Slow Dancing in the Darkness

“Mama!” Noah’s voice called as he padded into his mother’s bedroom, his little hand nudging against Gabriela’s leg. It had been a month, after their break, things between Lionel and Gabriela, as well as between Gabriela and Elliot, had been settled and Gabriela doubted that things could have been much better. She didn’t like it, letting Noah go with Elliot every other weekend stung, but she was getting better at it, knowing that it was the right thing for her son who needed Elliot in his life as much as he needed her. “Mama” he repeated.

Gabriela blinked a little and peeked down at her son. “Noah, it’s still early” she murmured softly “What’s the matter, baby?” she added.

“Mama, it’s Christmas” Noah replied, a little smile appearing on his face.

Gabriela blinked her eyes a little more before she sat up, checking the date on the calendar before she turned back to her son, offering him a warm smile. “So it is” she confirmed gently “Merry Christmas, Noah” she cooed as she leant down, carefully lifting the little boy onto the bed beside her.

Noah grinned and wrapped his arms around his mother, hugging her tightly. “Can we open presents, mama?” he posed as he pulled away from her, flashing her a look with his brown eyes that almost made Gabriela melt. He looked a lot like his father, Noah had inherited Elliot’s darker hair and brown eyes, but Gabriela couldn’t help but think he was adorable, even if she no longer felt for Elliot, the baby boy that they had made together was beautiful.

“We have to wait for Leo to wake up Noah and then we’re going to your grandparents’ house so that you can see your papa” she explained softly.

“But I want presents” Noah protested, a small pout forming on his features.

Gabriela smiled gently. “Ok” she murmured “How about I wake up Leo and we go and open a couple of presents?” she posed gently.

Noah’s face lit up before he bounced off of the bed, quickly leaving the room which afforded Gabriela the chance to lean across the bed, her hand gently nudging Lionel. “Leo” she murmured gently “Leo, amor” she added as she leant over, pressing a tender kiss to his cheek. Lionel snuffled a little in his sleep, his nose wrinkling a little before he blinked his dark eyes open, smiling softly at the sight of his wife.

“Buenos dias” he mused, his voice heavy with sleep.

Gabriela smiled gently. “You’re going to need to find a shirt” she mused softly “Noah’s already up and demanding that we open presents. I agreed we could open a couple” she explained softly.

Lionel nodded his head gently before he sat up a little, leaning over to kiss Gabriela softly. “Merry Christmas” he murmured gently.

Gabriela smiled and returned the words before Noah appeared in the doorway again, his little arms holding up a pile of presents. “Noah, I said a couple” she mused as she climbed out of the bed, moving to take the presents off of him as she read through the parcel tags that had been attached to them. They weren’t all his, of the five presents that he had managed to pick up, only two were for him, and it made Gabriela smile a little. Noah had even picked up a present for Lionel. Setting the gifts down on the bed, she handed Lionel a shirt before she picked Noah up, settling him between her and her husband. “Do you want to go first, Noah?” she posed softly.

Noah nodded his head eagerly and picked up one of his presents, something which made Gabriela press a kiss to his head. She had always loved Christmas with Noah.

~#~
“Thiago loved the present that you got for him” Lionel smiled as he stepped into the kitchen at Elliot’s parents’ home, his eyes peeking at Gabriela who had just finished clearing up after dinner. It had been an awkward morning, with Elena around and Rodrigo intent on glaring at his former daughter-in-law and her new husband, it had been a little tense, but it clearly hadn’t bothered Gabriela. She was in her element, she was bright and cheerful and Lionel couldn’t help but love seeing her that way. It was possibly the first time he’d ever seen her so comfortable or relaxed.

“He did?” Gabriela posed, placing another plate onto the pile.

“Antonella said it was one of his favourite, though he did spend the morning in the box of the high chair they got for their daughter” he teased.

Gabriela smiled. “Are you going to see him later?” she posed.

Lionel nodded his head. “I am. I figured I would take you and Noah home and then go and see him. You don’t mind, do you?” he posed.

Gabriela shook her head. “Not at all” she insisted “He needs his papa around” she added.

Lionel flashed her a small smile before he stepped towards her, kissing her gently. Gabriela smiled into the kiss, her arms wrapping around him fondly before she heard Elliot clear his throat, causing them to separate. “I’ll go check on Noah” Lionel smiled. Gabriela returned his grin and nodded, allowing him to step past Elliot who took a step towards her.

“You two look really happy together” the lawyer commented as he watched Lionel go.

“We are” Gabriela confirmed “I mean, I didn’t imagine that we would be where we are after just 5 months, but I am happy” she smiled.

Elliot nodded his head steadily.

“Did you want something, Eli?” she posed gently as she turned back to clearing up.

Elliot stared at her back, his dark eyes wandering up and down her frame for a few moments before he stepped towards her. “Do you ever have regrets about us, Ela?” he posed gently.

Gabriela frowned. “Eli…”

“I do” he interrupted softly “I regret that I made you wait around so long for a proposal” he murmured.

“Elliot, this is not the time” Gabriela refuted gently. She didn’t want to hear it, Elliot’s regrets weren’t going to change the way that things had happened between them, and she didn’t want him raking up the past. She was happy with the way things were.

“I regret sleeping with Elena when I had a wonderful and sexy woman waiting for me at home” Elliot continued.

Gabriela shook her head. “Eli” she warned.

“I miss you, Gabriela” Elliot insisted “And whilst I know I have Elena, and the baby, I can’t pretend that I have just forgotten about us. I know I messed up, I ruined quite possibly the best thing I have ever had, and I hate it, Ela, I really do” he rambled.

Gabriela shook her head. “What is done, is done” she murmured “You made your mistakes and I made mine, but it worked out for the best. You get a second chance to be the husband you never were to me to Elena and the father you never have been to Noah to your child” she explained before she placed the dish towel down, attempting to step out of the room. Elliot, however, was swifter. In one motion, he had Gabriela backed up against the counter, his hands on her waist, and his lips pressed firmly to hers in an insistent kiss. Gabriela’s head span for a moment, her arms briefly wrapping around him before she came to her senses, pushing him back.

“Elliot” she hissed.

“I want you, Ela” Elliot muttered.

Gabriela shook her head and turned to leave the room, her eyes widening a fraction as they landed on Lionel who had Noah in his arms, a firm expression etched onto his features.