| *Four Months Later* �God, I�m starting to look huge.� Abby smiled and said to Susan. �No, you�re starting to look pregnant.� Susan laughed. �Have you started thinking about names yet?� �Please, I�ve barely started thinking about where the nursery is going to go.� Abby replied. �Do you need any help with anything?� Over the past few months the two women had grown exceptionally close. John Carter was never brought up between them and they had found other things to talk about. They met for breakfast at least two times a week and always shared stories about their families and their childhoods. Even though Abby didn�t like to talk about hers very much, having another woman to talk to was very comforting. �Uh, you know what? I do need help with something.� Abby said after a moment. �Sure, what?� �I need a Lamaze coach.� Susan looked at her skeptically. �Wait a sec. Are you asking me?� �Come on. You�re perfectly capable. Besides, you don�t even really have to do anything. I was an OB/GYN nurse remember. I know what to do. I�m just supposed to have one and I don�t really have anyone else.� �Fine.� Susan said, shaking her head. �Thank you!� Abby said enthusiastically. �The class is on Thursday nights at 7.� �Lucky for you I have experience at being a Lamaze coach. I was Chloe�s.� �Exactly. You�re perfect for the job.� Abby joked and left the lounge to start her shift. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* �Susan, you cannot cancel on me.� Abby pleaded on the phone. �I�m sorry Abby. I really am. But I�m really sick.� Susan said and sneezed. �I have no one else. I can�t go without a partner. I�ve already been shunned by everything else in my life. Do I really need to add Lamaze to the list?� Abby put her hand on her head. Even though Susan had swore to go to class with her, she had come done with the flu that morning. �Ask one of the nurses. They�re your friends too.� Susan suggested. �Uch, fine. I�ll find someone else. Feel better.� Abby said and hung up the phone. She hesitated a moment before picking up the phone and dialing a number. �Hello?� A groggy voice replied. �Why are you asleep at 4 o�clock in the afternoon?� Abby questioned. �Worked a long shift. Just got home an hour ago.� John Carter explained. �Uh, what are you doing tonight?� Abby grimaced as she asked the question. �Probably nothing. Why?� �I need a huge favor. And I know I said I didn�t want to depend on you, but I�m desperate.� �What do you need?� Carter asked. �A Lamaze coach.� Abby answered. �But just for tonight. Susan is sick and can�t go.� �What time?� John said, shaking his head. �Seven.� Abby held her breath as she waited for his response. �Fine, I�ll pick you up at 6.� �Thank you! It�s really no big deal. You just have to sit there.� Abby smiled. �Yeah yeah. Let me go before I change my mind.� Carter mumbled. �See you later.� Abby said. �Bye.� John said and hung up. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* �Hee Hee Hoo. Hee Hee Hoo.� Abby breathed some time later. �Now men, remember to encourage your wives.� The instructor told everyone. �If I�m not your husband, do I have to encourage you?� Carter whispered in Abby�s ear. �Oh be quiet. I do not want to get kicked out of Lamaze class. That would just add to the list of disappointments in my life.� Abby shot back at Carter. �Come on. It wouldn�t be as bad as getting kicked out of med school would it?� John joked. �Do you really want our child to be a reject from the start?� �Very good Dr. Carter. Getting your wife to focus on other things besides the pain is very good. Conversation is a great way to do this.� The instructor interrupted. Abby just rolled her eyes and continued to breathe. �Should we tell him we�re not married?� John asked. �Okay, I think that�s all for today folks. Good job.� The instructor spoke, not letting Abby answer the question. On the way back to Abby�s apartment, neither person could think of anything to start any form of a conversation so they rode in silence. �You�re looking good.� John said finally, breaking the silence and stealing a glance at Abby. �Uch, I�m huge.� Abby laughed. �No, it suits you. Really.� John smiled, pleased to see her laughing. �Thanks.� Abby tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. �Uh, how are you doing?� �Couldn�t be better.� �How�s life as chief resident? We haven�t talked in a while.� �That was your choice not mine.� Carter said and focused on the road ahead of him. The rest of the ride was silent as they reached Abby�s apartment. As Abby got out of the car, she spoke quietly. �Listen John, I�m sorry. But I really do think it was the right thing to do.� Carter didn�t reply and Abby sadly shut the door and walked silently into her apartment building and closed the door behind her. After she had gotten into her apartment and locked the door, Abby sighed and kicked off her shoes and left them under her kitchen table. She walked into her closet and changed into her pajamas and sat down on her bed. �It was the right thing to do.� Abby assured herself before pulling down the covers and climbing in between the sheets of her bed. She placed her hand on her bulging stomach. �It really was.� ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* |