UnConventional
Page 30
He pushes the box open with a little golden button on the front, revealing a gorgeous antique-style diamond ring.
I gasp. C murmurs, bubbles, but otherwise is quiet.
“Di, will you marry me?”
I take the ring, staring at it, awed. It’s beautiful: catching the light, the central diamond blinding, the smaller accent stones sparkling in a halo of dancing stars. I slip it on. A perfect fit. After Stephen, I thought I’d never want to wear a ring on that finger ever again. Right now, I know I don’t ever want to take it off. Finally I look up at him, his face expectant. He’s shut off the music, slid his arm back into his crutch, waiting.
I smile, an easy expression that slips onto my face like a comfortable pair of jeans. “Yes. Of course, yes!” I carefully brace myself, making sure not to knock him off balance, and lean up on tiptoes to meet him in a kiss. César fusses between us, annoyed at the disturbance, but we both simply laugh. When I step back, jiggling C slightly to calm him, Santiago has that look in his eyes, my look, that soft expression of love and contentment I never get tired of seeing. I glance down at the ring again. “But how can we afford this?”
Santiago sighs, shifts his weight. After César was born, Santiago convinced me to quit my job to concentrate on my novel. I freelance, he has his job, and his—our—condo is paid for, as are our cars, but especially with a new baby, we aren’t exactly rolling in cash.
He smiles, a rare shy sliver of an expression. “I wanted to sell my Porsche, but Genie talked me out of it. She helped me figure everything out. It’s okay. You deserve a beautiful ring.”
I flutter my finger, admiring the ring again, smiling. “I love it, I love you—both my men—and I don’t need a ring for that. But…” I squeeze in, hugging him sideways, leaning my head against his chest, staring at my childhood house. His comforting warmth, his masculine scent, which mingles with C’s distinctive baby smell, soothe me.
These two—this is home now, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
~ * ~
The Music of UnConventional
Music is important to Di and was highly influential/inspirational while writing this novel. To get the full experience, I recommend you attempt to listen to—or at least look up the lyrics for—the songs mentioned throughout the text. Follow this playlist to fully experience Di’s world.
Note: If you use Spotify, you can use this link to access the full playlist and listen to all the songs: http://t.co/YUnxn4QUCb (Songs #2, #18, and #21 are not available on Spotify, but you can hear them via YouTube: #2: http://youtu.be/e4tkLy9AaD4; #18: http://youtu.be/Soa3gO7tL-c ; #21: http://youtu.be/Ajq4Ek-jChA)
Part One
1. Weightless by All Time Low
2. Mary Tyler Moore Theme by Joan Jett
3. I Wanna by The All-American Rejects
4. The Great Escape by Boys Like Girls
5. Caught in the Act by New Found Glory
6. Stay the Night by Green Day
7. On Top of the World by Boys Like Girls
8. Anybody Out There by Rufio
9. Moonshine by Rufio
10. No Love by Simple Plan
Part Two
11. Thnks fr th Mmrs by Fall Out Boy
12. Hide by Yellowcard
13. Oh Love by Green Day
14. Friday Is Forever by We The Kings
Part Three
15. Lost by American Hi-Fi
16. The Hell Song by Sum 41
17. Last Night on Earth by Green Day
18. Punk Rock 101 by Bowling for Soup
19. Sing for Me by Yellowcard
20. Mona Lisa (When The World Comes Down) by The All-American Rejects
21. Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day
22. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day
23. Save You by Simple Plan
24. The Reason by Hoobastank
25. Promise by Matchbook Romance
26. With Me by Sum 41
27. Blue Day by American Hi-Fi
28. To Live and Let Go by All Time Low
29. It Ends Tonight by The All-American Rejects
30. You and Only You by We The Kings
Loose Id Titles by Chie Alemán
UnConventional
Chie Alemán
Chie Alemán has lived all over the US, though in many ways, New Orleans will always be home. Her work explores themes of family, personal responsibility, and identity, often pulling from her cultural background as the daughter of Cuban immigrants. She is particularly drawn to portraying unique characters, who, despite their disease or disability, are still interesting and sympathetic individuals deserving of love like anyone else. She currently resides in Houston with her husband and four crazy Chihuahuas.
Links to reach the author:
Main Web Site: http://chiealeman.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/chiealeman
Email: chiealeman@gmail.com