A/N: Nat my lovely - I could NEVER hate you. I have to say I feel the same way - I think it was horrible how Lucy and Kevin had such a beautiful wedding and then he went missing and then completely psycho. And don't get me started on the way she abated Ian's vampire symptoms - though to be fair - I wouldn't have complained if it were Rali. :) But onto my version of things. I'm with you - I don't think Ali's going to like what Rafe's doing either. And finally - I think y'all be a bit happier w/this chapter. Until 20 xox - G
Chapter Nineteen
Abby paced the length of the apartment. It had been a horrible day. In all the years she'd known Cameron they had never had a day like this. They argued - all the time in fact - but there was a huge difference between their usual harmless banter and what was going on now.
Abby knew one thing for sure. She loved him. With all her heart. She meant every word of her wedding vows. She honestly couldn't remember what it had been like not to be in love with him. She never thought they'd ever be in a place like this. She knew she was the one who put them there.
Still, after Rafe left she finally began to feel better. She knew what she had to do. Abby took her time figuring it all out. She had had nothing to do all day but to think - and to get ready for Cameron to come home.
She was so comfortable with him, they had been together for so long - she couldn't believe she was actually really nervous. She couldn't wait to see him.
As she took one last glance around the apartment, Abby smoothed the fabric of her skirt and sighed. What was taking him so long?
Just then, she heard the sound of his keys turning in the lock. He walked in slowly and stopped just inside the door.
"Hi." He said softly as he placed his keys down. If you asked him Cam was sure he could safely say that this had been one of the most miserable days of his life. It finally changed for the better when he looked at her.
His gaze ran over Abby from head to toe. He once again was reminded of how lucky he was. As he looked at her he was sure he had never seen anything so beautiful. She was wearing his favorite dress, the deep blue color nearly matched her eyes. Her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, the light of the candles glinting off of it making it seem like it was laced with gold. But neither of those things could compete with her smile. Cameron had to simply take one look at her and he was lost.
"Hi." She replied with a bit of a sigh. Her own eyes were spilling over with love as she met his. "I'm so glad you're home."
"Abby - " Cam began.
Abby walked over to him and brought a finger to his lips. "Shh. No. Wait. You said I would get to talk now."
Cam still looked like he had more to say. He started to speak again.
"Please?" She asked him softly, her eyes pleading with him.
"OK." He agreed as he took off his coat and sat down.
Abby took a deep breath as she stood before him. She stared at her feet for a moment before she looked up at him and began to speak. "Cameron. You have every right to be angry with me. There is no good excuse for why I would ever even think of shutting you out."
Cam sat there and watched her, itching to say something but knowing he had to wait.
Abby nervously twisted the rings she wore on her left hand. "I understand how much I hurt you. You have to know I never meant to. I promise you - I won't ever make that mistake again." She blinked back tears as she continued. "Please don't ever doubt that I love you. I love you so much Cam. I can't function without you and I can say that because I tried and did a lousy job. Sometimes I forget what it's like to have you here with me again. If it ever seems like I might forget - I need you to remind me. OK?"
She looked so serious it made him smile. Still he kept a straight face as he replied, "OK."
Her voice was just a whisper as she continued. "You asked me some really surprising questions last night and I want to answer them now."
Abby steadied herself and slowly moved to sit next to him. Cameron turned to face her and he smiled. It was like a weight was lifted off her shoulders the minute he did. Abby was still a bit nervous but she knew they were more than halfway there already.
"It was about 12 years ago but I remember it like it was yesterday. It was early June, and we were at Sarah's house - you remember - she always had parties because her parents were never home?"
"I remember." Cam replied.
"We were sitting by the pool in the backyard. You were in a bad mood because you didn't really want to go. Mostly it was because she had been after you for years."
He couldn't help himself. He looked up at her and grinned. "Well Abby, c'mon. Who wasn't?"
"Cameron. Please." Abby said as she rolled her eyes. "This is important. Let me finish."
Abby swallowed and started again. "I wasn't really into going either but you made me come because you told me you wanted me to run interference between you and Sarah."
Cam nodded at the memory. He was suddenly right back there. He could see her exactly the way she had looked that night. Abby had been dangling her bare feet in the water, her oversized shirt hanging off one shoulder. She had pushed her glasses to the top of her head and was staring up at the stars.
"And you told me off something awful. I remember the look on your face. I don't think I've seen you that mad since then and that's saying something."
Cam remembered something else that had happened that night, He'd never forget it. That was the night he had looked at her and was shocked at the idea that what he wanted most at that moment was to kiss her. He couldn't believe the thought even crossed his mind. This was just Abby. He never had considered her that way before.
As he looked at her now, her eyes holding that same serious gaze, that same sparkle, he remembered the way he had acted on impulse and kissed her so many years before. After his lips touched hers that night, it was clear he could never think of her any other way again.
The sweet sound of her voice brought him back to the present. "Do you know why?"
"Yeah." He said confidently. He knew exactly why. "Because you had a crush on me."
Abby shook her head no.
"NO?" Cam looked shocked. "Don't even try to deny it. You had a huge crush on me."
Abby didn't try. She knew it was true. "I did - but that's not the reason why I was so upset that night."
She took his hands in hers gently. She wanted him to understand. "You asked me last night if I really wanted to be married. I know why you asked me - but I have to tell you - there's never even been a question Cam. I've always, always wanted to be married to you. I have wanted to be your wife ever since that night by the pool."
"When I first kissed you?" He asked as he did just that.
She smiled as he pulled away. She heaved a sigh of relief. They were going to be alright. She was sure of that now. "Yeah. When you kissed me. But, honestly was more what you said right before you did."
He remembered a lot about that night but he didn't remember that. "What did I say?"
A tear managed to escape and rolled slowly down her cheek. "You said you didn't know what you would do without me. I decided that night that you'd never have to worry because I was convinced I was going to marry you."
Cameron looked at her, finally able to laugh. "That wasn't meant to be a proposal." His voice got serious as he continued. "This is why I was so angry Abby. I need you to be careful. Nothing has changed since then. I don't have any idea what I would do without you."
"I promise you Cameron," Abby said as she pressed her lips to his. "You'll never, ever have to find out."
