the last chapter - i think i may cry!

........................................................

Carter whistled to himself as he walked down the corridor to Abby's room. He was so excited about bringing her home. Not only that, but overnight he had become as much of a party-enthusiast as Susan and Maggie. He couldn't wait to see Abby's face when she saw so many people there for her. This morning, he'd made sure everyone was coming. In fact, the whole of the ER was excited about tonight - especially the nurses. He'd smiled to himself every time he heard Chuny ask someone else what they were wearing. They hadn't all got together since Mark's death. The thought made Carter stop for a second. He wished that Mark could be there tonight. He wished he was here.
"I really miss him" he thought to himself.

........................................................................

"Hey, it's about time" quipped Abby as he walked into the room. She was standing next to the bed, folding her clothes and putting them into a bag.
He walked behind her, putting his arms around her waist and kissing her neck. She turned around, snaking her arms around his neck and gasping
slightly when he pulled her into him."Did I hurt you?" he asked, concerned.
She smiled and shook her head.
"I forgot how hot you are"
He moved a hand up her side and round to her back as he kissed her. She stood on tiptoes slightly, leaning into him as much as she could, overwhelmed by the feeling of safety and belonging as he wrapped his arms around her. Having her so close was like ecstasy to him. He knew what it was like to be addicted to something; but nothing compared to how much he needed her. He could barely stand the feel of her body so close to him, fitting into him perfectly.
"You ready?" he asked huskily, not wanting to let go of her.
She cringed slightly and shook her head.
"Corday needs to take a look at the MRI before they'll discharge me"
John looked at his watch. They still had plenty of time. He lifted an arm from her waist and ran a finger back and forth over the patch of short hairs
on the side of her head, enjoying the texture.
"Hey," she said self-consciously, feeling the patch for herself ".... get your own"
He smiled and moved over to the bed, folding up a T-shirt and putting into the bag.
"Where's my hat?"
John screwed his eyes up, mentally chastising himself for forgetting. She knew he'd forgotten. He turned to face her; she was standing there with her
hands on her hips, an eyebrow raised in accusation.
"oops"
"Damn right, oops .... go buy me one."
His shoulders drooped in defeat and frustration, making her smile.
"I meant what I said John"
"Okay, okay ... I'll go get you a hat"
" .. a nice one"
"...a nice one" he echoed, kissing her quickly and heading out the door.

......................................................................

"Where do I buy a hat from?" he asked himself as he walked down the street.
He caught sight of something in a shop window that made him stop. It was a black dress. It would suit Abby perfectly he thought, imagining her in it -
the slash-neck falling just off her shoulders, and dipping at the front just far enough ....
He almost convinced himself that she'd refuse to wear it, but he couldn't get the picture of her in it out of his mind. No - he'd just have to buy it
- for himself as much as anything.

Forty-five minutes later, he walked out of the shop with the dress and a pair of black strappy sandals that the shop assistant spent ages helping him
pick out. He cursed under his breath when he checked the time. He still hadn't found a hat. Besides, he couldn't imagine her in that dress wearing
any sort of hat.
She was going to kill him. He was officially dead.
He was just about to give up when he spotted something out of the corner of his eye. He peered through the glass, a huge smile creeping onto his face.
"Well .... she asked for a hat." he chuckled as he walked into the shop.

.......................................................................

Abby sat on the end of her bed, her bags all packed. She'd been sitting there for ages since Elizabeth had given her the all-clear.
"I'm gonna kill John when he get's here. IF he gets here at all"

Carter skipped down the corridor, ducking down as he neared Abby's room. He peeked through the window, smiling at the sight of her perched on the end of the bed - her legs swinging back and forth. She was singing to herself ..... he could see her lips moving ever so slightly.

"Where the hell have ..... oh, you have GOT to be kidding"
Abby looked on incredulously as he maneuvered a wheelchair through the door.
"... hospital policy Abby."
John couldn't keep the smirk off his face.
"yeah? ... when hell freezes over. Where's my hat?"
Abby's eyes widened as he revealed three shopping bags.
"How many did you buy?"
She couldn't help but giggle at how excited he was. He was definitely up to something. He had that little glint in his eye. Besides, the thought of him
shopping was too much.
"I got you something"
He waved the bags around like a parent at Christmas.
"No wonder you took so long" she muttered as she pulled the black dress out of the bag he handed to her. She held it up, running it through her hands; a look of surprise on her face. She shifted her questioning gaze to him.
"You like it?" he asked cheerfully sitting next to her, holding the bags between his legs.
She looked back at the dress in her outstretched hands.
"It's .... er ... it's lovely ... it really is .... but why.."
He interrupted her excitedly
"Oh, I got you these to go"
She opened the box and lifted one of the sandals out, stifling a giggle at how cute he looked.
"They're perfect" she chuckled, kissing him on the cheek "... now what's going on?"
John was truly pleased with himself, grinning from ear to ear.
"I'm taking you out to dinner .... put them on"
Abby let out a short laugh.
"No way."
"Put them on" he insisted.
She looked at him quizzically; a confused smile on her face before giving in.

.....................................................................

She slipped the dress over her head and as it fell into place he gasped slightly at how perfect she looked in it. The length was perfect - it stopped just above the knee. As she twirled around playfully in it he was truly lost for words in an instant.
"Wait a second..." she stopped, looking at him slightly disappointed.
" ... there's no way I'm going anywhere with this.."
She lifted up a layer of hair, exposing the scar on her head and the small shaved patch.
"But you can't even see it under your hair." he whined.
"Yes you can .." she insisted "... can't we go out some other time?"
He moved over to her, taking her face in his hands and kissing her.
"Only if you leave the dress on"
She smiled against his lips, pulling back.
"It's a deal."
"AND if you use the wheelchair .... just till we get in the car."
She frowned.
"Why?"
"BECAUSE, it'll be fun."
Abby smirked, shaking her head at how cute he was being.
"Hey, what's in the other bag?"
She noticed his eyes lit up as he picked it up.
"Your hat" he explained matter-of-factly, playing on her curiosity.
"Well .... can I see it?"
He nodded slightly, lifting the hat out of the bag and holding it in the air. It made a slight tingling sound as he waved it in front of her.
"You are NOT serious"
He nodded soberly, moving over to Abby as she backed away - her hands covering her mouth as she giggled. He cornered her against the bed, raising
his arms to put it on her head.
"No way" she protested, pulling herself together.
"Yes way" he contradicted, placing it over her head and stepping back.
Abby stood there with her hands on her hips, bemused by the ridiculousness of the situation as he bent down and took out a second hat, identical to
hers. He placed it on his head, straightening it slightly, checking himself out in the glass. He turned round to face her, chuckling to himself at the sight of her laughing uncontrollably.
She couldn't believe it - the both of them, stood there with matching pink fluffy jester's hats on their heads. He shook his head causing tiny little bells sewn on to the ends of the spikes to tingle, sending Abby into another fit of giggles.
He grabbed the wheelchair, and gestured for her to sit in it. Abby was enjoying the situation too much to refuse. She couldn't remember the last
time she'd had this much fun.

.....................................................................

"John, stop it!"
Abby gripped onto the side of the wheel chair as he launched out of the elevator and down the ER corridor. She was laughing uncontrollably, stopping
for a second to yell "night Frank!" as he disappeared in a blur. The look on his face made her crumple into laughter again. She couldn't even imagine
what they looked like - John running like a maniac, both of them wearing the ridiculous hats. They charged out of the ER doors and into the open air.
Abby closed her eyes as the wind blew through her hair and filled her lungs. She tipped her head back, looking up at him. He looked so happy, a kind of wild look in his eyes.

This was their break for freedom, and they both sensed it.

He slumped back against the car, looking up into the evening sky, trying to catch his breath.
"Nice car" she said, running her hand over the side.
He looked back down at her, his eyes shining.
"Thanks .... someone totaled the last one"
She bit her lip, holding back a smirk.
He didn't avert his gaze from her as they both stood for a while, just breathing.
"You scared?" he asked tentatively.
She smiled up at him, nodding slightly.
"A bit .... you?"
He brushed a strand of hair under her hat, smiling at her, feeling totally in love with her.
"I'm only scared of losing you"
She stared up at him. He was standing there, in that stupid fluffy hat, and she'd never been more in love with him.
"Then promise you'll never let me go"
He pulled her into him, wrapping his arms around her and holding her tightly.
"I promise" he whispered.
She closed her eyes for a second, resting her head against his shoulder. She started to laugh as the bells on their hats tingled.
"We look so stupid" she chuckled.
He nodded in agreement, his eyes still fixed on her, smiling.
"Lets get out of here"

.................................................................

They reached the top of the stairs and paused for a second outside the door.
Abby looked down over herself.
"You look beautiful" he stated, still smiling.
She glanced up, an amused expression on her face.
"I think the hat clashes"
"I told you, we have to keep them on ....just think of them as .... wedding rings"
Her vision snapped up to him as he said this, the surprise on her face making him smile.
He turned the key in the door, went to open it and then stopped. He could sense how many people were in there, waiting in the dark. He turned around to Abby and held his arms out. He could tell she was still flustered by his last statement.
"What?" she asked.
"I want to carry you"
"No"
"Abby ..."
"No!"
"Let me carry you."
He picked her up in a swift motion, and she clung to her hat as it nearly fell off. He kicked the door open and they stumbled into the room.

Abby started when the lights flew on and a sea of faces appeared from no where.

"SURPRISE!"

She heard a ripple of laughter as the room took in the sight of them together. She dropped to the floor self-consciously.
Abby was speechless as person after person came up and hugged her, saying things to her that she could barely take in. Susan hugged her and squeezed her hand slightly, winking warmly and almost making her cry. Eventually, the music kicked in and people began to socialize, moving around as the sound of discussion rose.
Abby stood rooted to the spot with the same surprised smile plastered over her face. John was doing exactly the same.
"You are SO dead" she said through gritted teeth.
He kept his gaze ahead as he smiled at one person after another.
"I know" he replied in the same way.
Abby waved at Chuny and Lydia.
"I love you" she said, elbowing him in the side.
"I know" he elbowed her back.
"I want to marry you" he added matter-of-factly, still looking straight ahead.
Abby smiled to herself and elbowed him again.
"I know" she answered.

..............................................................................

T H E E N D

okay, since this is THE last chapter, you ALL have to review !

Hope you liked it.