Chapter Eleven
Rachel and Abi came in to the living room as well. For a change Abi was smiling. She and the good doctor were walking together talking and smiling.
Derek reached out his hands to her and she came into his embrace again. "It's good to see you smile," he said.
"Thanks father. I feel better. Can we talk, in private? She asked.
"Sure," he said and followed her to her office.
As soon as the office door was closed Abi walked back towards her father and rapped her arms around his waist. "Dad. I want you to know I really love you. Thank you for being here. I'm sorry I never said that to you before." She stopped her flow of words for a minute took a deep breath then continued. "Dad, I wish to add Rayne to my name. Abi Hirsh Rayne, would you mind if I do that?"
Derek was shocked. He really didn't expect this. He pushed her from his arms and looked down into her eyes. "I honestly don't know what to say. Are you sure about this? That's a really big step. A dangerous one."
"You don't approve!" she said, disappointment in her voice. "I thought you'd like the idea."
"I do child, I really do. It's just…"
"Forget it Derek" she said obvious distress and pain in her voice. She walked towards the door of her office, then looked back at him. "I'm sorry," she said. "I didn't mean to push like that, or hurt you in any way," she said and left the room.
"Damn you Derek Rayne" said Derek to himself after Abi left. "You are offered the love of your child and what do you do? You push her away from you. Smart move old man." He went looking for Abi, returning to the living room where Alex Nick and Rachel were still sitting. "Did you see Abi?" he asked them.
"She went upstairs to her room," said Rachel. "She said she has to get ready."
"Ready, for what?" he asked.
"I don't know Derek," Answered Rachel. "Did you two get into an argument?" she asked.
"Sort of. I suppose. She asked if I'd mind her adding Rayne to her name. I think I let her down Rach."
"You refused?" she asked. "God Derek, how could you do that to her? Especially now, when you know she needs your support more then ever. When you know she needs some kind of an anchor in her life." That man's attitude is sometimes so frustrating She thought.
The doorbell rang and Derek went to see whom it is. "Ben, hi. Come in."
The young man was dressed in a formal suit. "Hi Derek," said Ben as he came in.
"Are you and Abi going someplace together?" asked Derek.
"We have to. Do you know if Abi is ready yet?" asked Ben.
"Right here" she said from the top of the stairs.
Both men looked up at her. She looked absolutely amazing. Wearing a black chiffon cocktail dress, wearing light makeup. They couldn't take their eyes of her. Ben was the first one to move. He walked up, took her arm in his leading her down the stairs.
"You look so beautiful Abi," he said to her.
She smiled. "Thank you kind sir. You look dashing yourself."
Nick Alex and Rachel came out of the living room. "Hey you two, you kids look gorgeous," said Rachel. "So where are the two of you going?"
"We have a formal charity dinner. An event that was planned months ago. Since I organized it, I have to make an appearance," said Abi. "I don't expect to be there too long."
Derek looked at his little girl. She is such a pretty woman, just like her mother was. "Abi," he said, "I'm sorry, I would be so honored if you decide to use my name" he told her as she and Ben headed for the door.
She turned back to look at him. The smile on her face was well worth it. He felt as if his heart was jumping up and down in his chest.
"Thank you dad." She looked at him her eyes shining. He knew then, he did the right thing.
Ben took her arm again and they left the house.
"You are a wonderful man Derek Rayne," said Rachel "Although at times you can be really annoying."
"So I've been told" Derek replied Wryly, before the concern showed in his eyes. "I just hope having my name doesn't put her in more danger…"
+++
As the door closed behind them, Abi and Ben headed side by side to the limousine that was waiting for them. Ben suddenly stopped. Abi looked back at him "Is everything ok?" she asked.
"Yes, I'm fine. It's just that I have something for you" he said as he reached for his jackets inner pocket and pulled out a small jewelry box.
"For me?" she asked. "Did I forget my birthday or something?"
He laughed at her remark "No, actually its not from me. It's from my mother. I don't even know what's in it. She did say you'll know what these are and why she wants you to have them."
Ben handed her the small box. She opened it and stared at what she saw "Oh my god," she said, "I can't believe she kept it all these years."
She turned the open box for him to see. These were 3 pieces of jewelry in it. A necklace, a bracelet and a pair of earrings. All three items were built of a long chain of heart shaped diamonds.
"These are beautiful," said Ben. "Abi you seem to know these, you've seen them before?"
"Yes. Just before your sister died, your mom asked me to help choose a birthday present for her. We went together and as soon as I saw these I knew it would be the perfect gift to show our love. But unfortunately she died a few days before her birthday and your mom never got a chance to give her these. I always assumed she sent them back to the store."
Ben realized then what his mother was trying to do. She knew he loved Abi, and he told her of the latest events. This was her sign of approval. She loved Abi as if she were her own child. But he remembered his promise to Abi not to talk about his feelings yet. "I guess she just remembered these and figured why should they lye around if her daughter's best friend, our family's friend, can use them. I'm glad she thought of you," he said.
Abi wasn't fooled. She knew exactly what his mother's message was. Lea always thought she and Ben should be together. However she didn't want to get into that at the moment. She already asked Ben to wait, that she's not ready. She didn't have the energy to focus on her or his emotions at the moment. She smiled at him and handed him the bracelet to put on her hand and so he did. She then handed him the necklace. He put it around her neck and as he closed it he lowered his head and kissed her shoulder.
She felt shivers go through her body and leaned back against him. It would be so easy to just let go, not think of what happens later but is that the right thing to do she thought. Are these feelings true? She turned back to face Ben took the earrings from the box and wore them, "how do they look?" she asked him.
"Beautiful" he said as the woman wearing them He thought.
They headed to the car and were driven to the party. They arrived at the hall early, ahead of all the guests. Since Abi arranged this benefit she had to make sure everything was ready and in order. As the first guests appeared, she stood at the door to greet them. It was almost an hour since the first guests arrived and Abi was tired. She tried to hide it and smiled for everyone but Ben could see how hard it is and how the pressure was getting to her. He excused himself from the people he was talking to and headed towards Abi.
"Ok young lady," he whispered in her ear, "Enough, time for you to rest. Go outside; sit in the garden for awhile. I'll take it from here."
She was so tired she didn't argue with him and headed out to the garden as ordered. She sat down on one of the benches and tried to calm her nerves and fight the horrible pain growing in her head and stomach. She didn't know how long she sat there. Ben suddenly appeared behind her. He held his arms around her asking, "How do you feel?"
"I'm ok."
"Well almost everyone you invited is here, so how about one dance and then we leave?"
"We can't leave Ben. Not yet."
"Oh yes we can. Look Abi everyone here knows you just got out of the hospital. No one will blame you if you feel bad and leave. No one expects you to be here all night."
"Ok," she said. "But I don't wanna go home just yet. Can we go see your mother first? I wanna thank her for these."
"No problem. If you wanna go see my mother, that's where we'll go."
Hereached out his hand to her and led her back into the big hall. She could feel everyone looking examining and smiling at her. She put a smile on her face and let Ben lead her to the dance floor. Soft music was playing and Ben put his arms around her and began to dance. Some of the couples there followed their lead and headed to the dance floor as well. Soon after that Ben held on to her and they left the party heading to his parent's house.
Ben opened the door and went in Abi following him.
His parents were sitting in the living room watching TV.
"Hey mom, Dad," he said.
His mother turned around. She didn't expect to see him so early. She was pleasantly surprised to see Abi with him.
"Hi Ben. Hi Abi." She stood up and hugged the young woman. "I'm so happy to see you. And I'm happy you decided to wear these. It means a lot to me."
Abi hugged Lea back. "Thank you for thinking of me" she said. "I didn't know you kept these. I honestly don't know how to thank you."
"Wearing then is my thanks, dear."
Suddenly Abi started feeling bad. She held on to Ben's arm. "Ben, I'm not feeling too well, I need some fresh air."
Concerned for the sudden change in her Ben led her outside of the house. "Abi, what's wrong?" he asked.
"I don't know, I just had to get out of there. Can we go please?"
"I guess so. Where do you want to go?" he asked.
"Anywhere. Let's just walk for a while."
He helped her up and they started walking the trail by his parent's place. The weather started to change as well. Dark clouds covered the sky. It was getting colder. They turned back to Ben's car, which was parked not far from them. "Can we go to your place Ben? I just can't face my house right now."
He looked at her. She was shaking. He started the car and drove to his apartment in the city. "That is so strange," she said. "Rain in mid July? Very strange."
They went upstairs to Ben's apartment. He had a little workstation, his office he called it. It had one of those office chairs that turns around. Abi sat on it. She loved that old chair. She remembered the hours she spent sitting in it when she and Ben were younger. When his sister was still alive. He used to turn them over and over as they laughed. She had good memories of that chair.
"Abi, tea, coffee, something cold to drink?" he asked.
"No. I don't want tea Ben. I don't need anything to drink. Thanks."
"So what do you need?"
"I need you Ben," she whispered. "Will you kiss me?"
His heart missed a beat. Has she just asked him to kiss her? "Abi, I, are you sure? I promised I won't push you and I meant it."
"Ben, don't make me beg. Kiss me please. I need you," she said as she got off the chair and started walking towards him.
She moved a little closer to him, taking small steps, unzipping her dress and letting it fall to the floor. God she is so beautiful he thought. She then took of her bra. He was shocked. He couldn't believe she was doing this. Her shoes were the next to drop. She kicked them aside and moved closer. He found himself unable to move until she reached him and rapped her arms around his shoulders. He couldn't resist her. He picked her up in his arms and carried her to his bedroom, where he laid her on the bed. "You're wearing to many clothes on Benjamin Adler," she said.
He took of his jacket and tie, then his shoes and socks. She stared at his as he undressed. She got up and unbuttoned his shirt and pants. He got rid of those. He now had only his boxers on. Abi lay back on the bed and pulled him on top of her. "I want you Ben. Please make love to me" she said in his ear.
He buried his face in her shoulder and began to kiss her body from top to bottom. He didn't see the wicked look on her face and the evil that lurked in her eyes.