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THE CASITA
Gabi rolled over sleepily to find Antonio propped up on his elbow watching her sleep. "Good morning," she smiled happily. "How long have you been awake?" Antonio leaned over and kissed her tenderly. "Are you kidding me? I never went to sleep," he said seriously. "I was afraid you’d wake up and leave!" Gabi gasped as she swatted him in the stomach playfully. Antonio grabbed her arm and pushed it down on the bed, pulling himself over onto her. "Good morning," he growled seductively as he nuzzled her neck with his scruffy chin. Gabi put her hands against his chest and threw him back to his side of the bed. She sprang on top of him and pinned his arms against the bed. "Hey! I just remembered, Maria wasn’t supposed to tell you where I went. I’m gonna have to get mad at her when we get home." Gabi pressed her lips passionately against his. "Well, maybe I’ll just thank her instead." They rolled around on the bed kissing and caressing each other. Things turned intense rather quickly as they made love once again before reluctantly agreeing they needed to get back to Sunset Beach. Antonio stood up to go in search of his clothes. Gabi admired his muscular form moving freely across the room. He could feel her eyes on him and turned quickly giving her a bodybuilder pose. Gabi threw her head back with a laugh. Antonio was so happy to see her smile again. He reached down to pick up his shirt finding a majority of the buttons lying on the floor underneath it. "Uh, I don’t think this is going to do me much good." He held up the torn shirt and raised his eyebrows at Gabi who giggled like a schoolgirl pulling the covers over her head. Gabi climbed out of bed and headed over to pick up her clothes. This time Antonio admired the way she glided across the room with casual disregard. They got dressed and Antonio borrowed one of Ben’s shirts from the closet. They straightened up the casita and walked out to their cars. Antonio pressed Gabi against the side of her car kissing her tenderly. "Now, you drive carefully, you hear me, Mrs. Torres? I’ll be right behind you." Gabi touched his cheek with her hand. "You better be." She smiled at him and climbed into her car. She started it with a rev of the engine and blasted the radio. Antonio rolled his eyes with a laugh and retreated to his own car. He followed her closely back to Sunset Beach. The closer they got, the more his anger raged over Ricardo’s actions. Antonio didn’t consider himself a vengeful person, but he had to let Ricardo know that his interference would no longer be tolerated. BEN & MARIA’S "I’ll get it," Maria called out to Ben as the doorbell chimed. Maria ran to the door to find Antonio and Gabi standing arm in arm on the porch. A broad smile crossed her face as she met eyes with Gabi. Gabi shook her finger wildly at Maria then walked over and hugged her tightly. "Thank you," she whispered in Maria’s ear. Maria smiled at Antonio over Gabi’s shoulder. "So, I see you found her, Antonio," Maria said smartly. "Good for you." Antonio stepped forward and hugged his sister warmly. "Yes, I did. Thank you." Maria closed the door as Antonio and Gabi headed upstairs to gather the rest of Gabi’s things. Maria was walking back into the kitchen when the doorbell chimed again. "Uhh," Maria rolled her eyes as she headed to the door. "Ricardo?" she said with surprise. "Hi, Maria." He marched into the foyer. "I just came to see how Gabi was doing. Where is she?" He looked around the room with his hands in his pockets. "Oh, she’ll be down in a minute," Maria smiled. She didn’t want to hurt Ricardo, but she knew he had taken advantage of the situation and she didn’t agree with his tactics. Ricardo was standing near the fish tank with his back to the stairs when Antonio headed back down. He stopped in his tracks seeing his brother standing in the room. He felt a rush of heated anger rise up as he slowly made his way toward Ricardo. He took a deep breath and placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder. Ricardo swung around and nearly dropped to the floor seeing Antonio standing behind him. "Antonio?" he said with a shock. "What are you doing here?" "I think the question is, what are you doing here, Ricardo?" Antonio’s voice was deep and calm. "Or rather, who are you here to see, Ricardo?" Antonio took his brother’s arm roughly and directed him out to the patio. He pushed him through the door and closed it behind him. "Hey, T. What the hell is up with you?" Ricardo straightened his sleeve. Antonio stared icily at his brother, giving serious consideration as to whether to talk to him or hit him. Antonio moved within inches of Ricardo’s face. "I know what you’ve been up to, Ricardo. I know the game you’ve been playing." Antonio’s eyes flashed with anger. "I want you to stay away from my wife, do you hear me? MY wife!" "I don’t know what you are talking about Antonio," Ricardo said trying to play it cool. Antonio pushed Ricardo’s shoulders with his hands knocking him back a step. "Cut the crap, Ricardo. I know all about your dinner with Gabi and the lies you told her about me and how you arranged it for me to find out. I also know that you never called me from the hospital the day Gabi was admitted." Antonio was staring his brother down. "I checked it out, Ricardo. You lied, you never left a message for me." Antonio lowered his voice. "You’re playing a dangerous game, Ricardo. I’m warning you…stay away from Gabi. You are my brother, but Gabi is my wife and I will do anything I have to in order to protect that. Are we clear?" They were standing toe to toe. Ricardo returned Antonio’s stare with defiance. Neither brother spoke. "Antonio?" they heard Gabi call cheerfully from the living room. Antonio smiled brashly at Ricardo, "Coming, baby," he called back into his brother’s face. Antonio turned leaving Ricardo standing alone on the patio. Ricardo stepped to the door to see Antonio put his arm around Gabi and lead her out the front door. "Can we make a stop on the way back home?" Gabi asked quietly. "Sure, anywhere you want," Antonio replied with a smile. "The cemetery," Gabi said softly. Antonio took Gabi’s hand in his and held it tightly as they drove in silence to their baby’s grave. THE CEMETERY Gabi knelt down beside the tiny headstone with the lamb on it. She hadn’t visited since the day Michael was buried. Antonio stood by her side holding her hand as she gently plucked the leaves off his plot. She touched the cold marble with her hand as a sob caught in her throat. Antonio knelt quickly beside her putting his arm around her waist. She shook her head slowly as Antonio kissed her cheek. "Hi Michael," Gabi said softly. "It’s mommy and daddy." Antonio’s heart wrenched in his chest. "We wanted to come and see you to tell you that everything is fine." Gabi squeezed Antonio’s hand. "Daddy and I miss you very much, but we know that your Grandma is there with you taking good care of you." Gabi closed her eyes envisioning her mother holding Michael in her arms. "Don’t you be sad, Michael, because daddy and I aren’t going to be sad anymore. God will take care of you and he’s going to take care of us, too. You be a good little angel," Gabi started to cry and tears rolled silently down Antonio’s cheek. "And don’t you ever forget how much we love you." Gabi leaned over and kissed his headstone. Antonio helped her up and stepped next to the stone. He placed his palm flat on the top and closed his eyes. Gabi bowed her head as Antonio recited a prayer of eternal rest for Michael Antonio Torres. They stood silently for a moment more, holding each other tightly, before they turned and walked back to the car. Gabi felt a sense of peace as she held Antonio’s hand while he drove them home. Antonio squeezed her hand and she turned to face him. He gave her a soft smile and she laid her head back and closed her eyes with a smile. She had a feeling that things were going to be getting much better very soon.
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