A/N: wow, another chapter in less than a week! I'm proud of myself! lol. Thanks a lot for ur reviews! The really make my day a whole lot better! You guys rock! Pls review this one too? Pls?
Starting Over
Chapter 3
As the days go by, I find myself falling into a routine. I love working at County. Jared loves his new school and his new friends. Our lives are slowly returning to normal.
Sam, Susan and I have become great friends. They've been wonderful, baby-sitting when I have to take a shift, and our occasional girl's night out are really fun. I think I'm finally happy with my life.
Right now I'm on my break, so here I am up on the roof looking at the city below me. I'm in the middle of a double shift and I'm so tired. And to make things even worse, tomorrow is Jared's birthday and I'll have to look presentable. Thank God his birthday party is only on Saturday so I still have two days to get everything ready.
I'm pulled back to reality as I hear the door opening and someone's steps coming towards me. The smell of coffee fills my nostrils as a cup appears in front of me.
"Thought you needed one of those." I turn to him grabbing the cup of coffee and taking a sip. He's smiling at me.
"Thanks, Carter." I say giving him a small smile. "I really needed that.
"Hey, my pleasure." He says. "What are you doing up here all alone?"
"Hiding." I say grinning at him. He lifts his eyebrows at me grinning back. "And thinking." I add.
"About?"
"Tomorrow is Jared's birthday." I say looking out to the city. "His father will come here." I take another sip of my coffee before continuing. "And I don't think I'm ready for that."
"Seeing him again?" John asks.
I nod. "And I'm still halfway through a double. I'll be dead tired tomorrow."
"Why don't you go home? I'll cover for you."
"I can't do this to you." I say shaking my head.
"Yes, you can. Go stay with your son. Don't worry." This man is heaven sent. I smile thankfully at him.
"How can I make it up to you?"
"How about you and Jared come by my house on Sunday and we can hang out by the pool? What do you think?" He suggests.
"Sure, I'd love to. Call me to tell me the best time to come by." I say writing my number on a piece of paper.
"Alright." I hand him my number. "See you guys on Sunday."
"Thanks, John. You're a life savior." He smiles. I stand up on my tip toe and kiss his cheek. I'm not sure if it's appropriate but it was an impulse.
I open the door but before going into the building to go down to the ER, I look back and see a scene that brings a smile to my face. Carter is lost in his own thoughts with his hand on the spot where I had kissed him just a few seconds before.
The early morning rays of light pass through my window reaching my eyelids. I blink a few times to adjust my eyes to the brightness of the day, sitting up in my bed. Looking at the clock, the red numbers inform me that I still have a few hours to sleep. It's Saturday, I'm not on and it's only 7:30 in the morning.
I rest my head back on my pillow and close my eyes for a few minutes when a thought crosses my mind. Shit. Today is Jared's party. Susan and Sam will come over to help me with everything. So I have to get up. I can't sleep in. Damn. I'm so tired.
Making my way to the bathroom, I brush my teeth; take a shower to look somewhat presentable and go down to the kitchen to make some coffee. I'll need lots of it to get through this day. But even though I'm tired, it's worth it. Jared is so excited about his party. It's all he's talked about for the past two weeks. Just seeing a smile on my baby's face and knowing that he's happy and having fun makes everything worth it. Even Richard's presence. He couldn't make it on Thursday so he said he said he'd come for the party. I wish he didn't come at all. But at least my friends will be here. Susan will come with her husband Chuck and her baby girl Jordan. Sam is coming with Luka and her son Alex. And John is coming too. He's been so sweet to me. I'm really looking forward to hang out with him tomorrow. He's a great guy.
The hours have flown by and before I know it, the kids are arriving and the party gets started in a blink of eyes. Children's laughter and shouts fill the house. Jared looks so happy running with his friend in the backyard. Sam and Susan arrive together with Luka and Chuck and their kids. Alex is a little older than the other kids but he soon joins in the game with them. He and Jared get along great. Jared absolutely loves him, looking up to him as an older brother. It's amazing how well they hit it off.
I'm laughing with my friends when the bell rings. Jared runs to get the door. I turn around to see who it is.
"Hi, dad." Jared says not so excited. He and Richard never got along too well. Things were always so formal between them it's almost freaky.
"Happy birthday, son." Richard says. No hugs, no kisses, no nothing. It's like they're complete strangers, not father and son.
I come to rescue Jared. "Hi, Richard." I say quietly. Why did he have to come? Because he's your son's father, that's why, I keep telling myself.
"Hey, Ab." He leans down to kiss me but I turn away and his lips meet nothing but air. He glares at me. "How are you?"
My life's great now that you're not in it, I feel like saying. But I control my mouth and settle for "I'm fine, thanks." I turn around to go back to my friends but Richard follows me so I have to introduce him to everyone. Susan and Sam don't look too pleased to meet him because I told them what my life was like when I was married to Richard.
We get on with our conversation, Richard feeling a little uncomfortable, I can tell. A few minutes later, the bell rings again. Jared runs to open the door.
"Dr Carter!" I hear him exclaim. A smile comes to my face immediately. What the hell is happening to me?
"Happy birthday, Jar." I hear him say. I turn around to see them making there way to us. Jared clinging to John's neck, legs wrapped around his waist. "Hey, guys." He says putting Jared down. Then he leans down and kisses my cheek. I blush slightly and look up to see Sam and Susan smirking at me. I choose to ignore them, turning to John.
"Took you long enough. I thought you weren't coming anymore." I say nudging him lightly. He smiles at me.
"And miss my buddy's birthday party? No way in hell!" he says ruffling Jared's hair who's busy unwrapping Carter's present.
"Oh, my God!" he yells when his present is revealed. "Xbox!!!" he yells again and jumps on John hugging him tightly. "Thank you so much, Dr Carter!" I look at Carter.
"John, you didn't have to. That's too expensive." I say. I can't believe he spent all that money on my kid.
"It's no problem, Abby. He's happy isn't he? That's all that matters." I could kiss him right now. Seriously. How can he be so sweet?
Richard clears his throat, making his presence known. I had forgotten for a moment that he was here. John has this kind of effect on me. I turn to him and give him a glare.
"Richard, this is Dr John Carter, a friend of mine. John, this is Richard Lockhart, Jared's dad and my ex-husband." I introduce them. They look at each other up and down glaring at each other all the while, then they shake hands.
"Nice to meet you." John says politely. Richard only nods. Bastard. A 'nice to meet you too' would've been nice. I rolls my eyes at John annoyed by Richard's actions. He just smiles at me and when everybody's returned to their conversation, he leans down and whispers in my ear.
"Don't let him get to you." His breath tingling on my neck. I have the urge to turn and kiss him but I control myself.
He's driving me crazy and I've only known him for a month! Why does he have this power over me?
