Coming Home




Chapter 6: Heading for Home
"Okay, today is Abby's first day back since the baby was born, so let's try to make it as easy on her as possible," Carter said to Susan, who was volunteering in the clinic for the day. Unbeknownst to Carter, Abby had walked up behind him midway through his little speech.

"Don't listen to him. I'll be fine," she said, startling Carter. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before she went over to give Susan a hug.

"It's great to have you back!" Susan said. "How are you? How is the baby?"

"She's doing great," Abby said with a smile. "She just started sleeping through the night."

"That must feel wonderful."

"It does, except Robbie came into our room the other night at four o'clock in the morning and said, 'Mommy! I think there's something wrong with baby Claire. She didn't wake me up tonight!'" They all laughed.

"Aww, that's so cute!" Susan said. "How old is he again?"

"Two and a half, and very protective of his little sister."

"So who's with the kids today?"

Abby looked at Carter liked they shared a private joke, and then answered, "Our mothers."

"Both of them?!"

"Yup," Carter responded while sipping some coffee, "we figure they balance each other out."

Abby added, "Besides, if our kids are too normal, then they won't fit in with either of our families."

They all laughed, and then they started to get to work.

**********


"I'd like to see Dr. Carter," a young teenage girl said to Susan after she entered the clinic. She looked a little unsure, and kind of scared.

"Hold on one minute…" Susan left and Carter returned.

"What can I do for you?" Carter asked.

"Umm, I'm sorry," the girl said, "my friend told me that there was a women doctor here named 'Dr. Carter' that could help me. I must have the wrong place…" She started to walk away.

"Wait!" Carter said, "You must mean…Abby, come here for a second." Abby came over. "This is my wife. She is also 'Dr. Carter.' She is an OB/GYN. Is this who you are looking for?"

"Yeah, I guess..." the girl answered.

"You can call me Abby," Abby said. "Now what seems to be the trouble?"

**********

"Thanks for your help today, Susan," Carter said as they were locking the doors to the clinic for the day.

"No problem," she answered. "Is Kovac coming tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"Well, have a good night you guys!" Susan walked to her car.

"You, too," Carter said.

"Good night," Abby said. Now just Carter and Abby were left in front of the clinic.

"So how was your first day back?" Carter asked.

"Not bad. Same old, same old. This is easy stuff. Home is where the real work is."

"Are you okay? You're not pushing yourself too hard are you?"

"John, I love our kids, and working here is kind of cathartic for me. Besides, I only work two days a week, just like you did after Robbie was born so I could finish med school. Did I ever thank you for that?"

"Many times. Did I ever thank you for being such a wonderful wife, mother, and business partner?"

"Maybe once," Abby smiled. They both laughed. Then Carter took her hand.

"Let's go home," he said, "before our mothers kill each other and scar our children for life."

"Too late," she said with a smile.

They walked hand-in-hand through the warm summer evening, heading for home.




Fanfiction Home