Gary and Libby; Take Two

I don't know how long we've been lying there in relevant comfort with Gary wrapped around my midsts when I finally muster the will power to break the tranquil silence. "Are you sure you don't need to go to a doctor?"  Silence.  I dip my head down onto the mattress and tug gently at his ear lobe with my left hand. "Gaz?" Silence.  Sighing, I flop back, wrapping my arms around the broad shoulders and clutching him to me. There's a small hum of appreciation but other than that, Gary doesn't speak.  "Gary." I'm reluctant to wake him up, but I give his shoulder a gentle shake non the less. His lips emit a sound somewhere between a grunt and a curse, pressing his nose against my cleavage and nuzzling. "What?" Making an attempt to pull his face up to look at me, I run my thumb over his cheekbone. "I'm worried about you. You're never ill." "Im fine." The croak of his voice betrays the s...

I slip comfortably into conscientiousness as i wake the next morning, mid-morning light glaring behind the shield of the cream bedroom curtains. Silently, i utter thanks that i managed to sleep through and roll sleepily onto my back. My attention shifts when i hear the disgruntled hiccup in Garys throat when i elbow him in the neck. I curse quietly, settling back down as quickly as possible so as not to disturb him further. Craning my neck, i note that its twenty two past ten by the clock at the bedside and cant hide the element of surprise. Normally Gary is up with Ethan long before nine. A comforting hum from the baby monitor tells me that my son is also still fast asleep, a blessing, yet equally as unusual. However, i decide to take full advantage of the peace as i prop myself up on one elbow and gaze down at my sleeping husband. The beard, after a late night pleading on my part, has gone and Gary lies clean shaven and invitingly smooth as he snores softly, mouth open, eye lashes f...

Clara has Ethan settled in front of Postman Pat and a bottle of milk when Gary and I step through the door a little after twenty to six. She smiles kindly as she grabs her coat from the hat stand in the hallway. "I'm sorry for the delay." I shake my head apologetically, "I hope we didn't keep you too long."  "It's no problem at all Mrs Barlow." She chuckles. "He's a pleasure. I'll see you tomorrow." "I'll see you out I smile." When I meander back into the lounge Ethan, of course, is no longer contently ogling at the TV, but instead six feet off the ground as Gary lifts him high into the air. Ethan laughs hysterically as his father persists with his newly perfected aeroplane impression and i stand in the doorway for a while, gazing at the man, who half an hour ago, was a different person. "Have you had a good day monster?" Gary brings Ethan down, close to his chest and blows a kiss against the...

At 3:59, my phone chimes again. New Message; Gary x Outside. Or do i need to come in and fetch you? My nose turns up instantly at his tone, after having all day to fester over the coffee shop incident, i am utterly irritated and not in the mood. Who the hell does he think he is? And what the hell have i done wrong? Deep down i know the reason, but refuse to accept the fact hed be that petty, especially after his behaviour in the coffee shop. Standing my ground, i save my documents and remain seated at my desk. True to his word, three hundred and sixty seconds later, my office door flails open. "Get down here." Gary stands in the threshold. "I told you i wouldnt be finished." I smile, pretending to tap away at a blank computer screen. Taking me by surprise, Gary slams the door, grabbing my coat and bag as he storms up to my desk. "Get your stuff, and get down stairs. Im not in the mood for your childish behaviour." "Im not in the mood for yo...

*A/N, This chapter is a little longer than usual, but it felt apt to cram it all in seeing as its Christmas, so merry Christmas my lovelies x* "Can you see him yet?" Gary sounds more excited than Ethan as my two leading men sit in the large bay window of the lounge gazing up at a cloudless Christmas Eve sky. It's only about 5 O'clock in the evening, but dark enough for Ethan to assume otherwise.  "There!" The toddler extends a small finger, pressing it against the cool glass as he staggers to his feet, wobbling on Garys thighs.  "There?!" Gary gasps, grabbing Ethan round the waist and leaning over his shoulder. "Where? Daddy can't see!" Ethan collapses immediately into a fit of proud laughter as he falls backwards toppling against Garys chest. "Joking daddy! Joke! Joke!"  An appalled gasp leaves Gary in a gush, his smile widening. "Don't trick me like that Monster! You got my hopes up!"  As I watc...

It's too early when I wake, and cold. When I fumble in the darkness for my phone and my ears attune to the softly playing piano in the study downstairs I know I'm alone. 4:18 am   Shit.  Turning the bedside lamp on I grab my robe from the end of the bed and shrug it on, tumbling sleep riddled across the landing. I stop when I arrive at the study threshold, in two minds whether or not to enter as the soft melody continues, it's a tune I recognise, but cannot place. It stops abruptly.  "Come in then." I push the door open, forever alarmed at his astute awareness of my presence. "How did you know I was there?" I mutter, looking anywhere but at Garys face as I make my way over to the upright piano.  "I always know you're there." Gary shifts, planting his hands on his tracksuit clad thighs and twisting on the stool to face me. I don't resist the urge to clamber onto his lap, wrapping his arms around his bare shoulders and res...

I sit with Luke, and a strong mug of black coffee, around my dining room table, sifting through an uncountable amount of papers. Its getting on for ten and we chat as we work, the reassuring gurgle from Ethans baby monitor lessening the potentially harsh silence each time we fall quiet. "This is obscene." Luke lets out a disgruntled sigh, throwing his Biro down and watching it drown in the sea of documentation. Nodding in agreement, my eyes slipping in and out of focus, my exhaustion gripping me, as i glance up at the clock. 10.07pm  Gary should be back any minute. From whatever gig hes doing tonight. Hes been out so much lately and im sick of being on my own, and so now im sat here, half asleep and working with Luke at ten past ten on a Tuesday. "Maybe we should call it a night?" I offer, quietly eager to get Luke gone so i can go to bed, but right on cue, the baby monitor broadcasts a shrill scream from my sleeping son, preventing me from hearing my desired a...