Abe Sapien and the Witch

Chapter 38

Chapter thirty- eight

Nobody spoke for what seemed like an age, though the silence lasted for four of five seconds at the most. Abe could only think about how she was finally here with him and how happy she made him. Stepping forward, he took her chin between his fingers in a gentle movement. Leaning close, he pressed his lips against hers with a soft kiss.

"I love you..." he said, looking into her fearful eyes, "and as unexpected as this all is, it does not change anything. I will love the both of you with as much love that is in my heart, for as long as I may live."

She gasped, taken back by his words. Studying his face, she reached a hand to his cheek. "You would say that about Laufeys child?"

Abe stepped back to pull his breathing apparatus off, letting it fall to the floor as he tugged the gloves away from his fingers. "May I?" he asked, holding a hand up in front of her. She placed her hand in his, and his eyes closed for a moment. "Laufey might have fathered her..." he said after a moment, easing her closer to him, "but I will be her daddy."

Liz, Red and Johann jumped to life at that, rushing forward to clap her on the back, while Red gave Abe a fake punch in the shoulder, "Well, whoda thought you'd have a daughter some day?" he asked, shaking his head, "I think we need to celebrate with some beers!"

"Perhaps another night, Red..." he answered, ever polite, "I think there is much catching up to do, for us." Red laughed and hooked Liz around the waist. "Fair point, buddy! C'mon you guys, let's leave these two alone already!"

Once they were gone, she looked to Abe in disbelief. "Abe, wait, are you really alright with this? Everyone just...acted like this is all okay. I don't know what I expected, but..."

"They are your friends. I am your partner, and we all love you so very much. I can't describe how much I've missed you, there are simply no words... We want you here with us. I need you with me, and if that baby is a part of you, then we all want her here with us too."

"I just don't know what to say..." she said, relief and tiredness catching up with her as she leaned close to Abe, resting her head against his chest.

He picked her up, kicking the library door open with a gentle thud on his way out so that he could carry her as far as his bedroom. As usual, his door was unlocked and he kicked it closed behind him, amused as she started to laugh at him. "What must we look like?" she said, as he lowered her to let her stand.

"We look like us," he said, smiling as he walked towards his wardrobe. "I kept this right here for you..." he said, pulling out a hanger with her favourite teddy-bear nightie hanging from it. "Oh, Abe!" She said, laughing now at how serious he looked as he held it aloft.

He hung it back on the rod and came closer to her, turning her around with a gentle touch on her shoulders. "Let me help you."

Her hands went to her chest for a moment, hesitant, but she remembered that this was Abe, not Laufey. She stood still as he undid the heavy purple robe, then opened the buttons at the back of her dress with dexterous fingers. She stood in her bra and underwear, raising her arms to help while he pulled the fabric over her head and away. He paused for a moment to look at her.

Her stomach was rounded, there was no doubt about it, though it wasn't yet large enough to be deemed an 'obvious' bump. She looked frail, pale and gaunt with dark bruises scattered across her body. He swallowed down his anger and tucked a strand of her short hair behind her ear. "I do have a shower back there, I rarely use it of course- would you like to wash yourself?" he asked, conscious that after the nights fray, she might wish to clean herself.

She nodded, and he went into the small water room to turn on the shower. Once the area began to steam up a bit, he called her in. He was only wearing his usual black shorts by now, very comfortable near the water and he smiled as she stepped in, shy now as she stood before him, naked.

"Come, I'll wash your back for you," he said, and she stepped towards him, sighing as the hot water hit her skin. "This is just what I needed, thank you..." she said, letting out an appreciative hum as he lathered her back with suds, massaging her muscles with expert fingers.

He didn't mention the scars that he found there, ones that had not been there over four months ago. He let the thought drift from his mind as hers mingled with his, and he found himself smiling as he helped her to bathe.

Finally, she was home where she belonged, with him.