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Gabriel’s eyebrows lift. “Have you told her that?”
I lift a hand to rub the back of my neck. Suddenly my clothing feels too tight. “Not with so many words.”
“You’re an idiot,” my brother scolds me. “You need to tell that woman how you feel before it’s too late.”
Too late? The idea of wasting my chance with Melanie makes me dizzy. I can’t lose her. Just can’t.
“Talk with her, little brother,” he says, looking at the place Melanie is talking animatedly with Martin and Ruben. “And for fuck’s sake, put a ring on her finger.”
I plan to. After moving to the rental cabin, I called a reputed jeweler in LA to order something really special for her. My girl is unique, and she deserves something that honors that. Something purchased at a regular store won’t do.
“Don’t you think it is too complicated? I mean me, being an alcoholic and my company stuff?” My brother always has been the voice of reason, hearing whatever he says would never hurt. Plus, his heart is in the right place.
“Probably I’ll nerd out saying this. There is this quote by Theodore Roosevelt. Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty….”
There you go, ladies and gentlemen, my brother the dork. He’s right, though.
“I’ll figure out something.”
“I know you will,” he says. “I kind of like this new you, David. You were in a dark place years ago, and I’m proud of seeing how settled down you seem now.”
I’m about to reply, and at the same time, Gabriel walks away, so I’m too distracted to notice something little walking around my legs. Tiny hands wrap around my leg, seeking balance.
Liah, my niece. Martin and Deestinee’s daughter.
She lifts her chubby arm, asking me to hold her.
“Hey, you,” I coo in that ridiculous voice all the adults make when talking with a baby. “Are you being mischievous? Where is Mommy?”
Yeah, life changes so much, surprising us at every moment. Liah smiles and points to her father. She’s so cute I can’t help but kiss her plump cheek as I hold her against my chest.
Does Melanie want more kids? I’d really like a little girl who looks like her at some point.
Yeah, I need to marry her. As soon as possible.
“I’m sorry, David.” Destinee’s voice comes from behind me. “This girl, I swear… I left her for a second, playing on her mat, the next one….”
“She’s as beautiful as you are,” I reply, and it’s true. Liah is a beautiful baby. Destinee deserves this. The family she always wanted, the one I couldn’t give her.
“She looks like her Daddy.” Well, that’s true, but Liah inherited her mother’s blue eyes, and something in her reminds me of Destinee so much.
“I’m really happy for you, Dee,” I blurt the words. “I… I…”
“I know,” she saves me from my fumbled attempt to make things right. “I’m happy for you, too, David. We were never meant to be. I belong to Martin, and your place is at Melanie’s side.”
Again, life and its plot twists.
“Mommy,” Liah babbles, offering Dee her open arms.
“Come, baby,” Dee coos, taking her daughter from my arms. “You need a shower, or maybe I’ll askAbuelitofor the hose.”
Five minutes later, Davi, Emi, and Liah are dancing over a sprinkler mat. I’m amazed at how well my son is getting along with his cousins. We need to make sure to come to visit often. Family means everything to us, after all. It’s good to be back.
“I’m gross,” Ella says while approaching the place where I am.
To prove howgrossed outI am, I put my mouth on her neck. Licking her salty skin. This is my new addiction, my drug of choice.
“David!” she tries to wiggle out my embrace, but I’m stronger. “I need a shower.”
