by Macias, P. T
Señor Cortez is also observing the exchange. I can see that Ricardo loves my niña. Mi niña loves Ricardo. I’m finally satisfied. My niña will have a good feliz marriage, he contemplates with gusto.
“Okay, that’s a good idea. I’ll be right back. Primo, can you please help me?” asks Ricky walking out to go get the luggage from the carro.
“Primo, that’s quite an achievement you did in less than twenty-four hours. I’m impressed. You met a bella chica, you married her, and all this before anybody knew she was missing,” says Jose Enrique smiling, shaking his head with amazement.
“Primo, really, what do you think? Do you think that I was going to let her go after I have found her? Primo I have been seeing Jacki for a few weeks, it’s a long story. Jacki doesn’t want to have her padres know. You and I know that there aren’t many quality mujeres out there,” says Ricky. “Jacqueline is everything I ever dreamed and more. She’s mi alma. She captured my corazon from the first time.”
Jose Enrique contemplates his primo. That’s real deep. I can see that Jacqueline seized my primo real good. Wow, it’s amazing. They have been seeing each other? Damn, I’m truly feliz that my primo found his amor, su alma. I know that I did, thinks Jose Enrique nodding. “Primo, why didn’t you tell me that you were serious about a chica?”
“I didn’t want to talk about my reina, I was not ready,” replies Ricky grabbing the bag.
Jose Enrique takes the luggage bag. Si, Ricky can take the photos, video and box with the wedding gown. That seems appropriate, reasons Jose Enrique grinning.
Los primos are entering la casa with the load. Jacki rushes over to get the photos and video. “Mama, papa, you can look at the photos and video. Ricky bought extra copies of the video for you and his padres,” says Jacki delighted. She then went to take the box with her wedding gown. “Mama, do you want me to leave my gown here for you to see it?” asks Jacki.
“Mi reina, are you ready?” asks Ricky approaching her, pulling her into his arms. I just need to hold her. She’s mia, only mia, thinks Ricky.
“Si, baby, I’m ready, unless you will like me to change?” asks Jacki gazing up at Ricky.
“I think you look adorable. I don’t want you to change,” replies Ricky looking deeply into her hermoso hazel eyes. She really does look adorable, sexy, and hot. She’s wearing an outfit that I bought her in Vegas. Jacki is wearing a very nice sexy fluid jersey red halter dress with black sandals. Oh, she’s also wearing very sexy red bikinis, don’t go there. I am going to die, reflects Ricky smiling.
Jacki turns around to look at su familia and future in law. “Okay mi familia. We’ll be back later for the meeting,” says Jacki. “I think we’ll try to go and talk to the padre to arrange a date for our church ceremony.”
“Si mi reina, I think that’s a very good idea,” agrees Ricky pulling Jacki back into his side. “Adios, we’ll be back later.” Ricky and Jacki walk out the door to his carro.
“Si we will see you later,” replies Mama Rosa smiling muy contenta.
That’s finally over. Thank you, dios mio. Now we have to go meet mis padres. I hope that they’ll take our marriage as good as Jacki’s padres did, contemplates Ricky.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Ricky and Jacki are pulling up into his padre’s casa. Quickly getting out, walking to the other side to assist Jacki out. Ricky pulls Jacki into his side, walking up to the front door. Walking into la casa, Ricky takes Jacki to the family room where his familia is always at.
Walking into the kitchen nook room he can see his papa, mama, and hermano Tony having lunch.
There’s some food. This is great, because I am starving. It has been a while since breakfast. My muñeca must be hungry too. Ricky and Jacki approach the table where they’re sitting. Ricky is still holding Jacki closely by his side with his arm at her small waist real possessively. His familia didn’t miss that.
They stopped eating, waited to see what’s up, waiting for Ricky to speak.
“Papa, Mama, Tony, I want you to meet my esposa Jacqueline. We got married last night in Vegas,” announces Ricky grinning, looking at his familia. He blurts out the information the same way he had told Jacki parents, short, sweet, and to the point.
His padres simply sit there, attempting to absorb the news, trying to assimilate it.
Tony grins wide with amusement. Well, well, Ricky sure did it. What a bomb. I have to call los primos and let them know the great news. I knew he was acting funny when he immediately jumped up and asked Jacki to dance. Who would had known he was also going to immediately run off and marry her. Unreal, ponders Tony looking at his padres. I hope they’re ok.
Ricky is looking at his padres. He is not bothering with Tony’s reaction. He’s more concern with his padres. I can see mi mama is shocked, but takes one look at Jacki, and starts to smile. Mi papa is surprise and then curious, thinks Ricky waiting for su padres to respond.
Once the shock passed, his padres stand to greet Jacki with felicidad.
His mama approaches Jacqueline, simply looks at her. Jacki is such a bella chica. She looks like she’s una muñeca. She also looks familiar, muses Mama Lupe.
His mama gives Jacki a hug. “Welcome to la familia, Jacqueline. You look familiar. You’re friends with my twins from high school?” asks Ricky’s mama smiling warmly.
“Si señora, I’m friends with Vero and Claudia. We did a lot of our school projects together,” replies Jacki nodding. “How have you been?”
“I have been well Jacki. I’m now extremely feliz that my Ricardo is married to such a bella sweet chica,” says his Mama Lupe nodding.
“Nice to meet you Jacqueline, I’m Ricardo’s padre. Welcome to la familia. It’s a wonderful surprise,” says Ricky’s papa, he also gives her a hug. “Why don’t you sit down and have lunch with us. I can see that Ricky is hungry.”
Tony stands, approaches Jacki. “Welcome to la familia Jacki, I’m feliz that Ricky is married to a nice chica,” says Tony giving her a hug.
“Si papa, we’re hungry,” says Ricky, pulling Jacki out of his hermanos arms.
Tony returns to his seat and sits down at the table laughing at his hermano, boy he’s possessive, reflects Tony with amusement.
“Mi reina seat down right here next to me,” says Ricky pulling out her chair. “What will you like to drink? Do you want some juice or soda?”
“I will love some water with ice and some soda. What are we having for lunch?” asks Jacki.
“Mi hija we’re having some sandwiches and a salad. Will you like a sandwich or will you like something else?” asks Mama Lupe.
“Si señora, the sandwich will be fine. I’m hungry. We have been real busy today,” replies Jacki smiling.
Ricky returns from the kitchen with the drinks, salads, and sandwiches. He takes the seat next to Jacki. “Papa, mama, Jacki and I got married last night in Vegas, to be exact at 3:00 a.m. We did have a lovely wedding considering the circumstance,” says Ricky taking a bite of his sandwich.
“Si, Ricky made sure that our boda was lovely. He bought me a wedding gown and wedding rings. I plan on using the wedding gown for our church ceremony,” says Jacki nodding. “Look at our wedding rings, aren’t they precioso? Ricky and I picked them out.”
“I also got some nice photos and extra copies of the wedding video,” says Ricky taking a drink.
“Mi hijo have you two gone to Jacki’s padres and advised them of your marriage. How did they take it? Are they upset?” asks Ricky’s Padre Jorge. His papa Jorge is sitting at the table thinking. He’s extremely anxious and nervous.
I wonder if mi hijo realizes the huge misstep he took. You just don’t marry in that order to a nice Mexican chica. Mi Ricardo is going backwards. My Lupe and I will have to talk to Jacki’s padres and try to remedy this misstep. I also pray that his actions will not cause a negative effect to Jose Enrique marriage to Jessy, ponders papa Jorge.
“Si papa, Jacki and I went there first thing this morning. Jacki’s padres w
ere a little upset at first. I assured them that I will immediately speak to the priest to make arrangements for our church ceremony. We then went to speak to the priest to make arrangements for our church ceremony. We have a date for June 18, which is approximately three weeks from now. Our wedding will be a double wedding. We ran into Erica and Gabriel. They’re getting married also and wanted the same date that we did. We all agreed to have a double wedding. Mi reina’s papa did make it real clear to us that he will not allow us to live together until the church ceremony has taken place,” says Ricky with frustration.
I can see that mi hijo is not feliz about that. It’s the way it’s going to be. That is our Mexican customs. He’ll have to live with it. No more missteps for him, I will make sure of it, thinks papa Jorge.
“Papa, Mama, I would like you to go with us this evening to speak to Jacki’s padres. Jose Enrique and mis tio’s will also be there asking for Jessy’s mano,” asks Ricky. “Can you please go with me to resolve my issues with Jacki’s padres?”
“Si mi hijo, that’s the only way, and the proper way to handle this situation,” replies papa Jorge nodding.
“Mi hija, do you want something else to eat or drink, it looks like you finished your lunch? Is there anything you might need?” asks Mama Lupe. “The twins are at the bridal store with Jessy ordering the maids dresses.”
“Si, gracias a dios I have my wedding gown. Ricky and I will like to have a smaller wedding? Can we have our reception here in your casa señora?” asks Jacki smiling.
“Si mi hija that’ll be fantastic and we’ll need to get started on the preparations. Mi hijo, it’s still early in the day, why don’t you two order the invitations. We have the church date and now we know where the reception will be. The invitations are the only urgent issue that needs to be done. The rest we can do as we go,” says Mama Lupe smiling with felicidad.
“Okay mama, Jacki and I will go now to do that,” says Ricky. “Mi reina, are you ready?”
Jacki turns to look at Ricky with todo su amor shining in sus ojos. “Si baby I’m ready,” replies Jacki smiling. “Adios, we’ll see you later.”
“Si later,” says Ricky grinning.
Ricky stands, pulls back her seat to assist her to stand. Mi reina is so bella, thinks Ricky pulling her to his side, walking out the door.
Ricky’s padres observe todo el amor that Jacki has for their hijo. They feel relief that she’s in love.
Ricky padres look at each other with felicidad that there hijo found his true amor. “Si mi Ricardo is in love. Gracias a dios he found his mujer after dating so many,” says Mama Lupe shaking her head.
Ricky assists Jacki into the carro. He strides around, getting into the seat. Instead of turning the carro on, he pulls Jacki onto his lap. He knows that his familia can’t see them from any window in la casa.
Jacki looks at Ricky with lots of amor. “Baby what’s wrong?” asks Jacki wrapping her arms around his neck.
Mi reina knows that I have some frustrations. I want her with me always, now. “Mi reina I’ll be okay. It just seems like three weeks is a long time until our church ceremony. I want you now. It looks like I’m going to have to even steal a beso from you when nobody is looking. That’s why I haven’t started the carro. I want to love you, just a little,” says Ricky urgently. He didn’t bother to wait for any answer. He kisses his esposa with all of the hunger that he feels. Pulling her closer to him and feeling her shudder with need.
I don’t know how I am going to tolerate this. I will have to think of something. Ricky pulls back to look at Jacki. She looks all flushed and her eyes are full of pasión. “Mi reina, baby, I need you and I need you now.”
“Baby I know. We have to make time for you to love me. I want you too,” replies Jacki with pasión.
“Okay I’ll think of something. Right now let’s take care of the invitations. Manana we need to go look for our casa. We need our casa ready for us to live in after the church ceremony. Do you know what you want?” asks Ricky kissing her neck.
“Baby I will love it if we can get a casa around our padres. I want to be close to la familia, especially when I have our bebe,” says Jacki smiling.
Ricky looks at her, decides not to mention that he feels that she’s pregnant already. We’ll just wait to make sure, the idea makes me loco, si mi bebe.
“Mi reina, okay, I want una casa near la familia,” agrees Ricky. “I’m sure that there must be something available around this neighborhood. We’ll go early manana to look for our casa and then we’ll go to the Sunday dinner. Okay?”
“Come here mi reina, just one more beso,” Ricky kisses her with todo his pasión and corazon. Ricky is in love and doesn’t know the extent. Toda la familia knows.
Ricky and Jacki go to the order their invitations. Ricky also makes an appointment with Alfredo, Jose Enrique’s amigo to see some casas manana.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The doorbell rings. “Mama I’ll get it,” says Jessy. Jessy opens the door. “Mi amor, come in. Señor, Señora please come in and welcome to your casa.”
“How are you mi hija, it has been a while since I have seen you,” says Jose Enrique’s mama. Señora Queta walks up to Jessy, gives her a hug. “I’m muy feliz.”
Jessy hugs her back. “Si, I’m muy feliz,” replies Jessy trying not to cry. She pulls back, turning to Señor Francisco, and he also gives her a hug.
“Welcome to la familia Jessy,” says Señor Francisco. “I’m contento that mi hijo finally noticed what a bella chica you are and it’s about time.”
Jose Enrique pulls Jessy into his arms, at his side, smiling. “Si padres, I finally noticed my bella novia.”
“Let’s go into the living room, mis padres will be here in a few,” says Jessy beaming.
Señor and Señora Cortez enter the living room, just as the doorbell rings again. “I will get it,” says Senor Cortez walking away.
He walks to the door, opens the door. Ricky padres are standing there. Ricky is parking his carro.
“Hola buena’s noches, I’m Ricardo’s padre, Jorge De La Cruz, compadre,” says Ricardo’s padre extending his mano out for a hand shake. “This is my esposa Guadalupe.”
“Mucho gusto, I’m Jacqueline’s papa Juan Cortez, please come into tu casa compadres,” says Jessy’s papa, stepping back to allow them to enter. Ricky and Jacki are right behind them.
“Compadres please come this way. We’re all meeting in the living room. I believe that mis otros compadres are also here, Jose Enrique padres,” says Señor Cortez leading the way. They follow Señor Cortez into the living room to where the rest of the party is seated.
Jose Enrique walks up to Jessy’s papa. “Señor Cortez, these are mis padres, Francisco and Enriqueta De La Cruz.”
Señor Cortez leans forward, extends his mano to shake their manos. “Nice to meet you compadres, I’m Juan Cortez. I believe you already met mi esposa Rosa?” Señor Cortez turns to introduce Ricky’s padres to Rosa. “Rosa, I want you to meet Ricardo’s padres Jorge y Guadalupe De La Cruz,” he smiles.
“Mucho gusto comadre,” says Jorge, extending his mano in greeting.
“I’m extremely happy to meet you comadre,” says Guadalupe, smiling at Rosa extending her hand in greeting.
“Si, let’s have a seat,” says Señor Cortez indicating the sofa. They all take a seat, smiling with pleasure.
Señor Cortez sits. “Would you care to have something to drink?” asks Señor Cortez. “Would you like some coffee, cerveza, or tequila?”
“Muchas gracias compadre, estamos bien,” replies Ricky’s padre Jorge, smiling.
“Thanks, but we are okay,” says Jose Enrique padre Francisco nodding.
“Compadre Juan, comadre,” says Ricky’s padre Jorge standing, turning to look at his compadres. “I’m embarrassed and dismayed with the thoughtlessness of mi hijo Ricardo. The actions of mi hijo Ricardo Emanuel have been very irresponsible and inconsiderate to you. We have raised Ricardo better. I feel that the onl
y thing that I’m extremely feliz about is that mi hijo Ricardo did the right thing and married Jacqueline. I recognize that this marriage is hasty, but I’m confident in nuestros hijos amor and maturity. Ricardo has made arrangement with the padre for the church ceremony to take place on June 18, which is only in three weeks. I hope that this meets with your approval.”
Señor Cortez looks at Ricky’s padre Jorge, acknowledges the peace offering. Si he is attempting to amend the situation. I do recognize that Ricardo has indeed expedited the boda. I know that he’s not playing with mi niña, contemplates Señor Cortez.
“Compadre Jorge, my esposa and I are extremely feliz that Ricardo did marry Jacqueline after their actions. We are even further reassured to hear that the church ceremony will be taking place within a reasonable time. I will not tolerate Ricardo Emanuel to play with my niña. I have also advised Ricardo and Jacqueline that I will not allow them to live together until the church ceremony has taken place,” says Señor Cortez, looking at his compadres and at Ricardo.
“Compadre Juan, my esposa and I understand and we appreciate your position. I completely agree with you. Ricardo and Jacqueline will have to wait until the church ceremony has taken place to start their marriage,” replies Papa Francisco nodding in agreement, turning to look at Ricardo. Si he better understand and adhere to Señor Cortez wishes. This is the way it is. El Señor Cortez will not budge, he is old school, thinks Papa Francisco.
“Compadre Francisco I’m contento that we have come to an understanding. I’m satisfied with the date for la boda,” says Señor Cortez smiling.
“Señor Cortez I sincerely appreciate your understanding and I’m extremely feliz on your approval of our marriage,” says Ricky sincerely smiling.
Señor Cortez can ascertain that Ricardo is sincere, that he indeed cares deeply for his niña. This allows Señor Cortez to release the anger that he is feeling.
