by Diane Marie
“It would be my pleasure to have you right here and right now.”
Gabriella was so taken back by Joey’s affectionate words, she caved into Joey’s demand. When Joey and Gabriella were done, Gabriella immediately started to get dressed. Joey reluctantly got dressed as well and then lead Gabriella out of the dinning room, through the hallway where the second entrance to the kitchen was, and a bit more down the opened hallway and into their open living room.
Gabriella had to take a step down, realizing the living room took a step down, the same the family room had. Gabriella realized the living room took up the whole back half of the left side of the house. The Living room ranged from the back left side of the house passed the back wall of the dinning room, and then on the far right had an entrance back to the family room. The windowing of the living room had an entrance to a stone patio outside. Gabriella guessed the doors leading outside from the family room led to the same patio. The whole back wall of the living room was made of glass. There was the glass double door leading outside, a window on the left side, and two windows on the right side. Gabriella gasped at her furniture, noting Joey had placed everything right where she would have requested. Gabriella started to tell Joey where she was going to place all of her knickknacks. Joey silenced Gabriella by putting his finger over his lips and quieting her. Joey then lead Gabrielle through the entrance that led from the living room, and into the family room. There was no step to go down this time, as she had already stepped down when she walked into the living room. The doorway between the living room and family room had an oval shape top as all the entrances had before.
Joey lead Gabriella into the family room, back through the sitting room and up the stairs. When Gabriella reached the top of the stairs, there were two doors to the back of her and four to the front. Joey showed her the bedrooms on the left side of the house first. Joey lead Gabriella into an oversized bedroom toward the front, that had a glass door to the balcony she had seen outside. Joey then showed her the bathroom that accompanied the bedroom.
The next bedroom’s door, was across and to the left. Gabriella walked in, and saw a smaller bedroom, about the size of her bedroom at home. The next bedroom on that side had its door just to the left of the steps so it couldn’t be seen at the bottom of the stairs. The bedroom went off to the right when you walked in, and was in equal sized to the last bedroom. The next door that came was to the right of the stairs, was the bathroom, for the three bedrooms of the backside of the house to share. Gabriella noticed the bathroom had a hot tub in it, and also a shower. The bathroom was gorgeous, and Gabriella paid detail to the work Joey had put into designing it. The last bedroom, on the backside of the house was the bedroom that held furniture for the nursery. The room was the same size as the rest of the other three bedrooms. Joey noted they would move their children down one room and then to the opposite side as they had more children. Gabriella didn’t fuss too much over the nursery, considering she wasn’t pregnant and didn’t see the need for baby furniture just yet.
The bedroom on the other side off the hall, also had a balcony had a similar bathroom as the other on that side, but in a different color, and the bathrooms shared a wall.
When Gabriella came out of the last bedroom on that floor, she noticed the top of the spiral staircase leading upstairs from the family room, at the end right wall in the huge hallway, holding all the bedroom doors. Gabriella saw the steps leading up to the master bedroom on the backside of the hallway. Gabriella had gathered that this was going to be the master bedroom as the two bedrooms with bathrooms mirrored each other.
Joey lead Gabriella up stone steps, same in color stone as the outsdie tower itself, the stairs grew wider with each step as they led up,twisting right, and conforming with the tower. The top of the steps let off to the right, and Gabriella was now in her and Joey’s bedroom.
The bedroom was huge. There was a sitting area in the front of the house, overlooking the front lawn. Gabriella had noticed a window placed in the middle of the tower from the outside. Gabriella looked out the window as Joey confirmed she was standing in a sitting area.
Their bedroom furniture was already in the room and Gabriella noticed that the bedspread she picked out was there also. Joey then lead Gabriella to the far back wall that ran parallel to the backside of the house, there was a window on the left side, and another staircase behind the back wall. The bottom step coming down was bigger then the rest, leading off left into the master bedroom on the way down. Going up the staircase, the stairs got smaller as they circled toward the right again. Midway up the steps was a platform with a door. Joey lead Gabriella through the open doorway, and she was in a big empty room with two doors. Joey informed Gabriella, over where the lights were would be placed her vanity set. One wall was lined completelty with mirrors, and there were two doors in the room.
Joey opened the first door for Gabriella and she walked into an eight by four foot closet. Joey then opened the second door to the master bathroom, and Gabriella was stunned as the master bathroom was huge.
Joey led Gabriella out of the bathroom, out of the room before the bathroom, and walked her up to the stairs to the top of the tower. The stairs continued on to the right as Gabriella had done a complete three sixty, from where she was at the begging of the stairs leading up to the master bedroom. At the top of the second set of stairs was the loft. Joey had already designed the loft with an oversized comfortable futon and a stereo system. Joey thought this would be the place to go when they were hiding from their children, and wanted time to themselves. Joey went a step further and placed candles around the room in long standing holdings. Joey then led Gabriella outside onto the terrace.
On the terrace, Joey placed an oversized cutout to see the back grounds and the lake. Joey made sure the cutout started at above waist level, to avoid the potential of someone falling down five stories. Joey assured Gabriella, who could already see the lake, during the summer, the sun set on this side of the house. Joey and Gabriella were still outside on the terrace.
“Do you like the house?” Joey asked Gabriella while she was looking through the cut out onto the lake.
“Like it? I love it! Your amazing I can’t believe you designed it.” Gabriella said, turning around and kissing Joey with passion. “I had you in mind the whole time.”
“It’s perfect for a big family.”
“Yeah? Yes!” Joey said, while Gabriella giggled
Gabriella spent the rest of the day, arranging her china cabinet while Joey helped her, handing off the pieces she needed next. When everything in the china cabinet was in order, Joey led Gabriella into the family room to cuddle on the couch. Joey cradled Gabriella in his arms as he finally asked,
“so you want to go do our first food shopping?” Joey was hungry and couldn’t wait for Gabriella to start cooking.
“You mean, we’re going to be living here now?”
“Yes, tonight.”
“But what about your company, Joe? We can’t just move in. We can’t afford to.”
“I have three contracts already signed to rebuild the house.” “Why didn’t you tell me?” Gabriella asked, suspicious. “I didn’t want you to know I was showing the house around before I let you see it. I had to. The walk through started on Monday and pictures were being taken as I was finishing up the final touches on the master bedroom.” Joey said, snuggling his lips into Gabriella’s neck and gently kissing her.
“Oh. Did you buy the house without me too?”
“Nope. I was planning on going Monday. I figured we’d use the savings account in your name for a down payment.”
“And how are you expecting to pay the mortgage?” Gabriella asked, feeling they really couldn’t afford the house.
“Well at the moment my business owns the house. I buy it from my business, put down a down payment, take out a mortgage, and then my company gets the price we'll buy it for that it was accessed at. And then we make monthly payments till the house is paid off” “Is that legal? A
nd I still don’t see how your paying the mortgage if your company needs the money to build the three contracts you signed.”
“Yes it’s legal. Gabriella people have to pay for their own houses to be built. They already put down a down payment and signed a loan at the bank. They’re having me build it for them. They already own the land.”
“Well, if you’re sure you can afford it.”
“We, Gabriella.” Joey said, hopping off the couch.
Chapter Thirty-One
Joey and Gabriella didn’t see a need to go food shopping, since they didn’t have the necessities of a working kitchen yet. Joey took Gabriella out for dinner, and after they went to Gabriella’s house so Joey could get ready for his bachelors party. Joey complained when he got out of the shower, that he just wanted to spend their first night together in the house, and skip his party. Gabriella admitted to Joey, she was too scared to sleep in such a big house alone. Joey told her she will be fine, and mentioned the house came equipped with an alarm. Joey was really looking forward to coming home tonight, and getting into bed with his almost wife, in their new bedroom. Gabriella reluctantly agreed, after Joey pleaded with his cute puppy dog face. When Joey got out of the shower, Gabriella was beginning to pack their clothes into garbage bags.
“Check your calendar yet?” Joey asked, handing Gabriella her calendar. Joey and Gabriella had discussed when her last period were over dinner.
“Fine.” Gabriella said, going from the kneeling position she was in to pack the clothes to a sitting position on the floor. Gabriella went to the last date she marked off on her calendar, and counted the average days of her cycle. When she was done, her finger was placed on the expected date of her period. Joey was watching over her shoulder.
“You’re almost two weeks late.” Joey said, annoyed that Gabriella hadn’t picked up that she was late.
“Oh no.” Gabriella said, as she felt suddenly sick.
“Oh no?” Joey questioned, while he was beaming check to check. “Yes, oh no.” Gabriella said, with a puss on her face.
Joey had never seen Gabriella’s with a puss before. Her pouting lips were one thing he couldn’t resist, but this puss was so adorable, Gabriella had Joey eating out of the palm of her hand. “You’re so adorable.” Joey said, unable to help say while he stared in her eyes. “Our baby’s going to be so adorable too.” Joey said, unable to avoid kissing Gabriella’s puss away.
“Thanks.” Gabriella said, giving a slight smile.
Gabriella was wondering how she hadn’t noticed how late her period way, while Joey was still grinning with excitement. “You’re not excited?” Joey asked, remembering their night on Lake Romantica, and how the baby growing in her stomach was convinced.
Joey started to rub Gabriella’s stomach, wanting her to know how much he loved her.
“We don’t know I’m pregnant yet.” Gabriella’s said, as her puss came back. Joey kissed her lips right away. He had no restraint to them.
“Are you usually two weeks late?”
“No.”
“So you’re pregnant.”
“Well don’t get too excited until I take a pregnancy test.” Gabriella said, beginning to pack again.
Joey stopped her from packing, and knelt on the floor with her.
“Gabriella. I feel like the luckiest man on earth right now. You are so beautiful, I hope our children look just like you.” Joey said, moving his knees closer to Gabriella, and wrapping his arms around her. Gabriella wrapped her arms around Joey’s neck, and pulled him close. She held him tight, thankful he would never leave her through her present situation.
Joey held Gabriella until she was ready to let go. “You’re the good-looking one.” Gabriella said, letting out a giggle, followed by a brighter smile then she had before. “Thanks. I’m so happy.”
“I guess I am too, a perfect way to remember just how beautiful our love making is.” Gabriella said, thinking back to the night on Lake Romantica. “Plus our baby,” Gabriella said, holding onto her stomach, “Was conceived right on the Lake where you and I will be growing old together.” Gabriella said, finding that both ironic and special at the same time.
Joey was so happy, Gabriella was happy, he was now even happier then he was when he first saw, she was two weeks late. Joey and Gabriella loaded into Joey’s work truck the stuff Gabriella had packed for them, along with a few other items Joey thought to grab. They planned to have everything out of Gabriella’s old room, and into their new home within the next few days.
Joey stopped at the drugstore on the way back to their new home. He wanted to buy a pregnancy test to confirm Gabriella was indeed pregnant, and Gabriella made sure to pick up some items for the new home.
Gabriella took the pregnancy test in the master bathroom, using the bathroom for the first time, while Joey was there from the moment Gabriella pulled down her pants to pee on the stick, to the moment the results came up. Gabriella asked for some privacy, but Joey was too eager to give her any.
Gabriella was indeed pregnant. Joey made her promise to make sure she went to a doctor appointment in the upcoming week before they went on their honeymoon. Joey warned her if she didn’t, then there would be no honeymoon. Gabriella smiled over how protective Joey already was of her, and their little one growing inside.
Gabriella laid down in ther new bed, and Joey set up the television from Gabriella’s old room he had brought over with the clothes Gabriella packed. Joey thought that was an imperative thing to do for Gabriella before he went out. Joey instructed her to do nothing but lie in bed, and wait for him to get home. Gabriella fussed, if she wanted to get out of bed, she very well could. Joey asked her please not to, scared she would fall down the unfamiliar steps. Joey wanted Gabriella to get used to walking up the down the steps in the new home, before she was able to roam around them without him. Gabriella deemed him insane again, and agreed she wouldn’t be walking around the house unless she was dying of thirst, hunger or really had to use the bathroom.
Gavin arrived to pick Joey up for the bachelors party at ten, and Joey gave him a quick tour of the house. When Joey reached the master bedroom, where Gabriella was lying in bed watching TV, Joey had to bite his tongue. Joey was instructed, he wasn’t allowed to tell anyone Gabriella was pregnant until her third month. Gabriella felt bad for Joey while she explained, babies were mostly lost in the first trimester, and it was to protect the couple from having to share their loss with others. Joey grew nervous over the thought of losing the baby but knew that it wasn’t likely, being Gabriella was young and very healthy.
When Joey got to Timber Tavern for his bachelors party, he soon realized, the boys had rented the bar out and it was shut down to the public. Joey felt special walking in, when all his old football teammates made a fuss over him.
Besides Gavin, and the teammates Josh and Tie were also there. Joey noticed a few other guys he didn’t know. He was introduced to those people by the ones that brought them along with them, feeling the more the merrier.
With renting out the bar also came free drinks from the bar. Joey was given shot after shot for what felt like, every time he turned around. Within the first hour of being there, Joey did seven shots, and was on his third beer, as he needing the beer to chase the shots with. Joey pulled Gavin to the side and told him, he couldn’t drink any more tonight. Joey was starting to feel dizzy, and wanted to enjoy his party. Gavin kept to Joey’s side for the next half hour, helping him refuse the shots being handed to Joey. When Joey was feeling all right again, he got another beer, and did a few more shots.
The boys in the bar were being rowdy, loud and wild. There were a few drinking games going on, while the rest of the party goers were laughing and having a good time. Joey himself was enjoying the party until the boys started joking around, and kidding around over how big a mistake Joey was making getting married. Joey remembered his sweet Gabriella, laying in bed at home with their little one growing inside, and started to feel homesick. He looked at his watch, taking a mi
nute to adjust his eyesight to see clearly, and saw it was one in the morning. When Joey looked back up from his watch, he noticed two strippers walking into the bar.
Before Joey had the chance to refuse, he was being forced into a seat. The jukebox started playing a song for the girls to dance too. Joey tried getting up, but was forced back down by Kyle and Todd. The girls started dancing on Joey, giving him a lap dance. Joey was uncomfortable and closed his eyes, but when the girls started putting their hands up his shirts, and pulling on his belt, he pushed them off with force and stood up.
“I told you I didn’t want strippers.” Joey screamed at Kyle and Todd, while he straightened his clothes out, and Kyle and Todd were helping the strippers off the floor.
“You used to love going to the strip club before Gabriella.” Kyle called out in his defense.
Joey stormed out of the bar letting the door slam behind him.
“Keep dancing girls, come on take some clothes off.” Todd said to the girls after Joey left. Gavin heard the remark and uttered he was disgusted, and went to meet Joey outside the bar.
Joey was standing up against the wall smoking a cigarette he had gotten off of someone who had just walked back inside, to get a chance to see the strippers. Joey threw the cigarette away, just as Gavin was walking over.
“Come on man, I’ll take you home.” Gavin said, throwing his arm around Joey’s shoulder. “I knew you didn’t want strippers. If I knew they had hired them, I would have told you about it.” “I have Gabriella to dance and strip for me.”
“Man. I know that. I get that.”
“Man can you just get me home.”
“Yeah man. That’s why I’m out here.”
When Joey got home, he stumbled up the main staircase of the house, then stumbling up the steps to the master bedroom. Joey paused, standing a few feet away from the bed. He had joy overcome him, when he saw Gabriella lying in bed with her arms wrapped around the front of her. Joey assumed she must have had a hard time falling asleep without him being there. Joey thought, she must be so used to them holding each other tight, every night she wrapped her arms around her so she was able to fall asleep.