Chapter 16: Bad News
"Two girls… My little babies" – She said, with one hand holding his and the other in her belly
"Our little Emily and Phoebe" – He said.
"I'll leave you guys alone for a moment"
"Thanks"
"So… you want to call you mother and tell?"
"I don't think so"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes"
"I think you should. I mean, I'd like to know if I were in the place"
"Yeah, I think you're right. I'll be right back"
"Ok"
"Hey mom. How are you?"
"John, what a surprise. I'm fine and you?"
"I'm fine too. Look, I called you to tell you that I got married"
"Really? And you didn't even invited us!"
"Mom, that was something Abby and I decided suddenly"
"Abby? The woman with the bipolar mother?"
"Yes"
"John, how many times will I have to tell you that she's not the right woman for you?"
"Mom, stop it. You're looking like her mother. I love Abby more than anything. You're going to be a grandmother"
"What?"
"She's carrying my daughters. Twin girls"
"Oh my God, John! I can't believe you didn't notice she forgot to wear condoms just to have you forever. But, how long is she?"
"We won't have this conversation again. I'm a grown up, I know what is the best for me. And she's in her fifth month and a half"
"Well, I want to talk to her. 15 days from now, can be?"
"Mom…"
"John…"
"Yes, it's fine. I'll talk to you later. Bye"
"So, what she said?" – Abby asked when he walked in the room.
"She wants to talk to you… 15 days from now"
"That's it?"
"No, she also said that you're not the right woman for me"
"Oh…"
"Don't worry. Don't care about what she says. You know I don't have a good relation with my mother, and she would say anything to get along with me"
"I guess so"
"We both have family problems. We match in this too"
"You're proud of it?"
"Yes, a lot. You?"
"Well, I have to admit it's kinda weird. But it's funny too. But I meant if you're proud that you don't get along with your mother"
"Oh… we can't force everyone to like you. But you don't get along with yours too"
"Abby, you can go now. But keep an eye on her, Carter, and brings her here if something happens"
"I will. Thanks"
Fifteen days later…
"What's wrong?" – He asked, worried.
"Nothing, I just…"
"What?"
"I'm kinda scared about talking to your mother"
"You don't need to be. I'll be with you"
"John! I knew you'd come!"
"Mom, this is Abby, my wife"
"So Abby… why did you make the fake pregnancy trick on my son?"
"Mom! You promised"
"I just wanna know"
"I didn't make the fake pregnancy trick on John, Miss Carter. I love him"
"You know what? I didn't came over here to let you humiliate Abby like this"
"John, I just want to talk"
"Then do it, in a normal way!"
"It's ok, John. I don't care about what other people think. We love each other and that's what matters"
"Abby… you're right. I'm sorry"
"Well, I guess we don't have anything else to talk about, you can go"
"Thanks mom"
When John is opening the door for his wife pregnant with six months pass, his father was about to open it either.
"John! Abby, what a surprise! That's wonderful! I'll become a grandfather!"
"Yes, of twin girls"
"Does your mother know?"
"Yes, but she didn't take it really well"
"I could know that. Anyway, congratulations to both of you"
"Dad, we got married"
"That's great! Congratulations again"
"Honey, let's go"
"Bye dad"
"Bye. Bye Abby"
"Bye, Mr. Carter"
"My father likes you" – He said, starting the engineer
"Yeah, I guess so"
One month later…
"Have you bought something for the babies?"
"Not yet. I completely forgot"
"Wanna some help?"
"Yes, thank you. I'll just leave a message in my answering machine. Honey, it's me. Listen, I'm going shopping with Susan. Don't worry about me, ok? Love ya. We can go, Susan"
In the shopping…
"Oh look how many pretty things! How much I miss having a baby and you're gonna have two"
"Think that yours came to me" – Abby joked.
"That's not fair" – Susan replied the joke.
"It is for me" – Abby said, continuing the joke.
"You guys really match. You're perfect together"
"Thanks… I guess"
"I've never seen him happier. He loves you a lot"
"Me too"
"So, you already chose?"
"Yes"
"Can we go now?"
"We can"
Susan drives Abby home.
"Thanks Susan"
"You're welcome. Say hi to Carter for me"
"I will. John, I'm home"
Nobody answers.
I think he's still working. So I guess I'll take shower and rest for a while. I'm exhausted
"Abby… I'm home. Where are you?"
"In the shower"
"Are you ok?"
"Yes. And how was things on County?"
"Scaring as usual. And were the babies good today?"
"Yes, but they kicked a lot. They can't wait to get out"
"It's finishing" – He said, joining her in the shower – "We haven't done this for a long time"
"Yeah, I kinda missed it. I miss feeling your touch on my skin and feel a cold sensation running through my body"
"Are you feeling it now?" – He asked, smiling and running his hand on her arm.
"You bet I am" – She laughed – "I also miss spending hours and hours in the shower kissing you"
"I miss that too" – He said – "For how long we haven't been like these, only you and me?"
"I don't know. The babies got all the attention" – She said, turning to get in the water.
He turns her so she can face him. She got her eyes closed. He leans over to kiss her, but hesitates, feeling afraid she finds it wrong.
"What?" – She asked, her eyes still closed.
"Nothing, I just thought you would find it wrong"
"No, I won't. You can come"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, why would I find it wrong? You're my husband. Besides, it's been a month that we haven't had romantic moments, just you and me. C'mon, kiss me. And maybe we can do what you are waiting for"
"I'm not so sure"
"C'mon, John! Don't ruin the moment. Just get closer and kiss me" – She said, wrapping her arms around his neck.
He leans over and kisses her. They quickly pull away.
"John, is something wrong?"
"No"
"You can tell me. I'm your wife"
"Nothing, it's just I don't wanna hurt the babies"
"We were just kissing. That doesn't hurt"
"I know, but I can't. I'm sorry"
"It's ok"
He's so cold to me. I wonder what happened.
Fifteen minutes later…
"John… what is going on? You barely talked to me. You need to trust me"
"…"
"John?"
"Right. It's that this family thing is scaring me. I mean, I'm enjoying. But I look at fathers with kids and I know that soon I'll be the next one"
"It's scaring me too. But you don't have to worry. I don't know anything about babies either. I'm here. To help you when you need"
"Thank you"
"I hope everything is ok. C'mon, let's go upstairs, I'm exhausted"
"You can go. I'll be there in a minute"
There's still something wrong.
"I'm telling you. There's something he's hiding from me, Susan"
"Did you talk to him?"
"Yes, he said that this family thing scares him, but I don't think that's all"
"I'll talk to him"
"Thank you. I gotta go. Bye"
"What are doing up?"
"I couldn't sleep. The contractions started. I'm gonna lay down on the couch, I don't want to disturb you"
He didn't even offer to go in my place. I'm sure there's something wrong.
Next morning, she had already gone to work when he woke up.
"I'm saying, Susan. He changed. And won't tell me what happened. I can't help him this way"
"It's ok, Abby. You don't need to cry"
"No, it's not! When I thought I was finally happy! I hate myself! I hate this!"
"Abby, calm down! There's no reason to yell, that won't change anything"
"I wanna drink, but I promised to stay sober. I'll try to calm myself down. Thank you Susan"
"Anytime you need, I'll be right here"
"I think I'm going back home"
"What?"
"That's it"
"Right. Do what you want"
"Aren't you gonna stop me?"
"No"
"Oh my… John, you changed!"
"Look, Abby…" – He said, holding her shoulders firmly – "I'm tired of always going after you. I'm tired of this life!"
"Carter, what are you doing?"
"Just saying everything that's been stuck inside me"
"Abby, are you ok?"
"Physically yes. Psychologically and emotionally no"
"I see. I'm sorry"
"It's ok. I'm a burden in his life. An obstacle. Soon enough he will want the divorce"
"You can't be serious"
"Yes, I am serious. He said he didn't want things to chill, but he let them be"
"What? Why?"
"Last night we kissed in the shower…"
"That's sexy" – Susan laughed.
"…But he was so cold. He didn't look like the John I married. Anyway, he said he was afraid of hurting the babies"
"By kissing?"
"Yeah. I tried to talk to him, but he doesn't trust me anymore. I don't know what else to do, I tried everything"
"I'll go talk to him"
"Thanks"
"Carter, what happened?"
"I yelled at Abby, that's all"
"I know, but why? She didn't do anything"
"And she didn't"
"Then why are you so pissed at her?"
"I'm not. It's just…"
"What?"
"Things happened in my life"
"Like what?"
"Gamma died, my parents are getting divorce…"
"And why didn't you tell her?"
"…And I think I'm sick"
"I'm sorry, what?"
"That's why I haven't told her. I didn't want to worry her"
"Carter, look… You always helped her. You got through many things together. You can tell her. I'm sure she will do whatever she can to help you"
"I don't know. She's got so many problems already: the bipolar family, the ex who chases her… me"
"You consider yourself a problem for her? Oh, Carter, she thinks the same you do"
"Really?"
"Go and talk to her"
"Ok, thanks"
"How gorgeous you are Neela! Your belly is beginning to appear"
"Yeah, and thanks"
"Abby, can we talk?"
"Yes, sure. Is there something wrong?" – She asked, worried.
"Well, you said you wanted to know what was going on"
"Yeah, I did. So…?"
"I think I'm sick"
"What?"