Where the Heart Leads

Chapter One: Christmas

"Abbie."

"G'way."

"Abbie."

"Willard…I'll give you four seconds to stop shaking me."

"C'mon, get up."

Abbie opened one eye and glared balefully at Willard. "Why?"

Willard grinned. "Well, for one thing, your breakfast will get cold if you don't, and for another-it's Christmas." Abbie opened both eyes and stared at him.

"It…it is?"

Willard nodded, still grinning, then gave a small squawk of surprise when Abbie threw off the covers and practically leapt out of bed. The covers landed on him, and Abbie giggled, pulling them off. "Sorry, love."

He smiled, pulling her down onto his lap. "No problem. Merry Christmas, babe." He kissed her, sighing as he always did at her lovely peach scent. "Now, are you ready for breakfast?"

Abbie nodded, and Willard beamed. "Good. Might I be allowed to escort you to the dining area, my bold beauty?"

"Of course, good sir. Lead the way, please."

Willard led Abbie out of the bedroom, and she gasped in amazement at the spread that was laid out on the dining room table. Willard had gone all out-there were pancakes, bacon, eggs, and a platter full of strawberries. Resting in the center of the table was a large pitcher of syrup. Abbie could not believe her eyes. "Willard…when did you…?"

"I've been up for a few hours, babe. I've always been an early riser. Let's eat, I want to open presents."

Abbie smiled. The week before, she and Willard had gone into town and done their Christmas shopping. At first, Willard had been shy towards the townsfolk, but their friendly, welcoming manner soon won him over, and he found himself feeling quite at ease. But one incident had differed, and it still stuck out in Abbie's mind.

They had gone into the local pet store, and Abbie had been cooing in delight at the puppies and kittens, when she heard a strangled cry of terror come from the back of the store. She paled, recognizing Willard's voice, and quickly made her way to him. He was standing in front of a cage, eyes wide in terror and body trembling like a live wire as he babbled.

"No, no, no I killed you, I know I killed you, you're dead, I know you are, I stabbed you, stab, stab, see the blood, run rat run, have your fun, red blood run, you're dead, you're dead, you're…"He yelped in terror as Abbie gently touched his arm. He spun around, eyes wide and breathing heavily. "A…Abbie….l…look in the cage…"

She did, and sighed at the occupant-a Gambian pouched rat. Willard looked over at the rat, shuddering. "It…it's Ben. He…he's come back….I can't get rid of him….he'll kill me…"

Abbie grabbed his face and stared into his eyes, speaking in a level, calm tone. "Willard, listen to me. Ben is dead. That is just another rat. It is not Ben. So calm down, okay? Ben is dead. I burned his body myself."

Willard blinked at her. "You…burned…when?"

"The day after you were….admitted, I went to your house with the Health Department-I wanted to make sure that bastard of a rat was dead."

"Was he?"

Abbie nodded. "Yes, so calm down. You're perfectly safe. Come on; let's go see what sort of food they've got around here. I'm starving."

Willard gave a great shudder then nodded. "Good idea. Abbie, I'm sorry…"

"No need to apologize, babe."

Abbie was brought out of her thoughts by Willard gently nudging her arm. "You okay?"

"Yeah, just lost in thought. This breakfast is delicious, by the way. My compliments to the chef."

Willard grinned and inclined his head in thanks. "Compliment accepted, my darling girl. Are you almost done? I want to open my presents."

Abbie laughed at his eager expression. "Yes, I'm almost done. You're such a big kid."

Willard giggled. "I know." He sobered, and looked over at her. "It's just that I've never really had a reason to celebrate Christmas before now, and I'm happy that I'm finally getting a chance." He grinned anew. "Now, what say we get started opening presents?"

Abbie laughed. "A wonderful idea, babe." She finished her breakfast, and they went out to the living room, both grinning at the beautifully decorated tree and the small pile of presents underneath. Willard escorted Abbie over to the couch and grinned gallantly at her. "Are you ready for your first present?" Abbie grinned, nodding, and Willard went over to the tree. He was about to grab her present when he noticed a slight movement in the branches and chuckled softly.

"Plato, come on out of there." He held out his arm, and the white rat climbed out of the tree and onto his palm. Willard gave her a mock glare. "What did I tell you about sleeping in the tree?" Plato twitched her nose, giving him an innocent ratty look, and Willard laughed quietly. "Well, I can't be mad at you on Christmas. Go to Abbie, there's a good girl."

Plato obeyed, and Abbie scooped her up, gently chiding her. "You know better, Plato. Now, sit and be good, and you'll get a present."

Plato chittered and climbed up to the top of the couch, watching her humans in curiosity.

Willard knelt in front of the tree, peering at the labels on the gaily wrapped presents. "Ah, just the one I was looking for." He pulled a medium sized box from the pile and handed it to Abbie, a shy smile on his face. "I hope you like it."

Abbie smiled softly at him. "I'm sure I will." She opened it up, and gave a squeal of delight. Nestled among the green and red wrapping paper was the most wonderful drawing kit she had ever seen. The case was a beautiful cherry color and made of wood, and through the clear plastic top she could see charcoal and colored pencils, markers, and even a few paint brushes. "I love it! But how did you know I drew?"

"I saw some of your work. You're quite talented, babe. Oh, and there's something under the kit."

Abbie lifted the kit up and squealed again at the sketchbook underneath. "I love it!" She set her present down, and then yanked Willard up and into a passionate kiss. After several minutes, they slowly broke the kiss, faces flushed and panting lightly. Willard was the first to find his voice. "Wow, I can't wait to see how you thank me for your next present."

Abbie grinned, clasping her hands in delight. "Oooh, I get another present?" Willard nodded, trying not to laugh, and Abbie gave him a mock glare. "Well, then let me have it!"

"Yes dear." He handed her a small box. "I put a lot of thought into this one. I hope you like it."

Abbie unwrapped it, her eyes widening at the black jewelry box she uncovered. She carefully opened it, and gave a gasp of delight at the golden ring that lay within. "Willard…you…bought me a Claddagh ring."

He nodded, and then held up his left hand, and Abbie gasped. Wrapped around his left ring finger was a silver Claddagh ring, the tip of the heart pointing towards him. "I read about the legend once, and I thought it was so perfect for us, my wild Irish rose. I had them made by the jeweler in town. Yours has your birthstone in it. Ruby, right?"

Abbie nodded, happy tears in her eyes, then slowly removed the ring, sliding it onto her finger with the tip of the heart pointed towards her. "So…is this my engagement or my wedding ring?"

Willard leaned up and kissed her, then gazed into her eyes. "Both. We'll still have the ceremony, but as far as I'm concerned, you're my wife now."

Abbie gave him a mock pout. "Oh, am I now?" Willard nodded, eyes alight with mischief, and Abbie laughed. "Well, then, husband, it is my turn to give you your presents. So sit down, and I'll start passing them out."

Willard obeyed, and Abbie reached under the tree and handed him a large box. "There. First present from your new wife."

He grinned, and then tore the paper eagerly, tossing it aside and opening the box underneath, grinning in delight at the contents. "A new coat! It's just what I wanted!" He carefully pulled the long black coat out of the box, whistling in appreciation. "Nice. Lots of pockets, looks comfortable, and black suits me. Oh, and there's gloves too?" He pulled out the pair of black leather gloves, grinning. "I love it, babe. Thanks."

Abbie smiled in relief. "Good. I hoped you would, I kinda had to guess your size." She handed him a second, smaller present, and he chuckled quietly at the label. "Babe, this says it's for Plato."

Abbie nodded. "Well, of course. You don't think I'd leave her out, do you? She's a part of this family too, after all."

Willard nodded, then reached up and scratched Plato between the ears. "You hear that, girl? You're getting a present too." He ripped off the paper, and grinned. "You bought her a collar." He pulled the collar out of the box it was in, and examined it, smiling. It was a plaited cord of red and blue, with a small burnished silver nameplate with Plato written on it in ornate script. "It's beautiful."

Plato sniffed at the collar, and Willard undid the clasp and placed it gently around her neck, letting her get used to the feel of the material on her fur. Plato chittered, obviously pleased with the way it felt, and Willard sealed the clasp. The collar was loose, but not so loose that she could remove it. Willard stroked her. "I think she likes it, Abbie. It looks good on her. Very patriotic."

Abbie laughed. "Oh, that. I told the pet shop owner I wanted a collar for a white rat, and she made me that." She looked up at him, her gaze soft and serious. "She asked me if you were okay. I told her that you had a…bad experience with a Gambian pouched rat, and you were still a bit spooked by them. She said she understood, and to not worry about avoiding her store."

Willard gave a small shudder. "Yes, I suppose nearly being eaten alive could be thought of as a bad experience." He shut his eyes and took a deep, shuddering breath, then opened them and smiled. "But, that's behind me. In front of me is a beautiful woman, a gorgeous snowy Christmas morning, and the promise of a long and happy life. Merry Christmas, Abbie."

"Merry Christmas, Willard."