Moving Forward

Chapter 27: Chris Norway

I held Gabriel in my arms as I waited for Darrius to come over. He was so small and precious that I feared even holding him the wrong way. Seeing him only made me feel even happier along with getting my chain back. I was so pissed that I couldn't really give Harry the proper thank you because of my freaking ankle. I was waiting for Evan to get home and Darrius to show up, but right now it was me and Gabriel time.

"Hey Gabe!" I cooed, "You are so handsome and I love you."

It had been about three weeks since Evan brought him home and it was tough adjusting to a new baby. The first week was the worst because we were trying to get him on a sleeping schedule and since he was born so early, we had to watch out for any breathing complications. We had to feed him a little bit more than normal but other than that he was a quiet baby. Evan got him on a sleeping schedule that I helped with keeping up. Tonight, Evan trusted me to be alone with him and I wanted to hang out with Darrius. He said he didn't mind being around the baby and Evan didn't have an issue either as long as he washed is hands before holding him.

I continued to rock a smiling Gabriel when the doorbell ringed. I carefully walked towards the door and placed Gabriel head against my shoulder. I used one hand to slowly answer the door while cradling him tightly against me. Once fully opened, Darrius head nodded me before discovering what I was holding. I smiled excitedly as he walked through, studying the baby.

"He not asleep yet?" He asked trying to see the baby's face, "Oh yeah, Marcus is outside so don't closed the door."

"You sure seeing Gabriel is good for him," I concernedly asked, "I mean he is a manifestation of the guy he loves."

Darrius looked at me before sucking his teeth, "He said he wanted to hang out with us, so I guess he can handle it."

Just then Marcus entered the house and as soon as he saw the baby he smiled. He closed the door softly behind him before he tip-toed towards us.

"Is this Gabriel, "He asked and I nodded smiling. His smile became wider as he moved to see his face. Gabe was wide awake and from the way Marcus's eyes brighten, I could tell he had won him over.

"He is precious," He happily sighed, "Let me go wash my hand so I can hold him!"

He ran to the kitchen as Darrius and I walked to the living room. I could feel a little of Gabe's drool hit my shoulders through my shirt as we sat down. Then Darrius commented, "He is really quiet. My kind of baby."

He continued to stare at him. Holding eye contact like the baby was a science experiment. Marcus came back in ready to hold him. He sat down next to me and held his hands out.

"Okay now, he is really small," I clarified, "So be careful with his head and hold him against you a little bit."

He nodded as I passed Gabriel over. He was fussy at first until Marcus pulled him in a little closer. He smiled down at the small infant like he was his own child. Shit, he smiled harder than when he was with Evan.

"Hey Gabe," He softly cooed, "I'm Marcus and you are 10 times as cute as your father."

Gabe toothless smile always gets to me and his legs begin to kick as he looked up at him. Then Marcus glanced over at us and he raised his eyebrow, "D why are you looking at him like that?"

I turned to my best friend and saw that he was still giving him that stupid stare. Then he answered, "Because he is oddly quiet for a new baby and that is surprising to me."

"He feels secured," Marcus answered moving his thumb through Gabriel's hair, "He has two big guys looking after him and all the toys he can have. Has Caleb seen him yet?"