Abigail settled into Mateo’s sofa, still reeling from the bomb her father had dropped a few hours ago. Mateo was flitting about, making her tea, covering her with a blanket, and trying to comfort her, but there wasn’t much he could do.
At the back of her brain, Abigail knew she was being a terrible girlfriend. Mateo had just been through a nerve-wracking meeting at the hospital. She should put her own issues aside to support him.
The thing was—Mateo wanted to support her. It felt good having his shoulder to lean on, knowing that he would be there for her when
she needed it. She was grateful. Especially now that the memories of her mother were skewed.
“What are you feeling?” Mateo asked, coming into the sofa and wrapping his arm around her shoulder. “Talk to me.”
She snuggled into his side and rested her head on the planes of his chest. “I don’t know how to feel. I’m thinking about my mother.
About my real father.”
“We can look for him if you like.”
“Dad said he passed after I was born. He said it was the only reason Mom stayed with him. Dad told me that like he was hurling at rock at me, like he wanted to hurt me, but I got the sense that he was more torn up about it than I could ever be.”
Mateo rubbed her hair. “If you saw things so clearly, why were you upset?”
“Because I know how it feels to be betrayed, to feel like you’re not good enough in the eyes of the person you’re with.”
“You’re talking about Paul?”
“I’m sorry. Is that too weird?”
“Every time you say his name, I want to get on a plane, to punch him at least once, but he’s a part of your history and I’m trying to accept that.”
Abigail smiled at his answer. “It’s just that… I wish my dad wouldn’t push me away. My mom made a mistake. I can’t get around that, but she’s gone now and in the end, she spent the rest of her life with Dad. I have to believe that the woman I remember is different than the woman that betrayed him.”
“I understand, and maybe someday, your dad will too.”
Abigail shifted and looked up at him. “Dad also told me that you knew everything, about my mom and my real dad…”
“Oh,” Mateo looked away and rubbed the back of his head. “Are you angry?”
“I should be, shouldn’t I?”
“No,” Mateo said, drawing out the word.
She smiled. “I’m guessing that’s why you didn’t come to the airport all those years ago?”
“He wasn’t the only thing holding me back. I wanted to become someone worthy of you and I had a lot of work to do to get there.”
“Mattie, even back then you were everything I could ever want.”
“Mm.” He closed his eyes. “Keep those lyrics coming.” Abigail kissed his cheek.
“What was that for?” he asked, peeking one eye open.
“For passing Chemistry.” She swooped in and kissed his other cheek.
“And that?”
“For waiting for me.”
“Well,” Mateo tucked her closer, “I did wait ten years…”
Abigail rewarded him with pecks all over his face. Mateo turned his head so that one of her kisses caught his puckered lips. When they separated, Mateo smiled.
“I have a week off. Should we go somewhere?” “You’re talking like you got a week off for vacation.” “An unpaid vacation.” Mateo wiggled his eyebrows.
“Sounds tempting, but no. I haven’t painted in forever and there’s a concept floating around in my head…”
“What’s it about?”
“Families.”
Mateo opened his mouth to respond when someone knocked on the door and it flew open, revealing Ida, Nick, Parker, Melissa and
Santi.
“Speaking of families,” Mateo mumbled. “Hey, Mom. What are you guys doing here?”
Melissa raised her hand. “Nick and I wanted to check on you.” “So did we,” Ida said, glancing at Parker.
“I came for Abigail,” Santi said.
Mateo narrowed his eyes at his little brother and Abigail laughed. “Where are the kids?”
“They’re with Jonathan,” Parker said, coming into the living room and making himself comfortable on the couch. The rest followed suit with Melissa and Ida arguing over the size of the fried chicken they should order from the restaurant.
Mateo glanced at her and shrugged. She tilted her head toward him and scrunched her nose as the cacophony of overlapping conversations filled the living room. Invasions like these would become a common thing, she was sure, and Abigail looked forward to every one of them.
“Mattie, you don’t plan on staying here this week, do you?” Santi asked, smiling at them across the room. Mateo glared at his little brother, but the keg had already been lit and the room exploded with opinions.
“Of course not!” Melissa yelled. “Right, Ida?”
“I would hope not,” Ida glanced at Abigail. “Right, Abby?”
“Leave the kids alone,” Nick said. “They’re going to be married like tomorrow.”
“What?” Parker chuckled. “That’s a bit much, Nick.” “Married?” Santi echoed.
“It’s not too much, man. Mateo’s been waiting for this day for years. He’s probably got a bank account set aside to give Abigail her dream wedding.”
“Nick!” Mateo hissed, giving her a side glance. “We’re right here.”
“Didn’t Abigail just end an engagement?” Melissa mused. “She may not want to get married so quickly.”
“Again!” Mateo threw his hands in the air. “We’re right here!”
“We should have it in San Pedro,” Ida said, sitting beside her husband. “Or in Orange Walk so that Maria doesn’t have to travel far.” “Do we have to talk about weddings?” Santi whined.
“I’m with Santi, here,” Parker said.
“Should we invite all the girls we set up with Mateo?” Ida wondered. “Would that be awkward?” “Mom!” Mateo gasped. Abigail clutched her stomach from laughter.
“See,” Ida pointed to Abigail, “she’s not offended. Calm down, Mateo. I was just thinking out loud.” “I met a Belizean designer who could sew your wedding dress, Abigail. She’s divine. Her name is Mia.” “Oh, I’ve heard of her,” Ida jumped in.
As the room carried on with the tide of wedding chatter, Mateo whispered in her ear. “Are you okay? My folks are getting a little ahead of themselves.”
“I’m fine,” Abigail said. And she was. She was with the right man and that made the future seem as bright and as welcoming as the family that surrounded her. Abigail snuggled closer to Mateo and sighed. “I’m perfect.”