#gary rennell

"UGH!" Lottie feigned retching and rolled her eyes.

Startled, Hannah looked up, following Lottie's gaze, and her eyes widened when she saw Gary and Maeve in the outdoors gym. Gary was doing push-ups while Maeve was underneath him. Each time he lowered himself to the ground, he pressed a kiss to her lips and then pushed himself back up.

Maeve giggled, her face flushed as she barely managed to look into his bright blue eyes that gazed down at her, and his lips twisted into a grin. Small beads of sweat formed on his forehead and chest, but he kept going, his muscles tensing, his strong arms braced on either side of Maeve’s shoulders.

Both Lottie and Hannah stared at them, bewildered - Lottie because she still couldn't believe that Gary had chosen Maeve over her, and twice, and Hannah because she couldn't for the life of her imagine lying under a guy, having to endure his panting, the sweat trickling down his face and onto her own, and getting sticky, sweaty kisses.

What was hot about it? Ew! She shuddered in disgust, averting her eyes and looking at Lottie instead. "That's disgusting, isn't it?"

"Mmm..." replied Lottie absentmindedly, her gaze still fixed on Gary, her eyelid twitching nervously as she clenched her teeth in annoyance.

"Lottie," Hannah tried again, putting her hand on Lottie's arm and squeezing it gently, "stop watching them. You'll feel miserable."

Lottie scoffed, "Oh, I'm miserable already, thank you very much." But she turned her back on them and turned her attention to Hannah, frowning and pouting. "I just don't understand why he would choose her over me. When we came in he didn't even notice her, he didn't step forward for her!"

Hannah clamped her mouth shut, knowing this was going to be one of those endless rants about how Lottie thought she was the perfect partner for Gary, and she decided to just listen and nod her head in agreement. There was no stopping her anyway.

"Are you even listening to me, Han?" Lottie suddenly snapped, glaring at Hannah with her emerald eyes.

The latter nodded quickly and forced a smile, "Of course I am. And I agree, I don't get it either."

For a moment Lottie watched her suspiciously, then waved her hand dismissively. "It's like I don't even exist anymore!" She turned back around, fixed her gaze on the gym and was annoyed to see Gary still doing push-ups and kissing Maeve. "What is it about her? I thought he liked opinionated women, someone who could talk back, but with her it's like she's the complete opposite. Always all sunny and happy, always trying to keep harmony and peace. It's so boring!"

"Maybe we should do something to get him interested in you again?" asked Hannah quietly, almost not daring to say anything because she didn't want to make Lottie any angrier than she already was.

"What did you just say?" Lottie jerked her head around to stare at her, and Hannah wasn't sure, but it seemed like her eyes were shining. Like she was feeling hopeful again.

"I don't know, but if you think he's just forgotten you, maybe get him to remember you. We could test him and find out if he really likes Maeve that much or if she's just the easier option."

"The easier option? What's that supposed to mean?" Lottie narrowed her eyes again and scowled at her.

Hannah swallowed quickly, "I just meant that with her, he doesn't really have to try to make it seem like they're a good couple because they're so boring. Nothing ever happens, they haven't even had a fight yet. And maybe he's taking advantage of her because he knows she'll secure him a place in the finals? He could be playing the game..."

Lottie scoffed sarcastically, "I highly doubt the guy is smart enough to do anything like that. I mean, he's a crane operator. Doesn't take much cognitive ability, does it?"

Hannah winced briefly, wondering why Lottie even wanted him so badly if she thought so poorly of him, but she quickly brushed the thought off. She's just angry...

"But," Lottie put one of her impeccably manicured black fingernails to her chin and tapped it thoughtfully, "you do have a point. Maybe I can make him regret ever coupling up with her."

"Do you have a plan?" inquired Hannah hesitantly.

"Not yet, but I'll come up with one!"

••••••••••••••••

Gary stepped out of the shower, feeling refreshed and full of energy after his workout, dried himself off and couldn't help smiling when he thought of the visual of Maeve lying underneath him, beaming at him with flushed cheeks. She was not his type at all, at least not on paper, but lately he was wondering if maybe he had been wrong about his type all along. After all, he was already thinking about what his nan would say if he brought her home. And he was bloody sure she would adore her.

Maeve was laid-back, easy-going, happy, and she always managed to put a smile on his face, too. He felt comfortable around her, he didn't worry so much about his physique, and he caught himself no longer wondering so often if she thought he was hot. Because the way she looked at him, her sparkling eyes that lit up whenever he entered a room or came into her field of vision, and her lips that twisted into a genuine smile - it made the butterflies in his stomach go crazy.

And the way she touched his body delicately when they were alone, the way she gently squeezed his biceps or brushed her fingers over his pecs as if he were a work of art -

Gary shook his head sharply and forced himself to stop daydreaming like that. He softened around her, he could feel it, and part of him liked it, but he couldn't lose his cool completely either. He couldn't let goosebumps cover his body just thinking about her. It wasn't like he was already in love with her, or was he?

He scoffed softly, concentrating on getting ready, then made his way downstairs. He was jogging through the large, open lobby when he saw Lottie lounging on one of the big couches, stretching her body luxuriously, almost like a cat, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he had just entered the same room. His eyes raked over her figure for the briefest of seconds, then he cleared his throat, "Well, hello there."

Lottie lifted her head, gave him one of her piercing looks that made him feel extremely uncomfortable - and not in the good, sexy way - and gave him a lopsided grin. "Just got out of the shower, huh?"

Gary just nodded wordlessly.

When she realised he wasn't going to say anything more, she rolled her eyes, and sat up, crossing her legs and resting her hands in her lap. "How's it going? Is Maeve everything you ever wanted?"

Gary raised an eyebrow and came over to the couch facing her, propping his forearms on the soft backrest. "Where did that come from?" he asked suspiciously.

Lottie grinned and clicked her tongue, "Just asking. Because it's still early days and all that, you know."

"Yeah, I guess so..." murmured Gary, not breaking eye contact. "You happy with Bobby then?"

She burst out laughing, throwing her head back dramatically and wiping the non-existent tears from her eyes. "What do you think? We're hardly the next great romance."

He nodded curtly, "Fair enough. Bobby's more of a mate, isn't he?"

"Yeah, literally. We get on well, but there's nothing more between us."

He sensed she was trying to get something out of him without having to ask him directly, but he wasn't going to make it that easy for her. He wasn't blind, he had noticed both her and Hannah staring at him when he had done one of his training sessions earlier where Maeve had joined him. He didn't know exactly what her problem was, but he was wary.

"All right, I'll just come out and say it," she finally relented, standing up and walking towards him. Gary remained silent, waiting for her to continue, grinning inwardly. There it is.

"Are you really happy with Maeve? I remember you telling me what your type was on paper, and it's definitely not her..." She scanned his face for a reaction, but he gave her none. It wasn't long before she was standing right next to him, putting a hand on his bicep and adding, "I just worry about you. You don't seem yourself."

He scoffed, but quickly disguised it as a cough and thought to himself, Yeah, right. You’re worried. Of course you are.

"Listen, Lottie..." he began, but she interrupted him. "I just want you to be happy, you know? And I want you to be honest with yourself. What does your heart tell you?"

He tilted his head, only now realising how terribly close her face was, her familiar sandalwood scent wafting around him, her piercing green eyes boring into his face, trying to read him. "What does my heart tell me?" he asked, trying hard not to grin smugly.

"Yes, like..." she placed the hand that had been resting on his arm seconds before directly over his heart, then continued, "Is it telling you to keep trying with her, or is it telling you to weigh your other options a bit? We're only ten days in, not even halfway through the month."

He thanked the heavens that his heart was beating normally, that she was unable to raise his heart rate even though she was so close and her whole being practically flooded all his senses. He would have thought it would be more tempting if she were practically begging him to take her back, but there was nothing.

Sure, she had been fun to be with, she was a good kisser, and aside from all the weird spiritual, esoteric stuff, she was cool. But he had never felt the spark with her. The butterflies. Not like he felt them with Maeve now.

"So what does your heart tell you?" he deflected, suppressing a chuckle when he realised he'd caught her off guard.

She pulled back and shrugged, "Well, there are definitely better options for me than Bobby."

"Yeah? Like who? Lucas, maybe?"

Lottie raised an eyebrow and huffed, "Please, not even if he was the only option. He's hot, of course. But apart from that, he's not my type. I'm here for love, you know? Not just for a summer fling."

Gary nodded solemnly, then added, "Does Bobby know you're grafting on me?"

She flinched, surprised by his sudden directness, and her cheeks flushed. She tilted her head to the side, her long blondish-pink hair covering the side of her face so he couldn't see her, then murmured, "Weren't you listening? It's not going anywhere. It's not like he'd mind."

"So you are grafting me," he stated dryly. "Why?"

When she didn't answer, he continued, "I'm happy with Maeve, alright? And I think my heart is telling me to keep pursuing her. I'm sorry things aren't working out between you and Bobby, but I'm here for love too." He pushed himself off the back of the couch and walked past her to the glass doors that led out onto the lawn. Hand on the handle, he turned to the side and added, "Also, jealousy doesn't suit you, Lottie."

With that, he stepped out into the bright sunshine, his eyes scanning the lawn and his heart skipping a beat when he spotted Maeve lying on one of the inflatables with her eyes closed, floating across the pool.

He headed towards her, but halfway there Hannah stepped in his way. "Gary, have you seen Lottie?" she asked, sounding oddly nervous.

"Yeah, she's inside," he gestured towards the villa with his thumb and was about to leave when she grabbed his arm and stepped close to him, whispering, "She really likes you, you know? I know she's not so good with feelings, but she misses you."

She nibbled her lower lip anxiously, the grip of her slender fingers felt too tight around his forearm, and for a brief moment he didn't know what to do. His eyes fell on Maeve, still dozing on the inflatable, and suddenly he couldn't get away from Hannah fast enough.

He put his hand on hers and gently but firmly loosened her grip, then replied in a lowered voice, "First off, she should have told me herself. Secondly, that's nice, but I don't miss her. I really like Maeve a lot. And since you're playing Cupid, will you tell her?"

Her eyes widened in shock and her mouth dropped open. Gary seized the moment and left her to it. Falling into a light jog, he approached the pool where he immediately dived in, the cool water engulfing his body.

Well, that was fucking weird, he thought to himself, wondering if he should talk to Maeve about it. He couldn't see her getting angry or upset, to be honest, but it was the right thing to do, wasn't it?

When he came back up, inhaling deeply and sweeping his wet hair out of his forehead, two curious brown eyes were staring at him, twinkling mysteriously, and there it was again - the rumbling in his stomach.

"Hi!" Maeve exclaimed, flashing him a toothy smile, the bright freckles on her nose and cheeks dancing and sparkling in the sun, and he returned the grin. "Hey, love. Alright?"

Her grin widened and she nodded, then tried to get off the inflatable and into the water. Gary chuckled and looped an arm around her waist, finishing the job for her. She giggled as he pulled her against him and her arms automatically wrapped around his neck. He leaned in and touched his lips to hers. A warm, comforting feeling spread throughout his body as she returned the kiss and he felt her lips move against his.

Eventually, he pulled back and decided to come right out and say it. "Love, I have to tell you something," he began and his heart beat faster when her nose wrinkled and she frowned.

"Okay?" she hummed, and there was no trace of worry or jealousy in her voice. It put him at ease almost instantly. He brought his palm to her face and brushed her cheek, then smiled reassuringly at her, "Nothing happened, but I thought you should know anyway." She just nodded, her warm eyes open and honest as she looked at him. "I think Lottie tried to come on to me."

She raised an eyebrow, and he noticed one corner of her mouth twitch slightly. But she said nothing, so he continued, "And I think she's jealous. Of you."

At that, her eyebrows shot up to her hairline and Gary couldn't suppress the chuckle that escaped his lips. "Of me?" she asked, and her voice sounded so full of disbelief and genuine surprise that once again he couldn't help thinking that she really was the perfect match for him. "Yes, love, of you."

She shook her head, crinkling her nose again, and pouted, seemingly thoughtful. "Oh, is it because you chose me over her? At the last recoupling?"

He chuckled again, "Yeah, and at the recoupling before that too."

"Oops," she giggled and her cheeks flushed again, a lovely rosy hue.

Gary closed the distance between them and kissed her on the nose as the butterflies rioted in his stomach.

"And what did you say to her?" she finally asked softly.

He shrugged nonchalantly, "I told her I liked you, not her."

The blush on her face deepened and she rolled her eyes playfully, but where her chest pressed against his, he could feel her heart beating harder at his words.

"You're not going to leave me hanging now, are you? Do you like me too?" he probed, a smile playing around his lips.

She smacked his arm and rolled her eyes again, "Of course I like you. I thought that was obvious."

He laughed, "Just wanted to make sure we were on the same page."

She nodded and smiled, "We definitely are."

Then she bit her lip and glanced down at his lips for a moment, but it was long enough for Gary to catch it and before she could lean in, he did and captured her lips in another deep, lingering kiss.

A tiny moan escaped her lips as he tightened his grip around her waist, and this time he didn't even try to stop the goosebumps that covered his whole body.

❤️ Gary is a nervous wreck while waiting for his kids to be born. He is constantly pacing back and forth, asking nurses and doctors the most ridiculous things, experiencing every emotion imaginable. It’s more of a rough time for him than the mom. And, yes, he most definitely fainted at the birth of his first child.

❤️ This is one of the most interactive dad’s there is. He has formula stains on himself, can change a diaper with his eyes closed, knows every song to every children’s show, has the babies down for sleep in less than five minutes. You name it, he’s mastered it.

❤️ Gary as a girl dad is such a sweet sight. He took on the role as the honorary tea party host. Complete with pink boa, tiara, and pink heels. If you don’t believe this little girl doesn’t have Gary wrapped around her little finger, you’re crazy. She asks him to jump and he asks how high.

❤️ Gary as a boy dad is something he was quite scared of at first. Since he didn’t have his dad around, he treats his son how he wished his dad would have treated him. Similarly to his daughter(s), this little boy is the sparkle in Gary’s eye.

❤️ Yes, Chelsea decorated the kids’ nurseries/rooms. Yes, Lottie also babysits when no one else is available. Yes, Noah is their full-time babysitter, other than Nan on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

❤️ The first time he brought his kids to work, he got up in his crane with them, and asked someone to take their picture. That is the picture he has in his wallet: his kids and him inside cranes. It fills his heart with so much love.

❤️ Do not go to Gary if you: have a cut and are bleeding, broke a bone, just threw up, etc. He will not only gag, but potentially pass out. He can’t handle bodily fluids like that. The only part of parenting he hates.

❤️ Nan babysits every Tuesday and Thursday. The kids absolute love going to Nan’s house. It’s still tradition even as they grow up to spend the night there twice a week. Gary doesn’t even have to ask, they just want to go.

❤️ Gary’s son’s first words were “oi, oi.”

❤️ Just like Bruno, Gary is a loud and proud dad. He is clapping the loudest, hollering the loudest, front and center for all the pictures and videos. This man knows the weekly schedule for the family.

❤️ Dating Gary’s children consists of: acts of intimidation that turn cringe (for his daughters), embarrassing stories, inappropriate jokes, and curfew being upped an hour. He’s a lot more chill about it than some may think.

❤️ The family has two dogs, two cats, a rabbit and a hamster.

❤️ Gary is the type of dad that you can go to him with anything and he will do everything he can to help you. Flunked a class? He knows you tried, and will reassure you that you didn’t disappoint him. Have a bully? He had them too and he will get them to stop, even if he has to scare them stupid. Broke something valuable? He can fix it or replace it. Got dumped? He’ll remind you of your worth and help you heal.

❤️ Christmas is a big day for everyone, but it is a HUGE day in the Rennell household. They all have matching pajamas, they watch Christmas movies before bed on Christmas Eve, and Gary is in charge of eating the cookies and milk that the kids left out. He even takes their letters to Santa and replaces them with one he wrote as Santa. For Christmas Day, they go to Nan’s and have a big dinner with everyone in the family. This family’s Christmas/Holiday cards are A+ every single year! 🎄