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The next morning Liz woke in Carlos’ arms, to the patter of light rain tapping at the window. The gentle rhythm and Carlos’ warmth, made her feel sheltered as a bird in a nest. She snuggled close, thinking if she added up all the flickers of security she’d experienced with Steve in their nearly twenty years together, they wouldn’t come close to what she had known with Carlos in one night, even that one moment. He opened his eyes.
“Good morning, Mrs. Martin.”
Joy filled Liz’s heart. “Good morning, my love.”
After they again, enjoyed one another to the fullest, the newlyweds went downstairs for breakfast. Surrounded by artwork and elegance, they lingered over eggs benedict with ham, grilled tomato and other delights.
When breakfast was finished, they wandered through the hotel’s luxurious conference rooms and corridors.
Carlos seemed familiar with the layout.
“Have you been here before?” Liz asked.
He nodded. “I’ve dined with clients and attended business gatherings.”
All too soon, the time came to check out.
“Our wedding and wedding night was everything I’ve ever dreamed it would be and more,” Liz sighed as they drove back home.
“And to think,” Carlos said, as their tires swished through the rain. “Our honeymoon has just begun. We still have our drive west to the Grand Canyon ahead of us.”
When the couple arrived at the condominium, Fern Costello adjusted her binoculars to watch them cross the passageway.
“Hey Harold,” she called. “The lovebirds are back from their wedding night at that fancy hotel.
Harold groaned. “I hope I’ll get a break when they leave for their honeymoon.”
“Not a chance,” Fern said with a teasing grin. “Rosa will be here for a while. I need to keep my eye on her and Jack to make sure no hanky-panky is going on.”
Carlos paused after unlocking the door. Before Liz could react, he scooped her up in his arms.
“What are you doing?” a startled Liz laughed.
“I’m carrying you across the threshold,” he proclaimed, setting her gently down inside the door.
“You nut!” she said, kissing him, hoping he had not put a strain on his bad leg.
Inside, Jack was releasing King from his leash. It touched Liz to see Jack wearing the leather belt and engraved buckle Carlos had given him.
King bounded to Liz, whining to be petted. She and Carlos obliged him and pet Pickles too, despite his indifference.
“I took King for a run in the dog park,” Jack said.
Carlos patted King’s substantial mid-section. “Thanks. He needs the exercise. He’s getting a little barrel-shaped since we moved him from Liz’s place where he had a yard to run in.”
The tantalizing aromas of onion, spice and steaming vegetables, wafting from the kitchen, drew Liz over.
Rosa emerged, wiping her hands on a dishcloth.
“Welcome home, Mr. and Mrs. Martin.”
“Mrs. Martin!” a starry-eyed Liz repeated. “I’ll never tire of hearing that. But this is quite a welcome. Is that your famous vegetable soup perfuming the air?”
Rosa offered Liz a spoonful. “It sure is and there’s plenty to go around. We’ll leave you newlyweds alone as soon as we all have some and I clean up the kitchen.”
Liz sipped the soup and smacked her lips. “Delicious as always! And you don’t need to run off. We enjoy your company and appreciate all you have both done. We never could have pulled off the wedding without you.”
“It was our pleasure. But we really do need to go. Jack works today, plus my kids are leaving tomorrow and Stella’s flying back to L.A. the day after. They all want to go out for supper tonight, then hit the town, so I’ll be at Jack’s babysitting the three grandkids.”
As the couples ate, Jack kept glancing at his brother’s wedding ring.
“I have to admit. I never thought I’d see one of those on your finger.”
Carlos also looked at the ring in amazement. “Neither did I until Liz came along. I think she just might make a respectable man out of me.”
Jack took Rosa’s hand. “I don’t know how respectable Rosa can make me, but I think she has her work cut out for her.”
“It’s not work, it’s fun,” she purred, giving him a playful squeeze.
After everyone laughed, she relayed some news. “We spoke to Tony and Steph. The Casa Martín should be opening soon. In appreciation for the work Jack has done there, they offered it for our wedding and reception—free! We love the idea and scheduled everything for June.”
“We’re being married by Gorilla,” Jack added. “He’s a notary.”
“Should we call that hairy wild man, Padre?” Carlos joked.
Jack laughed. “I’m sure he’s been called a lot of things, why not Padre?
He told Liz and Carlos that more wedding gifts had arrived.
“I put them in the bedroom closet and they’re piling up.”
Liz made a mental note to make sure everyone received a note of appreciation.
Jack checked the time. “Well, gotta go and get ready for work.”
He and Rosa were soon heading out the door.
The following day, Carlos checked out well at his doctor’s appointment and got the go-ahead to leave for the honeymoon, but with careful instructions. “Leave the work behind, don’t exert yourself and take it easy with the driving.”
“My wife and I can share it,” he told the doctor, still amazed by the words, my wife.
When they returned to their space in the parking garage, Jack pulled up beside them on his motorcycle. Carlos rolled down his window.
Jack’s brow was furrowed. “I gotta get to work. But I’m real worried about Stella. She’s been crying since Raúl left. Rosa is with her.”
Ever maternal, Liz was sympathetic. “Poor kid! I hope she’s okay.”
Taking a deep breath, Jack flipped his visor down, revved his motor and took off.
Two days later, Liz and Carlos were ready to leave for the Grand Canyon. Jack and Rosa came to say goodbye, just as they had to Stella and Tyler the day before. They helped bring the couple’s luggage to the car.
“Don’t worry about anything while y’all are gone, including the pets,” Jack told the newlyweds as they rode the elevator down. “We’ll keep them fed and I’ll walk King. I’ll probably bring King to my place, so he won’t be alone all the time.”
Carlos expressed his gratitude and then said he had made arrangements for Pickles.
“I asked the housekeeper to feed him and clean his litter box like she always does when I’m gone. I pay her extra and she appreciates it.”
In the parking garage, Carlos and Jack hoisted the suitcases into the car.
Liz asked about Stella.
“Thanks for asking,” the relieved father replied. “She’s doing much better since she heard from Raúl. They’ll be staying in touch.”
Liz also asked about Laura, Christopher and the grandkids.
“Laura and Christopher will be remarrying. They’ve started counseling to iron out their differences,” Rosa informed her.
Rosa hugged her friend and Carlos. “Have a wonderful time. I leave for New York in a week, so I’ll be gone by the time you get back.”
After the brothers gave each other a backslapping masculine hug, Liz took the wheel and the newlyweds began their westward adventure.
They took their time, meandering along the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Panhandle, spending two nights in a motel, eating in beachside restaurants and strolling hand-in-hand along the sugar-white shores.
“This is the first time I’ve seen the Gulf of Mexico,” Liz said as the salty wind whipped in her hair. “I imagine you’ve been here before. You’ve been everywhere else.”
Carlos smiled. “From Florida’s Panhandle and its capital, Tallahassee, to its southernmost point, Key West, I’ve tried to visit each area in my home state.”
Next stop was New Orleans’ French Quarter, where the couple had hotel reservations. For dinner, they feasted on red jambalaya, with generous amounts of chicken, sausage, green peppers, onions and celery. Afterwards, they took an evening stroll, admiring romantic gaslights and ironwork balconies. When they saw a shop offering French pastry, they could not resist.
After that came Dallas in all is bigness. They visited the Dealey Plaza and the Sixth Floor Museum—part of the former Texas School Book Depository, from which Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated President John F. Kennedy. This more sobering note left the couple pensive.
Wherever they went, Liz would stop in art galleries and talk to the proprietors.
“I’m always impressed with how much you know about art forms and artists, Carlos told her as they veered north to Arizona. “Did you ever take classes?”
“I did in high school. However, getting married so young, I never had the chance to go to college. Yet as far back as I can remember, I loved to draw and study art on my own.”
“Well, you’re very talented and you could certainly teach a class,” Carlos said.
Liz glowed. “Thank you. That’s sweet of you to say.”
As they continued with Liz at the wheel, the air grew colder and the landscape became rugged and mountainous. Towering cliffs took on a reddish hue. Liz’s artistic eye noted that many looked like giant sculptures.
Carlos wanted to make one more stop before they reached their destination.
“The Chapel of the Holy Cross in Sedona,” he announced. “You’ll be amazed.”
She was indeed. Jutting from red mesas, the structure had a commanding view of the surrounding landscape. Wearing jackets on a chilly day, Liz and Carlos walked around its deck, admiring massive rock formations.
Carlos pointed out what appeared to be two stone nuns watching over forms known as the Madonna and Child.
“It looks exactly as you say,” Liz remarked.
The couple wandered through the chapel’s interior, where cathedral-style windows viewed the heavens.
At the altar, Carlos took Liz’s hand and said a prayer.
“Lord, thank you for bringing Liz and me together. Please help us to always love you and each other.”
“Amen,” Liz whispered as she looked to the heavens, where both their spirits seemed to soar.
After the couple continued, passing Flagstaff, the elevation increased. Snow dotted the forest and became thicker, among aspen trees mixed in with ponderosa pine. To the right the snow-capped San Francisco Peaks loomed.
"My GPS says that we're already at 8000 feet elevation and I read that the peak of the highest point is over 12,000 feet," Carlos said.
About an hour and a half later, after taking their time to enjoy the scenery, they were approaching Grand Canyon Village.
The couple had reservations at one of the finer lodges within the park and they arrived as sunset was approaching. They choose the hotel for its nearness to the canyon and their suite, for its windows and balcony, which offered a spectacular view. Bundled against the cold, they went right to the balcony to embrace and watch the evening sun. It illuminated the seemingly endless expanse of strata in various shades of russet, red and gold, accented by snow and shadows.
They did not take pictures, for it seemed any movement would detract from the majesty of the moment. Liz wanted to etch it forever in her mind, just as it was at that point in time. She and Carlos would be there five nights and have other opportunities for pictures and videos. They agreed to wait until the honeymoon was over before sharing them with others. This was their time, and except for an occasional call to Carlos’ mother, they had all but gone off the grid.
When darkness engulfed the canyon, Liz inhaled deeply.
“The air smells so fresh and clean.”
Carlos kissed her hair. “Yes it does darlin’ but I’m cold and hungry. Would you mind if we got something to eat?”
“Good idea,” she said, giving him an affectionate squeeze. “I’m famished.”
On their way to the dining area, the couple took a detour through a lounge where guests were socializing on comfortable furniture around a centrally located fireplace. Pausing by the crackling fire, they basked in its warmth and their love for one another.
In the restaurant, they sat across from each other at an intimate table. The couple was soon eating tender filet mignon and sipping wine from crystal glasses.
After a while, Liz excused herself to go to the rest room. When she returned, Carlos took her hand. His face had a look of wonder.
“Liz,” he said. “When you were gone, something happened that would probably go unnoticed by most people, but to me, it was extraordinary. The server asked me if I wanted more wine and I said yes. He then asked if my wife would like some too and I said you would. Hearing you called my wife touched something deep in me. I never thought I would meet someone with whom I would want to spend the rest of my life. When I met you, everything changed. I loved you and knew we were meant to be together.”
For Liz, the words and surroundings had a fairy-tale-come-true quality. She never believed in handsome princes, who would sweep a woman off her feet and ride off into the sunset. However, here she was, still in the glow of a spectacular sunset, living this dream.
She wept tears of joy.
“After my divorce, my heart and trust were so damaged, it didn’t seem possible I could love again. But you were the medicine I needed.”
For dessert, the couple savored chocolate mousse with rich coffee. They went to bed full, but not too full to reach out to one another.
The next morning, they enjoyed a pancake, egg and ham breakfast. There was also juice and coffee. When their plates were empty, Liz felt the combination rumbling in her innards.
“Oh Carlos, I’m so bloated. I had better take it easy with the food. I’ve been overeating and I don’t want to gain weight.”
“Don’t worry sweetie. You look great. Enjoy yourself during our honeymoon. That’s what I plan to do. When we get home I’ll get back to the gym and resume my daily walks with King.”
“Maybe I should get to that gym too,” Liz said before an unexpected belch erupted from her mouth.
Right in front of Carlos and on our honeymoon!
“You okay, babe?”
Liz nodded. “Just overeating, like I said.”
Due to Carlos’ recent concussion, as well as the cool temperatures, the couple took it easy, walking along the rim of the canyon. They drove to various points of interest, including the Desert View Watchtower and Hermit’s Rest. They also admired the panorama from their windows and balcony.
One morning, on their way outside for a walk along the rim, they joined a small crowd gathered on the lodge’s porch, all fascinated by something nearby. Some were taking pictures and videos, while others gawked.
“Will you look at that! It’s a bull elk, right there grazing on the grounds,” Carlos said.
Liz spotted it, just feet away. She joined the gawkers while an enthusiastic Carlos took videos. People were also passing by, going to and from the lodge. The elk barely looked up from its grazing.
“This large animal is not afraid of people,” a concerned Liz observed.
Men began stepping off the porch for a closer shot and Carlos went to join them.
Liz patted his arm. “Be careful honey, you just never know.”
Hearing her, a man nearby said, “Elk are commonly seen in Grand Canyon Village.”
“Interesting,” she replied, but still grimaced as Carlos moved-in for some close-ups of the creature. Before long, it casually sauntered away. Liz and Carlos continued to the rim of the canyon, enjoying the view and each other’s company. With her pad and pencil handy, Liz sketched the landscape. One day, they took a mule ride alone the south rim, awed by the canyon’s immensity.
The couple also wandered through the village, visiting museums and art galleries, housed in historic buildings.
There was plenty of time spent in the lodge’s lounge socializing with other guests by the fireplace, as well as enjoying leisurely meals in the intimacy of their room. However, all too soon it was time to go. Packing their suitcases, souvenirs and gifts they had accumulated throughout the trip, especially for little Ashley, they were homeward bound.