Chapter eight

Chapter eight

A while later, Ethaniel drove Sloan to the airport. The drive was quiet at first, but Ethaniel felt Sloan is looking at him from time to time a questioning look on his face.

He continued driving quietly for a while then finally said, "I'm not, you know."

Sloan looked at him unsure how to response. "Not what?" he finally asked.

"I'm not in love with Abi. I know a lot of people think I am, but I'm not."

"Why are you telling me this?" asked Sloan curious as to the young man's reasons.

"I don't rally know," said Ethaniel. "I just felt it needs to be said."

There were a few more minutes of deep heavy silence in the car as Sloan was contemplating a reasonable response.

"Abi is very dear to me," continued Ethaniel suddenly. "She is a very special person, and she is my best friend in this world. I came here from Los Angeles to join the Israeli army, and I met her and we became friends almost immediately. She and the guys here are the only family I have. My parents died when I was sixteen and I lived with my aunt but when I turned 18 she said I should find a place of my own. I tried to make it alone for a few years but when I turned 24 and nothing seemed to fall into place for me, I just decided I should come here, since I'm Jewish. And I had to serve in the army and ended up in it for about 6-7 years. When Abi left the service I felt alone again so when she offered me the job of the head of security I didn't even think, I just quit the service and came to work for, with her."

"Well that actually makes me think you are in love with her but you are just in denial," commented Sloan.

"Trust me, I'm not. I would give my life for hers or any of the others if needed, but no, I'm not in love with her."

"I don't think I realized until just now, how special she is to you people," said Sloan. "She is a very lucky precept."

"How do you mean?" asked Ethaniel.

"Well, most precepts are admired and respected by their members, but I don't think I ever saw a house, except maybe the San Francisco one, Like father like daughter, that the people love their precept as much as you all love Abi. So much you would be willing to lie on her behalf."

"We did not lie. We figured this is something we can handle on our own, and we can. We will find who is responsible for this," resented Ethaniel. "You don't really have to know every little step we take. Do you have so little trust in the people you supervise?"

Sloan was silent for a while, thinking of Ethaniel's last comment. Maybe he was right. But he has seen too many evil things happen when he let his gourd down, and he no longer trusted his fellow humans as he did when he was younger.

When they reached the airport, Ethaniel escorted Sloan in and helped him get through security at a faster rate then most people encountered. Just before he was about to leave the airport and drive back Sloan said, "Well, Abi is a very lucky precept. If she is anything like her father, and from what I've seen so far, she sure is, then you are all as lucky as she is. I'll appreciate it if you kept that last comment to yourself," said Sloan feeling he said just a little too much.

"Of course," said Ethaniel and left the airport.

Meanwhile back at the house

Abi was walking up the stairs to start and get ready for her night out with Ben when suddenly her whole body shook from a hit of another vision.

Eti came rushing out of the control room, she had a vision of Abi falling down the stairs and getting hurt. She saw Abi standing at the top of the stairwell and run up to her. She managed to catch her and stop her fall in time. "God Abi, are you ok?" she asked.

Abi was still inside her vision and couldn't answer. When the images have finally disappeared she managed to reassure Eti she was fine. "It was just a vision, I'm ok." She tried to get up but was a little dizzy. "Eti, can you help me get to my room?" she asked.

Eti helped her get up and escorted her to her room. She was reluctant to leave Abi alone. "I'm gonna be lying in bed for a while," said Abi, "You can leave me now Eti."

The young woman looked at her friend lying on the bed and then left closing the door behind her. She suddenly remembered she forgot to ask Abi what was the vision all about. She decided she'd let Abi rest and ask her later.

After lying for a while gathering her strength, Abi got up and went into the shower.

Downstairs

As Eti was coming down from Abi's room she saw Ben come in. "Hey Ben," she greeted him.

"Hey Eti. Is everything ok with you people? Not too crowded I hope? He asked.

"Thanks Ben. We are ok, we're just sorry to invade your house like this, especially since you two just got married."

"Don't worry about it," said Ben with a smile. "Have you seen Abi?"

"She's upstairs. She had a vision and I had to help her up to your room."

"A vision? Ok thanks Eti. I'll go check on her."

"You're welcome," she said as he passed her by going upstairs.

Upstairs

Ben got in the room expecting to find Abi lying, instead he heard the water running in the bathroom, and decided to join his wife.

Abi haven't realized how long she was standing there, but she was absorbed in the pleasure of the hot water running over her body, until she felt a warm naked body standing behind her. She felt Ben's hands run over her stomach and up to her breasts and she leaned back against him. "Hi," she said her voice law.

"Hi yourself," he said lowering his lips to kiss her shoulder. She turned around in his arms to face him and stared into his eyes. He looked back at her and then lowered his lips again to meet hers in a passionate kiss.

When their lips parted Abi said, "Happy birthday hubby."

"You remembered," he said.

"Have I ever forgotten?"

"No Abi, you have never once forgotten my birthday. I love you so much for that and for everything else."

"Come on give, what else?" she asked teasingly.

"Just for who you are. The love of me life."

"We have to get out of here and get ready," she said remembering the night she had planned for them.

He looked at her not ready to let her go just yet, and pushed her against the bathroom wall, the hot water still running on both of them.

"We'll have plenty of time for that later my love," she said pushing him away, and stepping out of the shower.

He was surprised but finished showering as well and they went into the room to get dressed.

Phillip and Kristin

Kristin had spent the rest of the day since Sloan left, going over the house's case files. She was rather impressed. The files were in perfect order, just as Sloan wanted. She was happy she could give him good reviews. She rubbed her eyes and neck when she heard a knock on the door. "Come in," she said.

Phillip entered the room. He saw her rubbing her eyes and trying to stretch. He walked over and asked, "Are you ok Kristin?"

"Yes I'm fine, just a little tired and stiff."

He moved over behind her, surprising even himself as he started massaging her aching neck.

"Oh god, that feels so good Phillip," whispered Kristin. She felt him withdrawing from her and asked "Please don't stop, I really need this."

He went back closer to her and continued his work on her neck. After a few minutes he felt her shoulders and neck are more relaxed so he stopped and went over to sit in front of the table across from her. It seemed as he was trying to tell her something but is unable to find the words.

"Phillip, is something wrong?" she asked.

"No. I, I'm just really glad to see you here. I missed you dear friend. I missed our long conversations and the friendship we have."

"I miss that too, but there is more. What is it you are not telling me?"

"I don't really know Kristin. I've been having doubts for a long time, but you already know that. But since I came here and witnessed all that has happened, my doubts have grown deeper, which is why I asked Abi if I can stay here for a while, try and sort them out. She is doing what she can to help, but I sense she has doubts of her own." He paused for a while then asked, "Will you be staying here for a while? I could use your help."

"Yes, I can stay for a few days I suppose. And if you like, you can then come to San with me."

"Thanks Kristin. You wanna go out for dinner or something? Explore the city for a while?"

"Sure, I'd love too. Can I have a few minutes to shower first?"

"Of course, I'll wait for you in the living room," said the young priest.

Upstairs Abi and Ben's room

While they were getting dressed Abi asked Ben "Have you found anything from your sources about those transmitters?"

"Yes," he said.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Tell me."

"I'd rather wait until tomorrow morning honey. I don't want us to think about anything that is work related tonight, please," he asked quietly.

She looked at him for a minute then smiled, "Ok, it's your birthday, I'll indulge your request."

He was already dressed and knew it would take her some more time to get ready so he said, "I'm gonna be waiting for you downstairs in the living room."

"Ok," she answered.

Downstairs living room

Ben walked into the room and saw Phillip looking over the day's paper. "Hey Phillip," he said, "How's it going?"

"Hey Ben. You look very good in that suit. A special night?" wondered Phillip.

"Yes, it's my birthday and Abi has a night planned out for us. I'm not really sure what she has in mind."

"Happy birthday. I'm planing on taking Kristin out to dinner. Any place you can recommend?"

"I'd ask you to come with us but I think Abi has special plans. I tell you what though, we can take you with us and drop you off at the center of the city, there are plenty of restaurants there."

"Thanks Ben, that would be great," said Phillip.

A few minutes later Kristin came into the room. She was wearing a light summer dress. "You should take something to cover yourself," said Ben. "It gets quite cold here at nights, even in summer."

She showed him the jacket she was holding, "Already thought of that thanks to Pip. Shall we go?" she turned asking Phillip.

"We are waiting for Abi," he said. "They are gonna give us a ride into town."

"Oh, ok," she said and sat next to him.

Ben stepped out to see if there is any sign of Abi. He looked up the stairwell and saw her coming down. She was wearing a red silk dress that had a slit in the side that went almost all the way up. She had no sleeves and was only tied behind her neck with two buttons. She came close to him, handing him her jacket so he'd help her put it on and turned her back to him. He was amazed. The dress had almost no back part at all. From the neck to her waist it was totally uncovered. He swallowed hard but didn't say a word, and helped her put her jacket on. When she turned to face him he saw the teasing smile on her face, and smiled back at her in appreciation. She put her arm in his when he said, "I promised Phillip and Kristin we will take them out to town."

She looked at him surprised. This is supposed to be their night together, just the two of them.

"Don't worry", he said, "We are just dropping them on the way."

All four of them headed out to the car and Ben drove them into town. When they reached the center, he pointed out to Phillip a few of the better restaurants in the area and told him they will not have a problem getting back home from there. "There are plenty of taxi's around here at all hours, so you should be ok," he said.

"Thanks you two, have fun. Happy birthday Ben," said Kristin and she and Phillip left and started wondering around before they decide on a place to sit in.

Ben drove of heading for the restaurant they both loved, the one in which he asked Abi to marry him.

When they arrived at the restaurant, light rain started to fall they hurried into the restaurant trying no to get wet, letting the valet park their car.

Abi was helped out f her jacket by the host Justin who was an old friend of hers. Ben looked around and saw that every eye in the room was on his wife. He felt proud and embarrassed at the same time. He did not enjoy being at the center of attention. Abi however didn't seem to mind or care.

They were escorted to one of the private dining rooms. To his surprise the same room where he popped the big question. She obviously gave this evening a lot of thought.

They sat down and the door closed behind them waiting for the waiter to come and take their orders.

There was already a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne on the table. "I see you took care of everything," he said.

"Yes, I tried. I hope I haven't forgotten a thing."

Then the waiters started appearing one by one with plates of appetizers. She looked at him smiling, he was really relaxing and enjoying this.

After they finished with the appetizers she pushed the service button and main course was served.

About an hour later when both felt they couldn't eat another bite she pushed the service button again and waiters appeared to clear the table, leaving only the champagne.

Abi took out two envelopes out of her purse and a small jewelry box.

"Happy birthday Ben," she said, "Open the box first."

He did. There was an amazing expensive watch inside. He took it out and put it on. "It's beautiful," he said, getting up from his chair to kiss her. He pulled his chair closer to her and opened one of the envelopes she handed him. He opened it and read it. He was shocked. "I can't believe you'd do that Abi, this is way too much." It was a contract that indicated Hirsh industries were from now on, upon his signature and hers of course, will be called Rayne Adler industries.

She handed him the second envelope. He was afraid to open it wondering what else she has in stored for him. He opened and read. Legal adoption papers. He was stunned and was unable to speak for a while.

Abi pushed the service button again and asked the waiter who came in to call the owner of the restaurant her friend Justin.