Conception: Callie Douglas - Book Six

Chapter Eighteen

The alarm woke me up at ten o'clock. I was still wrapped around Gabe, holding him tightly as if he were a security blanket. Gabe rolled over and turned off the alarm, quickly returning to cuddle me as I whimpered in protest. "If we're going to have the house looking good by the time that Ethan and his family arrive, we need to get the day started, darlin'."

"Okay", I mumbled. "You stayed with me this morning."

"After the number of nightmares that you had last night, I was a little tired. Besides, you had me in a Vulcan grip and I couldn't get loose."

"I had nightmares last night?"

"You did. I eased you back into sleep before they woke you up."

"I don't remember."

"That's the way I wanted it."

"I'm sorry for keeping you awake."

"I don't mind. It meant that I was able to appreciate a cuddle this morning. When you had me in your Vulcan grip", he teased.

"You know the trick to getting loose, don't you?" I asked with a smile.

"Ask you whether you want to work out with me?"

"That, too. I was thinking that you would make me coffee, though."

"I've found that telling you I need to go to the bathroom also works remarkably well."

"It would. I don't like sleeping in a wet bed."

"Have you ever slept in a wet bed?"

"Not since I was about three. But I still remember clearly that I didn't like it."

Gabe laughed and kissed the top of my head. "Seriously, I was just glad that you reached out in your sleep for me. How is your headache?"

"It's still pretty bad, but I think some Tylenol might actually take it away today rather than just dulling it down. I'm sorry about last night. I'm scared, and I can't get past the fear. I feel so out of control a lot of the time, and I just want to scream and hit out at something. I'm struggling and I'm mad at myself for struggling. And I'm warning you now. You'll get caught in the crossfire. It's not your fault and it's not fair, but you'll get caught in the crossfire anyway."

"I have an idea. When I was a SEAL, things would happen – friends would be hurt or missions would blow up – and I would have trouble dealing with things. I would work out to relieve the tension. Now I know you aren't a workout person and I know it would have to be a light workout, but stretching could make you feel better. More in control of your body. And if you feel up to it, smacking the heavy bag around could make you feel better. Even practicing your self-defence on me and smacking me around will make you feel better. How about we have some coffee and you can make Sophia's birthday cake, then eat breakfast and do our cleaning. When that is finished, we can work out for an hour or so and then have a shower and finish getting ready for the day. I think you'll be glad you have that workout and, if it doesn't make you feel better, we don't ever have to do it again."

I smiled. "If I go into your exercise room, does this mean that I'll get to know the location of your secret stash of chocolate bars?"

Gabe laughed. "I'll take the chance that you'll figure it out. Besides, I can always move them if you start to help yourself. I can always take them to work and stash them under my desk."

"You aren't very good at keeping secrets from me, are you?"

"From you? Never. From everyone else? Yes."

"Good to know."

While I made the coffee and the cake, Gabe ran around with a feather duster and dusted the house. While the cake was baking, we ate breakfast and, while I did the dishes and cleaned the bathrooms, Gabe vacuumed the house and washed the floors. We were done cleaning the whole house by one and I was feeling pretty good about things. The house shone and I was proud to show it off.