His Only Savior | #Wattys2019

~21~

As I tossed the last of our bags into the jeep I called out, "Dad, can you help me load the ice chest?"

Coming into the garage a grin was spread across his face revealing his white teeth against his olive complexion. "Sure, where do you want it?"

"Just right in the back," I pointed to the only free space available.

"Right," he laughed. "Does Isaac know yet?"

"No, I figured I would let him sleep in and surprise him when he wakes up." We leaned down together before yanking the heavy chest up off the ground and into the vehicle. "He used to take trips with his mom there and said they just always helped him clear his head. After yesterday I think he could really use it." I walked over to hug him, "Thank you for helping me pack and for helping pay for the vacation home."

"You have just shy of two weeks together, so spend it together. Focus on you guys and nothing else." He kissed my forehead as he swayed us back and forth, causing a bashful giggle to pass my lips. Gabriel was the dad I deserved, and it was moments like this that made me realize just how thankful I was for him. "I love you Em."

"I love you daddy." I squeezed him tighter before letting him go. I heard a car pull into the driveway and the engine shut off. "Matt must be here." I walked out of the garage and out to greet him, "Hey Matt."

"Hey sweetheart." My dad soon stood beside me, "and hello to you too Gabriel."

"Hi, how have you been?"

"Okay, hanging in there. Excited to see my son."

"I bet. Em here has a killer meal prepared inside," he said while placing a firm grip on my shoulder. "Well I should get going. Drive safe, okay?" He pulled me in for a hug, his hand running up and down my back in a comforting manner.

"I will. I also promise to text you as soon as we get there." I waved goodbye before looping my arm with Matt's and leading him inside. "I will get Isaac up while you start serving yourself."

"Sounds good," he smiled clearly thrilled at the mention of Isaac.

When I walked into our room, I found Isaac just beginning to wake up. "Well good morning sleepy head. Time to get up, your dad's here for brunch and then we have to leave."

"Leave where?" His voice grumbled in annoyance. "I thought we were just going to spend two weeks in bed together."

My cheeks flushed at the thoughts his statement conjured. "We can but we can do that in Sea Ranch."

"Sea Ranch?"

"I rented a vacation home there, like your mom used to do. Is that okay?" I was suddenly nervous and felt like I should have maybe included him in this decision.

"It's perfect. Wherever you are is perfect," he grinned at me before pulling himself up. "I've gotta pack."

"Nope, already done. Just get dressed, let's have a nice meal with your dad and then hit the road." I walked over and kissed him tenderly, "Now hurry up. I'll meet you out there." When I entered the kitchen, Matt was already digging into his plate of food. I chuckled at the sight, it looked like he hadn't had a decent meal in a very long time. "I think you and I need to eat together more often, you act like you're starving."

"Frozen dinners only leave a man so content," he chuckled as his cheeks turned a bright shade of red.

"Well we are going to have to change that," I said as I served Isaac a plate. "You are going to have to come over a few times a week for dinner and we should do breakfast on the weekends." I smiled as I set the plate in front of Isaac's chair. As I began serving myself a plate he finally emerged from our bedroom.