Perfect

I know I've been bad lately when it comes to putting up chapters. But with the stress of school (exams) and a massive case of writers block, I haven't been able to get anything done. I promise however to those loyal fans out there, that I will try to post a chapter from now on Saturday or Sunday every week. Sorry again for the delay, I hope you enjoy.

Perfect

~ Chapter 10 ~

Flashback - Gabriel's POV

Thanksgiving had been a fun event, filled with laughter stolen food and good company. Elaine and I bonded quickly; she was feisty, irritating but endearing all at the same time. She was the older sister I never had and the confidant I've always lacked. I told her all about my mother, Connor and all the nastiness that ensued after such an innocent invent as trying to comfort some one. She had cried while she listened, then when her tears dried up, anger came. Anger at all the injustices done to me, anger that I'll never let myself express or feel because I know if I did, it would consume me. It would spread through me like a disease until I would lash out at some one, any one.

Derek and I on the other hand still could not seem to come eye to eye on anything. We were like male lions circling each other, trying to find out who was more dominant. We didn't trust each other, and neither of us wanted to offer an olive branch to the other in order to create a friendship. I basically ignored him and he did the same. Except when it came to Elaine. She was the link keeping our makeshift family together. The past month had been rough on her. None of us knew when the baby was coming; we only had estimation's. We didn't know if Elaine was in any danger by having a child so young, or if the baby would have any physical or mental problems because of the lack of proper pre-natal care. Derek had done his best getting some vitamins but that didn't take away any of the stress of the unknown. That combination of stress and fear led to many arguments with Derek and I. Derek wanted to bring Elaine to a hospital but I knew she would refuse to go. She would rather die than give up her baby.

"Gabriel, are you listening to me?" Elaine's frustrated voice barked.

My head snapped up, "What?" I murmured.

"I asked you to pass me the aqua yarn." She said, shaking her slightly, "You seem like your miles away, are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, I was just thinking."

"About?"

I busied myself with the tangled mountain of yarn on my lap, trying not to show my worry, but of course Elaine would have none of that.

"If you don't stop worrying about me, you're going to have gray hair before your 15." She said smiling, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Brat."

"Give me the yarn old man," Giggling she patted the round stomach, "Even the baby agrees with me, it's kicking like crazy."

"Ha, he's probably just hungry." I said, and threw the yarn at her.

"So it's a boy huh?"

"Yep."

She twined the yarn around the needle, incorporated the vibrate color into her project. "Oh, how did if figure that out? Do you know something I don't?"

"Mmmmm, Yes." I said, momentarily distracted by the fluid movement of her hands. I grinned at her, "I know God wouldn't send us another one of you, we can only handle one, so he'll send us reinforcements, not another girl to drive us insane."

"Your not funny."

"But you love me anyway."

She huffed out a breathe of aggravation. "Actually I think it's a boy too, but I'm hoping for a girl just to spite you."

"I don't think it works that way." I picked off a piece of purple yarn hanging on my hair. "Are you almost done because this stuff is getting on my nerves."

"Yeah, Yeah, just a few more minutes."

She was making the final touches on a blanket she was knitting for the baby. She had been working on it all week with either my or Derek's help. Creating it seemed to keep her calm and it helped that we were making something in view of the future instead of focusing on what could go wrong.

"Where did you learn how do this anyway?"

She smiled, "My mom used to knit all my sweaters for me when I were growing up, we couldn't afford new ones. She would go to expensive stores and look at newest fashion and try to copy them, so we wouldn't look like we didn't belong."

"Did that work?"

She laughed bitterly, "No, I still got teased, but I never told my mom that. It seemed to be the only thing that brought her any joy. She offered to teach me, I agreed because I figured it would give us something to do together because we had no other interest in common. That time we spent together was the only time I felt close to her."

"You don't sound like you hate her."

"I don't, I resent her for not having the courage to stand up to my father. She always stood by him, never defended me even though she knew I was miserable without Derek." She frowned, her expression thoughtful, "I don't blame her for wanting a better life, but she shouldn't have tried to get it at the expense of my happiness."

She put down the knitting needles and brushed her hand across the completed blanket. The pattern was a flow of colors, starting in dark purple hues and then moving into blue tones. "This baby will know he's always loved."

"We'll make sure he does." I said softly, and then reached up to wipe the tear from her eye.

"You're going to be a great Godfather."

"I'll try my best."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Oh God." The pained filled groaned jerked awake.

"Wh-a-t, What?" I questioned Elaine, my mind still groggy.

Her response was heavy breathing. My head whipped in her direction, her chest was heaving, her hands clutching her rounded stomach.

I stumbled towards her, my heart beating rapidly, scared shitless because I knew what was happening.

"The baby?" I asked.

Elaine nodded, unable to hold back another groan.

I looked closely at her face. Her forehead was covered with perspiration, her knuckles where white from the pain.

"How long have you been having contractions?" I asked quietly.

Elaine grabbed for his hand, squeezing it while closing her eyes against the rising pain. "They started this morning, then stopped. I--oh-thought-OH God-it was a f--owww-false alarm."

"Why didn't you tell me?" I demanded. "You promised that if Derek didn't return in time with the midwife, we'd go to the hospital."

"I won't let them take my baby." She panted out.

This wasn't helping her, I knew that, but after numerous discussions on what do about the baby's birth, we had all decided getting a midwife was the best plan. Derek had found one who had knowledge and experience we were looking for and after explaining our situation to her; Mrs. Wright had agreed to keep everything secret. The only problem was getting her into the school compound. So I forged a note from Derek's parents, giving him permission to spend the weekend with his great-aunt who was visiting the city. Derek was supposed to return with her in order to give her a tour of where he was staying, but he wasn't due until later this afternoon.

"We can't stay here," I said. "We have to get you to the hospital."

Her face grew flushed as another contraction wracked her. "No-No, please, we have plenty of time, they say the first baby takes forever."

"Are you willing to risk the babies life Elaine?"

"Oh God," She groaned, her back arching.

"How close are your contractions?"

"I...don't...know..."

I carefully raised her back, trying to get her to her feet. She wobbled at first, dizzy from exhaustion, I moved her toward the door, trying to keep as much of her weight on me as I could manage, praying we had enough time to make it to the hospital. "Want to start the breathing exercises?"

"NO... my water just broke."

I felt a spurt of absolute panic as I glanced down and saw her white night gown was indeed soaked. `Oh, God, oh God, oh Fuck, I can't deliver a baby.' I whispered to myself.

"Pant, Elaine."

"Why," she screamed as another contraction overtook her.

"That's they do in the movies." I said as we inched our way into the corridor.

"This isn't a movie!" She shrieked, starting to gasp for air, "I can't, Gabriel, I can't." Her legs crumbled under her, bringing both of us to the ground.

"I can't hold it." She grimaced, and then screamed. "Oh, God!" Her nails dug into me as another contraction gripped her. "Too late. It's coming. Now," she panted.

"Now?"

"Now!"

"He can't come now, tell him to wait." I said, knowing I wasn't being rational but didn't care.

"Oh, MY, God!"

I ran back in the back in the room, grabbing blankets and pillows, my hand shaking so bad I dropped the items several times. I pushed a pillow under her head, and placed a blanket beneath her hips, remembering what I read in the birthing books I placed another pillow under her hips as well.

"I'll get help." I said, not knowing what else to do.

"No don't leave me." She cried.

Grasping her hand, I said, "We need help. I'll be back I promise, we'll get through this."

"Hur--ry."

I dashed through the corridor, tears streaking my face. `I had to get help, I had to get help.' I repeated to myself. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going and slammed into a wall, no not a wall, a person...Derek.

"What's going on?" He snarled, grabbing my harms to steady me.

"El--ai-ne, baby." I wheezed out.

Without a word he ran towards the room, fallowed by a short plump woman. Stunned I stood there, not quite believing our luck.

"I'm sorry." I heard, Elaine saying. Snapping out of my stupor I made my way to her, she needed me now.

"It's alright honey, everything's going to be alright." Derek said.

"Out of my way." Mrs. Wright said, her voice sharp and stern. "Did her water break?" Rolling up her sleeve, she raised Elaine's nightgown.

"Yes," I answered

I caught a glimpse of the babies cresting, `I'm to faint,' I warned myself just before I got lightheadedness. I sank down against the wall.

"Oh, God, here comes another one," she groaned, Derek was holding her hand, his face white.

"This is going to be an only child," she panted. "There won't be another one, I swear. God, when is he going to get here?"

"Soon," Derek answered, his voice hoarse. "I love you, honey."

"OHohhhh, I love you."

Mrs. Wright pressed Elaine's legs wider. "Push."

Elaine screamed bearing down.

"Again," She said.

Elaine screamed once more, straining.

"You're doing good hone, it's almost here. Once more."

Elaine fell back, sobbing. "I can't"

"Yes you can, come on. Now, Push." Elaine pushed, and panted. And pushed yet again.

Ten minutes later, Thomas Matthew Armstrong drew his first breath, and was placed into his father's arms and began crying right along with his parents.

"Let me see him," Elaine said, stretching her arms out.

Derek placed the baby into Elaine's arms. She counted his toes and kissed all ten of his tiny fingers. "He's perfect."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Present Day- Connor's POV

I stirred and came abruptly awake, startled by the realization that there was someone in the bed with me. I knew who was, recalled everything, but still there was that first jarring moment when consciousness adjusted to reality. This was the first time that I had awakened with a very hard, very warm man lying close beside me, one heavy arm thrown across my waist and anchoring me to the bed.

I turned my head to look at him, enchanted by the novelty of having a naked man in my bed, of having Gabriel naked in my bed. The soft morning light, filtered through a light rain, gleamed on the curve of his shoulder. I lightly cupped my hand on the ball of the joint, feeling the cool resilience of his flesh, the relaxed power of the muscle beneath my palm. He stirred at my touch, tucking me more closely into the curve of his body before lapsing with a grunt back into his morning dreams.

He radiated heat like the healthy animal he was, despite the surface coolness of his skin. I felt as warm and cozy as if the bedcovers were tucked around me, rather than lying in a tangled heap on the floor.

I smoothed my hand over his chest, delighting in the smooth warmth under my palm. I found his nipples, flat brown circles with tiny points in the middle, points that hardened when I touched them. Fascinated, I rubbed my fingertip over one of the little points and watched chills roughen his skin.

A deep rumble in his chest made me look up. He was awake, the emerald eyes heavy-lidded and sleepy. Down below, his cock twitched and stretched, prodding me in the stomach. "Like what you see?" His early morning voice was like distant thunder, rough and barely audible.

"Very much." My own voice was raspier than usual too.

He rolled over onto his back, spreading his arms and legs wide. "Then take a good look."

I grinned at him as I kissed his chin, then move down to his chest intent on exploring his body only to be interrupted by a growling noise. Startled I looked up, meeting his sheepish gaze.

"Hungry?" I asked, trying to keeping from laughing.

"Starving."

I looked at the clock. One-thirty.

"We slept through breakfast." I rolled off the bed and stood, aware of his eyes on me as he I stretched.

"I don't mind."

I glanced over at him; his eyes were focused on my ass, his gaze greedy.

"I'm sure you don't." Grinning, I walked over to him kissing him softly on those sexy lips. "Why don't you go take a shower?"

He locked his arms around waist, attempting to pull me down with him. "Want to shower with me?"

"Oh, no." I said, attempting to frown at him as I drew myself away. "We'd never get out of bed if you start that again, I've got plans for you so you better keep your strength."

"MMmmm, what kind of plans."

"You'll see," Smiling mysterious, I made my way to the door. "I'll cook breakfast. It'll be ready when you're finished."

"Okay. Thanks, honey."

Amused at how quickly he had accepted my offer to cook for him, I pulled on a pair of briefs and went into the kitchen. I usually ate simply, cereal and fruit, but a man his size would probably need more than that. I put on a pot of coffee then hauled out my seldom-used waffle iron. While it was heating I stirred up the batter from a package mix. How much would he eat? I couldn't finish three, but suspected he could put four or even five away with no trouble.

I could hear the shower running, hear him whistling. The coffee maker was hissing and popping in the manner peculiar to coffee makers. I was cooking his breakfast. The domesticity of it stunned me, and my arms dropped to my sides. I had never cooked breakfast, cooked any meal, for another person in my life.

For years, take-out meals had been the only form of meals I had ever eaten, first because Gabriel's mom couldn't cook and then later on because my dad was too busy to. When things had gotten bad with him, he'd forget to order food, or buy groceries, I'd steal his credit card and buy them for myself. It took a long time but I learned how to cook for myself, because I couldn't depend on my dad to take care of me.

Shaking away my old bad memories, I focused on what I was feeling now, safe, secure, and hopeful. After years of ciaos with dad, I'd wanted nothing more than to be left in peace. I surrounded myself with only the people I could trust, and refuse to let anyone other than Hunter and Dad get close to me. I never thought I would want that peace disrupted. Now, there was a man in my shower. Not just any man, but Gabriel McNeil: rough, frighteningly intense, sexy- a man who hardly ever let his guard down. He gave himself to me in away I'd never expected, given the hostility of our first encounters.

I heard the shower cut off, then water running in the basin as he shaved. I finished the preparations for breakfast: a dusting of powdered sugar on the waffles, fresh strawberries, and syrup that I had heated in the microwave. I was pouring the coffee when he came into the kitchen. He wore only his jeans, and I went week in the knees at the sight of the board, muscular chest. His hair was damp, pulled back in a low ponytail, and his face was freshly scraped. I inhaled deeply, drawing in his moist, soapy, slightly musky male scent.

He smiled when he saw the meal awaiting him. "Waffles," he said appreciatively. "I was expecting cereal."

I laughed. "That's what I usually eat."

"I usually grab a doughnut, or a fast-food biscuit." He sat down and began eating with obvious relish. "I could get used to this."

"Do you cook at all?"

"Of course, I'm really good with a barbeque and steak. I'm always busy so, I usually eat on the run."

I sat down to eat, and just finished my second waffle when I felt his gaze on me.

"What?" Self-consciously I licked my lips, thinking sugar or syrup covered the sides of my mouth.

"You're lips are swollen." He told me.

I touched my mouth. "Sorry."

"Do not tell me you're sorry about anything again. I love the way your lips look. I did that to them."

"And you're glad?"

"Yep, very male reaction, possessiveness. Primal."

"Ah."

"Come here."

I stood up and walked over to him, he pulled me down onto his lap. "I like you here." He said, patting my butt softly.

He continued eating; stopping now and again to feed me a few bites and quick kisses in between. Content I lay my head onto his shoulder.

"What did you want to do today?" He asked.

"I wasn't planning on leaving the house." I said, grinding my butt into his groin suggestively.

He groaned. "I have to get home."

"Why?"

"I need to talk to Elaine, set the schedule for next week and make sure I'll have everything we need for the upcoming jobs."

"Oh." I said, trying not to be disappointed, an unruly curl dropped in front of my eyes, I pushed it back only to have it fall right back in place.

Gabriel laughed. "I love the way you do that."

"You do?"

"Mmm. It doesn't accomplish a thing."

I bit my lip.

"Your hair is really something."

"A mess."

"Sexy as hell."

"I have to get it cut."

"Don't."

"Why?"

"I've always liked to play with the curls." He twirled his fingers around one to demonstrate.

"I think one long haired man in this relationship is enough."

He nuzzled my chest. "Come with me."

"Where?" I murmured.

"Home."

"I have a lecture tomorrow."

He ran his over my back, "Bring your stuff with you."

"You sure?"

"Yeah." He kissed my lips softly and we sat together quietly, reveling in this peaceful calm moment.

He looked at the clock, and took one last sip of coffee. "I have to get going honey or I'll never get any work done. Why don't you give me a few hours to finish work then come over?"

"Alright."

He drew me off his lap and went towards the bedroom to finish dressing, and I began clearing the table. I felt giddy. He wanted me to spend another night with him.

I wondered how he usually conducted his affairs. Was he satisfied with spending a night together every now and then, maybe just the weekends? Or would he come by every night, spend time with me, make love, and then go home to his own house? I didn't know what to expect. Despite his kindness, his tenderness, even his passion, despite the fact tat I had fallen headlong in love with him; I was aware that I really didn't know him. I knew the Gabriel I grew up with, not this man. He was an enigma, a man with secrets I really hoped someday he would trust me enough to share.

He was shrugging into his shirt as he came out of the bedroom. "I was going to clean up the kitchen," he said frowning. "You cooked, you don't clean."

I laughed, "I'll let you do it next time."

"Deal." He bent down to kiss me. "Bye, honey. I'll seen you in a couple of hours."

I put my hands on his chest and leaned in for another kiss. "Bye." I breathed out.

He put his arms around me and pulled me close, forcing my hips against his. His mouth settled on mine for a kiss so hard and hungry that I went limp in his arms, shivering with delight. His hands sought my butt, gripping my cheeks tightly in his hands. He forced me back against the cabinets and swiftly lifted me up onto the counter, pushing his hips between my spread thighs.

He tore his mouth away with a groan. "God Almightily. We can't do this." Sweat glistened on his forehead, and his eyes had that heavy-lidded, intent look that nearly made me beg him to stay.

"Go," I said. "Now."

He stepped back, wincing as he reached down to adjust himself. "I'll probably be upstairs when you come over. Gimme your key chain."

I jumped off the countertop and hurried over to where my jacket lay on the couch. After fishing out my keys I handed them to him.

He took at key off his key chain and slipped it onto mine. "Let yourself in." He started to reach for me, for another kiss, but caught himself in time. "Later," he said, winking at me, and headed for the door.

When he was gone, I collapsed on the couch and tried to take to stock of my life. I was wary, even frightened, of what was happening, but nothing on earth could have stopped me from plugging into the experience. For the first time in my life, I was in love, and I was wonderful.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Gabriel's POV

I sat in my car for about fifteen minutes before I could actually start functioning enough to drive again. I didn't want to leave. I wanted to stay with him so bad. I wasn't kidding when I told Connor I was feeling possessive because I was. I wanted to mark him. I wanted to mark him so that the whole world would know he was mine and no one could take him from me. I wanted to move him into my house and keep him there, making love to him until my scent was forever imbedded on him. Some might call that strange but I didn't care. I've waited my entire life for this man and I didn't want to waste a moment in time away from him.

I would have asked him to move in with me right away but I couldn't find my nerve. He had just bought his condo and we had agreed to take this relationship slow. Rationality didn't keep me from wanting it though. Tonight he would be mine again, I would take him in my bed, wake up with his breath on my face again, his hands on my body. I couldn't wait...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Connor's POV

There wasn't a helluva lot I could pack for this one night sleep over, just the essential change of clothes and toothbrush, my bookbag and laptop. After an hour and half I was getting restless, wanting to head over to Gabriel's but knew that it was way too early and he needed time to finish his work.

`Hunter,' his name popped into my head as I reached for the phone. He was probably at home fuming that I hadn't called to tell him how the date went.

"Awww, so you're not dead." He said sarcastically, before I could even say `hello.'

"Nope." I said, oblivious to his bad mood.

"You sound positively cheerful this morning, I take it everything went well."

"Yeah." I said, smiling.

I guess he heard the dreamy quality in my voice, because he said, "You Slut! On the first date."

I blushed. "Asshole."

"You did, didn't you?"

"None of your business."

He laughed. "You did and if you're just waking up, it was hot."

"Shut up."

He ignored me and continued on. "I hope you not walking like a cowboy."

"I just called to let you know I won't be home tonight so call my cell if you need anything." I grumbled.

"Ohh, you going for round two or maybe is fiv -." I hung up the phone before he could finish his sentence, shaking my head with amusement.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I took longer in the shower than I usually did and even took care dressing; even tough I only ended up wearing a blue t-shirt and jeans. I was trying to buy more time. Deciding there was no point in waiting any longer I headed towards the door, if Gabriel was still busy I would find some thing to do at his house.

I had just opened the door when the phone rang. Figuring it was Hunter; I walked over and picked it up.

"Hello?"

There was no sound on the other end of the line except for heavy breathing. "Hello? Hunter is this you? You're not funny." I growled and replaced the receiver in its slot.

The phone rang again, and I cursed Hunter and his immaturity. "Hello?" I demanded.

Silence.

"Real mature Hunter, I'm going to tell your mom you making obscene phone calls."

Again there was nothing, just a continuation of more heavy breathing and the sound of a something squeaking, maybe a chair.

I slammed down the phone and grabbed my stuff, heading out the door, thinking about ways I could exact my revenge on my childish best friend.

In less than five minutes I was in my car. I backed out of the driveway and shifted the gear lever to Drive. The engine purred as I gave it the gas.

I reached the side road and stopped, waiting for an oncoming car to pass. My brakes felt mushy when I applied, and I frowned, experimentally pumping the pedal again. This time it felt fine. Perhaps the level of brake fluid was low, though I kept the car well maintained. I made a mental note to stop at a service station and have it checked.

I turned right, traveling toward the highway. My thoughts drifted towards Gabriel, his tattoo specifically. I hadn't paid much attention to it, but I wondered what the eagle represented, I would ask him about it later.

A hundred yards down the street was a stop sign, where the street intersected with a busy four-lane. I put on the brakes, and the pedal went right to the floor. I sailed through the stop sign and straight into four lanes of traffic.

Alarm shot through me. I pumped the pedal again, but there was no response. If anything, the car seemed to pick up speed. Just after I went past the stop sign, as a last-ditch effort, I stomped on the emergency brake pedal, and the car went into a hard spin, tires screaming and smoking, as I shot into the intersection. My seat belt snapped tight, jerking me back against the seat. I tried to get control of the spin, but an oncoming car, its own tires screaming as it tried to stop, clipped my right rear bumper and added to the momentum. In the spilt second I was facing traffic, I saw a red pickup coming right at me, then there was a hard jolt as my car hit the concrete bumper median and jumped it, backward, before slewing sideways across the grass and into the other tow lanes of traffic.

Terror-stricken, I glanced to the right and, through the passenger window, saw a woman's face frozen in horror, and time itself seemed to freeze, too, in the instant before the impact. An enormous shock wave hit me like a body slam, and the world went black.

To be continued...