new beginnings

[Iwannamarrybobbyandcliff]

Gary leaned against the wall and felt relief wash over him. Relief and some fear at how much he wanted the winsome woman in front of him. With the knowledge that Val and Olivia were going to be gone all night and Brian was spending the night at a neighbors, the oppuntity was too much to pass up. He walked over to her and lowered his head to hers. She smiled inwardly. She had finally won, after so many months of plotting and spinning a web to snag Gary, he was finally kissing her passionately. She let her tongue poke out, tracing his lips. He groaned, and she pulled away. Grabbing his hand, she led him upstairs. He closed his eyes, trying to maintain some self control as she went into the bedroom. He hesitated in the doorway. Val might be able to overlook and forgive a couple of kisses, but he knew if he stepped over that theshold, he would be lost, his marriage over. Abby stood before him, having shed her clothes, she implored him, "Gary, come on."
He let his eyes roam over her body and with a groan, stepped inside the doorway and reached for her.

[Iwannamarrybobbyandcliff]

Gary walked into his office, whistling a happy little tune. He spied the pink notepaper on his desk and curiously unfolded it. A key dropped out and he was even more intrigued.
Gary,
I have a friend who is a flight attendent. Teri says when she is working, that I am free to use her apartment. I will be there in the morning, please join me. The address is 237 Northbeach road Apt.3. I had a lot of fun last night and don't want it to end.
Abby
Gary leaned back in his chair and smiled. He felt ashamed that he felt no guilt, but he didn't. His marriage had been so rocky lately, with his strong attraction to Abby and Val's expose about his family.

[Jessie]

Awesome start to your new story, wonder what will happen next?

[Iwannamarrybobbyandcliff]

Gary parked the car and hurried inside. He had to tell Abby that it was over, that it was a one time thing. He couldn't bear to lose Val, she had been his rock for so long, he couldn't imagine life without her. He unlocked the door and stepped inside. His insides clenched, God, she was beautiful. Maybe one more time wouldn't hurt. He twisted his wedding ring around his finger as he debated within himself, then reached for her. He knew then, that slowly he was falling in love with her. It wasn't just a physical attraction, it was a mental one too.

[Jessie]

Great update hope you update again soon.

[Iwannamarrybobbyandcliff]

Gary swung the door to his office open and started to speak about their Friday night plans without relizing that Joe was standing right there. Abby quickly covered for him, but Gary could tell that Joe knew something was going on. His cheeks burned with embrassement as he tried to play cool. Joe later cornered him and nattered on about how gamblers always risk things of value and Gary resented the veiled warning, resented it but welcomed it at the same time. Maybe that was the excuse he could use to break it off with Abby. He felt stretched into many directions, and it was like he couldn't breath.

[Jessie]

Great update hope you update again real soon.

[Iwannamarrybobbyandcliff]

Gary stood in the middle of the street. She had left him. He felt like he couldn't breath. Damn Karen for ruining it all. Why couldn't she have left it alone?
Laura walked upto him, having witnessed the whole terrible scene from her driveway. "Gary, you are going to get hit, you can't stand in the middle of the street."
"This is what hell feels like. Do you know how it feels to be in love with two women at the same time?" Tears dripped down his cheeks, as she led him towards the fence surrounding his yard. She made comforting noises.

[Jessie]

Great update, I kind of feel sorry for Gary.

[Iwannamarrybobbyandcliff]

Gary went inside, feeling the eyes of his neighbors upon him. Laura went back to her house. "What is wrong with Gary and Val?" Ginger asked anxiously.
Laura sighed, "A couple days ago, I had lunch with Karen and Lillimae. We saw Abby come out of an apartment house and then Gary a few minutes later. They been seeing each other. I think that Val found out. I can't think of anything else that would make Val so upset, unless it was Lucy, but Gary would go with her in that case."
Kenny and Ginger listened to this news with dropped jaws. Richard and Joe seemed less surprised. Laura turned to Joe, "You knew?"
"Yes, 2 weeks ago I found them in a intimate postion at the dealership."
Karen joined the crowd. "It's true, I went to the apartment to confront them, not knowing that Val was following me."

[Iwannamarrybobbyandcliff]

Abby sat in Gary's lap, kissing him. He tightened his arms around her and his lips traveled down her neck.He had stopped seeing her after Val had left for a week but as it became clear that she wasn't going to come back anytime soon, his resolve had crumbled once again. He waited until about 10 when he knew the cul de sac wouldn't be watching as he made his way over to Abby's house.That had become habit for the past 5 weeks, and he loved sleeping next to her. It was comfortable and easy. He still wanted to know where Val was through and he wouldn't stop asking Lillimae about her. He knew that he couldn't have both women and he was going to have to make a choice soon.

[Jessie]

Great update Abby was one of my favourite characters, but I felt bad for Valene.

[Iwannamarrybobbyandcliff]

Gary parked the car and warily eyed the moving van. He headed over to talk to Val.
"I am sorry about what happened at Rusty's last night." He started to explain.
Val cut him off, "It dosen't matter."
"Are you moving all your stuff over to Rusty's?"
"It's not my stuff, it's yours. It's everything that Miss Ellie gave us when we moved out here."
Gary was stunned, she was leaving with what his mother gave them as a couple?
"You can't be serious?"
"I made a decsion, I am moving back and you are moving out, so you can put this stuff in storage for all I care." She shoved a clipboard into his hands and stalked away.
He looked at it for a minute, then tossed it on top of a box. He had to think for minute and headed for the station wagon.
As he peeled out, he saw Abby come out amd shout his name.

Val and Abby stared at each other. "You won, Abby. He's all yours. I hope you have more luck in the cheating department then I did."
Val crossed to the truck and snatched up the board. "Since he's not here, what do you want to do with this stuff, it's ready to go some where."
Abby took the clipboard and scrawled her name on the bottom, "You can take it to the nearest storage facilty. guy's." She told the movingmen, "I will be there and will rent a unit."
She gathered the kids and headed off in Gary's car.

[Iwannamarrybobbyandcliff]

Gary felt numb as he parked the car in a beach parking lot. What made him choose this place to go? He wondered. Maybe because Val loved the ocean so much, that being near it made him feel safe as well. Could he give up Abby? He knew that Val was the one that he wanted, that he loved her more then anything else in the world, but he needed Abby. He had tried walking away from her, but something made himn hold onto her. "I am sorry, Val. I didn't mean to hurt you, but I am Abby's now." He spoke these words to himself, and turned the car on.

Val heard the car turn into the drive away and the door slam. She stood up, half hoping that he would come knock on the door and ask her forgiveness. If he did, she was prepared to swallow some of her pride and take him back. She listened as a nother door opened and shut. Tears filled her eyes but she blinked them back. She shut the curtains and resloutely marched upstairs. She had lived without him once, she just would have to do it again.

[Iwannamarrybobbyandcliff]

Gary balled up the piece of paper and angerily tossed it aside. How dare J.R send him a bottle of champagne, how dare he tempt him like that. He headed into the bedroom and stopped short at the sight of Abby in bed. Instantly his anger turned to delight. After such a rotten day, he looked forward to losing himself in the mindless pleasure of sex. He knew that he didn't have to think or even feel anything for a few minutes as he hastilly stripped down and slipped between the sheets.

Lucy fumed as she walked through the lobby. First her father was in Southfork just long enough to hear Granddaddy's will, didn't say anything more then hi to her. She could accept that, he had always been a distant father, but her mama was in Dallas and hadn't even bothered to call. She looked forward to going to her parent's hotel room and giving them a piece of her mind.

Gary heard the buzzer and stirred, "What time is it?" Abby asked
"It's 8:30" he answered sleepily, "I'll bet it is J.R. I don't feel like dealing with him."
Abby reached for her robe. "I will get rid of him, would you start the shower?'
Gary smiled, "Of course."
Abby opened the door. She and Lucy eyed each other, then Lucy broke eye contact. "I am sorry, I must have the wrong room." She turned to go, as Gary came into the living room. She turned back. "Daddy?"
"Lucy." Gary closed his eyes in self recrimantion. Of course Lucy would want to see him.

[Iwannamarrybobbyandcliff]

Lucy moved into the room. "Who is she?" She demanded.
"Lucy, please sit down."
She obeyed mutely, staring daggers at Abby. "Lucy, honey, things haven't been the best for your mama and me. You know about her book, I don't agree with her publishing our family skeltons. Abby and I were business partners, and as things soured between Mama and me, Abby and I grew closer. We fell in love, and had an affair. I am not proud of hurting her, I should have left before starting a physical relationship with Abby, but Mama found out and threw me out."
Lucy had tears in her eyes. She jumped up and stormed out of the room.
Gary started after her, but Abby stopped him, "Gary honey, she is a grown woman who will get over her parents divorcing." She pushed herself up on her tiptoes and claimed his lips with her own.

Val slid the book back across the counter. She looked up and did a double take. "Lucy, darling." She cried out happily.
Lucy's eyes were cold. "What is the story of Daddy and that woman?" She demanded.
Val swallowed, "Gary brought Abby here?" She asked. "He's got alot of nerve, to bring his mistress along to hear his daddy's will."
Val glanced at all the people waiting to have their book signed. "Lucy, please let's talk later, in my hotel room."
She pressed the key into her hand, "I will be there in about an hour, make yoursef at home."

[Iwannamarrybobbyandcliff]

Abby let her mild disgust show. She didn't belong on a ranch and she had to let Gary know. She felt a twinge of regret at talking him out of it, as she noted the crushed look on his face. He had wanted this so badly, but he wanted, no, he needed to keep her happy. He knew that was his duty.
"Don't worry honey." She said comfortingly. "I will find a house for us."
He nodded and walked away, over to where Brian and Olivia were feeding the horses.

Gary eyed the beach house with distaste. He agreed to buy it to make up for going into business with Kenny without talking it over with her first, but damn it, he wanted a ranch. He hoped that this would make her happy.

[Iwannamarrybobbyandcliff]

Gary hated fighting with Abby and knew that the dozen roses that would be delivered tomorrow would make a good apology, he knew that her business instincts were always dead on and that involving Jeff Munson would be a good move, despite Kenny's reservations. He saw Abby and started to make his way towards her, then stopped as he glimpsed Val. He glanced guiltily in Abby's direction, before moving towards Val. He exchanged hello's with her and couldn't help but be happy at the news that she was here with Karen, and not with a date.
Jeff Munson walked in and stopped as he saw Val. It had been 7 years since he had last seen her, even through they wrote to each other often and lately have talked on the phone. He glared at the man that stood behind her. That was the jerk who broke her heart, he relished the slightly jealous look on Gary's face as he flirted with Val, and asked her out in front of him. It was about time Val was reminded that she was a lovely desirable woman.

[Iwannamarrybobbyandcliff]

Abby sat down next to Gary, he slipped his arm around her, and she leaned into his kiss. "Gary, why don't we go away for the weekend? It would be fun out in the country. I can find a babysitter for Brian and Olivia, and we can invite Diana, she would enjoy the peaceful atmorsphere, and it would get her away from Karen." Gary pressed his lips to hers again.
"That sounds wonderful." He murmured happily as his fingers nimbly undid her blouse. She smiled as he pressed her back, she was glad to find where one of Jeff Munson's favorite haunts was. She hoped that he would be there, and they could discuss business.

Abby noted how pale Diana was, maybe Karen was right, and Diana was sick. She brushed the thought away, not wanting to give credence to anything Karen said, anyway Gary was right, a weekend in the country would do Diana good.

Gary furiously talked with Abby. He couldn't believe that she was hiding things from him, and trying to edge Kenny out of their partnership. He stopped his tirade as he became aware of the commotion a short way off. Abby stalked away and he followed, to his horror he saw Diana had fainted. He pushed his way through the crowd, he picked her up, and carried her to the infirmary in the country club. He was quickly was told that the best thing to do was to take her back to the city, and have them perform better tests. He called Karen to meet them at the hospital.

[Iwannamarrybobbyandcliff]

Gary hopped out of the car and helped Diana from the back seat into a waiting wheelchair. He walked briskly behind the nurse, and was immediately met by Karen and a barrage of questions and accusations about how selfish Abby was. He resented the attacks on Abby, but remained silent. Abby was able to take care of herself.

Abby sat up in bed, she knew that sleep was futile. Her mind was racing, debating over and over about Karen's request. Give her kidney to Diana? She would do it in a heartbeat if it wasn't so damn risky. Gary's eyes filled with tears, he knew Abby was struggling with this, and he knew that she would eventually say yes. She was very sweet and loving, he knew she had a big heart. He wished he could tell her not to do this, he didn't want to risk losing her. He grimaced as a barrage of memories paraded through his head, Val's surgery, Sid's surgery. He held his arms open as she laid back down and he held her close. "I love you Abby."
His words sent a warm thrill through her and she smiled.