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Antonio looked all over the hospital for Gabi. When he couldn’t find her, he left without checking out to search for her. He thought it best not to drive, so he caught a cab back to the loft. From the street, he could see the lights on inside.
Antonio took the stairs carefully holding on tightly to the railing, his head still throbbing viciously. He was anxious to talk to Gabi and set things straight. Looking in the window, he saw her talking wildly to herself and packing her bags. A small wave of laughter washed over him as he walked inside. THE LOFT Unraveled by Antonio’s behavior, Gabi was frantically throwing her clothes into her suitcase stopping frequently to wipe her watering eyes and running nose. She wanted to be gone in case Antonio was released from the hospital and came there to find her. Gabi mumbled to herself as she tossed her skirts haphazardly into the piece of luggage on the bed. Hearing the door open, she spun around. Her eyes were puffy and her cheeks tear-stained. She looked quickly away from Antonio and returned to her task. "Gabi," he called out, making his way across the room. "What are you doing?" "You must have been hit harder than they thought," she answered sarcastically, "I’m packing." Antonio smiled softly at her wit and stepped in front of her. "Get out of my way," she instructed him throwing things past him to the bed. "Gabi, stop," he commanded softly as she threw a shoe purposely into his stomach. He caught it with a groan and tossed it behind him. "Come on, Gabi. I need to talk to you." "I think you’ve said enough," she began in a huff before pausing and slamming her hands onto her hips. "Oh, that’s right. You haven’t said anything, have you?" Antonio cleared his throat and raised his eyes to her. "You’re being a little irrational, aren’t you?" He knew she was angry and had misunderstood, but he also knew what he was ultimately there to do. He decided to play a little. "I guess it must be all those pregnancy hormones or something, huh?" Gabi’s eyes popped at his statement and he stifled a laugh as she began tossing things with even more fervor. "Oh, so now I’m irrational because I’m pregnant." She was running around the room as Antonio perched himself on the edge of the bed near her open suitcase. "You have some nerve, Antonio Torres." "You know," he began shuffling things around. "You should really pack your shoes around the outside and put your clothes in the middle and on top." Gabi was fuming as he fussed with rearranging her belongings. He held up a canary yellow, tight fitting crop top. "I’ve always liked you in this one." He smiled and raised his eyes at her seductively. "Antonio!" She yelled at him snatching the shirt from his hands. "I can’t believe you think this is funny." "I don’t think it’s funny, Gabi," he said in all seriousness. "I just think that when you pack for our honeymoon, you should do it correctly…and make sure to pack that little tank top." "Yeah? Well I think," she stopped with a perplexed expression. "What did you say?" "I said," he stood up and stepped toward her. "When you pack for our honeymoon," he took her into his arms, "I want you to pack light and pack right." Gabi tried to wriggle herself free but his muscular arms held her firmly in place. "I’m sorry about what happened in the hospital…I know you got upset." "I did," she pouted. "And then everyone was there and we couldn’t finish talking." "And," he prodded her with a tilt of his head. "And then your mother said we would all stop pretending, in that annoying little ‘I hate Gabi’ way of hers," she added with attitude. "And," he nudged her again. "And then you took off the ring," she relented. "And…" "And I jumped to a conclusion and ran off?" She answered with a question knowing that she had obviously misjudged the situation. "Exactly," he said as he kissed the tip of her nose. "You ran off and missed everything that happened after that." Gabi put her hands grudgingly on his waist leaning her forehead against his chest. "Then what happened?" she murmured looking guiltily at the floor. Antonio tipped her head up with his index finger bent under her chin. Gabi’s eyes hit his and a small smile caught the corner of her mouth. "I had a long talk with Ricardo…" he paused to tease her. "I wanted to talk to him about everything that happened with you and I…and him, before I could make any decisions about our future." Gabi waited breathlessly for Antonio to continue. "Well?" she said when she could stand the suspense no longer. "He gave us his blessing, Gabi…he really did." Antonio’s mouth broke into a smile and he picked Gabi up around the waist. "He wants us to get married." "Oh, Antonio," she cried as she threw her arms around his neck. "I’m sorry I ran out like that…I just…I…" "Jumped to a conclusion?" he said mockingly as he slid her down his chest until her lips were directly in front of his. "You have to stop doing that." "I will, I promise," she released one arm and crossed her heart with her finger. "Cross my heart." "I love you, Gabi," he spoke very sincerely as his eyes sought her attention. "And I want to ask you properly." Antonio set her down softly onto the bed and knelt in front of her taking her left hand in his. He found that she had already removed her gold wedding band and his thumb once again caressed her naked finger, just as it had the first night they made love at the loft. "I love you Gabi, with all that I am. Will you marry me, for real this time, and be my wife forever?" Gabi’s eyes swelled with tears and she put her right hand over her heart. "Yes, Antonio. Yes." He put his other knee down and moved himself in between her legs. Sliding his arms around her waist he pulled her forward on the bed and her arms wrapped gently around his neck. "I love you, Antonio," she whispered just before his warm lips met hers in the sweetest caress. Antonio pulled from the kiss and slid his hand up to her cheek. Gabi turned her face into his hand kissing his palm and covering his hand with hers. His mouth descended on hers in a kiss that was both rough and tender, parting her lips for the demanding invasion of his tongue. Gabi’s arms went around his broad shoulders and he pulled her against him. Antonio was running his hands up and down her back as Gabi sensually caressed the nape of his neck. His desire getting the best of him, Antonio, in one fell swoop, lifted Gabi off the bed and sent her suitcase tumbling to the floor with a wide swipe of his arm. Gabi smiled at his ferociousness as he held her with one arm around her waist and tossed her onto the bed with a playful growl. Sliding back toward the pillows on her elbows, Gabi licked her lips enticingly as Antonio tore his shirt off over his head. In his frenzied state, he completely forgot about his aching head and focused instead on his gorgeous fiancée waiting eagerly for him on the bed. Kicking off his shoes, he knelt on the bed and crawled his way up her body. Gabi giggled as he slid his chest up her torso and began slipping open the buttons of her blouse. Kissing her madly, his hands pushed open the soft fabric revealing her white lace bra. Antonio trailed hot kisses down her neck as his hand moved caressingly over the silk that covered her breast. She moaned softly as he increased the pressure of his hand before replacing it with his mouth. Gabi arched her back as his hands relieved her of her skirt then trailed back up her stomach seductively. He worked his hand underneath her and released the clasp of her bra, pushing it out of the way to reveal his intended target. Gabi writhed in pleasure at his touch; his lips caressing her breast, his hand searching her out. She slid herself down in order to reach his waistband and remove his pants. Sensing she was having difficulty, Antonio took his hand from her and lifted himself slightly off the bed. Gabi slipped them off and let her hand linger where he had just been uncovered. Antonio tilted his head in ecstasy, the rigid muscles of his chest flinching in passionate reaction to her touch. He groaned quietly as Gabi brought her mouth down brushing a kiss across his flexed chest then touching her tongue to his nipple. Antonio drew in a sharp breath as his hands slid hungrily over her body. "I want you, Gabi," he whispered hoarsely as she lifted her head to look into his eyes. His face was hard and dark with passion, his eyes blazing with desire. Her heart pounded in her chest as she lovingly touched his cheek. "Make love to me, Antonio," she commanded him softly. With a sexy smile, he covered her mouth with his, pushing full length against her and easing himself into her. A sharp gasp tore from her as she molded herself to him and drew her nails up his back to his shoulders. Antonio poured himself into her, her head moving fitfully on the pillow as she tore herself from his kiss and cried out his name over and over. She was sending him over the edge, his shoulder and arms taut with the strain of holding back his release. Gabi opened her eyes and watched him responding to the pleasure her body was giving him. Knowing he was trying to ensure her pleasure before his own, she lifted her hand to his clean-shaven jaw with a feather light touch, her soft voice whispering, "Yes." Antonio thrust himself into her until his body jerked convulsively again and again. He clasped her to him and let out a loud, deep groan as he rested his hand on the bed and pushed himself on his other elbow, burying himself deep inside her. Gabi cried out as her body accepted his gift. He laid his torso against her, his heart raging in frantic tempo with hers, breathing in deep pants against her cheek. Gabi ran her hand through his thick hair as he nuzzled her neck with tender kisses. "Gabi, Gabi, Gabi," he mumbled as his lips grazed her shoulder. "I love you." Gabi wrapped her arms around his back, tears stinging her eyes. "I love you too, Antonio." She closed her eyes as he rolled onto his side and pulled her tightly against his chest. Her fingers danced lightly over his heart as he traced soft circles on her back. "I can’t wait to be your wife," she said with a smile. "For real." Antonio kissed the top of her head and they both drifted off into a content sleep. Antonio and Gabi stood before the priest facing each other, holding hands. Gabi’s face radiated the glow of her profound happiness. Today she would become Antonio’s wife. They had waited so long to be together, struggled through so much. All Gabi’s dreams were finally coming true. Antonio gazed lovingly at his beautiful bride. Her hair was swept up gently and there was an undeniable aura of love and joy about her. Gabi’s eyes sparkled as Antonio clutched her small hands tightly in his. Today he would become Gabi’s husband, a job he was more than ready to undertake. "If anyone can find just cause why these two should not be wed, let him speak now of forever hold his peace." The priest had no sooner finished his sentence than the tiny howl of a baby filled the church. Gabi giggled in embarrassment as she and Antonio turned their attention to Maria. "Shh, Isabella," she instructed Antonio and Gabi’s two-month old daughter to hush. Her cry echoed through the chapel and a low chuckle crossed the small group of well wishers who were gathered. Antonio’s official release from the church had taken over two months and by the time the annulment was granted, Gabi was already almost seven months pregnant. Refusing to waddle down the aisle, she had convinced Antonio to postpone the wedding until after the baby was born. Reluctantly, he had agreed. "I don’t think she’s really objecting," the priest offered jovially. "I should hope not," Antonio smiled as he stepped toward Maria and carefully plucked his baby girl from her arms. "Here, daddy will hold you." He stepped back to Gabi at the altar, their daughter cradled tenderly in his strong arms. Calmed by her father’s touch, Isabella cooed softly and closed her eyes. "I think we’re okay now," he smiled at Gabi as she grazed the top of the baby’s head with a gentle kiss. "Well, if no one else has any objections, may I please have the rings?" Fulfilling his duties as Antonio’s best man, Ricardo reached into his jacket pocket and extracted their rings. He placed them onto the bible and smiled genuinely at Antonio and Gabi. He moved back to his place at his brother’s side. The priest held the bible out after the blessing and Antonio picked up Gabi’s ring. She held out her left hand as Antonio slid on the band repeating the priest’s words. "Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity and as a symbol that our union shall have no end." A tear slid from Gabi’s eye as she watched him put on her ring. She wiped her eye quickly and retrieved Antonio’s ring from the bible. Readjusting his arms under the baby, Antonio held out his left hand to Gabi. "Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity and as a symbol that our union shall have no end." Gabi slid Antonio’s ring on his finger and squeezed his hand tightly. Antonio’s eyes sparkled with love as he looked at his wife and then to their daughter. He turned back to the priest and waited proudly for the official pronouncement. "Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor and pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Torres." Just then Isabella stirred from her slumber and let out a cry. "And Miss Isabella Torres." The congregation laughed as Antonio and Gab’s eyes locked passionately. "You may kiss your bride, Antonio." Antonio leaned over to Gabi brushing his lips against hers with a tender kiss. She brought her hand up to his cheek and caressed it lightly. The crowd broke into applause as Isabella provided the Hallelujah chorus. Gabi moved out of the kiss and placed her palm gently on top of the baby. She gazed adoringly at Antonio as he delicately bounced his arms to quiet their daughter. "I love you, Antonio." "I love you, Gabi. And I always will." They smiled deeply at each other, more in love today than yesterday and bound together as husband and wife for the rest of their lives. Cuddling their daughter, they turned to accept the congratulations of their family and friends and begin their new life together - as a family.
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