Abby leaned back against the rail of the balcony and watched her mother through the glass sliding door of the apartment livingroom. Maggie was settled on the couch holding Lauren facing her and talking to her. Abby knew exactly the lookthat was on Lauren's face because Maggie was mirroring her. She smiled and pulled the sweater jacket she wore closer about her.
"She's a beautiful baby, Sis." Abby turned to Eric and smiled.
"What I can't figure out though, is how you came up with a white bread name like Lauren," he said as he flicked his cigarette butt to the parking lot below them. "I always figured you'd for a Zara...or an...Apple." Abby laughed and nudged up against him.
"Luka wanted it," she said. "His father's name is Laurentis. Besides, it fits her." Eric nodded and sighed as he looked up at the stars overhead.
"How are you doing?" she asked him. Eric shrugged.
"Fine. I take my meds...go to work...go home... go to bed." He looked at her and grinned. "Got a girl, though. She thinks the pills are for epilepsy or something. Might be easier if that were true." Abby studied his profile thoughtfully.
"Did you tell her that?"
"I haven't told her anything, Abby. We haven't known each other that long." He turned to her. "She wants to meet you though. She's coming by after work."
"That's great," Abby smiled.
"Things certainly look good between you and the Euro Doctor," Eric said. He raised his eyebrow. "Any chance that I might be giving you away in anything soon?" Abby grimaced and shook her head.
"Giving me away? I don't think so."
"So no traditional wedding service?" She shook her head.
"We're satisfied with the way things are for now. At least...I am." Eric shivered and jammed his hands in the pocket of his jacket.
"I don't know about you but I think we'd better go in soon."
"Luka thought I was crazy for packing so many warm clothes," she said as he wrapped an arm across her shoulders and led her to the door wall. "It's hard to forget what fall is like in Minnesota!"
Maggie looked up as the two of them stepped inside and Eric shut the glass sliding door. She smiled and shifted Lauren in her arms.
"We're just having the best time," she said as she hugged the baby. "She is so good natured and sweet." Eric squatted down and smiled at Lauren. Luka came down the hall from Maggie's bedroom with a diaper and box of wipes in his hands.
"You were outside a while," he said. "You okay?" Abbie smiled and nodded.
"Eric and I were just talking. His girlfriend is coming by after work." There was a knock on the door. "That's probably her right now." Abby stepped toward the door and opened it.
"Hi..." her voice trailed off and her smile faded as her eyes met those of the man on the other side of the door. He was older than when she'd last seen him. He still had the lanky, slim build of her brother and the same thick, curling hair. His lips curled into a soft, hesitant smile.
"Hello, Abby," he said softly. Eric stood up, his eyes glued to his sister's face.
"David..." Maggie said softly as she turned on the couch. He looked at her and shrugged.
"I'm sorry, Mags," he said. "I couldn't wait." Maggie looked at Abby, who was frozen with her hand on the door knob watching him. Maggie smiled and shifted Lauren again.
"Come here and look at this, David,' she said happily. He glanced at Abby and then stepped past her into the apartment livingroom. Abby closed the door and stepped back. Luka frowned in confusion. The man looked up at him.
"Oh...uh...Luka," she started. "This is my father, David Wyczenski." Luka's frown deepened but he tucked the box of wipes under his arm and offered his hand.
"Luka Kovac," he said politely. David nodded and shook hands with Luka. He turned back to Maggie and the baby. Eric shook his head in disgust. Lauren took that opportunity to arch her back and let out a wail. Abby sidled past her father and took the baby carefully from Maggie.
"I think she needs to be changed and fed," she said flatly. "Excuse me." Abby pressed Lauren to her shoulder and turned and looked at Luka. Her face was ashen and her brown eyes dark in her face. He nodded slightly as she headed down the short hallway to Maggie's bedroom. She shut the door behind her.
"I can't believe you didn't tell her," Eric said. He shook his head as he looked from one parent to the other. He looked up at Luka and sighed.
It was a while later when Luka opened the door to the bedroom Maggie had given them to share. Abby was stretched out on the double bed with Lauren next to her. The little girl had been changed into a warm sleeper and was sound asleep...obviously dry and well fed. Abby looked up at him and dragged her finger gently through Lauren's silky straight hair. Luka smiled wanly.
"He's gone," he said. Abby nodded. She placed her hand protectively on Lauren's little rump and closed her eyes. Luka slipped his shoes off and lay on top of the comforter on the other side of the baby. He watched Abby's face worriedly. She opened her eyes and saw his face across the pillow.
"He looks older...but the same," she said. "I haven't seen him since I was seventeen." Luka watched her face and let her talk. He slipped his hand over her's and caressed the skin there.
"He left when I was seven, but you knew that, " she said. " I went to see him once when I was ten. Took the bus all by myself and Maggie punished me for that. Then...when I was graduating from high school I went to see him again. Mainly it was to find out if he could help me with college."
"And did he?" Luka asked. Abby rolled her eyes.
"Not hardly," she said abruptly. She sighed and closed her eyes again.
"Why is he here?" she asked. Luka's fingers tightened around hers.
"Apparently, he and your mother are seeing one another again," he said. "She didn't know how to tell you."
"Oh...this is just great," she sighed angrily. "We're trapped in a nightmare." Luka's hand crept to her shoulder.
"Abby," he said softly as he massaged it gently. "Rules of the road...rule number four..."
"Expect the unexpected?" she finished for him. Luka smiled softly and, mindful of the sleeping baby between them, he leaned over and kissed Abby.