Hey everyone! Thank you all for reviewing my story; it's very encouraging. Here's chapter six. Enjoy!
The ER is extremely quiet; the waiting room is empty and there has only been one trauma the whole day. Just wait until all the drunks decide to start celebrating. Abby thinks to herself while standing at the admit desk reading a chart. Basically trying to look busy. She suddenly feels a hand run down her back.
"Good morning Lockhart," Ray whispers into her ear, "My what a wonderful day it is!" Abby turns to him and smiles.
"Hi Ray."
"You're looking quite radiant today," he says. He leans over and nuzzles his nose into her neck, causing her to giggle. "And you smell great too." Abby playfully punches him.
"So are you ready for tonight?" He asks, "We are going to have the greatest New Years party ever. I have my Johnny Depp movies already lined up, I bought some kids' wine, how does Chinese sound?" Abby is about to speak when Susan walks up.
"You two are making me sick, quit all this flirting nonsense and just get it over with. What is this high school?"
"Well would you look at that," Ray says, "I've got a patient in exam 3." He smirks and walks away. Abby stands up to try and escape Susan but doesn't make it far.
"Abby has anything happened between you guys yet?" Susan asks. Abby shakes her head. "Well what did you two do the other night when you got together?"
"We played games," Abby answers. Susan gives her a look. "We really did! We played Trouble, and Chutes and Ladders, and checkers, and Candy land."
"Abby how do you expect to get a relationship out of this when you two can't even get past childhood?"
"Susan you're overreacting. Ray and I are just friends," Abby says.
"You're scared aren't you?" Susan asks. Abby shakes her head. "Abby just admit it. You're scared of getting into a relationship with Ray because it might end. Well Earth to Abby, relationships start and end; it's a fact of life. You can't spend your whole life fearing what might happen, okay? Aren't you dying to know if it would work out with Ray?" Abby nods, biting her bottom lip. "Abby you have to take chances. It's what makes life worthwhile. Wouldn't you rather find out what would happen rather than wondering about it forever?" Abby nods and sighs.
"You know what Susan you're right. I'm scared okay. Not once in my life has a relationships worked out. I had a failed marriage; there was Luka and Carter… Relationships just don't work for me. I just figure that I shouldn't get my hopes up because nothing ends well for me." Susan puts her arm around Abby.
"I think you should give Ray a try," she whispers, "You guys are really close already." Abby nods.
"You know, you're right. I love it when Ray's around; we have so much fun together. Maybe something will happen tonight."
"And if it does, you have to promise me two things," Susan says.
"What's that?" Abby asks.
"Promise me that you'll let me in on all the details, and you'll use protection if necessary."
"Susan you are awful," Abby laughs, "What do you think I am, a whore?"
"No, just a woman who hasn't… you know, in awhile."
"Shut up!" Abby laughs.
Abby is at her locker slowly putting on her jacket and hat. Twenty-hour shifts aren't exactly her favorite. Ray walks into the lounge. "You ready to go?" he asks.
"Yes, please get me out of here!" Abby says. She and Ray walk out of the lounge and past the admit desk saying goodnight and happy New Year to everyone
"I brought my car so we can get back to your place faster," Ray says.
"Great," Abby smiles. They get in the car and drive home. The ride is uneventful, with nothing more than small talk.
"You look really tired," Ray says, " Are you going to make it through this last hour?" Abby nods and smiles. A few minutes later, they pull up by the apartment building and go up to the apartment.
"Oh home at last!" Abby exclaims taking off her coat. "I'll be right back Ray." Ray makes himself at home and sits on the couch. Abby walks out of her bedroom a few minutes later wearing a tank top and pajama pants. "That's better," she says smiling as she sits down next to Ray.
"You bet it is," Ray says. Abby laughs.
"So how much time do we have?" she asks.
Ray glances at his watch. "About a half an hour." There's a bit of silence.
"I'm really glad you're here," Abby says, "I didn't want to spend the holiday alone. And you… I- I don't know." Ray smiles.
"I'm glad I'm here too." He puts his arm around her, "In fact, I don't think there is any other place where I would rather be right now." Abby snuggles closer to Ray. They sit wrapped up together for a while and Abby starts to doze off.
"Abby. Abby wakeup. There are two minutes until midnight."
Abby opens her eyes and smiles at Ray.
"Do you want to celebrate with the kids wine?" he asks her.
"Sure."
Ray quickly pours two glasses of the wine and they both go out and stand on the fire escape. A few floors below, people are counting down to the New Year.
"Thirty seconds," one of them says. Abby looks into Ray's eyes and realizes just how much she wants everything to work out. Ray takes her hand in his and smiles.
"Ten, nine, eight, seven…"
Her heart is beating a million beats per second, and she's sure that Ray can hear it.
"Three, two, one…"
Abby and Ray leaned in close and softly kiss one another.
"Happy New Year!"
Abby breaks the kiss and smiles. "Happy new year."
"I'm happy," Ray says, "You have no idea how long I have wanted to do that." He cups her face in his hands and lowers his lips to hers.
"Get a room!" someone yells from across the alley.
"What do you say?" Ray asks, "Should we take his advice?" Abby smiles and nods. They climb through the window into the apartment. "Wait," Ray says, "There's something else I've always wanted to do."
"What?" Abby asks. Ray scoops her up into his arms and carries her to the bedroom.