“Playing the waiting game”
Chapter 14
Me:
Previously in 'The end of the beginning' Carter: (Looks over at Susan with a worried look) what is it?
Scene 1
Abby has just had a baby and Carter, Susan and Chuny are in the room with her.
Susan: (Ignoring Carter's question and looking over at him) Do you want to cut the cord Dad? (Holding the scissors out)
Carter: (Smiling) Yeah. (Walks over to Susan and takes the scissors, cuts the cord, looks down at the baby and then over to Abby) We have a son. (Hands the baby over to Susan to check)
Abby: (Looking tired) is he ok?
Susan: (Checking the baby's airway) His not breathing, we need to tube him.
Abby: (Getting out of bed) I want to see him, I need to see him.
Carter: (Looking down at his son) He’s so tiny, his lungs haven't fully developed yet.
Susan: (Putting the tube down the baby's throat) Got it, lets get him up to the NICU.
(Looks over at Chuny)
Abby: I want to go with him.
Carter: (Looking over at Abby worriedly) You need to rest, you can go see him once he’s settled upstairs.
Chuny: (Beginning to push the trolley with the baby out the door) Tell Mummy we'll see her in a little while.
(Continues to walk out of the room pushing the trolley with the baby)
Susan: (Following Chuny, turns around to Abby) He'll get the best I promise. (Walks out of the room)
Abby: (Watches them leave, goes and gets back into the bed) He's going to be all right isn't he? He can't, I mean it was too early and he’s so small. (A tear falls down her face)
Carter: (Walks over to the bed and sits down on the edge of the bed and puts his arms around Abby) He's going to be ok, if he’s anything like his Mother he's going to be ok.
Abby: (Wiping her eyes and looking up at Carter) I want you to go.
Carter: (Surprised) What!? Why!?
Abby: (Taking Carter's hand in hers) I think one of us should be with him.
Carter: He’s in good hands, I think I should stay here with you.
Abby: (Squeezing Carter's hand) Please John!
Carter: (Standing up) Ok, but I want you to get some rest while I'm gone.
Abby: (Nods her head) I'll try.
Carter: I'll get you if there's any change. Congratulations Mum… (Walks out of the room)
Abby: (Lies back down) Thanks Dad.
Scene 2
A few hours later, Abby is up in the NICU watching her baby sleep in the incubator.
Carter: (Walks into the room carrying a cup of coffee) How's he doing? (Hands Abby the cup of Coffee)
Abby: (Taking the Coffee off Carter) Better I think, but we still have to play the waiting game.
Carter: (Looking down at his son and smiling) I think he wants a name.
Abby: (Smiling) How about John the fourth?
Carter: (Laughing) I was thinking Jonathon Eric Truman Carter.
Abby: I think that's a little too much for such a tiny baby.
Carter: (Putting his hands through the whole in the incubator and touching his son) Then why don't we call him Jet for short. We can still put Jonathon Eric Truman Carter on the birth certificate.
Abby: (Looking over at Carter and smiling) I like it. He seemed to come into the world as quick as a Jet. It's perfect for him.
Carter: (Rubbing Jets back) Welcome to the world little Jet.
Scene 3
Susan walks into the room carrying a box of dried flowers with Luka, Haleh and Malik.
Susan: (Puts the flowers down on a trolley) Those are for you. Did you give him a name yet?
Abby: (Smiling) Yes, Jonathon Eric Truman Carter. But we're going to call him Jet.
Haleh: Jet! I like it
Malik: Me too, very original. Who picked it?
Abby: Carter did really.
Luka: (Smiling) I thought so.
Susan: (Looking over at Abby) How are you doing?
Abby: I'm ok, a little tired.
Haleh: (Starting to walk out the room) We should leave you two alone with your son. (Walks out of the room)
Susan: Bye… (Waves to the baby) don’t be too much trouble for your parents..
(Walks out of the room)
Luka: (Looks down at Jet) Congratulations Abby I'm happy for you.
Abby: Thanks Luka.
Malik: (Goes over and Kisses Abby on the cheek) Congratulations Abby.
(Luka and Malik walk out of the room)
Scene 4
Two weeks later the day of the opening of “Abby house.” Carter walks into the room wearing a suit.
Carter: (Looking at Abby) I thought you'd be dressed already.
Abby: (Looking over at Carter) I'm not going.
Carter: (Anger in this voice) Why not, this Abby house is in honor of you. I did this for you!
Abby: (Annoyed) I didn't ask you to.
Carter: (Shouting) What, you don't want this now? After everything we did to get it up and running?
Abby: I didn't mean that, I just want to stay here with our son.
Carter: (Getting frustrated) I know, you've hardly left this room in the last two weeks.
Abby: (Anger in her voice) well our son needs me John, surely you can understand that.
John: I understand Abby but I need you too sometimes (Storms out of the room leaving Abby and Jet alone)
Scene 5
Carter is at the opening of Abby House. Standing alone watching the door to see if Abby walks in.
Announcer: I'd like to welcome Dr. John Carter to the stand to open up Abby House. Please give a warm welcome to Dr. John Carter (Starts Clapping)
Carter: (Looks around then walks up and stands in front of the crowd who are now all clapping) We began this project in order to have a place. (Stops and looks over at Abby who has just walked into the room) where people and their families with genetic diseases can come. It will have the best facilities money can buy and with your support this center is going to be the best of it's kind in the USA. I honor of my family as well as everyone's here today I officially open Abby House. (Carter cuts the ribbon as everyone claps, then turns around and walks over to Abby)
Abby: (Walking over to Carter and putting her arms out)
Carter: (Hugging Abby) You came!
Abby: I'm so sorry John about before I didn't mean to be like that with you. I was just so scared about Jet I didn't want to leave him.
Carter: (Taking his arms from around Abby and holding her hands) I'm sorry too I shouldn't have left like that.
Abby: (Kissing Carter on the lips) you did this for me I couldn't not be here for the opening.
Carter: (Kissing Abby back) I'm glad your here. How's Jet doing?
Abby: (Smiling) He seems better, stronger even.
Carter: (Looking at Abby) Do you want us to go back to the hospital?
Abby: (Shaking her head) He’s in good hands besides I think we need a bit a bit of time for us.
Carter: You know I love you Abby (Swinging Abby around) Want'a dance beautiful?
Abby: (Smiling) sure why not.
(Carter and Abby start dancing as 'If I had this dance' starts to play in the back ground)
Abby: (To her self) I love you too John.