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Antonio grabbed his briefcase and stepped out into the cramped aisle of the airplane. Relieved to be back in Sunset Beach, he couldn’t get off the stuffy aircraft fast enough. His mother had been the most difficult to convince…Maria was understanding, as always and Ricardo was happy to have the old Antonio back. Gabi expressed her concern but Antonio wasn’t sure if it was for his sake or her own.
Having him out of the priesthood presented quite a challenge for Gabi Martinez. Engaged to Ricardo, she was to be his future sister-in-law. Family dinners, holidays together, special occasions: normal situations for relatives by marriage. But Gabi and Antonio were not going to be normal relatives. They were former lovers who still had feelings for each other, regardless of how much they both denied it. When Antonio entered the seminary, he was hurt and angry over his sister’s "death." He found peace with God and great satisfaction using his vocation to assist those in need. He never looked back on his decision until he realized he had fallen in love with Gabi. Love was something he had sworn never to allow himself after Ashley, but he had with Gabi and, again, it had brought him a world of trouble. Antonio had told her he would never leave the priesthood when she accepted Ricardo’s proposal the day after they made love in the cave-in. In time, she had come to terms with it and decided to give her heart completely to Ricardo. Antonio gave his best effort to being the good priest, totally committed to his vows and to God. After much heavy soul searching and praying for guidance, he admitted his heart longed for a different kind of future. He couldn’t remain a priest given his confused feelings and obvious doubts about his calling. Even if his future didn’t lie with Gabi, he was now certain it didn’t lie with the church either. The plane shook as the flight attendant pushed open the heavy door. The passengers shuffled to the front as the crew mindlessly bid them the required farewell. Antonio smiled shyly at the young woman who wished him off. It felt good to be able to appreciate the opposite sex freely again, a feeling he was sure he would get used to rather quickly. Stepping off the plane, he was greeted heartily by Maria and Ricardo. "Well, hello little brother," Maria hugged him tightly. "How was your flight?" "Tiring," he admitted as he stepped out of the hug. "I’m glad it’s all over." His trip had been to the Bishop’s office to finalize his release from the church. It had been extremely exhausting emotionally and Antonio was relieved it was done. "Hey T," Ricardo said slapping him on the shoulder and eyeing him carefully. "I like this new look." Antonio was dressed casually in a comfortable pair of Levi’s and a red t-shirt. "Catching a lot of looks from the ladies already, I see?" Ricardo nudged Antonio’s shoulder to the pretty blonde checking him out as she strolled by. Antonio dipped his head with a smile as Ricardo chuckled deeply. "Don’t worry, T…you’ll get used to it again." "Leave him alone," Maria smiled as she wrapped her hand over Antonio’s arm. "Come on, let’s get your bag and get home. Mama’s waiting for us." "You mean she hasn’t disowned me?" Antonio sighed as they headed to the baggage claim. "Has she stopped flipping those tarot cards trying to find my salvation yet?" Maria and Ricardo laughed in unison and Antonio shook his head. "I didn’t think so." They picked up Antonio’s luggage and left the airport. SURF CENTRAL Antonio was taking his old room at Surf Central until he decided exactly what he was going to do for a job and a place to live. Ricardo carried his suitcase upstairs as Antonio walked into the kitchen to find Casey was pulling things from the refrigerator. "Casey, I really appreciate this," Antonio offered sincerely. "It’s such a big help." "No problem, Fa…" Casey turned hesitantly with a sideways glance. "Sorry. That’s going to take some getting used to." Antonio smiled. "By all of us, Casey." Casey laughed with relief and offered Antonio a sandwich. They sat at the table and Casey filled him in on the comings and goings of Surf Central. The time he had spent there previously had been brief and it had really only served as a place to sleep. He would no longer spend his days at the Mission; Surf Central would be his full-time home. "So, help yourself to anything you want and just make sure there’s always a gallon of milk in the fridge. We go through a lot of cereal around here." Antonio smiled as Casey stood up. "I’ve gotta run. I’ll see you later." "Thanks again, Casey." Antonio carried his plate to the sink as Casey went out the back door. Antonio leaned back against the sink and sighed quietly as he took in his new living quarters. He had a good feeling that things were going to work out in his favor. Then Ricardo came into the kitchen. "Hey, I’ve gotta get going man. Gabi and I are going to dinner." Suddenly, Antonio’s heart sank to his feet. Gabi. The one part of his future that would be the most difficult to accept, his future sister-in-law. Ricardo noticed the drain of expression on Antonio’s face. "Everything okay, T?" "Yeah, I’m just really tired." Antonio shook his head casually. "I think I’m gonna go up and try to get some sleep." He stepped past Ricardo and stopped at the door. "Thanks again for picking me up. I’ll see you later." "Take care." Ricardo shook his brother’s hand and headed out the door. With a heavy heart and a deep sigh, Antonio made his way upstairs to his room, hoping to God he hadn’t just made the biggest mistake of his life. GRENADINE’S Gabi twisted her necklace distractedly as Ricardo drone on about the latest bust at the station. She knew Antonio had arrived back in town and that Ricardo had picked him up. He was all she could think about as she attempted to listen to her fiance. Antonio had left the priesthood for good. A part of her was so angry that he had made the decision now, after she had committed herself to Ricardo. He hadn’t been able to leave for her, but suddenly he couldn’t stay any longer? His timing baffled her. She shook her head, unknowingly catching Ricardo’s attention. "Are you okay, Gab?" He reached his hand across the table and picked up her delicate fingers. "You seem a million miles away." Gabi smiled softly. "Yes, I’m okay." Ricardo wasn’t convinced and squeezed her hand gently. "Really," she confirmed raising her eyes to him. "Okay," he relented and returned to his dinner. "Oh, by the way, Antonio looks great." Gabi nearly spit out her wine at his comment. "You should have seen him…old Levi’s, a red t-shirt. Boat shoes!" Gabi wondered what Ricardo would say if he knew just how much he was torturing her. "Very unpriest like. It’s an amazing change, Gab." "Yeah," she said wistfully, "I bet it is." Gabi was strangely quiet the rest of the evening. Her mind drifted to thoughts of Antonio while Ricardo remained blissfully unaware. She had tried so hard to put her feelings for him aside over the past few months but obviously had not been as successful as she had convinced herself she was. "Gabi? Are you ready?" Ricardo was standing next to the table. "You want to head back home?" "Actually, Ricardo," she tried to sound nonchalant. "I was thinking I would stay at Surf Central tonight." "How come?" Ricardo wondered with a pout. "Um, Vanessa and I are going shopping early in the morning and it would be easier for me to get ready if I’m there." Most of Gabi’s things were still housed at Surf Central. She didn’t actually live at the loft with Ricardo; she just spent most nights there. She wanted to wait until after they were married to officially move in. "I’ll miss you," Ricardo nuzzled his lips against her neck. "The bed is always so lonely without you." Gabi closed her eyes and bit her lip. "Are you sure?" "Yes, I’m sure." She stepped away from the table and he followed her to the door. SURF CENTRAL Ricardo stood on the porch pinning Gabi against the wall. "So, goodnight," he whispered as he kissed her gently on the lips. "Are you sure I can’t walk you to your room?" Gabi held him back and smiled. "No, Ricardo. I told you I have to get up early." She leaned up and kissed him. "Goodnight." Closing the door behind her, Gabi made her way into the kitchen. She rarely spent the night here anymore, but tonight, she wanted to see Antonio. Taking a glass of water with her, she made her way up the stairs and down the hall. Antonio’s room was the first on the right and Gabi’s was the last on the left. She could see the light on underneath his door. Contemplating knocking, she stopped just outside the door and raised her hand. Antonio was reading his book when he heard the steps creaking. Faint footsteps in the hall drew his attention away from the page and he saw the shadow under the door. After a few seconds, the shadow and the footsteps moved off down the hall. He climbed off the bed and walked to the door. As he opened it, he peered down the hall and saw Gabi disappear into her room. "Why is she here?" he thought to himself knowing that she and Ricardo had dinner together earlier. He couldn’t imagine why she wouldn’t have gone back to the loft with him. He shrugged his shoulders and closed the door again. Gabi tossed her purse on the bed and cursed herself for even thinking of knocking on his door. "Why am I here?" she asked herself out loud. She could have been back at the loft with Ricardo right now, cuddled in his arms, probably making love to him. Something deep inside told her that wasn’t really where she wanted to be. She shook her head to remove the thought. "He’s my fiance," she said as she looked at her ring. "I love Ricardo." Gabi flipped off the light and changed into her nightshirt before crawling into bed. Antonio woke up and looked at the clock. It was almost three in the morning. His room was hot, the ceiling fan only circulating the warm, moist air. Rising from the bed, he pulled on his shorts and walked to the window. It was already open and there was no breeze coming in. Feeling miserable, he decided to go to the kitchen to get some water. He checked the hallway to make sure everyone was asleep before he wandered out and down the stairs. Gabi stood in the kitchen letting the coldness of the open refrigerator wash over her. She leaned heavily on the door as she bent forward breathing in the crisp, refreshing air. It had been too hot to sleep and despite her skimpy nightshirt, she had woken up drenched in sweat. Moving the door open and closed, she fanned the arctic air over herself as she tilted her head back and ran an ice cube down her neck. Antonio froze in the doorway at the sight of Gabi standing at the refrigerator. The light from inside shone through her flimsy nightshirt and he could see the silhouette of her naked body underneath. His chest was tight as he watched Gabi draw the ice cube down her neck and in a circle around the hollow of her throat, her head rolling in a slow circle. Needing to leave but drawn to stay, he felt his breath quicken as she let out a soft sigh. The blood quickly draining from his head and flowing downward, Antonio decided he had to get out of the room. As he turned to leave, he accidentally knocked the day’s mail off the counter startling them both as it hit the floor. Gabi swung around quickly with a gasp as Antonio scrambled to pick up the letters that littered the floor. "My God, Antonio, you scared me half to death." Gabi closed the refrigerator and stepped toward Antonio. Trying to catch his breath and rid his mind of the vision he had just witnessed, Antonio kept his eyes on the floor and gathered the mail. Gabi’s eyes perused his half-naked body bent over to the floor. His shoulders flexing as he picked up the final piece of paper and stood straight. Their eyes met and the same electricity that always sparked between them was immediately evident. "Hi, Gabi," he offered lamely, holding a magazine in front of his waist to hide his excitement. "I didn’t mean to scare you. I…I didn’t think anyone was awake." Gabi’s eyes caressed his bare chest before she looked back up. "It’s okay. I just couldn’t sleep, it was so hot up there." And hot in here, Antonio thought during the brief, awkward silence that followed. "So, it’s all official now, huh?" Her voice was suddenly cold and a tad sarcastic. "A free man at last. That must be an incredible relief for you." Antonio dropped his head at her tone. He knew that she was having mixed emotions about his leaving the priesthood, but it was ultimately a decision he had made for his own benefit. "Yes, Gabi. It is." He looked into her eyes and saw all the confusion and hurt he had expected to find there. "Excuse me." Antonio turned quickly and went back upstairs, his own heart full of the same hurt and confusion. It would take time for them both to sort out their feelings, but he was certain, in the end, everything would turn out as it was meant to. He climbed back in bed and clenched his eyes tightly, desperate to keep Gabi out of his dreams.
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