April 2000
It was a normal day in Thunder Bay. Well a normal day for Gabi and her sister. They had gotten up, went to school and now it was time to work on the Staal Farm. For Whitney it meant avoiding Jordan at all costs but for Gabi it meant she could spend time with Eric. A blush formed on her cheeks as she thought about Eric. He was her best friend but it was no secret that she liked him more than a friend but the only problem was that she didn’t know how he felt. She sighed and pulled her hair up into a ponytail and slipped into her work boots as Whit ran off with Marc to do some work. After she was ready she looked around for Eric and frowned when she didn’t see him, he should have been here by now, sighing she left the barn and went to find Henry to see what he wanted her to do. Gabi couldn’t believe that Eric wasn’t here yet, he was never late for working on the farm it was the only time they had to spend together during the week. When she finally found Henry, she saw Eric there talking to his dad about something, so she waited until the discussion seemed to die down before walking over to him.

“Hey Henry,” She said with a smile. “What do you want me to do today?”

Henry looked from Gabi to Eric with a smile, “You and Eric can have the day off. Go do something fun. Jordan, Marc, Jared, Whitney and I can keep the fort down for a day. Enjoy the day.”

Gabi looked at Eric who smiled at her before taking her hand and leading her away from his dad and back to the barn where he waited outside while she changed out of her work clothes and back into her other clothes.

“What was that all about?” Gabi asked Eric as she left the barn in the clothes she had worn to school.

Eric smiled, “I asked for the day off. I wanted to do something special for you today. Just the two of us.”

“Well then Mr. Staal, lead the way,” She said a small blush forming on her cheeks as he grabbed her hand in his. “So, yesterday you were telling about the girl you like. Have you told her yet?”

He shook his head, “I’ve tried to but every time she’s around, I get nervous and I can’t do it. Plus I told you, I’m friends with her, I don’t want to lose that. What if she doesn’t like me back?”

“Eric Craig Staal, she would be an idiot if she didn’t like you back. You are the best guy I know. You’re funny, sweet, amazing and not to bad on the looks either,” Gabi said as the blush grew on her face. “You’re the guy that every girl wishes for. So trust me when I say that she likes you back.”

Eric smiled and squeezed her hand, “What about you? Did you tell the guy that you like that you like him?”

“No,” She said sighing. “He likes someone else. He’s always talking about her, Eric. She’s perfect. There’s no way I can beat that.”

He stopped and looked at her with a frown on his face, “Elle, if this guy can’t see how amazing you are then he doesn’t deserve you. You’re beautiful, smart, kind, and you put everyone else before yourself. Any guy would be lucky to call you his.”

“You are so full of it,” Gabi said pushing Eric a little. “Plus who needs some guy, when I have you forever.”

Eric smiled as they got to their secret place, “I think you should tell him.”

“How about I’ll tell him if you tell her,” Gabi said sitting down, slipping her shoes off and dipping her feet into the lake.

He nodded, “Okay.”

They were quite for a while just enjoying each other’s company. Gabi looked over at Eric and saw that he was looking at her causing her to blush and look away.

“Elle,” Eric said softly. “I have to tell you something.”

Her breath caught in her throat, “What Eric?”

“The girl,” He started taking her hands in his. “That I’m always talking about, the one that I like a lot, the one that I’m always thinking about, the one that I’m afraid to lose as a friend, she is you.”

Gabi’s eyes widen, “What?”

“I like you,” Eric said taking a deep breath. “I love the way you smile, I love the way you crinkle your nose when you’re annoyed, I love even though Marc, Jordan and I are taller than I you don’t put up with our crap, I love how smart you are and that you have big dreams, but most of all I love that you put others needs in front of yours, you’ll do anything for anyone and never ask for anything in return. I love everything about you, Elle. I know you don’t see it but to me you’re perfect.”

She bit her lip, “Eric, are you being serious?”

“Yes,” He said with a smile. “Elle, I know that we are meant for something more than friends. I can’t imagine my life without you, please tell me the guy you were talking about is me.”

Gabi grinned, “Why are you nervous?”

“Very,” He said looking into her eyes. “Well?”

She nodded, “I’ve liked you for years, Eric. It’s always been you.”

Eric smiled and started to lean in. He stopped and looked into her eyes asking if this was okay. Gabi nodded and he leaned all the way in and placed his lips on hers in a sweet kiss. Gabi smiled into the kiss and wrapped her arms around his neck as her eyes fell close. Eric placed on hand on her waist and the other one her face, as he slowly pulled back and watched as her eyes fluttered opened. Carmel brown eyes met with blue-green eyes as smiles spread across both faces.

“Will you be my girlfriend?” Eric asked pushing a piece of hair out of her face.

Gabi smiled and nodded, “I’d love to, Eric Staal.”

He smiled and kissed the top of her head like he had done for years and let out a contented sigh, “It’s getting late, we probably should head back.”

As they stood up, Gabi grabbed Eric’s hand and made him look at her, “Eric, we will always be friends right? No matter what.”

“No matter what, Elle,” He said kissing her softly. “We will always be apart of each others lives, nothing will change that.”

Gabi smiled and interlaced their fingers as they headed back towards the farm and their family, knowing that once they got there they would be hounded with questions about their new relationship but neither was afraid of what was ahead, as long as they had each other they could face anything.