“You’re not supposed to be in here!” she chided.
“I can do anything I want,” he answered, half laughing.
“Men. A total pain in the ass. You have five minutes,” she told him as she wagged her finger in his face.
I was amazed how much he’d changed, tolerant of my friends and enjoying all the things I swore he never could. Nights in front of the television, watching a movie. Enjoying a glass of wine while reading a book at a small table while I worked. Making Mexican food together, laughing when it came out terribly inedible.
I’d been shocked when he’d purchased a modest but insanely gorgeous home in Raleigh. He’d set up a corporate facility in town, which shocked and terrified the mayor, but so far he was only handling legitimate business activities. Time would tell if it would last.
“Are you ready to be Mrs. Montenegro?” he asked.
Before I could answer, Matteo giggled and we both smiled. I took our little boy into my arms, kissing his forehead. “Very much so. Please tell me Cruz arrived for the christening.”
“Are you kidding me? He came armed with dozens of presents and none for us.” His smile was brighter than I’d seen it before. As he slowly lifted his arm, rolling his knuckle down my cheek, I took a deep breath.
“A special day,” I whispered, trying hard not to become emotional.
“Because of you. My beautifulgatita, my salvation.”
Love wasn’t easy. It was messy and complicated. It had edges instead of rounded curves. It was angry and sad, joyful and passionate. For us, embracing the understanding of love had become the breath of life, a steadfast connection that couldn’t be broken by tragedy or death.
All because of a single phone call from a dark stranger in the middle of the night.
And it had changed everything…
The End