Here With Her
He was proud to say that their relationship was stronger. Since the day that she had cried out the news of the abortion, Carter and Abby were more able, more firm. It was Abby's first day back to County, and he hadn't read if she was tense or just regular Abby at the hospital again.
"You nervous?" He heaved his coat onto his shoulders, keeping his eyes on the small brunette in front of him, searching for something around the room.
"No," she said. "Why would I be nervous? Its work."
He shrugged. She was right. Maybe the real question was if she was scared about revealing their relationship to the entire hospital.
"What about us?"
She looked at him and smiled. Thank God, Carter thought, Abby's back.
"Why would I be afraid of us?" She grabbed his arm, near the shoulder, and squeezed it. Her nose wrinkled up as she did so. "I love us." She laughed. "Where's my purse?"
Carter laughed, relaxed, and pointed behind the chair. "Right there."
"Who put it there?" she asked, walking towards the chair to retrieve it.
"You," he said.
"Oh," she said sarcastically. "Ready." She looked at him and took his hand. She bent forward to open the door.
They left the apartment and walked together down the stairs. These days, there were so many couples who didn't even hold hands, kiss, or even hug. He never took these moments for granted, and he was guessing she thought the same way.
"They already know, don't they," she said, looking down at the polluted asphalt of the Chicago streets. She looked at him, in the way that Carter treasured. She smiled a small grin. "I know someone knows."
He sighed and looked outward, staring at a small shop ahead. He couldn't read the sign. He didn't know what it was, so he just looked at it. "A few people," he said. He smiled at her. "They heard you were pregnant."
"Who?" She said, grinning.
"Susan, for sure. She's known for a while-"
"How did she know?"
"Saw us making out in quarantine." He laughed.
She laughed, too. "You're kidding!"
"Nope," he said. "Said she saw us."
"But how is that possible?" Abby implied. "There were no doctors there."
"I don't know," Carter said. "She saw us."
Abby shrugged. "Who else knows?"
"Haleh, all the people at the desk-"
"Great," she said, giggling. "Translation: now everyone."
Carter tilted his head, gesturing his own shrug. "And then there's Malik."
"Malik?" she said. Carter nodded. "How did he know?"
"He was over there when desk found out."
Abby laughed. "Big mouths in that hospital."
"It doesn't matter," Carter said. "We're gonna walk in there holding hands, kiss in the lounge and everyone will know. If anyone asks, we'll tell them the truth like its no big deal."
"Except for me," Abby said. "'Cause now I'm dating the top doctor, so I get to be famous. Yay."
He pulled her closer to kiss the top of her head. "And I get to date the cute nurse. Yay."
Abby put her arm around his waist. "Can we just walk in like this?"
Carter nodded. "Let's."
Abby nodded surely and smiled as they finally reached the door to the ER. The doors opened at their approach. Hand in hand, her arm taking his waist to her body, they walked into the room. It was theirs as they walked in full of pride. They didn't expect people to gasp, so they talked quietly to themselves. He put his arm around her shoulder and they both smiled again at each other.
They entered the lounge where Weaver was just arriving. "Morning, Dr. Carter. Morning, Abby."
"Good morning," they proclaimed simultaneously.
Weaver looked at the two of them, who had returned to their sweet whispering. She walked out and Malik and Susan set foot into the lounge.
Abby and Carter barely noticed, soaking themselves into each other with a kiss. Carter concentrated on her lower lip, tasting it gently. Abby giggled and pecked his neck preciously.
"Gross," Malik said sarcastically.
"Wash your hands when you're done, will you?" Susan said derisively. She smiled. "Just kidding. You guys are cute."
"Thanks," Carter said playfully. He locked his hold on Abby next to him.
"Yeah," Malik said. "Cute like nasty."
"Thanks," Abby said. She kissed Carter quickly, but it was there. She went to her locker, holding his hand until it was too far away. At that moment, they would part and Abby would turn back and smile at him. Every time. Every time they would let go at that part, Abby turned back to smile at him. It was, you could say, the part he stuck around to watch for.
"And congratulations on the baby," Susan said.
"Thank you, Susan," Carter said. He went to his locker and rubbed Abby's back. Abby turned around and thanked Susan as well. Susan, satisfied, looked at Malik.
"You are so rude."
"What? I wasn't paying attention. Oh yeah, congrats."
Abby laughed. "Thanks, Malik."
"I didn't wanna be rude or nothing-"
"Its okay, Malik. We didn't expect anyone to know, really." Carter placed his coat on the hook inside.
"You didn't expect it, Carter?" Susan raised her eyebrows.
"Well," Abby said, rescuing Carter. "He means, we didn't expect anyone to really say anything kind of know."
Susan set a look of realization upon her face, mainly her eyes. "Oh. Got ya."
"Weaver's pissed," Pratt said, suddenly entering the room. "Let's go. Congrats on the kid, you two."
Abby's jaw dropped. Carter thanked him. When it was just the two of them left, Carter turned to her. "You were right. News gets around here fast."
She smiled. She stood tall to kiss him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Lunch?"
Carter nodded, smiling as he agreed. "Here at noon."
"See you later, John." She smiled and walked out the door.
He was excited. This was the woman who he was going to have a child with, the woman who he was going to be sure to love for the rest of his life. He wanted to be with her for the rest of his life. And now he was sure.
