Took some time over the weekend to focus on this story again seeing I've had a ton of ideas, but no time to add to it...Some surprising things this chapter and more surprises to come...
Thanks to those of you who continue to add, favorite, review and read this story...Enjoy this chapter and 3 hour Raw tonight!
Gabby quickly pulled herself together gathering her things only to be interrupted by a knock at the door. She hesitated to answer it, but knew she couldn't ignore it. Taking a deep breath, she unlocked her bedroom door and opened it to find Beth staring at her feet, a shy smile gracing her lips.
"Ahh Beth, do you need something?" Gabby tried to sound polite, but seeing how rough the day had been she realized her words came off cold. To make up for it, she moved aside letting Beth come into the room, which she did taking a seat at Gabby's old desk.
"Gabby I just wanted to say I'm sorry about Adam and how he acted towards you…I see where he has a right to be upset with you, but it didn't give him a right to be so rude."
"Right…I'm curious, did he send you in here?" Gabby felt a small ray of hope; granted it wasn't her brother standing in front of her apologizing like she deeply wanted, but if he had sent Beth in to talk to her it was a start in the right direction.
"No…he actually left and went to his place; I wanted to talk to you before I left to join him."
"Oh, I see." Gabby felt the small ray of hope dim out as she sat down on the edge of her bed feeling another wave of emotions start to take over.
"Gabby I want you to know that despite what Adam thinks, I think you and Punk are good for each other…"
"You do? I'm confused; I thought you hated Punk…"
"I don't hate him, but we don't see eye to eye. I've noticed a change in him since the two of you got together and I think that change will be even bigger now that your relationship is out in the open. I grilled him a few months ago at the airport about him being in a relationship with you and even though he denied it, I knew the truth. You make him happy Gabby and I hope that regardless what Adam thinks, you'll continue to do that. He needs someone like you in his life." Gabby managed to smile a little feeling slightly taken back by Beth's words, but relieved that another person was seeing the reason why they gave into their feelings. It still confused her to no end though how everyone, her mom, Jay, the Brooks' family and even her brother's girlfriend understood, but Adam refused to see it.
"Thank you for saying that Beth, it means a lot. Punk and I knew we were asking for backlash from Adam when he finally found out and I can't help but think if I wouldn't have kept this from him for so long he would have taken it better. I have to ask you something though and I hope you won't be offended, but did you tell Adam once you figured it out?"
"No…I didn't feel it was my place. Besides you and Punk both kept my relationship with Adam under wraps, so I figured I owed you the same in return. I was actually caught off guard when Adam called me flipping out about the news, but as far as he knows that phone call was the first I'd heard of your relationship."
"Well thank you for keeping that to yourself, I know it couldn't have been easy seeing you two are trying to work on your own relationship. I just wish there was something I could do to show Adam that Punk isn't the same person he used to know…" Beth got up from the chair and hesitantly sat next to Gabby on the bed.
"I would suggest just giving him time…it can't make the issue any worse, but maybe with some time it'll sink in and he'll learn to accept it. After all you're almost 24 years old, you've been living on your own and caring for yourself for close to six months; he needs to realize you're not a child anymore…" Gabby raised her eyebrow smiling in agreement before Beth got up heading toward the door.
"Beth…"
"Yeah…"
"Thank you again and please take care of Adam. I know what I said to him hurts because it hurt me that I had to say it, but I just couldn't let him put me in that situation…"
"I understand perfectly well, I've been there myself a time or two. In return take care of Punk; I don't know what you do that puts him in such a good mood, but everyone on the road appreciates it! I'll see you around Gabby…" Gabby waved as Beth walked out of her bedroom leaving her to finish packing.
Gabby looked over the flight plans to Chicago and decided to leave Friday evening. Odds were Adam would be hulled up at his house sulking for at least two days, so she figured spending some quality time alone with her mom wasn't such a bad idea. Once she booked the flight, she sent Punk a text to let him know she was staying later and what her arrival time would be. Looking at the clock she saw it was pushing 11 and decided to call it a night.
At 9AM the next morning, Gabby was sleeping soundly after struggling for hours to fall asleep. Her plan for the day was to sleep in and then go shopping with her mom before heading to the airport, but with a loud knock on the door, Gabby groaned knowing that as usual her plans were not going to work out. Gabby threw her blanket over her head hoping her mom would get the hint that she needed at least another hour of sleep, but feeling the bed sink down she peaked out from the blanket meeting her mother who had a very confused yet surprised look on her face. Gabby pulled the blanket down from her face and started to sit up.
"What is it mommy?"
"Umm I think you should get up and get dressed because there's someone here to see you…"
"What? Who?"
"Don't pretend like you don't know who! It would've been nice if you would have given me a heads up that Phillip was coming to visit from Chicago, I would've dressed a little nicer!"
"Wait, what?" Gabby rubbed the sleep out of her eyes trying to focus and comprehend what her mother had just said. "Punk is here, in this house, now?"
"Yes he just arrived a few minutes ago and is sitting in the living room. Didn't you know he was coming?" Gabby couldn't help the smirk forming on her lips knowing he'd managed to surprise her again. This time however was possibly the best; he knew how much she needed him right now and he hadn't hesitated to come to her. If Gabby had ever had a moment of doubt about Phil Brooks being a keeper, it was gone now.
"Umm okay well give me fifteen minutes to change and I'll be right out." Gabby jumped out of bed and started digging through her partially packed suitcase grabbing a pair of jeans, a white cami and a long sleeved light blue top that had five buttons at the top. Quickly throwing on her clothes, she ran her hands through her hair deciding to put her tousled curls in a clip and applied some lip gloss skipping the rest of her make-up routine. Throwing on her socks and brown moccasins, she couldn't keep the smile off her face.
Walking into the living room she felt her heartbeat start to pick up and sure enough there was Punk sitting on the couch looking through photo albums with her mom. She recognized the photo album and felt the need to swoop in and make it disappear, but based on the grin on his face and the occasional laughs, he was more then amused.
"Wow…you really are here…" Punk looked up from the book and smirked taking in her simple down home appearance.
"Yeah…did you think your mom lied to you?"
"Honestly she just woke me up, so I didn't know what to think…" Gabby's mom decided at that moment to make herself disappear so that her daughter could talk with her boyfriend. She knew the argument with Adam had taken a toll on her and as much as it confused her for a random guy who introduced himself as Gabby's boyfriend to just show up on her doorstep, she knew he was just what Gabby needed and welcomed him with open arms.
"I'm going to head into the kitchen and make brunch, leave you two to talk…"
"Well Mrs. Copeland thank you for inviting me in and showing me around, I appreciate it." Gabby's mom nodded leaving the living room. Once Gabby was sure she was out of site, she took the vacant seat beside Punk.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming? You didn't have to do this; I was going to be home later tonight…"
"I know, but I didn't want to wait. Gab I didn't want to leave you alone after what happened yesterday and even though I totally understand and respect why you were taking the late flight, I found myself just booking an early one. It's too quiet at home without you around and I wanted to meet your mom; she seems like a pretty amazing woman."
"She is amazing and I know Adam and I fighting yesterday upset her, but she understands what happened. It's kind of weird even Beth understands…"
"Wait, what about Beth? Did she come to Thanksgiving dinner?"
"Yes, Adam brought her to dinner so that she could finally get acquainted with everyone and it ended in a disaster. However, after Adam left, she came to me and we talked. She apologized for Adam acting the way he did and surprisingly she's on our side as well."
"Wait? Beth…as in my ex, the one that hates me, is taking our side over her own boyfriend's? Have I just entered the twilight zone?" Gabby let out a light laugh at the confused look on his face.
"I thought it was crazy too, but she thinks that I'm good for you. Apparently you've been in a much better mood since you've started seeing me; I've managed to kill your hard ass reputation!" Punk nodded putting his arm around her shoulder.
"Maybe you have, but based on the fabulous baby pictures your mom showed me today I'd say we're even. You never told me you were such a cute baby!"
"Well I'm cute now; you should have assumed I've always been cute." Gabby leaned up capturing Punk's lips with hers. She savored the feeling of the sweet, tender kiss wishing it could go further, but seeing her mom was in the next room, that wasn't going to happen. Instead she settled for resting her head on his chest, closing her eyes to take in his scent. "I'm glad you came, it means more then you'll ever know…"
Punk smiled to himself feeling some of the pressure and angst of their conversation after her talk with Adam melt away. Maybe she had made the right decision picking him over Adam, but only time would tell if that was the case.