“They’re going to take him back. He needs to be processed out. There’s paperwork that has to be done, but he is coming home today,” Tío E explains.
“Well, if they don’t want me up there, they can tell me.” I slide out of my seat and slowly make my way to the front. Emilio turns and watches me approach, a smile on his face.
His lawyer stands and comes over to me first. “You’ve got one minute. There’s paperwork and processes to follow.”
“Thank you for getting him out.” I hug Mr. Valentino. He stiffens slightly but returns my embrace.
Then I make my way over to Emilio and fling my arms around his neck.
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper into his ear.
“You have nothing to be sorry about, Mrs. Lopez.” I can feel his smile against my neck.
I pull back. “That’s a little weird, but I don’t hate it.”
“Good, because there are no take-backs. You’re going to be my wife for the rest of our lives.”
“And you’ll be my husband.” I can’t wipe the grin off my face.
“Okay, we have to go.” Mr. Valentino steps up to us.
“I’ll see you at home soon,” Emilio tells me.
“Okay, I love you.”
“Te amo,” he replies.
I make my way back to where our families are waiting. Elias is the first to come up to me. He rests an arm on my shoulder. “Don’t worry, sis. He’s going to be home annoying the crap out of all of us in a few hours.”
“Yeah, he is,” I agree. “Thank god.”
“So, where are you two going to live?” Elias asks.
“Huh?” I look over at him.
“Married people generally live together, Frankie. Where are you thinking?”
“Um, I didn’t think about that,” I tell him. “We’ve only just started dating. We’ve never lived together. Oh god, what if we don’t work?” I start to panic.
“Please, you two are going to be sickeningly loved up and you’re going to work. Emilio isn’t going to let you get away,” Elias says.
“Come on, let’s go home.” My dad pulls me out of Elias’s hold and guides me out of the courthouse. “I’ve found you a house,” Dad tells me.
“A what?”
“A house.”
“Why?”
“You need a new place. I don’t want you going back to that apartment building, and now that you’re… Well, you know, you and Emilio… Anyway, I figured you could use a house. It’s close but not too close to home. I know how much you want your independence.”
I try not to laugh at the fact my father can’t say that I’m married. Buying us a house, though? That’s his way of showing his approval, or acceptance of the situation at the very least.
“Thanks, Daddy.” I wrap my arm around his back.
“I would do anything for you, princess,” he says.
“I know.”