She waited patiently as the passengers disembarked from the plane and came through the tarmac doors. She knew he wouldn't be among the first group off. Her smile widened as he came through the doors looking around. Their eyes met and he smiled. Dropping his bag onto a near by seat, he held open his arms and she moved into them.
"Hallo, Tata," Abby said as he wrapped her into a warmly familiar hug and kissed the top of her head. "I've missed you." Laurentis Kovac grinned and held her away from him as he studied her with a shrewdly astute eye. He tipped her face up with a finger under her chin.
"You look...sretno," he said. She thought for a moment and then smiled.
"Much happier," she nodded. Laurentis' smile broadened. Abby reached for his carry on bag and Laurentis shook his head. He picked it up and looped it over his shoulder.
"Luka?" he asked as they headed toward the luggage retrieval area.
"He's at the hospital," she said. "You didn't want me to tell him you were coming." Laurentis nodded.
"I wanted some time alone with moj kcerka," he said. Their eyes met again and Abby looped an arm around his waist affectionately and hugged him again.
"I am so glad you're here," she said. Laurentis nodded and smiled as he looked down at her, even as his dark eyes shadowed.
Luka studied the patient board and sighed. What was going on with these medical students? Why was it taking so long to clear the board? Maybe he should call Abby in for an extra shift. She had been very evasive about her plans for the day anyway. And she'd been busy all weekend packing things in boxes in the spare room. She'd given him some grief about finally planning to move his computer set up in there. She said she wanted them to have an office to work in at home. Luka was glad, yet a little sad, that she seemed willing to move beyond seeing it as the nursery they no longer needed.
"Luka..." Chuny said behind him. "MVA coming in. Three minute ETA." Luka nodded and glanced down the hall.
"Jane..." he tipped his head toward the ambulance bay doors and she hurried to join him there.
Luka was busy in the trauma room and didn't see them standing at the doors at first. He glanced up and smiled as he saw Abby and then his eyes widened as he took in the tall man beside her. He lifted his hand in a slight wave and went back to the patient. His father? In Chicago? He was aware that they were standing there, watching him and he stepped back as Jane took over the closing of the wounds.
"You got this?" he asked. She nodded and Luka glanced at Haleh, who was assisting.
"Go," she said. "She can handle this." Luka nodded. He tore the gloves and gown off and tossed them into the bin as he hurried toward the door. Laurentis stood straighter and grinned broadly as Luka threw his arms around him.
"Tata!" he exclaimed. "Što su te dogadaj ovdje?" Luka's eyes shifted to Abby.
"You...can keep a secret very well," he laughed. Abby grinned and watched the two of them together. Laurentis was talking a mile a minute and Luka was doing the same. She shook her head as the Croatian words spun in her head. She picked up a few things but not enough to keep up with them. She was smiling as they headed toward Luka's small office, oblivious that they had left her behind. They would be a while. Maybe she would check in and help clear the board.
"Something's wrong," Luka said quietly that night as Abby snuggled against his chest under the covers of their bed. He wrapped his arms around her and sighed.
"You don't actually believe that crap about a gallery showing, do you?"
"Luka, I signed for the paintings when they arrived," she replied softly. "I did the formal inventory with the gallery owners three days ago." Luka frowned.
"How long have you known about this?" he asked. Abby hesitated.
"Ummm...two weeks," she said finally. She smiled softly as she felt his head shaking in the pillow behind her. His arms tightened.
"I have been trying to get my father to Chicago for a visit for years," he sighed. "Why did he come now?" Abby turned in his arms and thought for a moment.
"He missed...me?" she said. Luka chuckled and kissed her nose.
"Yes," he said. "You're right. The thought of seeing you again would certainly bring me on a trans-Atlantic flight away from my family and friends and my life's work." She laughed and slipped her arms around his neck. Her fingers toyed with the dark hair at the base of his neck and Luka sighed. She drew his head closer and they kissed lightly. Luka's eyes opened and met her's. Abby chuckled as she felt his hands creeping up under her cami top.
"Pay back for keeping this a secret?" she asked. Luka narrowed his eyes and frowned slightly.
"Oh yeah..." he said. "You deserve some kind of punishment." She laughed and settled herself a little closer against him.