THE NEXT DAY: 1PP

Everything felt off the next day.

Abigail kept thinking the Commissioner was in his office and she even walked into it for the morning meeting before remembering that he was out of town.

She bumped into Lt. Gormley on her way out and he shook his head laughing.

"You too?"

She joined in laughing with him. "Yep Sid. I forgot as well."

His face turned serious for a moment. "I'm so happy for you two. You know…the Boss was uh…kind of down for a little while. You know how the job can be for him."

Abigail nodded understandingly. It had taken quite a toll on Frank the last few years.

"Anyway, I'm just glad you two found each other. You're really good for him."

"Why Sid, who knew you were such a softie," she teased him.

"Ahhh…well you know." He grinned sheepishly and Abigail couldn't help but give him a side hug with her one good arm.

THAT EVENING

The day had dragged on feeling quite boring really without the Commissioner there.

Abigail had found herself staring into space several times during the day and dreading a bit the interaction she was facing now with Erin.

Thank goodness, Det. Anthony Abetemarco had surprisingly shown up with Erin, offering to be a "referee" just in case.

Abigail couldn't help but like Anthony. He was like a big friendly teddy bear. And he seemed to tone down Erin's "rough edges".

They had been in and out of several bridal stores in Manhattan. Erin seemed to have something negative to say about every dress Abigail had somewhat liked.

And of course she had hated the ones Erin suggested. They were like oil and water.

"I'm just trying to help you look your best on your big day," Erin said huffily after Abigail had refused the latest selection off the rack picked by Erin.

It was a hideous puffy sleeved white billowing dress. Abigail about gagged when she showed it to her.

"I'm sorry, I just wouldn't be caught dead in this," Abigail muttered.

"Well I never!" Erin started.

"Heyy! I think it's pizza time!" Anthony butted in feeling the tension rising between the women.

Abigail sighed and nodded. That sounded like a great idea. Then suddenly she saw a beautiful, slim fit, floor length white gown on the rack.

Holding it up she instantly knew.

It was perfect.

Sleeveless, shimmery, without all the gaudy stuff tacked on to it.

Erin had been helping her in the dressing room as she was still handicapped with her arm in a sling.

She held it up, "One more to try on."

Erin looked at it and for once didn't immediately object with some reason why it wasn't any good.

She raised an eyebrow and followed Abigail to the dressing room.

Anthony parked himself outside the dressing room with the sports pages as they went in.

As they were trying to gingerly get Abigail into the dress, she suddenly felt brave enough to pose a question to Erin.

"So uh…what's up with you and Anthony?"

Erin immediately turned beet red and took a step back.

"What do you mean?" she said, her voice about two octaves too high.

Abigail restrained herself to keep from laughing. It was obvious that Erin was in denial.

"I mean, the looks you two give each other. How you spend all your free time together. How you light up when he enters the room…" she trailed off watching Erin's reaction.

Erin took a deep breath, looking off.

"I don't know…we're just friends."

"Uh huh…and…"

"And nothing. I mean, it's not like he's Jack," she said referencing her ex-husband. They seemed to be in a constant on-again and off-again relationship.

"No he's not. And isn't that a good thing? I mean correct me if I'm wrong, but Jack seems to be around when times are good. But when reality hits, or things get hard, he tends to take off. And Anthony is always there for you."

Abigail slipped her arm into the dress and pulled it down admiring it in the floor length mirror.

Erin was quiet for a moment and Abigail turned around to face her.

"You know Erin, Anthony would take a bullet for you. And I mean that in the most literal way possible."

Erin's face softened as she thought of her loveable best friend.

"I know," she said quietly.

She studied Abigail in her dress and finally agreed with her, "You know, I think that's the one. It looks really nice on you."

Abigail smiled broadly as she had thought the same thing.

"So, you gonna make the moves on Anthony or what?"

Erin laughed. "I mean, we are just…we are so different. He probably thinks he's "out of my league" or whatever. And I can be high-maintenance."

"But you've thought about you two…together?" Abigail smiled slyly at her.

Erin's face turned red again. "No! I mean…well maybe."

"Just something to think about…" Abigail trailed off.

"Well, all right…how did you know? You and my Father? I mean, you can spare me the sordid details but how did that happen?"

Abigail suddenly felt like the shoe was on the other foot and blushed herself.

"Well, I um…I had no idea of anything. Until I had this dream…"

Erin's eyes widened, "Oh really? Wait, what kind of dream?"

Abigail was blushing furiously now. She had never expected to open up to Erin like this. Especially about the dream.

"Um, well you know…" she trailed off and it was Erin's turn to laugh.

"I get the idea. So wait, how did things actually happen? You told him?"

"Um yes, he got it out of me. I was acting strange all day and he basically forced it out of me."

Erin nodded with understanding, "Oh yeah. He can be like that sometimes."

Abigail shrugged, "So uh apparently he was keen on the idea too. I mean…he kissed me first."

God this is embarrassing, she thought, telling Erin of all people. But she wasn't completely grossed out so that was reassuring.

Erin looked shocked for a moment but regained her composure. "Ah I see."

Their bonding moment was interrupted when they heard Anthony bellowing on the other side of the dressing room door.

"Hey everything ok in there?"

"Yes!" they said in unison and Abigail stepped out to show him the dress.

"Oh wow. Beautiful Abigail. He'll love it." He gave her a thumbs up as he admired her stunning dress.

PIZZA TIME

"My only weakness

You know all my secrets

I can't stop loving you (I can't stop loving you)

Your kiss is the sweetest

You look like magic

One touch and I've had it

I can't stop wanting you (I can't stop wanting you)"

"Reignite" Knox Brown & Gallant

They had followed Anthony to a local pizza joint that he raved about. Being Italian, Abigail felt that, she could trust his judgment.

True to his word the pizza was to die for. Deliciously cheesy with huge New York style slices.

Abigail watched the interaction between Anthony and Erin and was instantly satisfied that she had called it.

As opposite as they were, they went together.

Erin had pizza sauce on her chin and without thinking, Anthony was dabbing her face with a napkin.

Erin laughed and the admiring look she gave Anthony made Abigail suddenly miss her own man.

As if on cue, the door to the pizza joint opened and in walked Commissioner Frank Reagan and his head of security, Jim.

Abigail couldn't contain her excitement and jumped out of her chair.

He was wearing his tinted shades and dressed in his navy 3-piece suit with a red, white, and blue tie.

He looked sharp and incredibly handsome. That air of authority around him.

He pocketed his shades and Abigail found herself running to the front of the restaurant practically barreling him over as she ran into his arms.

"Ooof, hey" He murmured as she practically knocked him over.

Appearances be damned. She didn't care. She was too happy to see him.

Not caring that she was in a public place, not caring that his daughter was seated behind them in the restaurant, she wrapped her right arm around his neck and firmly brought his mouth down to hers.

Their brief kiss was electrifying and Abigail felt a tingle to her toes.

"Abigail," he murmured as he pulled her gently back.

This time it was the Commissioner's turn to blush as he looked around at the gawking patrons.

She grinned up at him, "I'm sorry Sir. I couldn't help myself."

He chuckled, "Apparently not."

Erin watched from a distance the spark of attraction between Abigail and her father. She understood better now.

Just like what Abigail had been talking about earlier. She could see the telltale signs between those two.

Her father lit up when he saw her.

She looked over at Anthony and he raised a bemused eyebrow at her.

The Commissioner followed Abigail to their table at the back of the pizza joint and Abigail caught Erin's gaze. She and Anthony were laughing together.

Seated a bit closer to each other than before too, she noticed with a smirk.

A/N: Sorry for the gap between updates. As I mentioned I've gotten back into acting and was shooting in California and then Chicago the following weekend. I actually got down to LA too and was able to visit Tom Selleck's Hollywood Walk of Fame star :) Its been a blast but glad to be writing again! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and special guest, Anthony! I've always felt like him and Erin would make a cute couple. Maybe it's just me LOL.