Chapter 36

TWO MONTHS LATER

Mitch was driving Paige and Lorenzo into town for their doctor's appointment since Gabriel was busy with some paperwork.

After his check-up was completed she handed him over to Mitch to watch while she had her own check-up. Mitch was like an uncle to Lorenzo and there was no one else she or Gabriel trusted him more with.

Leaving the examining room with a big smile on her face she went over and took her son in her arms.

"You look happy, I gather everything is good," he says as they leave the waiting room.

"Everything is perfect," she replies.

Once home she hands the child over to the maid, Patty.

"Will you take Lorenzo up for his nap and have you seen my husband?"

"Yes Ma, he's in his office," Patty said nervously.

"Is something wrong Patty?"

"No Miss."

"Patty, I can tell something is bothering you. You can talk to me, I won't say anything."

"Well, Mr. Maestri is in a really bad mood. I heard him swearing and things being broken. I was too afraid to go in."

"It'll be OK, you take Lorenzo and I'll deal with my husband."

Going to the office she could hear him cursing and something hitting the wall.

Opening the door she stood there, watching him. He had papers strewn all over his desk.

"Gabriel," she calls out softly.

He looks up and seeing her he calmed down, she had that effect on him. Still, in his chair, he pushes away from the desk and pats his lap.

"Come, sit with me for awhile."

Going over she sits on his lap, her arms going around his neck.

"Tell me what has got you so upset."

"Someone is stealing from one of my hotels and I'm pretty sure I know who it is."

"Tell me you are not going to do anything drastic, like have him beaten or destroy his life. Can you just fire him?"

"People who betray me end up being destroyed, but you are right. I will have him fired, and he will never work anywhere that involves money."

"Are you positive he's stealing from you?"

"Yes, I have gone over the financial statements and noticed some odd things. I then went back over them with a fine tooth comb. Enough about work, tell me how Lorenzo's appointment went."

"Good, he's healthy and happy."

"Where is he now?"

"I had Patty take him up for a nap. I also had a check-up."

His hand, that was caressing her leg and moving up stopped.

"Why? Are you not feeling well?" He placed his hand on her cheek. "You have been looking a little pale lately."

"No, I'm OK, but he did find out something."

He couldn't help getting worried.

"What?"

Seeing the worried look etched on his face she touched his lips with her fingertips.

"I'm pregnant."

His eyes wide went to look at her stomach, a smile appeared on his face.

"Pregnant, oh my God, that's the best news I've heard in a while. How far along are you?"

"Four weeks, are you really happy about it?"

Shifting her from his lap he gets up and goes over to the door and locks it. He starts removing his tie and shirt. Undoing his belt buckle he starts walking towards her.

"I'll show you how happy I am. You have two choices, my angel. You can either remove your dress or have me rip it off you."

Seeing his muscular chest always turned her on. Licking her lips she smiles as she pulls the dress up and over her head, letting it fall to the floor.

"Well, I wouldn't want our staff seeing me go upstairs with no clothes on."

Pulling her into his arms, his mouth came crashing down on hers in a deep and passionate kiss. Lips still locked he picked her up and carried her over to the sofa.

SEVEN MONTHS LATER

It was now Christmas and Gabriel went all out. The place was decorated and he invited his mother to join them.

Since Paige was getting close to delivering and they were told she might give birth early he had his mother move in until after the baby was born. Kaia was more than delighted to stay for awhile to help once the baby came.

Christmas morning Gabriel, Paige, Kaia, and Mitch sat around the tree watching Lorenzo tear open his presents. He was almost three but smart for his age.

There was one small gift-wrapped present left under the tree and he grabbed it, taking it over to Paige.

"For you mommy."

"For me?" she asked, taking it from Lorenzo.

"From daddy."

"Gabriel, you have already given me my gift."

"This one is special, open it."

Everyone watched with smiles on their faces.

She gasped, her hand going to her mouth when she opened it and saw the huge diamond ring and she turned to Gabriel.

"It's gorgeous, but sweetheart I already have an engagement ring."

"That cheap little diamond I threw on the table in front of you before we got married. You deserve much better than that."

"But I love this ring," she said, touching it.

"Then you can wear it on your right hand."

He removes it from her finger and places it on her other hand. Taking the new ring from its box got down on one knee in front of her.

"Angel, will you do me the honor of staying my wife and growing old with me?"

Tears rolled down her cheek. "Yes, my demon."

Placing it on her finger pulls her up, taking her in his arms gave her the most romantic kiss ever. Only stopping when they heard Lorenzo laughing at them.

Being that Paige was not up to having a lot of people over for Christmas dinner it was just the five of them this year. She scolded the others for spoiling Lorenzo with all the presents but she couldn't find it in her heart to be mad at them.

Especially with Kaia who for the first time in years was free to enjoy the holidays and her grandchild.

Later that night in bed she shook Gabriel awake.

Yawning he stretched.

"What is it my angel, do you want some more pie? I think you ate it all," he says, chuckling.

"I'm having contractions."

He bolted right up in bed. "But you still have just few more days to go."

"Right, but the doctor did say I would be going into labour early. Well now is that time."

"OK, I'll wake up mother and let her know we're going." He jumps out of bed and threw on his clothes.

At the hospital when they were in the delivery room, holding hands she pulls him close.

"I love you so much and I want to have lots of babies."

"How many were you thinking about?"

"Four, maybe more."

"OK angel, whatever you want then so do I. Now are you ready to push?"

Unlike with Lorenzo, this baby came quick and she had no problems when three hours later their baby girl was born. Four pounds and 8 ounces, they named her Anna-Lisa, Kaia Maestri.

As she held their daughter he kissed her.

"Thank you, angel, she's perfect."

He noticed how her hands shook when she handed him the baby. He heard the nurse calling the doctor over and before he knew what was happening the baby was taken from his arms and he was being ushered out.

"What's happening?" he shouted to the nurse.

"Wait out here sir and I'll let you know as soon as I can," she answered, rushing back inside.

Fear coursed through him, there was something wrong with his angel. He went and flopped down in a chair, knowing he was about to collapse. He covered his face with his hands, he couldn't lose her.

Without her, he would be nothing more than a shell of a man. Thirty minutes later when he saw the doctor coming towards him he stood.

"Mr. Maestri."

"My wife, is she OK?" Desperation sounded in his voice.

"Your wife was bleeding internally but we managed to stop it. I expect her to make a full recovery but we'll keep her in for a few days."

"Thank God," Gabriel said, letting out a deep breath.

"I'm afraid with some complications that occurred I regret to tell you that she will not be able to bear any more children. I'm so sorry. You can go in and see her now, she's been taken to her room."

He opened the door and looked over where she laid, looking so fragile. Going over he takes her hand as he sits on the bed, her eyes open.

"Hey, there angel, how you feeling?"

"Like someone punched me in the stomach." Her eyes teared up. "They told me I can't have any more babies."

It killed him to see her so sad. He hated it when she cried and knowing there was nothing he could do to stop her from hurting.

" I know my love. I know you wanted more children and I too wanted a houseful of little Maestri running around. But we have a wonderful son and now our beautiful little girl. That makes us two lucky people. Don't be sad my love, let's just be happy with what we've got, and each other."

Wiping her tears away she nods.

" You're right, we are lucky."

She gives him a weak smile. "I want to see our daughter."

"OK, I'll tell them to bring her in. But only for a short time, you are very weak and need to rest." He kissed her before calling for the nurse.

It was five days before the hospital released her, wanting to make sure there were no more complications.

Kaia stayed a few more weeks to help Paige with the children while she got her strength back. Lorenzo was excited to have a baby sister, everyone loved the baby girl, staff included.

After tucking their son in for the night she picked up Anna-Lisa, hugging her to her chest sang her a lullaby. When she saw Gabriel standing there, watching her she smiled.

"You're late, how was dinner with your mother?"

He walks over and gives them both a kiss.

"I took her to that new restaurant and it went really good. I now have my mother back and sorry I'm late. I made a stop at my lawyer's place, we had a drink and I signed my new will. I set up a trust fund for the kids and had him take out the prenup I had you sign when we got married. I should have done it a long time ago."

"Gabriel, you didn't have to do that. I don't want your money, I never did."

"I know that, but you are my wife and I want you and our children to be taken care of in case anything happens to me."

"Don't talk like that, nothing is going to happen to you."

Running his finger along her cheekbone he smiles.

"I know, I plan on living a long and happy life with you. Someday this home will be filled with our grandchildren running around. I love you, angel, now and forever."

"I love you too my demon." She looked at him, her eyes filled with love.

Laying Anna-Lisa in her bed he takes Paige in his arms he kissed her, showing her just how much he loved her.