Gary and Libby - Take One

Chapter Eighty Four

  2 weeks later.

I wake before the alarm and nestle my head back into the pillow, the room is still dark so it must be awful early.
"Alright mate, eh, eh eh, none of that."
I hear Garys soft voice from the room next door, along with Ethans gurgled cries. Oh. Thats what woke me up. I smile myself quietly, hes so good with Ethan. Im not really sure what i had expected, but it certainly wasnt this. Its like the best thing thats ever happened to him. Making a pathetic attempt to drag myself to sit up, i continue to listen, just to be sure im not needed.

"What time is it?" I mutter into the pillow when i hear Gary pad quietly back into the room about twenty minutes later.
"Half four." Gary answers, climbing back into bed. "Sorry did i wake you up?"
"No its fine," I whisper back as i wrap my arm around his torso, nestling my head comfortably into his shoulder, in return, Gary wraps his arm around my back, his fingers curling at my hip as he pulls me closer to him.
"Go back to sleep Lib," He whispers, "Love you."
"Love you too." I murmur, half delirious with sleep as Gary plants a kiss against my temple.

                                                                      ***

"Libby i put you some toast in okay?" Gary has his back to be as i walk into the kitchen, Ethan over my shoulder.
"Im okay thanks." I walk over and plant a kiss on his bare shoulder, "I like this topless thing..." I carry on, planting a kiss on my other shoulder.
"Libby you need to eat." Gary spins around, ingoring my topless comment for the first time ever. "Here, take this, ill bring it over to you."
Rolling my eyes where i know he cant see me, i place Ethan in the moses basket on the table and turn on his lullaby, before walking back to Gary and taking the steaming cup of tea from his hands.
"Thank you." I mutter, sulking like a child. "I can look after myself you know." As soon as the words have left my mouth i regret saying them.
"Obviously not." Gary raises an eyeborw at me and i can tell hes trying to hide his irritation. "Im not stupid Libby, you havent eaten properly for the last week, we're getting married in a month, im not having you looking ill."
"Ill? Is that what you think i look like?" I ask, half joking as i try and make light of the situation.
"No, i dont." Gary turns round and growls at me. "But you will if you dont fucking eat."
Jesus! Okay.... Seriously Libby, can you not just keep your fucking mouth shut for once?!

"Alright..." I mutter quietly and pick a slice of the toast Gary has practically just thrown in front of me. "Im sorry..."
"Dont do that." Gary narrows his eyes and snarls at me, before suddenly changing his tone and cooing over Ethan.
"Do what?!" I ask, exasperated and slightly upset by his harsh tone.
"That god damn puppy dog thing. Stop it."
"Gary why are you so pissed off with me?" I mutter, i can feel the tears welling behind my eyes, but im fully aware im over tired.
"Im not pissed off with you Lib." Gary groans and stands up straight.
"Yes you are..." My voice is quiet, too quiet.
"No im not Libby!" He grabs my elbows and pulls me to my feet. "Im just concerned about you."
"You dont seem very concerned..." I mutter, looking down at my feet. Keep your fucking mouth shut Libby.

Before i can do anything else, Garys mouth is on mine, his hands on my hips as he walks me back against the kitchen work top. His tongue pressing against my lips, but this time i refuse to open them.
"Stop it Gary." I jerk my head away, but his hands remain on my waist, pinning me between him and the worktop.
"Stop what?" He breathes back.
"This." I wave my hand in the air. "This whole thing. Everytime you think im upset with you, you try and fuck me and you think that makes it all better!" I speak quietly, but sure of my point. "Its got to stop Gary okay?"
"What?" Garys eyes widen as i speak. "You mean you dont want to be with me anymore?"
"Oh jesus Gary!" I have to stiffle the hysterical laugh. "No!" Despite being annoyed with him I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss the corner of his mouth. "Why would you even say that? All I mean is that when you think I'm annoyed with you, try talking to me, instead of fucking me..." My voice trails off as I try and gage Gary's reaction.
"You're right." He sighs, dropping his forehead against my shoulder. "I'm sorry. I'm just stressed about the wedding. I want it to be perfect for you Baby..."
"It will be perfect." I mutter against his temple. "Just as long as you're there."
"You're too good for me." Gary mutters as he snakes his arms around my back, pulling me into an embrace.
"And you're knackered." I smile back, "Go back to bed Gaz, me and Ethan will be fine."
"You sure?" Gary looks up at me. Jesus he must be tired.
"Yes." I pull away from him and turn him in the direction of the stairs. "
"As long as you tuck me in." Gary calls as he drags himself off up the stairs. I can't help but smile to myself.

Once ive got Ethan settled and secure in the lounge, i pad up the stairs to Gary, after all, knowing him, if i dont go and 'tuck him in' he'll be down stairs again in five minutes.
"Hey Baby." I whisper, walking over to the lump under the duvet. I just get a muffled grunt in response. I walk over to his side of the bed and perch on the side, running my fingers through the short hairs at the back of his head.
"Are you feeling okay, Gaz?" I furrow my brow slightly.
"My back hurts." Comes the grumbled response.
"Awh baby." I cant help but smile, hes cute like this, all dependant and vulnerable.
"Can you rub my stuff on it please?" He mutters back, and i can tell he doesnt like asking for the help. Reaching over to the bedside draw, i pull out the Voltaren and unscrew the cap, before pulling back the duvet, exposing Garys bare back.
"Where does it hurt?" I ask, squeezing some cream out onto my fingers first.
"At the bottom." Gary grumbles, shoving his face into the pillow, his hands by his ears.
Quickly, i swing my leg over so im effectively straddling his bum as i drag my hands down from his shoulders to his lower back.
"Gary you're really tight...." I mutter disapprovingly as i massage his lower back. I small moan comes from the pillow and i cant work out whether hes enjoying this or whether hes in pain.
"Ow! Lib!" Gary groans as i continue to massage my fingers along his back, starting at the base of his neck and working across his shoulders.
"It doesnt hurt does it?" I ask, digging the tips of my fingers into his rock hard muscle.
"Ow! Fuck! Yes, it does!" Gary yelps and tries to pull away, put i push him back down.
"If this is going to work you're going to have to man up Barlow." I smirk, and all of a sudden im straddling his crotch.

"Who are you saying needs to man up?" Gary grins up at me, dropping his hands down to rest on my knees.
"No-one..." I chew intentionally on my bottom lip, and Gary groans in response. "Now roll back over and let me actually rub this into your lower back." I smile, tapping him on the nose with the tube of pain relief cream. Reluctantly, Gary grumbles and i lift my bum up so he can roll back over.
"You're very good to me..." He mutters as i proceed to massage the cream into the small of his back.
"Cause i love you." I reply casually, screwing the lid back onto the Voltaren and throwing it back into the draw.
"Bum up." Gary grunts, i do as he asks and he rolls back round to face me. "I love you too you know." He grins, wrapping his arms around my neck and sitting up, so our torsos are pressed together.
"I know." I smile, but before i can even finish the sentence, Garys lips are on mine once more. This time not desperate and urgent like before, but slowly and gently and at an even pace. Still with the same passion as always, but its almost like hes trying to prove some point. I close my eyes and kiss him back, slowly, gently, as i run my fingers into his hair, then back down his cheek to toy with his, ever so slightly, over grown stubble. I feel his lips curl into a smile against mine and i cease the opportunity to slip my tongue into his mouth. Gary reciprocates and runs his tongue into every corner of my mouth, kissing me at the same slow speed. Eventually, he pulls away.

"Mmm-h." I smile, resting my forehead against Garys as my fingers continue to play with his stubble.
"Im sorry." He whispers, interlocking his fingers at the base of my g=back to keep me as close to him as possible, but i cut him off.
"Dont be silly."
"I love you Libby."
"I love you too." I grin, our lips still millimetres apart. "And i cant wait to be your wife."
"Twenty six days, Baby." Gary grins back up at me, his green eyes practically alight. "Im counting down."