Chapter 30

Gabriel rushed over, taking Mitch's place.

"I'm so sorry angel, I should have been the one to have brought you here."

She grabbed his tie and pulled him closer to her.

"Damn right you should have. Why was your bloody phone turned off? You could have missed the birth of your baby. Go away and let Mitch take your place," she snapped angrily.

"Maybe if it's a boy I'll name him Mitch, that ought to teach you for not being here."

"Is that what you really want?"

"No, I'm sorry," she cried out and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I was just so scared that you might not make it."

"It's OK angel, are you ready to start pushing?"

She nods her head.

"Yeah, let's do this," she says, taking his hand squeezed it as she started pushing when the doctor told her to.

"This is so hard, I'm getting really tired," she said after several hours.

"You can do it, angel," he said, wiping her face and forehead with the cloth.

For someone with such small hands, she was strong and his hand was starting to hurt when she squeezed it. He peeked down when he heard the doctor saying she was crowning and he could see the top of the baby's head.

As tired as she was, she gave one more push and felt the baby coming out, she laid back, exhausted. Gabriel's voice rang out with excitement cutting the cord.

"Yes, it's a boy."

Leaning over her with a huge grin on his face.

"You did it, angel." He kissed her, telling her how much he loved her. "You have made me the happiest man alive."

"I want to see him."

When he was placed in her arms she cried tears of joy.

"You were right all along about it being a boy. Look at him Gabriel, he's so beautiful." She looked up to find him wiping a tear away that was making its way slowly down his face. "We need to give him a name."

"He's perfect. What do you think of the name Lorenzo, Lorenzo Maestri?" Gabriel asked, stroking his son's cheek.

"I like it," she answered, smiling down at her baby.

The nurse came over and held out her arms.

"We'll take this little guy and clean him up and he'll be back in your arms real soon. Mr. Maestri if you'll wait outside till we finish with your wife I'll let you know when we're done."

"I love you, angel. I'll be right outside."

Kissing her he left her to be tended to.

Mitch was sitting in a chair that was too small for his big frame and he stood when he saw Gabriel. "Boss, boy or girl?"

"A boy, Lorenzo, five pounds and healthy."

"That's wonderful news boss. And Mrs. Maestri, how is she?"

"My wife is exhausted but happy. Wait till you see him, Mitch. He's so small but perfect in every way." He sat down, ran his hand over his face.

"It's a miracle, to think that we made that tiny human being and she carried it inside her for nine months. I would like for you to stay on as a bodyguard for my family and you can stay living in the guesthouse for as long as you want."

"It would be my honor to continue on sir."

"Good. Look, I need to get back to my wife. Do me a favor and call the Esposito's and let them know the baby is here. Victoria will kill me if I don't let her know right away."

"Will do boss. I'll give you two some time alone before I come see the little guy," Mitch said, giving Gabriel a handshake.

He walked quietly into the room when he saw that her eyes were closed. She looked so tired, giving birth had taken a lot out of her.

Pulling a chair up next to the bed sat down, staring at her. But then her eyes opened and she reached for his hand, which he took and held in his. "Hey, there mommy."

"Hi daddy," she says, smiling at him.

"When are they bringing him to me?"

"Should be any minute now," he said, softly kissing her lips, loving her more.

At that moment the nurse entered, carrying the infant and placing him in Paige's arms, telling her it was time for his feeding.

Gabriel watched as she feeds the baby. To see her breastfeeding their son, was to him the most beautiful sight and his heart soared with the greatest joy he had ever felt.

After burping and switching him to the other breast and he was done she tidied up and then cradled him in her arms the way a mother does.

"Want to hold your son?" she asked after seeing the longing on his face.

"Oh God yes," he said, taking his baby gently in his arms.

"Angel, I never thought I could love till you came along, and now we have this little guy."

Seeing he was asleep placed him in the bassinet next to the bed.

Going back over to Paige he took her in his arms, his face resting on top of her head.

"Thank you for not giving up on me and for giving me a son. I love you with all my heart, my heart belongs to you. Never leave me, if you do it will destroy me." His voice cracked as he choked up.

She felt his body tremble, heard his voice crack with every word he spoke.

"I could never leave you sweetheart or it would also destroy me. I love you." She put her arms around him, holding on so tight.

They only broke apart when Mitch walked in, their faces flushed.

"Now cut that out you two, that's how you ended up in here," he said, laughing at his own joke.

"I had to come and see the baby, hope you don't mind?"

Gabriel told him to enter, standing up he motioned towards the bassinet.

Mitch walked over and looked down at the sleeping infant.

"Wow, he sure is a cute one. I bet he's going to be big with the women when he grows up." He turned to the couple. "Mr. and Mrs. Esposito are on their way."

"You should have told them my wife is too tired to have visitors."

"I did boss, but Mrs. Esposito insisted on coming but promised not to stay long."

He looked at Paige. "I could stop them from coming in."

"It's alright, Victoria is my friend and I want to see her."

"But angel you are exhausted and need your rest. I can not allow you to be disturbed."

"Stop Gabriel, you're being too protective. I'm fine and it's up to me if I want visitors or not. I love you for caring but they are our friends."

Shrugging his shoulders he knew he lost this one.

Victoria and Luigi showed up with flowers for her and presents for the baby. Paige held up a blue baby blanket, she almost cried when she saw it was cashmere.

There were also sleepers and some stuffed animals.

"Thank you so much, but you shouldn't have."

"It's our pleasure," Victoria said as she held the baby in her arms.

An hour later she could see how tired Paige was becoming so they all left, leaving her alone with Gabriel.

"My God, I thought they would never leave," Gabriel said, sitting on the bed next to her.

"They're just happy for us, and look at all the nice things they bought for Lorenzo."

She looks over at him sleeping in the bassinet. "He really is amazing isn't he?"

"Just like his mother. I'm sorry for being a grump, it's just that I don't want to share either one of you. I want you both all to myself." He leans over, his kiss was warm and tender. "Sleep now."

"You should go home and get some sleep yourself," she said, her eyes already starting to close.

"I'm staying right here," he said, kissing her cheek.

Stroking her hair he watched as she slept before settling down on the small sofa and tried to sleep. It wouldn't be long until the baby woke up for it's feeding.

They kept her in for three extra days due to the fact that she was weak and they wanted her to get her strength up.

After feeding and changing Lorenzo she asked Gabriel if he had remembered to bring the baby car seat and she rolled her eyes when he admitted he hadn't.

"You'll have to go get it."

"I'll just have Mitch drive in and bring it. I need to go and sign some papers and pay the hospital bill." He pulls her into his arms. "I could wait and help you get dressed first."

With her arms around his neck, her body so close to his she felt the bulge inside his pants getting hard. "Only you could think of sex at a time like this."

"Can I help it if you look so damn sexy?"

"You do realize that sex is off the table for awhile, right?"

"I know, four to six weeks, but damn angel it's not going to be easy. I mean look at you, you've just given birth and you look even more beautiful than ever."

He kissed her, his kiss passionate and demanding before pulling away.

"I see there will be many cold showers ahead."

Playfully she gives him a shove.

"Go on now, do what you have to while I get dressed." She goes over and smiles at her baby, feeling Gabriel's arms going around her waist.

"When I look at our son I can't help but wonder what I've done right to have you and him in my life. I have gone through my entire life not caring about anyone until you came into it. Now I am truly happy for once."

"Me too Gabriel. I never had anyone who loved me or wanted to take care of me. I now have this incredible life, a beautiful home and a husband who I adore and now this little bundle of joy." She turned to face him. "Thank you."

He cupped her chin in his hand.

"It is I who should thank you," he said, leaning down kissed her. "I will be back soon."

Shutting the door she put on the outfit Gabriel had brought for her to wear. All she had to do was brush her hair and teeth. She stood looking at the miracle that grew inside her, one that was apart of Gabriel.

When the door opened she turned to see a nurse walk in, she had short red hair and had on dark-rimmed glasses.

"Mrs. Maestri, I see you are getting ready to go home."

"Yes, I just have to wash up and wait for my husband to return."

"That's great, but I have to take your baby to get weighed and one last check-up before you leave."

"But I thought that had already been done."

"Yes, but the other nurse forgot to write it all down on the forms. I'm really sorry for the inconvenience. I promise it won't take long."

"Well OK, I need to wash up," she said, picking up her baby gives him a kiss before handing him over to the nurse.

"Please don't be too long, my husband will be back any minute and we're anxious to go home with our son."

"I don't blame you, he is such a sweet baby," the nurse said, walking out the room.

Less than ten minutes later she heard the door opening, thinking it was the nurse returning. But it was Gabriel. Just seeing him made her heart race and felt the butterflies in her stomach.

"Um, Paige, where is the baby?"

"A nurse came in to give him one last checkup. They should be back any minute now." Seeing the worried look on his face she became worried.

"What's wrong?"

"He was already checked."

"She said the other nurse didn't write down the information so she had to do it over again." She glanced at the clock on the wall.

"They should be back by now. Gabriel, should we be worried?"

"I don't like this, something is not right. Let's go to the front desk," he said, taking her hand they went to the nurse's station.

He tried to hide the fear he was feeling but it was etched clearly on his face. Now he knew she too was worried by the way her hand shook and how deadly quiet she became.

Reaching the nurse's station he didn't hide his anger when he snapped at the young nurse behind the desk.

"Where the hell is my son?"

All eyes turned to him, no one knew what he was talking about.