I was not the only one paralyzed in complete shock. Flint and his guys now held their guns only slightly lifted in the air as they tried to convince their minds that what their eyes were seeing was true. It was Kenny who snapped out of his surprise first.
“Gabe!” He yelled, as he took off at a sprint across the massive yard. He didn’t even bother opening the four foot gate that sectioned off the back yard from the rest of the farm, he just leapt it.
When he reached Gabe, he nearly lifted him off his feet in an embrace. Stacy flew out the door after him with Dynasty still in her arms. Gabrielle and I turned slowly to look at each other, needing validity that this was true; fear shown in both our gaze. Fear that it wasn’t really Gabe standing there, and that our minds were playing tricks on us. Or maybe it was fear that it was no longer the Gabe we remembered.
Our legs snapped out of paralysis at the same time because we both turned and ran out the door together. Luke wrapped his little stubby arms around my neck as he screeched, enjoying the choppy ride. By the time we got to Gabe, the rest of the fellas had snapped out of their shock and was embracing him. Kenny still hadn’t let him go.
“Bro, is it you? Tell me it’s you? Man, I thought you was dead!” Kenny cried, squeezing Gabe so hard all he could do was chuckle. He had his back to me so I couldn’t see the look on his face.
“It’s me bruh. I’m not dead!” I closed my eyes as that deep voice washed over me. Tears came to my eyes. Dear God, I thought I would never hear that baritone again.
“Where have you been, we looked all over for you. I’ve paid private investigators millions to look for you?” Kenny didn’t give him time to answer any of his questions before he fired off another.
The twins Spooky and Spider were struggling with their emotions as they ended up joining Kenny in hugging Gabe, since it looked as if he didn’t plan on letting him go. I think there was even a tear in Spider’s eye.
“Boss… welcome back!” Flint said, joining the men in embracing Gabe. Together the five men managed to get Gabe off his feet.
“Dang, y’all selfish!” Stacy yelled over their joyous noise. “Let the man see his wife and children!”
“My what?” Gabe whipped around easily shaking lose from the hold his men had on him. His gaze was going to Stacy, but when it passed me, it slid right back. I stood there more nervous than I’d ever been in my life. Lifting my free hand that shook a bit to try and tame my wild hair that didn’t even pretend to want to stay in the ponytail I had put it in this morning.
Time stopped. And everybody else faded to black. I held my breath as his hungry gaze slowly raked over me, taking me in as if he had a twenty-year thirst and I was a glass of water. I grinned a bit. Glad I decided to wear my pretty purple summer dress.
“Yas…” He whispered. He didn’t look stable as he walked toward me. I ran the rest of the way, covering the distance that separated us.
Dear God help me! Looking up into those deep dark eyes full of love was unraveling me. I thought I’d never see that look again.
“Hey queen!”
Hearing those words come from his mouth was like food for my soul.
“You came back.” He nodded.
“I’ll always come back to you!” And then he was kissing me, my knees just gave. Luckily, he’d wrapped his arm around my waist and was literally holding Luke and I up as he ravished my mouth.
Oh! How I missed his aggressive touch. I moaned wrapping my free arm around him. But just then something hit Gabe in the face hard enough to break our kiss.
We both turned to look at Luke who was frowning at him. A giggle escaped my lips. He had punched his father with his little baby fist.
“Damn… this kid got a mean jab on him.” Gabe grumbled, rubbing his face. But the more he took in Luke whose hair was braided just like his. The more he realized he was staring at a darker, younger version of himself. The look on his face was… priceless!
“Gabe, this is your son Luke.” I said softly, smiling when his mouth dropped. The two just stared at each other; Luke with a frown and Gabe in shock. Stacy stepped up next to me.
“This is Luke’s twin sister, Dynasty.” She told him. When his eyes landed on Dynasty, it was his undoing. He let me go, stumbling back as he brought both of his hands to his head, staring at his children. Tears came to his eyes.
He was crying!
Dear God, he wept! Throwing his head back, he yelled toward the heavens.
“Oh! Todah Yah!
“Todah Yah!”
I don’t know what he just said, but I do know he was happy beyond measure. When finally he gained control of his emotions, he walked to us holding his arms out for his children. Dynasty went to him with no problem. Luke on the other hand, was having none of it. He wrapped his arms around my neck and buried his face in my shoulder.
Gabe looked hurt as he hugged Dynasty close. I touched his arm.
“He’ll come around. He just has to get to know you a little better.” He nodded before he lifted Dynasty so that he could stare into her hazel eyes.
“I’m your daddy baby.” She grinned, showing off her four teeth before saying something to him in a language that only she and Luke could understand. And it just melted Gabe’s heart.
“Ya’ll see this? She is so smart. You hear my baby talking
