Ch 19
"�where the grubby little package from vault seven hundred and thirteen was." Abby finished the chapter she'd been reading to the girls and looked up. For once a book had done the trick for both girls. She smiled when she heard Hope's soft snoring. Maggie had once told her that when she was little she had snored sometimes. Getting up quietly she put a marker in the book she'd been reading, turned on the nightlight, and turned off the overhead before leaving, closing the door behind her. She stopped for a minute, listening to the quiet of her home.
Truth be told, this was her favorite part of the day. The house was quiet, the girls were asleep, and now it was time for her to relax. Normally she'd make herself a cup of tea, read a book, and then go to bed.
Some how that just didn't appeal to her tonight.
She pushed away from the door and headed to the living room. She could hear the soft murmurings of the TV. The girls had taken turns watching a movie while they rotated bathtub privileges. Abby turned off the movie, and found herself watching an old made for TV movie. She was about to turn it off when an actress came on.
Geez, that looks like Lucy. She shook her head. She really had to stop this. The other day she'd made Susan change the channel when they were watching a movie because the lead actor had reminded her of Paul Sobricki.
She flipped off the TV and put the remote down. She looked at the clock. It was eight o'two. Way too early to go to bed since she wasn't till tomorrow night.
She sighed. This was pathetic. This was insane. This was beginning to feel kinda lonely.
Abby smiled ironically. She'd known this would happen sooner or later. As much as she loved her girls and her friends, lately it'd been a little harder to convince herself that they were enough for her. She missed having someone to be with when the day was over.
She smirked, only a little surprised when her mind's eye conjured up a picture of John. Honesty reared its ugly head yet again.
Abby picked up a book and went to her room. She wasn't quite ready to be that honest yet.
"Hey Randi? If my sister calls, tell her you've never heard of me." Dave said.
"Familial problems Dave?" Jing-Mei asked.
"More like I'm afraid of repeating the Spanish Inquisition."
"Huh?"
"My sister is having a problem with her husband and is now trying to enlist my help to keep tabs on him."
"Does Carter know that yet?"
"Actually, yeah, he does. I told him."
"What?"
"I'm not getting in the middle again. Ava's a big girl. She can take care of her own marriage."
"That's very mature and rational of you."
"Thank you."
"Who are you, and what have you done with Dave Malucci?" Jing-Mei raised an eyebrow and Dave just laughed.
"If you want to know something about me, ask me." John said firmly.
"Fine. Why did you lie last week and say you were working when you weren't?" Ava folded her arms across her chest.
"Because I knew how you'd react and I didn't want to get into a big discussion about something I was doing whether or not you wanted me to."
"Thanks for the consideration." Ava retorted.
"I give you consideration."
"No you don't! Did you even stop to think about how I'd feel about you spending time with Abby's daughters?"
"They are my daughters too."
"They don't even know you."
"And that is exactly what I am trying to rectify."
"John, I am asking you to let them go."
"They're my daughters. They're a part of me. Just like the child you're carrying. I couldn't turn away from them anymore then I could our baby."
"What about the next time Abby decides this place isn't working for her and takes off? If you get attached to her daughters it'll hurt so much more."
"They are my daughters, too, and Abby's not taking off again."
"You sure about that? John, I'm only thinking of you."
"No, you're not. You are thinking of you."
Ava's eyes flashed. "And if I am? I think I have a right to. My husband has been a stranger for months."
"Welcome to the club. I can't say I know you all that well anymore either. I never thought the woman I married would begrudge me a chance at knowing my daughters."
"And I never thought I'd marry someone who was in love with another woman. So I guess we're even. Tell me something John, have you slept with her yet, or are you waiting?" His silence made her gasp. "Oh my God."
"Ava-"
"Get out. It's over."
"Ava-"
"I said, get out. I never want to see you again."
"That'll be a little hard."
"Why? Because of the baby? I wouldn't worry. It's not yours."
John stared. "Then whose is it?" His voice was calm. Too calm.
Ava didn't notice. "Michael's." She said without blinking. "Ask him if you don't believe me. He asked me to leave you when I told him."
John didn't say anything as he left Ava's office.
Ava nodded to herself and took off her wedding ring. "Good-bye John."
John charged off the elevator and into the ER. "Frank, where's Romano?"
"Which one?"
"Michael."
"Check the board."
"Don't be an ass. Just tell me." John spat.
Frank looked at the younger man in surprise. He'd never seen Carter mad before. "Exam four."
John turned and headed that way. He caught Michael just as the other man was coming out of exam four.
"Michael."
The other man looked up. "Hey Carter. How's-"
"Is it true?" John cut him off
Michael raised an eyebrow. "Is what true?"
"You and Ava. Is it true?"
"Yeah."
John nodded and then he did something Michael didn't expect. John Truman Carter decked Michael Romano.
Michael laid sprawled on the floor with John over him. "You can have her." He said before he walked away.
Susan, who had come out of the suture room in time to see Michael hit the floor went after John. She caught up with him just as he reached the bay.
"Carter, wait a sec." Susan finally got close enough to grab his arm. She turned him to face her.
"What Susan?" He was pissed.
"What happened?"
"I was just informed by my wife that the child she is carrying belongs to our colleague, Dr. Romano."
"Oh."
"Yeah, oh."
"So, where are you going?"
"I don't know."
"Yes you do. Carter, don't."
"Don't what?"
"Play dumb first of all. Second, don't go to Al's right now."
"Why not?"
"Because you're still connected to Ava." She held up her hand at his protest. "I know you. There are still things you need to work out with yourself about her. And until that happens, you shouldn't be anywhere near Al or the girls. Carter, I've known you guys a long time. I love the both of you and I want you both to be happy. Going there right now is a bad idea. If you do, it's gonna end badly. You'll fight and you'll grow apart and it'll be over for good. Then you'll both manage to find someone else. Al could and would probably find someone better for her and her girls but you are never going to find anyone better for you then her. Give yourself some time. Call her if you have to but don't go to her. Not yet."
John didn't say anything. He was just processing everything Susan had said. "Call her. Tell her what happened and that I'll be back in a couple of weeks." He hugged her and then strode into the night.
"Good luck, Carter." Susan whispered before she went back inside.