Page 50 of Michael's Awakening
“I wish I knew what to say or do to make you feel better,” I told him before leaning my head against his and closing my eyes.
His arms came around me and he nestled his face in my neck. “What you’re doing is great,” his voice croaked. “I’ll be alright. I’m sorry I’m acting like this.”
I leaned back to look at him. “Angel, don’t apologize. You have every reason to be upset, I understand.” I tenderly kissed his lips and then picked him up to carry him to the tub. “Come on, a nice bath might help you feel better.”
“Only if you take the bath with me.” He nuzzled my shoulder and sighed.
Smiling, I placed him in the tub and then took off my clothes to join him. He was on one end, and I was at the other, but after a few minutes, he moved and came to sit between my legs. I put my arms around him and just held him in the water, slowly rubbing his chest. Another first for me; having a bath with someone. I placed kisses to his nape before nuzzling my head with his.
I’d do anything for him.
After the bath, I dried him off and covered him with one of my robes before carrying him to bed. Once he was nestled under the covers, I lay beside him and wrapped him in my arms. His eyes were open, and he was just staring into nothingness.
“You need to get some sleep.” I stroked the back of his hair gently.
“I can’t. I have too much on my mind,” he murmured softly and tilted his head to me.
Having an idea, I got up from the bed and grabbed a book from the small bookshelf in the corner of the room.
“What are you doin’?” he asked with a slight frown and lifted his head as I returned to my spot beside him.
“Lay your head down, Angel.” I wrapped an arm around him and leaned down to kiss his head as he placed it back on the pillow.
I grabbed a book of select poems from Robert Frost. Opening it, I flipped through the pages until I found one of my favorite poems,The Trial by Existence, and I started to read aloud. I hoped that by reading to him, it would distract him and ease his mind.
As I read, Gabriel’s eyelids slowly began to close and he snuggled closer against me. By the time I reached the last few lines of the poem, he was fast asleep.
***
The next day, after Gabriel called his insurance company and informed them of the incident, I called and got his car into the repair shop. The mechanic informed me over the phone that the repairs should only take about a week; however, with Thanksgiving that Thursday, it could possibly not be finished until the middle of the following week.
I didn’t mind driving Gabriel around until it was finished, though. At least then I’d know he was safe.
The thought of Thanksgiving caused my stomach to dance with nerves. I was finally going to meet Gabriel’s family.
Fuck. What if they didn’t like me?
I rubbed a hand down the side of my face as my mind went into freak-out mode. From what Gabriel told me, his family loved and adored the hell out of him. So, if he was happy, they were happy. And he was happy with me, just as I was with him… right?
Taking a deep breath, I shook my head and placed my phone on the charger before leaving the bedroom to find Gabriel. The beauty shop was closed on Sundays, so we had the entire day to spend together.
Hearing an obnoxious laugh coming from the living room, I furrowed my brow and walked that way. What was he doing?
Entering the room, I saw him cuddled on the couch with a bowl of fresh fruit next to him and a cup of coffee. He was wearing a pair of my flannel pajama pants and his hair was adorably messy as he laughed at the show he was watching. I watched him for a second before making my presence known, still amazed that he was mine.
The obnoxious laugh resonated from the television again and I looked to see a cartoon playing. I smiled when I realized what he was watching.
“Really?” I asked, amused. “You’re seriously watchingSpongebob Squarepants?”
Gabriel turned to look at me, his eyes wide. “Holy fuck, Michael, don’t sneak up on me like that! My heart can’t take it.”
He feigned a heart attack and then lay down on the couch, pretending to be dead.
Smirking, I approached him and played along. “Oh no, my poor Princess. What am I ever going to do without him?”
His lips twitched and he turned his face to hide it in the cushion.
I quietly chuckled and then snuck up on him, making a roaring noise as I attacked him with tickles.
“Ah! No, no, no! Michael, stop! I’m going to piss myself!” He squealed as I tickled him.
“Then should I call you The Princess and the Pea?” I inquired and stopped the assault of tickles.
“Wrong kind of ‘pee’,” he narrowed his eyes at me playfully and grabbed me, pulling me down on top of him.
Bringing my face down to his, I kissed him softly on the lips as he peered up at me through long lashes.
“You’re so beautiful,” I whispered as I stared down into his entrancing eyes. A teal strand of his hair fell into his face and I nuzzled it aside with my nose.
“And I’m all yours.” He took in a sharp breath as his eyes misted over and he buried his face in my neck. “Always.”
