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THE LOFT
Ricardo attempted to shake off the effects of the overindulgence of Jack Daniels from the night before. He was relieved to find the other side of the bed empty. He couldn’t remember Kim leaving last night. Things had gotten pretty hot and heavy between them, but he remembered a strong slap after he heard the name Gabi leave his lips. Ricardo lay quietly in bed as he pulled the picture of him and Gabi from the nightstand. I bet this is how T used to feel when he was on this side, Ricardo thought to himself. Antonio and Gabi were growing closer every day. Ricardo decided that he needed to do something fast or he would miss any opportunity to get Gabi back. He contemplated his next move with careful scrutiny. THE APARTMENT Gabi raised her head slowly and Antonio could see the tears rolling down her cheeks. His heart felt like it stopped in his chest as he tried to determine if they were tears of joy or disappointment. Gabi slowly shook her head from side to side as she dropped her eyes from him. Antonio stepped quickly in front of her taking her into his strong embrace. She let out a heavy sob. "Shhh, baby," he hushed her softly. "I’m sorry, Antonio," she mumbled into his chest. "I really thought I was." "It’s okay, Gabi," he said reassuringly as he pulled her closer. "Don’t worry, I think I know how we can pass the test next time." Gabi started to laugh as the tears spilled from her eyes. Antonio held her tightly as he laughed with her and kissed her hair. "Or would that be fail the test?" Gabi looked up into his loving, warm eyes. "I love you, Antonio." He leaned over taking her face in his hands. "I love you too, Gabi." Antonio lowered his mouth onto hers and kissed her tenderly. He pulled away from her gently. "You want to do some studying?" Gabi smiled softly as she pulled his mouth back down to hers. GRENADINE’S Maria and Gabi sat huddled together whispering and casting glances at Antonio and Ben. The two couples went out together often and tonight they were celebrating Antonio’s recent promotion at the Deep. "If you ladies will excuse us, Antonio and I are going to go have a celebratory cigar," Ben said as he pushed back his chair. "A cigar?" Gabi raised her eyebrow to Antonio. He shrugged innocently and gave her a sly grin. Gabi laughed as she watched him follow Ben to the smoking room. "It’s wonderful to see you and Antonio so happy," Maria said warmly. "My little brother is completely devoted to you, Gabi." Gabi looked around to see how close anyone was to their table. She leaned over and whispered to Maria, "We’re trying to have another baby." "Oh, Gabi!" Maria exclaimed. "That’s wonderful!" Maria hugged Gabi. "I’m surprised you’re not pregnant already the way you two can’t keep your hands off each other." Gabi blushed at the comment as Maria playfully punched her arm. "We’ve only been really trying for a few weeks. I’m scared, Maria," Gabi lowered her eyes. "What if something goes wrong again? I couldn’t handle it…it would kill me, Maria. And Antonio…he would never be able to…" "Gabi," Maria took her hand interrupting her. "You can’t think like that. Everything is going to be just fine. You and Antonio are going to make me an Aunt real soon." The two women were smiling deeply at each other as Antonio and Ben returned to the table. "You look a little green, Antonio," Maria said with a chuckle. Gabi couldn’t help but laugh seeing Antonio’s strained expression. "I don’t think I’ll be taking this up regularly," he said as if trying to hold his dinner down. Ben slapped him on the shoulder with a hearty smile. "Are you ready, Gabi?" Gabi looked at Maria and they hunched together with a silly giggle. Ben and Antonio looked at each other with confusion. Maria leaned over and whispered to Gabi, "Tonight could be the night." Gabi nudged Maria with her shoulder and kissed her cheek. "Good night!" Gabi stood up and Antonio put his arm around her. "What was that all about?" he asked as he rubbed his stomach soothingly. "Just girl talk, you know." Gabi smiled at Maria as they all said their goodbyes. As they drove home, Antonio took Gabi’s hand. "Ben and I have to go out of town in a few days." Gabi turned to him with a pout. "I know, I don’t want to go either, but it’s an important business meeting and Ben wants me to get more involved." Gabi stuck her bottom lip out as far as it could go. "Oh no, don’t do that to me." Antonio laughed. "I have to go!" Gabi leaned over and put her head against his shoulder. "How long will you be gone?" "Just overnight. We fly out on Thursday morning and we’ll be back Friday. Okay?" His eyes pleaded with her playfully. "I suppose...it’s just that we won’t be able to work on, you know," she batted her eyes at him. "Don’t worry, we’ll take care of that from now until then." Antonio kissed the top of her head as he put his arm around her shoulder. "Every day for the next four days!" Gabi smiled contently as she nuzzled against his side. THE STATION Gabi was in a funk, Antonio would be leaving in a few hours for San Francisco and she was not looking forward to being alone. As promised, they had more than made up for his one night away over the past week. She smiled as she thought about the night before. She didn’t think she had ever seen Antonio quite so wild. Thinking of it now made her stomach do a flip. She was yanked from her reverie by the ringing phone. "Uh, G..Gabi Torres," she stammered. "Are you sure?" Antonio said with a laugh. "Hi," she cooed sexily. "I was just thinking about you." "Mmm, I like that! I just called to say goodbye. Ben and I are heading to the airport." Gabi hated the idea of Antonio flying on Ben’s corporate jet, but she would rather they go and get back soon than drive all the way to San Francisco and be gone longer. "Have a safe trip. I’ll see you tomorrow," she said sadly. "Will you miss me?" he asked already painfully aware of the answer. "Of course I’ll miss you, our bed will be so lonely without you tonight." "I love you. Sleep well and I’ll see you tomorrow." Antonio hated the idea of sleeping without Gabi, but he knew business was business. "Goodbye, baby." "I love you, too. Goodbye." Gabi hung up reluctantly and rested her elbow on the desk with her head in her hand. Ricardo stood just out of sight having overheard her entire conversation. Perfect, he thought, with Antonio out of town it was the opportunity he had been waiting for. THE APARTMENT Gabi finished the last of the Chinese food she picked up on her way home. She opened the fortune cookie. YOUR LIFE WILL SOON CHANGE MORE THAN YOU EVER IMAGINED. A smile washed across Gabi’s mouth as she placed her hand onto her stomach. Hmmm, I wouldn’t be surprised, she thought to herself. She was interrupted by the ringing phone. "Hello?" "Hey sexy, miss me yet?" Antonio’s voice was music to her ears. "Hi!" she said happily. "How was your flight?" "It was fine, you know me, I don’t mind planes." His voice grew suddenly serious. "We were just taking a break and I had to call you to find out what you are wearing." "What I’m wearing?" Gabi laughed. "Why?" "Because I was fantasizing about you during our meeting and I thought it might help if I knew what you were wearing," he replied matter-of-factly. "You better pay attention to the meeting, don’t you think," she asked responsibly. "I think that’s why Ben wanted you to go with him." "Yeah, yeah," he answered. "But I’d rather think about you. Uh oh, Ben’s motioning for me to come back in. I just wanted to say I love you and miss you." "Me too, goodbye," Gabi smiled as she hung up. God she loved that man! Gabi washed off her dishes and put them in the dishwasher. She returned to the living room and curled up under the blanket on the couch. She pulled out her book and began reading. Ricardo walked slowly to the door. He had stopped at the bar down the street to have a few drinks on the way. He was way too worked up to see Gabi and needed to relax. He raised his hand and knocked. Gabi was deep in her reading when she heard the knock. She checked the clock, it was almost 10. She opened the door to find Ricardo standing in the hall. "Ricardo," she said with surprise. "What are you doing here so late?" Or at all, for that matter, she thought. "I just was in the neighborhood and thought I would stop by. Can I come in?" Ricardo started in the door. Gabi held tightly to the door. "I don’t think so, Ricardo. It’s late and I was just getting ready for bed." "I just wanted to talk, Gabi." Ricardo was leaning heavily on the door. "Can’t we just talk, Gabi? I miss you." Gabi was immediately uncomfortable with the situation. "No, Ricardo. We’ll talk tomorrow at work, okay?" She pushed the door towards him. "Good night, Ricardo." Ricardo stepped back as the door closed in his face. That was a big mistake, Gabi, he muttered under his breath. Gabi was slightly rattled from Ricardo’s visit, but it was getting late and she was tired. She checked the lock one last time before turning off the light and heading down the hall. She brushed her teeth and changed into her nightshirt. She turned out the light and climbed into bed. Gabi hugged Antonio’s pillow to her chest and buried her nose into it. She could smell his scent and it comforted her enough to help her drift off to sleep. Gabi could sense she was no longer alone. The room was dark, but as she slowly opened her eyes, she saw a figure standing over her. She started to speak but his hand was over her mouth before the sound came out.
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