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Post by lkaljk (Ebba) on Aug 12, 2008 19:31:08 GMT 10
Love it !
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Post by *Natalie* on Aug 13, 2008 2:10:13 GMT 10
Loved the update Joe's a little smarty lol xxx
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Post by larue on Aug 17, 2008 4:44:56 GMT 10
It was well past three in the morning when she finished her shift, the necessary charting and made it home again. She locked the front door, turned off the small light that had been left on for her in the living room and dragged herself up the stairs. It had been a rough shift. The meeting before hand had been a little grueling as well. Nadine had begged her again to be a sponsor. She peeked into Joe’s room and smiled softly at the sight of him spread eagled on his bed, softly snoring. She went in to adjust the covers over him and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. She made her way to the bathroom and turned the water on in the shower. Just ten minutes later she was wrapped in her robe and was drying her hair with a thick towel. She hung the damp towel on it’s bar and ran a comb through her still damp hair. She flipped off the light and opened the door to their bedroom. The bedside light was still on and she peeked inside.
He was stretched out on top of the bed spread in sweat pants and a stark white tee shirt. His shoulders were propped up on a pile of pillows and she leaned against the door jamb for a moment watching him sleep. His long, lanky legs were crossed at his ankles. His dark hair drifted across his forehead and his dark lashes slashed his angular cheek bones. A shadow of a beard graced his cheeks and chin and his lips were slightly parted as he breathed slow and still. He was so relaxed in sleep. So peaceful. Her heart did a flip flop in her chest and she took a deep breath. She still thought about how she had almost lost him. Lost all of this. She frowned curiously as she noticed his hand resting on top of a book. She eased herself carefully onto the bed and straightened the robe she wore around her. She glanced at his face next to her and carefully pulled the book from under his fingers. She turned the pages noiselessly and a smile began to creep across her face. There were beautifully scrapbooked pages of pictures. Obviously of Ruthie. Baby pictures. Pictures with a young woman who was obviously her mother. Of a young man who was obviously her dad. And then toddler pictures of just Ruthie. Dressed for her first day of Kindergarten with her grandmother nuzzling her face. A small school picture of a wide smiling first grader with two missing front teeth. She looked over as Luka stirred.
“Hey….” He murmured as he slipped a hand to the back of her neck.
“Hey…” She smiled and leaned forward to kiss him. “Waiting up for me?”
“Mmmm hmmm,” Luka chuckled softly. He stretched his legs and arched his back a bit. Abby lifted the book in her hands.
“Where did this come from?”
“A friend of her grandmother’s sent it to her. There were some other things too. Ruthie asked her to keep them till she knew where she was going to…end up.” Abby was flipping through the pages again and shifted her shoulders as his long fingers massaged her neck.
“You said it was a rough shift on the phone.” Abby nodded slightly, not taking her eyes off the pictures in the book.
“She was a cute little girl…..” she said softly. Luka nodded and then slowly slipped his hand from her neck to her back. He pulled it free and then laced his fingers together behind his head.
“I…uh…I have to apologize about something and I don’t know how to do it.” Abby frowned and turned to look at him.
“I thought we decided that we wouldn’t need to do that any more,” she said. “Apologize, I mean.” Luka suppressed a smile and reached out to cup his hand at the crook of her neck. Abby tipped her cheek rest it on his warm hand, not taking her eyes from his face. He took a deep breath.
“It’s about her,” he said as his eyes shifted to Ruthie’s scrapbook. “I…uh….couldn’t figure why you have been so….intent… on keeping her here. I…uh…thought that maybe…um….”
“What?” Abby straightened in confusion and took his hand in hers. “Tell me….” Luka looked away and sighed again.
“I thought maybe she was yours, Abby,” he said quickly.
“My…what?” Luka looked at her again and grimaced. Abby studied him and then her eyes widened in realization.
“You thought she was my daughter?”
“She looks like you,” he said quietly. “She moves her hands like you. Shit. She even laughs like you do.” Luka picked up the scrapbook again and flipped it open to the first page.
“And then I saw this,” he said. “She’s not yours. Not at all.”
“And so you thought I would keep it from you if she were?” Luka shrugged and studied the picture. Abby waited a moment and then took the book from him. She put her hands on the sides of his face and turned him to her again.
“Joe is the only baby I have ever had,” she said softly. “And you…are the only man I have ever even wanted to have a baby with. I promise.” Luka studied her for a moment and then grinned slyly.
“Okay?” she said.
“Okay….” He nodded. She leaned forward and kissed him. Luka’s hand slipped to her shoulders and he held her closer as their kiss deepened.
“You do have to make it up to her though, you know,” Abby said as she pulled away. “You’ve been kind of…different…with her.”
“So what do I do?” he asked as she climbed off the bed to shed her robe and slip into pajama pants and a cami.
“You’re off tomorrow,’ Abby said. “Take her someplace special for the day. Maybe shopping or something.”
“Shopping with a teenager?” Luka groaned. “That’s torture….”
“Serves you right,” Abby chuckled as he stood up to help pull back the covers on the bed. “How could you even think that…I…could be the mother of a teenager?” Luka laughed and pulled her into his arms under the goose down coverlet. He switched off the light and sighed as she snuggled her back against him and laced her fingers in his. He nuzzled her neck carefully, pressing soft languishing kisses to the clean smelling skin there.
“Luka….” she sighed wearily. “I’m exhausted.”
“So, go to sleep.” Abby turned to face him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“You are so going to pay for this,” she said sternly as she pressed her hips into his.
“I am looking forward to it,” he chortled and claimed her mouth with his own.
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justcala
Countess of Luby
Penny for your thoughts...
Posts: 184
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Post by justcala on Aug 17, 2008 6:10:33 GMT 10
I'm loving this fic! Keep i going!
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Post by lkaljk (Ebba) on Aug 17, 2008 6:15:18 GMT 10
[glow=green,2,300]I love it !!
Keep Going ![/glow]
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Post by suzanne on Aug 17, 2008 6:50:13 GMT 10
Love it!! Luka going shopping with a teenage girl, should be fun!! Keep going, update soon!!
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Post by *Natalie* on Aug 17, 2008 21:43:36 GMT 10
Great update
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Post by larue on Aug 19, 2008 0:41:24 GMT 10
They were gone when she woke up and it was just as well. She had errands to run and planned to meet Nadine and another of the AA clients. It was someone in need of a temporary sponsor. She had agreed to do it somewhat reluctantly. It had been barely a year since she’d left rehab herself. She was still a little wary of the spiritual aspects to share them with someone else. She really didn’t have much time she was willing to share either but it was someone who worked at the hospital so the proximity would be close. She was worried about becoming overwhelmed. And there was the issue of Ruthie. That was always at the back of her mind. Joe loved her. She made things so easy for them around the house. And she was smart. As much as she complained about her school work she had carried off every class with an ‘A’…..on her own. And she was fun. Sometimes it was nice just to have another female around to talk to…to laugh with. She had never really had that before. Luka’s confession from the night before had stunned her. Why hadn’t he talked to her earlier? He had made himself miserable over nothing. Hadn’t he? And they were supposed to be talking to one another. Weren’t they? Something smelled wonderful when she let herself into the house. It was warm and spicy. She took a deep breath and sighed. She carried her grocery bag to the kitchen and found Ruthie slipping a pan of lasagna from the oven.
“Wow,” she said as she set the bag on the counter. “Home made tonight?” Ruthie chuckled and shook her head.
“Not exactly.”
“So what did you guys do today?” Ruthie looked at her forlornly and Abby frowned worriedly. She sighed heavily as realization flooded her brain.
“He didn’t,” she said.
“Quack…” Ruthie sighed as she rolled her eyes.
“He took you on the Duck Tour.” Ruthie leaned over and slid a pan of bread into the oven. Abby ran her fingers through her hair impatiently and glanced up at the ceiling.
“Luka Kovac!” she called out sharply. She hurried out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
“Something wrong?” Luka stuck his head out of the bathroom door. Abby stopped in her tracks and frowned at him.
“I thought I told you to do something fun with her.” Luka frowned in confusion.
“You took a fifteen year old girl on the Duck Tour?” He grimaced.
“It was fine,” he said. “We had a great time.” Abby leaned against the wall in the hall.
“Oh, I bet you just loved it,” she said. “Quacking all over Boston in an amphibious …vehicle." Luka’s head disappeared back into the bathroom.
“Hey. you did it!” he said happily. “Good job, Joe.”
“What are you two doing in there?” She moved to peer around the door jamb. Luka was adjusting the band on Joe’s jean shorts as the little boy stood on a stool in front of the toilet. Joe turned round eyes up to hers and pointed into the toilet where a square of toilet paper floated near the bottom.
“I sinks the boat!” he said.
“And it was a standing up job too,” Luka nodded with a grin. Abby rolled her eyes and lifted the little boy into her arms.
“Where do you come up with this stuff?" Luka grinned and shrugged.
"My baby is growing up,” she sighed as she nuzzled the little boy's neck. Joe giggled and squirmed in her arms till she let him down. He dragged the stool to the sink and used the soap dispenser as Luka turned on the water. She leaned against the door and grinned as Luka and Joe sang a little song while he washed his hands. Luka’s eyes met hers and he grinned. She reached for the towel and handed it to Joe so he could dry his hands. They all looked up as the doorbell rang.
“Were you expecting someone?” Abby asked. Luka shook his head.
“It might be one of Ruthie’s friends.”
“I can git it!” Joe cried as he raced out of the bathroom and down the hall.
“Joe!” Abby cried as she tried to catch him. “Be careful of the stairs!” The little boy giggled and wiggled out of her reach. Abby laughed as she chased him.
“I’ll get you now, you little stinker!” Joe clung to the banister as he hopped down the steps with Abby close behind him. She swept him up in her arms as they both reached the landing and blew a raspberry on his bared tummy. Joe shrieked with laughter and wrapped his arms around his belly.
“No, Mommy!” he cried. Abby laughed and blew a second one as Luka came down the steps.
“Maggie?” She stopped and turned to the open front door. Ruthie was carrying in a suitcase as Maggie took off the light jacket she was wearing.
“Mom…” Abby shifted the little boy in her arms. “You weren’t supposed to be here till next week.”
“Well, hello to you too, Abby,” Maggie chuckled. She moved forward and kissed Abby’s cheek as she pressed a hand to Joe’s head.
“Hey, you sweet little man.” Maggie kissed Joe and lifted a hand to wave to Luka. “We had to switch our vacations around because someone had a family issue and I tried to call you but then I thought it might be better to just surprise you. So…surprise!” She turned her attention back to the little boy in Abby’s arms.
“Do you have a hug somewhere for your Grandma?” Joe cringed away from her and snuggled back in Abby’s arms.
“Joe!” Abby scolded laughingly as she kissed the top of his head. “This is your Grandma. You talk to her on the phone, remember?” Maggie’s smile widened a bit as she patted him.
“Aw, it’s okay,” she said. “It’ll take a little while for him to get to know me again, that’s all.” She looked back at Abby’s stunned face and chuckled.
“This is all right, isn’t it?” she asked. “To come a few days early?” Abby shook her head.
“Well, yeah but…”she shifted Joe to her hip. “Well, I took on some extra shifts next week so I could have some time off while you were here.”
“Oh honey, that’s sweet of you,” Maggie sighed. “But you know I’m not really here to see you, right?” Abby rolled her eyes. Maggie inched closer, her eyes on Joe.
“No, no, no…” she said as she reached a finger toward her grandson. “I’m here to see this little guy and we’re going to go to the park and feed the ducks and ride the trains and….” Joe’s smile widened shyly and then he reached out to wrap his arms around Maggie’s neck.
“Oh…there you go, sweetie,” Maggie chuckled as Abby handed Joe to her. “See? It just took a minute for you to remember your old Grandma, right?” Maggie turned and headed toward the couch with Joe wrapped in her arms. Abby watched them and then shook her head.
“He is so fickle,” she murmured. Luka chuckled and rested a hand on her shoulder. Abby reached up to take his hand as they watched Joe with Maggie.
“Well…” Ruthie said brightly. “Dinner’s ready. I was just setting the table. I need to get another plate.”
“I’ll help you finish,” Abby sighed. “I’ve got nothing better to do……” Ruthie laughed as Abby followed her toward the kitchen. Maggie looked up at Luka with a huge smile.
“My god, he is so beautiful!” she laughed and hugged Joe again. Luka chuckled and then nodded satisfactorily.
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Post by lkaljk (Ebba) on Aug 19, 2008 2:21:12 GMT 10
Perfect !
Keep going
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Post by *Natalie* on Aug 19, 2008 3:12:38 GMT 10
Great update xx
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Post by abbysinthe on Aug 19, 2008 12:58:12 GMT 10
This is certainly one of the best-written fics on this board, so well done. My only real criticisms are that, first, I cannot buy Luka thinking that Ruthie belonged to Abby, especially after knowing her for so long and knowing her fear of having a child. Presumably, Luka would know that Abby had an abortion when she was married to Richard - so it would be a bit far-fetched for him to think that she'd hid another pregnancy and a child from him, let alone believe that she would have gone through with having a baby. Second, I do have to say that the visit from Maggie was a bit abrupt, and seemed to clutter an otherwise focused story. Given, however, that I cannot foresee your idea for the arc, that's largely a personal opinion.
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Post by suzanne on Aug 19, 2008 19:02:29 GMT 10
Love it!! Especially Luka taking Ruthie to the duck thing!! And Abby giving out to him for it, classic!!! Keep going!!
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Post by Izzy on Aug 19, 2008 21:57:46 GMT 10
Yehhh... I'm so glad that Maggie is also in your story! My relatives tend to show up when you least expect them! Luka is so cute that he went on the tour with them!
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-SAN.
Duchess of Luby
"Undone"
Posts: 394
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Post by -SAN. on Aug 21, 2008 19:56:06 GMT 10
I think this is well done - but I do agree that Luka thinking Abby would hide a teenage daughter from him was jarring to read. i'm not surprised Maggie showed up early, but I don't yet see what purpose her early arrival has to do with the story. I'm sure you'll clear that up though.
You depict very well how much Luka and Abby love each other, and convey their sexual attraction very well while leaving the details to our imaginations. I like that, especially considering we have younger members here who may be reading this fanfic.
You're a good writer overall, in my opinion; you're moving logically from scene to scene, and filling in details, mostly showing me the story rather than TELLING me the story, which I appreciate! lol.
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Post by larue on Aug 22, 2008 22:34:43 GMT 10
Actually I wanted it to be jarring. I wanted it to be a means of showing that their security together is still a tad tremulous. More to come though.
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