Chapter 43 – You Must Love Me
Disclaimer: Lyrics "You Must Love Me" Madonna
Abby is curled up on her couch reading a book and drinking herbal tea. She is relaxing after a strenuous eventful day shopping and delivering a baby. She heard the unlocking of the door and it's Neela arriving back home from her shift.
"Hi" Neela greeted putting her bag down on the table.
"Hi, good day?" Abby smiled wryly tracing her hand over her huge bump.
"Abby, I have something to tell you"
Abby jerked up and turned to her head at Neela who is in the kitchen area, getting a glass of water.
"I'm moving out, I've found another place"
"Oh ok"
"I want to be out of your hair before your baby arrives"
"So where are you going?" Abby asked, lifting her up mug to her mouth level.
"Ray's"
Abby almost takes a sip but paused as her lips touched the rim of the mug. She smiled and frowned at Neela "Ray's?"
"Yes"
"But I thought…" Abby stuttered doing a pointing gesture.
"Well that's another thing I need to tell you" Neela interrupted
"Well go on…"
"Erm…" Neela giving her a nervous smile "Ray and I have been seeing each other"
"Really?" Abby chirped, raising her brows. She tried not to laugh, "So that explains you coming home at all hours?"
"Yes" Neela coughed
"So How long you two erm… you know?"
"About 3 months"
"Gosh you both kept that under wraps" Abby noticed Neela's face turned in to a shade of red "Neela you're blushing!"
Neela laughed nervously again "I bet you think I'm mad? We have been getting so well and we both admitted that we like each other" She said, in her posh British accent. "We both clashed when we lived together before because of sexual tension, he liked me and I liked him and we had no idea"
"That happens all the time Neela, been there and done it"
"I see you and Dr Carter talking again"
"If you call it that"
"So what are you doing tonight?"
"I'm having dinner with him" Abby glanced at Neela who is looking puzzled "Yes we are going to talk about the baby's future ok?"
"Oh so it's not a date?"
"Maybe… depends how long it takes for us to argue"
"Because you put your stubborn head on"
"I won't take crap ok, I am not passive like you" Abby said honestly.
"Maybe you should set up a club so I can join Abby Lockhart's Kick Ass Club to build up my assertive skills."
Abby had to laugh at Neela. The young Indian maybe extremely intelligent but she can be a bit ditzy at times.
"Ow!" Abby winced.
"You ok?" Neela jumped to Abby's side.
"Yes I'm fine, this baby has a hell of a kick" Abby rubbed her tummy "It's like a soccer match in there"
Abby struggled to get herself up on her feet, Neela rushed to her to help her up.
"Well I will be moving stuff one by one, hopefully when Ray's gets the band's van off Brett so we can shift more stuff"
"Ok, I'm going to miss you Neela" Abby pulled her into a hug.
"I'm gonna miss you too" She smiled sadly "Well we will still see each other"
"Of course"
They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Abby opened the door and stood a blonde woman carrying her toddler on her hip.
"Susan!"
"Abby Hi!" Susan grinned as her eyes fixated on the size of Abby's bump "I know I'm a day early, I managed to get the extra time off because I have got things to sort out"
"Ok"
"Hey Neela!"
"Hello Susan"
"Wow Abby you look great and huge!" Susan commented as she lowered Cosmo down on to his feet and bends over to talk to Abby's tummy "Hello bump!"
Abby grinned "So what brings you here early, you know the stuff need to sort out"
"Just general things I need to clear up, if it's a problem I'll find a hotel"
"No no you stay here"
"Well isn't it a bit crowded with Neela on the couch?" The blonde asked
"Neela is half way moving out and she doesn't stay here much"
"Going anywhere nice?"
Neela opened her mouth slightly to answer but she is interrupted by Abby.
"Ray's!" She laughed with tease.
"Really?" Susan joined in the laugh "You two finally got it together!"
Neela blushed "Yes, well I must go now"
They watch Neela rush off with embarrassment. Susan's eyes searched for her son. She spotted him fiddling with Abby's hi-fi system's volume.
"Cosmo no touch!" Susan demanded as she took him by the hand and pulled him away. "I'm sorry Abby"
"That's ok, I've got all that to come with this little one" Abby grinned pointing at her tummy. "Susan you look really well, your hair has grown longer"
"Yeah I feel well, I feel more relaxed now after so much going on earlier this year"
"Well you said you felt relaxed on the phone, enjoying your new position"
She nodded "I do miss County…"
Abby winced again clutching her tummy.
"You ok?" Susan asked patting her friend on the back
"Damn Braxton Hicks" She groaned straightening herself up "Look Susan, I won't be any company cos I'm going out tonight"
"That's ok because I have plans too…" Susan nodded "Hey well done for delivering Sam and Luka's baby"
The doorman opens the door for Abby to enter the "Beaucoup" restaurant; she is seduced by the stylish surroundings with relaxed atmosphere. The dining area is basking in the glow of soothing state of the art lighting. The interior design presented in stylish, walnut flooring, distinguished art collection hung up on the cream colored walls and a wood burning fireplace. Tinted windows display the outside world with awe-inspiring views of the Chicago skyline and the river.
"Hey" Carter greeted, standing at the bar.
"Hi" Abby sat herself on to the barstool. She sighed with relief after carrying the extra weight. She turned her head away so Carter cannot see her wincing at a sharp pain in lower abdomen. The bartender paused to look her face and she mouthed at him "I'm ok…"
"I could have picked you up"
"It's ok I am big girl I can find my way here" She replied, turning her head to look at Carter "Actually Susan dropped me off"
"Susan?" Carter pricked up his ears and asked, "Is she back in town?"
"Yes"
"You look nice" He studied her in admiration. Abby is wearing black slacks and a black close fitting top that hangs nicely over maternal figure.
"Thanks" Abby replied and looked at the bartender "Can I have sparkling water with slice of lemon please"
"Our table should be ready in a minute"
"Good cos I'm starved"
"Well you are eating for two" Carter chuckled
Abby curled up her top lip to sneer, "Carter, that's a load of crap about eating for two, it's an old wives tale ok? It's not good for you or the baby to eat too much anyway"
"I know" He picked up his beer and takes a sip. "Abby…"
"Yes?"
"You're acting different"
"In what way?"
"Up tight"
"Up tight?" She repeated after him "I just exhausted ok, it's been a long day and I'm getting tired everyday carrying your child around"
"Carter?" asked the restaurant manger.
"Yes"
"Your table is ready sir"
Carter signalled Abby to go first to be ushered to the table. Carter pulled out a chair for Abby to sit down and seated himself opposite. The waiter hands over the menus and asked them if they wanted drinks.
"Is it an insult John, for you to choose a French restaurant?" Abby commented, scanning through the menu.
"I don't know what you mean?" Carter shook his head.
"Yes you do"
"I love this place, Kem and I…" He paused to stop talking before rubbing the salt into Abby's wound after it has dawned on him what she was implying. "I didn't pick it intentionally, if you want to go someplace else…"
Abby interrupted "No no this looks great"
"Abby"
"Yes?" She answered chewing her bottom lip without her eyes leaving the menu.
"Do me a favor, please don't mention her, I'm trying to move on ok?"
Abby eyes left the menu to look back into his eyes and pouted at him.
The distinguished looking waiter approached them with a writing pad, leaning forward gracefully. "Are you ready to order? Madam?"
"Erm… Yes I'll have the Poached Beef Tournedos Rossini, seared foie gras medallion, potato purée and sauce Périgueux" Abby said pointing at the menu.
"Monsieur?" The waiter asked after jotting down Abby's requests.
"And I'll have the Roasted Venison Loin, sweet corn & chanterelle ragoût, creamy polenta, summer truffle salad, and red wine sauce"
"You're being adventurous" Abby smiled handing over her menu to the waiter and picked up her glass. Her eyes never left Carter as she takes a sip of her water; he stared back at her flirtatious move.
"So what have you spent with the 20 grand I gave you?" He asked.
"Nothing" Abby answered with a sigh.
"Nothing?" Carter leaned forward laughed uncomfortably.
"How am I to pay for a nursery where I only have a one bedroom apartment? I can only manage a cot in my bedroom"
"That baby isn't going stay in your room when it's gets bigger"
"I'll find somewhere else later ok? I trying to cope doing this on my own at the moment and the last thing I want is moving home heavily pregnant, I want to relax and chill out"
"Why don't you move in at my place?"
Abby paused with her mouth slightly open "I can't do that"
"Why not?"
"Because it wouldn't be right"
"I have plenty of room"
"I know you have!"
"Why don't you and the baby move in my top floor, it like annexe, I use it for my guests, two bedrooms and ensuite bathroom"
"I don't know John, I really don't want to think about moving"
"The offers there ok? You weren't considering staying at your apartment?" He raised his brows at her trying to state what's best for the child "God you are still defensive aren't you?"
"Well what you do expect? You left me on my own during the entire pregnancy, You weren't there for the first scan, seeing our little one on the screen, I cried in front of Susan because I was distraught at the fact you wasn't there"
"Yes ok, don't have to keep rubbing it in, you don't know how I felt"
"Can we not talk about that again? I don't want to ruin the evening going over stuff that will not get us anywhere, I'm looking ahead, leave whatever behind, tonight is the chance to talk and work things out, ok?"
Carter nodded in agreement "Ok" He said and quickly changed the subject "So you know what sex it is?"
"Nope"
"You didn't ask?"
"I wanted it to be a surprise, is that ok?"
"I'll choose the boys name"
"No you're not" Abby snapped, "You are choosing the girls name, and I already have a name for a boy ok?"
"Oh yes, tell me…"
"No it's going to be a surprise" She shook her head.
The waiter arrived with their food; He lowered a plate in front of Abby and then Carter. Her brows arched as she inspected her gourmet meal. A meal that she would not afford, main course started at sixty dollars. Abby thought to herself that she might have to drop by at a fast food joint on the way home due to the molecule sized portion. Carter noticed Abby's childlike gawp at her plate; he read her mind Jeez Carter is this it?
"It's quality not quantity," Carter boasted, he is experienced in the lavish lifestyle. Then he was muttering to himself thinking of baby's name while he picked up his cutlery. "I might give it a middle name like Eleanor after my mother"
"I like Eleanor, becoming fashionable again, well it least is better than my mothers Margaret or my middle name Marjorie" Abby said, prodding at her food then dropped the fork as a sharp pain went right through her. The clatter from the cutlery landing on the plate made everyone turn and looked at Abby wincing.
"You ok?" He asked leaning forward with his eyes racing round looking at the diners watching on.
"I'm ok… Just cramp"
After battling with their tensions, their civilised conversation relaxed their moods as the evening went on, building the connection…
Where do we go from here?
This isn't where we intended to be
We had it all, you believed in me
I believed in you
"Would you like to go for a walk?" Carter suggested "It is a beautiful night only if you can manage"
"A walk would be lovely" She smiled. Abby waddled with Carter across the road to stroll along the riverside as the last light of the day fades away.
Certainties disappear
What do we do for our dream to survive?
How do we keep all our passions alive,
As we used to do?
"Give me your hand" Carter gestured his at Abby, she lifted her arm and placed her hand into his and clasped them firmly. They both walk hand in hand, Carter glanced at Abby and she smiled back at him.
Deep in my heart I'm concealing
Things that I'm longing to say
Scared to confess what I'm feeling
Frightened you'll slip away
You must love me
You must love me
Carter stopped to turn and their eyes searched each other face and he could not resist to lean his head forward to kiss her. Abby did not hesitate from his move, when their lips met, she went ahead parting her mouth to probe her tongue to swirl it inside his mouth. Her arms clung round his neck and he just managed to wrap his round her waist.
Why are you at my side?
How can I be any use to you now?
Give me a chance and I'll let you see how
Nothing has changed
You must love me
So is it goodbye?
Abby broke away from the kiss, clutching to her tummy again, she is feeling discomfort and they carried on walking. From a distance Carter glanced at a couple with a toddler asleep in the pushchair, kissing by the riverside.
"That's nice that those two over there with a kiddie, they are still loved up" Carter pointed out.
Abby froze on the spot "My god… That's Susan and Chuck!"
"What?" He shook his head and laughed "I didn't recognized Suse, her hair is longer, I haven't seen her for 8 months"
They headed to the estranged couple and surprised them with their presence.
"I see you got your stuff sorted out Susan?" Abby smiled wryly, with her head cocked to one side.
Susan gasped as she broke away from their kiss, her face turned in to a deep shade of red. Abby raised her brows waiting for her to say something.
"John!" Susan broke the awkward silence "Good to see you again, you look well"
"Thanks, you look great" Carter replied and nodded at Chuck
"Well Chuck and I have been trying to work out stuff between us, why it went wrong and we though we give it another try"
"And why not" Abby said gritting her teeth as another eave of sharp pain. She stumbled to the nearby bench and sat down to take deep breaths. Everyone rush to her and crowded round her to make a fuss.
"How long have you these pains?" Susan frowned as she placed her hand on the bump to feel for contractions. Carter is looking excited like a kid in a candy store, watching then discussing the possibility of Abby is going into an early labor.
"Since early afternoon, it's coming on more frequently in the past two hours," Abby replied groaning out "I might be in full labor by the end of the night!"
"Hey Abs if you get the baby out quickly, it will have the same birthday as Sam and Luka's baby!" Carter chuckled.
"This baby is not due for another two weeks!" Abby clenched her jaws.
"My god, what if I didn't come today and stuck to the original plan coming tomorrow evening, I might have missed the delivery!" Susan said putting her hand over her mouth.
"I call it fate," Chuck chuckled.