Doe Hollow

Drunk In Love

"Get the fucking shit out of fucking town!" Hayley exclaimed, yanking Abby's left hand closer to her face to examine the ring.

"It was his grandmother's," Abby explained, breathlessly. "His mother gave it to him that morning to give to me when he was ready. He said once he had the ring in his hand he couldn't wait." Hayley stared at her cousin, jaw halfway to the floor, still holding Abby's arm at an uncomfortable angle.

"You're shitting me right now," Hayley replied, finally letting go of Abby's hand.

"I shit you not," Abby laughed. The cousins were perched on chairs at Hayley's kitchen table. Abby had come over to bring Hayley souvenirs she'd bought for her and Ricky, and to show off the ring and recount her trip to London. Hayley took a long swig of her coffee and sat back in her chair in stunned silence.

"He's good," she finally said in an excited tone. Abby grinned.

"Hayley, it was like a fucking movie, I swear to God," she gushed. Hayley chuckled.

"The river thing is killing me," Hayley said, waving her hands. "It's like your first date. Did he fucking plan that?"

"I don't know," Abby admitted. They giggled uncontrollably.

"What did your parents say?" Hayley asked eagerly, leaning forward with her elbows on the table.

"Well it was seven p.m. here, so I called right away and told them," Abby recounted. "Mama was crying, Daddy said he was happy for us, and AJ was just like 'called it.'" Hayley smirked.

"What about James' parents?" She asked. Hayley shook her head and laughed softly.

"They were happy, but they're not over the top like in our family. Even when we first got there they were perfectly calm and composed," she replied.

"That's so weird," Hayley laughed.

"I know right?" Abby agreed. They sighed in unison and Abby sipped her coffee.

"So what now?" Hayley asked. "Have you set a date?" Abby shrugged.

"Not yet," she answered, absently turning the ring in circles around her finger.

"More importantly, WHERE are you going to get married?" Hayley asked, rising from the table to refill her coffee. "Isn't James Catholic?" She added, returning the coffee pot to the machine.

"Yeah," Abby sighed. "I haven't really thought about it yet. I mean it's only been a week and I've been so excited." Hayley sat back down and gave Abby a sly look.

"And busy, I'm sure..." she insinuated. Abby rolled her eyes.

"So are you going to move to Louisville?" Hayley queried, blowing gently on the hot coffee. Abby stiffened.

"I hadn't even thought about that," she confessed, her eyes widening. Hayley gave her a sympathetic look.

"I'm sorry girl, I know I'm really prying here," she apologized. "This has to be getting overwhelming. I'm just so happy for you. And you have all the time you want to figure everything out." Abby smiled, relaxing a little.

"But you know I'm about to throw you a hellacious bachelorette party," Hayley added, grinning. Abby laughed.

"Oh trust me, I'm already dreading it," she joked.

"How are you feeling about your engagement?" Dr. Doss asked as Hayley sat in his office, lost in thought and habitually turning her engagement ring on her finger. Abby shook herself from her reverie and turned her attention to the doctor.