by Faith Gibson
“I’ll just leave you two alone,” he said, blushing. Abbi wondered what that was about.
“What exactly do you remember?” Frey asked as he sat on the bed next to her leg, taking her hand in his.
“I was at Debbie’s and Troy…” Abbi couldn’t say the words. Not to Frey. She turned her head and let the tears fall.
“Hey, look at me.” Frey touched his index finger to her chin and gently directed her face back to his. “You don’t have to tell me what you went through. I already know. I’m not talking about that, anyway. I want to know what you remember about me.” He brushed the tears off her cheek and placed kisses where his thumbs had wiped.
“You can fly. I was falling but you caught me. And you bit me. Is what Matthew said true? Are you special?”
Frey nodded. “I don’t know about special, but I am different.”
Abbi knew she’d seen fangs. “I knew it!”
Frey laughed, “What did you know?”
“I saw your fangs. When you had your nightmare, then again when we made love. I thought it was stress playing tricks on my mind, but I saw them, didn’t I? Can I see them now?” She was curious as to how he looked with them.
Frey picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles. When he lowered her hand away from his face, two sharp fangs protruded over his bottom lip. Abbi reached out to touch them. “Careful, Sweetheart. They’re really sharp.” Abbi tentatively touched one, making sure they were real. Before she realized it, they disappeared into his gums.
“What else is special? I want to see it all. The real you. That is the real you, isn’t it?” Abbi wanted to see Frey for what he really was. The medicine was probably giving her a little extra courage.
“Abbi, can it wait until we’re home? I promise, I’ll show you everything when you’re stronger,” he said wiggling his eyebrows. She laughed even though it hurt her face. “Seriously, though, there are things we need to talk about. Things that you probably aren’t ready for.”
“Frey, do you love me?” Abbi blurted out the only thing she needed to know.
“I do, Sweetheart. I know it’s soon, but I love you with everything I am.”
“That’s all I need to know.” She reached out, grabbing the front of his shirt and drew him in for a kiss. “Ouch,” she said as their lips touched. “Oh my god, my face! Frey, how can you look at me?” She covered her face with her hands.
He pulled her hands away and kissed her on the forehead. It must be the only spot that wasn’t bruised. “Because you’re beautiful. Always beautiful.”
“Mr. Frey!” Amelia’s little voice came from the door. A woman Abbi didn’t know was holding the girl’s hand.
“Come here, Little One.” Frey held his arms open, and Amelia ran to him. He picked her up and kissed her cheek. “Look who’s awake.”
The little girl blinked at Abbi. To be seven, she seemed much younger. Her eyes welled up with tears and she whispered, “I’m sorry.”
Frey shushed her, “I told you, nothing is your fault. Abbi’s going to be just fine. Her face looks a little funny now, just like Matthew’s, right?” Amelia looked from Frey to Abbi and nodded. “She’s going to come home in a few days, and you two will be dancing together before you know it.”
Abbi’s heart soared. Frey loved her, and he obviously loved Amelia. That poor child. Her mother was dead. Abbi didn’t want to think what would happen to her. If Abbi was in a better place financially, she’d adopt her.
“Is she going to come home with us? I want her to live in your big house, too.”
Abbi was stunned. “Frey, what’s going on?”
He didn’t answer. He motioned for the woman standing in the door. “Amelia, can you go with Isabelle so I can talk to Abbi?” The little girl hugged his neck, and he put her down. She stopped at the door and turned back, “I love you, Miss Quinn.”
“I love you, too, Sweet Pea.”
Frey’s brow dipped between his eyes. Whatever he was going to say was serious. “I’m adopting Amelia. I probably should have waited and talked to you about it, but I couldn’t wait. I needed to put the process in motion before the state came in and took her away. Abbi, I’m sorry if that bothers you. I know she’s Troy’s kid, and she’ll be a reminder of what kind of man he was every time you look at her. But she needs a good home, someone to love her and show her what a real family is. I want to give her that.”
“Geoffrey Hartley, I love you.”
“If it bothers you… wait, what did you say?”
“I said I love you. Yes, Troy brought her into the world, but instead of being a painful reminder, seeing her with you every day will be a loving reminder of how there are good men in the world.”
“Every day? Does that mean you want me?”
“Yes. You saved my life, in more ways than one. Since I can’t adopt her myself, I’d love to be part of your daughter’s life.”
“How about if we adopt her together? Are you willing to accept me for the different kind of male I am and be tied to me forever?”
The tether connecting them not only drew their souls together, but it tied itself in a knot she knew would never come undone. Abbi whispered, “Forever.”
Things around Frey’s house got back to normal. Not the previous normal he’d endured for almost six hundred years of living alone, but the normal of having a family and friends around constantly. Abbi came home from the hospital and immediately moved into Frey’s bedroom. She had some bad days when the memory of the rape and Debbie’s death wouldn’t leave her mind alone. She joined a support group full of those who had been through the same type of trauma she had.
Matthew’s injuries healed, and he began working at the gym. Sixx helped him study for his SAT’s which he passed with almost flying colors. Amelia settled into her new home, and after a few days, began to smile. She and Connor had play dates on the weekend. Even though the little boy was borderline genius, he absolutely adored Amelia and doted on her like crazy. He was teaching her to draw, and in her own cute way, she was teaching him to dance.
With Troy dead, all his assets were turned over to Abbi. He’d had several bank accounts where he’d stashed money over the years. The amount of cash was close to two-hundred thousand dollars. Since they were still officially married, it all went to Abbi. Sixx invested the cash for both Matthew’s and Amelia’s college fund. Abbi refused to step foot in her old house, so Frey hired a crew to go in, clean it out, and give all the belongings to charity. Abbi wanted absolutely nothing that reminded her of Troy with the exception of Amelia.
The car he had driven to the train yard belonged to his fellow officer, Grady Pine. Grady confessed that he arrived at the community center just as Troy abducted Abbi and texted him when the coast was clear. He was now on the other side of the badge, having been arrested for accessory to attempted murder. Being in lock-up at the Pen meant he might have been on the receiving end of an irate Goyle or two.
Abbi had finally gone back to work once her face was free of bruises. The fall festival had been postponed due to her absence but was now back on track. Frey continued to hang around the community center while she was teaching, but it was more for his enjoyment than her protection. He loved to see his woman dance. Rafael had completed her studio, and Frey was ready to show it to her.
Friday night, after they arrived home from her class, Matthew took Amelia into the living room to watch a kid’s movie. Frey picked Abbi up and carried her through the gym.
“Frey, what are you doing?” she laughed as she leaned back in his arms.
“I want to show you something.”
“But the kids…”
“Not that, you dirty woman.” He kissed her quickly. When they were on the far end of the room, he placed her on her feet with her back to the door. “I have a surprise for you.” He opened the door and turned her around.
Abbi walked into her brand new studio and froze. Her eyes were large as she took in the equipment and the details. While she walked to the middle of th
Before she could answer, a little voice yelled, “Say yes!” Amelia ran into the room and grabbed Abbi around her legs begging, “Please marry my daddy so you can be my mommy.”
Abbi knelt down in front of Frey and nodded, “Yes. I’ll marry you.” She leaned in and placed her lips to his. When she pulled back she smiled at the little girl. “And yes, I’ll be your mommy,” she said to Amelia as they all fell in a pile on the floor. They hadn’t told Amelia about their plans for Abbi to adopt her as well in case it didn’t go through. Now, there was nothing to worry about.
“Is this a private party?” Matthew asked from the door, smiling. Frey held his arm out and Matthew joined the group on the floor.
The wedding was a small gathering down by the lake. The weather was cool, but nobody cared. Frey stood with Victoria at the edge of the dock while he waited on Abbi. Frey had closed the gym early for the first time ever. He wanted his Clan there with him. Dante, Isabelle, and Jasper had helped set everything up while Connor and Amelia kept each other occupied inside. Chairs filled with their family lined the bank of the lake. White lights were strung through the trees, casting a magical glow. All of the local members of the Stone Society who weren’t off in Egypt were there. Sixx had a video feed set up, and Julian was streaming the ceremony on his laptop in Egypt.
The music started, and Frey held his breath. Abbi was already his mate. They had discussed all aspects of the Gargoyles, and he had shown her his true nature. He didn’t need this ceremony to know she was his, but he wanted it for her. He wanted her to have his last name and to be a Hartley in the eyes of the world. Amelia came down the dock first. Instead of wearing a dress, his daughter insisted she wear her pink tutu. She was adorable as she tossed the flowers around her. When his gaze reached the other end of the dock, his breath hitched. Matthew had been working out, and he wore his suit nicely. That wasn’t what had Frey choking up. Matthew had come to Frey asking if he could change his last name to Hartley so all four of them could be a real family. Frey went a step further and adopted him as well as Amelia. Frey now had a son.
The woman on his son’s arm was breathtaking. Literally. Her long blonde hair was swept up in some fancy hairdo that Frey couldn’t wait to untangle. Her dress was pale pink, soft and flowy. Perfect for a dancer. Matthew presented his sister to Frey and took his place beside him as best man. Amelia stood to Abbi’s left. Victoria performed the short ceremony, including both Matthew and Amelia in the vows Frey had written especially for all of them.
The reception had been set up in Abbi’s dance studio. When it came time for their first dance, Abbi held up her hand. “I have a surprise for my husband. Frey, if you would, please stand here.” She directed him to the middle of the floor. “I’ll be right back,” she said before disappearing into her changing room. Soon, the music started and Abbi returned wearing her toe shoes underneath her wedding dress. Frey stood immobile as his wife, his mate, danced all around him. He thought back to that first night he’d seen her dance. When he thought it was the most beautiful thing he’d ever witnessed, he’d been wrong. So very wrong.
This creature before him wasn’t Abigail Swanson. This exquisite woman was Abbi Hartley, and she was his. His beautiful dancer launched herself into the air, knowing he would catch her. He did. And he would. Every single time.
Epilogue
Abbi had never been so nervous in her life. She glanced in the mirror one more time, smoothing the soft material over her stomach. She allowed her hands to pause over the barely visible bump. Four months. For four months, she had willed her body to be strong. For four months, she had not been sick. For four months, she had hidden this little tidbit of enormous news from her husband. She had never successfully carried a baby past the first trimester. This time she had. This time, she had a good feeling about the little miracle growing in her stomach. She would tell her husband, soon. Frey was a worrier. A very protective sort of Gargoyle, but Abbi had learned that was part of being what they were- Alpha male, badass Amazons who protected their mates and family above all else.
“You’re on in five,” the production assistant announced. Abbi took one last look at her reflection and fitted her tutu on over her baby. At Frey’s urging, Abbi had quit teaching school and had begun teaching dance full time. She kept her classes at the community center and added classes at the gym during the day while Amelia was in school.
She had come a long way since high school. Even though this was a limited engagement, she was finally going to dance on stage with the New Atlanta Ballet Company. Abbi had been approached to fill in when both the principal dancer and her understudy had fallen ill. She’d had little time to practice, but she felt good about her abilities. Now, she would see just how good she was. She waited until she heard the music cue and took her place on the stage. She knew Frey, Amelia, and Matthew were sitting in the front row. Others in the Clan were there as well. It warmed her heart to be part of such a large, wonderful family. Knowing they were all in the audience helped calm her nerves. She blocked out everything but the music and allowed it to fill her senses completely.
Before she knew it, her dance was over, and the roar of the audience was deafening. The lights came up, and to her disbelief, everyone was on their feet. Just like in high school, the boy of her dreams was standing at the stage with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. Unlike in high school, Abbi knew the man of her dreams was indeed a reality as he stood smiling up at her with Amelia and Matthew by his side.
The week flew by, and Abbi brought the house down every night. On the final evening, Matthew had stayed home with Amelia, and Frey was in her dressing room, acting as her personal security guard. At least that’s what he claimed. Dancing turned her male on. There was a knock on the door, and the director of the Ballet entered, oblivious to what he’d almost interrupted. “Abigail, you were marvelous! I would like to extend an offer to you. We would be delighted if you would join our company.”
Frey picked her up and swung her around. “Abbi, this is great, Sweetheart!”
She wrapped her arms around his neck, hanging on for dear life. When he sat her on her feet, she told the director, “It is a wonderful opportunity, and I sincerely appreciate the offer, but I must decline. I have a family to raise.”
The director took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles. A low growl came from Frey, and Abbi had to laugh. “It has been an honor. If you should change your mind, please give us a call.” The man bowed and left them alone.
“You are so bad,” she said, smacking Frey on the arm.
“I don’t like anyone touching you. You’re mine. All mine. I can’t wait to get you out of this tutu. Have I told you how sexy you are in pink?” he asked as he bent down and nibbled on her neck. When Abbi let out a moan, Frey was lost. He ripped the frilly skirt from her body and pointed at her leotard. “Take it off. Now.” He stalked to the door and locked it. By the time he was back, Abbi was naked. Frey didn’t bother removing his clothes. He unzipped his pants, releasing his erection. He grabbed Abbi’s ass in both hands and lifted her. She immediately wrapped her legs around his waist. With the swipe of his arm, he cleared the dressing table, placing Abbi on it.
She leaned her back against the mirror as Frey grabbed his cock and directed it to Abbi’s opening. She was slick and ready for him. She was always ready, always wet for her Amazon. He slid home and pushed her knees up, opening her body further for him. Abbi cupped her sensitive breasts. She rolled her nipples between her fingers, sending an extra spark down to her core. Frey had shown Abbi how good sex could be when you had love between you. She had no inhibitions when it came to making love. If it felt good, they did it, and right now, it felt fantastic.
“Oh gods, Abbi, I love how you grip me…feels so good.”
“Pick me up, Frey,” Abbi commanded. She wanted to be closer. “I want to feel you,” she moaned as he drew her body to his, her bare breasts rubbing against the jacket of his suit while his dick thrust into her pussy. Abbi wrapped her arms around his neck and found his mouth. Frey could make her come by kissing alone. She bit his bottom lip, “Frey… god, oh…god yes…” She latched on to his mouth again.
“Abbi…gods fuck.” He was close.
“Bite me, Baby, please, oh god, Frey,” she begged as she offered her neck to him. It wasn’t something she did often, but every once in a while, she needed the pain of his fangs as they latched on to her skin.
With a deep growl, Frey allowed his fangs to drop, and he gave her what she wanted. They came together with Abbi yelling his name and Frey’s release muffled in the curve of her shoulder. He held her steady while she pulsed around him. When the aftershocks subsided, Frey licked her neck where he bit her and gently lowered her to her feet. “Fuck, woman,” Frey breathed against her ear. Yeah, she felt it, too.
As Abbi found her clothes and dressed, she told him, “I’m ready to be home. I have a surprise for you.” Abbi was ready to give Frey the good news.
“Surprise, what kind of surprise?” he asked as he tucked himself into his dress pants and zipped up.
“You’ll have to wait and see. Please grab the flowers.” Frey picked up the bouquet he’d brought. The rest of the flowers Abbi had given to the other dancers. She appreciated them all, but she only wanted to keep the ones from her husband.
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