Here With Her
The knock. It started with the knock.
It was in the middle of the night, and the knock threw itself into the dark quintessential magic of the room. He awoke with a start, turning himself towards the clock on the neighboring nightstand. It read two-thirty.
The knock, again, pierced the sharp air, setting Carter straight up in his bed. He rubbed his eyes, and vigorously scratched the back of his head. He walked to the door and rubbed his eyes again, to ensure his alertness. The door opened, and the sight could have knocked him off his feet.
Abby stood in the darkness, waiting for someone to say something. Carter didn't know whether or not to initiate the conversation. In the end, the silence prevailed and Abby grew frustrated with the victor.
"Can I come in?" she whispered, staring at the ground.
"Of course," Carter answered instinctively, sidestepping to let her into the door. She sauntered in, and went to the couch. She sat on it and let her head fall, taking in the black around her. Carter considered staying next to the door, but again the silence prevailed, pushing him to the couch where she sat. She didn't move, and Carter wasn't sure if he had appreciated that. They sat in silence for ten minutes. Carter could tell; he was watching the clock occasionally. Each time his eyes drifted back to the sulking form in front of him. She managed to keep her head down the entire time until, after an eternity, she rose to look at his face. Carter was now bowing his head, not caring for the moment. In that second, Carter didn't want her if she didn't want him. Had he wanted to reject her to keep her happy, or to keep him sane? Or rather, insane, now that he thought about it.
Abby was breathing softly. That was pretty much all he could hear. Her breathing, and his breathing. Both of them breathing and the faint sound of traffic below was all he had. Her hand fell lightly on his shoulder, bringing his head up to meet her eyes. Instead, her head was now the one facing the couch cushions. Neither of them moved until Carter moved to her ear, and whispered pleadingly, "Abby, please don't do this. Please don't hurt me again."
And then it happened. Tears fell from Carter's eyes. He couldn't believe it happened. He bowed his head and buried it in his hands. Carter felt Abby's lips gently press against his cool skin in the dark. They were against his neck, close to his shoulder. She placed them slowly and cautiously and sensitively, each one with care. She tugged at the collar of his shirt. She moved it away and kissed his shoulder. Carter breathed out, loving every minute of it. She smoothly stroked his skin, close to sweating. Abby pulled off his coat and then quickly took his shirt away. She planted kisses of the same kind up and down his chest. Carter moaned and kissed her neck, then the back of her neck.
She paused and came up to his ear. She kissed the cheek near the ear, and whispered to him. "I love you."
She pulled him down to her and kissed him. Fiery with passion, they both stiffened then flew into it. Her arms were wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer. He enveloped her in his embrace. He held her tightly, the two of them never letting their mouths depart. Her lips were soft against his, as he moaned slightly. She mirrored the sound and pulled away for air. Their faces were inches apart, their breaths colliding.
Carter reached for her shirt, but stopped to make sure they weren't going too fast. Abby nodded and ordered him to do it. Her lips were doing their job all over his sweating face.
It was different with her. He didn't just sit in the moment, as if he was there with *a woman.* He was there with Abby. Abby was the woman he loved. This was the first love he had ever experienced. With sex before, the only thing he felt was a woman. He felt Abby, and their stomachs gliding against each other's. He was aware of their constant caressing. And, best of all, he knew she felt it all, too. It wasn't something that the two of them would forget about. It was theirs, and Carter could cry at his happiness. But he already had been.
Their bodies were gentle against the other. It was the two of them in a moment. He didn't think it would ever be this way. This passionate and this comfortable. He hoped she felt the same. When he saw her face, easy and silent, he knew it. She did feel the same.
He collapsed onto her, as she ran her hand through his hair. Her eyes were closed, but when they opened they met Carter's. It was magic then and there.
He kissed her lightly on her lips. Her face was covered in light perspiration. His lips separated from hers and met her nose. She kissed his chin at the same time, and smiled as his lips finally met her forehead.
He was more aware of her arms around him, holding on for protection. He held onto her just as tightly, needing her more than anything right now. Her lips were against his neck, making him relaxed. But not just relaxed. It was something more, but he didn't know what it was. He didn't know if he could process anything more than right now.
He was mumbling something againgst his neck, but neither of them heard it. She answered him sporadically, still not knowing what she was saying, or what he was telling her. However, the words "I love you" were standing out.
They were both breathing heavily. Carter kissed her neck, and her naked chest once more. He pulled her arms above her head by her wrists, and kissed her stomach. She sighed with delight, and kissed him wherever she could.
She pulled his face to hers and kissed him one last time before cuddling up against his side on the floor. Breathing heavily, she kissed his chest, smiled into it, and let herself sink into it. He took a blanket from the couch and spread it over the two of them. She shifted under the added warmth. Carter's hands went around her waist under the blanket and brought her to him even closer. He planted a kiss on top of her forehead. "I love you," he whispered to her wispy locks surrounding his chin.
"I love you," she answered, still smiling.
He was hugging her to him, and he hardly noticed anything until she hugged him back. Her tiny waist was encircled in his arms. He enjoyed every minute with her.
And what a great feeling love was. He never stopped thinking about her. Well, there were times when it was suture was on his mind, or some emergency, or the well-being of his grandmother. But now, he *knew* she felt the same way. They would be apart, but they would be together somewhere else now whenever they were at County, or even if they were at two different ends of the country. Somehow, they'd still be together.
She was asleep now. He smiled against her being there, loving every second. How could someone be so beautiful, so special to him that he could feel like this about her? He understood everything she did, everything she wanted, everything she said. It was unexplainable, the way they fit together. In the other's arms, they were the same person they always were. But, it was different. While they were the same people as always, they were in love. And that was a whole other world.
"I love you," he repeated against her cheek before giving it a quick kiss and joining her in slumber.
