“I’ll try.”
I said goodbye and left. I knew exactly what I had to do. I had to call Beck and beg him to come back to me.
30
Dungeness Crab Cioppino
Six months later
As I stood out in front of the restaurant in Old Town San Diego, kneading the tortillas for all the tourists, I felt a set of eyes on me.
I looked around the crowd but the heat from the press blew hot on me, and I couldn’t focus on any faces.
I turned my attention back to the tortillas.
Life for the past six months had been incredible. My father had embraced my sisters and me. After the DNA test came back positive, he had invited us to move in with him. I had resisted at first, but he and Jill insisted. We lived in his guest home, and the girls were lucky enough to attend the highly rated public school in Coronado. Jill loved the girls and was so happy to help raise them since she had always wanted children. I worked part-time at this restaurant and attended the local junior college. I had wanted to work full-time, but my dad insisted that he pay for my tuition and our bills. He said it was the least he could do after being gone and not paying child support for so many years. It was so hard to accept help, but I finally relented. I couldn’t be more blessed.
As for Beck, I had apologized to him for my behavior before I left El Centro, and luckily, he forgave me. We talked on the phone daily, but with his work schedule, he had been unable to fly back and see me. I understood that and even though it was difficult, we did our best to stay connected. I was dying to see him, but I knew he had been doing shows around the Midwest and unable to see me. Charlie’s wife Brittney was watching Sky when Beck was performing in the shows. I still felt immense guilt for not being there for Sky, but I knew that moving to San Diego was the right choice. For me. For my sisters. And even for Beck and Sky. Our relationship had gone at warp speed and this distance forced us to go slower and get to know each other. I was learning to take my life one day at a time and not live for the future.
I looked up again. I knew I was being watched. The line was wrapped around the building, and I almost jumped when I heard a voice say, “I’ll have two carnitas tacos and a kiss.”
I knew that voice. I had dreamt of that voice ever night since I had left.
I looked up, and my handsome pilot was standing there in front of me, holding flowers with a big grin on his face.
“Beck, oh my god! What are you doing here?”
I quickly asked my supervisor for a break and ran out of the booth into Beck’s strong embrace. Though it had been six months since I had seen him, it felt like we had never been apart. His lips crashed on mine and he kissed me passionately, as the now growing crowd clapped.
His arms caressed me, and he stared at my clothes. “Nice dress.”
I blushed. I was wearing a traditional Mexican dress with a huge colorful skirt and ruffled low cut top. And my hair was bound in braids with ribbons.
“Glad you like it. You didn’t even get the tacos you ordered.”
“That’s okay. I’ll eat you instead.”
I blushed and punched him in the arm. “What are you doing here?”
“I couldn't wait to see you. Would the girls be okay without you this weekend? I want to take you somewhere.”
My heart fluttered. “They will be fine with my dad. Where are you taking me?”
“San Francisco.”
His hometown. Then it really was true. Everything he had said on the phone. He wasn’t embarrassed by me. He truly did love me. And he saw a future with me.
“I’d love to go. Should I drive and meet you there?” I said, knowing that he had to take his plane.
“No. You’re flying with me.”
My hands shook. “Are you serious? In your Blue Angel plane?”
He smirked. “Yup.”
I wanted to jump for joy. This was just like a fairytale. “You aren’t going to do some crazy tricks, are you? I don’t want to black out in the plane.”
“I’ll be good in the plane. But I’ll show you some tricks when we get to the hotel.”
He pulled me to him, and we kissed again. My break was over, and I refused to lose my job. Luckily my boss understood and let me off early for the day and gave me the weekend off. Beck followed my car back to my place. We picked the girls up from school. And took them to my dad’s place.
Beck and my father instantly hit it off. Seeing them together made me see how much they had in common.
Not only was I like my mother, I had fallen in love with a man who was like my dad.
We finally said our goodbyes to Jill and the girls, and we went just down the street to the air station. My father accompanied us and checked out Beck’s plane.
“Wow, they have really upgraded these.”
“I’ll take you on a flight next time.”
My father said goodbye and Beck helped me into his shiny blue jet.
My nerves wouldn’t calm down. I had never flown. What if I puked all over Beck. But he took off as smooth as silk. I watched Coronado get smaller in the distance as we flew over the coast.
“You okay, babe?”
“Yup! This is amazing.”
I couldn’t believe how beautiful California looked from the sky. To think I had lived in this state my whole life and never seen its beauty.
After an hour and a half, we landed at a base outside of San Francisco. Beck had a car rental waiting for him, and we drove into the city.
It was so gorgeous. Old historic buildings, curvy streets, cable cars, Chinatown. San Francisco was so different than San Diego. I couldn’t wait to spend more time here.
Beck drove across the Golden Gate Bridge. It was even more breathtaking in person. I was finally here, a place I had never in my lifetime thought I’d see.
The harsh waves crashed below the bridge, and the fog rolled in over the mountains in the distance. I marveled at the beauty of my home state.
“Babe, we fly right over the top. I can’t wait for you to see it.”
I paused. The airshow in San Francisco was next weekend. I couldn’t possibly stay here for another week.
“Wow, I’d love to! But I don’t think I will be able to go. I have school and work, and I mean my dad and Jill are fine with the girls, but I have to get back.
“Well, they will all be here. I’m flying them out.”
“Wait, what? Why?”
Beck didn’t say anything, but he had a sheepish grin on his face. We drove across the bridge and entered the rainbow-colored tunnel.
“This is Marin. I grew up here.”
“It’s so beautiful. I love it here.”
“Well, maybe we could move here one day when I retire. Marin could use a great Mexican restaurant.”
“Stop, teasing.”
He laughed and grabbed my thigh. I leaned over and kissed him. My now unbraided hair blew in the wind. This was the life. I was so carefree, so happy.
He exited the freeway and told me he was taking me to his hometown. We parked in downtown Tiburon, and I was charmed by the quaint little shops. The downtown area overlooked the ocean.
We stopped in a coffee house, and I indulged in a rich, velvety mocha. Since I had moved to San Diego, I had developed a taste for expensive espresso. It was a treat that I didn’t have every day, but San Diego’s culture of coffee houses and craft beers had influenced me.
As I was waiting for my drink, I noticed this drop dead gorgeous girl standing next to me. She wore a long flowy dress and had perfect sun-kissed hair. She posed her drink next to flowers and a book. Then she sat at a table and took out a selfie stick out and snapped a shot of herself. Wow, she must’ve been one of those Instagram girls I heard about it. I was so behind the times. I still didn’t even have a smartphone. I wondered what it must be like to make a living being pretty.
Beck put his hand on my back and took to Sam’s Anchor Cafe, a seafood restaurant that was packed. I ordered Dungeness Crab Cioppino, and Beck had a flat iron steak.<
br />
I had never been happier than I had been at that moment. We were a normal couple. We were together. I no longer felt insecure. But I still wondered what the future would hold. Even so, I didn’t need any more guarantees.
The waiter brought dessert to the table with a cover on top. Seemed fancy for this restaurant but maybe they wanted to keep it cold. When he lifted the lid, I gasped.
There was a small black velvet box underneath.
¡Ay, Dios Mío!
I couldn’t even control myself. I burst into tears before Beck even dropped to his knee.
He took my hand, and I was shaking. “Paloma look at me. You came into my life when I needed you the most. I’m proud of you. You make me a better man. You say I saved you, but you are wrong. You saved Sky and me. I don’t want to live another day without you. Will you marry me?”
31
Street Tacos
“Yes, yes, yes!” Paloma screamed.
I scooped her into my arms. Though I had missed her terribly over the past six months, I enjoyed getting to know her through our late-night talks. She never nagged me and was always supportive about my job. And I admired her independence. I knew more than ever that I loved her, that I couldn’t imagine my life without her, that I wanted to marry her.
And she said yes.
“We’re having an engagement party tonight. Brittney organized it. She flew out with Sky.”
Paloma’s eyes welled up with tears. “I love you. I can’t believe you did all this for me.”
“I love you, too. I don’t want to live without you. Our life won’t be easy. I’ll be gone all the time, but I’ll always come home to you.”
I slipped the ring on her finger, and we finished our lunch. Then I took her shopping for a new dress and heels. She even got a manicure and a pedicure, which she had never done.
We showed up at six to Guaymas, a Mexican restaurant in Tiburon. I had gone all out. There were mariachis, margaritas, and a taco bar. My fellow pilots made their way in, but I was most happy when Brittney walked in, holding Sky.
Paloma ran to Sky and grabbed her from Brittney’s arms.
“Hi, baby! Oh, I missed you so much.”
Brittney pulled Paloma into an embrace. “Congratulations, Paloma. You look so beautiful. And Catherine would really like you.”
Those words caused Paloma to cry again. I took her around and introduced her to all the other pilots and their wives. Then the door to the restaurant opened.
And my mother and father were standing there.
I walked over to her and greeted my father.
“Congrats, son.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
I glared at my mom.
“Mom, please. Don’t ruin our day.”
“I will do nothing of the sort.” She walked over to Paloma. “Darling, I’m sorry how I treated you. I was just looking out for Beckett. But he loves you. Welcome to the family.”
And we all hugged. But even so, I didn’t trust my mother’s words. I would give her a chance to change, but I wouldn’t tolerate her treating Paloma poorly.
But for now, I was finally happy.
And for the first time after losing Catherine, my world was now complete again.
32
Strawberries
I drew myself a warm bath, knowing that Beck was waiting for me outside the door.
Tonight was the night I’d dreamed of since I had moved back to San Diego.
I poured in a capful of bubbles and slipped into the warm water. This tub was luxurious—a white stand alone on a marble floor with views of the Golden Gate Bridge. A view of the ocean. To think last year, I had never seen the ocean. I had never flown on a plane. I had never left El Centro. And now I was in San Francisco. I was in love. And I was engaged.
As the hot water filled the tub and the bubbles began to form, heat rose between my legs. I closed my eyes and allowed myself to get lost in the moment. I sipped on the champagne that Beck had poured and snacked on a few strawberries that room service had brought into the room to celebrate our engagement.
I slowly emerged from the bath and rubbed coconut lotion all over my body. Then I pulled on a white silk slip and matching panties.
I took a deep breath and opened the door. Beck’s jaw dropped when he saw me in my slip.
“Come here, babe.”
I walked over to him. Confident, feeling sexy and not shy.
I placed my hands around his neck and straddled his lap. “I love you.”
A sly grin graced his face. His lips crashed into mine, and my pussy throbbed. “I love you, too. I love you so much, baby.”
We kissed for what seemed like an eternity. But I was in no rush. Especially since we now had forever.
He carried me to the bed. Then he took off his shirt and kissed his way down my body, and each time his lips touched my skin, my body coiled in pleasure.
As much as I enjoyed being kissed, I wanted to take control. I climbed on top of him and explored his body. His muscles seemed bigger and stronger than they had been last time I’d seen him. I touched his chest, kneaded his muscles, and kissed his hard stomach.
I stopped for a moment and we stared into each other’s eyes. An intimate moment for now I knew I was about to give myself to him, body and soul, completely.
“Lay down.”
Yes, sir.
He took one finger and slowly pressed it inside me. The pressure felt so good, so right, but I want more of him. He kissed my neck as another finger entered me. His technique was incredible, and I felt the pleasure build. All I knew was that I couldn’t wait to be one with him any longer.
I caressed his shoulders. “I want you.”
He removed his fingers and dropped his boxer briefs, and I stared at his cock. He slowly pressed it inside me, and I gasped, as I felt myself stretching to take him. Pleasure and pain intricately bound together. Inch by inch, until he was fully inside me. Then he cupped my head. “Look at me. I love you. You saved me.”
I didn’t want to cry, but I couldn’t help it. He kissed away my tears as we made love. We moved together as one. We were finally one now. Body and spirit and soul. Our rhythms synchronized, and the pleasure filled my soul. He kissed my lips, kissed my neck, my breasts.
After a loving eternity, he flipped me over, so I was straddling his lap. I rubbed my clit against him as he sucked on my nipples.
“Come, baby.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and rode him until an orgasm pooled in my belly and I came. He quickly came after me as I collapsed in his arms.
After our bodies remained connected for a few moments longer, we finally separated.
He wrapped his arms around me. “I can’t wait to marry you.”
33
Blueberry Muffin
Six Months Later
Beck and I had a beautiful wedding on the beach of Coronado. My father walked me down the aisle, and even my mother attended. She took one look at my father and burst into tears. He hugged her, and they talked about the past. And she even admitted to me that my father had been right—she had been afraid to take him back after he had left. Afraid he would ultimately leave her, and she would lose me forever. And I found it deep in my heart to forgive her. I prayed that she found some peace and could begin to heal.
My sisters were thriving in school. Ana María had started dance classes, and Mónica decided to try out for the swim team. She was still boy crazy, but at least, she now had other interests. She also wanted to attend college.
Beck was lucky enough to be stationed in San Diego and we had moved to Coronado, a few blocks away from my father. The girls spent so much time with them, but they lived with us. My father and Jill were also happy to watch Sky anytime I needed them too.
And Sky and I had so much fun together. We took mommy and me yoga, and mommy and me music. Every day I thanked my blessings for her and Beck.
I ended up quitting my job but still attended school, where I planned to study sociology. And I still w
anted to open a restaurant one day. But for now, I was content.
I placed a blanket down at Tidelands Park in Coronado. Sky sat in the middle of it and snacked on her blueberry muffin. A stunning woman with icy blonde hair, designer sunglasses, a huge diamond ring, and even a bigger baby belly walked over to me. She must’ve been at least eight months pregnant.
“Excuse me. You are so wonderful with that little girl. I was wondering, are you happy with your current job? I hear you speaking Spanish to her, and I would love to have a bilingual nanny. How much are they paying you? I’m prepared to offer you a huge bonus and health insurance. I’m due next month, and we haven’t found a nanny.”
I gulped. Wow, did rich people just think they could buy people off? Even if I was still a nanny, I clearly was bonded to Sky. How horrible. But I gazed down at Sky's happy face, bouncy blonde locks, and bright blue eyes. When I reached for her hand, her creamy pink skin contrasted with the pale olive shade of mine.
“Oh, congratulations. I appreciate your offer, but I’m not Sky’s nanny. I’m her mom. But nice to meet you. I’m Paloma. My husband and I just moved here. We love Coronado. I live up the street. Do you live nearby?”
The woman’s jaw dropped. And I got it. No matter what, I still didn’t look like I belonged in this sea of wealthy people. I might never fit in with the rich residents of this town.
But I no longer cared what other people thought of me. When Sky looked up at me, she didn’t notice that my hair was darker than hers and that we didn’t look anything alike. All she saw was that I was her mother. Beck and Sky loved me. They saw me as part of their family.
And I finally realized, that was all that mattered.
Acknowledgments
I WOULD LIKE to thank my amazing editor, Deborah Halverson, for working on this version of this book for years.
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