Chapter 34

They were relieved to get home, and after having a hot meal that was prepared for them Gabriel and Paige took their baby upstairs.

The staff had gotten a call from Mitch who told them what was happening and asked them to have things ready for their arrival. The butler and cook were thrilled to meet the newest member of the family.

Gabriel came from taking a shower and stood back to watch Paige as she held their son, singing him a lullaby, a smile on her face.

Seeing her happy made him happy. He walks over and puts his arms around her from behind. His head rested against hers as he smiles at his son.

"At least he wasn't harmed and won't be suffering a trauma from what happened," she says, kissing the baby's head.

"Let's put him to bed, we all need some sleep," Gabriel said, kissing her cheek.

He knew she was exhausted and needed some rest after all she had been through.

Hugging the baby close she gave Gabriel a sad look with those big eyes of hers.

"Can we put his crib in here with us? I want him beside me at night, for a while anyway."

After what went down she did not want him in the next room. Maybe it was fear that when she woke up and he'd be gone, whatever the reason she wanted him close until she felt secure.

"I was thinking the same thing. He's so small it would be best if he stays in here for a few weeks. That is until I am able to make love to you, we wouldn't want to wake him with all the screaming you'll be doing."

She chuckled and shook her head at him.

"Me, as I recall you are quite loud yourself. Now go get his bed ready while I give feed him. Lorenzo is like his daddy, always wanting more."

✨MINUTES LATER ✨

Laying on her side with Gabriel's arm around her waist they watched the baby sleeping.

"You don't have to keep watching him, he is safe now."

"I know," she says, her hand on his arm, feeling his body pressed up against her.

"It's just that when he was gone I was afraid I'd lost him. I just need time to get used to the idea that he won't disappear on us."

"I know angel. I will take every precaution to make sure nothing happens to him. I will update the security system, hire men to watch the house and grounds. Then there is Mitch, he has agreed to stay on as the bodyguard and our driver. Close your eyes and sleep, it's been a long day for all of us."

✨✨THREE WEEKS LATER✨✨

As they sat in the main family room, Lorenzo by their side in his bed Paige snuggled up to Gabriel. She rested her head on his shoulder, her hand moving over his chest.

"I was thinking," she says, loving how hard his body felt.

His body shook when he laughed.

"Oh no, it's never good when you think, it always means you are about to try and talk me into something. So tell me, what are you up too?"

"I think we should invite your mother over for a visit." She felt his muscles tightening, his body stiffening.

"No," he barked.

Sitting up she stares at him. "She's your mother Gabriel. isn't it time you forgive her?"

He stood up and went over to the bar and poured himself a shot of whiskey.

"I don't think I can ever forgive her."

"But you know why she was that way, it was to protect you."

"Damn it, Paige, I know that. For years I hated her and it's too soon to just forget all those lonely years of not having my mother's love. You can't expect me to open my arms and accept her as if nothing happened."

She was hurt by his sharp tone with her. But getting up she goes over and put her hands on his shoulders.

"I don't expect you to forget, or forgive her right away. I just want you to spend some time with her, to get to know each other. Kaia was a victim too for all those years. Just look at what he did to her body, scars all over her. I'm only asking you to take baby steps."

"I don't know, there is so much pain," he said, pulling her into his arms he held her close.

"I know, but you have to start somewhere. I know Kaia would love to meet her grandson and she's the only grandparent he has. Will you allow her to come for a short visit? I'm not asking you to take her in your arms and accept her right away, just give her a chance to know Lorenzo."

He went over and picked his son up. He stared at the infant with loving eyes and turned back to look at her.

"I will allow her to come and meet Lorenzo, but don't expect her and me to make-up and bond. I will leave it to you to call her."

"Thank you, sweetheart. I'll call her tomorrow and make the arrangements."

Kissing the baby's cheek he laid him back down and motioned to her with his finger. "Come over here."

"It's too soon Gabriel, we can not make love yet," she said, smiling as she walks over to him.

When she was close he grabbed her hands, pulling her over to the sofa and laid her down. He gets on top, his face almost touching hers.

"No, but we can fool around, I want to kiss you, and suck on your neck."

She started wriggling beneath him when he sucked on her earlobe.

"Stop, that tickles," she giggled and tries to push him off her. But he was strong and wouldn't move, that is until someone cleared their throat and they stopped and quickly sat up.

"Sorry to interrupt boss, but your phone has been ringing its the call you were waiting ."

Gabriel wiped his mouth and looked at a red-faced Paige. "I'm sorry about this angel, I must take this call."

"I'll take Lorenzo up for his bath and get him ready for bed," she says, scooping the baby up in her arms.

Walking past Mitch she wishes him a good night.

Gabriel was actually glad that Mitch showed up when he did, otherwise, he might not have been able to stop from making love to her. But the doctor said they had to wait till she was healed. He was getting tired of taking cold showers and prayed that the next three weeks would go by fast.

The call was taken and after a drink with Mitch, he headed upstairs. She was already in bed reading a book, wearing a silky nightgown. As a rule, he liked it when she wore sexy nighties but now he wished that she had on something less sexy. Stripping down he got in beside her.

"I called your mother, she's coming Friday and will be staying till Monday."

"Why is she staying so long? I thought she was just coming for the day."

He wasn't sure how he felt about that, one day would be hard but three days might prove to be too much.

"I figured we all needed more time. You're not mad that I asked her, are you?"

Laying back he put his hands behind his head. When she put her head on his chest, her hand moving over his stomach there was no way he could get mad at her.

"No, I can never get mad at you. I don't want you to be upset if the visit doesn't go well."

She looks up at him.

"It won't be easy but I think in time it will be. I love you."

He glanced over at his son who was asleep and back at Paige.

"He'll soon have to go into his room. You are starting to feel better about that, right?"

"Yes," she said, yawning.

Wrapping his arms around her they went to sleep in each other's arms.

❤️FRIDAY ❤️

Kaia arrived around five that evening and was escorted to the family room where Gabriel and Paige were waiting. He remained seated while Paige stood, going over to greet her.

"Welcome to our home, please make yourself comfortable."

"Thank you for inviting me," Kaia said nervously.

"Would you like to meet your grandson?"

Kaia nods and follows Paige over to the bassinet. She looks down and held back tears.

"He's gorgeous. May I hold him?"

Picking Lorenzo up Paige hands her the baby.

Kaia sits down, touching his soft cheek with her fingers. "He's so beautiful, I bet he's a good baby."

"Oh he is, he hardly ever cries," Paige says proudly. "But when he's hungry he sure lets us know, and he's always hungry."

Kaia looks at her. "Are you breastfeeding?"

"Yes."

"That must be the best feeling in the world." She looks back down at the baby. "I never got to breastfeed, Sergio wouldn't allow it with either child."

Paige and Gabriel stole a glance at one another.

"Would you mind if I laid down before dinner?" she asked, handing Paige the baby.

"Not at all. I had the help make up the guest bedroom for you on the main floor. It has a lovely view of the garden."

"Thank you, dear." She looks at Gabriel. "I'll see you both at dinner, and thanks for having me over."

Not speaking Gabriel only nods.

As soon as Kaia left the room Paige turns to Gabriel.

"Did you see how she looked when she held Lorenzo? That is not the woman I met months ago. She was sweet and loving. I hate to think of what all she had to endure living with Sergio. To deny her the right to breastfeed is so cruel. I feel so bad for her. Surely you must too."

He gets up and pours himself a scotch.

"I never knew. Growing up I never heard them speak to each other. I can't believe she was tortured all those years without me hearing anything."

"Does that mean you forgive her?"

"Give me time angel."

She walks up to him with the baby in her arms, standing on her toes kisses his cheek.

"OK sweetheart. I'm taking Lorenzo up for his feeding and a nap."

He took a hold of her arm when she went to walk away. "I'll never hurt you."

"I know," she says and leaves the room.

🌃DINNER THAT NIGHT 🌃

"I should tell you that I bought a condo in the city," Kaia told them over dinner.

"Why? What is wrong with the mansion?" Gabriel asked, handing Paige the meat platter.

"I'm selling it. There are too many bad memories and I want nothing of that man around to remind me of him."

"Do you need any help? money wise," Gabriel asked as he took a bite of his steak.

"No, Sergio has left me a very wealthy woman." She let out a small laugh. "I guess he expected me to go before him. He left everything to me in his will."

All was quiet for a moment until Kaia spoke to Paige.

"That's a lovely and unique necklace."

Paige's hand went to the angel and smiled.

"Thank you, Gabriel gave it to me at Christmas, this and many other gifts. I must say he spoiled me rotten."

Her eyes shot towards Gabriel. "You celebrated Christmas?"

"Yes, and we will continue to do so along with all the other holidays," he said, taking Paige's hand.

Kaia smiled.

"That's wonderful. I haven't been allowed to have Christmas in all the years I've been with Sergio. It killed me to see you go without every year," she says sadly, looking over at him.

"Perhaps next Christmas mother you could join us."

Kaia's eyes teared up. "I would very much like that."

They finished their meal and went into the living room for coffee and dessert. Grandmother held the baby, giving him a loving look.

It made Paige happy to see the love Kaia had for the baby. She knew that the woman, who in the beginning was so cold and rigid towards her was actually a warm and loving person.

As it was getting late Paige excused herself saying she was putting Lorenzo to bed. What she was really doing was giving Kaia and Gabriel time alone, to talk.

She had just laid the baby in his bassinet and was already in her nightgown when Gabriel walked in and over to look at his son.

Pulling him into her arms she kissed him, her kiss was passionate as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

He was not expecting such a hot kiss and felt the stirring of desire rising. When she finally released him from her tight embrace he smiled.

"What was that for? Not that I'm complaining though."

"That was for inviting your mother to Christmas next year. I wasn't expecting it but I am so glad that you did. Did you and Kaia have a good talk after I left?"

"Yeah, we did." He shakes his head at her.

"I know you did that on purpose, leaving us alone. Thank you, angel. we had a good talk. Now, how about another one of those kisses?" He said, pulling her back to him he kissed her.