The next two weeks had flown by for Abbie. Their relationship, although changed, still held the same playful banter, the same ease as before. But the differences, she knew were there. The added texts throughout the day. The concern over how well she ate and how many hours she had been working that weren't discussed before. And she noticed herself thinking of him more throughout her days. Wondering what he was doing, whom he was thinking of…
They hadn't kissed since "the couch event" as she called it. Instead, the soft touches increased, electrified with the awareness that more might be in store for the future.
There was one particular evening as they watched Netflix on the couch that he had grabbed her feet gently and laid them on his lap. Caressing and kneading the stresses of her work day and relaxing her to the point where she fell asleep.
She had felt him carrying her to her bedroom and laying her down gently on the bed. And when he had turned to leave, she stuck her hand out reflexively, willing him to stay.
He had denied her request. And in the moment, she had felt a bit of rejection. But she knew why he had done it. And she respected him for it. Knowing that even though they were enjoying the new nuances between them, neither one was yet ready for the next step.
Abbie hadn't even told Jenny. Although she knew Jenny had most likely picked up on it on her own. But her sister hadn't said anything. And neither did Abbie.
Crane had asked her one day if she had told anyone of their newly formed connection. To which Abbie had said she wouldn't know what to tell someone even if they asked. She had noticed the look of unease cross over his face at this revelation. But he hadn't remarked further, just simply dropping the subject as quickly as it had been brought up.
It was the next morning when Crane had asked her on their first official date. The location was a surprise, but he had asked her to prepare for a formal dinner, to which Abbie felt a certain restlessness. Crane knew surprises were not her thing. It was giving up control… and that was not something that comforted her.
But as she got dressed for the evening, wearing a new red dress she had bought during lunch that day, she realized she was excited. More so than she thought she would be.
And when she had gotten home from work at 5:30pm, he was nowhere to be found. Instead, leaving a note on the counter asking for her presence on the front porch promptly at 7pm.
When she had put the finishing touches on her attire, she stepped outside and was floored.
In her driveway was a Mercedes CLK320. A car she had told Crane, early on in their partnership, was her most favorite. It was silver, beaming at her from front headlights to rear tires.
And standing next to it was Crane, dressed in a new suit much like the one he wore the night of her FBI gala but a little more "Crane-esque". He wore an embroidered vest underneath which clung to his body in a way that caused Abbie to blush.
She couldn't contain the shock on her face as he walked over to her, extending his arm out to take her hand.
"You look beautiful, Leftenant." He said as he kissed her hand ever so softly and helped her travel down the stairs.
"Crane… ", she said, still trying to surmise words to express what she felt at the moment.
"While I can't adorn you with this vehicle for a permanent while, it is ours for the evening. If that suits you?"
She laughed stiffly and smiled up at him. "Ummm… yeah. It does. And I don't even want to know how you remembered or whose car this actually is. I don't care. As long as it's ours for tonight."
He smiled and opened the car door for her, laughing to himself.
"That it is."
…...
Crane's surprise ended up being a reservation at one of the most sought after five star restaurants outside of West Chester County. An establishment called Northmans.
When they had pulled up, Abbie almost had a hard time believing he was being serious. Never setting foot in a restaurant as fancy as this, she looked over at Crane in astonishment.
"Crane… are you for real right now? I've heard the wait for this place is like 2 months… Not to mention an entree being almost that much in salary."
He smiled gently, getting out of the car and tipping the valet as he walked over to her side to open the door.
She got out, still looking at him a bit amazed.
"You are worth it." He said, following her inside and getting seated at a table far from prying eyes located in the remote right corner of the restaurant.
As the time progressed, Abbie found herself becoming more and more relaxed, sipping on her red wine and allowing Crane to control the flow of the conversation. He was in an inquisitive mood that evening. Asking questions about her likes and dislikes. Inquiring about her first few years on the police force and how she had risen above her peers to earn the rank of Leftenant.
It wasn't until they had almost finished their entrée's that the mood suddenly turned a bit more serious.
"You said something to me the other day that I have not been able to cast from my mind…", he said softly as he watched her take a sip from her red wine.
He watched as she looked upon him quizzically, willing him to go on.
"You said you wouldn't know what to tell anyone of our new 'relationship'".
Abbie sighed, pursing her lips.
"I fear you do not yet know how far you are willing to take this…", he said softly. "Do you still possess doubts of your feelings towards me?"
She looked down at his hands, which were nervously playing with his fork, and looked back up at him.
"No." She said convincingly. "I just…", she said as her voice trailed off.
"What is it, Leftenant?"
"What is the 'end game', Crane?" She said abruptly, her eyes showing fear and frustration. "Are we supposed to just ride off into the sunset together at the end of these seven years? Happy and content and live normal lives? Because our lives are nothing but normal. And every day we walk on this Earth is a day a monster or witch or demon could take one or both of us out.
"So whatever this is that I feel, no matter how strong I feel it… I know it's temporary." She stopped abruptly, closing her eyes and lowering her head. "People like me don't get happily ever after, Crane."
Silence enveloped them for seconds. Soon, she felt his hands reach across the table, pulling hers gently towards him as he stroked them.
"I want to make my intentions clear." He said, as her tearful eyes raised to meet his.
"Since the day that you told me you had feelings for me, I have not stopped imagining what the future might hold.
"I do not wish to merely court you. Or date you, only to break apart when things get tough. You are my partner, Grace Abigail Mills. A soul who has been destined with mine for over two centuries. My fellow witness, my dearest friend."
He paused, squeezing her hand tightly.
"And one day, I hope to have the honor of you being my wife."