Not Alone
Chapter 3
Abby woke up and saw Carter sleeping next to her. "It wasn't a dream, he really is here," Abby thought to herself.
"John," Abby whispered, not sure if he was awake.
"Morning," Carter replied, smiling as he put his arms around Abby.
"I thought I was dreaming that you were here," Abby admitted.
"No, I'm right here," Carter chuckled gently as he leaned over and kissed her.
"When do you have to go back?" Abby questioned as she got out of bed.
"I have to leave tonight," Carter answered her, as he too crawled out of the bed. "Oh--," Abby was about to continue, when there was a knock at the door.
"I'll get it." Abby mumbled, wondering who it could be.
"Hi mom," she said after she had opened the door and
Maggie had walked into the motel room.
"Eric's hearing is at 11am," Maggie informed her, looking around almost nervously.
"Okay, I'll be there," Abby said, with a slight tone of annoyance in her voice, which she always got when dealing with her mother.
"Thanks," Maggie called as she walked out of the room.
Carter walked over to Abby. "I'll come with you to the hearing,"
"No, it's fine, I really need to do this on my own," Abby truthfully admitted.
"Alright, but only if you're sure…." Carter reluctantly relented.
"I'm sure, Carter."
Abby went and had a shower, and when she was done, Carter was standing with a cup of hot coffee, waiting for her.
"I thought you might need this," he said, handing it to her.
"Yes, thank you." Abby said, very matter-of-factly. Carter leaned over and kissed Abby.
"I'll be here when you get back."
"I know," Abby said picking up her keys, and leaving the room.
Later,
Abby returned to the hotel room, and she couldn't believe what Carter had done.
"John," she said as she walked in and shut the door behind her.
"I thought you might be hungry," Carter said sheepishly.
Abby looked at the breakfast in front of her, "Good guess," she said, sitting down.
"So…do I have to ask how it went?" Carter wondered with the adorable questioning look on his face that he only showed Abby.
For a moment Abby forgot why she was here.
"Eric…?" Carter prompted gently.
"He isn't going to jail, which is good. I don't know what's going to happen to him, though. I mean, will he stay on his medication, or will he follow in Maggie's footsteps? What will happen to him?" Abby questioned, looking rather distraught.
Carter stood up and walked over to Abby.
"Why don't we do something to get your mind off your worries for just a while," he suggested as he grabbed Abby's hand.
"Okay," Abby replied, and with that, Carter and Abby left the hotel room.
**
"I thought that there would at least be something for us to do here," Carter said, disappointedly.
"John, its fine, really. This was…fun." Abby reassured him.
"At least I got you to forget about your troubles for just a while."
"Awhile," Abby smiled, but inside she thought, 'but they'll always be here.'
Abby's cell phone rang.
"Sorry," she said as she picked up her cell phone.
"Okay, I'll be there in a minute," said Abby as she hanged up the phone.
"Maggie needs me to see her," Abby said, looking upset.
"Okay, I'll see you back at the hotel." Carter said as he walked away.
***
Later that day, Carter was packing his suitcase when Abby entered the room. Carter turned around.
"So what did your mom want?" he asked as he walked over to her, concerned by the look on her face, pure sadness.
"She wanted to tell me that Eric still doesn't want to see me, "Abby said softly.
Carter could hear the sadness in her voice, too, but wasn't sure what he could do to help her, besides just being there for her to talk to.
"I'm sorry, "Carter whispered as he hugged Abby.
"Don't be sorry. What is there to be sorry for? My brother doesn't want to see me. So what?" Abby said, trying to sound like she didn't care, but Carter knew from her voice and body language that she really did care, more than she would ever let on.
As she finished saying this, she stepped quickly into the bathroom and slammed the door behind her, leaving Carter staring after her, worried. Thinking quickly, Carter made up his mind and picked up the phone, dialing the all too familiar number of the hospital.
When the phone was answered, Carter was somewhat relieved and disappointed to find that it was Kerry who had answered the phone.
"Kerry, hi, its Carter. Do you think I could get a few more days off?" Carter asked hopefully.
"Carter, listen. I'm sorry, I really do wish I could help you, but we're really busy and could use you back here as scheduled." Kerry said in what, for her, was a more gentle voice.
"Okay. Uh, thanks anyway. I'll be in later tonight," John said, disappointedly hanging up the phone.
Abby, who had, by now, opened the bathroom door a little bit, had heard the whole conversation. 'I really don't deserve him,' she thought as she walked out of the bathroom.
"Hey," he said surprised to turn around and see her there.
Abby looked at Carter and saw that he was getting ready to leave.
"You have to leave now?" she asked, hoping his answer would be 'no.'
"Yeah, sorry but my flight is an hour," Carter replied, looking upset that he had to leave her. Abby put her arms around Carter.
"'I'll miss you," she said honestly. 'I can't believe I said that,' she thought. Carter leaned over and kissed Abby. "I'll miss you too, " he replied, smiling sadly as he walked out of the room.
It was then that Abby realized that she was alone again…
To be continued!!!
Author's Note: I know this doesn't seem that excellent and that isn't that original, but I promise you it will soon!
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I know that this probably doesn't belong here, but, this is a BETA NOTE: I'm Amanda and I beta this story for the author. I just want to say sorry to its readers, and the author, that it has taken me so long to beta it, and that it won't ever take that long again! And also, the reason it hasn't been updated is because I've had it for almost a month, and it's my fault! So, I'm sorry its taken this long and I hope you enjoyed this. Remember…I am ONLY the BETA. This message may not reflect the author's opinion….keep that in mind!
