"Where did you go all of a sudden?" Amelia asks as soon as her husband joins her at the airport.
"I was in planet earth, don't worry wife" he grins as he wraps his arms around her.
"I never worry about you just the people around you" Amelia smiles and Gabriel grins as he pinches her side before they walk in the line.
"Why don't we owe our own jet dad" Angelo asks as he waits for the announcement to board the plane.
"Because you are broke as fuck Ang" Gabriel snaps at his son who groans.
"But you have enough money" Galterio comments.
"That's why we are taking the private jet and you all are getting home in a third class"
"What?" the boys jump off their seat.
"As I said you two are broke as fuck just be happy I am even paying for the seats"
"You must be the world's first dad you bully his own sons" Galterio shakes his head.
"Do you have any idea how exhausting it is to hold that title? Like I am your mother's only husband and yours only father and beside all of that I have to stay at the top...
And your mother says I do nothing" Gabriel shakes his head while both his son pouts staring at their mother.
"You father is teasing" Amelia assures the kids.
"I am not, I seriously got them a different flight ticket" Gabriel states.
"The least you could have done is take Hazel with you" Galterio grumbles as he checks all of their tickets.
"I am taking her with me because I know when she is around your mischief are in check" Gabriel states before he pulls out a magazine and pretends to read it.
"You are so cheap dad" Angelo grumbles as he takes a seat further away from his father.
"You really are something else, I will go see if we can exchange their seats" Amelia sighs as she goes to get up before stopping as Ricardo walks there way.
"Oh hey" Amelia smiles at the man.
"I got you all coffee" he states before passing the tray.
"On to the son-in-law duties I see" Gabriel remarks as he takes the cup.
*******
"Did you all checked in?" He asks as he takes a seat in front of Gabriel.
"Yes, we are just waiting for the plane to land so they can get out" Gabriel comments and Ricardo frowns.
"But are you not flying on your own?" he asks.
"We are but not them" Amelia states as she glares at her husband.
"If there is no problem they can join mine, I am flying alone" Ricardo suggests but before anyone can say anything both the boys rush to sit beside him.
"That is one of the best idea I have heard after I have been born"
"I already love the comfort of the seat in your plane" the boys starts and Ricardo chuckles.
"And Hazel is so quiet you will not even notice she was there, right Haz?" Galterio asks but before she could speak he adds.
"See, not a peep" he grins as he holds Ricardo hand.
"If you two board his plane they you can say you last goodbye to your mom now because none of you will be entering the house" Gabriel warns his sons.
"I am really good at cleaning dishes"
"And I even know how to fold clothes once dried" the boys replies much to Gabriel annoyance.
"Good, they guess now I can finally have the house for myself, let's get going honey" Gabriel groans as he gets up from the seat.
"Well in that case, you won't mind if I travel in your plane now do you?" Amelia's voice stops Gabriel on his steps.
"Excuse me?" Gabriel asks in displeasure as he stares at his wife.
"You are excused, I hope you will find someone soon to cook for you" Amelia smiles as she pats on Gabriel's cheek.
"You would not dare" he warns.
"Oh just watch me"
"Not you but him, he would not dare. First my daughter, then my son and now my wife too? Who the fuck do you think you are?" Gabriel growls at Ricardo.
"Our brother-in-law" the boys replies as they hug Ricardo.
*******
"Thank you so much and I am really sorry for all the trouble" Amelia smiles as Ricardo sets the bags next to her.
"It's not a problem at all" he smiles.
"I hope Gabe did not scare you much, he just is very protective of his kids is all"
"While he is destructive towards his sons" Galterio comments.
"Ignore my sons as I do, but really I am so happy for you and Gabby and the progress in your relation. My daughter looks and acts tough but she has a heart that gets hurts easily...
So, do take care of her" she asks before asking the boys to follow her.
"It was awesome of you and I know everyone in the family has already warned you off, but no one thanked you for finally taking her away...
From a relief brother to you, thanks for accepting my sister and helping us" Galterio shakes Ricardo's hand before he grabs Hazel's bag who whispers a soft thank you before they walk away.
"We should totally hang out sometimes and not to be too forward but my birthday is soon so a car as a gift is just fine or perhaps..."
"A slap to your face" Gabriel finishes Angelo's words who sighs before running away shouting a goodbye to Ricardo.
"Even if I don't feel like doing it but you deserve one, thanks for giving us a lift on your plane"
"It's okay, I am sure if my plane was not working you would have done the same" Ricardo nods his head as he shakes Gabriel's hand.
"Don't be sure, I would probably laugh my ass out waving you goodbye" Gabriel grins as he makes his way out while Ricardo chuckles thinking that would exactly how Gabby would react.
*******
Ricardo holds the note the intruder left for them as whoever that person was knew exactly when to attack.
"A storm never gets caught but catches others in it" he reads aloud before putting the note down.
"Some dramatic shit that is" Ryman comments.
"If it's a storm then guess we did not get anything as the storm sweeps everything away as well" Ricardo jokes making Richard chuckle.
"Very funny but true, we did not get anything. No fingerprints, nothing whoever this was is smart"
"Extremely, that she knew we were all be occupied that day to get to her soon"
"Whatever that is, just know none of the Lucero's are alarmed or coming to hunt us down" Ryman's comment makes Ricardo to raise his brow in question.
"A little bird told me"
"What are you up to Ry?" Ricardo asks turning to face his brother who grins as he gets comfortable on the couch.
"What makes you think I am?" he grins and Ricardo scoffs before Richard sighs and takes a seat as well.
"A little bird that happens to have a surname that does not belongs to us?" Richard states and Ryman growls.
"You have been spying on me?" he accuses Richard who waves his hand unbothered.
"Next time you by a plane ticket never do that on the company's credit card" Richard warns, and Ryman looks away sheepishly.
"Oh, about spying on you, you make it so easy baby brother. Grow up" he teases, and Ryman throws a pillow towards his brother.
"Do shut up"
"No idea what you are trying to do Ry but don't do things recklessly" Ricardo adds before he takes the file Rustic passed him.
*******
"Lucero's are throwing a party in a month and I have found a way to get us invited" Rustic's comment makes everyone stare at him.
"It's Leon Jr and Leah Storm wedding party" he remarks.
"A wedding party?" Richard frowns at the thought.
"Yeah and guess what, Leah storm is Gabby's cousin"
"No" Ricardo refuses.
"Oh, come on, first let me finish" Rustic groans.
"Not that idiot, Storm...ring a bell?" he asks his brothers as he stares at each of their faces.
"A storm that we cannot catch, of course" Richard hits his hand on the couch.
"You think Leah storm kidnapped Melissa?" Rustic asks but Ricardo shakes his head.
"I should have added it when I saw that quote" Ricardo curses.
"What?" they all stare at him now.
"Leah is not the only cousin Gabby has, there is one specific cousin of hers. Richard, check on Naomi Storm, I think she will know exactly where Melissa is so as Gabby" he groans rubbing his forehead.
"Okay, what's going on?"
"That invitation, I will get us one" Ricardo promises as he hands the file back to Rustic.
"Okay, but you did not even hear my plan" Rustic complains.
"You were not going to make me ask Gabby for the invite?" Ricardo frowns.
"No, but I was going to request mom or dad" he shrugs his shoulder.
"Okay you can do that as well" Ricardo agrees.
"Okay, but you are going to ask Gabby to sneak us in the party?" he asks confused.
"No"
"Then, where are you going?" Rustic shouts,
"Out" he replies walking out of the room.
*******
"That's enough" Amelia shouts at once silently the banters on going in the room.
"Well thank you" Gabby sighs in relief as even she could not make her father and Throne stop and she was seconds away from throwing the lamp on one of them.
"You in the room and you out" Amelia orders her husband first before she orders Throne.
"I am not going n my room" Gabriel grumbles not liking Amelia's order.
"Time out for both of you and if I do not see you in the room Gabe, so help me. You two are acting nothing but as assholes....
Setting a real good example Gabe, to your kids and you Throne you as well. You two re so hot headed that you have forgotten that Lily is pregnant and what will too much stress can do" she warns both the men.
"I am not letting him use my pool for the party" Gabriel cannot help but throw in the real reason for the start of the shouting.
"It was your idea that the wedding happens in the house Gabe because too much travelling for Lily is unhealthy" Amelia sighs not having any clue as how to handle her childish husband.
"Yes, but that does not mean I am letting him use my pool"
"Then where are we having the party? Of course, you will not play cheap card and not invite anyone" Gabby asks Gabriel.
"I am not letting anyone in the pool"
"Why?" everyone asks when he refuses to budge.
"Because that will be insult to my dead fish, to celebrate on the pool where he was killed and moreover if I let Throne throw a party in there, don't you think that fish will forever be in the pain...
Because the same man who refused to be part of his funeral is having his wedding party in there, they may get cursed" he snaps and all of his family member stares at him as if he has lost before they all laugh at his face.
"Dad, you are funny and if you love that fish that much why do you keep eating other fish?" Lily asks her father who looks away sheepishly.
"Decision has been made, pool party is on and dad has no say, he and his silly talks" Gabby groans as she gets up from the sofa and grabs her bag.
"Where are you going?" Galterio asks.
"Home, I will meet Lily in at the designer's shop"
"Won't you stay in the house until the wedding?" Lily asks.
"Not when I have to be part of this every few hours" she shrugs her shoulder before she walks to where Lily was and kisses on her forehead before hugging her mother.
"We still have to discuss on about Ricardo and you" Gabriel reminds his daughter.
"There is nothing to talk about dad at least not with you" she waves her hands walking out.
*******
Gabby smiles as she checks on her phone to find it was Ricardo calling her. So, with a happy feeling she receives the call.
"Guess what?" she asks as soon as she receives the call making him chuckle.
"What?" he plays along.
"Lily and Throne are getting married next week at dad's house"
"Oh, that's great and you are there right now?" he asks, and she groans.
"Nope, but I was there few hours ago. Dad's being dad, so what are you up to?"
"This and that"
"Oh so Mr. this and that, why did you miss me?" she asks rolling on her bed.
"I heard one of your cousins was going to get married as well"
"One of my...oh yeah, Leah. Around next month, why" she asks curiously running her hand on her cat who purrs lying beside her.
"Nothing, just a thought, seems like a wedding season in your family"
"Yeah right, but I have yet to talk with Leah, it has been a while. Though, mum and dad may fly to attend the wedding"
"And you?"
"Me, I will be there as soon as Lily's wedding is done. I have so much to catch up with them"
"Them?"
"Yeah, there's Leah and Naomi, Roxanne and Summer, we used to have so much fun"
"And you all are close"
"Yes, but why are you asking all these?" she asks pushing her cat away as it starts to claw on her side.
"Just"
"Rare, you never ask questions just" she accuses before groaning.
"Exactly Precious, exactly" he chuckles as her groan gives her away.
"Melissa deserves it" she groans once again.
"Whatever it is Precious, where is she?" he asks, and she sighs.
"I don't want to fight with you about her"
"We are not now, where is she?"
"Somewhere you will not know"
"You should not have gotten involved"
"I have not"
"But..."
"No buts, she hurt one of my sisters, so you do not get to tell me it's wrong and anyways end of discussion, Rare...
I do not want my mood to be sour because I am going for shopping"
"May I know where?" he gives in.
"Somewhere I can look gorgeous, we are going for dress fitting"
"Can I see you afterwards?" he asks, and she pretends to think.
"May I know why you want to see me, as you were in a hurry to get away from me" she teases him.
"Can I not even take my girlfriend on a date?" he asks making her gasps.
"A date?"
"Yeah, if you say yes, that is"
"Is it formal?"
"It's only you and me"
"Fine, we will be in..."
"Actually, I wanted to suggest something" he stops her.
"Suggest?"
"All the years being in the business, I have come across some brilliant designers"
"And?"
"And I was thinking, you will love the dresses she makes so if your family does not mind, I thought you all can go check her work and she even has a special discount on"
"I am sold, as soon as I heard the word discount. I mean who does not love a discount"
"Are you sure, you do not have to talk with your parents?"
"Just text me the address and someone recommended by you Rare, I know will be perfect" she smiles feeling happy about him caring so much for Lily's wedding.
"You said a week, so the venue décor and all"
"Have I ever told you how much I love that you got money and connections?" she asks making him laugh.
"Your family has much more than me Precious"
"Uh-uh, but they never make me want to jump in their arms as soon as I see them as you make me Rare" she confesses making him smile.
"I love you" he breathes in.
"You better" she laughs jumping out of the bed.
"See you later" he asks, and she nods her head before replying.
"It's a date"
"It's a date" he agrees as they both hang up their phone.