Hi Readers: Sorry for the extended delay between the last chapter and this chapter, but I decided to do some planning with regards to what's going to happen in this story, which is something that every author needs to do at times. And since I am the author of the story, you need to just let me do that at times. And one of those things that I have decided to do, is introduce a new character: I have decided to create a new love interest for Antonio…and I hope that you guys like the new character that I am going to create. Thanks for reading.

Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-Eight
Frustrations

Home of Emily Jones, Kapolei, Hawaii – To say that the corporate executive was happy to get out of the city, well that was an understatement; especially since it meant that he had a chance to get away from work, or so he thought. For some reason, even if he's away from the office; he still finds himself wanting to get on his laptop, and work at times. And that's something that his brother-in-law probably really loves, but his new girlfriend most definitely doesn't love. And there was a reason for that, and that was due to the fact that she told him that she was going to the gym with some of her girlfriends; and was going to be coming home shortly after having lunch with them, and he was going to stay here. And that was something that Antonio was more than okay with, because he wanted to spend time with his girlfriend; the girlfriend that he's yet to introduce to the rest of his family, because he wants to make sure that it's someone that he can trust. And let's just say that is really starting to bother his girlfriend of three weeks, which is one of the reasons that his girlfriend actually didn't want him to go to the gym with her; because they're in the midst of a fight.

And that was the reason that Antonio decided to stay here, because he wanted to work things out; he can't explain why he wants to stay, but he wants to work things out…because he thinks that there's something about his girlfriend Emily, that will allow him to find happiness again; something that he hasn't had for years but is going to have to work about. But now, he thinks that they need to talk; and they have the ability to do just that, since he just finished something for Matt…and he e-mailed it to him. He just hopes that Emily will let him speak to her, and not shut him out; because that's a mistake that he make in the past when he was still married to Laura, they didn't talk…and that ruined their marriage. But now, he wants to make a difference in his relationship with Emily; something that he hopes to start doing right now, since he's spending the day with her rather than his daughter (not that she wanted to spend the day with him anyways). And there was a reason for that, a reason that was the same as his; turns out that Eva has a boyfriend, whom he's yet to meet. But he told her that if she wants to invite him to Christmas, then he has to meet him first. But that's not right now.

Rather, what's going to happen right now…is he's going to set his laptop down in his bag so that he can get away, just after he speaks to his girlfriend Emily. Walking out of the backyard after she got back from the gym, Emily took a breath as she saw Antonio put his laptop away. "Did you seriously just finish your work now?" Looking up at his girlfriend, Antonio took a breath as he knew that she was mad based on the tone of her voice; and that was something that he hated, because he knew that this wasn't something that he wanted her to worry about…especially since he didn't want to get into a fight with her, not when he has a chance to be here for the rest of the week (since their meetings are cancelled). But right now, he needs to talk to Emily. "I can see that you're still mad at me." Zipping up his laptop bag shortly after putting it away, Antonio took a breath as he then picked it up off the ground; putting it on the table shortly afterwards, Antonio looked at Emily (who was currently in the midst of looking at his shirtless chest)…which she loves.

God, the way that they have sex with each other; it's just perfect, and he's so glad that they have this type of chemistry. But right now, that's not what they need to think about; rather, he needs to concentrate on something else…and that would be fix his relationship with Emily, whom he can only hope will understand; especially when it's going to explain why he was so quiet the night before (when he came over). "Sorry, I was just doing something for my boss." Emily just looked at Antonio when he said that. "You mean, working? Were you working?" Antonio sighed as he looked at Emily as she said that, because he was working (but you already knew that). "Emily, let me explain." Emily then proceeded to walk away, not happy. "Emily…" Antonio then proceeded to grab his laptop bag so that he can bring it inside, and just leave it in her bedroom; where it's going to stay for the rest of the day, because he doesn't want to make her mad any longer. He wants to spend time with her, and he just wants to relax with her, which he needs to do.

Coming into the bedroom where he and Emily stayed last night, Antonio sighed as he could just tell that she wasn't happy right now. "Antonio, I thought we agreed that we would try and work on our relationship; you know that I'm already mad at you, because I've yet to meet your family. Do you really think that I want you to work, when I want to keep talking about the fact that I want to meet your family? Sure, I've met Eva…and I love that I've met your daughter. But you keep talking about how you're such a close family…" Antonio agreed with Emily as she said that, before going to speak to her. "And I want to do the same, but you need to understand." Turning around as she looked at her boyfriend, who was currently setting his laptop down next to his side of the bed; Emily took a breath as she looked at him. "What do I need to understand? Are you scared that your sister isn't going to approve of me because I'm this low-level government person?" Antonio was shocked as he heard Emily say that, as that was not the truth. "Hey."

Getting up, Antonio took a breath as he looked at his girlfriend; the woman that he does want to introduce to his family, but she just needs to understand what's going on. "Emily, remember how I said that I've been trying to talk to you about it? I want to talk about this because you need to understand some things. It's why I'm here, so that we can work this out; and because you need to understand my past, when it comes to relationships with me." Emily was confused as she looked at her boyfriend, before watching as he walked up to her; after which, she felt Antonio wrap her arms around his and just took a breath. Putting her hands on Antonio's arms, Emily looked up at the man she finds herself falling for; after which, she took a breath and just looked at him. "Antonio, I'm confused. There's so much that you're trying to tell me, and I don't even understand some of it." Antonio agreed with Emily as she said that, well aware that was the case. "I know." Antonio then proceeded to grab her neck and put his hand on her neck.

"Emily, please…we need to talk and you need to understand what's going on, because there's a lot. You need to understand things that are going on in my family. We need to speak about things that I've done to my sister, and how I've hurt her; and how I've caused her pain, just in the past year while she was pregnant with my nephews. Please, you need to at least let me explain that." Looking up into her boyfriend's eyes, Emily didn't get why she saw something there; but the truth is, she could see something there. She could see that Antonio meant that, and she knew that he had to tell him. "Okay, I understand that we need to talk about it." Antonio agreed with Emily as she said that, before getting close to her; after which, he smiled as he kissed her forehead and just held the woman he has strong feelings for. He then looked down into her eyes, and smiled as he kissed her softly. Taking things slow with her, he smiled. "I'm sorry for the fight we had." Emily agreed with Antonio as he said that, well aware that was the case. "I know." Antonio smiled.

"Want me to go make you breakfast? Then you can take a shower?" Emily smirked as she heard her boyfriend ask her whether she wants him to go make breakfast, because there's something else that she wants him to do first. "How about we do something else first?" Antonio smirked as he heard Emily say that, loving that idea; after which, he proceeded to wrap his arms around her and smirked as he proceeded to get nice and close to the woman he wants to take a shower with. "Let's go take a shower gorgeous." Emily agreed with Antonio as he said that, smirking as that's exactly what she wants to do. After which, she went to wrap her arms around his neck and just held him close. "How about you go start the shower for us, and I'll be right in." Emily agreed with Antonio as he said that, before smirking as she went to walk away so that she can go start the shower; at the same time, Antonio let out a sigh so that he can get ready for the shower. "Can we talk in the shower?" Turning to look at Antonio, Emily agreed. "Let's work this out now."

Antonio smiled, agreed with his girlfriend as she said that; after all, he's more than ready to do just that. Walking into the bathroom, Emily walked in so that she can go start the shower; at the same time, Antonio proceeded to walk over to his side of the bed so that he can go get undressed (and then he'll be able to join her in the shower). After all, that's what he and Emily need right now; he needs to get in the shower with her, and they need to talk. That way, they can figure things out; and they can just calm things down. After all, that's what they both want. Antonio just knows for a fact that Emily wants to work this out, and she wants to make sure that they figure things out; and that starts with him taking off his shorts (as well as his boxers) and going to grab his towel, which he had next to their bed. After which, he proceeded to wrap it around his waist and just smirked as he got ready to join the woman he wants to really have a nice relationship with; the woman he hopes to (someday) introduce to his family, including his twin nephews.

The sight of his girlfriend standing in the shower in front of him had to be one of the sexiest things that he's ever seen, especially when she's naked and basically begging him to join her; which is something that the business executive most definitely ready to do, as he wants to hold her in his arms and give her the attention that they both want. I mean, just because they're getting old doesn't mean that they don't want to get some attention from their significant other; especially not when they look this sexy, like his girlfriend currently does. And god is Antonio Dawson so turned on, as he made his way up to the counter and set his boxers down; after which, he made his way over to the shower (while also taking off his towel). Hanging it up next to his girlfriend's towel on the hooks, Antonio smiled as he proceeded to open the shower. Turning around after hearing the door open, Emily smiled as she saw Antonio standing there in all his glory. "Hi handsome." Antonio smirked as he heard Emily say that, before moving to join her in the shower.

"God, you are so damn sexy." Emily laughed as she heard Antonio say that, before watching as he closed the door behind him; after which, he got close to her so that he can hold her in his arms. And heck, maybe he can even wash her this morning (not that Emily would object to that); I mean, her boyfriend is quite muscular…and she's ready to just get past what's bothering the both of them, which is why she just stepped close to him and put her hands on his chest. Moving his hands to her hips shortly afterwards, Antonio smiled as he looked at her; after which, he put his hand on her neck and stared into her eyes. "God, you are so beautiful." Emily agreed with Antonio as he said that, before leaning up so that she can kiss him softly. "As are you handsome." Antonio smiled as he heard Emily say that, before getting close to her and pushing her against the wall; after which, he wrapped his arm around her waist and started to take things nice and slow with her. "Listen, can we talk about this? I want to get past this Antonio." Antonio agreed.

After all, he wants to the same thing; he wants to get past the argument that they were having, because he wants to explain what's going on with his sister. "What's wrong Antonio? Why don't you want me to meet your nephews?" Antonio sighed as Emily asked him why he doesn't want to introduce her to his family, yet at least. "There's something you need to know, about my relationship with my sister." Emily looked up at Antonio when he said that, seemingly hearing some worries in his voice. "A couple months ago, I was in a relationship with someone that she wasn't happy with; in fact, she was her enemy and did unspeakable things to her…things that I believed her on. She told me the opposite of what really happened, and I took my sister's ex-friend…my then girlfriend's side." Emily just looked at Antonio as he said that, starting to understand. "And you know it took me like a month to introduce you to Eva, so I am even more apprehensive when it comes to my sister; especially when she's not in a place where she wants to see anybody new."

Emily was confused as she heard Antonio say that, obviously hearing that there's something more to that statement; something that she doesn't want to press him about if it's too hard, but she does feel like she needs to know for the sake of their relationship. "Antonio, I don't want to push; but I feel like I should know, that way I won't ask too many questions." Taking a breath, Antonio just looked at his girlfriend; after all, this is something that he shouldn't tell her…especially not when Gabby doesn't even know her, but it will also explain everything; and his reasons for not wanting to introduce her to Gabby yet. "Listen, I shouldn't be telling you this…but it will explain everything. Emily, I am going to tell you something; and you need to swear to me that it stays in between us, because I could get in big trouble if I tell you this." Sensing that this is something big, Emily agreed with her boyfriend so that he could tell her. "What is it Toni? Talk to me, is everything okay with your family?" Antonio took a breath as Emily asked him that.

"Okay, so you remember how I told you that my sister is pregnant right now?" Emily agreed with Antonio. "Yeah. Wait, is that why? That's no…" Antonio then went to finish. "Emily, please let me finish; I need to explain it all, not just a part of it." Emily, taking a breath just let Antonio do that. "Okay, do it." Taking a breath, Antonio proceeded to rub her arms and just held her close. "Well, here's the thing. At her last appointment, my sister learned some bad news; she learned that rather than being pregnant with twins, she was pregnant with triplets." Emily was confused as she heard Antonio say that. "What? That's great news. How is it…" Antonio took a breath. "Key word being WAS pregnant with triplets." Emily just looked at Antonio.. "Oh…" Antonio nodded. "My sister just suffered a partial-miscarriage, and she lost a son; so right now, she got a lot of bad news…and my brother-in-law said that she had a bad night last night, a lot of tears." Emily just agreed. "Especially around the fact that she's still carrying her unborn baby boy."

Emily couldn't help but feel her heart break for Antonio's sister, a woman that she doesn't even know right now; and that's just something that makes so much sense now, why Antonio doesn't want to introduce her to his family yet. "Emily, if the times were right…then I would love to introduce you to Matt and Gabby, I really would. I would love to show you off to them, and make sure that they meet you; but right now, it's just not the time. Especially not when their anniversary is Friday." Emily just looked at Antonio when he said that, shocked. "No. Their anniversary's…." Antonio agreed with Emily as she asked him (whether Matt and Gabby's anniversary is Friday). "Yes, their anniversary is this Friday; their third wedding anniversary, first one since they had their twins." Emily took a breath as she heard Antonio say that, just feeling horrible for her boyfriend. After which, she got close to him and kissed him softly. At the same time, Antonio moved his hands to her neck and just started to take things nice and slow with Emily.

"Emily, I promise; I will introduce you to them before Christmas, because I want to celebrate Christmas with you. And I want you to be there with me, as my dad. But right now, it's not the time; it's just too soon for Matt, and he has so much on his mind." Emily agreed with Antonio as he said that. "Is that why you were working?" Antonio sighed. "I'm hoping to get as much off of Matt's place as I can, so that he can just concentrate on his family; we all are, because we don't have many non-friends and family executives yet. In fact, I was just asking him to post some jobs." Emily agreed with Antonio as he said that. "Any jobs that you might want to hire your girlfriend for?" Antonio laughed. "The only job that I have is my Personal Assistant, but you're far too qualified for that; you're a lawyer." Emily shook her head. "I'm ready for a chance, plus I like spending them with you." Antonio smiled as he heard Emily say that, as he feels the same way. "I love spending time with you too, and I'm glad that I've started to stay here."

Emily agreed with Antonio as he said that, before getting close to him again; after which, she wrapped her arms around his muscular torso and started to take things nice and slow with her boyfriend. Moving his hands to his chest, she smiled as she kissed him softly. "I love it too, especially since it means that I can escape the workplace; god, I feel like I'm going to suffocate there." Laughing a bit as she heard Antonio say that, Emily stepped close to him as she put her hands on his chest once more and then leaned in to kiss him softly. Moving his hands to Emily's hips, Antonio smirked as he started to take things nice and slow with his girlfriend; the girlfriend who both drives him crazy on a good day, and make shim sexually frustrated every other day. And that's why he decided to do something that he knew that she'd enjoy, which was bend down and kiss her neck, while also putting his hand on it. And boy did Emily really love that feeling. Putting her hands on her back, Emily started to moan right away. "Oh, Toni." Antonio agreed with Emily, smiling.

After which, he turned his head and smiled as he put his hand on her neck and then leaned back to stare into her beautiful eyes. Moving her hands to Antonio's chest, Emily smiled as he looked at him because he is such an amazing man; and she already knows that he's a great boyfriend, because he's just treated her the best way possible. Wrapping her arms around his back again, Emily smiled as she leaned up and kissed him softly. After which, she continued to take things nice and slow with her boyfriend; the two of them taking this time in the shower to make up, after having a bit of a fight over the past couple days. "I hate fighting with you." Emily agreed with Antonio as he said that. "Does it have anything to do with the fact that you don't get this?" Antonio laughed as he heard Emily say that, before kissing her again. Just taking things nice and slow with his beautiful girlfriend, Antonio smirked due to the fact that this really is exactly what he wants to do with her right now. He wants to take things slow, and just take his time with her.

And that's actually what Emily wants to do as well, she wants to take things slow with Antonio; as they hold each other close in the shower, and wash each other…which is why she decided to go grab the bard of soap that she has here in her shower, so that she can start washing her boyfriend for him. Smirking as she did that, Antonio went to go grab some soap as well so that he can wash her; I mean, if she gets to wash him…then it would just be fair that he gets to wash her, which he most definitely wants to do. "I am so glad that this is how we decided to make up." Antonio smirked as she said that. "You sure that you wouldn't have rather done this is bed?" Emily laughed, blushing as she heard Antonio say that; because she really does like the sound of his jokes. Taking things slow with him again, Emily smiled. "I love you Toni." Antonio was a bit shocked when he heard Emily say that, as that was not something that he was ready to say…or hear have someone say to him, which prompted him to bite his lip. "Uhm…I think we should get out."

Emily could just tell that was something that she shouldn't have done, the moment Antonio said that. "I'm rushing this, aren't I?" Antonio sighed as he looked at her, putting his hands on her arms. "Emily, I just don't want to get too far with that yet; I've said I love you too prematurely, and that led me to getting divorced….even though it gave me two kids. The truth is, you are just the third relationship that I've ever been in." Emily was shocked as she heard Antonio say that, not really believing him. "I don't believe you."