Chapter 28

CHRISTMAS MORNING

Gabriel woke to the feel of a pair of sweet lips on his neck and a hand on what was now a hard dick.

"Now this is a very pleasant way to wake up," he said, moving his hand along her arm."

"Merry Christmas Gabriel."

"It is now," he answered. Rolling her over onto her back got on top of her, his mouth going to her neck.

"You smell and taste so good," he said, sucking lightly on her neck as he started pulling her nightgown down.

Now that she was further along, he made sure to take it easy when they made love. Instead of the hot intense sex, he was gentle and loving. But to him, it was still the best sex he ever had, or maybe that was because he loved her.

Sitting up she smiled at him, her eyes sparkled with excitement.

"I have something for you. I'll be right back, don't move," she said.

Getting out of bed and grabbing one of his shirts put it on and disappeared into the walk-in closet.

He laid on his back, hands behind his head. When she went into the closet he was thinking she was putting on some sexy lingerie for him. His eyes followed her as she walked towards the bed, her hands behind her back.

Well, she was still wearing the shirt, so lingerie was out of the question and he could see a red, sparkly bag behind her.

Sitting up he wasn't sure what he was feeling. It was obvious it was a Christmas gift, and it was for him. He had never received one before, didn't know how he was supposed to act.

Sitting on the bed she places the bag down in front of him. "Merry Christmas."

"Paige, you shouldn't have."

"I wanted to and besides, it's not much. Go on, open it," she said excitedly.

He reached in and took one gift out, unwrapping it. It was a coffee mug with the words, Worlds best dad.

"Best dad," he said smiling.

Taking out another one, it was a picture of the ultrasound of their baby in a gold frame.

"I thought you might like this for your desk."

He stared at it, tears came to his eyes. "I love it and the mug."

"There's one more, open it," she said, handing it to him.

He opened it, it was a gold watch.

"It's lovely, thank you, angel. I'll wear it all the time," he said and placed it on his wrist.

"Wait, there's more," she squealed. "Look on the back at the engraving."

Taking it off he choked up when he saw the words. (Love, your angel).

He felt like the Grinch at that moment when his heart grew two sizes. He was happy, truly happy for the first time in his life and it was all down to Paige.

"I love it, and I love you." Putting his hand behind her neck drew her in for a kiss.

"I know you already have a watch, but to be honest I didn't know what else to get you."

"Its perfect and I'll never take it off. I feel bad that I didn't get you anything."

He could have told her the truth, but he wanted to see the look on her face when they went downstairs.

"You did, you gave me so much, this beautiful home to live in, clothes, love and the most precious gift of all," she said, placing his hand on her stomach. "Our baby."

"Let's go down and have breakfast and I'll use my new mug."

Getting up pulled on his pants and handed her a robe. He holds her hand as they went downstairs.

He stops in the doorway of the living room, turns to see her expression when she sees the tree with the wrapped presents underneath it.

She thought it was a bit strange that he wanted to go into the living room instead of the dining room until she saw all the presents under the tree.

"What is all this?" she asked, looking at him.

"Looks like Santa has been here," he answered, chuckling. It warmed his heart to see that smile on her face.

"Who are they for?" she asked innocently. Had her demon turned soft and bought gifts for all of his househelps.

"For you angel."

"Me?"

Taking her hand led her over to the chair by the tree and had her sit down. He sat on the floor so that he could hand her each gift.

"Yes, they are all for you. I, for the first time in my life, went shopping and handpicked every one."

"It's too much Gabriel."

Taking her hand kissed the palm.

"It is not near enough. You deserve so much more for what you have given me."

"I only gave you a watch and a coffee mug."

"My sweet angel, you have given me the gift of love. Not only do you love me but have taught me how to love, how to feel. You have saved me from myself and a life of loneliness. Now start opening, I'm getting hungry," he said, handing her the first gift.

When she opened the diamond bracelet he put it on her. He loved how her eyes lit up and how excited she was. He saved the necklace for last.

Like a child she unwrapped each gift with excitement, tearing the colorful wrapping off. Trying on the leather coat she laughed.

"Looks like I'll have to wait to wear this after the baby is born." Each gift she opened her eyes sparkled more.

He enjoyed seeing his angel so happy and was glad she convinced him into having Christmas. He could just imagine the look on his child's face on Christmas mornings to come.

"Thank you, Gabriel. I love everything but what I love the most is that you actually picked them out yourself. You are spoiling me," she said, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him.

"I have one more present for you," he said, reaching around the tree pulled out the small velvet box that had a bow on top.

"No, no more," she said, shaking her head.

"Just one more. This one is special, when I saw it I was reminded of you." He hands her the box and watches as she opens the box, taking out the necklace and heard her gasp. Her smile told him she liked it.

"Oh my God, it's so beautiful," she says, looking at the angel with a diamond in the middle.

"Not nearly as beautiful as you, let me put it on you," he says.

Taking it from her small hand puts it around her neck. Moving her hair over to the side kisses her neck.

"I want you to know how much I love you and there isn't anything I wouldn't do for you."

She turns around, sliding her hands up his chest. "I love you too."

He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to him. His mouth came down hard on hers in a kiss that told her he was hers, and only hers.

His kiss was hot, demanding, leaving her weak in the knees. She opened her eyes, staring into his.

"Promise me you'll always be this passionate."

"I promise, but now we must eat."

"Yes, there is so much to do before everyone comes to dinner," she said. Taking his hand they head to the dining room.

✨✨HOURS LATER ✨✨

Gabriel was in his office, looking at the picture Paige had given him. His heart swelled with love for his unborn child.

What his father had said about love making a man weak was so wrong. It was the other way around, it made him stronger, more alive. He looked up when she walked in carrying his mug filled with coffee and sat it on his desk.

"You shouldn't be working on Christmas."

He pulled her onto his lap.

"Thanks for the coffee. I'm done now but you should be resting before our guests arrive," he said, running his hand up the silky smoothness of her leg. Already his desire to have her was building.

"I could come up and take a nap with you."

Without speaking she stood up, taking his hand, coffee forgotten.

🎉🎉DINNER PARTY 🎉🎉

"Do I look fat in this dress?" she asked Gabriel.

Standing in front of the mirror wearing a red dress and the jewelry he had given her.

Rubbing his chin he took a moment before answering. He had to be careful in his answer knowing no matter what he said could be taken the wrong way.

Lately, because of her hormones, she was easily upset and would burst into tears.

"There is not an ounce of fat on you."

"So you're saying I'm too skinny," she sniffed.

Going over stood behind her, his arms around her he rubs her belly.

"No, you are perfect. I wouldn't change a thing about you. We should head down now, the guests will be arriving any minute now."

She turns around. "I'm being a nightmare aren't I?"

"No you're not, now let's go," he said, giving her a kiss.

Twenty-five people in all came to dinner, along with Mitch who was getting around without the use of crutches. She took her friend Victoria Esposito, Luigi's wife upstairs to see the baby room and the new furniture while Gabriel entertained the others.

"Your wife is lovely Gabriel, though very young," Stan, a business acquaintance said when they were having a drink together.

"My wife may be young but she is a smart and mature woman. If you will excuse me I will go see how she's doing." Stan was not one of his favorite people but Paige had found out he was one of the designers of the new hotel and invited him.

Dinner was served and she had a variety of different foods prepared and desserts that made one's mouth water. Afterward, they all wandered around, talking and mingling.

Later he looked around for Paige, wondering where she had gotten to. So he went looking for her and heard her voice coming from one of the other rooms.

"Get your hands off me, Stan."

"You must be quite a woman to land herself a man like Gabriel."

Walking into the room he saw Stan with his hands on her arms and he had her up against the wall. Rushing over he pulled him away from her and raising his fist clocked him square in the jaw.

"You dare come into my home and harass my wife. Get up you bastard so I can kill you."

"I didn't mean anything Gabriel, I'm sorry," Stan cried out.

Paige seeing the fury in his eyes stood in front of him, putting her hands on his chest to hold him back.

"No Gabriel, he is drunk and you've done enough. Please, sweetheart, do not fight tonight, it's Christmas."

She called him sweetheart, she never did that before and he liked it.

"For you, I will let it go." He looked down at Stan who was shaking like a leaf. "Get out of my home and you're fired."

"Gabriel please don't fire me. I am so sorry and will never do it again."

"You're lucky that's all I'm going to do to you," he said, putting his arm around Paige's waist.

A few people had gathered around to see what was going on and Mitch went over to Gabriel. "What do you want me to do with him, boss?"

"Call him a cab and make sure he gets in it." He turned to the crowd. "Nothing to see here so go back to the party and enjoy yourselves."

Once they disappeared he turned to Paige.

"Can I not leave you for five minutes without some man making a pass at you?"

"He was drunk and I'm sure he will regret it when he sobers up."

"Being drunk does not give a man an excuse to force his attention on any woman. Now, what was that name you called me? Oh yes, sweetheart, I like it."

She smiled, batting her eyes at him, her arms going around his neck.

"Then I shall call you sweetheart from now on. Thank you for not beating that man, you are starting to show some restraint."

"It is you, angel. You are the only one who is able to control me. Come, we should go join our guests unless you want to go upstairs for a little party of our own."

"Even now all you can think about is sex," she said, laughing.