christmas3

DECEMBER 25TH (CHRISTMAS DAY)

The next morning John woke up and realized he was in bed with someone else in a bed that wasn�t his own. He recognized the shoulder of the other person and ran his fingers along it and softly kissed it. The body stirred and rolled over and looked him in the eye.

�Merry Christmas.� Abby said.

�Merry Christmas.� John said back with a smile.

�What exactly happened last night?� Abby said after a minute.

�I�m not sure, but whatever it was it was amazing.�

�No, I mean, what do we do now after we did what we did last night?

�Shit! Is it really 9:30?� Carter asked, sitting up suddenly.

�Uh, yeah, but closer to 9:45.� Abby answered, looking over at her bedside table. �Why?�

�I was supposed to meet my father at 9.�

�Do you want to use my phone?�

�Thanks.�

�Dad? Hey, it�s me. I know I�m running late. I know. I�m sorry. Something came up. I�ll call you later. I know. Tell Gamma I�m sorry and that I�ll call her later too. Okay. Thanks. Bye.� John said and hung up the phone. He looked around and noticed that Abby had gotten out of bed and headed towards her bathroom while he was on the phone. He followed the sound of a running shower and walked into the bathroom. Abby was already in the shower and he surprised her when he opened the door.

�Need help in there?� John laughed and stuck his head in the shower. Abby jumped at the sound of his voice and shyly tried to turn away.

�Did you get a hold of your father?�

�Yeah. He wasn�t too pleased about me no-showing, but he�ll get over it.�

�Okay.�

�You didn�t answer my question.�

�Huh?�

�I asked if you needed help in there.� John smiled and climbed into the shower. After a moment, giggling could be heard throughout the apartment.

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�Susan? Are you there? Listen, I really need to talk to you, it�s important. Please call me as soon as possible. Okay. Bye.� Carter hung up the phone after leaving a message on Susan�s answering machine. Abby had had to go to the hospital at 1pm and Carter had gone back to his place. He had tried calling Susan to cancel their plans for that evening, but he hadn�t been able to get a hold of her. She wasn�t supposed to be on, but he decided to call the hospital and check anyway.

�ER.�

�Hey Randi, it�s Carter. Merry Christmas.�

�Merry Christmas.�

�Is Dr. Lewis in?�

�Uh, she was here earlier, let me see if she�s still here.�

�Thanks.�

�Yeah, she�s here. You want me to get her?�

�That�d be great.�

�Okay, one sec.�

�Hello?�

�Hey Susan, it�s me.�

�Hey, what�s up? You never called me last night.�

�I know. Something came up. Listen, I�m gonna have to cancel tonight. Gamma called and she wants me to come over. I know this is short notice.�

�Oh well, that�s okay. I�ll, um, talk to you later okay?�

�Okay. Bye Susan.�

�Bye.� Carter felt guilty about having to lie to her, but he couldn�t bring himself to telling the truth quite yet.