Unexpected

Chapter 26

GABRIEL

Yesterday, as soon as Maria realized what was up, she grabbed her laptop and headed back to the kitchen to plot a plan of action. She said there was no way she would just sit around when she was a lawyer herself. I nervously sent Tom a text about it and was relieved when he agreed to her help. The last thing I needed was one more issue involving the band.

Josh and Maria shared a few stilted conversations, but the tension between them was so thick that it was almost palpable. Jo decided that cooking dinner would be the perfect way to relieve her stress and tension, as she needed something to do. And I spent the evening helping her while answering Maria's questions.

We were all so worn out from the day's events that we went to bed early, feeling completely exhausted. I hated the hesitation in Jo's eyes when I grabbed her hand and guided her to my room, though.

We both silently agreed to rest and to talk more once we had woken up, and before we knew it, we were already lying in bed.

Shame and remorse flooded my body the second her head touched my chest. I ran my hands down her sides, feeling the curves of her body, and then pulled her close. When she released a gentle breath, I felt something shift within me. The full trust she deposited in me means more than I can put into words.

At that moment, I knew I had to open up to her about everything.

No matter what she decides about us, she deserves the truth.

*****

I've been awake for a while now, feeling the stillness of the morning. The only sounds in the room are the gentle lull of the chirping birds outside. I don't even have to open my eyes to know Jo's not here. Her presence is like a warm hug that I always appreciate. It's astonishing how quickly she's turned my feelings around. I never thought I'd miss waking up with someone by my side.

Not too long ago, if someone had suggested to me I was contemplating life with Jo, I would have thought they were totally out of their mind.

But look at me now.

With a newfound sense of motivation, I throw the covers off and grab a pair of sneakers from my things. Taking a quick jog on the beach will be a great way to clear my mind before I set off to join the rest of the group. They were right. We need to start fixing things.

Stepping into the kitchen, I find Jo by herself, and a smile spread across my face at the sight in front of me. Much similar to the first day I woke up to her here in the house, she's cooking breakfast with her back to me while swaying her hips to whatever is playing on her headphones.

God, she's beautiful! My heart swells in my chest and I wonder how I can wake up to this every day. I guess the first step is by being fully honest with her.

Turning around, she gasps when she sees me standing by the door. "Jesus, Gabe!"

"Where's everyone?" I ask.

"Josh already left for the day and Maria went to that café to work," she says. "Looks like we're back to square one and you're stuck here with me again."

My lips curl as I walk to her. "Come here." I wrap my arms around her, taking one of her earbuds and placing it in my ear to listen to the song she has playing. Aretha. Of course.

Her arms wrap around my neck as I draw her close to my chest, our bodies swaying softly to the rhythm of the song. The sound of Aretha's moving melody makes my heart swell as she sings about the power of being brave and honest with our feelings.

My lips softly brush against her temple as I breathe in her sweet scent. My fingers tingle as I slide a hand down her lower back and another up to cup her nape. "I've always loved you," the words leave my lips in a rush. "But I need you to know that I'm also in love with you."

Her lips tremble. Her eyes water. A soft gasp leaves her lips all at once.

"I've always loved you, too." She grins, her eyes shining. "And I'm also in love with you."

I kiss her.

I kiss her with all of my heart and soul, trying to show her how much I love her; how much I need her. A wash of emotion surges through me as I savor the delicate feeling of her lips against mine. I feel like the luckiest man in the world. The possibility of this kind of love existing had never occurred to me before. I've never thought it could be in the cards for me. Until now. Until Jo.

The ring of the bell startles us.

"Are you expecting someone?" She speaks over my lips, trying to catch her breath.

"No..." I frown, slowly detangling from her hold. "Maybe Maria forgot her keys?" I head to the living room, Jo following suit.

Swinging the door open without thinking much, my mouth drops open in surprise as I take in the sight of who is standing in front of me.

Nora.

A very much pregnant Nora.

_____

A/N: I wanna hear all your theories!!!!

XOXO

Celeste