Here it is; chapter ten, aren't you all excited?
I wanted to let everyone know that the last section of chapter nine is not a dream.
Chapter ten is set about a month and a half after chapter 9. The date is February 13th. I hope you all like this chapter, difinitely not one of my better ones. This is a short one again (sorry) I had to split chapter 10 up; it was getting too long.
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed thus far; it's very encouraging. Please, keep the reviews coming.
Enjoy!
Snow is falling softly to the ground and the city is quiet. Ray is briskly walking down the street carrying a box of doughnuts. He has a skip in his step and surprises up his sleeve. Ray walks into the ER at three in the morning greeting everyone around with a smile.
"Good morning Frank," he says, " How about some doughnuts?" Frank eyes the doughnuts and then takes the entire box from Ray.
"Why are you in such a good mood today?"
"Well, tonight I get to spend some time with someone I haven't seen in a while," Ray answers looking around, "By the way, where's Abby?" Frank takes a bite out of a doughnut and points a powdered sugar covered finger toward the lounge.
"Weaver sent her to get some sleep. The girl looked like she needed a little rest." He takes another bite of the doughnut.
"Thanks," Ray says while walking to the lounge. Abby is lying on the couch, covered by her coat. Ray sits on the edge of the couch and runs a hand along Abby's cheek. She opens her eyes and gives Ray a sleepy smile.
"Hello Stranger," she croaks wrapping her arms around his neck, "I've missed you." Ray kisses her and nuzzles her neck.
"I've missed you too," he answers, "How long have you been sleeping?" Abby glances at her watch.
"Twenty minutes, and I'm not going back out there. I don't want this nap time to end."
"I want it to end," Ray says, "So that you can go out there and finish your shift and you can go home and relax. And you have two days off."
"Oh, that's exactly what I need. I'm going to sleep the entire time," Abby says smiling.
"What about me?" Ray asks with puppy dog eyes. He watches Abby stretch her arms above her head, arching her back like a cat.
"You can sleep too, if you want."
"I'd rather do something else," Ray says climbing on top of her, "If you know what I mean." He raises his eyebrows.
"You are so bad," Abby says laughing and playfully punching him.
"But you still love me," Ray says.
"Love?" Abby asks. Ray nods and smiles.
"What you don't love me?" he jokes.
"Yes. No. I just mean that I-,"
"I'm kidding," Ray laughs. He kisses her. "Oh guess what."
"I don't know, tell me," Abby says.
"I have a little surprise for you," Ray says.
"I hate surprises," Abby whines.
"Well I'm not telling you anything," Ray smirks, "You'll just have to wait and see." Abby frowns.
"Ray, I hate surprises."
"Oh poor baby," Ray says kissing her, "I'm still not telling you." Abby gives him a pouty face. Weaver walks into the lounge and sees Ray's strange position.
"Barnett, I don't want to know what you're doing to the couch, I just want your ass out there taking care of patients in two minutes." She turns and leaves. Ray sighs and stands up.
"Well I guess I should get to work; are you coming?" he asks.
"No way," Abby says, "I am taking full advantage of this nap privilege." She smiles sweetly at Ray. Ray smiles at her as he leaves the lounge.
"Hey Ray, have you seen Abby?" Susan asks.
"She was sleeping in the lounge," he answers, "But that was at least two hours ago." Susan walks into the lounge. Abby is lying on her stomach on the couch with her mouth hanging open. Susan shakes her head and whacks Abby's butt.
"Not now Ray," Abby mumbles.
"Wake up sleepy head."
"No… don't want to," Abby mumbles into the pillow. Susan shakes her shoulder.
"Abby you've been sleeping for more than two hours; it's time to get up."
"How about another two hours?" Abby asks.
"Abby get up and work the rest of your shift; then you can go home and get ready for the surprise that Ray has planned," Susan says exasperated. Abby sits up quickly.
"You know about it?" she asks, "What is it?" Susan shakes her head. "Come on Susan, you know how much I hate surprises." Susan walks away and pours herself a cup of coffee. "How about you tell me what it is and I'll act surprised tonight?"
"Abby?" Susan says.
"Yeah?"
"Get to work," Susan answers pointing to the door, "Now."
Abby is standing at her locker checking her watch every few seconds. Ray strolls into the lounge and flashes her a smile.
"Are you ready to go?" he asks kissing her cheek.
"Why is it that lately I have to work thirty plus hour shifts and you are always getting half shifts?" Abby asks eyeing him suspiciously.
"Just lucky I guess," Ray smirks. Abby stares at him for a moment and shakes her head. "Shall we go?" Ray asks, shaking Abby from her thoughts. Abby nods and closes her locker. Ray takes her hand in his and leads her out of the lounge. On the way out they wave goodbye to their coworkers and brace themselves for the Chicago winter.
"I figured we could take a walk," Ray says, "It is a beautiful night." Abby nods in agreement. She looks down at her fingers that are intertwined with Ray's and smiles. They fit together like a puzzle. They walk down the street hand in hand and watch as the snow begins to fall faster. Abby gazes up into the night sky; it's a clear night and the stars are burning brightly.
"What's up there?" Ray asks searching for what is catching Abby's eye.
"The sky," Abby whispers with a smile. Ray can't help but chuckle to himself. Abby never ceases to amaze him. One moment she's in a trauma room saving lives, the next she's awestruck by something as seemingly simple as the sky. Abby turns to Ray. "It's so…" Abby's words are lost and fall to the ground with the snow. Ray smiles and pulls her in to a kiss; it's feather light but passionate at the same time. They both reluctantly pull away and look into each other's eyes. Ray can't help but smile at the way Abby's eyes sparkle and the way the corners of her lips curl up slightly into a smile and how the tiniest snowflakes are able to get caught in her eyelashes. He stands and looks at Abby; in much the same way she had stared at the sky moments earlier, noting the small things that can easily go unnoticed. It's those simple things that everyone else ignores that are the most amazing things in life. Ray rests his forehead against Abby's.
"You're so beautiful, you know that?" he whispers, "Everything about you… not just your face or your body, it's your personality, the way you see things in a different way than I do… you're beautiful." Abby blushes and turns away.
"Ray, you are wonderful," she says hooking her arm to his, "I don't know what I would do without you." They walk down the street, arm in arm, eager to get home. The moon is bathing the city in a silvery light that reflects off the freshly fallen snow, making the streets glow. The shadows of the two lovers dance in the moonlight, searching for the way home.