Chapter 94: A Day with Sofia
Gabriel woke to the soft sound of Stassie talking on her cell phone. He stretched, feeling the light morning breeze coming in through the open window, and heard Stassie mention the name "Sofia" in an excited tone. Standing up, he went to the kitchen, where he found Stassie making coffee and smiling as she spoke.
"Sure, Alexia, you can leave Sofia with us! It'll be great to spend the day with her," Stassie said, ending the call.
Gabriel raised his eyebrows, leaning against the counter. "Are we going to take care of Sofia today?"
Stassie turned to him excitedly. "Yes! Alexia has some important appointments and asked if we could keep her for a few hours."
Gabriel smiled slightly. "Sounds like fun. She's a very easygoing baby, from what I saw last time."
Stassie laughed. "Calm down? You didn't see her crying because she didn't want to get off your lap last time. She loves you, Gabriel."
He shrugged, amused. "Well, let's see how the day goes then."
A little while later, Alexia arrived with Sofia in her arms. The baby with blond hair and bright eyes was dressed in a yellow onesie decorated with small flowers.
"Hi, my angels," Alexia said, entering the house. "Thank you for taking care of Sofia. She woke up in a good mood, so I think today will be easy."
Sofia, upon seeing Gabriel, stretched out her little arms towards him, babbling something that sounded like "Babu!"
"Looks like she wants you, Gabriel," Alexia joked, handing the baby to him.
Gabriel held her easily, a small smile appearing on his face as Sofia snuggled against his chest.
"She has good taste," he said, causing Stassie and Alexia to laugh.
Before leaving, Alexia explained a few details about Sofia's routine, including her bottle and nap schedule. "If you need anything, call me, okay? You'll be fine."
After Alexia left, Stassie set up a small space in the living room for Sofia to play. She spread out a few toys and laid down a soft rug for the baby to crawl on. Gabriel sat on the floor next to Sofia, who seemed fascinated by him.
"She likes you more than me," Stassie joked, sitting down next to them.
Gabriel picked up one of the plush toys and gently shook it in front of Sofia, who giggled adorablely. "Maybe because I'm better with babies than you thought."
Sofia crawled over to him, holding the plush toy in her chubby little hands. Gabriel lifted her into the air, eliciting more excited laughter.
"You're really good at this, aren't you?" he said to Sofia, who responded with an excited babble.
Stassie watched the scene with a melting heart. Seeing Gabriel interacting with Sofia so naturally made something inside her spark. She could barely contain her smile as she thought about what he would be like as a father.
When it was time for Sofia to eat, Stassie took over the task of preparing the bottle while Gabriel held the baby in his arms. Sofia began tugging at his shirt, seemingly impatient.
"Easy, little one, it's coming," he said, his tone softer than Stassie had ever heard before.
When the bottle was ready, Stassie handed it to Gabriel. He sat on the couch with Sofia on his lap, holding the bottle while she drank. Stassie couldn't take her eyes off them, capturing the moment with a discreet photo.
"This one's going in my personal album," she said, smiling.
Gabriel looked at her with a smirk. "Don't post this anywhere."
"Of course not," Stassie replied, although she was tempted to share the adorable moment.
After lunch, they decided to take Sofia for a walk in the nearby park. Stassie put a cute hat on the baby while Gabriel pushed the stroller.
At the park, Sofia seemed enchanted by everything around her, babbling and pointing at the birds and trees.
"She's so curious," Gabriel commented as he pushed the stroller.
Stassie held his hand. "You're amazing with her, you know? I knew you'd be good, but... not like this."
He shrugged, looking at Stassie. "Children are simple. They just want attention, care, and someone to make them laugh. It's not that different from adults."
Stassie laughed, squeezing his hand. "You always make things look so easy."
At the park, they found a children's swing, and Gabriel picked Sofia up to put her on it. He pushed gently, as the baby laughed loudly, her eyes shining with happiness.
"That laugh is contagious," he commented, smiling.
Stassie took more photos and videos. "Alexia will love this. And so will I. Maybe we can do this again in the future, with a little version of ourselves."
Gabriel looked at her, surprised, but smiled slightly. "Who knows?"
After the walk, they returned home. Sofia was clearly tired, rubbing her eyes as she mumbled softly.
"Time for a nap," Stassie said, picking her up and heading to the guest room, where they had set up a portable crib.
Sofia, however, seemed more interested in staying with Gabriel, holding out her arms to him as she yawned.
"Looks like you're going to put her to sleep," Stassie said, smiling.
Gabriel picked Sofia up, who quickly snuggled against him. He walked around the room, rocking her gently as he sang softly.
Within minutes, Sofia was fast asleep. Stassie watched from the doorway, her heart melting.
"You're perfect, you know that?"
He placed Sofia in the crib, covering her with a light blanket. "I just did what she needed," he said, but there was a special sparkle in his eyes.
When Alexia returned to get Sofia, she was impressed by Stassie's account of the day.
"Looks like she loved being with you guys," Alexia said, picking up the sleeping baby. "Thank you for taking such good care of her."
After Alexia left, Stassie approached Gabriel, hugging him from behind as he washed his hands in the kitchen.
"Today was perfect," she said. "Seeing you with Sofia...it made me realize how lucky I am."
Gabriel turned to her, drying his hands and gently cupping her face. "I'm the lucky one to have you, Stassie. No matter what the future holds, I know it will be amazing because you'll be by my side."
They kissed, a gesture full of affection and silent promises. Stassie knew more than ever that Gabriel was the man she wanted to build a family with. And Gabriel, though he wasn't one for many words, felt the same way.
Chapter 95: Lucky Break
Gabriel was sitting on the couch in the living room, watching the end of the day through the window. The California sky displayed orange and pink hues as the sun set. He had a glass of wine in his hand and his feet bare, enjoying a rare moment of tranquility.
Suddenly, he heard Stassie call him from the bedroom. "Gabriel! Can you come here for a second?"
He stood up slowly, curious. When he entered the bedroom, he was completely caught off guard. Stassie was standing in the middle of the room, wearing black lace lingerie that highlighted every curve of her body.
"What do you think?" she asked, with a playful smile on her lips and a slightly provocative pose.
Gabriel stood still for a moment, admiring her. He ran his hand through his hair, trying to hide the smile that appeared on his face.
"I think I'm the luckiest man in the world," he said, his voice low and sincere.
Stassie chuckled, crossing her arms and tilting her head to the side. "Oh, yeah? And what exactly makes you think that?"
He slowly approached her, placing the wine glass on the nightstand without taking his eyes off her. "Look at you. Do I really need to explain?"
"Explain," she teased, biting her bottom lip.
Gabriel stopped right in front of her, his eyes roaming every detail of Stassie's body. He placed a hand on her waist, gently pulling her closer. "You're gorgeous. Kind. Intelligent. And on top of that... well, just look at you."
Stassie felt heat rise to her face, but she loved it when Gabriel showed this more direct, confident side. He was a reserved man, but he knew exactly how to make her feel special.
"I like it when you say things like that," she admitted, gripping the collar of his shirt.
He tilted his head, his voice growing huskier. "You should listen more often, then. Because it's the truth."
Gabriel pulled Stassie closer, sliding his hands down her back. He loved the feel of the lace against his fingers, but more than that, he loved the fact that Stassie was his alone.
"You know," he said, his voice soft, "I never thought I'd have this. Someone like you. Someone who understands me and makes me want to be better every day."
Stassie smiled, touching his face. "I feel the same way, Gabriel. You're… unlike any man I've ever met. And that's exactly what I've always wanted."
He kissed her, a slow, deep kiss that said more than any words could. When they broke apart, her eyes were shining.
"You look so beautiful in lingerie," he murmured, smirking. "But you know what's funny?"
"What?" she asked curiously.
"Even if you were in sweatpants, I'd still be crazy about you."
She laughed, slapping his chest lightly. "You have to stop being so perfect. You're going to spoil me too much."
"Spoiling you is my favorite job," he replied, before kissing her again.
After some time together, Stassie went to the bed and lay down, while Gabriel went to get more wine for them both. When he returned, she was tangled in the sheets, but still wearing her lingerie.
He handed her the glass and sat down next to her, watching her with admiration.
"What's wrong?" she asked, noticing his gaze.
"Nothing," he said with a smile. "I was just thinking about how lucky I am. I really am, Stassie. I've been through a lot in my life. I never thought I'd find someone like you. And now here we are, living together, building something that's just ours."
She placed the glass of wine on the coffee table and moved closer to him, laying her head on his shoulder. "I'm lucky too, Gabriel. You're everything I've ever wanted and more. Sometimes I wonder how I got so lucky."
He wrapped his arm around her, holding her close. "It's all my luck," he said, kissing the top of her head.
As they talked, Stassie looked at him with a special sparkle in her eyes. "You know what I was thinking?"
"What?" he asked curiously.
"Maybe we should take some pictures together. Not just the ones for Instagram, but something more intimate, something just for us. Like... a couple's photoshoot."
Gabriel raised his eyebrows in surprise. "A photoshoot? The professional kind?"
She nodded. "Yeah! I think it would be beautiful. Don't you think?"
He shrugged, smirking. "If you want, I'll do it. But only because it's you."
Stassie smiled, kissing him on the cheek. "You're amazing, you know that?"
"I try," he teased, making her laugh.
Later, as they got ready for bed, Gabriel watched Stassie strip off her lingerie and slip into comfortable pajamas. Still, he couldn't take his eyes off her.
"What now?" she asked, laughing as she brushed her hair.
"Nothing," he said, lying back on the bed. "I'm just admiring my wife."
She rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but smile. "You're impossible, Gabriel."
He reached out for her. "Come here. I need you here with me."
Stassie walked over to him and lay down next to him, snuggling into his chest. As the silence of the night enveloped them, she knew she couldn't be happier. And Gabriel, as he stroked her hair, felt exactly the same.
Chapter 96: Gabriel and the Lioness Cast Training
It was a clear morning in Los Angeles when Gabriel received the invitation. One of the Lioness directors called him personally, explaining that the cast would be doing special training with military tactics consultants, and that they would be thrilled if he wanted to participate.
"Of course I'm in," Gabriel replied without hesitation. He had great admiration for the series and for all the effort that went into accurately portraying the military world.
On the appointed day, Gabriel arrived at the training location, a large, isolated tactical center on the outskirts of the city. He was dressed to impress, but also to be comfortable and ready for action.
His Multicam Black combat shirt, paired with black tactical pants, highlighted his experience and preparation. He brought his own equipment, including an HK416 rifle and a Glock G17, which were already like extensions of his body.
As he pulled up, Gabriel was met by one of the series' hired military consultants, a former Navy SEAL named Mike.
"Gabriel!" Mike greeted him, shaking his hand firmly. "I hear you're a legend around here. I hope you're ready to show us a few things today."
Gabriel smiled modestly. "I guess you guys are the ones who'll be showing me something. I just want to help in any way I can."
As they walked toward the training ground, Gabriel spotted the cast of the show. They were dressed in tactical gear and seemed excited, though visibly nervous to see Gabriel. He had already earned a reputation not only as a role model, but also as someone with real combat experience.
Laysla De Oliveira, who played Cruz, approached with a smile. "So, you're the famous Gabriel. Everyone's talking about your participation in Seal Team."
"And everyone's talking about how great you guys are in Lioness," he replied, with a smirk. "Looking forward to seeing how you guys handle yourself in the field today."
She laughed. "No pressure, right?"
The group was gathered for a quick briefing by Mike. "Today we're going to focus on CQB close quarters combat. Gabriel here brought his own gear, which is a good sign. I hope you're ready to learn from him, too."
The drill began with basic team movements, with the squad learning how to move in formation while clearing a mock room. Gabriel watched closely as they practiced, his critical but encouraging gaze pushing the group to work even harder.
After a few minutes, Mike asked Gabriel to show him how he would do it.
Gabriel adjusted his stance and held his rifle precisely. "Okay, I'll go in slowly first, and then we can do it at speed. Watch how I keep my sector covered, but trust my partner to cover his."
He entered the mock room fluidly, moving as if every step was calculated. His experience was evident. As he left, everyone applauded.
"Wow," Zoe Saldaña said, impressed. "You make it look easy."
"It only looks easy because I've practiced it a thousand times," Gabriel explained. "And that's what you're doing now. Every rep counts."
After a few hours, it was time to put it all into practice in a realistic training scenario. The cast was divided into two teams, and Gabriel was added to one of them as the leader.
Mike explained the drill. "You're going to clear a house, find a 'target', and make sure it's safely removed. Gabriel, lead your team. Let's see how they keep up with you."
Gabriel nodded and turned to the group. "Okay, guys, listen up. The key to this is communication. Even if you're nervous, speak up. Confidence comes with practice, so let's do this together."
With Gabriel leading the way, the team entered the simulated house. He moved with precision, silently signaling the cast to follow.
"Cross, door to the right. Cover," he whispered to Laysla. She did exactly as he asked, her posture improving with each movement.
When the drill was over, Mike nodded approvingly. "That was impressive. Gabriel, you're a natural instructor."
Gabriel laughed. "You guys have good students. It makes the job easier."
During the break, Gabriel sat down with some of the actors and shared stories from his real-world experience.
Zoe asked, "What made you leave the world? I mean, you obviously still love it."
Gabriel took a sip of water before answering. "I loved the work, but there comes a point where you realize you need balance. I still enjoy being around it, like I do now. But my priority right now is the life I'm building with Stassie."
Laysla smiled. "She must be so proud of you."
"I hope so," Gabriel said with a sincere smile.
At the end of the day, the group did one last exercise where they competed on a course timed. Gabriel did not disappoint, leading his team with skill and speed, but always encouraging the others to do their best.
When it was all over, the cast thanked him warmly.
"It was amazing having you here," Mike said, shaking Gabriel's hand. "You have a talent for this, both as an operator and as a mentor."
"Thank you," Gabriel replied. "It was a pleasure. And you have a great group here. I can't wait to see the next seasons."
When Gabriel got home that night, Stassie was waiting for him on the couch.
"So, how was it?" she asked curiously.
He dropped his backpack on the floor and sat down next to her. "It was fun. They're really dedicated. It reminded me of my own training days."
Stassie smiled, leaning in to kiss him. "I'm sure you were amazing. They're probably already looking to hire you as a permanent consultant."
Gabriel laughed. "Who knows? But today just made me realize how grateful I am to have you and our life together."
She smiled, taking his hand. "And I'm grateful to have you here with me."
They spent the rest of the evening relaxing, happy to be together, as Gabriel reflected on how, even away from the battlefield, he could still share his skills and inspire others.
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