by PE Kavanagh
“We are so pleased you and Papa are together. We love you, Monique. Thanks for making Papa so happy. It’s been a long time.”
“I love you two very much, and can’t believe I am lucky enough to be part of your family.”
They wrapped around me like my daughters did, even though they were both taller than me.
The crowd moved into the ballroom, the music started and the party began. I finally made my way to Marco. “What is all this?”
“Didn't you realize how much my family loves parties?”
“How did they know?” I asked, suspiciously.
“I told my father, my brother and sister, and the boys. I guess they told everyone else. I didn't know they were going to do all this. I was hoping we could sneak upstairs...”
“Me too,” I said with a wink. “I have an engagement present for you...”
He was definitely intrigued. “Do you think they will miss us?”
“Yes! You'll have to wait until later, I suppose.”
“I am dying with anticipation...”
“Break it up lovebirds! Plenty of time for that on the honeymoon,” said his cousin Juan. “When is the wedding?”
“We haven't gotten that far yet. Don't worry, you're all invited, of course,” I said.
“Does that mean no romantic getaway to Bali, then?” Marco asked.
“We can do both, can't we?”
“You mean I get to marry you more than once? That's the most brilliant thing I’ve ever heard.”
“And by the way Juan, there's going to be A LOT of this for... forever!” He then gave me the biggest, most dramatic, kiss. He nearly knocked me off my feet, which was how it felt to be with him. Hovering slightly off the ground.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The Mess Of Home
Then I remembered…
“Oh my God! I have to call home, and tell everyone. I do have to sneak off.”
“Yes, I’ll let them know where we're going.”
Marco told his father, who was busy dancing like a man half his age. “Si, si...”
We couldn’t believe our luck, to be allowed to leave so easily, and skipped up the stairs.
I dialed my girls first, expecting this would be the more complicated conversation. How would I explain to them that I was marrying someone other than their father? I knew they loved Marco, but would they find it strange? Would they feel betrayed?
“I’m calling the girls now, sweetheart. I hope they will be okay.”
“I think they will. Just call.”
I remembered that their father is planning his own wedding. That might make things a bit easier to explain.
“Hi Mama!” They were on speaker.
“Hi sweet cakes. How are my love bugs?”
“We're great... watching a movie. What are you doing?”
“Well, I have some news...”
“Did you say yes?! Did you Mama? We both thought you would! Did you?” Both girls spoke at once, over each other.
I was confused about what I heard. How did they know? I looked over at Marco, who was grinning sheepishly.
“Yes, girls. I said yes.”
I had to wait for the whooping and hollering to subside in order to speak again. “How did you know?” I asked them while looking at directly at Marco. He walked over to the phone.
“Hi senorinas. Isn't it great?”
“Hi Marco! We're so excited. Oh my God, can we go pick out dresses when you get back? We get to wear white too, right? Oh my gosh, we're so excited!”
“Me too, girls, me too. I’ll explain to your mom about how you knew, okay? You can just catch up now. I’ll give you some privacy,” he said before walking toward the door.
I gave him a look the whole way out. The girls wanted to talk about the wedding, which I couldn’t help with. Thank goodness they were happy. They wanted to know the details of how he proposed, and all about the beautiful house, and Marco’s family. They say they were going to practice their Spanish tomorrow. I missed them and wished they were here. I could have used a family squeeze right then.
The call to Nora’s was next. I wasn’t sure how that one is going to go. Less whooping and hollering, I assumed.
“Hi, it's me.”
Nora spoke loudly to whomever else was in the room, “Sam, Lizzy, it's Nik!” Then to me, “How are you?”
I could tell by the sound of her voice that something was up. “I’m great. How are you guys doing?”
“Great. Anything interesting happening down there?” Yes, there was definitely an odd tone...
I couldn’t keep any suspense going.
“Well, yes, actually. Marco proposed. And I said yes.”
Screaming filled my ear. I thought even Sam might have been screaming. Lizzy certainly was.
“So, you all knew as well? Was I the only one who didn’t know?”
“Will you stop being such a pain and actually enjoy this moment?!”
“Yes, boss. We're having an amazing time down here. You would not believe how his family lives. It's something out of a romance novel. Seriously.”
Lizzy’s voice filled the phone next. “Nik, this is the most exciting thing ever! Can you believe both of us are getting married? We could do it in Vegas, together...”
“Hold up there, sweetie. We can work all that out when I get back. And I’m not quite sure I want to encroach on your first and only wedding.”
“Okay, bridezillas. Let's not get carried away here.”
“You're just jealous,” Lizzy said.
“Not really. Not at all, in fact. Sam and I were first, if you remember.”
“Now who’s the party pooper?!” Lizzy said.
“Hey sweet Nik. I couldn’t be happier for you. Maybe you’ll trust me next time I tell you you’ve found a good one.” Sam was right, but I couldn’t let him get away with it.
“There will definitely NOT be a next time, Sammy.”
“Fair enough, Nik. Fair enough.”
“Let's all celebrate when we get back, okay?”
“It's a date. We love you so much Nik!” they all said in unison.
“Love you too. I’ll talk to you soon.”
The party was still in full force when I went back downstairs. Marco was spinning his nieces around the dance floor, while his sister took pictures. I just wanted to stand and watch them, all so beautiful and happy. I wondered if this was a consequence of all the good news and festivities, or if this was their way of being. I thought about staying there, for a long time.
Andres saw me and pulled me in to dance with him. He was definitely smooth and knew how to hold a woman. I could see how Marco became the man he was.
“Did you learn to dance like that in America?” he asked as I gracefully execute a spin.
“Yes, sir. My family are all very musical.”
“We love to dance in our family, too. Your family now. I hope you will encourage Marco to see us more often. I miss my son very much. At least now I don’t have to worry about his heart. It is in good hands, I see.”
I smiled shakily, afraid I might start to cry. “Andres… I would love to spend more time here. You’ve all been so wonderful to me. Thank you for welcoming me into your home and your family. I didn’t intend to steal all the attention from your celebration!”
“Aaah. This news is much better than an old man getting one year older. Anyhow, tomorrow night will be mine,” he said with the smile I recognized from his son. Charmers, those Gonzales men.
I kissed him lightly on both cheeks when the song ended, but a new song began immediately and someone else’s arm was around my waist. Marco’s cousin was my next partner.
We all switched partners until only the kids were still standing. To think, this was not even the main event, just a warm-up party. I didn’t know how I would have the stamina to do this all again the next day.
I finally got to dance with my new fiancé.
“I’d like to stay here for a long time.”
“Wher
e? In Argentina? In my dad’s house?”
“Maybe. But what I really meant was in your arms.”
“That is their sole purpose now, I believe. To hold you and love you.”
One lifetime wouldn’t be enough with this man.
“Take me to bed,” I whispered in his ear.
“As you wish.”
The night came in waves of delight. We drifted off to sleep while talking, and then woke up and found each other, ready to be taken and taken in.
“Marco, I am so happy. This is all so unbelievable to me. I feel like I’m going to wake up any moment now from this dream and...”
“You've made my dreams come true.”
“I love you so much. I love every single thing about you,” I said.
“Tell me,” he teased.
“I love how you're kind and brilliant and strong. I love how you look and smell and taste. I love how you're not scared of how crazy I can be.”
“Amor...”
“Let me finish. I love how you love your family, and my family, and me. I love how you treat my girls like princesses and my sisters like queens and Sam like a brother. I love what a great lover you are, and how I feel beautiful when I’m around you. I love that you're honest, even when it's hard. I love how safe I feel in your arms and how much I trust you. I love being in love with you.”
“Monique...” he took a deep breath. “It is my dream come true to make you happy, to show you everyday how smart and beautiful and sexy you are. I love how you can feel everything, what someone is thinking across the room and the perfect thing to say to make anyone feel better. I love how your hands make magic food that heals the world. I love how you cry at everything, even computer commercials. I love how you cover your tender heart when you're out in the world, but you let it be bare with me, when we are alone. I love how fiercely you love your family, and what an amazing mother you are. I love that you show me your desire, and let me experience mine. Frequently.
I love how every man wishes he was me when you are on my arm. I love how you move your body when you dance, and how you follow when I lead. I love that you show off your superstar legs and wish I could make a mold of your butt that I could always have with me. I love that you pretend you're not ticklish, and how your hands feel on my body. I love your mouth, on my mouth, and on my body.
I love how you hold me, really tightly, when you are feeling pleasure. I love how you purr when you're sleeping. I love how you laugh and how you cry and how you tell me you love me. I love that you let me love you.”
We looked at each other for a long time. This outpouring of love filled the middle of the night, bracketed by passion and a little bit of sleep.
We drifted off and I woke up with my hand on his cock. The gratitude continued, with a slightly different twist.
“I love how you're hard whenever I want you to be.”
“I love how you're wet whenever I want you to be.”
“I love how it feels when you're inside me.”
“I love how it feels inside you.”
“I love how you take your time.”
“I love how time stops when we're together.”
“I love how you know exactly what I need.”
“I love how you let me explore your body.”
“I love your cock.”
This made Marco laugh. “He REALLY loves you!”
We became too absorbed by the building passion to keep talking.
“Thank you for finding me, Marco.”
“Thank you for being, Monique.”
Morning arrived in small streams of sunlight. A knock on the door confirmed the day had started.
“Señor? Your father wanted me to tell you there is a family meeting now. Thank you.”
“Thank you, Isabella.”
“Family meeting?” I asked.
“Yes. That's my father. He leaves nothing to the moment. We are going to plan the day, and the night. Perfection does not come easily, my dear.”
“It does for some people,” I said as I gave him his good morning kiss.
“Maybe we can stay here and miss the meeting,” he suggested.
“No way. I’m not going to be the cause of your absence from the family meeting. I’ll keep the bed warm for you.”
“Nice try. You, my dear, are now part of this family, and are absolutely expected to be present.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Not even a little bit.”
We slipped into our dressing gowns and headed downstairs to find Andres, Marco’s sister and brother-in-law, and his two boys in the sitting room. We were the last ones down. Embarrassment slowed my steps.
“Good morning everyone,” I said, trying to appear cheerful.
“Good morning lovebirds,” said a voice I didn’t recognize. A man who looked exactly like Marco appeared from the kitchen.
“Sebastian. When did you arrive?”
“Very late last night. I believe you two had already... retired for the night.” He stared at me intently. “Well, this is the future Mrs. Gonzales, I presume?”
“Hello, Sebastian. It is so nice to finally meet you.”
“Yes, I understand why Marco was keeping you hidden, just for himself. Pleasure to meet you,” he said as he kissed my cheeks.
This guy was as smooth as cream. Everything I heard about him appeared to be true. The word lothario immediately came to mind. Stunningly good looking, almost too pretty, I couldn’t stop looking at him. He noticed.
As did Marco, who took my hand to sit down on the couch on the other side of the room.
“Papa, did the family meeting need to be so early?”
“Yes. We have much to do today. I know you are intoxicated by love now, but we have an important event, if you remember.”
“Of course I remember, Papa. That's why we're all here. For you.”
Andres reminded me of Nora, which meant I knew how to handle him. “Just tell us what you need us to do, Andres. We are at you service.”
“I did not expect you to be so obedient...”
“Sebastian, must you be so rude already?” Marco’s question, and the tone of his delivery, shocked me.
His sister began to speak very quickly in Spanish. She did not sound happy, but it put them all in their places. I’d never seen Marco get riled so quickly. It made me wonder if Sebastian’s transgression has really been forgiven.
Andres grabbed the reigns from this small distraction, and continued with the complex agenda for the day. Everyone’s tasks were well defined and the day was scheduled to the minute. We dispersed to get on with our assignments.
Since I had the fewest obligations, Marco was able to slip me into the kitchen, where I spent the afternoon making Andres my famed chocolate cake. The kitchen was a real dream, even with the staff sneaking looks in every now and then.
One particular young man, who had apparently been assisting the chef, was so intrigued by what I was doing that he offered to help me. We could hardly speak to each other, but chose the world of food to communicate. Marco found us laughing hysterically at the funny face he had drawn in the spilled flour on the counter.
“Well, it looks like you are doing quite well in here.”
“I think the cake is going to be great. Miguel was such a help.”
Miguel, acting like he might have crossed some unspoken line, began to stutter and apologize. Almost bowing as he backed away from Marco.
“It’s okay,” I said to him. “No problemo. Bueno trabajo.”
“Gracias, señora. Gracias.”
Marco translated the next stream of Spanish for me: “He thinks you are a very good cook. And he is very happy you will now be coming here more often… now that we are getting married.”
“Gracias,” I replied.
Marco made his way over to me, and gently rubbed his thumb across my cheek, cleaning off a stray smudge of flour.
“I must be very messy right now,” I admitted.
“Yes, a little bit.” A sm
ile rose from the bottom of my heart, as I acknowledged the love in his eyes. “Just the way I like it.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
The First Song
Lalune’s lessons had been going well. She drank in Avanora’s teachings with a newfound thirst for being alive. The darkness and despair that had defined her life until that point dissolved under the beam of her focus. The prospect of happiness fueled her efforts and dampened the fear.
In addition to her daily instructions, Lalune began spending time near the surface observing the land-walkers, to learn their ways and copy their manners. They continued to be as odd as they were enticing. She practiced her singing whenever she could, less afraid of getting caught, and gradually accepting the degree of her desire.
The island, un-inhabited by the land-walkers and regarded as relatively safe by the mermaids, became Lalune’s second home. The large ship that had been slowly approaching that area stopped in the path directly between her home and the island. Lalune found it curious that it did not move for several days, but was so absorbed in her own world that she did not think more about it.
Although she could see and hear the land-walkers on the ship clearly, she was fairly certain that her body and voice were hidden from their detection. This strange event was not going to stop keep her from progressing towards her goal.
Something made her listen to them more closely on that cloudy day.
“We are shifting the location of the blasts, due to the oncoming weather system. Not going to take any chances.”
Lalune was shocked by what she overheard, and began to study these boat-men carefully. She gleaned that they were planning a series of explosions to look for oil in the ocean that was her home.
She was too scared to warn her family because she should never have been around the land-walkers.
She went back and forth for days, trying to decide what to say, and if she should say anything at all. All of the anxiety about her transformation was dwarfed by the fear for her family, and her community, and she finally realized it was worth their inevitable anger to save their lives.
She decided to go straight to her father. He would know what to do and had the authority to lead the community. Lalune felt the first explosion as she entered his chamber. It was too soon! She thought there would still be days to inform everyone.
