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Antonio sat on Maria’s patio staring out at the ocean. He had left the hospital early in the morning while Gabi was still sleeping…he had a lot to do today. Antonio’s entire body ached from his fight with Ricardo. He had a nasty bruise on his abdomen that sent a sharp pain through him when he took a deep breath. A deep purple bruise was forming just under his right eye.
Maria stepped through the french doors with a tray carrying fresh coffee. "So, Ricardo left the hospital and no one has heard anything from him since," she picked up the conversation where they had left off. "Mmhmm." Antonio was rubbing his side. "I can’t believe what you two did to each other, Antonio. You have never fought this way before." Maria was concerned her brothers were so angry with each other, although she understood all too well what it was like to be in love so deeply with someone. Antonio took a sip of the hot coffee and sat back into his chair. He looked at his sister. "Maria, I love Gabi more than my own life. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her. I couldn’t let Ricardo say those things about her. You should have seen her, Maria. She was so hurt." Antonio thought quietly for a moment. "It’s all my fault, Maria. If I hadn’t let Gabi find out about my feelings for her in the first place…" "But you did, Antonio," Maria said softly. "And know everyone has to deal with the repercussions." "I’m ready to deal with them, Maria. I want to deal with them." Antonio turned to face the water. "I want to marry her, Maria. I don’t ever want to be without Gabi again." Maria smiled gently at her baby brother. "What about the church, Antonio? Are you really sure you can turn away from it…forever?" "Yes," he said without hesitation. "I can’t imagine my life without Gabi and our baby, Maria. There’s nothing I want more." Maria reached across the table and touched Antonio’s arm. She understood wanting someone that much…loving someone that much. She smiled warmly at Antonio. Ben and Benjy came running up the beach to the house. "Hi, Uncle Antonio!" Benjy called happily. "Hi, Antonio," Ben began. "What happened to you? Are you alright?" "Hi, Ben, Benjy." Antonio looked at Maria. "I’ll explain it to you later, Ben." Maria said with a smile. Ben took Benjy into the house to start breakfast for them. Antonio smiled at the happiness on his sister’s face. "Maria, I’m so happy for you. You and Ben seem to be working everything out so well. Is it hard to be married, Maria?" Maria smiled, "It’s a lot of work, Antonio, but definitely worth it. Ben and I are growing closer every day. It was difficult when Meg first left, Ben missed her very much. But he is bonding with Benjy and he and I are slowly finding our way back to the way we used to be." Antonio smiled at his sister. "I’m happy, Antonio. I’m truly happy. I am worried about Ricardo, though." "Me, too. He’s still my brother and I can only imagine what he’s going through right now." Antonio lowered his eyes. "I wish there were some other way, Maria. I wish…" his voice trailed off. Maria put her hand on Antonio’s shoulder, "I know, Antonio." Antonio and Maria sat for a while longer watching the beach begin to fill with surfers and sun worshipers. Antonio rose from his chair and carefully stretched his arms over his head. "I’ve gotta go. I have to go speak with the Bishop." Maria stood and hugged her brother gingerly. She kissed him on the cheek. "Now, no more fighting!" She waggled her finger at him playfully. She walked Antonio off the patio and stood by the steps. Antonio started to walk away, then suddenly turned back. "Maria, I need to ask you a favor," he said with a smile. "Sure Antonio, anything..." Maria replied. THE HOSPITAL Gabi began to stir in her bed, the events of the previous day pulling her out of her slumber. She smiled as she recalled Antonio proposing to her. She reached out her arm remembering he had fallen asleep next to her last night. Her eyes were still closed. "Looking for someone?" the deep voice startled her. Her eyes flew open and she saw Ricardo sitting in the chair next to her bed. She sat up carefully and pulled the blanket up around her. Ricardo’s lip was swollen and split. She could see his eyes were puffy and bloodshot. He was slumped into the chair completely expressionless looking right at Gabi. His stare bore into her. She glanced quickly around the room. "He’s not here," Ricardo said flatly. Gabi was growing uncomfortable being alone with Ricardo. He had been so angry yesterday, she was afraid he might do something crazy again. Ricardo could sense Gabi’s uneasiness. "Perfect," he smiled to himself. "Just what I wanted." Gabi pulled her blanket a little tighter around her chest. "What’s the matter, Gabi? You didn’t used to be shy," Ricardo said with a smirk. "Making it with a priest giving you a sense of conscience?" "Ricardo..." Gabi barely whispered. "No, no. Nevermind. I don’t want to know." Ricardo paused. "Well, maybe I do...you know," he chuckled. "Antonio always did want to be just like me when we were kids. So…is he - like me?" Ricardo asked smugly. Gabi looked away from him, dropping her eyes to the bed, her hands beginning to fidget. "Is he, Gab?" he paused to let her squirm. "Does he touch you like I do, do his hands feel like mine? When you close your eyes and he runs his hands all over you, do you think for a second that it’s me? What about his tongue? When he kisses you and touches you with his tongue, does he remind you of me?" Gabi closed her eyes trying to hold in the tears. She didn’t want Ricardo to know he was getting to her. "Well, Gab? You know, I wouldn’t expect him to be as good in bed as me...he hasn’t had nearly as much practice as I have." He was relentless. "I’ve had a lot of women, Gab. I know what they like, I know how to make them scream. I made you scream, didn’t I, Gab?" Ricardo leaned in close. "Does Antonio make you scream, Gabi?" "Stop it!" Gabi’s voice cracked. "Just stop it." "Why, Gabi? You don’t want to talk about it? Aw, come on. You can tell me..." Ricardo put his hands on the side of the bed and Gabi leaned away from him. "Come on, Gab…just how good of a lover is my baby brother?" Gabi closed her eyes as the tears slipped down her cheeks. Ricardo leaned back in his chair, pleased with the effect he was having on her. Gabi fought to control her sobs as Ricardo stood from the chair and walked to the window. "Nevermind, Gabi. I guess I already know," he said without emotion. "What do you want, Ricardo?" Gabi managed to say. "I think we’ll wait for T to get back, Gabi. I think he’ll want to hear this, too." Ricardo stood at the window without turning around. Gabi sat quietly in the bed hoping Antonio would walk through the door any second. Ricardo stood with his arms folded in front of him, never turning from the window. The silence was deafening. Antonio was walking quickly toward Gabi’s room with a bouquet of flowers from the gift shop. His other surprise was tucked in his jacket pocket. He was anxious to get back to see Gabi. His meeting with the Bishop had been harder than he expected and his errands had taken a little longer than he wished. Antonio was certain Gabi was awake now and he didn’t want her to worry. "Gabi, I’m back," he called out as he turned the corner into her room. Gabi was sitting against the pillows. The smile left Antonio’s lips when he saw Gabi’s face was stained with tears. The look in her eyes scared him. Antonio put the flowers down on the bed tray and walked quickly to Gabi’s side. As he took her hand, the tears began to fall from Gabi’s eyes. "Gabi, what is it? Is the baby okay?" Antonio asked anxiously. "Aw, isn’t that sweet? Daddy is worried..." Ricardo’s sarcastic voice called out from behind Antonio. Antonio spun around to see Ricardo leaning against the wall. Antonio felt his heart begin to beat faster as he instinctively put his arm out to the side as if to protect Gabi. Gabi grasped Antonio’s arm tightly. "What are you doing here, Ricardo? What did you do to upset Gabi?" Antonio’s voice was deep and strong. Ricardo put his hand to his chest and mocked sincerity. "Oh, you are so noble, Antonio. Running to your damsel’s rescue." Ricardo batted his eyes. "And you even brought her flowers. I’m touched," he spat at them both. Antonio could hear Gabi beginning to sob. He glared at Ricardo. "I think you should leave, Ricardo. Gabi doesn’t need this in her condition." "Ah, yes, her condition. That’s exactly why I am here." Antonio looked at Gabi as she wiped the tears from her eyes. Antonio squeezed her hand gently. "You see, about that um...condition. I was just wondering, T, what makes you so sure that it’s yours?" Ricardo snipped. Antonio was getting furious now. He wanted to take Ricardo by the shirt and toss him out into the hall. "What do you mean, Ricardo? What are you..." "Well, T." Ricardo interrupted. "You weren’t the only one, how should I say, fulfilling her needs, at the time," he said seedily. It took all of Antonio’s resolve not to go after his brother. "What’s your point, Ricardo?" "I want a paternity test, T. There’s a very good chance this bas...this baby, could be mine," he paused for effect. "I want a paternity test - now."
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