"Perchance To Dream" (Chapter 7)

Sunday arrived quickly. Abbie was at the cabin promptly at 2:30. Ichabod was surprised by her appearance. He always thought his Lieutenant looked lovely. Today, however she was stunning. She wore a floral sun dress which highlighted her delicate waist and revealed her well turned legs. She wore her hair in an attractive updo that framed her face perfectly and enhanced her beautiful brown eyes. All this for Big Ash? He wondered. That notion caused him to frown ever so slightly.

"So are you just gonna stand there Crane, or are you ready to go? Grams doesn't like when someone shows up late for Sunday dinner."

Abbie's voice released Ichabod from his reverie. He realized he had been staring.

"Oh, of Course Lieutenant. You look lovely, by the way."

"Thanks", Abbie smiled softly, as she and Ichabod exited the cabin.

Abbie Mills couldn't stop smiling as they drove to Louise Hunter's place. She had missed Sunday dinners at Grams more than she realized. She was especially excited she'd get to actually spend time with Ash and finally talk face to face. Over the past few months she and Ash had spoken several nights a week. He would always call her at 9:45. He remembered she usually fell asleep by 10:30.

After the first week, Abbie would shower, wrap her hair, and settle in with a cup of chamomile tea and wait for his call. Conversation had always been so easy with Ash. She never had to pretend with him. Their talks were warm and kept her grounded. She could just be Abbie Mills when she spoke to him. Her role as Witness, took a back seat for just a little while during their phone chats. Abbie had spent the past few months attempting to help her partner cope with the loss of his family. Now she really needed to take some time for herself.

The Witnesses were the last to arrive. Louise came out of the kitchen to greet them.

"My don't you look pretty!" She gave Abbie a warm hug.

And Ichabod, you are looking well.

"Thank you Mrs. Hunter." Ichabod replied.

Ash appeared, carrying a large pitcher of lemonade. He quickly set it down, and hugged Abbie tightly.

"You smell almost as good as you look, Abs. Jasmine right?" Ash smiled.

"Thanks Ash. Yes, you know I love Jasmine." Abbie returned.

Ichabod couldn't help noticing the blush that Abbie tried to hide.

"Ok, well let's sit everybody. Dinner's ready. We were just waiting for you two." Louise declared,

Dinner was delicious. Louise had prepared some of Abbie's favorites. Squash and cheese casserole and her special meatloaf The corn pudding and sweet potato pound cake for dessert were the perfect way to end a wonderful meal. Ichabod was glad he came. The conversation was spirited and the atmosphere warm and homey.

Despite having to endure Ash's love struck glances at Abbie, he was having quite a pleasant evening.

When the last dessert dish had been cleared, Ash sidled closer to Abbie.

"Abs, I have some bikes in the shop I've been wanting you to see. C'mon."

Ash said taking Abbie's hand.

Ichabod, not wanting to miss anything, stood as well. The thought of his partner alone with Ash, unnerved him to no end.

Louise acted quickly.

"Ah, Ichabod, would you mind helping me in the kitchen, please?"

Ichabod, always the gentleman, could not refuse her request.

"Of course, Mrs. Hunter, " he replied as he sadly watched Abbie leave with Ash. He followed Louise into the kitchen.

"Ok, since I don't have a dish washer, why don't I wash and you dry?"

"Certainly."

The two remained quiet for several minutes, Louise washing, Ichabod drying.

"Thank you Mrs. Hunter?" Ichabod said, breaking the silence.

"For what? Dinner?"

Ichabod smiled. "Well, yes dinner was quite delicious, but I was referring to the advice you so wisely gave me at our first meeting. Your method proved to be most effective."

"So, you came clean to Abbie and the dreams no longer trouble you?"

"Precisely".

"Good to hear". There was a pause in the conversation for several moments. "Three nights a week for the past three months" Louise stated flatly, as she handed Ichabod a dish.

"Excuse me Mrs. Hunter?" Ichabod inquired

"That's how long it's been."

"To what are you referring?"

"As if you don't know!"

"I assure you Madame, I don't."

"Well, if you want to play games. Three months, three nights a week is how long and often Ash and Abbie have been talking again. And if you expect me to believe, you weren't dying to ask me about it. You have no idea who you're dealing with. Listen Mr. Crane, when you came to me guilt ridden over your dreams about Abbie Mills, I knew your feelings for her were greater than you wanted to admit. If this were not the case the dreams that plagued you would not have been as vivid and frequent. When I saw you looking at Abbie tonight, I realized your feelings for her have actually grown stronger. And now, it seems my grandson and the former love of his life are reconnecting. This makes things a bit uncomfortable for you Mr. Crane, wouldn't you say?

"Mrs. Hunter, what the Lieutenant decides to do with her romantic inclinations is her concern, not mine." Ichabod said curtly.

He realized, however, it was fruitless to deny the truth of his feelings for Abbie. His love for her had grown immeasurably over the last few months. Truth be told, he knew he had loved her long before Katrina's life ended. He was completely in love with her. He could not imagine how he would cope without her. What was the point in lying.

Louise waited patiently for her guest to collect his thoughts. She hadn't believed one word he had said. Suddenly Ichabod cleared his throat and began to speak .

"My dear Mrs. Hunter, forgive me. My futile attempts at prevarication are no match for your intuitive powers in matters of the heart. I cannot deny the truth of my feelings for Miss Mills. I do love her. I am not proud of the fact that I began to realize this before my wife's death. I attempted to thwart the feelings that steadily grew in my heart for her. But, the Succubus so easily sensed them and used them against me. Now, the Lieutenant has a chance to be happy with your grandson. And although it pains me immensely, I will not stand in the way of her happiness."

"Wow! Very noble of you Ichabod Crane. Noble, but bullshit."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me, bullshit! Do I need to say it in Shawnee? Listen, I love my grandson, And Abbie, she'll always be family to me. But, I want Abbie to be 100% sure this time. I want her to want Ash, as much as he wants her. So what I'm saying is don't write yourself off so fast. The Creator works in mysterious ways. Don't count yourself out yet. Abbie needs to make the best choice for everyone involved."

Ichabod was silent. This was unexpected indeed. Unexpected , and wonderful!

Meanwhile ...

Ash was over the moon as he showed Abbie some of the motorcycles he'd been working on.

"Oh, I like this one." Abbie said as she walked over to a black bike with turquoise trim.

There was a haunting airbrushed owl on the front panel.

"Believe it or not, that's for a Reverend over in Dobbs Ferry." Ash smiled.

"A Reverend huh? He must be fun in the pulpit." Abbie laughed

"So, here we are Abs. Back where we met." Ash took Abbie's hand, and moved closer.

"Yeah, I'll never forget that day Ash."

"I miss you Abbie".

Abbie had missed him too. Holding Ash's hand brought back so many memories.

The problem was she wasn't really sure just how she felt about Ash now. She knew what the next step in this little scenario was. Maybe a kiss was the only way to see if the spark they once had was still there.

Abbie knew Ash's hesitation was only because he didn't know if she wanted the same thing. She decided to quell his fears. She reached up and gently pulled his face towards hers and happily met his lips.

His kiss was warm, and familiar, full of comfort and security. Abbie realized she could easily get used to this again. Suddenly, her cell rang. She reluctantly turned away from Ash and looked at her screen. It was Frank Irving calling.

"Frank ? OK, yeah. We'll be right there."

Abbie hurriedly entered the kitchen, where Ichabod was drying the last dinner dish.

"Hey, Crane, Frank Irving just called. Seems he wants us to meet him and Jenny at the Archives. He says he'll explain everything when we get there."

"Certainly, Lieutenant." Ichabod couldn't help but notice Abbie's smeared lipstick and Ash's disappointed expression as she said goodbye to Louise and the others.

Ichabod Crane smiled as he followed Abbie to the car. He had to admit he owed a bit of gratitude to whatever trouble had caused an end to Ash's "alone time" with his Lieutenant. Louise was right. The Creator really did work in mysterious ways.