The following morning, John and Lucy lay in each other's arms, dreaming of the fantastic evening they had just spent. As Lucy begins to wake up, she hears pounding on their front door, “John?” she whispers, “Someone's at the door.”
“Hum?” he moans.
“Someone's at the door,” she emphasises a little louder.
“Are we expecting anyone at-” looks at the clock, “Nine thirty?”
“Are you kidding? Of course not,” she says annoyed.
“Guess I'd better get up,” he says, not making any effort to so.
“Yeah, guess you'd better,” she laughs, pushing him off the bed.
“I'm up now,” he groans, rubbing his back.
Putting on a pair of sweats and tee shirt, John walks to their bedroom window, which over looks the front of their townhouse.
It's the guys, delivering the stuff for the nursery, are we first on their list or what?” he says, shaking his head, “I'll be right back, don't move, he tells her.”
“Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere,” she yawns, covering her head with the covers.
After showing the men where to put the paint, he returns to find Lucy sitting on the edge of the bed, in her bathrobe.
“Thanks for the WONDERFUL night,” she coos, pulling him close.
“I aim to please,” he smiles, letting her pull him back on the bed. “I should be thanking you too,” giving her a deep sensuous kiss, which leads to-
TWO HOURS LATER
As they're both rushing around the room, trying to get dressed, “Lucy, we're expected in-forty five minutes, STEP ON IT!”
“I can't find my shoes,” she complains, looking under the bed.
As John glances at her, he can't help but stare at her ass. Feeling his glare, she turns and smiles, “Are you going to help me find them or what?”
“That's okay, I'm enjoying the view from here,” he laughs.
“If you don't stop staring, we may not even make it to your grandparent's at all,” she jokes.
“Are these what you're looking for?” Holding up her shoes.
“Have you had them all this time?”
“Yeah, I was just enjoying the view,” pointing to her backside.
“You're going to pay for that one Carter,” she teases.
“Promise?”
“You're damn right,” she smiles, putting the shoes on and heading downstairs with John following close behind.
Most of the ride to Oak Park, Lucy either slept or when engaged in conversation, would be interrupted by a yawn.
“Is my conversation, that boring or are you actually tired?”
“Considering, neither one of us did very much sleeping last night,” she smiles, trying to suppress another yawn.
“So, are you complaining?”
“Of course not, I just couldn't imagine it could be so... erotic,” she smiles.
“This is the first time, I can tell you're not dreading dinner with the family, they love you, you know, just like I do,” he smiles, tweaking her nose, but keeping his eyes on the road.
“I can think of two people, who don't feel the same way,” she sighs.
“You know, I don't even want to think about them right now. They couldn't take the time to come to the wedding, to hell with them,” he says, becoming annoyed the way the conversation had turned.
“John we're really gonna have to talk about this sometime, I want our children to know ALL their grandparent's,” she persists.
“Like I said, they never gave a rat's ass about Barbara and me when we were growing up, or when I was attacked, and especially the way they treated you,” he says bitterly.
Arriving at the Carter house, John stops the Jeep and stares out the window, “I don't want to fight about this, I know we have to talk about it sometime. Not just now.”
“Later okay?” she sighs.
“Yeah, let's just go in and enjoy ourselves.”
“Sounds good,” she pauses, “John?”
“What?”
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Luce,” gives her a kiss on her forehead.
Greeted at the door by Millicent, Lucy asks, “Who's all here?”
“Richard, Elizabeth, and the girls of course, Chase, Barbara, your grandfather, and-” Just as she's about to continue, she's interrupted by John's mother, Eleanor, coming down the stairs, “John dear, it's so nice to see you.”
Turning to John and Lucy, Millicent quietly explains, “I'm sorry, she just showed up a half hour ago.”
“Come here John, let me take a closer look at you,” Eleanor says.
Lucy just rolls her eyes and smiles, indicating he'd better do as his mother says. Smiling, he goes to his mother and gives her a polite kiss on one of her cheeks.
“What's with the beard? It makes you look like one of those homeless souls, asking for a hand out.”
“Just decided not to shave for awhile, besides, Lucy likes it.”
“Of course, that figures. We need to talk privately, let's go to the library.”
Not waiting for an answer, takes him by the arm and leads him away. Looking over his shoulder, merely shrugs, being helplessly led away.
Turning to Millicent, Lucy asks, with curiosity, “So where is everyone?”
“John and Richard are watching CNN, Chase and Barbara had an errand to run, and Elizabeth and the girls are upstairs, trying to pack. I'll be happy to take you to them, the girls have been quite anxious for you visit. Don't worry about John, he'll be fine,” giving Lucy an encouraging
look. Putting her arm around Lucy's shoulder, Millicent leads her to where Elizabeth is trying to pack for their return trip to California.
“Aunt Lucy!” the girls yell as they run towards her, as she enters the room.
“Girls, take it easy, she's going to have a baby,” their mother warns.
“Don't worry, Elizabeth, they're fine.” Kneeling down to their level, Lucy gathers them both in her arms and gives them a collective hug. “Do you want some company, or should I come back later?”
“Please stay, I'm in great need of adult conversation at this point, I only know so much about Blue's Clue's Bear in the Big Blue House. Of course, I can ALWAYS teach you what I know.”
“That's okay, I'll take a rain check,” Lucy giggles.
As Lucy takes a seat on the bed, she watches the two girls jumping on the other bed like a trampoline.
“Let me take a guess, John's with his mother right?”
“Yeah, she cornered him, as soon as we got in, and I'm sure I'm the subject of conversation,” she sighs.
“Why do you think everyone had their own thing to do and left,” Elizabeth laughs.
Lucy knew that was the truth, and had to laugh herself. Regaining their composure, Elizabeth continues, “You're looking healthy, how are you feeling?”
Before Lucy could answer,out of nowhere, Allison blurts out, “Yeah, you look fatter.”
“Allison! Apologize to Lucy, you know she's going to have a baby.”
“That's okay, Elizabeth, it’s the truth,” Hesitantly, she continues, “actually, I wanted to ask you, how on earth did you manage the twins when they were babies?”
“A lot of feedings, diapers, and not very much sleep. It was hard, but Richard was a big help. Why do you ask?”
“Well.... We found out we're having twins!”
“Must run on the Carter side, congratulations!”
“Evidentially, it does,” she grins “By the way, we haven't told anyone yet, now's probably not a good time to say anything, since Eleanor's here, if you understand what I mean.”
“Sure, your secret is safe with me, you guys must have been surprised.”
“Yeah, it did come as quite a shock, we were just getting used to one, now the thought of two. Man, it's really scary!”
“You know Lucy,you guy's have a lot of friends and family, that you can depend on for help. Are you planning to go back to work afterwards?”
“Yeah, being a doctor, has ALWAYS been what I've wanted, that and a mother. Others have had a career and motherhood, I'm sure I can handle it.”
“Don't try to play super mom, ask for help if you have too. Just remember the words: nanny, grandparent's, and day care,” she smiles.
“I'll remember that. Their grandparent's,” patting her stomach, unfortunately are in Boston, the hospital has a day care, and a nanny is definitely out of the question,” Lucy sighs. “Listen, I know you have to finish packing, why don't I take the girls downstairs and read, and we'll meet you at lunch?”
“Let's go!” the twins yell, each grabbing a couple of books each, for Lucy to read.
“It's really nice outside, let's go sit on the terrace and I'll read to you out there?”
“Can we?” they ask their mom.
“Don't see why not. Thanks Lucy.”
“Great! We'll just catch up with you at lunch,” Lucy says, as she leads the twins out of the room.
Arriving on the terrace, Lucy sits herself on a chair and the girls sit at her feet.
“You're the teacher and we're the little kids. Can you read and show us the pictures at the same time?”
“Some grown-ups can't do it,” Olivia wonders.
“I'll sure try,” she smiles, and begins reading the books the twins had chosen.
All this doesn't go unnoticed by John, who is staring out the library window, while his mother continued her endless complaints about one thing or another.
“...and your father suggested I find another place to stay. John? Did you hear what I said?” she badgers.
“Ah, yeah I did,” he answers, still watching Lucy and the girls.”
“John?”
Turning around and facing her, “Yes, I heard, you and dad had another disagreement, and you know as well, as I do, you'll be back in his good graces in a few days.”
Looking out to the terrace, Eleanor sees what had taken his attention away from her.
“What kind of hold does that girl have over this family?”
“Her name is Lucy, and the reason everybody likes her is because, what you see is what you get. A warm, and caring person.”
“Well, what I see is a girl, who almost got my son killed.”
“I'm NOT having this conversation,” motioning for his mother to stop. “You're talking about my wife.”
“Which leads me to ask-”
“What now?” he replies annoyed.
“Is this a marriage of convenience, because of the baby?”
Really getting upset about the direction this has taken, he replies, “There are those of us, who marry for love, not as an obligation to our family. I'm ending this here and now. Like I've told you before, it's YOUR choice, whether you're part of our child's life. But knowing Lucy, she's not going to give up on you, but right now, I am.”
Leaving a stunned Eleanor, John leaves the room, bumping into his grandmother.
“I heard what you told her, John. Don't you think you were a little rough on her?”
“Sorry you had to hear that, but the way she acts has been bothering me for along time. I can understand her feelings towards me, but I'm not going to stand by and have her blame Lucy for any of this. You know as well as I do, this goes all the way back to Bobby.”
“Yes I do, but until you and your mother can sit down and have a civilised conversation about that, things are never going to be resolved. I came to tell you, lunch is about to be served, why don't you get Lucy and the girls, and I'll let Eleanor know.”
“Thanks Gamma,” giving her a kiss and leaving.
Arriving in the dining room, John takes his seat next to Lucy, who is already picking at her food.
“How did things go?” he whispers and gives her a little kiss on the side of her head.
“Great! We read books, and I found out that I can't read and show pictures at the same time,” she giggles. “How about you?”
“Don't ask,” he groans, shaking his head.
“That well, huh? It'll be okay, I know it will,” she quietly whispers, taking his hand into hers and holding it gently in her lap.
As soon as Millicent and Eleanor arrive, everyone begins to eat, except Lucy, who's not too hungry for the food that had been served.
“Hey Scooter, remind me to give you my wedding gift, before you leave.”
“I hope it's something we can actually use, we got so many impractical things, I think we'll have a garage sale,” John laughs.
“Well...actually, it's - Barbara can you get that picture over there?”
Barbara gets up and hands her brother a photograph of John and Lucy, taken at the reception, in one of the few moments alone.
“What do you know, a Chase Carter original, does this mean you're taking pictures again?” he asks.
“I'm trying, I've got a place not far from here, and a great assistant, we'll see how it goes,” shrugging his shoulders.
“That's great! Thanks.So, Barbara where you off to?”
“Probably the south of France, I had forgotten how cold these Chicago winter's can be. Of course, I imagine, the two of you haven't cared about the weather, this past week, have you?”
“Not really,” Lucy blushes. Turning to her mother in law she decides to take the initiative in beginning a conversation, she continues, “Mrs. Carter, I was wondering how New York was?”
All of a sudden, there was complete silence, all conversation had stopped, everyone waiting for her reply, “Too many people always in a hurry, and way too noisy for my liking. I did see an old friend of yours, John, while I was there.”
“Who?” he asked with curiosity.
“Vanessa Stewart,” turning to Lucy, “Vanessa and her parents were very close friends of our family. We would always vacation together in the Hampton's. Vanessa and John were so close, we always assumed they would get married, once they settled down.”
“Well...I heard she was a lesbian,” Barbara pipes up, with a wide smile on her face.
Everyone had a hearty laugh, except Eleanor, who just sat and in her own way, pouted and contemplated how to come out on top. She didn't have to wait long.
“Lucy how are George and Elsie doing? I'm sorry they had to leave so soon.”
“He's doing better thanks, they flew home the other day. Mom's making sure he gets settled, then told me to tell you she'll be back during the week, to go over the PTSD grant proposal with you.”
“What's PTSD?” asks Eleanor.
“Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Eleanor ,Barbara Knight and I are establishing an outreach program for victims of violent crimes, to receive immediate help.”
“Another iron in the fire, hey Millicent?”
“Maybe if you would have been around when your son needed you, you would have known what he was going through.”
“I don't need to sit here and take this,” Eleanor snaps, starting to get up out of her chair.
“Eleanor, please just calm down, no one's blaming you for what happened,” John Senior says in a calm voice.
“Lucy, how are you and my great grandchild doing?” Millicent asks, turning her attention to Lucy and a more pleasant topic.
Before she could answer, “Lucy's going to have TWO babies!” volunteers Olivia.
“Way to go Scooter!” Chase yells.
“Johnny, that's fantastic!” exclaims Barbara, jumping out of her chair and hugging her brother and Lucy.
“I only told Elizabeth,” Lucy whispers.
“Overhearing, Elizabeth offers, “Lucy, lesson number one, don't say anything in front of six year old's, you don't want repeated.”
“Thanks. I'll remember that,” she smiles.
“Is everything going alright?” Millicent asks concerned.
“Yeah, we just found out, so we're still in shock.”
“Are you still planning to work after the babies arrive?” asks a curious Millicent.
“Yeah, I haven't finished my internship yet. And Chief Resident, while it's important, doesn't pay that well. Pausing, to let the rest of her statement make an impression. “Being a doctor, helping others and having a family is the most important thing to me.”
“Then maybe you should have been more careful in September,” Eleanor fires back.
“These babies, may have not been planned, but no one's going to call them a mistake,” Lucy shouts, with tears forming in her eyes.
“I'm just saying, both of you being doctors, you should have used some kind of protection.”
“I'm can't stay here and listen to anymore or this. Millicent, everyone, I'm so sorry,please excuse me,” Lucy says, as she leaves the table in tears.
“Goodness sake, she sure can't take a little criticism can she?” Eleanor says snidely.
“Excuse me Gamma, I'm going to make sure she's alright,” John says getting up and looking disgusted at his mother.
“Eleanor, you had no right to talk to Lucy that way,” an upset Millicent says.
“What's with that girl, has she gotten to you too?”
“She's like a breath of fresh air, that's blown into this family. You only have to look at John's face to see how much he loves her and how much she loves him. They've gone through hell to be together, you have no right to talk to either one of them like that. Everyone, please excuse me, I've suddenly lost my appetite. As Millicent leaves the table, so does Richard and his family, Chase and Barbara, and John Senior, leaving Eleanor alone at the table.”
After several minutes of searching, John finds Lucy sitting on a bench in the garden, “Hey are you okay?” he quietly asks, sitting next to her and pulling her close.
“I shouldn't have let her get to me like that, I'm sorry,” she sighs.
“I'm sorry too, we should have just left, when I saw she was here.”
“John, you couldn't have done that, she's your mom, you hardly ever see her, as it is.”
“By her choice,” he sighs, “You know this isn't just about you, don't you? She's been more or less like this since Bobby died.”
“So it's been what? Twenty years?”
“Yeah, something like that.”
“Have you ever tried talking to her about how you feel?”
“We both always get defensive when we do.”
“John, she lost one son, and almost another, don't you think she feels guilty. You really need to talk to her and I think, before we leave.”
“Whatever,” he sighs. Then thinking for a second, “You should have taken that Psych internship-you're good!” he jokes.
“Oh please!” she says, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
All of this doesn't go unnoticed by Eleanor, who is watching the young couple from the dining room window, thinking to herself, that, they must really love each other. For the next few moments she contemplates her next move. Meanwhile, back in the garden, as John and Lucy continue to think about what had been said, a thought suddenly enters Lucy's head, “You know what? I'm REALLY hungry, how about you?”
“I'm sure there's something in the kitchen we can have, let's go.”
Taking her by the hand, they go to the kitchen and raid the fridge.
“I haven't seen any of this stuff in ages,” Lucy giggles, as she pulls out a can of spray whipping cream. Pointing it at John, “You wouldn't dare? “ he laughs.
“Wouldn't I?” and sprays him right in the face.
Not to be done out done, John gets his own can and a full scale, good
natured whip cream fight begins. Backing Lucy up against the counter, John holds the can above Lucy's head, nozzle pointed down.
“Okay,okay, I give up,” Lucy laughs pulling him into a kiss. They are interrupted,when they hear someone clearing their throat. Looking towards the door, Lucy is surprised to see Eleanor.
“Excuse me?” she says quietly.
Lucy gently pushes John away and indicates they are being watched. As they turn around, they are all joined by Millicent.
“What's going on here, we can hear you all through the house,” she asks, smiling at the sight of her grandson and his wife having fun.
“John and ...Lucy, were well, trying to find something to put the whip cream on, Eleanor smiles,” acknowledging Lucy for the first time, by name.
“There's some strawberries in the refrigerator,” Millicent laughs.
“Sorry,” Lucy blushes.
“John, if you can tear yourself away from your fun, I'd like to talk.”
“I think we've said enough,” he shoots back.
“Well,I think it's time to REALLY talk, Lucy, please excuse us.”
Looking at her husband with loving eyes, Lucy smiles and nods, indicating, now is the time to make peace.
“You go, I'll just clean up,” she whispers.
As he turns to leave the kitchen, Lucy grabs her can of whip cream and sprays some down his back.
“Now you can go,” she laughs as does everyone else.
“Lucy, you come with me and clean up,”offers Millicent.
“Thanks. John you might need this,” she laughs, throwing him a dish towel.
Following his mother into the sun room, John reluctantly takes a seat on the sofa, beginning to clean up, while his mother paces the floor, deciding where to begin. Taking a deep breath, she begins, “I made some choices in my life that I wish I had never made. The biggest one, was when I kept telling Bobby he was going to get better, when I knew he wasn't. I think, I even told you the same thing, knowing how close the two of you were. I was afraid, if I talked too much about his illness, the both of you would realize how sick he really was. So, I pretended everything was going to be alright. I should have been more honest with the both of you, I'm sorry.”
“It's not too late, you know,” he whispers, his voice cracking with emotion.
“I'm afraid it is, I've lost one son, and I'm on the verge of loosing another, his mother quietly whispers with tears filling her eyes.
“You should have let the family know you needed help.”
“Back then, we didn't have grief counsellors or support groups, we were expected to handle our emotions in private.”
Thinking to himself, this was exactly how he handled the aftermath of the attack. Telling others he was okay, when all the time hurting inside. Realizing he was a lot more like his parents then he had thought, but at least, he had Lucy.
“It's not too late, mom, you have family that loves you, you know,” John whispers quietly.
“Who? Millicent? She just got through telling me I had to leave.”
“I love you mom,” he says, his voice cracking.
After regaining her composure, Eleanor continues her confession, “I'm afraid, I've also been mistaken about Lucy's love for you too. I watched the two of you earlier, you are so right for each other.”
Giving a little laugh, “We weren't always that way.”
“Oh?” she asks intrigued.
“That,” he emphasises, “Is a whole other story,” he said cracking a smile.
“I hope someday, you'll tell me that story, it sounds interesting.
“It is, and I'll let her tell you herself. Do you want to talk to her?”
“I don't know John, I've made this visit pretty miserable for her. She must hate me.”
“Lucy couldn't hate anyone. As much shit, as I put her through in the beginning, she should have hated me, but she never gave up on me, and look where we are today.”
“Do you think she'll want to talk to me?”
“Yeah, I do,” he answers leaving and going in search of his wife.
