You didn't really think I was gonna leave this story there did ya?
I think you did- I only had one request for a sequel :p
Anyhoo, here is a short sequel/second instalment which is now THE END of this Christmas Special! Hope you enjoy :D
Please vote in the poll on my profile page for the next story you'd like to read- there's two to choose from so nothing taxing :p
Oh…and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Auld Lang Syne.
"He's really beautiful…" Troy marveled at the young being in his arms; Gabriel who was wrapped up tightly and suckling on his little finger.
"I guess when you asked me on a date this isn't quite what you envisioned," Gabriella remarked drily as she watched Troy being dad-like toward her little baby; something that made her melt inside at the sight of.
Troy looked up, all warm blue eyes. "Hey, this is a bonus for me," he assured of the fact she had brought Gabriel along.
"Really?" She frowned, meeting his gaze, secretly worried about making a relationship with Troy now that she had a baby to care for.
"Yeah…I mean, I helped bring the little guy out, it's great to see him again…"
Troy was in his own little world of happy right now as he cradled little Gabriel and silently wished for one of his own. He could see himself getting used to this, he mused. Having a baby…having Gabriella.
"You haven't changed his nappy yet," Gabriella warned knowingly.
Troy looked up, all bright eyed. "Can I?"
She chuckled. "Be my guest, but you'll only be that excited once, believe me…"
Troy followed her to the baby changing room of the restaurant they were eating in; laying Gabriel down gently and following her instructions on how to change him with fierce concentration.
As he sealed the last tab on the fresh diaper, he looked to her with a hopeful smile.
"Did I do okay?"
She nodded, impressed. "Perfect. And no complaining about the smell…"
Troy shrugged and lifted the bundle up while Gabriella helped dress him. "He's too small to know what he's doing," he excused cutely and Gabriella felt tears fill her eyes.
"Hey, you okay?" Troy noticed her tears right away.
She nodded. "Hmm-mm," she didn't trust herself to speak.
"No you're not, what's wrong?" He tucked Gabriel into the corner of his elbow and curled his free hand around her shoulder, highlighting to her just how good he was with a baby and with no practice either. It made her ache inside that Gabriel's real father couldn't be the same way.
"Nothing," she assured as her sobs overcame her and Troy carefully brought her closer while keeping Gabriel safely ensconced in the crook of his arm.
"Hey, it's okay," he assured. "Whatever it is, just tell me…"
She looked up with a watery smile.
"I just wish his dad were like you, that's all…I just wish-" She paused.
Troy looked intently at her, all blue eyes. "You wish what, Ella?"
She licked her lips and sucked her upper one. She ventured shy eyes to his.
"Sometimes, I wish you were his dad…"
Of all the reactions she might have expected, she didn't expect his smile. His outright grin, in fact. He was complimented at her statement, strangely.
"Really?" He gazed down on Gabriel as if he'd been given a gold prize.
"Really," she nodded; glad she had made him happy even if it did surprise her.
"He really is amazing," Troy commented wistfully. "Maybe he can come sheep-herding with me one day…"
Gabriella laughed. "When he's older."
Troy looked at her, a soft affection to his gaze. "Ready to eat?"
She nodded, holding up the carry cot for Troy to place Gabriel carefully inside, adding the baby's favourite pacifier so he might sleep.
Back in the restaurant, they both gazed on Gabriel equally while enjoying their dinner.
"I can't believe we're sitting here eating dinner and a week ago you watched me give birth," Gabriella smiled softly.
Troy shrugged. "All in a day's work."
She chuckled. "I'm glad I came up the mountain, though. I like spending time with you."
Troy twisted his lips, knowing he felt the same.
"I think it was fate or something." He commented of their way of meeting. "Lucky hand of fate."
"Can you believe it's New Year's Eve?" Gabriella smiled. "He's one week old already…"
Troy reached over and touched her hand. "How are you recovering from it all?"
"I'm fine," she assured gently. "Just tired from getting up all night to feed him."
"Are you using bottles or…ah…"
"Breast feeding," Gabriella smiled at his awkwardness.
"If you ever need any help…" he offered.
"What with breast feeding?" She arched teasingly and he blushed.
"I mean generally…if there's anything I could do…"
"Well, Maggie from next door came round the other night and I've started to expel breast milk into bottles for when I'm tired, so she offered to help out so I could get some sleep." Gabriella recounted.
"I could do that," Troy offered right up, his excited little-boy look back.
She gazed at him. "You have to work."
"In the winter it's pretty quiet, the sheep are all in the shed. I'd love to help out…"
"It would mean changing nappies too…" She warned.
"I can do that too, you showed me…"
"Troy," she smiled.
"What?" He was really serious, she mused as he looked at her, silently begging her to say yes. How could one guy get so excited at the thought of changing nappies when another ran off into the sunset at the thought of it?
"You can't honestly really want to offer to get up all night to feed and change my baby…" She challenged his innocence.
Troy blinked, his smile fading. "Is that weird?"
She almost cried at his commitment. "A little."
"So can I?" His brow arched.
"Yes, okay," she agreed reluctantly, silently afraid what he might think of their living conditions. Okay he was a shepherd; he didn't make millions but her little bedsit and the lack of means she had to get by on might shock him and she didn't want him to feel bad for them or feel obliged to help out.
His grin was a distracting sight. "Tonight?" He checked of when this little agreement would take place.
"Tonight?" She repeated, surprised.
"You can have an early night and wake up refreshed for a day out tomorrow." He suggested.
"Day out?" She was beginning to sound like a parrot.
He smiled. "I was hoping to take you out for lunch," he expanded.
"Oh." She took a breath in, surprised.
"Ah…or we can go another time," he added, blushing at his eagerness to see Gabriella again.
She thought it over in her head. Troy staying at hers this evening…waking up together…going for lunch. Waking up together. Why did that sound so good? Well, they might not even share a bed, but when they'd spooned at the hospital, she'd loved every minute of it and couldn't deny she'd like more of the same.
"No, it's okay," she quickly amended her previous bemusement. "I'd like to go for lunch tomorrow. But I don't have much room at my place so perhaps it's best if I just pop back and get some clothes and then I'll take your spare room tonight…"
Troy tilted his head and wished she might share his bed if she felt comfortable doing so; but he understood she wanted to spend time alone, too. It was his idea she have a break after all.
"Okay, it's a deal," he said aloud, holding her gaze for a lot longer than was acceptable in polite conversation.
/
Despite her repeated insistence that he wait in his car; Troy still found the need to follow her up to her room while she gathered her things. He offered to hold Gabriel while she packed and was keen to see her living space as she had seen his.
Once they were up there, Gabriella quickly went about finding items of clothing to see her overnight stay and the following lunch date; along with her beauty essentials and everything she needed for Gabriel.
Two bags later, she was ready to go.
Troy took her hand as they went down the stairs, Gabriel's carry cot in his other.
"Is it warm enough up there?" He wondered lightly, not wanting to sound critical but worried for Gabriella's health.
She nodded, putting on a bright smile. "Yes, I just turned the heating off while I was out."
"Gabriel sleeps in the cot by the bed?" He checked, knowing they also didn't have much space. He wondered how she coped with a child in such a sparse apartment.
"He does," she agreed, glancing at him as he dropped her hand to open the passenger door. Once she was safely inside, he secured the baby seat.
"Is it noisy?" He asked, sliding into the driver seat.
Gabriella took a tight breath in and let it out again, trying to calm her nerves. She had known he would think it was a dump; because well, it was dump, but she couldn't deal with being told that right now.
"A little," she accepted. "It's all I could afford…"
Troy nodded thoughtfully, driving quietly up to his place on the mountain.
When they came inside, he lit up the fire and went about making drinks; sitting beside her on the sofa once they were ready. Gabriel lay in his carry cot at her feet, fast asleep.
"He's a good baby," Troy mused.
"I know, he hardly cries," Gabriella agreed.
"So, when do I need to feed him?" He checked, looking over.
"If you want, I can do the night feeds…" She hedged.
"I thought you were meant to be resting," he smiled.
She blinked. "Okay…well he wakes every two hours so I just give him as much as he wants and then pat his back to wind him. He might sick it up. If he does, just leave him until the next feed…"
Troy nodded, mentally taking notes in a cute way that had Gabriella wanting to kiss him.
"Right, got it…"
"His diaper will need changing each time," she added. "Just make sure he's clean and not rashy…"
"Uh-huh," he agreed. "Not rashy…"
"And if you need anything, then please just wake me. Really, I'm used to it so it's no trouble." She assured.
He looked at her for a long moment and then reached across for her hand. "I'll be fine. You can rest easy."
She nodded, sucking her lower lip. She ventured a look at him.
"You remember that day in the hospital..?"
Troy nodded. "Of course I do…"
"That was nice…how we…" She swallowed. "You know how we just slept side by side…"
Troy felt a warm glow abound his body and something darkened and went deeper inside. The thought of being wrapped up with Gabriella again excited him and in ways he hadn't felt for a long time. He imagined that innocent spooning turning into something more and as it was, he stared at her lips longingly.
"Ella…" He began, confused as to what words he wanted to say when he found himself leaning towards her, strangely intoxicated by her smell- somewhere between baby powder and peach shampoo.
"I should bathe him," Gabriella suddenly leaned back and announced, causing Troy to suck in a shocked breath.
"Oh." He swallowed. "Sure."
Her brown eyes met his, silently apologizing.
She didn't even know why she'd done that! The thought of kissing him made her very happy indeed but something just made her pull back, too. Was she afraid of being hurt again? Of being abandoned? Was she afraid this was just an attraction borne of sharing an adrenaline-filled experience rather than true emotions? Did she even care?
She was sure she deserved some love; and although she and Troy had only just met she felt like already they cared about each other enough to feel comfortable about taking the next step; but then what about Gabriel? She couldn't go kissing any Tom, Dick or Troy and not worry about her baby, now…
But Troy loved Gabriel, she mused. Like his own.
Them kissing would be a natural progression of their liaisons so far and now she cursed herself for fleeing when things were just getting interesting.
She lowered Gabriel into the luke warm water in the sink, watching him move his legs about at the feel of it.
"Need any help?" Troy enquired in the doorway, not coming inside Gabriella noted.
That was her fault, she blamed.
"Actually yes," she accepted, knowing it was hard to hold him and wash him simultaneously. "Can you hold him while I wash him?"
Troy stepped inside, looking sheepish, but he took up his post easily and gently held little Gabriel while he watched Gabriella cleaning him carefully.
"He's just so small…" Troy awed as the baby filled his palms.
"Yeah, tiny," Gabriella smiled proudly at her gift.
"This baby stuff smells nice," he commented of the bath lotion she used.
"The economy brand," she mused. "It's just as good as the others."
"You know, I like having you both around," Troy decided as he watched her being playful with her son while his hands held him safely in the water.
They were close, intimately so, but not touching.
"Me too," Gabriella agreed, smiling softly as she leaned toward him to execute that kiss she had denied earlier.
When her lips touched his, she felt a jolt in surprise at the contact their mouths made and the buzz it emanated around her body. Good grief, she was kissing him, she realized. And he could kiss! The shepherd was kissing her back with slow, tender longing sucks of her lips as though he'd been waiting his whole life for her to walk through his door. It was…unreal, it was passionate, she might go as far to say it was epic, but the evident spray of something warm broke them apart.
"Oh god, he peed." Gabriella winced of the liquid now decorating their torsos.
Troy looked into her eyes without even flinching. "Guess we have to get used to that."
/
It wasn't so much the fact he had said 'we' as the fact Troy now seemed to treat Gabriel as part of his life.
She liked it; but in the same breath, it made her nervous.
She could get to enjoy kissing him way too much, she considered. And she wasn't in doubt of how he felt. He'd been consistent from day one; always accepting, always including her child as his own, but Gabe never would be. That was the thing. Could she live with that? Could he?
What if she let him share this sacred bonding time with Gabe only to have something
put a spanner in the works down the line? What if his real father turned up or she and Troy didn't make it?
It was a lot for her to take in.
But still, his security offered a lifeline she was in desperate need of and the way he had kissed her only served to remind her how attractive he was, so maybe she would just see how tonight went and lunch tomorrow and then she could be better placed to decide what to do.
Right now, she was lying in bed trying to sleep whilst imagining Troy caring for her little baby with all the tenderness and care he had so far showed her with and the idea kept her awake instead of allowing her to rest like he had intended.
She sighed and rolled out of bed; tiredly yawning as she came down the landing in search of her men; giving up on trying to sleep now. It seemed fruitless to try.
Gabriella found them, ironically asleep the pair of them, on the sofa. Troy was laid back, his head lolled to one side- evidently dropped into slumber after feeding Gabe and Gabe was protectively tucked in his arm; his own little thumb suckled in his mouth as his pacifier had fallen onto Troy's thigh and out of his reach.
She stood and marveled at the sight of them; sharing sleep; sharing warmth and looking so utterly adorable together than she had to bite into her fist to stop herself squealing.
"You're something else." She murmured to the older of the two and she padded over and brushed his hair back affectionately. "Will you marry me?"
Troy apparently, wasn't as asleep as he appeared to be, because his lips curved into a smile before his eyes blinked sleepily open.
"Is that a real proposal or is it only because I'm asleep?" He asked, making her blush.
Gabriella stepped back. "Why aren't you asleep?"
"I was."
She frowned. "Obviously not."
"I've done two feeds and two diapers," he shared proudly. "Hey, where's his dummy?"
Troy sat up carefully and squinted around for the pacifier, then relaxed back as he sourced the lost item and hooked it onto his finger.
"Found it," he relaxed back again.
"Want me to put him down in the cot?" Gabriella worried about the circulation in his arm.
"Hm, thanks," Troy handed her Gabe and she lay his pacifier next to his little fingers.
"Come to bed," Gabriella encouraged. "You'll get neck ache sleeping like that…"
"You're meant to be asleep," he challenged back. "Why are you up?"
"I missed him," she said of Gabe, then looked at Troy. "And you."
Troy pursed his lips. "Fancy sharing my double?"
She looked down into his honest face. "I would love to."
He nodded and stood, taking her hand as they went back up the stairs and Gabriella placed Gabe gently on Troy's bedroom floor, in his carry crib before they rolled into his bed together, just sharing the space while they talked awhile.
"I don't know how you do it," Troy commented. "You must be exhausted."
Gabriella rolled over to snuggle his shoulder and he put an arm around her assuringly.
"I am…but he's worth every minute you know?"
"Oh, I know," he agreed with a smile.
"Troy..." She hitched a breath, not sure what to say.
"It's okay," he kissed her hair. "I know we have yet to see where this goes with us," he conceded. "I'm getting attached to Gabriel and it worries you…"
Gabriella rubbed her cheek against his chest. "It only worries me because now I have two of us to look out for…"
"I promise I won't leave you, Ella. Not like Gabriel's dad did." Troy assured.
She sighed, sorry that Troy had to be subject to her insecurities. Here was an amazing guy- inside and out- and she couldn't deny she still doubted him. Even when she knew his words were real.
"I know you won't," she murmured back, accepting his promise. "I am so grateful for you…"
He tightened his arms at her expression, thinking he was grateful for her; and her child that he loved already. But as his lips found hers; he told her that in another way and the lazy way they enjoyed each other didn't belittle the underlying desire they both felt. Gabriella wanted to make love with Troy and she knew he wanted it too; from the reaction she felt in his hardening body, but there was no rush for them; no hurry. They were happy to enjoy each moment and see where it led.
The small cry from the cot beneath them reminded them that a fragile life relied upon them to care for him.
"Up we go," Troy heaved himself up to feed Gabriel.
"Troy…" Gabriella called as he went to the end of the bed.
"Hm?" He looked up in the soft light cast by the bedside lamp.
"Bring him over, I'll breast feed…" She said.
Troy frowned. "Are you sure, it's no problem to go and get a bottle…"
Gabriella smiled. "I'd like to. If you want to watch…" She added.
Troy smiled back and came over with Gabriel; leaving him in Gabriella's capable hands while she got positioned and Troy wrapped himself around behind her, cushioning and supporting her while she tiredly fed her child, the tiny baby latching onto her nipple as she bared her breast and brought him up to it.
"You have beautiful breasts, Ella," Troy nuzzled her ear as she felt the tug of Gabe's mouth expelling her milk.
She smiled to herself. "I think you have seen most of me naked now," she remarked.
His hands caringly cupped her post-baby stomach. "All of you one day, I hope."
She sighed and leaned back into his chest, pleasant tingles eroding down her body at his words; so erotic even when she was feeding her child. The man knew no bounds.
She twisted a little to kiss him, receiving his tender kiss back.
"One day," she agreed finally of his statement; her twinkled look filling him with deep promise.
/
Getting the show on the road the following day was a fun mixture of both Troy and Gabi preparing Gabriel for an outing; and each of them individually, in time for lunch to be served.
Troy held Gabi's hand as they walked along the mountain side to visit a small restaurant that they knew was child-friendly. Luckily for them, most of the locals were accommodating so they needn't worry too much about having a baby with them.
As it was, as soon as Gabi walked in with the small bundle in her arms; Gabriel fussing while Troy carried the carry seat; the owner approached and cooed over her child adoringly.
"Gabriella isn't it?" Joseph checked and Gabriella nodded shyly. "I heard all about this little one, being born on Christmas day in a snow storm!"
Gabi nodded. "Yeah, he sure picked his moment," she agreed.
Joseph turned to Troy. "And you delivered him?"
Troy smiled lop-sidedly. "If that's what you can call it…"
"He did an amazing job," Gabriella spoke up, sending him a look that Joseph didn't miss.
"You're his daddy?" The man asked, knowing that seemed inaccurate even as he said it.
"Ah…no," Troy blushed, looking down on the squiggling baby as if he wished he were his own.
"Beg my pardon," Joseph smiled. "Come and sit down, I'll find you a nice seat…"
They followed and Gabi smiled across at Troy as she spoke first.
"Can you hold him while I pop to the ladies room?" She asked and he looked up, concerned.
"Yeah…you okay?"
"I'm fine," she smiled reassuringly. "Stop worrying."
He nodded, conceding his penchant for doing that and took Gabriel into his arms with ease.
"Hey, Gabe," he spoke to the baby to soothe his wriggling ways. "Relax…"
"#Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne…#"
Troy looked up as Gabriella retuned to the table, her soft eyes upon him; followed by her fingers through his hair. It was only then he realized that not only had he been singing; but he'd also sung Gabe to sleep. He smiled sheepishly at Gabriella.
"Ah…"
Gabriella leaned down and kissed him, before taking her seat and reading the menu.
"You have a lovely singing voice," she said softly across the table. "We should duet next year for carols…"
Troy smirked. "I doubt it," he shied.
Gabi tilted her head. "Maybe you'll sing it to me again later?"
He lay Gabe in his seat and looked over. "Maybe."
"You do realize we never said Happy New Year," she reminded, pursing her lips in amusement.
"Well, maybe I was saving it," Troy let a little smile curve his lips as he reached across the table to take her hand.
"Saving it for what?" She puzzled.
"For when I ask you if you'd like to move in with me," he offered boldly, taking a nervous breath and then letting it out.
Gabriella met his gaze and lowered her menu in disappointment. "Oh, Troy," she sighed. "I knew this would happen…"
"You did?" He licked his lips, wiping away the sweat that beaded his upper lip and forehead. "Am I that obvious?"
"I just knew you'd feel responsible for me and Gabe and I knew what you were thinking about my apartment…"
"Well…" he lifted one shoulder, but kept her gaze. "I won't deny I worry about you there, but that's not the reason I asked…"
Gabriella frowned. "It's not?"
"No!" He chuckled. "Ella, I really like having you and Gabe around…I'd like you to be around a lot more…all the time in fact…"
"Troy, we barely know each other," she argued, swallowing. "This is our second date!"
"So what?" He asked back, unperturbed. "We have-"
He was interrupted by Joseph coming over to take their orders.
"It's amazing what you're doing," he told Troy and he lifted his brows in confusion.
"Adopting little Gabriel as your own," he added and Troy frowned then, about to correct him, but he asked for their drinks orders and swept away before he could define his and Gabi's relationship.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't correct him…" he said over the table, realizing Gabriella wasn't actually upset.
"It's okay. He's right anyway. You have adopted him like your own. Not on paper, but in person…"
He fidgeted. "I don't know if I'm the guy you want to be with, Ella, or even if I'm the kind of guy you wanted for Gabe's dad, but I really would like you both to come and live with me…"
"You and your herd," she smiled slightly as she considered his proposal.
Watching him caring for her son; seeing him enjoy the activity; it made her so happy she wanted to cry. But living with him? Was it too much too soon?
The alternative was her bedsit, alone and afraid. With Troy, she had his support, his love and he had hers. She looked upon him and realized he needed them and much as they needed him. It was like he lived to see Gabe's next development and she didn't know why he valued them so much, but she would find out in time.
They had all the time in the world.
"Me and my herd," he repeated her last phrase, which amused her because she forgot for a moment what they had been talking about and now it sounded so random.
"Okay," she nodded slowly, coming around to this idea. "I'd like that, thank you."
Troy grinned and gripped her hand. "Great!"
She pursed her lips, rubbing her thumb against his. "And Troy?"
He looked up, waiting her words.
"You are the guy I want to be with and you are definitely the kind of guy I hoped for as Gabe's dad…"
Troy's grin in return said it all.
/
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine† ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.
And there's a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand o' thine !
And we'll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
One year later, Troy and Gabriella shared their love by marking their first anniversary- a week after Gabe's birthday which itself had been a small intimate celebration they both remembered tellingly.
Gabriella smiled as she remembered their passion that night; and in all the nights before that one as their schedules and restrictions allowed.
Troy was a patient, caring lover and Gabriella couldn't have hoped for more for herself than where she found herself now, wrapped in his arms as they kissed tenderly back at home after an evening out together; just them and a meal.
Gabe was with Troy's parents, gladly babysat for by grandma and grandpa; two people Gabriella had been so nervous about meeting but found to be the same warm, accepting people their son was.
They had fallen in love with Gabe as quickly as Troy had and had expressed no concerns over him being borne of another father.
As it was; Gabi lay in Troy's arms and let their naked bodies touch, remembering their times over the last year. The times he was away in spring with his herd; when Gabe had visited the baby lambs and gurgled excitedly. The times they'd shared together, bowling, having fun. The times they'd stayed home, cuddled on the sofa; making love. The family meetings, Gabe's first jab, his first fever.
She grasped him in her hold and sighed out.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Troy instantly picked up on her emotions, just like he always had.
"There's something I have to tell you," Gabi conceded, venturing her gaze to his.
"What? What is it? Are you okay? Is Gabe ok?" He asked, panicked, brushing her hair back as she smiled slowly and kissed his mouth.
"Gabriel is fine," she assured quickly, her tummy flopping over at his protective streak.
"And you?" He asked next, not missing her clever answering that avoided her own health.
"I…well…it depends how you look at it," she frowned.
"Look at what?" He cupped her cheek, propping up as she curled onto her thigh. "Please, just tell me…"
She cast her gaze down with a swallow. "We were really careful…but you know that time we forgot to use something?"
Troy frowned, then tilted his head, then puffed out a breath. "You're pregnant?"
Gabriella nodded, pressing her lips together nervously. She wasn't sure how he might take this news. Okay, he loved babies but they already had one and he was a handful so to have another so soon…it was daunting. And they had been careful; so she didn't know that he wanted another child at the moment; she didn't know if this was really bad timing.
Troy, however, was crying and merely grasped her close in his arms and pulled back only to kiss her mouth, then her face all over, before holding her tight in his arms again.
"Oh my…this is amazing…is this real?" He checked, afraid to hope.
Gabriella blinked, comforted by his emotional response. "Yes, it's real. I'm about six weeks along…"
"You're having my baby…" He awed, dropping his gaze down to her tummy where he spread his fingers caringly.
Gabriella put her hand over his and swallowed back happy tears. "I'm glad you're happy."
He shot his gaze up. "You didn't think I would be?"
Gabriella shrugged. "It wasn't planned…"
"Oh god, no," he cupped her face and knelt up, regardless of his naked state as he dragged her into his arms. "It doesn't matter, I love you, Ella. So much."
She sobbed at his words. "I love you too…" She assured.
He grinned over her shoulder. "I'm gonna be a daddy…again," he added, counting Gabe as his own even though he wasn't biologically.
"That's the other thing," she pulled back and licked her lips. "I'd like you to adopt Gabriel officially."
Troy felt his tears plop from his lashes onto his face and he only had actions as no words would come. He kissed her, strong and hard; tumbling them back onto the bed.
"Troy!" She giggled at his demonstrative foreplay.
"It would be my honour to adopt Gabe," he assured of her suggestion. The fact she even asked him touched him deeply.
She looked into his eyes, for a long moment. "You're his daddy, too."
He nuzzled her nose. "You know what would make this day perfect?"
She sighed out, wanting him already. "No…"
He leaned back, smiling into her face. "Will you marry me, Ella?"
Gabi gasped in happy surprise, cupping her hands to her mouth. "Yes!" She cast out, pulling him down for another kiss. "Yes, yes, yes…"
"I love you," he told her again, for good measure.
"Happy New Year," she twinkled back, glowing with happiness.
"You're telling me," he quipped before they celebrated their news.
/
Belle Bolton was born at Albuquerque Maternity Clinic on August 1st weighing 8lbs and 1oz. Although healthcare professionals were present to ensure a healthy and sanitary birth, Troy delivered his daughter at 8.01am precisely.