A/N: My apologies again for the long wait. Thank you though to those who were willing to wait this long. It's difficult to find time to write. This chapter has the talk, which was necessary. Also while writing this chapter I wondered how this fic could end. And as I wrote more, I thought that maybe it was best to end this fic in this chapter. There wasn't much else to talk about and continueing on and on is never good for a fic. And near the end of this chapter, the end of the fic was a logic conclusion. Everything was resolved. I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to read this and also a big thanks to my reviewers. Thank you for taking the time to review. It means a lot. Thank you!
Chapter thirteen
She couldn't hold it off any longer. She needed to talk to Abby about their situation. She'd discussed her situation with Bobby, who'd agreed with her decision. The question was how Abby was going to react. Bobby had reassured her, telling her it would be fine.
The three of them had just eaten dinner. During their stay in New York Bobby hardly ever left his two ladies' side, only to go home to sleep. And though Alex had tried to convince him to stay, he'd denied. Watching Abby skip to the living room, Bobby nodded at Alex to follow Abby. She was anxious about the talk and he knew, but she couldn't hold if off any longer.
It was as if Abby seemed to sense that her aunt wanted to talk about something serious. Quietly she sat on the couch waiting as Alex joined her.
"Remember when I told you we had to make a decision some time about where we're going to live?" Alex started. Looking at Abby she saw an affirmative nod.
"Now you've seen where I live and what home is to me. Block Island is… your home."
"Do you want to live here, aunt Alex?" The girl was more insightful then she let on, Bobby thought as he watched the two.
She was going to have to be honest with Abby. "Yes, I do, but you're part of my life now too. What do you want, Abby?"
Abby shrugged. "I have my friends at home, but… I like it here too. Jennifer is my new friend."
One day Bobby and Alex had taken Abby to the park. Almost immediately they'd met Jennifer and her mother Erica. The two girls had hit off and spend the entire day playing. After that Alex had dropped Abby off at Jennifer's home for an afternoon.
The short silence between the two was interrupted by another question. "Is Bobby going to stay with us in here?"
To Alex that was a loaded question. So far they still hadn't talked about their relationship nor his place in Abby's life. It was clear though that the little girl was attached to him and sought him out many times. Especially in the evenings she would climb on Bobby's lap and fall asleep there. It was obvious she needed a father figure in her life and she'd chosen Bobby.
"Bobby will be here too." Alex answered the truth. She knew, no matter what would happen between them, he would be there for Abby. "I was thinking, maybe we could keep the house in Block Island and go there on holidays. Would you like that?" They could afford to keep Jenny's house. Jenny had made sure everything was taken care of. It was something less to be concerned about and Alex thanked her for that.
"Yeah." Abby snuggled closer to Alex and put her little arms around her. "We can stay here and Bobby can be your boyfriend and my new daddy."
At those words, Alex looked up at Bobby. She could see that Abby's words touched him. She could also see the love for the both of them. She felt somewhat reassured to know he would be there. Now he also knew how Abby thought about him.
"Aunt Alex, do you think mommy is happy?"
Alex sighed… every once in a while Abby would ask about her mother. It was always hard to answer the little girl's questions. Not only because she wasn't sure about the answers, but also because it always confronted her with the situation and that her best friend wasn't with her anymore. "Yes. She's with your dad now and looking over you. If you're happy, you're mom will be too."
"Is she okay with us living here?"
"Your mom told me to do what's best for both of us. She liked it here too. She used to visit a lot before she got you, you know. We always had a lot of fun. Besides we can always go back to Block Island if you want too." She ran a hand through Abby's hair and took a deep breath. It was best not to dwell on memories. She didn't like it when emotions got the better of her.
"Okay." Was all that Abby answered. Sitting up she gave Alex a kiss on the cheek. "I like it here." Getting off of the couch Abby walked over to the table where her pencils were and started colouring.
After Abby had gone to bed, Alex and Bobby had a moment for themselves. Sitting on the couch, with his arm around Alex, Bobby knew he had to start. "She's s a wonderful little girl. You had nothing to worry about."
"Yeah." Was all Alex said. She put her head down on his shoulder and waited for him to talk about Abby's words. She wondered if he would. When he kept silent she knew she had to bring the subject up. "How do you feel about what she said?"
"How do you feel about it?"
"No, Bobby, don't turn it around. You're becoming the father figure that she never had. You heard her, she wants you to be her dad. She already sees you as her dad. You can't ignore that."
"I… I…" He didn't quite know what to say. Did he want to be Abby's father? Yes. There was no doubt there. But he did doubt himself. Would he be a good father to her? Could he be a good father? He'd never had a good example. His father had never been there for him. "I want to be her father. I love her. But… what if… I fail? You know about my father, Alex. What… what if I become him?"
Sitting up she placed her hand on his cheek and turned his head 'till he looked at her. "You are nothing like him. You're a good, gentle, caring and loving man. You would never walk out on someone. If you commit yourself, you will do so for life.., of that I have no doubt. You're a good man, Bobby, and Abby couldn't be any luckier to have you as her father." As if to reassure him she placed a soft kiss on his lips.
"What about us, Alex?" There was no denying the uncertainty in his voice.
"If you are going to be her father, then there's no doubt you'll be an important part of her life…, of our life." She knew she was beating around the bush. The uncertainty in his eyes told her to be honest. "I want you in her life… and in mine. I've loved you for a very long time, Bobby."
Leaning forward his forehead touched hers. His eyes closed, letting her words sink in. He'd longed to hear those words from her. The family he'd always wanted, but never thought he'd have. It was all within reach… "I.. I love you too, Alex." Slowly he drew her into his arms and kissed her slowly, leisurely.. gently.
Wrapping her arms around him, Alex sighed contently. This was going to be a new start in their relationship. From now on she had three people in her life.
The End
