CH 10: A Truce
As the days passed, Abigail's stiff demeanor softened and she gradually started to speak again. Will hadn't meant to upset her – he actually thought that by apologizing he'd be helping matters – but she needed to understand that what he'd initiated could go no further. Not that Abigail seemed interested in a romantic relationship… In fact, ever since the day she'd tried on her gown, she'd grown cold and aloof around him like before. It wasn't until earlier that morning that she'd finally made an effort to communicate.
Removing his glasses, he sighed and placed them onto the coffee table, now hearing Abigail coming in through the backdoor. His dogs eagerly rushed over to greet her. Their paws skittered against the hardwood flooring, causing her to laugh as she bent over to pet them. "When's the last time they had a bath?" she asked.
"Oh, uh…about a month ago, I think?"
"A month? Ugh! Get the hose and some soap then, 'cause we're bathing them right now! They really stink!" Retrieving Buster from off the floor, Abigail grinned and began carrying the mutt toward the front door. The panting arsenal all went trotting after her while Will stared, stunned by her abrupt change in attitude. Even so, when his ward got like this, her moods were highly infectious.
After grabbing some dish liquid from the kitchen, Will went outside and found Abigail pulling the hose around front from the garden. "Need any help?"
She shook her head, but nearly tripped over Buster when he came barreling between her legs. "Hey! I'm on your side!"
Trying his best not to laugh, Will motioned her forward and said, "We can bathe them up here. If we do it in the grass, they'll just get dirty again."
"Hmph, you have an answer for everything, don't you?"
He smirked, helping her up the porch steps before bringing her over to Winston. "We can start with him first, 'cause he's relatively easy. He'll hold still for as long as you need."
"Ok." Getting down on her knees, Abigail stroked Winston's fur and began to bathe him, drenching the dog with careful, deliberate passes of the hose. Will poured a dollop of soap into his hand and squatted down beside her, now running his fingers through Winston's wet coat until he built up a lather. "Ready to rinse?"
"Is it really this easy?" Abigail asked, sparing him a disbelieving glance. "Somehow I was expecting a fight…"
Will chuckled. "Oh, don't worry, Buster and Bandit will more than make up for Winston's compliance. Those two will fight you every step of the way."
Winston pulled away then, furiously shaking until he'd pelted his bathers with stray water. Abigail shielded herself with her arms, laughing, then wiped the cold droplets from her face. "Ok, so who's our next victim?"
Will looked to her with a smile.
Before long, each dog had received a bath (whether they liked it or not) except for Buster. He stood there wagging his tail, deceptively cheerful as Abigail moved to douse him with the hose. But once he'd been sprayed, he instantly tried to bolt, Will grabbing ahold of him and yanking him back under the nozzle. As he applied soap to Buster's fur, the dog's tongue lolled and he struggled in his arms. "Quick, Abby," Will urged, "hose him down so I can let go."
When she obeyed, Buster reared back and knocked Will in the chin, leaving him with dirt and soap on the bottom side of his face. Abigail bit her lip, trying not to laugh.
"Abby!"
Remembering herself, she quickly drenched the dog and washed off the remaining soap, thus allowing Will to release the little spitfire before he could do any more damage. As Buster ran off, Will sighed and slumped down to his knees. "Well, that could've gone better…"
"Or worse," Abigail assured him. Now tapping her chin, she added, "You've got a little something there…"
"Where? Here?"
She nodded.
As Will moved to wipe off the offending grime, she sprayed him directly in the face with the hose, giggling brightly as he lurched back in shock. "Abigail!"
Easily evading his swipes, she kept the hose and went racing down the porch steps. She could hear him clamoring down after her, shouting as she turned and sprayed him yet again.
Before long, Abigail ran out of hose and had no choice but to abandon her weapon. As she rounded a small group of trees, Will stepped out in front of her and cut her off, still dripping from her earlier assault. They faced off.
Now rushing forward, he grabbed Abigail by the waist and she shrieked, flailing as he lifted her into his wet embrace and spun her in several round, concentric circles. Her shrieking increased, but it was with joy instead of fear. Will wasn't quite used to that.
"Let go, let go!" Abigail squealed, though she was laughing.
Will moved to give a snide retort, but a car horn cut him off mid-sentence, startling him to the point that he nearly dropped her.
Trisha Loveday was now heading toward them with her makeup bags. The minute she appraised them she paused, mouth open as Will sheepishly moved away from his ward.
"Well lansakes, just look at you two! I can see I've got my work cut out for me, after all!" She checked her watch and clucked in disapproval. "Why would you get all wet and messy on the day of the fundraiser? You know we only have a couple hours!" When all they did was stare, she sighed and snapped, "Well don't just stand there gawping like a couple of ninnies – get a move on!"
As Will finally made an effort to obey, he caught Abigail's gaze and the two broke into wide, conspiratorial grins. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad, after all…
With Trisha at the helm, the rental cabin became an instant beauty parlor. The stale scent of perfume, hair spray, and various lotions made Will dizzy, so once Trisha had finished grooming and appraising him, he'd more than happily stumbled outside for shelter. He couldn't believe he'd let her trim and brush his hair…
Self-consciously passing a hand through his curls, Will sighed and impatiently began to pace. The suit itched and the bow tie felt constrictive, causing him to tug at the garment every few minutes. Oh Goddammit, why was he begin so selfish? This whole affair was for Abigail. She was clearly excited, so he should be too, and if not for himself, then for her.
As if in answer to his internal struggle, the door opened and Abigail glided out amidst a demure rustling of skirts. With her makeup enhancing the brightness of her complexion and her large, startling eyes, she looked like peaches kissed with sugar.
Will felt his palms dampen. In that moment, he knew he couldn't pretend Abigail was a child even if he wanted to – he couldn't pretend she was someone he could rescue or fix like one of his boats. She was a woman…a beautiful woman with warmth, courage and laughter that penetrated him to his very soul.
Lips curving up into a bright smile, Abigail approached him and held out her hand. "Are you going to escort me? That's how this fancy stuff works, right?"
Will breathed a laugh. "I don't know what about my salary suggests I'm an expert, but I'd be happy to escort you the three feet it takes to get to the car."
"Shut up."
Chuckling, he looped his arm through hers and placed his hand on her fingers, feeling the gentleness of her touch on his bicep. Being so close flooded his body with pleasure.
Trisha came out of the cabin not long after, clucking at the limo driver as Will helped Abigail into the backseat. She promptly slid over, allowing Will to climb in beside her as Trisha continued to fuss.
"Think we can leave her behind?" he muttered.
Abigail stifled a laugh, turning her head to glance out the window. He gaped at her, feeling his heart flutter as she continued to smile. She finally seemed happy… Was she happy with him, or was it the impending excitement that had her so open and warm?
"Alright, drive!" Trisha snapped, breaking his thoughts as she slid in next to him. "This party won't keep, Mister!"
Will saw the driver roll his eyes, but with one quick jerk of the gears, they began to ease down the path back to civilization.
A/N: Next off, the party (finally)! This was my favorite chapter to write (so far), so hopefully you'll enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. :) You can also follow me on Tumblr at prose-before-ho-s for Will/Abigail artwork and other nonsense.
Individual Thank Yous:
Abigill Fan: The party is definitely my favorite chapter (as I just mentioned), so I hope you'll like it! :) And I tried drawing Abigail's dress (but failed), so Idk if I'll ever share that with anyone. lol And oh yes, she definitely didn't mind as much as she initially let on. ;)
Crystal Nightray: Aww, well thank yoooou! -gushy face- That really means a lot, especially since I'm always leery about writing these characters (it can be difficult writing dialogue for two people who don't tend to be overly talkative/expressive!). And thanks! I love writing for Margot (and Mason, as well, who'll be in CH 11) - they're a nice little fun diversion from all the angst. :P Thanks again!
Epsilon 1.4: Thanks so much!
Xenogen01: Haha, well thank you - I hope it was worth the wait! :)