Please excuse errors. Enjoy :)
Gabby tried to keep her head down as she made her way to the balcony, the same one she had occupied earlier. She had never really imagined how she would react if she ever saw them again, but she knew it was a possibility, especially tonight. The moment she reached the balcony, she let out a shaky breath as she braced herself on the banister.
Even with the cold temperature of the air outside, it still didn't seem to bring her back down. She couldn't shake the vivid memories of the man who had nearly broken her, the very man who was supposed to support her through every point in her life.
"Gabriela…" It was only a matter of when she hear his voice calling her name again, so as surprised as she should have been, she wasn't. She had no visible reaction from where he stood, but she closed her eyes as if she was making a wish. A wish that prayed that the voice she heard wouldn't belong to her father. She longed for a voice different from his, carrying a distinct Dominican accent much like her abuelo's. She needed it to be anyone but him.
She honestly found the scene comically ironic. She was just here about an hour ago when her grandfather sought her out, but now it was the younger of the Dawson men, seeking her out once more.
"Gabriela," he repeated. His voice sent shivers down her spine, the kind of shiver that she'd experience had she been on a tight rope. "I thought it was you that I saw come out here."
She turned around to face him, her eyes meeting his for the first time in what felt like an eternity. His presence, his voice, it all unleashed a torrent of emotions within her, mostly betrayal and hurt.
"We haven't seen each other in years, the least you could do is greet your papá," he said.
Something that became abundantly clear to Gabby a few years ago was her misinterpretation of her relationship with her parents. The first almost two decades of her life, she had believed that her parents were simply supporting her in what she aspired to be in the future. Singing her praises when she had graduated university at the ripe age of 17 and so many other incredible achievements that she had accomplished. She had been comfortable with the idea that she had the world's most supportive parents.
Growing up in a family like the Dawsons, she was well aware of the constant pressure. But she had learned not to let it faze her. So, when her parents appeared to be on board with her decisions, it had thrilled her. Not many families of their allowed for such freedom in shaping their own destinies, but Gabby had it, or at least, she thought she did.
It was only a matter of time before she realized that her aspirations just happened to align seamlessly with her parents' expectations. Until they didn't. They viewed her as a sort of puppet, an entity they believed they were steering in what they saw as the "right" direction. To them, it was a matter of control, how they shaped her to be the young woman she was but to Gabby, it was about independence and doing everything she needed, herself. Their different views, their different perspectives of their relationship kept them all somewhat satisfied.
Everything she'd ever done in her life was driven by her own ambition and her own inner fire, rather than any need to please her parents or anyone else for that matter. Of course earning her parents' pride was an extra layer of satisfaction and she had the greatest amount of respect for them, but Gabby had never actively sought out their validation. When her parents eventually grasped this profound truth, it made them feel the highest level of betrayal, because how dare she live for herself and not for them.
She scolds herself wishing she'd noticed the signs earlier, or perhaps paid more attention to the subtle cues they'd given over the years. But it came crashing down on her at one of the most trying moments in her life.
When they learned about her pregnancy.
She understood that any parent might initially be surprised to learn that their child is expecting, but she anticipated that the initial shock would leave within a few days. After all, her academic achievements and her personal spreadsheet were noteworthy for an 18-year-old, accomplishing what most people wouldn't achieve until their late twenties.
Their reaction, it haunted her for a while until she decided that one day it is what it is. It'll forever be engraved in her memory, burned into each wrinkle of her brain no matter how hard she wanted to forget it, though.
Her childhood home overlooked the North Shore of Lake Michigan. Gabby sat with her feet tucked beneath her, her textbooks spread across the small table before her, and one open book resting in her lap. The sun was gracefully beginning to rise, casting a warm, golden glow over the water. She had decided to come out and study while she waited for her Grandparents to arrive for lunch.
Occasionally, she allowed herself a mental break, gazing out at the serene lake. In the distance, kids and their parents could be seen rowing by in their canoe, their laughter and excited chatter carrying across the water.
Every so often, she'd hear cheerful little voices call out, "Hey, Gabby!" and she'd enthusiastically respond with their names, forming a connection with the familiar voices that echoed across the peaceful evening.
Not long after she had carefully set her book on the growing pile, her heart somersaulted as the familiar ding of her phone delivered a message. She swallowed hard as she read the words, "Vengo a mi oficina" sent from her father asking her to come to his office.
Gabby abandoned her books and made her way through the house, down the dimly lit hallway, and to her father's study.
As she entered the room, her parents stood there, locked in a conversation she couldn't quite decipher. They turned to her, and in their eyes, she detected a storm of emotions. Her father's hand ran over his mouth with not much of an expression, her mother's eyes held a blend of anger and disappointment.
An uneasy smile played on Gabby's lips as she inched further into the room, her heart racing. "You needed me?" she stammered, the words catching in her throat. Yet, the room remained silent.
Her heart plummeted like an anchor in the ocean as her gaze landed on the five white and pink test sticks, laid out on her father's desk. The room seemed to close in around her, and her emotions swirled into a whirlpool of fear and uncertainty.
"Siéntate, Gabriela," he commanded sternly, his voice laden with the weight of his restraint. But she remained rooted to the spot, as though her feet were glued to the floor. The world seemed to close in around her, a crushing pressure building in her chest. A million thoughts raced through her mind, and suddenly, a wave of nausea threatened to engulf her. She couldn't bring herself to move an inch right now.
"Sit down, Gabriela!" he reiterated, his voice now louder, causing her to startle, almost jumping. It snapped her back to reality as fear pulsated through her. Her heart pounded in her. Her father had never raised his voice, not even by an octave, at her before.
Her voice quivered, and her words stumbled out as she took hesitant steps toward the desk. "Y-you went through my stuff?" She knew she should be walking on eggshells right now, but she couldn't ignore the invasion of her personal space. They had ventured into her bedroom to access her bathroom closet, where they'd rummaged through her belongings in a quest to find what they were looking for.
Ramon chuckled, a mocking scoff escaping his lips. She still hadn't sat, standing just behind the chair, maintaining a cautious distance in case she needed to bolt for the bathroom.
"Sit down, Gabriela," her father emphasized for the third time. Meanwhile, her mother had remained silent, her eyes bearing the weight of heavy confusion.
She could lie and say that they didn't belong to her, but where would that get her? In the fight or flight situation that was about to play out, she chose fight.
"I was going to tell you both..." she began, ignoring his request once more. "I-I promise. I just needed to find the right time."
"Sit down, Gabriela!" This time it was her mother's voice, loud and authoritative, as she slammed her hand down on the chestnut-colored desk. The sudden, sharp sound echoed in the room, intensifying the tension.
She sat almost immediately, tears already brimming in her eyes. The pulsating vein on Ramon's forehead was a clear indication of his escalating frustration.
"Imagine our surprise when we find an empty pregnancy test box in the bin outside. Of course, we became curious," they offered a flimsy excuse to justify their intrusion. "How far along are you?" her father asked calmly getting straight to the point. "Please do not beat around the bushes, just tell me."
"Sixteen weeks." She mumbled, wiping the tears that slowly began dripping from her face as her eyes glued to the fringe that stringed from the bottom of her sweater. The baby that grew inside of her was about the size of an avocado. She knows because she checks it on her phone every morning. Gabby isn't stupid, she knows very well that a baby at her age was never ideal, nor was it in her plans for a long while, but things happen and the only thing she was willing to do was accept the avocado and make the best of it.
Her mother's sob echoed through the room upon hearing how far along she was. She quickly covered her quivering mouth, turning her gaze away from her daughter.
"And who is the father?" her dad asked.
But she couldn't bring herself to reveal that just yet. Not when her father had shown an immense amount of disinterest in the mere mention of a boy a while back. When emotions had settled, she might consider sharing, but not now.
Before she could even contemplate an answer, he continued, "That does not matter." He dismissed and reached into the drawer of his desk and retrieved a thick pamphlet, tossing it across the desk until it slid into her lap. "You have an appointment on Wednesday."
She was prepared for her parent's initial reaction of disappointment and anger, but she would have never seen that coming.
She wiped away tears from her cheeks, her voice faltering. The flatness in his tone caught her off guard. He began explaining the process in a detached manner, "The procedure should be simple. You may experience some cramping—"
"What?" She finally found her voice, her eyes welling up with a fresh batch of tears as she shook her head in disbelief. "No," she protested, her voice quivering. She locked eyes with her father, who raised his thick eyebrows, widening his eyes in a show of surprise.
"No?" he asked with genuine confusion, like he expected her to give into his order without question.
Gabriela found herself at a loss for words, her voice caught in her throat. She turned her gaze to her mother, silently pleading for even the faintest glimmer of understanding or support, knowing her mother to be the more reasonable of her parents. But Camila, tears streaming down her face, remained motionless. She couldn't even bring herself to cast a glance to the girl.
"I can't do that," she stammered with trembling determination, her voice choking on the words. "I won't."
Her father rose from his chair, his towering presence a testament to his frustration and anger. He leaned heavily on his fists, which were planted on the desk, his eyes piercing into hers. "You didn't think you were keeping it?" he asked in disbelief. "Of course you will, we live in a pro-choice Amer-"
"And that's great! And I am choosing not to!" She said immediately cutting him off, trying to express the overwhelming emotions coursing through her. "I... I will take care of this baby. I will. I won't ask you two for anything regarding it, just… please" she asked, desperation thick in her words. Her eyes sought their understanding, but all she found was a wall of resistance.
"You are ruining your life," her mother spat, her voice barely audible through her tears and broken English. "You are ruining your life, and we will not help you do so."
"You're in your first year of Med School," he roared,. "This program will make you one of the youngest physicians in the country! This... this wasn't part of your mother's, and I plans for you." He gestured, his hand trembling slightly, towards her slightly protruding bump that was barely noticeable under her sweater.
"Your plans for me?" It was the only thing that stood out to her at that moment, but she couldn't dwell on it for too long before her father's words felt like a crushing blow to her fragile heart.
"You're a mere 18 years old, and what? You think you can just squander all the hard work we put in to get you this far, tarnishing it with an illegitimate bastard child?" he lashed out, deliberately emphasizing the last three words to pierce her heart.
The sob she let out was audible, like she had been physically hurt. The people before her seemed to be unrecognizable to her, like they weren't the people who seemingly supported her through every trial she's endured at her early age. Tears streamed down Gabby's face as her father's words strummed in her ears, each one piercing her heart like a dagger. Her heart shattering into tiny pieces, each one clinking as it hit the floor, bit by bit.
"Get rid of it, Gabriela." he said calmly before standing and walking to her mother attempting to comfort her.
"Ramon!" a voice interjected, but Gabby's ears wouldn't allow her to hear it. The world around her dissolved into a muffled cacophony of voices, none of it registering. She was lost in the overwhelming sense of heartbreak, struggling to come to terms with the brutal reality what had just happened. "Leslie will you please go help Gabriela pack a bag."
This is what brought her back, she turned her head to see her Abuelos looking at their son with disgust and Leslie giving him a look that could deem her a murderer. Her eyes holding a dark glare, a fist that probably couldn't be unclenched by the God of Thunder himself.
"Leslie!" Alejandro repeated, a more demanding plea in his voice. "Please, take Gabriela up to pack a bag."
Leslie could tell that her best friend was still lost in the distressing moment, so she gently took her hand and guided her upstairs and down the hall to her bedroom. There, she insisted that she would pack a bag for Gabby, wanting to spare her friend from the painful process in her fragile state.
Gabby didn't know how much of the downstairs conversation the three had overheard, but judging by the thick, tense atmosphere that seemed to hang in the air, they had clearly heard enough. Her mind still hadn't caught up with her body, mentally she was still downstairs taking in what was thrown at her as it had all happened so quickly.
A while had passed, didn't know for sure how long until at least a bit of the shock had worn off and she fully registered that Leslie was walking back and forth from her closet and the bag on the floor.
"What are you-"She began.. "I didn't know you were coming," Gabby said, finally breaking her silence, her eyes fixed on the blonde.
Her best friend continued her task while mumbling, "Your grandparents called me and asked if I had eaten. I said yes, but they still insisted on coming by to get me. I know they just missed me though." She attempted to infuse a bit of levity into the room, and a small, strained chuckle escaped Gabby, recognizing the truth in Leslie's words.
Leslie let out a deep sigh and briefly halted, her expression shifting into one of deep sympathy. Gabby, however, responded with a forced smile and a quick shake of her head.
"Don't give me that look, Les," she murmured, avoiding eye contact as she stood from her bed to put somethings in the suitcase sitting on the floor. She despised being on the receiving end of pity. "I'm fine." She insisted.
But Shay couldn't help it, her bestfriend was carrying a baby and she was completely oblivious to the fact.
"Just… Just don't tell Kelly. " Gabby asked, "Not yet."
Leslie clenched her jaw, her gaze locking onto Gabby's. "Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, her voice filled with concern and hurt. "You could have told me, Dawson." If she had known earlier, she could have provided support when she needed it most.
"I was planning on it," Gabby admitted honestly. "But I was still processing, and... I am still processing it," she added, her gaze lifting to meet Leslie's.
Leslie's concern was evident as she continued, "Does Casey know?" Gabby nodded. "And do I need to kill him?" Leslie asked in all seriousness.
Gabby couldn't help but laugh in response to her best friend's protective instincts. She shook her head, a smile playing on her lips. "He's good," she reassured. "He's too good." She clarified. Despite the drama of her family situation, she had Matt.
As Leslie briefly looked at the brunette's sweater-covered belly, she couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. Wondering how she didn't notice sooner. Yes, Gabby had been acting a bit strangely for the past couple of weeks, but she hadn't thought to connect the dots, if there were any to connect.
"Come on, you two," Alicia interjected, breaking their conversation. "Leslie, will you be coming back to Barrington with us?"
Leslie chuckled and began, "You know, Abuela... A simple 'Leslie, mi querida'," she said with perfect Spanish. "'We've missed you so much, and we'd love to have you over for dinner' would have been good," teasing the older woman with a playful smile. However, Alicia's expression remained unamused as she patiently awaited an answer to her question. Gabby tried to stifle her laugh, all while trying to soothe the ache of her swollen-red eyes. "No, Abuela, I can't come with you guys. Megan and I have to babysit in the morning."
"Alright then," she sighed, her gaze shifting to Gabby, who couldn't bring herself to meet her grandmother's eyes. "Let us go. We will take you back." Alicia motioned for both of them to follow her from the room.
She wanted to leave, to escape the emotional whirlpool that his return had stirred within her, but his body was blocking the door. She wasn't afraid of him, she knew he'd never do something to physically hurt her. All of her resentment was derived from the deep emotional wounds the two had inflicted upon her.
Gabby struggled to find her voice, to form the words that would convey the years of hurt she had felt. But as she looked into his eyes, she saw a flicker of something she hadn't expected. Vulnerability. It was a dent in the armor of the man who had once been her protector until he wasn't.
"Hi, dad," she finally muttered, the word feeling foreign and heavy on her tongue.
"Dad? No 'papá'?" he chuckled, casually tucking his hands into the pockets of his slacks, "Was that Matthew I saw you with a few minutes ago?"
Her body nearly jolted hearing his name come from Ramon's mouth. Internally, Gabby scoffed, her brief want for a calm conversation with her father crumbling in an instant. The vulnerable crack she had glimpsed earlier was nothing more than a fraudulent act.
Gabriela had spent considerable time trying to figure out what had gone wrong in their relationship, what had made her father so entitled. The answer was simple, really. It had always been there, glaringly obvious yet equally concealed from her. Her father had always put his own vision of happiness before hers. If he didn't shape it, he deemed it unworthy.
Matt Casey is anything but unworthy. She had never implied that he was perfect, but she was so sure that he was for her. He made her happy. Seeing him happy made her equally happy, if not more. And that is what any father should want for their child — for them to be happy.
She longed to go back to that same day, but the greater half of it. The half that included that particular blonde-haired blue-eyed boy. Despite the difficult circumstances it had held, he had managed to make it better. She yearned to return to those days when they were young, deeply in love, and anticipating a future that seemed endless. He had helped her see brighter days in that future, reassuring every doubt she had.
Gabby laid in her bed, surrounded by the familiar comfort of her grandparents' house. Her tears had ceased about an hour ago, leaving her alone with her thoughts. The room was softly lit by rays of the sun shining through the brown curtains.
She was convinced she was out of tears, her emotions having been drained by the events of the day. The weight of her decisions and the fallout with her family had taken her energy.
A knock on her bedroom door drew her attention, and she lifted her head to find the familiar figure of the blonde-haired boy who had always managed to make her heart skip a beat. In his hands, he held two full paper bags that she seen was filled with her latest cravings before he set them down.. His heart ached at the sight of her swollen eyes and red nose.
Slightly confused, she initially thought her eyes might be playing tricks on her. Rubbing them tiredly, she tried to clear her vision, but to her amazement, he was still there, causing a fresh wave of tears to well up.
"Baby…" he said with a knowing chuckle as he closed her door and climbed into her bed. He immediately pulled her close and lifted her t-shirt where his hand went to her growing belly. He knew the tears were hormonal as she hadn't expected him.
"What are you doing here?" her voice trembling as she hiccupped and buried herself into his shirt.
"Why are you crying, Gabby?" he asked, attempting to hide his amusement again before she lightly hit his chest.
"Don't be mean," she whined, and Matt couldn't help but feel a sense of pride that he was the only one who got to see this side of Gabby. Her youthful spirit was 98% of the time drenched in independence, but he cherished the moments when she let her guard down and allowed him in..
"I'm sorry," he whispered before gently taking the hand that was caressing her belly, bringing it to her cheek, and planting a series of tender, loving kisses on her lips, wiping her fallen tears. "Even all snotty with tear stains, you're still beautiful."
She smiled at his ongoing teasing, lifting her head giving him her lips once more.
"What are you doing here?" she repeated, her glassy eyes piercing his.
"Your granddad called me…" He admitted.
She groaned and tried to pull away from his embrace, but he held her firmly, returning his hand to her stomach and rubbing soothing circles. She closed her eyes, instantly finding relaxation in his touch.
"He didn't say much, just that you'd be staying up here for a while and something about a disagreement with your parents. He said he'd leave the rest up to you to share." He informed her. "You okay?"
Matt was only a year older than Gabby, and their paths had initially intersected through Kelly. The boys had been friends for years, even though Matt was a grade higher. The official introduction between Matt and Gabby occurred as he was going into his junior year of high school.
Until then, their worlds had remained entirely separate. Matt and Kelly attended a different school from Gabby and Leslie, the prestigious institution created specifically for the students of IM6. The separation kept them from crossing paths, leaving them as strangers to each other for the first chapters of their lives up until they weren't.
Kelly had called her and Leslie to come pick him up from a house party, both he and his friend had a bit too much underage beer to safely drive home. That friend turned out to be Matt. Their encounter that night had been the beginning of a deep and lasting connection between them.
"Matt..." She whispered, and he dropped a gentle kiss on the top of her head, silently indicating that he was listening. "They couldn't even look at me, and my grandparents haven't said a word to me since we got here, they hate me" she confessed in monotone. He didn't know how to respond, not having all the details. Telling her people should have been something they did together, she shouldn't have had to do it alone backed into a corner.
"When I got here," Matt began, his voice filled with empathy and a hint of amusement, as he shifted down and rested his head on the pillow to be at eye level with Gabby. "Your grandparents sat me at the table downstairs, and they just stared." He chuckled, hoping to at least get a smile out of her. "It was probably the most awkward staring contest, until Alicia said, "nuestra bisnieta will be absolutely adorable.'" It made her laugh, especially the butchered Spanish that he attempted and that felt like winning the lottery to him at the moment. Her fingers softly stroking Matt's pale cheek.
"They're so sure it'll be a girl, huh?" She rasped out.
"And they had asked if you were going to OB appointments and taking some kind of vitamins." He added tucking loose hair behind her ear. "I told them that we haven't missed one. They don't hate you. I don't even think they have the gene to hate you."
"Gabby…" Matt's voice called out to her again, but she didn't respond too lost in her mind.
"Gabby, I need you to look at me," he insisted, and she finally met his gaze, her eyes filled with constant uncertainty.
"I need you to know, no matter what happens…" Matt began, lifting her chin when her eyes began to shift from his. "I need you to know, no matter what happens, you, me, and this baby will be okay." he said softly, his words infused with sincerity, ensuring that she heard and felt every ounce of reassurance. "Okay?"
She hesitantly nodded, she trusted him with every once of her being, she did. Even though they were both incredibly young, both of them had to grow up at a young age for different reasons.
"And I know money is the last thing you're worried about, but I've been a big deal in the construction industry since I was 9…" He said with an amusing smile that became contagious to Gabby as the same smile came onto her. "If it comes down to it, I have more than enough savings for the three of us. We'll be fine, okay?"
He's good. He's too good.
She couldn't help but whine, "You can't say things like that... You're turning me on."
Her random comment that was a complete contrast for her mood a second ago, sent him rolling onto his back, bursting into fits of laughter.
"I'm serious," she insisted. "You drive two hours out of your way for me, bring me bags filled with snacks, all while saying things like that with a face like that. How do you expect me not to be turned on right now, Matt?" Her seriousness only made him laugh even harder.
"Well, that's too bad for you." He said after he calmed down a bit. "I've been on your grandparents' good side for a while, and I need to keep it that way."
"You're no fun." She pouted, bringing him back closer to her before laying her head on his chest.
Gabby's eyes darted to the analog clock that was nailed to the wall before scrunching her eyebrows.
"I thought you said you'd be at the fire academy until 7," she realized, her fingers tracing his cheek.
"Yeah, I told them I had something important to take care of, and they let me to leave a little early," he explained with a casual shrug.
She let out an exasperated sigh, closing her eyes briefly, a silent plea for understanding.
"It's only 5 o'clock, Matt. That's more than a bit early,'" she scolded, looking up at him. "You can't keep doing that," her voice held a mix of love and frustration.
"Doing what?" he asked, confusion clouding his expression…
"Dropping everything you're doing just because I had a bad day. You can't keep doing that," she explained once more, her frustration evident.
"It wasn't that big of a deal, Gabby," he said. "If I had to choose between my pregnant girlfriend and running a few extra drills, it'll always be my pregnant girlfriend…"
She tried to be strong, tried to keep the tough look on her face, but a genuine smile tugged at the edges of her lips, and she couldn't resist leaning in for a sweet kiss.
"Are you staying for tonight?" she asked, hope gleaming in her eyes, but he reluctantly shook his head.
"The fire commissioner asked me for a quote on a back deck he wanted built. I'll have to be there in the morning," he said, and she nodded, her eyes revealing the fatigue she'd been carrying. It was obvious to him that she was tired. "I'll leave a bit later after you've slept."
"You don't have to do that…"
"How are you getting to class tomorrow?" he asked, ignoring her attempts to protest.
"My abuelo will let me use his truck," she responded, appreciating his willingness to stay a bit longer.
"You can't drive a stick, Gabby," he pointed out making her gasp. "The last time I tried to teach you, you crashed my truck into a tree…"
"I've gotten better!" She argued her case, which only made him laugh.
"You'll have to get up pretty early?" he inquired, and she nodded. "I can come pick you up after I'm done at the commissioner's house, before I head to the academy—"
But this time Gabby immediately shook her head. "Matt, no" she spoke. "Thank you, but I'll be able to drive myself."
"I'm not asking, Gabby. You can take a nap in the truck on the way…" he persisted, his love evident in tone.
"And I appreciate that, but I'll be able to drive myself," she said with finality, her sigh a testament to the depth of her gratitude. He's too good to her, she thought, how did she get so lucky, so young. Her heart couldn't help but swell even more. Her love for him ran as deep as his did for her, if not deeper..
"I don't want you to keep stopping your world because mine took a slight pause…" she said seriously, her eyes pleading with him to understand. "Okay?"
But everyone knew as well as he did if he had to choose between anything else in this world and Gabriela Dawson, it would always be Gabriela Dawson.
"Okay," he said but it wasn't at all convincing to Gabby. "Get some sleep," he added, adjusting their position so she was nestled into his side, her face buried deep in his neck. He gently lifted her shirt to admire the small bump that was becoming more noticeable by the minute. "It's the size of an avocado," he mentioned randomly, eliciting a fit of laughter from Gabby as she pressed a chaste kiss to his neck.
"I love you," she whispered before drifting into a peaceful slumber.
"I love you," he murmured in response, noticing her breathing had leveled, a sign that she was now deeply asleep.
Later that evening, Alicia called Alejandro to her side where she stood. Observing the young people who were deep in their sleep. Gabby's hand clenched around Matt's shirt, as if for dear life. They both couldn't help but be in awe of how caring he was to their granddaughter. They've always liked Matt, since Gabby first mentioned him with a grin attached to her lips, but their fondness of him seemed to grow as they would all frequently dine together whenever the older couple was in Chicago. He was respectful and driven and most importantly, he made Gabby smile like she had never smiled before.
Of course, they were surprised at the news that they had overheard, and they needed time to take it in, but they would be there for her in any way she needed. Any way she needed it because after the day she's had, it had probably heightened every sense of independence that swaddled her body, they knew she wouldn't ask for help even if she wanted to.
"How long have you two been back together?" His strained voice abruptly brought her from the thoughts she so desperately wanted to stay in. He subtly clenched his jaw, his dark eyes piercing into hers, searching for answers he didn't yet possess. He couldn't last a moment before resorting to his old ways. The warmth in his voice disappeared as quickly as it had come when he mentioned the man with blue eyes.
Gabby met his intense stare without flinching. She wanted to see any trace of the man she had once proudly called her father in the person standing before her.
"We aren't," she replied quickly, realizing what a delayed response might imply. Her voice carried a mixture of firmness and sorrow, but she was determined to leave no room for misunderstandings. "We're not."
A puzzled expression flickered across his face, but he swiftly composed himself. "You two seem quite close for people who don't have relations, Gabriela. Dancing so intimately isn't merely a friendly gesture," he observed as he gestured toward the dance floor, where Matt and Gabby had been moments ago.
Gabby couldn't suppress a sigh. Of course, he had been watching them. She felt her frustration mounting. "Something I initiated," she explained, although it wasn't entirely true, she desperately needed him to believe her. "He simply went along with it, okay? Matt and I are friends for the sake of our child. That is it."
"No matter who initiated what, Mija," he interrupted, "May I remind you of the arrangement we had? If you and Matthew continue—"
"Papá!" she exclaimed in a hushed but exasperated tone, her frustration bubbling over. "We are not together. We have a child together, and that's the extent of our relationship. Please, just…" She paused before taking a calculated breath, feeling herself get worked up to no return. "Just please try to see past your issues with me and let it go." Her eyes pleaded with him to see beyond his doubts and accept her reasoning.
In the back of her mind, she couldn't help but wonder if this was the reason her grandparents had wanted her to attend. Why they had insisted on her presence. She loathed herself for entertaining such thoughts; they had done nothing but protect and support her, shielding her from him. But she couldn't think of anything else, she was selfishly looking for someone to blame and she hated herself for it.
"And what were the terms of this arrangement exactly?" came the voice from the now-open balcony entrance, causing her to turn her head. At this point, nothing could surprise her any further.
There were only so many times in a woman's life that she could endure such soul-sucking drama before she could no longer feel. Gabriela felt the weight of the world pressing down on her, her heart fragile, her mind clouded, and her eyes brimming with unshed tears. She teetered on the precipice of numbness, desperate to stop feeling anything and everything, yearning for that comforting emptiness.
"Dawson?" Kelly asked, eyes looking over her delicate, almost fragile state. The drama in the room had reached its peak and so had she.
Every time I try to keep chapters short, it never works. I could give myself a limit but by the time I'm halfway finished, I'm well over it.
And also, this isn't a Flashback Based story as I want to focus on Matt and Gabby in the story's present time. I just feel like I can better explain things through flashbacks rather than just throwing the information in the text, does that make sense?
If you're confused about IM6, it'll be explained as well.
I hope at least a little of your confusion is fading if not a lot.
Anyway, I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and thank you for leaving reviews.