What a busy week it's been! First I finally found a job (YEAH)...hoping everything works out there, it seems promising...I'm just glad I'll finally be getting back to doing what I love...no worries though, even w/ working (possibly 2 jobs) I don't plan on giving up writing...I love writing, it's come to be my stress reliever and, as you can tell b/c it's currenly 3:07AM, my go to when insomnia invades :) I figure I can sleep when I'm dead, so write on...
This chapter covers Christmas...I didn't go too far into detail, mostly because I was lazy, but then it gets into a heavy conversation...my apologies it's shorter then the recent ones have been, but I wanted to break this chapter apart from Punk's plan (which I'm currently writing)...
As always thanks so much for the continued support with the reviews (up to 160 some yeah!), adds, follows, favorites...all that good stuff...this story is pretty much just hitting its climax, so look forward to much more...Enjoy!
Gabby had spent all day in the kitchen making sure everything was cooked to perfection. As she whisked the gravy, she smiled to herself realizing that making a holiday dinner for twenty people was insane; especially for someone who was just starting to cook, but between her mom and the Brooks women, everything was coming along fine.
Adam had texted her two days before Christmas to regretfully inform her he wouldn't be able to make it to Christmas dinner; to say she was disappointed was an understatement, but the fact that he had at least texted her seemed like a step in the right direction. She was still hurt about him missing her birthday, and his Christmas rejection made it worse, but she pushed it aside and kept going. Gabby had Punk, her mom, Joey, Abby and the rest of Punk's family to lift her spirits; she had plenty of things to be thankful for, so she managed to forget about her feelings of rejection for the day, but she still had her worries.
Punk hadn't quite been himself since he had come home, but she figured it was due to exhaustion. He looked like hell when he came in late Sunday night and she'd noticed he hadn't slept well since he got home, but every time she asked him about it he changed the subject. His mood had been a little brighter as they exchanged Christmas gifts and she was happy to find out Colt had steered her in the right direction with her purchase of a first edition Incredible Hulk comic. She figured shopping for Punk would be a piece of cake seeing his interests were limited, but upon walking into the comic book store, she was at a complete loss. Luckily Colt had volunteered to help and made the process less painful and overwhelming. Concert tickets for an upcoming Against Me show, something she had done all by herself, sweetened the deal as well. In return, Punk knew the way to Gabby's heart as he bought her a new pair of shoes and a limited edition Coach handbag; granted she knew he had a lot of help from Kat and Carla, but she was pleased nonetheless and it made them even.
Once dinner was on the table, everyone sat down not wasting anytime digging in. Gabby filled her plate, but hesitated wanting to see everyone's reaction to her first holiday dinner. She tried to focus on facial expressions without being blatantly obvious, and smiled to herself when she saw smiles and even heard some "mmm" sounds. Looking across the table, she caught Punk winking at her, which put her at ease as she started to eat.
After dinner, everyone stuck around for an hour or so before heading out leaving Punk and Gabby alone to relax. Punk rested his head on Gabby's thigh and pretended to be invested in his new comic, but in all actuality he wanted to bring up Atlanta. She hadn't mentioned it since he'd been home leaving him to wonder if she was still debating it, or if she had made up her mind. He looked up at Gabby who was absent mindedly flipping through the latest edition of Vogue and cleared his throat gaining a big smile.
"Can I help you with something?" Gabby raised her eyebrow wondering just what it was he was thinking that he insisted on interrupting her browse through of Calvin Klein's new spring collection. Punk sat up putting his comic aside; Gabby turned to face him wondering why he was being so serious. The silence was more then she could take, but before she had the chance to break it, Punk finally spoke.
"Gabby…have you thought anymore about taking the job in Atlanta?" Gabby let out a sigh; this was the last thing she wanted to talk about, but figured he would let up and relax a little bit once it was discussed. Gabby looked down at her hands as she twirled the ring on her right finger.
"Actually yes I have…Jack informed me yesterday that he needed to know my decision by the end of the week, apparently interviews have been moved up. I thought about what you said and what this could mean for my career, but after today I've decided not to take it." Punk rubbed his hand over his head further messing up his spiky hair before focusing his eyes on her.
"Are you sure this is what you want? There's a possibility that you'll never get an opportunity like this again, surely you have to realize that."
"I have thought about that, but it'll be okay." Deep down Gabby worried that she was screwing herself over, but pushed that thought to the back of her mind. "Sitting at the table having dinner with you and both of our families meant the world to me. I realized at the dinner table that I can live without a promotion, but I can't live without you or your family for that matter. I haven't known them very long, but they're an amazing group of people regardless how loud and bossy they can be." Punk smirked, which relaxed Gabby slightly, but she still felt like there was something wrong. "Are you disappointed with me?"
"No Gab…this was your decision to make, all I can do is accept your answer and hope for the best in the future. I love you so much, but I just don't want to be the reason…I don't want to feel like I'm holding you back…"
"Punk if I wanted to go then I would go…"
"I know that, but you're still so young, you have so much in front of you and I don't want to be a road block. I spent my twenties traveling up and down the coast wrestling anywhere I could get booked and because of that I'm where I am today, not to mention I have a handful of memories and stories that no one can take from me. I want you to have the same experiences for you, don't feel like just because I'm here you have to settle down and stop living your dream."
"Punk I live my dream everyday! I live in an amazing city and I'm writing for a critically acclaimed newspaper. My name is in the byline of articles that people are reading, that's all I've ever wanted…"
"But you shouldn't stop there…just because you got to where you wanted doesn't mean you shouldn't dream bigger and reach higher. Gabby you're 24 years old, you haven't even lived a quarter of your life, I just don't want you to settle for anything short of what you deserve. If you stop and settle for what you have, eventually you'll be unhappy and I don't want to see you that way." Gabby didn't know how to respond. Punk had a point, she never intended to stop her career in Chicago; she wanted to see the country, see the world, and while writing for the Chicago Tribune was an amazing experience and she learned a lot, she wasn't going any further. Looking into Punk's hazel eyes she realized it didn't matter; she'd make due and find new ways to be happy as long as she got to stare into his eyes. Gabby got up and moved to sit on Punk's lap taking him by surprise as she rested her hands on his broad shoulders.
"Don't worry about me and my dreams…I still have things that I want to accomplish, that I will accomplish in time, but for right now I am perfectly happy here with you." Gabby pulled him close placing a sweet kiss on his lips before burying her face in his neck. She hoped that his worries and fears for her future wouldn't bring him to push her away, but if that was the case she was ready to fight, to show him that she had her life figured out.
Punk kissed Gabby's shoulder as he felt her tighten her grip. Even though she'd swore she was happy and content with him, refusing to let anything get in the way of her future dreams, he still felt like she was making a mistake. He knew Gabby wouldn't listen to his reasoning, so instead he decided to go for his back-up plan. No doubt Gabby would come to hate him for what he was about to do, but he knew in the long run she'd thank him for it.
Preview: Despite the fact that he knows he might be wrong in his thinking, Punk pushes through with his plan...will Gabby be so willing to follow it though?
I'll post later in the week, possibly Monday if I finish writing the next part by then...