Gabriel Brown: Collection of Short Alaskan Bush People Fan Fics

Family

***Trigger Warning***

When Gabe came to pick you up for your date he had no idea what he was walking into. You sat stiffly in the chair on your front porch. You didn't want to be in the house any longer. It felt too close and there were too many reminders.

"Hi Sweetie. Am I late?"
Gabe frowned a little at seeing you sitting outside on the porch. He never wore a watch and you could tell that he was thinking he had kept you waiting for your date. He was such a sweet man and you hated to unload your news on him. But there was no way you could keep this from him. You had been dating only a few weeks and were just starting to get close. For this to happen now, you didn't know what it would do to your relationship. And it was still so early in the relationship that you weren't really sure what you wanted from it. Or from Gabe.

He climbed the last few steps to your porch and leaned down to give you a gentle kiss. You smiled weakly and you knew he was getting concerned about you by the way he was looking at you. But you were having a hard time focusing and the words just wouldn't come.
Gabe pulled up a chair and sat down beside you, taking your hand in his large one. He couldn't have known what was going on with you and it wasn't like him to pry. He was always so gentle with your feelings as well as your body. And he would wait as long as you needed to wait and he would be content for you to share only what you wanted to share.

"Do you want to talk about it?" There was no question in his mind that there was something going on with you. He kept his blue eyes fastened on yours and his hand held yours firmly but not so tight so that if you needed to pull away, you could.
"How's your family?" You said suddenly, not looking at him.
"They're all doing great." He gave you a small grin. "Mom said to tell you hello and that she'd like you to come back and visit again soon. Bam said he's ready to get back at you for teasing him the last time you were there. And Bear is still running through the woods! They're all fine."
He squeezed your hand lightly and then impulsively brought it to his lips for a quick kiss. At that unexpected warmth, a small sob escaped your lip and Gabe immediately dropped to his knees in front of you, capturing both your hands with his.
"What is it? Please tell me." He begged as his eyes searched your face for an answer or an indication of what might have happened.

You finally focused your gaze on Gabe's expectant face, seeing the lines of worry etching his brow. He was so kind and you wanted to be able to share everything with him. But you felt like it was too soon and how could you burden him with this?
"Please."
He begged again and when he lifted your hands again to his lips, your grief broke apart within you and you sagged in the chair, sobbing. Gabe didn't ask you to stop crying or try to get you to talk at all. He simply stood up and lifting you in his arms, he carried you into your apartment.
Sitting you gently on the small couch, Gabe pulled your legs over his and wrapped his arms around your shoulders and held you. Your shoulders shook and your tears fell on his black leather jacket as he kissed your forehead and rocked you gently in his arms. He let you cry until you felt there were no more tears left to shed and until your body was weak with exhaustion. But still, he waited for you to speak.

Finally, you pulled away, wiping your eyes with your fingers. Gabe immediately produced a clean bandana and you gratefully used it to wipe your eyes and nose.
"Do you want it back?" You attempted a weak smile.
"No. You keep it." Gabe's grin reached all the way into your soul. He was so sweet. You had waited so long to meet a man as kind and generous and 'real' as Gabe. You hated to drag him into your grief so soon in the relationship, but as you looked into his eyes you saw such a hopeful waiting there and you remembered him begging you to please share this with him. You cleared your throat.

"My mom, brother and sister were killed in a car accident back home today." You blinked as fresh tears came to your eyes and it surprised you because you thought you were all cried out. As you focused again on Gabe's face, you saw the tears standing in his eyes and as he mouthed the words, "I'm so sorry." He pulled you back to him and held you until your tears stopped again.

Gabe didn't ask any more questions and you were so grateful that he was the kind of man who didn't have to know all the details and try to get all the information so that he could fix the situation for you. He just held you and showed you that you weren't alone. And that whenever you were ready to share more, he would be ready to listen.
"Thank you." You whispered in his ear, feeling his soft sideburns rub along your cheek.
"Is there anything I can do for you? Is there anything you need?"

You held Gabe tightly as you thought about your family and all you had lost. Looking into his eyes your mind turned to the place that over the last few weeks had become a sanctuary for you.
"Yes." You wiped your eyes and felt the first stirrings of a smile. "Can we spend the evening with your family?" At Gabe's eager nod, you continued. "I want to fight with Bam and run with Bear and sit quietly and be loved by your mom."

Even though he had just gotten into town and it was an hour boat ride back to Brown Town, Gabe immediately stood up, took your hand and led you out of the door, smiling. "Let's go."