Until Her...

Chapter Fifty-Eight

I wake up to the sound of buzzing and realise it's light outside, I must have fallen asleep in front of the television last night. I search for my phone, hoping to catch it before it goes to voicemail. Gabriel face flashes on the screen, "Gabriel" I say excitedly.
"Hey baby, sorry I've not called the last few days" his voice is distant, like he's in a car.
"That's okay, you've been busy. How is home?"
"Home's great, it's been really nice seeing everyone" he fills me in on everything that he's been doing.
"What are you doing?" he asks.
"I'm hanging out in the apartment"
"How's it been on your own? You're not too lonely are you?"
"Works been keeping me pretty busy so" I tell him. I don't tell him I'm lonely because I don't want him to feel guilty. "I did some shopping and got more paintings done for senior studio"
"And work?" he wonders.
I catch him up on all the progress of his event, "We've only got one person left to RSVP, but there's still a few bits we need to do in the next couple months"
"Who is it?"
"A Miss Rodriguez" I tell him. But there's silence on his end of the phone. Maybe the signals dropped or something.
"Gabriel?"
"Yeah, I'm still here" he says, more tension in his voice.
"Is everything okay?" I ask him concerned.
"Yeah I just miss you" his voice is thick.
"I miss you too. Just over a week left" I remind him. Grateful that the days are going by quicker than I thought they would. If they went any slower I'd go insane.
"I found your present" he tells me. I've been waiting for him to find it.
"You did. I hope you didn't open it yet, it's for Christmas Day" I remind him, even though there's a big note stating so.
"I haven't. That's why I'm calling. I got you a little surprise too"
"I thought we weren't doing presents" I say annoyed.
"Clearly neither of us meant it" he laughs down the phone, god it makes me miss him more, "It's waiting outside for you"
"Outside? Now?" I ask confused.
"Yeah, it's being delivered to you. It should be there now actually" he informs me.
I pull my boots and jacket on and ask, "What is it?"
"It wouldn't be much of a surprise if I told you would it" he notifies. I roll my eyes, knowing full well that he can't see me do it. The snow's a lot thicker than it was yesterday as I step outside. I look around for a delivery van of sorts or someone carrying a parcel.
"What is it that I'm looking for?" I ask, confused as to why they wouldn't deliver it to the door.
"Wait, you'll see it"
I continue looking into the cold, wet, and busy street but there's no package or delivery person. Has he got the right time? He definitely sent it to the apartment right? Then across the road something familiar catches my eye. Gabriel's car, but I thought he drove it to the airport. And right when I think I'm seeing things, there he is, standing there holding a big bouquet of flowers, his face full excitement as he smiles at me. I run and practically tackle him to the ground when our bodies collide. He lifts me up and spins me around as I hold on tightly to him. I didn't realise how badly I missed him until I saw him just now.
"Oh my god, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be with your family" my voice full of surprise and excitement. I'm so happy I could cry, in fact I think I am crying.
"As if I'd let my girl spend Christmas on her own" he says so matter of factly, planting a soft kiss on my lips. "You surprised?"
"Yes, completely...You were the last thing I expected" I say taking him in and giving him a ton of kisses. They turn passionate and longing, to make up for all of the kisses we've missed during our time away.
"What about Briana?" I say worrying for his little sister. I know how excited she was to have him home. I've missed him and it's only been a week, I can't imagine how she feels after five months.
"She was fine with it. I told her that you were going to be all alone for the holiday, Bee practically packed my bags for me. She really wants to meet you by the way" he tells me. What has he told her about me? Will she like me?
I ignore that commute and wrapping my arms around his neck bringing me closer to him, "I'm so happy you're here"
"I missed you so much" he whispers into my ear as he holds me. It's only been a couple weeks but it feels like forever since I've seen him. It's so strange to go from spending every day with someone to not at all, I don't want to feel that way again.
"Were your parent's mad?" I feel like I'm asking a million questions, but my shock of seeing him still hasn't worn off.
"A little...don't worry I'll make it up to them" He tells me. I don't want to give them a reason not to like me.
"Lets go upstairs. It's freezing and you're practically naked out here" he says eyeing me up. My coat has opened up and my t-shirt and tiny shorts are exposed. But I don't care, because he's here with me. Gabriel pulls my coat tighter so I'm covered and I delight in how protective he is of my body, that he doesn't want anyone else to see it but him. He reaches into his car and grabs his large bag and we head back into his apartment.
"How long have you had this planned?" I ask him. Curious if it was a spontaneous thing.
"Weeks, I always planned on coming back before Christmas"
"So you let me mope around for weeks thinking that I'd be on my own" I complain.
"It made the surprise much better didn't it" he says with a boyish grin as he wraps his arm around me.
"Yeah it did" I smile up at him.
"It was killing me not to tell you. I almost caved when I left, but I didn't want to spoil the fun" he tells me once we get inside the apartment. As soon as the door is shut I jump up wrapping my legs around his waist, planting little kisses all over him.
"I missed you"
"I missed you baby. Now you should go get dressed because we're going out" he tells me carrying me into his bedroom.
"What?"
"Go get ready. We need to leave soon" he tells me, planting a deep kiss  on my lips before leaving the room so I can get ready. I can't help but feel nervous, but its an excited nervous.