Chapter 39 - Friendly Threats(1)

Valerie watched her husband play a board game together with Ella and Zoe, he wasn't pretending to have a lot of fun. She could tell by merely looking at his face that he was having a blast. The girls were getting hyped to, getting louder and louder which made Lauren occasionally shush them. Gabriel didn't seem to mind at all though, he enjoyed their little banter and their giggles filling the room. It made her wonder about their future, it was funny how those things worked.

When she glanced at Lauren she could tell the woman saw right through her. It caused a blush to spread across her cheeks. Lauren thankfully kept her words to herself though. She couldn't have this conversation with Gabriel again. He wasn't against the idea of them having children, but he wasn't looking forward to it right now either. They had been through a lot, he wanted to enjoy their time together first before they shared their love with little people they needed to love and protect forever.

"Girls, if you keep it up uncle Gabe is not going to invite us over anymore."

The cheeky Ella threw her mother a mischievous look, "Uncle Gabe would never do that." She told her mother in a cute little voice which made Gabriel melt right then and there.

Gabriel gave her a gentle brush against the cheek, "He would never do that." He agreed with the little girl who challenged her mother.

He was definitely a pushover when it came to those girls, it was another glimpse of her future. It definitely taught her a lot. By merely observing him interact with those girls showed her what they needed to work on when the time came for them to raise kids.

"Gabriel." She quietly scolded him, her smile never leaving her face so the girls didn't notice it.

He shared a look with her and then flashed Lauren an apologizing small smile.

"I'm going to prepare dinner, you have a preference?" She asked Lauren, getting to her feet while she collected the empty glasses, "Someone need anything?" She asked in general.

"More juice." Ella demanded, holding out her glass.

"More juice, please." Lauren corrected her daughter, "Zoe, honey, you need anything?"

Lauren grabbed the empty glass, giving her outspoken little Ella a pinch to the cheek. Zoe shook her head, still a bit shy because of her. She knew Zoe still needed to get used to her. She was already coming out of her shell, but only because Ella was feeling right at home. The cheeky girl didn't hold her tongue, a little chatterbox she was. She could tell Gabriel absolutely loved it. He listened to the little chatterbox and asked her questions just so she kept talking. He also noticed Zoe being more quiet, he didn't force her to talk but he occasionally gave her a pat against the head or shared some of his snacks with her because she wasn't asking for anything. It was cute and made Valerie fall all over for him again. His hidden side which was precious.

"Okay then, if you change your mind I'll be in the kitchen with aunt Valerie."

"Aunt Val, can we have fries?"

Valerie glanced at little Miss chatterbox, "You want some fries?" She trailed her eyes to Lauren, "I could do fries, a green salad and chicken."

"Nuggets?!" Ella asked.

Valerie tried to hide her smile by pressing her lips together. She didn't mind preparing some fries and nuggets, it was easier than preparing the pasta bake she planned on making. It was also less time consuming. It was up to Lauren though, she didn't want to get in her way.

"I was going to make a pasta bake." Valerie let them know.

"We can do fries and nuggets." Lauren told her daughter, "But then you also need to eat your veggies too."

"Fine!" Ella muttered. She was done with that conversation and leaned into her uncle, "I rolled a four!" Ella announced, completely focusing on the game again.

Valerie made her way to the kitchen, Lauren following after her. The woman sighed tiredly when they were out of sight. While Valerie placed the empty glasses into the dishwasher, Lauren poured her cheeky girl a glass of juice.

"I'm so sorry." Lauren quietly told her, "Ella can be really demanding."

"I don't mind, it seems Gabriel is having a great time."

Another sigh left Lauren's lips, yet Valerie could tell by the gleam in Lauren's eyes that the woman didn't actually get exhausted by Gabriel and his affection toward those little girls. He gave them whatever they wanted, she could understand why Lauren would find that tiring. But just like her it seemed Lauren melted whenever Gabriel showed those girls his caring side.

"That guy has so many flaws." Lauren told Valerie, she couldn't agree more, "But then he shows you this side of him-" She gestured behind her and shook her head, a massive grin spread across the woman's face, "And you're sold. You can't let go because you know once you're in you mean everything to him."

"True." Valerie whispered, playing around with the rings around her finger, "So true."

Laughing Lauren grabbed the glass filled with tropical juice, "I'll be right back, just giving the princess her juice."

Valerie went to work, getting the fries and nuggets ready. Lauren joined her in the kitchen and prepared the salad, telling Valerie a lot of stories about the girls and their uncle Gabriel. She knew unlike her Gabriel never made himself available to his family. He loved them, but he didn't reach out on his own, he needed a shove. Seeing how much his family loved him she'd continue to push him. He deserved to be around the people who cared so much about him. He had Ethan and she was glad he met the guy and was able to continue to be his friend despite Tiffany's efforts. But she didn't want him to neglect his actual family either. He'd miss out on all the amazing moments in Ella and Zoe's life and eventually he'd end up with so many regrets. She would never allow that to happen, he might find her annoying when she pushed him, a lot, but eventually he'd be grateful.

***

Valerie was leaning against the headboard, reading a romantic novel while her husband was playing a videogame beside her. He never did that, whenever he had some time to spare he always got to work. When she shot a glance at him she could tell he was really into whatever videogame he was playing.

"Those girls adore you."

He chuckled, "Ella knows what she wants and I love that." She felt him looking at her, so she met his gaze and flashed him a smile, "Zoe reminds me of you, actually. A little shy, but speaks up when she is very passionate about something."

"Zoe is cute." Valerie trailed her eyes back to her book, "I think she's unsure about me though."

"I don't think that's it." Gabriel told her straight out, "I think she's being careful because when she saw you in that hospital bed she felt sorry for you. Lauren told me Zoe kept asking her if you were going to be okay." A soft laugh followed, "Not gonna lie though, you looked like the living dead back then. So we just have to be patient with her."

"I felt like I was dying so you know, I understand she got frightened."

Gabriel placed his hand upon her thigh above the sheet, giving her a firm pat against the thigh, "She warmed up to you when she felt more comfortable."

Valerie surprised him by leaning in and kissing his cheek without warning, "You were cute too." She admitted to him, "I loved seeing you with them."

He knowingly smiled, "Did you fall in love with me all over again?"

She didn't blush or hide away, she knew it was what he expected her to do. It made it that more amusing when she answered him full of confidence.

"I fall a little more in love with you every single day."

He paused the game and stared at her face, it was the first time she saw him at a complete loss of words. It took him a while, but he managed to pull himself together and cleared his throat.

"Me too."

Leaning into his side, she smiled when he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in close. He kissed her head and then focused on his game again while she read her book. Wrapped around in his warmth she felt cozy and loved. Like she meant everything to him and she was definitely not letting go of him, ever.