be up when I get home?"
"If I'm not awake when you get there, wake me up." Abby said, giving Carter one more squeeze before she sat back down across the table from him. "I will miss you tonight."
I'll miss you too. I am scheduled off at midnight unless something happens and I can't get out of here then. Or if Weaver finds me hiding out here and makes me stay later to make up the hour. She's been so weird today; I don't know what to make of her." John said shoving a huge piece of chicken in his mouth. He was so hungry and here he was getting the best of both worlds, Abby to keep him company and chicken to fill his growling stomach.
"I better head home, and let you get back to work," Abby said, as she starting picking up what was left of their dinner. "Don't be to hard on Weaver, she's been going through some stuff that she hasn't really talked about."
"I'll try not to, but whatever it is, she doesn't need to be taking it out on me. I haven't done anything to her. I love you. " He said kissing her on the cheek.
Carter headed back toward the admit area. He was going to try to avoid Kerry for the rest of the time that he was stuck there. Hopefully he could sneak out at shift change. He just had to hand off his patients and then he could get out of there and home to Abby. It was great that she could bring him dinner and that he could see her for a little bit. At least that would make the rest of the night go much faster.
"What did I miss Jerry?" Carter asked as he headed toward the rack.
"Nothing much Dr. Carter. It's kind of slow right now." Jerry told him.
"That won't last long." Carter said sitting down to catch up on the charts that he had sitting on the table. He wanted to get this done before Kerry thought he was slacking. The night was slow, for once in a long time there wasn't a steady stream of patients flowing into the ER. Carter managed to get his charts finished and keep the board clear. He sent Gallant home since there wasn't anything really for him to do. Carter figured he could use the time to catch up on his journals. Carter watched the clock waiting for midnight so that he could go home, home to Abby.
Abby's doorbell rang. After checking to make sure it was Susan, she answered the door.
"Hey Abby," Susan said. "What's up with the impromptu shopping trip?"
"Carter's sister is getting married and he wants me to go with him to the wedding," Abby said as she gathered her purse and keys. " If I have to face all his relatives I need something proper to wear"
Susan and Abby headed to Susan's VW bug. As they got in Susan asked, "do you have any idea what you are looking for?"
"I don't know. Something conservative, I guess. I don't think a Carter Family wedding is the place to show a lot of skin."
"That's true, but you don't want to look like the Mother of the Bride either," Susan said.
"Please, don't even mention the Mother of the bride" Abby groaned. "I'm sure Carter's mother hates me. I've only met her twice and that was before Carter and I were dating. I know she thinks I'm not good enough for her precious son."
"Abby, it doesn't matter what his family thinks. Carter loves you," Susan said as she pulled into the mall parking lot. "Ok, lets find you a dress that will knock Carter's family on their ears."
Abby and Susan stood in front of the racks of dresses. "First of all, what color do you think you want" Susan asked?
"I don't know, maybe something black," Abby said.
"I know you like black Abby," Susan said, her eyes sweeping over Abby in her black turtleneck sweater. "But I don't think black is appropriate to wear for a wedding. How about pink?"
"No," Abby said firmly. "Not pink."
Susan chuckled. "Ok, not pink. Sounds like there is a story there."
"Yes there is, but I'm not telling," Abby said as she flipped through the dresses. "What about light blue?"
Susan thought a minute. "It's a winter wedding, maybe a winter color"
"What constitutes a winter color Susan?" Abby asked.
"I'm not sure, dark colors. Not pastels," Susan replied.
"How about purple? Or red? Navy blue? Brown? Green?" With each color Abby's voice got a little higher pitched. "Maybe I should just stay home."
"You are not staying home. Lets just pick out a few things and have you try them on," Susan said, pulling dresses off the rack and handing them to Abby. "You just need a little confidence."
"I don't know if a dress is going to give me any confidence Susan," Abby said as she headed to the dressing room with the dresses Susan handed her. "But a great dress couldn't hurt."
18 dresses later Abby came out of the dressing room once more. As she came around the corner, Susan sat up straight. "That's it, Abby. That's the one," Susan exclaimed.
Abby ran her hands over the fabric and smiled. " I think your right. Do you think Carter will like it?"
"Carter will love it," Susan said. "That dress looks like it was made just for you."
Abby took one more look in the mirror, her heart palpitating as she imagined the look on Carters face when he saw her.
"I better get changed and get this dress paid for," Abby said as she headed back to the dressing room for the last time. " I told Cater if shopping went well I would bring him dinner, and we have one more stop to make before picking up food.
Sure thing, Abby," Susan said. "Who am I to stand in the way of true loves path. You know, to the heart through the stomach." Abby just laughed.
Carter kept staring at the clock. This damn day was never going to end, and a double to boot. He was beginning to hate Kerry for this. He'd do anything to take Abby away, but this double shift thing, especially on Abby's day off was killing him. Dinner. She said she was going to bring him dinner. At least that gave him something to look forward to. There was no way that Kerry wasn't going to let him sneak away for a few minutes for dinner with Abby. He'd make sure of that.
He walked out of the lounge after his fifth cup of coffee, or rather what they called coffee. It was thick, it was black, and nearly tasted unbearable. Carter had to wonder if they had let Luka near the coffee maker again. The way that Luka made coffee could curl your toes. He drank it silently, he should have tried to run to the newspaper stand. At least there was decent coffee there. Carter thought about the impending vacation. All his family was going to be there, and for the first time, Abby would get to meet them all. He still couldn't believe that Barbara had decided to tie the knot. The family must be tickled about that. He didn't know much about the man she was marrying but he was sure that he would get the chance to know him before they left Switzerland.
"Carter!" A voice snapped him back into reality.
"Yeah" Carter called back.
"Are the labs back on your patient in three?" It was Weaver.
"Not yet Kerry, I just checked again." He said wondering what she was complaining about now. He had been on top of clearing the board all day.
"Get them, she has been here for over 4 hours." Kerry seemed a little testy tonight.
"I'll get them as soon as they get up here Kerry. I've talked to the patient several times already. She didn't seem that upset that she's been here awhile."
"I don't care if the patient's upset over it or not. Get that bed cleared ASAP."
"What's crawled up her ass?" Carter said not meaning to say it out loud.
"I heard that John." She said as she walked off.
At least John hadn't called her Festus like Dave did. Oh well Kerry's mood wasn't going to ruin his. He was looking forward to an ER dinner with Abby. He just wished that she would get there soon, he was starving.
Abby had Susan stop at the grocery store so she could pick up dinner for Carter to take to him in the ER. It wasn't as much fun as dinner at home, but at least she could see him for a little while and make sure he ate well.
Susan pulled over about a block from the ER. "If Weaver sees me she might ask me to work," Susan answered Abby's questioning look.
"Thanks for taking me shopping. I probably would have chickened out if I had gone alone," Abby said as she gathered the food. "I'll pick up my dress from you tomorrow."
"I had fun, Abby," Susan said. "Now go enjoy dinner with Carter."
Abby waved as Susan pulled away and walked the rest of the way to the ER. Abby was happy to see that the ER wasn't too crazy when she walked in.
"Jerry," she asked the desk clerk, "Where's Carter? I have dinner for him.
I don't know where he is. Weaver has been keeping him pretty busy," Jerry said, never taking his eyes off the television.
"Thanks Jerry. I'll see if I can find him myself," Abby said, looking around for Carter.
Carter was getting frustrated with Kerry. It was almost as if she was passing every little thing on to him. He enjoyed being busy but this was getting to be insane. He hadn't even had a chance to grab a cup of coffee in the past three hours. He came storming out of exam three. Not looking where he was going when he ran right into Kerry.
"Slow down and watch were you're going John, someone could get hurt." She said to him.
"Yeah Kerry." He said not even looking at her.
"Oh by the way you have a patient in exam one that needs a lac sutured." Kerry said.
"Why can't you do it Kerry? Or send on of the med-students to do it. You have been burring me all night long." He said, "I haven't had to do all the scut work, which is what you are giving me, since I was a first year. What is up with you?" He asked.
"Nothing is up with me John. Just get to that patient." She snapped.
He wanted to strangler her. He didn't know why she had him doing every little thing that came into the ER tonight but he was getting sick of it. He looked down the hall and saw Abby standing there, he had never been so happy to see her in his life.
Gallant Exam one needs sutured." He barked. "I'm on break, just take care of it. Dr. Weaver can sign off on it."
Carter didn't care anymore. His mood was lighter as he headed down the hall to greet Abby. He came up behind her and put his arms around her waist, "has anyone told you, you're beautiful today."
"Well let me see. There was the guy at the gas station, the checker at the grocery store, and Jerry", but as Abby spoke she leaned back into Carter embrace. The feel of his strong arms around her always made Abby feel special. "How has you day been?"
"I think Weaver is trying to get even with me. She's had me doing scut work all day. Every time I turn around she is throwing another patient at me. I've been running my ass off. Enough about my day, did you bring me dinner," He said, "oh and did you have fun shopping?"
"I don't know if I would call shopping fun, but I did find a dress I think you will approve of. And, yes," Abby said, holding up the bag, "I did bring you dinner. Can you get away a few minutes at least to eat?"
Carter quickly glanced, "Jerry where's Weaver?"
"She's upstairs. Do you want me to page her?" He asked.
"NO!" Carter yelled at him. He pulled Abby down the hall into the lounge. "I'm starving. Hopefully Weaver will be tied up for awhile and I can have a few minutes with my favorite lady and food." He said kissing her. "What did you bring me? Anything is better than nothing since Weaver is working me to death."
Abby set the bag on the table, pulling out items as she spoke. "Let's see, We have french bread, potato salad, fried chicken, soda and my personal favorite, chocolate ice cream. Which do you want first?" Abby asked.
"Abby you are my goddess." John said smacking his lips, "chicken please, this is so much better than doc's or having to eat in the cafeteria again. What would I do with out you?"
"Buy stock in Kentucky Fried Chicken?" Abby said, skipping the chicken and going straight to the ice cream. "But seriously, you need to eat something healthy if you are going to work so many doubles. Are you sure it's worth it? I can stay home. Your sister has never met me; she won't miss me at her wedding."
"Abby it's not just my sister's wedding that makes me want to take this trip. It's going with you. To spend the time with you. Why are you trying so hard to get me to change my mind about taking you with me? Do you really not want to go that bad? Because I definitely want you to go."
Abby came around the table and put her arms around Carter's neck from behind. "I do want to take this trip with you, its just this 'meet the family' thing has me more freaked out than I'm willing to admit."
"Abby, I have more important things for us to do than just spend time with my family. God that's the last thing that I want to do. I want to take you away. Just you, me and a hotel room with no pagers going off in the middle of the night. Where we can concentrate our thoughts on just us."
"Well, when you put it that way, what can I say?" Abby placed her lips to Carter's neck. "Ok, no more doubts."
"You make it hard for me to want to stay here." He said. He was enjoying being close to Abby but he knew that any minute Kerry would be back slave driving him in the ER. "I'd better eat this before Weaver gets back here and works me to the bone. Will you be up when I get home?"
"If I'm not awake when you get there, wake me up." Abby said, giving Carter one more squeeze before she sat back down across the table from him. "I will miss you tonight."
I'll miss you too. I am scheduled off at midnight unless something happens and I can't get out of here then. Or if Weaver finds me hiding out here and makes me stay later to make up the hour. She's been so weird today; I don't know what to make of her." John said shoving a huge piece of chicken in his mouth. He was so hungry and here he was getting the best of both worlds, Abby to keep him company and chicken to fill his growling stomach.
"I better head home, and let you get back to work," Abby said, as she starting picking up what was left of their dinner. "Don't be to hard on Weaver, she's been going through some stuff that she hasn't really talked about."
"I'll try not to, but whatever it is, she doesn't need to be taking it out on me. I haven't done anything to her. I love you. " He said kissing her on the cheek.
Carter headed back toward the admit area. He was going to try to avoid Kerry for the rest of the time that he was stuck there. Hopefully he could sneak out at shift change. He just had to hand off his patients and then he could get out of there and home to Abby. It was great that she could bring him dinner and that he could see her for a little bit. At least that would make the rest of the night go much faster.
"What did I miss Jerry?" Carter asked as he headed toward the rack.
"Nothing much Dr. Carter. It's kind of slow right now." Jerry told him.
"That won't last long." Carter said sitting down to catch up on the charts that he had sitting on the table. He wanted to get this done before Kerry thought he was slacking. The night was slow, for once in a long time there wasn't a steady stream of patients flowing into the ER. Carter managed to get his charts finished and keep the board clear. He sent Gallant home since there wasn't anything really for him to do. Carter figured he could use the time to catch up on his journals. Carter watched the clock waiting for midnight so that he could go home, home to Abby.