Hot & Spicy: De La Cruz Saga

by Macias, P. T.

  They didn’t even notice that I mention mi baby and are not even wondering what I was doing there. Too funny thought Erica looking at them. I wonder how long it will take them to assimilate what I said or if they will even catch it at all.

  Paty y Jessy didn’t notice that Erica mention Gabriel’s name or that they were at the priest’s office. They are too busy with Ricky y Jacki.

  “I think that Jacki just stole his corazon. That is the only reason that he will do this so unexpectedly,” said Paty. How romantic, thought Paty. I know that la familia is definitely in an uproar. This doesn’t occur every day.

  Jessy, Paty, Erica, and mama Rosa are trying on the dresses when the las primas arrive.

  “Paty, have you heard the news?” asks Bella walking over to Paty. Paty is looking in the mirror at the dress she is trying on.

  Paty turns around and grins at her prima. “Si, Jessy just told me. It sounds so romantic. How is la familia taking the news? I don’t think it is bad that they eloped. Ricky does want to marry Jacki in the church ceremony,” said Paty.

  Paty turns around to talk to her primas. Las primas were all laughing at Ricky. It is just unbelievable that the playboy was caught and by Jessy’s sweet, shy hermana.

  All of las primas knew Jacki. All of them went to the same high school. Las bebes are close to Jacki. It worked out great since the las bebes are Ricky’s hermanas.

  “I think it is wonderful that Jacki married Ricky,” said Vero. “Jacki is sweet and will make Ricky muy feliz.”

  “Yeah, I think that Jacki is what Ricky was looking for,” said Claudia. “Jessy, have you decided on the bridesmaids’ dresses?” Claudia is always taking charge and expediting things.

  “Si, Claudia. I hope you chicas like the dresses. I want the wedding in aqua, mi favorite color,” said Jessy, smiling with felicidad.

  “I love aqua. I think that the bridesmaid dresses you selected are really pretty,” said Erica. “When I get married I want light pale rose.”

  Erica then stands in the center of the fitting rooms. “Hermana, primas, Jessy, I would like to announce that I’m also getting married,” said Erica and was flashing off her dimples with a huge smile. “Look at mi ring. I just love it. Gabriel and I ran into Ricky y Jacki at the priest’s office. We are having a double wedding. It is so much fun.”

  They all stopped what they were doing and rushed around to where Erica stood grinning.

  “What do you mean that you’re getting married? Who is he? You never told me you were dating anyone special,” said Bella with a smile and amazement looking at Erica.

  “Prima I thought that you never even dated, let alone have someone special to marry,” said Paty with curiosity.

  “Hermana when are you getting married? Who is he? Please tell me,” asks Bella all excited.

  “Hermana, primas, Jessy, mi novio is Gabriel Corona y he is scrumptious. Gabriel asked for mi mano this morning. Hermana I don’t know where you were, you were probably asleep. His padres live in San Jose, and they will come next weekend to do a formal asking of mi mano. We want to get married on June 18,” said Erica smiling with felicidad.

  “Oh dios mio, we are having so many weddings, what about me,” asks Bella.

  “Well, Bella, you do need to have a novio to get married. You prima are too picky,” said Paty, shaking her cabeza.

  “Are you going to have a large wedding, Erica?” asks Claudia. “Do we have to order some more bridesmaid dresses? We are here; we might as well go about it.”

  “Si, what fun, I get all these new dresses,” said Vero looking around the store.

  “Uh, primas, I don’t think so. We want to have a small wedding. I want only to have the maid of honor. I want you hermana as mi maid of honor, si?” said Erica looking at her hermana Bella.

  Bella went to her sweet hermana Erica and hugs her. “Hermana I love you. I’m muy feliz that you’re getting married. I will love to be tu maid of honor. Why don’t you pick the maid of honor dress so I can order it? We can also look for your wedding gown.” asks Bella. “This is all so exciting!”

  Erica and her familia help her pick out her wedding gown and the maid of honor gown. There is a frenzy of activity in the bridal store. They all started to get measured and orders were taken. To Jessy and Erica’s relief the dresses will arrive in time for the weddings.

  “Mama, Papa, I have some news that is going to affect our asking for mi novia’s mano this evening,” said Jose Enrique entering la familia room where his padres are watching the news.

  “What is wrong mi hijo?” asks Jose Enrique’s mama Queta with alarm “Is the wedding still going to take place? You have not called it off?”

  His padres are looking at Jose Enrique with anxiety. They have been waiting for a long time for this special date to come. Has something happen to change the wedding plans?

  Jose Enrique laughs with joy and relief that it is not the case. “No, no, Mama, Papa. That is not it. No, Ricky got married last night and it was to mi novia’s hermana Jacqueline. They eloped to Vegas and returned this morning just as Jessy y sus padres were starting to realize she was gone.”

  “Como, how did that happen? Were they dating? Nobody knew?” asks his mama Queta.

  “Dios mio, does mi hermano y comadre know what Ricardo has done? This has to be taken care of immediately. We cannot allow Ricardo’s actions to affect tu boda with Jessy,” said his papa Francisco with alarm.

  “Si, Papa. Ricky has already talked to Jessy’s padres. He will bring mis tios this evening to talk to them about their situation and marriage. We will all be there at the same time to arrange our marriages,” said Jose Enrique with a smile.

  “I want us all to go out to dinner after we have all had our talk. I know everything will be okay,” said Jose Enrique with a smile.

  “That sounds good mi hijo. I’m really feliz that Ricardo also found una excellent chica for his esposa. It is also tiempo that he marries,” said mama Queta with a smile.

  “We will be ready at four thirty. Okay, mi hijo? We don’t want to be late,” said his papa Francisco.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  JESSY IS GETTING READY FOR Jose Enrique and his padres to arrive for the meeting and the asking of her mano. Jacki is going to show up with Ricky and his padres.

  Everything started to settle down, and a much more peaceful feeling came over Jessy. For a moment I thought that Ricky y Jacki’s actions would cause issues for mi boda with mis padres. What a relief that everything is going better than I thought.

  Jessy’s papa went ahead and got some champagne to make a toast. Jose Enrique said that if everything went well, they will all go to dinner. I think that all in all everything is turning out okay, considering the events that took place this morning, thought Jessy.

  The doorbell rang. “Mama, I will get it,” said Jessy. She opens the door. “Mi amor, come in. Señor, señora, please come in and welcome to your casa.”

  “How are you, mi hija? It has been a while since I have seen you,” said Jose Enrique’s mama Queta with a smile.” Señora Queta walks up to Jessy giving her a hug. “I am extremely feliz.”

  Jessy hugs her back. “Si, I’m also muy feliz.” She is trying not to cry. She pulls back turning to Señor Francisco, and he also gives her a hug.

  “Welcome to la familia, Jessy,” said Señor Francisco. “I’m feliz that mi hijo finally saw what a bella chica you are, and it is about time.”

  Jose Enrique went over to pull Jessy into his brazos at his side. “Si, Padres, finally I noticed mi bella novia.”

  “Let’s go into the living room. Mis padres will be here in a few,” said Jessy.

  Señor and Señora Cortez enter the living room just as the doorbell rang again. “I will get it,” said Señor Cortez. He walks to the door and opens the door seeing Ricky’s padres are standing there. Ricky is still parking his carro.

  “Hola, buenas noches, I’m Ricardo’s padre, Jorge De La Cruz, compadre,” said Ricardo’s padre as he extends h
is mano out for a firm hand shake. “This is mi esposa Guadalupe.”

  “Mucho gusto, I’m Jacqueline’s papa Juan Cortez. Please come in to your casa compadres,” said Jessy’s papa stepping back to allow them to enter. Ricky and Jacki are right behind them.

  “Compadres, please come this way. We are all meeting in the living room. I believe that mis other compadres are also here, Jose Enrique’s padres.”

  Jessy’s papa leads the way into the living cuarto to where the rest of the party is seated.

  Jose Enrique walks up to Jessy’s papa. “Señor Cortez, mis padres, Francisco y Enriqueta De La Cruz.”

  Señor Cortez extends out his mano to shake their manos. “Mucho gusto compadres. Juan Cortez. I believe you already met mi esposa Rosa?” he then turns to introduce Ricky’s padres to Rosa and asks them to have a seat.

  Señor Cortez takes a seat and offers them a cup of coffee, cerveza, or tequila. Jose Enrique’s padres as well as Ricky’s padres declined anything to drink.

  “I’m okay, compadre Juan,” said Ricky’s padre Jorge. “I’m ashamed and saddened on how the marriage of our hijos took place. The actions de mi hijo have been very irresponsible and inconsiderate to you. We have raised Ricardo better. I feel that the only thing that I’m feliz about is that mi Ricardo did the right thing and married Jacqueline. Ricardo has made arrangements with the priest for the church ceremony to take place on June 18, which is only in three weeks. I hope that this meets with your approval.”

  Senor Cortez looks at Ricky’s padre Jorge and acknowledges the peace offering, and his attempt to amend the situation. Senor Cortez recognizes that Ricky has indeed expedited the church ceremony, and that he is not playing with his niña.

  “Compadre Jorge, mi esposa y yo are extremely feliz that Ricardo did marry Jacqueline after their actions. We are even more relieved to hear that the church ceremony will be taking place within a reasonable time. I will not tolerate Ricardo to play with mi niña. I have also told Ricardo and Jacqueline that I will not allow them to live together until the church ceremony has taken place,” said Señor Cortez in a firm voz.

  “Compadre Juan, mi esposa y yo understand and appreciate your position. I completely agree with you. Ricardo and Jacqueline will have to wait until the church ceremony has taken place to start their marriage,” said Ricky’s papa Jorge nodding his cabeza in agreement.

  “Compadre Francisco, I’m contento that we have come to an understanding. I’m satisfied with the date for the church ceremony arrangements,” said Senor Cortez nodding.

  “Señor Cortez, I sincerely appreciate your understanding and I’m extremely feliz on your approval on our marriage,” said Ricky in a serious voz.

  Senor Cortez can see that Ricardo is sincere, and that he indeed cares deeply for his niña. This allows Senor Cortez to release the anger that he is feeling.

  “Ricardo we welcome you to la familia. All that we care about is that our niñas are feliz and valued,” said Senor Cortez.

  Jose Enrique and his padres are listening to the exchange. They all realize the importance of resolving Ricardo’s and Jacqueline’s situation before proceeding to their asking for Jessy’s mano.

  “I’m genuinely feliz everything has been resolved for Ricardo and Jacqueline,” said Jose Enrique’s papa Francisco standing up.

  Papa Francisco stands up to ask for Jessy’s mano turning to face Jessy’s padres.

  “Compadre Juan, comadre Rosa, mi esposa Queta y yo have the extreme honor to ask for Jessica Maria’s mano in marriage to our hijo Jose Enrique. We have known Jessica for several years. We have watched her grow up and turn into a bella, smart, and sweet mujer. It is a pleasure to welcome such bellas y smart mujers into our familia as las esposas of our hijos,” said papa Francisco with felicidad.

  “Compadre Francisco, I appreciate that you have taken time to come to ask for mi Jessica’s mano in marriage. I know that Jessica is extremely in love with Jose Enrique. I’m also aware that Jose Enrique is a good hombre and will make mi Jessica feliz. Mi esposa Rosa y yo have no objections to their boda,” said Papa Juan with a smile.

  “Well, now that we are all satisfied, I think it’s time to make a toast to the future felicidad of our beloved hijos and to our future sweet nietos,” said papa Francisco with a huge smile.

  “I will get the glasses and the champagne, mi amor. Can you give me a hand?” asks Jessy.

  “Si, mi vida,” answers Jose Enrique, getting up to assist Jessy with the glasses and bottle. Jessy and Jose Enrique went to get the drinks to celebrate.

  “Compadre Juan and comadre Rosa, mi familia will like to have the pleasure of inviting you to dinner to celebrate this joyous occasion,” said papa Francisco looking at his compadres.

  “It will be a pleasure,” said papa Juan with a smile.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  “JACKI, HOW ARE YOU FEELING?” asks Jessy getting dressed.

  “Jessy, I’m a little sad. I want to be with Ricky,” said Jacki with a sad cara.

  “I suggest that you get used to it. Just pretend that you’re dating,” said Jessy, trying to make her feel better.

  “Ricky will be here to pick me up early” said Jackie. The doorbell rang. Jacki jumps up. “I will answer it, Jessy, I know its Ricky,” said Jacki in a hurry to see Ricky. Ricky and Jacki are standing in the hall hugging.

  Jessy walks down the hall and looks at them. Yeah, I know the feeling. Oh well, I better interrupt them before mi papa does.

  “Ricky is the entire familia going to be at the dinner tonight?” asks Jessy with wicked smile.

  “Si, Jessy, everybody should be there. Jacki and I will be getting there as soon as we can.” said Ricky with a huge feliz smile on his cara looking at Jacki. “We need to go,” said Ricky. “Adios.”

  “Adios. See ya later at dinner,” said Jacki, walking away.

  Jose Enrique walks up to the front door when Ricky opens the door to walk out with Jacki at his side.

  “Hola primo, Jacki” said Jose Enrique with a smile.

  “Hola” said Jacki smiling at him.

  “Hola primo, see ya later” said Ricky walking out quickly with Jacki at his side.

  “Si later” said Jose Enrique turning around to look at Jessy who is standing on the other side of the front door way.

  “Hola, mi amor, are you ready?” asks Jose Enrique.

  “Si, I am mi vida. Let me get mi purse,” said Jessy. Jessy walks quickly to the sofa where she had left her purse.

  Jose Enrique is looking at her sweet rear end. God I love watching her. I wonder if she wants to go to the movies or let me love her.

  Jessy returns and sees the look that Jose Enrique has on his cara and grins. I know what he wants. Going up to him she pulls him down to give him a hot passionate beso. She then pulls back to whisper in his ear. “Si mi vida, I do want you to love me,” in a deep sexy voz. Jessy loves to get him all hot and bothered.

  Jose Enrique shudders when he hears her. I just love it when she whispers in that sexy voz. He pulls her into his brazos and holds her tight. “Okay, let’s go,” he said pulling back and settling her right next to him as they walk out of la casa.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  SITTING IN JOSE ENRIQUE’S CARRO they are debating on what they should do first. Of course Jose Enrique wants to love her first. But they have to do at least one errand for the wedding.

  “Mi vida let’s go order our wedding cake. It is important. Then we can go where you can love me. I want you,” said Jessy, looking into his passionate ojos.

  Jose Enrique leans in to give her another beso. “Okay, mi amor. Then I get to love you all I want. I think if we hurry I get to have a few hours to love you.”

  Jose Enrique starts the carro pulling out onto the street. “Where is the bakeshop that you want to order the cake from?” asks Jose Enrique turning to look at Jessy.

  “The bakeshop is on Second Street at the corner of Main Street. I know what I want. If you like it, we can order the cake. Th
is should take a few minutes,” said Jessy, smiling at him.

  “Okay, mi amor. You know I will like anything that you like. It will be whatever you want, okay?” said Jose Enrique with a smile.

  Jose Enrique parks the carro in the space that is available on the street. Both of them jumped out of the carro. Jessy did not wait for Jose Enrique. They are both anxious to get the errand done.

  They went inside. Jose Enrique thought she had made a great selection. He liked carrot cake and cream cheese. The cake is three tiers with columns. With decorative ribbons draping around the edge of the cake. It has fresh roses that will be in soft aqua color sprayed with sparkles. The roses will appear like they sparkled with diamond dust. Very nice thought Jose Enrique. They placed the order and left.

  Jose Enrique pulls Jessy into his side wrapping his brazo around her small waist. Dios mio, I am so lucky that I found her or should I say saw her. I don’t think la familia will every stop making comments on that. Maybe now that Ricky is in the same boat they will divide their attentions between us. Yeah, right. That will be too much to ask.

  Getting into the carro with Jose Enrique’s assistance, Jessy is thinking where he is going to take her now.

  Jose Enrique gets into the carro starting it with urgency. “Mi amor, let’s get lunch. What do you want to eat?” he asks pulling out of the parking space onto the street.

  “I will love to get some sandwiches and go to the park. We can have a small picnic,” said Jessy. “I always wanted to have a romantic picnic with mi amor,” Jessy is looking at Jose Enrique to see if he will please her with that.

  “Mi amor, it sounds like a great idea. Let’s go to the park and enjoy some alone time,” said Jose Enrique, driving to his favorite coffee shop. They went to get his favorite sandwich, salad, chips, slice of chocolate cake, and drinks. Jose Enrique takes Jessy to the park.