Gabriel was seated on the rug in his living room, helping Ava sit up while she tried to reach her stuffed animal which was a little out of reach for her. The four-month-old was getting annoyed, making crying faces but the sound never really coming. She wanted to cry, but wasn’t sure if she should. It was hilarious to watch. Gabriel not being able to handle it reached for the stuffed animal himself and handed it to her.
“No need to cry, here is your pink elephant.”
Rachel hid her smile when Gabriel threw her a look, “What?” She asked him.
He didn’t say anything, but she knew what he was thinking. She didn’t care if it was unrealistic, the pink elephant was cute and Ava seemed to like it.
“Ethan mentioned you two found a place which you both liked.” Valerie sat beside her and handed her a cup of tea. It smelled refreshingly good.
Rachel sipped from the peppermint tea, “Yeah, it’s not far from here actually, it’s fifteen minutes away and it has four bedrooms. So if we do have another kid, we have enough space. Also a spare bedroom for when you two want to stay over. So, it’s great.”
“Another kid?” Valerie glanced at Ava, “She can barely sit up, is it really the time to think about another one?” She asked.
Rachel noticed the tense look in her sister’s eyes, Valerie wasn’t really questioning her reasoning. She could tell it was a bit more personal. When she glanced at Gabriel she could tell the man was clenching his jaw a bit too tightly.
“Valerie, a child doesn’t have to be in the way of your plans. You can still build the future you want with a child in the picture.”
Gabriel glanced at his wife, “We’ve been doing fine with Ava around.”
Valerie nodded, “That’s true and Ava is pretty cute.”
“Even though you just insulted her progress.” Rachel muttered, “But I’ll let that one slide.”
Gabriel chuckled and leaned in, pressing a kiss to Ava’s head which made the little girl giggle, “Don’t listen to your aunt Valerie, you’re such a big girl sitting up like this.” He kissed her head again which made Ava go nuts with her giggles.
Rachel smiled, it was clear that Ava was happy. She was smiling a lot and made a lot of noises. Sometimes unhappy ones, but she was fussy. She could throw a fit when she was hungry, not to mention her knowing when she was going to be put to bed and crying her lungs out because she didn’t want to sleep in her crib. Those were tough times, but they were easily forgotten when she was being so happy and cute.
“Ethan sorting things out?”
Rachel met her sister’s gaze, “Yeah, meeting his financial advisor. We should be able to move into our new place in a few weeks. So you two can start your little family soon.” She laughed when Valerie choked on her tea, obviously not expecting that one.
“Ava should have someone to play with,” Gabriel added.
Rachel nodded, “Exactly.”
Valerie shook her head at them, “I’m not sure if I like your new friendship.”
She’d never do anything to mess her friendship with Gabriel up. He was there for her when things were bad between Ethan and her and he was there for her and Ava now.
***
Ethan was holding Ava close to him, watching her get ready for her dinner with Ryan. Ethan wasn’t happy about it, he let her know not only by his upset looking face but also his not so subtle comments.
“Do you really have to go?” Ethan asked her straight out this time.
She met his gaze in the mirror, “You can join us if you want, I’m sure Gabriel doesn’t mind babysitting Ava for a little while.”
Ethan placed his hand on the back of Ava’s head and held her even closer to him, “I feel like Ava is a lot closer to Gabriel. It might be selfish of me, but I’d like to spend as much time as possible with my daughter so she knows the difference between the two of us.”
Rachel spun around, watching Ethan pout as he hugged his daughter, oddly enough Ava wasn’t squirming around. She let her daddy hold her and hug her while trying to eat her little fist. Ethan’s jacket was getting messy, but he didn’t seem to care. That alone was a huge turn on to her.
“It’s just dinner with a friend.” She carefully told Ethan once more, “I haven’t seen him since I left this place.
Ethan rolled his eyes, “I don’t understand everyone’s infatuation with the guy.”
Rachel laughed, “Ryan is a nice guy.”
Ethan gently rubbed Ava’s back as she started making whining noises, “He also tried to go after my girlfriend.”
“He didn’t do that.”
Rachel knew that wasn’t entirely true. Things weren’t going well between Ethan and her at the time so Ryan just asked of her to keep in mind that he was there for her. Nothing more nothing less. There was that one time when Gabriel and Valerie tried to give them a push by calling them over for dinner, but nothing happened between them. They were just friends. What she couldn’t understand was Ethan’s hatred for the guy. She assumed it was jealousy since Gabriel and Ryan got along. Ethan and Gabriel had a complicated, intense relationship. They sometimes couldn’t stand each other, but no matter what happened they always had each other’s back. One of Ethan’s flaws was his jealousy. It was less intense now, she figured he mellowed with time.
“Enjoy your night out.”
Rachel leaned back against the sink, liquid eyeliner in hand while she shook her head at Ethan, “I’ll only be gone for a few hours. There is no need to sound so moody.”
“I don’t sound moody.”
She pointed her eyeliner at their baby, “You do sound moody, it’s confusing Ava. She doesn’t know if she should cry about it or let it go.”
He observed his daughter’s face, “What’s with her always making those crying faces. She never really ends up crying.”
Rachel shrugged a shoulder, “Manipulation, probably.” She finished with her make-up and walked out of the guest bathroom, followed by Ethan trying to keep Ava happy, “Did you notice that she cries without any actual tears whenever she needs to sleep.”
Ethan nodded, “Yeah, Gabriel spoiled our baby, the princess is used to getting her way.”
Rachel took her robe off and started to put on her sexy lingerie. It was a set Valerie bought her when she started her diet and exercise to get back in shape. She felt Ethan’s eyes on her as she took her time to get dressed. She did it purposely slow to give him a show, but he didn’t get it. She noticed he was getting moody again.
“Is it really necessary to dress up for that man?” He asked, the annoyance clear in his voice.
Rachel chuckled, “I’m not dressing up for him.” She pointed out.
Ethan didn’t get it and continued, his tone getting more heated, “You are and I don’t like it. I get that you two are friends and I should let that go, but at least don’t wear sexy dresses I haven’t seen you wear yet” He swallowed and then continued in a mumbled voice, “Not to mention sexy lingerie.”
She sat on the edge of their bed and slipped on her nude heels, “I’m not dressing up for him.” She repeated, “I’m dressing up for the after party.”
He still didn’t get it, his confused face was very cute. It reminded her of Ava whenever she was trying to discover the world around her. His eyes took her in from head to toe, her little smile causing him to narrow his eyes on her in suspicion. It then hit him, it took him a while but he finally understood what she was trying to say. His eyes gleaming with mischief.
“I see, do I need to remind you that Gabriel and Valerie are right across the hall. Not to mention Ava sleeping in the same room as us.”
She got to her feet and closed the distance between them, her hand holding onto his arm, “I’m aware, but if we’re quiet about it no one will know.” She placed a kiss to his jaw, lowering her voice, “Will you deny me? All I want is to make love to my boyfriend when I get back.”
He pressed a kiss to her lips, “Your fiancé.” He corrected her, “Who knows? Maybe naughty things will happen tonight.”
She let go of him, a smile spread across her face as she collected her things. She shrugged her coat on and checked her clutch to make sure she had everything she needed. She then left the room while Ethan followed behind her. Both Gabriel and Valerie looked up when she entered the room, their curious looks hard to miss.
“You’re not joining Rachel and Ryan for dinner?” Gabriel asked him.
Ethan kissed his daughter’s head, “No way, you’ll be all over Ava then. I’d like to bond a little with my baby.”
Valerie flashed him a cheeky smile, “Oh, so now you trust Rachel and Ryan to behave?”
Rachel was about to scold her sister for bringing that up. Ethan was very sensitive when it came to Ryan. It was best not to say anything which would indicate that she cheated on Ethan with the guy. It wasn’t true, but all sorts of crazy ideas popped out of Ethan’s mouth whenever he mentioned her friendship with Ryan.
Gabriel beat her to it, scolding his wife first, “Valerie.”
Ethan’s glare caused the couple to quiet down, “Yes, I trust Rachel.”
Rachel shared a look with her sister, both of them aware that he purposely left out Ryan. He might trust her to be on her best behavior, that didn’t mean he thought the same about Ryan. Their awkward relationship was just something she would never come to understand.
“The car is waiting.” Valerie reminded her, “We’ll watch over Ava.”
“Ava’s dad is also here, you know.” Ethan exasperatedly spoke up.
“Help is always appreciated, right?” Valerie didn’t give up which made her fiancé roll his eyes at her, “Come on, you’ve never taken care of her by yourself. Tonight will be a learning moment for you. When you two move out in a few weeks you’ll be a pro babysitter.”
Ethan sighed tiredly, “Again, Ava’s dad not her babysitter.” He firmly told her, “Can you keep your cheeky wife in line, please.” He asked of Gabriel who looked amused with the little bantering going on between Ethan and Valerie.
Gabriel trailed his eyes to her, “Have fun, Rachel. We’ll be fine on our own.”
“Thanks.”
Rachel moved to her annoyed fiancé and kissed his cheek, “I’ll be back soon.” She whispered to him.
She left Ethan and the playful couple to it while she headed downstairs to her awaiting car. She didn’t intend to stay out for too long. Ethan was a bit wary of doing naughty things while they stayed in Gabriel and Valerie’s guest room. He also felt awkward with the fact that Ava slept in their room as well. She fell back to their old habits though. She couldn’t keep her hands off her fiancé. They’ve always been very attracted to each other. If things did happen tonight she wouldn’t be opposed to it. She knew her fiancé just needed a little push.
***