Hot & Wild (De La Cruz Saga)

by P. Macias

  “Monique, I’m glad that you agree,” says Jose Enrique, with relief. “The idea behind this outing was to allow them time to talk and see each other. Javier got her a birthday gift.”

  “I see that he’s interested,” says Christian, smiling.

  “I don’t see the problema,” says Jessy, looking at them. “We know when we find our amor, our alma gemela, the one.”

  “Si, but the issue is that Gabriella is a little young,” says Jose Enrique, looking at Monique praying she doesn’t say her age.

  Monique looks at Jose Enrique and realizes what he means. Oh damn yes, that is an issue, but we can work around it, thinks Monique. “Yes she’s a little young, but they can work around that with our help,” says Monique, smiling, looking at Jose Enrique nod.

  Si, I can see that Monique realized what my concern is and agrees to help them. I will need to talk to her tomorrow at the office. We need to come to an agreement, thinks Jose Enrique.

  “Well, do we need to go and get them?” asks Christian, looking out the window at them talking and smiling.

  “Well, I told Javier that I will give them a few moments,” says Jose Enrique. “I can’t see that there will be any harm with them talking outside.”

  “No, but I’m hungry,” says Christian, smiling.

  “Okay, I’ll get them,” says Jose Enrique, standing. “I hope you’re okay with allowing Javier to give her his gift,” Jose Enrique, looks at Christian and Monique.

  “I think that will be lovely,” says Monique, beaming. “My hermana deserves everything.”

  “Si, primo, I don’t have any problemas as long it doesn’t get my in-laws mad at me,” says Christian nodding.

  “Okay,” says Jose Enrique, going out to get them. “Hermano, we’re hungry and want to order,” says Jose Enrique, noticing their frustrations.

  “Okay,” says Javier, taking Gabriella’s mano in his, not wanting to let go. They go to the table. Everybody notices that they’re holding hands.

  “Okay, primo,” says Christian, observing Javier. “Javier, you need to spill.” He looks Javier in the eyes to evaluate his emotions.

  “I want Gabriella to be my novia,” says Javier, looking at Monique and Christian. “I want to talk to her padres.”

  “Okay, primo, as long as you’re serious, I don’t have any problema. I don’t want you to do anything that will get my in-laws mad at me,” says Christian, seriously.

  “I understand, primo,” says Javier, turning to look at Monique.

  “Javier, I think that you’re a great hombre and I don’t have any problema. Like Christian says, I want you to be serious,” says Monique, smiling. “Gabriella what do you want?”

  Gabriella blushes, she’s feliz. “I want Javier to be my novio,” says Gabriella. “I will not give him up. Gracias, hermana and Christian, for being supportive,” she takes Javier’s hand.

  They all notice that she’s in love even if she didn’t say.

  “Well, now we can order our lunch,” says Jose Enrique, looking at Jessy. “Do you know what you want?”

  “Si,” says Jessy, smiling, thinking what a hermosa couple Gabriella and Javier make. “So, are we going to order Gabriella something special for dessert?”

  “Oh, yeah, we need to sing happy birthday,” says Monique, smiling. She’ amused that Gabriella is blushing.

  “Javier, you’re going to give Gabriella her gift? I can’t wait to see what you got her,” says Jessy, smiling.

  “Si,” says Javier, smiling. He withdraws the gift from his pocket and hands it to Gabriella, beaming. “Feliz cumpleanos,” he leans in and gives her a small beso.

  “Gracias,” says Gabriella, smiling, taking the gift. She looks around her blushing. Hmmm, they all are waiting to see what he got me. How embarrassing. She opens the gift with care. I don’t want to tear all the paper because I want to save it. I can’t wait to see what my Baby got me, thinks Gaby.

  She opens the box and squeals. “Oh, dios mio, how bello,” says Gabriella, turning to hug Javier. She gives him a hungry beso, not caring that they see. “Gracias,” she says, giving him a hug and whispering “I love you.”

  They’re surprised to see Gabriella give Javier such a hungry beso. Well she does want him, thinks Christian, smiling.

  Hmm, I see that she is toda una mujer like my hermano says, even if she’s young. She loves my hermano and that’s all I care about, thinks Jose Enrique, with pleasure.

  Si, my hermana is in love and I’m feliz it is with Javier because she deserves him, thinks Monique.

  “Gaby, let me see,” says Monique, smiling, taking the bracelet as she hands it to her. “Wow, dios mio, that’s a gorgeous bracelet.”

  “Si, muy lindo,” says Jessy, smiling. “Put it on, Gaby.”

  “Si, Hermana, put it on,” says Monique, handing it back.

  Javier takes it and snaps it on her wrist with lots of amor and care. He looks into her eyes, smiling.

  “Gabriella, I love you,” says Javier, not caring that they’re listening.

  “Si, Baby, I love you,” replies Gabriella, smiling, looking only into his beautiful green eyes.

  Chapter Thirty

  The waiter returns to get their orders. Everybody is talking about bowling and Javier going back to school.

  “Si, primo, Javier and you will be the Construction/Purchase Managers. It is working out great because we need to have the familia handle all of the Management positions. Javier will go back to school for a Business Management degree. He will be working part time until he finishes,” says Jose Enrique, happily. “You will be out early also?”

  “Wow, primo that sounds great. I was thinking that I was going to need some help. We have a large amount of constructions going up at once and that would be too much for me. Javier will be great. We all know how to manage these areas since we were in high school,” says Christian, looking at Javier.

  “Si, primo, I wanted to ask you about the steps I will need to do to get out early from the Navy,” asks Javier, turning to look at Christian.

  “Primo, you need to ask for terminal leave which is taking the remainder of your leave prior to your separation from the Navy. You will need to have all of your out processing from the service accomplished prior to your terminal leave,” replies Christian, nodding. “If you have thirty days, you can take them at the end of your separation.”

  “I see, primo. I have about seventy-five days,” says Javier, smiling. “That means that I can take terminal leave starting in January 17. I have to make sure that the out process is completed prior to my separation?”

  “Si, primo, that’s the way it works. Manana, you should talk to your CO and start the process. I think you do have time,” says Christian, nodding. “That’s only a few months away.”

  “That’s right, hermano, January 17 is only few months away,” says Jose Enrique, smiling.

  “Oh, how exciting,” says Gabriella, smiling at Javier.

  “Si, it is exciting. I need to make sure I have my classes. I will see if I can get a liberty pass next week to enroll and talk to the counselor,” says Javier, smiling, thinking that everything is working out.

  “Primo, you’re going back to CSU San Bernardino?” asks Christian. “You had only one more class for your general education?”

  “Si, primo, I’m going back to CSU San Bernardino. I needed one class to complete my general Education. That’s why I wanted to discuss it with Jose Enrique and you to see what would be beneficial for la familia,” says Javier, nodding.

  “Oh, Baby, we will be going to the same college,” says Gabriella, hugging him with excitement. “That’s where I’m going. I was accepted.”

  “This is great,” says Javier, looking into his Chiquita’s excited eyes.

  Jose Enrique and Christian looked at each other. Oh boy. Is it good or bad, contemplates Christian, observing Jose Enrique is concerned.

  “Hermana, remember you need to focus on your classes and so does Javier,” says Monique, smiling.
“That is part of being adult and responsible.”

  “Si, hermana,” says Gabriella, smiling giving Javier a small light beso.

  “You two still need to follow our customs and behave in school,” says Jose Enrique. “We don’t need any problemas with Gabriella’s padres.”

  “We will,” says Javier, thinking.

  Their meals arrive and they start to eat. They talk about bowling. They all enjoy their meal. Monique asks the waiter to have them sing happy birthday to Gabriella and to bring the desert.

  The restaurant staff comes out singing happy birthday and the familia sang along. Gabriella blushes and smiles, looking all around and at Javier. At the end of the song, she turns around and gives Javier a beso.

  “Okay, we should get going to have some time at the bowling alleys,” says Jose Enrique, smiling and assisting Jessy up. “Christian, Monique, you don’t mind if Gabriella comes along with us in the carro?”

  “No problema,” says Monique, smiling, looking at Christian nod in agreement.

  They entered the bowling alley and they all get their equipment and a station. The competition among the hombres is amusing. The mujers laugh at them.

  Monique, Gabriella, and Jessy go to the ladies room. Monique takes this opportunity to talk to Gabriella.

  Hmmm, I wonder what’s going on, thinks Jessy. This is turning out to be real interesting. What is the deal?

  “Hermana, tell me about the ring,” asks Monique, looking at the ring. “It is gorgeous.”

  “Monique, Javier asked me to marry him. I said yes,” replies Gabriella, beaming with felicidad. “We’re waiting until he’s out of the Navy to tell papa. I pray that you will be supportive. Monique, I love Javier.”

  “Si, hermana, I understand. I know that Javier is a gran hombre. I want you to be sure. We need to wait until Javier is out of the Navy. You need to be novios at first, for at least a few months. Then you can ask him to allow you to marry. I will always be supportive of you and Javier,” says Monique, nodding in agreement.

  “Okay, I need to know what really the issue is. They are both young, single and in love. I don’t see what the problema is,” says Jessy, looking at Monique and Gabriella. “Monique, you know that you can trust me.”

  “Si, prima, the issue is …………., says Monique, nodding. “Gabriella’s birthday is today. Gabriella is going to college, but she’s still young.”

  “Oh, dios mio, no wonder Jose Enrique is involved. I understand,” replies Jessy, with anxiety. “We have to be real careful because this is a very explosive situation.”

  “Si, that’s way we need your help. I will not be allowed to date because my padre feels I’m too young. You know how he is, Monique. I want to see my Baby,” says Gabriella, blushing.

  “Gaby, I know that you want to be with him,” says Monique, smiling. “You have to be really careful. You know you can’t wear your engagement ring in casa. Be sure that you keep it in a safe place because it is really gorgeous. Javier went all out.”

  “Si, hermana, but how am I going to be with him, if we can’t go out?” says Gabriella, blushing. “That is why we need you guys to invite me to places so I can get out of the casa.”

  “Si, I understand,” says Monique, nodding. “We will do what we can.”

  “Si, Gaby, I can tell that Jose Enrique is trying to help. We will be here for anything you need. Let me give you our cell number, in case Monique or Christian isn’t available,” says Jessy, smiling. Gabriella gives her the new cell phone that Javier bought her.

  “Monique, Javier bought me this cell phone. He will call me every day that he’s on base,” says Gabriella, grinning. “I’m so feliz. My Baby is everything I ever dreamed.”

  “Si, hermana, I know that,” says Monique, smiling. “People might think that you’re too young, but I know better.”

  “Monique, Jessy, please keep this to yourself,” says Gabriella, looking at Jessy and Monique.

  “Gaby, you know I will never tell our padres,” replies Monique, amazed.

  “Si, Gaby, we will never mention this to anyone.” says Jessy, nodding in agreement.

  “He was scared,” says Gabriella. “You know, Monique, that I was a year ahead in school. Nobody knew that I was a year younger.”

  “Oh, si, that’s right,” agrees Monique nodding. She observes Gabriella. Wow, my sister is truly mature for her age. I remember that she was moved up because of her ability to learn quickly. I didn’t realize that it also effective her maturity level. Geeze, I would have never dared to do what she did at that age, ponders Monique.

  “That’s amazing, Gaby,” says Jessy, shaking her head. “Okay, we will help you two.”

  “Thank you, Jessy,” says Gabriella, smiling.

  “Oh, Gabriella, I can see that you’re a little devil underneath that angel face,” says Jessy, laughing. “But I do understand.”

  “Now that he’s returned to me, I’m not letting him go, Monique. Not for anybody,” says Gabriella, seriously.

  “Si, Gabriella, I understand,” replies Monique, nodding. “We will try to help out.”

  “Si, we will also do that,” says Jessy.

  “I love him with to my alma, corazon, and mente. I don’t want anything bad to happen to my Baby,” says Gabriella, getting pale. “I hope everything will be okay,” tears gather in her eyes.

  “Hermana, don’t cry,” says Monique, nodding. “I know that you know what you want.”

  “Si,” agrees Jessy.

  “Okay, that gives me peace,” replies Gabriella, smiling through her tears.

  “Okay let’s return because los hombres are going to get anxious,” says Monique smiling. I know how Christian gets when he can’t see me. Yeah he’s always a SEAL, thinks Monique.

  “Yes, let’s go and play because we will need to go to la familia Sunday dinner,” says Jessy smiling

  “That’s right Jessy, the entire familia will be in the backyard,” agrees Monique smiling. “I know that everybody will be talking about Paty’s and Bella’s elopement this weekend.”

  “Oh that’s right, mis amigas eloped. They didn’t tell me,” says Jessy. “I will need to talk to them tonight.”

  “Si, I think that will work. I will tell Christian and you can tell Jose Enrique. I’m not telling Christian about Gabriella’s issues,” says Monique. “I don’t think he will like it.”

  “Si I agree,” says Jessy. “Okay let’s go back to los hombres. We will tell Javier on our way to Sunday dinner.”

  “Okay,” replies Monique smiling.

  “Monique, Jessy gracias,” says Gabriella. Some tears rolling down her beautiful face. “I will never forget your support.”

  “Hermana that’s why we’re familia, right Jessy?” says Monique, turning to look at Jessy.

  “Si, that’s right, we’re familia,” replies Jessy, hugging Gabriella.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Christian and Monique walk into the back yard after talking about the plans on helping Javier and Gabriella. Hmmm, I just don’t want any issues with my Cielo’s padres. I need to talk to Greg and Bella. I need to make sure that they did get married, thinks Christian. They went to set at a table and start talking to Isabella.

  As usual, the entire familia is at the Sunday dinner. La familia is excited and anxious to meet the new spouses. The new couples are absorbed in their own world. They didn’t really notice anything or anybody else.

  Ricky looks at Jose Enrique, to have him come over with Christian. He then turns to look at Alex and Javier to get them to come over to help out.

  “Mi amor, can you give me a minute. I need to talk to Tony,” says Jose Enrique, whispering in Jessy’s ear.

  “Si, mi vida, I’ll just talk to Jacki,” says Jessy, waving Jacki over to allow the primos some privacy.

  “Christian, I need a minute. Is that alright, Monique?” asks Jose Enrique, looking at Monique, waiting for her response.

  “No problema,” says Monique, smiling. She gives Christian a beso.
She walks over to Veronica and Claudia to get to know them better.

  “Que pasa, Ricky,” asks Jose Enrique, sitting behind Tony. Christian sits on Tony’s other side, blocking him in.

  “What’s up?” asks Alex, standing in front of Tony, noticing that he’s not looking well.

  “Primo, you’re okay?” asks Javier, noticing how gray his complexion is and his eyes are bloodshot.

  “Primos, Tony is acting big time loco. We know he wants to get Cynthia out. Primos, Tony drank cerverza and entire bottle of tequila this afternoon. He has a huge hangover. Look how gray and sick he looks. He’s being stubborn. He wants to get Cynthia out tonight, even if he’s not feeling well. He’s not on top of things. Lopez guards will kill him if he shows,” says Ricky, with frustration, wishing he was healthy to beat some sense into Tony.

  “Primo, estas loco. You know you should wait at least until manana. Christian told me that Lopez has guards around la casa,” says Jose Enrique, with frustration. “We don’t need to be burying you. You need to stay alive.”

  “Primo, you need to calm down and listen. We will help you get her out,” says Javier, looking at all his primos. “You know that we are always united.”

  “Si, primo, we have your back and we need to plan this out good,” says Alex, looking at Tony’s glazed angry eyes. My primo is not listening to reason, thinks Alex.

  Tony listens to them. Yeah, right, they say this because they have their mujer right next to them. I need mine. I’m going unless they tie me up and I will not allow that to happen, thinks Tony.

  “Okay, primos, I’ll wait until manana,” agrees Tony, taking another drink of water with some pills.

  “Primos, we need to tie him up, that’s why I called you over. Tony told me que no me meta (don’t butt in),” says Ricky, looking at his primos to see their reactions.

  “Que te pasa (what’s wrong with you) Sebastian Antonio?” asks Jose Enrique, with anger in his voice. “You know that we’re one entire unit.”