by Jesse Jordan
“And we love you,” Mama says quietly. “Now, Andrea... Angel's going to need to learn that he has a sister someday. Not today, not for years to come, but some day. Until then, we do not need to speak about his parentage, outside of any courtrooms. But you are part of this family, Andrea.”
Andrea nods, hugging Mama before turning to me. “Joey...”
I shake my head, pulling her into my lap. “I love you, that's all that counts. We'll figure out the rest later.”
Andrea hugs me back, relaxing into my embrace. I can feel her head grow heavy, and Mama gets up, letting me stretch out my legs and ease myself down into a half laying down position, Andrea stretching out with me. “Mama... you mind if we stay here for a while?”
Mama shakes her head, going to the back long enough to get a few pillows and bringing them out, helping me arrange one behind my head before she lays down on the carpet next to Angel and Maria. Andrea's already starting to breathe deeply, and I shift around a little bit more until I close my eyes and let the darkness give me some comfort.
I wake up hours later, my phone ringing on the table, Andrea still in my arms, but Mama's gotten up, I can hear the shower running in the back of the house, and Angel's shifted around, he's laying with his head on Maria's hip like he used to do sometimes as a baby. I reach out and grab my phone, and see the call's from Ian. Shit, I forgot to tell the guys or James, and they've had to have seen the news by now, it had to have been on both the primetime and the morning news shows since last night. “Ian?”
“You might want to get up, brother,” Ian says. “We'd knock, but we didn't want to startle anyone.”
“What are you talking about, we? Where are you?”
“I'm at your front door outside your screen,” Ian replies, hanging up. I shift around, but Andrea sits up, rubbing at her eyes.
“I heard. Ian?”
I nod, still confused. I check the clock on my phone, it's nearly ten in the morning, and my brain's still fuzzy from everything that's happened. Still, I get up and go to the front door, undoing the chain lock and pulling out the doorstop that I wedged in this morning, the door jamb's too cracked for the deadbolt to work. I open the door and unlock the screen, stepping out to see Ian waiting for me. “Ian, what're you doing here?”
“Checking on our brother,” Ian says, stepping up and swallowing me in an embrace. “You stupid shit, call next time! You had Rocky and me scared half to death!”
Ian picks me up, pounding me on the back as I realize just how much I mean to the giant man. He doesn't show it often, but the saying still waters run deep is totally true in his case, and I hug him back until he sets me down. “Ian, you didn't have to come here and...”
“You mean we didn't,” Cora says from the driveway, and I turn to see her, Rocky, and Bella all leaning against their car, watching with a smile on each of their faces. “Ian got here first, he got to call. James is on the way too, just to let you know. He said he was going to take care of the cancellations, first.”
“What cancellations?” I ask. Behind me, the screen door opens and Andrea comes out, Ian grabbing her in an equally powerful but slightly more tender hug before she can say anything. I cross the front lawn to Rocky, who hugs me slightly less powerfully than Ian, I think my ribs are all still in one piece. “What cancellations?”
“Cancellations are a bit rough... let's say postponement,” Rocky says after he lets go. Cora and Bella go over to hug Andrea, Ian coming over to me and Rocky. “When the news broke last night, Cora and I discussed it, and we're delaying our wedding until after this is calmed down and everything blows over.”
“Rocky, you can't!” I protest. “You've put out so much, there's going to be people, I can handle it all....”
Rocky shakes his head, putting his hand on my shoulder. “No. Joey, we're family. All of us. Can I ask... are the things the tabloids said about Andrea's father true? About... about Maria?”
“Did they release Maria or Angel's name?” I ask, and Rocky shakes his head. “Still... some people will put the two together.”
“Perhaps. But we'll be there for you then, too. She's our hermanita too, bro. And it's not a long delay, just a few days. Cora and I talked, and Ian's on board with it too, we can still get it done in time for his surgery. The wedding's being moved, and we can't do that until after we know a hundred percent that your house has been fixed and your family's ready to travel.”
“Where?” I ask, still fuzzy in the brain. The screen door opens again, and Mama comes out, her hair still wet but she's pulled on some jeans and a t-shirt. Cora and Andrea immediately start talking with her, and I turn back to Rocky and Ian, who are grinning. “What?”
“We were thinking... well, it's a little late in the season, a week before Thanksgiving and all, but what about an early December wedding in the Florida Keys? I'm pretty sure we can find some hotel or another down there that might be able to host a wedding quickly.”
“I think we'd like that very much. But first, how about you guys come inside, have some breakfast or brunch or lunch or whatever with everyone? I'll let you tell Maria herself when she wakes up, her and Angel both,” I say. I look around, feeling something inside me finally let go, a weight lifted off my shoulders for the first time in what feels like... it's been thirteen years. “Come on. Mi familia es su familia.”
“Su familia es nuestra familia,” Rocky says, “en todos.”
My family is our family. I like that.
Andrea
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of God to celebrate...” the minister says, his voice both dynamic and comforting. I'm barely able to pay attention to what he's saying though, my eyes are fixed on Rocky and Cora as they stand side by side at the beachside altar. It took a lot of scrambling, but after what happened to Joey, once George T heard about it, he called in favors left and right, at no cost at all to Rocky or Cora. All George did was send a bouquet of flowers with a note of congratulations attached.
“They look beautiful,” Teresa whispers, for the first time I've known her not dressed in black but instead in a beautiful aqua bridesmaid dress. Somehow I've ended up the maid of honor while Teresa and Bella are the other members of the bridal party. Maria was invited, but she decided instead to sit with the other guests, watching and taking photos for us all. Across from us on the other side of the altar, Ian, Joey, and James are the groomsmen, with Ian and Joey being dual best men. Angel's adapted to his role as the ring bearer and is standing very proudly next to Joey, the rings on a pillow ready for him to play his part.
“They do, don't they?” I whisper back, glancing over at Joey who gives me a small smile. A week, just a delay of a week, but it's enough time that we're able to start getting back to normal.
“And now, the rings,” the minister says, waiting patiently while Joey has to urge the suddenly shy Angel up to the altar. Angel holds his pillow high above his head, making the small group of twenty or so chuckle fondly while Rocky and Cora exchange rings. The minister blesses the rings, then a final prayer before the kiss... and Cora Clearwater's become Cora Blake.
For the next hour, it's a little dull as Cora and Rocky take care of paperwork, signing the marriage license and changing for the reception. Cora still wore the long heavy dress that she'd originally planned since her mother wanted her to have a 'princess moment,’ and needs to change.
Inside the ballroom, I see the reception band warming up, all five of them looking scared stiff seeing some of the people coming in. I go over to the bar, where Joey's sipping at a fruit juice with Ian, laughing. “Come on man, he did fine! Maria's taking him up to the room to change so he can enjoy the party a little before his bedtime.”
“Is Ian saying something bad about my Angel?” I mock growl, coming up and punching the giant in the shoulder. Ian flinches away while Joey laughs, putting an arm around my shoulders and giving me a hug. “It was a great ceremony.”
“It was,” Ian says quickly, shaking his head. “And I was
n't saying anything except that he's cute and captured a lot of attention, that's all I swear!”
“You better, big boy. Nobody picks on my little brother,” I mock growl, smiling as Joey gives me a juice.
“So, you're going to tell him?” Ian asks unsurely. “I mean, you guys told me, but Teresa said that Angel didn't have to be let in.”
“Four-year-olds hear more than we think sometimes,” Joey says with an ironic chuckle. “We kinda had to talk about it front of him when Angel grabbed Andrea in a big hug the next morning and said he was happy to have a big sister. Apparently, he overheard enough that night, he figured it out. He's actually happy about it, he thinks it's cool that Andrea's his half-sister. We didn't go into the details of how that all happened, that'll come when he's older, but for now, we're trying to handle it.”
Ian hums, nodding. “Cool. Hey, Joey, I'm not trying to cause drama so... at the reception, you mind if I ask your mom and your sister for a dance?”
Joey laughs and drinks more of his fruit juice, nodding. “Go ahead. Maria's too good for your ass though.”
Ian nods in agreement, drinking the rest of his own drink before setting his glass down. I drink half my drink, watching as the room gets set up. “Joey, it might be good if you guys went and talked to the band. They look scared stiff, what with the famous rock stars and music people all around.”
“They do, don't they?” Joey says, laughing. “Hey, Ian, did we ever look that scared before a gig?”
“You mean like you did a month and a half ago? And the night before that, and the night before that?” Ian jokes, the two of them heading off. I watch them, Joey giving me a knee-weakening glance of desire, heading off across the ballroom while I sip my juice. James comes up, grabbing a juice himself, grinning.
“Whaddya say, Andrea?”
I grin clinking glasses with James. “I say it was a great ceremony, James. And I already talked with the professional photog, I'm getting copies of all the pics for the website as well as the stuff Maria took for me. But for the rest of the night, I'm just being myself, not a reporter.”
“That's good, even reporters should take a few hours off,” James says with a happy sigh. “It's gonna suck leaving early though.”
“What do you mean, leaving early?” I ask, somewhat surprised. “Rocky told us that we've got the hotel rooms for the next two days.”
“Yeah, you guys do,” James says with a smile and shrug, “but to do that, I'm going to make sure everything's set up back in L.A. Even Ian's flying back with me, I'm checking him into UCLA Medical Center for the septum surgery tomorrow at eight a.m. Cali time. Rocky and Cora get back from their honeymoon here, and it'll be time to get into swing for the next leg of the tour. You're coming with us, right?”
“That's the plan,” I admit. “I don't know how that'll work for my blog, but the band's website will look awesome. And it'll give me and Joey plenty of time without worrying about Maria or Teresa or Angel walking in on us. They got their license now too, they're going to be opening up just after January first.”
“They'll kick ass,” James says with a smile. “Larry and George T are making sure of it. George is working his network, just to let you know. It’s a secret, though. Let Teresa and Maria be surprised, but they'll have ten kids come January fifteenth.”
I whistle in appreciation, touched. “Thanks, James.”
“Don't thank me. You're going to be too busy for thanks soon. I checked with the lawyers yesterday on that.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, giving him a glance. “I'm planning on spending three months being nothing more than a reporter and girlfriend.”
“And as your father's gotten in trouble, his powers in the Coates Media Group have been suspended. And rule number thirty-nine A of the board rules states that in the event of a board member being arrested on 'egregious charges,' that board member's powers are suspended, and their voting rights transferred to their legal spouse or next of kin. It might be a while, but...”
“Holy shit,” I whisper, downing the rest of my fruit juice. “So... what's that mean?”
James shakes his head. “I don't know, you'll have to talk to a lawyer to be sure. I don't know what all your father might have done paperwork-wise after you two had your falling out. My advice is give them a call when you get back and enjoy your vacation.”
The reception gets started, and everything is great, just like a fantasy. Ian whips up a best man speech that leaves everyone in tears laughing while Joey's moves everyone to tears of happiness as he calls Rocky and Cora his true brother and sister. After the cake-cutting, the dancing starts, the band playing well as Rocky and Cora do their first dance as a couple.
When Joey asks me to dance, I'm happy to take his hand, going out to the dance floor with him as he pulls me close, again the perfect, strong gentleman that I've come to love with all my heart. His hand holds mine just right as he rests a hand on my hip, right where it's supposed to be. “Joey Rivera, don't tell me that you know how to actually dance?”
“Of course. Who do you think danced with Maria for her quinceañera?” he asks with a little smile. “It wasn't much, but Mama insisted, and I was honored to be her first dance. I haven't forgotten all of it. So, you're leading, right?”
I laugh as the music starts, and he leads me off in a perfect waltz, his steps calm and sure, his eyes fixed on mine. This might be Cora and Rocky's wedding, but I feel like a princess right now, and the man holding me is my prince. I feel like there's nobody else on the dance floor as the music continues, my pulse racing far faster than the effort of dancing requires, but because of Joey.
When the music stops, I'm breathless and starry-eyed as Maria comes over, tapping me on the shoulder. “Hermana, may I have this dance with my brother?”
“Of course, hermanita. Joey, thank you,” I respond, bowing slightly to Maria as she whirls off with her brother. I'm nearly moved to tears of laughter when I see out of the corner of my eye Bella and Angel trying to copy them, both of them not doing a very good job of it but still looking cute nonetheless. I sit down at our table near the front while I watch Joey and Maria until Rocky asks me for a dance, and the night continues.
Afterward, Joey and I go up to our room, my heart and body still soaring from the night's events. “What did you think?”
“I told the band they did a great job, I think the keyboard player nearly fainted,” Joey says, laughing lightly. “It was magical, the whole day. What did you think?”
“I think I'd like to make a little more magic if you're feeling up to it,” I purr, reaching down and pinching his butt. It’s hard to pinch, his butt's rock hard with muscle. “What do you say?”
Joey responds by sweeping me off my feet, carrying me towards our room, setting me down only to open the door before picking me back up and laying me on the bed. I laugh, stroking his face, kissing him tenderly. “I guess that's a yes.”
“Yes, my love. I very much want to make love with you tonight.”
I smile, sliding my hand under Joey's jacket to start easing it off his shoulders, taking our time. I kiss him again, loving the taste of his lips on mine. “Joey?”
“Yes, Andrea?”
“I was wondering... what would you say if I stopped taking my birth control pills?”
Joey stops, sitting up a little to look me in the eyes. “Do you want to?”
I nod, shifting over to let him lie down next to me. “I'm not saying we have to have a baby right away, but if we're blessed with one... you're already a tremendous father.”
Joey smiles, brushing a few hairs out of my face and shaking his head. “Guera loca.”
“The craziest. For you.”
Joey
“So where do you want it?” Rocky asks, the box in his hands. “I mean, where do you put a Cloisonné vase anyway?”
I shrug, looking around. “Kitchen table? That's Andrea's, not mine.”
“No shit?” Rocky says sarcastically, heading to the kitchen area. I've got a b
ox of clothes in my hands, and I head towards the master bedroom, setting it down before looking around. Cora's working with Mama setting up the bed, which I think Mama is happy to have out of the garage so that she and Maria can expand their business into that area.
“How're you ladies doing?” I ask.
Cora looks up, grinning over her swelling stomach. A little under two months to go, and she's glowing still. “Doing well, jefe. Thanks for this idea, I didn't want to just sit on my butt all day today.”
“Oh, you're not doing anything Cora, you still get to call in the pizza order,” I joke, Cora, sticking out her tongue. “Mama, are you okay?”
Mama nods, smiling. “That's the third time you've asked me, Joey. I told you, I'm fine. I'm glad that you and Andrea are getting your own house, and the neighborhood is perfect. You're still close enough that I know you'll be there if we need you or if you want to come by. Relax, we're fine.”
I nod, setting my box down next to the dresser that Ian and I moved in earlier, and kneel, giving Mama a hug. “Gimme some time to adjust, Mama. Fourteen years is a long time, you know.”
“I know. And don't worry, I'll call you at least two or three times a week on the days you don't come over just to talk. I know mi hijo.”
We keep up the moving, taking things one by one off the twenty-six-foot-long U-Haul that I rented to help the move. It wasn't so much my things from the house a few miles away that's created most of the work, but instead the pieces from what used to be Andrea's place in Santa Monica. It's ours now, the judge not granting Darren Coates bail after investigators found evidence of his travels overseas to 'order out' as he called it in e-mails. Coates Media and the shareholders have granted Andrea full rights to all of Darren's controlling interests, naming her as a temporary board member. She's turned it over to the active board, having deemed herself a silent majority shareholder, which seems to have calmed the board for now. They've got a tough time ahead, but they're riding it out well enough.