More than a Maid

by Reeni Austin

  "Yeah. Never thought there'd be a woman who'd make me wanna run off and get married." His eyes, suddenly thick with tears, peered into hers. In a weak voice, heavy with emotion, he said, "I really do love you."

  Marcy inhaled, sharply, blinking as tears blurred her vision.

  "I mean it," he said. "Should've told you before now. Never should've let you think otherwise. You know words don't mean as much to me as actions. I'd rather show you how I feel, not give you a bunch of empty words, but this ain't empty. I love you. And I've known it for a long time. And now I want you to know it." Ramon slid the back of his hand across his eyes with a sniffle. "I never want you to doubt it. I love you."

  Marcy brought both hands to her face, covering her nose and mouth as she cried.

  Ramon pulled her in for an embrace, holding her tight against his chest until both of them stopped crying.

  Marcy sniffled one last time and said, "I think that was the proposal I was waiting for."

  "No it wasn't. I don't have your ring yet."

  "It doesn't matter." She pulled away and smiled at him. "I didn't want you to put on a fake show for me. I just wanted it to come from your heart."

  Ramon flashed her a wry grin. He turned off the car and said, "Wait right there."

  Marcy watched as he opened his door and ran around to her side.

  Then he opened her door and reached inside.

  She took his hand and stepped out of the car.

  Ramon guided her to the empty parking space beside them, smiling down at her.

  He stepped back. One knee dropped to the pavement as he gazed up at her with those sparkling brown eyes.

  Marcy gasped, then a nervous chuckle slipped out before she could stop it. "No! We're in the middle of a parking lot!"

  "I don't care. You've given my life so much. Let me give you this one thing." He took her hand. "Marcy, baby doll, I love you. Will you marry me?"

  With tears streaming down her face, Marcy nodded rapidly and squeaked, "Yes!"

  Ramon jumped to his feet and pulled her into his arms, kissing her for several minutes until he heard a car horn honking for them to get out of that parking space.

  CHAPTER 33

  Ramon and Marcy went straight to a jewelry store after the proposal. It took ten minutes for Marcy to find an engagement ring and matching wedding band. Ramon took approximately thirty seconds to find his ring.

  And then they rushed to Marcy's apartment where she immediately started to pack.

  An anxious Ramon opened drawers in her bedroom. He pulled out a pair of socks and said, "Do you need these?"

  Marcy's suitcase was spread out on the bed. She folded a pair of shorts and placed them inside. "No. I think I have enough socks."

  He closed the drawer and went to the closet, grabbing a blouse. "What about this?"

  Frustrated, Marcy sighed and said, "No."

  Ramon reached down to the floor for a pair of shoes. "What about these?"

  She lifted her hands, forced a smile, and said, "I know you mean well but please stop! You're driving me crazy. Just give me fifteen minutes."

  Ramon shook his head, then ran up behind her. "Can't help it. I'm ready." He threw his arms around her waist and held her tight. His voice was soft in her ear. "I'd throw you down on the bed if I wasn't in such a hurry to marry you."

  Marcy closed her eyes and leaned back against him. His words made her blush from head to toe. "Can't you just throw me down anyway?"

  He kissed her cheek. "No, because then we'll be here all day. You know I'm not a 'quickie' kind of guy."

  Whining, Marcy said, "Yes, I know. Let's stay here tonight and leave in the morning."

  He chuckled and let her go, giving her a quick slap on the butt before heading back to her closet. "No. Come on. Get packin'."

  "Fine." She sighed and plucked a shirt from the bed to fold. "Are you gonna tell your brothers we're going to Vegas tonight?"

  Snorting, Ramon replied, "No. It's just us. Don't tell Cara or Patty either."

  "But we're taking the private jet, right? That's how you got here today." She cleared her throat and gave him a knowing look. "Armando hooks you up with that jet. You think he's not gonna hear about this?"

  Ramon shrugged. "Not till tomorrow, at least."

  She shook her head. "Didn't you guys make an agreement at Victor's wedding about taking turns to be best men at each others' weddings? Armando's supposed to be yours, right? He's gonna be upset. So will Victor."

  He smirked and plopped down on the bed, his eyes darting around the room as he gave it some thought. After a moment, he inhaled deeply and said, "Damn it." He took his phone out of his pocket. "I'll send 'em a text message. Tell 'em if they can't make it to Vegas tonight, then tough shit."

  Marcy rolled her eyes and continued to pack.

  Less than a minute after Ramon sent the text message, his phone rang. He said, "It's Armando," then shook his head and answered.

  Marcy's phone rang the next second, and she saw it was Katie. "Hello?" she answered.

  "Hey! You're really gonna go to Vegas and marry Ramon tonight? Really?"

  Prepared to defend her decision, Marcy said, "Yes, I am. And I—"

  Katie interrupted her in a frenzy. "I can't believe it!" She inhaled quickly and continued, "Have you guys called a chapel yet? It's best if you can book a reservation before you fly out there, otherwise…"

  Marcy listened as Katie went on for several minutes with what she'd learned when various friends of hers eloped in Las Vegas over the years.

  Katie barely let Marcy speak again, ending with, "But don't worry, I'm an event planner. I've done this before. Armando and I will get there before you do and I'll have everything ready to go. Just give us a call when you land. Okay, bye!" And Katie hung up.

  Marcy put her phone down, her eyes wide and dazed.

  Ramon was still talking. "Yeah… yeah… All right…" He turned to Marcy, widening his eyes as he spoke. "Yeah… I got it… I'll call you." Then he hung up and let out a labored breath. "Shit. Was your conversation as exhausting as mine?"

  "Uh-huh. Katie's planning the entire wedding."

  Ramon scoffed. "What's there to plan? Isn't that the point?"

  Marcy hit her forehead with her palm. "I don't know."

  Then both of their phones rang again, simultaneously.

  Ramon said, "That's gotta be Victor and Cara."

  Marcy spent the next several minutes on the phone with Cara while Ramon spoke with Victor.

  Ninety minutes later, Ramon and Marcy were on the private jet with Patty and Tom, who had packed quickly and canceled their plans in order to tag along. During a good portion of the flight, Patty reminded Ramon and Marcy that she was the one who orchestrated their meeting from the beginning. And she hoped they would give her a testimonial for her new matchmaking business.

  Ramon and Marcy simply nodded, unsure whether Patty had gotten lucky with them, or she actually knew what the hell she was talking about.

  * * *

  At ten o'clock that night, Ramon stood at the altar of a small chapel in Las Vegas, awaiting his blushing bride. Armando was beside him, with Victor rounding out the group.

  As they waited, Armando put his hand on Ramon's back and said, "Thanks for letting us be a part of this."

  Ramon simply nodded, trying to downplay the emotion he felt inside.

  Victor spoke up, laughing. "I can't believe you're getting married. Am I dreaming?"

  Ramon shot him a mean look, trying not to smile.

  Back in Turnbrook at Ramon's house, Henry, Elsa, and Mrs. Perry gathered around a laptop at the dining table, watching the ceremony via webcam. Victor arranged for Mrs. Perry to be there, figuring it was the right thing to do since Ramon seemed to think of her as a second mother… even though Ramon would never admit it. And Henry couldn't make the flight since he was under house arrest until his trial. But he called Ramon a half hour earlier to congratulate him and tell him he'd be watching.

  It was the
most emotional day of Ramon's life, even though he didn't let himself show it. He was glad he'd invited his brothers, and he was touched that they showed up in Las Vegas before he did. He assumed they both must have dropped everything they were doing and headed out immediately. And to think, it was only a matter of months earlier Ramon feared they secretly wanted to get him out of their lives. There was no doubt in his mind now that regardless of how they were related—even if they were biologically half-brothers—they would always have a bond that was thicker than blood. Victor and Armando were more than Ramon's brothers; they were also his closest friends.

  Isaac entered the room after taking a short trip to the restroom with Patty. He smiled at Ramon and rushed up to him, hugging his leg.

  Ramon bent down to pick him up. "Hombrecito. Glad you could make it. You sure you don't wanna be the ring bearer?"

  Isaac frowned. "No! I hate that." His face lit up. "I get to stay up past my bedtime tonight! You and Mah-cy gonna come to my woom and watch TV with me and Gwammah?"

  Laughing, Ramon said, "No. Sorry. I think I'm gonna be busy. But I'll make it up to you when I come back home in a few weeks."

  A few minutes later, the organ music started. Patty was the first to walk out, followed by Cara.

  Ramon's heart raced as he looked for Marcy. Then suddenly she appeared, the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. She wore a rented wedding dress that Katie helped her find. Her eyes were locked on Ramon's as she drifted down the aisle toward him.

  The wedding was short and sweet. They didn't have time to write their own vows, but they didn't care. All that mattered was the promise they made to each other. Ramon would go back to his ranch a happily married man, waking up every morning to the only woman who'd ever made him want to settle down. Marcy was no longer his maid or his girlfriend; she was his wife.

  When they kissed, he lifted her in the air, everyone whooping and clapping around them.

  They hurried down the aisle hand in hand, stopping outside the room. Their plan was to spend five minutes on pictures and talking with family before heading down the street to their hotel.

  Marcy smiled. "I can't believe we did this! I feel like I'm floating."

  Ramon kissed her forehead. "Me too." He put his arms around her, his lips at her ear, his voice soft. "Can't wait to get you alone. Who knows? Maybe I'll get you pregnant tonight."

  Marcy gasped. "What?" She leaned away from him, looking in his eyes. "You're not serious."

  Chuckling, he said, "So what if I am? Told you I want kids. Got a lot of bedrooms to fill."

  Staring at him, Marcy gulped. "One thing at a time, okay?"

  He nodded. "Okay. But soon."

  EPILOGUE

  Six months later…

  Isaac sat on the floor in the nursery, his eyes bouncing between his two new six-week-old siblings, both of whom were on their backs on a blanket.

  Cara came into the room with clothes fresh from the dryer. She went to the cabinet to put them away. "Everything okay while I was out of the room?"

  "Yeah." Isaac nodded. He pointed at his sister, Valeria. "I like her better today. See how she's smiling at me?" He scowled and pointed at Eduardo. "But him… he's stinky."

  Cara shook her head at Isaac. She closed the cabinet and went to the floor to pick Eduardo up, sniffing him. "He just needs a new diaper." She stood and placed him on the changing table. "You should love your brother and sister the same. How do you think they'd feel if they knew you were talking about them that way?"

  Isaac shrugged. "I dunno. Bad, I guess." He crept forward and put his finger in Valeria's hand, giggling when she gripped him tight. "She's so strong!"

  Cara smiled. A few months earlier, all Isaac talked about was all the fun he would have with his two baby brothers. But now he had a brother and a sister, and he seemed to prefer the sister.

  Just as Isaac was sliding his hand under Valeria's back to bring her to his lap, Victor entered the room.

  "Hey." Victor bent down to Isaac and put his hand under Valeria's head, guiding her to Isaac. "Remember, you need to prop her head up."

  Isaac nodded and carefully steadied her head against his arm. "I know, Daddy. I can do it."

  With one eye on Isaac, Victor straightened and went to Cara, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

  She turned her head and kissed him full on the lips, then finished changing the baby.

  Victor sighed. He gave Isaac a quick glance, then smiled down at Eduardo. "You're getting so big," he whispered.

  Cara nodded, sadly. "I know. I don't remember Isaac growing this fast."

  Victor reached down to pick up Eduardo, kissing his forehead, then letting out a sad sigh. He and his brothers had attended Henry's sentencing today. As Dwayne predicted, Henry was offered a plea bargain instead of undergoing a trial. "Yeah. Ten years, but Dwayne thinks he'll probably get out after two or three years."

  "I hope so," Cara said.

  Because Dwayne had a lot of friends in high places and knew how to cover his tracks, his involvement in Henry's trial was minimal. It barely surfaced that Dwayne had falsified documents for Henry on numerous occasions. However, fearing a deeper investigation, Dwayne decided to retire from his office anyway.

  Victor nodded, bouncing the baby in his arms. "It's okay. We'll visit him. Try to make the best of it." He quickly changed the subject—Henry's sentencing had been the talk of their house for days and he was ready to move on. "Everyone's on their way over here."

  By "everyone," Victor meant Armando, Katie, Ramon, and Marcy, who had attended the sentencing as well.

  "Was Elsa there?" Cara asked. "Is she doing any better?"

  Victor shifted the baby to his other arm. "She slipped out of the courtroom before we did. She looked really upset. Her daughter came up to visit this morning. I think she's worried about her."

  Cara frowned. "I'm worried about her, too. You still wanna offer her the nanny position? Or do you think she's too distraught?"

  "I think it'll be good for her. Take her mind off of Henry."

  Before the twins were born, Cara balked at the idea of hiring a nanny. She knew she would need help with the babies but she thought she could simply use Marcy, and Patty on her occasional visits.

  But Marcy had taken a more active role helping Ramon manage his ranches. And Patty was working hard at her new matchmaking business, unable to travel on a regular basis.

  But Elsa had been more than happy to care for the twins and help Cara around the house while Victor was at work. And since Henry would no longer be living at the ranch, the only people to cook and clean for were Ramon and Marcy. Cara and Victor decided it would be a perfect time to offer Elsa a new job.

  Today, however, Cara's help would be all the family coming over to eat lunch. And Isaac, the doting big brother, was always a big help.

  ***

  Ramon hadn't spoken a word since they left the courthouse. He stared straight ahead, driving, his face impassive.

  Marcy knew better than to pry. If her husband needed to quietly sort out his feelings, she would let him. Over the months since learning Henry was his biological father, she'd noticed a change in Ramon. At first he seemed angry, but Ramon slowly grew friendlier toward Henry. She knew neither man was the type to sit down and discuss his feelings, but maybe they didn't need to. Henry took every opportunity to tell Ramon how proud of him he was. At first, Ramon scowled and ignored him. But as the weeks passed, Ramon would grin and mutter a quick, "Thanks." And for Ramon, that was huge.

  Marcy broke the silence in the car. In a soft voice, she said, "You know, we don't have to go to Victor and Cara's. We can just go home."

  Ramon blinked like he had just awakened from a daydream. Clearing his throat, he said, "No. Armando's leavin' later today."

  Marcy nodded. She knew what that meant. Armando hadn't visited in nearly a month, and Ramon wanted to spend time with him.

  It had become increasingly clear to Marcy that family was more important to Ramon than he'd ever admit. His
gruff exterior and the way he teased his brothers was simply his method of hiding what a softie he was inside.

  When they arrived at Victor and Cara's, Ramon parked behind Armando and Katie. He turned the engine off and sat there, staring at the front door.

  Marcy put her hand on his knee. "You okay?"

  "Yeah." He stared for another moment, then said, "Wonder when Armando's ever gonna come to his senses and move back here?"

  Marcy chuckled. "I don't know. Katie seems to really like California."

  With a wistful sigh, Ramon said, "Yeah. But maybe that'll change," then he opened his door.

  A minute later they were inside the house. Even though they had just seen each other thirty minutes earlier, Ramon greeted Armando with a tight hug. And he surprised Victor with a hug as well—something he rarely did, since they now saw each other daily.

  But today was rough. Ramon had finally come to terms with Henry being his father.

  And today, Ramon's father went to prison.

  Ramon told himself it was all right. Henry would probably be released early. And Ramon definitely planned to visit him.

  But to Ramon, it felt strange to know his father was still alive when Victor and Armando's wasn't.

  Repeatedly, Ramon thought about what Armando said the night they read their paternity tests: even though it was a long shot, Armando wished Henry was his biological father as well.

  For years, Ramon had considered his brothers' lives to be better than his in some way, and now he questioned why he ever felt that way. After all, it was his choice to stay on the ranch he loved so much, and he never regretted his decision. And he always thought his brothers' glamorous lives were frivolous and unappealing.

  But still, deep in his heart, he'd wondered what it was like to be them. Was he jealous, or in awe of their success? He honestly had no idea. Maybe he just wished he could fit in with them.

  But that feeling was gone now, as Ramon watched Victor settle into his new life as a rancher. His oldest brother surprised him with how well he learned the job, even finding ways to improve the business from his first day.