I sit in a booth in Docs nervously playing with a napkin. I'm taking deep breaths - good practice I guess. I look at the door for the hundredth time and finally see him enter. He looks worried. I must have freaked him out. As he scans the place looking for me I take in his soft, tired eyes, his tall frame and the shadow on his chin. I must have woken him - he didn't even have time to shave. He finally spots me and as he walks over the butterflies in my stomach turn into bats. God he looks great!
"Hey" I say as I try to suppress a grin. He sits opposite me. I see the conflict in his eyes. Should he show how worried he is or act calm and let me tell him? He goes for calm.
"Hey" he smiles. He looks so... Yum. "So what's up?"
"Nothing" Why would anything be wrong?" I ask defensively. I grimace, knowing I'm being unreasonable.
"Well... You sounded like you really needed to talk..." He trails off, eyebrows raised. This tiny gesture shows how worried about me he really is.
"I'm sorry. I'm fine" I smile. It's really good to see him. A waitress comes over with the soda I have ordered. Carter sees my drink and looks a little confused. He's wondering why I haven't ordered coffee. Oh well here goes. "I'm just a little..."
"Coffee please." He tells the waitress.
"Pregnant!"
"What?" I look into his deep chocolate brown eyes as the waitress leave. Is she smirking? He, on the other hand, looks, well shocked. I search for any other emotion and I swear I can see some disappointment. This sets the bats off again. Where's the bathroom?? I look down at the table, playing with my napkin. Please say something! Even if it's just to yell at me I beg silently.
"Sorry." He apologises, clearly embarrassed, "I'm just...surprised I guess."
"Yeah" I say. I meant to sound confident but it's barely audible. Come on Abby, be strong! "Surprised isn't the word."
"So...um...are you happy about it?" I slowly look up at him. I smile.
"Completely. I've never been this happy before..." I trail off thinking about the conception. I grin wickedly, "Well, maybe once."
"Well that's great!" He smiles. A true Carter smile has got to be one of the best things in the world and I'm seeing it right now. He takes a sip of his coffee. "What does Jason think?"
I noticed how he practically spits the name out. He tried to be nice to Jason but for some reason they don't get on. I look down and feel slightly ashamed that I hadn't told him yet. He notices my discomfort.
"I mean, he does know...right?" I continue to watch the table, not daring to look at his eyes.
"No," I pause. I look up feeling the need to justify myself. "I mean not yet. I will... I just found out and I had to tell someone."
"Well congratulations. Really! I think you'll make a great mother." I look down again, feeling myself blushing. I suddenly become - of all things - shy. He's so sweet.
"Thanks"
There's a silence. We sit drinking, enjoying each others company. I don't know what to say next so thank god he speaks first.
"So...how far along are you?"
I concentrate on my drink. The bubbles suddenly becoming very interesting.
"Twelve weeks" I mumble. He takes time to absorb this then looks at me, confused.
"Twelve weeks? But you and Jason have only been together..." He stops dead and gasps - Oh God! Now what do I do? Please ground swallow me! "Twelve weeks...oh! You...I..."
I look up, finally, searching his eyes for the second time that day. Again all I see is shock. His expression would make me laugh under different circumstances. His eyes are wide and his lips form the perfect 'O'. I smile nervously, biting my lip.
"Surprise..."