Ok, so I'm sorry this took a while but I haven't been feeling well lately. I had a terrible headache yesterday...
But I'm feeling alright now... Here is the next installment. I don't have to work for a while (till the doctor says it's alright) so I should be able to update soon, it depends if I'm feeling well. It's kind of complicated.
Anyway... hope you enjoy this.
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Chapter Twenty-Seven: CoffeeI can't believe we are in the middle of February. I'm walking to the El and catch the train just before the doors close. I spot Neela right in front of me reading the paper and sit next to her.
"Hey, Neela!"
"Oh, hi Abby. How are you doing?"
"I'm alright... Actually I wanted to talk to you about something."
I should tell her already before she finds out and gets angry with me."Is everything alright?" she looks up from the paper and stares at me concerned.
"Yeah, everything is fine. I just... Well, you know about Luka and me..."
"So the secret is out. I heard Morris and Pratt talking about it yesterday. It seems the news of the week."
"What were they talking about?"
What can they be talking about those two...?"Well, about you… eh… sleeping with the boss."
"Oh... right. There is something else you ought to know. I wanted to tell you myself before everyone starts gossiping about it."
"There is something else? Oh, don't tell me you are moving in together?"
"Eh... no actually... we haven't discussed that yet."
Moving in together… that’s the next thing to solve…"Oh… then what is it?"
"I'm pregnant." Her eyes snap open in amazement, after a while she finally speaks.
"Really?” I nod. “Wow... congratulations! Are you happy about it?" she's hugging me tight.
"Yes, I never thought I'd be happy to be pregnant but... I actually am."
"And I'm so happy for you!"
"Thanks!" I’m smiling now.
"How far along are you?"
"Sixteen weeks."
"4 months? Why didn't tell me before?"
"I wanted to keep it to ourselves for a while... If it was for Luka he would've told the whole world about it as soon as he knew!"
She chuckles at my remark and then adds:
"Are you eating? You don't look like pregnant at all!"
"Tell me about it. I had morning sickness till last week. I'm glad it's over. Now I can really enjoy it."
"It probably feels different."
"It's weird... I don't know how to explain it. I still have some trouble facing it as real; there is a life inside me! We got the amnio results yesterday. Everything's fine... but either way it's still odd."
"Luka must be thrilled about it."
"He is..." I'm smiling thinking of Luka grinning.
We reach our stop and walk out of the El.
"Have you told anyone in the ER?"
"Morris and Sam know. Morris figured it out yesterday when he saw me eating two bars of ice cream. I don't expect him to keep his mouth shut though. And Luka told Sam last night. I don't know how I'm going to face her today."
"Good luck with that."
We walk through the ER doors, triage is full of patients. This is going to be another long day.
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I'm on my break.
Finally! After three MVA'S and been puked by a 5 year old boy, I walk to the lounge to find some peace.
"Hey Abby." Sam's sitting at the table flipping through a magazine.
"Oh hi Sam... Didn't see you there…"
Ok, so I guess I had to see her today after all."I'm not on for another 5 minutes and decided to get some coffee." She closes the magazine and looks at me.
"It's hell out there. I think all the loony’s decided to come out. I really don't get it with the weather we are having they should stay home." I reach the coffee pot and pour some hot coffee in a mug.
The delicious smell of coffee…"I know." She's opens her mouth again to say something and then she seems to change her mind.
"Is everything alright?" I look at her trying to figure out what's on her mind.
"Yeah... I... I just wanted to congratulate you. Luka told me the good news."
"Oh thanks! I know this must be strange but I really appreciate it." I try to avert my eyes from her.
This is uncomfortable. "So you are still taking coffee?"
Why can't I have some coffee? It's not like I'm taking some every hour!"Not as much, but I don't think I'll survive the rest of my shift without a little help from caffeine."
"You're probably right."
The door of the lounge opens and Luka comes through it grinning like crazy. Sam gets up and heads towards the door. "Hi Luka… I gotta go. I'll see you out there."
"Yeah... see ya." I say and Luka’s eyes are on me. I sit at the table.
“See ya” he says after a while.
"Hey, what's so wonderful?"
What’s up with him?"What?”
“You are grinning.”
“Oh, nothing. Is that coffee?"
What's with people and my coffee intake these days? He serves himself some coffee and then sits next to me at the table.
"Yes it is. Is there a problem?" I ask while raising an eyebrow.
"Eh, no... Want to go out to dinner tonight?"
Dinner? Out?"Dinner? You mean no take out, or you cooking?"
What's going on with him today? The ER is packed and he's in such a good mood... have I missed something?"I thought we should go out, we haven't been out for a while."
"I'd like that. We can go to that Italian restaurant close to your place. I'm actually craving some pasta."
"Ok, then I'll meet you here when your shift is over."
"Deal... My break is over. I'll see you then." I get up from the table but before I can walk away he pulls me close to him, making me sit on his lap where he steals a kiss.