A month went by and George was still courting Abigail. A few times a week they'd spend time together walking through town or having tea at one of their homes. Although they were never alone Abby still hated being with him even though he was tolerable. He was quick to lose his temper sometimes and acted pompous but other than that he wasn't terrible company.
They had tea outside at the Lockwood estate before he walked her back to her home. Once they were inside they saw their fathers. Mr. Lockwood had a smile on his face as he said; "Jonathan and I have decided to have a dinner party at the estate. We can celebrate the courtship but it can also be a way for all the founding families to get together." Abby's face suddenly lit up, "All the founding families?" Since the first time George started courting Abby, she and Stefan had only been able to see each other two other times, not wanting anyone to get suspicious.
Her father ignored her sudden happiness and said, "Doesn't that sound like a great idea?" George looked at Abby and she smiled, "That sounds wonderful," he said. Benjamin replied, "I'll have the party to be arranged for this Saturday." Great only a few more days and I can see Stefan again, Abby thought happily.
A few days passed and it was finally Saturday. Abby got out of bed cheerfully and picked out the dress that Stefan liked most on her. She spent the day just wasting time, trying to make the hours pass faster in anticipation of tonight. The sun was setting and Abby started to get ready.
She put on a dress that was a soft pink that had white lace cuff sleeves that fell off her shoulder. In the back, where her corset and skirt met she tied a matching white lace cloth around into a bow. She looked in the mirror and put on a pearl necklace. Her long, blonde hair was in soft curls and she was ready to go.
Her father and herself made their way over to the Lockwood estate. Upon arriving and getting out of the carriage she looked up at the night sky. As she walked with her dad, her heart raced and her entrancement with the full moon muted his words. When they got inside she looked over at him and smiled. There was soft music playing and a warm atmosphere filled the house. Mr. Lockwood along with George walked up to them, "John, Abigail just in time, they're bringing out dinner right now."
They walked over to the large dining room, and right when she walked in she immediately spotted Stefan. There was one long, rectangular table in the middle of the room, and The Lockwoods, Salvatores, Forbes, Fells, and now the Gilberts were all sitting down. Chefs and maids were feverishly bringing out food and set it down and in all the fuss Stefan hadn't noticed her yet. Her father and Mr. Lockwood sat down by the head of the table while George led her somewhere in the middle.
He pulled out her chair and he sat down next to her when she looked across the table, her eyes met with Stefan. He was sitting right across from her with Damon and Cassidy to his right. He looked surprised but tried to contain it. They ended up just staring at each other with yearning eyes, suppressing their growing smiles. She had to break eye contact and just smiled down at her lap.
When she looked back up Damon and Cass were eyeing the both of them, giving them looks to keep their emotions well hidden. "Are you alright Abigail?" George asked her, breaking her out of her trance. She looked at him and smiled, but it was very forced. Damon, Cass, and Stefan casually kept their eyes on them and all three could tell her whole demeanor was forced.
"Yes, I'm immensely happy," she said with truth in her words but her eyes quickly looked at Stefan then back at George. He put his hand on her shoulder and she bit the inside of her mouth and just looked at him. To her, it felt as if his hand was being branded into her bare shoulder. He smiled and replied, "I'm glad," removing his hand and turning to talk to someone else.
She let out a deep breath and took a sip of water. She looked back up and Stefan's green eyes were already on her. She could see the sadness within his eyes that his face and demeanor tried to hide. Communicating with her eyes, she tried to tell him how sorry she was.
She looked over to Cass and Damon and both of them had sad looks on their faces too. She wanted to scream. She just took a deep breath and tried her best to eat the food. She wanted to cry. She didn't know what to do. She wanted to hold onto Stefan and never let go. She wanted to spend the rest of her days with him, telling him how much she loves him. She never wanted to be without him.
If this were to go on any longer she'd have to start going to Cass and ask her how she deals with everything when Damon is away. She looks across the table to her sister and Damon. Every so often she sees them look at each other and smile. He looks into her eyes and you can see how much he truly loves her. She wanted that. She had that with Stefan but she wanted to be able to be in a real public relationship with him. Where they could go to dinner parties and just stare into each other's eyes.
During the rest of the dinner, Stefan and Abby kept stealing glances at each other and ever so often, smiles. After the dinner party was over each of the founding families went home. The only people left in the Lockwood mansion were Abby, her father, and the Lockwoods.
PRESENT-DAY: IN THE CAR
Abby's POV
I don't remember much of that night, only the things that mattered. I guess with us driving back to Mystic Falls I started thinking about our human lives. I'm so glad my life was the way it was back then, I just wanted it to end differently. I remember that after the dinner party George and I were left alone because my father and he went walking on the property to talk. I don't know what we started to fight about but I know that we started fighting about something big.
I remember I was shouting at the top of my lungs crying and he just got in my face and yelled some more. You'd think I'd be able to remember what that big fight was about. But I didn't, because the fight wasn't important. It's what came after that was. George always had a temperate demeanor, he rarely got angry. But something about that night made him furious. None of the workers on the estate dared to break up the fight or even come into the room. We were shouting and shouting until finally, he hit me. He slapped me so hard I fell onto the ground. I was shaking as I felt my lip, it had been busted.
I looked up at him in horror and ran outside, trying to find my father. I found my dad and Benjamin and they asked me what had happened. I was crying so hard I could barely explain a thing but once I had said that he'd hit me, their faces became shrouded in humiliation and horror. They couldn't believe it. My lip was gushing blood and it had gotten all over my dress. I remember my father saying that even though he wanted the courtship to work out and for us to eventually be married, he couldn't have his daughter be married to someone who would raise his hand to her.
Benjamin Lockwood solemnly agreed and apologized for his son's irrational behavior, saying that he would terminate the courtship if we wouldn't say anything about that night. The mayor's only son hitting a woman wouldn't be liked by the townspeople at all. When Mr. Lockwood said that the courtship was over, I was glad that George had hit me. I couldn't believe his words. That meant I could be with the man I truly loved…
BACK TO FLASHBACK
1863
Abby had stopped crying by the time she and her father had gotten home. He pulled her into his arms and said, "Abigail I am so sorry." She looked up at him and replied, "It's not your fault dad, but does this mean that the courtship is over?" He started walking to his study and looked back at her, "Yes," he replied shortly. She knew she was stepping on thin ice because her father liked the idea of her and George getting married and whatnot but she had to ask or else she wouldn't have been able to sleep.
She started by saying, "Dad, I know that this ended not the way that you and Mr. Lockwood had planned but what's done is done. George and I are not together anymore. Dad, you have to know that I tried to make it work; I really did because that's what you wanted. But now that the courting is over and I'm not promised to anyone anymore…" she started to lose herself in her thoughts, not knowing what else to say.
But she finally just spat it out, "Dad I'm in love with Stefan Salvatore and I want to be with him. He treats me well and I know he loves me too. All I want in the world is to be with him dad, can I please?" Her father just looked at her and sighed. Her eyes were puffy and red and her face was glossed with tears. He looked at her busted lip and the blood that stained her dress. He knew that he couldn't force another courtship upon her. It wasn't fair. He sighed and nodded his head, "All I want is for you to be happy."
Suddenly a huge smile appeared on her face and she ran towards her father and embraced him. "I love you so much dad, thank you! You know Stefan is a good man and he'll treat me well." She kissed her dad's cheek before saying, "Dad I have to go tell Stefan! I'll be back soon!" she said, running out the front door. He looked at his daughter run out the house and all he could do was smile. He loved both of his daughters and only wanted them to be happy. When Abby was talking about Stefan he could see that they were meant to be together and that they would be happy.
Abigail ran right out of her house and all the way to the Salvatore estate. She started knocking on the door frantically, with a smile on her face. Lynn answered the door, "For goodness sakes child, why are you banging on the door at this time of night?" Abby just smiled even bigger and said, "I'm sorry Lynn, but I need to speak to Stefan." She just shook her head and sighed, "You're lucky that Mr. Salvatore is asleep, he wouldn't want you coming over here, this late. I think Stefan is awake, he should be up in his room." Abby just smiled and hugged Lynn, saying thank you then making her way up to Stefan's room.
She knocked lightly on Stefan's door and heard him say, "Come in." She opened his door and their eyes met. He looked like he was just about to get into bed and get some sleep. He smiled widely and walked over to her, bringing her into his room and shutting the door, "Abby are you crazy? What are you doing here?" He smiled at her but then noticed her lip and the blood on her dress and furrowed his eyebrows. "Abby what happened?" he asked, placing his hands on her arms. She just smiled and said, "Stefan, my father says that we can be together." He just looked at her for a moment as if she was speaking another language. He smiled widely before replying, "What are you talking about?"
She started to explain, "Well after the dinner party George and I got into a fight, and he, well, he um, he hit me," she said looking at the floor. "He did what?" Stefan said, raising his voice. She went up to Stefan and grabbed his shoulders, "Stefan it's really okay," but he cut her off before she could finish her sentence. "Okay? What the hell are you saying? He's a dead man," Stefan said walking out of his room. She sighed and grabbed his arm. "Stefan, you don't have one harmful bone in your body. You would never hurt anyone, let alone kill anybody! Now let me finish."
He just sighed and let her continue. "As I was saying after George struck me I talked with my father and his and they said that the courtship was void and the only thing my father and I had to do was not tell anybody. When I got home I asked my father that since I was no longer promised to George Lockwood, if I could be with you." She paused for a second and smiled, looking into his green eyes that she loved so much. "He said that all he wanted was for me to be happy and that we could be together."
He smiled so wide and hugged her, squeezing her tightly, lifting her up off the ground, and spinning her around. She just laughed and he cupped her face and kissed her ever so softly. She rested her head on his shoulder and started crying. He pulled away from her and wiped her tears, "I love you, Abby." She just nodded and looked up into his eyes once more, "I love you too Stefan."
