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THE STATION
Ricardo was working on paperwork when the phone rang. He had been working round the clock the last two days to avoid thinking too much. "Detective Torres?" he chirped without expression. "Ricardo, this is Tyus Robinson. I have the test results back and I’d like you to come to my office at 4:30." Tyus gave no hint in his voice. Ricardo dropped his pen on the desk. Finally, he thought. "Sure, Tyus. I’ll be there. Thanks." Ricardo hung up the phone with a smile. Finally we will get this over with and Gabi and I can get on with things. Ricardo sat back and imagined what Antonio’s reaction would be when he heard Tyus read the results that Ricardo is the baby’s father. He didn’t want his brother to be hurt, but he deserved it for messing with his fiance. Ricardo checked the clock. 3:00! He rubbed his neck. This would be a long hour and a half, he thought to himself as he picked up his pen and returned to the report in front of him. Ricardo whistled with a smile as he worked. SURF CENTRAL The last two days had been hell for Gabi. It was easier to sleep all day then to have to be awake and deal with the anxiety of waiting for the results. At least when she was sleeping, she could dream of her life with Antonio and their baby. A life where they were happy and healthy and so much in love. Gabi prayed to God that the test would show Antonio was the father…he just had to be. Antonio had left Gabi to her thoughts. She had been so distant and distracted every time he came by. He knew she was upset and didn’t want to aggravate her. Antonio knew she needed to rest, and Casey had promised to look after her and keep her off her feet. Antonio had a lot of loose ends to tie up at the Mission, anyway. He was busy looking for an apartment he could afford and thinking about what kind of a job he would get to support Gabi and the baby. He knew the baby would be his…he never doubted it. Gabi jumped when the phone rang, just as she had each time it rang today. She was expecting Tyus to call any time now. Casey knocked softly on the door. "Gabi, it’s for you," he said as he pushed the door open. He walked in and handed the phone to Gabi. "I’ll close the door." Casey didn’t know what was going on, but he knew Gabi was very upset about something and he wanted to respect her privacy. "Hello?" Gabi said cautiously. "Gabi, it’s Tyus Robinson." Gabi’s heart jumped. "We have the results. Can you come by my office at 4:30?" "Sure..." Gabi said softly. "Good. Ricardo will be here. I still have to call Antonio." Tyus continued. "I’ll call him," Gabi said quickly. "Thank you Tyus." Gabi hung up and sat back against her pillows. The moment of truth…there’s no turning back now, she thought. Gabi slowly dialed the number to the Mission. THE MISSION Antonio was packing the last of his boxes when the phone rang. He searched through the piles of paper to find the phone. "Hello, Fa...Antonio Torres?" The habit was so hard to break. "Antonio, it’s Gabi." Her voice was soft and shaky. "Gabi, hi. I’m so glad you called. How..." Antonio said with concern. "Tyus called." Gabi interrupted. "He wants us to be at his office at 4:30. Can you make it?" "I’ll pick you up around 4:15." Antonio waited for Gabi to respond. "Gabi, it’s going to be okay." "I’ll see you then. Good bye." Gabi hung up before Antonio could say good bye. He held the phone for a minute before hanging it up. Antonio’s heart was aching hearing Gabi so upset. He checked his watch…another hour. He went back to packing his boxes trying to keep himself occupied. THE HOSPITAL Ricardo sat confidently in Tyus’ office. The clock said 4:25. Antonio and Gabi hadn’t arrived yet. Five more minutes, Ricardo said out loud as he heard the door open behind him. Tyus walked in followed by Gabi and Antonio. Gabi didn’t look at Ricardo as she walked over and sat down in the chair. Ricardo stood up and looked Antonio in the eye. They hadn’t seen each other since the blood test. Antonio felt his chin rise slightly as he looked defiantly at his brother. Ricardo smiled with a cocky half grin, "Antonio." "Ricardo," Antonio responded coldly. Tyus sat down at his desk and opened the file in front of him. Gabi’s heart skipped a beat as Tyus read over the information one last time before sharing it with them all. Antonio and Ricardo turned to face Tyus, both anxiously awaiting his next words. Tyus took a deep breath, "Gabi, Ricardo, Antonio. The results are conclusive...99.9%." Gabi felt like she couldn’t take a breath. Antonio looked quickly at her to make sure she was still with them, and turned back to Tyus. "The results show...that Antonio is the father." Gabi felt a huge weight lift off her shoulders with Tyus’ announcement. She looked up to Antonio who was standing with his side to her. She could instantly see the relief in his eyes as he digested what Tyus had said. Gabi’s eyes looked past Antonio to Ricardo. Ricardo felt Antonio’s knee in his gut all over again as he heard Tyus say his brother’s name. No, his head screamed, it can’t be right. "I don’t believe it, Tyus. The test was wrong," he said defiantly. Antonio turned to his brother, "Ricardo, please. Don’t do this." He tried to be sympathetic without sounding condescending. Ricardo shot a look at his brother that pierced his soul. Antonio stepped back as Ricardo whirled around and stormed out of the office. Tyus stood from his desk and walked past Antonio. "I’ll give you a few minutes," he said calmly as he walked out and closed the door. Antonio turned to find Gabi smiling with soaked cheeks. His heart melted finally seeing her happy. He walked over and knelt in front of her chair. He pushed her hair away from her face as he took her hand in his. "I told you, Gabi. I knew it all along." He gently placed his hand against Gabi’s stomach. "My baby," he said softly as a tear fell from his eye. "My baby." Antonio put his head in Gabi’s lap as she caressed his hair. She could feel him breathing heavily as he put his arms around her waist and squeezed her tightly. Antonio raised himself up and gazed deeply into her eyes. "I love you, Gabi." "I love you, Antonio," she replied softly. Antonio leaned in slowly and covered her lips with his. They kissed tenderly for a few minutes before falling into each other’s embrace. THE CLUB Ricardo thumped his beer bottle onto the bar. "Bartender," he slurred. "Another, with a shot of tequila." Ricardo watched the sexy blonde sitting two stools away. She flipped her long, thick hair as she laughed with her friend. Ricardo squinted to focus on her in an attempt to make the two blondes he saw become one. The bartender placed the bottle and shot in front of Ricardo. "Thanks, buddy." Ricardo picked up the shot glass and raised it to the ceiling. "Here’s to you, little bro. Good work." He tilted his head back and guzzled the shot. He sat up and shook his head as the tequila reached his stomach. "Ahhh." He said loudly as he reached for the beer. The blonde excused herself from the conversation and moved to the stool next to Ricardo. "Is this seat taken?" her voice was sexy and seductive. Ricardo turned with a half smile. "It is now." He was immediately drawn to the alluring perfume she wore. He glanced down to see her long legs crossed in his direction, her short black skirt hiked up just so. His eyes made their way up the tight white sweater that hugged her full chest. "Hello," he said his deep voice raw from the liquor. "Hi. My name is Samantha." She offered him a perfectly manicured hand. Ricardo grabbed her hand and raised it to his mouth. He kissed her knuckles softly, his scruffy chin tickling her. "I’m Ricardo. A pleasure to meet you." He motioned for the bartender to bring her a drink. "You look like a guy who’s trying to forget," she said as she fingered the top of the wine glass in front of her. Ricardo watched her fingers with interest. "Need some help?" Ricardo smiled sheepishly, grabbing her hand. "Let’s go," he said pulling her off the stool into his arms. He threw a 20 on the bar and led Samantha out the door. THE BEACH Antonio and Gabi walked barefoot on the beach, hand in hand, watching the sun set. Gabi couldn’t control the smile on her lips – she couldn’t remember ever being this happy. "We should really get you home...you need to rest." Antonio said worriedly. "I’m fine, Antonio. Much better, in fact." Gabi moved closer to him and rested her head against his arm as they walked. She grabbed his arm with her other hand. Antonio had his right hand in his pocket holding the small box. His heart raced as he thought over exactly what he wanted to say. He had been waiting for the test results and now he didn’t want to wait any longer. Antonio stopped walking and turned to face Gabi. The sun was just at the edge of the water behind them and the warm breeze was blowing softly. Antonio took Gabi’s hands in his and gazed directly into her eyes. Gabi felt her heart flutter…the way his brown eyes danced when he looked at her this way made her knees weak. "Gabi," he began softly. "From the moment I met you, you brought light into my life. You’ve always made me feel like I could count on you for anything. You’ve always been here for me, Gabi. You are my very best friend." Gabi felt her eyes swelling with tears. "I love you Gabi, more today than yesterday and more every day for the rest of our lives. I don’t ever want to be without you, Gabi." Antonio bent down on one knee and pulled the box from his pocket. He cracked it open revealing a flawless ¾ carat diamond solitaire. Gabi’s breath caught as Antonio took the ring out of the box and took her left hand in his. He looked up into her sparkling eyes. "Will you marry me, Gabi?" he whispered as he slid the ring onto her hand. "Oh, Antonio," her voice was shaking. "It’s so beautiful. How did you..." Antonio stood and placed his finger to her lips. "Just answer the question," he said smiling. "Yes, Antonio, I will marry you." Gabi put her arms around Antonio’s neck and he lifted her off the sand. Their lips met as the waves washed over Antonio’s feet, tears falling from Gabi’s eyes. Antonio finally lowered Gabi back to the sand and took her hand in his. "Come on, we need to get you home to bed now." Antonio started walking back towards Surf Central watching Gabi marvel at the gorgeous ring on her left hand. "Thank you, Maria," he said to himself as they headed home.
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