Hey everyone, here's chapter 11. Sorry it took so long to update. This chapter is slightly longer than the last one, so that's good. Once again this isn't my best work, but I promise it will improve. Anyway, enjoy chapter 11. Oh, and I figured out how to accept anonymous reviews, so please review my story. Thanks!
"Ray, may I have my surprise now?" Abby asks as she pushes the door to her apartment open. Ray shakes his head and smirks at her. Abby rolls her eyes and takes off her coat and boots. "You want anything to eat or drink?" she asks. Ray slouches onto the couch.
"Uh… coke and whatever kind of food you have; I'm starving." Abby emerges from the kitchen minutes later with sodas, a tub of ice cream and a bowl of popcorn. As she is sitting down, Ray grabs her waist and pulls her down to his lap. She glares at him but gets a smirk in return. Abby eventually settles into Ray's lap and rests her head on his shoulder. Ray feels her soft eyelashes gently brush against his skin and he wraps his arms tightly around her. He glances down to see her eyes becoming heavy with sleep.
"Time for bed?" he whispers. Abby nods and goes to her bedroom with Ray following closely behind. Ray sits on the bed and watches Abby undress. He loves the way she slowly pulls her shirt up over her head and casually drops it to the floor. "Even in a sleepy daze are you an excellent stripper, Abby," he laughs. Ray grabs her wrist and pulls her in close. His lips find their way to Abby's neck and his hands gently caress her soft skin. His touch is like electricity, sending waves of energy up Abby's spine causing her to shudder. She smiles at him with tired eyes. Ray plants tiny kisses around Abby's belly button, and he receives tiny giggles in return. Abby escapes his grasp, slumps into the bed and covers up.
"I can take a hint," Ray says walking around the bed and taking his clothes off, stopping at his boxers. He gets into the bed and kisses Abby. "Goodnight," he whispers wrapping an arm around her.
Ray is lying on his side, his head propped up on his hand, watching Abby sleep. He runs a finger along her cheek. She doesn't look like the same Abby when she sleeps. Maybe it's innocence; when we sleep, the world doesn't have a chance to harm us. He watches her for a while longer; her chest rising and falling with each breath she takes, the hair that frames her perfect face, the smile that somehow manages to creep onto her face. Ray glances over at Abby's alarm clock. "Oh shit!" He climbs out of the warm bed and quickly dresses.
Ray stands amidst a sea of reds, pinks, yellows, and oranges. He has a look of utter frustration on his face.
"All I need are a few roses," he grumbles, "Can't you please help me out here?" The shop owner shakes her head.
"It's Valentine's Day, all of our roses have been purchased. I'm sorry" Ray looks disappointed. He massages his forehead with his hand and turns to leave. "She's very important to you isn't she?" Ray turns back to the owner.
"Yeah…" he glances at her nametag, "… Sylvia. She's wonderful." Ray blushes a bit and plays with the petals on a flower next to him. Sylvia chuckles at his nervousness.
"You know," she says, "You don't need roses to tell her how special she is. Come on, I'll help you find something else. Now, tell me a little bit about her." Sylvia and Ray walk down an aisle together.
Abby slowly opens her eyes and looks around the bedroom. No Ray. She rubs her eye with the back of her hand and sits up in bed. She glances down at the empty space next to her. Where did he go? As Abby is about to get up in search of her boyfriend gone AWOL, the bedroom door swings open and Ray walks in carrying a tray.
"Good morning and Happy Valentine's Day!" he says with a big smile, "I brought some breakfast in bed." Now it's Abby's turn to smile. "Chocolate chip pancakes." As soon as Ray sets the tray on the bed, Abby begins to dig in.
"Thank you Ray, it's wonderful," she says leaning over to kiss him, "Is this my surprise?" Ray shakes his head and smirks. Abby just rolls her eyes and then continues to eat. Ray laughs and points to his lip. Abby gives him a puzzled look. Ray leans in and kisses her, licking her lips.
"Chocolate," he says answering Abby's puzzled look, "Where did you learn to eat? Down at the farm?" Abby slaps his leg.
"You're such a jerk," she says. Ray shrugs it off.
"That's okay, I'm sure that Neela would enjoy a few more chocolate chip pancakes," he says taking in the plate away. Abby grabs it back. Ray smiles. "I have something else for you," he says, "Hold on a second, I'll go get it." He scampers out of the room and returns seconds later with his hands behind his back. "Are you ready for this?" Abby smiles and nods. Ray hands her a bouquet of yellow tulips. Her face lights up as she lowers her head to smell the flowers.
"I know they're not roses," Ray says, "But I thought that these are pretty and Sylvia told me that-,"
"Who's Sylvia?" Abby asks interrupting him.
"She's the owner of that flower shop down the street," Ray answers. Abby gives him a suspicious look. "I'm serious Abby! And besides she's like a hundred years old!" Abby laughs. "Anyway," Ray says, "Before I was so rudely interrupted, I was explaining what yellow tulips represent… May I continue?" Abby nods. "Okay, Sylvia told me that yellow tulips symbolize being hopelessly in love…" He looks into Abby's eyes. "Abby, I know we've only been together for a little while, but I think I'm falling in love with you." Abby quickly stands up.
"Um… Ray, I'll be right back, I just need to-," she says leaving the room.
Abby is sitting on her bench near the lake, thinking. She finishes the last of a cigarette and flicks the butt to the ground. As she exhales, the smoke slowly curls out from her mouth and is swept away by the light breeze. He isn't serious; he can't love me. She runs a hand through her hair and sighs. Why did he have to tell me that? I can't say it back to him when I don't feel the same way. I don't think I could ever say it to another person ever again. Abby sits on the bench for a while longer, thinking about what to do, what to say. She briefly glances over her shoulder and notices a figure walking toward her. She squints her eyes to hopefully facilitate her vision. The figure approaching her was none other than Carter. She doesn't move.
"Hey," Carter says walking up to the bench, "I'm surprised to see you here. Mind if I sit down?" Abby feigns a smile and pats the space next to her. "So how have you been doing lately?" Carter asks, "We haven't been able to talk and well I figured we could catch up on some stuff." Abby shrugs.
"I'm pretty good," she answers, "I can't complain. I'm happy." She smiles.
"Listen Abby," Carter says, "I'm sorry for what happened last month. I really am. I can tell you're happy and I know that Ray makes you happy. I regretted my words the moment they came out of my mouth, and I hope you can forgive me for what I said. I hate not being able to talk to you. And I know that I've been an ass in the past, believe me do I ever know. Please Abby, forgive me." Abby looks Carter in the eye; he is a man she once loved, a man who was her best friend, a man with many flaws. We all have flaws. She slowly nods her head.
"Okay John," she whispers. Carter grins ear to ear and sweeps Abby up into a hug. They settle onto the bench again and have a much needed talk. Abby feels her heart grow a little bit softer with each minute she spends with Carter. She had built up so much anger towardhim that she herself had never realized. But with each smile that appears on her face, so goes a piece of that anger.
Abby walks into the quiet apartment and tiptoes to the bathroom. A nice hot shower is all she needs; maybe then she can talk to Ray. She steps into the warm stream of water, letting it soak her hair and run down her back. Abby laughs to herself as she thinks about the time Ray got naked in front of her. He really is too cocky for his own good. Her mind wanders to the past month of their relationship. The hugs, the kisses, the sex… God I love him. Abby opens her eyes wide. I didn't just say love. Abby is too busy contemplating her next move that she doesn't hear the bathroom door squeak as it is pushed open. A shadow glides across the shower curtain.
"May I join you?" Ray asks, startling her, "You look like you could use some company." Abby simply nods and watches as Ray takes his clothes off. He steps into the shower and runs his hands up and down Abby's arms. "I didn't mean to scare you earlier," he whispers into her hair. "I'm sorry I- I really am." He stares into her eyes, the deep, brown pools that could swallow him whole.
"It's okay Ray," Abby says tracing his collarbone with her finger, "I was a little bit shocked I guess because… well because love… it's such a fickle thing, you know what I mean? I thought I knew what love was a long time ago, but now… I-I just don't know anymore. And I don't know if you really feel that way or if you just think you do. It's really hard Ray. It's really hard for me to just come out and say 'I love you', because of my past and because you and I really haven't been together for very long. There's so much that we don't know about each other."
"Like what Abby?" Ray asks. Abby shrugs.
"Stuff," she answers, "Do we have to talk about this in the shower?" She and Ray get out of the shower and go to her bedroom. As Abby is about to get dressed, Ray picks her up and tosses her into the bed.
"Let's cuddle for a while," he smirks, climbing into the bed, "Maybe a little pillow talk." Abby hits him with a pillow. "Hey since when has violence solved anything?" Abby shrugs and falls back onto the bed. "So, what is it that I don't know about you Abby?"
"Ray there's a lot you don't know about me," Abby answers.
"Oooh, international woman of mystery," Ray says, "That's hot." Abby rolls her eyes and buries her head into Ray's chest. "You don't want to tell me, right?" Abby nods. Ray runs his fingers through Abby's wet hair catching in a tangle every so often. Abby sighs and pulls the blanket tighter around herself. "I guess I'm okay with that Abby. I understand if you aren't comfortable with me. I thought that we were at the level where we could talk, you know."
"Ray, I'm not telling you anything," Abby says wryly. She gives him a small smile. "You can't guilt trip my into telling you anything; I'll talk when I'm ready." Ray, trying not to show he is hurt, quickly changes the subject.
"So, would you like to hear a funny story?" he asks with a smirk. Abby nods, preparing for the worst. "Well, this morning when I went to the flower shop, I wanted to buy roses for you. I had it all planned out: I would buy you these beautiful roses and present them to you over a wonderful breakfast and you would reward me with a morning of hot sex. There was one problem; the flower shop didn't have any roses left. My plan was foiled. So then I told Sylvia that I wanted to buy you something exotic. She told me that I wouldn't find anything exotic in her store and proceeded to direct me to the porn shop down the street." Abby laughs. "That's not all," Ray says, "After I bought the tulips, I made a little stop at slightly more classy "porn" shop and I bought this." He holds up a sheer black negligee. "I figured that we could use this tonight after the surprise." Abby raises her eyebrows. "Yes, I promise, you will receive your surprise tonight."
"How about a little hint," Abby pleads, "I really need to know." Ray laughs at Abby.
"You act as if you'll die if you don't find out soon," he says, "But I guess I can indulge you. We are going out for dinner tonight. I'm not telling you where or what's going to happen afterward. Does that make you happy." Abby smiles.
"Maybe a little bit," she answers climbing on top of Ray, "Tell me something, does this make you happy?" Ray grins.
"Do I have to answer that?" he asks.
Ray is dressed in a suit, sitting on Abby's bed where he continues to check his watch. Sweat begins to bead on his forehead as he nervously taps his foot. In the bathroom, Abby is sliding into a pair of black, silky panties and matching bra. She slowly pulls her pantyhose up her legs. Finally, the most important part. Abby slides the dress up over her hip and slides her arms into the spaghetti straps. She gazes at her reflection in the mirror and smoothes the silk chiffon over her hips and grins. Everything is as close to perfect as it can be. He hair falls down past her shoulders, the ends curling slightly; her makeup is just enough to give her face a soft glow; and the dress hugs her body in all the right places. After checking herself over one final time, Abby turns to leave the bathroom. Outside, Ray is now staring at the bathroom door, awaiting his date. Abby steps out of the bathroom and gives Ray a smile. His breath is immediately taken away. She's perfect. He thinks to himself. Everything about her is perfect; her hair, her face, the dress… everything.
"God, you're beautiful," he says staring at her as if she is the only thing in the world that matters. Abby smiles again.
"Shouldn't we get going Ray?" she asks bringing Ray back from his daydreams. He nods, obviously experiencing a lack of words. He and Abby walk through the living room. "Bye Neela," Abby says to her friend as Ray is ushering her out the door.
"Have fun you two!" Neela shouts. Ray guides Abby out to his car and opens the door for her. Walking around the car, Ray lets out a breath of air and realizes that he must have been holding it in.
"Do you have any idea what you do to me?" he asks getting into the car. Abby blushes and shakes her head. They ride in silence until they pull up to the restaurant. "I figured that we would both be in the mood for Italian," Ray says taking Abby's hand in his and leading her to the restaurant.
"Wow, this place is beautiful," Abby says after being seated, "This isn't like you Ray." Ray looks at her with a confused expression. "I mean you aren't normally one to be sweet like you have been, and this doesn't exactly seem like a place where you would go. What's going on? What kind of tricks do you have up your sleeve?" Ray chuckles and shakes his head.
"Well Abby, I'll let you in on a little secret," Ray says with a smirk, "There's a lot you don't know about me." Abby frowns and rolls her eyes. Ray reaches under the table and caresses her knee. "Hey, smile," he whispers, "I love it when you smile." Abby fakes a smile and looks away. Ray moves his chair closer to Abby and then moves his hand further up her thigh. Abby turns and looks him in the eye and smiles. "There it is!" Ray says, unable to contain his excitement. He leans over and kisses her cheek. Ray pulls a crimson velvet box out of his pocket and smiles at Abby. "Are you ready for your surprise?" Abby nods. He opens the box and says, "Happy Valentines Day." Abby looks down to see a gold chain with a heart shaped pendant made of diamonds.
"Ray," she whispers, "It's beautiful. Thank you." Ray stands up and carefully puts the necklace around her neck.
"There," he says, "You make that necklace look beautiful, Abby."
Abby and Ray walk out of the restaurant hand in hand and wait for their car to be retrieved by the valet worker. They get in the car and drive away from the restaurant. Abby stares at Ray for a while until he turns to her.
"What?" he asks.
"You're awful you know that?" Abby smiles. Ray starts to give her a look. "And don't play dumb with me; you know what I'm talking about." Ray smirks. "See, I knew it!"
"So what Abby? I can't help it if my hands like to wander! Admit it, you liked what I was doing. And besides, I just figured that I gave you a gift so I might as well get one too," Ray laughs. Abby playfully punches him.
"I almost died when the waiter walked over," Abby says. Ray laughs again. Abby looks out the window and turns to Ray.
"This isn't the way home," She says. Ray nods and smiles. "Where are we going?" Ray shakes his head. "Why aren't we going home? Are you going to rape me and leave me in an alley?"
"Are we playing twenty questions?" Ray asks with a smile. He notices Abby's pout. "Okay, okay. I have some people coming over to my place tonight and I figured that we could all hang out together. I think you'll like them."
"But I thought we were going to go home and try out that little present you got me," Abby whines.
"Don't worry about that," Ray answers, "I think ahead." He reaches to the back seat and tosses the negligee to Abby. He smirks. "I plan on us having a whole lotta fun tonight." Abby places her hand on Ray's thigh and traces imaginary shapes up and down. She glances over at Ray with a little smirk.
"Here we are," Ray says pulling up outside the apartment building. They climb the three grueling flights of stairs and stumble into the apartment. "Anyone here?!" Ray shouts walking throughout the apartment. "No one's here yet." He smiles. "You know what that means right?" He wraps his arms around Abby and his lips find her neck. They collapse onto the couch together. Ray's hands feel around Abby's body as he kisses her. "Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?" he mumbles into her neck. Abby can only moan in response. Ray continues kissing Abby, moving down her neck to her collarbone where he slides the spaghetti straps of her dress off her shoulders. Soon, the top of Abby's dress is down to her waist.
"Oh God Abby," he groans placing a trail of kisses down her neck, stopping just above her bra. As Ray is reaching for the clasp of Abby's bra, he hears the sound of someone clearing her throat. He looks up. "Mom?!" Abby's eyes shoot open and she tries to cover her exposed flesh with her arms.
"We'll be right back," Ray says ushering Abby to his bedroom. Abby pulls her dress up and spins to look Ray in the eye.
"What are you parents doing here?" she hisses.
"They're here visiting," Ray answers helping her with the straps. "They are the people I told you about earlier." Abby's hand goes to her forehead.
"Ray, why didn't you tell me?!" Abby exclaims, "I'm not ready to meet your parents. Did you even tell them about me? Or did they just find out about me now when I was half naked on your couch?!"
"Of course they know about you Abby. I called and told them after our little New Years Eve rendezvous."
"You're not serious!" Abby says, "You didn't tell them everything did you?"
"Eew, no!" Ray exclaims, "I don't want my parents to know about my sex life. That's just gross." Abby smiles at him. Ray takes her hand into his and gives it a gentle squeeze. "Well, I can't just leave them out there, so I'm gonna go talk. Are you coming?" Abby shakes her head.
"Not yet, I have to get over my embarrassment," she answers, her cheeks becoming slightly red.
"Okay," Ray says kissing her forehead, "Promise me you'll come out when you're ready?" Abby nods and Ray smiles at her. Ray kisses her again and walks out of the room. Abby slumps down onto the bed and puts her head in her hands. I can't believe I almost flashed my boyfriend's parents. Ray steps into the living room.
"Hi Mom, hi Dad," he says hugging his mom and shaking his dad's hand. "How are you guys doing?"
"Fine, fine," his dad answers, "I see you're doing well." He glances around the apartment. His eyes fall on the bedroom door.
"Come home Ray, we miss you!" Ray's mom blurts out. Ray chuckles to himself. "We do," she says, "I miss having my baby at home."
"Mom, I'm not a baby anymore. I just got this apartment and the job at County; I can't give all of this up. And Abby, I'm not leaving her."
"What's Abby doing right now?" Dad asks, "Is she a little bit shy? That was Abby right?" Ray nods.
"Well actually she's regaining her composure right now. She wasn't exactly thrilled about you and mom seeing our little escapade on the couch," Ray says. His dad chuckles. Abby walks out of the bedroom, sits down next to Ray and smiles at his parents.
"Hi, I'm Abby," she says meekly.
Ray and Abby stand next to each other by the door of the apartment. Ray's mom hugs and kisses each of them, and his dad shakes his hand and hugs Abby.
"I'll walk you guys out," Ray says, "I'll be right back Abby." Abby watches as Ray leaves the apartment with his parents. She sits down on the couch and rests her chin on her hand. Ray walks in the front door minutes later and immediately goes to Abby. He smiles at her.
"They love you," he says. Abby smiles. "And they love you even more because you are nothing like the tramps I used to bring home." Abby laughs.
"Did they not see our little couch routine?" Abby asks incredulously. Ray smiles.
"Believe me, they've seen worse," Ray says, "Remember, I used to bring tramps home." Abby just shakes her head and laughs.
"I don't even want to know." There's a moment of silence between them. " So, is that the real reason you went outside? Just to find out if they like me?" Abby asks slyly, "For some reason I think you had an ulterior motive." Ray sighs and looks away.
"You know what, you're right," Ray answers, "I went out to get this." He pulls the negligee out of his pocket and tosses it onto the couch. He raises his eyebrows and smirks. "Why don't you go throw that on," he says. Abby smiles and walks to the bedroom. She lingers outside the bedroom for a few moments, leaning against the doorframe. She gives Ray a content little smile and walks into the room. She slides the straps of the dress off her shoulders and let's the smooth fabric fall to the floor. Abby slowly rolls her pantyhose down her legs and reaches back to unhook her bra.
"Hey Abby," Ray calls from the couch.
"Yeah?" Abby asks pulling the negligee down over her head and smoothing the soft fabric over her flat stomach.
"Did you like my parents?" Ray asks. Abby walks out of the bedroom and glides over to the couch. She sits on Ray's lap and looks into his eyes.
"Yes," she answers, "They're wonderful." Ray wraps his arms around Abby and rubs the small of her back.
"I was just thinking," Ray says, "You got to meet my family…" He kisses her neck, lightly at first but quickly increases the intensity. Abby moans softly. Ray picks her up and carries her to his bedroom where a scene, much like what happened on the couch earlier, unfolds. "Oh God Abby, you're beautiful," he murmurs pushing the lingerie up to just above her breasts.
Abby and Ray lay in bed, completely exhausted. Abby has her head resting on Ray's chest and is lost deep in thought. Ray runs his fingers through her hair and kisses the top of her head.
"Abby?" he murmurs. She shifts and looks up at him.
"Hmm?" she purrs cuddling closer to him and closing her eyes. Ray rubs his hand up and down her arm.
"I was just wondering," he says, "Well, you got to meet my family and you all liked each other. I was sort of wondering… well you know… I was just wondering when I get to meet your family."