Barry stood sipping his drink while they waited for the party to start again. Iris returned to his side from her conversation with Tina but before he could say anything he heard cries of shock. Turning he saw the statue beside the band falling then Rip pushed Gideon out of the way putting himself directly in harm's way.

Handing Iris his bottle Barry zipped forward, moving Rip out of the danger zone, righting the statue and putting Joe in position so it looked like he'd saved the day before returning to his spot and taking his drink back.

"Subtle, babe," Iris chuckled hugging his arm smiling proudly, watching closely the aftermath.

x

Gideon could never say what happened exactly but all she knew was that she was talking to Cecile, then heard Michael cry her name and she was thrown forward into the other woman. She turned and saw the large heavy statue coming at Michael but before she could even let out a sound he was suddenly beside her and the statue was sitting back where it had been with Detective West steadying it.

"Michael," she cried, throwing her arms around him holding on tightly, "What were you thinking?"

He sighed hugging her back, "You could have been hurt, it could have killed you."

"And it could have killed you," she snapped, "What were you thinking? What about Jonas?"

His arms tightened around her, "I already lost one woman I love," he breathed, "I couldn't lose another."

Gideon stiffened at his words, she stepped back from him staring in amazement at Michael trying to process what he'd said.

Hurt suddenly covered his face when she didn't reply and he walked away whispering he was sorry leaving her watching his back.

Gideon turned to the woman standing beside her, "Cecile, did you hear… did he say what I think he did?"

"I did," Cecile said softly. "And he did."

Gideon smiled amazed, "He loves me?"

"And he doesn't know you feel the same," Cecile told her, making Gideon gasp in horror she had unwittingly hurt Michael, "Go tell him."

Grinning at the other woman Gideon started after Michael, catching up with him just as he reached the reception she grabbed a hold of his arm and pulled him to a small alcove where they could talk privately.

"I'm sorry," Michael said, "I shouldn't have said that."

Gideon frowned slightly finding a small step beside the window which meant, in her heels, she was face to face with him.

"Did you mean it?" Gideon asked softly.

He shook his head, "Gideon…."

"Please tell me the truth," she whispered.

Michael finally nodded, "Yes, I meant it. Look I know you…"

Gideon cut him off by touching her lips to his in a gentle sweet kiss. When Gideon broke the soft kiss moving back she gasped surprised when Michael's arm wrapped around her waist and he pulled her close into a deep kiss. Sliding her arms around his neck Gideon relaxed into his embrace, content to stay there forever.

x

"Well it's about bloody time," Tina sighed joining the two couples who were spying on Gideon and Michael kissing in the alcove.

Joe chuckled, "You're not kidding. Cisco told me Mick Rory was planning to kidnap Gideon and scare Michael into admitting his feelings if he didn't get round to it soon."

Iris and Barry stared at him in shock.

"Yeah," Joe noted with amusement, "That was my thought too."


His phone buzzing on the bedside cabinet woke Rip from his contented sleep, reaching out he grabbed it frowning to see Ali was calling him.

"What's wrong?" he demanded.

"Why didn't you come home, Daddy?" the plaintive voice on the other side surprised him.

Rip frowned confused and worried, "Jonas?"

"You promised you would be home," Jonas said.

Sitting up against the pillows Rip sighed, "I'm sorry, Jonas but you know how heavy it rained last night?"

"Uh hu."

"The road flooded so I couldn't drive home," Rip explained before frowning, "What did Ali tell you?"

"They're still sleeping," Jonas told him.

Rip frowned in thought before asking, "Jonas, how did you call me on Ali's phone if she's not awake?"

The guilty silence from the other end of the line made Rip smile and he forced himself not to laugh as Jonas explained.

"Daddy," the little boy said after he finished, "Ali wants to talk to you now."

Rip bit his lip so the amusement he felt didn't come through in his voice, "I promise I will be home as soon as I can. Okay?"

"Okay," the little boy said.

"Give the phone to Ali," Rip told him, waiting for a moment listening to Jonas pass the phone.

"Did he wake you?" Ali asked.

Rip sighed, "Nothing unusual about that. I'll talk to him when I get home about taking your phone."

"Any idea when that will be?"

"Not at the moment," Rip replied, "I'll let you know once I've talked to someone which might be in a few hours considering the time."

Ali laughed, "I'll talk to you later, do you want to talk to Jonas again."

"Please," Rip waited again for the phone to be passed back to his son, "Okay, little man I need you to promise me you'll be good for Ali and Katrina until I get home."

"I promise, Daddy," Jonas told him.

Making his goodbyes Rip dropped his phone back on the cabinet and sighed sliding to lie down again. He smiled when Gideon moved to rest against him, her head on his shoulder and arm across his waist. Nothing had happened between them except a few kisses, as they agreed it was too soon, but Gideon decided since she wouldn't have Boo Bear to stop her feeling lonely then Rip could be her personal teddy bear during the night.

"Is Jonas alright?" she asked softly while he gently stroked his fingers along her back.

Rip nodded, "He took Ali's phone and managed to unlock it by holding it up to her face while she was asleep for the facial recognition then put in the numbers he knew were her favourites for the authorisation pin."

Gideon laughed, "Keeping up with him is going to be a challenge."

Rip nodded before noting, "You know Jonas has to be my first priority, always."

"Of course," Gideon replied, stroking his cheek, "I would not have it any other way."

Smiling at her he glanced at the clock, "We have about an hour or so until they serve breakfast."

Gideon smiled wrapping her arms around him when he pulled her close for a good morning kiss.

x

The storm had finally passed and the sun was shining as Gideon walked down to the restaurant for breakfast with Michael holding her hand.

"Good morning," Tina greeted them with an arch smile, "Did you two sleep well?"

"Very well," Michael replied evenly while Gideon felt her cheeks burn.

Tina chuckled, "The good news is that breakfast is ready, the bad news is that the road won't be open until at least three o'clock."

"That late?" Michael frowned.

Gideon squeezed his hand knowing he didn't like leaving Jonas for so long.

"I'm afraid so," Tina shrugged, "But your room will be available until we're able to leave."

"In that case," Michael said, "We should go get some breakfast."

Gideon smiled telling him, "I'll catch up."

He nodded leaning in to brush his lips to hers quickly before he headed into the restaurant to get them a table.

"Well," Tina chuckled the moment Michael was out of hearing range, "It's about time you two got your act together."

Confused Gideon asked, "What do you mean?"

"Gideon," Tina laughed, giving her a slight hug, "From the moment you two met there were sparks. I'm just glad you're happy because I know no two people who deserve it more."

x

Rip watched Gideon close her eyes and take a deep breath of the rose garden while he put what little luggage they had in the car. He wanted to let her have a moment but he was also anxious to get on the road so he could get home to his son.

"We should come back here," Gideon said joining him before he could call her, "On a day we can appreciate the gardens."

Rip nodded, "Definitely," he smiled when she stretched up to kiss him.

"Now, let's go home and see Jonas," she said climbing into the passenger seat.

The drive back to the city took longer than it should and Rip was relieved when they finally reached his apartment building.

Parking the car he turned to Gideon, "Are you ready for this?"

"For what?"

"Katrina and Ali," he replied with a shrug.

Gideon chuckled softly, "I can handle them," she assured him before asking, "What are you going to tell Jonas about us?"

"That I love you and you're going to be spending even more time with us than before," Rip replied, "He thinks you're amazing. Which you are." Gideon blushed smiling when he gently cupped her cheek, "Are you sure you want to take on both of us? Because it's a package deal. Me and him forever."

Kissing him softly she whispered, "I love both of you. I can't think of anything better than being with you and Jonas forever."

Rip kissed her again because he could before they got out the car and headed upstairs.

"Daddy," the cry preceded the little boy throwing himself into Rip's arms the moment Rip opened the door.

Hugging Jonas tightly Rip smiled, "Hey, I missed you too."

Carrying his son inside who was holding onto Rip, he smiled at Ali and Katrina, "Sorry we're later than expected."

"You can't control the weather," Ali chuckled.

Rip nodded and found Gideon standing at his side, he wrapped his arm around her waist as she smiled hello to Jonas.

"Oh my God," Katrina cried making them all look at her, "Are you guys together?"

Smiling slightly as he hugged Gideon closer Rip nodded.

"Finally," Ali laughed.

"What does that mean?" Jonas asked confused.

Rip sat down, his son still in his arms settling Jonas in his lap, "It means that Gideon is going to be part of our family even more than before. But there is nothing for you to worry about because it just means that when we do fun things she'll be with us. Are you okay with that?"

Looking up at Gideon the little boy nodded happily. Gideon sat at his side smiling when Jonas threw his arms around her as well.

Rip glanced up seeing Ali and Katrina standing with their arms around one another. He'd come to Central City with just Jonas, lonely and hoping to find something he didn't have back in London.

Now he basically had two sisters, a group of friends, his little boy was healthy as well as happy and he was in love with a woman who had helped mend the broken heart Miranda's death had left him with.

"Daddy," Jonas broke his moment, "I'm hungry."

Rip chucked, "So am I. How about we go out for dinner?"

"Sounds great," Katrina said, "We'll get our bags."

As they left Rip put Jonas down, "Go get your coat."

Standing he pulled Gideon to her feet and into his arms again, "Do you mind going out with everyone tonight."

"As long as I'm with you," she breathed.

With a smile Rip kissed her once more.