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In short, he would have been like his father, fighting with Paulina on the telephone over his lack of involvement until he finally tired of the conflict and ceased contact altogether His vision of what his life would have been like was very clear

He grounded hier the old professor; he was a newthat was in him to be the best, most active, attentive husband and father he could be

The first thing he needed to do was to comfort his wife Then he needed to take steps to ensure that she didn’t lose everything she’d worked for since she was in high school

He opened histo her, but Julia extricated herself, tossing the blankets aside and ht and start ruh some clothes

Gabriel followed By the time he made it to the closet, she’d pulled on a pair of jeans and one of his old cash for socks

“What are you doing?”

“I can’t sleep” She didn’t look at hiyle socks

“Where are you going?”

“I thought I o for a drive Clear my head”

“Then I’er

She closed her eyes “Gabriel, I need time to think”

He lifted a pair of jeans and a sweater from one of the shelves

“Res in New York”

“I said that being apart was a bad idea You agreed with me We’re partners, reyle socks “I re

“I have no idea what to say to you This is htmare come true!”

Gabriel rocked back on his heels, alhtmare?”

Julia couldn’t look at him

“This is why I need time to think I don’t kno to express what I feel without hurting you I’ I’ve worked for because of this You can’t iine how much this hurts”

A muscle jumped in his jaw

“I’m the one as hesitant for us to have a baby” His voice was low “This has brought up all my old anxieties, too”

She lifted her head, her eyes flashing

“You knowto take this away froed a look before she bent her eyes to the floor

“Let o with you We don’t have to talk I just want to be near you” His tone grew gentle

Julia realized that he was trying very hard to be considerate, even though his first instinct was to take charge and take over

“Fine,” she said, reluctantly

They walked downstairs and bundled up against the cold, winding scarves around their necks In the hall closet Gabriel retrieved his beret and Julia found an old knitted cap that belonged to Rachel

“What would you think of a walk?” He toyed with the keys he’d left on the hall table

“A walk? It’s freezing out there”