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Antonio stood silently in the hall not quite believing what Ricardo had just told him. Ricardo knew Heather…he had slept with her. Antonio didn’t recall Ricardo ever being at the Deep when Heather was there. In fact, that was when Ricardo had disappeared after he attacked Gabi. Antonio couldn’t understand why Heather would have been attracted to Ricardo, he wasn’t exactly her type. Suddenly, Antonio recalled Ricardo’s comment about landing on top of that blonde in the hotel and his reference to Heather’s lace bra. She had been wearing a lace bra... Antonio shook his head at the memory and bent down to pick up the bag off the floor.
He headed into the kitchen to finish Gabi’s breakfast when it hit him. "What do you think Gabi would say if she saw you in action?" Antonio stopped in his tracks as he weighed the possibility of what he was thinking. He couldn’t have…how would he have known? Antonio started whisking the eggs again. Could he…was he there…? No, it’s not possible. Antonio finished Gabi’s breakfast and placed it on the tray. He pulled a flower from the bouquet he brought her the night before and laid it on the tray. Antonio entered the bedroom quietly. Gabi was curled up on her side hugging Antonio’s pillow. He smiled as he walked over to the side of the bed setting the tray on the nightstand. He sat down gently and leaned back on his elbow. "Good morning, sleepyhead," he prodded her softly pushing her hair off her face. Gabi’s eyes fluttered open and a big smile crossed her lips. "Sleep well?" "I thought I was dreaming," Gabi said sleepily. "I didn’t think you were really here." "I’m here," Antonio said sexily as he leaned over and kissed her softly. "That wasn’t a dream." Gabi blushed. "I made you breakfast." Antonio turned around and pulled the flower off the tray. "For you." Gabi took the flower and inhaled the fragrance. Antonio picked up the tray as Gabi sat back against the headboard. He placed it over her lap. "Mmm, this smells wonderful. I’m starving," Gabi said surveying the meal. Antonio laughed as Gabi dug into the eggs, feeding him bites in between her own. Antonio couldn’t stop thinking about what Ricardo had said to him. Gabi picked up on it immediately. "Is everything okay? I thought I heard the doorbell…was someone here?" "No, they had the wrong house," Antonio said without looking at her. He didn’t want to lie to her, but he didn’t want her talking to Ricardo until he figured out what he was up to. "I better get a shower, I have something I have to do today." Antonio started to get off the bed. "No," Gabi whined pulling at his arm. "You’re not leaving my side today." She yanked him back onto the bed. "But Gabi, I..." "No buts! I want to spend the whole day alone with you. I know," she said excitedly. "We can have a picnic at the beach. We’ll take a long walk and then we’ll have some lunch." Antonio really wanted to go see Ricardo, but he wasn’t going to disappoint Gabi. "And then we can go get all your things from Maria’s." Now she had his attention. Gabi smiled softly at him. "I don’t want to sleep without you ever again." Antonio leaned over and kissed her tenderly. "Me neither." They kissed for a few minutes but Gabi pulled away just as things were getting intense. "I think you better go get that shower now before we don’t make it to our picnic," she said breathlessly. "That’s okay with me," he replied as he nuzzled her neck. She swatted him on the butt and he let out a howl. Reluctantly, he got up and headed into the shower. Gabi devoured the rest of her breakfast. Antonio showered quickly and returned to the bedroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. Gabi noticed the glistening beads of water on his chest and arms. Maybe we don’t need a picnic, she thought to herself wickedly then she remembered… "Antonio! Tonight is the welcome home party for your mother." Carmen had been on a month long cruise with her friend Lupe. They were returning today and Maria was having everyone over for dinner. "I can’t wait to hear all about her trip." The party, Antonio thought. Ricardo. He took a deep breath as he searched for some of the clothes he hadn’t moved out. "It should be interesting," he called to Gabi from the closet. BEN & MARIA’S Antonio and Gabi arrived almost a half-hour after everyone else. They had gotten a little carried away at the beach and lost track of time. They stood in each other’s arms waiting for someone to answer the door. "Antonio," Maria said exuberantly. "We were just getting ready to call the police and file a missing persons report." She smiled at them both. "I take it you had a nice dinner?" Gabi looked up at Antonio as he leaned over and kissed her. "Uh huh," Maria rolled her eyes as they walked inside. Carmen jumped up as soon as she saw Antonio. She was blissfully oblivious to what had taken place with her son over the last few weeks. "Mi hijo," she cried as she ran to hug him. "Oh, mi hijo, I’ve missed you." Antonio hugged her tightly. "Hi mama. I’m so glad you’re back." He kissed her cheek. "We both are." Carmen looked over his shoulder to Gabi. She broke out of the hug with Antonio and walked over to Gabi eyeing her stomach. "Oh dios mio!" she guffawed as she placed her hand against Gabi’s still small belly. "You are so tiny…is my grandchild alright? Have you been to the doctor? What do they say?" She was getting quite worked up when Antonio placed his hand on her shoulder. "Mama, mama," he said comfortingly. "Gabi is fine, the baby is fine. He’s actually quite strong." Carmen looked wide-eyed at Gabi and then Antonio. "He? It’s a he?" She placed her hand over her heart. "A baby boy!" Antonio smiled gently at Gabi as his mother took her quickly into her arms. Gabi laughed as Carmen hugged her and began to cry. Antonio could see Gabi was overwhelmed so he placed his arm around Carmen. "Mama, why don’t you come and tell me all about your trip?" He led her over to the couch as he looked over his shoulder at Gabi. "Thank you," she mouthed in relief. Antonio smiled. Gabi turned around to find Maria at her side with a sheepish smile. "So, things are good?" She gave Gabi her knowing eye. Gabi felt tears stinging her eyes. "Yes," she said quietly. "Things are very good." Maria hugged her tightly as Gabi brushed away the tears that were slipping. Antonio glanced up from his conversation with his mother and felt his heart skip seeing Gabi so happy. The doorbell rang so Maria excused herself from her celebration with Gabi. Gabi made her way up to the powder room to freshen her makeup as Maria opened the door. "Hi, Ricardo," she said as her brother kissed her on the cheek on his way inside. "Oh, Ricardo," Carmen exclaimed as she jumped up. Ricardo walked over and hugged his mother tightly while glaring at Antonio over her shoulder. "Mi hijo, how are you? You look so thin." Carmen held him at arm’s length and studied him carefully. "Mama, I’m fine," Ricardo grinned at her. "You always worry too much about your boys." Carmen looked lovingly at Antonio. "You know us Torres brothers, we know how to take care of ourselves." Antonio wanted to take Ricardo out back and take care of him alright. Ricardo sat down on the couch to talk with Carmen. Antonio headed upstairs to gather his things to take home later. He walked into the room he had been sleeping in and found Gabi sitting quietly in the dark. "Gabi, are you okay?" He made his way quickly to her side. "I’m okay," she said not too convincingly. Antonio knelt down before her looking up into her eyes. "What’s wrong, baby?" Gabi smiled, she loved it when he called her that. She laughed at herself as she shook her head. "What?" "I was just thinking about what your mother said," she sighed. "What if she’s right?" Antonio looked confused for a second. "You mean about being small?" He placed his hand against Gabi’s stomach. "The baby’s fine, Gabi. Didn’t the doctor say everything was alright?" Gabi shook her head. "And didn’t you see that little boy moving around on the ultrasound?" Gabi shook her head. "And didn’t he nearly break my rib with that kick when we were dancing?" Gabi laughed. "He’s healthy and strong and he’s not making an appearance until I say so." Antonio pointed his finger against her belly. "You hear me in there?" Gabi threw her arms around Antonio’s neck. He held her close for a few minutes before they headed downstairs. Maria was ushering everyone in to dinner, so Antonio and Gabi made their way into the dining room. Ricardo watched intently as Antonio pulled out Gabi’s chair and pushed it in when she sat down. They were directly across the table from him. Antonio sat down and issued Ricardo a stern look. Ricardo laughed out loud as he took a sip of his water. They talked about Carmen’s trip and Benjy’s soccer practice. Antonio kept a watchful eye on Ricardo as he waited for him to make some inappropriate comment in front of Gabi. Antonio smiled at Gabi as she cleaned her plate and even had a second helping. Antonio leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Still hungry from last night?" Gabi giggled softly as Antonio kissed her cheek. Ricardo thought he was going to puke. "So, Antonio," Ricardo began. Antonio felt his guard go up immediately. "How’s business?" Ricardo smirked at his brother’s unease. "Fine, Ricardo. The Deep is doing very well," Antonio maintained civility for everyone’s sake. "Antonio is doing very well," Ben interjected. "I’ve given him ultimate responsibility for the club’s operation." Carmen took a deep breath as she smiled proudly at her baby. "Thank you, Ben." Antonio said shyly. Gabi squeezed his hand under the table. She was extremely proud of his accomplishments. "That’s great, T. I’m so glad you were able to do something with yourself, after ditching the collar and all," Ricardo said smugly. Gabi shot him a disapproving look. "It was kind of iffy there for awhile." Antonio tried to let the comment roll off his back. "Former priests don’t always do so well. You were lucky to have someone hand you a job." "Antonio earned his position, Ricardo," Maria offered. "He’s learned a lot from Ben." "And a lot from dad," Ricardo huffed. "No, mi hijo." Carmen’s head snapped to Ricardo. "My Antonio is nothing like his father." "Oh, I think you’d be surprised mama," Ricardo said nonchalantly as he took a bite of his dinner. "Antonio inherited some of dad’s best traits." "Enough, Ricardo," Antonio said gruffly. Gabi looked quickly around the table. She didn’t know anything about their father except that he had left their mother when they were all young. "What traits, Antonio?" she asked innocently. "Go ahead and tell her, Antonio," Ricardo said smartly. "Why don’t you tell us all?" Maria stood up quickly and excused herself from the room. Carmen followed her in a flash since she was obviously upset. Gabi turned to look at Antonio who was staring at Ricardo with hatred. Ben was distracting Benjy with a napkin trick. "Let’s go outside," Antonio said roughly standing up from the table. Gabi watched as Ricardo set down his napkin and stood from his chair. "I need to speak to Ricardo alone. I’ll be right back," he said to Gabi as he touched her shoulder. Gabi watched as Antonio followed Ricardo outside. She was afraid they would fight again and went off to find Maria. Antonio closed the patio doors behind him. He walked up behind Ricardo as he stared out at the ocean. "What do you want, Ricardo?" Antonio asked quietly. Ricardo laughed without turning around. "You know what I want, Antoino." Antonio threw his hands up in the air. "What, do you think I’m just going to hand her over to you, Ricardo? Divorce my wife and let you marry her and raise my son? Are you insane?" Antonio’s voice was growing louder. "Don’t you know by now that she doesn’t love you?" "But she still loves you?" Ricardo snapped as he turned around. "After you slept with another woman…" "I didn’t sleep," Antonio said loudly then quickly hushed his voice. "I didn’t sleep with her, Ricardo. I thought you already knew that," he said daringly. "I do know that," Ricardo answered abruptly. "Just exactly how do you know that?" Antonio stepped closer to Ricardo. "And how did you know about what she was wearing…and the…details," he closed his eyes as he said it. "Don’t be embarrassed, T, she was just too much woman for you. It happens to all guys once in awhile. Well…not me!" He leaned over in a whisper. "I hope you don’t leave Gabi unsatisfied like that!" Antonio felt his rage growing as Ricardo smirked at him. "Don’t worry, I finished up with Heather for you and I’ll take care of Gabi for you, too." Antonio grabbed Ricardo by the shirt just as Carmen came through the doors. "Ninos! Stop this now." She grabbed each of their arms. "Antonio, let go of your brother." Antonio released his grip on Ricardo’s shirt and stepped away. "I raised you to love each other…not fight. You are brothers." Ricardo looked away from Antonio. "Brothers don’t steal from each other. I’m just trying to get back what’s mine," Ricardo said like a spoiled child. "She’s not yours," Antonio snarled. "She never really was." Ricardo shot daggers at Antonio with his eyes. Oh you’ll pay for that one, he promised himself. Ricardo kissed his mother on the cheek. "I’m sorry mama. I have to go." He stepped off the patio and disappeared into the darkness. Carmen turned to Antonio. "Antonio, you never fought with Ricardo when you were children. Why now?" She touched her hand to his cheek. "What is this about?" Gabi came through the doors. "Is everything okay out here?" She stepped over and put her arm around Antonio’s waist. He put his arm around her shoulders as Carmen realized what her sons were fighting about. "Everything’s fine. Let’s go back inside." Antonio smiled sadly at his mother and led Gabi inside. Carmen stood on the patio alone. She had a feeling that things would never be resolved between her sons, not as long as Gabi was in her family. She quietly walked back inside.
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