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LadyCha0s

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Now that Sophia was around, Gabriel could preoccupy himself with her company. He took her out shopping or to the park whenever Alex came to see Jopseh or when Angel would go to Alex's house. He was trying his hardest not to feel jealous.

"Gabe?", Sophia said as Gabriel set up the lunch table.

"Yea?"

"Why are you so determined to never be around when Alex comes for Joseph?"

"You try being in the same room with the guy who raped your girl and then is now being daddy."

"You teach me of forgiveness but you yourself can't forgive. What's up with that?"

He sat down taking a soda from the cooler.

"Look, I'm trying. I just...I'm scared..."

She sat next to her brother.

"Scared of what?"

"Losing her to him! Look at mami. She left my father for...your dad."

"That was because she wasn't married to your dad. My father had to own up to his wrong and marry her."

"Yea well, whatever."

"Gabe..You're acting like a kid. You're about to marry Angel soon. She won't leave you."

"I don't know sis...It's like I watch them together; mother, father and son. Their son. It hurts. Now I know how my dad felt when he came home from jail and saw your dad playing with Tony. It's like the worst feeling."

"It'll be ok Gabe...Come on...let's go over to Alex's house. Be with them, with Joseph."

He nodded and they put their lunch away and the cooler back in the trunk. They drove from the park to Alex's house where they found Alex feeding Joseph while Angel talked to someone on the phone.

"Gabe...", Alex said, extending his hand which Gabriel reluctantly took to shake. He walked over to Angel and kissed her, a look of surprise on her face. She got off the phone and greeted Sophia.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"I was tired of the park...I figured since Gabe missed Joseph so much we'd come see him."

Alex joined them in the living room, handing Joseph to Gabriel. Joseph laughed and smiled as soon as Gabriel talked to him. Alex sat down on the recliner, Angel and Gabriel on the love seat. Sophia sat alone on the floor, looking at the three of them.

"You guys can hear a pin drop. Thank God Joseph is a lively kid..."

"So, Gabriel...Did you see what I left you in the car?", Angel said.

"No...What did you leave me?"

She rolled her eyes and took his hand.

"Come, let me show you. It's for the wedding. I can't believe you didn't see it. Sophia will you take Joseph and put him in the stroller please?"

Sophia put Joseph in the stroller as Angel and Gabriel walked to the car.

"What is your problem Gabe?"

"Alex is my problem!"

"Why! He isn't hurting anyone any more. You seriously treat him like he killed someone. The minute he has Joseph you freak out and go off on a ride to New Jersey and bring your sister. What next? You'll go to Boston and get a cousin?"

"You said you were ok with me bringing Sophia home."

"I am..That's not the point. When you can't handle something you find someone to fix their problems. You ignore you own issues to fix those of other people."

"There is nothing wrong with helping people Angie. I took you in didn't I."

"Gabe....I'm not saying there is a problem in helping people. I'm saying you're dependant on it. Look, I forgave Alex. He loves his son."

"Exactly. His son. Angel..I hate watching the two of you together. It's like seeing my mother and Victor all over again."

"I'm not leaving you for Alex...I love you. Not him. I just wanted to give him a chance, for Joseph."

Angel kissed Gabriel and walked away, Gabriel leaning against the car, his arms crossed. Sophia came out, putting her shades on. She looked up at her brother.

"Let's go for a ride."

"We just got here."

"I know. But let's get out of here. I wanna talk."

Gabriel sighed and they got in the car, driving off. They went back to the park, walking to the benches.

"Gabriel you introduced me to a life full of love and forgiveness. Where God is the center of it all and I can be new. You told me I had to forgive those who hurt me so God can forgive me. You sit here now angry at Alex, feeling jealousy whenever he's with Angel. What example are you showing me?"

She looked at him and he had his gaze to the floor.

"I know you loved Angel since, God knows when. It killed you to know your best friend raped her, treated her terribly and got her pregnant. But that is the past now. Angel is stronger and past it now. You need to accept that your best friend raped the girl you love and now is trying to be a better person. He is trying to be a good father while giving you room to raise Joseph as your own."

"How would you know that?"

"Because he told me. Whenever you and Angel leave us alone we talk. And he never stops telling me how much he misses you and how bad he wished you would forgive him. It's been hard Gabe, it has. But I only see us getting better while you stay stuck in the same place."