by Zoe Glez
I am sitting next to Mickey on his bed and we are talking. Well…he is talking, smiling, and playing with our joined hands as I kiss every inch of his swollen face, when my brother comes into his room. “If you’re here to start more shit, then I suggest you leave,” I snap at him before he can even explain what he’s doing here.
“I’m sorry,” he says in barely a whisper. “I was out of line. I should have let you explain before ever attacking you like that.”
“It’s okay, man, I think I get it,” Mickey says, always being the better person.
“Do you really love him?” Kev asks looking at me now.
“With all my heart,” I say looking Mickey in the eyes.
“Why my sister, man?” he asks.
“The heart isn’t responsible for who it chooses to love. And, why not her? Have you met your sister? She’s the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. I’ll choose her a million times more if given the chance,” Mickey says, tightening his grip on my hand.
“So, you two really are in love. How could I be so blind?” he asks to no one in particular. “Can you— can you both ever forgive me?” I can see the remorse in his face. I can see he’s in pain and ashamed of what he’s done.
I look at Mickey and he looks at me. We then turn toward my brother where he’s giving us a hopeful look. “Yeah…we forgive you,” we both say in unison.
“But, don’t you dare to ever do it again,” I warn.
“I can’t promise that. If he ever hurts you, Lai, I won’t hesitate,” he admits.
“He won’t hurt me,” I confidently tell him.
“Did you guys really get married?” he asks.
“Yeah, man. We did. Best fucking day of my life,” Mickey answers beaming up a smile at him.
“And, you’re both happy…?” We both nod with twin smiles. “Good, that’s good,” he says shaking his head as if he still can’t believe anything that has happened.
“I really am sorry. Dad came and talked to me, but I had to come here and see for myself. I’m glad you both found each other and that you’re happy. Please believe me when I say how sorry and stupid I am.”
“We know,” Mickey and I say at the same time, which makes us laugh.
“So…Vega, I’m your fucking brother in law. How’s that going for ya?” Kev jokes.
“I’ve been better,” Mickey answers, smiling back at him.
If there is something that Mama has always taught us, it is to forgive each other. We are all humans, we make mistakes, we’re not perfect, and no matter what, family is the most important thing. No matter how mad and disappointed I am with my brother at this very moment, I would’ve still forgiven him. Whether it was today, the day after that, or three months from now after, I would have.
He’s my family. Families always forgive each other and look pass our imperfections and mistakes. At the end of the day, everything can be worked out.
Chapter Eighteen
M
y brother stayed for a couple of hours that day. He asked a lot of questions about our relationship. I could see that he was still a little reluctant about it, but he seemed open to the idea. I know it never was exactly his cup of tea but he needs to get used to it, because Mickey and I are forever, especially now that we are about to start a family, and nothing is going to change that.
We were supposed to get Maddie during the days Mickey was in the hospital. After Kev left we had both called John and explained to him what had happened. He understood and wished Mickey to get better. He also told us he could bring her to us on the 6th of January, which is the day after tomorrow. Mickey has finally been discharged and we are getting ready to head home.
Ever since the family found out about our marriage, the living arrangements have changed. Angel and Carla moved in with mom and dad, Luke would be staying with us in our home, and Ari and Mary are going to my old room at the main house. And, our daughter is set to join us soon.
Since we needed to arrange Maddie’s room for when she came home to us, we had trusted Luke and Ari with that last little secret. Although, to be honest, for me it seems more like a surprise than a secret.
Anyway, we recruited the two of them to get her room ready. I gave them the drawing of what I had in mind for it and told them how to do it all. I would have loved to do it myself with Mickey’s help, but due to the circumstances, Ari and Luke were the perfect people for the job.
Now, it’s just a thing of getting home and I can’t wait. Maddie is going to be able to enjoy one of the greatest holidays in the Hispanic community. Just the idea of her cute little face being excited by it has every part of me counting the hours until we have our daughter. Until our little family is together.
Luke is set to pick us up at the hospital today and to take us straight to our home. Knowing my family, they are all probably there waiting for us to get home. They still hadn’t said anything about our secret marriage, probably for Mickey’s sake. But, I’m sure that they will all get to it soon enough and we’re ready for it.
“Is it really necessary for the both of you to sit in the back? Can’t one of you move to the passenger seat so I don’t feel like a chauffeur?” Luke asks, once we are on the road back home.
“Hell, no! She stays right here with me,” Mickey says, pulling me tighter to him. When we were getting in the car he had insisted for me to sit next to him, not that he had to beg much. Once I took a seat next to him, he pulled me close to him and hasn’t let go of me ever since.
“What’s wrong with him?” Luke asks looking at me through the rearview mirror.
I shrug and look to Mickey. “What’s wrong with you?” I ask, a smile on my face.
“Everyone finally knows about us, babe. There’s no way in hell I’m letting you go. I’m making up for lost time. If they ever had any doubt about us, I’m going to prove them wrong,” he says, pulling me in for a deep kiss.
“No kissing in the car,” Luke jokingly reprimands us. “I’m happy for you two, you’ve been through enough,” he says all serious now.
“Thank you,” both Mickey and I say at the same time.
Luke laughs “Any who…I made use of your gift, Laylah,” he says with a shy smile.
“Really?” I ask a little hopeful.
“Really,” he gives a shy smile and nods.
“I’m proud of you, Uncle Luke.” I smile back.
“What’s with the whole uncle shit?” he jokes.
“Shut up! You know you love it,” I tease back. “In all seriousness, how does the room look?” I ask giving him a serious look through the rearview mirror.
“We are no Picasso like you, but I’m pretty sure you both will be proud of the work Ari and I did on the room. And, your baby girl will love it once she sees it,” he says beaming at us.
“Oh, please! I gave you the easy stuff to do. I’ll finish the rest tonight,” I jokingly tell him and he smiles back at me. But, I really do have a few more things to add to the room that I’d been thinking about.
“Do you want to see her before anyone else, man?” Mickey asks.
“Do I want to see the little girl that has got you two all mushy, mushy and crazier than ever? Do I want to see my new favorite niece? Does a cat have four legs? Of course I do. What kind of stupid question is that? Give me,” he says once he sees Mickey looking in his phone for the picture of Maddie and us that we took on Christmas Eve, making both Mickey and I laugh. We had stopped at a red light so he can actually get a good look at the picture. “Oh gosh! She’s so cute, look at that curly hair of hers. She’s adorable, I’m so happy for both of you.” He hands the phone back to Mickey once the light has changed.
“She’s as sweet as it gets,” Mickey says.
“Sweetest kid you’ll ever meet. She’s a shy little thing at first, but once she gets to know you, she’s just a ball of love,” I add.
“I think the family will love her, you guys. Don’t worry. She’s the perfect fit for this crazy familia of ours,” Luke reassures us. “
Congratulations, Mamma and Poppa.” He winks at us.
As predicted, my family had abandoned the main house and has taken over ours. God bless their loving souls, but part of me was hoping for some alone time with my husband.
“Later,” he whispers in my ear, noticing the disappointment on my face when we see our house invasion.
Our family had thought it was a great idea to throw us a wedding shower. Never mind the fact that we are already married or that we just came from a long stay at the hospital and want nothing more than to rest.
Mickey and I head upstairs to take a quick shower and change. We also want to see Maddie’s room. Ari had followed us claiming she wanted to check if she had left her phone charger in the room she was staying in, which is now Maddie’s room. Luke did the same, claiming he wanted to change of clothes. The room was pure perfection. They followed every detail I told them and it is just amazing. Add to that, the idea I had of painting the Disney princesses on one of her walls and every three year olds princess bedroom dream is made true for our very own little princess.
“Thank you,” I tell them, giving them each a hug.
“You’re more than welcome, it was our pleasure,” Ari says. “I would have killed to have a room like this.”
“It’s every princess’ dream come true for our very own little princess,” Mickey says, repeating what I had been thinking.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Can you just adopt me too and give me a room as amazing as this one,” Ari jokes, making us all laugh.
In the middle of the room close to the wall is where the bed is located, it’s in the form of a castle. To one side, it has some stairs so she can go up its balcony and play, while the other side has slide, for her to go down in a fun way. Close to the window there is a day bed in the form of the Cinderella carriage with a toy chest included. Then, there is the drawing of the sky on the ceiling. That was what I was most worried about. Knowing from experience that it was a hard thing to do, but they really did an amazing job on it.
On the other side of the room there is a chalkboard wall that also happens to hide the closet. Unlike Mickey’s shop where the wall is black, this one is pink so it can match the rest of the colors.
“What exactly is it that you want to add?” Mickey asks. “This looks pretty perfect.”
“Oh! It is. Trust me, it is. You both did a great job! The clouds look amazing, by the way,” I say turning to Luke and Ari.
“Pish posh, it was a piece of cake. Martha helped a lot, too,” Luke says waving his hand like it’s no big deal.
“I’m sorry, who?” I ask feeling confused.
“You know… Martha Stuart,” he casually says.
“Yeah…we may have forgotten half of the stuff you told us. So, we pulled out the big guns and researched Martha’s stuff. We may have also looked up stuff on YouTube,” Ari admits, earning a shut up look from Luke.
Mickey and I both laugh at both of them. “Anyhow, as I was saying,” I say once I manage to stop laughing. “I just want to add ‘Princess Maddie’s Land’ with a portrait of Maddie over there,” I point to the upper center of the chalk wall, “in a permanent paint, like I did with Mickey’s shop. I also wanted to paint all of the Disney princesses next to the carriage along with some animals, maybe a white horse, stuff like that. I also wanted to do a portrait of us as a family right next to the door. You know, as if we were the royals with their little princess, like the ones they have in some movies.”
“Yeah…that’s definitely your type of doing. We could never pull that off,” Luke says admiring the places I pointed out.
“Seriously, adopt me,” Ari repeats.
“So, you want to paint us as royals?” Mickey asks, walking to where I’m standing in the middle of the room.
“Yeah…I also wanted to paint the door with the chalk paint. If there is any left,” I add as he kisses the top of my head and hugs me from behind.
“Oh, there is plenty of it left,” Ari adds.
“It sounds perfect, my heaven. Just don’t over work yourself, okay?” he softly says close to my ear.
I move my head so I can look at him. “I won’t,” I promise and he lowers his head so he can lay a kiss on my lips that ends up becoming deeper than I expected it to be.
After our kiss, Ari and Luke decided to go downstairs to give us some alone time. Mickey and I decide to go to our room to take a shower and freshen up before we see what these crazy people have in store for us.
The shower was quick. We dressed in our comfiest clothes wanting to feel like we are finally at home.
I wasn’t that surprised to see they had opened the basement and took out all of our belongings and put them back in their original place. My home was finally my home again and everyone knew it. When we get downstairs, everyone is already in the living room, waiting. Half are sitting on the floor and the other half had brought out their own chairs, since our living room doesn’t accommodate as many people as Mama’s and Lola’s. There are two spots left on our sofa, which only fits three people. Taking one of the spots is Mario, leaving the three of us in the spotlight because of our little secret.
“Be honest with me, how mad is she?” I whisper to him once I take a seat between him and Mickey, referencing Mama’s mood.
“She made chicharrones last night and didn’t even let me eat one of them. She knows how much I love them,” Mario says, pouting over the delicious, greasy, homemade fried pork skin.
“That is just mean,” Mickey says whispering his amusement.
“So, pretty mad,” I say nodding my head.
“How could you two get married and not invite any of us?” Mama asks, making the three of us jump.
“I, we, just couldn’t wait any longer,” Mickey sheepishly says.
“We are still getting married in April, like we planned,” I add.
“We didn’t even know you two were engaged!” Lola exclaims, throwing her arms up in the air.
“We were going to tell you all, Mom,” Mickey says, looking at our joined hands and tightening his grip.
“We are sorry, really sorry. But you have to understand that for us, it was the right thing to do. It was my— our, perfect wedding. Sure we didn’t have you guys there, but it still felt perfect for us.”
“We e couldn’t wait,” Mickey adds with a shrug.
“And, you can’t reprimand us for loving each other and not wanting to wait any longer to make it official,” I finish and it seemed to do the trick.
We spend a few hours explaining everything, almost everything. We still hadn’t mentioned Maddie at all. Things got intense for a while. We went and told them pretty much every single thing that we’ve been through in our relationship, to the benefit of those who didn’t know. We even told them about the miscarriage, which earned us condolences from all of them. My dad was heartbroken to say the least, as much as mom was when I had told her the first time.
When asked why we had hidden the whole thing, we told them we were afraid of their rejection and reaction. Which was stupid, now that I think about it. If there is one thing that I know for sure about my family, it’s that they are pretty accepting and respectful of each other’s decisions. We also told them about how afraid we were of Kevin and dad’s reaction. Since Kevin’s reaction was worse than we expected, I guess we had good reason to be worried.
After we poured our hearts out to them, my dad welcomed Mickey to the family with a hug. Then, we started the wedding shower where everyone gave us gifts we really didn’t need. But, they did fill my house with groceries, which is awesome. I’m not much of a cook, but I appreciated the sentiment. After we were done with the gifts, Mama and Lola went around the room serving us all asopao de pollo, which was really good, like always.
“So, how are you guys doing?” Mario asks, looking to were Mickey is talking to my brother.
“We are good. Mickey has forgiven him, so have I,” I say.
“But?” he pushes forward.
“But it’s going to be hard to
forget, you know?” I give him a sad side smile.
“Yeah, I know,” he says, pulling me in for a side hug.
I had a late night that night, but I got to finish Maddie’s room and it looks just as I had envisioned it would. Mickey helped me as little as he could. He had said he didn’t want to take an eye off of me as I worked with the ladder. He didn’t really want to risk anything else or have to take another trip to the hospital. When we finally got to our room, he made sure to go through with his earlier promise.
It is now the day before Maddie arrives and Mama and Lola have taken over our kitchen to prepare the dinner so we can celebrate the Three Kings as they come near. Tomorrow is Three Kings Day, a day that is celebrated in all Hispanic families and countries. I would’ve loved to have Maddie with us tonight. It is normally a tradition for kids to gather grass from their patios and place it in shoe boxes under their bed. Then, when the Kings come with their gifts, they can feed the grass to their camels. In the morning the kids find their presents under the bed and the shoe box empty.
I used to love it when I was young. My mom used to say it wasn’t the same as on the Isla, since we wouldn’t be able to enjoy our gift until we got back from school, but she still wanted to give us that experience. And, ever since we signed those adoption papers, I’ve wanted to do the same for our baby girl. She wouldn’t get to pick up the grass tonight, but at least she will get her chance to find her presents tomorrow under her castle when she gets here.
I try to help around the kitchen since it is my house, but Mama and Lola shoo me away. So, I opt to go to the living room were Ari and Mary have taken over our television. All the while the guys are bringing in two more tables since we won’t all fit at our four person dining table.
