“So maybe I didn’t get to raise my oldest son,” he says with a shrug. “And maybe I don’t get to work with him either.” He narrows his eyes, but the smile is still there. “But maybe he and hisblancawife would let his mami, and his abuela, and maybe his papi watch this grandchild instead of putting him in daycare?”
I’d like nothing better. “Maybe,” I say, grinning.
Papi smiles. Really smiles. And then his brow screws up and he looks at me with confused wonder. “What are the chances he’ll have red hair?”
I split with laughter. “Probably as good as the chances as she’ll have red hair.”
Papi blinks, considering this. “I always wanted a daughter. But it wasn’t meant to be for us.” He smiles again. “A granddaughter would be a great thing.”
I nod, picturing that. The perfection of a red-headed daughter.
Papi shrugs. “But first, I think I’ll get to know my daughter-in-law.”
“Definitely a great thing. How about you start now?”
I lead Papi back through the living room and into the kitchen where Mami is handing out plates. Her kitchen island has become a toppings bar for the fried fish tacos, and the Delacroixes have been ushered to the front of the line. Harry, to be specific, leads the charge.
Papi limps right up to Millie and puts his calloused hands to her cheeks.“Bienvenida hija,”Papi tells her, smiling. “Welcome to our family, Millie.”
Surprised, Millie glances to me just for an instant before thanking Papi and embracing him. But that one glance tells me everything. She knows things between me and Papi have been rocky these last few months. And in that one glance, she is asking if we have sorted things. She must see in my face that we did. Because I know Millie. She’s loyal and protective of those she loves.
And she loves me.
The look lets me know if ever there are sides, she’s taking mine.
And I love her all the more.
I step back and let Papi repeat his sentiments to Millie’s brothers and sister, and I take the opportunity to grab my own brother by the shoulder. My grip is firm and he looks back at me, smiling.
I gesture toward the door that leads to the garage, and while the crowd’s attention is still on my fiancée, I slip outside with him. Alex is all smiles as we stand between the door and Mami’s Enclave.
I smile back. “I’m marrying Millie.”
My brother’s smile grows. “I know. It’s really cool.”
I nod, locking eyes with him. “Mattie is going to be my sister-in-law.”
If it’s possible, his smile grows even wider. “Yeah, I know. I’ll get to see her, like, all the time.”
I keep my grin but lift a brow.“Hermano,she’s going to be family.”
His brows move together just a fraction of an inch. He still looks happy. Just a little confused. “Right, but not really.”
I shake my head. “No, really.”
Now he frowns for real. “Nah. It’s not like she’s going to be my cousin like Rosa or Esme.”
Rosa and Esme, Aunt Lucinda’s two youngest daughters, are drop-dead gorgeous and just a few years older than Alex. He’s probably had a crush on one or the other since he was old enough to notice girls.
“Maybe not,” I say with a shrug. “But she’s going to bemyfamily. Under my protection.”
His brown eyes narrow. “What do you mean? Are you trying to tell me I can’t date her?”
I know better than that. The last thing I need is to give the two of them a forbidden-love complex.
“No, Alex.” I drop my hand onto his shoulder again and grip it in a way that makes him squirm. “I’m telling you you can’t touch her.”
His eyes flare. “Not touch her?! But—”
