Finding Unexpected Love

Christian Gallagher


Gabriella "Gabby" Walker

Christian was conditioned to be tough, to not show emotions, but as he read the email telling him that his old friend Mr Walker had passed away he struggled. He had know Walker for years, they had been through so much together when they served. But like all soldiers who come back from service they didn't like talking about what they'd done.

To be honest Christian had been slightly jealous of Walker, Walker had managed to get past the war, and have a family. That was until Walker's wife died a few years after they'd come back. But at least Walker still had Gabby. Christian was the polar opposite of Walker, the war constantly still haunted him, made him jumpy and paranoid, it was one of the reasons he decided to move out somewhere so remote. Christian had brought a house up in the mountains, his nearest neighbour was an hour away at least, the closest store two hours. Regardless Christian was happier out here.

He moved about his remote home, figuring he should make an appearance at the funeral, his friend had very few friends and no family to speak of anymore, with the exception of his daughter Gabby of course. Christian sighed opening a hatch in his floor, pulling out his service trunk. If he was going to go, he might as well do it properly. He searched for his dress uniform, that still had all the medals he'd been given during his time in the army, and packed it away into a travel bag. He then went to his bathroom to trim his hair and shave his beard down slightly. He was glad he'd done special forces work and was only required to trim his beard now, he never liked having to be fully shaved.

After he'd packed the necessities and cleaned himself up. Christian put on some street clothes and went out to hit the road. It'd take him at least half a day travel to get to Walker's home town.

She still couldn't believe that he was truly gone. How could this have happened to her? First with losing her mother a few years ago and now her father, Gabby felt like her world was ending. She knew that thinking that way might be a little dramatic, however, she didn't know what to think. Closing her eyes, she tried to hold back the tears. The minute she closed her eyes, the first person that came to her mind was her father. She had always been a daddy's girl, so to lose her father was really difficult on her. When she opened her eyes, she took a deep breath in then out. Everything was going to be okay, it just had to be okay. A couple of people had come by to see her in the last few days, and Gabby was truly exhausted.

So with the funeral today, Gabby just wanted things to go over smoothly and quickly. Smoothing out her black dress, Gabby slipped on her black heels and fixed her make up. She had cried multiple times that day, so she wanted to freshen up a little on her make up - fixing her eyeliner and her mascara. Once she was freshened up, Gabby stepped outside, walking over to her SUV. When she arrived to the place, Gabby took a deep breath in and out, step-in out of the car. She walked inside and sat down. She continued to give herself a pep talk, hoping that everything would be okay. As people started filling into the room, Gabby just gave a small nod o them, hugging them as they walked up and hugged her.

@ A Drop On the Window

Christian had arrived into town a few days before the funeral. He found a quiet motel and booked a room using the same criteria as he and Walker used to when they served. He headed into the room, dropping his bag on the floor before getting some sleep.

It had been many years since he'd seen Gabby, she was only three or four at the time. But he knew she'd be having difficulties having lost her father. So he forwent visiting her at home, and making potentially making it worse for her. Instead he headed to office of the man who had informed him of Walker's death. He wasn't surprised to see it was a Lawyer, held himself properly. He smiled walking in, "Morning Sir, thank you for letting me know," he began, upon seeing a confused look he quickly added, "Christian, you emailed about Mr Walker."

The lawyer smiled and nodded. "Yes, he'd instructed me to contact you when he died years ago" he began. He then explained there was something else that would need to be discussed after the funeral and asked if Christian would stay in town for awhile. After giving the Lawyer his assurances he'd stick around Christian headed out to visit some of the sights Walker had told him about, before returning to his room early to rest knowing that tomorrow was the funeral.

The next morning, Christian put on his Dress uniform, and sorted his presentation, straightening his medals. He checked himself in the mirror before leaving the motel. From the back or a distance he probably looked a hell of a lot like Walker himself. He made his way to the funeral. He walked up seeing Gabby dressed all in black, he approached her and saluted her, "sorry for your loss Gabriella, your father was a brave and decent man," he said lightly.

@ Lil Miss Writer

@ A Drop On the Window

When Christian walked up to her, Gabby stood and saluted him as well. "Thank you for coming." She said as she dropped her hand back down to her side. She always felt comfortable with Christian, so once his hand was down as well, Gabby pulled herself closer to him and hugged him. She had been trying to keep her tears from fall all day, but the moment that she hugged Christian, all those tears fell.

"I can't believe he's really gone." She said softly as the tears went down her cheeks. After hugged him for a minute, Gabby slowly pulled back, wiping her tears off her cheeks.

Looking at him, Gabby tried her best to not cry. Her father had always told her to be strong, and she knew right now was one of the times. She needed to be strong and stay strong.

Christian held her close letting her cry "I know it still doesn't seem real to me either," he told her gently. He smiled at her, "it's okay to cry, this is one of those things were tears are okay Gabby," he reassured her. He knew she was trying desperately to stay strong, but figured she was not only sad from losing her father but worried about what she'd do now.

He reached into his coat and pulled out a handkerchief, he handed it to her. It would be better than her fingers if she started crying again. He smiled softly, "I'll see you after okay?" he asked softly. He felt like he knew her after all the years hearing about how well she was doing from Walker. It was an odd feeling, he stepped inside to find a seat, leaving her to great the other arrivals.

He felt a twinge of sadness and anger when he didn't see as many servicemen as he would of thought Walker deserved. He found a seat off to the side, it might of been due to the fact both he and Walker came back wanting to forget what had happened over there, so they distanced themselves from the military.

@ Lil Miss Writer

As the funeral ceremony started, Gabby tried her very best to hold back tears. Her mind kept repeating the words that Christian told her, that tears were okay for this moment. She knew that these tears were more than okay, considering that she was sitting here, having to say goodbye to her last living parent; however, there was still a strong part of her that didn't want to cry at all. She wanted to show those who did show up for this funeral that she was going to be more than okay, that she was going to be strong and continue to stay strong. Watching the ceremony unfold and play out before her, Gabby remained strong. She ended up shedding only a few tears, but not enough to smear any of her mascara.

After the ceremony, Gabby had a moment of silence by herself, saying her final goodbyes to her daddy. "Well Daddy...." She whispered as she stared at the now closed casket. Her eyes never once left that dark wooden colored casket as she continued with her final goodbye words to her father. "I know that this isn't goodbye...it's just a see you later, but it still hurts to know that you're not here with me. I hate the fact that you're going to miss me getting married, or miss me having your grandkids; however, I do know that at this very moment, you're looking down from Heaven, smiling down at your little girl, up there with mom. I love you daddy and I will always be your little girl." She kissed her hand before placing it on the casket. "Till we see each other again." She whispered, placing a single red rose on her daddy's casket before watching it be lowered into the ground, next to her mother's.

@ A Drop On the Window

As the ceremony ended, Christian finally rose from his seat. He hadn't shed any tears, or made any comments to anyone. In fact the only person that seemed to recognise who he was at the funeral was Gabby herself. A fact that surprised him since he hadn't seen her for years, maybe Walker had shown her photo's of his old teammates. He made his way to the back of the chapel towards the cemetary plot.

He was still hazy on the details of how his friend had died, and was desperate for answers. However he knew this wasn't the time. He came up beside Gabby by the grave, as the casket was lowered into the ground. 'It was a lovely send off Gabriella, he would of appreciated it," he said lightly. He put his arm around her comforting her, "Do you need me to stick around?" he offered lightly.

He was in no hurry to leave town, beside's apparently he needed to stick around to see the lawyer again.

@ Lil Miss Writer

Hearing Christian walk up beside her, Gabby become more at ease. Even though it had been forever since she last seen this man, Gabby felt more relaxed with him in the last couple of recent interactions with him then any of the people she had spent the last few days or even the last week or so with. Feeling his arms around her, comforting her, it took all of Gabby's might not to finally break down. Taking a moment to just breathe, to just relax, Gabby felt her hand slowly lean into Christian's body. When her mind registered what the older man was asking, Gabby finally looked up at him, breaking her eye contact with the ground. Her eyes instantly locked with his blues as she shyly nodded.

"Christian, if you wouldn't mind sticking around, that would be perfect." She breathed as she lifted her head off his shoulder. She hadn't moved her body away from him though. She felt a hedge of protection with Christian, and she wasn't quite ready for that to go away.

"I know everyone is wanting to be there for me, and stay with me. However, the less amount of people...the more relaxed I can be." She admitted.

@ A Drop On the Window

Christian let her lean into him holding her close. "Okay lets go back to your place." He began leading her to the car that had dropped her off at the funeral. He helped her into the car gently, "I'll make my own way there, and see you soon," he promised. He wanted to leave it open for her to get home ahead of him to change or do anything if that what she wanted. But if she pressed him to stick with her he'd gladly do that also.

He knew it must be difficult to grieve in your own way with people popping in all the time trying to ease your pain. He thought to himself that he'd make sure she was left alone if that's what she needed. If he couldn't manage it at her place, he would offer for her to stay at his motel for a little, if that is what she wanted. He knew his friend would appreciate him stepping in to look out for Gabby now that he wasn't able to himself.

@ Lil Miss Writer

When Gabby got back to her house, she thanked the driver for taking her home before walking into the empty house. The last two hours were on repeat in her mind. She was still in disbelief that she had to just watch her daddy's funeral take place. Closing her eyes, Gabby had to remind herself of the final words she said to her daddy's casket before it was put into the ground. "This isn't a goodbye...it's till I see you again." She reminded herself aloud. When she opened the front door, the house was completely silent. The only sound that could be heard was from her black heels walking across the wooden floor.

Looking at the clock in the kitchen, Gabby couldn't help but wonder how long it was going to take for Christian to get here. She knew that he gave her some space and time alone to process what just happened, however, she was ready for him to be here. It wasn't for the fact that she didn't feel safe, because that wasn't the case at all. It was just that she wanted to have someone here, with her, that she knew and would completely understand everything, without her having to explain anything. As she waited for Christian to arrive, Gabby decided that she was going to cook a nice meal for the two of them.

Thinking about one of her daddy's favorite meals, Gabby couldn't help but smile to herself. Before getting busy in the kitchen, Gabby ran upstairs, changing her outfit into something a bit more comfortable. Before walking back down stairs, she took her long blonde hair, putting it up in a bun, wanting to get out of her face. As she made her way back down the stairs, she went over to the stereo in the house, turning on her favorites playlist, letting country music softly play through the house. When she made her way back in the kitchen, Gabby opened up her momma's favorite cookbook and settled on making Homemade Chicken and Dumplings with green beans, mashed potatoes, and dinner rolls. Sure, she probably seemed crazy for cooking after just a couple of hours since her daddy's funeral. However, that was one way for Gabby to cope. As the music played, she softly sang to the songs; showing off a hidden talent of hers.

@ A Drop On the Window

Christian watched as the car pulled away and towards her place. He made his own way back to his motel room, which thankfully wasn't too much of a walk. On the walk he was debating with himself whether he should go around to her place in what he was already wearing, or take the time to change. He continued pondering that fact, until he made it to the motel.

He went inside and packed a change of street clothes into a small bag, and also grabbed his garment bag. He had decided not to bother changing just yet, but wanted to keep the option available in case she asked him to stay over the night. He knew she would struggle with the whole situation eventually, but so far had put on a brave face. After he was ready he got into his truck and left the motel room.

On the drive over he called in at a liquor store and brought a bottle of red wine. He didn't want to arrive empty handed, and he wasn't much of a cook anyway. He pulled up outside her place just a couple hours after the funeral. He climbed out, still in his dress clothes, and made his way to the front door. He rang the doorbell.

@ Lil Miss Writer

@ A Drop On the Window

Gabby was in the middle of cutting the noddles to let dry when she heard the doorbell ring. Her heart instantly started pounding a little. She wasn't quite ready for visitors, and didn't even think twice to the idea of it being Christian. Leaving the noodle dough on the table, she picked up the nearest hand towel, wiping the flour off her hands. She kept the towel with her as she moved to the front door. Peeking through the glass window by the door, a sigh of relief washed over her when she saw it was Christian. Putting a small smile on face, Gabby reached for the deadbolt, she unlocked it, before opening the door.

"Thank you for coming." She said, still smiling as she opened the door to let him come in. "I wasn't sure what you'd want for dinner, so I went ahead and decided. If it's alright with you, I'll be making Homemade Chicken and Dumplings with green beans, mashed potatoes, and dinner rolls." She said as she made her way back into the kitchen. "Also, I just made some fresh homemade sweet tea, and if that doesn't sound good to you, I have soda, water, milk, and I think apple juice." She said as she tried to go through a mental list of what she had to drink. She had just went to the grocery store, so she knew that she was in stock with foods and such.

Christian smiled softly, it warmed his heart a little to see her smiling. He stepped into her place, 'That actually sounds lovely, but you didn't have to cook, I would of been happy to run out for something," he admitted. He was a little surprised she was cooking, but wasn't judging if it helped her cope with things, took her mind off it all, he didn't care at all.

He followed her into the kitchen, he was glad she had changed. He placed the bottle of wine on the counter out of the way, "I picked up some wine on the way, not sure if it needs to be chilled though," he admitted. He stepped off to the side out of her way, "How many people are you expecting to drop by?" he asked he quietly. He wondered how she felt about all the attention, and whether she'd prefer to be left alone.

He stood thinking for another moment, "would you prefer people leave you alone, because I'm here for you, whatever you need Gabby," he mentioned lightly. He felt slightly guilty when his eyes drifted over her toned form, that was brilliantly accentuated by her new outfit.

@ Lil Miss Writer

Watching as Christian placed the bottle of wine on the counter, Gabby swiftly walked over, picking up the bottle. "I would suggest we let it chill a little longer." She said with a smirk as she opened the fridge door. Placing the wine bottle in the side shelf, she gracefully closed the door, making her way back over to the table. This was good. This was what she needed. A good homemade meal to cook. A fresh chilling bottle of wine. And minor company.

Her mind started to wander some when she heard Christian's voice, asking about people dropping by. Reality sank in once, tears started to well up in her eyes, but didn't dare fall. Taking a deep breath in then out, the tears went away. Realizing that she needed to answer him, Gabby shook her head. "I don't know. If people come and go, I'm fine with that." She admitted. "However, I don't want too many people, and I would prefer if people didn't over stay there welcome."

Coating her hands with flour, Gabby started making more noodles again. Quickly finishing up the last batch of noodle dough to be rolled and cut, she sprinkled flour on them before playing a towel over them. They needed to dry. Feeling accomplished, Gabby walked across the kitchen, washing the flour off her hands. "Christian, if you don't mind, I would like it if you stayed here with me." She then admitted, letting a soft, sad sigh finally escape her lips.

@ A Drop On the Window

Christian stood listening to her as she worked, his hands fidgeting with a button on his coat. "Okay I'll make sure people don't hang around to long," he noted quietly. He moved over to a countertop and leant on it slightly. He had been wondering if she would ask him to stick around. So it didn't come as a surprise.

He stepped over to her and put his arms around her, "Of course I don't mind Gabby, I even made sure to have a change of clothes in my truck," he told her. He stood holding her close for a moment, "is the guest room prepared, if not the couch will be perfectly fine," he asked.

He hoped that she was only asking him to stay as a friend, because he wasn't sure his friend would be comfortable if it was anything else.

@ Lil Miss Writer

Gabby smiled when he said that he didn't mind stay. It really warmed her heart to know that she still had people that she could count on even if her father was gone. When he asked about the guest room, she just nodded. "Of course." She said as she walked over to the fridge, pulling out the chicken. She prepped the pot, bringing the water to a broil before placing the chicken in. She set the timer then covered the chicken, letting it cook.

Turning on her heel to look at him, Gabby started to peel the potatoes. "So..." She said, breaking the little silence between the two of them. "Wanna tell me what you've been up to?" She asked, making small talk.

@ A Drop On the Window

Christian smiled watching her work away slowly. He found a seat and sat down, "Oh I sure your father told you, I turned into the paranoid, untrusting hardass," he said lightly. He remembered Walker telling him to stop being so damn suspicious of everyone, to actually leave his secluded home once in awhile. "But in all seriousness mainly keeping to myself, staying off the radar," he said.

Christian's life wasn't that interesting, he spent most of his time either tending to his garden, or hunting. Occasionally he'd lend his expertise to the local Sheriff if things got complicated, or if someone went missing on the mountains, but he had even moved away from doing that. To be honest this trip was the first time in at least three months, maybe even six, that he had had any human contact.

@ Lil Miss Writer

@ A Drop On the Window

Gabby listened to him and nodded, "Yeah Daddy told me, and for the record I was completely with him on that." She winked with a small smile. Putting the potatoes into cold water after they were peeled, Gabby washed her hands once more before walking over to the table, leaning up against it, looking at Christian.

"But in all seriousness, you coming here and being here means a lot to me." She spoke softly with a sweet smile. "There's a lot of people in my life that I know would be here for me. However, there are some people that I could not deal with or want to deal with all the time." She said with another small laugh. "But it seems you make that cut though." She grinned. "And don't worry, I'm not going to ask you to go out with me everywhere. I just want someone to be here with me for a while, and if you don't mind, I would like that person to be you."

Christian chuckled lightly as he listened to her, "I'm sorry it took your father dying for me to come off that mountain and come to see you," he said lightly taking her hand in his. He looked her in the eyes, "It just didn't feel right, Walker had managed to put it all behind him, seeing me, and how what we did still affected me wouldn't of been fair on him," he admitted with a twinge of sadness. It was obvious that there was something in their shared past that Christian didn't or couldn't talk about.

Christian smiled softly, "but I would be my honor to stick around for as long as you need, its the least I can do," he offered. He still wasn't sure what the Lawyer was wanting to discuss with him, but he would stick around to help Gabby deal with everything for as long as he could, after all he had nowhere else to be.

@ Lil Miss Writer