First a Dream (Dreams Come True #1) (19 page)

Gabriel laid a hand over his chest. “Aren’t you hurting now?  I know I am. I miss everything between us. I miss talking to you, tucking you in, sharing my life and my home. I ache for what we had. I know we can’t have that again, but we could have something different because we fought so hard to be together, and better because it’s based on honesty.”

Her next words were spoken in fear. “What if I let you in and you leave me and I’m miserable for the rest of my life?”

Gabriel smiled a slow smile. They had danced this dance before. “What if you let me in and I never let you go and we live happily ever after?”

“That only happens in fairy tales.” Her words were spoken almost inaudibly.

“Well, then Bella, my princess,” he whispered with his face and palms pressed against the screen, “let me be your prince.”

Isabella stood there frozen, letting the words sink in, knowing this might very well be the most challenging decision she’d had to make since sending Jack packing. He stood there patiently waiting. Silently she stepped back. Gabriel did as well. Then the door was flung open as she let him in once more. In a single step, Gabriel crossed the boundary and crushed Isabella to him, an act she had dreamed about for three weeks. With a smile, and an arm around her, he murmured, “You know I meant it about never letting you go again, right?”

“I hope so.” Isabella rested against his chest, never really considering the implications of his words.

When Rebecca and Konnor returned from visiting Jack half an hour later, they were ecstatic to find Gabriel sitting in their living room. They were even happier to learn he going with them trick-or-treating.

“Mom, can he stay the night?” Rebecca pulled on her mother’s shirt while asking.

Gabriel reached over and grasped Isabella’s hand. “Yeah, Mom. Can he?” Gabriel asked mockingly.

Isabella only stared out the window and smiled. “Why don’t you two go get your costumes?  It’s about time to get ready.”

Chapter Fifteen

Isabella

“I’ve never been Trick-or-Treating,” Gabriel remarked as they prepared the kids.

Isabella had been putting the finishing touches on Konnor’s puppy nose, but paused with her make-up brush in hand and looked at Gabriel intently. “You’ve never been?” Her mouth dropped open. “You’ve never dressed up and run from door to door terrorizing the neighborhood, begging for candy?”

“No,” he said quietly. “The nanny was always too old. My parents were always too busy. I used to simply come down to dinner and find a bag of candy waiting for me. I never was able to go out and actually get it on my own.”

Isabella shook her head. “Your childhood makes me sad.” Here he sat, affluent, a world traveler, but completely robbed of a traditional childhood and all the ordinary little joys. “Well, you are always welcome to experience everything vicariously through my children.”

“Thank you, Bella.” Then his look became excited, more intense. “You know what I wanted to do with all of you this Halloween. I can tell you now, since we weren’t able to do it.”

“What?”

“I wanted to take you to Salem, Massachusetts to experience Halloween there. Wouldn’t that have been magical?  So much history...”

Laughing, she exclaimed, “Not everything has to be huge. Watch the kids tonight. You’ll see. They are going to have a simple little celebration and love every minute of it.”

“You know, I thought you might have plans for tonight.” Gabriel spoke quietly. She could feel him watching her for a reaction.

“Oh, I do.” He frowned. “It’s just that now you’re a part of them.”

“What were these plans?” He looked at her sideways as he finished zipping up Rebecca, who was dressed as Eeyore.

“We’re going to meet up with Jessie and Jeff. Don’t worry, you’ll love him.” She smiled, realizing he seemed much calmer now he understood her plans were with her best friend.

“Excellent. We’ve never hung out with your friends, really. This will be nice.” The way he kept smiling, she knew he meant it.

They left minutes later, and drive to Jessie and Jeff’s home. It was a short ride. Everything seemed easier, happier, with Gabriel back in her life. When they parked in the driveway, she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

“What was that for?” He touched the spot where she’d planted the kiss.

“Just because.” Then she laughed. “Don’t worry. There’s plenty more where that came from.”

“I’m counting on it.” He grinned as he helped Rebecca out of her seat.

Holding hands, they walked up to the door behind the kids who were already squealing in delight. As soon as Jessie opened the door, she beamed. “Gabriel, it’s so good to see you!” Then she glared at Isabella. “I thought we told each other everything.”

Laughing, Isabella shrugged. “When would I have had time!”

Jessie drew her aside. “Now is good.”

“Can we at least introduce him to your husband first, crazy lady?” She crossed her arms over her chest.

“Eh. I suppose. Let’s go.” The three of them walked into the kitchen where Jeff stood at the sink rinsing dishes and loading the dishwasher. “We have one more to consider on that pizza order we’re about to place.” She warned her husband. At her words, he whipped around and started wiping his hands on the nearest towel.

“So nice to meet you. You must be Gabriel.” The men shook. “Now, Isabella doesn’t have any brothers and her father died, so I guess it’s my job to warn you about hurting her.”

Jessie rolled her eyes. “He already did. They made up. You want to warn him not to do it ever again or something?” She raised an eyebrow.

Isabella laughed, but noticed Gabriel looked mildly uncomfortable. “This is nothing. It will get much worse tonight, I have no doubt.”

He tugged at his collar. “Thanks for the warning.”

They managed to get through the meal and the trick-or-treating around the neighborhood in record time. By seven thirty in the evening, they were back at Jessie’s house. The kids were down in the basement watching a movie while the adults enjoyed a glass of wine next to the fireplace.

“I’m so glad we did this,” Gabriel commented as Isabella rested against his shoulder. “I haven’t really met any of Isabella’s friends of family yet.”

“Well, you peaked with me.” Jessie smiled before taking a swig of merlot from her glass. “As for the family, count your blessings.”

Isabella lifted her goblet. “I’ll drink to that.” She and Jessie clinked glasses.

“Oh, they can’t be that bad.” Gabriel dismissed the idea and shook his head.

“Um, her sister slept with her husband. She caught them. And that’s why they’re divorced.” This time Jessie held up her hand for a high five.

***

  Gabriel

It took him a moment to react. After all, Jessie had revealed two critical pieces of information almost at once. He turned to Isabella. “You’re divorced?” He grinned. “When did this happen?”

“Miss three weeks, miss a lot,” she joked. Then she titled her head as she considered the question. “It was a week or so ago. I mean, I should’ve put it on my calendar. We celebrated at Girl’s Night with cake.”

“Because if a marriage starts with cake, it should end with it too.” Jessie nodded at Isabella. “This is her reasoning. Why is she not five hundred pounds?”

“Please. You’re thinner than I am.” Isabella rolled her eyes.

Leaning forward, Jessie pouted. “But I don’t have any boobs.”

“They’re highly overrated.” She glanced over at Gabriel. “Don’t you agree?”

“Absolutely not.” He leaned over and kissed her neck. “We’ll research this later, at length.” He winked. Then he was quiet for a moment. That other part. Her sister. Her husband. Gabriel pulled Isabella closer. “I’m so sorry about what happened with Jack and your sister.”

Looking up at him, she smiled. “Don’t be. If not for all of that, I wouldn’t have you.”

His heart thumped rapidly in his chest. She had such a lovely way of looking at things. No wonder he adored the woman.

They arrived at the barn around nine at night. A fall chill was in the air as they hustled the kids into the house. Once they had Rebecca and Konnor tucked into their respective beds, he looked at her pointedly.

“What?” Isabella seemed so happy and relaxed.

“You never answered our question earlier,” Gabriel noted.

“What question?” Isabella frowned.

“May I stay?” He looked at her earnestly, as though she might refuse him. “I mean...I’ve missed us, our closeness.” He looked ashamed to admit his feelings. “I’ve missed tucking you in, Bella.”

Taking his hand, Isabella led him up the stairs. He stood there, awkwardly, unsure what to do with his hands as he watched her pull back the comforter and sheet. Then she turned to him and slowly unbuttoned his shirt, exposing his muscular chest, then ran her hands straight up to his shoulders and smiled as the shirt fell down his arms. “For the record, I’ve missed you too.” She laid a kiss right over his heart.

Next her attention turned to his pants. Effortlessly, as if she’d done this innumerable times, she unfastened his belt, then his button, finally the zipper, and happily watched them pool around his ankles. Gabriel stepped out of them and sat on the edge of the bed, pulling off his socks. When he was done, his hands found her waist.

Within seconds her shirt had been removed and he had buried his face in her throat. “I love the scent of you,” he murmured. “You’re still wearing my perfume.”

“What can I say?  I’m a masochist.” She shrugged with a laugh.

“I’m glad. It makes me want to devour you,” he admitted, a lazy smile gracing his face.

“Being a masochist?” She pretended to shrink away from his touch.

Gabriel looked to the sky. “Wearing my perfume. You know what I meant. Why do you torture me?”

“Maybe I did.” She smirked. “I guess there’s a little sadist in me too.”

A moment later her jeans lay on top of his. Within seconds they were happy and practically naked together. This time felt different from times past. As Gabriel touched her and held her, he finally felt free in a way he never had before. There were no lies between them. There was no marriage to keep them apart. Finally, she could be his. He swallowed hard and Isabella noticed.

“You getting nervous, handsome?” A lazy smile spread across her face.

“It’s not that. Never that. Not with with you.” He planted a kiss on her nose. “Have you ever considered having more children?” Gabriel held her to his chest and combed through her hair with his fingers while he waited for her answer.

“Yeah. I have.” He could feel her smiling against his chest while she run her hand up and down his happy trail. It was a wonder he could think at all.

“And?” Suddenly her answer seemed vitally important.

“I’d like to. You know, someday, if I married again.” She sighed happily. “I’d like one chance to do it right, with a man I’d be with forever. Why do you ask?”

“No reason,” he lied. If she’d looked at him, he’d have had a hard time hiding his joy at her response. Soon enough, her breathing lengthened, and she grew heavy in his arms. When he was certain she was asleep, he voiced his thoughts. “I could be happy with just one, as long as it was with you.”

Isabella must’ve been exhausted because she slept through the kids waking up and banging around in the kitchen. She slept though Gabriel getting up and making breakfast with them. She might’ve missed the meal entirely, had he not delivered it to her in bed. Breakfast in bed appeared almost before she had an opportunity to truly awaken. “Bella, darling,” he began quietly as he fed her a strawberry, “would you do something for me?”

She sat up to finish chewing and swallowing, before she responded. “That depends on what it is.”

“Well, you know my father is very important to me.” His voice trailed off, unsure of how to continue expressing what weighed so heavily on his mind.

“Yes.” Isabella took another bite of fruit.

“Would you mind if we invite him over for dinner next weekend so he can get to know you and the children?” It seemed of vital importance his father get to truly know the kids.

She thought for a moment. “I suppose I could try to keep them next weekend. After all, it was supposed to be my week. I shouldn’t be penalized because he had to work and brought them home early.”

***

Isabella

The next Saturday evening, Isabella was in the kitchen, slicing and dicing to create the perfect evening for Mr. Charmant. Once the meal preparation had been done, she moved on to arranging the fresh flowers Gabriel had purchased.

“I could have bought take out,” Gabriel complained. “Then you wouldn’t be working so hard.”

“Who said this is work?  I happen to be enjoying this.” She flashed him an irresistible smile.

“I want you to be able to relax and enjoy the evening. Having my father here will be tough enough.” He huffed and sat on a stool while watching her.

“Well, I want to cook. I want him to see the real me, the common woman who enjoys spending time in the kitchen, loves caring for her children, and knows how to take care of herself and the man she loves.” She glanced at him to make sure he’d heard her declaration of love. Given his smile, she guessed he had. “Listen, he probably believes I’m out looking for a rich husband, right?” She paused in her task to watch his reaction.

“How did you guess?” Gabriel slouched further and leaned on the counter.

“I didn’t have to guess.” She turned and smiled at him. “I keep in touch with Ava. This is also how I know he’s going to love dinner.”

“He loves lemon dill chicken and garden couscous. Me, I’m eager to try your dessert.” He stood and walked over to the fridge, then opened the door.

“Don’t bother trying to sneak one of my award winning cream puffs.” She glared at him with hands on her hips.

“Fine.” He gave her his best pouty lick.

Isabella laughed. “That doesn’t even work on me.”

“What award, by the way?” Gabriel leaned against the counter.

She could feel her cheeks turn pink. “It was a cooking contest in 7
th
grade Home Economics.” She cleared her throat to cover her embarrassment. “But hey, an award, is an award.”

Everything seemed destined to go well. Mr. Charmant arrived with a bottle of wine and a smile. “I’m so glad you could come.” Isabella gave him a hug as soon as Gabriel took his coat. “Thank you for the wine.”

As she set the meal out, she could overhear him talking to Gabriel in the living room. “It smells amazing. Did Isabella really make all that on her own?”

She watched Gabriel’s chest puff out slightly. “She sure did. My Bella is an amazing cook. She refused to let me have this meal catered. I did nothing.” He shrugged.

“Not true,” she called from the dining room. “You brought home flowers.” Turning the chandelier low, she lit the candles on the table. Walking to where Gabriel sat, she smiled. “Dinner is ready. Now we just need to watch the kids and make sure they don’t burn the house down.” She strode over to the kids’ room and leaned in the doorway. “Dinner is ready. Come eat.”