Chapter fifteen
When Abi woke up the next morning, she was amazed at how great she was feeling physically. Emotionally she was still messed up. She heard breathing behind her and turned to see whom it was. She saw Derek sitting on a chair next to her bad, sleeping. She stared at him and smiled to herself. I guess he is not all that reserved, as he'd like people to think.
She got out of bed and moved behind her sleeping father. Raising her arms she wrapped them around his shoulders and kissed his forehead. He awakened and held on to her hands.
"Morning" he said. "How are you my dear?" he asked worriedly.
"Oh god, I feel like I've been reborn," she said. "I feel absolutely great. Well physically I feel fine, but I'm still confused about all that happened. I can't believe I didn't see it coming. I let my gourd down father. I'll never do that again," she said her face turning serious. "You really didn't have to stay here all night dad. I was fine. I am fine."
"I needed to do that. It made me feel better. I was afraid to leave you alone," he whispered.
"I'm fine dad. Why don't you go to bed and sleep for a while longer."
"What time is it?" he asked.
"Six am," she said.
"Oh, well I think I'll do that," he said. "Catch a few more hours of sleep." He was standing at the door looking at her again and said, "I'm so happy you are ok and that you came back to me."
She smiled at him and said, "I'm happy too dad. It's good to be here."
As soon as he left she got dressed really fast and went down to the gym hoping she'll find Nick there.
As she entered the gym she saw him working on the treadmill. He saw her and immediately stopped, got off the machine and moved over to greet her in a big hug.
"God Abi, so good to see you up and about," he said still holding her tight.
Abi felt terrible. How the hell is she gonna tell that wonderful man she is not in love with him? After all he's done for her the past few weeks. She had no idea where to start. Nick however knew what he had to do and he said "Abi, we need to have a serious talk."
She frowned a little but knew he was right. They sat together on the edge of the pool. She waited for him to start.
"Abi, I really care about you," he started, "But I feel I need to be honest with you."
"About what Nick?" she asked.
"Well, I don't really know how to say that," he hesitated looking at her wondering how she'll react. He was quite sure she is in love with Ben but what if his instincts are wrong? What if she's in love with him and Ben is really just a best friend as she always insisted?
"Ok here goes" he continued taking a deep breath and looking straight into Abi's eyes. "I love you Abi. You have become a really good friend to me. I know I can trust you with anything. I feel like I found a real good friend here in this house, in this world. Someone I can turn to in time of need. I was wondering how you feel about that?"
"Nick are you asking me if I'm in love with you?" she asked.
"Yes, I guess that's what I'm wondering," he said.
"And if I told you I'm not, would you be very hurt or relieved?"
"Relieved" he said honestly.
She started laughing. He looked at her wondering why. "Thank you Nick," she said. "I assume then you are not in love with me either?"
"No, I feel like if I had a sister I'd want her to be like you. No. I'm not in love with you."
"Thank god for that. I was so afraid I'm gonna hurt you and break your heart. I love you too Nick like the Big brother I was supposed to have."
They both sighed in relief and sat there side by side at the pool.
"Do you think Ben will ever forgive me?" she asked.
"Forgive you? For what?" wondered Nick.
"For not wanting to see him last night. I knew he was anxious to talk to me but I couldn't handle that."
"Abi, he loves you. He will forgive you. He'll understand. Why don't you go talk to him?" he offered.
"I will," she said. "But right now I'm gonna go check on my kids and grandparents."
She left him there with his thoughts. He really hoped things would work out between her and Ben. They were so perfect for each other. He remembered his relationship with Julia. She was his best friend in the world before they fell in love and became lovers. He really hoped it would work out for Ben and Abi, as it was for him and Julia before she died. Seeing her again brought up all the painful memories, but also the good ones.
Abi knocked on her grandparent's door. "Come in" she heard her grandma. She walked in and saw her babies standing in their beds waiting in anticipation for someone to pick them out. She rushed over to them and picked them up in her hands. She couldn't stop kissing and hugging them. "I'll never let the two of you out of my sight again," she said. She spent the next hour playing with them when she thought it was time to go see Ben. Leaving her children with her grandparents, she went out to her car and drove to the police station where Ben was working.
"Hi," she said to the policeman sitting at the front desk "Is Ben Adler Here?"
"Yes. Who may I say is asking for him?"
"Abi Rayne" she answered.
The policeman went to look for Ben. When he came back he said, "Detective Adler asked me to say he's really busy right now. He said he'll be in touch with you later."
Abi felt as if someone took her heart out and tore it apart, but she left the station with out saying a word. She drove back to the house. I never thought he of all people would turn his back on me she thought. I've lost him, forever. He'll never forgive me. She began crying in the car barely seeing where she was driving. When she finally got home she walked in hoping no one would see her so she can go cry alone in her room. Unfortunately everyone was already down, and as soon as she came in all surrounded her with greeting hugs and kind words. She smiled at all of them for as long as she could then excused herself and ran upstairs.
Alex realized something was wrong and ran after her. She heard Abi crying and knocked on the door. "Abi may I come in?" she asked.
Abi pulled herself together and told Alex to come in.
"Hey Abi. What's wrong sweetie?" asked Alex feeling sorry for the young woman.
"It's Ben," said Abi. "He turned me away. He didn't want to see me. He's never done that before."
Then suddenly the phone rang. Abi picked it up.
"Abi, Ben here. Glad to see you are doing better."
"Hi Ben. Can we talk face to face?" she asked.
"Sorry Abi, I can't. Give Nick my regards. I hope the two of you will be very happy together."
"Ben," she tried to say, "Nick and I are not…"
"So he turned you down and you just figured I'm the next best option, it that it? Sorry Abi that will never be good enough for me."
Abi was shocked she had no idea what to say next. "Sorry Ben," she whispered. "You have no idea how wrong you are." Then she hung up the phone.
"Alex, leave me alone please," she asked.
Alex left and Abi couldn't hold herself any more and burst into tears again. She didn't know how long she was lying there crying when she felt a soft worm hand on her back. It was Barbara. Her grandmother. She looked up at the older woman who sat besides her hugging her.
"Alex told me what happened Dear," she said. "Do you really love that man?" she asked.
Abi sobbed and said firmly "Yes."
"Then don't you dare give up child, you go after him and let him know exactly how you feel, and if he still turns you down then he is obviously not the man for you."
+++
Ben's office
Ben was sitting alone in his office his head down on the desk. One of his detective friends came in and saw him like that. "Ben are you ok?" he asked.
"No," said Ben. "I think I just turned the woman I love away from me. I didn't even give her a chance to say what she wanted. And I hurt her feelings, Badly."
"Do you truly love that woman?" asked his friend.
"It's Abi, and you know I do. I always have."
"Then call her back, apologize, beg on your hands and knees if necessary."
Ben picked up the phone and called Abi's private line. There was no answer. "She's not there."
"Then try again later," said his friend.
"Actually, I think I'll go over there right now," said Ben and left his office headinto the legacy house.
+++
Abi's office
Meanwhile Abi sat in her office and wrote a letter to Ben. When she was finished she looked for Nick.
"Nick, can you do me a favor?" she asked.
"Sure Abi. What do you need?" he asked.
"Can you make sure Ben gets this letter. I want you to give it to him personally. Can you do that for me?"
"You bet. Where are you off to?" he asked as he saw her take the children out of the house into her car.
"Just out, into the fresh air to be with my precious babies. Don't forget about the letter."
"I won't," he said.
Abi took of in her car and Nick looked for Derek to tell him where he's headed. Derek looked at him and said "Good luck," hoping the two men whom became somewhat friends the past weeks won't get into a fight. But he figures Abi knew what she was doing sending Nick of all people to deliver that letter.
Nick was just about to head out when he heard a knock on the front door. He opened it and was faced with Ben. "Ben" he said surprised, "I was just on my way to see you."
"Why would you wanna meet me?" asked Ben.
"Cause Abi asked me to. She asked me to give you this letter," answered Nick.
"A letter for me? From Abi? Why? Where is she?" Ben felt fear engulf his heart. Could it be she would leave this house? He thought. He opened the letter quickly, his fingers shaking. He read the letter and tears filled his eyes. "She loves me," he said. "She truly loves me," he said again handing Nick the letter.
Derek and Barbara came down followed by Rachel and Alex. "So what does my daughter have to say Ben, or is it private?" asked Derek.
Nick looked at the speechless man who signed him to read the letter to the rest. Nick began reading.
"My Dear Ben,
I'm sorry I hurt you last night. I didn't mean to. I only needed to sleep for a while get my thoughts together. I've known I love you for quite some time now. But I was afraid to admit it. To my self and to you. I don't know what more to say, so I'm writing you a song my step father used to sing to me when I felt alone and unloved."
Nick looked up at the rest and saw everyone listen with anticipation, so he then continued.
"Loves means so many different things but you're all that matters.
Tell me your dreams so they can be mine to.
Let me be there to help them come true.
Tell me your fears when you feel afraid.
Come to my arms let me rock them away.
That's all I'll ever ask of you.
I can't swear you'll never have to cry another tear
But whenever you want someone to hold you
I'm always right here.
So just come to me for anything at all.
Call me name it's yours to call.
Feel my faith in you when you can't find your own.
And always remember you're never alone.
That's all I'll ever ask of you.
I hope this song lets you know exactly how I feel for you. Forgive me for all I put you through.
All my love, Abi"
"Nick, do you know where she went?" asked Ben.
"No, sorry. She took the kids and said she needs some fresh air and to be with them."
Ben smiled. He knew exactly where to find her. He left the house in a hurry driving to the place he found her the last time. The family's private graveyard. Only a small part of it was the graveyard the bigger part of it was a huge park. Filled with trees and flowers. He parked his car and ran through the place looking for Abi. He saw her from a distance. She was sitting on a blanket playing with the children. He moved closer then, admiring what he saw. He loved her so much. He loved those children so much as if they were his own.
Abi felt his presence before he got to where she was sitting. She didn't look at him she didn't know what she'd see in his eyes. He came and sat in front of her. She still didn't look up.
"Abi," he whispered. "Please don't. Please look at me," he asked.
She raised her head and looked into his eyes. Her heart was filled with joy. She saw the deep feeling he had in them. She got up on her knees and fell into his open arms. He kissed her softly and then with such intense she could barely breath.
They didn't notice Derek Nick and Barbara looking at them. They followed Ben's car, they had to know what would happen. When they saw the two kissing, they decided to move closer. Abi pulled herself away from Ben, embarrassed. She looked at them her face turning red.
"Hey you two," said Barbara. "We figured you might need some privacy so we thought we'll take these little guys out for some fun."
Derek picked up little Sarah and handed her over to his mother. Then he picked up Noah and they left Abi and Ben alone. Abi waited till they disappeared before she laid back against Ben's body pulling him for another kiss. "I love you Ben," she said quietly.
"I love you to Abi. Don't ever turn away from me again. No matter what, I'm here for you. Always."
"I know," she said.
He started kissing her again all over her body. His kisses got deeper and stronger, when suddenly she pushed him away.
"Abi, honey, what's wrong?" he wondered.
"Ben, I have a confession to make."
He got really confused. What kind of confession could she possibly have to tell him?
"Ben, I love you so much. I just, I, well it's just that Joshua was the first man I ever slept with. And until the night he possessed me and we did it I never had another man. I'm just so afraid."
"God Abi, I know that. You scared me. So you're not experienced. That can be easily corrected," he said giggling and kissing her again.
They spent almost the whole day making love. Not a soul around to disturb them.
By nightfall they went back to the house. On the way back she old him "Ben, do you realize that I might get preagnant after today?"
"How can you? You did not have the operation yet?
"Divine intervention took care of that Ben."
He looked at her surprised then simply smiled and said "I love you."
+++
Over the next couple of weeks Abi and Ben spent as much time together with her family as possible. He took some time off work and they traveled the country. It's been about 5 weeks when Derek said one day its time for him and the team to finally go back home.
That night Ben took Abi out to dinner. He booked a place at one of the most exclusive places in the city, one, which had private dining rooms.
"Abi, my love. There is something I need to ask you," he said after they finished they're dinner.
"What is it Ben?" she asked.
He took a small box out of his pocket and opened it. He wend down on one knee "Abi, will you marry me?" he asked and gave her the ring.
She was amazed; she saw that ring before. It was part of the set she and lea his mother bought. The set he gave her on the night of the party.
"I wondered what happened to that ring. I think I knew all along, what your mother had on her mind."
"Well, when I told her I'm gonna ask you to marry me and if she can come with me to help me pick a ring she said there is no need. That she has the perfect ring for you."
"I love it," she said. "And yes. I'll marry you. "But I don't wanna wait," she said. Let's do it before my father leaves."
Ben smiled and said "No problem."
The next morning they called everyone down and made the announcement.
"Phillip," she said. "Will you marry us?"
"It would be my honor" he replied.
And so that afternoon Abi and Ben became husband and wife. They had a rabbi there to, so it would also be official in the tradition of the state of Israel.
Derek thought his daughter was the most beautiful bride he had ever seen. And he walked her down the isle. The two holy men performed the two different ceremonies and as soon as they said we now pronounce you man and wife, Abi and Ben kissed each other passionately.
It was three days later when the group had finally packed up and Ben and Abi took the to the airport.
Abi held on to her father as long as she could. She did not want to let him leave. "I love you dad," she said.
"I love you to my dear child. I wish you all the happiness you disserve with Ben." He let go of her and shook Ben's hand saying, "Take good care of my little girl."
"I will," said Ben hugging Abi.
Abi moved over to say goodbye to Alex Rachel and Kat. And then it was Barbara's turn. Then finally she approached Nick. "Thank you my deafriend, big brother. For all you've done. I hope you will find happiness as well." She hugged him tight "Be well" she whispered in his ear. "And Nick, take good care of my dad."
He smiled at her and kissed her on the chick, "I will," he said.
And so she and Ben stood there together until the 6 of them disappeared behind the gates.
"Let's go home my love," said Ben.
She looked into his eyes, stood on her toes to kiss him and together they left the airport back to their home.
The end