“The house won’t be ready for a couple of weeks. Until then, you can either come back home or stay at the Lopez compound.”
“Well, Iama Lopez now.” I smirk.
“Don’t remind me,” Dad groans.
“Hey, you doing okay?” Aunt Evie walks into Emilio’s room.
“I’m good. You? Actually, I’m anxious and getting impatient. Why isn’t he back yet?” I whine.
“I know the feeling.” She sits on the edge of the bed. “I know that you marrying Emilio didn’t come about in the traditional sense, but I wanted to make sure you know that I have always loved you like a daughter, and I couldn’t think of a better partner for my son. I’m really happy that you guys are together.”
“Thank you. I really do love him. A lot.”
“I know,” she says.
“And I’m sorry that I got him into this mess.”
“Oh, sweetheart, what happened is not your fault.”
“It kind of is. If I didn’t stab that guy, Emilio would never have been arrested.”
“If you hadn’t, god only knows what would have happened. Either way, that guy would have ended up dead, Frankie. There’s no point dwelling on things we can’t change. What wecando is look forward to the future.” My aunt smiles.
“You’re right. My dad bought us a house.”
“I saw. Is that what you want? To stay in Vegas?”
“I don’t know. I need to finish school. But after that, I’m not sure,” I tell her.
Emilio’s family spends most of their time in Mexico. He’s going to want to be close to them. But can I see myself living in Mexico? I’m not sure.
“Okay, well, you guys are young and have all the time in the world to figure it out.”
“Thanks, Aunt Evie.”
“Might be time to drop theaunt.” She laughs. “It’s going to confuse my grandbabies when you give them to me.”
I cringe.Oh god, please do not curse me with having kids anytime soon.I’m on birth control so I’m not worried. But still…
“Like you said, we’re young. That’s not happening for a long while. Best be working on one of the other boys.”
“I know, and it’s your life, Frankie. Don’t let me or your mom pressure you into anything you’re not ready for.” Aunt Evie stands. “I will say miracles happen when they’re supposed to happen, though. Love you, and I love that there’s another Mrs. Lopez.”
“Thank you.”
An hour later, the bedroom door opens again. And this time, it’s finally the person I’ve been dying to see. Emilio shuts the door and I jump off the bed. I run over and fling myself at him. My legs wrap around his waist, my arms around his neck as tight as they possibly can.
“Shit, babe, if this is the welcome home I’m going to get, I should go to jail more often.”
“That’s not even remotely funny, Emilio. Don’t joke about that. I never want you to leave me like that again.”
Emilio smiles wide. “You kinda like me, huh?”
“I love you. I wish we didn’t waste so much time. I wishIdidn’t waste so much time being scared of what everyone else would think about us. I should have just gone with what I wanted,” I tell him.
Emilio walks over to the bed, with me still clinging to him. “I think the fact that you consider other people’s feelings is a good thing, babe. It means you care about our family.”
“But we could have had this for years. Instead, I spent those years being bitchy and distant.”