You Remind Me
by Shelly

Chapter 1


The sound of screeching tires tore through the silent night as the car fishtailed down the street. It careened into the guardrail, sailing up over it. It flipped three times as it soared through the air. The passengers inside screamed as it came crashing to the ground.

The windshield burst out as the woman passenger was thrown. She sailed through the air, landing almost a hundred feet from the scene of the accident. Her body lay in the trench broken. Her breaths came in strangled sobs as she slipped into unconsciousness.

His seatbelt and the steering wheel trapped the man in the driver’s seat. The hard round object crushed into his chest painfully making breathing difficult. He gasped for air as he tried in vain to free himself. He had to get to his fiance. That was his only thought.

"Abby," he tried to scream, but his voice was strangled by the lack of oxygen. "Abby," he groaned feeling the darkness creeping in. He clawed at the objects keeping him imprisoned until the edges of his vision began to blur. The lack of oxygen was taking its toll. It wasn’t long before his world went black.

~~~~~~~

"Mr. Williams," someone called through the haze. "Mr. Williams, can you hear me?"

There was a long pause. The sound of machines could be heard beeping as well as chatter on the PA system. A hospital. He had somehow made it to a hospital.

"His O2 sats are falling. We need a chest tube stat," the doctor called.

The voices faded into the background again as he slipped back into blackness.

~~~~~~~

The sound of a pager beeping tore Isabella Jackson out of a sound sleep. She could hear her brother Benjamin padding down the hall toward her room. Quickly she sat up and turned on the bedside lamp, checking the pager. It was the call she had been waiting for. It seemed like it would never come.

"Bells," Benjamin asked poking his head into his sister’s room. He looked at her staring at the pager with wide brown eyes. "Is that?"

"It’s the hospital," she whispered, fearing her voice would crack if she spoke any louder. After nearly two years of waiting for a new heart it would seem that they had finally found a donor match.

"Call them back," Benjamin said, tossing the cordless on the nightstand at her. "Tell them we’ll be there in twenty minutes." He rushed back to his room to dress and pull on some shoes.

Isabella made the call before going to dress herself. She could feel her defective heart pounding in her chest. She placed her hand over it, willing it to slow down. "No sense giving myself a heart attack before I get the new one," she muttered to herself.

"You ready to go," Benjamin asked. He could see her with her hand over her chest and he moved into the room to see what the problem was. She waved him off.

"I’m fine," she sighed. "Just nerves. Got the old ticker going too fast."

"You sure," he asked, worry etching his features.

"Benji, I’ll be fine," she replied with a nervous smile. "Let me get dressed and I’ll meet you in the car." He hesitated a moment, but eventually nodded and left his sister to dress in peace.

She met him at the car as promised and climbed in with her bag in hand. She tossed it in the backseat and buckled herself in. Benjamin eyed his sister a moment before he started the car and threw it into gear, pulling into traffic.

They drove in silence, both wondering what the future would bring. When his sister had gotten sick Benjamin had stepped up and took her in. Though she was the older sibling he provided for her when she was no longer able to work and keep her apartment.

His sister had always been so full of life. Her olive skin had been perfect, not a single scar or blemish marred the surface. Her brown eyes had been bright and they twinkled with a mischievous glint. Her raven locks had cascaded in soft waves down her back. She had been truly beautiful once.

At first the changes had been subtle. Benjamin noticed that she was no longer as outgoing as she had once been. The energy that she seemed to radiate had slowly left her. Eventually she had given up on the things she loved, being too worn out to anything besides sleep and read. It killed him to see her that way, but he knew it would just be a matter of time before a donor was found.

While Isabella was still beautiful her illness had taken its toll on her. Her skin was now paler, with scars from various medical treatments and deep purple circles marred her face under her eyes. Her once bright eyes had lost their twinkle. Her shining hair was now dull and lifeless. It had been cut to chin length and was always pulled back in a messy ponytail. The thing that Benjamin missed the most was her infectious laugh. Now it seemed so hollow.

"Benji," Isabella said softly as he silently pulled into a parking space at the hospital. "We’re here." He had a far off look on his face and she wondered what he was thinking about so intensely.

He smiled at her and turned off the car, grabbing her bag from the back and helping her out. "Ready to get your new heart, Tin Man," he asked.

"Sure thing, Scarecrow," she giggled.

When he had found out about his sister needing a new heart he had done his best to hide his fears with humor. One of her favorite movies had always been The Wizard of Oz and he began to light heartedly tease her about being like the Tin Man. It took the stress of the situation off of them and they were able to get by.

"This way to the wonderful Wizard of Oz," he smiled. She chuckled, taking his arm and allowing him to lead the way to the cardiac unit.

Isabella was taken right in and prepped for surgery. Benjamin sat with her, holding her hand and making little jokes when he could. She let him, knowing this was his coping mechanism. Inside he was terrified of losing her.

"We’re ready to take her in now," the nurse said as she removed the locks on Isabella’s bed wheels.

"I love you, Benji," she said, giving his hand a weak squeeze.

"Love you too, Bells," he replied, kissing the back of her hand. "You’ll be good as new when you wake up."

"Good as new," she repeated as the nurse wheeled her away.

Benjamin watched his sister go. When she was out of sight he sunk back into his chair, a single tear slipping down his cheek. "Don’t let her die," he whispered. "I’m not ready to lose my sister."

~~~~~~~

Isabella was aware of the pain in her chest as she lay in darkness. She could hear the chatter of the PA system in the hospital. She knew where she was and why she was there. She just couldn’t will her eyes open.

"It’s all right, Bells," Benjamin crooned, brushing his sister’s hair out of her eyes. "Just rest. Everything went well. Just rest now."

She hadn’t been aware that she was moaning softly and twitching in her slumber. Banjamin’s words had calmed her. She had been fighting the blackness, trying to find her way back to the light. At her brother’s words she relaxed and allowed the darkness to swallow her once again.

Chapter 2

He heard the sound of the tires screeching, the sound of Abigail crying out in shock and despair as the car sailed through the air and most of all he could hear the sound of his own screams muffled by the erratic pounding of his heart. He could feel the steering column compressing his chest and felt the rasping breaths as he tried in vain to free himself from the seatbelt. The pain was searing...blinding. His only thought was to be free of it…and to find Abigail.

Without any notice the darkness that had enveloped him slipped away quickly. He opened his eyes and was met with a much too bright light. He groaned attempting to shield his eyes from it. He found his hands bound at his sides, unable to pull either free.

"What the…"

The sound brought the awareness of someone in the room. "Mr. Williams," the cheerful voice addressed him. "I see you’ve finally joined us."

"Where…where am I," he rasped. His throat was dry, hoarse. Then he remembered the flash when he had awakened in a hospital. He knew the hoarseness he felt must have been from a breathing tube.

"You’re in Mercy General Hospital," the female voice chirped. "You had us all worried for a while. We weren’t sure you would make it."

He blinked his eyes and focused on where the voice was coming from. Slowly a petite redheaded nurse came into view. Her topaz colored eyes assessed him as he focused on her. He struggled against his restraints and she sighed apologetically.

"I’m afraid that was for your own protection," she said. "You came to about a week ago and attempted to pull all of the tubes out one by one. As soon as the doctor orders them removed I will. My name is Theresa," she said smiling once again. "How do you feel? Are you in any pain?"

"Yes," he replied honestly. His chest ached miserably and his throat felt like he had gargled with steel wool. "There was an accident. Abby, is she…"

Theresa frowned. "Why don’t I get you something for your pain and once you’ve been seen by the doctor you can…"

"She’s that bad," he questioned, feeling his heart sink. "Was she brought here?"

Theresa debated internally a moment before softly replying, "Yes." She bit her lip to keep from elaborating. "I’ll go inform the doctor that you’re awake, Mr. Williams."

"Petey," he rasped as loud as his throat would allow. "Please call me Petey."

"Petey," Theresa nodded. "The doctor will be by soon." With that she left.

Petey stared up at the bright ceiling, wondering how bad Abigail’s condition had been that Theresa had reacted the way she had to his query. He closed his eyes reliving the last moments before the car had landed in the ditch. He gasped and then winced at the pain the sudden intake of air sent down his throat. He remembered now. Abigail had been thrown from the car. Her seatbelt had not been clicked in place.

"Abby," he whispered, a tear sliding down his cheek.

Visions of her broken body hooked up to machines and tubes flashed painfully through his mind. He could see the angry red gashes across her body that needed to be stitched up. He could envision the horrible purple and red bruises marring her creamy complexion. His heart ached at the sight.

It was with those horrible visions playing across his eyelids that he slipped into a fitful slumber. The doctor and his nurse conversed quietly outside the room. They both knew what he needed to know, but feared what the news would do to him at the crucial point in his recovery.

~~~~~~~

"Good morning, Bells," Benjamin chirped entering his sister’s room with a handful of flowers and some novels he had snagged from the gift shop. "You’re looking good today. You’ve already got your color back."

It was not a lie. In the two weeks that Isabella had been hospitalized since her heart transplant she had indeed gotten her color back. Her eyes seemed more lifelike than they had been in a long time. She even seemed to smile more now. That brought great relief to Benjamin, though there was still cautiousness in his thoughts for her future. He knew that now more than ever anything could go wrong and he would lose the only family he had left in the world.

"Yeah, yeah, but I’m still your invalid sister," she replied with a smirk, rolling her eyes.

"Bells, come on. Remember positive thinking," he replied as he pulled a chair over to sit by her side.

"Fine," she sighed and cringed at the slight pain from her incision. "I’m positive that I’ll go completely mad if I have to stay in here any longer."

Benjamin smiled wide. "That would imply that you had any sanity left to begin with. I think we both know what a stark raving loon you were before."

She laughed as hard as her aching ribs would allow and shook her head. Benjamin never failed to make her smiled and for that she would be eternally grateful. She couldn’t have asked for a better brother.

Her face turned serious then. "Benji, how much longer do I have to stay?" She tried not to allow her voice to sound like she was whining. She failed miserably. She missed the fresh air. She missed sitting on the porch and feeling the soft breeze caressing her face. She had been trapped inside for half a month and it was driving her insane.

Benjamin sighed and shook his head. "I don’t know, Bells," he replied. "As soon as you get the green light I’ll be more than happy to take you home. Until then you’re to listen to the doctor and do exactly as he says."

She saluted him and smiled. "Aye Cap’n," she said.

He chuckled. "I did overhear the doctor telling the nurse that as soon as you can give a decent show in cardiac rehab they’d let you out and you could come in on an outpatient basis."

Isabella nodded, pondering those words. She had been giving all she could during her rehab sessions, but she was afraid to push herself further. She had just gotten this new heart and she didn’t want to lose it so quickly.

"Benj?"

"Hmm?"

"Do they know anything about the person I got the heart from," she asked softly, resting back on her pillows.

"All I know is that she was in a fatal car accident. They found an organ donor card in her purse," Benjamin replied. "You know the donor identity is confidential."

Isabella nodded and closed her eyes. She gasped seeing a car sailing through the air, twisting as it fell to the unforgiving ground below. Benjamin stood, holding his sister’s hand, a look of questioning horror on his face.

"I’m fine," she replied, squeezing his hand. "Just…bad thoughts…about the poor woman who had to die so that I could live."

"She was selfless, Bells. Without her organ donation card…." His voice trailed off, not wanting to say the words that he knew she understood. "Just get some rest." He bent down and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I have to get to work. Will you be all right?" She nodded, offering him a tired smile. "You know my number if you need me." With that he gave her one last look before exiting the room.

Isabella snuggled down under the blanket. The scene she had envisioned had been much too vivid to be her imagination. Hadn’t it? With a sigh she shook her head, trying to shake the scene from her mind, and closed her eyes to sleep.

Chapter 3

Petey waited patiently as the doctor examined him. It felt like an eternity before the doctor removed the stethoscope from his ears and looked at him. "Everything is healing quite nicely," he said smiling. "You should be good enough to be discharged in a couple of days."

"Doctor," Petey said reaching out and touching his arm before he could turn away from the bed and leave the room. "I was in the car with my fiance Abigail Masters. Can you tell me anything about her condition?"

The doctor pursed his lips and let out a long sigh. He had known that this question was coming and didn’t really want to have to deliver the news that would break this young man’s heart. "Miss Masters was…in very bad shape when she was brought in," he replied. "Her injuries were very severe."

"Is she in ICU," Petey asked. "I have to see her." He threw back the covers and attempted to get up, only to be pushed gently back to the bed by the doctor.

"Son, Abigail was…she was close to death when she arrived," the doctor explained. "She was brain dead. We kept her alive long enough to harvest the organs that weren’t damaged."

"Harvest," Petey asked thoroughly confused for a moment. "Organs…she’s…" He turned his gaze to the doctor’s grim face. "No," he gasped, tears flooding his eyes. "She…she can’t be…no…she’s not…dead."

"I’m sorry," was all the doctor could reply. "We found a donor card in her purse. We had to move quickly…" The doctor bit his tongue as his words trailed off. It wasn’t’ something that his patient would want to hear about the woman he loved. "There was little we could do to save her, son." It was all he could think of to say in the way of comforting.

"No…not Abby…not my Abby," Petey moaned, tears slipping down his cheeks.

Just then Theresa entered the room and looked from Petey to the doctor. She knew he had finally delivered the news. "Doctor, you have other patients waiting to be seen," she said softly. The doctor nodded and quickly exited the room.

Theresa sighed, pulling a chair over to the bedside. She had medication to administer and IV lines to check, but they could wait. Petey needed her full attention right now. She reached out and touched his hand.

"Petey, I’m so sorry," she said softly.

He pulled his hand away and looked at her, his eyes full of pain and sorrow. Tears trickled down his cheeks. "You knew," he asked softly.

Theresa nodded. "Please understand, Petey, that we kept it from you out of fear of what the news would do to your recovery. We wanted you to be strong enough to handle the news."

"I’d like to be alone now," he whispered, rolling away from her so that his back was facing her.

"Just use the call button if you need me," Theresa sighed standing and leaving him to grieve in private.

~~~~~~~

Isabella lay in bed, sweat beading on her forehead. She was dreaming again. She saw the car fishtailing down. It had been raining that night and the roads were slick. Why did she remember a detail of a scene she had never witnessed?

She could see the car lose control, hit the guardrail and soar into the night sky. She could hear the sound of screaming from inside the car and felt the panic as she frantically reached for her seatbelt. Too late. As the car landed with a loud thud she felt herself thrown through the windshield, the glass cutting into her tender flesh.

She awoke with a choked sob before she landed several feet away from the car, sitting bolt upright in bed. She was trembling as she pulled the blanket up around her. With a groan she realized that she had woken her brother and he was now padding down the hall toward her room.

"Bells? What is it," he asked flipping on the top light. Seeing the condition she was in he rushed to her bed and sat down, pulling her into his arms. "What is it, Isabella?"

"A dream," she replied, unable to shake the horrible image from her mind. "A…a nightmare. I can’t…I can’t stop them from coming." Tears slipped down her cheeks as she spoke. "Benji, why won’t they stop?"

Benjamin held his sister as she cried, trembling. "I don’t know, Bells," he murmured. "Maybe if you talk about it they’ll stop."

Isabella took in a shuddering breath. "It’s…it’s like I’m seeing things as they happen," she said. "Benji…it’s horrible. There’s a car out of control on the rain slick roads. It goes over a guardrail and…I can hear the screaming inside the car as it soars through the air."

Benjamin held her tighter, feeling the tremors returning. "It’s all right, Bells. It’s only a dream."

She looked up into his concerned chocolate eyes and bit her bottom lip. "I can hear the screeching tires, Benji. I can smell the burning rubber. I felt the glass of the windshield as I was thrown from the car."

"Bells, you were never in an accident," he reassured her. "You probably read it one of your books or saw it on TV."

She shook her head. "This was REAL, Benji. I could feel everything as if it was happening while I slept. It was terrifying." She raked a hand through her jet black hair. "Benji, what if…" Her words faltered, fearing he’d laugh at her.

"What if what, Bells," he asked.

"What if…the woman I got the heart from…what if these are her memories," she asked, realizing how crazy it sounded saying it out loud.

"Bells, I think you just need to get some uninterrupted sleep," Benjamin replied. "We’ll talk in the morning. All right?"

She nodded as he stood and headed toward the door. "You think I’m crazy," she sighed.

Benjamin stopped in the doorway. "No, I know you’re crazy," he replied with a smile. "I think you need some sleep. Get some rest, Bells. Please." With that he turned off the light and headed back to his room.

Isabella settled back on her pillows with a loud sigh. She decided to head to the library to check the newspapers for any articles on the accident on the night that she got the transplant. Something had to explain the dreams. She didn’t care if Benjamin believed her or not. She needed to know if this was just her imagination or not.

~~~~~~~

Petey was lying in bed, his back to the door of his room, when he heard someone enter. "Go away," he groaned, not bothering to see who it was.

"Petey," Eric Young said softly. "Come on, buddy. I haven’t seen you in weeks."

Petey glanced over his shoulder at his long time friend and sighed. "Eric."

"Last time I saw you…it’s good to see you awake," Eric said offering him a half smile. He pulled a chair over to the bed and sat down. "I’m really sorry about Abby."

Fresh tears clouded Petey’s eyes and he looked away from his friend. "I just found out today," he said softly, fearing his voice would crack if he spoke any louder.

"It was a beautiful ceremony," Eric said. "Her parents did right by her." Petey only nodded not meeting his friend’s gaze. "Petey, what can I do?"

"Nothing, Eric," he replied flatly. "I just…I need time."

"Want me to leave," Eric asked, his heart going out to his friend.

"If you wouldn’t mind," Petey replied finally looking up at Eric. "It’s nothing personal. I just…"

"I understand, Petey," Eric said smiling softly. "I can’t imagine the pain you’re in right now. Me and Bobby are here for you. Coach is flying in too. Chris and Alex are just a phone call away too."

"I know," Petey replied, closing his eyes. "Just tell them to stay away until I’m ready."

"I will. Take care, Petey." With that he left the room.

Petey heard him leave and finally allowed the tears to fall. He choked back a sob. His Abby was gone and life just had no meaning for him. Why had it been Abigail? Why couldn’t he have been the one to die? Silent sobs racked his body until he drifted off into a fitful slumber.

Chapter 4

As the doctor had promised he discharged Petey a couple of days later. He would need physical therapy to get back to the level of activity he had once been used to. Spending nearly a month in a hospital bed had weakened his muscles a bit. Aside from that he was given a clean bill of health.

Though he hadn’t called any of his friends to come get him Coach Scott D’Amore showed up with Eric Young and Robert Roode. Petey had just come out of the bathrom, having changed into some clothes that Roode had left for him the day before. Petey had refused to see him and asked Theresa to send any visitors away.

"What are you guys doing here," Petey demanded, glaring at Eric. He had thought he’d made his feelings known to his friend.

"Come on, Petey," Roode said smiling. "You’re family. We’re here to take care of ya."

"Why? Because you feel obligated to take care of poor little Petey," he demanded.

"Petey, cut it out," D’Amore snapped. "We’re here because we’re your family. I know you miss Abby, but…Petey what’s done is done. You grieve and then move on."

Petey’s eyes flashed dangerously at the man he considered a father figure. "Move on?! How the fuck do I move on? I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Abby…" His voice trailed off as he got choked up. "Now she’s gone." He sunk down to the bed, tears clouding his eyes.

"Bob, Eric, give me a minute here," D’Amore said softly to the others. Roode and Young nodded, stepping out into the hall. "Petey," D’Amore sighed taking a seat next to him. "I know it’s a shock that Abby’s gone. Hell, I never would have believed it. She was so full of life and love, but…you can’t let this destroy you, kid." He slid his arm around Petey’s shoulder and gave him a little squeeze.

Petey didn’t respond. He simply sat there and allowed D’Amore to comfort him. After what seemed like an eternity he finally spoke softly. "Dad, will you take me home?"

D’Amore smiled at the term of endearment Petey had given him so long ago and nodded. "Come on, kid. Let’s get you home."

~~~~~~~

"I need to get to work," Benjamin said to Isabella as he gulped down the rest of his coffee and set his bowl in the sink. "Will you be all right?"

Isabella sighed as she scraped the remainder of her eggs into the trash. "Benji, I am capable of taking care of myself. I was thinking of taking a walk to the library."

Benjamin arched a brow at her. "You mean you don’t have enough books in your room," he teased.

"Very funny," she grumbled going to sink to wash the dishes from breakfast.

"Seriously, Bells, do you think that’s wise," he asked. She could hear the concern in his voice and sighed loudly. "Your doctor said…"

"My doctor said that exercise is good for me," Isabella replied. "I’m not going to be carrying any heavy books so you can stop worrying, Benj. I just need to do a little research."

"Can’t you do that online," Benjamin asked.

"Is it so wrong that I want to get some fresh air instead of being stuck inside a stuffy house," she growled, tossing the sponge into the sink and turning to meet his gaze. "I’ve got cabin fever, Benji. I miss doing things for myself."

Benjamin crossed the space between them in two strides, placing hands on his sister’s shoulders. "I’m sorry, Bells. Your little brother is a little overprotective. I…I almost lost you once and…"

She took in a shuddering sigh and fought back the tears. The pain in her brother’s voice broke her heart. She hated the strain that her heart condition had put on him. "That’s ancient history," she said forcing a smile. "It’s on to bigger and better things for me. Right?"

Benjamin too forced a smile and nodded. "Bigger and better things," he replied. He glanced at the clock on the wall and sighed. "I have to get to work. Just…be careful and call me if you need anything. I don’t care what it is. All right?"

"I will," she replied. "Go before you’re late."

"You call me," he said before rushing out the door.

She watched him go, listening to the sound of the car door slamming and Benjamin pulling away from the curb, before going back to washing the dishes. She finished off in the kitchen before taking a quick shower and dressing. She was anxious to find out as many details of the accident as she could.

Not knowing how long she would be out she packed something for lunch and a bottle of water. She knew that there were benches outside the library and she could take a break from her research if she started to feel weak. With her bag packed she headed out of the house.

~~~~~~~

Petey had ridden in the backseat next to Roode in silence. He started blankly out the window. He was not looking forward to getting home. It had been a place he shared with Abigail. Now it would be empty and cold.

"You’re home," D’Amore said as he pulled up in front of Petey’s place.

"I appreciate you guys being there for me," Petey said meeting each of their gazes. "But right now what I need is to be alone. Please respect that." He got out of the car. D’Amore followed.

"Petey, I understand that you need your space, but please don’t hesitate to call," he said. "We’re all here for you."

"I know," Petey replied. With that he headed inside leaving D’Amore outside. With a shake of his head D’Amore headed back to the car.

"Think we’ll hear from him any time soon," Young asked.

"I can’t say. He’s really broken up about Abby’s death."

"Of course he is," Roode replied. "She was the love of his life. Just give him time, Coach. Give him the space he needs to heal."

~~~~~~~

Isabella had been at the library all morning looking over newspapers. She finally found the article she had been looking for. She read over the details of the accident. In her mind she could hear the screeching tires, the crushing metal, the screams of the car’s passengers. Everything she had seen in her dreams were echoed in the article.

She had to stop reading the article as a deep feeling of nausea racked her. The vivid smell of drying blood, gasoline and rain drenched asphalt assaulted her senses. Getting unsteadily to her feet she pushed away from the table and rushed to the ladies room.

"Why does this keep happening," she whimpered after emptying the contents of her stomach. She flushed and left the stall, rinsing her mouth and splashing cold water on her face. These memories that weren’t hers kept reliving in her mind and she didn’t understand why.

Once she felt well enough she headed back to the table where the newspaper lay open. She finished reading the article and turned her attention to the picture of the mangled car. It was the one from her dreams. No doubt about it.

She then turned her attention to the pictures of the victims. "Abigail Masters, 25, was in critical condition when she was brought to Mercy General Hospital. She suffered massive internal bleeding and several broken bones. She was pronounced brain dead."

Isabella read over the write up on Abigail again. The picture that went along with the short bio was that of a man and a woman. The woman was smiling wide as the man held her from behind. Their smiling faces looked out of the page onto her. How much pain this poor man must be in. They looked like they had been so in love.

With a sigh Isabella looked up the obituary for Abigail Masters. It gave her age and information about her school and work. "She is survived by her mother April, her father Michael and fiance Peter Williams."

"Peter," Isabella muttered, looking at the picture from the article. She had no idea why, but she was incredibly drawn to the picture. The smiling face of the man was just so welcoming to her. She could see why Abigail had been attracted to him.

Without really knowing why she brought the article over the copy machine and made a copy of the picture. Before long she had decided to leave. She was starting to feel tired and needed to eat something so that she didn’t collapse.

After sitting outside the library and eating the lunch she had packed she arrived home in the early afternoon. The answering machine light was flashing and she rolled her eyes. Isabella knew that Benjamin must have been going insane worrying about her. She pressed the play button as she kicked off her shoes.

"Bells? Where are you? Call me when you get in please." She could hear the worry in her brother’s voice.

With a sigh she quickly dialed his cell and got the voicemail. "Benji, I’m home. Stop worrying. I’m fine, just a little tired. I’m taking a nap. I’ll see you when you get home."

With that done Isabella headed into her bedroom, pulling the copy of the picture out. "Peter," she sighed staring at the picture as her eyelids grew heavy. It wasn’t long before she was sound asleep.

Chapter 5

"Bells, this is crazy talk," Benjamin said as he stared at his sister across the dinner table.

She had greeted him with a delicious steak dinner when he had gotten home from work. The smell had made his mouth water before he had even set his bag down. Now he knew she had only made it to soften him up for the news she had just delivered.

"Why is it crazy," she demanded setting her fork down. "Benji, I saw this accident in my dreams." She pulled the picture from her pocket and set it down on the table. "She’s who I got my new heart from. I have her memories, Benji."

Benjamin set his fork down and pushed his plate away. "Bells…this is just…cell memory or whatever it’s called is a theory…it’s found in movies and books not real life. You can’t possibly have this woman’s memories." He jabbed a finger at the picture of Abigail to emphasize his point.

Isabella pulled the picture back, folding it and slipping it into her pocket. "How do you explain the nightmares," she demanded. "Every detail matched the article, Benji."

"You must have read it before and didn’t remember," Benjamin insisted, knowing that theory didn’t hold water.

"When? While I was looped out on pain killers and anesthesia," Isabella demanded. "Come on, Benji, you know I’m right!"

"What I know is that you have an active imagination," Benjamin said slowly. "Brought on by a long illness. You need to get out more often, Bells. Be around people instead of being trapped in the house."

Her eyes flashed dangerously at her brother as she pushed back from the table so fast that her chair tipped over. "And just this morning you were so concerned about me going out into the world! My what a difference a day makes!" With that she stalked into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

Benjamin sighed, no longer hungry. He gathered up the dishes, scraping the food into the trash. He just couldn’t wrap his mind around what his sister was telling him. There just wasn’t any way that she could have this Abigail woman’s memories. It just wasn’t possible.

After he cleaned up in the kitchen he headed toward Isabella’s room. He listened at the door and could hear music playing. She was pissed and he knew it. With a sigh he placed his hand on the door. He knew better than to bother her while she was angry. He’d talk to her in the morning. The anger would have been a welcome change had it not been directed at him. Still he’d take it. She hadn’t been able to show any emotion besides fear and sadness in so long. He shuffled off to his own room after a while.

~~~~~~~

Petey had waited in the front hall, listening to the sound of D’Amore’s car ambling at the curb. It wasn’t long before they pulled away and he was alone. Alone. With Abigail gone that's what he would be now.

With a sad sigh he trudged down the hall to his bedroom. He stopped in the doorway spotting Abigail’s nightgown at the foot of the bed. He had hoped to avoid being bombarded with memories of her for a little while. He guessed that was too much to ask for.

He couldn’t stop the barrage of images that flooded his mind. Abigail clad in the silky nearly transparent blue nightgown. Her wavy red hair cascaded down her back in soft curls. She was smiling at him, blowing kisses and winking at him, her jade green eyes twinkling.

She reached to him as she knelt at the foot of the bed and he wanted so desperately to reach out to her, to pull her to him and inhale her sweet scent. He lurched forward, stumbling toward the bed. He was guided by an image from the past.

His shins hit the bed and he tumbled forward with a grunt. His hands tangled in the silky nightgown and he brought it up to his face. It still smelled like Abigail. He inhaled deeply letting the tears fall freely. They trickled down his cheeks, staining the blue material. He stayed like that for a long while, finally crying himself to sleep.

~~~~~~~

When Benjamin emerged from his room the next morning he found Isabella sitting at the computer in the den. She had a pencil in her hair and she was furiously scribbling in a notepad. She looked as if she hadn’t gotten very much sleep.

"Morning, Bells," he said checking to see if she was still angry with him. She looked up from the notepad and smiled. "You’re in a better mood." He looked at the stack of print outs and then at his sister. "What’cha doin’?"

"Research," she replied, setting her pen down and stretching.

"Did you sleep well," he asked going into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee.

"Didn’t sleep," she replied stifling a yawn. She turned away from the screen, rubbing her eyes.

"Bells," Benjamin said practically choking on his coffee. He grimaced as the hot liquid slid down his throat faster than he had intended. "You have to sleep. The doctor said you need your rest."

"I have all day to sleep," she replied standing and stretching some more. "I couldn’t sleep last night so I was doing research."

"On what," Benjamin asked taking the stack of print outs from her as she gathered them up. He groaned in disgust. "Not this again!"

"Benj, how can you refute it," Isabella demanded. She snatched the papers from him. "A sixteen year old boy in California died tragically in a car accident. He had been a musician and composed a song that was discovered after his death. When the song was played for the donor recipient she knew it by heart, but she had never heard the song before the boy’s parents played it for her. How do you explain that?"

"Bells, look…I…I can’t," Benjamin stammered. "One case doesn’t make it true."

"There are thousands of stories like this, Benji," Isabella said waving around the papers. "I just printed the ones that touched me. In these cases people have the memories of the donors. They sometimes exhibit personality traits that the donor once had. They even start to eat the same foods or listen to the same music that the donors had when they never would have before. How do you explain that?"

"Bells," Benjamin said setting his cup down. "You need sleep. That’s how I explain it."

Isabella’s shoulders sagged. She knew there was no getting through to him right now. "Fine. I am tired," she sighed. "Could you do me a favor?"

"If I can," he replied.

"Could you take these to work with you," she said handing him the print outs. "Read them on your break. Try to keep an open mind."

"If it’ll make you happy then I’ll do it, but I can’t guarantee that I’ll be as accepting as you have been," he swore. "In my opinion this is all just a coincidence. Something your mind is making up to make sense of the situation."

"Benji…"

"Maybe…maybe deep down you feel guilty, Bells," Benjamin suggested. "You’ve told me more than once that you weren’t comfortable with the idea of someone dying so you could live. What was it you had said when you first found out you’d need a transplant?"

Isabella hung her head and sighed. "What makes my life more important than the donor’s," she replied.

"This could all be brought on by guilt. Why don’t I call Doctor Marcum and ask him to refer you to a counselor?"

Isabella’s head snapped up and she glared up at her brother. "So either I’m crazy or guilty," she demanded. "Is that it?"

"Bells, that’s not what I meant at all," Benjamin said pinching the bridge of his nose. "I’m just saying that a couple of months ago you were…you were dying. Now you have a second lease on life. Maybe you should talk about your feelings to someone. Then maybe those dreams will stop." He grasped her shoulders gently and held her at arm’s length. "Will you at least try…for me?"

Isabella sighed and nodded, not liking the idea at all. She knew that she wasn’t suffering from some strange form of survivor’s guilt like her brother seemed to think. "I’m tired. I’m going to take a nap." She went to her room and closed the door, not in the mood to talk to her brother anymore.

~~~~~~~

Petey wasn’t sure how long he had slept, but he knew it was late in the day by the way the sun’s rays slanted through the window. With a groan he tossed aside the nightgown. It was little comfort to him and only brought on painful memories.

He decided to clean out all of Abigail’s things as soon as he could. He didn’t want any reminder of her. He vowed to make the place look like she had never lived there as he stumbled into the bathroom to take a shower. That would make going on with his life easier.

Chapter 6

"So, Isabella, why don’t you tell me exactly what brings you to my office today," the counselor said cheerfully. She looked at her newest patient and waited for her to replay.

Isabella sat almost slumped in a chair across from her, her arms folded across her chest. "What brings me here? My dumbass brother."

"Isabella," the counselor admonished. "That attitude is not helpful."

"Look, lady…"

"Call me Kathleen or Kathy," the counselor interrupted.

"Kathy, it wasn’t my idea to come to you," Isabella replied. "And by the way call me Bella. I hate my full name."

"All right, Bella. Why don’t you tell me why Benjamin wanted you to come see me," Kathleen said.

Isabella sighed and recounted the past couple of years of her life being sick and the heart transplant that had probably saved her life. "And since the transplant I’ve been having these dreams."

"Dreams?"

"Yes, about…" Isabella bit her lip, wondering if she should tell this stranger about the dreams she’d been having.

"About," Kathleen encouraged. Isabella still hesitated. Kathleen sensed the trepidation and leaned forward, placing a warm hand over Isabella’s. "I assure you that there is nothing that you could say to make me pass any kind of judgement on you, Bella. I’m here to help if I can. My job is to make you feel more at ease with your situation."

"Have you ever heard of cell memory," Isabella asked. Kathleen nodded with a small smile. "Well, my brother thinks that I’m crazy for thinking this, but…I think I have the memories of the woman I got my heart from."

"Most people who haven’t experienced it for themselves deem the unknown crazy," Kathleen replied. "Don’t take what Benjamin says too seriously, Bella. He’s just scared for his sister."

"But he just dismisses the evidence," Isabella frowned. "He won’t even listen to me. The dreams are so vivid. I could smell the gasoline and wet asphalt. I could feel the shards of glass cutting my flesh as I sailed through the windshield. It’s all terrifying."

Tears filled her eyes. Kathleen grabbed the box of tissues off her desk and handed them to her. "What this woman went through in her final minutes of life…the pain was unbearable." She sniffled and dabbed at her eyes.

Kathleen smiled kindly at the younger woman. "Now we’re getting somewhere," she said. "Tell me about these dreams. I want every detail." Isabella gawked at her. "Bella, it’s the only way I can truly help you.

~~~~~~~

"Are you kidding me," Petey demanded, pounding his fist on the reception desk at the hospital. "She was my fiance, damn it! You can’t tell me who her damn organs went to? I'd like to know who got pieces of the woman I loved."

"I understand that, sir," the receptionist said calmly. "I can not give out that information. Now if you don’t settle down I will have to alert security."

Petey threw his hands up in disgust, his right hand smacking someone as they passed him. Eyes wide he whirled around when he heard the sound of a woman’s surprised grunt. He faced her just in time to reach out a hand to steady her.

"Miss, I am so sorry," he said. Out of the corner of his eye he could see hospital security edging closer. "Are you all right?"

Isabella shook off the surprise of the strike and brought her eyes up to meet her "attacker’s". She was met with a somehow familiar pair of brown eyes. "I’m fine," she said softly. "Just a little stunned."

Petey breathed a sigh of relief. "I really need to be more careful," he smiled, though it never reached his eyes. He looked her over more carefully. "Do I know you?"

Isabella shook her head. "No, I don’t think so," she replied. "Though I am a frequent flyer here. It’s possible we’ve met in passing."

Petey nodded. "Possible," he murmured. Something about this woman was so familiar and yet so foreign to him. "I should let you get on your way."

Isabella nodded and headed out of the hospital wondering who he was and why he seemed so familiar to her. She couldn’t ignore the fact that her new heart skipped a beat when he reached out to steady her. The feel of his warm hand on her bare arm was just electric.

She smiled to herself as she walked to the bus stop. You’ve been off the market for too long she thought. The old Bella would have gotten some digits before walking away from a hottie like that. She was so lost in thought as she waited for her bus that she didn’t notice the car pull up at the curb and the man from the hospital staring at her.

"Excuse me, miss," he called rolling down the passenger side window.

Isabella snapped out of her thoughts and turned her attention to him. "Yes," she said recognizing who it was.

"I feel terrible about hitting you," he said sheepishly. "I can see that you’re waiting for a bus. Would you let me drive you home instead?"

Isabella stood and leaned into the window. "I don’t know. I really shouldn’t take rides from strangers. Especially ones who are so carelessly violent." A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

"I promise no more careless violence," he vowed. "The name’s Petey, by the way."

"Bella," she replied with a nod. "Well, Petey…I guess you can’t be all bad if you’re offering a lady a ride." She hesitated though. "Of course if you were an axe murderer you’d probably turn on the charm to overdrive."

Petey chuckled in spite of himself. "You think this is charm? Boy, I must be out of practice," he laughed.

"Do you know where Castle Street is," Isabella asked getting into the passenger seat without another thought. Something about this man made her feel just so comfortable.

"I do," he replied smiling. He definitely needed to get to know her better. Something about her just felt so familiar and it bothered him that he couldn’t figure it out.

"So, what brought on the fit of attacking a passerby," Isabella asked as Petey drove.

He sighed, his smiled turning to a frown. "I’d rather not talk about it," he replied softly.

"I see," she replied frowning. "Well, I guess I’ll just have to wonder why I have this bruise on my face." Petey jerked his eyes away from the road to gawk at her. "Kidding! Eyes on the road."

He turned his gaze back to the street just in time to brake. The car in front of him had stopped for some children crossing. "Don’t do that to me," he sighed. "I thought I really did bruise you. Last thing I need is for your boyfriend to come kick my ass."

Isabella blushed. "I…I don’t have a boyfriend," she said softly.

He gave her a sidelong glance to see if she was messing with him again. "Really? A beauty like you? That’s not right."

Isabella’s blush deepened. It had been a long time since a man had paid her a compliment. "I’ve been very sick," was all she said in the way of explanation.

"You look pretty healthy to me," he shrugged. "Must have been a miracle cure."

"I…I was suffering from a congenital heart defect," she explained. "I was fine most of my life, but a couple of years ago it finally caught up to me. I started having a lot of medical issues and finally I had to go on a donor list." She had no idea why she was opening up to this man.

"Wow, I’m sorry." He groaned and shook his head. "And I go and practically knock you out. Great going, Petey," he sighed as she switched lanes to turn off on Isabella’s street.

"I’m fine, really," she replied quickly, trying to assuage his guilt. "You barely touched me." She saw her house coming up and pointed. "That’s me, right there."

Petey pulled over to the curb in front of the house and put the car in park. "Bella, you don’t have to be kind."

"I’m not," she assured him. "Look." She held up her arm where he hit her so he could see the unblemished skin. "No bruises. You didn’t touch my face at all. Okay? No harm, no foul."

Petey looked her over critically and when he was satisfied that he had not harmed her he relaxed. His gaze was pulled from her as he saw someone step out onto the porch. "I thought you said you didn’t have a boyfriend," he said wondering why the man on the porch was glaring at him.

"I don’t," Isabella replied and looked to see what had caught Petey’s eye. She groaned and shook her head. "That’s just my brother, Benjamin."

"You should go," Petey said not taking his eyes off of Benjamin. He didn’t like the way his eyes bore holes into him.

"It was nice meeting you," she said with a smile.

Petey nodded. "Nice meeting you too."

Isabella got out of the car and hesitated in closing the door. She gave her brother a glance before she turned around, pulling a pen out of her purse. She reached in and grabbed Petey’s hand. "If you ever want to give me a call some time."

Petey was shocked at the action and watched wide eyed as she jotted her number onto his hand. "I will," he replied glancing at the number and offering her a tight smile.

With that done she closed the passenger door and headed up the steps. Petey watched her a moment before pulling away from the curb. Isabella watched him go as she climbed the steps toward her brother, unable to hide the smile on her face.

Chapter 7

"You’re home early," Isabella said as she walked past her brother.

He reached out and grabbed her arm, making her stop and turn to face him. "Who the hell was that?"

Isabella fought the urge to strangle her brother at that moment and held the smile on her face. "A friend. He gave me a lift home."

"I know all of your friends," Benjamin said. "I don’t know him. Who is he?"

"Someone I met at the hospital," she replied jerking her arm free. If looks could kill her brother would have been six feet under by now. "I went to that counselor that you insisted I go to. As I was leaving he…bumped into me. He felt bad and offered me a ride home."

"Are you insane?! You got in the car with a total stranger," Benjamin fumed. "He could have killed you!"

Isabella shook her head and headed into the house. "Maybe I am crazy, Benji. Because honestly after surviving all this time with a faulty ticker…getting in the car with a stranger doesn’t seem so damn scary." She headed into the kitchen to make herself some tea.

"Bells, do you know anything about this man," Benjamin asked following her. Isabella ignored him as she grabbed the box of tea bags from the cabinet over the sink and set the kettle on the stove. "Bells, I asked you a question."

"I heard you. I was trying to ignore you…emphasis on trying," she replied leaning her back against the sink. "No, I don’t know anything about him…and yet I do." She seemed just as puzzled by her words as he did. "I can’t explain it. There was just…chemistry."

"That’s great," Benjamin rolled his eyes, sinking to a chair. "You get a new heart and now you’re back on the dating market."

"Why not," Isabella demanded. "Did you ever stop to think that maybe I’m lonely, Benji? He thinks I’m beautiful." The last part was barely above a whisper.

"You ARE beautiful, Bells," Benjamin sighed. "But…you just met him. And…I don’t know…"

"Benji, I know what I’m doing," she said turning the kettle off when it began to whistle. "I feel more alive now than I have in a long while. Can you just be happy for me?"

"Fine," he sighed dramatically causing her to roll her eyes at him. "Just be aware that I don’t like this."

She chuckled as she poured the hot water into a mug. "Noted." She picked up the mug and headed into her bedroom.

The copy of the picture from the newspaper sat on her dresser. With a sigh she picked it up and looked at it. Realization dawned on her then as she stared at the couple in the picture.

"Petey," she gasped staring at his smiling face. She hadn’t recognized him in person because of the the bleached blonde hair and bleached goatee. She suddenly understood why she felt so comfortable with him and why he had been so familiar.

~~~~~~~

"About friggin’ time," Chris Sabin called from the porch when he saw Petey getting out of his car.

"Yeah, you said one," Alex yelled.

"Since when are you jokers ever on time," Petey replied, arching a brow at Alex, who was dancing around.

"Since Chucklehead over here decided to drink two Big Gulps in one sitting," Sabin sighed watching his friend dancing around still.

"Come on, Petey! Open up! I’m gonna explode here," Alex whined.

"All right, all right," Petey said holding up his hand as he pulled out his house keys. He unlocked the door and Alex shoved past him, rushing to the bathroom.

Sabin caught sight of the number written on the palm and smiled. "So, who’s Bella?"

"Huh?"

"The number you have on your hand." Sabin pointed to the palm where the number was written.

"Oh she’s someone I met while I was out," Petey shrugged. "I gave her a ride home."

"That’s awfully nice of you," Alex said coming out of the bathroom drying his hands.

"It was the least I could do after…" Petey caught himself and snapped his mouth shut.

"After what? What’d you do," Sabin demanded.

Petey scrubbed a hand down his face with a loud sigh. "I went to the hospital…to see if I could…" Both men motioned for him to continue and he became increasingly aware of how silly the actions of that morning seemed now. "To see if I could find out where Abby’s organs went."

"What would…" Alex began, but Petey held up a hand to cut him off.

"I know. I just…I don’t know," he sighed. "There are pieces of her out there in the world. I guess I was just hoping to meet someone…"

"And do what, Petey," Sabin asked, sounding more sad for his friend than annoyed.

"I don’t know. I got pissed at the receptionist and while I was having a tantrum I accidentally hit this woman while she was leaving."

"You know, hitting on women is usually just a figure of speech," Alex smirked.

"So, you popped her one and she let you drive her home AND gave you her number," Sabin exclaimed. "Damn! If that were me or Alex we’d get kicked in the nuts!"

"What can I say," Petey shrugged. "You’re not the Canadian Destroyer."

Sabin rolled his eyes and snorted. "Whatever. So, what’d you want us here for?"

"Clean up job," Petey replied finally getting around to business. "I invited Bobby and Eric over too." Just as he said that the doorbell rang. "And here they are now."

~~~~~~~

"Benji," Isabella said coming out of her room. "This is him. This is Petey." She was waving the picture around in her brother’s face.

Benjamin snatched the picture out of her hand and examined it closely before shaking his head. "This looks nothing like the guy that drove you home."

"His hair is different and…he’s not as muscular as he used to be," Isabella said snatching the picture back. "It makes sense though. He was in the accident too. He’s probably been in the hospital all this time."

"Bells, you’re rambling."

"Don’t you see? This means something, Benji!" She was smiling from ear to ear.

"It means you happened to run into someone who was in the same hospital. Nothing mystical there."

"Benji," Isabella groaned. "I have his fiancé’s heart! That HAS to mean something."

"It means that you got lucky and found a donor match, Bells. Don’t read too much into it. It’s all a big coincidence," Benjamin said.

"You don’t understand. I was drawn to him. Like…likes I’ve known him for years." She frowned and groaned. "And I didn’t get his number."

Benjamin couldn’t help chuckling. "Why not just use your special link to him to remember it," he laughed.

"You don’t have to be a dick about it," Isabella growled. "Maybe he’ll call me. I’ll just have to wait and see." While Benjamin was still trying to control his laughing she groaned and headed into her room.

~~~~~~~

"Are you sure you want to get rid of all these photos, Petey," Eric asked picking up a box of framed photos and envelopes of pictures and mementos.

"Everything goes," Petey nodded.

"Give me that," Roode said taking the box from Eric. "If you don’t want these then I’ll keep them."

"Ew, dude," Alex said crinkling his nose as he helped Sabin lug Abigail’s vanity out to the awaiting truck.

"Yeah, I mean seriously gross. You can’t jack off to pictures of Abby. It’s just sick," Sabin agreed.

"What? No! I was planning on making a nice scrapbook for Petey," Roode replied, leafing through the pictures.

Everyone looked at him as if he had grown another head. Then out of nowhere Petey doubled over laughing so hard he was gasping for air. Everyone turned their gaze to him and as he tried desperately to stop laughing.

"I’m sorry," he gasped, wiping his eyes. "It’s just…Robert Roode…making a scrapbook!" The sound of his laughter was contagious and before long everyone was laughing.

"Seriously," Eric chuckled. "What’s next Bobby? Crocheting?"

"You know what, screw you," Roode growled, though he was having a hard time keeping the smile off his face. "I was trying to do something nice for Petey. He shouldn’t throw out everything that reminds him of Abby. One day he’ll thank me for the scrapbook."

"Thanks, Bobby," Petey said finally getting his giggles under control. It felt good to laugh. "I’ll let you know when I’m ready for it." Roode smiled and nodded, carrying the box out to his car.

"So, you gonna call her," Sabin asked. He noticed Petey staring at the number on his hand. Eric had taken over moving the vanity.

"I don’t know," Petey replied hiding his hand. "It’s a little soon, don’t you think?" Sabin shrugged and went to help the others. Petey looked at the number again and sighed. "Definitely too soon." He grabbed a pen and jotted the number down on a scrap of paper before going to help his friends.

Chapter 8

"Good morning, Kathy," Isabella chirped as she entered her counselor’s office.

Kathleen smiled at her. "You’re in a good mood," she said finishing off the notes from a previous client and getting settled into the chair across from Isabella. "What’s going on?"

"Kathy, I met him," she said excitedly. It had been a few days since she ran into Petey and though she hadn’t heard from him yet she was hopeful. He had just lost his fiance. She didn’t expect him to call right away.

"Who?"

"Petey. The guy from my dreams. The one who was in the accident with Abby." Kathleen arched a brow. She hadn’t referred to her donor by name before. "I met him going home from one of your sessions. He was sweet and charming and…"

Kathleen chuckled. "If I didn’t know any better I would think you’re in love with this guy."

"Maybe I am," Isabella shrugged. "We shared something…well…he and Abby shared something and now I share something with him."

"Bella, I’m very happy that things seem to be going so well for you, but I think you’re jumping into something that…"

"Kathy, for the first time in…hell, I can’t even remember how long I feel alive. Please don’t ruin this for me," Isabella pleaded. "I’m happy. Let’s just leave it at that."

"Very well," Kathleen said biting her lip. She decided to change the subject. "So, how have your physical therapy sessions been going?"

The rest of the session was spent talking about her physical therapy, how she was feeling and what was to come for her once she was given the all clear to resume life as it had once been.

After leaving Kathleen’s office Isabella headed down for her daily physical therapy. They were working on her stamina to build it up. She had been nearly bed bound for two years and that took a toll on her.

She was just coming out when someone nearly collided with her. She recognized the closely cropped bleached blonde hair and smiled. "We have got to stop running into each other this way," she giggled.

"Bella! What are you doing here," Petey gasped stopping before he could collide with her. He was both shocked and happy to see her.

"I come here for physical therapy. Mostly cardio work. Trying to keep my new ticker healthy," she explained.

He nodded. "I just came from physical therapy myself. I was in a bad accident about a month ago and…I was in a coma for a while. There’s been some muscle wasting. I’m not in the shape I was in before the accident."

"I think you look pretty good," she smiled.

"Well, thank you," he replied, a slight blush coloring his cheeks. "I meant to give you a call, but I…um…"

"It’s all right, Petey," she smiled. "I’m sure you’re a busy guy. You must have a job that keeps you busy."

"Actually…I’m kind of on medical leave," Petey admitted. Isabella quirked a brow. "I’m a professional wrestler."

She began to giggle. "I’m sorry," she said trying to keep a straight face. "I just can’t imagine you beating people up for a living. You don’t look like the typical meathead."

"It’s not that funny," he frowned when she continued to giggle.

"I can’t imagine you running around in little spandex tights and body slamming people," Isabella snickered.

"You know, my fiance said that to me when we first met," he mused. His face turned somber at the mention of his fiance. "She…she’s gone now. She died in the accident."

Isabella’s heart broke for him. She could see just how much it pained him to say those words. "I’m so sorry, Petey," she said softly. It was all she could think of to say. "Listen, you don’t have to worry about calling me. You’re still grieving."

"No, it’s fine," he replied. "I can’t explain it, but you make me feel comfortable."

Isabella bit her lip, debating internally whether or not to tell him about her new heart’s origin. "Are you done here," she asked finally. He nodded. "Want to go to lunch with me?"

"Sure," he smiled. "My treat." She opened her mouth to protest, but he held up a hand to silence her. "I insist. Consider it a continuation of the I’m sorry for hitting you." She nodded a small smile playing at the corner of her lips.

"I should call my brother and let him know I’m all right," she sighed as they headed out to Petey’s car.

"Your brother is a bit protective, huh?" She nodded.

"He’s been taking care of me for two years now. He feels responsible for me," she sighed getting his voice mail. She left him a quick message about going to lunch with Petey and quickly closed her phone, sliding into the passenger seat. "It’s hard to believe that I’m the older sibling."

"Just shows how much he loves you," Petey reassured her. He looked at her closely a moment, looking confused. When he realized she was looking at him quizzically he chuckled and shook his head. "I’m sorry for staring, but it’s…your eyes…"

"What about them," she asked looking out the window into the side mirror.

"Well, the other day when we met they were brown," he said. "And now they look different. Kinda like a muddy green. It’s strange."

Isabella forced a smile. "Yeah, strange," she murmured examining her eyes in the mirror. They had indeed changed color. Her stomach clenched and rolled nervously as they drove.

They settled on an outdoor café not too far from Isabella’s house. Once they had settled in and placed the order for their food Isabella decided to start the ball rolling. She fiddled with her napkin in her lap nervously before clearing her throat.

"Petey, I have to ask you something and…I don’t want you to get offended," she said.

"Offended? Bella, if I didn’t get offended when you laughed at me being a wrestler then I doubt that there’s much you could say to offend me."

Isabella took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She could feel her heart thudding in her chest. Every ounce of her being hoped and prayed that what she was about to say wouldn’t blow up in her face.

"How much do you know about the night you were in the accident," she asked.

Petey’s smile fell and he sighed sadly. It was a topic he hadn’t wanted to talk about. "There’s big chunks of it missing," he admitted finally. "I remember that it rained that night and the roads were slick. I lost control of the car, but I can’t remember why. Abby…she…why do you want to know?"

"That night, Petey, I got paged," she replied. "They give a pager to people at the top of the donor list." She closed her eyes, feeling the tears burning behind the lids. What she was about to say would be a bombshell no matter how she worded it.

"They had finally found a match for me," she said opening her eyes and meeting his gaze. It took Petey all of three seconds to make the connection.

"You…you have Abby’s…" His words trailed off and he choked back a sob.

"I have no way of knowing for certain, Petey," was her soft reply. "The donor information is confidential, but it all makes sense."

"That night," he asked, tears shining in his eyes. She nodded.

"There’s something else," she admitted and he stared at her in awe.

What else could there be? She had Abigail’s heart. His fiance had died so that Isabella could live. What more could there be to the story?

"Since the transplant I’ve been seeing things," she said barely above a whisper. "The accident. I see glimpses of what happened." She was unable to stop herself as everything she had experience came spilling out.

"Stop," Petey groaned, angrily wiping the tears that slipped down his cheeks away.

"It’s the truth, Petey," Isabella said. "I’m not trying to cause you pain. She’s not completely gone. I have her memories. Why else would we feel so comfortable around each other?"

"I said stop it!" The patrons at the tables around them looked at them in shock from the outburst. "Abby is gone! She’s dead and buried!"

"But she’s not," Isabella said tears slipping down her cheeks. "I know that she didn’t have her seatbelt on that night. That’s how she was thrown through the windshield. I know that you had tried to right the car before it hit the guardrail."

"Cut it out," Petey said slamming his fist down on the table. This action brought more stares from the other patrons. Their water glasses sloshed, wetting the linen tablecloth on the table.

"I’m not trying to hurt you," she whispered. "I just need you to know that she’s still with me."

"I’ve had enough," he growled, pulling out his wallet and tossing some bills onto the table. "I’m glad Abby’s heart is doing you a world of good. Have a nice life, Bella." With that he stalked off, leaving Isabella staring after him. Tears slipped silently down her face as he climbed into his car and sped away.

Chapter 9

Isabella managed to make her way home after Petey’s blow up, though she had no idea how she was able to see through the tears. She had anticipated that he would be upset, but hadn’t thought that he would explode the way he had. She sniffled, wiping the tears from her face when she saw her brother’s car at the curb.

As quietly as she could she made her way into the house. Benjamin was in the kitchen on the phone when she entered. She headed toward the bathroom to wash her face. When she emerged Benjamin was right there waiting.

He took one look at her face and knew something was wrong. "What’d he do," he demanded. She shook her head, fighting back the tears. "Bells, what happened?"

She turned away from him, sucking in a shaky breath. She didn’t want to talk about this with her brother. Not now. All she wanted to do was crawl under her covers and have a good cry.

Benjamin made her turn to face him, she looked away hating the tears burning in her eyes. He grasped her chin gently and turned her face up to his. "Isabella, what happened? I thought you were having lunch with Petey."

She tried to pull free, but he wouldn’t release her. Her shoulders slumped knowing that he was not going to let things go. She took a deep breath, looking up into his eyes. "I did a really stupid thing, Benji," she whimpered, the tears she’d been fighting spilling down her cheeks.

He wrapped his arms around her and held her as she cried. "Bells, calm down, sweetie, and tell me what happened," he crooned, stroking her back. He led her into the kitchen and sat her down at the table. He grabbed some paper towel and handed it to her as he poured her a glass of water.

Isabella dabbed her eyes and sipped the water, getting herself under control. "Petey and I went to that outdoor café a couple of blocks away," she said slowly. She was trying to remain calm so that she’d be able to get everything out without breaking down again. "Benji, I told him. I told him that I have Abigail’s heart and he…" She took a deep breath. "He exploded and stormed away."

Benjamin sighed, sinking into a nearby chair. "Bells, he just lost his fiance. How did you expect him to react?"

"I don’t know," she sniffled. "I guess I expected it, but…I just…I don’t know." She sagged against the back of the chair, suddenly looking exhausted.

"Bells, maybe you should go lie down for a while," Benjamin said seeing how wan she had become. He knew then that she had told Petey about the cell memory as well.

She nodded weakly, standing and heading to her room. She knew that as long as he wanted her to get some rest Benjamin would not bother her. She closed the door behind her and shuffled over to the bed. The afternoon’s events had taken its toll on her.

On the nightstand Abigail and Petey’s smiling faces stared at her. With a groan she snatched it up, crumpling the paper and tossing it across the room. As she did so she was bombarded with images of Petey and Abigail’s first meeting, their first date, the night he proposed.

Isabella squeezed her eyes shut, her hands covering her head as she shook it back and forth. "No, no more," she moaned. "It’s over. He won’t listen! Leave me alone!"

The images stopped and Isabella breathed a sigh of relief. She laid her head on the pillow feeling completely wiped out. She couldn’t ignore the ache in her heart and wondered if it was her own or Abigail’s. Tears slid down her cheeks as she closed her eyes. It wasn’t long before she fell asleep.

~~~~~~~

Petey had gotten in his car after storming away from Isabella, put it in gear and just drove. He got a few blocks away when he had to pull over. His eyes grew cloudy and he suddenly couldn’t breathe.

All the time since he found out about Abigail’s death he wondered just what he would do when he found someone who had gotten one of her organs. He found her heart and…he couldn’t even think about it. Isabella had said she had Abigail’s memories. How was that possible?

He blinked back the tears and pulled back into traffic. He wasn’t heading home. Not yet. He needed to be with Abigail. As fast as he could he headed toward the cemetery.

~~~~~~~

Benjamin had watched his sister drift into her room. All of the color and life that had been in her smiling face that morning was gone. She looked like a shell of herself and it had happened in one afternoon.

While he didn’t blame Petey for being upset by the news that his sister had delivered he was still pissed that she had gotten hurt. He knew that her heart had been in the right place. She just needed to work on her delivery.

He didn’t know who this Petey character was, but he was damn sure the man would never hurt his sister again. She was better off without him in her life. He just hoped that she would see it that way.

~~~~~~~

Petey wandered through row upon row at the cemetery. He needed to see Abigail’s grave. Finally he found it.

The headstone had a carved angel sitting upon it. His heart ached seeing her name carved into the cold stone slab. Tears flooded his eyes and he sank to his knees.

"Oh Abby," he sighed, leaning against the headstone. He let the tears spill over his lids, not caring who saw him openly sobbing.

He didn’t know how long he had stayed like that. It wasn’t until he heard two familiar voices that he even looked up. He spotted Chris Sabin and Eric Young heading his way.

"We knew we’d find you here," Eric said softly. "You all right, man?"

"Except for his left half," Sabin quipped. Eric shot him a look and he mouthed an I’m sorry. "Petey, why don’t you let me and Eric take you home?"

"She has it," Petey said getting to his feet. "She…she has Abby’s heart."

"What are you talking about," Eric asked as they guided Petey toward his car.

"Bella. She has Abby’s heart," he repeated. As he slid into the backseat he recounted to them what had transpired that afternoon.

Eric and Sabin had listened as Petey spoke, neither man wanting to interrupt. They knew that he needed to talk to get things off his chest. When he was done they both mulled the information over in their minds, carefully thinking about what they would say to their friend.

"If you ask me I say this is a good thing," Sabin finally said.

"How so," Petey demanded.

"Bro, you get a second chance," Sabin replied, smiling.

"She’s not Abby," Petey sighed, raking a hand over his short blonde locks.

"No, but she has Abby’s heart. She says she has Abby’s memories too," Sabin explained. "Maybe she does, maybe she doesn’t. Either way someone or something brought you two together. It had to have happened for a reason."

"Do you honestly believe that?" Petey couldn’t believe what he was hearing from his friend.

"Why not," Eric finally chimed in. Petey stared at him wide eyed. "Look, there are things in this universe that we’ll never understand. Who knows why two people are drawn together? If this Bella chick really has Abby’s heart…then maybe that’s why you two met."

By this time they had pulled up outside of Petey’s place. "I can’t believe I’m hearing this shit from the two of you," he growled getting out of the car.

"Petey, just think about it," Sabin sighed following him up the walk. Eric wasn’t far behind.

"What’s the worst that could happen," Eric asked.

Petey sighed, scrubbing a hand down his face. "I could…I could fall in love and lose her too," he replied quietly as he unlocked the door and slipped inside. He closed and locked the door behind him preventing his friends from following.

"I can do that again," he sighed to the empty room that greeted him.

Chapter 10

The weeks passed and Isabella went back to her life. Every now and then a flash from Abigail and Petey’s life would surface waking her in the night. She stuffed it down and tried to get back to sleep, determined to ignore them. By now she had learned not to cry out and wake her brother when it happened. He was more than happy to allow her to sleep in when he got up for work.

Benjamin was happy that all talk of the Abigail woman and her memories had come to an end. It did worry him that his sister seemed unhappy once again though. It pained him to see that the light that meeting Petey had brought into her eyes was now gone.

At a total loss over what to do he just left it alone and held his tongue. What he really wanted to do was shake Isabella and tell her to snap out of it. She barely knew the man and she was acting like she was heartbroken.

He chuckled to himself as he sat at the kitchen table drinking coffee and reading the paper. Heartbroken? Over a man she barely knew? That was insane.

"What’s so funny," Isabella asked coming into the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of juice and took a seat at the table, snatching the comics from Benjamin’s paper.

"Just some guy who tried to rob a bank and got caught before he even got a block away," Benjamin replied quickly. Isabella quirked a brow. "He ran into a telephone pole. The dumbass ran into a telephone pole." He chuckled again, shaking his head.

"Sorry I asked," Isabella sighed, shaking her head. Sometimes her brother’s sense of humor could be a little dark.

Benjamin shrugged and folded his paper. "What do you plan on doing today?"

"Same old, same old," she replied nibbling on a slice of his toast. Benjamin frowned. This meant that she was going to stay in and read or possibly surf the net searching for more cell memory stories.

"Maybe you should go for a walk," he suggested. "It’s supposed to be really nice out. Why don’t you go to the park and get some fresh air?"

"Whatever." She downed her juice and finished off her toast before heading into her room to change.

~~~~~~~

"What do you want," Petey demanded when he answered the door and saw Sabin, Eric, Roode and Alex standing there.

"For one thing to get you out of this house," Roode replied. Petey rolled his eyes at his friend as he turned and walked away from them.

"Petey, come on," Eric called following him into the house. "It’s been weeks."

"That chick’s probably moved on with her life," Alex agreed. Sabin and Roode smacked him upside the head. He muffled a yelp and moved away from them.

"Petey, you said you can’t lose someone else you love," Sabin said pulling his friend aside. "But how would you know if you could fall in love with her if you never give it a chance."

"Chris…"

"I’m not saying that you should forget about what happened to Abby. You know how much we all loved her," Sabin interrupted. "But we want to see you happy. If this Bella chick really has Abby’s heart…maybe you can finally close that chapter of your life and start a new one."

"I just can’t," Petey sighed. "It’s not meant to be, Chris."

"Don’t give me that shit! I saw how you were when you saw her. You were happy," Sabin scolded. "If she makes you happy then you should go for it. Don’t be a stubborn ass and let her slip through your fingers. You deserve to be happy."

"He’s right," Eric chimed in. "You really do, Petey."

"Yeah, so give her a call already," Alex piped up. Everyone shot him a look. "What? I just said what everyone’s thinking. Call her already, damn it!"

"Fine, but I doubt she’ll talk to me," Petey replied. He went to the phone and found the scrap of paper he had pinned to the little corkboard by it. He had attempted to call her various times over the past couple of weeks, but hung up before he could dial the last digit every time.

~~~~~~~

"Bells, I’m gonna go play some ball with Craig and David," Benjamin said poking his head into her room. She was just stepping into a pair of slip on sneakers. "Wanna come watch?"

"That’s okay, Benji. I’ll pass," she replied. "Watching my brother work up a stink isn’t very entertaining."

"Your loss," he replied with a shrug.

"I doubt it," she called. "I’m going for a walk like you suggested. You should be happy, Benj. I’m getting out of the house."

As she went to the mirror to fix her hair she heard the phone ring. Benjamin must have been passing by it because he picked up on the second ring. She didn’t pay much attention to the call until she heard her brother’s tone. Quietly she crept to the doorway of her room and listened.

"Isa-bella is not available," Benjamin said to the person on the line. "No I don’t know when she’ll be available, Petey."

Isabella’s breath caught in her throat. Petey? She never expected to hear that name ever again.

"No, you can NOT call back," Benjamin growled. "Look, I don’t know what you’re fucking deal is, but my sister has been through enough. She doesn’t need you jerking her around. Leave her alone!" With that he slammed the phone down to the cradle.

"Bells, I’m heading out," he called practically slamming the door.

~~~~~~~

Petey stared at the phone in shock. He hadn’t expected to get Isabella’s brother on the line. The others took in his shocked expression and gave a collective groan.

"Struck out," Alex asked.

"Her brother told me not to call back," Petey sighed setting his phone down.

"You gonna let that stop you," Eric demanded and the scoffed, rolling his eyes. "I guess you’re not the same Petey we used to know."

"Just back the hell off," Petey growled. "I don’t need your shit, Eric. All of you just get the fuck out and leave me alone!"

"Come on, guys," Roode said, motioning for the others to follow him. "If you need anything, Petey, don’t hesitate to call any of us."

Petey didn’t look at them. He just wanted to be alone. He wanted for them to stop pestering him. It had been embarrassing that Isabella’s brother chewed him out in front of his friends.

The guys left and Petey went to the couch, plopping down unceremoniously. "Why the hell is this affecting you so damn much," he muttered to himself. He didn’t really want to answer the question.

He was busy wallowing in self pity when the phone rang. With a groan he hoisted himself off the couch and went to the phone.

"I don’t want to talk. So just leave me the fuck alone," he growled, thinking it was one of his friends.

~~~~~~~

Isabella heard the door slam and went to the phone. She checked the caller ID. Without a second thought about what she would say she hit the connect button. The number dialed and the line rang twice before Petey answered.

Isabella was taken aback by the way he answered the phone. "Well, that’s a shame because you called me," she replied when she composed herself.

"Bella?"

"Yes," she replied. "Petey…I never expected to hear from you."

"I wasn’t expecting to call you," he said. "But my friends convinced me to." He hesitated a moment. "Bella, could I come over. I really need to talk to you."

"On one condition," she said. He waited for her to continue. "You can’t yell at me if you don't like what I have to say. I refuse to be yelled at in my own home."

"You have yourself a deal," he chuckled. "I’ll be over in twenty minutes."

When she hung up the phone Isabella looked down at her outfit and groaned. She rushed into her room to change into something other than sweats and a T-shirt. The whole time her heart fluttered excitedly in her chest.

Chapter 11

When Petey arrived twenty minutes later Isabella had changed into a long sleeved peach colored tee and a pair of jeans. Her hair was brushed back from her face though it was not pulled into a ponytail.

She answered the door, hiding the smile that was fighting to break free. She didn’t want him to think she had forgiven him so easily. She understood how he felt. That didn’t mean she had to forgive him.

"Before anything I’d like to apologize for the way I acted the last time we were together," he said. "I was an ass."

She could see the sincerity of his words in his eyes and softened. "It couldn’t have been easy for you to hear what I had to say," she replied. "Please, come in and we can talk."

"It’s so nice out I was hoping that we could maybe go for a walk," he replied. "I saw a park not too far away."

"Sure," she replied, grabbing her house key off the hook and joining him on the porch.

"Not going to call your brother to let him know where you’ll be," he asked as they headed down the steps.

She chuckled and shook her head. "I’m pretty sure he’d try to skin you alive knowing you showed up here."

"Yeah, he was pretty pissed on the phone," Petey laughed nervously rubbing the back of his neck. "What exactly did you tell him happened?"

"The truth," she shrugged. "He saw that I was upset when I got home so I spilled."

"I’m guessing I won’t be invited over for Thanksgiving dinner, huh?"

"Not unless a miracle happens." She eyed him as they strolled to the park. "So, you said you really need to talk."

Petey’s lips pressed together as he pondered just how he was going to word things. When he finally spoke his voice was soft.

"When you told me that you have Abby’s heart…it took me by surprise. I’m sure you can understand that." She nodded. "And when you told me about having…having her memories…it just…" His words faltered as he struggled for the right words.

"I get that it’s hard to believe or even understand," she said softly as they got to the park and took a seat on a bench just outside it. "Imagine how I feel when my own brother looks at me as if I’ve lost my mind."

"When you said she wasn’t really gone," he said, fighting tears. "If I can’t see her or feel her…hold her in my arms…she’s gone, Bella. Nothing can bring her back."

"I never meant to upset you, Petey," she sighed, looking out at the children playing across the street. "I shouldn’t have sprung that on you the way I did."

"The point is you said that you have Abby’s memories," he said, looking at her. She met his gaze and had to turn away from the intensity in the chocolate orbs. "I need you to prove it."

"How?"

"Where did Abby and I first meet," he asked, eagerly waiting for her response.

Without having to think about it she responded. "At a gym. It’s closed now, but you used to love to go there because it was close to your apartment. She was coming out of a Pilates class and you were heading to the showers."

Her eyes flitted to his face when she heard the sudden intake of air. The pained expression on his face broke her heart. "That’s when she made fun of me being a wrestler," he said softly. It seemed like just yesterday that they’d met.

"Where was our first date," he asked composing himself.

Once again there was no hesitation in her response. "The Cinema 10. You picked out a horror movie in the hopes that she’d hide her face in your shoulder and you could cuddle." She smiled at him. "She loved the movie."

"And I was disappointed," he chuckled sadly. "Where’d we go after?"

"Before or after you took her back to your place," she asked and giggled when he blushed. "I really hope your next question isn’t when was the first time you guys slept together because I think that’s painfully obvious from the blush that keeps getting deeper."

"One last question," he replied clearing his throat. She groaned. "I know you’ve given plenty of compelling evidence, but I just need to hear this to know for sure."

"Fine. Ask away."

"Where did I propose?"

Isabella smiled at this memory as it replayed for her. "You took her to a cabin up in Windsor. One that’s been in your family for years. You made her dinner and started a fire and as you lounged in front of the fireplace you asked her to marry you."

Tears filled Petey’s eyes as she spoke. The event she was describing happened just a few months before Abigail’s death. "You don’t have to tell me anymore," he choked out. "I believe you."

"Oh, Petey," she groaned. "I’ve upset you."

"It’s all right," he replied wiping the tears away. "I’ll be all right."

She placed her hand in his and gave it a small squeeze. Her other hand rested on his shoulder. He looked up into her eyes and the tears began to fall again. Her once chocolate brown eyes that had turned a muddy green were now turning a pale green. All signs of the brown were almost completely gone.

"Oh God, Abby," he whimpered and buried his face in her shoulder. Isabella was surprised by the action and the name he had called her, but she wrapped her arms around him and held him as he cried.

"It’s all right, Petey," she cooed. "Everything is going to be all right."

"I’m sorry," he sniffled, trying to pull away from her. She wouldn’t allow him to. "I shouldn’t have called you Abby. It’s just that your eyes…they…they’ve changed so much since the last time I saw you. They’re…"

"Green," she replied with a small smile. "I know. It’s strange. I don’t understand it."

"Abby had green eyes," he replied, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand when she finally allowed him to pull away. "She had jade green eyes. They most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen."

"Oh." It was all that Isabella could say. It worried her that Abigail seemed to be taking over.

She looked at him and saw his tear streaked face. "Come on," she said standing and holding out her hand for him. "You need to wash your face."

He nodded, accepting her hand and allowing her to walk him back to her place. He did not let go of her hand all the way. It felt good to hold someone’s hand again. He now understood the strange attraction to Isabella. He could see Abigail in all her subtle movements and couldn't help wondering if they just occured around him.

She let him into the house and showed him to the bathroom. While he washed up she poured a couple of glasses of lemonade and took out some bread and deli meat to make sandwiches. While she was setting the table Benjamin came home.

"Hey, Bells," he called. He stopped right where he stood behind the closed front door when Petey exited the bathroom. "What the HELL are you doing here?"

"Benji, calm down," Isabella said stepping between her brother and Petey.

"I will NOT," Benjamin roared. "You invited this bastard here?"

"It’s my home too," Isabella replied, her eyes narrowing at him.

"After what this prick did to you…"

"I resent being called a prick," Petey finally spoke up. "What’s your problem with me?"

"My problem is that you hurt my sister."

"And he’s apologized for that," Isabella said glaring at her brother. "Back off, Benji. Let me live my damn life!"

"So, that’s the thanks I get for playing nursemaid to you while you were sick," Benjamin growled.

"If I thought for one second that you’d be throwing that in my face for the rest of my damn life I wouldn’t have ever asked you to," Isabella yelled. "Come on, Petey." She took his hand and headed to the door.

"Where do you think you’re going," Benjamin demanded.

"Away from you," she replied before slamming the door behind her.

"Bella," Petey said yanking his hand out of hers. "Look, I don’t want to come between you and your brother."

Isabella sighed and leaned against his car. "You’re not. This was a long time coming. He’s my younger brother and shouldn’t have ever had to take on the responsibility of taking care of me."

"You going back inside," he asked.

She shook her head. "We both need to cool off."

"Where will you go?"

She turned to face him and met his gaze. "Your place?"

Against his better judgement Petey nodded and opened her door for her. He slid behind the wheel and started up the car. As he pulled away from the curb he hoped he wasn’t making a mistake taking her to his home.

Chapter 12

Petey was silent for much of the ride to his house. Isabella reached out and took his hand in hers. He gave her a sidelong glance and smiled at her, squeezing her hand. His fingers twined with hers, his thumb rubbing the back of it in small circles.

It was a gesture he had done a million times with Abigail. He realized this, but did not pull his hand away. He enjoyed the feel of her soft skin against his.

"You don’t mind bringing me to your place, do you," she finally asked.

He looked at her when he stopped at a red light. "Not at all," he replied with a small smile. "It’ll be nice to have some alone time."

She arched a brow and smirked. "Alone time, huh?"

He blushed. "To…get to know you better…you know…that…that memory of Abby and I was…we had a connection on that first date and…"

Isabella couldn’t help giggling. He was very cute when he blushed. "I was kidding," she chuckled. "Relax, Petey."

He smiled at her. In another life he probably would have fallen head over heels for her. Despite her hard luck over the past couple of years she could still laugh and crack jokes. He always did love a woman with a sense of humor.

"This is home," he said when he parked in front of his house. He ran around to the passenger side, opening her door and helping her out.

She looked up at the house and smiled. "I remember this. Abby had a lot of fond memories of this place."

He could only nod as he took her hand and led her up the walk and inside the house. She looked around and frowned.

"You’ve changed things," she said softly.

Petey nodded. "I couldn’t look at her things."

"You shouldn’t have gotten rid of her pictures," she replied.

"My friend Bobby has them. When I’m ready I’ll take them back."

Before either could speak again Isabella’s cell phone began to ring. She fished it out of her pocket and groaned at the number. "It’s my brother."

"I’ll let you talk in peace," Petey replied, motioning toward the kitchen. "I’ll bring back something for us to drink."

"Calling to apologize," she said in greeting to her brother.

"Bells, come on home," Benjamin replied. "We can talk when you get here."

"No dice, Benji. I won’t step one foot in that house until you apologize for the way you acted."

"I will not apologize for not wanting my sister to get hurt," Benjamin growled. "Look, I love you, Bells. You’re my only sister. I don’t want to see you get hurt by this guy."

Isabella fought back tears at her brother’s tender words. "I love you too, Benji, and I am very grateful for all that you did for me when I got sick. You’re the best brother in whole world. Petey was hurting and what I said didn’t help him. He won’t hurt me, Benji. I know he won’t. Please just let me live my life."

Benjamin sighed loudly and she could practically see him raking a hand through his dark hair. "Will you come home?"

"In the morning," Isabella promised and hung up before he could protest.

"Lemonade," Petey asked coming back into the living room with two glasses.

"Thank you." She accepted the glass and took a small sip. "Would you mind if…"

Before she could get the question out the doorbell rang. "Sorry. Let me see who it is and get rid of them."

"Come on, Petey," Alex called through the door. "We got a six pack, chips and some movies. Let us in!"

Petey groaned when he heard Alex’s voice. "What the hell are you guys doing here," he demanded, opening the door and finding Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin standing there.

"What’s going on," Sabin asked, noting that Petey was blocking their entrance into the house.

"What’s up? You got a hot date in there," Alex asked peeking past Petey.

"I’m busy. Just go away guys," Petey replied, trying to close the door.

Sabin slapped his hand against it preventing him from closing it and shutting them out of the house. "Seriously, Petey, what gives?"

"Petey," Isabella called from behind him. "Who is it?"

Both men craned their necks to see who the woman was. Alex let out a low whistle when he spotted Isabella. Sabin could only smile.

"That’s it. Get lost," Petey said shoving them.

"Don’t," Isabella said joining them. "You should have told me that you were expecting company."

"I wasn’t," Petey replied glaring at both men.

"So, who’s your friend," Alex asked.

"You must be the lovely, Bella," Sabin said shoving the six pack he was holding into Petey’s stomach and pushing his way past his friend.

"Yes," Isabella replied looking at Petey.

"Bella this is Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin," Petey sighed, seeing that he wouldn’t be getting rid of them anytime soon. "They dropped by unexpectedly."

"Nice to meet you guys," she smiled.

"It’s wonderful to meet you finally," Sabin said shaking her hand and smiling wide. "No wonder why Petey’s been keeping you to himself."

"So, did we interrupt a hot date," Alex asked with a smirk.

"Put on a damn movie already," Petey growled, rolling his eyes. "You don’t mind if these jokers stay for a while, do you?" He looked at Bella, half hoping she’d say yes.

"Not at all," she replied with a smile.

"Great. It’s gonna be a wonderful night." Petey’s words were riddled with sarcasm.

They all settled in for the movies. Isabella declined the beer she was offered knowing it would have a bad interaction with her medication. She was surprised to realize that it felt like she’d known Alex and Chris for a long while instead of having just met them that night. It made for an easy and relaxed evening instead of awkward.

By the end of the third movie Isabella’s eyelids began to droop and her head was soon resting on Petey’s shoulder. Unconsciously he wrapped an arm around her. Alex nudged Sabin and motioned toward the two with a smile.

Sabin faked a loud yawn and sat up off the floor where he had been lying. Isabella’s eyes snapped open at the sound. "Boy, look at the time," he said looking at his wrist, which had no watch.

"Yeah," Alex agreed. "We should really be going."

"Shit," Petey said glancing at the clock on the cable box. "I should have had you home hours ago."

"We’ll let ourselves out," Sabin said as he and Alex practically running toward the door.

"Actually," Isabella said biting her bottom lip nervously. It had been a long while since she’d stayed over at a guy’s house. "I told Benji I’d be home tomorrow." His eyebrows shot up. "I hope that’s all right. If it’s not then you can drop me off at home, but I really don’t want to face my brother tonight."

"It’s fine," he replied. "You look exhausted. Let’s get you to bed."

He took her hand and led the way into the bedroom. She kicked off her shoes and crawled into the bed as he pulled back the covers for her. Once she was settled he headed toward the door and she sat up.

"Don’t," she called softly. He turned to look at her in the dimly lit room. "Stay with me? Unless…it’s too soon."

"No, it’s fine," he replied going over to the other side of the bed. He crawled in next to her. For a while he sat there staring at her. "It’s so strange," he murmured, reaching out to touch her hair and caress her cheek.

"What is," she asked. His fingertips left a trail of electricity across her cheek.

"I feel like we’ve known each other for years. How is it possible that we’ve only just met a few weeks ago?"

As he spoke his hand cupped her face. Her breath caught in her throat as he inched closer to her. Their lips met and she had to remember how to breathe. The intensity of the kiss made of her head spin. When his lips began to trail down her neck and to her collarbone she breathed out his name, wanting nothing more than to give herself to him.

His hands roamed her body as he kissed and nibbled on her soft flesh. His kisses grew more and more urgent as he pushed her back to the pillow. He tore off his shirt and began to yank hers up. That was when she came to her senses and pushed him away, sitting up and straightening her clothes.

"What’s wrong," Petey panted.

"It’s not you," she replied, one hand over her wildly pounding heart. "It’s just…"

"Just what," he asked, kissing her neck from behind her.

"I…I have a scar from the surgery," she replied.

"I don’t care about your scar," he whispered in her ear, pulling her around to face him. "Bella, I can’t explain what’s going on with us here, but I know one thing for sure. I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want you at this very moment."

Isabella pulled away from him, tears clouding her eyes. "It’s only because I have Abby’s heart. You don’t want me. You want her."

"No." He pulled her back to face him, wiping a tear away with the pad of his thumb. "I want you Bella. Abby’s gone. She’s never coming back. It’s you I want." He kissed her and she melted into him.

He gently laid her back on the bed, slowly sliding her shirt up over her head. He tossed it away and looked down at her. Behind the satin and lace of her bra he could see the large scar from her transplant. The scar she had been so self conscious about. Even now she tried to cover herself up.

With a small smile he bent down and traced feather light kisses down the incision site. "You’re beautiful," he whispered to her before capturing her lips once again.

Isabella threw her head back as he lavished attention on every inch of her body. It had been so long since a man had made love to her. She never wanted the night to end.

Petey knew that he had been drawn to Isabella initially because she had Abigail’s heart and memories, but the words he’d used to allay her fears of him only wanting Abigail had been true. He knew she was gone and never coming back. Though she had Abigail’s heart Isabella wasn’t her and never would be.

Memories of Abigail assaulted his senses as he made love to Isabella. He tried in vain to push them aside, but eventually he gave in. When he rolled onto his back, completely spent, tears trickled from his eyes.

"It was too soon," Isabella said softly, her eyes on him. She reached out and caught a tear on her finger.

He pulled her to him, kissing the crown of her head. "No, Bella. I’ve let her go. Abby’s gone." He held her tightly. "I’m here with you now."

She wasn’t sure if she believed him, but didn’t argue. She didn’t want to ruin the moment or the memory of their night together. She allowed the sound of his slowing heart to lull her to sleep.

Chapter 13

The next morning Petey woke with Isabella in his arms. He smiled and held her close. She definitely helped to ease his pain and sorrow and he would be eternally grateful to her for that.

She began to stir in his arms and lifted her head from his chest. "Morning," she sighed.

"Sleep well," he asked watching as she sat up and stretched. She nodded, though she didn’t look at him or speak. "Something wrong?"

"Nothing," she replied sliding off the bed and gathering up her clothes and heading into the bathroom to wash up and dress. Petey frowned, getting out of bed and pulling on a pair of pants. He went to the bathroom door and knocked softly.

"Bella? What’s wrong?"

Inside the bathroom Isabella was looking at her reflection. The eyes of the woman staring back at her startled her. They had once been green, almost the same shade as Abigail’s. The eyes staring back at her now had a hint of muddy brown coming back into them.

She didn’t understand what it meant, but something about it worried her. Petey knocked again calling to her through the door. Quickly she splashed water on her face and dressed before going to the door and opening it.

"Are you all right," he asked, concern swimming in his chocolate brown orbs.

"I’m fine," she replied forcing a smile. She didn’t meet his gaze as she tried to brush past him.

He grabbed her arm, making her turn around to face him. "Bella, please don’t lie to me," he said tucking a finger under her chin and making her meet his gaze. "What’s wrong?"

"You were crying after we made love," she said softly. "This was a mistake, Petey. We should have never…"

A finger over her lips silenced her.

"I was crying because I was remembering Abby and letting go," he explained. "It had nothing to do with anything being too soon. I don’t regret what we did last night. It was beautiful and definitely pleasurable." He smiled when she blushed. "I know it’s quick, but I’d like to give us a try. I’m happier when you’re around."

She wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, surprised by the action.

"Would you take me home," she asked, her voice muffled by his shoulder.

"Of course. Just let me pull on a shirt and some shoes." She nodded and followed him into the bedroom to slip her own shoes back on.

"Is that all that was bothering you," he asked when he was fully clothed.

"It’s just…it’s only been a couple of months since your accident…since Abby died. I don’t want to risk having my heart broken, Petey."

He closed the gap between them and kissed her forehead. "I’m scared too, Bella, but I think we’ll both regret it if we don’t give this thing a try."

She nodded offering him a small smile. His words reassured her. "And for what it’s worth, I will try very hard not to break your heart. Come on. Let’s get you home."

The ride was silent, though comfortably so. He walked her to the front door after he parked the car. Without hesitation he pulled her to him and kissed her.

Benjamin opened the door just as they were pulling apart and groaned. "Welcome home," he said to his sister, shooting daggers at Petey.

"Good to be home," Isabella said smiling.

"I’ll call you later," Petey said ignoring Benjamin and kissing her once more before heading down the stairs.

Benjamin followed her inside. "Did you have fun?" His voice was full of sarcasm.

"As a matter of fact I did," she replied going into the kitchen. She grabbed a yogurt and bottle of water and sat down at the table.

"You slept with him," Benjamin said. It wasn’t a question. Her eyes met his, flashing dangerously. He held his hands up. "I’m sorry. You’re right. None of my business."

"No, it’s not."

"So, does this mean I’ll be seeing more of him around here?"

"I think that goes without saying," she replied, cleaning off her spoon. He let out a low groan and she smirked. "Deal with it, bro. Petey makes me happy and that’s all there is to it."

~~~~~~~

The weeks went by quickly. Isabella and Petey’s relationship blossomed more and more. She had met Roode and Eric and got along with both men just fine. As with Sabin and Shelley she felt like she knew them for years.

Benjamin tolerated his sister seeing Petey, though he still disliked the man. He often opted to go out or stay in his room while Petey was around. Though Isabella disliked that her brother was being so stubborn she let it be. Petey made her happy and that was all that mattered.

About two months after they had gotten together Isabella began to feel run down. She was often tired during the day, but she chalked it up to the fact that she’d been having trouble sleeping. Benjamin had been concerned and begged her to see her doctor, but she assured him that she was fine.

One night as she walked hand in hand with Petey back to his car after a night out with Petey’s friends Isabella began to feel very dizzy. She stopped walking, clutching Petey’s hand tightly.

"Bella? What is it," he asked. He could see her swaying where she stood and quickly wrapped his arms around her.

"Petey," she whimpered. "I’m…I’m dizzy. My…my heart…it’s…beating too…fast."

"It’s all right, baby," he consoled. "I got you. Let’s get you to the car and I’ll take you to the emergency room."

He scooped her up in his arms and rushed her to his car. "Don’t panic," he said more to himself than to her.

The ride to the hospital was agonizing for Petey as he watched Isabella struggle to breathe. Her heart was beating faster than she ever thought possible and as she pulled in drags of air she held her hand to her heart, willing it to slow. With a groan she rested her head back on the headrest and closed her eyes. The enclosed space was beginning to close in on her.

When Petey finally made it to the hospital he parked and quickly got Isabella out of the car. "Stay with me, baby," he said as he carried her inside.

He watched helplessly as she was wheeled in to be seen by a doctor. Scrubbing a hand down his face he realized that he needed to call Benjamin. It was not a conversation he really wanted to have.

With a sigh he cast one glance in direction Isabella had gone before heading outside to call Benjamin.

"Ben," he said, his voice shaky. "Bella’s at the hospital."

He heard Benjamin curse under his breath. "I’ll be there in ten minutes." With that he hung up.

Petey headed back inside to wait. The whole time he was dreading the news that the doctor would bring.

He was sitting with his head in his hands when Benjamin made it to the emergency room waiting room. "Where is she," he demanded.

"She’s being seen," Petey replied standing.

"This is all your fucking fault," Benjamin growled.

"My fault!" He took a breath to calm himself down. "Look, I get that you don’t like me. I hurt your sister in the past. But for the love of GOD, Ben, your sister is not well. Could you can the fucking accusations? Let’s just be there for Bella. All right?"

Benjamin was shocked at the outburst and blinked at the shorter man. It was then that he saw the tears shining in his eyes. "You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m just…"

"I know. Me too."

After what seemed like an eternity the emergency room doctor came to speak to them. "I’m afraid I don’t have good news," she said somberly. "Miss Jackson’s body is rejecting her new heart."

"Rejecting," Petey asked as if he didn’t understand the meaning of the word.

"But…it’s been months," Benjamin said, mystified by the news. "Wouldn’t a rejection have happened back when she first got the transplant?"

"Organ rejection is not a precise science," the doctor replied. "Many factors play into it. I’m afraid we need to put her on the donor list again." She looked at the chart and sighed. "Had this happened right after the surgery we might have been able to reverse the effects. I’m sorry."

"May we see her," Benjamin asked.

"She’s resting now, but you may see her for a few minutes," the doctor replied.

"Thank you, doctor," he replied. She nodded and headed off to check on other patients. Benjamin turned to face Petey, who had been silent for the remainder of the time the doctor spoke to them. "You coming?"

Petey snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Benjamin. "What?"

"You coming to see Bells?"

"Uh…you go ahead," Petey replied. "I…I don’t think I can."

"You don’t think you can? Don’t you care about my sister at all?"

"Of course I do, Ben. I just…I can’t be here right now." He headed toward the automatic doors.

Benjamin cursed. "You son of a bitch! Don’t you dare walk out on my sister! Not now!"

Petey ignored the warning and kept going. He didn’t look back as he got in his car and started it up. As he pulled out of the parking lot he let the tears fall.

Isabella’s heart was failing and unless a miracle happened he knew what that would mean. It was exactly what he had feared. He was going to lose her…just when he had begun to love her.

Chapter 14

Isabella had slept through the night with Benjamin’s hand in hers. She could feel it grasping hers when she woke early the next morning. She squeezed it gently.

"Tinman," Benjamin asked, reverting back to her pre-transplant nickname.

"I’m still here, Scarecrow," she replied weakly. "Where’s Petey?"

Benjamin didn’t respond right away and she looked at him. His eyes were dark with suppressed anger, but he said nothing. He was unwilling to upset his sister. Not now. No matter how much he disliked the man he would not speak ill of him in front of her.

Isabella understood as she watched the emotions play across his face. "It can’t be easy for him to lose me now. It hasn’t even been a year for Abby and…"

Benjamin stood so abruptly that his chair toppled over and clattered to the floor. "Why do you do that," he demanded going to look out the window.

"Do what?"

"Make excuses for him," he replied, not looking back at her.

"Benji, he lost his fiance not more than five months ago. Now…I’m…"

"Don’t you dare say it," he exploded, spinning around to face her with wide eyes. "Don’t you dare!"

"Whether I say it or not, Benji, I know my body. It was a miracle I got this heart when I did," she said softly. "I’m not afraid to die anymore."

"Bells, please don’t," he moaned softly. His shoulders slumped and a quiet sob racked his body. In that moment he looked very much like the scared little boy who used to crawl into her bed at night to be protected from the monster in his closet.

"Come here," she said holding out her arms to him. He resisted at first, fat tears sliding down his cheeks, but gave in and sat on the edge of the bed. He gingerly laid his head on his sister’s shoulder.

"I know this is hard for you. It’s hard for me too, but I’m tired Benji."

He lifted his head and fixed her with bleary eyes. "You’re giving up? After fighting this for two years?"

"Not giving up," she replied wiping away a tear. "I’ve done all that I’ve wanted to do."

"You’re not even thirty," Benjamin protested.

Isabella sighed and hugged him to her as tightly as she could. "One day you’ll understand," she whispered to him.

~~~~~~~

Petey’s temples throbbed as the banging on his door became more and more incessant. He had gone straight to a liquor store after he left the hospital and drank himself into oblivion. It hadn’t helped. The ache in his heart was still there.

"Damn it, Petey," Roode bellowed through the door. "Open up!"

Groaning Petey stumbled to the door, his head and stomach protesting loudly. He threw it open and found his friends standing there. Their expressions told him that he looked exactly how he felt.

"What happened to you," Eric asked.

"Bella…she’s…she’s in the hospital," Petey croaked. He coughed, feeling like someone had packed his mouth with cotton. He staggered into the kitchen and ran the tap.

"What happened," Sabin gasped.

"She’s rejecting the transplant," Petey replied after guzzling two large glasses of water.

"I’m sorry, man," Alex sighed. "Why aren’t you there with her?"

"I know I should be there, but…I can’t watch her die."

Eric placed a hand on Petey’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "Petey, you never got to say goodbye to Abby. You didn’t have a choice in that. You do have a choice here. If Bella is dying…"

"There’s no if, Eric," Petey sighed sadly. "She will die from this."

"Then you really should be there with her," Alex said. For once no one shot him a dirty look or told him to shut up. He had spoken the words that they all were thinking.

"Come on," Eric said slinging his arm around his friend’s shoulders. "I’ll drive you to the hospital."

Petey didn’t protest as Eric led him out to his car. He only hoped that Isabella didn’t hate him for deserting her in her time of need.

~~~~~~~

Isabella’s room was empty when Petey arrived. He had told Eric that he needed to face her alone. Benjamin must have been in the cafeteria or out for a walk.

Silently he crept into the room and looked down at her. The heart monitoring wires protruded from her gown and an IV line ran from her left arm. Her chest rose and fell in ragged spurts.

Feeling eyes on her Isabella’s eyes fluttered open. "Petey," she asked weakly.

"I’m so sorry I left, baby," he choked out, tears spilling down his cheeks uncontrollably.

She held out her hand to him and he practically dove into the bed with her. He wanted to hold her in his arm, to shield her from this terrible thing that was happening. She looked so frail already.

"I’m not mad," she sighed when his hand reached hers. She pulled it to her face, pressing her cheek into the palm. "I understand how hard this is for you."

"That’s no excuse," he sniffled, wiping the tears away with the back of his free hand. "I was a coward, but I’m here now, Bella. I’ll never leave your side again."

From the doorway Benjamin listened, sipping the sludge that passed for coffee in the hospital cafeteria. His grief had replaced any anger he felt toward Petey. They were both losing a person they cared about and now was not the time for petty fights.

"I love you, Petey," Isabella said softly. "I want you to know that. I love you."

"I know, Bella," he replied placing a kiss on the knuckles of the hand he held. "I love you too. God help me I do."

~~~~~~~

No donor had been found and as the days passed Bella became weaker. Benjamin and Petey had been in the hospital with her every day, taking shifts sitting with her. Most days she was lucid, but the more her failing heart strained to do its job the less conscious she was.

One morning Petey was awakened by fingers combing through his hair. He had dyed it back to his natural brown color at Isabella’s request and it was starting to grow out of the buzz cut he had once sported. He lifted his head to find Isabella staring at him.

Her once again chocolate brown eyes were alert, but he didn’t know for how long. She slipped in and out of consciousness these days. Without thinking he nudged Benjamin, who was sleeping in the chair next to him. Benjamin’s eyes snapped open and turned to his sister.

She smiled at them both, coughing a little. Her failing heart was putting a strain on her lungs now.

"I never thought I’d see the day when you two got along," she chuckled and coughed again. "I love you both very much."

"We love you too, Bells," Benjamin replied reaching out to give her leg a little squeeze. "Rest now. You need rest."

"Benji, could I speak to Petey alone, please," she asked softly. She could already feel her body growing weaker still. He opened his mouth to protest and she quickly silenced him. "Please, Benji. It’s important."

Benjamin sighed, hanging his head. He knew better than to argue with her. Without a word he stood and slipped out of the room, closing the door behind him.

"Bella?" Petey was confused by her request.

"I’m cold." He stood and grabbed the extra blanket off the windowsill draping it over her. "Would you hold me?"

"Of course." He helped her to rearrange her position so that he was behind her, arms wrapped tightly around her. "Better?"

She nodded, sighing contentedly. "Petey, I don’t want you to blame Abby for this."

"What do you mean, baby?"

"It’s almost time," she sighed. His heart stopped for a second and then started up again, faster than before. He had been trying to prepare for the end, but never had he imagined it would come so soon.

"No, baby, you’re fine. They’ll find a donor," he lied more to himself than to her.

"It’s not Abby’s fault, Petey," she said softly. She pressed a cold hand to his cheek, he turned his face into it, kissing the palm. "She gave me more than just a heart. She gave me a chance to love before…" Her words trailed as she gasped for air.

Petey grabbed the oxygen mask off the bed where it lay beside her and placed it over her nose and mouth. "Quiet, love," he crooned, stroking her cheek. "Rest. You need your rest."

She shook her head, pulling the mask off. "She loved you so very much, Petey," she wheezed. She wasn’t looking at him at that moment though. She was staring blankly ahead a serene smile on her lips.

"Bella?" Tears stung his eyes as he watched her. She blinked and looked up into his eyes with nothing but love.

"Don’t let me go," she said. He nodded, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I will always be with you and Benji. I love you both." She pressed a soft kiss to his lips before her body went limp in his arms.

The monitors began to frantically beep. Nurses and doctors flooded into the room and he was ushered away from the bed. A nurse pushed him out into the hall where Benjamin stood.

The two men watched from the doorway as the staff worked on Isabella for what seemed like an eternity. The steady blip of the heart monitor never returned and the whine of the flatline echoed in their ears.

It was only when the somber faced doctor gave his condolences that Petey lost it. He dropped to his knees, hugging his arms around himself and rocking back and forth, a low keening reverberating off the walls. Benjamin pulled him up to his feet, holding onto him as silent tears slipped down his cheeks.

The time leading up to Isabella’s funeral were a blur for Petey. He had insisted on being involved in every aspect of it and Benjamin was very grateful for the support. It was sad that it had taken his sister’s untimely death to bring it about, but he had finally seen what she saw in Petey. He was a good man and he was happy that she got to be with him in her final moments.

Petey sat by the gravesite while the service went on. His face showed no emotion, having cried himself out in the days leading up to his moment. He watched as everyone placed white carnations on the casket before stepping forward and placing a single red rose on top of the pile.

Benjamin placed a hand on Petey’s shoulder after the service was over and the casket had been lowered. Petey looked at the younger man and gave him a sad smile. "You gonna be all right," he asked.

Benjamin sighed and shrugged. "It hurts," he said, his voice cracking on the last word. Petey nodded, hugging him tightly.

"I know it does," he said softly. "She loved you with all of her heart and soul, Ben. Take solace in that."

Benjamin got control of himself and looked at Petey. "I think the better question is are you gonna be all right?"

Petey nodded. "I think I will. We’ll get through this together, Ben. Your sister was a gift. She helped me put my shattered heart back together and I’ll always love her for that."

"I’m sorry that I was such a dick to you, Petey," Benjamin said as the headed out of the cemetery together. "I understand a little better. What you went through with Abby’s death."

Petey nodded, feeling a little stab of pain at the mention of his late fiancé’s name. "I forgave you a long time ago, Ben. You were taking care of your sister like a good brother."

"You think she’s looking down on us and smiling?"

"Absolutely and she’s got Abby right there with her," Petey smiled.