Meeting Carter (Liza/Angie/Dixie/Krystal)

[Erica Kane Montgomery]

Erica hoped to get together with a few of her favorite ladies a few weeks after she & Jackson were settled at home with the new baby. She was excited to show Carter off, but it seemed like she couldn't find the right date to get everyone in the same room. That was, until today. She had talked to Angie & Dixie, & in passing, she also spoke to Liza who agreed to go in a heartbeat! She had been so busy at work with Jack having time off, & had been staying with Krystal for a few weeks while her housemates adjusted to having a new baby in the house.

Now, the day was here, & she & Liza had just parked the car. Colton & Stuart were with Bianca, & Liza looked at Erica before they got out of the vehicle.

"I meant to talk to you about this before we left, but... do you mind if Krystal stops by? She & Dixie are on good terms, plus, she & Angie are friends," Liza said. This was the first time Liza really opened up about Krystal to Erica, & honestly, all she was asking for was permission for Krystal to join them at lunch.

Pursing her lips, as she looking in the rear view mirror at her lip gloss - the first of any make-up she had applied since Carter's birth - & then looked at Liza carefully. "Did you already invite her?"

"No. I was going to text her after I asked you."

Giving Liza a reassuring smile, Erica said, "Of course you can invite her... how has it been? Staying with her, I mean?"

The redhead shrugged slightly. "It's been... great. Everything feels right when I'm with her, Erica. Not to mention, Jenny is in love with Stuart, which is the sweetest thing I've ever seen... I... I think I might ask her if we can move in together. I've stayed with you & Jack for a while & I've saved almost every paycheck, & for as much as I've loved being around your family, I think that you need time alone with your boys, Erica," Liza nodded gently.

Almost tearing up, Erica nodded. "I am so happy for you, Liza. You have become an incredible friend, unexpected, but nonetheless, incredible, & you deserve to be happy."

"Thank you," she smiled gently, before the two women embraced. Then, Erica moved to get Carter out, & Liza sent Krystal a quick text message, inviting her to lunch. They would be dining inside, since fall was settling into Pine Valley nicely, & baby Carter had to keep warm.

Patiently, the two sat down at a table & waited for their guests to arrive, as Carter slept peacefully in his car seat.

[Mrs. Angela Hubbard]

After going home to freshen up and later drop by the hospital to surprise her staff, Angie drove on over to the Yacht Club. Two and a half weeks ago Jesse came home from New York and right after they got settled back into their routine, she got a call from Texas. Not only did they need her to consult with a patient who was showing signs of an infection only she had the pleasure of dealing with, she was also called down to go over some last minute details concerning an upcoming medical convention. This year she was asked to be one of the speakers as well as one of the coordinators and she happily accepted the job. Then though she thought she could handle it with no problems, now she knew better. Once this was over she would either be one or the other, but she would never pick up both jobs ever again.

Anyway, she’d just gotten back into town that morning when remembered the call she gotten from Erica who asked if she could meet up with her and the girls for lunch. During that time Angie just knew she would have been back days before, but of course things happened and it caused her to stay over a little longer. Angie had a perfect excuse for canceling, but she wanted to see how her friends were doing. She needed to catch-up and she especially needed to hear about the babies. And plus she kind of wanted to surprise Jesse and the kids after they were all good and comfortable from their day.

Angie walked into the club and spotted Erica and Liza almost instantly. As she started over she also noticed there was a car seat. Giddy was she when she made it to the table. “Hello ladies!” She greeted, giving them both hugs. “It’s been so long.”

“And don’t tell me this is who I think it is?” She teased, cooing over the latest Montgomery. “He’s so handsome. Look at him,” she gushed.

[Dix C. Martin]

A few days ago Dixie had gotten an invite from Erica for lunch at the Yacht Club, and she eagerly accepted. She'd been dying to catch a glimpse of Erica's new baby boy, and also hear about her godchildren and the other little ones. Plus it had been a long time since she'd gotten together with her friends in general. Between work, the twins, Kathy, trying to have alone time with her husband, and dealing with the David/Babe/J.R drama, she'd had a lot on her plate. And was definitely up for a break from it all.

After parking she walked into the club and saw Angie over at Erica and Liza's table.
"Hi everyone!", Dixie greeted, giving the redhead and brunette quick hugs.
"Erica, Liza..and hey you! Long time no see."
Embracing Angie she spotted the car seat and got a huge grin on her face.
"Oooh, okay I get a turn now.", she giggled, wanting to get a closer look at Carter.
"Hi there little one! Oh..Erica he's just adorable!", praised Dixie.
"Just as precious as his big brother."

[Erica Kane Montgomery]

Erica looked up & saw Angie making her way to the table & she smiled. "Hi there!" she said happily, before hugging her friend. She took a moment to turn Carter's car seat around so that Angie could see her son, but before she could say anything else, she saw Dixie & smiled.

"It has been way too long since I've seen both of you... thank you so much for coming," she grinned ear to ear. With Colton, she had been much different after he was born, & it wasn't becoming, even though she did love her son. She felt much less tense after having Carter, & she knew that this time, she had the support of Jackson, so that really helped. She wasn't nervous seeing her friends or passing her baby around, thank goodness.

"Thank you both! He's such a wonderful baby... he sleeps wonderfully, & even though he has his moments, he doesn't make much noise. I'm beginning to wonder if the hospital sent me home with the wrong baby!" she joked teasingly. No, there was no question this was her baby... he had Jackson's eyes, & she had caught a few glimpses of her smile on his lips. "So, how are you both? I imagine I'm not the only one who's been busy all this time," she carefully pried.

[Mrs. Angela Hubbard]

“Say, momma just give me a wittle time. Soon I’ll be just like my big brother,” she teases back in a baby voice as she continued to admire him. Angie would be telling a lie if she said in moments like these her mind didn’t wander and wonder about having another little one in the house. She loved her babies and her god babies more than anything and she wouldn’t trade them for anything either, but there were times where she missed that feeling of being pregnant. The excitement and suspenseful feeling of it all.

As she ran her finger along his little ones, she smirked at Erica’s question. “Believe it or not,” she started, looking at her. “I just got back into town this morning… When I last spoke with you I was in Texas. I thought then I would have been home, but I had to stay longer. I was initially called down for a case I first headed off a few years ago before I returned. And in the midst of all that I had to be around to go over some last minute details. There is a medical convention happening soon and no surprise; I’m a part of the committee as well as a speaker… So yea, I’ve been real busy.”

[Krystal Carey]

Krystal had a text from Liza iviting her down to see Carter. She had seen him in passing but did not want to intrude on the new family. Liza told her that Dixie and Angie would be there so it was apparently the time to go see him. She walked into the club feeling a little unwanted but as soon as she saw Liza that changed.

She waved quietly wanting to get her attention first and then went over to the table. "Hi ladies..sorry I am late..Jenny and I had a late start this morning.." she looked at the baby in between Dixie and Angie. "Oh he is just beautiful Erica. Look at those eyes! Just like Jack's!"

[Liza Colby]

Liza looked up when Angie mentioned that she had been in Texas, but was lost in her words when she saw Krystal Carey waving at her from across the room. Her heart must have skipped three beats & she smiled brightly, looking at the woman. Dixie & Angie didn't know about them, Liza repeated to herself, keeping her cool.

She watched Krystal walk over to the table & said, "I'm glad you could make it, Krystal," not wanting to give any emotion away, but wanting Krystal to know how happy she was that Krystal was there.

[Dix C. Martin]

"Yeah, it sounds it. But hey..you, me and our guys are overdue for a double date. Let me know when you and Jesse are free, okay?", requested Dixie.
Missing the nights she and Tad would go over and hang out with Jesse and Angie and the kids, back when they were just an apartment complex away. Dixie also was hoping to get another look at the Hubbard's place to get some inspiration.
The twins were getting bigger and the nursery was getting smaller, and soon renovating or relocating would be in order. Seeing as her friends had a knack for that maybe they could offer some advice.
"I'm glad you could too.", smiled Dixie in agreement with Liza.
"So Erica...I told Kathy I was gonna see Carter today and, she asked me specifically to give him this."
Reaching into her purse she handed over a blue construction paper card, that her little girl had drawn for her friend's little boy. And attached was a small basketball beanie ball.
"The beanie was my doing though. Nolan has one and just loves it to pieces. Thought your little guy might feel the same way.", she smiled shyly, hoping the gift would be okay.

[Erica Kane Montgomery]

Erica shook her head. "You should be home with your family," she told Angie, putting her hand on Angie's because she always put others first. She was so selfless & sometimes Erica wished she could be more like that.

She then looked up & waved at Krystal after she got to the table & watched Liza light up, but do her best to keep her emotions in tact. She knew how Liza felt, & she thought it was cute to watch Liza act like a schoolgirl. She knew that was how she acted around Jack sometimes, & it made her want him to be at the table in that moment.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Dixie, though, who showed her the little card & gift that Kathy had made. It was absolutely precious. "You know, Tad hasn't met the little one, & I'd love to show him off to Kathy... maybe we could get together when we're free & I can thank Kathy in person. This was so thoughtful Dixie," Erica smiled, now reaching to touch her hand across the table. She could not have asked for better friends if she wanted to.

[Mrs. Angela Hubbard]

Angie looked over at Dixie and nodded. She couldn’t remember the last she and Dixie and their guys got together for a little double date. If she had to take a wild guess she would have to say before Adrian came into their lives. “You know, I will definitely let you know when we can get together. And hey maybe Jesse will cook this time around.”

Angie then looked over at Erica. “They don’t know I’m home yet. I’m going to surprise them a little later on today. So once we leave here you didn’t see me,” she hinted with a wink. “I also wanted to hang out with you ladies… and this little handsome guy. I’m sorry I don’t have anything for him, but you know I will get him something,” she assured, just as she saw a woman heading towards to their which she quickly realized was Krystal.

“Hey, Krystal! I’m so happy to see you.” She got up and hugged her. "How have you been?"

[Erica Kane Montgomery]

Erica smirked. "My lips are sealed!"

She then shook her head at Angie, "I don't want you to worry about getting him anything! Your presence in his life is already more than enough... as is yours, Dixie, Liza... & Krystal," she nodded, looking up at the redhead. "I'm glad you could make it today. I hope everything has been well with you," she sent her a smile from across the table.

[Krystal Carey]

Krystal smiled at Liza really fast and then moved to give Angie a hug as she had missed her friend. "I am glad to see you Angie!" she gave her a smile. "I have been really busy but from what I have heard you have been too. Jesse said you were out of town..everything is okay right?" Krystal did not want to pry but she wanted to make sure her friend was okay.

"Yes Erica..everything is good. I..have been busy but I have been really really good." Krystal looked at Liza and smiled again knowing that it was really good especially between them.