Here's the penultimate chapter.

Thanks again for the reviews.

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As Carter walked up to the ER entrance he was in a daze. Abby was coming home tomorrow, and the last week had seemed like an eternity. Not only that, but Maggie had been staying at Abby's apartment so he had decided to move back into the mansion for a few days. As they walked together, Maggie had been talking non-stop, and Carter suddenly realized that he had started not to listen. He had just looked at her occasionally, smiling, nodding in agreement to whatever it was she was saying.
" ..... well anyway, I realize that Eleanor is trying to be helpful, but I really don't think that Abby will appreciate ....."
As Maggie's voice drifted into obscurity again, Carter realized she was talking about the damned "welcome home" party for Abby. He didn't think
she'd appreciate a party full stop, but all he had heard all week was his mother insisting they had a huge party at the mansion, and Maggie openly
disagreeing. Carter's lips tightened into a little smirk as he recalled Maggie's final comments to his mother.
"I'm her mother - I know best"
And that settled it.
Yes, he had certainly been caught up in the middle of a holy war. In the end, although he didn't say anything, he of course knew that Maggie was
right. Just a few close friends at the apartment would be nice. His mother was just trying to help the only way she knew how, and he did feel sorry for
her.
".... oh, and Susan said that she's making sure everyone at the hospital knows it's a surprise - now John, don't go telling Abby. I know she says she
hates surprises, but she doesn't really. I remember when we ......"
He smiled and nodded again.
Susan was Maggie's new best friend, if only because she indulged her in every way possible. In fact, Susan was just as excited as Maggie about this
whole party thing. They were both frustrated by his apathy, but he just had more important things on his mind.
"John, don't be such a kill-joy" Maggie had said.
"Yeah, Carter, aren't you quite the party-pooper"
It was all a big game to Susan. She loved ganging up against him with Maggie, clucking over Abby as her new best friend.

As they walked into the ER, Maggie shouted over to admin.
"Randi, I love that top!"
Randi snapped her gum, put her magazine to one side and smiled cheerfully at Maggie.
"Thanks, you look great today Maggie"
Carter scratched his head awkwardly as Maggie twirled around before laying eyes on Susan.
"Susan?"
Susan's eyes lit up as she saw Maggie.
"Hey, Maggie"
Maggie latched onto Susan, linking arms with her as they walked over to the lounge, already heatedly discussing arrangements for tomorrow evening.
Carter sighed, gathering his thoughts, relieved momentarily that he had some peace. He came half an hour early so he could see Abby before he started his shift. As he stepped into the elevator, he couldn't help a smile creeping onto his face. He missed her so much. Seeing her was the highlight of his day.

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He looked through the window at her. She was already awake, sat upright in her bed reading a magazine. He watched her as she let out a frustrated
breath, tossing the magazine to one side and folding her arms across her chest, making him chuckle slightly. She turned her head and caught sight of
him through the glass; her frown transforming into a beautiful smile. More than anything, he loved how pleased she was to see him. He loved how
every time she laid eyes on him, he got to see that radiant, breath-taking smile.  He walked into the room and sat down on the side of her bed, leaning in for a kiss. He pulled away, smiling.
"Good morning"
She slumped her head back against her pillow - her little way of letting him know she was frustrated and wanted sympathy. He put a hand on her shoulder, massaging it gently with his thumb.
"Only one more day, and then I'll come and whisk you away...."
She unfolded her arms and picked some fluff out of his hair, letting her hand rest on his neck.
"Did you check on mom last night?" she asked seriously. Carter noticed she couldn't stop worrying about Maggie, even though she was well and truly back on her meds. He remembered an argument they'd had about Maggie four days ago when she invited an old homeless man into Abby's apartment for dinner one evening because she felt sorry for him.
"Did you count her tablets?" Abby had demanded;
"No!"
"Well, you should have done"
He just went and had "a word" with Maggie who promptly admitted it was a "stupid thing to do" that she "just felt sorry for him" and that it wouldn't
happen again. Ever since though, Abby had been on tenter hooks, and he couldn't really blame her. He still wished she'd lighten up a bit and just
concentrate on getting better.
"Yeah, she's fine, she came in with me this morning."
Abby nodded at first, and then looked confused.
"Where is she?"
He faltered for a second, not wanting to act suspiciously
"... she's ah talking horoscopes with Randi"
Abby smiled slightly, rolling her eyes.
"That figures"
"Why've you still got this on?" he changed the subject, tugging slightly at the edge of the bandage round her head.
She tutted to herself, crossing her arms again.
"because .... YOU still haven't brought me a hat from home"
Carter held his hands up in mock defense.
"...you better remember tomorrow John, or I'm not coming home."
"Then I'll definitely remember" he smirked, moving across to kiss her forehead.
"I mean it, I'm not displaying my bald-patch to the entire world!"
He lifted up her bandage just above her left temple looking at the scar and the patch of short hairs that had already started to regrow. He folded the
material back down gently, and kissed her again.
"I think it's cute"
She giggled, bowing her head slightly.
"You would."

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END OF CHAPTER 19

not sure if their is much to review on this one really
The next one's going to be good.

It's the last one as well *sniff sniff*