A/N – Comments are always appreciated. Hope you didn't miss last chapter since I posted it faster than normal. * myhiggins25 – lol Thanks!
I'm trying to wrap this up in the next few chapters. I can't go on forever.
Chapter 38–Great News!
Macey finished making some omelets and toast and handed out the food. They ate and waited for backup to arrive.
Jenny, Ichabod, Sophie, Brom, and Daniel spread out around the building looking for the toyol. After an hour, with no sign of him, they made their way inside the building. Andy is waiting in the hallway.
"They aren't here." He could sense them if they were.
"Are you sure?" Jenny asked.
"Positive."
They went inside and Frank gave them an update.
"We need to stop that little green nuisance now." Jenny said. There are too many things that could go wrong.
"I agree," Brom said.
"We'll put the stone in the house tomorrow. They'll come for it. Once they both touch it, Orion will dispose of it in the ocean. The water will further seal the bind," Sophie explained.
"So the stone is totally ready?" Jenny asked.
"No. There is one more incantation that needs to be done. Since Abbie isn't available, I'll have Macey fill in."
She directed Jenny and Macey into the living room and began setting the space as the guys watched. The women held hands and the stone was placed on the floor in the middle of their circle. Ichabod could feel the energy changing in the room. "Repeat after me," she said.
Macey and Jenny followed along and as their power grew, the stone began to glow and shake. A few minutes later, Sophie ended the circle and picked it up. "It's ready. They will be drawn to it, so we must go now."
They hurried to their cars and drove to the rental home.
"Where do you want to place it?" Ichabod asked.
She pulled out a small box and placed the stone inside of it. "I think we should put it in the bedroom, on the dresser."
"Okay, I'll do it."
"I shall come with you in case there is any trouble."
Andy appeared in the back seat making Ichabod jump.
"You are going to be the end of me," he said glaring at him.
Andy smirked. "Why don't you let me do it?"
Sophie shrugged. "Here you go." There would be less risk that way and besides, he didn't need to pick any locks.
They pulled up to the house and Andy got out and quickly went inside and placed the stone where Sophie suggested. When he got back, they drove down the street a ways and parked.
Jenny pulled out some binoculars. She was riding with Macey, Brom, and Tristan. "Nothing yet." They waited for about twenty minutes and then saw the toyol on a neighboring roof. "Bingo." She watched as it slipped down the fireplace and they waited. The dark figure stayed outside as if he was watching for any interference. When the toyol appeared again, the darkness slithered onto the roof. Jenny held her breath, hoping that the toyol didn't toss the stone. Sophie is sure he won't want to let go due to the spell. Sure enough, he placed it in the dark entities hand and they both screeched in pain and then disappeared as the stone glowed and fell off the roof into the flower bed.
They raced back towards the house and Sophie retrieved it. Orion landed next to her.
"Take it to a deep part of the ocean and drop it. The spell will do the rest."
He took it from her and then kissed her. "It will take me awhile."
"I'll be waiting in my bed."
He smiled. "Duly noted." She watched him fly off and didn't return to the others until she couldn't see him anymore.
Ichabod got out of the truck. "So, what about the artifacts?"
"We could leave them. The next tenant will not know any difference, or we can put them in the archives," Sophie said.
"I'll give it some thought." They really didn't know what they were working with. "Our only other option would be to contact the Masons and let them know so they could move it."
They got back into the car and went home.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI
Ichabod walked into his cabin and took off his coat. He is rather chilled and considers having some tea. It is quiet and he wonders what Abbie is doing. "Abigail?"
There was no answer, but he could see a glow coming from under the bedroom door. He pushed it open slowly and then froze when he spots her lying on the bed naked.
He swallowed hard. Suddenly, he didn't feel cold at all. "Beautiful," he whispered.
She pushed up on her elbow. "What took you so long?"
He could barely process her question as his eyes hungrily perused her body. Slowly, he walked towards her, ditching his shirt and then pants. He moved his hand down her leg and she flopped back onto her back. Due to the fact that she had been very tired because of the baby, they hadn't been having sex as often, so it feels like she is giving him a treat. She watched him lick his lips and then dive between her legs where he feasted on her. Grabbing his hair, she lifted her hips to meet the rhythm of his tongue as he began to thrust it inside of her. "Crane," she yelled, needing to come.
His thumb began to stroke her clit as he continued to fuck her with his tongue. Her body tensed as her mouth dropped open and she began to whimper and pant as her body shook and jerked beneath his mouth. He lapped up all she had to give and then pulled back and wiped his beard. Her legs felt like jelly as he pushed them apart and then rammed his dick into her. She let out a gasp, her body gripping him tightly. Ichabod stopped for a second as he relished how tight and wet she is for him. He began to slightly rock, driving her mad.
"Dammit Ichabod, fuck me like you mean it."
He slammed into her and then his mouth turned up. "Patience is a virtue, my darling."
"Fuck patience."
"Such a dirty little mouth."
She growled and then flipped them over and lifted off of him.
"Abbie!"
She slid down his body. "I'll show you a dirty mouth."
Ichabod groaned as she grabbed his cock and stuck it in her mouth. "Oh God," he moaned as she pumped and sucked him. There was no way he was going to be able to hold on. When she swallowed him, Ichabod clenched the sheets. "Abbie, if you don't stop, I'm going to explode."
She hummed and that was all she wrote. His hips lifted and Ichabod came endlessly as he shouted her name. Quickly, she moved up his body and impaled herself on his dick, making him yell her name again. She slammed down on him, over and over until they came for a second time.
"Dear God, woman," Ichabod said trying to catch his breath. "You are going to be the end of me."
Abbie smiled and turned onto her side. "You know I love you right?"
"Yes, of course and I love you too. Is there something wrong?"
"No, I've been thinking about us."
"Go on." He couldn't help but be a little nervous.
Abbie began to trace a line down his chest. "I have trust and abandonment issues. We went through a rough time with Katrina, but I think I just needed to get used to us. This baby has changed things a lot. I didn't see it coming and now that I am pregnant, I'm happy. It's not that I didn't think I would be eventually, I just—" She paused to gather her thoughts while he waited patiently. "—I just want us to be a family."
"We'll be a family no matter what. I won't leave you, Abby. I love you more than life itself. Having a child with you is insanely better than donut holes and gummy bears."
She laughed.
"Seriously, I never thought I'd get a chance to be a father. You are the only person that I'd want to share that blessing with. I will never betray you Abbie. You have my whole heart."
Her eyes began to tear. "Ask me." Maybe it is the hormones, or seeing her sister so happy with Brom, but she has a desire to have his last name, so she couldn't deny him anymore. When their child was in danger from the nightmares, it just made her want to seal the deal even more. Punishing herself for things she couldn't change or for other people's failures is just hurting them. Ichabod wants to give her the world and she realized that she is a fool if she doesn't accept him fully.
His eyes grew big and his mouth opened and closed twice before he kissed her softly. "Abigail Grace Mills, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
A tear rolled down her cheek. "Yes."
"Then I will love and cherish you until the day I die." His eyes filled with tears as Abbie grabbed his face and pulled him into a scorching kiss. He made love to her, slowly, making sure that she felt all of him. When she was a whimpering mess, he pulled out of her and then went over to the dresser and grabbed a box. Abbie's eyes were closed. The bed sunk a little when he lay beside her again and she slid over more to suck his warmth. "Open your eyes."
Her lashes fluttered and then her eyes grew wide. "You already got me a ring?"
"Yes. I went with Brom when he picked out Jenny's and I had one made for you. I know it's a slightly vintage style, but I thought it was also practical due to your job. It reminded me of my mother's ring." They had sold a couple of old relics to get the money to properly take care of their women. The salary he received from the police department went to the upkeep of the property.
She understood his need to bring the past and present together. "I'm sure it will be perfect."
He handed it to her and she sat up and opened the box with tears pricking her eyes. "Hormones?" he asked.
She nodded. "It's beautiful." The center stone isn't raised that much, but it is set within a square of diamonds that sit slightly below it.
"You're beautiful." He slipped the ring on her finger. "Thank you for making me so happy. I've dreamed of this moment."
"Was I naked?"
He grinned. "No, but that makes it even more delightful."
She kissed him and things quickly got heated. He slid his length into her and slowly made love to his fiancé. "Say your name," he said.
She knew what he wanted. "Abigail Crane."
"Again," he said as he pumped faster.
Abbie is a few seconds away from falling over the edge and she can barely focus.
"Say it!" he demanded.
"Mrs.—Abigail—Crane."
Ichabod began to jack hammer inside of her and Abbie lost it. She screamed his name as she came all over his cock. When he felt her clamp down, he muttered a curse word and continued to piston into her until he had nothing left to give. They lay cuddled against each other for several long moments.
"Shall I run a bath?"
"That sounds really nice."
He got up and went into the bathroom as Abbie admired her ring. After they were bathed and dressed, they went into the kitchen to get something to eat. Crane watched her take a picture of the ring and then send it to Jenny.
"How long do you think it will take for her to make her way over here?" Ichabod asked.
Abbie grinned. "Wait for it."
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Brom jumped when Jenny screamed, "Yes." He curiously watched her throw her sweats and a top on. "What are you doing?"
"Get dressed. Hurry!"
"Why?" A clump of clothes is thrown at his head and luckily, he caught them. "Have you gone mad?"
"I will if you're not dressed in fifteen seconds."
He frowned, but quickly pulled on his briefs and jeans. "Are you going to tell me where the fire is?"
She smiled. "Nice slang."
He shook his head and then pulled his t-shirt on.
"Shoes—hurry."
He quickly slipped on some sneakers and she dragged him through the front door and they ran to Abbie's cabin and banged on the door.
Abbie smirked and got up. "What took you so long?"
Jenny quickly embraced her. "Let me see," she said grabbing her hand.
Brom smiled. Now it made sense. "Congratulations," he said to Ichabod who is beaming.
"Thank you."
Once Jenny let her sister go, Brom gave her a hug.
"I'm very happy for you Abbie. Ichabod is a great man."
"The best. You know you're right up there too," she said diplomatically.
Jenny grabbed her sister and pulled her to the couch. "Okay, are you going to get married before me or after?"
Abbie shrugged. "I don't know. We haven't gotten that far."
"Please tell me that you aren't going to run off and do it without me."
The thought would have crossed her mind because Abbie just isn't into anything really elaborate. She made a face and Jenny groaned.
"Seriously, I will disown you."
Ichabod sat next to Abbie. "Would you be opposed to maybe sealing our union at the grounds at the historical building?"
"Really?" Abbie asked.
"It could just be us and our family and friends."
"Like a theme wedding?" Jenny asked.
"Would you be opposed to that?"
"I don't think I can wear a corset."
"I wouldn't think of it. I want you to be comfortable," Ichabod said.
Abbie shrugged. "That would be fine, but I'm not sure what their schedule is."
"They don't normally do weddings as far as I know. We just need to find you a dress," Jenny said.
Ichabod had already whipped out his phone and made a call. "Hello Thomas, this is Ichabod Crane."
"Ichabod, it's lovely to hear from you. How can I help you?"
"I'm getting married."
Thomas smiled. "Is it that lovely Mills sister?"
"As a matter of fact, it is."
"Congratulations." He thought Abbie was beautiful when they had briefly met.
"Thank you. I wonder if we could borrow the back courtyard for our ceremony." It has beautiful plants and a gazebo.
"Only if I'm invited."
"Of course."
"My wife is right here. Hold on." He explained the situation and Ichabod could hear her talking excitedly. "She said she will help Abbie find a dress. We have a stash here, actually. Also, when did you want to do this?"
"We have no idea. What is your availability?"
Thomas's wife Addison took his phone. "Mr. Crane, we are available next week and the weekend after that. Is that too soon?"
He looked at Abbie. "Next weekend or the one after that."
Abbie's eyes grew big.
"You don't want to wait until you're showing. Let's do it next weekend," Jenny said excitedly.
"Is that alright?" Ichabod asked. He feels like he is going to implode with joy.
Abbie took a deep breath. "Okay."
"She said yes to next weekend."
Addison smiled. "It's a date. We can do it at 2:00. The woman's auxiliary will provide some refreshments and finger foods. I can make the cake."
"That would be lovely. Of course, we will drop off some currency to you in the morning."
"That will be just fine."
"Have a lovely evening," Ichabod said.
"You too."
Ichabod put away the phone. "We're getting married."
Jenny laughed at the grin taking up most of his face and then gave him a big hug. "I have considered you as family already, but this just makes it official. Ichabod Mills. It has a nice ring to it."
Ichabod looks at her like she is crazy and everyone laughs.
"Tomorrow, we'll go get the license. When can we tell everyone else?" Jenny asked.
"Now is fine."
Jenny whipped out her phone and started making calls, and before long, the house is crowded.
"I'd like to make a toast," Ichabod said loudly.
Cynthia handed Abbie and Macey a glass of juice.
"To my lovely betrothed, you have weathered a mighty storm with me. I'm sure I'm not always the easiest person to live with, but I most appreciate that you have taken care of me and helped me adjust to this new world. I love you, Abbie."
She smiled and they drank.
"I have one more announcement to make," Ichabod said.
Jenny gazed at her sister.
"Don't look at me."
"I have found gainful employment so that I may take care of my family properly."
Abbie is surprised.
"Where?" Brom asked.
"I shall be working at the historical museum. I will be giving tours, lectures, and due to my vast revolutionary knowledge, they put me on the board of directors as well. The lectures will be done at the university. If everything works in my favor, I will get to teach there on a regular basis."
Abbie is so proud of him. She gives him a hug. "Congratulations."
Frank shakes his hand. "You deserve it. I tease you a lot, but I admire you as well. You've come a long way."
"Thank you. Your words mean a lot to me."
Cynthia gave him a hug. "Ichabod Crane, a teacher. I like it and I think you'll do very well."
"Thank you."
Macey embraced him warmly. "I would take your class."
Ichabod smiled. "You would probably be my best student."
Sophie put her hands on his cheeks. "You are a scholar. I have a feeling you will be a very popular teacher."
"Thank you, Miss Sophie."
Once everyone had left, Ichabod and Abbie cuddled on the couch.
"I didn't even know you were looking for another job."
"You have done so much for me, Abigail. I want to be able to take care of you. Unfortunately, it won't be lavishly, but I can make sure your happy in other ways."
She grinned. "I'll look forward to that."
He closed his eyes. There is so much he is thankful for and Abbie has played such a crucial role in his new life. He looks forward to spoiling her as much as he can in the years ahead.