Author' s note: I am so sorry it has taken me so long to update this story, but two moves and one computer crash has made my life interesting lately. I promise not to take so long next time. Ali.

Chapter 7: Pigs are Amazing.

Abby opened one eye. Sunlight was streaming into the room. Carter was still sound asleep, wrapped around her.

Carter moved pulling her with him. He loved the way she felt in his arms. He was dreaming, "you're a good cook." He said out loud.

"I wonder who he's dreaming about,"Abby though, " because it sure isn't me. "Carter! Wake up, you are dreaming about another woman."

Carter opened his eyes, "what other woman. There's not other woman."

"You were talking in your sleep, saying something about a good cook. You and I both know that isn't me."

"You make great french toast." He said thinking back to breakfast before they left.

"Okay, I will let you off the hook, this time." Abby said, getting out of the bed. "I'm going to take a shower, you coming along?"

"Yeah," He said yawning, "what time is it?"

"Nine."

"Oh good. I'm not anywhere near ready to see mother." He said, "I'm getting coffee you want any?"

"No thanks, I nervous enough without caffeine."

"Suit yourself. I will be in there in a minute." He said. He walked into the other room. This place was huge. And got the coffee going.

Abby reached in and turned the tap on. She climbed into the shower, letting the water run over her. She would survive today. And she would do nothing to embarrass Carter.

Carter heard the shower going. He glanced up at the clock and padded to the bathroom. "You are going to save me hot water right?"

"Only if you hurry," she answered back.

"I climb in there with you and we will be late." Carter said to her.

"Spoil sport," she said with a bit of a pout.

"I know you don't want to go, but we really don't want to be late." Carter said, "I don't want to get on her bad side."

Abby got out of the shower and wrapped her hair up in a towel.

Carter turned and kissed her, "I didn't get to do that earlier." He said stepping into the shower.

"Abby can you grab me a pair of pants and a dress shirt." he said.

"Any one in particular?" Abby asked from the other room.

"No," He called, "Just something that matches."

"I think I can handle that." Abby picked out some clothes for Carter and placed them in the bathroom. "Here they are."

"Thank you." He said as he climbed out of the shower. He had a five o'clock shadow going. He had been tempted to grow his beard out again. "Hey Abby?"

"What?"

"What do you think about me growing that beard back?" He asked.

"Back?"

"That's right, you never saw the beard. What would you think about me growing one?"

"I don't know, isn't it kinda, rough?

"Not really," He said, "once it grows a little." he said running his hands over his face.

"Maybe after your sister's wedding, then," Abby said, as she dug through her suitcase.

Carter shaved the shadow off and walked out dressed. "Abby your are beautiful."

"Do I look appropriate to meet your mother?"

"You look good enough to eat." He said walking over to her.

"Nibble on, or devour?"

"Devour, definitely devour." Carter said nibbling on the back of her neck.

"Just as long as your mother doesn't chew me up and spit me out for lunch" Abby said, enjoying the feel of Carters teeth on her neck.

"I won't let her," He said, "she had better not even try. She won't get away with it."

"And Barbara will be there. I liked her."

"I'm glad you like at least one member of my family." he said smiling, "shall we get this over with."

"If we must," she said, placing her hand in his.

The sooner we get it done. The sooner we can get back here." He said heading to the door.

"That's good. Because I have a few thinks packed away you haven't seen yet, either.

He looked at her, "I like the sound of that."

"You better." Abby pulled the door closed behind them, and the headed toward the elevator.

"At least we don't have to go far." He said, "she's just downstairs. I told mom that I would be tired so here would be the best place to meet. We can get away fairly fast if she is a witch to you."

"Thanks," Abby said, with a quick kiss to his cheek.

Carter spotted his mother, Barbara and someone that he had never seen before. She was at it again. At least Barbie wasn't in on it or claimed not to be, "you ready for this." He said looking at Abby, "she's up to no good."

I'm ready." Abby said, putting a smile on her face.

Carter walked up to the table, "Mother, Barbie," he said to them trying to be polite. "It's nice to see you. I want you to meet Abby, Barbara." He was trying to pretend that she hadn't come up so that his mother wouldn't feel he was abandoning her, "Mother you remember Abby don't you?" He asked his mother. He had never seen the young lady sitting at the table before. But he was sure that she wasn't a friend of Barbie's.

"John, do you think it is appropriate to bring a co worker to your sisters wedding?"

"Yes mother I do." He said looking at her, "Abby is my girlfriend."

Abby sat next to Carter and tried to make herself as small as possible, to try to be unnoticed. He reached under the table and squeezed her hand. Carter looked at his mother. He picked his words carefully, "Abby and I are dating mother."

"Really?" Eleanor said as she looked down her nose at Abby.

"Yes really," Carter said to his mother, "I am assuming that you won't have a problem with that."

"I don't think this is the appropriate time and place for a discussion, John," said Eleanor. "I would like to introduce you to Lauren."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." He said, giving his mother the look, "I'm sure my mother has told you a lot about me."

Barbara, noticing the uncomfortable looks on everyone's faces said, "I'm looking forward to you meeting my fiancé tonight, Scooter."

"I'm looking forward to that too Barbie." He said, he leaned over, "want to get out of here," he whispered.

"Oh, I just remembered something," Barbara said. "One of Kevin's ushers might not be able to make it in time for the wedding. Mother do you mind if I steal Johnny to have him fitted, just incase he needs to step in.

"If you must." Eleanor said to her daughter. She knew what those two were trying to do. "I do expect to see both of you at dinner tonight." Carter looked at his mother, "yes you will. I will talk to you later." He stood up and looked at Abby, "you want to come along dear."

Abby stood up quickly, "Sure, as long as Barbara doesn't mind."

Carter looked at her, "no she's not going to mind." Barbara looked at Abby, "it's not a problem Abby." Carter leaned over close to Abby whispering to her, "she's rescuing us from mom."

"Then I would love to come along. Nice seeing you again Mrs. Carter," Abby said with a smile she hoped looked sincere.

Carter led the three of them out of the room. "Thank you Barbie. I owe you well another one." Barbara looked at her brother, "it's nothing Scooter. Just don't be late for dinner. I'm not getting out of things twice today. I hope that you and Abby have fun. I'm going to go find my other half."

"Thank you, Barbara," Abby said. "I don't think I was ready for that."

"You did just fine." Barbara said to her, "you are the first of Scooter's girlfriends who didn't go screaming from the room."

John hugged his sister, "you didn't need to tell her that. I'll see you later tonight, let's go find something fun to do Abby."

"I would like to see a bit of the city."

He took her hand, "then we shall. There are a lot of little shops along the street here, why don't we go for a little bit of shopping?"

"Okay. Are we looking for something in particular," she said, as she fell into step with him

"No," he said, he had the something special back at the hotel. "Just something to remember our first getaway with."

"That will be nice."

"Is there anything special that you would like to take back home," Carter said looking in a shop full of modal castles.

"You know what I would really like is some chocolate." Abby said.

"You've been around me to long." He said walking down the streets. "I think this one might have something. After all it's a candy shop."

"Then what are we waiting for?"

He pulled her inside, there were rows of small bins full of candies. "I have been inside one of these since I was a small kid."

Abby picked up the chocolate shaped like bottles and showed them to Carter. "I suppose these are out?"

"No," He said, "but you do realize that they do have alcohol in them here."

"Then I guess I better not," she said as she placed them back on the shelf. "How about this?"

"Those are cute," Carter said, "you can pick what ever you want," Carter laughed, "enjoy yourself."

Abby put the chocolate shaped pigs in the little basket she carried then looked around for anything else that caught her eye.

"I want to get these," Carter said with a smile on his face.

"You would. Go ahead put them in the basket."

"I'd love to nibble them off of you." He said, "not very romantic huh."

"Anything you do is romantic. And I am sorry I fell asleep on you last night."

"Don't be sorry Abby." He said, "I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Maybe we will have to try that seduction scene again, tonight," Abby said, placing her hand into the crook of her arm.

"You don't have to work very hard at that." He said, "you have me wrapped around your little finger."

"Yah, sure."

"There's a little park just up the street," John said taking the basket from her, "would you like to walk with me." "After you pay for my chocolate." Abby said.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." He said. He paid for the candy, took her hand in his, "let's go.

As they walked though the park Abby felt content. She refused to let his mother bother her, and she truly liked Barbara.

"Are you have a good time." Carter asked her. He knew that this morning couldn't have been easy for it.

"I am. Because I'm here with you." she said.

"I'm glad to hear that." He said, "do you need to change before facing my parents again."

" I should. I am sure your mother and Lauren wouldn't be seen in the same outfit for two different meals."

"You don't have to become like them," He said to her, "I love you just the way you are."

Abby kissed him. "Thanks, but I think I will change clothes anyway."

Carter led Abby back to the hotel, "you handled mother great today." He said, "Even Barbie was amazed with you." He said as they climbed into the elevator.

"I didn't think I did anything. But I am glad Barbara chose to rescue us." Abby said, leaning on the back wall of the elevator.

"So am I," Carter chuckled, "you did more than you'll ever know Abby."

"If you say so.

"Let's just get changed." He said. Carter hated spending time with his family.

"How long do we have before dinner?" Abby asked.

Carter looked at his watch, "three hours."

"I don't think it will take three hours to change our clothes." Abby said as she headed toward the bathroom.

"It shouldn't," He said.

"So," Abby said from the bathroom. "Do you want to take a nap, or something else."

"Hmm," Carter said, "I like those options. Something else will led to a nap."

Carter laid back on the bed and closed his eyes. When Abby came out of the bathroom, she saw Carter asleep, snoring lightly. She knew that he had been under a lot of stress knowing he had to deal with his parents, so she figured she would just let him sleep.