A/N: The conversation with Abby was hard to write. I didn't want it to be childish, too emotional or unemotional. The funeral needed to be dealt with, but I decided not to write the funeral. I didn't think it would add to the story. Also I think this one shows(or that's my intention) the slow change in Bobby and Alex's relationship. Ideas for the next chapter are welcome. I think it's going to have to be a few days later... I thought with all the sorrow maybe it would be time for them to go do something 'entertaining'. I also want to put the beginnings of romance in the next chapter. Well enjoy. And I'm going to try to update once a week. Can't promise more.
Chapter seven
It was the end of another exhausting day. Today they'd buried Jenny. The funeral had been beautiful, but emotional. Alex had given up the pretence of being strong. She had cried, held Abby close and made sure that Bobby was nearby. In church she'd grabbed his hand and only let go at the end of the ceremony. Many people had visited. Jenny had been loved by this community. At the cemetery, after everybody left, Alex stayed at the casket alone. Bobby and Abby had waited for her a short distance away. She'd said her final goodbye to her friend and promised to take good care of Abby.
The three of them had made their way back to Jenny's house and had a quiet dinner. Abby, who still didn't talk very much, watched her aunt closely. Even sometimes walking up to her aunt to give her a hug.
After dinner Alex knew she had to talk to Abby. She couldn't put it off any longer. So she took the girl outside and sat down with her on the porch.
"How are you, Abby?" She really didn't know how to start this conversation.
Abby answered with a shrug, her eyes focused on her aunt. "I like Bobby. He's nice."
Alex blinked twice at the girl's words. This was not what she wanted to talk about, but maybe it would make it easier. "Yes he is."
"I can cuddle with him. He gives nice hugs."
She'd seen how Abby went to Bobby when she needed to be comforted. At first she'd been offended that Abby didn't want her to comfort her. But that wasn't true. Abby came to both of them. She just seemed to pick her moments and well, the girl was right. Bobby did give nice hugs.
"Is he going to stay with us?"
This was the opening she was waiting for. "I don't know Abby. You know that you're going to live with me now, don't you?" Seeing the girl nod, Alex continued. "I know a lot has happened and for now we're going to stay here. But in time we're going to have to see what we're going to do. You know that I don't live here. I have my own place in New York. In time we're going to have to decide if we're going to stay here or go live in New York. We'll decide it together. We're going to take our time. Maybe we can even go to New York in a few weeks so you can see where I live."
"I like it here." Abby shifted closer to her aunt.
Alex sighed. "I know you do, sweetheart."
"Is it nice in New York?"
"Yes it is."
"Do you think I like it there?"
Alex smiled at Abby. She was such a sweet girl. "Maybe. Why don't we find out some time, huh?"
After a short silence, Abby had another question. "Auntie Alex, do you think mommy will find us in New York?"
"She will always be with you. She'll never leave you out of her sight." She saw Abby thinking about her words. The girl nodded and appeared to accept her words.
"Will Bobby go with us to New York?"
"I don't know. Maybe he will. We're going to have to ask him." She was pretty sure they could at least go visit Bobby in New York. She didn't know how long he was going to stay with them.
"Can I ask him now?"
"Why don't we wait when we're going to New York?"
"Okay." Abby yawned. "I'm tired, auntie Alex. Can I sleep in your bed?"
"Sure." Ever since Bobby had let the girl fall asleep in his arms and that same night had put the girl in Alex's bed, Abby slept the entire night. It seemed that only with someone next to her she felt safe. For now Bobby and Alex had decided it was important for Abby to feel safe and loved. They were pretty sure that in a short while Abby would sleep in her own bed again.
After putting Abby to sleep, Alex went in search of Bobby. These last couple of days she'd truly realized how important he was to her. Without saying a word he let her know that he was there. Just to look in his warm eyes for a moment was enough to give her strength again. And just like Abby she'd grown attached to his hugs. He was her big teddy bear, nice, soft, sweet and great to hug. He'd shown her it was okay to let people see that she was hurt too. It was okay to be vulnerable around him. He would not hurt her. She knew what the next logical step would be and like Jenny had told her, it was time she let someone in again. Still it was too soon. For now she wanted to enjoy their newfound closeness. She found Bobby in the living room and immediately sat down next to him.
Bobby watched her. The sadness was understandably still there, but there was no longer the desperation and intense pain. He loved how she now also initiated the closeness between them. It used to be only him and sometimes a hug seemed to be difficult for her. Now she sometimes walked up to him and put her arms around him. The closeness felt good… and right. When she shifted closer to put her head on his shoulder, his arm went around her. Softly he rubbed her arm, while she played with one of the buttons of his shirt. "How did it go with Abby?"
"She seemed to understand. She wondered if Jenny would find her in New York."
"How did she react to the possibility of moving to New York?"
"I told her we'd go there for a week or so to check things out. Told her I wouldn't make the decision without her." Shifting she slid down till her head was on his knees. She closed her eyes for a moment. His hand was now on her stomach, his fingers caressing her exposed skin. "It was a good ceremony, wasn't it?"
"Yeah."
"She deserved it." Finding the hand he had on her stomach, she linked her fingers with his, caressing his hand with her thumb. "Jenny told me it was time to let someone in again." She couldn't look him in the eyes, but focused on their joined hands. "Told me I wasn't as tough as I think I am."
"She's right, you know." His right hand was slowly combing through her hair. "On both counts." He decided to leave it at that. She was letting him know that she was thinking about some changes. For now that was enough. He knew she wasn't ready for more. Leaning forward he placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "We'll be all right."
TBC...
