The Clinch

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

Being practically banned from the gym - okay, well, not technically banned but restricted on how long I can spend there - and doing nothing but work has been the most mind numbing hell of my life. I upped my hours at the hardware store to fill up my time so that I didn't die of boredom, and although the extra money in my pay check is nice, I've also experiencing Gabriel withdrawl.

With the baby coming, he's also picked up more hours in anticipation of the baby's arrival and all the costs baby face is going to bring. And by the time he's back from the hospital after a shift, or sometimes after a double, he's too tired to really want to do much.

I give a sigh as I toss the remote back down onto the coffee table and recline on the sofa. It's Saturday and so far all I've been doing with my day is watching back to back episodes of 'Say yes to the dress'. As depressing as it may be to watch bridal shows, I'm secretly taking notes for when it comes to my wedding day, as I'm under no illusion now that I'll go without one. The way everyone see's it; I am marrying Gabriel whether I like it or not. It's of little to no consequence that I'm actually going to like it, very much.

"What was that dramatic sigh about?" Gabriel asks as he comes strolling into the living room freshly roused from sleep, tousled hair and all. He looks curiously between me and the television, before punting down in the seat next to me and dragging me into his side. I'm so happy that his housemate Danny isn't here; it would make hugs like these very awkward.

"Nothing." I grouse, stretching out against him and tucking my face into his shirt. "Nothing whatsoever."

"Right" he agrees knowingly with a roll of his eyes "I know what this is. This is some of that reverse psychology woman bullshit; where you say nothing but you actually mean something. So spill, or I'll have to tickle you to death."

A giggle erupts from me as his fingers trickle down my sensetive sides. "Alright! I'll tell you, just don't tickle me or I might pee myself! Baby bladder, ya know?"

He scrunches up his face in distaste. "No, I don't know, and no offence babe, but I don't really wanna."

I cock a brow in challenge. "Oh? You think so? Well you listen here mister, you put this baby in me which makes you half responsible for everything trippy that's happening with my body right now! If I want to tell you all about my body problems, you're gonna damn well listen."

Gabriel chuckles at my sudden sass and kisses the tip of my nose. "Okay princess, you vent, I'll listen with eager ears."

Okay, so maybe I don't want to tell him all about my bodies malfunctions at the moment, but it doesn't mean it's not happening. "Lucky for you I'm a modest person. But I have got an issue and I'm going to be point blank about it and just say it straight out; I'm bored." 

He gasps and rolls his eyes in mock confusion. "No shit?" 

I swat at him. "Hey, you love me for my honesty. And I don't appreciate the sarcasm Lancaster!"

Pulling me to my feet, Gabriel grabs the remote and flicks off the television. "You're right; I do love your honesty. And I know you've been bored because we've both been busy and tired recently because of work, which is why I've booked us something fun to do today. So whilst you go and hit up the shower, I'll get to making breakfast."

With a swat to my butt - which makes my cheeks flame in indignation - Gabriel dodges out of the way before I can seek revenge and skips off into the kitchen to get breakfast started whilst I get to making myself not look half dead.

----------------------------------------

"A molecular gastronomy cooking class?!?" I squeal in delight as we stand in the funkily decorate reception of the cooking school and the woman hands us aprons and bandana's to put on.

Gabriel bites his lip in hesitation, before turning to me with a nervous smile. "What do you think?"

I harrumph and throw my arms about his neck, almost knocking the items from his hands. "I think this is awesome. God I love you Gabriel; best date, ever! A couples cooking class? That's so damn romantic!"

He blushes at the mention of romance and pushes me gently in the direction that the reception pointed us in. "C'mon. I'm looking forward to getting my science on. You know I'm going to put you to shame; my cooking skills, combined with my science skills... You better watch your back, princess."

Cocking my brow in amusement, I hip check him out of my way and sashay through the double doors that lead to our class. "Oh yeah. Well challenge accepted Gabriel!"

As it turns out Molecular Gastronomy is a difficult science that involves a long patience and many attempts to get correctly. After several goes we successfully construct a coffee lasagna and milk foam dish and some bell pepper bubbles. We even have a go at making alcoholic drinks where the drink layers and sparkles and what not.

"Uh-uh princess, not so fast." Of course my alcohol is confiscated before I can sample some, and as Gabriel swallows my gelled Mojito bubble the rest of the class erupts into laughter. I grumble and mock scowl at him before swiping up his desert and eating it before he can. Payback is a bitch.