The Eternity that Follows (28 page)

Joey then stood up to give Gavin back the bench press so
he could do another set.
“How do you plan on doing that?” Gavin asked, laying down.
“Having babies.”
“Man, I heard babies ruin your sex life even more then marriage
does.”
“Not if your constantly trying to make them.”
“How many kids do you want?”
“How many can a woman have in her life time?”
“Man. You’re sick.” Gavin replied, finishing with his set.
“Gabriella is way too good looking not to procreate.” Joey said,
that being his prime reason for wanting children with her.
“Whatever.” Gavin said, having enough of baby talk.

While Joey was doing a second set on the bench press, he
was off thinking in his head what his and Gabriella’s children
would breed to look like. Gavin paid little attention to Joey while
he was off in his head being he was used to that. He too started to
think of children and when he and Sadie would have children of
their own.

When Joey was done, they both laid on mats next to each
other to do their abs. Gavin pushed Joey hard having him increase
his set by ten.
“Ouch.” Joey said, when they were finally done with their ab
routine.
“Get used to it.” Gavin said, suggesting Joey would be sticking to
the increase of ten in his set.
“Fine.” Joey said, thinking he already had a well-defined six pack,
but knowing muscles stop responding to the same repetition after
awhile.
“I’m going to run on the treadmill.” Gavin announced. “You
coming?”
“I’ll be over there in a few. I want to work out my arms a little
more.” Joey said, walking away to the barbells.
“All right man.”
Gavin said, leaving Joey to do a few reps.

Joey then made his way over to the treadmill next to
Gaving.
“I can only do a fifteen minute run today.” Joey announced.
“Oh.”
“Yeah work calls.”

Gavin and Joey didn’t speak much throughout their run.
They were both watching music videos on the televisions placed at
each of their machines. Joey was alerted to how the girls danced in
the videos, wondering if Gabriella ever thought to try to become a
professional dancer. If she did have that dream, it would be long
gone by now, as he expected to try to start getting her pregnant on
their wedding night. Joey finished up his run on the treadmill, said
goodbye to Gavin, got dressed quick and headed off to work.

After Joey left for work, Gabriella went straight online to
register for her kitchen dish set. She was reluctant to put in an
order for two sets of dishes, but did so anyway. She decided if she
was getting a second set of dishes she mine as well get a second set
of coffee cups and saucers too. Gabriella finished out the rest of
the order, placing the other items in the online wish basket. When
she was finally done, it was only eight in the morning. Gabriella
got to thinking how nice it would be to have a baby to care for.
She was growing as enthralled over the idea of having children and
being a house wife as much as Joey already had been.

Gabriella worked out for an hour, took a shower and
prepared herself to go to the bridal shop with Mary and Becky.
They were meeting there at twelve and since it was only eleven
when she was done, she decided to check her facebook. Seeing
quickly, she had a message from Jemma. The message read;
‘I’m so sorry I did that to you. I don’t know what I was thinking.
I just wanted Vinny so bad and you had turned him down, I didn’t
know you still wanted him, so I saw no big deal in convincing him
to come home with me. I didn’t sleep with him Saturday night if
that’s what you and the other girls think. He merely gave me a ride
home because I was so upset that Joey had called me a whore and
you told me how dirty I am. I just didn’t want to be around
anyone. Vinny wasn’t interested in Josephine anyway. He told me
he was only using her to get the chance to hang out with you. I
hope you can forgive me.’

When Gabriella was through reading Jemma’s message, she
laughed to herself and though she wanted nothing more to do with
Jemma, she decided to write back.
‘I’m over the Vinny thing. If anything you did me a favor he
disgusts me. I have Joey now anyway. Whom I heard you’re
trying to keep me from marrying? Good luck with that one’.

Gabriella was pleased with her response, she wanted
Jemma to recognize, although she could forgive her for the Vinny
incident, she now knew her devious plan to see to it that she and
Joey wouldn not be wed. Gabriella wanted Jemma to know there
was little prospect for their friendship after that.

Gabriella then kept to her plans of meeting Mary and
Becky at the bridal shop to be fitted for the bridal dresses,
Gabriella had previously selected earlier in the week. Gabriella
and Mary rode together to the bridal shop, being they were both in
the driveway at the same time, sharing a good laugh because they
didn’t plan on going together in the first place. Gabriella admitted,
it hadn’t crossed her mind because she guessed Mary was meeting
at the shop, coming from Franks place.

The two sisters met Becky at the bridal shop promptly at
noon. Mary was the first to try on the dark purple dress Gabriella
thought would suit her nicely. The dress looked lovely over Mary's
curves, and Mary herself was delighted her sister picked out a
good-looking dress. Her sister soon realized that Gabriella was no
bridezilla, when she saw Becky come out of the fitting room in her
dress.
“That’s beautiful.” Mary exclaimed, as Becky walked out in a rose
pink dress.
“Does it look good?” Becky asked, afraid to hear her cousin’s
response.
“It looks great!” Gabriella said, pleased thinking about her
wedding pictures.
“But are you sure about the color?” Becky asked. “It doesn’t
highlight my trouble spots, does it?”
“Not at all.” Mary said.
“You don’t like the color?” Gabriella asked, disappointed.
“I love the color. I just feel fat in it.”
“You look great.” Gabriella said, honestly.
“You sure do.” Mary assured.
“Do the colors of the dresses match?” Gabriella asked.
“Yes. They look great together.” Mary said, holding up her dress
on its hanger next to the dress Becky was standing in.
“Ok good.” Gabriella said, beaming.

Gabriella placed the dresses on hold, deciding she would
purchase all three dresses after Danielle came on her own, to the
bridal store on Saturday. Gabriella’s parents offered to pay for all
three dresses, being Mary was their daughter, Becky was family,
and Gabriella’s father liked Danielle well enough not to ask her to
pay for her own bridal dress.

When Gabriella arrived home, and noticed it would be
several hours before Joey was expected, she decided to spend the
rest of her afternoon baking. Gabriella knew she would have to be
out of the kitchen at five, when her parents got home from work,
noticing that left her with plenty of time.

Gabriella's plan to bake homemade cookies, was so Joey
could bring them to work with him tomorrow for his workers.
Gabriella started out making chocolate chip cookies, while those
were in the oven, she made sugar cookies, after the sugar cookies
were made, she then baked butter cookies. Gabriella loved to bake
and couldn’t wait for Joey to come home to try her homemade
cookies.

Joey’s morning at work went smoothly once again. One of
his workers called out sick, but Joey didn’t let himself become
worked up about it. Joey instead decided to work through lunch on
the project the worker had been assigned to, in one of the
bedrooms. Joey figured although, an hour of work didn’t compare
to a full day, it would help in setting his deadline back a little less.
Joey was thankful since he started the company, that all of his men
were willing to work the long hours the job required. Then again,
Joey wouldn’t have hired them if they weren’t. Joey had given
them each a week off during the summer for vacation, and he
couldn’t get mad if they sometimes hadn’t been able to show up.

Joey thought about calling Gabriella all throughout his hour
long break he worked through. He was glad though she was out
with Mary and Becky, so she wouldn’t miss his phone call too
much. However, Joey’s phone rang in the middle of his lunch
hour. He guessed it was Gabriella calling to inquire why he hadn’t
called her.
Joey took his phone out of his pocket, delightful for
Gabriella's call, but then he realized it was the jewelry shop. Joey
had forgotten all about his appointment to sign the contract for his
ring design. Joey answered the phone, apologizing he couldn’t
make it. He explained his situation at work, and how he was
working through his lunch break. Joey then agreed to stop by the
jewelry shop after work, being the jeweler said he would stay open
late today.

When Joey got off the phone, he quickly went straight back
to work. When Joey’s work shift ended, he realized he had
completely forgotten to call Gabriella and inform her he would be
home late for dinner. Joey knew he messed up, calling Gabriella
right away.
“Hello?” Gabriella answered, in a concerned voice.
“Hey babe. Listen, I’m going to be home late. I worked right
through lunch and forgot about my appointment at the jewelers.
He’s staying late so I can go meet him now.” Joey said, crossing
his fingers in hope Gabriella wouldn't grow mad.
“That’s okay. I’m running late on dinner anyway, I was baking all
day.”
“Baking?” Joey asked, while he started driving to the jewelers.
“Yup. I made cookies for your workers for tomorrow. I figured a
nice afternoon snack.”
“Hey what about me?”
“Well I really made them for you, I just over baked to pass the
time.” Gabriella said, while Joey noted in his head, he didn't want
to reply to her comment of passing time.

“All right, I’ll be home as soon as possible.”
“Okay baby. Love you.”
“Forever?”
“Yup and the eternity that follows too.” Gabriella said, causing
Joey to smile.
“I love you and for eternity too.” Joey said, with confidence,
hanging up the phone.

When Gabriella got off the phone with Joey, she went back
to the television program she was watching online. Since
Gabriella had devoted all her nights to Joey, she had missed all of
her favorite summer time shows. Gabriella was thankful they were
available online, being it gave her something else she loved to do,
to occupy her time.

Joey signed the contract with the jeweler, briefly looking it
over. He would be making seven percent for every ring of his
design they sold. Joey was informed, the price paid to him would
vary, depending on the assorted selection of the buyer The jeweler
even informed Joey, he already had a few buyers interested in a
few of his stores, holding the few model rings he made. When
Joey shook the jewelers hand good bye, the jeweler told him, if any
more ring ideas came to him to bring them his way. The jeweler
commented he expected Joey’s design to be his best seller. The
jewelers remark cause Joey to smile the whole way home. He
amounted whatever royalty he was to make off of the rings, would
go to furnishing his and Gabriella’s home. He then had a romantic
idea of designing Gabriella a ring every year for their anniversary.
He already had an idea in mind, and hoped he would have the time
to draw it up for their wedding night.

Joey arrived home at eight o’clock, finding Gabriella
upstairs in her bedroom, reading a book.
“That bored your reading?” Joey said, walking into the bedroom
and then tickling the bottoms of Gabriella’s feet
“Joey, your home.” Gabriella said, jumping out of bed and into
Joey’s arms.
“Yes I’m home.” Joey said, holding Gabriella in his arms.
“I love to read Joey.” Gabriella said, climbing out of Joey’s arms.
“Oh. I didn’t know.” Joey admitted. “I’m starved. Lets get those
steaks on.” Joey said, not wanting to let his drive get the best of
him.

Joey started barbequing the steaks Gabriella had smothered
earlier with barbeque sauce. While Joey was barbequing, he told
Gabriella how his meeting went with the jewelers. When Joey was
done, Gabriella realized she had a real gem on her hands. Joey had
so much in life he could fall back on. He could design jewelry, or
clothes or even simply sell his blueprints. The thought to Gabriella
over how successful Joey was proving to be, strengthened her
desire to finish school. Gabriella wanted something to fall back on
too. Gabriella tried not to think it was only because things might
not work out with Joey, but she was unable to come up with any
other reasons why.

Gabriella and Joey ate outside just as the sun was setting.
When the outside patio had been cleared of dinner, Gabriella gave
Joey three cookies, one of each to try.
“Aren’t you going to eat any?” Joey asked, when he noticed
Gabriella only brought out cookies for him and none for herself.
“I had one earlier.”

“One? But you made three kinds.”
“Joey, I have a wedding dress to fit into. I can’t be eating
cookies.” Gabriella remarked.

Joey started to laugh at her.
“I have a wedding coming up too. I can’t eat three cookies either.”
Joey teased, pushing the sugar and butter cookie away.
“Okay then I’ll go give them to my other man.” Gabriella said,
with poise. Joey quickly grabbed the two cookies on the table and
took a bite out of each to try.
“You better not have another man Gabriella. What do you do all
day while I’m at work?”
“I’m baking you cookies.” Gabriella said, standing up and leaving
for the bedroom.

Joey walked in five minutes later.
“Those cookies were good Gab.” Joey said, trying to make peace
with Gabriella.

Joey knew he had offended her over the joke he had made
in regards to her having another man in her life. Joey was just
being himself, but realized he hit a sore spot, as he knew Gabriella
was growing bored at home.
“Jemma sent me a message on Facebook today.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Here I’ll show you.”

Gabriella logged into her Facebook account and let Joey
read the message. While Joey was reading the message, Gabriella
went to wash up for bed. When Gabriella came out of the
bathroom, Joey went in to wash up. Gabriella made her way into
bed, waiting for Joey to come to her. When Joey got into bed, he
feared Gabriella was mad at him from his comment earlier.