GABRIELLA

One year later...

We couldn't have planned for a better day to have the grand reopening of Love Buns. It coincided with the opening celebration of the Lake More expanded neighborhood project next door. Streamers and banners hung everywhere.

Nathan had made sure the architect of the Lake More development next door modified a few things and put in a playground and green space between the properties. We had picnic tables and chairs brought in for the event, and the green space was the focal point of our event.

We invited several local food trucks, and Ricky's band was set up and providing entertainment with their covers of popular late eighties music. People milled about and it felt more like a neighborhood backyard party than any store opening.

My building had been completely refurbished. When Lacey graduated and moved out, we decided to not find another tenant but instead to combine the apartments. As part of the building remodel, I now had a completely different three-bedroom two-story home over the bakery than I could have ever imagined. And Nathan made sure that the walls had good soundproofing.

He had made good on his promise to never leave, and he had moved in with us immediately. Having his father there every morning, and to read him to sleep every night had thrilled Robbie. Seeing them together did my heart good. Of course, it also did my heart good to have Nathan curled around me every night.

“Well kid, this looks like you managed to turn everything around and brought real improvement to the area,” Mitch said as h sidled up to me and draped his arm over my shoulders.

“Is that my baby girlz" Jenny cooed and immediately lifted the baby from my arms.

I wasn't about to deny my children the love from their self-appointed aunt and uncle. I let Jenny take her. And helped position the ever-present burp cloth over her shoulder. Millie smiled her toothless grin and kicked in response to the big smile Jenny gave her. At three months, Millie was as perfect as she could be. Jenny softly bounced as she held the baby.

“It looks good, doesn't it?" I said as I admired the fresh facade and upgrades on the building.

I had allowed Nathan to coordinate the exterior brickwork with his big project to give the area a more unified look. Our little street no longer looked like a run-down part of town. It now looked like a nice older neighborhood with brownstones and tall trees.

One of the storefronts in the neighboring complex had been set aside to help at-risk youth and young adults. It had been Nathan's idea.

“I guess it pays off to know the right people,” I said. In this case, Nathan had been the right person in the right place.

The socially oriented changes had caused some friction between him and his uncle. There were a few tense weeks when I thought Nathan was going to be cut off from his family. He didn't seem to mind and kept reminding me that I was his family that mattered. And if they cut him off, he could go into commercial development with another company. His mother and uncle changed their tune when their board of advisors found out and wholeheartedly agreed that incorporating the existing neighborhood needs into the development would only be a benefit. And they wanted to include more outreach in future multi-use projects.

“Speaking of, where is your husband, and Robbie?” Mitch asked.

I'shrugged. “I have no idea. They took off about thirty minutes ago. Robbie was having giggling fits, so it must be for a surprise!’

“I'm looking forward to this. That man of yours certainly knows how to deliver with the surprises,” jenny said.

She was right. Nathan was good with surprises. So far all of them had been extravagant and perfect. As an engagement gift, he bought me the car of my dreams, and because a convertible wasn't practical for the winter, he also bought me a second minivan. As a wedding gift, he paid for the remodel and refurbishing of my building. Including a complete build-out of a larger bakery kitchen, and the new apartment above it all.

And as a gift for having a baby— I had always thought the baby was the gift— he bought a country home so that we could ge away on the weekends.

I couldn't think of what else he could surprise me with, especially when all I needed was his presence and his love. And I ha both of those in abundance. He made sure I knew he loved me. And he made sure his children knew. At first, I thought he wa spoiling Robbie, and then Millie. But then I realized, he was giving them so much of himself, that the gifts were simply extensions of himself.

I had no idea that I could be this perpetually happy.

“Gabby!” I turned when I heard Lacey's voice.

I'turned to see her walking up hand in hand with David. I was sad when she had moved out, but that hadn't been the end of our friendship as I had feared. She was still constantly at the café since she started dating David. I gave her a quick hug. She turned to Jenny and began playing with Millie's toes.

“Where's Robbie?” she asked.

“He and Nathan have some surprise we're all waiting to see” Mitch said.

Jenny handed the baby over to Lacey, and it was her turn to bounce as we stood around and admired our improved surroundings.

“Hey, Gabby," David said. “You need to check this out He put his hand on my shoulder and pressed so that I turned and looked out at the street.

Ismiled and shook my head at what I saw. Coming down the street was an open Cinderella quality carriage, all white and gilded with love doves painted on the sides. The carriage was pulled by a beautiful matching team of white horses with feathers in their bridles.

Robbie waved at us frantically from the carriage.

I wanted to run to them when they pulled into the parking lot. Mitch's hand on my arm stopped him.

“Make them come to you, this isn't like when he would honk, and you'd go running.”

I laughed; he was right.

Robbie jumped down from the carriage with the footman’s help. Nathan handed out the baby car seat to the footman befor he descended to the ground. Robbie had his father's hand and was dragging him to our little group.

“Mommy, we got a princess ride!” Robbie announced.

“I can see that” I laughed.

“Now this is a good surprise,” Jenny laughed.C0ntent © 2024 (N/ô)velDrama.Org.

“What's this about?” I asked Nathan as he wrapped an arm around me and planted a kiss on my lips.

“I thought you might like to take a romantic ride around in a horse-drawn carriage before I whisk you, and the children away for a little vacation”

A vacation? I hadn't been on a trip since I was a kid. It sounded wonderful and impractical all at once.

“But I have the café to run,” I responded.

“That has already been arranged for,” my husband purred.

Ilooked at David.

He shrugged. “Don't look at me, that's a Miguel thing."

“But you knew?"

“Of course, I knew. I'm working extra shifts, and doing some of the baking he said with a mocking huff.

“But, but I'm not packed,” I said, coming up with another excuse.

“Yes, you are. And so are the kids," Nathan said.

He held his hand out to me and I slid mine into his grasp. He pulled me in close and gave me another kiss, one that pushed the limits for acceptability in public displays of affection.

“You are amazing,” I said with a sign.

With Millie safely buckled into her car seat, we climbed into the carriage. I sat curled next to my loving husband as the horses pulled us away toward our happily ever after.