1 week later
Abby and Ray looked around the room and saw the mass of boxes.
"I can't believe we're finally done." She said, looking around
"I know." He said, "Remind me never to do this again."
"Well I hope we won't have to do this again." She said, glancing at him.
Turning to her, he slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her towards him.
"We won't." he said softly, "I promise."
He started to lean towards her when Abby pulled back.
"What time are the movers coming?"
Before Ray had a chance to answer, the buzzer rang. Slowly he made his way over to the intercom. Pushing the button, he said
"Yes?"
"Movers."
"Come on up." He said, pushing the button for the door.
Turning back to Abby, he said
"Guess its time."
3 hours later
Abby and Ray collapsed on her couch.
"Are we finally done?" She asked
"I think so." He said, "I just had the movers put everything in the spare bedroom. We can unpack it later."
"Good. I'm too tired to do anymore tonight." She said, leaning her head against the couch and closing her eyes.
"Okay." He said, "Why don't you go take a hot bath and I will go pick up some dinner."
She opened her eyes slowly
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
Slowly she pushed herself up from the couch and made her way towards the bedroom. Ray stood slowly, stretching his aching muscles and made his way over to the counter. He grabbed his wallet and keys from the counter. Turning, he walked over to the door.
20 minutes later
Ray opened the door and stepped inside. The lights were dimmed, there was music playing and he could see two places set on the coffee table in the living room.
"Abby?"
Abby came out of the kitchen, dressed in a pair of his plaid pants and a T-shirt, holding 2 bottles of water.
"Just in time." She said, making her way towards the couch.
Ray walked over to the couch and set the bag down. Dropping on the couch next to her, he said
"You didn't have to do all this."
"Its not much." She said, "Besides I felt good after my bath."
Ray opened the bag.
"Well I think for everything you have done, you deserve a reward."
"Ray you didn't have too…"
Before she could finish, he reached into the bag and pulled out a bunch of flowers. He handed them to her.
"Thank you Ray."
He smiled.
"I'm glad you like them."
Abby looked at the bag.
"So what else you have in there."
Reaching into the bag, he pulled out containers of Chinese take out.
"Szechuan beef, vegetable lo mein and egg rolls."
"It all sounds delicious." She said
"Then let's eat." He said, "I'll be right back."
"But we have everything." She said
"I know." He said, "I…I just want to change my shirt. This one's kind of dirty."
"All right."
While Abby opened the cartons Ray stood up and headed for the bedroom. He walked into the room and closed the door. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small box. Opening the box, he looked at the silver claddaugh ring.
'I hope she likes it.'
"Ray…the food's getting cold."
He snapped the box closed and shoved it back in his pocket. Pulling off his shirt, he crossed the room and opened the drawer and pulled out a clean T-shirt. He pulled it on and walked out of the room.
As he walked into the living room, he could see that Abby had made plates for either of them. Walking over to the couch, he sat next to her and picked up his plate.
When they finished eating, Abby gathered up the plates and silverware. Standing up, she headed for the kitchen with Ray following behind, carrying the leftovers. .
"Where do you want the leftovers?"
"In the fridge."
She heard the door open and close. A moment later Ray walked over, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"So is there anything I can do to help?"
Abby turned around in his arms and said
"I'll wash, you dry."
Ray was about to say something when Abby looped her arms around his neck and pulled him down towards her. Pressing a quick kiss to his lips, she pulled back and handed him a dish towel.
When everything was washed, dried and put away, Abby pulled the plug and let the water out of the sink. She started to walk out of the kitchen when Ray grabbed her hand.
"Let's go in the living room."
"Its late and I'm tired Ray." She said, "I was just going to go to bed."
"It will just take a minute."
Abby let Ray lead her out of the kitchen and into the living room. They walked over to the couch.
"Please sit down."
Slowly Abby sat down. Ray waited for a minute, then reached into his pocket and pulled out the box. Sitting next to her, he said
"I got this for you."
He handed her the box. Abby looked at it for a moment, then slowly opened the box. Her eyes widened.
"Ray…what is this." She whispered
"It's a claddagh ring." He said, "It symbolizes loyalty, friendship and love which is what I believe are important in any relationship. The man at the jewelry store told me that the original expression, which accompanied the passage of the Claddagh, was: With these hands I give you my heart and I crown it with my love."
He looked over at her to see tears welling in her eyes.
"Abby why are you crying."
"That was so beautiful."
He took the box from her and pulled the ring out. Looking at it, he said
"Its not half as beautiful at you. May I have your right hand?"
Abby held out her right hand. As Ray slipped it on, he said
"The man also told me that if the ring is worn on the right hand, crown out heart in, the lass is spoken for which signifies to all other men to back off."
Abby couldn't help but laugh. Slowly she pulled her hand back, looking at the ring.
"I…I know its not much." Ray said, "But I wanted you to know how much I love you Abby Lockhart."
Abby leaned forward, pressing her lips against his. As she pulled back, she said
"And I love you Ray Barnett."
Well guys I think I am gonna bring this one to an end. Don't' worry I believe there will be a sequel or another Abby/Ray story in the near future.