Chapter 43: Decisions

There was a lull of peace in their household now. Abigail wasn’t sure exactly how it had happened, or how long it was going to last, but she was grateful for it while it was here.

Charlotte hadn’t gone with them in to work again, not since she’d caused the disruption to Olivia’s schedule that cost the company ten million, and Adam had banned her from setting foot on the company grounds.

It hadn’t really affected the company that much, financially, since Abigail’s unintended information had garnered the company ten times that amount in the same time. But it had been embarrassing to Adam, and that had been where the blow had been felt the worst.

Charlotte liked company and the attention it brought, and she very quickly learnt that Abigail, Adam and Olivia had just started leaving the room she was in whenever she made drama. So she had taken to passing small comments, and leaving the major things alone.

Olivia had warned her that her mother was only ever still for a short period of time, and then she would forget her reprimand, and start all over again.

Abigail’s relationship with her sister had been getting slowly better over time. It started out as possibly a trauma bond, just the both of them trying to survive being hurt by Charlotte again, but it had quickly evolved into something slightly stronger.

Now, they actually spoke over meals. About their respective work in the company, about other, casual things. Abigail knew it would be slow going, but she had the endurance to make this work.

With her father, Abigail tried to keep it work related. She wasn’t sure she wanted to be in a position of weakness with him, and caring about him and wanting to please him, had put her there the first time. So she would settle for what she had.

Besides, she had better things to focus on.

Mark was taking her somewhere that he wanted to be a surprise. He had said those words specifically to Abigail, again and again, as he had talked with her on the phone. All he asked was that she dress up in smart casual and be very comfortable.

Abigail had agreed. She’d agonized over what smart casual exactly meant, and then given up and gone to Olivia for help.

Olivia had squealed in happiness that Abigail was going on a date, stating over and over again how happy she was for her sister, and just how incredibly happy she was that it wasn’t with Lyall. And Olivia immediately pulled her sister into her own closet, and offered Abigail some of Olivia’s own clothing.

Abigail was just a little salty. Her wardrobe looked like a poor person’s compared to her younger sister's. Then she remembered herself, and was just grateful.

Olivia gave her a pair of black jeans so smart Abigail was almost sure she’d seen Olivia in them at work. She then gave her a blouse to tuck in and a heavy sweater over.

Mark picked her up and gave her what was easily the best day of her life so far. They took a drive along the coast, then had fish and chips for lunch on the beach, and then Mark took her to the top of the mountain.

“I want you to see the sun setting at the exact most beautiful moment,” Mark told her, turning her away from the sun. “So only when I say, can you turn around?”

Abigail thought Mark was making this a bit more dramatic than needed to be, and she told him so.

“Trust me,” Mark told her, standing behind her now, presumably watching the sunset he wasn’t letting her watch. “When the sun hits the water at the right moment, you want that to be the first thing you see. It’s absolutely amazing.”

“Alright, aright,” Abigail answered, “I trust you.”

“Okay,” Mark said, and his voice sounded slightly lower down.

Was he sitting? Was he sitting watching the sunset and she was standing here, on the mountain, with her back to the amazing view? Abigail reminded herself to remain calm.

“You can turn around now,” Mark said softly.

“Finally,” Abigail huffed, unfolding her arms, and turning around to the most beautiful sunset she had ever seen.

And found Mark, kneeling down in front of her.

“Oh god,” Abigail gasped, seeing the ring he held in his hand.

“Abigail,” Mark began, his voice a wave of emotion. “I know I’ve only known you for a few months. But these have been the most amazing, eye-opening and valuable few months of my life. And those few days not being able to hear your voice was the most agonizing. I know that I need you in the rest of my life.”

Abigail listened in stunned silence as he spoke, the sunset reflecting off the ring, making it look like the most beautiful gemstone she had ever see.

“Abigail,” Mark said again. “Will you marry me?”

Abigail was completely at a loss for words, and found she could only manage one.

“Yes,” she nodded, tears streaming down her face. “Yes, yes, yes.”

Mark stood, slipped the ring on her finger in a fluid motion, and scooped her into his arms.

They held on to each other for the longest moment, before pulling apart. Abigail lost track of how many times they told each other ‘I love you’, she lost count of how many kisses passed between them.

“Mark,” Abigail said, her voice and tone all serious. “I love you, and I want to marry you. But there’s something you need to do first.”

Mark swallowed hard, looking apprehensive, “What is it?” he asked.

“You need to speak to my mother,” Abigail told him, a small smile on her face.

______________________________________

The next morning, Abigail arrived at her mother’s apartment, letting both her and Mark in with the key her mother had given her. Abigail squeezed Mark’s hand as she lead him through the house.

She found her mother in the kitchen, preparing a tomato sauce for a pizza. Her mother, since having so much time on her hands, and a sudden abundance of funds for ingredients, had taken to cooking. And discovered she was quite good at it.

Abigail had visited her mother often since she’d given her this new apartment, but it never failed to amaze her just how wonderful her mother looked in her new life. Like every fine line and wrinkle had lost a little of their depth, just by the new peace her mother had acquired.

Abigail thought of what brought her here today, she wanted to tell her mother about her engagement, before she took it to her father.

She knew it was customary to go to her father before anyone else, but her mother had raised her all her life. Her mother had been there for her through absolutely everything. And Abigail felt she should honor her, first.

“Mom,” Abigail called out to her mother, bent over the oven. “I have company with me.”

Abigail’s mother came out from where she was busy with the pie, and stood up to greet them.

“Ah,” Emma spoke, turning to Mark first. “This must be the young man making everything better, and sometimes worse.” Emma raised an eyebrow at Mark, who blushed sheepishly.

Then Emma turned to hug her daughter tightly, and pulled back slightly.

“If you two have time,” Emma said, “The pie will be done in an hour. It’s pepper steak, and I’ll going to put on a pot of tea.”

“That would be amazing,” Mark told her, looking the picture of nerves.

Emma smiled at him, “I think we have something important to discuss, don’t we?” Emma teased, glancing at the ring on Abigail’s finger. “Possibly something involving something borrowed and something blue.”

______________________________________


Abigail stared at Mark as he wrung his hands over and over again. Abigail knew he was stressed more than she could ever imagine.

And she really had no way of convincing him that everything was going to be fine. She hadn’t promised her father that she would marry to the benefit of the company, but he had expected that from her.

Abigail took a deep breath, there was nothing she could do about that now. Mark was a simple landscaper, and that was the best she could do. Maybe they could get a discount on landscaping contracts for the company?

Abigail shook her head, gave Mark’s hand a quick squeeze, and then opened the door to the dining room.

“Dad,” Abigail walked in greeting her father, sitting with his tea and a newspaper. “I have someone here to meet you.”

“Mark Graham,” Adam greeted cordially, as Abigail and Mark entered the room. “How may I help you today, sir?”

Abigail stared at her father in confusion.