“After all this time, to find a family I never knew about.”
Her voice was deep and wavering, but her smile continued to be wide.
Tomás and Emiliano gave answering smiles.
“God has blessed us, Caridad,” Tomás replied.
“I'm sorry. I don't think I could ever stop being emotional about this. I don't think the wonderful feeling of having a family after being alone for so long, will ever go away.”
My hand squeezed hers. Tomás reached across the table and Cari kept her hand in mine, but moved her other to grip his.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Dinner went by surprisingly quickly, given the sly glances at me from her father and her brother.
Jesus.
They were making me jumpy.
Cari and I spoke about many things, and glossed over how we’d met. No one needed to know those details.
I laughed inwardly.
We kept things rather light, not wanting to get into anything that would stir bad emotions.
Such as Orozco.
Tomás shot me a look and then Emiliano.
They were making me anxious.
Jesus.
I needed a fucking minute.
Standing up, Cari looked up at me.
“Everything ok?”
“Si, caramelo. Nature calls.”
“Dessert?”
Smiling, I nodded. “Your choice.”
The smile she gave me made my heart skip a beat.
She was happy.
My beautiful Caridad was happy.
That's all that mattered to me.
It was all that would ever matter to me.
I went to the back where the kitchen was. The staff greeted me and I offered my gratitude for the fine meal we’d had. I went over a few details and returned to my love.
“So what did you order?”
“Creme brûlée.”
My smile was easy. “It's the best I’ve ever taste. Rob makes it incredible.”
Nodding, she leaned in and our lips met in a quick peck.
Five minutes later, Carter came with a tray.
“I didn't order that, but it's beautiful.”
My arm wrapped around her shoulders and I kissed her head. Carter set it in front of her.
“I had them prepare it especially for you. It's a burned sugar string dome over your creme brûlée. The colorful flowers are edible, made from fondant and gum paste.”
It was a beautiful and elegant dessert. I was pleased with the way it was executed.
“Why?”
She was in the middle of turning her head towards me after her question but stopped.
“Wait. There's something in here. In that flower.”
Without touching it, she peered inside the sugar dome at the delicate white gum paste flower, her head turning and eyes squinting to make it out.
“I think they left something in there by mistake.”
I laughed. Her father and brother were smirking.
“Why don't you break through the dome and see.”
“But it's so pretty.”
“Take a picture,” Emiliano said, and Cari looked up at him and snapped, pointing a finger at him.
“Of course! Why didn't I think to do that? Iza would want to see this gorgeous confection.”
She took her phone and took pictures of it. Emiliano offered to take one of us with the dessert in front of us. Cari took pictures of Tomás and her bother, and then she picked up her spoon.
“Ok. Ready.”
She began tapping the dome with her spoon and it finally gave way.
“What?”
Her eyebrows furled so adorably, I almost forgot that this was my cue. Tomás looked at me and cleared his throat.
“Carlos. Someone lost…”
She reached in and delicately took the fine diamond and metal bauble out.
“Someone is going to be sad to have lost this.”
I couldn't help myself.
I chuckled.
She looked over at me only I wasn't where she thought I would be. Instead of her eyes somewhat being at eye level with mine, they had to dip down to where I was on one knee.
“Oh my God.”
Her words were choked through her lips. She looked at her father and brother quickly, and they were smiling widely. Her brother was recording this, as I’d asked him to. I knew my Cari. She'd missed out on so many important moments in her life, that she'd want this one to have for our future.
Her eyes met mine finally, and I gently took the three carat oval solitaire from her hand. The band sparkled with inlaid diamonds.
“Carlos…what? Get up. Off the floor.”
We erupted in laughter, but Cari was still nearly freaking out. I took her trembling hand and grew serious.
“Caridad. My life has not been the same since my heart found its home in you. You are everything I have ever wanted. You are my dreams in flesh and blood. You make me a better man, caramelo.”
I brought her hand to my lips and kissed it reverently.
“I wanted to propose to you with every effect possible- music, fireworks, a parade. Everything. You deserve it all. I wanted the world to know that I was in love with Caridad Zavala, that she makes me whole. I wanted the world to know that she is my everything, and that there is nothing I'd ever want so long as she is by my side.”
I paused, still tightly gripping her hand in one of mine, while holding the symbol of my love in the other.
“I wanted to shout it out loud until my voice grew hoarse. But still, I knew there was one way I could ask you, that would be something you would cherish for the rest of our lives.”
She was sobbing quietly, her right hand trembling over her mouth.
“That would be to ask the father and brother you never knew you had, for your hand in marriage. To get their permission, something you never thought you'd ever have the privilege of experiencing. So I did.”
She looked down, tears freely cascading down her blushed cheeks from her luminous eyes.
“I asked Tomás and Emiliano for your hand. I asked if they'd allow me the honor and privilege of proving my love for the rest of my days for a woman I don't deserve but will work forever to continue proving I was worth her trust and love.”
Cari looked over at them, and saw Tomás’ eyes were glassy. Her eyes returned to me and she leaned her forehead down to our joined hands.
“Caridad Lucero Zavala, will you honor me by becoming my wife?”
Her grip tightened on mine and her gasp broke free into a shaky exhale.
“Yes. I want to be your wife. I love you.”
I placed the brilliant ring on her finger, stood, and hugged her tight, lifting her up in the air. Bringing her down, my mouth found hers and consumed it.
Honestly, I got lost in the kiss.
Every emotion within me poured out, and I was transported to another plane where only I and the woman who was my life, existed.
Until I heard two throats clear.
Cari gingerly broke the kiss and we looked over at them.
“Thank you,” she whispered and I let her go so that she could hug them. Her knuckles were white and her face fierce as she hugged those two men.
“Would you walk me down the aisle?”
The stunned look on that man’s face was telling. He hadn't expected for Cari to be so warm and welcoming into her life. Until a short time ago, they had no idea about one another.
But slowly, they'd get to know each other. Slowly, he’ll see how special my Cari is.
“I am humbled, Caridad. I would love nothing more than to walk with you on your wedding day.” He took her hands and kissed them. “Aside from your mother and brother, nothing in this life has made me happier than the day I found out you existed. Eres mi corazón, siempre mi bendición.”
She was his heart, his blessing always.
No better words could have been said to the love of my life.
Those words were true for
me, too.
52
Cari
“This is an early call. You okay?”
I was balancing the phone on my shoulder as I was about to apply mascara. I heard the buzz going on in Iza’s background. I looked at my watch.
I was calling her to tell her about last night, and I'd been thinking of telling her about the positive test.
“It's 8:00 in the morning. I know you've probably been up almost three hours and are on your second cup of coffee. I hear the commotion going on behind you. What the hell is going on?”
She laughed, humming the child’s song playing loudly behind her.
I couldn't wait until I told her about the baby. I'm not sure I can keep quiet about it. Carlos should be first to know.
But I had to tell her.
Besides, it was just one positive test.
Ok, four.
But I was still waiting to hear legit confirmation.
And what woman wouldn't tell her BFF about a positive pregnancy test?
“It's Kid’s Day here.”
“Today?! Shit. Why didn't you remind me!”
I heard her sigh. “I didn't-”
“Want to stress me out. Look, I still need to live my life despite him possibly being out there. Besides. I have a clear morning, only one late afternoon appointment, and some big news to tell you about.” I sang that last part.
She sighed again. “Are you sure?”
“You wouldn't be asking me that if you knew what I knew about what I have to tell you.”
“Oh my God! What is it?”
I laughed. I knew she couldn't hold off for long.
“Out with it, Care.”
“Nope. I'm finishing getting ready now. I'll be over to help out.”
“Ok, ok, ok. It's not like I have the luxury to decline the help.”
“Not the usual turnout?”
“Ehh, for the kids, more than expected. For the help, less than expected. But we're having a great time. I have a balloon twister, cotton candy and popcorn machines, hot dogs and burgers on grills, and a face painter. Not to mention fun activities and games.”
“Wow. That must have cost a pretty penny, Iz. But what about a clown?”
She snorted and I laughed.
“I want to make the kids happy while they wait for check-ups, not scare them to hide behind their mothers skirts.”
“You're projecting.”
“What? Why!”
Chuckling, I said, “Just because you're scared of clowns, doesn't mean the kids will be.”
She growled. “I'm 99% sure most kids are afraid.”
“You're ridiculous. So, what happened? Why the low turnout for help?”
She was quiet for a long moment. Too long.
“Iza, whats wrong?”
“Only our die-hard friends from school came. Thank God for them. The irregular docs who come the occasional year apparently didn't like the sponsorship from Zambrano Industries.”
Her voice turned down, sadness creeping in.
“I'm sorry.”
She let her breath out slowly. “Honestly, good that I know their opinions now. After today, they won't be welcome to return, no matter how desperate I am for help here. The good of the children come above all else, even personal politics.”
I didn't want to ask, but I had to.
“Do you regret the sponsorship?”
“Hell no. Roman had been so happy to tell me. He'd come up with it all by himself. And to make him extra perfect in my eyes, he actually said they could remain a private donor. They just wanted to give the kids a good day. I'm the one who said no to that. I wasn't going to allow the perpetuation of the notorious reputation of the family, but I was going to help bolster the good one.”
I smiled. Damn, I loved her.
“You are one amazing woman, Iza. I love you girl. I'll be over in thirty. Can't wait. I love these special days.”
Iza had several days a year where she focused on one group- today it was children. This allowed for her and the volunteer physicians to be able to reach a large number of patients that may not be able to get in otherwise because of wait times. She also did special days for the elderly, pregnant women, among others, and private days where those with alternative lifestyles could come in without fear of judgment in the waiting room. She literally covered all segments of the community to make sure they got the care they needed without whatever barriers they had interfering.
I loved her for it.
So did the community.
“I can't wait to see you, Care. Miss you. Love you.”
“Miss you, love you, too.”
I stopped putting on make-up, preferring to just be make-up free. I settled for lip gloss, threw on some jeans, a cute Disney character shirt I’d bought specifically for kids days, and slipped my feet into sneakers. I was looking forward to today.
I was about five minutes away, if the damn traffic light would change, when I looked in my rearview mirror. Iza’s clinic wasn't in the best part of town, something she and Roman bickered over a lot. It was the reason they met in the first place. He'd managed to get her to think about moving the location and sponsoring shuttle services for the patients in the area to be able to go wherever the new, and safer, location would be.
Security had been heightened there recently, though. No one said anything about it, not Roman or Carlos. Ever since the story broke out about the Russian mafia head’s murder and the massacre of his men, security was tight for everyone in Carlos’ family, and by extension, Iza. I already had an issue about extra security. I was under no illusion that I didn't have eyes on me because of Manny.
They were good at their jobs. I felt like I was being watched at times, but didn't see any confirmation.
Like now, as I looked in my rearview mirror again. There was I car that I'd felt was following me.
Parking outside, I looked at Iza’s car and snickered.
What had happened?
Right next to it was a shiny, new MDX.
I walked into a literal kid party in the waiting area. Dodging little crazy maniacs as they ran around, I noticed streamers, balloons, loud music, and screaming, laughing kids. I didn't miss the man dressed down at the front, and I'd certainly caught the several men stationed outside of the building. Iza had bounce houses outside and grills with tons of food.
“Care!”
She waved at me, bouncing a baby on her hip.
It was really non-formal today to make the kids comfortable. If we made the examinations fun, it wouldn't feel like an examination.
She hugged me with her free arm, and I returned it.
“Wow. This has to be the best kids day yet.”
Her smile was big and wide. “Thanks to Roman and the company who wanted to take this building from me, but didn't succeed.”
I shook my head. “You will never be humble about that win will you?”
“Me? Let my cocky fiancé forget that he lost an argument and a fight? Never. He needs to be brought down a notch.”
God, I loved her.
“So what happened to Lola?”
That was her hooptie’s name.
She pursed her lips in annoyance. “Roman. That's what happened.”
“He put a boot on each tire? Overkill?” I shook my head.
“Not really. He did it once before to one tire and I managed to free her. So now he put one on each tire. He's forcing me to retire her.”
The look on her face- I almost doubled over in laughter. It was a constant issue between them.
“I'll find a way, though.”
Her laugh was so filled with mirth, I couldn't help but crack up. I covered my mouth with my left hand and she yelled.
“Cari! Is that what I think it is!!”
I don't think my face could've gotten redder. She gave the baby to his mother and hugged me so tight, breakfast was coming up.
“When?”
“Last night. At dinner with my father and Emiliano.” I stopped for a momen
t, getting choked up at what I was going to say next. “He asked my father and my brother for my hand.”
My voice left me as I said the last words.
“Oh, Care,” she breathed and hugged me tightly again. Her hand was on my head, soothing me. “I'm so happy for you.”
She knew.
Iza knew that had always been something I’d wanted but thought I'd never experience.
But I had.
“You deserve this, Care. You deserve it.”
We hugged for long minutes before I was able to begin speaking again.
“There's more. But you're sworn to secrecy, Izabella Luciana Laurenti.”
She pulled back, wiping her eyes as I wiped mine.
“Ouch, now that sounds serious. You've only ever used my complete name twice before.”
I nodded. “And those were serious secrets, right?”
Iza looked at me carefully, and worry lines appeared between her eyebrows.
“Stop that, it's not life or death serious. Your eleven is showing. The wrinkles will become permanent.” I stopped for a second as her fingers massaged the area above her nose and in between her eyes. “Well, I take that back. It has to do with life.”
She stopped rubbing the area and dragged me to a private exam room. Thank God it was empty.
“What the hell, Care. You're scaring me.”
My mouth stretch until my teeth showed. “Auntie Iza, don't worry. I'm going to be fine. In six to seven months-”
“OH MY GOD!”
Her arms wrapped around me for the third time in what felt was as many minutes.
“Oh my God.”
She kept repeating it, hugging me in the side-rocking kinda way. She pulled back.
“Six to seven months! How long have you known?”
I explained it to her and I grabbed her hand.
“I wouldn't keep something like that from you. The three-month waiting rule doesn't include family or best friends, I'm almost sure of that.”
Iza laughed and smiled through her tears.
“I'm so happy for you, Care. I'm going to be a zia!”
“I think you'll probably be zietta. At age five, my baby will probably be taller than you.”
She poked me. “Don't make fun of short people!”
“Just keep this a secret. Hopefully I'll get a call soon from Lissette.”
“Well, until then, let's get busy to keep the time rolling by.”
Carlos: A Zambrano Family Novel Page 25