After breakfast Cora and I got Connor settled on the sofa with Maggie sitting on his lap. The TV was on, he had tea and his phone next to him.
Cora had to leave for work and I had to go out to get a new number for my phone ... maybe I could even get a new one.
"Okay, Conn. Do you need something from the shop?"
"No, I'm good. When will you be back? I hate that I can't go with you."
"I know. I'll be back soon, and I call you as soon as I have the new number."
I bent down to him and kissed his lips. He smiled under my lips and I caressed his head with my hand in his hair.
My aunt cleared her throat behind me. Embarrassed, I let go of Connor and glared at Cora.
She giggled and then shoved me out of the door. But I saw her whispering something to Connor, his smile grew wider and he nodded at her.
I was waiting at my car for my aunt. I was driving her to work today so that she wouldn't have to go on the underground.
When she got in, I asked her "What was that about?"
She grinned "Oh nothing really ... I just told him where he could find the photo albums"
"You didn't!"
"What do you think, Honey?"
I groaned.
At the phone shop I was able to get a new number and a new phone.
I got the same phone that Connor had, since I already knew how that worked. My phone just had a different colour. His was silver and mine was white.
The only number I programmed into it was Connor's for now. I just would copy the numbers he had in his phone later. He would know how to do that.
I called him when I got out of the shop. Since I was in London anyway I wanted to swing by the flat to get some more clothes and Connor asked if I could bring his laptop.
At the flat I put some more of my clothes into a box and got some more things for Connor too. The Laptop sat on the desk in the living room, so I put it in a bag and got out again. I didn't want to spend too much time there on my own. Maybe we should just find a new flat again.
I drove back to my aunt's shop after that. I hadn't been there for a few month and wanted to look for some cool clothes.
The shop was small and there were clothes everywhere. Cora was sitting at a little desk and was sorting through some jewelry. I sat down next to her and she smiled.
"Did you get what you needed?" she asked while she was looking at an old pocket watch.
"Yup. I even got a new phone. Cora?"
"Yeah?" She looked up and smiled.
"Do you mind if we would stay for a little longer? I mean ... I haven't spoken with Connor yet ... But I don't really want to go back to the flat ... I want to move if he is okay with it."
"I love to have you at the house for a while, you know that, Sweetie."
"Yeah, but It is not just me. And I can understand if you don't want to have us both there."
"You're kidding right? Connor is such a nice man, and he seems to be in need of a bit of a mothering since he is so sick. Do you need to go back to work soon?"
"No ... I've spoken to our boss and can stay with Connor as long as he needs me and actually I was thinking about taking a holiday."
"Well, you are both more than welcome to stay with me if you want to." she smiled.
"Thank you!"
I wandered the shop then ... looked at different things and tried on a few clothes. I found a new waistcoat for Connor and a skirt for me. I modeled the skirt for Cora and she insisted that I should just take it. She never let my pay for the clothes I got at her shop.
She wrapped the waistcoat up for Connor and looked around for something else.
"Here! Take this for him!"
A hat ... a dark blue fedora. I smiled at her.
"How did you know that he likes hats?"
When I came back to the house I found Connor fast asleep on the couch. Maggie was looking up from her place on Connors legs.
I smiled, got out my new phone and took a picture of them. Connor didn't even stir when Maggie hopped down.
She followed me up the stairs and into our room, where she hopped on Connor's bed and snuggled down to watch me as I put all the clothes away into the closet.
Connor was just waking up, when I had heated up the soup Cora had left in the fridge for us. He blinked and smiled sleepily at me.
"You're back!"
"Yeah, did you have a nice nap?" He yawned and sat up. Maggie was already on the sofa again and crawled in his lap.
"Oh yes. It's nice here. Homey."
"Are you hungry? Cora left soup for us."
He nodded and got up to follow me into the kitchen.
The soup was great and I looked at Connor while he was eating.
He seemed to be better today.
"Conn? I had a thought today. Maybe you'll think that I'm going too far with it, but I really would like that!"
"Would like what?" I looked me in the eyes and smiled.
"Can we find a new flat?"
"Sure."
I blinked at him. "Just like that?"
"Yeah! I'd been thinking about that too." He grinned.
I hopped up and kissed him.
"Oh! I got something for you, while I was out! Wait!" I ran to get the bag with the waistcoat and the hat.
Connor was done with the soup when I came back so I placed the bag in front of him.
He looked at me "What's that?"
"I was in Cora's shop today, and got it for you!"
He got the hat out first and looked at it. Then he put it on his head and smiled at me. The waistcoat got an inspection too and he tried that on over his yellow sweater.
"Thanks Abs!"
"Oh actually, Cora gave me that hat for you."
"Then I have to thank her too later. Oh ... show me the new phone!"
I handed over my new phone so that he could fiddle with it and program all the numbers into it.
Maggie had to go out, so I told Connor that I would take her out for a few minutes. He just nodded and got right back to the phone.
Connor had his own phone on his ear when I came back on with Maggie. He was sitting on the sofa and listened.
"Yes, I understand. But I have pneumonia and I'm supposed to be resting. ... Yeah ... Would that be okay? ... Sure ... No, I didn't know about that. ... Oh ... She's here too. ... Sure, I'll tell her. ... I'll call you back in a few minutes alright? ... Yes ... Thank you. "
He ended the call and looked up at me. His eyes filled with tears and I sat down next to him. "What is it?"
He sniffled "That was Cutter's solicitor. Did you know that Cutter had a Will?"
I shook my head "No. What did the lawyer want?"
"There needs to be an official reading of the will, and he said that we need to be there for it. Jenny too. I told him, that I can't come down to London, and he asked if it would be okay if he came here."
"What does he need us for?"
"Maybe Cutter left us something? I don't really know."
"Well, tell him to come by here. I'll call Jenny, I wanted to speak to her anyway. I'll tell her to come here too."
Connor called the lawyer back and he agreed to come out this evening on his way home, around 5pm.
Jenny would come here too. She had no idea what was going on but she was curious.
At 5 Jenny arrived first and I told her about what had happened last night after I spoke to her.
We settled down in the living room and waited for the lawyer, Mr. Markbe, who arrived only 5 minutes later.
To say I was surprised would have been a big understatement. Cutter had changed his will after Stephen's death.
He had left Jenny a little house he owned in France, and a letter, which she should read when she was IN the house.
He had a letter for me and Connor too, and Mr. Markbe handed them over to us. Jenny said that she would get in contact with the lawyer, but that she would need a few days to think. She left before we could open our letters.
Connor was fighting tears again when he saw Cutter's handwriting on his letter.
I opened my letter.
Dear Abby,
The fact you're reading this means something has happened to me I suppose. I'm sorry that yet again you are having to deal with pain and grief.
The first time I met you, I knew that you had a great way with animals and that your quick mind would help us in the team.
After a while I realized just how important you are for the team. You held us together.
I don't have children but if I could wish for a daughter, it would have been you.
There are a few things I have to ask you to do.
First: Please take care of yourself. I know that you will make the right decisions in your life and I want to help you to make it a little bit easier. Before I come to tell you about that I have a second request. Take care of Connor too.
So. I said that I wanted to help a little bit. I know that you have your own flat, but since I don't have any children, I want to give my house to you and Connor.
Yes! To both of you. I know that it is in good hands between the both of you. My parents gave it to me, and I want to give it to you two, since you ARE my family.
Then, there's the money. Mr. Markbe has all that you need to know about that. I have saved up a bit of it and I want you two to have it, so that you can enjoy living without worrying about money all the time. Go out! See the world. Live!
That being said, I only want you to know one thing. I had a good life. I lived my dream, and had good friends.
Thank you for bringing more light into my life, Abby!
Nick
Tears dropped onto the letter and I looked up to see what Connor was doing.
His cheeks were wet and when I took his hand he looked at me.
"We have a house, eh?"
"Yeah, seems like it. Do you want to read my letter, Conn?"
He nodded and we exchanged the letters.
Dear Connor,
I'm sorry that you're having to read this because it means that something has happened to me, and you will hurting.
I want you to know that I'm so proud of the man you are now. You are so bright and I know that you have a great future ahead of you.
There are so many things I want to tell you, but I just don't know where to start.
When I remember our first meeting I have to smile. You just crashed into all our lives.
You turned everything upside down in my life and I thank you for that.
Take care of yourself, and never lose who you are.
My parents gave me my house and now I want you and Abby to have it. Feel free to do with it what you like, throw out what you don't want to have, change what you'd like to change. I just want you two to have it, since I think of you both as my family.
When I was in your age, I never had enough money to do what I wanted to do. Mr. Markbe will help you with that.
Please use it to go out and live. Have lots of fun and go after what you want. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something. Keep your optimistic view of the world and take care of Abby too.
Thank you for bringing my dream back to me.
Nick
I could see that that letter was hard to write for Cutter. Tears still rolled down my face and I folded the letter up again. Connor was smiling through his tears now and he looked at me when I handed him his letter back.
Mr. Markbe cleared his throat and we both looked at him.
He explained everything to us, that we have to sign some papers in the next days so that we really would get the house if we wanted it.
The money was all in a deposit account and we would have to go to the Bank to sign some papers there too. Mr. Markbe would be coming with us there, and he would bring around all the other things we would need to sign.
He left after an hour and I closed the door behind him. Connor still sat on the sofa and looked down.
"Are you alright?" I asked him. He looked up and smiled through the tears.
"I miss him."
"Yeah. I miss him too. Can you believe he did that? Left us the house? Do we take it?"
"I would like that. Abs?"
"Hm?"
"I never really knew what he thought about me. But this ... He was proud of me ... and I don't even know why."
"You don't know it? Connor! You have this great fossil record data base, you were the first one who knew that there was something up with the creature sightings, you built the detector and the locking device! You know the dinosaurs at sight, what period they are from and what they eat and can do! AND you don't even know how amazingly bright you are. We are all so proud of you!" I just had to kiss him then.
When we broke apart, he smiled at me. "I love you Abby. You have no idea how much I love you!"
"I love you too!"
"We have a house, Luv. Our own house." Connor's smile spread through his whole face.
"I know. It feels weird."
"You know what? After we signed all the papers and the stuff, we should go and look at it. I've only been there once, and I didn't see all rooms. We'll go and look at it, and then we decide what to do with it!"
"But first you get better! We stay here as long as that takes, okay? Cora said she would like us staying here for a bit."
"Alright. But you have to relax too! You don't have to go to the flat again, if you don't want to. You have a new phone number and Henry can't get to you then. Don't worry.
You faced dinosaurs that were scarier than he is, right? You can kick his ass! So we both see this here as a holiday."
I nodded and smiled at him. "You are right! We'll stay here and enjoy the pampering for a while. Cora will be here in a few hours. Do you want to sleep for a bit before we have dinner?"
"Yeah, if that is okay. Or do you need me to do anything?"
"No, go to sleep. But maybe better in our room. I want to clean up here a bit. Take Maggie with you, okay? That will help me enough."
He got up and gave me a kiss. Then he whistled and Maggie came running.
After 20 minutes I got restless. I just had too much on my mind, and I needed to go out.
Cora would close the shop around 9 pm. I could go and give her a ride home again, and I wanted to see how Rex , Sid and Nancy were doing. If I left now, I would still have an hour with them. Yes. That was a plan.
I left a note for Connor on the fridge and drove down to London again.
At the ARC I parked the car and headed straight to the animals. The three of them seemed to be happy to see me. Sid and Nancy were looking for Connor, but they settled down next to me after a few minutes. I stroked their backs for a while and talked to them.
When the door opened and Sarah came in, she was surprised to see me there.
"Abby? What are you doing here?"
"Hello, to you too, Sarah!" I smiled.
"Funny! What are you doing here? Where's Connor?"
"At my aunt's house. We're staying there. Danny told you what happened?"
She nodded "Yes, but not much. What's going on Abby? Do you need to talk?"
Did I need to talk? I thought about it. Did I want everyone to know about my past? Could I tell Sarah? I had told more people about my past in the last week than in the last 9 years. But Sarah was my friend.
"Yes. Actually that would be nice. I have a lot on my mind that I need to sort out."
"I can try to help if you let me."
Sarah was good when it came to sorting things out. Jenny said that she needed some time to think ... and I needed to talk to a friend. A woman.
"Thanks. Would you like to go for a coffee. To talk?"
"Gladly. Let's get out of here! I just need to get my things from my office."
"I'll go with you." I said bye to the three little dinosaurs and left with Sarah.
We saw Danny jogging down the corridor to the main room of the ARC.
"Abby? Can I talk to you for a few minutes?"
"Oh? Yeah, sure. I'll meet you outside Sarah?" She nodded and I went over to Danny.
He had looked into some files on Henry, and told me that there was nothing he could do legally. But he asked if he could look around the flat, whilst we were at my aunts.
I was happy that I didn't have to do that and agreed. If Henry really did come up to London, he would very likely go to the flat.
After giving Danny my new phone number and the key to the flat, I met Sarah at my car.
We agreed to go to the little Cafe near Cora's shop and sat down in a quiet corner.
Sarah was the one who started talking. "So. You're living at your aunt's now?"
That was like Sarah, getting me to talk while asking some questions. I smiled. If anyone could help me sort my thoughts out, it would be Sarah. Analytical mind.
"Yes. Jenny said that I could come to her, but I didn't want to leave Connor alone.
And I always felt safe with her. I lived there since I was 15, you know."
"How is Connor doing anyway?"
"Sleeping a lot. But he's getting better, I think. The coughing scares me a bit."
"He needs the sleep and the coughing is important. He needs to get the stuff out of his lungs."
"I know but he seems to have problems breathing after it. That's the part that scares me."
"Oh, maybe you could call the doctor and ask about that?" I already knew what the doctor said. It is hard to get the muscles in the lungs to take in breath again after the coughing. And I knew that Connor would have pains in the chest, the muscles are sore from the coughing.
"The doctor already told me about it, but that doesn't mean that it's not worrying me."
She nodded "I can imagine. It's natural to be concerned about someone you care about. Are you two good?"
That had me smiling and I nodded. "We are. He's been really great about everything going on right now."
"What did happen?"
I told her about Jack and that my step dad called me and threatened me. I even told her more about my childhood, how Henry had beat me up for nothing and that my mum never did anything about it. After I'd started telling her, it was easy to let it all out.
When I starting to tell her that Cutter had left me and Connor his house, she was surprised, because Mr. Markbe had called her as well. She had an appointment in two days with him, but didn't know what it was about.
Talking to Sarah did wonders for me. Jenny was always a friend for me, but she was more... reserved. Sarah was more like me. I didn't feel bad for cursing while talking.
Right as we wanted to pay for our drinks, Sarah's phone started to ring.
"It's Danny, I have to answer that."
I nodded and went to the counter to pay, but I heard Sarah talking.
"Danny? ... we're at a cafe ... sure she's okay ... what? No, no ... I tell her ... Yup ... see you tomorrow ... bye!"
She gathered up her things and came over to me.
"You have to call Connor. Danny just a call from him, and he didn't sound good."
I was confused. There was a note on the fridge and why did Connor call Danny and not me?
"What did Danny say?"
"That Connor is looking for you. And that he couldn't reach you."
"But I have my phone right here ..." I went to take my phone out of my pocket, but it wasn't there.
"... or not. I must've left it in the car."
"Go and call Connor. I'll pay."
I rushed out to the car and opened the door. There it was. it must have slipped out of my pocket. Today of all days. Great. Just Great. When I looked at it, there where 10 unanswered calls. 7 from Connor and 3 from Danny. The poor guys must have been frantic!
Connor answered the call instantly "Abby? Are you okay?"
"Yes. I was having a chat with Sarah and left the phone in the car."
I heard him letting out a shuddering breath "Thank god. I was worried when you weren't here when I woke up."
"There's a note on the fridge. Are you okay?"
"Yeah ... didn't see the note though."
"Don't worry Conn. I'm just picking up Cora and then we're on our way to you."
"Oka... " he didn't get to the 'y' because he was coughing again.
"Connor? ... Conn? Can you hear me? ... Conn?"
There was just coughing and then nothing. My heart just about stopped then.
"CONNOR?"
TBC :P
