Chapter 40 – Susan's Farewell Party
Disclaimer: Lyrics "New York, New York" belong to Frank Sinatra
Three months later…
Abby is 6 months pregnant… She has her 12 and 21 week scans. From her 12 week dating scan she has worked out who the baby's father is… it's Carter's! Abby is confused because she hasn't heard from him since he left. She surprised that he hasn't phoned, texted or written a letter to her. He has only contacted Kerry Weaver and Donald Anspaugh about the construction of his outpatient project "The Joshua Carter Outpatient Centre". Abby is bitterly hurt the fact he hasn't had the decency to ask Kerry Weaver how she was. Kerry has mentioned Abby's well being to him but he seem to cut the conversation short…. Abby is trying to stay strong, thanks to Susan Lewis's support who has been by her side since his departure and again Abby is sad because Susan makes her farewell to the ER staff to start her new life going to New York to be near her family… Susan originally considered going back to Phoenix, Arizona but she opt for the better position at a top New York hospital…
It is an emotional day for Susan Lewis as it is her last day at County General. She is standing in the chief of ER's office trying to clear up the remaining of her desk.
"All done?" Abby asked, popping her head round the door.
"Nearly" Susan muttered and sighed looking at her watch "1 hour and 43 minutes to go and I'm out of here"
"Not only if something major arises"
"Abby don't say that!" Susan gasped at her friend hoping that she didn't speak too soon "I've got to hand my house keys over at 4 pm, I'm hoping the removal men are done by then"
Abby pitifully smiled at Susan, watching her filling her box with files, her medical journal publishing's, pictures, certificates and little personal things.
"Hey I've heard who's filling in your position" Abby chirped.
"I already know…" Susan nodded, picking up her curved double-framed picture of her son Cosmo and her niece Susie. She quickly glanced at them.
"You kept that quiet"
"Abby since when you've known me as a gossiper?" Susan answered flicking her blonde hair back looking at her sincerely.
"True" Abby nodded with agreement.
"It was up to Luka to announce his new position, ok?" Susan lifted the box. Walked round the desk and lowered it next to the door. She walked back behind the desk.
"I came in to say that Kerry Weaver wanted to have a word with you and hand over your office keys"
"Ok, I'll come up to her office shortly"
"Actually she's in the lounge," Abby said, sitting down on the edge of the desk. "She's just having some coffee and hoping you would join her for one"
Susan sucked in a breath and nodded "Ok, I'll be there in a minute"
Susan walked along the corridor with Abby. She frowned at she noticed the lounge was a little dark then again the blinds were nearly closed. Susan opened the door to walk in the lounge and the lights came on, music blaring out and everybody jumped at her to shout "Surprise!" Susan flinched back at the sudden unexpected surprise.
Start spreading the news, I'm leaving today
I want to be a part of it - New York, New York
These vagabond shoes, are longing to stray
Right through the very heart of it - New York, New York
"Oh god!" Susan bent herself over burying her face in her hands and laughed "Jeez, you guys caught me off guard!"
Everyone laughed at her reaction. She kept blushing and saying thank you. The room was packed out with staff, taking their moment to say their farewell. They decided to have the farewell party on the morning, as it wouldn't clash with Susan's schedule with the estate agent. Susan laughed some of the crazy staff wearing "Statue of Liberty" hats and she laughed at the music too, Jerry chose the Frank Sinatra number "New York, New York". The party food also had a New York theme – breakfast of bagels and pretzels. And they had the usual… muffins, pancakes with syrup, bacon butties, doughnuts, orange juice, and coffee all spread out on the table.
I want to wake up in a city, that doesn't sleep
And find I'm king of the hill - top of the heap
These little town blues, are melting away
I'm gonna make a brand new start of it - in old New York
If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere
It's up to you - New York, New York
Jerry suddenly turned the music off.
"Thanks Jerry" Kerry Weaver hobbled up to Susan. "Susan, we are wondering if you have anything to say"
Susan looked at the grinning red head and coughed as she is trying to think of a speech.
"Erm…" She puffed out her cheeks and quickly took a sip of her drink. She is trying to distract herself from bursting in to tears in front of everyone.
"Bye!" She waved and laughed. "No I'm only kidding… erm. I like to thank everyone I have worked with and you've all been good friends… oh god I'm not good at speeches… Well take of care yourselves and I'll be in touch… Actually I'll be back soon to deliver that bump of Abby's..."
Everyone turned to look at Abby. Abby's eyes widen, as she's being looked at and smiled at them all.
Susan gave a sad smile "I will miss you guys…"
"I think we should do a toast for Susan" Luka nodded.
Everyone raised their drinks in the air and said "Susan"
"Thank you"
"Susan, we would like to give you these" Kerry announced, handing two wrapped gifts. "As a thank you and goodbye presents"
"Thanks" Susan unwrapped one of her presents. She gasped as her eyes marvelled at the 22-carat gold dress watch, a sentimental gift. "My god, thank you!"
She unwrapped another present; it was a "Rough Guide to New York" book as a joke gift.
"Just what I needed!" Susan laughed waving the book "I can't rely on Chloe showing me round!"
Susan spent rest of her time at the party chatting away with the colleagues.
An hour has passed by, Susan looked at her watch and it was time for her to go. She announced to everyone that she was leaving. She hugged everyone one by one, Pratt, Morris, Haleh, Chuny, Ray, Neela, Sam, Dubenko, Jerry, Frank, Lily, Weaver and another dozen members of staff. She noticed Abby looking down her pager and dashed out of the room.
Lastly Susan hugged Luka. "You take care of this place won't you?" She said to him, handing over the keys for the office "You'll make a great chief Luka…"
He nodded and puts his arm round Sam who approached them. Susan looked at both of them and gave them her wishes, hoping that everything goes well with the arrival of their baby.
Susan walked up to her locker, opened it to get her bag and coat out. Closed the door. She paused for a few seconds looking at her name badge displayed on her door. She forcefully pulled it off and puts it in her pocket. She leaves the lounge, through the door taking one last look. Susan strode through round the ER, watching the commotion that she is leaving behind. She watched her colleagues that she made friends over the years, busily working away treating patients. She found Abby in one of the trauma rooms frantically trying to revive a bloodied man. Susan popped her head round the door to say her goodbyes; Abby only got a glimpse of her standing at the doorway. The blonde stood there for a few minutes looking at her watch. Abby still carrying on defibbing then looks at that direction again… Susan was gone…
"Here you are" Susan said handing over her keys and paperwork to the estate agent "I hope you keep my house in one piece when you lease it out for me"
"No problem Mrs.. I mean Doctor Lewis" The agent stuttered.
"I'm relying this place as my future investment" She raised her brows at him.
The agent got distracted when he noticed an Ambulance pulled up beside them. Susan turned her head and frowned. Abby popped her head out of the window.
"Abby?"
"Thank god for that!" The brunette shouted getting out of the passenger side, "I thought I've missed you"
"What you doing here?" The blonde frowned.
"What the hell you think? I came to say goodbye properly" She answered "Didn't get chance to do it when I got tied up in the trauma room, you were gone when I finished."
"I had to get here on time" Susan stated the fact she had to leave quickly.
Abby looked round and noticed everything belonging of Susan's has already on its way to New York. She did notice there was no Cosmo.
"Where's Cosmo?" She asked
"He's with his dad, I'm meeting him at the Airport" Susan replied "Chuck wanted to spend some quality time with him before we go"
A taxi pulled up, they both look at the vehicle and looked at each other again. They pull themselves into a hug
"You take care of yourself and that bump, ok?" Susan said with her head resting against Abby's, holding each other tightly.
She nodded "Sure will do"
They broke from the hug and looked at each other with their lips quivering.
"I hate saying goodbyes" Susan started to cry and then took a deep breath. "That's why I normally don't do farewell parties"
Abby nodded "I guess I'll see you in few months?" She said, looking down with sadness on her face, tracing her hand over her bump.
"Yes" She sighed, reached her hand out to gently pat her friends swollen belly. Susan shrugged "I guess this is it? I don't want to keep the driver waiting"
"You take care of yourself Susie" Abby said wiping a tear from her eye.
"I'm on the other end of the phone if you need me" Susan gently squeezes the brunette's arm.
"I'll keep that in mind"
Abby moved forward, tugged Susan's arm and planted a goodbye kiss on her lips "Have a good journey, bye…"
Abby watched Susan putting her baggage in the trunk and got in the taxi. She wound down the window and gave her a little wave. Abby waved back and watch the taxi leave. Disappearing from the end of the street. She got back in the Ambulance to take her to the County…