Chapter one: Private Lives REBOOT!

Helllloooo. This is a Rewrite/reboot of my story "Private Lives" I wanted to make more clear the obstacles that Ichabod and Abbie face keeping them from admitting their love to another. And resulting in a secret affair. So this is the beginning of the story. I hope you like it. And I hope it makes more sense. I am really excited about this reboot. Lol All characters herein do not belong to me. They all belong to FOX NETWORK. I am just borrowing them for a little while. Lol All critiques and reviews are welcome and should be addressed to the author below the title. Lol. Good or bad.

Dean Ichabod Crane sat behind his desk in his large leather chair. His best friend Daniel Mills with his

baby sister Jennifer Mills and Professor Mary Wells sat around his desk in his office. All four listened as Jennifer Mill continued to talk about her older sister Grace Abigail Mills.

"She was a really cute kid."Remember Ichabod?" Jenny said.

Ichabod shakes his head. He vaguely remembers the second Mills child.

Daniel nods his head.

"Of course you do. She was short, with braces, her hair all tight curls?"Jenny said.

"Oh, yes, right."

Ichabod nods. He remembered the little girl, Abbie. She was thirteen years old and he was a freshman in College.

"She always wanted to tag along with us," Ichabod answers.

"Right. But of course she couldn't because you and Daniel were going to frat parties in College. I  always thought Abbie

had a crush on you, Icky." Daniel frowned. Ichabod twisted his lips and nodded.

"Yes, she was a pest!"

Ichabod answered. He sat back in his black leather seat and steepled his long fingers underneath his bearded chin.

"Yes, she will be working with Professor Wells at the library archives this summer. Starting this  Monday And teaching in the Fall. I am looking forward to seeing her, again," Ichabod answered.

"Are you now?" Jenny said. Her Eyes lit up as a a smile played on her lips. Jenny slides her eyes to look at her brother.

Daniel frowned at Jenny. Jenny lifts her eyebrow. Daniel looks at Jenny and Wonders about that wicked gleam in her

eye is all about?

"Well, she has changed, Ichabod," Jenny said.

Ichabod lowers his eyebrows and tilts his head waiting for Jenny to explain.

"Changed how, Jennifer? Is she bald with glasses and a scar?"  Ichabod chuckled. A small smile on his full lips.

"No, it is much worst,"Jenny answered.

There is silence in the room all eyes on Jennifer Mills waiting for her to continue. She had a captive audience.

"Well, you wouldn't recognize her now. She still wears glasses and her hair is in short curly unruly knots," Jenny

answered. Her pretty face scrunched into a nasty look.

"There is nothing wrong with a woman wearing glasses, Jennifer," Dean Crane answered. He folded his large hands on his desk and sat forward.

"Yes but, she wears the horrible bottle cap glasses,"Jenny said.

Ichabod shakes his head.

She was employed in this University to teach not to win a beauty contest, Jennifer," Ichabod answered. He stared at Jenny.

Jenny Mills nodded.

"Yes, you're right! Abbie has always excelled at teaching," Jenny answered.

Silence.

"I've only talked to her on the phone. Mary Wells has met Abigail and chose her for her project. How long has it been since we've seen her?" Ichabod asked.

"Ten years.She was thirteen when last you saw her," Jenny answered.

"Thirteen? That would make her what now?" Ichabod's brow wrinkled in thought.

"Twenty three! She's twenty three years old now. You can talk to her yourself. She just outside waiting for me in the

hallway. We're going out to an early lunch. Can she come in?" Jenny asked.

"My God Jennifer. Of course let her in. How long had she been waiting?"  Ichabod's voice a low rumble. His English

accent apparent.

Ichabod's eyes grew wide and he shook his head.

"Calm down icky. Calm down. I'll let her in," Jenny answered. Her eyes brightened and she smiled at Ichabod. She then turned to Daniel and winked.

Daniel Mills scowled at his sister. He didn't like whatever game of deception his sister was playing with

his best friend Ichabod Crane. He knew Jenny. She was matchmaking. Wanting to see how Ichabod

reacted to Abbie. He didn't like it at all.

"Alright, I will," Jenny answered and left the room.

Ichabod turned his head to meet Daniel's eyes. He shook his head.

"Insupportable! I can't believe she just let her stand in the hallway lik..... Ichbaod began.

Jenny reentered with the now adult Grace Abigail Mills and Dean Ichabod Crane was rendered speechless. He stared at

Abbie. His mouth wide opened. Her large brown doe eyes met his as she stood at the doorway. Her full Cupid bow red

lips widened in  a huge smile.

"Good morning, Dean Crane. It's so nice to see you again after all these years," Abbie said softly. Her silky loose dark

brown curls bounced around her angelic face as she walked into his office. She wore a tight short sleeved, low collared

white t-shirt. Black trousers and two inched red pumps. Ichabod sucked in a breath as she came  near his desk. Thirteen

year old Grace Abigail Mills had turned into a truly beautiful young woman. She was absolutely stunning.

"Dean Crane?" Ichabod? Are you ok?"  Abbie asked. Her voice low. Ichabod closed his eyes and shook his head. He

swallowed hard before getting up from his huge leather chair as she approached. His large hands grabbed her small one.

The handshake was a gentle squeeze. A quick pump motion then was released. Ichabod quickly folded his

hands behind his back. He nodded at her.

"I apologize Ms. Mills.mIt is just such a surprise to see you. I mean before our appointment on Monday, that is."

"Nice save, Icky," Jenny muttered. She smiled at both of them and joined Daniel back on the the couch. Daniel frowned

at Jenny.

A worried frown pulled Ichabod's brows together. He opened and closed his hand and shook it out  behind his back.

Her hand felt so small and warm in his. And so soft he can smell the scent of vanilla  and coconut on it. Delicious.

"Oh, call me Abbie. Or Professor Mills, since I will be working here on Monday. " Abbie smiled up at him. She quickly

moved around the desk. Her arms stretched out to him.

"Ahh, come here. I missed you icky," Abbie giggled. She wrapped her thin long arms around Ichabod's tall lanky figure

and squeezed tight.

She closed her eyes against his broad chest. Ichabod remained rigid and tense in her arms. He heard her suck in breath

and felt the heat of it against his thin blue summer shirt. His eyes slid from Jenny's smile to Daniel's disapproving,

angry look.

Abbie quickly released him and took one step back. She looked up at him. A small smile on her full red lips.

"It is really nice to see you again, Ichabod,"she chuckled.

Abbie gasped. Her hand flew to her mouth.

"Oh, no I mean Dean Crane. I can't call you Icky anymore, " Abbie laughed.

Ichabod smiled down at her and chuckled. He found himself truly enchanted with this beautiful diminutive young

woman now standing before him.

Ichabod stared much too long at Abigail Mills. He realized and blinked twice. He coughed into his fists.

He could still smell the vanilla coconut on his large hand from when he touched her. His sky blue eyes looked at Abbie.

His smile widened.

"How's Katerina these days, Ichabod? Has she signed those divorce papers, yet?" Daniel shouted. He met Ichabod's

eyes. His eyebrow raised.

"You're still married to Katerina? Jenny told me you were divorced or at least getting a divorce?"  Abbie asked. She

looked up at him.

Ichabod felt a hot rush come upon his face. He looked down to look at Abbie and smiled. He shook his

head.

"Yes technically. Katerina keeps putting off signing the divorce papers. she always claims she's too

busy." Ichabod glared up at Daniel.

"So then you are still married, right? Until she does sign the papers?" Daniel asked. His full lips curved into a smirk.

"Yes. Daniel. It means I am still married," Ichabod answered. His words clipped and stern.

"All right then!" Daniel smiled. Ichabod nodded. He got the message Daniel was sending him. Stop

ogling and drooling over his little sister or else.

Silence.

Ichabod loudly cleared his throat. He looked down at Abbie and smiled.

"Though it is very nice to see you again after all these years, Professor Mills.,We should keep a

professional relationship in University," Ichabod replied coldly. He straightened his back and frowned down at her.

"Liar," Jenny whispered. Her eyebrow lifted. Daniel glared at Jenny.

"Professor Crane is right. He is Dean of students. We should keep everything professional outside

campus and off."   Abbie smiles up at Ichabod and he grimaces.

"I apologize, Abigail for sounding so cold. I am very glad to see you again as well," Ichabod said smiling down at her.

"Thank you, Ichabod. I am really looking forward to teaching here in the fall,"Abbie answered. "And what will you be

teaching, again?"

Ichabod asked. His voice sounded shaky to him. He knew it was Abbie still standing near him. The smell of her vanilla

coconut skin intoxicated him as it wafted up from her . Ichabod swallowed hard and closed his eyes. He wished she

would have mercy on him and sit with her brother Daniel on the couch.

"Fire arms safety and law enforcement," she replied. Her beautiful face lit up in a huge smile.

Silence. All eyes stared at Grace Abigail Mills. This petite 5' woman is teaching firearm safety? Ichabod

thought. Remarkable. He was impressed. Outside, Ichabod remained cold and calm, authoritative.

God, Ichabod wished she would just move away and stand somewhere else in the office.

"Aren't those classes taught all the way on the other side of campus?" Ichabod said. His brow wrinkled in a frown. He

found himself suddenly annoyed at the far distance Abbie was going to be from his office. Ichabod shook his head at the

thought. It was irrational and unrealistic.

"Yes. You see, it's perfect. You will never have to ever see me. I will be on the other side of the campus all morning

and afternoon. Icha I mean Dean Crane. Out of sight out of mind,"Abbie laughs.

"Oh, don't believe her, Icky. You remember what a little brat she was as a kid and she is still one. Oh, boy do I have some stories to tell you," Jenny laughed.

"Oh Yes. I remember,"Ichabod chuckled.

"Oh, shut up, Jenny. I promise you, Dean Crane I will be on my best behavior while I teach here." Abbie answered. Her small voice sweet.

"Don't believe that," Daniel and Jenny said.

Abbie shot them a look.

"ANYWAY!! In a week you will forget I am even here. I will be too busy with Professor Wells, too annoy anyone," Abbie

answered.

"As you already know, Abbie and I will be working in the old Library Archives all Summer long. We hope to have it in

order by the Fall Semester," Mary replied.

"Yes. It is intractable task. You and Professor Mills have set yourselves on. A lot of dirty, dusty work in store for you down at the library archives on Monday."

"Oh, we've already started this week.mCome Evening! We look horrible. you should see us," Abbie giggled. She waved

her small hand at him.

Ichabod chuckled. Abbie's angelic smile brightened. So very beautiful. He couldn't imagine Abigail Mills ever looked horrible.

He shook his head. He reprimanded himself and lowered his eyes from hers coughing; embarrassed.

Ichabod composed himself once again. He set his shoulders back and stood ram rod straight. His hands folded behind

his back. He was back in control.

"I am glad that you are settling in and are making yourself comfortable on campus." Ichabod nodded.

"Thank you, Dean Crane."

Abbie smiles. She nods and took a deep breath. Her large chest protruded out over the low collar of  her short sleeved

blouse.

Ichabod gasped. He raised his eyes and tried not to stare at Abbie's ample bosom.

A silence fell again between them. Mary steps forward to stand beside Abbie.

"Well, Abbie. We've talked all through lunch. And we are due back in the Library Archives," Mary said.

"Right, We have a lot of dusting to do before Monday. As well as setting up the computers," Abbie answered.

"You're using the old computer in the Archives?" Ichabod asks.

"No, we're using our iPads," Abbie answered.

Ichabod smiles and nods at Abbie and Mary. Abbie grins back and Daniel.

Well, we better go back to work, Abbie."Good day, Ichabod." Mary nods and grabs Abbie's arm with her hand. Abbie

stopped and turned back to Ichabod.

"Good day, Ichabod. It was really great to see you all grown up!" Abbie giggled.

Ichabod chuckles and nods.

"Yes Abbie. It was also nice to see you again, after all these years," He answered.

Abbie smiles at Ichabod and nods back. She turns back to her sister's smile and Daniel once again frowned back at Ichabod.

"Yeah! See you later sis!  Oh, and don't worry, Ichabod will say hi to Katerina for you when he sees her tonight," Daniel

shouted. He chuckled at Ichabod's opened mouth and wide eyed stare. His eyebrows raised.

Abbie frowned at her brother. She turned to look at Ichabod. Her eyebrows lifted over her eye.

"Katerina's in town?" Abbie asked. Ichabod cleared his throat.

"Yes. She is going to be here for a month or so we can discuss her signing the divorce papers," he said.

"Ichabod was just telling me over breakfast, he's hoping they reconcile," Daniel said and shrugged. A huge smile on his

face.

Abbie turned her head to look at Ichabod. He nodded.

"Tis true. I asked her to come to try to reconcile," he said. He licked his lips. A small smile played at the corner of his

mouth.

"Oh. Well..gggood luck then. Ttoo you and Katerina, I mean. I hope it goes well. For both of you."

Silence. Ichabod raised his blue eyes to Abbie. Abbie quickly looked away. She took a deep breath and let it out.

"I better go," Abbie said. She grimaced. She smiled up at Ichabod.

"I will see you again on Monday, Dean Crane."

"Yes. See you Monday, Professor Mills," Ichabod whispered. His voice soft and thoughtful. Abbie nodded. She walked

back to the front of his office and turned around.

Ichabod stared at her. Was that sadness he heard in her voice? Disappointment? Of course not. Don't be ridiculous

Ichabod! He shook his head as he watched Abbie leave with Jenny and Mary closing his door behind them.

Daniel stood up from the couch and clapped his hands.

"Good I'm glad they've left! Now we can talk about you eye-f'ing my baby sister all this time," Daniel said.

To be continued......