Chapter 24 – Christmas Morning

"Hey wakey-wakey" says Neela rubbing her friends shoulders whom is hidden under the covers. Abby flipped the quilt over to reveal her weary head and looked at Neela, peering through her heavy eyelids; She is trying to flutter her eyes wide open. They feel gritty from the tiredness.

"What time is it?" Abby asked in her slurry voice

"Nine-thirty" Neela replied "And merry Christmas!"

Abby shook her head, trying to come back to reality "Erm… yes Merry Christmas to you!"

"I'm waiting for you to get up so we can open the presents together"

"Yeah sure, give me a minute" Abby sat up on the side of her bed and ran her fingers through her hair. She lets out a big yawn "I must have had the best night sleep in ages, I don't know why? I'm stressed out as it is"

Neela smiled "I'll go and make coffee"

"Neela not coffee" She shakes her head "I cannot face the stuff at the mo"

"Oh yes, I forgot"

Abby got up, walked to the window to open the curtains and she looked out at the quiet street. She turned to the dressing a table, picked up the hairbrush and hair band. She looked in the mirror to brush her hair and tied it up. Abby lifted up her t-shirt to look at her stomach, it was flat. She is only seven weeks pregnant; it will be another month or two before it shows the signs of the pregnancy. One thing she has noticed, the size of her breasts, they got bigger! Abby walked into the lounge and noticed a big pile of presents under the Christmas tree, Neela had carefully placed them there.

"I see Santa's been" Abby smiled, walking to the kitchen. She reached for a glass from the draining board and turned to open the fridge door to get the carton of orange juice out. Abby still craved nicotine especially in the morning; She is doing well with her will power not to have a cigarette. Abby drank the juice in one go and put the glass in the bowl. She turned to the turkey on the side and inspected it.

"Turkey thawed out well" She muttered and turned on the oven.

"I'm going to prepare the veg now" Neela said, lifting a bag full of vegetables "Might as well get it out of the way so we can chill out"

"Good idea"

"I'll peel"

"Ok I'll chop!" Abby chirped.

"I wish Michael was here, god I miss him" Neela sighed and looking dreamy at the kitchen sink.

"You do? And do you still have eyes on Benny?"

"Oh yes I like him, thing is I can't sit around to wait for Michael to come back, he could be back next week or next year"

"Yup, you do need a bit of fun in your life"

"Hmm say that again, you've had enough share of fun in your life in past months"

"Where did that leave me? Possibility of being a single mother?" Abby chuckled

"Well I could have been in your shoes when Michael came back few months ago"

"You didn't?" Abby laughed and winked "You are not as innocent as I thought you were"

Neela laughed at the brunette's jesting comment. She watched her friend chopping the carrots and putting them in the pan. Abby paused as she noticed her friend was watching her like a hawk.

"What?" Abby puts the knife on to the chopping board.

"Oh erm… I was thinking that, has it ever crossed your mind that the baby could be Jake's?"

"Yes" Abby replied pursing her lips with her eyes looking up "I don't think it's his because we've been careful, it's just that one time with Carter, the condom split"

"Ok" Neela carried on peeling the potatoes.

"Carter's announcement last night was a bit indecisive, don't you think?" Abby asked curling her top lip, sneering.

"Yup…"

"I really must have that talk with him, if he comes"

Abby and Neela are sitting in the couch finishing opening their presents, they have left them unopened until they finished preparing the Christmas dinner, have a shower and get dressed. There is a knock on the door. Abby frowned and looked at the clock on the wall. It reads 12 o'clock. Neela gets up and answered the door. Standing there is Carter with his hands full with bottles of wine. Not cheap wine, the top stuff like vintage red. He is looking smart in his dark blue designer shirt and black jeans.

"Merry Christmas" He grinned

"Merry Christmas, come in" Neela waved her arm to signal him in.

He stepped into the lounge and saw Abby in the kitchen area. He noticed that the glow on her face is radiating her aura and how nice she looked, wearing a black v-neck top with her cleavage looking prominent. He noticed there was something looking different about her, in a wonderful way but cannot put his finger on it.

"I guess the invitation still open?" Carter asked.

"Yep, make yourself comfortable, you're a bit early?" Abby commented reaching for the oven gloves.

"Oh right, I'm the first one here?"

"Yes Ray, Jane and Chuny are on early at work today, they should be here soon" Abby replied bending over to check the contents inside the oven. Carter couldn't help noticing her bent over, getting a good view of her backside. He had the urge to grasp her butt cheek. He thought, better not, otherwise he would go home hungry!

"Merry Christmas John" Abby said, straightening herself up and turned to him.

"Merry Christmas to you" Carter greeted leaning over to kiss her on the cheek and pointed his nose up to inhale the aroma of the cooking "Smells great"

Carter opened the kitchen drawer for the corkscrew. Abby nodded and glanced at him holding the wine bottle in his hand. She reached for the wine glass and gave it to him. Abby looks around to see if Neela is nearby, she is setting the table.

"We need to talk" Abby said tilting her head, pouting her lips. "After dinner, ok?"