Mending (24 page)

“I’m so sorry.”

“Yeah, sorry you got caught.”
He hissed.

“No, I am.  I just wanted us to be together. 
To be a family.”

“Let’s get something very
very
clear.” He took a deep breath trying to maintain his cool.  “There never was
an us
.  There will never be
an us
.  No kid would change that.  I love Gabby.  You knew that and
damn you for trying to tear that apart
.”  He walked closer to the door.  “And I’ll give you credit.” He laughed sarcastically.  “
Your
little scheme
almost worked.”

She stood up, “Please don’t go.”  She sobbed.

“Did you not just hear what I said?”

“She’s so young.  She has all kinds of emotional baggage.  She’s no good for you.”

He pointed to her and it was all he could do to not raise his voice.  Through gritted teeth to refrain from screaming at her, “She has emotional baggage because of people like you and that
dickwad
.  I will have my attorney call you on Monday to arrange for a paternity test.”

He turned the door knob and walked out slamming the door closed so hard that it popped back open.

Chapter 16

October, 2010 ~ The Past

Gabby was fidgeting as they entered the Waterfront Restaurant.
“Baby, don’t be nervous.  It’s
gonna
be okay.” He looked down and grabbed her hand.  “Have I told you that you look stunning tonight?”

Gabby was wearing the strapless dress she had worn to Cade’s wedding but with the plum scarf he had bought for her.  Her hair was loosely pulled back with bouncy curly tendrils hanging down framing her face.  Gabby didn’t wear much makeup.  It was another thing he loved about her.  She didn’t need it.  She was beautiful the moment she woke up and she could wear a sheet better than any woman he’d ever seen.

Gabby smiled a shy smile, “I think you’ve told me once or twice, but do feel free to tell me again.” She winked.

“You look beautiful and they are going to love you.”

Gabby nodded. “You’re pretty beautiful yourself in that suit.”

“Beautiful, huh.
  Not handsome, but beautiful.”

Gabby raised both eyebrows as her eyes grew, “Uh huh.  Beautiful.” She said playfully.

He loved this restaurant.  There were floor to ceiling windows around the entire building.  This table was in a quiet corner that had arguably the best view in the entire restaurant.  The water was beautiful as the sun was setting.  Stone Mountain really was beautiful.  The leaves were just starting to turn and there was a nip in the air signaling fall was in the air.  Bradley loved this time of year.  Football season was in full swing, the smells reminded him of his mom baking for the holidays, and he loved that it wasn’t too hot or too cold.  He had enjoyed taking Gabby to a few Georgia football games, even though she was most definitely not a Georgia fan.  He smiled as he thought about bringing Gabby back to Stone Mountain at Christmas time.  He knew she would love the lights.  In fact, he could see her in his mind giggling and the way the lights would reflect off her eyes, making her even more beautiful.  There were so many things he couldn’t wait to share with her. 

Holley Banks was a stunning woman.  She was slender and tall.  Bradley had got his height from both his father and his mother.
  Her black hair was cut in
an inverted stacked bob.
  Bradley
also got his
piercing blue
eyes from
her
.  They were beautiful.  She stood and smiled as she held her
arms out for Bradley to hug her.  “There’s my baby boy.” After she hugged him
,
she pulled back and walked to Gabby.  “And, you must be Gabby.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”
  Gabby embraced her.  “It’s nice to
finally meet you, Mrs. B
anks.”  Gabby pulled Sam closer introducing her,
“Mr. and Mrs. Banks, I’d like you to also meet my sister, Sam.”

“Yes, Sam.  We’ve heard a lot about you, darling.” Mrs. Banks smiled as she embraced Sam.

Carmen was standing
back through all of the introductions.  Gabby and Bradley had gone over to her house a couple of times for dinner on the weekends.  Sam already knew her from the wedding.  She nodded smiling at Carmen, “Hi Carmen. 
Nice to see you again.”

Carmen walked up and hugged both of the sisters and her brother.

The rest of the evening was spent discussing
Gabby’s
and Sam’s future plans.  Mrs. Banks told embarrassing stories about Bradley’s childhood.  There was lots of laughter and for the most part his dad had been surprisingly pleasant. 

When they had finished their coffee and desert, they stood to leave.  Mr. Banks grabbed Bradley’s arm, “Son, can I have a word with you?”

Bradley looked down to Gabby, rolling his eyes. “You and Sam go
ahead,
I’ll catch up with you in a minute.  Here are the keys.”

Gabby looked up to him giving him
an
are
you ok
look.  “Okay?”

He nodded and kissed her head. 

Bradley

Bill Banks was tall and obviously in good shape.  There was no denying that Bradley had excellent genes.  Even though Bradley strongly favored his mother, he also looked a great deal like his father.  Holley and Bill Banks
were
a beautiful couple.  They’d made gorgeous babies
together.  Bill had short salt and pepper
hair
and blue eyes, as well.  He was dressed in a pinstriped tailored suit.  Even for an older man, he was extremely attractive.

When Bradley
and his father were alone, he knew what
was coming.  He was thankful his dad
had been so cordial all night.  At least he had not embarrassed Gabby, or any of them for that matter.

“Dad?”

“Son, you don’t bring women home.  And the one you do bring home is just a kid.  What the hell are you thinking?  Have I not taught –
”

Bradley interrupted him, “She’s not a kid,
she’s
my girlfriend.  And, I love her.” Bradley hissed.

“Well, what about the distance?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but it’s not been an issue thus far.”

His father
pursed his lips and ran his fingers over his mouth.  “This girl doesn’t seem to have a lot of money.  Are you sure she’s not just with you for
you
money, son?”

Bradley went to turn on his heel.  “We are so not having this conversation.”

“Son, don’t you walk away from me.”

Bradley stopped and turned half his body. 
“Dad.
  I looked up to you my entire life.  I thought you were cool.  It took Gabby for me to realize that what you’ve been doing to mom all these years is disgusting.”  He clenched his teeth and squeezed his fists by his side.  “I don’t want that for my life, not anymore.  We’re done here tonight.”

His father stood there speechless as Bradley walked away.

It had been a couple of weeks since Gabby had met Bradley’s parents.  Sam and Ryan had stayed in touch and things seemed to be going well for them.  They had agreed to just be friends.  Gabby and Bradley could only laugh at the attempt to contain the obvious explosive chemistry they had shared that day playing putt
putt
.

Gabby
had been continuing the therapy with Dr. Harrison.  She had thought a lot about what she had proposed and was anxious to leave the past in the past.  She was working hard to move past the hurt she had experienced over the course of her short life by focusing on her future.  That person was Bradley Banks.  She was 99% sure she was going to choose social work as major.  Bradley had been very supportive of her desire to help battered women and children. 

Gabby
was now on winter
break
and she had been st
aying with Bradley in Atlanta.  What was even better than staying with Bradley for several weeks was that S
am had agreed to come to
Atlanta for
Christmas
.
 

Bradley had
talked to Ryan about a specia
l date he had been planning
for Gabby.
  He had somet
hing very important to ask her
and he wanted to make sure that everything was perfect. 
He
also
thought it would be a great way for Ryan and Sam to spe
nd more time together.  He knew
it would mean more to Gabby if Sam was there.

He had been working mostly from home during the time Gabby had been staying with him.  Her being with him had made him want her even more, not just physically, but emotional.  He loved being with her.  Even if they weren’t saying a word, he loved her being beside him on the couch.  He loved getting to look at her while he ate his meals.  He would never get sick of watching her sleep. 

He had told the sisters that they were going on a road trip and to dress warmly.  He wished he had taken a picture when Gabby saw the limo pull up to the apartment. 

“What is this?” She looked over to him.  She was so excited she could barely keep her feet on the ground.

Bradley had arranged for a limousine to take them to their destination and back.  He thought it would be nice to not have to worry about driving.  The girls would be able to talk.  They would all be able to drink.  He hadn’t been able to see Ryan much since he was in residency, so he knew they would enjoy catching up on sports.

He kissed her hand.  “It’s a limo, climb in.”

S
am giggled and looked up into Ryan’s brown eyes
.  “Did you know about this?”

He smirked and conceded, “I did.”

Sam put her hands on her hips and sighed.  He bit his bottom lip grinning and she busted out laughing.

Gabby and Sam climbed into the back of the limo and Bradley made sure everyone had a drink.  He had arranged for their favorite champagne.