Chapter 8: Money Matters
The sleep felt good. He needed it. He was so worried about what his mother might try. He knew that she would bring someone to lunch, but he hoped that she got the picture and didn't bring her to dinner. He loved Abby and that was something that she was going to have to get used to. He opened one eye to glance at the clock. Abby was in the bathroom, fussing with her hair. She knew that she was a bit out of her depth with Carter's family, but she would hold up her head, and take whatever they dished out. Carter got up and headed into the bathroom, he stepped behind Abby and put his arms around he waist, "you look beautiful."
"You look well rested," she said
"I feel a lot better." He said. "I supposed that I should probably get my clothes changed and look a little more human."
"You better hurry. If we are late nobody's going to blame you."
"I know," he said, "it shouldn't take me too long." Carter stuck his head inside a suitcase. He got into a pair of dark pants, a white dress shirt. "Which tie, Abby?"
"Why don't you wear the red one, to match my sweater?"
"Yeah." He said. Picking it up and tying it in the mirror. "Can I call them and tell them that I am sick?"
"No, because they will blame me. We will go and I will smile," Abby said, slipping on her heels. "Besides how often do you see me in a skirt."
"You make scrubs look sexy." He said to her.
"So is that why you went into medicine? A scrub obsession."
"I didn't get that until I met you." He said, "too bad you had to have been my med student then."
"Why too bad?" she asked.
"I would have dated you then." He said, Carter pulled her close for a kiss, "I've always loved you."
"I knew there was something there, that first night on the roof. I was just too scared to even think about it."
"I didn't think that after all of this," he said looking at her, "we'd be here."
"But I'm glad we are," she said, surrendering to his embrace.
"I am too." He said. "We'd better think about going. Not that I want to but this is important to Barbie."
"Okay, I am ready as I'll ever be."
"It will be okay." He said kissing her, "I'll be right there with you, and they don't like me either."
"I don't believe that," Abby said, while grabbing her wrap. "Who wouldn't like you?"
"My family." He said, "I'm the doctor not the family business man."
Carter headed toward the elevator. "I'm not the ideal son, an addict on top of it."
"You are an amazing Doctor. You save lives every day. What's not for them to be proud of. And I honestly don't think you would have started using if you..." Abby stopped speaking since she didn't want to bring up a bad subject.
"Hadn't been stabbed." He finished the sentence for her, "you know Abby my mother should be thanking you, not turning her nose up at you. She wouldn't have a son if you weren't here."
"You would have made it. If I hadn't been there, someone else would have."
"Don't be so sure of that. I was self destructing and didn't even know it." He pushed the button for the elevator. "But that's behind me."
"I know. And I want you know how proud I am of you. And you are probably a better sponsor than I will ever be." Abby stepped onto the elevator, and pulled her wrap a little tighter.
"Don't sell yourself short Abby." He said. "I wonder what kind of festivities mother has put together for tonight."
Abby gave Carter a slight smile. "I just hope it doesn't go too late."
"No we'll just make our appearances, do the family duty and then get out of there. Trust me I don't want to stay with them any longer than we have to." Carter said stepping out into the lobby. "Well at least we don't have to get a taxi. Seems that either mother or Barbie, sent a car."
"Do you ever get used to it, John?"
"Get used to what?" He asked.
"Limos, and jetting off to Switzerland at a moments notice." Abby said, "Because this is really out of my reality."
"Yeah I guess so," he said, "But I'd rather have a normal family than money. Money isn't all that it's cracked up to be though."
"Well at least you had that. I didn't have a normal family or money."
"I didn't have a mother or a father either." He said.
"But you had your Grandmother."
"Yeah I had Gamma." He said, "at least she took care of us. And stopped them from shipping us from boarding school to boarding school." He said, taking Abby's hand in his, "let me spoil you. I want to give you everything that the world has to offer Abby."
"If I have you, that's all I need." Abby said, sliding even closer to him.
Carter sighed, "you do have me, you will always have me." He held onto her for the rest of the car ride. When the car stopped he looked at her, "at least we'll get some food."
"Sometimes, I think food is all you think about," Abby answered with a small punch to Carters upper arm.
I have to have something to keep my mind off of the things that I want to do to you." He said, "if I don't think about food, I'll never make it thru tonight."
Abby grinned, then whispered something in his ear, before getting out of the car.
Carter turned red and followed her, he liked that. "May I escort you Ms. Lockhart."
"That you may, Dr. Carter."
Carter led her into the house. They walked inside. Carter wasn't sure what Barbie's fiancee did, but mother must have approved. Barbara came over to them, with her fiance. "John, Abby this is my fiance, Kevin Wentworth. Kevin this is my brother John and his girlfriend Abby.
John stretched out his hand, "it's a pleasure to meet you Kevin."
"Nice to meet you too, John," Kevin said, then he turned to Abby, "and you too, Abby."
Abby noticed that John and Kevin were about the same height and build. But Kevin's hair was flaming red, and he had bright blue eyes. Abby held her hand out to Kevin. She smiled as he lifted her hand to his mouth to kiss, instead of shaking it.
"Barbara, your fiance is quite the charmer. It's a pleasure to meet you, Kevin."
"The pleasure is ours, Barbie has been going on about having her brother here. It's nice to finally get the chance to meet both of you."
"Have you talked to Mother yet," Barbara asked.
"No I haven't had the chance to see her yet."
"You might want to steer Abby clear of her. Mother is in a mood."
"I will," John said he noticed that his father was standing by the bar, "It was a pleasure meeting you Kevin. If you will excuse us, I am going to go say hello to Dad."
"Can you handle saying hello to my dad." Carter asked as they walked toward Jack.
"Sure, I can. I haven't met him, so he doesn't hate me yet," Abby said, gripping Carters hand.
"Abby remind me not to let you hold on to me when I ask you stupid questions like that, you are going to hurt me," Carter said crossing the room, "Dad this is Abby Lockhart, Abby this is my dad Jack." He said.
"Pleasure to meet you Abby." The senior Carter said to her.
"Nice to meet you too."
"She more beautiful that you described John." He said to him turning to Abby, "my son is lucky to have you accompany him, I know it was short notice."
"Well, John made it possible for me to come along." Abby relaxing a bit. Carter's father seamed nice enough.
"He's a good man." Jack said to her, "you know your mother brought another young woman tonight. She's obsessing again. You had better be careful, now that she has Barbara married off you know your her next project."
Carter rolled his eyes, "I'm taken Dad, she just....it drives me nuts." He pulled Abby slightly away, as Jack asked for another drink. "If I go find mother, would you be comfortable here with my Dad?"
"I don't mind?" Abby said, still holding onto John.
"I'd rather have you here with him while I deal with her." He said to Abby, he gave her a quick kiss, "I promise not to take long. You sure your okay with this, I know I promised not to leave you alone with my family.
"I'm ok. And if it gets bad I will just excuse myself to the ladies room." Abby said. John lead her back over to where his dad was standing, then Abby let go of his hand.
"Dad, would you mind keeping Abby company for a minute, I am going to go and talk to mom."
"It would be my pleasure to keep an eye on her for you, son."
He turned and crossed the room. He had a few choice words for his mother. "Mother," He said walking up to her, "Dad said you were looking for me." He was going to put an end to this. He glanced over his shoulder quick to make sure that Abby was okay.
Abby was making small talk with Carter's dad. He was being kind, and didn't make her feel uncomfortable.
"Yes, I wanted you to meet..."
John cut her off, "No there will not be me meeting anyone mother. I'm here with Abby get used to it." He said.
"John, do not raise you voice with me or tell me to get used to it." She said to him, "you need a nice young lady to settle down with not a nurse that you work with." Eleanor said.
"No mom, I am serious. I have Gamma's engagement ring. Before I go back to the States, it will be on Abby's finger. "You can stop right now mother, do not try to set me up with anyone." He said trying to keep his voice down.
"What does your Grandmother think of her," Eleanor asked, her lips tight.
"I don't know I haven't asked Gamma." John said to her, "it's no one's decision but mine. You can't tell me who to love mom, I'm not a little boy!"
"Well you certainly aren't acting like a grown up. I think you just brought this woman because you knew it would bother me."
"Really mother. Well it has hasn't it. You can't understand why I love her can you." He said, "there's a lot about me that you don' t know or understand. I love mother. I really love her and I"m happy. Accept it."
"Just don't ask me to help when you find out she was just after your money, John." Eleanor said, as she sipped her champagne.
"My money." John laughed. "She doesn't want my money mother. I think she's just as uncomfortable with it as I am. One thing I have learned money isn't everything. Are you going to accept her mother or not."
"I guess you are going to do whatever you want to. But I don't have to like it. Eleanor said, walking away.
"No mom you don't. I will see you tomorrow I'm taking Abby home."
Carter crossed the room, "Dad, I think I would like Abby's company back please, we will be seeing you tomorrow."
"Did your Mother give you trouble, John?" Abby asked.
"That's fine, son." Jack answered. "It was very nice talking with you Abby. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Mr. Carter. Thanks for the talk," Abby said.
"You will Dad. I won't miss Barbara's wedding." He said he put his arm around Abby's waist. "I just want to get out of here."
Abby leaned into him as they walked out. "What happened?"
"It's a long story sweetheart." He said to her, "let's just go back to the hotel...I want to talk to you about something anyway."
"Okay. But it bothers me to see you this upset."
"I know, " John said, "it's nothing bad really. Mom and I just had a little disagreement."
"Well if it helps at all, your father was nice," Abby said.
"I glad you like him Abby." John said, "I just want to be with you tonight."
"Well, I'm here."
Carter was silent the entire car ride back to the hotel. His mother had really gotten to him. She was not going to meddle in his life and control him. As Abby watched him she wondered about what his mother had said. Whatever it was, it had really shaken him.
They walked back up into the hotel room. "Peace and quiet." He said flopping on the bed.
"Can we order room service again, since we managed to walk out on both lunch and dinner?"Abby asked.
"Abby I am so sorry about that." He said, "yes we can. What do you want?"
"Strawberries and whipped cream?" she said with a toss of her hair.
Carter grinned, "later."
"Then how about some chicken cordon bleu."
He picked up the phone and called down. He made a mental note of everything that he was going to need. "dinner will be here in about 15 minutes."
"Wonderful," Abby said, as she lay down and sighed.
Carter went over and rummaged thru a suitcase. He knew that he had put it in here but he wasn't sure just where. He slipped it in his pocket as there was a knock on the door.
"Abby would you let the room service guy in please."
Abby went to the door, and let in their dinner.
"Here," Carter said, tipping the bellboy. "I'll be out in a minute Abby." Carter disappeared into the bathroom. He wanted five minutes to think by himself. He was rushing things. He was letting his mother get the best of him. He just needed to relax. Abby wondered what was going on with Carter. He had been jumpy since they left the meeting with his parents. She wondered what his mother said to him. Carter walked out. He had splashed water on his face, loosened his tie, "that smells good."
"Do you promise not to get upset if I tell you what my mother said."
"I won't get upset." Abby said." But maybe we should eat before you tell me."
"Yeah," He said, "you haven't eaten all day and well you know me..."
"I'm surprised you haven't fainted from hunger already." Abby placed her fork into her food, and held it up to Carter.
"Thank you." He said. His mother couldn't be more wrong about her. Carter would prove to her that he knew what he was doing.
"More?" Abby asked.
He shook his head no.
"Baby, you need to eat something." Abby was getting worried now. Nothing make Carter lose his appetite.
"If you say so." He said taking the bite off her fork.
Abby continued to feed Carter. He seemed to be doing better now.
"No more Abby please," Carter said. "I can't hold another bite."
"All right sweetie, did you leave any room for chocolate."
"What you mean me, you're the one who was shoveling it in." He said laughing
"You needed to eat." She came around the table and sat on his lap.
"I supposed you want me to tell you what happened with mom." He said.
"Yes, I do. What did she do to upset you?"
"In a nutshell, she said that you were after my money."
"Your money?" Abby jumped out of Carter's lap and started pacing. "I can't believe she could think something. You are special, money or no."
"Abby, I don't think that. I have never thought that. It never crossed my mind."
"I suppose that's what they all think. I knew I should have stayed home," Abby said, still pacing.
"Come here please," he said reaching for her.
Abby stopped, and let Carter pull her near.
"I don't care what they think, or what they say. I know the truth. I know that you could care less that I come from a wealthy family. And it appeared that you were hitting it off with my dad."
Abby thought a moment and tried to calm down. "I guess you are right. He was nice, and we were able to talk. Barbara has been nice, too. Ok, maybe they all don't hate me."
"No," he said, "but I don't care what they think, I wish that you wouldn't either. It's my decision not theirs."
"I do worry. I don't want to cause you problems with your family."
"Abby, my family already has problems. There's nothing that can be done about that. Mother said what she wanted to. I don't care anymore. All that matters to me is that I'm happy, and when I am with you, I am happy. That's what I want, to be here with you."
Abby looked into his eyes, and she could see that he was telling the truth. "I just don't want you to change your mind in a few years, and resent me because I caused problems with your family."
"I could never resent you. I'm not going to change the way that I feel about you for them." Carter pulled her in for a kiss, "How about a nice long bubble bath?"
"That sounds good," she smiled.
"With or without me?"
"Why would I want to take a bubble bath without you?"
Carter smiled at her, "because I haven't left your side this entire trip. I wasn't sure if you would want some quiet time to yourself."
"Maybe later, right now, I want you with me."
"I think I can handle that." Carter said, "would you like me to draw your bath?"
"Would you?" she asked.
"I would love to," He said, he swept her up and carried her into the bathroom with him. He balanced her on his lap as he sat on the edge of the tub to start the water running.
"I just want to stay in the tub until we wash all the problems away."
"I don't think that we have enough time." He said kissing the back of her neck, "but I can and will make you forget about them."
She pulled off her red sweater, then her skirt, reveling the red garter belt she has whispered to him about earlier.
"Now I know why that suitcase was so heavy, " he said with a chuckle.
"Why do you say that?" Abby asked.
"You brought the heavy artillery. I couldn't keep my hands off you if I wanted to, Abby you are beautiful."
"And you are the most perfect man I have ever seen."
"I love you Abigail Lockhart," he said as he rested his head on her top and kissed it gently, "I hope I got this warm enough for you."
"If you are here, I am sure it will be warm enough," she said, slipping her hands around him.
Carter gently lowered them both into the tub. He leaned back so that he was resting again the back of the tub and pulled her up close to him. "You don't ever have to worry about me going anywhere. I will always be right here." He savored the feeling of having her close to him, of her in his arms. "I want you."
"Oh, John. You have me," Abby said, lifting her face to his placing a light kiss on his lips.
He kissed her back, and ran his hands down the length of her back, "I need you." He whispered.
"I need you, too," she said, as she placed her hands on his chest.
John took her face between her hands and kissed her passionately. He released his hands only to run them up and down her arms. He loved the touch of her skin, the feeling of her touch against his. The fire that ran up and down his skin. This was heaven for him to have the woman of his dreams alone with him, he knew in his heart that this was right, she was the only one for him. Abby sighed, this was so perfect. In the moments when they were this close she believed they could survive anything the world would throw at them. Her skin tingled wherever he had touched. She felt so cherished.
"I want you and only you," he whispered into her ear, "God Abby you are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me." He couldn't get enough of her. His desire for her was even stronger than when he first kissed her in the ER.
Abby could wait no longer. She slipped her knees on either side of him. She could feel his arms pull her tighter to him. They fit together perfectly. "I want you," she sighed into his ear.
John let a moan escape from his lips. He felt her back arch as he moved her hips. He looked up into her eyes, he wanted to see the pleasure in her eyes. She looked back to his eyes, those deep brown eyes that could make her forget everything but him. Her movements went from slow and soft, to quicker and with purpose.
She was the only one who could drive him mad with desire. He was having a hard time keeping himself under control. When he looked in her eyes, he could feel and see that she loved him. "Abby."
"John!" she gasped. "Oh my. Oh, Baby." She was just barely holding on.
John felt Abby's body tremble. He pulled her closer to him one more time before he fell back against the back of the tub. The water had lost it's heat. "I love you," he said . They rode the waves together. Then Abby collapsed onto John's chest, trying to catch her breath.
He slipped out from under her and got out of the tub. He lifted her out and wrapped her in a bath towel. "Don't want you to catch cold. You can't get sick and leave me to deal with the tomorrow all alone."
"I will be wherever you want me to be," she said, running one hand through his hair, the other looped around his neck.
Carter laid her down on the bed, "are you hungry?"
"Hungry?" she asked, her eyes starting to droop.
"Close your eyes baby, we have all the time in the world." He said, the strawberries could wait for another time. He made sure that they would have a wake up call in the morning so that they would make to the church in time for the wedding. He pulled Abby in close to him as he settled in for the night next to her, "sleep well my sweet Abby."
The sleep felt good. He needed it. He was so worried about what his mother might try. He knew that she would bring someone to lunch, but he hoped that she got the picture and didn't bring her to dinner. He loved Abby and that was something that she was going to have to get used to. He opened one eye to glance at the clock. Abby was in the bathroom, fussing with her hair. She knew that she was a bit out of her depth with Carter's family, but she would hold up her head, and take whatever they dished out. Carter got up and headed into the bathroom, he stepped behind Abby and put his arms around he waist, "you look beautiful."
"You look well rested," she said
"I feel a lot better." He said. "I supposed that I should probably get my clothes changed and look a little more human."
"You better hurry. If we are late nobody's going to blame you."
"I know," he said, "it shouldn't take me too long." Carter stuck his head inside a suitcase. He got into a pair of dark pants, a white dress shirt. "Which tie, Abby?"
"Why don't you wear the red one, to match my sweater?"
"Yeah." He said. Picking it up and tying it in the mirror. "Can I call them and tell them that I am sick?"
"No, because they will blame me. We will go and I will smile," Abby said, slipping on her heels. "Besides how often do you see me in a skirt."
"You make scrubs look sexy." He said to her.
"So is that why you went into medicine? A scrub obsession."
"I didn't get that until I met you." He said, "too bad you had to have been my med student then."
"Why too bad?" she asked.
"I would have dated you then." He said, Carter pulled her close for a kiss, "I've always loved you."
"I knew there was something there, that first night on the roof. I was just too scared to even think about it."
"I didn't think that after all of this," he said looking at her, "we'd be here."
"But I'm glad we are," she said, surrendering to his embrace.
"I am too." He said. "We'd better think about going. Not that I want to but this is important to Barbie."
"Okay, I am ready as I'll ever be."
"It will be okay." He said kissing her, "I'll be right there with you, and they don't like me either."
"I don't believe that," Abby said, while grabbing her wrap. "Who wouldn't like you?"
"My family." He said, "I'm the doctor not the family business man."
Carter headed toward the elevator. "I'm not the ideal son, an addict on top of it."
"You are an amazing Doctor. You save lives every day. What's not for them to be proud of. And I honestly don't think you would have started using if you..." Abby stopped speaking since she didn't want to bring up a bad subject.
"Hadn't been stabbed." He finished the sentence for her, "you know Abby my mother should be thanking you, not turning her nose up at you. She wouldn't have a son if you weren't here."
"You would have made it. If I hadn't been there, someone else would have."
"Don't be so sure of that. I was self destructing and didn't even know it." He pushed the button for the elevator. "But that's behind me."
"I know. And I want you know how proud I am of you. And you are probably a better sponsor than I will ever be." Abby stepped onto the elevator, and pulled her wrap a little tighter.
"Don't sell yourself short Abby." He said. "I wonder what kind of festivities mother has put together for tonight."
Abby gave Carter a slight smile. "I just hope it doesn't go too late."
"No we'll just make our appearances, do the family duty and then get out of there. Trust me I don't want to stay with them any longer than we have to." Carter said stepping out into the lobby. "Well at least we don't have to get a taxi. Seems that either mother or Barbie, sent a car."
"Do you ever get used to it, John?"
"Get used to what?" He asked.
"Limos, and jetting off to Switzerland at a moments notice." Abby said, "Because this is really out of my reality."
"Yeah I guess so," he said, "But I'd rather have a normal family than money. Money isn't all that it's cracked up to be though."
"Well at least you had that. I didn't have a normal family or money."
"I didn't have a mother or a father either." He said.
"But you had your Grandmother."
"Yeah I had Gamma." He said, "at least she took care of us. And stopped them from shipping us from boarding school to boarding school." He said, taking Abby's hand in his, "let me spoil you. I want to give you everything that the world has to offer Abby."
"If I have you, that's all I need." Abby said, sliding even closer to him.
Carter sighed, "you do have me, you will always have me." He held onto her for the rest of the car ride. When the car stopped he looked at her, "at least we'll get some food."
"Sometimes, I think food is all you think about," Abby answered with a small punch to Carters upper arm.
I have to have something to keep my mind off of the things that I want to do to you." He said, "if I don't think about food, I'll never make it thru tonight."
Abby grinned, then whispered something in his ear, before getting out of the car.
Carter turned red and followed her, he liked that. "May I escort you Ms. Lockhart."
"That you may, Dr. Carter."
Carter led her into the house. They walked inside. Carter wasn't sure what Barbie's fiancee did, but mother must have approved. Barbara came over to them, with her fiance. "John, Abby this is my fiance, Kevin Wentworth. Kevin this is my brother John and his girlfriend Abby.
John stretched out his hand, "it's a pleasure to meet you Kevin."
"Nice to meet you too, John," Kevin said, then he turned to Abby, "and you too, Abby."
Abby noticed that John and Kevin were about the same height and build. But Kevin's hair was flaming red, and he had bright blue eyes. Abby held her hand out to Kevin. She smiled as he lifted her hand to his mouth to kiss, instead of shaking it.
"Barbara, your fiance is quite the charmer. It's a pleasure to meet you, Kevin."
"The pleasure is ours, Barbie has been going on about having her brother here. It's nice to finally get the chance to meet both of you."
"Have you talked to Mother yet," Barbara asked.
"No I haven't had the chance to see her yet."
"You might want to steer Abby clear of her. Mother is in a mood."
"I will," John said he noticed that his father was standing by the bar, "It was a pleasure meeting you Kevin. If you will excuse us, I am going to go say hello to Dad."
"Can you handle saying hello to my dad." Carter asked as they walked toward Jack.
"Sure, I can. I haven't met him, so he doesn't hate me yet," Abby said, gripping Carters hand.
"Abby remind me not to let you hold on to me when I ask you stupid questions like that, you are going to hurt me," Carter said crossing the room, "Dad this is Abby Lockhart, Abby this is my dad Jack." He said.
"Pleasure to meet you Abby." The senior Carter said to her.
"Nice to meet you too."
"She more beautiful that you described John." He said to him turning to Abby, "my son is lucky to have you accompany him, I know it was short notice."
"Well, John made it possible for me to come along." Abby relaxing a bit. Carter's father seamed nice enough.
"He's a good man." Jack said to her, "you know your mother brought another young woman tonight. She's obsessing again. You had better be careful, now that she has Barbara married off you know your her next project."
Carter rolled his eyes, "I'm taken Dad, she just....it drives me nuts." He pulled Abby slightly away, as Jack asked for another drink. "If I go find mother, would you be comfortable here with my Dad?"
"I don't mind?" Abby said, still holding onto John.
"I'd rather have you here with him while I deal with her." He said to Abby, he gave her a quick kiss, "I promise not to take long. You sure your okay with this, I know I promised not to leave you alone with my family.
"I'm ok. And if it gets bad I will just excuse myself to the ladies room." Abby said. John lead her back over to where his dad was standing, then Abby let go of his hand.
"Dad, would you mind keeping Abby company for a minute, I am going to go and talk to mom."
"It would be my pleasure to keep an eye on her for you, son."
He turned and crossed the room. He had a few choice words for his mother. "Mother," He said walking up to her, "Dad said you were looking for me." He was going to put an end to this. He glanced over his shoulder quick to make sure that Abby was okay.
Abby was making small talk with Carter's dad. He was being kind, and didn't make her feel uncomfortable.
"Yes, I wanted you to meet..."
John cut her off, "No there will not be me meeting anyone mother. I'm here with Abby get used to it." He said.
"John, do not raise you voice with me or tell me to get used to it." She said to him, "you need a nice young lady to settle down with not a nurse that you work with." Eleanor said.
"No mom, I am serious. I have Gamma's engagement ring. Before I go back to the States, it will be on Abby's finger. "You can stop right now mother, do not try to set me up with anyone." He said trying to keep his voice down.
"What does your Grandmother think of her," Eleanor asked, her lips tight.
"I don't know I haven't asked Gamma." John said to her, "it's no one's decision but mine. You can't tell me who to love mom, I'm not a little boy!"
"Well you certainly aren't acting like a grown up. I think you just brought this woman because you knew it would bother me."
"Really mother. Well it has hasn't it. You can't understand why I love her can you." He said, "there's a lot about me that you don' t know or understand. I love mother. I really love her and I"m happy. Accept it."
"Just don't ask me to help when you find out she was just after your money, John." Eleanor said, as she sipped her champagne.
"My money." John laughed. "She doesn't want my money mother. I think she's just as uncomfortable with it as I am. One thing I have learned money isn't everything. Are you going to accept her mother or not."
"I guess you are going to do whatever you want to. But I don't have to like it. Eleanor said, walking away.
"No mom you don't. I will see you tomorrow I'm taking Abby home."
Carter crossed the room, "Dad, I think I would like Abby's company back please, we will be seeing you tomorrow."
"Did your Mother give you trouble, John?" Abby asked.
"That's fine, son." Jack answered. "It was very nice talking with you Abby. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Mr. Carter. Thanks for the talk," Abby said.
"You will Dad. I won't miss Barbara's wedding." He said he put his arm around Abby's waist. "I just want to get out of here."
Abby leaned into him as they walked out. "What happened?"
"It's a long story sweetheart." He said to her, "let's just go back to the hotel...I want to talk to you about something anyway."
"Okay. But it bothers me to see you this upset."
"I know, " John said, "it's nothing bad really. Mom and I just had a little disagreement."
"Well if it helps at all, your father was nice," Abby said.
"I glad you like him Abby." John said, "I just want to be with you tonight."
"Well, I'm here."
Carter was silent the entire car ride back to the hotel. His mother had really gotten to him. She was not going to meddle in his life and control him. As Abby watched him she wondered about what his mother had said. Whatever it was, it had really shaken him.
They walked back up into the hotel room. "Peace and quiet." He said flopping on the bed.
"Can we order room service again, since we managed to walk out on both lunch and dinner?"Abby asked.
"Abby I am so sorry about that." He said, "yes we can. What do you want?"
"Strawberries and whipped cream?" she said with a toss of her hair.
Carter grinned, "later."
"Then how about some chicken cordon bleu."
He picked up the phone and called down. He made a mental note of everything that he was going to need. "dinner will be here in about 15 minutes."
"Wonderful," Abby said, as she lay down and sighed.
Carter went over and rummaged thru a suitcase. He knew that he had put it in here but he wasn't sure just where. He slipped it in his pocket as there was a knock on the door.
"Abby would you let the room service guy in please."
Abby went to the door, and let in their dinner.
"Here," Carter said, tipping the bellboy. "I'll be out in a minute Abby." Carter disappeared into the bathroom. He wanted five minutes to think by himself. He was rushing things. He was letting his mother get the best of him. He just needed to relax. Abby wondered what was going on with Carter. He had been jumpy since they left the meeting with his parents. She wondered what his mother said to him. Carter walked out. He had splashed water on his face, loosened his tie, "that smells good."
"Do you promise not to get upset if I tell you what my mother said."
"I won't get upset." Abby said." But maybe we should eat before you tell me."
"Yeah," He said, "you haven't eaten all day and well you know me..."
"I'm surprised you haven't fainted from hunger already." Abby placed her fork into her food, and held it up to Carter.
"Thank you." He said. His mother couldn't be more wrong about her. Carter would prove to her that he knew what he was doing.
"More?" Abby asked.
He shook his head no.
"Baby, you need to eat something." Abby was getting worried now. Nothing make Carter lose his appetite.
"If you say so." He said taking the bite off her fork.
Abby continued to feed Carter. He seemed to be doing better now.
"No more Abby please," Carter said. "I can't hold another bite."
"All right sweetie, did you leave any room for chocolate."
"What you mean me, you're the one who was shoveling it in." He said laughing
"You needed to eat." She came around the table and sat on his lap.
"I supposed you want me to tell you what happened with mom." He said.
"Yes, I do. What did she do to upset you?"
"In a nutshell, she said that you were after my money."
"Your money?" Abby jumped out of Carter's lap and started pacing. "I can't believe she could think something. You are special, money or no."
"Abby, I don't think that. I have never thought that. It never crossed my mind."
"I suppose that's what they all think. I knew I should have stayed home," Abby said, still pacing.
"Come here please," he said reaching for her.
Abby stopped, and let Carter pull her near.
"I don't care what they think, or what they say. I know the truth. I know that you could care less that I come from a wealthy family. And it appeared that you were hitting it off with my dad."
Abby thought a moment and tried to calm down. "I guess you are right. He was nice, and we were able to talk. Barbara has been nice, too. Ok, maybe they all don't hate me."
"No," he said, "but I don't care what they think, I wish that you wouldn't either. It's my decision not theirs."
"I do worry. I don't want to cause you problems with your family."
"Abby, my family already has problems. There's nothing that can be done about that. Mother said what she wanted to. I don't care anymore. All that matters to me is that I'm happy, and when I am with you, I am happy. That's what I want, to be here with you."
Abby looked into his eyes, and she could see that he was telling the truth. "I just don't want you to change your mind in a few years, and resent me because I caused problems with your family."
"I could never resent you. I'm not going to change the way that I feel about you for them." Carter pulled her in for a kiss, "How about a nice long bubble bath?"
"That sounds good," she smiled.
"With or without me?"
"Why would I want to take a bubble bath without you?"
Carter smiled at her, "because I haven't left your side this entire trip. I wasn't sure if you would want some quiet time to yourself."
"Maybe later, right now, I want you with me."
"I think I can handle that." Carter said, "would you like me to draw your bath?"
"Would you?" she asked.
"I would love to," He said, he swept her up and carried her into the bathroom with him. He balanced her on his lap as he sat on the edge of the tub to start the water running.
"I just want to stay in the tub until we wash all the problems away."
"I don't think that we have enough time." He said kissing the back of her neck, "but I can and will make you forget about them."
She pulled off her red sweater, then her skirt, reveling the red garter belt she has whispered to him about earlier.
"Now I know why that suitcase was so heavy, " he said with a chuckle.
"Why do you say that?" Abby asked.
"You brought the heavy artillery. I couldn't keep my hands off you if I wanted to, Abby you are beautiful."
"And you are the most perfect man I have ever seen."
"I love you Abigail Lockhart," he said as he rested his head on her top and kissed it gently, "I hope I got this warm enough for you."
"If you are here, I am sure it will be warm enough," she said, slipping her hands around him.
Carter gently lowered them both into the tub. He leaned back so that he was resting again the back of the tub and pulled her up close to him. "You don't ever have to worry about me going anywhere. I will always be right here." He savored the feeling of having her close to him, of her in his arms. "I want you."
"Oh, John. You have me," Abby said, lifting her face to his placing a light kiss on his lips.
He kissed her back, and ran his hands down the length of her back, "I need you." He whispered.
"I need you, too," she said, as she placed her hands on his chest.
John took her face between her hands and kissed her passionately. He released his hands only to run them up and down her arms. He loved the touch of her skin, the feeling of her touch against his. The fire that ran up and down his skin. This was heaven for him to have the woman of his dreams alone with him, he knew in his heart that this was right, she was the only one for him. Abby sighed, this was so perfect. In the moments when they were this close she believed they could survive anything the world would throw at them. Her skin tingled wherever he had touched. She felt so cherished.
"I want you and only you," he whispered into her ear, "God Abby you are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me." He couldn't get enough of her. His desire for her was even stronger than when he first kissed her in the ER.
Abby could wait no longer. She slipped her knees on either side of him. She could feel his arms pull her tighter to him. They fit together perfectly. "I want you," she sighed into his ear.
John let a moan escape from his lips. He felt her back arch as he moved her hips. He looked up into her eyes, he wanted to see the pleasure in her eyes. She looked back to his eyes, those deep brown eyes that could make her forget everything but him. Her movements went from slow and soft, to quicker and with purpose.
She was the only one who could drive him mad with desire. He was having a hard time keeping himself under control. When he looked in her eyes, he could feel and see that she loved him. "Abby."
"John!" she gasped. "Oh my. Oh, Baby." She was just barely holding on.
John felt Abby's body tremble. He pulled her closer to him one more time before he fell back against the back of the tub. The water had lost it's heat. "I love you," he said . They rode the waves together. Then Abby collapsed onto John's chest, trying to catch her breath.
He slipped out from under her and got out of the tub. He lifted her out and wrapped her in a bath towel. "Don't want you to catch cold. You can't get sick and leave me to deal with the tomorrow all alone."
"I will be wherever you want me to be," she said, running one hand through his hair, the other looped around his neck.
Carter laid her down on the bed, "are you hungry?"
"Hungry?" she asked, her eyes starting to droop.
"Close your eyes baby, we have all the time in the world." He said, the strawberries could wait for another time. He made sure that they would have a wake up call in the morning so that they would make to the church in time for the wedding. He pulled Abby in close to him as he settled in for the night next to her, "sleep well my sweet Abby."