This is really short, I know. It's a tiny Luby scene needed to discuss the Carter/ Abby scene. Hope you like it!

Song from "My Life Story" by Angie Stone

Chapter Nine: My Life Story

The sound of a TV woke me up. I padded out to the living room where Abby sat up at 3 a.m. staring at the screen. One look at her face, and I realized she was somewhere else. I sat down, startling her.

"Sittin' here wondering, pondering
Every little thing
And I'm lookin' back, lookin' at
All the time I been searching"

"Hey." Abby said softly.

"Hey. What are you doing up?" I asked, my voice a little husky from sleeping. I lifted my arm, offering to let her snuggle up to me.

"I woke up and had trouble falling asleep again." She said, taking the invitation and curling up against my side. I waited for her to speak, something was on her mind. "I went to see Carter today, after the party." Somehow, I wasn't terribly surprised or upset. The lack of those feelings was the shock she must've heard in my voice.

"Oh? What happened?"

"We fought, said some pretty nasty things." I kissed her hair. Now was not the time for me to speak. "He told me I wasn't capable of love; that I can't commit."

My jaw clenched at Carter's guts. I nearly lost it when I felt her hot tears on my chest. She was still the same Abby, stubborn and opinionated, but her pregnancy made her a lot more emotional and a lot more vulnerable. I wanted to hit Carter so much, my hand actually ached. I rubbed her back, encouraging her to go on.

"I had my fair share of things to say. I brought up Kem." She sat up, meeting my eye. "He's hurting, Luka. I've never seen him so miserable. It's like he has nothing left, no hope. He's watching his life crumble before his eyes." Damn the man for being so hard to stay mad at. He's had a rough time of it. Still.

"Well look at all he's been through. I was there once. You just want to die. He'll make it through this. He's strong; has a lot of spirit yet." She looked down at her hands, biting her lower lip. I had a hard time focusing on her words. She was so cute.

"It's just I've never seen him this way before. He cried, Luka. Carter cried." She shook her head. "It was good for both of us, though, the whole fight. There was a lot we needed to say and get out in the open. We've carried around a lot of baggage, a lot of scars that we inflicted on each other. It gave us a chance to bury the hatchet, so to speak." I nodded, not really understanding the last part, but getting the 'gist' of it.

"I'm glad." I took her chin, forcing her to look at me. "You're okay now, right?" She nodded. "It's fine to help each other to heal, but I don't want you taking on his burdens too." I saw that she was hearing me and released her chin. "That's enough to break any man." I said, jokingly. She swatted my arm. She was smiling though.

"Hey! So my family's crazy. And I wouldn't talk if I were you; you have your own personal entourage of ghosts." She covered her mouth as soon as she said it. "Oh God, Luka. I'm sorry." I took her hands from her mouth, meeting her gaze.

"It's okay, Abby. I've long since dealt with them. They don't hang on me anymore." I took her into my arms.

"Luka…" She sat back, searching my face.

"Trust me. My family will always remain in my memories, but that's the only place they live. They are my past and that's where they belong, not here." I placed a hand on her stomach. "You and this baby are my present and my future. That's that." I kissed her. "I love you." What can I say? I have a flare for the romantic.

"No one knows what tomorrow holds
Or if it ever comes
So I'm gonna take my chances, baby
You're the only one,

I ain't scared to tell you
That I'm ready for you
Open the door
More to life than livin'
I want you to come into my heart"