by Diane Marie
“My prince, your home.” Gabriella said, wrapping her arms around Joey in the front doorway.
“I am home. My lovely princess.” Joey said, taking Gabriella into his arms.
“No. I was a princess this morning. Tonight you are my prince.” “If I’m your prince, wouldn’t that mean you’re my soon to be a princess?” Joey asked, lifting up his left hand, and showing his ring tattoo as proof.
“Well. I guess so. No. You’re my prince because I’m a part of your kingdom, and tonight I will be serving you.” Gabriella said, leading Joey into the kitchen.
Joey took Gabriella’s left hand and rubbed her tattoo, reminding her that she was indeed his princess.
“Serving me what?” Joey asked, not possibly able to imagine what Gabriella had cooked for him to make him feel like a prince.
Gabriella set Joey down a plate of appetizers. “You made all this?”
“I sure did” Gabriella said, looking at the array of appetizers.
Gabriella made Joey homemade stuff mushrooms, baby stuff artichoke hearts, mozzarella sticks, and zucchini sticks. “You didn’t make all of this homemade did you?” Joey asked. “I did”
“How did you make homemade triangle mozzarella sticks, and what are these called?” Joey asked, holding up a zucchini stick. “It’s a zucchini stick. I cut breaded and fried Joey.”
“You’re amazing.” Joey said, as he then kissed her face. “Thanks.”
When Joey was done with his plate of appetizers, Gabriella set down a dish of the main course.
“What’s this?” Joey asked, feeling almost full.
“It’s eggplant rollatini.” Gabriella beamed.
“You mean that wasn’t dinner before?”
“Do princes eat one course at dinner?”
“Well.” Joey said, tasting the plate in front of him. “Yum.” “You like it?” Gabriella asked, trying it herself. 'It is good', Gabriella thought while she chewed and swallowed.
“I like you.” Joey said, after seeing Gabriella’s face of delight as she tasted the food, and knowing he didn’t have to assure her, her cooking was delicious.
When Joey's stomach was on the brink of it's belt buckle, Gabriella stayed in the kitchen to finish up the rest of the dishes while Joey went to shower. When Joey got out of the shower he lay on his stomach and told Gabriella,
“just my back please.”
“Oh you think your getting a massage?”
“I am the prince tonight.”
“You sure are.” Gabriella said, climbing ontop of Joey's butt.
Joey feel asleep throughout his back massage. Gabriella hopped off his butt, and picked up the phone to call Josephine. She wanted to check up on her friend, to see how she was doing, since they last talked. Josephine sounded upset on the phone, and informed Gabriella she still wasn’t on speaking with Jemma. No matter how hard Jemma was trying to regain their friendship back, like Gabriella, Josephine was unwilling to budge. Josephine felt even if she didn’t sleep with Vinny, she shouldn’t have left her and Sara at the bar that night. Gabriella was happy to hear, Josephine wasn’t quick to forgive Jemma. Josephine and Gabriella stayed on the phone for awhile, talking about all the bad things Jemma had done to both of them throughout the years. Josephine and Gabriella also talked about all the lies they had caught her in.
When Gabriella brought up Sara, Josephine seemed even more upset. Josephine filled Gabriella in on how Sara had been out with Jemma most nights the two last weeks, and had only gone out with her one night. Gabriella made plans with Josephine for Saturday night, wanting to be a good friend, and she also didn’t want to leave Josephine sitting home alone. Josephine requested to go out somewhere other then Mandala, because she didn’t want to run into Jemma. Gabriella was delighted by the idea.
Gabriella then took the time to call Sara, to catch up and because Gabriella wanted to discuss her side of not wanting to talk to Jemma anymore. By the end of the phone conversation, Sara agreed, it was best if Gabriella and Jemma didn’t make up right away. When the situation between Jemma and Josephine came up, Sara said she didn’t want to talk about it. Sara told Gabriella she wanted to stay out of their situation as best she could. Gabriella was able to understand, but was unsure why Sara had been picking Jemma’s side, as Josephine made it sound. Gabriella asked Sara what she was doing on Saturday night, and Sara informed she had plans with Jemma. Gabriella and Sara left their phone conversation off with making plans to go out one night next week together. Sara claimed to miss her terribly since she had been with Joey. Gabriella said she would get back to her on what night was good for her.
When Gabriella got back into her room, Joey was still asleep. Gabriella laid down next to Joey, falling asleep herself. Joey woke her up a few hours later, giving Gabriella kisses on the back of her neck, suggesting what he was in the mood for. Gabriella woke up and caved into Joey’s desire, as his kisses had felt too good to deny. When Joey and Gabriella were through making love, Joey stayed up watching Gabriella sleep in his arms. He prayed they'd always be faithful and then prayed for her safety if she was ever to cheat on him. He brushed off thoughts of her ever causing him harm, and bringing out his past rebellious side, realizing she truly did love him, straight from the start.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Over breakfast the next morning, Gabriella informed Joey she had spoken to Josephine, and Sara and she was going out with Josephine on Saturday night. Joey didn’t have too much to say about it, expect that he was coming along. Gabriella didn’t argue with him, and asked if he had spoken to Tie yet. Gabriella hadn’t heard anything about Tie since had called to congratulate Joey. Joey informed Gabriella, how he had spoken to Tie, a few days after he called to congratulate him. Gabriella was a little upset that Joey hadn’t metioned so sooner. Joey gave Gabriella Tie’s account of the night, saying Tie said Sara ditched him in the club while dancing with some guy, so he left, taking the train home. Gabriella felt bad for Tie, and then wondered if Tie would like another chance at seeing Josephine. Joey said he would ask Tie if he wanted to go out with them on Saturday night. Gabriella hoped he would so Josephine wouldn’t feel like a third wheel.
Joey left for work, wishing to still in bed with Gabriella, but happy to be taking her out with her friend on Saturday night. It wasn't his intention to take her away from her friends, though he would rather Gabriella all to himself. Joey then thought it would be nice for he and Gabriella to spend time with his friends. So Joey called Gabriella on lunch, asking if Gabriella would like to go out with Gavin, Sadie, Josh and Anna tonight as a Friday night outing. Gabriella loved the idea of going out with all of Joey’s friends as couples. Gabriella also wanted the chance to get to know all of his friends better.
At around two o’clock in the afternoon, the front door bell rang to Gabriella’s parent’s house. Gabriella answered the door to a man with a hand tuck and four boxes. Gabriella signed for the packages, taking the card that came along with them from the delivery man. Gabriella opened the card, and saw it was signed, Alice. Gabriella then opened up one of the boxes, and found it to be her china set. Joey’s mom had given them their entire china collection as their wedding gift. Gabriella was shocked over the present, and how thoughtful Joey’s mom had shown to be. Gabriella didn’t want to disturb Joey at work by calling and telling him about his mother’s gift. She feared Joey would take it as her way of making up for the lost years, and found it best to wait until he got home from work to tell him of the gift.
When Joey arrived home, he noticed the packages on the living room floor right away. Gabriella was in the kitchen heating up the left overs from the night before. Gabriella’s parents had gone out for dinner with their friends, like they had been every Friday since even before Joey moved in.
“We’re getting wedding gifts already?” Joey said, happy it was Friday and he was off from work early.
“Guess so.”
“Who are they from?” Joey asked, thinking the boxes to be multiple gifts.
&
nbsp; “It’s our whole china set from your mother.” Gabriella said, in fear of Joey’s reaction.
Joey was actually quite pleased his mother had given them such an elaborate gift. His mother had always tried contacting him to give him money, ever since he hadn’t come home when he was fifteen. Joey never let his brother give his whereabouts to his mother though. Joey knew for his mother, a gift like pleased her to give.
“Well I better call her and thank her.” Joey said, shocking Gabriella.
“Okay.” Was all Gabriella said. She didn’t want to say anything to change Joey’s mind.
Joey called his mother from the living room while he sat and looked at the boxes. Joey had a twenty minute conversation with his mother. When the lost years and the incident with his step father came up, they both concurred to let it be. Neither of them wanted to argue about their side of the story, and they both found it best to leave the past in the past. Gabriella overheard the final part of the conversation, when she came in to tell Joey the food was ready. Gabriella hadn’t expected Joey to still be on the phone with his mother, but Joey didn’t mind what Gabriella had overheard. He would have told her anything her little heart desired to know anyway. Gabriella was sure in her heart, she had a postive infulence on Joey, and the man he was proving to be, and the man he was coming to be.
Joey and Gabriella were meeting Joey’s friends at Timber Tavern at Ten. Joey was wearing his white shorts with blue stripes with his matching blue shirt. And Gabriella was wearing her purple tube top dress at Joey’s request, being Joey felt it was too nice a dress to wear only around the house. When Gabriella did a three-sixty, asking Joey if the dressed looked okay, he had second thought about her wearing it. Gabriella’s hips, backside and butt were all conforming, showing off her amazing figure. Joey wanted to undress Gabriella right away, but Gabriella wouldn’t let him because she didn’t want to be late on his friends.
A little while after they got to Timber Tavern, Gabriella was left alone by Joey with the girls, as him, Gavin and Josh went to play pool. Gabriella was the center of attention like she always was, being the girls wanted the scoop on Joey, and how he was behaving with her. Gabriella told them how romantic Joey was and how much attention he gave her. The girls acted shocked, and Gabriella got the sense she knew a different Joey then these girls did. Gabriella soon changed the subject off of her and Joey and onto just Joey, wanting the full scoop on him prior to meeting her. The girls told her, Joey was the tough guy around his friends, always barking orders, and he wasn’t too giving with his feelings, expect when it came to Gavin.
Gabriella became to feel special that Joey was so open and honest with her. Gabriella excused herself from the table to buy herself another drink, with the money Joey had given her. Joey wanted to make sure Gabriella had her own pocket money on her just in case she needed it for herself. Gabriella thought to see if Joey needed another drink, but figured he was more then capable of getting his own drink, he had after all left her all alone with girls she barley knew.
When Gabriella walked over to the bar, she had caught Joey’s eye. The way her hips moved in her tight dress caused Joey to bulge. When Joey got a look at Gabriella’s backside, he looked around, and noticed she had caught the attention of most boys in the bar. Joey grew territorial and walked to her side, leaving his cue stick for Josh to shot for him
“What are you doing?” Joey asked Gabriella, implying she was doing something wrong.
“Buying a drink?” Gabriella said, as a question.
“I meant what are you doing alone?”
“I’m not alone. You’re in the bar.” Gabriella pointed out, as Joey’s possessive side was coming out again.
“Just get your drink.”
After Gabriella got her drink, Joey walked her with his hand on her hip, and his body shielding her butt from the crowd, back to the table. Gabriella sat down at the table, and Joey sat down next to her.
Both Anna and Sadie were pleased to have Joey join them. They hadn’t seen him much since he had gotten together with Gabriella.
“Joey, so nice of you to join us.” Sadie gasped. “I haven’t seen you around the house these last few weeks.”
“Yeah. I’ve been busy.” Joey said, brushing Gabriella’s hand to show who he had been busily with.
“We can see that.” Anna said, shocked Joey was showing his care for Gabriella in front of them.
“Well you can at least make it over at some point to visit Gavin. You know he misses you terribly.” Sadie said.
“I’m with him now, aren’t I?”
“Yeah but he misses sitting on the couch with you.”
“Josh Misses’ you too.” Anna pointed out.
“Oh does he?”
“He sure does.” Anna said, though she was unsure if he really missed him, but wanted to say so anyway.
“And what does he miss about me? Does he miss my yelling at him to shut up all the time?” Joey said, laughing.
“Exactly.” Anna replied.
Josh and Gavin then came back to the table, causing a bit of commotion when then sat down.
“So you boys miss me?” Joey asked, with a grin whem the boys settled in.
“I sure do.” Gavin said, unable too hid his love.
“Aww man, I miss you too. I’ll have to come over on Sunday and sit on your couch with you.”
“Man, I’d love that. Just like old times.”
“Man, I see you at the gym all the time.” Joey pointed out. He wanted to spend Sunday alone with Gabriella.
“True. It’s still not the same as sitting on the couch.”
“I miss you too.” Josh said, patting Joey on the back. “But if I had Gabriella I wouldn’t be seeing my friends either.”
“Excuse me?” Anna said, offended.
“What?” Josh questioned.
“Whatever.”
Gabriella felt uncomfortable for a moment over Josh’s comment and Anna’s response, until Gavin quickly changed the conversation for the comfort of everyone at the table. The group had a few more drinks as the boys sat and told the girls stories from their years of friendship. When the topic came up about Joey being twenty-one going out in Mandala, Joey excused he and Gabriella from the conversation. Joey then led Gabriella to the dance floor, requesting she dance, for him. Gabriella said she didn’t want to dance, she wanted to hear more stories because she was having a good time with his friends. Joey insisted these were stories she didn’t want to hear.
“Just dance.” Joey said.
“I don’t like this song.” Gabriella protested, as Joey put his hands on her hips and moved them back and forth, trying to get her to dance.
“I do.” Joey said, as danced goofy trying to get Gabriella to dance.
When a song came on that Gabriella did like, she agreed to dancing. Joey and Gabriella danced for a while, and the rest of the group joined them on the dance floor. Anna huffed off as she noticed Josh become hypnotized by Gabriella’s dancing. “I just can’t dance next to her.” Anna said, as she stormed off.
Gabriella heard Anna's complaint and felt badly, so she joined Anna at the table. Normally, Gabriella wouldn’t have had the guts to face a situation like this, but she was tipsy from the drinks she had consumed throughout the night.
“Why can’t you dance next to me?” Gabriella asked, sitting down.
Anna didn't respond, and instead gave Gabriella a peculiar look. “Come on, come dance with me and I’ll teach you some moves.” Gabriella insisted .
Anna reluctantly went with Gabriella, wanting to be instructed how to move her body as sexily as Gabriella was able. Gabriella showed Anna, how she pushed out the right side of her pelvic to get her right hip to move, the way it does. Anna tried herself, and had performed well. Gabriella then moved the left side of her hip the same way, as Anna followed. Anna practiced moving her hips along with the beat, and began enjoying herself. Gabriella then taught Anna how to drop to the floor and shoot right back up.
At that point, Sad
ie come over wanting lessons on how to do the move as well. The boys walked off the dance floor, sitting down to watch the girls dance. Joey was pleased Gabriella was so sweet to teach her dance moves to his friends. The girls danced for a while, giggling and having fun. By the end of the night, Gabriella felt more connected to Joey’s friends, feeling they were becoming her friends too.
When Joey and Gabriella reached home, Joey took no time in getting Gabriella undressed.
“You were teasing me all night.” Joey said, after he asked Gabriella to lift her arms.
Joey took Gabriella’s tight dress from the bottom and slipped it up over her head.
“I did nothing of the sort.” Gabriella protested, as she started to undress Joey as if it were a chore.
“Oh no, parading around and dancing in this outfit wasn’t teasing?”
“You picked the outfit.”
“I sure did.” Joey said, looking down at his erection so Gabriella’s eyes would follow.
“Oh so that was your plan. Put me in a tight dress so you could gloat about being the one to take it off?”
“Yup.” Joey said, lowering Gabriella to the bed, and taking his way.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The next morning, Joey and Gabriella both had awful headaches.
“I don’t think I can make it out another night drinking.” Joey said, when Gabriella handed him a cup of coffee and two Advil’s. “Well, then I’ll go alone without you, in the same dress as last night, but only in hot pink.”
“You have that dress in hot pink?”
“I sure do.”
“Really?” Joey asked, unsure if Gabriella was just playing around. “No I really do. I loved it so much, I went out and bought two more, one in black and one in hot pink.” Gabriella said, then thinking back to how much she enjoyed shopping for clothes. “I don’t really like the way the hot pink looks. It makes me look fatter then the dark purple and black does.”