by Macias, P. T
Susan, Sally Ann, and Debbie run to the desk to look at the wedding photos. “Jacki you look so beautiful, just like a queen,” says Sally Ann smiling.
“Jacki your husband looks really in love with you. You’re a lucky girl!” squeaks Debbie nodding with pleasure.
“Yes, we’re very much in love.” states Jacki turning around to smile. The cell phone rings, Jacki knows it’s her Baby.
“Baby,” whispers Jacki, turning around, trying to gain some privacy. This is not going to work. They will know all about our vidas and then the entire company will know. I better learn to be short and sweet, thinks Jacki.
“Mi reina, I love you. I will go over to your office around 11:30 to pick you up for our lunch date. I miss you already,” says Ricky with lots of hunger in his voz.
“Baby you know I do to. Yes, I will be waiting for you. Love you,” Jacki ends his call and continues to work hard.
Debbie, Sally Ann, and Susan start to work as soon as they finish looking at the wedding photos.
They know that Jacki is very private and also a hard worker. It’s very obvious that she still is going to work hard as always.
That’s a huge relief to them considering the position that she now has. It is unreal thinks Susan, looking at Debbie.
Jose Enrique calls Ricky, advises him of the meeting at eleven with Gabriel.
“Primo I have great news, Gabriel called and he wants to meet at eleven. I told him that was a good time,” says Jose Enrique smiling with gusto.
“Yeah, I’m real contento that he’s able to get some leave. I really want to make sure that we have that position taken care of before our bodas. Let me know when he gets here,” says Ricky, nodding, smiling.
A few minutes to eleven his secretary Ms. Jones advises that Gabriel is here.
“Mr. De La Cruz, your eleven o’clock appointment is here, Mr. Corona,” says Ms. Jones.
“Ms. Jones, please bring him to my office,” requests Jose Enrique. Jose Enrique calls Ricky to get him to come to his office.
“Primo, Gabriel is here to discuss our job proposal. Can you please come to my office?” asks Jose Enrique.
“Si primo, I’ll be there in a few,” says Ricky. He stands and pulls on his coat.
* * *
“Yes, Mr. De La Cruz,” replies Ms. Jones. She stands, walks to the door “Mr. Corona can you please follow me.”
“Of course,” replies Gabriel, standing to follow the receptionist. They walk down the hall, turn the corner, and enter Jose Enrique’s office.
Jose Enrique stands, greets Gabriel, beaming with pleasure. He walks around his desk, hugs and slaps him on his back with enthusiasm. “Nice to see you Gabriel,” says Jose Enrique. He turns to look at his secretary. “Thanks Ms. Jones.”
“Will you like anything else sir?” asks Ms. Jones brightly.
“Gabriel will you like something to drink?” asks Jose Enrique turning to Gabriel.
“I’m good, thanks,” answers Gabriel, he scans the office.
“Nothing for now Ms. Jones, thanks,” says Jose Enrique to his secretary smiling.
Ms. Jones smiles, walks out of the office.
Ricky walks into the office just after Ms. Jones exits. Ricky strides over to Gabriel and hugs him. “Hola primo, it’s great that you were able to meet with us today,” says Ricky grinning.
“I agree Ricky. It worked out that our instructor has some of his own personal errands to take care of. He decided not to take our training into the weekend. It’s a great help for me. Mis padres are coming over manana to talk to your tios. I also wanted to discuss the interesting job proposal,” says Gabriel looking at Jose Enrique and Ricky.
Ricky walks over to the door, closes it, and he turns around. “Why don’t we sit down and discuss the job proposal?” says Ricky nodding with pleasure.
They sit down into the deep rich burgundy leather arm chairs that are arranged across from the matching leather sofa sitting area. Jose Enrique had this sitting area arranged by the entire glass window looking over the city and mountains.
“Si primo, we’re real excited in having you work for la familia and especially since you’re now part of la familia,” says Ricky looking at Gabriel.
“Si primo, we know that you’re qualified for this position. You’ll be the demolishing manager. You will have a crew to work for you. You will handle everything that is needed to get the job done. We want you to review the crew we have now and select the ones that you feel are qualified to work on your team. You will be responsible for your team, all of the materials, and equipment your team will need to complete the jobs,” says Jose Enrique looking at Gabriel and observing his reaction.
“We know that you have the experience, knowledge, skills, and your business degree that designate you for this position,” says Ricky nodding in agreement with Jose Enrique.
“Christian was here this morning running an errand for la familia. He highly recommends you for this position. He said that you’re the man for this job,” says Jose Enrique smiling. I feel that Gabriel will fit in perfectly with la familia and the company’s goals, thinks Jose Enrique.
“I see that you have already looked into my background. I really appreciate that you recognize my abilities. The job sounds like it will be ideal for my experience. I do feel that we can work together and accomplish great job projects. I will be available until after my duty with the Navy expires,” says Gabriel. He looks real feliz at los primos.
“Primo I’m feliz that you will accept our job proposal. We’ll give Bella the details of your start date as soon as you advise us. You will be starting off as an experienced manager. I know you will be very pleased with the salary,” says Jose Enrique nodding, confident with the offer.
“We also want to remind you that as Erica’s esposo you’ll also have shares in the company stock that’s part of Erica’s,” says Ricky
“Gabriel, this means that you’ll also be part owner of la familia compania along with Erica,” says Jose Enrique grinning.
I’m feliz that Erica’s esposo will be able to participate in la familia compania on her behalf, contemplates Jose Enrique.
“Wow! I never realized that the job offer has so many benefits. I can understand your concern and acknowledgement of my position as Erica’s esposo. I will always put all my effort in making Erica feliz and deliver all I have in my work performance with la familia in every thought out decision,” says Gabriel with immense appreciation for what is being offered.
“Gabriel we’re muy feliz that you’ll be working for la familia,” says Jose Enrique.
“Si Gabriel, now we can start planning our luna de miel,” says Ricky looking at his primo, grinning.
Gabriel looks at his new primos, immensely pleased with the job offer, and smiles at Jose Enrique and Ricky.
“Are you going to take Erica to the club tonight?” asks Ricky, I need to go. I need to get my reina to have lunch, thinks Ricky. “We’re all going to be there.”
“I’ll ask Erica to see if she wants to go. I believe she’s not into the club scene,” says Gabriel standing to leave.
“Try to make it primo. Let us know when you can start,” says Jose Enrique. He stands to shake Gabriel’s mano.
“I’ll keep in contact with you. I have to go to see Erica,” says Gabriel. He grins with felicidad.
“Adios primos, I have to go get my reina for lunch,” says Ricky walking out of the cuarto in a hurry.
“Adios primo,” says Gabriel exiting the office, striding down the hall to catch the elevator.
“Adios,” says Jose Enrique smiling, turning to answer the phone that is ringing.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Great it’s time to see my reina, thinks Ricky striding quickly down the hall to get to his reina office.
Ricky walks into the accounting office. He looks at his reina. Jacki is getting her purse. She’s ready for lunch.
Ricky walks over to Jacki and gives her a beso. He then whispers. “I love you mi re
ina.”
Jacki whispers into his ear. “I love you,” pulling back, smiles. “Baby I would like you to meet my accounting colleagues Sally Ann, Susan and Debbie,” says Jackie smiling with pleasure, looking at the girls that are in awe.
They have never seen him up close. Yeah, my baby is a hunk, thinks Jacki. My baby is such a gentleman.
Ricky leaves Jacki’s side, walks over to greet them extending his mano. “Nice to meet you Susan, Sally Ann, and Debbie,” says Ricky smiling. “Did my Jacki show you our wedding photos? Didn’t she look like a queen?” he asks, with a twinkle in his gorgeous green eyes.
“Yes Mr. De La Cruz. The pictures are just beautiful, both of you look real happy. Congratulations,” says Susan appearing enchanted.
“Jacki looks very beautiful. Her gown and rings are amazing,” says Debbie looking at Ricky with awe.
“We’re extremely happy for Jacki,” says Sally Ann smiling at Ricky.
“Thank you. We’re very happy,” says Ricky, turning to pull his reina into his side. “Are you ready to go?”
“Si Baby,” says Jacki. “See you in a few,” Ricky and Jacki walk out of the office, down the hall to get some lunch.
“Baby I miss you. I need you,” says Jacki getting into his carro.
He pulls her into his arms, kisses her with all of his pasión and need that he’s feeling. “Mi reina you smell delicious, you look delicious, and I’m so hungry. I feel like I will explode with need.” says Ricky, devouring her mouth, pulling her closer to him.
Mi Baby is just as hungry as I am. I want him. “Baby we’re going to go get lunch, we then can come back to your office?” asks Jacki with all her pasión in her voz.
“That sounds good. Let’s get some sandwiches and drinks. Then we can eat them in mi office,” says Ricky grinning in agreement.
He pulls back with all of the remaining strength that he has. Ricky starts the carro, pulling out of the parking space. He went to get the sandwiches that he always orders.
They were back in his office in no time. Ricky locks the door and clears his desk. Good thing I have my private restroom, thinks Ricky. “Mi reina I’ll ask Jose Enrique about converting the office next door into a cuarto for us,” says Ricky. He gives her a quick beso and they start to eat their lunch.
“Baby, don’t forget that I’ll be leaving early today to meet with Erica. We’re planning out the details of our boda,” says Jacki.
She takes a bite of her sandwich and looks at him. I’ll never stop looking at him. He’s so gorgeous. I know that Susan, Sally Ann, and Debbie fell in love. They didn’t call him the playboy for nothing. Todas las mujers fall in love with mi baby, ponders Jacki.
“Okay mi reina. I’ll pick you up later, okay?” says Ricky looking at his reina. Mi reina is just a muñeca. I love looking at her, kissing her, tasting her, loving her, and just about everything about her, thinks Ricky smiling bursting with amor. He leans over to give her a beso.
“Baby have you thought of where we’ll have our luna de miel?” asks Jacki. “I want to go to Cancun.”
“Mi reina we can go anywhere that you want. If you want to go to Cancun I’ll make arrangements to leave on Monday after the wedding. I really don’t want to rush around after the wedding. We rushed around plenty last weekend,” says Ricky smiling at his reina.
“Baby, that sounds great. I know what you mean. We did pull a marathon this last weekend. I don’t know how you did it. We even had a nice wedding,” says Jacki. She laughs at him with joy.
Ricky contemplates his bella reina. He feels that he’s the luckiest hombre alive. I truly found a true reina. She’s perfect in every way. I love her personality and especially her loving. No other chica has made me feel what I do for mi reina, thinks Ricky blissfully.
Jacki looks at him with all of her heart reflecting in her eyes. I think I will hurry and eat so I can have some time with my delicious baby, thinks Jacki.
“Mi reina we need to go shopping for our furniture. Alfredo called me today and he said that our casa will be ready Monday June 13, the week of our wedding. We probably are able to go there after the wedding. What do you want? Do you want to go to a hotel instead?” asks Ricky.
“Baby I would love to start preparing our casa as soon as we get it on June 13. We can go and order our furniture to have them delivered on Tuesday June 14. Good thing that the casa has just been remodeled. We don’t have to paint the casa,” says Jacki smiling with felicidad. She has a dreamy look on her face.
“Sounds like a plan,” replies Ricky. I really enjoy making my reina feliz. She’s right about getting our casa ready.
“Baby we can spend the first week of our two week luna de miel at Cancun. I will love to spend our second week in our casa getting acclimated to our casa and our marriage. What do you think?” asks Jacki with huge hopeful eyes. She looks at Ricky.
Ricky gets up, walks over to her, and pulls her into his arms. “Mi reina I think that I will love spending a week in our casa and starting our marriage without anybody around. I want to love you in our casa in every cuarto all day long. I don’t want anybody to know that we’ll be there, okay,” says Ricky kissing her with all of his pasión.
After a few moments Jacki pulls back. I really need to tell him how I feel, thinks Jacki gazing into his eyes.
“Baby it’ll be so much fun. I can cook for you. We need to have todo ready so we’ll not have to leave la casa. I want to be able to bath together. I can’t wait to have you in our cama all night long. We can see movies, eat, go swimming, skinny dipping, and love all day and night. It’ll be heaven. Just you and me Baby,” Jacki pulls him back into her arms with urgency, I need my baby near me now, thinks Jacki, hungry for him.
Ricky hugs her closer responding to her needs. He rains besos all over su hermosa cara, adoring her.
“Mi reina that sounds better than Cancun. I would say that we don’t go to Cancun, but I know that someone will know that we’ll be in la casa. They will come over to visit. I really want you for myself for a while,” says Ricky. He kisses her with the same urgency that Jacki feels for him.
As soon as they both finished their lunch they fall into each other arms. The remaining lunch break is spent loving each other.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Erica is ready to see her baby. She went to the family cuarto to talk to su mama and Tia Lupe. They are already here for the wedding plans. They’re talking about the wedding.
“Si mi hija, I did see Jacki’s wedding gown that mi baby Ricky bought her in Las Vegas. I think it’s obsoletely hermoso and so are her wedding rings. I think that they look so fantastic together,” says Tia Lupe smiling.
“Si comadre, los chicos look hermosos together. We should be real feliz with dios for giving our niño’s such awesome partners,” says Erica’s Mama Maria.
“Aye comadre, I can’t wait for our nietos. I have been dreaming of them for so long. I’m so feliz that now we’ll have little niño’s around us. I want to take care of mi nietos if las mama’s want to continue to work. I’ll have no problema. It’ll be a dream come through,” says Tia Lupe daydreaming, sighing with pleasure.
“I know that I’ll want to take care of mi own baby. Of course mama and mis tia’s can help me,” says Erica smiling flashing her dimple.
Jacki gets out of su carro. She strides quickly to the door, knocking. Erica is waiting for Jacki to plan out the details of their double wedding.
Erica hears the knock at the door. I bet its Jacki. This is so much fun. Jacki, las bebe’s, and I went to school together.
“I’ll get the door mama,” says Erica standing, striding to the door. Erica smiles flashing her dimples and opens the door. “Hola prima,” says Erica. She gives her a hug and a beso on her cheek. She smiles at Jacki and motions her to come in.
Erica is so sweet, thinks Jacki, I really like her. “Hola prima, I’m so excited,” says Jacki. “I just can’t wait. I want to live with my Baby.”
“I can just imagine. Gabriel and I a
re just as anxious to be together. At least you can see Ricky at work every day. I only get a call from him every day. Not fair,” says Erica pouting with sad eyes.
“I bet it is hard Erica. I know that our boda will be here soon,” replies Jacki nodding.
“This way prima, let’s go to the familia room and plan out the details. Mi mama and Tia Lupe are also helping us,” says Erica
Jacki follows Erica into the familia room and greets her suegra and Ricky’s Tia Maria.
All of them plan out the boda down to the smallest detail. Erica and Jacki have the same ideas and dreams. It all works out perfectly.
“I’m so feliz prima that you also want soft pastel pink,” says Erica nodding with alegria.
“Si, I’m muy feliz that we agree on all the same things. It certainly makes it easier to plan. We did get all of the details, right?” asks Jacki looking at su suegra and Tia Lupe.
“Si mi hija, don’t worry about a thing. We’ll take care of todo,” says Mama Lupe. She’s so feliz that su Ricky is married and now is getting married by the church with this awesome chica.
“Okay. I know I can count on you,” says Jacki smiling at her baby’s mama.
“I need to get going. Ricky will be picking me up for dinner,” says Jacki standing. She gives Mama Lupe, Mama Maria, and Erica a hug and besos.
“Adiós mi hija,” say las mamás.
Erica stands and walks Jacki to the door. “It was so much fun prima,” says Erica flushed, smiling. “I can’t wait for our boda.”
“Will you be seeing Gabriel tonight?” asks Jacki with a little sadness for her prima.
“I will, I just don’t know what time he’ll get out of his training. It’ll depend on what the instructor wants. He’ll be here as soon as he can. I just have to be patient,” says Erica with resignation.
“Hope you get to see him soon. Adios,” says Jacki. She walks out to her carro. Okay, now I need to go to get home. I know that he will be ready to have dinner. I need to start a list of the meals I want to make my Baby. Oh yeah, it’s going to be amazing, thinks Jacki pulling into the driveway. I need to hurry and get ready. It’s later than I thought.
