Chapter 8

Great, just when I thought everything was finally sorted out, for the moment at least, the moment was gone. I feel Abby freeze in my arms and as I look I see why. Luka and Maggie are standing in the door opening, looking at us. I don't know how much they saw, but I'm pretty sure they saw us kissing. And what a kiss it was. We were so caught up in it that we didn't even hear Luka ring the doorbell and hear Maggie waking up and letting Luka into the house. But now they are still standing there. Abby tries to compose herself and climbs off of me as I sit back up on the couch. Well, this is awkward. Abby gives me an apologizing look and then stands up and walks towards Luka and Maggie. Maggie quickly excuses herself and walks into the kitchen. I see Abby approaching Luka and opening her mouth to speak when Luka turns around abruptly and almost runs out of the house. I hear the door slam behind him and Abby now stands there, helplessly in the middle of the room. I'm not sure what's going to happen next. I stand up and walk to Abby. She turns around and looks at me.

'John, I'm sorry, but I think…'

'Yeah, go talk to him. I'll wait here'

She looks at me gratefully and then opens her mouth again to say something but I interrupt before she evens begins. 'You have to go now' I say, and lightly push her towards the door. I see a smile forming on her lips and then she runs out of the house. I stand now in Abby's living room, where only a few minutes ago we were making out on the couch. I sigh heavily and walk back over to the couch and sit down. I lean back as far as I can and close my eyes. I open them when I feel someone staring at me. I look up and see Maggie looking at me. She gives me a look that asks me if she can sit on the couch and I nod my head. She sit next to me and looks at me. I already know she wants to talk about what she just saw, so I wait for her to speak.

'So..' she starts, with a smile on her face.

'Jep' I say, not really looking at her. I know she's happy about what happened, but I can't help feeling like little boy who got caught making out with his girlfriend by one of the parents.

'John, I'm happy for you two, really' Maggie says. I look at her and smile a little.

'Yeah, me too. It would've been better if Luka hadn't caught us though' I say with a somewhat remorseful tone in my voice.

'Well of course, but he would've heard it eventually'

'I know, but it's still not the same. I can only imagine how Abby feels right now. They'd only just broken up and-'

'They'd broken up? When did that happen?' Maggie asks. Owh yeah, Abby hadn't told Maggie about the phone call.

'Ehm, over the phone, you know, on the way back home..' Maggie just nods, remembering the call. There's an awkward silence between us. We don't know what to say. Luckily we're interrupted by the sound of the front door opening and closing and Abby walking into the room. Maggie stands up and gives Abby a hug. 'Honey, I'm going back to bed. I'm still tired. I'm sure you two have some things to talk about. Wake me if there's something I can do for you okay?'

'Thanks mom' she says, as she hugs Maggie back. Maggie gives her a kiss on the cheek and then leaves the room, leaving me and Abby. I stand up and walk over to her. As I reach her I can see her eyes are still a little red from crying. I don't say anything, just take her hand and lead her over to the couch once again. I sit down and pull her with me, but leaving a little room between us. I know that we have to talk about everything first. Kissing her was so great, but now everything is so complicated. Maybe we did this too fast. Maybe she should've talked to Luka first; then this never would've happened. Abby's hand is still in mine and I feel her entwining our fingers. I look at her and see her staring at our hands. She then looks up at me and our eyes lock, but this time I'm not able to read her. Usually I can tell pretty easily what she's thinking and how she feels, but not this time. We sit in silence for a minute or so, but then I can't stand it anymore. I need to know what'd happened.

'What did Luka say? Did you talk to him?' I ask, almost in a whisper.

'I ran after him and got to him before he got into his car, but he didn't really want to talk to me. He just said that he always knew it and that he was right. And there wasn't one thing that I could say, because he was right all along. I don't think he was really mad though, more hurt. And I know that it isn't fair to you, but..' She suddenly stops mid-sentence and looks at me. I'm not sure what she wants to say, but I think I can make a pretty good guess. I give her a look that urges her to go on. 'I just think that, maybe this is too fast. I know it isn't fair to you, but I've just broken up with Luka and I know I lead things on tonight, but I thought I was ready, but I think that.. maybe.. I'm not quit yet' The last part she says in a whisper and she averts her eyes from mine. I know that she is right. I want to be with her, and I know she wants to be with me, but I understand her point, no matter how much I regret it.

'Abby look at me. She doesn't. 'Look at me' I say again, but she refuses to do so. She just keeps staring at the table or something in that area. I gently grab her left cheek with my free right hand and turn her head towards me, forcing her to look my way. I look into her eyes, making sure that she really understands what I'm going to say next.

'Abby, it's okay. I understand. You know, I want to be with you, but I want you to be ready to be with me. I'll wait for you. Take all the time you need to sort everything out. For yourself and for Luka.' As I say this I see a tear falling down her cheek. I reach with my thumb and catch it. She mouths a silent 'thank you' to me, and I then pull her towards me in a comforting hug. She lays her head against my chest and I rub her back soothingly. We stay like that for a while and I can slowly feel her breathing become steadier and slower. I put some hair out of her eyes and see that they're closed. I gently rub her back, waking her up a little bit.

'Come on, you have to go get some sleep' she opens her eyes a little bit and looks at me. She nods her head and then tries to get up, but she's really tired. I think the conversation with Luka and then me, and of course the whole last two days has really taken it out on her. I don't think she has the strength to get up. She sighs and lays her head back on the spot on my chest, falling asleep again. So, for the second time in two days I carry Abby to her bedroom. I lay her down on the bed, take her shoes off and then her sweater. I don't know how far I can go, so I leave her pants on, and then put her under the covers. She opens her eyes for a second and we lock gazes. A small slime forms on her lips and I lean down and place a gentle kiss on her forehead. I know that I'm maybe pushing things a bit, but it just feels right. I put the bedroom light out and walk towards the door. With the knob already in my hands I hear her say something. I move closer to the bed and see her eyes still closed. Though I'm pretty sure I heard something.

'Abby' I whisper, 'did you say something?'

'Where are you sleeping?' she asks me, in a very sleepy voice.

'I was thinking about going home, but if you want me to, I can sleep on the couch. Keep an eye on Maggie..'

'You don't have to sleep on the couch' Abby says. Just as I feel slightly disappointed, I don't really know why, I hear her say 'If you want you can sleep here' she says, indicating to her bed.

I look at her a little questioning. First she's saying she's not ready and now she offers me to sleep next to her in bed. I know that nothing will happen, but I still find it confusing. 'Abby, you don't have to do this. I'll be fine on the couch'

Suddenly she seems much more awake. 'John, it's not a big deal. My bed is big enough for the both of us. We can sleep in it without legs or arms touching. So why sleep on the couch if you have a perfect comfortable bed to sleep in?'

'Well, if you put it that way..' I say, smiling a little bit to myself. I sit on the edge of the bed and take my shoes and sweater off and climb in bed next to Abby. I lay there on my back. I don't really know what's going to happen next. Sleep, I guess. Just as I want to turn on my side to make myself comfortable, I feel Abby's weight lifting over as she scoots closer towards me and puts her head on my chest. I glance down at her and find her looking up at me with the cutest smile.

'Do you mind?' she asks in a sleepy voice. 'You just make such a good pillow..'

'I don't mind in the least' I say, as I bring my arms around her and pull her closer to me. She snuggles closer to me, putting her legs between mine and letting her right arm encircle my waist. I put one hand on her back, under her shirt, gently rubbing her bare skin. Finally we're both comfortable and as I feel her breathing slow down I allow myself to fall asleep too. I don't know where we go from here, but as it looks now, I think we'll be able to figure it out, and when we do, it'll be perfect…