Believe in Me

Chapter 52: Merry Christmas?

Mrs Bryan came walking over, "No matter what happens, I'll always remember what you did for my little girl."

Later....

I clutched the drink in my hand as I sat at Gabby's mother's bar downstairs. Gabby was standing a little bit away from me, talking to some of her female cousins. I watched her as I took a drink of my beer.

"Hello, Dean."

I turned around as a gentlemen sat next to me, "You're Derek, right?" I questioned.

"Yes, one of Gabby's cousins," Derek took a seat next to me, "Is Gabby feeling better after the accident?"

I flinched. Is that all anyone in Gabby's family could ask me?

"She's better," I decided to say.

"We're glad for that," Derek said, "So, how exactly did this accident happen? I know it was on the day of the wedding, but I had already left by than."

I felt even more uncomfortable, "Gabby..... she got mad at me and left the wedding," Because a scumbag showed up. I decided not to say the last part.

"Well, in a way, and I think some of the other family agrees with this," Derek said, "In a way, the accident was a blessing in disguise."

"Why is that?" I said, my hand clutching my bottle as I waited for his response.

"Well," Derek said, "It looks like now we can put all this nonsense between the two of you to an end."

I just about knocked my glass over. I looked over at him in shock, "What are you talking about?"

"Well, Dean, you were never the right fit for our cousin," Derek said, avoiding my eyes, "Nobody really wants a lunatic in the family..."

My flinched at the word, Lunatic, "Says who, you, right?"

"I'm not the only one Dean," Derek said, looking towards Gabby. I followed his eyes.

"Well, you're all wrong," I said, "I love Gabby and that's all that matters. I don't care if it takes a day, a year or the rest of my life. I'm going to make her fall in love with me again."

"I knew she should have married that Andy guy..."

I stood up as Derek shut his mouth. I clenched my fists at my side as I tried to calm myself down.

"I'm going to get some fresh air," I mumbled as I walked past Derek.

I headed out the front door into the snowy and cold weather, not even bothering to put my leather jacket on. I leaned against the side of the house as I tried to calm myself down.

I knew Derek's comments weren't true. They couldn't be. Gabby's entire family loved me. It was just his opinion. An opinion of a guy that barely knew me.

I took a deep breath. Goosebumps were across my arms as I shivered in the cold.

That's when I saw a wrapped box in the center of the driveway. It looked like a Christmas present. One of Gabby's family members must have dropped it on accident on their way in. I put my hands in my pocket as I walked forward to retrieve.

The present was long and skinny and was wrapped in plain red wrapping paper. I bent down and looked at the name.

It was for me.

That caught me by surprise. My eyes went downward towards the from box. It was blank.

I picked the box up as I glanced back at the house, looking at every window I could. I took one more look at the door before I started ripping off the wrapping paper.

I didn't even bother worrying about litter as I tossed the paper aside. I used one arm to balance the box as I removed the top with my free hand.

I froze when I saw what was inside.

I immediately became alert as I looked around in a circle, seeking out any sign of movement. When I didn't see any threat, I pulled the item out.

It was a crowbar.

Their wasn't any doubt who this was from. My pulse quickened as I clutched the took in my hand. Was he trying to threaten me?

"Dean!"

I spun around in alarm, only to see Gabby poking her head outside the door.

"There you are," Gabby headed in my direction. It was to late. Their was no hiding it.

"Sorry about leaving you like that, I was just trying to catch up with my family..."

"Don't worry about it," I assured her, to distracted to think about anything else.

Gabby surveyed me as she looked from the wrapping paper, to the box, to the tool in my hand, "Who'd you get that from?"

"It didn't have a name on it," I muttered.

Gabby bent down to pick the wrapping paper up. She stuffed it in the box before speaking again, "That's an interesting gift."

I nodded in agreement.

I let Gabby take the crowbar from my hand, "Do you want to go put this in the car or..."

She stopped, staring into my eyes, "Are you OK?"

"Yes, never better," I lied, looking away from her.

Gabby held her hand out. I instantly put my hand in hers.

"Merry Christmas," Gabby whispered.

"Merry Christmas," I said back, although I didn't know what was so Merry about it.