"Never mind," Rip sighed as Katrina chuckled at his question, "It was a stupid idea."
"No, Michael," she caught his arm before he left.
Rip shook his head, he knew he shouldn't have told Katrina what he was thinking but he needed to talk to someone who wasn't a dog, "Just don't mention this to her, please."
"Come and sit with me," Katrina tugged him over to the couch, he reluctantly followed her and sat, "Okay, Gideon is amazing. She is smart, sweet and beautiful."
Rip shrugged, "I know this."
"She spends most of her free time with you, has lunch with you almost every day at work," Katrina continued, "She loves Jonas, who adores her, and you trust her with him. You go out to dinner or the movies all the time and anytime there is an event you go together."
"What's your point?"
Katrina rolled her eyes with an annoyed sigh, "You are so smart but so dumb at the same time. The day you met her in the park you invited her to join us for lunch."
"To meet you and Ali," Rip replied.
"Even with Jonas there?" Katrina challenged, "You wouldn't let Isabelle so much as catch a glimpse of him and you dated her for a couple of months."
Rip frowned, "That was different."
"How?" she shook her head, "Because you knew that was going nowhere or because from the moment you met Gideon you knew there was something special about her."
He hesitated, "I…"
"Tell her how you feel, Michael. Ask her out on a proper date," Katrina told him, "I am sure…no I am positive she will say yes."
Rip let out a long breath, "Would this even be a good idea if she did? Jonas…"
"You're allowed to meet someone," Katrina told him, "You're allowed to fall in love again. I never knew Miranda but I know that she would want you to be happy. Besides," she stopped him interrupting, "Jonas adores Gideon and has from day one."
"I don't want him to get attached to someone if it isn't going to work out," Rip reminded her.
Katrina chuckled, "He's already attached to her."
Rip frowned turning to stare at the pictures of Katrina and Ali sitting on the table, how much they loved one another was so clear to see.
"Michael," Katrina turned him back to look at her, "Just ask her."
x
"Daddy," Jonas voice made him look up from staring blankly at the screen in front of him.
Rip shook himself, "Is something wrong?"
"I'm hungry," the little boy said.
Giving his son a smile Rip turned off his computer and headed into the kitchen. He pulled together a quick meal for them calling Jonas to eat. When the little boy climbed onto his seat at the table Rip watched him. He was a happy little boy, most of the time. Bad days only happened rarely and Rip was reluctant to mess with that but…
"Jonas," he said suddenly, "Do you like Gideon?"
The little boy looked up and nodded enthusiastically, "She's fun and gives great hugs."
"That's good," Rip smiled, "I like her too."
Jonas smiled back before he began to eat again. Rip thought back over the past few months and every time Gideon had joined them for dinner or days out. Whenever Jonas talked Gideon listened to every word he said. She didn't cook much, despite her love of cooking shows, but always helped Rip with the dishes afterwards where they would chat and laugh.
Rip always smiled when she was with him, always felt like smiling every moment they were together and the thought of losing that connection if she didn't feel the same way saddened him.
But he also didn't know if he could be around Gideon feeling this way and not tell her.
x
"Good morning," Gideon greeted Tina when her boss walked into her office.
Tina smiled back, "Do you have ten minutes?"
"Of course," Gideon said.
"Let's go get some coffee," Tina told her, "I need one this morning."
Gideon frowned worriedly for her friend, "Is something wrong?"
"Not wrong," Tina assured her as they walked through the corridors, "In fact I've been working late on bringing in new projects. I'm afraid I am going to be using your services a lot in the next few weeks to get everyone set up."
Gideon smiled at her, "I don't mind. That is why I'm here after all."
Tina laughed. They reached the coffee cart in the lobby of the building and ordered their drinks.
"That is a very sweet drink," Tina noted at Gideon's hot chocolate with extra whipped cream and chocolate, "No wonder you're so perky with that amount of sugar flowing through your body."
Gideon gave a shrug taking a drink, "I just like sweet things."
"Speaking of sweet," Tina said, nodding over to the door, "There's Michael."
Turning to look at where he was reading over notes while navigating by peripheral vision, Gideon smiled slightly.
"Uh hu," Tina chuckled.
"What?" Gideon asked.
Tina shook her head, "Why don't you tell him how you feel?"
"I…" Gideon looked at her with wide eyes, "What do you mean?"
Laughing fondly at her friend Tina squeezed her hand, "I mean how your eyes light up whenever he's in the room, the way you smile, the private jokes you two have. You like him as much more than a friend."
The blush that covered Gideon's cheeks made Tina chuckle again. She smiled as the object of their conversation arrived at the coffee cart.
"Good morning," Tina greeted him.
Surprised at the sudden voice Michael looked up from his reading, "Dr McGee, Gideon, I didn't see you."
"That was very obvious," Tina laughed, "Do you want some coffee?"
Michael nodded, "Yes, thank you."
While Tina ordered another coffee, Gideon turned to Michael.
"What are you working on?" she asked.
He rolled his eyes, "I'm reading over the proposal Dr Miller is going to present to the committee next week. Not very exciting."
"But I'm sure he appreciates your help," Gideon smiled up at him.
As Tina handed Michael his coffee she noted, "I'm glad I ran into you, Michael. I'm just finalising the details for the Charity Ball next Friday. You are coming, aren't you?"
Gideon chuckled at the resigned look on Michael's face before telling him, "I will be there if you want us to go together again."
He paused and gave her a soft smile, "Sure."
"Excellent," Tina grinned at them, "You'll love the hotel we're having it in. It's the most sought-after wedding venue. It just outside the city. Beautiful spot, very romantic according to some of my friends."
"I must admit," Katrina said as she appeared over his shoulder in his mirror, "You truly do look good in a suit."
Rip smiled slightly at her, "Thanks."
"So, what is the plan for tonight?" she asked, brushing away some lint from his shoulder.
He turned and let her straighten his tie, "I am picking up Gideon then we'll drive out to the hotel. She has decided to stay so I will drive back later tonight."
"Just remember we'll watch Jonas if you don't want to drive that late, if the rain is heavier than forecast or if you finally tell Gideon how you feel about her and she wants you to stay," Katrina reminded him with a cheeky grin.
He frowned at her.
"You guys are going to be in a gorgeous, romantic setting," Katrina reminded him, "With dancing and soft lighting and it couldn't be more perfect."
"Katrina…"
"Just tell her," Katrina cried frustrated, "Just find a quiet spot, near the end of the night and tell her."
Rip couldn't stop himself from asking, "The end of the night?"
"Well if it doesn't go the way you hope at least it didn't completely ruin the entire evening," Katrina shrugged.
Shaking his head Rip headed into the living room where Ali and Jonas were drawing, while Giddy was having a tussle with a rubber bone.
"Okay," Rip called getting their attention, "I am leaving now."
Jonas bounced up and looked at Rip, "You look nice, Daddy."
"Thank you," Rip hugged him, kissing his head, "Be good for the girls and go to bed when they tell you. I will be home late so I want you to be asleep when I get in."
"I will, Daddy," Jonas promised as Rip dropped him back onto the couch beside Ali.
Katrina took a seat beside Ali and grinned at him, "Have a good night."
Rolling his eyes at them Rip grabbed his keys, wallet and jacket before leaving the apartment to pick up Gideon.
x
When he was buzzed into Gideon's building Rip walked up to the floor she lived on trying to work out if he should tell her how he felt about her. But each time he decided he should tell her, panic filled him that doing so would ruin everything and he would lose her.
Reaching the door to her apartment Rip knocked, stunned into silence when Gideon appeared wearing a beautiful shimmering green dress. Her hair was curled pulled back from her face with the curls falling down her back.
"Hi," she smiled at him, looking worried when he didn't say anything, "Is something wrong?"
Rip shook himself, "No, there's nothing wrong. You look absolutely beautiful."
A shy smile touched her lips, "Tina helped me find the dress."
"Well, it is perfect," he replied before shaking himself again, "Are you ready? We've still got quite a drive to get there."
Stepping back inside Gideon picked up her overnight bag along with a small green one which went perfectly with her dress and a light jacket. Rip took the overnight bag from her, helping her with her jacket before offering his arm and leading her down to the car.
x
The drive to the hotel, once they got out of the city, was picturesque, and they found their destination surrounded by flower filled gardens. Once the car was parked they headed in to the hotel reception to allow Gideon to book in.
"Alright," Rip said once she had her room key, "Why don't you go put your bag in the room and I'll meet you in the bar, with a red wine?"
Gideon smiled at him, "Perfect."
Rip watched her leave still trying to decide what to do. The drive to the hotel had reminded him why he felt the way he did because she was brilliant, sweet and he felt so comfortable being in her company.
Heading into the bar he greeted the few people he recognised, ordering Gideon a glass of red wine and himself a soda while he continued to mull over what to do.
Looking up from contemplating his glass, he spotted Gideon in the doorway and just watched as she walked over to him.
The moment Gideon reached him Rip offered her the glass of wine with a smile. As she took it Rip knew he had to bury his feelings forever and just be her friend.
Because he couldn't lose her from his life.
It was too big a risk.
