Chapter 6 – Carby Reunited

"You remembered when he left for Africa to be with Kem?" Abby said, pointing her finger at her friend with the rest of her fingers wrapped round the wine glass.

"Yes, I was so pissed with him at that time" Susan said, placing her fork on to her empty plate.

"Why? Because he left?"

"No… He got the Tenure, I was competing for it too," She answered as she dabbed the napkin on her mouth and then picked up her glass.

"I understand that you were more experienced doctor than him"

"It wasn't the experience it was about money, I had a right go at Weaver about it, as I suspected that he got it because he had money and paying for the Joshua Carter Outpatient Center, their way of saying thanks. Weaver said that because I only published four times in a period of seven years, oh sorry shouldn't I have written when I was on my maternity leave!" Susan lets out a chuckle "I had the nerve to lash out at Weaver, I was so mad, I told her to stick his money up where the sun don't shine!"

"Way to go Susie!" Abby laughed raising her glass.

"You know I love Carter but it's his face, he was so smug and gloating round the ER, oh god I was seething that he left County a few weeks later"

"He was so uppity himself at that time"

"You were still in love with him though"

"Yes but I was bitter and distant with him as I couldn't have him, I carried on my life as normal" Abby said, hunched over leaning her elbows on the table and ran her finger over the rim of her wine glass.

"Anyway carry on…"

"About after a year he left, I heard that Kem's mother fell ill again so they decided they would move there to be close to her and John took a position at a top Parisian hospital. He insisted that Kem didn't need to work if she doesn't want to. So when he's at work at irregular hours, Kem would visit her mother and hang about with her friends, especially one family friend Michel that she was intimate with him in the past. John has had a little jealousy thing about their so-called platonic friendship until one day he finished work early, he came home and…"

"Oh no!" Susan gasped as she can guess what happened next.

"Yep he found Kem in bed with Michel…"

"Did he literally walk in on them?"

"No, he heard moaning from the bedroom, so he went up to investigate, when he got upstairs he saw the bedroom door was ajar and saw them both in bed together. He was so shocked he had to go downstairs to get a glass of scotch to calm his nerves, Sat down with a newspaper and while reading it, he waited for them to come down. They were giggling and chasing each other down the stairs, their laughter died when they saw him, John said that you should have seen their faces…"

Susan guffawed. "My god!"

"He kicks her out of his apartment because of her inexcusable behaviour and carried on working at that hospital. What hurt him the most that Kem's friend told him that she never loved him, she was a gold digger after his money, in fact she purposely fell pregnant after they met in Africa, she heard that he was loaded and knew that she would get a lot of money for child maintenance when she plans to leave him"

"What a scheming bitch!" Susan hissed pursing her lips. "Money has never been an issue for you"

Abby shook her head "No, I still love him even if he's skint! Money doesn't always bring happiness, John isn't always happy…"

She rose up from her seat and gestured Susan to the lounge

Susan agreed "True and what happened then?" She followed Abby and they both crashed out on the sofa rubbing their full tummies.

"Well obviously I heard about him, apparently he was so lonely out there but he felt too ashamed to come back to Chicago, facing everyone that his plans for the future has failed. I found out where he was working and managed to get time off at short notice, well work owed me more holiday for the extra hours. I decided to pack a few things and get a flight ticket to Paris. Just before I left I spoke to our French Orthopaedic Doctor, Pierre Philippe for a little French speaking session. If John was in a Spanish speaking country, that would not be a problem because I can speak the language"

"Majority of French people can speak English"

"It wasn't about that, it was a speech I wanted to tell him, I wanted to be romantic by speaking in French"

"What did you say? Did he understand?" Susan asked excitedly

"John spoke French very well after living there a while. I'll tell you what I said in a bit because I haven't finish saying what happened… When I arrived in Paris, I got a taxi to his hospital and hoping that he was on his shift at the Urgences department otherwise I would have camped out at a hotel, and kept coming back to catch him at the right time, as I would guess the hospital wouldn't give out his address so I didn't bother asking. When I arrived at his work, I walked in and my legs nearly gave way as I saw him at the admit desk. I wanted to cry because I was so happy that I had found him and again I was so nervous in case I have underestimated his feelings for me. John was working away on a PC, he looked miserable and haggard, I came up to him and said his name. He doubled looked at me, as he couldn't believe his eyes after seeing me. He was so overwhelmed and speechless. When he found his voice he asked me what I was doing in Paris, I then humiliated myself in front of all of his colleagues trying to speak French giving him my speech"

Abby paused for a second recollecting the words she spoke in French.

"What I remember in French that I said to him… Je suis John désolé que les choses n'ont pas travaillé hors avec vous et Kem. Je suis venu ici prendre vous soutient à la maison à Chicago et espérant que nous commencerait une nouvelle vie ensemble, je sais au fond du coeur que vous m'aimez et je vous aime aussi. Je ne vous ai jamais arrêté d'aimer. Je veux que nous ayons grandis gracieusement vieil et a ensemble des bébés"

"What the hell does that mean?" Susan shook her head, laughing with her mouth wide open.

"It means…" Abby took a pause and laughed out loud with embarrassment "I can't believe I'm telling you this, it's quite cheesy, well I'm hopeless at romantic stuff like speeches. It means... I'm sorry John that things haven't worked out with you and Kem. I came here to take you back home to Chicago and hope that we would start a new life together, I know deep down that you love me and I love you too. I have never stopped loving you. I want us to grow old gracefully together and have babies..."

"Aww that's sweet and that's so not you Abby!"

"I knew I had to do something to get him back and he understood every word"

"And?" Susan cocked her head forward waiting for Abby to follow on her story.

"And he broke down in tears, he pulled me in to a hug and we kissed. We had a fantastic weekend, going on romantic walks, making passionate love, wining and dining. Fixing up what's broken between us. He confessed that he was still in love with me but didn't do anything about it because he thought I disliked him. He thought I was resentful as I hardly spoke to him, I did want to talk but I didn't because it hurts so much when I'm around him."

"That's what happens when you say nothing at all" Susan commented "That's exactly what happened between me and Mark, we liked each other but we didn't do anything about until that day I was leaving Chicago for Arizona, he blurted out that he loved me, I told him that I love him too but I still went…" She had to laugh.

"I told him that you had left County General and he was shocked about it. He did say that he felt guilty taking the tenure from under your nose… Anyway I said to him that the Chief of ER vacancy needed to be filled in, that slot had been empty for nearly a year because they couldn't find a suitable person and Luka wasn't interest at the time. And I said that he should apply for that position, so he did. John and Kerry Weaver both go along way back, he was very lucky because she automatically opened the door for him to have that job. He handed his notice in at his hospital, I helped him pack his stuff at his apartment getting it all ready to be shipped out back to America and I offered him to stay at my place until he finds a house, he actually said to me I'll stay until 'WE' find a bigger place. I packed Kem's belongings that she left behind, as he was still hurting, yes it was true he was, though he said he loved me more. I understand what he was saying that he gave everything up back home for this woman and in return he got cheated. I tried to make him feel better by saying that he was only human, we all make mistakes and he said he's made too many especially with me. I replied to him saying that at the end of the day, we were meant to be… no matter how long it took us to get there, it's called fate…"

"Did John ever see or heard from Kem again?"

"Yes when we waiting for our taxi outside the apartment to take us to the airport. We had a box contained her belongings with us to take to the postal office to have it delivered to her mother's house as he may guess Kem was staying there. We were kissing and cuddling on the sidewalk until we heard a voice from behind and we looked, it was Kem. Her eyes looked evil staring at me and said to me in a squeaky voice huh you couldn't wait to snatch him off me can you Abigail? I interrupted her by saying that I took him because he was single and hurting because his girlfriend has shitted on him and a miser. She was dumbfounded, couldn't think of anything to say back to me"

Susan sniggered as she puts her hand in front of her mouth.

"Kem only came by to collect her stuff she had left behind and I wanted to be a bitch to her for hurting John, I picked up the box and said here you are Makemba, threw the box at her, her catch was too slow, finished up hitting her right in her face and left her with a bloody nose!" Abby laughed out loud "Then we were saved by the bell because the taxi has pulled up by then, we jumped in and went!"

"My god she deserved that!" Susan snorted in her laugh and asked "So when you both get married?"

"We got engaged almost straight away after getting together again and a year later, I fell pregnant with Robyn, she was born April 2008, my gosh having a baby late in life was tiring as I don't have the same energy as a 25 year old. With being busy juggling with parenthood and work commitments, John as ER Chief and I was an Chief Resident, we never got round to get married. We eventually did at New Year 2013 he took us to a surprise holiday to the Bahamas. We have only been there a few days, he said he has hired a private beach with a servant for the three of us, I thought how sweet of him. When we got there, our friends and families were there, I couldn't believe my eyes and asked him what was going on. He said this is our opportunity to married, I panicked that I have didn't have a dress for the occasion. He said me in my bikini and sarong wrapped round my waist was good enough for him"

"Wow that day sounds so fantastic Abby" Susan smiled broadly trying to hide her tears, as she is touch by his romantic gesture.

"Yeah after the ceremony we partied on the beach, with the barbeque, buffet and music playing. It must be one of the best days of my life… even Maggie behaved herself only because John bribed her in to something to take her meds and Eric is so good these days too keeping up with is meds, he's doing it for his three children, he doesn't want them to go through what we did"

"Wow Eric got three kids, so I guess he got married too?"

"Yes he married Elaine, she's works in marketing"

"Well that's nice that he sorted himself out" She nodded "What did John do to bribe Maggie?"

"Said that he would buy her an Art studio to display her brilliant artwork, as you remember that my mom was an artist"

"I bet she didn't stay on her meds long?"

"Yes she did until she started having that dementia"

"So did John buy her an Studio in the end?"

"Oh yes it's in Tampa bay, it sells prints of her original artwork. Her originals are displayed in the local gallery"

Susan sat back into the sofa "My god we've all had our tragic and bad moments in our life haven't we?"

Abby tilted her head forward as she could seclude her face and starts gasping as if she was struggling for air. Susan jerked up as she is startled by her friend's reaction, watching Abby as she broke down in tears.

"Abby…" Susan said softly pulling her into a hug.

"Oh god! I miss him so much" Abby cried burying her head into Susan's shoulder "Some days I cannot function because part of me has died"

"It's ok let it all out," Susan whispered, closing her eyes trying to soothe her by stroking her hair. She felt a lump in her throat, seeing Abby in a state is putting her on the verge of breaking down too.

"I haven't come to terms with losing John" She whimpered looking at a space on the floor. "I don't think I ever get over it"

"There are some people who never do" Susan nodded with her eyes welling up.

"I don't feel the same way with Luka… I feel bad because I don't know how to say to him that I don't think our relationship is going anywhere. He seems more like a companion than a lover… Do I sound like a selfish bitch? Don't get me wrong that I do love Luka; I think maybe it's too much of a rebound? Maybe I was needy"

"Well Abby you need to talk to him about how you feel, maybe you should tell him that you need the space and need time to recover from your loss, I'm sure he will let you breathe…"

A door slam had interrupted the conversation. Luka popped his weary head through the door. "Hi, I'm home" then saw who was with Abby and grinned broadly "Susan!"

"Oh my god Luka!" Susan gasped wiping away a tear; she shot up from the sofa and gave him hug. "Wow you still look the same except the gray hair"

"You look great and somewhat… cuddly" He commented

"Gee thanks I got this after bearing three children, ok?" She said defensively in a playful way. She is still overwhelmed that she met both Abby and Luka today.

"I'm only joking, you have a pretty good figure for someone at our age"

"Thank you" Susan smiled then quickly glanced at the clock on the wall, which reads 10.15 "Oh gosh, I've got to go"

Abby looked at her watch "Hmm… yes it might take you about half an hour to get there"

"Oh I wish I could stay longer and talk more" Susan said pitiful "perhaps you both would like to go out for a meal with Robert and myself?"

"Yes that be great" Abby and Luka said in unison.

Susan grabbed her coat, they said their goodbyes and she left for the door.

Abby and Luka waved Susan off as they watch her pull away in her SUV as she leaves for the airport to collect Robert

Susan is sat up in bed flicking through the literature for tomorrow's conference while Robert taking a shower in the en-suite bathroom. She can vaguely hear his voice talking, as her thoughts are miles away coming to terms about Carter's death.

"That meeting was a waste of time" Robert's voice sounded hollow as he shouted from the bathroom. "They wanted to propose for funding for making the hospital pretty by putting up pictures and sculptures. Everyone's protesting at the management who can't get their priorities right like needing more MRI scanners, crash carts and other medical equipment… the place is becoming a joke"

Susan rested her head against the wall, looking up at the ceiling, trying to feed in what her husband is saying but too distracted by her low mood.

"Suse? Did you hear a word I said?"

"What? Erm yes" She mumbled shaking her head. She tossed the papers on to the floor and curled up on her side hogging the entire quilt by wrapping herself in it. She needed that comfort. Susan drew in a deep breath and blew out slowly. Shuts her eyes tight trying to block out her sad thoughts whizzing round her head.

Robert came into the bedroom with towel wrapped round his waist. He tugged the quilt that pulled Susan on to her back. She curled up again on to her side with her shoulders now exposed. As Robert climbed into bed, he snuggled up to Susan from behind, and traced his hand along her arm and planted soft kisses along her shoulder.

"I'm not in the mood Rob…" Susan grumbled, as her eyes are red trying to not to cry.

"Ok honey" He answered jerking his head up with a frown, looking disappointed "Are you ok? You seem very quiet since I arrived"

"I've had a very long emotional day, ok?" She answered firmly letting out a sigh "I discovered today that a good friend of mine was tragically killed few years ago"

"Oh I'm sorry…" Robert moved his head to rest it against Susan's.

"I went to visit his grave to say my goodbye and it didn't help having the cemetery gardener dropping dead on me"

"What? Did you do the heroic measures?"

"Of course, he was too far gone, he had Myocardial Infarction"

"And who was the friend?" He turned his head to whispered in her ear. Susan fluttered her eyes as his breath sent tingling sensation down her spine.

"John Carter, he was married to Abby" Susan replied "I first met John about 30 years ago when he was a fourth year Med student, my god those 30 years have gone quick"

"Oh I thought he might be an old flame" He chuckled

"Yes sort of, we dated for very short time when I came back to the County but he was infatuated with Abby, so in the end we were more like brothers and sisters"

"I must meet this Abby to see the what the hype is about!"

"You seen pictures of her"

"Yeah ages ago, but I'm talking about nowadays."

"She's just some busy grandmother like me"

Susan bit her bottom lip as she is cataloguing her thoughts from her eventful day. Highlighted with the sad moments like learning about John's death. She could no longer hold back her emotions, the tears came streaming down her face and sunk her head deeply into the pillows muffling her cry…