Gabriel Brown: Collection of Short Alaskan Bush People Fan Fics

The Only One

You looked at your watch and the time was 9:00am. Gabe was very late. He wasn't normally late and it surprised you and made you a little anxious.

Pulling open the front door of your house, you stuck your head out into the cool Alaska morning and breathed deeply. Maybe you should've met him on the dock instead of meeting him at your place. But it was too late for that now so you slowly shut the door and turned back into the quiet room.

The second your back was turned you heard the pounding of footsteps on your porch and you knew Gabe had finally made it. Swinging around with a big smile on your face, you yanked open the door, ready to throw your arms around his thick neck and hug all your anxieties away. But when you opened the door, it wasn't Gabe standing there, but his brother Bear. Huffing and out of breath, Bear grinned and without saying a word, he handed you a small square box and then turned and ran back down the porch steps and down the street.

"Well...that was ...interesting." You peered after him, watching as his bright red jacket flew behind him as he ran. You walked slowly back into your house and shut the door. The box in your hands was light and you almost shook it, but knowing Gabe's sense of humor, you decided against it. Who knew what might come flying out of it. Opening the box slowly, you were relieved that nothing jumped or popped or sprayed a wad of glitter in your face. Inside the box was a folded sheet of white paper. As you unfolded it, your hands shook just slightly with nervousness.

Two weeks before, on bended knee, Gabe had proposed marriage to you when you visited his family in Brown Town. He hadn't picked out a ring for you yet, but he promised that very soon he would find the perfect ring. Until then you would have to make do with the small piece of twine he had tied onto your ring finger.

"Just so everyone knows you're taken." He had smiled sheepishly. The past two weeks had been full of plans and preparations for your small wedding and your move to the land to live with the family. You thought nothing could be sweeter than the moment he asked you to be his wife and you accepted. But clearly, you underestimated him.

You took your time unfolding the small piece of paper, wanting to make the moment last as long as you could. Gabe's riddles were sweet and fun and you couldn't keep the smile from spreading over your face. The only word written on the piece of paper was; "Five."
Immediately there was a knock on the door. "tap, tap, tap, tap, tap." Whirling around to open the door, this time you were positive it was Gabe. You were rewarded by the sight of your sweet man standing shyly on your porch, his head slightly lowered.

"Hello." He rumbled in his deep voice.
"Hello, to you too sweetie!" Grabbing him around the neck you kissed him repeatedly. "smack, smack, smack, smack, smack. It was five knocks on my door, wasn't it?" You guessed easily.

"That was way too easy for you." Gabe grinned and wrapped his arms around your waist and pushed you backward into the room. "The next one won't be so easy." His lips brushed yours and your hands automatically went to his soft curly sideburns.

"So, what's my prize when I get to number one? What do I get if I win?" You didn't really care what the prize was. You just loved Gabe's games and riddles and the fun you had playing them.

"That's a surprise." Gabe grinned even harder as he pressed himself tight against you. It would have been such a wonderful, soft hug except there was something hard pressing against your chest. You didn't want to pull away, but it was driving you crazy.
"What is that in your pocket, Gabey?" You reached out for his shirt pocket.

At his tilted head, you knew already that you had found number four. Gabe stood still and let you reach into his pocket and pull out the small block of wood. You bounced the block of wood in your palm as you smiled up at Gabe and then turned it to face him. Written in black marker on the side of the block was the word 'four'.

"You're making this so easy that I don't even have to try with this game, sweetie." You gave Gabe's cheek a soft pat, your left hand slipping the wooden clue block back into his shirt pocket. He was wearing one of his plaid shirts buttoned over a black tank top. It was hard not to stare at his chest or his muscular arms but since he was going to be your husband soon, you figured you'd have plenty of time to take it all in after you were married.

"OK. Are you still hungry? Are you ready for some breakfast?" You took Gabe's hand and began leading him to the small table in your kitchen. The food was already prepared so you hoped his answer was yes. All you had left to do was set the table and serve it all up.

"Yes! Did you make pancakes?" Gabe's face lit up.
"I sure did. Just like you asked for." Pancakes weren't something he usually requested, so you had been a little surprised, but they were easy enough to make and as long as it made Gabe happy, you were happy.

"I'll set the table if you get the syrup down from the cabinet." Gabe spoke casually as he walked with the plates to the table.

Lifting up on your toes to reach the top shelf, you found the tall bottle of syrup pushed toward the back. That was odd. You didn't remember pushing the bottle back that far. As you pulled the bottle toward you, you saw the number written in black marker on the front. Three.

"Oh, come on, Gabe. You aren't even trying this time!" You turned with a laugh and showed him the syrup bottle with its markings.

"Yeah. That one was lame." He laughed. "Here. Let's trade." He reached out one hand to take the bottle and extended his other hand. Your mouth dropped open when you saw what was resting on his palm and the plastic bottle of syrup slipped from your fingers as you reached for his hand. Gabe caught the falling bottle easily and sat it on the table, giving you just enough time to burst into tears.

"Two." Gabe smiled as you looked down at the two silver rings shining up at you. One was larger than the other and obviously for Gabe. Picking up the smaller of the two rings, you saw etched into the side of your ring was a set of numbers and letters -57°52′25″N 135°46′35″W. You knew right away that those were the coordinates for Brown Town. For your new home with Gabe.

"Gabey, this is amazing." You breathed and stepped into his embrace. His lips moved inch by inch until they found yours and the heat between you was instant. You held on tightly to your new wedding ring as you fumbled with the buttons on his shirt. You wanted to feel his skin on yours and you didn't want to wait any longer. Gabe smiled as he helped you to pull off his outer shirt and then both of you erupted with laughter as you saw the number 'one' painted onto his back tank top.

"Yes, Gabey." You giggled as you began pulling his tank top over his head. "You are the best one, you are the silliest one, you are the sweetest one." You whispered. "You are the only one."