Gary and Libby - Take One

Chapter Eighty Two

"Wheres my big boy?" Gary coos over Ethan as he lifts him from my lap, freeing me at last.
"You won't forget the bags in the kitchen will you?" I ask as I walk into the hall and pull on my coat.
"No." Gary sighs in response. "Stop worrying, we'll be fine. Won't we Mr? Eh?"
"Gary im serious." I look him in the eye as I pick up my bag.
"Libby go and have fun baby. There's no point going wedding dress shopping of you're lugging a baby around after you, it's suppose to be enjoyable."
"Okay." I smile in defeat, sitting back down in the lounge whilst I waist for Carmen to pick me up. We only got back from Marjorie's last night, and to be honest, I could do with the rest. But seen as we've set a date for the wedding, six weeks time from now, I figured we should start sorting somethings out. So of course Carmen and Enya were on hand to drag me out wedding dress shopping.

"What are you sulking about now?" I smile across at Gary, who i notice is pouting at me from the corner of my eye.
"I want to come with you." He mutters into Ethans thin layer of baby hair, whilst bouncing him slightly on his knee.
"You know you cant do that." I shake my head with a small smile.
"I could though, whats stopping me?"
"Well, first of all, you cant go wedding dress shopping whilst youve got a baby to lug around, its suppose to be enjoyable." I raise my eyebrows at Gary as i relay his words to him, he just narrows his eyes in response.
"Fuck you Mrs Barlow."
"Not yet." I grin, standing up and leaning over to kiss Ethan on the head first, before turning to Gary.
"You will be though, the sooner the better." He grins as he stares up at me, those piercing green eyes alight.
"Hmm." I smile casually "And i cant wait." I turn back to Ethan, "You'll be good for Daddy wont you?" He just gargles happily in response. "No messing around okay? You need to look after him, little man."
"Bitch." Gary breathes, interrupting me as i kiss Ethans little head again.
"Love you too Baby." I smirk, leaning in to kiss his lips again. "Now dont do anything stupid."
"Yes madame."
"Gary im serious!"
"I know, now go and buy a wedding dress Mrs Barlow, we'll be fine."
I take a deep breath before waving to them finally, running down the drive and hoping into Carmens silver Audi waiting at the bottom.

***

"Happy?" Enya chirps from behind me, i meet her gaze in the mirror.
"I think so..." I mutter carefully as i study the white dress in the mirror. Its very Grace Kelly, with long lace sleeves that attach to my index finger with a ring, my collar bones are left naked before the white satin starts at my bust. Its sort of fitted until it gets to just below my bum, then it lace and satin fan out. It must be the twenty ninth dress ive tried on, but i feel like a princess.
"Gary'll love it." Carmen grins, I turn round to face her with a slight smirk.
"How would you know?"
"I can just tell."
I raise my eyebrow more.
"Well, put it this way." She beams. "Its easy enough to rip off!"
I bite my lip to stop the fits of laughter in the middle of the silent bridal store, im fully aware the young looking sales assistant i more than remotely frustrated with me already.
I give the dress a quick twirl in the mirror. The back is more or less the same as the front, fitted until it gets to the small of my back and then fanning out. Its very elegant. My eyes are drawn to the small, round buttons, starting between my shoulder blades and not stopping until they reach my bum. Yeah, maybe Carmens get a point....
"What do you think then?" I turn to them, i cant even attempt to hide the grin.
"Its perfect Libby!" I think Enya is choking back tears, but im not sure. "Besides, its not everyday you get to marry Gary Barlow!"
The sales assistant to the side of us appears to choke on thin air. I turn to look at her and now she has no choice but to acknowledge the choking sound.
"So you're the lucky lady that stole his heart eh? I thought i recognised your face." She tips her hear to the side slightly, Ew shes annoyingly perfect. I just smile politely back at her.
"If you want. Oh and erm, i think i'll take this dress please."
"You're getting it?!" Carmen bursts out before anyone else can say anything. "Yes yes yes!"
I throw her a wide eyed look before following the annoyingly perfect woman back into the fitting rooms.

***

"Successful day then?" Gary grins as i crash down next to him on the sofa. Its late and Ethans finally settled down.
"Now why would i tell you?" I smirk up at him, my chin resting on his chest.
"Because im a curios fiancee." He raises his eyebrows in this sort of, 'Im the Boss' way, making me giggle.
"I know, and if i tell you ive brought a dress you'll just pester me until i tell you what its like."
"You know me too well-" Gary smiles, but im on a roll.
"But what i can tell you is that i arranged for the flowers to be dropped off at the reception venue on Monday, and we're meeting with the caterers tomorrow evening to discuss the menus and stuff."
"Okay." Gary nods back in response, a soft kind of grin spread across his face.
"What you grinning at now Barlow?" I smirk, poking him softly in the stomach, he doesnt flinch.
"Nothing," He sighs happily. "You just seem real excited about all of this."
"Thats because i am Gary." I smile up at him, leaning slightly to kiss him under the chin. "I love you."
"I love you too Libby," He breathes as he shifts on the settee, manoeuvring so he can pull he onto his lap. I go willingly of course and curl my arms around his neck, burring my nose into his shoulder as he wraps his arms around me tightly, almost restricting my breathing. Gary really does give the best hugs, i feel warmer and safer when im in his arms, my favourite place.

Im not sure how long we're sitting there, but the sound of out sons soft cries through the baby monitor distract me immediately from my peaceful thoughts.
"Ill go." My voice is a quite choke, jesus, did i nod off? When i look up at Gary his eyes are squinting slightly. Yep, we drifted off.
"No, ill do it." He smiles, standing up gently, forcing me to ,my feet at the same time.
"Youve had it all day," I whisper back, my voice laced with sleep. "I'll go." Before he has the chance to argue i turn on my heels and head up to Ethan.

Sitting down on the white armchair next to his cot i begin to feed him. It still hasnt quite sunk in, the whole thing. Only a little more than a year ago i met Gary and now, well i have a baby and im getting married in six weeks. Its madness.
"What you thinking?" Gary voice is quiet as he saunters over to me and Ethan, dropping an arm loosely around my shoulder, whilst he perches on the end of the chair as i continue to feed our baby.
"How i lucky i am," I answer with a small smile, allowing my head to drop against his abs.
"I thought that was my job." I can tell hes grinning as he twists a lock of my hair around his forefinger.
"Nope." I grin back up at him. "I get to look at you for the rest of my life." I smirk as i lift Ethan over my shoulder and gently lul him back to sleep.
"Yea," Gary bites his bottom lip slightly as he grips my waist and somehow manages sit in the chair and have me straddling his legs, Ethan still over my shoulder. "But i get to look at this." Gently he runs his hands down from my waist to my thighs, and then back up again.
"Gary." I mutter slowly, regrettable climbing off and tucking Ethan back into the cot, before i feel the head of his body behind me, his hands snaking around my waist as he plants little kisses along my shoulder blades. Bolts of electricity shoot down my spine as Garys fingers hook themselves under the front of my waist band, whilst his lips move closer to my ear.
"Come to bed, Baby..."