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BEN & MARIA’S
Maria and Gabi were laughing about Benjy’s latest adventure with his turtle. Antonio watched Gabi as she smiled and joked with Maria. Gabi felt his eyes on her so she glanced up from the conversation. Antonio smiled tenderly at his wife from across the table. Gabi winked quickly and turned her attention back to Maria. They had a nice evening with Ben and Maria. After dinner, they all sat on the porch listening to the waves crashing against the beach. They talked and laughed, recalling funny stories. When it was getting late, Antonio and Gabi said their goodbyes and walked down the beach to their house. Antonio held Gabi’s hand tightly. She leaned her head against his shoulder. She needed to discuss Ricardo with him…he had gotten home so late last night she was already asleep. "Antonio," she queried softly. "Yes?" "I need to tell you something, you got home so late last night, I didn’t get a chance." Antonio stiffened at the mention of last night. He was still trying to determine what had actually happened. "Ricardo came by." Antonio stopped walking and turned Gabi to face him. "Ricardo? Why didn’t you tell me this before? Does Maria know?" "I wanted to wait until we were alone. I asked Maria not to talk about it at dinner," Gabi was holding both of Antonio’s hands now. "He’s changed, Antonio. He’s like a completely different person." Antonio shifted his stance in frustration. "Really, Antonio. He apologized for everything and told me how he’s been thinking a lot about himself and his family. He said he’s happy for us, Antonio. Really happy." "And you believed him? Come on, Gabi. Didn’t he tell us all that once before?" Antonio’s was angry. "Besides, how can you possibly forgive him for what he did to you? What if he had hurt the baby?" "But he didn’t Antonio. He was drunk, he told me that he had been drinking a lot then and now he quit." Gabi honestly wanted Antonio to forgive Ricardo too. They were close once and Antonio missed him, even though he wouldn’t admit it. "I told him it would take time to have things back to normal, but that if he gave us some space, time would heal all of us." "It’s going to take a lot of time, Gabi," Antonio said as he tried to pull himself away from her. "He almost raped you. I can’t just forgive that. I don’t know how you could either." Antonio started to walk away when Gabi grabbed his arm. "Antonio, wait." She turned him towards her. "Can’t you just talk to him? Let him tell you what he’s been going through." "What about what you and I have been going through? Doesn’t that matter?" Antonio turned to face the water. "I don’t understand how you can be so forgiving of him, Gabi." "I believe in giving people second chances, Antonio. Ricardo is a good person and he deserves a second chance. He gave one to me a long time ago and now it’s my chance to return the favor." Gabi touched his face softly. "People make mistakes, Antonio. Someday you might even make one." She teased him gently. "I’m NOT perfect, Gabi," he said soulfully. "You’re perfect for me." She leaned up and kissed him. They took each other’s hands and walked the rest of the way home. THE DEEP Antonio and Heather were working the weekend to finish up the paperwork for the audit. "Thank you so much Heather for coming in on a Sunday. I’m sure you had better things to do today than be here," Antonio said appreciatively. "I don’t mind...we’re getting down to the wire with this." Heather leaned over to pick up a box of files. Antonio glanced up to see the back side of her Levi’s staring him in the face. He looked back down quickly. "Okay, I’m just going to move these back to Ben’s office." Heather pulled the box up and felt her shoulder pop. "Ouch!" she winced. "Are you okay?" Antonio climbed over some boxes to get to her. "Here let me take that." He lifted the box from her grasp as if it contained feathers. Heather saw his biceps bulge as he effortlessly placed it on the chair. "What did you hurt?" "My shoulder," she said as she rubbed it. "It’s an old softball injury." "Here, let me." Antonio put his strong hand on her shoulder. Heather tilted her head to the side as Antonio began to massage the tight muscle. "Is that where it hurts?" Antonio was watching her face as she closed her eyes and exhaled deeply. "Yes." Antonio massaged gently as she rolled her head more to the side. Antonio was immediately uncomfortable with the situation. He pulled his hand away quickly. "Thank you," Heather said quietly. "So...you played softball?" He hoped they would begin a conversation that would distract them both. Antonio wanted desperately to go home to Gabi and take her in his arms but he couldn’t leave Heather with all this work to be finished. "Yes, softball is very big in Chicago. I pitched in high school. I was your average tomboy." "I bet your anxious to get back home, huh?" Antonio asked. "Are you always away for such long periods of time?" "No, not always. I don’ t mind travelling though." She raised her eyes to meet his. "I like meeting new people." Antonio smiled as he noticed how a few wisps of hair hung out of her ponytail and brushed her shoulder. Heather felt her heart skip as Antonio inadvertently ran his eyes down her as he looked away. "So, Antonio, I know your sister Maria, but you also have a brother?" Antonio still wasn’t sure if he was ready to accept Ricardo back as his brother. "Yes, an older brother," he said flatly. "Does he live here in Sunset Beach?" "He’s been out of town for awhile, but he just came back." Antonio tossed a few files into a box and Heather could see he didn’t want to discuss Ricardo. "You know, Antonio, I can finish this up," she said quietly. "It really won’t take much longer." She was extremely attracted to him; the way he smiled, his gorgeous dark eyes, how his thick hair fell against his forehead, his strong, athletic build. She was getting hot just thinking about it. She felt something coming from him too. The way he looked at her, watched her move across the room, how it felt when he touched her. She wanted to be with him, she enjoyed their conversation. He was genuinely interested in her as a person, not like all the other guys. But he was a married man and she knew he loved his wife. "That would be great. I really want to get home to Gabi." Antonio said with relief. "I’ll see you tomorrow." He picked up his jacket and nearly tripped over a box as he rushed from the room. Antonio wandered along the beach. He didn’t understand what he felt for Heather. He loved Gabi with all his heart. She was his wife and they were going to have a baby. But Heather represented something forbidden and dangerous. He had to admit she was beautiful. Was it that she was so different from Gabi? What attracted him to her? He stopped and leaned against the pier. Was this some kind of test of his love for Gabi? He didn’t doubt his love for Gabi, but when he was with Heather, a different side of him seemed to emerge. He stood for a minute and then turned and headed home. THE TOWNHOUSE Gabi stood in front of the microwave waiting impatiently for the machine to turn off. She was eating her third bag of popcorn for the day. It was her latest craving and she couldn’t get enough of it. She was counting down the numbers when she heard the front door fly open. "Gabi?" he called out frantically. Gabi came running from the kitchen. "What is it, Antonio?" her voice was frightened. Antonio threw the door closed behind him as he strode quickly to where Gabi was standing. He pushed his mouth hard against her taking her by surprise. His kiss was desperate and deep and he nearly knocked her off her feet. Antonio pulled his head back as he breathed heavily. He was almost scaring her. He picked her up effortlessly. "I need you, Gabi," he whispered as he devoured her neck. Gabi was hanging on to his neck tightly as he ran up the stairs with her. "Antonio!" she said loudly trying to get his attention. "Shh...don’t talk," he instructed her as he chewed on her earlobe. He rushed into the bedroom and almost threw her onto the bed. He pulled his t-shirt over his head and tossed it to the floor. Gabi lay back with wide eyes as he unbuttoned and pulled off his jeans in one motion. His eyes dug into her soul as he reached out his hand and pulled her up off the bed. He took her shirt over her head and immediately searched out her bra hook. He released it quickly yanking the straps off her shoulders. He slowed down only long enough to carefully remove her shorts. As soon as they were off, he sat down on the bed and pulled her onto his lap. Gabi wrapped her arms around his waist as his tongue dug into her mouth. He hadn’t been this rough with her since before he knew she was pregnant. She wasn’t afraid, she knew he wouldn’t hurt her, but she was strangely intimidated by his intensity. Antonio ravished her with his hands, his mouth and his body. He made love to her as if he would never make love to her again and couldn’t have her fast enough. As he moved inside her, Gabi felt his body trembling. She turned her head searching out his face to find tears streaming down his cheeks. "Antonio," she whispered. "Are you alright?" She caressed his hair as he began to cry. "Antonio?" He stopped moving and buried his face into her neck. He was sobbing as he spoke, "I love you, Gabi. I love you so much...Please hold me." Gabi felt the tears stinging her own eyes as she held him tightly. She had never seen him like this – ever. "Baby, it’s okay," she said softly. "Tell me what’s wrong." Antonio held her tightly as his crying subsided. "Antonio, please," she pleaded with him. He looked up into her beautiful brown eyes filled with tears as he touched her face tenderly. "I’m sorry Gabi, did I hurt you? Oh God, I’m so sorry." He put his hand softly against her stomach. "Antonio you’re scaring me, what’s wrong?" Gabi’s eyes were fearful and Antonio felt bad for scaring her. Antonio rolled over on his back and pulled her against his chest. "I love you, Gabi. I love you more than anything in the world." He touched her chin with his hand and pulled her up to kiss him, this time softly and deliberately. Gabi melted into his arms as he caressed her tenderly. He rolled against her and began making love to her with the gentleness she was more accustomed to from him. Gabi ran her fingers through his hair as he moved slowly inside her. "I love you, Antonio," she whispered in his ear. "I love you." A single tear slipped down her cheek as Antonio moaned softly against her ear and allowed himself to surrender. They held each other tightly as they lingered in bed. Gabi wanted to ask Antonio what made him so upset, but she didn’t want to embarrass him. She knew in time he would tell her, he told her everything. She assumed it must have something to do with Ricardo’s return to Sunset Beach. Gabi had her head against his chest listening to his strong, steady heartbeat. THE DEEP Antonio had done his best to avoid being alone with Heather for the remaining week she was there. It hadn’t been hard to do since Ben was very involved in the last part of the audit preparation. Antonio was relieved Heather would be returning to Chicago in a few days. Nothing had happened between them again, but it made him uncomfortable to be near her. He felt out of control and thought it best to avoid any temptation she might arise in him. Gabi was getting anxious for her six-month appointment. They would be doing an ultrasound to check on the baby and the doctor told her they could determine the sex if she and Antonio wanted to know. They disagreed – he wanted to know, she didn’t. Antonio was going to the appointment with her and promised if the doctor told him, he would keep it a secret from her until she delivered. She didn’t believe him. Ben came into Antonio’s office to finalize plans for the audit meeting in two days. "I can’t go to the audit, Antonio. I have to be here to meet with Mr. Davis. You’ll have to attend with Heather in my place." "Ben, the meeting is in San Diego. I have Gabi’s ultrasound appointment that day," Antonio said quickly. "I can’t go." "Well, one of us has to be there," Ben said diplomatically. "Maybe Gabi could reschedule her appointment?" Antonio wanted desperately to go with Gabi to the doctor, but he knew Mr. Davis’ meeting with Ben required his presence and couldn’t be postponed. "Sure, I’ll ask her to reschedule," Antonio relented. "Thanks, Antonio. You and Heather will take the jet to San Diego for the meeting. It’s at 3:00. Heather flies home commercially and you will bring the jet back here." Ben started out of Antonio’s office. "Tell my sister-in-law I said thank you." Antonio sat back in his chair rubbing his hands through his hair. I can deal with this, he told himself. One more meeting and it will all be over. Antonio picked up the phone to call Gabi about the appointment. THE TOWNHOUSE Antonio gathered his briefcase and keys as Gabi waited for him by the door. "I’m sorry the doctor couldn’t reschedule the appointment. I really wanted you to be there," Gabi said sadly. "But I understand." Gabi was just relieved that Heather woman would be leaving town today. There was still something about her Gabi didn’t like. Antonio took her in his arms. "I wanted to be there, too. Make sure to find out the sex for me," he said playfully. She swatted at him and then threw her arms around his neck. Antonio held her close and then released her reluctantly. "I have to go. I’ll be home late tonight – well after midnight." Antonio wasn’t looking forward to being away from Gabi, and he wasn’t looking forward even more to being alone with Heather. "I love you," he told her seriously as he kissed her goodbye. "I love you, too. See you in the morning." Gabi smiled at him as he walked off the porch. She went off to the kitchen to have some tea and get ready for her ultrasound.
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