42. Gabby
42
Gabby
“ W ow! It looks like a winter wonderland.” My jaw drops as we pull up to Jax and Aly’s house that’s outlined in twinkly white lights. The white wraparound porch is adorned with garland consisting of holly leaves and red berries. A life-size gingerbread village display takes up the majority of the front lawn.
Christmas is only a week away and I’m still not quite sure what we’re doing for the holiday. Alex already told his family that he would not be visiting this year, stating that I was not in any condition to travel and he wasn’t going to leave my side. His parents were horrified when they learned about the attack. They wished me well, but it only gave them more fuel to promote moving back to Elmwood Grove. Because now, in their eyes, Starboard Beach must not be a safe place to live.
As for me, I’ve always felt safe and at home here. The attack could’ve happened anywhere. I’m thankful the response time was quick and I have the best support a girl could ask for. I know I’m going to be okay .
The door to Jax and Aly’s new home nearly flies off the hinges as two of my closest friends stampede down the driveway toward me. I freeze and squeeze my eyes closed, bracing for impact, but it doesn’t come. Instead, I open my eyes to Aly and Michelle scanning Alex and me intently.
“She has gloves on,” Michelle whispers loudly out of the corner of her mouth. “Do you think he did it?”
“They both look happy…and Alex is smiling.” Aly playfully pokes him in the chest. He’s clearly amused by their behavior.
“Doesn’t count.” Michelle shakes her head. “Alex is always smiling.”
“Good point,” Aly agrees and looks down at my hand again. “Why are you wearing gloves?”
“I should be asking you why you’re wearing a tank top out here in the frozen tundra.” I cross my arms over my chest. It’s below freezing and there’s a fresh coating of snow on the ground. Just looking at her gives me chills.
“My hormones are still all wacky. I keep getting hot flashes.”
“Post-partum hot flashes,” I inform her. “That should go away once your hormone levels go back to normal.
“Yes, yes. That’s what my doctor said too.” Aly jumps impatiently from foot to foot. “Now take off those gloves. Do we have something to celebrate or what?”
I look up at Alex, who gives me a goofy grin of approval. I hold up my hand and pull off the glove like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat. The girls scream and shower me with hugs the moment they spot the ring sparkling on my finger.
“Whoa! Whoa!” Alex gently pulls Aly and Michelle away from me. “Remember, Gabby is still experiencing some soreness and—oof!” The girls tackle him to the ground, and I dissolve into a fit of giggles. It hurts a little to laugh, but it’s worth it .
Carter and Jax stroll out the door and take in the situation. “What do you think, Jax?” Carter says. “Should we help him?”
“I think”—Jax kneels down and packs some snow into his hand—“that’s a great idea.”
“Run!” Aly yells as a snowball pelts Alex in the leg. He quickly goes on the defense and begins creating his own arsenal. Carter pitches a snowball but ends up accidently hitting Jax, which results in a full-on war amongst the guys.
“Come on!” Michelle laughs as she and Aly usher me away from the craziness and into the warmth of the house.
“Oh, Aly—you did such a beautiful job!” I gush as soon as we enter the living room. A grandiose Christmas tree with presents stuffed underneath stands in the corner, and little snowmen and gingerbread decorations are tastefully tucked onto shelves throughout the room. Above the fireplace mantel hangs a banner that says, “Congratulations, Alex and Gabby!”
“We are so happy for you.” Aly pulls me into a hug. I feel another set of arms around my back and I know it’s Michelle trying to get in on all the love.
“Now let’s get a better look at that ring.” Michelle grabs my hand and begins asking me a million questions about the proposal. My friends listen intently as the guys make their way back into the house and hang their wet coats and other winter stuff to dry.
“I almost forgot,” Aly pipes up once I finish my story. “We have a ton of food in the kitchen. We set it up buffet style so everyone can just get what they want.”
“I call first dibs on those lemon bars Michelle was making,” Alex yells.
“Don’t hoard them, Alex,” Michelle calls out. “Because it’s a special day, I made a separate batch just for you to take home. ”
“Woohoo! Thanks, Peanut!” Alex gives her a quick hug, then looks at me. “Do you want me to get you anything?”
“Maybe just something to drink. I could really go for some baby snuggles right now. Is J.J. in his room?” I ask Aly. She has brought him over several times for some cuddle sessions and I have no doubt cozying up with that sweet little baby has helped with my recovery. I’m grateful that he’s still in the newborn stage so I can easily hold him. I should be fully healed by the time he starts to get all wiggly.
“He’s in the nursery with the best and most unexpected helper ever.” Aly beams. “Go take a look.”
Soft lullaby music plays as I walk down the hallway to J.J.’s bedroom. My heart melts when I peek in and see Travis in a rocking chair with a red bundle lying on his chest. A sleeping Gus rests in front of the crib.
“Hey,” I whisper, not wanting to startle the sleeping baby.
Travis turns to me with a serene look on his face. “Come on in, Gabby. You won’t disturb us. If this kid can sleep through Gus’s snoring, he can sleep through anything.”
“Gus does sleep quite loudly,” I agree. As I get farther in the room, I realize J.J.’s onesie is actually a little Santa suit. “Wow! Even the baby didn’t escape the Christmas decorations.” I sit down on the ottoman in front of the rocker.
“I’d say this was all Aly’s doing, but I know for a fact Jax bought this outfit.” Travis looks down at my hand. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” Even if J.J. can sleep through loud noises, I keep my voice light.
“How are you feeling?” he asks, and I know he’s referring to my recovery and not my recent engagement. It’s sweet that he’s concerned.
“I’m good, all things considered. I, uh…I’ve been dealing with some nightmares. ”
“That’s to be expected.” Travis nods. “The nightmares should decrease over time, but if you feel like you need extra help, I can give you a list of some counselors that specialize in PTSD.”
“Thanks. I’ve actually been doing phone sessions with Alex’s sister. She’s a psychologist. I think it’s been helping.” If anything positive came from meeting the Jones family, it was the friendship that’s developed between Lilli and me. I’m so excited to have her as my future sister-in-law.
J.J. makes a small cooing sound, and Travis gently pats his back.
“Aly said you’ve been a great help.”
“I enjoy coming over and hanging out with this guy. He doesn’t cry when he looks at me.” Travis visibly swallows a lump in his throat. “But I know newborns don’t have the clearest of sight.”
“He can’t see far away things, but he can see enough. Babies are very intuitive. J.J. knows he’s safe with you.” My heart breaks for the wounded warrior in front of me.
“Aly keeps trying to reassure me that J.J. will be fine because I’ve been with him since day one.”
“And she’s right. All J.J. will ever see when he looks at your face is love.”
A horrible odor cuts through the air, ruining our heart-to-heart moment.
“Oh God, is that smell coming from the baby or Gus?” I look between the two possible offenders.
“That is definitely the baby.” Travis stands with J.J. comfortably in his arms. “Come on, Jax owes me a favor since I was the one who climbed up on the roof to hang the lights.”
“Really? I didn’t know Jax has a fear of heights.” I follow Travis into the hallway .
“He doesn’t. He has a fear of geese and several of them flew overhead just as he was climbing the ladder.”
“Oh.” I bite down on my lower lip, trying not to laugh.
“Don’t worry about laughing. I still give him shit about it to this day.” Travis spots Jax across the room and heads over to make a special delivery.
“There you are.” Alex hands me a mug of hot chocolate. “Did you get your baby snuggles in?”
“Not yet.” I take a sip of the chocolaty goodness. “I will once he gets all cleaned up.”
“Oh God! I think it’s a blowout!” Jax runs past us in a panic with his son in his arms.
“Do you think that will be us one day?” Alex leans down and whispers in my ear. “The, uh…having a baby thing, not the dirty diaper thing.”
“I knew what you meant.” I laugh. “And definitely, but I’d like to just take some time for me and you first.”
“Sooo you mean you want to focus on the present and not worry about the future?”
“Exactly.” I stand on my toes to give my fiancé a kiss. “Thank you for not giving up on me.”